NHL News
Luke Hughes Out On Tuesday
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (upper body) will not play in Tuesday's Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 21-year-old sustained an upper-body injury during Sunday's Game 1 loss. After a brief exit, Hughes was able to finish the contest, but he isn't game-ready for Tuesday. Hughes led all Devils defensemen in scoring during the regular season, posting 44 points (seven goals, 37 assists) in 71 games. Brenden Dillon (lower body) was also injured on Sunday, giving Dennis Cholowski and Simon Nemec an opportunity to enter the lineup for Game 2. Dougie Hamilton will take over Hughes' responsibilities on the first power-play unit.
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Matthew Tkachuk Activated From Injured Reserve
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve on Tuesday, paving the way for him to join the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After suffering a groin injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tkachuk has missed 25 games. The Panthers will use Tkachuk on the second line next to Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich, while he is also set to skate with the top power-play unit. Tkachuk was tied for the most points on the team with 22 during Florida's triumphant Stanley Cup run last year. He made 52 regular-season appearances this term, scoring 22 goals and 57 points.
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Evan Bouchard Dishes Out Three Assists In Postseason Opener
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard had three assists in Monday's high-scoring 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Last year, Bouchard set an NHL record for the most assists by a defenseman in one postseason with 26 and once again played a massive role in Edmonton's offense, setting up Leon Draisaitl, Corey Perry, and Connor McDavid. The regular-season series against the Kings finished scoreless for Bouchard this term, but he had a very productive time in the same first-round matchup a year ago, contributing one goal and eight assists in five games.
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Connor McDavid Racks Up Four Points In Losing Effort
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid opened the 2025 postseason with a big four-point effort, but it was not enough to secure a victory against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 on Monday night. The Oilers captain registered one goal and three assists in a 6-5 defeat. Edmonton fell behind 4-0 before making the game competitive in the third period. McDavid recorded his sixth postseason four-point game, tying him for seventh on the all-time list. He averaged more than two points per game against the Kings in last year's first-round series, and it seems McDavid might be even more productive this time.
8 hours ago
Phillip Danault Nets Two Goals In Game 1 Victory
Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault scored twice in Monday's 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Danault's first marker put the Kings 4-0 up in the second period, but the Oilers mounted an impressive comeback, with Connor McDavid knotting things up at five with only 1:28 left in regulation. Yet, there was still enough time for Danault to win the game for the Kings. He produced the latest go-ahead goal in a playoff game in franchise history by lighting the lamp for the second time with 42 seconds remaining. His effort on Monday means that Danault has already tallied more postseason points this season than he managed in a five-game series against Edmonton last year.
9 hours ago
Mark Scheifele Bags Two Points In Monday's Win
Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele recorded a goal and an assist as the team defeated the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Monday night, taking a 2-0 series lead. Scheifele, who kicked off the postseason with a three-point effort in Saturday's 5-3 victory, opened the scoring on Monday night late in the first period and helped to set up Kyle Connor for the game-winning tally early in the third. The Jets have seen great play from Scheifele and Connor early in the playoffs, and they will have a chance to match a franchise record in Thursday's Game 3 by scoring in a third consecutive contest at the start of a postseason campaign.
9 hours ago
Lane Hutson Posts Two Assists In Playoff Debut
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson finished Monday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals with two assists. Hutson's good eye for a pass enabled Montreal to rally from a two-goal deficit in the third period and push the game into overtime, with Cole Caufield scoring on the power play and Nick Suzuki finding the net during even-strength play. Hutson, who tied the NHL record for most assists by a rookie defenseman with 60 this season, became the third Canadiens defenseman to record multiple points in his playoff debut. The Canadiens suffered a painful loss on Monday, but with Hutson in top form, they might still make this series competitive.
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Dylan Strome Registers Three Assists In Overtime Win
Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome helped to set up all three goals as the team defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime on Monday night. Alex Ovechkin benefited twice from Strome's playmaking, and Anthony Beauvillier also lit the lamp. Washington's top line crushed it in the game, combining for eight points. Strome had his first 50-assist and 80-point campaign this year and should see plenty more success in the playoffs with the red-hot Ovechkin skating next to him. Dating back to the regular season, Strome has recorded five multi-point efforts over 11 games, scoring six goals and delivering 11 assists.
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Alex Ovechkin Scores First Playoff Overtime Goal
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin recorded three points, including his first career playoff overtime goal, in Monday's 3-2 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens. The NHL's all-time top goal-scorer opened his 2025 postseason campaign with a power-play goal in the first period, collected an assist in the second, and secured the victory for his team in the extra frame after Montreal erased a two-goal deficit inside the final 10 minutes of regulation. Ovechkin scored twice on four shots and registered a game-high seven hits while logging 16:45 of ice time. The Capitals captain enjoyed a prolific regular-season campaign and appears to have carried his form into the playoffs. Over his last 10 appearances, Ovechkin has tallied 10 goals and six assists.
9 hours ago
Braden Schneider Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (shoulder) has undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum. The 23-year-old missed the last two regular-season games. Schneider told reporters that he has been dealing with the issue for two seasons. Despite playing through the injury, Schneider had a career year in 2024-25, posting 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 80 contests. Additionally, he registered a career-high 145 blocks with 146 hits. Schneider, who has completed the first season of a two-year, $4.4 million contract, expects to be fully ready for the start of next season.
