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NHL Hockey Player News

Lyon will start in Game Four.

Lyon struggled towards the end of the regular season, but has been tremendous since taking over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen late in Game Two, and will return to the crease for a second consecutive start. The Sabres will try to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on Sunday, entering Game Four as +106 road underdogs.

Alex Lyon
Brazeau will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 vs. Philadelphia.

With Pittsburgh desperate to keep their season alive, Justin Brazeau will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 vs. Philadelphia as Elmer Soderblom re-enters the Penguins' lineup. The 28-year-old has only appeared in one game this postseason despite picking up 17 goals and 34 points in 64 games played during the regular season.

Justin Brazeau
Oettinger will start Game 4 vs. Minnesota.

Despite having a 2.85 GAA and .889 SV% through three games, Jake Oettinger has led the Dallas Stars to an early 2-1 series lead and will yet again take the crease for Game 4 on Saturday. The 27-year-old won 35 games for a fourth straight season in 2025-26, posting a 35-12-6 record with a 2.59 GAA and .899 SV%. He heads to Minnesota to take on the Wild for Game 4, who have only scored 5 goals in their last two games after sneaking six goals by Oettinger in Game 1.

Jake Oettinger
Wallstedt will start Game 4 vs. Dallas.

Despite rotating goalies nearly all season, Jesper Wallstedt will start his fourth straight game of the playoffs as he attempts to even up Minnesota's opening round series vs. Dallas on Saturday. The 23-year-old has struggled a bit in Minnesota's previous two games, allowing seven goals after holding Dallas to only one in Game 1. He brings his 1-2-0 record, alongside his 2.27 GAA and .916 SV% into Game 4 as he looks to even the series on home ice.

Jesper Wallstedt
Yakemchuk will make his playoff debut in Game 4 vs. Carolina.

With Jake Sanderson out for Game 4, Carter Yakemchuk will draw back into Ottawa's lineup for his playoff debut on Saturday. The 20-year-old defensemen will hopefully add a much-needed offensive boost to Ottawa's lineup after they scored only three goals in their first three playoff games. He appeared in only four total games prior to the playoffs, picking up a goal, two points and two PIMs.

Carter Yakemchuk
Gilbert will draw back into Ottawa's lineup for Game 4 vs. Carolina.

After sitting as a healthy scratch in Game 3, Dennis Gilbert will draw back into Ottawa's lineup for Game4 on Sautrday. The 29-year-old only appeared in eight regular season games this season, picking up an assist and two SOG while averaging just 12:41 TOI. He will replace Cameron Crotty for Game 4.

Dennis Gilbert

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!