Fantasy Hockey

Steen, Ian Mitchell, Georgi Merkulov, Marc McLaughlin, Trevor Kuntar, Michael DiPietro, Michael Callahan and Joey Abate were called up from AHL Providence on Thursday, per CapFriendly.

Steen has the most experience among those Black Aces call-ups, but none are likely to feature during the Bruins' playoff run. Steen had one goal, 24 shots on net and 79 hits in 34 NHL games this season, as well as 18 points over 28 outings between the regular season and playoffs for Providence.

Seguin (lower body) is considered fine after exiting Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Avalanche late in the third period, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Seguin should be available for Friday's Game 6. The 32-year-old played on the third line Wednesday, but he could see more ice time than that role would suggest if Roope Hintz (upper body) is unable to suit up Friday.

Henrique (ankle) will miss Thursday's Game 5 against Vancouver, but he is close to returning, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.

Henrique also wasn't in the lineup for Edmonton's previous two contests. He has a goal and an assist in six playoff outings this year after finishing the regular season with 24 markers and 51 points across 82 appearances. His next opportunity to play will be in Game 6 on Saturday.

Seguin sustained an apparent lower-body injury in the third period of Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Avalanche, Taylor Baird of NHL.com reports.

Seguin had two shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in 16:37 of ice time Wednesday. The Stars didn't have an update on his status, which isn't a surprise given it occurred late in the third period. More information should be available prior to Friday's Game 6 in Colorado.

Duchene logged an assist in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

Duchene has managed three helpers over five games in the second round, but his goal drought is up to seven contests. The 33-year-old center got the bump up to the top line, replacing Roope Hintz (upper body) in that spot as head coach Pete DeBoer elected to keep Wyatt Johnston alongside Jamie Benn. Duchene has a modest five points with 14 shots on net, 14 hits, 12 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through 12 playoff outings.

Stankoven scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

Stankoven has found a groove with four points, including three goals, over his last three games. The 21-year-old's tally in the third period brought the Stars back within a goal, but they couldn't find an equalizer. He's up to six points, 24 shots on net, 19 hits, nine blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through 12 playoff outings.

Mikheyev is dealing with an undisclosed injury and won't play Thursday in Game 5 versus the Oilers, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports.

Mikheyev is considered day-to-day, but the injury is a new consideration. It was believed the 29-year-old winger was going to be a healthy scratch Thursday after posting just one assist over his last 22 games and no points in 10 playoff outings. It's unclear if he'll be available for Game 6 on Saturday.

Wheeler (leg) was activated from long-term injured reserve Thursday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

It's not a clear-cut guarantee Wheeler will be in the lineup for Thursday's Game 6, but the 37-year-old is now eligible to return from a three-month absence. Wheeler was cleared for contact Monday, and it appears he's gotten in enough practice time to be an option for the Rangers as they look to close out the Hurricanes in the second round.

Chaffee agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.6 million contract with Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Chaffee's deal is a one-way contract, which should increase his chances of playing in more than 30 NHL games this upcoming season. During the 2023-24 campaign, the 26-year-old winger notched four goals on 27 shots, three assists and 88 hits while averaging 11:07 of ice time. Even with his new deal in hand, Chaffee is unlikely to challenge for more than a bottom-six role next season.

Di Giuseppe (personal) was back with the team for Thursday's game-day skate prior to Game 5 versus Edmonton, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.

Di Giuseppe is goalless in 13 straight contests in which he recorded one lone helper, four shots and six blocks while dishing out 36 hits. Given his offensive limitations, Di Giuseppe is far from a lock to suit up in Game 5 and could continue watching from the press box in favor of Linus Karlsson, Vasily Podkolzin or Nils Hoglander -- all of whom will no doubt be pushing for minutes.

Kreider (undisclosed) told reporters he would be in action versus the Hurricanes for Game 6 on Thursday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Kreider didn't play it coy like coach Peter Laviolette, clearly telling reporters that he would be in the lineup Thursday. Through the first five games of this series, the 33-year-old winger has generated two goals and two assists, including three power-play points. Even with concerns about a potential minor injury, Kreider remains a top-end fantasy target heading into Game 6.

Marchand (upper body) was again labeled day-to-day ahead of Game 6 against the Panthers on Friday, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports.

Marchand did practice with the No. 1 power-play unit, which is a good indication that he will be back in the lineup Friday even if coach Jim Montgomery wouldn't confirm his captain's status. If given the all-clear, Marchand should immediately reclaim a top-six role, as he looks to end a six-game goal drought that dates back to April 27 versus the Maple Leafs.

