Blair Betts out on the ice in a coach's outfit.
Don't expect Betts to play any time soon. The fourth line center has yet to play a game this season and isn't even skating.
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NHL Hockey Player News
Hot Streak
Wings center Pavel Datsyuk has 7 assists over his last five games.
Datsyuk has really picked up his pace as of late as he breaks the point-per-game plateau.
Alex Pietrangelo, meanwhile, is riding a nine-game point streak.
Pietrangelo continues to man the top defense in hockey, playing in all situations.
Goalie Start
Looks like Evgeni Nabokov in goal tonight for #Isles again.
In five career starts against the Leafs, Nabokov has a 3-1-1 record with a 2.57 GAA and .908 SV%.
Ryan McDonagh on ice for #NYR practice
McDonagh was questionable after absorbing a bad hit from behind on Saturday. The top-pairing defender has thrived without Marc Staal, scoring four goals and 19 points over 46 games.
Injury
No Michael Sauer on ice. Hopefully not a setback, but doesn't look good. We'll see #NYR
Sauer still has no timetable from his concussion. He posted a goal and three points in 19 games before getting hurt. Expect him to stabilize the blue line upon his return.
Steve Eminger also in a red jersey, which means he should be taking contact #NYR
Eminger should return shortly after the break. Before getting hurt he scored two goals and four points in 30 games. Look for him to round out the third pairing.
Hot Streak
Jussi Jokinen had two goals in Friday's shutout of Washington, and has 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) in 20 career games versus the Winnipeg franchise.
Probably a safe bet to start Jokinen tonight. He should start out on the second line with Zac Dalpe and Tuomo Ruutu.
Hot Streak
Winnipeg's Nik Antropov has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last three games.
With injuries to Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane, Antropov's line has had to step up over the last couple of games. He now has eight goals and 25 points through 40 games.
Hot Streak
Joffrey Lupul has a goal and 3 assists in his last three games for Toronto.
Moving back to the top line should help Lupul continue his torrid pace. Note that the three assists came in the same game.
Hot Streak
Meanwhile, goalie Evgeni Nabokov is 5-1-0 with a 1.32 goals-against average in his last six starts.
Nabokov has really helped stabilize the Isles position between the pipes. Look for him to continue starting for the time being.
Hot Streak
Kyle Okposo has flourished on the top line alongside Tavares and has 11 points in his last 12.
Okposo really woke up since stepping up to the top line. The alternate captain has 11 goals and 24 points through 43 which is respectable considering he produced only six points through his first 19 games.
Hot Streak
PA Parenteau has 2 goals and 5 assists over his last five contests.
He also produced five points over the four games the preceded his current streak. The former AHL veteran has been a nice value pick for those who found him on waivers earlier in the season.
Tavares has 8 goals and 13 assists during his 12-game run
Tavares is likely the second-hottest player in hockey, right behind Evgeni Malkin. Expect him to hit career highs across the board in his third season.
Goalie Start
Gustavsson confirmed starter.
In two career appearances against the Isles, Gustavsson has a 0-1-1 record with a 2.08 GAA and .893 SV%.
Line Change
Chimera-Halpern-Knuble
Looks like Knuble will start tomorrow's game on the third line. The veteran is having his worst offensive season since 2001-2002 with only three goals and 11 points on the season.
Line Change
Both Johansson & Perreault in red jerseys for top line along w/ Ovechkin and Semin. Looks like a contingency plan in case 8 gets suspended.
If Ovechkin is suspended, expect Perreault to play on the top line again. Through 29 games, he has four goals and 10 points.
Line Change
Marcus Johansson, who missed yesterday's game with an illness, is on the ice for #Caps practice.
Sounds like Johansson is healthy enough to play tomorrow. The sophomore has already matched his point totals of his rookie season as he establishes himself as a solid secondary offensive weapon.
Line Change
8-90-85-28
Semin practiced on the top line and figures to start tomorrow's game there. The enigmatic winger has 12 goals and 27 points through 43 games which includes three points in as many games.
Goalie Start
Gustavsson appears to be tonight's starter vs. Islanders.
In two career appearances against the Isles, Gustavsson has a 0-1-1 record with a 2.08 GAA and .893 SV%.
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.