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.
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.
The Hurricanes selected Fransen in the third round (No.69 overall) in 2024. The 20-year-old defenseman split the 2026 season between the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan. He had one goal and one assist in 13 SHL games and added 14 points (6G / 8A) in 38 HockeyAllsvenskan games. GM Eric Tulsky said the Hurricanes are looking forward to seeing him in North America next season,” so expect him to report to the Chicago Wolves (AHL) next fall.
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.
Kulich suffered a blood clot in early November and was sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. That said, the Sabres received encouraging news that Kulich is trending in the right direction and is expected to return. The 22-year-old Czech forward, the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has 29 points (18G / 11A) in 75 career games.
