NHL Player News

Malkin will not play Tuesday in St. Louis as Pittsburgh opts to rest its core group ahead of the playoffs, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Malkin has posted 19 goals and 61 points in 56 appearances in 2025-26, a surprising offensive resurgence that exceeded most expectations heading into the campaign. The 39-year-old center dealt with injury absences throughout the year but was consistently productive whenever healthy. He'll be a key contributor on Pittsburgh's second line when the postseason gets underway and is worth rostering in playoff formats.

Acciari (upper body) is expected to play against St. Louis on Tuesday, according to Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

After sitting out Sunday's 3-0 loss to Washington, Acciari will return to his regular fourth-line role in Tuesday's regular-season finale. He has produced 13 goals, 25 points, 93 shots on net, 60 blocked shots and 65 hits across 66 games this campaign.

Rakell will not dress against St. Louis on Tuesday as Pittsburgh rests its veterans for the playoffs, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Rakell has 24 goals and 48 points across 60 appearances in 2025-26, a solid bounce-back showing after missing significant time to injury early in the season. The 33-year-old winger heated up considerably down the stretch, recording seven goals during a six-game point streak in late March. He's a reliable secondary scorer on Pittsburgh's top line and holds solid fantasy value heading into the postseason.

Crosby will not play Tuesday against the Blues, with Pittsburgh resting its key players for the playoffs, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Crobsy has 29 goals and 74 points across 68 appearances in 2025-26, maintaining his remarkable point-per-game pace despite missing time after sustaining a lower-body injury while representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. His rest here is purely precautionary ahead of the postseason. Crosby remains an elite fantasy option in all formats and is a lock to feature prominently on Pittsburgh's top line when the playoffs begin.

Beniers notched two assists in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Kings.

Beniers has a goal and four helpers over his last six outings. With the effort, he was able to achieve the second 50-point campaign of his career, which has made Beniers a silver lining on an otherwise unimpressive Kraken season. He has 20 goals, 30 assists, 149 shots on net, 67 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating across 80 appearances.

Gaudreau scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Kings.

Gaudreau has scored in consecutive contests after going 10 games without a goal. The 32-year-old continues to fill a third-line role in the absence of Shane Wright (upper body). Gaudreau is at seven goals, 24 points, 70 shots on net, 52 blocked shots and 31 hits over 66 appearances. He's done fine in his role, but he won't be a great streaming option in the Kraken's last two games, which are both on the road with stops in Vegas on Wednesday and Colorado on Thursday.

Namestnikov (undisclosed) is not expected to suit up Tuesday in Utah.

Namestnikov didn't play in the first half of Winnipeg's back-to-back set Monday in Vegas. The veteran forward has made just five appearances since the Olympic break, accounting for one goal and a minus-3 rating while averaging 10:39 of ice time. His availability for the team's last game of the regular season Thursday versus San Jose remains to be seen.

Dunne has been scratched 19 times in 24 games, including in Monday's 5-1 win over the Blackhawks, since he returned from an undisclosed injury.

Dunne hasn't been able to crack the lineup often, as the Sabres have rolled with their winning group of forwards to the top of the Atlantic Division. They are locked into their seeding now, so it's possible Dunne could rotate in if the Sabres rest players for Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Stars. If he doesn't get in, he'll finish the year with four points, 28 shots on net, 39 hits and 38 PIM over 33 appearances. Dunne is unlikely to see playing time in the postseason.

Eichel recorded a power-play goal and three assists, including one on the power play, in Monday's 6-2 win over the Jets.

Eichel extended his point streak to three games, but even if there are games in which he doesn't crack the scoresheet, it's hard to overlook what the star center has done of late. He has posted at least three points in three of his last eight games, tallying 13 points (three goals, 10 helpers) and a plus-10 rating over that stretch. With 88 points in 73 regular-season contests and just one game left on the schedule, Eichel will have to deliver another dominant performance Wednesday against the Kraken if he wants to reach the 90-point plateau for the second time in his career.

Scheifele recorded an even-strength goal and a power-play assist in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

Scheifele got involved in both of the Jets' goals, but unfortunately, he was unable to lift the team to victory, and thus, Winnipeg is now out of playoff contention. Despite the sour ending to the season from a collective perspective, Scheifele is ending the campaign on a strong note. This was his seventh multi-point performance over his last 10 games, a stretch in which he's racked up 18 points (four goals, 14 assists), 17 PIM, 23 shots on goal, four hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-3 rating.