NHL Player News

Gudas (lower body) is not expected to play in Thursday's Game 6 clash with the Golden Knights, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Gudas has been on the shelf since Game 1 versus the Oilers on April 20 and has appeared in just five of the Ducks' last 28 contests. Considering the veteran blueliner recorded a mere 13 points in 56 regular-season tilts this year, fantasy managers probably shouldn't be banking on an offensive explosion from him if he returns to the lineup during the playoffs.

Megna was recalled from AHL Henderson on Thursday, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Megna figures to be an emergency depth option for the Knights while Brayden McNabb serves his one-game suspension. In his four NHL outings this year, the 33-year-old Megna recorded six hits, one block and a minus-5 rating.

Helleson (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup versus Vegas in Game 6 on Thursday, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Helleson will be sidelined for his third consecutive contest, having been out of action for Games 4 and 5. Even when healthy, Helleson doesn't offer enough fantasy upside given his offensive limitations. As such, few fantasy managers will be anxiously awaiting his return to the lineup.

Burns logged a pair of assists, three shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

This was Burns' first multi-point effort since April 5 versus the Blues. The 41-year-old defenseman is up to three helpers, 14 shots on net, 12 hits, six blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over nine playoff contests. Burns is seeing a bit more responsibility in the absence of Sam Malinski (upper body), though Malinski will have some time to heal ahead of the Western Conference Finals.

Kulak scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild in Game 5.

Kulak's first goal of the postseason came at 3:52 of overtime, completing the Avalanche's comeback from a 3-0 first-period deficit. The defenseman has contributed a goal, four assists, eight shots on net, 20 blocked shots, six PIM and a plus-3 rating over nine playoff outings. He should continue to see top-four minutes in the Western Conference Finals.

Bogosian won't play Wednesday in Game 5 versus the Avalanche due to a lower-body injury.

Bogosian has been battling a lower-body issue since late in the regular season, and it's flared up enough to keep him out of an elimination game. Jeff Petry will be in Wednesday's lineup instead. If Minnesota staves off elimination, it's unclear if Bogosian will be ready for Game 6 on Friday.

McNabb was suspended for one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday for his interference infraction against the Ducks' Ryan Poehling (upper body) in Tuesday's Game 5.

McNabb will miss Game 6 on Thursday due to the suspension. Kaedan Korczak will likely replace McNabb in the lineup as the Golden Knights try to secure a trip to the Western Conference Finals. McNabb will be available for either Game 7 against the Ducks on Saturday or the start of the next round, depending on the result of Thursday's contest.

Samuelsson scored a goal on two shots and added six hits and six blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 4.

Samuelsson hasn't matched his scoring levels from early in the regular season, but he's picked up a steady three goals and one assist over 10 playoff outings. The defenseman has added ample physicality with 42 hits and 19 blocked shots. He's firmly in a top-four role, so there will be opportunities for him to offer well-rounded production as long as the Sabres remain in the playoffs.

Malinski (upper body) will not be an option for Game 5 versus Minnesota on Wednesday, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.

Malinski continues to be classified as day-to-day ahead of his second straight absence due to his upper-body problem. With the blueliner on the shelf, Jack Ahcan figures to continue filling a bottom-pairing role alongside Josh Manson. Once cleared to play, Malinski should reclaim his spot in the lineup.

McNabb will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday for interference against Anaheim's Ryan Poehling (upper body) on Tuesday.

McNabb received a five-minute major and a game misconduct in Game 5 on Tuesday, resulting in him playing just 3:17 of ice time. Poehling will likely miss some time, and his injury will probably be a factor in the decision-making process. At this point, fantasy managers shouldn't expect McNabb to be available for Game 6 on Thursday. Kaedan Korczak figures to step into the lineup in McNabb's stead.