NHL News

Nils Hoglander • LW • Canucks

Nils Hoglander Will Miss World Championship Due to Injury

Vancouver Canucks left wing Nils Hoglander (undisclosed) won't play for Sweden at the 2026 World Championship, Adam Kierszenblat of The Hockey News reports. He was injured in a pre-competition game last weekend. Detroit's Lucas Raymond has been called up as Hoglander's replacement. The 25-year-old also began the 2025-26 campaign nursing an injury and was limited to 38 appearances, registering two goals and three assists. It was a hugely disappointing season for Hoglander in the first year of a three-year, $9 million contract. Having flirted with a 40-point campaign a couple of years ago, Hoglander could be poised for a strong bounce-back season in 2026-27.

4 hours ago

Christian Dvorak • C • Flyers

Christian Dvorak Likely to Play in Game 3 Against Hurricanes

Philadelphia Flyers center Christian Dvorak (undisclosed) is likely to play in Thursday's Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports. The Flyers practiced without Dvorak on Wednesday, but head coach Rick Tocchet said he will likely play Thursday night. On Wednesday, Tocchet ruled out fellow center Noah Cates (lower-body injury) for the rest of the second-round series, making Dvorak's availability crucial for Philadelphia. In his first season with the Flyers, Dvorak has enjoyed a career year, posting 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists) in 80 regular-season appearances. He has added three assists in eight postseason outings.

5 hours ago

Owen Tippett • RW • Flyers

Owen Tippett a Game-Time Decision Thursday

Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) will be a game-time call for Thursday's tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports. The 27-year-old has yet to play in the series because of a lingering injury that also affected him in the first-round matchup with Pittsburgh. Getting Tippett back would be huge for the Flyers, especially after losing Noah Cates (lower body) for the rest of the series. In the playoffs, Tippett has been limited to two points (one goal, one assist) in six outings, but he was a consistent offensive threat during the regular season. Across 81 outings, Tippett produced a team-high 28 goals and 23 assists.

5 hours ago

Noah Cates • C • Flyers

Noah Cates to Miss Rest of Round 2

Philadelphia Flyers center Noah Cates (lower body) will sit out the rest of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs second-round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports. Cates suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2 of the series and was initially deemed day-to-day. The 27-year-old finished the 2025-26 regular season with a career-high 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) in 82 games and has also played well in the playoffs. In eight outings, Cates has contributed one goal and three assists. With him on the shelf, Philadelphia plans to bring Trevor Zegras back to the center position and also use Denver Barkey more in the middle.

5 hours ago

Arber Xhekaj • D • Canadiens

Arber Xhekaj Rejoins Canadiens Lineup Wednesday

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday in Game 1 against the Buffalo Sabres, Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com reports. Montreal scratched the heavy-hitting blue-liner for Sunday's Game 7 against Tampa Bay, with Noah Dobson making his 2026 postseason debut. Xhekaj played in each of the first six games of the first-round matchup, recording one assist, five SOG, three blocks, 31 hits, and 12 penalty minutes. On Wednesday, he will rejoin Kaiden Guhle on the third defensive pairing, bumping Jayden Struble out of the lineup.

5 hours ago

Brendan Gallagher • RW • Canadiens

Brendan Gallagher Scratched on Wednesday

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher will be a healthy scratch in Game 1 against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com reports. The veteran will return to the press box after also sitting out the first four games of the first-round matchup with Tampa Bay. Gallagher scored in his 2026 postseason debut, but that has remained his only point. In three outings in Round 1, he averaged just 6:25 of ice time. On Wednesday, Gallagher will be replaced in the lineup by Joe Veleno, who will make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. Veleno will likely have a similar workload to Gallagher on the fourth line and isn't expected to make an offensive impact. Across 61 regular-season games, Veleno posted only five points (two goals, three assists).

5 hours ago

Logan Stanley • D • Sabres

Logan Stanley Returns to Action Wednesday

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley (illness) will return from a one-game absence on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com reports. Stanley is projected to rejoin Connor Timmins on the third defensive pairing. He didn't play in Game 6 against Boston on Friday. Michael Kesselring filled in for Stanley and will be scratched Wednesday night. In the first round, Stanley didn't score any points in five outings, but he had five SOG, six blocks, six hits, and five penalty minutes.

