December 10, 2025
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (upper body) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice and could rejoin the lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes. Washington has been without Carlson for three games after he sustained an upper-body injury. His presence has been missed at both ends of the ice, as Carlson boasts 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) and 38 blocks in 26 appearances this season. During his absence, Declan Chisholm and Dylan McIlrath have played, while Rasmus Sandin has received increased playing time in the Capitals' defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 10, 2025
Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The Russian forward has been ineffective since November and played a season-low 6:58 in Monday's win over the Utah Mammoth. He has posted four goals and eight points in 26 contests. Kuzmenko was also scratched for three games last month. On Wednesday, Jeff Malott will take Kuzmenko's spot in the lineup, joining Alex Turcotte and Corey Perry on the fourth line. Malott averages nearly three hits per game but has been anonymous offensively. In 19 appearances, he has scored two goals and has not registered a single assist.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 10, 2025
St. Louis Blues forward Nick Bjugstad (upper body) was unable to finish Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. He sustained an upper-body injury in the second period. Bjugstad has been a non-factor for most of the season, amassing five points (four goals, one assist) in 25 outings, but his experience and availability are assets for the team. The Blues are struggling badly with injuries and were already without four forwards for Tuesday's game. Hugh McGing looks set to be the next man up to enter the lineup if Bjugstad lands on the shelf for Thursday's clash against the Nashville Predators. The 27-year-old has gone scoreless in his previous six NHL appearances and should not be seen as a fantasy target.
--Taavi PailkSource: St. Louis Blues
December 10, 2025
Anaheim Ducks forward Frank Vatrano was limited to 9:17 of ice time on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins after a puck struck him in the face. Vatrano has had a tough year, and this is another unfortunate blow for him. After posting at least 40 points in three consecutive seasons, Vatrano is currently only on four points (three goals, one assist) through 30 outings. The Ducks could use Nikita Nesterenko or Jansen Harkins as Vatrano's replacement in the lineup if needed. The team returns to action on Thursday night against the New York Islanders.
--Taavi PailkSource: Seth Rorabaugh
December 10, 2025
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Colten Ellis entered concussion protocol after getting hurt during Tuesday's 4-3 overtime victory against the Edmonton Oilers. Ellis was pulled from the game late in the first period following a collision with Oilers forward David Tomasek. The 25-year-old stopped all six shots he faced against Connor McDavid's crew. He was replaced by Alex Lyon, who finished with 21 saves on 24 shots. Ellis has posted a 4-3-0 through his first eight NHL appearances this season, posting a 3.25 goals-against average with a .895 save percentage. If Ellis misses additional time, Lyon will share the Sabres crease with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 10, 2025
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (head) was hurt during a shootout in Tuesday's matchup against the Nashville Predators. Wedgewood returned to action on Tuesday after missing three games with a back issue. He stopped 25 of 28 shots in the contest, which needed a shootout after a 3-3 tie. During the shootout, Wedgewood took a blow to the head during Nashville's second attempt. He remained in the game for the third round, but Mackenzie Blackwood was set to face Nashville's fourth shot after an NHL concussion spotter pulled Wedgewood. Ultimately, the fourth round wasn't needed, as Colorado couldn't score on its third attempt, giving the Predators a 4-3 victory in the game. While Blackwood made a very brief appearance on Tuesday, he will be in for a busy period if Wedgewood misses additional time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 10, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) picked up another injury in Tuesday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. He was playing his third game after a nearly month-long injury layoff. Tampa's defensive star may now have to miss more time. Hedman's injury issues this season have given a massive boost to Darren Raddysh's fantasy stock. He has been a regular on the top power-play unit, logging at least 22 minutes of ice time in nine consecutive games. Raddysh has two of Tampa's goals in Tuesday's 6-1 victory. He has posted 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 24 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 10, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Bobby McMann will miss Thursday's game against the San Jose Sharks due to a suspension. He was handed a one-game suspension for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning forward Oliver Bjorkstrand in Monday's loss. McMann has been among Toronto's top goal-scorers this season with eight markers. In 29 games, he has also contributed six assists. Nicholas Robertson and Matias Maccelli are the candidates to fill in for McMann on Thursday night. McMann will be eligible to return to action on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (lower body) is facing another spell on the sidelines after he was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff expects Zucker to "miss some time" due to a lower-body injury. Zucker was unavailable for most of November due to a viral illness. He had been hugely impressive since returning, amassing 11 points (five goals, six assists) in nine games. For the season, Zucker has notched 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 21 games. Josh Dunne will take Zucker's spot in the lineup on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, but he has no fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (undisclosed) is poised to rejoin the lineup on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports. The Czech superstar has joined his teammates for pregame warmups after initially being regarded as a game-time decision. Pastrnak, who has missed five contests, is once again averaging over a point per game this season, scoring 11 goals and serving 18 assists in 26 appearances. Alex Steeves has seen time on the first line during Pastrnak's absence and must now settle for a lesser role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Lou Korac
December 9, 2025
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (back) will start on Tuesday night against the Nashville Predators. He has been out of the lineup for three games due to a back issue. This season, Wedgewood ranks in the top four in all the main goalie categories. He has a 13-1-3 record, a 2.07 goals-against average, and a .920 save percentage. Over his last three starts, Wedgewood has allowed three total goals, recording his first shutout of the season against the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 23. On Tuesday night, Wedgewood faces the NHL's fourth-weakest offense, as Nashville is averaging only 2.61 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve ahead of Tuesday's tilt against the Anaheim Ducks. He departed the lineup on Sunday against the Dallas Stars and will miss at least a couple more games after Tuesday night. Pittsburgh also placed Blake Lizotte (upper body) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. The Penguins are once again struggling with injuries in the attacking department, giving Thomas Novak a top-line role. Novak has been a regular on the score sheet recently and could cause plenty of trouble for the opposition as Sidney Crosby's partner in crime.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou (lower body) will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins and is considered week-to-week. Blues head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters that Kyrou is anticipated to miss at least one week of action, meaning he will probably sit out three more games after Tuesday night. Mathieu Joseph will get a look on the second against Boston after he recorded one assist in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Joseph hasn't managed points in back-to-back games since February, recording eight points (two goals, six assists) in 24 outings this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (lower body) will rejoin the lineup on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. He has missed 12 games due to a lower-body injury. Harley is projected to skate on the second defensive pairing and the second power-play unit. Compared to the previous campaign, Harley's scoring rate had dropped in 2025-26, but he has still been impactful. In 18 appearances, Harley has had 10 points (one goal, nine assists), 21 shots, and 43 blocks. He will look to build momentum against a struggling Jets team that has lost seven of its last nine games. Vladislav Kolyachonok will sit out Tuesday's game as a healthy scratch.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas (illness) is a game-time call for Tuesday's contest against the Nashville Predators. He left the morning skate early due to illness. Necas has had a great time in Denver and is currently on pace for a massive 110-point campaign. In 29 outings, he has contributed 14 goals and 25 assists. Gavin Brindley (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve on Tuesday and could be Necas' replacement in the lineup against Nashville. This is a very favorable fantasy matchup for Colorado's frontline, as the Predators allow the second-most goals in the league (3.50) and have the fifth-worst save percentage (.883).
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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