RADIO
Brett Howden Notches Sixth Goal of the Postseason
Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden continued his magical second-season run with the Knights on Friday. Howden scored an empty-net goal and added an assist in the Game 3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He now has eight points, including six goals, which ties him with Mitch Marner for the NHL postseason lead. The center of attention has won an amazing 59.7% of his face-offs over nine games. Howden also has two short-handed goals as well, all on 16 shots. Many expected Tomas Hertl to be in this position, but the 28-year-old Howden has stolen the show. Sometimes the most unexpected performances take a life of their own.
Source: Danny Webster
Source: Danny Webster
Mitch Marner Hat Trick Helps Vegas Take Series Lead
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner took control of Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks. Marner notched a hat trick and added an assist in the 6-2 road triumph. That included five shots on goal, a short-handed assist, a power-play goal, and a game-winning goal. Marner now leads all playoff scorers with 13 points. He has also passed his career postseason high of three goals set in 2023. The forward looks very comfortable, all while playing 23:07 of ice time on Friday night. This makes three postseasons where Marner has had double-digit points, with 10 points coming in the past five contests.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Mats Zuccarello Expected to Play Saturday
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (illness) is expected to be in the lineup for Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. The veteran forward missed Friday's practice due to illness, but Wild head coach John Hynes expects Zuccarello to be available for Saturday's contest. Zuccarello has already missed time this postseason due to an upper-body injury. He has recorded at least one point in each of his five playoff appearances, notching two goals and five assists. Zuccarello is a regular on the first line and the top power-play unit.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Joel Eriksson Ek to Be a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) is expected to be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He has missed the first two games of the series due to a lower-body injury, but Eriksson Ek could return for Game 3 after skating on Friday. His return would be a welcome boost for Minnesota. The Swedish forward has amassed five points (three goals, two assists) in six playoff games this year. If he's ready to play in Saturday's contest, Eriksson Ek will likely replace Danila Yurov in the top six and be an option on the power play.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Jonas Brodin Still Out Saturday
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) won't play in Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He will miss a fourth straight game due to a lower-body injury. It's been a season full of health issues for Brodin, who also sat out 20 regular-season games. Jeff Petry and Daemon Hunt have received playing opportunities during Brodin's absence. Of the two, Hunt has made the bigger impact, contributing an assist in Game 2 against Colorado. In Game 2, both were part of the backline after Bogosian (lower body) dropped out of the lineup.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Josh Manson Could Return Saturday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) could rejoin the lineup for Game 3 against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports. He has traveled with the team to Minnesota after sitting out three games due to an upper-body injury. Manson made a big impact early in the playoffs, handing out two assists and delivering 10 hits in three games. Nick Blankenburg has filled in for him on the blue line, producing one goal in three outings. Both players have done a good job for the Avalanche, giving head coach Jared Bednar a pleasant selection headache ahead of Game 3.
Source: Tracey Myers
Source: Tracey Myers
Kaedan Korczak Scratched for Game 3 Against Ducks
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak will sit out Friday's Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks as a healthy scratch, Vince Sapienza of FOX5 Las Vegas reports. Dylan Coghlan will enter the lineup for his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. Korczak has been a physical force for Vegas, registering 18 hits in eight postseason games, but his offensive contributions have been limited to one assist. Coghlan produced three scoreless regular-season efforts with the Golden Knights. However, he found offensive success in the AHL, finishing among the top 10 defensemen in scoring. He was tied for first among blue-liners with 14 goals, adding 30 assists in 62 games.
Source: Vince Sapienza
Source: Vince Sapienza
Radko Gudas Likely to Remain Out Friday
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) is expected to remain out for Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. The Ducks captain is working his way back from a lower-body injury and wasn't part of the regular defensive pairings during Friday's morning skate. Gudas hasn't played since Game 1 of the opening-round series against Edmonton. Drew Helleson will continue to accompany Tyson Hinds on the third defensive pairing. Helleson has recorded one assist, five SOG, and eight hits in seven postseason appearances, averaging 8:47 of ice time per game.
