NHL Player News

Zary scored a goal Thursday in a 4-1 loss to Boston.

It was his seventh goal of the season. Zary has scuffled this season, and he's on pace to deliver at the same level he did last season (27 points; 54 games), albeit in a whole season. It feels like Zary is on a backwards slide in his development, Part of that is on him, and part of it is on the way his coaches deploy him. Zary is on the third line when he'd be best served in the top-six.

Nelson scored twice and added an assist in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Senators.

Nelson's first goal was a power-play tally that helped him secure his fifth-straight 20-goal season. The 34-year-old is on a tear with seven goals and five assists over his last seven outings. The center is now at 21 tallies, 37 points (10 on the power play), 93 shots on net, 34 blocked shots and a plus-13 rating over 43 appearances this season.

MacKinnon scored a goal on five shots and dished three assists in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Senators.

Two of MacKinnon's helpers came on the power play. This was his third four-point effort in the last five games, though he had been held off the scoresheet in the last two matchups versus the Panthers and Lightning. The superstar center has rarely been quiet for long this season, accumulating a stunning 36 goals, 42 assists, 197 shots on net and a plus-48 rating through 43 appearances.

Eriksson Ek sustained an undisclosed injury when he got tangled up with another player near the bench during Thursday's game versus the Kraken, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Eriksson Ek left the game in the second period. Head coach John Hynes wasn't overly concerned about the injury, labeling Eriksson Ek as day-to-day. His status for Saturday versus the Islanders is uncertain, but it doesn't appear to be a long-term concern even if he misses a couple of contests.

Mittelstadt scored a goal Thursday in a 4-1 win over the Flames.

The goal was his 10th of the season. Mittelstadt has a point in each of his last two games (one goal, one assist; six shots), and three points (two goals) in his last four. Mittelstadt may never replicate his excellent 59-point season from 2022-23 when he was in Buffalo, but he is flirting with a 40-point pace, including his first-ever 20-goal season. Still, that's not enough to make him a regular fantasy play because he qualifies at center.

Ivan was reassigned to AHL Colorado after Thursday's 8-2 win over the Senators.

Ivan was up to help replenish the Avalanche's forward depth, which has been hit by some medium-to-long-term injuries. His demotion leaves the Avalanche with just 11 healthy forwards, but it's possible a different player will be called up ahead of Saturday's game versus the Blue Jackets.

Lindholm scored a goal in a Thursday's 4-1 win over Calgary.

His goal at the mid-point of the first stood as the winner. Lindholm is on a four-game, five-point scoring streak (three goals, two assists), and his 28 points in 34 games put him on pace for his first 60-point campaign since his days in Calgary. He has gone 303-for-550 (55.1 percent) at the dot to lead the team.

Kuraly had a goal and assist in a 4-1 win over the Flames on Thursday.

It was his first goal in 12 games. Kuraly has four goals, nine assists and 63 shots in 44 games this season. But he has just 51 hits this season in 44 games after averaging 187 a season over his last four. Any fantasy potential Kuraly had brought in the past simply isn't showing up this season.

Tavares picked up an assist in a 2-1 overtime victory over Philadelphia.

Tavares set up Easton Cowan's first career game-winner on a 2-on-1 rush in OT. JT has put up points in seven of his last eight games (one goal, seven assists), and he has 13 shots in that span. But he has just three goals in his last 22 games (three goals, nine assists). Tavares has strong numbers overall (15 goals, 24 assists; 43 games), but this stretch is concerning. He's 35 years old, and at some point, the nature of a guy's game changes with age.

Laughton scored a shorthanded goal Thursday in a 2-1 overtime win over Philadelphia.

It was Laughton's first game as an opponent in Philly. He spent nearly 12 seasons with the Flyers before being traded to the Maple Leafs last March. Laughton has five goals, two assists and 32 shots in 25 games this season. Two of those goals have come shorthanded.