NHL Player News

Lizotte notched two assists, two shots on goal, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Lizotte helped out on Parker Wotherspoon's opening goal and Connor Dewar's empty-netter to close things out. With eight points and a plus-7 rating over 12 contests since he returned from an upper-body injury, Lizotte has been a steady scoring presence in the Penguins' bottom six. He's now at six goals, 13 points, 40 shots, 33 hits, 21 blocked shots, 21 PIM and a plus-8 rating through 39 appearances.

Kulak scored a goal on two shots, added four PIM and went plus-3 in Monday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Kulak snapped a seven-game point drought with the goal. The 32-year-old has seen regular top-four usage lately and is also receiving power-play time in the absence of Erik Karlsson (lower body). Kulak has one goal, four assists, 55 shots on net, 70 blocked shots, 28 PIM and a minus-5 rating over 48 appearances between the Penguins and the Oilers this season.

Wiesblatt (upper body) is no longer listed on injured reserve ahead of Tuesday's home matchup versus Buffalo, according to the NHL media site.

Wiesblatt was classified as a game-time decision earlier Tuesday, but his removal from injured reserve bodes well for his availability against the Sabres. Reid Schaefer was optioned to AHL Milwaukee to make room for Wiesblatt on the active roster. If the 23-year-old Wiesblatt ends up not being in the lineup Tuesday, his next chance to play will come Thursday against Ottawa.

Wotherspoon scored a goal and added three hits in Monday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Wotherspoon ended a seven-game point drought with the tally. It was his first goal since Nov. 16 versus the Predators, and he earned eight helpers over the 28 contests in between goals. The 28-year-old defenseman is still having a career year with three goals, 13 assists, 46 shots on net, 97 hits, 74 blocked shots, 34 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 48 outings in a top-four role.

Brazeau scored a goal on three shots in Monday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Brazeau has scored twice over the last three contests after going seven games without a point. The 27-year-old has been on the third line recently after spending a large portion of the campaign on the second line. Brazeau has already earned career highs in goals (14) and points (22) while adding 63 shots on net, 44 hits, 21 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 34 appearances this season.

Rakell scored a goal, added three hits and went plus-2 in Monday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Rakell has two goals and an assist during a three-game point streak. That matches his longest run since he returned from a hand injury in mid-December. The 32-year-old is up to eight goals, 20 points, 85 shots on net, 39 hits, 25 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 28 appearances. He's not at the peak of his performance currently, but Rakell's continued presence in the top six bodes well for steady offense.

Kesselring (ankle) will be a game-time decision against Nashville on Tuesday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Kesselring sat out Monday's 2-1 loss to Carolina after tweaking his ankle injury. However, he could return to the lineup versus the Predators. He hasn't earned a point in 17 appearances this season while providing 23 shots on goal, 23 blocked shots and 16 hits.

Chychrun scored a power-play goal on three shots, blocked four shots and added six PIM in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Chychrun gave his fantasy managers a strong performance, though it was a mixed bag on the ice. The 27-year-old has four goals and four assists over 11 contests since the holiday break. For the season, the defenseman is up to 18 goals, 36 points (10 on the power play), 159 shots on net, 65 blocked shots, 42 hits, 45 PIM and a plus-23 rating over 48 appearances. He's well on his way to a career year in most areas.

Koppanen was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday.

Koppanen was brought up from the AHL on Sunday but will link back up with the minor-league squad in short order. The 2016 fifth-round selection (No. 135 overall) has garnered six goals, 11 points and a plus-9 rating over 22 appearances in the minors this season.

Kapanen is projected to miss roughly one week, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports Tuesday.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Kapanen won't miss a large chunk of time after he left Sunday's game. While he shouldn't miss more than a handful of games, the injury comes at an unfortunate time for Kapanen, who had just begun to gain traction with seven points over his last eight outings. If he is kept out of the lineup for the next seven days, a plausible return date for the 29-year-old forward would be Jan. 29 against the Sharks.