NHL Player News

Vilardi scored a power-play goal on six shots and added an even-strength assist in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Predators.

Vilardi went pointless in the Jets' previous two games, but for the most part, the 26-year-old has been a steady contributor. He has three goals and four points over his last six appearances, a stretch in which he's also averaging 2.75 shots per game. Vilardi has been particularly productive in power-play situations, where he's scored 10 of his 26 goals this season.

Haula scored a power-play goal in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Jets.

Haula broke the deadlock for the Predators at the 13:02 mark of the first period with his 11th goal of the campaign, and his first in the power play since late December. Haula only has two goals and three points in 10 games since the Olympic break, and considering he holds a bottom-six role, Haula shouldn't carry a ton of fantasy upside ahead of the final weeks of the regular season.

Wood scored a goal on three shots and added two hits in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Jets.

Wood gave the Predators a 3-2 lead late in the third period with a snap shot to score his 15th goal of the season. The 21-year-old has been productive in his first full year in the NHL, generating 25 points through 56 appearances. Wood has been on a tear of late with six points (five goals, one assist) over his last six games. He has failed to crack the scoresheet on only one occasion in that span.

Saros stopped 36 of 39 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Jets.

Saros was beaten once in each period during regulation, but the 30-year-old stepped up in the shootout and stopped all three shots to carry the Predators to victory. Saros has gone 3-1-1 with a 2.72 GAA and a .911 save percentage over his last five outings.

Forsberg recorded a goal on five shots and added an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Jets.

Forsberg snapped a four-game pointless skid, but he has been producing at nearly a point-per-game pace since the Olympic break. Over his last 10 games, the 31-year-old veteran is up to eight points (five goals, three assists), 37 shots, six hits and five blocked shots. With 3.7 shots per game over that span and a steady top-six role, Forsberg should continue to generate tons of scoring opportunities on a steady basis.

Kotkaniemi was scratched for the ninth time in 10 games in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Since the Olympic break, Kotkaniemi has taken a back seat to Mark Jankowski for the fourth-line center job. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi has struggled to the tune of nine points, 38 shots on net, 58 hits and a plus-2 rating over 37 appearances. The Hurricanes' blowout loss Tuesday may prompt lineup changes, but Kotkaniemi will need to impress to stay in the lineup for more than a game or two at a time.

Heinen scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Heinen snapped a five-game point drought with the tally. He was also scratched five times in that span. Heinen is in a battle with Miles Wood and Dmitri Voronkov for playing time following the Blue Jackets' trade for Conor Garland. Through 32 outings between the Blue Jackets and the Penguins this season, Heinen has four goals, two assists, 34 shots on net, 46 hits, 12 PIM and a plus-1 rating.

Olivier scored a goal on four shots and added five PIM in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Olivier obliged Nicolas Deslauriers for a heavyweight bout in the second period. In the third, Olivier got the last laugh with an insurance tally for the Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old is surging in March with five goals and an assist over nine contests on the month. He's up to 13 goals, 23 points, 78 shots on net, 94 PIM, 181 hits and a plus-13 rating through 54 appearances this season.

Mateychuk scored a goal and added two hits in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Mateychuk had a goal late in the second period, the second in a span of 34 seconds, which helped the Blue Jackets run away with this win. The defenseman has two goals and four assists over nine outings in March. He's up to 11 goals, 28 points, 72 shots on net, 80 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 60 appearances. Mateychuk has some real talent -- though it's tough for him to shine when Zach Werenski is so dominant on the Columbus blue line.

Heineman scored a goal on six shots and added two hits in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Heineman has four goals over his last six outings while taking 21 shots in that span. The uptick in shots should continue to help his offense, and it helps that he remains in a top-six role. For the season, the 24-year-old winger has 19 goals, 27 points, 153 shots on net, 216 hits, 42 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating over 68 appearances.