NHL Player News

Parayko notched two assists, four shots on goal, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Jets in Game 4.

Parayko set up tallies by Jake Neighbours and Brayden Schenn in this contest. After a bit of a rough showing in the first two games of the series, Parayko bounced back well on home ice. He's at three points, a plus-1 rating, 10 shots on net, five hits and eight blocked shots over four playoff outings while occupying his usual top-four role.

Faulk scored a goal on two shots, added six hits and blocked two shots in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Jets in Game 4.

Faulk snapped a 13-game goal drought, during which he had just two assists, when he scored late in the second period. Those two helpers came in the playoff opener, so he's earned three points with seven shots on net, 13 hits, five blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over four postseason outings. Faulk continues to play in a top-four role and on the second power-play unit, which gives him a chance to be a decent all-around contributor.

Kovacevic (undisclosed) will not play Sunday in Game 4 against Carolina.

Kovacevic will miss Sunday's contest after suffering an injury early in Friday's Game 3. With Kovacevic, Luke Hughes (upper body) and Brenden Dillon (lower body) all sidelined, Dennis Cholowski is expected to slot back into New Jersey's lineup on the third pairing.

Spurgeon scored a goal and blocked two shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Golden Knights in Game 4.

This was Spurgeon's first point since his helper April 9 versus the Sharks. The defenseman has posted seven shots on net, eight blocked shots, four hits and a plus-5 rating over four playoff contests. The Wild are leaning heavily on their top-four blueliners, so expect Spurgeon to continue seeing significant minutes throughout the Wild's postseason run.

McNabb notched an assist in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 4.

This was McNabb's first point in four playoff outings in this series. He's gotten into some defensive trouble, though defense partner Shea Theodore hasn't been at his best early in the first round. McNabb has added four shots on net, six hits, 10 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating so far in the postseason.

Theodore scored a power-play goal on six shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 4.

Theodore has had a rough series defensively, but he made a key contribution on offense for the Golden Knights in this contest. His goal opened the scoring at 6:47 of the first period. The blueliner has recorded two power-play points, 10 shots on net, three blocked shots and a minus-5 rating over four playoff outings.

DeMelo (illness) will play Sunday in Game 4 against the Blues, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

DeMelo will return to the Jets' blue line after an illness kept him sidelined in Game 3. The 31-year-old DeMelo has one assist in the playoffs after logging 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 82 regular-season contests.

McCabe notched an assist and blocked three shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Senators in Game 4.

The helper was McCabe's first point in four playoff contests. The 31-year-old blueliner has added 11 blocks, three hits, two shots on net and a plus-2 rating. He missed the last seven games of the regular season due to an upper-body injury, but he's had no trouble stepping back into a top-four role during postseason play. McCabe had 23 points, 118 hits, 135 blocks and a plus-23 rating over 66 regular-season outings, so he'll fill more of a shutdown role in the playoffs.

Zub notched an assist in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs in Game 4.

Zub picked up his first point of the postseason on a David Perron tally in the third period. The 29-year-old Zub has added two hits, six blocked shots, three shots on net and a minus-2 rating over four contests. He's playing in a top-four role as a shutdown defenseman, so expect his scoring to be limited while he continues to focus on his own zone.

Ekman-Larsson scored a goal Saturday in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Senators in Game 4.

It was a beauty one-timer off a cross-ice pass from William Nylander that tied the game 3-3 in the third. It was Ekman-Larsson's second goal (six shots) in four playoff games this year. OEL came into the postseason off a 29-point regular season, and his leadership on the Toronto blue line -- especially after winning Lord Stanley's Cup last season -- could help carry the Leafs far.