December 13, 2025
New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (lower body) missed Saturday's win over the Anaheim Ducks and looks set for a multi-game absence. Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said Nemec will miss "some time" after he was injured during Friday's practice. The Slovakian blue-liner is having a breakout campaign. He has registered 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists), 50 shots, and 46 blocks in 31 contests this season. Dennis Cholowski took Nemec's spot in the lineup on Saturday, although he had a limited role and should not be considered for fantasy teams. In the game, Cholowski had one shot on goal and one block across 13:03 of action.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 13, 2025
Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (personal) will hop back into the lineup on Saturday against the New York Rangers. He skipped Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Penguins for personal reasons. Evans will take his usual spot on the third line, skating with Josh Anderson and Alexandre Texier. Jared Davidson will depart the lineup on Saturday to make room for Evans. Following a 36-point year, Evans' scoring rate has significantly dropped in 2025-26. He has managed only four goals and eight points in 29 appearances. The 26-year-old has not scored any points in his last six outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 13, 2025
Dallas Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (lower body) will return from a three-game absence on Saturday night against the Florida Panthers. He suffered a lower-body injury last Friday in a contest against the San Jose Sharks. The Stars will pair Lyubushkin with Kyle Capobianco on the third defensive pairing. Nils Lundkvist (illness) will exit the lineup against Florida. Although Lyubushkin isn't a factor in fantasy leagues, he has performed well for the Stars. Over 21 games this season, the Russian defenseman has recorded five assists, 15 shots, 41 blocks, and 30 hits. Four of Ilya Lyubushkin's five helpers have come in his past nine outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 13, 2025
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (leg) will play on Saturday night against the Florida Panthers. Hintz was injured during Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, exiting the action late in the third period. Luckily, he avoided a serious injury and is going to remain in the lineup on Saturday. While Hintz finished Thursday's matchup scoreless, he has been sharp this season. Across 27 contests, Hintz has tallied nine goals and 26 points. He has been held off the score sheet in back-to-back games only twice in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 13, 2025
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve on Saturday and will back up Logan Thompson against the Winnipeg Jets. Lindgren has been unavailable for three games due to an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old has been impressive in his last few outings, winning four of five starts. The good run of form has helped Lindgren improve his record for the season to 5-3-1. He has produced a 2.90 goals-against average with a .893 save percentage and one shutout. With Lindgren available to return to the lineup, Washington returned Garin Bjorklund to the minors on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 13, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (leg) will play on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. He was initially iffy for the contest after injuring his left leg in Thursday's loss to the San Jose Sharks. Ekman-Larsson has had a great campaign with the Maple Leafs, recording 20 points (four goals, 16 assists), 47 shots, 26 blocks, and 40 hits in 30 appearances. However, he has been held off the score sheet in each of his five outings this month, marking Ekman-Larsson's longest point drought of the season. The Swedish veteran will attempt to end it against an Oilers team that will have new goaltender Tristan Jarry between the sticks for the first time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 13, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (illness) is a game-time decision on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. The Swedish superstar missed the morning skate due to illness. Fellow forward Dakota Joshua (illness) is also a game-time call for Saturday's matchup. Nylander was dropped to the third line on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, but he still made a big impact in a 3-2 overtime loss with two assists, which ended his point drought at four games. Dry spells have become very rare for Nylander, who leads the Maple Leafs with 23 assists and 34 points in 26 appearances. Bobby McMann (suspension) is available to return to the lineup Saturday and may replace either Nylander or Joshua. Matias Maccelli is also an option to rejoin the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 13, 2025
Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor (hip) is expected to remain out for at least 1-2 more weeks, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. After he had offseason hip surgery, O'Connor was close to making his season debut in November. Currently, he is dealing with a new issue. "His hips are good," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters on Friday. "It's just something that came up when he was getting back on the ice and something he's been dealing with and he wants to get it fixed and feel right before he gets back, understandable." O'Connor has had four consecutive 20-point campaigns as a bottom-six forward in Colorado. Meanwhile, Bednar had good news regarding another bottom-six piece, Joel Kiviranta (eye), who could play on Saturday against Nashville after making an early exit from Thursday's win over Florida. The Finnish forward is dealing with an eye issue.
