NHL Player News

Helenius scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Helenius has tallied in each of the last two games, making himself a quick regular in the Sabres' bottom six. The 20-year-old's goal Saturday put the Sabres ahead 5-3 in a game they once trailed 3-1. Helenius has added seven shots on net, three blocked shots, two hits and a plus-2 rating over three playoff outings. Given his role, the offense isn't likely to last, but it's a good sign he's showing he can handle a high-pressure situation.

Thompson scored an empty-net goal on six shots, added three assists, logged three hits and went plus-3 in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Thompson earned two of his three helpers with the man advantage. He's logged three multi-point efforts over his last four contests. Overall, the 28-year-old is up to five goals, 10 assists, 41 shots on net, 20 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-1 rating across 12 playoff outings while seeing consistent top-six minutes.

Avon scored twice in AHL Coachella Valley's 4-0 win over Colorado in Game 2 on Friday.

Avon helped the Firebirds even the series, opening the scoring at 1:20 of the third period before adding an insurance marker later in the frame. He's now at seven goals, one assist and a minus-2 rating over 10 playoff contests, shooting 29.2 percent in the postseason compared to 14.3 percent in the regular season.

Helenius scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 5.

Helenius was recalled among the Sabres' Black Aces on April 29. The Sabres gave him a chance to play in Game 4 of the second round and kept him in the lineup for Game 5, when he delivered his first career playoff goal. He's added five shots on net and two hits over two appearances this postseason. Helenius had 63 points in 63 regular-season outings with AHL Rochester, and he should be in a good position to compete for a roster spot out of training camp in 2026-27.

Evans scored a goal in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5.

Evans is on a four-game point streak (one goal, four assists). This was his first tally of the postseason, and it stood as the game-winner to give the Canadiens a 3-2 series lead. Evans has six points, 16 shots on net, 27 hits, 11 blocked shots, eight PIM and a plus-7 rating through 12 playoff contests while filling a middle-six role.

Danault recorded two assists Thursday during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The veteran center helped set up tallies by Alexandre Texier in the first period and Josh Anderson in the second. It was Danault's first multi-point performance of the playoffs, and after managing just one assist in the first round against Tampa Bay, he's popped for four assists in five games against Buffalo. He'll look to keep rolling in Game 6 on Saturday as the Habs look to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Suzuki scored a power-play goal and added two assists Thursday, one with the man advantage, during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

After helping to set up Cole Caufield for Montreal's opening tally early in the first period, Suzuki potted his own late in the second before having a hand in a third-period goal by Ivan Demidov. It was Suzuki's first multi-point performance since the first game of the Habs' playoff run, but he has yet to go two straight games this postseason without getting onto the scoresheet. The 26-year-old center has four goals and 12 points through 12 contests, including two goals and seven points on the power play, into Game 6 on Saturday with a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Granlund scored a power-play goal on four shots, added two PIM, logged two hits and went minus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6.

Granlund got the Ducks on the board in the second period, but that was it for their offense. The 34-year-old produced five goals, 10 points, 20 shots on net, 26 hits and a minus-3 rating over 12 playoff outings. He's under contract for two more years and should be good for middle-six minutes in 2026-27 as a veteran presence who can help the Ducks' younger forwards take their next steps.

Howden scored a shorthanded goal on three shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Ducks in Game 6.

Howden netted his third shorthanded goal and eighth tally overall this postseason, and it stood as the series-clinching goal. The 28-year-old is up to 10 points, 20 shots on net, 34 hits and a plus-6 rating over 12 playoff contests. He continues to feature in a top-six role and has delivered offense in line with that assignment.

Groulx scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Toronto's 5-2 win over Cleveland in Game 1 on Thursday.

Groulx had his first big game of the postseason, ending a five-game slump in the process. He's earned two goals and three helpers through nine outings for the Marlies in the playoffs. Groulx put up 28 goals and 52 points in 59 AHL regular-season contests, as well as five points over 13 outings with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26.