NHL Player News

Namestnikov scored a goal on three shots, added three hits and went minus-2 in Sunday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Blues in Game 7.

Namestnikov's goal brought the Jets within one late in the third period. The 32-year-old has stepped up in the absence of Mark Scheifele (upper body), as Namestnikov has earned all four of his points this postseason over the last three games. He's added 10 shots on net, 17 hits, 14 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through seven playoff outings. Namestnikov is seeing top-six minutes while Scheifele is out.

Lowry scored a goal on four shots, added seven hits and went plus-3 in Sunday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Blues in Game 7.

Lowry scored at 16:10 of the second overtime period, allowing the Jets to advance to the second round after they came within seconds of elimination. This was his third goal over seven contests in the postseason. The captain has added 14 shots on net, 32 hits, 14 PIM and an even plus-minus rating. He'll continue to see a larger role while Mark Scheifele (upper body) remains on the mend.

Perfetti scored twice on four shots, added five hits and blocked two shots in Sunday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Blues in Game 7.

Perfetti's second goal was officially at 19:57 of the third period, which is the latest game-tying goal in a Game 7 in NHL history. It brought the Jets back from the brink -- they had trailed 3-1 for much of the third and looked on the verge of a first-round exit after winning the Presidents' Trophy. Perfetti was a big contributor in the first round with three goals, two assists, 18 shots on net, 13 hits and a minus-3 rating over seven contests. He'll continue to play in a second-line role versus the Stars in the second round.

Eriksson Ek (abdomen) will have core muscle surgery this offseason but expects to be ready for the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports Sunday.

Eriksson Ek had been playing through the injury during the first round of the postseason, and he sustained a broken nose in Game 2 of Minnesota's six-game series loss to Vegas. The 28-year-old forward accumulated 14 goals, 29 points, 140 shots on net and 82 hits across 46 regular-season appearances before adding three assists in six playoff outings.

Scheifele (undisclosed) won't play in Game 7 against St. Louis on Sunday, according to Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site.

Scheifele will miss his second straight game and will need his teammates to win to give him a chance to return this postseason. He has generated two goals, four assists, six shots on net, three blocked shots and nine hits through five appearances during Winnipeg's first-round series versus the Blues. Due to Scheifele's absence, Vladislav Namestnikov will remain on the team's top line for Sunday's matchup.

MacKinnon scored a goal on six shots in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 7.

MacKinnon scored seven times and added four assists over seven playoff contests, but the NHL's current playoff goals leader will go no further after the Avalanche were eliminated. The 29-year-old will undoubtedly be frustrated with another early exit -- the Avalanche haven't gotten out of the second round since their Stanley Cup title in 2022. He was superb with 32 goals, 116 points, 320 shots on net and a plus-25 rating over 79 regular-season appearances, and fantasy managers wishing to have him on their roster for next year will have to invest an early first-round pick to do that.

Back notched an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Back helped out on the first of Mikko Rantanen's three goals, which sparked the Stars' third-period comeback. The 25-year-old Back has two assists over six outings in his first taste of playoff action. The fourth-liner has added one shot on net, three hits, four blocked shots and a minus-1 rating. Back was bothered by an oblique injury earlier in the series, but when he feels well enough to play, he appears to be the preferred option for the last spot in the lineup over Mavrik Bourque. Both players could be out of luck once Jason Robertson (knee) is cleared to return.

Seguin posted an assist and two hits in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Seguin managed two goals, two assists, 10 shots on net, eight hits and a plus-1 rating over seven contests in the first round. It was a quiet showing for his line with Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment, but the Stars are heading to the second round, giving those players more time to be a factor on offense. Seguin has had his minutes managed after a long-term hip injury -- he finished with fewer than 15 minutes of ice time in four of the seven first-round games.

Duchene notched two assists, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and two PIM in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Duchene set up back-to-back power-play goals that flipped a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead for the Stars. Other than this performance, it was a quiet first round for Duchene and the Stars' second line, which will need to change if they've got a deep run in mind. The 34-year-old was limited to three assists, 10 shots on net, four hits, six blocked shots and a minus-6 rating over seven contests versus the Avalanche.

Johnston scored a power-play goal on two shots, added three hits and went minus-2 in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 7.

Mikko Rantanen had a hat trick in the contest, but Johnston's tally was the game-winner that sent the Stars to the second round. The 21-year-old Johnston cashed in on a power play that resulted from Jack Drury's holding penalty late in the final frame. Johnston had an acceptable first round with three goals, four assists, 16 shots on net, nine hits and a minus-9 rating over seven contests. The 21-year-old center continues to be a critical part of the Stars' overall game plan.