NHL Player News

Ceci logged an assist, five blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Avalanche in Game 6.

Ceci has a helper in three of six playoff outings so far while filling a top-four role as a shutdown defender. He's added five shots on net, 12 blocked shots, 11 hits and a minus-1 rating. Ceci's scoring output is never going to rank among the league's best, but he's been a reliable role player for the Stars in a tight first-round series.

Toews notched an assist and went plus-3 in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Stars in Game 6.

Toews' assist streak is up to three games after he helped out on a second-period tally by Martin Necas. The 31-year-old Toews has four points, five shots on net, 17 blocked shots, four hits and a plus-3 rating over six playoff outings. He continues to provide a defensive counterweight to Cale Makar on the Avalanche's top pairing.

Manson scored an empty-net goal on three shots and added seven hits in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Stars in Game 6.

Manson has been tasked with playing a shutdown role during the postseason, so it's no surprise he hasn't been all that active on offense. He has a goal, an assist, 14 shots on net, 22 hits, nine blocked shots, eight PIM and plus-3 rating over six playoff outings. He's playing in a top-four role, but Manson and Ryan Lindgren are essentially interchangeable in terms of who gets more ice time.

Makar scored an empty-net goal on six shots, dished two assists, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Stars in Game 6.

Makar had been held off the scoresheet over the last three games, going minus-4 in that span. The defenseman made up for it with a big performance in a must-win Game 6. He set up tallies by Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas before adding an empty-netter late in the third period. Makar has five points, 25 shots, eight blocked shots, eight hits and an even plus-minus rating over six playoff outings. The Avalanche will need this version of Makar to show up again in Saturday's Game 7.

Chabot delivered two assists Thursday in a 4-2 loss to Toronto in Game 6.

Chabot stepped up in his first postseason, delivering one goal, three assists and 11 shots in six games. He averaged just shy of 25 minutes of ice time (24:58) and delivered seven blocks, seven shots and four hits. The 28-year-old Chabot has three years on his $8 million AAV contract, and he'll be instrumental for the Sens as they take that big step forward in the next couple of seasons.

Heiskanen (knee) will remain on the shelf for Game 6 against Colorado on Thursday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Heiskanen made the trip for Game 6 versus Colorado on Thursday but won't be in action to face the Avs. The 25-year-old defenseman was limited to just 50 games during the regular season in which he generated five goals and 20 helpers, including seven power-play assists. At this point, Heiskanen should probably be considered questionable, at best, for Game 7 if necessary.

Chychrun scored a goal, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5.

Chychrun's goal put the Capitals ahead 2-0, and it was ultimately all they needed to secure the 4-1 series win. The 27-year-old defenseman picked up the pace with two goals and an assist over the last three games. He has added nine shots on net, five hits, 15 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over five playoff outings. Chychrun will be a big part of the Capitals' overall plans as they face the Hurricanes in the second round.

Hedman provided two assists, three shots on goal, two blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Panthers in Game 5.

Hedman put up a decent three helpers (two on the power play) over five playoff contests. The top-pairing defenseman added 10 shots on net, six blocked shots, three hits and a minus-6 rating this postseason. Hedman was strong with 66 points in 79 regular-season outings. At 34 years old, a decline is likely drawing near, but Hedman's part of a strong offense and power-play unit. He'll be in the first season of a four-year, $32 million contract extension in 2025-26, so he remains a big part of the Lightning's plans moving forward.

Forsling logged an assist, three hits, five blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Lightning in Game 5.

The helper was Forsling's first point in five playoff contests. The 28-year-old defenseman has added eight shots on net, six hits, 11 blocked shots, four PIM and a plus-1 rating this postseason. He continues to play on the top pairing as a strong defensive presence. Forsling will be leaned on early in the second round as well, as Aaron Ekblad (suspension) has one more game to serve before he's eligible to return to action.

Kovacevic is dealing with a knee injury that will probably require surgery, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Thursday.

Kovacevic missed the Devils' last two games due to his knee injury and could be in danger of being sidelined for the start of training camp in the fall. Fortunately for the 27-year-old defenseman, he signed a new five-year deal with the Devils in March, otherwise, he'd be heading into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent with a questionable knee.