NHL Player News

Hanifin registered an assist in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Devils.

Hanifin went 15 games without a point, a span in which he was also minus-10. It's cost him playing time recently -- he's been on the third pairing over the last few contests after being a top-four fixture through the first half of the campaign. Hanifin has had at least 38 points in each of the last three seasons, but he's at 22 points, 100 shots on net, 81 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 55 appearances in 2024-25. His defensive play will keep him from getting scratched, but he doesn't need to be active in all fantasy formats.

Theodore scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Devils.

Theodore has three goals and 10 assists over his last 13 outings, a span that includes five power-play points. The 29-year-old defenseman is up to seven goals, 46 points, 110 shots on net, 66 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating through 54 appearances. This season is already tied for his second-highest point output, and he's six behind his career-high 52 from the 2021-22 campaign.

Werenski recorded a shorthanded assist in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to Utah.

The star blueliner had missed Columbus' last game due to an undisclosed injury, but Werenski saw his usual massive workload in his return -- his 29:16 led all skaters for either team on the night -- and he set up Ivan Provorov for the Blue Jackets' second goal inside the final minute of the second period. Werenski hasn't gone more than two games without getting onto the scoresheet since early November, and Thursday's helper established a new career-high scoring mark for the 27-year-old with 58 points (17 goals, 41 assists) in only 54 appearances.

Vaakanainen (illness) won't be in action versus the Penguins on Friday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Vaakanainen will miss his second straight game due to his illness and should probably be considered a long shot to play in the second game of the Rangers' back-to-back versus Columbus on Saturday. With Vaakanainen unavailable, Zac Jones figures to stay in the lineup after logging 13:30 of ice time against Boston on Wednesday.

Andrae logged an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Capitals.

The helper was Andrae's first point in three contests since he was recalled from AHL Lehigh Valley. He's filling while Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) and Egor Zamula (upper body) are sidelined. Through 23 outings with the NHL club, Andrae has produced six points, 31 shots on net, 31 blocked shots, 28 hits, 14 PIM and a plus-2 rating. He impressed at times during an earlier stint in the NHL but wasn't able to sustain that level of play, so his stay with the big club this time may not last very long if he starts to struggle.

Drysdale logged an assist and went minus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Capitals.

Drysdale had been held off the scoresheet over his last 10 outings, going minus-5 in that span. It's not all his fault -- during his slump, the Flyers were shut out three times and scored just a total of 18 goals. Drysdale is up to 12 points, 40 shots on net, 58 blocked shots and a minus-23 rating over 44 appearances. He hasn't taken a step forward as much as expected, but he has managed to stay in the lineup regularly when healthy despite his shaky defensive play.

Matinpalo dressed as a seventh defenseman in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Lightning.

Cap space is tight for the Senators as they deal with a rash of injuries to forwards. Matinpalo was available to play as a seventh defenseman, logging just 5:35 of ice time in Thursday's contest. The 26-year-old has yet to record a point in his NHL career, including coming up empty over 17 games this season. He's added 25 shots on net, 10 blocked shots, eight hits and a minus-1 rating. Matinpalo's role could be reduced further once the Senators get an injured forward back or when Jacob Bernard-Docker (ankle) is cleared to return on defense.

Cernak scored an empty-net goal on two shots, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Senators.

Cernak netted his first goal of the season to end any threat of a Senators comeback. It was also the 100th point of his career, a milestone he reached in his 412th contest. He has two points over his last three games, but the 27-year-old defenseman rarely puts up consistent offense. He's at 12 points, 41 shots on net, 100 hits, 64 blocked shots, 29 PIM and a plus-15 rating through 47 appearances.

Myers logged a power-play assist and three shots on goal in Thursday's 2-1 overtime win over the Sharks.

Myers continues to chip in a little offense while seeing more minutes in the absence of Quinn Hughes (undisclosed). The helper was Myers' fifth point over the last six games, a span in which he's gone plus-6 with 10 shots on net and seven blocked shots. The big defenseman has 18 points, 55 shots on net, 57 hits, 90 blocked shots, 60 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 51 appearances. His helper Thursday was his first power-play contribution since the 2021-22 campaign.

McCabe notched an assist and three hits in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Kraken.

McCabe set up Matthew Knies on an insurance tally in the second period. The helper was McCabe's first point since Jan. 16, when he had two assists against the Devils. The 31-year-old blueliner plays a physical role in the Maple Leafs' top four, so producing offense is secondary. He's at 14 points, 52 shots on net, 91 hits, 91 blocked shots, 36 PIM and a plus-14 rating through 45 contests.