NHL Player News

Mittelstadt scored a power-play goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Panthers.

Mittelstadt has four points over his last three games. The 27-year-old's tally tied the game in the third period and forced overtime. Mittelstadt is up to 12 goals, 28 points, 54 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over 47 outings in a top-six role. He offers some scoring upside but has limited contributions elsewhere.

Luostarinen scored a goal, added six PIM and logged three hits in Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over the Bruins.

Luostarinen opened the scoring 4:22 into the game. This was his second goal in the last three contests. The 27-year-old forward is up to seven goals, 24 points, 75 shots on net, 98 hits, 38 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 48 appearances. He's matched his point total from 80 regular-season outings last year, and he's on pace to reach the 30-point mark for just the second time in his career.

Bjorklund was sent down to AHL Hershey on Thursday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

The Capitals activated Logan Thompson (upper body) from injured reserve in a corresponding move. Bjorklund was the backup goaltender in all three games since his recall Jan. 31. He was 4-5-2 with a 3.43 GAA and an .879 save percentage across 11 AHL appearances before being recalled.

Heinen scored a goal on three shots, logged two PIM and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks.

Heinen had gone four games without a point and was scratched three times in that span. He's emerged as a versatile part of the Blue Jackets' lineup while earning three points over 13 games since he was dealt from the Penguins. The forward has a total of five points, 28 shots on net, 37 hits, 16 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 26 outings this season.

Thompson (upper body) has been activated off injured reserve and is expected to tend the twine at home against Nashville, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Thompson will suit up for the first time since Jan. 27 against the Kraken, a game in which he gave up five goals on 32 shots in a losing effort. The backstop's return to action Thursday should clear the way for him to join Team Canada in Milan for the Olympics.

Provorov scored a goal and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks.

Provorov ended his 18-game goal drought with a first-period tally. The 29-year-old defenseman earned five assists with a plus-9 rating, 38 shots on net and 31 blocked shots in that span. He's up to a total of six goals, 20 points, 111 shots, 94 blocks, 26 PIM, 23 hits and a plus-15 rating over 56 appearances. Provorov's steady defense keeps him in a top-four role, giving him appeal in deeper fantasy formats.

Monahan scored an empty-net goal on four shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks.

Monahan has four goals and an assist over his last eight games, giving him a little momentum that he'll try to pick up after the Olympic break. The center is at 10 goals, 27 points, 87 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 52 appearances this season. He should continue to see top-six minutes and power-play time after the break.

Hovorka was recalled from AHL Charlotte on Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Hovorka could make his NHL debut Thursday in Tampa Bay, though it's more likely that he will be a healthy scratch as the Panthers' seventh blueliner. The defenseman had two goals and eight assists in 30 AHL appearances before being called up. The Panthers placed Tobias Bjornfot (undisclosed) on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Bjornfot (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per the NHL media site.

Bjornfot had already been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lightning after he sustained an injury against the Bruins on Wednesday. However, his move to injured reserve won't impact his return timetable due to the Olympic break, and the transaction allows the Panthers to recall Mikulas Hovorka to provide additional depth against Tampa Bay.

Fisker Molgaard was reassigned to AHL Coachella Valley on Thursday.

Fisker Molgaard was recalled Wednesday and had no stats in 6:42 of action against the Kings. He has one assist in three NHL games this season. Fisker Molgaard had seven goals and 22 points in 36 AHL appearances before his recall.