NHL Hockey Player News

Nutivaara absorbed a big hit from Nikita Kucherov towards the end of Game 2 (Kucherov was suspended one-game for the hit) and it will cost Nutivaara at least one game as well. Nutivaara was on the ice for warmups but was a late scratch, which suggests that he won't be out long term. Adam Clendening will replace him on the blueline.

Hedman missed yesterday's practice and was listed as a game-time decision but will not play in Game 3 in Columbus. Braydon Coburn will draw into the Lightning lineup as they go to battle without Hedman or Nikita Kucherov.

Vlasic played just 7:02 TOI in Game 2 before leaving with an undislcosed injury. Tim Heed is expected to replace Vlasic on the blueline and skate next to Justin Braun.

Vasilevskiy surrendered five goals on 27 shots in the Lightning's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets in Game 2. Vasilevskiy, who could win the Vezina this season, has had a rough start to the postseason, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%) so far. Things will not get any easier in Game 3 as the Lightning will be without Nikita Kucherov (suspension) and Victor Hedman (injury).

Bobrovsky allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Blue Jackets 5-1 victory in Tampa Bay in Game 2. Bobrovsky has a history of playing poorly in the playoffs, but so far he has stopped 49 of the 53 shots (.925 SV%) that he has faced to give the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead. Now they return to Columbus, where Bobrovsky was 18-13-1 with a 2.73 GAA and .907 SV% in 32 appearances this season.

Makar was selected No.4 overall in 2017 and signs his entry-level contract after winning the Hobey Baker Award in his sophomore season at UMass-Amherst, where he had 16 goals and 33 assists (49 points) in 41 games. The Avalanche just tied the series up in Calgary and there's a chance that Makar could draw right into the lineup in Games 3 or 4.

Hellebuyck allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Jets 4-3 loss to the Blues in Game 2. Hellebuyck has allowed six goals on 58 shots (.897 SV%) through two games and now the Jets find themselves down 2-0 on the road. Hellebuyck was 15-11-1 with a 2.92 GAA and .913 SV% in 30 appearances on the road this season.

Binnington allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Blues 4-3 win in Winnipeg in Game 2. Binnington, who was the best goalie in the NHL after he was called up for good in January, has picked up right where he left off, stopping 50 of the 54 shots (.926 SV%) that he faced through two games. The 25-year-old now returns to St. Louis, where he was a ridiculous 14-2-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .922 SV% this season.

McCann missed Game 2 due to an upper-body injury but is expected to replace Teddy Blueger in the lineup in Game 2.

Lehner stopped 32 of 33 shots in the Islanders 3-1 win over the Penguins in Game 2. Lehner has done his job so far in this series, stopping 73 of the 77 shots (.948 SV%) that he has faced to give the Islanders a 2-0 series lead heading into Pittsburgh. Lehner was 13-7-3 with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV% on the road this year.

Murray surrendered three goals on 34 shots in the Penguins 3-1 loss to the Islanders in Game 2. The Penguins have fallen behind 2-0 in the series, with Murray allowing seven goals on the first 67 shots (.896 SV%) that he has faced. Now they return to Pittsburgh, where Murray was 13-10-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .906 SV% in the regular season.

Murray surrendered three goals on 34 shots in the Penguins 3-1 loss to the Islanders in Game 2. The Penguins have fallen behind 2-0 in the series, with Murray allowing seven goals on the first 67 shots (.896 SV%) that he has faced. Now they return to Pittsburgh, where Murray was 13-10-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .906 SV% in the regular season.

Lehner stopped 32 of 33 shots in the Islanders 3-1 win over the Penguins in Game 2. Lehner has done his job so far in this series, stopping 73 of the 77 shots (.948 SV%) that he has faced to give the Islanders a 2-0 series lead heading into Pittsburgh. Lehner was 13-7-3 with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV% on the road this year.

McCann was forced to miss Game 2 with an upper-body injury but is expected to be back on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel in Game 3.

Hedman missed Saturday's practice because he is "banged up" but head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that their No.1 defeneman will be available on Sunday evening. The Lightning are down 2-0 and without their best forward, so they need Hedman in the lineup.

Kucherov will miss Game 3 in Columbus after being suspended for a boarding incident in Game 2. The Lightning are in a tough spot, on the road, down 2-0 and without their best player. Mathieu Joseph will move into the Lightning's top-6 with Kucherov out.