NHL Player News

Lyon stopped 23 of 27 shots Friday in the Sabres' 5-1 loss to the Canadiens in Game 2 of their second-round series, with Montreal's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

The 33-year-old goaltender faced several scoring chances due to careless defensive mistakes, but he also wasn't at his best in the contest. Lyon would probably like another crack at Mike Matheson's game-winner early in the first period, which was a long-range shot into the top corner. It was the first time this postseason that Lyon surrendered more than two goals in a contest, but it shouldn't cost him his starting job ahead of Game 3 in Montreal on Sunday. Through seven outings this postseason, he has a 1.73 GAA and .934 save percentage.

Matheson scored the game-winning goal Friday in the Canadiens' 5-1 victory over the Sabres in Game 2 of their second-round series.

The veteran defenseman picked the top corner on Alex Lyon from long range early in the first period to give his squad a 2-0 lead. It was Matheson's first goal of the playoffs and just his second point in nine games this postseason, as he's mainly left the offensive duties on the Habs' blue line to Lane Hutson. Matheson will look to build on this performance in Game 3 on Sunday as the series shifts to Montreal.

Newhook scored two goals Friday in the Canadiens' 5-1 win over the Sabres in Game 2 of their second-round series.

The 25-year-old struck early in the first and second periods as Montreal built a 3-0 lead it wouldn't relinquish. Newhook has three goals in nine appearances so far this postseason, and all three have come in the last three contests. He'll look to stay hot in Game 3 on Sunday, back on home ice.

Dobes made 28 saves Friday in the Canadiens' 5-1 win over the Sabres in Game 2 of their second-round series.

After allowing four goals on just 16 shots in Game 1 of Round 2, Dobes bounced back with a superb performance. His shutout was spoiled late in the second period by Zach Benson in Friday's win. The 24-year-old Dobes has been one of the biggest surprises of the postseason so far, posting a 2.14 GAA and .917 save percentage through nine starts. Dobes will look to stay locked in as the series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 on Sunday.

Tippett (undisclosed) won't play against Carolina on Saturday in Game 4, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Tippett will miss his fourth straight game. With the Flyers facing elimination in Saturday's playoff matchup, the 27-year-old forward needs a win from his teammates to give him a chance to return in Game 5 on Monday. Tippett has produced one goal, one assist, nine shots on net, four blocked shots and 29 hits in six appearances this postseason.

Thomson signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano of Switzerland's National League on Friday.

Thomson had three assists, 11 shots on goal, nine blocked shots and six hits across 11 NHL appearances in the 2025-26 regular season. He also had 14 goals and 25 points in 55 regular-season games for AHL Belleville. Thomson was a Group 6 unrestricted free agent after completing his one-year, $775,000 contract with the Senators.

Sennecke scored a goal on three shots in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3.

Sennecke has scored in consecutive contests since he got bumped down to the third line. The 20-year-old rookie is up to three goals, 23 shots, 11 hits and a minus-5 rating over nine playoff outings. Sennecke could get back into the top six for a change of pace if the Ducks struggle in Sunday's Game 4, but he has yet to show much consistent scoring in the postseason.

Kreider scored a goal on three shots and doled out six hits in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3.

Kreider got his first goal of the second round with a tally in the third period. He's earned two goals, five assists, 12 shots on net, 27 hits and a plus-2 rating over nine appearances this postseason. Kreider continues to play in a top-line role, so he's likely to have plenty of opportunities to chip in on offense as the Ducks try to overcome a 2-1 deficit in the series against Vegas.

Husso stopped 17 of 19 shots in relief of Lukas Dostal in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3.

Husso played the final two periods and gave up the last two goals of Mitch Marner's hat trick. The Golden Knights also had an empty-netter in the third. Husso has stopped 27 of 30 shots over two relief appearances this postseason. After the game, head coach Joel Quenneville didn't commit to a starting goalie for Sunday's Game 4, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports, so it's possible Husso will get a start. In any case, it appears Dostal is on a short leash, which could lead to a switch in the crease if Game 4 goes poorly for the Ducks.

Dostal stopped five of eight shots in the first period of Friday's 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 3.

Dostal was replaced by Ville Husso at the start of the second period. This was the second time Dostal's been pulled from a contest this postseason -- he also got the hook in Game 5 of the first round against the Oilers. Head coach Joel Quenneville was noncommittal about his goalie choice for Sunday's Game 4 in his postgame comments, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune, so it is questionable if Dostal will get a chance to bounce back from this outing.