Ilya Lyubushkin (upper body) is expected to draw back into the Ducks' lineup Thursday vs. Washington.
NHL Injury Report
Radko Gudas (lower body) is expected to play Thursday vs. Washington.
Gudas did not play on Tuesday after exiting the previous game for the Ducks, playing only 13:02, with a lower-body injury, but is expected to return to their lineup on Thursday. Gudas, known mostly for his heavy-hitting, is pacing for his best offensive season in seven years, with seven points (4G / 3A) in 21 games. In contrast, he is averaging only 2.76 hits per game, his lowest output over the last four seasons.
Juuso Valimaki (mouth) will return to the Coyotes' lineup Thursday vs. Colorado.
Valimaki will play his first game since November 14th, when he took a puck to the face. Before his injury, Valimaki skated predominantly alongside Troy Stecher and recorded four points (0G / 4A) in 15 games while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.
Cole Sillinger (undisclosed) did not practice Thursday after leaving Wednesday's loss to Montreal early.
Sillinger exited Wednesday's loss to the Montreal Canadiens with an undisclosed injury and his status on Friday against the Ottawa Senators doesn't seem promising after he was unable to participate in practice on Thursday. The Blue Jackets also recalled Kent Johnson from Cleveland (AHL), adding to the speculation that Sillinger could miss some time.
Cole Guttman is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Guttman did not play on Tuesday and remains out, day-to-day, with an upper-body injury. Through five games, Guttman is averaging 11:26 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A), scored in his first game of the season.
Mark Giordano (broken finger) willl be out week-to-week.
Giordano played only 6:31 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's contest with a broken finger and is expected to be out week-to-week, leaving a huge void on a defensive core already without Timothy Liljegren and John Klingberg. Giordano has been a consistent presence on the back end for the Maple Leafs this season, recording five points (1G / 4A) in 20 games while averaging 17:52.
Andrei Svechnikov (illness) is expected back Thursday vs. the New York Islanders.
Svechnikov was a last-minute healthy scratch on Tuesday due to an illness but is expected to return on Thursday against the New York Islanders. Svechnikov is coming off his best performance of the season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), his first goal, adding to his nine-point output (1G / 8A) through 12 games. The talented 23-year-old winger is still re-acclimating to the game after missing an extended period due to knee surgery and is averaging only 16:20 time-on-ice, nearly a full two minutes less than his totals from last season.
Gabriel Vilardi (MCL sprain) has been activated from the Injured Reserve but will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Edmonton.
Vilardi has not played since October 17th, the third game of the season, when he suffered an MCL sprain. His status for Thursday's game against the Edmonton Oilers remains to be determined but he would add a noticeable offensive punch to a Jets team that already ranks eighth in the league offensively (3.38 GF / GP). Before his injury, Vilardi was seeing deployment on the top powerplay unit, a spot he would likely reclaim in favour of Cole Perfetti.
Damon Severson (oblique) has been placed on the Injured Reserve retroactive to November 19th.
Severson exited last Sunday's contest with an upper-body injury, playing only 9:57 time-on-ice. Before his injury, Severson had three points (2G / 1A) in his last two games and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 19 games this season. He has now been placed on injured reserve and is about one week through his original six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. The move to IR has allowed the Blue Jackets to recall Kent Johnson.
Conor Sheary (upper body) is expected to return for Tampa's upcoming Western Canada road trip.
Sheary has not played since November 7th but is targeting a December 9th return when the team heads out for a road trip through Western Canada. In 13 games this season, Sheary has three points (1G / 2A), playing up and down the lineup, predominantly alongside Luke Glendening and Michael Eyssimont on the fourth line.
Jaden Schwatz (lower body) has been placed on the Injured Reserve and is week-to-week.
Schwartz played only 9:33 time-on-ice in Seattle's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday before leaving the game with a lower-body injury and has not been placed on injured reserve and is expected out around six weeks. Before his injury, Schwartz was in the midst of a cold streak, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) and registering a -5 plus/minus in his last eight games.
Holl (undisclosed) will return to the lineup for Wednesday's game in New York.
Holl had a three-assist performance on October 21st but has been held off the scoresheet in each of the 11 games since. He was a game-time decision on Wednesday against the New York Rangers.
