NHL Hockey Player News

Oettinger allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Stars' loss in Edmonton in Game 4. Oettinger gave up seven goals in two games in Edmonton and now has a .912 SV% in the series and a .917 SV% across 17 postseason games. Oettinger and the Stars come into Game 5 as -117 home favourites.

Carrick was a healthy scratch for Game 4 after failing to pick up a point in any of Edmonton's previous six games but will draw back into the lineup on Friday as he replaces Derek Ryan for Game 5. The 32-year-old is expected to centre the Oilers' fourth line and has no goals, one assist, four SOG and a -1 plus/minus in eight playoff games so far.

Ryan has appeared in all four games of the Western Conference final but will head to the press box on Friday as he is replaced by Sam Carrick in the Oilers' lineup for Game 5. The 37-year-old veteran centre has failed to produce offensively in 13 games played so far, with one assist, eight SOG, six PIMs and a -5 plus/minus.

Skinner bounced back nicely in Game 4 to get Edmonton back in the win column with a 20-save performance (.909 SV%) and will take the crease Friday for Game 5 as expected. The 25-year-old Alberta native will appear in his 27th career playoff game Friday and has a less-than-stellar 9-5-0 record, 2.71 GAA and .887 SV% in 14 games in this year's playoffs. He will head to Texas to take on Dallas on Friday, who will be looking to get back into the win column and pick up their third victory in the last four games.

Tanev left Game 4 on Wednesday after just 8:37 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was spotted in a walking boot at the airport on Thursday but was announced a game-time decision by Pete DeBoer on Friday. The 34-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline and has been the definition of a Warrior all postseason for Dallas, with an assist, 12 SOG, four PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 17 games played.

Shesterkin was peppered in New York's Game 4 loss to Florida, allowing three goals on 40 shots against (.925 SV%) as the Panthers evened out the Eastern Conference final and is expected to take the crease again for Game 5 on Thursday. The 28-year-old has been in his Vezina Trophy-winning form all offseason, with his 10-4-0 record, 2.37 GAA and .925 SV%. He will host the Florida Panthers for Game 5 on Thursday, who are looking for back-to-back wins and a confident 3-2 series lead.

Shesterkin was peppered in New York's Game 4 loss to Florida, allowing three goals on 40 shots against (.925 SV%) as the Panthers evened out the Eastern Conference final and is expected to take the crease again for Game 5 on Thursday. The 28-year-old has been in his Vezina Trophy-winning form all offseason, with his 10-4-0 record, 2.37 GAA and .925 SV%. He will host the Florida Panthers for Game 5 on Thursday, who are looking for back-to-back wins and a confident 3-2 series lead.

Bobrovsky was excellent in Game 4 as Florida evened out the Eastern Conference final with his 21-save performance (.913 SV%) and will have the 35-year-old take the net again for Game 5 on Thursday. The veteran netminder has started every playoff game for Florida on their run and has a decent 10-5-0 record, 2.29 GAA and .904 SV% to show from it. He will head to the Big Apple on Thursday as Florida attempts to take a 3-2 series lead and put themselves one step closer to a Stanley Cup Finals reunion.

Wheeler made his first appearance since February 15th in Game 4 as he returned from a long injury spell but appears to be the odd-man out for Game 5 as Filip Chytil is expected to return to the lineup. The 37-year-old veteran played a fourth-line role in his first game back in nearly three months and picked up two PIMs across 9:18 TOI.

Chytil was a healthy scratch for New York's Game 4 loss but will return to the lineup on Thursday for Game 5 and is immediately expected to take a spot on the Rangers' top line. The 24-year-old is expected to replace Blake Wheeler who will get the night off after returning from a long injury last game. Chytil has been held pointless in four playoff games played so far, with five SOG and two PIMs.

Tanev left Game 4 on Wednesday after just 8:37 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was spotted in a walking boot at the airport on Thursday but is still hopeful he will be able to suit up for Game 5 on Friday. The 34-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline and has been the definition of a Warrior all postseason for Dallas, with an assist, 12 SOG, four PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 17 games played.

Pekarcik is St. Louis 2023 third-round pick (76th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The 18-year-old forward spent the entire 2023-24 season with Dubuque of the USHL and had nine goals, and 59 points in 43 games played in his first season in North American hockey.

Smith has appeared in 14 of 16 playoff games for Dallas this offseason but will take a seat on Wednesday as Radek Faksa takes his place in the lineup for Game 4. The 34-year-old veteran has yet to find the back of the net in 14 playoff games played, but has two assists, 14 SOG and two PIMs.

Faksa last appeared in Game 1 vs. Edmonton but will return to the lineup on Wednesday as he replaces Craig Smith for Game 4. The 30-year-old has appeared in seven games so far in the playoffs, with one goal, no assists, and six SOG while averaging only 12:05 TOI/GP.