January 9, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (lower body) left Thursday's 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period. He appeared to injure his left leg. The Golden Knights plan to fully evaluate him on Friday. On Thursday night, Hart gave up one goal and made no saves before his premature exit. Akira Schmid took over in the net, stopping 21 of 23 pucks. Schmid started the season strongly but has been playing second fiddle to Hart recently. Now, his workload might increase again if Hart misses additional time. Vegas' regular No. 1, Adin Hill (lower body), has been sidelined since October. Hill practiced on Thursday, but it's unclear when he will be able to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 9, 2026
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (undisclosed) was labeled day-to-day after his early exit from Thursday's win over the Seattle Kraken. He left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Fortunately, he avoided a major injury and could be ready to play on Saturday against the New York Islanders. In 45 appearances, Eriksson Ek has posted 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) and 68 hits, ranking among the top three on the team in both categories. If Eriksson Ek can't play this weekend, Ryan Hartman may get a fresh opportunity in the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is considered week-to-week. He missed a fifth consecutive game on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The Finnish forward will probably remain out for at least a few more games, but he is expected to recover in time for the Olympics. After posting a career-high 16 goals and 23 points in 79 games last season, Kiviranta has had a limited impact offensively in 2025-26. He has managed only one goal and three assists across 21 outings. Zakhar Bardakov is currently filling Kiviranta's spot on the fourth line, recording assists in back-to-back games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Brendan Smith (knee) underwent surgery and is expected to be out for 3-4 months. He had a procedure to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Smith suffered the injury on Dec. 29 against the Ottawa Senators. Columbus placed him on Injured Reserve last week. Smith, a 15-year veteran, has made 15 appearances this season for the Blue Jackets, registering two assists, 10 shots, 11 blocks, and 12 hits. Given his recovery timeline, Smith might be done for the rest of the 2025-26 regular season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 9, 2026
The San Jose Sharks have acquired goaltender Laurent Brossoit from the Chicago Blackhawks. In the deal, the Sharks gave up defensemen Ryan Ellis (back) and Jake Furlong, along with a 2028 fourth-round pick, for Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan, and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Brossoit didn't make a single appearance for the Blackhawks. After signing a two-year, $6.6 million deal as a free agent with the team in 2024, he missed the 2024-25 campaign due to a knee injury. This season, the 32-year-old has been limited to AHL appearances, posting a 3-3-0 record and even scoring a goal. Given the Sharks' goaltending struggles this year, Brossoit could get a chance to return to NHL action at some point.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 8, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (undisclosed) will miss his first game of the season on Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old won't be in the lineup after sustaining an undisclosed injury in Tuesday's win over the Anaheim Ducks. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has not elaborated on how much time Drysdale will miss. With him sidelined, Philadelphia loses quality from both ends of the ice. Drysdale boasts 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) and 41 blocks from 41 games this season. Noah Juulsen will re-enter the lineup on Thursday but is unlikely to make a significant impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Bobby Brink (upper body) will not be in the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brink exited after his first shift on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, and it's unclear how much time he will miss. This will be Brink's first absence of the season. He has registered 11 goals and 20 points in 41 contests. Matvei Michkov (foot), who missed his first game of the season on Tuesday, will take Brink's spot in the lineup. Michkov has been a fantasy disappointment in 2025-26 and has finished three of his last five appearances pointless.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (lower body) has been cleared to play on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 21-year-old has been out for 12 games due to a lower-body injury. Nemec's development has been one of only a few bright spots for the Devils during a frustrating season. He has recorded 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists), 50 shots, and 46 blocks in 31 contests, averaging 20:03 of ice time. The Devils may initially limit Nemec's workload due to his long absence. He is projected to skate on the third defensive pairing on Thursday, joining forces with Brenden Dillon.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (upper body) won't play on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes and is day-to-day. Terry has been ever-present on this exciting Ducks squad, posting 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 43 games. Unfortunately, he will have to miss his first contest of the season due to an upper-body injury. Ryan Strome is set to replace Terry on Thursday night. The veteran has had a frustrating campaign in 2025-26, contributing six points (two goals, four assists) in 22 appearances. However, Strome is projected to skate with Alex Killorn and Leo Carlsson, putting him in a good position to make a significant impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (illness) is expected to play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. It was initially unclear if Lafreniere would play after he missed Wednesday's practice due to illness. The 24-year-old is set to remain on the second line against Buffalo. He will work with Vincent Trocheck and the returning J.T. Miller (upper body). On Thursday, Lafreniere will attempt to post his second three-game point streak of the season. He's had a fabulous start to January, registering one goal and three assists in two games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (undisclosed) won't play on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Florida's top scorer didn't finish Tuesday's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and will miss at least one entire game. According to Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, Marchand has been banged up for a while. It's possible his absence won't be limited to Thursday night, but Maurice didn't rule Marchand out for Saturday's meeting with the Ottawa Senators. Jack Studnicka will get a chance to play against Montreal, while A.J. Greer is expected to start the game in the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is set to return from a 15-game absence on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. Malkin's return will be an additional boost to an improving Penguins team that has reignited its playoff hopes with a five-game winning streak. He is expected to make his comeback as the left winger on the second line, having skated there during Wednesday's practice. Ben Kindel and Yegor Chinakhov will join Malkin on the line. Malkin has been a point-per-game player in 2025-26, notching eight goals and 21 assists in 26 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 8, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (foot) is expected to be in the lineup on Thursday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ashlyn Sullivan of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Due to a foot injury, Michkov was unavailable for the first time this season on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. Under a new coaching regime, Michkov has taken a step back in 2025-26. He has notched nine goals and 23 points in 40 appearances. The Russian talent has managed just one goal over his last 16 outings. Thursday's matchup is a good spot for Michkov to start turning things around, as the Maple Leafs allow an average of 3.29 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ashlyn Sullivan
January 8, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) will be out for about 7-10 more days, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. Lyon sustained a lower-body injury in late December, landing on the shelf after winning seven consecutive decisions. Buffalo has gone with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in all three games since Lyon was injured. The Finnish netminder has done solid work, posting a 2-1-0 record and allowing eight goals. With Lyon and Luukkonen in top form, the Sabres have been the hottest team in the NHL since December, joining the playoff race.
--Taavi PailkSource: Heather Engel
January 8, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve, ruling him out for at least three games. He has already skipped one contest due to an upper-body injury. The team considers Marchment week-to-week. Losing Marchment is a significant blow for the Blue Jackets, as he's had an impressive start with his new team. Since coming over from Seattle, Marchment has averaged a point per game in seven outings, scoring five goals. Columbus has replaced Marchment on the roster with Mikael Pyyhtia, but it's unclear whether he'll make the lineup for Thursday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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