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Player News
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Valeri Nichushkin Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
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Nathan MacKinnon Extends Point Streak With an Assist
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Brett Howden Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
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Tomas Hertl Extends Point Streak to Four Games
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Pavel Dorofeyev Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
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Carter Hart Records Third Consecutive Win
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Valeri Nichushkin Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin scored the team's first goal in Wednesday's 4-2 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. He got the Avalanche on the board with 5:53 played in the third period. At the 17:39 mark, Gabriel Landeskog made it a one-goal game on the power play, but Colorado's offensive surge came clearly too late. Nichushkin has had a disappointing postseason. Before Wednesday night, he had gone three consecutive games without a point, and overall, the Russian forward has made an offensive impact in only three of Colorado's 10 games. Having contributed just two goals and two assists so far, Nichushkin has plenty of room to step up his game. -
Nathan MacKinnon Extends Point Streak With an Assist
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon took his point streak to seven games with an assist in a 4-2 Game 1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. MacKinnon entered the series with an incredible six-game goal streak. While he couldn't light the lamp with three attempts on the net, MacKinnon still extended his point streak late in the game when Gabriel Landeskog scored a power-play goal. MacKinnon has been a scoring machine yet again in the playoffs, posting 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 10 games. His play is directly tied to the team's success, and MacKinnon can't afford to drop a level right now, especially with Cale Makar (undisclosed) out of the lineup. -
Brett Howden Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden continued his special playoff run with another goal in a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night. He put the visitors up 3-0 early in the third period, and Howden's ninth goal of the postseason proved to be the game-winner. Howden, who found the back of the net just 13 times during the regular season, has become only the sixth player in NHL history to record a six-game road goal streak in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 13 playoff games, Howden has also contributed two assists. With Howden in top form, the Golden Knights might be just fine without Mark Stone (lower body) in the Western Conference Finals. The 28-year-old has failed to score just twice in the last 10 games. -
Tomas Hertl Extends Point Streak to Four Games
Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl extended his point streak to four games with an assist in Wednesday's 4-2 Game 1 win against the Colorado Avalanche. Alongside Mitchell Marner, Hertl set up Pavel Dorofeyev's power-play goal late in the second period. With that, Hertl has power-play points in three straight games. The Czechia veteran has been in the backseat for most of the postseason but has come alive in recent games. Hertl has notched seven points (two goals, five assists) in 13 playoff outings, with five of the points coming during his current four-game hot streak. -
Pavel Dorofeyev Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev scored a power-play goal in Wednesday's 4-2 Game 1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, extending his goal streak to four games. The Russian forward has demonstrated elite goal-scoring ability in the playoffs and is looking at a handsome payday in the offseason as a restricted free agent. He leads the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 10 goals in 13 games. Dorofeyev is the fifth player in Vegas history to reach double-digit goals in a single postseason. He has also collected a pair of assists as the partner of Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev on the first line. -
Carter Hart Records Third Consecutive Win
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart had 36 saves as the team opened the Western Conference Finals against the Colorado Avalanche with a 4-2 road win on Wednesday. The 27-year-old netminder played a perfect game through the first two periods and finished with a .947 save percentage. Combined with the regular season, Hart has now won 20 of his 31 starts for Vegas. In the playoffs, he has posted a 9-4 record, a 2.35 goals-against average, and a .920 save percentage. Game 2 against Colorado will give Hart an opportunity to record his second four-game winning streak in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. -
Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren to Two-Year Extension
Washington Capitals defenseman Timothy Liljegren has landed a two-year contract extension. He will be paid $6.5 million over the next two seasons. Liljegren, who celebrated his 27th birthday in April, joined the Capitals from San Jose at the trade deadline. In Washington, the Swedish native made only four appearances, but he could have a significant role in 2026-27. The Capitals have lost a key piece on the back end with John Carlson moving to Washington, and Rasmus Sandin (knee) won't be available at the start of the season. In 311 career games across three teams, Liljegren has recorded 93 points (21 goals, 72 assists), 369 SOG, 482 blocks, and 399 hits. -
Jiri Kulich Aims to Return Next Season
Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (ear) is aiming for a comeback in 2026-27. This season, the 22-year-old made only 12 appearances after a blood clot in his ear cut his campaign short. "I'm just so grateful how this organization treated me, and they were helping me every single day," Kulich said on Tuesday. "They even allowed me to see some experts, so I think everything's going the right way, and looking forward for next season." Kulich was a first-round pick in 2022 and has shown promise in the NHL. Through his first 75 career games, the Czechia native has recorded 29 points (18 goals, 11 assists), 155 SOG, and 50 hits. -
