Goalie Start
Grubauer will start Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets.
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NHL Hockey Player News
Goalie Start
Kinkaid is expected to start Game 1 in Tampa Bay.
Gibson (upper-body) returned to practice on Monday but remains questionable for Game 1.
Gibson missed the last three games of the regular season, but practiced for the first time in more than a week on Monday. Gibson’s availability will be key to the Ducks’ first-round success, but Ryan Miller showed he is capable of holding things down if Gibson isn’t 100 percent for Game 1.
Muzzin (upper-body) is questionable for Game 1 vs. Vegas.
Muzzin, who missed the final five games of the regular season was on the ice for Monday’s practice in a no-contact sweater and is a big question mark for Game 1. Muzzin is the Kings’ clear No.2 defenseman behind Drew Doughty and his availability during the first round will be crucial to the Kings’ success.
Iafallo (upper-body) could be ready-to-go for Game 1.
Iafallo missed the final four games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, but was back in a familiar spot in Monday’s practice. Iafallo, who tallied 25 points (9G / 16A) in 75 games this season, skated on the top-line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Iafallo seemed confident that he will play Game 1, but head coach John Stevens was not as sure.
Foligno (lower-body) is expected to be ready for Game 1.
Foligno missed the final six games of the regular season, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and is expected to be in for Game 1 against the Capitals. Foligno, who finished the season with 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points) in 72 games, will centre a line with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson on his wings.
Stamkos (lower-body) practiced on Monday and is expected to play in Game 1.
Stamkos missed the final three games of the regular season but it was mostly just to ensure he would be ready for the start of the postseason. Stamkos had another good season, picking up 86 points (27G / 59A) in 78 games and will look forward to actually being healthy for the playoffs this season.
Brassard (lower-body) was on the ice for Monday’s practice; questionable for Game 1.
Brassard missed the final five games of the regular season, but his availability for Monday’s practice is a good sign that he will be available during the Penguins’ first round matchup with the Flyers. The 30-year-old centre picked up three goals and five assists in 14 games since joining the Penguins and has been a quality playoff performer during his career. Game 1 goes on Wednesday, so keep an eye on Brassard’s status over the next few days.
The Wild recalled Carson Soucy from Iowa (AHL).
Soucy spent the majority of the 2017-18 season in the AHL, where he amassed 15 points (1G / 14A) in 67 games, but he also appeared in three games with Minnesota. With Ryan Suter definitely out to start the playoffs and Jared Spurgeon a big question mark, Soucy has been recalled and is expected to open the playoffs on the Wild’s second pairings.
Line Change
Petrovic will come out of the Panthers lineup on Sunday.
Haley will come out of the Panthers lineup on Sunday.
Line Change
McCoshen will be back in the Panthers lineup on Sunday.
Line Change
Brickley will draw into the Panthers lineup on Sunday.
Goalie Start
Reimer will start the Panthers season finale on Sunday.
Goalie Start
Rask will start Sunday against the Panthers.
Goalie Start
Rinne led the Predators onto the ice for warmups.
Goalie Start
Ward led the Hurricanes onto the ice for warmups.
Goalie Start
Domingue leads the Lightning onto the ice for warmups.
Goalie Start
Ward will likely start Saturday vs. the Lightning.
Goalie Start
Domingue will likely start Saturday in Carolina.
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.