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NHL Hockey Player News

Steve Kampfer(RD)|FA
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Kampfer will be a healthy scratch in Game 1.

Kampfer recorded an assist in each of the last two games of the season but will sit out Game 1 vs. the Maple Leafs. The Bruins will instead go with rookie Connor Clifton, who has one assist in 19 career NHL games and had six goals and 21 assists (27 points) in 53 AHL games this season.

Source:
Matt Porter 2019-04-11T16:38:38.273Z
Steve Kampfer
David Backes(C)|INA
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Line Change
Backes will be a healthy scratch in Game 1.

Backes appeared in 70 games for the Bruins this season but will sit in Game 1 vs. the Maple Leafs. Backes has essentially been replaced by Karson Kuhlman, who played in the final four games of the regular season and had one goal, one assist and eight shots.

Source:
Matt Porter 2019-04-11T16:35:15.997Z
David Backes
Robin Lehner(G)|FA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Lehner will start Game 1 vs. the Penguins.

Lehner had a phenomenal season, finishing second in the NHL in SV% (.930), third in GAA (2.13) and tied for 18th in wins (25) in 46 games. He also played well in his two starts against the Penguins, going 1-0-1 with a 1.72 GAA and .939 SV%. The Islanders earned home-ice advantage in the first-round—Lehner was 12-6-2 with a 2.05 GAA, .929 SV% and three shutouts at home.

Source:
Andrew Gross 2019-04-10T23:14:21.164Z
Robin Lehner
Colin Miller(D)|WPG
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Miller is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 1.

Miller appeared in the final six games of the regular season but it looks like he will be a healthy scratch in favour of Jon Merrill for Game 1 in San Jose. Miller is a solid offensive defenseman, collecting three goals and 26 assists (29 points) in 65 games but Merrill brings a more reliable defensive game.

Source:
David Schoen 2019-04-10T19:35:03.843Z
Colin Miller
Marc-Andre Fleury(G)|FA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Fleury will start Game 1 in San Jose.

Fleury missed nine games at the end of the season but appeared in the season finale and is ready to start Game 1 in San Jose. Fleury was 1-1-0 with a 1.54 GAA, .950 SV% and one shutout in two starts vs. the Sharks this season. Don’t forget he was 13-7 with a 2.24 GAA, .927 SV% and four shouts in 20 playoff starts a season ago.

Source:
Jesse Granger 2019-04-10T19:56:36.843Z
Marc-Andre Fleury
Sergei Bobrovsky(G)|FLA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Game 1 in Tampa Bay.

Bobrovsky didn’t have his best season but finished the season extremely hot, going 6-1-0 with a 1.50 GAA, .947 SV% and three shutouts in his last seven starts of the year. Despite the hot finish, Bobrovsky is 5-12 with a 3.37 GAA and .898 SV% in 17 playoff games with the Blue Jackets. He will have a difficult time improving those playoff numbers against a Lightning team that won 62 games this season and outscored the Blue Jackets 17-to-3 in their three meetings this season.

Source:
Dan Rosen 2019-04-10T19:54:39.224Z
Sergei Bobrovsky

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!