Hamilton was on the ice again for Monday's practice and head coach Rod Brind'Amour said he is "hopeful" that Hamilton will be ready for Game 1 on Tuesday. It would be his first game since January 16th. He had 40 points (14G / 26A) in 47 regular-season games before breaking his leg vs. Columbus.
Hamilton, who missed the Hurricanes' three-game sweep of the Rangers, practiced for the first time since July 22nd. Carolina likely won't play for a week, so Hamilton will have plenty of time to get back up to speed before Round 1. In practice Hamilton skated alongside Jaccob Slavin on the Hurricanes' top defensive pair. He was also the lone defenseman on the team's first power-play unit.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Jets 3-2 win over the Flames in Game 2. It was a gutsy performance from the Jets, who were without Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine. Hellebuyck has now stopped 57 of 62 shots (.919 SV%) in the first two games of this series.
Hellebuyck surrendered three goals on 32 shots in the Jets' Game 1 loss. It wasn't Hellebuyck's best effort but the Jets were badly outplayed. With Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine both out today, Hellebuyck will need to be on top of his game more than ever. He is now 11-13 with a 2.47 GAA and .919 SV% in 24 career playoff starts.
Hamilton was set to return from a broken leg before he suffered a new injury in Training Camp 2.0. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour ruled him out for Game 1 vs. the Rangers on Saturday but said he's getting better and would not rule out a potential return during the five-game series.
Hamilton reportedly suffered a new injury, unrelated to the broken leg which forced him to miss the final two and half months of the regular season. Sara Civ of The Athletic reported that Hamilton's absence is "in the realm of weeks not months." This is untimely news as the Hurricanes enter the hub city bubble and get set to face the Rangers on Saturday. Carolina was 11-7-3 (11th in the NHL) after Hamilton was hurt in mid-January.
Dugan was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft and has agreed to turn pro after just two seasons at Providence College. Dugan was a Hobey Baker Finalist in 2020 after leading the nation with 52 points (10G / 42A) in just 34 games. The 22-year-old paced the league in assists, points-per-game (1.53), power-play points (22) and even-strength points (30). He'll likely start the 2021 season in the AHL but the Golden Knights have to be very pleased with Dugan's rapid progression since being drafted three years ago.
Allen stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Blues shutout win in Chicago on Sunday. Allen has won three in a row while posting a 1.30 GAA, .949 SV% and one shutout. Allen has gone 8-4-3 with a 2.12 GAA, .930 SV% and two shutouts on the road this year.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Jets win over the Coyotes on Monday. Hellebuyck is riding an impressive three-game winning streak while stopping 90 of the 93 shots (.968 SV%) that he faced. In two meetings with the Oilers this season, Hellebuyck has gone 1-1-0 while stopping 47 of 50 shots (.940 SV%).
Hellebuyck stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Jets shutout win over the Golden Knights on Friday. Hellebuyck is red-hot in his last four starts, going 3-1-0 with a 1.01 GAA, .964 SV% and two shutouts. Tonight the Vezina Trophy front-runner faces Arizona for the second time this season--he allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-2 loss in the first meeting back in October.
Boqvist played with the Devils on Tuesday but will go to the AHL to help Binghamton make the playoffs. He has eight points (5G / 3A) in 15 AHL games this season.
