Dunn will play for the first time since taking a puck off of his face in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. Dunn, who has two goals and five assists (seven points) in 16 playoff games, will replace Robert Bortuzzo on the Blues’ third pairing and will play on the second power-play unit.
Dunn has skated regularly this week and was a full participant on Wednesday but isn’t ready to return to the lineup for Game 2. The Blues depth defensemen had a tough time in Game 1 so they certainly could have used Dunn’s services in Game 2.
Dunn skated skated for the second straight day on Sunday but is not expected to play in Game 1 in Boston. Dunn has been out since Game 3 after being struck in the mouth by a Brenden Dillon shot. Blues head coach Craig Berube said there is a “good chance” that Dunn will be back at some point during the series. In the mean time, veteran defenseman Carl Gunnarsson will remain in the Blues lineup and has averaged 11:47 TOI/gm in the three games that he has replaced Dunn.
Grubauer stopped 37 of 39 shots in Colorado’s 2-1 loss in San Jose in Game 5. The Avalanche and Sharks have alternated wins and losses in this series and the Avalanche will need that trend to continue if they’re going to stay alive and force a Game 7. Grubauer has stopped 59 of 62 shots (.952 SV%) in the two games at the Pepsi Center in this series.
Grubauer surrendered three goals on 30 shots in Colorado’s 4-2 loss to the Sharks in Game 3. After playing exceptionally well in the first-round, Grubauer has allowed a combined 10 goals on 90 shots (.889 SV%) in his first three starts in round two. The Avalanche will stick with Grubauer in Game 4—he has stopped 89 of the 96 shots (.927 SV%) that he’s faced in the Pepsi Center during the postseason.
Murray allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Penguins 4-1 loss to the Islanders in Game 3. The Penguins have fallen behind 3-0 with Murray allowing a combined 10 goals on 102 shots (.902 SV%). Murray has been drastically outplayed by Robin Lehner through three games and will need to be great in Game 4 if the Penguins are going to keep their season alive.
Oleksiak was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the series but will replace Taylor Fedun in Game 3. Oleksiak had 12 points (4G / 8A) in 57 games this season.
Grubauer stood tall in Game 2, allowing just two goals on 37 shots to allow the Avalanche to sneak away with a 3-2 OT win and a tied series heading back to Colorado. Grubauer has posted a .926 SV% through two games and was 10-5-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .913 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.
McCann missed Game 2 due to an upper-body injury but is expected to replace Teddy Blueger in the lineup in Game 2.
Murray surrendered three goals on 34 shots in the Penguins 3-1 loss to the Islanders in Game 2. The Penguins have fallen behind 2-0 in the series, with Murray allowing seven goals on the first 67 shots (.896 SV%) that he has faced. Now they return to Pittsburgh, where Murray was 13-10-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .906 SV% in the regular season.
Murray surrendered three goals on 34 shots in the Penguins 3-1 loss to the Islanders in Game 2. The Penguins have fallen behind 2-0 in the series, with Murray allowing seven goals on the first 67 shots (.896 SV%) that he has faced. Now they return to Pittsburgh, where Murray was 13-10-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .906 SV% in the regular season.
McCann was forced to miss Game 2 with an upper-body injury but is expected to be back on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel in Game 3.
Murray had some ups and downs this season but finished the season on a high-note, going 5-2-1 with a 2.11 GAA and .931 SV% in his final eight starts. The Islanders are one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL, which is good news for Murray, but he was 0-1-1 with a 3.72 GAA and .829 SV% against them this season.
Grubauer allowed two goals on 27 shots in Colorado’s loss in St. Louis on Monday. Grubauer was giving the next night off but will be back in the crease tonight vs. the Jets. Grubauer has played exceptionally as of late but struggled in his first game vs. Winnipeg—allowing six goals on 20 shots in a 7-4 loss.
