March 1, 2026
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta is in concussion protocol, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. He was hurt in Thursday's loss to Minnesota and didn't play on Saturday night against Chicago. It's unclear when Kiviranta can return. The Finnish veteran has appeared in 30 games this season, recording seven points (two goals, five assists), 25 shots, and 45 hits. On Saturday, Zakhar Bardakov filled in for Kiviranta on the fourth line but logged only 4:13 of action across four shifts.
--Taavi PailkSource: Corey Masisak
March 1, 2026
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (face) will play on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. The Swedish forward took a stick to the face in Friday's loss to Utah and was limited to 10:25 of ice time. Fortunately, he won't have to miss additional time after receiving good news from an eye doctor. Eriksson Ek is attempting to post his third 60-point campaign in 2025-26. In 54 outings, he has totaled 17 goals and 25 assists. Prior to his early exit on Friday, he was riding a seven-game point streak.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michael Russo
March 1, 2026
Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (leg) is expected to play in Sunday's contest against the San Jose Sharks. Scheifele appeared to have hurt his right leg late in Friday's overtime loss to Anaheim and took a maintenance day on Saturday. After posting 87 points last season, Scheifele is on pace for another career high in 2025-26. He leads the Jets with 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) in 58 games. Scheifele has amassed nine goals and 16 assists across his last 20 outings, though he has finished eight of those contests scoreless.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
March 1, 2026
Nashville Predators defenseman Adam Wilsby (lower body) was limited to 5:48 of ice time in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. He suffered a lower-body injury, leaving the action early in the second period. The Swedish blue-liner has registered 12 points, 47 shots, and 37 blocks across 45 games this season. Justin Barron will likely replace Wilsby in the lineup if he doesn't recover in time for Monday's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Nashville Predators
March 1, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gage Goncalves (undisclosed) didn't finish Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He exited in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Goncalves has recently been part of the top-six group and began the week with a three-point performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has posted 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 54 games overall. Dominic James (leg), who scored Tampa's first goal on Saturday, was also injured, so Jon Cooper may have to make several changes to his lineup in the next game. The Lightning will return to the ice on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar scored twice in Saturday night's victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. His first goal came with nine seconds left in the second period, and the second one came on an empty-netter late in the third period. Centers Nathan Mackinnon and Martin Necas were credited with assists on both goals. Makar is now tied for fourth among all defensemen in scoring, trailing only Jakub Chychrun, Zach Werenski, and Matthew Schaefer.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid collected three more assists in Saturday afternoon's game versus the San Jose Sharks, but it wasn't enough to help them win the game, as they fell 5-4. McDavid now has 103 points in 61 games played, which is the most in the NHL. He is on pace to finish with 130 points for the third time in four years. His next match will be on Tuesday night at home versus the Ottawa Senators.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov (lower body) is considered week-to-week, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports. He sustained a lower-body injury in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The Russian forward will exit the lineup after collecting 13 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 57 contests. Walker Duehr is expected to take over from Namestnikov on the third line when Winnipeg returns to action on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks. Although Duehr has been productive in the AHL this season, he has managed only 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 92 career outings in the big league and should be ignored by fantasy managers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mitchell Clinton
February 28, 2026
Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter (lower body) underwent surgery, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports. Recently listed as week-to-week, the Swiss veteran's status remains unchanged. Niederreiter has missed two games with a lower-body ailment. Before he was hurt, Niederreiter struggled to find form. He has tallied 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 55 appearances this season, with 15 of his points coming before December. With Vladislav Namestnikov (lower body) also hurt, Walker Duehr is poised to join the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mitchell Clinton
February 28, 2026
St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (back) is doubtful for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Wild, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports. The 2026 Olympian exited the lineup for Saturday's game against New Jersey due to back spasms and appears poised to miss multiple games. Parayko leads the Blues with 141 blocks and has notched 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in 58 contests. Matt Kessel replaced Parayko in the lineup on Saturday. Following Sunday's game, the Blues won't play again until Wednesday, giving Parayko extra time to recover.
--Taavi PailkSource: Lou Korac
February 28, 2026
Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. He is poised to return from a four-game absence on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benson has been a big part of Buffalo's success this season, posting a plus-16 rating and 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 42 outings. His return will affect Peyton Krebs' usage. To activate Benson, the Sabres reassigned Anton Wahlberg to the minors.
--Taavi PailkSource: Heather Engel
February 28, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for Saturday's tilt against the Buffalo Sabres. Cirelli has missed four games and couldn't play for Canada at the Olympics due to an undisclosed injury, but he could be ready to return on Saturday. The 28-year-old has contributed 15 goals and 30 assists in 49 games this season, while logging a plus-30 rating. Cirelli's return would allow Jake Guentzel to return to the wing on the second line, with Scott Sabourin making way in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (illness) will miss a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. The Finnish forward has been unable to play since the Olympic break ended due to illness. With Tyler Seguin (knee) out for the season and Mikko Rantanen (lower body) also expected to miss extended time, Hintz will have a pivotal role to play for the Stars once he's back in the lineup. The 29-year-old boasts 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 52 games this season. Wyatt Johnston will center the first line until Hintz returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (knee) will be out week-to-week after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus. Kuzmenko returned from the Olympic break with a two-assist effort on Wednesday against Vegas, but he exited the lineup for Thursday's clash against Edmonton and won't see action for quite some time. The Russian forward has tallied 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games, averaging 14:54 of ice time. L.A. placed him on Injured Reserve and recalled defenseman Angus Booth from the minors. The Kings' frontline could also be without Joel Armia (upper body) going forward after he was hurt on Thursday night. Warren Foegele and Corey Perry should continue to see top-six minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon stopped 27 of 29 shots on goal in Friday's 3-2 victory against the Panthers. Lyon was excellent throughout the contest in his first start since the Olympic break, with the second Panthers goal coming with just 33 seconds remaining in the game after Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin put the puck into his own net. Lyon has enjoyed a career-best season with a record of 14-8-3 to go along with two shutouts, a 2.69 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage through 28 appearances.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
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