NHL Player News

Protas scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs.

His tally late in the second period gave Washington a 3-1 lead, but the game was all Toronto down the stretch. Protas is capitalizing on his spot at even strength alongside Alex Ovechkin, and the 23-year-old has four multi-point performances in the last eight games, piling up five goals and 11 points during that time. However, that production has come without the benefit of consistent power-play shifts, and Protas' 23.1 percent shooting is unsustainable.

Johnson (shoulder) is practicing Thursday for the first time since he was injured Oct. 17, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

Johnson was off to a fast start with two goals and five points in four games before he was hurt. The 22-year-old was selected fifth overall in 2021 and had a tough 2023-24 campaign in which he had six goals and 16 points in only 42 regular-season games. He also spent time at AHL Cleveland last season -- recording five goals and 10 assists in 10 appearances -- after playing 79 regular-season games as a 19-year-old with the Blue Jackets. Look for Johnson to have a top-six role upon his return.

Tavares scored the overtime winner and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Capitals.

With less than a minute left in the extra frame, Joseph Woll made a huge stop on an Alex Ovechkin one-timer, and Mitch Marner cleared the rebound down the ice. Tavares got to the puck first and made no mistake, slipping it between Logan Thompson's legs as he cut across the front of the Washington net. The 34-year-old center has nine goals on the season, and three of them have been game-winners. Tavares has produced four multi-point performances in the last nine contests, racking up seven goals and 10 points over that stretch.

Bennett (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the Devils, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Bennett was unavailable for Tuesday's game against New Jersey due to an upper-body injury, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up in Thursday's rematch. If he's unavailable Thursday, Jesper Boqvist is a candidate to remain in a top-six role.

Thompson (lower body) will not play versus St. Louis on Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

Thompson was injured early in the second period in Monday's 7-5 loss to Montreal and did not return. Thompson was on a four-game goal-scoring streak and has 11 goals and 18 points in 16 games this season. He has been his old self after slumping last season with only 56 points in 71 regular-season contests. He has been held off the scoresheet on only three occasions this season.

Ponomarev was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.

Ponomarev was sent to the minors at the end of October after being taken off the injured non-roster list, but he'll rejoin the Penguins to provide additional depth as the team deals with multiple injuries. He made two NHL appearances for Carolina last year and tallied a goal and an assist while averaging 9:41 of ice time.

Prishchepov was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Prishchepov has played in the Avs' last six contests, generating four shots, nine hits and one block while averaging 7:18 of ice time. Unfortunately for the 20-year-old winger, the team is about to get some reinforcements from the infirmary, as Jonathan Drouin (upper body) and Miles Wood (upper body) are set to return along with Valeri Nichushkin (suspension). As such, Prishchepov figures to stay in the minors for a while this time around.

Tynan was returned to AHL Colorado on Thursday.

Tynan has been frequently sent back to the minors after games with the Avs, but his demotion could be permanent this time as Jonathan Drouin (upper body), Miles Wood (upper body) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) are all expected back in the lineup ahead of Friday's clash with Washington. In his seven outings with the Avalanche, the 32-year-old Tynan has recorded one assist, four hits and four blocks while averaging a mere 7:47 of ice time.

Kopitar notched a pair of assists in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Kopitar helped out on both of Adrian Kempe's first-period tallies. With six helpers over his last five games, Kopitar has stayed productive despite some struggles with creating chances for himself. The 37-year-old center has five goals, 15 helpers, 18 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 18 appearances in a top-line role this season.

MacKinnon recorded three assists, three shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

MacKinnon helped out on an Artturi Lehkonen goal in the first period, as well as both of Mikko Rantanen's third-period markers. November has been kind to the reigning MVP -- MacKinnon has two goals and 13 helpers over six games this month. Overall, the superstar center leads the NHL with 33 points (seven goals, 26 assists) while adding 67 shots on net, 12 hits, 11 blocked shots, 12 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 17 outings.