NHL Player News

Newhook scored the overtime winner Monday during the Canadiens' 3-2 victory over the Sabres in Game 7 of their second-round series.

After scoring the series-winner to finish off the Lightning in the first round, Newhook was the hero for the Habs once again. The 25-year-old took a pass from Alexandre Carrier midway through the first extra period, skated into the Sabres' end, and snapped a shot from the top of the faceoff circle through traffic past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Over Montreal's last 10 playoff games, Newhook has racked up seven goals and nine points, and he'll look to stay hot when the Eastern Conference Finals begin in Carolina on Thursday.

Dobes made 37 saves Monday in the Canadiens' 3-2 overtime win over the Sabres in Game 7 of their second-round series.

Montreal was outshot 39-25 by the home side in the series clincher, but Dobes came up big time and again, and he had little chance on the two pucks that got past him -- one of which deflected home off Jordan Greenway's hip. The 24-year-old netminder has started all 14 playoff games for the Habs, posting a 2.52 GAA and .910 save percentage, and he's just the second rookie goalie in NHL history to win multiple Game 7s on the road in the same postseason, with Hall of Famer and Montreal legend Ken Dryden being the other. Dobes will get a brief breather before taking on Carolina in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday.

Dobes will guard the road crease in Monday's Game 7 against the Sabres, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.

Dobes will be called upon for his second consecutive Game 7 and his 15th start in a row, dating back to the end of the regular season. He'll look to bounce back after being pulled midway through the third period in Game 6, allowing Jacob Fowler to experience his first taste of NHL playoff hockey. In Montreal's series against Buffalo, the 24-year-old Dobes has a 3-3-0 record, a 3.31 GAA and an .884 save percentage across six outings. Monday's win-or-go-home matchup will be a true test for the young netminder, who has yet to lose consecutive games in this postseason.

Luukkonen will be between the home pipes for Game 7 against the Canadiens on Monday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Luukkonen didn't get the start in Saturday's Game 6 win, but he replaced Alex Lyon in the first period and helped the Sabres force a Game 7 in Buffalo. The 27-year-old Luukkonen has stopped 65 of 72 shots during this second-round series, going 2-1 across three appearances. Overall in the 2026 postseason, the Finnish netminder is 3-2 with a 3.36 GAA and an .875 save percentage over five outings. The Canadiens are making a few changes to their bottom six for Game 7, including Oliver Kapanen drawing into the lineup for Joe Veleno.

Gustavsson will undergo hip surgery in the offseason, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports Monday.

According to general manager Bill Guerin, Gustavsson's availability for the start of the 2026-27 season won't be known until after his procedure. On top of that concern for fantasy managers, the fact that the 27-year-old backstop was effectively benched for the postseason in favor of Jesper Wallstedt will raise questions about who is the No. 1 option heading into next season.

Lindbom was recalled from AHL Henderson on Monday, SinBin.vegas reports.

Lindbom will join Vegas' Black Aces ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against Colorado on Wednesday. According to the AHL transaction log, the Golden Knights summoned Tanner Laczynski, Raphael Lavoie, Jonas Rondbjerg, Kai Uchacz and Jeremy Davies from AHL Henderson on Thursday.

Bradley scored twice and added an assist in AHL Colorado's 4-1 win over Coachella Valley in Game 3 on Sunday.

Bradley is up to three goals and three assists over nine playoff contests. He had just 12 points in 42 regular-season outings this year, so his production in the postseason, while not elite, is a good sign. The 24-year-old will remain with the Eagles as long as their playoff run is active.

Malinski (upper body) participated fully in Sunday's practice and is trending toward being ready for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Following a two-game absence, Malinski could be ready for the beginning of the Western Conference Finals. He has registered one goal, two assists, 14 shots on net, 14 blocked shots and seven hits in seven appearances this postseason.

Manson (undisclosed) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

After sitting out Saturday's on-ice session and being listed as day-to-day, Manson should be available for Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday. Through the first two rounds of the 2026 playoffs, he has contributed two assists, eight shots on net and 13 hits in five appearances.

Xhekaj scored a goal, added 12 PIM and doled out three hits in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6.

Xhekaj tied the game at 1-1 with his first career playoff goal. He's up to two points, eight shots on net, 44 hits, six blocked shots, 28 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 12 playoff contests this year. Xhekaj's not a firm lock for the lineup, but he's been active for all but one game this postseason despite a fairly limited role on the third pairing.