RADIO
Sam Carrick Will Miss Second-Round Matchup
Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (upper body) isn't expected to return to action during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. He's been out since being involved in a fight during a game against the New York Islanders on March 31. Buffalo acquired Carrick from the New York Rangers on March 6, and he did a good job for the team during the regular season. In 13 outings, Carrick registered six points (five goals, one assist) and 20 hits. He'll be an option for the fourth line once Carrick is healthy.
Source: Heather Engel
Source: Heather Engel
Noah Ostlund Expected to Miss Round 2
Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund (lower body) is expected to miss the entire second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. The 22-year-old sustained a lower-body injury in the first round of Game 5 against Boston, missing Buffalo's series-clinching win on Friday. Ostlund was also unavailable for Games 1 and 2 because of an upper-body injury. Ostlund finished the series with one goal and one assist in three games. Tyson Kozak will see regular action until Ostlund is healthy again, but he lacks fantasy value. During the first round, Kozak appeared in four games, recording one assist and 12 hits.
Source: Heather Engel
Source: Heather Engel
Jonas Brodin Out for Games 1 and 2 Against Colorado
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) did not travel with the Minnesota Wild to Colorado. Brodin will not play on Sunday night or Tuesday night versus the Avalanche. Brodin has battled several injuries this season while missing a total of 20 regular-season contests. Brodin suffered a lower-body injury during Game 5 against the Dallas Stars. He tried to come back against Colorado, but the earliest anyone expects him back is over the weekend. Brodin had four goals and 14 assists during the regular season. He added an assist over five playoff starts. Brodin's chances of playing in Game are very much up in the air.
Source: Dylan Loucks
Source: Dylan Loucks
Joel Eriksson Ek Will Miss First Two Games of Colorado Series
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) did not travel to Colorado on Sunday. His lower-body injury will cause him to miss at least the first two games of the series against the Avalanche. The hope is that the extra rest between Games 2 and 3 will be a huge asset. Eriksson Ek got banged up and had not been quite right the last two games of the Dallas series. Almost an extra week's worth of rest could prove extremely valuable. It does seem that Eriksson Ek is likely to return for Game 3 on Saturday, but do not be so sure. After all, injuries often take a life of their own in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Source: Minnesota Wild
Source: Minnesota Wild
Joel Kiviranta Remains Out of the Lineup Versus Minnesota
Colorado Avalanche forward Joel Kiviranta (undisclosed) will not be able to return on Sunday night against the Minnesota Wild. He did not skate over the weekend at all and had already missed two games. For a day-to-day issue, missing skates is crucial in determining the status of a player. Kiviranta's next chance to play is on Tuesday in Game 2. If he cannot go, then the Colorado left winger would then potentially be a question mark to travel to Minnesota. Also, there is no guarantee Kiviranta would get into the lineup. The fourth-liner had three goals and six assists in 51 games during the regular season.
Source: Bailey Curtis
Source: Bailey Curtis
Josh Manson Out for Game 1 Against Minnesota
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) got through an entire practice on Saturday unscathed. However, that was not enough, as the Colorado defenseman will not play in Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild. Manson has not played since aggravating an injury on April 23 against the Los Angeles Kings. Many hoped the injury was not that serious, but it is significant enough. Manson had two assists in three games, but his physical presence will be missed against the Wild on Sunday night. The next chance he will have to return is Tuesday night. The concern is that his upper-body issue is not really a day-to-day problem, as head coach Jared Bednar insists.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Victor Hedman Will Not Play Sunday Versus Montreal
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman gave fans and fantasy playoff managers a glimmer of brief hope on Sunday. However, head coach Jon Cooper said no when asked if Hedman would return against the Montreal Canadiens. Hedman will be given more time to get into game shape. It has been a brutal season for the former Norris Trophy winner. Hedman had missed 49 games and only had 17 points in 33 contests with one goal. Tampa Bay arguably has gained back the momentum in the series, which may be good news, as Hedman still does not appear 100%.
