January 3, 2026
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is not traveling with the team during a three-game road trip, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. The Finnish veteran will miss a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. In 21 appearances this season, Kiviranta has recorded four points (one goal, three assists), 13 shots, and 30 hits. While he is an effective fourth-line grinder, Kiviranta doesn't provide any fantasy value. In his absence, Zakhar Bardakov will make a second straight appearance on Saturday. Bardakov is unlikely to contribute much, having tallied five points (one goal, four assists) in 26 games this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Corey Masisak
January 3, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Gavin Brindley (lower body) won't be in the lineup on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. The 21-year-old rookie sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday versus the St. Louis Blues. Brindley has been quiet for most of the year, posting nine points (five goals, four assists) in 27 appearances. Taylor Makar will come into the lineup on Saturday, with Brindley joining Joel Kiviranta (lower body) on the sidelines. After three career NHL appearances, Makar is still looking for his first point.
--Taavi PailkSource: Corey Masisak
January 3, 2026
Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith (personal) has taken a leave of absence and been placed on non-roster status. In a corresponding move, the Stars recalled Remi Poirier from the minors. DeSmith, who has posted a 9-2-4 record this season, left the team to address a family matter. While DeSmith has allowed four goals in back-to-back appearances, he has been a solid backup option for Dallas behind Jake Oettinger. The 34-year-old veteran boasts a 2.44 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage, and one shutout. Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan expects DeSmith to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 3, 2026
Boston Bruins winger Tanner Jeannot (undisclosed) will remain sidelined on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks, Jack Studley of Boston Hockey Now reports. The power forward is dealing with an undisclosed health issue and is considered day-to-day. Despite missing time, Jeannot continues to lead Boston with 113 hits. He has produced four goals and 11 assists in 38 games on the offensive end. Jeannot's next chance to return will be a meeting with the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. In the meantime, Michael Eyssimont will continue to log minutes on the fourth line. Due to his limited role on the team, Eyssimont has not had fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jack Studley
January 3, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Trevor Moore (illness) will miss a second straight game on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild. On Friday, Moore appeared on track to return to the lineup against Minnesota after practicing with the team, but the veteran will sit out at least one more game due to illness. Jeff Malott will remain in the lineup on Saturday, while Joel Armia will continue to skate on the second line. Although the Finnish forward scored a short-handed goal in Monday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche, Armia hasn't been a factor in fantasy hockey.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 3, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (groin) is on track to rejoin the lineup on Saturday night against the Colorado Avalanche, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour is reportedly "planning" for Gostisbehere to return Saturday. He has missed three games with a groin injury. Mike Reilly is projected to come out of the lineup. Gostisbehere notched three points in his most recent outing and has been a regular scorer in 2025-26. Currently, the 32-year-old is averaging more than a point per game, with four goals and 25 assists through 28 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Walt Ruff
January 3, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) will miss his fourth straight game on Saturday against the New York Islanders. "He's progressing," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters on Saturday morning. "I think he's trending in the right direction, and now my hope is maybe he's back with us Monday on the ice practicing". If Nylander can get through Monday's practice, he may be ready to return to action on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers. Nylander has amassed a team-high 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 33 appearances. Easton Cowan has played regularly during Nylander's absence, but he hasn't made a fantasy impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 3, 2026
Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk had his first multi-point outing of the campaign on Friday, finishing a 4-3 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken with three points. During the season period, he had a goal and an assist on the power play, and DeBrusk added an even-strength assist to his tally in the third. This was DeBrusk's second outing after he was scratched for a matchup against Seattle on Monday. Vancouver got a positive reaction from DeBrusk to the benching, but he still has plenty of room for improvement. The 29-year-old has totaled 10 goals and 20 points in 38 appearances this season, scoring only one even-strength goal.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
Minnesota Wild forward Danila Yurov lit the lamp two times in Friday's 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He put Minnesota 2-0 up in the second period and potted the team's fourth goal early in the third. On Friday, the Russian rookie had more goals than in his previous 16 appearances combined. After returning to the top six, he could find more success at the start of 2026. Yurov's overall tally for his first NHL year reads six goals and nine points in 35 games. He is tied for sixth among rookies with 14 even-strength points.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere tied the NHL Winter Classic record with three assists in Friday's 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Het set up hat-trick hero Mika Zibanejad for a pair of goals and also helped Artemi Panarin to score. Lafreniere recorded more points than he had managed over his previous eight appearances. The 24-year-old has been plagued by inconsistency throughout the season, scoring points in only 15 of his 43 outings. Overall, he has collected eight goals and 15 assists through 43 contests. On paper, Lafreniere finds himself in a great spot to make a mark, as he is part of New York's top-six group and skates on the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad rocked the Florida Panthers on Friday night with a five-point performance in a 5-1 win, setting the new Winter Classic scoring record and becoming the first player to post a hat trick in the special matchup. It marks the third-ever hat trick in an NHL outdoor game. Zibanejad scored in each period, while setting up Artemi Panarin for a couple of goals. Two of his points came on the power play. Although Zibanejad hasn't been at his best this season, his outstanding performance in his first outing of 2026 could be a sign of better things to come. In 42 games, he has recorded 15 goals and 20 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. Blackwood will be re-evaluated after the team's upcoming three-game road trip, which begins on Saturday with a clash against the Carolina Hurricanes. Colorado has recalled Trent Miner from the AHL to fill Blackwood's spot on the roster. Blackwood has been extraordinary for the Avalanche this season, posting a 13-1-1 record with a league-best 2.07 goals-against average. He is ranked second in the NHL with a save percentage of .924 and has notched two shutouts. While Miner could see action during this weekend's back-to-back, Scott Wedgewood is expected to get the bulk of the work until Blackwood returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: Corey Masisak
January 3, 2026
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (upper body) lasted for only three minutes in Friday's 5-1 Winter Classic loss to the New York Rangers. He was hurt early in the first period and was ruled out for the remainder of the game during the second period. Jones exited the special matchup after taking a puck near his left collarbone. "We'll get him looked at tomorrow," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said postgame. "It doesn't look terrible right now. He's just got to be looked at tomorrow." Jones, who skated in his 900th career game on Friday, is having a good first full season in Florida. He has registered 24 points (six goals, 18 assists), 78 shots, 47 blocks, and 38 hits in 40 outings. Donovan Sebrango will likely fill his spot if Jones can't play in Sunday's contest against the Colorado Avalanche.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 3, 2026
Vancouver Canucks center Linus Karlsson scored in Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks shortly after the team announced that he had signed a new contract. The Swedish forward has taken a significant leap in 2025-26 and was rewarded with a two-year, $4.5 million extension. This season, Karlsson has been playing on a one-year, $775,000 deal. He has offered great value for money in Vancouver, scoring 10 goals and 17 points in 37 outings. Only Kiefer Sherwood (17) has more goals for the Canucks. Additionally, Karlsson has recorded 51 hits while averaging 10:38 of ice time. Currently, Karlsson is showing his best form of the season, scoring in three of the last four games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Trevor Moore (illness) is on track to return to the lineup Saturday against the Minnesota Wild, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports. After missing Thursday's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning due to illness, Moore participated in Friday's practice wearing a regular jersey. He worked with Quinton Byfield and Warren Foegele on the second line. Moore's return will bump Joel Armia down the lineup, and Jeff Malott appears to be the odd man out. Following a 40-point effort in 2024-25, Moore faces an uphill challenge in reaching 30 points this term. He has five goals and eight assists in 37 contests, going scoreless in nine of his past 10 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: Zach Dooley
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