Wagner will be a healthy scratch on Thursday.
Wagner has been in the lineup for the last eight games but will be replaced by Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson on Thursday.
NHL Hockey Player News
Line Change
Forsbacka-Karlsson will be back in the Bruins lineup on Thursday.
Forsbacka-Karlsson was recently recalled and will play his 10th NHL game of the season tonight. Forsbacka-Karlsson has two goals in his first nine games and four points (1G / 3A) in 10 AHL contests.
Waiver Move
The Bruins have claimed Gemel Smith off of waivers from the Stars.
Smith, 24, was a fourth-round pick in 2012 and has recorded 20 points (11G / 9A) in 77 career NHL games with Dallas. Smith is a good skater who is a good two-way forward that will help solidify the Bruins bottom-6.
Goalie Start
Bernier is expected to start Thursday in Toronto.
Bernier allowed one goal on 28 shots in the Red Wings’ 2-0 loss to Colorado last Sunday. Bernier has played pretty well in his last five appearances (four starts), going 2-2-0 while allowing just 12 gaols on 155 shots (.923 SV%). As solid as he has been, he should be left on the bench tonight in Toronto.
Lajoie (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Lajoie has missed the last two games but will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game vs. the Canadiens. Lajoie would replace Justin Falk in the lineup and the rookie has been solid this season, picking up six goals and six assists in 26 games this season.
Goalie Start
Sparks will start Thursday vs. the Red Wings. (FOR REAL THIS TIME)
Sparks stopped all 34 shots that he faced in the Maple Leafs shutout win over the Flyers on November 24th. Sparks has won four of his five starts this season, posting a 2.57 GAA, .924 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will give Frederik Andersen a breather and face a Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-3-2).
Goalie Start
Domingue will start Thursday vs. the Bruins.
Domingue stopped 26 of the Devils’ 27 shots in the Lightning’s win in New Jersey on Monday. Ed Pasquale gave him a much-needed break on Tuesday but Domingue will get back in the crease tonight vs. the Bruins. Domingue is on a three-game winning streak, posting a modest 2.95 GAA and .882 SV% in the process. Since Andrei Vasilevskiy got hurt, Domingue is 8-3-0 with a 2.91 GAA and .905 SV%.
Goalie Start
Andersen was the first goalie off of the ice despite reports that Garret Sparks would start.
Andersen allowed three goals on 41 shots in the Maple Leafs overtime win in Buffalo on Tuesday. Andersen has won four straight games while stopping exactly 38 shots in every game—allowing a combined 11 goals on 163 shots (.933 SV%). Andersen has been one of the top netminders in the NHL through the first two months of the season and is a must-start against the visiting Red Wings.
Goalie Start
DeSmith will start Thursday vs. the Islanders.
DeSmith turned aside 42 of 45 shots in the Penguins win over Colorado on Tuesday. DeSmith has been impressive in his last five outings, going 4-1-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .923 SV%. DeSmith is making a case for him to remain as the Penguins’ No.1 netminder when Matt Murray is healthy. The 27-year-old has gone 5-1-2 with a 2.50 GAA and .927 SV% in 11 appearances (eight starts) at the PPG Paints Arena this season.
Goalie Start
Stolarz will start Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets.
Stolarz made 30 saves on 32 shots in the Flyers win in Pittsburgh last Saturday. Despite very limited action since the start for the 2017 season, Stolarz has performed pretty well since being promoted from Lehigh Valley (AHL). The former second-round pick has stopped 83 of the 91 shots (.912 SV%) that he has faced in three appearances. Tonight he gets a Columbus team that is 8-5-1 on the road.
Bjugstad (undisclosed) is probable to play on Thursday.
Bjugstad left Tuesday’s game early and practiced in a non-contact sweater on Wednesday. Despite all of that, it looks like Bjugstad will play vs. the Avalanche. Bjugstad has just 10 points (4G / 6A) in 26 games this season.
Goalie Start
Stolarz will likely start Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets.
Stolarz made 30 saves on 32 shots in the Flyers win in Pittsburgh last Saturday. Despite very limited action since the start for the 2017 season, Stolarz has performed pretty well since being promoted from Lehigh Valley (AHL). The former second-round pick has stopped 83 of the 91 shots (.912 SV%) that he has faced in three appearances. Tonight he gets a Columbus team that is 8-5-1 on the road.
Goalie Start
Luongo will start Thursday vs. the Avalanche.
Luongo stopped all 33 shots that he faced in the Panthers shutout win over the Bruins on Tuesday. It was an outstanding return to the crease for Luongo, who missed the previous five games with a knee injury. The 39-year-old has not lost on home-ice this season, going 3-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA, .967 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he faces a Colorado team that is 10-5-2 on the road this season.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Thursday in Philadelphia.
Bobrovsky allowed eight goals on 26 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Flames on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets went up early and fell apart, leaving Bobrovsky on the hook for eight goals. John Tortorella will give Bobrovsky a chance to bounce back right away as he faces his former team tonight in Philadelphia. He is an impressive 11-3-1 with a 1.98 GAA, .931 SV% and two shutouts in 15 career starts against the Flyers.
Bjugstad (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Bjugstad was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice in a non-contact sweater after leaving Tuesday’s game with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Bob Boughner said Bjugstad was feeling “surprisingly decent” and listed him as a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. the Avalanche. Juho Lammikko centred the third line with Bjugstad limited in practice.
Goalie Start
Hill will start Thursday vs. the Capitals.
Hill stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Coyotes 2-1 win in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Hill extended his winning streak to four and he has now stopped 84 of the last 86 shots (.977 SV%) that he has faced. As good as Hill has been, the Capitals present a difficult challenge. Washington has won seven of their last nine (7-2-0) while averaging 4.22 goals for per game.
Goalie Start
McElhinney will start Wednesday in San Jose.
McElhinney allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Ducks on Friday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for McElhinney, who was 4-1-1 with a 1.66 GAA and .949 SV% in November. Tonight he takes on a Sharks team that is 8-3-2 on home-ice and is averaging 3.04 goals for per game (14th in the NHL) through 28 games.
Goalie Start
Gibson will start Wednesday vs. the Blackhawks.
Gibson was pulled after allowing three goals on 11 shots in the Ducks come from behind win over the Capitals on Sunday. Gibson has had more good nights than bad this season and has been steady on home-ice, going 6-1-4 with a 2.19 GAA and .931 SV% in 11 games. He lost his first start against the Blackhawks but Chicago has been horrible. The Blackhawks have lost four straight and have just three wins in their last 18 games (3-13-2).
Goalie Start
Price will start Thursday in Ottawa.
Price made 28 saves on 30 shots in the Canadiens win over the Senators on Tuesday. Price has been a little better in his last four starts, going 2-2-0 with a 2.31 GAA and .913 SV%. It hasn’t been a great season for Price but he gets the Senators again tonight, making him a candidate for his 10th win of the season. Ottawa has been involved in a lot of high-scoring games, so Price could do some damage to your splits tonight.
Line Change
Fleury will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday.
Fleury re-entered the lineup on Sunday but will serve as a healthy scratch tonight with Brett Pesce playing for the first time since November 10th.
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
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