News:Antti Niemi stopped 22 of 23 Tuesday to even the Sharks' second-round series with Los Angeles at two games apiece.
Analysis: After allowing six goals in the two games in Los Angeles to start the series, Antti Niemi's got consecutive one-goal outings going for him.
News:Brad Richards skated just 8:10 over 10 shifts in Tuesday's Game 3 loss to Boston.
Analysis: He wasn't hurt; the ineffective Brad Richards just spent a lot of time on the bench. He's been absolutely horrid -- and, worse, uninvolved -- in the playoffs following a disappointing regular season, and could be playing his way out of New York. At this point, the best news about Richards would be that he's been playing through an injury.
News:Daniel Paille assisted on Boston's first goal and scored the second in Tuesday's 2-1 Game 3 win over the Rangers.
Analysis: The fourth line of Daniel Paille, Shawn Thornton and Gregory Campbell has been dominant along the boards in this series, and this time it produced some offense. Most often, though, Paille's contributions don't show up in the box score.
News:Tuukka Rask stopped 23 of 24 shots Tuesday to give Boston a 3-0 lead over the Rangers in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.
Analysis: Though Tuukka Rask wasn't challenged very often in this one, he was sharp against the Rangers' few quality opportunities. He seems to be getting better and better as he goes along -- a scary sign for the opposition.
News:Kyle Clifford (undisclosed) will play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Sharks, Helene Elliott of the LA Times reports.
Analysis:Kyle Clifford missed the Kings' previous four games, but he will return to action Tuesday night with the Kings looking to go up 3-1 on the Sharks.
News:Jason Demers (foot) will not play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Kings, CSN's Kevin Kurz reports.
Analysis: The Sharks were hoping that Jason Demers would be able to play in their second-round series, but he will remain sidelined for the time being.
News:Matt Greene (lower body) will play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Sharks, Helene Elliott of the LA times reports.
Analysis:Matt Greene has not played in a game since Apr. 24, but he will take the ice Tuesday night as the Kings aim to go up 3-1 against the Sharks.
News:Anton Stralman left Tuesday's Game 3 against Boston after taking a big second-period hit.
Analysis: He appeared shaken up after taking a smashing from Milan Lucic and didn't come out for the third period. No word on what the injury is yet, but it's bad news for the Rangers if it's anything serious, as Anton Stralman's been a steady presence on their blue line.
News:Chris Kreider left Tuesday's Game 3 against Boston in the third period after taking a stick underneath his visor.
Analysis: He was treated on the bench before heading to the locker room. It didn't look like a major ding, so Chris Kreider probably shouldn't miss much time.
News:Andrew Ference, who hasn't played since Game 5 of the team's first-round series against the Leafs due to a lower-body injury, is not listed in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 3 against the Rangers.
Analysis: Once again, the B's will roll without three of their regular blueliners, with Andrew Ference, Dennis Seidenberg and Wade Redden about to sit out Tuesday's game with various injuries.
News:Wade Redden (undisclosed) will not play in Tuesday's Game 3 against the Rangers.
Analysis:Wade Redden will sit out Tuesday for the fifth time in six games. He was able to practice Monday, so there is a chance he could be back on the ice for Thursday's Game 4.
News:Tom Poti said he will not be returning to the Capitals, stating that he never felt he was in the Caps' plans this season.
Analysis:Tom Poti returned to the NHL this season after missing two years due to a fractured pelvis and multiple groin injuries. Poti is confident in his ability to play next year, despite being limited to 16 games this year due to neck and back injuries.
News:Wojtek Wolski signed a contract with the KHL's Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, the Capitals announced Monday.
Analysis: The Caps signed Wojtek Wolski last summer. He did not make any playoff appearances and played in just 27 games for Washington this season. After playing with five NHL teams, Wolski has made the move to the KHL at age 27, and he's unlikely to return to North America anytime soon.
News:Dennis Seidenberg (leg) will miss Tuesday's Game 3 against the Rangers, according to ESPN.
Analysis: Things have been heading in this direction even though Dennis Seidenberg has started practicing again. The B's will have to continue to get by with a banged-up blue line, which they've been doing capably thus far in the series.
News: After Logan Couture missed practice Monday, coach Todd McLellan confirmed that Couture will be in the lineup for San Jose's game on Tuesday, CSN Bay Area reports.
Analysis:Logan Couture missed most of the second period in Game 3, but was back in the lineup by the end of the game and scored the game-winner. Despite a couple shake-ups, Couture will remain on a line with Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau.
News:Brenden Morrow left Tuesday's practice for an unspecified reason.
Analysis: It's unclear what, if anything, is ailing Brenden Morrow, but we'll look for additional details regarding his status as Wednesday's Game 4 against the Senators approaches.
News:Chris Neil (upper body), who left Sunday's Game 3 victory over the Penguins during the second overtime period, practiced Tuesday.
Analysis: The report adds that Chris Neil is cleared to play in Wednesday's Game 4, suggesting that the pesky forward could have returned to Game 3 with more time.
News:Eric Gryba (upper body) is not close to returning, the Ottawa Sun reports.
Analysis:Eric Gryba still has not been cleared for contact after being hit by Pens defenseman Brooks Orpik in Game 1 of the Senators' second-round series. Andre Benoit played in Gryba's place in Game 3, and can be expected to do so again in Game 4 on Wednesday, especially considering Benoit set up the game-winner in overtime Sunday.
News:Adam Burish (hand) is progressing, but will miss Tuesday's Game 4 against the Kings, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports.
Analysis: The fact that Adam Burish's hand will probably keep him out a little while longer and his lack of offensive production leave him with very little fantasy value.
News:Patrick Kane has picked up his first-ever nomination for the Lady Byng Trophy, which is given each year to the player who has best exhibited the combination of sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and skill. He's up against the Islanders' Matt Moulson and the Lightning's Marty St. Louis.
Analysis: He finished fifth in the NHL in both goals (23) and points (55) while picking up just eight penalty minutes, the fewest among the league's top-20 scorers.
News:Matt Moulson has earned a nomination for the Lady Byng Trophy, which is given to the NHLer who has best exhibited the combination of sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and skill. Marty St. Louis of Tampa Bay and Patrick Kane of Chicago are the other nominees. It is Moulson's second consecutive nomination for the award.
Analysis:Matt Moulson totaled just four penalty minutes while finishing in the top three on the Isles in goals (15), assists (29) and points (44). His efforts also helped lead the team to the postseason for its first appearance in six seasons.
News:Martin St. Louis has been named a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, given each year to the player who has best exhibited the combination of sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and skill. He is up against Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks and Matt Moulson of the Islanders.
Analysis: He is already a two-time Lady Byng winner (2009-10, 2010-11) and a finalist for the award four other times. This year, he led the NHL with 43 helpers and 60 points in 48 games to win his second-career Art Ross Trophy, all while spending just 14 minutes in the penalty box.
News:Mikhail Grabovski has reportedly admitted that he bit Montreal forward Max Pacioretty in a game on Feb. 9, reports TSN.ca, which cited Dmitry Chesnokov, a Russian-American writer with Yahoo! Sports. "(Pacioretty) was choking me and I bit him," said Grabovski. "Don't stick your hands where you shouldn't."
Analysis: After the incident, the NHL didn't hand down any supplemental discipline because it couldn't determine if there was a bite or not. Honestly comes later, we guess. "To be honest with you he was choking me pretty hard, to the point where I really couldn't breathe," continued Grabo. "And I couldn't pull his hand away at all. I tried to hit him with my other hand, but I couldn't because he was choking me. There was nothing left to do but bite him." We wonder if the league will reconsider its stance and levy something that will be effective to start next season
News:Joakim Andersson picked up an assist against the Blackhawks in Game 3 on Monday. He also was a plus-1 and had two penalty minutes.
Analysis:Joakim Andersson, a rookie with limited NHL experience, has tallied assists in back-to-back games, giving him four in 10 playoff contests.
News:Corey Crawford let in three goals on 30 shots in a Game 3 loss to the Red Wings on Monday.
Analysis: After ending Chicago's first round series strong and beginning this series with a good performance, he has let in seven goals in two back-to-back losses. The Blackhawks may potentially be facing a second-round upset now.
News:Jimmy Howard turned aside 39 of the 40 shots he faced in a Game 3 win over the Blackhawks on Monday.
Analysis: The Wings now have a 2-1 lead in the series, and Jimmy Howard has only let in one goal in each of Detroit's last two games.
News:Ales Hemsky is not expected to be back in Edmonton next season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ales Hemsky is due to make $5 million next season and with his history on injuries and games missed it is unlikely the Oilers would want to pay him that amount. Problem is, neither will another team. The Oilers would probably have to eat a certain portion of the contract in order to deal him.
News:Daniel Carcillo is not taking warm-ups for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday and will be a scratch, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: With Viktor Stalberg dressing for Game 3, there had to be a player who will not dress and that is Daniel Carcillo. Despite playing the last four playoff games, Carcillo had not seen much ice time. He only saw a little less than eight minutes of ice time in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
News:Francois Beauchemin underwent successful reconstructive surgery on a ligament in his right knee last Thursday, the Globe and Mail reports.
Analysis: The 32-year-old played for a month with the torn ligament in his knee, but following the Ducks' elimination from the playoffs last week, he decided to go under the knife. Francois Beauchemin, who put up 24 points (6G, 18A) and a plus-19 rating during the regular season, hopes to return in time for the start of next season.
News: The Sabres re-signed John Scott to a one-year deal on Monday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis:John Scott fills a tough-guy role and the buck ends there, as he has a miniscule five points in 180 career games. That said, he has 305 penalty minutes across that time, so you can usually be sure when he's out there that he's ready to mix it up with someone. Scott played 34 games with the Sabres last season and was third on the team with 69 PIMs.
News:Mikael Samuelsson (shoulder) will not be in the lineup for Game 3 on Monday, MLive.com reports.
Analysis: He's listed as a healthy scratch Monday, so it may simply be a case where head coach Mike Babcock is happy with the lineup he used in the Wings' Game 2 victory on Saturday and does not feel the need to push Mikael Samuelsson back into the fold at the current time.
Hawks' Handzus To Dress For Game 3 Despite Missing Practices
News:Michal Handzus will be in the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals despite not practicing in the Monday morning skate, ESPN Chicago reports.
Analysis:Michal Handzus has missed most of the practices recently, but has still skated in the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals. The Blackhawks have not reported any injury for Handzus, but his play has not been up to par in the series against Detroit.
News:Viktor Stalberg will return to the lineup on Monday in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Red Wings, ESPN Chicago reports.
Analysis:Viktor Stalberg had been in Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville's doghouse after the first-round series with the Wild and was a healthy scratch for the first two games against the Red Wings. With the Hawks in need of some speed after the 4-1 loss in Game 2 to Detroit, Quenneville has turned back to Stalberg. He is expected to be skating on the third line.
News:Darroll Powe (undisclosed) skated with the Rangers' practice team Monday, the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis:Darroll Powe participated in a contact drill around the center circle, which is a good sign if he does indeed have a concussion, as suspected. However, he did not record any points in the three playoff games he played before being injured, so his return shouldn't have a huge impact on any fantasy leagues.
News:Joe Vitale (undisclosed) is expected to practice with the team Tuesday, Pens Inside Scoop reports.
Analysis:Joe Vitale only recorded one assist and four PIMs in four playoff games before being injured, so even when he's able to return his fantasy impact will likely be minimal.
News:Henrik Lundqvist downplayed his left shoulder issue Monday, Andrew Gross of The Record reports. "Everybody's sore. It's the playoffs," Lundqvist noted. "You can't just sit out (because) it's hurting a little bit."
Analysis: In other words, Henrik Lundqvist, who says that his shoulder issue is under control, may be a little banged up, but it's nothing that threatens his availability for Tuesday's Game 3 against the Bruins.
News:Colin Greening scored the game-winning goal in double overtime against the Penguins on Sunday.
Analysis:Colin Greening helped Ottawa avoid the 3-0 hole with his third goal of the postseason. He only had eight goals during the regular season, but he has picked up his play during the playoffs.
News:Jason Spezza played his first game since January 29 against the Penguins in Sunday's Game 3. He played 18:40, was a minus-1, and had four shots on net.
Analysis:Jason Spezza missed almost the entire season with his back injury, but he didn't seem worse for the wear in this game, a good sign for the Senators.
News:Tomas Vokoun made 46 saves on 48 shots, but he still took the Game 3 loss in double overtime against the Senators on Sunday.
Analysis:Tomas Vokoun was less than a minute away from a shutout, but ended up on the losing end. However, his numbers since taking over for Marc-Andre Fleury remain strong.
News:Craig Anderson made 49 saves on 50 shots in a double overtime Game 3 victory over the Penguins on Sunday.
Analysis:Craig Anderson bounced back in grand fashion from getting pulled in Game 2, coming up big to help the Senators get their first win of the series.
News:Rick Nash scored his first goal of the playoffs in Sunday's 5-2 loss to Boston
Analysis: Having been stuck in Columbus for the entirety of his career previously, the goal is just the second of Rick Nash's playoff career. With a goal and two assists in his last three games, perhaps Nash is warming up just in time to push the Rangers into the conference finals.
News:Tanner Glass will make his first playoff appearance since Round 1 on Sunday night against the Senators.
Analysis:Tanner Glass has eight hits in four playoff contests and brings a penalty-killing element Joe Vitale does not offer.
News:Ryan Callahan was a minus-1 with a goal on three shots in Sunday's 5-2 loss to Boston.
Analysis:Ryan Callahan's even-strength goal not only quickly answered Boston's early lead, but came on a nifty deke across the crease past Tuukka Rask. The Rangers' captain also tied this season's playoff high with eight hits in the loss.
News:Johnny Boychuk scored a goal in Sunday's win over the Rangers in Game 2 of the Bruins' second-round playoff series.
Analysis:Johnny Boychuk notched just one goal in 44 regular season games, but his dangerous shot has already hit the back of the net three times in nine playoff games to date.
News:Torey Krug picked up a goal and an assist in Sunday's win over the Rangers in Game 2 of the Bruins' second-round playoff series.
Analysis: With his skill and poise, Torey Krug, who now has two goals and three points in two playoff games, is making a case to stay in the Bruins' lineup even when the likes of Dennis Seidenberg, Andrew Ference and Wade Redden return to health.
News:Martin Havlat (groin) won't play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Kings, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Kurz adds that he'd be shocked to see Martin Havlat play again in the Sharks' second-round series against Los Angeles, which the team trails 2-1.
News:Ryane Clowe (undisclosed injury) won't play in Sunday's Game 2 against the Bruins, the team's official site reports.
Analysis: At this point, there's no concrete timetable for when Ryane Clowe might return to the Rangers' lineup. He last suited up for the team back on May 10.
News:Jonathan Toews was taken out of Game 2 as the Red Wings pushed him around in the Blackhawks' 4-1 loss, ESPN Chicago reports.
Analysis: Maybe this will wake up Jonathan Toews, who has not potted a goal in seven postseason games this season. He does have three assists in the last three games, but no goals to show for it. "I'm not going to go off and complain about some calls I thought should have been called or whatever, one way or another," Toews said. "If that's the way they're going to play, well, we need to play the same. There's a lot of clutch and grab, a lot of interference. If they're going to let that go, that's something we need to know and maybe do to them a little bit."
News:Tanner Pearson was inserted into the Kings' lineup for Game 3.
Analysis:Tanner Pearson, the 30th selection in the 2012 draft, scored 19 goals in 64 games at the AHL this season. He logged just 5:44 minutes of ice time in his debut on the fourth line.
News:Henrik Zetterberg had a pair of assists, including one on the game-winning tally in the Wings' victory over Chicago on Saturday.
Analysis: After making a heads-up play in a race to a loose puck in the Hawks' zone, Henrik Zetterberg brought the puck behind the Chicago goal line before firing a pass through a defenseman's skates to Brendan Smith at the back door. Aside from his contributions offensively, Zetterberg's value in the series will also come in the form of providing a tough defensive matchup for Hawks captain Jonathan Toews.
News:Tyler Toffoli's unassisted goal was the Kings' only offense in a 2-1 overtime loss at San Jose on Saturday.
Analysis: This is his first career playoff goal. He's seeing ice time primarily due to the injury to Jarret Stoll; if Stoll returns from his head injury, Tyler Toffoli will have few opportunities to contribute to your fantasy fortunes.
News:Jonathan Quick was on his game Saturday, stopping 38 San Jose shots, but his teammates couldn't generate enough offense to close the deal as the Sharks escaped with a 2-1 overtime win.
Analysis: He's displaying the same form in this postseason that propelled the Kings to the 2012 Stanley Cup. We have no hesitation about commending him to you whenever LA takes the ice.
News:Patrick Marleau assisted on both San Jose goals as the Sharks edged the Kings 2-1 in Saturday's Game 3 of the teams' second-round series.
Analysis: He has a 5-3-8 ledger after seven playoff games, with half of those points coming on San Jose power plays. There's no sign that this productivity will abate.
News:Scott Hannan missed about six minutes of action early in the second period of Saturday's Game 3 against the Kings after sliding face-first into the boards.
Analysis: After a brief respite, he returned to action and skated an otherwise normal complement of shifts. There's no indication that he won't be able to go in Tuesday's Game 4.
News:Jarret Stoll (head) is not in the lineup for Saturday's Game 3.
Analysis:Jarret Stoll suffered a head injury after being hit by Raffi Torres of the Sharks. It is unknown how long he will remain out of the lineup.
News:Tim Kennedy has been scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Game 3.
Analysis:Tim Kennedy did not play in Game 1 of the series and played just 6:51 in Game 2. He has not played a significant role throughout the playoffs, and it appears that is not going to change going forward.
News:Alec Martinez was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Game 3.
Analysis: The team did not state a reason for the move and has not provided any information regarding his status for Game 4. Alec Martinez has seen his ice time decrease slightly in the first two games of the series, and he played just 11:49 in Game 2.
News:Drew Miller (hand) will play in Game 2 against Chicago on Saturday, Detroit News writer John Niyo reports.
Analysis:Drew Miller will displace Todd Bertuzzi from the rotation, giving Detroit a bit more burst on the fourth line.
News:Todd Bertuzzi will not play in Game 2 against Chicago on Saturday, Detroit News writer John Niyo reports.
Analysis:Todd Bertuzzi lands on the bench due to the return of Drew Miller, who had been sitting due to a hand injury.
News:Eric Staal (third-degree MCL sprain) faces a three-month recovery time but will not need surgery, Tampa Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson reports
Analysis: It's a significant injury, but the offseason should be enough time for Eric Staal to be ready for the 2013-14 season, which would have been in jeopardy had he suffered a tear. The news is good, in other words.
News:Robin Lehner came on in relief during the second period of Friday's Game 2 loss to the Penguins.
Analysis: Starter Craig Anderson allowed three goals on 21 shots before being yanked in favor of Robin Lehner, who allowed one goal on 21 shots. There's no word yet on who will start Game 3 on Sunday, as the Sens may be looking for a spark with their backs against the wall in the series.
News:Alexander Edler has been suspended for the remainder of the IIHF World Championships for his knee-to-knee hit on Eric Staal, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Sweden will have to play without Alexander Edler in Saturday's semifinal match against Finland and the following medal game.
News:Eric Boulton signed a one-year contract with the Islanders, according to the Islanders web site.
Analysis:Eric Boulton is on the team for one reason, and one reason only, and that is to add some toughness to an otherwise soft lineup.
News:Brad Marchand notched the game-winner in overtime, while adding an assist in 22:17 of ice time in Thursday's Game 1 of the Bruins' second-round series against the Rangers.
