NHL Player News

Samuelsson (rest) is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Stars, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Samuelsson certainly earned some rest after producing 13 goals and 41 points over 78 outings in a breakout campaign. He also set career highs with 154 blocked shots, 132 hits, a plus-41 rating and 109 shots on goal. Samuelsson should be in his usual top-pairing role for Game 1 of the playoffs versus the Bruins.

Zucker (rest) won't play Wednesday versus the Stars, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Zucker won't play in the regular-season finale, ending the campaign at 45 points (16 on the power play) in 62 appearances. The 34-year-old winger should be fine for Game 1 against the Bruins. He'll be a top-six option and a power-play producer during the postseason.

McLeod (rest) won't play Wednesday versus the Stars, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

McLeod won't play in the regular-season finale. He'll end the campaign with a career-high 54 points (14 goals, 40 assists) as well as a plus-25 rating over 81 contests. Expect McLeod to be back in a middle-six role to start the playoffs.

Dahlin (rest) won't play Wednesday versus the Stars, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Dahlin will take a rest day for the regular-season finale. He ends the regular season with a career-best 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists) over 77 appearances. Expect the defenseman back in action for Game 1 against the Bruins.

Thompson (rest) won't play Wednesday versus the Stars, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Thompson will sit out the regular-season finale after the Sabres locked up the top seed in the Atlantic Division. He secured a point-per-game pace for the second time in his career with 40 goals and 41 assists over 81 outings. He'll be ready to roll for Game 1 versus the Bruins.

Appleton (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Panthers.

Appleton will miss his sixth straight game to end the campaign. He'll finish the season with 14 points in 65 outings. He is under contract for 2026-27, but without an update on his injury status, it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of that campaign.

Larkin (undisclosed) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Panthers.

Larkin will sit out the regular-season finale since the Red Wings have nothing to play for. Travis Hamonic will draw in as a seventh defenseman. Larkin ends the year with 34 goals and 67 points over 74 appearances.

Santini remains on the NHL roster for Wednesday's game versus the Rangers, per the NHL media site.

After being placed on waivers Wednesday, Santini will be in the lineup because the Lightning have chosen to rest some players. The 31-year-old was in the AHL at the trade deadline, so he will be eligible to play in the Calder Cup Playoffs with Syracuse if he clears waivers.

McDonagh (rest) won't play Wednesday versus the Rangers, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

McDonagh will get some rest rather than playing in the regular-season finale. Over 48 games this campaign, he had 21 points and 76 blocked shots. He should be fine for the start of the playoffs.

Moser (rest) won't play Wednesday versus the Rangers, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Moser won't play in the regular-season finale but should be fine for Game 1 of the playoffs versus the Canadiens. The 26-year-old defenseman had 29 points over 79 outings this season and should be a shutdown defender during the postseason.