NHL Player News

Bennett scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Stars.

Bennett has been dynamic in December with four goals and five assists over seven contests. The 29-year-old gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead with his second-period tally. He's up to 10 goals, 21 points, 70 shots on net, 61 hits, 24 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 31 outings. Bennett is on pace to reach the 20-goal mark for the fourth time in five full years with the Panthers.

Lundell scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist, added two hits and went plus-2 in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Stars.

Lundell earned his first multi-point effort since Nov. 22 versus the Oilers. The 24-year-old center's opening goal 19 seconds into the second period was the game-winner, and he set up Brad Marchand for the empty-netter. Lundell now has nine goals, 25 points, 70 shots on net, 35 hits, 24 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through 31 appearances. Lundell has a decent chance of topping the 20-goal and 50-point marks for the first time in his career.

Finnie scored a goal, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks.

Finnie snapped a three-game slump with his second-period tally. The 20-year-old has been back on the top line in recent weeks, which has helped to steady his offense after he slumped with a move to the bottom six. For the season, he's produced seven goals, 15 points, 59 shots on net, 59 hits, 23 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating in 33 appearances.

Paupanekis scored twice and added three assists in WHL Kelowna's 8-5 win over Regina on Saturday.

Paupanekis hasn't done a whole lot this year, but he's starting to heat up. He has 10 points (four goals, six assists) over his last six games, but this was his first multi-point effort since Oct. 25. The Canadiens prospect is at a total of nine goals and 19 points through 22 appearances after this big performance.

Crosby delivered a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Saturday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Sharks.

The future Hall of Famer got the Penguins on the board midway through the first period before helping to set up Bryan Rust for a tally just before the second intermission. Crosby has points in four straight games and seven of the last eight. He's produced 19 goals and 34 points in 30 contests this season -- putting him two points away from tying the legendary Mario Lemieux for first place on the Penguins' all-time scoring list.

McCann (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

McCann is likely to miss the rest of December after being given a three-week return timeline Friday. Jacob Melanson was called up from AHL Coachella Valley to fill the spot on the Kraken's roster.

Wennberg notched three assists in Saturday's 6-5 overtime win over the Penguins.

The veteran center delivered his second straight three-point performance, and he's got three multi-point efforts in the last four contests. The sudden surge in production broke Wennberg out of a sluggish stretch since the beginning of November, in which he had zero games with two or more points and eked out just two goals and six points in 18 appearances. On the season, Wennberg has managed seven goals and 21 points in 33 games.

Danault is a late scratch for Saturday's game against Calgary due to an illness.

Danault has five assists, 22 hits and 11 blocks in 30 appearances with the Kings this season. Samuel Helenius will draw back into the lineup due to Danault's absence.

Celebrini produced a goal and two assists in Saturday's 6-5 overtime win over the Penguins.

All three of the teenage phenom's points came as part of a comeback from a 5-1 deficit, the biggest third-period rally in San Jose's franchise history. Celebrini has three three-point performances in the last seven games, and on the season he's up to 16 goals and 47 points in 33 contests -- third in the NHL behind Nathan MacKinnon (53 points) and Connor McDavid (48).

Bedard (shoulder) is not expected to be on the Blackhawks' road trip through Eastern Canada, which starts Tuesday in Toronto, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Bedard's MRI results haven't been revealed, but it's not encouraging that he's being held off the trip. The Blackhawks have just one home game between the end of the road trip and the holiday break, so it's possible the team will just give him the extra time to rest. A firm timeline for his return hasn't been established.