NHL Player News

Cates scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist Wednesday during the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins in Game 3 of their first-round series.

Both points came in the third period as Philadelphia pulled away. The points were the first of the playoffs for Cates, after the 27-year-old collected a career-high 18 goals and 47 points in 82 games during the regular season. He'll look to keep rolling in Game 4 on Saturday.

Vladar made 28 saves Wednesday during the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins in Game 3 of their first-round series.

Both Pittsburgh goals came on power plays in the first and third periods, as Vladar was a wall at even strength to help propel Philadelphia to the verge of a series sweep. The 28-year-old netminder has a dazzling 1.33 GAA and .947 save percentage to begin his postseason run, and he'll look to finish the job on home ice Saturday in Game 4 and punch the Flyers' tickets to the second round.

Skinner stopped 24 of 28 shots Wednesday during the Penguins' 5-2 loss to the Flyers in Game 3 of their first-round series. Philadelphia's final goal was scored into an empty net.

Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, but Skinner let it slip away in a shaky second period that saw him give up three goals on 15 shots. With the Penguins facing elimination in Game 4 on Saturday and Skinner carrying a 3.08 GAA and .873 save percentage while losing the first three games of the series, coach Dan Muse may have to consider switching to Arturs Silovs between the pipes to try and spark a comeback.

Brink notched a power-play assist, three hits and two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Brink was out of the lineup for the series opener, but he's since played in two straight games. He doesn't appear to have the full trust of head coach John Hynes, and that could lead to Brink getting scratched once Mats Zuccarello (upper body) and Yakov Trenin (upper body) are healthy again. Brink produced 30 points, 104 shots on net, 80 hits and a minus-7 rating over 68 regular-season outings between Minnesota and Philadelphia.

McCarron scored a goal and added three hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

McCarron's goal put the Wild ahead 3-2 late in the second period, but they couldn't maintain the lead. This was McCarron's first career playoff goal -- prior to this postseason, he had never recorded a point in nine playoff outings over three different campaigns. The 31-year-old was able to produce 17 points over 79 regular-season contests between the Wild and the Predators, and the Wild traded for him to stabilize their fourth line, so he should see plenty of playing time in that role.

Eriksson Ek scored a goal on four shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Eriksson Ek has played well to start the postseason, earning three goals, two assists, 13 shots on net and nine hits over three games. The 29-year-old center was limited to 51 points over 70 regular-season outings this year. This is the eighth year he's been in the playoffs -- over the previous seven, he earned 13 points in 32 games.

Johansson scored a power-play goal on two shots and added four hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Johansson got the Wild on the board late in the first period. This was his first point in three games to open the postseason, and he's added five shots on net and nine hits in this rivalry matchup. Johansson had one of the better campaigns of his career with 49 points over 75 regular-season outings this year. Prior to this postseason, he had 47 points across 114 career playoff games, so he also brings plenty of experience to a middle-six role.

Wallstedt stopped 32 of 36 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Wallstedt lost for the second game in a row and has allowed eight goals on 85 shots over three playoff contests. It's hard to pin this loss on him -- the difference was in special teams, where the Stars were able to cash in on three power plays, including with the decisive goal by Wyatt Johnston 12:10 into the second overtime. Wallstedt's strong play down the stretch earned him the top goaltending job to begin the postseason, but the Wild can't afford to go down 3-1 in the series. That could lead to a rested Filip Gustavsson getting a look in Game 4 on Saturday, though the Wild have yet to reveal their plans.

Johnston scored a goal on four shots, added an assist and logged two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Wild in Game 3.

Johnston's already impressive resume got another bullet point for his work Wednesday. He helped out on Matt Duchene's equalizer in the third period before scoring the game-winner at 12:10 of the second overtime frame to make the Wild pay for Danila Yurov's puck-over-glass penalty. Johnston has torched Minnesota for three goals and two assists over three contests in this series. He's seen postseason action in all four of his NHL campaigns, and prior to this year, he had 18 goals and 32 points over 56 playoff outings. Johnston is already well on his way to surpassing the 10 points he had in 18 playoff contests a year ago.

Rantanen scored a goal on six shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Wild in Game 3.

Both points came on the power play, as Rantanen opened the scoring just 1:25 into the game and set up Matt Duchene midway through the third period. With three power-play points over the last two games, Rantanen looks to be heating up. He produced 22 goals, 77 points (34 on the power play), 139 shots on net, 93 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 64 regular-season appearances. Rantanen entered this postseason a veteran of 99 playoff games, in which he racked up stellar totals of 43 goals and 80 assists over eight previous playoff runs.