January 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (upper body) is poised to return to action on Sunday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The Penguins have been without Letang for two games after he suffered an upper-body injury. Erik Karlsson also recently returned to the lineup, giving Pittsburgh two top options in defense. With Karlsson back in action, Letang must settle for a spot on the second power-play unit. He will skate with Brett Kulak on the second defensive pairing during even-strength action. Letang recently had his fourth three-game assist streak of the season, boosting his points tally to 25. He has contributed three goals and 22 assists in 48 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 25, 2026
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (personal) will return to the lineup on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports. Ullmark, who has missed 14 games for personal reasons, will dress as Mads Sogaard's backup. He hasn't played for the Senators since Dec. 27. Ottawa has a light two-game week coming up, but we will likely see Ullmark's return to action soon. The former Vezina Trophy winner has posted a 14-8-5 record this season, allowing 2.95 goals with a .881 save percentage. A couple of weeks before exiting the lineup, Ullmark notched his first shutout of the season against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
--Taavi PailkSource: Julian McKenzie
January 24, 2026
Nashville Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague (lower body) was labeled week-to-week before Saturday's loss to the Utah Mammoth. He exited the lineup due to a lower-body injury, with Adam Wilsby (lower body) filling in for Hague in his return from a four-game injury absence. The injury to Hague will all but end his attempt to reach 20 points for the first time in his career. The 27-year-old has totaled 11 points (two goals, nine assists), 32 shots, 37 blocks, and 54 hits in 41 appearances this season. Since Wilsby isn't known for scoring either, the change in Nashville's lineup doesn't really affect fantasy hockey.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 24, 2026
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (lower body) will sit out a second straight game on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. On Thursday, Edvinsson was a late scratch for a matchup against the Minnesota Wild, and he hasn't shaken off a lower-body injury in time for Saturday's game. Edvinsson has made a mark at both ends of the ice, registering 17 points (six goals, 11 assists), 57 shots, 104 blocks, and 63 hits in 48 contests. Travis Hamonic filled in for Edvinsson on Thursday, though Erik Gustafsson is also an option on the roster to join the blue line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 24, 2026
Montreal Canadiens winger Alexandre Texier (lower body) will return to action on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. The French forward missed a couple of games earlier this week due to a lower-body injury. Since moving to Montreal in late November, Texier has seen a lot of success, posting 16 points (seven goals, six assists) in 27 outings. He's had four multi-point games in January, including his first career hat trick a couple of weeks back against the Florida Panthers. On Saturday, Texier will rejoin Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line. Joe Veleno will be scratched to make room for Texier in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 24, 2026
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (upper body) will miss his ninth consecutive game on Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues. The Kings captain is traveling with the team on a six-game road trip, but Saturday's game comes too soon for him. It's possible that Kopitar will return at some later point during the trip. With Kopitar out, Alex Laferriere is handling first-line center duties, skating with Adrian Kempe and Corey Perry. Laferriere has struggled to make an impact in the role, going five straight games without registering a point.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 24, 2026
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (illness) is expected to be back in the lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. The 2016 Norris Trophy winner didn't play in Tuesday's win over the New York Rangers due to illness. Jacob Moverare is expected to exit the lineup to make room for Doughty. 41 appearances into his 18th NHL campaign, Doughty has recorded 13 points (three goals, 10 assists), 64 shots, 46 blocks, and 22 hits. He hasn't scored any points in his last 11 appearances, marking the worst offensive slump of Doughty's career.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 24, 2026
Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy (lower body) is poised to rejoin the lineup on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. "Boldy, I would anticipate playing tonight," Wild head coach John Hynes said after the morning skate. Boldy, who has missed four games due to a lower-body injury, worked with Marcus Johansson and Joel Eriksson Ek during the session. The Wild have seen Boldy take a significant leap in 2025-26, averaging more than a point per game. He has contributed 27 goals and 24 assists in 48 appearances. The 24-year-old shares the team lead in goals with Kirill Kaprizov and ranks second to the Russian forward in points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 24, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (undisclosed) was activated from Injured Reserve ahead of Saturday's tilt against the Minnesota Wild, Alex Baumgartner of Five Reasons Sports reports. The veteran forward has missed seven games due to an unspecified injury. Marchand has been great for the Panthers this season, scoring 23 goals and 46 points in 41 games. With Matthew Tkachuk also back in the lineup, Florida is looking much more dangerous up front. Marchand is expected to slot into a middle-six role upon his return and will join the top power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Alex Baumgartner
January 23, 2026
New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Islanders have been without their top centerman for nine games due to a lower-body injury. Despite playing only once in January, Horvat remains the Islanders' top goal-scorer with 21 markers. He has also managed 12 assists in 36 appearances. On Friday, Horvat practiced on the top line with Emil Heineman and Jonathan Drouin and worked on the first power-play unit. With Horvat back in the lineup, Jean-Gabriel Pageau will drop down to the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway (ankle) won't play on Friday night against the Dallas Stars. Holloway recently returned from a high-ankle sprain, but he landed back on the shelf after making just one appearance. Friday's game will be his second consecutive absence. The 24-year-old has returned to St. Louis for a precautionary MRI and is considered day-to-day. Holloway has taken a big step backwards this season, recording only 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 34 games. With Holloway unavailable, Jonatan Berggren has moved to the first line. The Blues' attack will also have Mathieu Joseph (elbow) back from a seven-game absence on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (lower body) will miss Friday's clash against the Philadelphia Flyers. He sustained a lower-body injury during Wednesday's loss to the Anaheim Ducks and is considered day-to-day. Friday's game will mark Colton's first absence of the season. He has tallied 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 48 contests. Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is ready to return from a 10-game absence and will fill in for Colton on Friday. The Finnish forward is having a disappointing season and shouldn't draw fantasy interest. Colton's first chance to return will be on Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil (upper body) will return to the lineup on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. He has been cleared to play after missing three months due to an upper-body injury. Chytil had three goals in six games at the start of the season before being hurt against the Washington Capitals on Oct. 19. The 26-year-old will slot into the second line, joining Drew O'Connor and Brock Boeser. Chytil will also hop on the second power-play unit. Earlier this week, the Canucks welcomed back another long-term absentee in Teddy Blueger, and their center depth is expected to get another boost soon with Marco Rossi's (lower body) return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (upper body) will miss a second straight game on Friday against the Seattle Kraken. Due to an upper-body injury, McTavish was a late scratch on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Unfortunately, he will be out for another game on Friday night and is likely to miss more time after traveling back to Anaheim while the team continues its five-game road trip. However, Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville is optimistic that McTavish can return to action at some point during the trip. With Leo Carlsson (thigh) also out, the Ducks are currently without their top two centers. Mikael Granlund and Jansen Harkins are expected to center the scoring lines against Seattle.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (upper body) will make his long-awaited comeback in Friday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. He hasn't played since Nov. 11, missing over two months due to an upper-body injury. In 13 outings, Stolarz has posted a 6-5-1 record this season. He hasn't been anywhere near his best form, allowing 3.51 goals with a .884 save percentage. To make a winning return, Stolarz must contain the NHL's sixth-best offense on Friday night. Vegas has an outstanding power play, helping the team average 3.33 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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