Kotkaniemi has not played since April 5th but will likely re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 24-year-old Kotkaniemi has 31 points (11G / 20A) in 76 games this season.
The Hurricanes are 1-4-1 in their last six games and enter their final game of the regular season attempting to enter the postseason with momentum. Kochetkov was solid in his most recent game, saving 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 7-3 win over the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old netminder has a 2.59 GAA and .897 SV% in 46 games this season (27-15-3). The Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as +107 road underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team that can clinch a playoff berth with a single point.
Seguin last played on December 1st and subsequently underwent hip surgery that has kept him out of the lineup for over four months. The 33-year-old Seguin had an excellent 2024-25 campaign before his injury, scoring 20 points (9G / 11A) in 19 games this season. He has participated in full-contact practices over the last week and could return to the lineup in Dallas' season-finale on Wednesday.
The Stars enter their final game of the regular season desperate to end on a high note amid a season-worst six-game losing skid (0-4-2) and will turn to Oettinger between the pipes. The 26-year-old Oettinger struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. He has a 2.53 GAA and .911 SV% in 57 games this season (36-17-4). The Stars enter Wednesday's contest as -154 road favorites against a Nashville Predators team that has lost eight of their last 10 (2-8-0).
In his seventh season with the Capitals, Dowd has scored a career-high 27 points (14G / 13A) in 81 games and has been rewarded with a two-year, $6-million contract extension. The 34-year-old Dowd has 176 points (84G / 92A)) in 581 career games.
The Predators will conclude a disappointing 2024-25 season on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars, likely turning to Saros between the pipes. Saros struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 35 shots (.829 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. The 29-year-old goalie has career-worst numbers in most major statistical categories, posting a 3.02 GAA and .894 SV% in 57 games (19-31-6). The Predators enter Wednesday's contest as +138 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team amid a season-worst six-game losing skid (0-4-2).
The Jets have already clinched the Presidents' Trophy and will likely turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes for their final game this season. Hellebuyck struggled in his most recent outing, saving 28 of 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but remains the odds-on favorite for the Vezina Trophy. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck has an outstanding 2.02 GAA and .924 SV% in 62 games this season (46-12-3). The Jets enter Wednesday's season finale as sizeable -272 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks team that lost 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild in overtime last night.
The Predators will conclude a disappointing 2024-25 season on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars, likely turning to Saros between the pipes. Saros struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 35 shots (.829 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. The 29-year-old goalie has career-worst numbers in most major statistical categories, posting a 3.02 GAA and .894 SV% in 57 games (19-31-6). The Predators enter Wednesday's contest as +138 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team amid a season-worst six-game losing skid (0-4-2).
The Penguins announced on Wednesday that Letang had successful closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO; small hole in the heart). The expected recovery time is four to six weeks, so Letang will be ready for training camp in the fall.
With Emil Heineman returning from an upper-body injury, Kapanen will be a healthy scratch vs. Carolina. Kapanen appeared in six straight games, failing to record a point with just three SOG and a minus-1 rating.
Chaffee exited Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers after 8:56 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old Chaffee has played a career-high 66 games and scored a career-high 18 points (12G / 6A) this season.
Ottawa has secured the top Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, awaiting a first-round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. As such, they have assigned Crookshank to the Belleville Senators (AHL) to help them with their late-season playoff race. Crookshank has 40 points (22G / 18A) in 60 games with Belleville this season.
The Florida Panthers have completed the 2024-25 season and, no longer in need of reserves, have assigned Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund, and Matt Kiersted to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Asplund has 42 points (19G / 23A) in 62 games with Charlotte this season.
The Florida Panthers have completed the 2024-25 season and, no longer in need of reserves, have assigned Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund, and Matt Kiersted to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Kiersted has 27 points (1G / 27A) in 63 games with Charlotte this season.
The Florida Panthers have completed the 2024-25 season and, no longer in need of reserves, have assigned Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund, and Matt Kiersted to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Puljujarvi has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 20 games with Charlotte.
Montreal can become the final team to clinch a playoff berth this season with a victory on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Montembeault will be tending the twine, looking to build on his 2.83 GAA and .901 SV% through 61 games this season (30-24-7). The 28-year-old Montembeault has done his part to help the Canadiens late in the season, posting a solid 2.14 GAA and .921 SV% through six games in April (4-1-1). The Canadiens enter Wednesday's contest as -118 home favorites against a Hurricanes team that has lost five of their last six games (1-4-1).
Heineman has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play Wednesday vs. the Hurricanes. Heineman will be a welcome addition to the Canadiens' bottom-six in a pivotal game for their playoff hopes. Heineman has 10 goals and eight assists (18 points) in 61 games this season.
Atkinson has spent the majority of the season with the Lightning, serving as a rotation player at the bottom of their roster. He did not appear in a game during his time with Syracuse, but has nine points (4G / 5A) in 38 games with the Lightning this year.
