NHL Player News

Mateychuk scored a goal on three shots, added an assist and blocked three shots in Friday's 7-6 shootout win over the Canucks.

This was the second multi-point effort of Mateychuk's young career. He has a modest five points over 12 outings in March while continuing to maintain a regular spot in the Blue Jackets' bottom four with occasional power-play usage. Overall, he's at nine points, 33 shots on net, 49 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating through 34 contests.

Trouba (undisclosed) is regarded as day-to-day and might play against Toronto on Sunday despite missing Saturday's practice, per Derek Lee of The Hockey News.

Trouba left Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Rangers due to the injury. He has a goal, 14 points, 64 PIM, 156 hits and 192 blocks in 71 appearances between the Rangers and Anaheim in 2024-25. If Trouba doesn't play Sunday, Oliver Kylington will probably draw back into the lineup.

Lohrei (illness) will be a game-time call against Detroit on Saturday, per Eric Russo of the Bruins' official site.

Lohrei didn't participate in Saturday's morning skate, which isn't an encouraging sign. He has accounted for five goals, 29 points, 80 shots on net and 91 blocked shots across 68 appearances this season. If Lohrei can't play against the Red Wings on Saturday, Michael Callahan will be in the lineup.

Fabbro recorded one goal, two assists, three shots on goal, two hits and one blocked shot in Friday's 7-6 shootout win over the Canucks.

Fabbro found the back of the net for the first time since March 9, when he recorded another multi-point effort in a 7-3 win over the Rangers. He's cracked the scoresheet in just four of his 15 appearances since the league resumed following the 4 Nations break. He has 20 points, 63 shots on net, 118 blocked shots and 60 hits through 52 outings this season.

Forsling notched an assist in Friday's 2-1 overtime win over Utah.

Forsling has a helper in four of the last five contests, a big improvement on the eight-game point drought that preceded this stretch. The 28-year-old defenseman still isn't getting much power-play usage -- that's going to Seth Jones and Nate Schmidt in the absence of Aaron Ekblad (suspension). Still, Forsling has earned 26 points, 171 shots on net, 82 blocked shots, 72 hits and a plus-31 rating across 72 appearances.

Vlasic (upper body) will sit out Saturday's game against the Rangers, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Vlasic will miss his fourth straight game but could return to the lineup versus the Kings on Sunday. He has two assists in only 17 appearances this season. Vlasic may replace Jimmy Schuldt on Sunday.

Desharnais (upper body) won't play Saturday versus the Rangers and won't be available for San Jose's upcoming two-game road trip, according to Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Desharnais played through an injury in Thursday's shootout win over Toronto, but he'll be out until at least April 3 versus Edmonton. He has three assists, 87 hits, 83 blocked shots and 45 PIM in 51 contests with Vancouver, Pittsburgh and San Jose this season. Jimmy Schuldt will replace Desharnais in Saturday's lineup.

Durzi scored a goal in Friday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Panthers.

Durzi has two goals in his last six outings, but Utah has dropped both contests. The 26-year-old defender has seven points (three goals, four helpers) across 21 appearances this season. He has added 25 shots on net, 38 blocked shots and nine hits.

Ekholm (undisclosed) won't play against Calgary on Sunday, per Tony Brar of Oilers TV.

Ekholm didn't participate in the morning skate and will miss his second straight game. He has accounted for nine goals, 33 points, 143 shots on net, 95 blocked shots and 42 hits through 64 games this season. Ty Emberson will remain in the lineup due to Ekholm's absence.

Xhekaj's point drought reached 15 games in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes.

Kaiden Guhle (quadriceps) returned to action Friday, but Xhekaj stayed in the lineup as a seventh defenseman. Xhekaj saw just 3:52 of ice time, so it's very clear he's at risk of heading to the press box if the Canadiens use a six-defensemen lineup. The 24-year-old brings an element of physicality to the lineup, but Jayden Struble and David Savard can also throw the body around, and Guhle's no slouch in that department either. Xhekaj has a career-low six points with 69 shots on net, 176 hits, 62 blocked shots, 118 PIM and a minus-13 rating despite playing in a career-high 69 games in his third NHL campaign.