NHL Player News

Bouchard logged four assists (two on the power play), three shots on goal and three blocked shots in Monday's 7-4 win over the Kings in Game 1.

Bouchard helped out on both of the Oilers' first-period tallies and added two more assists in the third when their power play took over. The defenseman had a career year of 18 goals and 64 assists in 81 appearances during the regular season, which included 35 power-play points. Bouchard's role on the first power-play unit gives him a high ceiling on offense.

Heiskanen recorded an assist, three shots on goal, three blocked shots, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1.

Heiskanen set up Mason Marchment's third-period tally. The 24-year-old Heiskanen took a step back on offense in 2023-24 with 54 points over 71 outings during the regular season compared to 73 points in 79 games a year ago. He remains the Stars' top defenseman, and he'll likely see even more ice time in the playoffs after averaging 24:32 per game during the regular season.

Hanifin logged two power-play assists, two blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Monday's 4-3 win over the Stars in Game 1.

Hanifin set up goals by Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl in the first period. Since his trade from the Flames, Hanifin has become the Golden Knights' top blueliner. He had 12 points over 19 regular-season outings with Vegas and should see big minutes in all situations during the playoffs.

McNabb scored a goal, added two hits and blocked eight shots in Monday's 4-3 win over the Stars in Game 1.

McNabb had a career year with 26 points in 82 regular-season outings. He kept it rolling in the playoff opener, netting the game-winning goal Monday. McNabb is also a force defensively -- he had 148 hits, 207 blocked shots and a plus-18 rating this season, and his team-leading eight blocks in Game 1 set the tone for what he brings to the lineup in a top-four role.

Pesce (lower body) will not return to Monday's game against the Islanders.

Pesce logged one shot on goal, two PIM and two blocked shots in 8:47 of ice time before suffering an injury Monday. The veteran blueliner had an assist with a plus-2 rating in Game 1 on Saturday. The team should have an update on his status before Thursday's Game 3.

Girard (concussion) skated in the lead-up to Tuesday's Game 2 matchup with Winnipeg, John Lu of TSN reports.

Head coach Jared Bednar didn't rule Girard out for Game 2, which would be his first action since April 13 versus the Jets. Considering the blueliner is pointless in his last 10 outings, few fantasy managers will be anxiously awaiting his return to the lineup. If Girard is cleared to play, he'll likely take the place of Jack Johnson or Caleb Jones.

Pietrangelo (illness) will play Monday in Game 1 against the Stars, according to Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

Pietrangelo underwent an appendectomy during his seven-game absence at the end of the regular season. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with four goals, 33 points, 141 shots on net and 160 blocked shots in 64 appearances. Pietrangelo is projected to play on the top pairing alongside Noah Hanifin in Monday's contest.

Jensen (upper body) could rejoin the lineup versus the Rangers for Game 2 on Tuesday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Jensen was bogged down in a seven-game point drought prior to suffering his upper-body injury. During the regular season, the 33-year-old Minnesota native notched just 14 points in 78 games, failing to reach the 20-point threshold for the first time in three years.

Sandin (upper body) may be available versus the Rangers on Tuesday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Sandin is closing in on a return to action after having been sidelined for the previous six contests due to his upper-body issue. If Sandin can play Tuesday, he could draw in as a substitute for Vincent Iorio (upper body), who was deemed day-to-day ahead of Game 2.

Iorio (upper body) is considered day-to-day, according to Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network.

Iorio didn't participate in Monday's practice after being injured in Game 1's 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Sunday. If Iorio, Rasmus Sandin (upper body) and Nick Jensen (upper body) are unavailable to play Tuesday, Lucas Johansen could make his NHL playoff debut.