Ekholm suffered a fluke injury in Friday's game against the San Jose Sharks and will be sidelined for, at the very least, the entirety of the first round of the playoffs. The 34-year-old Ekholm just returned from a multi-week injury and ends the 2024-25 season with 33 points (9G / 24A) in 65 games.
Nugent-Hopkins has not played since April 7th but will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 32-year-old Nugent-Hopkins has 49 points (20G / 29A) in 76 games this season. He only has one point (0G / 1A) in his last seven games.
Hutson just finished a three-year stint with Boston University (H-East) and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The 23-year-old Hutson, brother of Montreal Canadiens rookie standout Lane Hutson, scored 50 points (23G / 27A) in 38 games with Boston University in 2024-25.
Hutson just finished a three-year stint with Boston University (H-East) and has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The 23-year-old Hutson, brother of Montreal Canadiens rookie standout Lane Hutson, scored 50 points (23G / 27A) in 38 games with Boston University in 2024-25.
Draisatil will miss a fourth consecutive game, and seventh in his last 10, due to an undisclosed injury. It's unclear if his current ailment is related to the injury that kept him out of the lineup for three games in March but he is expected to return before the playoffs. The 29-year-old Draisaitl has 106 points (52G / 54A) in 71 games this season.
Ekholm has not played since March 26th but will draw back into the lineup on Friday against the San Jose Sharks. The 34-year-old defenseman is averaging 22:31 time-on-ice and has 33 points (9G / 24A) in 64 games this season.
The Penguins are coming off a 5-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, a 26-save performance by Jarry for his second shutout of the season. Jarry has been better since returning from the AHL in mid-March but remains inconsistent. He has two shutouts in his last five games (3-1-1) but sports a pedestrian .893 SV%. The Penguins enter Friday's contest as +165 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team coming off a disappointing 7-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.
The Hurricanes are coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and will hope for a better result, with Andersen tending the twine against the Washington Capitals. Andersen struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 27 shots (.815 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. The 35-year-old goalie has a 2.11 GAA and .914 SV% in 19 games this season (13-6-0). The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as -150 road favorites against a Capitals team that has lost five of their last seven games (2-4-1).
Murphy is averaging 20:44 time-on-ice, recording 19 points (2G / 17A), a -2 plus/minus rating, 156 blocks, and 114 hits in 65 games this season. Louis Crevier will draw into the lineup as Murphy's replacement.
