NHL Projected Lineups - Game Day April 2, 2026
Date: April 1, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom
Update: Additional matchups will be added as projected lineups are updated throughout the day.
Colorado Avalanche vs Vancouver Canucks
Faceoff: 02:30 CET
Colorado Avalanche - Projected lineup
Goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood
Power Play #1
Nathan MacKinnon - Nazem Kadri - Martin Necas
Brock Nelson - Sam Malinski
Power Play #2
Gabriel Landeskog - Artturi Lehkonen - Valeri Nichushkin
Brent Burns - Devon Toews
Injured: Cale Makar, Nicolas Roy
IHM Lineup Note:
Colorado maintains elite offensive structure through MacKinnon-driven entries and layered offensive support. Absence of Makar slightly reduces blue-line dynamism but Burns and Toews still provide transition reliability.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Pace: High tempo control
Forecheck: Aggressive layered pressure
Blue Line: Slightly reduced mobility without Makar
Goalie Stability: Strong
X-Factor: MacKinnon transition dominance
Vancouver Canucks - Projected lineup
Goalies
Kevin Lankinen
Power Play #1
Marco Rossi - Jake DeBrusk - Brock Boeser
Elias Pettersson - Filip Hronek
Power Play #2
Max Sasson - Drew O’Connor - Linus Karlsson
Zeev Buium - Tom Willander
Injured: Evander Kane, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Filip Chytil, Thatcher Demko, Derek Forbort
IHM Lineup Note:
Vancouver relies on structured offensive entries and Boeser finishing, but multiple injuries reduce depth consistency and limit matchup flexibility.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Pace: Medium
Forecheck: Controlled pressure
Blue Line: Young and mobile
Goalie Stability: Moderate
X-Factor: Boeser finishing efficiency
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Colorado
Transition Edge: Colorado
Defensive Stability: Colorado
Goaltending Edge: Even
Game Control Projection: Avalanche control pace and structure
Los Angeles Kings vs St. Louis Blues
Faceoff: 03:00 CET
Los Angeles Kings - Projected lineup
Goalies
Darcy Kuemper
Power Play #1
Anze Kopitar - Artemi Panarin - Alex Laferriere
Adrian Kempe - Brandt Clarke
Power Play #2
Quinton Byfield - Trevor Moore - Scott Laughton
Brian Dumoulin - Drew Doughty
Injured: Samu Helenius (DTD), Kevin Fiala, Andrei Kuzmenko
IHM Lineup Note:
Kings bring structured veteran hockey with Kopitar controlling puck possession and Doughty stabilizing defensive zone exits.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Pace: Controlled
Forecheck: Structured
Blue Line: Veteran stability
Goalie Stability: Strong
X-Factor: Kopitar control tempo
St. Louis Blues - Projected lineup
Goalies
Jordan Binnington
Power Play #1
Robert Thomas - Dylan Holloway - Jimmy Snuggerud
Philip Broberg - Jake Neighbours
Power Play #2
Dalibor Dvorsky - Pius Suter - Jordan Kyrou
Pavel Buchnevich - Logan Mailloux
Injured: Tyler Tucker, Torey Krug
IHM Lineup Note:
Blues lean on speed and offensive creativity through Thomas and Kyrou, combining young energy with transitional pressure.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Pace: Medium-high
Forecheck: Active
Blue Line: Developing mobility
Goalie Stability: Strong
X-Factor: Kyrou speed impact
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Even
Transition Edge: Blues slight edge
Defensive Stability: Kings
Goaltending Edge: Even
Game Control Projection: Tight structured matchup
Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks
Faceoff: 03:00 CET
Anaheim Ducks - Projected lineup
Goalies
Lukas Dostal
Power Play #1
Mikael Granlund - Chris Kreider - Troy Terry
Leo Carlsson - John Carlson
Power Play #2
Alex Killorn - Mason McTavish - Beckett Sennecke
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba
Injured: Cutter Gauthier, Radko Gudas, Jansen Harkins, Ryan Johnston, Petr Mrazek
IHM Lineup Note:
Anaheim blends experienced scoring with a developing core, but injuries still affect lineup balance and depth consistency.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Pace: Medium
Forecheck: Balanced
Blue Line: Mixed experience
Goalie Stability: Strong
X-Factor: Terry finishing ability
San Jose Sharks - Projected lineup
Goalies
Yaroslav Askarov
Power Play #1
Macklin Celebrini - Tyler Toffoli - Will Smith
Dmitry Orlov - Alex Wennberg
Power Play #2
Michael Misa - William Eklund - Kiefer Sherwood
Ivan Chernyshov - Vincent Desharnais
Injured: Ivan Chernyshov (DTD), John Klingberg (DTD), Ryan Reaves, Logan Couture, Ty Dellandrea, Carey Price
IHM Lineup Note:
San Jose continues to build around youth-driven offense, with Celebrini and Smith creating high-skill attacking sequences but lacking defensive consistency.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Pace: Medium-high
Forecheck: Aggressive
Blue Line: Unstable
Goalie Stability: Developing
X-Factor: Celebrini offensive creativity
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Anaheim slight edge
Transition Edge: Even
Defensive Stability: Anaheim
Goaltending Edge: Anaheim
Game Control Projection: Ducks control structure
Q&A: Projected Lineups and Starting Goalies
What are NHL projected lineups?
Projected lineups are expected player combinations based on latest team reports, practices and coach decisions.
How accurate are projected lineups?
They are highly accurate close to puck drop but can still change due to late decisions or injuries.
What does “confirmed goalie” mean?
It means the starting goalie has been officially announced by the team.
What does “expected goalie” mean?
It indicates a likely starter based on reports but not officially confirmed.
Why are lineups important?
They impact matchups, pace, tactics and overall game projection.
What are power play units?
Special teams formations used when a team has a man advantage.
How do injuries affect lineups?
They force role changes, impact chemistry and shift tactical structure.
What is IHM Tactical Signals?
It is a structured breakdown of team playing style, pace and key advantages.
What is Match Pressure Index?
A comparative analysis of both teams across key performance areas.
Why track daily lineups?
Because line combinations and goalies directly affect game outcomes and performance trends.