December 21, 2025
Edmonton Oilers forward Jack Roslovic (lower body) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve and is expected to return from an 11-game absence on Sunday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Roslovic has been a great pickup for the Oilers, totaling 10 goals and 18 points in 23 appearances. Despite missing nearly a month of action, the 28-year-old remains Edmonton's third-highest goal-scorer. He has found the back of the net in each of his last two appearances. Roslovic last managed a three-game goal streak in November 2024. On Sunday, Roslovic is projected to join Vasily Podkolzin and Leon Draisaitl on the second line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 21, 2025
New Jersey Devils winger Arseni Gritsyuk (upper body) has been cleared for action and will return from a four-game absence on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Devils' offense will get a big boost for Sunday's contest, as Jack Hughes (hand) and Timo Meier (personal) will also be available. Gritsyuk is expected to be paired with Hughes on the same line. The Russian winger has amassed 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 31 games during this rookie campaign, tied for the seventh-most among first-year players. In his first meeting with Buffalo, Gritsyuk potted two goals in a 5-0 win on Nov. 27.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 21, 2025
New Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier (personal) will return to action on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. He has sat out five games for personal reasons. The Swiss forward has managed only one point in his last four appearances. However, Meier recorded a six-game point streak not long ago and has had a good bounce-back season. Across 30 outings, Meier has recorded 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) and 61 hits. He returns in a good matchup, facing a Sabres team that allows 29.9 shots and 3.35 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 21, 2025
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (hand) will rejoin the lineup on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. He has missed 18 games after sustaining a "freak" hand injury at a team dinner last month. Hughes is expected to slot back into the top-line center role and will work on the first power-play unit. Before his injury, Hughes showed fantastic form, notching 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 17 outings. He averages over four shots per contest and could have a very productive comeback game on Sunday against a team that allows the seventh-most goals in the NHL.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller (upper body) will exit the lineup on Sunday against the Nashville Predators and is considered week-to-week. The Rangers captain suffered an upper-body injury during Saturday's shootout win against the Philadelphia Flyers. While Miller faces a spell on the sidelines, he is expected to be available for Team USA at the 2026 Olympics. Miller's fantasy production has been disappointing this season. After being a 100-point player a couple of campaigns back, the 32-year-old has recorded 10 goals and 22 points in 35 contests. Taylor Raddysh is projected to enter the Rangers' lineup as Miller's replacement.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 21, 2025
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson scored in his sixth consecutive game on Saturday, helping his team defeat the New York Islanders 3-2 in a shootout. Thompson was responsible for Buffalo's second goal, becoming only the second player in franchise history with multiple six-game goal streaks in a campaign. It has been a mixed season for Thompson, as he leads the Sabres with 18 goals and 31 points in 34 appearances but holds a team-worst minus-12 rating. Buffalo's record for consecutive games with a goal is eight, a mark shared by three players. Thompson can move another step closer to it on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler had a memorable outing on Saturday, recording his first career shutout in a 4-0 win over Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 21-year-old stopped 31 shots, becoming the sixth-youngest American netminder to post his first NHL shutout. Fowler made his fourth appearance of the season and improved to 2-1-1. He has recorded a 2.49 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. With Samuel Montembeault currently in the AHL on a conditioning assignment, Fowler has recently split goaltending duties with Jakub Dobes. The latter is expected to be between the sticks on Sunday for a rematch against Pittsburgh.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
St. Louis Blues right wing Jonatan Berggren tallied three points in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers, scoring a power-play goal and adding two assists. This was Berggren's third appearance for the Blues after he was claimed off waivers last week. Berggren struggled to get playing time in Detroit this season but has been a good fit in St. Louis. He saw first-line usage on Saturday and has scored in back-to-back games, boasting four points (two goals, two assists) through his first three outings with his new team. Overall, Berggren has registered 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 18 appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (lower body) won't play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday's home game against the Penguins and won't travel to Pittsburgh for a rematch. Evans has managed 10 points (five goals, five assists) and 44 hits across 34 games this season. On the negative side, he carries a team-worst minus-13 rating. Newly reacquired Phillip Danault (illness) could be Evans' replacement in the lineup next week. However, he won't be available for Sunday's action, and defenseman Jayden Struble might fill the gap in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 21, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (lower body) had another outstanding performance in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, but he was also injured in the contest. Werenski exited the action in the third period after blocking a shot with his ankle. The star blue-liner notched a goal and a power-play assist against Anaheim, posting his third consecutive multi-point game. He has had at least one point in each of his last five appearances. The recent scoring surge has helped Werenski catch up to Colorado's Cale Makar on the defenseman scoring list. Both players are now tied atop the list with 40 points, with Werenski amassing 14 goals and 26 assists in 35 outings. Unfortunately, it looks like it may take some time before Werenski can add to his tally.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 21, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (face) is expected to miss approximately four weeks after being hurt during Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. He took a puck to the face just minutes into the game. Nazar has recently filled top-line center duties due to the absence of Connor Bedard (shoulder). The 21-year-old has managed 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 33 games during his sophomore campaign. With Bedard and Nazar both out, Ryan Greene may get back into the top six. He led all Blackhawks forwards in ice time on Saturday and collected two assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 20, 2025
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (upper body) will return from a two-game absence on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will replace Jayden Struble in the lineup. Noah Dobson's arrival in Montreal has impacted Matheson's role on the blue line, but he remains a crucial piece for the Canadiens. The veteran leads the team in ice time, averaging 24:54 per game. He has logged 16 points (four goals, 12 assists), 39 shots, 69 blocks, and 22 hits in 32 games. In a matchup against his former team, Matheson will hope to avoid a season-worst five-game point drought on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
San Jose Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren (upper body) will miss Saturday's contest against the Seattle Kraken. He will be absent for a second time in four games after sustaining an upper-body injury during the morning skate. Liljegren has had a limited offensive role with the Sharks, recording zero goals and four assists in 28 contests this season. However, his presence will be missed in the defensive zone, as Liljegren sits second on the team with 63 blocks. The Swedish blue-liner will be replaced in the lineup by Vincent Iorio, who will make his 12th appearance of the season. He also hasn't scored a goal this season, logging one assist, 14 blocks, and nine hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (lower body) has been ruled out for Saturday's clash against the St. Louis Blues. He is considered day-to-day after sustaining a lower-body injury during Friday's comeback victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. While seeing some time in the top six, Samoskevich has contributed four goals and 13 assists in 34 games. Florida will replace the young forward with Jack Studnicka on Saturday. Studnicka has yet to score points this season, going minus-four across eight outings. Samoskevich will get his first chance to return on Tuesday in a rematch against Carolina.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) will play on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Cirelli didn't finish Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Kings due to an undisclosed injury. However, he won't miss additional time and will remain in the lineup against Carolina. Cirelli has contributed nine goals and 10 assists in 30 outings this term. He has been slumping offensively for a while, finishing nine of his last 11 games pointless. The 28-year-old last scored a goal nearly a month ago, lighting the lamp on Nov. 24 in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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