NHL Player News

Mittelstadt scored a power-play goal on two shots, blocked three shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Mittelstadt has a goal in each game this season, and he's added five shots on net. The 25-year-old center filled an increased role Saturday with Jonathan Drouin (upper body) out of the lineup. Mittelstadt is locked in as the Avalanche's second-line center, and his spot on the top power-play unit could give him a chance to surpass his previous best of 59 points from the 2022-23 campaign.

Colton scored a goal on three shots, added an assist and logged two hits in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Colton had a power-play assist in the second period and an even-strength goal in the third. The 28-year-old forward was held off the scoresheet in the season opener Wednesday versus the Golden Knights. Colton has a chance to play in a top-six role as long as Jonathan Drouin (upper body) is out. In the long run, Colton can be a useful forward in fantasy thanks to his physicality, especially after producing a career-high 40 points over 80 regular-season outings last year.

MacKinnon scored a power-play goal on three shots, added an assist and logged 10 PIM in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets.

MacKinnon had one of three multi-point efforts for the Avalanche, but it wasn't enough. He shattered a stick after Columbus' empty-netter, earning himself a 10-minute misconduct penalty. The 29-year-old center has a goal, three helpers, seven shots and two power-play points through the first two games of the year despite the Avalanche starting 0-2-0.

Eriksson Ek (upper body) won't make the trip to Winnipeg for Sunday's game, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Eriksson Ek is set to miss at least one game with the injury. The Wild are starting a seven-game road trip, though they have three days off between the second and third contests on their travels. Eriksson Ek may still join them on the road, depending on the severity of his injury, which has yet to be revealed.

Fantilli scored a goal on two shots and blocked three shots in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Avalanche.

Fantilli celebrated his 20th birthday with a second-period goal, his first point in two games this season. He's started the season as the Blue Jackets' second-line center, a role that should allow him to build on the 27-point rookie season he produced in 49 games in 2023-24. Fantasy managers in dynasty formats should already have Fantilli, but he could play his way into the redraft picture in 2024-25.

Johnson scored a goal on two shots in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Avalanche.

Johnson stretched the Blue Jackets' lead to 2-0 in the first period. The 21-year-old has two goals, one assist and six shots on net over the first two games of the year. More impressively, he led all Columbus forwards with 21:30 of ice time despite beginning the game in a third-line role. He's poised for a breakout campaign after being limited to 16 points in 42 contests in 2023-24. He had a 40-point rookie year in 2022-23, and if he finds his way into a top-six role, he'll have a good chance of pushing past that mark.

Monahan scored a power-play goal on two shots, added two assists and went plus-2 in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Avalanche.

Monahan's goal was an empty-netter to seal the win in a back-and-forth battle. The trio of Monahan, Yegor Chinakhov and Kirill Marchenko had three points apiece in the win. Monahan is playing a top-line role for Columbus and has added six shots on net and a plus-1 rating over his first two contests with the team.

Suzuki recorded an assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Senators.

Suzuki was stuffed on a breakaway by Linus Ullmark midway through the third period, but Cole Caufield trailed and banged home the rebound. The assist was Suzuki's first point of the season. Montreal's captain logged career-highs in goals (33) and assists (44) over 82 games in 2023-24, his third consecutive 82-game season.

Dvorak had a power-play assist and one hit in Saturday's 4-1 win over Ottawa.

Dvorak set up a wide-open Emil Heineman for Montreal's first goal midway through the first period for his first point of the season. Neither of the fourth-line players are usually part of the power play, but they found themselves on the ice in the final seconds of Ottawa's penalty. Dvorak has just 27 seconds of power-play ice time through three games this season.

Newhook scored a goal on one shot and had one hit in Saturday's 4-1 win over Ottawa.

Newhook's one-timer from way out got past Linus Ullmark for his first goal of the season. He's looking to build off a breakout campaign in 2023-24 when he posted career highs in points (34) and goals (15) with a 17.6 shooting percentage in 55 regular-season appearances. He is skating on the second line and has a role on the second power-play unit.