NHL Player News

Parayko netted a goal on four shots and added one hit, three blocked shots and a plus-1 rating in a team-high 25:35 of ice time in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Calgary.

Parayko potted his ninth goal of the season to open the scoring just under a minute into Tuesday's contest. This was his second straight game with a goal, and through six outings in January, Parayko has registered three markers, one helper and a plus-3 rating. The right-shot blueliner is up to nine tallies and 25 points while averaging 24:26 of ice time in 2024-25. Parayko is on pace to set new career highs in goals and points in his 10th NHL campaign.

Werenski scored two goals in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Flyers.

Both tallies were impressive, and both of them tied the score for the Blue Jackets. Werenski stole the puck at his own blue line midway through the first period and beat Ivan Fedotov on a breakaway before ripping home a one-timer on a slick feed from Kirill Marchenko late in the third. The 27-year-old Werenski has stayed healthy this season and is having a breakout campaign under new head coach Dean Evason, and he seems to be getting stronger. Werenski has produced six multi-point performances in the last 10 games, a stretch in which he's erupted for four goals and 18 points with 54 shots on net, 17 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating.

Larsson collected two assists in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Penguins.

Both helpers came in the third period as the Kraken rallied from a 2-1 deficit. It was Larsson's first multi-point performance since he erupted for three assists Dec. 5 against the Islanders. However, in between those efforts, the veteran blueliner managed just two points (one goal and one assist) in 17 contests with 32 blocked shots, 19 hits, 16 shots on net and a minus-6 rating.

Girard (upper body) is questionable for Thursday's tilt against Edmonton, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Girard has missed Colorado's past three games and is day-to-day. He has two goals and 18 points in 42 outings in 2024-25. If he does play versus the Oilers, then Calvin de Haan might be a healthy scratch.

Rifai was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Wednesday.

Rifai hasn't appeared in a game for the Maple Leafs yet in 2024-25, but he has been up with the NHL squad on occasion to provide depth. He has two goals, four points and 24 PIM in 26 appearances in the AHL this season.

Samuelsson (illness) will be a game-time decision Wednesday versus Carolina, per Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.

Samuelsson missed Buffalo's previous two games due to the illness. He did practice Monday, but it seems he's still not a sure thing to return. He has two goals, five points, 43 hits and 34 blocks in 26 outings in 2024-25. If Samuelsson is ready to play, then Jacob Bryson might be a healthy scratch.

Carlson scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Ducks.

Carlson had gone 21 games without a goal, racking up 12 assists and 42 shots on net in that span. He put the Capitals ahead 2-0 in the first period of this contest. The 35-year-old defenseman remains stable in a top-pairing role, earning 28 points, 97 shots on net, 80 blocked shots and a plus-17 role through 44 games this season. Carlson's no longer among the elite scorers on the blue line, but he does plenty to help a fantasy team.

Rutta scored a goal and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Red Wings.

Rutta opened the scoring just 1:45 into the contest. The 34-year-old defenseman has been moderately productive with four points, 20 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over his last 12 outings. Rutta isn't one to have lengthy scoring surges -- he's at seven points, 48 shots on net, 69 blocked shots, 33 hits and 26 PIM through 46 appearances this season. The blueliner is likely to remain in a bottom-four role.

Ferraro scored an empty-net goal, added two PIM and went minus-2 in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Red Wings.

Ferraro has two goals over six outings in January after failing to record a point in December. Offense is never a priority for Ferraro, who sees top-four minutes as a physical defenseman. He has eight points, 44 shots on net, 103 hits, 64 blocked shots, 30 PIM and a minus-21 rating through 46 appearances this season.

Smith has been scratched for 11 of the Stars' last 12 contests after sitting out Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Smith appears to be on the outside looking in with the Stars' blue line at full health. The 35-year-old defenseman could offer a challenge to Matt Dumba or Nils Lundkvist, but Smith has been middling at best in 2024-25 with three assists, a minus-3 rating, 20 PIM, 19 hits and 13 blocked shots over 16 appearances. Smith is not even guaranteed to be the first blueliner to jump into the lineup, as Dallas has often called up prospect Lian Bichsel to cover injury or illness absences on defense.