NHL Hockey Player News

Andersen will be looking to bounce back in Game 2 after his eight game playoff winning streak was snapped in Game 1 after allowing five goals on 21 shots (.762 SV%) in the opener. The 36-year-old veteran net-minder has been nearly unbeatable in the playoffs thus far, with his eye-opening 8-1-0 record, 1.51 GAA and .932 SV%. He hosts the surging Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, who have won the last five contests between the two teams.

Calgary drafted Zarubin in the 3rd round of the 2024 NHL Draft (84th overall) and has signed the 20-year-old goaltender to a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. Zarubin spent 2025-26 with AKM Tula (MHL), posting an eye-popping .930 SV%, 2.17 GAA and 26-13-3 in 48 appearances last season.

Blankenburg will make his first appearance since Game 3 of Colorado's second round matchup against the Wild. He's appeared in four games this post-season, tallying one goal and zero assists. Jack Ahcan will sit in his place.

Ahcan will take a seat on Friday after dressing in each of Colorado's last three games. The 29-year-old blue-liner is a -3 rating with zero points across three games this post-season. Nick Blankenburg will draw back into the lineup in his place.

Hart was spectacular in Vegas' 4-2 victory over the Avalanche in Game 1, allowing just two goals on 38 shots. The 27-year-old netminder is having an outstanding post-season for the Golden Knights, posting a 9-4-0 record and a .917 SV% across 13 starts. Despite their Game 1 victory, Hart and the Golden Knights still enter Game 2 as the underdogs at +140 on the money line.

Korczak was a healthy scratch for Vegas' Game 1 victory vs. Colorado but will draw back into the lineup for Ben Hutton ahead of Game 2. Korczak is averaging just 12:18 TOI across nine playoff games as Vegas' sixth defensemen and has an assist and a -2 plus/minus.

Despite Vegas winning Game 1 vs. Colorado, they will be switching up their defensive pairings after it was announced Kaeden Korczak would replace Ben Hutton for Game 2. Hutton has been solid across seven appearances this post season, with an assist and a +1 plus/minus while averaging 13:16 TOI/GP but will head to the press box on Friday.

Despite being a full participant in Friday's morning skate, Mark Stone will not return to Vegas' lineup for Game 2 vs. Colorado. Stone has not played since Game 3 of Vegas' previous series vs. Anaheim but seems on the cusp of returning in the upcoming games. The 34-year-old veteran has three goals, seven points and 18 SOG in nine games played so far this postseason.

Makar was a full participant in Colorado's morning skate ahead of Game 2 but will remain out with an upper-body injury on Friday as the Avalanche host the Golden Knights. The 27-year-old superstar's absence creates a massive hole in Colorado's defence after he put up four goals and five points in their first nine playoff games while averaging 24:59 TOI.

Despite allowing three goals on 27 shots against (.889 SV%) in Game 1, Colorado will stick with Scott Wedgewood as they host Vegas for Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Friday. The 33-year-old has yet to lose back-to-back games in the playoffs and will hope to bounce back to the sensational form we had seen in his previous eight playoff appearances. He holds a 7-2-0 record with a 2.32 GAA and .911 SV% in nine appearances this offseason. He will look to even the series and slow down Vegas' current three game winning streak.

Helleson played in eight of the Ducks' 12 postseason games but suffered a groin strain in Game 3 vs. the Golden Knights. He's expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp in the fall.

Mintyukov played through an MCL sprain throughout the postseason, failing to record a point in his 12 games. The Ducks expect him to be ready for training camp in the fall.

Gauthier broke his L1 and L2 vertebrae against the Maple Leafs on March 30th and played the final three games of the regular season and 12 playoff games. Gauthier is expected to be recovered fully for training camp in the fall. He'll look to build on a 41-goal breakout season in 2025-26.

The Ducks managed Terry's hip injury down the stretch, giving him plenty of morning skates off towards the end of the regular season and throughout the postseason. They said that his surgery is planned for the "near future" but his timeline for return is to be determined. So consider him out indefinitely.

Andersen and the undefeated Hurricanes enter the third round of the postseason well rested, having not played since sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-2 overtime victory 12 days ago. The 36-year-old Andersen has been tremendous this postseason, posting a 1.12 GAA and .950 SV% in eight games (8-0). Prolonged rest hasn't been an issue for Andersen and the Hurricanes so far this postseason, who began round two with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Flyers after a full week break. The Hurricanes enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as sizeable -193 home favourites.

Dobes stopped 37 of 39 shots in the Canadiens' Game 7 win in Buffalo on Monday. It was Dobes' best performance of Round 2, where he finished with a 3.03 GAA and .897 SV% in seven games. In the first and second round combined, Dobes is 8-6-0 with a 2.52 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games. Tonight he will start Game 1 in Carolina, a team he was 3-0-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .922 SV% against this season.

Struble has not played since Game 7 vs. the Lightning, sitting out the entire second-round vs. Buffalo. Struble is expected to replace Arber Xhekaj in the lineup for Game 1 in Carolina. Struble has not picked up a point in seven playoff games this season or in nine career playoff games.

Xhekaj played in all seven games vs. the Sabres, but is expected to be replaced by Jayden Struble in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Xhekaj has picked up one goal, one assist and 45 hits in 13 playoff games.

Andersen and the undefeated Hurricanes enter the third round of the postseason well rested, having not played since sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-2 overtime victory 12 days ago. The 36-year-old Andersen has been tremendous this postseason, posting a 1.12 GAA and .950 SV% in eight games (8-0). Prolonged rest hasn't been an issue for Andersen and the Hurricanes so far this postseason, who began round two with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Flyers after a full week break. The Hurricanes enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as sizeable -193 home favourites.