Puckline Press

Update: ESPN's Kaplan reports Khusnutdinov's extension is three years at $3.95 million a season

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported the terms of Marat Khusnutdinov's extension: three years, $11.85 million in total, through 2029-30. Kevin Weekes had put the AAV at about $4 million. The Bruins have not announced it.

Confirmed · Oct 21: NHL.com reports Khusnutdinov has signed the three-year, $11.85 million extension, through 2029-30. nhl.com ↗

Flyers postpone Tocchet's Chalk Talk with season-ticket holders amid the team's poor start

In a letter Wednesday, governor Dan Hilferty called off Thursday's session with Rick Tocchet and his staff, saying the team's focus is on a tough stretch of games. Team PR says a new date will come before Jan. 1.

Update: Foerster a game-time decision in Buffalo after rotating in on the top line at the morning skate

Rick Tocchet called Tyson Foerster a game-time decision for Wednesday against the Sabres. Foerster, who missed Monday's win over Colorado with a hand injury from a blocked shot, took turns on the top line at the morning skate.

Update: Logan Thompson day-to-day with a lower-body injury and skips Wednesday's skate after the loss to the Kings

The Capitals say Thompson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury; he was hurt making a point-blank save on Artemi Panarin early in the second period Tuesday. Washington doesn't play again until Saturday against Buffalo, and Charlie Lindgren would take over if Thompson misses time.

Update: Byfield day to day and questionable for Thursday at the Islanders; Kings recall Jared Wright as a precaution

Quinton Byfield, who left Tuesday's win in Washington midway through the first period, is day to day with an upper-body injury, Laviolette says. The Kings recalled forward Jared Wright from AHL Ontario for what Laviolette called 'precautionary measures'.

Ullmark helped off with a lower-body injury in the third against Florida; Green says he'll be evaluated Thursday

Linus Ullmark slumped over after a pad save with 16:25 left and Ottawa up 3-1, and needed help off the ice; Samuel Ersson finished the 5-1 win. Travis Green confirmed a lower-body injury but couldn't say how serious it is.

Update: Muse says Ben Kindel is 'doing better' and hopes he's back in Pittsburgh Wednesday; Dubas to speak Thursday

Dan Muse called Kindel's medical episode on the team charter a scary moment and left the prognosis to GM Kyle Dubas, expected to address it Thursday. Muse had no update on Bryan Rust's lower-body injury.

Update: Penguins staff stay in Utah with Kindel; The Athletic walks back its report that he had a seizure

A team source told The Athletic that medical, coaching and front-office staff stayed in Utah with Ben Kindel while the team flew home. The Athletic corrected its first account to say he had a medical episode, not necessarily a seizure. The team hasn't given a cause.

Anthony Cirelli leaves the win in Vegas after two periods with an undisclosed injury

The Athletic's Jesse Granger reported that Cirelli didn't play the third period after scoring twice, and he was missing from the team's post-game bench video. Tampa Bay has given no update.

Sabres put Sam Carrick on injured reserve, backdated to Oct. 15, to activate Jason Zucker

Buffalo moved Carrick (middle body) to IR on Wednesday to open a roster spot for Zucker, who scored a power-play goal in his season debut. Ruff still calls Carrick day to day, and the injury may be tied to one from late last season.

Update: Babcock says Nugent-Hopkins returns Thursday against Carolina after missing every game so far

After Tuesday's overtime win over Minnesota, Mike Babcock said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be back next game, Thursday at home to the Hurricanes. He was hurt just before opening night and hasn't played this season.

Update: Ruff says Dahlin and Zucker are good to go against Philadelphia; Zucker makes his season debut

Lindy Ruff said captain Rasmus Dahlin, out three games with an upper-body injury, and Jason Zucker, back from offseason sports hernia surgery, will both play Wednesday against the Flyers. Justin Danforth and Sam Carrick remain day to day.

Update: Dubois a full participant at practice for the first time since his illness; Capitals loan Brodzinski to Hershey

Pierre-Luc Dubois practiced fully Wednesday for the first time since falling ill, and the Capitals sent Jonny Brodzinski back to Hershey before practice. Justin Sourdif skated on his own Wednesday morning, also a first since his illness. Washington's next game is Saturday against Buffalo.

Update: Sanderson paired with Zub at the morning skate and returns against Florida after missing eight games

Jake Sanderson, hurt in the Oct. 3 opener with a lower-body injury, skated with Artem Zub on Wednesday morning and plays against the Panthers. 'I'm fired up,' he said.

Update: Hurricanes activate Seth Jarvis from injured non-roster, recall Skyler Brind'Amour and send Nadeau down

Carolina activated Jarvis, out since June shoulder surgery, ahead of Thursday's game in Edmonton. Skyler Brind'Amour was recalled from AHL Chicago and Bradly Nadeau was reassigned there.

Update: Mavrik Bourque skates with Marchessault and Kerfoot in line rushes, but Brunette is still unsure he'll play

Bourque, out four games with an upper-body injury, has been a full participant in four straight practices. Brunette said the team is excited to get him back 'if he's ready' but is still unsure he's available.

