Kane has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season recovering from abdominal surgery but could make his return to the lineup in Game 2 on Wednesday. The 33-year-old Kane has spent the previous three seasons with the Oilers, tallying 111 points (62G / 49A) in 161 games.
Down 0-1 in their first-round matchup against the Golden Knights, the Wild will likely roll with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 2, looking to even the series. The 26-year-old Gustavsson was beaten three times in Game 1, allowing three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-2 loss. The Swedish netminder had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.56 GAA and .914 SV% in 58 appearances (31-19-6) and has been serviceable in limited playoff action, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915 SV% in six career outings (2-4-0). Still, Minnesota enters Game 2 as a sizeable +192 road underdogs against Vegas.
Klingberg has not played since March 27th and has only played 11 games this season, scoring four points (1G / 3A), but could return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Klingberg has only played 11 playoff games in the previous five seasons but has been a proven performer, scoring 39 points (8G / 31A) in 63 career contests.
Robertson was injured in the final game of the season, and remains out of the lineup, week-to-week, without further update. Given the uncertainty and lack of updates around Robertson's injury, it would be surprising to see him return in the first round of the playoffs. The 25-year-old forward had 80 points (35G / 45A) in 82 games this season.
Hill wasn't overly busy in the Golden Knights' Game 1 victory, saving 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) in the 4-2 contest against the Minnesota Wild. Dating back to the regular season, Hill has won four straight, allowing only eight combined goals. The 28-year-old netminder had a 2.47 GAA and .906 SV% in 50 games this season (32-13-5). The Golden Knights enter Game 2 on Tuesday as sizeable -220 home favorites against the Wild.
Heiskanen has practiced in a non-contact jersey the past few days and will travel to Colorado with the Stars. The tight first-round matchup is tied 1-1 with Game 3 on Wednesday, followed by a two-day break before Game 4 on Saturday. Heiskanen scored 25 points (5G / 20A) in 50 games and would provide a huge lift for a Stars team that struggled defensively down the stretch.
Marksrom had an eventful Game 1 for New Jersey, saving 41 of 44 shots (.932 SV%) in the 4-1 loss, and will likely return to the crease for Game 2 on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Markstrom had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.50 GAA and .900 SV% in 49 contests (26-16-6). He has played reasonably in his playoff career, showcasing a serviceable 2.90 GAA and .912 SV%, but has a losing record in 27 games (13-14). The Devils enter Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes as significant +217 road underdogs.
Up 2-0 in the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues, the Jets likely will not insert Vilardi into the lineup until he is fully healed. Given his up-in-the-air status for Game 3, Vilardi's health is likely near perfect as his return to the lineup seems to be on the imminent horizon. The 25-year-old Vilardi was having a tremendous season for the Jets before his injury, scoring 61 points (27G / 34A) in 71 games.
Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury as a member of USA's team in the 4-Nations Face Off and has not played since. That said, he has been practicing with the Panthers the last several days and could return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Tkachuk scored 57 points (22G / 35A) in 52 games this season.
The Senators will opt for experience in Game 2 on Tuesday, with Nick Cousins replacing Matthew Highmore. The 29-year-old Highmore played 9:10 time-on-ice ice, recording a -1 plus/minus and four penalty minutes in Ottawa's Game 1 loss.
Cousin did not play Game 1 will draw into the lineup for Game 2, replacing Matthew Highmore. The 31-year-old Cousin has ample playoff experience, scoring 15 points (4G / 11A) in 63 career games, including winning a Stanley Cup last season with the Florida Panthers.
Greig played 17:51 time-on-ice and scored a goal in his playoff debut on Sunday but is nursing an undisclosed ailment that kept him from skating on Tuesday morning. Still, he is expected to be an option for Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old Greig had 34 points (13G / 21A) in 78 games this season.
Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight gams this season, scoring zero points. He is expected to be ready to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.
With Luke Hughes battling an undisclosed injury, Nemec will draw into the lineup for him playoff debut in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes. After making an impact in 60 games last season, Nemec was limited to only 27 this season, scoring four points (2G / 2A).
The battle of Florida is the only playoff series yet to commence, but it will get underway on Tuesday, likely with Vasilevskiy tending the twine for Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy had a tremendous season, rebounding after an uncharacteristically averaging 2023-24 campaign, posting an impressive 2.18 GAA and .921 SV% in 63 games (38-20-5). The 30-year-old netminder has a 2.41 GAA and .920 SV% in 115 career playoff games (66-46). Tampa Bay enters Game 1 on Tuesday as slight -115 home favorites against the Florida Panthers.
Hughes suffered an undisclosed injury late in Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes and will not play in Game 2. The 21-year-old Hughes scored 44 points (7G / 37A) in 71 games this season. He had a -1 plus/minus and played 22:20 time-on-ice in Sunday's 4-1 loss in Game 1. Simon Nemec will draw into the lineup as Hughe's replacement.
Dillion was limited to only 8:53 time-on-ice in New Jersey's 4-1 Game 1 loss due to an undisclosed injury. The 34-year-old defenseman had 16 points (2G / 14A) and averaging 18:35 time-on-ice in 82 games this season.
Tomas Tatar will draw into New Jersey's lineup for Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, sending Sprong to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Sprong recorded a -1 plus/minus and 11:07 time-on-ice in Sunday's 4-1 loss in Game 1.
Daniel Sprong will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Tatar to enter the lineup for Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Tatar had a career-low 17 points (7G / 10A) in 74 games this season. The 34-year-old had 13 points (7G / 6A) in 52 career playoff games.
Andersen was solid in Game 1, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, and will return to the crease for Game 2. Despite an excellent 2.44 GAA and .915 SV% in 73 career playoff appearances (39-30), success in the postseason has alluded Andersen, advancing past the second round only once in the past eight seasons. Still, the Hurricanes remain overwhelming favorites, entering Game 2 with -253 odd at home against the Devils.
