NHL Player News

Cihar scored a goal and added three assists in WHL Kelowna's 5-3 win over Red Deer on Tuesday.

Cihar had gone four games without a point. The 18-year-old winger is up to nine points (one goal, eight assists) over nine WHL outings since joining Kelowna after the World Junior Championship. The Czech forward had four goals and eight assists for his country during its run to the silver medal, earning the tournament's MVP award in the process. Cihar is a promising prospect for the Kings, and it's a good sign that he hasn't struggled much since making the move to North America.

Domi scored a goal and added two assists in a 7-4 loss to the Sabres on Tuesday.

Domi's point streak stands at a modest three games and five points (two goals, three assists), and he has eight points, including three goals, in his last six games. Domi's time on the top line continues, and that makes him a valuable fantasy asset. He has 13 shots in his last six games.

Snuggerud logged two assists, two shots on goal, four hits and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

Snuggerud set up both of Brayden Schenn's goals in the third period as the Blues erased a 3-0 deficit. The 21-year-old winger has three helpers over his last two outings but hasn't scored in six games. He's at 18 points, 86 shots on net, 46 hits, 26 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating through 41 contests overall, mainly in a top-six role.

Fabbri scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and logged four hits in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

Fabbri has been out of the lineup more often than not for most of January, but injuries are piling up for the Blues' forward group. This was his third time in the lineup in the last four games, and he responded with his first goal of the season. The 30-year-old winger is now at four points, 14 shots on net, 24 hits, 10 PIM and a minus-1 rating over 12 appearances. Even if Fabbri carves out consistent playing time, it's likely to come in a bottom-six role.

Matthews had a goal and two assists in a 7-4 loss to the Sabres on Tuesday. He fired three shots.

Matthews got back on the scoresheet after a three-game quiet stretch. The center looks every part the superstar, but his team is in a free fall without a chute -- they went 0-4-1 on a five-game homestand. Matthews cannot carry this team alone, despite being the most exciting offensive player to ever slip the blue-and-white over his head.

Schenn scored two goals on four shots and added six hits in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

Schenn has racked up three goals over the last two games after going nine contests without scoring. The 34-year-old center is up to 12 goals, 22 points, 75 shots on net, 115 hits, 45 PIM and a minus-24 rating through 53 appearances. Schenn could carry some fantasy value if this hot stretch is here to stay. He's currently in a top-line role in place of Robert Thomas (lower body). Thomas was ruled out for two weeks as of Jan. 15, but it's possible the Blues will keep him out through the Olympic break if he hasn't made progress in his recovery.

Binnington allowed four goals on 24 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Stars.

Binnington took his fifth straight loss, and he's allowed at least three goals in each of those games (22 in total). The 32-year-old netminder struggled in the second period as the Stars converted twice on the power play, but it was Thomas Harley's goal at even strength late in the third that decided the game. Binnington is down to 8-15-6 with a 3.59 GAA and an .867 save percentage through 30 appearances this season. The Blues have mostly been alternating goalies lately, which suggests Joel Hofer will get the nod for Thursday's tough home matchup versus the Panthers.

Ellis was pressed into duty in the first period Tuesday after starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen exited because of a lower-body injury. He made 16 saves in relief and allowed two goals.

Alex Lyon will step into the injury void with UPL on the shelf, but Ellis is a capable spot starter. His .898 save percentage is league average (.897), and he has three wins in his last four appearances (3-1-0).

Rantanen notched a power-play assist in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Blues.

Rantanen set up Matt Duchene on the opening goal. It's been a bit of a quiet stretch for Rantanen -- he had gone without a point in his previous two contests, and he missed two games due to an illness between those outings. For the season, the superstar winger is at 64 points (28 on the power play), 119 shots on net, 38 hits, 79 PIM and a plus-3 rating through 50 appearances.

Samuelsson had three assistsin a 7-4 win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

Samuelsson has a four-game, seven-assist streak on the fly, which is impressive enough for a defender who's never put up more than 14 points in any season. However, Samuelsson also has more points on his run than star teammate Tage Thompson has on his current four-game streak (five points). Who knew Samuelsson would be a must-play fantasy defender?