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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
Owen Tippett Unlikely to Play Saturday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) is considered doubtful for Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports. The 27-year-old has been banged up in the postseason and didn't practice on Friday. After Saturday's morning skate, he put in extra work with those likely to be healthy scratches for Game 1. During the first-round series against Pittsburgh, Tippett was limited to two points (one goal, one assist) and nine SOG over six games. Players such as Matvei Michkov and Alex Bump may see more ice time on Saturday if Tippett doesn't play.
Source: Kevin Kurz
Source: Kevin Kurz
Jonas Brodin to Miss Game 1 Against Avalanche
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) won't be available for Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. He hasn't traveled with the team and will miss a second consecutive game due to a lower-body injury. Jeff Petry took Brodin's spot in the lineup in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars. On Saturday, Wild head coach John Hynes didn't say if he would remain in the lineup. Even if he plays, Petry isn't expected to make a significant impact. He logged only 7:13 of ice time in his 2026 postseason debut and didn't record any counting stats.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nikita Zadorov Played Through Torn MCL in Playoffs
Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (knee) was seriously hurt during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Conor Ryan of Boston.com reports. "I tore my MCL in Game 3. Fully torn off the bone. I played on it a little bit," Zadorov said after Friday's Game 6 loss to Buffalo. Remarkably, Zadorov still averaged 21:27 of ice time per game after being injured. It's unclear how much recovery time Zadorov will need, though he'll almost certainly spend a significant part of the offseason rehabbing his knee. The Russian blue-liner had his second year in Boston this season, finishing with 22 points (two goals, 20 assists), 107 SOG, 102 blocks, and 196 hits.
Source: Conor Ryan
Source: Conor Ryan
Connor McDavid Played With Fractured Foot Against Ducks
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid played through a fracture in the foot and ankle area in Round 1 against the Anaheim Ducks, head coach Kris Knoblauch revealed on Saturday. He was injured in Game 2 of the series and wasn't able to play at his best, though McDavid tallied six points (one goal, five assists) over six games in the series. According to Knoblauch, third-line center Jason Dickinson also dealt with a similar injury. In 2026-27, McDavid will start a new two-year, $25 million contract. The Oilers captain is determined to bring the Stanley Cup to Edmonton. "I want to win and I want to win here in Edmonton," McDavid said. "That's my focus."
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alexander Nikishin a Game-Time Call Saturday
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) is a game-time decision on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports. He reportedly has one more test to pass to clear the NHL's concussion protocol. Nikishin sustained his concussion last Saturday in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators. He wore a regular jersey at Friday's practice, a good sign that he will be available for the second-round opener. In Round 1, Nikishin failed to register a point but contributed five blocks and six hits in four games. He's filling a third-pairing role on defense and skating with the second power-play unit.
Source: Walt Ruff
Source: Walt Ruff