Update: Rossi back at practice after his illness; O'Connor joins Pettersson and DeBrusk drops to the third line

Marco Rossi practiced Wednesday after missing two games sick. Lines: O'Connor-Pettersson-Karlsson, Cotter-Rossi-Boeser, DeBrusk-Chytil-Lekkerimaki; Mancini skated with Buium and Schenn was on the extra pair before Thursday against Detroit.

Jet Greaves pulled after five goals on 19 shots as Toronto routs Columbus 6-2

Greaves was replaced by Cam Talbot after 32:03. Kirill Marchenko, traded to Toronto in the Matthew Knies deal, scored on the power play against his old team.

Tocchet confirms Vladar in goal in Buffalo; Jiricek a healthy scratch as Benoit returns beside Hunter McDonald

Rick Tocchet says Dan Vladar starts against the Sabres. David Jiricek is a healthy scratch and Simon Benoit is back on the third pair with Hunter McDonald, with Cam York and Rasmus Ristolainen still hurt. Tyson Foerster remains a game-time decision.

Update: Luukkonen expected to start a fourth straight game against Philadelphia, not Ellis

Buffalo Hockey Beat's Bill Hoppe expects Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in goal against the Flyers. The Sabres' own preview says it's unclear which goalie starts and to watch warmups.

Confirmed · Oct 21: Luukkonen started and made 23 saves in the 3-1 loss to the Flyers. nhl.com ↗

Linus Ullmark projected in goal for Ottawa against Florida

Ullmark is listed ahead of Samuel Ersson on the Senators' morning-skate lineup and in NHL.com's projected lineup. The team hasn't named its starter.

Confirmed · Oct 21: Ullmark started against Florida and left in the third period with a lower-body injury. tsn.ca ↗

Blues send forward Dylan Peterson back to Springfield

St. Louis assigned Peterson to AHL Springfield. He played three games during his recall, with five penalty minutes.

Canadiens loan Owen Beck and defenseman David Reinbacher to Laval

Both go back to the AHL Rocket. Reinbacher played one game for Montreal (9:09) and Beck two (7:23 a game).

Update: Kucherov ties Stamkos's Lightning record of 1,137 points with three in a 6-2 win at Vegas

Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists to tie Steven Stamkos for the most points in franchise history. Anthony Cirelli scored twice and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 32 saves as Tampa Bay improved to 7-2.

Kaprizov's 11th goal in 10 games ties the most by an active player that early in a season, but the Wild lose in OT

Kirill Kaprizov matched McDavid (2022-23), Pastrnak (2019-20) and Kucherov (2017-18) for the most goals by an active player through 10 games. Edmonton won 4-3 on a 4-on-3 power-play goal in overtime after a too-many-men penalty; Jesper Wallstedt made 28 saves.

DeBrincat's 300th career goal ties it with 17 seconds left, but Detroit loses in a Seattle shootout

Down 3-0 after two, Detroit got goals from Arvidsson, Raymond (his first of the season) and DeBrincat, whose 300th came in his 705th game. Tarasov made 24 saves, McMann won it in the fourth round of the shootout, and the Red Wings' point streak is five games (2-0-3).

Hurricanes take the NHL points lead with a 6-3 win in Vancouver; the Canucks have lost eight straight

Stankoven, Ehlers and Deslauriers scored twice each and Kochetkov needed only 14 saves as Carolina went to 8-2-1. Vancouver's Merilainen made 38 saves, including one on an Aho penalty shot, and the Canucks fell to 2-8-1.

Brady Tkachuk scores in his first game back in Ottawa, but the Senators end Florida's three-game win streak 5-1

Tkachuk, traded to Florida in June, had the Panthers' only goal. Stutzle, Halliday, Giroux, Pinto and Foegele scored for Ottawa, and Jake Sanderson had two assists in his return from an eight-game absence. Akira Schmid made 25 saves.

Cole Knuble scores his first two NHL goals as the Flyers win 3-1 in Buffalo for a third straight win

Knuble, in his second NHL game, scored in the first period and early in the third. Dan Vladar made 27 saves; Jason Zucker's power-play goal in his season debut was Buffalo's only goal.

Canucks lose an eighth straight, 6-3 at home to Carolina, despite 38 saves from Merilainen

Vancouver fell to 2-8-1. Merilainen stopped Aho's penalty shot, awarded after Pettersson threw his stick. Malhotra said 40, 45 or 50 good minutes isn't enough in this league.

Penguins cancel Wednesday's practice after the delayed trip home; GM to speak Thursday morning

The Penguins called off practice and workouts Wednesday after their flight home from Utah turned around during Ben Kindel's medical episode. The general manager is set to speak to the media Thursday before the game-day skate against Florida.

Darche says Victor Eklund has earned his spot; Barzal progressing with no setback but still no timetable

GM Mathieu Darche said Wednesday that Eklund has earned a place on the team and that opposing GMs often bring him up. Mat Barzal is making progress every day and skating on his own with no setbacks, but the Islanders won't rush him and can't give a timeline.

Dahlin goes straight back to the top power play; Ruff keeps the unit that scored three goals together

Ruff said the first power-play unit that scored three goals in the two games before Dahlin got hurt will start together again against Philadelphia, though the units may still be tweaked.

