NHL Hockey Player News

Antti Raanta(G)|FA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Antti Raanta will start Game 2 Wednesday vs. the New York Islanders.

Raanta was sensational in Game 1, as he stopped 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) to lead the Hurricanes over the Islanders in a 2-1 victory last game. The 33-year-old has played in 19 career NHL playoff games, picking up a 7-6-0 record, 2.38 GAA and .915 SV%. He will take the crease for Game 2 against the New York Islanders, who stayed true to their defensive play in Game 1 after finishing the regular season fifth in the NHL in goals against per game (2.65).

Source:
Stefan Rosner 2023-04-19T15:17:46.098Z
Antti Raanta
Antti Raanta(G)|FA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Raanta is in the starter's crease at the Hurricanes morning skate.

Raanta was sensational in Game 1, as he stopped 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) to lead the Hurricanes over the Islanders in a 2-1 victory last game. The 33-year-old has played in 19 career NHL playoff games, picking up a 7-6-0 record, 2.38 GAA and .915 SV%. He will take the crease for Game 2 against the New York Islanders, who stayed true to their defensive play in Game 1 after finishing the regular season fifth in the NHL in goals against per game (2.65).

Source:
Tom Gulitti 2023-04-19T15:01:04.790Z
Antti Raanta
Riley Tufte(LW)|BOS
Call Up
Call Up
Riley Tufte has been recalled from Texas (AHL).

Tufte had 19 goals, 16 assists, 90 PIMs and a +23 plus/minus through 63 games with Texas (AHL) during the regular season and has been recalled by Dallas on Wednesday as they deal with some injuries. The 25-year-old played in three NHL games in 2022-23, failing to pick up a point and going a -1 plus/minus. He will likely be an extra forward while we wait for more news on Joe Pavelski (undisclosed).

Source:
Dallas Stars 2023-04-19T14:44:49.015Z
Riley Tufte
Philipp Grubauer(G)|SEA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Grubauer starts Game 1 in Colorado.

Grubauer closed out yet another disappointing regular season with the Kraken after going 17-14-4 with a 2.85 GAA and .895 SV% but is expected to start Game 1 vs. Colorado Tuesday. The 31-year-old has an impressive playoff resume, with his 19-10-1 record, .913 SV% and 2.50 GAA across 33 games between Colorado and Washington. He takes on his old team in the Colorado Avalanche, who finished the season 51-24-7 and eighth in the NHL in shots on goal (33.3) and 10th in goals per game (3.34).

Source:
Bob Condor 2023-04-19T01:50:20.636Z
Philipp Grubauer
Connor Hellebuyck(G)|WPG
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Hellebuyck will start Game 1 in Vegas.

Hellebuyck had a fantastic regular season, finishing second in Jets history in wins in a season with his 37-25-2 record, 2.49 GAA and .920 SV% and is expected to start game 1 Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 29-year-old has previously played in 35 playoff games for the Jets, posting a 16-19-0 record, 2.46 GAA and .921 SV% across four separate postseasons. He will face the Vegas Golden Knights, who finished their season 51-22-9 and are 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.26).

Source:
Mitchell Clinton 2023-04-19T01:14:08.801Z
Connor Hellebuyck
Ilya Samsonov(G)|VGK
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Samsonov will start Game 1 vs. the Lightning.

Samsonov closed out his impressive inaugural season with the Maple Leafs with a 27-10-5 record, .919 SV% and 2.33 GAA and is the expected starter for Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old brings in eight games of NHL playoff experience, where he is 1-6-0 with a 2.98 GAA and .907 SV%. He will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who rounded out the year with a 46-30-6 record and were eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.41).

Source:
Dave McCarthy 2023-04-18T23:09:05.888Z
Ilya Samsonov
Vitek Vanecek(G)|FLA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Vanecek led the Devils onto the ice for warmups for Game 1.

Vanecek ended his impressive first 2022-23 regular season campaign with New Jersey with a 33-11-4 record, .911 SV% and 2.45 GAA and will draw the start for game 1 vs. the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old has yet to see any playoff action throughout his three-year career and will be making his postseason debut Tuesday. He will take on the New York Rangers, who finished their season with a 47-22-13 record and had the seventh-best powerplay in the NHL (24.1%)

Source:
Mike Morreale 2023-04-18T22:32:34.776Z
Vitek Vanecek
Keith Kinkaid(G)|FA
Call Up
Call Up
Keith Kinkaid has been recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) as the Avalanche's third goalie for the playoffs.

