O’Brien, 24, had 15 goals and 13 assists (28 points) in 74 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season. The undrafted centre has just one goal and one assist in 17 career NHL games with Washington.
New Jersey selected Boqvist with the No.36 overall pick in 2017. The 20-year-old centre has been in the Swedish Elite League since 2016 and is coming off of a season where he had 35 points (13G / 22A) in 51 games with Brynas IF—good for second on the team.
Sodergran, 19, was selected in the sixth-round (No.165 overall) in 2018. The right winger had eight goals and five assists (13 points) while playing with Linkopings HC of the Swedish Elite League. Sodergran also represented Sweden at the U20 World Juniors, but failed to record a point in four games.
Ebert was originally a seventh-round pick of the Kings back in 2012 but never made it to the NHL, appearing in 157 AHL games across three seasons with the Kings and Stars organizations. Ebert left North America after the 2017 and played one season in the KHL and another in the Swedish Elite League, where he had 11 goals and 22 assists (33 points) in 49 games with Orebro HK last season.
There seemed to be some optimism that Grzelcyk would be able to return in Game 5 after being listed as a game-time decision, but the Bruins defenseman will be held out once again for Game 6.
Kampfer dressed as a seventh defenseman in Game 5 but will be replaced by Karson Kuhlman for Game 6. The Bruins will go back to 12 forwards and six defenseman, which means that David Backes remains scratched as well.
Kuhlman has not played since April 30th, which was Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets, but will dress in a must-win Game 6 on Sunday. Kuhlman will replace Steven Kampfer, as the Bruins go back to the traditional 12 forwards and six defenseman look tonight. Kuhlman, who has one assist in six playoff games, will start on the second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.
Thomas has been out since Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals but is set to return in a potential Stanley Cup clinching Game 6 in St. Louis. Thomas, who has six points (1G / 5A) in the postseason, will replace Ivan Barbashev who was suspended for a hit to the head on Marcus Johansson in Game 5.
While Johansson was taking a shot, Barbashev caught him in the head with his shoulder and the NHL deemed it was worthy of a one-game suspension. Robert Thomas, if he’s healthy, will likely replace Barbashev in Game 6, but if he can’t play it will be Robby Fabbri.
Skinner was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st but is now signed through the 2026-27 season. Skinner set a new career-high and led the Sabres with 40 goals and ranked third on the team with 63 points in 82 games. Skinner spent 70 percent of his 5v5 minutes on the top-line with Jack Eichel and the duo outscored the opposition 53-to-43 (per naturalstattrick.com).
Janmark, 26, took a step back in 2018-19, scoring just six goals with 19 assists (25 points) in 81 games. Janmark is a key penalty killer for the Stars, ranking third among forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game (1:30). During Dallas’ playoff run, Janmark had one goal and two assists (three points) while appearing in seven of their 13 playoff games.
Polak had nine points (1G / 8A) in 77 games this season. Polak led the Stars in penalty minutes (69) and blocked shots (152)—which was good for 17th in the NHL. Polak became a reliable partner for rookie Miro Heiskanen, playing 43.3 percent of his 5v5 ice-time with Heisknanen.
Lipon was selected in the third-round in 2013 but has appeared in just nine career NHL games since. The 25-year-old had 26 points (11G / 15A) in 60 games with Manitoba (AHL) this season and has 166 points (56G / 110A) in 331 career AHL games.
Despite winning in Game 4, the Blues will make on minor change in Game 5. Edmundson will come out of the lineup with Robert Bortuzzo drawing back onto the blueline. Edmundson has recorded seven points (1G / 6A) in 21 playoff games.
Bortuzzo was a healthy scratch in Game 4 with Vince Dunn returning from injury but will replace Joel Edmundson in the lineup on Thursday. Bortuzzo has registered two goals in 15 playoff games.
Griffith has bounced around the NHL quite a bit but has been an excellent point producer in the AHL. Griffith led Manitoba (AHL) in points, scoring 16 goals with 41 assists (57 points) in 69 games last season. The Jets have now inked their two leading AHL scorers from a year ago after also signing Logan Shaw last week.
Grzelcyk has been sidelined by a concussion since Game 2 but is expected to draw back into the Bruins lineup for Game 5. Grzelcyk was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s optional gameday skate and will likely replace Zdeno Chara (jaw), who is also a game-time decision. Grzelcyk is expected to play on the top-pairing and second power-play unit.
Chara missed Wednesday’s practice but was back on the ice for today’s optional gameday skate. Chara was wearing a regular jersey, which is a good sign for his potential availability for Game 5. Matt Grzelcyk (concussion) is also a game-time decision and would likely replace Chara on the top-pair if Chara can’t play.
After three years in the Red Wings organization, Russo joined the Coyotes last season and spent the entire campaign in Tucson (AHL). The 26-year-old led all Roadrunners defensemen in points with 39 (6G / 33A) in 67 games.
Reunanen was a fourth-round pick (No.98 overall) in 2016 and signed after setting career-highs in goals (6), assists (19) and points (25) in 58 games with Luke Rauma of the Finnish Elite League. The 21-year-old defenseman is one of five Liiga defensemen to record at least 25 points, joining Sami Vatanen, Esa Lindell, Ville Pokka and Sami Niku in that group.
