NHL Player News

Backlund scored a goal on five shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Backlund has three points over his last three contests after going scoreless in five games following his return from an upper-body injury. The center is up to 12 goals, 27 points, 163 shots on net, 45 blocked shots, 32 PIM and a plus-1 rating across 72 appearances this season, playing in his usual top-six role.

Frost (undisclosed) didn't finish Wednesday's game versus the Ducks after a hit in the third period, Ryan Pike of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Frost took a beating in this contest, with his second unplanned trip to the locker room being enough to end his game. No update was available after the contest, leaving Frost questionable to play Friday versus the Wild. If he can't suit up, Dryden Hunt will likely enter the Flames' lineup for what amounts to a must-win game.

Harkins' point drought is up to 23 games after he was held scoreless in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flames.

Harkins has gotten a fair amount of time on the fourth line even late in the season. He was scratched versus the Oilers on Monday, but that was just his second trip to the press box since the start of March -- Brett Leason and Nikita Nesterenko have been scratched more frequently of late. However, Harkins is stuck on six points through 59 outings this season while adding 48 shots on net, 131 hits and a minus-13 rating. He'll likely end 2024-25 in a part-time role.

Strome managed an assist and two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flames.

Strome helped out on a Frank Vatrano tally late in the third period to spark the Ducks' comeback. The goal drought is now at 18 games for Strome, and he's added just five assists, 23 shots on net and 30 PIM in that span. For the season, the veteran center is at 41 points through 78 games, matching his total from each of the last two campaigns. He's tacked on 131 shots on net, 48 hits, 70 PIM and a minus-3 rating.

Carlsson logged two assists and two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flames.

Carlsson came up clutch late in the game, setting up Cutter Gauthier twice. The first connection between the linemates tied the game at 3-3 with 3:49 left in the third period, and they clicked again at 1:11 of overtime to pull off the comeback. Carlsson is up to 43 points (20 goals, 23 helpers), 100 shots on net and a plus-10 rating through 72 appearances this season, though he's been limited to three assists over five games in April.

Zegras scored a goal in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flames.

Zegras converted on a feed from Oliver Kylington at 11:49 of the third period, tying the game at 1-1. With five goals and nine assists over his last 16 outings, Zegras has been reliable on offense late in the season. The 24-year-old forward is up to 12 goals, 31 points, 94 shots on net, 43 hits, 23 PIM and a minus-8 rating over 53 contests for the season.

Lund recorded an assist in Wednesday's 8-7 overtime loss to the Wild.

Lund set up a Carl Grundstrom tally in the second period. This was Lund's first NHL helper, and he has earned three points with a minus-10 rating, 11 shots on net and three hits over eight contests since signing out of Northeastern University. He'll likely close the 2024-25 campaign in a bottom-six role, giving him minimal upside in fantasy.

Wennberg recorded an assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 8-7 overtime loss to the Wild.

Wennberg helped out on a Tyler Toffoli tally in the first period. Wennberg has earned two goals and two assists over his last eight contests, providing decent supporting offense while centering the second line. The 30-year-old is at 35 points, 76 shots on net, 74 blocked shots and a minus-18 rating through 73 appearances.

Smith scored a goal on three shots, dished three assists and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 8-7 overtime loss to the Wild.

Smith has four goals and three assists during his three-game point streak. Both of the Sharks' top rookies, Smith and Macklin Celebrini, had great performances despite the overtime loss. For the season, Smith has 17 goals, 27 helpers, 12 power-play points, 121 shots on net and a minus-10 rating over 70 appearances. The Sharks have four games left on the schedule, so Smith still has plenty of time to help fantasy managers pad their scoring numbers.

Celebrini scored three goals and added two assists, two hits and a plus-4 rating in Wednesday's 8-7 overtime loss to the Wild.

Celebrini snapped a nine-game goal drought in a big way. During that stretch, he still racked up seven assists, but the rookie center had everything going in this contest. For the season, he's up to 24 goals, 38 assists, 226 shots on net, 51 blocked shots and a minus-26 rating over 66 appearances. He's leaped back over Matvei Michkov, and Celebrini's 62 points are second only to Lane Hutson (64) in the rookie scoring race. Celebrini and Michkov are tied with 24 goals apiece to lead all rookies.