NHL Player News

Hedman notched a power-play assist in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Islanders.

Hedman has racked up 12 points over his last nine outings. The 33-year-old's spot on the top pairing and first power-play unit are as secure as ever, with Mikhail Sergachev (leg) out for the rest of the regular season. Hedman's at 51 points in 50 appearances this season, already better than his 49-point campaign a year ago. The defenseman has added 102 shots on net, 58 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating.

Reilly logged an assist, three hits and three blocked shots in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Lightning.

Reilly has a helper in each of the last two contests. It appears Reilly is gaining traction to stay in the lineup under new head coach Patrick Roy -- the 30-year-old blueliner has been in the lineup for four of the Islanders' six games since Roy took over. Reilly has 11 points, 66 shots on net, 28 hits, 31 blocked shots and a minus-9 rating through 30 outings between the Islanders and the Panthers this season, so he's unlikely to have much utility in fantasy.

Pelech notched an assist, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Lightning.

Pelech helped out on Bo Horvat's insurance marker in the second period. All five of Pelech's points this season are assists, and two of them have come over his last four outings. The 29-year-old defenseman has added 29 shots on net, 24 hits, 46 blocked shots, 17 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 27 outings. His lack of offense likely keeps him off the radar in most fantasy formats.

Pulock scored a power-play goal, went plus-2, added three hits and blocked two shots in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Lightning.

This was Pulock's second game back from a lower-body injury that cost him nearly two months. The defenseman put the Islanders ahead 4-2 with his second-period tally, set up by Pierre Engvall. Pulock has a little more fantasy value when he's on the second power-play unit, but it doesn't add a whole lot to his stock. The 29-year-old is at seven points, 37 shots on net, 43 hits, 70 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating through 27 appearances in a top-four role this season.

Dobson scored a goal and blocked three shots in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Lightning.

Dobson was credited with the Islanders' first goal. He had gone 15 games without scoring, though he racked up an impressive 17 assists and 32 shots on net in that span. The defenseman is enjoying a career year with 53 points (seven goals, 46 assists), 116 shots on net, 122 blocked shots, 41 hits and a plus-22 rating through 51 appearances.

Dermott (lower body) is expected to play Thursday versus Vegas.

Dermott has a goal, three points, 14 PIM, 28 hits and 42 blocks in 32 contests this season. He's projected to serve on the second pairing alongside Matt Dumba, who is returning from an upper-body injury. Josh Brown is set to be a healthy scratch.

Ristolainen (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Jets, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

Ristolainen was a surprise absence for warmups, and this explains why. Marc Staal will draw into the lineup against Winnipeg, while Ristolainen will try to be ready to suit up Saturday versus the Kraken.

Van Riemsdyk (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Panthers, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

Van Riemsdyk was initially announced to be sitting out after the morning skate, but his absence will be due to an illness rather than a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old defenseman has two helpers over his last 10 games and was scratched four times in January, so he is far from an everyday player at this point. Ethan Bear will draw into the lineup Thursday.

Pesce (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Avalanche.

Pesce will miss at least one contest while battling an illness. The 29-year-old has been a top-four fixture for the Hurricanes this season, but he has just two goals over his last 12 outings, and both tallies were in the same game. Look for Tony DeAngelo to dress Thursday, while Pesce is day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game versus the Devils.

Hamonic (upper body) is ready to return for Saturday's contest against Toronto, per TSN 1200 Ottawa.

Hamonic has two goals, five points, 38 PIM, 42 hits and 69 blocks in 40 contests in 2023-24. He missed the Senators' final five games before the All-Star break. Now that Hamonic's healthy, he'll likely serve on the third pairing versus the Maple Leafs.