NHL Player News

Lilleberg had a goal and two assists in Saturday's 4-2 win over Ottawa.

It was Lilleberg's first three-point game in the NHL, and his goal stood as the game-winner. He joined a 3-on-2 rush and finished it with a sweet backhand. Lilleberg became the fourth Norwegian player in NHL history with a three-point game, joining Mats Zuccarello (41), Espen Knutsen (four) and Patrick Thoresen (one). Lilleberg has three goals, five assists, 68 hits, 36 shots and 35 blocks in 40 games this season.

Texier (lower body) won't play Saturday versus the Predators, per the NHL media site.

Texier is set to miss his second straight game, which also makes it unlikely he'll be back Sunday versus the Hurricanes. The 26-year-old's absence will continue to be covered by Joe Veleno.

Wright won't return to Saturday's game against Buffalo due to an undisclosed injury.

Wright logged 3:36 of ice time before exiting the game. He has 11 goals and 26 points in 72 outings in 2025-26, including Saturday's action. If Wright can't play Tuesday versus Edmonton, then Jacob Melanson might draw back into the lineup.

Blackwood is expected to start at home against Winnipeg on Saturday, per Bailey Curtis of DNVR Sports.

Blackwood has won his past three outings while stopping 61 of 66 shots (.924 save percentage). He has a 21-8-1 record, 2.40 GAA and .906 save percentage in 32 outings with Colorado this season. Winnipeg is tied for 24th in goals per game with 2.82 this campaign.

Hellebuyck will protect the road goal versus the Avalanche on Saturday, Bailey Curtis of DNVR Sports reports.

Hellebuyck is 1-2-0 over three outings against the Avalanche this season, but he has done fairly well by allowing just seven goals on 90 shots in those contests. It's still a tough matchup, especially for a goalie who is 1-2-2 with 17 goals allowed over his last five appearances.

Saros will protect the home goal versus the Canadiens on Saturday.

Saros has allowed eight goals on 88 shots during his three-game winning streak. He's set for a big challenge Saturday against a Montreal team that has scored 14 times during a three-game winning streak.

Kuemper will patrol the home crease against the Mammoth on Saturday, per Eric Stephens of The Athletic.

Kuemper is coming off a 19-save performance in Thursday's 4-0 shutout win over Vancouver. He has gone 18-13-13 this campaign with a 2.60 GAA and an .899 save percentage across 46 appearances. Utah is tied for 13th in the league with 3.14 goals per game this season.

McCann (lower body) will play against Buffalo on Saturday, per the NHL media site.

McCann is returning after missing three straight games. He has 18 goals and 36 points in 44 outings in 2025-26. Seattle had previously dressed seven defensemen, but the Kraken are shifting back to 12 forwards and six blueliners with McCann back in the lineup, which will result in Cale Fleury being a healthy scratch.

Luukkonen is expected to start at home against Seattle on Saturday, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.

Luukkonen stopped 27 of 31 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss to Boston in his last start Wednesday. He has a 17-8-3 record, 2.60 GAA and .908 save percentage in 29 outings with Buffalo in 2025-26. Seattle is 3-7-1 while averaging 3.00 goals per game across its past 11 matches.

Grubauer will guard the road goal against the Sabres on Saturday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Grubauer is coming off a 30-save performance in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over Tampa Bay. He has a 13-9-3 record this campaign with a 2.63 GAA and a .909 save percentage across 28 appearances. Buffalo sits sixth in the league with 3.45 goals per game this season.