February 26, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (lower body) will play on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the Olympic break, Fox missed 13 consecutive games and has been available for just three of the last 30 games. When in the lineup, Fox has been top-class, recording 28 points (four goals, 24 assists), 56 shots, and 45 blocks in 30 appearances. The Flyers allow over three goals per game (3.16) and have a .884 save percentage this season, making it a favorable fantasy matchup for Fox and the Rangers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (lower body) will be back in the net on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Russian netminder hasn't played since Jan. 5 due to a lower-body injury. Although the Rangers sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Shesterkin has had a fine campaign. He has posted a 17-12-4 record across 34 starts, with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage, and one shutout. On Thursday, Shesterkin will go up against the league's 22nd-ranked offense, which has produced 2.86 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. While Pittsburgh has just lost Sidney Crosby (lower body), the team will get a big defensive piece back. Letang missed the final four games before the Olympic break with a fractured foot. The 38-year-old has recorded 25 points (three goals, 22 assists), 196 shots, 64 blocks, and 67 hits in 50 outings this season. Letang will be part of the second power-play unit and will have a new partner on the second defensive pairing, with the recently acquired Samuel Girard expected to skate with him.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle (illness) is a game-time decision for Thursday's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings. The German star is dealing with an illness and missed the morning skate. Stutzle entered the Olympic break with a five-game goal streak and has totaled 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists) in 57 games this season. Shane Pinto and Lars Eller will likely have larger roles in Thursday's game if Stutzle doesn't play. Pinto is the more attractive fantasy option, though he has been inconsistent since his hot start to the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 26, 2026
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (not injury-related) will return to action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports. MacKinnon didn't play in Wednesday's 4-2 road victory over Utah, taking a bit of extra rest after the Olympic tournament. The Avalanche leader sits third in scoring in the NHL, recording 40 goals and 53 assists in 55 appearances. He's had multiple points in 10 of his last 19 outings. MacKinnon's return will bump Brock Nelson to the second line, but he will continue to be heavily involved in the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dylan Loucks
February 26, 2026
Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson potted his 30th goal of the season in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth. With Nathan MacKinnon (not injury-related) out of the lineup, Nelson skated as the first-line center and registered the game-winning goal on Wednesday night. Nelson has been somewhat of a late bloomer, becoming only the second player in NHL history to record each of his first four 30-goal campaigns after turning 30. In 56 outings, he has also had 20 assists during his first full season in Denver. Although MacKinnon could jump back into action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Nelson will continue to play a vital role for Colorado.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 26, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov finished Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs with three points. He logged the game-winning goal and dished out two assists, extending the NHL's longest active point streak to 11 games. Kucherov has had only three longer scoring streaks in his career, with his career-best at 13 games. He can match it this week as Tampa Bay takes on Carolina on Thursday and Buffalo on Saturday. Kucherov has been incredible in 2026, amassing 43 points (12 goals, 31 assists) in 17 games. He has jumped to second on the league's scoring list, tallying 94 points (30 goals, 64 assists) in 52 outings this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 26, 2026
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson tallied a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 road victory over the New Jersey Devils. Thompson had a productive Olympic campaign and continued where he left off, scoring his 31st goal of the season and setting up Peyton Krebs for the game-winner. Thompson leads his team in scoring, with 61 points (31 goals, 30 assists) in 58 outings. He boasts 11 goals and 13 assists across his last 18 appearances. The 28-year-old will head out two more times this week as Buffalo faces a back-to-back set in Florida against the Panthers and Lightning.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 26, 2026
Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston had two goals on four shots in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. He produced Dallas' first and last goal as the hosts jumped to a 4-0 lead. With his second marker, Johnston surpassed Mike Modano for the most power-play goals in a single season in team history. Johnston has struck 19 times with the man advantage and boasts 31 goals overall. He's added 30 assists in 58 appearances. This season, Johnston is on pace to average at least a point per game for the first time in his career.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 26, 2026
Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren (undisclosed) exited Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars after logging only 01:24 of ice time. He couldn't continue after a collision with Stars forward Colin Blackwell. Lindgren's early exit from Wednesday's loss leaves him questionable for Thursday's tilt against the St. Louis Blues. Cale Fleury and Josh Mahura are the options to come into the lineup as Lindgren's replacement. Neither player should draw fantasy interest, as they have totaled just five points between them this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook (ankle) will return to action on Thursday against the New York Islanders. A fractured ankle has kept Newhook sidelined for several months, with the 25-year-old missing 40 games. Before the injury, Newhook was off to a strong start to the season, notching 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 17 games. To accommodate Newhook's return, the Canadiens are expected to scratch Zachary Bolduc. Newhook will be eased back into action on the fourth line, but he's also penciled in for a role on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 26, 2026
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (leg, personal) won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. He has been granted a leave of absence to attend to a personal matter. Thomas is also currently on Injured Reserve after undergoing a minor leg procedure in late January. He is expected to return to the team on Friday, but it's unclear whether he will be an option for this weekend's back-to-back set. Thomas is among St. Louis' top scorers, with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games. Brayden Schenn (illness) may also be out on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice. As a result, Dalibor Dvorsky could handle the first-line center duties.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 25, 2026
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (thigh) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers, while forward Mikael Granlund (upper body) has been ruled out. Carlsson was one of the biggest stars to miss the Olympic tournament after undergoing a thigh procedure on Jan. 16. He's made a huge impact this season, posting 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 44 games. Granlund, who centered the first line during Carlsson's absence, was hurt while playing for Finland in Milan, but he could return to the lineup later this week. Alex Killorn and Beckett Sennecke will join Carlsson on the first line against Edmonton.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 25, 2026
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid will suit up Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. While it was initially reported that McDavid could sit out a couple of games after the Olympics, the Oilers captain participated in Wednesday's morning skate and told reporters he will play in Wednesday's contest. Edmonton dropped three games in a row before the Olympic break, and McDavid appears determined to get his squad back on track. The NHL's leading scorer needs just four more points to record his sixth consecutive 100-point campaign. He has logged 34 goals and 62 assists in 58 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 25, 2026
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (lower body) will sit out Wednesday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. The veteran blue-liner sustained a lower-body injury before the Olympic break and needs more time to fully recover. It's bad news for the Capitals, as Carlson has played great hockey in 2025-26. Across 55 outings, Carlson has contributed 10 goals, 36 assists, and 84 blocks. Declan Chisholm is expected to take Carlson's spot in the lineup on Wednesday, but he is an unappealing option for fantasy managers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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