March 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg (face) is expected to miss approximately two weeks due to a facial fracture, the team announced. He sustained the injury during Wednesday's practice and will be unavailable for a third straight game on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. Lilleberg has appeared in 35 games for the Lightning this season, recording six points (two goals, four assists), 28 shots, 33 blocks, 60 hits, and a plus-10 rating. Declan Carlile has seen action on the blue line during Lilleberg's absence, but he isn't a recommended fantasy pickup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Tampa Bay Lightning
March 8, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight (illness) didn't travel with the team for Sunday's contest against the Dallas Stars. Knight is battling an illness and was also unavailable for Friday night's action against the Vancouver Canucks. The team hopes Knight will feel better by Monday and be able to play in a matchup with the Utah Mammoth. The 24-year-old goalie has lost his last four starts but has performed well overall this season. Despite holding a losing record at 16-18-8, Knight has registered a 2.63 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, and three shutouts. Arvid Soderblom and Drew Commesso are the options to start in Sunday's difficult matchup against the Stars, who have gone 10-0-1 across their last 11 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 8, 2026
Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson (lower body) is not available to make his team debut on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports. The Ducks acquired Carlson from Washington on Thursday night, and he practiced with the team for the first time on Saturday. However, Carlson is still nursing a lower-body injury he sustained before the Olympic break and won't be rushed into action. His next chance to return will be on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. On Sunday, the Ducks' defense will continue to lean heavily on Jackson LaCombe and Jacob Trouba.
--Taavi PailkSource: Derek Lee
March 8, 2026
Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (upper body) made an early exit against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. He was involved in a collision with Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers
in the first period, and Whitecloud was ruled out for the rest of the game with an upper-body injury. Due to his limited offensive arsenal, Whitecloud doesn't really have fantasy value, but he's been an important part of the Flames' defense since arriving from Vegas in January. Across 14 outings, Whitecloud has averaged 22:03 of ice time, recording four assists, 17 shots, 28 blocks, and 25 hits. The team also lost Joel Hanley (illness) before Saturday's game and may have to make a roster move ahead of Monday's contest against the Washington Capitals.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
March 8, 2026
Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz (face) didn't complete Saturday's matchup with the Ottawa Senators. During the first period, he was involved in a scary incident when Senators forward Nick Cousins lost his balance and his skate blade struck Schwartz's face. Schwartz left the ice with a bloodied towel on his nose. The veteran forward has had a solid but unspectacular campaign in Seattle, recording 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 42 outings. If he isn't ready to play in Tuesday's matchup with the Nashville Predators, Seattle could bring Frederick Gaudreau (illness) or Bobby McMann (not injury-related) into the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 8, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (upper body) could be forced to miss time after being injured in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Seattle Kraken. He appeared to have hurt his shoulder on a hit from Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour. Sanderson hasn't earned any points in three outings, but it has been a fruitful campaign for him. Across 62 games, Sanderson has recorded 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists), 133 shots, 116 blocks, and a plus-nine rating. His outstanding form earned him a spot on Team USA's Olympic gold-winning roster. If Sanderson misses time, Thomas Chabot will take on a larger role in Ottawa's defense, while Nikolas Matinpalo (undisclosed) could fill the void in the lineup if he has recovered from his injury.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
March 7, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 27 of 29 shots faced in a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. This was a good bounce-back game for the Russian netminder, as he had lost three straight matches and allowed 12 goals in that span. Vasilevskiy now has a 28-10-3 record with a 2.25 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning right winger Nikita Kucherov had a two-assist game in Saturday night's 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He set up goals by Ryan McDonagh, Jake Guentzel, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Brandon Hagel. Kucherov has now reached 100 points (32 goals and 68 assists) in just 57 games this season. This is the fourth season in a row he has reached this mark.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (lower body) is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks. The Finnish forward suffered a lower-body injury in Friday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche. "It's going to be a couple of weeks for sure. We don't know exactly how much but it's not a couple of days, so we'll see how long that is," Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan told reporters on Saturday, adding the team hopes to see Hintz return before the playoffs. Hintz has been Dallas' fourth-highest scoring forward this season, amassing 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 53 games. Mavrik Bourque is set to move back to the first line to fill in for Hintz.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (leg) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the New Jersey Devils. He is considered day-to-day after suffering a leg injury in Friday's loss to Florida. The good news is that Larkin is expected to travel with the team for a four-game road trip, and it's possible he can return to action before the Red Wings return home. Larkin is second on his team with 28 goals and ranks third with 55 points in 63 games. Andrew Copp is expected to take over as the first-line center on Sunday, with Marco Kasper and J.T. Compher also moving up in the depth chart. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard was recalled from the minors on an emergency basis to fill the void in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Seattle Kraken defensemen Adam Larsson (illness) and Ryan Lindgren (illness) might not be in the lineup on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. Both are considered game-time decisions, along with forward Frederick Gaudreau (illness). The trio is affected by an illness bug spreading in the locker room. Larsson and Lindgren are top-four regulars in defense and will be badly missed if they can't play. Josh Mahura and Cale Fleury are poised to jump into the lineup as their replacements. At the same time, Vince Dunn, Brandon Montour, and Jamie Oleksiak could be required to take on a heavier workload on the blue line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (upper body) will miss a third consecutive game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers recently lost their top scorer to an upper-body injury, and Konency practiced on Friday with a non-contact jersey. Across 58 appearances this season, Konecny has contributed 23 goals and 34 assists. With him on the shelf, Denver Barkey will work in a top-six role on Saturday. The 20-year-old rookie has managed 10 points (two goals, eight assists) through his first 26 career appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) is a game-time call for Saturday's matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. After sustaining a lower-body injury, Sergachev missed his first game of the season on Thursday versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergachev plays a crucial role on Utah's blue line, recording 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists), 128 shots, 100 blocks, and a plus-three rating in 61 outings this season. If Sergachev isn't healthy enough to return on Saturday, Dmitri Simashev is poised to remain in the lineup. Meanwhile, Sean Durzi will continue to fill in for him on the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (lower body) will play on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. He sustained a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Florida Panthers and couldn't finish the game. Fortunately for Columbus, Marchment won't miss additional time. He will skate with Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko on the first line. Marchment is also a contributor on the first power-play unit in Columbus. The 30-year-old has tallied 10 goals and 17 points in 19 appearances since the Blue Jackets acquired him from the Seattle Kraken in December. With newly arrived Conor Garland ready for his team debut, Dmitri Voronkov will sit out Saturday's game as a healthy scratch.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (illness) will return from a three-game absence on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. The star blue-liner missed time due to a stomach bug. Werenski will rejoin the first defensive pairing, bumping Ivan Provorov down to the second. He will also play a key role on the first power-play unit. Before exiting the lineup late last month, Werenski set a new franchise record for the longest point streak by a defenseman, getting on the score sheet in nine consecutive games. He has finished scoreless only twice in his last 24 appearances, posting 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) in 54 games across the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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