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NHL Hockey Player News

Niklas Backstrom(G)|
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Niklas Backstrom vs. Roberto Luongo

Backstrom looked shaky in his last start vs. the Avalanche. He gave up four goals on 32 shots but did not look comfortable. He has given up seven goals in his last two starts, but has managed to win both games because of great offensive production. He will go head-to-head with Luongo tonight and the winner of this game will take the outright lead in the Northwest Division.

Source:
Michael Russo 2013-03-18T15:28:35.000Z
Niklas Backstrom
Semyon Varlamov(G)|NYI
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Semyon Varlamov, whose save percentage has been under .900 in each of his last three appearances, will start in goal.

Varlamov relieved J.S. Giguere in the Avalanche's last game, he gave up two goals on 12 shots. Varlamov has seen 712 shots this season which is fourth amongst NHL goalies and he has stopped 648 (.910 SV%) of them. He has seen a lot of rubber this season because the Avs are not great defensively. They will face the Blackhawks for the first time since they ended their long point streak tonight.

Source:
Adrian Dater 2013-03-18T15:13:50.000Z
Semyon Varlamov
Roberto Luongo(G)|FA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Luongo will start for #Canucks vs Minnesota.

This will be Luongo's fourth consecutive start for the Canucks. He went 2-1-0 with a 3.24 GAA and .884 SV% in his three starts last week. He has a tough matchup tonight vs. a good Minnesota team. He is 1-0-0 vs. the Wild this season.

Source:
Ann Schmaltz 2013-03-18T13:57:32.000Z
Roberto Luongo
Viktor Fasth(G)|FA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Viktor Fasth getting the start for Ducks against San Jose.

This will be Fasth's first start in 10 days because of a lower-body injury he suffered last week. In his last start he posted a 29 save shutout vs. Calgary. He will be between the pipes tonight vs. a Sharks team that have lost five of their last six games.

Source:
Eric Stephens 2013-03-18T13:42:12.000Z
Viktor Fasth
Dan Ellis(G)|
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Ellis will start for the Hurricanes.

Ellis allowed three goals on 25 shots vs. Washington in his last start. He gets the nod tonight against a skilled Rangers team that is struggling to put it all together. It is not a great matchup for Ellis because the likes of Rick Nash and Marian Gaborik can score at any time. Be wary of Ellis tonight.

Source:
Michael Smith 2013-03-18T13:33:39.000Z
Dan Ellis
Michael Ryder(RW)|FA
Injury
Injury
#Habs Ryder will play tomorrow vs Buffalo after sitting out Saturday's game with a lower body injury.

Ryder has played very well since being traded to the Habs. He has recorded two goals and seven assists in right games for Montreal. He will return to the lineup tomorrow and play alongside Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta.

Source:
John Lu 2013-03-18T13:15:57.000Z
Michael Ryder

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!