NHL Player News

Hovorka was recalled from AHL Charlotte on Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Hovorka could make his NHL debut Thursday in Tampa Bay, though it's more likely that he will be a healthy scratch as the Panthers' seventh blueliner. The defenseman had two goals and eight assists in 30 AHL appearances before being called up. The Panthers placed Tobias Bjornfot (undisclosed) on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Bjornfot (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Bjornfot had already been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lightning after he sustained an injury against the Bruins on Wednesday. However, his move to injured reserve won't impact his return timetable due to the Olympic break, and the transaction allows the Panthers to recall Mikulas Hovorka to provide additional depth against Tampa Bay.

Fisker Molgaard was reassigned to AHL Coachella Valley on Thursday.

Fisker Molgaard was recalled Wednesday and had no stats in 6:42 of action against the Kings. He has one assist in three NHL games this season. Fisker Molgaard had seven goals and 22 points in 36 AHL appearances before his recall.

Lyon will be between the pipes at home against the Penguins on Thursday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Lyon is 4-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and one shutout in his last five outings and has racked up 14 wins this year, matching his 2024-25 total. In fact, the veteran backstop could set a new career-best mark and top the 21 victories he recorded with the Red Wings back in 2023-24, especially if Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen remains sidelined after the Olympic break.

Rakell (lower body) has been ruled out of Thursday's clash in Buffalo, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports.

Rakell was injured during the morning skate. Rakell has 10 goals and 24 points across 35 games this season. Look for Rutger McGroarty to enter the lineup with Rakell on the shelf.

Acciari is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the Sabres due to an illness, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Acciari hasn't missed a game since early December, but he's a question mark for the Penguins' final game before the Olympic break due to his illness. Even if he's sidelined against Buffalo, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to action when Pittsburgh resumes play against the Devils on Feb. 26.

Bussi will be between the visiting pipes against the Rangers on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Bussi has won his last six starts and is a gaudy 22-3-1 with a 2.24 GAA and a .904 save percentage. This is his first season in the NHL, but at the age of 27, Bussi is not eligible for the Calder Trophy. The Rangers are generating 2.66 goals per game in 2025-26, good for 26th in the NHL.

Silovs was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports, indicating that he'll draw the road start against Buffalo.

Silovs has had mixed results in recent weeks, going 2-2-2 with a 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage over his last six starts. He'll face a touch opponent in the Penguins' final game ahead of the Olympic break, as the Sabres are tied for sixth in the NHL with 3.39 goals per game this year.

Ritchie (lower body) will return to the lineup Thursday in New Jersey, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.

It was thought that the Islanders would sit Ritchie one more game in order to give him the extra time off during the Olympic break, but Ritchie is expected to see second-line time between Emil Heineman and Jonathan Drouin, as well as first-unit power-play time. Ritchie had seven goals and 15 points in 40 games prior to missing six games with his injury.

Phillips was loaned to AHL Manitoba on Thursday.

Phillips spent the past week and a half with the Jets, but he didn't appear in any games during his time with the NHL club. He'll be sent to the minors ahead of the Olympic break and should see playing time with Manitoba during the league's layoff.