NHL Player News

Wagner was placed on waivers Tuesday, per CapFriendly.

Wagner will probably remain with the Avalanche for Tuesday's Game 2 matchup versus Winnipeg. He will likely serve as a healthy scratch for a second straight outing. Wagner had one goal, one assist, 16 shots on net and 30 hits in 13 NHL contests during the 2023-24 regular season.

Shesterkin is expected to guard the crease for Tuesday's Game 2 home matchup with Washington, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports.

Shesterkin is riding a three-game winning streak during which he posted a 0.98 GAA, .963 save percentage and one shutout. While Jonathan Quick has been a capable backup this year, securing 18 wins in 27 appearances, the 28-year-old Shesterkin should remain firmly cemented in the starting role throughout the postseason.

Hague -- who missed the last eight minutes of Game 1 versus the Stars on Monday -- will be reevaluated prior to Game 2 on Wednesday, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

While Hague's potential absence is unlikely to impact the Golden Knights' offensive game, he's pointless in 20 straight matches, he does add a level of physicality with 60 hits over that stretch. If Hague can't play Wednesday, coach Bruce Cassidy will have the choice between Alec Martinez or Ben Hutton for the third pairing.

DeSmith will patrol the home crease Tuesday in Game 2 against Nashville, according to Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650.

DeSmith will get the nod after Thatcher Demko was injured following Sunday's series-opening victory over the Predators. DeSmith filled in admirably as the Canucks' No. 1 netminder during the regular season when Demko was out due to a knee injury. The 32-year-old DeSmith posted a 12-9-6 record with a 2.89 GAA and an .895 save percentage in 29 appearances. He also stopped 26 shots in a 5-2 win over Nashville on Dec. 19.

Bobrovsky will defend the home cage against the Lightning in Game 2 on Tuesday.

Bobrovsky faced just 19 shots in Game 1, stopping 17 of them on the way to an .895 save percentage. Despite posting a sub-900 save percentage, the 35-year-old Russian still managed to secure an important victory for the Cats -- extending his winning streak to three games. Barring an injury, Bobrovsky should be between the crease for every game in the playoffs.

Demko is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and won't play in Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Predators, Canucks rinkside reporter Kate Pettersen reports.

Demko was solid in Sunday's Game 1, stopping 20 of 22 shots en route to a 4-2 win over Nashville. The good news is Demko's undisclosed injury isn't related to the knee issue that kept him out from March 13 to April 13. The bad news is the Canucks will be without their No. 1 netminder for at least one playoff game and potentially more. Casey DeSmith will take over for Vancouver between the pipes until Demko is ready to return.

Annunen (illness) will not be in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Tuesday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Annunen probably had a decent chance to start Game 2 but his continued illness will see him once again missing from the bench. In the meantime, Ivan Prosvetov will serve as the No. 2 option behind Alexandar Georgiev against the Jets on Tuesday. If Georgiev struggles again, after giving up seven goals on 23 shots in Game 1, Annunen could challenge for the starting gig if healthy enough to play in Game 3 on Friday.

Nylander (undisclosed) is a possibility for Game 3 against Boston on Wednesday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.

Coach Sheldon Keefe was unable to provide a more substantial update Tuesday because it was a travel day for the Maple Leafs. Nylander missed both of Toronto's contests in Boston to begin the playoffs because of an undisclosed injury. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if the 27-year-old forward was a game-time decision for a third straight outing. Nylander produced 40 goals and a career-high 98 points in 82 games during the 2023-24 regular season.

Georgiev is on track to guard the road goal during Tuesday's Game 2 versus Winnipeg, per John Lu of TSN.

Georgiev was horrendous in Game 1 on Sunday, allowing seven goals on just 23 shots en route to a 7-6 loss. If Georgiev struggles again in Game 2, the Avalanche could consider starting Justus Annunen (illness) or Ivan Prosvetov in Friday's Game 3.

Forbort (undisclosed) likely won't be an option for Game 3 against Toronto on Wednesday, per Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe.

Forbort, who is day-to-day, is still listed on long-term injured reserve. He will travel with the team to Toronto, so a return to action for Game 4 on Saturday could be a possibility. Andrew Peeke (finger) is week-to-week after being injured in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs, which could lead to Parker Wotherspoon or Mason Lohrei getting into Wednesday's lineup.