Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Alex Lyon has been confirmed as the starting goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres in Friday's home matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. This update, reported by Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, confirms Lyon will be patrolling the paint for the Sabres as they look to secure a win on home ice. No further details regarding his recent performance or injury status were provided in the report.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury. Head coach Rick Bowness confirmed on Friday that Severson's status is officially week-to-week. The team will continue to monitor his recovery progress as he works toward a return to the ice.
Nathan MacKinnon delivered a strong performance in Thursday's 3-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets, recording two goals on seven shots. The Colorado Avalanche star continues to be a primary offensive driver for the team, maintaining his high-impact production level in this latest outing.
Mark Scheifele reached a new career high in points during Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Despite the team defeat, Scheifele was a standout performer, scoring two goals on four shots. His consistent offensive output remains a bright spot for the Winnipeg Jets as he continues to set personal benchmarks this season.
Samuel Honzek of the Calgary Flames will not return to the ice this season due to an upper-body injury. This update was reported on Friday by Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan, confirming that Honzek's campaign has come to an end. The Flames will have to move forward without him for the remainder of their schedule. No specific details regarding the nature of the upper-body issue or a potential recovery timeline were included in the report, leaving his status for next year unclear.
Arvid Soderblom is expected to defend the visiting goal for the Chicago Blackhawks in Friday's matchup against the New York Rangers. The goaltender is slated to take the crease as the visiting team looks to secure a victory on the road. This expected start provides Soderblom with another opportunity to showcase his skills in the net. While the team has not officially confirmed the lineup, all signs point to Soderblom starting this Friday game against the Rangers as previously reported.
Forward Colin Blackwell and the Dallas Stars are in an introspective mode after losing five of their last six games, including four straight. Despite being one of the first two teams to clinch a playoff spot, the team is struggling with a late-season lull. Blackwell emphasized that the group is working hard for the end goal as they attempt to regain momentum. The Stars aim to resolve these issues and find their form before the postseason begins to ensure they are ready for a deep run.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere may be back in the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the New Jersey Devils. Gostisbehere has been sidelined with a lower-body injury, but recent reports from Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News suggest he is nearing a return to action. His presence on the blue line would provide a significant boost for the Hurricanes as they continue their late-season push. Final confirmation on his status is expected closer to puck drop following Saturday's skate.
Ilya Sorokin will be between the pipes for the New York Islanders as they host the Florida Panthers on Friday night. The goaltender looks to anchor the defense in a critical home game, as reported by Stefen Rosner of NHL.com. Sorokin remains a focal point for the Islanders' playoff aspirations, and his performance against a high-powered Florida offense will be key. This start marks another important opportunity for Sorokin to solidify his rhythm and consistency heading into the final season stretch.
John Gibson is slated to guard the road cage for the Detroit Red Wings in Friday's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Gibson is the expected starter for the contest. This start provides Gibson with another opportunity to lead the Red Wings' defensive effort from the crease. The veteran goaltender will be a central figure for Detroit as they attempt to navigate a challenging road environment and secure two points in Buffalo.
Rickard Rakell is stepping up in a significant way for the Pittsburgh Penguins, providing crucial offensive support while teammate Erik Karlsson plays at an elite level. While much of the recent spotlight has focused on Karlsson's career-best form, Rakell's increased production and elevated play have been vital for the Penguins' success. The forward continues to be a key contributor in Pittsburgh's top-six lineup, effectively complementing the high-end performance of the team's stars.
Connor Bedard reached a significant career milestone on Thursday, scoring his 30th goal of the season during the Chicago Blackhawks' 5-1 defeat against the Philadelphia Flyers. This marks the first time the young forward has reached the 30-goal plateau in his professional career. Despite the team's struggles in the lopsided loss, Bedard remains a primary offensive catalyst for Chicago, continuing to showcase the elite scoring ability that made him a top prospect in the league.
Mika Zibanejad is featured as a top betting pick for the New York Rangers in tonight's NHL slate on Friday, March 27. Analyst Quinn Allen highlights Zibanejad as the primary focus among a trio of plus-money player props. The Rangers center is expected to make a significant impact in the matchup, serving as the headline selection for bettors looking for value in the prop market. This recommendation underscores his projected role and offensive potential for the upcoming game.
Darcy Kuemper delivered a dominant performance in Thursday's 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, stopping all 19 shots he faced to secure his third shutout of the season and the 39th of his career. This performance followed his confirmed start for the road matchup, providing the stability the Kings needed to secure the win. Kuemper continues to be a key component of the Los Angeles goaltending rotation.
Mark Stone broke out of his recent slump during Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The forward recorded two goals on four shots in the defeat. Despite the loss, Stone's multi-goal effort provided a significant offensive spark for the Golden Knights as they continue to battle for positioning in the Pacific Division.
Evan Bouchard delivered the game-winning goal at 3:10 of overtime to secure a 4-3 victory for the Edmonton Oilers over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. In addition to his 20th goal of the campaign, Bouchard recorded an assist, two PIM, and a plus-2 rating. The win is pivotal for the Oilers, who now hold a two-point cushion over the Golden Knights for second place in the Pacific Division standings.
Connor McDavid led the Edmonton Oilers to a critical 4-3 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. The captain contributed significantly to the offense, scoring one goal on two shots and adding two assists. This performance helped the Oilers extend their lead for second place in the Pacific Division to two points over the Golden Knights, maintaining momentum as the team pushes for playoff positioning.
Mikhail Sergachev provided a strong offensive effort in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals, recording three assists. In addition to his playmaking, he contributed two shots on goal and four blocked shots. Despite his productive night, the team was unable to overcome the Capitals' offense.
Clayton Keller recorded three assists in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. The forward also registered four shots on goal and two PIM during the contest. While Keller was a key contributor to the team's offensive output, the squad ultimately fell short against Washington.
Dylan Guenther scored two goals on eight shots in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. One of his goals came on the power play during a productive first period. Despite Guenther's multi-goal performance, the team could not secure a victory against Washington.
