NHL Player News

Crosby scored an empty-net goal and added four PIM in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

Crosby tallied with 31 seconds left in the third period to put the game out of reach. The 38-year-old center continues to play well early in the year with two goals, three assists and eight shots on net across five contests. Crosby will look to keep his offense rolling in San Jose on Saturday.

Necas put up an assist Thursday in a 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Necas has nine points (three goals, six assists) on a five-game point streak. His career-best 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists) in 79 games between Carolina and Colorado, which was set last season, already looks easily crushable. Necas is poised for an explosive offensive season.

Nelson scored a goal Thursday in a 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

It was his first of the season. Nelson redirected Brent Burns' slapper from the point five-hole on Elvis Merzlikins at 11:46 of the second period. Nelson had 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) and 193 shots in 80 games between the Islanders and Avalanche in 2024-25 after averaging 72 points and 236 shots the previous two seasons on the Island.

Parssinen scored a goal Thursday in a 2-1 overtime loss to Toronto.

Parssinen deflected a shot from Braden Schneider in the slot at 4:51 of the third period. The Rangers had been shut out in each of their prior two games, and the goal was their first in 170:39. Parssinen has a point (one goal, one assist) in two games this season after putting up 16 points, including six goals, in 48 games between the Preds, Avs and Rangers last season.

Pettersson notched a power-play assist and three blocked shots in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Stars.

Pettersson has had a quiet start to the season with two assists and four shots on net over four contests. The 26-year-old has added six hits, eight blocks and an even plus-minus rating, but as the team's top-line center, the expectation is for more offense. Fantasy managers will appreciate his non-scoring production, as long as his shot volume and efficiency improve.

Bourque scored a goal and went minus-2 in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Canucks.

Bourque has a goal and an assist over the last two games. The 23-year-old's tally opened the scoring at 4:29 of the first period. He's added four shots on net, two blocked shots and a minus-1 rating across four appearances this season. Bourque continues to play primarily on the third line and second power-play unit, so his contributions are likely to be limited to depth scoring.

Johnston scored a power-play goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Canucks.

Johnston has scored in four straight games and has a total of five points (two on the power play) to begin the year. The 22-year-old pulled the Stars within a goal late in the third period, but Quinn Hughes responded to cut off the comeback effort. Johnston's added 11 shots on net, four blocked shots and a plus-2 rating so far. He'll be leaned on a little more while Matt Duchene (upper body) is out of action.

Sasson scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Stars.

Sasson made his season debut for the Canucks and scored their go-ahead goal in the second period. The 25-year-old center looks to have a chance to hold down a fourth-line gig until Teddy Blueger (undisclosed) is ready to return. Sasson played in a similar role at times in 2024-25, earning seven points over 29 appearances in his first taste of NHL action.

Chytil scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Stars.

Chytil's goal sparked the Canucks' turnaround in the second period. It was the first of the team's three tallies a span of 3:26 in the middle of the second period. Chytil has scored three times on 11 shots while adding three hits and a minus-1 rating over four contests this season. As long as he can be semi-consistent on offense and passable on defense, he'll remain in a second-line role.

Matthews scored the game-winning goal in Thursday's 2-1 overtime victory over the Rangers.

Matthews and William Nylander broke away on a 2-on-1 early in the overtime frame, and Matthews tapped the winner past Igor Shesterkin. Matthews is starting to pick up the pace with four goals, one assist and 22 shots in five games this season. He has also used his body well with three blocks in each of the Leafs' five games so far. Matthews' overtime goal tied Mats Sundin for the most overtime goals (14) in franchise history. He has four points (three goals, one assist) during a three-game point streak.