NHL Projected Lineups – Game Day May 5, 2026
Date: May 4, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom
Final update: All projected lineups for today have been added.
Matchup: Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers
Faceoff: 01:00 CET
Carolina Hurricanes – Projected lineup
Forwards
Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Nikolaj Ehlers – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake
Taylor Hall – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook
William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson
Defense
Jaccob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere – Mike Reilly
Goalies
Frederik Andersen – Confirmed
Brandon Bussi
Power Play 1
Sebastian Aho – Nikolaj Ehlers – Seth Jarvis
Shayne Gostisbehere – Andrei Svechnikov
Power Play 2
Logan Stankoven – Taylor Hall – Jackson Blake
K’Andre Miller – Jordan Staal
Injured: Alexander Nikishin (OUT)
IHM Lineup Note:
Carolina enters with Andersen confirmed, which gives the Hurricanes a stable crease behind one of the most repeatable playoff systems in the league. Nikishin being out removes some blue-line activation, but the Hurricanes still have enough structure, forecheck depth and special-teams balance to control the matchup. Aho, Jarvis, Svechnikov, Ehlers and Gostisbehere give Carolina multiple ways to create pressure without forcing the game open.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Carolina should continue to pressure in layers and force Philadelphia into rushed exits.
Transition Signal: Aho, Ehlers and Jarvis give the Hurricanes clean entry quality and controlled pace.
Blue Line Signal: Gostisbehere and Miller become more important with Nikishin unavailable.
Goalie Stability Signal: Andersen confirmed gives Carolina the calmer playoff crease profile.
X-Factor Signal: Carolina can take control if its power play creates movement before Philadelphia sets its penalty-kill box.
Philadelphia Flyers – Projected lineup
Forwards
Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Travis Konecny
Trevor Zegras – Christian Dvorak – Matvei Michkov
Denver Barkey – Sean Couturier – Porter Martone
Luke Glendening – Garnet Hathaway – Depth rotation
Defense
Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York – Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler – Emil Andrae
Goalies
Dan Vladar – Expected
Samuel Ersson
Power Play 1
Noah Cates – Tyson Foerster – Travis Konecny
Porter Martone – Jamie Drysdale
Power Play 2
Trevor Zegras – Denver Barkey – Matvei Michkov
Christian Dvorak – Rasmus Ristolainen
Injured: Owen Tippett (DTD), Nikita Grebenkin (OUT), Ty Murchison (OUT), Rodrigo Abols (IR)
IHM Lineup Note:
Philadelphia still has enough pace and offensive creativity to threaten Carolina, especially through Konecny, Foerster, Zegras, Michkov and Drysdale. The key concern is Tippett’s day-to-day status because his direct speed and shot threat are important against a Hurricanes team that compresses space quickly. Vladar expected gives the Flyers a workable crease plan, but Philadelphia must protect him with clean exits and disciplined support below the puck.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Philadelphia needs aggressive first pressure but cannot lose structure behind it.
Transition Signal: Zegras and Michkov are the main creativity triggers, while Tippett’s status affects direct speed.
Blue Line Signal: Drysdale and Ristolainen must move pucks quickly before Carolina’s forecheck reloads.
Goalie Stability Signal: Vladar expected can keep Philadelphia in the game if rebound control stays clean.
X-Factor Signal: The Flyers must create fast-strike chances before Carolina turns the game into extended zone pressure.
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Hurricanes edge
Transition Edge: Hurricanes slight edge
Defensive Stability: Hurricanes edge
Goaltending Edge: Hurricanes slight edge
Game Control Projection: Carolina projects to control more of the repeatable playoff structure through forecheck pressure, confirmed goaltending and deeper defensive layers, while Philadelphia needs speed, special-teams execution and strong Vladar support to destabilize the matchup.
Matchup: Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
Faceoff: 03:30 CET
Vegas Golden Knights – Projected lineup
Forwards
Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Mark Stone
Brett Howden – Mitch Marner – Pavel Dorofeyev
Reilly Smith – Tomas Hertl – Keegan Kolesar
Cole Smith – Nic Dowd – Colton Sissons
Defense
Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson
Ben Hutton – Kaedan Korczak
Goalies
Carter Hart – Confirmed
Adin Hill
Power Play 1
Jack Eichel – Mitch Marner – Pavel Dorofeyev
Mark Stone – Shea Theodore
Power Play 2
Tomas Hertl – Ivan Barbashev – Brett Howden
Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson
Injured: Jeremy Lauzon (OUT), Alex Pietrangelo (IR-LT)
IHM Lineup Note:
Vegas enters with Carter Hart confirmed and still owns the more mature playoff structure. Pietrangelo and Lauzon being out reduce some defensive depth and physical edge, but Theodore, Hanifin, Andersson, Eichel, Marner, Stone and Hertl give the Golden Knights a strong game-control base. Their power-play setup has enough high-end puck skill to punish Anaheim if the Ducks spend too much time defending.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Vegas can pressure with support and structure without opening counterattack lanes.
Transition Signal: Eichel and Marner remain the main controlled-entry creators.
Blue Line Signal: Theodore and Hanifin must carry more responsibility with Pietrangelo and Lauzon unavailable.
Goalie Stability Signal: Hart confirmed gives Vegas a clear crease advantage in preparation and rhythm.
X-Factor Signal: Vegas can control the game if it turns Anaheim’s young skill into repeated defensive-zone shifts.
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
Beckett Sennecke – Mason McTavish – Cutter Gauthier
Jackson LaCombe – Alex Killorn
Power Play 2
Leo Carlsson – Chris Kreider – Troy Terry
Mikael Granlund – John Carlson
Injured: Jansen Harkins (DTD), Ross Johnston (DTD), Radko Gudas (OUT), Petr Mrazek (IR)
IHM Lineup Note:
Anaheim has enough young scoring talent to create problems, especially through Carlsson, Terry, Gauthier, McTavish and Sennecke. Dostal expected gives the Ducks a realistic chance to stay in the game, but Gudas being out removes defensive bite and crease-clearing presence. Against Vegas, Anaheim cannot rely only on skill flashes. The Ducks need disciplined exits, compact neutral-zone layers and strong goaltending.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Anaheim must pressure selectively and avoid giving Vegas easy odd-man counters.
Transition Signal: Carlsson and Terry remain the main pace connectors for Anaheim’s attack.
Blue Line Signal: LaCombe and Carlson are key to moving pucks before Vegas locks the zone.
Goalie Stability Signal: Dostal expected is the central survival piece against Vegas pressure.
X-Factor Signal: Anaheim needs its young power-play weapons to produce before Vegas takes full control at five-on-five.
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Golden Knights edge
Transition Edge: Golden Knights slight edge
Defensive Stability: Golden Knights edge
Goaltending Edge: Golden Knights slight edge
Game Control Projection: Vegas projects to control structure, possession rhythm and special-teams pressure, while Anaheim needs Dostal, disciplined neutral-zone play and fast finishing from its young core to keep the matchup unstable.
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 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 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 in playoff lineups?
A missing top defenseman, center or goalie can change the tactical balance of a playoff game.
How should readers analyze projected lineups?
Focus on center depth, top defense pairs, goalie status, injuries and whether the team’s normal identity is still intact.
Can special teams decide playoff games?
Yes. One power-play goal or one failed penalty kill can decide a tight playoff game.
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 power-play adjustments that shift the tactical balance.