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Player Notes

  • Sets up empty-netter
    Mittelstadt recorded an assist in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Jets in Game 5.

    Advice: Mittelstadt fed Josh Manson late in the third period to finish the game and Colorado's first-round series. The 25-year-old Mittelstadt contributed a goal, five assists, 15 shots on net and a plus-5 rating from his second-line role during the first round. The center should be able to continue generating offense, though he may not be the steadiest scorer on the team if the Avalanche face more resistance in later rounds. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:35 pm
  • Two more assists in win
    MacKinnon logged two assists, seven shots on goal, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Jets in Game 5.

    Advice: MacKinnon helped out on both of Mikko Rantanen's tallies in the third period. Through five playoff outings, MacKinnon has racked up two goals, seven assists, 24 shots on net, five hits and a plus-5 rating. So far he's served as more of a playmaker for Valeri Nichushkin, who had seven goals while serving in a top-line role during the first round. Regardless of how he gets his offense, MacKinnon figures to be heavily involved in the Avalanche's progress in the playoffs. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:28 pm
  • Pots goal in win
    Trenin scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Jets in Game 5.

    Advice: The second-period goal was Trenin's first point in five playoff outings. The 27-year-old has added 21 hits, six shots on net and a plus-2 rating. He had 17 points, 116 shots on net, 207 hits and 40 PIM over 76 regular-season outings between the Avalanche and the Predators, though he's mainly been in a bottom-six role since he was traded to Colorado. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:26 pm
  • Not expected to play in Game 5
    Matthews (illness) is not expected to play in Game 5 versus the Bruins on Tuesday, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Matthews had limited participation in Tuesday's morning skate after making an early exit from Game 4. The Maple Leafs will be forced to face elimination without the league's top goal scorer in 2023-24. Look for Max Domi and John Tavares to see larger roles due to Matthews being unavailable. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:33 pm
  • Will remain on LTIR next season
    Backstrom (hip) is expected to spend the 2024-25 campaign on long-term injured reserve, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports Tuesday.

    Advice: Backstrom managed just eight games this year before being forced to miss the remainder of the campaign on LTIR. At this point, Backstrom's career appears to be over with the center essentially riding out the final year of his contract. That being the case, Backstrom will eventually retire having played in 1105 contests, all for the Capitals, in which he racked up 271 goals and 762 assists over the course of 17 seasons. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:48 am
  • Not playing Tuesday
    Namestnikov (face) won't play Tuesday against Colorado in Game 5, per Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press.

    Advice: Namestnikov suffered a fractured cheekbone in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche in Game 4. He has one goal, four shots on net and eight hits in four appearances this postseason. With Namestnikov unavailable and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby serving as a healthy scratch, Cole Perfetti and David Gustafsson will draw into the lineup for Tuesday's Game 5 matchup. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:31 am
  • Secures two-year deal
    Bowers inked a two-year, two-way contract with New Jersey on Tuesday.

    Advice: Bowers saw action in just eight NHL games this season in which he generated zero points, seven shots and three hits while averaging 9:27 of ice time. Even in the minors, the 24-year-old center didn't offer much in the way of offensive output with a mere 14 points in 43 games for AHL Utica. Bowers should probably be expected to spend the bulk of the next two years in the minors with the occasional call-up. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:18 am
  • Registers helper in Game 4
    Howden posted an assist and two hits in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: The helper was Howden's first in four playoff outings. He's added two shots on net and 15 hits while filling a bottom-six role. Howden had 19 points, 76 shots on net, 85 hits and 51 blocked shots in 72 regular-season appearances. He can move up the lineup on occasion, but it's likely a better sign for Vegas if he sticks in the bottom six throughout the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 11:04 pm
  • Nabs helper in loss
    Barbashev registered an assist and eight hits in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Barbashev has an assist in three of the Golden Knights' four playoff games so far. He's added 25 hits and a plus-2 rating, offering a heavy physical game in addition to his solid offense. Barbashev continues to play alongside Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault in a top-six role. Rotowire.com Monday, 11:01 pm