Fox (lower-body) will return to the Rangers' lineup on Wednesday.
Fox has 11 points (3G / 8A) in 10 games and has not played since November 2nd. During his absence, Fox has been replaced on the Rangers' top powerplay by Erik Gustafsson, who has performed admirably, scoring 10 points (1G / 9A). That said, Gustafsson was averaging 2:46 less time-on-ice before Fox was injured, scoring only four points (2G / 2A) in 10 games, which is closer to what can be expected from him after Fox returns.
Shea Theodore (upper body) underwent successful surgery and is out week-to-week.
Theodore missed the last three games with an upper-body injury with an uncertain timeframe but has since been updated to week-to-week after undergoing surgery. Theodore was pacing for the most productive season of his career with 18 points (4G / 14A) in 20 games. The Golden Knights will turn to Alex Pietrangelo, already averaging 23:55 time-on-ice, to see an increased role in his absence, especially on the powerplay.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph (lower body) was in a normal practice jersey at Wednesday's team skate.
Joseph has not played since November 4th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be on the verge of a return to the lineup after being a full participant at the Penguins' practice on Wednesday. Before his injury, Joseph had one point (0G / 1A) in five games, averaging 13:05 time-on-ice, playing predominantly with Chad Ruhwedel on the Penguins' third defensive pairing.
Jacob Markstrom (illness) was a full participant in Calgary's practice Wednesday.
Markstrom was a full participant at practice and will likely be available to return to the crease for the Flames on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom was the starting goalie for the Flames one week ago against the Stars, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%), in a 7-4 victory.
Dougie Hamilton (upper body) is being evaluated and will be a game-time decision Thursday.
Hamilton logged 13:25 TOI before departing Tuesday's come-from-behind win over the Islanders. Hamilton did not return for the third period and head coach Lindy Ruff's only update was that he "couldn't play." Hamilton will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Mark Girodano (hand) left Tuesday's game vs. Florida and is expected to miss Thursday's game and beyond.
Giordano played only 6:31 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's contest with a suspected upper-body injury and is expected to miss an extended period, leaving a huge void on a defensive core already without Timothy Liljegren and John Klingberg. Giordano has been a consistent presence on the back end for the Maple Leafs this season, recording five points (1G / 4A) in 20 games while averaging 17:52.
Hamilton left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Hamilton logged 13:25 TOI before departing Tuesday's come-from-behind win over the Islanders. Hamilton did not return for the third period and head coach Lindy Ruff's only update was that he "couldn't play." Hamilton is questionable for Thursday's game in Philadelphia.
Dermott (upper-body) will not play against the Lightning on Tuesday.
The Coyotes had previously suggested that Dermott would be ready to return for Tuesday's game. Dermott, who has not played since November 7th, has played in 10 games this season, averaging 17:29 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A).
NHL Injury Report
Daily Faceoff NHL injury report compiles all of the reported injuries from across the National Hockey League so you can see who is set to be sidelined, what their injury is, and how long they are expect to be out of commission. Injury updates are some of the most important NHL player news for any hockey fan to stay on top of, as winning or losing can ultimately be decided by the absence of a key player from within a team’s lineup. If you’re an avid hockey bettor, it’s crucial to your betting success that you stay informed on the latest injury news. Check out the latest NHL injury report on this page and see who’s set to miss some time this NHL season.
Reading the NHL Injury Report
The daily NHL injury report provides you with information regarding the type of injury a player is suffering from, the severity of it, as well as the timeline for their potential return. Common injury designations are day-to-day (almost fully healthy) out (not healthy, but not a long-term issue), and injured reserve/long-term injured reserve (out for an extended period of time).
Along with our regularly updated NHL injury report, you can also stay in the know regarding NHL injuries through team reporters/beat writers, social media channels and journalists, as well as official site reports from the NHL or their respective clubs.
Common NHL Injuries
In a physical sport such as hockey, injuries are a necessary evil as the toll it takes on each player’s body builds up over the course of an entire season. With the speed the game is played at the NHL level, it is common place for various injures to occur on a game-to-game basis. Whether it’s from a hard hit, inadvertent contact from a stick, or even being pelted by a blocked shot or deflected puck, it can be nearly impossible to avoid getting banged up over the course of an NHL contest.
