NHL Player News

Slafkovsky scored a power-play goal in a 3-1 loss to Detroit on Thursday.

Slafkovsky pounced on a rebound late in the second period and went bar down over John Gibson's left shoulder. It was his 25th goal of the season (57 points). Slafkovsky is on a five-game, five-point scoring streak (two goals, three assists), and he has been held off the scoresheet just once in his last nine games (four goals, seven assists; 27 shots). Three of those goals and one assist have come on the power play.

Nedeljkovic stopped 11 of 16 shots in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Sabres.

Nedeljkovic didn't make a save in the second period, and the Sabres were able to get by on efficiency. Nedeljkovic has lost his last two games, giving up 10 goals on 53 shots in those outings. For the season, he's down to 13-11-3 with a 2.92 GAA and an .897 save percentage over 31 appearances. He'll have the crease until Yaroslav Askarov (lower body) is able to return.

Dobes made 25 saves in a 3-1 loss to Detroit on Thursday. He allowed two goals.

The game was tied until the 16:35 mark of the third. Dobes is 3-2-0 in his last five starts with a .917 save percentage He is 22-8-4 with a 2.91 GAA and .893 save percentage in 34 appearances this season. It was a playoff atmosphere in Detroit, and Dobes proved he was up to the pressure. Montreal and Detroit are tied in points for third place in the Atlantic Division.

Copp scored an empty-netter in Thursday in a 3-1 win over the Canadiens.

Copp missed three games due to injury before returning to action ahead of schedule against Montreal on Thursday. He also had two shots in 18:19 of ice time. Copp has nine goals, 29 assists and 96 shots on net in 66 games this season.

Hedman (illness) was unable to finish Thursday's game versus the Canucks, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Hedman exited late in the first period and didn't return. Head coach Jon Cooper avoided specifics, which leaves Hedman questionable for Saturday's game against the Oilers. Steve Santini is the extra defenseman on the Lightning's roster and would draw in if Hedman misses time.

Compher scored a goal Thursday in a 3-1 win over Montreal.

He was credited with the goal after Patrick Kane's shot from the right point deflected off Jakub Dobes' blocker and bounced in off Compher as he battled in front of the net. His efforts have been noticed by his teammates. "(Compher) has been great since (Dylan Larkin) and (Andrew Copp) went out," Alex DeBrincat said after the game. "He was filling in on Larkin's line and now he's playing with us and he's been really good." Compher has three points (one goal, two assists) and four shots in his last two games and four points, including two goals, in his last four contests.

Toffoli suffered a lower-body injury Thursday versus the Sabres, and there was no update on his status after the game, Max Miller of NHL.com reports.

Toffoli was unable to return to the game after being labeled doubtful to return early in the second period. The 33-year-old winger's status for Saturday versus the Flyers will remain in doubt until an update is provided. Philipp Kurashev or Ryan Reaves would get a chance to play if Toffoli misses time.

Appleton left Thursday's game with 42 seconds left in the second period after an awkward fall, reports NHL.com. He did not return.

Appleton had been hit into the boards by Montreal forward Nick Suzuki; there was no postgame update. Appleton has five goals and eight assists in 59 games this season. He's on an eight-game point drought, and he hasn't scored a goal in 2026 (28 games).

Gibson made 32 saves in a 3-1 win over Montreal on Thursday.

Juraj Slafkovsky was the lone Habs player to beat him; it came on a rebound on the power play late in the second period. Gibson may be back on track after scuffling for a couple of weeks. He has won two straight after going 2-3-1 in seven starts since the Olympic break, and 3-6-2 in 14 starts since Jan. 27. Overall, Gibson is 26-15-3 with four shutouts, 2.53 GAA and .907 save percentage in 46 starts this season. That GAA is the 11th best in the NHL among netminders with at least 21 games played; his save percentage is 15th best in the NHL.

Frederic (undisclosed) didn't play in the third period of Thursday's game versus the Panthers, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.

The Oilers did not provide an update on his status at the time of his injury or after the game. Frederic can be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's contest versus the Lightning. If Frederic can't play, Roby Jarventie will likely get into the Oilers' lineup.