NHL Player News

Ekblad scored a goal and added a power-play assist in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Sharks.

Ekblad had missed eight of the last nine games due to an upper-body injury. He was able to ease back in Saturday, playing 18:50 in the blowout win. The defenseman resumed his roles on the first pairing and the power play. He had been held off the scoresheet in his last six outings, so fantasy managers will be optimistic to see him scoring right out the gate from his return. Ekblad has three goals, 22 points, 77 shots on net, 59 hits, 56 blocked shots, 39 PIM and a plus-5 rating over 43 appearances.

McIlrath was scratched for 15th consecutive game Saturday versus the Canucks.

McIlrath and Alexander Alexeyev are in the same boat, as neither has received much playing time while the Capitals' defense has enjoyed good health over the last couple of month. McIlrath last played Dec. 23 against the Bruins, seeing just 1:45 of ice time as a seventh blueliner. He has two assists, 23 hits, 14 PIM and seven blocked shots through 11 appearances in 2024-25.

Hronek notched two assists, two hits and two blocked shots in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Capitals.

This was Hronek's first multi-point effort in six games since he returned from a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old defenseman was back on the top pairing Saturday after ceding that spot to Mark Friedman for Thursday's game in Edmonton. Hronek is up to 13 points, 34 shots on net, 43 hits, 30 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating over 27 appearances. He doesn't have the scoring upside of defensive partner Quinn Hughes, but Hronek provides a bit of physicality while playing massive minutes.

Hughes scored two goals in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Capitals.

Hughes tallied once in each of the first two periods, giving Kevin Lankinen enough support to get the win. During his current five-game point streak, Hughes has five goals and two assists. He's logged multiple points in four of 10 outings in January, and the star defenseman is up to 14 tallies, 54 points, 130 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating through 44 appearances.

Shea had two shots on goal over 15:42 of ice time in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Kraken.

Shea had been scratched for the first 11 games of January, but he checked in for Pierre-Olivier Joseph in this contest. It wasn't a performance that would turn heads, so Shea may be back to the press box shortly. The 27-year-old has managed two assists, a minus-6 rating, 10 shots on net and 27 blocked shots through 21 outings this season. Shea, Joseph and Ryan Graves are in the mix for third-pairing minutes.

Bryson recorded an assist in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Oilers.

Bryson had gone seven games without a point and also missed six contests (two due to illness, four as a healthy scratch) in that span. He's been in a part-time role all season and typically plays on the third pairing when in the lineup. The 27-year-old blueliner has four assists, nine shots on net, 10 PIM and 33 blocked shots over 28 contests. A limited role and minimal offense combine to make Bryson a non-factor in fantasy.

Power notched an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Oilers.

Power has struggled with just three points and a minus-4 rating over 11 appearances in January. The 22-year-old defenseman has 25 points, 86 shots on net, 75 blocked shots and a minus-11 rating through 49 outings overall. He's still on pace for a career year and is unlikely to lose his spots on the second pairing or second power-play unit, but he'll be tough to roster in fantasy if his offense doesn't get back on track.

Peeke provided an assist, three hits and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Avalanche.

Peeke has a goal and five assists over his last 10 outings. It's one of his best stretches on offense in his career, let alone this season, and it comes with him filling a larger role while Charlie McAvoy (upper body) and Hampus Lindholm (lower body) are on the shelf. Peeke has 12 points, 42 shots on net, 48 hits, 75 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating through 45 outings this season. He's not getting power-play time, but Peeke could help fill out a fantasy blue line in formats that reward the physical aspects of his game.

Chatfield notched an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.

Chatfield ended a nine-game point drought with the helper on a Sebastian Aho tally in the first period. While Chatfield has just two points over 13 contests in January, he's also posted a plus-8 rating and 17 hits in that span. The 28-year-old has held down a top-four role this season, earning 11 points, 72 shots on net, a plus-20 rating, 45 hits and 43 blocked shots over 50 appearances in a shutdown role.

Orlov notched an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.

Orlov's strong January continues -- he has six helpers and a plus-3 rating over 13 appearances. The 33-year-old defenseman is doing well in a top-four role, though his responsibility lies in his own zone first. Orlov has still produced offense at a good rate this season with 23 points, 79 shots on net and a plus-19 rating through 50 outings overall, and he's added 68 hits and 38 blocked shots.