Line Change
Johnston is expected to draw into the Islanders lineup for Game 4.
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NHL Hockey Player News
Line Change
Killorn has served his one-game suspension and will draw back into the Lightning lineup for Game 4.
Cizikas is not on the ice for warmups; will not play in Game 4.
Point is on the ice for warmups; expected to play in Game 4.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy led the Lightning onto the ice for warmups.
Goalie Start
Varlamov led the Islanders onto the ice for warmups.
Goalie Start
Khudobin led the Stars onto the ice for warmups.
Goalie Start
Lehner led the Golden Knights onto the ice for warmups.
The Canadiens have acquired the rights to Joel Edmundson from the Hurricanes in exchange for a 2020 5th round draft pick.
Edmundson is a pending unrestricted free agent that just wasn't a part of the future of the Hurricanes blueline. In Montreal however, Edmundson will help bolster a left-side that features Ben Chiarot (2 years left), Brett Kulak (2 years), Victor Mete (RFA) and the up-and-coming Alexander Romanov (2 years). It will be interesting to see if Montreal has plans to move any of them to loosen up the logjam. Edmundson doesn't provide a lot offensively but led the Hurricanes' blueline in hits (118) and was tied for second in blocked shots (91) in 2020.
Line Change
Ladd is expected to be scratched in Game 3 vs. the Lightning.
Line Change
Dal Colle is expected to draw back into the Islanders lineup in Game 3.
The Wild have acquired Nick Bjugstad from the Penguins for a conditional 2021 draft pick.
Bjugstad missed 46 games after undergoing core muscle surgery in 2020 and then was hurt again three games after returning to the lineup and then the season was paused. Bjugstad has missed a total of 92 games (39.5%) over the last three seasons but will look for a fresh start in his hometown. Bjusgstad was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and went to the University of Minnesota, so this should be a welcomed move for the 28-year-old centre. Both Mikko Koivu and Alex Galchenyuk are UFAs at season's end, so there could be a very clear path to a bottom-6 role for Bjugstad.
Line Change
Verhaeghe is expected to draw into Tampa Bay’s lineup for Game 3.
Line Change
Stephens is expected to draw into the Lightning lineup for Game 3.
Line Change
Brassard is expected to draw back into the Islanders lineup for Game 3.
Cizikas is not on the ice for warmups; will miss Game 3 vs. the Lightning.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy led the Lightning onto the ice for warmups ahead of Game 3.
Vasilevskiy stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Lightning’s 2-1 win over the Islanders in Game 2. Vasilevskiy is red-hot at the moment, having won six in a row while stopping 168 of the 178 shots (.944 SV%) that he’s faced. Even without Brayden Point and Alex Killorn, the Lightning are still favourites in tonight’s game, making Vasilevskiy and solid DFS play.
Goalie Start
Varlamov led the Islanders onto the ice for warmups ahead of Game 3.
Varlamov gave up two goals on 21 shots in the Islanders 2-1 loss in Game 2. The Isles did a much better job limiting the Lightning than they did in the blowout loss in Game 1 but they let Nikita Kucherov get loose in the final 10 second and ended up losing. Varlamov is 0-3 in his last three starts while giving up 11 goals on 84 shots (.869 SV%).
Point is not on the ice for warmups; will miss Game 3 vs. the Islanders.
The Kings have signed Sean Walker to a four-year contract extension worth $10.6 million ($2.65 million AAV).
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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- 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.
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- 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.