Fantasy Hockey

Evans scored a shorthanded goal, dished an assist and added 12 PIM in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6.

Evans made his presence felt in the first period, though he wasn't able to put in a full-game performance in this lopsided loss. He's earned two goals and five assists during his five-game point streak. For the postseason, he's at eight points, 17 shots on net, 28 hits, 12 blocked shots, 20 PIM and a plus-8 rating over 13 appearances in a middle-six role.

Helenius scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Helenius has tallied in each of the last two games, making himself a quick regular in the Sabres' bottom six. The 20-year-old's goal Saturday put the Sabres ahead 5-3 in a game they once trailed 3-1. Helenius has added seven shots on net, three blocked shots, two hits and a plus-2 rating over three playoff outings. Given his role, the offense isn't likely to last, but it's a good sign he's showing he can handle a high-pressure situation.

Thompson scored an empty-net goal on six shots, added three assists, logged three hits and went plus-3 in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Thompson earned two of his three helpers with the man advantage. He's logged three multi-point efforts over his last four contests. Overall, the 28-year-old is up to five goals, 10 assists, 41 shots on net, 20 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-1 rating across 12 playoff outings while seeing consistent top-six minutes.

Avon scored twice in AHL Coachella Valley's 4-0 win over Colorado in Game 2 on Friday.

Avon helped the Firebirds even the series, opening the scoring at 1:20 of the third period before adding an insurance marker later in the frame. He's now at seven goals, one assist and a minus-2 rating over 10 playoff contests, shooting 29.2 percent in the postseason compared to 14.3 percent in the regular season.

Helenius scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 5.

Helenius was recalled among the Sabres' Black Aces on April 29. The Sabres gave him a chance to play in Game 4 of the second round and kept him in the lineup for Game 5, when he delivered his first career playoff goal. He's added five shots on net and two hits over two appearances this postseason. Helenius had 63 points in 63 regular-season outings with AHL Rochester, but he should be in a good position to compete for a roster spot out of training camp in 2026-27.

Evans scored a goal in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Sabres in Game 5.

Evans is on a four-game point streak (one goal, four assists). This was his first tally of the postseason, and it stood as the game-winner to give the Canadiens a 3-2 series lead. Evans has six points, 16 shots on net, 27 hits, 11 blocked shots, eight PIM and a plus-7 rating through 12 playoff contests while filling a middle-six role.

Demidov scored a power-play goal on five shots in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6.

Demidov has found a groove lately with two goals and three assists over his last four games. The 20-year-old rookie is up to seven points (five on the power play), 29 shots on net, 14 hits and a plus-1 rating over 13 playoff contests. Demidov continues to play on the second line with a significant power-play role. Getting him to extend his point streak would go a long way to helping the Canadiens in Game 7 on Monday.

Zucker scored a power-play goal on two shots and added an assist in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Zucker earned his first multi-point effort since April 8 versus the Rangers. The winger has had a quiet postseason, though that could be changing, as he's earned three of his four points over the last two contests. He's added 18 shots on net, 17 hits and a minus-3 rating through 12 playoff outings.

Benson scored a goal on six shots, dished an assist, added 10 PIM, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Benson has earned three goals and three assists over six games in the second round. He's also been right in the mix when things get nasty in the playoffs -- he's earned five misconduct penalties this postseason. The 21-year-old winger is up to five goals, four assists, 24 shots on net, 16 hits, 62 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 12 playoff contests while often playing in a top-six role.

Quinn scored twice on three shots and added an assist in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

All three of Quinn's points came on the power play. The 24-year-old had gone 13 games without a goal prior to Saturday. Getting Quinn's offense going is a good sign for the Sabres' depth heading into Game 7 on Monday. He's produced seven points, 23 shots on net, 15 hits and a minus-1 rating over 12 playoff outings while primarily filling a middle-six role.

Brandsegg-Nygard scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Grand Rapids' 4-3 overtime loss to Chicago in Game 2 on Saturday.

Brandsegg-Nygard has three goals and three assists over six playoff outings. During the 2025-26 regular season, he put up 20 goals and 44 points over 60 games with the Griffins, as well as a helper, 20 shots on net and 43 hits in 14 NHL contests with the Red Wings. The 20-year-old will need to play well to help the Griffins stave off elimination in the Central Division Finals. He'll likely be in contention for regular NHL minutes in 2026-27.

Unger Sorum scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, in AHL Chicago's 4-3 overtime win over Grand Rapids in Game 2 on Saturday.

Unger Sorum had been held to three assists over the first six games of the playoffs before Saturday's performance. He had 17 goals and 49 assists over 72 regular-season contests in his second AHL campaign, accounting for a breakout showing. Unger Sorum will look to continue helping the Wolves' offense as they are one more win away from the Western Conference Finals.

Xhekaj scored a goal, added 12 PIM and doled out three hits in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6.

Xhekaj tied the game at 1-1 with his first career playoff goal. He's up to two points, eight shots on net, 44 hits, six blocked shots, 28 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 12 playoff contests this year. Xhekaj's not a firm lock for the lineup, but he's been active for all but one game this postseason despite a fairly limited role on the third pairing.