Brayden Yager practices on the third line with Rosen and Lowry in Dallas and could debut Thursday

At Wednesday's practice Yager skated with Isak Rosen and Adam Lowry, with Nino Niederreiter dropping to the fourth line and Cole Koepke the extra forward, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press reports. Whether Yager plays against the Stars is still open.

Confirmed · Oct 21: The Jets' own practice report from Dallas lists Rosen-Lowry-Yager as a line; the team hasn't said whether he plays Thursday. nhl.com ↗

Andre Burakovsky out of the lineup against Florida as Hayden Hodgson draws in

NHL.com's projected lineup has Hodgson replacing Burakovsky on the third line with Nick Cousins and Stephen Halliday.

Weekes: Bruins closing in on a multi-year extension with Marat Khusnutdinov

ESPN's Kevin Weekes reports Boston and forward Marat Khusnutdinov are close to a multi-year extension. No term or cap hit has been reported; he is in the last year of a two-year deal at $925,000 a season.

Confirmed · Oct 21: The extension is done: three years, $11.85 million ($3.95 million a season) through 2029-30, NHL.com reports. nhl.com ↗

LeBrun: Edvinsson and his agent met Horcoff in person with no resolution; a trade likely still his preference

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports that unsigned Simon Edvinsson and agent J.P. Barry met GM Shawn Horcoff face to face over the weekend but settled nothing. LeBrun thinks Edvinsson likely sees a trade as his best option, though he stops short of calling it a formal request. Detroit still hopes to sign him while exploring trades, and as an RFA he must sign by Dec. 1 to play this season.

Bryan Rust leaves the 5-4 loss in Utah with a lower-body injury; Muse has no update

Rust left in the second period with a lower-body injury and didn't return, and coach Dan Muse had no update afterward. Pittsburgh's four-game road trip ended 0-4, though Chinakhov scored in his return from injury.

Alexander Wennberg hurt late in the loss in Toronto; Warsofsky calls it an upper-body injury

Wennberg left briefly in the third period, came back, then took no shifts in the last 3:56 of the 3-1 loss. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said an upper-body injury kept him out at the end. The Sharks play in Montreal on Tuesday, the second night of a back-to-back.

Esa Lindell out at least a week with a lower-body injury; Kyle Capobianco makes his season debut against Boston

Lindell got hurt blocking a shot in Saturday's win in Chicago, and Gulutzan expects him out at least a week before he goes day-to-day. Capobianco steps onto the top pair with Miro Heiskanen.

Update: Nugent-Hopkins and Dickinson stay out against the Wild; Oilers keep Saturday's lineup

Babcock confirms no one comes off the injury list for Tuesday, so Nugent-Hopkins waits for his season debut and Colton Dach stays at second-line center.

Markstrom out 10 to 14 days after a puck hit him in practice; Schmid and Black to carry the net on the road trip

Paul Maurice said Jacob Markstrom has an upper-body injury after taking a puck and leaving Monday's practice early, and will miss 10 to 14 days. Akira Schmid moves into a bigger role, and Maurice says the recalled Cooper Black will see some action on the four-game trip.

Sam Carrick day to day with a middle-body injury; Danforth misses a second straight practice

Carrick missed Tuesday's practice, and Lindy Ruff said the injury may be related to what he dealt with at the end of last season. Justin Danforth (upper body) is also day to day. Alex Lyon is improving but hasn't rejoined the team on the ice; it's unclear if he'll make the road trip that starts Friday.

Matheson takes part in the morning skate but misses a fourth straight game against San Jose

Mike Matheson skated Tuesday morning but is expected to miss his fourth straight game. NHL.com lists Montembeault, Demidov, Florian Xhekaj and Matheson as injured, all lower body.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Matheson isn't in Montreal's box score for the 4-3 overtime loss to San Jose. nhl.com ↗

Update: Dante Fabbro cleared for full practice, Bowness says; he hasn't played yet with a broken hand

Coach Rick Bowness said defenseman Dante Fabbro has been cleared for full practice. Fabbro hasn't played this season because of a broken hand and isn't in the projected lineup against Toronto.

Update: Dubois misses a fifth straight game against the Kings; Sourdif also out with an illness

NHL.com's status report says Pierre-Luc Dubois will miss his fifth straight game, and the Capitals list both him and Justin Sourdif as out with illness against Los Angeles.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Neither Dubois nor Sourdif is in Washington's box score for the 5-2 loss to Los Angeles. api-web.nhle.com ↗

Update: Spurgeon misses a fourth straight game in Edmonton; Hynes says he and Maatta are 'close'

Spurgeon's injured-reserve placement wasn't backdated far enough for him to play Tuesday. He skated in a pair with Olli Maatta at the morning skate but stayed out of penalty-kill drills, which Maatta joined, per The Athletic's Joe Smith.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Wild's own projected lineup for Edmonton leaves out both Spurgeon and Maatta. nhl.com ↗

Update: Marco Rossi expected to miss a second straight game with his illness; Luke Schenn projected back on Buium's pair

Rossi skipped Monday's practice and Tuesday's optional skate, and The Hockey News expects him to sit again against Carolina. Its projected lineup puts Luke Schenn with Zeev Buium on the third pair and Arshdeep Bains centering the fourth line.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Rossi isn't in Vancouver's box score against Carolina, and Schenn played. api-web.nhle.com ↗

Update: Lane Lambert calls Brandon Montour a game-time decision against Detroit

Montour, who has a lower-body injury and was left out of the Kraken's projected pairs, will be decided at warmups, the coach says.

