The Philadelphia Flyers will be without defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen for their road matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, as he deals with an upper-body injury. The team has listed him as day-to-day, and while that’s not the worst-case scenario, it’s still a tough blow considering how much he’s been leaned on since returning to the lineup.
Ristolainen missed the first two months of the season while recovering from offseason surgery, but since making his debut on December 16, he’s played in every game. And he hasn’t just been logging minutes-he’s been a key piece on the blue line, averaging nearly 21 minutes of ice time per game and contributing on both the power play and penalty kill. He’s essentially been the Flyers’ No. 4 defenseman in terms of usage, and his physical presence and experience have been important for a team trying to stay in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Fortunately for Philly, the timing of this setback coincides with the return of Jamie Drysdale from injured reserve. That gave head coach Rick Tocchet a ready-made option to slot into the right side of the defense.
Still, it wasn’t a straight swap. Tocchet shifted Noah Juulsen onto Nick Seeler’s pairing-where Ristolainen had played Monday night against the Lightning-and paired Drysdale with Emil Andrae.
It’s a bit of a reshuffle, but it gives the Flyers a chance to keep their defensive structure intact while Ristolainen recovers.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for Ristolainen during his time in Philadelphia, but the hope is that this one won’t keep him out for long. With the Flyers battling for positioning in a crowded playoff picture, his return will be crucial.
Around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Nick Robertson is also sidelined, listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
He didn’t suit up in Toronto’s recent game against the Utah Mammoth after appearing to tweak something in Monday’s contest against the Colorado Avalanche. Calle Järnkrok stepped into the lineup in his place.
Robertson, 24, has had a solid campaign despite limited ice time-just over 12 minutes per game. He’s tallied 10 goals and 22 points so far, putting him within striking distance of his career-high.
Not bad for a player who spent much of the offseason in trade rumors. His offensive spark and energy have added value to Toronto’s depth scoring, and the Leafs will be hoping this injury doesn’t linger.
Chicago Blackhawks:
Teuvo Teravainen will miss Chicago’s game against the Calgary Flames due to an upper-body injury, and his status for Saturday’s contest remains up in the air, according to head coach Jeff Blashill.
Teravainen, 31, hasn’t quite matched his production from last season-he had 58 points in 2024-25-but he’s still put up a respectable 21 points in 45 games this year. That places him tied for fourth in team scoring, a testament to his reliability in what’s been a tough year for the Blackhawks.
He’s also been a key piece of their penalty kill, ranking third among Chicago forwards in shorthanded ice time per game. If he misses extended time, it’s not just a hole in the offense-it’s a gap in one of the team’s most trusted two-way roles.
As the season grinds into its second half, injuries like these can become defining moments-either setbacks or opportunities. For the Flyers, Leafs, and Blackhawks, how they manage these absences could shape the trajectory of their playoff hopes-or, in some cases, their rebuilding timelines.