Injuries are reshaping team lineups across the NHL — and one star’s absence is raising eyebrows. Here's the latest update on who's sidelined, who's returning, and what it all means heading into another high-stakes week of hockey action.
Boston Bruins
Star forward David Pastrnak will sit out for the third consecutive game as the Boston Bruins prepare to face the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, NESN, SNO, SNE). The team confirmed he won’t travel with them due to an unspecified injury. Pastrnak, who skipped practice Monday, continues to be listed as “day-to-day.” Coach Marco Sturm expressed mild frustration but kept optimism alive, saying, “We hoped he’d be skating by now, but that’s not the case yet. We’ll see how things go in the next few days.” Before his absence, Pastrnak logged 18:35 on ice in Boston’s 3-1 win over the New York Islanders on Nov. 26. Despite the setback, he still leads the team with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 25 games. Meanwhile, Viktor Arvidsson, who missed seven games with a lower-body injury, is expected to rejoin the lineup Tuesday.
Buffalo Sabres
After more than two months off the ice, Josh Norris will make his long-awaited return for Buffalo’s game against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG-B, Prime). The forward had been out for 25 games following a lower-body injury sustained in the Sabres’ season opener on Oct. 9. During the morning skate, Norris centered the top line between Zach Benson and Tage Thompson and took his place on the team’s top power-play unit — a clear sign Buffalo is wasting no time reintegrating him. “Didn’t sleep much last night—just excited,” Norris shared with reporters. To make space, defenseman Zach Metsa was reassigned to the Rochester Americans in the AHL.
Utah Mammoth
Logan Cooley’s status remains uncertain ahead of the Utah Mammoth’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Monday (10 p.m. ET; Utah16, NBCSCA). The forward participated in the morning skate after suffering an apparent lower-body injury from a knee-on-knee collision with Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko during Saturday’s 1-0 loss to St. Louis. Toropchenko was given a major penalty and ejected for the hit—a call that some fans argued was too harsh, while others said it wasn’t enough. Coach Andre Tourigny expressed relief, saying it was “great” to see Cooley walking the next day. “You never want any player dealing with a serious knee issue,” he added. Cooley remains Utah’s top scorer this season with 23 points (14 goals, 9 assists) in 26 games.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner is closing in on a return but will miss his tenth straight game Monday at New Jersey (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, MSGSN), according to coach Dean Evason. Jenner, recovering from an upper-body injury sustained Nov. 11, has recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 16 appearances so far this season. Fans are beginning to wonder: could his absence be a factor in Columbus’s recent struggles?
San Jose Sharks
In San Jose, both Michael Misa and Jeff Skinner joined the morning skate Monday — a welcome sight for Sharks fans. It marked the first time either had been on the ice since suffering lower-body injuries earlier in the season. Misa, who has logged three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games after being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, hasn’t played since Nov. 1. Skinner, a veteran forward with seven points (four goals, three assists) in 17 games, last appeared Nov. 13. Neither will play Monday, but their return to practice suggests progress. Meanwhile, defenseman Vincent Desharnais landed on injured reserve with an upper-body issue — a tough blow for the team’s blue line.
Winnipeg Jets
Defenseman Neal Pionk skated with the team Monday morning, though he’ll miss his fourth straight game against the Sabres (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG-B, Prime). Pionk was injured Nov. 23 during the first period of a 3-0 loss to Minnesota. He’s contributed five points (one goal, four assists) this season and continues to log heavy minutes — averaging 22:44 per game. The Jets’ defense has looked less stable without him, raising questions about how long they can sustain playoff-level performances.
Vancouver Canucks
Conor Garland remains sidelined with an upper-body injury and skipped practice Monday, following Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss against the Los Angeles Kings. Interestingly, Garland played heavy minutes (24:28) and recorded an assist in Friday’s 3-2 loss at San Jose, leading many to speculate whether he had been playing hurt for weeks. On a brighter note, Nils Hoglander took the ice in a non-contact jersey after recovering from surgery on Sept. 29 — though he still hasn’t played this season. The Canucks also recalled goaltender Jiri Patera from their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford due to emergency conditions, suggesting lineup adjustments may continue.
Injuries can make or break a team’s momentum, especially during this packed midseason stretch. But here’s what’s sparking debate among fans: Should coaches be more transparent about the nature of “undisclosed” injuries, or is secrecy an important strategic move? And with stars like Pastrnak and Jenner missing crucial games, which team do you think will handle these setbacks best? Drop your predictions and hot takes in the comments — some fans might not agree with yours!
