NHL News

Auston Matthews • C • Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews Uncertain About Future With Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews is uncertain about his future with the team, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. Toronto won the 2026 draft lottery this week, giving the team a boost after a disappointing season, but Matthews' future may lie elsewhere. He has two years remaining on his contract, with a $13.25 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause. Matthews missed the playoffs for the first time with Toronto this season and has never advanced past the second round since entering the league in 2016. He has enjoyed significant individual success, earning the Hart Trophy in 2022 and three Rocket Richard Trophies. At 28, Matthews is still in his prime, but no career lasts forever, and he may want a change of scenery to improve his chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

4 hours ago

Frederik Andersen • G • Hurricanes

Frederik Andersen Enjoying Special Postseason

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen remained undefeated in Game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, improving to 8-0 this postseason. Carolina has made a great start to the playoffs, sweeping two opponents, and Andersen has been a major factor in that success. He has yet to allow more than two goals this postseason, registering a 1.12 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. Previously, only three netminders in NHL history had started a postseason with eight consecutive wins. With Andersen looking nearly unbeatable, Carolina appears well-positioned to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 20 years.

5 hours ago

Josh Manson • D • Avalanche

Josh Manson "Close" to Returning

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is on the cusp of rejoining the lineup, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. After Sunday's practice, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Manson was "close" to returning. He has missed four games due to an upper-body injury. Nick Blankenburg will likely come out of the lineup if Manson is cleared to play in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday night. With 31 points (five goals, 26 assists) in 79 regular-season games, Manson had his second-best scoring campaign. He also made a solid offensive impact early in the postseason, recording two assists in three games.

5 hours ago

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Could Return to Action Monday

Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (undisclosed) could be available for Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. He has been out of action for five games. Kivitanta played in Colorado's first two games of the postseason, logging three SOG, five hits, and a plus-two rating. If he's cleared to play, Kiviranta will be a bottom-six option for the Avalanche and help the penalty kill, which struggled in Saturday's 5-1 loss to Minnesota, allowing two power-play goals.

5 hours ago

Radko Gudas • D • Ducks

Radko Gudas a Game-Time Call Sunday

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) is a game-time decision for Sunday's meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports. The Ducks are hoping to get their captain back after an eight-game absence, and the signs are good that Gudas will make his return. He skated on the third defensive pairing Sunday morning, replacing Drew Helleson (undisclosed), who has been ruled out for Sunday's game. If he indeed returns, Gudas will add experience and physicality to the Ducks' lineup, but he is unlikely to make a difference on the offensive end.

5 hours ago

Mark Stone • RW • Golden Knights

Mark Stone Unavailable Sunday

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (undisclosed) will miss Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports. The Golden Knights will be without their captain due to an undisclosed injury Stone suffered in Game 3. Stone has contributed three goals and four assists in nine games this postseason. In Stone's absence, Brandon Saad will make his 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. Saad is coming off a disappointing regular season, in which he posted only nine points (three goals, six assists) in 49 outings. The 33-year-old has decent playoff pedigree, but his lack of form makes him an unattractive DFS target on Sunday.

5 hours ago

Mason McTavish • C • Ducks

Mason McTavish Set to Rejoin Ducks Lineup Sunday

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish will play in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. He has sat out the last two games as a healthy scratch. McTavish landed in the press box after his four-game point streak ended in the second-round opener against Vegas. During his first postseason campaign, McTavish has recorded four points (one goal, three assists), 14 SOG, 19 hits, and a plus-one rating in seven appearances. He has generally made a positive impact and should have something to prove on Sunday night as the Ducks try to tie the series at two on home ice.

Yesterday

Lukas Dostal • G • Ducks

Lukas Dostal to Remain in Ducks Crease Sunday

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal will start Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville will keep faith in Dostal despite his awful Game 3 performance. Dostal wasn't himself on Friday night, allowing three goals on eight SOG in the first period. Ville Husso took over the crease after the first intermission, stopping 17 of 19 pucks. Before Friday's Game 3, Dostal had allowed two or fewer goals in three straight contests, and the Ducks will hope to see him return to that level. Overall, the Czech netminder has recorded a 3.48 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage this postseason, winning five of nine starts.

Yesterday

Zach Bogosian • D • Wild

Zach Bogosian Back for Wild Saturday

Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian (lower body) will re-enter the lineup for Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. The 18-year veteran didn't play in Game 2 due to a lower-body injury. Jeff Petry will be scratched to make room for Bogosian, who will skate with Jake Middleton in Saturday's game. In seven playoff appearances this year, Bogosian hasn't recorded any points, but he does have eight blocks and eight hits on his account. He has been limited to 13:09 of ice time per game, and Bogosian's workload is unlikely to increase on Saturday night.

Yesterday

Jesper Wallstedt • G • Wild

Jesper Wallstedt Starting Game 3 Against Avalanche

Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt will be back between the sticks in Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. Wallstedt has been Minnesota's No. 1 this postseason, but Filip Gustavsson took over the crease in Game 2. Wild head coach John Hynes gave Wallstedt some time off after he allowed eight goals in the series opener against Colorado. It was a really tough night for Wallstedt, but he has been solid overall this postseason. The 23-year-old Swedish native holds a 4-3 record and has allowed 2.81 goals with a .903 save percentage. He'll look to bounce back Saturday on home ice, where Wallstedt has won two of three playoff outings.

