Protas has not played since suffering a foot injury on April 4th but appears set to make his 2024-25 postseason debut in Game 5 after being a game-time decision the past three contests. The 24-year-old Protas had 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season
After leaving Game 4 due to an injury, Thompson powered through Game 5, saving 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-2 win, and will return to the crease for Game 5. The 28-year-old Thompson has a 2.54 GAA and .912 SV% through four games (3-1) this postseason. The Capitals enter Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead, attempting to be the second team to advance to the second round of the playoffs. They enter the action on Tuesday as -177 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens team that has scored three or fewer goals each game in this series.
Binnington was excellent in Sunday's 5-1 Game 4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%). With the series tied 2-2, Binnington will return to the crease in a pivotal Game 5. The 31-year-old goalie has a solid 2.29 GAA and .907 SV% through four games this postseason (2-2). St. Louis returns to Winnipeg for Game 5 as +159 road underdogs against a Jets team that defeated them in both of their home games this series.
Dobes was thrust into the Canadiens' crease midway through Game 3 after Samuel Montembeault suffered a lower-body injury and will remain there on Wednesday in a must-win Game 5. The 23-year-old Dobes was serviceable in his first career playoff start in Game 4, saving 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%), but allowed a goal late in the third period en route to a 5-2 loss. The Canadiens are down 3-1 in the series and enter Game 5 as +160 road underdogs against the Washington Capitals.
Laine will miss a third consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old Laine played the first two games of the postseason, picking up one assist and a -2 plus/minus. He had 33 points (20G / 13A) in 52 games in his first season with the Canadiens.
Montembeault exited Game 3 midway through the second period due to a lower-body injury and will not play for a second consecutive game. Jakub Dobes was between the pipes for the Canadiens in Game 4 and will return to the crease for Game 5. Montembeault remains day-to-day but did not travel with the team to Washington.
Balinskis played the first two games of Florida's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording a +2 plus/minus and four hits. He exited the lineup when Aaron Ekblad returned from a suspension in Game 3 but will draw back in on Wednesday for Game 5.
Carrier was limited to only 13:39 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 Game 4 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the contest due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old defenseman had two points (1G / 1A) and was averaging 22:00 time-on-ice in the three games before his injury.
During the regular season, Hellebuyck was outstanding, a leading candidate for the Vezina trophy, posting an absurd 2.00 GAA and .925 SV% in 63 appearances (47-12-3). He allowed five goals in a game, never more, on three separate occasions. In his last two games this postseason (0-2), Hellebuyck has allowed 11 goals on 43 shots (.744 SV%). With the series tied 2-2, Hellebuyck hopes to exercise some playoff demons, returning to the crease for Game 5. The Jets enter the action on Wednesday as -176 home favorites against a Blues team that has outscored them 16-10 in the series.
Protas has not played since suffering a foot injury on April 4th but could make his 2024-25 postseason debut in Game 5 after being a game-time decision the past three contests. The 24-year-old Protas had 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season
After leaving Game 4 due to an injury, Thompson powered through Game 5, saving 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-2 win, and will likely return to the crease for Game 5. The 28-year-old Thompson has a 2.54 GAA and .912 SV% through four games (3-1) this postseason. The Capitals enter Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead, attempting to be the second team to advance to the second round of the playoffs. They enter the action on Tuesday as -177 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens team that has scored three or fewer goals each game in this series.
The Hurricanes acquired Hall in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks midseason and was a effective player in a secondary role with the club. The 33-year-old Hall scored 18 points (9G / 9A) in 31 games with the Hurricanes. He had 28 points (11G / 17A) in 56 games with the Blackhawks over the previous two seasons. The former Hart trophy winner has been a solid offensive contributor through one round of the 2024-25 playoffs as well, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in five games.
Gustavsson exited Game 5 on Tuesday in the second intermission due to an illness with his team trailing 2-1. Marc-Andre Fleury entered the contest in relief and helped his team get to overtime before ultimately losing 3-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights. Minnesota returns to action for Game 6 on Thursday.
Kuemper was excellent in Game 4, saving 44 of 48 shots (.917 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss, but it was the second consecutive game where the Kings gave up a third-period lead, allowing the Edmonton Oilers to tie the series 2-2. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 3.74 GAA and .881 SV% in four games (2-2) this postseason. The Kings hope to continue their success on home ice, entering a crucial Game 5 as -124 home favorites against the Oilers.
The Wild will unsurprisingly stick with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 5 as they look to take control of their series against the Golden Knights. Gustavsson was unfortunate not to come away with the victory in Game 4, stopping 42 of the 46 shots he faced in the 4-3 overtime loss. The 26-year-old netminder is off to a great start this post-season, posting a .919 SV% across the opening four games. Minnesota enters action on Tuesday at +185 on the money line.
Ekblad was not penalized on the play and eventually scored the tying goal in Florida's 4-2 victory in Game 4. Hagel suffered an undisclosed injury and has already been ruled out for Game 5. Uvis Balinskis will likely draw back into the Panthers lineup in place of Ekblad.
Cholowski will be the odd-man out on New Jersey's blue-line as they look to shake things up in hopes of staving off elimination on Tuesday. Seamus Casey will play in his place.
Casey will slot into the Devils lineup for Game 5 as they look to shake things up in hopes of staving off elimination on Tuesday. Dennis Cholowski will sit in his place.
Pesce has been a rock on defense for New Jersey this postseason, averaging 25:20 time-on-ice, recording one assist and a +3 plus/minus. He and fellow game-time decison Jonas Siegenthaler will both be on the Devils' blue line for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Siegenthaler was battling a lower-body injury that kept him from playing the first two games of the playoffs and was at risk of missing Game 5. It's unclear if his current ailment is related to his previous one. The 27-year-old Siegenthaler played 19:56 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, recording a -2 plus/mins.
