NHL News

Mason McTavish • C • Ducks

Mason McTavish Delivers Two Assists Tuesday Night

Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish dished out two assists in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. In the first period, Beckett Sennecke scored a power-play goal, and Olen Zellweger tied the game at two with an even-strength tally late in the third. This was a painful loss for the Ducks, who now face elimination in Game 6, but it was a great night for McTavish personally. He's seen limited ice time in the playoffs and was a healthy scratch for a couple of games earlier in the second-round series. Scoring-wise, McTavish hasn't done a bad job in the postseason, bagging six points (one goal, five assists) in nine appearances.

4 hours ago

Pavel Dorofeyev • LW • Golden Knights

Pavel Dorofeyev Pots Two Goals in Vital Game 5 Win

Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev produced two goals in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory in Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks, putting his team one win away from the Western Conference Finals. The Russian forward notched a power-play goal late in the first period and scored at even strength with 4:10 played in overtime. Jack Eichel had assists on both Dorofeyev goals. The Golden Knights can count their lucky stars that Dorofeyev was on the ice for the game-winning goal, as he missed some time in the second period after a puck struck his knee. With seven goals, Dorofeyev is now tied for the most among all skaters in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's also tallied two assists in 11 games.

4 hours ago

Josh Doan • RW • Sabres

Josh Doan Records Two Assists in Game 4 Victory

Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan recorded two assists as the team tied the second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-2 road win. Doan extended his assist streak to five games when Mattias Samuelsson opened the scoring in the first period and added another in the third on a power-play goal by Zach Benson. Doan is the first Sabres player in 20 years to post a five-game assist streak in the playoffs. Gilbert Perreault holds the franchise record, set in 1981, with a seven-game run. Playoff hockey has suited Doan, as he's been Buffalo's second-highest scorer this postseason, with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 10 games.

4 hours ago

Evgeni Malkin • C • Penguins

Penguins Want Evgeni Malkin Back

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is a pending unrestricted free agent, but he could still have a future with the franchise, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. On Tuesday, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said he would "love" to have Malkin back for next season. The team has reportedly been in discussions with Malkin and his agent about a new contract. Recently, Malkin hinted he's prepared to continue his NHL career elsewhere if an agreement isn't reached with the Penguins. Malkin, who will turn 40 in July, has played in Pittsburgh since entering the NHL in 2006. With 1,407 points (533 goals, 874 assists) in 1,269 regular-season games, he ranks third on the team's all-time scoring list. In 2025-26, Malkin averaged at least a point per game for the first time in three years, showing he's got plenty of gas left in the tank.

4 hours ago

Sidney Crosby • C • Penguins

Sidney Crosby Joins Team Canada for World Championship

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby will play for Team Canada at the 2026 World Championship. This will be only the fourth time Crosby will participate in the tournament, but he will be part of Canada's squad for a second consecutive year. In 2025, Crosby racked up 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in eight games, but couldn't help his team get past the quarterfinals. The Penguins captain suffered further heartbreak with Canada at this year's Olympic Games. Crosby couldn't finish the tournament due to a lower-body injury, and the Canadians lost the gold medal game to Team USA. Canada added Crosby to the World Championship roster after New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (undisclosed) dropped out of the squad due to a minor injury.

4 hours ago

Ryan Poehling • C • Ducks

Ryan Poehling Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 5 Loss

Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (upper body) didn't finish Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He left the game in the first period after taking a big hit from Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb. Poehling needed assistance to leave the ice, and McNabb was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for interference. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville didn't have an update on Poehling postgame. Poehling has been quietly effective for the Ducks throughout the campaign. He finished the regular season with a career-high 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 75 contests and has added five points (four goals, one assist) in 11 playoff outings. Frank Vatrano and Jansen Harkins are potential options to replace Poehling in the lineup if needed.

4 hours ago

Charlie McAvoy • D • Bruins

Charlie McAvoy Slapped With Six-Game Suspension

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will sit out the first six games of the 2026-27 regular season due to a suspension, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. The NHL Department of Player Safety has suspended McAvoy for slashing Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson in Game 6 of their first-round playoff matchup on May 1. This marks McAvoy's third career suspension. Last time, he sat out four games for an illegal check to an opponent's head. Boston will feel McAvoy's absence on both ends of the ice. In 2025-26, he had a career-high 61 points (11 goals, 50 assists) in 69 games, along with 129 blocks and 79 hits.

18 hours ago

Jonas Brodin • D • Wild

Jonas Brodin Unavailable for Game 5 Against Avalanche

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) hasn't traveled with the team for Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. He will be absent for a sixth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury. If the Wild don't win on Wednesday, Brodin won't get a chance to return this season. Daemon Hunt and Jeff Petry have seen playing time during Brodin's absence, with Hunt appearing in all four games against Colorado. The 23-year-old has been limited to 13:47 of ice time per game, but he contributed an assist in Game 2. He has also recorded two SOG, seven blocks, and five hits.

18 hours ago

Joel Eriksson Ek • C • Wild

Joel Eriksson Ek to Remain Out Wednesday

Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't play in Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. He hasn't traveled to Denver due to a lower-body injury, which has kept him out for the entire series. The Swedish forward has been listed as day-to-day, but his absence from the trip suggests he isn't yet close to returning. Until Eriksson Ek is ready to rejoin the action, Danila Yurov is poised to continue in a second-line role. He has been among Minnesota's most productive players in the second-round series, with one goal and two assists in four contests.

18 hours ago

Sam Malinski • D • Avalanche

Sam Malinski Day-to-Day With Upper-Body Injury

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (upper body) is considered day-to-day ahead of Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 27-year-old had been ever-present in the Avalanche lineup since opening day until an upper-body injury kept him out on Monday against Minnesota. Over seven postseason appearances, Malinski has averaged two blocks per game and contributed one goal and two assists. Both Jack Ahcan and Nick Blankenburg are candidates to cover for Malinski during his absence.