Hakanpaa is not traveling with the Stars or practicing, so it's unlikely he'll play in the remainder of the second round, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday.

Hakanpaa has been unavailable since March 16 and is effectively out on an indefinite basis until he practices. With Hakanpaa continuing to be sidelined, Nils Lundkvist is holding down a third-pairing role with minimal ice time.

Pesce (lower body) will not be in the lineup against the Rangers in Game 6 on Thursday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Pesce got onto the ice for the first time Wednesday, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see him still being held out for Game 6. Still, the 29-year-old blueliner is making progress and might be in contention to play should the series go to Game 7 on Saturday. Considering Pesce has managed a mere two points in his last 19 outings, his potential return is unlikely to impact the majority of fantasy players.

Lindell posted an assist, four blocked shots, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

Lindell set up a Logan Stankoven tally in the third period. The helper was Lindell's second point of the postseason, both of which have come in the last four games. The veteran defenseman has added 17 shots on net, 17 hits, 30 blocks and an even plus-minus rating over 12 playoff contests while filling a top-four role.

Heiskanen scored a power-play goal and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

Heiskanen put the Stars ahead 2-1 midway through the second period. He's up to 13 points this postseason, including four goals and four assists over five second-round appearances. The defenseman has added 30 shots on net, 26 blocks, 18 hits and a minus-3 rating through 12 playoff contests.

Manson provided an assist, five shots on goal and eight hits in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Manson's offense has slowed in the second round -- he has two helpers across five games against the Stars after racking up two goals and three assists over five contests versus the Jets in the first round. The 32-year-old defenseman continues to occupy a top-four role for the Avalanche, providing solid defense in addition to his surprising offense. Through 10 playoff appearances, he has 23 shots on net, 35 hits, 19 blocked shots, 10 PIM and a plus-8 rating.

Girard logged an assist in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Girard helped out on Casey Mittelstadt's go-ahead goal early in the third period. The helper was Girard's third in eight playoff appearances, and he hasn't scored a goal this postseason. The defenseman has added a modest eight shots on net, 20 blocked shots, 10 hits and a plus-4 rating while skating in a second-pairing role since he recovered from a concussion that cost him four contests in mid-April.

Shesterkin is set to guard the road goal against Carolina in Game 6 on Thursday, according to Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer.

Shesterkin will attempt to rebound after allowing seven goals on 58 shots (.879 save percentage) while losing his past two starts. Despite his recent setback, he's still 7-2 with a 2.33 GAA and a .924 save percentage in nine playoff appearances this year. A victory against the Hurricanes would advance the Rangers into an Eastern Conference Finals series against either Florida or Boston.

Andersen will guard the home goal versus the Rangers in Thursday's Game 6, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

Andersen has won his last two outings, allowing four goals on 46 shots in those contests. He is 6-3 with a 2.46 GAA and a .902 save percentage over nine playoff outings, and he has yet to lose on home ice this postseason. A win Thursday for Andersen and hte Hurricanes would force a Game 7 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Garand was called up from AHL Hartford on Thursday.

Garand had a 3.03 GAA and an .898 save percentage in 39 regular-season contests with Hartford. He also posted a 2.32 GAA and a .931 save percentage in seven AHL playoff outings. Garand is unlikely to play for the Rangers during the 2024 playoffs.

Pickard will get the starting nod in Game 5 on the road against Vancouver on Thursday, Derek Van Diest of NHL.com reports.

Pickard stopped 19 of 21 shots faced in Game 4, posting a .905 save percentage and a 2.00 GAA. While the 32-year-old backstop is making his second straight start, any stumbles by Pickard could see Stuart Skinner reclaim his spot as the No. 1 netminder for Edmonton.

Silovs was the first goalie to leave the ice Thursday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports, indicating he'll be in goal at home versus the Oilers in Game 5.

Silovs will make his eighth straight start since supplanting Casey DeSmith as the preferred option between the pipes -- at least while Thatcher Demko (knee) is sidelined. In his prior seven postseason outings, the 23-year-old Silovs is 4-3 with a 2.71 GAA and one shutout.

Oettinger stopped 22 of 27 shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Avalanche in Game 5.

Oettinger let a couple of one-goal leads slip away, and the Avalanche rallied ahead for good in the third period. This loss snapped his three-game winning streak, but the Stars are still ahead 3-2 in the series. Oettinger has won four of his five road games this postseason, allowing a total of seven goals in those contests, so he remains a strong option heading into Game 6 on Friday in Colorado.