NHL Player News

Ekblad was suspended two games Tuesday for elbowing the Lightning's Brandon Hagel in Monday's Game 4.

Ekblad will miss Game 5 in the first round. He'll also sit out either Game 6 versus the Lightning if the Panthers lose Wednesday or Game 1 of the second round if the Panthers secure the series win with a victory in Tampa Bay. This was Ekblad's second game back from a 20-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing substances. Look for Uvis Balinskis to be back in the lineup in Ekblad's absence.

Tucker (lower body) is day-to-day and will not be available against the Jets in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Tucker departed Sunday's Game 4 win after colliding with Winnipeg's Brandon Tanev and falling to the ice in an awkward fashion. Tucker scored his first career playoff goal and went plus-1 in that contest. Ryan Suter, who has been a healthy scratch in back-to-back games, will rejoin the lineup Wednesday as a result of Tucker's lower-body injury.

Petrovic logged an assist and three hits in Monday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 5.

Petrovic has a helper, four shots on net, six hits and eight blocked shots over five playoff contests. He's done fine as a third-pairing defenseman alongside Lian Bichsel -- the two have played together at AHL Texas. Still, Petrovic or Bichsel will likely be the one to cede a spot in the lineup when Miro Heiskanen (knee) is ready to return.

Lyubushkin notched an assist and two blocked shots in Monday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 5.

Lyubushkin helped out on a Mikko Rantanen tally in the second period, which gave the Stars a 3-0 lead. The 31-year-old Lyubushkin ended his 10-game point drought with the assist. He had 14 points, 51 shots on net, 84 hits, 136 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating over 80 regular-season contests. The blueliner continues to provide physicality in a top-four role, but his offense is likely to remain limited.

Harley scored a goal on two shots, went plus-2 and blocked three shots in Monday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 5.

Harley's shot bounced up and over Mackenzie Blackwood for the Stars' second goal. Things are going well for Harley, who has two goals, two assists, a plus-1 rating, five shots on net, five hits and 16 blocked shots over five playoff outings. The 23-year-old defenseman continues to play on the top pairing and will maintain a large role even when Miro Heiskanen (knee) is back in action.

Lilleberg logged an assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 4.

Lilleberg picked up his first point of the postseason when he helped out on a Mitchell Chaffee tally in the second period. The 24-year-old Lilleberg has added seven hits, three blocked shots and a minus-1 rating over four playoff contests. He had 19 points, 105 PIM, 46 shots on net, 114 hits and 61 blocks over 76 regular-season outings in his second NHL campaign.

Perbix recorded an assist, two shots on goal and two PIM in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 4.

Perbix ended a seven-game point drought with the helper. The 26-year-old defenseman has played in all four playoff contests but has just two shots on net, a hit, two blocked shots and a minus-1 rating in a limited role. Injuries to forwards have forced the Lightning to regularly dress seven defensemen, which further limits Perbix's playing time.

Cernak scored a goal on three shots, added five hits and blocked three shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 4.

Cernak ended an 11-game point drought with his second-period tally. The 27-year-old blueliner continues to fill a shutdown role on the second pairing, which has earned him a plus-2 rating, 11 shots on net, 13 hits and four blocked shots over four playoff outings. He had a career year with 21 points and a plus-29 rating over 76 regular-season appearances.

Jones scored a goal in Monday's 4-2 win over the Lightning in Game 4.

Jones' tally came 11 seconds after Aaron Ekblad tied the game, allowing the Panthers to quickly flip this game in their favor. The 30-year-old Jones hasn't been a huge factor on offense yet in the playoffs. He has two points, five shots on net, nine hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over four postseason contests. He remains in a top-four role and could see extra usage if Ekblad receives a suspension for elbowing Brandon Hagel in Monday's game, a play that went unpenalized on the ice.

Pesce is contending with an undisclosed injury and will be a game-decision for Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports.

Pesce logged 22:28 of ice time in Sunday's 5-2 loss in Game 4, so it's unclear when exactly he picked up the injury. Seamus Casey is a strong candidate to suit up Tuesday in the event that Pesce is unable to play. On top of the Devils already being without Luke Hughes (upper body), Johnny Kovacevic (undisclosed) and Brenden Dillon (lower body), Jonas Siegenthaler (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision in addition to Pesce.