NHL Player News

Kovacevic sustained an undisclosed injury Tuesday versus the Jets and will need further evaluation, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Kovacevic was hurt during the second period after falling awkwardly following a cross-check. The 29-year-old defenseman can be considered day-to-day for now. The Devils will likely go back to a standard 12-forward, six-defensemen lineup with Riley Tufte drawing in if both Kovacevic and Anthony Mantha (neck) are out versus the Capitals on Thursday. Kovacevic picked up an assist prior to his injury.

Lafferty scored three goals in AHL Charlotte's 4-2 win over Providence on Tuesday.

Lafferty has done well since joining the AHL club in late October. He has four goals and four assists over nine outings in his first AHL action since the 2019-20 campaign. The veteran forward could work his way back into a depth role for the Panthers if he keeps up this scoring pace.

Rittich posted a 25-save shutout in AHL Utica's 4-0 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.

Rittich has started the AHL campaign 6-1-0 with a 2.16 GAA and a .912 save percentage over seven games. He is a veteran option for the Devils, but as long as Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Allen are healthy, don't expect to see Rittich at the NHL level.

Marchessault (lower body) won't play Tuesday versus the Kings, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Marchessault will miss his fourth straight game. He's officially day-to-day, but the Predators haven't provided an update on his status beyond that. Nashville visits Anaheim on Wednesday, but don't bank on Marchessault being in action for that one.

Saros will guard the road goal versus the Kings on Tuesday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Saros will make consecutive starts for the first time in over a week. He has allowed just two goals on 55 shots over his last two outings, both wins. Saros will face a Kings team that has scored 18 goals over the last five contests.

Evans (hand) is expected to be in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Wild, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Evans was injured during Monday's practice, but it appears that he will be fine to play. The 30-year-old is slated to fill his usual middle-six spot in the lineup.

McCarron (upper body) will play in Tuesday's road clash against the Canadiens.

McCarron was sidelined for Saturday's clash against the Lightning after he was forced to exit Friday's game against the Sharks with an upper-body injury. Overall, the 31-year-old center has posted three goals, eight points, a plus-6 rating, 32 shots on net, 53 hits and 17 blocked shots over 18 games this season. He's expected to rejoin Minnesota's fourth line Tuesday in place of Nico Sturm.

Gawdin was recalled from AHL Hartford on Tuesday.

Gawdin appears to be joining the Rangers for the team's upcoming pair of games in Canada. The 29-year-old center hasn't appeared in the NHL since the 2023-24 campaign. However, he's been a force at the AHL level with five goals and 14 points across 16 games with Hartford this season. Expect him to serve as a depth option during his time back in the NHL.

Smits (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site.

Smits has missed the last two games and is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The Rangers recalled forward Glenn Gawdin from AHL Hartford on Tuesday in a corresponding move.

Thompson will draw the road start in Tuesday's clash against the Senators, per Mike Vogel of the Capitals' official site.

Thompson got back in the win column Saturday with a 27-save effort in the Capitals' 4-3 win over the Panthers. The 29-year-old backstop enters Tuesday's contest with a 6-4-0 record, a 3.20 GAA and an .888 save percentage over 11 appearances this season. Despite his rough start, he remains a decent No. 2 goaltending option in fantasy given his command over the Caps' opportunities in net. He'll look to stay in the win column against the Senators on Tuesday, who rank 16th in the NHL this season with 3.11 goals per game.