NHL Player News

Kelly scored a goal, added two PIM and notched three hits in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

The tally, which was also the game-winner, was Kelly's first point of the postseason. The 26-year-old was among the more surprising 20-goal scorers in the regular season, tallying 21 times while adding 14 assists over 82 contests. He's provided defense and physicality in a bottom-six role this postseason, adding 14 shots on net, 23 hits, eight PIM and an even plus-minus rating across eight games.

Colton scored a goal on four shots, added two PIM and doled out three hits in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

Colton's goal was his first of the postseason, and it gave the Avalanche their first lead in this contest. The 29-year-old was bumped up to the second line on paper, but he saw just 8:39 of ice time Monday, with Nazem Kadri picking up a larger chunk of the minutes vacated by Artturi Lehkonen (upper body). Colton has three points, 11 shots on net, 19 hits and a minus-1 rating over six playoff appearances.

Kadri scored a power-play goal on five shots and added three hits in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

Kadri tied the game at 1-1 in the second period with his tally. The 35-year-old has two goals and three assists during his five-game point streak, with four of those five points coming on the power play. He's up to six points, 24 shots, seven hits and an even plus-minus rating over eight playoff contests in a middle-six role.

Nelson scored an empty-net goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

Nelson's two goals this postseason have both gone into empty nets. He's at three points over eight playoff outings, which isn't a lot of secondary scoring for a player in a second-line role. He's added 15 shots on net, 10 hits, nine blocked shots, eight PIM and a plus-3 rating while playing in all situations.

MacKinnon scored an empty-net goal on two shots in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

MacKinnon was able to come back into the game after getting bloodied by a puck to the face late in the second period. He was able to extend his point streak to five games with the first of the Avalanche's two empty-netters. He's earned six goals and five assists during streak, accounting for 11 of his 12 points across eight playoff outings.

Blackwood stopped 19 of 21 shots in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

Blackwood made his first start of the postseason, and while it wasn't a dominant performance, it was enough for the win. The 29-year-old hadn't started since April 14 versus the Flames. Blackwood could get a chance to string together some starts after earning this win, especially since it gave the Avalanche a 3-1 series lead that allows the team to tinker if necessary. Game 5 is in Colorado on Wednesday.

Malinski is dealing with an upper-body injury and will not suit up for Game 4 against the Wild on Monday, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Jack Ahcan will make his NHL playoff debut Monday as a result of Malinski being a late scratch. While Malinski is a tough loss for the Avalanche, the team is getting Josh Manson back in the lineup after missing the last four games because of an upper-body injury. It's possible head coach Jared Bednar will have an update on Malinski's status following Game 4. Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Colorado.

Lehkonen (upper body) is not in the lineup for Game 4 against the Wild on Monday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Lehkonen logged 15:30 of ice time in Saturday's Game 3 loss, his lowest total since Game 1 against the Kings in the first round, so it's possible he was injured at some point during that matchup. Gabriel Landeskog will slide up to the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas due to Lehkonen's absence. Lehkonen should be considered day-to-day ahead of Game 5 in Colorado on Wednesday.

Tippett was contending with several injuries, including a sports hernia, during the 2026 postseason, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports Monday.

Kurz noted that there should be further clarification on Tippett's status soon, but the 27-year-old winger is expected be ready for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Tippett missed the entirety of the Flyers' second-round series defeat to the Hurricanes due to his injuries. The Ontario native finished with 51 points over 81 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season, two shy of matching his career high of 53 points from 2023-24. He should have plenty of opportunities to best that total in the years to come as a key part of Philadelphia's top six.

Dach scored a goal on four shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Sabres in Game 3.

Dach has two goals over three games in the second round so far. The 25-year-old has done a decent job of adding depth scoring this postseason, earning four goals, one assist, 10 shots on net, 18 hits, eight PIM and a plus-6 rating over 10 contests. Dach is unlikely to move into the top six, but his physical play gives him a safer floor in fantasy.