Despite rotating goalies nearly all season, Jesper Wallstedt, to some surprise, was between the pipes to start Game One against the Dallas Stars, and never looked back en route to a 4-2 series win. Wallstedt returns to the crease in Game One of round two against the Colorado Avalanche, looking to build on his impressive 2.05 GAA and .924 SV% through four games (4-2). Minnesota enters Game One as +170 road underdogs.
Despite rotating goalies nearly all season, Jesper Wallstedt, to some surprise, was between the pipes to start Game One against the Dallas Stars, and never looked back en route to a 4-2 series win. Wallstedt returns to the crease in Game One of round two against the Colorado Avalanche, looking to build on his impressive 2.05 GAA and .924 SV% through four games (4-2). Minnesota enters Game One as +170 road underdogs.
Dobson has not played in three weeks, suffering an upper-body injury in the final week of the regular season, but he is expected to return to the lineup in Game Seven on Sunday. The 26-year-old Dobson scored 47 points (12G / 35A) in 80 games this season.
The Canadiens will unsurprisingly stick with Dobes between the pipes as the Canadiens enter a must-win Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 24-year-old Czech goalie was outstanding in Game Six, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%), but ultimately allowed the game’s only goal midway through the first overtime period. He has a 2.19 GAA and .916 SV% through six games this postseason (3-3). Montreal enters Game Seven as a +145 road underdog.
Last week, Vasilevskiy was named one of the three finalists for the Vezina trophy, but had yet to display his Vezina-calibre form this postseason. That said, his talent was on full display in a must-win Game Six, saving all 30 shots he faced in a 1-0 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 2.20 GAA and .905 SV% in six games this postseason (3-3). Tampa Bay enters Game Seven as a -161 home favourite.
Several weeks ago, Colorado was non-committal about who their starting goalie would be in the postseason, but after a dominant four-game sweep over the Los Angeles Kings, there is no doubt they will roll with Wedgewood to start round two against the Minnesota Wild. Piggybacking off a career-best regular season, Wedgewood was tremendous in four postseason games (4-0), posting an impressive 1.21 GAA and .950 SV%. The well-rested Avalanche enter Game One as -177 home favourites.
With Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) expected to miss at least the first two games of Minnesota's second-round matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, Yurov will enter the lineup for Game One. Yurov, a 22-year-old rookie, battled some adversity during his postseason debut in round one against the Dallas Stars, recording zero points, four penalty minutes, and a -1 plus/minus through four games.
Eriksson Ek had an awkward non-contact fall midway through the third period of Game Six against the Dallas Stars. He exited the game for a few minutes but returned to help the team hold on and advance to the second round. That said, he did not travel with the team to Colorado and is expected to miss the first two games of the series, creating a sizeable void at centre-ice.
Ostlund recently returned from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for a month, but he only lasted 2:55 time-on-ice in his third game back after exiting with a lower-body injury. He subsequently missed the next two games and is expected to remain sidelined indefinitely. The 22-year-old Swedish forward had a solid rookie season, scoring 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games. Before his injury, he had two points (1G / 1A) in two playoff games.
Carrick suffered an upper-body injury in a fight with Anders Lee of the New York Islanders on March 31st and has not played since. The 34-year-old has 16 points (9G / 7A) and 65 penalty minutes in 73 games this season. There is no specific timeline for his return, but he is expected to miss the entire second round of the playoffs.
Several weeks ago, Colorado was non-committal about who their starting goalie would be in the postseason, but after a dominant four-game sweep over the Los Angeles Kings, there is no doubt they will roll with Wedgewood to start round two against the Minnesota Wild. Piggybacking off a career-best regular season, Wedgewood was tremendous in four postseason games (4-0), posting an impressive 1.21 GAA and .950 SV%. The well-rested Avalanche enter Game One as -177 home favourites.
Dobson has not played in three weeks, suffering an upper-body injury in the final week of the regular season, but he has been working hard and could be an option in Game Seven on Sunday. A decision will be made for the talented 26-year-old defenseman after he participates in warmups before the game.
With Alexander Nikishin sidelined with a concussion, Reilly will make his 2025-26 postseason debut. In 21 career playoff games with the Bruins and Islanders, Reilly has one goal and five assists.
Nikishin had to be helped off of the ice in the Hurricanes' series clinching win in Ottawa last Saturday, and will miss Game 1 vs. the Flyers as he continues to recover from a concussion. Mike Reilly will draw into the lineup to replace Nikishin.
Tippett will miss Game 1 in Carolina, but is considered day-to-day, so he should be back in the series. Tippett, who produced two points (1G / 1A) in six games in Round 1, will be replaced by Garnet Hathaway in the lineup, but Alex Bump will earn the promotion to the top line.
Fresh off an impressive four-game sweep over the Ottawa Senators, the Hurricanes will return from a week-long break, turning to Andersen to tend the twine in Game One against the Philadelphia Flyers. After arguably the worst season of his career, Andersen's presence in Carolina's crease this postseason was uncertain, but he has rewarded Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour for his decision thus far. In four games this postseason (4-0), Andersen has an elite 1.10 GAA and .955 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Game One on Saturday as sizeable -208 home favourites.
Eriksson Ek left Game 6 vs. the Stars briefly after crashing into the sideboards leg-first. Eriksson Ek finished the game, but is still feeling the effects of the incident, and is questionable to play in Game 1 in Colorado. If Eriksson Ek is unavailable, expect Danila Yurov to draw back in.
