NHL News

Jakob Chychrun • D • Capitals

Jakob Chychrun Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win

Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun recorded a game-high three points in Thursday's 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators. He potted two goals, including a power-play marker to ice the game, and had one assist. This made Chychrun only the second defenseman in Capitals history with back-to-back 20-goal campaigns. He has lit the lamp 21 times, adding 25 assists in 57 contests. Chychrun leads all defensemen in goals scored and needs just two more points to set a new career high. Despite his fantastic form, Chychrun won't be part of Team Canada's roster at the Olympics, giving him three weeks to recharge for the most important part of the season.

Yesterday

Brandon Bussi • G • Hurricanes

Brandon Bussi Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi had to make only 16 saves for his second shutout of the season in Thursday's 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers. Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov took care of the offense for the streaking Hurricanes, who are on a 10-game point streak. Bussi has been pivotal to the team's success, winning each of his last seven starts. He is now only the second goaltender in franchise history with multiple seven-game winning streaks in a single season. The 27-year-old has come out of nowhere to rank second in the NHL with a 2.16 goals-against average. Additionally, Bussi is tied for the third most wins among all goalies, carrying an outstanding 23-3-1 record with a .908 save percentage.

Yesterday

Anze Kopitar • C • Kings

Anze Kopitar Reaches 1,300 Career Points

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar reached a special milestone on Thursday, collecting his 1,300th career point in a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Slovenian veteran became only the eighth player born outside North America to record 1,300 career points. He did so in his 1,495th career game with an assist. It was Kopitar's first point in four games since returning from a lower-body injury. He currently boasts 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 41 appearances for his final NHL campaign, a sharp decline from his usual production. With Slovenia not at the Olympics, Kopitar will get a few weeks to rest before the final stretch of the season, which could help improve his scoring form.

Yesterday

Mark Stone • RW • Golden Knights

Mark Stone Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone had a dominant performance in Thursday's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, posting one goal and two assists. The teams scored all five goals in the first period, and Stone finished with the game-winning marker. The Golden Knights captain became the first player in franchise history to register 100 multi-point games with the team. He's had 17 of them this season alone. The veteran star has been hot all year and will now look to make noise for Canada at the Olympics. Stone has tallied 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) in 41 outings, averaging the sixth-most points in the league (1.46 per game).

Yesterday

Daniil Tarasov • G • Panthers

Daniil Tarasov Injured in Battle of Florida

Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov (undisclosed) missed the end of Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Russian netminder left the penalty-filled game with 6:09 played in the third period, right after the Lightning scored their fifth goal. It was a tough night for Tarasov, who allowed five goals on 25 shots. Sergei Bobrovsky, who started Wednesday's shootout win over Boston, stopped two shots in relief. Tarasov will be re-evaluated on Friday. Florida will return from the Olympic break with a back-to-back set on Feb. 26, and it will be important for the team to have Tarasov available. The 26-year-old holds an 8-8-2 record for the campaign and has allowed 2.83 goals with a .899 save percentage.

Yesterday

Andrei Kuzmenko • LW • Kings

Andrei Kuzmenko Hurt Versus Vegas

Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (upper body) left early in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Russian forward suffered an upper-body injury in the first period. He tried to give it a go in the second, but left the action after logging only 8:32 of ice time. 3:55 of Kuzmenko's playing time came on the power play. Due to the Olympic break, Kuzmenko will have several weeks to recover from his injury. The Kings won't return to action until they face Vegas in a rematch on Feb. 25. Kuzmenko has been disappointing with the Kings this season, settling for 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 51 appearances.

Yesterday

John Carlson • D • Capitals

John Carlson Suffers Lower-Body Injury

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (lower body) couldn't complete Thursday's 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators. He collected a power-play assist in the first period but was limited to 7:03 of ice time due to a lower-body injury. Luckily for Carlson, the league is now on an Olympic break, giving him around three weeks to get healthy. The Capitals continue their season on Feb. 25 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Carlson was snubbed by Team USA for the Olympics despite a strong season. The 17-year-old veteran has recorded 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists), 115 shots, 84 blocks, and a plus-11 rating in 55 games.