Unlike many other professional sports leagues across the globe, the NHL tends to keep injury details close to the vest, reporting injury designations as either an upper body injury or lower body injury after players undergo tests. Below we’ll dive into some of the most common injuries that occur across the NHL, how they can affect players, and how long these injuries can sideline them from action.
Upper Body Injuries
Upper body injuries encompass all injuries that occur from the waist and up which includes the torso, arms, back, as well as the head. Common upper body injuries include shoulder dislocation, clavicle fractures, and broken/sprained wrists. An upper body injury could happen in a number of ways.
One of the most common and severe injuries that occurs across the NHL are concussions. Concussions are caused when the brain bounces or twists within the skull. This can be caused in a number of ways in hockey, generally from a hard impact whether that’s against another players body, the ice, or the boards. Recovery timelines for concussions vary from case-to-case with some players suffering mild effects and clearing protocol within a few weeks, to drastic scenarios where a player could miss the remainder of the season.
Lower Body Injuries
While players are often able to play through upper body injuries, a lower body injury can force a player to miss an extended amount of ice time depending on the location and severity of the issue. Lower body injuries encompass all issues from the waist down.
With so many pivotal muscle groups found within the lower body, these types of injuries often leave athletes unable to practice, let alone compete. Arguably the worst lower body injury a player can experience is a knee injury. From ACL tears, to MCL strains, or even broken patellas, there a numerous key ligaments and muscles, within the knee that are essential to a hockey players ability to hit the ice. Severe injuries to the knee can lead to lengthy absences from the lineup as well as a host of potential issues down the line of a players career if not successfully rehabbed. Other common lower body injuries in hockey include hip pointers, groin strains, and sprained/broken ankles.
Reserve Lists
In the NHL, players are often moved in and out of the lineup due to injury but when an issue occurs in which a player is set to miss an extended period of time, they must be placed under the official designation of the injured reserve list. NHL teams utilize reserve lists as a way to provide injured players time to recover from their physical ailments, as well as to free up space within their active roster to replace the output of their missing player.
There are two versions of reserve lists in the NHL, the injured reserve list (IR) and the long term injured reserve list (LTIR). Each reserve list holds their own distinctions for players to qualify, as well as how teams are able to replace members of the roster when they are forced to send an injured athlete to an injury reserve list. Below are the key differences between each reserve list and how an injured player can find themselves placed there in a season.
Injured Reserve List
The injured reserve list (IR) is for any player who is set to miss seven calendar days or more due to injury, disablement or illness is designated. Once a player is sent to injured reserve they must spend at least seven calendar days out of the teams lineup, but is still able to attend practices, team meetings, as well as travel with their team. Players are eligible to stay on the injured reserve until they are cleared by their team medical staff as ready and fit to return to competition…. When a player is sent to the injured reserve list, clubs are able to call up players from their roster to replace them whether that is from a scratched member of their main roster, a call up from the minors (AHL/ECHL), or by signing a free agent (cap space permitting).
Long Term Injured Reserve List
Similar to the injured reserve list, the long term injured reserve list (LTIR) is designed for teams to make up for severe injuries that have occurred to a player during the season. A player can be placed on the LTIR if they have been evaluated by medical staff and are ruled out of action for a minimum of 24 calendar days or 10 NHL games. Players often spend a much longer time on this reserve list once they are placed there due to the nature and severity of their injuries.
One major difference between the IR and the LTIR is the ability to circumvent the salary cap. When a player is placed on the LTIR, teams are able to pull from what is referred to as the “LTIR Pool”. The LTIR pool is the amount in which a team is granted in cap space after a player has been assigned to the LTIR. This amount is determined by subtracting the total amount of cap space remaining for a team from the affected player’s salary cap hit for the season. The amount given in the LTIR pool is also dependent on whether a team is under or over the salary cap at the beginning of the regular season.
For example, if a player who has a $2 million annual cap hit is placed on the LTIR and their team was under the salary cap by $500K, they would deduct the $500K in remaining cap space from the player’s annual salary hit, leaving the team with $1.5M to spend on replacements for their injured player.
