NHL Hockey Player News

McDavid has seemingly been battling through an undisclosed injury for most of the series against the Anaheim Ducks, and was absent from Edmonton's morning skate on Tuesday. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch indicated that McDavid's status for Game Five is uncertain. The 29-year-old superstar forward has four points (1G / 3A) and a -6 plus/minus through four games this postseason.

Dickinson missed several games toward the end of the regular due to an injury, and has been a game-time decision throughout the first round of the playoffs, appearing in only two of four games. That said, 31-year-old has been impressive when in the lineup, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in two postseason games.

Tristan Jarry played well in his postseason debut in Game Four, but the Oilers lost 4-3 in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks, and will revert to Ingram in a must-win Game 5, down 3-1 in the series. The 29-year-old Ingram has been serviceable, making some key saves, but some team defensive lapses make his statistics suggest otherwise, posting an ugly 4.70 GAA and .849 SV% through three games (1-2). Still, the Oilers enter Game Five as -164 home favourites.

Nikishin had to be helped off the ice in Game Four against the Ottawa Senators and did not return after getting crushed by a hit from Tyler Kleven. Carolina Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour suggested that Nikishin is making progress and should be able to play when the team returns to action in the second round.

Zuccarello was a surprise scratch ahead of Game Two, likely suffering the injury in Game One after being on the receiving end of a high hit from Stars' defenseman Tyler Myers. The 38-year-old winger played just under 17 minutes in the Wild's 6-1 rout of the Stars in Game 1, chipping in with three assists. He has missed the last three games but was a full participant in practice on Monday, likely indicating he hopes to return to the lineup on Tuesday in a pivotal Game Five.

Trenin was on the receiving end of a massive open-ice hit from Colin Blackwell of the Dallas Stars early in Game Two and has not played since. The 29-year-old Trenin was back at practice on Monday, but his status for Game Five on Tuesday remains uncertain. Trenin led the NHL with 413 hits in the regular season, and his physical presence will certainly add a boost to Minnesota if he can return to the lineup.

Norris played 16:39 time-on-ice in Buffalo's 4-2 Game Two loss to the Boston Bruins, but is battling an undisclosed injury and has not played since. The 26-year-old forward has battled injuries throughout his career, so there is always extra concern whenever he is sidelined. That said, he appears to be nearing a return, but will remain sidelined for at least one more game.

With Nils Lundkvist (upper body) out for Game 5, Lyubushkin will draw into the lineup for his postseason debut. The 32-year-old Lyubushkin spent portions of the season playing alongside Thomas Harley and will likely suit up next to him when he enters the lineup. In 53 games this season, Lyubushkin averaged 15:44 time-on-ice and scored nine points (1G / 8A).

After an ugly Game One, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild, Oettinger has rebounded with three consecutive impressive outings. The 27-year-old goalie saved 40 shots (.930 SV%) on Saturday and was tremendous, especially in overtime, but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal in a 3-2 loss to even the series at 2-2. In his last three games, Oettinger has a 2.07 GAA and .924 SV%. The Stars enter a crucial Game Five on Tuesday as -126 home favourites.

Kozak played 10:59 time-on-ice in Sunday's 6-1 Game Four win over the Boston Bruins, but was banged up and needed to be reevaluated. That said, he is expected to play on Tuesday in Game Five. The 23-year-old bottom-six forward has one assist in two postseason games.

Zucker was limited to 13:26 time-on-ice in Sunday's 6-1 Game Four win over the Boston Bruins due to an undisclosed ailment. That said, Head Coach Lindy Ruff was optimistic and indicated that Zucker should play Tuesday in Game Five. The 34-year-old forward has zero points through four postseason games.

Lyon struggled towards the end of the regular season, but has been tremendous since taking over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen late in Game Two, and will return to the crease for a third consecutive start. The 33-year-old Lyon was less than a minute away from recording his first career postseason shutout before allowing one goal in Sunday's dominant 6-1 Game Four victory over the Boston Bruins. He is 2-0 and has saved 54 of 56 shots (.964 SV%) this postseason. The Sabres enter Game 5 as -162 home favourites.

Vejmelka will be looking to maintain his excellent form on Monday night as the Mammoth aim to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Golden Knights. Utah's franchise netminder was outstanding in a 4-2 victory in Game 3, turning away 30 of the 32 shots he faced. Vejmelka's SV% sits at .916 through the opening three games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Mammoth enter action in Game 4 as the slightest of underdogs at +105 on the money line.

Lundkvist suffered a deep facial laceration after an awkward play resulted in Minnesota's Michael McCarron's skate making contact with his face. The 25-year-old Lundkvist was bloodied and left the game immediately after, and has been ruled out for Game Five. After a couple of seasons of not being trusted by the coaching staff, Lundkvist has emerged as a viable second-pair defenseman for Dallas, and his absence from the lineup will create an imbalance on the Stars' blueline.

Trenin was on the receiving end of a massive open-ice hit from Colin Blackwell of the Dallas Stars early in Game Two and has not played since. The 29-year-old Trenin was back at practice on Monday, but his status for Game Five on Tuesday remains uncertain. Trenin led the NHL with 413 hits in the regular season, and his physical presence will certainly add a boost to Minnesota if he can return to the lineup.

After winning seven straight, dating back to the regular season, posting an absurd 1.72 GAA and .932 SV%, Hart has battled some adversity in his past two games. The 27-year-old goalie has allowed seven goals on the last 41 shots (.829 SV%), losing two straight to watch his team fall to a 2-1 series deficit to the Utah Mammoth. Vegas enters a pivotal Game Four as slight -115 road favourites.