NHL Player News

Sturm logged two assists, two shots on goal and two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

This was Sturm's first multi-point effort since Dec. 7, 2023. He ended the postseason at one goal, four assists, 10 shots on net, 17 hits and an even plus-minus rating over eight appearances. The Wild could experience some turnover at forward this offseason, but Sturm is under contract and will be in contention for bottom-six minutes if he remains with the team to start 2026-27.

Necas produced two assists, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

Necas set up Nathan MacKinnon's goal with 1:23 left in the third period and Brett Kulak's game-winner at 3:52 of overtime. This was Necas' fourth multi-point effort over five contests in the second round -- he totaled a goal and eight assists in the series. Overall, he's earned 11 points, 25 shots, 14 hits and a plus-9 rating across nine playoff outings. Necas has been mostly held to playmaking in the postseason, but after scoring 38 goals in the regular season, he's still a threat to shoot that opponents can't ignore.

Drury scored a goal on four shots, added two hits and went plus-3 in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

Drury tallied with 3:33 left in the third period to pull the Avalanche within a goal. The 26-year-old center has added a little depth scoring with two goals, two assists, 12 shots on net, 11 hits and a plus-2 rating over nine playoff contests. He fills a fourth-line role and works as a faceoff ace, so Drury will be in the lineup as long as he remains healthy.

MacKinnon scored a goal on nine shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

MacKinnon picked a great time to stretch his goal streak to six games, doing so with 1:23 left in the third period. His tally was the equalizer, helping the Avalanche erase a 3-0 deficit they faced after one period. The 30-year-old has accumulated seven goals, six assists, 36 shots on net, seven hits and a plus-7 rating through nine playoff contests. He'll be in prime position to add to his totals after the Avalanche rest up ahead of the Western Conference Finals.

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.