NHL Hockey Player News

Hellebuyck comes into the playoffs riding a nine-game winning streak, posting a .919 SV% in the process. Hellebuyck finished tied for the NHL-lead in wins (44), tied for eighth in GAA (2.36) and 10th in SV% (.924). The Jets possess one of the best offences in the NHL and will be looking to make a deep run. Hellebuyck was 3-1-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .914 SV% vs. the Wild this season.

Brassard missed the final five games of the regular season but practiced each of the last two days and it looks like he will play in Game 1 vs. the Flyers. Brassard has been a notoriously good playoff performer, picking up 55 points (22G / 33A) in 78 career postseason games with the Rangers and Senators.

Quick finished the 2018 season with a SV% above .920 for the first time since 2012 and helped the Kings post the league’s best GAA in the NHL this year. Unsurprisingly, Quick was a much better goalie on home-ice and could struggle in what figures to be a madhouse in Vegas in Game 1. He didn’t face the Golden Knights this season, so this will be his first look at the Pacific Division’s top team.

Fleury was pulled in his final start of the regular season, but had an excellent year and will be key in the Golden Knights postseason success. Fleury, who has well documented postseason struggles, might be more comfortable as a playoff underdog rather than Stanley Cup favourite. Fleury was 1-0-1 with a 2.37 GAA and .931 SV% in two games against the Kings this season.

Murray missed a month in late-February/early-March with a concussion, but returned to go 4-3-1 with a 3.38 GAA and .898 SV% in eight games down the stretch. Murray had a down year, but has been ridiculous in the playoffs over the last two years. The 23-year-old is 22-9 with a 1.95 GAA, .928 SV% and four shutouts in 32 career playoff starts. If he can re-gain that form, the Penguins could win a third straight Stanley Cup.

Elliott stopped all 17 shots that he faced in the Flyers shutout win over the Rangers in the Flyers’ season finale. It was a much better outing than his return to the crease last Thursday. As long as he is healthy, Elliott will be in net for the Flyers. He was 0-1-1 with a 5.31 GAA and .864 SV% in his only two starts against the Penguins this season.

Spurgeon has been sidelined since March 13th with a hamstring tear, but it looks like he will be ready to go for Game 1 in Winnipeg. Spuregon skated next to Carson Soucy on the second pairing and it looks like he’ll play despite maybe not being 100 percent. Spurgeon’s return is huge with Ryan Suter (ankle) on the shelf and comes in with 37 points (9G / 28A) in 61 games this season.

Gibson missed the last three games of the regular season, but practiced for the first time in more than a week on Monday. Gibson’s availability will be key to the Ducks’ first-round success, but Ryan Miller showed he is capable of holding things down if Gibson isn’t 100 percent for Game 1.

Muzzin, who missed the final five games of the regular season was on the ice for Monday’s practice in a no-contact sweater and is a big question mark for Game 1. Muzzin is the Kings’ clear No.2 defenseman behind Drew Doughty and his availability during the first round will be crucial to the Kings’ success.

Iafallo missed the final four games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, but was back in a familiar spot in Monday’s practice. Iafallo, who tallied 25 points (9G / 16A) in 75 games this season, skated on the top-line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Iafallo seemed confident that he will play Game 1, but head coach John Stevens was not as sure.

Foligno missed the final six games of the regular season, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and is expected to be in for Game 1 against the Capitals. Foligno, who finished the season with 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points) in 72 games, will centre a line with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson on his wings.

Stamkos missed the final three games of the regular season but it was mostly just to ensure he would be ready for the start of the postseason. Stamkos had another good season, picking up 86 points (27G / 59A) in 78 games and will look forward to actually being healthy for the playoffs this season.

Brassard missed the final five games of the regular season, but his availability for Monday’s practice is a good sign that he will be available during the Penguins’ first round matchup with the Flyers. The 30-year-old centre picked up three goals and five assists in 14 games since joining the Penguins and has been a quality playoff performer during his career. Game 1 goes on Wednesday, so keep an eye on Brassard’s status over the next few days.

Soucy spent the majority of the 2017-18 season in the AHL, where he amassed 15 points (1G / 14A) in 67 games, but he also appeared in three games with Minnesota. With Ryan Suter definitely out to start the playoffs and Jared Spurgeon a big question mark, Soucy has been recalled and is expected to open the playoffs on the Wild’s second pairings.