NHL Player News

Walker (undisclosed) won't play Saturday in Game 3 versus the Panthers, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Walker participated in part of warmups but ultimately won't be able to suit up for Game 3. The 30-year-old defenseman was a game-time decision after sustaining an injury he was able to partially play through in Game 2. Walker will be replaced by Alexander Nikishin in the lineup Saturday.

Walker (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 3 in Florida on Saturday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Walker participated in Saturday's morning skate, but he left the ice before the end of practice. Walker was injured in the second period of Game 2 against the Panthers on Thursday, playing only 9:52. Should Walker sit out Saturday's clash, look for rookie Alexander Nikishin to enter the lineup.

Chatfield (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Game 3 against the Panthers on Saturday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Chatfield wasn't a participant in Saturday's morning skate and will miss a fourth straight game with an injury that has kept him out since the final contest of Carolina's second-round series against the Capitals. The 29-year-old has played well when he's been in the lineup, scoring a goal and holding a plus-6 rating across nine appearances this postseason.

Per Ryan Rishaug of TSN on Saturday, head coach Kris Knoblauch has not ruled Ekholm (undisclosed) out of Games 3 and 4 against Dallas.

Ekholm is still day-to-day, according to Knoblauch. He has missed 23 of the last 24 games, seeing just 1:52 of ice time against the Stars on March 26. Should Ekholm return to the lineup, John Klingberg could become the odd man out.

Walman logged an assist, three shots on goal, three blocked shots and two hits in Friday's 3-0 win over the Stars in Game 2.

Walman has yet to earn more than one point in any playoff round. He's playing in the a third-pairing role for the Oilers, who haven't had to lean on him as much because John Klingberg has been a good fit since entering the lineup. Walman now has a goal, two assists, a plus-12 rating, 22 shots on net, 18 hits, 33 blocked shots and six PIM through 13 playoff contests.

Bouchard notched two assists, including one on the power play, and blocked three shots in Friday's 3-0 win over the Stars in Game 2.

Bouchard has six multi-point efforts over 13 playoff games. He's opened the Western Conference Finals with a goal and two assists over two contests as he continues to play a leading role on the Oilers' blue line. Overall, he's racked up five goals, 10 assists, 31 shots on net, 18 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating this postseason.

Kulak scored a goal in Friday's 3-0 win over the Stars in Game 2.

Kulak got a second chance on a rush play and buried the goal to put the Oilers ahead 2-0 at 15:23 of the second period. This snapped a six-game point drought for the defenseman. He's seeing top-four minutes at this stage of the playoffs, though his role could be reduced if Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed) is able to return during the Western Conference Finals. Kulak has three points, a plus-5 rating, 15 shots on net, 10 hits and 23 blocked shots over 13 playoffs appearances.

Walker (undisclosed) is questionable for Game 3 in Florida on Saturday, according to Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News.

Walker was injured in Game 2 on Thursday. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Friday that Walker was "better than he thought he would be" and is considered iffy for Game 3. Should Walker be unavailable, look for Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) or Alexander Nikishin to enter the lineup.

Ekblad had two assists in a 5-0 win over Carolina in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday.

Ekblad has three points (one goal, two assists) in two games this series, and he has nine points overall, including three goals, and 24 shots in 10 games. That's Ekblad's best offensive output of any postseason of his career. He had one goal and five assists in 24 games in last season's Cup run.

Forsling scored a goal Thursday in a 5-0 win over the Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

It stood as the winner. Forsling put the Panthers up 1-0 at 1:17 of the first frame. Matthew Tkachuk intercepted a pass up the boards and fed the defender, who curled out between the circles and wired a snap shot over Frederik Andersen's left pad. The goal came on the first shot of the game. Forsling has just four points, including three assists, this postseason (14 games), but his value comes in his D-zone abilities.