NHL Player News

Broberg was reassigned to AHL Bakersfield on Wednesday.

Broberg is moving frequently between the NHL and minors, which is a trend that's likely to continue. He had two assists in 12 regular-season games with the Oilers. The 22-year-old has also supplied five goals and 38 points across 49 contests with Bakersfield.

Pesce (lower body) isn't expected to return before the end of Carolina's first-round series against the Islanders, according to Chip Alexander and Luke DeCock of The New & Observer on Wednesday.

Pesce sustained the injury during Monday's 5-3 win over New York. He had three goals, 13 points, 107 shots, 25 hits and 113 blocks in 70 regular-season contests. Tony DeAngelo is projected to draw into the lineup for Game 3 on Thursday due to Pesce's absence.

Girard (concussion) could return for Game 3 versus the Jets on Friday, per Adrian Hernandez of Mile High Hockey on Wednesday.

Girard has missed the Avalanche's last four contests due to the concussion. He had three goals, 18 points, 73 shots, 76 hits and 99 blocks in 59 regular-season outings. If Girard returns for Game 3, then Caleb Jones might be a healthy scratch.

Cole picked up an assist and added two hits in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Predators in Game 2.

Cole snapped a five-game point drought when he set up a Nikita Zadorov tally in the second period. The 35-year-old Cole is unlikely to produce much offense in the playoffs, but he should be able to maintain a bottom-four role on the blue line. He had 11 points, 166 blocked shots, 83 hits, 61 shots on net and 61 PIM over 78 regular-season appearances.

Zadorov scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and logged four hits in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Predators in Game 2.

Zadorov had gone 12 games without a goal, picking up three assists in that span. The 29-year-old defenseman got the Canucks on the board in the second period, but they couldn't form a comeback. He's earned two points, five shots on net, nine hits and three blocked shots over two playoff contests while playing in a bottom-four role.

Dillon logged an assist and three hits in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 2.

Dillon already has three helpers over two playoff games -- he logged just one assist across his last nine regular-season outings. The 33-year-old defenseman is better known for his physical and defensive play than his offense, though he put up 20 points, 241 hits and 111 blocked shots in 77 contests during the regular season. He should continue to see time on the Jets' second pairing.

Pionk notched an assist, two shots on goal, three blocked shots and four hits in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 2.

Pionk helped out on a David Gustafsson tally in the first period. After posting 33 points for the second regular season in a row, Pionk should be able to offer solid offense and plenty of physical play from his second-pairing role in the playoffs. The 28-year-old blueliner had 220 hits, 118 blocked shots, 63 PIM and 146 shots on net over 82 regular-season outings.

Toews logged an assist, three hits, two blocked shots and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 2.

Toews is on an 11-game goal drought, but he's managed six helpers in that span. The 30-year-old defenseman reached the 50-point mark for the third year in a row in the regular season, adding 159 shots on net, 74 hits, 110 blocked shots and a plus-28 rating over 82 appearances. Toews remains in a top-pairing role, and while he won't put up Cale Makar-like numbers on offense, he's still a solid part of the Avalanche's depth scoring.

Makar registered two assists, two shots on goal and four blocked shots in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Jets in Game 2.

Makar set up Artturi Lehkonen's game-tying tally in the second period and Valeri Nichushkin's empty-netter in the third. With five points over two playoff contests, Makar is already showing off his talents in the postseason. He also has six blocked shots and six shots on net while playing in his usual top-pairing role.

Manson scored a goal on three shots, went plus-4, added two PIM, logged six hits and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Jets in Game 2.

Manson has two goals and two assists during his four-game point streak. The 32-year-old defenseman's goal was a momentum-changing tally late in the second period, giving the Avalanche a 4-2 lead heading into the third. He continues to see top-four minutes, though he could be the blueliner to move down the lineup once Samuel Girard (concussion) is able to play.