Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and will miss Game 1, but is expected to play at some point in the series. Anthony Beauvillier has been skating in the Capitals' top-6 recently to replace Protas.
McCabe missed the final seven games of the regular season, but will play in Game 1 vs. Ottawa. McCabe finished the season with two goals and 21 assists (23 points) in 66 games.
Ekman-Larsson missed the final four games of the regular season but is expected to be in the lineup when the Maple Leafs open their series vs. Ottawa. Ekman-Larsson finished the 2024-25 season with 29 points (4G / 25A) in 77 games.
Manson has been out since March 14th, but is good-to-go for Game 1 vs. the Stars. Manson finished the regular season with 15 points (1G / 14) to go along with 65 SOG, 105 hits and 59 blocked shots.
Lindgren missed the final three games of the regular season but will play in Game 1 on Saturday. Lindgren has picked up just three points (2G / 1A) in 18 games since being traded to the Avalanche.
Thomas left the Blues' season finale vs. Utah, but was on the ice for Friday's practice and will play in Game 1. Thomas finished the season on a tear, recording 25 points (4G / 21A) during a 12-game point streak.
Robertson was hurt early in the Stars' season finale in Nashville and is out week-to-week. Robertson has been ruled out for Game 1, leaving the Stars without two of their top players to start the series, with Miro Heiskanen also sidelined. With Robertson out, the Stars will go with a more balanced lineup, with Mikko Rantanen skating with Wyatt Johnston, while Roope Hintz centres Evgenii Dadonov and Mikael Granlund.
The Penguins final game of the season is on Thursday against the Washington Capitals and unfortunately Hayes is not ready to draw into the lineup. The 32-year-old Hayes is averaging 12:03 time-on-ice and has 23 points (13G / 10A) in 64 games this season.
Soucy was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Rangers not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Urho Vaakanainen will draw into the lineup in his place.
