Demko has not played since Game 1 vs. Nashville of Vancouver's opening-round series but has "improved immensely" and is expected back shortly. The 28-year-old's return will be a warm welcome after he led Vancouver all season with his 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA and .918 SV%.
Colorado is expected to announce the plan with Yakov Trenin ahead of Game 6 on Friday after their fourth-line forward left Game 5 due to an undisclosed injury after just 2:16 TOI. The 27-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline and has locked down his fourth line centre roll well with a goal, eight SOG and four PIMs in 10 games played in the playoffs.
Mikheyev has been held pointless through 10 playoff games and is out on Thursday for Game 5 due to an undisclosed injury as he is replaced by Nils Hoglander. The 29-year-old had 11 goals and 31 points in 78 regular season games but has been snake-bitten with 11 SOG through 10 playoff games.
Pesce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and Thursday's morning skate but skated as an "extra," and is not yet ready for game action as he will sit out Game 6 on Thursday. The 29-year-old has only been able to compete in two playoff games so far this year and has an assist, one SOG, two PIMs and a +1 plus/minus.
Marchand has missed Boston's previous two games due to an upper-body injury and has a high chance to suit up for Game 6 on Friday after being a full participant in practice on Thursday. The 36-year-old Bruins' captain has led by example in this year's playoffs, with three goals, 10 points, 19 SOG and 16 PIMs in 10 games played before his injury.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and will play in Game 5 on Wednesday after practicing in full. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.
Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that Matt Nieto is expected to miss the next six to seven months after successfully undergoing knee surgery this week and is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 31-year-old left winger appeared in 22 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 and had a goal, four points, 13 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in his first season with the Penguins.
Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that John Ludvig had successfully had finger surgery and is expected to be out for at least four to six months. The 23-year-old has the potential to be ready for training camp but will decide as he assesses his progress closer to next season. The 23-year-old rookie made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and had three goals, two assists, 24 SOG, 47 PIMs and a -12 plus/minus through 33 games played.
Tanev left Game 4 early due to an undisclosed injury but is good to go for Game 5 on Wednesday vs. Colorado. The 34-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline from Calgary and has been as lockdown as expected with his one assist, 10 SOG and +7 plus/minus in 11 games played.
Hintz left Game 4 after playing only eight shifts and 6:35 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will be out for Game 5 on Wednesday vs. Colorado. The 27-year-old centre will be replaced by Radek Faksa but will be a massive loss with his two goals, six points and six PIMs in 11 playoff games before his injury.
Pesce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice but skated as an "extra," which suggests that he won't be available for Game 6 on Thursday. Monitor his status during Thursday's morning skate to get a concrete answer on his availability.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness but travelled with the Avalanche to Dallas and is a game-time decision for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 30-year-old's absence in Game 4 was a massive loss as he has been a lock in Colorado's top pair and has a goal, six points and a +4 plus/minus in eight games while averaging 23:45 TOI/GP.
Toews missed Game 4 due to an illness and did not participate in Tuesday's practice. However, he's still expected to travel to Dallas for Game 5. Expect him to be a game-time decision on Wednesday.
Henrique has been out since Game 2 of this series and will miss his second straight game on Wednesday. Expect Connor Brown to remain in the lineup for Game 4 with Henrique unavailable.
