Benson has not played the last five games due to a lower-body injury but has practiced with the team the last several days and could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Benson had played six of seven games to start the season for the Sabres before his injury, scoring zero points and recording a -4 plus/minus.
On October 30th, McDavid was given a 2-3 week timeline to return from a lower-body injury but could be slightly ahead of schedule. Though the Oilers will be eager to welcome back the services of the NHL's most dynamic offensive player, they have fared well in his absence so far, outscoring the opposition 9-3 in two games (2-0-0). McDavid, averaging an absurd 1.7 points per game over the previous four seasons, had begun the 2024-25 campaign off to a slow start by his elite standards, with 10 points (3G / 7A) in 10 games.
Zub has not played since suffering a concussion in the third game of the season, but is nearing a return to the lineup and could play as soon as Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. he 29-year-old hard-hitting defenseman has battled injuries the last two seasons, being limited to 53 and 69 games respectively.
The Predators are still struggling to live up to expectations after a busy offseason but, after losing their first five, have started to find their footing, winning four of their last six (4-1-1). Saros will likely start for the fourth straight game after an impressive performance in his previous outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Saros has a 2.92 GAA and .900 SV% in nine games this season (3-5-1). The Predators enter the action on Monday as -140 home favorites against the Los Angeles Kings.
After seeing sporadic deployment in the first four weeks of the season, splitting time with Semyon Varlamov, Sorokin will make his third consecutive start for the Islanders on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite allowing seven combined goals in his last two outings (1-1-0), Sorokin has been tremendous between the pipes this season, posting a stellar 2.29 GAA and .922 SV% in seven contests (3-3-1). The Islanders will face off against a Penguins team riding a season-best two-game winning streak despite allowing 50 goals this season, the most in the Eastern Conference.
Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and has been cleared to practice with the Avalanche as he approaches eligibility for reinstatement. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup.
Prishchepov played his first NHL game on Saturday, recording two shots and three hits in 13:30 time-on-ice. The 20-year-old was a seventh-round pick of the Avalanche in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
In his first season with the Avalanche, Kovalenko has shown glimpses of the talent that made him an offensive standout with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), but limited deployment has likely stunted the opportunity for true success. In 12 games, Kovalenko is averaging 13:41 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A).
Ivan has been a regular in the lineup for Colorado this season, playing all 12 games and tallying four points (2G / 2A), while averaging 11:11 time-on-ice. Recently, Ivan found himself on Colorado's top powerplay unit due to the team's abundance of injuries.
Wood's initial prognosis after he suffered an upper-body injury was for a 7-10 day recovery period, which likely hasn't changed after being placed on Injured Reserve. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.
Ersson played only 7:36 time-on-ice, exiting in the first period of Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins with a lower-body injury. The Flyers' crease will likely be shared by Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov in Ersson's absence. Ersson was riding a three-game winning streak before his injury, saving 74 of his last 80 shots faced (.925 SV%).
Sawchyn was the 63rd overall pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward, in his third season in the WHL, has started his 2024-25 campaign off strong, with 20 points (8G / 12A) in 12 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Point played just 3:47 before leaving Sunday's loss in Winnipeg with a lower-body injury. Lucky for fantasy owners, Point scored before leaving, giving him goals in four of his last five games. The team did not have an update on his status post-game but his absence would be a critical loss for the Lightning. Consider him questionable to play Tuesday in St. Louis until the team provides an update.
