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Gavin McKenna Delivers in First-Line Role
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Gavin McKenna had the best game of his rookie campaign on Wednesday night against Seattle, finishing a 5-4 loss with three points. He scored two power-play goals and recorded an even-strength assist. This was an important night for McKenna, as he was promoted to the first line and saw increased power-play usage. Toronto's first line, which also includes Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic, combined for eight points. While McKenna's offensive production has been inconsistent so far, he's now in a good position to boost his scoring tally. The 18-year-old has five goals and 11 points through his first 15 NHL outings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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Albert Johansson to Miss Thursday's Action
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson (undisclosed) won't play on Thursday against Chicago, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. This will be his second consecutive absence after Johansson was a late scratch for Monday's contest against Edmonton. Johansson averages a block per game, but offers very little offensively. In 11 outings this season, he has no goals and one assist. Forward Carter Mazur filled the void in the lineup on Monday, logging 5:10 on the fourth line. The likes of Andreas Englund and William Wallinder could see more ice time during Johansson's absence, but they don't have any fantasy appeal.
Source: Helene St. James
Source: Helene St. James
Justin Brazeau Sent to AHL for Conditioning Stint
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Justin Brazeau (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve Wednesday and assigned to the AHL for a conditioning stint. Brazeau needs to get his feet back under him after missing the start of the season with a lower-body injury. He should be back with the Penguins soon. Brazeau scored a career-high 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 64 appearances during his first year in Pittsburgh last season. He'll be in contention for a bottom-six role when he returns to the big club.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Sam Steel Likely to Return Thursday
Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel (undisclosed) will likely return to the lineup on Thursday against Montreal. Steel has sat out a pair of games with an undisclosed injury. Despite occasionally seeing time in the top six, Steel has been quiet this season. He has averaged barely one SOG per game and has only three points (one goal, two assists) in 10 games, making him irrelevant in fantasy hockey. Steel will likely replace either Matthew Seminoff or Dylan Hryckowian in the lineup against the Canadiens.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Josh Manson Exits With Lower-Body Injury
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (lower body) exited Wednesday's 5-2 win over New Jersey in the first period, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. The 35-year-old was limited to 4:06 of ice time due to a lower-body injury. With Manson out, Sam Malinski stepped up on the blue line and delivered two assists. The team could lean on Malinski even more in the upcoming games if Manson misses time. Noah Juulsen is his potential replacement in the lineup.
Source: Aarif Deen
Source: Aarif Deen
Devin Cooley Sustains Lower-Body Injury Versus Oilers
Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley (lower body) couldn't finish Wednesday's Battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers. He sustained a lower-body injury when Oilers forward Colton Dach collided with him near the end of the first period. Cooley stayed in the game to finish the period but didn't return for the second. He allowed one goal on nine SOG. His replacement, Dustin Wolf, gave up three goals on 23 SOG. Cooley has played a key role in Calgary's recent resurgence, winning four straight games before Wednesday night. Everyone on the team will have their fingers crossed that Cooley dodged a bullet and won't have to miss significant time.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Kyle Capobianco to Miss One Week
Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco (lower body) will be out for one week. He sustained a lower-body injury in a collision with New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier in Tuesday's 5-1 loss. Recently, Capobianco has seen regular action due to Esa Lindell's (lower body) absence. Yet he hasn't made a significant impact and is still searching for his first points of the year after five appearances. The Stars are expected to call up reinforcements from the minors, as the team has only five healthy defensemen heading into Thursday's game against Montreal.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Brandon Hagel a Game-Time Decision Thursday
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's clash against Winnipeg, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. Hagel has been highly productive early in the season, with seven goals and six assists in 12 games. If Hagel is unable to suit up against the Jets, Dominic James will likely get a chance to rejoin the lineup. Meanwhile, Ilya Mikheyev will be a candidate for a larger role, though he probably won't have many fans among fantasy managers because of his lack of offensive production this season.
Source: Erik Erlendsson
Source: Erik Erlendsson
Chris Tanev Upgraded to Day-to-Day
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (upper body) was upgraded to day-to-day on Wednesday. He's been out week-to-week since mid-October. However, the veteran rearguard is nearing his return. Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller hasn't ruled out Tanev for Saturday's contest against Vancouver. Tanev brings veteran leadership and a no-nonsense defensive approach, but he offers little fantasy value. In six outings this season, Tanev has registered one assist, one SOG, and 14 blocks. He will miss at least one more game, with Toronto facing Seattle on Wednesday.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Kirill Marchenko Considered Week-to-Week
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Kirill Marchenko (lower body) is week-to-week, the team announced Wednesday. Marchenko suffered a lower-body injury against Calgary on Monday night and will likely miss at least a handful of games. The Russian forward has quickly adapted to his new surroundings, posting 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in as many games with the Maple Leafs. Bo Groulx is expected to fill the gap in the lineup, while Gavin McKenna will have a larger role. The No. 1 pick joined the first line at Wednesday's practice. Easton Cowan moved to the second line.
