January 17, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) will be absent from the lineup on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. Nylander aggravated a lower-body injury this week and may have to skip multiple games. "Right now, I don't expect him in today for sure, Monday (against the Minnesota Wild) probably not. I don't know how long it's going to be," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said. Matthew Knies is expected to slot into Nylander's spot on the second line against Winnipeg. Knies ended a season-worst four-game point drought with two assists in Thursday's overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) could return from a six-game absence on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The power forward rejoined practice earlier this week and participated in an optional morning skate on Saturday. Wilson is having a career year in 2025-26, sitting on a team-high 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) through 41 appearances. Wilson's return on Saturday would probably bump Ethen Frank from the first line. However, Frank may still see increased usage due to Justin Sourdif's (upper body) continued absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (thigh) will miss 3-5 weeks after undergoing a procedure on Friday to treat a Morel-Lavallee lesion in his left thigh. Carlsson has missed two games due to the injury. The young Swedish star now faces a race against time to get healthy for the Olympics. Sweden begins its tournament on Feb. 11. Meanwhile, it's clear Carlsson won't play for the Ducks until after the Olympics. Carlsson has had a special campaign in 2025-26, recording a team-high 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 44 games. In his absence, Mason McTavish has taken on first-line center duties, with Mikael Granlund jumping to the second line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 17, 2026
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (personal) has taken a leave of absence and won't play on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The German superstar has returned to his native country due to a family illness. Edmonton expects to have him back next week. Draisaitl is having another phenomenal season, posting 67 points (25 goals, 42 assists) in 48 games. Andrew Mangiapane is expected to re-enter the lineup on Saturday, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins taking over the second-line center role. Meanwhile, Vasily Podkolzin will replace Nugent-Hopkins on the first line. The Russian forward will have additional fantasy value as Connor McDavid's partner.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy (undisclosed) was placed on Injured Reserve on Friday. This was unexpected, given that Boldy logged his usual ice time during Thursday's 6-2 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets. Boldy posted an assist on Thursday, boosting his total for the season to 51 points (27 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games. Sadly, he won't get a chance to add to his tally for a bit. Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body), who has missed three games, was also moved to Injured Reserve on Friday. The team added Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Hunter Haight to the roster from the minors. Boldy's departure from the lineup opens a top-six opportunity for Vladimir Tarasenko.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 16, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) will suit up on Friday against the Nashville Predators. Initially, he was doubtful for the game after skipping Thursday's practice due to an upper-body injury. Colton has logged 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) across 45 outings in 2025-26. With Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) sidelined, Colton has received an opportunity to feature in the top six. He has responded by recording four assists over the past three games. However, Colton hasn't scored a goal for 22 consecutive appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith (upper body) will return from a 13-game absence on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. The talented sophomore has been cleared to return from an upper-body injury. Smith is projected to join Macklin Celebrini and Igor Chernyshov on the first line. He is also expected to fill a spot on the second power-play unit. In 2025-26, Smith has scored nearly a point per game, racking up 12 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances. Prior to his injury, Smith went back-to-back appearances without recording a point, but he has yet to experience a three-game scoreless streak this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL
January 16, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (illness) won't be in the lineup on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 32-year-old is battling an illness, with his absence leaving the Hurricanes without their highest-scoring defenseman. It has been a fantastic year for Gostisbehere, who boasts 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) through 35 appearances. Jaccob Slavin, who was scratched for Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues for load management, is expected to play instead of Gostisbehere. Meanwhile, Alexander Nikishin could land on the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (undisclosed) will sit out a fourth straight game on Friday versus the Carolina Hurricanes. He exited the lineup last week after being banged up for a while. Considering he isn't ready to play on Friday night, it also appears unlikely that Marchand will feature in Saturday's contest against the Washington Capitals. Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell, and Sam Reinhart will continue as the top trio for Florida, while A.J. Greer maintains a second-line role after scoring twice in Monday's 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia (upper body) will rejoin the action on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. He has been cleared for the Freeway Face-Off after missing five games due to an upper-body injury. Unfortunately for the Kings, their frontline will remain without Anze Kopitar (upper body), Trevor Moore (upper body), and Corey Perry (personal). As a result, Armia will fill a second-line role and could also get a healthy amount of power-play time. The Finnish veteran has totaled 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 41 outings this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (illness) missed the morning skate and is considered a game-time decision for Friday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. The veteran forward is dealing with an illness and could sit out his fifth game of the season. Kreider has had a tough six-week stretch, finishing 15 of his 20 appearances without a point. He has contributed 15 goals and 10 assists in 42 games during the season. If Kreider isn't ready to play, Anaheim will have to tweak its top line and the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Anaheim Ducks wingers Troy Terry (upper body) and Cutter Gauthier (illness) will return to the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. Gauthier missed Tuesday's win over the Dallas Stars due to illness, while Terry has been sidelined for three games with an upper-body injury. The two have combined for over 80 points this season, with Gauthier scoring a team-high 20 goals. They will link up with Ryan Poehling on the third line and could be a big threat on Friday night against a depleted Kings squad.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (lower body) won't be available for a second consecutive game on Friday night against the Los Angeles Kings. The young Swedish star has landed on the shelf after posting 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in as many games. With Carlsson unavailable, Mason McTavish has taken over as the first-line center. Mikael Granlund is also currently working in the top six. On Friday, the Finnish forward could match his season-best point streak by getting on the score sheet for a fourth consecutive game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 16, 2026
Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele amassed a season-high four points during Thursday's impressive 6-2 road victory over the Minnesota Wild. Scheifele scored his team's final goal and contributed three assists. Two of his helpers came on the power play. The Jets have shown some fight lately, winning four games in a row, and the team's success has given Scheifele a jolt. He already has five multi-point games this month. Scheifele is chasing his first career 100-point campaign, sitting on a team-high 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists) through 46 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 16, 2026
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson dominated against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, completing a 5-3 victory with a season-high five points. He scored his ninth career hat trick and had two assists, bagging two points on the power play. Thompson's monster night included his 200th career goal, which ended up as the game-winning marker. The Sabres have now won 15 of their last 17 games, and Thompson has been at the heart of the success. During that stretch, he has contributed 12 goals and 14 assists. Overall, Thompson has managed 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) in 46 games this season, with just four players having scored more goals than him.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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