NHL Player News

Rossi logged an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the Bruins.

The helper was Rossi's first point in four outings with the Canucks since being dealt by Minnesota in the Quinn Hughes deal. The 24-year-old Rossi has added nine blocked shots, three shots on net and a minus-1 rating. He's occupying a first-line role, as he did with Minnesota, but that's where Vancouver needs him right now due to the absences of Elias Pettersson (upper body), Filip Chytil (upper body) and Teddy Blueger (lower body). Rossi has 14 points, 30 shots on net, 17 blocked shots, 14 hits and a minus-7 rating over 21 appearances this season. He'll likely remain in the top six even when the Canucks are healthier.

Sasson scored a goal in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the Bruins.

This was Sasson's first point in three games since he signed a two-year contract extension Monday. The 25-year-old has emerged as a valuable part of the Canucks' bottom six, though he hasn't produced a lot of offense. He's at seven goals, nine points, 32 shots on net, 20 blocked shots, 16 hits and a plus-1 rating over 32 appearances this year.

Karlsson scored twice on three shots, added an assist and logged three hits in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the Bruins.

Karlsson's first goal came on the power play. He continues to see time on the second unit with the man advantage, but he's in a fourth-line spot at even strength. Karlsson has three goals and three helpers over nine outings in December. For the season, the 26-year-old has made the most of limited opportunities, earning seven goals, seven helpers, 48 shots on net, 42 hits, 22 PIM and a minus-1 rating over 32 appearances.

Merkulov scored three goals in AHL Providence's 3-1 win over Syracuse on Saturday.

Merkulov has five goals and three assists over seven games since he had a short stint in the NHL. For the season, he has 11 goals and 22 points over 24 AHL appearances. Merkulov is impressing once again for Providence, but he'll need his offense to translate at the NHL level to earn a longer stay with the big club.

Abols scored a shorthanded goal Saturday in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Rangers.

It came on a 3-on-1 rush in the second period to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead. It was the Flyers' first shorthanded goal of the campaign. Abols has two goals and one assist in 29 games this season. He's a classic better-on-the-ice-than-in-the-fantasy-arena guy.

Barkey put up two assists in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Rangers on Saturday.

Barkey impressed everyone Saturday in his NHL debut, especially head coach Rick Tocchet. "The way he played, the way he competes, yeah, I'm going to fight for him," Tocchet told reporters after the game. Barkey has 16 points in 26 games as an AHL rookie this season after being an important part of the OHL's London Knights' Memorial Cup win last season.

Evans (lower body) won't be with the Canadiens for their game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Evans was injured Saturday and will undergo further evaluation. The Canadiens don't have any extra forwards available, so it's possible Jayden Struble will draw into the lineup as a seventh defenseman instead. Evans' status for the rest of the road trip, which wraps around the holiday break, has yet to be determined. Phillip Danault (illness) is expected to link up with the team in Boston after being traded from the Kings on Friday and could step in for Evans in Tuesday's contest against the Bruins.

Zegras scored a power-play goal Saturday in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Rangers.

Zegras extended his point streak to seven games (five goals, four assists). He has put up points in 11 of his last 12 games (eight goals, six assists). Zegras has already accounted for 15 goals and 20 assists across 34 appearances. That includes 12 power-play points. Last season, he scored 12 goals and 20 assists, including four power-play points, in 57 games for Anaheim. The move to Philly sure looks good on Zegras.

Zibanejad scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist Saturday in a 5-4 shootout win over Philadelphia.

Zibanejad scored his first goal in five games with a one-timer from the left circle to make it 4-4 with 2:34 left in the third period. He also didn't have a point in his previous two outings after being a healthy scratch for missing a team meeting. He has already put up seven power-play goals through 36 appearances, matching the total he had in 82 regular-season games last year.

Evans suffered a lower-body injury and won't return to Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.

Evans logged just 1:57 of ice time across three shifts before exiting the game. The Canadiens would be down to 11 healthy forwards if Evans isn't an option for Sunday's rematch in Pittsburgh, which could lead to a call-up from the minors.