NHL Player News

Eriksson EK (lower body) hasn't been ruled out for Saturday's Game 3 clash with Colorado, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Eriksson Ek has been out of action for both games of the Wild's second-round series due to his lower-body issue. In six games against the Stars in the first round, the 29-year-old center notched three goals and two assists, including a pair of power-play markers. If Eriksson Ek is given the green light to play in Game 3, he should reclaim a spot in the top six in addition to seeing power-play minutes.

Carrick (arm) will not be in the lineup versus the Canadiens for Game 2 on Friday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

According to head coach Lindy Ruff, if the Sabres absolutely needed Carrick for a Game 7, the 34-year-old center could be an option. With the team up 1-0 in the series, it seems it will give the Ontario native an extra few days off. Given the update, fantasy managers could probably plan to see Carrick in the lineup for Game 3 on Sunday. Whenever he returns to action, it figures to be in a bottom-six role.

Zegras scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 3.

Zegras' tally tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period, but that was all Frederik Andersen would give up. The 25-year-old Zegras snapped a four-game point drought with the goal. He's earned two goals, three assists, 12 shots on net, 22 hits, 26 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over nine outings in a top-six role this postseason.

Staal scored a power-play goal on two shots, added a shorthanded assist and doled out three hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Flyers in Game 3.

Staal's opening tally Thursday was his first goal this postseason. The 37-year-old center has maintained a steady middle-six role this postseason, though often with a bit more ice time than expected due to his special-teams work. He's at four points, 12 shots on net, 29 hits, nine PIM and a plus-3 rating over seven playoff contests. In previous playoff runs, he's accumulated 73 points across 162 games.

Dach scored a goal and added two hits in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Sabres in Game 1.

Dach is up to three goals and one assist over eight playoff outings so far. He's been a regular in the Canadiens' bottom six since he returned from an upper-body injury in early April. The 25-year-old has added six shots on net, 17 hits, six PIM and a plus-4 rating this postseason.

Suzuki scored a power-play goal on three shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Sabres in Game 1.

Suzuki has tallied in each of the last two games, though he wasn't able to do enough to help the Canadiens start the second round on a positive note. The 26-year-old center has two goals, five assists, 13 shots on net, 19 hits, 10 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating across eight playoff contests. He'll continue to see a massive role as the top-line center.

Dewar agreed to terms on a two-year, $4.5 million contract extension with Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Dewar -- who was set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason -- is coming off a career year in which he set new personal bests in goals (14), assists (16) and shots (110) in 78 regular-season contests. While the offensive production was no doubt a bonus for the club, he was also its top penalty killer in 2025-26, logging a team-high 209:23 of shorthanded ice time.

Dvorak (undisclosed) is available for Thursday's Game 3 against the Hurricanes, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Dvorak was considered day-to-day ahead of Thursday's Game 3 due to an undisclosed injury, but the issue apparently isn't significant enough to hold him out as the Flyers attempt to win their first game of the second round. Across his first eight postseason appearances this year, Dvorak has recorded no goals, three assists, 16 hits, five blocked shots and two PIM while averaging 18:42 of ice time.

McLeod produced a goal and an assist Wednesday, both on the power play, during the Sabres' 4-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 1 of their second-round series.

The 26-year-old center gave Buffalo a 2-0 lead midway through the first period before setting up Bowen Byram for the Sabres' final tally midway through the second. It was McLeod's first multi-point performance of the playoffs after he managed only one assist in the first round against the Bruins, and it was also his first game all season with multiple points on the power play.

Harkins scored an empty-net goal and added four hits in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

Harkins had missed the last 18 games while recovering from hand surgery. He had been a full participant in practices during the playoffs and could have been a healthy scratch for at least some of the last seven contests. Harkins' second career playoff tally in five appearances provided some insurance for the Ducks. He was held to eight points over 44 regular-season appearances and is likely to remain in a bottom-six role when he draws into the lineup.