NHL Player News

Thompson scored a goal on four shots and added four PIM in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Thompson's goal was the 400th point of his career, coming in his 521st game. He got the Sabres on the board at 5:35 of the second period. For the season, the 28-year-old center is up to 37 goals, 75 points, 246 shots on net, 75 hits, 44 blocked shots, 33 PIM and a minus-5 rating over 73 appearances. Thompson has finished above a point-per-game pace just once in his career, which was in his best year with 47 goals and 94 points over 78 outings in 2022-23.

Kasper scored a goal in Friday's 5-2 win over the Sabres.

Kasper snapped a six-game slump with his first-period tally, which stood as the game-winner. He's had trouble getting consistent offense this season, which includes March, a month in which he's earned two goals and two assists over 12 outings. The 21-year-old forward is up to eight goals, 17 points, 115 shots on net, 167 hits, 46 blocked shots, 31 PIM and a minus-13 rating over 71 appearances. Kasper is likely to close out the regular season in a middle-six role.

Ryabkin scored twice and added two assists in QMJHL Charlottetown's 5-3 win in Game 1 over Quebec on Friday.

Ryabkin made an impact in his playoff debut. It's no surprise he's already putting up some offense in the playoffs after lighting up the QMJHL for 13 goals and 42 points over 20 regular-season contests. The Hurricanes prospect will look to lead Charlottetown on a deep run. He'll likely be a candidate to play in the AHL in 2026-27.

Finnie (concussion) will play in Friday's road clash against the Sabres, per Max Bultman of The Athletic.

Finnie passed through concussion protocol ahead of Friday's game after sustaining a hard hit in Tuesday's matchup. He'll return to the lineup without missing any games and is set to skate on Detroit's third line as the left winger. The 20-year-old forward has five points over his last 11 games and is a solid fantasy option in deep leagues.

Ostlund (upper body) won't play versus the Red Wings on Friday, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

Ostlund didn't take the ice for pregame warmups after missing practice Thursday. He was in attendance for the morning skate Friday, but he'll miss at least one game to recover from the injury. It's unclear if he'll return Saturday versus the Kraken.

Nielsen scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Colorado's 6-3 win over Calgary on Friday.

Nielsen's first year in the Colorado organization has been his best in the AHL. He's up to 24 goals and 42 points over 59 appearances this season. He's earned four goals and four helpers over his last eight outings.

Steel (hip) has returned to Dallas and will miss the remaining three games of Dallas' road trip, per Robert Tiffin of D Magazine on Friday.

Steel sustained a hip flexor or groin injury in Thursday's game against the Islanders. He has 12 goals and 21 assists in 72 games. He could return as early as April 2 when Winnipeg visits. Look for Michael Bunting to enter the lineup in place of Steel.

Hughes recorded two assists, including one on the power play, and took seven shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Predators.

Hughes couldn't find the back of the net in this one, but he left his mark with two helpers to boost his point streak to seven games -- a stretch in which he's racked up 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and 29 shots. Hughes has been healthy since the league resumed after the Winter Olympics and is up to 23 points in 14 games, tallying eight goals and 15 assists while failing to crack the scoresheet just twice in that period.

Stamkos scored a goal on six shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Devils.

Stamkos extended his goal-scoring streak to four games with a backhander at the 13:00 mark of the second period, and that gave him 36 goals on the year. The veteran winger is closing out the season on a strong note after enduring a minor cold stretch in mid-March. Even with that slump, Stamkos continues to find ways to make an impact and is up to 12 points (six goals, six helpers), 18 PIM, 28 shots, 13 hits and seven blocked shots despite a minus-5 rating in 13 games since the beginning of March.

Hischier scored two goals, including one on the power play, in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Predators.

Hischier has scored at least two goals in two of his last six games, as he also delivered two goals in the 6-4 win over the Kings on March 14, and he's riding one of his most productive stretches of the campaign. The 27-year-old forward has cracked the scoresheet in six of his last 10 games while tallying 12 points (six goals, six assists), 25 shots, five hits and five blocked shots over that span. He's up to 55 points on the season across 71 contests, and he's on the verge of reaching the 60-point plateau for a fifth straight campaign, which speaks volumes about his consistency on a year-to-year basis.