18 hours ago

Artturi Lehkonen • LW • Avalanche

Artturi Lehkonen Considered Day-to-Day

Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) is day-to-day, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The Finnish forward missed Monday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild due to an upper-body injury. Lehkonen is a highly effective player, registering six points (three goals, three assists) and a plus-nine rating in seven playoff games this year. Yet Colorado still comfortably beat Minnesota 5-2 on Monday night. Jared Bednar's team is now up 3-1 in the series and could play it safe by keeping Lehkonen out and not rushing him back for Game 5 on Wednesday. Gabriel Landeskog could remain on the top line if Lehkonen doesn't return.

18 hours ago

Charlie Coyle • C • Blue Jackets

Charlie Coyle Lands Six-Year Extension

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle has signed a six-year, $36 million contract extension with the team, skipping unrestricted free agency. Coyle turned 34 in March, but his new deal suggests that Columbus believes he will remain an effective player for several more years. In 2025-26, Coyle had one of the best seasons of his 14-year NHL career, recording 20 goals and 58 points in 82 games. He matched his career high with 38 assists, playing in all situations. Coyle hasn't missed a game in five seasons, which should reassure the team that he can remain impactful in his late 30s.

18 hours ago

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen • G • Sabres

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Start Game 4 Against Canadiens

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Sabres started the postseason with Luukkonen as their No. 1, but Alex Lyon has been in the net in each of the last seven games. On Tuesday, Luukkonen will have a chance to re-establish himself as the starter after Lyon allowed nine goals in Games 2 and 3 against Montreal. The Finnish netminder has a 1-1 record this postseason, but he was limited to a .821 save percentage and a 4.19 goals-against average in Round 1 against Boston. Luukkonen has positive memories of facing Montreal in the regular season, finishing a 4-2 victory with 32 saves on Feb. 22.

19 hours ago

Drew Helleson • D • Ducks

Drew Helleson Unavailable for Game 5

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (undisclosed) is not an option on Tuesday for Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. Helleson entered the lineup at the start of the postseason after the Ducks lost Radko Gudas (lower body), registering one assist, five SOG, and nine hits in eight games. However, he has now joined Gudas in the infirmary due to an undisclosed injury and will miss a second straight game. With the two out, Olen Zellweger is expected to continue on the third defensive pairing with Ian Moore. Zellweger is coming off a good Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, posting an assist in a 4-3 Game 4 win on Sunday.

19 hours ago

Radko Gudas • D • Ducks

Radko Gudas Still Out Tuesday

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) will remain sidelined on Tuesday for Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. Gudas appears to be progressing and was considered a game-time decision for Game 4, but it remains unclear when he will return. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville has said he expects Gudas to feature in the second-round series. Anaheim's defense has also lost Drew Helleson (undisclosed), giving Olen Zellweger a chance to make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in Game 4. The 22-year-old made a positive impact, finishing with one assist, three blocks, and a plus-two rating in 11:52 of ice time.

19 hours ago

Mark Stone • RW • Golden Knights

Mark Stone Won't Play Tuesday

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (lower body) won't play in Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. Vegas will be without its captain for a second straight game. Losing Stone has been a bitter blow to the team. He has contributed three goals and four assists in nine postseason outings. While Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella used Brandon Saad as Stone's replacement in Game 4, Reilly Smith and Braedan Bowman are also options to fill the void. Saad went scoreless and didn't record a single SOG in 7:20 of action during a 4-3 loss on Sunday night.

19 hours ago

Mark Jankowski • C • Hurricanes

Mark Jankowski Signs Two-Year Extension With Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes center Mark Jankowski has committed himself to the team for two more years, signing a $3.7 million contract extension. He will remain in Raleigh, despite having the option to explore the market as an unrestricted free agent. Jankowski moved to Carolina in March 2025, when the Hurricanes acquired him from the Nashville Predators. He has been a good fit on the fourth line, notching 29 points (19 goals, 10 assists) in 87 outings with the team. During the team's impressive postseason run this year, Jankowski has contributed one assist in eight contests. The 31-year-old isn't someone fantasy managers need to watch, yet Jankowski has established himself as a valuable piece for the Hurricanes.

Yesterday

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Cleared to Play Monday

Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (upper body) has been officially cleared to return to action on Monday in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The Finnish forward has been forced to skip five consecutive games due to an upper-body injury. In his only two playoff outings this year, Kiviranta failed to register a point, but he has totaled five hits. If added to the lineup, Kiviranta will be a bottom-six option and bolster the team's penalty kill, making him more valuable in real life than in fantasy.

Yesterday

Josh Manson • D • Avalanche

Josh Manson Available for Game 4 Monday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is available for Monday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He has missed four games due to an upper-body injury. Manson's return will be a boost for Colorado's backline. The 34-year-old has recorded two assists, five SOG, 10 hits, and a plus-two rating in three playoff outings this year. If Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar decides to insert Manson back into the lineup, it will likely come at the expense of Nick Blankenburg, who has made his only postseason appearances during Manson's absence.

Yesterday

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood Expected to Start Monday

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is poised to make his first start of the 2026 postseason in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports. He worked in the starter's crease during the morning skate and was the first goalie to leave the ice. Colorado has so far trusted Scott Wedgewood in the postseason, but he struggled in Game 3 against Minnesota, opening the door for Blackwood to claim the starting job. In a relief effort on Saturday, Blackwood looked sharp, stopping 12 of 13 pucks. He faced the Wild twice during the regular season, posting a 1-1-0 record, a 2.05 goals-against average, and a .937 save percentage.

Yesterday

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