NHL Player News

MacKinnon scored twice on four shots, dished an assist, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

MacKinnon featured on three of the Avalanche's first four goals, with his second tally being the game-winner. The 30-year-old retook the NHL's goals lead outright with the effort, which comes after just his third time being held off the scoresheet. MacKinnon has 16 goals, 20 helpers, 89 shots on net, 17 hits, 15 blocked shots, 12 PIM and a plus-22 rating through 20 appearances, a big reason why the Avalanche are 14-1-5 at the quarter mark of their season.

Reinhart scored the game-winning goal in Thursday's 1-0 victory over the Devils.

The 30-year-old winger continued his career dominance over Jake Allen -- he's got seven goals in 14 career games against the netminder -- with an impressive individual effort midway through the first period, as he charged down the wing, switched to his forehand and went top shelf from a tight angle all in one motion. Reinhart extended his current point streak to five games in the process, and over his last 12 contests he's erupted for nine goals and 14 points. Thursday's GWG was already his fifth of 2025-26.

Ritchie scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Red Wings.

The 20-year-old center opened the scoring early in the first period by snapping a puck past John Gibson from the faceoff dot, and it was all the offensive support Ilya Sorokin would need. The Islanders' fourth line carried the scoring load, as Ritchie, Max Shabanov and Casey Cizikas combined for three goals and seven points on the night. Ritchie, the 27th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, hasn't had many chances to flash his upside since being acquired from the Avs in the Brock Nelson deal, but after getting held off the scoresheet completely in his first nine games with the Isles, he's picked up two goals and three points in the last two contests.

Cizikas notched two assists in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Red Wings.

The Islanders' fourth line carried the scoring load, as Cizikas, Calum Ritchie and Max Shabanov combined for three goals and seven points on the night. Cizikas snapped a seven-game point drought with the performance, and the veteran grinder has a goal and five points in 21 games this season with 47 hits and a minus-3 rating.

Brindley (lower body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Rangers.

Brindley was initially injured in the first period. He tried to tough it out at the start of the second but couldn't continue in the contest. The Avalanche are already a bit thin at forward, so Brindley's absence could be troublesome if he's out beyond Thursday.

Poehling (upper body) won't be in the lineup Thursday versus the Senators, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Poehling is set to miss his fifth consecutive game with the injury. The 26-year-old is still presumably day-to-day. His next chance to play is Saturday versus the Golden Knights.

Granlund (lower body) will not play Thursday versus the Senators, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Granlund is set to miss his fourth straight game and his 12th in the Ducks' last 13 contests. The 33-year-old center aggravated his injury last Thursday versus the Red Wings, which is the reason for his ongoing absence. He's questionable to play Saturday versus the Golden Knights.

Evans sustained an undisclosed injury and won't finish Thursday's game versus the Capitals.

Evans' injury puts the Canadiens' center depth in a dire position, as the team is already missing Kirby Dach (foot) and Alex Newhook (ankle). The 29-year-old Evans was rocked on a hit by Tom Wilson late in the second period of Thursday's game. More information on Evans' status should be available prior to Saturday's home game versus the Maple Leafs. Montreal will likely have to make a roster move if Evans is forced to miss time.

Prishchepov (undisclosed) was activated from non-roster injured reserve and assigned to AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Prishchepov was hurt during training camp but is now healthy enough to play. He'll likely spend a majority of the campaign with the Eagles. He failed to record a point in 10 NHL appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.

Roy (upper body) was moved to injured reserve Thursday.

Roy's placement on IR is retroactive when he was last in the lineup Saturday, so he's eligible to return in time for Wednesday's tilt in Columbus. The 28-year-old has a goal and four points in 19 outings this year. Scott Laughton (upper body) was activated in a corresponding move, and he's expected to draw into the lineup for Thursday's clash against the Blue Jackets.