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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Set to Start Game 7
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News reports. The Sabres are returning to the Finnish netminder after Alex Lyon allowed three goals on three SOG to start Game 6. Lyon took over the crease after Luukkonen struggled in Game 5, giving up five goals through two periods with a .783 save percentage. He played a perfect game in Lyon's relief on Saturday, stopping 18 pucks. Luukkonen has been leaky throughout the playoffs, but given Lyon's performance over the weekend, there's really no other option for the Sabres on Monday night. In five postseason appearances, Luukkonen has a 3-2 record, a 3.36 goals-against average, and a .875 save percentage.
Source: Lance Lysowski
Source: Lance Lysowski
Tage Thompson Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson sits among the top scorers in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and can match a franchise record with another productive outing on Monday night in Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens. After erupting for four points in Game 6, Thompson boasts five multi-point games in the playoffs, one shy of tying Daniel Briere, Dale Hawerchuk, and Gilbert Perreault for Buffalo's record in a single postseason. Three of Thompson's multi-point performances have come in the last four games, during which he's racked up three goals and five assists. Across the entire postseason, Thompson has notched a team-high 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 12 games -- only Vegas' Mitchell Marner has more (18).
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nick Suzuki Seeks More Road Success Monday
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki has been a true road warrior in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing on the score sheet in all seven away outings so far. In Monday's Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres, he can join Mats Naslund as the second Canadiens player to start a postseason with an eight-game road point streak. In the 21st century, only five players in the entire league have recorded at least one point in each of their first eight road games of a playoff run. Bizarrely, Suzuki has gone scoreless in four of six home games. Yet he still ranks second on his team in the playoffs with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 13 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Lane Hutson Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson will enter Monday's Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres with a five-game assist streak. He's been a huge creative force for the Canadiens and could become only the sixth player in franchise history to record a six-game assist streak during the postseason. Larry Robinson was the last player to achieve it in 1978. In total, Hutson boasts 11 assists this postseason, tied for the second most behind Vegas superstar Jack Eichel (14). Montreal's prospects tend to rely heavily on Hutson, who leads the team with 13 points in 13 playoff outings. We should see him have a heavy workload on Monday night.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Filip Gustavsson Needs Offseason Surgery
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will undergo hip surgery in the offseason, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. Wild general manager Bill Guerin is unsure whether Gustavsson will be ready for the start of next season. Gustavsson had to settle for a backup role in the 2026 playoffs, and this is another blow to him. He lost his starting position to Jesper Wallstedt despite showing fine form during the regular season. In 49 starts, Gustavsson registered a 28-15-6 record, a 2.69 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and four shutouts. If he isn't ready to play at the start of the 2026-27 campaign, Gustavsson's streak of four straight 20-win seasons could be in jeopardy.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Quinn Hughes Open to Signing Extension This Offseason
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes said he is "definitely open" to signing a contract extension in the offseason, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. Hughes will finish a six-year, $47.1 million contract at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, and Minnesota will want to lock him up with a new deal after acquiring him from the Vancouver Canucks in December. The 26-year-old proved to be a great fit in Minnesota, amassing 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 regular-season games. He added 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 11 postseason outings. Since his debut campaign in 2019-20, Hughes has been among the most productive defensemen in the league and will aim for a fifth consecutive 70-point campaign next season.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Joel Eriksson Ek Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek couldn't play in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Colorado due to a heel injury. He broke the heel bone in his right foot during Minnesota's series-clinching Game 6 victory over Dallas in the first round. Although Eriksson Ek took part in the morning skate ahead of Game 3, his return doesn't appear to have been on the cards against Colorado. "You want to play," Eriksson Ek said. "I just couldn't do it. Too painful to skate." The Swedish forward also missed 12 regular-season games this year, finishing with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists). Eriksson Ek is a strong fantasy contributor when healthy and will remain a core piece of the Wild offense in 2026-27.