NHL Player News

Dobes will protect the road goal versus the Sabres in Game 2 on Friday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Dobes allowed four goals on 16 shots in a Game 1 loss Wednesday. While Dobes has maintained a steady role as the Canadiens' No. 1 netminder, he has yet to win consecutive games this postseason. On the flip side, he also hasn't lost two games in a row. He is 4-4 with a 2.28 GAA and a .910 save percentage over eight playoff outings.

Lyon will protect the home goal versus the Canadiens in Game 2 on Friday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Lyon continued his strong play by stopping 26 of 28 shots to win the series opener. He hasn't allowed more than two goals in any of his five starts this postseason, a trend he'll look to keep going as the Sabres try to claim a 2-0 series lead.

Gudas (lower body) isn't expected to play in Game 3 against Vegas on Friday, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune.

Gudas did join the Ducks for the morning skate, but he wasn't part of the expected defensive pairings during the line rushes. He's skating regularly, which is encouraging, and he appears to be day-to-day at this stage. Once Gudas is available, he might replace Drew Helleson on the third pairing.

Ahcan was reassigned to AHL Colorado on Friday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Ahcan was left behind to suit up for AHL Colorado in the Calder Cup Playoffs thanks to the potential return of Josh Manson (upper body) from injury. The 28-year-old Ahcan logged 11 regular-season games with the Avs this year, but he has yet to feature in a postseason tilt. If the Eagles are eliminated from their playoff race, Ahcan will likely rejoin the Avalanche.

Manson (upper body) could be available for Game 3 against Minnesota on Saturday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Head coach Jared Bednar told reporters the team was confident enough that Manson would be available that it opted to leave Jack Ahcan behind to play for AHL Colorado. If the 34-year-old Manson does suit up in Game 3, it will likely be at the expense of Nick Blankenburg, though Manson could also serve as a healthy scratch.

Brodin (lower body) will not be available for Game 3 versus the Avalanche on Saturday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.

Brodin will be out of action for his fourth straight game due to his lingering lower-body problem. In his last 10 outings, going back to the regular season, the 32-year-old blueliner has failed to find the back of the net while producing two assists, 13 shots and 23 blocks. As long as Brodin is on the shelf, Daemon Hunt figures to continue seeing minutes on the third pairing.

Eriksson EK (lower body) hasn't been ruled out for Saturday's Game 3 clash with Colorado, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Eriksson Ek has been out of action for both games of the Wild's second-round series due to his lower-body issue. In six games against the Stars in the first round, the 29-year-old center notched three goals and two assists, including a pair of power-play markers. If Eriksson Ek is given the green light to play in Game 3, he should reclaim a spot in the top six in addition to seeing power-play minutes.

Carrick (arm) will not be in the lineup versus the Canadiens for Game 2 on Friday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

According to head coach Lindy Ruff, if the Sabres absolutely needed Carrick for a Game 7, the 34-year-old center could be an option. With the team up 1-0 in the series, it seems it will give the Ontario native an extra few days off. Given the update, fantasy managers could probably plan to see Carrick in the lineup for Game 3 on Sunday. Whenever he returns to action, it figures to be in a bottom-six role.

Andrae logged an assist and two blocked shots in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 3.

Andrae has been a part-time player this postseason, in part due to an upper-body injury that hampered him in the first round. He was in the lineup for consecutive contests for the first time in the playoffs and delivered a helper on a Trevor Zegras tally in the second period. Andrae had trouble keeping his spot in the lineup in the regular season as well, collecting 13 points, 68 hits, 58 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a plus-15 rating across 61 appearances.

Zegras scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 3.

Zegras' tally tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period, but that was all Frederik Andersen would give up. The 25-year-old Zegras snapped a four-game point drought with the goal. He's earned two goals, three assists, 12 shots on net, 22 hits, 26 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over nine outings in a top-six role this postseason.