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Pavel Dorofeyev Nets Special Hat Trick in Game 5 Win
Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev scored a hat trick in Wednesday's double-overtime 5-4 Game 5 victory over the Utah Mammoth. He became the fourth player in NHL history to score three game-tying goals in a single playoff contest, with Dorofeyev's final goal coming 53 seconds from the end of regulation. The Russian forward joined Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault, and Mattias Janmark as the only players with a playoff hat trick in Golden Knights history. After a quiet start in the first-round series, Dorofeyev has found his scoring stick, netting four goals in two games -- only two players have more goals this postseason.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dan Vladar Backstops Flyers to Series-Clinching Win
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar recorded a 42-save shutout as the team finished off the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs with a 1-0 overtime win on Wednesday. Vladar kept the Flyers in the game until Cam York delivered the series-winning goal with 2:28 remaining in the first overtime. This was a historic night for Vladar, who set a new record for saves by a Flyers goaltender in a series-deciding victory. There have been three shutouts in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Vladar has been responsible for two of them. He was outstanding in the first round, posting a 1.61 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage. The Czech netminder must maintain his form in Round 2 if Philadelphia is to have any chance against a very strong Carolina team.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Oilers to Use Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on Same Line Thursday
Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid (ankle) and Leon Draisaitl will start Thursday's Game 6 against the Anaheim Ducks on the same line, Gerry Moddejonge of NHL.com reports. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has decided to pair his two superstar forwards to ease the load on McDavid, who is dealing with an ankle injury. Additionally, the team is in desperation mode, facing a second consecutive elimination game. It was the duo of McDavid and Draisaitl who made the biggest impact as Edmonton survived Game 5 on Tuesday with a 4-1 win. Draisaitl scored half of Edmonton's goals, with McDavid assisting him on both. In an ideal scenario for the Oilers, this will happen again on Thursday night. Kasperi Kapanen will have the privilege of accompanying McDavid and Draisaitl, giving him additional fantasy value.
Source: Gerry Moddejonge
Source: Gerry Moddejonge
Brady Tkachuk Remains Committed to Senators
Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk is upset by the speculation about his future and remains committed to the team, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. "I feel like I've answered this hundreds of times. Quite honestly, it's just getting frustrating. It's becoming a distraction. I have been fully committed to this team, to this city. It's just becoming frustrating to deal with," Tkachuk said in his postseason news conference. Earlier this week, Senators general manager Steve Staios dismissed Tkachuk not returning next season as "nonsense." Tkachuk has two seasons remaining on a seven-year, $57.5 million contract that includes a full no-movement clause. In 2025-26, the Senators captain had a strong season on an individual level, averaging almost a point per game. He posted 22 goals and 37 assists in 60 contests. If he's happy in Ottawa, there's no reason Tkachuk can't maintain his level of performance next campaign.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Arttu Hyry Could Be Available Thursday
Dallas Stars right wing Arttu Hyry (lower body) has traveled with the team for Game 6 on the road against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. This suggests Hyry could be an option for the contest. He suffered a lower-body injury in Game 5, and Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan initially said it was "highly unlikely" Hyry would be available for Game 6. In the playoffs, Hyry has been doing the dirty work for Dallas, recording seven hits and two blocks in four outings. He has no points with three SOG. The Stars will look to Michael Bunting or Adam Erne if Hyry is ultimately ruled out for Thursday's action.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nils Lundkvist to Remain Out Thursday
Dallas Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist (face) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The Swedish rearguard sustained a deep facial laceration in Game 4 of the first-round series and didn't travel with the team to Minnesota. Ilya Lyubushkin jumped into the lineup as Lundkvist's replacement in Game 5 on Tuesday and is set to retain his spot for Thursday's contest. In a 4-2 loss, Lyubushkin had a quiet outing, finishing with one block and one hit in 12:30 of ice time. He may have an even smaller role in Game 6, as Dallas is likely to lean heavily on its top-four group in an elimination game.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Jonas Brodin Uncertain for Game 6
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) is questionable for Thursday's Game 6 against the Dallas Stars, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports. Brodin suffered a lower-body injury in Game 5 on Tuesday and was seen using crutches after the game. Wild head coach John Hynes told reporters on Wednesday that he doesn't know if Brodin will be available Thursday night. Brodin has amassed one assist, six SOG, 14 blocks, two hits, and four penalty minutes in five games against Dallas. The team will look to either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry to fill in for Brodin if needed.
