Jason Dickinson Returns to Action Sunday
Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (shoulder) has come off Injured Reserve and will return to the lineup on Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche. Due to a shoulder issue, Dickinson has been unavailable for 10 games. The 30-year-old has been limited to eight appearances this season, notching one goal and two assists. Dickinson will resume his duties as the third-line center, skating alongside Ryan Donato and Ilya Mikheyev. He may also receive some top-six usage, especially with Andre Burakovsky (undisclosed) out for a second consecutive game.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Elias Lindholm Activated From Injured Reserve
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (lower body) has been activated from Injured Reserve and is eligible to rejoin the lineup on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks. The Swedish forward practiced on the third line with Fraser Minten and Mark Kastelic on Saturday. "Doesn't mean anything yet," Boston head coach Marco Sturm said. "We'll see, still going day by day." Upon his return, Lindholm will also likely rejoin the first power-play unit. He posted nine points (four goals, five assists) in 13 games before dropping out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury late last month.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Mikko Rantanen Suspended for One Game
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.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Neal Pionk Sustains Lower-Body Injury Sunday
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.
Source: Winnipeg Jets PR
Source: Winnipeg Jets PR
Jean-Gabriel Pageau Out Week-to-Week
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.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Alexander Romanov Out 5-6 Months Due to Shoulder Surgery
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.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Sidney Crosby Records 500th Multi-Point Game
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mackenzie Blackwood Posts 35-Save Shutout
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Aaron Ekblad Battling an Illness
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.
Source: George Richards
Source: George Richards
Jake McCabe Suffers Upper-Body Injury
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.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Brayden Point Makes Early Exit Versus Capitals
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.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Nikita Kucherov Hurt on Saturday
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.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Nic Dowd Out Against Lightning
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.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jake Evans Good to Go Saturday
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.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Gavin Brindley to Sit Out at Least Two Games
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.
Source: Aarif Deen
Source: Aarif Deen
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