March 22, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (lower body) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Islanders will be without Pulock for the fourth time this season. He's made an impact on both ends of the ice, totaling 25 points (three goals, 22 assists), 80 shots, 124 blocks, and 47 hits with a plus-14 rating in 67 games. Adam Boqvist is in line to replace Pulock on Sunday. In 21 outings, Boqvist has recorded zero goals and one assist, making him a non-factor in fantasy hockey. Tony DeAngelo and Scott Mayfield will see increased usage on the right side of the Islanders' defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: New York Islanders
March 22, 2026
Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie produced three assists as the team earned a 4-2 road win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. Geekie has become more known as a goal-scorer, but he showed off his playmaking ability in a key Atlantic Division matchup, helping David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, and Nikita Zadorov to score. His first assist came on the power play. Geekie has started to recover from an offensive slump, notching four assists in two games after being scoreless for five straight contests. The 27-year-old leads Boston with 34 goals and has tallied a career-high 61 points in 69 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 22, 2026
Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos had his fifth three-point outing of the campaign on Saturday, tallying two goals and one assist in a 4-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The veteran star earned two points on the power play. Stamkos was very slow out of the gate this season, but only three players have scored more goals than him since December. He has already recorded more points than last season, with 33 goals and 22 assists in 69 games. The Predators are in desperate mode to make the playoffs, which should keep Stamkos performing at a high level for the rest of the way.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 22, 2026
Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield erupted for a career-high five points in Saturday's 7-3 victory over the New York Islanders. He posted his third career hat trick and added two assists. picking up two points on the power play. The entire first line was a nightmare for the Islanders, combining for 14 points. Caufield is currently enjoying one of his best stretches of the season, having amassed eight goals and six assists over his last eight appearances. He leads the NHL with 24 goals in 2026. Overall, Caufield has lit the lamp 43 times, putting him in a race for the Rocket Richard Trophy with Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon and Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov. The 25-year-old has added 31 assists in 68 games during a career year.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 22, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov dominated against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, producing two goals and two assists in a 5-2 road win. The former MVP made a mark in all situations, surpassing McDavid to take the NHL's scoring lead. Kucherov moved two points ahead of the Oilers captain and boasts 118 points (40 goals, 78 assists) in 64 games. In 2026, no one has come close to Kucherov in scoring, as he's managed 67 points (22 goals, 45 assists) in 29 outings. No other player has even reached 50 points since the turn of the year. This hot run of form makes Kucherov the favorite for the Art Ross Trophy, which he also won in 2019, 2024, and 2025.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 22, 2026
St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (lower body) is week-to-week. He didn't play in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks due to a lower-body injury and is set to miss multiple games. Tucker has appeared in a career-high 61 games this season, registering 13 points (three goals, 10 assists), 62 shots, 44 blocks, 90 hits, and 81 penalty minutes. Justin Holl rejoined the lineup on Saturday and is expected to have a regular role until Tucker returns. Saturday's game was only Holl's fourth appearance of the season in the NHL. He has recorded one assist, with two shots on goal, three blocks, two hits, and a plus-three rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: St. Louis Blues
March 22, 2026
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (upper body) is expected to miss a third consecutive game on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks, Vinnie Parise of The Hockey News reports. He landed on the shelf this week with an upper-body injury, prompting the team to recall Matt Murray from the minors. Justus Annunen has started back-to-back games, but Murray might get a look on Sunday since this is the second game in as many days for the Predators. Annunen has done an admirable job filling in for Saros, securing two consecutive wins and allowing just one goal in each game. Murray recorded a shutout win in his only start this season, stopping 23 shots in a 4-0 victory against Minnesota on Jan. 8.
--Taavi PailkSource: Vinnie Parise
March 22, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (throat) has been released from the hospital after taking a puck to the throat area before Saturday's matchup with the Ottawa Senators. Stolarz was set to start in the Battle of Ontario but was hit in the throat by a puck during the pregame warmups. He was taken to the hospital for precautionary imaging. After Saturday's game, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Stolarz had left the hospital and would travel back to Toronto with the team. It appears the veteran netminder didn't suffer a serious injury and could be an option on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins. Stolarz has posted an 8-9-3 record in 21 starts this season, allowing 3.34 goals with a .894 save percentage.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 21, 2026
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (leg) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. "Skated today, improving," Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan said about Larkin after Saturday's morning skate. "Not playing tonight. Pretty soon will be moving into that day-to-day category, but not available tonight." Larkin was initially ruled out for two weeks on March 12. While Andrew Copp made an early return from injury this week, Larkin needs more time to recover. Detroit plans to use J.T. Compher and Emmitt Finnie as the top-six centers on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 21, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (upper body) could return in 7-10 days, head coach Travis Green said on Saturday. He will miss a seventh consecutive game on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Senators are likely to get him back soon. Sanderson is a key player in defense for Ottawa, recording 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists), 133 shots, and 116 blocks across 62 outings this season. His absence has elevated Thomas Chabot's fantasy value. Chabot has logged monster ice time in recent games, including 30:53 in Thursday's 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. He has notched one goal and two assists in six games during Sanderson's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 21, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (lower body) won't play on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators and is considered day-to-day. According to Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, Rielly aggravated a lower-body injury in Friday's overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 32-year-old has played in 67 of Toronto's 70 games this season, amassing 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists), 125 shots, and 96 blocks. Jack McCabe is the only Maple Leafs player with more blocks than Rielly this season. With Rielly out, McCabe might also be asked to take on more offensive responsibilities and is an option to join the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
March 21, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen (upper body) is week-to-week, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports. The Finnish rearguard suffered an upper-body injury this week and wasn't in the lineup on Thursday night against Columbus. New York won't have him for at least a few more games, starting with Sunday's tilt against the Winnipeg Jets. Vaakanainen has made 33 appearances this season, recording six assists, 22 shots, and 26 blocks. Connor Mackey filled in for Vaakainen on Thursday, making his season debut. He logged 13:32 of ice time and recorded one block, two penalty minutes, and a minus-two rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: Vince Z. Mercogliano
March 21, 2026
New York Rangers center Noah Laba (lower body) is considered week-to-week, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports. The rookie forward was injured on Wednesday against New Jersey and wasn't available for Thursday's action against Columbus. Unfortunately, Laba's absence won't be limited to one game. Laba's performance has been one of only a few positives for the Rangers during a tough season. He has notched 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) through his first 65 career appearances. With Laba out, Jonny Brodzinski re-entered the lineup on Thursday but had little impact across 6:01 of ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Vince Z. Mercogliano
March 21, 2026
San Jose Sharks winger Tyler Toffoli (lower body) is questionable for the team's upcoming three-game road trip, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports. The veteran forward suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's loss to Buffalo and wasn't in the lineup on Saturday against Philadelphia. It looks like it might not remain his only absence. Philipp Kurashev entered the lineup on Saturday, joining Macklin Celebraini and Will Smith on the first line. The Swiss forward will have additional fantasy value as long as he sticks with San Jose's two young stars.
--Taavi PailkSource: Curtis Pashelka
March 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (illness) will sit out Saturday's matchup with the Edmonton Oilers. The Lightning captain made an early exit against Vancouver on Thursday due to illness and is still feeling under the weather. His next chance to return will be on Sunday when the Lightning cap off their four-game road trip against the Calgary Flames. Emil Lilleberg (face) will take Hedman's spot in the lineup on Saturday night. The 25-year-old will be back in action after missing eight games with a facial fracture. Hedman has made only 33 appearances this season, so Tampa Bay shouldn't have any issues coping with his absence. Darren Raddysh will take on the leading role on the blue line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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