IceHockeyMan

NHL Projected Lineups – Game Day April 25, 2026

Date: April 25, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom

Final update: All projected lineups for today have been added.

Matchup: Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres

Faceoff: 20:00 CET

Boston Bruins – Projected lineup

Forwards
Morgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak
Casey Mittelstadt – Pavel Zacha – Viktor Arvidsson
James Hagens – Fraser Minten – Lukas Reichel
Tanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic

Defense
Jonathan Aspirot – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Mason Lohrei
Nikita Zadorov – Andrew Peeke

Goalies
Jeremy Swayman – Expected
Joonas Korpisalo

Power Play 1
Pavel Zacha – Morgan Geekie – David Pastrnak
Viktor Arvidsson – Charlie McAvoy

Power Play 2
Elias Lindholm – Casey Mittelstadt – Lukas Reichel
Hampus Lindholm – Fraser Minten

Injured: D. Locmelis (OUT)

IHM Lineup Note:
Boston enters this game needing a response, and the Bruins still have the tools to turn the series into a heavier, more structured battle. Swayman expected in goal gives them stability, while Pastrnak, McAvoy, Lindholm and Zacha remain the key pieces if Boston wants to slow Buffalo’s speed and win the middle of the ice.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Boston must increase wall pressure and force Buffalo’s puck movers into slower exits.
Transition Signal: Pastrnak remains the most dangerous release option, but Boston needs more support through the neutral zone.
Blue Line Signal: McAvoy is the main defensive organizer and must control the matchup against Thompson and Tuch.
Goalie Stability Signal: Swayman expected gives Boston a strong playoff base.
X-Factor Signal: Boston’s power play must create more direct shot traffic instead of letting Buffalo defend comfortably.

Buffalo Sabres – Projected lineup

Forwards
Peyton Krebs – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jack Quinn
Zach Benson – Josh Norris – Josh Doan
Jordan Greenway – Josh Dunne – Beck Malenstyn

Defense
Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson
Bowen Byram – Owen Power
Logan Stanley – Connor Timmins

Goalies
Alex Lyon – Expected
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Power Play 1
Tage Thompson – Jason Zucker – Alex Tuch
Rasmus Dahlin – Noah Ostlund

Power Play 2
Ryan McLeod – Zach Benson – Josh Doan
Bowen Byram – Jack Quinn

Injured: Josh Norris (DTD), Sam Carrick (OUT), Justin Danforth (IR), Jiri Kulich (IR)

IHM Lineup Note:
Buffalo comes in with momentum and a clear identity: speed from the back end, quick offensive-zone recovery, and confident goaltending from Lyon if he gets the crease again. The Norris day-to-day note matters, but the Sabres still have enough pace and power-play variety to keep Boston under pressure.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Buffalo can pressure Boston through speed, second-man support and quick puck recovery.
Transition Signal: Dahlin, Power and Byram give Buffalo a strong breakout and controlled-entry platform.
Blue Line Signal: Buffalo’s defense remains more dynamic in puck movement than Boston’s group.
Goalie Stability Signal: Lyon expected gives Buffalo confidence after his strong Game 3 performance.
X-Factor Signal: Thompson and Tuch must keep forcing Boston’s defense to defend through screens and inside pressure.

IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Sabres slight edge
Transition Edge: Sabres edge
Defensive Stability: Bruins slight edge
Goaltending Edge: Even to Bruins slight edge
Game Control Projection: Buffalo projects to create more speed-driven pressure, while Boston needs to slow the game into a structured, physical playoff battle to regain control.

