With Sergei Bobrovsky likely heading to Florida, Korpisalo becomes the No.1 netminder in Columbus with Elvis Merzilkins likely serving as his backup. Korpisalo will need to be better than he was in 2018-19, when he ranked 38th in the NHL in GAA (2.95) and tied for 48th in SV% (.897).
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.
Viel was an undrafted free-agent who spent the season with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), where he had 11 goals and 11 assists (22 points) in 68 games. Viel spent five years in the QMJHL, where he had 115 goals and 81 assists (196 points) in 259 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.
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.
Brown will make his season debut in Game 4 of the first-round because Micheal Ferland is out with an upper-body injury. Brown spent the entire season with Charlotte (AHL), where he was tied for fourth on the team in goals (19) and 11th in points (35) through 70 games.
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.
Arvidsson missed Monday’s practice and skated on the “fifth line” in Tuesday’s morning skate, so don’t expect him to play Tuesday in Anaheim. Luckily for he Predators, Filip Forsberg is expected to draw back into the lineup for Arvidsson.
