NHL Hockey Player News

Carlile played in the last two games, replacing the injured Charle-Edouard D'Astous, but it looks like he'll be replaced by Maxwell Crozier in the lineup for Game 4. Carlile was minus-2 in 11;20 TOI in Game 3.

Crozier has been a healthy scratch for the first three games of the series but he is expected to replace Declan Carlile in the lineup for Game 4. Crozier, who had 10 points (1G / 9A) in 35 games this season, will be playing for the first time since April 15th.

D'Astous has been out since Game 1, but head coach Jon Cooper said that he should be "day-to-day" after Game 4, so he's nearing a return to the lineup. D'Astous' replacement Declan Carlile, has not registered a point and a minus-3 rating in two games.

Nikishin had to be helped off the ice after getting crushed by Tyler Kleven. He returned with the team to Raleigh where he will continue the NHL’s protocol for a safe return to play. Nikishin is questionable to play in Game 1 of Round 2.

With Pittsburgh desperate to keep their season alive, Justin Brazeau will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 vs. Philadelphia as Elmer Soderblom re-enters the Penguins' lineup. The 28-year-old has only appeared in one game this postseason despite picking up 17 goals and 34 points in 64 games played during the regular season.

Lundkvist took a scary skate high in the second period and was forced to leave Game 4 vs. Dallas. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an impressive playoffs so far, with two assists through four games played.

Despite having a 2.85 GAA and .889 SV% through three games, Jake Oettinger has led the Dallas Stars to an early 2-1 series lead and will yet again take the crease for Game 4 on Saturday. The 27-year-old won 35 games for a fourth straight season in 2025-26, posting a 35-12-6 record with a 2.59 GAA and .899 SV%. He heads to Minnesota to take on the Wild for Game 4, who have only scored 5 goals in their last two games after sneaking six goals by Oettinger in Game 1.

Despite rotating goalies nearly all season, Jesper Wallstedt will start his fourth straight game of the playoffs as he attempts to even up Minnesota's opening round series vs. Dallas on Saturday. The 23-year-old has struggled a bit in Minnesota's previous two games, allowing seven goals after holding Dallas to only one in Game 1. He brings his 1-2-0 record, alongside his 2.27 GAA and .916 SV% into Game 4 as he looks to even the series on home ice.

With Jake Sanderson out for Game 4, Carter Yakemchuk will draw back into Ottawa's lineup for his playoff debut on Saturday. The 20-year-old defensemen will hopefully add a much-needed offensive boost to Ottawa's lineup after they scored only three goals in their first three playoff games. He appeared in only four total games prior to the playoffs, picking up a goal, two points and two PIMs.

After sitting as a healthy scratch in Game 3, Dennis Gilbert will draw back into Ottawa's lineup for Game4 on Sautrday. The 29-year-old only appeared in eight regular season games this season, picking up an assist and two SOG while averaging just 12:41 TOI. He will replace Cameron Crotty for Game 4.

Crotty made his playoff debut in Game 3 but will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 on Saturday as Dennis Gilbert draws back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Crotty only appeared for 8:59 TOI in Game 3, but was a -1 plus/minus.

Despite Ullmark playing outer-worldly through the first three games of Ottawa's opening series, the Senators find themselves down 3-0 and on the edge of elimination on Saturday for Game 4. Ullmark has been the Senators' best player, posting a .933 SV%, 2.02 GAA and 0-3-0 record. He will look to keep Ottawa's season alive at home Saturday, as they host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have outscored them 7-3 in the series.