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Player Notes

  • Pair of points in Game 5 win
    Lehkonen scored a power-play goal on two shots, added an assist, logged two PIM, doled out three hits and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

    Advice: This was Lehkonen's first multi-point effort since Game 4 of the first round. He tallied at the end of the first period and then set up a Nathan MacKinnon insurance marker in the third. Lehkonen is up to six goals, five assists, three power-play points, 32 shots on net, 23 hits and a minus-1 rating through 10 playoff contest. Lehkonen played on the top line Wednesday and could have a chance to stick there moving forward since Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) won't return during the postseason. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:28 pm
  • Has knee surgery
    Nieto underwent reconstructive MCL surgery on his left knee surgery May 2, the team announced Wednesday. He's expected to require six-to-seven months to recover.

    Advice: Nieto last played Nov. 30, 2023 and underwent laparoscopic surgery on his right knee back in January. His new timetable suggests that he won't return until November at the earliest. Nieto should be in the mix for a bottom-six role once he's healthy. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:31 am
  • Nets late equalizer
    Joshua netted a goal, added nine hits and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Oilers in Game 4.

    Advice: Joshua scored late in the third period, but it wasn't late enough to prevent the Oilers from answering to get the win. The 27-year-old Joshua has eight points over 10 playoff outings, but six of them have come in a pair of three-point efforts, making him inconsistent with his contributions on offense. The winger has added seven shots on net, 54 hits and a plus-4 rating while playing on the third line. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:40 pm
  • Scores in Game 4 win
    Nugent-Hopkins scored a goal on two shots and added three hits in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Canucks in Game 4.

    Advice: Nugent-Hopkins put the Oilers ahead 2-0 with a goal in the final minute of the second period. The marker was his first since the playoff opener, though he has racked up seven points during a five-game streak. The 31-year-old has two goals, nine helpers, 13 shots on net, 17 hits and a plus-1 rating over nine postseason appearances. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:19 pm
  • Provides helper in win
    DeBrusk recorded an assist, five hits and three blocked shots in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Panthers in Game 5.

    Advice: DeBrusk is warming up on offense with two goals and three assists over five games in the second round. The 27-year-old winger set up a Morgan Geekie tally in the first period. DeBrusk is up to 10 points, 23 shots on net, 47 hits and a minus-4 rating through 12 playoff appearances. He should continue to see top-six minutes, though it appears he's benefiting from a larger role while Brad Marchand (upper body) is unavailable. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:21 pm
  • Lands on unconditional waivers
    Firstov was placed on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of contract termination.

    Advice: Firstov notched 17 goals and 35 points in 67 KHL regular-season games for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in 2023-24. He also added two goals in five playoff outings. The 22-year-old forward was selected by Minnesota with the No. 42 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Firstov picked up two goals and two helpers in 10 regular-season appearances with AHL Iowa during the 2023-24 campaign. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:47 am
  • Generates helper
    Marchment logged an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Monday's 5-1 win over the Avalanche in Game 5.

    Advice: Marchment has a helper in two of the three games he's played since returning from an undisclosed injury. The winger is up to three points, seven shots on net, 18 hits and eight PIM through five playoff outings. Marchment is likely to continue playing in a middle-six role with power-play time. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:15 am
  • Back in assistance program
    Nichushkin was placed in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Monday and will be suspended for six months.

    Advice: Nichushkin was in the program during the regular season, missing 22 games as a result. Now, he's in Stage 3 of the program and will need to apply for reinstatement after a six-month suspension. He scored 28 goals and 53 points through 54 games this season. Nichushkin also racked up nine goals and 10 points through eight playoff games. With him out, Zach Parise could see a bump in playing time. Rotowire.com Monday, 6:04 pm
    Valeri NichushkinCOL - LW,RW
    Player Note
    IR-NR
  • Secondary assist in loss
    Van Riemsdyk supplied a power-play assist in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Florida in Game 4.

    Advice: Van Riemsdyk helped set up David Pastrnak's power-play goal in the first period of Sunday's loss. Van Riemsdyk had three hits but didn't register a shot on goal in 10:57 of ice time. The 35-year-old has two assists in four games so far against Florida, but he hasn't found the back of the net since Game 4 of the first-round series versus Toronto. Van Riemsdyk has five points (one goal) in nine contests so far this postseason. Rotowire.com Sunday, 10:27 pm