NHL Hockey Player News

Lauzon has not played since November 15th, but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Monday. The 28-year-old is in his first season in Vegas and has four assists, 28 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 17 games before his injury.

Kuzmenko has regularly been in and out of the lineup lately, but draws back in to replace Quinten Byfield (illness). The 29-year-old Kuzmenko was excellent with the Kings after being acquired before the trade deadline in 2024-25, scoring 17 points (5G / 12A) in 22 games, but has not been able to replicate that success in 2025-26. He played a season-low 6:58 time-on-ice in the Kings' most recent game and has just one point (1G / 0A) in his last 13.

The Kings have lost six of their last 10 (4-2-4), but largely credit Kuemper's strong play for helping the team collect points in four of those losses. Kuemper has been outstanding in December, posting a tremendous 1.62 GAA and .944 SV% in five games (2-2-1). The 35-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .916 SV% in 22 games this season (10-6-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has been outscored 9-2 during a two-game losing skid.

Cardwell scored a goal while playing four games for the Sharks this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 23-year-old forward has nine points (3G / 6A) in 14 games the Barracuda (AHL) this season.

Chernyshov was drafted 33rd overall by the Sharks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward has never played an NHL game, but has been solid in the AHL this season, scoring 23 points (11G / 22A) in 25 games with the San Jose Barracuda.

The Predators have won four of their last five (4-1-0) and will turn to Saros on Monday against the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old Saros was solid in his most recent effort, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 7-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Saros has a 2.60 GAA and .921 SV% in his last five games (4-1-0). The Predators enter Monday's contest as slight -104 road underdogs against the Blues.

Kurashev exited Saturday's 6-5 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins after only 8:03 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old Kurashev has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 31 games this season. He has only three assists in his last 12 games.

Smith suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday's rollercoaster 6-5 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and will be sidelined for at least a week after being placed on Injured Reserve. The 20-year-old second-year player has 29 points (12G / 17A) in 33 games this season.

An illness circulating around the Kings' locker room will sideline two key players on Monday against the Dallas Stars, with Quinten Byfield and Danault unable to play. The 32-year-old Danault is averaging 16:19 time-on-ice and has five assists in 30 games this season.

The Kings will be without their second-line center on Monday, as Byfield tends to an illness. The 23-year-old Byfield has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 31 games this season, but has recently been demoted from the top powerplay unit and has seen his production dip significantly. He has only two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

Woll has not played since suffering a lower-body injury late in a 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on December 4th. He was given a roughly one-week recovery timeline, which would hold true if he can return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. With Woll's injury history, the Maple Leafs may take the cautious route and alternate starts with Dennis Hildeby, who has played well for them this season.

Eller just returned from a one-week absence to play two games, but returned to the sidelines after just two games, out for the foreseeable future due to a lower-body injury. The veteran 36-year-old forward has six points (2G / 4A) in 28 games this season, but has been held off the scoresheet in 16 straight.

Tanev has not played since November 1st, but is inching his way towards a return after practicing on Monday. Regularly one of the league's best shot blocked, Tanev will provide needed stability on a Maple Leafs' blueline that has been plagued with injuries.

Jarry didn't have to be sensational in his Oilers' debut on Saturday, but still recorded a victory, saving 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 6-3 defeat of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before joining the Oilers, the 30-year-old Jarry had a 2.66 GAA and .909 SV% in 14 appearances with the Pittsburgh Penguins, totals that would be happily welcomed by an Oilers team that has become accustomed to sub-.900 SV% goaltending. Jarry will likely be between the pipes on Tuesday for the first time against his former team.

Hutson made his NHL debut with the Oilers last season and was held off the scoresheet in two games. The 23-year-old product of Boston University has excelled in his first full professional season with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL), scoring 28 points (16G / 12A) in 24 games.

Foligno has not played since November 15th, but could return to the lineup during Chicago's upcoming three-game road trip. The 38-year-old Foligno has been limited to 15 games this season and has six assists, but is still searching for his first goal.

Kane has regularly missed multi-game stents with the Red Wings over the past three seasons, and will return to the sidelines for at least two more games due to an upper-body injury. The 37-year-old forward has already missed nine games this season, but he has been terrific when healthy, scoring 23 points (6G / 17A) in 24 games.

Bobrovsky had an easy workload in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars, saving all 15 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season. Consistently stringing together wins has been an issue for the Panthers this season, but Bobrovsky will look for a win on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning to give him a season-best four-game winning streak. The 37-year-old veteran goalie has a 2.84 GAA and .886 SV% in 22 games this season (13-8-1). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as +106 road underdogs against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who defeated them 3-1 in their only meeting this season.

Ullmark has allowed three or fewer goals in three of his last four games (2-2-0), but does not have the results to show for it, posting a 2.80 GAA and .891 SV%. The 32-year-old Ullmark has had a rocky season between the pipes for the Senators, showcasing a career-worst 3.05 GAA and .877 SV% in 23 games (11-8-4). The Senators enter Monday's contest as +115 road underdogs against a struggling Winnipeg Jets team hoping to shift its fortunes after a dominant 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday.