November 23, 2025
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen has received an automatic one-game suspension due to a second match penalty in three games. Rantanen was tossed from the game for boarding on Nov. 18 against the New York Islanders and received another ejection for boarding in Saturday's loss to the Calgary Flames. As a result of the suspension, Rantanen must sit out Tuesday's Western Conference Finals rematch against the Edmonton Oilers. He will be eligible to return to action on Wednesday night against the Seattle Kraken. Due to Rantanen's absence, Sam Steel may receive another opportunity in the top six. Meanwhile, Matt Duchene (upper body) could be another option if he is ready to return to the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
November 23, 2025
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk (lower body) won't return to Sunday's contest against the Minnesota Wild. He logged only a couple of minutes of ice time before suffering a lower-body injury. Pionk has played a huge role on the Jets' blue line, averaging a career-high 23:46 of ice time this season. He has registered five points (one goal, four assists), 43 shots, 36 blocks, and 41 hits. If Pionk has to miss time, the Jets will likely bring Luke Schenn back into the lineup. Schenn has minimal fantasy value due to his limited offensive skills.
--Taavi PailkSource: Winnipeg Jets PR
November 23, 2025
New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (upper body) is considered week-to-week, the team announced before Sunday's clash against the Seattle Kraken. The two-way forward had his normal workload on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues, but it looks like Pageau was hurt in the contest. Sunday marks his first absence of the campaign. In 22 outings, Pageau has contributed six goals and six assists. Additionally, he has averaged one block per game while delivering 33 hits. Calum Ritchie moved up to the third line to replace Pageau on Sunday, while Maxim Tsyplakov re-entered the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
November 23, 2025
New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (shoulder) is expected to miss 5-6 months after undergoing surgery, the team announced on Sunday. The Russian rearguard injured his shoulder during a contest against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 16. He was on the receiving end of a bad hit from Stars forward Mikko Rantanen, who was tossed from the game because of it. Romanov has recorded one assist, 17 shots, 31 blocks, and 31 hits in 15 games this season. Due to Romanov's absence, Adam Boqvist has become a regular in the lineup. Marshall Warren could also receive opportunities to play soon.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
November 23, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby hit another milestone in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, becoming the sixth player in NHL history with 500 career multi-point games. The Penguins captain scored his team's first goal and got a power-play assist on an Evgeni Malkin strike. Making his 1,373rd career regular-season appearance, Crosby became the third-fastest player in history to reach 500 multi-point games. Crosby has posted seven multi-point games this season, showing that he can still do the business 21 years into his NHL career. Currently, Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 13 goals and has notched 23 points in 21 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
November 23, 2025
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood recorded his first shutout of the season in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators, finishing the game with 35 saves. After Brent Bruns scored just 15 seconds into the game, Blackwood kept Colorado ahead until the team wrapped up the win with two empty-net goals. Blackwood recorded his third consecutive victory, improving to 3-0-1 for the season. He has a 2.47 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Due to offseason lower-body surgery, we haven't seen much of Blackwood in 2025-26. But he is starting to get regular action, providing competition for Scott Wedgewood, who is set to start in Sunday's matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
November 23, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad sat out Saturday's clash against the Edmonton Oilers due to illness, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports. Initially, the Panthers announced that Ekblad was dealing with an upper-body injury. Florida's No. 1 defenseman missed his first game of the season. However, Ekblad is expected to make a quick return, as Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said that he will travel with the team for Monday's game against the Nashville Predators. Ekblad averages over one hit and block per game through 20 outings, but he has been limited to five points (one goal, four assists) on the offensive end this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: George Richards
November 23, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe (upper body) was forced to exit Saturday's matchup against the Montreal Canadiens early after being struck by a puck. He finished the night with two shots, two blocks, one hit, and two penalty minutes across 12:37 of action. The Maple Leafs get a few off nights, giving McCabe recovery time, but he will miss his first game of the season if he isn't feeling ready to play on Wednesday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 22 outings, McCabe has made an impact on both ends of the ice, registering 10 points (three goals, seven assists), 49 shots, 53 blocks, and 30 hits. Philippe Myers is in line to jump into the lineup if McCabe has to miss time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
November 23, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (undisclosed) was injured late in the second period in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Washington Capitals. He tried to play through the injury but was able to take only one shift in the third frame. Point boasts a disappointing 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 21 appearances this season, and the injury is an additional setback for him. Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) was also injured on Saturday night, meaning the Tampa attack may have to go through major changes for Monday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. Nicholas Paul, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Yanni Gourde are all candidates to move into the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
November 23, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) was limited to a handful of minutes on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals. The former MVP had a monster start in the contest, racking up a goal and two assists, but he was hurt early in the second period. Kucherov exited the action after a hard hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson. On Saturday, Kucherov had at least one point in a fifth consecutive game, taking his overall tally to 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) through 19 outings. He has recovered well from a slow start to the season. However, the Russian superstar may now have to spend some time on the sidelines due to injury.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
November 22, 2025
Washington Capitals center Nic Dowd (upper body) will miss Saturday's clash against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The veteran took part in an optional skate on Saturday morning but is forced to sit out a third straight game with an upper-body injury. Dowd has picked up five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 outings this season, handing out 33 hits. His next opportunity to return will be in Monday's matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sonny Milano has stepped into the lineup as Dowd's replacement and will carry some momentum into Saturday's contest after scoring twice in Thursday's 8-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
November 22, 2025
Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (undisclosed) will play on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. His status for the contest was initially uncertain after Evans made an early exit on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Against Toronto, Evans will center the third line, flanked by Josh Anderson and debutant Florian Xhekaj. With Kirby Dach (foot), Alex Newhook (ankle), and Patrik Laine (lower body) all on the shelf, Evans' playing time has been on the rise lately. However, he hasn't provided consistent offensive production, amassing six points (three goals, three assists) in 20 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
November 22, 2025
Colorado Avalanche forward Gavin Brindley (lower body) is currently not with the team and will miss this weekend's back-to-back on the road against Nashville and Chicago, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. Brindley suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's win over the New York Rangers and will be sidelined for at least two games. The 21-year-old has scored four goals and seven points in 18 appearances during his rookie campaign. The Avalanche have brought up Jason Polin from the minors to fill the gap in the lineup. Meanwhile, Gabriel Landeskog will move to the second line on Saturday night and will also join the first power-play unit. During his comeback season, Gabriel Landeskog has been limited to six points (two goals, four assists) in 20 games, but a move to a scoring line and the top power-play unit significantly increases his fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Aarif Deen
November 22, 2025
Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (upper body) has been activated from Injured Reserve and is set to play on Saturday night against the San Jose Sharks. The former All-Star recently suffered an upper-body injury, and initial reports suggested that he would be unavailable for two weeks. Yet, Chabot ended up sitting out only three games. Once again, Chabot is carrying a heavy load in the Senators defense this season, averaging close to 22 minutes of ice time. He has recorded 10 points (two goals, eight assists), 19 shots, 35 blocks, and 11 hits in 17 outings. Chabot will likely fill his usual duties on the second defensive pairing and the second power-play unit against the Sharks.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN 1200 Ottawa
November 22, 2025
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (upper body) will return to action on Saturday night against the Colorado Avalanche. He has missed 12 games while dealing with an upper-body injury. The Predators captain will head to the first defensive pairing and the top power-play unit, with Nick Blankenburg projected to be a healthy scratch. Josi has registered five points (one goal, four assists), 19 shots, and 15 blocks in eight appearances this season. The Swiss veteran has been impactful on both ends of the ice, but Josi makes his return in a difficult spot, facing the league leaders, who have lost only once in regulation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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