NHL Player News

Andersen recorded an 18-save shutout in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Andersen picked up his third shutout of this postseason. The Hurricanes' defense has been superb in this series, holding Montreal to fewer than 20 shots in each of the last three games, making Andersen's job that much easier. He's 11-1 with a 1.44 GAA and a .928 save percentage in 12 outings. Andersen is a virtual lock to start Game 5 at home Friday, with a win being all the Hurricanes need to book their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Golden Knights.

Dobes allowed three goals on 42 shots in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.

Dobes was kept busy throughout the game, but the Canadiens' offense again had trouble solving the Hurricanes' defensive structure. With the loss, Montreal is on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-1 in the series. Dobes now has a 9-9 record with a 2.53 GAA and a .912 save percentage over 18 starts this postseason. Despite the recent losses, he's played well, so it's unclear if head coach Martin St. Louis will consider a change in goal for Friday's Game 5.

Dobes will guard the home goal versus the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Dobes is looking to bounce back after consecutive overtime losses in Games 2 and 3. He's still allowed just eight goals on 93 shots over the first three games of the series, but Dobes hasn't gotten consistent support from his teammates. As long as the 25-year-old continues to play well, the crease should remain in his possession.

Andersen is expected to get the starting nod on the road against the Canadiens in Game 4 on Wednesday.

Andersen has suffered just one loss in the postseason, coming at the hands of the Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He has a 10-1 record, a 1.56 GAA and a .923 save percentage in his last 11 outings. Despite sharing the workload and appearing in just 35 contests during the regular season, he has cemented himself as Carolina's No. 1 in the playoffs.

Blackwood stopped 24 of 26 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

Blackwood put in a good performance, but the Avalanche's offense didn't give enough support in the season-ending loss. Blackwood ended up allowing eight goals on 73 shots over four playoff outings while most often playing second fiddle to Scott Wedgewood. Both goalies are under contract for next year, which may lead to a tandem approach in the Colorado crease once again if they play at a level similar to the one they displayed in 2025-26.

Hart stopped 20 of 21 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Avalanche in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

Hart and a tight defensive performance from the Golden Knights was enough to get the sweep over the Presidents' Trophy winners. Hart has now won six straight games, and he's allowed just 10 goals in that span. Overall, he's at a 12-4 record with a 2.22 GAA and a .922 save percentage over 16 playoff outings. He'll have some time to rest ahead of the Stanley Cup Finals, which will see Vegas oppose either Carolina or Montreal.

Blackwood is expected to defend the road net against Vegas on Tuesday in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Blackwood made three appearances in Colorado's second-round series against Minnesota, surrendering six goals on 47 shots en route to a 1-0 record. Scott Wedgewood has struggled in three playoff defeats versus Vegas, allowing nine goals on 73 shots. As a result, the Avalanche will turn to Blackwood in an attempt to stave off elimination and force Game 5 back in Colorado on Thursday. The Golden Knights have amassed 3.73 goals per game this postseason.

Hart is scheduled to start at home in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Avalanche on Tuesday, SinBin.vegas reports.

Hart surrendered three first-period goals in Game 3 on Sunday, but the Golden Knights were able to erase the deficit and earn a 5-3 win to put the Avalanche on the brink of elimination. It marked the first time Hart had given up at least three goals since Game 4 in Anaheim in the second round. The 27-year-old is in peak form, as he's posted a .948 save percentage and a 1.78 GAA during his current five-game winning streak. Forcing a Game 5 will probably be tough for the Avalanche, as Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin are contending with lower-body injuries, and their statuses for Tuesday's matchup have yet to be revealed.

Dobes stopped 35 shots Monday in the Canadiens' 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Montreal was outshot 38-13 on the night, but Dobes did everything he could to keep his team in the contest, only for Andrei Svechnikov to sneak a shot past him through traffic late in the first OT period. Dobes has had an outstanding postseason run, posting a 2.50 GAA and .910 save percentage in 17 games, but the 24-year-old netminder will need more help in Game 4 on Wednesday if the Habs are going to avoid being on the brink of elimination.

Andersen made 11 saves Monday in the Hurricanes' 3-2 overtime win over the Canadiens in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Carolina continues to play stingy defense and limit chances against Andersen, and the veteran netminder had little chance on a Montreal power-play goal early in the second period that tied the game at 2-2. He shut the door the rest of the way before Andrei Svechnikov found the OT winner. Andersen's 2.77 GAA and .804 save percentage in the ECF are alarming, but it's been good enough to get the 'Canes two wins away from the Stanley Cup Finals. He should be between the pipes again for Game 4 on Wednesday.