Analysis:Brad Marchand left Thursday's morning skate in some pain due to an undisclosed injury, but not only did he suit up that evening, he turned in arguably his best effort in the postseason to date.
News:Marc Staal (eye) resumed skating during Friday's practice, the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis:Marc Staal, who had been practicing most everyday since sustaining the eye injury, had recently stopped skating over the last several days but will now return to his normal routine. He was only able to play in one game of the first-round series against the Capitals but his vision issues continue to persist in the game.
News:Raffi Torres has elected not to appeal his suspension.
Analysis: Although many of his Sharks teammates felt the suspension for the remainder of the second-round series with the Kings was excessive, Raffi Torres elected to preserve his eligibility for a potential Western Conference finals series. Though not a prolific scorer offensively, Torres' skills as an enforcer will be missed against the Kings.
News:Craig Adams is in the lineup Friday for Game 2 against the Senators, the team's official website reports.
Analysis:Craig Adams was absent during Friday's morning skate, but it sounds like it was just for rest than as a result of any sort of injury. He'll likely be ticketed for his usual ice time.
News:Kris Letang will be in the lineup Friday against the Senators.
Analysis:Kris Letang missed Friday's morning skate, but it doesn't sound as though any sort of injury is at play here. He'll be part of his usual pairing with Matt Niskanen.
News:Andre Benoit will be in the lineup for Friday's Game 2 against the Penguins, TSN's Brent Wallace reports.
Analysis:Andre Benoit will fill in for Eric Gryba, who is out Friday with an upper-body injury. Benoit has 10 points in 33 games this season.
Blackhawks' Keith Misses Practice But Will Play Saturday
News:Duncan Keith missed practice Friday but Coach Joel Quenneville said he is "fine" and is expected to play Saturday, the team's official Twitter account reports.
Analysis:Duncan Keith, along with Michal Handzus, are simply sitting out to rest in preparation for Saturday's Game 2.
News:Guillaume Latendresse will return to the lineup for Friday's Game 2 against the Penguins, TSN's Brent Wallace reports.
Analysis:Guillaume Latendresse, who hasn't played since May 3, will replace Matt Kassian in the lineup Friday. Latendresse recorded six goals in 27 games this season.
News:Marc-Edouard Vlasic had a goal, three shots, and a plus-1 rating Thursday.
Analysis:Marc-Edouard Vlasic took a tough hit Thursday, but returned to the game and scored a huge goal for San Jose. It wasn't enough though, as San Jose lost in the closing minutes of the game. With two points in six games during the playoffs, don't look to Vlasic for big fantasy numbers.
News:Scott Gomez had two assists and a plus-2 rating in the San Jose loss to Los Angeles on Thursday.
Analysis: Those two assists are Scott Gomez's first points of the postseason. With Raffi Torres, Martin Havlat, and Adam Burish out, Gomez will need to take on a bigger role in the Sharks' offense this series. He has the potential to do so with 101 points in 144 career playoff games.
Thornton Gets A Point In Disappointing Sharks Loss
News:Joe Thornton had an assist and a single shot Thursday, as the Sharks collapsed in the closing minutes for a loss in Los Angeles.
Analysis:Joe Thornton has seven points in six games this postseason, but only has a single point and three shots in the series against Los Angeles thus far.
News:Brad Stuart had a goal and an assist, with a plus-2 rating, in the Sharks loss Thursday.
Analysis:Brad Stuart isn't known for putting points on the board, only tallying six points in 48 games during the regular season, but he played a big role for the Sharks Thursday.
Richards's Role Continues For Kings In Win Over Sharks
News:Mike Richards picked up his seventh assist of the playoffs in a Game 2 win over the Sharks on Thursday.
Analysis:Mike Richards has hit the scoresheet in four of the last five games now after registering just one point in his first three games of the playoffs.
News:Jeff Carter notched his fourth goal of the playoffs and added an assist in a 4-3 win Thursday.
Analysis:Jeff Carter is certainly rewarding those who bet on his scoring success from the regular season carrying over into the playoffs.
News:Alex Ovechkin played the final two games of the Capitals' playoff series against the Rangers with a hairline fracture in his left foot, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Since skating could not make the injury worse, Alex Ovechkin played through the issue, both in those two games, as well as the the quarterfinals of the World Championships. The good news is that the fracture will simply requires rest to heal and Ovechkin has the entire offseason ahead of him to that end.
News:Viktor Fasth played through a strained lower abdominal muscle and was only at "80 percent" at the end of the season, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: It was impressive enough that Viktor Fasth was able to post a 15-6 record with a 2.18 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage as a rookie, but the fact that he was able to do it all at less than full strength is impressive. The offseason should give him enough time to replenish, which may lead to even better numbers next season.
News: General manager Bob Murray said Ryan Getzlaf never returned to full strength after injuring his right ankle, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis:Ryan Getzlaf suffered the right ankle injury on March 3 against Dallas when he got tangled up with Jamie Benn. With a full offseason ahead of him, Getzlaf should be fully healed by next season.
News:Nick Bonino's injury in March was a torn hamstring, Eric Stephens of Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: General manager Bob Murray said Nick Bonino suffered the injury while playing soccer before practice. He was able to return from the injury, and played in 27 games altogether during the 2012-13 season, recording 13 points and a minus-3 rating.
News:Bracken Kearns will be in the line-up again for San Jose Thursday in Los Angeles, according to CSN Bay Area.
Analysis:Bracken Kearns only played 6:05 in his NHL playoff debut on Tuesday. He'll be in the line-up again Thursday, but temper your expectations.
News: The Coyotes have signed Rob Klinkhammer to a two-year contract.
Analysis: One of the team's free agents, Rob Klinkhammer made himself a priority for the team's front office this offseason after posting a career-high 11 points in 22 games at the NHL level. Klinkhammer also finished second on the team with a plus-7 rating. He should figure prominently into their plans in 2013.
News:Niklas Backstrom had surgery to repair a sports hernia and is expected to be fully recovered for the start of the 2013-14 season, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: It's not clear if he'll be playing for the Wild again next season as Niklas Backstrom will be an unrestricted free agent.
News:Dave Bolland, who had been out with a groin injury since April 22, saw close to 12 minutes of ice time in his return on Wednesday in the Blackhawks' 4-1 victory over the Red Wings in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Analysis: With Dave Bolland out of the lineup, the Blackhawks missed his toughness which will be needed if they plan on going further in the playoffs. Bolland centered the third line and won 4-out-of-7 face-offs in the contest. He also collected a pair of minor penalties and had a plus-1 on the ice.
News:Martin Erat will not require surgery on his dislocated elbow, the Washington Times reports. Instead, he plans on the rehabbing the injury on his own.
Analysis: Of course, with the Capitals eliminated following Monday's Game 7 loss to the Rangers, Martin Erat will have all offseason to rehab the injury, though he's expected to be fully recovered within a few weeks. Erat said he would have been available to play through the pain had the Capitals advanced to the second round.
News:Tyler Bozak (biceps) won't require surgery, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis:Tyler Bozak was sidelined for the final two games of the first-round series with the Bruins after injuring the biceps during a faceoff in Game 5. He's expected to require four weeks of recovery time before resuming offseason workouts.
News:Mats Zuccarello scored the fifth and final goal in Monday's 5-0 win over Washington.
Analysis: While it was Mats Zuccarello's first NHL playoff goal, he has been far from quiet these playoffs. After being shutout by the Caps in Games 1 and 2, the third-year winger has a goal and four assists in his last four games. The Norwegian Hobbit will hope to continue his productive ways in his first career game against Boston on Thursday.
News:Evgeni Malkin is tied with Boston's David Krejci for the playoff scoring race with 13 points (3 G, 10 A) after a two-point night Tuesday.
Analysis: He's skating as well as he has all season long. Evgeni Malkin is still battling through an injured left shoulder which may require offseason surgery, however, making his slap shot much less of a weapon. Even so, he's able to create offensive opportunities with his strong skating. Malkin skated less than 16 minutes (15:56) as Pittsburgh spent considerable time killing off five Ottawa power plays.
News:Jussi Jokinen has served as a healthy scratch in each of Pittsburgh's last three playoff games.
Analysis: His skill was needed more when the team's top-six forwards were not intact. Now that everyone's healthy, Jussi Jokinen is relegated to fighting for time on the fourth line and the likes of Tyler Kennedy and Joe Vitale fill the energy role better than Jokinen. Until the Pens lose another game, coach Dan Bylsma will likely keep the lineup the same -- meaning Jokinen will ride the bench.
News:Pascal Dupuis scored his sixth goal of the playoffs -- a short-handed effort -- in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Ottawa.
Analysis:Pascal Dupuis owners faced a scary moment when the forward slid awkwardly into the end boards during the third period and skated slowly off the ice. He didn't miss any time, however, and potted a short-side wrister over goalie Craig Anderson's right shoulder soon thereafter.
News:Ben Smith practiced with the fourth line in Tuesday's practice and could be skating in Game 1 of the Western Conference semi-finals on Wednesday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis:Ben Smith was working with the top four lines on Tuesday while Viktor Stalberg wore the white jersey on the fifth line. The 24-year-old forward posted a career-high 47 points for Rockford of the AHL. If Smith skates Wednesday night, it will be his first appearance in a NHL playoff game since the 2010-11 season and he did well with three goals in seven games, all against the Canucks.
News:Slava Voynov picked up his third game-winning goal of the playoffs and added an assist in a 2-0 win over the Blues on Tuesday.
Analysis: The 23-year old is certainly carrying over his regular season success (six goals, 19 assists) into the postseason thus far.
News:Jarred Tinordi is expected to be with Montreal when the 2013-14 season opens, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis: The Canadiens will not have Alexi Emelin to start the season as he recovers from offseason knee surgery that has yet to be performed. Jarred Tinordi has size and that's a trait the Canadiens are looking to add to a team on the small-ish side.
News: Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin acknowledged Louis Leblanc took a step back in his development in 2012-13, but the 2009 first-round pick is still in the team's plans, the Montreal Gazette reports. "He knows he has to be better and he knows it's a big summer for him," Bergevin said. "It's going to be up to him. But he's a good young player that we hope one day will play here."
Analysis:Louis Leblanc finished with just 10 goals and eight assists while posting a minus-18 in 62 games for AHL Hamilton this past season. He had showed some promise when called up during Montreal's abysmal 2011-12 season, but slumped badly and wasn't even given a shot to make the big club when the lockout-shortened season kicked off in January.
News: Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin will explore trading Tomas Kaberle in the offseason, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis: One way or another --- via trade or amnesty -- Tomas Kaberle will not be in the employ of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club when the 2013-14 season rolls around.
News:Alexei Emelin (knee) will miss the start of next season, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis:Alexei Emelin has yet to undergo required knee surgery for an injury suffered in early April. His absence will open a spot on the roster for young defenseman Jarred Tinordi.
News:Sidney Crosby didn't pick up a point in Tuesday's 4-1 series-opening win over the Senators. He went minus-1 and lost 11 of 19 face-offs in his 17:04 of ice time.
Analysis: He'd picked up points in all five games he played against the Islanders, though he's generally struggled with face-offs and defense thus far in the playoffs.
News:Nino Niederreiter is picking up in the Swiss league where he left off in the AHL, according to the Islanders Point Blank.
Analysis: Nino had 28 goals and 50 points in 74 games for Bridgeport and also leads his Swiss team with four goals, yet the Islanders never called him up this season. The Isles can say anything they like, but it certainly appears he was punished for his comments about the organization last year. The question now is whether the team will shop him for an upgrade on defense or in goal during the off-season. Jonathan Bernier, anyone?
News:Jonathan Huberdeau underwent surgery on his hip Tuesday, the Sports Network reports.
Analysis:Jonathan Huberdeau, who finished his first NHL season with 14 goals and 31 points in 48 games, is expected to to make a full recovery in time to be ready for training camp in September, according to GM Dale Tallon.
News:Toni Lydman said he suffered a concussion during Game 3 against the Red Wings, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: The concussion occurred after the hard hit from the Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader, which resulted in just a five-minute major penalty. The Ducks were eliminated in seven games in the first round by the Red Wings, so Toni Lydman will have a long offseason to recover.
News:Derick Brassard picked up two more assists in Monday's Game 7 win over Washington, giving him points in five straight playoff games.
Analysis: With nine points in this postseason, he's tied with some elite names -- Jarome Iginla, Milan Lucic, Sidney Crosby -- for third in scoring. Overall since joining the Rangers, Derick Brassard's on a point-per-game pace, as it appears the change of scenery from Columbus has done the playmaking center a world of good.
News:Arron Asham opened the scoring Monday in what turned out to be a 5-0 romp over the Capitals in Game 7.
Analysis: Despite playing just under eight minutes in the game, Arron Asham contributed his second goal of these playoffs. He doesn't play much and he doesn't shoot much in his agitating role, but Asham's got a strong and accurate shot when he uses it.
News:Nathan Horton's goal at 9:18 of the third period Monday started the Bruins' rally from a 4-1 deficit to a 5-4 Game 7 overtime win.
Analysis: He finishes the Bruins' first-round series with four goals, seven points and a league-best plus-11 rating after a disappointing 22-point regular season.
News:Tyler Seguin notched an assist on the game-winning tally in Monday's 5-4 Game 7 overtime win over the Leafs.
Analysis: The point was the first of the postseason for Tyler Seguin, who did manage to record 29 shots in the seven-game first-round series against the Leafs. The team will be looking for Seguin, as well as linemates Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, to pick things up in the second round of the playoffs after being thoroughly outplayed by the David Krejci/Milan Lucic/Nathan Horton trio in Round 1.
News:Zdeno Chara assisted on the second goal of Boston's third-period, three-goal Game 7 comeback that culminated in an overtime win Monday.
Analysis: With Andrew Ference and Wade Redden both out and Dennis Seidenberg exiting Monday's game early on, Zdeno Chara was counted on by the B's even more than usual, racking up 35:36 worth of ice in the series-ending win. Chara closes out the first round of the playoffs with eight points, good for the postseason scoring lead among blueliners.
News: Despite leaving the ice at the end of Game 4 against Vancouver, Tommy Wingels has been practicing and appears to be set to skate with Joe Pavelski and Andrew Desjardins on San Jose's third line, according to the Mercury News
Analysis:Tommy Wingels is an unknown quantity in San Jose. Coach McLellan believes in him, giving him 23.5 shifts per game, and his two points in four games don't tell the story of how effective he's been. He's a risky play, but he's been very good, and it helps to play with Pavelski, who has eight points in four games this postseason.
News:Braden Holtby stopped just 22 of 27 shots in a 5-0 Game 7 loss to the Rangers in Washington on Monday night.
Analysis: The season is over for the Capitals after the blowout Monday night. Braden Holtby ended the series with a .922 save percentage and a 2.22 goals allowed average. Holtby saw the vast majority of the playing time this year for the Caps and will head into the offseason as the heir apparent in the net. He's going to have to win in the playoffs eventually, though.
News:James Reimer will start Game 7 against the Bruins on Monday, NHL.com reports.
Analysis:James Reimer has been great in the past two games for the Leafs, giving up just two goals on 74 shots against over that span. He will need to be good again Monday in order for the Leafs to advance after trailing the Bruins 3-1 in the series.
News:Cam Fowler got an assist during the third period of the Ducks' loss to the Red Wings in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday.
Analysis: Despite a slow start, Cam Fowler had a solid finish to the regular season and continued some of that level of play in the postseason. As the Ducks look to next season, they have to be excited about his play at the end of this past season.
News:David Krejci notched two assists in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Leafs.
Analysis:David Krejci, who racked up 33 points in 47 regular season games, has taken things to the next level in the playoffs, while centering a line featuring Nathan Horton and a rejuvenated Milan Lucic. The B's slick playmaker now has five goals and a league-high 13 points in seven postseason game to date.
News:Milan Lucic scored a goal and an assist in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Leafs.
Analysis:Milan Lucic's regular season struggles seem well behind him at present, as the Bruins' power forward has been a force in the playoffs, racking up nine points and 32 hits in seven games to date, to go along with a plus-9 rating.
News:Matt Bartkowski opened the scoring in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Leafs.
Analysis: With both Wade Redden and Andrew Ference out and Dennis Seidenberg injured early Monday, Matt Bartkowski was pressed into a major role in Game 7, seeing 24:51 worth of ice time. He more than held his own and if his veteran counterparts continue to miss time, Bartkowski could remain in the mix in the second round of the playoff, which begins Thursday for the Bruins.
News:Patrice Bergeron scored two goals and added an assist in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over the Leafs.
Analysis: After scoring the game-tying goal with less than a minute to play in regulation time, Patrice Bergeron notched the game-winner 6:05 into overtime. Over the first six games of the series, Bergeron was limited to just one point, but he certainly picked a good time to get things going in Game 7 and perhaps his line can get back on track in the second round of the playoffs.
Preds' Wilson Out 4-6 Months Following Shoulder Surgery
News:Colin Wilson is expected to miss 4-6 months after undergoing stabilization surgery on his left shoulder last week, according to Reuters.
Analysis:Colin Wilson had 19 points in 25 games before undergoing a similar procedure - on his right shoulder - in April. Given the new timeframe for his expected recovery, it's questionable whether he will be available for the start of the season come October.
News:Brooks Laich, who had sports hernia surgery in early April, won't play in Monday's Game 7 against the Rangers, the Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe reports.
Analysis:Brooks Laich has been progressing, however, suggesting that we could see him in the next round of the playoffs, should the Caps win Monday and advance to play the winner of the Bruins/Leafs series.
News:John Moore registered an assist on the game's lone goal in Sunday's 1-0 win over Washington.
Analysis:John Moore, who is playing in his first career playoff series, has held strong and now has his first career point to show for it. Moore is definitely an interesting riser for next season's draft and should be earning looks in keeper leagues already.
News:Carey Price (second-degree MCL sprain) will not need surgery and is looking at a six-week recovery period, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis: In any case, Carey Price expects to be fully healthy by the time training camp rolls around and the fact that he will not need an offseason procedure on his knee supports that notion.
News:Dougie Hamilton saw 10:49 worth of ice time in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Leafs.
Analysis: Whether or not Dougie Hamilton plays in Monday's Game 7 against the Leafs presumably hinges on the status of Andrew Ference, who was forced to sit out Sunday's Game 6 with an undisclosed injury.
News:Patrick Eaves replaced Cory Emmerton on Detroit's fourth line prior to Sunday's Game 7 in Anaheim, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Emmerton's zero points and minus-4 rating spurred the lineup change. Patrick Eaves, who didn't see the ice in Game 6, will look to add to his assist from Game 1 of the first-round series.
News:Cory Emmerton was removed from Detroit's fourth line for Patrick Eaves prior to Sunday's Game 7 in Anaheim, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis:Cory Emmerton has not captured a point during the first six games of the Red Wings' first-round series, with a minus-4 rating. If Detroit advances, it'll be interesting to see if he can regain his spot in the lineup.
News:Emerson Etem lit the lamp in Game 7 against the Red Wings on Sunday.
Analysis: The Ducks were eliminated, but Emerson Etem was a certain bright spot for the team. The 20-year-old rookie scored three goals and had five points and looks like a promising player for the future.
News:Jonas Hiller made 29 saves on 32 shots in a Game 7 loss to the Red Wings on Sunday.
Analysis:Jonas Hiller had a .917 save percentage and a 2.46 GAA this postseason, and he posted a shutout as well. However, Anaheim's playoff run is now over.
