NHL News
Linus Ullmark Attempts To Overcome Playoff Struggles Thursday
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark allowed nine goals in two games against the Toronto Maple Leafs to open the 2025 postseason and will attempt to perform better as the series shifts to the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday. He will enter the contest with a lowly .800 save percentage for this year's playoffs. Postseason struggles are not new for Ullmark, as he has allowed four or more goals in six of his 11 starts during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Overall, he has a 3-8-0 record in the playoffs, with a goals-against average of 3.73 and a save percentage of .875. Ullmark must significantly improve for the Senators to make this series competitive.
7 hours ago
Anthony Cirelli A Game-Time Call Thursday
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) is considered a game-time call for Thursday's matchup against the Florida Panthers. He suffered an undisclosed injury against the Panthers on Tuesday night and didn't take part in Thursday's morning skate. Nick Paul filled in for Cirelli on the second line, skating next to Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel. Mitchell Chaffee, who was a healthy scratch for the series opener, worked on the third line. Losing Cirelli would be a huge blow for the Lightning. He is a strong two-way player who recorded career highs in several categories during the regular season, including goals (27), assists (32), and points (59).
7 hours ago
Logan Thompson Comes Up Big In Game 2
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson played a crucial role in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery hailed Thompson as the "difference" in the game after he stopped 25 of 26 shots. Thompson's work included several outstanding saves, especially in the third period when the Capitals held a slender 2-1 lead. Thompson joined a select group of netminders on Wednesday night, becoming the fourth goaltender to win his first two playoff games with the Capitals. He has allowed 1.47 goals in the series, boasting a superb .951 save percentage. With Thompson in such good form, the Capitals have a great chance of making a deep postseason run.
7 hours ago
Connor McMichael Strikes Twice In Wednesday's Win
Washington Capitals forward Connor McMichael popped up with two goals as the team snuck past the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 on Wednesday night. McMichael tied the game at one early in the second period and completed his multi-goal effort with an empty-netter in the dying seconds of the third. The 24-year-old scored a career-high 26 goals and 57 points in 82 games during the regular season and is also poised to contribute in the playoffs for the Capitals, who secured a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday night. McMichael's goals represent his first postseason points this year, but he ranks second on the team with seven shots on the net.
7 hours ago
Anze Kopitar Tallies Four Points In Game 2 Victory
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar scored a power-play goal and sent out three assists in Wednesday's dominant 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. He joined Adrian Kempe on four points, with the two becoming the first set of Kings teammates to each record four points in the same postseason game since Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey in 1992. This was Kopitar's second career four-point effort in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Only Gretzky (6) has managed more with the Kings. The Kings captain is leading a highly prolific first line, as the team's top trio has combined for an extraordinary 17 points in the first two games against Edmonton. Kopitar has contributed one goal and four assists.
8 hours ago
Adrian Kempe Notches Two Goals, Two Assists In Wednesday's Win
Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe produced a four-point performance in Wednesday's 6-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. He scored two even-strength goals and had a pair of power-play assists. L.A.'s first line went on a rampage, as Anze Kopitar also finished with four points (one goal, three assists). Kempe and Kopitar became the first set of Kings teammates to record four points in the same playoff game since Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey in 1992. Dating back to the regular season, Kempe has posted four consecutive multi-point games. There are three goals and four assists on his account through the first two postseason contests.
8 hours ago
Tyler Seguin Gives Stars Series Lead With Overtime Winner
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was the hero of the night on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche, potting the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory. Dallas was behind for most of the contest, but Jamie Benn knotted things up in the third period, and Seguin recorded his sixth game-winning goal in the playoffs with the Stars. He found the back of the net with his only shot on goal, finishing with an even rating across 14:01 of action. Seguin was also among the goal-scorers in Game 2, so the veteran forward has started to make a big impact in the first-round series.
8 hours ago
Gabriel Landeskog Delivers Six Hits In First Game Since 2022
Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog recorded a game-high six hits during his long-awaited return to action in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime defeat to the Dallas Stars. Playing in his first NHL game in 1,032 days, Landeskog logged 13:16 of ice time. He added one block to his six hits but did not register any offensive stats. "It's a very special night, and from my perspective, regardless of the outcome of the game, I mean, that was a memory of a lifetime for me," Landeskog said postgame. "It was very special." The Avalanche are now 2-1 down in the series and will need everybody, including their captain, to step up their game.
8 hours ago
Pavel Zacha Recovering From Small Procedure
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha (undisclosed) will miss the World Championships after undergoing a non-surgical procedure. Steve Conroy of The Boston Herald reports that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said it was a "small procedure," so it's safe to assume he will recover in time for next season. Zacha will look to produce a bounce-back campaign in 2025-26 after having a disappointing 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists) in 82 outings this term. The 28-year-old Czechia native has two more seasons remaining on a four-year, $19 million contract.
Yesterday
Nikolaj Ehlers To Miss At Least Two More Games
Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (foot) will not travel with the team to face the St. Louis Blues in back-to-back road games. The two teams will meet in St. Louis on Thursday and Sunday, with the Jets holding a 2-0 lead in the first-round series. The team has coped well with the loss of Ehlers, but the Jets would definitely be stronger with him in the lineup. Due to Ehlers' absence, Nino Niederreiter has landed a second-line role for the start of the postseason. However, the Swiss veteran has been quiet so far, recording two shots on goal with one hit and zero points in two games.
