Player News
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Radko Gudas to Remain Sidelined Wednesday
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Sam Carrick Upgraded to Day-to-Day
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Noah Cates Considered Day-to-Day
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Alexander Nikishin Cleared to Play in Game 3 Against Flyers
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Josh Manson Expected to Remain Out Tuesday
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Filip Gustavsson Starting Game 2 Against Avalanche
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Radko Gudas to Remain Sidelined Wednesday
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) won't play in Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports. The Czech veteran will sit out a seventh consecutive contest. However, Gudas has resumed skating, and Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville expects him to return to action "at some point in this series." Due to Gudas' lingering lower-body injury, Drew Helleson has become a regular in the lineup. Yet he hasn't earned much trust from Quenneville, averaging just 8:30 of ice time in the playoffs. -
Sam Carrick Upgraded to Day-to-Day
Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (arm) has been upgraded to day-to-day, head coach Lindy Ruff revealed on Tuesday. Carrick practiced on Tuesday and could be an option to make his 2026 postseason debut in Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Initially, Carrick was believed not to be an option for Round 2 due to an arm injury sustained in a fight with New York Islanders forward Anders Lee on March 31. Carrick could be a useful addition to the Sabres' lineup, having recorded five goals, one assist, and 20 hits in 13 regular-season outings with the team. -
Noah Cates Considered Day-to-Day
Philadelphia Flyers center Noah Cates (lower body) is day-to-day, Jackie Spiegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Cates was hurt in Monday's overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and was seen holding a walking boot for his right foot after the game. Another absence up front would be a bitter blow for the Flyers, who have already been without Owen Tippett (undisclosed) at the start of the series. Tippett is also considered day-to-day ahead of Game 3 on Thursday. Cates has been among Philadelphia's highest scorers in the playoffs, with four points (one goal, three assists) in eight games. He finished the regular season with a career-high 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) in 82 outings. -
Alexander Nikishin Cleared to Play in Game 3 Against Flyers
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) has been cleared to return to the lineup, Kurt Dusterberg of NHL.com reports. He will be an option to play in Game 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Nikishin missed the first two games of the series due to a concussion sustained in a matchup with Ottawa on April 25. Mike Reilly has played in Nikishin's place, making a positive impact with two assists in two games. Nikishin has yet to score any points this postseason after having 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 81 regular-season contests. -
Josh Manson Expected to Remain Out Tuesday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is expected to miss a third consecutive game on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports. The veteran continues to nurse an upper-body injury sustained during Colorado's first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. Nick Blankenburg has played in Manson's absence, but the Avalanche may have different plans for Tuesday night. The team brought up Jack Ahcan from the minors ahead of Game 2, and he could get a chance to play. Ahcan had a great year in the AHL this season, ranking second among defensemen with 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists) in 61 games. -
Filip Gustavsson Starting Game 2 Against Avalanche
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will make his 2026 postseason debut in Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night. Wild head coach John Hynes has decided to make a change in the blue paint after seeing Jesper Wallstedt allow eight goals in a 9-6 loss to Colorado on Sunday. Gustavsson had more starts than Wallstedt during the regular season, but he lost his starting spot for the playoffs due to poor late-season form. The 27-year-old allowed four or more goals in five of his last six regular-season starts. Overall, Gustavsson posted a 28-15-6 record, a 2.69 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and four shutouts. He won his only meeting with the Avalanche 5-2 on Feb. 26. -
Victor Hedman Reveals Reason for Absence
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) revealed on Tuesday that he missed the end of the season to focus on his mental health. The Lightning captain didn't play in the playoffs and sat out the final 15 regular-season games. "I've always believed that being a leader means doing what's best for the team," Hedman said in a social media statement. "In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be." In his statement, Hedman noted he's "in a much better place today." Hedman played in a career-low 33 games in 2025-26, posting 17 points (one goal, 16 assists). This was the first season of Hedman's four-year, $32 million contract. -
Jackson LaCombe Sets New Record With Another Assist
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe continued his debut postseason campaign with another productive outing on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, recording an assist in a 3-1 loss. He set up Mikael Granlund for the game-tying tally in the third period, but the Golden Knights quickly responded with a controversial Ivan Barbashev goal, and Anaheim couldn't recover from a second deficit. It was a record-setting performance for LaCombe, who became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 10 postseason points. With one goal and nine assists in seven games, the 25-year-old has also tied a league record for the fewest games needed by a defenseman to register 10 career playoff points. -
