NHL Player News

Eriksson Ek registered a power-play assist and four shots on goal in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Oilers.

Eriksson Ek set up Matt Boldy for the opening goal just 3:02 into the contest. The 27-year-old Eriksson Ek had been held off the scoresheet over the previous three games. He remains in a second-line role, which has led to a bit less consistency on offense as injuries pile up around the Wild's lineup. He's also on the first power-play unit, where he's earned six of his 19 points this season. The center also has 81 shots on net, 54 hits and a plus-11 rating over 31 appearances.

Rossi scored a power-play goal on four shots, added two hits and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Oilers.

Rossi has two goals over his last three games. That's decent, but it pales in comparison to the four goals and 12 points he racked up over a nine-game span from Dec. 18 to Jan. 4. The 23-year-old center is up to 17 goals, 39 points (nine on the power play), 85 shots on net and a plus-15 rating through 45 appearances. He needs just one more point to match his total from 82 contests in the 2023-24 regular season.

Draisaitl posted an assist and four shots on goal in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Wild.

Draisaitl has two goals and four assists during his four-game point streak. The 29-year-old forward set up Zach Hyman's tally in the first period. Draisaitl is up to nine points over seven outings in January, and he has a total of 65 points (31 goals, 34 assists) with 140 shots on net and a plus-27 rating through 44 contests overall.

Hyman scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Wild.

Hyman got the Oilers on the board just 21 seconds after Marco Rossi gave the Wild a 2-0 lead. The 32-year-old Hyman has scored in two of the last three games and has five points over seven outings in January. The winger is up to 15 tallies, 26 points, 106 shots on net, 34 hits and a plus-8 rating through 39 contests. Hyman's been back on the top line for a few games, so he's safe to have active in all fantasy formats.

Nugent-Hopkins scored a goal on three shots, added a power-play assist and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Wild.

Nugent-Hopkins earned his first multi-point effort since Dec. 14. He hasn't been cold lately -- the forward has not gone more than two games without a point since the end of October. The 31-year-old is up to 12 goals, 14 helpers, 90 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 43 contests this season. He's earned 11 of his 26 points on the power play.

McDavid scored twice on three shots, dished an assist and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Wild.

McDavid has four goals and four assists over his last five contests. The center's first goal, a power-play marker, tied the game at 2-2 late in the first period, and he added an insurance tally in the third. McDavid getting his goal-scoring touch back is massive -- he didn't score over a seven-game span between Dec. 21 and Jan. 4. Overall, the superstar is at 19 goals, 62 points (19 on the power play), 127 shots on net and a plus-12 rating through 41 appearances.

Kotkaniemi notched an assist and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Sabres.

Kotkaniemi helped out on a Jaccob Slavin tally in the third period. The assist snapped a six-game slump for Kotkaniemi, who continues to be inconsistent on offense while logging middle-six minutes for the Hurricanes. The 24-year-old has six goals, 13 assists, 72 shots on net, 41 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-4 rating across 45 outings this season. His sporadic production makes him tough to roster over long stretches in fantasy.

Necas scored a goal in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Sabres.

Necas' tally with 3:10 left in the third period made things interesting, but the Hurricanes' comeback push fell short. This ended a six-game goal drought for Necas, who had four assists in that span. However, the 26-year-old has just two goals and 10 points over his last 19 outings after playing well over a point-per-game pace for the first two months of the season. Overall, he has 16 goals, 51 points, 104 shots on net, 34 hits and a plus-2 rating through 45 contests.

Thompson logged an assist and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Hurricanes.

There was some debate who would get credit for the Sabres' fourth goal, which was an awarded empty-netter that ultimately went to Ryan McLeod. Thompson was still rewarded with an assist on that play for his first point in three contests. The 27-year-old forward is up to 19 goals, 16 helpers, 117 shots on net, 40 hits and an even plus-minus rating through 39 appearances in a top-line role this season.

Cozens scored a goal and added two hits in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Hurricanes.

Cozens gave the Sabres a 2-0 lead at 8:18 of the second period with a goal that came against the run of play. The 23-year-old center has a pair of goals over the last three contests and a total of nine points across his last 13 games. For the season, he's collected 10 goals, 22 points, 96 shots on net, 89 hits, 45 PIM and a minus-16 rating over 44 appearances. Cozens will continue to have a little extra fantasy value as long as he's on the top line.