Ben Kindel hospitalized after a medical episode on the Penguins' flight out of Salt Lake City; team says he's stable

The plane returned to Salt Lake City shortly after takeoff Tuesday and Kindel, 19, went by ambulance to University of Utah Hospital. The Penguins say he is conscious, alert and in stable condition; there's no timeline and the team will update when appropriate.

Jake McCabe leaves in Columbus after a high stick near his left eye; Hiller says he was held out as a precaution

Kent Johnson's stick caught McCabe in the face midway through the first period, drawing a double minor, and McCabe didn't return to the 6-2 win. Hiller said afterward that he 'seems to be doing OK.'

Quinton Byfield leaves the win in Washington with an upper-body injury after 2:44 of ice time

Byfield got hurt in the first period and didn't return to the 5-2 win. No update on his status yet; the Kings play next on Thursday at the Islanders.

Confirmed · Oct 21: Peter Laviolette confirmed the upper-body injury and said Byfield would be evaluated Wednesday. espn.com ↗

Update: Huska calls Backlund day-to-day with an upper-body injury; he misses practice and Ben Jones takes his spot

Backlund sat out Tuesday's practice and his status for Thursday against Minnesota is uncertain. Ben Jones, recalled from the Wranglers, skated between Coronato and Farabee.

Update: Ruff says Alex Lyon is improving, but it's unclear if he joins the four-game road trip

Lyon has an upper-body injury. Ruff wouldn't say whether he'll travel when the Sabres leave Friday for games in Washington, San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles.

Update: Toropchenko joins the morning skate and is ahead of schedule; he sees a doctor later this week

Alexey Toropchenko took part in a morning skate on Tuesday for the first time since he was hurt on Oct. 2, a day after returning to practice. Coach Jim Montgomery said he is ahead of schedule and will see a doctor later this week.

Update: Conor Timmins skating again but not ready for a full practice, Ruff says

Timmins, on injured reserve since a lower-body injury in the preseason finale, has started skating again. Lindy Ruff said Tuesday he isn't ready to join a full practice yet, and there's no return date.

Update: Byram misses Tuesday's practice too; Blashill says it's an upper-body injury, not concussion protocol

Bowen Byram hasn't practiced since Oct. 15. Jeff Blashill said nothing has changed and he's still day-to-day, and answered no when asked if Byram is in concussion protocol.

Mattias Janmark back skating with the Oilers but still week to week

NHL.com's status report says Janmark has resumed skating with Edmonton, but the forward stays week to week. Andersen, Dickinson, Nugent-Hopkins, Regula and Savoie are also listed as injured.

Mammoth put Michael Carcone on injured reserve and recall defenseman Artem Duda from Tucson

Carcone has an upper-body injury. Duda, 22, a 2022 second-round pick, comes up as blue-line cover with John Marino also dealing with an upper-body injury, though he isn't expected to make his NHL debut.

Update: Panthers put Jacob Markstrom on injured reserve and recall Cooper Black

Florida placed Markstrom on injured reserve on Tuesday, the same day it recalled Cooper Black from Charlotte. Markstrom is expected to miss 10 to 14 days after a puck hit him in practice.

Update: Connor Brown makes his season debut against Colorado; Noesen and Lombardi are healthy scratches

The Devils say Connor Brown returns tonight after missing the first eight games with a lower-body injury, and Luke Evangelista is back from his illness. Stefan Noesen, who has points in three straight games, and Amadeus Lombardi are healthy scratches.

Mantha back in the Devils' projected lineup after his illness; Allen in the starter's net against Colorado

Anthony Mantha, who missed Monday's practice sick, is projected on the third line with Evan Rodrigues and Dawson Mercer. Jake Allen was in the starter's net at the morning skate, though the Devils hadn't officially named him.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The NHL box score shows Mantha played and Allen started the 4-3 win, stopping 31 of 34 shots. api-web.nhle.com ↗

Capitals activate Matt Roy from injured reserve; he returns against the Kings after missing six games

Roy, out since a lower-body injury on Oct. 3 against Tampa Bay, goes back on the top pair with Jakob Chychrun. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Justin Sourdif stay out with illness.

Update: Zuccarello back in the Kings' lineup in Washington after missing three games, Laviolette says

Mats Zuccarello returns on the second line with Trevor Moore and Quinton Byfield; Taylor Ward and Cody Ceci are the projected scratches as the Kings go back to 12 forwards and six defensemen.

Update: Zacha back on the top line and Zadorov back in the lineup in Dallas; Swayman starts

Zacha returns from his upper-body injury between Geekie and Pastrnak, Zadorov dresses with Borgen after Saturday's healthy scratch, and Kuraly and Aspirot sit. Sturm says Swayman will be in net.

Update: Gudas 'good to go' and expected back Wednesday in Ottawa

Radko Gudas has been out since Oct. 12 with a lower-body injury. Maurice said he's good to go, and he is expected back on the blue line against the Senators.

