NHL Player News

Pastrnak scored a goal in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Sabres in Game 6 of the first-round series.

The Bruins couldn't extend the series to a decisive Game 7, but Pastrnak was active on the scoresheet. He scored two of the team's three goals in the final two games of the series and finished the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Bruins' leader in goals (three), assists (four), points (seven) and shots on goal (22). Pastrnak also notched 100 points (29 goals, 71 helpers) in 77 regular-season contests.

Samuelsson scored a goal in Friday's 4-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6 of the first-round series.

Samuelsson isn't known for being a scoring-first defenseman, but he found the back of the net twice in Buffalo's first-round series against Boston. He also added 19 hits and eight blocked shots. He hasn't been as productive offensively as he was in the 2025-26 regular season, but he could take on more of a defensive-minded role in the second round of the playoffs against Tampa Bay or Montreal.

Tuch had a goal, two shots on net, two hits and two blocked shots in Friday's 4-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6 of the first-round series.

Tuch has been the Sabres' most consistent producer in the playoffs so far, recording at least one point in five of the six games against Boston. He notched seven points (four goals, three assists), a plus-8 rating, 20 shots on net, 21 hits and nine blocked shots in Buffalo's first-round series victory. He remains an excellent option for fantasy managers due to his scoring upside and category coverage.

Benson scored a goal and added an assist in Friday's 4-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6 of the first-round series.

Benson didn't have a point in three contests to begin the 2026 postseason, but he has turned things around with two goals and one assist in his last three appearances. The 20-year-old had a career year offensively in the 2025-26 regular season, collecting 13 goals and 43 points in 65 outings. Benson has proven to be a capable depth scorer for the Sabres, and that should continue during the team's playoff run.

Swayman stopped 22 of 25 shots in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 6 of their first-round series. The fourth goal was an empty-netter at the 16:40 mark of the third period.

Swayman kept the Bruins' season alive with an OT win in Game 5 on Tuesday. However, the Sabres got to him early in Friday's loss, scoring twice in the first period. Boston also didn't provide him with nearly enough support. Swayman ends the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2-4 record, a 2.48 GAA and a .916 save percentage.

Dobes stopped 32 shots Friday during the Canadiens' 1-0 overtime loss to the Lightning in Game 6 of their first-round series.

The 24-year-old was locked in a spectacular goaltending duel with Vezina Trophy finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy in regulation. However, Dobes couldn't get in front of Gage Goncalves' second-chance opportunity midway through the first extra frame. Dobes has yet to allow more than three goals in a playoff start, posting a sparkling 2.19 GAA and .916 save percentage heading into a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday.

Lyon stopped 25 of 26 shots in Friday's 4-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6 of their first-round series.

David Pastrnak beat Lyon in the early stages of the second period, but that would be all the offense the Bruins would muster. Lyon posted excellent numbers in Buffalo's first-round series win over Boston, going 3-1-0 with a 1.21 GAA and an excellent .952 save percentage. He will probably remain the Sabres' No. 1 option for the start of the second round.

Goncalves scored the overtime winner Friday in the Lightning's 1-0 victory over the Canadiens in Game 6 of their first-round series.

The 25-year-old winger scored the greasiest of goals midway through the first extra period, camping out in front of Jakub Dobes and banging home his own rebound after Dominic James shoveled the puck into the crease. It was Goncalves' first goal and second point of the postseason, and the bottom-six grinder's heroics kept the Lightning's campaign alive and forced a Game 7 on Sunday.

Vasilevskiy made 30 saves Friday in the Lightning's 1-0 overtime win over the Canadiens in Game 6 of their first-round series.

The Vezina Trophy finalist simply refused to let Tampa Bay's season end, producing his eighth career playoff shutout and first of this postseason in a dazzling performance. Through six games in the series against the Habs -- four of which have gone to overtime -- Vasilevskiy sports a 2.20 GAA and .905 save percentage, and he may need to come up big again in Game 7 on Sunday if the Bolts are going to get through to the second round.

Yamamoto scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6.

Yamamoto kept the Mammoth from getting shut out, scoring at 7:41 of the third period. The Golden Knights answered with three goals after that to close out the series. Yamamoto saw second-line usage at even strength throughout the postseason, earning one goal, four assists, four shots on net, 22 hits and a plus-2 rating. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, though he's coming off his best campaign in three years with 23 points over 59 regular-season outings. That could be enough for the Mammoth to consider bringing him back on a depth deal after he played 2025-26 on a league-minimum contract.