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Mikael Backlund a Game-Time Call Against Maple Leafs
Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (upper body) is a game-time decision for Monday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Flames captain has missed two games with an upper-body injury. He wore a regular jersey during Monday's morning skate, an encouraging sign for his return. Backlund has tallied one goal and one assist in eight games this season. The Swedish veteran is expected to improve his output going forward, as he's regularly averaged at least 0.5 points per game during his 19-year NHL career.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
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Mats Zuccarello Placed on Injured Reserve
Los Angeles Kings right wing Mats Zuccarello (upper body) has been ruled out for Monday's clash against the New York Rangers, and the team has placed him on Injured Reserve. He will miss action for the second time this season after sitting out three games with an undisclosed injury in mid-October. Health issues have limited Zuccarello to six outings in his first year in Los Angeles. He has no goals and one assist. Zuccarello has been a consistent offensive threat in the NHL, but he can't find any rhythm when he's in and out of the lineup.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Artturi Lehkonen Stretches Point Streak to Seven Games
Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen took his point streak to seven games on Sunday, scoring the team's first goal in a 6-2 loss to Nashville. Only Edmonton's Connor McDavid (11 games) and Evan Bouchard (8) have had a longer point streak this season. Lehkonen's prolific run includes a three-game goal streak. Ranking third in the league in goals, Lehkonen is in the form of his life. He has posted 14 points (10 goals, four assists) in 12 games. At best, Lehkonen has been a 50-point guy in the NHL, so he's unlikely to maintain his scoring rate until the end of the season. But he's a very appealing fantasy option right now.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ryan O'Reilly Amasses Four Points Against Avalanche
Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly was the main man in Sunday's matchup with Colorado, recording two goals and two assists in a 6-2 victory. He finished with three power-play points. Nashville ranks third in power-play efficiency, which adds fantasy appeal for its players. O'Reilly is part of a well-functioning top line in Nashville. He has six goals and six assists in 11 outings. Half of his points (6), including four goals, have come with the man advantage. While O'Reilly has averaged over a point per game this season, he could have trouble contributing offensively in Tuesday's clash against the Islanders, who are fourth in the league with an 86.1 percent penalty kill.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jason Robertson Strikes Twice in Sunday's Win
Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson extended his multi-point streak to four games with a two-goal effort in Sunday's 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders. Recently, Robertson has stood out with his playmaking, but he showed great finishing ability in this contest, grabbing two goals on three SOG. Overall, he has notched five goals and eight assists in 11 games. To set a new career high with a five-game multi-point streak, Robertson must find a way to do damage against the Devils' solid defense on Tuesday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Quinn Hughes Reaches 500 Career Points in Return to Vancouver
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes showed the Vancouver Canucks what they are missing on Sunday, registering a goal and an assist in a 4-2 road win. A second-period power-play goal that proved to be the game-winner gave Hughes 500 career points. His assist came early in the third during even-strength play, helping Kirill Kaprizov continue his extraordinary start to the campaign. Hughes has been on fire since opening night, amassing 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 13 games. He has been held off the score sheet just twice. If Hughes maintains his current scoring rate and avoids health issues, he would post his first career 100-point season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cole Caufield Records Two Assists in Heritage Classic Win
Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield had his first multi-assist game of the season when the team beat the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in the Heritage Classic on Sunday. Montreal's rising star showed world-class playmaking in the second frame, matching an NHL outdoor-game record with a two-assist period. After a disappointing start to the season, Caufield has recently built momentum. He has picked up multiple points in three of his last four appearances. 11 games into the season, Caufield leads the Canadiens with six goals and has 10 points.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rangers Sign James Reimer to One-Year Deal
Goaltender James Reimer joined the New York Rangers on Sunday, signing a one-year, $850,000 contract. The Rangers needed to add goalie depth after losing Igor Shesterkin (knee) for the year. Currently, the team is also without Joonas Korpisalo (lower body). Reimer is a highly experienced netminder with nearly 500 career starts. Last season, he had a stint with the Ottawa Senators, posting a 7-4-2 record, a 2.42 goals-against average, and an .886 save percentage. In New York, Reimer will fill backup duties behind Dylan Garand.
