Clifton scored a goal and added five hits in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton has played in four straight games after getting scratched for 11 of the previous 12 contests. For now, it looks like he has a third-pairing job locked down while Erik Karlsson (lower body) is out. The goal was Clifton's first point in 19 appearances, and he's added 15 shots on net, 80 hits, 31 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a minus-4 rating.

Clifton was scratched for the ninth time in 10 games in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Jack St. Ivany has taken over a third-pairing role, leaving Clifton on the outside looking in frequently in recent weeks. With no points in 15 appearances, Clifton hasn't done anything to help his case for playing time. He's added 12 shots on net, 63 hits, 26 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating this season, and he may have to wait for an injury to open a spot in the lineup.

Clifton had three hits and a blocked shot in 18:21 of ice time in Friday's 5-0 loss to the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton has played in five of the Penguins' last six games, but he's suited up for just eight of 20 contests to begin the season. He's been held without a point while racking up 36 hits, 17 blocked shots, a minus-2 rating and six shots on net. Clifton should continue to provide plenty of physicality. However, he could return to the press box when the Penguins want to get another look at Harrison Brunicke, who has been scratched for six straight games as the team buys itself time to decide if he'll be a full-time NHLer this year.

Pittsburgh obtained Clifton and a 2025 second-round draft pick from Buffalo on Saturday in exchange for Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton is best known for his bruising style of play. He collected 208 hits and 116 blocks across 73 regular-season appearances in 2024-5. He'll bring much-needed muscle to the bottom of the Penguins' blue-line corps.

Clifton recorded a shorthanded assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton had two points over the final three games of the season. The 29-year-old defenseman was able to accumulate 16 points, including three shorthanded assists, over 73 appearances this season. He added 63 shots on net, 208 hits, 116 blocked shots, 45 PIM and a minus-6 rating. Clifton is under contract for 2025-26 and can be expected to fill a bottom-four role with the Sabres.

Clifton scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton ended a five-game point drought with the tally, which was his first goal this season. The defenseman had a fun of five assists over six games from March 23 to April 1, but that's a fairly unprecedented stretch of success for him. Overall, he's at 15 points, 62 shots on net, 204 hits, 110 blocked shots, 45 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 71 appearances in 2024-25 while filling a bottom-four role.

Clifton logged two assists, two shots on goal, four hits and six blocked shots in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton has four helpers over his last five outings. The defenseman set up second-period tallies by Alex Tuch and Sam Lafferty in Sunday's contest. Clifton is up to 13 points (all assists), 55 shots on net, 184 hits, 98 blocked shots, 39 PIM and a minus-2 rating through 64 appearances this season, primarily in a bottom-four role.

Clifton logged a shorthanded assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton helped out on an Alex Tuch tally in the third period, which ended up being the game-winner. The 29-year-old Clifton has just two assists over 12 outings in March as he continues to log bottom-four minutes. For the season, he's produced 10 assists, 49 shots on net, 170 hits, 88 blocked shots, 37 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 60 contests.

Clifton notched an assist, two shots on goal and four hits in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton has played in just five of eight games since returning from an illness in early February. He's part of a rotation of defensemen to fill a third-pairing role, and he appears to have the favor of head coach Lindy Ruff currently. With a Henri Jokiharju trade being a possibility before Friday's deadline, Clifton's playing time could become steady, though it won't make him a factor in fantasy. The 29-year-old blueliner has nine assists, 40 shots on net, 150 hits, 78 blocked shots and 31 PIM over 51 outings in a mediocre campaign so far.

Clifton (illness) will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jackets, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clifton will replace Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) in the lineup Tuesday and slot in on the second pairing next to Owen Power. Clifton has contributed eight helpers but has not found the back of the net across 46 appearances in 2024-25.