NHL Player News

Carrier (upper body) will play against Tampa Bay on Sunday in Game 1, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Following a nine-game absence to close out the regular season, Carrier will return to a top-pairing role in Sunday's lineup against the Lightning. He generated seven goals, 22 points, 56 shots on net and 155 blocked shots across 73 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season.

Johansson (undisclosed) took the ice for warmups and will suit up as the backup for Sunday's Game 1 against the Canadiens, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Johansson did not dress in the Lightning's final two regular-season games due to an undisclosed injury, but he is good to go for the beginning of the postseason. The 30-year-old is clearly entrenched as the backup behind Andrei Vasilevskiy heading into Tampa Bay's first-round series against the Canadiens. Johansson went 11-10-2 with a 3.29 GAA and an .884 save percentage during the regular season.

Vasilevskiy will patrol the home crease against Montreal on Sunday in Game 1, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Vasilevskiy has won four of his last six outings, allowing only 13 goals on 147 shots. He posted a 39-15-4 record with two shutouts, a 2.31 GAA and a .911 save percentage across 58 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season.

Lamoureux has been recalled from AHL Tucson by the Mammoth, the team announced Sunday.

With AHL Tucson's season wrapped up, the Mammoth have set their Black Aces for the postseason. Lamoureux will be joined by Andrew Agozzino, Cameron Hebig, Ben McCartney, Maksymilian Szuber, Scott Perunovich, Jaxson Stauber, Daniil But and Matt Villalta as potential reinforcements for the Mammoth's playoff run.

Vilmanis scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Charlotte's 4-1 win over Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Vilmanis had a big game to end the regular season, and he finishes the year with 17 goals and 38 points over 48 appearances. The Checkers are in the playoffs, which will give Vilmanis valuable experience in a pressure-filled situation. The 22-year-old forward had five points over 19 NHL contests this year and should be in the mix for a roster spot with the big club in the fall.

Studnicka scored twice in AHL Charlotte's 4-1 win over Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Studnicka ends the AHL regular season with 12 goals and 30 points over 41 appearances. The 27-year-old forward will look to continue playing well during the playoffs for the Checkers. He was held without a point in 19 NHL games this season.

Posch was summoned from AHL Colorado on Sunday.

Posch posted a 15-8-5 record with a 2.78 GAA and an .891 save percentage in 28 appearances during the 2025-26 regular season. He will serve as the Avalanche's emergency third goaltender in the playoffs behind Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood.

Buteyets has been recalled from ECHL Tulsa by the Ducks, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports Sunday.

Buteyets will serve as the emergency third goaltender for the Ducks behind Lukas Dostal and Ville Husso. With ECHL Tulsa, the 23-year-old Buteyets went 18-19-5 with a 3.11 GAA and a .908 save percentage on the season. He made one appearance in relief at the NHL level earlier this season, stopping 10 of 13 shots Dec. 3 against the Mammoth.

Manson (upper body) will play in Game 1 against the Kings on Sunday, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Following a three-game absence, Manson will return to the lineup in a third-pairing role. During the 2025-26 regular season, he accounted for five goals, 31 points, 128 shots on net, 99 blocked shots, 174 hits and 91 PIM in 79 appearances.

Forsberg led the Kings out for warmups Sunday and will start Game 1 against the Avalanche, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

Forsberg spent much of the season as Darcy Kuemper's backup, playing in just 36 games in the regular season, but Forsberg will get the nod in goal for Game 1. The 33-year-old Forsberg earned it with a fantastic month of April, going 5-1-0 with a 1.48 GAA and a .944 save percentage. On the flip side, Kuemper allowed 19 goals over his final four starts of his regular season. Forsberg will have his hands full with the Avalanche, who led the league with 3.63 goals per game in the regular season.