NHL Player News

Kulich deposited an empty-net goal in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Blues.

Kulich put Buffalo up 4-2 with an insurance marker at 16:19 of the third period. The 20-year-old registered just two goals over the first two months of the campaign, but he's picked up the pace through 12 games in December with five tallies and two helpers. Kulich has bounced around the lineup this season, but he's currently centering the third line in addition to having a role on the No. 2 power-play unit. The 2022 first-round selection has provided seven goals and nine points through 27 outings.

Krebs netted an even-strength goal on two shots and added two blocked shots, one hit and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Blues.

Krebs redirected a Bowen Byram shot to open the scoring at 6:52 of the first period. The goal was Krebs' first since Nov. 23, and he snapped a seven-game point drought in the process. The 23-year-old is skating on the third line, but he's received minimal time on the man advantage over his last six games. That's unlikely to change considering all of Krebs' offensive contributions have come at even strength in 2024-25. The Calgary native has chipped in four goals and 11 points through 36 appearances.

McMichael tallied an assist while logging 15:13 of ice time during Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.

McMichael got the secondary assist on Alex Ovechkin's 870th career goal. The 23-year-old is enjoying a breakout season with 16 goals and 30 points in 36 games and should be rolled out regularly in all formats.

Veleno registered an assist while logging 13:09 of ice time during Sunday's 4-2 win over the Capitals.

Veleno finds himself on the top line alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond and has paid instant dividends following the promotion. The 24-year-old's fantasy appeal could benefit from some exposure to the power play, but Veleno is worth a look in deeper leagues as long as he's enjoying such a prominent even-strength assignment.

Evans scored a goal on his lone shot, blocked one shot and delivered two hits in Sunday's 5-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Evans extended a point streak to six games and a career-high goal streak to five, beating Jonas Johansson to the short side from his off wing for the eventual game-winner. It was his 10th goal (31.3 shooting percentage) in 36 outings, putting him on pace to better the career-high 13 tallies logged in 2021. The fourth-line center is have a December to remember, with six goals and six assists over 13 outings.

Dvorak scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Lightning.

Dvorak tipped in Kaiden Guhle's slapshot to give Montreal a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. The tally halted a 19-game scoreless drought for the third-line center, who has just three markers through 36 outings.

Copp tallied an assist and a plus-2 rating during Sunday's 4-2 win over the Capitals.

Copp has managed to notch two goals and six points in his last nine games despite being held off the scoresheet for three straight outings prior to Sunday's contribution. The 30-year-old Michigan native is currently centering Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat on the second line which could make him a worthwhile fantasy asset for those in deeper formats - although an absence of power-play time limits his overall upside.

Newhook scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Lightning. He also had one hit and two PIM.

Newhook's one-timer opened the scoring midway through the first period. The tally was his seventh of the season and first in nine outings. The second-line center contributed three points in Montreal's two wins since coming back from the holiday break.

Thompson produced a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Sunday's 4-2 win over St. Louis.

The goal was Thompson's third on the man advantage in 2024-25. This was the 27-year-old's first multi-point effort since Dec. 3, as the Sabres have struggled up until their last three games. The right-shot center has registered two goals and two assists during his three-game point streak. Thompson leads Buffalo in scoring with 18 goals and 29 points through 32 appearances. He'll try to extend his point streak to four games Tuesday in Dallas.

Pettersson (undisclosed) won't travel with the Canucks for their upcoming games in Calgary on Tuesday and Seattle on Thursday, per Jeff Paterson of CanucksArmy.com.

Coach Rick Tocchet described Pettersson as "a week away," so the star forward might also miss Friday's home tilt against Nashville. The 26-year-old Pettersson has 10 goals and 28 points in 34 appearances in 2024-25. Conor Garland is likely to continue to serve in the top six while Pettersson is unavailable.