Sutter skated on the Penguins third line with Joe Vitale and Beau Bennett and also took part in power-play drills so it looks like he will return to the lineup, but Dan Bylsma would not reveal his lineup.
Orpik did not take part in the Penguins morning skate so it looks like he will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury. Head coach Dan Bylsma did not disclose any lineup information, but from the looks of things, Robert Bortuzzo should be in for Orpik.
Fleury allowed three third period goals but made 24 saves as the Penguins held onto a 4-3 win in game 6 over the Blue Jackets. Fleury finished 4-2 with a 2.81 GAA and .908 SV% in the first round, but will now take on the Rangers, who he was 2-1-1 against in the regular season.
Paille played 16:27 with two shots, four hits and a minus-1 rating in the Bruins' 4-3 OT loss to the Habs last night. Paille had missed the previous six games with a head injury he suffered in the second last game of the season. Paille said that he felt good, but rusty on Thursday. Game 2 goes Saturday afternoon at 12:30.
The Canadiens were able to get rid of the Tampa Bay Lightning in four games and have been off for eight days. The will need to come out with no rust as they face the big, bad Bruins. Price had a 2.33 GAA and .904 SV% in the first round, and he will be the key to the Habs success in the second round. In his only start against the B's this season, he made 32 saves in a 2-1 win.
Rask was great in the Bruins' first round win over the Red Wings. He sits atop the NHL with a 1.16 GAA and .961 SV% in the postseason. In four regular season starts against the Canadiens, Rask was 1-2-1 with a 1.95 GAA and .932 SV%. This rivalry goes back a long ways and the goaltending will play a crucial role in who advances to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Marchand did not record any points with a minus-1 rating in five games in round one against the Red Wings.
Vitale was injured in game 6 against the Blue Jackets, but it looks like he will be ready to go for game 1 on Friday.
Sutter was injured in game 6 against the Blue Jackets, but it looks like he avoided a serious injury and will be ready for game 1 vs. the Rangers on Friday. Sutter has scored three goals and added two assists in six postseason games.
Paille missed the final game of the regular season and the entire first-round, but could be back in the lineup tonight in game 1 vs. the Canadiens. Paille tallied nine points (4G / 5A) in 22 playoff games last season.
The Devils did not release terms of the contract. Jagr said it was a one-year deal. The contract is believed to be worth $6 million US with incentives. Jagr was the Devils' leading scorer this, finishing with 24 goals and 43 assists for 67 points.
This is the second day in a row that Marchand has not skated. Daniel Paille is skating in his place, but there is no word if Marchand will miss tonight's game. Expect head coach Claude Julien to let us know following the skate.
Hishon did not play any regular season games for the Avalanche this season, but had 10 goals and 14 assists (24 points) in 50 games with Lake Erie (AHL). He was a healthy scratch in game 6 after playing in games 4 and 5. He is averaging seven minutes a night through his first two playoff games, but could play more tonight as he suits up on the third line with Max Talbot Jamie McGinn.
Varlamov surrendered three goals on 21 shots in the 5-2 game 6 loss in Minnesota. The home team has won every game in this series, so the Avalanche have that going for them, but the will need to be much better than they were on Monday. Varly was a bit off in game 6 and has not had all that much success in his first three game 7's--he has gone 1-2 with a 2.99 GAA and .857 SV%.
Lundqvist was pulled after allowing four goals on 23 shots in the first two periods of last night's game 6 loss. Wayne Simmonds scored three of the four on King Henrik so you know the Rangers will be looking to shut him down tonight. Lundqivst will start his fifth career game 7, he is 1-3-0 with an .879 SV% in his first four.
Quick gave up a single goal on 26 shots in a win over the Sharks in game 6. In the first three games of the series Quick had a 5.78 GAA and .852 SV% but in the last three games he has improved immensely posting a 1.33 GAA and .958 SV%. The Kings come into game 7 with all the momentum, but we have seen on many of occasions that anything cane happen in game 7.
Kuemper stopped 21 of 23 shots in a huge 5-2 win over the Avalanche in game 6. Kuemper will start tonight in his first career game 7. Kuemper ranks second in the NHL with a 1.53 GAA and fourth with a .934 SV% this postseason, stopping 99-of-106 shots in parts of five games.
Mitchell was injured on a penalty kill in game 6 and it will keep him out of the important game 7 tonight in San Jose. Mitchell will likely be replaced by Matt Greene.
Vlasic missed game 6 after being elbowed in the head by Kings' forward Jarret Stoll in game 5. He is there best puck moving defenseman, so his loss is a big one, but Matt Irwin filled-in pretty well in game 6. Irwin logged 18:43 of ice-time and was a minus-1, he'll be in again tonight.
Alex Stalock started in goal in game 6 and allowed four goals on 30 shots, so the Sharks will turn to a more veteran goaltender in game 7. San Jose has dropped three in a row after taking a 3-0 series lead, but will look to avoid a complete implosion tonight in game 7. Niemi is 3-2-0 with a 3.90 GAA and .882 SV% this postseason.
