NHL Player News

Nazar (upper body) is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Hurricanes, per Scott Powers of The Athletic.

After taking a puck to the face in a clash with the Senators on Dec. 20, Nazar is poised to return following a 15-game absence. The 22-year-old could provide an offensive boost after posting 21 points in his first 33 games this season. Nazar will likely return to the second line to play alongside Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Tkachuk scored an empty-net goal, added three hits and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Tkachuk has three goals and four assists over his last four games. The 26-year-old winger had earned at least one power-play point in each of the previous three contests. He's up to 11 goals, 28 points (10 on the power play), 120 shots on net, 83 hits, 34 PIM and a minus-5 rating through 29 appearances this season.

Skjei notched an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Sabres.

Skjei has been limited to two helpers, 16 shots on net, 11 blocked shots, five hits and a plus-3 rating over 10 outings in January. The defenseman looked to be turning a corner in December, but his offense has faded even as the Predators sustain most of their improvements overall from the last month. Skjei has 15 points, 76 shots, 50 blocks, 36 hits, 20 PIM and a minus-8 rating across 49 appearances this season.

Ersson is set to start on the road against Utah on Wednesday.

Ersson will attempt to replicate his 2-1 victory over Vegas on Monday. He stopped 24 of 25 shots in that win, which gives him a 7-8-4 record, 3.30 GAA and .860 save percentage in 20 outings this season. Utah is 7-1-1 in its past nine outings while averaging 3.78 goals per game in that span.

Teravainen (upper body) will not travel with the team for Thursday's clash with Carolina, Scott Powers of The Athletic reports.

Teravainen will be out of action for a fourth straight contest due to an upper-body injury. Prior to his absence, the Finn had a five-game goal drought during which he recorded one assist, six shots and one hit. With the veteran on the shelf, Ryan Greene figures to remain in a top-six role alongside Connor Bedard.

Oettinger made 16 saves in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Bruins.

The 27-year-old netminder took a shutout into the third period before Morgan Geekie finally tipped a shot past Oettinger on a Boston power play. Oettinger had a rough beginning to January but seems to be turning things around, going 2-2-0 over his last four starts while giving up eight goals on 95 shots (.916 save percentage).

Steeves signed a two-year, $3.25 million contract extension with the Bruins on Wednesday.

Steeves has proved his mettle in his first full year at the NHL level, which has led to finding an everyday role with the Bruins since being called up from the minors in mid-November. He's flashed the ability to heat up offensively while posting eight goals, 14 points, 44 shots on net, 117 hits and 22 blocked shots across 33 games this season. He should continue to supply decent category coverage from a bottom-six role moving forward.

Korpisalo stopped all three shots he faced after replacing Jeremy Swayman early in the third period of Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Stars.

The Bruins were down 6-0 when Korpisalo came off the bench, and he might have been busier in a closer contest. The veteran netminder has been sharp since Christmas, going 3-1-0 in his last five outings with a 1.44 GAA and .948 save percentage, and Swayman's inconsistency is opening the door for Korpisalo to get more work.

Swayman gave up six goals on 34 shots before being replaced by Joonas Korpisalo early in the third period of Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Stars.

Swayman allowed two goals in each period, with a pair of Jason Robertson tallies in the third finally chasing the netminder from the crease. Swayman has coughed up six goals three times in his last nine starts, going 5-3-1 over that stretch with a 3.17 GAA and an .892 save percentage.

Thompson scored a goal in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Predators.

Thompson was limited to 13:33 of ice time, but his goal gave the Sabres a 4-0 lead early in the second period, and it probably earned him some rest. He has six goals and eight helpers over 10 outings in January, and he's at 26 goals, 51 points, 172 shots on net, 48 hits, 30 blocked shots, 25 PIM and a minus-9 rating over 49 appearances this season.