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  • Dealing with fractured cheekbone
    Namestnikov (face) has a fractured cheekbone, but he hasn't been ruled out of Tuesday's must-win Game 5 versus the Avalanche, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

    Advice: It sounds like Namestnikov may put on a full cage and try to gut it out Tuesday, but his status for Game 5 may not be confirmed until the Jets take the ice for pregame warmups. He's picked up one goal, eight hits and a minus-3 rating through the first four games of the Jets' first-round series versus Colorado. Rotowire.com Today, 10:04 am
     
  • Still not skating
    Barron (lower body) won't be available for Game 5 versus Colorado on Tuesday, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press reports.

    Advice: Barron, who hasn't resumed skating yet, will miss his sixth straight contest after getting hurt in the penultimate game of the regular season. He registered 11 goals, 18 points, 94 shots on net and 122 hits in 80 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign. Rotowire.com Today, 9:44 am
     
  • Traveling with team
    Matthews (illness) will join the Maple Leafs when they travel to Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday but remains questionable after head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters, "We're hopeful he's available and feeling good and back to himself," per ESPN's Kristen Shilton.

    Advice: Matthews has scored just one goal in his last six contests despite having racked up 34 shots on net and adding two assists over that stretch. Without the world-class center at practice Tuesday, Toronto shifted Max Domi to center in addition to slotting him into Matthews' spot on the No. 1 power-play unit. If Matthews can get even close to 100 percent, he should reclaim both those roles heading into Tuesday's must-win game for Toronto. Rotowire.com Today, 9:36 am
     
  • Not practicing Monday
    Matthews (illness), who was pulled from Game 4 against the Bruins on Saturday, was not in attendance for Monday's practice session, Joshua Kloke of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Matthews has produced points in just one of his last six appearances, though he racked up one goal and two helpers in that contest. The 26-year-old center's absence shouldn't come as a significant surprise considering he is trying to recover from a seemingly long-term illness that he tried to push through in Game 4. Without Matthews in the lineup, John Tavares could be given the first-line center role while Max Domi would likely move up to the No. 1 power-play unit. At this point, Matthews should be considered questionable ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday. Rotowire.com Today, 8:05 am
     
  • Records assist in win
    Mittelstadt registered an assist and five shots on goal in Game 4 in a 5-1 victory over Winnipeg on Sunday.

    Advice: Mittelstadt has been solid in the postseason, generating five points, 15 shots and five hits in four playoff contests. In his 22 games for the Avalanche since being acquired at the trade deadline, the 25-year-old center has produced offensively with five goals and 10 assists, though just one of those points has come with the man advantage. Rotowire.com Today, 7:11 am
     
  • Adds power-play helper
    McDavid logged a power-play assist in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Kings in Game 4.

    Advice: McDavid continues to be a big playmaker for the Oilers, with a goal and nine helpers through four playoff contests. He's earned eight of his 10 points with the man advantage, with the Oilers vastly overpowering the Kings while a man up. McDavid has added 10 shots on net, nine hits and a plus-1 rating in the postseason while playing in his usual top-line role. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:36 pm
     
  • Sets up decisive goal
    Draisaitl recorded a power-play assist, two shots on goal and three blocked shots in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Kings in Game 4.

    Advice: Draisaitl has eight points over four playoff outings, and six of those points have come with the man advantage. He set up Evan Bouchard's second-period marker Sunday, which was enough to give the Oilers a 3-1 lead in this first-round series. While Draisaitl's 5-on-5 offense has been lacking, he continues to be a reliable scorer while seeing big minutes in the top six and on the power play. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:34 pm
     
  • Nabs assist in Game 4
    Protas posted an assist in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 4.

    Advice: Protas picked up two assists, eight shots on net, four hits and a plus-1 rating over four playoff contests. The 23-year-old forward took a step up in 2023-24 with 29 points, 113 shots on net and 49 blocked shots over 78 regular-season outings. Protas should continue to fill a full-time NHL role in 2024-25 after signing a five-year extension with the Capitals back in January. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:38 pm
     
  • Supplies helper in loss
    Strome recorded an assist and two shots on goal in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 4.

    Advice: Strome helped out on a Martin Fehervary goal in the first period. The helper was Strome's second point in four playoff outings, to go with nine shots on net, six hits and a minus-1 rating. The 27-year-old center often saw top-six minutes in 2023-24, earning a career-high 67 points (22 on the power play) with 169 shots on net, 61 blocked shots and a minus-13 rating over 82 regular-season contests. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:36 pm