NHL Hockey Player News

Dobson (upper-body) is expected to play in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he should be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.

Noah Dobson
Ekblad (undisclosed) will play in Game 1 vs. the Lightning.

Ekblad did not play the final six games of the season for the Panthers due to an undisclosed injury but will be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ekblad has seen a decrease in offensive productivity the last few years but is still a major part of the Panthers' blue line. He had 18 points (4G / 14A) in 51 games this season.

Aaron Ekblad
Varlamov will start Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff heavily favoured Varlamov during their end-of-season push for the playoffs and will turn to him in game one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Varlamov ended the season on a 7-1-0 run, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest and posting a dazzling .935 SV%.

Semyon Varlamov
Francouz announced his retirement from the NHL on Friday.

Francouz did not participate in the 2023-24 season due to a groin injury and has announced his retirement from the NHL. Francouz battled injuries last season as well, recording a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% while playing in only 16 games (8-7-1). The 33-year-old Francouz ends his career with a 2.49 GAA, .919 SV%, and four shutouts in 73 games (44-21-6).

Pavel Francouz
Varlamov is expected to start Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.

Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff heavily favoured Varlamov during their end-of-season push for the playoffs and will likely turn to him in game one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Varlamov ended the season on a 7-1-0 run, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest and posting a dazzling .935 SV%.

Semyon Varlamov
Dobson (upper-body) returned to the ice for practice on Friday.

Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he could be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.

Noah Dobson
The Bruins have recalled Mason Lohrei from Providence (AHL).

With the Bruins set to begin their first-round playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, they have recalled Lohrei from Providence. The 23-year-old Lohrei played 41 games for Boston this year, his first NHL season, tallying 13 points (4G / 9A).

Mason Lohrei
The Bruins have recalled John Beecher from Providence (AHL).

With the Bruins set to begin their first-round playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, they have recalled Beecher from Providence (AHL). The 23-year-old Beecher played 52 games with Boston this season, his first NHL campaign, scoring 10 points (7G / 3A).

John Beecher
Talbot will start Thursday's game against the Blackhawks.

The Kings will turn to Talbot for their regular season finale when they host the Blackhawks on Thursday. Talbot took the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 28 shots in Monday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Wild. The 36-year-old netminder comes into tonight's action with a .915 SV% and a 26-20-6 record across 53 appearances. He has a great chance of closing out the regular season with a win as the Kings enter action as -450 favourites over the Blackhawks.

Cam Talbot
Dostal will start in Vegas on Thursday.

Dostal will make back-to-back starts to close out the 2023-24 season as the Ducks are opting to give him the nod over John Gibson in Thursday's regular season finale. Dostal took the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 28 shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Kings. He comes into tonight's game with a .900 SV% and a 13-23-3 record across 43 appearances. Unsurprisingly, he is a longshot to get back in the win column on Thursday with the Ducks being +310 underdogs in Vegas.

Lukas Dostal
Skinner will start in Colorado on Thursday.

Skinner will get the nod in the Oilers' regular season finale on Thursday after Calvin Pickard got the start in Arizona on Wednesday. Skinner picked up the win his last time out, allowing two goals on 21 shots as the Oilers cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Sharks. The 25-year-old netminder rebounded nicely after a poor start to the season, posting a 36-15-5 record and a .907 SV% across 58 appearances. He will have his hands full on Thursday with the Oilers likely resting some key players in Colorado as they finish the season on the tail-end of a back-to-back.

Stuart Skinner