NHL Player News

Laba notched an assist and four shots on goal in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Panthers.

Laba returned from a five-game absence due to a lower-body injury. He had five points over seven contests prior to the injury, but he was on the fourth line Sunday as the Rangers had both J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad at center. If Laba remains on the fourth line, his potential will be reduced. He's earned nine goals, 13 helpers, 65 shots on net, 99 hits, 42 blocked shots and 22 PIM over 66 appearances as a rookie this year.

Groulx was promoted from AHL Toronto on Monday under emergency conditions.

Groulx has logged nine NHL games this year in which he has tallied three goals, two assists and 12 shots while averaging 15:30 of ice time. Given the nature of the forward's call-up, it would seem there might be an injury or illness among the Maple Leafs' forward group ahead of Monday's game against the Ducks.

Malkin (upper body) won't play against the Islanders on Monday.

Despite being a full participant in Sunday's practice, Malkin remains day-to-day and will miss his fourth straight game. It's unclear if he will be ready to play against Detroit on Tuesday. Malkin has generated 15 goals, 52 points and 129 shots on net across 50 appearances this season.

Crosby (lower body) will be a game-time decision versus the Islanders on Monday, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports.

The fact that the Penguins didn't rule Crosby out, as they did with Evgeni Malkin (upper body), would seem to bode well for a return sooner rather than later. In five games back from a previous lower-body issue, the 38-year-old Crosby scored one goal on 14 shots while adding four helpers. If Crosby plays Monday, he will be on the first line and No. 1 power-play unit.

Protas (upper body) won't be in the lineup against Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Protas will "miss a little bit of time," according to head coach Spencer Carbery on Monday. However, it's unclear when Protas will be ready to return to the lineup. He sustained the injury in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over Vegas. Protas has produced 23 goals, 47 points and 147 shots on net in 70 appearances this season.

As expected, Barkov (knee) won't return before the end of the 2025-26 season, per George Richards of Florida Hockey Now on Monday.

Barkov has been skating since January and participated in practices with his teammates for the past few weeks. However, head coach Paul Maurice confirmed before Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers that Barkov won't play this campaign. The 30-year-old Barkov had reconstructive surgery last September to repair his right ACL and MCL. He just passed the six-month mark of a 7-9 month recovery. Barkov registered 20 goals and 71 points in 67 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.

Gaucher was summoned from AHL San Diego on Sunday.

Gaucher hasn't played for the Ducks yet this season, but he will be an option to make his NHL debut in Monday's matchup against Toronto. He has 12 goals and 26 points in 57 AHL appearances this season.

Zacha scored two power-play goals and added an even-strength assist in Sunday's 4-3 shootout win over Columbus.

The Bruins did all their scoring in the third period to erase a 3-0 deficit, with Zacha's second goal coming with just 11 seconds left in regulation. The 28-year-old center has reeled off three straight multi-point performances and seven over 15 contests in March contests, erupting for 13 goals and 21 points on the month. Zacha is two snipes away from his first career 30-goal campaign and one point shy of reaching 60 for the first time, with eight games left on the schedule for Boston. He's already set new career highs with 10 goals and 21 points on the power play.

Zegras scored a goal on two shots, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Sunday's 2-1 overtime win over the Stars.

Zegras extended his point streak to five games and snapped an eight-game goal drought with his marker at 3:27 of overtime. It was his fourth game-winner of the season, and he's matched his career high of 23 goals, which he achieved in both his second and third NHL campaigns. The 25-year-old forward is up to 59 points, 156 shots on net, 37 hits, 23 blocked shots, 52 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 73 outings this year.

Frondell logged two assists and three shots on goal in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Devils.

Frondell has four helpers over his first four NHL games. His second assist Sunday was his first career power-play point. The 18-year-old got a look at center in this contest, but he went just 2-for-9 at the dot. He'll have time to either develop down the middle or focus on a shift to the wing in the next few years as the Blackhawks work to build a winning roster through a draft-and-develop pathway.