NHL Player News

Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals in Friday's 3-1 win over the Stars in Game 5.

The pair of goals were the first power-play tallies for either team in the Western Conference Finals. A lack of power-play production for the Oilers will typically hurt Nugent-Hopkins more than other players -- he's earned nine of his 20 points this postseason with the man advantage, including four of his six goals. The veteran forward has added 24 shots on net, 30 hits and a plus-3 rating over 17 playoff appearances.

Skinner stopped 19 of 20 shots in Friday's 3-1 win over the Stars in Game 5.

The Oilers' defense again stood tall, making Skinner's job easier with another light workload. The lone goal against him was tipped in by Wyatt Johnston. Skinner has won five of his last seven games, and he's given up two goals or fewer in six of those contests. He'll likely be between the pipes in Game 6 on Sunday with a chance to send the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Tanev (lower body) will play Friday in Game 5 against the Oilers, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports.

Tanev was injured after blocking a shot in Game 4 on Wednesday but won't miss any additional time. He's tallied just one assist through 17 appearances this postseason.

Oettinger will get the starting nod for Game 5 at home against Edmonton on Friday, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.

After winning two straight games to put the Stars up 2-1 over the Oilers, Oettinger turned in his worst start of the series and one of his worst performances of the postseason in Game 4 on Wednesday. He coughed up four goals on 28 shots, lowering his postseason save percentage to .917 through 17 games. Oettinger hasn't lost two straight games since the first round of the playoffs against Vegas.

Larsson signed a two-year deal with Malmo of the Swiss Hockey League on Friday, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports Friday.

Larsson had seven goals, 33 points and 46 PIM in 61 regular-season contests with AHL Belleville in 2023-24. The 27-year-old has recorded three goals, 24 points and 52 PIM in 172 career NHL games, but he didn't play at the top level in 2023-24.

Skinner will defend the road crease in Dallas for Game 5 on Friday, Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports.

Skinner gave up a pair of early goals in Game 4 and then shut the door, stopping 20 shots as the Oilers evened the series at 2-2 with a 5-2 win Wednesday. Skinner has a 2.34 GAA and a .900 save percentage in four games against Dallas in the playoffs.

Tanev (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Game 5 versus Edmonton on Friday, though coach Peter DeBoer is optimistic that Tanev (lower body) will play, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.

Tanev was injured blocking a shot Wednesday in the second period and was unable to return. Tanev is a stud defensively and if he is unable to go, the Stars will need to fill a big hole on the blue line. Lian Bichsel is poised to make his NHL debut if Tanev is unable to go.

Ekblad recorded an assist in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Rangers in Game 5.

Ekblad was able to bring his six-game pointless streak to a close with his helper Thursday but remains mired in a 29-game goal drought dating back to Feb. 20 versus the Senators. While the blueliner should continue to register plenty of hits and blocks in the postseason, fantasy players probably shouldn't be banking on him suddenly producing points regularly.

Lafreniere scored a goal in the final minute of Thursday's 3-2 loss versus Florida in Game 5.

Lafreniere gave the Rangers life in the final minute of the third period to cut Florida's lead to one, but it wasn't enough to fuel a late comeback. Lafreniere moved into a three-way tie for the team lead in playoff goals with Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck. Lafreniere's eighth marker of the postseason Thursday also extended his goal streak to three games, and he has four tallies in that span. Lafreniere has come to develop a prowess for goal scoring during the postseason, but he hasn't registered an assist in seven consecutive contests. The 22-year-old is up to eight goals and 14 points with a plus-1 rating in 15 postseason appearances.

Zibanejad had two primary assists in Thursday's 3-2 loss against the Panthers in Game 5.

Zibanejad's two helpers in Thursday's loss moved him past teammate Vincent Trocheck for the team lead in assists during the postseason. Surprisingly, it was Zibanejad's first two points of the series after logging 14 points in 10 games throughout the first two rounds. The 31-year-old center did not record a shot on goal Thursday, but he had a plus-1 rating in 24:03 of ice time, the most of any Ranger. In 15 playoff contests to this point, Zibanejad has 16 points and a team-leading 13 assists with an even plus-minus rating.