March 21, 2026
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (leg) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. "Skated today, improving," Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan said about Larkin after Saturday's morning skate. "Not playing tonight. Pretty soon will be moving into that day-to-day category, but not available tonight." Larkin was initially ruled out for two weeks on March 12. While Andrew Copp made an early return from injury this week, Larkin needs more time to recover. Detroit plans to use J.T. Compher and Emmitt Finnie as the top-six centers on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 21, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (upper body) could return in 7-10 days, head coach Travis Green said on Saturday. He will miss a seventh consecutive game on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Senators are likely to get him back soon. Sanderson is a key player in defense for Ottawa, recording 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists), 133 shots, and 116 blocks across 62 outings this season. His absence has elevated Thomas Chabot's fantasy value. Chabot has logged monster ice time in recent games, including 30:53 in Thursday's 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. He has notched one goal and two assists in six games during Sanderson's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 21, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (lower body) won't play on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators and is considered day-to-day. According to Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, Rielly aggravated a lower-body injury in Friday's overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 32-year-old has played in 67 of Toronto's 70 games this season, amassing 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists), 125 shots, and 96 blocks. Jack McCabe is the only Maple Leafs player with more blocks than Rielly this season. With Rielly out, McCabe might also be asked to take on more offensive responsibilities and is an option to join the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
March 21, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen (upper body) is week-to-week, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports. The Finnish rearguard suffered an upper-body injury this week and wasn't in the lineup on Thursday night against Columbus. New York won't have him for at least a few more games, starting with Sunday's tilt against the Winnipeg Jets. Vaakanainen has made 33 appearances this season, recording six assists, 22 shots, and 26 blocks. Connor Mackey filled in for Vaakainen on Thursday, making his season debut. He logged 13:32 of ice time and recorded one block, two penalty minutes, and a minus-two rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: Vince Z. Mercogliano
March 21, 2026
New York Rangers center Noah Laba (lower body) is considered week-to-week, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports. The rookie forward was injured on Wednesday against New Jersey and wasn't available for Thursday's action against Columbus. Unfortunately, Laba's absence won't be limited to one game. Laba's performance has been one of only a few positives for the Rangers during a tough season. He has notched 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) through his first 65 career appearances. With Laba out, Jonny Brodzinski re-entered the lineup on Thursday but had little impact across 6:01 of ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Vince Z. Mercogliano
March 21, 2026
San Jose Sharks winger Tyler Toffoli (lower body) is questionable for the team's upcoming three-game road trip, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports. The veteran forward suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's loss to Buffalo and wasn't in the lineup on Saturday against Philadelphia. It looks like it might not remain his only absence. Philipp Kurashev entered the lineup on Saturday, joining Macklin Celebraini and Will Smith on the first line. The Swiss forward will have additional fantasy value as long as he sticks with San Jose's two young stars.
--Taavi PailkSource: Curtis Pashelka
March 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (illness) will sit out Saturday's matchup with the Edmonton Oilers. The Lightning captain made an early exit against Vancouver on Thursday due to illness and is still feeling under the weather. His next chance to return will be on Sunday when the Lightning cap off their four-game road trip against the Calgary Flames. Emil Lilleberg (face) will take Hedman's spot in the lineup on Saturday night. The 25-year-old will be back in action after missing eight games with a facial fracture. Hedman has made only 33 appearances this season, so Tampa Bay shouldn't have any issues coping with his absence. Darren Raddysh will take on the leading role on the blue line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen stopped 26 of 27 shots on goal in Friday's 2-1 regulation loss against the Capitals. The only goal that Allen surrendered came midway through the opening frame, when Capitals forward Ryan Leonard scored his 15th goal of the season to give the team an early lead. The Capitals added an empty-net goal with just under two minutes remaining before the Devils responded with a goal of their own with the extra skater on the ice. Allen has been a serviceable goaltender for streaming purposes across standard leagues for a second consecutive season, with a 2.65 goals against average and .906 save percentage through 30 contests.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson made 30 saves and allowed just one goal in Friday's 2-1 victory against the Devils. Thompson was less than a minute away from earning his third shutout of the season, but Devils forward Jesper Bratt found the back of the net with 41.1 seconds remaining in the third period following the empty-net goal by the Capitals moments earlier. Thompson is an elite option across all fantasy formats with a 2.39 goals against average, a .914 save percentage, and a record of 23-19-5 through 47 appearances.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
San Jose Sharks winger Tyler Toffoli (lower body) won't suit up on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has been ruled out after suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday's loss to Buffalo. Toffoli is a big loss for the Sharks, as he's the team's third-highest scorer. Across 67 games, Toffoli has tallied 18 goals and 26 assists. Toffoli's absence will force Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky to reshuffle his top line and first power-play unit. Philipp Kurashev looks likely to re-enter the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last two games. On a scoring line, Kurashev could have a fantasy impact, totaling 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 41 outings this term.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia (back) is expected to rejoin the lineup on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Finnish forward has missed 10 games due to a back injury. He is projected to link up with Alex Turcotte and Scott Laughton on the third line. With four short-handed goals, Armia is tied for second in the league this season. Overall, he has produced 10 goals and 20 points in 53 appearances. Armia and the Kings face a tough test on Saturday against a team that has lost just three times since February, recording back-to-back shutouts.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Minnesota Wild forwards Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) and Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't be available on Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Kaprizov will skip a second consecutive game, while Eriksson Ek will be absent for a third straight contest. Both players are considered day-to-day, so they could be available on Tuesday when Minnesota faces the Tampa Bay Lightning. Marcus Johansson, Danila Yurov, and Matt Boldy are expected to make up the first line against Dallas. Skating with an elite scorer like Boldy elevates both Johansson's and Yurov's fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) is not ready to rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. He will be out of action for a fifth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Colorado's frontline will also remain without Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) and Artturi Lehkonen (upper body), though Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar expects the injured trio to return during the team's four-game road trip, which begins on Friday night. With several forwards on the shelf, Nicolas Roy will skate on the second line against Chicago, giving him more fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Calgary Flames defenseman Yan Kuznetsov (upper body) will sit out a third consecutive game on Friday night against the Florida Panthers. The Russian rookie is dealing with an upper-body injury. Kuznetsov has made a big impact on defense, ranking fourth on his team with 89 blocks and dishing out 75 hits. Offensively, he has contributed four goals and eight assists in 52 outings. Hunter Brzustewicz will continue to fill in for Kuznetsov, but he has been anonymous since entering the lineup. Over the last two games, Brzustewicz has recorded zero points, one shot, one block, two penalty minutes, and a minus-one rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old has been in excellent form this season, but unfortunately, Carolina has only been able to use Gostisbehere in 45 games due to various health issues. He has recorded 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists), 98 shots, and 50 blocks. Mike Reilly will continue to play until Gostisbehere returns. He has produced two assists in six games since joining the lineup. Alexander Nikishin will remain on the first power-play unit, aiming to take another step closer to 30 points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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