Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! Welcome back to the Injury Ward. My name is Logan Clarkson and every Wednesday and Sunday I will be taking you through injury news and updates from around the NHL. I'll do my best to offer useful analysis and opinion as it relates to fantasy throughout. At the end of the article is the Quarantine section, where any players out due to illness will be listed. As always, I’d like to thank every single one of you for reading. So, on to the bad (and some good) news.

Injuries / Leaves

Connor McDavid / Edmonton Oilers – McDavid (ankle) has been eliminated in the first round by Anaheim. His ankle is fractured from running into a teammate in Game 2 of their first-round series. McDavid will return next year and be himself, with hopefully a better roster around him. Lots of media chatter about him wanting out of Edmonton but Leon Draisaitl has seven years left on his deal, and Connor just took a pay cut for two seasons to try and lessen the burden on his franchise, before cashing in on the rising cap. Cooler heads prevail in my opinion, and I don’t think he leaves his best friend.

Joel Eriksson Ek / Minnesota Wild – Eriksson Ek (lower body) will miss the first two games of Minnesota’s second-round series against Colorado, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic on Sunday. Eriksson Ek had five points through the Wild’s first three games of their first-round series against Dallas, but he ended up finishing a bit sluggish with zero points to speak of in the next three to close out the series. He saw no reduction in ice time over those three games, unless you count missing a bit of shorthanded time while still logging 20 minutes in Game 6 a reduction. He’s a big guy to go down for Minnesota at center, considering he plays at all strengths, and Minnesota’s third line center when he is healthy is Michael McCarron. 

Noah Dobson / Montreal Canadiens – Dobson (thumb) will be a game-time decision for Game 7 against Tampa Bay on Sunday, according to Eric Engels of Sportsnet. Dobson had been absent from the playoffs up until his possible return tonight, and the sentiment amongst some Montreal media is that he will more than likely draw into the lineup. It’s unconfirmed, but he may be jumping into the deep end in a pivotal Game 7 versus the Lightning. Dobson had 47 points in 80 games in the regular season, which is a far cry from his best season which came with the Islanders in 2023-24 in which he went off for 70 in 79 games He’s certainly not relied upon in the same manner in Montreal either, with Lane Hutson looking like a near generational offensive defenseman.

Owen Tippett / Philadelphia Flyers – Tippett (undisclosed) was doubtful for Game 1 against Carolina on Saturday and indeed ended up being on the sidelines for the Flyers' Game 1 loss. Philadelphia can certainly use all the help they can get against a team in Carolina that’s running roughshod on their opponents so far. Tippett only had a goal and an assist in the six games of their first-round matchup against Pittsburgh, but he looked dangerous in most of those games regardless, making many hard driving plays to the net like he was always touted to be capable of.

Alexander Nikishin / Carolina Hurricanes – Nikishin (concussion) won’t be in the lineup for Game 1 of the second round versus the Flyers on Saturday, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports. Regardless of his zero points through the four games in the Hurricanes first-round sweep of a paltry Senators team, Nikishin is an important player for that roster. He plays at all strengths, and punishes opponents with the body. He was on the receiving end of that punishment, which forced him onto the sidelines unfortunately, but if you give it, you’ve certainly gotta take it, in the crescendo summer days of the NHL. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games through the regular season.

Noah Ostlund / Buffalo Sabres – Ostlund (lower body) isn’t expected to be available to play in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, according to Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News on Sunday. Ostlund played in Games 3, 4, and 5 of their first-round series against Boston, having a goal and assist in the first game he played and going scoreless after that, although he only played just shy of three minutes in his final appearance. With 27 points in 60 games this rookie season, Ostlund did really well for his first kick at the can, and if there weren’t such a ridiculous crop of rookies in the NHL this season, he would be more well known.

Radko Gudas / Anaheim Ducks – Gudas (lower body) skated on his own Saturday, and the Ducks hope to have him back at some point during their second-round series against Vegas, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune. Gudas only played 9:40 in Game 1 against the Oilers before leaving to an injury. He’s not much to write home about in terms of fantasy hockey unless your league somehow counts scalps acquired. If hits or penalty minutes are your jam, he’s your man.

Quarantine / Healthy Scratches

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