NHL Hockey Player News

Howard was great in Game 3 until allowing three goals in third period. The series moves back to Joe Louis Arena where Howard was 13-7-4 with a 2.12 GAA and .923 SV% this season.

Hiller allowed five goals on 32 shots in the Game 2 overtime loss. The series shifts back to Detroit for Game 3 where Hiller will need to play very well because the Red Wings offense looked strong in Game 2.

This means Todd Bertuzzi is out. Samuelsson has been out almost all season having played in just four games. He will skate on the Red Wings fourth line as well as play the point on the second power-play unit.

Holtby was excellent in Game 1 stopping 35 of 36 shots in the 3-1 win over the Rangers. He out-duled 'King' Henrik in the first game and will need to do that in each game for the Capitals to come out on top.

Lundqvist kept the Rangers in Game 1 but allowed a pair of soft goals in the 3-1 loss. Lundqvist is a premier goalie and will need to be on top of his game if the Rangers offense continues to struggle.

Reimer was peppered in Game 1, he allowed four goals on 40 shots in the 4-1 loss. He will be the Leafs starter for the playoffs, but getting past the Bruins is not going to be an easy task.

Babcock said he will insert Lashoff into DeKeyser's spot alongside Jakub Kindl, at least to start the game.

After posting a shutout in Game1 there is no doubt that Fleury will get the nod in Game 2. He should be able to record wins with regulairity throughout the playoffs with the amount of talent in front of him.

The Maple Leafs were dominated in Game 1 so they are going to shake their lines up for Game 2. Kessel and Lupul were great together last season so maybe they will be able to find some of their old magic.

Niemi played great in Game 1, allowing just one goal on 30 shots. The Sharks will obviously turn to him again in Game 2 as they look to take a 2-0 lead back home.

Harding was a surprise starter in Game 1 and despite his on-going battle with MS he played very well. He allowed two goals on 37 shots in the OT loss. It will not be easy for the Wild to win games in this series but if Harding continues to play well he will give them a chance.

Gionta, the Canadiens' captain, was a minus-2 with two shots on goal in 16:09 of ice time in Game 1.

Pacioretty, who led the team in scoring in the regular season with 39 points, was a plus-1 with four shots on goal in 19:59 of ice time in the Canadiens' 4-2 loss in Game 1 Thursday.

Eller was removed from the ice on a stretcher during the second period of Game 1 of the Canadiens' Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Ottawa Senators after he was hit by Ottawa's Eric Gryba. The team announced Thursday that Eller had been hospitalized after sustaining a concussion, facial fractures, loss of consciousness and had teeth knocked out after the hit and falling face-first to the ice.

Crawford played well in Game 1 allowing just one goal on 27 shots in the 2-1 Overtime win. The Blackhawks looked like the better of the two teams but Minnesota doesn't look like they're going to go down quietly.

Price allowed four goals on 31 shots including three goals in the third period in a 4-2, Game 1 loss to the Senators. The Canadiens will be without three key forwards tonight so Price needs to bring his 'A' Game.

Game 1 was a tough one for Nabokov. He allowed four goals on 15 shots before being pulled in favor of Kevin Poulin. It is not going to get any easier for Nabokov, because Sidney Crosby is back for Game 2.

Rask was not very busy in Game 1, he only faced 20 shots in the 4-1 win. The Bruins dominated Game 1 and will look to do the same in Game 2. Rask is a great playoff fantasy option because the Bruins have the talent to go deep.

Peverley had six goals and 12 assists in 47 games this year.