News:Phil Kessel scored the game-winning goal Sunday in a 2-1 victory over Boston. The goal came at even strength.
Analysis: The even strength part is significant because he'd gained the unfortunate reputation that he was only able to get points against his old team when he was on the PP. Two of his three goals this series have come at even strength and both were game-winners.
News: Van Riemsdyk set up both Leafs' goals in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Bruins.
Analysis: He hates to play a big man's game, but he's been successful this postseason going to the net and playing the role of immovable object. Perhaps he's starting to see that he doesn't have to be abrasive, he just has to get to the blue paint. We can only hope.
News:Kyle Palmieri scored a goal during the first period of the Ducks' 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday.
Analysis: Friday's goal adds to the hot streak that Kyle Palmieri has started this postseason for the Ducks, now having five points during the first six games of this opening playoff series.
News:Teemu Selanne was hit in the face during the morning skate but is expected to take the ice for Sunday's Game 7 against Detroit, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis:Teemu Selanne iced the region following drills and appears to be fine heading into the series finale Sunday. After tallying a point in each of the first three games versus the Red Wings, he has been held off the scoreboard the past three outings.
News:Patrick Wiercioch remains out due to a lower-body injury.
Analysis:Patrick Wiercioch was removed from Game 3 of the first-round series against Montreal with the ailment, which has held him out in the interim. His status is still up in the air heading into the Eastern Conference semifinals versus Pittsburgh.
News:Milan Michalek sat out Sunday's practice in order to rest but will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Pittsburgh.
Analysis:Milan Michalek notched a goal and an assist during Ottawa's five-game series victory over Montreal, which followed up a 14-point, injury-plagued regular season. Since his knee injury has lingered throughout the 2013 campaign, a day of rest is preferable for his ultimate output.
News:Corey Perry was credited with an assist during the third period of the Ducks' 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday.
Analysis: With Friday's assist being only Corey Perry's second point in the Ducks' first six playoff games, he is having a slightly slower start to the postseason than the team might have expected from their second highest point-getter of the regular season.
News:Brian Gionta has undergone successful surgery on his left biceps tear, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis:Brian Gionta himself relayed that the procedure went well, and with the entire offseason in front of him to recover, the Canadiens' winger should be all systems go by the fall.
News:Brandon Prust provided details of the upper-body injury that forced him out of the Canadiens' final playoff game, indicating he had a separated rib, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis:Brandon Prust initially suffered the injury early in the third period of Game 4, but was able put the rib back in place himself. He soldiered on until the overtime period when the rib dislodged again and the pain became too much. He anticipates about three weeks of rest and therapy will "stick it back together and get it healed."
News:Bobby Ryan scored a goal during the third period of the Ducks' 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday.
Analysis:Bobby Ryan is having a solid start to the postseason, with Friday's goal giving him four points in the Ducks' first six playoff games.
News:Francis Bouillon had been playing with a broken finger since April 11, Renaud Lavoie of RDS reports.
Analysis:Francis Bouillon didn't score a point since suffering the injury, although that doesn't necessarily carry any significance, given that he only recorded nine points beforehand. He should be fine for the start of the 2013-14 season.
News:Thomas McCollum has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids, Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News reports.
Analysis:Thomas McCollum will take Brian Lashoff's roster spot in advance of Sunday's Game 7 against the Ducks. He figures to serve as the No. 3 goaltender.
News:Marc-Andre Fleury rode the bench for the series-clinching Game 6 win Saturday night on Long Island.
Analysis: Coach Dan Bylsma likes to stick with the hot hand, but his trust in Marc-Andre Fleury is greater than some might think. Fleury fared well against the team's Round 2 opponent, Ottawa, in the regular season, going 2-0 with a 1.44 GAA and .951 save percentage. He could be back between the pipes sooner than anyone thinks.
News:Jarome Iginla, who has played on a line with Sidney Crosby in each of the last two playoff games, chipped in his second goal (and ninth point) in six postseason contests in Game 6 on Saturday night.
Analysis: The plan was to put Jarome Iginla with Crosby all along, but injuries conspired to keep the two superstars separated until the team regained its overall health. For the first time in 2013, the team has no significant injuries and the chemistry between Iggy and Sid becomes more evident by the shift.
News:Keith Aucoin posted two assists in the Islanders' season-ending overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday night.
Analysis: He completes a credible campaign for an offseason waiver claim, and stands a good chance of seeing significant ice time next season, on Long Island or elsewhere.
News:Matt Martin delivered three shots and an impressive 11 hits Saturday in the Islanders' overtime loss to Pittsburgh. The game ends the Isles' season in a 4-2 first-round series loss.
Analysis: Even more impressively, he was only on the ice for 12 minutes in the contest. This many hits will give the coaching staff something to ponder as the Islanders mull over their offseason plans. Matt Martin is signed for three more years, so he figures to be in the team's long-term plans.
News:Paul Martin scored an equalizing goal with five minutes left in the third frame of Saturday's game at New York on Saturday. He also collected an assist as the Penguins beat the Islanders to win the first round series, four games to two.
Analysis: The first round was a slugfest of goals; the second is likely to be a defensive battle against Ottawa. His point-per-game pace in Round 1 (1-5-6 in six games) is unlikely to continue as the playoffs grind on.
News:Evgeni Nabokov allowed four goals on 21 shots as the Islanders lost in overtime and were eliminated by the Penguins, 4-3 on Saturday.
Analysis: To put it nicely, Evgeni Nabokov was disappointing in this series. While you can't blame every goal on him, he was outplayed badly by Tomas Vokoun and the game-winning goal was a 60-foot slap shot by Brooks Orpik, not exactly someone who possesses a rifle for a shot. A month ago it looked like Nabokov would have a strong chance to return to the Islanders next season, but his play in the playoffs may have hastened his exit as the Islanders' starting goaltender.
News:John Tavares scored his third goal of the playoffs as the Islanders were eliminated in six games by the Penguins.
Analysis:John Tavares showed why he is one of the best players in the game and one could make a strong argument that he will only get better as the Islanders build up the talent around him.
News:Brooks Orpik scored 7:49 into overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 win in Game 6 of Pittsburgh's first-round series against the Islanders on Saturday. The win propels the Penguins into the second round of the playoffs.
Analysis: This was Brooks Orpik's first postseason tally ever -- he has only 11 goals in 631 career regular-season contests. Pittsburgh will take on Ottawa and its hot goaltender, Craig Anderson, in Round 2. The Pens beat Anderson in each of the three regular season games he started against Pittsburgh.
News:Michael Grabner scored his first playoff goal as the Islanders were eliminated from the playoffs Saturday.
Analysis:Michael Grabner's goal in the third period looked to be the game-winner until the Penguins tied the game with about about five minutes remaining. Alas, it wasn't meant to be.
News:Frans Nielsen (lower body) will play in Saturday's Game 6 against the Penguins, Newsday's Arthur Staple reports.
Analysis: No setbacks occurred during warmups, so Frans Nielsen will play Saturday and try to do what he can to keep his team alive.
News:Mike Rupp will undergo offseason meniscus surgery and is expected to have a quick recovery process, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Michael Russo reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp, who tallied four points and 79 PIMs in 40 games during the 2012-13 season, should be ready for the start of the 2013-14 campaign.
News:Ray Emery (lower body) is expected to return for Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Daily Herald's Tim Sassone reports.
Analysis:Ray Emery, who will serve as the backup to Corey Crawford once he returns, missed the entire first round of the playoffs. It sounds like he should be back for Game 1 in the second round.
Capitals' Hendricks Returns To Practice Minus Teeth
News:Matt Hendricks returned to Saturday's practice after a puck knocked some of his teeth out, the Bergen Record's Tom Gulitti reports.
Analysis:Matt Hendricks left the ice for a little while, but it's probably safe to assume that he will play Sunday, given that a few missing teeth couldn't even keep him from practicing.
News:Brian Elliott allowed two goals on 16 shots in Friday's decisive 2-1, Game 6 loss to Los Angeles as the Blues were eliminated from the playoffs.
Analysis: The winning goal will haunt Brian Elliott wherever he ends up next season as Dustin Penner's slap shot flew by him with less than a second remaining in the second period. It changed direction off of Elliott's teammate Roman Polak, but it was a damaging goal that St. Louis couldn't pull back. Elliott surrendered nine goals on 61 shots in the series' final three games, a less-than-desirable save percentage hovering around 87 percent as the Blues lost four straight games.
News:Drew Doughty scored Los Angeles' first goal in Friday's 2-1, Game 6 victory over St. Louis that booked the Kings a spot in the second round.
Analysis:Drew Doughty finished the six-game series with a point in each of the last two games as Los Angeles erased a 2-0 series deficit by winning the next four contests. Doughty's regular season numbers weren't poor, but owners were expecting more. Odds are Doughty will be a factor at both ends of the ice for however long the Kings continue their Cup defense.
News:Dustin Penner's goal in the final moments of the second period in Friday's 2-1, Game 6 victory over St. Louis secured a ticket in the second round for Los Angeles.
Analysis:Dustin Penner had two goals in the series, but his goal with less than a second remaining in the second period Friday will be one of the most memorable of his career. A laser of a slap shot from near the blue line took a slight deflection and bounced in off the post past Brian Elliott, giving the Kings all the goals they'd need to advance. Penner can be a force on the ice when he chooses, but the Kings will need him to assert himself more in the second round, where they will face either San Jose or Chicago.
News:Pavel Datsyuk notched a goal and two assists in Friday's Game 6 overtime win against Anaheim as Detroit tied up their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Analysis:Pavel Datsyuk's goal late in the first period to open the scoring was another Datsyukian dangle with a backhanded finish that Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller never saw. Datsyuk has seven points in the series' six games.
News:Justin Abdelkader returned to the Detroit lineup for Friday's 4-3 overtime win in Game 6 of the team's series with Anaheim, notching an assist and finishing a plus-2.
Analysis:Justin Abdelkader's presence on the ice was a boost for Detroit, as he set up the screen on the team's winning goal in overtime. He played 19:21 in the team's victory and registered six hits. He's an important player to the team's overall philosophy; his speed and energy were a welcomed sight in the lineup.
News:Brian Boyle scored the Rangers' only goal in Friday's Game 5 loss to Washington in the team's Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
Analysis:Brian Boyle also took a penalty late in the game that did not sit well with Rangers' coach John Tortorella, but the penalty was killed off. Since being a healthy scratch in Game 1, Boyle has two goals and an assist in four games and is one of the team's more important two-way players.
News:Clarke MacArthur scored the game-winning goal in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Bruins. He has goals in back-to-back games after being a healthy scratch.
Analysis: Talk about opportunistic -- he made a nifty play down the left wing and cut back across the net to finish the play. The Leafs need secondary scoring, so it's nice to see CMac deliver.
News:Jay McClement didn't record a point in Friday's win over Boston, but he was the Leafs' best skater on the night.
Analysis: He had impacts in all three zones and was dominant in the doing all the little things that result in a win. He doesn't have a point this postseason, but his play will help dictate the success of his team and the other players on it.
News:Mike Ribeiro scored the overtime winner Friday in Washington's Game 5 victory over the Rangers, giving the Capitals a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Analysis: The goal was Mike Ribeiro's first of the series as he cleaned up a mess in front stemming from a deflected shot to give Washington the win in the always-pivotal Game 5. The Caps would like Ribeiro to play a bit more consistently, but the series has hardly been a showcase for the teams' skill players. Ribeiro had one assist over four games before Friday.
News:Jake Gardiner did not register a point in Friday's 2-1 Game 5 victory over Boston, but led all Toronto skaters in ice time, playing 24:05.
Analysis:Jake Gardiner was a healthy scratch for the first game of the series, but he's proven himself to be a needed player for the Leafs, giving them a fluid skater on the back end that can make an outlet pass when needed. Look for him to log similar minutes in Sunday's pivotal Game 6.
Isles' MacDonald (Hand) To Miss Six-To-Eight Weeks
News:Andrew MacDonald underwent surgery on his broken hand and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Analysis: The injury will keep Andrew MacDonald out for the rest of the postseason, further dimming the Islanders' hopes of defeating the Penguins in their first-round series. MacDonald amassed 12 points and 20 penalty minutes in 48 games this season.
News:Anthony Stewart was called up by the Kings on Friday, Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: This move provides the Kings some security depth, though Anthony Stewart seems unlikely to see the ice. In 30 games with AHL Manchester this season, the 28-year-old winger put up seven points (4G, 3A) and 31 penalty minutes.
News:Ryan White suffered a punctured lung during Sunday's Game 3 against the Senators, but the problem was resolved and it was possible for him to return in the playoffs, Renaud Lavoie of RDS.ca reports.
Analysis: The injury kept Ryan White from the final two games of the Habs' first-round series, which Ottawa wrapped up with a win Thursday. He won't be playing again this season, obviously, with his team out of the playoff picture, but he was apparently fine less than a week after suffering the injury, so it's not something that could jeopardize White's status for the start of next year.
News:John-Michael Liles will return to the lineup and be paired alongside Ryan O'Byrne, James Mirtle of TSN1050 reports.
Analysis:John-Michael Liles was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, but will return to the lineup to add a quicker presence on the blue line. The Leafs enter a must win Game 5 as they are down 3-1 to the Bruins.
News:Carlo Colaiacovo will make his playoff debut for the Red Wings on Friday.
Analysis:Carlo Colaiacovo will take the place of Brian Lashoff who will be a healthy scratch Friday.
News:Tomas Kundratek has been recalled from AHL Hershey, Katie Carrera of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Due to a high number of defenders and blueliners, Tomas Kundratek has been in and out of the Caps' lineup as of late. In AHL Hershey's playoff series against AHL Providence, he recorded just one point.
News:Dmitry Orlov has been recalled from AHL Hershey, Katie Carrera of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis:Dmitry Orlov has spent time back and forth between the AHL and NHL but it appears he will be on the Caps roster for the duration of the playoffs, as AHL Hershey have been eliminated from postseason play. This move will bolster Washington's depth on its defensive line.
News:Mark Fraser is out "for a while" following Wednesday's surgery to repair a fracture in his "cranial area," James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail reports.
Analysis: This does not come as a surprise considering this injury required surgery and appeared to be serious. John-Michael Liles will fill in during Mark Fraser's absence. A timetable has not been provided for his return.
News:Steve Eminger will be in the Ranger's lineup Friday for Game 5, Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis:Steve Eminger has not been much of a fantasy producer with the Rangers this season. He logged three points, three of which were assists, during the 2012-13 regular season. Expect him to not have much of an impact on Friday's game.
Groin Issue Delayed Postseason For Canucks' Schneider
News:Cory Schneider revealed that it was a groin injury that kept him out of action for the final two games of the regular season and the first two games of the postseason, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Cory Schneider was able to return to the net for the final two games of the Canucks first-round loss to the Sharks. He was somewhat rusty in those two appearances, but Schneider did appear to be over his groin injury. The Canucks finally handed over the No. 1 goaltending job to Schneider this past season and he seized the opportunity by going 17-9-4 with a 2.11 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. The odds are Roberto Luongo will be traded this offseason, opening up the door for even more starts for Schneider next season.
News:Philipp Grubauer was recalled from AHL Hershey on Friday, Katie Carrera of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis:Philipp Grubauer has been shuffled around between the AHL and the NHL the past couple weeks but this move appears to be permanent, as AHL Hershey have been eliminated from postseason play. He will likely serve as the third goaltender behind Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth.
News:Jannik Hansen suffered a sprained right shoulder in the series-clinching loss to the Sharks, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis: The injury makes Jannik Hansen unavailable to play for the Danish national team in the world championships. He's expected to be full recovered within a month, so there shouldn't be any lingering issues with this injury heading into the 2013-14 season.
News:Kevin Bieksa wouldn't reveal details about the injury that kept him on the shelf for five games late in the regular season, but he did hint at the possibility that offseason surgery might be explored, the Vancouver Sun reports. "We'll find out when the time comes if surgery is needed or anything like that."
Analysis:Kevin Bieksa's injury was labeled a lower body ailment, but many believed it was specifically a groin issue. He was able to return for the final couple games of the regular season and played in all four playoff games, so the injury didn't appear to be too much of a long-term concern. Regardless, keep a close eye on Bieksa this offseason to see if he goes under the knife.
News:Daniel Cleary (shoulder) will play in Friday's Game 6 against the Ducks, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis:Daniel Cleary suffered a shoulder injury during Wednesday's Game 5 but was able to return. The injury should not be an issue going forward.
News:Erik Condra notched a power-play goal, a shorthanded assist and an even-strength assist in Thursday's series-ending victory over the Canadiens.
Analysis:Erik Condra had been pretty quiet in the first four playoff games, picking up a lone power-play assist in that span. He's good for a breakout game like this every now and again, but Condra's not yet proven to be a consistent scorer on the NHL level.
News:Cory Conacher scored an even-strength goal and a power-play goal in Thursday's series-clinching win over Montreal.
Analysis:Cory Conacher scored three goals in the series, all in the last two games, and now he and the Senators will move on.
News:Peter Budaj allowed six goals on 29 shots in Thursday's series-ending Game 5 loss at the hands of the Senators.
Analysis: This series was effectively over when Carey Price was hurt. Peter Budaj served as a reasonable backup this year, but he's not a guy you want to be forced to roll out come playoff time.
News:Tyler Kennedy spearheaded a 4-0 win Thursday, netting the game-winning goal in his first postseason action.
Analysis: He registered four shots on goal and was credited with two takeaways while playing inspired hockey. Tyler Kennedy started out on the team's fourth line, but moved up to the third unit with Matt Cooke and Brandon Sutter. There's little doubt Kennedy will be in the lineup Saturday for Game 6.
News:Steven Stamkos has three goals and four assists, as of Thursday, at the World Hockey Championships. He's tied for the tournament lead in points with seven.
Analysis: He's the best offensive player on Team Canada and had his team sitting second in its group as of Thursday. The team is 3-0-1 in four games so far.
News:Dan Girardi was a plus-1 with a goal and five blocked shots in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Washington.
Analysis: It's Dan Girardi's first goal/point in almost a month to the day. While the offensive production has certainly tapered off in the lock out shortened season, his blocked shots and total ice time has not. Overall, Girardi is a plus-3 with 10 hits and 19 blocked shots through four playoff games this season.
News:Carl Hagelin scored his second goal of the NHL playoffs and added two assists in Wednesday's 4-3 defeat of Washington.
Analysis:Carl Hagelin has found ways to shake off a slump this season, especially in the last 30 days or so. Despite being shut down in games 2 and 3, Hagelin now has two goals and two assists in four playoff games this season. Since April 19, the second-year winger three goals and five assists over a nine game span.
News:Derek Stepan scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Washington.
Analysis: After being shutout in the first two games of the series, Derek Stepan has goals in back-to-back games now. It's no surprise his regular season production has tailed over into the post season. More importantly for the Rangers, Stepan has three game-winning goals in his last five games overall and 13 total on the season.
News:Jesse Blacker was called up to the Maple Leafs on Thursday, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.
Analysis:Jesse Blacker was simply called up to provide the Maple Leafs with an extra defenseman if Mark Fraser is forced to miss Game 5 with a cranial fracture. He's not expected to be much of a contributor if activated.
News:Simon Despres is expected to replace Mark Eaton in the Pens' lineup Thursday.
Analysis:Simon Despres got a rude introduction to the playoffs in Game 3, playing poorly in just over six minutes of ice time while registering a minus-2 rating. His vision, skating and passing ability are weapons the team looks to utilize Thursday against a youthful New York squad.