Nico Sturm returns in Edmonton after missing three games with a head injury; Rieger Lorenz scratched

Sturm is back after about a week out: a puck cut through his helmet just above the ear, needed three stitches and put him in concussion protocol. He will wear ear guards, likely for good. Rookie Rieger Lorenz is a healthy scratch and Tyler Pitlick stays in.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Wild announced Sturm's activation from injured reserve before the game in Edmonton. prohockeyrumors.com ↗

Update: Brandon Montour plays against Detroit and scores in his return from a lower-body injury

Montour, a game-time decision with his lower-body injury, dressed against the Red Wings and scored in the second period.

Kochetkov likely in goal in Vancouver; no new update on Jankowski, and Kotkaniemi takes a bigger role

The Hurricanes' preview says Carolina will likely turn to Pyotr Kochetkov, unbeaten in five starts, after Bussi played in Calgary. Jankowski is still being examined in Raleigh with no timeline. With him and Staal out, Kotkaniemi is playing on both the power play and the penalty kill.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Kochetkov played in goal for Carolina in Vancouver; Bussi didn't play. api-web.nhle.com ↗

Scott Wedgewood likely in goal in New Jersey on the second night of the back-to-back

With Mackenzie Blackwood having played in Philadelphia, Scott Wedgewood is likely to start Tuesday against the Devils, New Jersey's game preview says. Roy, L'Heureux, O'Connor (LTIR) and Georgii Merkulov (IR) are listed out for Colorado.

Confirmed · Oct 21: Wedgewood started and made 37 saves in Colorado's 4-3 loss to the Devils. nhl.com ↗

Lukas Dostal likely back in goal for the Ducks at the Islanders after Husso's loss at the Rangers

The Islanders' game preview expects Dostal (.882 save percentage, 3.17 GAA) to start the second night of Anaheim's back-to-back on Long Island, after Ville Husso allowed five goals on 30 shots in Monday's 5-2 loss in New York. The Ducks haven't named a starter.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Ducks' own preview named Dostal as the expected starter, and he started the 3-2 loss. nhl.com ↗

Leevi Meriläinen expected in goal for Vancouver against Carolina

Carolina Hockey Now's Rachel Barkley expects Meriläinen (.925) to start over Kevin Lankinen on Tuesday as the Canucks open a three-game homestand. The team hasn't named a starter.

Confirmed · Oct 21: Meriläinen started and stopped 37 of 42 shots in the 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes. thehockeynews.com ↗

RDS says Jakub Dobes starts against San Jose, not Jacob Fowler

RDS's game preview says Jakub Dobes gets the start tonight, though Jacob Fowler has started four of Montreal's last five games. RDS labels its lineup projected, and the team hadn't named a starter. Mike Matheson misses a fourth straight game.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Canadiens' morning-skate update confirms Dobes gets the start tonight. nhl.com ↗

Sorokin takes the starter's net at the Islanders' optional skate and is likely to face Anaheim

Ilya Sorokin was in the starter's net at Tuesday's optional morning skate, which the team site says points to him starting against the Ducks. The lines from Monday's practice are unchanged.

Devon Levi in the Oilers' starter's net at practice before the Wild game; Edmonton hasn't named a starter

Oilers Nation's pre-scout says Devon Levi was in the starter's net at practice, which points away from Tristan Jarry against Minnesota. Babcock hasn't named tonight's starter.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Oilers' own projected lineup says Levi starts against Minnesota, with Tristan Jarry backing up. nhl.com ↗

Canadiens confirm Jakub Dobes starts against San Jose; Engstrom back in and Reinbacher sits

The Canadiens' morning-skate update says Jakub Dobes gets the start tonight. Martin St-Louis confirmed Adam Engstrom returns on defense, with David Reinbacher sitting out.

Logan Thompson starts for Washington against the Kings

The Hockey News's Sammi Silber reports Thompson was off the ice first at the morning skate and gets the start, with Charlie Lindgren backing up.

Confirmed · Oct 21: The Capitals' recap confirms Thompson played the 5-2 loss to Los Angeles. nhl.com ↗

Darcy Kuemper first off the ice and projected in goal against his former team in Washington

Kuemper, 0-3-1 with an .847 save percentage, looks set to start the road-trip opener, with Anton Forsberg the backup.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Kuemper started and made 30 saves as the Kings beat the Capitals 5-2 for their first win. lakingsinsider.com ↗

Joel Hofer expected in goal for the Blues against Winnipeg; Kaskimaki and Stenberg make their season debuts

The Blues' projected lineup has Hofer starting and Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and Otto Stenberg on the fourth line with Pius Suter, as St. Louis goes back to 12 forwards and six defensemen.

Jake Oettinger starts in goal for Dallas against Boston

Oettinger, with three shutouts in six appearances, gets the net as the Stars host the Bruins, Bruce LeVine reports.

Confirmed · Oct 21: Oettinger started and made 18 saves in the Stars' 3-2 overtime win. nhl.com ↗

Akira Schmid expected to start Wednesday in Ottawa, with Cooper Black backing up

With Markstrom hurt, NHL.com's status report expects Schmid to start against the Senators, with Black, just recalled from Charlotte, as his backup.

