NHL Player News
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Joel Kiviranta LW | COL
Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Possible for Monday
Kiviranta (undisclosed) is a possibility for Monday's Game 4 matchup against Minnesota, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Kiviranta has resumed skating and participated in Sunday's practice. He has missed the last five games. Kiviranta hasn't earned a point in two appearances this postseason, but he has posted three shots on net and five hits.
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Drew Helleson D | ANA
Ducks' Drew Helleson: Considered day-to-day
Helleson (undisclosed) won't be an option for Game 4 against Vegas on Sunday, according to Derek Lee of The Hockey News.
Helleson is dealing with a day-to-day injury and will miss at least one game. He has contributed one assist, five shots on net and nine hits in eight appearances this postseason. Radko Gudas (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's Game 4 matchup against the Golden Knights. If Gudas can't play, Ian Moore or Olen Zellweger could replace Helleson in the lineup.
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Radko Gudas D | ANA
Ducks' Radko Gudas: Game-time decision
Gudas (lower body) will be a game-time decision against Vegas on Sunday in Game 4, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.
Gudas was on the third pairing during Sunday's morning skate and could replace Drew Helleson (undisclosed) in Sunday's lineup against the Golden Knights. The 35-year-old Gudas had two goals, 13 points, 63 shots on net, 88 blocked shots, 164 hits and 67 PIM across 56 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season.
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Mark Stone RW | LV
Golden Knights' Mark Stone: Unavailable Sunday
Stone (lower body) won't play in Game 4 against Anaheim on Sunday, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Stone will miss at least one outing after sustaining an injury in Game 3's 6-2 win over the Ducks on Friday. He has accounted for three goals, seven points, 18 shots on net and 12 hits in nine appearances this postseason. Brandon Saad will replace Stone in Sunday's lineup against Anaheim.
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Jaccob Slavin D | CAR
Hurricanes' Jaccob Slavin: Chips in assist Saturday
Slavin logged an assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers in Game 4.
Slavin helped out on Jackson Blake's game-winning tally in overtime. This was the first point of the playoffs for Slavin, who has added 15 shots on net, 16 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating in his usual shutdown role. The 32-year-old defenseman dealt with injuries for most of the first half of the season, but back-to-back sweeps have the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals, and he'll have time to get some rest before that series starts against an opponent that's yet to be determined.
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Nathan MacKinnon C | COL
Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon: Nets lone goal in loss
MacKinnon scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Wild in Game 3.
MacKinnon has scored all five of his goals this postseason over the last four games. The center got the Avalanche on the board in the second period Saturday, but the Wild shot back just 20 seconds later on a Brock Faber tally. MacKinnon has earned 11 points, a plus-6 rating, 25 shots on net, seven hits and six PIM across seven playoff contests.
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MacKenzie Blackwood G | COL
Avalanche's Mackenzie Blackwood: Steady in relief appearance
Blackwood stopped 12 of 13 shots in relief of Scott Wedgewood in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Wild in Game 3.
Blackwood put in a good performance over the better part of two periods. This was his first action this postseason after a regular season in which he had a 23-10-2 record with a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage. Blackwood is in the playoffs for the second time in his career after he went 3-4 with a 2.71 GAA and an .892 save percentage over seven games in 2025. Wedgewood has been the better goalie so far, but it's not clear if Game 3 has caused head coach Jared Bednar to give Blackwood an extended look between the pipes.
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Scott Wedgewood G | COL
Avalanche's Scott Wedgewood: Gets pulled in Game 3
Wedgewood stopped nine of 12 shots in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Wild in Game 3.
Wedgewood will end up wearing the loss for this one after getting pulled early in the second period. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 12 of 13 shots in relief. Wedgewood is now 6-1 with a 2.45 GAA and a .911 save percentage over seven playoff appearances. His strong play throughout the postseason should count for something, but it's not yet clear which direction head coach Jared Bednar will go for his goalies in Monday's Game 4.
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Mats Zuccarello RW | MIN
Wild's Mats Zuccarello: Dishes pair of power-play helpers
Zuccarello recorded two power-play assists and three shots on goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Avalanche in Game 3.
Zuccarello has yet to be held off the scoresheet in his six playoff games this year. He's earned two goals and seven helpers, as well as 13 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating so far. The 38-year-old winger is likely to continue being a strong playmaker in a top-six role and on the power play.
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Ryan Hartman RW | MIN
Wild's Ryan Hartman: Strikes on power play in win
Hartman scored a power-play goal on three shots, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Avalanche in Game 3.
Hartman got a tip on a deflected shot to pot the Wild's third goal of the contest. The 31-year-old forward has contributed two goals and an assist over three contests against the Avalanche in the second round. He's at three goals, four helpers, 29 shots on net, 17 hits, nine blocked shots, 18 PIM and a plus-1 rating over nine playoff outings. Hartman provides solid two-way play, though the penalties could ultimately come back to bite the Wild down the line.