Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, and will now miss his fifth straight game. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.
Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since. With Niko Mikkola (undisclosed) also sidelined Monday, the Panthers have recalled Tobias Bjornfot from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), who is set to make his season debut.
Hughes has missed the previous four games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 25-year-old Hughes is having another excellent season, scoring 42 points (8G / 34A) in 34 games. He was on a particularly strong stretch before his injury, with 22 points (4G / 18A) in his last 14 games.
Malenstyn is battling an illness and will miss his first game of the season when the Sabres play the Washington Capitals on Monday. The 26-year-old Malenstyn is averaging 10:30 time-on-ice and has eight points (4G / 4A) in 40 games this season.
Laine appears to be nearing a return to the lineup but will miss a third straight contest on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old Laine has been impressive in his limited time with the Canadiens, scoring 10 points (8G / 2A) in 13 games despite averaging a career-low 14:51 time-on-ice.
Grundstrom exited Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames after only 1:34 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury and has not played since. The 27-year-old forward has five points (1G / 4A) in 30 games this season.
Haula has played through some injuries this season but will sidelined on a week-to-week basis due to an ankle sprain. The 33-year-old Finnish forward is averaging 14:27 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (5G / 6A), 22 blocks, and 67 hits in 42 games this season.
McCabe played 7:12 TOI before getting injured in a fight with Garnet Hathaway. McCabe has been a steadying force on Toronto's blue line this season and will be out of the lineup until at least January 14th against the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old McCabe is averaging 20:52 time-on-ice and has 11 points (1G / 10A), 68 blocks, and 72 hits in 36 games this season.
Burroughs has been used sparingly this season, often rostered as a seventh defenseman. The 29-year-old is averaging only 5:44 time-on-ice in his last 12 games, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in the process.
Larsson exited Seattle's previous game due to an undisclosed injury after only playing 12:03 time-on-ice but will return to action on Monday against his former club, the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old Larson has been a stabilizing force on Seattle's blue line this season, averaging 20:38 time-on-ice and recording seven points (1G / 6A), 83 blocks, and 55 hits in 40 games.
Kaprizov has missed five straight games and, despite not returning to practice, remains day-to-day. The 27-year-old Kaprizov has been sensational this season, among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
Middleton has not played since December 12th, missing 11 consecutive games, but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Before his injury, the 28-year-old Middleton was averaging a career-high 20:36 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (5G / 8A), 76 blocks, and 42 hits in 29 games this season.
Gaudreau joined Mats Zuccarello as Minnesota players to miss practice due to an illness on Monday. The 31-year-old Gaudreau has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 40 games this season but has only one point is his last 11 (0G / 1A). Minnesota returns to action on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
Zuccarello showed no signs of illness in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, recording three points (2G / 1A), but was not available for practice on Monday. The 37-year-old Zuccarello is having another great season, scoring 25 points (10G / 15A) in 27 games. Minnesota returns to action on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
Petry exited last Thursday's 5-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period after recording 17:17 time-on-ice and has not played since. The 37-year-old Petry is averaging 19:11 time-on-ice and has six points (1G / 5A) in 34 games this season.
Demko exited Thursday's game against Seattle and has been sidelined since. Head coach Rick Tocchet said that Demko had "some back spasms, so I dont think it's serious." Tocchet added that it "could be a day or two" but back spasms are unpredictable. Kevin Lankinen will likely see the majority of action between the pipes while Demko is unavailable.
Pettersson has not played since December 23rd but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after skating at practice on Monday. The 26-year-old Pettersson has had an off season after back-to-back point-per-game campaigns, scoring 28 points (10G / 18A) through 34 contests this season. He has been held off the scoresheet in six of his last seven outings.
Lauzon was limited to 6:19 time-on-ice in Nashville's 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild last Tuesday and has not played since. It's unclear if his lower-body ailment is related to the one that kept him out of the lineup for 10 games earlier this season. The Predators have recalled Kevin Gravel from the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Demko exited Thursday's game against Seattle and has been sidelined since. Head coach Rick Tocchet said that Demko had "some back spasms, so I dont think it's serious." Tocchet added that it "could be a day or two" but back spasms are unpredictable. Kevin Lankinen will likely see the majority of action between the pipes while Demko is unavailable.
