NHL News
Matthew Knies Tallies Three Points In Victory
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies tallied three points during their victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday evening. Knies would tally the primary assist on Auston Matthew's opening goal of the contest. Later in the second, Knies would find the back of the net with a snap shot. Later in the third, Knies would strike again, this time on the power-play. During the contest, he tallied four total shots on goal with a +1 rating. Over his previous nine games, Knies has begun to heat up as he has tallied 12 points (seven goals, five helpers). During this stretch, he averaged two shots per goal per game with 30 hits and eight blocked shots. Knies remains a strong value play in favorable matchups in DFS and a solid contributor in standard leagues, playing alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
1 hour ago
Alex Nedeljkovic Sharp In Monday's Victory
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced en route to defeating the Los Angeles Kings on Monday evening. The Penguins got out to an early three-goal lead, which put Nedeljkovic in a good position. His lone mistake came in the second period when Adrian Kempe scored on the power-play with a wrist shot. This was another sharp outing for Nedeljkovic as he allowed just two goals on 42 shots in his previous start on January 17 over the Buffalo Sabres. In this game, he tallied the victory and also scored an empty-netter. Prior to this two-game winning streak, the 29-year-old was riding a 1-1-1 record with a 4.85 GAA and a .868% SV over his previous three. Fantasy managers should expect Nedeljkovic to continue to operate as the top goaltender in Pittsburgh, with Tristan Jarry now in the AHL. Rookie Joel Blomqvist will be the No.2 option.
1 hour ago
Drew Doughty Continues To Progress In Recovery
According to Zach Dooley, Los Angeles King's defenseman Drew Doughty (ankle) is continuing to progress in his recovery process. Dooley noted that head coach Jim Hiller said, "The hard work is starting to pay off. He sees the finish line" concerning Doughty's progress. The 35-year-old has not been on the ice all season after undergoing ankle surgery in early October. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress, as he would likely return to his typical starting role when cleared. Last season, across 82 games, the two-time Stanley Cup Champion tallied 50 points (15 goals, 35 helpers) with 142 blocks and 102 hits. His 15 goals were just one fewer than the career-high he tallied in 2009. Doughty is still worth stashing on an IR spot on your roster, as he should be a solid fantasy contributor during the back half of the season.
1 hour ago
Rickard Rakell Absent On Monday
According to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Rickard Rakell (personal) did not travel with the team to the West Coast due to a family issue. He was not in the lineup on Monday evening during their victory over the Kings and could be in danger of missing other games during the road trip. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Thursday's contest against the Anaheim Ducks. Rakell has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, scoring 23 goals and tallied 17 helpers through 48 contests. He has also added 73 hits and 53 blocks. On Monday, Matt Nieto returned to the starting lineup, and Anthony Beauvillier moved up to the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. Beauvillier has deep-league streaming appeal while Rakell is absent.
1 hour ago
Adam Lowry Sustains Injury On Monday
According to Mike McIntyre, Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (undisclosed) sustained an injury during Monday's loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Lowry sustained the injury during the opening frame and did not return to the ice. He logged only six shifts. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status before Wednesday's contest against the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to Monday, Lowry scored four points (one goal, three helpers) over his previous six contests. During this stretch, he logged 11 hits and seven blocked shots. While sidelined, Vladislav Namestnikov is a candidate to move up to the second line. Overall, Lowry is on pace to score a career-high in goals and points and holds a +17 rating.
1 hour ago
Noah Dobson Exits Early On Monday
According to Andrew Gross of Newsday, New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (undisclosed) exited early during Monday's victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Gross noted that head coach Patrick Roy did not provide an update on his status following the game. Dobson exited during the third period after sustaining a hit. Before exiting, the 25-year-old tallied a primary assist and logged two shots on goal and four hits. This point extended his scoring streak to three games. Over his previous nine contests, Dobson has tallied five points (one goal, four helpers) with 13 blocks, eight hits, and 3.4 shots per goal per game. If Dobson were to miss time, fantasy managers should expect Ryan Pulock to take his spot on the top power-play unit and for Dennis Cholowski to draw into the starting lineup.
