January 23, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Anthony Mantha scored two goals in Thursday's 6-2 road win over the Edmonton Oilers. He provided the goals in the span of 22 seconds early in the first period. Sidney Crosby quickly added another one, giving Pittsburgh three goals inside 37 seconds against the team's former goalie, Tristan Jarry. These were Mantha's first goals since the turn of the year. He has struggled in front of the net after wrapping up 2025 with a three-game goal streak. Still, it has been a good campaign for Mantha, who sits on 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) through 50 appearances. Should he maintain his current scoring rate, the 31-year-old would get to celebrate a new career high at the end of the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 23, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves recorded his first shutout of the season in Thursday's tough matchup against the Dallas Stars, finishing a 1-0 victory with 28 saves. Zach Werenski did the business at the other end. Greaves has become a solid option for fantasy managers as the season has progressed. Currently, he is on an 8-4-1 run over his last 13 starts. The 24-year-old has allowed two or fewer goals six times over that span. For the season, Greaves holds a 15-12-6 record, with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 23, 2026
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak notched a goal and two assists in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. With the Czechia star leading the charge, the Bruins jumped to a 4-0 lead. Pastrnak had two power-play assists, and his even-strength goal ended up being the game-winning marker. Boston improved to 9-2-0 over its last 11 games. During that stretch, Pastnark has been on another level, posting 22 points (six goals, 16 assists). He has become one of only six players in the league this season with at least 20 goals and 40 assists. In 46 appearances, Pastrnak has racked up 63 points (21 goals, 42 assists).
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 23, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau (lower body) is expected to rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Due to a lower-body injury, he didn't play in Wednesday's loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Huberdeau has had a frustrating start to 2026, going eight games without a point. Overall, he has bagged 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 44 appearances. Matvei Gridin has had a quiet spell in the top six and could come out of the lineup on Friday to accommodate Huberdeau's return.
--Taavi PailkSource: Reuters
January 23, 2026
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (upper body) returned to practice on Thursday and will be an option for Saturday's matchup against the St. Louis Blues. Kuemper left Tuesday's win over the New York Rangers early due to an upper-body injury. He was unable to continue after a collision with Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski. "Yeah, kind of got hit on the side of my neck, and it pinched my neck and pinched the nerves, and my arm went dead," Kuemper said. "So, yeah, wasn't allowed to come back in until we did some further testing yesterday." Kuemper, who is on Team Canada's roster for the Olympics, has shown outstanding form throughout 2025-26, allowing 2.52 goals with a .904 save percentage and two shutouts. However, because of the Kings' inconsistent offense, Kuemper has won only about a third of his starts, going 12-9-9.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 23, 2026
Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) was injured in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times reports. With a couple of minutes left to play, Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc hit Benson in the head with his elbow. Benson registered the game-winning goal in the contest, ending a three-game point drought. While scoring hasn't been easy for Benson in recent games, he is enjoying a career year. The 20-year-old has notched 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) across 37 outings. Buffalo also lost defenseman Jacob Bryson (upper body) to injury on Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Bill Hoppe
January 22, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (upper body) is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Edmonton Oilers. He is dealing with an upper-body injury and missed Wednesday's win over the Calgary Flames after being a game-time decision. Jack St. Ivany came into the lineup and impressed with two assists in a 4-1 win. Ryan Shea, who took Letang's spot on the first power-play unit, made an impact as well with one assist. Brett Kulak also saw power-play time, while Parker Wotherspoon led the blue line in ice time with 22:14. The entire defensive unit must step up again on Thursday night if Letang remains out. Pittsburgh's defense has also recently operated without Erik Karlsson (lower body), who missed a fifth consecutive game on Wednesday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 22, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks forwards Frank Nazar (face) and Andre Burakovsky (illness) will hop back into the lineup on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Nazar has missed 14 games after taking a puck to the face, while Burakovsky wasn't available for Monday's win over the Winnipeg Jets due to illness. During the morning skate, Nazar worked as the second-line center, and Burakovsky joined Ryan Greene and Connor Bedard on the first line. The duo will also strengthen Chicago's power-play units. Nazar has managed 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 33 appearances this season. Burakovsky is Chicago's third-highest scorer, with 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 43 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 22, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is set to rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Marchment hasn't played for eight games due to an upper-body injury. He is projected to have a top-line role against Dallas, skating with Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko. Marchment is also on track to join the first power-play unit. The 30-year-old, who was acquired from Seattle on Dec. 19, has been a perfect fit in Columbus. He has recorded five goals and two assists in seven outings with his new team.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 22, 2026
Montreal Canadiens winger Alexandre Texier (lower body) remains day-to-day and won't play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. A lower-body injury will keep him out for a second consecutive game. Texier's next chance to return will be on Saturday in an Original Six matchup against the Boston Bruins. In the meantime, Kirby Dach will continue in a top-line role. He ended a 31-game absence on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, logging 16:46 of ice time. Although Dach went pointless, he still made an impact in a 4-3 victory with three blocked shots, one hit, and two shots on goal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 22, 2026
Minnesota Wild forwards Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) and Marcus Johansson (lower body) skated on Thursday morning and could return to the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings. Eriksson Ek has sat out six games due to a lower-body injury and must be activated from Injured Reserve to return. Johansson has been dealing with a lower-body injury as well, missing three games. If they are ready to return, Eriksson Ek and Johansson are expected to join the second line and link up with Vladimir Tarasenko, who has been red-hot lately. Over the last four games, Tarasenko has notched five goals and three assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 22, 2026
Ottawa Senators winger David Perron will be out for 5-7 weeks because of a sports hernia that will require surgery. Stephen Halliday will replace Perron in the lineup on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. Perron has been hot offensively in recent games, posting two goals and two assists in four appearances. For the season, he has totaled 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 49 contests. If Perron can recover in five weeks, he could be back in the Senators lineup right after the Olympic break. Halliday has contributed six assists in 18 NHL appearances this season. He has been a point-per-game player in the AHL.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 22, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (illness) won't play on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He will miss a second straight game due to illness after being a late scratch on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The Stars have struggled in 2026, and Rantanen's absence is a big blow for the team. Rantanen ranks sixth in the league with 63 points (19 goals, 44 assists) in 48 appearances. Mavrik Bourque is expected to continue in a first-line role on Thursday night. He made a big impact on Tuesday, contributing a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in a 6-2 win.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 22, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was in top form on Wednesday night against the Calgary Flames, recording a goal and an assist in a 4-1 road victory. Malkin opened the scoring in the first period and helped Egor Chinakhov tally the game-winning goal in the second. Since returning from an upper-body injury earlier this month, Malkin has contributed three goals and five assists in eight appearances. He has been a point-per-game player all season, bagging 11 goals and 26 assists in 34 outings. Malkin's hot form also boosts the fantasy value of his linemates. Tommy Novak is currently skating with Malkin and Chinakhov.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 22, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Christian Dvorak ended a four-game point drought with two goals and one assist in Wednesday's dramatic 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth. Dvorak's second tally of the night put the Flyers up 4-2 entering the third period, and they still led by one with a minute remaining in regulation, but ultimately let the win slip away. Dvorak's recent play in the offensive zone hasn't been productive, but he's had a solid campaign overall, earning him a five-year, $25.75 million contract extension earlier this month. The 29-year-old is Philadelphia's third-highest scorer, with 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 48 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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