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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
Arttu Hyry Unavailable Thursday, Michael Bunting Makes Postseason Debut
Dallas Stars right wing Arttu Hyry (lower body) won't be in action on Thursday in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The Finnish forward sustained a lower-body injury in Tuesday's Game 5. While he was part of the traveling party to Minnesota, Hyry will be forced to sit out at least one game. In his absence, Michael Bunting will enter the lineup for his 2026 postseason debut. He will skate on the third line with Justin Hryckowian and Jamie Benn. Bunting has been a disappointment for the Stars, posting only two points (one goal, one assist) in 13 outings since coming over from Nashville. Facing elimination from the playoffs, the team needs Bunting to step up with a big performance now more than ever.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Bobby Brink to Sit Out Thursday's Game 6
Minnesota Wild right wing Bobby Brink will be a healthy scratch in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars on Thursday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. Combined with the regular season, Brink has picked up only five points (two goals, three assists) in 17 outings since moving to Minnesota. He must significantly improve his production to see regular playing time this postseason. The Wild will insert Nico Strum into the lineup for Game 6. The German veteran has one assist and four hits in two playoff appearances this year. He is unlikely to produce fantasy value as the fourth-line center on Thursday night.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Jonas Brodin Will Miss Game 6 Against Stars
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) will sit out Game 6 against the Dallas Stars on Thursday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury from Game 5 earlier this week. Brodin initially appeared to face an extended absence after being seen on crutches, but there's a possibility Minnesota could have him back in the next game. Jeff Petry will enter the lineup and skate on the third defensive pairing, while Jake Middleton will move up to Brodin's spot on the second pairing. Petry doesn't have much fantasy value these days, but Middleton could make a greater impact in a larger role.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Clayton Keller Sets Up Two Goals Wednesday Night
Utah Mammoth winger Clayton Keller registered two assists in Wednesday's 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 27-year-old was involved in both of Utah's first two goals, scored by John Marino and Lawson Crouse. This marked Keller's second multi-point game in the series, giving him five points (one goal, four assists) through five games. Keller shares the scoring lead on his squad with Crouse and Dylan Guenther. The Mammoth captain, who is riding a three-game point streak, will have the spotlight on him on Friday night as he must help his team stave off elimination in Game 6.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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
