NHL Player News

Suzuki scored a power-play goal and added two assists Thursday, one with the man advantage, during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

After helping to set up Cole Caufield for Montreal's opening tally early in the first period, Suzuki potted his own late in the second before having a hand in a third-period goal by Ivan Demidov. It was Suzuki's first multi-point performance since the first game of the Habs' playoff run, but he has yet to go two straight games this postseason without getting onto the scoresheet. The 26-year-old center has four goals and 12 points through 12 contests, including two goals and seven points on the power play, into Game 6 on Saturday with a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Slafkovsky notched three assists Thursday, two on the power play, during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The 22-year-old winger produced his second multi-point performance of the playoffs as he had a hand in one goal each period, with Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov doing the honors. After a hat trick to kick off Montreal's postseason run, Slafkovsky was held off the scoresheet over the final six games of the first round against Tampa Bay, but in five games against Buffalo he's bounced back with one goal and six points. He'll look to help punch the Habs' ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 6 on Saturday.

Dobes made 33 saves Thursday during the Canadiens' 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5 of their second-round series.

The Sabres came out of the first period with a 3-2 lead, finding the back of the net on three of their first four shots. Dobes shook off the rough start and stood on his head the rest of the way, including in a final frame that saw the visitors get outshot 20-3 as Buffalo desperately tried to get back into the game. Dobes has the Habs one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, and the 24-year-old netminder will take a 2.28 GAA and .914 save percentage through 12 postseason contests into Game 6 on Saturday back in Montreal.

Granlund scored a power-play goal on four shots, added two PIM, logged two hits and went minus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6.

Granlund got the Ducks on the board in the second period, but that was it for their offense. The 34-year-old produced five goals, 10 points, 20 shots on net, 26 hits and a minus-3 rating over 12 playoff outings. He's under contract for two more years and should be good for middle-six minutes in 2026-27 as a veteran presence who can help the Ducks' younger forwards take their next steps.

Dostal allowed five goals on 21 shots in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6.

Dostal was blitzed for three goals in the first period, but he stayed in at the start of the second. The Ducks simply didn't have an answer for the Golden Knights as this series progressed. Dostal ends the playoffs with a 6-6 record, a 3.54 GAA and an .870 save percentage over 12 games. The 25-year-old will be the Ducks' top netminder in 2026-27, though he will need the team's defense to improve in front of him.

Howden scored a shorthanded goal on three shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Ducks in Game 6.

Howden netted his third shorthanded goal and eighth tally overall this postseason, and it stood as the series-clinching goal. The 28-year-old is up to 10 points, 20 shots on net, 34 hits and a plus-6 rating over 12 playoff contests. He continues to feature in a top-six role and has delivered offense in line with that assignment.

Theodore scored a power-play goal, dished an assist, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Ducks in Game 6.

Theodore had been held off the scoresheet in the previous two games. This was his third multi-point effort of the postseason, and he's up to four goals, four helpers, 25 shots on net, 35 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over 12 playoff contests. The 30-year-old defenseman continues to play a leading role on the blue line, though he'll have a tough task in the Western Conference Finals against the Avalanche's deep forward group.

Marner scored a goal, dished a shorthanded assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Ducks in Game 6.

Marner got in behind the Ducks defense but had to go to his bag of tricks with a between-the-legs move to tally the opening goal 1:02 into the contest. The 29-year-old had four multi-point efforts during the second round, earning five goals and six helpers over six games versus the Ducks. Overall, he's produced seven goals, 11 helpers, 29 shots on net and a plus-11 rating over 12 playoff outings. Marner is seeing time in all situations, and his scoring will be a key feature if the Golden Knights are to meet the challenge of the Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals.

Dorofeyev scored twice on three shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Ducks in Game 6.

Dorofeyev is up to nine goals this postseason, including five over his last three games. The winger put up seven points across six contests in the second round, and he's up to 11 points, 32 shots on net and a plus-6 rating over 12 playoff outings. He'll look to keep up his scoring against a much tougher foe in the Avalanche during the Western Conference Finals.

Hart stopped 31 of 32 shots in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Ducks in Game 6.

Hart was given ample support as the Golden Knights stormed ahead 3-0 in the first period. The Ducks never presented much of a challenge, getting just a Mikael Granlund power-play tally in the second. Hart improved to 8-4 this postseason while adding a 2.37 GAA and a .915 save percentage over 12 appearances. He'll get some time to rest, as Vegas opens the Western Conference Finals against Colorado on Wednesday.