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
March 7, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (knee) won't return to action before the end of the 2025-26 regular season. A week ago, the Russian forward underwent meniscus surgery, and it's unclear whether Kuzmenko will have a chance to return when the Kings make the playoffs. Kuzmenko ends his first full campaign in L.A. with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 52 games. The Kings have also lost Kevin Fiala (lower leg) for the season, and Joel Armia (upper body) will be out for several weeks. This has led to expanded roles for Trevor Moore and Alex Turcotte, while new additions Scott Laughton and Mathieu Joseph could also play an important part down the stretch.
--Taavi PailkSource: The Mayor
March 7, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve, paving the way for him to rejoin the lineup on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The talented blue-liner sustained an upper-body injury at the Olympics and has missed five games since the Jets resumed their season. Morrissey's return will mark a boost at both ends of the ice for Winnipeg. He has recorded 42 points, 104 shots, and 94 blocks with a plus-10 rating across 56 contests this season. Ville Heinola will be bumped from the first power-play unit with Morrissey's return, while Dylan Samberg and Haydn Fleury will also see less ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
March 7, 2026
Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (ear) is not expected to return this season, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports. He has been out since Nov. 1 due to a blood clot in his ear. "He's continuing to get treatment," Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Friday. "Our main concern, obviously, is his well-being and long-term health, and second, when he can be back as a hockey player. But he's progressing but most likely he'll be out for the season." Kulich was knocked out of the lineup after recording five points (three goals, two assists) in 12 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Bill Hoppe
March 7, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) didn't finish Friday's 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports. He sustained a lower-body injury in the first period and didn't come out for the second. Despite being hurt, Gostisbehere managed to score Carolina's first goal of the night. Gostisbehere has been very productive offensively all season, but health issues have limited him to 47 appearances. He has posted 11 goals and 32 assists. Mike Reilly is set to come into the lineup if Gostisbehere has to sit out another game on Saturday against the Calgary Flames.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ryan Henkel
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