NHL Player News

Blackwood stopped 30 of 31 shots in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.

Blackwood has been inconsistent down the stretch, posting a 2-2-1 record with a 3.07 GAA and an .892 save percentage over his past six outings. He has gone 23-10-2 this season with a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 38 appearances. It's unclear whether Blackwood or Scott Wedgewood will start the first game of the playoffs.

Askarov is expected to start on the road against Chicago on Wednesday, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Askarov has a 21-19-4 record, 3.59 GAA and .885 save percentage in 46 outings this season. He's allowed at least three goals in each of his past five outings. Chicago has gone 7-17-7 while averaging just 2.23 goals per game across its past 31 matches.

Yurov scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Ducks.

Yurov found the back of the net in each of the final two games of the regular season. He occupied a first-line role while the Wild rested key veteran players down the stretch. However, he will likely drop down the depth chart when the playoffs begin. The 21-year-old rookie recorded 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 73 regular-season appearances.

Hayes was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.

Hayes got his first taste of NHL action in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign, recording five goals, 23 hits, 12 PIM and nine blocked shots while averaging 11:10 of ice time across 16 appearances. He has 23 goals and 38 points in 40 AHL outings this season. Hayes should see plenty of playing time during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Wallstedt stopped 35 of 37 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Ducks.

Wallstedt has been alternating starts with Filip Gustavsson down the stretch. The 23-year-old Wallstedt has played when called upon this campaign. He has won four of his last five starts, going 4-1-0 with a 1.82 GAA and a .936 save percentage over that span. Wallstedt is a viable option to see playing time in the playoffs if Gustavsson struggles.

Koppanen was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.

Koppanen hasn't found the back of the net in 13 appearances for Pittsburgh this year, but he has notched eight goals and 15 assists in 42 minor-league contests. The 28-year-old forward will prepare for the Calder Cup Playoffs. He probably won't see additional NHL action in 2025-26 unless there are significant injuries.

Dostal stopped 17 of 20 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Wild.

Dostal has been slumping of late, earning only one win in his last seven starts. During that span, he has gone 1-5-1 with a 3.72 GAA and a subpar .850 save percentage. He has a 30-20-4 record with a 3.10 GAA and an .888 save percentage across 56 appearances this season.

Harvey-Pinard was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.

Harvey-Pinard had a plus-1 rating and two shots in 11:01 of ice time in Pittsburgh's 7-5 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday. It was Harvey-Pinard's only appearance with the NHL squad in 2025-26, but he has recorded 19 goals, 36 points and 31 PIM across 64 outings with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has clinched a playoff berth, so Harvey-Pinard will be able to aid the squad in the upcoming Calder Cup Playoffs.

Koivunen was returned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday.

Koivunen has been struggling offensively of late, going 12 games without finding the back of the net while registering just eight shots and two helpers. Unless there is an injury, Koivunen will be hard-pressed to make his way back into the NHL lineup. In the meantime, he should see plenty of action as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton prepares for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Jones was reassigned to AHL Iowa on Wednesday.

Jones appeared in Minnesota's final two regular-season games. He skated in a career-high 28 NHL outings during the 2025-26 regular season, racking up a goal, two assists, 58 hits, 11 blocked shots and a minus-10 rating while averaging 8:50 of ice time. He also has 12 goals and 30 points in 35 AHL contests this campaign.