Let's start with some injury news, since we can't get enough of it with this season's condensed schedule. Filed under the weird and bizarre category, Jack Hughes reportedly suffered a cut to his hand at a team dinner and is expected to miss Saturday's game against Washington as a result. The exact injury and timeline for recovery are not yet known.

Timeline can be quite variable. If just superficial then will be out roughly 1 week to let the wound heal for Hughes

If any tendons are cut then will require surgery and 3+ months out like Charles Alexis Legault

Unlikely any significant blood vessel or nerve injury https://t.co/necovT9Od5

— Dr. Harjas Grewal (@Harjas_Grewal) November 15, 2025

Hughes is a certified Band-Aid Boy, as his injury issues throughout his career have been well documented. If he misses significant time with this injury, he might have the worst injury luck I've ever seen. Hughes has missed a total of 40 games over the past two seasons, which is why he was projected for 67 games played in this season's fantasy guide. We might have to bet the under on that now.

Alex Newhook will be sidelined for the next four months following surgery to repair a fractured ankle. This is a tough break (literally) for the Habs and Newhook, who is off to a great start with 12 points in 17 games. Newhook had been enjoying his success on a line with rookies Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, all of whom are over the 0.5 PT/GP mark. Jared Davidson, who has 31 goals and 56 points in 82 AHL games over the past two seasons, has been recalled from the AHL in a corresponding move. The Canadiens are also believed to be in the mix for David Kampf, whose contract with the Leafs has been terminated.

The Canadiens also announced that Kaiden Guhle will miss another 8-10 weeks following surgery to repair a partially torn adductor muscle. Guhle is already a Band-Aid Boy Trainee and may reach Certified status once the next Band-Aid Boy Review takes place next offseason.

Marco Rossi is currently listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury. With an opening at the center position, Danila Yurov could move up in the lineup. At Friday's practice, Yurov was centering a line with Vladimir Tarasenko and Vinnie Hinostroza, which isn't a major development at least for now. In his first NHL season, Yurov has two goals and no assists in 13 games while averaging under 10 minutes per game. Minnesota is also another potential Kampf destination.

Zach Hyman (wrist) is expected to make his season debut today (Saturday) in Carolina. In a corresponding move, Isaac Howard has been loaned to the AHL. In his first NHL season, Howard has three points in 17 games while averaging under 10 minutes per game.

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All four games on Friday were decided in either overtime or a shootout. In other words, four loser points were handed out on a day when there were only four games on the schedule. Yet another example of how much parity exists among teams in the 2025-26 season.

For the first time in @NHL history, every game on a single day was decided in OT or a shootout. (Min 4 games) pic.twitter.com/swuJvnVnZD

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 15, 2025

Friday started with an early game from Sweden, where the Predators defeated the Penguins 2-1 in overtime. The two teams face each other again in Sweden tomorrow (Sunday).

Steven Stamkos (remember him?) scored the overtime winner for the Preds. If you're a pessimist, you'll see that Stamkos has just five points in 19 games this season, with his situation in Nashville going from bad to worse in his second season. But if you're an optimist, you'll notice that Stamkos has three goals over his past five games. Overall, Stamkos (now 35 years of age) is no longer a top-level point-per-game player, with his value taking a major hit with the move to Nashville. Those who have been patient (down to 40% Yahoo/60% Fantrax) might be able to salvage something. In the meantime, I've removed Stamkos from the Top 100 Roto Rankings for November, which will be published later today.

Evgeni Malkin continued his quick start to the season, scoring the Penguins' only goal. Malkin is still over a point per game (22 PTS in 18 GP), and he is on track for a rebound season of some sort. Malkin is averaging nearly a shot more per game over last season, while his advanced stats don't show any major signs of regression. However, age (39) and injury history could easily catch up, which is why Malkin is a potential sell-high candidate.

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Andrei Svechnikov scored two goals while adding an assist in the Hurricanes' 4-3 overtime win over Vancouver. After starting the season without a point in his first eight games, Svechnikov has picked up the pace recently with seven points over his last five games. His ownership in Yahoo leagues has dipped to 57%, but he could be a savvy pickup if his scoring can continue to trend in the right direction. All the drops might be explained not only by the lack of scoring, but also by the fact that his hits are down to an average of only one per game.

Shayne Gostisbehere registered three assists, giving him 11 points in eight games this season. Gostisbehere also led the Canes with six shots on goal.

Frederik Andersen did not back up Pyotr Kochetkov on Friday. Andersen had been pulled by a concussion spotter on Tuesday, so the Canes are exercising caution with their oft-injured goalie.

