NHL Player News

Eller scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 3-2 win over Chicago.

Eller's goal was the game-winner, coming with 2:23 left in the third period. The 37-year-old has moved around the lineup early in the campaign to help the Panthers overcome some early injuries. He's done a fair job of adding depth scoring with a goal and five assists over 12 outings. He's also produced 11 shots on net, seven hits, eight blocked shots and a plus-3 rating. Eller's value remains higher on the ice than in fantasy, as he doesn't do enough of anything to move the needle outside the deepest formats.

Backlund (upper body) will be a game-time decision against Toronto on Monday, per Pat Steinberg of QR Calgary 770 AM.

After missing the last two games with an upper-body injury, Backlund appears to be on track to play against the Maple Leafs. He returned to his regular top-line role during Monday's morning skate and went through his normal game-day routine. Backlund has earned one goal, two points, 24 shots on net, three blocked shots and seven hits in eight appearances this season.

Jankowski (lower body) won't play against Boston on Tuesday, per Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News.

Jankowski will miss his fifth straight game with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to rejoin his teammates for Tuesday's morning skate. He has contributed six goals, one assist, 15 shots on net, six hits and four blocked shots in nine appearances this season.

Johnston scored an even-strength goal on two shots and added a power-play assist in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Islanders.

Johnston assisted on Justin Hryckowian's second-period power-play goal before potting the game-winner early in the third. After failing to find the back of the net in his first seven appearances, Johnston has now tickled twine in consecutive games. His continued power-play involvement and prominent offensive role should help him build on this momentum, especially after he scored 45 goals last season. He seems to be finding his form with back-to-back multi-point performances.

Sasson scored a goal and added two PIM in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Wild.

Sasson has earned three points over his last six games. That's not bad work for a depth forward, but he doesn't add enough else to be a major player in fantasy. He has a total of three goals, two assists, 15 shots on net, 12 blocked shots, 10 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 13 appearances this season.

Necas logged two assists, two hits and two PIM in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Predators.

Necas has multiple points in three of his last five games. The 27-year-old winger is up to six goals, 10 assists, 24 shots on net, 10 hits and a plus-8 rating through 12 outings this season. Necas remains firmly in a top-six role, and while he's earned just two points on the power play, he should be capable of sustaining elite offense throughout the year.

Bourque notched an assist in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche.

This was Bourque's third game back after missing four due to an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old remains in a second-line role, though he was on the wing Sunday rather than at center. He's earned two assists, 13 shots on net and six hits across seven appearances to begin his Nashville tenure.

Drury scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche.

Drury was able to get in on the fun against his former team, stretching the Predators' lead to 4-0 in the second period. The 26-year-old center has scored twice and added an assist over his first 11 games with Nashville after an offseason trade sent him away from Colorado. He's added 14 shots on net, 12 blocked shots, eight hits and a minus-3 rating in a depth role this year.

Stamkos scored twice on four shots and added an assist in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche.

One goal and the assist came on the power play. Stamkos hadn't made a splash with the man advantage since Oct. 10 versus the Senators. The 36-year-old forward is still piling up points, earning seven goals, seven helpers, seven power-play points, 23 shots on net and a minus-2 rating across 11 outings this season.

O'Reilly scored two power-play goals on five shots, added two assists and logged two PIM in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche.

One of O'Reilly's helpers also came on the power play. This was the best game of the season for O'Reilly, though he has largely been consistent in a top-line role to begin the campaign. He's up to six goals, six assists, six power-play points, 26 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating through 11 appearances. He remains a steady source of offense even in his age-35 season.