NHL Player News

Paul scored a goal on three shots and added four hits in Thursday's 2-1 overtime win over the Oilers.

Paul had missed the first 19 games of the season while recovering from an upper-body surgery. The 30-year-old was plugged right back into the middle of the Lightning's lineup, posting 15:21 of ice time in his season debut. Paul is a valuable middle-six forward who can play in all situations, so he may occasionally score enough to provide decent returns in fantasy, especially if he continues to play with a physical edge. He's topped the 40-point mark in each of the last two regular seasons, though he'd need a career-best pace to get to that mark in 2025-26 with all the time he's missed.

Couturier notched an assist in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blues.

Couturier has just two helpers over eight contests since missing a game due to an upper-body injury at the start of November. It's possible he's playing at less than 100 percent, especially given his lengthy injury history. The center is at two goals, nine helpers, 25 shots on net, 15 hits, 13 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating across 18 appearances this season.

Abols scored a goal on four shots and added two hits in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blues.

The 29-year-old forward struggled to get into the lineup early in the year, but he's played in 12 of the Flyers' last 13 games. Abols is still firmly in a fourth-line role, and that group has been virtually invisible on offense for Philadelphia so far. Abols is at one goal, 16 shots on net, 14 hits, five blocked shots, five PIM and a minus-3 rating over 14 appearances. While his production won't jump off the page, the ongoing struggles of enforcer Nicolas Deslauriers and youngster Nikita Grebenkin should be enough to keep Abols in the lineup, especially since he can play center.

Eichel scored two goals, dished out an assist and placed five shots on target in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

After a quiet last six games with just three assists in that span, Eichel made a splash Thursday with his second multi-point performance of the month. He scored both of his goals in the second period before plating the primary helper for Braeden Bowman's tally in the third. Overall, the 29-year-old Eichel has 10 goals, 17 assists and 84 shots on net through 20 games this season. While he fell a step behind the league leaders in points over the past two weeks, Vegas' top-line center is still tied for ninth across the NHL with 27 points. As he continues to heat back up and begins to form chemistry with his newest linemate in Bowman, Eichel is set to make another push for the 90-point mark this season after surpassing it with 94 in 77 regular-season games a year ago.

Bolduc notched an assist and five hits in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Capitals.

The Canadiens' offense has been in a lull lately, and that's prompted a shake-up in the lines. Bolduc landed alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, and his helper was on Suzuki's second-period tally. This ended a nine-game point drought for Bolduc, who is now at seven points, 28 shots on net, 39 hits and a minus-4 rating over 20 appearances. He had 36 points in 72 regular-season outings for the Blues a year ago, so Bolduc is certainly capable of stronger offense and should chip in steady hit totals as well.

Veleno scored a goal on four shots, blocked three shots and added two hits in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Capitals.

The goal was Veleno's first point with the Canadiens. The Montreal native has gone from healthy scratch to potentially a middle-six role as the Canadiens try to navigate without Kirby Dach (foot), Alex Newhook (ankle) and Jake Evans (undisclosed). Veleno has added 14 shots on net, 30 hits, 10 blocked shots, 13 PIM and a minus-8 rating over 15 appearances, but his offense should improve if he can earn an uptick in ice time -- he skated 17:00 in Thursday's contest as a result of Evans' early exit.

Suzuki scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Capitals.

Suzuki had been held to one assist over his previous four games. The 26-year-old has just one multi-point effort over nine outings in November, and that came Nov. 1 versus the Senators. Overall, he's still had a strong campaign with five goals, 22 points, 43 shots on net, 16 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating through 20 appearances. Suzuki's durability remains a strength, and he should push to maintain a point-per-game pace the rest of the way.

Barzal scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Red Wings.

Barzal had gone two games without a point entering Thursday. He scored an unassisted goal in the second period to stretch the Islanders' lead to 3-0. The 28-year-old center is up to six goals, 16 points, 48 shots on net, 15 blocked shots, 14 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 20 appearances. Barzal's offense hasn't been explosive, but there's value in a steady contributor, and he should continue to be one of those in a top-six role with power-play time.

Horvat scored a goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Red Wings.

Horvat has scored in back-to-back games and continues to be one of the Islanders' most reliable forwards. He has produced seven goals and six assists over 10 outings in November. The center is up to 14 goals, 25 points, 70 shots on net, 20 PIM, 14 hits and a plus-14 rating through 21 appearances this season.

Gaunce was recalled from AHL Cleveland on Friday.

Gaunce began the 2025-26 regular season in Cleveland, where he's recorded four goals, two assists and eight PIM over 12 appearances. He hasn't yet appeared in the NHL this year but will join the Blue Jackets' roster after Luca Del Bel Belluz was sent down Friday.