January 22, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin was in top form on Wednesday night against the Calgary Flames, recording a goal and an assist in a 4-1 road victory. Malkin opened the scoring in the first period and helped Egor Chinakhov tally the game-winning goal in the second. Since returning from an upper-body injury earlier this month, Malkin has contributed three goals and five assists in eight appearances. He has been a point-per-game player all season, bagging 11 goals and 26 assists in 34 outings. Malkin's hot form also boosts the fantasy value of his linemates. Tommy Novak is currently skating with Malkin and Chinakhov.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 22, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Christian Dvorak ended a four-game point drought with two goals and one assist in Wednesday's dramatic 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth. Dvorak's second tally of the night put the Flyers up 4-2 entering the third period, and they still led by one with a minute remaining in regulation, but ultimately let the win slip away. Dvorak's recent play in the offensive zone hasn't been productive, but he's had a solid campaign overall, earning him a five-year, $25.75 million contract extension earlier this month. The 29-year-old is Philadelphia's third-highest scorer, with 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 48 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 22, 2026
Utah Mammoth winger Clayton Keller led his team with three points in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. After tallying an assist in the second period, Keller produced some late-game heroics. 19:25 into the third period, Keller scored the latest game-tying goal in franchise history, and he added a second goal with 2:01 played in overtime. Keller had scored just once in 11 appearances before coming up clutch for the Mammoth on Wednesday night. Despite his recent lack of puck luck, Keller has remained a consistent offensive contributor for his team. Wednesday's game marked his sixth multi-point performance of the month. After 50 games, Keller leads Utah with 34 assists and 49 points.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 22, 2026
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal was sensational in Wednesday's matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, backstopping his team to a 2-1 shootout win with 40 saves. The league leaders struggled to solve Dostal all night, ending his shutout bid only 3:39 from the end of regulation. Dostal, who won a fourth consecutive start, produced two saves during the shootout. The Ducks recently had a nine-game losing streak, but Dostal still owns an impressive 17-12-2 record for the season. Only nine goalies in the league have had more winning performances. Dostal's goals-against average stands at 3.04, and he has registered a .894 save percentage.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 22, 2026
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin recorded a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings captain set up Simon Edvinsson for a goal late in the first period and lit the lamp himself 3:08 into the extra frame, tying Sergei Fedorov for the most overtime goals in franchise history (12). Larkin had a second consecutive multi-point outing. He is on track to post his fifth consecutive 30-goal campaign and is attempting to reach 70 points in a season for the fourth time in his career. In 51 outings, Larkin has contributed 25 goals and 21 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 22, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) exited Wednesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings after logging only 1:50 of ice time. He suffered a lower-body injury early in the game and was ruled out for the rest of the contest at the beginning of the second period. Toronto's blue line has taken injury hits throughout the season, but Ekman-Larsson has appeared in all 50 games so far. He has had a good campaign, logging 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists), 72 shots, 41 blocks, and 62 hits. A major injury to Ekman-Larsson would also be a blow for Team Sweden, which has already lost Minnesota's Jonas Brodin (lower back) on defense heading into the 2026 Olympics.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 22, 2026
Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan has signed a seven-year, $48.65 million contract extension through the 2032-33 season. The 23-year-old was scheduled to become a restricted free agent in the offseason. Doan landed in Buffalo last summer in a trade that sent JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. He has flourished in his new surroundings, recording 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists) in 49 games. The second-generation NHLer also provides some physicality, averaging nearly one hit per game. After signing his extension, Doan should be in high spirits when he returns to the ice on Thursday night against the Montreal Canadiens. He has notched five goals and six assists over his last 11 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (upper body) was replaced on Team USA's Olympic roster by Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Jones suffered an upper-body injury in the 2026 Winter Classic on Jan. 2, and the Panthers won't have him back until after the Olympics. Earlier this week, Florida moved Jones to long-term Injured Reserve. Jones has made an impact on both ends of the ice, recording 24 points (six goals, 18 assists), 78 shots, 47 blocks, and 38 hits in 40 appearances. With Jones out, Uvis Balinskis has been promoted to the first power-play unit, giving his fantasy value a big boost. The Latvian blue-liner had a three-game point streak last week, which included two power-play points.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil (undisclosed) will make his first appearance of the season in Wednesday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Slovakian forward suffered an undisclosed injury in a preseason game. On Tuesday, Calgary activated Pospisil from long-term Injured Reserve, and he practiced on a line with Adam Klapka and Ryan Lomberg. Last season, Pospisil was tied for third in the league with 301 hits and posted 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 81 appearances. He will struggle to make a fantasy impact on the fourth line, but managers should monitor him in case Pospisil moves up the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (lower body) has been cleared to play on Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals. He will be available after sitting out 43 games due to a lower-body injury. Blueger was hurt in a game against the Capitals on Oct. 19. Wednesday's contest will mark only his third appearance of the season. Blueger is expected to fill the third-line center role, flanked by Liam Ohgren and Conor Garland. Both wingers have scoring talent, boosting Blueger's fantasy value. However, managers shouldn't expect much from the Canucks, who just posted a new franchise record with 11 consecutive losses.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve, paving the way for him to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The power forward has been out for eight games due to a lower-body injury. Wilson has had a wonderful 2025-26 campaign, posting a team-high 22 goals and sharing the overall scoring lead on the squad with 42 points in 41 games. He also has an outstanding plus-20 rating. Wilson returns in a great spot, taking on a team that has lost a franchise-worst 11 games in a row. Ivan Miroshnichenko is projected to make way for Wilson in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Washington Capitals
January 21, 2026
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (shoulder) is facing a lengthy absence after the team placed him on long-term Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The move is retroactive to Monday, when Hughes injured his shoulder in a matchup against the Calgary Flames. A player on long-term Injured Reserve is required to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Hughes' absence began on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler led the blue line in ice time against Edmonton, while Dougie Hamilton logged the most power-play time. Johnathan Kovacevic took Hughes' spot in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The Russian forward didn't play in Monday's win over the Washington Capitals after sustaining an upper-body injury in a car accident. Fortunately, Nichushkin has made a quick recovery and should fill his normal duties against Anaheim. Colorado uses Nichushkin on the second line and the second power-play unit. He has tallied 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games this season. In January, Nichushkin has been slumping, finishing scoreless in six of seven appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (upper body) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against the Calgary Flames. He missed practice on Tuesday and could also sit out at least one game. Pittsburgh will remain without Erik Karlsson (lower body) on Wednesday, so having Letang available on defense would be crucial. Due to Karlsson's absence, Letang has recently seen more power-play time. In 10 January outings, Letang has produced one goal and five assists. Overall, he has managed 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 48 games. If Letang doesn't play on Wednesday, the Penguins could use Brett Kulak on the top power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey left his fingerprints all over Tuesday's matchup against the St. Louis Blues, scoring a goal and delivering two assists in a 3-1 victory. The talented blue-liner earned two points on the power play, including his goal. Morrissey became the second defenseman in franchise history to light the lamp at least 90 times, joining Dustin Byfuglien (122). He's had 10 goals and 42 points in 48 games this season, providing good fantasy value despite playing on a struggling team. Morrissey currently shares sixth place in scoring among defensemen.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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