Johansson only played 11:09 time-on-ice in Thursday's 5-2 win, giving Minnesota a 2-1 series lead, and is uncertain for Game 4. The 34-year-old Johansson has one point (0G / 1A) through three playoff games.

Barkov exited Thursday's game in the third period after receiving an unsuspecting hit from Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel. Hagel was issued a five-minute major penalty for interference and is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The 29-year-old Barkov has three points (0G / 3A) through two playoff games and his status for Game 3 is uncertain.

Protas last appeared on April 4th due to a foot injury but has been travelling with Washington for their first-round series vs. Montreal and is a game-time decision to return for Game 3 on Friday. The 24-year-old took a massive step forward in his fourth NHL season in 2024-25, with 30 goals, 60 points and a +40 plus/minus in 76 games played.

Siegenthaler has not played since February 4th due to a lower-body injury but is hopeful to make his seasonal playoff debut and return on Friday for Game 3 vs. Carolina. The 27-year-old Swiss defender will make a welcome addition to New Jersey's already battered blue line after he had two goals, nine points and a +9 plus/minus in 55 games during the regular season.

DeMelo was a surprise scratch for Game 3, with the Jets not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Colin Miller will draw into the lineup in his place.

Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers after playing only 6:21 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury, and his status is up in the air for Game 2. Nick Paul centered Tampa Bay's second line after Cirelli's injury. The 27-year-old Cirelli scored a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games this season.

As has been the case the past several season, Pacioretty has battled injuries, limited to only 37 games this season, last playing on Februrary 8th. However, the veteran 36-year-old was effective when in this lineup, playing in a limited role and recording 13 points (5G / 8A) and 105 hits. Nicholas Robertson will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Pacioretty's return.

Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs due to a laceration on his foot, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.

As has been the case the past several season, Pacioretty has battled injuries, limited to only 37 games this season, last playing on Februrary 8th. However, the veteran 36-year-old was effective when in this lineup, recording 13 points (5G / 8A) and 105 hits. Nicholas Robertson will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Pacioretty's return.

Howe was Pittsburgh's 46th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward played 47 WHL games this season, split between the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen, scoring 46 points (18G / 28A).

Ristolainen's final game of the season was March 11th, missing the final month due to an upper-body injury. He ended the 2024-25 regular season with four goals, 19 points and a +3 plus/minus in 63 games played. His recovery timeline likely sets his target return date for late October.

Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers after playing only 6:21 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury, and his status is up in the air for Game 2. Nick Paul centered Tampa Bay's second line after Cirelli's injury. The 27-year-old Cirelli scored a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games this season.

Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight games this season, scoring zero points. He will be able to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.

Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and will now miss the first two games of the playoffs due to a laceration on his foot, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.

Klingberg has not played since March 27th and has only played 11 games this season, scoring four points (1G / 3A), but will return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Klingberg has only played 11 playoff games in the previous five seasons but has been a proven performer, scoring 39 points (8G / 31A) in 63 career contests. Josh Brown will exit Edmonton's lineup to accommodate Klingberg's return.

Kane has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season recovering from abdominal surgery but will make his return to the lineup in Game 2 on Wednesday. The 33-year-old Kane has spent the previous three seasons with the Oilers, tallying 111 points (62G / 49A) in 161 games. Jeff Skinner will exit the lineup to accommodate Kane's return.

Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers after playing only 6:21 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. Nick Paul centered Tampa Bay's second line after Cirelli's injury. The 27-year-old Cirelli scored a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games this season.

Ehlers has only played twice in the last three weeks and will await his 2024-25 playoff debut, not travelling with the Jets to St. Louis for Game 3. As they are with Gabriel Vilardi (upper body), the Jets are taking a cautious approach with returning two integral offensive pieces to their lineup with a comfortable 2-0 lead over the Blues. The 29-year-old Ehlers scored 63 points (24G / 39A) in 63 games this season.

Up 2-0 in the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues, the Jets are taking a cautious approach with returning Vilardi to the lineup. Vilardi appears to be nearing a return but without a rush to insert him into to the lineup, the Jets will likely wait until Vilardi returns to 100% health before proceeding with full-contact practices. The 25-year-old Vilardi was having a tremendous season for the Jets before his injury, scoring 61 points (27G / 34A) in 71 games.