NHL Player News

Balinskis scored a goal and added an assist, both on the power play, in Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over the Bruins.

Both points came early in the second period, as Balinskis tied the game at 2-2 just 30 seconds into the frame before having a hand in a Matthew Tkachuk tally a little over two minutes later. Balinskis has been getting a look on Florida's top power-play unit, and he's taken advantage with two goals and four points over the last four games -- all of it coming with the man advantage.

Lindholm notched two assists in Wednesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Panthers.

The veteran blueliner had a hand in tallies by Michael Eyssimont in the first period and Mark Kastelic in the third to help earn a point for the Bruins. Lindholm is set to represent Team Sweden in the Olympics, and he heads into the tournament with a goal and five points over nine games since returning from an undisclosed injury in mid-January.

Werenski scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Chicago.

Werenski saw his centering attempt early in the first period pinball off Louis Crevier's stick, Alex Vlasic's skate and past Spencer Knight to give Columbus a 1-0 lead, and it proved to be all the support Jet Greaves would need. The goal was also Werenski's 20th of the season, making him the first defenseman in history with 20 goals prior to an Olympic break, per Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch. He's also the third American defenseman ever with consecutive 20-goal campaigns, joining Reed Larson and Hall of Famer Phil Housley. Werenski will now take his talents to Milan with Team USA while riding a seven-game point streak in which he's racked up two goals and 10 points.

Mahura was scratched for the 21st game in a row in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

Even with a hefty January schedule, the Kraken didn't opt to give Mahura a look or two in a rotational capacity. The team's defense has been mostly healthy lately, and Cale Fleury appears to have priority over Mahura whenever an opening occurs. For the season, Mahura has three points, 12 shots on net, 32 blocked shots, 22 hits, 16 PIM and a plus-9 rating across 20 appearances.

Larsson scored a goal and blocked five shots in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

Larsson has a goal and three assists over his last five games. The 33-year-old blueliner doesn't offer a ton of offense, so it would be surprising if this uptick carries over after the Olympic break. Larsson is at a total of five goals, 15 points, 60 shots on net, 75 hits, 123 blocked shots, 32 PIM and a plus-3 rating through 56 appearances this season.

Dunn scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

Dunn has gotten on the scoresheet in three straight games with a goal and two assists in that span. He's cooled off after a hot first half of January, but he's still seeing big minutes in a top-pairing role and on the power play. Dunn is up to eight goals, 34 points, 119 shots on net, 58 blocked shots and a minus-17 rating across 55 appearances this season. He's just five points shy of matching his total from 62 outings in 2024-25, and he already has a career-best 19 power-play points on his ledger.

Myers has not recorded a point in his last 21 games after being held off the scoresheet in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

That period spans the schedule between the holiday break and the Olympic break. Myers went minus-15 with 34 shots on net, 22 hits, 21 blocked shots and 12 PIM over those games. For the season, he's at just eight points with 71 shots, 91 blocks, 65 hits, 40 PIM and a minus-25 rating through 57 appearances. Myers' non-scoring production is fine, but he's on pace for the worst season of his career in which he's played at least 50 games.

Joseph scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

Joseph has a goal and an assist over his last three games. The defenseman is seeing steady bottom-four usage in the absence of Zeev Buium (face). If Buium isn't ready to return following the Olympic break, expect Joseph to stick in the lineup a bit longer, but he'll likely slip back into a part-time role once the Canucks are fully healthy. Joseph has a goal, three assists, 17 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and a minus-12 rating through 21 appearances this season.

Pettersson scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and blocked three shots in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

Pettersson ended a seven-game point drought with the tally. The 21-year-old defenseman has seen steady usage during this latest NHL stint, but the offense hasn't followed yet. He's at two goals, eight points, 26 shots on net, 85 hits, 57 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating over 47 appearances. He was not shipped down to the AHL following this contest, so it's possible Pettersson will remain with the big club and rest during the Olympic break.

Lauzon recorded an assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots, five hits and two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

Lauzon snapped an eight-game slump with the helper. The 28-year-old defenseman continues to fill in on the Golden Knights' top pairing alongside Shea Theodore. Lauzon will likely keep that role until Brayden McNabb (upper body) returns after the Olympic break. Lauzon is at nine helpers, 42 shots on net, 157 hits, 68 blocked shots, 50 PIM and a plus-3 rating across 42 appearances this season, so his fantasy upside is limited in most formats.