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Nikita Zadorov Played Through Torn MCL in Playoffs
Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (knee) was seriously hurt during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Conor Ryan of Boston.com reports. "I tore my MCL in Game 3. Fully torn off the bone. I played on it a little bit," Zadorov said after Friday's Game 6 loss to Buffalo. Remarkably, Zadorov still averaged 21:27 of ice time per game after being injured. It's unclear how much recovery time Zadorov will need, though he'll almost certainly spend a significant part of the offseason rehabbing his knee. The Russian blue-liner had his second year in Boston this season, finishing with 22 points (two goals, 20 assists), 107 SOG, 102 blocks, and 196 hits.
Source: Conor Ryan
Source: Conor Ryan
Connor McDavid Played With Fractured Foot Against Ducks
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid played through a fracture in the foot and ankle area in Round 1 against the Anaheim Ducks, head coach Kris Knoblauch revealed on Saturday. He was injured in Game 2 of the series and wasn't able to play at his best, though McDavid tallied six points (one goal, five assists) over six games in the series. According to Knoblauch, third-line center Jason Dickinson also dealt with a similar injury. In 2026-27, McDavid will start a new two-year, $25 million contract. The Oilers captain is determined to bring the Stanley Cup to Edmonton. "I want to win and I want to win here in Edmonton," McDavid said. "That's my focus."
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alexander Nikishin a Game-Time Call Saturday
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) is a game-time decision on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports. He reportedly has one more test to pass to clear the NHL's concussion protocol. Nikishin sustained his concussion last Saturday in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators. He wore a regular jersey at Friday's practice, a good sign that he will be available for the second-round opener. In Round 1, Nikishin failed to register a point but contributed five blocks and six hits in four games. He's filling a third-pairing role on defense and skating with the second power-play unit.
Source: Walt Ruff
Source: Walt Ruff
Nikolaj Ehlers Expected to Play Saturday
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers (lower body) is expected to play in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports. A week ago, Ehlers was unavailable for Carolina's series-clinching victory over Ottawa due to a lower-body injury. In three games against the Senators, he recorded one assist and seven SOG. On Saturday night, Ehlers is expected to skate on the third line with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook. He should also reclaim his spot on the first power-play unit. The Danish veteran tallied 29 of his 71 points during the regular season with the man advantage.
Source: Walt Ruff
Source: Walt Ruff
Dylan Holloway Signs Five-Year Extension With Blues
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway signed a five-year, $38.75 million contract extension on Friday. He was headed for restricted free agency before agreeing to a new deal with the Blues, who acquired him via an offer sheet from the Edmonton Oilers in 2024. Holloway has been a great fit in St. Louis, though health issues affected his 2025-26 campaign. He made only 59 appearances, recording 22 goals and 51 points. Since joining the Blues, Holloway has averaged 0.84 points and 2.16 hits per game, making him a valuable fantasy option across many formats.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Barrett Hayton, Jack McBain Iffy for Friday
Utah Mammoth forwards Barrett Hayton (upper body) and Jack McBain (undisclosed) are both considered game-time decisions on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. Some other players on the team are also dealing with health issues, but Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny mentioned only Hayton and McBain by name as game-time decisions. Hayton made a surprise return from an upper-body injury in Game 5, logging 12:49 of ice time in his first outing since March 24. McBain has also dealt with health issues late in the season. He re-entered the lineup for the series opener but hasn't played since. Utah's injury issues up front might open the door for Liam O'Brien to rejoin the lineup.
Source: Brogan Houston
Source: Brogan Houston
Logan Stanley a Game-Time Decision Friday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley (illness) is a game-time decision for Friday's tilt against the Buffalo Sabres, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports. The towering 6-foot-7 blue-liner is dealing with an illness and couldn't practice on Thursday. This season, Stanley took a big leap offensively, recording 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 76 games split between the Sabres and Winnipeg Jets. He hasn't yet made it on the score sheet in five playoff games. Without the puck, Stanley has registered six blocks and six hits in 13:52 of ice time per game. The Sabres plan to use Michael Kesselring as Stanley's replacement if needed.
