With all three of the Kraken's regular netminders unavailable, Kokko has been thrust into a starting role in the final few games of the regular season. The 22-year-old Swedish goalie has been serviceable in a very small sample size, posting a 2.55 GAA and .911 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The Kraken enter Wednesday's contest as significant +250 road underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team on a seven-game winning streak.
Hamonic is a surprise addition to Wednesday's season finale after Dylan Larkin (undisclosed) was a late scratch. Hamonic will serve as Detroit's seventh defenceman.
Larkin was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Red Wings only announcing his absence shortly before puck drop. It's unclear whether he is dealing with an undisclosed injury or if he's simply getting the night off for maintenance.
Verhaeghe was expected to suit for the Panthers season finale on Wednesday, but he'll instead miss a third straight game to end the season. The 30-year-old Verheaghe has 55 points (25G / 30A) in 77 games this season, but has seen a vast decline in shots on goal compared to pervious years, with only 187 (2.4 SOG/GP).
Bennett was expected to suit for the Panthers season finale on Wednesday, but he'll instead miss a third straight game to end the season. The 29-year-old Bennett was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Panthers, scoring a career-high 58 points (26G / 32A) through 76 games.
With Jonas Johansson (undisclosed) out day-to-day, Halverson was recalled from Syracuse (AHL) on Wednesday and was expected to serve as Andrei Vasilevskiy's backup in Tampa Bay's final game of the season, but he will instead get the surprise start. The 30-year-old Halverson has a 2.39 GAA and .906 SV% in 42 games this season with the Syracuse Crunch (24-11-6). Halverson has just one other NHL start to his name, which came with the Lightning last season.
Ellis stopped all 37 shots that he faced in the Sabres' 5-0 win over the Blue Jackets last Thursday. With Alex Lyon injured, Ellis has made two starts in April, stopping 57 of the 60 shots (.950 SV%) that he's faced. Tonight he draws a tough matchup with the Stars in town. Even though they're locked into their playoff position, Glen Gulutzan said they plan to play close to a full lineup on Wednesday.
Dexheimer completed his senior season at Wisconsin (NCAA) last week after a loss in the National Championship and has signed a one-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday with the Minnesota Wild. The 23-year-old undrafted defensemen was the captain of Wisconsin this season and had seven goals and 28 points in 39 games played in 2025-26.
Ahead of Game 82 of the regular season, Anaheim has called up Tristan Luneau from San Diego (AHL). The 22-year-old defensemen has yet to appear in a game with the Ducks this season but had previously appeared in 13 games across his two year career.
Geekie appeared in three of Tampa Bay's previous four games but is the odd-man out of the roster after he was reassigned to Syracuse (AHL) on Wednesday. The 21-year-old forward closes out his sophomore campaign in Tampa Bay with a goal, three points and eight PIMs in 14 games played.
Knight had another poor performance in his previous outing, allowing five goals on 26 shots (.808 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old goalie is amid his worst stretch of the season, losing eight straight (0-6-2) while posting an ugly 4.06 GAA and .868 SV%. He hopes to rebound in Chicago's final game of the season, entering the action as +106 home underdogs against a San Jose Sharks team coming off a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators.
