January 31, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle led his team on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring his second career hat trick in a 4-2 win. The 33-year-old produced a power-play goal late in the first period, opened the second period with an even-strength tally, and sealed his hat trick with an empty-net goal. Coyle also collected an assist on Friday night. In recent games, Coyle has been on another level, notching five goals and four assists across his last three outings. The hot streak has boosted Coyle's scoring total to 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 53 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 31, 2026
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (illness) missed Friday's practice but is expected to play on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre reports. Hronek hasn't sat out any games this season and looks ready to keep his proud record despite dealing with an illness. Since Quinn Hughes moved to Minnesota, Hronek has been Vancouver's No. 1 defenseman, averaging 24:50 of ice time in January. He has notched 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his last 15 appearances. For the season, Hronek has managed 32 points (five goals, 27 assists) in 54 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 31, 2026
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (upper body) is not traveling with the team for Sunday's Stadium Series matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After sustaining an upper-body injury in Thursday's win over Philadelphia, Zacha is also in danger of missing Wednesday's contest against the Florida Panthers. Boston also lost Elias Lindholm (upper body) this week, leaving the team without two of its top centers. Fraser Minter has moved up in the lineup to fill Lindholm's spot, and with Zacha out, Matthew Poitras could also see time on a scoring line. The team may also decide to use Casey Mittelstadt as a center on Sunday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (upper body) will remain behind as the team heads out for two games in Florida. The Swedish forward suffered an upper-body injury earlier this week, and unfortunately, he won't be healthy enough to play in Sunday's Stadium Series contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Additionally, Lindholm will miss a meeting with the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Pavel Zacha (upper body) will also sit out the two games, meaning youngsters Fraser Minten and Matthew Poitras may be Boston's top-six centers for at least a couple of games. Casey Mittelstadt could also slot into the middle after spending time on the wing.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (groin) appears ready to rejoin the lineup on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. He practiced on the second line on Friday, and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters after the session there is a good chance Nylander will play against Vancouver. The Swedish star has been sidelined for seven games due to a groin injury. Nylander has scored in five of his last six appearances, racking up 17 goals for the season. He paces the Maple Leafs with 48 points in 37 games. Nylander's return will bump Matthews Knies to the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
January 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (undisclosed) didn't practice on Friday and may skip Saturday's matchup against the New York Rangers. The veteran blue-liner recently sat out two games due to an upper-body injury, and it's unclear if he has aggravated the same injury or is dealing with something new. After being limited to 30 points last term, Letang already boasts 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 50 contests this season. He ranks second on his team with 64 blocks and fourth with 67 hits. Connor Clifton is set to fill in for Letang if he can't play against the Rangers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (undisclosed) sat out Friday's practice, leaving his status for Saturday's tilt against the New York Rangers unclear. Malkin recently missed a month of action due to a shoulder injury, and he appeared to have been hurt in Sunday's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. Yet, the Russian veteran logged his usual minutes on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. With three goals and three assists in his last four outings, Malkin has been thriving as a winger on the second line. Should he miss Saturday's game, Anthony Mantha may be promoted to the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 30, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (lower body) left Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins after two periods of play. He suffered a lower-body injury and was replaced by Dan Vladar for the final frame. It was a miserable night for Ersson, who allowed five goals on 20 shots. Fortunately for Philadelphia, Vladar returned from injury on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, giving the team a proven option between the pipes if Ersson misses time. Last week, Ersson beat the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, but he has posted a disappointing .856 save percentage this season and holds an 8-10-5 record with a 3.51 goals-against average.
--Taavi PailkSource: Philadelphia Flyers
January 30, 2026
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (upper body) didn't finish Thursday's 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. He exited the contest in the second period, and the Bruins ruled Zacha out for the rest of the game at the beginning of the third. Zacha scored Boston's second goal of the night in the first frame. He has potted 15 goals during the season, adding 22 assists in 54 appearances. The Bruins may have to finish the week without their top-two centers, as Elias Lindholm (upper body) was already out on Thursday. Fraser Minten moved up in the lineup, and the same may happen with Matthew Poitras on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 30, 2026
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (lower body) was injured during Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. Lindgren was hurt late in overtime but remained in the net for the shootout. He eventually needed assistance from his teammates to leave the ice. Lindgren didn't stop any shots in the shootout, but he had 18 saves in the game and improved to 8-6-3. The Capitals had inexperienced Clay Stevenson serving as the backup after losing Logan Thompson (upper body) for the game. While Thompson is considered day-to-day, it's unclear whether he will be able to return this week, putting the team in a tough spot if Lindgren also has to miss time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sammi Silber
January 30, 2026
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (lower body) left Thursday's 3-2 overtime victory versus the Nashville Predators in the first period. Hughes took only three shifts in the game, heading to the locker room twice within the first 7:30 of action. His attempts to return may indicate the injury isn't serious. After the game, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe also suggested Hughes isn't dealing with anything serious. The team will re-evaluate the star forward on Friday. Hughes has missed a significant chunk of the season due to a hand injury, skating in only 36 games. He has recorded 12 goals and 24 assists. If Hughes is unable to suit up for Saturday's matchup with the Ottawa Senators, Nico Hischier will take over first-line center duties, while Dawson Mercer will also move up the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 30, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (undisclosed) missed the third period of Thursday's 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The veteran winger has been banged up all season, but he recently returned from a seven-game absence. Unfortunately, it looks like Marchand might land back on the shelf just four games after rejoining the lineup. When in action, Marchand has performed well, logging 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in 45 games. Ahead of Thursday's game, Florida had already lost Anton Lundell (upper body) from the third line. Lundell could be ready to return on Saturday against Winnipeg and replace Marchand in the lineup. Jesper Boqvist is another option.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 30, 2026
Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane had a historic outing on Thursday night against the Washington Capitals, becoming the NHL's all-time leading scorer among U.S-born players. Kane surpassed Mike Modano, reaching 1,375 career points with an assist in a 4-3 shootout loss. The 2016 MVP has managed 500 goals and 875 assists in 1,342 career games. Modano had held the record since 1997. It's an incredible achievement for Kane, who has notched 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 40 outings this term. He has finished three consecutive games with an assist and can match his longest point streak of the season in Saturday's meeting with the Colorado Avalanche.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 30, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) will be out for a week, Michael Augello of The Hockey News reports. The Finnish netminder suffered a lower-body injury on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Luukkonen will be desperate to make a quick recovery, with his Olympic hopes on the line. If he can make it back in a week, Luukkonen could be available for selection for Buffalo's final game before the Olympics on Feb. 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Luukkonen has posted an 11-7-2 record in 2025-26, forming a great tandem with Alex Lyon, who set a new franchise record with a 10th consecutive victory on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michael Augello
January 29, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is set to rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The veteran has played in just three of the last 36 games, missing each of the last 15 due to a lower-body injury. When in the lineup, McDonagh has made a mark at both ends of the ice, recording eight points (four goals, four assists) and 29 blocks in 18 appearances. On Thursday, McDonagh will join Erik Cernak on the second defensive pairing, and his return will also be a boost for Tampa Bay's penalty kill. Maxim Groshev will exit the lineup to make room for McDonagh.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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