NHL Player News

DeMelo's point drought reached 19 games in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Avalanche.

During the slump, DeMelo has 27 shots on net, a minus-2 rating, 25 hits and 25 blocked shots. He is primarily a defensive player in a top-four role on the blue line, so the lack of offense isn't a surprise, especially considering the Jets' overall struggles this season. DeMelo has 17 points, 62 shots on net, 96 hits, 92 blocked shots, 34 PIM and a plus-10 rating over 65 appearances. He's at risk of falling short of the 20-point mark for a second straight year if he doesn't end the slump soon.

McIlrath was scratched for the fifth game in a row in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins.

McIlrath has played just once since the Olympic break. The Capitals' trade of John Carlson to Anaheim didn't open the door for McIlrath, especially after a separate deal with San Jose brought in Timothy Liljegren. For now, McIlrath, Liljegren and Declan Chisholm continue to compete for one spot in the lineup, and that battle could get tougher if Cole Hutson signs his entry-level deal coming out of Boston University.

Roy scored a goal, added two hits and blocked two shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins.

Roy ended a 45-game goal drought and also earned his first point since Feb. 2 versus the Islanders. The 31-year-old defenseman is playing in a top-four role, but he is mostly in that spot for his shutdown skills. He has two goals, 16 points, 83 shots on net, 99 hits, 124 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 65 outings this season.

Sandin scored a goal on four shots, added an assist, blocked four shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins.

Sandin snapped a four-game point drought with the effort. The 26-year-old has been seeing steady top-four minutes in the absence of John Carlson (lower body), who was traded to the Ducks prior to the March 6 deadline. That larger role hasn't translated to a boost in offense for Sandin, but he's in a good spot. He has four goals, 20 helpers, 79 shots on net, 103 blocked shots, 74 hits and a plus-9 rating over 61 appearances this season.

McAvoy scored two goals in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Capitals.

The star blueliner put pucks past Logan Thompson in the second and third periods, tying the game each time, to set up an epic nine-round shootout that was finally ended by Fraser Minten. McAvoy has nine goals on the season, and five of them have come in nine games since the Olympic break -- a stretch in which he's racked up 10 points.

Carlile (lower body) is expected to miss the next 4-5 weeks, the team announced Saturday.

Carlile has a goal, three points, 23 PIM, 46 hits and 30 blocks in 38 outings in 2025-26. His exit from the lineup coincides with Erik Cernak returning Saturday versus Carolina from an undisclosed injury. Carlile will be in the mix for a third-pairing spot once he's healthy.

Gudbranson (upper body) won't play Saturday versus the Flyers, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Gudbranson will miss his third straight game after being labeled a game-time decision for Saturday's contest. Egor Zamula will draw in on the third pairing against his former team. Gudbranson's next chance to play is Tuesday versus the Hurricanes.

Balinskis (undisclosed) might return to the lineup during Florida's upcoming four-game road trip, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports Saturday.

Balinskis probably won't be available for the start of the trip, which begins against Seattle on Sunday. He has already missed one game due to the injury. He has contributed five goals, 15 points, 66 shots on net, 42 blocked shots and 71 hits in 54 appearances this season.

Chabot scored a shorthanded goal Saturday in a 2-0 win over the Ducks.

The goal made the score 2-0. Chabot has seven points (two goals, five assists) and 17 shots in his last seven appearances. He has seven goals, 22 assists and 89 shots in 50 games this season. He is a solid option on the blue line, but he often struggles to stay healthy. Chabot has some additional fantasy value now during the absence of Jake Sanderson (upper body).

Kaiser (shoulder) won't play against Vegas on Saturday, per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Kaiser left Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over Utah late and participated in Saturday's morning skate, but he will miss at least one game. However, it sounds like he could return to the lineup against Minnesota on Tuesday. Kaiser has five goals, 12 points, 60 shots on net, 53 blocked shots and 37 hits in 61 appearances this season.