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jonas Brodin Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin revealed he suffered a toe injury during the team's postseason run. The Swedish veteran fractured his right big toe in Game 5 against Dallas in the first round. He missed the first-round clincher and all five games of Round 2 against Colorado. Late in his career, Brodin has been prone to injuries. He hasn't played more than 62 games in any of the past four seasons. In 2025-26, he had one of the worst offensive campaigns of his 14-year NHL career, finishing with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 62 appearances. Brodin, who will turn 33 in July, has two seasons remaining on a contract with a $6 million cap hit.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sam Malinski Practices Fully Sunday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (upper body) practiced fully on Sunday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 27-year-old missed the last two games of Colorado's second-round series against Minnesota. Now that he's back on the ice, there's a strong chance Malinski will be ready to return to the lineup when the Western Conference Finals start on Wednesday. Throughout the season, Malinski has surprised many with his effective play. He shattered his career high with 40 points and has remained productive in the playoffs, totaling three points (one goal, two assists), 14 SOG, 14 blocks, and seven hits in seven outings. Jack Ahcan will drop out of the lineup once Malinski is cleared to play.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Josh Manson Rejoins Practice
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (undisclosed) was a full participant at Sunday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. He wasn't on the ice on Saturday and was labeled day-to-day. However, it appears Manson will be available to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against Vegas on Wednesday. Across the first two playoff series, Manson has appeared in five games. He's chipped in with two assists offensively and has recorded 13 hits. With Sam Malinski (upper body) also on track to play, the Avalanche defense looks set to be at full strength.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Jeremy Lauzon Misses Saturday's Practice
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) sat out Saturday's practice, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Lauzon missed the second-round series matchup with the Anaheim Ducks due to an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear whether he will be cleared to return for the Western Conference Finals against Colorado. In Round 1 against Utah, Lauzon didn't contribute offensively but had eight blocks and 14 hits in six games. With Lauzon out, Ben Hutton has seen regular action on the blue line. However, Hutton has been limited to 13:48 of ice time per game in a third-pairing role, making him a non-factor in fantasy.
Source: Danny Webster
Source: Danny Webster
Mark Stone Doesn't Practice Saturday
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (lower body) didn't practice on Saturday, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Stone missed the last three games of the second-round series against Anaheim due to a lower-body injury. It's not a good sign that Stone didn't practice on Saturday, but he still has some time to get healthy for the start of the next round -- the Western Conference Finals against Colorado begin on Wednesday. Stone has tallied three goals and four assists in nine playoff outings. Brandon Saad has been filling in for him, but with only 8:39 of ice time per game, his fantasy value is limited.
Source: Danny Webster
Source: Danny Webster
Josh Manson Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (undisclosed) didn't practice on Saturday and is considered day-to-day, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 34-year-old returned from an upper-body injury in Game 4 of the second-round series against Minnesota, but he still appears to be dealing with health issues. It's unclear whether Manson is still bothered by his previous upper-body injury or if this is a new problem. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar expects Manson to resume skating before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. Manson has appeared in five playoff games, recording two assists, eight SOG, 13 hits, and a plus-one rating.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Brent Burns Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (undisclosed) is day-to-day after missing Saturday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 41-year-old veteran appears banged up, but Colorado won't start the Western Conference Finals until Wednesday night, so Burns still has plenty of time to rest and recover. In nine playoff appearances, Burns has recorded three assists, 14 SOG, six blocks, 13 hits, and a plus-seven rating. He made the biggest impact in Wednesday's series-clinching victory over Minnesota, dishing out two assists.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Cale Makar Considered Day-to-Day
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (undisclosed) is day-to-day, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The star rearguard missed Saturday's practice. Luckily for the Avalanche, they still have plenty of time before their Western Conference matchup against Vegas starts -- Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday. Makar appeared to sustain a lower-body injury in Game 1 against Minnesota, but it's unclear whether he's still dealing with this issue. The two-time Norris Trophy winner hasn't been his usual productive self this postseason, finishing six of nine games pointless. He has recorded four goals and one assist.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
