NHL News

Sebastian Aho • C • Hurricanes

Sebastian Aho Leads Hurricanes to Victory With Three-Point Period

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.

4 hours ago

Joel Hofer • G • Blues

Joel Hofer Notches Third Shutout of the Season

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.

4 hours ago

Jordan Martinook • LW • Hurricanes

Jordan Martinook Sustains Lower-Body Injury

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.

4 hours ago

Jonathan Marchessault • C • Predators

Jonathan Marchessault Exits Early Wednesday

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.

4 hours ago

Evan Rodrigues • C • Panthers

Evan Rodrigues Suffers Lower-Body Injury Wednesday

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.

4 hours ago

Lars Eller • C • Senators

Lars Eller to Miss at Least Three More Weeks

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.

4 hours ago

Thomas Chabot • D • Senators

Thomas Chabot Remains Out Thursday

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.

5 hours ago

Matthew Tkachuk • LW • Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk's Status Uncertain for Winter Classic

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.

20 hours ago

Tyson Foerster • RW • Flyers

Tyson Foerster Ruled Out for Five Months

Philadelphia Flyers winger Tyson Foerster (arm) was ruled out for five months on Wednesday. He had surgery on his arm on Monday, effectively ending his 2025-26 campaign. Initially, Foerster was ruled out for 2-3 months with an upper-body injury when he was hurt at the start of December. Foerster needs the Flyers to make the playoffs to have a chance of playing again this season. Before he exited the lineup, the 23-year-old winger contributed 10 goals and three assists in 21 outings. Foerster is still Philadelphia's second-highest goal-scorer this season, as the team has had a balanced offense. Eight forwards have reached 15 points, with Trevor Zegras at the top of the pile with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) through 32 games.

20 hours ago

Quinton Byfield • RW • Kings

Quinton Byfield Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday

Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (illness) will return to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers. Due to illness, Byfield was unavailable for the first time this season when the Kings faced the Dallas Stars on Monday. Byfield is the third-highest scoring King this season, totaling 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in 31 appearances. Yet, he has been ice-cold this month, finishing all six December outings pointless. This is Byfield's worst point drought since April 2024. He will look to end it on Wednesday night as a member of the Kings' second line and first power-play unit. Alex Turcotte will drop down in the lineup, though he should continue to see additional ice time due to Phillip Danault's (illness) continued absence.

20 hours ago

Gustav Forsling • D • Panthers

Gustav Forsling Available Against Kings

Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (undisclosed) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. He sustained an undisclosed injury in Monday's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, exiting the contest in the third period. Fortunately for Florida, Forsling won't have to miss additional time. The Swedish blue-liner has played in all 32 games this season, logging 14 points (one goal, 13 assists), 39 shots, 37 blocks, and 26 hits. He has been a great asset for the Panthers, though Forsling's contributions on the attacking end have been lacking recently. He has not scored any points in four straight games, appearing on the score sheet just twice in 10 appearances.

20 hours ago

Pavel Dorofeyev • LW • Golden Knights

Pavel Dorofeyev Good to Go Wednesday

Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev (undisclosed) will be in the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. Initially, his status was uncertain for the game after Dorofeyev left Sunday's win over Columbus early due to an unspecified injury. In Wednesday's contest, the Russian winger has a chance to tie his longest point streak of the season. He has made it on the score sheet in three consecutive games, posting two goals and one assist. Overall, Dorofeyev has managed 13 goals and 21 points in 31 outings. He is tied for third in the league with eight power-play goals and has notched 12 power-play points in total. New Jersey has a 75.8 percent penalty kill, making this a great matchup for Dorofeyev.

20 hours ago

Shea Theodore • D • Golden Knights

Shea Theodore Out Against Devils

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (upper body) won't be in the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. He will sit out his first game of the season due to an upper-body injury. Theodore will be missed on both ends of the ice, as he is Vegas' top-scoring defenseman with 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) and ranks third on the team with 48 blocks in 31 games. Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and will enter the lineup as Theodore's replacement. However, he has a much more limited skill set than Theodore and should not be expected to make a big difference in fantasy hockey.