Matchup: Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche

Faceoff: 22:30 CET

Los Angeles Kings – Projected lineup

Forwards
Artemi Panarin – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore – Quinton Byfield – Alex Laferriere
Joel Armia – Scott Laughton – Andrei Kuzmenko
Mathieu Joseph – Samuel Helenius – Jeff Malott

Defense
Mikey Anderson – Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke
Brian Dumoulin – Cody Ceci

Goalies
Anton Forsberg – Expected
Darcy Kuemper

Power Play 1
Anze Kopitar – Artemi Panarin – Alex Laferriere
Adrian Kempe – Brandt Clarke

Power Play 2
Quinton Byfield – Trevor Moore – Andrei Kuzmenko
Scott Laughton – Drew Doughty

Injured: Kevin Fiala (IR)

IHM Lineup Note:
Los Angeles is facing elimination-level pressure and still needs a major offensive correction. The Kings have enough names to respond, but their problem in this series has been converting possession into dangerous interior chances. Forsberg expected gives clarity in goal, but the real issue is whether Los Angeles can create more than isolated attacks.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Kings must force longer Colorado retrievals and stop giving the Avalanche clean first passes.
Transition Signal: Panarin, Kempe and Byfield are the main players who can change pace quickly.
Blue Line Signal: Doughty and Clarke are essential to creating cleaner power-play movement and offensive-zone support.
Goalie Stability Signal: Forsberg expected means Los Angeles has a defined crease plan, but he may face high-quality looks.
X-Factor Signal: Without Fiala, the Kings need more finishing from Kempe, Panarin and the second unit.

Colorado Avalanche – Projected lineup

Forwards
Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Parker Kelly – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin
Gabriel Landeskog – Nazem Kadri – Nicolas Roy
Joel Kiviranta – Jack Drury – Logan O’Connor

Defense
Brett Kulak – Cale Makar
Devon Toews – Sam Malinski
Josh Manson – Brent Burns

Goalies
Scott Wedgewood – Expected
Mackenzie Blackwood

Power Play 1
Nathan MacKinnon – Gabriel Landeskog – Martin Necas
Nazem Kadri – Cale Makar

Power Play 2
Valeri Nichushkin – Artturi Lehkonen – Nicolas Roy
Devon Toews – Sam Malinski

Injured: Josh Manson (DTD)

IHM Lineup Note:
Colorado enters with a sweep opportunity and still looks like the cleaner, faster and more layered team. MacKinnon and Makar remain the core engines, while Wedgewood expected in goal gives the Avalanche continuity. The only notable question is Manson’s day-to-day status, but Colorado’s overall control profile remains strong.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Colorado can pressure Los Angeles through immediate second-touch recovery and speed below the dots.
Transition Signal: MacKinnon and Makar continue to dominate the pace and entry battle.
Blue Line Signal: Makar, Toews and Malinski give Colorado superior puck movement and offensive-zone extension.
Goalie Stability Signal: Wedgewood expected gives Colorado calm and continuity after strong previous starts.
X-Factor Signal: Colorado can end the series if it keeps forcing the Kings into rush defense and low-percentage clears.

IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Avalanche edge
Transition Edge: Avalanche clear edge
Defensive Stability: Avalanche slight edge
Goaltending Edge: Even
Game Control Projection: Colorado projects to control the more dangerous phases through speed, puck movement and blue-line activation, while Los Angeles needs its best offensive performance of the series to avoid elimination pressure becoming final.

Matchup: Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Faceoff: 02:00 CET

Philadelphia Flyers – Projected lineup

Forwards
Tyson Foerster – Trevor Zegras – Owen Tippett
Travis Konecny – Christian Dvorak – Porter Martone
Denver Barkey – Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov
Luke Glendening – Sean Couturier – Garnet Hathaway

Defense
Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York – Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler – Oliver Bonk

Goalies
Dan Vladar – Confirmed
Samuel Ersson

Power Play 1
Trevor Zegras – Tyson Foerster – Porter Martone
Noah Cates – Jamie Drysdale

Power Play 2
Christian Dvorak – Travis Konecny – Owen Tippett
Matvei Michkov – Rasmus Ristolainen

Injured: Emil Andrae (OUT), Nikita Grebenkin (OUT), Ty Murchison (OUT), Rodrigo Abols (IR)

IHM Lineup Note:
Philadelphia has Vladar confirmed and continues to carry a dangerous blend of speed, youth and pressure. With Andrae out, the third pair loses some puck movement, but the Flyers still have strong attacking pieces across both power-play groups. Zegras, Konecny, Tippett, Martone and Michkov remain the main offensive pressure points.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Philadelphia should continue using speed and aggressive support to force Pittsburgh into rushed exits.
Transition Signal: Zegras and Michkov are the creativity triggers, while Tippett gives direct attacking speed.
Blue Line Signal: Drysdale becomes more important on power-play movement with Andrae out.
Goalie Stability Signal: Vladar confirmed gives Philadelphia a clear crease structure before puck drop.
X-Factor Signal: The Flyers can keep controlling the series if they turn their speed into repeat offensive-zone pressure.

