Hedman played a season-low 17:51 time-on-ice in Tampa Bay's most recent game, and has been absent from the team's last two practices, tending to an undisclosed injury. The 34-year-old Hedman has 12 points (0G / 12A) through 15 games this season.
The Lightning will hand their franchise netminder his 12th start of the season when they host the Rangers on Wednesday. Vasilevskiy notched his third straight victory in his last start, stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced in a 3-2 win over the Capitals on Saturday. Vasilevskiy and the Lightning enter action on Wednesday at -140 on the money line.
Miromanov was recalled last week but did not draw into the Flames lineup. He returns to the Wranglers (AHL), where he has four points (1G / 3A) in seven games this season.
Ahcan has been a regular in Colorado's lineup the previous two weeks, but he has been reassigned to the AHL. The 28-year-old defenseman averaged 11:21 time-on-ice and scored one assist in six games with the Avalanche.
With Tyson Foerster (lower body) activated from Injured Reserve, the Flyers have assigned Grundstrom back to the AHL. The 27-year-old Grundstrom only appeared in one game for the Flyers. He has six points (3G / 3A) in 11 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL).
Foerster was drafted 23rd overall by the Flyers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has shown strides towards becoming a reliable offensive producer at the NHL level. After scoring a career-high 43 points (25G / 18A) in 81 games last season, he was off to a strong start in 2025-26, with seven points (4G / 3A) in 11 games. He returned to practice on Tuesday and will likely return to his regular deployment in the Flyers' top-six on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
Daccord has not played since November 5th due to an upper-body injury, but appears to be inching closer to a return after practicing on Wednesday. Matt Murray has seen most of the action between the pipes since Daccord's injury and will likely continue to do so until Daccord returns.
Mayfield is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice, recording 31 penalty minutes, 24 blocks, 11 hits, and three assists in 16 games this season. The Islanders return to action on Thursday in Vegas against the Golden Knights.
Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks due to a lower-body injury after only 12:57 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Nichushkin has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 17 games this season, and has been more productive lately, with nine points (3G / 6A) in his last 10 games. Colorado's head coach, Jared Bednar, was unable to provide a concrete update on Nichushkin's timeline, other than stating he will "miss some time."
The Rangers added some organizational goalie depth on Wednesday, signing Martin to a two-year contract. The 30-year-old goalie has primarily played in the AHL, but has a 3.56 GAA and .883 SV% in 66 career NHL games, mostly with the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes. He is expected to report to the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) after clearing waivers.
The Sabres have been outscored 9-3 in their last two games (0-2-0), and will likely switch things up on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth, turning to Ellis for his second career start. The 25-year-old Ellis made his NHL debut on October 22nd and played exceptionally, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Sabres enter the action on Wednesday as +177 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that has been outscored 15-7 during a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
Colorado has been cautious with Blackwood's return from a lower-body injury, playing only two games since his return at the beginning of November, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old goalie is still finding his footing, posting a subpar 3.42 GAA and .875 SV% in two games (1-0-1). He had a terrific 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% with Colorado in 37 games last season (22-12-3).
Bowman is an undrafted forward that is in his second professional season with the Henderson Silver Knights (AHL). The 22-year-old Bowman has 12 points (7G / 5A) in 12 games with Henderson this season.
Erne was injured in the third period of the Stars' 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, exiting the game with 8:36 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Erne has been an effective fourth-line player for the Stars, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in 14 games this season.
The Sabres have been outscored 9-3 in their last two games (0-2-0), and will likely switch things up on Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth, turning to Ellis for his second career start. The 25-year-old Ellis made his NHL debut on October 22nd and played exceptionally, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Sabres enter the action on Wednesday as +177 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that has been outscored 15-7 during a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
Slaggert averaged 12:18 time-on-ice and scored six points (2G / 4A) in 33 games with the Blackhawks last season. If Andre Burakovsky (undisclosed) in unable to play, expect Slaggert to draw into the Blackhawks lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils.
With Montembeault continuing to struggle this season, allowing four or more goals in five of his last seven games (3-3-1), the Canadiens will continue their goalie rotation, turning to Dobes on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 24-year-old Dobes has been excellent this season, but is coming off his first loss of the 2025-26 season, allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. He has a solid 2.25 GAA and .920 SV% in seven games this season (6-0-1).
Markstrom allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York islanders on Monday, and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 35-year-old Markstrom has an ugly 3.82 GAA and .872 SV% in seven games (4-2-1), but has been better lately, posting a 2.30 GAA and .920 SV% in his last three outings (2-0-1). The Devils enter Wednesday's contest as -141 road favorites against a surprising Blackhawks team riding a three-game winning streak.
Burakovsky was absent from practice on Wednesday, tending to an undisclosed injury, and his status is uncertain for the Blackhawks' game against the New Jersey Devils. Burakovsky has been outstanding lately, playing on a line with Connor Bedard, scoring 10 points (5G / 5A) in his last seven games.
Hyman missed the second half of last year's playoffs after enduring an upper-body injury and has yet to play in the 2025-26 season. At the beginning of training camp, Head Coach Kris Knoblach stated he is hopeful the 32-year-old can return in early November, a timeline that seems to be holding true, as Head Coach Knoblach stated he may return to the lineup as early as Thursday. Hyman is just one season removed from a 54-goal campaign in 2023-24 and will hope to get off to a hot start when he is able to return.
