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Cutter Gauthier Records Hat Trick of Assists in Game 4 Win
Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier produced three assists in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 22-year-old delivered two helpers on the power play, recording his first points of the second-round series. Gauthier became the youngest player in Ducks history to register a three-assist game in the playoffs. He is also the first player in franchise history to record multiple three-point games in the postseason before turning 23. After a successful regular season, Gauthier has maintained his scoring form in the most important part of the campaign. With 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 10 games, he is tied for the top spot on Anaheim's scoring charts.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Auston Matthews Uncertain About Future With Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews is uncertain about his future with the team, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. Toronto won the 2026 draft lottery this week, giving the team a boost after a disappointing season, but Matthews' future may lie elsewhere. He has two years remaining on his contract, with a $13.25 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause. Matthews missed the playoffs for the first time with Toronto this season and has never advanced past the second round since entering the league in 2016. He has enjoyed significant individual success, earning the Hart Trophy in 2022 and three Rocket Richard Trophies. At 28, Matthews is still in his prime, but no career lasts forever, and he may want a change of scenery to improve his chances of winning the Stanley Cup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Frederik Andersen Enjoying Special Postseason
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen remained undefeated in Game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, improving to 8-0 this postseason. Carolina has made a great start to the playoffs, sweeping two opponents, and Andersen has been a major factor in that success. He has yet to allow more than two goals this postseason, registering a 1.12 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. Previously, only three netminders in NHL history had started a postseason with eight consecutive wins. With Andersen looking nearly unbeatable, Carolina appears well-positioned to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 20 years.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Manson "Close" to Returning
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is on the cusp of rejoining the lineup, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. After Sunday's practice, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Manson was "close" to returning. He has missed four games due to an upper-body injury. Nick Blankenburg
will likely come out of the lineup if Manson is cleared to play in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday night. With 31 points (five goals, 26 assists) in 79 regular-season games, Manson had his second-best scoring campaign. He also made a solid offensive impact early in the postseason, recording two assists in three games.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Joel Kiviranta Could Return to Action Monday
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (undisclosed) could be available for Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. He has been out of action for five games. Kivitanta played in Colorado's first two games of the postseason, logging three SOG, five hits, and a plus-two rating. If he's cleared to play, Kiviranta will be a bottom-six option for the Avalanche and help the penalty kill, which struggled in Saturday's 5-1 loss to Minnesota, allowing two power-play goals.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Radko Gudas a Game-Time Call Sunday
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) is a game-time decision for Sunday's meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports. The Ducks are hoping to get their captain back after an eight-game absence, and the signs are good that Gudas will make his return. He skated on the third defensive pairing Sunday morning, replacing Drew Helleson (undisclosed), who has been ruled out for Sunday's game. If he indeed returns, Gudas will add experience and physicality to the Ducks' lineup, but he is unlikely to make a difference on the offensive end.
Source: Derek Lee
Source: Derek Lee
Mark Stone Unavailable Sunday
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (undisclosed) will miss Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports. The Golden Knights will be without their captain due to an undisclosed injury Stone suffered in Game 3. Stone has contributed three goals and four assists in nine games this postseason. In Stone's absence, Brandon Saad will make his 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. Saad is coming off a disappointing regular season, in which he posted only nine points (three goals, six assists) in 49 outings. The 33-year-old has decent playoff pedigree, but his lack of form makes him an unattractive DFS target on Sunday.
Source: Derek Van Diest
Source: Derek Van Diest
Blackhawks Bring in Roman Kantserov for Next Season
The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to sign 21-year-old forward prospect Roman Kantserov to an entry-level contract, ESPN's Ryan S. Clark reports. Kantserov's current team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL, announced on Friday that it had terminated his contract, clearing the way for him to start his NHL career. Kantserov was selected 44th by the Blackhawks in the 2023 draft. He had a spectacular KHL campaign with Metallurg in 2025-26, scoring 64 points (36 goals, 28 assists) in 63 games. Kantserov finished the regular season ninth in points and led the league in goals. It remains to be seen how well Kantserov's game translates to the NHL, but he has the potential to make an immediate impact with the Blackhawks next season.
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Mason McTavish Set to Rejoin Ducks Lineup Sunday
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish will play in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. He has sat out the last two games as a healthy scratch. McTavish landed in the press box after his four-game point streak ended in the second-round opener against Vegas. During his first postseason campaign, McTavish has recorded four points (one goal, three assists), 14 SOG, 19 hits, and a plus-one rating in seven appearances. He has generally made a positive impact and should have something to prove on Sunday night as the Ducks try to tie the series at two on home ice.
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Lukas Dostal to Remain in Ducks Crease Sunday
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal will start Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville will keep faith in Dostal despite his awful Game 3 performance. Dostal wasn't himself on Friday night, allowing three goals on eight SOG in the first period. Ville Husso took over the crease after the first intermission, stopping 17 of 19 pucks. Before Friday's Game 3, Dostal had allowed two or fewer goals in three straight contests, and the Ducks will hope to see him return to that level. Overall, the Czech netminder has recorded a 3.48 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage this postseason, winning five of nine starts.
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Zach Bogosian Back for Wild Saturday
Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian (lower body) will re-enter the lineup for Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. The 18-year veteran didn't play in Game 2 due to a lower-body injury. Jeff Petry will be scratched to make room for Bogosian, who will skate with Jake Middleton in Saturday's game. In seven playoff appearances this year, Bogosian hasn't recorded any points, but he does have eight blocks and eight hits on his account. He has been limited to 13:09 of ice time per game, and Bogosian's workload is unlikely to increase on Saturday night.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Jesper Wallstedt Starting Game 3 Against Avalanche
Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt will be back between the sticks in Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. Wallstedt has been Minnesota's No. 1 this postseason, but Filip Gustavsson took over the crease in Game 2. Wild head coach John Hynes gave Wallstedt some time off after he allowed eight goals in the series opener against Colorado. It was a really tough night for Wallstedt, but he has been solid overall this postseason. The 23-year-old Swedish native holds a 4-3 record and has allowed 2.81 goals with a .903 save percentage. He'll look to bounce back Saturday on home ice, where Wallstedt has won two of three playoff outings.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Joel Eriksson Ek Not Ready to Return Saturday
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) will remain out on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The Swedish forward is close to returning from a lower-body injury, but he won't be available for a third consecutive game on Saturday night. As a result, Danila Yurov will continue in a second-line role and skate with the second power-play unit. Yurov has recorded assists in each of the first two games against Colorado, earning his first career postseason points. In six playoff appearances, the 22-year-old Russian rookie has also registered five SOG and nine hits.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Owen Tippett Won't Play Saturday
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (undisclosed) will remain sidelined on Saturday for Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Despite regularly participating in practices and morning skates, Tippett has yet to play in the series due to an undisclosed injury. He was again on the ice on Saturday morning. With Tippett on the shelf, the Flyers have lacked sharpness offensively in Round 2, scoring just three goals in three games. Their season will end Saturday night with another loss, putting added pressure on players such as Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny to spark the offense.
Source: Jordan Hall
Source: Jordan Hall
Mike Matheson Leads by Example in Game 2 Win
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson had not scored a goal in 16 postseason games. Matheson had easily been passed on the offensive depth chart among defenseman by Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson. However, the defender fired a slapper past Alex Lyon on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres that turned heads. Matheson made the game 2-0 less than five minutes into the contest. From there, the defenseman made an impact in other ways with three shots on goal, three blocked shots, and protecting Zach Benson's head. Also, Matheson logged a game-high 26:44 of ice time on 25 shifts in the Game 2 road triumph.
Source: Eric Engels
Source: Eric Engels
