Merzlikins, 25, was selected by the Blue Jackets in the third-round back in 2014 but remained with Lugano in Switzerland, where he had a 2.44 GAA and .921 SV% in 43 games this season. Merzlikins represented Latvia at the World Championship, where he had a 2.78 GAA and .914 SV% in five games.
Bjorkqvist, 21, was a second-round pick (No.61 overall) in the 2016 draft and just finished his third season at Providence College with 17 goals and 13 assists (30 points) in 42 games. The Finnish winger represented Finland at the World Juniors in 2016 and 2017, scoring two goals with two assists (four points) in 13 games.
Heponiemi, 20, was a second-round pick (No.40 overall) in the 2017 draft and had 16 goals and 30 assists (46 points) in 50 games with Karpat of the Finnish Elite League. The Finnish centre had 204 points (56G / 148A) across two seasons with Swift Current (WHL) before returning to Finland this season.
Martinook continues to battle a lingering lower-body issue and will not play in Game 3 vs. the Bruins. Saku Maenalanen will draw into the lineup to replace Martinook on the Hurricanes’ fourth line.
Bemstrom, 19, was a fourth-round pick (No.117 overall) in 2017 and finished the 2019 season with 35 points (23G / 12A) in 47 games with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Elite League.
Rask allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Bruins 6-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 2. Rask has now won five straight starts while allowing just eight goals on 169 shots (.953 SV%). Now the series shifts to Carolina, where the Hurricanes are 5-0 while outscoring their opponents 22-7 in the postseason.
Dostal, 18, was a third-round pick (No.85 overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft and finished his season with Ilves Tampere in the Finnish Elite League at 4-4-2 with a 1.80 GAA and .920 SV% in 10 games.
Jones allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Sharks 6-3 win over the Blues in Game 1. Since being pulled in Game 4 in Vegas, Jones has gone 8-3-1 with a 2.20 GAA and .926 SV% in 11 games—including 6-1 with a .919 SV% on home-ice.
Werner, 22, was a fifth-round pick (No.131 overall) in 2016 and is coming off of a strong campaign with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Elite League, going 15-9-0 with a 2.02 GAA, .926 SV% and three shutouts in 26 games.
Hip resurfacing is a bone-preserving hip replacement that can provide pain relief and increase function in normal activities of daily living. The surgery does leave open the possibility that Kesler could resume his NHL career following a lengthy recovery. "As we all know, Ryan has been fiercely battling his condition for quite some time," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. "I've been extremely impressed by his determination to play despite being significantly injured. At this point, Ryan needs to think about his life and family. The pain he felt was significant and we agree with his decision to have this surgery. While it's unlikely he will play in 2019-20, we will support any decision he makes about his future playing career.”
Gunnarsson skated prior to Game 2 but will not play in San Jose. Head coach Craig Berube said that Gunnarsson is “very close to being ready,” so look for Gunnarsson to play in Game 3 or 4 back in St. Louis.
Binnington allowed five goals on 24 shots in the Blues 6-3 loss to the Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Following a loss, Binnington has gone 3-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .938 SV%, so look for him to have a strong performance in Game 2.
Prokhorkin, 25, was a fourth-round pick of the Kings (No.121 overall) in 2012 and is finally coming over to North America for the first time since 2013. Prokhorkin has spent the last seven seasons in the KHL, where he had 20 goals and 21 assists with St. Petersburg SKA this year and 184 points (91G / 93A) in 293 games overall (since 2013).
Maltsev, 21, was a fourth-round pick (No.102 overall) in 2016 and signed with New Jersey after picking up two points (1G / 1A) in 13 games with St. Petersburg SKA (KHL). Maltsev represented Russia at the World Juniors, where he had two assists in five games.
Zetterlund, 19, was a third-round pick (No.63 overall) of the Devils in 2017 and had four points (2G / 2A) in 16 games with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Elite League this season. Zetterlund has represented Sweden twice at the World Juniors, where he had two goals in 12 games overall.
Koekkoek started the year in Tampa Bay before being traded to Chicago on January 11th and picking up one goal and four assists (five points) in 22 games with the Blackhawks. The 25-year-old now has 19 points (6G / 13A) in 107 career NHL games and figures to be a depth defenseman with the Blackhawks next year.
McAvoy was suspended for Game 1 but is expected to replace Steven Kampfer in the lineup and return to the top-pair with Zdeno Chara. McAvoy has one goal and five assists (six points) while averaging 24:46 TOI/gm through 13 playoff games.
Rask allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Bruins 5-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 1. Rask continued his strong play, extending his playoff winning streak to four games, while allowing just six goals on the last 146 shots (.959 SV%) that he has faced. Rask has gone 5-3 in eight games at the TD Garden in the postseason.
Mrazek allowed four goals on 27 shots in the Hurricanes 5-2 loss to the Bruins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite the loss, Mrazek looked no worse for wear after getting hurt in Game 2 vs. the Islanders. Mrazek has only lost back-to-back starts once since mid-December (Games 1 and 2 vs. Washington) so look for a bounce-back performance from the Hurricanes netminder in Game 2.
