NHL News

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen • G • Sabres

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Set to Start Game 7

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News reports. The Sabres are returning to the Finnish netminder after Alex Lyon allowed three goals on three SOG to start Game 6. Lyon took over the crease after Luukkonen struggled in Game 5, giving up five goals through two periods with a .783 save percentage. He played a perfect game in Lyon's relief on Saturday, stopping 18 pucks. Luukkonen has been leaky throughout the playoffs, but given Lyon's performance over the weekend, there's really no other option for the Sabres on Monday night. In five postseason appearances, Luukkonen has a 3-2 record, a 3.36 goals-against average, and a .875 save percentage.

4 hours ago

Tage Thompson • C • Sabres

Tage Thompson Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson sits among the top scorers in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and can match a franchise record with another productive outing on Monday night in Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens. After erupting for four points in Game 6, Thompson boasts five multi-point games in the playoffs, one shy of tying Daniel Briere, Dale Hawerchuk, and Gilbert Perreault for Buffalo's record in a single postseason. Three of Thompson's multi-point performances have come in the last four games, during which he's racked up three goals and five assists. Across the entire postseason, Thompson has notched a team-high 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 12 games -- only Vegas' Mitchell Marner has more (18).

4 hours ago

Nick Suzuki • C • Canadiens

Nick Suzuki Seeks More Road Success Monday

Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki has been a true road warrior in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing on the score sheet in all seven away outings so far. In Monday's Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres, he can join Mats Naslund as the second Canadiens player to start a postseason with an eight-game road point streak. In the 21st century, only five players in the entire league have recorded at least one point in each of their first eight road games of a playoff run. Bizarrely, Suzuki has gone scoreless in four of six home games. Yet he still ranks second on his team in the playoffs with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 13 games.

5 hours ago

Lane Hutson • D • Canadiens

Lane Hutson Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson will enter Monday's Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres with a five-game assist streak. He's been a huge creative force for the Canadiens and could become only the sixth player in franchise history to record a six-game assist streak during the postseason. Larry Robinson was the last player to achieve it in 1978. In total, Hutson boasts 11 assists this postseason, tied for the second most behind Vegas superstar Jack Eichel (14). Montreal's prospects tend to rely heavily on Hutson, who leads the team with 13 points in 13 playoff outings. We should see him have a heavy workload on Monday night.

5 hours ago

Filip Gustavsson • G • Wild

Filip Gustavsson Needs Offseason Surgery

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will undergo hip surgery in the offseason, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. Wild general manager Bill Guerin is unsure whether Gustavsson will be ready for the start of next season. Gustavsson had to settle for a backup role in the 2026 playoffs, and this is another blow to him. He lost his starting position to Jesper Wallstedt despite showing fine form during the regular season. In 49 starts, Gustavsson registered a 28-15-6 record, a 2.69 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and four shutouts. If he isn't ready to play at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, Gustavsson's streak of four straight 20-win seasons could be in jeopardy.

5 hours ago

Quinn Hughes • D • Wild

Quinn Hughes Open to Signing Extension This Offseason

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes said he is "definitely open" to signing a contract extension in the offseason, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. Hughes will finish a six-year, $47.1 million contract at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, and Minnesota will want to lock him up with a new deal after acquiring him from the Vancouver Canucks in December. The 26-year-old proved to be a great fit in Minnesota, amassing 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 regular-season games. He added 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 11 postseason outings. Since his debut campaign in 2019-20, Hughes has been among the most productive defensemen in the league and will aim for a fifth consecutive 70-point campaign next season.

13 hours ago

Joel Eriksson Ek • C • Wild

Joel Eriksson Ek Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury

Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek couldn't play in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Colorado due to a heel injury. He broke the heel bone in his right foot during Minnesota's series-clinching Game 6 victory over Dallas in the first round. Although Eriksson Ek took part in the morning skate ahead of Game 3, his return doesn't appear to have been on the cards against Colorado. "You want to play," Eriksson Ek said. "I just couldn't do it. Too painful to skate." The Swedish forward also missed 12 regular-season games this year, finishing with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists). Eriksson Ek is a strong fantasy contributor when healthy and will remain a core piece of the Wild offense in 2026-27.

14 hours ago

Jonas Brodin • D • Wild

Jonas Brodin Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin revealed he suffered a toe injury during the team's postseason run. The Swedish veteran fractured his right big toe in Game 5 against Dallas in the first round. He missed the first-round clincher and all five games of Round 2 against Colorado. Late in his career, Brodin has been prone to injuries. He hasn't played more than 62 games in any of the past four seasons. In 2025-26, he had one of the worst offensive campaigns of his 14-year NHL career, finishing with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 62 appearances. Brodin, who will turn 33 in July, has two seasons remaining on a contract with a $6 million cap hit.

14 hours ago

Sam Malinski • D • Avalanche

Sam Malinski Practices Fully Sunday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (upper body) practiced fully on Sunday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 27-year-old missed the last two games of Colorado's second-round series against Minnesota. Now that he's back on the ice, there's a strong chance Malinski will be ready to return to the lineup when the Western Conference Finals start on Wednesday. Throughout the season, Malinski has surprised many with his effective play. He shattered his career high with 40 points and has remained productive in the playoffs, totaling three points (one goal, two assists), 14 SOG, 14 blocks, and seven hits in seven outings. Jack Ahcan will drop out of the lineup once Malinski is cleared to play.

14 hours ago

Josh Manson • D • Avalanche

Josh Manson Rejoins Practice

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (undisclosed) was a full participant at Sunday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. He wasn't on the ice on Saturday and was labeled day-to-day. However, it appears Manson will be available to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against Vegas on Wednesday. Across the first two playoff series, Manson has appeared in five games. He's chipped in with two assists offensively and has recorded 13 hits. With Sam Malinski (upper body) also on track to play, the Avalanche defense looks set to be at full strength.

