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NHL Hockey Player News

Dickinson (undisclosed) is a game-time decision again in Game 6.

Dickinson missed several games toward the end of the regular due to an injury, and has been a game-time decision throughout the first round of the playoffs, appearing in only three of five games. That said, 31-year-old has been impressive when in the lineup, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in three postseason games.

Jason Dickinson
Wallstedt will start Game 6 against the Stars.

The Wild will be looking to ride Wallstedt's excellent form between the pipes to a series victory over the Stars on Friday. Wallstedt turned in another strong performance in Game 5, turning away 20 of the 22 shots he faced in the 4-2 victory. The 23-year-old netminder has posted a 3-2 record and a .926 SV% across the first five games of the series. Wallstedt and the Wild enter action on Friday at -125 on the money line.

Jesper Wallstedt
Oettinger will start Game Game 6 in Minnesota.

After a poor opening game of the series against the Minnesota Wild, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 6-1 loss, Oettinger has rebounded by posting a solid 2.30 GAA and .916 SV% in his following four games (2-2). That said, down 3-2, the Stars likely need Oettinger's best performance of the series if they hope to play a Game Seven. Dallas enters Game Six on Thursday as slight +110 road underdogs.

Jake Oettinger
Dostal will start Game 6 vs. Edmonton.

Dostal only lasted half of a period in Game Five, being pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots (.667 SV%), in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, who narrowed their series deficit to 3-2. The 25-year-old Czech goalie has been far from spectacular in his introduction to playoff hockey, posting a 4.32 GAA and .864 SV% through five appearances (3-2). Still, Dostal and the Ducks can close out the series on Thursday, entering Game Six as +114 home underdogs.

Lukas Dostal
Oettinger is expected to start Game 6 vs. Minnesota.

After a poor opening game of the series against the Minnesota Wild, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 6-1 loss, Oettinger has rebounded by posting a solid 2.30 GAA and .916 SV% in his following four games (2-2). That said, down 3-2, the Stars likely need Oettinger's best performance of the series if they hope to play a Game Seven. Dallas enters Game Six on Thursday as slight +110 road underdogs.

Jake Oettinger
Hyry (lower body) is not expected to play in Game Six.

Hyry saw just three and a half minutes of ice time before exiting Game 5 with a lower-body injury and did not return. The 25-year-old Hyry had five points (3G / 2A) in 20 regular season games with Dallas and impressed by winning 57.9 percent of faceoffs. Michael Bunting will enter the lineup as Hyry's replacement.

Arttu Hyry
Bunting is expected to draw into the lineup for Game Six.

Arttu Hyry (lower body) will not play in Game Six, allowing Bunting to enter the lineup for his 2025-26 postseason debut. Bunting was acquired by the Stars at the trade deadline but struggled to acclimate to their style of play, scoring just two points (1G/1A) in 13 games during the season. That said, the Stars have struggled offensively this series and hope that Bunting, a two-time 20-goal scorer, can add a spark.

Michael Bunting
Brodin (lower-body) is out for Game 6 vs. Dallas.

Brodin exited Tuesday's 4-2 Game Five win over the Dallas Stars with only 7:22 time-on-ice after blocking a shot. Minnesota Head Coach John Hynes has not provided a concrete update on Brodin, who was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and has officially been ruled out for Game Six. The 32-year-old Swedish defenseman averaged 23:46 time-on-ice through the first four games of the series. Jeff Petry will make his series debut, drawing in as Brodin's replacement.

Jonas Brodin
Hayton (upper-body) is listed as active on the official roster report for Game 5 against the Golden Knights.

Hayton will make his 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut despite Mammoth head coach André Tourigny declaring earlier in the day that he would not play. The 25-year-old forward 25 points (10G / 15A) in 67 games this season.

Barrett Hayton
Vejmelka will start Game 5 in Vegas.

Within a few minutes of the second period in Game Four, Vejmelka had already allowed three goals, down 3-0, but Utah stormed back, eventually sending the game into overtime. That said, the 29-year-old Vejmelka allowed the game-winning goal late in the first overtime frame, one of five goals allowed on 36 shots (861 SV%) in the 5-4 loss. Still, the Czech goalie has been mostly serviceable in his introduction to playoff hockey, posting a 2.80 GAA and .899 SV% through four games (2-2). The Mammoth hope to take a 3-2 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, entering Game Five as +141 road underdogs.

Karel Vejmelka
Vladar will start Game 6 against the Penguins.

After jumping out to a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Flyers have lost two straight and will hope to close out the series at home in Game Six. Vladar has been serviceable in his two losses, allowing three goals in each game while posting a .857 SV%. The 28-year-old Czech goalie, in his first postseason as a starter, has a 2.03 GAA and .914 SV% in five games (3-2). The Flyers enter Game Six as -120 home favourites.

Dan Vladar
Geekie will draw into the Lightning lineup for Game 5 against the Canadiens.

Geekie will slot in for Nick Paul, who is a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury. It's the first appearance for Geekie since the opening game of the series, where he registered two penalty minutes and zero points in just over eight minutes of ice time.

Conor Geekie

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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