NHL Player News

Johnston scored two goals, including an empty-netter on the power play, in Monday's 4-2 win over the Wild in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Johnston broke the deadlock for the Stars midway through the first period with a slap shot, and he'd later close out the scoring in the final minute when Minnesota was pushing for a late equalizer to send the game to overtime. Johnston had 45 goals and 86 points in 82 regular-season contests, and he's backing that up in the playoffs with three points (two goals, an assist) in his first two postseason contests.

Oettinger stopped 28 of 30 shots in Monday's 4-2 win over the Wild in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Oettinger was the main reason the first period ended in a 1-1 tie, as he made several huge stops that proved critical to the final outcome of this contest. He had a better performance than his Game 1 showing, where he gave up five goals on 28 shots for an .821 save percentage. Oettinger should remain between the pipes for Dallas in Game 3 in Minnesota on Wednesday.

Faber scored two goals on six shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Faber accounted for all the offense the Wild were able to muster in this game, and the two goals he scored were also his first two career postseason goals. Faber isn't expected to be a go-to scoring threat for Minnesota in the playoffs, although it's worth noting he scored a career-high 15 goals in 80 regular-season games. He should continue to play a prominent role in the Wild's top defensive pairing going forward.

Wallstedt stopped 28 of 31 shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. The fourth goal he allowed was an empty-netter.

Wallstedt was impressive in the series opener, where he stopped all but one of the 28 shots he faced while posting a .964 save percentage, but he couldn't repeat that outing in Game 2. The 23-year-old should continue to protect the Wild crease in Game 3, which will take place in Minnesota on Wednesday. Through two playoff outings, Wallstedt has gone 1-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .932 save percentage.

Martinook scored the game-winning goal Monday during the Hurricanes' 3-2 double-overtime victory over the Senators in Game 2 of their first-round series.

The veteran winger had a golden opportunity to win the game in the first OT period, but he got stoned by Linus Ullmark on a penalty shot. Martinook didn't miss when he got another chance to play hero, however, snapping home a shot from the slot with just over six minutes left in the second OT. Martinook has had productive playoff runs before -- he delivered three goals and 12 points in 15 games during the 2023 postseason for Carolina -- and through two games this time around, he's collected one goal, nine shots on net and nine hits in a bottom-six role.

Andersen stopped 37 shots Monday during the Hurricanes' 3-2 double-overtime win over the Senators in Game 2 of their first-round series.

Carolina handed the veteran netminder an early 2-0 lead, before Andersen finally allowed his first goal of the postseason on a fluky play -- Drake Batherson's centering pass deflected right back to him off Jaccob Slavin's skate, and Andersen was out of position as a result for the subsequent one-timer. The Senators tied things up before the second intermission, but Andersen locked things down for the remaining 54 minutes of the game. He's given up two goals on 61 shots to kick off the Hurricanes' playoff run, giving him plenty of momentum as the series shifts to Ottawa for Game 3 on Thursday.

Ullmark made 43 saves Monday during the Senators' 3-2 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 2 of their first-round series.

After Carolina jumped out to a 2-0 lead midway through the second period, Ullmark allowed Ottawa to rally by shutting the door for the rest of regulation and then stayed sharp into extra time -- including a stop on a Jordan Martinook penalty shot in the first OT period -- before Martinook got his revenge in the game's 94th minute. Ullmark has allowed five goals on 75 shots to begin the playoffs, and he's not the reason the Senators head home for Game 3 on Thursday staring at a 2-0 series deficit.

Skinner turned aside 20 of 22 shots Monday during the Penguins' 3-0 loss to the Flyers in Game 2 of their first-round series. Philadelphia's final goal was scored into an empty net.

The 27-year-old netminder kept the visitors off the board through the first half of the game, but after Porter Martone banged home a rebound with just over six minutes left in the second period, Pittsburgh's offense couldn't get off the mat. Skinner has given up five goals on 42 shots to begin the playoffs, and with the Penguins in a 2-0 hole with the series heading back to Philly on Wednesday, head coach Dan Muse may feel compelled to shake things up by making a switch between the pipes.

Martone scored the game-winning goal Monday during the Flyers' 3-0 victory over the Penguins in Game 2 of their first-round series.

The rookie winger broke a scoreless tie midway through the second period, tapping home a rebound on the backhand. Martone extended his point streak to eight games in the process, and he's the first teenager in NHL history to score the game-winner in his first two playoff appearances and just the third rookie -- a list that also includes Hall of Famer Brett Hull. Through his first 11 games for the Flyers, regular season and postseason, Martone has racked up six goals and 12 points.

Hathaway scored a shorthanded goal and added an even-strength assist Monday during the Flyers' 3-0 win over the Penguins in Game 2 of their first-round series.

The veteran winger provided some insurance for his squad, giving Philly a 2-0 lead late in the second period before having a hand in Luke Glendening's empty-net tally late in the third. Hathaway had gone 12 straight games without getting onto the scoresheet, and the bottom-six grinder isn't likely to add much more offense to the Flyers' postseason run. After dishing out 253 hits in 66 regular-season contests, however, Hathaway's already recorded 13 in two playoff contests.