NHL Player News

Skarek signed a contract with HIFK of Finland's Liiga, Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News reports Friday.

Skarek was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after posting a record of 0-1-0 with a 3.95 GAA and an .872 save percentage across two appearances with the Islanders this season. He also had a 3.52 GAA and an .884 save percentage in 22 outings with AHL Bridgeport in 2024-25. The 25-year-old was selected by the Islanders with the No. 72 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, but he's struggled in the AHL, so Skarek will look for better results in Europe.

Lindgren (personal) returned to practice Friday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Lindgren had a family matter to deal with and did not dress Thursday in Game 2 as Mitchell Gibson backed up starter Logan Thompson. Lindgren is slated to back up Thompson in Game 3 on Saturday. Lindgren was 20-14-3 with one shutout, a 2.73 GAA and an .894 save percentage across 39 regular-season appearances in 2024-25.

Hill stopped 32 of 37 shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Oilers in Game 2.

Hill was done in by a bad second period, in which he allowed three goals in a span of 5:46. The Golden Knights bounced back from that, and Hill had some redemption during overtime when he helped kill off Nicolas Roy's major penalty for cross-checking. Leon Draisaitl still gave the Oilers the win at 15:20 of the extra session. Hill has surrendered nine goals on 65 shots over two games in the second round. Still, it doesn't seem likely that the Golden Knights would turn the crease over to Akira Schmid or Ilya Samsonov, especially given the power of the Oilers' offense. Game 3 is in Edmonton on Saturday.

Pickard stopped 28 of 32 shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

The Golden Knights didn't go quietly, rallying back from a two-goal deficit in the third period. They also killed off a five-minute power play, but Leon Draisaitl broke through at 15:20 of the extra session to give the Oilers a 2-0 series lead. Pickard hasn't done anything particularly outstanding so far in the second round, stopping 43 of 49 shots, but he's now won six straight playoff contests. There's no reason to think the Oilers will turn away from him while that streak is ongoing, so expect the 33-year-old to tend the twine again in Saturday's Game 3.

Andersen made 18 saves in a 3-1 loss to Washington in Game 2 on Thursday.

He allowed two goals. Andersen is an important ballast for the second-place team from the Metropolitan Division. After starting just 22 regular-season games, Freddie is 4-2 with a 1.55 GAA and .930 save percentage in six starts. As Andersen goes, so go the Canes it would seem.

Thompson made 27 saves in a 3-1 win over Carolina on Thursday in Game 2.

Thompson continued his Game 1 heroics into Game 2, and he made 16 saves in the third period alone. The only puck that got past him came on a third-period power play when Shayne Gostisbehere one-timed it from the right circle. Thompson is 5-2 with a 2.01 GAA and .931 save percentage this postseason. He has been the Caps's MVP so far, and he'll need to continue to be the team's top player to get past the powerful Canes.

Pickard will protect the road goal versus the Golden Knights in Thursday's Game 2, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

The Oilers pulled out a comeback win in Game 1, with Pickard stopping 15 of 17 shots. The 33-year-old netminder gave up both goals to Mark Stone in the first period. The Golden Knights figure to be relentless in their push to even the series, so Pickard will need to stay sharp to double the Oilers' advantage in the series.

Andersen will guard the road goal in Thursday's Game 2 versus the Capitals, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

Andersen was victorious in his return from an undisclosed injury that kept him out of Game 5 of the first round versus the Devils. He wasn't busy in the second-round opener, stopping 13 of 14 shots in an overtime win in Game 1 versus the Capitals. When healthy, Andersen appears to be the Hurricanes' preferred option in goal, though the team has yet to face much adversity this postseason.

Lindgren (personal) will miss Game 2 at home against Carolina on Thursday.

Lindgren has made one relief appearance in the 2025 playoffs, stopping four of five shots in a 6-3 loss to Montreal on April 25. The Capitals will stick with Logan Thompson in goal Thursday, while Mitchell Gibson will fill in as the understudy.

Thompson is expected to start in goal at home versus the Hurricanes in Game 2 on Thursday.

Charlie Lindgren (personal) is away from the team for Thursday's contest, and Mitchell Gibson will serve as backup. That logically leaves Thompson as the starting goalie, which is expected since he's started all six games in the postseason so far. He played well with a 31-save effort in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1 on Tuesday, and he'll be looking to even the series in Game 2.