Rask had yet another solid performance in Game 2. He stopped 26 of 27 shots the Penguins sent his way in a dominant 6-1 win. He has only allowed one goal on 57 shots in this series and with another solid game he will have the Bruins one game away from the Stanley Cup Finals.
Vokoun will get the start in Game 3 after giving up three goals on 12 shots in Game 2's 6-1 loss. He was yanked after 16:31 in the first period in favor of Marc-Andre Fleury. Pittsburgh is in an unfamiliar situation down 2-0 on the road and all coach Bylsma wants is "a solid game between the pipes from our goalie and allow our team to win the hockey game."
Quick was chased from Game 2 after giving up four goals on 17 shots in only 29:20. Rarely do four go in against Quick, who had gone 34 consecutive games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs without allowing more than three goals -- and he did that four times over the 34-game span. The last time he had allowed four goals was April 25, 2011. Expect him to bounce back nicely at the Staples Center in Game 3.
Muzzin who was scratched in Game 2 will return to the blueline for Game 3. He has three assists and is a minus-2 in 14 games this post-season. He is averaging the fifth most time on ice of all the Kings defenseman with 15:43 per game.
Martinez was a minus-2 in 12:44 of ice time in Game 2.
Crawford allowed two goals on 31 shots in Game 2's 4-2 win. He now holds the playoff's best GAA with a 1.67 and second best SV% with a .938. He has been fantastic all year and with another good performance tonight, he could have the Hawks one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals.
Richards missed Game 2 because of what the Kings are calling an upper-body injury. The fact that he didn't skate this morning would suggest that Richards won't play tonight. Consider him questionable for tonight's Game 3 in LA.
There was some speculation that the Penguins may go back to Marc-Andre Fleury after Vokoun allowed three goals on 30 shots in Game 1. However the loss was just Vokoun's third of the playoffs and he still sports a GAA under 2.00 (1.98) so there really is no reason for coach Bylsma to panic.
Rask stopped all 29 shots in Game 1's 3-0 shutout win over Pittsburgh. The shutout was his first of these playoffs and brought his GAA down to 2.06 and SV% up to .933, both fifth best in the post-season. Obviously the Pens have a ton of talent but if Rask can shut the door in Game 2, the Bruins will be looking at a 2-0 lead heading home.
Richards took a hit to the head late in Game 1 that may affect his Game 2 status. The Kings didn’t hold a morning skate, Darryl Sutter wasn’t available to the media this morning so Richard's status is unknown. No disciplinary action was taken on the hit.
Crawford was not as busy as Jonathan Quick in Game 1 but he was excellent regardless. He allowed one tally on 22 shots in the Game 1 win. He will obviously be back in goal tonight and will look to lead the Blackhawks to a 2-0 series lead.
Quick played very well in a losing effort in Game 1 yesterday. He allowed just two goals on 36 shots that the Hawks threw at him. He has played excellent all post-season so there is no reason to believe he will slip up tonight.
Vokoun replaced Marc-Andre Fleury in the first round and has play admirably. He has posted a 1.85 GAA and .941 SV% in seven games this post-season. The Penguins are stacked so Vokoun should have no problem recording W's.
Rask has posted the playoffs sixth best GAA (2.22) and SV% (.928) bu he will need to be excellent in this series if the Bruins are going to have a chance to upset the powerful Penguins.
He only allowed one goal in Game 6. He now has a 1.78 GAA and .935 SV% in the playoffs.
Howard allowed four goals on 28 shots including a penalty shot in the Game 6 loss. He how has a 2.49 GAA and .923 SV% in the playoffs. The Red Wings need Howard to be on top of his game tonight.
San Jose goalie Antti Niemi has been sensational with a 1.85 GAA and .932 save percentage, but it's hard to go against the defending Conn Smythe Trophy winner, who is having another magical postseason. Niemi will need to be at his very best tonight.
Kings goalie Jonathan Quick leads the NHL in the playoffs with a 1.54 goals-against average, a .947 save percentage and three shutouts.
Crawford allowed one goal on 26 shots in a 4-1 win in Game 5. He now has the Playoffs second best GAA (1.66) and third best SV% (.938). The Blackhwaks face elimination again tonight but this time on the road and Crawford will need to be ready for Joe Louis Arena to be rocking.
