Xhekaj played in all seven games vs. the Sabres, but is expected to be replaced by Jayden Struble in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Xhekaj has picked up one goal, one assist and 45 hits in 13 playoff games.
Andersen and the undefeated Hurricanes enter the third round of the postseason well rested, having not played since sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-2 overtime victory 12 days ago. The 36-year-old Andersen has been tremendous this postseason, posting a 1.12 GAA and .950 SV% in eight games (8-0). Prolonged rest hasn't been an issue for Andersen and the Hurricanes so far this postseason, who began round two with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Flyers after a full week break. The Hurricanes enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as sizeable -193 home favourites.
Malinski missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Malinski, who has three points (1G / 2A) in seven games, should be back on a pairing with Brent Burns and PP2.
Lehkonen missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Lehkonen and Sam Malinski back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Lehkonen, who skated with Brock Nelson and Nicolas Roy yesterday, has three goals and three assists (six points) in seven playoff games.
After a tremendous first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, posting a dazzling 1.21 GAA and .950 SV% in a four-game sweep, Wedgewood battled some adversity in the second round against the Minnesota Wild. The 33-year-old Wedgewood allowed three goals on 12 shots (.750 SV%) in Game Three, a 5-1 loss to Minnesota, and was relieved by Mackenzie Blackwood, who started the subsequent two games. Wedgewood posted a concerning 3.51 GAA and .872 SV% in four second-round appearances (3-1), but saved all seven shots he faced in relief of Blackwood in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five victory. The Avalanche enter Game One as -172 home favourites.
Hart will be hoping to build off an excellent finish to the second round, when he allowed just three goals on 68 shots (.956 SV%) over the final two games of Vegas' series against the Ducks. The 27-year-old netminder has started all 12 post-season games for the Golden Knights, posting an 8-4-0 record and a .915 SV%. Hart and the Golden Knights enter action in Game 1 at +140 on the money line.
Liljegren was acquired at the trade deadline from San Jose late for a 2026 4th round pick but only managed to appear in four total games with the Capitals. The defensemen still earned himself a two-year contract extension worth $3.25 million AAV ($6.5M total) to remain in Washington on Wednesday. The 27-year-old closed out his 2025-26 campaign with a lacklustre one goal and 11 points in 47 games played between San Jose and Washington.
Makar was clearly battling through an ailment one week ago in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five win against the Minnesota Wild, missing several shifts, but still ended the game with 25:50 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Makar was present at the team's morning skate on Wednesday, but will not play in their series-opening game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Makar has five points (4G / 1A) in nine games this postseason.
After a tremendous first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, posting a dazzling 1.21 GAA and .950 SV% in a four-game sweep, Wedgewood battled some adversity in the second round against the Minnesota Wild. The 33-year-old Wedgewood allowed three goals on 12 shots (.750 SV%) in Game Three, a 5-1 loss to Minnesota, and was relieved by Mackenzie Blackwood, who started the subsequent two games. Wedgewood posted a concerning 3.51 GAA and .872 SV% in four second-round appearances (3-1), but saved all seven shots he faced in relief of Blackwood in Colorado's series-clinching Game Five victory. The Avalanche enter Game One as -172 home favourites.
The Hurricanes selected Fransen in the third round (No.69 overall) in 2024. The 20-year-old defenseman split the 2026 season between the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan. He had one goal and one assist in 13 SHL games and added 14 points (6G / 8A) in 38 HockeyAllsvenskan games. GM Eric Tulsky said the Hurricanes are looking forward to seeing him in North America next season,” so expect him to report to the Chicago Wolves (AHL) next fall.
Malinski missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Malinski and Artturi Lehkonen back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Malinski, who has three points (1G / 2A) in seven games, should be back on a pairing with Brent Burns and PP2.
Lehkonen missed Games 4 and 5 vs. the Wild but participated in Tuesday's practice and head coach Jared Bednar "hopes" to have Lehkonen and Sam Malinski back in the lineup for Game 1 vs. Vegas on Wednesday. Lehkonen, who skated with Brock Nelson and Nicolas Roy yesterday, has three goals and three assists (six points) in seven playoff games.
Kulich suffered a blood clot in early November and was sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. That said, the Sabres received encouraging news that Kulich is trending in the right direction and is expected to return. The 22-year-old Czech forward, the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has 29 points (18G / 11A) in 75 career games.
Abruzzese was a fourth-round pick, 124th overall, of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and has not yet been able to make the leap to the NHL level. The 26-year-old forward has played exclusively in the AHL since the 2022-23 season. He scored 51 points (15G / 36A) in 2025-26 in 56 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).
Groshev was drafted in the third round, 85th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old forward has spent most of the previous three seasons in the AHL, but made his NHL debut this season, recording one assist in two games with Tampa Bay.
It's unclear if Veleno is out with an undisclosed injury or is simply a healthy scratch. Veleno has zero goals and one assist in six games this post-season. Oliver Kapanen will draw into the lineup in his place.
Kapanen played in the opening four games of the playoffs but has not appeared since, serving as a healthy scratch in each of the last nine games. The 22-year-old Kapanen played in all 82 regular season games, tallying 22 goals and 15 assists. Joe Veleno will sit in his place.
Despite a shaky performance in Game 6, the Canadiens will unsurprisingly roll with Dobes between the pipes for Monday's series-deciding game against the Sabres. Dobes will be looking for a repeat performance of his masterclass in Game 7 of the first round, when he stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced and carried the Habs to a 2-1 victory over the Lightning. The Canadiens are the slightest of underdogs heading into Game 7, entering action at -105 on the money line.
After being pulled in favour of Alex Lyon in Game 5, UPL was thrust back into action in Game 6 when the Sabres suffered an early 3-1 deficit. Luukkonen performed spectacularly with Buffalo's season on the line, stopping all 18 shots he faced in relief as the Sabres fought back and ultimately forced Game 7 with an 8-3 victory. The odds on the money line for Game 7 are nearly dead even, but the Sabres do enter action as the slight favourites at -115.
Gustavsson was Minnesota's goalie-of-record during the 2025-26 regular season, starting 49 games, but dressed primarily as Jesper Wallstedt's backup during the team's postseason run. With Gustavsson undergoing offseason hip surgery, Jesper Wallstedt could be poised to make another push to be Minnesota's starting goalie to start the 2026-27 season. The 27-year-old Gustavsson will be entering the first year of a five-year contract extension worth $38 million ($6.8 million AAV).
