NHL Player News

Hagel (undisclosed) is day-to-day and isn't expected to play versus the Penguins on Thursday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The fact that Hagel is considered day-to-day could be an indication that he will be ready to face the Bruins on Saturday, though fantasy managers will have to take a wait-and-see approach. With Scott Sabourin (undisclosed) also expected to be out of the lineup, the team will need to either bring up a player from the minors or utilize seven defensemen.

Protas (upper body) won't travel with the Capitals to New Jersey for Thursday's game, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

The Capitals will be back at home for Saturday's game against Buffalo, so Protas might still be an option for that match. However, the 25-year-old also missed Wednesday's optional skate, so it's possible that he's not especially close to returning. Protas has 23 goals and 47 points in 70 outings this campaign. Thursday's tilt will be his second straight game on the shelf.

Aston-Reese was elevated from AHL Cleveland on Wednesday.

Aston-Reese has appeared in just 26 NHL games this season, recording one goal, four assists and 17 shots while averaging 9:37 of ice time. Even with his promotion to the NHL roster, Aston-Reese is far from a lock to secure a spot in the lineup against the Hurricanes on Thursday and could find himself serving as a healthy scratch.

Blackwood is expected to be between the pipes at home against the Canucks on Wednesday, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.

Blackwood has put up middling numbers of late, going 3-3-0 with a 3.13 GAA in his last eight outings. However, he has won three of his last four contests while allowing only eight goals on 86 shots. Despite some struggles, the Thunder Bay native continues to see the bulk of the workload ahead of Scott Wedgewood.

Amadio tallied a goal, distributed an assist and placed two shots on net in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Panthers.

Amadio posted his third multi-point game of March with an assist on Jordan Spence's goal before finding the back of the net himself for the lone goal of the third period. With the two-point outing Tuesday, Amadio is up to 13 goals, 19 assists, 89 shots on net, 95 hits and 45 blocked shots across 74 games this season. Over his last 15 games, the 29-year-old forward has been a strong source of category coverage with 10 points, 18 shots on net, 13 hits and 13 blocked shots. He is a solid waiver-wire pickup in deep fantasy leagues for the time being.

Spence scored a goal and put four shots on net in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to Florida.

Spence found the back of the net for Ottawa's second goal of the middle period. The twine finder brought him up to six goals, 27 points, 94 shots on net, 49 hits and 51 blocked shots across 65 games this season. With Jake Sanderson (upper body) and Thomas Chabot (forearm) sidelined, Spence has stepped up his game offensively with eight points over his last nine games. Until Sanderson returns, Spence should continue to see time on the Senators' first power-play unit, giving him solid streaming value in most fantasy formats.

Roy recorded two assists in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Flyers.

The veteran blueliner had a hand in tallies by Alex Ovechkin in the first period and Tom Wilson in the third. It was Roy's first multi-point performance since Dec. 3, when he produced three helpers against the Sharks. He has produced two goals and 19 points, 130 blocked shots, 109 hits, 90 shots on net and a plus-14 rating in 72 games this season. He has delivered triple digits in blocks and hits in five straight campaigns.

Batherson scored a goal in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Panthers.

Batherson reached the 30-goal mark for the first time in his eight-year NHL career. With the twine finder, he is up to 64 points, 157 shots on net, 110 hits and 20 blocked shots across 71 games this season. He has 11 goals since Feb. 28, which ranks fourth in the NHL during that span. With eight regular-season games remaining for the Senators, Batherson is on pace to reach the 70-point mark for the first time in his career. He profiles as a strong all-around fantasy option while Ottawa attempts to make a late push for a playoff spot.

McMichael picked up two assists in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Flyers.

The 25-year-old McMichal had a hand in a pair of Alex Ovechkin tallies. McMichael has gone 10 straight games without scoring a goal of his own, but over the last seven games, he's notched six assists. He has four helpers during a three-game point streak and is one point away from 40 on the season.

Leonard produced a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Flyers.

Both points came in the second period as the Capitals reclaimed the lead for good. Leonard made an impact in March, as the 21-year-old winger collected six goals and nine points in 13 games, with half his tallies for the month coming on the power play.