Hjalmarsson has been off the ice for the past two days but Quenneville said he’s just resting. The defenseman has taken his shot-blocking lumps in the postseason, the most frightening when he caught a puck in the throat in Game 2 on Sunday. Hjalmarsson has been advised not to speak for some time but he has played through it.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 27 shots in a 4-2 loss in game 4. The Rangers are in a tough spot, down 3-1 on the road vs. a red-hot goalie and a team full of talent. It appeared that the Rangers had the goaltending edge heading into the series, but Lundqvist's 2.53 GAA and .910 SV% has fallen short of Marc-Andre Fleury's strong play. King Henrik will need to bring his A-game into Consol Energy Center tonight if the Blueshirts are going to play another game in MSG this season.
Frederik Andersen was injured in Thursday's game 3, so Gibson has been recalled incase Andersen can't play on Saturday. Gibson was an outstanding 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA and .954 SV% in three starts with the Ducks towards the end of the season. If Andersen is unable to play, it seems unlikely that the Ducks would go with Gibson over veteran Jonas Hiller, but you never know.
Orpik returned for just one period in game 4, before re-aggravating a lower-body injury on a hit attempt on Mats Zuccarello. Orpik will once again be replaced by Robert Bortuzzo as the Penguins look to eliminate the Rangers tonight.
Bryzgalov stopped all 19 shots that he faced to earn his first playoff shutout since May 7, 2006 in the Wild's 4-0 win in game 3. He has posted a 2.33 GAA and .885 SV% through the first three games of this series, but a shutout should definitely help his confidence heading into a critical game 4.
Moulson will miss at least Game 4 with a lower-body injury that coach Mike Yeo said the veteran has been battling through for a while. It may explain why Moulson, acquired to add goal-scoring pop in the playoffs, has been so ineffective this series (one assist) and has only one goal in 10 playoff games.
Cooke was suspended for kneeing Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie in the first round. He will replace Matt Moulson on the third line with rookies Erik Haula and Justin Fontaine.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau elected to go with Andersen over Jonas Hiller, who lost the first two games in Anaheim. Andersen made 22 saves on 23 shots in two and a half periods, before being relieved by Hiller, who allowed one goal on eight shots but walked away with the win. There was no medical update on Andersen after the game other than he is 'day-to-day', so monitor his status leading up to game 4.
Hiller allowed two goals on 16 shots in a 3-1 loss in game 2. He has given up a total of five goals on 52 shots in two games so far, but has lost both. Being down 2-0 heading to L.A may force head coach Bruce Boudreau to go with Andersen in game 3. Andersen was 3-0 against Los Angeles this season. However, Hiller being off first suggests he will start, but we will wait for warmups.
Etem had no points, nine shots and 12 penalty minutes while averaging 10:21 TOI in four games with the Ducks this postseason. With Etem going back to Norfolk, expect Kyle Palmieri to get back in the lineup in game 3.
Vatanen scored six goals with 15 assists (21 points) in 48 games with the Ducks this season. While in the AHL he had seven points (2G /5A) in eight games. He could slide into the lineup tonight to provide a little more offence from the backend.
Leddy served as a healthy scratch in Chicago's 4-0 loss in game 3, but will play on Friday. Expect Sheldon Brookbank to come out of the lineup to make room for Leddy.
Shaw will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury that he suffered in game 1.
Quick stopped 36 of 37 shots in the Kings' 3-1 win over the Ducks in game 2. He has stopped 69 of 72 shots (.958 SV%) so far in round 2. The 28-year-old has won six straight with a 1.29 GAA and .961 SV%. The Kings can take a commanding 3-0 lead with a win at home tonight. They are averaging 4.33 goals per game at Staples Center this postseason.
Head coach Claude Julien completely shook up the Bruins lines this morning, so there is no word on where Soderberg will slot into the lineup tonight.
Fleury allowed two goals on 15 shots in the Penguins 4-2 win in game 4. Fleury was not nearly as busy as he had been in the first three games of the series, but he was equal to the task and once again he outplayed King Henrik. He will look to close out the series in five tonight and enters play with a 2.20 GAA and .922 SV% through 10 playoff starts.
The Wild will be getting Matt Cooke back from suspension for game 4 and it looks like the struggling Moulson will be the player to take a seat. Moulson played a season-low 9:36 TOI in the game 3 win on Tuesday.
Fraser, 23, had three goals and two assists in five games in Providence's first round win over the Springfield Falcons. Fraser could be in the Bruins lineup in game 4 tonight.
Price stopped 26 of 28 shots in the Habs' 4-2 win in game 3. Montreal took a 2-1 series lead and moved to 3-0 on home ice this postseason. Price now carries a 2.65 GAA and .920 SV% through three second round games. Price will look to lead the Canadiens to a commanding 3-1 series lead tonight.
Orpik missed the previous five games, but returned in game 4, but the return did not last long. He levelled Brad Richards on his first shift, but later in the period, Orpik initiated a hit against New York's Mats Zuccarello and his right knee buckled violently toward his left knee. He retired to the dressing room for the remainder of the game, leaving the Pens with only five D-men for the remaining 40 minutes. Expect him to sit on Friday with Robert Bortuzzo sliding back in.
