NHL Player News

Hughes supplied three assists and put a shot on goal in the United States' 5-1 win over Latvia in Olympic round-robin play Thursday.

Hughes led the United States in points Thursday with an assist on three of the team's last four goals. He slid the primary helper on each of Brock Nelson's two goals in the second period before sealing the hat trick of helpers with a secondary apple on Auston Matthews' power-play tally in the third. After missing New Jersey's final three games before the Olympic break, he showed no lingering signs of injury while skating on the productive fourth line for Team USA. He should remain in the mix to lead the United States in points for the Olympics if he can maintain a spot in the lineup moving forward.

Nelson scored two goals and placed three shots on net in the United States' 5-1 win over Latvia in Olympic round-robin play Thursday.

Nelson caught fire in the United States' opening contest for the Olympic tournament with a pair of goals in the second period, which included Thursday's go-ahead goal. The two-goal performance could have been even larger, but he was denied two goals late in the first period due to a ricocheted shot off the post and goalie interference committed by his linemate J.T. Miller. Before the Olympic break, Nelson led the NHL with 15 goals since Dec. 29, and his two-goal effort Thursday proved that his hot hand hasn't disappeared. The 34-year-old center has the potential to steal the show at the Olympics with his current scoring pace across all competitions.

Crosby picked up two assists, including one on the power play, in Canada's 5-0 win over Czechia in Olympic round-robin play Thursday.

The future Hall of Famer helped set up tallies by Mark Stone in the second period and Nathan MacKinnon in the third. Canada's offense is led by a new generation of stars in MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, but the 38-year-old Crosby still has plenty left in the tank, and he already has one gold medal-winning goal on his resume from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

McDavid collected three assists, including one on the power play, in Canada's 5-0 win over Czechia in Olympic round-robin play Thursday.

The Oilers superstar helped set up Macklin Celebrini for the game's opening goal late in the first period before adding two more assists in the third on tallies by Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki. McDavid also fired a team-high six shots on net, and he'll be one of the keys to Canada's offense as they look to live up to their billing as one of the tournament favorites.

Zibanejad scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Sweden's 5-2 win over Italy in Olympic round-robin play Wednesday.

The Rangers sniper helped set up Sweden's opening goal of the Olympics by Gabriel Landeskog in the first period, before potting his own late in the third. Zibanejad was part of a Swedish attack that fired an incredible 59 shots at the Italian net, and the 32-year-old figures to have a key role in the offense for one of the tournament favorites.

Ryabkin scored twice and added two assists in QMJHL Charlottetown's 6-3 win over Shawinigan on Wednesday.

Ryabkin has earned four multi-point efforts over eight contests since joining Charlottetown in mid-January. He earned his first multi-goal game, and he's up to five tallies and 10 assists so far. The Hurricanes prospect is likely to be a steady scorer for the remainder of the QMJHL campaign.

McLaughlin (undisclosed) has been activated off long-term injured reserve and put on waivers Wednesday.

McLaughlin hasn't played yet this season due to the injury. He had two goals and three points in 14 regular-season outings between New Jersey and Boston in 2024-25. If he clears waivers, New Jersey will send him to AHL Utica.

Lindholm (upper body) was taken off injured reserve Wednesday, per the NHL media site.

Lindholm will play for Team Sweden against Italy on Wednesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He missed Boston's final three games before the break due to the injury. He has 11 goals and 37 points in 44 outings this campaign. After he's done playing for Sweden, he should make his return with the Bruins against Columbus on Feb. 26.

Rakell (lower body) is expected to play against Italy on Wednesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Rakell sat out Pittsburgh's 5-2 loss to Buffalo on Thursday before the Olympic break, but he will be available to play in Sweden's tournament opener. He has been skating alongside Elias Pettersson and Mika Zibanejad during practices. The 32-year-old Rakell has 10 goals, 24 points, 103 shots on net, 30 blocked shots and 50 hits across 35 NHL appearances this season.

Necas (lower body) will be available to play against Canada on Thursday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, per Dominik Dubovci of hokej.cz.

Necas skated on Czechia's top line alongside David Pastrnak and Tomas Hertl during Sunday's practice. The 27-year-old Necas missed Colorado's final three games before the Olympic break, but he will be good to go for the start of the tournament. He has amassed 22 goals, 62 points, 124 shots on net and 57 hits across 52 NHL appearances this season.