NHL Player News

Vejmelka will defend the road cage in Game 2 against the Golden Knights on Tuesday, according to Brogan Houston of the Deseret News.

Vejmelka allowed three goals on 30 shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss in Game 1. It marked the fourth straight game in which the Czech netminder has conceded exactly three goals. Furthermore, Vejmelka has been beaten for at least three goals in six of his last seven outings. There will be a change for the home team in Game 2, as Vegas is splitting up its top line -- Mitch Marner is shifting to the second-line center, while Ivan Barbashev will slot in with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone.

Kreider notched an assist and four hits in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers in Game 1.

Kreider will bring some veteran savvy to the Ducks' postseason run. He's stuck in a 12-game goal drought, but he's earned seven assists in that span, which also saw him miss one contest due to an illness. Kreider was good in the regular season with 22 goals, 50 points, 139 shots on net and 69 hits over 75 appearances. In previous years, he's racked up 48 goals and 76 points across 123 playoff contests. This is the 11th time he's been in the playoffs.

Carlsson scored a goal on 10 shots and added an assist in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers in Game 1.

Carlsson looked amped for his playoff debut, and he made it count. He was involved in the Ducks' first two goals to wipe out an early 2-0 deficit, but the Oilers fired back to take the game in the third period. Carlsson had 29 goals, 67 points, 193 shots on net and a plus-4 rating over 70 regular-season outings. The battle-hardened Oilers are a tough draw for the young Ducks in the first round, but Carlsson looks set to make an impact, win or lose.

After being the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, Hart is expected to patrol the home crease in Game 2 against Utah on Tuesday, SinBin.vegas reports.

Hart stopped 133 of 143 shots during a six-game winning streak to finish the 2025-26 regular season. He carried that momentum into the start of the playoffs, making 31 saves in Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Mammoth. Utah was unable to hold 1-0 and 2-1 leads in Game 1, and Hart held it together before his teammates rallied for the comeback win in the third period.

Emberson notched an assist and two hits in Monday's 4-3 win over the Ducks in Game 1.

Emberson went 17 games without a point to end the regular season, and he also missed five contests due to an undisclosed injury in that span. He's set for third-pairing minutes this postseason, but if he struggles, Spencer Stastney could be swapped into the lineup. Emberson had 12 points, 46 shots on net, 107 hits and 106 blocked shots over 72 regular-season outings. His helper Monday was his first career playoff point -- he was held off the scoresheet in nine appearances last spring in his first taste of postseason action.

Walman logged two assists, two shots on goal, two hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 4-3 win over the Ducks in Game 1.

Walman had just two helpers with a minus-10 rating, 36 shots on net and 38 blocked shots over his last 21 outings in the regular season. Overall, he logged 20 points, 96 shots, 90 blocks and a minus-17 rating over 53 regular-season contests. Walman is likely to fill a bottom-four role during the playoffs. He was moderately productive in the playoffs last year with 10 points over 22 outings.

Podkolzin notched two assists, two shots on goal and seven hits in Monday's 4-3 win over the Ducks in Game 1.

Podkolzin ended the regular season on a three-game skid. He had a small breakout in 2025-26 with 19 goals and 37 points over 82 regular-season contests while often filling a middle-six role. He also produced 242 hits, 139 shots on net and 63 PIM to add some grit. Entering this postseason, he's earned 10 points over 24 career playoff outings, but he's in a position to be more involved this year.

Draisaitl logged two assists and two shots on goal in Monday's 4-3 win over the Ducks in Game 1.

Draisaitl missed 14 games due to a lower-body injury to end the regular season, denying him the chance to log a fifth straight 100-point campaign. He ended up at 35 goals and 97 points, as well as 186 shots on net and a plus-13 rating, over 65 regular-season appearances. Draisaitl has been a powerhouse in the postseason over recent years -- he has a total of 52 goals and 141 points over 96 playoff outings during previous campaigns, including a league-leading 33 points in 22 games during the 2025 postseason.

Hughes notched two assists and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 1.

Hughes has three helpers and a plus-5 rating over the first two games of the playoffs. The 26-year-old will see significant playing time at even strength and on the power play throughout the Wild's playoff run. He's been good in his previous postseason performances, earning 26 points over 30 playoff outings across two runs with the Canucks. Hughes was among the top-scoring blueliners in the regular season with 76 points over 74 appearances.

Henrique (lower body) will not be an option for Game 2 against the Ducks on Wednesday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

It remains to be seen if Henrique is facing an extended absence, but at a minimum, he'll be sidelined for Wednesday's game in Edmonton. Josh Samanski is expected to replace Henrique on the fourth line in Game 2, per Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton. Henrique's next opportunity to suit up will be when this first-round series shifts to Anaheim, which will be in Game 3 on Friday.