Balinskis is an undrafted free agent from Latvia who has spent the last three season in the Czech Extraliga. The 26-year-old blue liner had 11 goals and 24 assists (35 points) in 50 games with Liberec Bili Tygri HC in 2023. He represented Latvia in the 2022 Olympics, tallying three assists in four games.
Luostarinen reportedly tried to play on his broken leg, but could not go. Luostarinen is expected to avoid surgery, so he should be ready for training camp for the 2023-24 season. Luostarinen finished the 2022-23 season with 43 points (17G / 26A) in 82 games.
Ekblad played through a broken foot, two shoulder dislocations and multiple oblique tears throughout the postseason and his shoulder will require offseason surgery. Ekblad will not be ready in time for training camp. His injury isn't expected to linger too deep into the 2023-24 season, but expect a more detailed timetable following his surgery.
Tkachuk suffered an upper-body injury in Game 3, fought through it in Game 4 but will not play in a must-win Game 5. With Tkachuk unavailable, Grigori Denisenko is expected to make his playoff debut.
Gudas left Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final after taking a massive hit from Ivan Barbashev which caused him to leave the game after just 2:11 TOI but is expected back in the Panthers' lineup for Game 3 on Thursday vs. Vegas. The 33-year-old has three assists, 30 PIMs and 13 SOG through 18 games throughout the playoffs thus far.
Barkov left Game 3 with an undisclosed injury after just 3:51 TOI and his status for Game 4 was originally up in the air before head coach Paul Maurice confirmed Wednesday that the Panthers' captain would be joining the lineup ahead of their matchup vs. Vegas. It is a massive sigh of relief for the Panthers as the 27-year-old had four goals, eight assists, 40 SOG, eight PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 15 playoff games so far this year.
Lafferty has been a healthy scratch for Toronto's previous two playoff games but will draw back into the lineup Thursday for Game 2 as he replaces Zach Ashton-Reese. The 28-year-old has an assist, five SOG, two PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through fives games so far in the playoffs.
Schmid was perfect in the Devils' Game 7 victory over the New York Rangers, stopping all 31 shots when it mattered most for his second shutout of the opening series. The 22-year-old looks near impossible to beat at the moment, with his 4-1-0 record, 1.38 GAA and .951 SV%. He'll hope to continue his post-season success as he takes on Carolina Wednesday, who finished the regular season third in the NHL in shots per game (34.8).
Schmid allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) for his first loss of the series in Game 6 as the New York Rangers forced Game 7 with a 5-2 defeat last game. The 22-year-old has been a revelation for the Devils' in the playoffs, taking over the starters' crease mid-series and going 3-1-0 with a .937 SV% and 1.72 GAA. He will be trying to close the series out in a crucial Game 7 on Monday, as he faces the New York Rangers, who finished the regular season 12th in the NHL in goals per game (3.33).
Bennett has two goals, an assist, 15 SOG, 14 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through three games so far in the playoff but will play in Game 5 Wednesday after missing Tuesday's team skate. If the 26-year-old is forced to miss the game, it will be a massive loss for the Panthers as he provided 14 goals, 40 points, 54 PIMs and 193 SOG through 63 games during the regular season
Bennett has two goals, an assist, 15 SOG, 14 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through three games so far in the playoff but will be a game-time decision for Game 5 Wednesday after missing Tuesday's team skate. If the 26-year-old is forced to miss the game, it will be a massive loss for the Panthers as he provided 14 goals, 40 points, 54 PIMs and 193 SOG through 63 games during the regular season.
Ekblad missed Game 4 due to an undisclosed injury but will dress for Game 5 on Wednesday as the Panthers continue their hard-fought series vs. Boston. The 27-year-old has yet to pick up a point through three games so far in these playoffs, but has six SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