Pittsburgh Penguins – Projected lineup

Forwards
Egor Chinakhov – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak – Rickard Rakell – Evgeni Malkin
Elmer Soderblom – Ben Kindel – Anthony Mantha
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari

Defense
Parker Wotherspoon – Erik Karlsson
Samuel Girard – Kris Letang
Ryan Shea – Connor Clifton

Goalies
Arturs Silovs – Confirmed
Stuart Skinner

Power Play 1
Sidney Crosby – Rickard Rakell – Evgeni Malkin
Bryan Rust – Erik Karlsson

Power Play 2
Ben Kindel – Anthony Mantha – Egor Chinakhov
Thomas Novak – Kris Letang

Injured: P. Kettles (OUT), Filip Hallander (IR), Caleb Jones (IR)

IHM Lineup Note:
Pittsburgh makes a significant crease adjustment with Silovs confirmed. The Penguins still have elite veteran power-play brains through Crosby, Malkin, Karlsson, Letang and Rust, but the question is whether they can generate enough controlled offense at five-on-five against Philadelphia’s pace.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Pittsburgh needs a more connected first layer to slow Philadelphia’s young transition game.
Transition Signal: Karlsson and Letang remain the main breakout and power-play distribution engines.
Blue Line Signal: Pittsburgh’s defense can move the puck, but it must avoid getting stretched by Flyers speed.
Goalie Stability Signal: Silovs confirmed adds a new variable and could reset the matchup energy.
X-Factor Signal: Crosby and Malkin must turn power-play time into real scoreboard pressure.

IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Even
Transition Edge: Flyers slight edge
Defensive Stability: Penguins slight edge
Goaltending Edge: Even
Game Control Projection: Philadelphia projects to keep stressing Pittsburgh through speed and pressure, while the Penguins need Silovs, special teams and veteran puck control to pull the game back into their preferred rhythm.

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.

NHL Projected Lineups – Game Day April 25, 2026

Date: April 24, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom

Final update: All projected lineups for today have been added.

Matchup: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens

Faceoff: 01:00 CET

Tampa Bay Lightning – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Brayden Point – Brandon Hagel – Jake Guentzel
Nikita Kucherov – Darren Raddysh

Power Play 2
Anthony Cirelli – Gage Goncalves – Nick Paul
J.J. Moser – Corey Perry

Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy – Expected

Injured: Charle-Edouard D’Astous (OUT), Pontus Holmberg (OUT), Victor Hedman (IR-LT)

IHM Lineup Note:
Tampa Bay still has elite playoff weapons through Point, Kucherov, Hagel and Guentzel, but the absence of Hedman remains the biggest structural issue. Without Hedman, the Lightning lose some of their normal blue-line calm, breakout precision and special-teams control. Vasilevskiy is expected, which keeps Tampa’s overall floor high.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Tampa should attack Montreal’s young defense with heavier early pressure and quick puck recovery.
Transition Signal: Point and Kucherov remain the most dangerous pace manipulators in this matchup.
Blue Line Signal: Raddysh and Moser must carry more offensive and breakout responsibility without Hedman.
Goalie Stability Signal: Vasilevskiy gives Tampa the clearest goaltending advantage on this matchup card.
X-Factor Signal: Tampa’s power play must become sharper because Montreal has already shown it can survive five-on-five pressure.

