NHL Player News

MacKinnon scored a goal on six shots in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 7.

MacKinnon scored seven times and added four assists over seven playoff contests, but the NHL's current playoff goals leader will go no further after the Avalanche were eliminated. The 29-year-old will undoubtedly be frustrated with another early exit -- the Avalanche haven't gotten out of the second round since their Stanley Cup title in 2022. He was superb with 32 goals, 116 points, 320 shots on net and a plus-25 rating over 79 regular-season appearances, and fantasy managers wishing to have him on their roster for next year will have to invest an early first-round pick to do that.

Back notched an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Back helped out on the first of Mikko Rantanen's three goals, which sparked the Stars' third-period comeback. The 25-year-old Back has two assists over six outings in his first taste of playoff action. The fourth-liner has added one shot on net, three hits, four blocked shots and a minus-1 rating. Back was bothered by an oblique injury earlier in the series, but when he feels well enough to play, he appears to be the preferred option for the last spot in the lineup over Mavrik Bourque. Both players could be out of luck once Jason Robertson (knee) is cleared to return.

Seguin posted an assist and two hits in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Seguin managed two goals, two assists, 10 shots on net, eight hits and a plus-1 rating over seven contests in the first round. It was a quiet showing for his line with Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment, but the Stars are heading to the second round, giving those players more time to be a factor on offense. Seguin has had his minutes managed after a long-term hip injury -- he finished with fewer than 15 minutes of ice time in four of the seven first-round games.

Duchene notched two assists, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and two PIM in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Duchene set up back-to-back power-play goals that flipped a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead for the Stars. Other than this performance, it was a quiet first round for Duchene and the Stars' second line, which will need to change if they've got a deep run in mind. The 34-year-old was limited to three assists, 10 shots on net, four hits, six blocked shots and a minus-6 rating over seven contests versus the Avalanche.

Johnston scored a power-play goal on two shots, added three hits and went minus-2 in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Mikko Rantanen had a hat trick in the contest, but Johnston's tally was the game-winner that sent the Stars to the second round. The 21-year-old Johnston cashed in on a power play that resulted from Jack Drury's holding penalty late in the final frame. Johnston had an acceptable first round with three goals, four assists, 16 shots on net, nine hits and a minus-9 rating over seven contests. The 21-year-old center continues to be a critical part of the Stars' overall game plan.

Dorofeyev (undisclosed) didn't participate in Saturday's practice and remains day-to-day ahead of Round 2 of the playoffs, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

Dorofeyev sat out Thursday's series-clinching 3-2 win over Minnesota in Game 6 after getting hurt in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory. He has one goal and an assist in five postseason outings after producing 35 tallies and 52 points across 82 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. If Dorofeyev returns for Game 1 versus Edmonton, Tanner Pearson and Victor Olofsson are candidates to come out of the lineup.

Scheifele (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision against St. Louis on Sunday in Game 7, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Scheifele sat out Friday's 5-2 loss to the Blues after getting hurt in Wednesday's 5-3 victory in Game 5. However, he feels better after skating on his own Saturday. Scheifele has accounted for two goals and four assists in five appearances this postseason. If he receives clearance to play in Game 7, the 32-year-old forward will return to the top line and see time on the first power-play unit.

Kapanen was reassigned to AHL Laval on Saturday.

The 21-year-old center had two assists across 18 regular-season games with the Canadiens and chipped in with an assist in three playoff games versus Washington. Kapanen spent most of the season with Timra IK of the Swedish Hockey League, where he registered 15 goals and 20 assists in 36 regular-season games.

Appleton notched a power-play assist and two PIM in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Blues in Game 6.

Appleton has been a big playmaker in the first round, earning six assists, including two on the power play, over his last six games. The 29-year-old forward has added a plus-4 rating, seven shots on net, 13 hits and three blocked shots. Appleton remains in a third-line role, but he's in little danger of moving down the lineup as long as his offense stays strong.

Namestnikov notched a power-play assist and three hits in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Blues in Game 6.

Namestnikov filled in for Mark Scheifele (undisclosed) on the top line in this contest, though the Jets didn't score at even strength. Namestnikov has typically played in a middle-six role, but he's versatile enough to move around the lineup as necessary. He has three points, seven shots on net 14 hits, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over six playoff outings. Scheifele's status for Sunday's Game 7 is not yet known.