NHL Player News

McIlrath hasn't played since Nov. 3, sitting out 11 consecutive games after being scratched for Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Lightning.

The Capitals' defense is fully healthy after early injuries for Matt Roy and Jakob Chychrun. McIlrath filled in admirably with two assists, four shots on net, 23 hits and 14 PIM over 10 appearances, but he's now stuck in a reserve role. He likely won't play unless a right-shot defenseman suffers an injury, and when he does check in, he offers more physicality than offense.

Carlson scored a goal on three shots and blocked three shots in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Lightning.

After Charlie Lindgren put the puck in his own net, giving the Lightning a 4-3 lead, Carlson offered a quick response to steady the Capitals. The tally ended his three-game point drought. Carlson is up to three goals, 12 assists, 53 shots on net, 38 blocked shots, 20 hits and a plus-13 rating over 22 appearances. His offense could take a hit during Alex Ovechkin's (fibula) absence, but Carlson plays enough minutes in all situations to remain productive in fantasy.

Bean has been scratched for three straight games after sitting out Wednesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Red Wings.

It's not his longest stint in the press box -- he opened November with a four-game stretch out of the lineup. Bean played in six of the first seven games this season, earning three points in that span, but he's played just five times since Oct. 26. The defenseman has added 10 shots on net and 10 blocked shots across 11 contests. Bean will compete with Joel Hanley, Brayden Pachal and Tyson Barrie for a spot on the third pairing throughout the campaign.

Pickering (illness) missed practice Thursday and is considered questionable ahead of Friday's tilt versus Boston, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Pickering was unable to play Wednesday against the Canucks with his illness. Coach Mike Sullivan stated that Pickering is still being evaluated and may not travel with the Penguins to Boston on Friday. Pickering has one assist in four games this season. If he is unable to go, look for Jack St. Ivany to remain in the lineup.

Hronek will be out for a while after suffering an upper-body injury Wednesday, according to Freelance reporter Irfaan Gaffar.

Hronek went awkwardly into the end boards with less than a minute to go in the third period, when hit by the Penguins' Jack St. Ivany. Hronek had an assist and was a plus-two in 25:50 of ice time Wednesday in a 5-4 loss in Pittsburgh. The defenseman has a goal and nine points in 21 appearances this season. Vincent Desharnais will likely enter the lineup in Hronek's absence.

Zadorov scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the islanders.

Both of Zadorov's points came in the third period, and his empty-net tally was his first goal of the season. The physical blueliner snapped a seven-game point drought with the performance, but his fantasy value typically comes in other categories -- through 24 contests on the season, he's delivered seven points, 69 hits, 48 PIM, 31 shots on net, 24 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating.

Johnson sat out for the fifth time in six games in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Canadiens.

While trade rumors swirl around prospect defenseman David Jiricek, who is in AHL Cleveland, Johnson hasn't been able to claim a regular role with the NHL club. Jake Christiansen and Jordan Harris have held down the third pairing since Dante Fabbro was plucked off waivers from Nashville. Johnson has one assist, eight shots on net, nine hits, 10 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating through 15 appearances this season. The 37-year-old doesn't need to be tracked in fantasy, as he's unlikely to produce enough offense to help.

Lindgren notched an assist, three hits and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes.

Lindgren was reunited with Adam Fox at even strength Wednesday after a few weeks alongside Jacob Trouba on a pairing that wasn't cutting the mustard defensively. Lindgren has picked up two helpers over his last four outings, but that isn't the norm for the ultra-physical defenseman. He's at three points, 14 shots on net, 12 PIM, 25 hits and 30 blocked shots over 16 appearances this season.

Liljegren notched a power-play assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Senators.

Liljegren has earned a point in each of the last two games. His helper Wednesday was his first power-play point as a Shark, and he continues to see steady time on the second unit. The defenseman has a total of three points, 25 shots on net, 20 hits, 18 blocked shots, eight PIM and a minus-2 rating over 14 appearances between the Sharks and the Maple Leafs this season.

Walman produced an assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Senators.

Walman has a helper in three straight games and six points over seven outings since he returned from an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old defenseman is up to 15 points, 57 shots on net, 29 blocked shots, 18 hits, 14 PIM and a plus-5 rating over 20 contests. Walman's offense may not be that steady all season, but he's playing well in a large role, and that carries value in most fantasy formats.