Gustav Forsling will be a healthy scratch in Florida's final game of the season, allowing Hovorka to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Hovorka has 18 points (5G / 13A) in 55 games this season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).
Forsling will not play in Florida's final game of the season, missing a game for just the second time this season. The 29-year-old Swedish defenseman finishes the 2025-26 season with 28 points (2G / 26A) in 80 games. Mikulas Hovorka will draw into the lineup as Forsling's replacement.
The Panthers will conclude a disappointing 2025-26 season on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings with Tarasov tending the twine. With the Panthers out of the playoff picture for several weeks, the team relied more heavily on Tarasov. The 27-year-old goalie saved 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. In his last six games (3-2-1), he posted a 3.22 GAA and .871 SV%. The Panthers enter Wednesday's contest as +141 home underdogs against the Red Wings.
Nosek already missed the majority of the 2025-26 season with a significant knee injury, and now faces a lengthy rehab from a broke leg he suffered vs. the Rangers. Nosek should be ready for training camp in the fall.
Crozier has not played since early February, undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury, but he will draw back into the lineup in Tampa Bay's final game of the season. Before his injury, the 25-year-old had been a solid contributor on Tampa Bay's back end, with a goal, 10 points, and a +7 plus/minus in 34 games played this season.
Hagel did not play in Tampa Bay's previous game, but he will return for the team's final game of the season on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Hagel has 74 points (36G / 38A) in 70 games this season.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Lighting's win over the Red Wings on Monday. Even with the Lightning locked into their playoff spot, Vasilevskiy will start his fourth straight in the season finale. After a tough March, Vasilevskiy has gone 4-2-0 with a 2.19 GAA and .912 SV% in six starts in April.
Tkachuk has missed the last few games to tend to personal matters, but he will draw into Florida's lineup for their final game of the season on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Tkachuk missed most of the season recovering from off-season surgery, not making his debut until late January, but he has been his usual productive self when in the lineup. He has 32 points (13G / 19A) in 30 games this season.
Unger Sorum made his NHL debut on Tuesday, registering his first career assist on the first goal of the game. With Carolina's season over, Unger Sorum is one of six players returning to the AHL on Wednesday. The 20-year-old, second-round pick (No.62 overall in 2023) leads the Wolves in points (16G / 47A) in 69 games this season.
Reimer gave up four goals on 30 shots in the Seantors' OT loss to the Devils on Sunday. With the Senators locked into their playoff spot, they will give Linus Ullmark, their Game 1 starter, another night off. Reimer has gone 3-2-1 with a 2.10 GAA and .896 SV% in six games since the Olympic break.
Nadeau appeared in 12 games with the Hurricanes this season, including four during this most recent call-up. Nadeau finishes the season with three goals and no assists, and returns to the Wolves, where he leads the team in goals (26) and is third in points (53).
Brind’Amour appeared in four games during his call-up as the Hurricanes rested players down the stretch. With their season ending on Tuesday, Brind’Amour returns to the AHL, where he has 34 points (16G / 18A) in 66 games this season.
Nystrom split his time between the AHL and NHL this season, finishing with 10 points (1G / 9A) in 38 NHL games. With the Hurricanes' season over, Nystrom is one of six players heading back to the AHL. He should be one of the first to return to Carolina should they need defenseman reserves in the playoffs.
Legault appeared in 12 games with the Hurricanes this season, scoring one goal with one assist (two points). With the Hurricanes' season over, he'll go to Chicago, where he has seven points (3G / 4A) in 22 games this season. He should be one of the first defensemen to return to the NHL should the Hurricanes be desperate for a defenseman call-up.
Seeley made his NHL debut on Tuesday against the Islanders, playing 15:12 TOI. With the Hurricanes' season over, he returns to the Wolves, where he's tied for the team-lead in goals among defensemen.
Ellis stopped all 37 shots that he faced in the Sabres' 5-0 win over the Blue Jackets last Thursday. With Alex Lyon injured, Ellis has made two starts in April, stopping 57 of the 60 shots (.950 SV%) that he's faced. Tonight he draws a tough matchup with the Stars in town. Even though they're locked into their playoff position, Glen Gulutzan said they plan to play close to a full lineup on Wednesday.
Stevenson was excellent for Washington in their final game of the season, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, the 27-year-old goalie will return to the Hershey Bears (AHL) to assist them on their playoff run.
With the Capitals missing the postseason, Protas has been reassigned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) to join them for their playoff run. The 19-year-old Protas recently made his NHL debut and was very effective, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in four games. Before that, he had 62 points (28G / 34A) in 66 games with Hershey.
With the Capitals missing the postseason, Miroshnichenko has been reassigned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) to join them for their playoff run. The 22-year-old forward has spent most of the season in Hershey, where he has 31 points (12G / 19A) in 38 games.
