Auston Matthews' statline on Saturday finally resembled that of a stud: 1 G, 2 A, +2, 9 SOG. When Dobber asked on X which player would you never draft again, I noticed a few Matthews responses. It's only one game, but perhaps a few days of rest in a condensed schedule went a long way. (I'll discuss rest and how I think it's important later.) If you're a Leafs fan, you probably watch Matthews more than I do, but I wonder if he has been battling a nagging injury or two.

Matthews' 5-on-5 shooting percentage has also been on a gradual decline since 2020-21, which is worth noting. Not having a playmaker with the skill level of Mitch Marner has to be affecting #34's goal output. If I had to cough up next year's draft rankings today, I'd have Matthews as a safe second-round pick instead of a first. In the meantime, he's worth a buy-low. With 15 goals, Matthews has been outgoaled by the likes of Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Tom Wilson, among others. I think that changes in the second half.

Matthews wasn't the only Leaf to get off the schneid in the 7-5 win over Ottawa. Matthew Knies entered Saturday's game with no goals in nine games, but he scored twice while adding an assist and six shots. Knies was off new assistant coach Steve Sullivan's top power play (replaced by Matias Maccelli), but one of his goals was on the power play anyway. Sullivan's power play scored two goals in three attempts, so it may stay that way for the next game. Unless…

… William Nylander misses time, as Nylander left Saturday's game with a lower-body injury. The Leafs play again today (Sunday) against Detroit, which doesn't give Nylander much time to heal. Our Sunday Injury Ward article may have more details about the injury. After the game, coach Craig Berube said that Nylander will go on the trip to Detroit, which leaves the door open for him playing.

A healthy scratch just one week ago, Max Domi has five points over his last two games. Domi registered three assists on Saturday. Maybe the game off had its intended effect.

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After placing Ilya Sorokin on IR earlier in the day, the Islanders handed Saturday's start against the rival Rangers to David Rittich. He did not disappoint, stopping all 27 shots to pick up a shutout 2-0 win. Rittich now has three consecutive quality starts. Coach Patrick Roy said that the plan is for Rittich to also start the second half of the back-to-back today (Sunday) against Columbus, so Rittich is a worthwhile short-term add while Sorokin is out of the lineup. His 71.4 QS% is in the top five in the league among goalies with at least 10 games played, so he might even push Sorokin for starts once the Islanders starter returns.  

The Islanders received good news with the return of Bo Horvat to the lineup. Horvat did not register a point, although he took four shots in 22 minutes of icetime.

With a goal on Saturday, Anders Lee extended his point streak to five games. I featured both Rittich and Lee as potential adds this weekend in yesterday's Ramblings.

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Break up the Buffalo Sabres, who now have eight consecutive wins! Mattias Samuelsson led the way in the 4-1 win over Boston with a goal and two assists.

Peyton Krebs contributed a goal and an assist, giving him four points over his last four games. One of the players acquired in the Jack Eichel trade, Krebs has been benefitting from playing on a line with Tage Thompson recently. Krebs has never reached 30 points in a season, and his current hot streak puts him on pace for… 29 points.

The Sabres won this game despite being without Rasmus Dahlin, who was still on his way back from Sweden. He was spending time with his fiancée, who is recovering from a medical issue.

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In the Lightning's 4-2 win over Florida, Nikita Kucherov scored two goals. Kucherov now has five points over his last three games.

That wasn't the story of the game, though. As was somewhat expected, the heated cross-state rivals combined for 136 penalty minutes. Scott Sabourin, who may have been recalled specifically for this game, racked up 26 PIM. The 6-9, 242 lb. (double-checked, not a typo) Curtis Douglas accrued 17 PIM. Sam Bennett, a player more likely to be rostered in fantasy leagues, had 10 PIM. Hopefully you bet the over on the penalty minutes. The intensity level on a playoff series involving these two teams would be something.

The Lightning had EVERYONE on the ice sent to the penalty box while the Panthers had 3 of their own 😭🫣 pic.twitter.com/soLf3Wb4FN

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 28, 2025

Before the game, the Lightning signed J.J. Moser to an eight-year extension worth $6.75 million per season. For more on Moser, see yesterday's Ramblings.

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In Washington's 4-3 overtime win over New Jersey, Alex Ovechkin scored one of the Capitals' goals. With the goal, Ovechkin snapped a nine-game goal drought. In scoring over 900 goals in his career, Ovechkin has had very few, if any, slumps that long.

Aliaksei Protas scored one of the Capitals' other goals while also adding two assists. Protas now has goals in four of his last five games and seven points over that span.

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Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrei Svechnikov each scored a goal while adding two assists in the Hurricanes' 5-2 win over Detroit. Both are hot right now: Gostisbehere has five points over his last four games, while Svechnikov has nine points over his last five games. Svechnikov also has goals in three consecutive games.

In his first NHL season, Brandon Bussi continues to make a strong statement to be the Canes' starter. Bussi recorded his fifth consecutive quality start, allowing no more than three goals in any of the five games. Bussi has wins in 12 of 14 games this season, so he's an easy choice if you need that W. His last regulation loss was on October 25.

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WILD AFTER TYING IT IN THE FINAL MINUTE WIN IT IN OT 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/cpjbIwUT4i

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 28, 2025

This is a deadly trio to face in overtime. Kirill Kaprizov finished the game with a goal and two assists, while Matt Boldy had two goals and Quinn Hughes registered three assists. Since being traded to the Wild, Hughes has seven points in seven games.

