Wheeler made his first appearance since February 15th in Game 4 as he returned from a long injury spell but appears to be the odd-man out for Game 5 as Filip Chytil is expected to return to the lineup. The 37-year-old veteran played a fourth-line role in his first game back in nearly three months and picked up two PIMs across 9:18 TOI.
Chytil was a healthy scratch for New York's Game 4 loss but will return to the lineup on Thursday for Game 5 and is immediately expected to take a spot on the Rangers' top line. The 24-year-old is expected to replace Blake Wheeler who will get the night off after returning from a long injury last game. Chytil has been held pointless in four playoff games played so far, with five SOG and two PIMs.
Smith has appeared in 14 of 16 playoff games for Dallas this offseason but will take a seat on Wednesday as Radek Faksa takes his place in the lineup for Game 4. The 34-year-old veteran has yet to find the back of the net in 14 playoff games played, but has two assists, 14 SOG and two PIMs.
Faksa last appeared in Game 1 vs. Edmonton but will return to the lineup on Wednesday as he replaces Craig Smith for Game 4. The 30-year-old has appeared in seven games so far in the playoffs, with one goal, no assists, and six SOG while averaging only 12:05 TOI/GP.
Broberg has yet to appear in any of Edmonton's 2023-24 playoff games so far but is expected to make his debut as he replaces Vincent Desharnais for Game 4 on Wednesday. The 22-year-old defenseman appeared in 12 regular season games and had two assists, six SOG and a -3 plus/minus.
Perry has been a healthy scratch for Edmonton's previous five games but is expected to draw back into the lineup on Wednesday for Game 4 as he replaces Warren Foegele. The 39-year-old was acquired mid-season by Edmonton but has yet to pick up a playoff point in 10 games played this postseason.
McLeod was a healthy scratch for the Oilers' previous game but is expected to draw back into for Sam Carrick ahead of Game 4 on Wednesday. The 24-year-old centre had 30 points in 81 games during the regular season but has yet to pick up a point in 14 playoff games while averaging 13:47 TOI/GP.
Desharnais was with the extras after Edmonton's morning skate Wednesday indicating he is likely a scratch for Philip Broberg ahead of Game 4. The 28-year-old stay-at-home defenseman has an assist, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 15 games played so far.
Carrick has gone seven games without a point in the playoffs and is likely the odd-man out of Edmonton's lineup on Wednesday for Game 4 as he is replaced by Ryan McLeod. The 32-year-old has struggled this postseason, with only one assist, four SOG and a -1 plus/minus in eight games played.
Foegele was amongst the extras at morning skate on Wednesday indicating he is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 4 on Wednesday vs. Dallas. The 28-year-old winger has appeared in every game this playoffs for the Oilers, picking up a goal and three points alongside his 22 SOG and -8 plus/minus in 15 games played.
Cousins has struggled in this year's playoffs with only an assist in 11 games played and will head to the press box as a healthy scratch for Game 4 as he is replaced by veteran Kyle Okposo. The 30-year-old grinding fourth-liner had seven points in 21 playoff games in 2022-23, but has failed to duplicate his success while on Florida's fourth line this year.
Okposo has been a healthy scratch for Florida's previous four playoff games but will jump back into the lineup on the fourth line for Nick Cousins on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran winger was acquired from Buffalo at the trade deadline and has appeared in eight post season games so far, with two assists, six SOG, and two PIMs while averaging just 8:54 TOI/GP.
Lorentz has not played since Game 5 of Florida's second-round series vs. Boston but looks to draw back into the lineup for Ryan Lomberg on Tuesday for Game 4 of the ECF. The 28-year-old has matched his regular season point production in just nine playoff games with two goals and three points while averaging just 7:23 TOI/GP.
Lomberg has appeared in five playoff games so far but is without a point and will be replaced by Steven Lorentz on Florida's fourth line for Game 4 on Tuesday. The 29-year-old had seven points in 75 regular season games but has failed to produce in the playoffs while averaging only 7:41 TOI/GP.
McLeod has yet to pick up a point in his first 14 games of the playoffs. He will be replaced by Adam Henrique, who will be suiting up for the first time since Game 2 vs. the Canucks.
Kakko was a healthy scratch for Game 2 but will return to New York's lineup with Jimmy Vesey being out week-to-week and join the Rangers' third line. The 23-year-old winger has struggled throughout the playoffs this year, with a goal, two points and 17 SOG in 11 games played.
