NHL Player News
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Alexei Protas C | WAS
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas: Tips in game-winner
Protas scored a goal in Thursday's 4-0 win over Toronto.
Protas put the Caps up 1-0 in the first period with a tip-in. It was his 11th goal of the season, and it stood as the game-winner. The big man has 21 points and a remarkable plus-22 rating in 34 games. Protas is on a 50-point pace, but a few multi-point outings could get him back closer to last season's 66 points. His last multi-point effort came almost two months ago when he put up two helpers against Seattle on Oct. 21.
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Jack Nesbitt C | PHI
Flyers' Jack Nesbitt: One of each Thursday
Nesbitt scored a goal and added an assist in OHL Windsor's 6-2 win over Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday.
This was Nesbitt's first multi-point effort since his five-point game Nov. 8. The Flyers prospect is up to 10 goals and 16 helpers through 25 appearances, putting him just over a point-per-game pace. His offense hasn't exploded this year, but he is showing decent consistency in his first campaign since being drafted 12th overall back in June.
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Logan Thompson G | WAS
Capitals' Logan Thompson: Second shutout of season
Thompson made 22 saves in a 4-0 win over Toronto on Thursday.
It was his eighth career shutout and second of the season. Thompson is 2-1-2 with two shutouts in his last five games and is 14-7-3 with a smooth 2.00 GAA and .925 save percentage on the season. He is quickly becoming a lead candidate for Team Canada at the Olympics, despite being overlooked for the 4 Nations Face-Off last season.
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Mateo Nobert C | LV
Golden Knights' Mateo Nobert: Earns three points Thursday
Nobert scored twice and added an assist in QMJHL Blainville-Boisbriand's 5-1 win over Rouyn-Noranda on Thursday.
Nobert had been limited to three points over five games since his five-point burst Nov. 29. The Golden Knights prospect is up to 15 goals and 39 points over 29 appearances this season. Nobert ranks tied for 10th in the QMJHL in points and should continue to pile up points as he looks to surpass his total of 67 from 57 regular-season contests last year.
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Conor Timmins D | BUF
Sabres' Conor Timmins: Suffers broken leg
Timmins suffered a broken left leg in Thursday's game versus the Flyers, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports. The defenseman will be sidelined at least 6-8 weeks.
Given the timeline of the injury, it's possible Timmins will be out through the Olympic break. The blueliner could also end up on injured reserve to open a roster spot. Jacob Bryson will likely get the first chance to step into the lineup, but a few players may rotate through on the third pairing during Timmins' absence.
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Anthony Cirelli C | TB
Lightning's Anthony Cirelli: Sustains injury Thursday
Cirelli (undisclosed) was hurt in the third period of Thursday's game versus the Kings, and head coach Jon Cooper didn't have an update on the center's status after the contest, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cirelli was hurt on a hit by Kevin Fiala. The Lightning were already playing one short since Nikita Kucherov (illness) couldn't suit up, making the team eligible to dip into emergency recalls prior to Friday's roster freeze for the holiday break. Cirelli's status should be updated prior to Saturday's game versus the Hurricanes. He had an assist Thursday and is up to 19 points in 30 appearances.
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Tristan Jarry G | EDM
Oilers' Tristan Jarry: Leaves game Thursday
Jarry sustained an apparent lower-body injury Thursday versus the Bruins, and head coach Kris Knoblauch didn't have an update on his status after the game, Gene Principe of Sportsnet reports.
Jarry left in the second period, but the Oilers were able to hold onto their lead with Calvin Pickard in goal. With no update available, it's unclear if Jarry will be healthy enough to dress for Saturday's game in Minnesota or Sunday's home matchup versus the Golden Knights. Pickard would likely start at least one of those games should Jarry be unavailable.
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John Carlson D | WAS
Capitals' John Carlson: Three-point outburst in win
Carlson had a goal and two assists in a 4-0 win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday.
Carlson made it 4-0 in the third period when he wired a high slap shot past Dennis Hildeby from along the right boards. Carlson has seven goals, 20 assists and 65 shots in 30 games. He continues to climb the scoring list from the blue line, and he's on pace for his third 70-point season in the NHL.
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Jakob Chychrun D | WAS
Capitals' Jakob Chychrun: NHL leader in goals from blue line
Chychrun scored two goals Thursday in a 4-0 win over Toronto.
In the first period, Chychrun made it 2-0 when a point shot bounced off the end boards to him, and he ripped a snap shot past Dennis Hildeby from just below the right circle. His second goal came in the third when he carried the puck into the left circle and scored far side with a wrister from the dot. Chychrun has four goals in his last five games (16 shots), and he now leads all defenders with 14 goals.
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Tyson Kozak C | BUF
Sabres' Tyson Kozak: Suffers upper-body injury
Kozak sustained an upper-body injury and won't return to Thursday's game against Philadelphia.
Kozak logged just 4:46 of ice time before exiting the game. Josh Dunne will likely draw into the lineup Saturday versus the Islanders if Kozak isn't available.