NHL Player News

Protas scored a shorthanded goal and had three shots on net in Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Sabres.

Protas found the back of the net just 37 seconds into the third period. With the goal, the 24-year-old is up to 30 goals, 65 points and 136 shots on net in 73 appearances this year. With his goal Sunday, Protas joined an elite club by becoming one of 18 players to have both 30 goals and assists this season. Additionally, Protas has the third-best shooting percentage among skaters who have played 50 or more games this season at 22.1 percent. He has been one of the best breakout stories for the 2024-25 fantasy season and should continue to provide great value in all league formats the rest of the way.

Lafferty scored a goal and dished out three hits in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Capitals.

Lafferty's return from a four-game absence with a groin injury was productive from his fourth-line role. He tallied the fourth goal of the game for the Sabres off a helper from Connor Clifton. Lafferty now has three goals and six points across 51 appearances this season. The 30-year-old right winger has taken a step back offensively this year after setting a career high of 13 goals a season ago. While it is best to fade Lafferty in most fantasy formats, Buffalo's combination of playing without pressure and their recent surge in the offensive zone could give the winger some value if he can become a consistent contributor on the scoresheet.

Krebs scored an empty-net goal and had two shots on net in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Capitals.

Krebs placed the cherry on top of a March-Madness-worthy upset over the Capitals in a 13-goal thriller. Overall, Krebs has eight goals, 23 points and 68 shots on net in 72 appearances this season. The 24-year-old center has been one of many Sabres forwards thriving offensively as of late and has a four-game point streak consisting of two goals and three assists. Krebs is just three points away from tying his career high in points from the 2022-23 campaign. If he can maintain the momentum he has built on his four-game point streak, he has a great chance to pencil the 2024-25 season as a new personal best.

Glass (lower body) didn't participate in the morning skate and won't play against Minnesota on Monday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Glass will miss his fourth straight game but returned to the ice for the first time since the injury, per Stein on Monday. After Monday's game, the Devils host the Rangers on Saturday, but it's unclear if Glass will be ready to return by then. He had two goals and six points in eight appearances with New Jersey before getting hurt. Glass has six goals and 21 points through 59 games between the Devils and Penguins this season.

McLeod scored a goal, had two PIM and blocked two shots in Sunday's 8-5 win over Washington.

McLeod's goal early in the second period gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead. The 25-year-old center has been elite as of late with 16 points in his last 13 games. During this stretch, McLeod has seen a significant increase to his power-play time and has notched his first two points with the man advantage this season. Overall, he has 18 goals and 47 points across 70 appearances this year. McLeod has thrived in his first season with the Sabres and is just three points away from reaching the 50-point mark for the first time in his five-year career. He should be available on waivers in most fantasy formats and has proven value that can benefit rosters for the rest of the season.

Thompson netted two power-play goals and fired six shots on net in Sunday's 8-5 win over Washington.

Both of Thompson's tallies were scored with a man advantage. His first goal tied the game at 1-1 before his second tally put the Sabres up 5-3 early in the third period. The 27-year-old star has 38 goals, 65 points and 213 shots on net in 67 appearances this season. Thompson's two goals Sunday helped him tie his second-highest goal total in a season with 38, which he also recorded in the 2021-22 campaign. He is currently tied for third in the NHL in goals with Tampa Bay's Brayden Point and Winnipeg's Kyle Connor. Thompson has shot the puck exceptionally well in March with 10 goals and 14 points over 16 contests. With the pressure off as the Sabres are close to being eliminated from the playoffs, Thompson should continue to thrive in fantasy and could break the 70-point mark for the second time in his career.

Brown is practicing with the Bruins on Monday despite being waived Sunday, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports.

Although Brown was waived Sunday, it appears the Bruins intend to keep him around, assuming he goes through waivers unclaimed. He's made 13 appearances for Boston this year, recording an assist, 43 hits, 11 blocked shots and six PIM while averaging 10:35 of ice time.

The Predators announced Monday that Sissons (lower body) is considered week-to-week.

Sissons was banged up in Saturday's matchup against the Golden Knights, and he's apparently facing a multi-game absence late in the season. The Predators have just nine games remaining on their schedule, and it's unclear whether Sissons will return to the lineup before the regular-season finale against Dallas on April 16. Over 72 appearances this season, Sissons has recorded seven goals, 14 assists, 100 hits, 67 blocked shots and 22 PIM while averaging 14:22 of ice time.

Marchessault (lower body) is day-to-day and likely won't play against Philadelphia on Monday.

Marchessault has struggled offensively recently, earning only one assist in his last 10 outings. He has 19 goals, 49 points, 197 shots on net and 76 hits in 73 appearances this season. With Marchessault and Colton Sissons (lower body) unavailable, Matthew Wood and Jakub Vrana could play against the Flyers.

Lettieri is practicing with the Bruins on Monday despite being on waivers, Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald reports.

Lettieri's placement on waivers was likely just a technical move to keep him eligible to be moved between the NHL and AHL over the final weeks of the season. Assuming he goes unclaimed, the 30-year-old forward should continue suiting up for the Bruins and could even be pressed into a top-six role.