NHL Player News

Ostlund scored a goal and added an assist Thursday during the Sabres' 3-1 win over the Bruins in Game 3 of their first-round series.

The rookie center had a hand in a Bowen Byram tally that got Buffalo on the board midway through the second period, before Ostlund hustled for an empty-netter late in the third. Ostlund had been sidelined since March 27 due to an upper-body injury, missing the Sabres' last 12 games, but he made an immediate impact in his return after producing 11 goals and 27 points in 60 regular-season contests.

Cousins notched an assist and five hits in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 3.

Goals have been hard to find for the Senators -- they're getting outscored 7-3 over three games in this first-round series. Cousins has gone 13 contests without scoring, picking up three helpers in that span. He's a veteran of 68 playoff games prior to this year, in which he earned 15 points over seven separate postseason runs. Cousins had 23 points, 79 shots on net, 92 PIM, 169 hits and 41 blocked shots over 81 regular-season outings this year.

Nelson scored an empty-net goal on two shots and added two hits in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings in Game 3.

Nelson entered this contest on an 11-game goal drought, and he hadn't earned a point over his last four contests. He was able to snap the slump with an empty-netter, and he's added six shots on net, six hits, six blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over three playoff games. Prior to this year, Nelson accumulated 27 goals and 27 assists over 85 postseason appearances across nine playoff runs.

Stankoven scored a goal in a 2-1 win over Ottawa in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday.

Stankoven became the first player in franchise history to open the scoring in three straight Stanley Cup Playoff games. He went bar down over the blocker of Linus Ullmark early in the first to stake the Hurricanes to a 1-0 lead. Stankoven (three goals, one assist) and linemates Taylor Hall (one goal, four assists) and Jackson Blake (one goal, three assists) have accounted for almost all of the team's offense. The Hurricanes lead the series 3-0 and can move to the next round with a victory Saturday.

Henrique (lower body) won't travel with the Oilers to Anaheim, per Ryan Rishaug of TSN, which rules him out for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday.

Henrique logged just 2:56 of ice time in Game 1 of Edmonton's first-round series against the Ducks because of the injury, and he didn't participate in Game 2. He had three goals and 15 points in 65 regular-season outings in 2025-26.

The Blues announced Thursday that Kyrou underwent a minor knee procedure earlier this week but is expected to be ready for training camp.

Kyrou completed the regular season with 18 goals and 46 points in 72 outings after finishing each of the previous three regular seasons with over 30 goals and 65 points. Although he'll have a recovery process during the offseason, it's encouraging that he's slated to be ready for camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Malkin scored a power-play goal on two shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Flyers in Game 3.

Malkin opened the scoring at 4:18 of the first period, but the Flyers overwhelmed the Penguins with a three-goal second period. The 39-year-old has done his part so far, earning three points on the Penguins' four goals in this first-round series. Malkin has added five shots on net, three hits and four PIM this postseason, but he'll need to be at his best with Pittsburgh facing elimination Saturday in Game 4.

Ostlund (upper body) will return to action for Thursday's Game 3 against Boston, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Ostlund missed the Sabres' final 10 regular-season games and first two postseason matchups, but he was trending in the right direction recently and will officially get the green light to return to action Thursday. Josh Norris (undisclosed) will be unavailable Thursday, so Ostlund centered the third line during morning skate and was part of the second power-play unit. Across 60 regular-season appearances this year, Ostlund recorded 11 goals, 16 assists, 30 blocked shots and 14 PIM while averaging 13:58 of ice time.

Norris (undisclosed) will not play in Boston for Game 3 on Thursday, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports.

Head coach Lindy Ruff would not divulge the reason for Norris' absence, but ruled out an illness. Norris had a six-game point streak to end the regular season, but he was held off the scoresheet in the opening two games of the series. Noah Ostlund (upper body) will replace Norris in the lineup Thursday. Norris could return to action as early as Sunday for Game 4 in Boston.

Couturier notched two assists Wednesday during the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins in Game 3 of their first-round series.

The helpers came on second-period tallies by Rasmus Ristolainen and Nick Seeler that put the Flyers in the lead for good. Couturier has three assists through three games to begin the postseason, but the veteran center no longer has a consistent spot on the power play and is coming off a regular season in which he managed just 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) over 78 games -- his worst total for a campaign in which he played 70-plus games since he was a rookie in 2011-12.