NHL Projected Lineups – Game Day April 26, 2026
Date: April 26, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom
Final update: All projected lineups for today have been added.
Matchup: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Faceoff: 01:00 CET
Montreal Canadiens – Projected lineup
Forwards
Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkovsky
Alexandre Texier – Alex Newhook – Ivan Demidov
Zachary Bolduc – Oliver Kapanen – Kirby Dach
Jake Evans – Phillip Danault – Josh Anderson
Defense
Mike Matheson – Alexandre Carrier
Kaiden Guhle – Lane Hutson
Jayden Struble – Arber Xhekaj
Goalies
Jakub Dobes – Expected
Jacob Fowler
Power Play 1
Nick Suzuki – Cole Caufield – Ivan Demidov
Juraj Slafkovsky – Lane Hutson
Power Play 2
Kirby Dach – Alex Newhook – Zachary Bolduc
Mike Matheson – Alexandre Texier
Injured: Noah Dobson (OUT), Patrik Laine (IR)
IHM Lineup Note:
Montreal continues to trust its young offensive core, but the power play adjustment is important. Demidov moving into a central PP1 role gives the Canadiens more creativity, deception and shot-pass threat around Suzuki and Caufield. Hutson remains the key blue-line activator, while Dobson’s absence still lowers the defensive control ceiling.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Montreal should keep attacking Tampa’s depth defense and force rushed decisions below the goal line.
Transition Signal: Suzuki remains the main controlled-entry driver, with Demidov adding a higher-skill second layer.
Blue Line Signal: Hutson gives Montreal elite creativity, but the Canadiens must protect against counterattacks behind him.
Goalie Stability Signal: Dobes is expected and must stay calm against Tampa’s elite finishing pressure.
X-Factor Signal: Montreal’s PP1 can change the game if Demidov and Hutson create east-west movement before Tampa’s penalty kill sets its box.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Projected lineup
Forwards
Gage Goncalves – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Jake Guentzel
Zemgus Girgensons – Yanni Gourde – Nick Paul
Corey Perry – Dominic James – Scott Sabourin
Defense
J.J. Moser – Darren Raddysh
Ryan McDonagh – Erik Cernak
Declan Carlile – Emil Lilleberg
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy – Expected
Jonas Johansson
Power Play 1
Brayden Point – Brandon Hagel – Jake Guentzel
Nikita Kucherov – Darren Raddysh
Power Play 2
Dominic James – Gage Goncalves – Corey Perry
J.J. Moser – Nick Paul
Injured: Charle-Edouard D’Astous (OUT), Pontus Holmberg (OUT), Victor Hedman (IR-LT)
IHM Lineup Note:
Tampa Bay still has the more proven playoff core, but the absence of Hedman remains a major structural issue. Kucherov is now even more important as the primary offensive brain, while Raddysh must carry more power-play and breakout responsibility. Vasilevskiy expected in goal gives the Lightning the strongest stabilizing element in the matchup.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Tampa must pressure Montreal’s young puck movers early and force turnovers before the Canadiens can build speed.
Transition Signal: Point and Kucherov remain the most dangerous pace manipulators for the Lightning.
Blue Line Signal: Without Hedman, Tampa’s blue-line structure is more functional than dominant.
Goalie Stability Signal: Vasilevskiy gives Tampa a clear playoff goaltending advantage.
X-Factor Signal: Tampa’s PP1 must punish Montreal’s mistakes because five-on-five control is no longer automatic in this series.
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Lightning slight edge
Transition Edge: Even
Defensive Stability: Even
Goaltending Edge: Lightning edge
Game Control Projection: Tampa projects to own the calmer playoff structure through Vasilevskiy and veteran execution, but Montreal’s young PP1 and transition speed can make this game dangerous if the Lightning lose puck discipline.
Matchup: Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers
Faceoff: 03:30 CET
Anaheim Ducks – Projected lineup
Forwards
Chris Kreider – Leo Carlsson – Troy Terry
Alex Killorn – Mikael Granlund – Beckett Sennecke
Mason McTavish – Ryan Poehling – Cutter Gauthier
Jeffrey Viel – Tim Washe – Ian Moore
Defense
Jackson LaCombe – Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov – John Carlson
Tyson Hinds – Drew Helleson
Goalies
Lukas Dostal – Expected
Ville Husso
Power Play 1
Leo Carlsson – Troy Terry – Cutter Gauthier
Jackson LaCombe – Mason McTavish
Power Play 2
Mikael Granlund – Alex Killorn – Beckett Sennecke
Chris Kreider – Jacob Trouba
Injured: Radko Gudas (DTD), Ross Johnston (DTD), Jansen Harkins (OUT), Petr Mrazek (IR)
IHM Lineup Note:
Anaheim’s structure remains dangerous because the Ducks are not trying to out-skill Edmonton shift for shift. They are trying to slow the Oilers, protect the middle, and attack through balanced power-play looks. Dostal expected in goal keeps Anaheim’s upset path alive, while Gudas being day to day affects defensive edge and net-front bite.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Anaheim must pressure with discipline and avoid giving McDavid clean counterattack lanes.