Montreal Canadiens – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Nick Suzuki – Cole Caufield – Juraj Slafkovsky
Ivan Demidov – Lane Hutson

Power Play 2
Alex Newhook – Zachary Bolduc – Kirby Dach
Mike Matheson – Alexandre Texier

Goalies
Jakub Dobes – Expected

Injured: Noah Dobson (OUT), Patrik Laine (IR)

IHM Lineup Note:
Montreal continues to lean on its young offensive core. Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Demidov and Hutson give the Canadiens creativity, deception and speed, especially on the power play. The question remains defensive stability, particularly with Dobson unavailable and Tampa’s top players capable of punishing small mistakes quickly.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Montreal should continue pressing Tampa’s depth defense and force rushed decisions below the goal line.
Transition Signal: Suzuki remains the central pace and decision hub for controlled entries.
Blue Line Signal: Hutson adds creativity, but the Canadiens must manage risk behind his offensive instincts.
Goalie Stability Signal: Dobes is expected and must handle pressure cleanly against Tampa’s elite finishing group.
X-Factor Signal: Montreal’s young skill must stay aggressive without giving Tampa easy counterattack chances.

IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Lightning edge
Transition Edge: Lightning slight edge
Defensive Stability: Even
Goaltending Edge: Lightning edge
Game Control Projection: Tampa projects to push with more urgency and special-teams pressure, but Montreal has enough speed and confidence to punish mistakes if the Lightning lose structure.

Matchup: Utah Mammoth vs Vegas Golden Knights

Faceoff: 03:30 CET

Utah Mammoth – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Logan Cooley – Clayton Keller – Dylan Guenther
Mikhail Sergachev – Nick Schmaltz

Power Play 2
Alex Kerfoot – JJ Peterka – Michael Carcone
Lawson Crouse – MacKenzie Weegar

Goalies
Karel Vejmelka – Expected

Injured: Barrett Hayton (OUT)

IHM Lineup Note:
Utah has enough skill to make this game uncomfortable, especially through Cooley, Keller, Guenther, Sergachev and Weegar. The problem is consistency. Against Vegas, the Mammoth cannot rely only on flashes of transition. They need sustained pressure, cleaner exits and stronger defensive-zone discipline.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Utah must pressure Vegas earlier and prevent the Golden Knights from walking out cleanly.
Transition Signal: Cooley and Keller are the main pace creators and must attack before Vegas sets its layers.
Blue Line Signal: Sergachev and Weegar give Utah enough quality to move the puck under pressure.
Goalie Stability Signal: Vejmelka is expected and will need to handle net-front traffic calmly.
X-Factor Signal: Utah needs a faster game script, because slow half-ice hockey favors Vegas.

Vegas Golden Knights – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Mitch Marner – Tomas Hertl – Pavel Dorofeyev
Jack Eichel – Mark Stone

Power Play 2
Brett Howden – Ivan Barbashev – Colton Sissons
Shea Theodore – Rasmus Andersson

Goalies
Carter Hart – Confirmed

Injured: William Karlsson (IR-LT), Alex Pietrangelo (IR-LT)

IHM Lineup Note:
Vegas has Carter Hart confirmed and still looks like the more mature playoff team. Even without Karlsson and Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights have enough structure, size and puck control through Eichel, Marner, Stone, Hertl, Theodore and Andersson to dictate long stretches.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Vegas can pressure with weight and timing while staying above the puck defensively.
Transition Signal: Eichel and Marner provide elite controlled-entry quality and delay-game creativity.
Blue Line Signal: Losing Pietrangelo matters, but Theodore and Andersson still give Vegas strong puck movement.
Goalie Stability Signal: Hart confirmed gives Vegas clear crease control before puck drop.
X-Factor Signal: Vegas can win this game by turning Utah’s speed into wall battles and repeated defensive-zone shifts.

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 the more repeatable playoff details, while Utah needs speed, special-teams execution and a strong Vejmelka performance to make the game unstable.