Source: Mike Morreale
Source: Mike Morreale
Matvei Michkov Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Wednesday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. The young Russian star was a healthy scratch in Game 5. This surprised many, but Michkov hasn't been impactful in the playoffs. After a 51-point regular season, he hasn't scored any points in four postseason outings, recording only four SOG. So far, he has averaged just 10:05 of ice time in the first-round series. Michkov has the ability to be a difference-maker, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to being scratched in the previous game.
Source: Jordan Hall
Source: Jordan Hall
Noah Ostlund Set to Miss "a Period of Time"
Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund (lower body) appears to be done for the first-round series against the Boston Bruins. Jourdon LaBarber of the Sabres' official site reports that head coach Lindy Ruff expects Ostlund to miss "a period of time" after he suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday's Game 5 loss. "The news wasn't good," Ruff said Wednesday. "Don't know exactly how much we know, but he's gonna miss some time." It's an unfortunate blow for Ostlund, who also sat out the start of the series due to injury. Josh Norris (undisclosed) is expected to enter the lineup as Ostlund's replacement in Game 6 on Friday.
Source: Jourdon LaBarber
Source: Jourdon LaBarber
Viktor Arvidsson Doubtful for Game 6 Against Sabres
Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) could miss a second consecutive game on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports. "It's going to be hard," Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said about Arvidsson's availability on Wednesday. "It's definitely day to day, but it will be hard." The Swedish forward sustained an upper-body injury in Game 4 of the series and didn't travel to Buffalo for Game 5 on Tuesday. In the matchup, Arvidsson has produced two goals, both coming in Game 2. With him out, Michael Eyssimont got a chance to play on Tuesday night and is expected to remain on the third line in Game 6 if Arvidsson isn't healthy enough to play.
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Barrett Hayton Close to Returning
Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (upper body) is nearing his return to action, Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com reports. He has been nursing an upper-body injury since late March. On Wednesday morning, Mammoth head Andre Tourigny said Hayton will probably warm up before Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights, but he isn't expected to play. It's a sign that Hayton is close to 100 percent and could be an option later in the series. In 67 regular-season outings, Hayton managed 10 goals and 15 assists, while ranking third on his team with a 52.6 faceoff percentage.
Source: Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Source: Nicholas J. Cotsonika
Charle-Edouard D'Astous a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) could return to action in Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, as he is considered a game-time decision. The 28-year-old has missed the last three games after suffering an undisclosed injury in the series opener. D'Astous had a decent debut campaign in 2025-26, totaling 29 points (six goals, 23 assists), 80 SOG, 74 blocks, and 96 hits in 70 contests. Maxwell Crozier and Declan Carlisle have filled in for D'Astous on the Lightning defense. Tampa Bay used Crozier in Game 4, and he will likely come out of the lineup on Wednesday night if D'Astous is ready to return.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Connor McDavid Extends Multi-Point Streak Tuesday
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (ankle) sent out two assists as the team beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 in an elimination game on Tuesday night. The Oilers stayed alive in the series thanks to a quick start. They were already 3-0 up midway through the first period, with McDavid helping to set up the third goal. He added a power-play assist in the second period, extending his multi-point streak in the playoffs to three games. McDavid hurt his ankle early in the series and was a game-time decision for Tuesday night. Strangely, McDavid's productivity has actually improved since sustaining the injury. After going scoreless in the first two games against the Ducks, McDavid has notched one goal and five assists.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Hurricanes Hope to Have Nikolaj Ehlers Back for Second Round
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers (lower body) didn't practice on Tuesday, but head coach Rod Brind'Amour hopes to have him available for the start of the second round in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina was without the services of Ehlers last weekend as it closed out the first-round series against Ottawa. The Danish forward missed Game 4 due to a lower-body injury after contributing one assist in the first three games of the series. In Ehlers' absence, William Carrier moved up the lineup, and Nicolas Deslauriers made his 2026 postseason debut. If Ehlers remains unavailable for the Round 2 opener, the two could benefit again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alexander Nikishin Could Be Available in Round 2
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) is making good progress, and the team hopes to have him available for Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Russian blue-liner suffered a concussion in Carolina's series-clinching win over Ottawa on Saturday. On Tuesday, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said "everything's trending in the right direction" on Nikishin, who had a solid rookie campaign with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 81 games. However, he couldn't replicate his regular-season form in the matchup with the Senators, finishing scoreless in four games. Mike Reilly and Charles-Alexis Legault will compete for Nikishin's spot in the lineup if he doesn't clear concussion protocol before the start of the second round.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
