NHL Player News

Oettinger will protect the road goal versus the Wild in Game 6 on Thursday, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports.

The Stars will stick with Oettinger in an elimination game. He has gone 2-3 with 16 goals allowed on 159 shots (.899 save percentage) over the first five games of this first-round series. If Oettinger can earn the win Thursday, he's likely to get the nod again Saturday for Game 7.

Henrique (lower body) isn't expected to play in Game 6 against Anaheim on Thursday.

Henrique also missed Edmonton's past four games because of the injury. He had three goals and 15 points in 65 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. If the Oilers win Thursday, then Henrique will have another opportunity to return for Game 7 on Saturday.

Dickinson (lower body) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 6 versus the Ducks.

Dickinson has been a game-time decision for every game of the postseason, and that's likely to continue as long as the Oilers' season is alive. He's played in two straight contests, so consider him likely to suit up again as the Oilers' season is on the line Thursday, though he was limited to 10:20 of ice time in Game 5 on Tuesday.

Bowman was reassigned to AHL Henderson on Thursday, per SinBin.vegas.

Bowman was summoned Sunday, but he didn't draw into the lineup for Vegas during his latest NHL stint. However, he did score eight goals and 26 points across 54 regular-season appearances with the Golden Knights in 2025-26. He'll help Henderson, which is set to face AHL Colorado on Friday for Game 1 of its second-round series.

Connelly was reassigned to AHL Henderson on Thursday, SinBin.vegas reports.

Connelly was recalled by Vegas on Sunday, but he didn't appear in any games during his time with the NHL club. He'll head back to Henderson, where he'll have an opportunity to compete for the Silver Knights during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Salomonsson underwent shoulder surgery Thursday and is expected to be out for 5-6 months, per Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site.

Salomonsson had a goal and five points in 32 outings with Winnipeg as well as a goal and nine points in 29 appearances with AHL Manitoba in the 2025-26 regular season. He also had an assist in two playoff outings with Manitoba this year. The 21-year-old defenseman might have been in the mix to make the 2026-27 Opening Night roster with Winnipeg if he had entered training camp healthy. However, Salomonsson is now likely to still be recovering from his surgery when training camp begins, which will limit his opportunities to compete for a roster spot.

Chibrikov had core muscle surgery recently and will be out 6-8 weeks, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports Thursday.

Chibrikov's recovery timeline shouldn't impact his availability for the start of training camp in the fall, but it does mean he won't be an option for AHL Manitoba during the Calder Cup playoffs. In 11 NHL games this year, the 23-year-old winger failed to register a point, and his 16 points in 53 minor-league tilts don't signal much in the way of offensive upside.

Michkov registered an assist in Philadelphia's 1-0 overtime victory over Pittsburgh in Game 6 on Wednesday.

Michkov's helper was the primary assist on Cam York's marker at 17:32 of the overtime period. The 21-year-old Michkov also had three shots in 17:26 of ice time. It was a nice way for him to reassert his value after Philadelphia made him a healthy scratch for Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh. Even before being scratched, Michkov had received minimal work in the playoffs, averaging just 10:05 of ice time across the Flyers' opening four games. In contrast, Michkov had 20 goals and 51 points while averaging 14:50 in 81 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. Perhaps his role in Philadelphia's series-winning goal Wednesday will lead to Michkov getting steadier work in the second round against Carolina.

Dostal will get the starting nod at home for Game 6 versus the Oilers on Thursday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Despite getting pulled in Game 5 after giving up three goals on nine shots, Dostal will be back in the crease for a chance to close out the Oilers in Game 6. In the playoffs, the Czech backstop is 3-2-0 with a 4.32 GAA and .864 save percentage after giving up at least three goals in all five appearances.

Johnston (lower body) will not be an option for Game 6 against the Oilers on Thursday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Johnston has been sidelined for 23 games dating back to March 10 versus the Jets, and he will be out of action for a 24th consecutive matchup. Prior to getting hurt, the 32-year-old winger was mired in an eight-game goal drought during which he recorded a lone helper and a meager three shots.