April 21, 2025
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (lower body) is questionable for Monday's Game 2 against the Dallas Stars. He logged only 7:04 of ice time in Saturday's Game 1, missing most of the third period due to a lower-body injury. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters Monday morning that Colton is feeling "not great." He didn't rule him out for the contest, but also wouldn't confirm whether Colton would be ready to play. Colton's spot in the lineup could be filled by Gabriel Landeskog (knee), who was activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve on Monday. Miles Wood and Jimmy Vesey are also options to replace Colton.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Evan Rawal
April 21, 2025
Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (knee) was activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve on Monday, making him eligible to join the lineup for Game 2 against the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche captain is poised to make his first NHL appearance since Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals. He could serve as a replacement for Ross Colton (lower body), who was injured in Saturday's series opener. Landeskog will likely have some rust, but he was a point-per-game player before running into health issues, and his inclusion in the lineup will, at the very least, provide a morale boost for Colorado.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 21, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews opened the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a two-assist effort in Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs captain helped both of his linemates, Mitchell Marner and Matthew Knies, on the scoreboard, setting up the latter during a power play. Matthews finished without a goal despite having six shots on the net, and he was among the team leaders with four hits over 18:42 of action. While Matthews didn't find joy in front of the goal, he celebrated his 13th career multi-point effort in a playoff game, tying him for 10th on Toronto's all-time list. He now boasts 50 points (23 goals, 27 assists) in 56 games for his postseason career.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 21, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner amassed three points in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. He scored Toronto's second goal of the game with his only shot on target and delivered a pair of power-play assists. Marner posted his fifth career three-point postseason game, taking sole possession of the third spot on the franchise's all-time list. Only Doug Gilmour (10) and Darryl Sittler (7) have more. Since the international break, Marner has been kept off the score sheet just six times, and he should be full of confidence in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs after recording his first career 100-point campaign. Marner led his team with 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) in 81 games during the regular season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 21, 2025
Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy finished Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights with two goals. The 24-year-old became the fifth-youngest player in franchise history with a multi-goal performance in a playoff contest, finding the back of the net with his only efforts on goal. Kirill Kaprizov registered assists on both plays. Boldy was busy throughout the night and delivered a game-high five hits in 22:32 of action. Minnesota started the playoffs with a disappointing result, but the play of the top line will be encouraging for the team. Boldy & Co. will attempt to tie the series on Tuesday night.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 21, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden tallied two goals as the team kicked off its Stanley Cup Playoffs campaign with a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night. Howden potted the game-winning goal 2:28 into the third period and had an empty-net goal in the final second of play. The 27-year-old also made his presence felt physically in the game, recording three hits across 14:12 of action. During the regular season, Howden turned up his game a notch, posting a career-high 40 points (23 goals, 17 assists) in 80 appearances. He was tied for the fourth-most goals on the team, and Howden maintained his good goal-scoring form in the postseason opener.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 21, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven led the offense with two goals in Sunday's 4-1 win against the New Jersey Devils. The 22-year-old was on target twice in the second period, completing his multi-goal game with a power-play marker. Stankoven, who registered four shots on goal, logged 14:53 of ice time as a member of the third line and now has 10 points (five goals, five assists) through the first 20 postseason appearances of his young career. Last year, Stankoven made a deep postseason run with the Dallas Stars and will hope to do the same with the Hurricanes. Combined with the regular season, he has scored seven goals and 11 points in 20 games since moving to Raleigh.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 21, 2025
New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon (undisclosed) made an early exit in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 34-year-old logged only 8:53 of action, finishing with four hits. Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters postgame that Dillon was "eager to get back out there" but was held back by team doctors. This suggests that he may have avoided serious injury and could be an option for Tuesday's Game 2 in the series. New Jersey's blue line was also dealt a blow by Luke Hughes' injury, but he returned to finish the contest. If Dillon can't play on Tuesday, the Devils might use rookie Seamus Casey as his replacement in the lineup, while Dennis Cholowski and Simon Nemec are also options.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Amanda Stein
