NHL News

Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter (lower body) will return to the lineup on Monday night against the Seattle Kraken. The Swiss veteran hasn't seen any action since the Olympic break, missing 20 games due to a lower-body injury. Winnipeg plans to ease Niederreiter back into action on the fourth line. He will also work with the second power-play unit. After collecting at least 30 points in three consecutive seasons, Niederreiter's production has dipped in 2025-26, mostly due to health issues. He has notched eight goals and 19 points in 55 games.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (lower body) will remain out on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. He will be absent for a third consecutive game. His next chance to return will be on Tuesday against Ottawa. Hagel has had an excellent year in Tampa Bay, registering 35 goals and 73 points in 69 games. His absence has allowed Oliver Bjorkstrand to move into the top six. The Danish veteran has struggled to make an impact since the Olympic break but will carry some momentum into Monday's contest, having contributed an assist during Saturday's 3-1 win over Boston.

New York Rangers winger Will Cuylle produced his first career hat trick as the team ran riot against the Washington Capitals on Sunday, winning 8-1. With the score tied at one, the Rangers' offense suddenly erupted for five second-period goals, with Cuylle scoring two of them. He wrapped up his hat trick late in the game. Cuylle reached the 20-goal mark on Sunday, and he's also had 17 assists in 78 games. The 24-year-old ranks fourth in the league with 278 hits. New York has nothing left to play for late in the campaign, but younger players like Cuylle are looking to impress to earn a bigger role for next season.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom impressed in a tough matchup on Sunday, recording his first shutout of the season in a 3-0 road win against the Montreal Canadiens. Martin St. Louis' team has averaged 3.45 goals per game since the Olympic break, but Markstrom only needed to make 18 saves to neutralize the threat. The Swedish veteran improved to 23-18-1. He has won four of his last six starts, but it's mostly been a struggle for Markstrom in 2025-26. He has a 3.04 goals-against average and a .885 save percentage. Jake Allen has been sharper than Markstrom and may return to the crease for Tuesday's action against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk potted two goals in Sunday's 6-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. He took care of Ottawa's third and fifth goals, reaching 22 markers for the season. In 57 games, Tkachuk has also contributed 32 assists, while averaging close to three hits per. The Senators captain is close to having his second season as a point-per-game player. With Ottawa in the midst of a fierce battle for a playoff spot, Tkachuk can't let his standards drop, and fantasy managers should benefit from it.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby recorded his fourth three-point game of the season in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers. He scored Pittsburgh's second goal and delivered two assists, including one on the power play. 21 years into his NHL career, Crosby remains a point-per-game player. He has contributed 29 goals and 43 assists in 66 games. Over his last 10 appearances, Crosby has tallied 13 points (two goals, 11 assists), leading the way for the Penguins in their quest to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2022.

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas led his team to a crucial 3-2 road victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night, scoring all three goals. He posted his first career hat trick, with goals in each period. Jimmy Snuggerud had assists on all three tallies. Thomas appears desperate to make the postseason, having recorded back-to-back three-point games. He has picked up 10 points (five goals, five assists) during a five-game scoring streak. Since March, the 26-year-old has averaged 1.44 points per game. Thomas has been one of the hottest forwards around recently and will attempt to show his quality again on Tuesday night in a rematch against Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) is day-to-day, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. He missed Sunday's loss to St. Louis due to an upper-body injury. However, it looks like Nichushkin could be available to re-enter the lineup for Tuesday's rematch between the teams. Nazem Kadri joined the top six on Sunday and will probably drop back to the third line if Nichushkin returns. Earlier this season, Nichushkin missed time due to a lower-body injury and personal reasons. He has been limited to 66 appearances. The Russian forward has totaled 15 goals and 30 assists.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped all 18 shots he faced in a 3-0 shutout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. It was a very impressive performance, considering the Canadiens were on an eight-game winning streak and have one of the best offenses in the NHL. The Swedish netminder has had a little bit of a down year this year with a 3.04 goals against average and an .885 save percentage.

Ottawa Senators left winger Brady Tkachuk had two goals in a big 6-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. His goal in the second period gave the Senators a 3-2 lead, which they would hold on to, to help them collect two very important points as they fight for a wild-card spot in the postseason. Tkachuk now has 22 goals, 54 points, and 64 penalty minutes in 57 games played.