NHL Player News

Protas notched two assists in Friday's 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.

Both helpers came in the second period on tallies by Pierre-Luc Dubois, as the Capitals' second line broke open a scoreless tie. Protas has found his groove over the last month, and in the last six games dating back to Jan. 31, he's erupted for two goals and eight points.

Cirelli (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus Buffalo on Saturday, per Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley.

Cirelli has been out of action since Feb. 1 and was forced to miss the Olympic Games due to his injury. He has 15 goals and 35 points over 49 games this season. If he is able to go, look for Scott Sabourin to possibly be the odd-man out.

Eriksson Ek (face) probably won't play against St. Louis on Sunday, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Eriksson Ek left Friday's 5-2 loss to Utah after receiving a high stick around his eye. The Wild should get a clearer picture of his timeline for a return following Saturday's visit with a doctor. Minnesota recalled Tyler Pitlick from AHL Iowa on Saturday to be an option for Sunday's contest. Eriksson Ek has 17 goals, 42 points, 150 shots on net and 78 hits across 54 appearances this season.

Pitlick was summoned from AHL Iowa on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Pitlick had eight goals and three assists in 12 AHL games before his recall. The 34-year-old center has a pair of goals in 31 NHL games with Minnesota this season. Joel Eriksson Ek (face) isn't expected to play against the Blues on Sunday after receiving a high stick near his eye in  Friday's 5-2 loss to Utah.

Bennett was credited with an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres.

After helping to set up Matthew Tkachuk for Florida's first goal midway through the second period, Bennett fired a shot at Alex Lyon inside the final minute of the third with the Panthers' net empty. Lyon made the initial save, but the puck trickled through him into the crease, and Rasmus Dahlin's clearing attempt instead bounced off the goalie and into the net. It goes down as Bennett's 20th goal of the season, a mark he has reached in three straight campaigns and four of the last five. Over the last 15 games, he's delivered a tidy four goals and 12 points.

Perfetti logged two assists, four shots on goal, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Perfetti set up Alex Iafallo and Kyle Connor for the first and last goals in regulation time. With six points over his last five outings, Perfetti continues to turn his season around. He's now at 21 points, 88 shots on net, 35 hits and a minus-5 rating across 44 appearances overall, and he continues to fill a second-line role.

Vilardi scored a power-play goal on two shots in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Vilardi extended his point streak to five games (three goals, three assists). This was his first power-play tally since Jan. 15 versus the Wild. The 26-year-old forward's spots on the top line and first power-play unit have largely helped him avoid the scoring struggles of many of his teammates. Vilardi is at 23 goals, 52 points (17 on the power play), 115 shots on net and a minus-1 rating across 58 appearances. He's on pace to surpass the 61-point regular season he put forth in a career-high 71 outings last year.

Poehling scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Jets.

Poehling has been trusted with a larger role and has responded with three goals and five assists over his last 10 outings. The 27-year-old forward was listed on the third line Friday but still saw 19:10 of ice time in an 11-forward lineup. He's up to six goals, 23 points, 56 shots on net, 59 blocked shots and a plus-8 rating across 51 appearances. His offense doesn't stand out in standard formats, but he can help in deeper fantasy leagues.

Carlsson scored a power-play goal on three shots in Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Jets.

Carlsson has four points over two games since he returned from a thigh injury. The 21-year-old center reached the 20-goal mark for the second year in a row, doing so in his 46th game of 2025-26. He's added 28 helpers, 14 power-play points, 114 shots on net and a plus-2 rating. Carlsson has all the tools to be a successful top-line center as one of the leaders for the Ducks as they come out of their rebuilding era.

McBain notched two assists, one while shorthanded, and went plus-2 in Friday's 5-2 win over the Wild.

McBain has earned six helpers over his last seven games. He's gone 12 contests without a goal, but he remains in a middle-six role to offer some toughness in key minutes for the Mammoth. McBain is up to 22 points, 82 shots on net, 199 hits, 38 blocked shots, 58 PIM and a plus-10 rating through 59 outings. He could take a run at his first 30-point campaign at his current pace.