Matchup: Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers

Faceoff: 04:00 CET

Anaheim Ducks – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Mikael Granlund – Mason McTavish – Cutter Gauthier
Jackson LaCombe – Beckett Sennecke

Power Play 2
Leo Carlsson – Alex Killorn – Troy Terry
Chris Kreider – John Carlson

Goalies
Lukas Dostal – Expected

Injured: Radko Gudas (OUT), Jansen Harkins (OUT), Ross Johnston (OUT), Petr Mrazek (IR)

IHM Lineup Note:
Anaheim continues to present a difficult structural matchup for Edmonton. The Ducks are not built around one superstar, but their power play units show balance and variety. Granlund, McTavish, Gauthier, Carlsson, Terry, Kreider and Carlson give Anaheim multiple ways to create pressure if Edmonton becomes careless with the puck.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Anaheim must keep pressure controlled and avoid giving McDavid free transition lanes.
Transition Signal: Carlsson and Terry are the main open-ice connectors for the Ducks.
Blue Line Signal: Gudas being out removes defensive bite, making LaCombe and Carlson more important.
Goalie Stability Signal: Dostal is expected and gives Anaheim a credible chance if he tracks through traffic well.
X-Factor Signal: Anaheim needs disciplined layers and fast puck support to continue frustrating Edmonton’s stars.

Edmonton Oilers – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Leon Draisaitl – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Zach Hyman
Connor McDavid – Evan Bouchard

Power Play 2
Vasily Podkolzin – Matt Savoie – Jack Roslovic
Mattias Ekholm – Jake Walman

Goalies
Connor Ingram – Expected

Injured: Jason Dickinson (DTD), Adam Henrique (OUT), Max Jones (OUT), Mattias Janmark (IR-LT)

IHM Lineup Note:
Edmonton still has the highest offensive ceiling on this slate because McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and Bouchard remain a devastating top power-play core. The issue is execution. If Anaheim keeps the middle closed and Edmonton’s puck movement stays slow, the Oilers’ elite talent can still be forced into frustration.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Edmonton must increase puck retrieval pressure instead of relying only on rush chances.
Transition Signal: McDavid remains the central pace engine and must attack with speed through the middle lane.
Blue Line Signal: Bouchard and Ekholm are critical to clean exits and power-play structure.
Goalie Stability Signal: Ingram is expected and must provide calm behind a team that may open the game up.
X-Factor Signal: Edmonton’s power play has to become dangerous immediately, because special teams can flip this series.

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 star power and special teams, but Anaheim can control the emotional rhythm if it keeps the Oilers outside and limits central speed.

Matchup: Ottawa Senators vs Carolina Hurricanes

Faceoff: 21:00 CET

Ottawa Senators – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Tim Stutzle – Brady Tkachuk – Drake Batherson
Jordan Spence – Claude Giroux

Power Play 2
Shane Pinto – Warren Foegele – Fabian Zetterlund
Thomas Chabot – Dylan Cozens

Goalies
Linus Ullmark – Expected

Injured: Jake Sanderson (OUT), Artem Zub (OUT), Nick Jensen (IR)

IHM Lineup Note:
Ottawa enters this matchup under heavy structural pressure. The loss of Sanderson and Zub removes two important defensive-zone stabilizers, which makes every breakout more difficult against Carolina’s layered forecheck. Ullmark becomes the central survival piece because the Senators may spend long stretches defending inside their own zone.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Ottawa must create pressure through Tkachuk and Batherson but cannot afford uncontrolled risk.
Transition Signal: Stutzle becomes the main exit and entry driver with Sanderson unavailable.
Blue Line Signal: The absence of Sanderson and Zub weakens Ottawa’s puck-moving and defensive-zone recovery structure.
Goalie Stability Signal: Ullmark gives Ottawa its strongest chance to keep the game alive under pressure.
X-Factor Signal: Ottawa’s power play must produce because five-on-five creation is becoming harder against Carolina.

