January 21, 2026
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen had a hat trick of assists in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins. He began his night at the office with a power-play assist and set up two goals during even-strength play. This was Heiskanen's ninth career three-assist game with the Stars, and only three defensemen have managed more. Last week, Heiskanen missed a pair of games for personal reasons and recorded a minus-three rating when he returned to action in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He produced an impressive bounce-back effort on Tuesday, tying Ottawa's Jake Sanderson for eighth among defensemen in scoring. Heiskanen has posted 39 points (seven goals, 32 assists) in 48 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel contributed two goals and one assist during Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He tied the game at one late in the first period and wrapped up the scoring with an empty-net goal. In between his two strikes, Hagel helped Anthony Cirelli record the game-winning tally. Hagel has been among the hottest forwards in the league as of late, producing 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) over a 10-game stretch. The run includes four multi-point efforts. With upcoming games against the defensively weak Chicago and Columbus, Hagel is well-positioned to continue his hot spell this week. The 27-year-old leads Tampa Bay with 25 goals and has tallied 46 points across 43 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly finished Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres with two goals and one assist. Nashville fell four goals behind before attempting a comeback, with O'Reilly leading the charge. This was O'Reilly's fifth consecutive appearance with at least one point. He has had only one longer point streak this season. Following a rough start, it has turned out to be a good campaign for O'Reilly, who is on pace for a career-high 79 points. After 49 outings, the 17-year-old veteran sits on 18 goals and 29 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Buffalo Sabres forward Konsta Helenius had a memorable night against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, finishing a 5-3 victory with a goal and two assists. Playing in his second career game, Helenius notched his first points, becoming the seventh Finnish teenager in NHL history to record a three-point game. Buffalo recently recalled Helenius from the minors after placing Josh Norris (upper body) on Injured Reserve. Norris is considered week-to-week, so Helenius might stick with the big club for a while. The 19-year-old filled a third-line role on Tuesday, skating with Noah Ostlund and Josh Doan.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) took only one third-period shift in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He appeared injured after teammate Brandon Hagel's shot hit him. "I don't know. I don't want to say anything," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said postgame about Cirelli's status. "He's a tough kid, so I'm hoping he'll be OK ... We'll see tomorrow." Before exiting, Cirelli had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's game. He has notched 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 44 games this season, earning him a spot on Team Canada for the Olympics. A serious injury would ruin Cirelli's Olympic dream and also be a blow to the Lightning.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 21, 2026
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (upper body) exited Tuesday's 4-3 win over the New York Rangers in the first period. He was injured when Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski made contact with Kuemper's head late in the period. Kuemper allowed two goals on eight shots in the opening frame. He was replaced in the crease by Anton Forberg, who put in an outstanding performance. The Swedish veteran finished with 27 saves and a .964 save percentage. Kuemper, who holds a 12-9-9 record, has already missed time this season due to an upper-body injury. Another multi-week absence for him would also be a blow for Team Canada, which has named him to its Olympic roster.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 20, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (illness) will miss Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins. He was a late scratch for the contest due to illness. With Rantanen out, the Stars lose their top scorer. The Finnish star has tallied 63 points (19 goals, 44 assists) in 48 appearances, putting him sixth in the league among all scorers. Sam Steel will take Rantanen's spot on the first line against Boston. Rantanen's first chance to return will be a meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dallas Stars
January 20, 2026
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke (lower body) will play on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports. He was initially considered a game-time decision. Peeke sustained a lower-body injury in a matchup against the Seattle Kraken last week but recovered quickly, missing only one game. Boston will be happy to have Peeke back after losing Henri Jokiharju (personal) for Tuesday's game. However, the 27-year-old offers very little fantasy value. In 48 outings this season, Peeke has registered nine points (four goals, five assists), 54 shots, 92 blocks, and 58 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jim McBride
January 20, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Rodrigo Abols (lower body) will be out for "months," Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet refused to rule Abols out for the rest of the season, but it's clear that he faces a long spell on the sidelines. Across 42 outings this season, Abols has logged 10 points (three goals, seven assists), 43 shots, and 49 hits. On Monday, it was announced that Abols will be replaced on Team Latvia for the Olympics by Rihards Bukarts. In Philadelphia, Lane Pederson replaced Abols in the lineup on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights.
--Taavi PailkSource: Kevin Kurz
January 20, 2026
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (undisclosed) won't play on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. He was injured in Monday's overtime win against the Calgary Flames. Early reports suggest that Hughes will miss some time, although the team doesn't yet know the full extent of his injury. Hughes has been on track for his third consecutive 40-point campaign in 2025-26, recording five goals and 21 assists in 49 contests. Johnathan Kovacevic is expected to replace Hughes in the lineup on Tuesday night. He has a limited offensive arsenal and isn't a viable fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 20, 2026
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) will not play for Team Sweden at the 2026 Olympics, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. He will miss a fourth consecutive game on Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens and won't rejoin the lineup until after the 2026 Olympic Games. It's a bad blow for the Swedes and the Wild. Brodin has made 42 appearances this season, recording 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) and 91 blocks. The Wild defense is currently also without Zach Bogosian (undisclosed), but he could be an option for the team later this week. In the meantime, David Jiricek will eat up minutes on the third defensive pairing with Daemon Hunt.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michael Russo
January 20, 2026
Montreal Canadiens winger Alexandre Texier (lower body) will miss Tuesday's clash against the Minnesota Wild. The team has ruled him out due to a lower-body injury. Texier is considered day-to-day. The French forward has made a big impact with the Canadiens this season, amassing 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 27 games. While losing Texier is a blow for Montreal, the team will get Kirby Dach (foot) back into the lineup against Minnesota. He will replace Texier on the first line. Texier's first chance to return will be on Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 20, 2026
Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach (foot) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve and will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Dach has missed over two months due to a broken foot. He was initially expected to miss 4-6 weeks. This season, Dach has been limited to 15 games, producing five goals and two assists. He will be in a great spot to make an immediate impact on Tuesday night, joining forces with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line. Dach is also expected to be part of the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
New Jersey Devils left wing Ondrej Palat (illness) will be back in action on Monday against the Calgary Flames, returning from a one-game absence. The Czech veteran was a no-go on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes after feeling under the weather. Palat is projected to skate with Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer on the second line. It has been a tough year for Palat, who has contributed only four goals and six assists in 47 appearances. He has landed on the score sheet just twice in his last 15 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 19, 2026
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (illness) will rejoin the lineup on Monday night against the New York Rangers. He's set to face his former team after sitting out two games due to illness. Kreider is expected to replace Jansen Harkins in the lineup and will skate on the first line. The veteran forward will also link up with the second power-play unit. Across 42 appearances this season, Kreider has managed 15 goals and 25 points. Kreider went without a point on Dec. 15 against the Rangers, which was his first time facing his former team since his offseason trade.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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