February 28, 2026
St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (back) is doubtful for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Wild, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports. The 2026 Olympian exited the lineup for Saturday's game against New Jersey due to back spasms and appears poised to miss multiple games. Parayko leads the Blues with 141 blocks and has notched 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in 58 contests. Matt Kessel replaced Parayko in the lineup on Saturday. Following Sunday's game, the Blues won't play again until Wednesday, giving Parayko extra time to recover.
--Taavi PailkSource: Lou Korac
February 28, 2026
Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. He is poised to return from a four-game absence on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benson has been a big part of Buffalo's success this season, posting a plus-16 rating and 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 42 outings. His return will affect Peyton Krebs' usage. To activate Benson, the Sabres reassigned Anton Wahlberg to the minors.
--Taavi PailkSource: Heather Engel
February 28, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for Saturday's tilt against the Buffalo Sabres. Cirelli has missed four games and couldn't play for Canada at the Olympics due to an undisclosed injury, but he could be ready to return on Saturday. The 28-year-old has contributed 15 goals and 30 assists in 49 games this season, while logging a plus-30 rating. Cirelli's return would allow Jake Guentzel to return to the wing on the second line, with Scott Sabourin making way in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (illness) will miss a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. The Finnish forward has been unable to play since the Olympic break ended due to illness. With Tyler Seguin (knee) out for the season and Mikko Rantanen (lower body) also expected to miss extended time, Hintz will have a pivotal role to play for the Stars once he's back in the lineup. The 29-year-old boasts 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 52 games this season. Wyatt Johnston will center the first line until Hintz returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (knee) will be out week-to-week after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus. Kuzmenko returned from the Olympic break with a two-assist effort on Wednesday against Vegas, but he exited the lineup for Thursday's clash against Edmonton and won't see action for quite some time. The Russian forward has tallied 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games, averaging 14:54 of ice time. L.A. placed him on Injured Reserve and recalled defenseman Angus Booth from the minors. The Kings' frontline could also be without Joel Armia (upper body) going forward after he was hurt on Thursday night. Warren Foegele and Corey Perry should continue to see top-six minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon stopped 27 of 29 shots on goal in Friday's 3-2 victory against the Panthers. Lyon was excellent throughout the contest in his first start since the Olympic break, with the second Panthers goal coming with just 33 seconds remaining in the game after Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin put the puck into his own net. Lyon has enjoyed a career-best season with a record of 14-8-3 to go along with two shutouts, a 2.69 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage through 28 appearances.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (lower body) will likely be unavailable for more than two weeks, according to head coach Glen Gulutzan. Rantanen suffered a lower-body injury at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games while representing Finland, with the injury taking place in the semifinal game versus Canada. Rantanen's injury will have an impact on the Stars' offensive production, as the star forward has totaled 20 goals and a team-high 69 points through 54 games.
--Marko23Source: Robert Tiffin
February 28, 2026
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (not injury-related) is unlikely to play on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken, Patrick Johnston of The Province reports. He will miss a second consecutive contest as Myers continues to be linked to a trade. The Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars reportedly have interest in Myers, who has a full no-movement clause in his contract. Due to his limited offensive skills, Myers has minimal fantasy value, but he boasts 17 years of NHL experience and is a physical force. In 57 games this season, Myers has recorded eight points (one goal, seven assists), 71 shots, 91 blocks, and 65 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: Patrick Johnston
February 28, 2026
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (shoulder) could be activated from long-term Injured Reserve ahead of Saturday's encounter with the St. Louis Blues. The talented blue-liner has missed 10 games with a shoulder injury. Hughes has managed 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) with 104 shots in 49 contests this season. Johnathan Kovacevic has played regularly during Hughes' absence and could come out of the lineup against St. Louis. The Blues allow the fourth-most goals in the league and struggle on the penalty kill, making Saturday's game an attractive fantasy matchup for Hughes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist (upper body) is an option for Saturday's contest against the New Jersey Devils, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports. The Swedish forward underwent surgery during the Olympic break and wasn't available for Thursday's matchup with the Seattle Kraken. In 43 outings this season, Sundqvist has registered 14 points (four goals, 10 assists), 34 shots, and 53 hits. He is likely to fill a bottom-six role if he returns on Saturday, limiting Sundqvist's fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: Lou Korac
February 28, 2026
Florida Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis (undisclosed) was unable to finish Friday's 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He exited the game with an undisclosed injury in the second period, finishing with 8:38 of ice time. Balinskis recorded two shots and one block in the contest. The team plans to evaluate Balinskis on Saturday. The Latvian blue-liner has logged 14 points (five goals, nine assists), 61 shots, 37 blocks, and 63 hits in 50 outings across the season. If Balinskis can't suit up on Sunday against the New York Islanders, the Panthers will likely turn to Tobias Bjornfot to fill in for him.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 28, 2026
Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele appeared to injure his right leg in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The star forward was hurt at the end of overtime and was under evaluation when Jets head coach Scott Arniel spoke to reporters after the game. Vladimir Namestnikov (lower body) was also injured in Friday's heartbreaking loss, where the Jets blew a 3-1 lead in the third period. Scheifele's injury could open the door for Jonathan Toews to log top-six minutes on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks. However, the former All-Star hasn't been a good fantasy option in 2025-26 and is currently on an eight-game point drought.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 28, 2026
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (face) left Friday's 5-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth after logging only 10:25 of ice time. He took a high stick to the face from Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz in the second period. There was no update on him after the game, leaving a question mark hanging over Eriksson Ek ahead of Sunday's matchup with the St. Louis Blues. Eriksson Ek has totaled 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 54 appearances, dishing out 78 hits. If the Swedish forward can't play on Sunday, Danila Yurov could return to the top six, while Ben Jones would be his likely replacement in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 27, 2026
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson made 24 of 26 saves in Friday night's victory versus the Golden Knights. He earned his second win in as many games back from the Olympic break after Wednesday night's match against the Flyers. Thompson was perfect through two periods, but then Bowman scored 2:27 into the third period, and Hertl had a power-play goal with 10:45 left in the game. He was able to hang on for the victory and continue his strong season.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
February 27, 2026
Washington Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois lit the lamp twice in Friday night's 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Playing in just his ninth game of the season, Pierre scored twice early in the second period, with Aleksei Protas and Rasmus Sandin getting credited with the assists. He has three goals and two assists this year, but last year he had 20 goals and 66 points when he ended up playing the full 82-game slate. The Capitals are back in action on Saturday night versus the Canadiens.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
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