Blue Jackets' Boll (Sports Hernia) Has Successful Operation
News:Jared Boll (sports hernia) underwent successful surgery Thursday, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis:Jared Boll, who played the final two weeks with the sports hernia, will need about four-to-six weeks to recover. He's expected to be fine for training camp in September.
News:Marian Gaborik (abdomen) underwent successful surgery Thursday, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis:Marian Gaborik is expected to require three-to-four weeks of recovery time from the injury and be perfectly healthy come training camp in September.
News:Chris Higgins is expected to require an MRI for a knee strain he acquired late in the season, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Chris Higgins managed to play through the injury during the team's first-round playoff loss to the Sharks, appearing in all four games of the series. The injury will prevent Higgins from playing for Team USA during the 2013 IIHF World Championship.
News:Jordan Schroeder (shoulder) could require offseason surgery, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Jordan Schroeder will receive a second opinion before going through with any sort of operation, but it appears he'll receive some sort of treatment to the ailment over the summer. He played through the injury most of the season and was a healthy scratch during the playoffs.
News: GM Mike Gillis said he still plans on trading Roberto Luongo over the offseason, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Roberto Luongo was believed to be all but gone from Vancouver in the offseason, but the lockout killed the momentum for a potential deal. With Cory Schneider delivering excellent work between the pipes for the third consecutive season, the Canucks appear comfortable handing the full-time gig over to him for good going forward, making Luongo expendable.
News:Pekka Rinne has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left hip, Joshua Cooper of The Tennessean reports.
Analysis:Pekka Rinne's recovery is estimated at four months, a timetable which would put him on track to be ready for next season, barring any setbacks.
News:Josh Harding (leg) will start Thursday's game against the Blackhawks, according to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Analysis:Josh Harding, who left Tuesday's Game 4 against the Blackhawks with a leg injury, is evidently fine and will be backed up by Darcy Kuemper on Thursday.
News:Radek Martinek will likely play Thursday for the Islanders, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: With Andrew MacDonald out for the remainder of the playoffs with a broken hand Radek Martinek will draw back into the lineup.
Hawks' Bickell Continues Hot Streak With Goal in Game 4
News:Bryan Bickell scored his third goal of the postseason on Tuesday in the Blackhawks' 3-0 victory over the Wild giving the Hawks a 3-1 lead in the series.
Analysis: While Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have not registered a goal in the series, Bryan Bickell has picked up some of the slack as the Wild concentrate on shutting down the Blackhawks top scorers. With his third goal Bickell has already out done his previous two post-season appearances where he scored two goals each.
News:Sergei Bobrovsky has been named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top netminder.
Analysis: He'll be competing with Antti Niemi of the Sharks and the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist, but after an out-of-nowhere season that included 21 wins, a 2.00 GAA and .932 save percentage in 38 games, as well as a key role in guiding the cinderella Blue Jackets to within a tie-breaker of a postseason berth, Sergei Bobrovsky is arguably the favorite to take home the hardware.
News:Ben Lovejoy was credited with the game-winning assist in the Ducks' 3-2 overtime defeat of the Red Wings in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday.
Analysis: Despite his defensive focus, Ben Lovejoy has managed to log two assists so far for the Ducks in the first five games of this postseason.
News:David Steckel picked up an assist in the first period of the Ducks' 3-2 overtime victory over the Red Wings in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday.
Analysis: After a slow start to the postseason, David Steckel has picked it up with points in each of the Ducks' last two playoff games.
News:Sheldon Souray registered an assist late in the second period of the Ducks' 3-2 overtime win over the Red Wings in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday
Analysis: After not registering a point in any of the Ducks' last three regular season games or first three postseason games and missing Game 4 of the playoffs, Wednesday's assist could be a big step towards Sheldon Souray getting back on track.
News:Joffrey Lupul scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's overtime loss to the Bruins.
Analysis: He had a game high nine shots on net and earned the game's second star for his effort. He was the best Leaf on the ice and has shown that his offensive exploits from the regular season weren't a fluke.
Sharks' Pavelski Leads League In Postseason Points
News:Joe Pavelski scored twice to help the Sharks complete their sweep of the Canucks in round one.
Analysis:Joe Pavelski has four goals and four assists in the first round. His eight points have him tied for first place in the NHL, with teammate Logan Couture, among others. Pavelski has been huge for the Sharks, with more opportunities than the points show, tallying 14 shots and four goals over the last two games.
News:Dan Boyle had an assist and five shots in 27:45 on ice for the Sharks Tuesday.
Analysis:Dan Boyle finishes round one of the playoffs with a goal and three assists. He's proving to be an offensive threat as well as a stalwart defenseman for the Sharks.
News:Brent Burns scored on a redirection in the Sharks series-clinching win Tuesday.
Analysis: This was Brent Burns first goal of the playoffs, but he ends round one with three points in four games. This is the best scoring rate he's had in his four postseason appearances. He continues to be effective on San Jose's first line.
Two Points For Canucks' Raymond As Playoff Run Ends
News:Mason Raymond scored a goal and dished out an assist in Tuesday's loss to the Sharks.
Analysis: Unfortunately Mason Raymond's two points weren't enough to help the Canucks stave off elimination.
Canucks' Burrows Picks Up Two Points In Playoff Loss
News:Alex Burrows picked up a goal and an assist in Tuesday's series-clinching loss to the Sharks.
Analysis:Alex Burrows picked up his play over the final two games of the series with three points, but his play wasn't enough for the Canucks to avoid being knocked out of the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
News:Alex Galchenyuk had a goal, four shots on net and two hits Tuesday night in Montreal's loss to Ottawa in Game 4 of their playoff series.
Analysis: It was the first postseason marker for the rookie, who has three points in the first four games of the series. Going back to the regular season, Alex Galchenyuk has 15 points (7G, 8A) in his last 17 games.
News:Darcy Kuemper stopped 16 of 18 shots in relief of an injured Josh Harding (leg) in Tuesday's Game 4 loss to Chicago.
Analysis: If Harding can't go and Niklas Backstrom (lower body) still isn't ready, Darcy Kuemper could be in there for Game 5 with the Wild on the brink of elimination. We'll monitor the situation.
News:Patrick Sharp scored the first two goals in Tuesday's Game 4 win over the Wild, a 3-0 shutout.
Analysis: That's his second two-goal game of the series, and he's got an assist to go along with 'em. Patrick Sharp's picked a good time to come alive offensively, as he hadn't had a multi-point game since Feb. 7, thanks to a slump and a shoulder injury.
News:Mark Streit had two goals and an assist in the Game 4 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Analysis: During the game it was announced that his first goal was actually tipped in by John Tavares, but for now, the goal is still being credited to Mark Streit. He'll pick up an assist even if he loses the tally.
News:Kyle Okposo scored his third goal of the playoffs as the Isles evened their series against Pittsburgh at 2-2 on Tuesday.
Analysis: The goal wasn't pretty, as Kyle Okposo banked a shot off of Marc-Andre Fleury from behind the net, but it still counts. He's having a great postseason so far, which really has to make you wonder where this kind of spirited play has been all year.
News:Travis Hamonic added two assists in the 6-4 win Game 4 over Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Analysis: That's the good news; the bad is that he was also minus-2 in the game, as he is still having some issues trying to keep up with the Penguin forwards.
News:Casey Cizikas scored his second goal of the series and added two assists as the Islanders tied the series with Pittsburgh at two apiece Tuesday.
Analysis:Casey Cizikas scored the final goal of the game, which put the bow on the present for the Islanders and may have also been the straw that broke the camel's back as far as Marc-Andre Fleury's status in the Pittsburgh nets.
News:Brad Boyes picked up three assists in Tuesday's 6-4 Game 4 win over Pittsburgh.
Analysis:Brad Boyes has certainly picked up his play in the past two games after being told by coach Jack Capuano that he was in danger of being a healthy scratch if he didn't get more involved in the action.
News:Jason Pominville (head) will play in Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune erports.
Analysis:Jason Pominville has not played in a game since April 23, but after making it through the morning skate and pregame warmups, he will take the ice Tuesday night as part of the Wild's fourth line.
News:James Neal (ankle) will play Tuesday against the Islanders.
Analysis: As will Brooks Orpik, as both players made it through pre-game warmups without incident.
News:Jaromir Jagr notched an assist in Monday's 5-2 win in Game 3 of the Bruins' series against the Leafs.
Analysis:Jaromir Jagr, who has been working his way back from a bout with the flu, took a team-high six shots on goal Monday, with Peverley's goal representing the first tally recorded by the B's third line in the series.
News:Brandon Saad was one of three players nominated for the 2012-13 Frank Calder Memorial Trophy for the NHL's best rookie, the ESPN Chicago reports.
Analysis: The Blackhawks' left winger takes on Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens and Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers for the award. Brandon Saad, drafted in the second round in 2011, led all rookies with a plus-17 rating, including a plus-12 on the road, to help Chicago earn its second Presidents' Trophy in team history. He ranked fifth among rookies in each of the three major scoring categories –- goals (10), assists (17) and points (27). Saad, 20, also placed third among freshmen forwards in average time on ice (16:27) and fourth among all first-year skaters in shots on goal (98) in 46 games.
News:Anze Kopitar picked up his first goal on the postseason in the Kings' 4-3 win Monday.
Analysis:Anze Kopitar snapped a 20-game goal drought Monday that dated back to March 25. We'll see if his tally opens up the floodgates.
News:Brendan Gallagher has been named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, which is presented annually to the outstanding rookie in the NHL, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Analysis:Brendan Gallagher joins Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau and Chicago's Brandon Saad as finalists for the trophy. The winner will be announced during the Stanley Cup finals.
News:Vladimir Tarasenko will be in the lineup Monday against the Kings, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The rookie winger was a healthy scratch in the first three games of the series, but will replace Adam Cracknell for Game 4. Vladimir Tarasenko finished his first NHL regular season with eight goals and 11 assists in 38 games with the Blues.
News:Andrew Cogliano logged an assist during the first period of the Ducks' 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday.
Analysis: Monday's assist was big for Andrew Cogliano, as it was his first assist of these playoffs.
News:Matt Beleskey scored a goal in the first period of the Ducks' 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday.
Analysis:Matt Beleskey is having a fairly productive postseason, with three points in the Ducks' four playoff games so far.
News:T.J. Oshie scored two goals against the Kings in Monday's Game 4, including a power-play goal, but he was a minus-3.
Analysis:T.J. Oshie ended the regular season injured, and these are his first points of the postseason.
News:Damien Brunner lit the lamp in overtime to win Game 4 over the Ducks on Monday.
Analysis:Damien Brunner barely scored down the stretch in the regular season, but he has four points in four playoff games.
News:Cody Franson fired seven shots on net and picked up a power-play assist in Monday's loss to Boston. He also gave the puck away four times.
Analysis: It was a rough night for the Buds' blueliners, who were under serious pressure and gave up the puck 13 times. He does have points in two of the three games this series, and will continue to get plenty of ice time and offensive opportunity going forward.
News:Nail Yakupov was not submitted as a finalist for the Calder Trophy, according to the Edmonton Sun.
Analysis: The Calder Trophy is for the Rookie of the Year and while Nail Yakupov didn't have a great season, he did lead all rookies in scoring with 17 goals and 31 points. It's certainly a little strange that he didn't at least make the final three.
News: The Wild have recalled Carson McMillan from AHL Houston, 1500espn.com reports.
Analysis:Carson McMillan is back with the big club to provide added depth up front, with Houston's season now over.
News: The Wild have recalled Mathew Dumba from AHL Houston, 1500espn.com reports.
Analysis:Mathew Dumba -- the No. 7 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft -- played most of the season for WHL Red Deer, recording 42 points in 62 games. The blueliner also played in five postseason games for Houston, and he'll give the big club some added depth now that Houston has bowed out of the playoffs.
News:Max Pacioretty (upper body) returned to the Montreal lineup for Game 3 against Ottawa on Sunday night. He skated 16:07 with five shots and five hits in Montreal's 6-1 loss.
Analysis:Max Pacioretty has gone three games without a point and is facing a pretty hot goalie in the Senators' Craig Anderson.
News:Saku Koivu was credited with an assist during the third period of the Ducks' 4-0 shutout of the Red Wings in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday.
Analysis: After a slow finish to the regular season and start to the postseason, Saku Koivu has picked it up with three points in the Ducks' last two playoff games.
Irwin Tallies First Career Playoff Point For Sharks
News:Matt Irwin had an assist, for his first career postseason point, in the Sharks' win over the Canucks on Sunday.
Analysis:Matt Irwin had 12 points on 38 games in his rookie season. He's looked good in fits and starts this season and it's not clear what his fantasy value will be during the postseason. He has potential, but he's not a sure bet.
News:Justin Braun had an assist and a minus-1 rating in the Sharks' win over the Canucks on Sunday.
Analysis:Justin Braun had his first assist of the postseason, but don't expect much production from Braun as he only had seven points in 41 games this season.
News:Daniel Alfredsson scored a power-play goal and added two assists against the Canadiens in Game 3 on Sunday.
Analysis:Daniel Alfredsson didn't partake in the morning skate, but there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him after this performance.
News:Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored three goals, including a power-play tally and a game-winning goal, in Game 3 against the Canadiens on Sunday. He also was a plus-2, had five shots on net, and picked up four penalty minutes.
Analysis:Jean-Gabriel Pageau, a rookie, now has more career playoff goals than regular season goals. He's a young player with limited NHL experience, so while there is potential here, he's not likely to be ready to contribute offensively with regularity.
Wild's Cullen Adds Another Point In Postseason Play
News:Matt Cullen had an assist and was a plus-1 in Minnesota's overtime win against Chicago on Sunday.
Analysis: That gives Matt Cullen three points in three games this postseason. He's a crucial component of Minnesota's offense and it looks like he may have rediscovered his offensive touch.
News:Zach Parise tallied his first goal this postseason in Minnesota's overtime win over Chicago on Sunday.
Analysis:Zach Parise, who had 15 points in 24 games last postseason, got his first point of the series. Minnesota needs its best forward to get hot if the Wild are going to get past Chicago.
News:Jason Zucker scored the game-winning goal in overtime Sunday against Chicago.
Analysis:Jason Zucker, who also had five shots in the win, has two points in three games in his first postseason appearance.
Clutterbuck's Physical Play A Factor For Minnesota
News:Cal Clutterbuck had an assist, four shots, and eight hits in the Wild's overtime win Sunday.
Analysis:Cal Clutterbuck was physical and got an above average 17:10 on ice. Clutterbuck has two points in three games this postseason.
News:Pierre-Marc Bouchard had a goal and an assist in Minnesota's win on Sunday.
Analysis:Pierre-Marc Bouchard got his first points of the postseason along with a plus-2 rating and four shots. He was one of Minnesota's strongest players Sunday.
News:Derek Dorsett (broken clavicle) returned to action in Saturday's 1-0 loss in Washington. It was the winger's first game in a Rangers uniform and first live ice time since March 7.
Analysis: The fifth year, former seventh-round pick played 15-plus minutes, registering two shots on goal, with seven hits and four penalty minutes. He won't provide much by way of offense, but nears 200 hits and 200 penalty minutes in a normal 82-game schedule.
News:Chris Kunitz scored two power-play goals and added an assist in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Isles.
Analysis:Chris Kunitz did not score a point in either of the first two games of the Penguins' series against the Isles, but his effort Sunday was key, as his first goal tied the game at two and his second was the game-winner, scored at the 9:44 mark of overtime.
News:Rene Bourque was back on the ice and skating with the team during the Canadiens' morning skate Sunday, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis:Rene Bourque collided with teammate Colby Armstrong during the third period of Game 2 against Ottawa and appeared to be pretty shaken up. It was late in the game, so there was little concern with getting him back on the ice at that point, but any lingering issues could have been a problem. His participation in the morning skate alleviates concerns and he should be back on the ice for Game 3 against the Senators.
News:Jake Dowell has been recalled from Houston of the AHL, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis:Jake Dowell will remain with Minnesota for the remainder of the playoffs with Houston eliminated from the postseason. He may not be active for the Wild's playoff games, however.
News:Rich Peverley saw 13:42 worth of ice time in Saturday's loss to the Leafs.
Analysis: The speedy Rich Peverley, who played on the Bruins' third line with Chris Kelly and Jaromir Jagr on Saturday, is likely to stay in the lineup going forward thanks to his versatility, as he can play both wing and center. While he did not record any points or shots Saturday, Peverley won 10 of the 12 draws he took.
News:Stephane Veilleux has been recalled from Houston of the AHL, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: With Houston losing in the playoffs, Stephane Veilleux will join the Wild for the remainder of the playoffs.
Leafs' Hamilton: First NHL Playoff Game, First Playoff Point
News:Ryan Hamilton dressed for the first playoff game of his NHL career on Saturday night and he contributed an assist in a 4-2 win over Boston. He also laid three hits.
Analysis: He didn't see a lot of time -- just 8:38 -- but he looked good on a line with Nazem Kadri and Matt Frattin. He probably earned himself another game with his effort Saturday.
News:Mike Green scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Saturday's 1-0 triumph over the Rangers.
Analysis:Mike Green capitalized on a power play opportunity, and the Capitals have a 2-0 advantage in the series as a result. Going back to the regular season he has 13 points in his last 10 games.
News:Bryan Allen registered an assist in the third period of the Ducks' 5-4 overtime loss to the Red Wings in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday.
Analysis: Counting the regular season, Thursday's assist snaps a 10-game-long pointless streak for Bryan Allen.
News:Chris Tanev (leg) made the trip to San Jose, but is still in his walking boot and remains day-to-day, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: While he was never expected to be ready for the start of the playoffs, it does seem slightly encouraging that he's at least made the trip. It's doubtful that he'll see any on-ice action during these next couple of games, but perhaps there's hope on the horizon somewhere.
News:Matt Frattin, who was a healthy scratch in Game 1, may get the opportunity to play in Game 2 as the Leafs look to even up the series against Boston on Saturday, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis:Matt Frattin got off to a hot start this season but was ice cold down the stretch over the final 15 games. But after a loss in Game 1, coach Randy Carlyle might want to shake things up and go with a different winger in Frattin over either Clarke MacArthur or Frazer McLaren. It will be a game-time decision.
News:Michael Frolik scored twice in Friday's 5-2 victory over Minnesota in Game 2 of the teams' Western Conference quarterfinal series, giving Chicago a 2-0 series lead.
Analysis:Michael Frolik slammed home two chances from close range that were the courtesy of deflected shots. He's going to give the Hawks secondary scoring as Chicago appears to be handling Minnesota quite easily.
News:Ryan Kesler scored both Vancouver goals in Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to San Jose in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal series, which San Jose leads 2-0.
Analysis:Ryan Kesler appeared to be recovered from the bout of the flu that hampered him in Game 1, firing home both Vancouver goals and playing his usual all-around solid game. Kesler, on Friday, looked like the 2011 version of himself and is probably the most vital piece to any hope Vancouver has of getting back in the series.
News:Ben Scrivens left the team Friday to attend his grandfather's funeral in Alberta, the Globe and Mail reports.
Analysis:Ben Scrivens is expected to be back in Boston by Saturday, but the Leafs brought up Drew MacIntyre for some added depth between the pipes to be safe heading into Saturday's Game 2 against the Bruins.
News:Drew MacIntyre was recalled by the Maple Leafs on Friday, the Globe and Mail reports.
Analysis: Regular backup Ben Scrivens left the team Friday to attend his grandfather's funeral, so the Leafs gave Drew MacIntyre the call to serve as some emergency net-minding depth. The 29-year-old MacIntyre posted an admirable 1.83 GAA and a .931 save percentage in 21 regular season AHL games this season.
