NHL Player News

Schultz notched a power-play assist, two shots on goal and two PIM in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Rangers.

Schultz has stepped up lately with a goal and three assists over his last four games. He remains on the third pairing even with Vince Dunn (undisclosed) unavailable. Schultz's power-play role gives him a slight boost in value -- he's earned five of his 14 points this season with the man advantage. The defenseman has added 56 shots on net, 36 blocked shots, 20 PIM and a minus-11 rating through 36 outings.

Ruhwedel (undisclosed) feels fine after exiting Monday's 3-0 win over Seattle for precautionary reasons and should be available Saturday versus Vegas, per Wes Crosby of NHL.com.

Ruhwedel, who left the game after absorbing a hit from Eeli Tolvanen, believes he could have even returned before the conclusion of Monday's contest if the hit had occurred earlier. Ruhwedel has a goal, two points, 38 hits and 23 blocks in 28 outings in 2023-24. He'll likely serve on the third pairing Saturday.

Durzi tallied a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Flames.

Durzi opened the scoring midway through the second period, ripping a slapshot past Dan Vladar to give Arizona a 1-0 lead. The 25-year-old Durzi would grab a second point in the third with an assist on Logan Cooley's tally. Durzi now has four points (a goal and three assists) in his last two games after recording just one assist in his previous six contests. He's up to seven goals and 25 points through 36 games in his first season with the Coyotes.

Zaitsev (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The Blackhawks have yet to release an expected timetable for Zaitsev's recovery, but he'll miss the next three games at a minimum now that he's on IR. Louis Crevier and Isaak Phillips will likely rotate in and out of the lineup during Zaitsev's absence.

Crevier was promoted from AHL Rockford on Wednesday, Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Nikita Zaitsev (knee) was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move, so Crevier could be in for an extended stay with the Blackhawks. The 22-year-old rookie has picked up three helpers while averaging 16:09 of ice time through 13 top-level appearances this year.

Smith is dealing with a sprained knee and will miss "a little bit of time" as a result, coach Lindy Ruff told Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site on Wednesday.

Smith has a goal, five points, 48 hits and 42 blocks in 34 games this season. He sustained the injury during Monday's 3-0 loss to Boston. With Smith unavailable Wednesday versus Montreal, Cal Foote is projected to make his Devils debut after being recalled from AHL Utica on Tuesday.

Bear scored the game-winning goal in Tuesday's 2-0 victory over the Ducks.

Playing in his ninth game as a Capital, Bear got free in the faceoff circle to the right of John Gibson and pounced on a rebound late in the first period. It was the 26-year-old blueliner's first goal in almost exactly a calendar year -- his last came with the Canucks on Jan. 15, 2023 in Carolina. Bear has seen a consistent shift since joining the Washington roster in late December, but he could be the player bumped when Rasmus Sandin (upper body) gets healthy.

Fox notched two assists, one on the power play, while adding four blocked shots and a plus-1 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Seattle.

It's the second multi-point performance in the last three games for the 25-year-old blueliner. Fox missed most of November with a lower-body injury, but when he's been on the ice he's been his usual productive self, and he has yet to go more than two games in a row without finding his way onto the scoresheet. On the season, he's delivered seven goals and 30 points in 33 contests.

Samuelsson (upper body) isn't expected to be an option Wednesday versus Chicago, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.

Samuelsson also missed Monday's 3-0 win over San Jose and remains day-to-day. He has a goal, seven points, 24 PIM, 81 hits and 83 blocks in 39 contests in 2023-24. When Samuelsson is ready to return, Ryan Johnson might be a healthy scratch.

Kulikov (undisclosed) is good to return Wednesday versus Detroit.

Kulikov didn't play in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to Anaheim because of the injury. He has 10 assists in 39 contests in 2023-24. With Kulikov back, Josh Mahura might be a healthy scratch Wednesday.