VEG @ FLA
Final Score: 4 – 7
DAL @ NAS
Final Score: 6 – 4
NYI @ CAR
Final Score: 9 – 7
DET @ NJ
Final Score: 4 – 6
PIT @ OTT
Final Score: 7 – 9
TB @ WAS
Final Score: 4 – 2
TOR @ CBJ
Final Score: 7 – 2
BOS @ MIN
Final Score: 4 – 6
BUF @ NYR
Final Score: 6 – 7
CHI @ STL
Final Score: 9 – 13
SEA @ ANA
Final Score: 6 – 4
ARI @ COL
Final Score: 2 – 7
CGY @ LA
Final Score: 6 – 9
SJ @ VAN
Final Score: 7 – 13
Anton Lundell Comes Up Huge In Series-Clinching Win
Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell notched a goal and an assist in Game 6 of their second-round series against the Boston Bruins, helping to close out the series in a 2-1 win. Lundell scored midway through the second to tie the game and then assisted on Gustav Forsling's game-winning goal with just 93 seconds left in the game. The 22-year-old has done well in a third-line role for the Panthers, notching nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 11 playoff games. He could end up playing a larger role next year with Florida and would then be a sleeper in fantasy.
Chris Kreider Joins Special List With Third-Period Hat Trick
New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider popped up with three big goals on Thursday against Carolina, helping the team clinch the second-round series with a 5-3 win. He joined Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky as the third player to score a hat trick in a single period for the Rangers in a playoff game. Additionally, Kreider became the sixth player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to score a natural hat trick which included the series-clinching goal. The Rangers were 3-1 down entering the third period before Kreider took the team on his back and registered his first career playoff hat trick. The Rangers' all-time leader in postseason goals has lit the lamp seven times in 10 playoff games this year, adding three assists.
Tyler Seguin Hurt In Game 5 Loss
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was injured in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to Colorado. He exited the contest near the end of the game with an unspecified ailment. Seguin logged 16:37 of action in the contest but didn't have a great time, going scoreless and finishing with a minus-two rating. He had produced four points across the previous three games. Seguin has been inconsistent with his production throughout the postseason, finishing without points in six of his 12 appearances. He has managed three goals and four assists. With Roope Hintz (upper body) also getting hurt, Dallas' top six has taken two massive blows in the last couple of games.
Valeri Nichushkin Suspended For Six Months
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin has been suspended for six months without pay. The news was announced right before the team's playoff clash with Dallas on Monday. Nichushkin will enter Stage 3 of the NHL/NHL Players' Association Player Assistance Program, which carries an automatic six-month suspension. Losing Nichushkin is a bitter blow for Colorado. He's tied for most goals in the 2024 postseason with nine markers in eight games. Artturi Lehkonen replaced the Russian winger on the first line in Monday's Game 4.
Sam Reinhart Expected To Be Good To Go For Game 5
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart (face) is expected to be ready for Game 5 against Boston. He left Sunday's Game 4 injured after taking a puck to the face early in the third period. Reinhart, who led the league with 27 power-play goals in the regular season, was heavily bleeding. However Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has no concerns regarding his availability for Tuesday's Game 5. Reinhart hasn't quite replicated his regular-season form in the playoffs, settling for four goals and eight points in nine games. Five of his points were registered in Game 2 and 3 against Boston, and he has scored only once with the man advantage.
Teuvo Teravainen Posts Two Points To Lead Canes To Game 4 Win
Carolina Hurricanes winger Teuvo Teravainen notched a pair of assists in a 4-3 victory in Game 4 of the team's second-round series against the New York Rangers. Teravainen had an assist in the first period, but more importantly had a powerplay assist on Brady Skjei's game-winning goal late in the third period to give the Canes their first win of the series. Teravainen now has six points (two goals, four assists) in nine games this postseason and has been an integral part of Carolina's second line with Jordan Staal and Seth Jarvis.
Filip Chytil A Game-Time Call Saturday
New York Rangers center Filip Chytil (illness) is considered a game-time decision on Saturday against Carolina. Chytil was back from a six-month absence in Game 3 of the series but might have to come out of the lineup again after waking up not feeling well on Saturday. Matt Rempe was scratched to accommodate Chytil on Thursday and will get a chance to jump back into action if Chytil isn't available for Game 4.
Filip Chytil Logs 12 Minutes In First Game In Six Months
New York Rangers center Filip Chytil made his long-awaited return to the lineup in Game 3 against the Hurricanes on Thursday, logging 12:02 of ice time in a 3-2 overtime win. After missing six months with a head injury, Chytil had a quiet outing on the offensive front with zero points and one shot on goal but registered two hits. He skated on the third line with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko. The Rangers have enjoyed a perfect 7-0 start to the postseason and should be even stronger now with Chytil, who had six points in 10 regular-season appearances.
Dakota Joshua Enjoys Three-Point Outing In Big Comeback
Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua led all skaters with three points as the team defeated Edmonton 5-4 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night. The 27-year-old scored his squad's first goal and delivered two assists when Vancouver sparked into life late in the game to turn a 4-1 deficit into a victory. This marks Joshua's second three-point effort of the 2024 postseason. The two big performances have put him among the Canucks' top scorers, with Joshua on seven points (three goals, four assists) through seven games with Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller.
Igor Shesterkin Stops 54 Shots In Game 2 Win
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin was extremely sharp in Tuesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of their second-round series, stopping 54 of the 57 shots he faced. Shesterkin has been a brick wall this postseason, going 6-0 with a .929 SV% and 2.00 GAA. The Rangers are yet to lose a game in the playoffs, and that is in large part due to their goaltending. Shesterkin will look to win a seventh straight on Thursday night in Carolina.