Mikael Granlund Continues Postseason Success With Third Goal
Anaheim Ducks forward Mikael Granlund scored his third goal of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Finnish forward tied the game 13:57 into the third period, giving him seven points in seven games this postseason. Last season, Granlund amassed a career-high 10 playoff points with the Dallas Stars and has a good chance to set a new scoring record for the second consecutive year. However, three of his seven points, including two goals, have come on the power play, and among the remaining teams, Vegas has the strongest penalty kill at 95.8 percent. -
Mitchell Marner Notches Two Points in Series-Opening Win
Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitchell Marner tallied a goal and an assist as the team kicked off its second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks with a 3-1 victory on Monday night. Marner's work helped Brett Howden open the scoring early in the second period, and the former Maple Leaf wrapped up Vegas' fourth consecutive win in the playoffs with an empty-net goal. Marner has produced three goals and four assists during the Golden Knights' winning run. Seven games into the postseason, he has been scoreless only once, sitting on nine points (three goals, six assists). Marner has been Vegas' leading scorer alongside Jack Eichel. In Game 2 against the Ducks, Marner will seek his first five-game playoff point streak since 2023. -
Taylor Hall Makes History With Overtime Winner
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall sent fans into raptures with the game-winning goal in Monday's 3-2 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes had to rally from a 2-0 deficit to keep a perfect playoff record. Hall established a new franchise record with a six-game postseason-opening point streak. The 2018 MVP has turned back the clock, amassing nine points (three goals, six assists) in six games this postseason. Another major milestone is on the horizon for Hall, as he can match the fourth-longest playoff point streak in Hurricanes history in Game 3 on Thursday. -
Nikolaj Ehlers Collects Two Points in Comeback Win
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers had a big role in Monday's 3-2 comeback win against the Philadelphia Flyers, finishing with a goal and an assist. With Carolina 2-0 down on home ice in Game 2 of the second-round series, Ehlers scored a power-play goal and assisted Seth Jarvis on the game-tying goal during even-strength play. Then Taylor Hall completed the comeback in overtime. This was Ehlers' fifth multi-point game in 50 career playoff outings. Postseason hockey hasn't suited him well, and his numbers aren't looking great this year either. In five appearances, Ehlers has recorded one goal and two assists. Game 3 presents Ehlers with a chance to score multiple points in consecutive playoff games for the first time in his 11-year NHL career. -
Cale Makar Good to Go for Game 2 Against Wild
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (undisclosed) will play in Game 2 against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. In the series opener, Makar was injured early in the game and missed most of the first period. However, he finished the game and had a big impact, scoring two goals and adding an assist in a 9-6 victory. After a slow start in the playoffs, Makar has put together a three-game point streak. Overall, he has notched four goals and one assist in five games. On Tuesday, he will aim to record his first four-game postseason point streak since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. -
Ridly Greig Suspended for Two Games
Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig won't be available for a couple of games at the start of the 2026-27 season after receiving a suspension. He was handed a two-game suspension for roughing Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker in Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series on April 25. Graig contributed one assist in four games against Carolina. He posted a career-high 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 77 regular-season appearances. While Greig has been effective in his role with the Senators, he doesn't offer much fantasy value. -
Owen Tippett Remains Out Monday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) won't play on Monday in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports. Despite dealing with an undisclosed health issue, the 27-year-old managed to play in all six games of Philadelphia's first-round matchup with Pittsburgh. But Tippett has exited the lineup at the start of Round 2. "He's a possibility for (Game 3 in Philadelphia on) Thursday," Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said ahead of Game 2. "It'll be a game-time (decision) again." Alex Bump has a chance to make a bigger impact with Tippett sidelined. -
Roope Hintz Recovering From Hamstring Injury
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz revealed he dealt with a hamstring injury late in the season, Taylor Baird of NHL.com reports. The Finnish forward dropped out of the lineup in early March and didn't play in Dallas' first-round defeat to the Minnesota Wild. "I just kind of over-stretched it or something and it just kind of popped; I don't know what really happened there," Hintz said Monday. He feels he could have been ready to play in Game 2 or Game 3 of the second round if Dallas had advanced. This suggests Hintz shouldn't have any trouble getting 100 percent healthy for next season. He remains a core piece for the Stars, averaging 0.91 points per game since 2020-21. -
Tyler Seguin Expects to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (knee) expects to be healthy for the start of training camp in the fall, Taylor Baird of NHL.com reports. The 34-year-old saw his 2025-26 campaign end in early December after an ACL tear in his right knee. Seguin made only 27 appearances, finishing with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists). Unfortunately, this marked the second consecutive year Seguin's season was cut short by injury. He was limited to 20 outings in 2024-25 due to hip surgery. These have been tough injury setbacks for Seguin, but he feels he'll be "as strong as ever" when he returns next season. The 2026-27 campaign will be the final season of Seguin's eight-year, $78.8 million contract. -
