NHL Player News

Benson notched two assists Wednesday, one on the power play, during the Sabres' 4-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 1 of their second-round series.

Both helpers came in the first period as Buffalo grabbed a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Benson has delivered back-to-back multi-point performances, and after being held off the scoresheet in the first three games of the Sabres' playoff run, the 20-year-old winger has caught fire with two goals and five points in the last four contests. Wednesday's assist was also his first power-play point since Dec. 18.

Doan produced an even-strength goal and a power-play assist Wednesday in the Sabres' 4-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 1 of their second-round series.

Both points came in the first period as Buffalo jumped out to a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Doan was held off the scoresheet through the Sabres' first three playoff contests, but since then the 24-year-old winger has broken out with two goals and five points over the last four games. Wednesday's helper was also his first power-play point since March 8.

Lyon stopped 26 shots Wednesday in the Sabres' 4-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 1 of their second-round series.

Buffalo never trailed in the contest, as Lyon allowed goals late in the first and second periods after his team had already struck twice in each frame. The veteran netminder has won four of five starts since taking over in the crease for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, posting an eye-popping 1.36 GAA and .947 save percentage over that stretch heading into Game 2 on Friday.

Dobes made 12 saves Wednesday in the Canadiens' 4-2 loss to the Sabres in Game 1 of their second-round series.

While his final numbers look shaky, two of Buffalo's goals came on power plays, while a third came after Lane Hutson blew a tire at center ice to create an odd-man rush. It's the first time this postseason that Dobes has allowed more than three goals in a start, and he'll likely take a 2.28 GAA and .910 save percentage into Game 2 on Friday.

Stone scored a power-play goal and added four hits in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Ducks in Game 2.

Stone's tally was too late to make a difference, but it kept the Golden Knights from getting shut out. He's up to three goals, three assists, 18 shots on net, 11 hits and a minus-2 rating over eight playoff outings. The 33-year-old winger hasn't taken over on offense very much, but he'll continue to see important minutes in a top-six role.

Hart stopped 25 of 27 shots in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Ducks in Game 2. The third goal was an empty-netter.

Hart put in a strong performance but couldn't get any help from his teammates. It still took the Ducks a while to wear down the Golden Knights' defense, so this is shaping up to be a fairly close and competitive series. Hart's winning streak ended at four games, but he's still 5-3 this postseason with a 2.44 GAA and a .912 save percentage over eight games. Expect the 27-year-old to get the nod again in Game 3 on Friday in Anaheim.

Harkins scored an empty-net goal and added four hits in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

Harkins had missed the last 18 games while recovering from hand surgery. He had been a full participant in practices during the playoffs and could have been a healthy scratch for at least some of the last seven contests. Harkins' second career playoff tally in five appearances provided some insurance for the Ducks. He was held to eight points over 44 regular-season appearances and is likely to remain in a bottom-six role when he draws into the lineup.

Sennecke scored a goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

The Ducks made some changes to their forward combinations in this game, dropping Sennecke to the third line. The move worked, as the rookie winger snapped his four-game point drought with a tally at 11:23 of the second period to open the scoring. That move was likely a long time coming -- Sennecke has been held to two goals over eight playoff contests. He's added 20 shots on net, 11 hits and a minus-5 rating.

Carlsson scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

Carlsson's tally in the third period stood as the game-winner. The center has had no trouble adjusting to the playoffs so far, earning four goals, five assists, 36 shots on net and a plus-3 rating over eight postseason outings. The 21-year-old continues to see significant usage on the top line and first power-play unit, so he's in a good position to keep generating offense.

Dostal stopped 21 of 22 shots in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Golden Knights in Game 2.

Dostal continues to trend in the right direction -- he's now allowed two goals or fewer in three straight games. He's given up five tallies on 70 shots in that span. It could have been even better for him Wednesday, but Mark Stone's power-play tally just before time expired in the third period denied Dostal a shutout. This second-round series is now tied at 1-1, and Dostal will likely be between the pipes again as the action shifts to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday.