NHL Player News

Severson scored a goal on three shots and added an assist in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Penguins.

Severson missed two games while finishing up his recovery from shoulder surgery he underwent in April. The defenseman was immediately played on the top pairing alongside Zach Werenski, and that ended up being a good move. Severson had 32 points over 71 regular-season outings in 2025-26, so there's some offense in his game, especially if he stays in a top-four role. Keep him in mind for defensive depth in fantasy.

Talbot stopped 20 of 22 shots in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Penguins.

Talbot put in a good effort in his first start of the season. The 39-year-old netminder also turned aside all three of Pittsburgh's shootout attempts. Talbot got the start because this was the first half of a back-to-back, making it likely Jet Greaves will be between the pipes in St. Louis on Saturday. Talbot is likely to handle the backup role throughout the campaign.

Wilson scored an empty-net goal on three shots in Friday's 3-1 win over the Rangers. He also added three hits.

Wilson put the finishing touches on Washington's victory with an empty-net goal at 19:59 of the third period, scoring off an assist from Vincent Desharnais. The physical winger also registered three hits, and although his goal came as the Rangers pressed for an equalizer, Wilson is enjoying a solid start to the season. He has five points (two goals, three assists) in his first four appearances of the 2026-27 campaign while entrenched in a top-six role and in the top power-play unit. That role will keep him in a potentially productive spot in most contests.

Liljegren scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.

Liljegren tied the game at 1-1 with a goal at the 6:08 mark of the second period, following assists from Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard. The 27-year-old defenseman, who signed a two-year deal to return to Washington last May, has recorded more than 20 points just twice in his career, and this was his first point of the 2026-27 campaign. Don't expect him to bring a ton of upside in most formats.

Jenner scored a goal on three shots while adding a blocked shot and two PIM in Friday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.

Jenner broke a 1-1 tie with an unassisted goal at 17:38 of the second period, capitalizing on a defensive-zone turnover by New York to beat Dylan Garand. The veteran center finished with a plus-2 rating in 13:37 of ice time, but he's not expected to be a steady contributor on offense. As a bottom-six forward, most of his fantasy value will come in leagues that reward physicality stats, such as hits and blocked shots. This was his first goal of the season, and he had 38 points in 67 regular-season appearances for the Blue Jackets in the 2025-26 campaign.

Thompson stopped 21 of 22 shots in Friday's 3-1 win over the Rangers.

Thompson delivered a strong performance between the pipes, finishing with a .955 save percentage while allowing only a first-period power-play goal to Alexis Lafreniere. The Capitals' netminder was perfect over the final two periods, allowing Washington to erase its early deficit and secure the victory. Thompson has won his three starts this season while posting a save percentage of .900 or higher each time. In his three starts, the 29-year-old has stopped 79 of 85 shots faced, good for a .929 save percentage.

Garand stopped 11 of 12 shots in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Capitals. Washington's third goal was an empty-netter.

Garand entered the contest midway through the second period after Igor Shesterkin suffered a lower-body injury, taking over with the score tied 1-1. The 24-year-old netminder played 29:45 and allowed the eventual game-winning goal to Boone Jenner at 17:38 of the middle frame. Garand finished with a .917 save percentage and should be in line for more starts if Shesterkin is forced to miss extended time. While this performance was encouraging considering the circumstances, the Rangers would suffer a huge blow if they're forced to play Garand as their No. 1 goaltender regularly in the coming weeks. He could be in line to start Sunday against the Canucks if Shesterkin isn't recovered by then.

Lafreniere scored a power-play goal on his lone shot in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Capitals.

Lafreniere opened the scoring at 10:17 of the first period, converting on the man advantage off assists from J.T. Miller and Pavel Dorofeyev. The winger has scored New York's last three goals, providing a consistent offensive spark despite the team's struggles Friday. He posted a four-point hat trick Tuesday against the Islanders and is enjoying an excellent start to the season, racking up five points (three goals, two assists) and 11 shots on goal in his first five appearances.

Shesterkin (lower body) won't return to Friday's game versus the Capitals.

Shesterkin was injured as his right leg got jammed into the post as he made his way back to the crease on a scrambled play in the Rangers' zone. The 30-year-old goalie can be considered day-to-day for now, but he put no weight on his leg as he exited the ice, which doesn't bode well. If he misses time, the Rangers are in a pickle since both Joonas Korpisalo (lower body) and Spencer Martin (lower body) are also sidelined. Expect Dylan Garand to get a heavy run of starts if Shesterkin misses time, though the Rangers could also pursue the trade route to help their depth.

Martin is dealing with a lower-body injury for AHL Hartford, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports Friday.

Igor Shesterkin left Friday's game versus the Capitals due to an apparent lower-body injury as well, leaving the Rangers' organizational depth in goal on thin ice. Martin would typically be the next man up when healthy, but this injury would prevent that from happening. Martin is considered day-to-day at this time.