NHL Player News

Kuzmenko scored a power-play goal in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Red Wings.

Kuzmenko found the back of the net with his lone shot on net in the game. He has a 21.1 shooting percentage in January after tallying four goals on 19 shots across 13 contests. During that 13-game stretch, the 29-year-old has also racked up five assists, nine points, a plus-2 rating and four blocked shots.

Fabbro (lower body) won't play Wednesday versus Philadelphia, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

Fabbro has three goals, seven points, 16 PIM, 48 shots, 42 hits and 81 blocks in 48 appearances in 2025-26. He's missed Columbus' past three games due to the injury. The 27-year-old typically serves on the third pairing when he is healthy.

Perry scored a goal and had two shots in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Red Wings.

Perry missed three games between Jan. 14 and Jan. 17 due to a personal matter, but he's picked things up right where he left them, tallying three points in his last three contests. The veteran forward is not the player he once was, but he remains productive and a steady source of scoring as a top-six forward. Perry has cracked the scoresheet in his last five outings and in nine of the last 10, tallying 11 points (four goals, seven helpers) over that stretch.

Forsberg stopped 27 of 28 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Red Wings.

Forsberg has looked impressive in his last two appearances, winning both times. He's allowed just two goals on 56 shots faced over that stretch and could continue to see starts here and there. That said, he probably won't be taking over the team's No. 1 role between the pipes from Darcy Kuemper any time soon.

Rittich was the first goalie off during Wednesday's morning skate, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports, indicating that he'll draw the home start against the Rangers.

Rittich enters Wednesday's clash looking to bounce back after losing each of his last three starts with a 3.08 GAA and an .864 save percentage during that time. Overall, the 33-year-old goalie has an 11-7-3 record, a 2.57 GAA and a .902 save percentage across 21 outings this season. After serving as the backup for the multi-game stretches to begin the calendar year, he and Ilya Sorokin will alternate at least four starts for the first time since early December. The nine-year NHL veteran Rittich will face a Rangers offense that he shut out at home Dec. 27, which should give him a strong fantasy outlook ahead of the favorable matchup.

Reimer is expected to start at home against Colorado on Wednesday, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

Reimer has lost his last two starts while allowing four goals in each of those outings. He's 1-2-1 with a 3.32 GAA and an .871 save percentage in four appearances with Ottawa this season. The Avalanche are an extremely difficult adversary for goaltenders, ranking first in the league with 3.94 goals per game.

Pulock (upper body) is considered a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Rangers, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.

After leaving last Wednesday's game against Seattle due to an upper-body injury, Pulock has a chance to return to the lineup following a two-game absence. The Islanders made space in their crowded defensive core Tuesday when they sent Isaiah George down to AHL Bridgeport. Through 50 games this season, Pulock has posted solid all-around numbers with 21 points, 62 shots on net, 34 hits and 93 blocked shots. If the 31-year-old blueliner returns Wednesday, he'll likely slot into the third defensive pairing alongside Carson Soucy, who will get his shot at revenge against the Rangers, who traded him Monday.

Holmstrom (illness) was on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports, signaling that he's slated to return to action against the Rangers.

Holmstrom missed Monday's matchup against the Flyers due to an illness, but he should be back after a one-game absence. Across 11 appearances since the start of the calendar year, he's recorded four goals, two assists, five blocked shots, four PIM and a plus-5 rating while averaging 17:57 of ice time.

Ritchie (lower body) will not be in action for Wednesday's clash with the Rangers, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

While Ritchie was deemed day-to-day with his lower-body problem, a return to the lineup against the Rangers on Thursday in the second half of the back-to-back seems unlikely. Prior to getting hurt, Ritchie had produced four assists in his last five outings, which should be enough get him back into the lineup despite the team's acquisition of Ondrej Palat from New Jersey on Tuesday.

Merzlikins was the first goalie to leave the ice Wednesday, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports, indicating he'll guard the cage at home versus the Flyers.

Marzlikins had his scheduled start for Monday's home game against the Kings postponed due to severe winter weather. However, he will get a chance in Wednesday's matchup to continue his recent success. He has won two of his last three starts while stopping 64 of 70 shots. With a road back-to-back versus Chicago and St. Louis on Friday and Saturday, respectively, Merzlikins figures to split those two contests with Jet Greaves.