December 7, 2025
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (upper body) is regarded as a game-time decision on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has missed two games with an upper-body injury. Declan Chisholm has filled in for him and will presumably exit the lineup if Carlson is ready to return against Columbus. Carlson is having a fantastic year, averaging nearly a point per game. In 26 outings, he has contributed six goals and 17 assists. Furthermore, he is fourth on the Capitals team with 38 blocks. Carlson has met the Blue Jackets twice already this season, finishing both games with two points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 7, 2025
St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou (lower body) will miss Sunday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens and is considered day-to-day. He sustained a lower-body injury early in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, logging just 53 seconds of ice time. Kyrou has notched 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 28 games during a disappointing campaign. The former All-Star will join fellow forwards Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist), Alexey Toropchenko (leg burns), and Nathan Walker (upper body) on the shelf. Matt Luff is expected to replace Kyrou in the lineup, while Brayden Schenn could move up into the top six. Without Kyrou, St. Louis' first power-play unit will also have a new look.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 7, 2025
Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene (upper body) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve on Sunday and is poised to end a 24-game absence against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Duchene has featured only four times for the Stars this season, recording one goal and one assist. Mavrik Bourque and Sam Steel have seen time in the top six during Duchene's absence. On Sunday, Dallas will also welcome back defenseman Nils Lundkvist (lower body), who has missed 25 games. With Thomas Harley (lower body) still absent, Lundkvist may see increased time on the ice.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 7, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) has been named the starter for Sunday's contest against the San Jose Sharks, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports. This will be his first appearance since Kochetkov improved to 4-0-0 for the season with a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Nov. 17. He has missed eight games with a lower-body injury. While the sample size is small, Kochetkov has done a great job this season, posting a 1.70 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. On Sunday, he faces an exciting Sharks attack, but Kochetkov and Carolina are expected to win the clash, as the bookmakers have the odds for a home victory at -333.
--Taavi PailkSource: Walt Ruff
December 7, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) will exit the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Stars. He is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Malkin has turned back the clock this season, posting 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 26 games. His absence will undoubtedly be a blow for the Penguins. However, Noel Acciari (upper body) and Justin Brazeau (upper body) are ready to rejoin the Penguins' frontline on Sunday night, partially offsetting the loss of Malkin. Brazeau had a hot start to the season before missing 14 games with an upper-body injury. He has recorded six goals and 12 points in 12 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 7, 2025
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper returned to winning ways on Saturday night by shutting out Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks with 23 saves in a 6-0 victory. The experienced netminder had suffered three consecutive losses, including one against Chicago on Thursday. He was in danger of dropping four consecutive starts for the first time in 2025-26. Kuemper has been in fine form throughout the campaign, posting a 2.24 goals-against average with a .914 save percentage and two shutouts. However, due to L.A.'s scoring woes, Kuemper's record stands at 9-6-5. The Kings are ranked 27th in goals per game with 2.68.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 7, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers bagged a season-high three points in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Nashville Predators. He netted a power-play marker in the opening frame and set up Jackson Blake for a pair of goals. After becoming a regular 60-point scorer in Winnipeg, Ehlers has not quite hit the same heights with his new club. In 27 games, he has posted six goals and 19 points. The Danish forward must improve his scoring pace to record a third consecutive 60-point campaign. Ehlers and the Hurricanes will return to action on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks, who allow 3.35 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 7, 2025
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin had a special outing on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, tying a franchise record with his 25th career shutout in a 2-0 win. Sorokin and Tampa's Jonas Johansson kept the game tied until the 12:48 mark when Calum Ritchie opened the scoring on the power play. Sorokin finished with 32 saves, joining Glenn Resch at the top of the Islanders' shutouts list. It was Sorokin's third shutout of the season, putting him behind only Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild (4). The Islanders' No. 1 has a 10-8-2 record, a 2.47 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage. In his next start, Sorokin will attempt to post his first four-game winning streak since January-February of this year.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 7, 2025
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett played a huge role in Saturday's high-scoring 7-6 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring the game-winning goal and delivering three assists. Bennett, who posted a new season high with four points, ended the game with just two ticks left in overtime. His entire line was on fire, as Brad Marchand also had four points (one goal, three assists) and Carter Verhaeghe finished with three points (two goals, one assist). After a sluggish start to the campaign, Bennett has started to look like his old self lately, going scoreless only twice in his past nine outings. During that span, he has produced three multi-point performances. Overall, Bennett has managed 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 27 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 7, 2025
St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou (lower body) was forced to leave Saturday's matchup against the Ottawa Senators after logging just 53 seconds of ice time. He was hurt only a couple of minutes into the game on a hit from Senators forward Stephen Halliday. Kyrou's early exit from Saturday's contest leaves him questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Montreal Canadiens. The 27-year-old is having a bad year with the Blues, sitting on only 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) through 28 games. Half of his points came during an eight-game point streak in October. Matt Luff, who is averaging nearly a point per game in the AHL this season, will likely take Kyrou's place in the lineup if he can't play against Montreal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 7, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic James (undisclosed) joined the team's growing list of injuries on Saturday against the New York Islanders, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Tampa Bay was without Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) and Brayden Point (undisclosed) in the attack, giving James a second-line role. Now, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper may have to shake up his lineup again. James has tallied five points (two goals, three assists) in 19 games during his rookie season. The Lightning also lost Curtis Douglas (undisclosed) from the fourth line during Saturday's contest.
--Taavi PailkSource: Benjamin Pierce
December 6, 2025
Seattle Kraken left wing Mason Marchment (undisclosed) is expected to rejoin the lineup on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. He missed Thursday's 9-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers with an undisclosed injury. During the morning skate, Marchment was on the third line next to Berkly Catton and Frederick Gaudreau. Jani Nyman is projected to make room for Marchment in the lineup. In 23 outings this season, Marchment has contributed two goals and nine assists, while recording 34 hits. However, he enters Saturday's contest with a three-game point drought. Marchment has a chance to end his dry spell in a matchup against a team that has allowed at least three goals in eight consecutive games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 6, 2025
Minnesota Wild forward Danila Yurov (undisclosed) will be back in action on Saturday against the Nashville Predators, returning from a two-game absence. He is projected to rejoin Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello on the first line. Meanwhile, Ryan Hartman will drop to the fourth line, with Ben Jones sitting as a healthy scratch. Yurov has fit in quite well on the top line, notching five points (one goal, four assists) over his last seven appearances. The Russian rookie has managed seven points (three goals, four assists) in 21 games for the season overall. Minnesota's top line gets a juicy matchup on Saturday against the NHL's leakiest defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 6, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (ankle) was removed from Injured Reserve on Saturday and will be in contention to play against the Nashville Predators. Kotkaniemi has missed nine games with an ankle injury. He is expected to replace Mark Jankowski on the fourth line. In 15 appearances this season, Kotkaniemi has recorded five points (two goals, three assists), a respectable total for a player who has averaged only 10:24 of ice time. Carolina also hopes to have defenseman K'Andre Miller (illness) back on Saturday after he missed Thursday's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 6, 2025
Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (lower body) will miss two weeks of action. He was injured in Thursday's loss to the New York Rangers and has been placed on Injured Reserve ahead of Saturday's matchup against the St. Louis Blues. In a corresponding move, Ottawa recalled Hayden Hodgson from the minors. Pinto has been Ottawa's best goal-scorer this season with 12 markers in 27 games. He has added eight assists. On Saturday, Ridly Greig will replace Pinto as the third-line center. While Greig has some offensive upside, fantasy managers certainly can't expect him to provide similar production to Pinto. Greig has recorded eight points (two goals, six assists) in 22 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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