NHL Player News

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.

Hintz (lower body) is doubtful for Game 4 against Minnesota on Saturday, Sam Nestler of DLLS Sports reports.

While there's a chance that Hintz will join the team ahead of Saturday's matchup, he won't accompany his teammates to Minnesota for Game 3 on Wednesday. He has been out since getting injured against Colorado on March 6. According to Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News, the Stars hope Hintz will be an option for Game 5 against the Wild next Tuesday.

Bastian (hand) will travel with the team in order to start skating, but won't be available until the next round, at the earliest, Robert Tiffin of D Magazine reports.

Bastian was already likely to be out until early May based on his original 3-4 week recovery timeline. The winger has been on the shelf since March 28 versus the Penguins. Even once given the all-clear, the Ontario native is far from a lock to get into the lineup and could serve as a healthy scratch periodically.

Forsberg is expected to get the nod on the road against Colorado in Game 2 on Tuesday, per Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now.

Forsberg allowed just two goals on 34 shots in a Game 1 loss. In his last eight appearances, the netminder has given up three or more goals just once, posting a combined 5-2-0 record and 1.49 GAA. Despite Forsberg's strong run of form, if he struggles, he could find himself replaced in the crease by Darcy Kuemper.

Vejmelka will defend the road cage in Game 2 against the Golden Knights on Tuesday, according to Brogan Houston of the Deseret News.

Vejmelka allowed three goals on 30 shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss in Game 1. It marked the fourth straight game in which the Czech netminder has conceded exactly three goals. Furthermore, Vejmelka has been beaten for at least three goals in six of his last seven outings. There will be a change for the home team in Game 2, as Vegas is splitting up its top line -- Mitch Marner is shifting to the second-line center, while Ivan Barbashev will slot in with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone.