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%.
Draisaitl lasted only six shifts in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators, exiting the game after only 3:12 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. Despite exiting the game early, Draisaitl managed to score a goal, giving him an absurd 11 points (2G / 9A) in his last four games. The team has yet to give insight into the severity of Draisaitl's ailment, but his absent from practice on Monday isn't encouraging for his availability on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.
Silovs had a forgetful performance in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 16 shots (.688 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old Latvian goalie has now allowed four or more goals in three straight games (1-2-0), ending a nine-game stretch where he had allowed three or fewer goals (5-2-2). The Penguins enter Monday's contest as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a league-leading Colorado Avalanche team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Lizotte showed no signs of an injury in Pittsburgh's most recent game, playing 15:48 time-on-ice, but he will head to the sidelines on Monday due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Lizotte has 19 points (7G / 12A) and a +6 rating through 55 games this season, but has been less effective lately, with zero points and a -6 plus/minus in his last seven. Justin Brazeau is returning from an upper-body injury and will draw into the lineup as Lizotte's replacement.
Brazeau has not played since March 7th, but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 28-year-old Brazeau is seemingly returning well ahead of schedule after being listed as week-to-week on March 10th. Brazeau has been a surprising offensive contributor for Pittsburgh this season, scoring 30 points (16G / 14A) in 48 games.
Silovs had a forgetful performance in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 16 shots (.688 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old Latvian goalie has now allowed four or more goals in three straight games (1-2-0), ending a nine-game stretch where he had allowed three or fewer goals (5-2-2). The Penguins enter Monday's contest as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a league-leading Colorado Avalanche team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Jack St. Ivany is returning from a conditioning stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), resulting in Alexeyev being reassigned. Alexeyev has eight points (1G / 7A) in 80 career NHL games, but has only played at the AHL level this season. The 26-year-old defenseman has seven points (3G / 4A) in 29 games this season with Wilkes-Barre Scranton.
St. Ivany has not played since undergoing surgery on his left hand in late January, but is nearing a return after completing a conditioning stint in the AHL. The 26-year-old defenseman was averaging 15:39 time-on-ice and had seven assists in 17 games before his injury. Alexander Alexeyev has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Vejmelka has battled some adversity lately and hopes to return to form on Monday, tending the twine against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has struggled since returning from the Olympic break, allowing three or more goals in six of eight games (3-4-1) while posting a pedestrian 3.49 GAA and .866 SV%. 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.
Already without Sidney Crosby (lower body), the Penguins fared reasonably well while Malkin served a five-game suspension, going 2-1-2, but they will be eager to get him back into the lineup on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 39-year-old Malkin has 47 points (13G / 34A) in 46 games this season.
Gudbranson has been sidelined for a week due to an upper-body injury, but he could return on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 34-yer-old defenseman is averaging 17:51 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 21 games this season.
With Mackenzie Blackwood struggling in recent games, Colorado relied a bit more heavily on Wedgewood, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Since returning from the Olympic break, Wedgewood has a dazzling 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -223 home favourites against a Penguins team that will welcome Evgeni Malkin back into the lineup from a five-game suspension.
With Mackenzie Blackwood struggling in recent games, Colorado relied a bit more heavily on Wedgewood, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Wedgewood saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Since returning from the Olympic break, Wedgewood has a dazzling 1.26 GAA and .954 SV% in five appearances (5-0-0). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as significant -223 home favourites against a Penguins team that will welcome Evgeni Malkin back into the lineup from a five-game suspension.
The Stars are likely resting Jake Oettinger for a divisional clash against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday and, as such, will turn to DeSmith on Monday against the Utah Mammoth. The 34-year-old DeSmith has won four straight outings, posting an impressive 1.81 GAA and .904 SV%. DeSmith saved 12 of 14 shots in a 3-2 win over Utah earlier this season. The Stars enter Monday's contest as -157 home favourites against a Mammoth team on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).
