Line Change
Same PP units: 1-Niskanen, Martin, Malkin, Crosby, Kunitz. 2-Letang, Maatta, Stempniak, Jokinen, Neal
The Pens will continue to keep Neal and Letang relegated to the second powerplay unit.
NHL Hockey Player News
Goalie Start
Rookie Darcy Kuemper will get Thursday’s start after making 22 saves in Game 3.
After recording a shutout in his first career NHL playoff game, Kuemper has the Wild back on track as they try to climb back from a 2-1 deficit in the series.
After leading Syracuse in goals during the regular season in the American Hockey League, the rookie showed he might be a regular in the lineup as soon as next season.
Paquette could be a deep sleeper for anyone in dynasty leagues looking to capitalize on a potential Tyler Johnson or Ondrej Palat-level fantasy breakout.
Call up / Send down
Roy said he will evaluate Hishon at the practice and make a decision after that whether he thinks he can handle being thrown into the Avs’ lineup for Game 4 at Xcel Energy Center.
Hishon would be playing in his first career NHL game if Roy does insert him into the lineup.
Alfredsson is out (back).
In a less than stellar postseason, Alfredsson has clearly not looked himself - possibly due to this back injury.
Line Change
Andersson confirms he is playing tonight on line with Helm and Jurco.
Andersson in on a line expected to provide the Wings with plenty of energy.
Line Change
Vinny excited to get more mins. on second line.
Lecavalier has one assist so far this postseason but has previously been a stellar postseason performer for the Lightning.
Goalie Start
Anders Lindback first goalie off the ice.
As expected, Lindback tried to avoid a sweep in Game 4 with Bishop on the mend.
G Ben Bishop skated on his own for about 20 minutes Monday morning and took some shots, but he is not available for Game 4 and no return date has been set.
Lindback will continue to start while Bishop is on the mend.
Suspension
Player Safety Dept. confirms that Matt Cooke has been offered an in person hearing for hit on Tyson Barrie.
Expect Cooke to see at least a few games for the ugly play that ended Barrie's season.
Coach Roy says @tysonbarrie will be out 4-6 weeks.
In an ugly knee-on-knee play by Matt Cooke - likely resulting in suspension - Barrie's season was ended after suffering an MCL injury.
Ducks say Stephane Robidas has a fractured right leg.
This is the second time this season that same leg has been fractured. Robidas' season is over.
Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: "We get (David) Backes back in the next two or three games, we're going to even go higher."
Good news for the Blues as it looks like Backes will return this series - potentially when Seabrook returns from his suspension - if the series ends up going 6 or 7 games.
Goalie Start
Though that decision would still be on the table for Game 3, don’t expect the Kings to abandon the goaltender who posted a combined .948 save percentage in first rounds over the last two seasons.
Not exactly a resounding vote of confidence for the star goalie from his coach but you have to think he'll get an opportunity to redeem himself when the Kings return home for Game 3.
Mason took part in the Flyers' optional practice Monday in Voorhees; he said playing in Game 4 Friday was his "next target" and that he was "getting closer and closer to being 100 percent."
Mason may be targeting Game 4 to return but in the end, it'll be Emery's Game 3 that dictates whether Mason will see action in Game 4.
Goalie Start
Ray Emery has arguably been the Flyers' best player in the first two playoff games against the New York Rangers, and he will start Game 3 Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center, with Cal Heeter as his backup.
Emery played well in Game 2, earning him the start for Game 3. It appears his leash is short, however, as the Flyers may be quick to put Mason in if he's healthy for Game 4.
Julien continued to maintain that Seidenberg is on schedule in his rehab, but that there’s nothing imminent as far as a return to the playoffs.
Despite skating with his team, Seidenberg's timetable has not been pushed up. Don't expect him for the series vs. Detroit.
Ericsson, who has been sidelined since March 18 with a broken finger, began skating on his own last week but still can't fully grasp a stick and has yet to take part in practice.
While they could use his size in the lineup, it's unlikely that the Wings will get anything out of Ericsson during their series vs. the Bruins.
Steven Stamkos says he feels "pretty good" today and expects to play in Game 4 tomorrow.
Stamkos left last night's game after taking a knee to the head. Good news that the Lightning captain will be back for Game 4 with this team down 3-0 in the series.
Goalie Start
Freddie Andersen in the Ducks' net for Game 3.
Andersen has been praised for his play in big games for the Ducks this season and will continue to lead their playoff run tonight.
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.
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