Rantanen missed the final seven games of the regular season but is ready to play in Game 1 in Calgary. Rantanen had four assists in six playoff games a year ago and had three points (1G / 2A) in three games vs. the Flames this year.
Hertl suffered a hand injury in Tuesday’s practice and today’s morning skate but head coach Pete DeBoer said that Hertl will be in the lineup for Game 1. Hertl has enjoyed a career year, setting career-highs in goals (35), assists (39) and points (74) in 77 games. The 25-year-old has six goals and three assists in 10 playoff games a year ago.
Rinne had another solid season, finishing 10th in wins (30) and GAA (2.42) and tied for 11th in SV% (.918). The Predators draw a first-round matchup with the Stars, who Rinne went 1-2-0 with a 2.77 GAA and .916 SV% against this season. The 36-year-old was 7-6 with a 3.07 GAA, .904 SV% and two shutouts in 13 playoff games a year ago.
Jones was tied for third in the NHL in wins (36) this season despite being 37th in GAA (2.94) and 50th in SV% (.896). The Sharks are capable of getting by with below-average goaltending thanks to a high-octane offence. Similar to the rest of his season, Jones was 2-0-0 vs. the Golden Knights this season despite posting a 3.62 GAA and.893 SV%.
Bishop was limited to just 45 starts due to injury this year but he finished first in the league in SV% (.934) and second in GAA (1.98). The will be Bishop’s first playoff appearance with the Stars and first since 2016. In 36 career playoff starts while he was in Tampa Bay, Bishop was 21-13 with a 2.09 GAA, .927 SV% and five shutouts, so he is no stranger to playoff success.
Binnington did not make his first start until January 7th. At that time, the Blues were 29th in the NHL at 16-19-4. After that point, Binning led the NHL in wins (24), second in GAA (1.83) and sixth in SV% (.930) and the Blues were the best team in hockey, going 29-9-5. The 25-year-old obviously has no playoff experience but has been one of the best goalies in the NHL over the last three and a half months, giving the Blues a great chance of pulling off a first round upset.
The Jets struggled at 5v5 more than they have in the past and it resulted in Hellebuyck’s numbers falling off from 2018. Now he draws a tough first-round assignment against a Blues team that has been the best team in the NHL since January 1st. Hellebuyck was 2-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .942 SV% vs. St. Louis this season but the last meeting was on December 7th and the Blues are a different team now.
Murray had some ups and downs this season but finished the season on a high-note, going 5-2-1 with a 2.11 GAA and .931 SV% in his final eight starts. The Islanders are one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL, which is good news for Murray, but he was 0-1-1 with a 3.72 GAA and .829 SV% against them this season.
Lehner had a phenomenal season, finishing second in the NHL in SV% (.930), third in GAA (2.13) and tied for 18th in wins (25) in 46 games. He also played well in his two starts against the Penguins, going 1-0-1 with a 1.72 GAA and .939 SV%. The Islanders earned home-ice advantage in the first-round—Lehner was 12-6-2 with a 2.05 GAA, .929 SV% and three shutouts at home.
Tanev suffered a finger injury in the second last game of the season and will miss Game 1 vs. the Blues. Tanev skated after Tuesday’s practice and is making progress but will be replaced by Par Lindholm in Game 1.
Morrissey has been out since February 24th but is set to be back for Game 1 vs. the Blues. Morrissey will be back on the top-pairing with Jacob Trouba and has six goals and 25 assists (31 points) in 59 games this season.
Aston-Reese missed the last 12 games of the regular seasons but skated as an extra in Tuesday’s practice but remains a game-time decision for Game 1. Aston-Reese had eight goals and nine assists (17 points) in 43 games this season.
Dumoulin missed the final two games of the regular seasons but skated again on Tuesday and will be a game-time decision on Wednesday. Dumoulin will likely replace Jack Johnson or Erik Gudbranson if he can play.
Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury but was on the ice for both Monday and Tuesday’s practice sessions and will play in Game 1 on Wednesday. Hedman had another fantastic season, scoring 12 goals with 42 assists (54 points) in 70 games.
Stralman participated in the final two games of the regular season but missed Monday’s practice with a lower-body injury. Head coach Jon Cooper said that Stralman is improving but is “still not ready to go quite yet.” Jan Rutta is expected to play as the Lightning’s sixth defenseman in Game 1.
