NHL Player News

Hagens (lower back) was injured in the third period of Thursday's game versus the Penguins and didn't return, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports.

Hagens was checked in the back by Samuel Girard in the third period and came out of the interaction worse for wear. The Bruins are off for a couple of days before hosting the Panthers on Sunday, which may give Hagens enough time to recover. If he and Matthew Poitras (nose) are both out, the Bruins may need to recall a forward from AHL Providence.

Marchessault (lower body) won't play versus the Avalanche on Thursday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Marchessault is set to miss a second straight game. He remains day-to-day due to the injury. Vitali Pinchuk is staying in the lineup on the third line to cover Marchessault's absence. It's unclear if Marchessault will be able to play Saturday versus the Blues.

Girgensons (lower body) will play Thursday against Chicago, per Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.

Girgensons missed Tampa Bay's previous three games. He has a goal and two points in 11 outings in 2026-27. Girgensons is projected to serve on the third line alongside Ilya Mikheyev and Pontus Holmberg on Thursday.

Poitras (nose) won't play Thursday in Pittsburgh, per Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe.

Poitras has four goals and seven points in 12 appearances with Boston in 2026-27. Sean Kuraly is set to draw into the lineup Thursday due to Poitras' absence.

Pinto scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Sabres.

Pinto's goal midway through the third period tied the game at 1-1. The center has four goals and an assist over his last five outings. He's played in an elevated second-line role recently, while Dylan Cozens has moved around the lineup and ultimately down to Pinto's previous third-line spot. Through 17 appearances, Pinto has six goals, six assists, 33 shots on net, 31 hits and a minus-1 rating while averaging a career-best 19:56 of ice time.

Steel has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets due to personal reasons, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports.

Steel had missed a pair of games in late October for an undisclosed reason, but he was back in action for the Stars' last three matchups. He'll be sidelined on the road against Columbus on Thursday, and it's not yet clear whether he'll return to action when the Stars return home to face the Sharks on Saturday. Colin Blackwell will enter the lineup in Steel's absence.

Head coach Todd McLellan said Thursday that he expects Kasper (upper body) to return at some point during the Red Wings' upcoming four-game road trip, Max Bultman of The Athletic reports.

Kasper has been on injured reserve due to his upper-body injury since early October, but he resumed skating in a non-contact jersey last week. While he'll remain sidelined for Thursday's game against the Golden Knights, he'll likely be able to return at some point during the Red Wings' road trip that begins Saturday in Colorado and concludes Nov. 14 in Tampa Bay.

Head coach Todd McLellan stated that Appleton (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup during the Red Wings' upcoming four-game road trip, per Max Bultman of The Athletic.

McLellan's news is encouraging for Appleton, who was placed on injured reserve following the Red Wings' second game of the season. He was first seen skating in a non-contact jersey on Friday, and has been progressing without any reported setbacks since then. Prior to going down, the 30-year-old winger compiled six hits across his two appearances. Once he's ready to return, he'll likely slot into a role on the team's fourth line. Appleton's first chance to return on the team's upcoming four-game road trip is Saturday against the Avalanche.

Dach (illness) will suit up for Thursday's game against the Mammoth, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Dach missed the last two matchups due to his illness, but he's been cleared to return to game action Thursday. The 25-year-old had appeared in each of the Canadiens' first 13 games of the regular season prior to his brief absence, and he's recorded three assists, 18 hits, six blocked shots and six PIM while averaging 10:45 of ice time.

Malkin (lower body) will return to action for Thursday's game against the Bruins, Josh Getzoff of SportsNet Pittsburgh reports.

Malkin missed Tuesday's matchup against the Golden Knights due to his lower-body injury, but he took contact during Wednesday's practice session and has been cleared to return to game action a day later. The 40-year-old has recorded six goals, five assists, six PIM, three hits and two blocked shots while averaging 17:03 of ice time over his first 13 appearances of the regular season.