NHL Hockey Player News

Montembeault will start on Long Island on Thursday.

The Canadiens are coming off an impressive 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators and will roll with Montembeault between the pipes as they continue their push for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 28-year-old Montembeault has been excellent lately, posting a 2.09 GAA and .922 SV% in his last eight games (7-0-1). He has a 2.84 GAA and .901 SV% in 50 games this season (25-21-4). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as +108 road underdogs against a New York Islanders team riding a two-game winning streak.

Sam Montembeault
Wolf will start in New Jersey on Thursday.

The Flames are coming off an impressive 2-1 win over the New York Rangers with Dan Vladar between the pipes, but they will turn to Wolf on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 23-year-old Wolf struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 26 shots (.808 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has a 2.62 GAA and .912 SV% in 41 games this season (22-14-5). The Flames enter Thursday's contest as +153 road underdogs against a Devils squad with wins in four of their last five (4-1-0).

Dustin Wolf
Annunen is in the starter's crease at Nashville's morning skate.

The Predators have been outscored 7-2 in their last three games (0-2-1) and will likely turn to Annunen between the pipes on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 25-year-old Annunen was excellent in his most recent outing but didn't receive any goal support, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He has a 2.93 GAA and .900 SV% in 15 games with the Predators this season (8-5-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as -166 home favorites against a Ducks squad coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.

Justus Annunen
DeSmith will start vs. Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The Stars have allowed 16 goals in their last four games, with Jake Oettinger tending the twine (1-2-1), and will turn to DeSmith on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 33-year-old DeSmith was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He has a 2.42 GAA and .914 SV% in 20 appearances this season (12-6-0). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as slight -110 home favorites against a Lightning squad with points in three straight (2-0-1).

Casey DeSmith
Wolf is in the starter's crease at Calgary's morning skate.

The Flames are coming off an impressive 2-1 win over the New York Rangers with Dan Vladar between the pipes, but they will likely turn to Wolf on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 23-year-old Wolf struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 26 shots (.808 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has a 2.62 GAA and .912 SV% in 41 games this season (22-14-5). The Flames enter Thursday's contest as +153 road underdogs against a Devils squad with wins in four of their last five (4-1-0).

Dustin Wolf
Ullmark will start vs. Colorado on Thursday.

The Senators are coming off a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, where Ullmark allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%). They will turn Ullmark between the pipes again on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 31-year-old Ullmark has a 2.71 GAA and .910 SV% in 35 games this season (18-12-3). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as slight +106 home underdogs against an Avalanche squad that played last night, losing 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Linus Ullmark
Lindgren will start vs. Philadelphia on Thursday.

The Capitals have outscored their opposition 9-2 in their last two games (2-0-0) and will turn to Lindgren between the pipes on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Lindgren was serviceable in a 4-3 win over the Flyers last month, saving 19 of 22 shots (.864 SV%). The 31-year-old goalie has a 2.65 GAA and .897 SV% in 30 appearances this season (15-11-3). The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -236 home favorites against a Flyers club outscored 7-0 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Charlie Lindgren
Ullmark is expected to start vs. Colorado on Thursday.

The Senators are coming off a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, where Ullmark allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%). They will turn Ullmark between the pipes again on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 31-year-old Ullmark has a 2.71 GAA and .910 SV% in 35 games this season (18-12-3). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as slight +106 home underdogs against an Avalanche squad that played last night, losing 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Linus Ullmark
Merzlikins will start vs. Florida on Thursday.

The Blue Jackets have lost four straight (0-4-0) and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday as they desperately try to stay in contention for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 30-year-old Merzlikins allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He has a 3.04 GAA and .896 SV% in 44 games this season (22-18-4). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +165 home underdogs against a Florida Panthers team amid a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).

Elvis Merzlikins
Shesterkin will start vs. Toronto on Thursday.

The Rangers have lost two straight while desperately trying to stay in the mix for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and will hope for a better result with Shesterkin tending the twine on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a 2-1 loss, Shesterkin was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 35 shots against the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old goalie has a 2.78 GA and .907 SV% in 51 games this season (23-24-4). The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as -125 home favorites against a Maple Leafs team that played last night and defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1.

Igor Shesterkin
Sorokin will start vs. Montreal on Thursday.

The Islanders are riding a two-game winning streak, trying to stay in the mix for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and will roll with Sorokin between the pipes on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 29-year-old Sorokin played well in his most recent outing, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has a 2.72 GAA and .906 SV% in 51 games this season (26-20-5). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as -124 home favorites against a Canadiens squad that is 7-1-2 in their last 10 contests.

Ilya Sorokin

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!