NHL Hockey Player News

Hart has started every game of the post-season for the Golden Knights, and that will be the case again on Thursday when Vegas hopes to eliminate the Ducks in six games. Hart was excellent in Game 5, turning away 32 of the 34 shots he faced in the 3-2 overtime victory. The Golden Knights enter action in Game 6 at nearly even odds at -115 on the money line.

Luukkonen made his return to the crease in Game Four against the Montreal Canadiens after serving as Buffalo's backup for three weeks, and didn't miss a beat, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-2 win to help his team even the series at 2-2. Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff has already set the trend of rolling with the hot goalie this postseason, and will continue that on Thursday, with Luukkonen set to tend the twine in Game Five. The Sabres enter the action as -117 home favourites.

The Canadiens will of course roll with Dobes between the pipes for a pivotal Game 5 matchup in their second-round series against the Sabres. Montreal fans' favourite netminder allowed three goals on 22 shots in Game 4, as the Habs suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat. Dobes and the Canadiens enter Game 5 as the slightest of favourites at -105 on the money line.

Dostal has been mostly reliable this postseason, but the Ducks will need him at his best as they face elimination for the first time in Game Six against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 25-year-old Czech goalie played well in Game Five, saving 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%), but lost 3-2 in overtime. He has a 2.75 GAA and .885 SV% this round in five games (2-3) against the Golden Knights. The Ducks enter a must-win Game Six as slight +100 home underdogs.

Kantserov was a second-round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, but he has yet to play a professional game in North America. The 21-year-old forward spent the past few seasons in the KHL, where he led the league in 2025-26 with 36 goals in 63 games.

Stone has not played the previous two games due to a lower-body injury, and will remain sidelined in Game Six. The Golden Knights are 1-1 this series without Stone, who is averaging 19:27 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in nine games this postseason.

With Brayden McNabb (suspension) sidelined for Game Six, Korczak will re-enter the Vegas lineup. The 25-year-old Korczack is averaging 12:32 time-on-ice, recording one assist, five blocks, and 18 hits in eight games this postseason.

Reichel, the 17th-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, has had trouble becoming a permanent fixture at the NHL level and was traded twice in the 2025-26 season. That said, he seemed to have found a role late in the season after joining the Boston Bruins, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games, earning himself a one-year contract extension.

Dostal has been mostly reliable this postseason, but the Ducks will need him at his best as they face elimination for the first time in Game Six against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 25-year-old Czech goalie played well in Game Five, saving 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%), but lost 3-2 in overtime. He has a 2.75 GAA and .885 SV% this round in five games (2-3) against the Golden Knights. The Ducks enter a must-win Game Six as slight +100 home underdogs.

Harkins has not played since Game Three, but will re-enter the lineup in a must-win Game Six against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old bottom-six forward is averaging 10:46 time-on-ice, recording one goal and 10 hits through two games this postseason.

Luukkonen made his return to the crease in Game Four against the Montreal Canadiens after serving as Buffalo's backup for three weeks, and didn't miss a beat, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-2 win to help his team even the series at 2-2. Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff has already set the trend of rolling with the hot goalie this postseason, and will continue that on Thursday, with Luukkonen set to tend the twine in Game Five. The Sabres enter the action as -117 home favourites.

It's just the second game of the post-season for Petry, with his last appearance coming in a 5-2 loss in Game 2. He'll replace Zach Bogosian, who is a surprise scratch ahead of Game 5.

It's unclear whether Bogosian is dealing with an undisclosed injury or simply a healthy scratch, but the Wild did indicate earlier on Wednesday that they were dealing with some potential injuries. Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup in his place.

The Wild will roll with Wallstedt on Wednesday when they aim to keep their season alive and force a Game 6. Wallstedt turned away 29 of the 32 shots he faced in a losing effort in Game 4, as the Avalanche took a 3-1 series lead with a 5-2 victory. The 23-year-old Wallstedt has started all but one game for the Wild this post-season, posting an impressive .912 SV% across his nine appearances. The Wild are hoping he brings his A-game tonight, as they enter action at +175 on the money line.

Lehkonen was a late scratch for Game 4 due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision ahead of Game 5 vs. Minnesota on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has been a constant force in Colorado's electric top-six and has three goals, six points and a +9 plus/minus in seven playoff games this year.

Malinski was an unexpected scratch for Game 4 with an upper-body injury but will now be a game-time decision as Colorado hosts Minnesota for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 27-year-old had a breakout campaign in 2026-26, with 40 points in 82 games and has continued that success into the postseason with an impressive three points and +7 plus/minus in 7 games played so far.

Blackwood started his first game of the playoffs in Game 4 and earned the crease back for Game 5 as Colorado looks to close out Minnesota on home ice on Wednesday. Blackwood played exceptional in his only start of the playoffs, stopping 21 shots (.905 SV%) on route to a 5-2 win over the Wild on Monday. If Colorado were to win on Wednesday, they would meet either Vegas or Anaheim in the Western Conference Final.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety suspended McNabb for what they deemed to be "interference" against Anaheim's Ryan Poehling. Poehling attempted but failed to clear the puck out of the Ducks' zone mid-way through the first period when McNabb stepped up to lay a late hit on the unsuspecting Duck. Poehling has been ruled out indefinitely, while McNabb will be forced to watch Game 6 from the press box.

Poehling was on the recieving end of a late, dirty hit by Vegas' Brayden McNabb and has been ruled out indefinitely by Head Coach Joel Quenneville on Wednesday. The 27-year-old forward's absence will create a large gap in Anaheim's lineup after he picked up four goals and five points throughout Anaheim's first 11 playoff games.