NHL Player News

Blackwood stopped 19 of 21 shots in Monday's 5-2 win over the Wild in Game 4.

Blackwood made his first start of the postseason, and while it wasn't a dominant performance, it was enough for the win. The 29-year-old hadn't started since April 14 versus the Flames. Blackwood could get a chance to string together some starts after earning this win, especially since it gave the Avalanche a 3-1 series lead that allows the team to tinker if necessary. Game 5 is in Colorado on Wednesday.

Malinski is dealing with an upper-body injury and will not suit up for Game 4 against the Wild on Monday, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Jack Ahcan will make his NHL playoff debut Monday as a result of Malinski being a late scratch. While Malinski is a tough loss for the Avalanche, the team is getting Josh Manson back in the lineup after missing the last four games because of an upper-body injury. It's possible head coach Jared Bednar will have an update on Malinski's status following Game 4. Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Colorado.

Lehkonen (upper body) is not in the lineup for Game 4 against the Wild on Monday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Lehkonen logged 15:30 of ice time in Saturday's Game 3 loss, his lowest total since Game 1 against the Kings in the first round, so it's possible he was injured at some point during that matchup. Gabriel Landeskog will slide up to the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas due to Lehkonen's absence. Lehkonen should be considered day-to-day ahead of Game 5 in Colorado on Wednesday.

Tippett was contending with several injuries, including a sports hernia, during the 2026 postseason, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports Monday.

Kurz noted that there should be further clarification on Tippett's status soon, but the 27-year-old winger is expected be ready for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Tippett missed the entirety of the Flyers' second-round series defeat to the Hurricanes due to his injuries. The Ontario native finished with 51 points over 81 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season, two shy of matching his career high of 53 points from 2023-24. He should have plenty of opportunities to best that total in the years to come as a key part of Philadelphia's top six.

Dach scored a goal on four shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Sabres in Game 3.

Dach has two goals over three games in the second round so far. The 25-year-old has done a decent job of adding depth scoring this postseason, earning four goals, one assist, 10 shots on net, 18 hits, eight PIM and a plus-6 rating over 10 contests. Dach is unlikely to move into the top six, but his physical play gives him a safer floor in fantasy.

Bolduc scored a goal and added 16 PIM in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Sabres in Game 3.

Bolduc has chipped in solid supporting offense from a bottom-six role this postseason. This was his second goal of the playoffs, and it stood as the game-winner to put the Canadiens ahead 2-1 in the series. He's up to six points, 12 shots, 24 hits, 18 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 10 playoff contests, including two points over three outings against the Sabres in the second round.

Slafkovsky scored a power-play goal on four shots in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Sabres in Game 3.

Slafkovsky found the back of the net for the first time since his hat trick in the playoff opener against the Lightning. The 22-year-old winger has maintained a top-line presence this postseason despite the lack of consistency on offense. He's at four goals, one assist, 27 shots on net, 16 hits, eight blocked shots, seven PIM and a minus-6 rating across 10 playoff outings.

Kiviranta (undisclosed) will be an option for Game 4's road matchup against Minnesota on Monday, Bailey Curtis of DNVR Sports reports.

After missing the last five games due to injury, Kiviranta was a full participant in Monday's practice. It's unclear if he will play in Game 4 against the Wild, but Kiviranta is in the mix for a bottom-six role.

Manson (upper body) is an option for Game 4 against Minnesota on Monday, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.

Following a four-game absence, Manson appears ready to return to the lineup after being a full participant during Monday's morning skate. He has chipped in two assists, five shots on goal, one blocked shot and 10 hits in three appearances this postseason. Manson's probable return to the lineup could make Nick Blankenburg a healthy scratch in Game 4 against the Wild.

Blackwood is expected to protect the road net against Minnesota on Monday in Game 4, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic.

After occupying the starter's crease at Monday's morning skate and being the first goalie off the ice, Blackwood appears poised to make his first start this postseason. He stopped 12 of 13 shots in a relief appearance during Game 3's 5-1 loss to the Wild on Saturday. Blackwood posted a 23-10-2 record with three shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 38 outings during the 2025-26 regular season. Minnesota has amassed 36 goals in nine games this postseason.