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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone is confirmed to return to the lineup and will play in Wednesday's game against the Ottawa Senators. The veteran forward participated fully in the team's morning skate, signaling his readiness and availability for the upcoming contest. His return is a significant development for the Golden Knights as they prepare to face the Senators.
Casey DeSmith is slated to start in goal for the Dallas Stars on Wednesday against Seattle, as reported by Mike Heika. This road game marks DeSmith's second start in the last six outings, occurring during the second half of a back-to-back set. Through seven starts this season, he has compiled a 4-1-2 record with an impressive 2.22 GAA and a .917 save percentage. His previous encounter with the Kraken on Nov. 9 saw him turn aside 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 victory.
Nikita Tolopilo is slated to make his first start for the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks, per Derek Lee of The Hockey News. This opportunity arises as the Canucks are without Kevin Lankinen (personal) and Thatcher Demko (lower body). Tolopilo has yet to play for Vancouver this season, having posted a 3.35 GAA and a .901 save percentage in five appearances with AHL Abbotsford in 2025-26. He faces a challenging opponent in the Ducks, who are 14-7-1 and rank second in goals per game with 3.59.
Linus Ullmark is slated to start Wednesday's road game against Vegas. He has secured wins in his last two starts, maintaining a 2.01 GAA and a .909 save percentage during that span. Ullmark will aim to continue his effective play against the Golden Knights, who currently rank 14th in the league with 3.09 goals per game this season.
Thomas Chabot (upper body) will not play in Wednesday's game against the Golden Knights, marking his second consecutive absence. The defenseman remains day-to-day with the upper-body injury. Nikolas Matinpalo is expected to remain in the lineup for Ottawa against Vegas. Chabot's next potential opportunity to return to action will be Friday against St. Louis.
Schmid was the first goalie off during Wednesday's morning skate, indicating he'll draw the home start against Ottawa. He has been effective recently, going 5-0-3 with a 2.33 GAA and .906 save percentage over his last eight starts. The Senators are scoring 3.14 goals per game this season.
San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov is confirmed to start Wednesday's road game against Colorado, having been the first goalie off during morning skate. Askarov is currently on a hot streak, boasting a 7-1-0 record with a 1.47 GAA and a .955 save percentage. He previously faced Colorado on November 1st, stopping 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime victory.
Seattle Kraken netminder Joey Daccord is set to make the home start against the Stars on Wednesday, confirmed after being the first goalie off during morning skate. This will be Daccord's fourth start in the Kraken's last five games, following his return last week from a five-game absence. In his three starts since returning, he has posted a 1-1-1 record with a 1.63 GAA and a .940 save percentage.
Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk has resumed skating following his offseason surgery. While he is back on the ice, a definitive timetable for his return to game action remains unclear at this time.
Lukas Dostal will miss Wednesday's matchup with Vancouver due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. He has featured in 17 of the Ducks' 22 games this year, posting an 11-5-1 record with a .904 save percentage and 2.81 GAA. With Dostal sidelined, Petr Mrazek will start against Vancouver, and Ville Husso will be called up from the minors as backup.
Petr Mrazek is expected to start at home against Vancouver on Wednesday, stepping in as Lukas Dostal is sidelined with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Mrazek holds a 3-2-0 record, 3.60 GAA, and .886 save percentage in five outings this season. He last stopped 22 of 25 shots in a 3-2 loss to Ottawa. Ville Husso will be called up from the minors to serve as backup.
Karel Vejmelka is slated to start at home against Montreal on Wednesday. He has won his past two starts, saving 53 of 56 shots for a .946 save percentage. This season, Vejmelka holds a 10-5-2 record with a 2.76 GAA and an .889 save percentage in 17 outings. Montreal recently broke a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over Toronto.
Spencer Knight will start Wednesday's home game against the Wild, Vinnie Parise of The Hockey News reports. Knight has been strong this month, posting a 3-2-2 record with a 2.13 GAA and .935 save percentage, despite his last two starts ending in regulation losses. He'll face a favorable matchup against the Wild, who are tied for the eighth-worst scoring team in the league with 2.87 goals per game, providing an opportunity to rebound.
Brayden Point (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Flames, marking his second straight absence, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. With the 29-year-old center sidelined, Nick Paul will assume a top-six role and join the No. 1 power-play unit. Point is currently in an eight-game goal drought, having registered two assists, 16 shots, and two blocks during this stretch.
Mackenzie Blackwood is slated to start at home against San Jose on Wednesday, per Evan Rawal. He has won his past three games, stopping 82 of 89 shots for a .921 save percentage, including a 35-save shutout over Nashville in his last start Saturday. San Jose is currently tied for 22nd in goals per game with 2.91.
Filip Gustavsson will start Wednesday's road game against Chicago, as reported by Michael Russo. Despite recently losing playing time, having started just three of Minnesota's last eight games, he has posted a 2-0-1 record with a 1.28 GAA and a .935 save percentage across his last three outings.
Eric Comrie will start in goal on the road versus Washington on Wednesday, per Tom Gulitti. This marks his fourth straight appearance, having posted a 1-2-0 record with a 3.02 GAA in his last three outings. He faces a busy schedule as starter Connor Hellebuyck is sidelined 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, potentially leading to Thomas Milic's NHL debut in an upcoming back-to-back.
Dan Vladar will patrol the road crease against Florida on Wednesday, marking his 14th appearance this season for the Flyers. The 28-year-old Czech holds an 8-4-1 record with a career-best 2.42 GAA in 13 contests. He is expected to continue seeing the bulk of the workload, likely splitting an upcoming back-to-back against the Islanders and Devils with Samuel Ersson.
Auston Matthews (lower body) is officially cleared to play in Wednesday's game against Columbus, as reported by David Alter of The Hockey News. Matthews missed the last five games due to the injury. In 17 appearances this season, he has recorded nine goals, five assists, 31 blocked shots, 13 hits, and six PIM, while averaging 21:15 of ice time.
Igor Shesterkin will start Wednesday's road game against Carolina, as reported by Mollie Walker of the New York Post. He recently returned to the win column Monday against St. Louis. Over his last six appearances, Shesterkin has posted a 4-2-0 record with a 2.66 GAA and a .908 save percentage. He previously faced the Hurricanes on Nov. 4, allowing two goals on 31 shots in a 3-0 loss.