Confirmed · Oct 21: NHL.com's game-day status report says Schmid will start against the Senators, with Black as his backup. nhl.com ↗

Jesper Wallstedt in goal for the Wild against Edmonton

Wallstedt starts as Minnesota opens its road trip at Rogers Place, The Hockey News reports.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Wild's own game preview says Wallstedt gets the start tonight. nhl.com ↗

Stuart Skinner starts for the Jets in St. Louis; Brayden Yager's debut waits

The Winnipeg Free Press' Ken Wiebe reported from the morning skate that Skinner gets the start. Winnipeg keeps Monday's lines and pairs, so Yager sits out. Morrissey and Namestnikov stay out.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Skinner made 26 saves in a 2-1 loss, and the Jets' game-day preview said Yager would not play. nhl.com ↗

GM Kekalainen calls Luukkonen Buffalo's goalie for the present and future and plays down Hellebuyck talk

On WGR 550 on Tuesday, Jarmo Kekalainen called Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen a really good goaltender and the team's goalie now and in the future. He said other teams asking about Sabres players doesn't mean Buffalo is shopping anyone, though it will make any move that helps, and said Alex Lyon is close to returning.

Logan Thompson slow to get up after a second-period save; Carbery has no injury concern 'as of now'

Thompson seemed to tweak his left leg on a point-blank stop on Artemi Panarin and kept stretching it the rest of the 5-2 loss to the Kings, but he finished the game. Carbery said he would check with the head athletic trainer and had nothing to report.

Carolina Hockey Now expects Bussi in Vancouver, unlike the team's own preview

Rachel Barkley lists Brandon Bussi first and expects Pyotr Kochetkov to start Thursday in Edmonton instead. Hurricanes.com's preview said Kochetkov looks likely. Carolina hasn't named its starter.

Correction · Oct 20: Pyotr Kochetkov, not Brandon Bussi, played in goal for Carolina in Vancouver. api-web.nhle.com ↗

Colten Ellis takes the starter's net at practice and is likely in goal Wednesday against Philadelphia

Ellis worked in the starter's net at Tuesday's practice, pointing to a start against the Flyers; he last played Oct. 12. Jason Zucker is set to debut on the third line with Josh Norris and Konsta Helenius after sports hernia surgery.

Correction · Oct 21: Ellis didn't start: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was in goal for Buffalo against Philadelphia. nhl.com ↗

Update: Wennberg still in the Sharks' projected lineup in Montreal; Nedeljkovic likely starts in goal

NHL.com's status report has Alexander Wennberg centering Marchment and Toffoli, a night after he was hurt in Toronto, and says Alex Nedeljkovic will likely start after Askarov's 29 saves in the 3-1 loss. Gaudette, Dellandrea and Nolan Allan are projected scratches.

Correction · Oct 20: Wennberg didn't play in Montreal (listed day-to-day); Nedeljkovic did start. nhl.com ↗

Islanders reportedly looking for a left-shot defenseman with Romanov out, and scouted Toronto on Monday

The Hockey News reports the Islanders want a left-side defenseman with Alexander Romanov out with a torn ACL, and had scouts at the Maple Leafs' game Monday. They have about $2.2M in cap space, about $6.2M if Romanov goes on LTIR.

Friedman: Bryan Rust also among the veterans Pittsburgh could move as it gets younger

On the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman named Bryan Rust among the veterans the Penguins might part with, along with Rickard Rakell, as they try to get younger through trades.

Report: Flyers frustrated with Konecny's play, but Friedman doubts Briere would ask him to waive his no-move

Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco, citing sources, said Konecny could be asked to waive his no-movement clause if his play doesn't improve. Elliotte Friedman doubted GM Daniel Briere would go that far, and Pierre LeBrun expects any Flyers changes to be internal. Konecny is in year two of an eight-year, $70 million deal.

Friedman: Brenden Dillon has trade protection and likely used some of it to block a deal last season

Elliotte Friedman said Dillon 'has some protection' and likely used part of it last season, without naming the deal. Dillon is in the last year of a three-year, $12 million contract; his full no-trade clause is now a modified 10-team list. Keefe called scratching him 'not an easy discussion.'

Scott Mayfield's time with the Islanders may be ending; Ducks, Kings, Blackhawks and Kraken among teams seeking defense

Mayfield has played two games and has a full no-trade clause this season, so any deal needs his approval; he hasn't asked for a trade. The Fourth Period lists Anaheim, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle as looking for blue-line help, with Nashville and Toronto after younger options.

LeBrun: Ken Holland's Kings would like to pursue Larkin, but they aren't on his 10-team list

TSN's Pierre LeBrun says Los Angeles GM Ken Holland, who has a history with Dylan Larkin, would like to go after him. The Kings are not one of the 10 teams on Larkin's list, so for now they can't.

Valiquette: the Vejmelka-to-the-Rangers scenario he hears most has Hellebuyck going to Utah

Steve Valiquette said Karel Vejmelka's name keeps coming up with the Rangers, most often in a scenario where Connor Hellebuyck goes to Utah. He called Vejmelka's $4.75 million cap hit a tight but not impossible fit.