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Even though neither Jordan Kyrou and Jimmy Snuggerud registered a point in their returns to the lineup, the Blues were able to skate to a 3-2 win over Nashville. Pavel Buchnevich scored two of St. Louis's goals. After a sluggish start to the season with just seven points in his first 21 games, Buchnevich has been returning to form recently with 14 points in his last 18 games. Buchnevich also snapped a streak of eight games without a goal.

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Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice in the Blackhawks' 4-3 shootout win over Dallas. Bertuzzi snapped a six-game point drought with the goals, likely affected by both Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar being out of the lineup. He'll have to make do with Jason Dickinson as his center for the time being.

Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston each recorded three points in the loss. Rantanen also took eight shots on goal. Rantanen probably won't remember this game for positive reasons, though.

Oh no Mikko Rantanen… pic.twitter.com/5cHNFipc53

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 28, 2025

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In the Kings' convincing 6-1 over the Ducks, Alex Laferriere recorded his first career hat trick on five shots on goal and a plus-4. Laferriere has been itching to score recently, firing 14 shots on net over his past two games.

Anze Kopitar assisted on all three of Laferriere's goals.

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In the Sharks' 6-3 win in Vancouver, Macklin Celebrini, Igor Chernyshov, and William Eklund each had a goal and an assist. Celebrini took eight shots in this game while extending his point streak to seven games (14 points over that span).

Sharks Macklin Celebrini has 92 points in 2025

Only Sidney Crosby (118 in 2006) has collected more points as a teenager in a calendar year over the past four decades

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 28, 2025

Chernyshov, a 2024 early second-round pick with size (6-2, 195 lbs.), is fitting in wonderfully on the Celebrini/Eklund line. Since his callup in mid-December, Chernyshov has five points in five games. He is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues, so he is worth considering in at least deep leagues while he is receiving deployment with Celebrini. Keep in mind that he may be sent back to the AHL once Will Smith returns from injury, so he will need to continue to produce to stay at the NHL level.

Collin Graf's empty netter extended his goal streak to four games and his point streak to six games.

Elias Pettersson (the expensive version) returned to the Canucks' lineup on Saturday. He was held without a point and was a minus-3 in the game.

With a goal on Saturday, Linus Karlsson has five points over his last five games.

Marco Rossi scored his first goal as a Canuck. He has just two points in six games since joining the Canucks.

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In Colorado's 6-5 shootout win over Vegas, Martin Necas scored two goals, while Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and added two assists. MacKinnon also scored the shootout winner. This was probably quite a game to watch.

MacKinnon wins it in the shootout by going 60 to 0 real quick and snipes it 🌬️🚨 pic.twitter.com/joniJL2aeY

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 28, 2025

Sam Malinski registered three primary assists for the Avs (along with 10 shot attempts), giving him 21 points in 37 games. That's a 47-point pace, which is not bad at all for a defenseman. On any other team except the league-leading Avalanche, he would be receiving at least a morsel of power-play time. Yet he is almost completely thriving at even strength, as only one of his 21 points happens to be on the man advantage. Does the lack of power-play time mean that you should ignore him? I'd say no because the Avalanche have the top offense in the league, averaging nearly four goals per game. Malinski is rostered in just 14% of Yahoo leagues and less than half of Fantrax leagues.

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With a goal on Saturday, Connor McDavid has extended his point streak to 12 games. He has piled up an insane 32 points over that span! McDavid is also shooting the puck a lot more, averaging five shots per game over the 12-game point streak. McDavid has also taken top spot in the Art Ross race over MacKinnon.

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My World Junior coverage yesterday was well-received, so I'll leave some space for it again here. Michael Hage was the overtime hero, scoring a power-play goal in the first minute of overtime to give Canada a 2-1 win over Latvia.

MICHAEL HAGE WINS IT IN OVERTIME FOR CANADA 🇨🇦

🎥: TSN | IIHF pic.twitter.com/b25a40Yihj

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) December 28, 2025

Canada may not be as dominant as it has been in years past, but its two games in this year's tournament have not suffered from lack of entertainment. With Canada clinging to a 1-0 lead late in the game, Latvia tied the game with just under two minutes to play. Yet even later in regulation, Latvia took a puck over glass penalty that carried over to overtime. Canada made no mistake on the ensuing power play.

I don't know what it is about Latvia that gives Canada fits. Recall last season, when Latvia took down Canada in overtime. The Latvian side seems unfazed about being on the big stage as an underdog, playing a simple game that smooths the roller coaster ride that a typical World Junior game can be. I'll stand behind my comment on X that Canada was more tired after playing yesterday while Latvia was idle (kids get tired just like anyone else), although there are many other reasons that Canada could not easily put Latvia away easily in this game. Props to Latvia, which is a small nation but one that is becoming mightier in the game of hockey.

In the US/Switzerland game, Cole Hutson was stretchered off the ice after taking a puck to the head. Fortunately, it looks like Hutson will be okay, as he was quickly released from the hospital. It is not known what his status will be for the rest of the tournament. It's possible that he is in concussion protocol. Let’s just hope he is okay.

Despite losing Hutson, the Americans were able to skate away with a 2-1 win over Switzerland. Interestingly enough, neither team was able to get to 20 shots in this game, with the US holding the edge 18-13 in that category. Yes, the Americans may have been a bit more tired than their opponent, having played the day before while Switzerland was not.

In other WJC games, Slovakia defeated Germany 4-1, while the Czechs took down Denmark 7-2.

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Follow me on X @Ian_Gooding and Bluesky @goodsfantasyhockey.bsky.social