NHL Player News

Appleton scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Flames.

The Jets' third line of Appleton, Adam Lowry and Nino Niederreiter combined for six points on the night, with both of Appleton's points coming in the third period as Winnipeg broke open a 2-2 tie. The 28-year-old is off to the best start of his career, racking up three goals and eight points in eight games, but Appleton likely won't be able to maintain that pace much longer -- his career highs are 14 goals and 36 points, both set over 82 regular-season games in 2023-24.

Thompson scored two even-strength goals and added a power-play assist in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Red Wings.

The 26-year-old was involved in each of Buffalo's first three goals as the home side surged out to a 3-1 lead early in the second period. Thompson has gotten onto the scoresheet in six straight games, piling up six goals and 10 points over that stretch, and he's back in the form that saw him break out for 47 goals and 94 points in 2022-23.

Dvorak managed an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Blues.

Dvorak set up Joel Armia's empty-netter to seal the win. The 28-year-old Dvorak saw 16:10 of ice time Saturday, his second-highest total of the season. The defensive center has two assists, eight shots on goal, seven blocked shots, three hits and a minus-4 rating through eight appearances. He's likely to spend the bulk of the campaign in a bottom-six role.

Zacha notched a power-play assist in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs.

Zacha had gone six games without a point before helping out on a David Pastrnak tally in the second period. The 27-year-old Zacha has maintained his top-six role during the slump, and it will be tough for him to stay quiet when seeing big minutes alongside fellow Czech forward Pastrnak. Zacha has three points, 21 shots on net, nine PIM, two hits and a minus-1 rating through nine appearances.

Kastelic scored a goal, doled out six hits and blocked two shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs.

The goal snapped a four-game slump for Kastelic. The 25-year-old's overall numbers are a bit deceptive -- he has six points through nine contests, but he's gotten on the scoresheet in only three games. He's finding success on the Bruins' fourth line nonetheless, adding nine shots on net, 37 hits, 11 blocked shots, 12 PIM and a plus-8 rating. Kastelic should have no trouble eclipsing his career high of 11 points from the 2022-23 campaign.

Rakell notched an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks.

Rakell's touch-pass in the neutral zone set up Evgeni Malkin for a third-period tally. Through 10 appearances, Rakell has four goals, two assists, 22 shots on net, 15 hits and 10 blocked shots. He started the game on Sidney Crosby's line but moved back with Malkin after Bryan Rust (lower body) left the game with an injury. Rakell can be streaky, but he's been fairly solid to begin 2024-25.

Malkin scored a goal on two shots, added two assists, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks.

Malkin nearly hurt himself on his goal, as his momentum carried him into the post and boards after he blew past the Canucks' defense. The 38-year-old has been a boom-or-bust player so far, with five multi-point efforts and five scoreless outings over 10 games. Even with streaky scoring, he has three goals, 14 points, 18 shots on net, eight blocked shots and a minus-3 rating this season. Malkin is locked in as the No. 2 center, and he's been one of few bright spots for the Penguins early in the campaign.

Blueger logged an assist in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Penguins.

Blueger has quietly assembled a four-game point streak, earning a goal and three assists in that span. The 30-year-old is playing well in a bottom-six role, though he sees minimal power-play time, so he's unlikely to keep this hot streak going much longer. He's at five points, nine shots on net, nine hits, seven PIM and a plus-2 rating over seven appearances this season.

Miller scored a goal on four shots in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Penguins.

Miller has five points over his last four games. The 31-year-old also won 12 of his 20 faceoffs Saturday, so he appears to have moved past the injury concern that left him questionable for Tuesday's game against Chicago. Miller is up to four goals, seven points, 18 shots on net, 11 hits and a plus-2 rating over seven appearances while filling his usual top-six role.

Pettersson scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Penguins.

Pettersson's goal was the first of three by the Canucks in a span of 1:05, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead. The center has a goal and two assists during his three-game point streak, though he still isn't looking particularly explosive on offense. He's at four points, 11 shots on net, 12 hits, seven blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating through seven outings this season.