NHL Player News

Kuemper stopped 21 of 25 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canucks.

This was his first start in five games, and Kuemper didn't make a great case for more playing time against the league's worst team. This was Kuemper's fifth defeat (2-1-4) over his last seven appearances, and he's allowed at least four goals in five of those games. On the year, Kuemper is 19-14-15 with a 2.78 GAA and an .891 save percentage over 50 games. The Kings' regular-season finale is in Calgary on Thursday.

Pettersson registered two assists and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Pettersson's goal drought is up to 14 games, but he has earned 11 assists with a minus-10 rating, 25 shots on net and 14 blocked shots in that span. The 27-year-old center came up big with helpers on Zeev Buium's tying goal in the second period and Jake DeBrusk's game-winner in overtime. Pettersson crossed the 50-point mark with the effort -- he's at 15 goals, 36 assists, 132 shots on net, 108 blocked shots, 65 hits and a minus-29 rating across 73 appearances.

Pettersson scored a goal and added four hits in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Pettersson ended an 11-game point drought with a tally at 9:21 of the first period. He's gotten a chance to play regularly in a bottom-four role lately, but there are still plenty of things for him to work on. The 22-year-old defenseman is at three goals, 10 points, 45 shots on net, 134 hits, 83 blocked shots, 32 PIM and a minus-14 rating through 69 appearances this season.

Buium scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Buium tallied for the first time since Jan. 23 versus the Devils. In that 24-game drought, he picked up five assists with a minus-17 rating, 23 shots on net, 20 blocked shots and 23 PIM. Buium has seen steady top-four minutes lately, as the Canucks have had nothing to lose by testing him in a big role. Through 75 appearances between Vancouver and Minnesota, the 20-year-old blueliner has six goals, 26 points (13 on the power play), 73 shots on net, 52 blocks, 37 PIM and a minus-33 rating.

DeBrusk scored twice on six shots and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

DeBrusk's first goal was a power-play tally early in the second period, which Adrian Kempe quickly answered. There was no responding to the second goal, as DeBrusk delivered a rare even-strength tally 2:58 into overtime to seal the win. It was his first even-strength goal since March 6, and just his fourth such marker all season. DeBrusk is at 23 goals, 42 points (24 on the power play), 217 shots on net, 66 hits, 34 blocked shots and a minus-31 rating over 80 appearances.

Lankinen stopped 31 of 34 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Lankinen couldn't protect a pair of one-goal leads during regulation, but he did his part to keep the game from getting out of hand. This was his third straight win, though he has allowed 12 goals on 96 shots in that span. For the season, the 30-year-old goalie is up to 11-26-5 with a 3.65 GAA and an .877 save percentage over 46 appearances. The Canucks' last game is Thursday versus the Oilers, and it's not yet clear if Lankinen will be between the pipes for that one.

Hayes produced two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Blues.

Hayes has a goal and two assists over his last three outings since he returned to the lineup as a fill-in while the Penguins rest players ahead of the playoffs. That may not be enough to get him a spot in the postseason lineup, but he's a veteran who will be ready to step in at a moment's notice. Hayes has eight points, 45 shots on net, 32 hits and a minus-1 rating through 28 appearances this season.

Soderblom scored a goal and added two PIM in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Blues.

Soderblom has looked good lately with four goals and four assists over his last 10 outings. He's done much of that from a bottom-six role, though he's seen a slight uptick in ice time while the Penguins rest their key players. Soderblom looks to be at least a fourth-line lock to start the playoffs. Between Pittsburgh and Detroit this season, he has seven goals, 13 points, 69 shots on net, 99 hits and a minus-1 rating over 59 appearances.

McGroarty scored a goal in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Blues.

McGroarty's tally was his first since Dec. 23 at the NHL level. The 22-year-old rookie has six points, 37 shots on net, 26 hits and a minus-3 rating over 24 NHL appearances this season. He will probably not be a major factor in the Penguins' playoff run this year, but he should be in the mix to make the team out of training camp to start 2026-27.

Mantha scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Blues.

Mantha was reportedly dealing with a lower-body injury over the weekend, but that was likely a minor issue announced to give a reason for him to rest. The winger certainly hasn't looked like he's playing hurt lately, with seven goals and four assists over his last nine outings. He's had a remarkable comeback campaign, finishing the regular season with career highs in goals (33), assists (31) and points (64) while tying his high mark in power-play points (13). Mantha played the year on a one-year contract, but the 31-year-old has likely earned himself a substantial raise on his next deal.