NHL Player News

Burns logged an assist and four shots on goal in Friday's 4-2 win over the Red Wings.

Burns has managed two points, a plus-1 rating, 13 shots on net and 11 blocked shots over seven contests in March. The 40-year-old defenseman continues to handle a top-four role, and his ice time has held steady since the start of February. He's up to 23 points, 155 shots on net, 90 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 66 appearances.

Smith logged 15:17 of ice time in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Jets.

Smith had been scratched for the previous four games, but he was needed in place of Lian Bichsel (illness) in Friday's contest. The 36-year-old Smith has had trouble seeing anything more than part-time usage in 2024-25. He's at four assists, a minus-9 rating, 23 shots on net, 31 PIM, 36 hits and 20 blocked shots through 28 appearances in his first year with the Stars, and he'll likely head back to the press box when Bichsel is ready to play again.

DeMelo notched an assist, two shots on goal, four hits and two blocked shots in Friday's 4-1 win over the Stars.

DeMelo has three helpers over his last nine contests, and he has gone plus-2 in that span. The 31-year-old provides some balance on the top pairing, taking on a shutdown role that allows Josh Morrissey to shine on offense. DeMelo has still had a decent year in that role, earning 16 points, a plus-27 rating, 61 shots on net, 113 hits and 96 blocked shots across 67 appearances, but that's well behind his 31-point career year from 2023-24.

Samberg scored a goal on three shots, added two hits and blocked three shots in Friday's 4-1 win over the Stars.

Samberg scored for the first time since Feb. 1. The 26-year-old has a decent five points, along with a plus-10 rating and 30 blocked shots, over his last 13 contests as he continues to handle top-four minutes in a shutdown role. He's up to five goals, 10 helpers, 68 shots on net, 86 blocks, 43 hits and a plus-29 rating through 45 appearances.

Perunovich was scratched for the eighth straight game in Friday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Oilers.

Perunovich played nine straight games and earned three assists after being traded to the Islanders from the Blues in late January. However, the Islanders' defense corps has gotten healthier since then -- only Adam Boqvist (upper body) is currently dealing with an injury. That still leaves eight healthy blueliners available, and it appears Perunovich is on the bottom rung of the ladder, with Scott Mayfield getting the first chance to replace Boqvist. Perunovich has nine points, 18 shots on net, 33 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in 33 appearances this season. There's no guarantee he will play regularly down the final stretch.

Fox (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Following an eight-game absence, Fox will likely return to the lineup against Columbus on Saturday. He will probably skate on the top pairing and see time with the first power-play combination. The 27-year-old defender has accounted for five goals, 48 points, 100 shots on net, 83 blocked shots and 33 hits through 58 appearances this season. With Fox poised to play, Carson Soucy might be a healthy scratch versus the Blue Jackets.

Chatfield tallied a goal and registered four shots on net in Friday's 4-2 win against the Red Wings.

Chatfield's goal was the third of three tallies in the second period, which would be enough to hold on for the win. The 28-year-old blueliner has earned six goals, 16 points and 96 shots on net in 66 games this season. Chatfield has points in back-to-back games for the first time this campaign and has performed well alongside Shayne Gostisbehere. Chatfield is six points shy of tying his career high in points, but he will need to produce more consistently to be a strong option in fantasy. However, his steady improvement on the ice makes him a name to watch ahead of next season.

Bryson (upper body) will play versus the Golden Knights on Saturday, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

Bryson won't miss any playing time despite suffering an injury in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to Detroit. He has provided six assists, 16 shots on goal, 46 blocked shots and nine hits across 40 appearances this season.

Hamonic (lower body) will return to the lineup Saturday in Toronto, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Hamonic missed three games with the injury. The 34-year-old veteran has a paltry three assists in 51 games this season. He will replace Nick Jensen in the lineup.

Fox (upper body) participated in the morning skate and could return to the lineup against Columbus on Saturday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Fox skated without limitations in the morning skate and worked on the top power-play unit, indicating he could return from an eight-game absence against the Blue Jackets. Fox has five goals and 48 points in 58 games this season.