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.
Alsing, 23, was an undrafted free agent, who had four goals and 11 assists (15 points) in 49 games with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Elite League.
Yelesin, 23, was an undrafted free agent defenseman, who had four goals and six assists (10 points) in 55 games with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL).
Mayhew has become one of Iowa's (AHL) top offensive players this season, setting a club record with 27 goals during the regular season. He's kept that pace going in the postseason as well; his nine goals leads all players in the Calder Cup Playoffs. His 60 points during the regular season nearly doubled his total from last year, his first full season as a professional.
Sund, 23, was an undrafted free agent defenseman from Finland, who had eight goals and 27 assists (35 points) in 60 games with Sport Vaasa of the Finnish Liiga. "Tony is a big, smooth-skating defenseman who uses a strong stick to take away passing lanes and to close plays quickly,” Sharks GM Doug Wilson said. “He has tremendous vision that made him one of the top passers and playmakers from the back-end we saw this season.”
Almari, 21, was a fifth-round pick (No.151 overall) in 2016, and registered one goal and four assists (five points) in 42 games with HPK Hameenlinna of the Finnish Ligga. Almari is expected to begin his first full season in North America with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
Dermott will undergo shoulder surgery on Friday and will miss the start of the 2019-20 season. Based on the original timetable, Dermott is not expected to be back until early-November, so look for him to miss at least one month, which will allow the Maple Leafs to get a look at a few of their young defensemen.
Hintz missed the morning skate before Game 7 because of a foot injury he suffered while blocking a shot late in Game 6. The Stars announced that he played through a broken foot in Game 7 but is expected to be ready for training camp for the 2019-20 season.
Ferland has been sidelined by an upper-body injury since Game 3 of round one vs. the Capitals but is expected to play in Boston on Thursday. Ferland told reporters he is feeling fine physically after Monday’s practice and will likely be eased back into playoff action on the fourth line with Greg McKegg and Jordan Martinook.
Mrazek was back on the ice on Monday and told reporters that he was feeling fine physically and could be the Game 1 starter in Boston. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour has yet to announce his starting goalie and we may have to wait until pre-game warmups to find out who it is.
McIlrath has spent the last two and a half years in the Red Wings organization, playing just seven NHL games and 149 AHL games. The physical defenseman had one goal, nine assists (10 points) and 98 PIMS in 52 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) this season.
Acciari has been sidelined since Game 4 of round two and will miss Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Carolina. Head coach Bruce Cassidy said that Acciari is “feeling better” and is targeting a Game 2 return.
