NHL Hockey Player News

Smith has appeared in 14 of 16 playoff games for Dallas this offseason but will take a seat on Wednesday as Radek Faksa takes his place in the lineup for Game 4. The 34-year-old veteran has yet to find the back of the net in 14 playoff games played, but has two assists, 14 SOG and two PIMs.

Faksa last appeared in Game 1 vs. Edmonton but will return to the lineup on Wednesday as he replaces Craig Smith for Game 4. The 30-year-old has appeared in seven games so far in the playoffs, with one goal, no assists, and six SOG while averaging only 12:05 TOI/GP.

Suzuki had 14 goals and 30 points with Springfield (AHL) in 2023-24 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Carolina on Wednesday. The 23-year-old was the Hurricanes' 2019 first-round pick (28th overall) but has yet to make his NHL debut after four AHL seasons.

Broberg has yet to appear in any of Edmonton's 2023-24 playoff games so far but is expected to make his debut as he replaces Vincent Desharnais for Game 4 on Wednesday. The 22-year-old defenseman appeared in 12 regular season games and had two assists, six SOG and a -3 plus/minus.

Perry has been a healthy scratch for Edmonton's previous five games but is expected to draw back into the lineup on Wednesday for Game 4 as he replaces Warren Foegele. The 39-year-old was acquired mid-season by Edmonton but has yet to pick up a playoff point in 10 games played this postseason.

McLeod was a healthy scratch for the Oilers' previous game but is expected to draw back into for Sam Carrick ahead of Game 4 on Wednesday. The 24-year-old centre had 30 points in 81 games during the regular season but has yet to pick up a point in 14 playoff games while averaging 13:47 TOI/GP.

Desharnais was with the extras after Edmonton's morning skate Wednesday indicating he is likely a scratch for Philip Broberg ahead of Game 4. The 28-year-old stay-at-home defenseman has an assist, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 15 games played so far.

Carrick has gone seven games without a point in the playoffs and is likely the odd-man out of Edmonton's lineup on Wednesday for Game 4 as he is replaced by Ryan McLeod. The 32-year-old has struggled this postseason, with only one assist, four SOG and a -1 plus/minus in eight games played.

Foegele was amongst the extras at morning skate on Wednesday indicating he is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 4 on Wednesday vs. Dallas. The 28-year-old winger has appeared in every game this playoffs for the Oilers, picking up a goal and three points alongside his 22 SOG and -8 plus/minus in 15 games played.

Chicago announced Tuesday afternoon that they have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with forward Zach Sanford. The 29-year-old appeared in 29 games in 2023-24 with both Chicago and Arizona and had no goals, six assists, 24 SOG and six PIMs in his seventh NHL season.

Skinner allowed four goals on 21 shots in a second-straight loss in Game 3 but has the coaches' confidence heading into Game 4 on Wednesday as Kris Knoblauch announced he would be starting Edmonton's crucial Game 4. The 25-year-old Edmonton native has struggled to put together consistent strong performances in the playoffs this year, resulting in his 8-5-0 record, 2.76 GAA and .885 SV%. He will host the Dallas Stars on Wednesday for Game 4, who have been on a role lately having won six of their last nine playoff games.

Misiak was Chicago's 2023 second-round pick (55th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with an AAV of $878,333. The 19-year-old winger just finished his first OHL season with the Erie Otters and had 23 goals and 47 points in 60 games in his second season of North American hockey.

Smith was San Jose's top prospect and 2023 first-round pick (4th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday worth $4.15 million ($950,000 AAV). The 19-year-old just finished up his Freshman season with Boston College (NCAA) and had 25 goals and 71 points in 41 games played.

Kaskimaki was St. Louis' 2022 third-round pick (73rd overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday with the Blues. The 20-year-old centre spent 2023-24 with HIFK of Liiga in Finland and had 10 goals, and 17 points in 48 games played.

Bobrovsky was shelled in Game 3 for a second-straight loss after allowing five goals on 23 shots (.783 SV%) and will look to bounce back as he takes the crease for Game 4 on Tuesday vs. New York. The 35-year-old had been excellent in the playoffs before this Eastern Conference final and holds a decent 9-5-0 record, 2.31 GAA and .903 SV% in 14 games played. He will host the New York Rangers on Tuesday, who are currently 10-3 in the playoffs and have scored seven goals in the first three games of the series.

Cousins has struggled in this year's playoffs with only an assist in 11 games played and will head to the press box as a healthy scratch for Game 4 as he is replaced by veteran Kyle Okposo. The 30-year-old grinding fourth-liner had seven points in 21 playoff games in 2022-23, but has failed to duplicate his success while on Florida's fourth line this year.