Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) won't play in Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports. The Czech veteran will sit out a seventh consecutive contest. However, Gudas has resumed skating, and Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville expects him to return to action "at some point in this series." Due to Gudas' lingering lower-body injury, Drew Helleson has become a regular in the lineup. Yet he hasn't earned much trust from Quenneville, averaging just 8:30 of ice time in the playoffs.

Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (arm) has been upgraded to day-to-day, head coach Lindy Ruff revealed on Tuesday. Carrick practiced on Tuesday and could be an option to make his 2026 postseason debut in Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Initially, Carrick was believed not to be an option for Round 2 due to an arm injury sustained in a fight with New York Islanders forward Anders Lee on March 31. Carrick could be a useful addition to the Sabres' lineup, having recorded five goals, one assist, and 20 hits in 13 regular-season outings with the team.

Philadelphia Flyers center Noah Cates (lower body) is day-to-day, Jackie Spiegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Cates was hurt in Monday's overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and was seen holding a walking boot for his right foot after the game. Another absence up front would be a bitter blow for the Flyers, who have already been without Owen Tippett (undisclosed) at the start of the series. Tippett is also considered day-to-day ahead of Game 3 on Thursday. Cates has been among Philadelphia's highest scorers in the playoffs, with four points (one goal, three assists) in eight games. He finished the regular season with a career-high 47 points (18 goals, 29 assists) in 82 outings.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) has been cleared to return to the lineup, Kurt Dusterberg of NHL.com reports. He will be an option to play in Game 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Nikishin missed the first two games of the series due to a concussion sustained in a matchup with Ottawa on April 25. Mike Reilly has played in Nikishin's place, making a positive impact with two assists in two games. Nikishin has yet to score any points this postseason after having 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 81 regular-season contests.