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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
Owen Tippett Remains Out Thursday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) won't play on Thursday in Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Tippett practiced on Wednesday and was on the ice Thursday morning, but he still isn't ready to play due to an undisclosed injury. With Tippett out of the lineup, the Flyers are without their regular-season top goal-scorer. Tippett had 28 goals in 81 games, adding 51 points. While playing hurt, he finished the first-round series against Pittsburgh with one goal and one assist in six games. Philadelphia's frontline has also lost Noah Cates (lower body), putting Alex Bump and Denver Barkey in a position to play more important roles.
Source: Jordan Hall
Source: Jordan Hall
Mark Stone Nets Late Power-Play Goal in Losing Effort
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone scored a power-play goal in Game 2 against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night. His third marker of the playoffs ended up being a late consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat. The Golden Knights captain has also had three assists in eight games this postseason. After starting the 2026 playoffs with a three-game point streak, Stone's offensive production has been inconsistent. Compared with the regular season, his scoring average has fallen from 1.22 points per game to 0.75. The Vegas offense is full of quality, but it still relies on Stone to make a significant impact. If his form doesn't improve, the team could be in trouble against the high-scoring Ducks.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Leo Carlsson Pots Game-Winner Wednesday Night
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson scored the game-winning goal as his team tied the second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 with a 3-1 road victory. Carlsson's goal made it 2-0 6:36 into the third period. The Swedish talent became the third Ducks player aged 21 or younger to record multiple game-winning goals in a single playoff campaign. He's averaging more than a point per game in the postseason, with four goals and five assists in eight outings. Yet Carlsson has been on the score sheet in back-to-back games just once this postseason. Greater consistency from him would benefit the team.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Juraj Slafkovsky Ends Point Drought in Game 1 Loss
Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky notched an assist in Wednesday's series-opening 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He combined with Ivan Demidov to set up Nick Suzuki for a power-play goal late in the first period. Slafkovsky ended a six-game point drought. In Round 1, he also got things started with a productive outing, scoring a hat trick. But those were Slafkovsky's only points in the series. Eight games into the postseason, Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield still haven't registered any even-strength points, which must be concerning for the Canadiens. Their next opportunity to break the duck will come on Friday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bowen Byram Ties Franchise Record With Fourth Postseason Goal
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram potted a power-play goal in Wednesday's 4-2 Game 1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, tying the franchise record for most goals scored in a postseason by a defenseman. Byram has found the back of the net four times on 17 SOG, adding two assists in seven outings. He is tied for the fifth-most points among defensemen this postseason. While Rasmus Dahlin has typically been the star man on the Sabres' blue line, it's been the Byram show so far in the playoffs. Bizarrely, he hadn't scored a single goal in his first 28 Stanley Cup Playoffs appearances before erupting for four goals in six games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
