NHL Player News

Keller scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Blackhawks.

Keller tied the game at 3-3 with less than eight minutes left in the third period when Utah had the man advantage. He has 23 goals and 72 points through 62 appearances this season. The 26-year-old winger has been on an absolute tear since the league resumed following the 4 Nations Face-Off break, tallying 12 points (three goals, nine assists) across seven games, including a five-point performance against the Wild on Feb. 27, when he posted a goal and four assists in a 6-1 win.

Protas notched two goals, including one shorthanded, and an assist in Friday's 5-2 win over the Red Wings. He also posted a plus-3 rating, three shots on goal and a hit.

Protas recorded three points in a single game for the third time in 2024-25. He has accomplished the feat twice in seven outings since the regular season resumed following the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Protas has posted eight points (three goals, five assists) in eight games since the resumption of the league. He has exploded offensively this campaign, producing 25 goals and 29 helpers through 63 appearances.

Mercer scored a goal on his lone shot on net in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Jets.

Mercer found the back of the net less than a minute into the third period. Overall, the 23-year-old center has 14 goals, 27 points or 106 shots on net in 64 games this season. With Jack Hughes (shoulder) out for the rest of the season, Mercer is one of the top names to watch for New Jersey in fantasy. Mercer moved up to the second line and should maintain that role for the rest of the way. However, his offensive production has been sparse since the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Mercer is known for his durability and hasn't missed a game in his four-year career, which should lead to more opportunities. Mercer is a strong waiver-wire option in all formats if he can find offensive consistency.

Vilardi registered an assist and registered two shots on net in Friday's 6-1 victory against New Jersey.

Vilardi had the secondary assist on Kyle Connor's goal in the third period. The 25-year-old Vilardi has 33 assists, 59 points and 120 shots on net in 64 games this season. He is currently tied for 34th in points across the league and has the third-most points for Winnipeg behind linemates Connor and Mark Scheifele. Vilardi has four assists in his last two games and has taken a drastic leap in his playmaking totals while skating on Winnipeg's top line. Vilardi has had the best campaign of his career and should challenge for the 70-75-point mark by the end of the regular season.

Scheifele tallied an assist and posted three shots on net in Friday's 6-1 win over New Jersey.

Scheifele was the primary helper on linemate Kyle Connor's goal late in the third period. The 31-year-old Scheifele is up to 37 assists, 72 points and 138 shots on goal in 64 games this season. Winnipeg's top-line center is having an excellent showing and is currently tied for 10th in the league with 72 points. Following Friday's effort, Scheifele tied his point total from a season ago and is just 12 away from tying his previous best. He has 18 points in his last 14 games and is on a roll offensively. Scheifele has a strong chance to make the 2024-25 campaign the best of his 14-year career.

Lowry scored an unassisted goal in Friday's 6-1 win against New Jersey.

Lowry scored the first of three goals in the third period for Winnipeg. The 31-year-old center is up to 13 goals, 28 points, 78 shots on target and 107 hits in 56 games this season. Lowry has goals in back-to-back games and is two points away from reaching the 30-point mark for the third consecutive season. Lowry's career high in points of 36 is within reach this season if he can consistently produce offensively for Winnipeg down the stretch. The third-line center has some fantasy value in deeper leagues, especially in banger format with triple-digit hits.

Larkin scored a goal in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Capitals.

Larkin found the back of the net right out of the gate, as he gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead just 43 seconds into the first period. The 28-year-old has 26 goals this season and has found the back of the net in back-to-back games, a feat he hadn't accomplished since doing so in a two-game stretch on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1.

Perfetti scored a goal on three shots on net in Friday's 6-1 win against New Jersey.

Perfetti grabbed the final goal in Winnipeg's offensive onslaught Friday night. The 23-year-old winger has generated 13 goals, 38 points and 108 shots on net in 64 appearances this season. With Friday's goal, Perfetti tied his career high in points in seven fewer games than his previous 38-point season. While he doesn't have as many goals as last season, Perfetti has made strides as a playmaker and has taken a step forward overall. He is an exciting name to watch ahead of next season but holds good value for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign in deeper leagues.

Harkins' point drought reached nine games in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Blues.

While Harkins isn't scoring, he's been in the lineup for six straight contests after being scratched four times in February. The 27-year-old is holding onto a fourth-line role over Ross Johnston for now, though Harkins is likely to face more pressure for ice time once Robby Fabbri (upper body) returns. Harkins has just six points with 34 shots on net, 102 hits, 16 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 45 appearances this season. It's better than his four-point showing over 45 contests with the Penguins last year, but it's far from enough to intrigue fantasy managers.

McTavish notched a power-play assist in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Blues.

McTavish has four points over his last three games after setting up a Sam Colangelo tally in the first period. Those two forwards, along with Cutter Gauthier, have found chemistry since being put together in Tuesday's game versus the Oilers. McTavish is now at 35 points (nine on the power play), 119 shots on net, 51 hits, 28 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 56 appearances. He's eight points back of his career-high 43 from 2022-23, and he's got the momentum to get there by the end of the campaign.