NHL Hockey Player News
Voracek suffered a concussion on November 4th, 2022, an injury that would ultimately end his career. The veteran winger was a one-time all-star and finished his career with 806 points (223G / 583A) in 1058 games over 15 years with the Blue Jackets and Flyers.
Peeke took a Tyler Bertuzzi shot off the hand in his last shift and did not return to the game. Head coach Jim Montgomery did not have an update on Peeke's status post-game, adding that he'll be evaluated on Tuesday.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said that Pesce's injury is "not looking good" and that he would be re-evaluated on Tuesday. It sounds like Pesce is going to miss some time, which would be a huge blow to the Hurricanes' blueline. Luckily, they have great depth at the position and can turn to either veteran Tony DeAngelo or rookie Scott Morrow in Game 3 if Pesce is unavailable.
Janmark was nicked up at the end of the season and was questionable heading into their series with the Kings. Look for him to skate on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Evander Kane.
Kane revealed on Sunday that he's been dealing with a sports hernia this season and they decided it was best to rest him for the final three games of the regular season. Kane skated on the fourth line in Sunday's practice, so expect him to play a minimal role to begin the series vs. Los Angeles.
The Oilers will roll with Skinner in the crease in their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner lost two of his last three starts (1-2-0), including allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their final game of the season when the Oilers opted to rest their top five offensive contributors on the team. That said, Skinner had a serviceable 2023-24 campaign, posting a 2.62 GAA and .905 SV% in 59 contests (36-16-5). The Oilers enter game one as -165 home favourites.
Mantha missed the final two games of the regular season but will play in Game 1 in Dallas. Mantha, who tallied 10 points (3G / 7A) in 18 games after being traded to Vegas, is expected to skate on the third line with Willam Karlsson.
Pageau exited the Islanders' final game of the season after playing only 2:36 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury and missed Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 31-year-old Pageau had 33 points (11G / 22A), 189 hits, and 82 blocks in 82 games this season.
Despite rotating starts between Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov since the former returned from injury in early March, the Hurricanes will turn back to Andersen for a second consecutive game on Monday. Andersen has been on a tear since returning from the aforementioned injury, posting a 9-1-0 record and a .951 SV% over his final ten regular season appearances, and that form carried over into Game 1 on Saturday. Andersen allowed just a single goal on 34 shots as the Hurricanes sealed a 3-1 victory. They enter action tonight as -225 favourites over the Islanders in Game 2.
Despite a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 1 on Saturday, the Maple Leafs will roll with Samsonov in the crease for a second consecutive game. Samsonov allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) in a contest where the Maple Leafs were outclassed in most areas of the game. The Maple Leafs enter game two as +123 road underdogs against the Bruins.
Nylander played a full 82 games in each of the last two seasons but did not play in Toronto's 5-1 Game 1 loss to the Boston Bruins and is unavailable again for Game 2. There hasn't been much information on what is ailing Nylander but he is considered day-to-day and could be an option in game three on Wednesday.
Despite a sparkling 35-save performance from Jeremy Swayman in Game 1, the Bruins will stay committed to their usual rotation in net as Ullmark gets the nod between the pipes in Game 2. Ullmark's last start came last Tuesday against the Senators, where he allowed two goals on just 19 shots in a 3-1 defeat. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner finished his 2023-24 campaign with a 22-10-7 record and a .915 SV% across 40 appearances. He and the Bruins enter action tonight as -140 favourites in Game 2.
The Kings will turn to Talbot between the pipes in their game one matchup on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. The veteran Talbot struggled in his last two games (1-1-0), allowing seven goals on 41 combined shots (.829 SV%) but overall was serviceable this season for the Kings, posting a 2.50 GAA and .913 SV% in 54 games (27-20-6). The Kings enter game one as +149 road underdogs.
Grundstrom has been out since February 13th but it looks like he'll dress on the Kings' fourth line in game 1 vs. Edmonton. The 26-year-old winger did play two games with Ontario (AHL) during an LTIR conditioning loan and tallied one goal and one assist.
Carrier has not played since March 25th, missing the final 11 regular season games, but will draw back into the lineup for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carrier had eight points (6G / 2A) in 39 games this season and will likely skate on a line with Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar.
Pietrangelo missed the final seven games of the regular season after undergoing an appendectomy. His return will provide a huge boost to the Golden Knights' blueline and will push Alec Martinez back out of the lineup. Pietrangelo finished the 2024 regular season with. 33 points (4G / 29A) in 64 games.