NHL Player News

Nazar (upper body) is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Hurricanes, per Scott Powers of The Athletic.

After taking a puck to the face in a clash with the Senators on Dec. 20, Nazar is poised to return following a 15-game absence. The 22-year-old could provide an offensive boost after posting 21 points in his first 33 games this season. Nazar will likely return to the second line to play alongside Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Teravainen (upper body) will not travel with the team for Thursday's clash with Carolina, Scott Powers of The Athletic reports.

Teravainen will be out of action for a fourth straight contest due to an upper-body injury. Prior to his absence, the Finn had a five-game goal drought during which he recorded one assist, six shots and one hit. With the veteran on the shelf, Ryan Greene figures to remain in a top-six role alongside Connor Bedard.

Steeves signed a two-year, $3.25 million contract extension with the Bruins on Wednesday.

Steeves has proved his mettle in his first full year at the NHL level, which has led to finding an everyday role with the Bruins since being called up from the minors in mid-November. He's flashed the ability to heat up offensively while posting eight goals, 14 points, 44 shots on net, 117 hits and 22 blocked shots across 33 games this season. He should continue to supply decent category coverage from a bottom-six role moving forward.

Thompson scored a goal in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Predators.

Thompson was limited to 13:33 of ice time, but his goal gave the Sabres a 4-0 lead early in the second period, and it probably earned him some rest. He has six goals and eight helpers over 10 outings in January, and he's at 26 goals, 51 points, 172 shots on net, 48 hits, 30 blocked shots, 25 PIM and a minus-9 rating over 49 appearances this season.

Greig produced a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Both points came in the third period, providing a little insurance for the Senators. Greig is putting together an impressive January, recording three goals and nine points in 11 games while skating in a middle-six role and getting shifts on the second power-play unit.

O'Reilly recorded two goals and an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Sabres.

O'Reilly extended his point streak to five games with this impressive outing, and the 34-year-old veteran has racked up 10 points (five goals, five assists) over that stretch. O'Reilly remains one of the most productive Nashville forwards, registering 47 points in 49 games so far, and he is on pace to hover around the 70-point mark as long as he stays healthy. He hit that threshold back in the 2018-19 regular season when he was with the Blues.

Ostlund scored two goals on three shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Predators.

Ostlund has been turning things around of late, collecting five points over his last five games, though he didn't find the scoresheet in two outings before Tuesday's two-goal effort. The 21-year-old forward is up to 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) in 37 contests this season.

Krebs recorded a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Predators.

Krebs has found the back of the net in two of Buffalo's last three games. However, the 24-year-old doesn't contribute much offensively most of the time. The bottom-six forward has five goals, 19 points, 114 hits and 56 shots on net through 49 appearances this season.

Helenius scored a goal and recorded two assists in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Predators.

Helenius made his NHL debut on Monday, and it took him only two games to leave his mark on the scoresheet. The 19-year-old winger is currently playing on the third line, but if he adjusts quickly to the pace of the NHL, he could be in line for a bigger role in the second half of the season. He probably won't produce like this regularly, but the 19-year-old is worth monitoring in dynasty formats due to his outstanding potential.

Danault scored a goal, added two PIM and went plus-3 in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Wild.

Danault tied the game at 1-1 with his goal at 15:22 of the first period. The 32-year-old center had been snakebit all season, though he's shown life on offense with six points over his last nine games. The center is at one goal, 10 assists, 62 shots on net, 34 hits, 22 blocked shots, 18 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 44 appearances between the Canadiens and the Kings this season.