NHL Hockey Player News

Dickinson missed four games earlier this season due to an upper-body injury and has missed the last five while tending to a shoulder injury. The 30-year-old Dickinson is averaging 14:16 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in eight games this season.

Nazar exited last Friday's 4-0 win over the Calgary Flames in the first period after only 3:19 time-on-ice, and has been sidelined since, as he continues his recovery from a mid-body injury. The 21-year-old Nazar has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 15 games this season.

Bertuzzi is battling a nagging upper-body injury that has made him a game-time decision for the past few weeks, a trend that will continue on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Bertuzzi is having a great season, with 15 points (9G / 6A) through 16 games.

Burakovsky was absent from practice on Wednesday, did not play on Thursday, but will return to the lineup, recovered from an illness, on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Burakovsky has been outstanding lately, playing on a line with Connor Bedard, scoring 10 points (5G / 5A) in his last seven games.

Saros has had an inconsistent 2025-26 season, showing glimpses of the pedigree that has previously made him a Vezina Trophy finalist, but has largely been overshadowed by poor performances. In his most recent outing, the 30-year-old Saros allowed five goals on 12 shots (.583 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers. He has a 3.11 GAA and .892 SV% in 14 games this season (5-6-3). The Predators enter Friday's matchup in Sweden as +109 underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team off to a strong 9-5-3 start this season.

Dan Vladar has been exceptional tending the twine for the Flyers lately, but Ersson will get the nod on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Ersson struggled in his most recent outing despite not being overworked, allowing three goals on 13 shots (.769 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. The 26-year-old ERsson has a 3.03 GAA and .864 SV% in five games this season (2-1-2). The Flyers enter Friday's contest as +120 road underdogs against the Blues.

Vejmelka was serviceable in his most recent game, albeit lightly tested, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has had an up-and-down season, posting a 2.84 GAA and .882 SV% in 12 games (8-4-0). Utah enters Friday's contest as sizable -200 home favorites against a New York Islanders team riding a three-game winning streak.

With Alex Nedeljkovic returning from tending to a personal matter, the Sharks have reassigned Skarek back to the Barracuda (AHL). The Czech goaltender made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with the Islanders, but struggled with a 0-1-0 record, .872 SV% and 3.94 GAA. He has a 3.63 GAA and .875 SV% in six games (4-2-0) with the Barracuda this season.

Middleton has not played Minnesota's previous two games due to an illness but could be an option on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 29-year-old defenseman is averaging 18:07 time-on-ice and has one assist in 16 games this season.

Borgen showed no signs of an injury in New York's most recent game, scoring his first goal of the season in a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, but was absent from practice on Friday, tending to an upper-body injury. It's unclear if he will be able to play on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Hughes has already missed four games this season due to an injury and will be a game-time decision on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The talented 26-year-old defenseman has be great when in the lineup, scoring 13 points (1G / 12A) in 14, but has had trouble staying healthy recently, missing 14 games last season as well.

O'Connor has been effective in a middle-six role this season, playing every game this season, but could miss his first game of the season, as he continues recovering from an illness. The 27-year-old forward has eight points (4G / 4A) in 18 games this season.

With Thatcher Demko (groin) out week-to-week, Lankinen should see the majority of action between the pipes for the Canucks, beginning with Friday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old Lankinen has been inconsistent this season but was excellent in relief of Demko on Tuesday, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Lankinen has a 3.57 GAA and .885 SV% in nine games this season (3-5-1). The Canucks enter Friday's contest as sizeable +229 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team with an 11-5-0 record.