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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Alex Nedeljkovic is slated to start at home against the Rangers on Friday. Sharing the net has benefited him, as he's won his last four starts, stopping 106 of 115 shots for a .922 save percentage. Overall, he's 9-8-2 with a 2.96 GAA and an .896 save percentage in 22 appearances this season. The Rangers are 27th in NHL scoring, averaging 2.67 goals per game.
Jordan Binnington is set to defend the road crease against Dallas on Friday. He has struggled significantly over his last three starts, posting an 0-3-0 record with a 5.03 GAA and a .828 save percentage. However, he previously had success against the Stars on Oct. 18, stopping 18 of 19 shots (.947 save percentage) in a 3-1 home victory.
Filip Chytil (upper body) is set to return to the Vancouver Canucks' lineup Friday against New Jersey, per Randip Janda. Chytil last played on Oct. 19, seeing only 5:02 of ice time before exiting with his upper-body injury, which caused him to miss the last 44 games. He will center Brock Boeser and Drew O'Connor on the second line. The forward has recorded three goals in six games this season.
Dustin Wolf, initially confirmed to start Friday's home game against Washington, will now not be in net. Pat Steinberg reports Devin Cooley will draw the start instead, continuing the recent goalie timeshare for the Flames. Wolf has faced recent struggles, posting a 1-6-0 record with a 3.75 GAA and an .885 save percentage in his last seven starts. For the 2025-26 season, he holds an overall record of 15-20-2 with two shutouts, a 3.00 GAA, and an .897 save percentage across 38 appearances. He may return to the crease Sunday against the Ducks.
Dylan Holloway has returned to St. Louis to undergo an MRI on his ankle and will not play in Friday's game against Dallas, per Andy Strickland. Holloway had just returned from an ankle injury on Sunday in Edmonton but did not suit up for Tuesday's matchup in Winnipeg. He is apparently still bothered by the ankle issue that previously forced him to miss 15 games. The 24-year-old forward will be sidelined for at least one more game while awaiting further imaging results, with no clear timeline for his return.
Mackenzie Blackwood will patrol the home crease for the Colorado Avalanche versus Philadelphia on Friday, Aarif Deen reports. This marks his second start since returning from a lower-body injury on Jan. 16, which caused him to miss six games. In his previous start against Nashville, Blackwood allowed five goals on 28 shots in a 7-3 home loss. Overall, Blackwood holds a 13-2-1 record with a 2.26 GAA and a .917 save percentage. The Flyers are currently 22nd in the league, averaging 2.90 goals per game.
Rasmus Andersson (not injury related) will be in the lineup for the Vegas Golden Knights versus Toronto on Friday. To clear a roster spot for Andersson, Jaycob Megna was sent down to the minors. In 48 games with the Flames this season, the 29-year-old defenseman has generated 10 goals and 20 assists, including 10 power-play points. With Vegas, Andersson is expected to remain in the mix for power-play ice time and continue producing offensively.
New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat (lower body) is slated to return to action for Saturday's game against Buffalo. He is expected to reclaim his role as the first-line center and rejoin the No. 1 power-play unit. Injuries have significantly impacted Horvat's season, limiting him to just four of the Islanders' last 18 contests. Despite the missed time, the veteran has been highly productive when healthy, recording 21 goals and 12 assists in 36 games, including 12 power-play points.
San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith is enjoying a strong sophomore campaign, accumulating 31 points through 36 games. He has registered at least one point in 56% of his appearances this season, including 65% of his home games and 10 of his last 13 contests. Smith, who plays on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit with Macklin Celebrini, is expected to continue his production against the struggling New York Rangers. The Rangers are without star goaltender Igor Shesterkin and top defenseman Adam Fox, having conceded 49 goals in their last 10 games.
Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak delivered a stellar three-point performance in Thursday's 4-3 victory over Vegas, tallying the game-winning goal and contributing two power-play assists. His second-period goal initially gave the Bruins a 4-0 lead. This outing extended Pastrnak's impressive point streak to five games. Through 10 contests in January, he has been red-hot, erupting for four goals and 19 points, including one goal and five assists on the power play.
