With Petr Mrazek out, Nedeljkovic comes up to serve as Curtis McElhinney’s backup on Wednesday. Nedeljkovic was excellent this season, going 34-14-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .916 SV% in 51 AHL games and was 3-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .923 SV% in four AHL playoff games before being called-up. It remains to be seen how long he will remain with Carolina.

Beauvillier took Thursday off but is expected to play in Game 2 as the Islanders go with the same lineup that escaped Game 1 with a 1-0 series lead. Beauvillier had one shot in 11:01 TOI in that contest.

Eller left Tuesday’s practice early but is expected to play in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes. The 29-year-old had seven goals and 11 assists (18 points) in 24 games during the Capitals Stanley Cup run last year.

Letang has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but could be back Thursday vs. the Red Wings. Letang has missed a lot of time lately but had a point in each of the three games he played in between his two injuries, giving him 16 goals and 40 assists (56 points) in 63 games this season.

Malkin has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury but was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game vs. the Red Wings. Malkin centred Phil Kessel and Bryan Rust in today’s session.