Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon is dealing with a strained lower-body muscle sustained during pre-game skates. Coach Lindy Ruff confirmed the injury, noting Lyon is expected to miss at least one week. His availability for the start of the playoffs, which begin April 18-19, remains in jeopardy as the team monitors his recovery. Lyon's absence is a significant concern for the Sabres as they prepare for the postseason.
Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri is sidelined with a finger injury, forcing the team to adjust their forward lines. Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed Kadri will miss some games, though a specific return date remains undisclosed. The Avalanche hope to have him back in the lineup before the playoffs, potentially as soon as next week. Colorado has five games remaining in the regular season.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo is set to start in net for his third consecutive game as the team faces the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The assignment, reported by Dan Murphy of Sportsnet, highlights Tolopilo's increased role in the Canucks' crease during this stretch of the season.
Spencer Knight has been confirmed as the starting goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks in Thursday's home matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. The decision, reported by Vinnie Parise of The Hockey News, puts Knight in the crease to face a challenging opponent. He will look to provide stability for Chicago in this contest.
Adin Hill will guard the visiting cage for the Vegas Golden Knights in Thursday's matchup against the Seattle Kraken. This update was confirmed by Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Joey Daccord is set to start in goal for the Seattle Kraken at home against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. The confirmation comes via Emerald City Hockey.
Dustin Wolf will get the start in goal for the Calgary Flames on the road against the Colorado Avalanche this Thursday. The update was provided by Derek Wills of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.
Juuse Saros will defend the goal for the Nashville Predators in Thursday's road matchup against Utah. The veteran netminder is confirmed to start for the Predators, as reported by Brooks Bratten of the team's official site.
Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov sustained an injury during Tuesday’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens. As a result of his absence, the Panthers are dressing two rookies for their game against the Ottawa Senators. Kulikov's status is part of a broader defensive shake-up for the team following the loss of Seth Jones to a season-ending injury in the same game.
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after suffering a broken foot during Tuesday's game against Montreal. The injury, which also forced him to miss the matchup against Ottawa, is a significant blow to the team's defensive depth. The Panthers are calling up two rookies to compensate for the loss of Jones and teammate Dmitry Kulikov as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot is set to return to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Florida Panthers. Chabot makes his return to action just 17 days, or 2½ weeks, after suffering a broken forearm. His return provides a significant boost to the Senators' defensive corps as they face the Panthers.
Karel Vejmelka is set to draw the home start for Utah against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The decision was confirmed after Vejmelka was the first goaltender off the ice during Thursday's morning skate, as reported by Cole Bagley of KSL Sports.
Filip Gustavsson has been confirmed as the starting goaltender for the Minnesota Wild in Thursday's road game against the Dallas Stars. The update was reported by Michael Russo of The Athletic. Gustavsson will look to secure a win for the Wild in this divisional matchup.
Sergei Bobrovsky will get the start in goal for the Florida Panthers during Thursday's road game against the Ottawa Senators. Bobrovsky is tasked with anchoring the Panthers' defense in this away contest.
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are set to face off twice this weekend as the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins wrap up the regular season. The two icons, who have defined their franchises for two decades, are entering the final acts of their storied rivalry. Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, and Crosby, who maintains a point-per-game streak spanning 21 years, remain the central figures of their respective teams.
Jet Greaves is expected to protect the visiting cage for the Columbus Blue Jackets in Buffalo on Thursday. The goaltender will look to anchor the team's defensive effort in this upcoming matchup.
Linus Ullmark will draw the home start for the Ottawa Senators against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The veteran goaltender is tasked with anchoring the crease in this pivotal matchup.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek is expected to add to his assist total during Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. Analysts are highlighting Hronek's offensive production as a key factor in the team's performance for the upcoming matchup.
During the Olympic men's hockey gold medal game, Sam Bennett was involved in a third-period collision that resulted in Jack Hughes sustaining a significant dental injury. The incident occurred during a high-stakes moment in the final frame of the thriller.
During the Olympic men's hockey gold medal game, 24-year-old forward Jack Hughes suffered a significant dental injury after taking a stick to the mouth from Canada's Sam Bennett. Hughes reported losing at least one full tooth and several shards during the third-period incident. The injury drew attention from NHL dental professionals who recognized the work required to repair the damage.