Eyssimont and Jokiharju decline to say whether they asked the Bruins for trades, the Globe reports

The Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont reports both players declined to comment on whether they requested trades. Elliotte Friedman has reported that Boston is shopping Jokiharju, who has two years left at $3 million a season.

Rosner: Toronto asked about Scott Mayfield last season and the teams have stayed in touch

Islanders reporter Stefen Rosner believes the Leafs inquired about Mayfield last season and that the clubs have kept talking. Mayfield has a full no-trade clause and has been a healthy scratch in six of the Islanders' first eight games.

Russo still thinks Larkin genuinely wants Minnesota; his reported list has grown from three teams to 10

The Athletic's Michael Russo said Dylan Larkin really wants to play in Minnesota and expects a trade soon. The list now reported: Florida, Minnesota, Vegas, Dallas, Washington, Carolina, Utah, Tampa Bay, New Jersey and Colorado.

Panthers recall goalie Cooper Black from Charlotte before a four-game road trip that opens in Ottawa

Black is back with Florida for the second time this season after a stint Oct. 13-16. He is 2-1-0 with a .919 save percentage in the AHL. The team gave no reason for the move.

Flames recall Ben Jones from the Wranglers in case Backlund can't play Thursday

Calgary called up center Ben Jones from the AHL's Calgary Wranglers as cover for Mikael Backlund, hurt on Sunday's hit by William Carrier, before Thursday's game against Minnesota, FlamesNation reports. Jones has 7 goals and 2 assists in 7 AHL games.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Flames announced the recall of Ben Jones from the Wranglers on Oct. 20. prohockeyrumors.com ↗

Devils send Stefan Noesen to AHL Utica and activate Connor Brown from injured reserve

New Jersey assigned Noesen to Utica on Tuesday after a goal and two assists in five games, and took Brown off injured reserve for his season debut.

Wild send Hunter Haight back to Iowa after activating Nico Sturm from injured reserve

Minnesota took Sturm off injured reserve before Tuesday's game in Edmonton and reassigned Haight, recalled two days earlier as an extra forward, to AHL Iowa without his having played.

Michkov scores twice and Zegras has three assists as short-handed Philadelphia beats Colorado 3-2

Michkov has goals in three straight games, Acciari scored his first goal of the season and Woll made 24 saves for a second straight Flyers win. Konecny, Tippett, Foerster, York and Ristolainen were all out, and Cole Knuble made his NHL debut (13:44, one shot).

Bjorkstrand scores twice and Garand makes 29 saves as the Rangers beat Anaheim 5-2 to go 6-0 at home

Durzi, Miller and Perreault also scored. It's the Rangers' first 6-0 home start since 1990-91, and Garand has allowed two goals or fewer in five of his six starts.

McKenna's power-play goal in the third lifts the Leafs past San Jose 3-1 and ends a three-game skid

Gavin McKenna broke a 1-1 tie on the power play 4:56 into the third period, after Auston Matthews tied it on the power play late in the second. Nick Paul added an empty-netter, Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves, and Artur Akhtyamov dressed as the backup after his recall.

Kucherov is three points behind Stamkos's Lightning scoring record heading into Tuesday in Vegas

Nikita Kucherov has 1,134 points in 887 games for Tampa Bay; Steven Stamkos holds the franchise record with 1,137 in 1,082.

Devils honour Jake Allen for his 500th NHL game before facing Colorado

Jake Allen, who reached 500 NHL games on Oct. 10, will be honoured before puck drop against the Avalanche. He is the 86th goalie in NHL history to reach the mark.

Quinn Hughes three points from 500 for his career heading into Edmonton

Hughes has 497 points in 516 games; reaching 500 would make him the second-fastest American-born defenseman to get there, behind Brian Leetch.

Jason Robertson three points from 500 for his career before facing Boston

Robertson has 497 points in 464 games, seven of them in eight games this season.

Cole Knuble debuts as he and his father Mike become the Flyers' first father-son pair

Cole Knuble played his first NHL game in Monday's 3-2 win over Colorado, with his father Mike, a two-stint Flyer, in the stands. The team says they are the first father and son to both play a regular-season game for Philadelphia.

McDavid becomes the fastest to 20 assists in a season as Bouchard's overtime power-play goal beats the Wild 4-3

Connor McDavid had three assists, reaching 20 faster than anyone in NHL history and stretching his season-opening point streak to nine games. Draisaitl scored twice on the power play, Levi made 27 saves, and Bouchard won it on his 27th birthday. Edmonton is 7-1-1.

Kings win for the first time this season, scoring five straight to beat Washington 5-2

Los Angeles had started 0-4-2 and trailed 2-0 before two goals in the last 31 seconds of the first period tied it. Adrian Kempe scored twice, Artemi Panarin had a goal and two assists, and Darcy Kuemper made 30 saves for the first win under Peter Laviolette.

Celebrini's fourth career OT goal, a tie for the most by a player 20 or younger, completes a comeback in Montreal

Macklin Celebrini scored twice, the winner on the power play 2:13 into overtime, tying Ilya Kovalchuk and Sean Monahan. San Jose came back from two goals down in the third, Alex Nedeljkovic made 31 saves, and the Sharks are 5-4-1.

