NHL Player News

Mikkola (upper body) is expected to be available for Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Wednesday, per Eric Engels of Sportsnet.

Mikkola missed Monday's 3-0 loss to Carolina due to the injury. He has three goals, five points, 33 PIM and 40 hits in 15 playoff outings this year. Mikkola's return might result in Uvis Balinskis being a healthy scratch.

Walker (undisclosed) will remain sidelined against the Panthers in Game 5 on Wednesday, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

Walker will be on the shelf for his third straight game due to his lingering undisclosed injury. With Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) also missing out, the Canes will need to once again rely on Alexander Nikishin and Scott Morrow to fill out the blue line.

Chatfield (undisclosed) is set to miss Game 5 against the Panthers on Wednesday, per Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer.

It will be Chatfield's sixth straight game on the shelf. He has a goal, eight shots, nine hits and 11 blocks across nine playoff outings this year. Sean Walker (undisclosed) is also expected to remain out of the lineup Wednesday, which makes it likely that Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin will play.

Harley logged a power-play assist and went minus-2 in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 4.

Harley's strong first two rounds of the playoffs have given way to struggles in the Western Conference Finals. He's minus-4 with six PIM over four games versus the Oilers, and his helper Tuesday was his first point in the series. The 23-year-old blueliner has 12 points, a minus-9 rating, 30 shots on net, 36 blocked shots, 21 hits and 10 PIM through 17 playoff appearances.

Kulak logged an assist and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Stars in Game 4.

Kulak is on a three-game point streak, earning a goal and two assists in that span. The defenseman is up to five points, 16 shots on net, 29 blocked shots, 13 hits and a plus-8 rating over 15 playoff appearances. Kulak continues to handle heavy defensive minutes, though he can chip in a little depth scoring as well.

Walman provided an assist, two shots on goal and three blocked shots in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Stars in Game 4.

Walman has a helper in two of the last three games. He's now at four points, a plus-13 rating, 24 shots on net, 40 blocked shots and 21 hits over 15 playoff contests. He continues to be utilized in a more defensive way, so don't expect a significant uptick in his scoring for the rest of the postseason.

Ekholm (undisclosed) will not be available for Game 4 against the Stars on Tuesday, per Ryan Rishaug of TSN.

Ekholm last suited up in the regular season April 11 against San Jose, so his ice time will most likely be managed once he's cleared to return to the lineup. Troy Stecher will probably be a healthy scratch when that time comes. Ekholm's next chance to play will be in Game 5 on Thursday in Dallas.

Ekholm (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 4 versus Dallas, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

Ekholm has yet to get into a postseason contest due to his lingering undisclosed injury. In his 65 regular-season appearances this year, the veteran blueliner notched nine goals and 24 assists, including seven power-play points, and could offer decent depth production once cleared to play.

Chatfield (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Game 4 against Florida on Monday, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Chatfield will miss his fifth straight game. He hasn't been skating recently, making it unclear when he will be available to return should the Hurricanes extend the series. The 29-year-old Chatfield has one goal, eight shots on net, 11 blocked shots and nine hits across nine appearances this postseason. With Chatfield and Sean Walker (undisclosed) unavailable, Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin will be in the lineup for Monday's must-win matchup versus the Panthers.

Walker (undisclosed) is not expected to be in the lineup for Game 4 against the Panthers on Monday.

Walker's absence will stretch a blue line that is already without Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed). As a result, both Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin will be in the lineup again for the Hurricanes in a must-win Game 4. The 30-year-old Walker had been contributing offensively prior to getting hurt, generating one goal and two assists in his last four outings.