Jeremy Lauzon Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (upper body) will miss Wednesday's Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports. On Wednesday morning, Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella told reporters there were no updates on the team's injuries. Lauzon missed the entire second-round matchup with Anaheim after taking a puck to the head in Game 6 against Utah on May 1. His absence has allowed Dylan Coghlan to cement a spot in the lineup, but he hasn't made a fantasy impact. Coghlan has gone scoreless in four appearances, with five SOG, four blocks, and six hits. -
Mark Stone Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (lower body) isn't expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. According to Jesse Granger of The Athletic, Stone skated with Vegas' scratches on Wednesday morning. It was his first time skating with the team since he suffered a lower-body injury in Game 3 against Anaheim. However, he's not quite ready to return to action yet. Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella mentioned there are no updates on Vegas' injuries. With Stone out, Brandon Saad has played in three consecutive games, while William Karlsson's role has grown. -
Scott Wedgewood Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood will start Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The 33-year-old lost his starting spot to Mackenzie Blackwood in the second round against Minnesota, but he's getting a new opportunity to re-establish himself as the No. 1. A week ago, Wedgewood helped Colorado close out the series against Minnesota with an impressive relief effort. While Wedgewood had a bumpy ride in Round 2, his overall numbers are strong in the postseason. He holds a 7-1 record with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. In the regular season, Wedgewood won both of his starts against Vegas, though he gave up over three goals per game (3.38) and had a poor .854 save percentage. -
Sam Malinski Set to Return Wednesday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (upper body) is on track to return to the lineup on Wednesday night in Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. He missed the last two games of the second-round series against Minnesota due to an upper-body injury. Malinski's return on Wednesday is a major boost for the Avalanche, who will be without Cale Makar (undisclosed). As a result, Malinski could take on additional duties on the blue line. Devon Toews and Brent Burns might also see more action without Makar, especially on the power play. -
Artturi Lehkonen Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) is expected to be available for Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Finnish forward has missed two games due to an upper-body injury. However, Lehkonen returned to practice with a regular jersey on Tuesday, indicating that he's ready to rejoin the lineup. Lehkonen is a player who can make an impact in all situations and has bagged six points (three goals, three assists) in seven postseason outings. He is slated to grab a second-line role and will also strengthen the second power-play unit. -
Cale Makar Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (undisclosed) won't be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. He is considered day-to-day. According to Kaplan, Makar is dealing with several health issues. The two-time Norris Trophy winner was on the ice Wednesday morning, but he's missed several practices since Colorado's second-round matchup against Minnesota ended a week ago. With the Avalanche's blue line banged up, Jack Ahcan has played in back-to-back games and is set to remain in the lineup Wednesday night. However, he is expected to have a limited role. -
Mattias Samuelsson Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson collected an assist in Monday's 3-2 Game 7 defeat in overtime to the Montreal Canadiens. 13:19 into the second period, Samuelsson initially celebrated scoring a goal, but he had to settle for an assist when it was determined that the puck went into the Canadiens' net off a deflection by Jordan Greenway. Alex Newhook's overtime goal delivered a cruel end to the campaign for the Sabres, but Samuelsson should enter the offseason in high spirits. He had a breakout year in 2025-26, with 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 78 games, proving he can be much more than a shutdown defenseman. Across his first five NHL campaigns, Samuelsson had managed only 43 points (seven goals, 36 assists). -
Rasmus Dahlin Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin scored his fourth postseason goal in Monday's 3-2 Game 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres captain tied the game at two with 6:27 played in the third period. Buffalo had all the momentum in the third frame, yet they couldn't find the game-winning goal and were burned in overtime by Alex Newhook. Dahlin had a career-high 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists) in 77 regular-season games and finished the playoffs strongly, putting together a five-game point streak. Overall, he notched 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 13 games during the postseason. At 26, Dahlin is still very young for a defenseman and is poised to remain a high-level fantasy performer for a long time. -
Jakub Dobes Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes finished Monday's 3-2 Game 7 victory against the Buffalo Sabres with 37 saves. Dobes couldn't hold a 2-0 lead on the road, but the Canadiens advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals thanks to an overtime tally from Alex Newhook. Montreal's young netminder rebounded well from a poor Game 6 outing, in which Dobes was lit up for six goals. He has done a great job responding to defeats throughout the postseason and hasn't yet lost back-to-back starts. Dobes has an 8-6 record in the playoffs, allowing 2.52 goals with a .910 save percentage. The Canadiens enter the next series as huge underdogs, but they won all three regular-season games against the Hurricanes with Dobes in net. -
