Joel Eriksson Ek Marks Comeback With Four Goals
Source: ESPN
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) scored a career-high four goals as he ended a 21-game absence on Wednesday in a thrilling 8-7 overtime victory against the San Jose Sharks. Marian Gaborik is the only player in Wild history to score more goals in a single game, having netted five times against the New York Rangers in 2007. Minnesota also welcomed back Kirill Kaprizov (lower body), who enjoyed a three-point night, capped off by his second goal of the game in overtime. Eriksson Ek notched two goals on the power play. He has now lit the lamp 13 times over the course of the season, recording 28 points in 43 games. The Wild are in a fierce battle for a playoff spot and will need more big efforts from Eriksson Ek over the final few games.Connor McDavid Logs Three Assists In Surprise Return
Source: ESPN
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (lower body) recorded three assists in a surprising return to the lineup during Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Pregame reports indicated that McDavid would remain sidelined for the matchup, but he made an unexpected comeback after an eight-game absence. The Oilers captain became the seventh player in NHL history to record at least five consecutive seasons with 65 or more assists. Despite missing more than two weeks of action, McDavid is currently tied for sixth in scoring with 93 points (26 goals, 67 assists) in 64 games. He has made it onto the score sheet in each of his last 14 appearances and aims to secure his fifth consecutive 100-point campaign in the final stretch of the regular season.Nikolaj Ehlers To Be A Game-Time Decision Thursday
Source: Ken Wiebe
Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (foot) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Stars. A foot injury has kept Ehlers sidelined for two games, and it remains uncertain whether he can rejoin the lineup on Thursday. The Danish forward has recorded 24 goals and 63 points in 67 games in 2024-25. David Gustafsson has re-entered the lineup in Ehlers' absence, though he provides significantly less fantasy value as a fourth-liner. The Jets have used Nino Niederreiter on the second line with Vladimir Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti, but the Swiss forward has not made an offensive impact.Dougie Hamilton Could Be Ready To Return For Start Of Playoffs
Source: NHL.com
New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (lower body) could be ready to hop back into the lineup when the Stanley Cup Playoffs start. The Devils still have some work to do to secure their playoff berth but are well-placed to extend their season. When Hamilton suffered a lower-body injury in March, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald mentioned that the team was "not planning on" having Hamilton back for the second round of the postseason. However, Hamilton appears to be making good progress, and Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters on Tuesday that "there's a chance" the veteran blue-liner could return for the first round. Hamilton finished the regular season with 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists) in 63 games. In his absence, Luke Hughes has had additional fantasy value, becoming the Devils' top-scoring defenseman with 42 points (seven goals, 35 assists) in 68 contests.Brady Tkachuk May Not Return Before Playoffs
Source: NHL.com
Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk (upper body) may sit out the rest of the 2024-25 regular season. When asked Wednesday if the Senators captain would be in the lineup if the playoffs started tomorrow, Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios said, "I would think so, yes. I can't give you a definitive [answer]." Tkachuk has been sidelined for the past five games while nursing an upper-body injury. Based on Staios' comments, it seems that Tkachuk isn't facing a serious issue, but the team wants to get him in a better condition for the playoffs. Ottawa has already clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time in eight years. Fabian Zetterlund has operated on the first line during Tkachuk's absence, recording points in back-to-back games.Tyler Toffoli Iffy For Wednesday
Source: Curtis Pashelka
San Jose Sharks winger Tyler Toffoli (lower body) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against the Minnesota Wild. The veteran forward is nursing a lower-body injury and could be out for a second consecutive game. Toffoli has had a decent year on a struggling team, putting up 50 points (28 goals, 22 assists) in 73 appearances. With Toffoli unavailable on Monday against the Calgary Flames, Nikolai Kovalenko got a look on the first line. The Russian forward performed well in a 3-2 loss, logging an assist and three hits with one shot on goal.Joel Eriksson Ek Removed From Injured Reserve
Source: Minnesota Wild PR
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) has been removed from Injured Reserve and will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. The Swedish pivot has been out for 21 games due to a lower-body injury. He will move into the top six on Wednesday, centering a line with Marcus Foligno and Matt Boldy. Eriksson Ek is also likely to see power-play time against the sixth-worst penalty-killing team in the league. Through 42 appearances, Eriksson Ek has registered 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) this season.Kirill Kaprizov Activated From Long-Term Injured Reserve
