NHL Hockey Player News

Joe Veleno will likely draw back into Montreal's lineup on Monday for Game Three, resulting in Kapanen being a healthy scratch. Kapanen has suited up in three consecutive games for Montreal, but has been used sparingly. He had a -2 plus/minus and two penalty minutes in the team's 3-2 overtime loss in Game Two.

Oliver Kapanen is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday in Game Three, allowing Veleno to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 9:40 time-on-ice, recording 15 hits and one assist in six games this postseason.

Domi underwent surgery to address an issue he was dealing with throughout the 2025-26 season, but complications have arisen, making his availability for training camp uncertain. The 31-year-old forward scored 36 points (12G / 24A) and recorded a career-worst -29 plus/minus through 80 games last season.

Nichushkin exited Sunday's 5-3 Game Three loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period after only playing 8:34 time-on-ice. The 31-year-old Nichushkin is the latest injury concern for an Avalanche team that has trouble staying healthy as they trail their third-round series 3-0. Nichushkin has four points (2G / 2A) in 12 games this postseason.

Saad will unfortunately be the odd man out of Vegas' lineup for Game 3 vs. Colorado with team captain Mark Stone returning to the lineup from injury. Saad has appeared in five games this post season, picking up two assists and five SOG while averaging 8:41 TOI.

With Cale Makar returning from a two game absence, Nick Blankenburg finds himself the odd man out of Colorado's lineup as they head to Vegas for Game 3 on Sunday. Blankenburg has played solid when called upon this postseason, with a goal, and a -2 plus/minus in five games played.

Makar has missed the first two games of the Western Conference Final with an upper-body injury but is warming up and expected to return for Game 3 on Sunday. The 27-year-old superstar defensemen will make a welcome return as Colorado attempts to win its first game of the series. Makar has four goals, five points and +5 plus/minus in nine playoff games played thus far.

Hart and the Vegas Golden Knights will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead as they host Colorado in the Western Conference Final on Sunday. The 27-year-old has been undoubtedly the best goaltender in this years playoffs, proven by his 10-4-0 record, .924 SV% and 2.24 GAA through 14 starts. He will look to continue his dominance of the Avalanche after allowing only 3 goals on 69 shots against to start the series.

Despite posting a .902 SV% through the first two games of the series, Scott Wedgewood and the Avalanche find themself in a hole and down 2-0 as they head to Vegas for Game 3 on Sunday. Wedgewood has been solid all postseason despite Colorado's recent struggles, posting a 7-3-0 record, 2.30 GAA and a .912 SV% in 10 games played. He will look to get Colorado back in the win column after two close loses to the Golden Knights to start the series.

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.

Dobes was fantastic in Montreal's Game 1 victory over Carolina after he stopped 28 of 30 shots against (.929 SV%) on route to a 6-2 Canadiens victory. The 24-year-old has yet to lose back-to-back games in the playoffs despite starting all 15 games for Montreal. He currently has an impressive 9-6-0 record, 2.48 GAA and .911 SV% in the playoffs and will look to give Montreal a 2-0 series lead as they head to Raleigh on Saturday.

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.