NHL Player News

Byram held a plus-2 rating and recorded one shot on goal in 24:59 of ice time in Monday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canadiens.

Byram's streak of futility has reached five games, and there are some concerns that perhaps the 23-year-old, who's never appeared in more than the 59 NHL games he has this season, could be wearing down. However, Byram has still usually been contributing positively to games, like Monday when he was a plus-2, and no point drought of his has lasted longer than five games this season. Still playing on the left side of Rasmus Dahlin and on the power play, expect his slump to end soon.

Hamonic registered one shot on goal and two hits in 11:35 of ice time during Monday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Capitals.

Hamonic threw his 6-foot frame around Monday, registering the only two hits that came from Ottawa's defensive corps. However, the 34-year-old has yet to record a point since a lower-body injury kept him out for most of January, and he has just three points in 49 games this year. With Ottawa's defensive minutes distribution leaving little for the third pair consisting of Hamonic and Nikolas Matinpalo, the potential for much fantasy value is not there.

Hutson pocketed two power-play assists in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Sabres.

Both points came in the first period as Montreal surged to a 3-0 lead that the team nearly squandered. Hutson has gotten onto the scoresheet in five straight games since play resumed following the 4 Nations Face-Off, and the 21-year-old blueliner continues to build on a breakout rookie campaign that has seen him amass four goals and 48 points through 61 appearances.

Matheson scored the game-winning goal in overtime and added a shorthanded assist in Monday's 4-3 victory over Buffalo.

His shot from the top of the faceoff circle 81 seconds into OT handcuffed James Reimer and gave the Habs their fifth straight win. It was Matheson's first GWG of the season and his first multi-point performance since Jan. 14. Although the 31-year-old has ceded his spot as the top offensive threat on the Montreal blue line to Lane Hutson, Matheson is still on track for a solid season -- he has five goals and 28 points through 59 appearances.

Samberg (personal) will not be available for Tuesday's road meeting with the Islanders, according to John Lu of TSN.

Head coach Scott Arniel noted that Samberg will rejoin the team ahead of Thursday's game against the Flyers. Haydn Fleury will replace Samberg in the lineup Tuesday and skate on the third pairing next to Colin Miller.

Ekblad registered a power-play assist, had two PIM, and provided three hits in Monday's 2-1 win against Tampa Bay.

Ekblad notched a secondary helper on Aleksander Barkov's go-ahead goal in the second period. The 29-year-old Ekblad is up to 28 assists, 31 points, 105 shots on goal and 88 hits in 54 games this season. With the recent acquisition of blueliner Seth Jones from Chicago, Ekblad gained some sizable competition for ice time with Florida's first power-play unit. Ekblad's assist Monday helps bolster his resume on the power play, where he has 10 of his 28 helpers this season. Jones joins the Panthers with 15 power-play points, but it seems as if Florida is placing its trust in the 11-year Panthers veteran Ekblad for the time being. While Ekblad is on the first-power play unit, he has decent value in standard fantasy formats.

Sanderson notched three assists, two on the power play, in Monday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Capitals.

It's Sanderson's third multi-point performance in the last 10 games, a stretch in which the blueliner has amassed four goals and 13 points. Sanderson is up to 40 points on the season -- a new career high -- in 59 appearances, and his 24 power-play points (four goals, 20 helpers) is second in the NHL among defensemen, behind only Cale Makar's 28.

Gudbranson (shoulder) is not expected back until sometime in April, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports Tuesday.

Gudbranson has started skating, but his shoulder needs time to heal fully after surgery back in October. At this point, the defenseman might not even play in 10 regular-season contests this year and will be hoping his teammates can hold onto at least a wild-card spot and make the postseason.

Thompson scored a goal in Monday's 3-2 shootout win over the Maple Leafs.

Thompson scored a goal for the first time since Nov. 11, and the Sharks have won two of the three games in which he's found the back of the net this season. That said, he has only six points in 22 games and is unlikely to play a significant role going forward, nor does he have a lot of fantasy upside, due to his role in the lineup.

Kulak is dealing with an illness and did not skate Monday, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.

Edmonton recalled Cam Dineen from AHL Bakersfield on an emergency basis Monday, so Kulak's availability for Tuesday's game against the Ducks is in question. Kulak has yet to miss a game this season. If the left-shot blueliner can't suit up Tuesday, Troy Stecher or Dineen will fill his spot in the lineup.