NHL Player News

Nikishin logged an assist, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Nikishin got on the scoresheet for the first time this postseason with the helper on Logan Stankoven's first-period tally. Through 11 outings, Nikishin has added eight shots on net, 14 hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. The 24-year-old defenseman has mostly played sheltered minutes on the third pairing throughout the postseason. Nikishin managed 58 seconds of power-play ice time in Game 5, which marked the first time he's skated with the man advantage since Game 3 versus the Flyers in the second round.

Robinson scored a goal on three shots in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Robinson couldn't buy a goal early in the postseason, but he came away with three of them in five games against the Canadiens. The 30-year-old winger has a total of six points, 20 shots, 30 hits, 14 PIM and a plus-5 rating over 13 playoff outings. He's locked in as a reliable depth forward on the fourth line.

Gostisbehere scored a power-play goal, added two PIM and went plus-3 in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Gostisbehere has four points over the last three games as his offense has sparked to life late in the postseason. The 33-year-old defenseman is at a total of six points (four on the power play), 20 shots on net, 14 PIM, 10 hits, eight blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 13 playoff outings. He is poised to remain in a third-pairing role with a spot on the top power-play unit as the Hurricanes face the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Blake scored a goal on two shots, dished an assist and went plus-3 in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Blake helped out on Taylor Hall's opening tally in the first period before scoring one of his own in the middle frame. That goal ended a four-game stretch without a marker for Blake. He's picked up five goals, 10 assists, 31 shots on net, 13 hits, 18 PIM and a plus-8 rating through 13 playoff contests. The 22-year-old continues to look comfortable on the Hurricanes' highly effective second line.

Jarvis scored an empty-net goal on two shots, added a power-play assist and logged two hits in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jarvis earned his second multi-point effort of the postseason. This was his most productive round of the playoffs so far with four points over five games. In total, the 24-year-old forward has three goals, five helpers, 33 shots on net, 21 hits, 10 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating across 13 playoff contests while maintaining his usual role on the first line.

Stankoven scored a goal on four shots, dished two assists, added five hits and went plus-2 in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Stankoven was mostly held in check in this round, though he picked up four points over the last two games. The 23-year-old has had a breakout postseason with nine goals, three assists, 46 shots, 23 hits and a plus-8 rating over 13 appearances. He continues to center the second line and will look to rediscover some offense in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Golden Knights.

Hall scored a goal on two shots, added two assists and went plus-3 in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Hall opened the scoring at 9:17 of the first period and also set up goals for linemates Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake. This was Hall's fifth multi-point effort of the postseason. He's up to five goals, 11 assists, 37 shots on net, 17 hits and a plus-11 rating over 13 appearances in a second-line role.

Andersen stopped 23 of 24 shots in Friday's 6-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Andersen was working on a second straight shutout, but Cole Caufield spoiled it midway through the third period. After allowing five goals in Game 1, Andersen gave up just five more tallies over the next four contests to send the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2006. The 36-year-old has a 12-1 record with a 1.41 GAA and a .931 save percentage over 13 playoff outings. Andersen is poised to continue in the starting role as the Hurricanes face the Golden Knights, which begins with Game 1 on Tuesday in Raleigh.

Dobes will guard the road goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Hurricanes on Friday, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports.

Dobes has lost the last three games, allowing three goals in each of those contests. Despite the skid, head coach Martin St. Louis is sticking with Dobes now that the Canadiens are facing elimination for the third time this postseason.

Rautiainen signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Lightning on Friday.

Rautiainen wasn't taken by Tampa Bay until the No. 108 overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft. However, Rautiainen took a huge step forward with Tappara of Finland's Liiga in 2025-26, scoring 25 goals and 77 points in 59 regular-season outings. His 77 points were the best in the league and more than double his 33-point total with Tappara during the 2024-25 regular season. The 20-year-old should be in the mix for an Opening Night roster spot during Tampa Bay's training camp.