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz (nerve issue) is set to return from injury and start Friday's home game against Vegas, marking his first appearance since November 11 after missing 33 games. Coach Craig Berube called his return a "huge boost" after a conditioning loan. The 32-year-old backstop holds a 6-5-1 record with a 3.51 GAA and .884 save percentage in 13 outings this season. He's expected to split goaltending duties with Joseph Woll and could potentially earn the starting role with strong performances.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) will return to the lineup Friday against Vegas. Despite leaving Wednesday's game early and initial concerns of a longer absence, he showed significant improvement and practiced Friday. This season, Ekman-Larsson has recorded eight goals, 23 assists, 62 hits, 41 blocked shots, and 72 shots on goal across 50 games, making his quick return a boost for the team.
Former New York Islanders defenseman Robin Salo, once a highly touted prospect, never fully capitalized on his potential with the team. Despite playing in the first-ever game at UBS Arena and scoring his first NHL goal against the Flyers, he received limited playing time, often facing healthy scratches and demotions to AHL Bridgeport. After a promising 2022 preseason, he was sent to the AHL for the entire 2023-24 season. Salo signed with Malmo of the SHL in Sweden in June 2024, having been passed by other depth defensemen. He reportedly remains open to an NHL return in the right situation.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin, turning 40 this year, is making a compelling case for a contract extension, having stated his desire to remain with the team beyond the 2025-26 season. After a challenging 2024-25 season and shoulder injury, Malkin has been sensational, tallying 39 points in 35 games, including a goal and an assist in a recent 6-2 win over Edmonton. He's embraced the challenge from GM Kyle Dubas, aiming to prove he can still play at a high level, with the Olympic break approaching as a key time for negotiations.
Brock Faber, a key defenseman for the Minnesota Wild, is looking to extend his successful pairing with Quinn Hughes to Team USA at the upcoming Olympics. Since Hughes's arrival, the duo has combined for 7 goals and 41 points in 20 games. Faber himself has recorded 5 goals and 17 points, also seeing an increase in ice time. He praised Hughes's impact, stating he's been a huge part of the Wild's recent success. Their strong chemistry and two-way play could lead to them being paired together in Milan, with the tournament starting Feb. 12.
Quinn Hughes, acquired by the Minnesota Wild from Vancouver on Dec. 18, is hoping to continue his successful defensive pairing with Brock Faber at the upcoming Olympics for Team USA. Since joining the Wild, Hughes has recorded 2 goals and 24 points in 20 games, contributing to the team's 11-5-3 record. Paired with Faber, they've combined for 7 goals and 41 points in 20 games, showcasing strong two-way play and chemistry that Team USA coach Mike Sullivan may leverage. The Olympics begin Feb. 12.
Steven Stamkos delivered a hat trick, including two power-play goals, to propel the Nashville Predators to a 5-3 comeback victory over the Senators on Thursday. Stamkos scored a power-play goal in the second period, then netted the 3-3 equalizer at 10:07 and the go-ahead goal at 18:47 in the final frame, helping erase a 3-0 deficit. This marks his second three-goal game this season, bringing his recent tally to six goals and eight points in his last six contests.
Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews has made a remarkable comeback, recording 10 points (including two power-play goals) in his last 15 games after a slower start to his first NHL season since 2022-23. Playing for his hometown team, Toews has joined the lead power-play group and benefited from Gabriel Vilardi on his wing. He also ranks second in the league with a 61.6% faceoff success rate. While rumors link him to Edmonton, a move could diminish his fantasy value. Expect scoring contributions primarily.
Lucas Raymond scored two goals, including a power-play marker, in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Wild. Raymond has been on a scoring tear, registering points in eight of his last nine games with six goals and six assists. The 23-year-old Red Wings winger now boasts 17 goals and 56 points (22 on the power play) through 50 outings, along with 104 shots and a plus-9 rating. He is currently on pace to achieve a point-per-game season for the first time in his five-year career.
Hughes recorded three assists, three shots on goal, and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win against the Red Wings. This performance extends his recent hot streak to a goal and seven helpers over his last four games. The 26-year-old defenseman has accumulated four goals, 47 points (20 on the power play), 127 shots, 55 blocked shots, 18 PIM, and an even plus-minus rating through 46 games this season, split between the Wild and Canucks.