1 hour ago
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Unavailable Monday
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (undisclosed) will miss Monday's matchup against Seattle. He's battling some nagging injury issues. However, Luukkonen's absence might be limited to just one game, as he said on Sunday that he could play on Tuesday against Vancouver. Luukkonen has had a mediocre campaign as Buffalo's No. 1, going 14-14-4. He has registered a 3.02 goals-against average with a .896 save percentage and two shutouts. Devon Levi, who is 2-6-0 for the season, is expected to work in the Sabres crease on Monday.
20 hours ago
Timothy Liljegren Returns For Sharks Monday
San Jose Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren (illness) will return to the lineup for Monday's matchup against Boston. He was unavailable on Saturday against the Islanders due to an illness. Liljegren operates in a top-four role and logs regular power-play time in San Jose but hasn't been very impactful. Through 34 outings, the former Maple Leaf has tallied eight points (four goals, four assists) with 47 blocks and 40 hits. He has grown his tally by only three points since December. Henry Thrun played instead of Liljegren at the weekend and will remain in the lineup, with Marc-Edouard Vlasic (illness) ruled out.
20 hours ago
Mikael Granlund Good To Go Monday
San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund (lower body) will be in the lineup on Monday versus Boston. It was unclear if Granlund would be available for the contest after he sat out Sunday's practice with a lower-body injury. His availability is massive for the Sharks, as Granlund has been their leading man in 2024-25. He tops the team in scoring and assists, having notched 37 points and 25 helpers in 46 games. Granlund is expected to skate with Fabian Zetterlund and Boston College product Will Smith. Recent times have been tricky for Granlund, as he has finished pointless in seven of his past 10 outings.
21 hours ago
Tyler Toffoli Will Not Play Against Bruins
San Jose Sharks winger Tyler Toffoli (lower body) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against Boston. He remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury, missing a second straight game. Toffoli has posted 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 47 games during his first campaign as a Shark, notching a third of the points with the man advantage. Carl Grundstrom took Toffoli's spot in the lineup on Saturday against the Islanders, with Ty Dellandrea getting a look in the top six. Alex Wennberg is projected to replace Dellandrea in that role on Monday.
21 hours ago
Charlie McAvoy Out On Monday
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (upper body) will miss a third consecutive game on Monday against San Jose. He continues to nurse an upper-body injury, and it's unclear when Boston will get him back. Nikita Zadorov and Brandon Carlo have made up the first defensive pairing during McAvoy's absence, with Mason Lohrei hopping on the top power-play unit. Lohrei has posted three assists with the man advantage over the past three games. He has a good chance to stay hot on Monday against San Jose's 79 percent penalty kill.
21 hours ago
Max Pacioretty Unlikely To Play Monday
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Max Pacioretty (upper body) missed Monday's morning skate and likely won't play against Tampa Bay. A puck hit the veteran in the head on Saturday against Montreal. He managed to finish the contest, but it seems that Pacioretty needs some time to recover. Pacioretty's fantasy stock is at an all-time low, as he has mustered only 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 32 games. The 36-year-old has gone scoreless in seven January appearances. On Monday, Fraser Minten will join the third line with Pacioretty out, while Connor Dewar will replace Ryan Reaves on the fourth line.
21 hours ago
Jake Oettinger Sharp On Sunday
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced on Sunday evening en route to defeating the Detroit Red Wings. Oettinger's lone blemish came in the final period when Marco Kasper beat him on a tip-in goal. The Stars got out to an early three-goal lead in the first period which set up Oettinger well to earn the victory. Since allowing four goals on January 7, Oettinger has allowed only two or more goals in one start and holds a strong 3-1 record with a 1.24 GAA and a .957% SV over his previous four outings. Through 34 games this season, the 26-year-old has posted a sharp 23-10-1 record with a .914% SV and a 2.26 GAA. He remains a must-start goaltender in all formats, playing behind a competing Dallas team. He will look to stay in the win column on Monday evening in Carolina.