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Viktor Arvidsson Ruled Out Friday
Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) won't play in Friday's Game 6 matchup with the Buffalo Sabres, WEEI's Scott McLaughlin reports. His absence was expected after Bruins head coach Marco Strum labeled Arvidsson doubtful for the game earlier this week. The Swedish forward was injured last weekend in Game 4 of the first-round series. Michael Eyssimont replaced Arvidsson in Tuesday's Game 5 and will likely continue in a bottom-six role on Friday. In Game 5, Eyssimont logged 12:53 of ice time but didn't register any offensive stats. He had one block and two hits.
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Nicholas Paul Set to Return Friday
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (illness) is expected to return to the lineup for Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday, Diandra Loux of The Hockey News reports. After sitting out Game 5 due to illness, Paul participated fully in Friday's morning skate, signaling that he is ready to return. Conor Geekie will be scratched to accommodate Paul's return. In four postseason appearances, Paul hasn't registered any points, but he's won a hugely impressive 65.6 percent of his faceoffs. The veteran will also give the Lightning some added muscle, having averaged 3.25 hits per game during the first round.
Source: Diandra Loux
Source: Diandra Loux
Charle-Edouard D'Astous Ready for Action Friday
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) is set to rejoin the lineup in Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. D'Astous has been unavailable to the Lightning since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game 1 against the Canadiens. His return will bump Maxwell Crozier to the press box. D'Astous adds physicality to the Lightning lineup and can chip in offensively. He finished the regular season with 29 points (six goals, 23 assists), 80 SOG, 74 blocks, 96 hits, and 112 penalty minutes in 70 outings.
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Victor Hedman to Be an Option "Really Soon"
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) is close to returning to action but will remain out on Friday in Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. "He's going to be an option really soon," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters Friday morning. Hedman hasn't played since March 19. He first dropped out of the lineup due to illness and soon afterward took a personal leave. If Tampa doesn't win Friday night, Hedman won't get another chance to return this season. Darren Raddysh will continue to play a huge role on the blue line in Friday's elimination game.
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Nikita Chibrikov Recovering From Core-Muscle Surgery
Winnipeg Jets right wing Nikita Chibrikov had core muscle surgery last week and will be sidelined 6-8 weeks, the team announced. The 23-year-old Russian had a disappointing NHL season in 2025-26, failing to score a point in 11 outings. His performance in the minors was also far from impressive, as Chibrikov finished with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 53 AHL games with the Manitoba Moose. Overall, Chibrikov has made 16 NHL appearances, recording three goals and four points. For a second-round pick, his start to his career has been underwhelming, to say the least.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Elias Salomonsson Out 5-6 Months After Shoulder Surgery
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Elias Salomonsson (shoulder) underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday and will be out for five to six months, the team announced. The 21-year-old Swedish native made his first 32 career NHL appearances this season, recording five points (one goal, four assists), 37 shots on goal, 27 blocks, and 50 hits, with a minus-six rating. His NHL campaign ended with a concussion in early April. Salomonsson returned to action in the AHL on April 24, playing in a couple of postseason games. Due to his shoulder surgery, Salomonsson is likely to sit out training camp in the fall, affecting his chances of earning a spot on the Jets roster.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Radko Gudas Remains Out Thursday
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) will miss a fifth straight game on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. The Ducks captain continues to nurse a lower-body injury, and there have been no updates on his potential return timeline. Drew Helleson will retain his spot in the lineup on Thursday, though he has seen limited minutes in the first-round series. The 25-year-old has averaged 8:24 of ice time, producing one assist, four SOG, and four hits.
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Tyler Myers Scratched on Thursday
Dallas Stars defenseman Tyler Myers will miss Thursday's Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild as a healthy scratch, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The veteran blue-liner will sit out at least one contest after struggling through the first five games of the series. He didn't pick up any points and posted a minus-five rating while averaging 19:41 of ice time. With Myers sitting on Thursday, Alexander Petrovic will get a chance to make his 2026 postseason debut. Petrovic will have limited fantasy value as a member of the third defensive pairing. In 54 regular-season appearances, he recorded 10 points (two goals, eight assists), 57 SOG, 77 blocks, and 88 hits.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
