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NHL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Auston Matthews 'Fairly Close' to Return After Lower-Body Injury

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Auston Matthews (lower body) is "fairly close" to returning to action, with coach Craig Berube hoping he can practice Wednesday. Matthews, who missed Tuesday's game against the Devils, sustained the injury blocking a shot in Sunday's overtime loss to Detroit. He is considered day-to-day, with his first opportunity for game action being Thursday against the Jets. His return would be a boost after his recent three-point game against Ottawa.

Horvat's Shootout Winner Secures Islanders' 3-2 Victory Over Blackhawks

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Bo Horvat led the New York Islanders to a 3-2 shootout win against the Chicago Blackhawks. Horvat scored in regulation, marking his 21st goal of the season on a power play, and netted the decisive shootout goal. His clutch performance secured the Islanders' third win in four games, demonstrating his continued offensive impact.

Joseph Woll Records First Shutout of Season in Dominant Win

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Joseph Woll delivered his first shutout of the season and third career, making 33 saves in a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Woll, who was confirmed to start, continued his strong December with six wins against one loss and a .926 save percentage in seven starts. This season, he holds a 7-4-1 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .913 save percentage through 12 appearances for the Maple Leafs.

Dobson's Two Assists Propel Canadiens to Overtime Win, Extends Hot Streak

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Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson delivered two assists, including one on Nick Suzuki's overtime winner, in a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. Dobson continues his strong play, having recorded two goals and eight points in his last four games. This season, the blueliner boasts seven goals, 20 assists, and 27 points in 39 games, proving a major impact since his acquisition from the Islanders.

Skinner Breaks Through with First Penguins Win, Named First Star

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Stuart Skinner, after a tough 0-3-0 start with the Penguins (4.18 GAA, .831 SV% in 3 games), broke through with his first win against the Hurricanes on Dec. 30. He stopped 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%), earning First Star honors. This stellar performance improved his Penguins record to 1-3-0 with a 3.36 GAA and .869 SV% in four appearances. The former Oilers netminder aims to build on this momentum.

Blues Rookie Otto Stenberg Impresses, Steps Up Amid Suter Injury

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Blues rookie Otto Stenberg, a 2023 first-round pick, has made a strong impression since his Dec. 15 recall from the AHL. The 20-year-old forward has recorded four assists in his first six NHL games, including one against the Sabres. With Pius Suter sidelined by injury, Stenberg's waiver-exempt tenure is extended, and coach Jim Montgomery trusts him to fill Suter's versatile roles, including on the penalty kill. Stenberg aims to develop his offensive game and become a top-six player.

Blues' Pius Suter Sidelined Four Weeks with High Ankle Sprain

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St. Louis Blues forward Pius Suter is sidelined with a high ankle sprain and will be reevaluated in four weeks. Suter sustained the injury during the third period of Saturday's 3-2 win against the Predators, though he returned to finish the game. His absence creates a significant challenge for the Blues due to his versatility in various situations and his crucial role as a top penalty killer. Rookie Otto Stenberg is expected to fill some of his responsibilities during this period.

John Leonard Reassigned to AHL Grand Rapids Despite 4 Points in 7 NHL Games

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Detroit Red Wings forward John Leonard has been reassigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. This move comes despite Leonard's impressive NHL stint, where he tallied four points in seven games, including a three-game point streak. The reassignment was anticipated due to Patrick Kane's imminent return from injury, freeing up a roster spot. Before his call-up, Leonard was a dominant force in the AHL, recording 29 points (19 goals, 10 assists) in just 20 games, leading the league in game-winning goals and earning AHL Player of the Month for November with 16 points in 10 games.

Panthers Honor Brad Marchand for 1,000-Point NHL Milestone

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The Florida Panthers paid tribute to Brad Marchand in a pregame ceremony Tuesday night, recognizing his achievement of joining the NHL's exclusive 1,000-point club. The ceremony took place before the Panthers hosted the Canadiens, celebrating Marchand's significant career milestone.

Jacob Markstrom to Start for Devils Against Maple Leafs Tuesday

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Jacob Markstrom will guard the road goal for the New Jersey Devils against Toronto on Tuesday. He is coming off a 23-save effort in last Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Islanders. This season, Markstrom holds a 9-8-1 record with a 3.33 GAA and an .883 save percentage through 19 appearances. While Toronto ranks eighth in the league with 3.26 goals per game, key offensive forwards William Nylander and Auston Matthews (both lower body) will not be in the lineup, potentially easing Markstrom's workload.