Sam Carrick Could Practice Tuesday
Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (arm) could return to practice on Tuesday. Over the weekend, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters that Carrick likely won't be available for the team's second-round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, but he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a left arm injury. "(He's) going to see our doctors today and thinks he's further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday," Ruff said Monday. "So, with good news, he could join our team back in practice tomorrow, which is great news. That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule." Carrick injured his left arm in a fight with New York Islanders forward Anders Lee on March 31. He was a trade deadline acquisition for the Sabres, recording six points (five goals, one assist) and 20 hits in 13 games. -
Alexander Nikishin Won't Play Monday
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) will miss a second consecutive game on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers, according to Walt Ruff & Peter Dewar of the Hurricanes' official site. The Russian blue-liner suffered a concussion during Carolina's series clincher against Ottawa. He wasn't quite ready to play in Game 1 against Philadelphia, allowing Mike Reilly to make his 2026 postseason debut. Reilly recorded two assists in a 3-0 win and will retain his spot on Monday night. "He's been solid," Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said about Reilly Monday morning. "That's a tough role, really, to be in, when you're not in there every night. But that's what being a pro is, and he's demonstrated that all year." -
Jeremy Lauzon Expected to Miss Round 2
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) will likely miss the second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks, SinBin.vegas reports. Lauzon was injured during Vegas' series-clinching win over Utah on Friday. The 29-year-old has limited offensive ability and didn't register any points in six games in Round 1, but Vegas will miss his physical presence. He averaged 3.70 hits per game during the regular season and finished the first-round matchup with 14 hits. Ben Hutton is set to make his 2026 postseason debut in Lauzon's place on Monday night in Game 1 against the Ducks. -
William Karlsson Rejoins Golden Knights Lineup Monday
Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (lower body) will return to action in Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night. This is a big boost for the team, especially after being without Karlsson since early November. The Swedish veteran appeared in only 14 regular-season games, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Vegas is expected to use Karlsson as the third-line center in Monday's game. Reilly Smith will be scratched to make room for Karlsson in the lineup. Karlsson ranks fourth in franchise history with 71 points (31 goals, 40 assists) in 106 postseason appearances. -
Jakub Dobes Backstops Canadiens to Game 7 Victory
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes produced 28 saves as the team beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 on Sunday. The Canadiens needed every one of Dobes' saves because Tampa Bay limited them to just nine SOG. Montreal's SOG total was the lowest for a winning team in the playoffs since SOG were first officially tracked in the 1959-60 season. Despite three losses in the first-round series, Dobes has been among the best goaltenders in the league this postseason. He has posted a 2.03 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. Next, he must contain a Buffalo offense that averaged 3.33 goals per game in Round 1 against Boston. -
Quinn Hughes Takes Over Postseason Scoring Lead With Three-Point Effort
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes became the leading scorer of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, posting his second consecutive three-point game with one goal and two assists. In an extraordinary contest featuring 14 different goal-scorers, Hughes had the eighth goal to tie the game at four in the second period. The Olympic champion became only the fifth defenseman in the past 25 years to record back-to-back three-point games in the playoffs. His tally this postseason includes three goals and eight assists, making Hughes the fastest player in Wild history to reach 10 playoff points with the team. -
Cale Makar Shakes Off Injury to Collect Three Points in Game 1
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar opened the second-round series against the Minnesota Wild with three points in a 9-6 win on Sunday. The star defenseman sat out most of the first period due to an apparent lower-body injury, but he made a big impact in the game. Makar produced an assist early in the second period and scored two goals in the third. In the high-scoring affair, the Avalanche saw four different defensemen score in a playoff game for the first time in franchise history. Devon Toews added three assists to finish with a game-high four points. Makar has started to pick up speed in the playoffs, recording points in three consecutive outings. In total, he's notched five points (four goals, one assist) in five games. -
Owen Tippett a Game-Time Decision Monday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) is expected to be a game-time decision for Monday's Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Gabriela Carroll of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The 27-year-old is dealing with an undisclosed injury and didn't play in the series opener. On Sunday, Tippett was on the ice for an optional skate and left with the main group rather than staying late, as he did on Saturday before missing Game 1. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said Tippett's status was "the same thing, day-to-day." Tippett managed one goal and one assist in six outings during Round 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Garnet Hathaway filled in for Tippett on Saturday but saw a team-low 9:31 of ice time, making him a non-factor in fantasy.


