NHL News

Viktor Arvidsson • RW • Bruins

Viktor Arvidsson Considered Questionable for Tuesday

Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) didn't practice on Monday and is questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Buffalo Sabres, Steve Conroy of The Boston Herald reports. Arvidsson sustained an upper-body injury in Sunday's Game 4 loss. In the playoffs, the Swedish veteran has tallied two goals in four games, sending 11 pucks on the net. He is carrying a minus-four rating, having finished scoreless three times. Arvidsson has been part of the second line and the second power-play unit in Boston, making him a significant loss for the team if he can't play on Tuesday night.

7 days ago

Nils Lundkvist • D • Stars

Nils Lundkvist Won't Play Tuesday

Dallas Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist (face) won't be available for Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He sustained a deep facial laceration in Saturday's Game 4 loss and missed Monday's practice. "We should see him before this series is over, but you won't see him tomorrow," Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan said after the practice session. In four postseason games, Lundkvist has recorded two assists, two SOG, six blocks, two hits, and a plus-one rating. Dallas will replace Lundkvist on Tuesday with Ilya Lyubushkin, Alexander Petrovic, or Kyle Capobianco.

7 days ago

Yakov Trenin • C • Wild

Yakov Trenin Could Be an Option Tuesday

Minnesota Wild forward Yakov Trenin (upper body) could return to action on Tuesday in Game 5 against the Dallas Stars, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He has missed two games due to an upper-body injury, but Trenin practiced fully on Monday, suggesting he might be ready to return. Wild head coach John Hynes officially labeled Trenin as questionable, along with fellow forward Mats Zuccarello (upper body). Nico Sturm and Danila Yurov are expected to sit out Tuesday's game if Trenin and Zuccarello return. Trenin would primarily add physicality to the Wild lineup, having led the NHL with 413 hits in 82 games during the regular season.

7 days ago

Mats Zuccarello • RW • Wild

Mats Zuccarello Questionable for Game 5

Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (upper body) is questionable for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Dallas Stars, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The Norwegian veteran practiced fully on Monday, but Wild head coach John Hynes labeled him as questionable for Tuesday night. After recording a hat trick of assists in Game 1, Zuccarello has missed the last three contests due to an upper-body injury. If Zuccarello returns on Tuesday, Bobby Brink would be bumped from the first line. The Wild's first power-play unit would also have a different look. Late in the season, Zuccarello has been spectacular when in the lineup, recording multiple points in six of his last seven appearances.

7 days ago

Brandon Hagel • LW • Lightning

Brandon Hagel Pops Up With Two Goals in Sunday's Win

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel continued to terrorize the Montreal Canadiens defense on Sunday, scoring two third-period goals in a 3-2 comeback victory. He tied the game early in the period with a power-play marker and knotted the series at two with an even-strength goal five minutes from the end. Hagel has scored in all four games against Montreal, becoming the first player in Lightning history with as many as six goals through the first four games of a postseason campaign. He's the third Tampa player with a four-game goal streak in the playoffs, joining Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier. Remarkably, Hagel has lit the lamp six times with only nine attempts on net. He has also picked up one assist in the series, bringing his total to seven points this postseason -- tied with four other players, including teammate Jake Guentzel, for the second-most in the league.

7 days ago

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Records Three Points in Series-Clincher

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and dished out one assist as the team completed a first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, winning 5-1 on the road. MacKinnon opened the scoring on the power play in the first period and added a couple more points in the third. His second goal of the game came on an empty net. Colorado dominated the series despite MacKinnon finishing scoreless in two of the four games. Regardless, MacKinnon is averaging a point per game through his first four postseason outings in 2026 and still has room to improve.

7 days ago

Bowen Byram • D • Sabres

Bowen Byram Extends Goal Streak to Three Games

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram continued to make a big impact in the first-round series against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, contributing a goal and an assist in a huge 6-1 road win. He has recorded back-to-back multi-point games and is only the third defenseman in franchise history to score in three consecutive postseason outings. Meanwhile, Owen Power has become the third rearguard in NHL history to record an assist in each of his first four career playoff games. Boston has limited Rasmus Dahlin to one assist and no goals, but the Sabres' blue line has still played a major role on offense. World-class performances from the likes of Byram have given the team a chance to finish the series in five games on Tuesday.

