NHL Player News

Brown notched two assists and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Brown has taken the season of giving literally -- he has five helpers over his last four games. Going back to Dec. 12, he's racked up three goals and seven assists over nine contests. At least to begin Tuesday's game, he was on the top line at even strength. Brown had been in a third-line role for much of the campaign, but even a part-time gig alongside Connor McDavid makes a player worth a look in fantasy. Brown is up to 18 points, 53 shots on net, 20 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating through 37 appearances. His usage will be worth monitoring in the coming days and weeks.

McDavid registered two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

McDavid is now on an 11-game point streak, during which he's earned three goals and 20 assists. It's his longest streak of the year, and while it's playmaking-heavy, it's still good to see the superstar perform at a high level after the Oilers' slow start to the season. McDavid now has 15 goals, 39 helpers, 104 shots on net and a plus-11 rating over 34 appearances this season. He's tied for third in the league in points (54) and trails only teammate Leon Draisaitl (56) and Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon (61).

Nugent-Hopkins scored a goal on three shots in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Nugent-Hopkins' tally in the second period was the game-winner. He started the contest as the third-line center but still saw his usual share of top-six minutes and power-play time. The Oilers look to be ready to experiment with Connor Brown getting more prominent usage, which could have a slight negative impact on Nugent-Hopkins, though the two were able to coexist in this contest. For the season, the 31-year-old forward has eight goals, 20 points, 73 shots on net and a plus-4 rating over 36 appearances.

Draisaitl scored an empty-net goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Utah.

Draisiatl is up to a league-leading 27 goals, 10 of which he scored over 13 games in December. The 29-year-old has added 14 assists during his 12-game point streak -- the last time he was silenced was Dec. 3 in a shutout loss to the Golden Knights. Draisiatl also ranks second in the league in points (56), trailing only Nathan MacKinnon (61). Draisaitl has added 112 shots on net, a plus-20 rating and 10 PIM through 37 appearances. He's on pace to exceed his regular-season haul of 41 goals and 106 points from 2023-24.

Lafferty managed an assist, three shots on goal and three hits in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Stars.

Lafferty has a helper in two of the last three games. The 29-year-old has also recorded 12 hits over six contests since he returned from a lower-body injury. Lafferty is firmly in a fourth-line role and is unlikely to get much of a consistent look anywhere else in the lineup. He's at three points, 18 shots on net, 39 hits, 18 PIM and a minus-3 rating through 28 appearances in his first year with the Sabres.

McLeod put up an assist in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Stars.

McLeod has been on the fourth line lately, but it looks like he's getting more comfortable with that role. He has a helper in three of the last four contests, and while he's gone 20 games without a goal, he has six assists over his last 11 outings. For the season, the 25-year-old center has produced six goals, 12 assists, 35 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating across 38 appearances.

Thompson notched an assist in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Stars.

Thompson got a piece of Bowen Byram's shot attempt, and Jason Zucker picked up the loose change for the Stars' first goal. The 27-year-old Thompson got on the scoresheet in 10 of 14 games in December, but he had just two multi-point efforts for the month, earning seven goals and five assists. He's up to 30 points, 92 shots on net, 35 hits and a plus-5 rating through 33 contests overall while maintaining his usual top-line role.

Johnston scored a goal on four shots in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Sabres.

Johnston has scored in three straight games, and he has three goals and five assists over his last seven outings. His tally Tuesday was the game-winner. Johnston is up to nine goals, 25 points, 102 shots on net and a plus-5 rating through 36 appearances. He's currently playing on a remodeled second line for the Stars, with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene as linemates. That trio collectively plays an excellent two-way game, and while that might not lead to elite offense, Johnston should remain productive.

Barron posted an assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Barron has a helper in each of the last two games and three points over his last five outings. The fourth-liner is getting more involved, but there's no telling how long his newfound offense will last since he continues to struggle to see 10 minutes of ice time per game. Overall, Barron has three goals, three assists, 46 shots on net, 65 hits and a plus-4 rating over 39 appearances.

Eriksson Ek had two assists Tuesday in a 5-3 win over Nashville.

Both came on the power play. Eriksson Ek had missed most of December with a lower-body injury, and this was his second game back. Prior to the injury, Eriksson Ek had really struggled. He had just one goal and six assists in 14 November games, and he hasn't notched a goal since Nov. 1. However, Eriksson Ek's vision was on full display Tuesday, especially on Mats Zuccarello's goal -- he held the puck and saucered a pass to the far post for the driving winger to tap in. Get him back in if he's still on your bench.