January 31, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (elbow) practiced on Saturday and is expected to rejoin the lineup for Sunday's Stadium Series matchup against the Boston Bruins. The star blue-liner has been out since Dec. 9 due to an elbow procedure. Incredibly, the Lightning have lost just five of 23 games without Hedman. Darren Raddysh has stepped up in a major way in defense. With Hedman returning, Raddysh will have to settle for a lesser role, but he will remain an attractive fantasy piece due to his offensive ability.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 31, 2026
Washington Capitals forward Connor McMichael (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve and is considered week-to-week. The 25-year-old missed his first game of the season on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes and won't return to action until after the Olympics. The injury will ruin McMichael's attempt to register his second consecutive 50-point campaign. In 55 outings, he has contributed eight goals and 23 assists. Ethen Frank moved to the third line as McMichael's replacement on Saturday. McMichael's exit from the lineup also opens up power-play time, as he averages the sixth-most power-play time on his team (1:37).
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) has been ruled out for four weeks. The veteran suffered a fractured foot and was placed on Injured Reserve ahead of Saturday's contest against the New York Rangers. It's unfortunate to see Letang dealing with another injury, but at least it came at a good time. Due to the Olympic break, Letang may end up missing only four games. Recently, Letang sat out his first two games of the season due to an upper-body injury. Connor Clifton replaced Letang in the lineup on Saturday, while Ryan Shea joined the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 31, 2026
New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (illness) missed the morning skate and will be a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against the Ottawa Senators. He is battling an illness and could sit out his first game of the season. In 54 contests, Hischier has contributed 18 goals and 23 assists. The Devils have already ruled out Jack Hughes (lower) for Saturday, and Hischier's absence would leave the team thin at center. Dawson Mercer and Cody Glass (undisclosed) are expected to play larger roles on Saturday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (lower body) will miss Saturday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. He remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury sustained Thursday against the Nashville Predators. Dawson Mercer will move into the top six on Saturday, and there could be further changes among the forward group, depending on Nico Hischier's (illness) status. Cody Glass (undisclosed) will return from a one-game absence and could also have an expanded role against Ottawa.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark will be between the sticks on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. This will be his first outing since Dec. 27. Ullmark only recently rejoined the Senators after being away from the team for personal reasons. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner has posted a 14-8-5 record this season, with a 2.95 goals-against average, a .881 save percentage, and one shutout. He has a favorable matchup on Saturday against a banged-up Devils team, which ranks 28th in the league with a 2.61 goals-for average.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ottawa Senators
January 31, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle led his team on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring his second career hat trick in a 4-2 win. The 33-year-old produced a power-play goal late in the first period, opened the second period with an even-strength tally, and sealed his hat trick with an empty-net goal. Coyle also collected an assist on Friday night. In recent games, Coyle has been on another level, notching five goals and four assists across his last three outings. The hot streak has boosted Coyle's scoring total to 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 53 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 31, 2026
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (illness) missed Friday's practice but is expected to play on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre reports. Hronek hasn't sat out any games this season and looks ready to keep his proud record despite dealing with an illness. Since Quinn Hughes moved to Minnesota, Hronek has been Vancouver's No. 1 defenseman, averaging 24:50 of ice time in January. He has notched 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his last 15 appearances. For the season, Hronek has managed 32 points (five goals, 27 assists) in 54 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 31, 2026
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (upper body) is not traveling with the team for Sunday's Stadium Series matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After sustaining an upper-body injury in Thursday's win over Philadelphia, Zacha is also in danger of missing Wednesday's contest against the Florida Panthers. Boston also lost Elias Lindholm (upper body) this week, leaving the team without two of its top centers. Fraser Minter has moved up in the lineup to fill Lindholm's spot, and with Zacha out, Matthew Poitras could also see time on a scoring line. The team may also decide to use Casey Mittelstadt as a center on Sunday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (upper body) will remain behind as the team heads out for two games in Florida. The Swedish forward suffered an upper-body injury earlier this week, and unfortunately, he won't be healthy enough to play in Sunday's Stadium Series contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Additionally, Lindholm will miss a meeting with the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Pavel Zacha (upper body) will also sit out the two games, meaning youngsters Fraser Minten and Matthew Poitras may be Boston's top-six centers for at least a couple of games. Casey Mittelstadt could also slot into the middle after spending time on the wing.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (groin) appears ready to rejoin the lineup on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. He practiced on the second line on Friday, and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters after the session there is a good chance Nylander will play against Vancouver. The Swedish star has been sidelined for seven games due to a groin injury. Nylander has scored in five of his last six appearances, racking up 17 goals for the season. He paces the Maple Leafs with 48 points in 37 games. Nylander's return will bump Matthews Knies to the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
January 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (undisclosed) didn't practice on Friday and may skip Saturday's matchup against the New York Rangers. The veteran blue-liner recently sat out two games due to an upper-body injury, and it's unclear if he has aggravated the same injury or is dealing with something new. After being limited to 30 points last term, Letang already boasts 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 50 contests this season. He ranks second on his team with 64 blocks and fourth with 67 hits. Connor Clifton is set to fill in for Letang if he can't play against the Rangers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (undisclosed) sat out Friday's practice, leaving his status for Saturday's tilt against the New York Rangers unclear. Malkin recently missed a month of action due to a shoulder injury, and he appeared to have been hurt in Sunday's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. Yet, the Russian veteran logged his usual minutes on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. With three goals and three assists in his last four outings, Malkin has been thriving as a winger on the second line. Should he miss Saturday's game, Anthony Mantha may be promoted to the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 30, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (lower body) left Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins after two periods of play. He suffered a lower-body injury and was replaced by Dan Vladar for the final frame. It was a miserable night for Ersson, who allowed five goals on 20 shots. Fortunately for Philadelphia, Vladar returned from injury on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, giving the team a proven option between the pipes if Ersson misses time. Last week, Ersson beat the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, but he has posted a disappointing .856 save percentage this season and holds an 8-10-5 record with a 3.51 goals-against average.
--Taavi PailkSource: Philadelphia Flyers
January 30, 2026
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (upper body) didn't finish Thursday's 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. He exited the contest in the second period, and the Bruins ruled Zacha out for the rest of the game at the beginning of the third. Zacha scored Boston's second goal of the night in the first frame. He has potted 15 goals during the season, adding 22 assists in 54 appearances. The Bruins may have to finish the week without their top-two centers, as Elias Lindholm (upper body) was already out on Thursday. Fraser Minten moved up in the lineup, and the same may happen with Matthew Poitras on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
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