NHL Player News

Makar scored twice, added an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Flames.

The Calgary native was one of three Avalanche skaters to log two goals. Makar has three goals, three assists, 10 shots on net, six blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over four contests so far this season. That's a good pace for any defenseman. Makar should continue to pile up points throughout the year.

Swayman made 36 saves in a 6-1 win over Utah on Thursday.

Swayman is now 3-1-0 with one shutout, a 1.98 GAA and .932 save percentage in four starts this season. His three wins tie him for first in the NHL. Swayman is off to an outstanding start to the season. It may be hard to sustain these ratios, but he'll be a top-10 fantasy netminder all year.

Wedgewood stopped 26 of 29 shots in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Flames.

Wedgewood wasn't great in his first start of the year, but the Avalanche gave him plenty of support. The 34-year-old netminder did well with a steady workload in 2025-26, posting a 2.02 GAA and a .921 save percentage over a career-high 45 regular-season games. With Mackenzie Blackwood off to a strong start this year, that kind of consistent playing time may not be available to Wedgewood. Expect Blackwood to be back in the crease Saturday versus the Maple Leafs, though the two goalies should split next week's home-and-home set against the Stars.

Pastrnak scored two power-play goals and added two assists, including one with the man advantage, in a 6-1 win over Utah on Thursday.

The goals were his first two of the season and the Bruins' first two on the man advantage. The team went into the contest 0-for-10 through four games. One of Pastrnak's goals stood as the winner. It was his 19th four-point game to move past Adam Oates for eighth most in team history, and he tied Brad Marchand (442) for fourth on the franchise's all-time goals list. Pastrnak needs just five more goals to tie Patrice Bergeron (427) for third on the list, and he could pass Phil Esposito (459) this season if he hits the 40-goal mark.

Coleman scored a power-play goal Thursday in a 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay.

Coleman beat Dennis Hildeby high glove side from the left circle. He plays a lead role on the Wild's second power-play unit, and all three of his points this season (two goals, one assist) have come with the man advantage. Coleman will give you surprising value off the wire, at least for now. It won't last, though, or at least his history suggests it won't. Coleman is a pretty consistent mid-to-high 30s point guy, but he does have one standout 30-goal, 54-point season. Take advantage for now.

Wallstedt made 32 saves in a 3-2 loss to the Lightning on Thursday.

It was Wallstedt's first regulation loss of the season, but the loss wasn't on him. He earned the game's third star for his performance. Wallstedt is now 2-1-1 with a 1.98 GAA and .927 save percentage; he has started all four Minnesota games so far.

Hughes had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Hughes has put up points in all four Minnesota games this season (two goals, four assists), and he has recorded 14 shots. He played a whopping 32:36 on Thursday night, something that could cause significant wear and tear if it continues at that level. At the same time, Hughes is averaging 28 minutes which is consistent with his ice time in both Minny and Vancouver last season. He's delivered 76 points in three of his last four years, and he's also put up a 92-point season in 2023-24. This will be a huge year for Hughes.

Kucherov picked up two assists Thursday in a 3-2 win over Minnesota.

Kucherov is on a season-long point streak (one goal, five assists; four games). He's in a multi-player tie for 12th in the NHL in points. Kucherov has averaged 42 goals over the last three seasons and is coming off a Hart-winning season where he buried 44 goals and added 86 assists. Goals will come.

Hildeby made 34 saves in a 3-2 win over Minnesota on Thursday.

He was named the game's second star in his Lightning debut. Hildeby is a massive, athletic netminder who is getting his first true shot as an NHL backup. He started 14 games in Toronto last season, going 5-7-4 with a 2.86 GAA and .914 save percentage. Hildeby now plays in a stronger system and will get 20-25 starts this season. He's a solid play in daily formats when he's in the blue paint.

Cirelli scored a goal Thursday in a 3-2 win over the Wild.

It came on a redirection early in the first period. It was Cirelli's first goal and point of the season. The second-line pivot is coming off two, 52-plus point campaigns, recording a combined plus-68 rating and averaging 25 goals. Cirelli should be able to deliver similar numbers this season in a strong Tampa system.