News:Devin Setoguchi netted a beautiful goal in a loss to Chicago on Friday.
Analysis: With 25 points in 50 career playoff games, there's a good chance Devin Setoguchi will be in the mix for whatever offense Minnesota can muster against Chicago.
News:Mikko Koivu was an abysmal minus-3 with six penalty minutes in Friday's loss to Chicago.
Analysis: It wasn't all negative for Mikko Koivu, but the stats looked ugly as he took two penalties chasing Chicago's Jonathan Toews in addition to an early roughing call. Koivu has to be better if Minnesota is going to continue in the playoffs.
News:Marco Scandella scored a goal on two shots Friday in Chicago.
Analysis:Marco Scandella tallied his first career playoff point in his second postseason appearance. He's not likely to score a lot in this series, netting only a single point in six games this season.
News:Matt Kassian replaced Cory Conacher in Ottawa's lineup for Friday's Game 2 loss to Montreal in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series.
Analysis:Matt Kassian presumably was in the lineup to combat against any type of retaliation Ottawa was expecting from Thursday's Game 1 and the Eric Gryba hit on Lars Eller. Kassian was on the ice to start the game but played only 10:30 in the contest with no fights and two penalty minutes and five hits.
News:Jeff Halpern made his season's playoff debut in Friday's Game 2 win over Ottawa, playing 11:58 and finished a plus-1.
Analysis:Jeff Halpern was one of several forwards activated for the contest considering the upper body injuries to Max Pacioretty, Brian Gionta and Lars Eller. Halpern won seven of his 12 faceoffs attempts and put five shots on goal.
News:Colby Armstrong played 16:14 in Friday's Game 2 victory over Ottawa in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.
Analysis:Colby Armstrong was busy in the victory and delivered one of the hits of the evening when he leveled teammate Rene Bourque. Armstrong is filling in for one of Montreal's several injured forwards and may be in the lineup for Sunday's Game 3. Stay tuned.
News:Gabriel Dumont suited up and played 3:25 in Montreal's 3-1 win over Ottawa in Game 2 on Friday.
Analysis:Gabriel Dumont registered three hits in the game but saw little ice time while filling in for the several regular Montreal forwards dealing with injury.
News:Justin Falk will take Clayton Stoner's spot in the lineup Friday against the Blackhawks, Brian Hedger of NHL.com reports.
Analysis: Stoner is out for Game 2 with an undisclosed injury, so it will be Justin Falk taking over his spot. Falk could see time against the Blackhawks' third and forth lines to give the Wild some toughness on the ice.
News:Clayton Stoner will not play in Friday's Game 2 due to an undisclosed injury.
Analysis:Clayton Stoner suffered the injury after a hard hit in Game 1 and is listed as day-to-day. Justin Falk will fill in for Stoner in Game 2.
News:Lars Eller (head) has been released from the hospital and is currently at home resting, Arpon Basu of LNH.com reports.
Analysis: It's good to see that Lars Eller was good enough to leave the hospital. However, he has been ruled out for Game 2 against the Senators and could be out longer.
News: The Canucks recalled Brendan Gaunce on Thursday.
Analysis:Brendan Gaunce will join the team's taxi squad. The 19-year-old 2012 first round pick showed promise in the OHL this season, totaling 82 points in 77 games, including postseason play. While Gaunce will receive some nice exposure to the big league club while taking part in practices, there would likely have to be multiple injuries for him to be activated for a game.
News:Henrik Karlsson will again back-up Blackhawks' goalie Corey Crawford on Friday in Game 2 against the Wild as Ray Emery is still out with a lower-body injury, ESPN Chicago reports.
Analysis: Unless Crawford gets injured, Henrik Karlsson will not see the ice. In addition Emery might be back for Game 3 against the Wild so Karlsson's time as back-up might be short lived.
News:Joel Ward returned to the ice in a 3-1 win over the Rangers in Game 1 on Thursday.
Analysis:Joel Ward last played on April 7, when he took a puck to the knee. He had 8 goals and 12 assists in the regular season. Ward skated for just over eight minutes and is a welcome sight for the Caps' defense that continues to allow opposing offenses high shot totals.
News:Marcus Johansson scored the go-ahead goal, which turned out to be the game-winner, in the second period of Thursday's Game 1 win over the Rangers.
Analysis: He was on the ice for 16 minutes Thursday, including 2:35 on the power play and 1:24 on the PK. Marcus Johansson tallied 22 points in an injury-shortened regular season for Washington -- 12 of them in his last 14 games. Clearly, he's heated up at the right time.
News:Jason Chimera scored a goal in the second period of the playoff-opening 3-1 win over the Rangers on Thursday night.
Analysis:Jason Chimera was in the lower echelon of Capitals for time on ice, playing just 14:11 on the night, but produced three shots and the goal. This one's got to be extra special, coming as it did on the winger's 34th birthday.
News:Mika Zibanejad started the playoffs with a two-assist effort Thursday in Montreal, snapping a six-game scoreless streak.
Analysis: The first overall pick in 2011 has shown flashes of offense, and he seemed to click well with fellos Swede Jakob Silfverberg in this one, as he assisted on Silfverberg's goal and they both assisted on Guillaume Latendresse's tally.
News:Erik Karlsson notched a goal, an assist and a plus-3 in Thursday's Game 1 victory over Montreal.
Analysis: An impressive night for Erik Karlsson, who skated nearly 30 minutes. The most talented offensive defenseman in the league, he's likely to produce for his owners in fantasy pools as long as the Sens can hang in the playoffs -- which could conceivably be a while.
News: Though Luca Sbisa (lower body) is available to play against Detroit on Thursday, the Ducks are slated keep the same defensive pairings they used in Tuesday's Game 1, the team's official site reports.
Analysis:Luca Sbisa, who last suited up for the Ducks on April 13, finished the regular season with a modest total of eight points to go along with 23 penalty minutes in 41 games.
News:Manny Malhotra (eye) hinted that he would like to return to the NHL next season, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Manny Malhotra was shut down by the Canucks this season after just nine games due to worries about his vision being affected by a serious eye injury he suffered in 2011. The veteran center has played an off-the-ice role with the Canucks since being placed on the IR, but he'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer and may look to find an active gig elsewhere.
News:Zemgus Girgensons scored three goals in three playoff games as Rochester of the AHL was eliminated from the postseason. Said Rochester coach Chadd Cassidy to The Buffalo News: "He's really come a long way this year. More than anything from what I've seen is just his confidence with the puck has been through the roof. He always plays hard, always plays through people. He's tough to play against, but you can see that confidence when he has the puck."
Analysis:Zemgus Girgensons battled through a concussion earlier in the season, but the first-rounder did pretty well in his first professional campaign, finishing the regular season with six goals and 17 points. The Sabres look like they're heading into a major youth movement, so Girgensons may be coming on strong enough that he'll have a decent shot at a roster spot with the big boys next season.
News:Carl Soderberg won't suit up Wednesday against the Leafs, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis:Carl Soderberg, who did not score a point in his last three games, picked up two assists in six games with the B's down the stretch. At this point though, it looks like he'll need a break or two in his favor in order to factor in this postseason.
News:Chris Phillips, who left Sunday's game against the Bruins with a lower-body injury, will play Thursday against the Canadiens, the Senators' official site reports.
Analysis:Chris Phillips, who recorded 14 points and 43 PIMs in 48 games during the regular season, will be out there if you need him Thursday, but he's only really an option for those in deeper playoff formats.
News:Marian Hossa scored in the second period to tie Tuesday's Game 1 with the Wild at one as the Blackhawks went on to win 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs.
Analysis: It was the 37th goal for Marian Hossa in his career in the postseason. For Hossa he is looking for a long run especially after his playoff time was cut short last season when he suffered a concussion against Phoenix. If Game 1 is any indication, goals might be coming at a premium as the Wild are going to try to keep the score low.
News:Daniel Winnik picked up an assist on an empty-net goal in Tuesday's Game 1 victory over Detroit.
Analysis:Daniel Winnik closed out the regular season on an eight-game pointless streak, so he'll take 'em however they come. He skated heavy minutes in this one -- 20:06, well above his season average of 16:50.
News:Mikael Backlund will miss the 2013 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships due to a right foot fracture.
Analysis:Mikael Backlund was not cleared to play in the May event after a fractured right foot was found during end-of-year medical testing.
News:Brian Rolston retired on Tuesday after 17 NHL seasons, The New York Times reports.
Analysis:Brian Rolston tallied 342 goals and 419 assists for five different teams in his career. He was an unsigned free agent and did not play in the 2013 season. In his retirement statement, Rolston said, "Getting the chance to play the game I love for 17 years has truly been a dream come true."
News:Patric Hornqvist signed a five-year, $21.25 million contract with the Predators, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis:Patric Hornqvist is part of the Predators' plan for the future and they wanted to lock up the 26-year-old for the long run. He only played in 24 games this season due to injuries, accumulating four goals and 10 assists.
News:Dany Heatley (shoulder) skated alone Monday morning and was spotted shooting pucks, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
Analysis: The report notes that Dany Heatley -- who underwent shoulder surgery April 8 -- is expected to be out for the playoffs, but hints that the assessment could change if the Wild (who face the top-seeded Blackhawks in Round 1) advance deep into the postseason.
News: If TJ Oshie returns to the lineup Tuesday, Adam Cracknell could be scratched.
Analysis:Adam Cracknell was a healthy scratch in two of the last seven games. However, the fourth line of Cracknell, Chris Porter and Ryan Reaves has been arguably the Blues' best line during their late-season surge. This is only important in the deepest of leagues, as Cracknell is at best a marginal player for fantasy purposes.
News: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren feels Nick Cousins, 19, is not quite ready to play in the NHL, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
Analysis:Nick Cousins was dominant in his final junior-eligible season, posting 103 points (27G, 76A) in 64 games for Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL in 2012-13. He's obviously gifted offensively, but Holmgren thinks he has some learning to do at the other end of the ice.
Flyers' GM Thinks Laughton Will Vie For Roster Spot
News: Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren thinks Scott Laughton, 18, will be ready to compete for a roster spot in September, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. "That wouldn't surprise me, either. He dominated at his level at times. And that's encouraging," the GM said.
Analysis:Scott Laughton, who totaled 56 points in 49 games for Oshawa in the OHL, had a couple of stints with the Flyers during the regular season, so he's been introduced to life in the NHL. While Holmgren was reluctant to spell out potential roster changes for next season, we do expect some turnover. It would not be a surprise to see Laughton land a job on the third or fourth line when the 2013-14 season drops.
News:Nikita Nikitin will not participate in the upcoming IIHF World Championships due to foot and ankle injuries, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The Jackets haven't announced whether Nikita Nikitin will need to undergo surgery yet, but either way he should have plenty of time to heal up before the beginning of the 2013-14 season. Nikitin finished the year with a line of 3/6/9 and 17 PIMs in 38 games for the Columbus.
News:Cam Atkinson will not participate in the upcoming IIHF World Championships due to a high ankle sprain, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Atkisnon finished the year with 18 points and a plus-9 rating in 35 games for Columbus, and should have plenty of time to heal up before the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
News:Tim Erixon will not participate in the upcoming IIHF World Championships due to an ankle injury, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The Jackets haven't announced whether Tim Erixon will undergo surgery yet, but either way he should have plenty of time to heal up before the beginning of the 2013-14 season. Erixon finished the year with five assists and a plus-4 rating in 31 games for Columbus.
Flyers' Grossmann (Concussion) To Have Follow-Up Visit
News:Nicklas Grossmann (concussion) will visit with Dr. Micky Collins once again at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on May 6, philly.com reports. While being sidelined, he has been wearing glasses and his balance system has been damaged due to the head trauma.
Analysis:Nicklas Grossmann hasn't played in a game since Mar. 28. He will continue to recover over the offseason in order to be ready for the 2013-14 season.
News:Jose Theodore (groin) will become a free agent on Jul. 5, but wants to remain with the Panthers, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis:Jose Theodore played in 15 games this season for the Panthers. He definitely wants to re-sign with the team, but it's unsure if the team wants him back. It remains unclear whether they will move forward with rookie Jacob Markstrom, or if they will welcome Theodore back.
Panthers' Jovanovski (Hip) Not Interested In Early Retirement
News:Ed Jovanovski (hip) isn't interested in early retirement and plans on returning next season, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. "My mind-set is work hard in the summer, get my hip strong, but it's too early to say how it's going to respond," he said. "I'm a driven individual and for me playing again is what I want to do and what I'm going to do.'
Analysis:Ed Jovanovski, who is currently recovering from hip surgery, is under contract for two more years. He only played in six games this season due to the hip injury.
News:Dmitry Kulikov recently had surgery performed on his right shoulder, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis:Dmitry Kulikov sat out the last three games of the regular season for the Panthers. He will recover during the offseason and prepare for the start of the 2013-14 season.
News: A sprained knee will prevent Brandon Dubinsky from competing in the World Championships, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis: It's presumably not an issue that will affect Brandon Dubinsky in the long term. In his first season with Columbus, Dubinsky recorded two goals and 20 points in 29 games, to go along with 76 PIMs.
News:Sergei Kostitsyn is dealing with an MCL injury, Joshua Cooper of the Tennessean reports.
Analysis:Sergei Kostitsyn -- who finished up the season with 15 points in 46 games -- should recover in about 2-4 weeks, so obviously his status for the 2013-14 season won't be impacted by the injury, provided he avoids any setbacks.
News:Matt Halischuk is slated to undergo shoulder stabilization surgery, Joshua Cooper of the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: The procedure will keep Matt Halischuk out 4-6 months, a timetable which should hopefully allow the winger (who recorded 11 points in 36 games this season) enough time to recover in time for the 2013-14 season.
News:Anders Nilsson was among the eight players called up by the Islanders in advance of the playoffs, ESPN New York reports.
Analysis: The others were Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson, John Persson, Johan Sundstrom, Matt Donovan, Aaron Ness and Calvin de Haan. The group will give the Isles some depth on hand to turn to in the event of a postseason injury.
News:J.T. Miller was one of 10 players recalled by the Rangers in advance of the playoffs, ESPN New York reports.
Analysis: The others were forwards Ryan Bourque, Micheal Haley, Brandon Mashinter, Brandon Segal and Christian Thomas; defensemen Stu Bickel and Dylan McIlrath; and goaltenders Jason Missiaen and Cam Talbot. The group will provide the Rangers with some depth to draw upon in the event of an injury.
News: The Ducks have recalled Rickard Rakell from OHL Plymouth.
Analysis:Rickard Rakell, who did not record a point in four games with the Ducks earlier this season, finished up his junior campaign with 44 points in 40 games. The 2011 first-rounder will give the Ducks some depth up front for their playoff run.
News:Ryan Whitney (lower body) has ripped the organization for making him a healthy scratch so many times this season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney had no problem stating that there were others who should've been scratched before him. If Whitney's play hadn't made him unlikely to return to Edmonton next season, his words more than likely have.
News:Shawn Lalonde along with a couple of other Blackhawks made their NHL debut on Saturday against the Blues as the team rested many of its starters.
Analysis:Shawn Lalonde's highlight was three hits on the night in the Blackhawks' 3-1 loss to the Blues. Lalonde compiled 23 points to rank third among AHL Rockford's defensemen in points. Lalonde would need some injuries on the blue line if we were to return to the Blackhawks for the playoffs.
News:Ryan Stanton along with a couple of other Blackhawks made their NHL debut on Saturday in the squad's 3-1 loss to the Blues.
Analysis: The 23-year-old defenseman logged a little more than 17 minutes of ice time and also registered his first two-minute penalty. He was on the ice when Ben Smith scored the lone goal for the Hawks. Ryan Stanton had another solid season with Rockford with a 25-point season, 22 of those being assists. He also racked up the penalty minutes with 126 in 73 games. After being named Rockford's top defenseman in 2011-12, Stanton is showing that he should be given a shot soon in the NHL.
News:Kris Versteeg, who is recovering from season-ending knee surgery, is now off crutches, George Richards on the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: While Kris Versteeg says that he expects to be cleared to start skating August 5, it seems likely at this point that he will miss the start of 2013-14 season.
News:Victor Hedman will not play in the World Championships in order to heal from a lower-body injury, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis:Victor Hedman missed four games in April due to the lower-body injury, so he will spend the offseason getting back to full strength.
News: The Blue Jackets have assigned Ryan Johansen to AHL Springfield.
Analysis:Ryan Johansen, who went fourth overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, registered five goals in 40 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He is expected to arrive in Springfield before Sunday's Game 2 of the AHL playoffs.
News:Thomas Vanek, who has one year left on a seven-year, $50 million deal, isn't sure if he fits into the team's long-term plans, The Buffalo News reports. Said the winger Saturday: "Let's be honest. I'm not stupid. I know I have a year left and they can probably deal me for prospects, young guys, whatever else is out there. Yeah, I've thought about it. If it looks like it's a long rebuild, then it probably makes sense for both parties to move on."
Analysis: The Sabres would probably love to have their best skater back under the right circumstances, but the offseason will determine whether the team has a plan to bring in a few veterans to mix with all its young talent and remain competitive, or if it's time for a total rebuild following several disappointing seasons. If it's the later, Thomas Vanek and goaltender Ryan Miller would seem to be prime candidates to be moved. Vanek has spent his entire eight-year career in Buffalo, and currently has 250 goals and 488 points on his resume. Consider him a 50-50 proposition for now to remain a Sabre. If he were to get dealt, there would certainly be high interest for a player of Vanek's caliber, plus he still hasn't turned 30 yet.
Blue Jackets' Johnson Not Taking Part In World Championships
News:Jack Johnson will not take part in the World Championship due to being "banged up," Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis: It's unknown what exactly is ailing Jack Johnson, but he did miss a little over a week with a shoulder injury in late February, early March. He will use the time off to rest and get back to full strength.
News:Daniel Sedin was given the night off for Saturday's regular season finale against the Oilers, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: The Canucks had clinched the Northwest Division prior to Saturday's finale, so they opted to rest a handful of regulars. Alex Burrows, Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler and Jason Garrison all joined Daniel Sedin in the press box. The good news is Vancouver will enter the playoffs healthy for its first-round matchup against the Sharks.
News:Mike Knuble was activated for the Flyers' season finale Saturday night against Ottawa.
Analysis:Mike Knuble had one shot on goal and was minus-1 in 13:04 in what was his 1,068th game. He'll be making a decision on whether or not to retire later on in the offseason.
News:Brad Richardson logged two assists in LA's 3-2 win over San Jose on Saturday night.
Analysis: He won't be mistaken for an offensive-minded rearguard with numbers like 1-5-6 in 16 games. There are probably better blueliners for your playoff pool.
News:Justin Williams' late goal gave Los Angeles a 3-2 win over San Jose on Saturday. He finished the regular season with 11 goals and 22 assists over 48 games.
Analysis:Justin Williams will likely be a key component of the Kings' playoff fortunes. Whenever his team goes deep into the playoffs (Hurricanes in 2006; Kings last year), his offensive statistics are a major factor in the team's success.
News:Derek Roy opened the scoring Saturday with a power-play marker against Edmonton. The Oilers pulled away late to take a 7-2 win.
Analysis: In 12 games after being acquired from Dallas, Derek Roy logged a disappointing three goals and three assists. Fantasy owners who drafted him hoping that he'd return to his point-per-game days were frustrated this season.
News:Devan Dubnyk made 28 saves Saturday in a 7-2 win over Vancouver. He finished the campaign with a ledger of 14-16-6.
