Matthew Fairburn: Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick is out for the first round of the playoffs, according to Lindy Ruff. Forward Noah Ostlund is a possibility.
NHL: Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon felt good yesterday and is expected to practice today. Forward Alex Tuch and goaltender Colton Ellis were given maintenance days yesterday.
Pat Steinberg: Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley missed last night’s game with an illness.
Walt Ruff: Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven didn’t practice yesterday due to illness.
Ben Pope: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov has a hand injury, but it will only affect his offseason training for about two weeks.
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Dan Rosen: Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen could return to the Stars lineup for Game 1 on Saturday. They’ll know tonight if he’s going to be ready to play, as they won’t have time for a morning skate on Saturday due to the 4:30 CT game. Coach Glen Gulutzan:
“Honestly, we’ll know night whether he’s going to be a player on Saturday. We have the 4:30 (CT) game, so we won’t even have the morning skate that day, so we’ll have to make a determination night to see where he’s at and then go from there. We’re not 100 percent sure. We’re hopeful. I’m hopeful. But we’ve got two plans for what we will be doing if he’s in or if he’s out.”
Forward Roope Hintz is out for at least the first two games.
We walked in around 915, Draisaitl was starting his testing. Took a short break then went out for optional skate and has been on the ice since. pic.twitter.com/3xemkJcufW
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) April 16, 2026
- Jason Gregor: Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch on Leon Draisaitl: “We anticipating him joining us in round one, whether that is Game 1 or Game 4 or 5 whatever it is. It is just day by day now.”
Jason Gregor: Oilers forward Jason Dickinson took a shot off the ankle against the Sharks. He wants to play. It will be up to how much pain he can deal when he gets back on the ice.
Jameson Olive: Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito said that Jonah Gadjovich had surgery on his neck earlier in the season and wasn’t able to return by the end of the season. He’ll be ready for the start of next season.
NHL: Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes didn’t practice on Thursday due to illness.
Eric Engels: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier practiced in a regular jersey.
Jordan Hall: Philadelphia Flyers forward Owen Tippett left practice early yesterday. Coach Rick Tocchet said that Tippett has been dealing with some things, and they want to give him some extra time to get healthy.
Pens Inside Scoop: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Blake Lizotte (upper-body) and Connor Dewar (lower-body) both practiced in regular jerseys. Lizotte has missed 16 games, and Dewar four.
Arun Srinivasan: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies said that the severity of his knee injury was blown out of proportion, but he is going to be focusing on getting healthy.
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Lance Hornby: Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz said that he suffered a groin strain that does not require surgery.
Arun Srinivasan: Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev said that he delayed having surgery, but when it became evident that the Leafs would miss the playoffs, he went ahead and had it. He’ll be ready for next year.
Ken Wiebe: Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel said that defenseman Elias Salomonsson is in concussion protocol. He has good days and bad days, and hasn’t passed the baseline tests.
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