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Nazem Kadri Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri ended a brief scoreless spell with an assist in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Kadri and Brent Burns set up Ross Colton for the opening goal in the first period. The veteran forward had gone back-to-back games pointless before finding his way back on the score sheet. Offensively, Kadri has been one of Colorado's most consistent players this postseason, finishing without points in only four of his 11 outings. He has posted two goals and five assists, with four of his seven points coming on the power play.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ross Colton Nets Lone Avalanche Goal Friday Night
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton scored the team's only goal in Friday's 3-1 Game 2 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights. Late in the first period, Colton put Colorado 1-0 ahead, but the team couldn't build on it. In Game 1, Colton picked up an assist and has now been scoreless just once in his last four outings. He has tallied two goals and three assists in nine postseason appearances. Colton was a healthy scratch at the start of the playoff run, but he's recently cemented his spot in the lineup with strong performances. All five of his points have come in the last seven games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rasmus Andersson Extends Assist Streak to Four Games
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson recorded an assist in a fourth consecutive game as the team defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday. Andersson's assist streak was on the verge of ending, but it stayed alive thanks to Ivan Barbashev's empty-net goal with 1:03 left in the third period. Before his current streak, Andersson had assisted on only one goal in 10 playoff appearances this year. He has no goals on 22 SOG. On the defensive end, the Swedish blue-liner has contributed 21 blocks. While Andersson hasn't been very productive offensively in the postseason, he's still been a major part of the team's playoff run, averaging 24:00 of ice time per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pavel Dorofeyev Focuses on Playmaking in Friday's Win
Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev took on a playmaking role in Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, notching two assists in a 3-1 road win. While Dorofeyev leads the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 10 goals, he made a big mark on offense without lighting the lamp on Friday. The Golden Knights trailed 1-0 for over 30 minutes, but they turned the game around in the third period, with Dorofeyev helping Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev score. Dorofeyev has heated up late in the postseason, putting together a six-game point streak. Following 14 outings, he is averaging exactly a point per game.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jack Eichel Enjoys Multi-Point Outing in Game 2 Win Friday
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel played a key role in Friday's 3-1 comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. He tied the game at one 9:15 into the third period and set up Ivan Barbashev for the game-winning goal only two minutes later. Eichel recorded his sixth multi-point game of the postseason. He's been sharp throughout the playoffs, finishing scoreless only three times in 14 games. The four-time All-Star leads all skaters with 16 assists and has potted two goals. On Friday night, Eichel became the third-fastest U.S.-born player in history to reach 60 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, doing so in his 54th appearance.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ivan Barbashev Amasses Three Points as Golden Knights Grab 2-0 Series Lead
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev led the team to a valuable 3-1 road win against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night, scoring two goals and delivering one assist. Colorado was closing in on a series-tying win before Vegas' offense, led by Barbashev, clicked late in the game. Jack Eichel knotted things up, and Barbashev added two more goals, including an empty-netter. On Friday, Barbashev had more points than in his previous six games combined. He had a cold stretch after recording a postseason-opening seven-game point streak. Despite his recent slump, Barbashev is Vegas' fourth-leading scorer in the playoffs, boasting 12 points (five goals, seven assists) through 14 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Hurricanes Keep Faith in Frederik Andersen
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen struggled in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens, but the team will keep faith in him. "This game wasn't on him at all," Hurricanes head coach Brind'Amour said. "Freddie is pretty calm. One of his strengths is that he's able to just move on." Before Thursday's Game 1, Andersen was 8-0 this postseason, with a 1.12 goals-against average, a .950 save percentage, and two shutouts. He was beaten four times in the first period and finished with a .762 save percentage in a 6-2 loss. The Canadiens made Andersen look human again, but the veteran netminder rarely loses back-to-back games -- it's happened just twice in 2026.
Source: Kurt Dusterberg
Source: Kurt Dusterberg
Devon Levi Attracting Interest From Senators
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi has many admirers among rival teams, including the Ottawa Senators, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reports. Goaltending was a problem for Ottawa this season, as the team ranked 31st in the league with a .882 save percentage. Former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark missed 35 games for mental health reasons and lacked a serviceable backup. The highly rated Levi could address that issue. He might also be looking for a change of scenery after seeing action in only nine NHL games this season. Levi made his debut in the league a couple of campaigns ago and carries a 17-17-2 career record. He has registered a 3.29 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage. Levi has one season remaining on a two-year, $1.63 million contract.