Yesterday

Joel Eriksson Ek • C • Wild

Joel Eriksson Ek Not Ready to Return Saturday

Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) will remain out on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The Swedish forward is close to returning from a lower-body injury, but he won't be available for a third consecutive game on Saturday night. As a result, Danila Yurov will continue in a second-line role and skate with the second power-play unit. Yurov has recorded assists in each of the first two games against Colorado, earning his first career postseason points. In six playoff appearances, the 22-year-old Russian rookie has also registered five SOG and nine hits.

Yesterday

Owen Tippett • RW • Flyers

Owen Tippett Won't Play Saturday

Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) will remain sidelined on Saturday for Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Despite regularly participating in practices and morning skates, Tippett has yet to play in the series due to an undisclosed injury. He was again on the ice on Saturday morning. With Tippett on the shelf, the Flyers have lacked sharpness offensively in Round 2, scoring just three goals in three games. Their season will end Saturday night with another loss, putting added pressure on players such as Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny to spark the offense.

Yesterday

Mike Matheson • D • Canadiens

Mike Matheson Leads by Example in Game 2 Win

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson had not scored a goal in 16 postseason games. Matheson had easily been passed on the offensive depth chart among defenseman by Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson. However, the defender fired a slapper past Alex Lyon on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres that turned heads. Matheson made the game 2-0 less than five minutes into the contest. From there, the defenseman made an impact in other ways with three shots on goal, three blocked shots, and protecting Zach Benson's head. Also, Matheson logged a game-high 26:44 of ice time on 25 shifts in the Game 2 road triumph.

Yesterday

Jakub Dobes • G • Canadiens

Jakub Dobes Rebounds After Loss Yet Again for Montreal

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes and the Canadiens have altered wins and losses this postseason. The young goaltender has won five times in nine starts. However, Friday was the fourth time he won after a defeat against the Buffalo Sabres. In those games, Dobes is an amazing 4-0 with a 1.49 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage. The Montreal goaltender has five quality starts this postseason and stopped 28 of 29 shots in Game 2. That included 10 Buffalo shots on the Sabres' power play. Dobes may not have had his finest effort on Wednesday, but like Montreal, he roared back on Friday night.

Yesterday

Alex Newhook • C • Canadiens

Alex Newhook Sets Tone in Big Montreal Victory

Montreal Canadiens center Alex Newhook got the goal-scoring started for the Canadiens a mere 96 seconds into Game 2 against the Buffalo Sabres. Newhook found his way into a position to score again to make it 3-0 early in the second period. The center now has three goals in his last three games. Overall, Newhook blocked a shot and got four shots on goal in Game 2. That gives him four points in nine postseason contests for Montreal. Newhook may have missed 40 games during the regular season, but he is making a difference in the playoffs. The last two games, in particular, have seen Newhook rack up eight shots and seven scoring chances.

Yesterday

Lukas Dostal • G • Ducks

Lukas Dostal Gets Pulled in Game 3 Loss on Friday

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal had three quality starts in a row for the Ducks. Friday night at home was not one of them, though. Dostal was pulled after yielding three goals on eight shots. Ville Husso played the final 40 minutes of the 6-2 Game 3 defeat. Dostal seemingly had turned the corner after allowing 18 goals in the first five games of the Edmonton Oilers series. The goaltender was ironically pulled after that Game 5 in favor of Husso. Overall, Dostal is 5-4 this postseason while giving up 26 goals on 210 shots for an .876 save percentage. One thing is for sure: the goaltender must stop the puck more.

Yesterday

Brett Howden • C • Golden Knights

Brett Howden Notches Sixth Goal of the Postseason

Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden continued his magical second-season run with the Knights on Friday. Howden scored an empty-net goal and added an assist in the Game 3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He now has eight points, including six goals, which ties him with Mitch Marner for the NHL postseason lead. The center of attention has won an amazing 59.7% of his face-offs over nine games. Howden also has two short-handed goals as well, all on 16 shots. Many expected Tomas Hertl to be in this position, but the 28-year-old Howden has stolen the show. Sometimes the most unexpected performances take a life of their own.

Yesterday

Mats Zuccarello • RW • Wild

Mats Zuccarello Expected to Play Saturday

Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (illness) is expected to be in the lineup for Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. The veteran forward missed Friday's practice due to illness, but Wild head coach John Hynes expects Zuccarello to be available for Saturday's contest. Zuccarello has already missed time this postseason due to an upper-body injury. He has recorded at least one point in each of his five playoff appearances, notching two goals and five assists. Zuccarello is a regular on the first line and the top power-play unit.

2 days ago

Joel Eriksson Ek • C • Wild

Joel Eriksson Ek to Be a Game-Time Decision Saturday

Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) is expected to be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He has missed the first two games of the series due to a lower-body injury, but Eriksson Ek could return for Game 3 after skating on Friday. His return would be a welcome boost for Minnesota. The Swedish forward has amassed five points (three goals, two assists) in six playoff games this year. If he's ready to play in Saturday's contest, Eriksson Ek will likely replace Danila Yurov in the top six and be an option on the power play.

2 days ago

Jonas Brodin • D • Wild

Jonas Brodin Still Out Saturday

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) won't play in Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He will miss a fourth straight game due to a lower-body injury. It's been a season full of health issues for Brodin, who also sat out 20 regular-season games. Jeff Petry and Daemon Hunt have received playing opportunities during Brodin's absence. Of the two, Hunt has made the bigger impact, contributing an assist in Game 2 against Colorado. In Game 2, both were part of the backline after Bogosian (lower body) dropped out of the lineup.

2 days ago

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