Fantasy Hockey

Faksa (undisclosed) will be an option for Friday's Game 6 matchup with Vegas, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Even with Faksa cleared to play, he is far from a lock to take a spot in the lineup from Ty Dellandrea or Craig Smith. If the 30-year-old Faksa does suit up, he'll likely slide into a bottom-six role Friday.

Matthews (illness) skated Friday but is still questionable heading into Game 7 against the Bruins on Saturday. Coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters, "There's been progress...but no determination on his availability," per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

Matthews' availability almost certainly won't be confirmed until closer to puck drop Saturday, so fantasy players will likely have to take a wait-and-see approach. Despite not having the world-class center in the lineup, Toronto has managed to win back-to-back games to force a Game 7. If cleared to play, Matthews figures to unseat Max Domi on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit.

Henrique wasn't at practice Friday due to a lower-body injury, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.

Henrique has gone pointless in four straight games while recording a mere two shots to go with 20 hits. The Oilers are not expected to be back in action until Tuesday, so the veteran center should have plenty of time to recover. Still, it will be a situation for fantasy players to monitor heading into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Geekie scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs in Game 6.

Geekie tallied in the final second of the game, but it only served to break up Joseph Woll's shutout. Through six playoff outings, Geekie has two goals, one assist, nine shots on net, 15 hits and an even plus-minus rating. The 25-year-old continues to feature in a top-six role, though his offense hasn't matched that usage.

Johnston earned a pair of assists in a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Johnston has been fantastic in the postseason, racking up three goals and three assists, including two power-play points, in five contests. The 20-year-old center avoided the sophomore slump during the regular season, setting new personal bests in goals (32), assists (33) and shots (216).

Nugent-Hopkins earned a pair of assists in a 4-3 victory over the Kings in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Nugent-Hopkins has managed just two shots over his last four games, failing to find the back of the net along the way, but he's chipped in five helpers over that stretch. In fact, dating back to the regular season, the veteran center has scored only one goal in his previous 10 appearances.

Smith (upper body) will not play Friday against the Canucks for Game 6.

Smith is considered day-to-day, indicating he could return Sunday for Game 7 if Nashville avoids elimination. The 28-year-old has 12 hits and no points in five games this series. Juuso Parssinen will dress in Smith's absence for Game 6.

Marchment (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Game 6 in Vegas on Friday, according to Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

Marchment will miss his fourth straight contest after he was hurt in Game 2. Marchment ended the regular season with 22 goals, 31 assists, 108 hits and a plus-22 rating in 81 appearances for the Stars. Marchment should be considered day-to-day ahead of a potential Game 7 against the Golden Knights on Sunday.

Drouin (lower body) is still absent from practice Friday, Brennan Vogt of The-Rink.com reports.

Drouin missed all five games of the opening round versus Winnipeg and has yet to make an appearance at practice during the postseason. The 29-year-old had his best offensive season as an NHLer in 2023-24, picking up 56 points in 73 games, including 19 points on the power play. Drouin saw plenty of time on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon during the regular season. Look for Valeri Nichushkin, who had seven goals in five games during the first round, to remain on the top line until Drouin is ready to return.

Martin (lower body) is expected to undergo an MRI in the coming days, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports Friday.

Martin was sidelined for the final two postseason contests due to his lower-body issue. Unless the MRI results come back with something more serious, the team may not provide much of an update heading into the offseason. Even if there is a long-term concern that carries into the 2024-25 campaign, Martin's lack of offensive upside means a potential absence is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy players.

Van Riemsdyk logged an assist and two hits in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs in Game 6.

Van Riemsdyk has earned two points, five shots on net, three hits and a plus-1 rating over four games since he entered the Bruins' lineup. The 34-year-old winger is still seeing limited usage in the bottom six, so he's unlikely to produce steady offense moving forward, though he also gets time on the second power-play unit.

Knies produced an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and three blocked shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6.

Knies has picked his offense up in recent games, earning all three of his postseason points over the last four contests. He's been in a top-six role since Auston Matthews (illness) exited Toronto's lineup. Knies has added 12 shots on net, 22 hits, nine blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through six playoff outings.

Schenn (illness) will play Friday in Game 6 against Vancouver, Nick Kieser of 102.5 ESPN Nashville reports.