Joel Kiviranta Remains Sidelined On Tuesday
Colorado Avalanche winger Joel Kiviranta (lower body) will remain out for Game 1 against Dallas on Tuesday. The former Star suffered a lower-body injury in the first round versus Winnipeg and will miss a third consecutive game. Before getting knocked out of the lineup, Kiviranta posted one assist in three games while averaging 10:14 of ice time in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's been logging bottom-six minutes all season and shouldn't make a major impact offensively once his back. However, Kiviranta had some success against his former team during the regular season, with two points (one goal, one assist) in four games.
Thatcher Demko Out For Game 1 Against Oilers
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (knee) has been ruled out for Game 1 of the second-round series against Edmonton. He was sidelined for the final five games against Nashville in the opening round and won't be ready for the start of the new series either. Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday. Arturs Silovs is on track to make his fourth consecutive start between the sticks. The 23-year-old has filled in admirably for Demko, going 2-1-o against the Predators with one shutout and only five total goals allowed. But he faces a much tougher challenge in the second round against Connor McDavid & Co.
Auston Matthews Uncertain For Game 7
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews' status for Game 7 of the team's first-round series against the Boston Bruins remains uncertain as he deals with an illness. The star pivot has missed the past two games but the Leafs have managed to reel off back-to-back victories to force a series-deciding Game 7 on Saturday in Boston. "Yeah, there's been progress, he skated again here today but no determination on his availability," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. Matthews paced the league with 69 goals during the regular season while adding 38 assists for 107 points and 369 shots on goal across 81 games.
Auston Matthews Out For Game 6
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (illness) will not be in the lineup for Game 6 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins on Thursday. The star pivot missed Game 5 due to an illness, and it appears the issue will keep the 26-year-old out again on Thursday. Matthews notched a goal and two assists in a Game 2 win but has otherwise been held off the scoresheet in his other three games played in the series. The Maple Leafs need another win in Game 6 to avoid elimination, as the Bruins lead 3-2 in the series. If Toronto manages to win, Game 7 would be on Saturday in Boston.
Seth Jarvis Puts Up Three Points In Series-Winning Game
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis scored a goal and added two assists in a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders in Game 5 of their first-round series, helping clinch a second-round appearance against the New York Rangers. Jarvis was electric in the series, posting seven points (three goals, four assists) in five games. The 22-year-old had a breakout season and is an integral part of the Cane's offensive game as part of their second line and first powerplay unit. He will be an important part of their success, both in these playoffs and for years to come.
Auston Matthews A Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (illness) is a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 5 contest against the Boston Bruins. The superstar has been dealing with an illness that forced him out of the third period of Saturday's 3-1 Game 4 loss. "Obviously he was on the ice today, so he's working through things to try to make himself available to play," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "No determination at this time." The head coach declined to answer when asked if there is something else other than the illness bothering Matthews. Matthews led the league with 69 regular-season goals but has just a single tally through the first four games of this series.
Stuart Skinner Blanks Kings On Sunday
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner posted a shutout on Sunday as the Oilers took a 3-1 stranglehold on the Los Angeles Kings. Evan Bouchard's second-period power-play goal was all the offense in the contest as the Oilers go back home with a 3-1 lead and will look to put the Kings away on Wednesday. Skinner turned aside all 33 shots he faced and the Oilers won despite being outshot 33-13 in the contest. After allowing nine goals through the first two games of the series, the 25-year-old has yielded just a single tally over the last two contests, putting up a .987 save percentage in that time. He posted a 2.62 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage across 57 starts and 59 appearances during the regular season.
Casey DeSmith Out For Game 4
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith is not dressing for Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Nashville Predators. The netminder's specific ailment hasn't been revealed but he was perhaps injured when Predators forward Michael McCarron hit him behind the net while he was playing the puck in the second period of Game 3. McCarron received a two-minute minor for interference on the play and was also fined 2K by the league. The 32-year-old turned aside 29 of 30 shots to earn the Game 3 win but it will be 23-year-old Arturs Silovs getting the nod in Game 4 on Sunday. The Canucks lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
William Nylander Appears Set To Make Playoff Debut Saturday
Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander (undisclosed) is expected to play in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins on Saturday. Nylander missed the first three games of the series with an undisclosed injury that has been widely speculated on, but the team hasn't confirmed what the injury was. Willy will slot back into the third line and first powerplay unit and the team will hope that he can provide an offensive spark. Connor Dewar will be healthy scratched if Nylander does end up playing.
Frederik Andersen Stops 29 Pucks In Another Win
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen continued his perfect start to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 29-save effort in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Islanders. He became only the second goaltender in franchise history to open a postseason campaign with three consecutive victories. Andersen has saved 71 of 77 shots in total in the series, frustrating the Islanders with a .922 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average. Combined with the regular season, Andersen is now 16-2-0 in 2023-24. He will look to lead the team to a sweep in Game 4 on Saturday.
Radek Faksa Injured In Game 2
Dallas Stars center Radek Faksa couldn't complete Wednesday's Game 2 against Vegas due to an undisclosed injury. He was hurt in the third period, exiting after soaking in 8:41 of action on the fourth line. Faksa didn't contribute offensively in the contest and finished with a minus-one rating, but he won four of five faceoffs and delivered six hits. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer didn't have an update on Faksa postgame. Craig Smith should join the lineup in Saturday's Game 3 if Faksa can't play.
Jake Oettinger Tries To Bounce Back Wednesday
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger will aim to bounce back in Wednesday's Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights. He had a very rough start to the series, allowing three first-period goals in Game 1. The team eventually lost 4-3 on home ice, with Oettinger producing only 11 saves. The result dropped Oettinger's career postseason record to 13-14. Dallas will need a much better performance from him on Wednesday to keep pace with the defending champions. Oettinger has lost back-to-back starts just twice in 2024.