NHL Player News

Kulak notched an assist and went plus-2 in Friday's 5-3 win over the Ducks.

Kulak has two helpers over his last five games after he opened January with an eight-game drought. The 30-year-old blueliner could get a short-term boost in scoring potential with Evan Bouchard joining him on the third pairing. Kulak still doesn't have a bright scoring outlook -- he's at six points with 45 shots on net, 48 blocked shots, 33 hits and a plus-1 rating through 47 appearances this season.

Bouchard recorded a power-play assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Friday's 5-3 win over the Ducks.

Bouchard helped out on Leon Draisaitl's go-ahead tally midway through the third period. This was Bouchard's second point over his last seven games, and his first power-play contribution since Jan. 13. The defenseman now has a career-high 44 points through just 47 appearances. He's earned 21 of those points with the man advantage while adding 66 blocked shots, 122 shots on net, 18 PIM and a plus-11 rating. His power-play role should keep him reliable in fantasy even if he moves around the lineup at even strength.

Lajoie was promoted from AHL Toronto on Friday, per CapFriendly.

Lajoie has 17 points in 31 AHL contests this season but has been held scoreless through four NHL appearances. The 26-year-old hasn't played at the NHL level since Dec. 12.

Korczak was demoted to AHL Henderson on Friday, per CapFriendly.

Korczak has two points with a plus-5 rating over his last 11 NHL contests. He has nine points in 26 games with Vegas this season.

Sergachev (leg) was placed on injured reserve Friday, per CapFriendly.

Sergachev underwent surgery on his leg Thursday and is expected to miss extended time, though the team has yet to provide an official timeline for his return. The 25-year-old has 19 points in 34 games this season.

Tinordi (lower body) will not suit up Friday against the Rangers, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Tinordi was a game-time call but will not be available. The 31-year-old has dealt with various injuries this season and has recorded just six assists in 30 appearances. Louis Crevier will dress in Tinordi's absence Friday.

Smith (knee) will not play in Carolina on Saturday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Smith was injured in the first period in Boston on Jan. 15 and has missed the last eight games. The good news is that coach Lindy Ruff said Smith is day-to-day. Smith could return to the lineup as early as Monday when the Devils host Seattle.

Tinordi is dealing with a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision versus the Rangers on Friday, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Tinordi has already missed 16 games this season due to various injuries and now finds himself in danger of being out of the lineup once again. Considering the blueliner has yet to score a goal in 30 games this season and has garnered just six helpers, the majority of fantasy players are unlikely to be impacted by his potential absence.

Brodin (illness) will be back in the lineup versus Pittsburgh on Friday, according to Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Brodin had assists in three of his last four games, giving the 30-year-old defenseman a goal and 13 points in 32 games. Brodin will partner with Zach Bogosian on the second unit and see time on the second power play. Look for Alex Goligoski to be a healthy scratch Friday.

Ekblad recorded seven shots against Washington on Thursday.

Despite Ekblad putting up a season-high seven shots, he remains stuck in a six-game pointless streak dating back to Jan. 19 versus Minnesota. At his current pace, the defenseman could record his second-lowest point total over the seven campaigns.