McDonagh missed the final three games of the regular season and will definitely miss the start of the Rangers’ playoff series with the Penguins. With McDonagh out, Dylan McIlrath will remain in the Rangers’ lineup.
Ladd was absent from Monday’s practice, but head coach Joel Quenneville said that Ladd is fine. Ladd has registered eight goals and four assists (12 points) in 19 games since being acquired from the Jets.
Backes’ absence on Monday suggests that he won’t be available for Game 1 on Wednesday, but monitor his status during Tuesday’s practice to be sure. He is expected to be back at some point during the first round. Magnus Paajarvi will take his spot until he is able to go.
Maatta missed the final nine games of the regular season and might miss the start of the postseason as well. He took part in the Penguins’ practice this morning, but said “I really can’t say for sure” when he was asked if he would play on Wednesday.
Malkin has been out since March 11th and remains day-to-day. He reportedly skated prior to the Penguins practice, but did not take part in the practice session. All signs are pointing towards him missing the start of the series, but could be back later in the series or to start the second round.
Murray left Saturday’s game in Philadelphia with an upper-body injury and did not return. The Penguins are already without Marc-Andre Fleury, so their game one starter could be Jeff Zatkoff if Murray and Fleury are unable to go. Murray’s injury isn’t overly serious, but he is day-to-day.
Haula missed his second straight practice with an undisclosed injury, but head coach John Torchetti said that he “likes Haula’s chances” of playing in Game 1. Haula was on a tear in March, but has been held off of the scoresheet for the last four games. He finished the year with 14 goals and 20 assists (34 points) in 76 games.
Shaw missed the final four games of the regular season, but will be ready for game one on Wednesday. Shaw had 14 goals and 20 assists (34 points) in 78 games this season.
Hossa missed the final three games of the regular season and will be in the lineup for Game 1 on Wednesday. Hossa had a down season, posting a just 13 goals and 20 assists (33 points) in 64 games, but has averaged 0.73 points per game in his last three playoff appearances.
Allen missed the final three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury, but says he is 100 percent and will return as Elliott’s backup in the Blues’ series opener vs. Chicago. The Blues are set up nicely with a great goaltending duo heading into the postseason.
Connor, 19, was a Hobey Baker Finalist this season after scoring 35 goals and 36 assists (71 points) in 38 games with the University of Michigan. Connor was the 17th overall pick in 2015 and had a massive Freshman season in Ann Arbor and will turn pro with the Jets next season.
The Red Wings utilized Glendening in a shutdown role vs. the Lightning last year. He will be called upon to do the same this year, so his availability for Wednesday’s game will be important to the Red Wings’ success. He averaged 14:35 TOI in the regular season and averaged 15:31 TOI in the seven game series last year.
Kucherov missed the season finale on Saturday, but said he will play on Wednesday despite being sore. Kucherov set career-highs in goals (30) and points (66) in 77 games this season. He scored 10 goals in the playoffs last year, but had no goals and four assists in the seven game series vs. Detroit.
Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season, but he likely sat out the final game as a precaution. Hedman’s return is huge for a Lightning team that will be without at least Anton Stralman on the blueline and Steven Stamkos up front. Hedman had 10 goals and 37 assists (47 points) in78 games this season and had three assists in the Lightning’s seven-game series vs. the Red Wings last year.
Seguin took part in Monday’s practice, but skated in as an extra, which suggests that he won’t be ready to go to begin the playoffs. Seguin is three and a half weeks into his original 3-4 week timetable, so Seguin’s return appears to be on the horizon.
Howard allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Red Wings’ 3-2 loss in New York on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Red Wings still clinched their 25th straight playoff berth and it was because of strong play by Howard down the stretch. Overall, he only won 14 games with a sub-par 2.80 GAA and .906 SV% this season, but it looks like he gets the start in Game 1. He was 2-1-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .925 SV% in three starts against the Lightning this season.
Fleury missed the final five games of the regular season with a concussion, but he was on the ice this morning and is working his way back. Fleury’s fill-in, Matt Murray, left Saturday’s game with an injury, so the Penguins’ goalie situation is up in the air right now. If Fleury can continue to practice and is feeling better, he could be ready for Game 1 on Wednesday.
Elliott closed out the regular season on a low-note, allowing four goals on 26 shots in the Blues loss to the Capitals on Saturday. Despite the loss, he won six of his final eight starts with a 1.76 GAA, .933 SV% and three shutouts. With Jake Allen still nurturing an injury, so Elliott gets the call to start the Blues playoff series with Chicago. Elliott was 1-1-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .892 SV% in three starts against the Blackhawks this season.
Allen missed the final three games of the regular season and is trying to get back before Game 1 of the playoffs. Brian Elliott has already been confirmed for that game, but having Allen back would be great insurance for the Blues. Monitor his status as the week progresses. Allen won 26 games with a 2.35 GAA and .920 SV% in the regular season.
Parise missed the Wild’s season finale on Saturday as well as today’s practice, so his status for Game 1 remains up in the air. The Wild have another practice on Wednesday, if he isn’t there for that session then he is likely to miss game 1 of the playoffs. Monitor his progress as the week continues.
