December 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed) was activated from Injured Reserve and is poised to end an 18-game absence on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Kings. Declan Carlile is expected to come out of the lineup to accommodate McDonagh's return. Tampa's blue line has been badly hit by injuries this season, and McDonagh hasn't seen any action since Nov. 8. Erik Cernak (undisclosed), Victor Hedman (elbow), and Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) remain out against L.A., so McDonagh could have a heavy workload in his return. The veteran rearguard has managed six points (three goals, three assists) in 15 outings this season, sending 15 shots on goal and blocking 26 efforts from the opposition.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (illness) is a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the St. Louis Blues. The Rangers' leading scorer is battling an illness and wasn't available for the morning skate. Even during a down year, Panarin is averaging nearly a point per game, recording 11 goals and 23 assists in 35 appearances. If Panarin can't play, Conor Sheary could start Thursday's game as a member of the top six. Sheary has popped up with a couple of good performances this month but hasn't provided consistent fantasy production all season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho posted a game-high three points in Wednesday's 4-1 victory against the Nashville Predators. He did all of the scoring in the third period, helping Carolina turn a tight road game into a comfortable victory. Aho netted two goals and delivered one assist. With his 21st career multi-point period, Aho passed Ron Francis (20) for the second most in franchise history. Only Eric Staal (25) has managed more. The Finnish star badly needed this one, as Aho was stuck on a five-game point drought before Wednesday's contest. It was his worst run without any points since March 2023. Overall, Aho can be fairly happy with his campaign, tallying 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 33 contests.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 18, 2025
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer recorded his third shutout of the season on Wednesday night, stopping the Winnipeg Jets from scoring with 24 saves in a 1-0 win. Hofer became the fifth goalie this season with as many as three shutouts. Minnesota's Jesper Wallstedt is the only one with four. While Hofer has impressed at times, he still holds a disappointing 6-7-2 record. The 25-year-old has allowed 2.97 goals with a .896 save percentage. St. Louis averages the second-fewest goals in the league, making it tough for the team's goalies to please fantasy managers. Jordan Binnington, who is 7-8-5 for the year, will take over the crease for Thursday's matchup against the New York Rangers.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 18, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (lower body) played only 5:44 in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, exiting the action during the second period due to a lower-body injury. Martinook leads all Hurricanes forwards with 56 hits in 33 games and has chipped in with four goals and seven assists on the offensive end. Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to come into the lineup if Martinook is unavailable for this weekend's back-to-back against Florida and Tampa Bay. Kotkaniemi's fantasy value is at an all-time low, as he has managed only five points (two goals, three assists) in 17 appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Nashville Predators right wing Jonathan Marchessault (lower body) logged only 5:27 of ice time in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He was forced to leave the game early due to a lower-body injury. Marchessault's season in Music City has been a nightmare, and a significant injury would only add to his frustrations. The three-time 30-goal scorer has lit the lamp only seven times in 28 outings, adding three assists. His minus-18 rating is tied for the third-worst mark in the league. Rookie Reid Schaefer could get an opportunity to impress in a larger role if Marchessault misses time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 18, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues (lower body) had a limited role in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Kings after he was hurt early in the game. He exited the action in the first period after taking a hit along the boards on a clearing attempt. Rodrigues returned to the contest for the second period, but he missed the final 5:16 of the third frame, finishing with barely 12 minutes of ice time. He doesn't appear to be dealing with anything serious. "We don't think it's too significant," Panthers head coach Maurice said postgame. On Wednesday, Rodrigues finished scoreless for the sixth time in nine December outings. He has totaled eight goals and 16 points in 33 games for the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Ottawa Senators center Lars Eller (foot) will be sidelined for at least three more weeks, head coach Travis Green said on Wednesday. Green revealed that Eller broke his foot against the Columbus Blue Jackets a week ago. Eller recently saw time on the second line, but even that didn't get him going for this season. The Danish veteran has managed just two goals and four assists across 28 games. In his absence, Stephen Halliday has filled in for the past two outings, but he doesn't carry any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (upper body) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He remains on Injured Reserve with an upper-body problem. Chabot last played on Nov. 22, and he could soon be available to re-enter the lineup, as the 28-year-old returned to practice on Wednesday. The injury has disrupted a superb campaign for Chabot, who amassed 10 points (two goals, eight assists), 22 shots, and 36 blocks in 18 outings with a plus-five rating when he was healthy. Nikolas Matinpalo has played regularly during Chabot's absence, but his production hasn't been anywhere near the same level.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 17, 2025
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) is nearing his season debut, but he may not be ready at the start of 2026. "I don't know," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said Wednesday when asked whether Tkachuk would be available for this season's Winter Classic on Jan. 2 against the New York Rangers. Before the season started, Zito said Tkachuk was expected to be out until "December-ish." Tkachuk's return would be huge for a Panthers team that has lost Aleksander Barkov (knee) for the season and has taken several injury blows throughout the campaign. The back-to-back champions are currently just outside the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 17, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers winger Tyson Foerster (arm) was ruled out for five months on Wednesday. He had surgery on his arm on Monday, effectively ending his 2025-26 campaign. Initially, Foerster was ruled out for 2-3 months with an upper-body injury when he was hurt at the start of December. Foerster needs the Flyers to make the playoffs to have a chance of playing again this season. Before he exited the lineup, the 23-year-old winger contributed 10 goals and three assists in 21 outings. Foerster is still Philadelphia's second-highest goal-scorer this season, as the team has had a balanced offense. Eight forwards have reached 15 points, with Trevor Zegras at the top of the pile with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) through 32 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 17, 2025
Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (illness) will return to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers. Due to illness, Byfield was unavailable for the first time this season when the Kings faced the Dallas Stars on Monday. Byfield is the third-highest scoring King this season, totaling 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in 31 appearances. Yet, he has been ice-cold this month, finishing all six December outings pointless. This is Byfield's worst point drought since April 2024. He will look to end it on Wednesday night as a member of the Kings' second line and first power-play unit. Alex Turcotte will drop down in the lineup, though he should continue to see additional ice time due to Phillip Danault's (illness) continued absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 17, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (undisclosed) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. He sustained an undisclosed injury in Monday's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, exiting the contest in the third period. Fortunately for Florida, Forsling won't have to miss additional time. The Swedish blue-liner has played in all 32 games this season, logging 14 points (one goal, 13 assists), 39 shots, 37 blocks, and 26 hits. He has been a great asset for the Panthers, though Forsling's contributions on the attacking end have been lacking recently. He has not scored any points in four straight games, appearing on the score sheet just twice in 10 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 17, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev (undisclosed) will be in the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. Initially, his status was uncertain for the game after Dorofeyev left Sunday's win over Columbus early due to an unspecified injury. In Wednesday's contest, the Russian winger has a chance to tie his longest point streak of the season. He has made it on the score sheet in three consecutive games, posting two goals and one assist. Overall, Dorofeyev has managed 13 goals and 21 points in 31 outings. He is tied for third in the league with eight power-play goals and has notched 12 power-play points in total. New Jersey has a 75.8 percent penalty kill, making this a great matchup for Dorofeyev.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 17, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (upper body) won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. He will sit out his first game of the season due to an upper-body injury. Theodore will be missed on both ends of the ice, as he is Vegas' top-scoring defenseman with 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) and ranks third on the team with 48 blocks in 31 games. Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and will enter the lineup as Theodore's replacement. However, he has a much more limited skill set than Theodore and should not be expected to make a big difference in fantasy hockey.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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