Analysis: We expect those numbers to improve next season; Edmonton is likely to get significantly better as its young skaters mature. Devan Dubnyk is going to get the benefit of that improvement, as he should be the team's solid No. 1 netminder next season.
News:Jordan Eberle scored twice Saturday as Edmonton pulled away from Vancouver late to take a 7-2 win.
Analysis: His season is done, but it's easy to forecast a solid near-term future for Jordan Eberle and the rest of Edmonton's outstanding stable of young skaters.
News:Justin Schultz finished the season on a high note Saturday, collecting a goal and three assists as Edmonton scored six third-period goals in a 7-2 win over Vancouver.
Analysis: Given the strength of the Oilers' youth corps, Edmonton is going to be very good very soon. Justin Schultz will want to improve on his team-worst minus-17 rating, but he's a solid prospect for upcoming campaigns.
News:Patrick Maroon was credited with an assist midway through first period of the Ducks' 5-3 loss to the Coyotes on Saturday.
Analysis: The fact that Patrick Maroon has logged an assist in only his second game since being recalled from the AHL is certainly a positive sign for him, as it pertains to his becoming a larger part of the Ducks' offense as the team enters the playoffs.
News:Hampus Lindholm was recalled from AHL Norfolk on Saturday, the Ducks' official website reports.
Analysis:Hampus Lindholm, the Ducks' 2012 first-round draft choice, scored 11 points and had a plus-5 rating in 44 games during his first AHL season. He was one of eight players recalled Sunday, and may have the brightest NHL future of that group.
News:Peter Holland was recalled from AHL Norfolk on Saturday, the Ducks' official website reports.
Analysis:Peter Holland is among the more noteworthy of the eight players the Ducks recalled Saturday. The 15th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft has tallied 105 points in 119 career AHL games. He did not have much of a fantasy impact in 21 NHL games this year, but could be on the radar for 2013-14.
News:Jordan Hendry was recalled from AHL Norfolk on Saturday, the Ducks' official website reports.
Analysis:Jordan Hendry was one of eight players called up for Saturday's game. He has 13 points in 131 career NHL games and scored 11 points in 62 games with AHL Norfolk this season.
News:Nate Guenin was recalled from AHL Norfolk on Saturday, the Ducks' official website reports.
Analysis:Nate Guenin, who scored four goals and 24 points in 66 AHL games this season, was one of eight players called up for Saturday's game.
News:John Gibson was recalled from AHL Norfolk on Saturday, the Ducks' official website reports.
Analysis:John Gibson and seven other players were called up for Saturday's regular season finale. He spent most of the 2012-13 season with OHL Kitchener and played in just one AHL game.
News:Richard Bachman put in a strong, 34-save performance in a 3-0 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday night.
Analysis: He was solid, but he needs his teammates to find twine. He finished the season with a 7-4 record.
News:Shea Weber scored Nashville's only goal in a 3-1 loss to Columbus on Saturday night. He finished the season on a four-game, five-point (one goal, four assists) streak.
Analysis: His 28 points this season were top-10 for scoring from the blue line. He struggled early to find his legs again after Ryan Suter left, but he's been solid of late. He remains a strong keeper.
News:Chris Mason was pelted with pucks Saturday night in a 3-1 loss to Columbus. He made 44 saves and allowed just two goals.
Analysis: It was a statement game for the beleaguered netminder who struggled mightily this year. And at 37, he may be hard-pressed to pick up a job this offseason. There may be a chance we've seen the last of him.
News:Kyle Turris netted the Senators' only goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Flyers.
Analysis: His production this season -- 11 goals and 16 assists in 47 games so far -- mirrors his work last season while in Ottawa (12 goals, 17 assists 49 games). His game should take off when Jason Spezza returns -- it'll afford him an opportunity to move more freely on the ice because he'll no longer be the team's top center.
News:Jakub Voracek potted the game-winning goal Saturday and finished with 22 goals and 46 points on the season.
Analysis: This year was the breakout we all expected from him last season. His 22 goals are a career best and they were scored in just 48 games -- that's a 38-goal pace. Wow.
Flyers' Akeson Makes NHL Debut; Nets First NHL Goal
News:Jason Akeson scored his first career NHL goal in Saturday's win over Ottawa. Saturday was also his NHL debut.
Analysis: He'll remember this one for a long time -- it was set up by the excellent Claude Giroux.
News:Steve Mason made 43 saves Saturday in a 2-1 win over the Senators. He also picked up an assist on the game-winning goal.
Analysis: Wow -- Steve Mason has won four straight games in orange and black. Is there a chance he becomes the Flyers' starter next season? You bet. Keeper leaguers should watch and wait on that decision before submitting their final rosters. Goalie points are usually gold in most formats.
News:Tomas Fleischmann scored twice Saturday, including the game winner, in a 5-3 victory over cross-state rivals, the Lightning.
Analysis: He finished with a team high 35 points in 48 games, a pace that would have delivered him 60 over the course of full 82-game sked. His sniping was way down this year -- 12 goals in 48 games would be 20 over a full season, down from 27 last year. But he's still a solid mid-range fantasy winger and should continue to deliver consistent 60-point type production for a couple more seasons.
News:Jacob Markstrom finished the season with a 28-save, 5-3 win over the Lightning on Saturday night.
Analysis: He's a future fantasy stud; keep him accordingly. He'll be delivering top-five type numbers in just a couple of seasons.
News:Anders Lindback made 27 saves in a 5-3 loss to the Panthers on Saturday night. He allowed four goals.
Analysis: He and Ben Bishop will duke it out in training camp for the honor of being the Bolts' starter come October, but there's always a chance they'll run on a platoon. And that prospect minimizes the value of both.
News:David Backes had two assists and was a plus-2 against the Blackhawks on Saturday.
Analysis:David Backes had a down year scoring, he only had six goals in 48 games. However, he did have 22 assists and 62 penalty minutes.
News:Jaden Schwartz scored two goals, including the game-winner, against the Blackhawks on Saturday. He was also plus-2 and had four shots on goal.
Analysis:Jaden Schwartz only has seven goals and 13 points in 45 games this season, but he's only 20 and is a former first-round pick, so there is still future potential there.
News:Carter Hutton gave up three goals on 28 shots in a loss against the Blues on Saturday.
Analysis: This was Carter Hutton's NHL debut. The Blackhawks, prepping for the playoffs, did not want to risk Corey Crawford's health, and Ray Emery is dealing with an injury issue. As a 27-year-old rookie, this could very well be Hutton's only NHL appearance of his career.
News:Gabriel Landeskog notched the assist on Colorado's lone goal against the Wild on Saturday.
Analysis:Gabriel Landeskog was limited to 36 games due to injury this season, but his nine goals, 17 points, and particularly his minus-4 rating are all mild disappointments. However, he is still only 20, and his ceiling remains quite high.
News:Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves on 32 shots but took the loss against the Wild on Saturday.
Analysis: The Avalanche finish off a terrible season with a loss. They have a lot of questions to answer, including whether or not Semyon Varlamov is their goalie of the future. They have no other options currently, but his .903 save percentage and 3.02 GAA do not bode well.
News:Kevin Westgarth lit the lamp twice against the Penguins on Saturday.
Analysis:Kevin Westgarth tallied four points in the last three games of the season. However, those were his only four points all year. It was just an odd aberrational run to end the year.
News:Justin Peters was left in to give up eight goals on 35 shots against the Penguins on Saturday.
Analysis: Once Cam Ward went down, Carolina had no answer in net, and Justin Peters may struggle to even find a backup job next season.
News:Johan Hedberg ended the season with a poor performance, giving up four goals on just 21 shots in Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Rangers.
Analysis:Johan Hedberg has been a bit better over the last month or so, but he still had a rough season and finishes with a 6-10-3 record to show for it. Martin Brodeur is expected to return for another season, and Hedberg still has another year left on his contract, so he could end up with the same role in 2013-14.
News:Brent Seabrook will play Saturday against the Blues, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Reports earlier in the day had Brent Seabrook sitting out Saturday's finale for rest, but he will be in action against St. Louis.
News:Evgeny Grachev was recalled Saturday from AHL Peoria.
Analysis:Evgeny Grachev scored 26 points, including 11 goals, 76 games for Peoria this season. He played 26 games with the Blues last season, but this is his first stint in St. Louis this year.
News:Jeff Woywitka was recalled Saturday from AHL Peoria.
Analysis:Jeff Woywitka notched 11 points and 22 penalty minutes in 34 games for Peoria this season. Woywitka played 27 games for the Rangers last season but was waived by the Blues this season after not seeing the ice in the first three games and was assigned to Peoria.
News:Taylor Chorney was recalled Saturday from AHL Peoria.
Analysis:Taylor Chorney had 24 points in 73 games for Peoria this season. He played five games last season in the NHL with Edmonton and St. Louis.
News:Mat Clark was recalled from AHL Norfolk on Saturday, the Ducks' official website reports.
Analysis: The Ducks recalled eight players in advance of Saturday's regular season finale. Mat Clark has yet to play in an NHL game this season and scored just 10 points in 71 AHL games.
News:Ryan Malone (undisclosed) will return to the lineup for Saturday's season finale, the Tampa Bay Times' Damian Cristodero reports.
Analysis:Ryan Malone missed the last two games, but he'll get one in before the season ends. He has five goals and seven points in 23 games this season. While the lockout and injuries are partially to blame for his quiet campaign, more will be expected out of Malone next year. He has averaged .61 points per game throughout his career.
News:Radek Dvorak will play in Saturday's regular season finale against the Coyotes.
Analysis:Radek Dvorak sat out Thursday's game to get some rest, but he'll get one final tune-up before the playoffs begin.
News:Mark Fayne is dealing with an unspecified injury and may need offseason surgery, the Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis:Mark Fayne spent a significant amount of time as a healthy scratch this season, so his absence from Saturday's season finale will likely go unnoticed. He has not played since last Saturday.
Devils' D'Agostini Out With Undisclosed Injury Saturday
News:Matt D'Agostini is dealing with an undisclosed injury and will not play in Saturday's season finale against the Rangers, the Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis:Matt D'Agostini finishes the year with three goals and six points in 29 games. His 2010-11 season - 21 goals and 46 points - continues to look like an outlier.
Blues' Jackman (Ankle) Sitting Saturday But Looking Good For Playoffs
News:Barret Jackman (ankle) is likely healthy enough to play Saturday, though he will still be held out of the lineup, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford reports.
Analysis: The implication is that Barret Jackman would suit up if it were a playoff game, and that bodes well for his chances of returning for Game 1. The Blues feel no need to rush him back for Saturday's regular season finale.
News:Johan Franzen has 20 points over his last 20 games and his been using his frame to play with a more physical style recently, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: While Mule regularly heats up in the postseason, his surge in the second half of the shortened season has been a big part of the Wings' ability to remain in the mix for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference as they wrap up their regular season Saturday.
Hurricanes' Corvo (Undisclosed) Returning To Lineup Saturday
News:Joe Corvo (undisclosed) will play in Saturday's season finale against Pittsburgh, the Raleigh News and Observer's Chip Alexander reports.
Analysis:Joe Corvo sat Thursday, but he'll miss just the one game. The undisclosed injury he was dealing with must not have been very serious.
News:Joey MacDonald received dehydration treatment after Friday's game and is apparently feeling fine as of Saturday morning, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: Perhaps it was just the intensity of the 38-shot barrage that had Joey MacDonald feeling ill, but all tests for more serious issues all came back negative. He will return to Calgary as the Flames are packing it in for the season.
News:Tim Brent (lower body) will return to action Saturday, the Raleigh News and Observer's Chip Alexander reports.
Analysis:Tim Brent has not suited up since April 9, but he'll get back on the ice for one last game before the season ends. He has three assists in 29 games this season and cannot be recommended for fantasy purposes in most leagues.
News:Erik Gudbranson (hand) will not play in Saturday's season finale against Tampa Bay, the Miami Herald's George Richards reports.
Analysis:Erik Gudbranson has not played in over a week and will finish the season with four assists and 47 PIMs in 32 games. He should be healthy well before the start of the 2013-14 campaign.
News:Niklas Hjalmarsson will not play in Saturday's game against the Blues, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford reports.
Analysis:Niklas Hjalmarsson will get some extra rest, as the Blackhawks are locked into the No. 1 seed and have nothing left to play for.
News:Jay Harrison, who will not play Saturday, is dealing with a concussion, the Raleigh News and Observer's Chip Alexander reports.
Analysis:Jay Harrison took a puck to the face Thursday, and apparently he was concussed, in addition to suffering facial injuries. He should be fine for the start of the 2013-14 season, though concussions can be tricky.
News:Trevor Daley is dealing with a neck injury and will not play in Saturday's season finale, Mark Stepneski of the Stars' official website reports.
Analysis:Trevor Daley missed a game with an undisclosed upper-body injury last weekend, and it is unclear if this is related. Regardless, his season is over and he finishes with four goals and 13 points in 44 games.
News:Kevin Henderson was recalled under emergency conditions Saturday.
Analysis:Kevin Henderson was sent down Friday but will instantly rejoin the big club. He has one goal in three games with the Predators and finished the AHL season with 29 points in 67 games.
Blue Jackets' Anisimov (Concussion) WIll Play Saturday
News:Artem Anisimov (concussion) will return to the ice for Saturday's regular-season finale against Nashville, the Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline reports.
Analysis:Artem Anisimov was far from a sure thing to suit up, so the Blue Jackets will be thrilled to have him back for Saturday's all-important game. He hasn't played since April 13, however, and may be a bit rusty. Columbus is still fighting to make the playoffs on the final day of the season.
News:Michal Neuvirth has signed a two-year extension to remain with the Capitals.
Analysis:Michal Neuvirth isn't having a particularly strong season, but this should give the Capitals some stability behind Braden Holtby, who figures to shoulder the workload in the playoffs. Neuvirth and Holtby are both signed through the 2014-15 season.
News:Tim Jackman missed Calgary's final game of the season Friday with an undisclosed injury.
Analysis:Tim Jackman has one more year left on his contract in Calgary and likely will help stabilize the fourth line next season. He ended the 2012-13 campaign with a goal and four assists in 42 games.
News:Jiri Hudler missed the Flames' season finale Friday with an undisclosed injury.
Analysis:Jiri Hudler ended up being a deal for $4 million this season, as he had 10 goals and 17 assists in 42 games. The Flames will look to Hudler to be a veteran presence in the locker room as they rebuild in the coming years, as they have him locked up for three more seasons.
News:Sven Baertschi missed the Flames' season finale Friday with a groin injury.
Analysis: The injury likely wasn't serious, but the Flames don't want to take any chances with one of their best young players. Sven Baertschi finished the season with a seven-game scoring streak and should start to become a fantasy force next season.
News:Stefan Elliott scored his first goal of the season in Friday's shootout win over Phoenix.
Analysis: The Avs had been expecting more from Stefan Elliott this season after a few flashes of talent during 39 games last year. Odds are Elliott will be given a more regular role this coming fall for Colorado and he could be a sleeper pick late in drafts, as the Avs need offense from someone on the blue line.
News:P.A. Parenteau scored once and added an assist in Friday's win over Phoenix, his first points in two games.
Analysis:P.A. Parenteau has quietly been one of the season's best signings, as the Avs snagged him from the Islanders for a relative bargain of $4 million per season. Pareanteau is in the midst of a career-best season in terms of points per game with 43 in 47 contests. He's a talented winger who has enjoyed playing alongside 2009's top draft picks in his career, as he's showed good chemistry with both Matt Duchene and John Tavares.
News:Jean-Sebastien Giguere was pulled late in the third period of Friday's shootout win over Phoenix after surrendering four goals on 31 shots and suffering a slight injury.
Analysis:Jean-Sebastien Giguere was credited with the victory but has had a rough season in Denver, along with the rest of his teammates.
News:Matt Duchene registered three assists in Friday's 5-4 shootout win over Phoenix, giving him four points in the last three games heading into Saturday's season finale.
Analysis:Matt Duchene has re-estalbished himself as one of the league's talented younger players after an abysmal 2011 campaign. He has 43 points through 46 games in the lockout-shortened season and rewarded owners who took advantage of his lower price. Look for him to continue this production into next season - just be aware that the Avs might not be the best boon for his plus-minus. Be ready to draft Duchene early next season.
News:Lee Stempniak grabbed an assist on Calgary's lone goal in Friday's loss to Chicago, his third point in the last four games he's played.
Analysis:Lee Stempniak has put together a quietly solid season in Southern Alberta, notching 32 points in 47 contests and finishing a plus-2. His goal totals are a bit down from his career average, but he's a veteran NHL player that can be a decent waiver option in very deep leagues.
News:Chris Butler scored Calgary's only goal in Friday's loss to Chicago, snagging his first goal of the season.
Analysis:Chris Butler has been seeing just over 17 minutes per contest for the Flames and has eight points through 44 games. He's just three seasons removed from putting up 21 points in 59 games, but odds are, Butler won't contribute too much on the offensive end going forward.
News:Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 38 shots in Friday's win over Minnesota giving him his fourth win of the season.
Analysis:Nikolai Khabibulin ceded much of his playing time to Devan Dubnyk this season and battled some minor injuries. His best days are clearly behind him, but this is a goaltender who won a Stanley Cup nine seasons ago. The Oilers have struggled to play consistently this season and Khabibulin was the team's backup. If he decides to retire, he'll have one more Stanley Cup ring than most of the league's players.
News:Taylor Hall grabbed a goal and two assists in Friday's win over Minnesota, giving him five points in the last five games.
Analysis:Taylor Hall has established himself as one of the NHL's elite young talents and he'll finish the truncated season above as a point-per-game guy as he sits with 48 in 44 games heading into Saturday's finale. Don't overpay for him next fall, but you will have to pull the trigger on him early if you'd like his services. Hall and the Oilers can only get better, right?
News:Matt Fraser was assigned to AHL Texas on Friday, Mark Stepneski of the Stars' official site reports.
Analysis:Matt Fraser put up 46 points (33G, 13A) in 62 AHL games this season, but he was only able to muster two points (both assists) in nine games after his early-April recall. The 22-year-old will likely see some more chances next season.
News:Filip Forsberg was recalled from AHL Milwaukee on Friday.
Analysis: The Preds sent Filip Forsberg down Thursday with the expectation being that he would play in Milwaukee's playoff game Friday, but the team brought the 18-year-old back up to the NHL club instead. Daniel Bang and Kevin Henderson were sent down.
Coyotes' Morris (Lower Body) Likely To Sit Friday And Saturday
News: Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said Friday that it looks like Derek Morris (lower body) will not play Friday or Saturday, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: The team hasn't officially ruled Derek Morris out quite yet, but Tippett's words suggest the 34-year-old will miss the final two games of the season.
News:Jimmy Hayes has been recalled by the Blackhawks.
Analysis: This is not the first time Jimmy Hayes has been called up by the Blackhawks, as he has recorded three points in nine games this season. Hayes has had a career year with AHL Rockford, recording 25 goals in 67 games, but this seems to be nothing more than a typical end of year call up.
News:Jochen Hecht announced his retirement following Buffalo's victory over the Islanders on Friday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis:Jochen Hecht was lured back into playing this season, so the news doesn't come as a surprise for a 14-year veteran whose game has declined in recent seasons. Although he only had 14 points this season, Hecht will finish his career with 186 goals and 277 assists in 833 games.
News:Mark Pysyk, who played 17:49 in Buffalo's 2-1 shootout win over the Islanders on Friday, is expected to join Rochester (AHL) for the AHL's playoffs where they will face Toronto (AHL), according to the Associated Press.