7 days ago

John Carlson • D • Ducks

John Carlson Delivers Two Assists in Game 4 Victory

Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson recorded two assists in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers. His work on the power play helped Mikael Granlund score in the second period, and he set up Jeffrey Viel for a 3-3 game-tying goal late in the third. Carlson has been a great addition to the Ducks, posting four assists in four playoff outings. He has also been a rock on defense, averaging 2.25 blocks per game. Another all-around effort will be needed from Carlson in Tuesday's Game 5 as the Ducks try to finish off Connor McDavid's crew.

7 days ago

Connor McDavid • C • Oilers

Connor McDavid Bags Pair of Power-Play Assists in 100th Playoff Game

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid marked his 100th career playoff game with two power-play assists in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. With McDavid leading the charge, the Oilers jumped ahead 3-2 in the third period but couldn't secure a road victory, leaving them with a 3-1 series deficit. While Edmonton is once again dealing with a leaky defense in the postseason, McDavid's performance hasn't been at the level we've come to expect. He has registered one goal and three assists in four games, picking up only one even-strength point. With his team facing elimination in Game 5, McDavid will likely carry a heavy workload on Tuesday night.

7 days ago

Jason Zucker • LW • Sabres

Jason Zucker Makes Early Exit in Blowout Win

Buffalo Sabres winger Jason Zucker (undisclosed) exited the action midway through the third period in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Boston Bruins, Jourdon LaBarber of the Sabres' official site reports. After taking a 4-0 lead in the first period, Buffalo was already in cruise control at that point, which could mean Zucker's exit was for precautionary reasons. Tyler Kozak (undisclosed) also didn't finish the game for the Sabres, who went up 3-1 in the series. Zucker had a hot finish to the regular season, but he hasn't been very sharp in the playoffs. The veteran is still looking for his first points against the Bruins, failing to score with eight attempts on net. An update on Zucker and Kozak is expected before Tuesday's Game 5.

7 days ago

Emil Andrae • D • Flyers

Emil Andrae Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Monday

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (upper body) looks set to rejoin the lineup on Monday in Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has been out of action since sustaining an upper-body injury in the series opener. Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported on Sunday that Andrae skated on the third defensive pairing at practice. Noah Juulsen has filled in for Andrae in the last few games and is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday. In 61 regular-season outings, Andrae was limited to 15:20 of ice time per game, but he was effective. The 24-year-old led all Flyers defensemen with a plus-15 rating, while notching 13 points (two goals, 11 assists). He also logged 36 SOG, 58 blocks, and 68 hits.

Apr 26

Matvei Michkov • RW • Flyers

Matvei Michkov Set to Be Scratched for Game 5

Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov wasn't part of the team's regular four forward lines during Sunday's practice, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. This suggests the Russian talent will be a healthy scratch for Monday's Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It would be an understandable decision by Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, as Michkov has been ineffective in the series. He has gone scoreless in four games, with only four SOG and a minus-one rating. After averaging 14:50 of ice time during the regular season, Michkov has been limited to 10:05 in the playoffs. Alex Bump, who had nine points (five goals, four assists) in 17 regular-season games, is expected to replace Michkov in the lineup on Monday.

Apr 26

Radko Gudas • D • Ducks

Radko Gudas Remains Sidelined Sunday

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) isn't an option for Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, Hayley Elwood of the Ducks' official site reports. The Czech veteran suffered a lower-body injury late in the regular season and hasn't played in the playoffs since logging 9:40 of action in Game 1. Drew Helleson has done a good job as his replacement on the third defensive pairing. In his first two career postseason games, Helleson has recorded one assist, two SOG, four hits, and a plus-one rating. Gudas' next chance to return will come on Tuesday night, when the series heads back to Edmonton.

