Utah's Head Coach Andre Tourigny insisted there were several game-time decisions heading into Friday's Game Six. He did not mention Mikhail Sergachev or Sean Durzi by name, but they were notably absent from the team's morning skate, suggesting their status may be uncertain. The 27-year-old Durzi is averaging 17:07 time-on-ice and has two assists through five games this postseason.
Utah's Head Coach Andre Tourigny insisted there were several game-time decisions heading into Friday's Game Six. He did not mention Mikhail Sergachev or Sean Durzi by name, but they were notably absent from the team's morning skate, suggesting their status may be uncertain. The 27-year-old Sergachev is averaging 28:24 time-on-ice and has four assists through five games this postseason.
McBain returned from a three-week absence due to an injury to play in Game One against the Vegas Golden Knights, but immediately returned to the sidelines for Game Two and has not played since. That said, the 26-year-old forward is nearing a return and could be an option on Friday in Game Six. He recorded 25 points (9G / 16A) and 271 hits in 75 games this season.
The Mammoth have squandered third-period leads multiple times in their opening-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, and find themselves on the brink of elimination, down 3-2 heading into Game Six. Vejemelka's play in his last two games has been concerning, losing both outings in overtime and allowing a combined 10 goals on 74 shots (.865 SV%), more than he has allowed in any two-game stretch during the regular season. The Mammoth enter a must-win Game Six on Friday as slight -101 home underdogs.
D'Astous has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game One on April 19th, but appears to be nearing a return and could be an option on Friday for Game Six. The 28-year-old defenseman was impressive in his first NHL season, averaging 18:45 time-on-ice and scoring 29 points (6G / 23A) in 70 games.
Paul was a surprise scratch on Wednesday in Game Five, with the Lightning not announcing his absence prior to warmups, and his status for Game Six on Friday remains uncertain. In four games this postseason, the 31-year-old Paul is averaging 10:43 time-on-ice and has a -2 plus/minus.
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.
Stanley is battling an illness and did not practice on Thursday, leaving his status for Game Six on Friday uncertain. The 27-year-old Stanley is averaging 13:52 time-on-ice, recording six blocks and six hits through five games this postseason. If Stanley is not able to play, expect Michael Kesselring to draw into Buffalo's lineup.
Hedman will not play in the Lightning's must-win Game 6 on Friday, but is expected to be available in the near future if they're able to stay alive in Montreal. Hedman has not played since March 19th.
Norris played 16:39 time-on-ice in Buffalo's 4-2 Game Two loss to the Boston Bruins, but has been battling an undisclosed injury and has not played since. The 26-year-old forward has battled injuries throughout his career, so there is always extra concern whenever he is sidelined. That said, he should be back in the lineup for Game Six and is expected to suit up on the team's third line and top powerplay unit.
Arvidsson will miss his second straight game on Friday, but head coach Nico Sturm said it was an encouraging sign to see him back on the ice, and could play in Game 7 if the Bruins are able to stay alive in Game 6. The Bruins will roll with the exact same lineup as Game 5.
The Bruins fell behind 1-0 early in a must-win Game Five when Swayman allowed a goal in the opening minutes, but shut the door the rest of the way, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win to force a Game Six. The 27-year-old Swayman has a 2.87 GAA and .910 SV% through five games this postseason (2-3). The Bruins hope to force a Game Seven, entering Game Six on Friday as slight +104 home underdogs.
Dickinson missed several games toward the end of the regular due to an injury, and has been a game-time decision throughout the first round of the playoffs, appearing in only three of five games. That said, 31-year-old has been impressive when in the lineup, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in three postseason games.
The Oilers will be hoping to ride Ingram to another victory on Friday as they aim extend the series to a deciding seventh game. Ingram is coming off his best performance of the series, allowing just a single goal on 30 shots in a 4-1 win in Game 5. Ingram and the Oilers enter action in Game 6 as slight favourites at -130 on the money line.
The Wild will be looking to ride Wallstedt's excellent form between the pipes to a series victory over the Stars on Friday. Wallstedt turned in another strong performance in Game 5, turning away 20 of the 22 shots he faced in the 4-2 victory. The 23-year-old netminder has posted a 3-2 record and a .926 SV% across the first five games of the series. Wallstedt and the Wild enter action on Friday at -125 on the money line.
After a poor opening game of the series against the Minnesota Wild, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 6-1 loss, Oettinger has rebounded by posting a solid 2.30 GAA and .916 SV% in his following four games (2-2). That said, down 3-2, the Stars likely need Oettinger's best performance of the series if they hope to play a Game Seven. Dallas enters Game Six on Thursday as slight +110 road underdogs.
Dostal only lasted half of a period in Game Five, being pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots (.667 SV%), in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, who narrowed their series deficit to 3-2. The 25-year-old Czech goalie has been far from spectacular in his introduction to playoff hockey, posting a 4.32 GAA and .864 SV% through five appearances (3-2). Still, Dostal and the Ducks can close out the series on Thursday, entering Game Six as +114 home underdogs.
Stanley is battling an illness and did not practice on Thursday, but it is still unclear if he will be available for Game Six on Friday. The 27-year-old Stanley is averaging 13:52 time-on-ice, recording six blocks and six hits through five games this postseason.
After a poor opening game of the series against the Minnesota Wild, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 6-1 loss, Oettinger has rebounded by posting a solid 2.30 GAA and .916 SV% in his following four games (2-2). That said, down 3-2, the Stars likely need Oettinger's best performance of the series if they hope to play a Game Seven. Dallas enters Game Six on Thursday as slight +110 road underdogs.
