Lightning's Zemgus Girgensons: Produces helper in big win
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Girgensons notched an assist and four blocked shots in Monday's 8-2 win over the Avalanche.
Girgensons' helper was the 100th of his career. The 30-year-old forward has 189 points over 708 appearances, with much of his time in the NHL coming as a bottom-six player. This year, he's produced just the one assist in addition to 29 hits, 22 PIM, 17 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over his first 20 outings with the Lightning after a 10-year tenure with the Sabres. Girgensons has finished between 14 and 19 points in each of the last eight years, but he'll have some work to do to get to that level in 2024-25.
Girgensons has no points through his first 10 appearances this season.
Girgensons has played in all of the Lightning's games, but he has little to show for it. He's picked up 12 shots on net, 11 hits, two blocked shots and five PIM. The 30-year-old forward hasn't even reached the 20-point mark since his 30-point 2014-15 campaign, so even with a steady spot in the lineup, he's not an option for most fantasy managers. He had a career-low 14 points in just 63 outings in 2023-24.
Girgensons signed a three-year, $2.55 million contract with Tampa Bay on Monday.
Girgensons spent the first 10 years of his career in Buffalo, totaling 188 points and 1,239 hits through 688 games. Last year, he scored 14 points while laying out 141 hits and averaging 11:51 of ice time through 63 games. The veteran forward will provide a bottom-six option for the Lightning.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Ready to return
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Girgensons (illness) is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday versus Dallas, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Girgensons should return to a bottom-six role after missing one game due to an illness. He's collected 13 points and 140 hits through 59 contests this season.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Not playing Sunday
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Girgensons (illness) won't play Sunday against Detroit, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Girgensons has eight goals, 13 points, 72 shots on net and 140 hits in 59 appearances this season. He will be replaced in the lineup by Jordan Greenway (upper body), who is ready to return from a two-game absence.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Provides pair of helpers
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Girgensons notched two assists, three hits, two blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 6-2 win over the Kraken.
Girgensons earned his first multi-point effort of the season by assisting on goals from Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch in the first period. In recent games, Girgensons has held down a top-line role at even strength. It's paying off -- he has six points over nine outings in March, accounting for half of his offense through 51 contests overall. The 30-year-old forward has added 63 shots on net, 118 hits, 21 PIM and a plus-5 rating this season.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Ready to go Tuesday
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Girgensons (upper body) has been given the green light to play versus Dallas on Tuesday, Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report reports.
Girgensons has logged just 31 games this season due to injury, limiting him to just four goals and zero assists while averaging a career-worst 11:56 of ice time. The 30-year-old Latvian will slot into a fourth-line role due to Jack Quinn (lower body) facing an extended stint on the shelf.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Is day-to-day
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Girgensons, who suffered an upper-body injury Wednesday, is considered day-to-day, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports Friday.
Girgensons has four goals, 13 PIM, 54 hits and 18 blocks in 31 contests this season. Zach Benson might draw back into the lineup for Girgensons on Saturday versus San Jose.
Girgensons (upper body) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Kings.
Girgensons was injured in the first period, logging just 1:01 of ice time before exiting. If he can't play Saturday versus the Sharks, Zach Benson or Victor Olofsson could enter the lineup in a bottom-six role.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Removed from IR
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Girgensons (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.
Girgensons, who hasn't played since Nov. 24, appears to be available to return to the lineup Sunday against Ottawa. He has chipped in two goals, 27 shots on net and 31 hits in 20 outings this seaosn.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Still on injured reserve
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Contrary to a previous report, Girgensons (lower body) is still on injured reserve, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
Girgensons hasn't been in the lineup since Nov. 24. He has two goals, 31 hits and 11 blocks in 20 games this season.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Might play Saturday
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Girgensons (lower body) could be available against the Blue Jackets on Saturday, with coach Don Granato telling reporters there is a "good chance" the center will play, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
Girgensons has missed the last 16 games due to his lower-body injury but looks poised to return versus Columbus. Prior to his absence, the veteran center was stuck in a 13-game pointless streak during which he recorded just 19 shots.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Still out Wednesday
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Girgensons (lower body) will not be in the lineup against Boston on Wednesday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Girgensons was reportedly close to getting into the lineup before the Christmas break, so it shouldn't be too long before the Latvian center is cleared to play. Once the 29-year-old Girgensons is given the green light, he figures to slot into a bottom-six role and will be hard-pressed to get over the 20-point mark after missing that threshold in each of the last seven seasons.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Nearing return to lineup
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Girgensons (lower body) may still be available before the upcoming Christmas break, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports Tuesday.
Girgensons won't be an option versus Columbus on Tuesday but at least seems to be trending in the right direction. With Jeff Skinner (upper body) also close to returning, Girgensons could struggle to secure a spot in the lineup, especially with youngster Jack Quinn (Achilles) cleared to play.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Goes on injured reserve
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Girgensons was placed on injured reserve Saturday after suffering a lower-body injury Friday versus the Penguins, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
Girgensons left the game close to the midway mark of the second period and did not return. Girgensons has two goals and 31 hits in 20 games. He is eligible to return to action Dec. 2 versus Carolina.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Exits Friday's contest
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Girgensons (lower body) will not return to Friday's game against the Penguins.
Girgensons recorded one shot on goal in 6:35 of ice time before leaving the game. He has just two goals through 20 games this season. An update on his status should be available before Saturday's tilt with the Devils.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Scores in win
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Girgensons scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over Tampa Bay.
Girgensons opened the scoring midway through the first period, beating Jonas Johansson with a wrist shot to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead. The 29-year-old forward re-signed with Buffalo in the offseason after posting 10 goals, 18 points and 96 hits in 80 games last season. While his offensive potential is limited, Girgensons should see regular work in a bottom-six role.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Re-signs with Sabres
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Girgensons signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with Buffalo on Tuesday.
Girgensons, who would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1, received a bit of a raise from his $2.2 million cap hit over the past three seasons. The 29-year-old registered 10 goals, 18 points and 96 hits in 80 games during the 2022-23 campaign.
Girgensons delivered a power-play assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Flyers.
Girgensons had his shot blocked, but Victor Olofsson scooped up the rebound for a last-second goal by the Sabres. Despite the man-advantage helper, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Girgensons to make a substantial impact with that special teams unit. In fact, this was his first power-play point all season.
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Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons: Pots goal in shootout loss
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Girgensons scored a goal on one shot in the Sabres' 3-2 shootout loss to the Wild on Saturday.
Girgensons gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead, scoring on a wide-open net off a nice pass from Kyle Okposo. This goal snaps a 12-game point drought for Girgensons and gives him two goals in his last 15 games. On the season, the Latvian forward has five goals and 11 points in 47 games.
