NHL Player News

Samberg logged an assist and blocked four shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Oilers.

Samberg's offense continues to shine through lately -- he has two goals and three helpers over his last seven games. It's unclear if this is an evolution in his play or just a brief stretch of success that can happen for a top-four defender. Samberg has matched his career high of 18 points, doing so with six goals and 12 helpers, as well as 75 shots on net, 93 blocked shots, 45 hits and a plus-30 rating, over 48 contests in 2024-25.

Morrissey scored a goal on two shots, dished an assist, added two hits, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Oilers.

Morrissey tied the game at 2-2 with a second-period tally, and he also helped out on Kyle Connor's game-winning goal 1:13 into the extra session. Prior to Thursday, Morrissey was in an unusually quiet stretch -- he had just one helper over his previous five contests. The star defenseman is up to 11 goals, 54 points, 147 shots on net, 100 blocked shots, 42 hits and a plus-13 rating through 69 outings overall.

McDonagh was struck in the head by a puck late in the third period of Thursday's game versus the Stars, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Head coach Jon Cooper did not have an update on McDonagh's status following the contest. If he is able to avoid a concussion, he'll be considered day-to-day until further information is available. The Lightning play at Utah on Saturday and at Vegas on Sunday. They dressed seven defensemen for Thursday's game, so forwards Mitchell Chaffee or Cam Atkinson would be options to rejoin the lineup Saturday if McDonagh can't play.

Hamonic (undisclosed) did not finish Thursday's game versus the Avalanche, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports.

There was no update on Hamonic's status after the game, so his status for Saturday's game against the Devils is in doubt. If Hamonic can't play, Dennis Gilbert will likely draw into the lineup.

McCabe put up three assists Thursday in a 4-3 win over the Rangers. He also registered three hits and two blocks.

This was McCabe's first three-point game in blue and white. He's not known for his offense -- these points were his first in nine games, and he has just 20 points (two goals, 18 assists) in 60 games this season. But McCabe has arguably been the Leafs best defender on the ice, especially in reducing chances and snuffing out the opposition's best players. His fantasy value comes from his hits (109) and blocks (123).

Klingberg (undisclosed) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Jets, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Klingberg is set to miss his eighth straight game, and there's been no update on how close he is to a return. Brett Kulak and Troy Stecher continue to play regularly in Klingberg's absence.

Boqvist (upper body) won't play Thursday versus the Canadiens, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Boqvist was also dealing with an illness Tuesday, though it's unclear if he's recovered from it yet. In any case, he won't be in Thursday's lineup, sitting out for the fourth straight game. The 24-year-old's next chance to play is Saturday versus the Flames.

Girard isn't in the lineup Thursday versus Ottawa because of a lower-body injury, per Brennan Vogt of Mile High Hockey.

Girard is considered day-to-day, so perhaps he'll still be an option Saturday against Montreal. The 26-year-old has three goals, 22 points, 53 hits and 94 blocks in 66 outings in 2024-25. Keaton Middleton is set to face the Senators because of Girard's absence.

Theodore (arm) was placed on long-term injured reserve Thursday, retroactive to the 4 Nations Face-Off break, SinBin.Vegas reports.

Theodore sustained an arm injury with Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off but returned to practice in a non-contact jersey this week. While he appears to be trending in the right direction, he'll still be placed on long-term injured reserve as a procedural move after William Karlsson (lower body) was activated from LTIR.

Head coach John Tortorella said Thursday that he doesn't expect Ristolainen (upper body) to return anytime soon, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports.

Ristolainen has missed the last three games due to his upper-body injury and doesn't yet have a timetable to return, but it sounds as though he'll miss several more matchups, including Thursday's game against the Capitals. He's officially labeled as week-to-week by the Flyers. Egor Zamula will likely remain in the lineup while Ristolainen is sidelined.