NHL Player News

Kopitar (undisclosed) isn't expected to play Thursday versus Pittsburgh, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Kopitar will see his season-opening four-game scoring streak get disrupted by this injury. Samuel Helenius should draw into the lineup due to Kopitar's absence, and Phillip Danault will be bumped into the Kings' top six.

Gaudreau sustained an undisclosed injury and won't return to Thursday's game in Ottawa.

Gaudreau had a minus-1 rating in 8:02 of ice time before he exited the game against the Senators. He has an assist in four outings this year, including Thursday's tilt. If Gaudreau can't play Saturday in Toronto, then Berkly Catton will probably make his NHL debut.

Howden (lower body) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bruins, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

Howden will be sidelined for a second consecutive matchup due to his lower-body injury, but he's considered day-to-day. Head coach Bruce Cassidy said ahead of Thursday's game that he's hopeful that Howden could return to action for Saturday's matchup against the Flames.

Kopitar (undisclosed) is expected to be a game-time decision for Thursday's clash against Pittsburgh, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Kopitar has opened the 2025-26 campaign with a four-game scoring streak, collecting four assists in that span. If Kopitar isn't able to play Thursday, then Samuel Helenius will likely draw into the lineup, while Phillip Danault will probably shift into the top six.

Cousins posted an assist in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Sabres.

Cousins has a helper, six hits and an even plus-minus rating over four contests. The 32-year-old is in his usual fourth-line role and figures to be more of an agitator on the ice than a depth scorer. Most fantasy managers can find more productive options on the waiver wire.

Eller scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Sabres.

Eller found the twine in the third period to pull the Senators within a goal, but the Sabres were able to right the ship with two tallies in a span of 1:02 after he scored. This was Eller's first point in four outings with the Senators. He's added four shots on net, seven hits, two blocked shots and a minus-2 rating while filling a bottom-six role. As more of a defensive center, he's not a particularly strong option in most fantasy formats.

Krebs notched an assist, four hits and two PIM in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Senators.

The helper was Krebs' first point of the season. The 24-year-old was listed on the second line Wednesday but still saw just 12:52 of ice time in the contest. He could stick further in the lineup while Josh Norris (upper body) is out, but it's likely the Sabres try a number of different lineup combinations. Krebs has added four shots on net, nine hits and a minus-2 rating through four appearances.

Kulich scored an empty-net goal, logged two hits, blocked two shots and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Senators.

With Tage Thompson moving back to center in the absence of Josh Norris (upper body), Kulich dropped to the fourth line for this game. The empty-netter was Kulich's first goal and point of the season. He's added eight shots on net, six blocked shots, three hits and a minus-6 rating over four outings. If he remains in a bottom-six role, the 21-year-old won't have much fantasy appeal, but it's possible he spends the season floating around the lineup as necessary.

Duchene will not be in the lineup versus Vancouver on Thursday, Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports.

Duchene was hurt in Tuesday's matchup with Minnesota, but not before scoring his first goal of the season. With the veteran center on the shelf, Wyatt Johnston could move up to the second line, while Adam Erne looks poised to make his season debut in a fourth-line role.

Lorentz (upper body) will be a healthy scratch versus the Rangers on Thursday, per Mark Masters of TSN.

Lorentz missed the last two games with the injury, but head coach Craig Berube said after practice Thursday that Lorentz is available to play but he will be a healthy scratch. Lorentz could return as early as Saturday when Toronto is home to Seattle.