5 Playoff-Bound Teams Dealing With Major Injury Issues
NHL players and teams rarely blame injuries for postseason struggles, especially since the public often doesn’t learn the full extent of a team’s ailments until after their season ends.
However, as the grueling 82-game regular season wraps up, injuries are surging across the league. Several playoff-bound teams will be far from full strength when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on April 19. Here’s a look at the most banged-up contenders:
1. Florida Panthers (3rd in Atlantic Division)
The defending champions appear set to open their first-round series in either Tampa or Toronto—but they’ll be shorthanded. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is suspended to start the playoffs, while key forwards Sam Bennett (day-to-day) and Matthew Tkachuk (LTIR) are sidelined, weakening their physical forechecking. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has also missed significant time.
"It is well worth the risk to display our sport to people in a fantastic way... It's a risk every day. Every time they step on the ice, that's possible."@FlaPanthers head coach Paul Maurice on losing Matthew Tkachuk to injury in the 4 Nations Face-Off pic.twitter.com/4GfYBbgYsl
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) March 1, 2025
2. Edmonton Oilers (3rd in Pacific Division)
The Western Conference champs have been hit hard lately. Superstar Connor McDavid recently returned after missing eight games, but Leon Draisaitl, one of the league’s elite scorers, has been out since April 2. Trade pickup Trent Frederic has only played once due to injury, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (day-to-day) and defensemen John Klingberg (IR) and Jake Walman (day-to-day) are also banged up.
3. Dallas Stars (2nd in Central Division)
Dallas has fewer injuries than Florida or Edmonton, but the losses are significant. Star defenseman Miro Heiskanen will likely miss the playoffs after suffering a knee injury in January, while veteran Tyler Seguin—who was enjoying a resurgent season—underwent hip surgery and may not return until the postseason. The question is how effective he’ll be after such a long layoff.
4. Minnesota Wild (First Wild Card in Western Conference)
Minnesota is finally getting reinforcements, with , Joel Eriksson Ek, who recently scored four goals in his return, and Kirill Kaprizov - who missed nearly half the season, back in action. However, their extended absences contributed to a late-season slide, likely setting up a tough first-round matchup against Winnipeg or Vegas—two division leaders.
Joel Eriksson Ek has FOUR goals in his first game back for the Wild when they need it most for the playoff hunt 😱 pic.twitter.com/6rBVE8qAmn
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 10, 2025
5. New Jersey Devils (3rd in Metropolitan Division)
The Devils are locked into a first-round clash with the battle-tested Hurricanes, but they’ll be without Jack Hughes for the entire playoffs. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton has been out over a month, and Jonas Siegenthaler, a key piece in their playoff run two years ago, hasn’t played since February.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off on April 19, and health could be the ultimate X-factor for these contenders.
Image - Jeff Curry-Imagn
