NHL Player News

Drouin is making progress in his recovery from a lower-body injury, but there's still no timetable for his return, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports Thursday.

Drouin recorded 19 goals and 56 points in 79 regular-season outings in 2023-24. However, he hasn't been available in the playoffs due to the injury. When Drouin is healthy, he will probably serve in a top-six capacity.

Kiviranta (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 2 against Dallas, according to Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette.

Kiviranta has missed the Avalanche's past three contests due to the injury. He had three goals and nine points in 56 regular-season outings in 2023-24. Kiviranta has also registered an assist in three playoff appearances this year.

Pesce (lower body) has yet to resume skating and is out indefinitely as a result, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports Thursday.

Pesce didn't make the trip with the team to New York and could now be in danger of missing the remainder of the best-of-seven series with the Rangers. Without Pesce in the squad, Tony DeAngelo figures to see the biggest uptick in ice time, including minutes with the man advantage. Prior to getting hurt, Pesce was stuck in a 38-game goal drought during which he notched just seven helpers, so fantasy players shouldn't be expecting a ton of offensive output from the defenseman even once cleared to play.

Georgiev will tend the twine on the road in Game 2 against Dallas on Thursday, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports

Georgiev is riding a five-game winning streak during which he posted a 2.12 GAA and .921 save percentage. Even when the 28-year-old backstop stumbled in Game 1 of the first-round matchup with Winnipeg, coach Jared Bednar has stuck with Georgiev and likely would continue to do so if there is another stumble. As such, fantasy players shouldn't expect to see Justus Annunen anytime soon.

Stastney (upper body) was sent to AHL Milwaukee on Thursday.

Stasney missed the last three games of the Predators' first-round series loss to Vancouver due to an upper-body injury, but his demotion to the minors suggests he's now healthy. The 24-year-old defender picked up four points through 20 top-level appearances during the regular season.

Marchment (undisclosed) will return to the lineup for Thursday's Game 2 versus the Avalanche, Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine reports.

Marchment will likely return to a middle-six role following his six-game absence. The 28-year-old winger racked up 22 goals and 53 points through 81 games during the regular season.

Kochetkov will get the starting nod at home versus the Rangers in Game 3 on Thursday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Kochetkov will make his first appearance in goal for the Canes since April 14 against the Blackhawks, a stretch of eight games on the bench. While the team did split the workload between the 24-year-old backstop and Frederik Andersen down the stretch, if Kochetkov does secure a Game 3 win, he should probably be considered a lock to start Game 4 as well.

Bennett (upper body) will make the trip to Boston ahead of Friday's Game 3 versus the Bruins, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Bennett practiced with the extras Thursday, and if he's able to get on the ice with the main squad for Friday's morning skate, there's a chance he'll be available for Game 3. Bennett picked up two points through the first two games of the Panthers' first-round series versus Tampa Bay before suffering his upper-body injury.

Garland scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over Edmonton in Game 1.

Garland completed Vancouver's four-goal comeback late in the third period, beating Stuart Skinner off the rush for the game-winner. It's the first goal and third point for Garland so far in the playoffs. He had 20 goals and 47 points in 82 regular-season games while working primarily in a bottom-six role.

Zadorov logged a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Oilers in Game 1.

Zadorov scored the tying goal 13:47 into the third period, beating Stuart Skinner with a one-timed slapshot, before adding an assist less than a minute later on Conor Garland's game-winner. The 29-year-old Zadrov's been productive in the playoffs, tallying three goals and five points in seven games despite skating on Vancouver's third pairing. He totaled six goals and 20 points in 65 regular-season contests between the Canucks and Flames.