March 28, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Lardis scored the team's only goal in Friday's 6-1 loss to the New York Rangers. He opened the scoring in the contest late in the first period, but the Blackhawks were overrun at Madison Square Garden. Chicago has struggled during the second half of the season, yet Lardis has recently enjoyed the best stretch of his rookie campaign. The 20-year-old has scored in three of the last four games, adding two assists. Overall, he has totaled 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 32 games. Lardis has experienced quite a bit of frustration during his first NHL campaign, but he's finishing the year strongly and will look to keep his form going on Sunday against New Jersey.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 28, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) might return to the lineup on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports. The veteran rearguard practiced on Friday after missing nine games with a lower-body injury. Gostisbehere worked with the first power-play unit in practice, which is usually a strong indication that the player is ready to return to the lineup. He is expected to skate on the third defensive pairing in even-strength situations. In 45 outings this season, Gostisbehere has produced 15 power-play points and 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) overall. Gostisbehere's return will bump Mike Reilly out of the lineup, while Alexander Nikishin will get less power-play time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ryan Henkel
March 27, 2026
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider added two more assists in a 5-2 win over the first-place Sabres on Friday. Both his assists came in the first period and on the power play, with Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat scoring the goals. Seider remains one of the NHL's best defenseman, not just due to his defensive abilities, but also because he can rack up the points. He has 51 points in 72 games this year.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 27, 2026
Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat had a goal and two assists in a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. He extended his point streak to nine straight games and now has 13 points over that stretch. On the season, DeBrincat has 36 goals and 41 assists in 72 games played and leads the Red Wings in goals and points.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 27, 2026
New York Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand will be in the net against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports. The 23-year-old will make his second career appearance. Garand has gotten his opportunity with Jonathan Quick (upper body) unavailable for a third straight game. He enjoyed a solid debut on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets, finishing a 3-2 shootout loss with 35 saves. Garand has a favorable matchup on Friday against the third-worst offense in the NHL. Chicago has averaged only 2.57 goals per game this season, while generating a league-low 1,759 SOG.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mollie Walker
March 27, 2026
Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund (upper body) won't play on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports. He hasn't joined the team for pregame warmups after being regarded as a game-time decision. Ostlund is nursing an upper-body injury and didn't practice on Thursday. The 22-year-old Swedish native has had a good rookie campaign, with 11 goals and 27 points in 60 appearances. Tanner Pearson will replace Ostlund in the lineup, making only his second appearance for the team since being acquired from Winnipeg at the trade deadline.
--Taavi PailkSource: Matthew Fairburn
March 27, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary (upper body) was back at practice on Friday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. This was his first practice session since suffering an upper-body injury last week. Zary has missed three games since being hurt. He remains day-to-day, but the fact that he's practicing again indicates that Zary could soon be ready to return to the lineup. The Flames head out next against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Zary has notched 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 67 games during his third NHL campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: Pat Steinberg
March 27, 2026
Calgary Flames left wing Samuel Honzek (upper body) will not return to action this season, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. The 21-year-old suffered an upper-body injury in November, which required surgery. On Friday, he practiced with the team for the first time since getting hurt. However, Calgary won't bring Honzek back into the lineup this season. Honzek is expected to fully recover in time for the 2026-27 campaign. He made 18 appearances in 2025-26, recording four points (two goals, two assists) and 35 hits. The 2023 first-round pick has great potential as a power forward, but he needs to stay away from injuries.
--Taavi PailkSource: Pat Steinberg
March 27, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (upper body) is considered week-to-week after he was injured on Thursday night against the Montreal Canadiens. Severson was hurt late in the game from a hit by Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc. His absence leaves the Blue Jackets without a defenseman who has been effective on both ends of the ice. With 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 71 games, Severson has enjoyed one of the best offensive campaigns of his career, and the 31-year-old is third on the Columbus roster with 86 blocks. Jake Christiansen or Egor Zamula will compete for a spot in the lineup during Severson's absence. Meanwhile, Denton Mateychuk and Dante Fabbro are candidates for increased ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 27, 2026
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (undisclosed) has returned home after being hurt on Thursday against the New York Islanders, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. The Stars began a four-game road trip on Long Island, but Steel will miss the final three games. It's unclear whether Steel will be available when the team returns home to face the Winnipeg Jets on April 2. The 28-year-old has seen regular top-six action this season, recording a career-high 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 72 contests. Mikko Rantanen (lower body) appears ready to return to action this weekend and will replace Steel in the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Heika
March 27, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (lower body) practiced fully on Friday and could play on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. The star forward was injured while playing for Team Finland at the Olympics, but he will make a timely return for the Stars, who have lost five of their last six games. Rantanen has averaged the eighth-most points in the NHL this season, tallying 20 goals and 49 assists in 54 outings. His return will end Mavrik Bourque's run on the first line, but he could still maintain a top-six spot after Dallas lost Sam Steel (undisclosed) against the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Heika
March 27, 2026
Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (upper body) is week-to-week, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny doesn't expect Hayton to play for a bit after he sustained an upper-body injury in Tuesday's loss to Edmonton. Hayton has tallied 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 67 outings this season. His absence allowed Daniil But to re-enter the lineup on Thursday night against Washington, but he didn't make an impact in 9:08 of ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Brogan Houston
March 27, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (lower body) will be unavailable for 1-2 weeks, the team announced. He sat out his first game of the season on Thursday night against Dallas and is expected to be sidelined for at least three more contests. Losing DeAngelo is a significant setback for the playoff-chasing Islanders. The 30-year-old has contributed five goals and 28 assists in 72 games. On the bright side, Ryan Pulock (lower body) was back on the blue line against Dallas, which helps ease the impact of DeAngelo's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: New York Islanders
March 27, 2026
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (undisclosed) didn't finish Thursday's 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. He exited the action in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. Steel's ice time has increased throughout the season due to injuries, and it's helped him to record a career-high 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 72 games. But he may now be sidelined himself. Fortunately for Dallas, Mikko Rantanen (lower body) is close to returning and will practice on Friday. Meanwhile, Michael Bunting, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday, is an option to rejoin the lineup for this weekend's back-to-back against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Heika
March 27, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports. Severson scored the Blue Jackets' only goal of the game in the first period but left the action in the third. The 31-year-old has been very productive lately, recording three goals and two assists over the last five games. He has posted 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 71 games for the season. Egor Zamula or Jake Christiansen will get a chance to play if Severson misses additional time, while Denton Mateychuk could be his replacement on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jeff Svoboda
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