--Taavi PailkSource: Aarif Deen
December 13, 2025
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve on Friday, making him eligible to return to the lineup for Saturday's meeting with the New Jersey Devils. Dostal has been sidelined for three weeks due to an upper-body injury. Working as Anaheim's No. 1, Dostal has had a fantastic campaign, going 11-5-1. He has logged a 2.81 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. Ville Husso has filled in for Dostal in the crease, with Petr Mrazek (lower body) unavailable. Should Dostal start on Saturday, he would be returning in a favorable matchup, as New Jersey has managed just 2.90 goals per game this season -- the 11th-lowest average in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 13, 2025
New Jersey Devils winger Arseni Gritsyuk (undisclosed) will miss this weekend's games against Anaheim and Vancouver, Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com reports. The Russian rookie began the week with a three-point effort against the Ottawa Senators but is now nursing an undisclosed injury. Gritsyuk is tied for fifth in scoring among first-year players, sitting on 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) through 31 outings. New Jersey also lost Timo Meier (personal) up front this week, giving the team's offense a different look. Juho Lammikko will probably replace Gritsyuk on Saturday against the Ducks, but he has no fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ryan Novozinsky
December 13, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (shoulder) will not play on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. He appeared to have injured his right shoulder during a faceoff late in Friday's 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Chicago's young superstar bagged two assists on Friday night to continue his spectacular season. Bedard has tallied 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 31 games, tying him for fourth on the NHL's scoring charts. Given the nature of the injury, Bedard could be facing a longer absence, which would be a massive blow for the Blackhawks' playoff hopes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 13, 2025
The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Zeev Buium from the Minnesota Wild on Friday. The Wild traded away Buium, along with center Marco Rossi (lower body), left wing Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick, to land defenseman Quinn Hughes. Buium is in the middle of his rookie campaign and has flashed potential by recording 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 31 appearances. He is tied for seventh in scoring among first-year players. Going forward, Buium should be able to improve his output, as he will have a larger role on Vancouver's blue line.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 13, 2025
Center Marco Rossi (lower body) became a member of the Vancouver Canucks on Friday after the Minnesota Wild traded him in a deal to acquire defenseman Quinn Hughes. Rossi was on track to return from a lower-body injury on Sunday against the Boston Bruins. Instead, he will head across the border and be part of a new group going forward. Injuries have limited Rossi to only 17 appearances this season. He has recorded four goals and nine assists. The former top-10 draft pick had a breakthrough campaign in 2024-25, notching 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 82 outings. In Vancouver, Rossi will land in the top six and should see plenty of power-play time. However, this move negatively impacts his fantasy value, as Rossi now joins the league's worst team -- one that averages the sixth-fewest goals in the NHL.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 13, 2025
The Minnesota Wild acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks on Friday in exchange for center Marco Rossi (lower body), defenseman Zeev Buium, left wing Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick. Due to Vancouver's poor season, Hughes' name has frequently been in trade rumors, and he will suit up for a new team this weekend. Hughes' Wild debut is expected to come on Sunday against the Boston Bruins. Even with his team struggling, Hughes has been averaging close to a point per game during the 2025-26 season. He has tallied two goals and 21 assists in 26 games. His production should improve on a better team. The 2024 Norris Trophy winner is under contract until the 2027 offseason. His arrival in Saint Paul is bad news for Brock Faber, who will have to give up his spot on the first power-play unit to Hughes.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 12, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell (hand) was activated from Injured Reserve on Friday and will return to the lineup for Saturday's tilt against the San Jose Sharks. Due to a broken hand, Rakell was forced to sit out 20 games. He will likely go straight back into the top six and the first power-play unit. Before he was injured, Rakell was enjoying a productive start to the season. He had an early-season five-game point streak and notched three goals and five assists in nine outings. From a fantasy standpoint, Saturday's matchup is favorable for Rakell and the rest of Pittsburgh's offense, as the Sharks allow 31.3 shots and 3.25 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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