NHL News
Auston Matthews' Status Up In The Air
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (upper body) did not skate on Thursday and remains day-to-day heading into the weekend. Matthews did not play on Tuesday due to an upper-body injury, and coach Craig Berube said he isn't sure if Matthews will be ready to go for the Leafs' back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. It seems reasonable that the team would be careful with their superstar, so if Matthews needs a few more days to get fully healthy, they will likely give it to him. Expect Max Domi to center the first line if Matthews can't go, which would make the former a solid weekend streamer in fantasy.
0 hour ago
Matvei Michkov Will Be A Healthy Scratch On Thursday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov won't play on Thursday night. Nothing is wrong with Michkov, as head coach John Tortorella has simply decided to scratch the rookie phenom. It is an interesting choice, as the Flyers have struggled to score and Michkov has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 13 games to start his NHL career. The reasons for the benching aren't totally clear, as Tortz said it was "part of the process". Regardless, Michkov should be back in next game and hopefully won't be a healthy scratch much more this season. It is certainly annoying for fantasy managers, though.
0 hour ago
Dylan Larkin Bags Two Points In Win Over Chicago
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin played a pivotal role in Wednesday's 4-1 win at Chicago. The Red Wings captain logged two points in the contest, helping Alex DeBrincat to start the scoring in the first period and netting the game-winning tally in the second frame. It was Larkin's second consecutive multi-point outing. He has hit top gear lately by amassing five points in three games, doubling his tally for the season. Despite ensuring a dry spell recently, Larkin leads the Red Wings with eight goals and has recorded two assists in 12 games. He faces one of his favorite opponents next, entering a matchup against the Maple Leafs with 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 28 career games against them. Larkin has scored more points only versus the Sabres (29).
6 hours ago
Logan Thompson Continues Winning Ways With Capitals
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson maintained a perfect record on Wednesday, saving 33 of 35 shots in a 3-2 victory over Nashville. He improved to 6-0-0, tying Tomas Vokoun for the longest winning streak by a goalie from the start of his tenure with the franchise. Thompson has allowed 2.81 goals with a .903 save percentage. Washington has scored 31 goals in the six games Thompson has started, giving the 27-year-old netminder a lot of help on the offensive front. We should see Thompson one more time this week as Washington kicks off a back-to-back on Friday versus Pittsburgh.
6 hours ago
Dylan Strome Stays Hot With Two-Assist Effort
Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome registered two assists as the team snuck past Nashville 3-2 on Wednesday. He helped both of his linemates, Aliaksei Protas and Alex Ovechkin, light the lamp. There haven't been many players hotter than Strome in recent weeks, as the talented forward has recorded four multi-point outings in his last five appearances. He leads the Capitals in scoring with 19 points in 12 games and is tied for the third-most assists in the league with 15. On Friday, the Penguins will try to become only the second team this season to keep Strome off the score sheet.
6 hours ago
Ivan Barbashev Records Three Assists Wednesday
Vegas Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev ended a three-game scoring slump with three assists in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Edmonton. He had two helpers when Vegas turned a 2-1 deficit into a win in the third period. Barbashev has been part of Vegas' highly productive first line, scoring 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 13 games this season. Additionally, he is second on the team with 25 hits. Barbashev's scoring pace likely won't last for the entire campaign, as his shooting percentage is at a sky-high 29.2, but he's giving fantasy managers a lot of value in his current form.
6 hours ago
Tommy Novak Day-To-Day With An Upper-Body Injury
Nashville Predators center Tommy Novak is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Novak was a late scratch for Wednesday's clash with the Capitals and might miss out on Thursday's meeting with the Panthers as well. The 23-year-old has been used throughout the lineup, averaging 13:20 of ice time for the campaign. He sits on three goals and four points through 12 outings. Juuso Parssinen and Michael McCarron saw a lot of extra action on Wednesday as Nashville also lost Colton Sissons (upper body) in the contest.
6 hours ago
Dylan Holloway Avoids Serious Injury
St. Louis Blues left wing Dylan Holloway (upper body) has avoided serious injury and could be an option for Thursday's matchup against Utah. Holloway was struck by a puck in the neck area in Tuesday's game against Tampa Bay and was taken to the hospital. He returned to the team's practice facility on Wednesday. Holloway has enjoyed a positive start with his new team. He has recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in 13 games with 22 shots and 29 hits. The 23-year-old was recently promoted to the second line, giving him additional fantasy value.
6 hours ago
Derek Forbort Out Week-To-Week With A Knee Problem
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Derek Forbort (knee) will be out week-to-week. Forbort is reportedly battling a knee injury and wasn't available for Tuesday's 5-1 win over Anaheim. He has appeared only four times this season, picking up one assist with three shots on goal and five blocks. Vincent Desharnais returned to action in Forbort's absence on Tuesday and could become a regular with the team for a while. He has recorded one assist, six shots, eight blocks, and 11 hits in seven games this season.
23 hours ago
Bryan Rust Logs Full Practice On Wednesday
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (lower body) participated fully in Wednesday's practice. He has sat out four games, but Rust likely won't miss much more action. His next chance to return comes on Thursday versus Carolina. Rust might replace Kevin Hayes (upper body) in the lineup, who missed Wednesday's practice. He should grab a top-six role straight away. Before suffering a lower-body injury, Rust amassed three goals and four points in eight games at the start of the season.
