Nikishin made his NHL debut in Game 5 against the Capitals, filling in for Jalen Chatfield (lower-body). Chatfield is still unavailable for the first game of round three, but the Hurricanes are opting to dress Scott Morrow over Nikishin.
Morrow will make his playoff debut on Tuesday in place of Jalen Chatfield (lower-body). Morrow appeared in 14 games this season, registering one goal and five assists.
Chatfield has been dealing with a lower-body injury since Game 4 vs. the Capitals and was questionable to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Scott Morrow will dress in his place.
The Hurricanes are well-rested heading into Game 1 on Tuesday, having played the fewest games of all teams remaining in the playoffs after eliminating the Washington Capitals on Thursday in five games. Andersen has been terrific this postseason, posting a stellar 1.36 GAA, .937 SV%, and one shutout in nine games (7-2), and will return to the crease for Game 1. The Hurricanes enter the action on Tuesday as -121 home favorites against the Panthers.
The Panthers commandingly defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 on Sunday, but have a quick turnaround, starting Game 1 of Round 3 on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Bobrovsky saved 19 of 20 shots (.950 SV%) in Sunday's victory and will return to the crease on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran netminder has a 2.31 GAA, .901 SV%, and two shutouts through 12 games (8-4) this postseason. The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as +109 road underdogs against the Hurricanes.
Chatfield has been dealing with a lower-body injury since Game 4 vs. the Capitals and is questionable to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He was not on the ice for Monday's practice, and Scott Morrow skated in his spot, so look for Morrow to dress if Chatfield is unavailable.
Afanasyev was acquired from Nashville mid-season in 2024-25 in exchange for Ozzy Wiesblatt and has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with San Jose, worth $800,000. The 24-year-old Russian winger was once a 2019 2nd-round pick (45th overall) but spent 2024-25 with CSKA Moskva (KHL) where he picked up seven assists and 21 points in 53 games played.
Ekholm last played on April 11th due to an undisclosed injury, but was a full participant for the first time since his injury at practice on Monday. The 34-year-old has been a massive loss for Edmonton's blueline after he posted nine goals, 33 points and a +11 plus/minus in 65 games during the regular season.
Zajicek is an undrafted 23-year-old netminder who has spent the last six seasons with HC Litvinov (Czechia) and will join Boston on a one-year, entry-level contract worth $872,500. The 6'2" goalie opened eyes recently at the World Hockey Championships, where he was the definition of perfect, stopping all 40 shots he faced and posting two shutouts for Czechia in his only two starts. In 29 games with HC Litvinov as well in 2024-25, he posted an eye-popping .930 SV% and 15-13-0 record.
Despite only allowing two goals in Florida's Game 6 loss, Sergei Bobrovsky posted a save percentage below .900 for the third time in five games and will look to right the ship in Sunday's Game do-or-die matchup in Toronto. The 36-year-old has seven wins in 11 appearances so far in the playoffs despite posting a mediocre .898 SV% and 2.43 GAA. He will head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs. who have lost each of their past six Game 7s.
Boqvist had a massive Game 5 with a goal, an assist and three shots on goal, but will head to the press box for Game 7 as Evan Rodrigues (undisclosed) returns to the lineup on Sunday. The 26-year-old has appeared in nine playoff games but has only had two points (1G/1A) while playing a complementary role in the Panthers' lineup, averaging only 8:53 TOI/GP.
Rodrigues had missed Florida's previous two games with an undisclosed injury but was a full participant in the morning skate on Sunday and will play in Game 7 vs. Toronto. The 31-year-old sparkplug has struggled to produce offensively this postseason, with just three assists and a -2 plus/minus in nine games while mostly occupying a top-six role.
Stolarz left Game 1 with a concussion but will make an unexpected return to the Maple Leafs' lineup he backs up Joseph Woll for Game 7 vs Florida. The towering netminder has an impressive 2.19 GAA during the playoffs to go alongside his 4-2-0 record and .901 SV%.
Rodrigues has missed Florida's previous two games with an undisclosed injury but was a full participant in the morning skate on Sunday and will be a game-time decision for Game 7 in Toronto. The 31-year-old sparkplug has struggled to produce offensively this postseason, with just three assists and a -2 plus/minus in nine games while mostly occupying a top-six role.
Knies was forced to play only 13:01 TOI in Game 6 due to an undisclosed injury, but was a full participant in Toronto's morning skate Sunday and will play in Game 7, according to Head Coach Craig Berube. The 22-year-old has been one of Toronto's best players this postseason with his five goals, seven points and 29 SOG in 12 playoff games so far.
When Toronto needed him the most in Game 6, Joseph Woll was perfect, stopping all 22 shots for his first-ever postseason shutout to even the Maple Leafs' second-round series at three apiece vs. Florida. The 26-year-old has had an up-and-down postseason since taking over for Anthony Stolarz (concussion) in Game 1, with his 3-3-0 record, 3.28 GAA and .895 SV% in six appearances. He will look to break Paul Maurice's game 7 winning streak (5-0-0) as he hosts the Florida Panthers for Game 7 on Sunday.
Oettinger allowed three goals on 34 shots (.912 SV%) in Dallas' Game 5 loss but will look to bounce back and close out their second-round series as the Stars host Winnipeg on Saturday. Oettinger has been on top of his game throughout 12 starts in the playoffs so far, with his .916 SV% and 2.60 GAA to go along with his 7-5-0 record. Winnipeg will look to force a Game 7 at home on Monday if it can keep the series alive on Saturday night.
Hellebuyck was perfect in Game 5, stopping all 22 shots he faced to keep Winnipeg alive in their 2nd-round series vs. Dallas and will take the crease again for Game 6 on Saturday. The 31-year-old superstar netminder has had an ugly postseason so far despite already posting two shutouts in 12 games played with his 3.18 GAA and .862 SV%. He will head to Dallas on Saturday for Game 6 and push to a second consecutive seven-game series for Winnipeg.
Kevin Cheveldayoff announced Saturday that Mark Scheifele's father had passed earlier in the morning. Despite the horrendous news, their star center will still be suiting up for Game 6 on Saturday. The 32-year-old has had a strong 2025 playoffs so far, with four goals, 10 points and a +4 plus/minus in 10 games.
