December 18, 2025
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring (lower body) is expected to end a 14-game absence in Thursday's matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers. Kesselring also missed time earlier in the campaign and has been limited to nine appearances in 2025-26. While Kesselring has been a two-way contributor in previous years, he hasn't yet scored any points this season. Without the puck, he has recorded nine blocks and seven hits. Kesselring will replace Jacob Bryson as Owen Power's partner on the blue line. However, Bryson may still get an opportunity to play, as Conor Timmins (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Buffalo Sabres forward Peyton Krebs (illness) is expected to suit up on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. His status for the game was in doubt after Krebs missed Wednesday's practice due to illness. However, he appears to have made a quick recovery and will likely line up on the top line next to Tage Thompson and Josh Doan. Krebs mainly adds physicality to the line, as he ranks second on the team with 76 hits. He has yet to light the lamp this season with 37 shots on goal but does have nine assists in 32 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Calgary Flames defenseman Jake Bean (undisclosed) is scheduled for surgery and will be out indefinitely, head coach Ryan Huska said on Thursday. Bean has been on Injured Reserve since Dec. 11 and last played for the Flames on Dec. 6. In total, he has made only 16 appearances in 2025-26, recording two points (one goal, one assist) and 29 blocks. Huska noted that Bean had been attempting to play through his injury, but said that undergoing surgery was "the best path forward for him". The Flames boss did not specify if Bean would miss the rest of the season. Among Calgary's d-men, Rasmus Andersson has been by far the best fantasy piece this season, providing steady offense and around two blocks per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
December 18, 2025
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (upper body) will skip a second consecutive contest on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Matherson's absence has left a huge gap on the blue line, as the veteran leads all skaters on the team in ice time with 24:54 per game. He has notched 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 32 games while blocking 69 shots. Arber Xhekaj has joined the lineup during Matheson's absence, with Jayden Struble moving into the top-four group. Both Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson absorbed additional minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Philadelphia Flyers and have extra fantasy value until Matheson returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The team activated Vasilevskiy from Injured Reserve earlier this week, while reassigning Brandon Halverson to the minors. It's unclear whether Vasilevskiy will start the contest. However, having the former Vezina winner back is definitely good news for the Lightning. The Russian netminder has won 11 of his last 14 starts, carrying an 11-6-2 record for the season. He has recorded one shutout, allowing 2.31 goals with a .917 save percentage. The Kings average the fifth-fewest goals in the NHL (2.58), making this a good matchup for Vasilevskiy if he returns to the crease on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed) was activated from Injured Reserve and is poised to end an 18-game absence on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Kings. Declan Carlile is expected to come out of the lineup to accommodate McDonagh's return. Tampa's blue line has been badly hit by injuries this season, and McDonagh hasn't seen any action since Nov. 8. Erik Cernak (undisclosed), Victor Hedman (elbow), and Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) remain out against L.A., so McDonagh could have a heavy workload in his return. The veteran rearguard has managed six points (three goals, three assists) in 15 outings this season, sending 15 shots on goal and blocking 26 efforts from the opposition.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (illness) is a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the St. Louis Blues. The Rangers' leading scorer is battling an illness and wasn't available for the morning skate. Even during a down year, Panarin is averaging nearly a point per game, recording 11 goals and 23 assists in 35 appearances. If Panarin can't play, Conor Sheary could start Thursday's game as a member of the top six. Sheary has popped up with a couple of good performances this month but hasn't provided consistent fantasy production all season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho posted a game-high three points in Wednesday's 4-1 victory against the Nashville Predators. He did all of the scoring in the third period, helping Carolina turn a tight road game into a comfortable victory. Aho netted two goals and delivered one assist. With his 21st career multi-point period, Aho passed Ron Francis (20) for the second most in franchise history. Only Eric Staal (25) has managed more. The Finnish star badly needed this one, as Aho was stuck on a five-game point drought before Wednesday's contest. It was his worst run without any points since March 2023. Overall, Aho can be fairly happy with his campaign, tallying 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 33 contests.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 18, 2025
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer recorded his third shutout of the season on Wednesday night, stopping the Winnipeg Jets from scoring with 24 saves in a 1-0 win. Hofer became the fifth goalie this season with as many as three shutouts. Minnesota's Jesper Wallstedt is the only one with four. While Hofer has impressed at times, he still holds a disappointing 6-7-2 record. The 25-year-old has allowed 2.97 goals with a .896 save percentage. St. Louis averages the second-fewest goals in the league, making it tough for the team's goalies to please fantasy managers. Jordan Binnington, who is 7-8-5 for the year, will take over the crease for Thursday's matchup against the New York Rangers.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 18, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (lower body) played only 5:44 in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, exiting the action during the second period due to a lower-body injury. Martinook leads all Hurricanes forwards with 56 hits in 33 games and has chipped in with four goals and seven assists on the offensive end. Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to come into the lineup if Martinook is unavailable for this weekend's back-to-back against Florida and Tampa Bay. Kotkaniemi's fantasy value is at an all-time low, as he has managed only five points (two goals, three assists) in 17 appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Nashville Predators right wing Jonathan Marchessault (lower body) logged only 5:27 of ice time in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He was forced to leave the game early due to a lower-body injury. Marchessault's season in Music City has been a nightmare, and a significant injury would only add to his frustrations. The three-time 30-goal scorer has lit the lamp only seven times in 28 outings, adding three assists. His minus-18 rating is tied for the third-worst mark in the league. Rookie Reid Schaefer could get an opportunity to impress in a larger role if Marchessault misses time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 18, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues (lower body) had a limited role in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Kings after he was hurt early in the game. He exited the action in the first period after taking a hit along the boards on a clearing attempt. Rodrigues returned to the contest for the second period, but he missed the final 5:16 of the third frame, finishing with barely 12 minutes of ice time. He doesn't appear to be dealing with anything serious. "We don't think it's too significant," Panthers head coach Maurice said postgame. On Wednesday, Rodrigues finished scoreless for the sixth time in nine December outings. He has totaled eight goals and 16 points in 33 games for the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Ottawa Senators center Lars Eller (foot) will be sidelined for at least three more weeks, head coach Travis Green said on Wednesday. Green revealed that Eller broke his foot against the Columbus Blue Jackets a week ago. Eller recently saw time on the second line, but even that didn't get him going for this season. The Danish veteran has managed just two goals and four assists across 28 games. In his absence, Stephen Halliday has filled in for the past two outings, but he doesn't carry any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 18, 2025
Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (upper body) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He remains on Injured Reserve with an upper-body problem. Chabot last played on Nov. 22, and he could soon be available to re-enter the lineup, as the 28-year-old returned to practice on Wednesday. The injury has disrupted a superb campaign for Chabot, who amassed 10 points (two goals, eight assists), 22 shots, and 36 blocks in 18 outings with a plus-five rating when he was healthy. Nikolas Matinpalo has played regularly during Chabot's absence, but his production hasn't been anywhere near the same level.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 17, 2025
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) is nearing his season debut, but he may not be ready at the start of 2026. "I don't know," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said Wednesday when asked whether Tkachuk would be available for this season's Winter Classic on Jan. 2 against the New York Rangers. Before the season started, Zito said Tkachuk was expected to be out until "December-ish." Tkachuk's return would be huge for a Panthers team that has lost Aleksander Barkov (knee) for the season and has taken several injury blows throughout the campaign. The back-to-back champions are currently just outside the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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