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NHL News

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

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Hanifin Delivers Three Assists, Boosts Power Play Role for Golden Knights

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Noah Hanifin recorded three assists, including two on the power play, along with four shots and four blocked shots in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers. Poised for a larger power-play role due to Shea Theodore's upper-body injury, the 28-year-old capitalized on the opportunity, contributing to goals by Marner, Hertl, and Dorofeyev. This marked his first multi-point game of the season, bringing his totals to two goals, eight helpers (four on PP), 65 shots, 39 blocked shots, and a minus-9 rating through 24 appearances in a top-four role for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Hertl Registers Three Points, Steps Up as Golden Knights' Top Center

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Tomas Hertl delivered a power-play goal, two assists, and three hits on five shots in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers. One of his assists also came with the man advantage. The 32-year-old is currently serving as the Vegas Golden Knights' top center due to injuries to Jack Eichel and William Karlsson. Hertl has been productive recently, accumulating five points in his last three games. For the season, he now has 14 goals, 13 assists, 12 power-play points, 97 shots, 44 hits, and a minus-6 rating through 34 appearances.

McDavid Claims NHL Points Lead with Goal, Two Assists in Oilers Win

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Connor McDavid scored a goal and added two power-play assists on five shots in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights. His impressive 10-game point streak, featuring 12 goals and 14 assists, has propelled him past Nathan MacKinnon to claim the NHL's points lead. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers superstar now boasts 23 goals, 39 assists, 27 power-play points, 122 shots, and an even plus-minus rating for the season. His dominant December play highlights his ability to overcome slower starts.

Nugent-Hopkins Nets Two Power-Play Goals, Three Points in Oilers Victory

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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tallied two power-play goals and an assist in Sunday's 4-3 win against the Golden Knights. This marked his second multi-goal performance of the season. The Edmonton Oilers forward has been strong in December, recording four goals and eight assists across 11 appearances. Overall, the playmaking forward has accumulated 10 goals, 20 assists, 16 power-play points, 46 shots on net, and a minus-8 rating through 28 contests this season, showcasing consistent offensive contributions.

Crosby Shatters Lemieux's Penguins All-Time Points Record

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Sidney Crosby (38) officially became the Pittsburgh Penguins' all-time points leader with 1,724 career points, surpassing Mario Lemieux. He achieved this with a goal and a power-play assist in a 4-3 shootout win over the Canadiens, breaking the record 4:42 after tying it. Crosby now boasts 645 goals and 1,079 assists in 1,387 games, ranking 8th NHL all-time. He received a standing ovation and video message from Lemieux. This season, he has 20 goals, 37 points, and 84 shots through 35 games, needing 46 more goals to surpass Lemieux's franchise goal record.

Jack Hughes Returns from IR, Scores in Devils' Loss to Sabres

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New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (finger) has been activated from injured reserve, returning to the lineup against Buffalo after an 18-game absence following hand surgery on Nov. 13. The 24-year-old scored the game's first goal in a 3-1 loss to the Sabres. Hughes is expected to resume a top-six role and play on the first power-play unit. This season, he has recorded 10 goals, 20 points, and 69 shots on net across 17 appearances, providing a significant boost.

Ingram Recalled, Secures First Win in Oilers' Season Debut

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Connor Ingram (28) was recalled from AHL Bakersfield due to Tristan Jarry's lower-body injury and made his 2025-26 season debut for the Edmonton Oilers against the Golden Knights. He secured his first win as the Oilers jumped to an early 4-0 lead, ultimately withstanding a Vegas push. Ingram posted a 4-5-2 record with an .856 save percentage and a 4.04 GAA in 11 AHL appearances this season. He expressed gratitude for his return to the NHL, noting the game is 'easier' to read but faster, and credited his team for the win.

Red Wings' Cam Talbot Ends Six-Game Skid with Key Performance

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Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot (38) broke his six-game losing streak, earning his first victory since Nov. 22 in a 3-2 overtime triumph against the Washington Capitals. Talbot, who was scheduled to start despite his recent struggles (9-6-2 record, 3.07 GAA, .883 SV% prior to game), made crucial saves, including five against Alex Ovechkin, to help Detroit secure the win. Coach Todd McLellan noted Talbot's composure during slumps. This victory marks Talbot's 275th career NHL win.

