March 31, 2026
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar suffered an upper-body injury in Monday's 9-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. After setting up three goals, Makar sat out the third period. The two-time Norris Trophy winner hasn't missed any games this season, but it's unclear whether he will be healthy enough to face the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. It's been another huge campaign for Makar, who ranks third among defensemen with 75 points (20 goals, 55 assists) in 73 games. On the defensive end, he has recorded 117 blocks. Sam Malinski and Brent Burns will have bigger roles on defense if Makar misses additional time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Colorado Avalanche
March 30, 2026
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri scored two goals in a 9-2 dominating win over the Calgary Flames on Monday. The Canadian veteran has been playing well lately, riding a four-game point streak where he has two goals and three assists over that span. Kadri now has 16 goals and 50 points in 73 games, and he has been producing better since being traded to the Avs at the deadline. He will look to keep producing in the next game versus the Canucks.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Anthony Mantha had two goals and one assist as the Penguins dominated their Metro division rival, the New York Islanders, on Monday. All three of his points came in a span of just four minutes late in the second period as the Penguins went from trailing 3-2 to leading 5-3. Mantha is having one of the best seasons of his career with 29 goals, 28 assists, and a plus-14 rating.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Washington Capitals winger Aliaksei Protas (upper body) won't be available for Tuesday's showdown against the Philadelphia Flyers. He sustained an upper-body injury on Saturday night against Vegas and wasn't part of Monday's practice session. "He's going to miss a little bit of time," Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said about Protas. "Won't play tomorrow and then we'll sort of reassess later." Only Alex Ovechkin (29) and Tom Wilson (25) have scored more goals than Protas for Washington this season. He has struck 23 times on 147 SOG, adding 24 assists in 70 games. With Protas out, David Kampf could get a chance to make his team debut on Tuesday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body) will return from a one-game absence on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old suffered a lower-body injury last week, but fortunately for Mintyukov and his team, it kept him sidelined for only one game. Mintyukov has made an impact on both ends of the ice, recording 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists), 72 SOG, and 106 blocks in 67 outings. With Radko Gudas (lower body) also back for the Ducks, Drew Helleson and Frank Vatrano will move to the press box.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) will play on Monday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He missed Saturday's loss to Edmonton due to a lower-body injury. However, the veteran is ready to play through the issue against Toronto. This is expected to be a feisty affair after Gudas' knee-on-knee hit ended Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews' (knee) season. He was handed a five-game suspension for the incident. Gudas has appeared in 54 games this season, registering 13 points (two goals, 11 assists), 63 SOG, 87 blocks, 160 hits, and 45 penalty minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg (upper body) is expected to miss a third consecutive game on Monday against the St. Louis Blues, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. The Swedish veteran is trying to shake off an upper-body injury. He skated on Monday morning, so San Jose could have Klingberg back later this week. In his first year as a Shark, Klingberg has recorded 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists), 79 SOG, 61 blocks, and 46 hits in 54 games. His next opportunity to return will be on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sheng Peng
March 30, 2026
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (knee) has been officially ruled out for the 2025-26 season by head coach Paul Maurice. Barkov has teased his return, mentioning in late February that it would happen "soon," and he rejoined practice earlier this month. However, since the Panthers are highly unlikely to make the playoffs, it wouldn't be wise for the team to rush Barkov back. The Panthers captain tore his left ACL and MCL on the first day of training camp in September. He was ruled out for 7-9 months. Florida's injury situation among forwards has forced Eetu Luostarinen and Jesper Boqvist into top-six center roles, giving them more fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
March 30, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) will remain sidelined on Monday against the New York Islanders, missing a fourth consecutive game. After practicing fully on Sunday, Malkin seems close to returning, but the team will have to do without him for at least one more game. His next chance to return will come on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. With Malkin out, Thomas Novak will remain on the second line against the Islanders. Ben Kindel could also have a larger role in the contest, depending on Sidney Crosby's (lower body) status.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (lower body) is a game-time decision against the New York Islanders on Monday. He practiced fully on Sunday, which suggests that Crosby is ready to return after missing one game. However, the team hasn't yet fully committed to bringing Crosby back. The Islanders would certainly be happy if the Penguins captain sat out another game. Crosby has scored 140 points (44 goals, 96 assists) in 92 career regular-season games against the Islanders, his highest point total against a single team.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes had a standout performance with four points in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He finished the contest with two goals and two assists, recording his fifth career four-point game. It was Hughes' second four-point game of the month, as the American star has hit another gear since winning Olympic gold with Team USA. Hughes has notched 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 16 games after the Olympics, tying him for the third-most in the league. With Hughes in top form, his linemates also benefit. Jesper Bratt has tallied 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 13 March outings, and Connor Brown has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this month.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 30, 2026
Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson produced three assists as the team turned a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 shootout win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. Offensively, Boston couldn't get anything going until the third period. Then things suddenly clicked, as Charlie McAvoy sparked the comeback 6:28 into the period, and Pavel Zacha scored two power-play goals. The Bruins had their first three-goal, third-period comeback victory in eight years. Arvidsson is close to his fourth 50-point season, picking up 21 goals and 26 assists in 62 games. He has been like a different player since the Olympic break, recording 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 17 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 30, 2026
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson registered two helpers in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, establishing a new career high for most assists in a single season. He now boasts 62 assists through 73 games. Only Larry Robinson has managed more among Montreal's defensemen, with his franchise record standing at 66 assists. Hutson will have every chance to break it this season, as there are nine games remaining for the Canadiens. The 22-year-old is also battling for a top-three finish in defensemen scoring, having accumulated 73 points the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 30, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox finished Sunday's 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers with one goal and two assists. The 2021 Norris Trophy winner recorded his 13th career multi-point third period. He helped Adam Sykora to start the scoring and picked up an empty-net goal. Fox has been stuck on a bad team this season, but he's still made a positive impact. In 47 outings, Fox has registered 42 points (6 goals, 36 assists), 78 SOG, 68 blocks, and a plus-four rating. He's had the third-best scoring rate of his career, with 0.89 points per game. The Rangers are no longer in playoff contention and are playing without pressure, which could help Fox have a strong finish to the year.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 30, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel contributed to every goal for the team in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. With Nikita Kucherov (illness) sidelined for a second consecutive game, the Lightning needed somebody to step up. Guentzel answered the call with one goal and two assists. On Sunday, Guentzel secured his third 80-point campaign. The 31-year-old has posted 35 goals and 45 assists in 73 outings. Guentzel's goal-scoring form has been particularly impressive lately, as he's found the back of the net in four straight games and in six of the last seven.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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