NHL Player News

McMichael scored two goals, distributed an assist and put two shots on net in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Penguins.

McMichael played a pivotal role in all three of the Capitals' goals Sunday, as he picked up a secondary helper on Trevor van Riemsdyk's goal in the second period before scoring twice himself in the third. With his trio of points, McMichael is up to 14 goals, 32 assists, 142 shots on net, 45 hits and 44 blocked shots across 77 games this season. The 25-year-old forward has been a frequent contributor to Washington's offense of late with four goals and 11 points over his last nine games. McMichael is a solid waiver-wire pickup in most fantasy formats that track category coverage ahead of the Caps' last game of the regular season Tuesday.

Wolf will start Sunday's home game against the Mammoth, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Wolf has struggled in recent outings, going 0-3-0 with a 5.71 GAA and .867 save percentage over his last three starts. However, he was successful in a home start against Utah on Dec. 6, turning aside all 28 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory.

Villalta was recalled from AHL Tucson on Sunday.

Karel Vejmelka (undisclosed) is not suiting up for Sunday's matchup in Calgary, so Villalta will serve as Vitek Vanecek's backup for at least one game. The 26-year-old Villalta has a 16-12-3 record, .895 save percentage and 3.10 GAA over 33 outings with the Roadrunners in 2025-26.

Vanecek will be in goal Sunday in Calgary, per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

This will be Vanecek's first start since March 26 against the Capitals, when he surrendered six goals on 23 shots in a 7-4 loss. The Czech netminder has played in just six games since March 5, posting a 2-2-1 record, 2.72 GAA and .890 save percentage in that time. The Flames have dropped three consecutive games against Dallas, Colorado and Seattle, netting a total of just five goals during their skid.

Vejmelka won't dress for Sunday's road game against Calgary for an undisclosed reason.

While the exact reason for Vejmelka's absence isn't yet clear, he's likely getting a night off since the Mammoth have clinched a playoff spot. Vitek Vanecek will draw the start against Calgary, while Matt Villalta was called up from AHL Tucson to serve as the No. 2 option. It's not yet clear whether Vejmelka will start in either of Utah's final two regular-season games, which are Tuesday at home against Winnipeg and Thursday at home against the Blues.

Van Riemsdyk scored a goal and fired five shots on net in Sunday's 3-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Van Riemsdyk tallied the go-ahead goal roughly midway through the second period to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead. He is up to 13 points, 44 shots on net and 95 blocked shots this season. While he has just three goals this season, his tally was important for Washington's playoff hopes, as the Capitals now sit just one point out of the final playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. Van Riemsdyk has been a steady source of blocked shots of late with 14 over his last eight games.

Thompson halted all 24 shots on goal in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Penguins.

Thompson picked up his fourth consecutive win Sunday, as well as his fourth shutout of the season. Overall, he is up to a 31-21-6 record, a 2.44 GAA and a .912 save percentage across 58 appearances this season. He's been a workhorse in net for the Capitals, appearing in 19 of the team's last 22 games. Thompson has 12 wins and a .908 save percentage in that span, making him an excellent fantasy option while the Caps make a push for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He could be a Vezina Trophy candidate thanks to his strong play this season.

Skinner stopped 23 of 25 shots on net in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Capitals.

Skinner was left on an island Sunday, as the Penguins' offense came up empty while he allowed just one goal inside the first 55 minutes of the contest. With the loss, he now holds a 23-17-9 record, an .889 save percentage and a 2.87 GAA across 49 outings this season. He's alternated wins and losses over his last seven outings, making him a risky fantasy option ahead of Pittsburgh's final game of the regular season against the Blues.

Gridin has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Utah due to an illness.

Gridin hasn't missed a game since early March, but he'll be unavailable Sunday due to his illness. He's appeared in 22 games since the Olympic break, recording three goals, 10 assists, 17 blocked shots, four hits and two PIM while averaging 15:34 of ice time. It's not yet clear when he'll be back in action, but his next opportunity to suit up will be Tuesday against the Avalanche.

Kuznetsov will be sidelined against the Mammoth on Sunday due to an upper-body injury and is day-to-day.

Kuznetsov didn't play in the final 10 minutes of Saturday's game in Seattle due to his injury, according to Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan. If Kevin Bahl (lower body) doesn't suit up Sunday, Brayden Pachal will most likely draw into the lineup in a bottom-four capacity. The Flames have two more games remaining in their season following Sunday's matchup against Utah.