NHL Player News

Vejmelka allowed two goals on 22 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

The Mammoth scored a goal in each period, and Vejmelka was able to shut the door on Vegas in the third to pick up his first career playoff win. This is the first time in five outings he's allowed fewer than three goals. He's given up five goals on 52 shots over two games against the Golden Knights in the first round, and he'll likely be back in goal Friday for Game 3 in Utah.

Anderson scored a goal Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Lightning in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

Two playoff games. Two playoff goals. Anderson is the epitome of a playoff warrior. His goal put the Habs up 2-1 at 18:36 of the second period. Anderson will be feeling sore Wednesday after being jumped from behind by Brandon Hagel in the first and being run over by Scott Sabourin late in the third. Anderson was skating backwards in front of the benches when Sabourin hammered him blind from behind. Anderson was down for a few minutes before skating off the ice under his own power. He will have an extra day to work out the kinks -- the Habs and Bolts next face-off Friday.

Hutson scored a power-play goal Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime to the Lightning in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

It was his first career NHL playoff goal, but it won't be the talented defender's last. Hutson scored with a one-timer from the point that somehow went through traffic and under Andrei Vasilevskiy's blocker arm. Hutson has a goal, assist and eight shots, including six Tuesday, in two postseason games.

Dobes made 31 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss to Tampa Bay in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday.

Dobes has been excellent in the blue paint for Montreal, which returns to home ice for Game 3 on Friday. He made several 10-bell saves Tuesday, including a couple biggies in overtime. Dobes came into the postseason 5-0-0 with a 1.57 GAA and .955 save percentage in his final five regular-season starts. We're not jumping on the bandwagon yet, but the Canadiens do have a history of leaning on rookie netminders to win Cups. Ken Dryden won the Cup in 1971, and Patrick Roy won it in 1986.

Kucherov scored a goal Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime win over the Canadiens in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

It was Kucherov's first playoff goal in more than three years. Yes, you read that right. His last playoff goal came in Game 1 against Toronto on April 18, 2023. Kucherov has three points, including two assists, four PIM and 10 shots in two games this postseason. He will need to continue to shine for Tampa Bay for the team to advance to the second round.

Cirelli delivered two assists in a 3-2 overtime win over the Canadiens in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday.

Cirelli's faceoff win in overtime fed defender J.J. Moser, who danced in and roofed the winner at 12:48. He also had three shots. Cirelli has played postseason games in every NHL campaign he's played, dating back to 2017-18. He came into the playoffs fresh off his second consecutive 50-plus point campaign, and he delivered a career-high plus-38 rating. Cirelli is being counted on to shut down Ryan Suzuki this postseason, so the points really are a bonus.

Hagel had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win over Montreal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday.

Hagel was also very involved in the physical aspect of the game, and he threw his gloves down against Juraj Slafkovsky in the second period to record a Gordie Howe hat trick. Hagel finished with seven PIM. He has four points, including three goals, nine PIM and four shots in two games this postseason.

Moser scored the game-winning goal Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

Anthony Cirelli won an offensive zone faceoff back to Moser, who took off along the blue line and down the top of the right circle before roofing the puck over Jakub Dobes' glove. It came at 12:48 of the overtime frame. Moser isn't known for his offense. He finished the regular season with seven goals, 22 assists, 111 shots, a plus-41 rating, 91 blocks, 69 PIM and 61 hits.

Vasilevskiy made 25 saves in a 3-2 overtime win against Montreal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday.

It was sweet redemption for the Big Cat, who had some struggles in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 on Sunday. In fact, Vasilevskiy has struggled a lot in the playoffs since the team's back-to-back Cup wins in 2020 and 2021. According to Michael Amato of Sportsnet.ca, the star netminder went into Tuesday's game with a 4-13 record and .878 save percentage since the start of the 2023 playoffs. Vasilevskiy and the Bolts head to Montreal for Game 3 on Friday. Barring injury or a mercy pull, the Big Cat will be in Tampa's blue paint until the team is eliminated. Or wins.

Stevenson recorded an 18-save shutout in AHL Hershey's 2-0 win over Bridgeport on Tuesday.

Stevenson didn't have a shutout in 37 regular-season appearances, but he was clutch when Hershey needed him the most. He went 18-13-3 with a 2.62 GAA and a .912 save percentage for the Bears this year. This was his first AHL postseason shutout in four outings.