NHL Player News

Dickinson (lower body) will be a game-time decision against Anaheim on Tuesday in Game 5, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Dickinson didn't participate in Tuesday's morning skate and has been a game-time decision for most of the opening round of the playoffs because of a lingering injury. He has provided two goals and one assist in two appearances against the Ducks this postseason.

McDavid was deemed a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday's Game 5 matchup with the Ducks due to an ankle injury, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.

McDavid didn't take part in Tuesday's morning skate and has now been classified as day-to-day by head coach Kris Kloblauch. While it seems unlikely the world-class center would miss a playoff game unless absolutely necessary, fantasy managers will now need to monitor his status in the lead-up to Game 5. If McDavid were to be unavailable, Leon Draisaitl figures to anchor the top line for the Oilers.

Dach (illness) was on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports, which indicates he will be an option for Game 5 against the Ducks.

Dach missed Game 4 due to his illness. Should he draw into the lineup Tuesday, Josh Samanski or Curtis Lazar will likely serve as a healthy scratch. Dach doled out 13 hits over the first two matchups of this series, but he registered only two in Game 3.

Lyon will start Tuesday's Game 5 at home against the Bruins, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Lyon has picked up wins in each of his last two starts, posting a 1.00 GAA and .959 save percentage during that time. He'll draw a third consecutive start Tuesday as the Sabres attempt to close out the first-round series.

Norris (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup for Game 5 against Boston on Tuesday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Norris participated in Tuesday's morning skate and feels much better, but he will miss his third straight game. Head coach Lindy Ruff said Norris was "available" to play following Tuesday's session, but the 26-year-old forward is still on Buffalo's injury report. That suggests Norris may not be fully healthy despite potentially being an option to return to the lineup.

Eichel recorded three assists and six shots on goal in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Mammoth in Game 4 of their first-round series.

Eichel has scored just one goal in the series, but he has five assists over the last three games, so he's making an impact in other areas. He came through in the clutch as well, setting up Shea Theodore's overtime marker. Eichel has six points, a plus-1 rating, 10 shots, five hits and three blocked shots in his last three appearances, and he should play a key role for the Golden Knights in the remainder of the series.

Zucker (undisclosed) is available for Game 5 at home versus Boston on Tuesday, according to Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.

Zucker's departure from Sunday's Game 4 in the third period was never expected to be overly serious, as he was deemed probable to play in Game 5 by head coach Lindy Ruff on Monday. Now that it's confirmed he's available for a game that could eliminate the Bruins from the 2026 playoffs, Zucker should fill his usual spots on the second line and No. 1 power-play unit.

Howden recorded two goals, including one shorthanded, and an assist in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Mammoth in Game 4 of their first-round series.

Howden had gone pointless while posting an even rating in the first three games of the series, but he came out of nowhere to deliver three points while also logging 21:54 TOI -- a playoff-high mark for the 28-year-old. Howden has a bottom-six role in the lineup, so he's not expected to deliver multi-point performances on a regular basis, but he should continue to see scoring opportunities due to his role in the second power-play unit. He had 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) across 58 regular-season appearances this year.

Theodore scored the game-winning goal in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Mammoth in Game 4 of their first-round series.

Theodore went pointless and posted a minus-2 rating in his first three playoff appearances, but he came through when the Golden Knights needed him the most in Game 4. He slotted a snap shot past Karel Vejmelka with 52 seconds left in overtime to even the series at 2-2. Theodore has nine shots in his four playoff appearances so far, so it wouldn't be shocking if he continues to crack the scoresheet. The veteran defenseman had 10 goals and 39 points across 79 regular-season appearances this year.

Oettinger will be between the home pipes Tuesday against the Wild in Game 5, Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports.

Oettinger has conceded at least three goals in three of the four games in this series. The 27-year-old netminder has registered a .902 save percentage and a 2.69 GAA so far in the postseason. Oettinger will see a change in front of him Tuesday, as Ilya Lyubushkin will draw into the lineup for Nils Lundkvist (face). Meanwhile, Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin are questionable for the Wild in Game 5 due to upper-body injuries.