NHL Player News

Rakell scored a goal and added an assist, both on the power play, in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Islanders.

The 32-year-old opened the scoring early in the first period, tucking home a backhand from the slot to finish off a scramble in front of Ilya Sorokin, and Rakell then helped set up a Sidney Crosby tally midway through the second. Rakell is coming off a career-best 2024-25 season that included nine goals and 19 points on the power play, and while Pittsburgh's overall roster may be shaky, skating on the top PP unit with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang should allow him to maintain a strong fantasy floor.

Crosby produced a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Islanders.

After helping to set up Rickard Rakell for a goal in the first period, Crosby tapped home his first tally of the season on a feed from Evgeni Malkin midway through the second. Crosby was held off the scoresheet in Pittsburgh's season opener Tuesday, but he's topped 90 points in each of the last three campaigns, and there's little reason to think the 38-year-old superstar will suddenly see his numbers fall off a cliff in 2025-26.

Malkin delivered three assists, two on the power play, in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Islanders.

After helping the Pens take advantage of power-play situations in the first and second periods, Malkin made his biggest impact on the game when he sprung Justin Brazeau for the game-winner late in the third. There has been some suggestion 2025-26 will be Malkin's last season in the NHL, but the 39-year-old isn't playing like someone whose tank is nearly empty -- he's come flying out of the gates this season with five helpers in Pittsburgh's first two games.

Suzuki collected two assists, one on the power play, in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Red Wings.

The 26-year-old helped set up tallies by Mike Matheson in the first period and Juraj Slafkovsky in the second as Montreal put the game away early. Suzuki is coming off a breakout 2024-25 campaign in which he racked up 30 goals and 89 points in 82 regular-season games, and offseason additions like Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc, plus improvements from youngsters like Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov, could allow the Habs' No. 1 center to maintain or even improve upon that level of production.

Lindholm scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over Chicago.

The Bruins kicked off the season with back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday, and Lindholm found the back of the net with the man advantage in each one. It's a fast start to his second campaign with Boston, but the 30-year-old center hasn't topped 17 goals or 47 points in a season since 2022-23, making him a risky fantasy option until he proves he can keep it up.

Bedard produced a goal and an assist in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

The 20-year-old got Chicago on the board midway through the first period before setting up Louis Crevier for a tally in the second. It was a strong performance from Bedard after he was blanked in the season opener against the Panthers on Tuesday, and the Hawks are counting on the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to take a big step forward after he contributed 23 goals and 67 points over 82 games in 2024-25.

Scheifele recorded three assists, including one shorthanded, in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Stars.

The Jets scored two shorthanded goals during a Dallas third-period power play, but they fell short of completing a late comeback. Scheifele assisted in each of Kyle Connor's goals and kicked off the season on a strong note. The veteran center, who has spent his entire career with the Jets, figures to be a key component of the Jets' offense as long as he stays healthy and has the body of work to prove what he can bring to the table. He's recorded at least 60 points in 10 straight seasons and has reached the 70-point plateau in three of his last four.

Barron scored a shorthanded goal in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Stars.

Barron gave Winnipeg a glimpse of hope after scoring at the 9:53 mark of the third period, and even though the Jets would add two more goals in the third period, they fell short in the comeback attempt. Barron showcased impressive speed and found the twine with a backhander from close range. He registered eight goals, 15 points, 92 shots on net and 122 hits across 74 regular-season appearances with the Jets in 2024-25.

Eriksson Ek scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Blues.

Eriksson Ek had a down season in 2024-25, scoring 14 goals, his lowest total since the 2019-20 campaign, though it's worth noting he played in only 46 regular-season games last year. His status as a top-six forward should continue to give him plenty of opportunities to produce, however, and he could top last season's scoring numbers if he stays healthy in 2025-26.

Rossi scored an even-strength goal and added an assist in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Blues.

Rossi is coming off a career-best season in 2024-25 after racking up 24 goals and 60 points, and he seems to have picked things up right where he left off in this new season. Rossi is firmly entrenched as a top-six forward for the Wild and should continue to have tons of opportunities to produce as long as he continues to skate alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, with each of them having three points in this season-opening victory.