Transition Signal: Carlsson, Terry and Gauthier are the main speed and skill connectors.
Blue Line Signal: LaCombe and Carlson remain important for puck movement, while Gudas’ status affects defensive heaviness.
Goalie Stability Signal: Dostal expected gives Anaheim a credible playoff crease profile.
X-Factor Signal: Anaheim must keep the game structured and force Edmonton’s stars into low-percentage perimeter possessions.
Edmonton Oilers – Projected lineup
Forwards
Matthew Savoie – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
Vasily Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Kasperi Kapanen
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jason Dickinson – Jack Roslovic
Colton Dach – Curtis Lazar – Trent Frederic
Defense
Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse – Connor Murphy
Jake Walman – Ty Emberson
Goalies
Tristan Jarry – Expected
Connor Ingram
Power Play 1
Leon Draisaitl – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Zach Hyman
Connor McDavid – Evan Bouchard
Power Play 2
Matt Savoie – Vasily Podkolzin – Jack Roslovic
Mattias Ekholm – Jake Walman
Injured: Jason Dickinson (DTD), Adam Henrique (OUT), Max Jones (OUT), Mattias Janmark (IR-LT)
IHM Lineup Note:
Edmonton still has the highest offensive ceiling in this matchup, but the goalie switch to Jarry expected adds a fresh tactical layer. The Oilers’ power play remains loaded with McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and Bouchard, but execution must improve. If the puck movement stays slow or Anaheim blocks the middle, Edmonton’s elite talent can still be forced into frustration.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Edmonton must retrieve more pucks below the goal line instead of depending only on rush creation.
Transition Signal: McDavid remains the central pace engine, and the Oilers need him attacking downhill with speed.
Blue Line Signal: Bouchard and Ekholm are critical for clean exits, PP control and controlled offensive-zone resets.
Goalie Stability Signal: Jarry expected creates a new crease variable, but also gives Edmonton a chance to reset emotionally.
X-Factor Signal: Edmonton’s PP1 must become decisive, because special teams are the clearest path to breaking Anaheim’s structure.
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Oilers edge
Transition Edge: Oilers clear edge
Defensive Stability: Ducks slight edge
Goaltending Edge: Ducks slight edge
Game Control Projection: Edmonton projects to own the higher ceiling through McDavid, Draisaitl and the power play, but Anaheim can keep controlling the emotional rhythm if Dostal holds and the Ducks continue closing central ice.
Q&A: Projected Lineups and Starting Goalies
What are NHL projected lineups?
Projected lineups are expected player combinations, goalie plans and special-teams units based on the latest team information before puck drop.
Are these NHL projected lineups final?
They are highly useful but not guaranteed. Coaches can still make changes after warmups, injury updates or game-time decisions.
Why are projected goalies important?
Goalies directly influence game control, confidence, defensive structure and matchup risk.
What is the difference between expected and confirmed goalies?
Expected means the goalie is likely to start. Confirmed means the team or a reliable lineup source has confirmed the starter.
Why are power play units included?
Power play units reveal offensive hierarchy, puck-touch priority and which players are trusted in high-leverage situations.
Why do injuries matter so much in playoff lineups?
A missing top defenseman, center or goalie can change the entire tactical balance of a playoff game.
How should readers analyze projected lineups?
Focus on center depth, top-four defense quality, goalie status, injuries and whether the team’s normal identity is still intact.
Can special teams decide playoff games?
Yes. In tight playoff games, one power-play goal or one failed penalty kill can decide the outcome.
Why does IHM add tactical signals?
Because player names alone do not explain how the lineup may function under real game pressure.
What is the IHM Match Pressure Index?
It is a quick tactical summary of offensive pressure, transition edge, defensive stability, goaltending edge and projected game control.
When are final NHL lineups usually confirmed?
Most final confirmations come during warmups or shortly before puck drop.
What should readers watch after publication?
Late goalie changes, injury updates, scratches and any power-play adjustments that shift the tactical balance.