NHL Player News

Forsberg recorded a goal on five shots and added an assist in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Jets.

Forsberg snapped a four-game pointless skid, but he has been producing at nearly a point-per-game pace since the Olympic break. Over his last 10 games, the 31-year-old veteran is up to eight points (five goals, three assists), 37 shots, six hits and five blocked shots. With 3.7 shots per game over that span and a steady top-six role, Forsberg should continue to generate tons of scoring opportunities on a steady basis.

Kotkaniemi was scratched for the ninth time in 10 games in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Since the Olympic break, Kotkaniemi has taken a back seat to Mark Jankowski for the fourth-line center job. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi has struggled to the tune of nine points, 38 shots on net, 58 hits and a plus-2 rating over 37 appearances. The Hurricanes' blowout loss Tuesday may prompt lineup changes, but Kotkaniemi will need to impress to stay in the lineup for more than a game or two at a time.

Heinen scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Heinen snapped a five-game point drought with the tally. He was also scratched five times in that span. Heinen is in a battle with Miles Wood and Dmitri Voronkov for playing time following the Blue Jackets' trade for Conor Garland. Through 32 outings between the Blue Jackets and the Penguins this season, Heinen has four goals, two assists, 34 shots on net, 46 hits, 12 PIM and a plus-1 rating.

Olivier scored a goal on four shots and added five PIM in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Olivier obliged Nicolas Deslauriers for a heavyweight bout in the second period. In the third, Olivier got the last laugh with an insurance tally for the Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old is surging in March with five goals and an assist over nine contests on the month. He's up to 13 goals, 23 points, 78 shots on net, 94 PIM, 181 hits and a plus-13 rating through 54 appearances this season.

Mateychuk scored a goal and added two hits in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Mateychuk had a goal late in the second period, the second in a span of 34 seconds, which helped the Blue Jackets run away with this win. The defenseman has two goals and four assists over nine outings in March. He's up to 11 goals, 28 points, 72 shots on net, 80 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 60 appearances. Mateychuk has some real talent -- though it's tough for him to shine when Zach Werenski is so dominant on the Columbus blue line.

Heineman scored a goal on six shots and added two hits in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

Heineman has four goals over his last six outings while taking 21 shots in that span. The uptick in shots should continue to help his offense, and it helps that he remains in a top-six role. For the season, the 24-year-old winger has 19 goals, 27 points, 153 shots on net, 216 hits, 42 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating over 68 appearances.

Samuelsson posted an assist and three blocked shots in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Golden Knights.

Samuelsson missed one game due to an undisclosed injury, sitting out Saturday versus the Maple Leafs. He had 22:20 of ice time Tuesday, so he looks good enough to handle his usual top-four minutes. Samuelsson is up to 37 points (12 goals, 25 helpers), 95 shots on net, 133 blocked shots, 109 hits and a plus-32 rating over 65 appearances in what's been an impressive breakout campaign.

Norris scored an empty-net goal on five shots, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Golden Knights.

Norris tallied with 58 seconds left in the third period to give the Sabres some breathing room. He had gone a season-high four games without a point prior to Tuesday. The 26-year-old center is up to 10 goals, 24 points, 47 shots on net and a plus-2 rating through 30 appearances.

Doan scored a goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Golden Knights.

Doan cut off a clearing attempt below the goal line and banked in his shot off Vegas goalie Adin Hill. That would ultimately be all the Sabres needed to get the win. Doan has four goals over his last six outings and is up to 22 tallies, 45 points, 150 shots on net, 64 hits, 23 PIM and a minus-7 rating through 68 appearances this season.

Luukkonen logged a 28-save shutout in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Golden Knights.

Luukkonen has won five of his last six outings, allowing a total of 13 goals in that span. This was the first shutout of the season for the 27-year-old goalie, who is up to eight shutouts in his career. He improved to 16-8-2 with a 2.60 GAA and a .908 save percentage over 27 appearances this season. Luukkonen and Alex Lyon have been sharing the crease lately, though Colten Ellis is now recovered from an undisclosed injury and could poach a start at some point. If the Sabres' goalie rotation continues, Lyon would get the Sharks on Thursday while Luukkonen's next start would be against the Kings on Saturday.