NHL Player News

Cowan scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Toronto's 6-2 win over Laval in Game 2 on Friday.

Cowan is getting a chance to play some more this spring with the Marlies. He has five points over five playoff contests. With the Maple Leafs in the regular season, he picked up 11 goals, 29 points, 92 shots on net, 72 hits and 45 PIM over 66 appearances. Cowan is likely to be a full-time NHL option from the start of 2026-27.

Beckman posted a 21-save shutout in QMJHL Chicoutimi's 4-0 win over Rouyn-Noranda in Game 5 on Friday.

Beckman has been a bit more challenged in the QMJHL semifinals, going 3-2 with 11 goals allowed over five contests. This was his best performance of the series so far, and he came away with his third shutout of the postseason. He's added a sparkling 1.31 GAA and .939 save percentage over 13 playoff contests, putting the Sagueneens one win away from the QMJHL finals.

McBain (lower body) is expected to be in the lineup in Friday's Game 6 versus the Golden Knights, per the NHL media site.

McBain was out of the lineup for the last four games, though the team had not indicated it was for an injury until Friday. The 26-year-old is expected to fill a fourth-line role. Barrett Hayton (upper body) will exit the lineup after returning from an injury of his own in Game 5.

Hart will protect the road goal versus the Mammoth on Friday in Game 6, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Hart will start again. He's allowed four goals in each of the last three games, but the Golden Knights' offense has stepped up to put the team on the verge of advancing to the second round. Hart should continue to see the starts for Vegas as long as he can keep piling up wins.

Hayton (upper body) won't play Friday in Game 6 versus the Golden Knights, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Hayton played in Game 5 but is still managing pain from an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old won't be in the lineup as the Mammoth try to keep their season alive, and if that effort fails, he won't be able to play again until the 2026-27 preseason.

Stanley (illness) was on the ice for warmups but didn't participate in line rushes, indicating he won't play in Game 6 versus the Bruins on Friday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Stanley was labeled a game-time decision, but it appears he's not quite ready to play. The defenseman's presence on the ice during warmups suggests he'd likely be good to go for a potential Game 7 on Sunday, if necessary. However, it's possible he will remain out of the lineup for performance reasons. He has no points, six hits and six blocked shots over five playoff contests.

Lyon will protect the road goal versus the Bruins on Friday in Game 6, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Lyon took an overtime loss in Game 5, stopping 27 of 29 shots in the contest. The 33-year-old has won two of his three starts since taking over the No. 1 job from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Lyon has allowed just four goals on 85 shots (.953 save percentage) over four appearances in this first-round series.

Dobes will protect the home goal versus the Lightning on Friday in Game 6, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Dobes is 3-2 in the first round, adding a 2.49 GAA and a .903 save percentage over five games. The 24-year-old hasn't won consecutive games in this series, but he'll try to change that Friday. If he's successful, the Canadiens will advance to the second round.

Vasilevskiy will guard the road goal versus the Canadiens in Game 6 on Friday, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Vasilevskiy will look to extend the series after stopping 21 of 24 shots in a Game 5 loss. Vasilevskiy has allowed at least three goals in each of his three defeats against the Canadiens in the first round, while he's limited Montreal to two goals in each of the Lightning's wins. If Vasilevskiy can get the win in Friday's matchup, Game 7 will be Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Swayman will start in Friday's Game 6 at home versus the Sabres, Belle Fraser of the Bruins' official site reports.

Swayman kept the Bruins' season alive with an overtime win in Game 5 on Tuesday, stopping 25 of 26 shots. The 27-year-old will look to repeat that feat on home ice to force a Game 7, which would be in Buffalo on Sunday. Swayman has allowed 14 goals on 156 shots (.910 save percentage) over the first five games of the first-round series.