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  • Back on scoresheet in win
    Lundell scored his third goal of the postseason in Thursday's 3-2 win over New York in Game 5.

    Advice: Lundell gave the Panthers the lead just after the midway point of the third period in Thursday's win. He was held off the scoresheet in consecutive contests prior to Game 5. The 22-year-old also had three shots on goal and a plus-1 rating in 14:05 of ice time. Lundell is back to centering the third line after a recent stretch on the second line -- his ice time has decreased as a result over the last two contests. On the positive side, Lundell is averaging 1:11 more of ice time during the postseason in comparison to the regular season, though Florida's numerous overtime games have boosted everyone's playoff ice totals. The middle-six center is tied for fifth in points on Florida during the playoffs with three goals, eight assists and a plus-6 rating in 16 appearances. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:45 am
     
  • Unlikely for Game 5
    Hakanpaa (lower body) is not expected to play in Friday's Game 5 versus the Oilers, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports.

    Advice: Hakanpaa will miss his 31st straight game, though his absence is a bit more noticeable now with Chris Tanev (lower body) questionable for Game 5. Hakanpaa has been considered day-to-day throughout his absence, though he has not regularly skated during the playoffs. Rotowire.com Thursday, 3:05 pm
     
  • Recovering well from surgery
    O'Connor (hip surgery) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, according to Corey Masisak of The Denver Post.

    Advice: O'Connor underwent surgery in March and missed the rest of the season. O'Connor had 13 goals and 25 points in 57 appearances for the Avalanche, giving them secondary scoring from an unexpected source, as his previous career high was nine goals in 82 games during the 2022-23 campaign. Look for O'Connor to compete for a spot on the third line in 2024-25. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:40 am
     
  • Returns to lineup Tuesday
    Wheeler was back in action for Game 4 against the Panthers on Tuesday, recording four hits, two blocks and two PIM in 9:18 of ice time.

    Advice: Wheeler was in the lineup for the first time since Feb. 15 versus Montreal, a stretch of 41 games on the shelf due to his leg injury. Even with the veteran cleared to play, he may still have to serve as a healthy scratch periodically as he eases his way back to 100 percent, perhaps including Game 5 against Florida on Thursday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:08 am
     
  • Gets first point of playoffs
    Perry posted an assist and three hits in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Perry fell out of favor for the Oilers late in the second round -- his appearance Wednesday ended a stretch of five straight healthy scratches for the veteran winger. He was also able to snap a 12-game point drought when he helped out on a Ryan McLeod tally in the first period. The 39-year-old Perry's best years are well behind him at this point, but he can still be an effective depth forward and pest. Given the Oilers' win in Game 4 to even the Western Conference Finals at two games apiece, it wouldn't be surprising to see Perry get a run in the lineup over the rest of the series. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:36 pm
     
  • On three-game point streak
    Brown logged a shorthanded assist in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Brown set up Mattias Janmark's tally in the second period, which stood as the game-winner. Over the last three games, Brown has a goal and two assists, stepping up as a solid depth scorer for the Oilers. He's at four points, six shots on net, five hits, five blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 10 playoff appearances in a bottom-six role. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:32 pm
     
  • Nets shortie Wednesday
    Janmark scored a shorthanded goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Janmark's goal at 14:31 of the second period was the first special-teams tally for either team in the series. It also stood as the game-winner as the Oilers evened the Western Conference Finals at two games apiece. The 31-year-old forward has been limited to a bottom-six role this postseason, earning four points, 13 shots on net, 13 hits and a plus-1 rating over 16 appearances while offering steady defensive play. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:19 pm
     
  • Responds well to scratch
    McLeod scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: McLeod was scratched for Game 3 after enduring a 19-game point drought that included all of the playoffs. The 24-year-old's exclusion from the lineup was a one-game thing, and he made good on an opportunity to return to action by scoring in the first period to begin the Oilers' comeback. McLeod had 30 points in 81 regular-season outings in a middle-six role. His main contributions come from speed and penalty killing, so he shouldn't be expected to generate steady offense moving forward. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:16 pm
     
  • Departs Wednesday's game
    Tanev (lower body) did not return to Wednesday's Game 4 after blocking a shot in the second period.

    Advice: The Stars initially labeled Tanev as questionable to return, but his inability to get back on the ice in this contest is not a positive sign. The 34-year-old defenseman is a key part of the Stars' defensive structure, so a potential absence for Friday's Game 5 or beyond could spell trouble for the team. If Tanev is unable to play, Nils Lundkvist is the most likely player to draw into the lineup, though he has seen very sheltered minutes when he's played during the postseason. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:14 pm