Lyubushkin had four assists in 41 games with the Coyotes this season. The 25-year-old defenseman came to the NHL after spending six years in the KHL. Lyubushkin will likely serve as the Coyotes No.6/No.7 defenseman in 2019-20.
Lindell, 24, has become a fantastic shutdown defenseman for Dallas after being selected in the third-round in 2012. Lindell has some offensive flair to his game as well, scoring 11 goals and 21 assists (32 points) in 82 games during the regular season. The Finnish defenseman had a great postseason, leading all Stars’ players in ice-time (26:58 TOI/gm) with four points (1G / 3A) and 34 blocked shots in 13 games. Lindell, John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen will be among the NHL’s best top-3 defensemen for the Stars for many years to come.
Hintz missed the morning skate before Game 7 because of a foot injury he suffered while blocking a shot late in Game 6. The Stars announced that he played through a broken foot in Game 7 but is expected to be ready for training camp for the 2019-20 season.
Hintz missed the morning skate but head coach Jim Montgomery said that Hintz will be available for Game 7 in St. Louis. Hintz will centre the second line with Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov on his wings and comes in with three goals and two assists in six games in the series.
Pavelski, who has been out since Game 7 vs. the Golden Knights, joined his teammates for Monday’s gameday skate but will not be in the lineup for Game 6. Pavelski appears close to returning to the Sharks lineup and will almost certainly be back for Round 3 if the Sharks are able to advance tonight.
Pavelski remains sidelined after suffering a scary injury in Game 7 vs. the Golden Knights and the fact that he did not travel to Colorado suggests that Pavelski will also miss Game 4.
Pavelski, who was hurt in Game 7 vs. the Golden Knights, is expected to miss Game 1 vs. the Avalanche with what is believed to be a concussion. When asked if Pavelski had a concussion, head coach Pete DeBoer said: “I’m not going to get into specifics. I just told you he’s feeling the effects of it. You guys can put two and two together, I think.” Gustav Nyquist is expected to move up to the top line and Timo Meier is expected to be on the top power-play while Pavelski is out.
Rantanen missed the final seven games of the regular season but is ready to play in Game 1 in Calgary. Rantanen had four assists in six playoff games a year ago and had three points (1G / 2A) in three games vs. the Flames this year.
Benn will get the night off to make sure that he is 100 percent heading into the postseason. Justin Dowling will move into the Stars top-6 with Benn sitting out.
Pavelski has been out for the last seven games but will return to the top-line tonight in Vancouver. Pavelski has 37 goals and 26 assists (63 points) in 72 games this season.
Faksa was forced to leave Tuesday’s game against the Rangers with a neck injury and will not play Thursday vs. Colorado. Faksa is day-to-day.
