NHL Player News

Hintz (illness) won't play against Nashville on Saturday, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hintz skated on his own Saturday, but he will miss his second straight game. He has compiled 15 goals, 44 points, 125 shots on net and 58 hits through 52 appearances this season. According to Robert Tiffin of D Magazine, Hintz should be able to travel with the team for the Stars' two-game road trip against Vancouver and Calgary on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Sandin picked up two assists in Friday's 3-2 win over Vegas.

The 25-year-old blueliner helped set up tallies by Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jakob Chychrun in the second period, the latter of which proved to be the game-winner. It was Sandin's first multi-point performance since Jan. 13, and over the 12 games in between, he managed just one goal and three points. If John Carlson (lower body) winds up missing a significant amount of time after sitting out this weekend's back-to-back set, however, Sandin's production could tick up.

Protas notched two assists in Friday's 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.

Both helpers came in the second period on tallies by Pierre-Luc Dubois, as the Capitals' second line broke open a scoreless tie. Protas has found his groove over the last month, and in the last six games dating back to Jan. 31, he's erupted for two goals and eight points.

Cirelli (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus Buffalo on Saturday, per Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley.

Cirelli has been out of action since Feb. 1 and was forced to miss the Olympic Games due to his injury. He has 15 goals and 35 points over 49 games this season. If he is able to go, look for Scott Sabourin to possibly be the odd-man out.

Dubois scored two goals and added an assist in Friday's 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.

The 27-year-old center broke open a scoreless tie with back-to-back goals in the first four minutes of the second period, before having a hand in Jakob Chychrun's game-winner later in the frame. Dubois has three goals and five points in three games since returning from abdominal surgery just before the Olympic break.

Thompson made 24 saves in Friday's 3-2 win over the Golden Knights.

The 29-year-old netminder took a 3-0 lead into the third period before withstanding a furious comeback attempt from Vegas. Thompson has won three straight starts sandwiched around the Olympic break, allowing five goals on 79 shots during that span. He has gone 21-16-4 this season with a 2.40 GAA and a .913 save percentage.

Eriksson Ek (face) probably won't play against St. Louis on Sunday, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Eriksson Ek left Friday's 5-2 loss to Utah after receiving a high stick around his eye. The Wild should get a clearer picture of his timeline for a return following Saturday's visit with a doctor. Minnesota recalled Tyler Pitlick from AHL Iowa on Saturday to be an option for Sunday's contest. Eriksson Ek has 17 goals, 42 points, 150 shots on net and 78 hits across 54 appearances this season.

Pitlick was summoned from AHL Iowa on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Pitlick had eight goals and three assists in 12 AHL games before his recall. The 34-year-old center has a pair of goals in 31 NHL games with Minnesota this season. Joel Eriksson Ek (face) isn't expected to play against the Blues on Sunday after receiving a high stick near his eye in  Friday's 5-2 loss to Utah.

Schmid turned aside 27 shots in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Capitals.

All three Washington goals came in the second period on 12 shots, as Vegas' defense got caught flat-footed on multiple occasions. Schmid has just one win in his last five starts dating back to Jan. 22, going 1-3-1 over that stretch with a 3.02 GAA and .885 save percentage.

Bennett was credited with an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres.

After helping to set up Matthew Tkachuk for Florida's first goal midway through the second period, Bennett fired a shot at Alex Lyon inside the final minute of the third with the Panthers' net empty. Lyon made the initial save, but the puck trickled through him into the crease, and Rasmus Dahlin's clearing attempt instead bounced off the goalie and into the net. It goes down as Bennett's 20th goal of the season, a mark he has reached in three straight campaigns and four of the last five. Over the last 15 games, he's delivered a tidy four goals and 12 points.