January 21, 2026
Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (lower body) has been cleared to play on Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals. He will be available after sitting out 43 games due to a lower-body injury. Blueger was hurt in a game against the Capitals on Oct. 19. Wednesday's contest will mark only his third appearance of the season. Blueger is expected to fill the third-line center role, flanked by Liam Ohgren and Conor Garland. Both wingers have scoring talent, boosting Blueger's fantasy value. However, managers shouldn't expect much from the Canucks, who just posted a new franchise record with 11 consecutive losses.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve, paving the way for him to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The power forward has been out for eight games due to a lower-body injury. Wilson has had a wonderful 2025-26 campaign, posting a team-high 22 goals and sharing the overall scoring lead on the squad with 42 points in 41 games. He also has an outstanding plus-20 rating. Wilson returns in a great spot, taking on a team that has lost a franchise-worst 11 games in a row. Ivan Miroshnichenko is projected to make way for Wilson in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Washington Capitals
January 21, 2026
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (shoulder) is facing a lengthy absence after the team placed him on long-term Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The move is retroactive to Monday, when Hughes injured his shoulder in a matchup against the Calgary Flames. A player on long-term Injured Reserve is required to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Hughes' absence began on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler led the blue line in ice time against Edmonton, while Dougie Hamilton logged the most power-play time. Johnathan Kovacevic took Hughes' spot in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The Russian forward didn't play in Monday's win over the Washington Capitals after sustaining an upper-body injury in a car accident. Fortunately, Nichushkin has made a quick recovery and should fill his normal duties against Anaheim. Colorado uses Nichushkin on the second line and the second power-play unit. He has tallied 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games this season. In January, Nichushkin has been slumping, finishing scoreless in six of seven appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (upper body) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against the Calgary Flames. He missed practice on Tuesday and could also sit out at least one game. Pittsburgh will remain without Erik Karlsson (lower body) on Wednesday, so having Letang available on defense would be crucial. Due to Karlsson's absence, Letang has recently seen more power-play time. In 10 January outings, Letang has produced one goal and five assists. Overall, he has managed 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 48 games. If Letang doesn't play on Wednesday, the Penguins could use Brett Kulak on the top power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey left his fingerprints all over Tuesday's matchup against the St. Louis Blues, scoring a goal and delivering two assists in a 3-1 victory. The talented blue-liner earned two points on the power play, including his goal. Morrissey became the second defenseman in franchise history to light the lamp at least 90 times, joining Dustin Byfuglien (122). He's had 10 goals and 42 points in 48 games this season, providing good fantasy value despite playing on a struggling team. Morrissey currently shares sixth place in scoring among defensemen.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen had a hat trick of assists in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins. He began his night at the office with a power-play assist and set up two goals during even-strength play. This was Heiskanen's ninth career three-assist game with the Stars, and only three defensemen have managed more. Last week, Heiskanen missed a pair of games for personal reasons and recorded a minus-three rating when he returned to action in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He produced an impressive bounce-back effort on Tuesday, tying Ottawa's Jake Sanderson for eighth among defensemen in scoring. Heiskanen has posted 39 points (seven goals, 32 assists) in 48 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel contributed two goals and one assist during Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He tied the game at one late in the first period and wrapped up the scoring with an empty-net goal. In between his two strikes, Hagel helped Anthony Cirelli record the game-winning tally. Hagel has been among the hottest forwards in the league as of late, producing 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) over a 10-game stretch. The run includes four multi-point efforts. With upcoming games against the defensively weak Chicago and Columbus, Hagel is well-positioned to continue his hot spell this week. The 27-year-old leads Tampa Bay with 25 goals and has tallied 46 points across 43 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly finished Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres with two goals and one assist. Nashville fell four goals behind before attempting a comeback, with O'Reilly leading the charge. This was O'Reilly's fifth consecutive appearance with at least one point. He has had only one longer point streak this season. Following a rough start, it has turned out to be a good campaign for O'Reilly, who is on pace for a career-high 79 points. After 49 outings, the 17-year-old veteran sits on 18 goals and 29 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Buffalo Sabres forward Konsta Helenius had a memorable night against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, finishing a 5-3 victory with a goal and two assists. Playing in his second career game, Helenius notched his first points, becoming the seventh Finnish teenager in NHL history to record a three-point game. Buffalo recently recalled Helenius from the minors after placing Josh Norris (upper body) on Injured Reserve. Norris is considered week-to-week, so Helenius might stick with the big club for a while. The 19-year-old filled a third-line role on Tuesday, skating with Noah Ostlund and Josh Doan.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) took only one third-period shift in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He appeared injured after teammate Brandon Hagel's shot hit him. "I don't know. I don't want to say anything," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said postgame about Cirelli's status. "He's a tough kid, so I'm hoping he'll be OK ... We'll see tomorrow." Before exiting, Cirelli had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's game. He has notched 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 44 games this season, earning him a spot on Team Canada for the Olympics. A serious injury would ruin Cirelli's Olympic dream and also be a blow to the Lightning.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 21, 2026
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (upper body) exited Tuesday's 4-3 win over the New York Rangers in the first period. He was injured when Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski made contact with Kuemper's head late in the period. Kuemper allowed two goals on eight shots in the opening frame. He was replaced in the crease by Anton Forberg, who put in an outstanding performance. The Swedish veteran finished with 27 saves and a .964 save percentage. Kuemper, who holds a 12-9-9 record, has already missed time this season due to an upper-body injury. Another multi-week absence for him would also be a blow for Team Canada, which has named him to its Olympic roster.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 20, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (illness) will miss Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins. He was a late scratch for the contest due to illness. With Rantanen out, the Stars lose their top scorer. The Finnish star has tallied 63 points (19 goals, 44 assists) in 48 appearances, putting him sixth in the league among all scorers. Sam Steel will take Rantanen's spot on the first line against Boston. Rantanen's first chance to return will be a meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dallas Stars
January 20, 2026
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke (lower body) will play on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports. He was initially considered a game-time decision. Peeke sustained a lower-body injury in a matchup against the Seattle Kraken last week but recovered quickly, missing only one game. Boston will be happy to have Peeke back after losing Henri Jokiharju (personal) for Tuesday's game. However, the 27-year-old offers very little fantasy value. In 48 outings this season, Peeke has registered nine points (four goals, five assists), 54 shots, 92 blocks, and 58 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jim McBride
January 20, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Rodrigo Abols (lower body) will be out for "months," Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet refused to rule Abols out for the rest of the season, but it's clear that he faces a long spell on the sidelines. Across 42 outings this season, Abols has logged 10 points (three goals, seven assists), 43 shots, and 49 hits. On Monday, it was announced that Abols will be replaced on Team Latvia for the Olympics by Rihards Bukarts. In Philadelphia, Lane Pederson replaced Abols in the lineup on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights.
--Taavi PailkSource: Kevin Kurz
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