Andrew Copp, C, WPG: The Winnipeg Jets forward thrived on their third line during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild, totaling three points (one goal, two assists) and seven SOG in five games. Copp will be tasked with shutting down the Predators third line of forwards Nick Bonino, Colton Sissons and Austin Watson, which erupted for 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in the first round against the Colorado Avalanche.
Joe Thornton, C, SJS: The San Jose Sharks center has been out of the lineup since Jan. 23 with an MCL injury. The Sharks forward group stepped up in his absence during the first round, with 10 skaters scoring at least two points in their sweep of the Anaheim Ducks. Thornton is skating but has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights. If Thornton returns at some point in the series, he would either slot in on the top line with forwards Evander Kane and Joe Pavelski or third line with Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc.
David Perron, LW/RW, VGK: The Vegas Golden Knights left wing missed the first two games of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings with an undisclosed injury. He had one assist and one shot on goal in an average of 15:08 in Games 3 and 4. The Golden Knights' leading scorer in the first round was forward Reilly Smith (three assists), so they will need increased production from secondary scorers like Perron to match the Sharks, who rolled four strong lines against the Ducks. Perron had an NHL career-high 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) in 70 regular-season games for Vegas.