NHL Hockey Player News

Andersen stopped 21 of 22 shots (.952 SV%) as he held Carolina off from elimination for a second-straight victory in Game 5 and is unsurprisingly expected to start Game 6 on Thursday. The 34-year-old has had an up-and-down playoff after being nearly unbeatable in his 16 regular season appearances with his 6-3-0 record, 2.46 GAA and .902 SV% in 9 starts so far. He will attempt to fend off New York for a third-straight elimination game as Carolin hosts the Rangers for Game 6 in Raleigh on Thursday.

Shesterkin allowed three goals on 27 shots against (.889 SV%) as he dropped his second straight game in Game 5 but is expected to take the crease again as New York looks to close out Carolina in Game 6 on Thursday. The 28-year-old 2022 Vezina Trophy winner has been sensational in the postseason so far, with his 7-2-0 record, 2.33 GAA and .924 SV% through nine starts. He will head to Raleigh to attempt to finish off the Carolina Hurricanes, who have gotten seven goals passed him in the last two games.

Silovs allowed three goals on 30 shots (.900 SV%) as Vancouver dropped Game 4 late in Edmonton last time out and will start Game 5 after being the first goalie off the ice. The 23-year-old rookie netminder opened the playoffs as Vancouver's third goalie but has done well locking down the crease for seven games so far with his 4-3-0 record, 2.71 GAA and .907 SV%. He will host the Edmonton Oilers for Game 5 on Thursday, who will be looking to keep the momentum going and break the series tie after winning Game 4 in the final moments.

Demko has not played since Game 1 vs. Nashville of Vancouver's opening-round series but has "improved immensely" and is expected back shortly. The 28-year-old's return will be a warm welcome after he led Vancouver all season with his 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA and .918 SV%.

Colorado is expected to announce the plan with Yakov Trenin ahead of Game 6 on Friday after their fourth-line forward left Game 5 due to an undisclosed injury after just 2:16 TOI. The 27-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline and has locked down his fourth line centre roll well with a goal, eight SOG and four PIMs in 10 games played in the playoffs.

Tsyplakov just finished his seventh season with Spartak Moskva (KHL) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders with an AAV of $950,000. The 25-year-old undrafted free agent was a hot ticket on the free agent market this off-season after scoring 31 goals and 47 points in 65 games played with Spartak in 2023-24.

Chaffee was expected to be an unrestricted free agent come summer but has been re-signed by Tampa Bay for a two-year, $1.6 million ($800,000 AAV) contract extension on Thursday. The 26-year-old made his NHL debut in 2021-22 but played 30 of his 32 career games this season with Tampa Bay, picking up seven points (4G/3A) in 30 games played in 2023-24.

Pickard excelled in his first career playoff start in Game 4 as he stopped 19 of 21 shots against (.905 SV%) and will start Game 5 in Vancouver after locking down the starter's net at morning skate. The 32-year-old appeared in his most games played (23) since 2016-17 in the regular season and had a solid 12-7-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .909 SV% while backing up Stuart Skinner all year. He will look to take a series lead on Thursday as Edmonton heads to Vancouver for Game 5.

Pickard excelled in his first career playoff start in Game 4 as he stopped 19 of 21 shots against (.905 SV%) and is expected to start Game 5 in Vancouver after locking down the starter's net at morning skate. The 32-year-old appeared in his most games played (23) since 2016-17 in the regular season and had a solid 12-7-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .909 SV% while backing up Stuart Skinner all year. He will look to take a series lead on Thursday as Edmonton heads to Vancouver for Game 5.