NHL Player News

Malinski is dealing with an upper-body injury and will not suit up for Game 4 against the Wild on Monday, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Jack Ahcan will make his NHL playoff debut Monday as a result of Malinski being a late scratch. While Malinski is a tough loss for the Avalanche, the team is getting Josh Manson back in the lineup after missing the last four games because of an upper-body injury. It's possible head coach Jared Bednar will have an update on Malinski's status following Game 4. Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Colorado.

Manson (upper body) is an option for Game 4 against Minnesota on Monday, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.

Following a four-game absence, Manson appears ready to return to the lineup after being a full participant during Monday's morning skate. He has chipped in two assists, five shots on goal, one blocked shot and 10 hits in three appearances this postseason. Manson's probable return to the lineup could make Nick Blankenburg a healthy scratch in Game 4 against the Wild.

Ahcan was summoned from AHL Colorado on Monday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Ahcan participated in the Avalanche's morning skate ahead of Game 4 against Minnesota on Monday. He will be an option as a spare defender, but he will probably be a healthy scratch.

Brodin (lower body) will not be in action for Game 4 versus the Avalanche on Monday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

It will be Brodin's fifth straight absence due to his lower-body injury. In his five postseason appearances, the 32-year-old blueliner has notched one assist, six shots on net and 14 blocked shots while averaging 19:41 of ice time. With Brodin still unavailable, Daemon Hunt figures to continue seeing opportunities.

Engstrom was recalled from AHL Laval on Monday.

Engstrom will serve as one of the Black Aces for the Canadiens during postseason play after Laval's season came to an end over the weekend. Engstrom made 15 appearances for Montreal this year, recording an assist, eight blocked shots, eight PIM and seven hits while averaging 13:03 of ice time.

Reinbacher was elevated from the minors Monday.

Reinbacher made his NHL debut this season, earning an assist, three shots on goal and two blocked shots in two games for the Canadiens. In the AHL, the 21-year-old blueliner's offensive upside was on display, as he generated five goals and 19 assists in 57 regular-season contests.

Hutson notched two power-play assists in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Sabres in Game 3.

Both helpers came in the second period as the Canadiens blew open a 1-1 tie. It was Hutson's first multi-point performance of the postseason, but he's been one of Montreal's steadiest threats so far. He has gotten onto the scoresheet in eight of 10 playoff contests while compiling two goals and nine points, including one goal and four assists with the man advantage.

Dahlin produced a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Canadiens in Game 3.

The Norris Trophy finalist recorded his first points of the series, helping to set up Tage Thompson for a first-period goal before snapping home his own tally late in the second. Dahlin has two goals and six points in nine games this postseason, and both goals have come with the man advantage.

Zellweger notched an assist, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights in Game 4.

Zellweger got into the lineup over Tyson Hinds in this contest, as Hinds' regular defense partner, Drew Helleson, was sidelined by an undisclosed injury. Zellweger delivered his first playoff point, a secondary helper, on Ian Moore's game-winning goal at 3:43 of the third period. In the regular season, Zellweger produced 22 points, 119 shots on net, 85 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 76 outings. He has a path to playing time as long as the Ducks are dealing with some injuries on the blue line, but he may not be an everyday option for the rest of the postseason.

Moore scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Golden Knights in Game 4.

Moore was back in the lineup after two games as a healthy scratch, replacing Drew Helleson (undisclosed). The goal, Moore's first in the playoffs, came at 3:43 of the third period, and it stood as the game-winner. The 24-year-old saw time both as a defenseman and a forward this season, racking up 12 points, 66 shots on net, 42 hits, 80 blocked shots and a minus-14 rating over 67 regular-season appearances. Moore will likely fill a third-pairing role until Helleson or Radko Gudas (lower body) returns.