Robertson was Toronto's only goal scorer in Game 5, but will take a seat in the press box for Game 6 on Friday in Florida as Pontus Holmberg returns to the lineup. Robertson has only appeared in three postseason games this year, but still has an impressive 2 points (1G/1a) in 3 games played, despite receiving only 9:59 TOI/GP.
Jarnkrok was a healthy scratch for Toronto's Game 5 loss but will draw back into the lineup on Friday as a replacement for David Kampf. The 33-year-old has been held pointless in Toronto's last nine playoff games and will slot back into the third line on Friday.
Kampf's only playoff appearance was Game 5 vs. Florida, but he will take a seat yet again in the press box as Calle Jarnkrok returns to Toronto's lineup for Game 6. Kampf had five goals and 13 points in the bottom-six role during the regular season but has struggled to find himself in Toronto's lineup for the playoffs.
Despite only having one assist in 10 playoff games, Pontus Holmberg will draw back into Toronto's lineup on their 2nd line for Game 6 in Florida on Friday as he replaces Nicolas Robertson. The 26-year-old winger set career highs during the regular season with 19 points in 68 games played, but has struggled to find any sort of offence during the postseason with one point in 10 playoff games played.
With Anthony Stolarz still out with a concussion, Joseph Woll will remain in the Maple Leafs' net for Game 6 in Florida on Friday. The 26-year-old was pulled in Game 5 after allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) and has struggled mightily in the playoffs with an .877 SV% and 4.02 GAA. He will head to Florida for Game 6, who is looking to close out the series and reach the Eastern Conference Final for the fourth straight season.
The Hurricanes can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a victory on Thursday in Game 5, rolling with Andersen between the pipes. Andersen has been excellent for the Hurricanes through eight games this postseason (6-2), boasting a 1.41 GAA and .935 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Game 5 as -164 road favorites against the Washington Capitals.
Nikishin will slot in for Jalen Chatfield, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Nikishin was Carolina's third-round pick, 69th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old Nikishin has spent the previous few seasons in the KHL. He scored 46 points (17G / 29A) in 61 games with St. Peterburgh SKA (KHL) this season.
Chatfield was banged up in Game 4 but was expected to play in Game 5. The 29-year-old defenseman has one point (1G / 0A), six penalty minutes, and 11 blocks in nine games this postseason. Alexander Nikishin will make his NHL debut in his place.
Lindgren will return to serve as Washington's backup after missing the last three games for personal reasons. Lindgren has made one relief appearance so far this post-season, allowing one goal on five shots in a 6-3 loss to the Canadiens.
The Capitals enter a must-win Game 5, trailing the Hurricanes 3-1 in the series, and will roll with Thompson between the pipes. The Hurricanes have outscored the Capitals 12-6 through four games. Thompson has allowed four goals in consecutive games (0-2) but will look to rebound in Game 5 at home. The 28-year-old netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% through nine games (5-4) this postseason. The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +147 home underdogs against the Hurricanes.
The Stars can advance to the Western Conference Finals with a victory on Thursday in Game 5. Oettinger will be between the pipes for the Stars, looking to improve on an excellent 2024-25 postseason. The 26-year-old netminder was stellar in Game 4, saving 31 shots (.969 SV%) in a 3-1 victory. He has a 2.55 GAA and .917 SV% through 11 games this postseason (7-4). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as slight +111 road underdogs against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Hurricanes can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a victory on Thursday in Game 5, rolling with Andersen between the pipes. Andersen has been excellent for the Hurricanes through eight games this postseason (6-2), boasting a 1.41 GAA and .935 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Game 5 as -164 road favorites against the Washington Capitals.
Chatfield was banged up in Game 4 but is expected to play in Game 5. The 29-year-old defenseman has one point (1G / 0A), six penalty minutes, and 11 blocks in nine games this postseason.
The Jets are coming off consecutive losses on the road and trail their series with the Dallas Stars 3-1, entering a must-win Game 5 on Thursday at home. Hellebuyck had an impressive 21-save shutout in Game 2, but allowed eight goals on 60 shots (.866 SV%) in his following two games. The 31-year-old netminder has a 3.48 GAA and .851 SV% in 11 games this postseason (5-6). The Jets enter Game 5 as -123 home favorites against the Stars.
Eklind made his professional North American debut this season, tallying 22 points (5G / 17A) in 64 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL). The undrafted 26-year-old has yet to play an NHL game.
Abols made his NHL debut this season, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 22 games with the Flyers. The 29-year-old spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 32 points (15G /17A) in 47 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The Capitals enter a must-win Game 5, trailing the Hurricanes 3-1 in the series, and will roll with Thompson between the pipes. The Hurricanes have outscored the Capitals 12-6 through four games. Thompson has allowed four goals in consecutive games (0-2) but will look to rebound in Game 5 at home. The 28-year-old netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% through nine games (5-4) this postseason. The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +147 home underdogs against the Hurricanes.
Lindgren will likely serve as the backup if he can suit up. However, the Capitals recalled Clay Stevenson on Thursday morning, giving the Capitals, who already have Mitchel Gibson on the roster, some options for who will backup Logan Thompson.
Stolarz (concussion) has practiced on his own the past several days but has not yet taken part in a full team practice. He is unlikely to be ready for Game 6 on Friday against the Florida Panthers.
Stevenson made his NHL debut during the regular season, posting a 5.00 GAA and .868 SV% in one game (0-1-0). The undrafted 26-year-old goalie spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, posting a 2.94 GAA and .888 SV%.
