NHL Hockey Player News

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed a concerning goal from center ice in Buffalo's 4-2 Game Two loss to the Boston Bruins and was ultimately replaced by Alex Lyon early in the third period. The 33-year-old Lyon recently returned from an injury, and his brief stint in the crease in Game Two was his first appearance in nearly three weeks. Lyon was struggling before his injury, but the team hopes his extended rest can help him reset and return to early-season form when he tends the twine in Game Three. Buffalo enters the action with even -105 odds on the road.

Ullmark has never won a playoff series as the goalie of record, and the odds are against him with the Senators trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. That said, the 32-year-old Swedish goalie has been exceptional, saving 73 of 78 shots (.936 SV%) through two games (0-2-0). The Senators will need Ullmark at his best again on Thursday in Game Three, entering the action as -118 home favourites in an attempt to narrow their series deficit to 2-1.

Gilbert played the opening two games of Ottawa's first-round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, but will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch in Game Three. The 29-year-old Gilbert recorded 11 hits and six penalty minutes in his two postseason appearances.

Cameron Crotty will make his postseason debut in Game Three, sending Thomson to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Thomson made his postseason debut in Game Two, recording one shot and two blocks in 13:01 time-on-ice.

Lassi Thomson will be a healthy scratch in Game Three, allowing Crotty to enter the lineup for his postseason debut. The 26-year-old Crotty was serviceable in six games for the Senators late in the season, averaging 14:55 time-on-ice and scoring one assist.

Vladar needed to regroup after multiple collisions in the third period of Wednesday's 5-2 Game Three win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but seemed no worse for wear in an impressive 28-save performance (.933 SV%). The Flyers will have a chance to sweep the Penguins and move on to the second round with a victory in Game Four, but if Vladar is unable to go, it would likely be Samuel Ersson tending the twine.

Kleven has been sidelined for over three weeks due to an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup and make his postseason debut in Game Three. The 24-year-old defenseman had a breakout season, becoming a reliable blueliners for the Senators, averaging 17:21 time-on-ice and scoring 18 points (3G / 15A) in 70 games.

Lazar will make his post-season debut on Wednesday after serving as a healthy scratch in Game 1. He'll slot in for Jason Dickinson, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Lazar appeared in 45 regular season games for the Oilers, tallying four goals and two assists.

Dickson scored a highlight-reel goal in Game One, one of two tallies in the games, but is battling an undisclosed injury and is unavailable for Game Two on Wednesday. The 30-year-old forward averaged 15:03 time-on-ice and scored four points (1G / 3A) in 17 games with the Oilers this season.

After serving as a healthy scratch in the opening two games of the series, Sturm will slot into the lineup in Game 3 in place of the injured Yakov Trenin (upper-body). Sturm appeared in 49 regular season games for the Wild, tallying five goals and six assists.

Trenin was on the receiving end of a massive open-ice hit from Colin Blackwell of the Dallas Stars early in Game Two on Monday, exiting the game immediately after, playing only 3:02 time-on-ice. The 29-year-old Trenin led the NHL with 413 hits in the regular season, and his physical presence will be sorely missed by Minnesota in Game Three.

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. Vladimir Tarasenko replaced Zuccarello on the top line in Game Two and will likely stay there in Game Three.

Ingram did not need to be spectacular in Game One, allowing three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%), but made some timely saves to ensure a 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Dating back to the regular season, the 29-year-old Ingram has allowed three or fewer goals in eight of his last nine games (6-2-1). The Oilers enter Game Two, looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead, as -183 home favourites.

In his postseason debut in Game One, Dostal was serviceable, saving 30 of 34 shots (.882 SV%), but allowed the game-deciding goal in the final minutes of a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Dating back to the regular season, the 25-year-old Dostal has allowed four or more goals in six of his last seven games (1-5-1). The Ducks will turn to Dostal to tend the twine again in Game Two, entering the contest as +164 road underdogs as they attempt to level the series at 1-1.

Sweezey is an undrafted 30-year-old defenseman that spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he scored 17 points (1G / 16A) in 69 games with the Providence Bruins. His only NHL appearance was as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 season, scoring one assist in nine games.

Rakdo Gudas (undisclosed) will not play in Game Two, allowing Helleson to enter the lineup for his postseason debut. The 25-year-old Helleson averaged 16:58 time-on-ice and scored 15 points (2G / 13A) in 60 games this season.

Gudas was limited to only 9:40 time-on-ice in Game One on Monday due to an undsiclosed injury. The 35-year-old defenseman missed significant time in the final weeks of the regular season and will return to the sidelines in Game Two. Drew Helleson will draw into the lineup as Gudas' replacement.