NHL Hockey Player News

Pearson will make just his second appearance as a Sabre when they host the Red Wings on Friday. He'll take the spot of Noah Ostlund, who is out with an upper-body injury.

Ostlund was absent from practice on Thursday and was a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.

The Sabres have evenly alternated goalies since the Olympic break and will continue that trend on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back, turning to Lyon to tend the twine against the Detroit Red Wings. The 33-year-old Lyon has been excellent for the Sabres lately, but is coming off one of his worst performances, allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That said, he is still boasting an outstanding 2.34 GAA and .918 SV% in his last 20 games (17-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -156 home favourites against a desperate Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1) as they battle for a Wild Card spot.

Coming off a one-sided 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last night, with Spencer Knight tending the twine, the Blackhawks will turn to Soderblom on Friday against the New York Rangers. The 26-year-old Soderblom was outstanding in his most recent outing, saving 44 of 47 shots (.936 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. Despite losing five of his last seven (2-3-2), Soderblom has strung together several strong outings, posting a 3.11 GAA and .910 SV%. The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Rangers team that has scored three or fewer goals in six consecutive games (0-5-1).

Protz was a fourth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and was awarded a three-year, entry-level contract after completing his fourth season in the OHL. The 20-year-old defenseman scored 23 points (5G / 18A) in 64 games this season with the Brantford Bulldogs (OHL).

Yaroslav Askarov was excellent on Thursday in his return from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury, but he only lasted half the game before exiting with a new, unrelated injury and being replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic. With Askarov sidelined again, Brossoit will be recalled from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). The 33-year-old Brossoit played one game for the Sharks during his previous call-up, his first NHL action since the 2023-24 season, but struggled in the outing, allowing six goals on 23 shots (.739 SV%).

Severson suffered an upper-body injury late in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and will be sidelined week-to-week. The 31-year-old defenseman scored a goal in the game before his injury, giving him five points (3G / 2A) in his last five games.

Rantanen did not play in Finland's Bronze Medal victory over Slovakia at the Olympics and has been sidelined since the NHL resumed action. Rantanen has missed the last 15 games, but could return to the lineup as soon as Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Before his injury, the 29-year-old was having an outstanding first full season with the Stars, scoring 69 points (20G / 49A) in 54 games.

Steel exited Thursday's 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders in the third period due to a lower-body injury. Stars' Head Coach Glen Gulutzan said that Steel felt better on Friday, but he is still being evaluated for what is likely a groin injury. The 28-year-old Steel has a career-high 33 points (12G / 21A) in 72 games this season.

Zary has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on March 20th and it is still unclear when he will return, though his status remains day-to-day. The 24-year-old Zary is averaging 14:31 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 67 games this season.

Honzek has not played since undergoing surgery in mid-November to address an upper-body injury and has been sidelined since. The 21-year-old Slovak forward also was unable to represent his country at the Olympics as a result. He had four points (2G / 2A) in 18 games this season.

Coming off a one-sided 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last night, with Spencer Knight tending the twine, the Blackhawks will likely turn to Soderblom on Friday against the New York Rangers. The 26-year-old Soderblom was outstanding in his most recent outing, saving 44 of 47 shots (.936 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. Despite losing five of his last seven (2-3-2), Soderblom has strung together several strong outings, posting a 3.11 GAA and .910 SV%. The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Rangers team that has scored three or fewer goals in six consecutive games (0-5-1).

Garand was excellent in his NHL debut last week, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets, and will return to the crease on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 23-year-old Garand was a fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, who has a 2.83 GAA and .896 SV% in 36 games (16-15-2) with Hartford (AHL) this season. The Rangers enter Friday's contest as -178 home favourites against a Blackhawks team that was defeated 5-1 last night by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Beniers played 20:19 time-on-ice in yesterday's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he status for Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres is uncertain due to an undisclosed injury. The 23-year-old forward has 45 points (19G / 26A) in 71 games this season.

Eberle played 18:50 of time on ice in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, but is battling an undisclosed injury, and his status for Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres is uncertain. The 35-year-old Eberle is having a terrific season for Seattle, with 51 points (23G / 28A) through 68 games. He has only hit the 60-point plateau once in the last decade.

Wright was limited to only 10:56 time-on-ice in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning due to an undisclosed injury. The 22-year-old Wright still managed to record an assist in the game, snapping a five-game scoreless streak. It is unclear what his status is for Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Morrison's only NHL action came in a four-game stint with the Kraken in the 2023-24 season, but has otherwise played exclusively in the AHL. The undrafted 23-year-old forward has 56 points (27G / 29A) in 61 games this season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL).

Cibulka is an undrafted 21-year-old defenseman that that has just earned a two-year, entry-level contract after completing his second professional season in Czechia. The Czech defenseman scored 22 points (7G / 15A) this season in 47 games with Ceske Budejovice HC.

Zhilkin made his NHL debut earlier this season, going without a point in four games with the Jets. The 22-year-old forward, a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has 22 points (11G / 11A) in 54 games this season with the Manitoba Moose (AHL).

In an 11-game stint with the Jets earlier this season, Ford scored one assist, but he has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The undrafted 25-year-old has 21 points (6G / 15A) in 45 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) this season.