Zadorov was a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh on Wednesday but will play Friday in Florida. Mark Barberio is the likely candidate to come out of the lineup to make room for Zadorov, who has one goal, one assist, a plus-3 rating, 15 PIMS and seven shots in five games this season.
Clifton was a healthy scratch on Monday but will replace Steven Kampfer against the Lightning. Clifton has not registered a point while averaging 15:30 TOI/gm in five games this season.
Despite not losing a game this season and Zadorov scoring his first goal on Monday, he will come out of the lineup on Wednesday. Zadorov will be replaced by Mark Barberio.
Clifton has no points while playing 15:30 ATOI in the first five games of the season and will be replaced by Steve Kampfer, who is making his season debut. “Cliffy’s played well, but a message that nothing is guaranteed,” is what head coach Bruce Cassidy had to say about scratching the rookie defenseman.
Through two seasons, McAvoy’s production has been solid, averaging 10 goals and 32 assists per 82-games—the issue is that he’s played in just 71.3 percent of the games. McAvoy is somewhat limited because of Torey Krug’s role on the top PP-unit, but he has 40-point upside if he can stay healthy in 2020.
Zacha set a new career-high in goals (13) while matching his career-high in points (25) while playing just 61 games last season. Zacha is a player that the Devils use in all situations. He was third among New Jersey forwards in SH TOI/gm (2:11), ninth in PP TOI/gm (1:41) and 11th in EV TOI/gm (12:13).
McAvoy was visibly in pain after blocking a shot with a few minutes left in Game 3 but head coach Bruce Cassidy said his top-pairing defenseman is “fine” and will be in the lineup for Game 4. The 21-year-old has one goal on four shots in the series and has tallied eight points (2G / 6A) in 19 postseason games.
McAvoy was suspended for Game 1 but is expected to replace Steven Kampfer in the lineup and return to the top-pair with Zdeno Chara. McAvoy has one goal and five assists (six points) while averaging 24:46 TOI/gm through 13 playoff games.
McAvoy was handed a one-game suspension for his hit to the head of Josh Anderson in Game 6 vs. the Blue Jackets. McAvoy will be replaced by Steven Kampfer in Game 1 and is eligible to return to the lineup in Game 2 vs. the Hurricanes.
Clifton has been a healthy scratch since Game 2 vs. Toronto, but will replace John Moore, who is out with an upper-body injury. Clifton had just one shot while averaging 12:14 TOI/gm through two games vs. Toronto.
Kuraly has been sidelined by a fractured hand since March 21st but will replace Joakim Nordstrom in the lineup for Game 5. Kuraly will skate with Noel Acciari and Chris Wagner and comes into play with eight goals and 13 assists (21 points) in 71 games.
Clifton was forced to leave Game 2 early due to an undisclosed injury and will be replaced by Steven Kampfer in Game 3. Clifton, who has one shot in two games, is day-to-day.
The Bruins have clinched home-ice advantage in the first-round of the playoffs so they will sit four key players to give them some rest. McAvoy will be joined by David Krejci, Brad Marchand and Zdeno Chara.
The Flames have clinched a roster spot and it looks like Lindholm will be the latest forward to be rested. Matthew Tkachuk is expected to replace him in the lineup and Austin Czarnik will skate on the first line.
