NHL Player News

Donato logged a power-play assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Islanders.

Donato snapped a four-game slump with the helper. The 28-year-old forward continues to be a factor on the top power-play unit, though he has moved around the lineup at even strength. He's managed to generate 16 points, 68 shots on net, 51 hits and a minus-1 rating through 27 outings this season. Donato is on pace for a career year, so he may have some fantasy value in deeper formats, particularly those that count hits.

Horvat scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Blackhawks.

Horvat has gotten his offense on track with three goals and two assists over his last five games. The 29-year-old center had endured a 13-game goal drought prior to Dec. 7. He's now at 22 points, 86 shots on net, 39 hits and a plus-8 rating through 31 outings. Horvat's production isn't at the level of high-end No. 1 centers, but his role, even in a weak offense, means he needs to be rostered in most fantasy formats.

Acciari scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 9-2 win over the Canadiens.

Acciari had the Penguins' last goal, capping off a six-goal third period. The tally snapped a 14-game point drought for the 33-year-old forward, who has emerged as a defensive presence on the fourth line. He's at six points, 33 shots on net, 64 hits, 38 blocked shots and a minus-11 rating over 31 appearances. Acciari's spot in the lineup looks safe, but he carries more value on the ice than in fantasy.

Johnson logged a power-play assist in Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Capitals.

Johnson has five points over his last three games, though his helper Thursday was his first power-play point since Nov. 23 versus the Hurricanes. He's bounced back well from a brief slump earlier in December. The 22-year-old forward is logging top-line minutes and time on the first power-play unit. He has nine goals, eight assists, 33 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 15 appearances, which is already better production than his 16-point effort over 42 outings in an injury-shortened 2023-24.

Veleno was held off the scoresheet for the 13th game in a row in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Flyers.

Veleno has been scratched four times in that span, but he's playing more often than not. When he suits up, he usually fills a fourth-line role, which won't make it easy for him to generate offense. The 24-year-old is at two points, 20 shots on net, 37 hits, 17 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating through 25 outings this season, a drastic drop-off compared to the career-high 28 points he amassed in 2023-24. Veleno is also averaging a career-low 11:01 of ice time in 2024-25.

Cotter has not recorded a point over his last 13 games after being held off the scoresheet in a 3-1 win over the Kings on Thursday.

During the slump, Cotter has 13 shots on net, 14 PIM and 51 hits. He opened the year in great form, but as a bottom-six forward with no path to power-play time, offense is likely to come and go. The 25-year-old has 12 points, 39 shots on net, 103 hits, 26 PIM and a minus-3 rating through 32 appearances.

Danault notched an assist and two hits in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Devils.

Danault had been held off the scoresheet over the previous three games. The 31-year-old center has been fairly steady in a middle-six role this season, but he's had four slumps of three contests, which is just enough to make him a fringe option in fantasy. He's now at 14 points, 47 shots on net, 28 hits, 27 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through 29 outings.

Strome notched two assists, including one on the power play, and two shots on goal in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Strome's gotten on the scoresheet twice in six games in December, with each instance being a two-assist performance. The center is up to 14 points (three on the power play), 53 shots on net, 13 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 28 appearances. He's found a spot alongside Frank Vatrano and Troy Terry in the top six, which gives Strome at least the potential to put up strong scoring numbers.

Smith (back) is not practicing Friday after missing the last 12 minutes of Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Islanders, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smith missed Monday's game against the Rangers with a back issue, so it's likely a recurrence of the same injury. Smith has six goals and four assists over 26 games this season, including one goal on the power play. He should tentatively be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's road game in New Jersey.

Nugent-Hopkins scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Wild.

Nugent-Hopkins found the back of the net for the third time across his last seven appearances, and this was his first power-play goal this season. The left winger has cracked the scoresheet four times in that aforementioned seven-game stretch, tallying six points (three goals, three assists). Even though he's not expected to reach the productive levels of teammates such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins should continue to find ample opportunities to produce through his first-line role and spot on the first power-play unit.