NHL Player News

Barzal had a minor procedure done on his kneecap Thursday and could be out for about six weeks, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports Saturday.

Barzal has six goals and 20 points in 30 appearances during the 2024-25 campaign. According to the Islanders, the 27-year-old forward is on injured reserve and out indefinitely. Anthony Duclair has been playing on the top line and the first power-play unit due to Barzal's absence.

Kozak (illness) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Kozak will presumably return from a two-game absence in Saturday's matchup against Nashville. He has generated one goal, six shots on net, 16 blocked shots and 11 hits in 11 NHL appearances this season. Kozak could replace Beck Malenstyn (back) in Saturday's lineup.

Lavoie was recalled from AHL Henderson on Saturday, per SinBin Vegas.

Vegas returned Alexander Holtz to the minors in a corresponding move. Lavoie hasn't earned a point in three NHL outings this season while posting four shots on goal and seven hits. He will skate on the second line in Saturday's game against Boston.

Namestnikov generated an assist and went plus-1 Friday in a 4-3 win over the Islanders.

Namestnikov produced the secondary helper on Nikolaj Ehlers' 17th goal of 2024-25 late in the middle frame. Namestnikov has delivered a goal and five helpers during his four-game point streak and has gotten on the scoresheet in six of his last eight outings. The veteran forward is up to 10 goals, 19 helpers and a plus-18 rating through 52 appearances this campaign. Namestnikov is on track for his best season since 2017-18 when he accumulated 22 goals and 48 points over 81 regular-season games between the Lightning and Rangers.

Kostin (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.

Kostin was last in the lineup against Utah on Jan. 10. He has a goal, four points, 25 PIM and 82 hits in 26 appearances in 2024-25. Kostin will probably serve in a fourth-line capacity Saturday versus Dallas, and Carl Grundstrom might be a healthy scratch.

Perfetti banked an even-strength assist and went plus-1 in Friday's 4-3 win over the Islanders.

Perfetti had a highlight-reel-worthy assist in the middle frame when he dished a no-look pass from behind the net right onto the tape of Nikolaj Ehlers, who had an empty net to shoot at for his 17th goal of 2024-25. Perfetti is riding a five-game point streak, earning one goal and five helpers. The 23-year-old has contributed 11 goals, 34 points and a plus-15 rating through 56 appearances while slotting in on the second line and No. 2 power-play unit. Perfetti is only four points away from matching his career high, which he set in 71 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.

Gatcomb found the back of the net on his only shot in 8:19 of ice time Friday in a 4-3 loss to Winnipeg.

Gatcomb gave the Isles a 2-1 lead in the opening frame, but Winnipeg would storm back in the second period. The right-shot forward has scored three goals over his last five games and has added some physicality to New York's bottom six. While he's been able to chip in a few goals, he hasn't produced an assist over his first 11 NHL games. The 25-year-old could earn his first career helper Saturday against the Wild.

Palmieri scored a goal on three shots in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Jets.

Palmieri has three goals over his last five games. Prior to that stretch, he had gone 14 contests without a goal, picking up seven assists in that span. The 34-year-old winger hasn't put it altogether recently, but he's maintaining a top-six role. He's at 15 goals, 20 helpers, 97 shots on net and a minus-6 rating through 54 appearances this season.

Scheifele registered two assists and two hits in Friday's 4-3 win over the Islanders.

Scheifele has four multi-point efforts over his last six contests, earning four goals and five helpers in that span. The 31-year-old center continues to impress -- he's up to 31 goals and 32 helpers this season. He's topped the 40-goal and 40-assist marks before in his career, but never in the same campaign. Scheifele has added 123 shots on net, 44 hits, 44 blocked shots, 41 PIM and a plus-5 rating through 56 appearances.

Vilardi scored two goals on seven shots in Friday's 4-3 win over the Islanders.

Vilardi had been held off the scoresheet for three games following a four-game stretch in which he racked up eight points. The streaky play is mildly concerning, but the 25-year-old has been more good than bad in a top-line role this season. He's up to a career-high 24 goals and 51 points, and he's added 106 shots on net, 22 power-play points and a plus-5 rating over 56 appearances. Vilardi also has earned at least five game-winning goals in each of the last three seasons.