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Sam Carrick Won't Play Friday
Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (arm) will not be in action on Friday in Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens, Jourdon LaBarber of the Sabres' official site reprots. He returned to practice earlier this week, but the team doesn't want to rush him back. "He's right on the cusp of going in," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said Friday morning. "If this was a Game 7, I think you'd look at it like we'd probably put him in. ... If I can give him a couple extra days, I think we'll get rewarded for it. He played incredible for us, and we want him back in the lineup." Carrick impressed during the regular season after joining the Sabres, logging six points (five goals, one assist) and 20 hits in 13 appearances.
Source: Jourdon LaBarber
Source: Jourdon LaBarber
Dan Vladar Looks to Return to Winning Ways Thursday
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar is expected to start Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Vladar wasn't on the ice for an optional morning skate, but he should keep his spot in the crease. After an outstanding first-round series against the Penguins, Vladar has lost back-to-back games in Round 2. However, he has remained sharp, logging a .908 save percentage. Overall, Vladar has recorded a .929 save percentage in the playoffs, allowing 1.89 goals with two shutouts. He's been a rock at the back for the Flyers and will be desperate for more goal support on Thursday.
Source: Jackie Spiegel
Source: Jackie Spiegel
Penguins Re-Sign Connor Dewar for Two Years
Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract extension on Thursday. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent before agreeing to the new deal. Deward had a career year in 2025-26, notching 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 78 games. He led all forwards on the team with 144 hits and a plus-16 rating. In the playoffs, Dewar added two goals in six outings. The 26-year-old also played a key role in Pittsburgh finishing with the sixth-best penalty kill in the league, logging a team-high 209:23 of shorthanded ice time. From a fantasy perspective, Dewar offers little, but he's been a great fit for the Penguins.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Mikko Rantanen Played Through Torn MCL Late in the Season
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (knee) played through a torn MCL late in the season, general manager Jim Nill revealed on Thursday. The Finnish superstar suffered the injury during the Olympics in February. After he was hurt, Rantanen missed 15 games for the Stars. He returned for the final 10 regular-season contests and skated in six playoff games. Nill said Rantanen didn't need surgery and won't require it to return to full health for the next campaign. While Rantanen will turn 30 early next season, he should remain a highly productive player for the foreseeable future. In 2025-26, he averaged 1.20 points per game, finishing with 22 goals and 55 assists in 64 outings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rasmus Dahlin Ready to Go Friday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (undisclosed) looks good to go for Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports. Dahlin was hurt late in Game 1 while blocking a shot, but he said he's not injured. Dahlin's availability is crucial for the Sabres. The 26-year-old has had a great campaign and was named a Norris Trophy finalist on Thursday. During his first career playoff run, Dahlin has registered four points (one goal, three assists), 25 SOG, nine blocks, 10 hits, and a plus-four rating in seven games. He finished the regular season as the NHL's sixth-highest scoring defenseman, posting a career-high 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists) in 77 games.
Source: Paul Hamilton
Source: Paul Hamilton
Alexander Nikishin Set to Return Thursday
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) is expected to draw into the lineup for Game 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports. Earlier this week, the Russian blue-liner was cleared to return to action after recovering from a concussion. Nikishin worked with Shayne Gostisbehere on the third defensive pairing Thursday morning. His return will end Mike Reilly's run with the team. Reilly posted two assists in two games during Nikishin's absence. Nikishin has been held scoreless this postseason, but he has recorded two SOG, five blocks, and six hits in four games.
Source: Walt Ruff
Source: Walt Ruff
Christian Dvorak Available Thursday
Philadelphia Flyers center Christian Dvorak (undisclosed) will play in Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. He's dealing with an undisclosed health issue and didn't practice on Wednesday. But Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed Thursday morning that Dvorak will remain in the lineup. "He's going to play. He's a warrior," Tocchet said. Dvorak, who has notched three assists in eight postseason appearances, is expected to center the first line, flanked by Tyson Foerster and Travis Konecny. He will also be part of the second power-play unit.
Source: Tom Gulitti
Source: Tom Gulitti
