NHL Player News

Rodrigues' (undisclosed) availability against Toronto in Game 5 on Wednesday remains in doubt after head coach Paul Maurice told reporters, "He's not ruled out, but not cleared to play. He's still being looked at," per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Rodrigues was injured in Sunday's Game 4, in which he registered two shots on goal and two hits in 12:32 of ice time. The veteran forward has seen himself elevated to a first-line role while also logging minutes with the No. 2 power-play unit. If Rodrigues can't play Wednesday, Brad Marchand could be shifted into a top-six role.

Jankowski (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Game 4 versus Washington on Monday, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Jankowski didn't participate in line rushes during Monday's morning skate, indicating he will miss his third straight game. He has earned one assist, four shots on goal, two hits and three blocked shots in three appearances this postseason. Jack Roslovic has performed well in the last two games, and he could remain in the lineup once Jankowski receives the green light to return.

Johnston scored a goal on two shots and levied four hits in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Jets in Game 3.

Johnston was held without a point in the first two matchups of this series, but he helped seal the win by giving Dallas a 5-2 lead in the final stanza. The 21-year-old has delivered four goals and four helpers over 10 playoff games, but his minus-11 rating is the worst mark on the team. Johnston will look to improve that number when the Stars host the Jets in Game 4 on Tuesday.

Barkov notched a power-play assist and five shots on goal in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 4.

Barkov has two goals and an assist over his last three games. The center helped out on a Carter Verhaeghe tally in the first period. Barkov is up to three goals, five helpers, four power-play points, 24 shots on net, 24 hits, eight blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through nine playoff outings. He continues to play heavy minutes in a top-line role, giving him plenty of chances to influence play in all zones.

Bennett scored a goal on four shots, added two PIM and doled out eight hits in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 4.

The Panthers nursed a 1-0 lead for much of the game until Bennett doubled the advantage at 12:09 of the third period. The 28-year-old has three points over four playoff games versus Toronto, and he's at a total of five goals, three assists, 29 shots on net, 45 hits and an even plus-minus rating through nine postseason contests. He continues to see time on the second line and second power-play unit.

Verhaeghe scored a power-play goal on two shots in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 4.

Verhaeghe has looked like himself in this second-round series, racking up two goals and five points over four contests. The winger is at four goals, four helpers, three power-play points, 23 shots on net, 36 hits and a plus-1 rating over nine playoff outings. He was on the second line to begin Sunday's game, but Verhaeghe could be moved back up to the top line for Game 5 on Wednesday after Evan Rodrigues (upper body) suffered an injury.

Steel recorded two even-strength assists in Sunday's 5-2 win over Winnipeg in Game 3.

Steel has been a valuable depth contributor in the postseason -- he has five assists over 10 games. That kind of production for a fourth-line player goes a long way for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, as it allows head coach Pete DeBoer to roll all four lines. Steel has added 16 hits and 12 PIM while managing 13:40 of ice time in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 4 will take place in Dallas on Tuesday.

Granlund generated two even-strength assists and went plus-2 in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Jets in Game 3.

Granlund provided assists on goals by Thomas Harley and Mikko Rantanen in the first and third periods, respectively. The 33-year-old Granlund had just one goal and one assist over nine playoff outings coming into Game 3, but his multi-point performance Sunday helped Dallas gain a 2-1 series lead. Granlund has yet to put more than two shots on goal in a game in the 2025 playoffs, so his production will most likely continue to be tied to his playmaking abilities.

Rodrigues will be evaluated for an undisclosed injury Monday after departing Sunday's 2-0 win over Toronto in the third period of Game 4, per Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post.

Rodrigues was injured after being interfered with by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who received a minor penalty on the play. Head coach Paul Maurice did not provide a substantial update on Rodrigues' health aside from relaying that the 31-year-old forward will need to be evaluated Monday. Game 5 is in Toronto on Wednesday, so Rodrigues will have an extra day of recovery. If he is unable to suit up for that matchup, Mackie Samoskevich is a strong candidate to draw into the lineup after being a healthy scratch in five of the last six games.

Nugent-Hopkins logged a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3.

Nugent-Hopkins extended his point streak to seven games, and he contributed on the power play for the first time since Game 6 of the first round versus the Kings. The 32-year-old has three goals and six helpers over nine playoff contests. He's added 17 shots on net, eight blocked shots, six hits and a plus-3 rating while filling his usual top-six role.