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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Logan Thompson has been confirmed as the starting goaltender for the Washington Capitals in their upcoming game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Thompson has been performing well this season, holding a 13-7-3 record with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. He previously faced Toronto on November 28th, allowing two goals on 22 shots in a 4-2 victory.
Jet Greaves will be the starting goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets at home against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. This marks Greaves' sixth consecutive start, during which he has posted a 1-4-0 record with a 2.57 goals-against average. The Blue Jackets appear committed to giving the 24-year-old extended playing time despite his recent struggles to secure wins.
The New York Islanders have recalled defenseman Marshall Warren from their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Warren, 24, has previously played two games for the Islanders this season, recording two assists. He returns to bolster the defense corps, with Travis Mitchell having been loaned back to Bridgeport and Alexander Romanov out for the season. Warren has accumulated 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 17 games with Bridgeport this season.
The Minnesota Wild have recalled defenseman Carson Lambos from the Iowa Wild of the AHL due to a rash of defensive injuries, including Daemon Hunt. Lambos, 22, has recorded two goals and five points in 26 AHL games this season. He was drafted 26th overall in 2021 and has yet to make his NHL debut, though this is his second recall from the AHL.
Defenseman Marshall Rifai has been sent to the Toronto Marlies on a conditioning loan by the Toronto Maple Leafs as he recovers from wrist surgery performed during training camp. The 27-year-old has been skating and practicing with the team. Rifai's loan will last six days and three games, with the Maple Leafs having the option for a two-game extension. He has played two NHL games in his career and has 48 points in 189 AHL games.
Ryan O'Reilly, currently with the Nashville Predators, is being eyed for a potential trade to the Washington Capitals. This speculation comes as the NHL's roster freeze, effective from December 21 to 28, is set to lift. The proposed move is highlighted as one of several post-freeze deals that are considered to 'make too much sense,' suggesting a strong likelihood of such a transaction occurring once trades can resume.
Jesper Bratt was the hero for the New Jersey Devils, scoring the decisive winning goal in the shootout to secure a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night. His clutch performance helped the Devils clinch the win after regulation goals from Connor Brown for New Jersey and Pavel Dorofeyev for Vegas.
Jake Allen delivered a stellar performance, making 37 saves to backstop the New Jersey Devils to a 2-1 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night. Allen, who was confirmed as the starter for the game, secured the victory despite the Devils going 0-for-2 on the power play. Connor Brown scored in regulation for New Jersey. This follows a previous outing where Allen secured a 4-1 victory with 30 saves on 31 shots against the Ducks, though he had allowed 14 goals in his prior four starts.
Bryan Rust's performance on the Pittsburgh Penguins' top line, alongside Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell, is being questioned due to significant defensive struggles. Despite contributing offensively, Rust's negative defensive rating has worsened considerably, a trend also observed in Crosby. This decline in defensive play, coupled with the line's reliance on the power play, has contributed to the Penguins' six-game losing streak. The team is considering lineup adjustments, potentially separating Rust and Crosby and exploring other forwards like Ville Koivunen or Rutger McGroarty to improve overall team defense and scoring balance.
Sidney Crosby's top line with Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust is under scrutiny for the Pittsburgh Penguins due to declining production and defensive liabilities. While Crosby is on pace for strong power-play numbers, the line's even-strength performance and defensive metrics are concerning. Crosby's defensive rating has worsened, mirroring Rust's. The Penguins are in a six-game losing streak, prompting discussions about breaking up the line. Options include integrating younger forwards like Ville Koivunen or Rutger McGroarty, who have shown promise, to better balance scoring and defense across the lineup.
Rickard Rakell, Sidney Crosby, and Bryan Rust's top line for the Pittsburgh Penguins has shown a decline in production and defensive play this season. Despite Rakell's return from injury on Dec. 13, the line's even-strength output is weak, and they are increasingly reliant on the power play. Analytics reveal poor expected goal share and defensive ratings, particularly for Crosby and Rust, raising questions about their continued placement together. The team is exploring lineup changes, with forwards like Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty being considered for top-six roles to improve scoring distribution and defensive responsibility.
