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NHL News

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

Monday, December 29, 2025

Panthers Eye Blackhawks' Connor Murphy for Defensive Upgrade

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The Florida Panthers are reportedly eyeing Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy as a potential trade target to bolster their third pairing. Murphy, 32, a right-handed defenseman, has five assists in 38 games this season, averaging 15:26 of ice time. His $4.4 million cap hit is a hurdle, but the Panthers have $3.8 million in LTIR space with Aleksander Barkov out, and Chicago may retain salary. Murphy is in the final year of his contract, making him a potential re-signing target for Florida if a trade materializes.

Connor Bedard Skates Before Practice as Shoulder Rehab Continues

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Connor Bedard was seen skating before the Blackhawks' Monday practice at Fifth Third Arena as part of his rehab plan for a shoulder injury. He engaged in stick handling and speed skating but did not take any shots. His absence, along with Frank Nazar (broken jaw), has significantly impacted the young Blackhawks' offensive talent. Coach Jeff Blashill confirmed Bedard's on-ice activity is part of his recovery process, while Nazar has been upgraded to eating solid foods.

Filip Gustavsson Expected to Start Monday Against Vegas

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Filip Gustavsson is slated to start on the road against Vegas on Monday. In his last start Tuesday, he stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss to Nashville. This season, Gustavsson holds a 12-8-4 record with a 2.49 GAA and a .912 save percentage across 24 outings. Vegas ranks 11th in goals per game with 3.17, presenting a challenging matchup for the Minnesota Wild netminder.

Carter Hart to Start Monday at Home Against Minnesota

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Carter Hart will protect the home net against Minnesota on Monday. He is coming off a 33-save effort in Saturday's 6-5 shootout loss to Colorado. This season, Hart holds a 4-1-3 record through eight outings, having allowed 23 goals on 226 shots. Minnesota sits 17th in the league with 3.03 goals per game, setting up a key divisional matchup for the Golden Knights' goaltender.

Jeremy Swayman Slated to Start Monday Against Calgary

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Jeremy Swayman is expected to start on the road against Calgary on Monday. He has not earned a win in his past four outings, posting an 0-2-1 record with 14 goals allowed on 88 shots (.841 save percentage). Overall this season, Swayman is 14-10-1 with a 2.91 GAA and a .901 save percentage in 26 appearances. Calgary ranks 28th in goals per game with 2.61, offering a chance for Swayman to rebound.

Alex Lyon Set to Start Against St. Louis, Eyes Sixth Straight Win

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Alex Lyon is expected to start on the road against St. Louis, aiming to extend his personal winning streak to six games. Over his current streak, he has allowed just 13 goals on 167 shots, posting an impressive .922 save percentage. This season, Lyon holds a 9-6-3 record with a 2.87 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 20 appearances. The Blues rank last in goals per game with 2.51, indicating a favorable matchup for the Buffalo Sabres netminder.

Shane Pinto Activated from IR, Expected to Return Monday

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Shane Pinto (lower body) has been activated from injured reserve Monday, according to the NHL media site. After a 10-game absence, Pinto appears ready to return to the lineup against Columbus on Monday. This season, he has recorded 12 goals, 18 points, 65 shots on net, and 34 hits across 27 outings for the Ottawa Senators, providing a significant boost to their forward corps.

Lukas Dostal Set to Start Monday, Aims to Rebound vs. San Jose

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Lukas Dostal is expected to start at home against San Jose on Monday. He will attempt to rebound after stopping 24 of 30 shots in a 6-1 loss to the Kings in his last start Saturday. This season, Dostal holds a 13-9-1 record with a 3.01 GAA and an .894 save percentage in 23 outings. San Jose ranks 18th in goals per game with 3.00, presenting an opportunity for the Anaheim Ducks netminder to improve his recent performance.

Blackwood Expected to Start vs. Kings; Riding Five-Game Win Streak

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Mackenzie Blackwood is projected to start in goal at home against the Kings on Monday, per Aarif Deen. The Avalanche netminder boasts an impressive 11-1-1 record this season with a 2.16 GA and .924 save percentage through 13 appearances. He's currently on a five-game winning streak, having allowed only 10 goals on 144 shots (.931 SV%) during that span. The Kings rank 29th in goals per game, presenting a favorable matchup for Blackwood.

