Fantasy Hockey

Chytil (illness) will not play Monday against the Hurricanes, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

On top of his illness, Chytil is reportedly also dealing with some soreness that's unrelated to the head injury that cost him nearly the entire 2023-24 campaign. He logged one shot and one hit in 12:02 of ice time during the Game 3 win against Carolina, his first game since Nov. 2. He'll be considered question for Game 6 on Thursday, if necessary.

Chytil (illness) remains questionable to face Carolina in Game 5 on Monday after head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters, "He practiced this morning. That's a real positive thing for our team. I'm going to keep any lineup decisions that I make to myself," per Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today.

The fact that Chytil didn't take part in line rushes would certainly indicate that he won't be in action Monday but fantasy managers will have to wait until closer to puck drop for official confirmation on the center's status. If he were to be cleared to play, Chytil would likely knock Jonny Brodzinski from the lineup while filling a bottom-six role.

Megna was recalled from AHL Providence on Monday.

Megna notched 19 goals and 56 points in 69 regular-season games for Providence in 2023-24. He also added two goals and one assist in four outings during the AHL playoffs. Megna probably won't see any game action during Boston's postseason run.

Brown was elevated from AHL Providence on Monday.

Brown's promotion comes as AHL Providence was eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs Friday. As such, there is no guarantee the veteran center will get ice time even with the injury to Brad Marchand (upper body). Still, Brown does have 149 games of NHL experience under his belt, which should improve his chances of getting into the lineup if needed.

Nugent-Hopkins logged a power-play assist and two hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks in Game 3.

Nugent-Hopkins has six helpers over his last four games, with three of them coming on the power play. Through eight playoff outings, he has one goal, nine helpers, six power-play points, 11 shots on net, 15 hits and an even plus-minus rating. He's centered the second line in the last two games as head coach Kris Knoblauch attempts to spark the Oilers' offense by uniting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at even strength.

Draisaitl scored a power-play goal on five shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks in Game 3.

Draisaitl got the Oilers within a goal in the second period and helped out on Evan Bouchard's tally in the third, but it wasn't enough. The 28-year-old Draisaitl has multiple points in seven of eight playoff contests, with the lone exception being the Oilers' 1-0 win over the Kings in Game 4 of the first round. He's at seven goals, 11 helpers, 35 shots on net, eight PIM and a plus-3 rating this postseason.

Drouin (lower body) is expected to play Monday against the Stars, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Drouin will make his first appearance of the postseason after missing Colorado's first eight games. The 29-year-old scored a career-high 56 points with 19 goals in 79 games during the regular season. He should slide into a top-six role.

Nichushkin was placed in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and will be suspended for six months.

Nichushkin was in the program during the regular season, missing 22 games as a result. Now, he's in Stage 3 of the program and will need to apply for reinstatement after a six-month suspension. He scored 28 goals and 53 points through 54 games this season. Nichushkin also racked up nine goals and 10 points through eight playoff games. With him out, Zach Parise could see a bump in playing time.

Drouin (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Monday's Game 4 versus Dallas, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Drouin has yet to play during the playoffs due to a lower-body injury. He practiced with the No. 1 power-play unit during Monday's morning skate, suggesting he could be closer to probable than questionable for Game 4 against the Stars. He collected 19 goals and 56 points through 79 regular-season contests.

Marchand (upper body) is still considered day-to-day ahead of Game 5 versus the Panthers on Tuesday, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports.

Marchand skated Monday morning and will travel with the team to Florida. He sat out Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 4 after being injured during Friday's 6-2 defeat in Game 3 of Boston's second-round series. It's currently unclear if Marchand will be available for Tuesday's must-win contest. He has racked up three goals and 10 points in 10 outings this postseason.

Wheeler (leg) has shed his non-contract jersey ahead of Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Monday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.

Wheeler is practicing without the non-contact jersey for the first time, so it seems unlikely he will be available to play against Carolina on Monday immediately. Still, it's a positive sign for the veteran winger, who has been out of action since Feb. 15 versus the Canadiens. When Wheeler gets the all-clear, he figures to slot into a bottom-six role and could bump Jonny Brodsinski from the lineup.

Kane notched a power-play assist and four hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks in Game 3.

Kane hadn't posted a power-play point since March 23. The winger, who missed time late in the regular season due to a sports hernia, has four points, 21 shots on net, 30 hits and 15 PIM over eight playoff contests. Kane has primarily played in a middle-six role and on the second power-play unit, so his scoring contributions are likely to remain limited to a supporting level.

Toews (illness) will not be available for Game 4 against the Stars on Monday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Toews was available at morning skate but ended up being a late scratch for Monday's game. The 30-year-old blueliner has a goal and six points through eight postseason games after scoring 50 points during the regular season. Caleb Jones is expected to dress Monday. Toews' status for Wednesday's Game 5 is currently unknown.

