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NHL Hockey Player News

Carrick (left arm) will not play in Game 1 against the Canadiens.

Carrick suffered a left arm 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 appears to be targeting a sooner return after recent progress.

Sam Carrick
Lyon will start Game 1 against the Canadiens.

Lyon struggled towards the end of the regular season, but has been tremendous since taking over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen late in Game Two against the Boston Bruins. The 33-year-old Lyon has been near perfect this postseason, posting a stellar 1.14 GAA and .955 SV% in five appearances (3-1). Lyon hopes to continue his recent success, as the Sabres enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as -126 home favourites.

Alex Lyon
Dobes will start Game 1 in Buffalo.

Dobes was the standout performer in a deciding Game 7 against the Lightning, as the Canadiens pulled off a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 29 to 9. Dobes' Game 7 heroics highlight what was a very impressive opening round series for the 24-year-old netminder. He posted a 4-1-2 record to go along with a 2.03 GAA and a .923 SV%. The Habs open up their second-round series against the Sabres as slight underdogs, as they enter action on Wednesday at +115 on the money line.

Jakub Dobes
Dostal will start Game 2 in Vegas.

After allowing three or more goals in five of six games (4-2) in the Ducks' opening-round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, Dostal saved 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in their second-round opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. That said, Dostal did not receive enough goal support, losing 3-1, as the Ducks find themselves in a 1-0 series deficit to the Golden Knights. The Ducks enter a pivotal Game Two as +133 road underdogs.

Lukas Dostal
Hart is in the starter’s crease at Vegas’ morning skate

Hart was tremendous in Vegas' 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game One, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%). The 27-year-old Hart has had an up-and-down postseason, but he is riding a four-game winning streak, improving his numbers to 2.49 GAA and .905 SV% in seven games (5-2). The Golden Knights enter Game Two as -152 home favourites.

Carter Hart
Cates (lower-body) will miss the remainder of Philadelphia’s second round series.

Cates played 20:53 time-on-ice, sixth amongst all Flyers' forwards, in their crushing Game Two 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the rest of the second round. The 27-year-old Cates, in his first NHL playoff experience, has four points (1G/3A) through eight games.

Noah Cates
Struble is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. Buffalo.

Arber Xhekaj will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, sending Struble to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Struble is averaging 10:46 time-on-ice, recording a +3 plus/minus and 21 hits through seven games this postseason.

Jayden Struble
Xhekaj is expected to draw back into Montreal’s lineup for Game 1 vs. Buffalo.

Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. The 21-year-old Xhekaj was the odd man out of the lineup to accommodate the return of Noah Dobson (upper body) in Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but had been serviceable prior in the series, recording one assist and 31 hits in six games.

Arber Xhekaj
Gallagher is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. Buffalo.

Joe Veleno will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, sending Gallagher to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Gallagher made his 2025-26 postseason debut in Game Four against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is averaging 6:25 time-on-ice and has one goal through three games in the playoffs.

Brendan Gallagher
Carrick (left arm) is a possibility to return for Game 1 vs. Montreal.

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 appears to be targeting a sooner return after recent progress.

Sam Carrick
Kesselring will be a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. Montreal.

Logan Stanley (illness) will return to Buffalo's lineup for Game One against the Montreal Canadiens, sending Kesselring to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Kesselring played his postseason debut in Buffalo's previous game and was limited to 4:25 time-on-ice.

Michael Kesselring
Stanley (Illness) will rejoin Buffalo’s lineup for Game 1 vs. Montreal.

Stanley did not play in Game Six against the Boston Bruins due to an illness, but will re-enter the lineup for Game One against the Montreal Canadiens. The 27-year-old defenseman has six blocks and six hits through five games this postseason. Michael Kesselring will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Stanley's return.

Logan Stanley
Lyon is expected to start vs Game 1 vs. Montreal.

Lyon struggled towards the end of the regular season, but has been tremendous since taking over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen late in Game Two against the Boston Bruins. The 33-year-old Lyon has been near perfect this postseason, posting a stellar 1.14 GAA and .955 SV% in five appearances (3-1). Lyon hopes to continue his recent success, as the Sabres enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as -126 home favourites.

Alex Lyon
Wedgewood will start Game 2 against the Wild.

Wedgewood will no doubt be hoping for a more conventional victory over the Wild in Game 2, but the Avalanche will take them anyway they can get them. Wedgewood was tagged for six goals on 36 shots in Game 1 but still managed to come away with the win thanks to his teammates lighting the lamp nine times against the Wild. The Avalanche enter action on Tuesday at -190 on the money line as they aim to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Scott Wedgewood
Gudas (lower-body) is skating but not expected to return for Game 2 on Wednesday.

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. He was originally listed as a game-time decision for Game One against the Vegas Golden Knights, but did not play and is likely ruled out for Game Two as well. The 35-year-old defenseman also missed significant time in the final weeks of the regular season, and it is unclear if he will be an option for Game Three.

Radko Gudas
Cates is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Cates played 20:53 time-on-ice, sixth amongst all Flyers' forwards, in their crushing Game Two 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling a lower-body injury and could be at risk of missing Game Three. The 27-year-old Cates, in his first NHL playoff experience, has four points (1G/3A) through eight games.

Noah Cates

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

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