NHL Player News

Rodrigues scored a goal while adding two shots, two hits and a blocked shot in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Predators.

Rodrigues has found the back of the net in three straight games, and the left winger is up to four points across that span -- which is more than his combined total in his previous 11 appearances. He's reaping the benefits of the Panthers' impressive winning run, but Rodrigues isn't expected to be a major fantasy contributor in most formats on a steady basis going forward.

Coach Craig Berube said that Matthews (upper body) would not be available for Friday's home game versus Detroit. according to David Alter of The Hockey News.

Matthews has been unable to practice the last two days, so it's no surprise that he won't be in the lineup Friday. He has to be considered doubtful for Saturday's game against Montreal. The reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner has only five goals in 13 games this season.

Verhaeghe recorded two goals, including one in the power play, and an assist in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Predators.

Verhaeghe was one of the top performers for the Panthers in this one-sided win, as Florida extended its winning streak to six games, with the 29-year-old cracking the scoresheet four times during that stretch. Verhaeghe only has two multi-point games on the season, but his consistency is worth noting. He's recorded at least one point in all but two of his last 10 appearances, with four goals and seven helpers in that stretch.

Barkov notched three assists, including one in the power play, in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Predators.

Barkov has been on an absolute tear since returning from an eight-game absence due to a lower-body injury, and the star playmaker is making sure his presence is felt as Florida rides an impressive winning run. In four games since returning to action, Barkov has two goals and eight assists, notching three multi-point efforts in that span and racking up three of those helpers in the power play. The small sample size applies here, as Barkov has played just six games, but he's averaging 1.83 points -- a pace that shows just how good he's been to start the season, but also a figure that shows a regression is likely to happen sooner rather than later.

Matthews (upper body) was unavailable for Friday's optional skate, according to Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun.

Matthews missed Tuesday's game versus Boston and has not practiced since then, putting his status for Friday's game versus Detroit in serious doubt. Matthews has five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season, as the superstar center has gotten off to a slow start.

Condotta had one shot on net and one block over 7:28 of ice time in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Devils.

Condotta made his season debut after being called up from AHL Laval on Wednesday, after the Canadiens loaned Oliver Kapanen to his Swedish team. He centered the fourth line Thursday and won both of his faceoff draws.

Roslovic scored two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Penguins.

It's the second time in the last four games that Roslovic has tickled twine twice. The 27-year-old has an incredible nine goals in 12 contests to begin the season, but Thursday's helper was his first of the season. Roslovic's 27.3 percent shooting screams regression, as does the fact that all nine tallies have come at even strength, but it's hard to ignore his current heater -- he has six points during that four-game stretch.

Zacha scored a goal and added an assist in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over Calgary.

It's the first multi-point performance of the season for Zacha, snapping him out of a slump that had seen the 27-year-old record just one assist over the prior 12 contests. Despite that lack of production, Zacha has maintained a spot in Boston's top six thanks to his faceoff prowess -- he was a perfect 8-for-8 at the dot Thursday, and on the season he's won 51.9 percent of his draws.

Granlund logged two assists and two shots on goal in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

Granlund set up both of Macklin Celebrini's tallies in the loss. Since Celebrini returned from a lower-body injury, Granlund has moved over to left wing, which could lead to him getting more position eligibility in some formats. The 32-year-old natural center has been excellent in a top-line role this season with six goals, eight assists, 45 shots on net and 16 hits through 14 contests, though he's also been saddled with a minus-7 rating that's unlikely to improve.

Celebrini scored twice on seven shots in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

Celebrini, the youngest player in the NHL this season, scored twice on Marc-Andre Fleury, who is the oldest player to suit up in 2024-25. This was Celebrini's second multi-point effort following his goal and assist Opening Night versus the Blues. The 18-year-old has been as advertised when healthy, adding 12 shots on net and a plus-1 rating while filling a top-line role. There may be some growing pains over the course of the campaign, but Celebrini is showing his talent and will be given every opportunity to thrive despite playing on a rebuilding team.