NHL Hockey Player News

Staal played on Monday but then missed Wednesday's Game 4 and will miss Game 5 tonight. He must not have felt comfortable with his limited vision in Monday's game.

Rask was great yet again stopping 45 of 48 shots in the Game 4 OT win in Toronto. His .932 SV% has him ranked fifth in the playoffs. He and his Bruins teammates will look to close out the series tonight in Boston.

Reimer was peppered yet again in Game 4 when he faced 45 shots. However he allowed four goals including an OT winner to the red-hot David Krejci. The Maple Leafs face elimination in Boston tonight and they will need Reimer to be better than he has ever been. He has a 3.33 GAA (15th/19) and a .914 SV% (11th) to this point.

As good as Jimmy Howard has been in the series for the Red Wings, Hiller has been a rock for the Ducks as well. He stopped 29 of the 31 shots that the Red WIngs threw as him in Game 5. His 2.08 GAA and .930 SV% both rank sixth amongst NHL playoff goalies.

This would be a big loss for the Islanders. It is already going to be tough enough to win the next two games vs. the Penguins but to have to do it without your second line center makes it even more difficult. Nielsen has two assists through five games.

With Martin Erat out Wilson will make his NHL debut in a huge Game 5 between the Capitals and Rangers. He had 23 goals and 35 assists in 48 games with the Plymouth Whalers. He also had 17 points in 12 playoff games.

Julien hasn't made decision on whether it's Bartkowski or Hamilton in.

Burish was slashed in the hand by Vancouver's Alex Edler at 16:35 of the second period and did not play for the remainder of the game.

Colaiacovo has been hampered by injuries this season and only appeared in six games with the Red Wings and two games with Grand Rapids (AHL). He only recorded one assist in the six games with the Wings this season. He will enter the lineup in a crucial Game 6, the Wings hope he won't have any rust.

Lashoff was the victim of a Ben Lovejoy dangle that won the Ducks Game 5 which might be the reason why he is sitting the pine tonight.

Eaves will be a healthy scratch for Game 6. Samuelsson did not look great in Game 4 or 5 but he did score a big goal for the Wings in Anaheim. Bertuzzi looked strong in Game 5 which is why he will stay in the lineup tonight.

Howard was fantastic in Game 5 but still allowed three goals on 34 shots. He made some spectacular saves in the first period to keep the Red Wings in it. Unfortunately for Jimmy, the Wings hit a couple of posts in the second that could have all but iced the game. The Wings obviously need to win this one to force Game 7, so Howard will need to be at his best at the Joe tonight.

Since Rinne expects to be back, we don't expect this to have any impact on his draft status for next season. The article also mentions that Tim Thomas and Niklas Backstrom have had similar procedures so his outlook is good.

With Mark Fraser out with fractures to his head Liles will return to the Maple Leafs blueline.

This will obviously keep Fraser out for the rest of the series. J.M Liles will return to the lineup with Fraser out.

Crawford is coming off of a 25-save shutout in Game 4. The series shifts back to Chicago where the Blackhawks will look to wrap it up in 5. Crawford currently has the top ranked GAA (1.39) and SV% (.949) in the playoffs.

Brandon Prust will come out of the lineup.

Blacker had 11 points in 61 games for the Toronto Marlies this season.

Fraser was hit in the forehead with a Milan Lucic slapshot last night.

Anderson stopped 26 of 28 shots in a 3-2 overtime win on Tuesday. The Senators look to close out the series tonight when it will be Anderson vs. Budaj in goal.