May 27, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns did a little bit of everything in Monday's 3-0 victory over the Florida Panthers, finishing with one assist, two shots on goal, one block, one hit, and two penalty minutes. Facing elimination on the road, the Hurricanes relied heavily on their top-four group at the back, and Burns ended up logging nearly 25 minutes of action (24:45). On the offensive end, his efforts were rewarded with 1:45 remaining in regulation, as Burns collected his assist on an empty-net goal by Jordan Staal. The veteran blue-liner now has assists in back-to-back games. Burns is far from the scoring machine he used to be, but he has helped out a little on offense in the playoffs, posting one goal and four assists in 14 games. In the defensive zone, he has logged 17 blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin had a big role in Monday's 3-0 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Nikishin's nifty pass helped Logan Stankoven to record the game-winning goal midway through the second period, and the Russian rearguard racked up five hits and one block in 18:53 of ice time. This marked a significant turnaround for Nikishin, who ended Game 3 with a minus-four rating. The 23-year-old collected his first career points in Monday's game. Additionally, he has recorded three shots and 12 hits with four penalty minutes in his first three appearances with the Hurricanes.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho found the back of the net for the fifth time this postseason on Monday night, helping the team stave off elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers with a 3-0 victory. The Finnish star registered a game-high seven shots on goal and finally lit the lamp late in the third period with the Panthers net empty. Aho scored his fourth goal in an elimination game for the Hurricanes, placing him third on the franchise's all-time list. While his team has struggled in the Eastern Conference Finals, Aho has enjoyed a decent series with three points (two goals, one assist) and 16 shots in four games. He has managed 13 points (five goals, eight assists) and 38 shots in 14 games for the postseason overall.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven became the first rookie in franchise history to score multiple game-winning goals in a postseason when the team defeated the Florida Panthers 3-0 in Monday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. In a close contest, Stankoven opened the scoring with 10:45 played in the second period. Stankoven also registered the game-winner in Carolina's first postseason game of the year, a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on April 20. In total, Stankoven has lit the lamp five times in the playoffs, adding three assists in 14 appearances. He needs to score just one more time to match Erik Cole's franchise record for the most goals by a rookie in a single postseason campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 27, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen was back to his best in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers on Monday night, recording a 20-save shutout in a 3-0 win. Andersen returned to the crease after getting benched for Game 3, becoming only the third netminder in franchise history to produce a shutout with the team facing elimination. The Danish veteran collected his second shutout of the postseason and now has an 8-4 record with a 1.84 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. If we disregard the first two appearances Andersen made in the Conference Finals, he has been sensational in these playoffs. Next up, Andersen will face the Panthers at home, where he has a 5-2 record in the postseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 26, 2025
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (lower body) practiced on Monday and could be an option to rejoin the lineup for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. The 33-year-old, who played a crucial role for the Oilers early in the playoffs with a six-game winning streak, has been unavailable for six games. Fortunately for Edmonton, Stuart Skinner has been outstanding during Pickard's absence, winning four of his last five starts and posting a 1.18 goals-against average with three shutouts since May 12. Skinner has firmly re-established himself as the No. 1 in the crease for the Oilers, while Pickard's return to health would give the team a solid backup option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
May 26, 2025
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (lower body) participated in an optional practice on Monday and could be ready to rejoin the lineup on Tuesday in Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers. "The biggest thing right now for me is to just worry about what I can do that I can be able to play tomorrow," Hintz said after the session. "You want to play every game, especially in the playoffs. Every game's so important. Sometimes sports are what they are. I'm now trying everything that I can so tomorrow I am able to play." After suffering a lower-body injury in the second game of the series 2, Hintz also attempted to play in Game 3 but didn't feel right during warmups. The Finnish forward has gone scoreless in four of his last five appearances, yet he is tied for the second-most points on the team this postseason, recording five goals and 11 points in 15 contests.
