NHL Hockey Player News

Shesterkin allowed three goals on 27 shots against (.889 SV%) as he dropped his second straight game in Game 5 but is expected to take the crease again as New York looks to close out Carolina in Game 6 on Thursday. The 28-year-old 2022 Vezina Trophy winner has been sensational in the postseason so far, with his 7-2-0 record, 2.33 GAA and .924 SV% through nine starts. He will head to Raleigh to attempt to finish off the Carolina Hurricanes, who have gotten seven goals passed him in the last two games.

Rittich excelled in his first season in Los Angeles, finishing with his most wins (13) since 2019-20 and career highs in both SV% (.921 SV%) and GAA (2.15) and has signed a one-year, $1 million contract extension with Los Angeles. The 31-year-old is entering his ninth NHL season and has a career record of 92-57-24, 2.78 GAA and .906 SV% with five separate franchises.

Andersen stopped 21 of 22 shots (.952 SV%) as he held Carolina off from elimination for a second-straight victory in Game 5 and is unsurprisingly expected to start Game 6 on Thursday. The 34-year-old has had an up-and-down playoff after being nearly unbeatable in his 16 regular season appearances with his 6-3-0 record, 2.46 GAA and .902 SV% in 9 starts so far. He will attempt to fend off New York for a third-straight elimination game as Carolin hosts the Rangers for Game 6 in Raleigh on Thursday.

Halonen made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with New Jersey on Thursday. The 25-year-old undrafted left-winger appeared in two games for the Devils this season, failing to pick up a point with two SOG while averaging 8:17 TOI/GP.

With Devon Toews (illness) returning from injury for Game 5, Caleb Jones will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has appeared in three games for the Avalanche in the playoffs but has yet to pick up a point to go along with his six PIMs and +1 plus/minus.

Georgiev allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) for a third straight loss but was far and away Colorado's biggest problem in Game 4 and will take the crease again on Wednesday. The 28-year-old has had a very up-and-down playoffs so far, with his 5-4-0 record, 3.10 GAA and .891 SV%. He will head to Dallas to take on the Stars, who are looking for their second-straight series win on Wednesday.

Oettinger was fantastic in Game 4 yet again stopping 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) for his third-straight win over Colorado as Dallas took a commanding 3-1 series lead and will start Game 5 as expected on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has been a brickwall the entire playoffs, with his 7-4-0 record, 2.02 GAA and .923 SV%. He'll host the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, who are on the brink of elimination and have only won six games in their last three playoff series'.

With Texas (AHL) officially eliminated from the playoffs, Mavrik Bourque has been recalled as playoff depth for the Stars' as they look to proceed into the third round on Wednesday. The 22-year-old has already appeared in one playoff game in Dallas' opening round series, picking up two SOG across 10:56 TOI/GP.

Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and will play in Game 5 on Wednesday after practicing in full. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.

Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that Matt Nieto is expected to miss the next six to seven months after successfully undergoing knee surgery this week and is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 31-year-old left winger appeared in 22 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 and had a goal, four points, 13 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in his first season with the Penguins.

Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that John Ludvig had successfully had finger surgery and is expected to be out for at least four to six months. The 23-year-old has the potential to be ready for training camp but will decide as he assesses his progress closer to next season. The 23-year-old rookie made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and had three goals, two assists, 24 SOG, 47 PIMs and a -12 plus/minus through 33 games played.

Faksa has not played in Dallas' previous three playoff games but will draw back into the lineup as he replaces the injured Roope Hintz (upper body) on Wednesday vs. Colorado. The 30-year-old has appeared in four of Dallas' 11 games so far and has a goal, and five SOG in four games played while averaging 10:42 TOI/GP.

Tanev left Game 4 early due to an undisclosed injury but is good to go for Game 5 on Wednesday vs. Colorado. The 34-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline from Calgary and has been as lockdown as expected with his one assist, 10 SOG and +7 plus/minus in 11 games played.

Hintz left Game 4 after playing only eight shifts and 6:35 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will be out for Game 5 on Wednesday vs. Colorado. The 27-year-old centre will be replaced by Radek Faksa but will be a massive loss with his two goals, six points and six PIMs in 11 playoff games before his injury.

Pesce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice but skated as an "extra," which suggests that he won't be available for Game 6 on Thursday. Monitor his status during Thursday's morning skate to get a concrete answer on his availability.

Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and is a game-time decision for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.

Swayman allowed three goals on 41 shots in the Bruins loss to the Panthers in Game 4. After posting a .950 SV% in six games in Round 1, Swayman has served up a .904 SV% in the first four games vs. the Panthers. Overall, he's 5-5 with a .930 SV% and leads the postseason with 11.6 Goals Saved Above Expected.

Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness and did not participate in Tuesday's practice. However, he's still expected to travel to Dallas for Game 5. Expect him to be a game-time decision on Wednesday.

Juulsen will play in his second game of the postseason, replacing Carson Soucy, who is serving his one-game suspension. Expect Juulsen to come out of the lineup for Game 5 with Soucy eligible to play.

Soucy will not be available for Game 4 in Edmonton, so look for Noah Juulsen to replace him on the blueline. Soucy will be eligible to draw back into the lineup for Game 5 in Vancouver.