NHL Player News

Pinto scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Panthers.

Pinto's tally at 10:42 of the first period stood as the game-winner. The center had a hat trick in the preseason finale and appears to have some momentum to begin 2024-25. The 23-year-old was fifth among Senators forwards with 15:59 of ice time in their Opening Night game, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about his third-line role at even strength. Pinto has 50-point potential if he produces at a similar rate to last season.

Suter (upper body) will play against the Flyers on Friday, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.

Suter sat out Wednesday's regular-season opener against Calgary after being considered a game-time decision, but he'll be able to make his season debut against Philadelphia. Over 67 regular-season appearances with the Canucks last year, he logged 14 goals and 29 points while averaging 15:30 of ice time.

Barzal banked a power-play assist in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss versus Utah.

Barzal had the secondary assist on Anthony Duclair's first-period power-play marker. Barzal added one shot, one block and a plus-1 rating in 22:46 of ice time. The right-shot forward has had a revolving door of linemates throughout his NHL career, but he should have some stability in that regard with Duclair and Bo Horvat this season. Barzal finished at a point-per-game pace (80 points in 80 games) in 2023-24, and that number should be within reach again in 2024-25 when factoring in his first-line role and spot on the top power-play group.

Per Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe, head coach Jim Montgomery said Friday that Poitras (undisclosed) is "very close" and could play Saturday at home versus LA.

Poitras led the Bruins in stretching before Friday's practice after skating Thursday in a regular jersey during practice. Poitras has missed the first two games of the season with his injury. Should he return against the Kings, look for the 20-year-old to center the third line, alongside Justin Brazeau and Trent Frederic.

Rooney (undisclosed) was put on injured reserve Friday, per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

The Flames recalled Justin Kirkland from AHL Calgary in a corresponding move. Rooney was injured after seeing only 1:03 of ice time Opening Night in Vancouver on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran had three goals and an assist in 33 regular-season appearances for the Flames in 2023-24.

Cooley registered two secondary assists in Thursday's 5-4 overtime victory against the Islanders.

Cooley notched a power-play assist in the first period before helping out on Dylan Guenther's game-winning goal in overtime. Cooley is showing why he was selected third overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft with four assists through two games. The left-shot center produced 44 points in his first NHL season in 2023-24, and he should be able to surpass that number given his second-line role and spot on the second power-play unit. Cooley will look to keep it rolling Saturday against the Rangers.

Glendening (undisclosed) participated in morning skate ahead of Friday's Opening Night matchup against Carolina, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.

Glendening skated with the fourth line ahead of Friday's regular-season opener, indicating that he's moved past his undisclosed injury that hampered him for most of training camp. During his first season with the Lightning last year, he tallied 10 goals and 121 hits while averaging 11:37 of ice time over his 81 regular-season appearances.

Guentzel (undisclosed) is practicing on the top line Friday, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.

Guentzel left practice early Monday and sat out Tuesday's skate, but he will be in the lineup Friday for Opening Night in Carolina. Guentzel will start on the top line, alongside Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, as well as play on the top power play. The 30-year-old had many productive seasons on a line with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, but Guentzel could surpass his career high in goals (40) and points (84) while playing on the Lightning's top unit.

Keller notched two assists in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win against New York.

Keller added three shots, two hits and a minus-1 rating in 20:06 of ice time, the most of any Utah forward. One of Keller's helpers came at even strength, while the other was on the power play. The Missouri native might have his best supporting cast since entering the league in 2016-17, and given Keller's spot on the first line and top power-play unit, his career-high mark of 86 points in 2022-23 could be within reach. The 26-year-old is up to three points through Utah's first two games of the season.

Kopitar scored three straight goals in the third period to give the Kings a 3-1 win over the Sabres on Thursday.

With Los Angeles down 1-0 after 40 minutes, Kopitar put the team on his back, potting his first goal just 13 seconds into the final frame before firing home the game-winner on the power play with 98 seconds left. The veteran center then flipped home an empty-netter to complete the natural hat trick. It's an outstanding start to the season for Kopitar, who is still plenty productive in his mid-30s -- he's recorded at least 26 goals and 70 points in each of the last two campaigns.