December 28, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) won't play on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings, David Alter of The Hockey News reports. The Swedish superstar was injured during Saturday's win over the Ottawa Senators and will be replaced in the lineup by Easton Cowan. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube noted Nylander is considered day-to-day. Cowan has been inconsistent during his rookie campaign and sat out a third consecutive game on Saturday night as a healthy scratch. With just four goals and 11 points in 26 games, his production isn't good enough to warrant a spot on fantasy rosters.
--Taavi PailkSource: David Alter
December 28, 2025
Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is poised to rejoin the lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. On Sunday morning, Kraken head coach Lane Lambert stated that McCann is "very likely" to play, along with defenseman Vince Dunn (upper-body). McCann has battled health issues all season, most recently missing seven games with a lower-body injury. He has been limited to 11 appearances, posting five goals and three assists with 27 shots on goal. On Sunday, McCann is projected to join Berkly Catton and Shane Wright on the third line, while he should also log time on the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 28, 2025
Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn (upper body) appears ready to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Kraken head coach Lane Lambert said after the morning skate that both Dunn and forward Jared McCann (lower body) are "very likely" to return to action. Dunn has missed one game due to an upper-body injury. Due to his absence, Ryker Evans ate up additional ice time in Tuesday's win over the Los Angeles Kings. He will return to his normal role against Philadelphia. Dunn leads Seattle's blue line with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 34 games and has logged 38 blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and could end a nine-game absence on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old practiced on Saturday and is considered a game-time decision. In 27 outings this season, Lizotte has posted five points (three goals, two assists) with 25 hits. On Sunday, he is expected to skate with Connor Dewar and Noel Acciari on the fourth line. Although Lizotte lacks fantasy appeal, the Penguins will be happy to have another body back in the lineup. Evgeni Malkin's (upper body) return may soon follow. The veteran star skated on his own Saturday and remains week-to-week.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 28, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov produced a goal and two assists in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Russian forward collected all his points in the third period. After a sluggish start to the season, Svechnikov found his stride in late December, collecting a third of his total points over a five-game point streak. During the impressive run, he has bagged three goals and six assists, finding the back of the net in each of the last three outings. Overall, Svechnikov has 10 goals and 17 assists in 37 games this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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
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