NHL Hockey Player News

Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but he is an option to replace Ross Colton if Colton is unable to go, which seems more likely after being activated from LTIR.

Blackwood was outstanding in Saturday's Game 1 victory over the Dallas Stars and will likely return to the crease on Monday for Game 2. The 28-year-old Blackwood faced several high-danger chances, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), including several early before the game became out of reach in an eventual 5-1 victory. Colorado enters game two as -148 road favorites against Dallas.

Walman did not play the Oilers' final five games this season, recovering from an undisclosed injury, but will return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings. The 29-year-old Walman was acquired at the trade deadline and scored eight points (1G / 7A) in 15 games with the Oilers.

Frederic has battled an ankle injury for nearly two months, returning to the lineup for a one-game stint in early April, but was sidelined after reaggravating the ailment. He could return to the ice for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, providing a physical boost to the Oilers roster. The 27-year-old Frederic had 15 points (8G / 7A) and 157 hits in 58 games this season.

Kuemper did not play the Kings' final two games of the season, but he will return to the crease for Game One against the Edmonton Oilers. The 34-year-old Kuemper sported one of the best seasons of his career, posting a stellar 2.02 GAA, .921 SV%, and five shutouts in 50 appearances (31-11-7). In addition, Kuemper was outstanding against the Oilers this season, posting a 1.05 GAA and .960 SV% in four games (3-1-0). The Kings enter Game One as -126 home favorites against the Oilers.

Bourque logged the second-lowest TOI (10:37) in Game 2, finishing with three SOG, 2 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating. He's expected to be replaced by Colin Blackwell in the lineup for Game 2.

Blackwell was a healthy scratch in the season finale and Game 1, but is expected to replace Mavrik Bourque in Game 2. Blackwell finished the regular season with 17 points (6G / 11A) in 63 games.

Skinner saw limited action in the previous month, recovering from an injury, but played two games in the final week and was outstanding (2-0-0), posting a 0.50 GAA, .972 SV%, and one shutout. He will be between the pipes for Game 1 on Monday against a Los Angeles Kings team he was excellent against in two contests this season (1-0-1), posting a 1.95 GAA and .932 SV%. The Oilers enter Game 1 as +114 road underdogs against the Kings.

Heiskanen took part in the Stars' morning skate but will remain sidelined for Game 2 vs. the Avalanche. Consider him questionable for Game 3.

Colton left Game 1 with lower-body injury and did not return. The Avalanche coaching staff said that Colton is feeling "not great," so he seems closer to doubtful than questionable. Gabriel Landeskog is an option to replace Colton in the lineup if he's unable to play.

Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 season, but appeared in two AHL games during a conditioning loan this month. The Avalanche did not confirm that he would play, but he is an option to replace Ross Colton if Colton is unable to go.

Schneider missed the final two games of the regular season and had been playing through the shoulder injury, and wanted to address it before the 2025-26 season. He already underwent surgery, so he's expected to be in training camp in the spring.

Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and will miss Game 1, but is expected to play at some point in the series. Anthony Beauvillier has been skating in the Capitals' top-6 recently to replace Protas.

Trineyev was a fourth-round pick of the Capitals in 2020 and has spent the last two seasons in Hershey (AHL) after coming over from the KHL. In 2024-25, Trineyev had 14 goals and eight assists (22 points) in 62 games.

As expected, the Blues will stay with Binnington between the pipes for the second game of their first round matchup with the Jets. Binnington did not have his best performance in Game 1, allowing four goals on 25 shots in the eventual 5-3 defeat. The 31-year-old netminder started 54 regular season games for the Blues, posting a 28-22-5 record and a .900 SV%. The Blues enter action on Monday at +160 on the money line.

Thompson has not played since April 2nd, recovering from an upper-body injury, but has practiced the last several days. He was the first goalie off the ice at Washington's morning skate on Monday, typically indicating the starting goalie. The 28-year-old Thompson had an outstanding 2024-25 campaign, his first with the Capitals, posting a 2.49 GAA and .910 SV% in 43 games (31-6-6). That said, he struggled in the latter half of the season, posting a 3.22 GAA and .877 SV% in his final 13 appearances (7-4-2). The Capitals enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as -179 home favorites.