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NHL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Wednesday, February 25

Crosby Placed on IR, Out 4+ Weeks with Olympic Lower-Body Injury

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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury sustained while playing with Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He is expected to be out for at least four weeks, sidelined until late March. This is a significant blow to the team's offensive core. In Crosby's absence, the Penguins are reportedly planning to shift Rickard Rakell to center. Crosby, 38, does not regret playing in the Olympics, stating injuries are part of the game. Teammates Bryan Rust and Ben Kindel are ready to step up.

Adin Hill to Start Wednesday vs. Kings

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Adin Hill is slated to start Wednesday on the road against the Los Angeles Kings. This marks a rematch after Hill stopped 32 of 33 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Kings on Feb. 5. Hill holds a 4-3-3 record with a 3.28 GAA and .870 save percentage in 12 appearances this season. The Kings are tied for 29th in goals per game (2.54) and are welcoming Artemi Panarin while missing Kevin Fiala due to injury.

Red Wings Eye MacKenzie Weegar Amid Trade Rumors

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The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly targeting Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, with TSN insider Darren Dreger confirming Detroit is one of few teams capable of such a move. Weegar, 32, has five years remaining on his contract after this season with a $6.25 million annual cap hit. Detroit has nearly $13 million in cap space. Weegar has emerged as a top 25 defenseman, typically producing 35-50 points with elite defensive metrics. This season, his numbers have dipped to projected sub-30 points and a minus-32 rating.

Mikael Granlund Out Wednesday with Upper-Body Injury

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Mikael Granlund has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Oilers due to an upper-body injury. The injury is considered short-term, with Granlund expected to skate Thursday and potentially return Friday against Winnipeg. He will miss the Ducks' first game back after the Olympic break.

Lukas Dostal Set to Start vs. Edmonton

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Lukas Dostal is expected to start at home against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. Dostal was strong before the Olympic break, posting an 8-1-0 record with a 1.96 GAA and .930 save percentage in his last nine appearances. Overall this season, he has a 21-13-2 record, 2.92 GAA, and .897 save percentage in 38 games for Anaheim. Edmonton ranks fourth in goals per game (3.41).

Anton Forsberg To Start for Kings vs. Vegas

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Anton Forsberg was the first goalie off the ice Wednesday, indicating he will start at home against the Vegas Golden Knights. In his last five games, Forsberg has a 2-1-2 record with a 2.31 GAA and .924 save percentage. He is expected to be the No. 2 goalie behind Darcy Kuemper but will see significant ice time.

Nikita Tolopilo to Start Against Winnipeg

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Nikita Tolopilo is slated to start in goal for the Vancouver Canucks at home against Winnipeg on Wednesday. In 2025-26, Tolopilo has a 3-3-1 record with a 3.04 GAA and .910 save percentage in nine appearances for Vancouver, and a 3.07 GAA and .897 save percentage in 19 AHL Abbotsford outings. Winnipeg has struggled recently, going 3-4-3 in their last 10 games.

Kevin Lankinen Returns as Backup Goalie

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Kevin Lankinen is set to serve as the backup netminder for the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday against Winnipeg. He rejoins the team after being unavailable due to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Nikita Tolopilo will start in goal, with Lankinen expected to be available moving forward.

Marco Rossi Activated from Injured Reserve

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Marco Rossi is set to return to the lineup for the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday against Winnipeg after being taken off injured reserve. Rossi has recorded five goals and 15 points in 25 appearances this season. He is projected to play on the second line with Drew O'Connor and Brock Boeser, who is also returning from injury. Aatu Raty and Max Sasson will be healthy scratches.

Brock Boeser Cleared to Play After Concussion

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Brock Boeser has been cleared to play and will be in the lineup for the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday against Winnipeg. Boeser missed five games due to a concussion but appears ready to return. After a 21-game goal drought, he has scored three goals in his last six games.

Joel Hofer to Guard Net Against Kraken

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Joel Hofer will start in goal for the St. Louis Blues at home against Seattle on Thursday. Hofer and Jordan Binnington have been splitting starts, a trend expected to continue. In his last four appearances before the Olympic break, Hofer went 1-2-1 with a 3.97 GAA and .824 save percentage.

Karel Vejmelka Expected to Start vs. Colorado

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Karel Vejmelka is expected to start in goal for Utah against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. Vejmelka did not play in the 2026 Winter Olympics for Team Czechia. His last start was on Feb. 4, a 4-1 win where he made 29 saves. He has a 27-14-2 record, 2.58 GAA, and .902 save percentage this season. Colorado averages a league-leading 3.84 goals per game.

Filip Gustavsson Slated to Start Thursday

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Filip Gustavsson will start in goal for the Minnesota Wild on Thursday's road game against Colorado. Gustavsson saw some action in the 2026 Winter Olympics for Sweden and will start Minnesota's first game back from the Olympic break. He had a strong stretch before the break, going 6-0-1 with a 3.19 GAA and .888 save percentage over his last seven starts.

Blues' Robert Thomas Takes Personal Leave, Expected Back Friday

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St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas (leg) is taking a leave of absence for a personal matter. He is expected to return Friday, missing Thursday's game against Seattle. While he will rejoin the team ahead of Saturday's match versus the Devils, his availability for that game is not yet clear. Thomas, who is second on the team with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games, has been sidelined since January 10 due to a leg injury and is currently on injured reserve.

Stars' Roope Hintz Out Wednesday Due to Illness

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Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz (illness) will miss Wednesday's game against Seattle. Hintz recorded a goal and four points in six outings with Team Finland during the 2026 Winter Games. He has also posted 15 goals and 44 points in 52 appearances with Dallas this season.

Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz to Start Wednesday vs. Tampa Bay

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Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz will start Wednesday's road game against Tampa Bay. Stolarz returned from a lengthy absence before the Olympic break, posting a 1-2-0 record with a 3.73 GAA and .874 save percentage in three appearances. This will be his first start following the break.

Vladar to Start Wednesday's Game Against Capitals

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Dan Vladar will get the starting nod for the Philadelphia Flyers on the road against the Capitals on Wednesday. Prior to the Olympic break, Vladar had been struggling, posting a 1-1-2 record in his last five outings despite a 2.54 GAA. With Vladar starting Wednesday, Samuel Ersson (lower body) is expected to go versus the Rangers on Thursday, assuming he is healthy enough to play.

Kulikov Practices in Regular Jersey, On Track for Mid-March Return

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Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has taken a significant step in his return, practicing in a full-contact jersey for the first time. Kulikov played just two games before suffering a torn labrum. He rejoined the Panthers in the 2023 off-season and has played a vital role in their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. Coach Paul Maurice anticipates Kulikov's return in mid-March, and his progress indicates he is on track.

Nosek Practices in Regular Jersey, Nearing Return from Knee Injury

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Florida Panthers forward Tomas Nosek has taken a significant step in his return, practicing in a full-contact jersey for the first time. Nosek has not played a game this season after undergoing off-season surgery to repair a knee injury. While the Panthers' staff has been patient with his recovery, he has cleared multiple steps and is now ramping up to get into game shape, with a potential return to the lineup in March.

Cirelli Out for Next Two Games with Undisclosed Injury

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) is not expected to play Wednesday against Toronto or Thursday in Carolina. The team hopes to have him back for Saturday's match versus Buffalo. Cirelli has already missed Tampa Bay's past two games and the Olympics due to this injury. He has recorded 15 goals and 35 points in 49 appearances during the 2025-26 season.