NHL Hockey Player News

Minnesota's success earlier this season was largely aided by elite goaltending, which they have struggled to find in recent games. That said, Gustavsson helped his team record a 5-4 victory in their most recent game despite allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%). The 27-year-old Gustavsson has a 2.84 GAA and .880 SV% in his last four games (1-2-1). Minnesota enters Monday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games.

Before Rick Bowness assumed head coaching duties in Columbus, Merzlikins had been an afterthought between the pipes, starting only three games in over a month. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie seems to have, at least temporarily, gained the trust of the new coaching staff, as he is poised to start for a third straight game. He has won two straight and saved 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%) in the process.

Lyon was a full participant at practice on Sunday and was activated from Injured Reserve on Monday. Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff insisted that Lyon would return to the crease at some point this week. The 33-year-old goalie was on a marvelous run before his injury, winning seven straight while posting a 2.14 GAA and .919 SV%.

Knight has lost two straight (0-2-0), but given his team a chance to win in both outings, as he has most of the season, saving 53 of 58 combined shots (.914 SV%). The 24-year-old Knight has excelled in his first full season with a Blackhawks team that struggled defensively at times. He has a 2.53 GAA and .911 SV% in his last six games (3-2-1). The Blackhawks enter Monday's contest as +119 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has points in five straight games (4-0-1).

Dach has not played in over two months, recovering from a fractured foot, but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old Dach has struggled to live up to his third-overall selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, a struggle compounded by recurring injuries over the past few seasons. He has seven points (5G / 2A) in 15 games this season.

Carrier has missed the last three games due to an undisclosed injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Monday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old Carrier scored a goal in his most recent game, giving him 10 points (5G / 5A) in 38 games this season.

Since the injury of Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body), likely ruling him out for the season, the Hurricanes have alternated between Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi. The 27-year-old Bussi, in his first NHL season, remains a surprising bright spot for a team with intentions of finishing in first place in the Eastern Conference. Bussi saved 15 of 16 shots (.938 SV%) in a blowout 9-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Friday, improving to 4-1-0 with a 2.04 GAA and .910 SV% in his last five games. The Hurricanes enter Monday's action as -182 home favorites against a rolling Buffalo Sabres team coming off a 5-4 overtime defeat to the Minnesota Wild for just their third loss in their last 16 games (13-2-1).

Knies has been battling through an undisclosed injury for parts of the season, causing him to miss some games and practices. The 23-year-old will be a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Minnesota Wild. He has struggled a little offensively lately, scoring only four points (1G / 3A) in his last eight games, but is still having a tremendous season, with 40 points (12G / 28A) in 45 games.

Ivan made his NHL debut last season and scored eight points (5G / 3A) in 40 games with the Avalanche, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 23-year-old Czech forward has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 32 games with the Eagles (AHL) this season.

Pyyhtia made his season debut earlier this month and scored one goal in five games for the Blue Jackets. The 24-year-old Pyyhtia will return to the AHL, where he has 22 points (7G / 15A) in 23 games with Cleveland this season.

Woll is coming off one of his worst outings of the season, allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, and finds himself in a bit of a rough patch. The 27-year-old American goalie has now allowed three or more goals in seven of his last 10 games (7-1-2), but still sports a serviceable 2.92 GAA and .903 SV%. The Maple Leafs enter Monday's contest as slight -108 home favorites against a Minnesota Wild team that has lost three of its last four games (1-2-1).

The Panthers hope the season debut of their leader, Matthew Tkachuk, can help them string together some consistent play, starting with their netminder, Sergei Bobrovsky. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has allowed three or more goals in seven of his last eight games (3-5-0), which was highlighted by one of the worst performances of his career, allowing nine goals on 35 shots (.743 SV%) in Friday's 9-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers enter Monday's action as -176 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks team that has lost two of its last three games (1-2-0).

Yaroslav Askarov has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in 14 consecutive games (7-7-0), so the team will turn to Nedeljkovic, who is riding a three-game winning streak. The 30-year-old Nedeljkovic has faced his own ups and downs this season, but has a winning 5-3-0 record in his last nine appearances, posting a 2.84 GAA and .887 SV%. The Sharks enter Monday's contest as +168 road underdogs against a motivated Florida Panthers team that will welcome Matthew Tkachuk into the lineup for his season debut.

Woll is coming off one of his worst outings of the season, allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, and finds himself in a bit of a rough patch. The 27-year-old American goalie has now allowed three or more goals in seven of his last 10 games (7-1-2), but still sports a serviceable 2.92 GAA and .903 SV%. The Maple Leafs enter Monday's contest as slight -108 home favorites against a Minnesota Wild team that has lost three of its last four games (1-2-1).

Quillan is an undrafted forward who played three games with the Maple Leafs earlier this season. That said, the 23-year-old Quillan has spent most of the season with the Marlies (AHL), where he has excelled, with 27 points (8G / 19A) in 28 games.

Kapanen returned from a nearly three-month absence due to an injury at the beginning of January, and will return to the sidelines after suffering an injury in the first period of Sunday's game against the St. Louis Blues. Oilers' Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said Kapanen will miss some time but insisted the injury is not long-term like his previous one. The 29-year-old Kapanen has nine points (3G / 6A) in 14 games this season.

With Matthew Tkachuk returning from an injury and making his long-awaited season debut, Gregor will be the odd-man out of the lineup and be loaned to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The 27-year-old Gregor averaged 8:05 time-on-ice and scored three points (1G / 2A) in 24 games with Florida this season.

Tkachuk has been participating in contact drills for almost two weeks, and will make his season debut on Monday against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Tkachuk recorded 57 points (22G / 35A), 84 hits, and 156 shots last season in 52 games, missing 30 contests due to a lower-body injury. He should provide a big boost for a Panthers team that has been chasing a playoff spot for most of the season.