Source: TSN
Source: TSN
Oilers Place Zach Hyman On Injured Reserve
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (neck) was placed on Injured Reserve Wednesday. He's dealing with a stiff neck and must sit out at least three games, starting with Wednesday's tilt against Calgary. Hyman has already missed six games this season due to health issues. He has one goal and no assists in six appearances. Colton Dach, fresh off a two-point performance, will replace Hyman on the second line. Dach bagged his first points of the season in Monday's shootout loss to Detroit. Repeating that success versus Calgary seems unlikely, but Dach's fantasy outlook improves with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kasperi Kapanen on his line.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Mattias Ekholm Cleared to Play Against Flames
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (concussion) is ready to rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night against Calgary. He has sat out two games after sustaining a concussion last week. Ekholm has appeared in 10 games this season, recording three points (one goal, two assists), nine SOG, eight blocks, and five hits. He's also among the league leaders with a plus-15 rating. The Swedish veteran will skate in his usual spot on the first defensive pairing and join the second power-play unit. His return will push Jake Walman out of the lineup.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Logan Thompson Available Wednesday
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is the projected starter for Wednesday's matchup against Philadelphia. Thompson was the first goalie off the ice following the morning skate. He's practiced at full capacity for a few days, suggesting Thompson is back at 100 percent. The 29-year-old missed Washington's previous game due to a lower-body injury. Thompson has won only one of his last four starts, but his overall numbers remain strong. He carries a 4-3-0 record and has posted a 2.90 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nicolas Roy Likely to Play Wednesday
Colorado Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy (lower body) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice and appears ready to return to action, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. Roy has been sidelined for six games due to a lower-body injury. After averaging 11:41 of ice time through his first six outings of the year, Roy will play a more prominent role. On Tuesday, he skated on the second line alongside Gabriel Landeskog and Brock Nelson. Despite limited ice time, Roy has been productive, scoring two goals and recording two assists in six games. He could make an even bigger impact in a larger role.
Source: Aarif Deen
Source: Aarif Deen
Radek Faksa a Week Away From Returning
Dallas Stars center Radek Faksa (lower body) is a week away from returning, the Stars' radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports. Faksa missed a second straight game on Tuesday night against New Jersey. Dallas will play at least three more games without him. Faksa has one assist in 10 games, making his absence irrelevant in fantasy. Sam Steel (undisclosed) has also missed a pair of games, giving Matthew Seminoff and Dylan Hryckowian opportunities to play, but they have seen very limited ice time.
Source: Bruce LeVine
Source: Bruce LeVine
Esa Lindell Nearing Return
Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (lower body) is expected to rejoin the lineup soon. Before Tuesday's matchup against New Jersey, Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan said Lindell is 4-5 days away from returning. The Finnish rearguard has missed four games due to a lower-body injury. Kyle Capobianco (leg) has played during Lindell's absence, but he was hurt on Tuesday night. After matching his career high with 32 points last term, Lindell hasn't scored any points in eight appearances this season. But he's been busy in the defensive zone, averaging 2.25 blocks per game.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Benjamin Kindel Returns to Practice
Pittsburgh Penguins center Benjamin Kindel (vasovagal episode) returned to practice on Tuesday. A week ago, Kindel fainted on a team flight and has sat out two games after having a "vasovagal episode." Kindel was cleared to start doing some conditioning work over the weekend and is eager to return to action. Penguins head coach Dan Muse said the teenage forward looked "good" on the second line at Tuesday's practice. The Penguins placed Kindel on Injured Reserve, but he could return soon. The team faces Utah in its next game on Thursday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jared Spurgeon Exits Early Versus Mammoth
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (undisclosed) was injured in Tuesday's win over the Utah Mammoth, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports. The Wild captain left the contest in the second period after blocking two shots within 15 seconds while killing a penalty. Spurgeon only recently returned from an upper-body injury that cost him four games. After a season-opening five-game point streak, he hasn't contributed any offense. In 10 appearances, Spurgeon has recorded five points (one goal, four assists), 13 SOG, 19 blocks, eight hits, and a plus-six rating. David Spacek will re-enter the lineup if Spurgeon misses time.
Source: Dylan Loucks
Source: Dylan Loucks
Taylor Hall to Miss More Time
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (undisclosed) will miss "a little time," Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports Tuesday. After sitting out five games due to an upper-body injury, Hall was activated from Injured Reserve Monday. However, he wasn't available for Tuesday's contest against Boston. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Hall "tweaked" something. Hall's spot on the second line has been filled by Nikolaj Ehlers, who extended his point streak to four games on Tuesday. William Carrier is riding on the first line and has been productive at times this season.
Source: Cory Lavalette
Source: Cory Lavalette
James Reimer Day-to-Day With Upper-Body Injury
New York Rangers goaltender James Reimer (upper body) is day-to-day, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports. Reimer struggled in his Rangers debut on Monday against L.A., was pulled after the first period, and it's now unclear when he will get his next opportunity to play. The Rangers' net appears cursed by injuries this season, giving Dylan Garand a unique chance to enjoy life as a regular starter. After a strong start, Garand has lost momentum, winning just one of his last five starts. It might not be long before Spencer Martin gets a run of games in the Rangers' crease.
Source: Vince Z. Mercogliano
Source: Vince Z. Mercogliano
Bowen Byram Remains Out Against Kings
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram (upper body) will miss a fifth straight game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports. While Byram was initially labeled as day-to-day when he exited the lineup due to an upper-body injury, it's been two weeks since he last played. Byram wore a non-contact jersey during the morning skate, so he still has hurdles to clear before he's available. The Blackhawks invested heavily in Byram, but they haven't seen much return. He has recorded one assist, five SOG, nine blocks, and two hits in six games this season.
Source: Mark Lazerus
Source: Mark Lazerus
