NHL Player News

Theodore logged an assist in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Wild.

Theodore missed 14 NHL games as well as three contests during the 4 Nations Face-Off following an arm injury in the tournament opener. He's back now, and he'll help the Golden Knights get by without Alex Pietrangelo (lower body), who was out Tuesday and could miss the last two games of this road trip. Theodore should be activated in all fantasy formats, as he'll see power-play time and top-four minutes while providing a significant boost of offense from the blue line. With his helper Tuesday, he's at 49 points with 111 shots on net, 69 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating over 56 appearances. He needs three more points to match his career-best 52 from the 2021-22 campaign, a mark he achieved in 78 outings that year.

Hanifin recorded two assists and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Wild.

Hanifin's role ultimately didn't change much with the return of Shea Theodore (arm), but that was because Alex Pietrangelo (lower body) was out. The 28-year-old Hanifin set up Brett Howden's game-winning tally in the second period and Jack Eichel's power-play goal in the third. This gave Hanifin five helpers over his last four games. The defenseman is up to 37 points, 129 shots on net, 94 blocked shots and a plus-8 rating through 71 appearances. He's on pace to reach the 40-point mark for the third time in four years.

Pietrangelo (lower body) may not play during the Golden Knights' road trip, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Pietrangelo's injury is not believed to be long term, but there's some doubt about his availability for the next two games at a minimum. The Golden Knights will be at Chicago on Friday and at Nashville on Saturday. Fantasy managers should have a backup plan in place in the seemingly likely event Pietrangelo is sidelined for one or both of those games.

Cernak (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Penguins.

Cernak was hurt in the first period, though he was able to pick up an assist prior to his exit. He also had two hits and two blocked shots. The Lightning dressed seven defensemen Tuesday, so if Cernak misses any time, Darren Raddysh and Nick Perbix will be able to stay in the lineup and forward Mitchell Chaffee would probably check back in for Thursday's game against Utah.

Crotty was reassigned to AHL Iowa on Tuesday.

Jonas Brodin was able to play Tuesday versus the Golden Knights, so Crotty was not needed to be in the lineup. He could be called up again if the Wild have future injury concerns on the blue line.

McAvoy (shoulder) returned to practice Tuesday.

Interim head coach Joe Sacco said "It's good for the morale of the team to have him around...He's progressing the way he should be right now. He's not pushing himself any more than he has to. When he's available he'll be in the lineup. When he's ready." This suggests that McAvoy at least has a chance to return prior to the end of the season. The Bruins were six points out of a playoff spot at the start of play Tuesday, so it's unlikely they'll be making the postseason. However, fantasy managers who have McAvoy on injured reserve may want to hold on a little longer to see if he can contribute late in the season.

Pietrangelo (lower body) won't play Tuesday versus the Wild.

Pietrangelo logged 25:03 of ice time Sunday versus the Lightning, earning two assists in a 4-2 win. The 35-year-old's absence will be offset by Shea Theodore's return from an arm injury, though this should also allow Kaedan Korczak to remain in the lineup. Pietrangelo's next chance to play is Friday in Chicago, which is the first game of a back-to-back set.

Chisholm (lower body) won't play versus Vegas on Tuesday, according to Jessi Pierce of NHL.com.

Chisholm is day-to-day and will miss at least one game after getting injured in Monday's 3-0 loss to Dallas. He has registered two goals, 12 points, 61 shots on net, 66 blocked shots and 29 hits in 61 appearances this season. Jonas Brodin (lower body) will replace Chisholm in Tuesday's lineup.

Brodin (lower body) is set to play Tuesday versus the Golden Knights, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

This appears to all be part of the plan for Brodin's return to action. He came back from a lower-body injury initially to play Saturday versus the Sabres, but with a crowded schedule, the Wild opted to rest Brodin on Monday against the Stars for the first half of a back-to-back. He's now back in action, while Declan Chisholm (lower body) won't be in the lineup.

Jensen (lower body) will play against Buffalo on Tuesday, per TSN 1200 Ottawa.

Jensen will return to a second-pairing role after missing the last four games. He has compiled three goals, 19 points, 66 shots on net, 74 blocked shots and 47 hits in 60 appearances this season. Jensen will replace Nikolas Matinpalo in Tuesday's lineup.