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Trent Frederic A Game-Time Call Monday
Edmonton Oilers forward Trent Frederic (ankle) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. He might be back in action after battling an ankle injury during the final stretch of the regular season. The 27-year-old split the season between the Oilers and Boston Bruins, making 58 appearances. He recorded 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) along with 155 hits. If cleared for action, Frederic is expected to join Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jeff Skinner on the third line on Monday night.
23 hours ago
Leon Draisaitl Returns To Oilers Lineup For Postseason Opener
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (undisclosed) is good to go for the start of the playoffs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. The 2024/25 Rocket Richard Trophy winner sat out the last seven regular-season games due to an undisclosed injury and appeared in only three of the final 14 contests. He is projected to skate on the second line alongside Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson in Game 1 against the Kings. Draisaitl has averaged the fifth-most postseason points in NHL history and erupted for 10 points (five goals, five assists) during a five-game series against the Kings last year.
23 hours ago
Jake Walman Available For Game 1
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (undisclosed) will be in the lineup for Monday's postseason opener against the Los Angeles Kings. He missed the last five regular-season games due to an undisclosed injury. Walman has enjoyed a productive campaign, recording 40 points (seven goals, 33 assists) across 65 games with the Oilers and San Jose Sharks. The 29-year-old will be Brett Kulak's partner on the second defensive pairing and is expected to occupy a spot on the second power-play unit. During the regular season, Walman averaged a point per game against the Kings, notching one goal and three assists across four contests.
Yesterday
Brett Kulak Ready To Play Monday
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak (personal) will be in the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. On Sunday, Kulak traveled back home to Canmore to be with his wife for the birth of their second daughter, leaving his status initially in doubt for Monday's Game 1. However, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has confirmed that Kulak will play in Game 1 against the Kings. Due to Mattias Ekholm's (undisclosed) absence, Kulak may be asked to do a bit more than usual. He posted a career-high 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 82 games during the regular season, adding 118 blocks on the defensive end while averaging 20:32 of ice time.
Yesterday
Aliaksei Protas Expected To Return During First-Round Series
Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (foot) is unlikely to play in Monday's Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens, but he is poised to make his comeback soon. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters that Protas is expected to return during the first-round series. "I think, absolutely, I would expect him to play, and we'll see when that is," Carbery said. "It might be tonight. It might be Game 2 (on Wednesday). We'll see." The Belarusian forward missed the final six regular-season games after injuring his foot. It has been a massive career year for Protas, who scored 30 goals and 66 points in 76 games during the regular season. Protas' injury has given Anthony Beauvillier a chance to skate on the first line, but he has been a non-factor offensively, entering Monday's contest with a nine-game point drought.
Yesterday
Miro Heiskanen Out On Monday
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (knee) will remain out for Monday's Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche. Heiskanen participated in the morning skate for the second consecutive game, but he is still considered day-to-day and isn't ready to play. With Heiskanen unavailable, Thomas Harley carried the blue line in Saturday's Game 1, leading all skaters in ice time with 27:34. He recorded a power-play assist on the team's lone goal in a 5-1 loss. Harley spent over five minutes of action with the man advantage and logged 2:12 on the penalty kill. The 23-year-old is likely in for another busy night on Monday.
Yesterday
Ross Colton Uncertain For Game 2
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (lower body) is questionable for Monday's Game 2 against the Dallas Stars. He logged only 7:04 of ice time in Saturday's Game 1, missing most of the third period due to a lower-body injury. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters Monday morning that Colton is feeling "not great." He didn't rule him out for the contest, but also wouldn't confirm whether Colton would be ready to play. Colton's spot in the lineup could be filled by Gabriel Landeskog (knee), who was activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve on Monday. Miles Wood and Jimmy Vesey are also options to replace Colton.
Yesterday
Gabriel Landeskog Activated From Injured Reserve
Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (knee) was activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve on Monday, making him eligible to join the lineup for Game 2 against the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche captain is poised to make his first NHL appearance since Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals. He could serve as a replacement for Ross Colton (lower body), who was injured in Saturday's series opener. Landeskog will likely have some rust, but he was a point-per-game player before running into health issues, and his inclusion in the lineup will, at the very least, provide a morale boost for Colorado.
Yesterday
Auston Matthews Finishes Game 1 With Two Assists
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews opened the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a two-assist effort in Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs captain helped both of his linemates, Mitchell Marner and Matthew Knies, on the scoreboard, setting up the latter during a power play. Matthews finished without a goal despite having six shots on the net, and he was among the team leaders with four hits over 18:42 of action. While Matthews didn't find joy in front of the goal, he celebrated his 13th career multi-point effort in a playoff game, tying him for 10th on Toronto's all-time list. He now boasts 50 points (23 goals, 27 assists) in 56 games for his postseason career.
Yesterday
Mitchell Marner Totals Three Points In Postseason Opener
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner amassed three points in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. He scored Toronto's second goal of the game with his only shot on target and delivered a pair of power-play assists. Marner posted his fifth career three-point postseason game, taking sole possession of the third spot on the franchise's all-time list. Only Doug Gilmour (10) and Darryl Sittler (7) have more. Since the international break, Marner has been kept off the score sheet just six times, and he should be full of confidence in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs after recording his first career 100-point campaign. Marner led his team with 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) in 81 games during the regular season.
Yesterday
Luke Hughes
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Devils
