February 24, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin will miss Wednesday's matchup with the Los Angeles Kings. Only a couple of days ago, Hanifin was part of Team USA's Olympic triumph in Milan and will get some time off before returning to NHL action. Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Tuesday that he anticipates Hanifin and Jack Eichel will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Hanifin has totaled 20 points (two goals, 18 assists), 96 shots, and 77 blocks in 47 outings in 2025-26. Vegas has recalled Dylan Coghlan from the minors to fill in for Hanifin on Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Eichel just won gold with Team USA at the Olympics, and the Golden Knights will give him some time off after the successful tournament. The star forward is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday versus the Washington Capitals. Eichel is having a big year in Vegas, ranking ninth in the NHL with 69 points (21 goals, 47 assists) in 50 games. Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner could have larger roles on Wednesday, though the latter is questionable to play after also featuring in Sunday's Olympic final.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (illness) didn't practice on Tuesday but is set to play in Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although Tavares is battling the flu, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expects him to be available on Wednesday night. Tavares has tallied 20 goals and 47 points in 57 outings this season. He is poised to center the second line against Tampa Bay, with newly crowned Olympic champion Auston Matthews also available for the Maple Leafs. According to Berube, Matthews will play despite missing Tuesday's practice.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 24, 2026
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Samuel Girard from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. The team also picked up a second-round draft pick in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak, who was traded for the second time this season. Kulak began the campaign with the Edmonton Oilers before he landed in Pittsburgh as part of the deal that saw the Oilers acquire goaltender Tristan Jarry. Girard has slightly more fantasy upside as a former 30-point scorer. Kulak has never posted more than 25 points in a single campaign. Both blue-liners have managed nine points in 2025-26. Girard could become more productive on offense in Pittsburgh if he claims a spot on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (lower body) is set to play on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Last week, Hedman sustained a lower-body injury at the Olympics, missing Sweden's quarterfinal loss to Team USA. Tampa Bay will be delighted that Hedman won't have to sit out any more action. The team has already been without Hedman for much of the season after he underwent elbow surgery. In 21 appearances, Hedman has recorded 13 assists, 33 shots, and 30 blocks with a plus-two rating. The Lightning defense will also have Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) and Charle-Edouard D'Astous (lower body) available Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Benjamin Pierce
February 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (lower body) will return to action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Point sustained a lower-body injury on Jan. 12, which forced him to miss the Olympics. Fortunately for the Lightning, the four-time 40-goal scorer will be available when the NHL season resumes. After a tricky start to the campaign, Point showed off red-hot form prior to his injury. He has totaled 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) across his last 15 appearances. Overall, he is sitting on 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) with 37 games played.
--Taavi PailkSource: Benjamin Pierce
February 24, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (lower body) will be unavailable for at least two weeks. The star forward sustained a lower-body injury while playing for Finland at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. After meeting with team doctors on Monday, Rantanen was placed on Injured Reserve. Rantanen ranks eighth in scoring in the NHL, recording 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists) in 54 outings. Players like Mavrik Bourque and Justin Hryckowian could see more top-six usage during Rantanen's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 23, 2026
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (illness) should be available as the NHL season continues this week, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports. The Swedish netminder dealt with flu-like symptoms before the Olympic break and was unavailable for one game. Additionally, Ullmark has missed time this season due to personal reasons. He has posted a 16-8-5 record in 30 starts, allowing 2.86 goals with a .884 save percentage. Ottawa needs Ullmark to be at the top of his game to make the playoffs. The team resumes play on Thursday against Detroit, currently six points behind the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
--Taavi PailkSource: Bruce Garrioch
February 23, 2026
San Jose Sharks right wing Ryan Reaves (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve on Monday. The enforcer will be available for Thursday's matchup against the Calgary Flames. Reaves sustained an upper-body injury prior to the Olympic break but missed only one contest. In 46 outings this season, Reaves has contributed three goals while amassing 32 penalty minutes and 142 hits. He is tied for 29th in the league with 3.1 hits per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: San Jose Sharks PR
February 23, 2026
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve on Monday. The veteran netminder missed four games before the Olympic break due to a lower-body injury. Serving as Logan Thompson's backup, Lindgren has gone 8-6-3 in 17 starts this season, posting a 3.37 goals-against average, a .884 save percentage, and one shutout. Washington will resume the season on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The team also has a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, so Lindgren is likely to start at least once this week.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 23, 2026
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (ribs) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old injured his ribs in mid-January and has missed 12 games. Norris has also missed time with an upper-body injury this season, appearing in only 19 contests. He has recorded six goals and 11 assists. Norris' return provides a significant boost for Buffalo's forward group, especially with Zach Benson (upper body) expected to be sidelined for at least three more games. Norris will join the first power-play unit and skate with Josh Doan and Noah Ostlund at even strength.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 23, 2026
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen likely won't be available on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old was part of Finland's bronze-winning team in Milan and is dealing with travel delays. With Thatcher Demko (hip) out for the season, Lankinen has been Vancouver's de facto starter. It's been a tough campaign for him, as Lankinen holds a 7-19-4 record. He has allowed 3.67 goals with a .876 save percentage. The Canucks will lean on Nikita Tolopilo and Jiri Patera until Lankinen rejoins the team. The two have combined for a 3-4-1 record this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 23, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (upper body) won't be available when the team begins a three-game road trip this week. "He will not be available for Vancouver; we'll kind of give you a heads-up from there," Jets head coach Scott Arniel said after Monday's practice. The Jets will restart the season on Wednesday in Vancouver and will also travel to Anaheim and San Jose this week. Morrissey sustained an upper-body injury during Team Canada's Olympic opener against Czechia. The 30-year-old is a key cog for Winnipeg, leading the team in ice time at 24:37 per game and recording 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games. Neal Pionk (lower body), who hasn't played since Jan. 13, is expected to be available on Wednesday, and his return will be a welcome boost for Winnipeg's defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 23, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (lower body) will not be in the lineup when the team returns to action this week. The Finnish superstar suffered a lower-body injury at the Olympics and could be out for a couple of games, according to Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan. Rantanen leads his team with 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists) in 54 games, and his absence will be a massive blow for the Stars. On Wednesday, Dallas' frontline may also be without Roope Hintz (illness) and Radek Faksa (upper body). As a result, Sam Steel could get a new opportunity in the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 21, 2026
Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia amassed three points in Saturday's bronze-medal matchup against Slovakia, helping Finland to a 6-1 victory. Armia bagged an empty-net goal and had two assists, becoming the first Finnish player with three-plus points in a playoff game at an Olympic tournament featuring NHL players. The 32-year-old was on fire throughout the Olympics in Milan and is tied for fourth in scoring, with only the final left to play. In six games, Armia had three goals and five assists. Armia's offensive production in the NHL is far from the same level, but he will have good momentum when the season resumes next week. With the Kings, Armia has tallied 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 51 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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