NHL Player News

Hanifin logged two assists, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Monday's 6-2 win over the Jets.

Hanifin has earned five assists over his last seven contests. The defenseman is up to 28 points, 134 shots on net, 114 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating over 70 outings this season. Hanifin's offense may not last into the playoffs, but he'll remain a good source of blocks.

Chinakhov will not dress Tuesday in St. Louis as Pittsburgh rests select players for the playoffs, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

The 23-year-old winger has 18 goals and 36 points across 43 appearances combined between Columbus and Pittsburgh in 2025-26, emerging as one of the more pleasant surprises in the league since arriving via trade from the Blue Jackets in early January. He's cemented a spot on Pittsburgh's second line alongside Malkin and profiles as an exciting piece heading into the postseason. Chinakhov is worth a look in postseason fantasy formats given his offensive surge and his role alongside one of the league's premier forwards.

Kindel (upper body) will play in Tuesday's road clash against the Blues, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Kindel missed the previous two contests due to an upper-body injury. Overall, the 18-year-old center has 17 goals, 34 points, 150 shots on net, 30 hits and 58 blocked shots across 76 games this season. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin set to be healthy scratches for rest purposes, Kindel will likely assume a top-six center role for the team's regular-season finale.

Letang will not play Tuesday against the Blues as Pittsburgh rests its veterans ahead of the postseason, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

The 38-year-old blueliner has three goals and 34 points across 73 appearances in 2025-26, continuing a gradual decline in production as his role on the power play has diminished since Karlsson's arrival in Pittsburgh. He still contributes in peripheral categories and holds down a spot on Pittsburgh's second pair. Letang's fantasy value is limited to deeper formats at this stage of his career, though he'll be in the lineup when the playoffs begin.

Clifton (upper body) is slated to play against St. Louis on Tuesday, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Clifton will return to the lineup in Pittsburgh's regular-season finale after sitting out Sunday's 3-0 loss to Washington. He has generated two goals, four assists, 34 shots on net, 83 blocked shots and 179 hits through 49 appearances this campaign.

Karlsson will not suit up Tuesday as Pittsburgh holds out its veterans for the start of the playoffs, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Karlsson has been Pittsburgh's most valuable player in 2025-26, racking up 15 goals and 66 points across 75 appearances, marking his best offensive campaign as a Penguin. He shouldered an enormous workload during extended absences by both Crosby and Malkin and was recognized with the team's MVP award at the end of the regular season. The 35-year-old blueliner is a must-start fantasy option in any format for the postseason.

Smith scored a goal on three shots in Monday's 6-2 win over the Jets.

Smith had been a healthy scratch for the previous three games. The winger is in a part-time role currently, but he's produced 14 goals, nine assists, 90 shots on net and a minus-11 rating over 68 appearances this season. Smith may not play regularly during the postseason, and if he does draw in, it'll likely be for bottom-six usage.

Shea (upper body) will return to the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blues, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.

After sitting out Tuesday's game against Washington due to an upper-body injury, Shea will be back in action for the Penguins' regular-season finale. Shea has picked up points in five of his last seven outings, recording two goals, four assists, five blocked shots and a hit while averaging 19:08 of ice time.

Malkin will not play Tuesday in St. Louis as Pittsburgh opts to rest its core group ahead of the playoffs, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Malkin has posted 19 goals and 61 points in 56 appearances in 2025-26, a surprising offensive resurgence that exceeded most expectations heading into the campaign. The 39-year-old center dealt with injury absences throughout the year but was consistently productive whenever healthy. He'll be a key contributor on Pittsburgh's second line when the postseason gets underway and is worth rostering in playoff formats.

Rust will sit out Tuesday's road finale against St. Louis as Pittsburgh gives its veterans a pre-playoff rest day, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

The 34-year-old winger has 29 goals and 65 points across 72 appearances in 2025-26, one of his most productive campaigns to date. Operating as a fixture on the Penguins' top line and first power-play unit throughout the year, Rust has also chipped in 183 shots on net and 70 blocked shots. He should return to the lineup when the playoffs begin and is a strong fantasy option in all formats.