NHL Player News

DeBrusk scored both of the Canucks' goals in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

The veteran winger got pucks past Pyotr Kochetkov in the second and third periods, both times jumping on rebounds and wiring them home, but Vancouver was in a 4-0 hole before DeBrusk even scored his first one. It was a strong return to the lineup after he'd missed the prior two games due to an illness, and through three contests to begin the season DeBrusk has two goals on eight shots and three points in total.

Merilainen turned aside 15 of 16 shots after replacing Kevin Lankinen to begin the third period of Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

It's already the second time this season that Lankinen has gotten an early hook, and Merilainen has looked sharp in a low-pressure relief situation. While Lankinen has faced the tougher assignments, the difference in their numbers so far couldn't be more stark -- Merilainen has won his only start while producing a 1.62 GAA and .941 save percentage in five periods of action, while Lankinen is 1-3-0 with a hideous 7.06 GAA and .786 save percentage. The Canucks play back-to-back games this weekend on the road against the Devils and Rangers as they continue an east coast swing, and if Merilainen outplays Lankinen once again, he could make a quick push to the top of the depth chart.

Lankinen gave up six goals on 18 shots before being replaced by Leevi Merilainen to begin the third period of Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

It's the second time in four starts to begin the season that Lankinen has gotten the hook, and the third time he's coughed up at least five goals. The 31-year-old netminder's dreadful 7.06 GAA and .786 save percentage can't even be blamed on the defense in front of him, as Merilainen has a 1.62 GAA and .941 save percentage in his start and two relief appearances. Lankinen's hold on the No. 1 job in the Vancouver crease may not last much longer if he can't regain some confidence quickly.

Yakemchuk scored the game-winning goal on the power play in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Flyers.

With the score tied 1-1 midway through the third period, Yakenchuk unleashed a one-timer from the blue line that zipped through traffic and got past Joseph Woll. It was Yakemchuk's first goal of the season and the second of his career in eight regular-season NHL games, and both of the 21-year-old blueliner's points in 2026-27 so far have come as part of the second power-play unit. He may lose that assignment once Jake Sanderson (lower body) is cleared to return after getting injured in the Senators' opener, but Yakemchuk is making a strong early impression to begin his first full campaign.

Ullmark stopped 28 shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Flyers.

A Matvei Michkov power-play tally in the second period ruined his shutout bid, but otherwise Ullmark looked sharp. The veteran netminder was shaken up in his prior outing Monday and exited early after a collision in the crease, but he appears as though he's none the worse for wear. Ullmark could find himself right back between the pipes for Saturday's home game against the Predators, especially given his 3-0-0 record, 1.13 GAA and .956 save percentage to start the season.

Woll made 24 saves in Thursday's 2-1 loss to Ottawa.

A Carter Yakemchuk one-timer through traffic on a Senators power play in the third period proved to be the difference. The Flyers remain winless on the season, but Woll has done everything he can to keep the team in the games he's started, going 0-1-2 with a 2.61 GAA and .927 save percentage. In his three outings, however, Philly's only managed to score five total goals.

McBain scored Utah's lone goal in a 6-1 loss to Boston on Thursday.

He fired three shots and also delivered three hits. McBain is a consistent 25-to-27 point, 268-hit performer over the last four seasons. His value lies in banger leagues.

Brunet picked up a power-play assist, two shots on goal, two hits and four blocked shots in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Mammoth.

Brunet broke camp with the Bruins and has now played in the last two contests. He's logged seven blocked shots, three shots on net and a plus-1 rating in addition to his assist, which was the first point of his NHL career. The 23-year-old defenseman's time on the top power-play unit could be short, as Charlie McAvoy figures to resume that role Tuesday after the conclusion of his suspension. The Bruins could carry eight blueliners moving forward, but that could lead to part-time roles for all of Brunet, Mason Lohrei and Jonathan Aspirot.

Paul scored a goal on two shots and blocked three shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Golden Knights.

Paul was given credit for the Maple Leafs' third goal, which came on a rocket of a shot from Darren Raddysh that deflected on the way in. Through five games this season, Paul has two points, seven shots on net, nine hits, five blocked shots and a minus-3 rating while skating in a third-line role. He was limited to 15 points in 51 regular-season outings last year with the Lightning, but he had topped the 40-point mark in the two campaigns before that injury-affected downturn. At best, he's an option for banger leagues who can provide enough streaky offense to catch some attention in standard formats in short bursts.

Cowan scored a goal on four shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Golden Knights.

Cowan was moved up to the second line for this contest, trading places with Gavin McKenna. The move paid off early, as Cowan's tally put the Maple Leafs ahead 2-0 early in the first period. Through five contests, the 21-year-old winger has two goals, two assists, 11 shots on net, seven hits and an even plus-minus rating. If he can stick in the top six, Cowan has breakout potential this year, but Toronto is still mixing and matching the line combinations to find some consistent success.