Lundqvist stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 3-1 win in game 6. King Henrik has carried the Rangers in the last two games stopping 67 of 69 shots (.971 SV%). Tonight, he looks for his fifth consecutive game 7 victory, which would pass Ed Belfour, Patrick Roy and Cam Ward for the NHL record. In game 7 vs. the Flyers in round one, Henrik stopped 26 of 27 shots in a 2-1 win.
Kuemper has been out for the entire second round after getting hurt late in game 7 vs. Colorado. With Ilya Bryzgalov posting a 2.22 GAA and .899 SV% through the first five games, the Wild will stick with him in the must-win game 6 at home. Should Bryz falter, Kuemper will be there to relieve him.
Bryzgalov allowed two goals on 28 shots in the 2-1 loss in game 5. The series now moves back to Minnesota for game 6, and the Wild have yet to lose on home ice in the playoffs. Bryzgalov has stopped 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in his only two starts at Xcel Energy Center this postseason. He is expected to have Darcy Kuemper as his back-up tonight.
Beaulieu is expected to replace Douglas Murray and pair with Mike Weaver in Montreal tonight. Beaulieu had two assists and a plus-6 rating in 17 games this season.
Rask stopped 29 of 31 shots in a 4-2 win over the Habs in game 5.The Bruins are one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, and they are back in Montreal where Rask has stopped 55 of 58 shots (.948 SV%) in games 3 and 4. Rask leads all playoff goaltenders with a 1.70 GAA and .940 SV% in 10 postseason starts.
Clifford stayed on the ice a with the extras in the Kings' morning skate suggesting that he will come out and Nolan will slide Tonight, will be Nolan's first game since game 3 of the first round. Nolan has no points and a minus-1 rating while averaging 8:16 TOI in two postseason games.
Perreault missed game 4 with a lower-body injury, but it sounds like he will be available back in Anaheim tonight. Perreault has two goals, two assists and a minus-2 rating in eight games this postseason. Expect him to skate on a line with Patrick Maroon and Teemu Selanne.
Quick was pulled after he allowed two goals on 11 shots in the first 20 minutes of game 4 on Saturday. Quick has given up five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in the Ducks game 3 and 4 wins that tied the series up at 2-2. It has been a roller-coaster postseason for the 28-year-old, who holds a 2.83 GAA and .917 SV% in the first 11 playoff games.
After playing just 17 NHL games this season, Beaulieu left the ice with the regulars this morning, while Douglas Murray stayed on for extra work, which suggests the 21-year-old will make his playoff debut in a game where the Habs are facing elimination. Beaulieu had two assists and a plus-6 rating for Montreal this season and was also very productive with Hamilton (AHL) collecting 27 points (7G / 20A) in 57 games.
Price allowed four goals on 30 shots in a 4-2 loss in game 5. The loss has the Canadiens on the brink of elimination tonight in Montreal. Price is 3-0-1 with a 1.99 GAA and .930 SV% in the four playoff games played at the Bell Centre this postseason. The pressure one Price to perform will be immense tonight. If he has an off night it will be nearly impossible for the Habs to force a game 7 back in Boston.
Maatta missed the Penguins' morning skate because of an illness but will play tonight according to the Penguins' official Twitter. Maatta has two assists and a plus-1 rating in 11 playoff games.
Versteeg is expected to skate on the top line with Bryan Bickell and Jonathan Toews. The Blackhawks are currently down two forwards: Andrew Shaw is injured and Brandon Bollig was suspended two games for his hit on Wild defenseman Keith Ballard in Game 4. Versteeg started the playoffs on the top line with Toews and looked good at the start. He struggled the rest of the way, however, and has been scratched several times, once for illness.
With Brandon Bollig suspended, Regin will enter the lineup in game 5 tonight. Regin will centre the fourth line tonight, but will need to shake off the cobwebs, after not playing since April 12th. Regin was playing solid minutes as the regular-season ended, part of a third line with Bryan Bickell and Jeremy Morin. He was a plus-3 in his final four regular-season games.
Bollig will miss game 5 and 6 because of the suspension and is expected to be replaced by Peter Regin in the Hawks' lineup tonight. It’s the first time Bollig has been fined or suspended in his three-year NHL career.
Crawford surrendered four goals on 31 shots in a 4-2 loss in game 4. After allowed seven goals in two games in Minnesota, Crawford heads back to Chicago where he is 5-0 with a 1.35 GAA and .955 SV% this postseason. The Wild have been able to shut the Blackhawks down in the last two games, but this is a powerful offence that can not be held down forever.
Byrzgalov allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Wild's 4-2 win in game 4. Bryz allowed a soft goal late in the first period, but rebounded well for his seconds consecutive win. Tonight, Bryz looks for his third-straight playoff win; it would be the first time earning three-straight victories since 2012. Bryzgalov has a 2.25 GAA and .889 SV% in the first four games of round two.
Maatta did not take part in the Penguins morning skate in New York earlier today. Maatta was sent back to the Penguins’ hotel upon arriving at MSG on Sunday morning. Several Penguins teammates implied he was not feeling well.Coach Dan Bylsma did not provide an update on Maatta, who has played in all 11 of the Penguins’ playoff games. Team policy is not to divulge details of players’ medical conditions during the playoffs.
Gibson stopped all 28 shots that he faced to earn his first playoff win and first playoff shutout in his first ever NHL playoff start. Viewed as the NHL's top goalie prospect, Gibson has done nothing but impress in his first four NHL outings. He has won all four while posting a 0.99 GAA and .965 SV% with two shutouts. THe John Gibson era in Anaheim is officially underway, and the 20-year-old will try and give the Ducks a 3-2 series lead tonight.
Lundqvist stopped 31 of 32 shots in a 5-1 win over the Penguins in game 5. It was a great outing for King Henrik and the Rangers, who had lost the previous three games. Tonight, New York has reason to be confident, because Lundqvist is 6-0 with a .965 SV% (two shutouts) in his last six home games while facing elimination from the playoffs. He is also 8-2 with a 1.38 GAA .953 SV% in his last 10 games (home and away) with the Rangers facing elimination.
Fleury allowed four goals on 34 shots in the 5-1 loss to the Rangers in game 5. The Penguins squandered a chance to put the Rangers away, but they will get a second chance tonight in New York. In the first two games at MSG this series, Fleury has stopped 48 of 50 shots (.960 SV%) while going 2-0.
