December 28, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews ended a four-game point drought on Saturday with a big performance in a 7-5 victory over the Ottawa Senators. He scored Toronto's fourth goal and set up two others. The Maple Leafs captain became the second U.S.-born player in NHL history to score 40-plus goals in a calendar year at least seven times. It will be something to build on for Matthews, who has had a torrid time in 2025-26. In 32 outings, he has settled for 15 goals and 26 points. Next up, Matthews faces the Detroit Red Wings, who limited him to one assist in two games early in the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere scored half of his team's goals in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, recording his first career hat trick. The 24-year-old notched his first goal in the middle of the first period and wrapped up his hat trick in the third. Laferriere had previously needed 18 outings to amass three goals. While he has been inconsistent all season, Laferriere remains on track for his second 40-point campaign. He has totaled 10 goals and eight assists in 37 appearances, adding a team-high 101 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) scored in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Ottawa Senators but had to leave the contest midway through the second period. Nylander's early exit on Saturday casts doubt on his availability for Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, though he is not expected to be sidelined for long. "He's coming on the trip, so that's a good sign," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said after Saturday's win. "We'll see how he is tomorrow." Nylander is Toronto's top scorer, posting 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 33 outings. Easton Cowan, who has been a healthy scratch for three games, will likely play against Detroit if Nylander isn't available.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 28, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (lower body) is unlikely to play in Sunday's Metropolitan Division tilt against the New York Islanders. He suffered a lower-body injury prior to the holiday break, missing his first game of the season on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Werenski has been in incredible form this campaign, posting multiple points in four of his last five outings. Overall, he has managed 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists) in 35 games. Jake Christiansen came into the lineup on Monday, while Denton Mateychuk hopped on the first power-play unit. The 21-year-old made an immediate impact with the man advantage, registering an assist.
--Taavi PailkSource: Reuters
December 28, 2025
Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (lower body) will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, the team announced on Saturday. He was already placed on Injured Reserve on Dec. 20, missing two games. Saturday's update suggests Evans will likely return to action in February. In 34 outings this season, Evans has registered 10 points (five goals, five assists) and 44 hits. Phillip Danault has taken over third-line center duties. Meanwhile, Samuel Blais may see regular action until Evans returns. Despite skating on the fourth line, Blais has found the score sheet in back-to-back games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser signed an eight-year, $54 million contract extension ahead of Saturday's 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers. Moser is now the fourth defenseman on the Lightning roster under contract with the team for more than three years. He will carry a $6.75 million cap hit starting next season. With many of his teammates battling injuries, Moser has become the Lightning's leader in ice time this season, averaging 21:43 of action. He also leads the team with a plus-25 rating. In 35 appearances, Moser has recorded 12 points (three goals, nine assists), 51 shots, 45 blocks, and 28 hits. Although Moser's game doesn't translate well into fantasy hockey, he has developed into a big piece for Tampa Bay, and the team is undoubtedly delighted that the Swiss rearguard will stick around for many more years.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed) won't suit up for Saturday's Battle of Florida against the Panthers. He has re-aggravated a previous injury, which recently sidelined McDonagh for 18 games. He made only three appearances before landing back on the shelf. The Lightning are expected to use Steven Santini as McDonagh's replacement in the lineup. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay's blue line will continue to rely heavily on Darren Raddysh, who has been on fire over the last couple of weeks, tallying nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL
December 27, 2025
St. Louis Blues forwards Jordan Kyrou (lower body) and Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist) will return to action Saturday night against the Nashville Predators. Kyrou has missed nine games due to a lower-body injury, while Snuggerud is returning from a wrist injury that cost him 12 games. Both players will have middle-six roles and operate on St. Louis' first power-play unit. Nashville has the eighth-best penalty kill in the league this season (82.6 percent), but this is still a favorable matchup for the Blues, as they face the NHL's sixth-worst defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 27, 2025
Boston Bruins winger Tanner Jeannot (undisclosed) will exit the lineup on Saturday, missing his first game of the season against the Buffalo Sabres. The power forward suffered an undisclosed injury in Tuesday's loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Jeannot leads the Bruins with 113 hits and has amassed 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 38 games. His first chance to return will come on Monday night against the Calgary Flames. It's currently unclear who will take over Jeannot's spot on the third line. Meanwhile, the top six will continue to lean on David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, who have combined for 39 goals and 79 points this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 27, 2025
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (personal) won't be in the lineup on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. He is in his native Sweden, visiting his fiancée, who had a heart transplant last summer. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff expects Dahlin to rejoin the team for an upcoming three-game road trip, which begins on Monday against the St. Louis Blues. Dahlin ranks third on his team with 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) in 33 outings. His defensive work should also not be underestimated, as Dahlin has recorded 41 blocks and 27 hits. With Dahlin unavailable, Jacob Bryson will re-enter the lineup, while Bowen Byram will slot into the first power-play unit. This is a good matchup for Buffalo's power play against a 79.2 percent penalty kill.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 27, 2025
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (upper body) is expected to end an eight-game absence on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. He will center the first line, flanked by Evander Kane and Kiefer Sherwood. Pettersson has bagged eight goals and 22 points in 28 outings, including eight points (two goals, six assists) with the man advantage. Vancouver's power play could have another productive night on Saturday, as San Jose has killed only 78 percent of its penalties in 2025-26. Pettersson has scored three goals over his last three appearances against the Sharks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 27, 2025
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (lower body) will return from a one-game absence on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. He missed the final game before the Christmas break due to a lower-body injury. Carlsson will occupy his usual spot as the top-line center and work with the first power-play unit. The young Swedish star has gone scoreless in three appearances, but he's had an excellent campaign overall. Across 36 outings, Carlsson has tallied 17 goals and 41 points. Carlsson totaled three points (one goal, two assists) when Anaheim and Los Angeles faced each other for the first time this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 27, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (lower body) will miss Saturday's big matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. After recently dealing with an illness, Eichel is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He will sit out a fifth consecutive contest. Despite his recent absence, Eichel has held on to his spot at the top of Vegas' scoring charts, producing an impressive 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 31 appearances. Due to Eichel's absence, Alexander Holtz will hold a second-line role on Saturday. The Swedish forward will have a good opportunity to contribute against Colorado, though he remains without a point after nine games this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 27, 2025
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (lower body) was moved to Injured Reserve and won't be available for this weekend's back-to-back against the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. The move is retroactive to Dec. 20. Sorokin has missed two games already due to a lower-body injury. While Sorokin has battled some consistency issues during the 2025-26 campaign, he has logged a 2.55 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts, going 12-10-2 across 24 starts. David Rittich, who holds an 8-3-2 record, will start on Saturday, with Marcus Hogberg recalled from the minors to serve as his backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 27, 2025
New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (lower body) will be back in the lineup on Saturday when the team returns from the holiday break with a matchup against the New York Rangers. Horvat missed the last five games before the break due to a lower-body injury. Anthony Duclair is expected to be a healthy scratch to accommodate Horvat's return. The Islanders' top scorer will skate alongside Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman on the first line. Horvat is flirting with his second career 70-point campaign this year, notching 19 goals and 31 points in 32 appearances. He scored twice in this season's first Battle of New York.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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