NHL Player News

Blackwood stopped 28 of 29 shots in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Flames.

Blackwood ended a three-game winless stretch. He nearly had a shutout but was denied that feat when Tyson Gross scored his first NHL goal at 17:08 of the third period. Blackwood still improved to 22-10-1 with a 2.54 GAA and a .901 save percentage over 36 appearances this season. His effort helped the Avalanche secure the Presidents' Trophy, guaranteeing them home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. With the league's top spot secured, expect Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood to evenly split the Avalanche's last four games of the regular season.

Vasilevskiy made 19 saves in a 2-1 loss to Montreal on Thursday.

It was a playoff-style game, and it could be a preview of a Round One match-up come the postseason. Vasilevskiy is no longer in sole possession of the win title for NHL goalies -- Karel Vejmelka of Utah sits in a tie with Vasy with 37 wins. He may get a rest before season's end so he's ready for the playoffs, but the win title probably isn't his biggest worry. Vasilevskiy's overall stats sit no worse than third overall in any big category.

Dobes made 17 saves in a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Dobes was super sharp Thursday in a game that both coaches characterized as a playoff-style contest. He has won his last seven games, and he has allowed just 12 goals in that span. Dobes has the Habs in second spot in the Atlantic, two points ahead of the Bolts, and they're two points behind the Sabres.

Sorokin made 13 saves Thursday in a 5-3 win over Toronto.

The win -- his first under new coach Pete DeBoer -- snapped a four-game losing streak. Sorokin is one win from his third 30-win season. He is 29-22-2 with seven shutouts, 2.66 GAA and .908 save percentage. Sorokin is tied with Jet Greaves for 12th overall in save percentage and with Scott Wedgewood and John Gibson in wins. He will need to be near perfect going forward as the Isles attempt a playoff miracle -- with the win, the Isles moved within one point of the Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division. There are three games remaining for each team.

Gibson left Thursday's game versus the Flyers due to neck stiffness after a collision in his crease, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Head coach Todd McLellan added that Gibson is not in concussion protocol, which is a big positive. Gibson is expected to be fine but will be monitored in the coming days to see how he recovers. It's unclear if he'll be able to play Saturday versus the Devils, but if he's healthy, expect him to be in uniform since the Red Wings are still battling for a playoff spot.

Lankinen (upper body) is not suiting up Thursday versus the Kings, per the NHL media site.

Lankinen will be out for a third straight game -- one due to an illness and the last two due to injury. Nikita Tolopilo continues to fill the starting role while Jiri Patera serves as backup. It's unclear if the Canucks will push Lankinen to get back on the ice over the final week of the season.

Akhtyamov made 39 saves in a 5-3 loss to the Islanders on Thursday.

Akhtyamov was absolutely shelled in the first period -- the Islanders were inspired by the arrival of new coach Pete DeBoer and outshot the Maple Leafs 23-3. Akhtyamov, in his first NHL start, stopped 21 that frame. The rookie will stick with the team with Anthony Stolarz sidelined with a lower-body injury and waiting on imaging. Akhtyamov will act as a backup for Joseph Woll.

Dostal will guard the home goal versus the Sharks on Thursday, Ducks PA Announcer Phil Hulett reports.

Dostal will be looking to end his personal four-game losing streak as well as the Ducks' six-game slide. He's allowed 18 goals during his skid. The Sharks are on the second half of a back-to-back after Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Oilers.

Gibson (undisclosed) left Thursday's game against Philadelphia and is questionable to return.

Gibson stopped 13 of 15 shots before exiting the match midway through the second period. Cam Talbot stepped into the game as a result of Gibson's injury. The Red Wings have been leaning heavily on Gibson, using him in 16 of their past 17 games, including Thursday's action, but if he's forced to miss time, then Talbot will assume the No. 1 duties. Detroit is battling to earn the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. After the tilt against Philadelphia, Detroit will have three games remaining on its regular-season schedule.

Askarov will get the start in Thursday's road game versus the Ducks, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Askarov has allowed 12 goals on 90 shots over his last three games, though he's come away with a 2-1-0 record in that span. One of those wins came against the Ducks on April 1 when he stopped 28 of 31 shots in a 4-3 victory. He's working the second half of a back-to-back after Alex Nedeljkovic struggled in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Oilers.