Shayne Gostisbehere Out for Tuesday's Game with Groin Injury

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Shayne Gostisbehere (groin) is not on the ice for warmups, indicating he will miss Tuesday's game against the Penguins. This marks his second consecutive absence. The 32-year-old defenseman's next opportunity to play will be Thursday versus the Canadiens. In his absence, Alexander Nikishin is expected to continue playing a larger role at even strength and on the power play for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Devils Reassign Forward Angus Crookshank to AHL Utica Comets

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The New Jersey Devils announced on December 28th that forward Angus Crookshank has been sent back to the American Hockey League (AHL) to rejoin the Utica Comets. Crookshank played eight games for the Devils, scoring one goal and averaging just over eight and a half minutes on ice. The 26-year-old has recorded seven points in 18 games for the Comets this season. A 2018 fifth-round pick, he has played 29 NHL games, tallying five points.

Frederik Andersen Slated to Start for Hurricanes Against Penguins

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Frederik Andersen is expected to make the road start for the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Penguins on Tuesday. His workload is anticipated to increase following Pyotr Kochetkov's (hip) season-ending injury. This will be Andersen's third appearance in December, and he currently holds an 0-5-2 record with an .834 save percentage over his last seven outings. Brandon Bussi is likely to handle the majority of the workload until Andersen's performance improves.

Marcus Johansson Continues Stellar Season with Goal, Three Assists

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Former Sabres forward Marcus Johansson is continuing his strong 2025-26 season with the Minnesota Wild. The 35-year-old has been a major surprise, recording 12 goals, 20 assists, and 32 points with a plus-21 rating in 38 games this campaign. This significantly exceeds his performance last season of 11 goals and 34 points in 72 games. Most recently, Johansson scored a goal and added three assists in the Wild's 5-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on December 29, playing a massive role in the win.

Darcy Kuemper Activated from IR, Ready for Kings' Thursday Game

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Darcy Kuemper (upper body) has been activated from injured reserve Tuesday, ending a six-game absence. The Kings goaltender is now available for Thursday's home matchup against Tampa Bay. In a corresponding move, Pheonix Copley was assigned to AHL Ontario. This season, Kuemper holds a 10-6-6 record with two shutouts, a 2.19 GAA, and a .917 save percentage across 23 appearances.

Daniil Tarasov to Start in Goal for Panthers Tuesday vs. Montreal

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Daniil Tarasov will start in goal for the Florida Panthers against Montreal on Tuesday, marking the second half of a back-to-back after Sergei Bobrovsky played Monday. Tarasov holds a 4-6-1 record this season with a 2.97 GAA and a .900 save percentage across 12 appearances. Montreal is tied for fifth in the league with 3.29 goals per game this year.

Jack Eichel Game-Time Decision for Wednesday vs. Nashville

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Jack Eichel (lower body) is listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday's game against Nashville, according to SinBin Vegas. The star center has missed six consecutive contests but is reportedly nearing a return to action. Before his injury, Eichel was productive, tallying four goals and 17 points over his last 12 games. His return would bolster the Vegas Golden Knights' depth up the middle, allowing Mitch Marner to shift back to the wing.

Rittich to Start Fifth Straight Game for Islanders

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David Rittich will make his fifth consecutive start for the New York Islanders on Tuesday against Chicago. The 33-year-old netminder is stepping up due to Ilya Sorokin's lower-body injury, currently on injured reserve. Rittich has performed well in his No. 1 role, posting a 2-1-1 record with a 1.49 GAA and .952 save percentage over his last four appearances. This matchup against the struggling Blackhawks, who are without Connor Bedard, could be favorable for Rittich.

Vladar to Start for Flyers Against Canucks on Tuesday

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Dan Vladar will be in net for the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday as they face the Vancouver Canucks on the road. Vladar previously made 23 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Canucks on December 22. This season, he holds a 13-6-3 record with a 2.37 GAA and a .909 save percentage through 22 appearances. The Canucks are currently tied for 25th in the league, averaging 2.76 goals per game.

Sabres' Alex Lyon Suffers Lower-Body Injury, Status Unclear

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Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon sustained a lower-body injury during Monday's 4-2 victory against St. Louis, as reported by Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News. Lyon did not participate in Tuesday's practice, casting doubt on his availability for Wednesday's road game versus Dallas. He has been on a hot streak, winning his last seven starts and allowing only 15 goals on 185 shots. Should Lyon miss time, Colten Ellis (concussion) might return from injured reserve to compete for playing time with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.