April 1, 2026
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (hand) may be out for the rest of the campaign after being hurt in Tuesday's win over the Ottawa Senators. The veteran rearguard injured his hand in the third period while blocking a shot. According to George Richards of Florida Hockey Now, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said postgame that Eklad's injury "doesn't look good." Dmitry Kulikov (face) and Donovan Sebrango (undisclosed) were also hurt on Tuesday. Due to injuries, Florida is already using a patched-up front line late in the season, and now the team could also be without several regulars on defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: George Richards
March 31, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes left winger Nikolaj Ehlers scored once and added two assists in a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. His goal in the third period ended up being the game-winning goal with just over seven minutes left in the game. The Danish forward now has 24 goals and 40 assists this year through 74 games played, tying his career high in points with 64.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin scored two goals in a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. The goals were his 30th and 31st of the year, and this marked the 20th year of Ovi's career in which he reached the 30-goal mark. Ovechkin now has seven goals in his last seven games and is playing well as the Capitals try to grab a Wild-Card spot.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (upper body) won't be available on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres and is considered day-to-day, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports. Holmstrom is one point shy of having his second straight 40-point season. He has tallied 19 goals and 20 assists across 73 outings. As a result of Holmstrom's absence, Mathew Barzal will move back to the first power-play unit. Anthony Duclair will take his spot in the lineup. Things haven't gone well for Duclair in 2025-26, and he isn't a good fantasy option. Barzal's move to the top power-play unit might also have only a limited impact on his fantasy value, as Buffalo is one of the NHL's best penalty-killing teams.
--Taavi PailkSource: Andrew Gross
March 31, 2026
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier (upper body) will exit the lineup for Tuesday's meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. Montreal may be without him for the rest of the regular season after Carrier sustained an upper-body injury. Carrier has played well on both ends of the ice, amassing 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists), 56 SOG, and 155 blocks in 73 games. Adam Engstrom joined the big club on Monday and could be Carrier's replacement for Tuesday's game. The 22-year-old Swedish native has made 11 appearances in the NHL and is still looking for his first points.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
March 31, 2026
Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei (upper body) will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. He took part in the morning skate but isn't yet ready to return from an upper-body injury. Lohrei has appeared in 68 games this season, registering 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists), 68 shots, and 85 blocks. Henri Jokiharju took Lohrei's spot on defense against Columbus on Sunday. The Finnish blue-liner had a fairly uneventful evening against the Blue Jackets, but he has shown some offensive ability with 11 assists in 38 games this campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
Dallas Stars defenseman Tyler Myers (undisclosed) won't play on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports reports. The veteran blue-liner will exit the lineup after making 11 appearances with the Stars since his move from Vancouver. He hasn't scored with 12 SOG but boasts two assists. Additionally, Myers has recorded 15 blocks and hits. Ilya Lyubushkin will fill the void on the blue line. The Russian rearguard plays similarly to Myers and shouldn't be expected to make offensive contributions. Myers' first opportunity to return will come on Thursday when the Stars host the Winnipeg Jets.
--Taavi PailkSource: Owen Newkirk
March 31, 2026
Dallas Stars left wing Michael Bunting (lower body) won't suit up on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports reports. He suffered a lower-body injury in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia and could miss several games. Dallas' forwards have been dropping like flies lately, leading to Cameron Hughes getting a chance to make his team debut on Tuesday. The 29-year-old hasn't appeared in the NHL since 2020-21. Hughes has been a prolific player in the minors, averaging over a point per game this season, but he will enter the lineup on the fourth line and isn't expected to make a significant impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: Owen Newkirk
March 31, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (illness) is a game-time decision for Tuesday's clash against the Montreal Canadiens. Tampa's star man has missed two games due to illness, but appears ready to return after participating in the morning skate. However, he hasn't been officially cleared to return. Kucherov has been extraordinary in 2026, recording 70 points (22 goals, 48 assists) in 32 games. Edmonton's Connor McDavid has been the second-highest scorer this calendar year with 54 points. Gage Goncalves will have a bigger role if Kucherov suffers a setback and doesn't return on Tuesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) is available to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports. The veteran star has missed four games due to an upper-body injury. Malkin should reclaim a top-six spot and work on the first power-play unit. Following a couple of underwhelming campaigns, Malkin has been a point-per-game player in 2025-26, amassing 15 goals and 37 assists in 50 appearances. However, he has gone back-to-back games without a point against the Red Wings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michelle Crechiolo
March 31, 2026
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (personal) will return to action on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Bennett became a father over the weekend and has sat out two games. He is expected to take over as the first-line center on Tuesday night. It's been a disappointing campaign for Florida, but Bennett has enjoyed a career year. In 70 games, he has posted 25 goals and 54 points. Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk will join Bennett on the first line against Ottawa.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander contributed one goal and three assists in Monday's 5-4 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks. Three of his points were recorded in the third period as Toronto came back from a 3-1 deficit. Nylander had two assists on the power play. Although the Maple Leafs have struggled in 2025-26, Nylander has shown world-class form, sitting just outside the league's top 10 with an average of 1.22 points per game. He leads Toronto in scoring despite missing significant time due to injury. Across 58 outings, Nylander has tallied 71 points (26 goals and 45 assists).
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 31, 2026
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini joined an exclusive list of players on Monday night with a three-point effort in a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues. He became the sixth teenager in NHL history to record a 100-point season after Sidney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Jimmy Carson, Mario Lemieux, and Dale Hawerchuk. Joe Thornton and Erik Karlsson were previously the only Sharks players to reach 100 points in a single season. Celebrini had two goals and one assist against the Blues, all in the first period. He picked up two points with the man advantage. After erupting for five points in two games, Celebrini has 38 goals and 63 assists in 72 outings this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 31, 2026
Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz (face) has traveled with the team for Tuesday's road game against the Edmonton Oilers, Mike Benton of the Kraken Audio Network reports. The veteran has been out of action for 10 games due to a facial injury. Schwartz took a skate blade to the face during a game against the Ottawa Senators on March 7. Shane Wright (undisclosed) has been banged up lately, so Schwartz could be his replacement on the third line. In 42 outings this campaign, Schwartz has posted 10 goals and 11 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Benton
March 31, 2026
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (abdomen) is available for selection on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. He has been out of action for over two months due to an abdominal injury but participated fully in Monday's practice. Greenway skated with Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn, so it looks like he will return to action on Tuesday as part of the fourth line. The 29-year-old has been limited to 33 appearances this season, registering five points (one goal, four assists), 58 SOG, and 49 hits. Tyson Kozak will be the odd man out with Greenway's return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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