March 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Anthony Mantha (lower body) didn't practice on Wednesday and is day-to-day, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports. The Penguins have just lost Evgeni Malkin (upper body) to injury and may now be without another key forward. Mantha replaced Malkin on the second line in Tuesday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has recorded a career-high 53 points (26 goals, 27 assists) in 71 games. Kevin Hayes worked in Mantha's spot during Wednesday's practice and will play on Thursday if Mantha isn't available.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michelle Crechiolo
March 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) is not traveling with the team for Thursday's road game against the Ottawa Senators, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports. The Russian star will miss a second consecutive game with an upper-body injury. Malkin is averaging over a point per game for the first time in three seasons, sitting on 15 goals and 37 assists in 50 games. Ville Koivunen took Malkin's spot in the lineup on Tuesday against Colorado but didn't make an impact in 10:04 of ice time. Koivunen's usage may increase on Thursday depending on Anthony Mantha's (lower body) status.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michelle Crechiolo
March 25, 2026
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (illness) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's matchup with the Boston Bruins, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. After missing practice on Tuesday due to illness, Samuelsson skated on Wednesday morning. Having Samuelsson available would be a big boost for the Sabres. The 26-year-old has taken huge strides this season, registering 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists), 97 SOG, 137 blocks, 110 hits, and a plus-35 rating. The six-year veteran had previously never managed more than 14 points in a single season. Conor Timmins (leg) is available on Wednesday and could be Samuelsson's replacement in the lineup. He has missed over three months due to a broken leg.
--Taavi PailkSource: Heather Engel
March 25, 2026
New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (upper body) won't suit up on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports. According to Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, Quick is "not there yet" but is "getting closer" to returning. The veteran netminder, who has a 5-16-2 record this season, suffered an upper-body injury during Saturday's practice. With Quick out, Dylan Garand made his NHL debut on Sunday against Winnipeg, making 35 saves in a 3-2 shootout defeat. Garand will serve as Igor Shesterkin's backup on Wednesday.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mollie Walker
March 25, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (illness) has taken a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons, the team announced on Wednesday. The Lightning captain has sat out three games due to illness and is now expected to miss some more time. Emil Lilleberg has been playing in Hedman's absence, but he doesn't offer any fantasy value. Darren Raddysh has operated as the No. 1 defenseman and produced another outstanding performance with three points in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. He will aim to score in a third consecutive game on Thursday night against Seattle.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 25, 2026
Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson produced three assists in Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. His playmaking made an impact twice during even-strength play in the second period, and he had a power-play assist in the third. The 36-year-old became the oldest blue-liner in the Ducks' history with a multi-assist period and a three-assist game. In 2025-26, Carlson has shown that age is just a number, amassing 50 points (10 goals, 40 assists) in 60 appearances. He is still looking for his first goal as a Duck, but Carlson has posted four assists in five games with his new team.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 25, 2026
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer frustrated the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, recording his sixth shutout of the season in a 3-0 win. He made 21 saves, bringing him within one of tying Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders for the most shutouts in 2025-26. While Jordan Binnington was Team Canada's No. 1 at the Olympics, Hofer has outperformed him in St. Louis this season. The Winnipeg-born netminder holds an 18-11-5 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage. He has gone 6-0-2 across his last eight starts.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 25, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares had three assists as the team beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 on the road on Tuesday night. Two of his assists came during power-play situations. Tavares had more than two points in a game for only the second time this season. However, he has been in fine form since the Olympic break, recording five goals and eight assists in 15 games. With Auston Matthews (knee) done for the season, Tavares has taken over the first-line center role, increasing his ice time. The veteran forward will hope to reach 70 points for a second consecutive year. Currently, he sits on 25 goals and 35 assists with 72 games played.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 25, 2026
New Jersey Devils winger Arseni Gritsyuk (undisclosed) is scheduled for imaging on Wednesday after being hurt in Tuesday's win over Dallas, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. Gritsyuk bagged an assist in New Jersey's 6-4 win, but he was injured late in the game. The 25-year-old rookie has recently seen his offensive form improve, with eight of Gritsyuk's 31 points coming in March. He has tallied 13 goals and 18 assists in 66 games during his first NHL campaign. If Gritsyuk has to miss time, Evgenii Dadonov could get a rare opportunity to play. The Russian veteran has made just 18 appearances this season and hasn't registered any points.
--Taavi PailkSource: Amanda Stein
March 25, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (lower body) was limited to 6:09 of ice time in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He sustained a lower-body injury in the first period as the Islanders' blue line suffered another blow. Ryan Pulock (lower body) was hurt last week and sat out a second straight game on Tuesday. DeAngelo is sixth in scoring on the Islanders roster, producing 33 points (five goals, 28 assists) in 72 games. Mathew Barzal (47) and Matthew Schaefer (30) are the only Islanders skaters with more assists than him. Pulock skated briefly on Tuesday morning and might be able to step in for DeAngelo if needed on Thursday against Dallas.
--Taavi PailkSource: New York Islanders
March 25, 2026
Detroit Red Wings forward Emmitt Finnie entered concussion protocol on Tuesday, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. He missed the final few minutes of Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Ottawa after absorbing a heavy hit. Detroit has just gotten Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp back from injuries, but it looks like the team could be without another important forward in the upcoming games. Finnie has notched 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 71 games during his rookie campaign. He was paired with Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the first line against the Senators.
--Taavi PailkSource: Helene St. James
March 25, 2026
Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He was involved in a collision with teammate Jack McBain and ended his night after logging only 17 seconds of ice time. Hayton's absence resulted in McBain and Logan Cooley taking on extra work. The two could enjoy increased ice time again on Thursday against Washington if Hayton isn't healthy enough to play. Hayton has totaled 10 goals and 25 points in 67 games this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Utah Mammoth PR
March 24, 2026
Ottawa Senators left winger Brady Tkachuk had a goal and an assist as the Senators won 3-2 over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. He opened the scoring on the power play late in the first period and then assisted on Lars Eller's goal halfway through the second period. Tkachuk has now reached the 20-goal mark for the fifth consecutive year despite missing over a month due to injury earlier in the season.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 24, 2026
Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas had two goals as the Avalanche dominated the Penguins by a score of 6-2 on Tuesday. He scored one goal in the first period and then another in the second to make it a 5-1 game. Necas is having a career year across the board with 34 goals, 54 assists, 88 points, and a plus/minus of plus-46. All those numbers are among the league's best.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 24, 2026
San Jose Sharks winger Igor Chernyshov (concussion) will suit up on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. The 20-year-old has missed four games due to a concussion. Chernyshov was red-hot in his first few career appearances and has totaled 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 16 games. On Tuesday, he will get a great chance to break his recent offensive slump, as Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky has decided to pair Chernyshov with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith on the first line. He will also skate on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sheng Peng
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