NHL Player News

Ritchie logged a power-play assist in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Canadiens.

A lower-body injury cost Ritchie six of the Islanders' last seven games before the Olympic break, though he was able to return before the pause. The 21-year-old is currently handling middle-six minutes with power-play time for the Islanders. He's at 16 points, 51 shots on net, 23 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating over 42 appearances, so his value in dynasty formats is higher than in redraft leagues.

Pageau scored the game-winning goal and added three shots on net and five hits in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Canadiens.

Pageau came up clutch at 1:46 of overtime to give the Islanders a win in a game they failed to lead at any point in regulation. The third-line center had four goals and an assist over the last four games of January before going cold to start February. He can provide bursts of offense and steady all-around production, making him a decent streaming forward. Pageau has 13 goals, 25 points, 54 shots on net, 78 hits and 43 blocked shots over 51 outings this season.

Lee scored a goal on four shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Canadiens.

Lee's tally at 18:19 of the third period tied the game at 3-3. He snapped a 10-game goal drought in the process. The 35-year-old winger has had a couple of good stretches this season, but it's been mostly spotty production for him overall. He's at 12 goals, 32 points, 144 shots on net, 56 hits, 29 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 59 appearances.

Cotter scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Penguins.

Cotter went 23 games without a point after scoring in three straight contests in mid-December. The 26-year-old has maintained a bottom-six role for the Devils despite his struggles. He has just 11 points, 49 shots on net, 155 hits and a minus-14 rating over 56 outings this season, giving him minimal appeal in most fantasy formats.

Letang logged a power-play assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and two PIM in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Devils.

Letang ended up missing just four games due to a foot fracture, thanks to the Olympic break. The defenseman is back in a top-four role with power-play minutes. He's earned three goals, 23 assists, 83 shots on net, 67 hits, 66 blocked shots, 24 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 51 appearances this season.

Clifton scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and logged seven hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Devils.

Clifton snapped a four-game slump with the tally. The 30-year-old defenseman has been in a part-time role for much of the season, limiting him to four points, 20 shots on net, 114 hits, 42 blocked shots, 31 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 27 appearances. Clifton appears to be preferred over Ilya Solovyov and Ryan Graves while Jack St. Ivany (hand) is out until late March.

Lizotte scored a shorthanded empty-net goal on two shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Devils.

Lizotte was out for the Penguins' last game before the Olympic break while awaiting the birth of his first child. The new dad had to wait a while to get back into game action, but he was able to contribute a goal in his return. The 28-year-old forward has seven goals, 18 points, 44 shots on net, 42 hits, 26 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating over 47 appearances this season while playing in a bottom-six role.

Chinakhov scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Devils.

Chinakhov welcomed his daughter into the world Wednesday and got the customary new-dad goal a day later. The 25-year-old winger has scored six goals and added three assists over his last nine games. He's up to 19 points in 48 outings this season, including 13 points in 19 games since he was traded to Pittsburgh from Columbus. Chinakhov has fit well with Thomas Novak and Evgeni Malkin, a trio that will be leaned on for offense in the absence of Sidney Crosby (lower body).

Novak scored a power-play goal on two shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Devils.

Novak has a four-game point streak to start February, earning three goals and an assist in that span. The Penguins are likely to take a balanced approach to distributing ice time while Sidney Crosby (lower body) is out for at least four weeks. Novak got top billing on the lineup sheet Thursday, but look for Ben Kindel to also see a boost in ice time. Novak has 12 goals, 20 helpers, 87 shots on net and a plus-3 rating over 57 appearances this season.

Tarasov is slated to be between the home pipes versus Buffalo on Friday.

Tarasov suffered a lower-body injury in his last start, prior to the Olympic break Feb. 5, but was deemed healthy enough to return a week ago. He backed up Sergei Bobrovsky on Thursday. Tarasov enters the Buffalo game with an 8-8-2 record, a 2.83 GAA and an .899 save percentage in 19 appearances this season. The Sabres are ninth in scoring, averaging 3.34 goals per contest.