NHL Player News

  • Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Back in saddle in Game 3 loss

    Barkov had five shots, two hits and one block across 18:52 of ice time Saturday in a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 3.

    Brandon Hagel missed Saturday's game after being suspended for interference on Barkov on Thursday. Barkov didn't have a shot on goal in the first two games versus the Lightning while earning three assists. He put up eight goals and 14 assists in 24 games last postseason, and he will likely continue a near-point-per-game pace as long as the Panthers remain in the playoffs.

  • Lightning's Gage Goncalves: Rare offensive outburst

    Goncalves put up two assists and four hits in a 5-1 win over Florida on Saturday in Game 3.

    Goncalves is coming off a 20-point (eight goals, 12 assists) rookie campaign in 2024-25, where he averaged 12:48 of ice time per game. His playing time has increased during the playoffs, and he logged 18:31 of action in Game 3. Goncalves has three assists and nine hits in three games this postseason but doesn't have a shot on goal yet.

  • Lightning's Anthony Cirelli: Big night in sin bin

    Cirelli scored a goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Panthers in Game 3.

    Cirelli scored an empty-net goal for the 5-1 final at 15:00. He also put up 14 PIM, including a 10-minute misconduct on the ensuing faceoff after he scored. Cirelli's role will center around his shutdown abilities this postseason, so there probably won't be many points.

  • Lightning's Luke Glendening: Gets rare goal in Game 3 win

    Glendening scored a goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over Florida in Game 3. '

    Glendening isn't known for his offense, but it was a pretty snipe. He scored on a 2-on-1 off a pass from Yanni Gourde in the third period. It put the Bolts up 4-1. Glendening has 48 postseason games on his resume, but he hadn't put up a playoff point since 2022-23 when he skated with Dallas.

  • Nick Paul C | TB

    Lightning's Nick Paul: Fires winner in Game 3

    Paul scored a goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over Florida in Game 3.

    Paul fired a wrist shot from the right circle, and it clipped the inside of Sergei Bobrovsky's skate and in for the game-winner. It was a bit of a weak goal, but it gave the Bolts a lead for the first time in the series. It was Paul's first point this postseason and his 13th in 37 playoff outings. However, he has contributed in other ways, earning 14 hits and winning 62.1 percent of his faceoffs.

  • Lightning's Brayden Point: Two goals in three games

    Point scored a goal Saturday in a 5-1 win over the Panthers in Game 3.

    Point tied the game 1-1 at 17:15 of the first period when Jake Guentzel's shot hit him and deflected past Sergei Bobrovsky. Point has two goals on nine shots this postseason and will look to build on that in Game 4 on Monday night.

  • Lightning's Jake Guentzel: Big three-point effort carries win

    Guentzel had a goal and two assists in a 5-1 victory over Florida in Game 3 on Saturday.

    Guentzel scored from in front of the net 21 seconds into the third period, with the teams skating at 4-on-4 to put the Bolts up 3-1. Guentzel has two goals, two assists and 11 shots in three games this postseason. Florida leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 set for Monday night.

  • Oskar Back C | DAL

    Stars' Oskar Back: Unavailable Saturday

    Back (oblique) isn't expected to play Saturday against Colorado in Game 4, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

    Back has an assist in three playoff outings this year. He recorded four goals and 16 points across 73 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. Back's absence will result in Mavrik Bourque drawing into the lineup

  • Jets' Gabriel Vilardi: Game-time call for Sunday

    Vilardi (upper body) will be a game-time decision against St. Louis on Sunday in Game 4 after being a full participant in Saturday's practice, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press reports.

    Vilardi has missed the last 14 games, including the first three outings of Winnipeg's first-round playoff series versus the Blues. He amassed 27 goals, 61 points and 130 shots on net across 71 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. If Vilardi receives the green light to return, he will probably land a top-six role and see time on the first power-play unit.

  • Oskar Back C | DAL

    Stars' Oskar Back: Game-time decision

    Back (oblique) will be a game-time decision in Game 4 versus Colorado on Saturday, per Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

    According to Owen Newkirk of DLLS Sports, Back sustained an oblique injury in Game 3 against the Avalanche on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Back participated in Saturday's morning skate but could be replaced in the lineup by Mavrik Bourque.

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