NHL Player News

Appleton recorded three assists, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Blues in Game 5.

Appleton has quietly picked up five assists over five playoff outings after his impressive game Wednesday. He had not logged a multi-point effort since Dec. 7 versus the Blackhawks. Appleton has produced six shots on net, 12 hits, 10 PIM and a plus-4 rating this postseason while playing in his usual third-line role.

Lowry scored an empty-net goal on two shots and added three hits in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Blues in Game 5.

Lowry has two goals over five playoff games so far, and they've both been empty-netters. The 32-year-old center has added nine shots on net, 21 hits, 14 PIM and a minus-2 rating. Lowry could be in line for more ice time if Mark Scheifele (undisclosed) is unable to play in Friday's Game 6.

Namestnikov scored a goal on four shots, added an assist, logged three hits and went plus-3 in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Blues in Game 5.

Namestnikov helped the Jets take control of the game in the latter half of the second period. He helped out on a Dylan DeMelo goal before scoring one of his own, which stood as the game-winner. These were Namestnikov's first two points of the playoffs. The center has added seven shots on net, 11 hits, three blocked shots, a plus-2 rating and 14 PIM over five postseason outings. Namestnikov could be in line for a bigger role after Mark Scheifele (undisclosed) left Wednesday's contest.

Scheifele (undisclosed) won't finish Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Blues, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.

Scheifele was injured on a hit in the first period, but he wasn't ruled out for the game until early in the third. The 32-year-old center picked up an assist prior to his exit, giving him six points over five playoff contests. All of those points have come on home ice, but Scheifele's potential absence still looms large for Game 6 in St. Louis on Friday.

Protas (foot) is expected to be in the lineup versus the Canadiens in Wednesday's Game 5, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

Protas warmed up on the fourth line, which suggests he'll be eased back in after a 10-game absence. The 24-year-old Protas was superb at even strength in the regular season, earning 30 goals and 36 assists over 76 games. He had just six special-teams points -- five shorthanded and one on the power play.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy said Wednesday that Dorofeyev (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Dorofeyev exited Tuesday's Game 5 overtime win in the third period due to an unspecified injury, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Game 6 in Minnesota on Thursday. If the 24-year-old is unable to suit up, Victor Olofsson will likely enter the lineup in his place.

Cotter logged an assist, two shots on goal and nine hits in Tuesday's 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Cotter ended his nine-game point drought with the helper. The 25-year-old was limited to one assist, five shots on net, 22 hits, three blocked shots and a minus-1 rating over five playoff outings. He's under contract for 2025-26 and is lined up for restricted free agency next summer, so he'll be looking for a big season. Cotter put up 22 points, 90 shots, 245 hits, 62 PIM and a minus-14 rating over 79 regular-season appearances in his first year with the Devils.

Mercer scored a goal, added six PIM and went minus-2 in Tuesday's 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Mercer opened the scoring 3:46 into the game. However, the Hurricanes proved resilient and the contest went into double overtime, where the 23-year-old's double-minor for high-sticking Jesperi Kotkaniemi led to the end of the Devils' season. Mercer was relatively quiet in the postseason with two goals, a minus-6 rating, eight PIM, eight shots on net and 15 hits over five contests. The 23-year-old was limited to 36 points in 82 regular-season appearances, and while he's yet to miss a game in his career, his offense has trended in the wrong direction over the last few years.

Hischier scored a goal on four shots and added three hits in Tuesday's 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5.

Hischier briefly restored a lead for the Devils with his goal at 7:26 of the second period. This came after the Hurricanes erased the Devils' initial 3-0 lead. Hischier was excellent in the postseason, scoring four times over five games. He added 16 shots on net, 11 hits, seven blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating. Injuries caught up to the Devils late in the year, but they should once again be a contender in 2025-26 if everyone is healthy, and Hischier figures to play a large role next season.

Jankowski notched an assist and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-4 double-overtime win over the Devils in Game 5.

Jankowski set up a Jackson Blake goal in the second period. The 30-year-old Jankowski played in the last two games of the first round, earning two shots on goal, three blocked shots, a hit and a plus-1 rating. The bottom-six forward has been in competition with Jack Roslovic for ice time to begin the postseason, and it's not yet clear which of them will have the upper hand for Game 1 of the second round.