NHL Hockey Player News

Vokoun working out in the morning would indicate that Fleury, as expected, will start Game 2 in Pittsburgh.

Rask was first in shutouts (7), second in SV% (.930), fourth in GAA (2.04) and fifth in wins (36). #VezinaMuch ? The Bruins have the edge in goal, and will lean on Rask to shut down the Red Wings speedy attack. He was 1-3-0 with a 3.29 GAA and .871 SV% against the Red Wings this season.

Lehtonen surrendered four goals on 35 shots in a the game 1 4-3 loss to the Ducks. The Stars looked a little tentative to start game 1, but settled in after going down 4-0. Expect a better Stars team tonight, thus a better Lehtonen.

Andersen stopped 32 of 35 shots in the 3-2 win over the Stars in game 1. Anaheim jumped out to a 4-0 lead, just to allow the Stars to come back. He will be the Ducks' starter until he falters, and game 1 gave us a good idea of what he is capable of.

Umberger missed the final four games of the regular season and game 1, but will return on Saturday for game 2. He will skate on the third line with Artem Anisimov and Blake Comeau.

Getzlaf required stitches on his chin after being hit by a Tyler Seguin slapshot in the late stages of game 1. Getzlaf is a tough player who has played through injury before, so don't expect stitches to keep him out of game 2.

Head coach Bruce Boudreau said that his availability for game 2 likely depends on whether or not he skates. With Beleskey not skating that suggests that he won't play Friday. Consider him questionable, and expect Devante Smith-Pelly to take his spot in the lineup.

Price allowed four goals on 25 shots in game 1. Despite Price's lackluster performance, the Canadiens were able to emerge with the 5-4 OT win. Expect Price to be more sharp in game 2 tonight. Ben Bishop is still sidelined so the Habs will once again have a large edge between the pipes.

Howard did not start the year well, but he sure finished it well and enters the playoffs playing his best hockey of the season. He won 21 games with a 2.66 GAA and .910 SV%, but comes into Friday having won four of his last five while holding opponents to just two goes in each game. He is not Tuukka Rask, but if he can be close, the Red Wings have a shot.

Lindback gave up five goals on 44 shots in a 5-4 OT loss in Game 1. Lindback allowed a couple of soft goals and the Lightning will need him to be better because Ben Bishop is not close to returning and they likely won't score four on Carey Price on a regular basis.

Palat left game 1 with an upper-body injury and did not return. He is listed as a game-time decision, but Copper also said it is unlikely that he plays. This is a tough blow for the Lightning, Palat scored 23 goals with 36 assists (59 points) in 81 games.

McDonagh missed the final five games of the regular season with a shoulder injury, but will suit up in game 1 vs. the Flyers. He had 45 points (14G / 29A) in 77 games this season, so getting him back is huge for the Rangers.

Quick lost his final three starts of the regular season, but overall it was a good season. He won 27 games with a 2.07 GAA, .915 SV% and six shutouts. He won each of his starts vs. the Sharks this season, while posting a 1.47 GAA and .930 SV%. Heading into game 1, you have to give the goaltending edge to the Kings.

Niemi stopped 30 of 32 shots in a win over the Coyotes in the season finale. He finished the season at 39-17-7 with a 2.39 GAA and .913 SV%. Entering game 1 vs. Los Angeles, Niemi is 3-2-0 in Aprial and 2-1-1 with 2.67 GAA and .910 SV% against the Kings this season.

Varlamov was sensational for the Avalanche this season. He led the NHL with 41 wins and posted a strong 2.41 GAA and .927 SV%. He has won seven of his last eight starts and comes into the playoffs as the leagues' hottest netminder. He was 3-0-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .929 SV% vs. the Wild this season.

After a puzzling start to the season, Lundqvist managed to finish the season at 33-24-5 with a 2.36 GAA and .920 SV%. He enters the playoffs having gone 13-6-2 in his final 21 games. Lundqvist is a career 30-37 with a 2.28 GAA and .920 SV% in the postseason.

Coming off a postseason when he was one of best players for the Stanley Cup champions, Corey Crawford will once again be a major key to the Blackhawks’ success this spring. While regular-season numbers don’t automatically translate to the postseason, Crawford did put up very competitive numbers against the Blues this year, going 2-1-1 with a 1.72 GAA and .935 SV%.

Berglund, missed the season finale with an upper-body injury, was the most unlikely of the injured Blues to play in game 1. He did not skate this morning, while the rest of the team did. He is expected to be back at some point in the first round.

Backes missed the last three games of the regular season with a foot injury, but he will play on Thursday in game vs. Chicago. Backes had 27 goals and 30 assists in 74 games this season--two goals and one assist came in five games vs. the Blackhawks.

Tarasenko has been sidelined since March 15th after undergoing surgery on a broken hand. He was expected to miss six weeks, but he will be back in the lineup two weeks ahead of schedule. Tarasenko tallied 21 goals and 22 assists in 64 games this season. He will skate on the second line with Vladimir Sobotka and Jaden Schwartz.