Sikora was a sixth-round pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Czech forward has spent the past three seasons playing in Czechia. He scored nine points (3G / 6A) this season in 24 games with Trinec Ocelari HC.
Niederbach was a second-round pick, 51st overall, of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old Swedish forward has spent his career playing in the Swedish Hockey League. He scored 32 points (13G / 19A) this season in 52 games with Frolunda HC.
The Flyers, trailing their series to the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0, are desperate for a win in Game Three, but will unfortunately be without Tippett for a third consecutive contest. The 27-year-old Tippett remains day-to-day, with his next chance to return being in Game Four on Saturday.
Vladar was tremendous in Game Two against the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%), but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal late in the first overtime period in a 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has piggybacked off of a stellar 2025-26 season by posting an impressive 1.89 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games this postseason (4-4). That said, the Flyers will need Vladar at his best on Thursday, desperate to narrow their series deficit to 2-1, entering Game Three as +148 home underdogs.
Dvorak is battling an undisclosed injury, but should remain in the lineup for Game Three against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 18:43 time-on-ice, recording 16 hits and three assists through eight games this postseason.
Dewar is coming off of his best NHL season and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 26-year-old forward averaged 13:55 time-on-ice and scored 30 points (14G / 16A) in 78 games this season.
Solovyov was acquired mid-season in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche, and had a more prominent role after joining the Penguins. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:06 time-on-ice, recording five assists, 14 blocks, and 16 hits in 14 games with Pittsburgh.
Hart was tremendous in Vegas' 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game One, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%). The 27-year-old Hart has had an up-and-down postseason, but he is riding a four-game winning streak, improving his numbers to 2.49 GAA and .905 SV% in seven games (5-2). The Golden Knights enter Game Two as -152 home favourites.
Carrick suffered a left arm injury in a fight with Anders Lee of the New York Islanders on March 31st and has not played since. The 34-year-old has 16 points (9G / 7A) and 65 penalty minutes in 73 games this season. He was originally expected to be be out for the entire second round of the playoffs, but appears to be targeting a sooner return after recent progress.
Lyon struggled towards the end of the regular season, but has been tremendous since taking over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen late in Game Two against the Boston Bruins. The 33-year-old Lyon has been near perfect this postseason, posting a stellar 1.14 GAA and .955 SV% in five appearances (3-1). Lyon hopes to continue his recent success, as the Sabres enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as -126 home favourites.
Dobes was the standout performer in a deciding Game 7 against the Lightning, as the Canadiens pulled off a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 29 to 9. Dobes' Game 7 heroics highlight what was a very impressive opening round series for the 24-year-old netminder. He posted a 4-1-2 record to go along with a 2.03 GAA and a .923 SV%. The Habs open up their second-round series against the Sabres as slight underdogs, as they enter action on Wednesday at +115 on the money line.
After allowing three or more goals in five of six games (4-2) in the Ducks' opening-round matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, Dostal saved 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in their second-round opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. That said, Dostal did not receive enough goal support, losing 3-1, as the Ducks find themselves in a 1-0 series deficit to the Golden Knights. The Ducks enter a pivotal Game Two as +133 road underdogs.
Hart was tremendous in Vegas' 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game One, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%). The 27-year-old Hart has had an up-and-down postseason, but he is riding a four-game winning streak, improving his numbers to 2.49 GAA and .905 SV% in seven games (5-2). The Golden Knights enter Game Two as -152 home favourites.
Cates played 20:53 time-on-ice, sixth amongst all Flyers' forwards, in their crushing Game Two 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the rest of the second round. The 27-year-old Cates, in his first NHL playoff experience, has four points (1G/3A) through eight games.
Dvorak is battling an undisclosed injury, making his status uncertain for Game Three against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 18:43 time-on-ice, recording 16 hits and three assists through eight games this postseason.
Arber Xhekaj will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, sending Struble to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Struble is averaging 10:46 time-on-ice, recording a +3 plus/minus and 21 hits through seven games this postseason.
Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. The 21-year-old Xhekaj was the odd man out of the lineup to accommodate the return of Noah Dobson (upper body) in Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but had been serviceable prior in the series, recording one assist and 31 hits in six games.
Joe Veleno will draw into Montreal's lineup for Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, sending Gallagher to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Gallagher made his 2025-26 postseason debut in Game Four against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is averaging 6:25 time-on-ice and has one goal through three games in the playoffs.
Brendan Gallagher will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Veleno to enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno has not played in nearly three weeks. He had five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games this season.
Carrick suffered an upper-body injury in a fight with Anders Lee of the New York Islanders on March 31st and has not played since. The 34-year-old has 16 points (9G / 7A) and 65 penalty minutes in 73 games this season. He was originally expected to be be out for the entire second round of the playoffs, but appears to be targeting a sooner return after recent progress.
