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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun scored his 15th goal of the season in overtime, securing a 4-3 victory for his team over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. Chychrun's decisive goal came 4:06 into the extra session, lifting Washington to only its second win in its last eight games and handing the Devils their third straight loss.
Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson made 35 saves, backstopping his team to a 4-3 overtime win against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. Thompson, who was confirmed as the starter earlier, secured the victory after a recent stretch where he posted a 1-3-1 record and allowed 17 goals in his previous five games, which included one shutout. The win marks a positive turn for the netminder.
Ottawa Senators forward Claude Giroux achieved a significant career milestone, playing in his 1,300th NHL game on December 27th. The 37-year-old, in his 19th season, is now the 76th player in league history to reach this mark. Giroux remains impactful, having recorded 7 goals and 26 points in 37 games this campaign. He previously played 1,000 games with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he amassed 291 goals, 609 assists, and 900 points, serving as captain from 2012-13.
William Nylander sustained a lower-body injury and did not return to Saturday's game against Ottawa. Before his early exit after 8:25 of ice time, Nylander managed to score a goal, bringing his season total to 14 goals and 41 points in 33 appearances. His availability for Sunday's game in Detroit is uncertain, with Easton Cowan a potential replacement if Nylander is sidelined.
Anders Lee opened the scoring for the New York Islanders just 58 seconds into Saturday's game against the Rangers with an unassisted goal. This marked his 10th goal of the season and extended his impressive point streak to five consecutive games, contributing to the Islanders' 2-0 shutout victory. His early tally set the tone for the game, helping the Islanders secure their second straight win.
David Rittich, starting for the Islanders after Ilya Sorokin's injury, delivered a stellar performance, making 27 saves to earn his ninth career shutout in a 2-0 victory over the Rangers. Rittich, who entered the game with an 8-3-2 record, 2.42 GAA, and .913 SV% this season, was impenetrable, denying key chances from Will Cuylle and Artemi Panarin, and stopping a penalty shot. His strong play secured the Islanders' win.
Anton Forsberg is confirmed to start in goal for the Los Angeles Kings against the Ducks on Saturday, as reported by Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site. The 33-year-old netminder has had a challenging stretch, allowing 10 goals on 111 shots across his last four appearances, resulting in a 1-3-0 record. He faces a Ducks team that has recently cooled offensively, scoring 11 goals over their last four games while posting a 1-2-1 record in that span.
Arvid Soderblom is slated to start in goal for the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday against the Dallas Stars. This comes as Soderblom has allowed 29 goals during his current five-game losing streak. The Stars present a tough challenge, having scored 25 goals in their last five games, going 4-0-1 in that span.
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (upper body) will miss Saturday's game against Carolina. Kane has been sidelined since December 13 due to the injury. So far this 2025-26 season, he has recorded six goals and 23 points in 24 appearances. His next opportunity to return to the lineup is scheduled for Sunday's matchup against Toronto.
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson (illness) is expected to return to action Saturday against New Jersey. He missed Tuesday's game due to the illness. Wilson has recorded 17 goals, 34 points, 54 PIM, and 97 hits in 36 appearances this season. Upon his return, he is slated to play in a top-six role and on the first power-play unit.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll will start Saturday's home game against the Senators. Woll has won two of his last three starts, stopping 81 of 89 shots. This presents a challenging matchup, as the Senators scored 21 goals during their 4-0-1 run in the five games before the holiday break, amidst Toronto's overall struggles.
Detroit Red Wings goalie John Gibson is slated to start Saturday's road game against Carolina. He aims for his ninth consecutive win, having allowed only 17 goals on 233 shots (.927 SV%) over his last eight appearances. This season, Gibson holds a 12-7-1 record with a 3.01 GAA and .891 SV% in 21 outings. Carolina, with a 22-11-3 record, is a tough opponent, tied for sixth in goals per game (3.25).
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi will start Saturday's home game against the Detroit Red Wings. In his last outing, he suffered an overtime loss against the Panthers, making 38 saves on 41 shots. Bussi faces another challenging opponent, as the Red Wings entered the holiday break on a three-game winning streak, scoring 12 goals in that span.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser has signed a long-term contract extension. The deal is for eight years, valued at $54 million, with an annual average of $6.75 million. Moser has recorded three goals and 12 points this season. The signing occurred as the team returned from its holiday break to face the Florida Panthers.
Ottawa Senators prospect Xavier Bourgault, a 2021 first-round pick, is set to make his NHL debut Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old forward has tallied 27 points in 32 games this season in Belleville, exceeding his previous year's total. He overcame injuries last season and will play on a line with Nick Cousins and Stephen Halliday, completing a long and snowy journey to his first NHL game.
Montreal Canadiens veteran forward Jake Evans, 29, is expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to a lower-body injury, the team announced Saturday afternoon. Evans, a 2014 seventh-round pick, has recorded five goals and 10 points in 34 games this season.
Thatcher Demko is expected to start in goal for the Canucks at home against San Jose on Saturday. He recently turned aside 34 of 38 shots in a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia, ending his three-game winning streak. This season, Demko holds an 8-6-0 record with a 2.46 GAA and a .911 save percentage through 15 appearances. San Jose ranks 20th in goals per game.
Jacob Fowler will defend the road net for the Canadiens against Tampa Bay on Sunday. He has won his last two outings, stopping 57 of 59 shots during that span. In five NHL appearances, Fowler holds a 3-1-1 record, allowing only 12 goals on 146 shots. Tampa Bay is tied for sixth in the league with 3.25 goals per game this year.
Jack Eichel (lower body) is confirmed to miss Saturday's game against Colorado, marking his fifth consecutive absence. The Golden Knights forward has recorded 12 goals and 41 points in 31 outings this season. Alexander Holtz is expected to fill his spot on the second line for Saturday's matchup, but his role is temporary until Eichel's return.
Scott Wedgewood will defend the road net against the Golden Knights on Saturday. He has won his last three outings, allowing only four goals on 83 shots over that span. The Colorado Avalanche goaltender holds a 16-1-4 record this season with two shutouts, a 2.01 GAA, and a .924 save percentage through 23 appearances. Vegas is tied for 13th in the league with 3.11 goals per game this campaign.
