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.

Forsberg and the Kings were minutes away from tying the series at 1-1, but he allowed a late goal to send the game to overtime in an eventual 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings find themselves in a 0-2 series deficit, but can't fault the 33-year-old Forsberg, who has been outstanding tending the twine in his postseason debut, saving 64 of 68 combined shots (.941 SV%). The Kings enter Game Three as +145 home underdogs.

Wedgewood stopped a Quinton Byfield shootout attempt in the second period, one of 24 saves in Colorado's 2-1 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game Two. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has been tremendous in his first two career playoff starts, saving a combined 48 of 50 shots (.960 SV%). Several weeks ago, it seemed unclear who would be Colorado's starting goalie in the postseason, but Wedgewood's strong play has made it his crease to lose. Colorado enters Game Three as a -162 road favourite.

Forsberg and the Kings were minutes away from tying the series at 1-1, but he allowed a late goal to send the game to overtime in an eventual 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings find themselves in a 0-2 series deficit, but can't fault the 33-year-old Forsberg, who has been outstanding tending the twine in his postseason debut, saving 64 of 68 combined shots (.941 SV%). The Kings enter Game Three as +145 home underdogs.

Dickson scored a highlight-reel goal in Game One, one of two tallies in the games, but is battling an undisclosed injury and did not play in 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. His status for Game Three on Friday is up in the air.

Henrique exited Game One on Monday after only 2:56 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury and subsequently did not play in Game Two. The 36-year-old forward will miss at least two more games before being reevaluated.

Swayman has been within eight minutes of recording a shutout in both games to start the series, but he only has a 1-1 record to show for it. The 27-year-old American goalie has saved 67 of 72 shots (.931 SV%), continuing a trend of exceptional postseason performances. Through 22 career postseason outings (10-11), Swayman has a solid 2.40 GAA and .923 SV%. The Bruins enter Game Three against the Buffalo Sabres with even -105 odds.

Norris played 16:39 time-on-ice in Buffalo's 4-2 Game Two loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling an undisclosed injury and will not play in Game Three. The 26-year-old forward has battled injuries throughout his career, so there is always extra concern whenever he is sidelined. Noah Ostlund (upper body) will draw into the lineup as Norris' replacement.

Ostlund has not played in over four weeks due to an upper-body injury, but he will make his postseason debut on Thursday in Game Three against the Boston Bruins. The 22-year-old Swedish forward averaged 13:58 time-on-ice and scored 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.

Coming off arguably the worst regular season of his career, posting a 3.05 GAA and .874 SV% in 35 games (16-14-5), Andersen has been outstanding to begin the postseason. The veteran 36-year-old Danish goalie has saved 59 of 61 shots (.967 SV%) through two games, helping Carolina maintain home-ice advantage by jumping out to a 2-0 series lead. The Hurricanes can take control of the series with a win in Game Three, entering the action as slight +105 road underdogs against the Ottawa Senators.

Tyson Kozak will draw into Buffalo's lineup in Game Three, sending Dunne to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Dunne averaged 15:49 time-on-ice, recording a +1 plus/minus and two hits through the first two games of the series.

Josh Dunne will be a healthy scratch in Game Three, allowing Kozak to make his postseason debut. The 23-year-old Kozak averaged 11:17 time-on-ice and had six points (2G / 4A) in 46 games this season.

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.