NHL Player News

Connelly scored the game-winning goal on two shots in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Red Wings.

Connelly broke a 1-1 tie with 1:42 remaining in regulation, beating Daniil Tarasov with a wrist shot after receiving a pass from Jack Eichel. The rookie has scored in three consecutive games, bringing his season total to seven goals. His recent finishing form is encouraging, though his limited offensive workload and bottom-six role could make sustaining that production complicated.

Head coach Paul Maurice said Friday that Marchand (knee) will travel with the Panthers during their upcoming three-game road trip, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

The Panthers' road trip begins Saturday in Washington and runs through Tuesday in Columbus, but Marchand isn't expected to return to game action during that span. Instead, the team hopes that the 38-year-old will be able to take part in Tuesday's morning skate in Columbus since the Panthers aren't slated to have many opportunities to practice in November. Head coach Paul Maurice said last week that Marchand was approximately three weeks away from returning, so it seems as though he could be in consideration for game action as soon as mid-November.

Head coach Paul Maurice said Friday that Barkov (knee) will travel with the Panthers during their upcoming three-game road trip, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Barkov isn't expected to return to game action during the road trip, which begins Saturday in Washington and concludes Tuesday in Columbus, but the Panthers aren't slated to have many practices in November, so the 31-year-old could join the team for morning skate prior to Florida's game against the Blue Jackets. Maurice said last week that Barkov was still believed to be approximately four weeks away from returning to game action, so it seems unlikely that he'll be in the mix to return until at least mid-to-late November.

Wolf will get the starting nod at home versus the Ducks on Friday, Pat Steinberg of QR Calgary 770 AM reports.

Wolf is undefeated in regulation over his last three contests, posting a 2-0-1 record, 1.66 GAA and .936 save percentage. With the 25-year-old netminder making his third straight start, it seems that he has reclaimed the No. 1 job after sitting four straight in late October.

Gibson (lower body) participated in Friday's practice session, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gibson sustained a lower-body injury during Tuesday's game against the Lightning, and he was unavailable for Thursday's matchup against the Golden Knights. It's not yet clear whether Gibson will be able to suit up for Saturday's road game against Colorado, but he doesn't appear to be facing a long-term absence.

Shaw was recalled from AHL Iowa on Friday.

Shaw has been shuffled between the AHL and NHL clubs in recent weeks, and he'll rejoin Minnesota after being sent down Wednesday. He hasn't yet appeared in a game at the NHL level to begin the 2026-27 campaign, but he'll provide additional depth while Nick Foligno (upper body) and Marcus Foligno (lower body) remain sidelined.

Kleven (illness) was back at practice Friday, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

With Kleven's return to practice, he should be good to go ahead of Saturday's clash with Utah. In 16 games this year, the 24-year-old blueliner has notched two goals, one assist, and 22 shots while averaging a career-high 20:14 of ice time. Given his offensive limitations, Kleven won't offer much in the way of fantasy value, though he might generate enough hits to be of use in banger leagues.

Luukkonen is expected to be in goal at home versus the Blue Jackets on Friday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Luukkonen has appeared in 10 games this season, going 4-3-3 with a 3.40 GAA and a career-worst .874 save percentage. At this point, Luukkonen will likely continue to rotate the starts with Colten Ellis, and could face the prospect of even fewer opportunities once Alex Lyon (upper body) is cleared to return.

Livanavage was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday.

Livanavage served as a healthy scratch for Thursday's clash with the Bruins. With Kaedan Korczak fully fit, the Penguins don't need to keep an extra blueliner around, hence Livanavage's demotion. Barring additional injuries, the youngster will likely play the bulk of his games in the minors this year.

Dobson collected two assists in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over Utah.

The veteran blueliner helped set up goals by Nick Suzuki in the first period and Adam Engstrom in the third. Dobson had a sluggish start to the season, but over the last four games he's roared to life with five assists, including his first power-play point. After scoring double-digit goals in each of the last five seasons, however, Dobson's still looking to light the lamp for the first time in 2026-27.