NHL Player News

Nurse posted an assist, three shots on goal, four hits and two blocked shots in a 1-0 win over the Golden Knights in Wednesday's Game 5.

Nurse continues to make more of an impact with physical play rather than on the scoresheet. He had two points over five contests in the second round, matching his output from the first round against the Kings. Overall, the blueliner is at two goals, two helpers, 27 shots on net, 27 hits, 28 blocked shots, six PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 11 playoff outings. He's firmly in a top-four role on the Oilers' blue line.

Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Wednesday that Chatfield (undisclosed) will play in Thursday's Game 5 in Washington, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Chatfield tweaked something during Monday's Game 4 and missed practice Wednesday, but Brind'Amour clarified the absence as a maintenance day. Chatfield will be available as the Hurricanes attempt to advance to the conference finals. Over his first nine playoff appearances this year, he's recorded a goal, 11 blocked shots, nine hits, six PIM and a plus-6 rating while averaging 20:24 of ice time.

Chatfield (undisclosed) missed Wednesday's practice after tweaking something toward the end of Carolina's 5-2 victory over Washington on Monday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Head coach Rod Brind'Amour suggested Tuesday that Chatfield should be fine for Game 5 on Thursday, so his absence from the morning skate might just be to give him a chance to rest whatever is ailing him ahead of him dressing for the upcoming tilt. Chatfield has a goal, plus-6 rating, six PIM, eight shots, nine hits and 11 blocks across nine playoff outings this year while averaging 20:24 of ice time. If he doesn't play, then Alexander Nikishin might draw into the lineup.

Ekman-Larsson (illness) is slated to play in Game 5 against Florida on Wednesday after participating in the Maple Leafs' optional skate, per David Alter of The Hockey News.

Ekman-Larsson missed Tuesday's practice because of the illness. He's played in all 10 of Toronto's 2025 playoff games, recording two goals, four points, six PIM, 15 hits and 11 blocks while averaging 19:14 of ice time.

Morrissey notched an assist, two shots on goal and three blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Stars in Game 4.

Morrissey has earned a helper in three straight games after missing the series opener. The 30-year-old defenseman is up to six assists, 16 shots on net, 18 hits, 17 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over 10 playoff outings. He'll need to be at his best for the rest of the second round, as the Jets are facing elimination down 3-1 in the series after Tuesday's loss.

Harley notched a power-play assist and two hits in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Jets in Game 4.

Harley actually saw his highest ice-time total of the second round, logging 26:09 in Game 4 even with Miro Heiskanen (knee) back in the lineup. Harley has played exceptionally in the absence of Heiskanen, and head coach Pete DeBoer probably doesn't want to mess with what's working. Harley has four points over four games versus the Jets in the second round, and he's at a total of nine points, 20 shots on net, 16 hits, 27 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating across 11 playoff appearances.

Heiskanen notched a power-play assist in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Jets in Game 4.

Heiskanen returned from a 42-game absence due to a knee injury sustained versus Vegas in January. The 25-year-old defenseman was eased back into the lineup, seeing 14:52 of ice time over 19 shifts while the Stars had seven blueliners dressed. Given the length of his absence, it may be a while longer before Heiskanen is near his regular-season average of 25:10 per game. Still, having him back is a big boost to the Stars' blue line, and it puts the team at full strength in the second round.

Heiskanen (knee) was activated from long-term injured reserve Tuesday.

As expected, Heiskanen appears ready to return to the lineup versus Winnipeg on Tuesday in Game 4. After missing 42 straight outings, the Stars might ease Heiskanen back into the fold by dressing seven defensemen and 11 forwards. However, he could still occupy a top-pairing role and see power-play time. Heiskanen had five goals, 25 points, 108 shots on net and 85 blocked shots across 50 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.

Stanley has moved past his undisclosed injury but will be a healthy scratch against the Stars on Tuesday in Game 4, according to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Stanley took the ice for pregame warmups prior to Game 3 on Sunday but didn't end up playing. He last suited up against the Blues in Game 6 of the first round. Haydn Fleury will continue to fill a third-pairing role alongside Colin Miller on Tuesday.

Ekman-Larsson missed practice Tuesday due to an illness, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

When speaking about Ekman-Larsson's illness, head coach Craig Berube said it's "nothing terrible, but I thought it was better he stay off today and rest up," per Mark Masters of TSN. With that update in mind, Ekman-Larsson likely won't miss Game 5 on Wednesday, but the 33-year-old defenseman should be considered day-to-day at this time. The 2009 first-round pick has generated two goals, four points and 15 hits while seeing 19:14 of ice time per game in a third-pairing role over 10 postseason appearances.