NHL Player News

Matinpalo was scratched for the 16th time in 18 games in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes.

That span is from the start of January. Matinpalo sat just once during December, but Jordan Spence has claimed a larger share of playing time since the calendar flipped to 2026. Matinpalo has earned four assists, 19 shots on net, 27 hits, 33 blocked shots and 10 PIM over 30 NHL outings this season. The 27-year-old defenseman could get an uptick in usage while representing Finland at the Olympics, though the national team has six other NHL-level blueliners on the roster as well.

Miller logged an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Senators.

Miller has been limited to two assists over his last 11 games, a significant downturn after he posted two goals and six helpers in eight contests between Dec. 29 and Jan. 10. The 26-year-old has lost some prime offensive minutes now that the Hurricanes' blue line is fully healthy, with Shayne Gostisbehere and Alexander Nikishin seeing most of the power-play time. Miller has four goals, 23 points, 80 shots on net, 61 hits, 49 blocked shots, 38 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 48 appearances this season, giving him a chance to reach the 30-point mark for the third time in four years.

Hunt (upper body) is available for Wednesday's game against the Predators, Wild radio broadcaster Joe O'Donnell reports.

Hunt exited Monday's game against the Canadiens due to an upper-body injury that he sustained when he took a shot up high, but he'll be able to suit up in Minnesota's final game ahead of the Olympic break. Over his last 13 appearances, he has recorded three assists, 17 blocked shots, four hits and a minus-3 rating while averaging 11:17 of ice time.

Ristolainen scored an empty-net goal and added an assist in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Capitals.

Ristolainen didn't record his first point until Dec. 23 after making his season debut Dec. 16. He's riding a modest two-game point streak, and his empty-netter in the final minute of Tuesday's win was his first goal of 2025-26. The 31-year-old has been skating on the first pairing while posting six points, 28 shots on net, 26 blocked shots and 20 hits through 18 appearances.

Head coach Glen Gulutzan said Wednesday that Bichsel (lower body) is "very, very close" to returning but won't play until after the Olympic break, Brien Rea of Victory+ reports.

Bichsel is nearing a return to the lineup after having surgery for a lower-body injury in early December. However, it appears the Stars will exercise caution and give him a few extra weeks to rest. It wouldn't be surprising to see him back on the ice when the Stars resume play in late February.

Lyubushkin (lower body) is set to play Wednesday versus St. Louis, per Brien Rea of Victory+.

Lyubushkin missed Dallas' past four games because of the injury. He has a goal, seven points, 36 PIM, 54 hits and 67 blocks in 39 appearances in 2025-26. The 31-year-old's return might result in Alex Petrovic being a healthy scratch Wednesday.

Fabbro scored the game-winning goal in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Devils.

Making his return from a six-game absence due to a lower-body injury, Fabbro opened the scoring early in the third period by snapping a quick shot through traffic in front of Jacob Markstrom. Fabbro isn't known for his offensive production. Through 49 games this season, he has produced four goals, eight points, 83 blocked shots, 51 shots on net, 42 hits and a minus-12 rating.

Sanderson produced a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Carolina.

The blueliner's tally early in the third period tied the game at 3-3, but the Senators' comeback attempt stalled out. Sanderson has been surging toward the Olympic break, racking up three goals and 13 points, including a goal and four assists with the man advantage, in his last 11 games. Tuesday's goal was also his 11th in 56 outings this campaign, tying his career high from the 2024-25 regular season across 80 appearances.

LaCombe notched two assists and three blocked shots in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Kraken.

LaCombe hasn't been held off the scoresheet in consecutive contests over the last 15 games. In that span, he's racked up 14 helpers, 19 shots on net, 28 blocks, 12 hits and a minus-3 rating. The 25-year-old blueliner continues to get top billing among the Ducks' defensemen. He has six goals, a career-high 31 assists, 109 shots on net, 97 blocks, 48 hits and a minus-5 rating over 56 appearances this season.

Trouba scored a goal, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Kraken.

Trouba has two goals, five assists, 25 shots on net, 15 hits and 32 blocked shots over his last 11 outings. His tally late in the second period put the Ducks ahead 2-0, and their momentum carried over into the third. Trouba is up to nine goals, 25 points, 110 shots, 100 hits, 110 blocked shots, 19 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 55 outings overall as a consistent top-four blueliner. He's in a contract year, which may explain some of his uptick in production.