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NHL Hockey Player News
Stecher is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday for Game 5.

With Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed) expected to make his 2024-25 postseason debut on Thursday for Game 5, Stecher will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Stecher is averaging 15:57 time-on-ice and has zero points through six games this postseason.

Troy Stecher
Skinner is expected to make his series debut on Thursday in Game 5.

Skinner has not played since Game 1 in the first round of the playoffs but will draw back into the lineup due to a Zach Hyman (upper body) injury. The 33-year-old Skinner had 29 points (16G / 13A) in 72 games with the Oilers this season.

Jeff Skinner
Boqvist will be a healthy scratch for Game 5 in Carolina on Wednesday.

Despite having three points in two games in the Eastern Conference Final, Jesper Boqvist will be the odd man out of Florida's lineup as Sam Reinhart returns from a lower-body injury. Boqvist has been solid when called upon throughout the playoffs, with two goals, five points and six SOG through 11 games played.

Jesper Boqvist
Sturm is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 5 in Carolina on Wednesday.

Sturm played in his first game in 19 days when he rejoined Florida's lineup for their Game 4 victory, but is expected to be the odd man out for Game 5 in Carolina as AJ Greer returns from an undisclosed injury. Sturm has only appeared in eight total playoff games this year and has yet to pick up a point while only having three SOG.

Nico Sturm
Balinskis is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 5 in Carolina on Wednesday.

Balinskis appeared in his first game in 21 days for Florida's Game 4 victory, but is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 5 as Niko Mikkola returns from injury to the lineup. The 28-year-old has only appeared in five playoff games during Florida's current run, but has a goal and a +4 plus/minus.

Uvis Balinskis