NHL Hockey Player News

After being exposed on both Panther goals in Game 1, Cody Ceci will head to the press box as a healthy scratch as Vincent Desharnais returns to the OIlers' lineup. The 30-year-old Ceci had been producing offensively in the playoffs with his two goals and four points in 17 games but has struggled mightily defensively as shown by his -7 plus/minus.

Desharnais has been a healthy scratch for the Oilers' previous four games but will draw back into the lineup for Game 2 on Monday as he replaces Cody Ceci. The 28-year-old shutdown defender has struggled all playoffs up to this point, with one assist, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 15 games played.

Ryan was a healthy scratch in Game 5 but it looks like he could replace Sam Carrick in the lineup for Game 6. Carrick remained on the ice with the scratches during Sunday's morning skate, an indication that he's coming out of the lineup, although no changes were confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Carrick replaced Derek Ryan in the lineup in Game 5, but it looks like Ryan could be back in for him in Game 6. Carrick remained on the ice with the scratches during Sunday's morning skate, an indication that he's coming out of the lineup, although no changes were confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.

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.

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.