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
February 25, 2026
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup with the Seattle Kraken. He's been battling an illness after the Olympics and won't be available for at least one game. Dallas will also restart the action without Radek Faksa (upper body) and Mikko Rantanen (lower body), putting the spotlight on players like Mavrik Bourque and Sam Steel. The two will be part of the top six on Wednesday night and will skate on the second power-play unit. Meanwhile, injuries in the attacking department have opened the door for Arttu Hyry to make his NHL debut.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 25, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore won't play against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night. Vegas had several representatives in Sunday's Olympic final, including Theodore, and the team has decided to give them a bit of extra rest after the tournament. According to Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, all players are likely to return to the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Washington Capitals. With Theodore and Noah Hanifin missing from the defense, Dylan Coghlan and Brayden McNabb (upper body) will be inserted into the lineup. McNabb will return to action after missing 19 games with an upper-body injury.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 25, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Jack Eichel wouldn't participate in the contest, and now it's clear that Vegas' frontline will be without a couple more Olympic finalists. As such, Tomas Hertl is set to serve as the top-line center on Wednesday, while the likes of Tanner Laczynski and Keegan Kolesar will also be part of the top-six group. The Golden Knights should be back to full strength on Friday against the Washington Capitals.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 25, 2026
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (lower body) could return to the lineup on Wednesday versus the Colorado Avalanche, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. Cooley was on the second line during the morning skate and has been activated from Injured Reserve. The talented centerman has been on the shelf since Dec. 5 with a lower-body injury. Cooley performed well before his injury, recording 14 goals and 23 points in 29 games. After missing 28 games, Cooley may need some time to regain his rhythm, but he is expected to play a key role in Utah's playoff push.
--Taavi PailkSource: Brogan Houston
February 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (lower body) is expected to be out for at least four weeks. The Penguins captain suffered a lower-body injury while playing for Team Canada at the Olympics and was placed on Injured Reserve. Losing Crosby is a tough blow for the Penguins, as the veteran star has scored by far the most points on the team this season. In 56 outings, Crosby has managed 27 goals and 32 assists. With Crosby out, Rickard Rakell is expected to move from the wing to center on the first line. Rakell and Bryan Rust will be joined on the line by Avery Hayes on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 24, 2026
Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week. According to Jets head coach Scott Arniel, Niederreiter was already dealing with an injury before joining Team Switzerland for the 2026 Olympics. He had a tough time in Milan, going minus-three over five games and finishing with one goal. The 33-year-old has contributed eight goals and 11 assists in 55 NHL outings this season. Tanner Pearson is set to fill the void in the lineup, but he shouldn't generate any fantasy interest as a bottom-six skater.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk (undisclosed) was labeled week-to-week by head coach Scott Arniel on Tuesday. The 30-year-old was on track to return to the lineup after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury, but a new health issue will keep him sidelined longer. Pionk has had a difficult 2025-26 campaign, posting only eight points (two goals, six assists) in 40 outings. He has also logged 76 shots, 64 blocks, and 84 hits. With Josh Morrissey (upper body) sidelined as well, the rest of Winnipeg's defense faces increased pressure to step up their play.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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