The Senators will opt for experience in Game 2 on Tuesday, with Nick Cousins replacing Matthew Highmore. The 29-year-old Highmore played 9:10 time-on-ice ice, recording a -1 plus/minus and four penalty minutes in Ottawa's Game 1 loss.
Highmore was a healthy scratch for the Senators' season finale but is expected to replace Nick Cousins on the Senators' fourth line on Saturday. HIghmore had just six points (2G / 4A) in 41 games this season, but was used frequently on the penalty kill (1:22 SH TOI/gm).
The Kings will give Darcy Kuemper the night off on Thursday, handing Rittich the start for their regular season finale. Rittich picked up the victory on Tuesday, allowing five goals on 34 shots in a 6-5 win in Seattle. The 32-year-old netminder owns a 16-13-2 record and an .888 SV% on the season. The Kings enter action on Thursday at -175 on the money line.
Soucy was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Rangers not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Urho Vaakanainen will draw into the lineup in his place.
The Islanders have lost four of their last five (1-3-1) and hope to end the season positively, turning to Hogberg between the pipes in their season-finale on Thursday. Hogberg has struggled when called upon lately, posting an abysmal 6.04 GAA and .780 SV% in his last four outings (0-2-2). The 30-year-old goalie has a 3.14 GAA and .887 SV% in 14 appearances this season (2-5-3). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +157 road underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team riding a four-game winning streak.
Palat (undisclosed) was injured blocking a shot Tuesday versus the Bruins, but his X-rays returned negative. He won’t play Wednesday versus the Red Wings, Amanda Stein of the Devils’ official site reports.
Heineman has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play Wednesday vs. the Hurricanes. Heineman will be a welcome addition to the Canadiens' bottom-six in a pivotal game for their playoff hopes. Heineman has 10 goals and eight assists (18 points) in 61 games this season.
Romanov was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Scott Perunovich will dress in his place.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. With yesterday's game out of hand, Rittich replaced Darcy Kuemper between the pipes in the Kings' 5-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers, saving all five shots he faced in the third period. The 32-year-old Rittich has a 2.69 GAA and .890 SV% in 32 games this season (15-13-2). The Kings enter Tuesday's contest as -110 road favorites against the Kraken.
Pelech exited New York's previous game due to an upper-body injury after only 9:06 time-on-ice, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. The 30-year-old Pelech is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 21 points (0G / 21A) in 59 games this season.
The Islanders are coming off a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, a 25-save shutout performance by Sorokin, his fourth of the season. The 29-year-old Sorokin has a 2.72 GAA and .906 SV% in 60 games this season (30-23-6). He will return to the crease on Tuesday against a Washington Capitals team he saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against in a 4-1 win less than two weeks ago. The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against the Capitals.