23 hours ago
Kevin Hayes Misses Practice With An Upper-Body Injury
Pittsburgh Penguins center Kevin Hayes (upper body) sat out Wednesday's practice. He is being evaluated for an upper-body injury. Hayes has been ever-present in the lineup so far this season but has averaged only 9:27 of ice time. The 32-year-old has scored three goals and sits on four points with 14 games played. Valtteri Puustinen will likely re-enter the lineup if Hayes is absent on Thursday versus Carolina. He was a healthy scratch for Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Islanders. Puustinen has one goal in five games for the season and doesn't have any fantasy value in a bottom-six role.
23 hours ago
Mason Marchment Considered Day-To-Day
Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day. Marchment has seen action in all 11 games this season but is now battling an undisclosed ailment, which could sideline him for Thursday's game against Chicago. His absence would be felt at both ends by the Stars. Marchment is tied for fourth in scoring on the team with eight points (two goals, six assists) in 11 games and leads his squad with 25 hits. Tyler Seguin (lower body) has been out for the Stars, but he could return on Thursday, taking Marchment's place in the lineup.
23 hours ago
Matt Roy Ready To Return On Wednesday
Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (lower body) is expected to return from a 10-game absence when the team faces Nashville on Wednesday. The 29-year-old makes his return at a good time because the Capitals defense has just lost Jakob Chychrun (upper body). Chychrun's absence means that we should see a lot of Roy in Wednesday's game. Roy has the potential to make an impact at both ends. He tallied 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 81 games with the Kings last season while also recording 197 blocks and 152 hits. He will work with Rasmus Sandin on the second defensive pairing versus Nashville.
23 hours ago
Connor McDavid Returns To Action Wednesday
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (ankle) will be back in the lineup on Wednesday versus Vegas. Amazingly, McDavid has missed just three games after initially being ruled out for 2-3 weeks. The Oilers captain hasn't been quite at his best this season but has still averaged a point per game through 10 outings, scoring three goals and dishing out seven assists. He's projected to skate on the first line with Jeff Skinner and Zach Hyman. Leon Draisaitl drops down to the second line and will be flanked by Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin.
23 hours ago
Travis Konecny Tallies Four Points In Losing Effort
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny ended an offensive slump in impressive style on Tuesday, notching two goals and two assists in a 6-4 loss to Carolina. Konecny had gone three games without a point before bursting back into the life. He started the work with a power-play goal and added three even-strength points. Despite the recent slump, Konecny has had a good start to the campaign and is on track to lead the Flyers in scoring for a fourth consecutive year. Through 13 games, Konecny boasts 14 points (seven goals, seven assists).
Yesterday
Nathan MacKinnon Matches Franchise Record With Five Assists
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon had a special outing against Seattle on Tuesday, collecting five assists in a 6-3 victory. He matched a franchise record for most assists in a single game. MacKinnon picked up two helpers on the power play. With the monster effort, MacKinnon took over the scoring lead in the league. He reached 25 points for the campaign, having produced six goals and 19 assists in 13 outings. The reigning MVP has yet to finish scoreless this season and boasts nine multi-point efforts already.
Yesterday
Andrew Peeke Sustains An Upper-Body Injury Tuesday
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Toronto. He played less than five minutes and was limited to six shifts because of the injury. Peeke fills a bottom-pairing role in defense for Boston and has registered two assists across 13 outings with seven shots, 21 blocks, and 18 hits. The team will miss Peeke's physicality if he's out on Thursday against Calgary. Mason Lohrei, who has amassed four points (one goal, three assists) in 10 appearances this season, is the most likely replacement for Peeke.
Yesterday
Anthony Mantha Suffers A Lower-Body Injury
Calgary Flames right wing Anthony Mantha had his night cut short by a lower-body injury on Tuesday versus Montreal. Mantha was limited to 5:06 of ice time. The 30-year-old entered Tuesday's game with a three-game point streak. He has tallied four goals and seven points in 13 appearances while registering a team-high plus-six rating. Mantha has been an effective player for the Flames and will definitely be missed if he has to sit out additional time. Matt Coronato, who scored twice in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win, could land in a top-six role if Mantha is unavailable on Thursday versus Boston. Kevin Rooney would likely fill the gap in the lineup.
Yesterday
Cale Makar Exits With Injury Versus Seattle
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (undisclosed) didn't finish Tuesday's battle with the Kraken. According to Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, Makar "tweaked" something in the second period. Makar has been in immense form to start the campaign and added two more assists to his tally in Tuesday's 4-2 win. He's the top-scoring defenseman in the league by a wide margin, having tallied 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 13 outings. If Makar can't play in Thursday's matchup against Winnipeg, Devon Toews will likely move to the first power-play unit, with John Ludvig or Oliver Kylington entering the lineup.
Yesterday
Dylan Holloway Taken To Hospital After Being Hit By A Puck
St. Louis Blues left wing Dylan Holloway was taken to the hospital after he was hit by a puck in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay. He was hit in the neck area with 2:37 remaining in the first period. Holloway managed to finish his shift but was then stretched away from the bench area. The Blues announced that Holloway was alert and stable. This was a scary incident, but it's great to know that the player appears to be fine. However, the Blues likely have to be without him for a bit. After signing an offer sheet to join St. Louis from Edmonton, Holloway has opened the 2024-25 campaign with six points (four goals, two assists) through 13 games. He's filled a top-six role lately due to Robert Thomas' (ankle) absence.
Yesterday
Auston Matthews
• C
•
Maple Leafs
