NHL Hockey Player News

Emmerton will be a healthy scratch for Game 7.

Eaves will draw back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Game 6. He has one assist in five games in the series.

Howard played well yet again in Game 6 and is the reason the Red WIngs are still alive. He stopped 34 of 37 shots in the 4-3 OT win. The Red Wings appeared to have a firm grasp of Game 6 until a ghastly turnover by Filppula gave the Ducks a chance to make it 3-2. Anaheim tied it up 51 seconds later and forced OT.

Spezza appeared in just five games this season, scoring two goals and adding three assists, before being forced to have surgery on a herniated disc. Spezza last played on January 27 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be the Senators opponents in the second round of the playoffs. However, Senators head coach Paul MacLean poured cold water on any talk of an imminent return. "He's a long ways away," said MacLean after practice.

Ference did not make the trip to Toronto yesterday. Ference is considered day-to-day, said Claude Julien. “Didn’t make the trip for the right reasons,” Julien said. “We’re heading back home tonight, one way or another. He’s a day-to-day.” This will mark the second game Ference will miss in the series. Ference was suspended for Game 2 because of his illegal check to the head of Mikhail Grabovski in Game 1.

Rask stopped 31 of 33 shots in the 2-1 loss in Game 5 that kept the Maple Leafs hopes alive. He will be in the cage again for Game 6 when the Bruins get a second crack to finish the series.

Lundqvist stopped 33 of 35 shots in the 2-1 OT loss in Washington. The GWG bounced off of a couple of bodies right to Ribeiro who tucked it home. 'King' Henrik is one of the best goalies in the NHL so he is certainly capable of stealing Game 6 for the Rangers.

Holtby allowed one goal on 25 shots in the 2-1 overtime win in Game 5. The Capitals peppered Lundqvist and it paid off in overtime. They will look to close out the series this afternoon in New York.

Vokoun stopped all 31 shots that the Islanders threw his way in a 4-0 shutout win on Thursday. He is starting because Marc-Andre Fleury (who struggled mightily last year) struggled in the first four games. He will be back in goal for Game 6 where the Penguins will look to close out the series.

Nielsen was hurt in Game 5, but it sounds like he will be able to go tonight. The Islanders will definitely be in trouble if their second line center is unable to play.

Nabokov continues to struggle in the playoffs after having a strong regular season. He allowed for goals on 27 shots in the Game 5, 4-0 loss that puts the Isles on the brink of elimination. It was expected to be a tough series for Nabby but his 4.69 GAA and .847 SV% aren't going to get it done for New York.

Elliott allowed three goals on 25 shots including arguably the softest goal he has allowed all series, in Ot to give the Kings a 3-2 lead in the series. He still holds an impressive 1.88 GAA and .925 SV% in the playoffs.

Quick was tremendous in the crease again in Game 5 when he stopped 34 of the 36 shots directed at him. He will obviously start Game 6 after winning each of his last three starts. His 1.69 GAA and .942 SV% are second and third respectively amongst playoff goalies.

Holtby allowed four goals on 34 shots and was bested by Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers 4-3. He only allowed one goal in the first two games of the series combined (at home), but has allowed eight in the last two (on the road). They Head back to Washington tonight where Holtby will look to get the Capitals back on track.

Lundqvist stopped 27 of 30 shots in the Game 4, 4-3 win that knotted the series up at two games a piece. The rangers head back to Washington for Game 5 tonight where they will lean on 'King' Henrik to give them the lead in the series.

With Mark Fraser out Gardiner will get bumped up to the Maple Leafs second pair and J.M Liles will slide into his old spot on the third pair. Gardiner played very well in Game 4, he had two assists, three hits and three blocked shots in 27:45 of ice time. The only downfall of his game on Wednesday was his four giveaways.

With Marc Staal still out with his eye injury, Eminger will play again in Game 5. He played just 5:54 but was a plus-1 in Game 4.

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.