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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Colorado Avalanche forward Zachary L'Heureux could make his season debut this week during the team's upcoming two-game road swing. The banged-up forward is aiming to return to action and provide depth to the lineup during Colorado's road trip. His status will be closely monitored as the team evaluates whether he is ready to take the ice for his first official game appearance of the current season.
Colorado Avalanche forward Logan O'Connor could make his season debut this week as the team begins a two-game road swing. The banged-up forward has yet to play this season, but his potential return provides a welcome boost to Colorado's lineup during their upcoming road trip. Further updates on his exact status and game availability are expected as the Avalanche evaluate his progress throughout the trip.
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is not expected to play in Tuesday's matchup against the Kings as he tends to a personal matter. The 30-year-old blueliner has recorded one power-play assist and two hits across two appearances this season. Uvis Balinskis is expected to remain active in his absence, with Ekblad's next chance to return coming Saturday against the Wild.
Darcy Kuemper will guard the home crease in Tuesday's clash against the Florida Panthers. Kuemper looks to bounce back after struggling in the Los Angeles Kings' opener Wednesday, where he allowed eight goals across 29 shots in an 8-4 loss to Colorado. Operating as the lead option between the pipes for now alongside backup Anton Forsberg, the 26-year-old netminder faces a tough challenge against a deep Panthers lineup in search of his early-season form.
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight will patrol the home crease against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night. Knight has gone 0-2-0 to begin the 2026-27 campaign, surrendering eight goals on 64 shots. Meanwhile, St. Louis enters with a 1-1-0 record and has scored five goals through two games. During the 2025-26 regular season, Knight went 1-1-0 while allowing six goals on 56 shots across two previous outings against the Blues.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt will make his third consecutive start Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Wallstedt enters in exceptional form with a 2-0-0 record, 1.01 GAA, and .957 save percentage, stopping 45 of 47 shots. With Filip Gustavsson sidelined following offseason hip surgery, Wallstedt commands a heavy early-season workload as he looks to keep the Wild perfect against a Sabres offense averaging 3.5 goals per game.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Colten Ellis will make his regular-season debut, starting Tuesday's home game against the Minnesota Wild. Last year across 16 appearances, Ellis posted an 8-4-2 record with a 2.90 GAA and .903 save percentage. He previously defeated Minnesota on Nov. 29, 2025, stopping 22 of 24 shots in a 3-2 shootout win. While he draws the start, Alex Lyon participated in morning skates, meaning Ellis could see reduced action upon Lyon's return.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer will start Tuesday's road game against the Chicago Blackhawks, drawing his second start of the regular season. Hofer posted a shutout during his Opening Night start in Dallas on Friday, turning aside all 25 shots in a 4-0 victory. Across three starts against Chicago last year, Hofer recorded a 2-1-0 record alongside a 4.29 GAA and an .859 save percentage.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will start Tuesday's home game against the Islanders, tending the twine for the fourth time over the first five games of the regular season. Shesterkin has sparked his club to a strong start, highlighted by an impressive performance recording both a goal and an assist. Across his previous three starts, he went 2-1-0 with a 1.68 GAA and .935 save percentage, continuing to give New York a major boost.
Karel Vejmelka was the first goalie off during Tuesday's morning skate, indicating that he will draw the road start against the New Jersey Devils. Vejmelka will make his third start in Utah's first four regular-season games. Across his first two outings, he has gone 1-1-0 with a 1.51 GAA and .917 save percentage. He previously made a pair of starts against New Jersey last year, going 0-2-0 with a 3.06 GAA and .885 save percentage.
The Montreal Canadiens announced that right winger Ivan Demidov will be out for 2-4 weeks due to an upper-body injury. Demidov missed a practice session due to what was initially labeled a therapy day. Across his first two regular-season appearances this year, he recorded one goal, one assist, three hits, and two PIM while averaging 15:37 of ice time before the multi-week injury setback, forcing Montreal to adjust without their key young forward.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi will defend the road crease in Tuesday's clash with the Montreal Canadiens. The 28-year-old netminder is off to an up-and-down start to the 2026-27 campaign, posting a 0-1-1 record, a 2.88 GAA, and an .872 save percentage across two appearances. Although he did not make an appearance in the 2025-26 Eastern Conference Finals, he remains a solid fantasy start as he looks to help the Hurricanes stay ahead.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes will defend the home crease in Tuesday's clash against the Hurricanes. Dobes aims to bounce back from last postseason's Eastern Conference Finals series where he posted a 1-4-0 record, 3.05 GAA, and .903 save percentage. He is also looking to find his footing in 2026-27, carrying a 1-0-1 record, 4.03 GAA, and .863 save percentage through two early outings.
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen will start Tuesday's home game against the Mammoth. Allen previously drew the Opening Night start against the Flyers on Thursday, allowing two goals on 25 shots during a 3-2 overtime victory. Tuesday's matchup marks his second start through the Devils' first three games of the new season.
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker participated in Tuesday's morning skate as he continues recovering from offseason sports hernia surgery. Head coach Lindy Ruff stated that the 34-year-old forward still requires a couple of weeks before being cleared for game action. Zucker made 62 regular-season appearances for Buffalo last year, recording 24 goals, 21 assists, 57 hits, 23 PIM, and 21 blocked shots while averaging 15:37 of ice time.
The Nashville Predators placed Justus Annunen on injured reserve Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury. Annunen previously missed Saturday's game against Dallas and will now be required to sit out at least a week. In response to the move, Matt Murray was recalled from AHL Milwaukee on Tuesday to provide additional depth behind starting netminder Juros Saros while Annunen is sidelined.
Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson is slated to get the starting nod at home against the Senators on Tuesday. Gibson has lost each of his first two outings despite posting an impressive 2.07 GAA and .915 save percentage. He could soon receive offensive reinforcements with Dylan Larkin returning from injured reserve. Gibson figures to see the bulk of the workload for the Wings and should pick up plenty of wins once the offense gets going.
Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Ilya Mikheyev is making an immediate impact with the Tampa Bay Lightning early this season. During Monday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Mikheyev scored a goal and tallied a primary assist on Pontus Holmberg's game-winning goal, extending the Lightning's lead to 3-1. Mikheyev signed a four-year, $15.4 million contract in free agency after posting 70 points in 157 games across two seasons with Chicago.
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov stopped 31 of 34 shots in his season debut during a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Murashov weathered heavy early pressure, keeping his team in the game with athletic saves after facing a 9-1 shot disadvantage in the first period. Teammates praised his performance, which built on a dominant AHL season where he posted a 2.20 GAA and .919 save percentage as he looks to solidify his role in the NHL.
Ottawa Senators star center Tim Stutzle scored two goals—one shorthanded and one the game-winner—along with an even-strength assist in a 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. Stutzle added three shots, a hit, a blocked shot, and a plus-3 rating. He opened the scoring on a 2-on-1 break and later converted the game-winner off an interception. Stutzle now has two goals and four points in two games to begin the 2026-27 season.
