Fleury practiced again on Tuesday but he status for Wednesday’s series opener remains uncertain. Matt Murray is also day-to-day with an upper-body injury, so if Fleury can’t go in Game 1, look for Jeff Zatkoff to get the nod.
Maatta was on the ice for the second day in a row and skated alongside Kris Letang in Tuesday’s practice, but remains a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. the Rangers. Monitor his status during the Penguins morning skate on Wednesday, but things are trending in the right direction for him to return after a nine-game absence.
Lundqvist did not finish the season very well. He lost four of his final six starts while allowing at least three goals in each of those defeats. However, he finished with 35 wins, a 2.48 GAA and .920 SV% on the season and was 1-2-1 with a2.69 GAA and .917 SV% vs. the Penguins. The playoffs haven’t been great to him either—winning just 48.6 percent of his 111 career playoff starts despite posting a strong 2.22 GAA, .928 SV% and nine shutouts.
Greiss won four of his last five regular season starts and finished the year at 23-11-4 with a 2.36 GAA and .925 SV%. He had a strong year as the Islanders’ backup, but has been the starter since early March when Jaroslav Halak went down with a lower-body injury. Tonight will be his first career NHL playoff start and it comes in Florida—Greiss was 9-7-1 with a 2.55 GAA and .924 SV% on the road this season.
Parise was diagnosed with a herniated disk that was pressing on a nerve in January and aggravated the injury last week. Parise was listed as day-to-day on Monday, but it’s looking more like he will miss a few games or even the entire first round with a debilitating back injury.
Callahan missed the Lightning’s final three games of the regular season, but he was on the ice for Monday’s practice and appears to be on track for Game 1. Monitor his status on Tuesday, but all things are pointing towards him playing on Wednesday.
Johnson suffered an upper-body injury in the Lightning’s season finale on Saturday and did not return. He was not on the ice for Monday’s practice so the Lightning will wait and see if he is available for Tuesday’s practice.
Gudbranson missed the last three games of the regular season, but will be back in for the start of the playoffs. Gudbranson doesn’t do much in the way of offence, but he is a big, physical defenseman who will play a big part in a playoff series for the Panthers.
Trocheck has missed the last six games and appears to be in danger of missing the start of the playoffs. Trocheck did not skate on Monday and is still wearing a walking boot, so his return does not appear to be imminent. This is a tough break for Trocheck, who had 25 goals and 28 assists (53 points) in 76 games this season.
Vlasic has been out since March 17th with a lower-body injury, but he will return just in time for Game one of the playoffs. Vlasic is an excellent two-way defenseman, who picked up 39 points (8G / 31A) in 67 games this season. Look for him to be reunited with Justin Braun.
Anisimov missed the last two games of the regular season, but will be in the lineup in Game 1 vs. the Blue. Anisimov had a strong season between the NHL’s leading scorer Patrick Kane and rookie sensation Artemi Panarin, posing 20 goals and 22 assists (42 points) in 77 games.
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.