Yesterday
Jason Robertson Stays Hot On Sunday
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson continued his impressive stretch on Sunday evening with a goal and an assist during their victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Robertson scored on the power-play in the opening frame and tacked on a primary assist on Wyatt Johnston's third period goal. This performance extended his point streak to five games. During this stretch, he has scored five goals and added three helpers. Over his previous 12 games, the 25-year-old has been very impressive, scoring eight times and tacking on 11 helpers. Through 46 games, Robertson has tallied 42 points (15 goals, 27 helpers), with 11 of those points coming on the power-play. He remains a must-start player in all formats and a top pick in DFS while he continues this impressive stretch.
Yesterday
Chris Kreider Scores In Sunday's Loss
New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider scored during Sunday's overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Kreider would find the back of the net late in the second period on a tip-in goal. Even though the 33-year-old has had a disappointing season, he is beginning to find his footing. This was his second goal in his previous two games and fourth goal over his past seven. However, during this stretch, he has only tallied one helper and is averaging just under two shots on goal per game. However, seeing Kreider continue to find his scoring touch is a positive sign for the New York offense. Through 38 games this season, the veteran has scored 15 goals (five on the power-play) and tacked on just one assist. He should continue to see time on the third line but could return to the top line if he finds his footing.
Yesterday
Brendan Gallagher Busy On Sunday
Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher tallied two points during their overtime victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday evening. Gallagher scored his 11th goal of the season in the opening frame with a tip-in goal. Later in the second period, Gallagher would tally the primary assist on Christian Dvorak's fourth goal of the season. He also logged five shots on goal and two hits in this contest. This performance snapped a nine-game scoring drought for Gallagher, and this was his first multi-point outing of the campaign. Overall, the 32-year-old has tallied 11 goals and eight helpers through 46 games. He should continue to have a permanent role on the third line of the Montreal offense.
Yesterday
Jakub Dobes Extends Winning Streak
Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes won his fifth-straight game on Sunday evening. He defeated the New York Rangers in overtime and stopped 23 of the 27 shots he faced. This was the first time in he allowed more than three goals in an NHL contest. Three of these goals came during even-strength play, while Mika Zibanejad scored the other on the power-play. Over the first four starts of his career, Dobes held a stellar 4-0 record with a .963% SV and a 0.98 GAA. The former fifth-round selection should continue to share the crease with Sam Montembeault. However, given Montembeault's recent five-game skid (2-2-1, .871% SV, 3.61 GAA), Dobes may eventually earn the starting role in the crease.
Yesterday
Anton Forsberg Snaps Losing Skid On Sunday
Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg got back in the win column on Sunday in his victory over the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old netminder stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced. His lone blemish came in the second period when Tomas Tatar scored his fourth goal of the season on a backhand. Forsberg entered this contest with a poor 0-2-1 record with a .861% SV and a 3.63 GAA over his previous three games. In addition, Leevi Merilainen has taken over the starting crease as he made five straight starts following Forsberg's three-game losing streak. However, after Forsberg's bounce back on Sunday, he may begin to see more starting opportunities. For now, fantasy managers should continue to expect Merilainen to see the majority of starts, as he has posted a stellar 1.57 GAA and .940% SV over his past five games.
Yesterday
Alexander Romanov A Game-Time Decision Saturday
New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (upper body) is a game-time decision for Saturday's tilt against San Jose. He has sat out three games with an upper-body injury but appears to be on the brink of returning. Romanov has been limited to nine points this season, but seven have come in his last eight appearances. He has yet to score with 40 shots on goal and has amassed 65 blocks and 73 hits across 30 outings. Dennis Cholowski is expected to drop out of the lineup if Romanov feels ready to return against the Sharks.
2 days ago
Simon Holmstrom Set To Return To Islanders Lineup
New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (upper body) has been activated from Injured Reserve ahead of Saturday's game against San Jose. It looks like he is ready to rejoin the lineup after a seven-game absence. Holmstrom is not known as a regular scorer, but he was enjoying a prolific spell just before getting hurt. The 23-year-old has bagged two goals and seven points over his last seven appearances. For the season overall, Holmstrom has contributed nine goals and 13 assists in 37 games. He is expected to jump on the third line to fill in for Maxim Tsyplakov, who starts a three-game suspension on Saturday.
2 days ago