Seth Jarvis left this game early in the first period after being clipped in the eye by a teammate's stick. After the game, coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed that he doesn't expect Jarvis to be out very long. Jarvis was in the press box during the game and not at the hospital, so it appears that Jarvis escaped a serious eye injury. However, Jarvis may miss today's (Saturday's) game against Edmonton.

Quinn Hughes was out of the Canucks' lineup on Friday. Hughes left Tuesday's game against Winnipeg briefly but returned (playing 28 minutes!) so this might be related. Hughes has also missed a few games with a lower-body injury this season. He was a game-time decision, so consider him day-to-day for now.

To add to the injuries, Filip Hronek was pulled by the concussion spotter after being elbowed by Svechnikov.

Elias Pettersson scored his first goal in nine games while adding an assist. That gives him multiple points in back-to-back games. Even though his offense hasn't fully recovered, EP40 is evolving as a strong defensive player who is the runaway leader among all NHL forwards with 41 blocked shots.

Since joining the Canucks, Lukas Reichel has one point in 11 games. For whoever was asking me earlier this season whether a Reichel breakout was imminent: Nope. Not even on a new team. No wonder the Canucks are in the mix for David Kampf. And that's enough Kampf talk for today.

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In the Flyers' 6-5 shootout win over the Blues, Owen Tippett led the way with a goal and three assists and a plus-4. Tippett has played his way out of fantasy relevance this season with his lack of scoring, which was only six points in 16 games entering Friday's game. He also entered this game without a point in his previous six games.

Tippett's linemates were also able to cash in on Friday. Christian Dvorak and Trevor Zegras each scored two goals while adding an assist. Dvorak has six points in his last four games, while Zegras has 14 points over his last 10 games and is maintaining a pace of over a point per game, already rebounding from his two previous subpar years in Anaheim. Zegras also led all players with seven shots in this game. I was fortunate enough to be able to add Zegras in one league recently.

Although Zegras couldn't win the game for the Flyers on an overtime penalty shot, he was able to score the only goal of the shootout. I didn't know opposing teams' mascots were allowed in the building, especially Gritty.

Redemption is oh so sweet.#PHIvsSTL | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/bUhgNgmSiO

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 15, 2025

Jordan Kyrou, Jimmy Snuggerud, Robert Thomas, and Cam Fowler each had two points for the Blues.

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Matthew Schaefer scored the overtime winner in the Islanders' 3-2 win in Utah. Schaefer's impressive rookie season continues, as he has seven goals and 15 points in 18 games. Schaefer has also logged 25+ minutes on back-to-back nights, both of which went to overtime.

Jonathan Drouin scored the tying goal for the Isles. Drouin is working on a four-game point streak in which he has seven points. He was a waiver-wire add for me this week because of the Islanders' schedule and because he is on the top power play (I need power-play points in particular on this team). Don't look now but the Islanders are now a top-10 scoring team, averaging 3.33 goals per game.

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To get you set up for that weekend push, the teams with games on both Saturday and Sunday are Detroit, Minnesota, NY Rangers, Tampa Bay, and Vegas.

One potential add for the weekend and possibly more is Alexis Lafreniere. The Rangers have hardly been an appealing team to start the season, averaging well below three goals per game. However, they have sprung into action recently, scoring 13 goals over their last two games. Among the hot offensive contributors is Lafreniere, who has three goals and three assists over his last four games. The recent offensive outburst for the Rangers and Lafreniere coincides with the return of Vincent Trocheck from an upper-body injury. Trocheck has four points in two games and is centering a line with Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin. Lafreniere is only 30% rostered in Yahoo leagues, so he should be added where he's still available.

Marcus Johansson is worthy of weekend streaming. Johansson has 11 points in his last 10 games and has been on a scoring line for much of the season. Although his advanced stats (21.4 SH%, 9.6 5on5 SH%, 3.2 PTS/60, 1019 PDO) point to a regression in the near future, Johansson is worth adding while he is on the Frozen Tools hot list.

If you're looking for a very deep cut, try Braeden Bowman of the Golden Knights. In his first NHL game on Thursday, Bowman achieved what very few can: he was used on his team's top power play. Yes, Vegas used a five-forward attack and included Bowman, also employing his services on a scoring line with Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev. The undrafted Bowman achieved a callup thanks to seven goals and 12 points in 12 games with the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights.

Utah is the only team that does not play on either Saturday or Sunday. If you need a player from the fringes of your roster to drop, Barrett Hayton might be the odd man out. Hayton has no points in his last seven games and just a single point in his last 10 games.

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