NHL Player News

Hakanpaa (lower body) is not traveling with the Stars or practicing, so it's unlikely he'll play in the remainder of the second round, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday.

Hakanpaa has been unavailable since March 16 and is effectively out on an indefinite basis until he practices. With Hakanpaa continuing to be sidelined, Nils Lundkvist is holding down a third-pairing role with minimal ice time.

Pesce (lower body) will not be in the lineup against the Rangers in Game 6 on Thursday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Pesce got onto the ice for the first time Wednesday, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see him still being held out for Game 6. Still, the 29-year-old blueliner is making progress and might be in contention to play should the series go to Game 7 on Saturday. Considering Pesce has managed a mere two points in his last 19 outings, his potential return is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy players.

Lindell posted an assist, four blocked shots, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

Lindell set up a Logan Stankoven tally in the third period. The helper was Lindell's second point of the postseason, both of which have come in the last four games. The veteran defenseman has added 17 shots on net, 17 hits, 30 blocks and an even plus-minus rating over 12 playoff contests while filling a top-four role.

Heiskanen scored a power-play goal and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

Heiskanen put the Stars ahead 2-1 midway through the second period. He's up to 13 points this postseason, including four goals and four assists over five second-round appearances. The defenseman has added 30 shots on net, 26 blocks, 18 hits and a minus-3 rating through 12 playoff contests.

Manson provided an assist, five shots on goal and eight hits in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Manson's offense has slowed in the second round -- he has two helpers across five games against the Stars after racking up two goals and three assists over five contests versus the Jets in the first round. The 32-year-old defenseman continues to occupy a top-four role for the Avalanche, providing solid defense in addition to his surprising offense. Through 10 playoff appearances, he has 23 shots on net, 35 hits, 19 blocked shots, 10 PIM and a plus-8 rating.

Girard logged an assist in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Girard helped out on Casey Mittelstadt's go-ahead goal early in the third period. The helper was Girard's third in eight playoff appearances, and he hasn't scored a goal this postseason. The defenseman has added a modest eight shots on net, 20 blocked shots, 10 hits and a plus-4 rating while skating in a second-pairing role since he recovered from a concussion that cost him four contests in mid-April.

Makar scored two goals on five shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Makar tallied on a power play late in the second period and scored again at even strength in the third. His second goal was the game-winner. Makar has been held off the scoresheet in the Avalanche's three losses in the second round, but he's earned five points in their two wins. The defenseman is up to five goals, 14 points (seven on the power play), 34 shots on net, 20 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 10 playoff outings.

Petrovic was called up from AHL Texas on Wednesday.

Petrovic recorded five goals and 22 points in 70 regular-season outings with Texas and contributed a marker in seven AHL playoff contests. The 32-year-old isn't likely to play in Game 5 against Colorado on Wednesday.

Toews (illness) will be in action versus Dallas for Game 5 on Wednesday, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports.

Toews' return to the lineup should bolster the Avs' offensive options considering he has generated six points through eight postseason contests. Caleb Jones figures to be dropped from the lineup due to Toews' return. In addition to pairing with Cale Makar, the 30-year-old Toews will probably link up with the No. 2 power-play unit.

Letang had surgery to repair a fractured finger and will need eight weeks to recover, the team announced Wednesday.

Letang's recovery timeline shouldn't impact his availability for the start of training camp in the fall. Despite the injury concern, the veteran blueliner played a full 82-game season this past year for the first time since 2010-11. While the Montreal native still managed to rack up 51 points in 2023-24, his productivity with the man advantage dropped significantly, as he managed just five power-play points compared to 21 the campaign before.