Schenn will return after missing Game 5 on Tuesday. The veteran blueliner has averaged 15:03 of ice time with 12 hits through four games this series. He'll skate in a second-pairing role Friday.

Guhle, who missed the final seven games of the regular season due to a head injury, will join Team Canada for the upcoming IIHF World Championship.

Guhle finished the 2023-24 season with six goals, 22 points, 56 PIM, 116 hits and 178 blocks in 70 contests with Montreal. He served in a top-four capacity with the Canadiens, and the 22-year-old should act in a similar capacity for the franchise next campaign. In the meantime, Guhle will get in some extra high-level action during the international tournament before beginning his summer training.

McAvoy delivered 11 hits Thursday in a 2-1 loss to Toronto in Game 6.

McAvoy may be adding some physicality to the lineup with his hits but he's stuck in a nine-game goal drought. The defenseman did notch five helpers, including three with the man advantage, over that stretch. Still, the Bruins have managed just two goals in their last two games and will likely need more offensive output to come out on top in Game 7 versus the Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Mayfield, who suffered a fractured ankle in the 2023-24 season opener, should be ready for the 2024-25 campaign, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports Friday.

Mayfield told reporters that his ankle injury never fully healed, which forced him to undergo surgery in February. Despite his ankle problem, the veteran blueliner still appeared in 41 games this year, recording five assists, 70 hits and 36 shots over that span.

Shattenkirk recorded an assist in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs in Game 6.

Shattenkirk was scratched for Game 5 on Tuesday, but he checked back in for Matt Grzelcyk in this contest. The helper was Shattenkirk's first point in the postseason to go with three shots on net, six hits and two blocked shots over five appearances. The 35-year-old blueliner is stuck on the third pairing, so he shouldn't be counted on to make significant contributions on offense.

Liljegren registered an assist and three hits in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Bruins in Game 6.

Liljegren snapped a nine-game point drought with the helper. During that time, he missed eight games with an upper-body injury and was a healthy scratch once (in Game 4 on Saturday. The defenseman's place in the lineup is mostly secure, but it's not a guaranteed spot. He matched his career high with 23 points while adding 62 shots on net, 92 hits and 116 blocked shots in 55 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.

Oettinger will get the starting nod for Game 6 in Vegas on Friday, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

Oettinger has been dominant over the last three games, leading the Stars from a 2-0 deficit to a 3-2 lead. Over that span, he's coughed up just six goals on 95 shots. Through five appearances this series, Oetinger has posted a .911 save percentage and a 2.31 GAA.

Saros will face the Canucks at home for Game 6 on Friday.

Saros turned away 19 of 20 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 Game 5 win to force Game 6. Through five games this series, he's allowed only 11 goals but it's come with a lackluster .879 save percentage. To avoid elimination, Saros will need to earn consecutive wins for the first time since April 4 and 7.

DiPietro was reassigned to AHL Providence on Friday, per Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal.

DiPietro was summoned Tuesday so the Bruins would have a third goaltender on their playoff roster. He might be recalled ahead of Game 7 on Saturday against Toronto to continue to serve that function. DiPietro hasn't played for Boston in the regular season or playoffs in 2023-24, but he did record a 2.51 GAA and a .918 save percentage in 30 regular-season outings with Providence.

Hill is set to start at home against Dallas in Game 6 on Friday, per Jesse Granger of The Athletic.

Hill will get a second straight start after saving 22 of 25 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Stars in Game 5 on Wednesday. He had a 19-12-2 record, 2.71 GAA and .909 save percentage in 35 regular-season outings. Vegas needs to earn a win against Dallas, which has scored 2.80 goals per contest in the playoffs this year, to avoid elimination.

Dell was reassigned to AHL Ontario on Friday.

Dell was recalled at the start of the playoffs to serve as the Kings' No. 3 netminder. He's gone 7-4-1 with a 2.57 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 12 AHL appearances this season.

Silovs was the first goalie to leave the ice at morning skate, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports, indicating he'll tend the twine for Game 6 on Friday on the road against the Predators.

Silovs will make his third straight appearance in goal for the Canucks, having gone 1-1 with a 2.57 GAA and a .904 save percentage in his previous two outings. Despite having just 11 games of NHL experience, coach Rick Tocchet will stick with the 23-year-old Silovs ahead of Casey DeSmith for the time being.