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.
Howard was peppered in Game 5, allowing four goals on 45 shots. Regardless of the loss Howard has been great this series. He has posted a 1.80 GAA and .948 SV% in this second round series.
The fourth liner hasn’t played since May 7, when he suffered a broken right hand against the Vancouver Canucks while blocking a shot. The Sharks originally declared him out for the entire second round. He’s expected to skate with Andrew Desjardins and Bracken Kearns on the fourth line, but will also resume his role as one of the team’s most important penalty killers, according to Todd McLellan.
Niemi allowed two goals on 28 shots in Game 5's 3-0 loss to give the Kings a 3-2 lead. He has the fifth best GAA (1.95) and SV% (.929) in the Playoffs. The Sharks will need him to turn in a great performance tonight to stay alive in the NHL Playoffs.
Quick stopped all 24 shots that he faced in Game 5 for his third shutout of the playoffs. He holds the Playoffs best GAA (1.50) and SV% (.948). Quick and the Kings will look to end the series and head to the Western Conference Finals for the second season in a row with a win tonight in San Jose.
Vokoun stopped 30 of 33 shots he faced in Game 4's 7-3 win. He will obviously assume the goal for Game 5 where the Penguins will look to close out the series.
Anderson allowed six goals on 37 shots in Ottawa's 7-3 loss to the Penguins in Game 4. He now has the 11th ranked GAA in the playoffs (2.66) and dropped from third to seventh in SV% (.928). He was still good despite giving up six goals, he will need to bounce back in Game 5.
