NHL Player News

Hayes was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday.

Hayes has three goals, 20 shots on net, seven blocked shots and 16 hits in 13 NHL outings this season. He also has 23 goals and 38 points in 40 AHL appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Yamamoto scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Canucks.

Yamamoto has three points over his last two games. The winger is seeing time on the second line at even strength, though his hold on that spot in the lineup is far from secure. He'll likely stay in the middle six while Jack McBain (lower body) and Barrett Hayton (upper body) are out of action. Yamamoto has 11 goals, 21 points, 46 shots on net, 38 hits and a plus-13 rating through 53 appearances.

Gauthier has been recalled by the Penguins from ECHL Wheeling on Sunday, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

Gauthier is up as insurance to Arturs Silovs because Stuart Skinner was scratched from Sunday's game after being struck with a puck near the eye Saturday. Gauthier was in the ECHL with Wheeling but is in the midst of a fabulous season, as he sports a 20-7-2 record, 2.00 GAA and a .932 save percentage.

Mercer scored a goal on three shots in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Canadiens.

Mercer started the Devils' comeback with a goal at 13:08 of the second period. He has three goals in the first two games of April after being limited to two goals and four assists over 14 outings in March. Mercer has been a reliable top-six forward with 18 goals, 39 points, 146 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over 76 appearances this season, putting him on track to reach the 40-point mark for the first time in three years.

Skinner (upper body) won't be in the lineup for Sunday's home matchup against Florida.

With Skinner unavailable for at least one game, Arturs Silovs will start again after the latter made 19 saves in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Panthers. Pittsburgh recalled Taylor Gauthier from ECHL Wheeling on Sunday to serve as Silovs' backup.

Xhekaj notched an assist and two hits in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Devils.

Xhekaj has gotten a chance to play regularly in the absence of Alexandre Carrier (upper body). This was Xhekaj's fourth straight game in the lineup. The defenseman snapped a 30-game point drought dating back to Dec. 16 versus the Flyers. He has just three points with 36 shots on net, 110 PIM, 158 hits and 37 blocked shots over 59 appearances this season. Xhekaj should continue to see playing time until Carrier is healthy.

Silovs led the team out for warmups and will get the start Sunday against the Panthers, Dan Potash of SportsNet Pittsburgh reports.

With Stuart Skinner (upper body) out Sunday after being struck with a puck in the eye, Silovs will earn a start for the second straight day against the Panthers. The 25-year-old Silovs turned aside just 19 of the 23 Florida shots he faced Saturday but was rewarded with nine goals of support to earn the win. He is 18-10-8 with a 3.01 GAA and an .888 save percentage this season.

Struble scored a goal, added three hits and went plus-2 in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Devils.

Struble's two goals this season have both come in the last six games. The 24-year-old defenseman is getting a chance to play a larger role in the absence of Alexandre Carrier (upper body). Struble is up to 12 points, 20 shots on net, 98 hits, 23 blocked shots, 46 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 53 appearances this season. His offense is on par with his first two campaigns, but his shot production and physical play has dropped a bit.

Hutson scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Devils.

Hutson had gone 14 games without a goal, though he still posted 10 assists in that span. The 22-year-old defenseman is up to 12 tallies this season, doubling his goal total from his Calder Trophy-winning campaign last year. He's at 74 points, 121 shots on net, 127 blocked shots and a plus-35 rating over 76 appearances, establishing himself as one of the best young blueliners in the league.

Lohrei (upper body) will play against Philadelphia on Sunday, according to Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe.

Following a four-game absence, Lohrei will replace Jordan Harris in Sunday's lineup against the Flyers. The 25-year-old Lohrei has accounted for seven goals, 25 points, 67 shots on net and 86 blocked shots across 68 appearances this season.