April 21, 2025
New Jersey Devils forward Cody Glass (undisclosed) was unable to complete Sunday's Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was the victim of friendly fire in the third period, exiting the action after Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom inadvertently hit Glass with his stick. Glass logged 9:04 of ice time in the contest and posted one shot, one block, and two hits with a minus-one rating. Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe did not have an update on Glass postgame. Working as a middle-six forward, Glass totaled seven points (two goals, five assists) in 14 regular-season games with the Devils after arriving from Pittsburgh in March. Tomas Tatar and Curtis Lazar are the candidates to replace him in the lineup for Game 2 on Tuesday if Glass is a no-go.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 20, 2025
Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (upper body) practiced on Sunday but will remain sidelined for Monday's Game 2 against the St. Louis Blues. The 25-year-old practiced in a non-contact jersey on Sunday for the first time since sustaining an upper-body injury on March 23. The injury dashed Vilardi's hopes of reaching 70 points for the season, yet he still had a career year with 27 goals and 61 points in 71 appearances. Alex Iafallo will continue to skate on the top line until Vilardi returns. He has done a fantastic job filling in for him and opened the postseason with a goal in Saturday's 5-3 victory.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 20, 2025
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (upper body) practiced fully for a second consecutive day on Sunday and could be back in the lineup for Monday's Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. The 31-year-old sat out the final seven regular-season games with an upper-body injury. He's had a big year between the sticks with Washington, posting a 31-6-6 record with a 2.49 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and two shutouts. "You'll find out tomorrow night," Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said Sunday about whether Thompson or Charlie Lindgren would start Game 1. Lindgren, who went 20-14-3 during the regular season, has also been in excellent form, giving Washington two very strong options in goal for the postseason campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 20, 2025
Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (lower body) sat out a second consecutive practice on Sunday, leaving his status uncertain for Monday's postseason opener against the Montreal Canadiens. Fehervary missed his first game of the season when Washington concluded its regular-season schedule on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He enjoyed a career year offensively, posting 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 81 appearances. Fehervary also celebrated a new career high with 150 blocks while handing out 139 hits. Although the 25-year-old isn't a big name, his presence would certainly be missed if he can't play on Monday. Alexander Alexeyev will likely fill in for him.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 20, 2025
Los Angeles Kings winger Tanner Jeannot (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Monday's Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers. He is still considered week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old power forward has been on the shelf since late March, missing 12 games. Jeannot finished the regular season with 13 points (seven goals, six assists) and a team-high 211 hits in 67 games. His physical style of play could be a real asset for the Kings in a tough playoff series, but Jeannot won't be available for at least the first three games of the matchup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Zach Dooley
April 20, 2025
Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium is set to make his NHL debut in Sunday's Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 19-year-old signed an entry-level contract with the team on April 13 after completing his campaign with the University of Denver. Buium had an outstanding college career, registering 98 points (24 goals, 74 assists) in 83 games over two seasons. He received the NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year award in consecutive years and was voted the NCHC Player of the Year this season. Buium, who was the 12th pick in last year's draft, will enter the lineup on the third defensive pairing, joining forces with Zach Bogosian. Jon Merrill will be a healthy scratch on Sunday night.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 20, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been named the starter for Sunday's Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators. The 31-year-old will make his first career postseason start. Stolarz may lack playoff experience, but he has been rock-solid for the Maple Leafs this season and enters the postseason in spectacular form. He won each of his last eight regular-season starts, recording three shutouts. Overall, he posted four shutouts for the season, finishing with a 21-8-3 record, a 2.14 goals-against average, and a .926 save percentage. It has been a great year for Stolarz; however, he was defeated by the Senators in both of his appearances against them during the regular season, allowing a total of six goals with a .908 save percentage.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Luke Fox
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