Leon Draisaitl Expected to Return Monday

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (lower body) is expected to return to action on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. On Monday morning, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Draisaitl was a game-time call. The star forward has been out for 14 games with a lower-body injury. But he looks good to […]

Logan Cooley Scores Mammoth's First-Ever Playoff Goal

Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley became the franchise's first-ever playoff goal-scorer in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Mammoth enjoyed a strong start in Vegas, and Cooley put the visitors up with 11 ticks left in the opening frame. Having also factored on Utah's first-ever regular-season goal, Cooley is now one of […]

David Pastrnak Finishes Game 1 Loss With Three Points

Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak opened his 2026 postseason campaign with a three-point effort in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. With two assists, Pastrnak helped Boston build a 2-0 lead, but the Sabres responded with four unanswered goals in the third period. Pastrnak also had a power-play goal in the final seconds. […]

Tage Thompson Bags Three Points in Postseason Debut

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson made a big impact in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut on Sunday against the Boston Bruins, registering three points in a 4-3 win. The Olympic champion led Buffalo's comeback charge in the third period, tying the game at two with a pair of goals. He also had an assist on […]

Jake Guentzel Records Three Assists Sunday

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel contributed on offense with three assists in Sunday's 4-3 overtime defeat against the Montreal Canadiens. He helped Darren Raddysh bag a power-play goal and set up Brandon Hagel twice, with his second goal also coming on the power play. Guentzel became the second player in Lightning history to record […]

Juraj Slafkovsky Nets Unique Hat Trick in Playoff Opener

Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky led his team to Game 1 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, contributing three power-play goals in a 4-3 overtime win. The 22-year-old became only the 12th player in NHL history to record a playoff hat trick consisting solely of power-play goals. Additionally, he's now the third Montreal […]

Charle-Edouard D'Astous Hurt in Game 1 Loss

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) exited Sunday's Game 1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens midway through the second period, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The 27-year-old rookie couldn't finish the contest after drawing a charging penalty from Canadiens forward Josh Anderson. With Tampa Bay's blue line battling all sorts […]

Leon Draisaitl Could Be Ready for Game 1 Against Ducks

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (lower body) could return to action on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks, Derek Van Diest of NHL reports. The German superstar didn't play in the final 14 regular-season games due to a lower-body injury. "The way the Edmonton Oilers forward was skating in practice Sunday seemed to indicate he'll […]

Thomas Bryant to Remain Out Monday

Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (calf) will remain sidelined on Monday against the Toronto Raptors. He suffered a left-calf injury late in the regular season and was also out for Game 1 against Toronto. With Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley healthy, Bryant's absence doesn't mean much for the Cavaliers, and he likely won't be rushed […]

Cade Cunningham Playing Without Minutes Restriction Sunday

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (lung) will shed his minutes restriction for Sunday's playoff opener against the Orlando Magic, Eric Rutter of Roundtable reports. After returning from a collapsed lung late in the regular season, Cunningham was limited to just 25.3 minutes per game across three contests. On Sunday, he should be ready for […]

OG Anunoby Tagged as Probable for Monday

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (ankle) is listed as probable on the injury report before Monday's Game 2 clash against the Atlanta Hawks. Anunoby hurt his left ankle in Saturday's Game 1 win, but the injury isn't expected to keep him sidelined on Monday night. On Saturday, Anunoby enjoyed a strong start to this […]

Onyeka Okongwu Might Miss Game 2 Against Knicks

Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu (knee) has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Game 2 against the New York Knicks on Monday. He's been added to the injury report with right knee inflammation. Onyeka played 37 minutes in Saturday's series-opening 113-102 loss, contributing 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block. The Hawks […]

Immanuel Quickley Questionable for Game 2

Toronto Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday's Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's in danger of missing a second consecutive game due to a right hamstring strain. If Quickley can't return on Monday night, Jamal Shead would likely remain in the starting lineup. He impressed with a 5-for-6 […]

Jordan Goodwin Ruled Out for Rest of Game 1

Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) won't return to Sunday's Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Goodsin started the matchup but logged only five minutes before leaving the action due to left calf soreness. Royce O'Neale started the second half in Goodwin's place. Ryan Dunn will also help to cover for Goodwin's absence. Grayson […]

Jonathan Isaac Ruled Out for Sunday

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons. He was initially listed as questionable due to a left knee sprain. Combined with the Play-In Tournament games, Isaac's absence will extend to 20 contests. Isaac averaged barely 10 minutes per game during the regular season, […]

