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NHL Hockey Player News

Harkins underwent successful hand surgery on Monday and is expected to be out four weeks.

Harkins suffered a hand injury early in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, exiting the game after only 2:05 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Harkins is averaging 9:35 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 44 games this season.

Jansen Harkins
Dobes will start in Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Samuel Montembeault has been an afterthought in Montreal lately, with Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler leading the way between the pipes. The 24-year-old Dobes was tremendous in his most recent outing, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. He has won six of his last eight games (6-2-0) while posting an outstanding 1.90 GAA and .937 SVV%. Still, the Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as +146 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team with points in eight straight games (6-0-2).

Jakub Dobes
Makar is expected to miss multiple games with an upper-body injury.

Makar recorded three assists in Monday's 9-2 one-sided win over the Calgary Flames, but exited the game during the second intermission due to an upper-body injury. TSN's Pierre Lebrun reported on Tuesday that Makar will likely miss multiple games in order to be at full health for the playoffs, suggesting the Avalanche don't anticipate it being a long-term injury, but he remains without a definitive timeline for his return.

Cale Makar
Kucherov (illness) took full part in warmups and is expected to return to the Lightning lineup on Tuesday.

Kucherov did not play in two games for Tampa Bay over the weekend due to an illness, but appears to be an option to return on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old Kucherov is having another fantastic season, scoring 121 points (40G / 81A) in 67 games. He has 25 points (8G / 17A) in his last 11 games.

Nikita Kucherov
Vasilevskiy will start against the Canadiens on Tuesday.

Vasilevskiy was solid in his previous outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. That said, the 31-year-old goalie has not needed to be spectacular in recent weeks, boasting an impressive 5-0-1 record despite posting a pedestrian 2.50 GAA and .891 SV%. Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as -162 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that has outscored its opposition 19-8 during a five-game winning streak.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Markstrom will start in New York on Tuesday.

The Devils are likely out of contention for a playoff spot, but they have played well lately and have received more consistent netminding from Markstrom. The 36-year-old Swedish goalie allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but he has a serviceable 2.70 GAA and .895 SV% in his last 13 games (8-5-0). The Devils enter Tuesday's contest as -117 road favourites against a New York Rangers team that has outscored opponents 9-2 in its last two games (2-0-0).

Jacob Markstrom
Luukkonen will start against the Islanders on Tuesday.

The Sabres have evenly alternated goalies in each game since returning from the Olympic break, but that will end on Tuesday, with Luukkonen tending the twine for a second consecutive game. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie has outplayed his counterpart, Alex Lyon, in recent weeks and was excellent in his previous outing, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout win over the Seattle Kraken. Luukkonen has a 2.41 GAA and .915 SV% in seven games (5-1-1) this month. The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as -185 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that played last night and lost 8-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Shesterkin will start against the Devils on Tuesday.

The Rangers have had a terribly disappointing and inconsistent season, but Shesterkin has remained reliable between the pipes. The 30-year-old goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers. He has a 2.80 GAA and .909 SV% in his last 11 games (6-4-1). The Rangers enter Tuesday's contest as +106 home underdogs against a surging New Jersey Devils team that has scored four or more goals in seven of its last nine games (6-3-0).

Igor Shesterkin
Hellebuyck will start in Chicago on Tuesday.

The Jets remain in contention for a playoff spot and will need Hellebuyck at his best in the final weeks of the season, beginning with Tuesday's contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck was solid in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in an impressive 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. He has had a largely disappointing 2025-26 season, but he has an excellent 2.00 GAA and .929 SV% in his last three games (2-1-0). The Jets enter Tuesday's contest as -151 road favourites against a Blackhawks team that has been outscored 16-5 in their last three games (0-3-0).

Connor Hellebuyck
Sorokin will start in Buffalo on Tuesday.

Sorokin started yesterday, but his night was cut short after allowing seven goals on 28 shots (.750 SV%) in an eventual 8-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will return to the crease on Tuesday, looking to rebound against the Buffalo Sabres. Yesterday's poor performance ended a four-game streak (3-1-0) where Sorokin had allowed two or fewer goals in each outing. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +167 road underdogs.

Ilya Sorokin
Gauthier (upper-body) will not travel to San Jose but is hopeful to return by the weekend.

Gauthier scored a goal early in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but suffered an upper-body injury and exited the game after only 3:20 time-on-ice. The 22-year-old Cauthier is having an excellent season in Anaheim, with 65 points (38G / 28A) in 73 games. Gauthier will miss at least one game, but his injury is not a long-term concern.

Cutter Gauthier
Malkin (upper-body) is available and will return vs. Detroit on Tuesday.

Malkin is having a resurgent season for Pittsburgh, producing at a point-per-game rate for the first time in half a decade, but he has missed time this season due to various injuries and a lengthy suspension. The 39-year-old forward has missed the last four games, but will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. He has 52 points (15G / 37A) in 50 games this season.

Evgeni Malkin
Skinner will start vs. Detroit on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh continues its posturing to return to the playoffs this season and has needed regular appearances from both of its netminders. Stuart Skinner will tend the twine on Tuesday, looking to rebound after a poor performance in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 27-year-old Skinner has allowed three or more goals in seven consecutive games (2-2-3). The Penguins enter Tuesday’s contest as +102 home underdogs against the Detroit Red Wings.