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Noah Dobson Will Play Against Tampa Bay on Sunday
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson will play in his first playoff game this Sunday evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dobson provided a huge spark during the regular season. Dobson scored 12 goals and racked up 47 points over 80 contests. Dobson provided a steady mentorship to Lane Hutson. The defenseman getting back in the lineup allows Montreal to set a regular lineup against Tampa Bay for the first time all series. Dobson may not be quite 100%, but even 80 or 90 percent is better than most teams' second or third-best defenseman.
Source: Elliotte Friedman
Source: Elliotte Friedman
Mike Reilly Delivers Two Assists in Game 1 Win
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Mike Reilly impressed during his 2026 postseason debut on Saturday night, contributing two assists in a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Reilly took Alexander Nikishin's (concussion) spot in the lineup and already had a multi-assist game within the first 7:30 of the first period, setting up Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake. He set a franchise record for the quickest two points by a defenseman to start a playoff career. Nikishin was considered a game-time decision for Saturday, so he will be available sooner rather than later. Still, with his savvy playmaking in Game 1, Reilly might have earned himself a longer stay in the lineup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Logan Stankoven Establishes New Franchise Record With Five-Game Goal Streak
Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven carried his hot form from Round 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs into the second-round opener, scoring twice in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The 23-year-old became the first player in franchise history to record a five-game postseason goal streak. This has been a special playoff campaign for Stankoven, but it hasn't been entirely unexpected. He was also highly productive in the final weeks of the regular season. Since March 31, Stankoven has scored in 10 of his 13 appearances, totaling 18 points (13 goals, five assists). The run includes six goals and one assist in five playoff games. Unless Philadelphia contains Stankoven, this series could end in a hurry.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Frederik Andersen Records Second Postseason Shutout
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen recorded his second shutout of this postseason on Saturday, neutralizing the Philadelphia Flyers with 19 saves in a 3-0 Game 1 victory. The veteran netminder appears to have saved all his shutouts for the playoffs, having finished without one in 35 regular-season appearances. He has started the postseason brilliantly, winning all five starts while allowing 0.90 goals with a .961 save percentage. Overall, Andersen has collected four shutouts with the Hurricanes, tying Cam Ward for the most in franchise history. Based on his current form, Andersen looks set to become the sole record holder very soon.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ducks Hope to See Radko Gudas Return During Second Round
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) is expected to return to action during the team's second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. "I would hopefully expect him to be ready at some point in the series. When I say that, sooner would be better," Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said Saturday. Gudas skated on his own Saturday, so he still has some boxes to tick before being available for selection. In the first-round matchup against Edmonton, Gudas appeared only in Game 1. Drew Helleson has been his replacement on the blue line, though he has been limited to 8:32 of ice time per game.
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Josh Manson Day-to-Day Ahead of Game 1 Against Wild
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is day-to-day ahead of Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, Bailey Curtis of DNVR Sports reports. He has been nursing an upper-body injury since being hurt on April 23 against the Los Angeles Kings. Overall, the first round went well for Manson, who managed two assists and 10 hits in three games. If Manson remains unavailable on Sunday, Nick Blankenburg will stay in the lineup after logging 12:35 as his replacement in last weekend's Game 4 against the Kings.
Source: Bailey Curtis
Source: Bailey Curtis
Joel Kiviranta Considered Day-to-Day
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (undisclosed) is day-to-day, Bailey Curtis of DNVR Sports reports. Kiviranta didn't play in the last two games of Colorado's first-round sweep against the Los Angeles Kings and hasn't been practicing. If he doesn't progress well enough, Kiviranta will be forced to sit out a third consecutive game on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild. Ross Colton has played during Kiviranta's absence. But he has averaged only 10:33 of ice time in two appearances this postseason and could be scratched once Kiviranta is ready to return.
Source: Bailey Curtis
Source: Bailey Curtis
Joel Eriksson Ek Questionable for Game 1 Against Avalanche
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) is questionable for Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. The Swedish forward sustained a lower-body injury against Dallas on Thursday and didn't take part in Saturday's practice. Eriksson Ek had a productive opening-round series, notching three goals and five points with a plus-seven rating in six games. He led his team with a 56.4 faceoff-winning percentage. Bobby Brink, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday, could re-enter the lineup for Sunday's game if Eriksson Ek can't play.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
