NHL Hockey Player News

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.

Crawford allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Hawks 3-1, Game 3 loss. Jimmy Howard outplayed him in the contest stopping 39 shots. Crawford will need to be better tonight if the Hawks are going to avoid going 3-1.

Howard was excellent once again in Game 3 where he stopped 39 of the 40 shots thrown his way. The Blackhawks were in Howard's crease all night long but it didn't phase him as he led the Wings to a 2-1 series lead. Another win at Joe Louis Arena tonight will put the Hawks on the brink of elimination.

He played just 8:10 in Game 3 and has just one goal and is a minus-3 in 10 games in the playoffs.

Lundqvist allowed two goals on 34 shots in the 2-1 Game 3 loss. He has been the Rangers best player all playoffs and he will need to steal Game 4 if New York is going to stay alive.

Rask stopped 23 of 24 shots in the Bruins 2-1 Game 3 win. Boston is now up 3-0 in the series and will look to finish off the sweep tonight in New York.

Jokinen will take warmups and be a game-time decision. He would likely center the fourth line if he plays and will provide the Pens some help in the faceoff circle and on the power-play.

Conacher will be a healthy scratch tonight as Mark Stone moves into the lineup. He has three goals and 31 penalty minutes in seven games in the playoffs.

Senators coach Paul MacLean wanted a bigger body around the opposing net -- something the 6-foot-2, 188-pound Stone can provide. Due to his previous experience with Spezza, Stone is expected to flank the veteran center on the right, with Milan Michalek skating on the left. The move has made Cory Conacher the odd-man out. Stone had 38 points in 54 games in the AHL this season.

Anderson was outstanding in Game 3 allowing just one goal on 50 shots in 87 minutes of playing time. The performance moved him up to third among playoff goalies in SV% (.940) and seventh in GAA (2.17). He will need to continue his strong play in Game 4 if the Sens are going to knot the series up at two games a piece.

Vokoun continued his strong play in the playoffs in Game 3 when he turned aside 46 of the 48 shots that were directed at him. He gave up a backhand goal to Colin Greening at 7:39 into the second overtime frame that gave the Sens the victory. In five starts Vokoun has posted the playoff's best GAA (1.61) and SV% (.949).

Niemi stopped 26 of 27 shots in the Sharks Game 3 win. He has the fifth best GAA (2.06) and seventh best SV% (.926).

Quick allowed two goals on 40 shots including the OT winner by Logan Couture 1:29 into the fourth frame. With Corey Crawford getting beat for seven goals in the last two games, Quick is now the GAA leader in the playoffs (1.60 GAA). He is also second in the playoffs in SV% (.947).

The Bruins had no trouble getting the puck past Lundqvist in Game 2 but at the same time Rask stole the game for the B's. He stopped 35 of 37 shots in the 5-2 win. Both goalies have seen a ton of rubber this series. Lundqvist has faced 80 shots while Rask has seen 72 thrown his way. Another good outing from Rask tonight and the Bruins are just one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals.

Seidenberg has been dealing with a leg injury that he suffered in Game 7 f the first round vs. Toronto. He has missed Games 1 and 2 vs. the Rangers and it doesn't sound like he'll be a part of Game 3.