Bobrovsky will start in goal on the road versus the Lightning in Game 5, Alex Baumgartner of Five Reasons Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bobrovsky is 3-1 in the series, adding a 2.01 GAA and a .902 save percentage. The 36-year-old won both previous starts in Tampa to begin the series, including a shutout win in Game 2. A win by the Panthers on Wednesday would afford Bobrovsky a bit of a breather prior to the second round.

Vasilevskiy will protect the home goal versus the Panthers in Game 5 on Wednesday, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 22 shots in Game 4 on Monday, squandering a lead late in the third period. That loss makes Wednesday's game a must-win for the Lightning to keep their season alive. Vasilevskiy is 1-3 with a 2.79 GAA and an .884 save percentage over the first four games of the series and has had his hands full with the defending champions at times.

Carrier (undisclosed) took warmups in his usual top-pairing spot, indicating he's expected to play in Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Capitals, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carrier was hurt in Sunday's Game 4, but it appears the two days off between games gave him enough time to be ready. He didn't practice Tuesday, but he was labeled a game-time decision Wednesday and looked fine in warmups. Carrier has a goal and an assist over the first four postseason contests.

Protas (foot) is expected to be in the lineup versus the Canadiens in Wednesday's Game 5, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Protas warmed up on the fourth line, which suggests he'll be eased back in after a 10-game absence. The 24-year-old Protas was superb at even strength in the regular season, earning 30 goals and 36 assists over 76 games. He had just six special-teams points -- five shorthanded and one on the power play.

Ward, Andre Lee, Francesco Pinelli, Jack Studnicka, Caleb Jones and Pheonix Copley were called up from AHL Ontario on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ontario was eliminated from the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, so there was no reason to keep these players on the minor-league roster. Barring some serious injury issues on the Kings' part, Ward, Lee, Pinelli, Studnicka, Jones and Copley are unlikely to play for Los Angeles during the postseason, but they'll soak up the playoff atmosphere and participate in practices.

Gustavsson (illness) is likely to play at home versus the Golden Knights in Game 6 on Thursday after exiting Tuesday's Game 5 after two periods, Sarah McLellan of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Gustavsson has a 2-2 record, 2.63 GAA and .919 save percentage across five appearances in Minnesota's first-round series against Vegas. The Wild were down 2-1 when he exited Tuesday's game, and although Minnesota was able to tie things up, his replacement, Marc-Andre Fleury, conceded the deciding goal in overtime. That puts the Wild down 3-2 in the series, so they need a victory Thursday to force a Game 7 on Saturday.

Binnington is slated to start on the road against Winnipeg in Game 5 on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Binnington allowed four goals on 25 shots en route to a 5-3 loss in the Blues' playoff opener April 19. However, he's been solid since, going 2-1 with a 1.69 GAA and a .931 save percentage across his past three starts, which has allowed St. Louis to even its first-round series. Winnipeg might need to challenge Binnington more -- the Jets rank 11th in shots per game (24.5) in the postseason.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy said Wednesday that Dorofeyev (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dorofeyev exited Tuesday's Game 5 overtime win in the third period due to an unspecified injury, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Game 6 in Minnesota on Thursday. If the 24-year-old is unable to suit up, Victor Olofsson will likely enter the lineup in his place.

Heiskanen (knee) will travel with the Stars to Colorado ahead of Game 6 against the Avalanche on Thursday, Sam Nestler of DLLS Stars reports Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Heiskanen accompanied the Stars for their road trip to Colorado for Games 3 and 4, but didn't dress for either of those games, so his traveling doesn't necessarily mean he'll play Thursday. Still, Heiskanen is continuing to make progress, and his situation is worth monitoring. The 25-year-old had five goals and 25 points across 50 outings during the regular season.

Cotter logged an assist, two shots on goal and nine hits in Tuesday's 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5.

EDGE Analysis

Cotter ended his nine-game point drought with the helper. The 25-year-old was limited to one assist, five shots on net, 22 hits, three blocked shots and a minus-1 rating over five playoff outings. He's under contract for 2025-26 and is lined up for restricted free agency next summer, so he'll be looking for a big season. Cotter put up 22 points, 90 shots, 245 hits, 62 PIM and a minus-14 rating over 79 regular-season appearances in his first year with the Devils.