VEG @ FLA
Final Score: 4 – 7
DAL @ NAS
Final Score: 6 – 4
NYI @ CAR
Final Score: 9 – 7
DET @ NJ
Final Score: 4 – 6
PIT @ OTT
Final Score: 7 – 9
TB @ WAS
Final Score: 4 – 2
TOR @ CBJ
Final Score: 7 – 2
BOS @ MIN
Final Score: 4 – 6
BUF @ NYR
Final Score: 6 – 7
CHI @ STL
Final Score: 9 – 13
SEA @ ANA
Final Score: 6 – 4
ARI @ COL
Final Score: 2 – 7
CGY @ LA
Final Score: 6 – 9
SJ @ VAN
Final Score: 7 – 13
Rutger McGroarty Exits Early On Tuesday
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie center Rutger McGroarty (lower body) exited Tuesday's contest against the Chicago Blackhawks early. The former 14th overall pick blocked a shot in the second frame and exited the contest shortly after. Before the injury, he logged just over 11 minutes of ice time and logged one shot, one hit, and two blocked shots. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but the Penguins will likely exercise caution given that they are not in the playoff picture. In addition, the Penguins will likely opt to send McGroarty back to the AHL for the Calder Cup Playoffs. McGroarty rejoined the NHL roster in late March and has tallied three points across five games. He broke camp with the NHL roster but did not get on the scoresheet during his first three games. Even though he spent most of the season in the AHL, fantasy managers should expect the 21-year-old to have a spot in the Pittsburgh top-six next October.
Adrian Kempe Exits Early On Monday
Los Angeles Kings center Adrian Kempe (personal) exited Monday's contest against the Seattle Kraken early due to a personal matter. Before departing the contest, he logged just over 13 minutes of ice time and did not get on the scoresheet. He logged four shots on goal and added three hits. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next contest against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. If Kempe were to miss the next contest, Trevor Moore will likely move up to the top forward unit and play alongside Anze Kopitar and Andrei Kuzmenko. Before Monday's game, Kempe was riding a four-game point streak. Through 77 games this season, Kempe scored 33 goals and added 31 assists. He remains a solid option in all formats when he returns.
Tage Thompson Scores Hat Trick On Sunday
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson scored a hat trick during their 6-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday evening. Thompson scored his first goal in the second frame on a wrist shot. Later in the third, he would find the back of the net twice, including with the empty-netter to seal the victory. This impressive outing extended his current goal-scoring streak to four games. During this surge, Thompson has found the back of the net seven times. Over his last seven contests, Thompson has scored an impressive nine goals and added one helper. Despite Buffalo's struggles this season, the former 26th overall pick has enjoyed an impressive campaign, reaching the 40-goal mark for the second time in his career. He remains a must-start player through the remainder of the campaign.
Sidney Crosby Bags 14th Career Hat Trick
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby scored his 14th career hat trick and recorded one assist as the team shocked the Dallas Stars with a 5-3 road win on Saturday. Dallas suffered only its 10th home loss of the season when Crosby & Co. turned a 3-2 deficit into a win in the final period. Crosby surpassed Evgeni Malkin for the second most hat tricks in Penguins history, trailing only Mario Lemieux (40). He also tied Jaromir Jagr for the second most four-point efforts in franchise history, having notched at least four points in a single game for the 43rd time. Lemieux also holds this record with 124. Crosby is finishing the season strongly and holds a 12-game point streak. He has reached 30 goals for the fourth consecutive campaign and boasts 86 points through 75 outings.
Evgeni Malkin Could Return To Action Saturday
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) could be back in action on Saturday against the Dallas Stars. The veteran star returned to practice on Friday and will be considered a game-time decision for Saturday's contest. Malkin has sat out four games while recovering from an upper-body injury. If Malkin receives clearance on Saturday, he will reclaim his position as the second-line center and probably return to the top power-play unit. In 62 appearances throughout the season, Malkin has registered 15 goals and 46 points. He has scored in each of his last two appearances.
John Gibson Exits Early On Thursday
Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (lower body) was unable to finish Thursday's contest against the Calgary Flames. He was able to log just over 39 minutes of ice time before being replaced by Lukas Dostal. He stopped 23 of the 26 shots he saw and took the loss. The 31-year-old has dealt with numerous injuries throughout the campaign and could be in danger of missing the remainder of the season if the injury is deemed serious. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next game on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. Through 29 contests this season, Gibson has held an 11-11-2 record with a modest 2.77 GAA and a .911 save percentage.
Jonathan Drouin Exits Wednesday's Contest
Colorado Avalanche center Jonathan Drouin (lower body) exited Wednesday's contest against the Chicago Blackhawks with a lower-body injury. Drouin was able to log just over six minutes of ice time and held a -1 rating before exiting. Over his past three contests, Drouin has not tallied a point. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to Thursday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. If Drouin were to miss time, fantasy managers should expect Miles Wood or Jimmy Vesey to draw into the starting lineup. Ross Colton will likely move up to the second offensive line. Through 43 games this season, Drouin has found the back of the net 11 times and added 26 helpers. The 30-year-old has added 56 total shots on goal and just 14 hits and 12 blocks.
Alex Ovechkin Tallies Two Points In Victory
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin tallied two points during their 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday evening. Ovechkin found the back of the net on the power play in the opening frame. This goal put him just four away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. Later in the third, Ovechkin would add the secondary assist on Tom Wilson's 32nd goal of the campaign. Ovechkin has now scored in back-to-back games and scored three in his last four. Since March 1, Ovechkin has found the back of the net eight times and added 10 helpers across 15 contests. During this stretch, he has logged an impressive 50 shots on goal. Through 58 total games this season, the 39-year-old has scored 38 goals and tallied 27 assists. He remains a must-start player as he chases history.