Analysis:Mark Pysyk, along with Mikhail Grigorenko and Brian Flynn, will help to bolster the Rochester roster as they compete for the Calder Cup.
News: Grigorneko led all Buffalo players with six shots on goal in Friday's shootout win over the Islanders. He did not record a point in the loss.
Analysis: Grigrenko was expected to contribute much more offensively than he did this season. He's still a budding player and will be relied up on to be one of the team's top playmakers next season. The good news is that he won't have as high of a pricetag next season despite his ridiculously high skill level. Definitely remember his name in keeper leagues.
News:Ryan Miller stopped 30 shots in Friday's 2-1 win over the Islanders as well as all three attempts he faced in the shootout.
Analysis: Rumors will abound as to whether Ryan Miller has played his last game in Buffalo, but it's a good way to go out if he is done with the team. Miller has been sold all year in shootouts and again performed well in the skills competition. The Sabres and Miller had an inconsistent season that saw the former star struggle more often than he stole games. Whenever he ends up next season, Miller could be a value for owners after the elite netminders have been snagged.
News: Viznovsky was a healthy scratch for Friday's game versus Buffalo, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple.
Analysis: Apparently the Isles believe an extra day of rest for the veteran defenseman is more important than trying to avoid facing the Penguins in the 1st round of the playoffs.
News:Theo Peckham is out of action with mononucleosis, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: This only changes some paperwork as rather than being a healthy scratch is out due to illness.
News:Mike Smith will be between the pipes Friday against the Avalanche.
Analysis:Mike Smith doesn't appear to be hampered by a lower body injury any longer and will make his fourth straight start. He's been dominant against the Avalanche throughout his career, owning a 8-1-1 record with a 1.42 GAA.
News:Colby Robak was released from the team's active roster Thursday, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: With Quinton Howden and Tyson Strachan returning from illness and injury, respectively, Colby Robak and Scott Timmins were demoted. Robak appeared in 16 games for the Panthers this season, mustering just one point and 17 penalty minutes.
News:Scott Timmins was taken off the Panthers' active roster Friday, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: The Panthers demoted Scott Timmins and Colby Robak after Quinton Howden and Tyson Strachan returned from illness and injury, respectively. Timmins appeared in five games for the Panthers this season, charting zero points.
News:Jeremy Morin was called up from AHL Rockford on Friday.
Analysis:Jeremy Morin had a cup of coffee with the Blackhawks earlier this month, playing to games when forwards Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp were sidelined by injuries. The 21-year-old totaled 58 points over 67 games at Rockford.
News:Milan Hejduk will be a healthy scratch Friday, as he prepares for what is likely his final game of his NHL career Saturday against the Wild, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: The 37-year-old winger is expected to retire at the end of the season, although there is no official word yet from Milan Hejduk. Hejduk has played his entire career for the Avalanche franchise, dating back to the 1998-1999 season. Hejduk tallied 375 goals in his career, but has dropped off with age, scoring 14 last season and just four in the shortened 2013 campaign.
News:Erik Johnson (wrist) will not play Friday against the Coyotes, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports.
Analysis:Erik Johnson will miss his sixth straight game Friday, but there is a glimmer of hope that he could return and play in the team's season finale Saturday. The game Saturday means nothing to the Avalanche, being well out of the postseason chase, so Johnson may sit if he does not want to risk further injury heading into the offseason.
News:Ryan Wilson (ankle) has been shut down for the remainder of the regular season, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis:Ryan Wilson played in just 12 games this season as he battled numerous leg injuries, ending with a high-ankle sprain. Wilson was expected to be a top four defenseman and could have solidified his role alongside Eric Johnson as the team's top defensive pairing, but could not stay healthy this season.
News:Brandon Pirri has been recalled to the Blackhawks, the team's official site reports.
Analysis:Brandon Pirri is one of eight skater recalled by the Blackhawks Friday. These eight, including Pirri, will likely see some playing time in one if not both of the Blackhawks' final two regular season games. This will give a well deserved rest to the Blackhawks' starters who have locked up the top seed in the Western Conference.
News:Keith Ballard returned from a back injury and saw over 10 minutes of ice time Thursday night against the Ducks.
Analysis:Keith Ballard had sat out the previous game with a minor back injury. He skated as a winger on the fourth line in Thursday's loss but failed to see an increase in scoring opportunities.
News:Jason Garrison netted a power-play goal in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Ducks.
Analysis: After a slow start to the season, Jason Garrison is now only slightly behind his pace from last year's breakout. The 28-year-old blueliner has 16 points (8 G, 8 A) in 47 games. It'll be interesting to see what he can so in a full season on the Canucks next year.
News:Richard Panik was re-assigned to AHL Syracuse on Friday.
Analysis:Richard Panik scored five goals and added four assists in 25 games with the Lightning this season. With the team eliminated from playoff contention, he will head to AHL Syracuse to battle for the Calder Cup instead.
News: President and General Manager Jim Rutherford said Tim Gleason played part of this season with a broken foot, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
Analysis:Tim Gleason was not much a fantasy factor this season, recording just nine points in 41 games.
News: President and General Manager Jim Rutherford said Jiri Tlusty played part of this season with a dislocated finger, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
Analysis: This is impressive considering Jiri Tlusty scored 23 goals in 47 games this season. It's scary to think what he could have done in a full season without any injuries.
News:Kris Newbury has been recalled by the Rangers, ESPN New York reports.
Analysis:Kris Newbury, who was previously with AHL Connecticut, has played in five games for the Rangers this season, recording one point and nine penalty minutes.
News:Tuomo Ruutu will have surgery following the season on his hip, according to the Raleigh News and Observer.
Analysis:Tuomo Ruutu was out until April following surgery on one of his hips, but his next surgery will be on the other hip. The Hurricanes have been out of the playoff hunt for a while and only have one game remaining this season. Look for him to take the long offseason to fully recover both hips for next season in time for training camp.
News:Brad Staubitz scored a goal in the second period of the Ducks' 3-1 defeat of the Canucks on Thursday.
Analysis: Scoring a goal in only his second game back after missing nearly a month, indicates that he is recovering well from his recent injury.
News:Jared Staal made his NHL debut Thursday against the Rangers, skating 12:16, laying five hits and putting one shot on goal in a 4-3 overtime loss.
Analysis: The Panthers and Rangers put on a Jared Staalstravaganza in this one, fielding all four Staal brothers between them -- Eric, Jordan and Jared for the 'Canes, Marc for the Rangers. Jared doesn't quite project to Eric and Jordan's offensive upside, as he's totaled a meager seven points in 52 AHL games this year.
News:Eric Gelinas skated 15:59 in his NHL debut Thursday, going minus-1 with a shot on goal and a hit in a win over the Penguins.
Analysis: The Devils' 2009 second-round pick has picked up just 22 points in 57 games for AHL Albany this season, but did put 16 pucks into the net last year, so he's got some offensive skill to go with good size -- 6-4, 205.
News:David Desharnais scored his 10th goal of the year in Thursday's win over the Jets, and his first since April 3, a span of 10 games.
Analysis: On the plus side, David Desharnais at least chipped in five assists while he wasn't putting the puck in the net. He's predictably had a hard time matching last year's 60-point breakout, but Desharnais is quite reasonable in the role of a secondary scorer.
News:P.K. Subban assisted on two goals Thursday in a win over the Jets, snapping a four-game scoring drought.
Analysis: He'd been held off the board entirely since assisting twice in an April 15 loss to Philadelphia. Despite that little slide, P.K. Subban's quite arguably been the best defenseman in the NHL this year.
News:Blake Wheeler notched his 19th goal of the season in Thursday's 4-2 loss to Montreal.
Analysis:Blake Wheeler was one of the hottest players in the league going into the game, notching points in eight of his last nine games. Unfortunately, the loss eliminates the Jets from playoff contention. On the bright side, Wheeler was on pace to set new career highs in goals and points had the season played out as a full 82 game schedule, which is something to keep in mind for your 2013-14 fantasy draft.
News:Ilya Kovalchuk scored a goal and added an assist in Thursday's win over Pittsburgh, giving him points in three straight games.
Analysis: After missing nearly a month with a shoulder injury, Kovy's got four points in as many games since returning. It's good to see he didn't miss a step -- promising for next year.
News:Ondrej Pavelec stopped 26 of 30 shots in a 4-2 loss to Montreal on Thursday night.
Analysis:Ondrej Pavelec's loss officially eliminated the Jets from playoff contention. He finished the season with a record of 21-20-3 record and a respectable 2.77 goals against average.
News:Dan Ellis allowed four goals on 38 shots Thursday against the Rangers, including Ryan Callahan's game-winner in overtime.
Analysis: So much for his modest two-game winning streak. Dan Ellis suffered from some hard luck in this one, as the Rangers scored the game-tying goal on a Brad Richards shot that went off the board, off Ellis' skate and into the net. Despite the ugly four-goal outcome, Ellis played terrifically well in this game.
News:Nazem Kadri set up Phil Kessel for two goals in Thursday's win over the Panthers.
Analysis: It was a new line experiment with Nazem Kadri, Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, and there was almost instant chemistry between Kadri and Kessel. Long term, there's great potential for the duo -- Kessel thrives with creative left-handed centermen and Nazzy fits that bill to a T.
News:Sergei Gonchar scored his third goal of the year Thursday on an overtime power play against the Capitals.
Analysis: It was a rare goal for Sergei Gonchar, who hadn't potted one since March 19. He's been a bit warmer offensively of late, collecting four points in his last five games following a nine-game drought.
News:Danny Briere scored for the first time since Feb. 18 in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Islanders.
Analysis: It's too little, too late for the Flyers and for Danny Briere, who's had a simply awful, injury-shortened season.
News:Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 21 of 22 shots Thursday in a 2-1 win over the Islanders.
Analysis: With the Isles in contention for the playoffs and Philadelphia out, Bryz and the Flyers stepped up in the role of spoiler. The Flyers have one more game, Saturday at Ottawa, but it's possible they'll want another look at Steve Mason then.
News:Kevin Poulin allowed two goals on 30 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Flyers on Thursday.
Analysis:Kevin Poulin played very well, but received little in the way of offensive support. He has likely played his last game this season, as Evgeni Nabokov is slated to start Friday. The only way Poulin will see action in the playoffs is in mop-up duty or in the event of an injury.
News:Michael Del Zotto had two assists and three shots on goal in a 4-3 overtime win over Carolina on Thursday night.
Analysis: MDZ continues his odd stretch of points in every other game this month. The only difference is Thursday's multi-point game
was his first of the month. The fourth year defenseman has gone plus-1 with six points over 13 games in the month of April.
News:Aaron Rome will not play Thursday, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: This could be related to the foot injury Aaron Rome dealt with earlier in the year, or he could just be a healthy scratch. It's also possible that Rome has suffered a new injury. Consider him day-to-day until the situation clears up.
News:Dustin Jeffrey will serve as a healthy scratch Thursday in New Jersey.
Analysis:Dustin Jeffrey had his 15 minutes of fame Monday against Ottawa, but will take his usual place on the bench with Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup.
News:Brett Carson will sit out of Thursday's game against the Blues.
Analysis:Brett Carson has played in ten games with the Flames this season and has one assist to go along with a minus-1 rating. Carson, who also sat out of Tuesday's game, was originally in the lineup but was later replaced by Anton Babchuk, which indicates that Carson is dealing with an undisclosed injury.
News:Michal Rozsival picked up an assist in Wednesday's win over the Oilers.
Analysis:Michal Rozsival, who had missed time with an upper body injury, checks in with 12 assists in 25 games to date, to go along with a plus-19 rating for the Hawks.
News: The Oilers assigned Teemu Hartikainen to the team's AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City.
Analysis:Teemu Hartikainen has played 23 games with the Oilers this season and has recorded one goal to go along with two assists. Since being recalled on April 15, Hartikainen played in four games and did not record a point.
News:Tyson Strachan (upper body) will play Thursday against the Maple Leafs, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis:Tyson Strachan was sidelined the previous four games with the upper body injury. He's compiled 40 penalty minutes and three points through 36 games this season.
News:Jaroslav Halak (groin) will back up Brian Elliott on Thursday against the Flames, NHL.com's Lou Korac reports.
Analysis:Jaroslav Halak returns to the mix after missing 12 games with a groin injury, with a pre-playoff tune-up start Saturday potentially on tap for him.
News:Greg Rallo was removed from the active roster Wednesday following the return of Peter Mueller, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: With the team's AHL affiliate in San Antonio having already finished their season, Greg Rallo will simply head home for the summer. Rallo charted one goal in ten games for the Panthers this season.
News:Ville Leino is dealing with a lung issue, WGR 550 reports. "He had some issues with his lung yes that he's dealing with and he's actually a lot better, he's doing well right now," coach Ron Rolston noted of Leino on Thursday.
Analysis: In any case, Ville Leino won't play Friday against the Islanders as the Sabres close out their season. Leino finishes an injury-riddled campaign with six points in just eight games.
News:Zach Bogosian (concussion) appears doubtful to play Thursday, the Winnipeg Free Press reports.
Analysis: Coach Claude Noel said Zach Bogosian is viewed as day-to-day, but didn't express much confidence that he would be ready in time for Thursday. Keep tabs of the situation prior to the Thursday's opening face-off, as Bogosian had emerged as an offensive threat prior to suffering the injury, scoring seven points over his last four games.
News:Yannick Weber will be a healthy scratch for Thursday's game against the Jets.
Analysis: After adding Jared Tinordi to the back-end, Yannick Weber is the odd man out for Thursday's game, where Montreal is battling for home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
News:Kari Lehtonen is slated to start Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets, Jeff Rimer of FOX Sports Ohio reports.
Analysis: To be expected, as both the Stars (48 points) and Blue Jackets (51 points) are chasing the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The odds are against Dallas with just two games left, but they'll presumably stick with Kari Lehtonen as long as they have a chance to qualify.
News:Mike Cammalleri is slated to suit up for Thursday's game against the Blues, FAN 960's Pat Steinberg reports.
Analysis:Mike Cammalleri, who was rested by the Flames on Tuesday, is slated to skate on a line Thursday with Matt Stajan and Lee Stempniak.
News:Alexander Semin will miss the Hurricanes' final two games with a concussion, Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News and Observer reports.
Analysis:Alexander Semin completes his first season with the Hurricanes with 13 goals and 44 points in 44 games. In his absence from Thursday's morning skate, Chad LaRose skated on the team's top line with Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty.
News:Dustin Brown was suspended two games by the NHL for a hit he delivered on Minnesota's Jason Pominville on Tuesday, cbssports.com reports.
Analysis: With Dustin Brown out for the Kings' last two regular season games, the team has recalled Tyler Toffoli from AHL Manchester.
News: In his sixth game of the year, Thomas Greiss saved 30 of 32 shots in the Sharks' loss.
Analysis:Thomas Greiss had a .938 save percentage and looked good, but Niemi will take the reins in the playoffs.
News:Magnus Paajarvi returned to action Wednesday in the Oilers' 4-1 loss to the Blackhawks.
Analysis:Magnus Paajarvi skated 12:19 TOI and recorded one hit, but failed to score in the losing effort.
News:Ben Bishop kicked back 26 of the 28 shots he faced during the Lightning's 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
Analysis:Ben Bishop is just 3-4-1 since coming to the Lightning, but was able to hold the Leafs scoreless in the third period Wednesday to put the game on ice.
News:Martin Brodeur is planning on returning for his 20th NHL season next fall, according to the Bergen Record's Tom Gulitti. He is expected to start Saturday's season finale against the Rangers after getting Thursday night off.
Analysis:Martin Brodeur missed several weeks this season with a neck injury and would like to end his career on a more positive note than missing the playoffs, as New Jersey did this season. It's not much of a surprise that Brodeur wants to return, as he's been solid at times this season and the recent 10-game losing streak can't entirely be pinned on him. Draft him accordingly next season, but don't overpay for him because of his name.
News:Adam Henrique, who was a healthy scratch for Tuesday's win over Montreal, has three points in the last 18 games.
Analysis: Much of Adam Henrique's struggle this season mirrored a 10-game losing streak by the Devils, but the kid has just three points in the last six weeks. He's a more talented player than these numbers show, but he had stretches of inconsistency after returning from a thumb injury that he suffered while playing in the AHL during the lockout. Good news is that he should be at a discounted price come next fall's drafts with a shot at hitting 20 goals and 55-60 points in a good year.
News:Colton Orr is not slated to suit up Wednesday against the Lightning, TSN.ca's Mark Masters reports.
Analysis: The playoff-bound Leafs are resting some players here, Colton Orr among them, so look for your PIMs elsewhere Wednesday.
News:Mike Fisher (hand) will play in the Predators' final two games of the season, Joshua Cooper of the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: The Preds have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but Mike Fisher will look to add to his point total of 19 Thursday against the Red Wings, and Saturday against the Blue Jackets.
News: Returning from a two-game absence, Dennis Wideman (finger) suited up Tuesday against the Preds, seeing 24:02 worth of ice time.
Analysis:Dennis Wideman, who took two shots Tuesday and was a minus-1, heads into the Flames' last two games with 22 points in 44 contests to date.
News:Austin Watson will be reassigned to AHL Milwaukee, Joshua Cooper of the Tennessean reports.
Analysis:Austin Watson recorded one goal and a minus-2 rating in six games with the Predators.
Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins Undergoes Successful Surgery
News:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins underwent successful shoulder surgery Tuesday, according to the Oilers' official Twitter page.
Analysis:Ryan Nugent-Hopkins figures to be back at 100 percent by the time training camp rolls around this fall. He will be coming off the injury and a very disappointing sophomore season, but that could make him a nice bargain come draft day.
News: The Ducks assigned Igor Bobkov to AHL Norfolk on Wednesday, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis:Igor Bobkov was brought up on an emergency basis and did not appear in a game. If the Ducks decide to rest their regular goalies over the rest of the regular season, it will be Frederik Andersen who will pick up the ice time.
News: The Ducks recalled Devante Smith-Pelly from AHL Norfolk on Wednesday, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis:Devante Smith-Pelly has played in just five games with the Ducks this season after appearing in 49 a year ago. He will provide some depth up front in the Ducks' final two regular season games.
News: Carolina reassigned Riley Nash to AHL Charlotte on Wednesday.
Analysis:Riley Nash has posted NHL career highs this season by registering nine points (four goals, five assists) and playing in 32 games. He will return to the Charlotte Checkers, who begin their Western Conference Quarterfinals series on Friday.
News: The Capitals have re-signed Aaron Volpatti to a two-year deal worth $1.15 million, the Washington Times reports.
Analysis:Aaron Volpatti was claimed off waivers by Washington from Vancouver on Feb. 28. This season, he has recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in 31 games.
News: The Capitals have re-signed Eric Fehr to a two-year contract worth $3 million, the Washington Times reports.
Analysis:Eric Fehr's career had been plagued by shoulder injuries in the past, but he proved that he could remain healthy while playing in Finland. He has registered 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 39 games this season.
News: One game after drawing 12 minutes worth of penalties, Steve MacIntyre served as a healthy scratch Tuesday.
Analysis: It's unlikely he sniffs the lineup again, unless coach Dan Bylsma decides to rest a large portion of the team Thursday or Saturday.
News:David Perron was demoted from the first line to the fourth line for the Blues' contest Tuesday against the Avalanche.
Analysis: Coach Ken Hitchcock would not comment on the demotion, but it probably has something to do with the one point he's scored in the last 31 games. If you plan on playing in a playoff league, you may want to see how he responds to the demotion before adding him to your lineup.
