March 31, 2026
Dallas Stars left wing Michael Bunting (lower body) won't suit up on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports reports. He suffered a lower-body injury in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia and could miss several games. Dallas' forwards have been dropping like flies lately, leading to Cameron Hughes getting a chance to make his team debut on Tuesday. The 29-year-old hasn't appeared in the NHL since 2020-21. Hughes has been a prolific player in the minors, averaging over a point per game this season, but he will enter the lineup on the fourth line and isn't expected to make a significant impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: Owen Newkirk
March 31, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (illness) is a game-time decision for Tuesday's clash against the Montreal Canadiens. Tampa's star man has missed two games due to illness, but appears ready to return after participating in the morning skate. However, he hasn't been officially cleared to return. Kucherov has been extraordinary in 2026, recording 70 points (22 goals, 48 assists) in 32 games. Edmonton's Connor McDavid has been the second-highest scorer this calendar year with 54 points. Gage Goncalves will have a bigger role if Kucherov suffers a setback and doesn't return on Tuesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) is available to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports. The veteran star has missed four games due to an upper-body injury. Malkin should reclaim a top-six spot and work on the first power-play unit. Following a couple of underwhelming campaigns, Malkin has been a point-per-game player in 2025-26, amassing 15 goals and 37 assists in 50 appearances. However, he has gone back-to-back games without a point against the Red Wings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michelle Crechiolo
March 31, 2026
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (personal) will return to action on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Bennett became a father over the weekend and has sat out two games. He is expected to take over as the first-line center on Tuesday night. It's been a disappointing campaign for Florida, but Bennett has enjoyed a career year. In 70 games, he has posted 25 goals and 54 points. Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk will join Bennett on the first line against Ottawa.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander contributed one goal and three assists in Monday's 5-4 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks. Three of his points were recorded in the third period as Toronto came back from a 3-1 deficit. Nylander had two assists on the power play. Although the Maple Leafs have struggled in 2025-26, Nylander has shown world-class form, sitting just outside the league's top 10 with an average of 1.22 points per game. He leads Toronto in scoring despite missing significant time due to injury. Across 58 outings, Nylander has tallied 71 points (26 goals and 45 assists).
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 31, 2026
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini joined an exclusive list of players on Monday night with a three-point effort in a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues. He became the sixth teenager in NHL history to record a 100-point season after Sidney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Jimmy Carson, Mario Lemieux, and Dale Hawerchuk. Joe Thornton and Erik Karlsson were previously the only Sharks players to reach 100 points in a single season. Celebrini had two goals and one assist against the Blues, all in the first period. He picked up two points with the man advantage. After erupting for five points in two games, Celebrini has 38 goals and 63 assists in 72 outings this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 31, 2026
Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz (face) has traveled with the team for Tuesday's road game against the Edmonton Oilers, Mike Benton of the Kraken Audio Network reports. The veteran has been out of action for 10 games due to a facial injury. Schwartz took a skate blade to the face during a game against the Ottawa Senators on March 7. Shane Wright (undisclosed) has been banged up lately, so Schwartz could be his replacement on the third line. In 42 outings this campaign, Schwartz has posted 10 goals and 11 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Benton
March 31, 2026
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (abdomen) is available for selection on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. He has been out of action for over two months due to an abdominal injury but participated fully in Monday's practice. Greenway skated with Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn, so it looks like he will return to action on Tuesday as part of the fourth line. The 29-year-old has been limited to 33 appearances this season, registering five points (one goal, four assists), 58 SOG, and 49 hits. Tyson Kozak will be the odd man out with Greenway's return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 31, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (upper body) won't be in the lineup on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, Andrew Wilimek of the Senators' official site reports. He was back at practice on Monday but remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Sanderson wore a non-contact jersey on Monday, so he isn't yet fully healthy. Still, the fact that he's skating again is a good sign that Ottawa will have Sanderson back for the final stretch of the regular season. He has been a key player for the team, recording 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists), 133 SOG, 116 blocks, and a plus-nine rating across 62 appearances. With Thomas Chabot (forearm) also on the shelf, Carter Yakemchuk has moved to the first power-play unit. Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence have expanded roles as well.
--Taavi PailkSource: Andrew Wilimek
March 31, 2026
Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier (upper body) saw only 3:20 of ice time in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored a power-play goal midway through the first period but left the game shortly afterward due to an upper-body injury. Gauthier has been a revelation for the Ducks. On Monday night, he became only the fourth player in franchise history to score 12 or more goals in a single calendar month. He leads his team with 38 goals and 65 points in 73 games. Only seven players in the league have netted more goals this season. If Gauthier can't recover in time for Wednesday's tilt against San Jose, Frank Vatrano would have a chance to re-enter the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anaheim Ducks
March 31, 2026
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar suffered an upper-body injury in Monday's 9-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. After setting up three goals, Makar sat out the third period. The two-time Norris Trophy winner hasn't missed any games this season, but it's unclear whether he will be healthy enough to face the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. It's been another huge campaign for Makar, who ranks third among defensemen with 75 points (20 goals, 55 assists) in 73 games. On the defensive end, he has recorded 117 blocks. Sam Malinski and Brent Burns will have bigger roles on defense if Makar misses additional time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Colorado Avalanche
March 30, 2026
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri scored two goals in a 9-2 dominating win over the Calgary Flames on Monday. The Canadian veteran has been playing well lately, riding a four-game point streak where he has two goals and three assists over that span. Kadri now has 16 goals and 50 points in 73 games, and he has been producing better since being traded to the Avs at the deadline. He will look to keep producing in the next game versus the Canucks.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Anthony Mantha had two goals and one assist as the Penguins dominated their Metro division rival, the New York Islanders, on Monday. All three of his points came in a span of just four minutes late in the second period as the Penguins went from trailing 3-2 to leading 5-3. Mantha is having one of the best seasons of his career with 29 goals, 28 assists, and a plus-14 rating.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Washington Capitals winger Aliaksei Protas (upper body) won't be available for Tuesday's showdown against the Philadelphia Flyers. He sustained an upper-body injury on Saturday night against Vegas and wasn't part of Monday's practice session. "He's going to miss a little bit of time," Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said about Protas. "Won't play tomorrow and then we'll sort of reassess later." Only Alex Ovechkin (29) and Tom Wilson (25) have scored more goals than Protas for Washington this season. He has struck 23 times on 147 SOG, adding 24 assists in 70 games. With Protas out, David Kampf could get a chance to make his team debut on Tuesday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 30, 2026
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body) will return from a one-game absence on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old suffered a lower-body injury last week, but fortunately for Mintyukov and his team, it kept him sidelined for only one game. Mintyukov has made an impact on both ends of the ice, recording 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists), 72 SOG, and 106 blocks in 67 outings. With Radko Gudas (lower body) also back for the Ducks, Drew Helleson and Frank Vatrano will move to the press box.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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