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
March 27, 2026
San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 23-year-old was making his return from a lower-body injury but had to leave the game midway through the second period. Askarov was involved in a collission in the crease and appeared to have hurt his neck. He stopped all 11 SOG he faced. Askarov's replacement, Alex Nedeljkovic, allowed two goals on 12 SOG. If Askarov is forced to miss time again, the Sharks will likely bring back Laurent Brossoit from the minors to serve as Nedeljkovic's backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: San Jose Sharks PR
March 27, 2026
Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues broke a finger in Thursday's loss to the Minnesota Wild and is likely done for the season. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice noted after the game that Rodrigues is looking at a 4-6-week recovery period. Florida finishes the regular season on April 15 and is unlikely to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Across 69 games, Rodrigues managed 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 2025-26. He adds to the long list of injuries for the Panthers. Players like Jesper Boqvist and Vinnie Hinostroza are expected to take on bigger roles for the rest of the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 27, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's shootout win against the Ottawa Senators. He took only one shift in the second period. Penguins head coach Dan Muse didn't have an update on Crosby after the game. Crosby has posted a team-high 64 points (28 goals, 36 assists) in 61 games. this season Pittsburgh was already without Evgeni Malkin (upper body) for a second consecutive game on Thursday. Malkin is considered day-to-day and could be available to replace Crosby in the lineup if needed on Saturday against Dallas. Should both star centers miss the game, the Penguins would likely look to Kevin Hayes to fill the void.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 26, 2026
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes made 25 saves and allowed just one goal in a tough 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. A first-period goal by Damon Severson was the only blemish from Dobes, as he was perfect the rest of the way. The young Czech goalie has been having a solid season with a 24-8-4 record, 2.83 goals against Average, and an .898 save percentage.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 26, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Noah Cates scored and assisted one time each in a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. Both his points came in the last eight minutes of the game and helped add some insurance to their lead. The American has been playing well lately, with four goals and two assists in his last five games played, giving him 40 total points this year.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 26, 2026
Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Foligno (lower body) will return to action on Thursday night against the Florida Panthers. He has yet to play this month due to a lower-body injury. Foligno is second on his team with 151 hits and has recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 48 games with 55 SOG. On Thursday, Foligno will play alongside his brother Nick for the first time. The two are expected to be joined by Yakov Trenin on the fourth line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 26, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (lower body) won't play on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. He will miss at least one game due to a lower-body injury suffered in Tuesday's loss to Chicago. DeAngelo has made a big impact offensively for the Islanders, registering 33 points (five goals, 28 assists) in 72 outings. Isaiah George will play on Thursday night if Ryan Pulock (lower body) isn't ready to return. He is considered a game-time call after missing two contests.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 26, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Anthony Mantha (lower body) will play on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. He skipped Wednesday's practice due to a lower-body injury but won't have to miss his first game of the season. With Evgeni Malkin (upper body) sidelined, Mantha currently plays a more important role for the Penguins. He's had a great year in Pittsburgh, with a career-high 53 points (26 goals, 27 assists) in 71 games. Ottawa's injury-ravaged blue line makes Thursday's game an appealing matchup for Mantha.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 26, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (forearm) will miss the rest of the 2025-26 regular season. He had surgery on Thursday and has been ruled out for 4-8 weeks. Chabot injured his right forearm in Monday's matchup with the New York Rangers. He will finish the season with 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) in 55 games. Carter Yakemchuk has taken Chabot's spot in the lineup and will make his second career appearance on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 20-year-old had an impressive debut on Tuesday against Detroit, notching a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
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