NHL Player News
-
Brandon Hagel LW | TB
Lightning's Brandon Hagel: Tied for second in team scoring
Hagel set up both Lightning goals in a 4-2 loss to the Stars on Saturday.
Hagel and Anthony Cirelli, who got both snipes, have real chemistry. The 26-year-old Hagel has nine goals, 12 assists and 50 shots in 19 games this season, and both men are tied for second in team scoring with 22 points. Hagel's next goal will be his 100th in the NHL.
-
Callahan Burke C | LV
Golden Knights' Callahan Burke: Pots first in NHL
Burke scored a goal on four shots and had one block in Saturday's 6-2 win over Montreal.
Burke, who was called up from AHL Henderson earlier this week, skated on the fourth line, which contributed a pair of goals in the win. He potted his first NHL tally as part of Vegas' five-goal second period, finding an open area in the slot and burying a one-timer past Sam Montembeault. Burke was added to the roster after the Golden Knights placed Mark Stone (lower body) on injured reserve.
-
Andrei Vasilevskiy G | TB
Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy: Tough third period leads to loss
Vasilevskiy made 24 saves in a 4-2 loss to the Stars on Saturday.
The game was knotted 2-2 until the 6:55 mark of the third, but the Stars got two in 58 seconds on two separate rushes, and they never looked back. Vasilevskiy came into the match on a three-game winning streak, but even the best can't win them all. The Bolts have four games next week with three against strong teams (Avs, Caps, Preds and Leafs). It'll be a good test for Vasilevskiy, who has been one of the NHL's best goalies this season.
-
Pyotr Kochetkov G | CAR
Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: Injured in overtime
Kochetkov (upper body) sustained an injury during overtime versus the Blue Jackets on Saturday, and there was no update on his status after the contest, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Kochetkov looked to take a blow to the head, per Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports. Prior to the injury, Kochetkov allowed four goals on 31 shots. With the Hurricanes already missing Frederik Andersen (knee) into late January in a best-case scenario, this could develop into a crease crisis for the team. Spencer Martin is likely to take over as the starter during Kochetkov's absence, and Yaniv Perets would be in line for a call-up, but it wouldn't be surprising for Carolina to attempt to make a trade if there's bad news about Kochetkov's recovery timeline.
-
Anthony Cirelli C | TB
Lightning's Anthony Cirelli: Goal streak now at five games
Cirelli scored twice and had eight shots Saturday in a 4-2 loss to the Stars.
Both goals were off rebounds from in tight. Cirelli is on a five-game goal streak (six goals, two assists), and he has eight goals and 13 assists in 19 games this season. He has been underestimated since his junior days and proving to all that he's more than a shutdown pivot. Cirelli is almost halfway to his career-high 45 points, which he set last season in 79 games. He has also stepped up his game at the circle this season, and he's on his way to his first 600 faceoff win season.
-
Tomas Hertl C | LV
Golden Knights' Tomas Hertl: Opens scoring in win
Hertl scored a goal on three shots, adding two blocks and one hit to his line in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Canadiens.
Hertl was wide open after several Montreal defenders bit on a pump fake by Brayden McNabb, who fed Hertl for the game's first goal. It looked like Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault was screened and couldn't see McNabb's pass. The tally was Hertl's eighth to go along with nine assists, 45 shots and two PIM through 21 outings.
-
Dylan Samberg D | WPG
Jets' Dylan Samberg: Suffers foot fracture
Samberg suffered a broken foot Saturday versus the Predators and will return to Winnipeg for further evaluation, Jim Toth of TSN 1290 Winnipeg reports.
A timeline for Samberg's recovery hasn't been established, but given the nature of the injury, he will likely be out multiple weeks. Ville Heinola (ankle) is expected to be back with the Jets for Monday's game versus the Wild after completing a conditioning stint, and he may draw right into the lineup to replace Samberg.
-
Adin Hill G | LV
Golden Knights' Adin Hill: Coasts to win
Hill stopped 15 of 17 shots in Saturday's 6-2 win over Montreal.
The two teams played to a scoreless tie after one period, but Vegas broke it open in the second with five goals. The second period has been the Golden Knights' worst; they entered tied for 23rd with 17 second-period tallies and had been outscored 23 to 17. To that point in the game, Hill was coasting, having faced just eight shots. The Canadiens came out with energy in the third and put a couple past the goalie, but Vegas was never threatened. The win was Hill's third in the last four starts and ninth of the season. Vegas continues its road trip Monday in Philadelphia.
-
Evan Bouchard D | EDM
Oilers' Evan Bouchard: Expected to play
Bouchard (undisclosed) took line rushes in his usual top-pairing spot, indicating he'll play Saturday versus the Rangers, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.
Bouchard was "50-50" to play after missing the morning skate, but he is poised to be in the lineup against the Rangers. He should be able to take on his usual top-four role and see power-play time, while Travis Dermott is projected to be the healthy scratch.
-
Kevin Rooney C | CGY
Flames' Kevin Rooney: Rare goal in shootout victoy
Rooney scored a goal in a 4-3 shootout win over the Wild on Saturday.
Rooney put the Flames up 1-0 at the 15:00 mark of the first period with a great tip over Filip Gustavsson's right pad. The 31-year-old Rooney has two goals in 13 games this season in a fourth-line role. He has played 273 NHL games for the Devils, Rangers and Flames over nine seasons. He has no fantasy merit, but he's living his dream.