NHL Player News
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Oskar Back C | DAL
Stars' Oskar Back: Nets tying goal Tuesday
Back scored a goal in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Golden Knights.
Back ended a 14-game goal drought when he tied the game at 1-1 in the middle of the second period. The 25-year-old has a goal and an assist over his last two outings, so he's starting to chip in a bit more from the fourth line. He's at five goals, 10 points, 29 shots on net, 29 blocked shots, 21 hits and a plus-6 rating over 54 appearances, making it unlikely he'll be a consistent depth scorer.
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Sean Monahan C | CLB
Blue Jackets' Sean Monahan: Heating up at right time
Monahan delivered two assists in a 5-2 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Monahan has six points in his last six games (two goals, four assists; 19 shots); he put up points in five of those six. It was his first two-point game since Jan. 8. Monahan's leadership is helping the team climb the standings; they are just two points out of a wild-card spot.
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Colton Dach C | EDM
Oilers' Colton Dach: Hurt in Tuesday's game
Dach (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Avalanche, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.
Dach logged just two shifts in the first period prior to his exit. The injuries are piling up for the Oilers' forward group -- if Dach can't play Thursday in Dallas, the team may need to make a roster move.
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Robert Thomas C | STL
Blues' Robert Thomas: Likely to play through injury
Thomas has an upper-body injury that head coach Jim Montgomery believes the center can play through, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.
Thomas was hit in the hand in Tuesday's contest, but he was able to finish it. At this point, it doesn't appear that the Blues are overly concerned about the issue, but it bears paying attention to Thomas' status ahead of Thursday's contest versus the Hurricanes. In Tuesday's game, Thomas had two assists and a plus-3 rating, but he took only one faceoff prior to the injury and none after returning to the ice, so he may be held off from those duties for a while. He has 42 points in 47 outings this season.
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Phillip Danault C | MON
Canadiens' Phillip Danault: Three goals in last seven games
Danault scored the game-winning goal in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Maple Leafs.
It was Danault's fifth goal as a member of the Habs and third in his last seven games. He has really picked up his offense in Montreal, putting up 11 points in 27 games. Danault had just five assists in 30 games with Los Angeles.
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Oliver Kapanen C | MON
Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen: Tied for NHL rookie goal crown
Kapanen scored a goal Tuesday in a 3-1 win over Toronto.
It was his 20th goal of the season. That puts him in a three-way tie for first on the rookie goal list. Kapanen is there with Beckett Sennecke and Matthew Schaefer, two top-of-the-first-round draft picks. Kapenen was drafted at the end of the second round (64th overall). He has 33 points and 111 shots in 63 games.
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Andrew Copp C | DET
Red Wings' Andrew Copp: Doubtful for Thursday
Copp (leg) is doubtful to play versus the Lightning on Thursday, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Copp will undergo more testing after sustaining a leg injury on a faceoff in Tuesday's game versus the Panthers. Since Dylan Larkin (leg) is also ailing, the Red Wings are planning to call up a forward from AHL Grand Rapids. J.T. Compher and Marco Kasper figure to get a boost in ice time Thursday.
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Andrew Copp C | DET
Red Wings' Andrew Copp: Sustains lower-body injury
Copp (lower body) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Panthers.
Copp sustained an apparent left leg injury on a faceoff that led to Detroit's second goal, a play that he earned an assist on. With Dylan Larkin (leg) also unavailable currently, the Red Wings' center depth is being tested. It's unclear if either of Copp or Larkin will be able to suit up Thursday versus the Lightning.
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Tyson Kozak C | BUF
Sabres' Tyson Kozak: Remains shelved Tuesday
Kozak (undisclosed) wasn't featured in line combinations during warmups and will miss Tuesday's home clash with the Sharks, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.
Kozak is set to miss his fourth consecutive game due to an undisclosed injury. Head coach Lindy Ruff's most recent update on Kozak, which he gave Thursday, was that he is day-to-day. Until further information is disclosed, the 23-year-old's status will be monitored ahead of each game, with his next chance to return set for Thursday's clash against the Capitals.
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Adam Henrique C | EDM
Oilers' Adam Henrique: Unavailable Tuesday
Henrique (knee) won't play against Colorado on Tuesday.
Henrique remains day-to-day and will miss his second straight game. However, it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. He has contributed two goals, 10 points, 68 shots on net and 60 blocked shots across 48 appearances this season. Due to Henrque's absence, Josh Samanski will probably remain in the lineup against the Avalanche on Tuesday.