Source: Kevin Weekes
Source: Kevin Weekes
Scott Wedgewood Starting Game 2 Against Golden Knights
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood will remain in the crease for Friday night's action against the Vegas Golden Knights, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Colorado has used both goalies in recent games, and there were questions about Wedgewood after he posted a .899 save percentage in a 4-2 Game 1 loss to Vegas. However, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has decided to stick with Wedgewood for now. The 33-year-old has made nine postseason outings, going 7-2. He has a 2.32 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Throughout the season, Wedgewood has responded well to setbacks, losing consecutive starts only four times. Another strong bounce-back performance from him on Friday would be critical for Colorado.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Ben Hutton Scratched for Game 2 Against Avalanche
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Ben Hutton will sit out Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday as a healthy scratch, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports. Hutton has been in the lineup since the start of the second round, making seven consecutive appearances. However, Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella has decided to give Kaedan Korczak another look. Korczak has made nine postseason appearances, recording one assist, three SOG, six blocks, and 19 hits. He will bring more physicality to the Vegas defense but is unlikely to make a fantasy impact.
Source: Jesse Granger
Source: Jesse Granger
Mark Stone Won't Play Friday
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (lower body) will remain sidelined on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports. Stone skated on Friday morning, but his absence will stretch to five games. As a result, Brandon Saad is poised to remain in the lineup and will have a chance to record a point in a second consecutive game after contributing an assist in Wednesday's 4-2 win in Game 1 against Colorado. Meanwhile, Brett Howden will continue in a second-line role, aiming to set a new franchise record with a seven-game postseason road point streak.
Source: Jesse Granger
Source: Jesse Granger
Cale Makar Remains Out Friday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (upper body) won't play in Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, ESPN's Ryan S. Clark reports. He will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Makar's absence leaves a gaping hole in Colorado's blue line, one that is nearly impossible to fill. The two-time Norris Trophy winner plays a major role on both ends of the ice. With Makar sidelined, Devon Toews led the team with 27:32 of ice time in Game 1, including 4:29 on the power play. Sam Malinski and Brent Burns also saw power-play time, while Brett Kulak was second among defensemen with 23:06 of ice time.
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Sebastian Aho Picks Up an Assist in Series-Opening Loss
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho delivered one assist in Thursday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals. Coming off an 11-day break, the Hurricanes' top line showed no rust at the start of the game as Aho and Andrei Svechnikov set up Seth Jarvis for the opening goal. However, eight minutes later, the Hurricanes were already down 3-1 and couldn't avoid their first postseason loss of the year. Despite the team's dominance, Aho has not been very productive in the playoffs. He has five points (three goals, two assists) in nine games, going scoreless five times. Based on what we saw in Game 1, Carolina will be in major trouble in the series if the team's top centerman can't improve his offensive production.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Seth Jarvis Needs 33 Seconds to Score in Game 1 Loss
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis scored only his second postseason goal of the year on Thursday, opening the scoring 33 seconds into Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. This is the third-fastest postseason goal in franchise history. Unfortunately for Jarvis and the Hurricanes, Montreal answered with four goals in the first period and won 6-2. While Carolina cruised into the Conference Finals with back-to-back sweeps, Jarvis has not had much fun in these playoffs. He has been limited to five points (two goals, three assists) in nine games. The Canadiens look ready to go toe-to-toe with Carolina, so Jarvis' improved play would be a welcome boost to the team.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jaccob Slavin Struggles in Game 1 Against Canadiens
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin had a nightmare in Thursday's Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens, finishing a 6-2 home loss with a minus-four rating. He was on the ice for three of Montreal's four first-period goals. "Personally, I think I handed them the game," Slavin said postgame. "I've got to be better." This was only the second time the 11-year veteran finished a game at minus-three or worse. Slavin is widely regarded as one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL and holds a plus-175 rating through 784 career regular-season games. He is plus-40 in 95 playoff outings. For this postseason, Slavin had an even rating before Thursday's game. He's averaged 2.11 blocks per game, but his offensive output has been limited to one assist in nine contests.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
