NHL Hockey Player News

The Canadiens have alternated goalies in recent games, but after a loss with Jacob Fowler, they will turn to Dobes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Dobes is coming off a loss as well, but has played serviceably since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 3.04 GAA and .887 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -156 home favourites against a Bruins team that lost 4-3 to the New Jersey Devils in overtime last night.

Haight made his NHL debut earlier this season, but is still searching for his first career point through five games. The 21-year-old forward, a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has 23 points (12G / 11A) in 43 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.

Jayden Struble will return to Montreal's lineup on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, sending Xhekaj back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Xhekaj is averaging 11:16 time-on-ice, recording two points (1G / 1A), 108 penalty minutes, and 149 hits in 55 games this season.

Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Struble to re-enter the lineup against the Boston Bruins. The 24-year-old Struble is averaging 13:42 time-on-ice and has nine assists in 43 games this season.

With Kirby Dach (upper body) expected be out for two-to-four weeks, Bolduc will draw into the lineup as his replacement on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 23-year-old Bolduc has been effective at time offensively this season, scoring 26 points (10G / 16A) in 64 games. He has four points (0G / 4A) in his last eight games.

Ekman-Larsson did not play on Sunday and was not at Toronto's morning skate on Tuesday. It is unclear what his status is heading into their game against the New York Islanders. The 34-year-old Swedish defenseman is having a resurgent season, with 35 points (8G / 27A) in 65 games. This marks the most points he has had in a season since 2018-19, when he scored 44 points (14G / 30A) in 81 games as a member of the Arizona Coyotes.

After being an NHL mainstay for most of the previous three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Pezzetta has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 28-year-old forward has 10 points (4G / 6A) in 37 games with the Marlies (AHL) this season.

Thrun was recalled over the weekend for precautionary measures with Oliver Ekman-Larsson (personal) out of the lineup, but he will head back to the AHL. The 25-year-old Thrun has 20 points (4G / 16A) in 42 games with the Marlies (AHL) this season.

Dach exited Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 1:13 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and did not return. The 25-year-old forward has battled a myriad of injuries in his young career, so any time he is unable to play is always extra concerning. That said, the worst-case scenario seems to have been avoided, as Dach will seemingly make a push to return before the end of the season. Dach has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 32 games this season.

Woll had the night off in Toronto's previous game after starting three straight, but he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Despite losing two of his last three (1-1-1), Woll has been excellent lately, posting a 2.63 GAA and .924 SV%, a vast improvement over the ugly 5.13 GAA and .849 SV% he had in his first three games back from the Olympic break (0-3-0). The Maple Leafs enter Tuesday's contest as +123 home underdogs against an Islanders team that has lost three of its last six games (3-3-0).

Tanev was a late addition on Monday, slotting in for the injured Kevin Stenlund. Tanev has zero goals and two assists in 45 games this season.

Stenlund was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Brandon Tanev will draw into the lineup in his place.

Despite Karel Vejmelka being the first goalie off the ice at the Mammoth's morning skate on Monday (typically an indicator of the night's starter), it will be Vanecek who gets the start in Dallas. Vanecek's last start came back on March 9th when he allowed three goals on 26 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Blackhawks. The 30-year-old netminder owns a 4-9-3 record and an .889 SV% on the season. The Mammoth enter Monday's contest as +137 road underdogs against the NHL's hottest team, the Dallas Stars, who are 14-0-1 in their last 15 games.

Joseph was a last minute addition to the Kings lineup on Monday, slotting in for Adrian Kempe, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Joseph has two goals and nine assists in 40 games this season.

Kempe was a last-minute scratch on Monday, with the Kings only announcing his absence minutes before puck drop. Kempe took full part in warmups and it's unclear when exactly he suffered the injury. We should get an update on his status ahead of the Kings' game against the Flyers on Thursday.

Although not officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Rangers sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and are playing their best hockey of the season. The 36-year-old Shesterkin has spearheaded the team's recent efforts, including a dazzling 46-save performance (.958 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the powerhouse Minnesota Wild. Shesterkin has a 2.67 GAA and .917 SV% in seven games (5-0-2) since returning from the Olympic break. The Rangers enter Monday's contest as slight +101 home underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings team that has lost three of its last five (2-2-1), but continues to desperately battle for a playoff spot.

The Kings are well within reach of a playoff spot, but they have failed to string together consistent play and will need Kuemper to be a steadying force down the stretch. Despite struggling straight out of the Olympic break, posting an ugly 4.54 GAA and .849 SV% in three games (1-2-0), the 35-year-old Kuemper has performed much better in his last two outings (1-0-1), posting a 2.00 GAA and .913 SV%. The Kings enter Monday's contest as slight -111 road favourites against a surging New York Rangers team that is riding a four-game winning streak.

Gibson had a light night in Detroit's previous outing, but came up short, allowing three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%), in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. The 32-year-old Gibson, deterred by significant team injuries, has not been on the losing side of most games lately, losing four of his last five (1-3-1) while posting a 2.58 GAA and .902 SV%. The Red Wings, desperately battling to stay in a playoff spot, enter Monday's contest as -178 home favourites against a Calgary Flames team that has lost three of its last four games (1-3-0).

Hoglander has not played in a week, but he will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. As has been the case for most of the Canucks team in 2025-26, Hogland is producing at a career-worst rate (0.12 PTS/GP), a steep decline from the 0.39 points-per-game he had posted over his career heading into this season. The 25-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 11:32 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games this season.

Lankinen was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators, his second consecutive quality start that has resulted in a loss (0-1-1). The 30-year-old Swedish goalie is winless in his last 10 appearances (0-7-1), posting a discouraging 4.52 GAA and .840 SV%.