NHL Player News

Eriksson Ek scored a goal on four shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Eriksson Ek has played well to start the postseason, earning three goals, two assists, 13 shots on net and nine hits over three games. The 29-year-old center was limited to 51 points over 70 regular-season outings this year. This is the eighth year he's been in the playoffs -- over the previous seven, he earned 13 points in 32 games.

Johansson scored a power-play goal on two shots and added four hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Johansson got the Wild on the board late in the first period. This was his first point in three games to open the postseason, and he's added five shots on net and nine hits in this rivalry matchup. Johansson had one of the better campaigns of his career with 49 points over 75 regular-season outings this year. Prior to this postseason, he had 47 points across 114 career playoff games, so he also brings plenty of experience to a middle-six role.

Wallstedt stopped 32 of 36 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Stars in Game 3.

Wallstedt lost for the second game in a row and has allowed eight goals on 85 shots over three playoff contests. It's hard to pin this loss on him -- the difference was in special teams, where the Stars were able to cash in on three power plays, including with the decisive goal by Wyatt Johnston 12:10 into the second overtime. Wallstedt's strong play down the stretch earned him the top goaltending job to begin the postseason, but the Wild can't afford to go down 3-1 in the series. That could lead to a rested Filip Gustavsson getting a look in Game 4 on Saturday, though the Wild have yet to reveal their plans.

Johnston scored a goal on four shots, added an assist and logged two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Wild in Game 3.

Johnston's already impressive resume got another bullet point for his work Wednesday. He helped out on Matt Duchene's equalizer in the third period before scoring the game-winner at 12:10 of the second overtime frame to make the Wild pay for Danila Yurov's puck-over-glass penalty. Johnston has torched Minnesota for three goals and two assists over three contests in this series. He's seen postseason action in all four of his NHL campaigns, and prior to this year, he had 18 goals and 32 points over 56 playoff outings. Johnston is already well on his way to surpassing the 10 points he had in 18 playoff contests a year ago.

Rantanen scored a goal on six shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Wild in Game 3.

Both points came on the power play, as Rantanen opened the scoring just 1:25 into the game and set up Matt Duchene midway through the third period. With three power-play points over the last two games, Rantanen looks to be heating up. He produced 22 goals, 77 points (34 on the power play), 139 shots on net, 93 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 64 regular-season appearances. Rantanen entered this postseason a veteran of 99 playoff games, in which he racked up stellar totals of 43 goals and 80 assists over eight previous playoff runs.

Duchene scored a power-play goal on two shots and added two assists in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Wild in Game 3.

Duchene's first assist also came on the power play. The 35-year-old center has five points, including three on the power play, over his last two games after getting held off the scoresheet in the series opener. Prior to this postseason, Duchene recorded 37 points over 69 playoff contests across eight other runs. The center had a challenging regular season with 45 points over 57 appearances, but he's brought his best against the Wild so far.

Robertson scored a goal on five shots, dished two power-play assists, added two PIM and logged two hits in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Wild in Game 3.

Robertson has scored in all three playoff games so far. He's added 16 shots on net and has five total points, carrying over his excellent play from the regular season into the postseason. Robertson will continue to play a prominent role in the top six and on the first power-play unit.

Oettinger stopped 28 of 31 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 double-overtime win over the Wild in Game 3.

The Wild had a lot of pressure but didn't turn it into many shots. Oettinger still had to be sharp, and he was, helping to kill off five Minnesota power plays in the third period and overtime. Oettinger had allowed 10 goals on 89 shots over three in this first-round series, but his performance Wednesday put the Stars up 2-1. He'll have an extra day to rest ahead of Saturday's Game 4.

Murphy scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Ducks in Game 2.

Murphy tallied at 11:46 of the second period for his first career playoff goal. The 33-year-old defenseman is likely to fill a shutdown role during the Oilers' run this year, which is just his second time being in the postseason. He had four assists over nine contests with the Blackhawks in 2020 in his only other taste of playoff hockey. Murphy produced 17 points, 70 shots on net, 71 PIM, 90 hits and 138 blocked shots over 80 regular-season appearances between Edmonton and Chicago this year.

Samanski scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Ducks in Game 2.

Samanski was inserted into the lineup, along with Curtis Lazar, to account for the absences of Adam Henrique (lower body) and Jason Dickinson (undisclosed). The 24-year-old Samanski was able to cash in a goal in his playoff debut, though it's unlikely he'll be a major factor on offense the rest of the way. He had four points, nine shots on net, 27 hits and 14 blocked shots over 24 regular-season outings.