NHL Player News

Coyle notched two assists, one on the power play, in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Rangers.

The veteran center had a hand in tallies by Kirill Marchenko in the first period and Mathieu Olivier in the second. Coyle has been on fire since late January, and the Olympic break did nothing to cool him down -- over the last nine games, he's produced five multi-point performances and piled up five goals and 15 points in total.

Marchenko scored two goals, one on the power play and the other the overtime winner, and added an even-strength assist in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Rangers.

After picking up two points in the first period, Marchenko ended the night by beating Igor Shesterkin on the short side just over a minute into the extra frame. The 25-year-old winger is up to 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) on the season in only 53 games as he surges toward a career-best campaign, and it's possible he could find another gear down the stretch if Columbus' special teams improve -- Marchenko's power-play goal was his first since Dec. 22, and just his fourth of 2025-26.

James (leg) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

The move to put James on IR freed up a roster spot for the Bolts to add Conor Geekie in a corresponding move. Already ruled out for the next two games, the 23-year-old James should probably be expected to miss the entire four-game road trip now that he is on injured reserve.

Geekie was elevated from AHL Syracuse on Tuesday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

Geekie will likely serve as an emergency depth option, as the Bolts have been utilizing seven blueliners of late, and seem likely to continue to do so Tuesday. Still, if the forward does get into the lineup, it will likely be in a bottom-six role, making him a mid-range fantasy target at best.

Merzlikins made 29 saves in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Rangers.

The Blue Jackets seemed to have the game well in hand when they took a 4-0 lead into the second intermission, but Merzlikins not only lost his shutout just 30 seconds into the third frame, he nearly lost the game entirely as the Rangers fired 17 shots his way as part of a furious comeback effort. Kirill Marchenko was able to beat Igor Shesterkin in OT to salvage the win for the visitors, however. Merzlikins has won four of his last five as he maintains a timeshare with Jet Greaves, posting a 2.40 GAA and .906 save percentage over that stretch.

Saros turned aside 27 of 30 shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings, with Detroit's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

After a stellar showing for Finland at the Olympics en route to a bronze medal, Saros has returned to Nashville and been dragged back down by the team's defensive struggles. The veteran netminder has allowed at least three goals in 11 straight NHL outings dating back to Jan. 13, going 4-3-3 over that stretch with a rough 4.06 GAA and .877 save percentage.

Kasper pocketed two assists, one shorthanded, in Monday's 4-2 win over the Predators.

The 21-year-old center helped set up an Emmitt Finnie tally early in the first period, as well as Albert Johansson's game-winner late in the second. Kasper is longer skating in a top-six role, but he's still finding ways to be productive. Over the last 13 games, he's managed three goals and nine points.

Appleton collected two assists, one shorthanded, in Monday's 4-2 win over the Predators.

The veteran winger had a hand in an Emmitt Finnie tally early in the first period, and Albert Johansson's game-winner late in the second. Appleton snapped a 19-game point drought with the performance, and offensive opportunities have been tough to come by in a bottom-six role. On the season, Appleton has five goals and 13 points in 51 contests.

Raymond scored a goal and added an assist in Monday's 4-2 win over Nashville.

The star winger tied the game at 2-2 with his 20th goal of the season midway through the second period before setting up Alex DeBrincat for an empty-netter late in the third. Raymond continues to surge toward a career-best season, and over the last 13 games for Detroit, dating back to Jan. 16, he's racked up six goals and 15 points.

DeBrincat produced a goal and an assist in Monday's 4-2 win over the Predators.

The 28-year-old winger potted his first goal since Jan. 29 when he tucked home an empty-netter inside the final minute of the third period. DeBrincat reached 60 points with the performance, the fifth straight season he's achieved that feat, and he remains on track for one of the best campaigns of his career with 31 goals and 29 assists in only 61 games.