April 2, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Carter Yakemchuk (concussion) won't play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, Andrew Wilimek of the Senators' official site reports. The 20-year-old had a dream debut in the NHL a week ago against Detroit with a goal and an assist, but he is forced to miss time after landing in concussion protocol. Yakemchuk was hurt in his fourth career game on Tuesday night against Florida. The Senators have recalled Cameron Crotty from the minors to fill the void in the lineup. Crotty will make his team debut and only his third NHL appearance against Buffalo. At the same time, Jordan Spence and Tyler Kleven will get all the minutes they can handle on defense, including power-play time. This makes both players worth a look in fantasy.
--Taavi PailkSource: Andrew Wilimek
April 2, 2026
New Jersey Devils winger Arseni Gritsyuk (upper body) will undergo season-ending surgery. He suffered an upper-body injury in late March and will sit out a fifth consecutive game on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Gritsyuk had a decent first year in the NHL, producing 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 66 games. Having turned only 25 in March, he has plenty of time to develop as a player and could be part of New Jersey's core for years to come. Evgenii Dadonov has taken Gritsyuk's spot in the league, but he doesn't provide any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 2, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers winger Tyson Foerster (arm) will rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. He's set to make his first appearance of 2026 after recovering from arm surgery. Foerster was initially ruled out for five months after undergoing a procedure in mid-December, so having him back in the lineup for the final few regular-season games is a welcome surprise for the Flyers. Before exiting the lineup, Foerster led his team with 10 goals in 21 games and also recorded three assists. He will strengthen Philadelphia's first power-play unit and is expected to skate alongside Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett in even-strength situations.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 2, 2026
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) is a game-time decision on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old has heated up recently but might have to sit out at least one game due to an undisclosed injury. Hyman is riding a four-game point streak, tying his second-longest scoring run of the season. He's had a great bounce-back campaign, with 31 goals and 51 points in 56 games. If Hyman can't play against Chicago, Josh Samanski is likely to enter the lineup. Meanwhile, Kasperi Kapanen could fill the vacancy in the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 2, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (lower body) has been cleared to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The in-form forward was a late scratch on Tuesday night against Detroit due to a lower-body injury. Rust was arguably Pittsburgh's best player in March. He has amassed eight goals and 12 assists over his last 16 appearances. Across the season, Rust has contributed 27 goals and 34 assists in 67 games. Avery Hayes filled in for Rust on Tuesday and will exit the lineup against Tampa Bay.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 2, 2026
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (lower body) has been activated from long-term Injured Reserve and will start on Thursday night against the Calgary Flames, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. He has been unavailable for nearly three months, missing 33 games due to a lower-body injury. Hart has started 12 times for the Golden Knights this season, posting a 5-3-3 record, a 3.28 goals-against average, and a .871 save percentage. While Hart's numbers aren't strong, he is a solid fantasy option on Thursday night, as he takes on the lowest-scoring team in the league. The Flames are averaging 2.53 goals per game and have finished with two or fewer goals 10 times in 18 games since the Olympic break.
--Taavi PailkSource: Danny Webster
April 2, 2026
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (finger) will be out for "weeks," according to head coach Paul Maurice. He broke a finger in Tuesday's win over Ottawa. There are only two weeks remaining in the regular season, so it appears likely that we have seen the last of Ekblad in 2025-26. He is set to finish his 12th NHL campaign with 26 points (four goals, 22 assists), 97 SOG, 103 blocks, and 84 hits in 72 games. The Panthers defense will also be without Dmitry Kulikov (nose) for Thursday's matchup with Boston. Tobias Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka will be inserted into the lineup for the game. Meanwhile, Mike Benning will get a chance to skate on the second power-play unit, making him a more attractive fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 1, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (undisclosed) is day-to-day and unlikely to play on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper considers Hagel "doubtful" for the matchup. Hagel has been averaging over a point per game for a second consecutive season, totaling 35 goals and 38 assists in 69 contests. He's been part of a highly productive line with Anthony Cirelli and Nikita Kucherov. Corey Perry could be Hagel's replacement in the top six on Thursday. The veteran has been in good form lately, notching two goals and one assist over the past four games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 1, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (upper body) is expected to miss the rest of the 2025-26 regular season, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports. He has been out for three games and will only get a chance to return this season if the Blue Jackets secure a playoff berth over the final seven regular-season games. Severson was quietly effective on Columbus' blue line all season, recording 32 points, 93 SOG, 86 blocks, and a plus-18 rating in 71 games. During Severson's absence, Egor Zamula has been part of the lineup in back-to-back games, while Jake Christiansen has also gotten a look on the third defensive pairing.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jeff Svoboda
April 1, 2026
San Jose Sharks winger Igor Chernyshov (illness) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's meeting with the Anaheim Ducks. The 20-year-old is feeling under the weather and might vacate a spot on San Jose's first line. Chernyshov has managed 14 points (five goals, nine assists) through his first 20 career games. However, he has been on the score sheet just four times in his last 13 outings. Ty Dellandrea (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and will draw into the lineup if Chernyshov isn't ready to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 1, 2026
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. The Ducks captain has been dealing with a lower-body injury lately and won't be available for the second time in three games. Drew Helleson is projected to be Gudas' replacement on Wednesday, joining Olen Zellweger on the third line. After a productive start to the season, Helleson hasn't been a threat offensively for several months, making him a non-factor in fantasy hockey. The 25-year-old has tallied 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 54 games, with six of his points coming in October.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 1, 2026
Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier (upper body) might be sidelined for the rest of the week. The 22-year-old suffered an upper-body injury against Toronto on Monday and has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup with San Jose. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville has labeled him as questionable for the next two games. Gauthier has recently been one of the hottest goal-scorers in the NHL. He is having a career year with 38 goals and 65 points in 73 games. With Gauthier unavailable, the Ducks are ready to give Nathan Gaucher his NHL debut on Wednesday. The 22-year-old will get an opportunity with the big club after recording 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 57 games in the AHL this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 1, 2026
Vancouver Canucks left wing Evander Kane (undisclosed) will sit out Wednesday's matchup with the Colorado Avalanche. The veteran power forward has recently been dealing with a health issue, and the team now plans to manage his workload. Kane scored in his 1,000th career game on Monday night against Vegas and has recorded 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) over 70 outings this season. His absence will give Max Sasson a chance to play on Wednesday. Sasson has not been sharp lately, going seven consecutive appearances without a point, but he has totaled 11 goals and four assists in 60 games during 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 1, 2026
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) won't play on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The star blue-liner was hurt on Monday against Calgary and will sit out his first game of the season. He may be unavailable for the rest of the week. "He's doing OK," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning. "He's going to miss some time, though. Like nothing serious, like nothing that's putting (the) playoffs in jeopardy or anything like that." Without Makar, the Avalanche defense must lean more on Devon Toews and Sam Malinski. Nick Blankenburg is set to take his place in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 1, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Jack Bushman of Chicago Hockey Now reports. He suffered an upper-body injury in March and has sat out five games. The early end of Grzelcky's campaign means that he will finish the season without scoring a single goal. After a career-high 40 points (one goal, 39 assists) in Pittsburgh last season, Grzelcyk's offensive contributions were limited to 11 assists in 69 games this term. Chicago has lost Artyom Levshunov (hand) until the end of the season, giving Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro opportunities to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jack Bushman
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