NHL Player News

Draisaitl (lower body) was activated from long-term injured reserve Monday, per the NHL media site.

Draisaitl appears poised to return to action against Anaheim in Game 1 on Monday. He sat out the final 14 games of the 2025-26 regular season, finishing with 35 goals, 97 points and 186 shots on net in 65 appearances. Draisaitl should occupy a second-line role and see time on the top power-play unit in Monday's lineup versus the Ducks.

Dickinson (leg) will be a game-time decision for Game 1 versus Anaheim on Monday, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.

As is typical in the postseason, head coach Kris Knoblauch wouldn't reveal whether Dickinson or Leon Draisaitl (lower body) will be ready to play Monday. Still, Dickinson has been working in the third-line center role in the lead-up to Game 1, which would seem to indicate that he'll be ready to go.

Draisaitl (lower body) will be a game-time call for Game 1 against the Ducks on Monday, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.

Draisaitl has been reportedly working hard in practice in order to get back into the lineup for the start of the postseason. If the 30-year-old center does play, he figures to slot into his usual second-line role in addition to linking up with the No. 1 power-play unit. In order to suit up Monday, Draisaitl will need to be activated off of long-term injured reserve, which will be the final step in the process.

Stenlund scored a goal on four shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1.

Stenlund hadn't scored a goal in three months, going 32 contests since his last tally Jan. 17 versus the Kraken. He's maintained a steady bottom-six presence in the lineup but isn't likely to put up much offense. Stenlund was limited to 18 points over 80 regular-season outings in total. He is a veteran of 31 playoff games over three previous postseasons, but he had just three points in those games. However, he is a Stanley Cup champion from 2024 with the Panthers, bringing some vital playoff experience to a team that greatly lacks it.

Cooley scored a goal on five shots and added four hits in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1.

Cooley is getting his first taste of playoff action in his third NHL campaign, and the Mammoth have him slotted in on the second line. He produced 24 goals, 19 assists, 102 shots on net, 54 hits, 27 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 54 regular-season outings. Cooley has a bit of an edge to his game, so he won't get bullied on the ice as the Mammoth try to pull off a first-round upset.

Dowd scored a goal, added three hits and went plus-2 in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Mammoth in Game 1.

Dowd has two goals and three helpers over his last 10 contests. In the regular season, the defensive center totaled five goals, 21 points, 66 shots on net, 140 hits, 50 blocked shots and 73 PIM over 75 appearances between the Golden Knights and the Capitals. He brings 40 games of playoff experience into this postseason, though he's earned just six points in those previous outings. Dowd's offense won't be a big factor, but his faceoff skills and reliable defense will keep him in the lineup.

Sissons scored a goal, dished an assist, doled out four hits, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Mammoth in Game 1.

Sissons had just one multi-point effort in his 66 games during the regular season. He was limited to 11 points this year, his lowest total since he had 10 over 58 outings with the Predators in 2016-17. Sissons is no stranger to playoff hockey, having seen the postseason in eight of his first 11 NHL campaigns. He produced 25 points over 71 playoff contests in those years, though he hasn't been past the first round since 2017-18. The 32-year-old will provide grit and defense from a fourth-line role.

Lindholm scored a goal on two shots and added four hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 1.

Lindholm was limited to one assist over seven regular-season games in April. The 31-year-old is in a top-line role to begin the postseason, as his veteran experience makes him more trustworthy than Fraser Minten or Marat Khusnutdinov. Lindholm has been part of the postseason in four years during his career, collecting 13 goals and 27 points over 40 playoff appearances. He had 48 points in 69 regular-season outings this season, his highest point total in three years.

Geekie scored a goal on two shots and added two assists, including one on the power play, in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 1.

Geekie has six goals and two helpers over his last five games. The 27-year-old struggled for a stretch late in the regular season, producing just seven assists over 17 games between March 7 and April 5. He was a standout this season with 39 goals, 68 points, 181 shots on net and 110 hits over 81 regular-season contests. Geekie is a veteran of four previous postseasons, in which he totaled 10 points in 37 appearances. Expectations will be higher for him this spring since he's established himself as a high-end goal scorer.

Thompson scored twice on seven shots, dished an assist, added two PIM, logged three hits and went plus-3 in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Bruins in Game 1.

Thompson was limited to three points over his last six outings of the regular season. The 28-year-old is getting his first taste of playoff action, but he should be able to adjust quickly to the increased physicality. Thompson will be counted on as a key part of the Sabres' offense after posting a 40-goal, 81-point regular season over 81 appearances. He will continue to work on the top line and first power-play unit.