Lane Hutson Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson registered a power-play assist as the team won Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in overtime on Monday night. Hutson had an assist in a sixth consecutive game when Zack Bolduc scored with the man advantage at the 14:29 mark in the first period. In the Conference Finals against Carolina, he has a chance to set a new franchise record for the longest postseason assist streak, currently held by Jacques Lemaire, who had an eight-game run in 1973. Hutson leads Montreal in scoring in the playoffs with 14 points in as many games. All but two of his points have come via assists. -
Nick Suzuki Extends Road Point Streak
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki contributed a power-play assist in Monday's series-clinching 3-2 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres. He set up Zack Bolduc for the Canadiens' second goal late in the first period, becoming only the second player in franchise history to open a postseason with an eight-game road point streak. Suzuki has posted four goals and seven assists on the road during Montreal's run to the Eastern Conference Finals. At home, he has zero goals and two assists in six games this postseason. With the Canadiens on the road to start the Conference Finals against Carolina, we might see a couple more big performances from Suzuki this week. -
Alex Newhook Scores Series-Clincher in Overtime
Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook scored the decisive goal in Monday's 3-2 Game 7 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres. He found the back of the net at the 11:22 mark in the extra frame after Montreal had let a 2-0 lead slip. Newhook also scored a Game 7 series-clincher in Round 1 against Tampa Bay and has seven goals this postseason — only two players have scored more. In 14 outings, Newhook has also tallied two assists, making him one of Montreal's highest-scoring forwards in the playoffs. Impressively, Newhook has potted all seven goals at even strength, while star forwards Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky have combined for only three such goals. -
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Set to Start Game 7
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News reports. The Sabres are returning to the Finnish netminder after Alex Lyon allowed three goals on three SOG to start Game 6. Lyon took over the crease after Luukkonen struggled in Game 5, giving up five goals through two periods with a .783 save percentage. He played a perfect game in Lyon's relief on Saturday, stopping 18 pucks. Luukkonen has been leaky throughout the playoffs, but given Lyon's performance over the weekend, there's really no other option for the Sabres on Monday night. In five postseason appearances, Luukkonen has a 3-2 record, a 3.36 goals-against average, and a .875 save percentage. -
Tage Thompson Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson sits among the top scorers in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and can match a franchise record with another productive outing on Monday night in Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens. After erupting for four points in Game 6, Thompson boasts five multi-point games in the playoffs, one shy of tying Daniel Briere, Dale Hawerchuk, and Gilbert Perreault for Buffalo's record in a single postseason. Three of Thompson's multi-point performances have come in the last four games, during which he's racked up three goals and five assists. Across the entire postseason, Thompson has notched a team-high 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 12 games — only Vegas' Mitchell Marner has more (18). -
Nick Suzuki Seeks More Road Success Monday
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki has been a true road warrior in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing on the score sheet in all seven away outings so far. In Monday's Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres, he can join Mats Naslund as the second Canadiens player to start a postseason with an eight-game road point streak. In the 21st century, only five players in the entire league have recorded at least one point in each of their first eight road games of a playoff run. Bizarrely, Suzuki has gone scoreless in four of six home games. Yet he still ranks second on his team in the playoffs with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 13 games. -
Lane Hutson Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson will enter Monday's Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres with a five-game assist streak. He's been a huge creative force for the Canadiens and could become only the sixth player in franchise history to record a six-game assist streak during the postseason. Larry Robinson was the last player to achieve it in 1978. In total, Hutson boasts 11 assists this postseason, tied for the second most behind Vegas superstar Jack Eichel (14). Montreal's prospects tend to rely heavily on Hutson, who leads the team with 13 points in 13 playoff outings. We should see him have a heavy workload on Monday night. -
Filip Gustavsson Needs Offseason Surgery
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will undergo hip surgery in the offseason, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. Wild general manager Bill Guerin is unsure whether Gustavsson will be ready for the start of next season. Gustavsson had to settle for a backup role in the 2026 playoffs, and this is another blow to him. He lost his starting position to Jesper Wallstedt despite showing fine form during the regular season. In 49 starts, Gustavsson registered a 28-15-6 record, a 2.69 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and four shutouts. If he isn't ready to play at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, Gustavsson's streak of four straight 20-win seasons could be in jeopardy.