Yesterday
Miro Heiskanen Still Out On Wednesday
Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (knee) will miss Wednesday's matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. The star blue-liner is trending in the right direction and was on the ice for the morning skate, but he isn't quite ready to play. "He's getting closer," Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said Wednesday. With Heiskanen still sidelined, the Stars will hope to get another big shift from Thomas Harley. He has recorded two points (one goal, one assist) and six blocks in the first two games of the series, averaging 31:44 of ice time. Heiskanen's next opportunity to return will be on Saturday night in Game 4.
Yesterday
John Klingberg Enters Oilers Lineup For Game 2
Edmonton Oilers defenseman John Klingberg (lower body) will be welcomed back into the lineup on Wednesday in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Kings. The 32-year-old has been on the shelf since March 27 due to a lower-body injury. After signing a one-year deal with the Oilers on Jan. 17, Klingberg made 11 appearances during the regular season, registering four points (one goal, three assists), 19 shots, and 13 blocks. On Wednesday, he will be paired with Jake Walman in defense, while Josh Brown will sit out the action as a healthy scratch.
Yesterday
Evander Kane To Make Season Debut Wednesday Night
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (knee) is slated to make his season debut in Wednesday's Game 2 against the Los Angeles Kings. He has been sidelined since Game 2 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, having undergone several surgeries. Kane is expected to land on the second line next to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. He will also have a role to play on the power play. In three previous postseason meetings with the Kings, Kane has posted 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 18 games.
Yesterday
Gabriel Landeskog Likely To Play In Game 3
Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (knee) appears ready to make his comeback in Game 3 against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said on Wednesday morning that there is a "good chance" Landeskog will play in the contest. The Avalanche captain, who has been out of action since the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, was activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve ahead of Monday's Game 2. He skated in pregame warmups but did not play. Landeskog is projected to skate on the third line, replacing Miles Wood in the lineup.
Yesterday
John Tavares Collects Two Points In Overtime Win
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares led the team with two points as the squad battled out a 3-2 overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators in Tuesday's Game 2. Tavares played a key role as Toronto jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first period, recording a power-play goal and an even-strength assist. However, Ottawa managed to tie the game, forcing it into overtime. Max Domi ended the contest with 3:09 played in the extra frame. Over the first two games of the series, Tavares has been highly effective, posting two goals and two assists. On Tuesday, he became the third Maple Leafs player in the past 35 years to begin a postseason with consecutive multi-point games.
Yesterday
Frederik Andersen Posts 40th Postseason Win
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped 25 of 26 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of the first-round series. Andersen was beaten early on by Jesper Bratt, but he went on to make 21 consecutive saves to help Carolina take a 2-0 lead in the matchup. This was a special win for Andersen, as he became the fifth active goaltender to reach 40 career postseason victories. Carolina's No. 1 had a rough end to the regular season and finished the campaign with a sub-.900 save percentage, but he has been a rock at the back for the team during the playoffs. Andersen has given up only two goals to the Devils with a .960 save percentage.
Yesterday
Kirill Kaprizov Leads Wild To Valuable Road Win
Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov notched three points as the team tied its first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 5-2 road win on Tuesday night. The Russian star finished the contest with two goals and an assist, making him the first player in franchise history with three career multi-goal playoff games. Additionally, he is now the first-ever Wild player with multiple three-point games in the postseason. When healthy, Kaprizov is among the most productive players in the National Hockey League, having already amassed five points (two goals, three assists) in two postseason appearances this year, tying Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele for the scoring lead.
Yesterday
Matthew Tkachuk Returns With Three-Point Performance
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk enjoyed an impressive comeback in Tuesday's Game 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, finishing with three points in a 6-2 win. Playing for the Panthers for the first time since Feb. 8, Tkachuk bagged a couple of power-play goals and had an assist with the man advantage. He wrote his name in the history books alongside Nate Schmidt when the two scored within 14 seconds in the second period, marking the fastest two goals in a playoff game in franchise history. Tkachuk now boasts a whopping 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 45 games over the past two postseasons, the fourth-highest total in the league.
Yesterday
Anthony Cirelli Suffers Undisclosed Injury Tuesday
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) didn't finish Tuesday's Game 1 against the Florida Panthers. Due to an undisclosed ailment, he left the bench a couple of times during the second period and did not return for the third. He finished with a minus-two rating over 6:21 of ice time. Cirelli was ineffective in the series opener, but he would be a significant loss for Tampa Bay if he had to sit out additional time. Mitchell Chaffee is likely to enter the lineup as Cirelli's replacement, with Nick Paul potentially moving up to the second line.
Yesterday
Gabriel Vilardi May Return To Jets Lineup Thursday
Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (upper body) might be ready to make his 2025 postseason debut in Thursday's Game 3 against the St. Louis Blues. "Maybe. Maybe see what that color the jersey is tomorrow. Full practice tomorrow," Jets head coach Scott Arniel said after Tuesday's optional practice, regarding whether the forward could be an option for Game 3. Vilardi has been skating in a yellow non-contact jersey and is considered day-to-day. The Jets have taken a 2-0 lead in the first-round series but would receive a significant boost with Vilardi's addition, as he was one of the team's top scorers during the regular season, tallying 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 71 games.
Yesterday
Linus Ullmark
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Senators