--Taavi PailkSource: Lia Assimakopoulos
May 26, 2025
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed) appears to be on the cusp of returning to the lineup. "I'm feeling great, a lot better than I thought I would at this point," Ekholm said Monday. "I feel really good, that's pretty much what I can say at this point. I think it's imminent, I think it's going to be soon at least and whether it's tomorrow or the next game or whatever it is. I'm happy with my body and happy with how I feel and really excited where the team is at and how they're playing." The veteran rearguard last played on April 11, marking his only appearance over the past two months. Ekholm may join the lineup as Connor Brown's (undisclosed) replacement, skating as a seventh defenseman to lighten his workload after the lengthy injury layoff.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
May 26, 2025
Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars. He was injured on Sunday in Game 3 against Dallas, logging only 8:46 of ice time. While operating on the third line, Brown has produced five goals and three assists in 14 postseason appearances. Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner are the main candidates to take over his spot in the lineup for Tuesday night. Both players have endured challenging years and won't be expected to make a significant impact if Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch calls on either of them.
--Taavi PailkSource: Tony Brar
May 26, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker (undisclosed) will miss a second consecutive contest on Monday against the Florida Panthers. After losing Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) in the Washington series, the Hurricanes defense took another hit with Walker's injury in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It's unclear when either player will be ready to return to the lineup. Walker's absence has given Alexander Nikishin a new opportunity to make an impression with the Hurricanes. However, the former KHL standout had a poor outing in Saturday's Game 3 against the Panthers, going minus-four in a 6-2 loss.
--Taavi PailkSource: Walt Ruff
May 26, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) will be absent for a fifth consecutive game on Monday against the Florida Panthers. He continues to deal with an undisclosed injury that Chatfield picked up in the previous round against the Washington Capitals. Scott Morrow has been his replacement in the lineup, and the 22-year-old rookie has had a difficult time in the Eastern Conference Finals. He has finished scoreless through his first three career postseason appearances, while registering a minus-five rating. Morrow is expected to remain on the third-defensive pairing and the second power-play unit on Monday.
--Taavi PailkSource: Walt Ruff
May 26, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen will be back between the sticks for Monday's Game 4 against the Florida Panthers. After seeing Andersen struggle in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Carolina decided to go with Pyotr Kochetkov in the crease on Saturday. However, Kochetkov could not make a difference in the matchup, and Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour will return to Andersen, who was very strong in the first two series. The 35-year-old holds a 7-4 record for the postseason and has allowed 2.01 goals with a .907 save percentage and one shutout. Andersen must regain his form on Monday night; otherwise, the Hurricanes' season will likely come to an end.
--Taavi PailkSource: Walt Ruff
May 26, 2025
Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (undisclosed) will miss Monday's Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old was injured late in Saturday's Game 3 victory. Greer was initially expected to be fine for Monday's matchup, but he will skip at least one game due to an undisclosed injury. As a fourth-line grinder, Greer has recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and 44 hits in 11 postseason outings. In his absence, Nico Sturm will make his eighth appearance in these playoffs. Compared to Greer, Sturm has been much less impactful, going scoreless and averaging under two hits per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jameson Olive
May 26, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (upper body) will sit out Monday's contest against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Finnish rearguard suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday's Game 3 against the Hurricanes. While it was initially believed that Mikkola would be available for Monday's game, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has ruled him out. It's possible he would have played if Florida didn't have a comfortable 3-0 lead in the series. Maurice told reporters on Monday morning that Mikkola would be an option again later in the series. Even though Mikkola only fills a third-pairing role in the Panthers defense, he has made a mark in the Eastern Conference Finals with a three-game point streak. Uvis Balinskis will step in to take his place on Monday, making just his fifth postseason appearance of the year.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jameson Olive
May 26, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart (lower body) will not be in the lineup for Monday's Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The skilled scorer will miss his second consecutive game in the Eastern Conference Finals due to a lower-body injury. Jesper Boqvist stepped in for Reinhart on the first line during Game 3 and delivered an extremely impressive performance. The Swedish forward recorded a goal and two assists in a 6-2 victory. Although Boqvist isn't regarded as a top offensive talent, the playmaking ability of Florida's first-line center, Aleksander Barkov, can enhance anyone's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jameson Olive
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