NHL Player News

Luukkonen allowed five goals on 23 shots Thursday before being replaced by Alex Lyon to begin the third period during the Sabres' 6-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Buffalo actually took a 3-2 lead into the first intermission, but the team's defensive woes piled up over the final 40 minutes as the game slipped away. Luukkonen wasn't exactly sharp either, however, and he looked shaky on what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the second period -- Ivan Demidov's shot somehow got past him on the short side, and the puck fell into the crease for Jake Evans to poke home. With the Sabres' season on the line and neither of the team's top two goalies playing particularly well, coach Lindy Ruff will have a tough decision to make between the pipes for Game 6 on Saturday. Over four outings this postseason, Luukkonen has a 4.20 GAA and .851 save percentage.

Dobes made 33 saves Thursday during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The Sabres came out of the first period with a 3-2 lead, finding the back of the net on three of their first four shots. Dobes shook off the rough start and stood on his head the rest of the way, including in a final frame that saw the visitors get outshot 20-3 as Buffalo desperately tried to get back into the game. Dobes has the Habs one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, and the 24-year-old netminder will take a 2.28 GAA and .914 save percentage through 12 postseason contests into Game 6 on Saturday back in Montreal.

Dostal allowed five goals on 21 shots in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6.

Dostal was blitzed for three goals in the first period, but he stayed in at the start of the second. The Ducks simply didn't have an answer for the Golden Knights as this series progressed. Dostal ends the playoffs with a 6-6 record, a 3.54 GAA and an .870 save percentage over 12 games. The 25-year-old will be the Ducks' top netminder in 2026-27, though he will need the team's defense to improve in front of him.

Hart stopped 31 of 32 shots in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Ducks in Game 6.

Hart was given ample support as the Golden Knights stormed ahead 3-0 in the first period. The Ducks never presented much of a challenge, getting just a Mikael Granlund power-play tally in the second. Hart improved to 8-4 this postseason while adding a 2.37 GAA and a .915 save percentage over 12 appearances. He'll get some time to rest, as Vegas opens the Western Conference Finals against Colorado on Wednesday.

Dobes is expected to start on the road against Buffalo in Game 5 on Thursday, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.

Dobes stopped 19 of 22 shots en route to a 3-2 loss to the Sabres on Tuesday. He dropped to 6-5 with a 2.22 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 11 playoff outings this year. Buffalo will have the home-ice advantage, but that might not help the Sabres much. They're 2-3 while averaging just 2.40 goals per game in Buffalo during the 2026 playoffs.

Luukkonen will protect the home goal versus the Canadiens in Game 5 on Thursday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Luukkonen will get the start again after picking up a win with a 29-save effort in Montreal on Tuesday in Game 4. The 27-year-old is now 2-1 with nine goals allowed on 71 shots over three appearances this postseason. The Canadiens have yet to lose consecutive games in the playoffs, so this could be a tough matchup for Luukkonen at a pivotal point in the second-round series.

Hart is expected to start on the road against Anaheim for Game 6 on Thursday, per Derek Lee of The Hockey News.

Hart has been effective in Vegas' series against Anaheim, posting a 2.19 GAA and a .928 save percentage. He's 7-4 with a 2.49 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 11 playoff outings this year. However, Anaheim has been very productive at home during the 2026 postseason, going 4-1 while averaging 4.40 goals per game.

Dostal will patrol the home crease against the Golden Knights in Game 6 on Thursday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

In his 11 postseason outings, Dostal is sporting a 6-5 record, 3.36 GAA and .878 save percentage. It was a career year for the 25-year-old backstop, as he set new personal bests in games played during the regular season (56) and wins (30), though his save percentage (.888) was the worst of his five-year NHL career.

Miner recorded a 20-save shutout in AHL Colorado's 3-0 win over Coachella Valley in Game 1 on Wednesday.

Miner has four shutouts and a 6-1 record over seven playoff games. He's been a nightmare for opponents this postseason, and he caught a break in this round after Coachella Valley upset Ontario to get here. Miner will look to keep the Eagles rolling with a spot in the Western Conference Finals on the line, meaning he won't be available as a depth option for the Avalanche any time soon.

Wallstedt stopped 30 of 34 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

The Wild charged out to a 3-0 lead after one period, but Wallstedt couldn't make it stick. That result eliminated Minnesota, though Wallstedt was largely successful with a 2.77 GAA and a .909 save percentage despite going 5-5 over 10 playoff contests. The 23-year-old netminder will be in a contract year in 2026-27, which is also the first season of Filip Gustavsson's five-year extension. The two make a formidable tandem, which will give Wallstedt appeal as a low-end fantasy No. 2 in drafts in the fall.