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Roope Hintz Likely to Miss Entire First-Round Series
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (lower body) is not expected to return to action during the first-round series against the Minnesota Wild. Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan has ruled Hintz out for Tuesday's Game 5 and Thursday's Game 6. He is also considered unlikely to play in a potential Game 7. A lower-body injury knocked Hintz out of the lineup on March 6. With Hintz absent, Justin Hryckowian has skated on the first line in the playoffs. He has been a physical force, recording 15 hits, but his offensive production has been limited. In four games, Hryckowian has contributed one assist and managed only one SOG.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Jason Zucker Good to Go for Game 5
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (undisclosed) will play in Game 5 against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports. He has been cleared for action after Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff labeled Zucker probable for the game on Monday. The veteran forward left Sunday's Game 4 early with an unspecified ailment. Zucker is expected to skate in his usual spot on the second line and will work with the first power-play unit. He has eight SOG but no points in four games in the series.
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Josh Norris Won't Play Tuesday
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (undisclosed) won't be in action on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports. On Tuesday morning, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters that Norris is available for selection, but he didn't take part in line rushes during the morning skate. He will sit out a third consecutive game. Tyler Kozak (undisclosed) has been Norris' replacement in the lineup and is good to go on Tuesday after making an early exit in Sunday's Game 4. In the playoffs, Kozak has recorded one assist in two outings, averaging two hits and 9:47 of ice time per game.
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Colton Dach Available Tuesday
Edmonton Oilers forward Colton Dach (illness) appears to be available for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks. According to Tony Brar of Oilers TV, Dach participated in the morning skate after missing Game 4 of the series due to illness. The 23-year-old has seen fourth-line minutes against the Ducks, recording three SOG and 15 hits across three appearances. On Tuesday, Dach could play a bigger role, depending on the availability of Connor McDavid (ankle) and Jason Dickinson (lower body). Should both be cleared, Dach is projected to replace Josh Samanski in the lineup.
Source: Tony Brar
Source: Tony Brar
Connor Ingram Returns to Oilers Net for Game 5
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram will be back in the crease for Tuesday's elimination game against the Anaheim Ducks, Jamie Umbach of the Oilers' official site reports. After seeing Ingram struggle in back-to-back contests, Edmonton decided to go with Tristan Jarry in Game 4. Jarry did a decent job with 34 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss, but Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has decided to go back to Ingram. "Nothing against Jarry," Knoblach said Tuesday morning. "I thought he had a solid game the other night, but this last few weeks or months, Ingram's been our starter and he's been our guy. Now that our season's on the line, we felt that we would go with our guy." Ingram allowed 11 goals in Games 2 and 3. He has a 4.70 goals-against average and a .849 save percentage this postseason. The Oilers' hopes of staying alive on Tuesday hinge on Ingram improving his performance.
Source: Jamie Umbach
Source: Jamie Umbach
Jason Dickinson Considered a Game-Time Decision for Tuesday's Action
Edmonton Oilers center Jason Dickinson (lower body) will once again be a game-time decision on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old is banged up and has been labeled a game-time decision for most of the games in the first round. He returned to the lineup from a two-game absence in Game 4, contributing one assist in a 4-3 overtime loss. Edmonton has struggled in the series, but Dickinson has been productive this postseason, with three points (two goals, one assist) in two appearances. With Connor McDavid (ankle) potentially sidelined on Tuesday night, Dickinson could be called upon for extra ice time and a larger role if he's available.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Connor McDavid a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (ankle) is a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The Oilers captain didn't take part in Tuesday's morning skate because of an ankle injury sustained in Game 2 of the series. Despite the injury, McDavid has recorded back-to-back multi-point games after starting the playoffs with two scoreless efforts. He has tallied one goal and three assists. With Edmonton facing elimination on Tuesday night, it's hard to imagine McDavid missing the contest. However, if he can't play, the Oilers must lean more on Leon Draisaitl's line.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Mikhail Sergachev Has Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev opened his scoring account in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with three assists in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Thanks to Sergachev's puck-moving ability, the Mammoth turned a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 lead, but they couldn't close out the game. While Sergachev has over 100 postseason appearances under his belt, he has found his way onto the score sheet in back-to-back games just three times. Getting him going offensively would significantly improve Utah's chances against the Pacific Division champions in the first-round series.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brett Howden Records Three Points in Vital Win
Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden played a key role in Monday's 5-4 overtime comeback victory against the Utah Mammoth, scoring two goals and adding one assist. The Golden Knights were facing a 3-1 series deficit when Howden popped up with a game-tying goal midway through the third period. His first goal, scored in a shorthanded situation, gave Vegas a 2-0 lead in the first frame. Howden completed his three-point night with an assist on Shea Theodore's game-winning goal with less than a minute remaining in the first overtime period. Dating back to the regular season, Howden had gone six consecutive appearances without a point before sparking into life on Monday night. In Game 5 against Utah, he will aim to record points in back-to-back postseason games for the first time since the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rasmus Ristolainen Registers Two Assists in Game 5 Loss
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen had his second multi-assist game of the 2026 playoffs on Monday, setting up a pair of goals in a 3-2 defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the second period, Ristolainen helped Alex Bump score in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut and added a second assist on Travis Sanheim's goal. Ristolainen isn't known for his offensive prowess, yet he has emerged as Philadelphia's scoring leader in this series. After five games, Ristolainen has tallied five points (one goal, four assists), matching Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby. The Finnish rearguard is also averaging 1.8 hits per game in the series.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Arturs Silovs Helps Penguins Survive for Second Time
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs had another strong performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, stopping 18 pucks in a 3-2 win. The Latvian native became the third goaltender in Penguins history to record each of his first two playoff wins with the team in elimination games. Pittsburgh's decision to replace Stuart Skinner with Silovs has shifted the momentum in the matchup, leaving Dan Muse's team now only one win away from tying the series. Silovs has posted a .920 save percentage against Philadelphia, a significant improvement over Skinner's .873.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sidney Crosby Delivers Two Assists in Elimination-Game Win
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby recorded two assists as the team staved off elimination for the second time against the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-2 win on Monday. The Penguins captain was also inches away from scoring a goal, missing an empty net twice late in the game. Crosby has stepped up in the last couple of games, posting back-to-back multi-point outings after his team fell into a 3-0 hole in the first-round matchup. Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff series since 2018, and Crosby has entered desperation mode to avoid another early postseason exit. Overall, he has produced one goal and four assists in the series.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Predators Pick Up KHL Standout Vitali Pinchuk
The Nashville Predators have signed forward Vitali Pinchuk to a one-year, entry-level contract. The 24-year-old will join the Predators next season after spending the past six campaigns with Minsk Dynamo of the KHL. In 2025-26, he recorded a career-high 66 points (31 goals, 35 assists) in 65 games, ranking third in goals in the league. Pinchuk, a Belarusian native, was an undrafted free agent. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Pinchuk had narrowed his NHL options to Nashville and the Los Angeles Kings. The Predators were one of 13 teams to average fewer than 3.00 goals per game this season, and adding Pinchuk could give the offense a welcome boost if he adapts well to his new surroundings.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Jason Zucker Probable for Game 5 Against Bruins
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (undisclosed) is considered probable for Tuesday's Game 5 tilt against the Boston Bruins, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. The veteran forward left Sunday's Game 4 win midway through the third period. However, Zucker doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury and is likely to play as Buffalo attempts to finish off Boston on Tuesday. After four games in the series, Zucker is still searching for his first points. He has cooled off following a four-game point streak to end the regular season. Tyson Kozak (undisclosed), who also didn't finish Sunday's contest, is probable for Tuesday as well.
Source: Heather Engel
Source: Heather Engel
Josh Norris Could Return to Action Tuesday
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (undisclosed) might be available on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. On Sunday, Norris was unavailable for a second consecutive game after sustaining an undisclosed injury early in the first-round series. He was hot at the end of the regular season, totaling eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last seven games. However, the Bruins have kept him off the score sheet in the playoffs, limiting Norris to two SOG. If he's cleared to play, Norris will compete for a middle-six role and be an option for the power-play units.
Source: Heather Engel
Source: Heather Engel
