Brett Pesce (lower-body injury) is out of a walking boot. If everything goes as expected, he should play games in Round 2. He may not be ready for Game 1, but the team is hoping to have him available at some point during the series. In his two playoff games before his injury, he had an assist, one SOG and two PIMs while averaging 14:18 TOI/GP.
Schmelzer is an undrafted 30-year-old who has yet to play an NHL game but has spent most of the last six seasons in the AHL. In 72 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, Schmelzer recorded 52 points (18G / 34A).
Bowers was the 28th overall pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has been limited to only nine career NHL games. He played eight games with the Devils this season but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, scoring 14 points (10G / 4A) in 43 games with the Utica Comets.
Dillion did not play in game four due to a hand injury and will miss a second straight game on Tuesday night. The Jets find themselves in a 3-1 series deficit, now without Dillon, who had three assists, 12 hits, and six blocks while averaging 21:04 time-on-ice through the first three games of the series.
There was a massive scrum at the end of Game 3, which left Dillon's hand bloodied as he skated to the dressing room. Head coach Rick Bowness did not have an update on his status post-game, but expect Logan Stanley to replace him if he's unavailable for Game 4 on Sunday.
Pesce was limited to only 8:47 time-on-ice in the Hurricanes' 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders in game two due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Pesce's presence will be sorely missed on the Hurricanes blueline as he is expected to miss at least the remainder of the first round. In 70 games this season, Pesce had 13 points (3G / 10A) and 113 blocks while averaging 20:17 time-on-ice.
After a slow start to his first full season with the Devils, scoring only 22 points (10G / 12A) in his first 43 games, Meier settled into his role with his new team, ending the season with a blistering 30 points (18G / 12A) in his final 26 contests. Meier should be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery and will hope to build on his momentum from the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said that Pesce's injury is "not looking good" and that he would be re-evaluated on Tuesday. It sounds like Pesce is going to miss some time, which would be a huge blow to the Hurricanes' blueline. Luckily, they have great depth at the position and can turn to either veteran Tony DeAngelo or rookie Scott Morrow in Game 3 if Pesce is unavailable.
With the Jets locked into a first-round matchup with the Colorado Avalanche, they will sit a number of players in their season finale. Dillon, who will be replaced by Nate Schmidt on Thursday, finishes the season with a career-high eight goals and 12 assists (20 points) in 77 games.
Tatar will draw in for Eeli Tolvanen, who is a surprise scratch for Tuesday's game in Winnipeg. Tatar has eight goals and 15 assists in 68 games split between the Kraken and Avalanche this season.
Kovacevic will not dress for game 82 on Tuesday as he is replaced by rookie Logan Mailloux in the Canadiens' lineup. The 26-year-old's second full NHL season comes to an end with six goals, 13 points, 46 SOG, 42 PIMs and a +11 plus/minus.
The Flames play their penultimate game of the season on Tuesday and will turn to Markstrom between the pipes. Markstrom has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in nine of his last 10 games (3-7-0). He allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The Flames enter action on Tuesday as +181 road underdogs against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Hurricanes play their final game of the season on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and have opted to rest a variety of their lineup regulars. Pesce ends the 2023-24 campaign with 13 points (3G / 10A), 108 shots, and 113 blocks in 70 games.
The Devils will turn to Allen for the fifth time in the last six games on Monday against the New York Islanders. After an encouraging start to his tenure with the Devils, Allen has struggled, allowing three or more goals in seven of his last eight games (3-5-0), including five on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Devils enter action as +104 home underdogs.
