Yahoo Sports Fantasy Hockey

  • Will remain on LTIR next season
    Backstrom (hip) is expected to spend the 2024-25 campaign on long-term injured reserve, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports Tuesday.

    Advice: Backstrom managed just eight games this year before being forced to miss the remainder of the season on LTIR. At this point, Backstrom's career appears to be over, with the center essentially riding out the final year of his contract. That being the case, Backstrom will eventually retire having played in 1105 games, all for the Capitals, in which he racked up 271 goals and 762 assists over the course of 17 seasons. Rotowire.com Today, 11:48 am
     
  • Not playing Tuesday
    Namestnikov (face) won't play Tuesday against Colorado in Game 5, per Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press.

    Advice: Namestnikov suffered a fractured cheekbone in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche in Game 4. He has one goal, four shots on net and eight hits in four appearances this postseason. With Namestnikov unavailable and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby serving as a healthy scratch, Cole Perfetti and David Gustafsson will draw into the lineup for Tuesday's Game 5 matchup. Rotowire.com Today, 10:31 am
     
  • Awaiting medical clearance
    Matthews (illness) will be a game-time decision for Game 5 against the Bruins on Tuesday. Coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters, "We'll see how the rest of the day goes," per David Alter of The Hockey News.

    Advice: Matthews didn't stay on the ice long during the team's game-day skate, raising doubts regarding his availability. Still, if the 26-year-old California native can get the all-clear from the team doctors, he should immediately reclaim both his top-line and No. 1 power-play roles. By Matthews' standards, he has struggled offensively of late with just one goal in his last six outings. Rotowire.com Today, 8:59 am
     
  • Secures two-year deal
    Bowers inked a two-year, two-way contract with New Jersey on Tuesday.

    Advice: Bowers saw action in just eight NHL games this season in which he generated zero points, seven shots and three hits while averaging 9:27 of ice time. Even in the minors, the 24-year-old center didn't offer much in the way of offensive output with a mere 14 points in 43 games for AHL Utica. Bowers should probably be expected to spend the bulk of the next two years in the minors with the occasional call-up. Rotowire.com Today, 7:18 am
     
  • Registers helper in Game 4
    Howden posted an assist and two hits in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: The helper was Howden's first in four playoff outings. He's added two shots on net and 15 hits while filling a bottom-six role. Howden had 19 points, 76 shots on net, 85 hits and 51 blocked shots in 72 regular-season appearances. He can move up the lineup on occasion, but it's likely a better sign for Vegas if he sticks in the bottom six throughout the postseason. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:04 pm
     
  • Nabs helper in loss
    Barbashev registered an assist and eight hits in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Barbashev has an assist in three of the Golden Knights' four playoff games so far. He's added 25 hits and a plus-2 rating, offering a heavy physical game in addition to his solid offense. Barbashev continues to play alongside Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault in a top-six role. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:01 pm
     
  • Enters lineup, scores goal
    Amadio scored a goal on three shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Amadio was scratched for the first three games of the playoffs, but he drew in over Anthony Mantha in this contest. The 27-year-old Amadio was able to cash in a goal, but the rest of the Golden Knights' offense mostly struggled. He produced 14 goals, 27 points, 117 shots on net and a plus-4 rating over a career-high 73 appearances in the regular season, but there's no guarantee Amadio will remain in the lineup consistently moving forward. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:57 pm
     
  • Scores in Game 4 loss
    Eichel scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Eichel put the Golden Knights ahead 2-1 in the second period, but their offense stalled out there. The 27-year-old is riding an eight-game point streak, which includes three goals and three helpers over four playoff contests. The center remains a huge part of the Vegas offense and will look to get his team back on track in Wednesday's Game 5. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:55 pm
     
  • Picks up helper
    Smith recorded an assist in Monday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 4.

    Advice: Smith began the postseason as a healthy scratch when the Stars were at full health, but he's drawn into the last two games due to the absences of Mason Marchment (undisclosed) and Radek Faksa (undisclosed). The 34-year-old Smith will likely continue to see fourth-line usage until the Stars are healthy again. Smith put up 20 points, 112 shots on net and 51 hits over 75 regular-season appearances in a similar role. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:40 pm