Calgary and New Jersey made the first big trade of the offseason on Wednesday as they traded Jacob Markstrom (31.25% salary retained) for Kevin Bahl and a 2025 1st-round pick. The 23-year-old towering defender in Bahl appeared in all 82 games for New Jersey in 2023-24, picking up a goal, 10 assists, 82 PIMs and 63 SOG.
Lomberg has been a healthy scratch for the Panthers' previous seven games but will draw back into the lineup for some added spark and speed in Game 5 as he replaces Steven Lorentz on Florida's fourth line. The 29-year-old winger has only suited up in five of the Panthers' 21 playoff games so far and is without a point with nine SOG and a -2 plus/minus.
Lomberg has appeared in five playoff games so far but is without a point and will be replaced by Steven Lorentz on Florida's fourth line for Game 4 on Tuesday. The 29-year-old had seven points in 75 regular season games but has failed to produce in the playoffs while averaging only 7:41 TOI/GP.
Whitecloud was a healthy scratch in Game 5 but will replace Ben Hutton in the lineup for Game 6. Whitecloud has no points, a minus-1 rating, two shots on goal, three blocked shots and six hits in four games this series.
Beecher was a healthy scratch for Game 5 but will draw back into the lineup for Game 6 as he replaces the injured Danton Heinen. The 23-year-old scored Boston's first goal of the series vs. Toronto but has yet to put up another point throughout his four games played.
Whitecloud will be a healthy scratch for the first time in the playoffs for Game 5 on Wednesday as he is replaced by Ben Hutton in Vegas' lineup. The 27-year-old has averaged 15:51 TOI/GP in the playoffs thus far, but has yet to pick up a point alongside his two shots on goal.
Prosvetov served as the backup to Alexandar Georgiev in game two but has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL), an indication that Justus Annunen (illness) is likely ready to return to the lineup. Prosvetov spent some time with the Avalanche this season but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, posting a solid 2.33 GAA and .921 SV% in 21 games (11-7-2).
Lomberg is battling an illness and will be replaced by Steven Lorentz in game two against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Lomberg played 75 games for the Panthers this season, tallying seven points (5G / 2A) and 170 hits.
Arvid Holm served as the backup to Alexandar Georgiev in game one against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday as Justus Annunen has been battling an illness. Holm has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL), indicating that Prosvetov will likely serve as Georgiev's backup in game two. Prosvetov spent some time with the Avalanche this season but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, posting a solid 2.33 GAA and .921 SV% in 21 games (11-7-2).
Lomberg took a seat in the press box for Florida's final game of the season but will return to the lineup as a physical presence for Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old fourth-liner enjoyed a strong fourth season in Florida with five goals, seven points, 68 SOG, and 80 PIMs in 75 games played while averaging only 9:32 TOI/GP.
With the Bruins set to begin their first-round playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, they have recalled Beecher from Providence (AHL). The 23-year-old Beecher played 52 games with Boston this season, his first NHL campaign, scoring 10 points (7G / 3A).
Hunt will sit out the Flames' regular season finale on Thursday to make room for the return of Blake Coleman. Hunt will finish the 2023-24 season with three goals and five assists in 28 games.
Coleman has missed the last four games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup for the Flames' season finale. The 32-year-old Coleman has a career-high 52 points (29G / 23A) through 77 games this season but has been held off the scoresheet in nine of his last 10 games.
The Sharks will roll with Cooley between the pipes on Thursday despite a forgettable showing in his last outing. Cooley allowed eight goals on 22 shots (.636 SV%) on Monday in a 9-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, snapping a two-game winning streak where he allowed only three goals combined. The Sharks enter action as +229 road underdogs on Thursday against the Calgary Flames.
The Flames will end the 2023-24 season having started Wolf in three of their last four games. Despite allowing five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in his last outing, Wolf is riding a three-game winning streak that began with an impressive 20-save performance (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. The Flames enter action on Thursday as -262 home favourites against the Sharks.
Ilya Solovyov will draw into the lineup on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks, replacing Okhotiuk. The 23-year-old Okhotiuk has nine points (1G / 8A) and 147 hits in 52 games this season.
Walker Duehr will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Klapka to re-enter the lineup. Klapka has played four games with the Flames this season but has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL), scoring 45 points (21G / 24A) in 64 games.
Beecher has been a regular in the lineup for the Bruins over the last month, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in 13 games, but has been loaned to the Providence Bruins (AHL). Jayson Megna has been recalled in a corresponding move.
The Sharks will turn to Cooley in the crease for the third time in the last six games on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. Cooley has been tremendous in his last two starts, allowing two or fewer goals in each, including a sensational performance in his most recent outing, saving 49 of 50 shots (.980 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. That said, the Sharks enter action as significant +428 road underdogs.
