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NHL Hockey Player News

Hughes will draw back into Dallas' lineup vs. Minnesota on Thursday.

With Nils Lundkvist (illness) out of the lineup on Thursday, Dallas will welcome Hughes back in as they return to a six-defenseman, 12-forward formation. The 29-year-old Hughes made his season debut last earlier this month, his third career NHL game, playing 6:34 time-on-ice.

Cameron Hughes
Lundkvist (illness) will be out vs. Minnesota on Thursday.

With Lundkvist out of the lineup due to an illness, the Stars will return to the traditional six-defensemen, 12-forward formation, welcoming Cameron Hughes back into their lineup. The 25-year-old Lundkvist has become a more reliable presence on the Dallas blueline this season, recording 11 points (3G / 8A) and a +12 plus/minus through 51 games.

Nils Lundkvist
Jones suffered a break in his foot vs. Montreal and will be out vs. Ottawa on Thursday.

The reigning two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers have battled through an unprecedented myriad of injuries this season, with Jones being added to the list, presumably out for the team's final four games of the season after a break in his foot. The 31-year-old Jones has 32 points (7G / 25A) in 52 games this season.

Seth Jones
Jansson will make his NHL debut on Thursday in Ottawa.

Jansson was a fourth-round pick of the Panthers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft that made his professional North American debut this season, scoring 10 points (3G / 7A) in 29 games with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The 22-year-old Swedish defenseman has yet to play an NHL game.

Ludvig Jansson
Bobrovsky will start in Ottawa on Thursday.

Bobrovsky has finished only one season with a sub-.900 SV% in his career, when he posted a .899 SV% in 29 games as a 23-year-old in the 2011-12 season with the Philadelphia Flyers. The now 37-year-old goalie is on pace to finish the 2025-26 season with easily the worst totals of his career, posting a 3.05 GAA and .878 SV% through 51 appearances (27-22-1). He allowed six goals on 19 shots (.684 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 9-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as significant +254 road underdogs against a Senators team that has outscored opponents 12-5 in their last two games (2-0-0).

Sergei Bobrovsky
Greaves will start in Buffalo on Thursday.

Greaves was excellent in the Blue Jackets' previous game, saving 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) in a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings to keep their playoff hopes alive. The 25-year-old Greaves has been excellent in his first NHL season, but has battled some adversity in recent weeks, losing five of his last seven games (2-4-1) despite posting an impressive 2.41 GAA and .915 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as slight +105 road underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres team coming off a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers last night.

Jet Greaves
Murashov has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Murashov was recalled earlier this week for precautionary reasons because of Stuart Skinner (upper body) injury, but he will head back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). The 22-year-old Murashov, touted as Pittsburgh's goalie of the future, has been excellent in the AHL this season, posting a 2.13 GAA and .922 SV% in 35 games (23-8-3).

Sergei Murashov
Skinner will start in New Jersey on Thursday.

Skinner was a late scratch in Pittsburgh's previous game due to an upper-body injury, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 27-year-old Skinner struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Skinner has struggled in recent weeks, allowing three or more goals in all but one of his last nine games (3-3-3), posting a 3.58 GAA and .876 SV%. The Penguins enter Thursday's contest as slight -101 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team that is 1-1-1 in their last three games.

Stuart Skinner
Vladar will start in Detroit on Thursday.

Vladar allowed five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%) last week in a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals, but has quickly returned to form, winning three straight while saving an impressive 62 of 65 shots (.954 SV%). The 28-year-old Czech goalie has won 10 of 16 games (10-5-1) since returning from the Olympic break, posting a solid 2.27 GAA and .911 SV% to help his team battle for a playoff spot. The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as slight +106 road underdogs against a struggling Detroit Red Wings team that last won 4-2 against the Flyers one week ago.

Dan Vladar
Oettinger will start vs. Minnesota on Thursday.

In a preview of their upcoming first-round playoff matchup, Oettinger will tend the twine against the Minnesota Wild in a pivotal battle for home-ice advantage. Oettinger did not need to be spectacular in his previous outing, allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%), but managed to salvage a 4-3 overtime win over the Calgary Flames. The Minnesota-born Oettinger has been excellent in his career against his hometown team, including posting a 2.31 GAA and .929 SV% in three meetings this season (1-1-1). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -123 home favourites against a Wild team that has scored four or more goals in four consecutive games (4-0-0).

Jake Oettinger
Knight is expected to start vs. Carolina on Thursday.

Knight has been a steadying force in his first full season with a defensively porous Blackhawks team, but he struggled to keep the team afloat in recent weeks. The 24-year-old goalie has a sub- .900 SV% in six of his last nine games (1-5-3) and has just three wins in his last 18 outings (3-10-5) while posting a 3.05 GAA and .897 SV%. The Blackhawks enter Thursday's contest as +185 home underdogs against an Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes team that has scored four or more goals in four of its last five games (4-1-0).

Spencer Knight
Binnington is in the starter's crease at St. Louis' morning skate.

The Blues are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche that all-but-ended their hopes for making the playoffs. The team's late-season push was spearheaded by strong goaltending, primarily from Joel Hofer, but the veteran Jordan Binnington was also impressive in less frequent action. The 32-year-old Binnington has only played seven of 20 games since returning from the Olympic break, but has won four of those outings (4-2-1) while posting an excellent 1.74 GAA and .925 SV%. The Blues enter Thursday's contest as slight -107 home favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that is two points ahead of them in the standings and hope to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Jordan Binnington
Vladar was in the starter's crease at Philadelphia's morning skate.

Vladar allowed five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%) last week in a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals, but has quickly returned to form, winning three straight while saving an impressive 62 of 65 shots (.954 SV%). The 28-year-old Czech goalie has won 10 of 16 games (10-5-1) since returning from the Olympic break, posting a solid 2.27 GAA and .911 SV% to help his team battle for a playoff spot. The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as slight +106 road underdogs against a struggling Detroit Red Wings team that last won 4-2 against the Flyers one week ago.

Dan Vladar
Allen will start vs. Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Exiting the Olympic break, there was a three-week stretch where Jacob Markstrom played every game for the Devils, but they have relied on Allen more steadily in recent weeks. The 35-year-old Allen saved 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his previous outing, but was on the losing end of a 4-3 shootout against the Montreal Canadiens. In his last five games (3-1-1), Allen has a 2.76 GAA and .904 SV%. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has scored five or more goals in four of their last five games (4-1-0).

Jake Allen

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!