NHL Player News

Carlson (lower body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Predators.

Carlson picked up a power-play assist in the first period and added two blocked shots in 7:03 of ice time. The defenseman will have nearly three weeks to recover during the Olympic break. If the injury isn't too significant, he should be able to suit up Feb. 25 versus the Flyers, but the Capitals will likely have some sort of update available when they reconvene during the break following some time off.

Greenway (abdomen) won't play Thursday versus the Penguins, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.

Greenway will miss seven straight games heading into the Olympic break. While it's possible the time off will allow him to heal, the oft-injured winger isn't a guarantee to be in the lineup once healthy.

Acciari (illness) is slated to miss Thursday's game in Buffalo, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic.

Acciari has six goals, 15 points, 46 hits and 31 blocks in 42 outings in 2025-26. Avery Hayes might be in line to make his NHL debut due to the absence of Acciari.

Wood was reassigned to AHL Milwaukee on Thursday.

Wood will continue playing regularly at the AHL level during the NHL's Olympic break. The 20-year-old has earned 17 points, 68 shots on net and 36 hits over 46 NHL appearances this season.

Vilmanis (upper body) is set to play Thursday versus Tampa Bay, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Vilmanis exited Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over Boston, but it seems he won't miss a full game due to the injury. He has two goals, four points, four PIM and 27 hits in 13 appearances while averaging 10:07 of ice time this season. Vilmanis is projected to serve on the fourth line against the Lightning.

Ekblad has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lightning for an undisclosed reason, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

While the reason for Ekblad's absence isn't yet known, he's one of several players who will miss the Panthers' final game before the Olympic break. The 29-year-old has recorded a goal, five assists, 24 hits, 24 blocked shots and 17 PIM while averaging 22:45 of ice time over 17 appearances since the start of the calendar year. Mikulas Hovorka will draw into the lineup to make his NHL debut Thursday, while head coach Paul Maurice indicated that he isn't concerned about Ekblad's status following the Olympic break.

Marchand (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup Thursday versus Tampa Bay, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Marchand returned from an undisclosed injury for Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over Boston, but he logged just 10:55 of ice time in that game. It's not clear if Marchand is dealing with a new injury or if this is an extension of the issue that previously forced him to miss time. Marchand's next chance to play for Florida will come Feb. 26 versus Toronto, but if he's healthy, Marchand is expected to play for Team Canada during the Olympics. Canada's first game of the tournament is set for Feb. 12 against Czechia.

Rodrigues will miss Thursday's game in Tampa Bay due to an illness, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Rodrigues has 10 goals and 25 points in 56 outings in 2025-26. Luke Kunin is set to draw into the lineup due to Rodrigues' absence. This is Panthers' final game before the Olympic break, so Rodrigues' next opportunity to play for Florida will come Feb. 26 versus Toronto.

Tarasov is set to start on the road against Tampa Bay on Thursday, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Tarasov is getting his first opportunity to play since he stopped 26 of 31 shots en route to a 5-4 loss to St. Louis on Jan. 29. He's 8-7-2 with a 2.67 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 18 outings in 2025-26. Tampa Bay has been one of the league's top teams dating back to Dec. 20, posting an 18-1-1 record while scoring an outstanding 4.10 goals per game over that stretch.

Shepard was recalled from AHL Belleville on Thursday.

Shepard was sent to the AHL in late January, but he'll rejoin the Senators ahead of their final game before the Olympic break since Linus Ullmark (illness) will be unavailable. James Reimer will serve as the starter during Thursday's road matchup against Philadelphia, while Shepard will serve as the backup before presumably returning to the minors.