NHL Player News

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.

Head coach John Hynes did not have an update on Eriksson Ek's status after the forward departed Saturday's contest versus Seattle with an upper-body injury, according to Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Eriksson Ek fired one shot on goal in 11:44 of ice time before exiting Saturday's game. The 27-year-old was shaken up after taking an elbow to the face from Seattle's Adam Larsson, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic. Expect an update on Eriksson Ek's status ahead of Sunday's contest against Winnipeg.

Mercer tallied an empty-net goal during Saturday's 5-3 win over the Capitals.

Mercer has his first goal of the season and has two points in the first four games. The 22-year-old will be relied upon as a top-six winger for the balance of the season and could be a worthwhile add for fantasy managers once he can become a more consistent offensive producer.

Aston-Reese (upper body) won't return to Saturday's game versus the Avalanche.

Aston-Reese was injured on a high hit during his first shift of the game. The 30-year-old forward opened 2024-25 in a fourth-line role for the Blue Jackets after being plucked off waivers from Vegas on Monday. If he can't play Tuesday versus the Panthers, Dylan Gambrell could enter the lineup in his place.

Crosby picked up a power-play assist Saturday in a 4-2 loss to Toronto.

The assist came on Kris Letang's slap shot in the first period. It was Crosby's 1,599th career NHL point. He has put up three points in his last two games and will look to stretch that streak Monday in Montreal.

Cotter tallied two goals on four shots and added two hits in Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Capitals.

Cotter has been scorching to start the season with four goals and five points in his first four games. The 24-year-old could have a breakout year in the high-octane offense of the Devils. However, he is unlikely to maintain his current scoring pace. After all, he recorded a career-high 25 points in 76 regular-season contests with Vegas in 2023-24.

Malkin put up two assists Saturday in a 4-2 loss to Toronto.

The points gave Malkin 1,300 in his career, tying him with Jarome Iginla for 36th on the all-time list. The 38-year-old Malkin accomplished the feat in 1,148 games. Despite his age, he still has plenty in the tank, and he should continue to move up the list this season. Guy Lafleur sits 29th with 1,353, and Brendan Shanahan is 28th with 1,354.