Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

NHL Hockey Player News

Gudas (undisclosed) will not play in Game 1 in Vegas.

Gudas was limited to only 9:40 time-on-ice in Game One against the Utah Mammoth due to an undisclosed injury and subsequently missed the rest of the series. The 35-year-old defenseman also missed significant time in the final weeks of the regular season, but is nearing a return and could be an option in Game Two against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Radko Gudas
Dostal will start Game 1 in Vegas.

The Ducks will of course roll with Dostal between the pipes when they open up their second round series against the Golden Knights on Monday. Dostal struggled at times during Anaheim's first-round matchup with the Oilers, but turned in his best performance of the post-season when he allowed just two goals on 27 shots in a series-clinching 5-2 victory in Game 6. Dostal and the Ducks open up round two as slight underdogs, entering action for Game 1 at +135 on the money line.

Lukas Dostal
Hart will start Game 1 against the Ducks.

Heading into Game Two, Hart had won seven straight while posting a tremendous 1.72 GAA and .932 SV%. He battled some adversity between Games Two through Five, going 2-2 while posting a semi-concerning 3.24 GAA and .864 SV%. That said, the 27-year-old Hat rebounded with a tremendous effort when it mattered most, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), in a series-clinching 5-1 Game Six win over the Utah Mammoth. Hart returns to the crease in Game One against the Anaheim Ducks, with his Golden Knights entering the action as -165 home favourites.

Carter Hart
Andersen will start Game 2 against the Flyers.

Andersen stopped all 19 shots that he faced in the Hurricanes' 3-0 shutout win over the Flyers in Game 1. It was another dominant performance from the Hurricanes and another great effort from the veteran netminder, who carries a 5-0-0 record, 0.90 GAA, .961 SV% and two shutouts into Game 2. The Hurricanes are monstrous -255 favourites on home-ice.

Frederik Andersen
Vladar will start Game 2 in Carolina on Monday.

Vladar was tremendous in the Flyers' opening round matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, including a 42-save shutout in Game Six in a series-clinching 1-0 win. That said, the 28-year-old Czech goal was unspectacular in Game One against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in a 3-0 loss, largely a byproduct of a poor team performance by the Flyers. Philadelphia enters Game Two as a significant +226 road underdog.

Dan Vladar
Grundstrom will make his Flyers' playoff debut for Game 1 in Carolina.

After a one-sided 3-0 loss in their series-opening game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flyers will switch things up and insert Grundstrom into the lineup. The 28-year-old Swedish forward has yet to play this postseason. He averaged 11:51 time-on-ice and had 13 points (9G / 4A) in 47 games this season.

Carl Grundstrom
Grieg has been suspended for two regular season games for roughing Carolina's Sean Walker.

Grieg has been suspended for two games after an illegal altercation with Sean Walker of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of Ottawa's first-round playoff series. The 23-year-old Grieg's suspension will carry over to the 2026-27 regular season.

Ridly Greig
Gudas (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. Vegas.

Gudas was limited to only 9:40 time-on-ice in Game One against the Utah Mammoth due to an undisclosed injury and subsequently missed the rest of the series. The 35-year-old defenseman also missed significant time in the final weeks of the regular season, but is nearing a return and could be an option in Game One against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Radko Gudas
Makar (undisclosed) will be good to go for Game 2 vs. Minnesota.

Makar briefly exited Sunday's roller-coaster 9-6 Game One win of the Minnesota Wild midway through the first period after an awkward collision, but returned to the game during the second period. The talented 27-year-old defenseman seemed no worse for wear, going on to complete his productive game of this postseason, scoring three points (2G / 1A).

Cale Makar
Smith is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. Anaheim.

Smith was a recurring healthy scratch in the final weeks of the regular season, but ended up playing all six games in the first round against the Utah Mammoth, averaging 13:00 time-on-ice and tallying two assists. That said, the 34-year-old Smith will return to the sidelines as a healthy scratch in Game One against the Anaheim Ducks to accommodate the return of William Karlsson (lower body).

Reilly Smith
Hart was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate ahead of Game 1.

Heading into Game Two, Hart had won seven straight while posting a tremendous 1.72 GAA and .932 SV%. He battled some adversity between Games Two through Five, going 2-2 while posting a semi-concerning 3.24 GAA and .864 SV%. That said, the 27-year-old Hat rebounded with a tremendous effort when it mattered most, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), in a series-clinching 5-1 Game Six win over the Utah Mammoth. Hart returns to the crease in Game One against the Anaheim Ducks, with his Golden Knights entering the action as -165 home favourites.

Carter Hart
Lauzon (upper-body) is out for Game 1 vs. Anaheim on Monday.

Lauzon was limited to only 13:42 time-on-ice in the Golden Knights' 5-1 Game Six series-clinching victory against the Utah Mammoth due to an upper-body issue. The 29-year-old hard-hitting defenseman will miss at least the opening game of the second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. Through six games this postseason, Lauzon recorded eight blocks and 14 hits.

Jeremy Lauzon
Carrick (left arm) could return to Buffalo's practice on Tuesday.

Carrick suffered an upper-body injury in a fight with Anders Lee of the New York Islanders on March 31st and has not played since. The 34-year-old has 16 points (9G / 7A) and 65 penalty minutes in 73 games this season. He was originally expected to be be out for the entire second round of the playoffs, but could be targeting a sooner return after recent progress.

Sam Carrick

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!