NHL Player News

Head coach Jon Cooper said that Guentzel (upper body) is day-to-day ahead of Thursday's road matchup against the Sharks, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times.

Guentzel missed his first game of the season in Sunday's 5-2 loss to Montreal. Cooper also said, "The game's not for a couple more days. There's been improvements since a couple games ago, so hopefully that continues and see what happens." The 30-year-old Guentzel was able to participate in Tuesday's morning skate in a non-contact jersey. Given that he hasn't been cleared for contact yet, the Nebraska native's status will be worth monitoring as the Lightning gear up for a three-game road trip through California. The star winger has provided 20 goals and 37 points through 33 appearances in 2024-25.

Ivan (upper body) is week-to-week and will go on injured reserve, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Tuesday.

Colorado will activate Jonathan Drouin (upper body) from the IR list in a corresponding move. Ivan has five goals, eight points and 34 shots on net across 37 appearances this season.

Chytil scored a goal on seven shots and went minus-2 in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Panthers.

Chytil snapped a five-game point drought when he got the Rangers on the board in the second period. The center's seven shots were a season high. He's up to seven goals, 13 points, 63 shots on net and a plus-6 rating over 29 appearances while primarily playing on the third line. He offers little physicality and limited offense, so he's not a strong option for center depth in fantasy.

Luostarinen scored a goal and added three hits in Monday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

Luostarinen has been effective in a second-line role recently, picking up three goals and an assist over his last seven games. The 26-year-old had spent much of the year on the third line before moving up, though his ice time hasn't changed much. Luostarinen is at six goals, 15 points, 40 shots on net, 85 hits, 26 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 38 appearances. He's a depth scorer with a physical edge for fantasy purposes.

Barkov scored an empty-net goal on three shots and added two PIM in Monday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

The Rangers put in a rare good effort, but they couldn't tie the game late, and Barkov sealed the Panthers' victory. The 29-year-old center has two goals and three assists over six games since he returned from an illness in mid-December. For the season, he's at 11 goals, 34 points, 64 shots on net, 31 hits, 28 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 28 appearances.

Vilardi scored two power-play goals in Monday's 3-0 win over the Predators.

The 25-year-old put the game out of reach by striking twice in the third period. Vilardi is putting the finishing touches on a big December that has seen him erupt for eight goals and 17 points over the last 12 games, including nine points -- five goals and four helpers -- with the man advantage.

Matthews (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Matthews had already been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Islanders despite being a partial participant in Monday's practice session. Tuesday's absence will mark the fifth consecutive game he's missed, so he'll be able to return at any point, but his move to injured reserve frees up a roster spot since Oliver Ekman-Larsson (illness) and Pontus Holmberg (illness) have both been ruled out against the Islanders. Whether Matthews will be available for Thursday's rematch against the Islanders remains to be seen.

Head coach Scott Arniel announced Monday that Appleton is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Appleton didn't suit up in Monday's 3-0 win over Nashville, and it's now known why. The 28-year-old's ice time didn't drop in Saturday's 4-2 win over Ottawa, so it's unclear when he picked up the injury. David Gustafsson will likely receive more consistent playing time while Appleton is sidelined. Dominic Toninato was also recalled from AHL Manitoba on Monday.

Smith (back) will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Blues, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Smith was placed on injured reserve Dec. 20, retroactive to Dec. 12, but he'll make his return for the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. The right-shot forward has missed eight consecutive games and nine of the past 10. Smith will more than likely serve in a fourth-line capacity Tuesday.

Ivan (upper body) didn't participate in Monday's practice because he is still being evaluated, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.

Ivan likely won't be an option for Tuesday's matchup against Winnipeg, but a timeline for his return is unclear beyond that. He has five goals, eight points and 34 shots on net across 37 appearances this season. Jonathan Drouin (upper body) will replace Ivan in Tuesday's lineup.