February 2, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov missed tying the NHL record for most points in an outdoor game by just a single point on Sunday in a Stadium Series contest, recording one goal and three assists in a 6-5 shootout victory over Boston. Kucherov was feeling it all game, firing eight shots on goal. While he only got one puck past Jeremy Swayman in the Bruins' net, it was a vital goal in the third period, which extended the game. Two of Kucherov's assists came on the power play, helping the Lightning erase a 5-1 deficit. Kucherov has been producing silly numbers in recent weeks, finishing 15 of 18 outings with multiple points. This stretch includes six games with at least three points. As a result, the Russian star has started to sneak into Art Ross Trophy contention as the NHL's leading scorer. He has totaled 86 points (28 goals, 58 assists) in 49 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 2, 2026
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider lit the lamp twice as his team beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Sunday. The veteran forward produced the first two goals of the contest, logging his sixth multi-point outing of the campaign. Kreider had a challenging time in December, finishing the month with only four points. He boosted his production to six points in January, and his improvement in form appears set to continue in February. Kreider has cemented a spot in the top six and skates with the first power-play unit. He has recorded 19 goals and 30 points in 49 games across the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 2, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi had a below-par outing on Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings but still ended up on the winning side, making history in a 3-2 overtime victory. Bussi, who finished with a .846 save percentage after saving 11 of 13 shots, improved to 21-3-1 to become the goalie with the most wins through their 25 career games in NHL history. It has been a special campaign for the Sound Beach, New York native after he started the year as the third option between the sticks. Bussi has allowed 2.21 goals while logging a .906 save percentage and one shutout. In his next appearance, Bussi will be aiming for his sixth consecutive win.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 2, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere contributed two assists in Sunday's 3-2 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings. He had a power-play helper in the first period on a Jordan Staal goal and combined with Seth Jarvis to set up Sebastian Aho for the game-winner 1:25 into the extra frame. In late January, Gostisbehere returned from a lower-body injury and has been on fire ever since. Across three outings, the veteran has tallied three goals and three assists. Gostisbehere is among six blue-liners to average at least one point per game this season. He boasts nine goals and 29 assists through 38 outings. Gostisbehere also averages more than one block per game, further increasing his fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 2, 2026
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson (upper body) made an early exit from Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He sustained an upper-body injury during the first period, logging only 2:50 of ice time across four shifts. Anderson has taken a significant step back offensively this season, and a serious injury would be another blow for him. Following a career-high 24 points last term, Anderson has settled for nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 54 appearances. He has registered 77 blocked shots and 59 hits. The Kings carry Jacob Moverare as an extra defenseman, and he is set to enter the lineup for Wednesday's clash against Seattle if Anderson isn't healthy enough to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Los Angeles Kings PR
February 2, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) left Sunday's Stadium Series clash against the Boston Bruins after logging only 6:25 of ice time. He suffered an undisclosed injury late in the first period on an open-ice hit by Bruins forward Mark Kastelic. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper called Cirelli's injury "a stinger" after the game, so it looks like he may have avoided a major injury. Tampa Bay has two more games to go until the Olympic break. Cirelli is set to play in the Olympics for Team Canada after impressing throughout the season. He has tallied 30 points (15 goals, 20 assists) in 49 contests with a plus-30 rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 31, 2026
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (upper body) practiced on Saturday and is set to return to action on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports. The Ducks still need to activate Terry from Injured Reserve to get him into the lineup. An upper-body injury has kept Terry sidelined for 11 games. Despite his multi-week absence, Terry leads the Ducks with 29 assists and has 13 goals in 43 outings. He is set to slot into the second line and the second power-play unit on Sunday. The Ducks' attack could also get Mason McTavish (upper body) back against Vegas.
--Taavi PailkSource: Derek Lee
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
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