Yesterday

Brad Marchand • LW • Panthers

Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday

Florida Panthers forwards Brad Marchand (undisclosed) and Evan Rodrigues (illness) won't be in action on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Doug Plagens of the Florida Panthers Radio Network reports. Marchand will sit out the second leg of a back-to-back after making a surprise return from a two-game absence in Wednesday's win over Boston. Rodrigues will come out of the lineup for the first time this season. Florida also won't have defensemen Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) and Tobias Bjornfot (undisclosed) on Thursday. Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, Donovan Sebrango, and Mikulas Hovorka will enter the lineup, with the latter making his NHL debut.

Yesterday

Calum Ritchie • C • Islanders

Calum Ritchie Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center

New York Islanders forward Calum Ritchie (lower body) will return from a six-game absence on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. With Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal both on the first line, Ritchie will take over center duties on the second line. The Islanders are also expected to use him on the first power-play unit. Ritchie had a four-game assist streak last month and has amassed 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 40 outings this season. Anthony Duclair will make way for Ritchie in the lineup.

Yesterday

Zach Benson • LW • Sabres

Zach Benson Sits Out Second Straight Game

Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) will miss a second straight game on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Benson scored in Monday's 5-3 win over Florida but also sustained an upper-body injury. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff expects to have Benson back after the Olympic break. Josh Norris (upper body) is also on track to rejoin the lineup when the Sabres resume play on Feb. 24. He will miss his 12th consecutive game on Thursday. Jordan Greenway (abdomen) is also expected to remain out against Pittsburgh. As a result of the injuries up front, Peyton Krebs has joined the first line, giving his fantasy stock a massive boost.

Yesterday

Pierre-Luc Dubois • C • Capitals

Pierre-Luc Dubois Available Against Predators

Washington Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (abdomen) will return to action on Thursday night against the Nashville Predators. He has been out of commission since Oct. 31, missing 47 games due to abdominal and adductor muscle surgery. Before landing on the shelf, Dubois had a slow start to the season, going scoreless in six games. He is set to center the second line and the second power-play unit on Thursday. Sonny Milano (personal) will come out of the lineup. Dubois may have struggled early this season, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on him, as he set a career high with 66 points only a year ago.

Yesterday

Rickard Rakell • LW • Penguins

Rickard Rakell Out Thursday

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell (lower body) was injured during the morning skate and won't play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Penguins head coach Dan Muse labeled Rakell day-to-day, so it appears he'll be fine to play for Team Sweden in the Olympics. Rakell has been quiet lately, but he's been productive overall for the Penguins, recording 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 35 appearances. Rutger McGroarty will replace Rakell on the first line. The Penguins also won't have Blake Lizotte (personal) on Thursday, while Noel Acciari (illness) is a game-time decision.

Yesterday

Brayden Point • C • Lightning

Brayden Point Won't Play in Olympics

Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (lower body) has been ruled out for the Olympics. Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis will replace him on Team Canada. Point suffered a lower-body injury on Jan. 12 and has been in a race against time to get healthy for the Olympic tournament. Unfortunately, he won't be ready to play. After a slow start to the campaign, Point had a great four-week stretch before his injury, collecting 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 15 games. He has 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 37 games for the season. Point skated on Thursday morning but will sit out his 10th straight game against the Florida Panthers. With him back on the ice, it appears there's a good chance Point will be available after the Olympic break.

Yesterday

Jonathan Huberdeau • LW • Flames

Jonathan Huberdeau to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery

Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau will undergo season-ending hip surgery in March. He played his final game of the campaign on Wednesday night, scoring a power-play goal in a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Huberdeau has been dealing with the hip issue all year and will finish the season with a career-low 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 50 games. Overall, Huberdeau has tallied 194 points (65 goals, 129 assists) in 291 regular-season games with the Flames. He is only three years into an eight-year, $84 million contract, the largest in franchise history. The 32-year-old is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2026-27 season.

