NHL Hockey Player News

Toews has been sidelined for over three weeks because of an upper-body injury, but seems poised to re-enter the lineup at some point during Colorado's upcoming three-game road trip. The league-leading Avalanche has played its worst hockey without Toews in the lineup, going 4-4-2, and will be eager for him to return. The 31-year-old Toews has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 40 games this season.

Samanski is an undrafted German forward that has yet to play an NHL game. The 23-year-old is in his first professional season in North America, and has 28 points (7G / 21A) in 39 games with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL). Isaac Howard has been assigned to Bakersfield in a corresponding move.

Ersson was having an abysmal season, but has turned things around in recent games after being thrust into the starters' role because of a Dan Vladar (lower body) injury. The 26-year-old Ersson has helped his team record a point in three straight games (2-0-1), posting a 2.98 GAA and .897 SV%, a stark contrast from the 3.34 GAA and .855 SV% he sported in his previous 19 outings (6-9-4). The Flyers enter Monday's contest as -116 home favorites against a New York Islanders team that has been outscored 9-1 during a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).

Garnet Hathaway will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Grebenkin to re-enter the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 22-year-old Grebenkin is averaging 11:13 time-on-ice and has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 36 games this season.

Nikita Grebenkin will draw back into Philadelphia's lineup on Monday against the New York Islanders, sending Hathaway to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Hathaway recorded an assists in his previous game, giving him two points (1G / 1A) in 44 outings this season.

Howard was acquired by the Oilers in the offseason, with the team hoping he could add an offensive spark in his rookie season. That said, after just five points (2G / 3A) in 28 games, he will head to the AHL for some additional playing time. Josh Samanski has been recalled from Bakersfield (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Samanski is an undrafted German forward that has yet to play an NHL game. The 23-year-old is in his first professional season in North America, and has 28 points (7G / 21A) in 39 games with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL). Isaac Howard has been assigned to Bakersfield in a corresponding move.

Ersson was having an abysmal season, but has turned things around in recent games after being thrust into the starters' role because of a Dan Vladar (lower body) injury. The 26-year-old Ersson has helped his team record a point in three straight games (2-0-1), posting a 2.98 GAA and .897 SV%, a stark contrast from the 3.34 GAA and .855 SV% he sported in his previous 19 outings (6-9-4). The Flyers enter Monday's contest as -116 home favorites against a New York Islanders team that has been outscored 9-1 during a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).

Ristolainen has only played 13 games this season and has been out of the lineup for the past two weeks, but could return on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 31-year-old Finnish defenseman is averaging 20:59 time-on-ice, recording three assists, 16 hits, and 24 blocks this season.

Crozier did not play in Tampa Bay's previous game because of an illness, but should return to the lineup on Monday against the Utah Mammoth. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 15:52 time-on-ice and has 10 points (1G / 9A) in 31 games this season.

Cernak suffered an undisclosed injury in the first period of Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets and did not return to the game. The 28-year-old Slovak defenseman has already missed 19 games this season due to injuries. He has five assists, 58 blocks, and 61 hits in 31 games this season.

Goncalves was limited to only 4:23 time-on-ice in Tampa Bay's most recent game, exiting the contest because of an undisclosed injury. The 25-year-old forward has 16 points (6G / 10A), 39 shots, and 42 hits in 46 games this season.

With Dento Mateychuk (upper body) returning from a two-week absence, Christiansen will exit the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:17 time-on-ice and has two assists in 31 games this season.

Mateychuk has been sidelined for over two weeks because of an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 21-year-old defenseman is having an excellent season, playing predominantly alongside Zach Werenski, averaging 20:20 time-on-ice and scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) through 44 games.

Jet Greaves started two consecutive games for Columbus, but the team will revert to Merzlikins on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has played better since Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' new Head Coach, saving 64 of 70 shots (.914 SV%) in three games (2-1-0), but consistency has been a major issue for the Latvian goalie. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest with even -105 odds at home against a Kings team with points in five straight games (2-0-3).

Phillips played two games with the Jets earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 24-year-old defenseman has 15 points (3G / 12A) in 35 games with Manitoba (AHL) this season.

Douglas was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft that made his NHL debut with Tampa Bay earlier this season. The 25-year-old forward has two assists and 75 penalty minutes in 27 games.