NHL Player News

Kulak scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

Kulak's first goal of the postseason came at 3:52 of overtime, completing the Avalanche's comeback from a 3-0 first-period deficit. The defenseman has contributed a goal, four assists, eight shots on net, 20 blocked shots, six PIM and a plus-3 rating over nine playoff outings. He should continue to see top-four minutes in the Western Conference Finals.

Wedgewood stopped all seven shots he faced in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

Wedgewood got the crease at the start of the second period after Blackwood gave up three goals on 13 shots in the first. The Wild didn't test Wedgewood much after the switch, and he earned the comeback win. He's now 7-1 with a 2.21 GAA and a .914 save percentage over eight playoff outings. It wouldn't be surprising if Wedgewood returned to the starting role to begin the Western Conference Finals.

Blackwood stopped 10 of 13 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

Blackwood got the start for the second game in a row, but a poor first period saw him replaced by Scott Wedgewood for the remainder of the game. The Avalanche overcame the 3-0 deficit Blackwood left behind, winning the series and earning a spot in the Western Conference Finals. Blackwood may be ticketed for backup duties to begin that series, which will see the Avalanche face the winner of the Golden Knights-Ducks series.

Bogosian won't play Wednesday in Game 5 versus the Avalanche due to a lower-body injury.

Bogosian has been battling a lower-body issue since late in the regular season, and it's flared up enough to keep him out of an elimination game. Jeff Petry will be in Wednesday's lineup instead. If Minnesota staves off elimination, it's unclear if Bogosian will be ready for Game 6 on Friday.

Wallstedt will protect the road goal versus the Avalanche in Game 5 on Wednesday, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.

Wallstedt will get the nod with the Wild's season on the line in this contest. He has allowed 12 goals on 110 shots over three games against the Avalanche during the second round. Should he get the win Wednesday, Wallstedt would likely keep the crease for the rest of the round.

McNabb was suspended for one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday for his interference infraction against the Ducks' Ryan Poehling (upper body) in Tuesday's Game 5.

McNabb will miss Game 6 on Thursday due to the suspension. Kaedan Korczak will likely replace McNabb in the lineup as the Golden Knights try to secure a trip to the Western Conference Finals. McNabb will be available for either Game 7 against the Ducks on Saturday or the start of the next round, depending on the result of Thursday's contest.

Poehling (upper body) will miss Thursday's Game 6 matchup against Vegas, and there's no timeline for his return to the lineup, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune.

Poehling has contributed four goals and five points in 11 playoff appearances this year. Jansen Harkins might return to the lineup after spending the past two games as a healthy scratch. However, the Ducks are also considering dressing 11 forwards and seven defensemen. The availability of blueliners Radko Gudas (lower body) and Drew Helleson (undisclosed) will likely influence whether the Ducks go with seven defensemen in Thursday's contest.

Demidov notched an assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres in Game 4.

Demidov is picking up the pace with three assists over his last four games. The winger was limited to just one helper over seven first-round contests against the Lightning. Demidov remains on the hunt for his first NHL playoff goal, coming up empty on 19 shots while adding 12 hits, six blocked shots, six PIM and a plus-1 rating over 11 outings this postseason.

Caufield scored a power-play goal on five shots in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres in Game 4.

Caufield has three points, all on the power play, over the last two games. He's starting to get more involved on offense after enduring a five-game slump from Game 5 of the first round to Game 2 of the second round. The 25-year-old winger has earned all of his offense (three goals, four assists) with the man advantage this postseason while adding 24 shots on net, 19 hits and a minus-6 rating over 11 appearances.

Samuelsson scored a goal on two shots and added six hits and six blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 4.

Samuelsson hasn't matched his scoring levels from early in the regular season, but he's picked up a steady three goals and one assist over 10 playoff outings. The defenseman has added ample physicality with 42 hits and 19 blocked shots. He's firmly in a top-four role, so there will be opportunities for him to offer well-rounded production as long as the Sabres remain in the playoffs.