Markstrom, 24, was acquired in the trade that sent Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers last March. He was 2-8-3 with a 3.39 GAA and .873 SV% between the Panthers and Canucks last season. Markstrom was once considered the NHL's top goaltending prospect and will likely be claimed by another team. He has just one year with a $1.2 million cap-hit left on his contract, making him a relatively low-risk add.
Tatar, 23, recorded 19 goals and 20 assists (39 points) in 73 games with the Red Wings last season. The Red Wings did virtually nothing in free agency, which means that young players like Tatar will take on bigger roles in 2014-15. He played in the top-6 for a large portion of last season because the Wings were ravaged by injures. He will likely start the year on the third line with Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco, but with strong play could climb into the top-6 quickly. A 20-goal, 20 assist season should be Tatar's floor this year.
Palat - dealing with a nagging injury - will be a gametime decision tonight.
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.
Dillon is listed as day-to-day with the lower-body ailment. Aaron Rome, who was limited to just 25 games this season, will draw into the lineup for Dillon. Missing Dillon will hurt the Stars blueline considerably. At 6-foot-3, 225 lbs. they could definitely use his size against a Ducks team who have 11 players over 6-foot.
The injury also cost Bernier five games in March. He said he would be healthy for training camp in September. "I felt pretty good," he said. "It was sore but my range, my stretching was fine. I think a lot of players play through that." Bernier had a 26-19-7 record this season with a 2.68 GAA and .923 SV%. In a very frustrating season for the Maple Leafs, Bernier was a bright spot and proved that he can be a number-1 goalie in the NHL.
Markstrom allowed five goals on 22 shots in a loss to the Oilers last night. His first two starts with the Canucks have not gone very well as he has allowed eight goals on 49 shots (.837 SV%), both resulting in losses. He will start the last game of the season vs. the Flames.
Palat has played all 81 games this season, but will miss the season finale today vs. Washington. Palat suffered the upper-body injury on Friday in Columbus. Palat scored his 23rd goal of the season before getting hurt. Consider him day-to-day.
Markstrom allowed three goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Avalanche in his first start with the Cancuks. He will get a second chance tonight and draws a much easier matchup in Edmonton. However, it is Ryan Smyth's last NHL game so the Oilers could come out flying for their veteran.
Markstrom has not started an NHL game since December 20th. He played 19:48 wit the Canucks in early March after replacing Eddie Lack--he stopped four of five shots. He will likely start the remaining three games in a lost season for the Canucks. This will give Vancouver a good idea of what their goalie situation will be like heading into 2014-15.
Bernier was injured on Thursday night and will now miss the rest of the regular season and start of the playoffs (if the Leafs qualify). The last time Bernier was hurt, James Reimer struggled and the Leafs went on a big-time losing streak that may end up costing them the playoffs. Reimer will get a chance to redeem himself in Toronto's remaining four games.
Bernier left eight minutes into the third period. He stopped 25 of 27 shots and left with a 3-2 lead intact. James Reimer who replaced Bernier allowed the game-tying goal, but the Leafs went on to win the contest 4-3 in OT. Bernier will undergo an MRI on Friday, no word if it is related to the groin injury that cost him five games in March.
Bernier stopped 22 of 24 shots in a win over the Flames on Tuesday. The win snapped a person four-game losing streak for Bernier and a eight-game skid for the Leafs. The win keeps the Maple Leafs afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but they will be in tough tonight vs. the Bruins. Bernier is 1-1-0 with a 3.58 GAA and .911 SV% against Boston this season.
Bernier allowed four goals on 28 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday. Since returning from a groin injury, Bernier has given up four goals in all three starts, stopping an average of 31 shots per night. The Leafs are in the tail-spin of all tail-spins, a matchup vs. the Flames is an absolute must-win for Bernier and his mates.
Bernier allowed four goals 29 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Flyers last night. He has allowed eight goals on 77 shots (.896 SV%). He obviously gets the nod in arguably the Leafs biggest game of the season. He is 1-0-1 with a 1.64 GAA and .957 SV% vs. Detroit this season.
Bernier allowed four goals on 48 shots in a 5-3 loss to the Blues on Tuesday. It was his first game back from a groin strain, but it doesn't look like James Reimer was the issue as the Leafs are not doing their goalies any favours right now. He will look for a better outing tonight in Philly as the Maple Leafs look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Bernier is 25-16-7 with a 2.61 GAA and .925 SV% this season. His return could not have come at a better time. The Leafs are sliding in the wrong direction in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Tonight, they have a tough test with Maple Leafs killer Ryan Miller in goal for the Western Conferences best squad.
All morning-skate signs point towards him returning tonight, however head coach Randy Carlyle says that he has not been given the green light from the medical staff. Bernier is 25-16-7 with a 2.61 GAA and .925 SV% this season. His potential return could not have come at a better time. The Leafs are sliding in the wrong direction in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Tonight, they have a tough test with the Blues in town. Keep an eye on who leads the team out for warmups at 6:30 p.m ET.
Here is another sign that Bernier is ready to return from a groin strain that forced him to miss the last five games. We will wait for confirmation from Randy Carlyle. Bernier is 25-16-7 with a 2.61 GAA and .925 SV% this season. His potential return could not have come at a better time. The Leafs are sliding in the wrong direction in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Tonight, they have a tough test with the Blues in town.
