Whitecloud will be a healthy scratch for the first time in the playoffs for Game 5 on Wednesday as he is replaced by Ben Hutton in Vegas' lineup. The 27-year-old has averaged 15:51 TOI/GP in the playoffs thus far, but has yet to pick up a point alongside his two shots on goal.
Kolesar will head to the press box as a healthy scratch for Game 5 on Wednesday as he is replaced by Pavel Dorofeyev. The 27-year-old had failed to pick up a point in his four appearances this post season, with his four SOG, and a -1 plus/minus while averaging just 11:03 TOI/GP.
Hutton will draw into the Golden Knights lineup for the first time in this year's playoffs as he replaces Zach Whitecloud in Vegas' lineup for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 31-year-old appeared in two games during last year's Stanley Cup playoff run. He had two goals, eight assists, 67 SOG, 17 PIMs and a +12 plus/minus through 41 games during the regular season.
Dorofeyev has yet to appear in this year's post-season but will make his playoff debut on Wednesday as he draws into the lineup for Game 5. The 23-year-old is expected to draw into Vegas' second line and had 13 goals, 24 points, 97 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 47 games played.
Tyson Barrie will make his playoff debut in Schenn's place. It's unknown at this time if Schenn is dealing with an undisclosed injury or if he is simply a healthy scratch.
With Nashville's season on the line, Barrie will make his playoff debut and his first appearance since March 28th. The British Columbia native had one goal and 14 assists in 41 games this season. Luke Schenn will draw out of the lineup in his place.
With Casey DeSmith and Thatcher Demko both unavailable due to injury, Silvos was thrusted into action in Game 4 on Sunday and performed admirably. He stopped 27 of the 30 shots he faced and, thanks to a dramatic hat-trick from Brock Boeser, was able to see Vancouver through to a 4-3 victory in overtime. Silovs and the Canucks enter tonight's action as -120 favourites with a chance to eliminate the Predators.
The Predators will unsurprisingly turn to Saros with their season on the line on Tuesday as they look to claw back from a 3-1 series deficit. Saros had another disappointing performance in Game 4 on Sunday, allowing four goals on just 21 shots as the Canucks came back to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory in overtime. Saros' SV% on the series sits uncharacteristically low at .859, and he will no doubt need to do a lot better than that if the Predators are going to have any chance of getting back in this series.
Down 3-1 in their series with the Colorado Avalance, the Jets will turn to Hellebucyk between the pipes in a must-win contest. Hellebuyck is a leading candidate for the Vezina trophy this season but has struggled in the playoffs. He has allowed four or more goals in each contest, posting an ugly .870 SV% through four games (1-3-0). The Jets enter game five as +106 home underdogs.
No surprise here as the Avalanche will roll with their starting netminder as they look to eliminate the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday night. Georgiev has rebounded admirably since a dreadful performance in Game 1, winning three straight games and posting a .938 SV% in the process. The 27-year-old now owns a 2.70 GAA and a .907 SV% in 13 career playoff games. He and the Avalanche enter action on Tuesday as slight favourites at -120.
Brazeau hasn't played since suffering an upper-body injury in Nashville on April 2nd but will return to the Bruins' lineup for Game 5 on Tuesday. Brazeau had been a lineup regular for the Bruins leading up to the injury, and had five points (4G / 1A) in his previous six games.
After sitting out each of the first three games of the series, Brodie got the chance to play in Game 4 on Saturday as Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe opted to scratch Timothy Liljegren. Brodie played 17:10 in the 3-1 loss, registering two hits, two blocked shots, and a -2 rating.
Liljegren will get a chance to play with the Maple Leafs' season on the line on Tuesday after sitting out Game 4 in favour of T.J. Brodie. Liljegren has gone pointless in three games this series, posting a -2 rating.
The Bruins will turn to Swayman for a third straight game as they attempt to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Swayman has won each of his three starts this postseason, allowing two or fewer goals in each contest while posting a tremendous .956 SV%. The Bruins enter game five as -164 home favourites against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In a must-win game, the Maple Leafs will turn to Woll in Game 5 for his first start of the series. Woll made his first appearance in game four, saving all five shots he faced in relief of Ilya Samsonov in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old netminder had a 2.94 GAA and .907 SV% in 25 games (12-11-1) this season. The Maple Leafs enter action on Tuesday as +144 road underdogs.
Matthews did not play in the third period of Saturday's 3-1 game-four loss to the Boston Bruins and did not participate in practice on Monday. He has three points (1G / 2A) in four postseason games this year and will be unavailable with the Leafs' season on the line on Tuesday despite participating in morning skate.
After failing to sweep the New York Islanders in game four, a 3-2 overtime loss, the Hurricanes will try to advance again on Tuesday in game five with Andersen between the pipes. Andersen has been stellar between the pipes this postseason, allowing three or fewer goals in four contests while posting a solid .920 SV%. The Hurricanes enter action as sizeable -241 home favourites.
Podkolzin has failed to draw into the lineup for Vancouver's first four playoff games and has been sent down to Abottsford (AHL) to receive some playing time. In 19 games with Vancouver this season, the 22-year-old Podkolzin scored two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 10:49 time-on-ice.
Bear was a late-season signing for the Capitals making his debut at the end of December, but did not finish the campaign after entering the NHLPA player assistance program in late March. The 26-year-old defenseman scored four points (1G / 3A) while averaging 14:54 time-on-ice in 24 games this season.
Namestnikov played only 10:05 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's 5-1 game game-four loss to the Colorado Avalanche with an upper-body injury. In four playoff games, Namestnikov has one goal and a -3 plus/minus rating.
