Goalie Start
Kahkonen will start Saturday vs. the Kings.
NHL Hockey Player News
Cernak (lower-body) is expected to play Saturday vs. the Stars.
Cernak was hurt in the Lightning's most recent game, playing just 8:24 TOI vs. the Hurricanes. However, he was on the ice for Saturday's morning skate and head coach Jon Cooper said it looks like he's fine for tonight's game vs. Dallas.
Cirelli (upper-body) is expected to return to the Lightning lineup on Saturday.
Cirelli has been out since February 11th with an upper-body injury but all signs are pointing towards him returning to the lineup on Saturday. Cirelli skated with Alex Killorn and Steven Stamkos and took reps on the second power-play unit in the morning skate. He had four goals and six assists (10 points) in 12 games before getting hurt.
Goalie Start
Vanecek will start Saturday in New Jersey.
Ovechkin will play Saturday in New Jersey.
Ovechkin was originally listed as a game-time decision after missing Friday's practice but will play this afternoon vs. the Devils. Ovechkin has had a bit of a disappointing season to-date, scoring just six goals in 15 games, but New Jersey is a team that he's dominated in his career.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start Saturday vs. the Stars.
Murray (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Saturday afternoon.
Murray did not participate in Friday's practice and will be a game-time decision for Saturday's game against the Capitals. Monitor his status as the Devils take the ice for warmups at 12:30 PM ET.
Gudas (upper-body) will be back in the Panthers lineup on Saturday.
Gudas was a late scratch from Thursday's game but will draw right back into the lineup on Saturday. Gudas is second in the league in hits and brings value in banger leagues but provides very little in the way of offence.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Saturday vs. the Hurricanes.
Goalie Start
Murray will start Saturday afternoon vs. the Flames.
Gambrell (concussion) is expected to return to the Sharks lineup on Saturday.
Gambrell missed one game with a concussion because a few got cancelled due to COVID-19 protocol but he's expected to be back Saturday vs. the Blues. Gambrell would replace Tomas Hertl, who is the one on the COVID-19 list. He has just two assists in 13 games this season.
Simek (upper-body) is expected to return to the Sharks lineup on Saturday.
Simek has been sidelined by an upper-body injury since February 13th but is expected to replace either Nicolas Meloche or Frederik Claesson in the Sharks lineup on Saturday. Simek has two assists, five shots and a minus-2 rating in 11 games this season.
Line Change
Chmelevski will draw into the Sharks lineup on Saturday.
It will be Chmelevski's first game since February 5th, as he draws into the lineup to replace Tomas Hertl (COVID-19). Chmelevski has just one career NHL game under his belt but the former sixth-round pick had one assist in 6:11 TOI in that game.
Hertl will be out for at least two weeks due to COVID-19 protocol.
Hertl tested positive for COVID-19 and head coach Bob toughener said he'll miss at least two weeks as he follows protocol. With the Sharks back in action on Saturday, look for Alexander Chmelevski to replace Hertl in the lineup.
Anderson (lower-body) is questionable to play Saturday in Winnipeg.
Anderson was hurt in the first period of Thursday's loss in Winnipeg and was not on the ice for Friday's practice. The team called Anderson "day-to-day" and they are "hopeful" that he'll be available on Saturday. If he's not, look for Tyler Toffoli to take his spot on the second line with Nick Suzuki and Jonathan Drouin.
Goalie Start
Allen will start Saturday in Winnipeg.
Anderson (lower-body) will miss his second straight game on Friday.
Goalie Start
Quick will start Friday in Minnesota.
Bitetto will be a healthy scratch on Friday with Miller returning.
Miller has been activated from the COVID-19 reserve list and is expected to play on Friday.
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!
- NHL Player Injury Updates and Recovery Timelines – See all the latest NHL player injury updates, timelines for their return, and impact made on each team.
- NHL Waiver Wire Moves and Implications – Check out all the latest moves made on the NHL waiver wire and their implications on the teams involved.
- NHL Latest Line Combination Changes – Bringing you every line combination from across all 32 NHL teams, check out the latest NHL line combination changes made ahead of their next tilt.
- NHL Player Signings and Contract Details – Your go-to spot during NHL free agency, check out the latest NHL player signings and contract details today.
- NHL Roster Changes and Transactions – Looking to see what the latest moves made by your favourite team were? Then check out the latest NHL roster changes and transactions here on DFO.