Source: New York Rangers
Source: New York Rangers
Samuel Girard Practices Sunday
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Samuel Girard (undisclosed) participated in Sunday's practice. Although the Penguins placed Girard on Injured Reserve Saturday, he appears to be close to returning to the lineup. The 28-year-old missed a third straight game on Saturday against Nashville. Girard has been in top form offensively this season, recording seven points (one goal, six assists) in nine games. Ilya Solovyov has played regularly during Girard's absence, but he hasn't made an impact in fantasy leagues.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Evgeni Malkin Returns to Practice
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (illness) practiced on Sunday. The Penguins were without Malkin on Saturday night against Nashville, but it appears he could be back for the next game. The team is off until Thursday, giving Malkin ample time to recover from his illness. Malkin has been solid at the start of his 21st NHL campaign, producing six goals and three assists in 11 games. Egor Chinakhov (lower body) and Justin Brazeau (lower body) also practiced on Sunday, so the Penguins' frontline could receive several reinforcements in the next game.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Alexander Nikishin Signs One-Year Deal With Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the club on Sunday. This ends a stalemate between the two sides after Nikishin began the season as an unsigned restricted free agent. Some crazy contracts were handed out this offseason, and Carolina initially failed to sign Nikishin following his impressive maiden NHL season. After amassing 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), 94 blocks, and 132 hits in 82 games, Nikishin was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. He has all the tools to become a top-tier defenseman, though Nikishin's fantasy value is capped in Carolina because he's limited to a third-pairing role.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Quinton Byfield Returns to Ice Sunday
Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield (upper body) rejoined practice on Sunday. He was back on the ice after missing two games due to an upper-body injury. It's a good sign that Byfield has resumed skating, despite wearing a non-contact jersey. The Kings start the new week with a back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday, and it remains to be seen whether Byfield will be ready for either game. The team will certainly hope Byfield returns in better form than before. In seven games this season, the 24-year-old has contributed just one goal and one assist.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Elias Salomonsson Ready for Season Debut Sunday
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Elias Salomonsson will make his season debut in Sunday's clash against Montreal. The 22-year-old underwent shoulder surgery in April and was only recently cleared to play, making two AHL appearances. Last season, Salomonsson recorded five points (one goal, four assists), 37 SOG, 27 blocks, and 50 hits in 32 outings with the Jets. He will take Tyrel Bauer's spot in the lineup, joining Mario Ferraro on the second defensive pairing. So far in his young career, Salomonsson hasn't done anything to merit fantasy interest.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nino Niederreiter Good to Go Sunday
Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter (face) is expected to play on Sunday against Montreal. He was struck by a high stick to the face on Thursday against Dallas and exited the game in the third period. Fortunately for the Jets, the Swiss veteran won't miss any additional time. Although Niederreiter is on the brink of his 500th career point, his offense has been lacking in 2026-27. Through seven appearances, Niederreiter has yet to record his first point, leaving his fantasy value at an all-time low.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jared McCann to Miss 10 Weeks
Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann (lower body) will miss 10 weeks and was placed on Injured Reserve. He sat out his first game of the season on Saturday against Minnesota after sustaining a lower-body injury. McCann has been among Seattle's top scorers for multiple seasons and will be a major loss. In 2026-27, McCann has recorded three goals and five assists in 11 games. Kaapo Kakko replaced McCann on the top line Saturday and collected an assist. The Finnish winger is the Kraken's highest scorer and a player to watch for fantasy managers until McCann returns.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nikita Kucherov Becomes Lightning's All-Time Leading Scorer
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov broke the franchise's all-time scoring record in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth. The three-time Art Ross Trophy winner entered the contest tied with Steven Stamkos at 1,137 points. He took the top spot with a power-play assist. Had it not been for injury issues at the start of the decade, Kucherov would have set the record a long time ago. He's been a point-per-game player since his fourth season in the league, and Kucherov's 1.58 points-per-game average since 2021-22 is remarkable. Kucherov has opened the new campaign with a run of 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 11 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Igor Chernyshov Out Week-to-Week
San Jose Sharks winger Igor Chernyshov (upper body) is week-to-week. After sustaining an upper-body injury earlier this week, Chernyshov didn't play on Saturday against Boston, and his absence isn't expected to be limited to only a couple of games. So far this season, Chernyshov has been quiet, recording four points (two goals, two assists) in 11 games. Collin Graf took Chernyshov's spot on the top line Saturday night. He was a non-factor offensively, finishing scoreless. Chernyshov's injury could also improve Mason Marchment's position within the team.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nicolas Roy Doubtful for Sunday
Colorado Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy (lower body) is doubtful for Sunday's tilt against Nashville, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. He has been out for five games and is likely to miss at least one more contest. Despite having a limited role, Roy was productive at the start of the season, posting four points (two goals, two assists) in six games. He isn't expected to maintain that scoring rate when he returns, as Roy averages less than 12 minutes of ice time per game.
Source: Ewan Rawal
Source: Ewan Rawal
Bowen Byram Remains Out Sunday
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram (upper body) will miss a fourth straight game on Sunday against Florida. On Saturday, Byram practiced with the team for the first time since sustaining an upper-body injury, but he wore a non-contact jersey. He still has no set timeline for his return, but now that he's back on the ice, Byram could be ready to rejoin the lineup soon. Once he's back in action, Byram will hope to recover from a poor start to the season. He has one assist in six games. Ethan Del Mastro is filling in for Byram on defense, but he has zero fantasy value.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Sam Steel Out Sunday
Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel (undisclosed) won't play on Sunday against the New York Islanders. On Friday, he was given an injection as part of treatment for an undisclosed injury. Steel has one goal and two assists in 10 games this season. His absence could allow David Perron to make his Stars debut. Perron joined the Stars only recently after failing to land a contract in the offseason. He's had some strong stretches in the league, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect big things from Perron now that he's 38.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Victor Hedman Listed as Day-to-Day
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (lower body) is day-to-day, the team announced before Saturday's matchup with Utah. Hedman suffered a lower-body injury in Friday's loss to Colorado. While Hedman's role has declined this season, it's great news for Tampa Bay that the team captain isn't expected to be out long-term. Hedman is averaging a career-low 14:26 of ice time. He has four points (two goals, two assists) in nine games. Emil Lilleberg was a new face on Lightning's defense against Utah, but he didn't have a good day at the office, going minus-two in a 5-4 overtime loss.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