5 hours ago

Mats Zuccarello • RW • Wild

Mats Zuccarello Extends Point Streak to Five Games

Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello extended his personal point streak to five games with an assist in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The veteran forward became only the third player in Wild history to record a point in each of his first five appearances of a postseason campaign. He has tallied two goals and five assists in five games. Zuccarello was unavailable for three contests during Round 1 against Dallas due to an upper-body injury. Since returning to the lineup, Zuccarello has formed a prolific trio with Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman. He is also a threat on the first power-play unit.

15 hours ago

Kirill Kaprizov • LW • Wild

Kirill Kaprizov Nets Third Playoff Goal

Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov scored his third goal of the 2026 postseason in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Russian star needed just six seconds to respond to Martin Necas' opening goal in the first period. Unfortunately for the Wild, they were second-best again in the matchup and will take a 2-0 series deficit back home. On Tuesday night, Kaprizov caught teammate Quinn Hughes atop the postseason scoring charts. He has tallied 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in eight games. Including the regular season, Kaprizov has posted four goals and eight points in six meetings with the Avalanche this season. Colorado is struggling to contain him, but Kaprizov clearly needs more help in the series.

15 hours ago

Scott Wedgewood • G • Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood Returns to Form in Game 2 Against Wild

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood stopped 29 of 31 pucks in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. While Wedgewood finished with one fewer save than in Game 1 of the series, his performance was much better. His save percentage went from .833 to .935. The 33-year-old looked unbeatable at times during the regular season and has also been brilliant for the Avalanche in the playoffs. Wedgewood has won all six starts, allowing 2.12 goals with a .923 save percentage. Cam Ward and Tiny Thompson are the only netminders in NHL history to win each of their first seven career postseason starts. Wedgewood can join them in Game 3 against Minnesota.

16 hours ago

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog Picks Up Two Power-Play Points Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog made the difference with the man advantage in Game 2 against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night, recording two power-play points in a 5-2 win. The Avalanche captain netted his team's second goal and assisted Nathan MacKinnon on the fourth. After being limited to 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 60 regular-season outings, Landeskog has elevated his performance in the playoffs. He is riding a five-game point streak and has seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games overall. The Wild have a horrible 59.8 percent penalty kill in the playoffs, setting Landeskog up for further success in the second-round matchup.

16 hours ago

Martin Necas • C • Avalanche

Martin Necas Has Second Straight Multi-Point Outing

Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas contributed a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, giving him back-to-back multi-point games. The Czech star opened the scoring at even strength in Game 2 of the second-round series and added a power-play assist. Despite a slow start in the playoffs, Necas is averaging more than a point per game. He's had five points in the first two contests against Minnesota, bringing his total to seven points (one goal, six assists) in six games. While Necas' goal-scoring numbers have been disappointing in the postseason, he's getting plenty of scoring chances, averaging three SOG per game. His puck luck should eventually turn around.

16 hours ago

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Joins Exclusive List With Another Three-Point Performance

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon notched one goal and two assists in Tuesday's 5-2 Game 2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. He recorded two points on the power play, including his goal. The 2024 MVP became only the sixth player in the past 40 years to post three consecutive three-point games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. MacKinnon has truly come to life after recording only one point through his first three playoff outings. With six games played, MacKinnon boasts four goals and six assists. This could be a highly productive series for the Avalanche superstar, as Minnesota's defense is struggling badly, allowing 14 goals in two games.

16 hours ago

Radko Gudas • D • Ducks

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.

Yesterday

Sam Carrick • C • Sabres

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.

Yesterday

Noah Cates • C • Flyers

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.

Yesterday

Alexander Nikishin • D • Hurricanes

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.

Yesterday

Josh Manson • D • Avalanche

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.

Yesterday

Filip Gustavsson • G • Wild

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.

Yesterday

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

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.

Yesterday

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