Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Noel Acciari scored two goals in Saturday's 6-5 win against the Rangers. This marks his second multi-point performance of the season, with both coming in his last two games. Despite a generally disappointing season, where he has only 44 hits and 31 blocks in 40 games compared to triple digits last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins' fourth-line grinder has contributed six goals, 15 points, and a plus-9 rating so far this campaign.
Vincent Trocheck tallied a shorthanded goal and two assists in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Penguins. All three points came in the third period as the New York Rangers attempted a comeback from a 5-1 deficit. This shorthanded goal was surprisingly his first of the 2025-26 season, after scoring a career-high six last campaign. Through 32 games this season, Trocheck has produced 12 goals and 36 points, contributing significantly to the Rangers' second line offense.
Alexis Lafreniere recorded two goals, including a power-play tally, and an assist in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Penguins. The 24-year-old winger initiated a comeback attempt late in the second period. As part of the New York Rangers' second line, Lafreniere, Vincent Trocheck, and Will Cuylle combined for four goals and seven points. He had a strong January, delivering four multi-point performances through 14 games and accumulating four goals and 12 points for the month.
Adrian Kempe delivered a stellar performance for the Kings in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win against the Flyers, tallying two goals and an assist. The 29-year-old forward scored twice in the first period, giving Los Angeles a 2-0 lead, and later assisted Quinton Byfield on the game-winning goal in overtime. This outburst extended Kempe's point streak to six games, bringing his season totals to 20 goals and 44 points through 53 contests, marking his fifth consecutive season reaching the 20-goal milestone.
William Nylander (groin) was activated from injured reserve and made a strong return for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday against Vancouver. Playing 20:29, he registered five shots and scored a crucial goal in the shootout, securing a 3-2 win. Nylander, who had missed seven games, looked sharp, threading passes and displaying elusiveness. Prior to his injury, he had accumulated 17 goals and 48 points in 37 appearances this 2025-26 season, including 6 goals and 6 assists in his last six games. His return might lead to Easton Cowan being a healthy scratch.
Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk delivered a strong performance in Saturday's 4-1 win over New Jersey, tallying a power-play goal and two assists, including another power-play helper. He also registered three shots on net and two hits. Tkachuk's three-point night brings his season totals to 14 goals, 22 assists, 132 shots, and 94 hits in 34 games. Since January 14, he has accumulated six goals and 15 points over nine games, positioning him for a fifth consecutive season with 55+ points.
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark made a stellar return to the lineup Saturday against New Jersey, stopping 26 of 27 shots in a 4-1 victory and earning first star honors. This marked his first appearance since December 27th after a leave of absence for personal reasons. With the win, Ullmark's season record improves to 15-8-5 with a 2.89 GAA and an .884 save percentage across 29 games. He is now five wins shy of his fifth consecutive 20-win season.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan exited Saturday's game after two periods due to an illness, as reported by Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers. Prior to his early departure, Monahan recorded an assist, bringing his season total to 26 points in 50 appearances. He will have until Tuesday to recover, when the Blue Jackets are scheduled to visit the Devils, followed by a home game against the Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Thomas Chabot (undisclosed) exited Saturday's game against New Jersey for precautionary reasons and will not return. Before leaving, Chabot recorded one shot, one block, and two hits in 15:59 of ice time. The Ottawa Senators' designation of his exit as precautionary suggests he might still play Monday in Pittsburgh. If he misses the next game, Nikolas Matinpalo is expected to enter the lineup. Chabot's status for upcoming games will be monitored.
Joey Daccord is slated to start in goal for the Seattle Kraken on Saturday against the Golden Knights, marking his second consecutive start after a 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday. This is his first time starting back-to-back games since December 18-20, having recently seen reduced playing time in favor of Philipp Grubauer. A third straight win could significantly boost Daccord's chances of reclaiming a majority of the Kraken's goaltending duties, given the team's unpredictable goalie rotation.
Morgan Rielly will not return to Saturday's game against Vancouver after suffering an upper-body injury. Prior to his exit, Rielly recorded a minus-2 rating and one block in 12:34 of ice time. This season, he has accumulated seven goals, 31 points, and 74 blocks in 54 appearances. Should Rielly be unable to play in Monday's game in Calgary, Simon Benoit is a likely candidate to re-enter the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup.
Robert Thomas underwent a minor leg procedure on Friday and is projected to return for the St. Louis Blues' first game after the Olympic break, scheduled for February 26 against the Kraken. This operation eliminates any possibility of him returning before the Olympics, a scenario previously considered. Thomas will now rest and recover for approximately four weeks, aiming for a full return for the final stretch of the season. He remains on injured reserve.
Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon became the first player to reach 40 goals this season, achieving the milestone in just 53 games. He powered the Avs' 5-0 win over Detroit with two goals and an assist on Saturday. MacKinnon now leads the NHL in goals and is second in points with 91, trailing only Connor McDavid (94). His dominant season also sees him leading the league with a plus-46 rating, 69 even-strength points, 32 even-strength goals, and 235 shots. Despite his 22 power-play points (T-12th), the Avalanche's power play ranks last in the NHL at 10.3%.
New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (illness) is confirmed to play in Saturday's game against the Senators. Initially a game-time decision after missing the morning skate, Hischier is now ready to go. He is expected to play on the second line and contribute in all situations. This means Juho Lammikko, who was a potential replacement, will remain out of the lineup. Hischier has recorded 18 goals and 41 points, including 14 power-play points, across 54 games this season.
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen is confirmed to start on the road against Ottawa on Saturday, according to Sam Kasan of the Devils' official site. Allen, who currently holds a 12-12-1 record with a 2.67 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 26 outings this season, will aim to rebound after allowing four goals on 26 shots in a 4-3 loss to Winnipeg on Tuesday. Ottawa comes into the matchup having won its last two games, outscoring opponents 12-3.
Nikita Tolopilo is slated to start in net for the Vancouver Canucks at home against Toronto on Saturday. He holds a 3-3-0 record with a 3.22 GAA and .903 save percentage in eight appearances this season. Tolopilo recently stopped all 32 shots in a 2-0 win over Anaheim but was pulled by a concussion spotter, preventing a shutout. Toronto, 1-5-2 in its last eight games, is expected to get William Nylander back from a groin injury.
Filip Hronek (illness) is expected to return to the lineup for the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday against Toronto, per Brendan Batchelor. Hronek will not miss any playing time despite sitting out Friday's practice. This season, he has recorded five goals and 32 points, along with 76 shots on net, 74 blocked shots, and 82 hits across 54 appearances.
Jet Greaves is projected to start in goal for the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road against St. Louis on Saturday. He holds a 16-12-6 record with a 2.69 GAA and a .908 save percentage through 35 appearances this season. Greaves has been in strong form recently, posting a 4-0-0 record with a 2.35 GAA and a .915 save percentage over his last five outings. The Blues have struggled, going 3-8-1 in their past 12 games.
Joseph Woll is set to start in goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs on the road against Vancouver on Saturday. Woll has struggled in his last five outings, posting an 0-3-2 record and allowing 22 goals on 169 shots. For the season, he holds an 11-7-4 record with a 3.01 GAA, a .906 save percentage, and two shutouts across 23 appearances. The opposing Vancouver Canucks are currently ranked 30th in the league for goals per game.
Logan Thompson (upper body) is unavailable for Saturday's home game against Carolina. The Washington Capitals netminder is dealing with an upper-body injury, forcing Clay Stevenson to start and Garin Bjorklund to back up. Thompson holds an 18-16-4 record with a 2.46 GAA and .912 save percentage in 38 outings this season. His next chance to play will come Monday at home against the Islanders.
