NHL Player News

Protas provided an assist in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Canucks.

Protas has two goals and three assists during his four-game point streak. The 24-year-old set up a Pierre-Luc Dubois tally to get the Capitals on the board in the third period. Protas continues to be an even-strength powerhouse this season, earning 40 of his 41 points at even with the lone outlier being a shorthanded goal. He's added 84 shots on net and a plus-27 rating through 49 appearances.

Blueger's point drought extended to 13 games in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Capitals.

Blueger was excellent as a depth scorer earlier in the season, but his offense has pretty much dried up since the holiday break. The 30-year-old is still seeing decent ice time in a bottom-six role, but the Canucks have their full complement of centers available, so Blueger's ceiling has been capped on the fourth line. He has 17 points, 53 shots on net, 70 hits and a minus-11 rating over 48 appearances. If a trade involving J.T. Miller or Elias Pettersson materializes, Blueger may take on increased responsibilities once again.

Kasper scored a goal Saturday in a 2-0 win over the Lightning.

It was his first NHL game-winning goal. Kaspar is strong on the puck and works hard, and he's put up eight points, including five goals, in his last nine games (15 shots). He's always projected more as a top-nine forward than a first-line winger where he's playing right now. Kaspar may help fantasy managers while he's surging.

Wright registered an assist and two blocked shots in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Penguins.

Wright's goal drought is up to nine games, but he has five assists in that span. The 21-year-old center helped out on an Eeli Tolvanen tally in the third period. Wright continues to play fairly well given his third-line role -- he's at 23 points, 46 shots on net, 36 hits, 37 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 47 appearances this season.

Cozens logged an assist, four shots on goal and three hits in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Oilers.

Cozens has four points over his last eight outings while filling a second-line role. The center helped out on Jiri Kulich's tally in the second period. Cozens has not produced a multi-point effort since Dec. 27. He's now at 10 goals, 14 helpers, 112 shots on net, 99 hits, 45 PIM, 33 blocked shots and a minus-18 rating through 49 games.

Kulich scored a goal on seven shots in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Oilers.

Kulich gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead in the second period, but that was the last goal that counted for his team. He was involved in a net-front scramble in the third, but he kicked the puck into the net on a play that didn't hold up under video review. Kulich has four points over his last four outings and appears to be doing fairly well in a top-line role at even strength. He's now at nine goals, four assists, 81 shots on net, 26 hits and a minus-1 rating through 35 contests overall.

Janmark's point drought reached 15 games in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Sabres.

Even a bump up to the top six during Connor McDavid's three-game suspension wasn't enough to lift Janmark out of his slump. Those top-six duties are likely over Monday versus the Kraken, with Janmark the most logical choice to end up back on the third line. The 32-year-old forward has a goal, 13 assists, 30 shots on net and a minus-3 rating over 49 outings this season, but his role as a primarily defensive forward often doesn't make him a fantasy-friendly player.

Parssinen notched an assist and three hits in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Bruins.

Parssinen ended a seven-game point drought with the helper on Artturi Lehkonen's goal. The 23-year-old Parssinen has three points over 13 outings with the Avalanche since he was traded from the Predators. His ice time has dropped with his new team -- the Avalanche's forward group is top heavy, but Parssinen hasn't done much with his chances on the second line. He's at eight points, 17 shots on net, 53 hits and a minus-7 rating through 28 appearances this season and likely can't be trusted for consistent offense in fantasy.

Mittelstadt notched an assist in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Bruins.

Mittelstadt remains the second-line center for now, but things could change. The Avalanche are thin down the middle, but their trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina freed up cap space that could allow them to add a top-six forward. Mittelstadt may also face some pressure from the players that were included in the return -- Martin Necas has mainly been a winger in the NHL but was developed as a center, and Jack Drury is a natural center who slotted in on the Avalanche's third line for this game. Mittelstadt has been a bit better in January with six points in 12 contests, but any slump could cost him ice time. He's at 30 points, 65 shots on net and a minus-13 rating through 50 outings overall.

Pinto scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Toronto on Saturday.

It was a fluky goal, but they all count. The puck deflected off Mitch Marner's stick, was batted by a Sens player and bounced off Pinto's knee. The puck went over Joseph Woll's shoulder and barely made it across the goal line. It was Pinto's first goal in eight games, and his ninth (17 points) in 41 outings this season. His game is clutch -- four of his nine snipes have been game-winners. That ties him with Josh Norris and Brady Tkachuk for the team lead.