NHL Hockey Player News

Hedman was hurt early in their last round-robin game but will play in Game 1 vs. Columbus. The injury didn't look great at the time, so it's great news for the Lightning that he is feeling no lingering effects. Hedman had one assist in the three round-robin games.

Korpisalo was 2-1 while posting a 1.45 GAA, .956 SV% and two shutouts in four starts vs. the Maple Leafs in the qualifying round. It was a terrific showing from Korpisalo, who is now the unquestioned No.1 in Columbus with Elvis Merzlikins out indefinitely. Korpisalo did not face the Lightning during the 2020 regular season.

Talbot stopped all 31 shots that he faced in the Flames shutout win over the Jets to close out the qualifying round series in Game 4. In the series, Talbot stopped 104 of the 110 shots (.945 SV%) that he faced. Now the Flames get the Stars in round 1, Talbot stopped 29 of 31 shots in a losing effort in his only game vs. Dallas in 2020.

Eller is still in quarantine after leaving the bubble for the birth of his child, so Travis Boyd will remain in the lineup for Game 1. Capitals head coach Todd Reirden is hopeful that Eller will play in Game 2 on Friday.

Lindblom is expected to start practicing with his teammates once his quarantine is over and could return in the second or third round if the Flyers advance that far. This is obviously fantastic news for the 23-year-old, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma back in mid-December.

Lehner stopped 32 of 35 shots in the Golden Knights round-robin win over the Avalanche on Saturday. Lehner won both of his round-robin starts and has yet to lose a game in a Golden Knights uniform. Since being traded by Chicago, who he'll face in Round 1, Lehner is 5-0 while stopping 134 of the 145 shots (.924 SV%) in Vegas.

As expected, it looks like Hamilton will make his long-awaited return in Game 1 vs. his former team. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour did not announce who would come out of the lineup for Hamilton but it's expected to be Haydn Fleury. Hamilton will likely skate with Jaccob Slavin and quarterback the top power-play unit, bumping Sami Vatanen to PP2.

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.

Rask missed Monday's practice but head coach Bruce Cassidy said that the plan is to start Rask on Tuesday. Rask started two of the three round-robin games, giving up five goals on 60 shots (.917 SV%). He did not face the Hurricanes during the 2020 regular season.

Seguin missed the Stars' round-robin finale but will be available for Game 1 according to head coach Rick Bowness. Seguin failed to record a point in his two round-robin appearances and had no points in three games vs. the Flames this season.

Bishop only played in the first Stars' round-robin game and then missed the third due to being "unfit to play." However, head coach Rick Bowness said he's available to start Game 1 vs. Calgary and likely will. He allowed four goals on 32 shots in the round-robin loss to Vegas and was 1-1-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .916 SV% in three games vs. the Flames this season.

Rutta played in the Lightning's second round-robin game but that was it. When head coach Jon Copper met with the media on Monday, he said that everything was "status quo," which suggests that Rutta is still unfit to play. Look for Zach Bogosian to remain in Rutta's spot.

When head coach Jon Cooper met with the media on Monday he said that everything is "status quo" which suggests that Stamkos is still "out indefinitely." Unless he's keeping things close to the vest ahead of Game 1, don't expect Stamkos to be out there on Tuesday afternoon.

Merzlikins was banged up in the Blue Jackets’ Game 4 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs and was not available to backup in Game 5. Head coach John Tortorella was not sure how long Merzlikins will be out when he met with the media on Monday. Look for Joonas Korpisalo to start Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Hedman was injured early in the Lightning’s round-robin finale vs. the Flyers and did not return. Head coach Jon Cooper did not have an update on his status on Monday and said his availability will be determined on Tuesday. The Lightning play in the first game of the day (3:00 PM) so there will be no morning skate for Hedman to test out his injury.

Voracek missed the Flyers final round-robin game and will be a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. the Canadiens. The fact that he will skate on Monday bodes well for his availability two days from now. Voracek had two assists in three games vs. Montreal this season.

Pacioretty missed the entire round-robin but joined the Golden Knights in the bubble in Edmonton over the weekend and should be in the lineup for Game 1 on Tuesday. Pacioretty had a terrific 2002 season, scoring 32 goals with 34 assists (66 points) in 71 games.