Several NHL teams are adjusting lineups due to injuries as they prepare for games on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Key players like Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone will sit out, while Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin is set to return. Updates also include debuts and ongoing recoveries across the league.
The NHL Status Report for March 3, 2026, provides updates on player availability amid a busy schedule of games.
For the Vegas Golden Knights, captain Mark Stone will not play against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MSG-B). Stone left a 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday in the first period after a check to his left arm. "He's out tonight. We'll keep him as day to day," coach Bruce Cassidy said. Stone has 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) in 43 games this season and contributed four points (two goals, two assists) in six games for Team Canada at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, where they won silver.
The Minnesota Wild expect defenseman Jonas Brodin to return for their home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning (9:30 p.m. ET; TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, The Spot). Brodin missed 14 games with a lower-body injury and was paired with Jared Spurgeon at the morning skate. "I think with 'Brodes' coming back, just the ability to move pucks and defend and the situations that we rely on him quite a bit, it's nice to have him back," coach John Hynes said. Brodin, who underwent surgery on Jan. 22 after being named to Team Sweden on Jan. 5, has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 42 games. Forward Marcus Foligno was placed on injured reserve Monday and is week to week with a lower-body injury from a 5-2 loss at the Utah Mammoth on Friday. "Not season-ending, no," Hynes said. Forward Robby Fabbri, claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Monday, will make his Wild debut.
The Florida Panthers will welcome forward Tomas Nosek back against the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, SCRIPPS, TNT). Nosek missed the first 60 games with a knee injury and is expected to start as fourth-line center. "I'm expecting him to keep his shifts short, keep his game as simple as he possibly can," coach Paul Maurice said. Nosek had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 59 regular-season games last year and three assists in 16 playoff games during Florida's second straight Stanley Cup win. Defenseman Seth Jones remains week to week with an upper-body injury, missing his 21st game since the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2.
Other notable updates include New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller on injured reserve with an upper-body injury (38 points in 51 games); Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson missing a fourth game due to a lower-body injury (46 points in 55 games); Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen out with an upper-body injury (42 points in 59 games); Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey potentially returning by the weekend after an upper-body injury from the Olympics; and Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Gage Goncalves and Dominic James missing at least two games with undisclosed injuries.
These adjustments come as teams return from the Olympic break, with coaches emphasizing careful management of recoveries.