Kinkaid was 1-0-0 with a 1.37 GAA and .950 SV% in two appearances between Colorado and Boston this season but spent the majority of his 2022-23 in the AHL and has been recalled Tuesday to act as Colorado's third goaltender throughout the playoffs. The 33-year-old played in two NHL playoff games in 2017-18 with New Jersey, struggling mightily with his 0-2-0 record, 5.88 GAA and .804 SV%.

Source:
Colorado Avalanche 2023-04-18T21:55:56.801Z
Keith Kinkaid
Gabriel Vilardi(C)|WPG
Injury
Injury
Gabriel Vilardi is expected to rejoin the Kings' lineup for Game 2 Wednesday (upper-body).

Vilardi has been out since March 26th due to an undisclosed injury and did not suit up for Game 1 vs. Edmonton but says he feels healthy and ready to rejoin the Kings for game 2 Wednesday. The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022-23, with his 23 goals, 41 points, 122 SOG, 18 PIMs and +10 plus/minus through 63 games prior to the injury.

Source:
Patrick O'Neal 2023-04-18T20:28:47.382Z
Gabriel Vilardi
Erik Johnson(D)|COL
Line Change
Line Change
Erik Johnson is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. Seattle Tuesday.

Johnson finished 2022-23 regular season with eight assists, 98 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 63 games but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday for Game 1 vs. Seattle. Jack Johnson will be in Colorado's lineup in favour of the 35-year-old Erik.

Source:
Peter Baugh 2023-04-18T18:52:44.677Z
Erik Johnson
Daniel Sprong(RW)|NJD
Injury
Injury
Sprong (undisclosed) is expected to play in Game 1 in Colorado.

Sprong finished his 2022-23 season with 21 goals, 25 assists, 147 SOG, 14 PIMs and a +13 plus/minus through 66 games and is expected to play in Game 1 Tuesday vs. Colorado after being a game-time decision originally due to an undisclosed injury. The 26-year-old brings three games of NHL playoff experience to the Kraken, as he picked up an assist and 11 SOG with the Washington Capitals in 2020-21.

Source:
Scott Malone 2023-04-18T18:37:39.171Z
Daniel Sprong
Josh Manson(D)|COL
Injury
Injury
Manson (lower-body) is expected to play in Game 1 vs. the Kraken.

Manson has not played since March 1st due to a lower-body injury but is expected back for the Avalanche in Game 1. vs. Seattle Tuesday. The 31-year-old bruising defenseman missed a great chunk of the 2022-23 season due to injury, but still had two goals, eight assists, 41 SOG, 42 PIMs and a +13 plus/minus through 27 games this season.

Source:
Evan Rawal 2023-04-18T18:15:18.087Z
Josh Manson
Connor Hellebuyck(G)|WPG
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start Game 1 Tuesday vs. Vegas.

Hellebuyck had a fantastic regular season, finishing second in Jets history in wins in a season with his 37-25-2 record, 2.49 GAA and .920 SV% and is expected to start game 1 Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 29-year-old has previously played in 35 playoff games for the Jets, posting a 16-19-0 record, 2.46 GAA and .921 SV% across four separate postseasons. He will face the Vegas Golden Knights, who finished their season 51-22-9 and are 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.26).

Source:
Murat Ates 2023-04-18T18:13:39.552Z
Connor Hellebuyck
Philipp Grubauer(G)|SEA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Philipp Grubauer was the first goalie off the ice at the Kraken's morning skate Tuesday.

Grubauer closed out yet another disappointing regular season with the Kraken after going 17-14-4 with a 2.85 GAA and .895 SV% but is expected to start Game 1 vs. Colorado Tuesday. The 31-year-old has an impressive playoff resume, with his 19-10-1 record, .913 SV% and 2.50 GAA across 33 games between Colorado and Washington. He takes on his old team in the Colorado Avalanche, who finished the season 51-24-7 and eighth in the NHL in shots on goal (33.3) and 10th in goals per game (3.34).

Source:
Kate Shefte 2023-04-18T18:09:15.524Z
Philipp Grubauer
Nikolaj Ehlers(LW)|WPG
Injury
Injury
Nikolaj Ehlers will be a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. Vegas (upper-body).

Ehlers' missed the Jets' final game of the season due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision for Game 1 Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 27-year-old ended his 2022-23 regular season with 12 goals, 38 points, 132 SOG, 11 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 45 games prior to his injury.

Source:
Mitchell Clinton 2023-04-18T17:05:10.055Z
Nikolaj Ehlers

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!