June 12, 2025
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar has been named the winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the third time in his career. The award is given annually in the NHL to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability." Kopitar recorded 67 points (21 goals, 46 assists) in 81 appearances this season while registering only four penalty minutes. The Kings captain became the 10th player in history to win the Lady Byng Trophy at least three times, having also received the award in 2015-16 and 2022-23. Kopitar has also won the Selke Trophy twice as the best defensive forward (2015-16, 2017-18) and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (2021-22).
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will aim to stretch his winning streak in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers to three games on Thursday night. The veteran shot-stopper suffered a 4-3 overtime defeat in Game 1 of the series but has since finished on the winning side in back-to-back games. Bobrovsky was outstanding in Monday's 6-1 Game 3 victory, making 32 saves. Overall, he has already recorded 116 saves against the Oilers, which is tied for the second-most saves through three games of a Stanley Cup Finals series. Bobrovsky's performance has been a key factor in Florida's success in the postseason, as he boasts a 14-6 record while allowing an average of 2.16 goals with a .916 save percentage and three shutouts.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 12, 2025
Edmonton Oilers defenseman John Klingberg will be a healthy scratch for Thursday's Game 4 against the Florida Panthers. The Swedish veteran had a tough time in Monday's Game 3, finishing with a minus-three rating in a 6-1 loss, prompting Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch to replace him with Troy Stecher for Thursday's game. Stecher was a regular in the lineup early in the postseason but has not played since Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars. He has gone scoreless in six outings, while recording six shots, seven blocks, and six hits. The 31-year-old is expected to join Darnell Nurse on the second defensive pairing.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 12, 2025
Edmonton Oilers winger Viktor Arvidsson will come out of the lineup as a healthy scratch for Game 4 against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday. Arvidsson has made five consecutive appearances and recently enjoyed a three-game point streak, but the Oilers have decided to switch things up after suffering a 6-1 spanking in Game 3 on Monday. Jeff Skinner will take Arvidsson's spot in the lineup, joining Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic on the third line. The 33-year-old has been in the lineup for only two games this postseason, but Skinner has made a positive impact in both games, scoring once and recording one assist.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 12, 2025
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner will start Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Edmonton's starter for the night was uncertain after Skinner was pulled in Game 3, during which he allowed five goals on 23 shots. However, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has decided to keep faith in Skinner on Thursday night. Two consecutive losses in the Finals have dropped Skinner's postseason record to 7-6. He has registered a 2.84 goals-against average, a .894 save percentage, and three shutouts. Edmonton desperately needs a strong performance from Skinner on Thursday, as the team trails the series 2-1.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 12, 2025
The Anaheim Ducks have acquired winger Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick. The Rangers also gave up a 2025 fourth-round pick in the transaction. Kreider had to waive his 15-team no-trade list, which included Anaheim, to make the deal happen. Since making his NHL debut in 2012-13, Kreider has played exclusively for the Rangers and will leave the Big Apple as the third-highest goal-scorer in franchise history. The 34-year-old has recorded 326 goals and 582 points in 883 career games. Next season, Kreider will look to put together a bounce-back campaign after finishing this term with only 30 points (22 goals, eight assists) in 68 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 12, 2025
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has won his second James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman. He joins Bobby Orr (8), Denis Potvin (3), Paul Coffey (3), Rod Langway (2), and Erik Karlsson (2) as players who have won multiple Norris Trophies before turning 27. Makar, who claimed his first Norris Trophy in 2021-22, received 176 of the 191 first-place votes and 1,861 voting points, finishing ahead of Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. It was yet another impressive campaign for Makar, who led all defensemen in goals (30), assists (62), and points (92). He has averaged at least a point per game for five consecutive seasons, making him a unique player among rearguards.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson has won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie this season. He earned 165 of a possible 191 first-place votes and totaled 1,832 points, finishing ahead of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini. Hutson, who turned 21 in February, had a truly special campaign, tying an NHL rookie record among defensemen with 60 assists. Over 82 appearances, he also had six goals, while producing 91 shots on goal and blocking 123 attempts from the opposition. Following a breakout campaign, Hutson looks poised to make a mark in fantasy hockey for years to come.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Calgary Flames right wing Adam Klapka has signed a two-year extension with the team. The deal is worth $2.5 million, giving Klapka's contract an average annual value of $1.25 million. Before signing the contract, Klapka was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1. Klapka has been a prolific scorer in the AHL and showed potential in the big league this season. He notched 10 points (six goals, four assists) over 31 outings while dishing out 108 hits. In the fall, Klapka will look to build on a strong finish to the campaign, as he racked up six points (three goals, three assists) over his last eight regular-season appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 12, 2025
Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (undisclosed) will once again be a game-time decision on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The veteran is managing an undisclosed injury and was also a game-time call for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Nugent-Hopkins suited up on Monday night but logged only 15:30 of ice time, four minutes less than his postseason average. Monday's matchup marked a fourth consecutive game without a point for Nugent-Hopkins, who has tallied 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 19 games overall in the playoffs. Jeff Skinner, who has produced a goal and an assist over two postseason appearances, is ready to slide into the lineup if Nugent-Hopkins cannot play in Thursday's contest.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
June 10, 2025
Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry took care of the team's consolation goal in Monday's 6-1 defeat to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Perry's ninth marker of the postseason cut the deficit to one early in the second period. However, Sam Reinhart responded just 1:20 later, and the Panthers went on to secure a comfortable victory. Zach Hyman's (wrist) absence has given Perry a first-line role, and the veteran has been one of Edmonton's top performers in the Finals. Leading up to Game 4, he's enjoying a five-game point streak, having scored in four of those contests. Throughout the entire postseason, Perry has accumulated 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 19 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner was pulled in Monday's Game 3 loss against the Florida Panthers, allowing five goals on 23 shots in a 6-1 defeat. Brad Marchand needed just 56 seconds to beat Skinner at the start of the game, and Florida ended up dominating the entire night. Skinner has now allowed five goals in back-to-back games, and at least three pucks have slipped past him in four straight contests. With this in mind, it wouldn't be surprising if the Oilers made another goalie change for Game 4 against the Panthers. Calvin Pickard, who was beaten once on eight shots Monday, is a strong alternative option, having remained unbeaten in six starts this postseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues finished Monday's 6-1 triumph against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals with two points. He assisted Carter Verhaeghe on the game-winning goal and completed the scoring himself. Rodrigues notched both of his points on the power play. Monday's prolific performance gives Rodrigues a four-game point streak. He has reached peak form at just the right moment, and his stretch of one point in the first seven games of the postseason has been entirely forgotten. Sitting on 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) through 18 appearances, Rodrigues now only needs to add one more point to his total to set a new scoring record for a single postseason campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart registered a goal and an assist in Monday's one-sided 6-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The 29-year-old scored Florida's third goal early in the second period and completed his multi-point outing with a power-play assist in the fourth. This gave Reinhart the same number of points he had managed over his previous five outings. For the playoffs, Reinhart boasts 15 points (five points, 10 assists) in 18 appearances. His production has fallen off late in the postseason. Fortunately for the Panthers, several other players have raised their performance, and the defending champions now lead the series against Edmonton 2-1.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett notched the team's fourth goal in Monday's big 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, becoming the first player in franchise history to score in four consecutive playoff games. Bennett's night included a team-high six hits and 14 penalty minutes. The Panthers have received outstanding production from Bennett throughout the postseason, as the 28-year-old has scored 14 goals and 20 points in 20 games. Strangely, he has scored only two home goals in the playoffs. Bennett has the chance to add to this total in Game 4 when the teams face off again in Sunrise on Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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