Carolina Hurricanes – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Taylor Hall – Nikolaj Ehlers – Seth Jarvis
Andrei Svechnikov – Shayne Gostisbehere

Power Play 2
Logan Stankoven – Jordan Staal – Jackson Blake
Alexander Nikishin – Sebastian Aho

Goalies
Frederik Andersen – Expected

Injured: None

IHM Lineup Note:
Carolina comes in with complete system confidence and no injury disruption. The Hurricanes continue to win this series through repetition, forecheck pressure, clean reloads, and disciplined defensive layers. Their power play units also show strong depth, with dangerous names spread across both groups rather than loaded into one predictable unit.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Carolina’s pressure structure remains the strongest tactical weapon in this matchup.
Transition Signal: Hall, Ehlers, Aho and Jarvis give the Hurricanes multiple speed and entry options.
Blue Line Signal: Gostisbehere and Nikishin create offensive activation while the team structure protects behind them.
Goalie Stability Signal: Andersen gives Carolina reliable playoff calm behind an already strong system.
X-Factor Signal: Carolina can turn Ottawa’s injured blue line into repeated long defensive-zone shifts.

IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Hurricanes edge
Transition Edge: Hurricanes edge
Defensive Stability: Hurricanes clear edge
Goaltending Edge: Senators slight edge
Game Control Projection: Carolina projects to control the rhythm through forecheck pressure and defensive depth, while Ottawa needs Ullmark, special teams and a more direct offensive approach to avoid elimination-level pressure.

Matchup: Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars

Faceoff: 23:30 CET

Minnesota Wild – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Joel Eriksson Ek – Kirill Kaprizov – Matt Boldy
Quinn Hughes – Vladimir Tarasenko

Power Play 2
Ryan Hartman – Marcus Johansson – Bobby Brink
Brock Faber – Jared Spurgeon

Goalies
Jesper Wallstedt – Expected

Injured: Mats Zuccarello (DTD), Charlie Stramel (OUT), Yakov Trenin (OUT)

IHM Lineup Note:
Minnesota still has a dangerous top-end structure through Kaprizov, Boldy, Eriksson Ek and Hughes, but the injury notes around Zuccarello and Trenin affect the balance of the lineup. The Wild remain dangerous in transition, but they need more sustained offensive-zone pressure if they want to keep Dallas from controlling the pace through Heiskanen and Oettinger.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Minnesota can pressure well, but missing Trenin lowers some physical depth impact.
Transition Signal: Kaprizov and Hughes remain the main pace-changing weapons.
Blue Line Signal: Hughes, Faber and Spurgeon give Minnesota strong puck-moving intelligence.
Goalie Stability Signal: Wallstedt is expected, which adds a younger, less proven playoff crease layer.
X-Factor Signal: Minnesota needs Kaprizov and Boldy to generate high-danger looks quickly before Dallas settles into structure.

Dallas Stars – Projected lineup

Power Play 1
Wyatt Johnston – Jason Robertson – Mikko Rantanen
Matt Duchene – Miro Heiskanen

Power Play 2
Mavrik Bourque – Justin Hryckowian – Jamie Benn
Thomas Harley – Esa Lindell

Goalies
Jake Oettinger – Expected

Injured: Nathan Bastian (OUT), Roope Hintz (OUT), Tyler Seguin (IR-LT)

IHM Lineup Note:
Dallas still misses important forward pieces, but the structure remains dangerous because Heiskanen, Robertson, Rantanen, Duchene and Johnston give the Stars elite power-play and transition potential. Oettinger expected in net gives Dallas the stronger playoff goaltending profile in this matchup.

IHM Tactical Signals:
Forecheck Signal: Dallas must force Minnesota into longer defensive-zone possessions and reduce rush exchanges.
Transition Signal: Heiskanen is the central driver of clean exits and controlled entries.
Blue Line Signal: Heiskanen and Harley give Dallas strong offensive-zone support from the back end.
Goalie Stability Signal: Oettinger provides the more established playoff stability compared with Wallstedt.
X-Factor Signal: Dallas needs its power play to punish Minnesota’s penalty structure and change the series rhythm.

IHM Match Pressure Index:
Offensive Pressure: Stars slight edge
Transition Edge: Wild slight edge
Defensive Stability: Stars edge
Goaltending Edge: Stars edge
Game Control Projection: Dallas projects to have the cleaner playoff control profile through Heiskanen and Oettinger, while Minnesota needs elite execution from Kaprizov, Hughes and Boldy to tilt the game through speed.

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.