NHL Player News

Johnston produced two assists, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over Utah.

Johnston helped out on goals by Jamie Benn and Thomas Harley, with the latter's tally being in overtime. The 21-year-old Johnston is on a six-game point streak with three goals and seven assists in that span, and four of his contests in that stretch have resulted in multi-point efforts. It's been a big boost to his overall numbers -- he's at nine goals, 29 points, 106 shots on net and a plus-7 rating over 38 appearances while still shooting a fairly modest 8.5 percent on the year.

Back scored a goal and blocked two shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over Utah.

The Stars played pinball on their second goal, and Back had the last touch before it went in. This was his second tally of the season, ending a 22-game goal drought in which he managed six assists and 13 shots on net. The 24-year-old forward has held onto a fourth-line role for much of the campaign. He doesn't offer much scoring upside with 10 points and 20 shots on net over 33 appearances.

Namestnikov notched an assist and three hits in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Namestnikov ended a five-game point drought with the helper. The 32-year-old has been ceding a bit more ice time to Adam Lowry lately, though Namestnikov is still nominally the second-line center. Namestnikov has found success in that role this season, racking up 20 points, 42 shots on net, 45 hits, 26 blocked shots, 28 PIM and a plus-11 rating through 41 appearances. He's on pace to reach the 40-point mark for the first time since 2017-18, but Namestnikov's 21.4 shooting percentage is also likely to drop in the second half.

Scheifele registered an assist and two hits in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.

Scheifele has been a little quiet with two points over his last four contests, a span in which the Jets have just 10 goals as a team. The 31-year-old remains in a top-line role and there's little reason to think this is anything more than the usual ups and downs of a long season. Overall, he has 46 points, 92 shots on net, 35 hits, 34 blocked shots, 23 PIM and a plus-3 rating over 41 appearances.

Larkin scored two goals on six shots in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Jets.

Larkin opened the scoring on the power play in the first period and added an empty-netter in the third. He's racked up four goals and three assists during his five-game point streak, and he also has 25 shots on net in that span. So far, Larkin's production under new head coach Todd McLellan is positive, so the center should be in most fantasy lineups as long as his scoring stays up.

Laczynski was loaned to AHL Henderson on Sunday.

Laczynski has one goal, two shots on net, three blocked shots and two hits in six NHL appearances this season. If Victor Olofsson (illness) doesn't return against San Jose on Tuesday, the Golden Knights could recall Laczynski from the minors

Eriksson Ek scored a power-play goal on five shots and added four PIM in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Hurricanes.

Eriksson Ek has four points over his last three games after being held off the scoresheet Dec. 29 in his return from a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old center has played on the second line since his return, as Marco Rossi is holding down the first-line job. Eriksson Ek has six goals, 11 assists, 68 shots on net, 42 hits and a plus-10 rating through 26 appearances. He'll likely miss the 60-point mark for the first time in three years due to time lost to injuries, but Eriksson Ek remains a good source of points, power-play production and hits.

Rossi produced four assists and a plus-3 rating in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Hurricanes.

One of the helpers came on the power play. Rossi is red-hot with four goals and eight assists over his last nine contests while playing in a top-line role. The 23-year-old center is enjoying a breakout campaign with 15 goals, 22 assists, 71 shots on net, 29 hits and a plus-15 rating through 40 appearances. He's three points shy of matching his total from last year, though his 21.1 shooting percentage is a bit of a red flag from a sustainability standpoint.

Amadio (concussion) skated Sunday and is making some progress toward a potential return to the lineup, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

It remains unclear when Amadio will return to game action. Amadio is still on injured reserve and didn't participate in Sunday's practice. He has missed the last five contests. Amadio has two goals, 10 points, 39 shots on net, 18 blocked shots and 35 hits across 33 appearances this season.

Gaunce was reassigned to AHL Iowa on Sunday.

Gaunce will return to the AHL after seeing 7:28 of ice time in Saturday's win in Carolina. The 30-year-old forward has gone without a point in five games with Minnesota this year.