NHL Player News

Stankoven missed practice Thursday with an illness, according to Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer.

Stankoven ended the season on an eight-game scoring streak, potting seven goals and four assists. Stankoven set career highs in goals with 21 and assists with 23, playing in 81 regular-season games. His status for the first game of the playoffs should become clearer by Saturday.

Foligno (rest) was in attendance for Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

After sitting out the Wild's last two games, Foligno was back on the ice ahead of Game 1 versus the Stars. The veteran winger failed to reach the 20-point mark for the first time since 2018-19, in part due to the fact that he saw action in just 56 games this year. Without a role on the power play, combined with slotting into a spot in the bottom six, Foligno is unlikely to offer significant value in most postseason pools.

Faber (rest) was part of the top defensive pairing during Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll be available for the start of the playoffs.

Faber sat out Minnesota's final two regular-season games for rest purposes, but he was fully expected to be back in action for the start of postseason play. Faber appeared in 80 regular-season games this year, racking up 15 goals, 36 assists, 148 blocked shots, 39 PIM and 33 hits while averaging 24:41 of ice time.

Eriksson Ek (rest) was on the ice for Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Eriksson Ek sat out the final three regular-season games for the Wild, but he should be good to go for Game 1 in Dallas. The Swedish center was rolling offensively prior to his stint in the press box, racking up two goals and five helpers in his last seven appearances. He figures to jump right back into a second-line role and should feature with the man advantage as well.

Boldy (rest) skated on the second line during Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he should be back in action for the start of the playoffs.

Boldy rested in Minnesota's final two regular-season games, but his participation in Thursday's practice session signals that he should officially be available for Game 1 of the first round. Boldy made 76 regular-season appearances this year, logging 42 goals, 43 assists, 60 hits, 58 blocked shots and 30 PIM while averaging 20:34 of ice time.

Necas (rest) will not play Thursday against Seattle, per Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now,

Necas picked up an assist Tuesday in Calgary, giving him 100 points on the season, smashing his former career high of 83 points set last season. He will be back on the top line for the start of the playoffs, alongside Nathan MacKinnon.

Lizotte (upper body) said Thursday that he'll be available for Game 1 of the Penguins' first-round playoff series against the Flyers, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Lizotte has been sidelined since mid-March due to his upper-body injury, but he was on the ice for Thursday's practice session in a regular sweater, and he'll be ready to return to game action for the start of the postseason. Across 55 regular-season appearances this year, Lizotte recorded seven goals, 12 assists, 49 hits, 35 blocked shots and 25 PIM while averaging 13:52 of ice time.

Zuccarello (rest) was practicing in his normal first-line role Thursday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Zuccarello should be ready to go when the playoffs begin, considering he sat out the Wild's last three games. Despite featuring in just 59 regular-season contests this year, the veteran winger still managed to get over the 50-point threshold for the fifth straight season while chipping in 21 power-play points.

Zegras (rest) will see his first playoff action in six NHL seasons this weekend, according to Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports.

Zegras sat out Tuesday's contest against Montreal. He spent the first five seasons of his NHL career with Anaheim, as the Ducks failed to make the playoffs during his tenure there. Zegras had 26 goals and a career high 67 points in 82 regular-season games this season.

Dewar (lower body) indicated Thursday that he'll be ready to return in time for Game 1 of the Penguins' first-round playoff series against the Flyers, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

Dewar missed the final four games of the regular season due to a lower-body injury, but he practiced in a regular sweater Thursday and will be back in action for the start of the postseason. Dewar generated 14 goals, 16 assists, 144 hits, 46 blocked shots and 19 PIM over 78 regular-season appearances, and he should reclaim a fourth-line role now that he's healthy.