NHL Player News

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.

Dobes will defend the road net in Game 2 against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Dobes is coming off a 20-save performance in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning in Game 1. He posted a 2-1-0 record against Tampa Bay during the 2025-26 regular season while stopping 64 of 69 shots.

Vasilevskiy will guard the home goal versus the Canadiens in Game 2 on Tuesday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

Vasilevskiy stopped 15 of 19 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Canadiens in Game 1 on Sunday. That wasn't his best work -- he had gone eight games without allowing more than three goals to close out the regular season. This series figures to continue to be a close one, but Vasilevskiy should maintain the lion's share of the workload between the pipes for the Lightning.

Martin was assigned to AHL Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Martin had eight goals and 24 points across 24 regular-season games for OHL Soo in 2025-26. He also added three goals and seven assists in 10 OHL playoff outings. After cracking Nashville's roster out of training camp, he earned one assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots over his first three NHL appearances.

Wallstedt will patrol the home crease in Wednesday' game against the Stars, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Wallstedt will look to bounce back in Game 3 after surrendering three goals in Minnesota's 4-2 loss in Game 2 on Monday. The 23-year-old netminder has been playing elite hockey overall, as Monday's performance was the most goals he's allowed in a game since March 15 -- the goalie surrendered two or fewer goals in each of his eight appearances from March 17-April 18. Wallstedt has appeared in three consecutive games dating back to the regular season and, based on his recent performances, should deliver another competitive showing in Game 3.