NHL Player News

MacKinnon scored a power-play goal in Canada's 4-3 overtime win over Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday.

The goal came in the first minute of play on a blind, backhand spin-a-rama pass from fellow Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia superstar, Sidney Crosby. Sid and Nate spend their summers together training, so all those reps mean the two click without even looking for each other on the ice. MacKinnon was also a bull in overtime, powering in multiple times and pounding Filip Gustavsson with big shots into his body. That kind of play wears down the opposition. MacKinnon is playing a regular shift with Crosby and Mitch Marner, so this tourney is going to be electric with that level of talent.

Crosby led Canada with three assists in a 4-3 overtime win over Sweden in the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-off on Wednesday.

It was Crosby's night. He was named the Player-of-the-Game as the crowd in the Bell Centre chanted his name. This was one of those never-forget nights for Sid -- the Habs drafted his dad in 1984 (240th), making them Crosby's favorite childhood team. His first assist was a blind backhand spin-a-rama that went cross-crease from the corner to Nathan MacKinnon early in the first frame. The second was a brilliant setup for Mark Stone, and the third was a smart drop pass from the offensive zone into the neutral zone to Mitch Marner, who entered the zone and wired a shot after Crosby was already on the bench. In his last 26 games with Team Canada, Crosby has 10 goals and 29 assists, and Canada has a plus-85 goal differential with him on the team. Pure leadership.

Crosby confirmed he will be in the lineup against Sweden on Wednesday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Crosby was already expected to suit up with Team Canada for Wednesday's 4 Nations Face-Off matchup with Sweden. Prior to suffering his upper-body injury with Pittsburgh, the world-class center racked up five goals and five assists in his previous eight outings and will look to bring that offensive firepower to Canada's lineup.

Helenius was held off the scoresheet for the 10th time in his past 12 AHL outings Tuesday.

Helenius has been something of a mixed bag in his rookie season with Rochester. He enjoyed a four-game goal-scoring streak from Nov. 1-8 and collected six assists across four appearances from Feb. 11-20, but he also went scoreless in seven of eight outings from Nov. 9-27, in addition to his recent slump. Some degree of inconsistency isn't shocking for a young player -- Helenius is still just 18 -- and especially for one transitioning to North American hockey. He previously recorded 14 goals and 36 points in 51 regular-season appearances with Jukurit Mikkeli of Finland's Liiga in 2023-24. It seems fair to believe that Helenius needs more time to develop in the minors, but he has a lot of potential. The Sabres selected him with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Kasper was reassigned to AHL Grand Rapids on Saturday.

Kasper's demotion during the 4 Nations Face-Off is likely just a cap-saving maneuver by the Red Wings. He should be back in a top-six role for the Feb. 22 contest against the Wild.

Shore was placed on waivers Tuesday, per PuckPedia.

Shore has one goal, two assists, 23 shots on net, 24 blocked shots and 47 hits across 34 NHL appearances this season. If the 30-year-old forward clears waivers, he could remain with Minnesota during the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off or head to AHL Iowa for additional playing time. Shore might be in the mix to play in the NHL after the break due to the absences of Ryan Hartman (suspension), Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) and Jakub Lauko (lower body).

Luchanko has garnered 15 goals and 36 points in 27 games with OHL Guelph this season.

Luchanko's goal-scoring touch has improved since he netted 20 goals across 68 games with the Storm in 2023-24. The right-shot center was the 13th overall selection by Philadelphia in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The Flyers are much deeper on the wing than they are up the middle, so Luchanko's development will be critical to the team's potential future success. The 18-year-old did not register a point over four appearances with the Flyers earlier in the campaign.

Konecny (illness) participated in Tuesday's practice with Team Canada after missing Monday's session, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Konecny should play in Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off opener versus Team Sweden on Wednesday. He has 22 goals and 61 points in 57 appearances with Philadelphia this season. Konecny will probably replace Sam Bennett on the fourth line alongside Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel versus the Swedes.

Jenner (shoulder) is expected to return to the lineup after the 4 Nations Face-Off, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports Monday.

Jenner hasn't played yet in 2024-25 after sustaining a shoulder injury late in training camp, but general manager Don Waddell expects the 31-year-old forward to play Feb. 22 against Chicago. Jenner still has to come off injured reserve, and assuming that happens after the break, he will be in the mix for a top-six role and could see time on the power play versus the Blackhawks. Jenner compiled 22 goals, 35 points, 155 shots on net, 74 blocked shots and 119 hits across 58 regular-season appearances in the 2023-24 campaign.

Crosby (upper body) will be in the lineup when Team Canada faces Sweden on Wednesday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

Crosby missed the Penguins' last two games due to his upper-body issue but appears to be ready to play again. With Team Canada, the veteran center is slated to play on the second line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mark Stone while also suiting up with the No. 1 power-play unit. Barring any sort of setback, Crosby should be available for Pittsburgh's meeting with Washington on Feb. 22.