Metsa scored a goal in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Metsa made his playoff debut Saturday, replacing Luke Schenn in the lineup. Metsa had six points, 24 shots on net, 31 blocked shots and a plus-16 rating over 43 regular-season appearances in his first taste of NHL action this year. It's a statement that the 27-year-old was trusted over both of the Sabres' big defensive trade acquisitions in an elimination game, and it suggests he'll remain in the lineup for Monday's Game 7.

Dahlin scored a goal on three shots, distributed four assists, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

Dahlin's tally opened the scoring 32 seconds into the game. Three of his four helpers came on the power play as the Sabres' offense erupted in the final two periods. Dahlin has three multi-point efforts over 12 playoff contests. This was the third instance of a Buffalo skater recording a five-point game in the playoffs -- John Tucker did it April 10, 1988, versus the Bruins, and Derek Roy matched that record May 5, 2006, against the Senators. Dahlin has three goals, 10 helpers, 41 shots on net, 20 PIM, 14 hits, 13 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating this postseason.

Manson (undisclosed) was listed as day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's Game 1 against the Golden Knights, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports on Saturday.

Head coach Jared Bednar mentioned Manson should resume skating before the team's playoff series against the Golden Knights. The 34-year-old Manson had been dealing with an upper-body injury and didn't participate in Saturday's practice. However, it's unclear if this is the same issue or something new. He has two assists and 13 hits across five appearances this postseason.

Burns (undisclosed) is listed as day-to-day after missing Saturday's practice, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.

Burns still has plenty of time to return to the ice and prepare to play before Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday. After the first two rounds of the postseason, he has collected three assists, 14 shots on goal, six blocked shots and 13 hits in nine appearances.

Makar (undisclosed) missed Saturday's practice and is regarded as day-to-day, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.

It is extraordinarily likely that Makar will play in Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday. Makar is probably playing hurt and getting some much-needed rest in between series, but he won't miss games this important if there is any way at all to avoid being absent. The 27-year-old has four goals and nine points in 11 playoff outings this year while averaging 24:42 of ice time.

Fowler allowed a goal on two shots in relief of Jakub Dobes in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6.

Fowler hadn't appeared in a game since he backstopped a 4-1 win over the Islanders on April 12. The 21-year-old rookie played the last half of the third period, aside from a stretch where the Canadiens opted for an extra attacker before Tage Thompson's empty-net goal. Fowler could have been with AHL Laval during its playoff run, but he has stayed in the NHL instead as Dobes' backup. It's been Dobes' crease this postseason, as Fowler still has some work to do to be an NHL regular. Fowler should earn some starts for Montreal in 2026-27 after going 9-6-2 with a 2.43 GAA and a .908 save percentage in 17 regular-season outings this year.

Dobes allowed six goals on 33 shots in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 6.

Dobes gave up a goal 32 seconds into the game, but the Canadiens quickly responded to earn a 3-1 lead. The 24-year-old netminder didn't get any additional help, but he needed it -- the Sabres scored seven straight to close out the contest. Dobes was pulled after Jack Quinn's tally midway through the third period, allowing Jacob Fowler to make his playoff debut. Dobes is down to 7-6 with a 2.59 GAA and a .906 save percentage over 13 outings this postseason. Despite this shaky performance, he's likely to get the nod in Game 7 in Buffalo on Monday, as he's yet to lose consecutive games during this playoff run.

Luukkonen stopped all 18 shots he faced in relief of Alex Lyon in an 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6 on Saturday.

Luukkonen was brought in midway through the first period with the Sabres facing a 3-1 deficit. He did his job, turning into a brick wall while the Sabres' offense broke through in a big way at the other end of the rink. Luukkonen is now 2-1 with seven goals allowed on 72 shots over three appearances in the second round. It's likely he gets the nod in Game 7 on Monday with the season on the line for both teams and an Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Hurricanes going to the winner.

Lyon allowed three goals on four shots in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 6.

The Sabres fell behind 3-1 midway through the first period, and Lyon got the hook due to his struggles. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved all 18 shots he faced in relief, and the Sabres' offense erupted to get the win, which forced a Game 7 to be played Monday in Buffalo. Lyon has turned shaky in the second round, winning just one of his five appearances against the Canadiens while allowing a total of 15 goals on 98 shots. It's likely to be Luukkonen in goal for the win-or-go-home game Monday.

Dobes will guard the home goal versus the Sabres in Game 6 on Saturday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Dobes has gone 3-2 with a .901 save percentage (118 saves on 131 shots) over five second-round games against the Sabres. The 24-year-old is looking to get the Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Finals and will have up to two chances to do so.

Lyon was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, indicating he will defend the road net in Game 6 against Montreal on Saturday, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

Lyon has a 4-3 record this postseason with a 2.25 GAA and a .917 save percentage across nine appearances. However, he has gone 1-2 while allowing 12 goals on 94 shots in four games against the Canadiens during the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montreal sits sixth in the postseason with 3.08 goals per game.