NHL Player News

Backlund scored an empty-net goal on five shots, added an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.

Backlund ended his nine-game goal drought with the empty-netter. In that span, he was limited to two assists. The veteran center has enjoyed a bounce-back campaign in 2025-26, earning 13 goals, 35 points, 140 shots on net and a plus-15 rating over 57 appearances after being held to 32 points in 76 games a year ago. Backlund should continue to see top-six minutes, and he could challenge for the 50-point mark if he avoids having significant slumps.

Zary scored a goal on four shots, added an assist and went plus-3 in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.

Zary scored the game-winning goal at 5:22 of the third period and set up Nazem Kadri later in the frame. The 24-year-old Zary is at a pivotal point in the campaign, as he's largely struggled this season but could change the narrative with a strong finish. He has 10 goals, 23 points, 85 shots on net, 33 hits and a minus-3 rating over 55 appearances. Should the Flames shed some expiring contracts before the trade deadline, Zary would be poised to pick up some extra ice time to fill the void.

Kadri scored two goals on five shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.

Kadri tied the game at 1-1 in the second period and added an insurance tally off a turnover in the third. The center has logged three straight multi-point efforts (three goals, three assists) in February, giving him more offense than he had in all of January (three points in 14 contests). The 35-year-old is at 12 goals, 41 points, 160 shots on net, 35 hits, 22 PIM and a minus-22 rating over 57 appearances this season. Kadri has popped up in trade rumors, so there's no guarantee he'll still be with the Flames in a week.

Jarvis scored a goal and added an assist in a 5-4 win over the Lightning on Thursday.

Jarvis has 26 goals, 19 assists and 158 shots in 50 games this season. He's consistent -- he's on pace to deliver another 67-point season, but this time, he could set a career mark in goals. Jarvis is on pace for 38, which would be five better than his career mark set in 2023-24.

Stankoven had a goal and an assist in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Lightning.

It was a great way to celebrate his 23rd birthday. It was Stankoven's first goal in 13 games; he notched his last on Jan. 10. He has four assists in those 13 outings (20 shots). Stankoven has 11 goals, 16 assists and 114 shots in 58 games. The Canes' system focuses on team defense, which naturally suppresses scoring. Stankoven hasn't taken the offensive leap forward that many expected, but he's playing a solid two-way game while centering the second line.

MacKinnon notched two assists and eight shots on goal in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

MacKinnon sat out Wednesday's game versus the Mammoth to recover after his time at the Olympics with Canada. He was able to return a day later and should be good to go in a heavy role for the remainder of the campaign. The 30-year-old superstar is at 95 points (40 goals, 55 assists), 252 shots on net, 45 hits, 29 blocked shots and a plus-48 rating over 56 appearances this season.

Necas scored two goals on seven shots and added three hits in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

Necas has four points over two games since returning from his run with Czechia at the Olympics. The 27-year-old winger is on the Avalanche's top line, and that puts him in a good position to continue on a career-best pace. Overall, he has 25 goals, 66 points, 134 shots on net, 60 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-36 rating over 54 outings this season, putting him on pace to top the 30-goal and 80-point marks for the first time in his career.

Point had a goal and an assist in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Hurricanes.

Point has two multi-point games (three goals, two assists) in the Bolts two games since the break. There's no rust on his game after missing 11 games prior to the Olympics with a lower-body injury. The Bolts could afford to give Point some rest to protect his health, what with a six-point lead over Detroit and Montreal at the top of the Atlantic. Even if that happens, he's still a great fantasy option. Point has 35 points, including 14 goals, and 89 shots in 39 games.

Eriksson Ek scored a pair of power-play goals on five shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.

Eriksson Ek had both of the Wild's tallies in the second period to help them establish a 2-1 lead. He's up to six goals and four assists during his seven-game point streak, with five of those 10 points coming on the power play. Overall, the Swedish center is up to 17 goals, 42 points (15 on the power play), 150 shots on net, 78 hits and a plus-14 rating through 53 outings. He continues to be an effective all-around player in a key role for the Wild.

Guentzel had three assists Thursday in a 5-4 loss to Carolina.

Guentzel has nine multipoint games in his past 18. Overall, he has 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) and 151 shots in 57 games to go with the shiny gold medal he picked up with Team USA at the Olympics. Guentzel's current scoring pace is the best of his career.