December 31, 2025
Dallas Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (illness) will play on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. He has shaken off an illness to return from a one-game absence. Kyle Capobianco played instead of Lyubushkin in Saturday's shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and will not dress against Buffalo. Lyubushkin has tallied five points (one goal, four assists) across his last 12 appearances. However, his offensive improvement is unlikely to last for long, as the Russian rearguard has never posted more than 15 points in a single NHL campaign. During the 2025-26 season, he has notched seven points (one goal, six assists) in 27 outings, while blocking 52 shots and delivering 43 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 31, 2025
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) will sit out Wednesday's contest against the Dallas Stars. On Wednesday morning, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said Lyon will miss "a bit of time" with a lower-body injury, so his absence may not be limited to one game. The in-form goalie, who has recorded seven straight victories, was hurt late against the St. Louis Blues on Monday. Colten Ellis (concussion) was activated from Injured Reserve and will dress as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's backup on Wednesday. While Luukkonen has lost his starting job to Lyon, he has recorded back-to-back wins, allowing only one goal in each contest.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 31, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (hand) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve and is set to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The Slovakian blue-liner has been out since Nov. 22 due to a hand injury. Cernak might take Max Crozier's spot in the lineup. Across 19 appearances, Cernak has racked up 43 blocks and 40 hits. After a career-high 21 points a season ago, he has been limited to four assists on the offensive end. Still, Cernak could tally points in three straight appearances for the first time since April 2022.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 31, 2025
San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (lower body) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against the Minnesota Wild, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. He missed Tuesday's practice due to a lower-body injury, and Mukhamadullin's absence from the lineup would be another injury blow for the Sharks. The defense will remain without Timothy Liljegren (upper body) on Wednesday, while several forwards are also out. Mukhamadullin averages one block per game and has tallied six points (two goals) in 21 outings this season. Nick Leddy is set to fill in for him on Wednesday if Mukhamadullin can't play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sheng Peng
December 31, 2025
San Jose Sharks forward Adam Gaudette (lower body) will miss Wednesday's clash against the Minnesota Wild, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. He is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The team has brought up Pavol Regenda from the minors as Gaudette's likely replacement in the lineup. Although Gaudette hasn't been a factor in fantasy hockey, he has played well as a bottom-six forward for the Sharks, recording 14 points (eight goals, six assists) and 32 hits in 33 games. The 29-year-old has contributed offensively in each of his last three appearances. Regenda has seen action in two NHL contests this season, scoring a power-play goal in both.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sheng Peng
December 31, 2025
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and will be available to return to the crease on Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a corresponding move, the team reassigned Pheonix Copley to the minors. Kuemper has missed six games due to an upper-body injury. He has been solid in the Kings' net, though the veteran holds an underwhelming 10-6-6 record. Kuemper has posted two shutouts with a 2.19 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. Strangely, he has won only three of 10 home starts this season, despite giving up fewer than two goals per game (1.91).
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 31, 2025
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) could miss some time after skipping Tuesday's practice. Lyon picked up his seventh consecutive win on Monday versus the St. Louis Blues but also sustained a lower-body injury in the contest. It's unclear if Lyon will get a chance to extend his streak on New Year's Eve against the Dallas Stars. Recently, Lyon has been Buffalo's No. 1 option between the sticks, outplaying Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Colten Ellis (concussion) has also picked up starts for the Sabres this season, and head coach Lindy Ruff said on Tuesday that the team is ready to activate him from Injured Reserve if Lyon misses time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 31, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (lower body) will not be healthy enough to play for Sweden at the 2026 Olympics, TSN's Darren Dreger reports. The veteran forward has been out for nearly two months due to a lower-body injury. It was initially believed he would recover in time for the Olympics and return to the Golden Knights lineup sometime in January. Karlsson has made only 14 appearances in 2025-26, scoring four goals and seven points. Due to Karlsson's absence, Brett Howden will continue to play a larger role in the middle for Vegas for the foreseeable future.
--Taavi PailkSource: Darren Dreger
December 31, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (lower body) is a game-time decision on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The Vegas superstar could hop back into the lineup after missing six games due to illness and a lower-body injury. Despite his recent absence, Eichel continues to lead the Golden Knights in scoring, with 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 31 games. Before exiting the lineup, he was on a run of nine points (one goal, eight assists) in five games. At Tuesday's practice, Eichel was reunited with Ivan Barbashev and Braeden Bowman on the first line.
--Taavi PailkSource: Danny Webster
December 31, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (undisclosed) didn't finish Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Islanders. He exited the action after the first period because of an undisclosed injury. Due to injuries to Connor Bedard (upper body) and Frank Nazar (upper body), Dickinson has recently had a larger role with the Blackhawks and had notched points in back-to-back games prior to Tuesday night. In total, he has managed four goals and eight points in 26 games. Ryan Greene and Oliver Moore, who combined for three points against the Islanders, could see increased usage if Dickinson misses additional time.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar (undisclosed) will be available for Tuesday's tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 26-year-old left Monday's practice early but is set to remain on the fourth line against Carolina. On Sunday, Dewar ended a seven-game scoreless spell with an assist in a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. During the season, he has contributed six goals and six assists in 37 outings, while averaging nearly two hits per game. His 69 hits rank second on the team behind Parker Wotherspoon. The Penguins average the fewest hits in the league, so having Dewar available against a tough divisional rival will be important. However, Dewar does not hold any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. He is set to miss at least three games due to a lower-body injury, starting with Tuesday's clash against the New Jersey Devils. This is unfortunate news, as Tanev had just returned from a seven-week injury layoff. He made three appearances before suffering a new injury setback. Health issues have limited the veteran rearguard to 11 outings this season. He has logged two assists and 15 hits with a plus-eight rating. Simon Benoit will come back into the lineup as Tanev's replacement on Tuesday. Although Benoit leads all Maple Leafs defensemen with 81 hits, he doesn't have fantasy value due to his lack of offensive ability.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua (kidney) won't play on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. He faces a multi-game absence after suffering a kidney injury on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings. Joshua remains in Detroit and is under observation. "Whether he took a hit or went into the boards, it's his kidney ... so we got to see where he's at, too," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Tuesday. The team placed Joshua on Injured Reserve ahead of Tuesday's game, meaning he will sit out at least three games. Toronto is dealing with several injury issues in the attacking department, which may give players like Bobby McMann, Nicholas Robertson, and Mattias Maccelli a chance to play larger roles.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault will start Tuesday's matchup against the Florida Panthers. He hasn't seen NHL action since Dec. 9. It has been a tough campaign for Montembeault, who has registered a horrible .857 save percentage while allowing 3.65 goals. The 29-year-old carries a 5-6-1 record. Recently, Montembeault had a conditioning stint in the AHL, finishing with a 0-2-0 record, a 2.53 goals-against average, and a .904 save percentage. It will take a brave manager to trust Montembeault against the back-to-back champions, who have averaged nearly four goals per game (3.92) during a 9-3-0 run.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (illness) will play Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. It was unclear if Karlsson would be available after he missed Monday's practice due to illness. The former Norris Trophy winner has scored only one point in his past five appearances. Still, it has been a fine campaign for Karlsson, who has totaled 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 37 appearances. Karlsson leads the Penguins in average ice time with 23:55, and nothing suggests he will have a reduced workload Tuesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
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