Korczak was a healthy scratch for Vegas' Game 1 victory vs. Colorado but will draw back into the lineup for Ben Hutton ahead of Game 2. Korczak is averaging just 12:18 TOI across nine playoff games as Vegas' sixth defensemen and has an assist and a -2 plus/minus.
Despite Vegas winning Game 1 vs. Colorado, they will be switching up their defensive pairings after it was announced Kaeden Korczak would replace Ben Hutton for Game 2. Hutton has been solid across seven appearances this post season, with an assist and a +1 plus/minus while averaging 13:16 TOI/GP but will head to the press box on Friday.
Despite being a full participant in Friday's morning skate, Mark Stone will not return to Vegas' lineup for Game 2 vs. Colorado. Stone has not played since Game 3 of Vegas' previous series vs. Anaheim but seems on the cusp of returning in the upcoming games. The 34-year-old veteran has three goals, seven points and 18 SOG in nine games played so far this postseason.
Makar was a full participant in Colorado's morning skate ahead of Game 2 but will remain out with an upper-body injury on Friday as the Avalanche host the Golden Knights. The 27-year-old superstar's absence creates a massive hole in Colorado's defence after he put up four goals and five points in their first nine playoff games while averaging 24:59 TOI.
Despite allowing three goals on 27 shots against (.889 SV%) in Game 1, Colorado will stick with Scott Wedgewood as they host Vegas for Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Friday. The 33-year-old has yet to lose back-to-back games in the playoffs and will hope to bounce back to the sensational form we had seen in his previous eight playoff appearances. He holds a 7-2-0 record with a 2.32 GAA and .911 SV% in nine appearances this offseason. He will look to even the series and slow down Vegas' current three game winning streak.
Helleson played in eight of the Ducks' 12 postseason games but suffered a groin strain in Game 3 vs. the Golden Knights. He's expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp in the fall.
Mintyukov played through an MCL sprain throughout the postseason, failing to record a point in his 12 games. The Ducks expect him to be ready for training camp in the fall.
Gauthier broke his L1 and L2 vertebrae against the Maple Leafs on March 30th and played the final three games of the regular season and 12 playoff games. Gauthier is expected to be recovered fully for training camp in the fall. He'll look to build on a 41-goal breakout season in 2025-26.
The Ducks managed Terry's hip injury down the stretch, giving him plenty of morning skates off towards the end of the regular season and throughout the postseason. They said that his surgery is planned for the "near future" but his timeline for return is to be determined. So consider him out indefinitely.
Andersen and the undefeated Hurricanes enter the third round of the postseason well rested, having not played since sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-2 overtime victory 12 days ago. The 36-year-old Andersen has been tremendous this postseason, posting a 1.12 GAA and .950 SV% in eight games (8-0). Prolonged rest hasn't been an issue for Andersen and the Hurricanes so far this postseason, who began round two with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Flyers after a full week break. The Hurricanes enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as sizeable -193 home favourites.
Dobes stopped 37 of 39 shots in the Canadiens' Game 7 win in Buffalo on Monday. It was Dobes' best performance of Round 2, where he finished with a 3.03 GAA and .897 SV% in seven games. In the first and second round combined, Dobes is 8-6-0 with a 2.52 GAA and .910 SV% in 14 games. Tonight he will start Game 1 in Carolina, a team he was 3-0-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .922 SV% against this season.
Struble has not played since Game 7 vs. the Lightning, sitting out the entire second-round vs. Buffalo. Struble is expected to replace Arber Xhekaj in the lineup for Game 1 in Carolina. Struble has not picked up a point in seven playoff games this season or in nine career playoff games.
Xhekaj played in all seven games vs. the Sabres, but is expected to be replaced by Jayden Struble in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Xhekaj has picked up one goal, one assist and 45 hits in 13 playoff games.
Andersen and the undefeated Hurricanes enter the third round of the postseason well rested, having not played since sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-2 overtime victory 12 days ago. The 36-year-old Andersen has been tremendous this postseason, posting a 1.12 GAA and .950 SV% in eight games (8-0). Prolonged rest hasn't been an issue for Andersen and the Hurricanes so far this postseason, who began round two with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Flyers after a full week break. The Hurricanes enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as sizeable -193 home favourites.
Malinski missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Malinski, who has three points (1G / 2A) in seven games, should be back on a pairing with Brent Burns and PP2.
Lehkonen missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Lehkonen and Sam Malinski back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Lehkonen, who skated with Brock Nelson and Nicolas Roy yesterday, has three goals and three assists (six points) in seven playoff games.
After a tremendous first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, posting a dazzling 1.21 GAA and .950 SV% in a four-game sweep, Wedgewood battled some adversity in the second round against the Minnesota Wild. The 33-year-old Wedgewood allowed three goals on 12 shots (.750 SV%) in Game Three, a 5-1 loss to Minnesota, and was relieved by Mackenzie Blackwood, who started the subsequent two games. Wedgewood posted a concerning 3.51 GAA and .872 SV% in four second-round appearances (3-1), but saved all seven shots he faced in relief of Blackwood in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five victory. The Avalanche enter Game One as -172 home favourites.
Hart will be hoping to build off an excellent finish to the second round, when he allowed just three goals on 68 shots (.956 SV%) over the final two games of Vegas' series against the Ducks. The 27-year-old netminder has started all 12 post-season games for the Golden Knights, posting an 8-4-0 record and a .915 SV%. Hart and the Golden Knights enter action in Game 1 at +140 on the money line.
Liljegren was acquired at the trade deadline from San Jose late for a 2026 4th round pick but only managed to appear in four total games with the Capitals. The defensemen still earned himself a two-year contract extension worth $3.25 million AAV ($6.5M total) to remain in Washington on Wednesday. The 27-year-old closed out his 2025-26 campaign with a lacklustre one goal and 11 points in 47 games played between San Jose and Washington.
Makar was clearly battling through an ailment one week ago in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five win against the Minnesota Wild, missing several shifts, but still ended the game with 25:50 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Makar was present at the team's morning skate on Wednesday, but will not play in their series-opening game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Makar has five points (4G / 1A) in nine games this postseason.