14 hours ago

Jeremy Lauzon • D • Golden Knights

Jeremy Lauzon Misses Saturday's Practice

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) sat out Saturday's practice, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Lauzon missed the second-round series matchup with the Anaheim Ducks due to an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear whether he will be cleared to return for the Western Conference Finals against Colorado. In Round 1 against Utah, Lauzon didn't contribute offensively but had eight blocks and 14 hits in six games. With Lauzon out, Ben Hutton has seen regular action on the blue line. However, Hutton has been limited to 13:48 of ice time per game in a third-pairing role, making him a non-factor in fantasy.

2 days ago

Mark Stone • RW • Golden Knights

Mark Stone Doesn't Practice Saturday

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (lower body) didn't practice on Saturday, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Stone missed the last three games of the second-round series against Anaheim due to a lower-body injury. It's not a good sign that Stone didn't practice on Saturday, but he still has some time to get healthy for the start of the next round -- the Western Conference Finals against Colorado begin on Wednesday. Stone has tallied three goals and four assists in nine playoff outings. Brandon Saad has been filling in for him, but with only 8:39 of ice time per game, his fantasy value is limited.

2 days ago

Josh Manson • D • Avalanche

Josh Manson Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (undisclosed) didn't practice on Saturday and is considered day-to-day, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 34-year-old returned from an upper-body injury in Game 4 of the second-round series against Minnesota, but he still appears to be dealing with health issues. It's unclear whether Manson is still bothered by his previous upper-body injury or if this is a new problem. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar expects Manson to resume skating before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. Manson has appeared in five playoff games, recording two assists, eight SOG, 13 hits, and a plus-one rating.

2 days ago

Brent Burns • D • Avalanche

Brent Burns Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (undisclosed) is day-to-day after missing Saturday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 41-year-old veteran appears banged up, but Colorado won't start the Western Conference Finals until Wednesday night, so Burns still has plenty of time to rest and recover. In nine playoff appearances, Burns has recorded three assists, 14 SOG, six blocks, 13 hits, and a plus-seven rating. He made the biggest impact in Wednesday's series-clinching victory over Minnesota, dishing out two assists.

2 days ago

Cale Makar • D • Avalanche

Cale Makar Considered Day-to-Day

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (undisclosed) is day-to-day, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The star rearguard missed Saturday's practice. Luckily for the Avalanche, they still have plenty of time before their Western Conference matchup against Vegas starts -- Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday. Makar appeared to sustain a lower-body injury in Game 1 against Minnesota, but it's unclear whether he's still dealing with this issue. The two-time Norris Trophy winner hasn't been his usual productive self this postseason, finishing six of nine games pointless. He has recorded four goals and one assist.

2 days ago

Alex Lyon • G • Sabres

Alex Lyon Likely to Start Game 6 Against Canadiens

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon was the first goalie off the ice at Saturday's morning skate, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports. This indicates Lyon is likely to start Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens. Buffalo has flipped between goalies in the playoffs and appears set to return to Lyon, who also started the first three games of the second-round matchup. Despite losing his spot to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the middle of the series, Lyon has performed well in the postseason. He has posted a 4-3 record, a 2.25 goals-against average, and a .917 save percentage.

2 days ago

Owen Power • D • Sabres

Owen Power Available Saturday

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (undisclosed) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports. Power briefly exited Game 5 on Thursday in the third period, but he's good to go for Saturday's must-win contest. On Thursday, Power registered his first point of the second-round series with an assist. He has five assists in 11 postseason games but no goals on seven SOG. Power has averaged nearly 21 minutes of ice time per game and is set for another busy night at the office on Saturday.

2 days ago

Lane Hutson • D • Canadiens

Lane Hutson Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson finished Thursday's 6-3 Game 5 win over the Buffalo Sabres with two assists. In the second period, he provided an even-strength assist on a goal by Josh Anderson and also helped Nick Suzuki score on the power play. Hutson became only the seventh Canadiens blue-liner to record 10 assists in a single postseason. He's the first defenseman in 39 years from the team to record an assist in four straight playoff games. While Hutson does most of his scoring as a playmaker, he has also tallied two goals this postseason. With 12 points in 12 games, he is tied with Nick Suzuki for Montreal's scoring lead.

3 days ago

Nick Suzuki • C • Canadiens

Nick Suzuki Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday

Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki collected three points as the team grabbed a 3-2 series lead with a 6-3 road victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. Suzuki picked up an early assist on Cole Caufield's first even-strength goal of the postseason, but the Canadiens found themselves 3-2 behind at the first intermission. After the break, they were a completely different team, scoring four unanswered goals. Suzuki made an impact on the power play, netting Montreal's fifth goal of the night and assisting Ivan Demidov on the sixth. With 12 games played, Suzuki shares Montreal's scoring lead in the postseason with Lane Hutson. He has produced four goals and eight assists. Strangely, all of his goals have come on the road.

3 days ago

Juraj Slafkovsky • LW • Canadiens

Juraj Slafkovsky Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win

Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky demonstrated elite playmaking in Game 5 against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, finishing a 6-3 road victory with three assists. He recorded two power-play assists and helped Cole Caufield to finally get his first even-strength goal of the postseason. Having netted a hat trick in Game 1 against Tampa Bay, Slafkovsky became the first Montreal player in 16 years to register two three-point games during a single playoff run. The playoff opener against the Lightning ended up being Slafkovsky's only game with points in Round 1, but he's been much sharper in the second-round matchup with Buffalo, contributing one goal and five assists in five games. Yet Slafkovsky has managed only a single even-strength point throughout the entire postseason.

3 days ago

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