NHL Player News

Abols scored a goal Thursday in a 6-3 loss to the Penguins.

Abols deflected a Cam York slap shot early in the second frame; it was his second goal of the season. It was his first goal in 12 games (five assists). The 30-year-old fourth-line center has three goals, seven assists and 43 shots in 41 games. There's limited fantasy value in his profile.

Hertl scored a goal on two shots, added a power-play assist and logged two PIM in Thursday's 6-5 overtime win over the Maple Leafs.

Hertl helped out on Pavel Dorofeyev's second goal of the game early in the third period before scoring the game-tying tally with seven seconds left in regulation. This was Hertl's fourth multi-point effort over the last six contests, and he has four goals and seven assists in that span. The center is up to 19 goals, 41 points (17 on the power play), 123 shots on net, 56 hits, 25 PIM, 20 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 46 appearances this season. He's still listed on the third line but is functionally a top-six forward in a strong offense.

Eichel scored a goal on five shots, added three assists and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-5 overtime win over the Maple Leafs.

Eichel's fingerprints were all over the comeback effort. He assisted on the Golden Knights' last two goals to force overtime, and he then scored 2:44 into the extra session to complete the comeback. With five goals and nine assists during a seven-game point streak, Eichel is dialed in right now. He's up to 17 goals, 55 points (20 on the power play), 148 shots on net and a plus-10 rating through 39 appearances in a top-line role.

Novak picked up two assists Thursday in a 6-3 victory over the Flyers.

The second-line forward picked up his first points in five games. Novak has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last 14 games and 23 (eight goals, 15 assists) in 46 games this season. He doesn't deliver hits, blocks or PIM, so his fantasy value is limited.

Crosby had a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win over Philadelphia on Thursday.

Both points came on the power play. Crosby now has 25 goals and 26 assists in 46 games. It's his 19th season with at least 50 points, which ties him with Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky for the sixth-most in NHL history behind Ron Francis (22), Gordie Howe (22), Jaromir Jagr (20), Mark Messier (20) and Ray Bourque (20). He's also on pace for 44 goals, which would tie him with Gordie Howe (1968-69) and Ovie (2024-25) for the most by a player 38 years or older.

Strome scored a goal in a 3-2 loss to San Jose on Thursday.

Strome's tally was a power-play marker. Alex Ovechkin's shot missed the net and caromed off the back wall right to Strome, who backhanded it from the right post. It extended his point streak to three games and three points (one goal, two assists; eight shots). Strome is on pace for a mid-60s finish this season, which would give him that kind of total in three of his last four seasons. At some point, you are who you are, and Strome's 82-point 2024-25 may simply be an outlier.

Schmaltz scored a goal, added an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Stars.

Schmaltz opened the scoring late in the second period and also set up John Marino's game-winner in the third. The 29-year-old Schmaltz has five goals and five assists over eight outings in January. For the season, the first-line forward has earned 17 goals, 43 points, 115 shots on net, 31 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating over 48 appearances. He's elevated his play this year and is on track to reach the 70-point mark for the first time.

Ostapchuk scored a goal Thursday in a 3-2 win over the Capitals. He also laid down four hits.

Ostapchuk is a guy who makes a bigger impact in the hit category than anything else, but he has sniped three times in his last eight games. Overall, he has three goals, one assist and 63 hits in 24 games this season. Ostapchuk is averaging under 10 minutes a game while centering the Sharks' fourth line.

Sharangovich scored a power-play goal on two shots, added an assist and logged two PIM in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Sharangovich made sure the Blackhawks' 1-0 lead didn't last long, answering Nick Foligno's goal just 36 seconds later. This ended a six-game goal drought for Sharangovich. The 27-year-old has seven points over his last 10 outings, and he's up to nine goals, 18 points, 78 shots on net and a minus-12 rating over 43 appearances.

Backlund scored a shorthanded goal on three shots, added a power-play assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Backlund earned his second multi-point effort in a row. All three of his power-play points this season have come over the last two games, and he's also up to three shorthanded points with his goal, which was the game-winner. The 36-year-old center has racked up 12 goals, 31 points, 116 shots on net and a plus-15 rating through 47 appearances, including 15 points over his last 13 outings. He needs one more point to match his 76-game total from 2024-25.