Yesterday

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin had a three-assist game on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks, helping his team secure a 4-2 victory. Nichushkin helped Artturi Lehkonen score two second-period goals, and Josh Manson potted the game-winning goal in the third after work from Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon. With Martin Necas (lower body) out, Nichushkin has skated on the first line with Lehkonen and MacKinnon. The Olympic break comes at the wrong time for him, as the Russian forward has been pointless only once in his last six outings. For the season, Nichushkin has totaled 12 goals and 34 points in 46 games.

2 days ago

Ryan O'Reilly • C • Predators

Ryan O'Reilly Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss

Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly finished Wednesday's high-scoring 6-5 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild with three assists. The veteran forward started off the night with a power-play assist in the first period and served up an even-strength assist in the second and third periods. O'Reilly has been one of the surprise performers in fantasy hockey this season, averaging a point per game for the first time in his 17-year NHL career. He's on track for an 80-point campaign after managing only 53 points a season ago. In 56 outings, O'Reilly has posted 20 goals and 36 assists. He will attempt to post a three-game multi-point streak on Thursday against Washington, something O'Reilly hasn't done in the regular season since 2016-17.

2 days ago

Matt Boldy • LW • Wild

Matt Boldy Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday

Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy rocked the Nashville Predators with an early hat trick and a four-point performance in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime victory. The 24-year-old posted the fastest hat trick in franchise history to start a game, netting his third goal with just 12:58 played in the first period. Zach Parise held the previous record of 16:33, set in 2016. Boldy completed his big performance with an assist on Jared Spurgeon's game-winning goal late in overtime. The prolific winger became the sixth player in the league this season with at least 30 goals and 30 assists. He has managed 62 points (32 goals, 30 assists) in 54 contests. Boldy will now shift his attention to representing Team USA at the Olympics before continuing the season with the Wild on Feb. 25.

2 days ago

Jet Greaves • G • Blue Jackets

Jet Greaves Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves registered a 21-save shutout on Wednesday night in a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. A day after Elvis Merzlikins blanked the New Jersey Devils, Greaves responded with an equally impressive shutout effort. The Blue Jackets kept the opposition from scoring in consecutive days for just the second time in franchise history. Greaves earned his second shutout of the season, improving to 18-12-6. He holds a 2.62 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Greaves and Merzlikins have been sharing the workload recently and will likely continue to do so after the Olympic break.

2 days ago

Wyatt Kaiser • D • Blackhawks

Wyatt Kaiser Hurt Against Blue Jackets

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (lower body) exited Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period. He appeared to injure his left leg after getting tangled with Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. Chicago also finished the contest without forward Colton Dach (undisclosed), who left in the second frame. "If we were playing tomorrow, Dach wouldn't play, but he'd be kind of day to day-ish," Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said postgame. "Kaiser would be out for a little bit. Kaiser, I don't want to put out an exact timeline. We'll know more after getting examined tomorrow, but we'll see after the break." Due to the Olympic break, the Blackhawks won't return to action until Feb. 25, giving Kaiser plenty of time to recover. However, he might still miss action if it's a major injury. The 23-year-old has registered 12 points (five goals, seven assists), 58 shots, 47 blocks, and 36 hits in 57 appearances this season.

2 days ago

Sandis Vilmanis • LW • Panthers

Sandis Vilmanis Injured in Wednesday's Win

Florida Panthers left wing Sandis Vilmanis (upper body) left Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over the Boston Bruins early, Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun Sentinel reports. The Latvian forward was limited to four shifts and 2:35 of ice time. Vilmanis has contributed two goals and two assists through his first 13 career games this season. He had three points in four games before Wednesday's contest. Given his early exit against Boston, Vilmanis should be considered questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Florida also lost defenseman Tobias Bjornfot (undisclosed) in Wednesday's game.

2 days ago

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