NHL Player News

Hellebuyck is slated to guard the visiting cage in Columbus on Saturday, according to Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site.

It's been a tough campaign for Hellebuyck after winning the Vezina Trophy in each of the previous two seasons. Hellebuyck is 20-21-11 with a 2.81 GAA and an .898 save percentage across 52 appearances. The Blue Jackets have posted 3.08 goals per game, which ranks 17th in the NHL in 2025-26.

Allen will patrol the home crease against Montreal on Saturday, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Allen has won his last three outings while stopping 80 of the 90 shots he has faced. He has a 16-16-1 record this campaign with one shutout, a 2.70 GAA and a .905 save percentage across 34 appearances. Montreal is tied for third in the league with 3.51 goals per game this season.

Schwindt (lower body) was activated from long-term injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Following a 17-game absence, Schwindt will be available to return to the lineup against Pittsburgh on Saturday. He has accounted for three goals, one assist, 12 shots on net, eight blocked shots and 25 hits in 22 appearances this season.

Protas (upper body) will return to action versus Buffalo on Saturday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Protas missed the last two games with the injury. He has 23 goals, 24 assists and 147 shots on goal over 70 games this season. He should return to the top line, alongside Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin.

Protas (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against Buffalo, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Protas participated in Saturday's morning skate and didn't stay on the ice for extra work, which is a good sign that he could return from a two-game absence. He has contributed 23 goals, 47 points and 147 shots on net across 70 outings this campaign.

Kleven (upper body) is week-to-week, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia on Saturday.

Kleven sustained the injury in Thursday's 4-1 win over Buffalo, and he could miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season. He has earned three goals, 18 points, 90 shots on net, 94 blocked shots and 126 hits across 70 appearances this campaign.

Sanderson (upper body) will be a game-time call versus Minnesota on Saturday, per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

Sanderson has missed the last 13 games after being injured in Seattle on March 7. The defenseman has 11 goals and 37 assists in 62 appearances this season, including 19 points on the power play. If Sanderson is unable to play, Jorian Donovan, who was recalled Saturday from AHL Belleville, will enter the lineup.

Thompson is slated to patrol the home crease versus Buffalo on Saturday, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Thompson will make his 10th straight start, as Charlie Lindgren is firmly nailed down to the bench in the backup role. Thompson is 27-21-6 with a pair of shutouts, a 2.53 GAA and a .909 save percentage over 54 games in 2025-26. The Sabres are generating 3.41 goals per game, seventh in the league this season.

Yakemchuk (concussion) doesn't have a timeline for his return to the lineup, per Claire Hanna of TSN on Thursday.

Yakemchuk sustained the injury in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to Florida. He may be unavailable for at least one week while going through concussion protocol, but an exact timeline for his return is unclear. He has one goal, one assist, five shots on net and four blocked shots across four NHL appearances this season.

Brunicke was assigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

Brunicke has one goal, eight shots on net, 13 blocked shots and four hits in nine NHL outings this season. He also had two goals and 24 points in 24 regular-season games with WHL Kamloops in 2025-26 before adding one assist in four playoff appearances.