NHL Player News

Reinhart logged two assists, three hits and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Reinhart missed the previous two games due to a lower-body injury. He looks to be as close to 100 percent as any player is at this time of the campaign, as he logged 21:37 in his return to the lineup. The 29-year-old winger is up to four goals, nine helpers, 41 shots on net, 33 hits, 14 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 15 playoff appearances. He'll have a bit of time to recuperate before the Panthers look to complete their title defense in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Barkov notched two assists, two shots on goal, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Barkov set up third-period tallies by Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett to help the Panthers clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. Over five games against the Hurricanes, Barkov put up three goals and four assists from his first-line spot. The 29-year-old leads the Panthers in points this postseason with 17 in as many games, and he's added 34 shots on net, 40 hits, 16 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating.

Lundell scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Lundell picked up his first goal of the series to put the Panthers ahead 3-2 in the second period. The 23-year-old wasn't asked to fill in above the third line during the Eastern Conference Finals, instead playing a defensive style to keep the Panthers steady. He has earned five goals, seven assists, 34 shots on net, 21 hits, 17 blocked shots, eight PIM and a plus-12 rating over 17 playoff outings.

Luostarinen (undisclosed) is expected to be ready to play in the Stanley Cup Finals, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

The Cup Finals don't have a defined start date yet, but it's expected Luostarinen will have at least a week to rest up and get ready for the next round after the Panthers clinched their spot in Game 5 on Wednesday. Assuming he doesn't have a setback, he should continue to fill a third-line role.

Rodrigues scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and logged three hits in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Rodrigues' tally in the second period tied the game at 2-2. It was his first goal this postseason, as he's often had to settle for setting up teammates rather than finding the twine himself. The 31-year-old forward is up to 11 points, 24 shots on net, 29 hits, eight PIM and a plus-2 rating across 15 playoff appearances. He should continue to be a factor on offense as long as he remains in a top-six role heading into the Stanley Cup Finals.

Verhaeghe scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Verhaeghe's third-period tally was the game-winner and series-clincher, sending the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third year in a row. He put up six points over five contests versus the Hurricanes in this series. Verhaeghe is at six goals, 14 points, 38 shots on net, 48 hits and a plus-4 rating across 17 playoff outings, a level of performance that's become expected of him in the postseason.

Bennett scored an empty-net goal on five shots, added an assist, logged two PIM, doled out for hits and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Bennett filled the stat sheet in this contest. The 28-year-old also took a late penalty with the Panthers leading by a goal, but his teammates killed it off and he made up for the misdeed by finishing off the win with the empty-netter. Bennett has four goals and three assists in the Eastern Conference Finals, putting him at 10 goals, six helpers, 51 shots, 86 hits, 26 PIM and a plus-2 rating across 17 playoff outings. His 16 points have him tied for second on the Panthers this postseason, even with Matthew Tkachuk and one behind Aleksander Barkov for the team lead.

Luostarinen (undisclosed) won't return to Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Hurricanes.

Luostarinen was hurt in the first period after an awkward crash into the boards following a missed hit. He was ruled out for the rest of the game during the second period. If Luostarinen misses additional time, Jesper Boqvist or Nico Sturm appear to be the most likely players to take his spot in the lineup.

Hayden inked a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the Kraken on Wednesday, per Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle.

Hayden had the opportunity to test the UFA market after completing his one-year, $775,000 deal, but he's opted to stay with Seattle. The 30-year-old had a goal, two points, 31 PIM and 44 hits across 20 outings with the Kraken in 2024-25. His new contract is a one-way agreement, so it wouldn't be surprising if Hayden starts 2025-26 with the NHL squad, though his spot isn't guaranteed, and he would probably spend a fair amount of time as a healthy scratch with the Kraken.

Lowry underwent hip surgery Tuesday and will be out 5-6 months.

Based on his timeline, Lowry is likely to miss at least the first month of the 2025-26 campaign, though it could certainly be longer. The 32-year-old center has reached the 30-point threshold in each of the last three seasons but could be in danger of missing that mark given his time out of the lineup. With Lowry potentially on the shelf for 1-2 months next year, youngsters like Brayden Yager or Brad Lambert could make the Opening Night roster in October.