NHL Player News

Per Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network, Strome (lower body) will be a game-time decision Friday against the Islanders, according to head coach Spencer Carbery.

Strome made it through practice wearing a regular jersey after missing Tuesday's game in Dallas. Strome has two goals and eight assists across nine games this season. Should he return to the lineup, he will center Alex Ovechkin and Ryan Leonard. However, if he is not able to go, Connor McMichael will likely remain as the top center Friday.

Ritchie was recalled from AHL Bridgeport on Friday.

Ritchie was initially believed to be in the mix to be recalled ahead of Thursday's game against Carolina since Mathew Barzal was removed from the lineup as a disciplinary measure. However, Ritchie's flight was unable to reach the team in time, and the Islanders ultimately elected to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen in the lineup against the Hurricanes. Ritchie will instead join the Islanders a day later, and he's expected to make his team debut during Friday's matchup against Washington.

Strome (lower body) is practicing in a regular jersey Friday, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

Strome could return to the lineup Friday against the Islanders after missing Tuesday's tilt in Dallas. Should he return, Strome will center Alex Ovechkin and Ryan Leonard on the top line. Strome has 10 points in nine games this season.

Eller scored a shorthanded goal and added an even-strength assist in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Flames.

The 36-year-old center opened the scoring for Ottawa midway through the first period before setting up Artem Zub for a tally early in the third. It was Eller's first multi-point performance of the season, and after being held off the scoresheet through the first three games of the season, he's bounced back with two goals and six points in the last nine contests.

Khusnutdinov scored the game-winning goal in overtime during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Sabres.

The 23-year-old winger cruised into the Buffalo zone on an odd-man rush, got into the faceoff circle and snapped the puck over Alex Lyon's glove to end the night. The goal was Khusnutdinov's first of 2025-26 and just his second point in eight games, but he saw a season-high 15:20 of ice time as he skated on the top line with David Pastrnak at even strength. The assignment may not last long, however -- No. 1 center Elias Lindholm left the game early with a lower-body injury, and some line shuffling could be coming if he's forced to miss any further action.

Byfield registered two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings.

Byfield will have two points from this game either way, but his second assist was originally credited as a goal that went through traffic in front and was later given to Corey Perry. The 23-year-old Byfield had been held off the scoresheet in his previous three games, but he's still been one of the Kings' better forwards. For the season, he's at two goals, eight helpers, 28 shots on net, 14 hits and a minus-1 rating through 12 appearances.

Kasper scored two goals on three shots and added two hits in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Kings.

Kasper's first goal came on the power play, and he added an even-strength tally to stretch the Red Wings' lead to 3-1 at 14:45 of the third period. The 21-year-old has had a slow start in 2025-26, but he's still in a second-line role and holding onto a power-play role. He's scored three goals, fired 17 shots on net, doled out 31 hits and posted a minus-3 rating through 11 appearances. Kasper isn't a must-have in fantasy, but he'll be worth picking up if Thursday's effort leads to a long stretch of productivity.

Mercer scored two power-play goals on four shots and went minus-2 in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks.

Mercer has been back on the second line for a couple of games since Juho Lammikko entered the lineup. The 24-year-old Mercer has been productive from every spot he's played in so far, and he's potted three goals over his last two games. For the season, he has six goals, 11 points (four on the power play), 20 shots on net, 14 blocked shots, 10 hits and a plus-6 rating through 11 appearances. If Mercer's hot start is here to stay, he'll provide excellent fantasy value for the rest of the campaign.

Smith scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Devils.

Smith has scored in consecutive games for the first time this season. The 20-year-old has racked up four goals and two helpers over his last five outings as he starts to get into a groove on offense. For the season, he's produced 10 points, 24 shots on net, eight PIM and a plus-2 rating across 11 appearances. He should continue to see time in a top-six role and on the first power-play unit, so the only thing fantasy managers can ask for now is a little more game-to-game consistency.

Kurashev scored a goal on three shots, added an assist and went plus-3 in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Devils.

Kurashev is on a roll with five points over his last three games. He's bounced back well from a two-game stint as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old is seeing ice time in all situations and playing on the second line at even strength, which gives him a good chance to stay productive on offense. Overall, he has three goals, three assists, 17 shots on net, eight hits, five blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over nine outings this season.