NHL Player News

Hertl scored a goal on three shots, added a power-play assist and logged two hits in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

Hertl's third-period tally put the Golden Knights ahead after they erased a three-goal deficit in the middle frame. The 32-year-old has gotten on the scoresheet in five of his last six games, posting three goals and four assists in that span. The forward is up to three goals, six helpers, 24 shots on net, 32 hits and a minus-1 rating over 15 playoff outings, mainly playing in a middle-six role.

Stone (lower body) scored a power-play goal on three shots, dished an assist, added two PIM and logged four hits in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

Stone saw 15:45 of ice time in his return from a five-game absence. He had averaged 19:26 per game prior to the injury, which is likely one he'll have to manage pain with for the remainder of the postseason. Stone has four goals, five assists, 21 shots on net, 16 hits and a minus-2 rating over 10 playoff contests. All of his tallies have come with the man advantage.

Hart stopped 32 of 35 shots in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

Hart gave up all three goals in the first 13:15 of the opening frame. Head coach John Tortorella stuck with the goalie, and Hart responded well to pick up his fifth straight win. This was his first instance of allowing more than two goals during the streak. Hart is up to 11-4 with a 2.30 GAA and a .921 save percentage over 15 playoff outings. Hart and the Golden Knights have a chance to close out the series on home ice in Game 4 on Tuesday.

MacKinnon (lower body) played sparingly in the third period of Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals after blocking a shot in the middle frame, and there was no update on his status after the game, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

MacKinnon was injured after blocking a one-timer from Shea Theodore in the middle frame. The 30-year-old MacKinnon did not come out for the start of the third period, but he eventually came back into the game, albeit with a noticeable limp, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports. The right-shot center played only four shifts during the third period, according to the NHL media site. While it would be surprising to see MacKinnon sit out Game 4 on Tuesday with the Avalanche on the brink of elimination, he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Makar (upper body) is in the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in Vegas on Sunday, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.

Makar took line rushes with his usual partner, Devon Toews, during warmups after being deemed a game-time decision earlier Sunday. It's unclear if Makar is fully healthy, but he'll attempt to help his team avoid a 3-0 series deficit Sunday. Barring an in-game setback, the all-world blueliner should quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit. Nick Blankenburg is set to be a healthy scratch in Game 3 due to Makar's return.

Wedgewood will be between the road pipes in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Golden Knights on Sunday.

Wedgewood started the playoffs with six straight wins, but he's faltered lately, going 1-3 over his last four outings while allowing eight goals on 70 shots. However, head coach Jared Bednar is showing trust in the 33-year-old netminder, as Colorado's bench boss could have elected to go with Mackenzie Blackwood since Wedgewood was in net for the first two games of this series, both of which were losses. The Avalanche are getting a huge boost to their lineup Sunday -- Cale Makar (upper body) is giving it a go in his usual spot on the No. 1 pairing next to Devon Toews.

Hart will patrol the home blue paint Sunday against the Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, per Jesse Granger of The Athletic.

Hart has been a significant factor in the Golden Knights' success recently -- he hasn't given up more than two goals during his active four-game winning streak. The Golden Knights will get their captain back in the lineup Sunday, as Mark Stone is returning from a lower-body injury after missing the past five games. Meanwhile, Cale Makar (upper body) is set to return to the lineup for the Avalanche after missing the first two games of this series, which could help Colorado create more chances against Hart.

Lettieri scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Toronto's 3-2 win over Cleveland in Game 5 on Sunday.

Lettieri scored the Marlies' first goal and set up a pair of third-period tallies to help Toronto steal the game and the series. The 31-year-old forward has been a key part of the offense in the playoffs with six goals, seven assists and 27 shots on net over 12 contests. Lettieri and the Marlies will face Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Stone (lower body) will play against Colorado on Sunday in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Following a five-game absence, Stone could return to a top-six role and should see power-play time in Sunday's matchup against the Avalanche. He has produced three goals, seven points, 18 shots on net and 12 hits in nine outings this postseason.

Makar (upper body) will be a game-time decision against Vegas on Sunday in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Makar has missed the last two games. He has compiled four goals, five points, 22 shots on net and 18 blocked shots across nine appearances this postseason. If Makar is available to return to the lineup, Nick Blankenburg will probably be a healthy scratch against the Golden Knights on Sunday.