Demko has been out since Vancouver's opening game of the playoffs and is expected to remain out until at least Game 4 of the Canucks' second series vs. Edmonton. The 28-year-old will be highly welcomed back if he can return after going 35-14-2 during the regular season and having a 2.45 GAA and .918 SV%.
Henrique (lower body) was absent from Edmonton's first two practices ahead of their second-round series vs. Vancouver and appears unlikely to dress for Game 1 on Wednesday but will have a full update after the morning skate. The 34-year-old appeared in all five of Edmonton's opening series games and had a goal, an assist, and four SOG while averaging 15:51 TOI.
Legault was Carolina's 2023 fifth-round pick (139th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Monday. The 20-year-old is coming off a successful second season with Quinnipiac University (NCAA) and had nine goals, and 24 points in 39 games played.
Head coach Paul Maurice announced last week that he was hoping to get Sam Bennett back for Florida's second series and the forward returned to practice on Tuesday in his next step of recovery. The 27-year-old is still considered day-to-day for the time being but will make a welcome return when he does find himself back in the lineup, having picked up a goal and an assist in his first two playoff games before his injury.
Oettinger was sensational in the Stars' opening seven-game series as he helped lead Dallas over Vegas with a 4-3-0 record, 1.95 GAA and .925 SV%. The 25-year-old surpassed the 30-win mark for a third straight season (35) but had his first ever below .910 SV% since joining the NHL four seasons ago (.905 SV%). He will host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, who have won their last four games after taking down the Winnipeg Jets in a five-game opening series.
Legare was acquired mid-way through the season from Montreal for Arnaud Durandeau and has signed a one-year, two-way contract with New Jersey into the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old former captain of Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) finished his third season in the AHL in 2023-24 and had eight goals, and four assists in 54 games played this season with Laval and Utica.
Willman appeared in 18 games for New Jersey in 2023-24 and had three goals and four points to go along with 17 SOG and has signed a two-way, contract extension worth $775,000 on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has appeared in 68 games across three NHL seasons and has seven goals and 10 points.
Hogberg will return to North American soil for the first time since 2020-2021 after signing a two-year contract with the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old just finished a successful season with Linkoping HC of the SHL, where he posted a 2.51 GAA and .914 SV%. The 2013 3rd round pick (78th overall) has appeared in 42 career NHL games, with a 9-17-9 record, 3.39 GAA and .894 SV%.
Shattenkirk played in six of the seven games during the Bruins' round one win over the Maple Leafs. He had one assist and just four shots on goal and will be replaced by Derek Forbort in Game 1 in Florida. Expect either Hampus Lindholm or Mason Lohrei to take over for him on one of the Bruins' power-play units.
This will be Forbort's first game since March 2nd. He was initially sidelined due to injury but sat as a healthy scratch for most of round one vs. the Maple Leafs. Forbort will replace Kevin Shattenkirk in the lineup for Game 1 against Florida.
Carlo missed Monday's morning skate while with his wife to welcome the birth of their son, but he made it to Florida in time for Game 1 vs. the Panthers. Carlo had one goal, one assist, 11 shots on goal, 16 blocks and 16 hits in round 1 vs. the Maple Leafs.
Swayman was sensational in the Bruins' hard-fought opening series vs. Toronto, posting a ridiculous .950 SV%, 1.49 GAA and 4-2-0 record as Boston won in seven games. The 25-year-old will unsurprisingly take the crease for Game 1 of their second series on Monday. Florida is coming off a relatively easy opening series win over Tampa Bay, who they closed out in five games.
Drouin missed Colorado's entire opening series vs. Winnipeg due to a lower-body injury but will travel with the Avalanche for their upcoming two opening games in Dallas and has a chance to return. The 29-year-old had a phenomenal first season in Colorado, with 19 goals, 56 points, 127 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +12 in 79 games played while mostly occupying a top-six role.
Kiviranta missed the Avalanche's previous two games due to an undisclosed injury and is a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. Dallas after missing practice on Monday. The 28-year-old averaged 10:14 TOI/GP in the opening series and had an assist, two PIMs, three SOG and a +2 plus/minus in three games.
Malek was New Jersey's 2021 fourth-round pick (100th overall) and signed a two-year, entry-level contract on Monday. The 22-year-old goaltender is coming off his second season with Ilves (Liiga), where he posted an impressive 16-4-5 record, 2.32 GAA and .915 SV%.
Swayman was sensational in the Bruins' hard-fought opening series vs. Toronto, posting a ridiculous .950 SV%, 1.49 GAA and 4-2-0 record as Boston won in seven games. The 25-year-old is expected to take the crease for Game 1 of their second series on Monday in Florida after leaving the ice first during the morning skate. Florida is coming off a relatively easy opening series win over Tampa Bay, who they closed out in five games.
Carlo missed Boston's morning skate due to the birth of his second child but is expected to be a game-time decision for Game 1 on Monday in Florida as he attempts to get to the team for game time. If Carlo is unable to go, Derek Forbort is expected to replace him according to this morning's line rushes. The 27-year-old had a strong opening series vs. Toronto, with a goal, two points and a +2 plus/minus.
Bobrovsky and the Panthers handled fellow state rival Tampa Bay fairly easy with a 4-1 opening series lead and will hope to take an early advantage over Boston as they host the Bruins for Game 1 on Monday. Despite the opening series success, Bobrovsky's playoff numbers this year are only so-so as he sports a 2.78 GAA and .896 SV% to go along with his 4-1-0 record. He will host the Boston Bruins on Monday, who are buzzing after coming off a 2-1 overtime Game 7 victory over their rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Boqvist appeared in all seven of Boston's opening series games vs. Toronto but appears to be a healthy scratch for Game 1 on Monday in Florida. The 25-year-old averaged 9:28 TOI in the opening round and had an assist, four SOG and a +1 plus/minus. He is expected to be replaced by Patrick Brown.
Brown did not appear in any of Boston's seven opening series games but is expected to make his 2023-24 playoff debut on Monday. The 31-year-old only appeared in 11 games for Boston during the regular season and had an assist, seven SOG and two PIMs. He is expected to replace Jesper Boqvist on Boston's fourth line for Game 1.
