Myers absence from Game 2 on Tuesday night is a surprise, with the Canucks not announcing any sort of injury prior to warmups. Noah Juulsen is expected to draw into the lineup in his place.
With the surprising news that Thatcher Demko (undisclosed) will not be available for game two, and possibly beyond, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith in the crease. DeSmith is familiar with the Canucks crease as he was their mainstay between the pipes for the latter part of the season as Demko missed most of the final month due to a knee injury. DeSmith had a 2.89 GAA and .895 SV% in 29 games this season (12-9-6). The Canucks enter game two against the Nashville Predators as -131 home favourites.
Seguin was in and out of the lineup for the final several weeks of the season for precautionary measures after returning from a substantial lower-body injury. He did not play in the final game of the regular season but will re-enter the Stars lineup for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Seguin enjoyed a bounce-back 2023-24 campaign, scoring 52 points (25G / 27A) in 68 games.
The Stars will turn to Oettinger between the pipes for their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Oettinger had a rough start to the season but was amongst the best goalies in the league for the final month, allowing two or fewer goals in 10 of eleven games (10-1-0), posting a sensational .941 SV%. The Stars enter action on Monday as -140 home favourites against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Erne drew into the Oilers' lineup for their season finale as the team rested several of their regulars but has been reassigned to the Bakersfield Condors (AHL). In 23 games with the Oilers this season, Erne recorded two points (1G / 1A).
Blackwell will get the chance to play once more this year as he draws into Chicago's lineup for their regular season finale. He enters tonight's contest with eight goals and four assists in 43 games.
Erne's recall will allow the Oilers to rest additional players in tomorrow night's regular season finale in Colorado. Sam Gagner was also recalled on Wednesday.
Seguin has been in and out of the lineup for the last several weeks for precautionary measures after returning from a lower-body injury. Evgenii Dadonov (lower-body) will return from a multi-month absence and replace Seguin in the lineup. Seguin has enjoyed a bounce-back 2023-24 campaign, scoring 52 points (25G / 27A) in 68 games.
The Stars can clinch the Western Conference title with a single point on Wednesday and will turn to Oettinger between the pipes to try and do so. Oettinger has started four straight and has been excellent lately, allowing two or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 (9-1-0), including saving 26 of 28 shots (.963 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. The Stars enter action on Wednesday as -227 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues.
Hyry is an undrafted 24-year-old forward from Finland. He has spent the last four seasons overseas playing with Karpat (SM-liiga) and collected 31 points (14G / 17A) in 55 games in the 2023-24 campaign.
Rantanen has been skating with the team all week and has been cleared for contact, likely making his return to the lineup imminent. His 102 points in 77 games in 2023-24 marks his second straight 100+ point campaign. Colorado's next game is on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Stars have only one loss in their last 11 games (10-1-0) and will turn to Oettinger in the crease for the third straight game. Oettinger is riding an eight-game winning streak and has flipped the switch on his season after a porous start, recording two shutouts and a tremendous .939 SV% during that eight-game stretch. The Stars enter action as -151 home favourites on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets.
Connor Timmins will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Lyubushkin to re-enter the lineup. Lyubushkin was acquired at the trade deadline and has settled in nicely during his second tenure with the Maple Leafs, with four assists, eight SOG and a +3 plus/minus through 15 games played.
