Dowd (undisclosed) will not play against the Oilers on Wednesday.
Dowd was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Capitals not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Sonny Milano will dress in his place.
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NHL Injury Report
Eller (undisclosed) is out vs. Anaheim on Thursday.
Eller did not play in the Kings' most recent game and will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 36-year-old Eller has six points (2G / 4A) in 19 games this season.
Romanov has been placed on IR with an upper-body injury.
Romanov violently collided into the boards near the end of the third period after a collision with Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. Romanov needed assistance leaving the ice, and Rantanen was issued a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. Islanders' Head Coach Patrick Roy did not have an update on Romanov after the game, but said he did not need to go to the hospital. That said, he was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday afternoon, meaning he will be out of the lineup for at least one week.
McAvoy (upper-body) underwent surgery on Wednesday and does not have a timetable to return.
McAvoy exited Boston's 3-2 win over Montreal on Saturday after only 13:41 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and has not played since. The 27-year-old defenseman successfully underwent surgery on Wednesday, but it's unclear when he will return and if this will impact his availability for the upcoming winter Olympics. He has 14 points (0G / 14A) through 19 games this season.
Garland (undisclosed) was a full participant in practice Wednesday and is ready to return to the Canucks lineup.
Garland suffered an undisclosed injury in the first period of Vancouver's 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, exiting the game after only 4:21 time-on-ice. The 29-year-old Garland has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 17 games this season. He will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Dallas Stars after a one-game absence.
Tkachuk has started skating and could be back sometime in the next month in time for the Winter Classic.
Tkachuk has yet to play this season due to an injury, but has resumed skating and is targeting a return in late December. The 27-year-old Tkachuk recorded 57 points (22G / 35A), 84 hits, and 156 shots last season in 52 games, missing 30 contests due to a lower-body injury.
Lyubushkin is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Lyubushkin is battling an undisclosed injury, did not play on Tuesday, and remains day-to-day. The 31-year-old Lyubushkin has spent most of the season playing alongside Thomas Harley, who is also sidelined week-to-week due to an injury. Vladislav Kolyachonok drew into the lineup as Lyubushkin's replacement on Tuesday.
Duchene (upper-body) will travel with Dallas on their upcoming road trip.
Duchene suffered an upper-body injury after a massive open-ice hit from Minnesota's Jacob Middleton in the third game of the season, was sidelined for one game, returned, and has mysteriously been out of the lineup since. Few details have been released regarding Duchene's injury, but has has been practicing with the team for the last several days, and could return to the lineup in their upcoming four-game road trip. The 34-year-old Duchene led Dallas last season with 82 points (30G / 52A) in 82 games.
Nichushkin (lower body) remains week-to-week but skated in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday.
Nichushkin exited last 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. Nichushkin has played fewer than 55 games in each of the previous four seasons due to injuries and could be headed down that same path in 2025-26, as he is out week-to-week.
Matthews (lower body) is improving but will not play on Thursday.
Matthews has not played since suffering a lower-body injury from a Nikita Zadorov hit one week ago, but returned to practice on Tuesday, suggesting he is inching closer to a return. That said, Head Coach Craig Berube stated that he "obviously" would not be ready for Thursday's game against Columbus. The 28-year-old Matthews has not been as dynamic as in previous seasons early in 2025-26, scoring 14 points (9G / 5A) through 17 games, but the Leafs have lost five of six and will be eager for their captain to return to the lineup.
Laughton (upper body) is progressing and could be an option on Thursday.
Laughton suffered a lower-body injury towards the end of training camp, made his season debut on November 5th, and only played two games before suffering an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old Laughton was limited to only four points (2G / 2A) in 20 games with the Maple Leafs after being acquired before last season's trade deadline. The Maple Leafs hope that he can return to the production he had in his previous two full seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, when he scored 82 points (31G / 51A) in 160 games.
Schwindt (broken arm) requires surgery and is expected to miss 2-3 months.
Schwindt exited Florida's most recent game in the first period after only four shifts, with, as was revealed on Wednesday, a broken arm. The 24-year-old is scheduled to have surgery once swelling decreases and will likely be sidelined for two to three months. He had two points (2G / 0A) in 10 games before his injury.
Luostarinen will be out week-to-week after suffering burns in a barbecue accident.
An unfortunate non-hockey incident is leaving Luostarinen sidelined on a week-to-week basis. The 27-year-old Luostarainen was having an excellent seasons, scoring 10 points (3G / 7A) and recording 42 hits through 18 games. Noah Gregor filled in for Luostarainen in Florida's most recent game.
Josi (upper body) was on the ice for practice on Wednesday.
Josi has been sidelined since October 23rd, but made a major step towards drawing back into the lineup by returning to practice on Wednesday. The 35-year-old defenseman had five points (1G / 4A) in eight games this season before his injury. He missed 29 games last season, largely due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition characterized by an abnormally large increase in heart rate upon sitting up or standing.
Blais (upper-body) is practicing on Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game early.
An injury to Matthew Knies (lower body) allowed Blais to draw into Toronto's lineup on Tuesday, but his appearance was short-lived, exiting the contest after only 6:31 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. That said, Blais seems no worse for wear, returning to practice on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Blais recorded an assist before his injury, giving him three points (1G / 2A) and 27 hits in seven games this season.
Benson (lower-body) skated on Wednesday and is expected back in a short period of time.
Benson has not played since October 30th due to a lower-body injury, but has returned to practice, and should return to the lineup shortly. The 20-year-old Benson was off to a hot start before his injury, scoring eight points (0G / 8A) through eight games.
Zucker (illness) will be available on Friday vs. Chicago.
Zucker has missed seven straight games, but returned to practice this week, and should return to the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Zucker is averaging 14:44 time-on-ice, recording seven points (4G / 3A), 15 hits, and 27 shots in 12 games this season.
Romanov left Tuesday's game vs. Dallas with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Romanov violently collided into the boards near the end of the third period after a collision with Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. Romanov needed assistance leaving the ice, and Rantanen was issued a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. Islanders' Head Coach Patrick Roy did not have an update on Romanov after the game, but said he did not need to go to the hospital.
Blais left Tuesday’s game vs. St.Louis with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Borgen (upper-body) will play in Vegas on Tuesday.
Borgen missed the Rangers' previous two games with an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup in Vegas on Tuesday. The 28-year-old defender will make a welcome addition back to the Rangers' lineup, with his three points (1G/2A), eight PIMs and +4 plus/minus in 18 games played this season.
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.