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
February 27, 2026
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (knee) will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. According to Friedman, Dallas filed paperwork declaring Seguin out for the rest of the regular season and playoffs. This will give the team full relief from Seguin's $9.85 million cap hit. The veteran forward underwent ACL surgery on his right knee on Dec. 19. Seguin will finish his 16th NHL campaign with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 27 games. Dallas has also just lost Mikko Rantanen (lower body), opening the door for Mavrik Bourque and Sam Steel to take on expanded roles.
--Taavi PailkSource: Elliotte Friedman
February 27, 2026
Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) could return to action on Friday against the Florida Panthers, Justin Alpert of Sabres.com reports. Benson skated Friday morning, and Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff hasn't ruled him out for the game. However, Ruff suggested Benson's return is more likely to come on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benson has missed three games with an upper-body injury. He has contributed seven goals and 19 assists in 42 appearances this season. If Benson doesn't return on Friday, Peyton Krebs will continue to have a larger role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Justin Alpert
February 27, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (illness) will be in the lineup on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. The power forward didn't play in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Philadelphia after waking up ill. Wilson will be part of the second line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael, with Hendrix Lapierre scratched for the contest. It's safe to say Wilson has been Washington's best player this season, racking up 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) and 132 hits in 50 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sammi Silber
February 27, 2026
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (lower body) will remain out for the team's upcoming back-to-back set, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. Washington faces Vegas on Friday and Montreal on Saturday. Carlson missed his fifth game of the season on Wednesday night against Philadelphia. Declan Chisholm entered the lineup on Wednesday and will remain part of the defensive group for Friday's game. Although Chisholm hasn't been very productive this season, he contributed an assist in Wednesday's 3-1 win. The 26-year-old didn't record any defensive stats but finished with a plus-one rating over 15:08 of action.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sammi Silber
February 27, 2026
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (not injury-related) is expected to return to the crease for Friday night's action against the Anaheim Ducks, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports. Winnipeg started Eric Comrie between the sticks in its first post-Olympics game on Wednesday, giving Hellebuyck some extra rest after he helped Team USA win gold in Milan on Sunday. Hellebuyck had a great tournament with the U.S., but it's been a different story for him with the Jets this season. Across 36 starts, Hellebuyck has posted a 13-16-7 record. He hasn't yet registered a single shutout and holds a 2.79 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has allowed at least three goals in each of his last five starts, going 1-3-1.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mitchell Clinton
February 27, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Samuel Girard (lower body) didn't practice on Friday. The team announced that Girard is being evaluated for a lower-body injury. Girard, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche at the start of the week, just made his Penguins debut. He logged 17:53 of ice time in Thursday's 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, finishing with one shot on goal and four blocks. The Penguins face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, and Girard is traveling with the team. This suggests he might be available for the contest. If Girard can't play, the Penguins will use Ilya Solovyov or Ryan Graves as his replacement.
--Taavi PailkSource: Pittsburgh Penguins
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