RADIO
Alexander Nikishin Won't Play Monday
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) will miss a second consecutive game on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers, according to Walt Ruff & Peter Dewar of the Hurricanes' official site. The Russian blue-liner suffered a concussion during Carolina's series clincher against Ottawa. He wasn't quite ready to play in Game 1 against Philadelphia, allowing Mike Reilly to make his 2026 postseason debut. Reilly recorded two assists in a 3-0 win and will retain his spot on Monday night. "He's been solid," Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said about Reilly Monday morning. "That's a tough role, really, to be in, when you're not in there every night. But that's what being a pro is, and he's demonstrated that all year."
Source: Walt Ruff
Source: Walt Ruff
Jeremy Lauzon Expected to Miss Round 2
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) will likely miss the second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks, SinBin.vegas reports. Lauzon was injured during Vegas' series-clinching win over Utah on Friday. The 29-year-old has limited offensive ability and didn't register any points in six games in Round 1, but Vegas will miss his physical presence. He averaged 3.70 hits per game during the regular season and finished the first-round matchup with 14 hits. Ben Hutton is set to make his 2026 postseason debut in Lauzon's place on Monday night in Game 1 against the Ducks.
Source: SinBin.vegas
Source: SinBin.vegas
William Karlsson Rejoins Golden Knights Lineup Monday
Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (lower body) will return to action in Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night. This is a big boost for the team, especially after being without Karlsson since early November. The Swedish veteran appeared in only 14 regular-season games, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Vegas is expected to use Karlsson as the third-line center in Monday's game. Reilly Smith will be scratched to make room for Karlsson in the lineup. Karlsson ranks fourth in franchise history with 71 points (31 goals, 40 assists) in 106 postseason appearances.
Source: Vegas Golden Knights
Source: Vegas Golden Knights
Jakub Dobes Backstops Canadiens to Game 7 Victory
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes produced 28 saves as the team beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 on Sunday. The Canadiens needed every one of Dobes' saves because Tampa Bay limited them to just nine SOG. Montreal's SOG total was the lowest for a winning team in the playoffs since SOG were first officially tracked in the 1959-60 season. Despite three losses in the first-round series, Dobes has been among the best goaltenders in the league this postseason. He has posted a 2.03 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. Next, he must contain a Buffalo offense that averaged 3.33 goals per game in Round 1 against Boston.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Quinn Hughes Takes Over Postseason Scoring Lead With Three-Point Effort
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes became the leading scorer of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, posting his second consecutive three-point game with one goal and two assists. In an extraordinary contest featuring 14 different goal-scorers, Hughes had the eighth goal to tie the game at four in the second period. The Olympic champion became only the fifth defenseman in the past 25 years to record back-to-back three-point games in the playoffs. His tally this postseason includes three goals and eight assists, making Hughes the fastest player in Wild history to reach 10 playoff points with the team.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cale Makar Shakes Off Injury to Collect Three Points in Game 1
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar opened the second-round series against the Minnesota Wild with three points in a 9-6 win on Sunday. The star defenseman sat out most of the first period due to an apparent lower-body injury, but he made a big impact in the game. Makar produced an assist early in the second period and scored two goals in the third. In the high-scoring affair, the Avalanche saw four different defensemen score in a playoff game for the first time in franchise history. Devon Toews added three assists to finish with a game-high four points. Makar has started to pick up speed in the playoffs, recording points in three consecutive outings. In total, he's notched five points (four goals, one assist) in five games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Owen Tippett a Game-Time Decision Monday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) is expected to be a game-time decision for Monday's Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Gabriela Carroll of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The 27-year-old is dealing with an undisclosed injury and didn't play in the series opener. On Sunday, Tippett was on the ice for an optional skate and left with the main group rather than staying late, as he did on Saturday before missing Game 1. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said Tippett's status was "the same thing, day-to-day." Tippett managed one goal and one assist in six outings during Round 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Garnet Hathaway filled in for Tippett on Saturday but saw a team-low 9:31 of ice time, making him a non-factor in fantasy.
Source: Gabriela Carroll
Source: Gabriela Carroll
Logan Stanley Practices Fully Sunday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley (illness) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Justin Alpert of the Sabres' official site reports. Due to a stomach virus, Stanley couldn't help his squad in Friday's series-clinching win over Boston. His full participation in practice suggests he will be available for Buffalo's second-round opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Stanley recorded a career-high 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 76 regular-season appearances. In the playoffs, he hasn't had the same offensive impact, finishing scoreless in five first-round games.
Source: Justin Alpert
Source: Justin Alpert
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
