With Washington's recent acquisitions of Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch, the team has sent Lapierre to Pittsburgh in exchange for 2027 third-round and 2028 fifth-round draft picks. The 24-year-old Lapierre played a career-high 74 games with Washington last season, but saw a slightly diminished role, averaging only 8:50 time-on-ice while scoring 16 points (4G / 12A).
Okuliar was an undrafted free agent who has played one season in North America (2024-25) since signing with the Florida Panthers in April 2024. He spent the 2025-26 season in the Swedish Hockey League with Skellefteå AIK, recording 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 46 regular-season games. He also finished second on the team in playoff scoring with 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists), helping Skellefteå AIK capture its fifth Le Mat Trophy as SHL champions in club history.
Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) will return from a month-long absence on Tuesday for Game One against the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in Korczak being a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Korczak is averaging 11:55 time-on-ice, recording nine blocks, 23 hits, and three assists in 12 games this postseason.
Malkin, a future Hall-of-Fame player, was drafted 2nd-overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and has been with the team for his entire career, which will continue for at least one more season after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract extension. The 39-year-old Malkin had an excellent 2025-26 season, despite battling injuries, scoring 61 points (19G / 42A) in 56 games. It marked his best offensive production (1.09 PTS / GP) since the 2019-20 season (1.35 PTS / GP).
Korczak was a healthy scratch for Vegas' Game 1 victory vs. Colorado but will draw back into the lineup for Ben Hutton ahead of Game 2. Korczak is averaging just 12:18 TOI across nine playoff games as Vegas' sixth defensemen and has an assist and a -2 plus/minus.
With Brayden McNabb (suspension) sidelined for Game Six, Korczak will re-enter the Vegas lineup. The 25-year-old Korczack is averaging 12:32 time-on-ice, recording one assist, five blocks, and 18 hits in eight games this postseason.
Dylan Coghlan will suit up for Vegas in Game Three, resulting in Korczak being a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Korczak is averaging 12:32 time-on-ice and has one assist through eight games this postseason.
Dewar is coming off of his best NHL season and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 26-year-old forward averaged 13:55 time-on-ice and scored 30 points (14G / 16A) in 78 games this season.
Solovyov was acquired mid-season in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche, and had a more prominent role after joining the Penguins. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:06 time-on-ice, recording five assists, 14 blocks, and 16 hits in 14 games with Pittsburgh.
Stuart Skinner was serviceable for the Penguins in the first three games of the series, but after being in a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 series deficit, Head Coach Dan Muse decided to turn to Arturs Silovs in Game Four, and has not regretted the decision. The 25-year-old Silovs has been excellent since taking over the Penguins' crease in the last two games, narrowing the series to 3-2, posting a solid 2.00 GAA and .920 SV%. The Penguins will try to force a Game Seven, entering Game Six as slight +106 road underdogs.
After relying on Stuart Skinner in the first three games against the Philadelphia Flyers, falling to a 3-0 series deficit, the Penguins switched the script in Game Four and turned to Silovs. The 25-year-old Latvian goalie came up big, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 4-2 win, helping the Penguins narrow their series to 3-1. Silovs was inconsistent this season, but was excellent in his only regular-season appearance against the Fleyrs as well, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win. The Penguins enter Game Five as -129 home favourites.
