NHL Hockey Player News

Frederik Andersen was near-perfect in the opening three rounds of the postseason, but has struggled in the Stanley Cup Finals, leading to Brandon Bussi relieving him in Game Three for his first postseason appearance in an eventual 5-4 overtime loss. The 27-year-old went on to make his first postseason start in Game Four, helping his team even the series at 2-2 with a 5-3 victory. Bussi has saved 36 of 40 shots (.900 SV%) in his two appearances and will likely return to the crease in a pivotal Game Five. The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as -151 home favourites against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kochetkov will dress for the first time in these Stanley Cup Playoffs as Frederik Andersen is listed as a scratch. Kochetkov himself missed most of the regular season due to injury, appearing in just nine games.

Andersen was relieved in Game 3 at the start of the third period in favour of Brandon Bussi. It appeared to be due to the 4-0 deficit the Canes faced at the time, though it now appears it could have been related to an undisclosed injury. Bussi will start Game 4 and Pyotr Kochetkov will serve as his backup.

Hart hasn't performed at an elite level through the opening three games of the Stanley Cup Finals, but he's done enough to backstop Vegas to a 2-1 series lead. He and the Golden Knights remarkably still managed to secure a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 3 despite blowing a four-goal lead in the third period. Vegas enters action in Game 4 at -110 on the money line.

Bussi will make his first start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday after relieving Frederik Andersen at the start of the third period in Game 3. Bussi stopped the first 18 shots he faced in that game before a bad-bounce in the second period of overtime resulted in a game-winning goal for Shea Theodore and the Golden Knights. The Hurricanes enter action in Game 4 at -110 on the money line.

McNabb missed most of Game 2 after taking a slap shot off the face, but logged a massive 35:47 TOI in Game 3. McNabb missed Monday's practice but head coach John Tortorella said he expects the bruising defenseman to remain in the lineup for Game 4 on Tuesday. McNabb has been great for Vegas throughout the postseason, and comes into Game 4 with 33 blocked shots (7th most in the playoffs) and 34 hits (35th) to go along with nine points (1G / 8A) in 18 games.

Hanifin left Game 3 in the second period after a hit from Jordan Martinook but eventually returned early in the third period. He missed practice on Monday but head coach John Tortorella said he expects Hanifin to play in Game 4 on Tuesday. Through 19 playoff games, Hanifin has picked up seven assists, 23 SOG, 19 hits and 40 blocked shots.

McCarron was acquired by Minnesota from the Nashville Predators ahead of the 2025-26 trade deadline and immediately made an impact with his new team. The 31-year-old forward recorded 40 hits and five points (3G / 2A) in 20 regular-season games with Minnesota, but his presence in the postseason, playing tough defensive minutes and scoring four points (2G / 2A) in 11 games, likely contributed most to his six-year contract extension worth $3.3 million AAV.

Mcnabb could not finish Game 2 due to a scary upper-body injury but is warming up and expected to play Game 3 vs. Carolina. The 35-year-old is expected to wear a cage and return to his spot on Vegas' top defensive unit. In 17 playoff games this offseason, he has a goal, seven points and is a +10 plus/minus.

Despite splitting starts all regular season with Brandon Bussi, Frederik Andersen will make his 16th straight postseason appearance in Carolina's crease for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final Saturday. The 36-year-old Danish goalie has been sensational all offseason despite struggling in the first two games of this series vs/ Vegas, posting a 13-2-0 record, 1.72 GAA and .917 SV%. He will hope to propel Carolina to a 2-1 series lead on the road Saturday as the Hurricanes heads to Vegas for a primetime matchup.

After two straight four goal efforts against, Carter Hart will look for a change of fortune as Vegas hosts Carolina for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The 27-year-old has already surpassed his regular season win total (11) and is looking to pick up his 14th victory of the post season on Saturday. He currently owns a 2.41 GAA alongside a .917 SV% and 13-5-0 record.

After a successful second campaign in Ontario (AHL), Aatu Jamsen has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain in Los Angeles organization for the 2026-27 season. The 23-year-old Finnish forward was Los Angeles' 2020 7th round pick (190th overall) and rewarded the Reign with 16 goals, 28 points and 26 PIMs in 59 games played last season.

St. Louis has solidified its goaltending depth after it announced the Blues had signed Georgi Romanov to a two-year, two-way contract extension. The 26-year-old last appeared in the NHL with San Jose in 2024-25, going winless across eight appearances. He is expected to start the 2026-27 season in Springfield (AHL), where he shared the Thunderbirds crease last season, going 9-12-4 with a .896 SV% and 3.29 GAA.

Gaucher appeared in only four games with Philadelphia in 2025-26 but has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract ahead of the 2026-27 season. The undrafted 25-year-old forward is expected to start this upcoming season with Lehigh Valley (AHL), where he had his second consecutive 20 goal campaign last year.

Warren made his NHL debut in 2025-26 but only appeared in eight games for the Islanders but has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain in New York's organization. The 25-year-old defensemen was a sixth round pick (166th overall) in 2019 and has spent the majority of the last two seasons in the AHL after a successful collegiate career at the University of Michigan (NCAA).

Game 1 wasn't Hart's best performance, but it was enough to secure his seventh straight victory of the postseason. He's posted a stellar 1.98 GAA and .937 SV% during that stretch and will look to keep things rolling in Game 2 on Thursday. The Golden Knights once again find themselves as +142 road underdogs.