NHL Player News

Sergachev (lower body) will be activated off the long-term injured reserve and play Wednesday versus the Rangers, per Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site.

Sergachev has two goals, 19 points, 53 shots, 30 hits and 69 blocks in 33 contests in 2023-24. He hasn't been in the lineup since Dec. 19 because of the injury. Erik Cernak (upper body) is also expected to return Wednesday and might serve as Sergachev's partner on the second pairing. Defensemen Calvin de Haan and Haydn Fleury are projected to be healthy scratches versus New York.

Dillon has a hearing scheduled with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday after receiving a match penalty during Winnipeg's 3-0 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Dillon was assessed the penalty early in the second period after delivering a high hit to Noel Acciari, who needed help getting off the ice and missed the remainder of the contest due to an upper-body injury. Dillon has six goals, 15 points, 65 PIM, 116 hits and 66 blocks in 48 outings in 2023-24. Logan Stanley might draw into the lineup Thursday for the first time since Dec. 12 if Dillon's suspended.

Crevier was summoned from AHL Rockford on Wednesday, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.

Crevier has three assists in 15 games with Chicago in 2023-24. He also has five helpers in 21 outings with Rockford. Crevier might be a healthy scratch Wednesday versus Minnesota, but if he does draw into the lineup, he would probably be limited to third-pairing duties.

Hughes notched two power-play assists in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Hurricanes.

Elias Lindholm made an immediate splash in his first game with Vancouver, tipping home Hughes point shots in the first and second periods. It's Hughes' third straight multi-point performance, extending his overall point streak to seven contests, and since the beginning of January the 24-year-old blueliner has racked up two goals and 17 points, including nine helpers on the power play. Hughes' 64 points (12 goals, 52 assists) leads all defensemen in the NHL, with only Cale Makar's 60 points coming close.

Matheson had two assists -- one on the power play and one at even strength -- in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Washington. He added four blocks to his line over 23:21 of ice time.

Matheson had a role in each of Juraj Slafkovsky's two third-period markers. The defenseman has recorded at least one point in three consecutive games and nine (one goal, eight assists) over the last 10 contests. The helpers established a new career-high for Matheson, who has 36 points through 50 games. His 20 power-play points are also a career best.

Xhekaj had an assist and two blocked shots over 12:29 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Capitals.

Xhekaj had one missed shot but it made a lot of noise, caroming off the post and onto the stick of Nick Suzuki, who scored his second goal in a span of 57 seconds. The helper was Xhekaj's first point since being recalled from AHL Laval on Jan. 22.

Manson had a goal overturned during Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Devils. He logged one shot on net and two blocks over 16:37 of ice time.

Manson thought he put the Avalanche up 2-1 early in the second period, but video review deemed Logan O'Connor had interfered with Vitek Vanecek. A case could have been made that New Jersey's Timo Meier caused O'Connor to run into the goalie, but officials saw it differently. Manson entered the contest with seven points over his last nine games.

Malinski had two shots on net and two blocks over 12:17 of ice time in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to New Jersey.

Malinski was called up earlier this week and joined Colorado on its post-break road trip. He didn't play in Monday's loss to the Rangers but took Jack Johnson's spot on the blue line Tuesday. The switch appears to be part of a defensive rotation the Avalanche plan to deploy down the stretch, according to Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now. Johnson is poised to see work against the more physical opponents, while Malinski could get starts against foes deemed less heavy. The 25-year-old Malinski has forced his way into the mix over 23 games with 10 points (three goals), including a goal and an assist on the power play.

Johnson was a healthy scratch for Tuesday's loss to the Devils.

The Avalanche called up Sam Malinski on Monday to join them on a post-break road trip. He didn't play in a loss to the Rangers on Monday but he was in the lineup against New Jersey. Rotating Johnson and Malinski appears to be the plan down the stretch, per Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now. The 6-foot-1, 227-pound Johnson is expected to play against the heavier teams. When the Avs aren't expecting a physical game, Malinski may get the call.

Desharnais notched a shorthanded assist and three blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Golden Knights.

Desharnais denied a Vegas zone entry in the first period, springing Leon Draisaitl to set up Connor McDavid on the Oilers' lone goal. With two helpers over his last five contests, Desharnais is showing a little life on offense. The 27-year-old has a steady role on the third pairing, especially when the Oilers can't afford to have a seventh defenseman on the roster. Desharnais is up to seven points, 29 shots on net, 27 PIM, 54 hits, 63 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 44 appearances.