Oilers' Jarry Out Multiple Weeks with Lower-Body Injury

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Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Tristan Jarry is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a lower-body injury suffered during Thursday's game against the Bruins. Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Sunday that Jarry, who was placed on injured reserve, could be sidelined until at least early January. Calvin Pickard is slated to serve as the Oilers' primary netminder in his absence, with Connor Ingram recalled as backup.

Hellebuyck to Start Sunday vs. Utah; Seeks to Break Cold Spell

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Connor Hellebuyck will start Sunday's road game against Utah. He's currently in a cold spell, going 0-2-1 with a 2.32 GAA and .916 save percentage over his last three outings since returning from a knee injury. His last start against the Mammoth on Oct. 26 resulted in a 3-2 loss, where he stopped 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%).

Hildeby to Start in Dallas; Faces Tough Stars Offense

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Dennis Hildeby will start in goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday against Dallas. He holds a 2-4-3 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.85 GAA across 12 appearances in 2025-26. The 24-year-old faces a significant challenge against the Stars, who rank second in the NHL with 3.47 goals per game. This game is the second half of a back-to-back for Toronto.

Dobes Starts in Pittsburgh; Riding Two-Game Win Streak

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Jakub Dobes will tend the road crease for the Montreal Canadiens against Pittsburgh on Sunday. This marks his third start in the Canadiens' last seven games, coming in the second half of a back-to-back set. Dobes has been strong recently, securing wins in each of his last two starts with an impressive 1.00 GAA and .953 save percentage during that span.

Marchessault (Lower Body) Remains Sidelined for Sunday's Game

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Jonathan Marchessault (lower body) is unavailable for the Nashville Predators' home matchup against the Rangers on Sunday. This is his second consecutive absence, having also missed Saturday's 5-3 win over Toronto. The right-shot winger is currently considered day-to-day, with his next potential opportunity to play scheduled for Tuesday in Minnesota.

Vejmelka to Start vs. Struggling Jets; Strong December Performance

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Karel Vejmelka will defend the home crease for the Utah Mammoth against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. He has posted a 5-3-0 record with a .910 save percentage and a 2.58 GAA through nine appearances in December. Vejmelka will face a Winnipeg squad that ranks 20th in the league with 2.91 goals per game and has lost three consecutive games and six of their last seven.

Annunen Starts Sunday vs. Rangers; Seeks First Win Since Nov. 26

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Justus Annunen will be between the home pipes for the Nashville Predators against the Rangers on Sunday. He has not recorded a win since Nov. 26 in Detroit, holding an 0-2-0 record with a 3.30 GAA and an .897 save percentage over his last three appearances. The Rangers will be without J.T. Miller (upper body), Gabe Perreault, and Matt Rempe (illness) for the game.

Ullmark Starts in Boston; Riding Impressive Three-Game Win Streak

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Linus Ullmark will tend the road twine for the Ottawa Senators on Sunday against the Bruins. He is currently on a three-game winning streak, during which he has posted a spectacular 1.65 GAA and a .935 save percentage. The veteran netminder is coming off a 25-save shutout performance over Pittsburgh on Thursday. Boston ranks seventh in the NHL with 3.22 goals per game in 2025-26.

Korpisalo to Start Sunday vs. Senators; First Start Since Dec. 10

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Joonas Korpisalo will start Sunday's game for the Boston Bruins against the Senators. This will be his first start since December 10, as he takes the net on the second night of a back-to-back. The 31-year-old holds a 6-6-0 record on the season with a 3.35 GAA and an .888 save percentage. He faces a Senators team that has won three straight games, scoring 13 combined goals.

Blackwood to Start vs. Minnesota, Riding Four-Game Win Streak

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Mackenzie Blackwood is confirmed to start Sunday's road game against Minnesota, continuing his recent rotation. He enters the matchup on an impressive four-game winning streak, during which he has maintained a 2.22 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. This start marks a continuation of his strong performance in net for the Colorado Avalanche.

Silovs to Start Sunday vs. Montreal; Holds 3.26 GAA This Season

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Arturs Silovs is set to start in goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, facing Montreal at home. This will be the second half of Pittsburgh's back-to-back. The 24-year-old netminder currently holds a 4-5-6 record with one shutout, a 3.26 goals-against average, and an .887 save percentage across 15 appearances this season.

Seider Blasts OT Winner, Scores in Second Straight Game for Red Wings

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Moritz Seider delivered the overtime game-winning goal for the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon, securing a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. This marks Seider's second goal in as many games, following his tally in Saturday's 5-2 win against Washington. His heroics helped the Red Wings sweep the home-and-home series and maintain their lead atop the Atlantic Division.