Source: Minnesota Wild PR
Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) was activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve on Wednesday and looks set to rejoin the lineup against the San Jose Sharks. The news comes after Wild head coach John Hynes said Wednesday morning that he is "hopeful" of having Kaprizov available against the Sharks. Minnesota has been without Kaprizov since Jan. 26. Kaprizov is projected to skate with Marco Rossi and Mats Zuccarello and should receive heavy usage on the power play. He has recorded 52 points (23 goals, 29 assists) in 37 games this season.Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Doubtful Wednesday
Source: NHL.com
Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (illness) is doubtful to play on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers are missing several regulars from the lineup, and it appears that Nugent-Hopkins will join them on the sidelines. As a result, Adam Henrique is projected to center the top line against St. Louis, while Kasperi Kapanen looks set to work as the second-line center. Edmonton's top two centers, Connor McDavid (lower body) and Leon Draisaitl (undisclosed), participated in Wednesday's pre-game skate, but they are "day-to-day" to "maybe a week away" from rejoining the lineup.K'Andre Miller A Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Source: Mollie Walker
New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller (illness) is considered a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has been battling an illness this week and may sit out a second straight game. Zac Jones took over Miller's spot in the lineup on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jones had four shots and one block in the game over 17:52 of action as the Rangers' playoff hopes suffered a blow with a 5-1 defeat. If Miller isn't feeling well enough to return, Jones will continue to accompany Will Borgen on the second defensive pairing on Wednesday night.Gabriel Landeskog Begins Conditioning Stint In AHL
Source: ESPN
Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (knee) has been reassigned to the AHL's Colorado Eagles for a conditioning stint. The Eagles have five regular-season games left on their schedule, and Landeskog would be eligible to play in up to three of them as part of his assignment. A successful stint in the minors would pave the way for Landeskog to play in the NHL for the first time since 2022. Having Landeskog back for postseason action would be a major boost for the Avalanche if he could get anywhere near his best form. The Swedish veteran has been a point-per-game performer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs throughout his NHL career.Joel Eriksson Ek May Return To Wild Lineup Against Sharks
Source: Sarah McLellan
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) could be back in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Speaking to reporters about Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov (lower body), Wild head coach John Hynes said that he is "hopeful" the two can return on Wednesday. Eriksson Ek last played on Feb 22. He has amassed 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 42 contests this season while handing out 69 hits. The Swedish pivot is likely to replace Frederick Gaudreau in the Wild's top-six group.Kirill Kaprizov Could Be Back In Action Wednesday
Source: Sarah McLellan
Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) could make his long-awaited return to the lineup on Wednesday night against the San Jose Sharks. The Russian superstar has been out of action since Jan. 26 due to a lower-body injury. Before suffering the injury, Kaprizov was on fire, racking up 23 goals and 52 points in 37 games. Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) is also on the cusp of returning, so the Wild may have two big offensive pieces back for the final push in the regular season. Wednesday's contest is crucial for a team clinging to the final wild-card position in the Western Conference.Jack Eichel Out Day-To-Day
Source: ESPN
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (upper body) is considered day-to-day. Vegas' superstar exited the lineup for Tuesday's tilt against the Colorado Avalanche and may miss additional time, as the team has little left to play for in the regular season. With Tomas Hertl (shoulder) still out, the Golden Knights leaned heavily on William Karlsson and Nicolas Roy at center on Tuesday night. Karlsson led all Vegas forwards in ice time with 22:01 and potted a short-handed goal. He could see increased usage again, along with Roy and Brett Howden, in Thursday's contest against the Seattle Kraken.Sam Bennett Expected To Miss Rest Of Regular Season
Source: NHL.com
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body) is expected to sit out the remainder of the regular season. The 28-year-old missed a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "I just don't think he's going back in," Panthers head coach Maurice said of Bennett on Tuesday. "We're going to take the time for the rest of the season." Maurice added that Bennett could play, but the team aims to get him as close to 100 percent as possible for the playoffs. Bennett concludes the season with a career-high 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in 74 games. Fortunately for the Panthers, Aleksander Barkov (upper body) returned on Tuesday, which bolsters their center depth.