April 17, 2025
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck finished the season on a high note as he stopped 30 of the 31 shots he saw en route to defeating the Anaheim Ducks. This victory also secured him the William M. Jennings Trophy. In this contest, the Jets held the advantage in the shot total, but Hellebuyck was able to stand tall when called on. His lone blemish came in the third period when Troy Terry would score his 21st goal of the season. Hellebuyck will carry a four-game winning streak into the postseason. During this stretch, he has held a stellar 1.47 GAA with a .942 save percentage. During the season, the 31-year-old posted a 47-12-3 record. Fantasy managers should continue to view Hellebuyck as a top option in DFS during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 17, 2025
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (knee) exited Wednesday's contest early. In addition, after the contest, the star forward was seen wearing a brace on his right knee. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status leading up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as he may need to miss time in the opening round if this is a serious injury. Before exiting Wednesday's game, Robertson logged just over six minutes of ice time and one blocked shot. Over his last 11 games, Robertson has found the back of the net six times and added six helpers. Through 82 total games this season, the 25-year-old has scored 35 goals and added 45 helpers. This was the third time in the past four years he scored at least 35 goals. If he were to miss time, Colin Blackwell would draw into the starting lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Emma Lingan
April 16, 2025
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner will be in the net for Wednesday's regular-season finale against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old made a successful return from a head injury on Sunday, defeating the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 on the road. This result helped Skinner improve his record to 25-18-4. He has posted a 2.87 goals-against average, a .894 save percentage, and one shutout. The Oilers have received solid goaltending from Skinner, but he hasn't won back-to-back starts in over a month. Wednesday's matchup provides the perfect opportunity to end the poor spell, as the Sharks own the second-worst scoring record in the league.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Tony Brar
April 16, 2025
New Jersey Devils left wing Ondrej Palat (undisclosed) will not play on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. He suffered an undisclosed injury while blocking a shot in Tuesday's win over the Boston Bruins. According to Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, Palat is still experiencing some soreness. However, the team expects it to be "something he can push through pretty quickly," so it looks like Palat could be available for the start of the postseason. The Czech veteran has made 150 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring 51 goals and 100 points.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Amanda Stein
April 16, 2025
New Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier (rest) will sit out Wednesday's matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. New Jersey wraps up a back-to-back set and has nothing left to play for in the regular-season finale, so several big names will be kept out of the lineup. It has been an up-and-down year for Meier, but he enjoyed a big finish to his campaign by racking up three points (one goal, two assists) in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime victory against the Boston Bruins. He recorded 53 points (26 goals, 27 assists) and 141 hits in 80 games during the regular season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Amanda Stein
April 16, 2025
New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (rest) will not play in Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Detroit Red Wings. The Devils captain will take the night off to rest a bit before the playoffs start. Hischier wraps up the 2024-25 campaign with a career-high 35 goals and 69 points in 75 appearances. He managed to get to the 30-goal plateau for the second time in his career. However, Hischier has scored in only one of his five April appearances, so he needs to find his shooting stick again if the team is going to be successful in the postseason. Dawson Mercer and Cody Glass should receive a bump in usage on Wednesday with Hischier out.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Amanda Stein
April 16, 2025
New Jersey Devils winger Jesper Bratt (rest) will not be in the lineup on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. New Jersey's top scorer will get the night off to rest. This will end up being Bratt's only absence during the regular season. He has enjoyed a wonderful campaign with a career-high 88 points (21 goals, 67 assists) in 81 appearances. With him only on six points (one goal, five assists) through 13 career postseason outings, Bratt will have plenty to prove in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Amanda Stein
April 16, 2025
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (rest) will exit the lineup for Wednesday's encounter with the Detroit Red Wings. He has carried a big workload during Dougie Hamilton's (lower body) absence and will get some well-deserved time off ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Hughes is set to finish the regular season as New Jersey's highest-scoring defenseman, boasting 44 points (seven goals, 37 assists) in 71 appearances. Hamilton is on 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists) ahead of his return to action on Wednesday night. With Hamilton back in the fold, Hughes' usage is likely to take a hit during the postseason.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Amanda Stein
April 16, 2025
New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (lower body) will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The talented blue-liner has made a quicker-than-expected recovery from a lower-body injury, as initial reports suggested that he may not even be ready for Round 1 of the playoffs. Hamilton last played on March 4. He has been a two-way force while in the lineup, recording 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists), 81 blocks, and 74 hits in 63 outings. With Luke Hughes (rest), Brett Pesce (rest), and Johnathan Kovacevic (rest) out of the lineup on Wednesday, Hamilton should see plenty of action to get rid of some rust ahead of the postseason.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Mike Morreale
April 16, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (rest) will not play in Wednesday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens. The Hurricanes have nothing left to play for and will rest several key players, including Aho, who leads his team in scoring with 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists) in 79 games. He may also receive additional time off on Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators. Jordan Staal (rest), Seth Jarvis (rest), Jordan Martinook (rest), and Jackson Blake (rest) also won't play against the Canadiens, giving players such as Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Taylor Hall, and Jack Roslovic additional fantasy value.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 16, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (undisclosed) practiced on Wednesday but is not expected to play in Thursday's regular-season finale against the New York Islanders. The Latvian netminder has sat out four contests while dealing with an unspecified health issue. Merzlikins' injury has come at a very bad time for the Blue Jackets, as they are still battling for a playoff spot. Luckily for the team, Jet Greaves has put together an impressive four-game stretch between the sticks, posting two shutouts and allowing only three total goals. Merzlikins doubled his wins tally from last year and will finish the campaign with a 26-21-5 record. He posted one shutout with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Portzline
April 16, 2025
Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (rest) is set to return to the lineup for Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Anaheim Ducks. The veteran forward was rested on Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. Lowry has had another solid campaign with the Jets, scoring 30-plus points for a third consecutive year. He is sitting on a career-high 16 goals and 18 assists and has averaged nearly two hits per game through 72 appearances. On Wednesday, Lowry will work in his usual spot on the third line, where he will be joined by Brandon Tanev and Mason Appleton.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 16, 2025
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (rest) will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Winnipeg rested its No. 1 defenseman for Sunday's matchup with the Edmonton Oilers, but he will be back in action for the regular-season finale. Morrissey has registered a third consecutive campaign with 60-plus points, notching 14 goals and 47 assists in 79 appearances. Additionally, he has logged 110 blocks, marking his fourth consecutive season with at least 100 blocked shots. The Jets defense will also have Neal Pionk (rest) back for Wednesday's game. Ville Heinola, Haydn Fleury, and Colin Miller will be healthy scratches after playing against Edmonton.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 16, 2025
Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (upper body) will remain out for Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Anaheim Ducks. The 25-year-old is nearing his return and is considered day-to-day, but his comeback won't come before the Jets start their postseason campaign. Vilardi, who has not been in the lineup since March 23, ends the regular season with 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 71 games. He posted career-highs in all the major offensive categories. We will likely see Vilardi back on the top line once he is ready to return, although Alex Iafallo has done an excellent job as his replacement, matching a season high with a four-game point streak ahead of Wednesday's contest.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
April 16, 2025
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (hip) is expected to rejoin the lineup for Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Nashville Predators. He has been activated from Long-Term Injured Reserve and is officially considered a game-time decision. Seguin has been out of action since Dec. 1. He underwent hip surgery a few days after his last appearance. The veteran had a productive start to the year, notching 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 19 games. He will be a valuable addition for the Stars' playoff run, but the team will also give Seguin a bit of regular-season action to shake off some rust.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
RADIO