However, if a team is over the salary cap to begin the regular season the LTIR pool is divided differently. In this case whatever the value of the overage in salary cap is at the start of the season will be the LTIR pool funds available for a club. For example, if a team is over the salary cap by $1 million, and a player with a $5 million cap hit is placed on the LTIR, their LTIR pool is valued at $1M as that is the amount they were over the cap to begin the season.
When a player is removed from the LTIR, the team must be under the annual salary cap hit on that day.
Considering Injuries When Placing NHL Bets
Considering injuries when placing NHL bets is incredibly important. By staying informed about the latest injury news heading into a matchup, you can better formulate how a matchup may play out based on the personnel available for action. Here’s how you can use the NHL injury report to influence your next bet and help give you a knowledgeable boost on all your wagers placed on tonight’s clashes.
Moneyline and Puck Line Bets
When placing a moneyline or puck line bet, knowing who is suiting up for action can make or break your chances of winning your wager. It only takes the absence of one player to shift the lines and change the outcome of the game. By waiting for the latest injury report prior to puck drop, bettors can make informed decisions before throwing down a wager on an upcoming matchup.
For example, if the New Jersey Devils are set to play the Columbus Blue Jackets but Jack Hughes is out due to injury, you may not want to back the Devils on the moneyline. Instead, you can use this information to reevaluate where the best value is on the adjusted moneyline and puck line for this contest.
Goal Total Bets
Each team relies heavily on their top goal-scorers to produce on a nightly-basis. If one of these performers is sidelined due to injury this could majorly effect the final score of the game. For example, if Minnesota Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov is out of action due to injury heading into a contest against the New York Islanders, you could use this information to your advantage by betting the Under on the matchup due to the elite goal-scorer’s absence.
The same can be said inversely about a team’s goaltending. If the Tampa Bay Lightning are set to be without superstar netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy in their clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs, it may be in your best interest to bet the Over as his backup may not be able to handle the oppositions high-powered offence.
Prop Bets
Player injuries are also a prevalent factor to take into account before placing a prop bet on a matchup. If a team is without some of their top line players, it can leave the door open for someone lower in the depth chart to step up in their place.
For example, if The Ottawa Senators are taking on the San Jose Sharks, but Brady Tkachuk is listed as out on the latest injury report, other members of the Senators may be due for an increase in output as they look to make up for the void in production left by their team captain.
Futures Odds
While you don’t need a crystal ball to place a successful futures bet, knowing the latest injury news for each team can make a positive impact on your bets potential success. The NHL regular season is a vigorous journey that takes a heavy toll on the bodies of the athletes competing, and can sometimes lead to key members of a roster winding up on the injured reserve as a result. If a team does end up with an injury to one of their top players, this could completely derail their hopes of competing into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
For example, if Colorado Avalanche superstar forward Nathan Mackinnon suffers a season-ending injury just before the All-Star break, you can expect to see their Stanley Cup future odds drop drastically as their best player is put on the shelf. On the other hand, you can also expect to see the ripple effects of this change in odds as other top contenders see their Stanley Cup odds increase as the competition among the top of the league is dropped.
NHL Injury Report FAQs
How often does the NHL injury report get updated?
The NHL injury report is updated daily so that you can see the latest injury news ahead of puck drop in any of today’s matchups. Seeing timely updates to the NHL injury report can make a major impact on your daily fantasy sports picks and wagers on a particular game. All information provided on the NHL injury report is provided directly by the NHL and each respective franchise to ensure accuracy.
How long can a player stay on the injured reserve list?
While the minimum amount of time spent on the injured reserve list is seven calendar days, there is no maximum amount of time that a player can be placed on the injured reserve list. If a player is set to be sidelined for longer than 24 calendar days or 10 NHL games, then a club may opt to place them on the long-term injured reserve instead. This allows franchises with the ability to exceed the salary cap while a player is placed on this reserve list.
How long does it take to recover from an ice hockey injury?
No injury recovery timeline is the same as another as there are several factors that go into the rehab process for a player being affected by injury. Factors include but are not limited to, injury severity, player injury/medical history, age, as well as the location of the injury. Some injuries are able to clear up in a matter of days, while others may take an athlete out of action for the entirety of a season.