Apr 26

Jason Dickinson • C • Oilers

Jason Dickinson a Game-Time Decision Sunday

Edmonton Oilers center Jason Dickinson (undisclosed) is considered a game-time call for Sunday's Game 4 tilt against the Anaheim Ducks, Jamie Umbach of the Oilers' official site reports. The 30-year-old has been a game-time decision for all three postseason games so far, playing only once. His two goals helped Edmonton to a 4-3 victory in Game 1. "I think so. I hope so," Dickinson said about his availability for Game 4 after Saturday's practice. Dickinson was banged up late in the regular season, suffering an undisclosed injury against San Jose on April 8. Josh Samanski or Curtis Lazar will make way for Dickinson if he's ready to return on Sunday night.

Apr 26

Maxwell Crozier • D • Lightning

Maxwell Crozier to Replace Declan Carlile Sunday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier is expected to draw into the lineup for Sunday's Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Declan Carlile has been used as a replacement for Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) in a couple of games, but the team will turn to Crozier on Sunday night. The 26-year-old did a decent job on defense during the regular season, registering 10 points (one goal, nine assists), 46 SOG, 31 blocks, 39 hits, and a plus-five rating in 35 contests.

Apr 26

Alexander Nikishin • D • Hurricanes

Alexander Nikishin Diagnosed With Concussion

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin has been officially diagnosed with a concussion after being injured in Saturday's Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators. Nikishin had to exit the game early in the second period after being on the receiving end of a massive hit from Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven. The Russian rearguard must clear the NHL's concussion protocol before being an option to return to the lineup. Carolina finished off the first-round series on Saturday, so the team will have some downtime before the next game, which will benefit Nikishin. After a good rookie campaign, Nikishin has been quiet in the playoffs, failing to score a point in four games.

Apr 26

Viktor Arvidsson • RW • Bruins

Viktor Arvidsson Exits Early Sunday

Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) didn't finish Sunday's Game 4 against the Buffalo Sabres, Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News reports. The Swedish veteran took only four shifts in the game, logging 3:13 of ice time. In Game 2, Arvidsson had two goals, but these have been his only points in the series so far. He has gone minus-four across four games, recording 11 SOG. Boston must tweak its second line and second power-play unit if Arvidsson misses additional time. The series will head back to Buffalo on Tuesday, with the Sabres holding a 3-1 lead.

Apr 26

Arturs Silovs • G • Penguins

Arturs Silovs Steps in and Saves Pittsburgh on Saturday

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs was asked to start an elimination game. All the Penguins goaltender did was make 28 saves on 30 shots in a 4-2 win. Pittsburgh will now play on Monday at home and have a little life in the Battle of Pennsylvania. Silovs made several key saves while Pittsburgh was short-handed. Dan Muse said it best: "When his name was called, he was ready. Great by him." The goaltender is the last line of defense on the penalty kill and even short-handed. Silovs stopped all seven shots in those situations. The Latvian goaltender had not played in 11 days but came through in the clutch on Saturday night.

Apr 26

Sidney Crosby • C • Penguins

Sidney Crosby Helps Lead Pittsburgh to Road Win Over Philadelphia

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby did not want to go home for good after Saturday. Crosby scored a power-play goal early, but it was the assist he added during the third period that was vital. The Penguins center kicked the puck off the end boards to Kris Letang, who beat Dan Vladar. That increased the Penguins' lead to 3-1 and proved to be the game-winning goal. Crosby opened the scoring, had three shots on goal, and blocked two shots in 18:54 of ice time. It was his 39th career postseason goal on the road as well (sixth all-time). Crosby was the lead cog in a team effort that helped shut down the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.

Apr 26

Brock Faber • D • Wild

Brock Faber a Huge Factor in Minnesota's Overtime Victory

Defenseman Brock Faber has enjoyed some season for the Minnesota Wild, but he's had an even better Round 1. Faber scored again on Saturday. The defenseman added an assist as well on the tying goal by Marcus Foligno. Faber had five shots on goal, four blocked shots, and two hits. This gives Faber a total of five points (three goals) in four contests. He has even outshone Quinn Hughes (four assists, plus-seven) a bit. Faber is also a plus-seven in the series and played 74:43 of ice time in the last two games. The young defenseman continues to be a huge factor in one of the best matchups of Round 1.

Apr 26

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