NHL Hockey Player News

After a 3-0-0 start to the season, the Stars have lost two straight (0-2-0), outscored 8-4 in those games. Oettinger has been serviceable between the pipes, but the Stars would love for him to elevate his game to another level when he tends the twine on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old American netminder has a 2.95 GAA and .905 SV% through four games this season (3-1-0). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -182 home favorites against a 2-3-0 Blue Jackets team.

Duchene was on the receiving end of a hit from Minnesota's Jacob Middleton that made contact with his head in last Tuesday's 5-2 win. After missing one game, Duchene returned to the lineup on Saturday, but seemingly re-aggravated his injury and will be sidelined on Tuesday as he continues his recovery. The 34-year-old Duchene signed a four-year contract extension with the Stars in the offseason and has two points (1G / 1A) through four games in 2025-26.

The Blue Jackets have had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season, showcasing a 2-3-0 record, and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Merzlikins has been adequate when called upon, posting a 3.54 GAA and .920 SV%. He has been splitting time in the Blue Jackets' crease with Jet Greaves and will likely continue to do so until one of them pulls away with momentum. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +168 road underdogs against a Stars team amid a two-game losing skid.

The reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers picked up where they left off in the playoffs, winning three straight to start the 2025-26 season, but have since lost four straight and hope to rebound against the Boston Bruins. Despite the team's struggles, Bobrovsky has remained diligent between the pipes and will return to the crease on Tuesday. The 37-year-old netminder has a solid 2.02 GAA and .917 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -149 road favorites against a Bruins team also trying to escape a four-game losing skid.

Dach has not played in Montreal's previous two games, recovering from a lower-body injury, but is nearing a return and will travel with the team on their upcoming four-game road trip. The 24-year-old Dach is averaging 14:29 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.

Several injuries have popped up lately for Vancouver's forward group, allowing Aman to draw into the lineup for his season debut on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 25-year-old Aman started the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where has has three points (0G / 3A) in four games with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Blueger scored a goal in Vancouver's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, but also suffered an undisclosed injury and is unlikely to play on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 31-year-old Blueger had 26 points (8G / 18A) in 82 games last season.

Labate is a 32-year-old forward that was drafted by the Canucks in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He has spent most of his career in the AHL, limited to only 19 career games. He scored 21 points (8G / 13A) in 51 contests with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) last season.

Gaudette is battling an illness and his status for Tuesday's game against the New York Islanders is up in the air. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 10:38 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) through five games this season.

The Oilers have lost four of their first six games (2-3-1) despite receiving adequate goaltending. Skinner has a 1-2-1 record through four outings but has been reliable between the pipes, posting a 2.23 GAA and .910 SV%. The Oilers are only averaging 2.5 goals per game, bottom-five in the NHL, and hope to inflate those totals on Tuesday, facing off against an Ottawa Senators team allowing a league-worst 5.0 goals per game through six contests (2-4-0). The Oilers enter the matchup as -123 road favorites.

Luukkonen missed the majority of training camp due to a lower-body injury and has missed the first two weeks of the season, but will get some action at the AHL level on a conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans. Alex Lyon has occupied the Sabres crease during Luukkonen's absence and has played well, which could lead to a battle for playing time between the two netminders when Luukkonen returns.

Jones was recalled from the Rochester Americans (AHL) last week but did not draw into the Sabres' lineup. The 25-year-old defenseman posted career highs in games played (46), points (11), PIMs (24) and SOG (51) with the New York Rangers last season.