Gallant could add Carrier to lineup

Coach Gerard Gallant may be running out of moves, but with his Golden Knights facing elimination, he still has at least one card to play in the Stanley Cup Final.

Gallant may put forward William Carrier in the lineup for Game 5 on Thursday against Washington at T-mobile Arena. Carrier, who had an undisclosed injury May 4 in the second round against San Jose, has been cleared to play by team doctors.

“I’m good to go,” Carrier said. “They’re letting me hit now, so it’s up to them.”

Ryan Reaves has been skating in Carrier’s spot since Game 6 against the Sharks. However, both alternated turns during Wednesday’s practice at City National Arena, an indication that something may be in the works. Carrier had previously been skating on a makeshift fifth line during the final.

Gallant wasn’t tipping his hand. But he did acknowledge Carrier is an option.

“What you see with Will Carrier is he’s a fast guy, he’s a heavy guy,” Gallant said. “He skates well and he goes hard to the net. If we decide to put him in the lineup (Thursday) that’s what we hope he gives us.”

In addition, Gallant could return David Perron to the lineup after Perron was scratched for Game 4. Perron skated with Tomas Tatar along with Ryan Carpenter on Cody Eakin’s line in Wednesday’s practice.

Tatar, who took Perron’s place in the lineup for Game 4, played 12:37 in 16 shifts and had one shot on goal and two hits along with one takeaway and was a plus-1.