News:Matt Read scored a goal and blocked three shots Tuesday night in a 5-2 win over Boston. It was the second straight game in which Read has scored a goal.
Analysis:Matt Read has been streaky this season, and appears to be on a good one as the season finishes. He has five points in the last four games.
News:Andreas Lilja made his first appearance since being recalled Tuesday night, doling out four hits and blocking two shots in 19:14 during a win over Boston. He also saw time on the penalty-kill unit.
Analysis:Andreas Lilja was called up from AHL Adirondack on emergency conditions after it was announced that Kimmo Timonen was done for the season with a foot injury.
News:Kent Huskins (concussion) could return to the lineup Thursday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis:Kent Huskins isn't an offensive defenseman, so there's little fantasy impact here. But after we learned another Philadelphia defenseman was lost to injury -- Kimmo Timonen is out for the year with a compression fracture of his right foot -- his return will help a young, patchwork blue line.
News:Kyle Wellwood injured his right hand after blocking a shot in the second period of Monday's 2-1 win over Buffalo, the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Analysis: The news marks the second straight season that Kyle Wellwood will end the year sitting on the sidelines. The playmaking forward hurt his foot in the 78th game of the year last season. Nik Antropov will most likely take Wellwood's place in the lineup for the remainder of the season.
News:Jonathan Bernier will start in net Tuesday against the Wild, RDS' Renaud Lavoie reports.
Analysis:Jonathan Bernier will make his first start since April 7. He is 9-2 with a 1.86 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in 13 games this season.
News:Cody McLeod scored his eighth goal of the year Tuesday, the lone goal by Colorado against Blues goalie Brian Elliott.
Analysis: That makes it five goals in the last five games for Cody McLeod, who before this little hot stretch had gone nearly a month and a half without a marker. Don't put much weight on this out-of-nowhere scoring outburst; though McLeod has seen good ice time lately, his main fantasy value comes from dropping the gloves and racking up penalty minutes.
News: In his 20th game of the season, Jacob Josefson scored his first goal Tuesday, a first-period tally in a 3-2 win over Montreal.
Analysis:Jacob Josefson showed a bit more of a scoring touch for AHL Albany this season, scoring 10 goals to go with 15 assists in 38 games, but the 22-year-old still hasn't developed an offensive game that most fantasy owners would find worth noticing.
News:Chris Stewart scored a power-play goal and assisted on Andy McDonald's second-period tally in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Colorado.
Analysis: Though his season numbers remain strong, things had been awful cold for Chris Stewart recently, as he'd collected just three points in his last 15 games entering Tuesday's action. This was his first multi-point effort since rattling off three straight such performances on March 12, 14 and 16.
News:Drew Stafford picked up two assists -- one on an empty-netter -- in Tuesday's win over the Penguins, giving him a four-game point streak.
Analysis: This was the first multi-point effort of the bunch, and he also went plus-1, marking his first positive rating since way back on March 30. This is a nice way for Drew Stafford to end what's been a really rough season.
News:Claude Giroux continued his hot play Tuesday, tallying two assists in a 5-2 win over the Bruins.
Analysis:Claude Giroux's rattled off eight points in his last five games, enough to put him over a point-per-game pace for the year. Though this has been a lost season for the Flyers, it's good to see the captain setting an example for their other young players down the stretch.
News:Anton Khudobin was pulled Tuesday against Philadelphia after allowing three goals on 17 shots in an eventual 5-2 loss.
Analysis: Tuukka Rask came in and stopped 11 of 13 after Anton Khudobin was pulled following an ugly play in which Zdeno Chara made an errant pass that banked into the net off Khudobin's pads.
News:Josh Bailey netted his 11th of the season in a shootout loss to Carolina on Tuesday.
Analysis:Josh Bailey continues his strong late-season play, and with the Islanders qualifying for the playoffs, he could be a sneaky pick in postseason pools.
News:Nik Antropov managed a goal and an assist in a 5-3 loss to the Capitals on Tuesday night. He'd been out since April 2 with a lower-body injury.
Analysis: His goal brought the Jets to within one of the Capitals, but it was too little, too late for the Jets, who were the victims as Washington clinched the Southeast Division. With Kyle Wellwood (hand) out for the rest of the season, Nik Antropov will see plenty of ice in the team's finale this Thursday. Before being hurt, Antropov had collected just two points in his previous 10 games. As such, he may not be worth gambling on as the fantasy season ends, unless you're looking to have as many players play as possible.
News:Dustin Byfuglien assisted on Evander Kane's second period goal in a 5-3 loss to the Capitals on Tuesday night.
Analysis:Dustin Byfuglien finished the evening with a minus-1 rating and five shots on goal. He's got points in three of his last four games and the Jets are going to need him to perform as this Thursday's contest against Montreal is a must win game. Keep Dusty dressed if you're poised to win your league's title.
News:Evander Kane scored a goal in a 5-3 loss to the Capitals on Tuesday night.
Analysis:Evander Kane hadn't scored in the four games before Tuesday night's huge matchup against the Capitals. Due to the loss, the Jets must win their last game of the season this Thursday to keep their playoff hopes alive. Dress Kane accordingly.
News:Marek Zidlicky snapped a five-game scoring slump Tuesday with a pair of assists in a win over Montreal.
Analysis: He hadn't had a multi-point effort since scoring two goals against Toronto back on March 4. It's been an inconsistent fantasy season for Marek Zidlicky, who's collected a useful 38 PIMs to go with his 19 points this year, though his minus-10 rating won't garner much appreciation.
News: Leafs' coach Randy Carlyle made it clear Tuesday that he won't rest players "until the games [mean nothing]," but he might give Dion Phaneuf a couple fewer shifts per game this week.
Analysis: That pretty much amounts to a drop from 25 minutes a night to 22 or 23 for the big defender. As recently as April 10, Dion Phaneuf logged more than 30 minutes of action. Coach Carlyle loves to play a match-up game and will deploy the defender against the opposition's top line come the postseason, so a little rest won't hurt now. And it probably won't hurt your fantasy prospects, either -- he still produces just fine with a little less ice.
News:Quinton Howden will not play in Tuesday's game against the Rangers due to an illness.
Analysis:Quinton Howden probably was not in many fantasy lineups with zero points on the season, but his absence will leave the Panthers a little shorthanded Tuesday.
News:Adam McQuaid will suit up for Tuesday's game against the Flyers.
Analysis: Based on warmups, it looks like Johny Boychuck will be a scratch Tuesday, as the Bruins continue to strategically take advantage of their blue-line depth down the stretch in order to rest certain players.
News:Zenon Konopka (lower body) will play Tuesday against the Kings, the team's official site reports.
Analysis:Zenon Konopka, who will return to the lineup after missing five games, is slated to center Jake Dowell and Torrey Mitchell on Tuesday.
News:Nathan Beaulieu was among eight players recalled by the Canadiens from AHL Hamilton, cjad.com reports.
Analysis: The others were goalies Robert Mayer and Dustin Tokarski, fellow blueliners Greg Pateryn and Jarred Tinordi, along with forwards Michael Bournival, Louis Leblanc and Petteri Nokelainen. The report notes that the players will continue to practice this week in Hamilton and will arrive in Montreal on Sunday to provide the Habs with some added reserves for the playoffs.
News:Brandon Yip (lower body) won't play Tuesday against the Flames, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis:Brandon Yip, who last suited up on April 7, checks in with eight points to go along with 26 penalty minutes in 34 games to date.
News: The Lightning signed Mathieu Roy on Tuesday, according to NHL.com.
Analysis: The 26-year-old is coming back to the NHL after spending this season in the German Elite League. He's not a point-getter by any means, though he could be a super-cheap source of penalty minutes if the Lightning decides to give him some time as they play out the string for three final games.
News:Kevin Shattenkirk has three goals in April after scoring his fifth of the year Sunday against Colorardo.
Analysis: This represents an outburst of offense for a moribund Blues team. Kevin Shattenkirk's tied for the team lead in goals with David Backes. This is a breakout month for the third-year defenseman after just two goals in the first 33 games of the season. Ride him while he's hot.
News:Alexander Steen has one goal in the last 15 games for the Blues.
Analysis: The entire St. Louis squad is finding it very difficult to light the lamp. Despite the goal scoring drought, Alexander Steen has managed to put up five points in 11 April games. Sadly enough, that makes him second on the team in scoring for the month. He is averaging almost 20 minutes per game so he should be in your lineup based on opportunity alone.
News:Miikka Kiprusoff is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Predators, FAN 960's Pat Steinberg reports.
Analysis: Steinberg adds that it looks like the Flames could rest several veterans Tuesday, including the likes of Lee Stempniak and Micahel Cammalleri.
News:Alex Pietrangelo picked up his fourth assist in as many games Sunday in Colorado.
Analysis:Alex Pietrangelo is picking up the scoring as the Blues close out the season. Unfortunately, he has not netted a goal in the last 21 games. Keep him in your lineup, as he continues to log more than 24 minutes per game.
News:Kimmo Timonen (foot) will miss the rest of the regular season, the Flyers' official site reports.
Analysis:Kimmo Timonen, who is dealing with a compression fracture in his right foot that will take 4-5 weeks to heal, finishes up the season with 29 points in 45 games for the Flyers.
News:Chris Porter has been a leading scorer for St. Louis in April with five points -- one goal and five assists.
Analysis: Obviously, the Blues are struggling to score when Chris Porter's one of the leading point-getters. He's worth considering only in very deep formats.
News: In 10 games since joining the Blues, Jay Bouwmeester has five points (1G, 4A), making him the second-highest scorer on the team in April.
Analysis: Not only has Jay Bouwmeester contributed offensively, he has also been a stalwart on defense, averaging more than 23 minutes of ice time and compiling a plus-5 rating.
News:Steve Begin will miss Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury, the Calgary Herald reports.
Analysis:Steve Begin has played well the latter half of the season, but has been shelved with this upper-body injury that apparently happened Wednesday. His season may be done.
News:Dan Hamhuis dished out his 20th assist of the season in Monday's 3-1 win over Chicago.
Analysis:Dan Hamhuis has been on a tear in April, racking up eight points (2 G, 6 A) in 11 games. With 24 points in 46 games, Hamhuis is scoring at a pace that would result in his first 40-point effort over an 82-game schedule. Make sure he's in your lineup for the final couple games of the season.
News:Henrik Sedin dished out a pair of assists in Monday's win over the Blackhawks.
Analysis:Henrik Sedin is finishing the regular season strong, notching 13 points (2 G, 11 A) over the past 10 games. With 44 points in 46 games, Sedin is right near the point-per-game pace we've seen from him for the better part of the past decade.
News:Zack Kassian netted the eventual game-winning goal Monday against the Blackhawks.
Analysis: The goal was Zack Kassian's first since April 4 and just his second tally in the past 30 games. He saw under nine minutes of ice time Monday night, but his goal came while skating with the Sedin brothers on the Canucks' top line. Kassian had a successful stint on the first line to open up the season, so good things could come if he sticks with the Sedins and starts seeing more ice time. For now, monitor the young power forward.
News: The Blue Jackets have signed Matt Calvert (finger) to a two-year extension, NHL.com reports.
Analysis:Matt Calvert brings a two-way game and grit the Jackets like, and has recorded nine goals and 16 points along with 32 penalty minutes in 42 games to date. He is currently day-to-day with a broken finger.
News:Matt Cooke contributed with an assist and a team-high three blocked shots Monday in Ottawa.
Analysis: Although it seemed as though the Ottawa roster was preoccupied with taking vengeance on Matt Cooke for injuring the Achilles' tendon of Sens' star defender Erik Karlsson, the Pittsburgh forward kept his composure. The assist was Cooke's first point in nine April contests, illustrating how his offensive production has become secondary to his checking role in the last month.
Devils' Matteau Released by QMJHL Blainville-Boisbrand
News:Stefan Matteau has been released by QMJHL Blainville-Boisbriand, the Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: The former first-round (29th overall) selection was only 19 years old, but was released due to unacceptable behavior within the organization. Stefan Matteau has been benched multiple times for undisciplined play, but there was no improvement in the young prospect's behavior. Matteau appeared in 17 games with the Devils this season, scoring three points and recording six PIMs.
News:Oliver Ekman-Larsson suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday's game against the Blackhawks, but is expected to play Monday against the Red Wings, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis:Oliver Ekman-Larsson played sparingly in the third period and sat out overtime. Little is known about the injury that was suffered, but it seems minor as Ekman-Larsson is not expected to miss any time as he will play in Monday's game against the Red Wings.
News:Jhonas Enroth made 37 saves on 39 shots but took the loss against the Jets on Monday.
Analysis:Jhonas Enroth is the clear backup to Ryan Miller, but with the Sabres now having nothing to play for they might give Enroth another start with just two games left in the season.
News:Aaron Gagnon scored his third career goal, all coming this season, in a 2-1 win over the Sabres on Monday night.
Analysis: Two of Aaron Gagnon's three career goals have come against Buffalo, and the young forward has shown some soft hands to go with his grinding nature. He's not a valuable fantasy pickup for championship week because the sample size is small, but he's serving the Jets well in their playoff push.
News: The Flyers recalled Tye McGinn from AHL Adirondack on Monday.
Analysis:Tye McGinn only recorded three goals and two assists in 18 games this season for the Flyers, but he's shown a willingness to drop the gloves, averaging more than a penalty minute per game in both the NHL and the AHL.
News:Bryce Salvador (wrist) will not return this season, the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis: The Devils captain saw a specialist Monday, and the good news here is that he doesn't appear to need surgery. The bad news is that he needs more time to rest, so he won't play in New Jersey's final three games.
News:Taylor Beck will not play Tuesday due to an upper-body injury, Josh Cooper of The Tennessean reports.
Analysis: The nature of Taylor Beck's injury is unknown, but he will not be available Tuesday night. It remains to be seen if he will play in either of the Predators' two remaining games after Tuesday.
News:Peter Mueller (personal) will play in Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Christina De Nicola of the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis:Peter Mueller missed Sunday's game - and the last week - to attend the birth of his child, but he will be available Tuesday night for the Panthers.
News:Tomas Kopecky will play in Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Christina De Nicola of the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis:Tomas Kopecky sat out Sunday due to a couple minor injuries, but he will be back in action Tuesday night. With the Panthers scheduled to face Henrik Lundqvist on Tuesday, Kopecky's scoring chances figure to be limited.
News: The Coyotes sent Nick Johnson back to Portland of the AHL on Monday, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis:Nick Johnson was recalled on an emergency basis but with Lauri Korpikoski set to return from an upper-body injury, his services are no longer needed.
News: The Coyotes have returned Chad Johnson to Portland, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis:Chad Johnson was recalled on an emergency basis after a lower-body injury sidelined Mike Smith for two games, but with the Coyotes' top netminder healthy, Johnson will head back to Portland of the AHL.
News:Lauri Korpikoski is set to return from an upper-body injury as the Coyotes take on the Red Wings on Monday, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis:Lauri Korpikoski had been inching closer to a return over the past few weeks but has not played since March 25. He'll enter Monday's game with 11 points, including six goals, in 32 games.
News: The Canucks recalled Frank Corrado on Monday, the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The 20-year-old blueliner has racked up 45 points in 69 OHL games and two points in three games with Chicago of the AHL this season. With Kevin Bieksa (lower body), Chris Tanev (leg) and Keith Ballard (back) all banged up, Frank Corrado will give the Canucks some much needed depth for the final three games of the regular season.
News:Eric Belanger (groin) is planning to play in Monday's game against Ducks, Dan Tencer of CHED Edmonton reports.
Analysis:Eric Belanger has appeared in just two games since Mar. 8 due to the lingering groin injury, but it looks like he will be back on the ice Monday night. Belanger will boost the Oilers' depth, but don't expect him to make much of a fantasy impact over the season's final four games.
News:Mark Giordano continued his strong April on Sunday with an assist in a 4-1 victory over the Wild.
Analysis:Mark Giordano is showing some of his old form this month, with six points in 11 games. If you somehow stuck with him through the season, now's the time to use him.
News:Adrian Aucoin (lower body) saw 13:09 worth of ice time in his return to action Sunday against the Sharks.
Analysis:Adrian Aucoin's return bolsters the Blue Jackets' blue line for the team's playoff push, but with just four points and 14 PIMs in 34 games to date, his fantasy impact has been minimal this season.
News:Christian Ehrhoff will suit up for Germany in the upcoming World Championships, according to his own Twitter feed. The tournament begins May 3, shortly after the NHL's regular season concludes.
Analysis: With the Sabres out of the playoff picture again, Christian Ehrhoff will get a chance to play some meaningful games for his home country. Meanwhile, he carries a four-game point streak into Monday's game against Winnipeg.
News: Based on warmups, Andrei Loktionov will begin Sunday's game against the Rangers on a line with Dainius Zubrus and Ilya Kovalchuk, the Record's Tom Gulitti reports.
Analysis: If that arrangement sticks, Andrei Loktionov, who has no points in his last seven games, will get a chance to get things going Sunday after being a healthy scratch for the Devils' last two games.
News:Patrick Kaleta will miss Monday's game against Winnipeg after blocking a shot off his right hand in Friday's loss to the Rangers, according to The Buffalo News.
Analysis: The Sabres have just three games left and are officially out of the playoffs, so there's a chance the instigator's season could be done.
News:Alex Goligoski scored a goal and added an assist against the Kings on Sunday while playing 27:21.
Analysis:Alex Goligoski only has three goals, but he has 23 assists and is playing a ton of minutes for the Stars.
News:Vinny Prospal scored a goal and added an assist versus the Sharks on Sunday.
Analysis:Vinny Prospal has 29 points in 46 games and has five points in his last five contests.
News:Mark Letestu scored two goals, including a power-play tally, and added an assist against the Sharks on Sunday.
Analysis:Mark Letestu has 26 points in 44 games. He's earned a two-year extension from Columbus, but he hasn't done enough to earn fantasy consideration in most leagues.
News:Jamie McGinn scored two goals Sunday, including a power-play tally, and added an assist as well. He also had two penalty minutes, five shots on goal, and was a plus-2.
Analysis:Jamie McGinn is close to putting up career-best numbers in goals, assists, and points even in this shortened season. He's only 24, so maybe there is still some room for growth.
News:Jake Allen came in for Brian Elliott against the Avalanche on Sunday. He played 22:37 and made 11 saves on 12 shots.
Analysis: Elliott had been playing well recently before this game, while Jake Allen has slowed after a good start. He's not likely to see much playing time as long as St. Louis is vying for playoff seeding.
News:T.J. Brodie picked up two assists versus the Wild on Sunday. He also played 27:59.
Analysis:T.J. Brodie only has 13 points in 44 games this season, but he's only 22 and has already played 100 NHL games and tallied 25 points as a defenseman. He's also seeing a lot of minutes with Jay Bouwmeester gone, making him a potential sleeper for next season.
News:Lane MacDermid (chest) will suit up Sunday against the Kings, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis:Lane MacDermid, who last played on April 5, scored two goals in his first two games with the Stars, a nice start to his stint with the team, but note that he only scored four goals in 37 AHL games earlier this season with in the Bruins' organization, as he is more of a grinder than a sniper.
Vinny Celebrates Birthday With Assist In Bolts' Loss
News:Vincent Lecavalier picked up an assist in Sunday's loss to the Hurricanes. It was his 30th point of the season in his 36th game.
Analysis: He would have preferred a win to celebrate his 33rd birthday, but the point keeps his fantasy owners happy. He is no longer an elite option at pivot, but will deliver decent value next season if you draft him as a 60-point guy.
