NHL Player News

Foligno scored a shorthanded goal on three shots and added three hits in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.

Foligno's goal at 16:55 of the second period put the Wild ahead 5-4, though the advantage lasted all of 1:09 before Devon Toews tied the score again. Through seven playoff outings, Foligno has two goals, one assist, 36 hits, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. The 34-year-old is seeing steady bottom-six minutes, and his physical playing style should be enough to keep him in the lineup throughout the postseason.

Tarasenko scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.

Tarasenko started a comeback push in the second period, which ultimately saw the Wild briefly take a lead later in the frame. The 34-year-old has started to find his touch this postseason with two goals and an assist over his last three games. He's added 12 shots on net, eight hits and a plus-1 rating across seven playoff outings, playing mainly in a middle-six role.

Johansson scored a goal in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.

Johansson has been fairly quiet so far in the postseason, picking up two goals over seven games. He's added 12 shots on net, 18 hits and a plus-1 rating. The 35-year-old is still playing on the second line and second power-play unit, which puts him in a position to make an impact on offense. Until he shows more offense, Johansson is a risky fantasy option, as it's tough to see his physicality from the first round carrying over all postseason.

Hartman scored a goal on seven shots, added two PIM, logged two hits and went minus-2 in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.

Hartman ended a five-game goal drought with his first-period tally. The 31-year-old has earned two goals, three assists, 21 shots, 14 hits, six blocked shots, 14 PIM and a plus-1 rating over seven playoff contests. Hartman will be counted on for significant top-six minutes in the absence of Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body), who will be out until at least Game 3 of this series.

Zuccarello scored a goal on two shots and went minus-2 in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.

Zuccarello has two goals and four helpers, as well as seven shots on net and a plus-1 rating, over four playoff contests. He missed three games due to an upper-body injury in the first round, but he's shown no signs of rust since returning to action in Game 5 against the Stars. There's no guarantee this second-round series will remain high scoring all the way through, but Zuccarello should be involved in a large part of what the Wild create.

Hughes scored a goal on two shots and added two assists in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.

Hughes was one of 11 skaters for the Wild to get on the scoresheet, though he was the only one to earn multiple points. With this series being billed as a battle between top defensemen in Hughes and Colorado's Cale Makar, it's encouraging to see the headliners each earn three points in the opener. Hughes is up to three goals, eight assists, 15 shots on net, seven blocked shots and a plus-9 rating over seven playoff contests.

Wallstedt stopped 34 of 42 shots in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Avalanche in Game 1. The ninth goal was an empty-netter.

Defense was optional in this contest, and that didn't do Wallstedt any favors. He allowed three goals in a span of 2:01 in the middle of the first period, but it was two more tallies over 2:22 in the third that did him in. Wallstedt was entrusted with the crease to begin the first round against the Stars, but he likely can't afford to have another performance like this one, especially with a veteran in Filip Gustavsson waiting in the wings. Wallstedt is 4-3 with a 2.81 GAA and a .903 save percentage over seven playoff outings even after this awful performance. Game 2 is Tuesday in Colorado, and the Wild have yet to reveal their plans for goaltending in that contest.

Colton notched an assist, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Wild in Game 1.

Colton entered the postseason on a 12-game point drought and then got scratched for the first two contests of the first round versus the Kings. He failed to get on the scoresheet in two outings after replacing Joel Kiviranta (undisclosed) in the lineup, but Colton was able to end the slump Sunday with a helper. The 29-year-old forward managed just 24 points across 73 regular-season appearances, though he added 159 hits and a plus-9 rating from a bottom-six role. In five previous playoff runs, he accumulated 11 goals and 23 points over 64 contests.

Nichushkin registered two assists and two shots on goal in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Wild in Game 1.

Nichushkin didn't get on the scoresheet during the first round versus the Kings. He's stuck in a 10-game goal drought and has earned just four assists in that span. The 31-year-old winger put up 49 points across 72 regular-season appearances in a middle-six role this year. Prior to this run, he participated in 79 playoff games, earning a total of 39 points.

Necas notched three assists, three shots on goal, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Wild in Game 1.

Necas was held to just two helpers over four games in the Avalanche's first-round sweep of the Kings. He's already off to a better start in the second round, and he should continue to be productive in a top-line role. The winger picked up 38 goals, 100 points, 206 shots on net, 85 hits and a plus-47 rating over 78 regular-season outings. Necas has played in six previous postseasons, accumulating 12 goals and 35 points over 66 games in those playoff runs.