Soucy was suspended for one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday for cross-checking Edmonton's Connor McDavid in Sunday's Game 3.

Soucy received a two-minute penalty for cross-checking McDavid at the 20-minute mark of the third period in the Canucks' 4-3 win over the Oilers on Sunday. Noah Juulsen will probably replace Soucy in the lineup for Game 4 against Edmonton on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Soucy has four assists, zero shots on goal, nine blocked shots and 27 hits in nine contests this postseason.

Hakanpaa (lower body) won't play Monday in Game 4 versus the Avalanche, according to Ryan Boulding of NHL.com.

Hakanpaa sat out the final 13 games of the regular season and will miss his 11th straight playoff contest. It's still unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. Hakanpaa registered two goals, 12 points, 56 shots on net, 123 blocked shots and 196 hits in 64 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.

Soucy will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday for cross-checking Edmonton's Connor McDavid in Sunday's Game 3.

Soucy was assessed a two-minute penalty for cross-checking McDavid at the 20-minute mark of the third period in Vancouver's 4-3 win over the Oilers in Game 3. The 29-year-old Soucy has four assists, zero shots on goal, nine blocked shots and 27 hits in nine contests this postseason. If he receives a suspension, the Canucks could insert Noah Juulsen, Christian Wolanin, Mark Friedman or Matt Irwin into the lineup for Game 4 on Tuesday.

Nurse notched a power-play assist, four shots on goal, three hits and two PIM in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks in Game 3.

Nurse snapped a four-game dry spell with his helper on a Mattias Ekholm tally in the first period. The 29-year-old Nurse has been limited to two assists over eight playoff outings, and he's added 17 shots on net, 13 hits, 22 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating. He's played on the second pairing, with Ekholm leapfrogging Nurse for a spot alongside Evan Bouchard on the top pairing. Nurse can still add some physicality, but his offense is likely to be limited with less ice time.

Ekholm scored a power-play goal on four shots, dished an assist and added two PIM in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks in Game 3.

The Oilers' second power-play unit made a rare contribution, with Ekholm getting the opening goal. He also set up Evan Bouchard in the third period, but the Canucks controlled the scoring in between those tallies. All three of Ekholm's goals this postseason have come in the second round, and he's added two assists, 16 shots on net, 10 hits, 12 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through eight playoff outings overall. The 33-year-old should continue to see his even-strength minutes on the top pairing alongside Bouchard.

Shesterkin will get the starting nod for Game 5 at home against the Hurricanes, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

Shesterkin was riding a seven-game winning streak to begin the playoffs before Carolina finally beat him in Game 4 on Saturday. He allowed four goals on 31 shots in the loss, the first time this postseason he's allowed more than three. He's registered an impressive .925 save percentage while facing 160 shots this series.

Oettinger will guard the road goal in Game 4 versus Colorado on Monday, per Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

Oettinger has won his last two outings, including a 28-save performance in Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Avalanche in Game 3. He has a 6-4 record with a 2.12 GAA and a .919 save percentage through 10 starts this postseason. If the Stars emerge victorious in Monday's contest, the team can take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Dallas for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Georgiev will patrol the home crease during Monday's Game 4 versus Dallas, Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports reports.

Georgiev was decent in Saturday's Game 3, turning aside 19 of 21 shots, but he ultimately came away with a second straight loss to the Stars due to insufficient goal support from his teammates. He'll try to help the Avalanche even the series up at two games apiece by picking up his sixth win of the playoffs during Monday's pivotal home contest versus Dallas.

Andersen was the first goalie to leave the ice Monday, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports, indicating he'll be in goal on the road for Game 5 against the Rangers.

Andersen was almost certainly going to get the start after helping the team stave off elimination by stopping 22 of 25 shots in Game 4. Still, the veteran netminder is sporting a lackluster .874 save percentage over his last four appearances. At this point, if Andersen can extend the series again, he should remain between the pipes heading into Game 6.

Bussi was recalled from AHL Providence on Monday.

Bussi posted a 23-10-5 record with a 2.67 GAA and a .913 save percentage in 41 minor-league appearances during the 2023-24 regular season. He also went 1-3 with a 2.14 GAA and a .922 save percentage during the AHL playoffs. The 25-year-old will be Boston's third netminder during the NHL postseason behind Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark.

DiPietro was sent down to AHL Providence on Monday.

DiPietro will switch places with Brandon Bussi, who was called up in a corresponding move. With Providence out of the Calder Cup playoffs, the move will effectively end DipIetro's 2023-24 campaign. He logged 30 minor-league contests in which he went 18-9-2 with a 2.51 GAA and .918 save percentage.