NHL Player News

Matthews scored two goals on a game-high seven shots on net while adding four blocked shots in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Nashville.

The Leafs couldn't solve Juuse Saros over the first two periods, but Matthews finally woke his team up by banging home a one-timer from in close just 31 seconds into the final frame. The 27-year-old then struck again less than two minutes later, deking both Gustav Nyquist and Saros out of their skates to give Toronto its first lead of the game. It was Matthews' first multi-goal performance of 2024-25, and through 16 appearances he's racked up eight goals and 16 points -- including three goals and five points in three contests since returning from an upper-body injury.

Jankowski scored his first goal of the season in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Toronto.

The veteran forward swept home a rebound late in the third period to bring Nashville within a goal, but the visitors couldn't find an equalizer. Jankowski's bottom-six role doesn't afford him many offensive opportunities, but he's managed to produce three points over six appearances since returning to the lineup following a six-game stint in the press box as a healthy scratch.

Stankoven logged an assist and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Kings.

Stankoven has received a chance to join Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment on the second line following the news that Tyler Seguin (hip) will be out for at least four months. Stankoven's helper came on a Marchment goal in the first period. Stankoven has just two assists over his last eight outings, putting him at 16 points, 63 shots on net, 16 hits and a plus-3 rating through 23 appearances. He's talented enough to handle top-six minutes, but that second-line spot will likely come down to whichever forward has the most chemistry with the established members of the line.

Johnston scored a power-play goal on two shots and added two hits in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Kings.

Johnston opened the scoring just 2:34 into the game. The 21-year-old forward has three goals and five assists over his last eight contests, though he had a six-game point streak snapped Monday in Utah. He's now at five goals, 15 points, 67 shots on net, 15 hits and 14 blocked shots through 25 appearances this season. Johnston has switched between the first and third lines this season, though he could get a look alongside Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment at some point since Tyler Seguin (hip) is out until April.

Kopitar posted an assist in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Stars.

Kopitar has nine points over his last six contests, with four multi-point efforts in that span. The 37-year-old helped out on Joel Edmundson's equalizer in this game. Kopitar continues to play above a point-per-game pace -- he's collected eight goals, 22 helpers, 32 shots on net, 16 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating through 26 outings this season.

McTavish notched an assist in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Golden Knights.

McTavish has two assists over five games since he returned from an upper-body injury. The 21-year-old has been listed on the top line, but he's seen ice time more in line with middle-six usage. The center has 10 points, 29 shots on net, 13 hits, 14 PIM and a minus-7 rating across 18 appearances this season. That's not a fantastic scoring pace, but he does enough outside of scoring to be an option in deeper fantasy formats.

Hertl notched two assists and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Ducks.

Hertl helped out on third-period tallies by Alexander Holtz and Shea Theodore. This snapped a four-game drought for Hertl, which was his longest slump of the season. The 31-year-old forward is up to eight goals, 12 helpers, 61 shots on net, 37 hits, 23 blocked shots and a minus-7 rating over 27 outings in a middle-six role.

Eichel recorded two assists, five shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Ducks.

Eichel has gone a season-high five games without a goal. His contributions in that span are a pair of two-assist games, including Wednesday, when he helped out on both of Shea Theodore's tallies. Eichel is one of two players in the league at 30 helpers this season -- he pulled even with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon. Eichel's 38 points also put him one back of the league lead, which is currently shared by MacKinnon, Martin Necas and Kirill Kaprizov. Eichel has added 76 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and a plus-13 rating over 27 appearances in what's shaping up to be a career year.

Karlsson scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Ducks.

Karlsson had gone eight games without a goal, and he was limited to two assists in that span. He snapped the skid with a first-period tally. Karlsson is up to five goals, 12 points, 40 shots on net, 20 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 18 appearances this season. That's a fair level of production for the center, though it's behind the pace that saw him rack up 30 goals and 60 points in just 70 regular-season contests in 2023-24.

Zegras (lower body) will not return to Wednesday's game versus the Golden Knights.

Zegras was injured in the second period and ruled out for the game prior to the intermission. He got tangled up with William Karlsson when he sustained the injury. Zegras needed assistance from teammates to get off the ice. If the 23-year-old is unable to play Friday versus the Wild, the Ducks would need to call up a forward.