NHL Player News

Luostarinen logged an assist, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 4-2 win over the Lightning in Game 4.

Luostarinen picked up his first point of the playoffs by helping out on Anton Lundell's opening goal in the second period. The Panthers' forward group has been healthy this postseason, leaving Luostarinen stuck on the third line, so it's no surprise he hasn't done much scoring. He's added two shots on net, 16 hits, five blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over four playoff contests.

Verhaeghe scored an empty-net goal on two shots and added five hits in Monday's 4-2 win over the Lightning in Game 4.

The Panthers scored three times in the final four minutes of the contest, with Verhaeghe putting the finishing touches on the win. The 29-year-old winger has managed two points, nine shots on net, 10 hits and an even plus-minus rating over four playoff outings. He continues to play on the top line and appears to have carried over some momentum from late in the regular season, which he closed out with six points over five games.

Steeves, Jacob Quillan, Nick Abruzzese, Reese Johnson, Alexander Nylander, Roni Hirvonen, Matt Benning, Cade Webber, Topi Niemela, William Villeneuve, Mikko Kokkonen, Marshall Rifai and Matt Murray were recalled from AHL Toronto on Tuesday.

With the Marlies eliminated from the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, the Maple Leafs have plenty of extras with the team during the NHL postseason. Steeves had one goal, one assist, seven shots on net and 19 hits in seven appearances with the big club during the regular season. However, none of these players will likely see playoff action for the Maple Leafs unless there is a significant run of injuries.

Johnston scored two goals, one on the power play, and added an assist Monday in the Stars' 6-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 5 of their first-round series.

The 21-year-old wrote his name in the franchise record book when he banked a shot from the corner in off Mackenzie Blackwood just nine seconds into the first period -- the fastest playoff goal in Stars history. Johnston then snuffed out a Colorado rally late in the second period with his power-play tally, giving Dallas a 4-2 lead. The goals were the first of the postseason for Johnston, who has five points in five games. He'll look to stay hot as the Stars try to advance to the second round in Game 6 on Thursday.

Necas pocketed two assists Monday in the Avalanche's 6-2 loss to the Stars in Game 5 of their first-round series.

The 26-year-old winger helped set up tallies by Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon midway through the second period, but the Avs' offense was otherwise quiet. Necas has had a sluggish start to the postseason, managing just three assists in five games while attempting only six shots on net, and he may need to find another gear Thursday if the Avs are going to avoid elimination in Game 6.

MacKinnon produced a goal and an assist Monday in the Avalanche's 6-2 loss to the Stars in Game 5 of their first-round series.

The 29-year-old superstar sparked a brief rally in the second period after his team had fallen behind 3-0, but it was all the offense the Avs could muster. MacKinnon has had a dazzling start to the series, racking up five goals and seven points in five games, but his playoff run could come to an early end with Colorado facing elimination in Game 6 on Thursday.

Lundell scored a goal and added an assist Monday in the Panthers' 4-2 win over the Lightning in Game 4 of their first-round series.

The 23-year-old center opened the scoring midway through the second period, slipping the puck past Andrei Vasilevskiy from right on the goalie's doorstep. Lundell then helped set up Seth Jones for the game-winner late in the third. The points were the first of the postseason for Lundell, who posted a career-high 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) over 79 appearances during the regular season.

Hallander signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the Penguins on Monday, per PuckPedia.

Hallander's one-way contract will begin next season. The 2018 second-round selection accumulated 26 goals and 53 points over 51 regular-season games with Timra of the Swedish Hockey League in 2024-25. Hallander has only three games of NHL experience, but he has a good chance at earning a spot on the Penguins' Opening Night roster in 2025-26.

Vilardi (upper body) is expected to be back in the lineup for Game 5 versus the Blues on Wednesday, John Lu of TSN reports.

Vilardi has been out since March 23 versus the Sabres, a stretch of 15 games on the shelf due to his upper-body issue. The 25-year-old Ontario native should be in the mix for a top-six role, which will likely drop Alex Iafallo down the lineup.

Colton (lower body) will not be an option versus Dallas in Game 5 on Monday, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Colton has appeared in just one of the Avalanche's last eight contests due to his lower-body injury. During the regular season, the New Jersey native came up just one point shy of reaching the 30-point threshold for the fourth straight year, ending the campaign with 16 goals and 13 helpers in 61 contests. Once given the all-clear, Colton should slot into a bottom-six role for Colorado.