Stuart Skinner
Jarventie has been reassigned to Bakersfield (AHL).

Jarventie was a second-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He played seven games with Ottawa in the 2023-24 season, but has otherwise played exclusively in the AHL before his most recent three-game stint with the Oilers. Jarventie has 36 points (17G / 19A) in 52 games with Bakersfield (AHL) this season.

Roby Jarventie
Detroit has signed Trey Augustine to a three-year, entry-level contract starting in 2026-27.

Augustine was a second-round pick of the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft that has been awarded a three-year, entry-level contract. The 21-year-old goalie was tremendous this season while playing collegiate hockey for Michigan State University, posting a 2.11 GAA and .929 SV% in 34 games (24-9-1).

Trey Augustine
But has been reassigned to Tucson (AHL).

But was recently recalled to fill in for injuries, but he will head back to the AHL. The 21-year-old 12th overall pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has 33 points (16G / 17A) in 34 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

Daniil But
Knight will start vs. Winnipeg on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks have struggled in recent weeks, and Knight has been the recipient of his team's poor play. The 24-year-old goalie has lost 12 of his last 15 games (3-8-4) and has allowed three or more goals in 12 of those games while posting a subpar .896 SV%. That said, he has seen a slight uptick lately, posting a 3.30 GAA and .909 SV% in his last four games (1-2-1). The Blackhawks enter Tuesday's contest as +135 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that is desperately battling for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Spencer Knight

NHL Player News: Your Ultimate Source for Hockey Player News

At Daily Faceoff you can stay in the know regarding all 32 teams and their top players this season. From trades, to injuries, and everything in between, you can find all the latest NHL player news today here. Staying up to date with player news NHL can also give you a competitive edge in your fantasy hockey leagues, as well as your NHL bets.

Check out all the latest NHL updates below and learn more about the hottest updates in the hockey world today.

Who are the top NHL players to watch this season?

There’s never been more talent scattered across the NHL than there is this season. With living legends like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin still setting records left-and-right, alongside today’s current superstars such as Connor McDavid and Nathan Mackinnon, the level of talent in the NHL is at an all-time high. Along with these established stars, there’s plenty of budding stars emerging every season such as Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Matvei Michkov.

What are the latest updates on NHL player suspensions or disciplinary actions?

Already this season we’ve seen the hammer brought down by the NHL Department of Player Safety. Notable suspensions and fines include Ryan Reaves of the Toronto Maple Leafs who was given a five-game suspension for an illegal check to the head against the Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot who was dealt a three-game suspension, also for an illegal hit to the head.

In the 2023-24 season, there were a total of 14 suspensions and 17 fines issued throughout the NHL. The longest suspension served was dealt to former-Detroit Red Wing David Perron at six-games after a cross-checking penalty dealt ironically against his current team in the 2024-25 season, the Ottawa Senators. Additionally, Perron was fined $148,437.48 for his actions.

How are NHL player performances impacting fantasy hockey?

NHL player performances make a direct impact on the outcome of any fantasy hockey matchup. Staying up to date with the latest news and performances of your team’s players can be the difference between winning and losing.

Some notable fantasy hockey performers that flew under the radar in most drafts this year include Martin Necas (123 ADP) of the Carolina Hurricanes and Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks. While sleeper picks are always a great get, nothing is worse than a bust taken early on. Some of the most disappointing players of the fantasy hockey season includes Zach Hyman (28 ADP) of the Edmonton Oilers and Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars (33 ADP).

Whether you’re checking out how your current rostered players are performing or scouting for hidden gems on the waiver wire, the latest player news can help you make your next winning move this season.

Which NHL players are having breakout or comeback seasons?

Every season there are several players who have breakout years, establishing themselves as some of the best up-and-coming stars in the league. In the 2024-25 season early breakout candidates have emerged such as Dylan Strome of the Washington Capitals (on-pace for his first 100-point season) and Ivan Barbashev of the Vegas Golden Knights (on-pace for career-high in points).

Additionally, nothing beats a comeback story, and that can be said about surging veterans such as Anze Koipitar of the Los Angeles Kings, and Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars.

How often is NHL player news updated?

Our player news is updated regularly throughout the season, bringing you fresh player updates every day throughout the calendar year. Providing our users with a one-stop destination for everything you need to know from across the NHL, our player news is the go-to spot for all the biggest stories in the hockey universe.

What types of information does NHL player news cover?

Our NHL news covers every aspect of the hockey season. From injuries to trades to rumours and even suspensions, we’ve got you covered through it all with credible and fast-updates all-season long.

Are there specific sources for reliable NHL player updates?

All of our sources come from credible and reputable areas. When you’re at Daily Faceoff, you can trust that we are never going to spoon-feed you fake news. You can trust you’re only reading legitimate news that matters.

How does NHL player news impact betting lines?

Player news has a massive impact on the latest hockey betting lines. From daily game lines and prop bets, to Stanley Cup futures bets, every trade, roster change, and injury can shake up the odds set by oddsmakers.

By staying informed on the latest NHL updates, you can become a better NHL bettor as you’ll have a winning edge thanks to our in-depth news coverage.

DFO’s Specialized News Categories

Get the most out of your hockey news with our in-depth coverage of the NHL with our comprehensive player news updates. Below we’ve compiled go-to destinations for player injuries, trades, signings, line combinations, and more!