NHL Player News
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Ryan McLeod C | BUF
Sabres' Ryan McLeod: Deposits empty-netter
McLeod scored an empty-net goal and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Flyers.
McLeod's point streak is up to four games (one goal, three assists). The empty-netter was his first goal since Nov. 21 versus the Blackhawks, though he had six assists over the 11 contests between goals. The center is now at 18 points, 40 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over 33 appearances, and he continues to see time in all situations, including a middle-six role at even strength.
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Tyson Kozak C | BUF
Sabres' Tyson Kozak: Game-time call Saturday
Kozak (upper body) will be a game-time decision versus the Islanders on Saturday, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.
Kozak is expected to participate in the morning skate, which will help determine his status for Saturday's contest. Considering the 22-year-old center has gone 18 games without a goal, adding just two helpers over that stretch, few fantasy managers figure to be impacted by his potential absence.
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Jack Roslovic C | EDM
Oilers' Jack Roslovic: Placed on LTIR
Roslovic (undisclosed) was moved to long-term injured reserve Friday.
Roslovic has been on injured reserve for just over a week, and his move to LTIR signals that the Oilers don't expect him back particularly soon. A clear timetable for his return hasn't yet been revealed, but Matt Savoie should continue to see an increased role in his absence.
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Elias Lindholm C | BOS
Bruins' Elias Lindholm: Slides power-play helper Thursday
Lindholm distributed a power-play assist, put two shots on net and served 12 PIM in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers.
Lindholm recorded the primary helper on Pavel Zacha's power-play goal near the end of Thursday's first period. With the apple, Lindholm is up to 17 assists, 22 points, 36 shots on net, 22 hits and 23 blocks across 25 games this season. Over his last 10 games, the 31-year-old center has 13 points, 13 shots on goal and eight blocks. When he's been healthy this season, he has heavily contributed to Boston's top six and has helped the Bruins reside in a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division for the majority of the past two weeks. Lindholm averages nearly one major stat per game, apart from goals, proving that he is an excellent fantasy option in category-based leagues. Barring injury, he is on pace to surpass the 47 points he totaled in 82 games in his first season with the Bruins.
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Pavel Zacha C | BOS
Bruins' Pavel Zacha: Lights lamp in loss
Zacha netted a power-play goal and dished out a hit in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Edmonton.
Zacha netted Boston's lone goal of the game on a power play late in the first period to knot the score at one apiece. With the twine finder, he is up to nine goals, 24 points, 54 shots on net and 31 hits through 34 games this season. The 28-year-old center has been incredibly steady for the Bruins this season and is heating up with seven points in his last eight games. He is a lock for top-six center minutes moving forward, and his role on the top power-play unit gives him solid value in nearly all fantasy formats for the foreseeable future. He is on pace to post his third 50-plus point season in the last four years.
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Evan Rodrigues C | FLA
Panthers' Evan Rodrigues: Ready to play Friday
Rodrigues (lower body) will be available Friday versus Carolina, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Rodrigues was forced to leave Wednesday's tilt against Los Angeles when he suffered the injury, but he has been deemed healthy to play at home against the Hurricanes. Rodrigues is expected to play on the third line, between Mackie Samoskevich and A.J. Greer, as well as see second-unit power-play duty. Rodrigues has eight goals and eight assists in 33 appearances this season.
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Nick Suzuki C | MON
Canadiens' Nick Suzuki: Two-point effort in win
Suzuki scored a goal and added an assist in Thursday's 4-1 win over Chicago.
After having a hand in what proved to be the game-winner by Zachary Bolduc just 20 seconds into the third period, Suzuki iced things with an empty-netter. The 26-year-old center has gotten onto the scoresheet in 13 of the last 15 games, producing six goals and 18 points over that stretch as he steams toward the first 90-point campaign of his career.
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Josh Norris C | BUF
Sabres' Josh Norris: Tickles twine Thursday
Norris scored a goal on two shots in a 5-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday.
Norris is riding a six-game point streak, racking up three goals and six assists, including five power-play points. After getting hurt in the season opener, Norris missed 24 games but has been lighting it up in December since returning to action. If he can avoid any more stints on the shelf, Norris should continue to offer top-end fantasy value the rest of the way.
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Tage Thompson C | BUF
Sabres' Tage Thompson: Scores goal in win
Thompson scored a goal on two shots in a 5-3 win over Philadelphia on Thursday.
Thompson has scored in five straight games, adding three helpers along the way. It's the second goal-scoring streak of five or more games for the 28-year-old forward this season, racking up 17 goals in 33 games this year. At this pace, Thompson should be capable of reaching the 40-goal threshold for the third time in the last four campaigns.
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Zack Bolduc C | MON
Canadiens' Zachary Bolduc: Lights lamp twice in Thursday's win
Bolduc scored two goals, one the game-winner, in Thursday's 4-1 victory over Chicago.
The 22-year-old potted Montreal's first two tallies of the night, ripping a shot past Spencer Knight from the slot late in the first period before tipping home a Lane Hutson point shot just 20 seconds into the second. It was Bolduc's first multi-goal performance of the season. Through 34 games, he's delivered nine goals and 16 points with 60 hits, 53 shots on net and a minus-4 rating.