Sebastian Aho delivered a strong performance for the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring two goals on four shots and adding an assist in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Predators. He also logged two PIM. This three-point effort snapped a five-game point drought for Aho, who potted the eventual game-winner on the power play and later added an empty-netter, also setting up a Seth Jarvis goal. The center now has 11 goals and 29 points (seven on the power play) through 33 appearances this season, along with 81 shots on net, 28 hits, and a plus-5 rating.
Joel Hofer posted his third shutout of the season, stopping all 24 shots in the St. Louis Blues' 1-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. This marked his third consecutive start and second win in his last five outings. The 25-year-old goalie will cede the crease to Jordan Binnington for Thursday's game against the Rangers due to a back-to-back. Hofer's season record now stands at 6-7-2 with a 2.96 GAA and an .896 save percentage over 19 appearances, indicating a contested crease that may be trending towards him taking over the No. 1 job.
Juuse Saros started for the Nashville Predators against the Hurricanes on Wednesday, making 33 saves on 36 shots and allowing three goals in a 4-1 loss. Despite the defeat, Saros delivered his ninth 30+ save performance of the season, notably keeping the Predators in the game during a challenging first period where he faced 19 shots. This follows a hot streak of six wins in his last seven starts with a .916 save percentage. His season save percentage now stands at .897 with a 2.95 GAA, while his monthly save percentage is .920.
Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators sustained a lower-body injury during Wednesday's game against the Hurricanes, forcing him to exit prior to the third period. The exact nature and severity of the injury are currently unknown, but he is considered day-to-day. His status for Saturday's game versus the Maple Leafs is pending further team information.
Former NHL forward Milan Lucic has signed with the Fife Flyers of the Elite Ice Hockey League for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, marking his first professional stint overseas. This move follows unsuccessful professional tryouts with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds and the St. Louis Blues, where he sustained a preseason injury. Lucic recorded one assist and a minus-7 rating in five games with the Thunderbirds during his PTO.
Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the New Jersey Devils. Eichel left Tuesday's practice early due to his illness and is considered day-to-day, with coach Bruce Cassidy not speculating on the long-term. This marks the first game Eichel will miss this season. He leads the Knights with 41 points in 31 games. Reilly Smith will shift to center to fill his spot, with Alexander Holtz also a candidate. His next potential opportunity to suit up is Saturday in Calgary.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (upper body) is confirmed out for Wednesday's game against the New Jersey Devils. He missed Tuesday's practice entirely due to the injury and is considered day-to-day, with coach Bruce Cassidy not speculating on the long-term outlook. This marks the first game Theodore will miss this season. He has recorded four goals and 20 points in 31 appearances, leading Vegas defensemen in scoring. His absence reduces the team to five healthy defensemen, with a potential return for Saturday's contest in Calgary.
Karel Vejmelka is set to start in goal for the Utah Mammoth on the road against the Red Wings on Wednesday. The 29-year-old netminder has secured wins in his last two starts, contributing to his 14 wins in 26 appearances this season. However, his recent form has been inconsistent, as he has allowed 14 goals over his last four games. He faces a challenging matchup against a Red Wings team that has scored 20 goals and boasts a 5-1-0 record in their last six games.
Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks reached the 50-point mark in just 34 games, becoming the third-fastest teenager in NHL history to achieve the feat, trailing only Sidney Crosby (28 games) and Wayne Gretzky (32 games). He delivered a four-point performance (2 goals, 2 assists) in a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames, extending the Sharks' winning streak to three games. Celebrini has amassed 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) over his past five games and now ranks third in the NHL with 51 points. His exceptional play also solidifies his spot on Team Canada's Olympic roster.
