NHL Player News

Rakell notched two assists, one on the power play, in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to Carolina.

With Sidney Crosby back in the lineup, Rakell was reunited with his usual center and helped set up Pittsburgh's captain for the team's first goal of the night. Rakell then had a hand on Erik Karlsson's first tally of the game just 59 seconds into the third. Rakell has been staying productive even without Crosby, as Wednesday's effort extended his point streak to seven games -- a stretch in which he's collected two goals and nine points, with four of his assists coming on the power play.

Karlsson scored two goals, one on the power play, and added an even-strength assist in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Hurricanes.

The veteran blueliner is one of the hottest players in the NHL right now. Karlsson has delivered back-to-back three-point efforts, and he has six multi-point performances through 10 games in March, racking up five goals and 16 points on the month. Wednesday's outburst pushed him across the 50-point plateau for the season (nine goals and 52 points), the third straight campaign he's reached that level with the Penguins.

Crosby produced a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to Carolina.

Seeing his first action since suffering a lower-body injury during the Olympics, Crosby got the Penguins on the board midway through the second period by jumping on a loose puck in front of Frederik Andersen and flipping a backhand past the veteran netminder. Crosby's return might have come in the nick of time to rescue Pittsburgh's playoff chances, as the team is only two points clear of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and on the season the future Hall of Famer has 28 goals and 61 points in 57 contests.

Skinner made 38 saves in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Hurricanes.

Neither team was able to build more than a one-goal lead during regulation, and Sean Walker finally ended the see-saw affair with 29 seconds left in OT by blasting a one-timer past Skinner. The six goals allowed were a season high for the 27-year-old netminder, but he's given up at least four in four of his last eight starts while working in a strict tandem with Arturs Silovs, going 2-1-5 over that stretch with a shaky 3.63 GAA and .869 save percentage

Hutson scored a power-play empty-net goal on three shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Senators.

Hutson logged 16:24 of ice time and handled bottom-four minutes in his NHL debut, capping it off with the Capitals' second empty-netter. The 19-year-old blueliner won't be asked to do too much and may not be a lock to play every game down the stretch. He will primarily compete with Declan Chisholm and Timothy Liljegren for a spot in the lineup. Prior to turning pro, Hutson put up 32 points in 35 contests with Boston University this season.

Protas scored an empty-net goal on two shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Senators.

Protas has two goals and two assists over six contests since he returned from a one-game absence for personal reasons. The 25-year-old forward continues to offer decent supplementary offense in a middle-six role. He's up to 22 goals, 46 points, 137 shots on net, 33 blocked shots, 32 hits and a plus-17 rating through 65 outings this season.

Giroux notched an assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Capitals.

Giroux has picked up the pace with three helpers over his last four games. He's gone 12 contests without a goal, but he's at least starting to get involved with playmaking lately. For the season, the 38-year-old forward has 42 points, 108 shots on net, 58 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-18 rating through 67 appearances. Giroux has floated around the lineup, which could lead to fluctuations in his production if it continues -- though he was on the top line Wednesday.

Carlsson scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.

Carlsson cashed in with 1:54 left in the third period, tying the game to force overtime. The 21-year-old center has found a spark with three goals and an assist over the last two games after going four contests without a point. Carlsson is up to 24 goals, 56 points, 145 shots on net and a plus-2 rating over 56 appearances this season while playing in a top-line role.

Gauthier scored a power-play goal on seven shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.

Gauthier scored in both games against the team that drafted him this season. The 22-year-old winger is up to 35 goals, 61 points (16 on the power play), 253 shots on net, 56 hits, 26 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 67 appearances. Gauthier has turned up the heat with nine goals and two helpers over 10 contests in March, though the Ducks' mostly healthy offense currently has him in a third-line role at even strength.

Dostal stopped 24 of 27 shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.

Dostal was steady over the second half of regulation time, allowing the Ducks to pull even. Noah Cates scored 2:17 into the extra session to send Dostal to the loss. Over seven outings in March, Dostal has gone 4-2-1, allowing at least three goals in five of those games. The 25-year-old goalie is at a 27-15-3 record with a 3.06 GAA and an .891 save percentage through 47 appearances. The Ducks are off to Utah for their next game Friday.