Luke Hughes Scores Goal, Adds Assist In Victory
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes tallied a goal and an assist during their 3-2 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild. Hughes opened the scoring in the first period with a wrist shot. Later in the third, he would tally the secondary assist on Nico Hischier's 34th goal of the season. This outing extended his point streak to three games. Since March 1 (15 games), Hughes scored two goals and added 14 helpers, with eight of his helpers coming on the power play. During this stretch, he also logged 28 total shots on goal and added 15 blocked shots. Through 66 total games this season, the 21-year-old scored seven goals and added 34 assists. Fantasy managers should continue to start Hughes in all formats as he sees top minutes in all aspects of the game on the New Jersey blue line.
Troy Terry Exits Early On Sunday
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (undisclosed) exited Sunday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Terry sustained the injury in the third period. After the contest, the team did not provide an update on his status. Before exiting the contest, Terry logged just over 13 minutes of ice time and did not get on the scoresheet. He held a -1 rating and did not log a shot on goal. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next contest on Tuesday evening against the San Jose Sharks. Before Sunday's game, Terry scored just two goals and added four helpers over his last 11 contests. If the 27-year-old were to miss any time, fantasy managers should expect Brett Leason to likely re-join the starting lineup.
Colton Sissons Exits Early On Saturday
Nashville Predators right wing Colton Sissons (lower body) exited early during Saturday's contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 31-year-old sustained this injury in the opening frame after he fell hard to the ice. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next contest against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday evening. If Sissons were to miss time, right wing Jakub Vrana will likely enter the starting lineup. Before Monday's contest, Sissons was riding a 10-game scoreless streak. During this skid, Sissons logged just 13 hits, nine shots on goal, and held a -5 rating. Through 72 total games this season, the 31-year-old has found the back of the net seven times and added just 14 helpers. When healthy, Sissons will only carry value in category formats that reward hits.
Leon Draisaitl Could Be Back In Action Saturday
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (undisclosed) seems ready to return to the lineup for Saturday's Battle of Alberta against the Calgary Flames. The German superstar has missed four games due to an undisclosed injury. However, Draisaitl is now on the brink of returning after participating in regular line rushes Saturday morning. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has stated that "there's a good chance" Draisaitl will play in Saturday's contest. With Connor McDavid (lower body) still sidelined, Draisaitl is set to serve as the first-line center, flanked by Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson. Draisaitl has posted his fourth consecutive 100-point season, notching 49 goals and 52 assists in 68 appearances.
Connor Zary Departs Thursday's Game Early
Calgary Flames center Connor Zary (knee) departed Thursday's contest early. Zary collided with Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen in the final frame. He was in pain before exiting the contest. Zary missed time earlier in the season with a knee injury as well and could be facing another extended absence. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to their next contest on Saturday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. If Zary were to miss time, Yegor Sharangovich will likely re-join the starting nine. Over his previous five contests, Zary has tallied three points (one goal) with 15 shots on goal. Through 54 games this season, Zary has found the back of the net 13 times and added 14 helpers. Sharangovich could have value in deeper formats if he takes Zary's place on the top forward line.
Kiefer Sherwood Busy In Victory
Vancouver Canucks left wing Kiefer Sherwood tallied three points in their 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders. In the second frame, Sherwood opened the scoring with a tip-in goal. Later in the frame, Sherwood tallied the secondary assist on Aatu Raty's third goal of the campaign. In the final period, Sherwood finished his evening by scoring the empty-netter. During this game, he logged four hits, four shots on goal, and one blocked shot. Over his last six contests entering Wednesday, Sherwood tallied four points (one goal) over his last six contests. However, before this stretch, the 29-year-old tallied just two points (one goal) over his last nine games. Even though Sherwood does not produce consistently on the score sheet, he does have value in deeper category formats, as he has averaged 5.9 hits per game.
William Nylander Tallies Four Points On Tuesday
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander tallied four points during his victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. In the opening frame, Nylander would tally the primary assist on John Tavares' goal and find the back of the net himself, on the power play. In the second, Nylander would tack on the secondary assist on Bobby McMann's 20th goal of the season and score his second goal of the evening as well, this time during 5-on-5 play. He logged four total shots on goal and added a hit in this contest. Since the start of March (12 games), Nylander has scored six goals and added 12 points. He has only been held off the scoresheet twice over this span and has posted five multi-point showings. He remains a must-start forward heading into his next matchup on Thursday evening against the San Jose Sharks.
Declan Chisholm Exits Early On Monday
Minnesota Wild defenseman Declan Chisholm (undisclosed) exited Monday's contest against the Dallas Stars early. Chisholm suffered this injury after blocking a shot. After the contest, the team did not provide an update on his status. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next contest on Tuesday evening against the Vegas Golden Knights. Before exiting the contest, Chisholm logged two penalty minutes with two blocked shots. If he were to sit out on Tuesday evening, Jonas Brodin (lower body) could re-enter the starting lineup. Through 61 games this season, Chisholm has tallied just 12 points (two goals) and has added 29 hits with 66 blocked shots. Given his low ice time and minimal offensive production, he will not carry any fantasy value.
Elias Pettersson Considered Day-To-Day
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (undisclosed) was labeled day-to-day by head coach Rick Tocchet on Sunday. Pettersson was injured in Saturday's loss to the New York Rangers. It looks like the Swedish star avoided a serious injury, but he may still miss some time. The Canucks will return to action on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. Pius Suter and Teddy Blueger will likely see extra action if Pettersson can't play on Monday. Suter is the more attractive fantasy option between the two, as the Swiss forward has had a productive campaign with a career-high 20 goals and 34 points in 69 games.