Desmond Bane Available for Game 1

Orlando Magic guard/forward Desmond Bane (illness) will play in Sunday's Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons. He missed the morning shootaround due to illness, but the team has upgraded Bane's status from probable to available. The 27-year-old will make his third appearance of the week. After erupting for 34 points in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament opener […]

Artem Zub Uncertain for Game 2

Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub (undisclosed) is questionable for Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. The Russian veteran suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday's series opener. According to Graeme Nichols of The Hockey News, Senators head coach Travis Green didn't have an update on Zub when he spoke to reporters on Sunday. Zub's […]

Karel Vejmelka Makes Playoff Debut Sunday

Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka will start on Sunday in Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. This will be Vejmelka's first career game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He enters the postseason after a good regular-season campaign. Vejmelka had the second-most wins among all goalies, finishing with […]

Carter Hart in Vegas Crease for Playoff Opener

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart will be between the pipes in Sunday's Game 1 against the Utah Mammoth, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Hart had a very strong finish to the regular season and is also getting the trust for the playoff opener. In April, Hart has won all six starts, […]

Jeremy Swayman Begins Fifth Postseason Campaign

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman will start Sunday's Game 1 against the Buffalo Sabres, Scott McLaughlin of WEEI reports. The 2026 Olympic champion will begin his fifth postseason campaign in the NHL. Swayman has a 9-10 record in the playoffs with the Bruins, allowing 2.38 goals with a .922 save percentage. He was also very […]

Alex Lyon Available for Game 1

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) will dress for Sunday's Game 1 against the Boston Bruins, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports. It was initially believed that Lyon might not be available at the start of the postseason due to a lower-body injury. However, the 33-year-old will be ready to jump into action if needed. […]

Dominic James Activated From Injured Reserve

Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic James (lower body) has been activated from Injured Reserve, Diandra Loux of The Hockey News reports. The 23-year-old is set to return to action in Sunday's Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. James last played on Feb. 28, when he suffered a lower-body injury in a loss to Buffalo. He […]

Stuart Skinner Starting Game 1 Against Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner will guard the crease in Saturday's Game 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports. Skinner had a 2-1-0 record against the Flyers during the regular season and is looking to make a positive start to his fourth postseason campaign. The 27-year-old has 50 NHL […]

Alexandre Carrier Back at Practice

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier (upper body) practiced on Saturday, Sean Farrell of NHL.com reports. He missed the last nine regular-season games due to an upper-body injury. Montreal ruled Carrier out for 2-4 weeks, and he now appears on the cusp of returning to the action. After being paired with Lane Hutson during Friday's practice […]

Jared McCann Undergoes Lower-Body Procedure

Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann (lower body) underwent a procedure on Friday to address a nagging injury. He missed the last three regular-season games and battled a lower-body issue throughout the campaign. Despite his ongoing health issues, McCann managed a respectable 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists) in 52 outings. He has been among Seattle's […]

Andrei Kuzmenko Activated From Injured Reserve

Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (knee) was activated from Injured Reserve on Saturday,  Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports. The Russian forward underwent meniscus surgery in late February, missing 25 games. However, he will be an option to return to the lineup for Sunday's postseason opener against the Colorado Avalanche. Kuzmenko finished […]

William Karlsson Unavailable for Start of First-Round Series

Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (lower body) won't be available for the start of the team's first-round playoff series against the Utah Mammoth, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. It's also unclear whether Karlsson will play at all against Utah after Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the team must have […]

Quinn Hughes Available Saturday

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (illness) will be in action on Saturday against the Dallas Stars, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports. Zach Bogosian (lower body) has also been cleared to play, giving Minnesota's defense a boost. Hughes has been dealing with an illness lately and didn't suit up for the Wild's last two regular-season contests. The […]

Miro Heiskanen Cleared for Game 1

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (lower body) will play in Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports. The Finnish defensive star was unavailable for the last three regular-season games due to a lower-body injury. Heiskanen finished the campaign as the NHL's ninth-highest scoring defenseman, posting 63 points (nine goals, 54 […]

Aaron Gordon Available for Game 1 Against Timberwolves

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will be available for Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. He is set to return from a two-game absence after the team removed him from the injury report. Denver and Minnesota met four times during the regular season, but Gordon was in the lineup for only two […]