NHL Player News

Kopitar scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Blues.

Kopitar's offense has picked up in March -- he has two goals and an assist over his last four games after producing just one tally and six helpers over 21 outings in January and February combined. The 37-year-old center was on a new-look top line Saturday, playing alongside Andrei Kuzmenko and Adrian Kempe. The addition of Kuzmenko may require Kopitar to take care of his defensive zone a bit more. For the season, Kopitar is up to 15 goals, 49 points, 80 shots on net, 48 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating across 61 appearances.

Byfield scored a goal on three shots and added five hits in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Blues.

The Blues got sloppy along the wall in their own zone, allowing Adrian Kempe to poke the puck free. Byfield retrieved it, fended off two Blues and turned around to bury the game-winning tally just 27 seconds into overtime. This was Byfield's second straight game with a goal, both coming against the Blues, after he went 12 contests without scoring. The 22-year-old had 11 assists in that span, but it's good to see him finishing some chances as well. Byfield is up to 13 goals, 36 points, 120 shots on net, 63 hits and a plus-8 rating through 61 appearances this season.

Dach produced an assist, two shots on goal, three hits and seven PIM in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Predators.

Dach showed off a couple of different skill sets, earning a helper on an Alex Vlasic tally in the second period before fighting Justin Barron in the third. The fight was prompted by Barron's hit on Frank Nazar. Dach has three points, 13 PIM and 23 hits over his last six outings, and he's starting to see top-six minutes at even strength. The 22-year-old has a total of seven points, 17 PIM, 24 shots on net and 68 hits across 20 appearances as a rookie.

Donato notched an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Predators.

Donato's point streak is up to eight games -- he logged a helper in each game of Chicago's back-to-back set versus Utah and Nashville. The 28-year-old wasn't traded at the deadline, so he'll close out the year playing a large role on a weak team, a situation that has suited him nicely. He's up to 48 points, 139 shots on net, 97 hits, 35 PIM and a minus-8 rating through 62 appearances this season. The Blackhawks have until July 1 to get Donato to put pen to paper if they want to keep him around, as he'll likely be a popular free agent coming off of a career year if he gets to market.

Bedard recorded an assist and four shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Predators.

Bedard set up an Alex Vlasic tally in the second period. After enduring a seven-game point drought coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Bedard has bounced back with three points over his last two outings. The 19-year-old center is up to 52 points, 152 shots on net and a minus-28 rating through 64 appearances. His offense hasn't been as good as his 61-point rookie campaign, but a breakout will come for Bedard eventually, even if it's not this season.

Colton put up two assists Saturday in a 7-4 win over Toronto.

He also delivered three hits. Colton's growth this season has been hurt by injuries, and some might argue that recent trades by the team may have hampered his fantasy potential. We think otherwise. Colton is now slotted onto the third line where he truly belongs, and the Avs' acquisition of Charlie Coyle for its 3C is exactly the kind of move that adds both responsibility and danger to the third line. The Avs will attack in waves, and the third unit of Colton, Coyle and Joel Kiviranta will reap the benefits because opponents will be keying on the top two lines. The trio combined for one goal and three assists Saturday.

Svechkov notched an assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blackhawks.

Svechkov set up Steven Stamkos' game-winner in overtime. While he doesn't have the points to show for it lately -- the helper ended an 11-game point drought dating back to the start of February for Svechkov -- he's gained trust as a two-way forward lately. The 21-year-old is up to 10 points, 45 shots on net, 24 hits and a minus-11 rating over 33 appearances. After the Predators made numerous moves to reshape their forward group over the last week, Svechkov looks to be a lock to stay in the lineup down the stretch.

Nelson picked up an assist in a 7-4 Colorado win over Toronto on Saturday.

Nelson hit the post in the first minute of his Colorado debut. He got a primary assist on Valeri Nichushkin's second goal of the first period. Nelson looked almost immediately comfortable with his new team and linemates. The pivot has points in seven of his last eight games (four goals, seven assists), and he's skating with perhaps the best players of his career. Nelson's fantasy value is about to take a big jump.

O'Reilly notched an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blackhawks.

O'Reilly capitalized on a turnover behind the net and fed Steven Stamkos for the second of his three goals in the contest. Over the last six games, O'Reilly has two goals and five helpers, getting on the scoresheet in all five contests in that span where the Predators weren't shut out. The center is up to 41 points, 119 shots on net, 58 blocked shots and a minus-18 rating over 60 appearances. With Stamkos surging and playing left wing on O'Reilly's line, the Predators' top center could be in for a strong finish to the campaign.

Marchessault logged a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blackhawks.

Marchessault has a goal and two assists during his three-game point streak, though he has just four shots on net in that span. The 34-year-old winger has 48 points (18 on the power play), 183 shots, 68 hits and a minus-18 rating over 63 appearances. He continues to see top-six minutes and time on the first power-play unit, so he should remain fairly reliable offensively.