Vanecek Set to Start Monday; Backed Up by Villalta Amidst Vejmelka Injury

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Vitek Vanecek is expected to patrol the home crease against Nashville on Monday after being the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, Brogan Houston reports. He recently made 25 saves in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Colorado. This season, Vanecek holds a 2-8-1 record with a 2.81 GAA and an .882 save percentage across 11 appearances. With Karel Vejmelka (upper body) on injured reserve, Matt Villalta will serve as Vanecek's backup goalie for the time being.

Dahlin Returns to Sabres Lineup Monday After Personal Absence

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Rasmus Dahlin (personal) is expected to play Monday in St. Louis, rejoining the Buffalo Sabres for morning skate. He is slated to serve on the top defensive pairing alongside Mattias Samuelsson. This season, Dahlin has recorded four goals, 28 points, 37 PIM, 27 hits, and 41 blocks in 33 outings. Zach Metsa is likely to be a healthy scratch.

Lightning's Sabourin Fined $2,018.23 for Slashing Niko Mikkola

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward Scott Sabourin has been fined $2,018.23, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for slashing Florida’s Niko Mikkola. The incident took place during a contentious 'Battle of Florida' game where the Lightning secured a 4-2 victory over the Panthers. Despite the numerous penalties and altercations, which saw the Lightning handed 85 penalty minutes, the NHL Department of Player Safety opted against issuing any suspensions.

Panthers' Lundell Fined $5,000 for High-Sticking Jake Guentzel

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Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for high-sticking Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel. The incident occurred during a heated 'Battle of Florida' matchup where the Lightning defeated the Panthers 4-2. Despite the penalty-filled game, which saw the Panthers accumulate 49 penalty minutes, no suspensions were handed out by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Wolf Tapped to Start for Flames Against Boston on Monday

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Dustin Wolf is expected to start in goal for the Calgary Flames at home against Boston on Monday. This season, Wolf holds a 12-14-2 record with a 2.96 GAA and an .897 save percentage across 29 appearances. He is coming off a strong performance Saturday, stopping 29 of 31 shots in a 3-2 victory over Edmonton. Boston currently ranks 14th in the league with 3.10 goals per game.

Thompson Starts for Capitals on Road Against Florida

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Logan Thompson will guard the road net for the Washington Capitals against Florida on Monday. He recently delivered a 35-save performance in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over New Jersey. This season, Thompson boasts a 15-9-3 record with two shutouts, a 2.27 GAA, and a .917 save percentage through 27 appearances. Florida ranks 12th in the league with 3.16 goals per game.

Shesterkin to Start for Rangers Against Hurricanes Monday

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Igor Shesterkin will defend the road net for the New York Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. He has been in strong form recently, posting a 3-1-0 record in his last four starts while allowing only nine goals on 116 shots. This season, Shesterkin holds a 16-12-3 record with one shutout, a 2.51 GAA, and a .910 save percentage through 31 appearances. Carolina ranks fifth in the league with 3.30 goals per game.

Vejmelka Placed on Injured Reserve with Upper Body Injury

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Karel Vejmelka (upper body) has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to December 23rd. The UTA goaltender will miss Monday's home game against Nashville but is eligible for activation before Thursday's road match versus the Islanders. The 29-year-old has a 16-10-2 record, 2.70 GAA, and .894 save percentage in 29 appearances this 2025-26 season. Matt Villalta was called up in a corresponding move.

Erik Karlsson to Miss Practice with Illness, Status for Tuesday Uncertain

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Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson will miss Monday's practice due to an illness. His availability for Tuesday's game against Carolina is uncertain. Karlsson has recorded three goals and 26 points in 37 games this season. Should he be unable to play, Connor Clifton may enter the lineup, and Kris Letang would likely move to the top power-play unit.

Sergei Bobrovsky Starts Monday vs. Washington After Streak Ends

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Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is confirmed to start Monday's home game against Washington. His six-game winning streak recently concluded in a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay. Over his last seven outings, Bobrovsky has made 157 saves on 176 shots. This season, he holds a 16-9-1 record with three shutouts, a 2.79 GAA, and an .888 save percentage through 26 appearances.

Connor Hellebuyck to Start Against High-Scoring Oilers

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Connor Hellebuyck is confirmed to start in goal for the Winnipeg Jets against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. He enters the game with a recent record of 0-2-3, having allowed 15 goals on 124 shots in his last five outings. This season, Hellebuyck holds a 9-8-3 record with a 2.55 GAA and a .908 save percentage across 20 appearances. He faces a tough challenge against Edmonton, who rank third in the league with 3.38 goals per game.