NHL Player News

Dobes will protect the home goal versus the Lightning on Friday in Game 6, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Dobes is 3-2 in the first round, adding a 2.49 GAA and a .903 save percentage over five games. The 24-year-old hasn't won consecutive games in this series, but he'll try to change that Friday. If he's successful, the Canadiens will advance to the second round.

Vasilevskiy will guard the road goal versus the Canadiens in Game 6 on Friday, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Vasilevskiy will look to extend the series after stopping 21 of 24 shots in a Game 5 loss. Vasilevskiy has allowed at least three goals in each of his three defeats against the Canadiens in the first round, while he's limited Montreal to two goals in each of the Lightning's wins. If Vasilevskiy can get the win in Friday's matchup, Game 7 will be Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Swayman will start in Friday's Game 6 at home versus the Sabres, Belle Fraser of the Bruins' official site reports.

Swayman kept the Bruins' season alive with an overtime win in Game 5 on Tuesday, stopping 25 of 26 shots. The 27-year-old will look to repeat that feat on home ice to force a Game 7, which would be in Buffalo on Sunday. Swayman has allowed 14 goals on 156 shots (.910 save percentage) over the first five games of the first-round series.

Holloway signed a five-year, $38.75 million contract extension with the Blues on Friday, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

Holloway was eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer. He recorded 22 goals and 51 points in 59 regular-season outings in 2025-26. The 24-year-old also had 26 goals and 63 points in 77 outings during the 2024-25 regular season, so he's firmly established himself as a great top-six option, and he should continue to serve in that capacity for the entirety of his new contract.

McBain (lower body) is expected to be a game-time decision for Game 6 against Vegas on Friday, per Cole Bagley of KSL Sports.

McBain had been dealing with a lower-body injury before playing in Game 1 against the Golden Knights on April 19. However, his return to the lineup was short-lived, and he's missed Utah's past four matches. He had nine goals, 25 points, 84 PIM, 106 shots and 271 hits in 75 regular-season appearances with Utah in 2025-26. If McBain is an option for Friday's matchup, then he might occupy a bottom-six role.

Hayton (upper body) was classified as a game-time decision ahead of Game 6 versus Vegas on Friday, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Hayton has been managing pain from his upper-body injury. Utah hasn't been forthcoming with injury news, and the 25-year-old could be a game-time call until the team's playoff run is over. During his first postseason appearance in Game 5 on Wednesday, the Ontario native registered two shots, one block and a minus-1 rating in 12:49 of ice time.

Vejmelka was the first goalie to leave the ice ahead of Friday's Game 6 clash with Vegas, indicating he'll patrol the home crease, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Vejmelka is coming off back-to-back losses in which he gave up a combined 10 goals on 72 shots (.861 save percentage). If the Mammoth are going to force a Game 7 on Sunday, the 29-year-old backstop will need to return to the form he displayed in the first three games of the series when he recorded a 2.36 GAA.

Bunting had an assist and two hits in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 6.

Bunting missed time with a lower-body injury late in the regular season, and the Stars opted not to use him until injuries piled up late in the first round. He's now contributed six points across 14 playoff contests over three runs in his career. The winger had 33 points, 126 shots on net, 45 hits and a minus-24 rating over 74 regular-season outings. Bunting is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Bourque scored a goal on five shots and added five hits in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 6.

Bourque's second-period tally gave the Stars a brief bit of hope before Vladimir Tarasenko responded 54 seconds later. The goal was Bourque's first career playoff point in 10 appearances, six of which came this year. He's now established as a full-time option in the Stars' lineup. The 24-year-old put up 20 goals, 41 points, 147 shots on net, 78 hits and a plus-6 rating over 82 regular-season contests and could take another step or two on offense in the coming years as he enters his prime.

Johnston scored a power-play goal on three shots in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Wild in Game 6.

Johnston had four goals and two assists over six games in the Stars' first-round exit. He earned five of those points with the man advantage, but the Stars weren't able to add enough even-strength offense to get past the Wild. While this early exit is disappointing, Johnston has emerged as one of the good young players in the league, though he's just a notch or two below superstar status. He had 45 goals and 86 points over 82 regular-season outings, though his 21.8 shooting percentage could be a slight red flag.