Rantanen scores all three Dallas goals, the last on an overtime power play, ending Boston's five-game win streak

Mikko Rantanen won it 3-2 at 3:52 of overtime, his 11th career hat trick and first in the regular season since Dallas traded for him. Jake Oettinger made 18 saves; Poitras and Hagens scored for Boston.

Fantilli on Marchenko: 'It would have been a nightmare' keeping a player who didn't want to be in Columbus

At Tuesday's morning skate Adam Fantilli said it would have been a nightmare to have a player who didn't want to be there all season. Marchenko then scored in his return to Columbus as Toronto won.

Islanders expected to keep Victor Eklund past 10 games, using the first year of his entry-level deal

The Hockey News reports the 2025 first-round pick (16th overall) is expected to stay past his 10th game rather than return to Hamilton. He has a goal and an assist in eight games, and his role should grow with Maccelli and Ritchie out.

Update: Montour left out of the Kraken's projected lineup against Detroit; Grubauer projected in goal

The Kraken's game preview projects Dunn-Larsson, Evans-Fleury and Ottavainen-Mahura on defense, with no Brandon Montour (lower body), and Philipp Grubauer in goal. The team labels the lines not official.

Malhotra says Zeev Buium's move to the third pair is about his development, not a demotion

Coach Manny Malhotra called it a sheltered role for a 20-year-old who is 'still learning his game', and said the focus is his long-term growth, not daily pairings. Buium, whose eight-year, $9.38M AAV extension starts next season, has one assist in 10 games.

Voronkov projected back in the Columbus lineup against Toronto after two healthy scratches; Soucy and Heinen to sit

The Hockey News's projected lineup puts Dmitri Voronkov on a line with Sean Monahan and Valeri Nichushkin after he was scratched on Oct. 17 and 18. Carson Soucy and Danton Heinen are projected scratches and Jet Greaves is projected in goal. It's a projection, subject to change.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The NHL box score lists Voronkov in the Columbus lineup against Toronto, with Soucy and Heinen not dressed. api-web.nhle.com ↗

Marshall Rifai set to draw in at Columbus as Nick Blankenburg stays out late at the morning skate

TSN's Mark Masters reports Rifai, who has played one game this season, looks set to replace Blankenburg on defense. Stolarz starts with Akhtyamov backing up.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Rifai played and scored in Toronto's 6-2 win at Columbus. mymotherlode.com ↗

Kings expected to go 12 forwards and 6 defensemen with Zuccarello back; Ceci and Ward likely sit

LA Kings Insider expects Cody Ceci and Taylor Ward to come out in Washington as Mats Zuccarello returns, ending the Kings' 11-forward, 7-defenseman setup, though it says that remains to be seen.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Kings dressed 12 forwards, Zuccarello among them, and six defensemen in Washington; Ceci and Ward didn't play. nhl.com ↗

Wennberg out in Montreal with a day-to-day upper-body injury; Dellandrea slides in and Nedeljkovic starts

San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng reports Ty Dellandrea takes Alexander Wennberg's spot and Mason Marchment his net-front role on the top power play, Nolan Allan comes in for Luca Cagnoni, and Alex Nedeljkovic starts in goal. Warsofsky called Wennberg's injury day-to-day.

Confirmed · Oct 20: Wennberg sat out, and Nedeljkovic started and won in Montreal. nhl.com ↗

Juuso Välimäki in line for his Hurricanes debut in Vancouver, his first NHL game in 632 days; Mike Reilly sits

The team's projected lineup pairs Välimäki, acquired from Utah, with Shayne Gostisbehere on the third pair and lists Reilly as the scratch. Pyotr Kochetkov is projected in goal.

Perron will get a few practices before he plays, Gulutzan says

David Perron practiced with the Stars for the first time Monday. Glen Gulutzan said the winger will get a few practices to settle in, praising his work on the boards, his defense and his hockey IQ. He didn't dress against Boston.

Jeffrey Viel expected back in Vegas; D'Astous, Lilleberg and Sabourin scratched

NHL.com's preview expects Viel to return to the lineup against the Golden Knights, with Charle-Edouard D'Astous, Emil Lilleberg and Scott Sabourin out of it. Max Crozier is listed with Victor Hedman, and Yanni Gourde (hip) is still out.

Correction · Oct 20: Viel did return, but D'Astous and Lilleberg both dressed in Vegas as Tampa Bay went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen; Sabourin was out. api-web.nhle.com ↗

Pavel Mintyukov sits out the third period of the loss on Long Island; no reason given

Mintyukov's last shift in the 3-2 loss to the Islanders ended with 3:08 left in the second period, and he stayed on the bench for the whole third. The report gives no reason, and the Ducks haven't said whether he is hurt.

Luca Cagnoni a healthy scratch in Montreal after his penalty led to Toronto's winner; Nolan Allan back in

Cagnoni's third-period cross-check against the Maple Leafs set up the power play on which Toronto scored the winner. He sat as a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Montreal, with Nolan Allan in on defense.

Update: Walker Duehr clears waivers and can join the Manitoba Moose

Duehr went unclaimed, so he can be assigned to Manitoba in time for the Moose's six-game road trip. A lower-body issue had bothered him since training camp.

Confirmed · Oct 20: The Moose announced that the Jets have loaned Duehr to Manitoba. moosehockey.com ↗