NHL Player News

Poehling (upper body) will miss Thursday's Game 6 matchup against Vegas, and there's no timeline for his return to the lineup, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune.

Poehling has contributed four goals and five points in 11 playoff appearances this year. Jansen Harkins might return to the lineup after spending the past two games as a healthy scratch. However, the Ducks are also considering dressing 11 forwards and seven defensemen. The availability of blueliners Radko Gudas (lower body) and Drew Helleson (undisclosed) will likely influence whether the Ducks go with seven defensemen in Thursday's contest.

Newhook scored a goal in a 3-2 loss to the Sabres on Tuesday in Game 4 of the second round of the playoffs.

The 25-year-old is emerging as one of the surprise heroes of the postseason. Newhook has found the back of the net five times in the last three games after scoring just 13 goals in 42 regular-season contests. Over his last seven outings, he's collected six goals and seven points. Newhook will attempt to carry that momentum into Game 5 in Buffalo on Thursday.

Thompson notched one goal and one assist, both on the power play, in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 4 of the second round of the playoffs.

With Buffalo down 2-1 in the second period, Thompson tied the game up on a fluky goal. His dump-in attempt took a strange bounce off the corner boards and went in off a startled Jakub Dobes. The 28-year-old Thompson also helped set up Zach Benson for the winner early in the third period. Thompson has delivered back-to-back multi-point performances. Through 10 games this postseason, he's racked up four goals and 11 points. He'll look to stay locked in as the series shifts back to Buffalo for Game 5 on Thursday.

McTavish notched two assists, including one on the power play, and added six shots on net and three hits in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5.

McTavish has been back in the lineup for the last two games after getting scratched twice earlier in this second-round series. This was his first multi-point effort of the postseason. The 23-year-old has a goal, five assists, 23 shots on net, 22 hits and a plus-2 rating over nine appearances. McTavish may be needed to slide over to center if Ryan Poehling (upper body) misses time following his early exit Tuesday.

Eichel notched two assists and six shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks in Game 5.

Eichel has six helpers over his last four games, with three of those assists coming on the power play. The 29-year-old's goal drought is up to eight contests, but his playmaking continues to be a standout area. Eichel is up to a total of 15 points (six on the power play), 31 shots on net, nine blocked shots, eight hits, 10 PIM and a plus-4 rating through 11 playoff outings.

Hertl scored a goal, dished a power-play assist and added three hits in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks in Game 5.

Hertl's now scored in back-to-back games after going 29 contests without a goal. This was also his first multi-point effort since March 4 versus the Red Wings. The 32-year-old center is at five points, 18 shots on net, 26 hits and a minus-2 rating over 11 playoff outings. With three of those points coming over the last two games, the floodgates look to be opening for Hertl, though his spot on the third line could continue to limit his production.

Poehling (upper body) won't return to Tuesday's Game 5 versus the Golden Knights.

Poehling was hurt on a heavy hit by Brayden McNabb in the first period. For now, Poehling can be considered day-to-day ahead of Thursday's Game 6. If he has to miss time, Jansen Harkins or Frank Vatrano would be the top candidates to enter the lineup.

Barzal (undisclosed) won't participate in the 2026 IIHF World Championship because of a minor injury, Hockey Canada announced Tuesday.

Barzal will skip the tournament to recover, but he should be ready for the start of the 2026-27 NHL campaign. In 81 regular-season appearances for the Islanders in 2025-26, he produced 19 goals, 72 points, 184 shots on net and 50 blocked shots.

Eriksson Ek (lower body) will not join the team for Game 5 in Colorado on Wednesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Eriksson Ek will be sidelined for his fifth straight game due to his lingering lower-body injury. The fact that the 29-year-old center isn't even traveling with the team doesn't bode well for his availability for Game 6 back in Minnesota either. If the Swede does return, it figures to be in a top-six role.

Coyle agreed to terms on a six-year, $36 million contract with Columbus on Tuesday.

Coyle played in all 82 regular-season games for the Jackets this year, racking up 20 goals and 38 helpers. With the 34-year-old center putting pen to paper on a six-year deal, this figures to be the final contract of his career, keeping him with the Jackets long term.