Calgary Flames

The Flames will start Mike Smith between the pipes for Thursday's Game 1 against Colorado Avalanche. The 37-year-old played 42 games this season, posting a 23-16-2 record with a 2.72 goals-against average.

 

Washington Capitals

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov was called up from Hershey (AHL) to serve as the team's third goaltender during the playoffs, the team announced on Thursday.

Samsonov is 19-14-2 with three shutouts and a .896 in the AHL this season. Hershey has qualified for the AHL postseason which starts next week.

 

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights are attempting to sign forward prospect Nikita Gusev and have him join the team for the playoffs, according to Igor Eronko

TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger reports that Gusev's agent, J.P. Barry, is working with Gusev's representatives to negotiate an early release from his contract, which technically runs until the end of April.

Gusev recorded 16 goals and 65 assists in 62 games with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. The team was eliminated from the Gagarin Cup playoffs last week.

 

Columbus Blue Jackets

Defenceman Adam Clendening has been sent down to Cleveland (AHL)

Clendening was called up by Columbus on Tuesday but did not play in the Blue Jackets' 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their Metropolitan Division semifinal on Wednesday.