20 hours ago

Jack Eichel • C • Golden Knights

Jack Eichel Misses First Game of the Season Wednesday

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (illness) won't play on Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils. He has been ruled out due to illness, missing his first game of the season. Eichel left Tuesday's practice early and wasn't on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate. The four-time All-Star is considered day-to-day and could rejoin the lineup for this weekend's back-to-back against Calgary and Edmonton. Brett Howden will take over as the top-line center against New Jersey, giving him additional fantasy value. Meanwhile, Reilly Smith is projected to re-enter the lineup on the fourth line.

21 hours ago

Brett Pesce • D • Devils

Brett Pesce Back in Action Wednesday

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 31-year-old has been out of action since late October due to an upper-body injury. Before suffering the injury, Pesce made nine appearances at the start of the season, recording three assists, eight shots, and 24 blocks with a plus-three rating. He makes a welcome return for a Devils team that has slipped to fifth in the Metropolitan Division. Pesce is set to link up with Luke Hughes on the second defensive pairing, bumping Dennis Cholowski out of the lineup.

21 hours ago

Thatcher Demko • G • Canucks

Thatcher Demko Shuts Out Rangers With 23 Saves

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko recorded his 10th career shutout on Tuesday night, pushing aside 23 pucks in a 3-0 road victory over the New York Rangers. It's his first shutout this season, making Demko the sixth goalie in history to have double-digit shutouts with the Canucks. Demko has sat out a lot of time again in 2025-26 due to injury, but he has made a strong return to action. The American netminder has gone 2-1-0 over his past three starts, allowing 1.35 goals with a .938 save percentage. This run has improved Demko's record for the season to 7-5-0. He has logged a goals-against average of 2.45 and a save percentage of .910. In his next start, Demko will attempt to win a third consecutive outing for the first time this season.

Yesterday

Macklin Celebrini • C • Sharks

Macklin Celebrini Notches Four Points in Tuesday's Win

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini became the third player this season to reach 50 points for the campaign, totaling four points in a 6-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. He had two goals and two assists, scoring a spectacular spin-o-rama goal as the game-winning marker. Celebrini became the third teenager in NHL history to reach 50 points during a season in 34 or fewer games and hit the plateau three games faster than any other player in franchise history. After an impressive start to the season, Celebrini has found a way to elevate his game further in December, going for 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in eight games. He has already recorded four games with three-plus points this month. San Jose's teenage sensation will have three more games before Christmas, entering the stretch with 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists) in the bag.

Yesterday

Leon Draisaitl • C • Oilers

Leon Draisaitl Reaches Special Milestone During Four-Point Night

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl surpassed 1,000 career points during Tuesday's 6-4 road win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He needed only one point to become the first German player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points in the regular season. Draisaitl finished the contest with four points, all coming through assists. The former MVP helped set up three power-play goals. This was Draisaitl's 824th career game, making him the fifth-fastest player born outside North America to reach the 1,000-point mark. Edmonton's No. 29 is a scoring machine and has showcased it in style this month, averaging two points per game across eight outings. For the season, Draisaitl has posted 17 goals and 47 points in 34 games.

Yesterday

Shea Theodore • D • Golden Knights

Shea Theodore Questionable for Wednesday Night

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (upper body) missed Tuesday's practice, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Vegas' defensive star has sustained an upper-body injury and could be absent from the lineup for the first time this season when the team faces the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. In 31 outings, Theodore has posted 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) with 48 blocks. He leads all Vegas skaters in ice time at 24:01 per game, working with Noah Hanifin on the first defensive pairing and anchoring the second power-play unit. Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) practiced fully on Tuesday and could be Theodore's replacement in the lineup against New Jersey.

Yesterday

Jack Eichel • C • Golden Knights

Jack Eichel Battling Illness

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (illness) didn't finish Tuesday's practice, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Eichel's early departure from the session leaves his status uncertain for Wednesday's contest against the New Jersey Devils. The American star is battling an illness and could miss his first game of the season. It has been a sensational year for Eichel, who is attempting to post his first 100-point season. After 31 appearances, he is sitting on 12 goals and 41 points. Currently, Eichel is riding a five-game point streak, posting multiple points four times during that stretch. Brett Howden and Tomas Hertl will have a heavy workload in the middle if Eichel can't play against the Devils.

Yesterday

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