The Rangers had a dominant 4-1 victory in game one of their opening-round series against the Washington Capitals and will continue to roll with Shesterkin between the pipes. Shesterkin didn't face a lot of rubber in game one but was solid when called upon, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%). The Rangers enter action on Tuesday as -272 home favourites.
With the surprising news that Thatcher Demko (undisclosed) will not be available for game two, and possibly beyond, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith in the crease. DeSmith is familiar with the Canucks crease as he was their mainstay between the pipes for the latter part of the season as Demko missed most of the final month due to a knee injury. DeSmith had a 2.89 GAA and .895 SV% in 29 games this season (12-9-6). The Canucks enter game two against the Nashville Predators as -131 home favourites.
After a 3-2 victory in game one, the Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes again. The veteran netminder was solid in game one, despite not being overly tested, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in the victory. The Panthers enter game two as -170 home favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Demko missed 14 games toward the end of the regular season due to a knee injury before returning for the final two games heading into the playoffs. He was solid in a 4-2 game-one victory over the Nashville Predators on Sunday, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) but will be sidelined for game two and possibly beyond with an undisclosed injury. It is unclear if this injury is related to his previous ailment.
Girard has participated in the past few practices but will likely need at least one more game to recover from his concussion. The 25-year-old last played on April 13th and had three goals, 18 points, 73 SOG and 10 PIms in 59 games played in 2023-24.
Pinelli was the 114th overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward had an impressive season with the Ottawa 67's (OHL), scoring 82 points (48G / 34A) in 68 games.
After a disappointing 7-6 game one loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Colorado will turn to Georgiev for a second straight game. Georgiev had a forgettable game-one performance, echoing the latter half of his regular season, allowing seven goals on 23 shots (.696 SV%). The Avalanche enter action on Tuesday as -115 road favourites in game two.
Forbort has not played an NHL game since March 2nd but appears to be nearing a return despite likely being ruled out for game three. The 32-year-old Forbort was limited to only 35 games with Boston this season, registering four points (0G / 4A), 66 hits, and 65 blocks.
Peeke was limited to only 10:20 time-on-ice in the Bruins 3-2 game two loss to the Toronto Maples on Monday due to an upper-body injury. In 38 games this season, Peeke recorded 10 points (1G / 9A), 92 hits, and 78 blocks.
Johansen played six games with the Capitals earlier this season but has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL. The 26-year-old defenseman 12 points (2G / 10A) in 22 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL). He will make his NHL Playoffs debut in game two against the New York Rangers.
Sandin has been out since April 7th, did not play game one on Sunday and will subsequently miss game two as well. The 24-year-old appeared in a career-high 68 games with Washington in 2023-24 and had three goals, 23 points, 79 SOG, 24 PIMs and a -13 plus/minus.
Jensen has been out since April 13th due to a scary upper-body injury and will miss a second straight playoff game. The 33-year-old shut-down defensemen scored only one goal in 2023-24, with 14 points, 71 SOG, 10 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus in 78 games played.
After winning a wild game one, 7-6 over the Colorado Avalanche, the Jets will return to Hellebuyck between the pipes for game two. Hellebuyck was far from perfect in the series opener, but did enough to secure a victory, saving 40 of 46 shots (.870 SV%). The Jets enter game two as +104 home underdogs.
Ryan Lomberg will not play in game two due to an illness, allowing Lorentz to make his series debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Lorentz played 38 games this season, recording three points (1G / 2A) and 69 hits.
Lomberg is battling an illness and will be replaced by Steven Lorentz in game two against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Lomberg played 75 games for the Panthers this season, tallying seven points (5G / 2A) and 170 hits.
Lohrei did not play either of the first two games of the playoffs for the Bruins but could get a chance to draw into the lineup after being recalled from the Providence Bruins (AHL). The 23-year-old Lohrei played 41 games for Boston this year, his first NHL season, tallying 13 points (4G / 9A).
Haman-Aktell was the 108th overall pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in six games with the Capitals. The 25-year-old defenseman spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Hershey Bears (AHL), tallying 11 points (2G / 9A) in 55 games.
After a slow start to his first full season with the Devils, scoring only 22 points (10G / 12A) in his first 43 games, Meier settled into his role with his new team, ending the season with a blistering 30 points (18G / 12A) in his final 26 contests. Meier should be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery and will hope to build on his momentum from the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Fedotov was the 188th overall pick of the Flyers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The 27-year-old netminder made his NHL debut late in the 2023-24 season, posting a 4.95 GAA and .811 SV% across three appearances (0-1-1).
