NHL Player News

Lehkonen scored a shorthanded goal on three shots, dished an assist, added four hits and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings in Game 3.

Lehkonen got a fortunate bounce for his goal at 7:39 of the third period, which ended up being the game-winner. The 30-year-old has scored twice on six shots while adding eight hits, four blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over three contests this postseason. Lehkonen remains a key part of the Avalanche's top six with the ability to make an impact in all zones.

Wedgewood stopped 24 of 26 shots in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings in Game 3.

Wedgewood allowed multiple goals for the first time over eight outings in April, but he still played well enough to win. He's now won seven straight games, including all three playoff contests in the first round to put the Avalanche a win away from advancing to the second round. At this point, Wedgewood looks locked into the starting role, so expect to see him between the pipes for Sunday's Game 4 in Los Angeles.

Ullmark made 25 saves in a 2-1 loss to Carolina in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday.

Ullmark continues to do his part, but he needs his teammates to score. The Senators went 0-for-5 on the power play, putting up just four shots. They couldn't beat Frederik Andersen on a 5-on-3 opportunity for 1:28 in the second period. Ullmark remains winless this postseason, but he has looked every part the star he was in Boston. His 2.02 GAA and .933 save percentage showcase his talent. Game 4 is Saturday, and Ullmark will need to be stellar if the Senators are to extend this past four games, as the Hurricanes are up 3-0.

Batherson scored a goal in a 2-1 loss to Carolina in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday.

Nick Cousins found him down low, and Batherson went forehand-backhand over the pads of Frederik Andersen to tie the game 1-1 late in the second period. Batherson has a goal in each of his last two games, and with five more hits Thursday, he has laid out 14 in three contests this postseason. He and the Senators have a big hole to dig out of heading into Game 4, as they are down 3-0 ahead of Saturday's matchup.

Andersen made 21 saves in a 2-1 win over Ottawa in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday.

Andersen was tested, but Ottawa wasn't particularly effective in crucial situations. The Senators went 0-for-5 on the power play, putting up just four shots, which included a 5-on-3 opportunity for 1:28 in the second period. Andersen is 3-0 with a sparkling 0.84 GAA and .964 save percentage in three starts this postseason. The Hurricanes can move to the next round with a victory in Game 4 on Saturday.

Blake scored a goal in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Senators in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

The goal stood as the game-winner. Blake took a cross-ice feed from K'Andre Miller and sent a wrister past a sprawling Linus Ullmark late in the second period. Blake has at least a point in each of the Hurricanes' three playoff games and four points (one goal, three assists) overall. Blake and linemates Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall have led the team every game, and Carolina can advance to the next round with a Game 4 win Saturday.

Manson is being evaluated for an upper-body injury he sustained in Game 3 versus the Kings on Thursday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.

Manson was initially injured in the first period, though he returned briefly in the second before retreating to the locker room for a second time. The 34-year-old hasn't been ruled out for the rest of Game 3, but it doesn't seem likely he'll be pushed back into action. If he's still not feeling 100 percent ahead of Sunday's Game 4, Nick Blankenburg will probably take Manson's place in the lineup.

Stankoven scored a goal in a 2-1 win over Ottawa in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday.

Stankoven became the first player in franchise history to open the scoring in three straight Stanley Cup Playoff games. He went bar down over the blocker of Linus Ullmark early in the first to stake the Hurricanes to a 1-0 lead. Stankoven (three goals, one assist) and linemates Taylor Hall (one goal, four assists) and Jackson Blake (one goal, three assists) have accounted for almost all of the team's offense. The Hurricanes lead the series 3-0 and can move to the next round with a victory Saturday.

Sanderson won't return to Game 3 versus the Hurricanes.

Sanderson was injured in the second period, though a couple of incidents could have led to his departure. The team didn't provide an update when declaring him out for the game, but Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports Sanderson's injury stems from a hit to the head. If Sanderson misses any time, the Senators will likely have a tall task in getting through the first round. His status for Saturday's Game 4 has yet to be determined.

Wedgewood is expected to start on the road against Los Angeles in Game 3 on Thursday, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.

Wedgewood has led the Avalanche to a 2-0 series lead by stopping 48 of 50 shots (.960 save percentage) against the Kings in the first round. He also won his final four regular-season appearances, turning aside 87 of 89 shots (.978 save percentage) over that stretch. The series has shifted to Los Angeles, but that might not help the Kings much. Los Angeles was 15-17-9 while averaging just 2.59 goals per game at home during the regular season.