NHL Player News

Protas put up two assists in a 4-1 win over Detroit on Tuesday.

Protas has been a revelation this season. He has three points, including two assists, in his last two games and 10 points (six goals, four helpers) across his past six appearances. Protas has 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists) and 128 shots in 68 contests this season. While only one assist has come with the man advantage, Protas has demonstrated tremendous growth in his defensive game. He leads the NHL with a plus-42 rating, and he has put up four shorthanded points. He's on the ice when it really matters, and he's always on the right side of the puck. It's only a matter of time before Protas starts getting time on the power play, especially at his size (6-foot-6, 247 lbs).

Strome scored a goal and added an assist in a 4-1 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday.

Strome opened the scoring in the first period with a high wrist shot through a screen from the point. He has three points, including two goals, in his last two games and seven points (four goals, three assists) and 12 shots across his past seven outings. Strome equaled his career-best 67 points, which he set last year in 82 games. This year, he has done it in 68, and that means he's flirting with an 80-point campaign. Strome is a top-25 point producer this season. Sometimes it takes a while to fulfill your promise as a top-3 overall draft pick (2015).

Larkin scored Detroit's only goal in a 4-1 loss to Washington on Tuesday.

Larkin was in tight and fired a rebound over the left shoulder of Logan Thompson to knot the game 1-1, and it stayed that way until well into the third when the Caps put up three in a 7:11 span to pull away. It was his 28th goal of the season and his 60th point. Larkin has recorded four consecutive 60-point campaigns, and he's on pace for his second 70-plus season. He's also on pace to top 250 shots. The Wings will need every bit of his offense to make a wild-card spot -- they are three points out and in a multi-team tussle, which makes things tough.

Bemstrom (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup versus the Islanders on Tuesday, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

With Bemstrom and Thomas Novak (lower body) unavailable to play, Joona Koppanen will suit up versus the Islanders after joining Pittsburgh on Tuesday from the minors on an emergency basis. Bemstrom has one assist, 11 shots on goal and nine hits in 10 NHL outings this season.

Novak (lower body) won't play against the Islanders on Tuesday.

Novak will miss his fourth straight game, and a timeline for his return is unclear because he hasn't been skating. He hasn't earned a point in two games with Pittsburgh since being acquired from Nashville on March 5.

Sharangovich notched an assist and three shots on goal in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Sharangovich snapped a four-game point drought with the helper. He's returned to center after moving to the wing following the Flames' trade for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee in late January. Sharangovich is taking on the extra responsibility to help cover for the absence of Mikael Backlund (upper body), who is week-to-week. For the season, Sharangovich has 24 points, 107 shots on net, 26 blocked shots and a minus-11 rating over 58 appearances in a middle-six role.

Pospisil recorded an assist and four hits in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Pospisil had the secondary assist on a Rasmus Andersson tally late in the first period. For Monday's game, Pospisil was on the top line with Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau, a spot where he's had previous success. Still, Pospisil's game is best suited to bottom-six minutes, and he often doesn't get power-play time. He's managed 22 points, 85 shots on net, 242 hits, 78 PIM and a plus-1 rating across 66 appearances in 2024-25, slightly behind the pace that saw him put up 24 points in 63 outings as a rookie last year.

Hyman (undisclosed) will play against Utah on Tuesday, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Hyman will be back on the top line and should see action on the first power-play unit after missing one game due to injury. He has compiled 22 goals, 37 points, 171 shots on net and 46 hits through 61 appearances this season. Based on Tuesday's morning skate, Hyman will replace Max Jones in the lineup.

McMann scored a goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Monday's 6-2 win over the Flames.

McMann snapped his 12-game goal drought in the third period. In that span, the 28-year-old was limited to three assists. McMann has proven his worth when injuries occur to give him a taste of top-six action, but he typically hasn't been able to keep the momentum up once he returns to the third line. Overall, he's produced 18 goals, 11 helpers, 130 shots on net, 99 hits and a plus-6 rating over 59 appearances.

Aston-Reese posted an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Devils.

Aston-Reese snapped a six-game point drought by helping out on Mathieu Olivier's third-period tally. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese continues to see steady bottom-six minutes, offering a bit of physicality in the Blue Jackets' lineup. He's at 15 points, 87 shots on net, 158 hits, 48 blocked shots and a minus-11 rating over 66 appearances. He could challenge his career-best output of 17 points from the 2018-19 campaign with the Penguins.