NHL Hockey Player News

Amidst the news that Linus Ullmark is a game-time decision for Game 3 (undisclosed), Jeremy Swayman is expected to make his 2022-23 playoff debut between the crease Friday. The 24-year-old was arguably the best backup net minder in the entire NHL during the regular season, with his 24-6-4 record, 2.27 GAA and .920 SV%. He will hope to get the Bruins back in the win column vs. Florida, who finished the regular season first in the NHL in shots per game (36.8).

Lyon stopped 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) to even up the Panthers' opening series with a 6-3 win over Boston in Game 3. The 30-year-old journeyman had an exceptional end to the 2022-23 season as he propelled Florida into the playoffs with his 9-4-2 record, 2.89 GAA and .914 SV%. He will hope for more positive results in Game 3 vs. Boston, who closed out the regular season second in the NHL in goals per game (3.67) and ninth in shots per game (33.0).

Romanov has been out since April 1st due to an upper-body injury but is looking likely to rejoin the Islanders' lineup for Game 3 after taking part in their morning skate Friday. The 23-year-old bruising defensemen will make a welcome addition to New Yorks' back end as he had two goals, 20 assists, 100 SOG, 43 PIMs and a +13 plus/minus through 76 games during the regular season.

Sorokin allowed four goals on 36 shots (.900 SV%) as he took the overtime loss in Game 2 to go down 0-2 in the series but will start Game 3 Friday. The 27-year-old will be hoping for some more offensive support, as he has been sensational with his 0-2-0 record, 2.92 GAA and .932 SV% in these playoffs. He will hope for some different results as the Carolina Hurricanes head to town, who were third in the NHL in shots per game (34.8) during the regular season.

Vanecek allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) for a Game 1 loss as he was downed 5-1 by the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old had an incredibly strong first season in New Jersey, with his 33-11-4 record, 2.45 GAA and .911 SV%. He will hope for better fortunes in Game 2, as New York was 12th in the NHL in goals per game (3.33) and had the seventh-best powerplay in the NHL (24.1).

eannot has been out since April 6th due to a lower-body injury but will return to Tampa Bay's lineup Thursday for Game 2 vs. Toronto. The 25-year-old finished his 2022-23 regular season with six goals, 12 assists, 107 SOG, 107 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 76 games with Tampa Bay and Nashville and will make a huge addition to their lineup when he returns.

Brossoit allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in an ugly 5-1 opening series loss to Winnipeg Tuesday and will start Game 2 Thursday. The 30-year-old was incredible during his short 11-game showing this season, with his 7-0-3 record, 2.17 GAA and .927 SV%. He will hope for much better results as he takes on the Winnipeg Jets at home Thursday, who was 10th best in the NHL in goals allowed (2.73) this season.

Pavelski exited Game 1 vs. Minnesota after just 10:08 TOI due to an undisclosed injury after taking a large hit from Matt Dumba which resulted in a roughing penalty was out for Game 2, and will remain out for Games 3 and 4 as he remains in concussion protocol. The 38-year-old's absence will be a massive loss as he finished his regular season with 28 goals, 77 points, 184 SOG, 13 PIMs and a +27 plus/minus through 77 games.

Grubauer was sensational in Game 1 stopping 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) as he beat his old team in the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Tuesday. The 31-year-old played much better Tuesday than he did throughout the season, having a 17-14-4 record, 2.85 GAA and .895 SV%. He will be hoping for a similar result in Game 2 as he takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who were 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.34) during the regular season.

Hellebuyck was not very busy in Game 1, stopping 16 of 17 shots (.941 SV%) as he beat Vegas 5-1 in the series opener. The 29-year-old is coming off a fantastic 2022-23 regular season, where he was 37-25-2 with a .920 SV% and 2.49 GAA. He will hope for more smooth sailing as he takes on Vegas Thursday, who finished the regular season 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.26).

Driedger was 9-4-0 with a 2.61 GAA and .908 SV% with the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) and has been recalled to Seattle to be their third goalie for the playoffs. The 28-year-old did not see any NHL action with the Kraken this season but has 65 career NHL games experience between Seattle, Florida and Ottawa.

Grubauer was sensational in Game 1 stopping 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) as he beat his old team in the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Tuesday. The 31-year-old played much better Tuesday than he did throughout the season, having a 17-14-4 record, 2.85 GAA and .895 SV%. He will be hoping for a similar result in Game 2 as he takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who were 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.34) during the regular season.

Georgiev stopped 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) but took the hard loss as he was downed 3-1 by the Seattle Kraken in Game 1 Tuesday. The 27-year-old was incredible in his first season in Colorado, ranking second all-time in single-season franchise wins with a 40-16-6 record, .919 SV% and 2.53 GAA. He will hope for better results in Game 2 vs. Seattle, who finished the 2022-23 season fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.52).

MacEachern had 11 goals, 19 assists, 12 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 37 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) and has been recalled to Carolina on Thursday. The call-up comes on the news that Teavu Teravainen has a broken hand and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs.