Kucherov was "sent down" yesterday as a "paper move" to get the Lightning under the cap, but is back with the Lightning today. He is skating on the fourth line with Vladimir Namestnikov and Brett Connolly. He and Namestnikov were sensational during the preseason.
Kucherov was likely sent down as a "paper-move" to help get under the cap before finalizing their 23-man roster. The Lightning did the same thing with Brett Connolly last season so Kucherov should be back with the team soon and in the lineup on Thursday. Kucherov led all players with six goals in the preseason, so expect him to be back.
Blues coach Ken Hitchcock has been saying for months that Brian Elliott would open the season as the team’s No. 1 goalie, so it should be no surprise that he will be in net Thursday against the New York Rangers. Elliott had a rough preseason, going 1-1 with a 3.21 GAA and .862 SV% in 56 minutes of playing time. That said, it is only the preseason and Elliott has been great in three seasons with the Blues. St. Louis will be a strong two-way team again this season, making Elliott a high-end number-2 option.
Paul, 19, was selected in the fourth-round (#101 overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Paul had 26 goals and 20 assists (46 points) in 67 games with the North Bay Battalion (OHL) this season. Paul had a strong postseason as well, posting 18 points (12G / 6A) in 22 games.
Elliott was set to become a unrestricted free agent in the summer, but this signing means that Ryan Miller will not be back in 2014-15, while Elliott is signed through the 2016-17 season. Elliott was 18-6-2 with a 1.96 GAA and .922 SV% with the Blues this season.
Seabrook missed the last three games after being suspended for a hit that knocked David Backes out in Game 2. After two games in the series, Seabrook was leading all Chicago skaters with four points (2G / 2A), and still ranks third on the team. However, anyone who watches the team knows his value goes far beyond offense, as his leadership and his chemistry with defensive partner Duncan Keith cannot be overstated.
Huge blow for the Hawks as Seabrook will be eligible to return Game 6.
The way discipline has been going so far in the playoffs may work in his favour. Seabrook received a game misconduct for the hit.
McDonagh missed the final five games of the regular season with a shoulder injury, but will suit up in game 1 vs. the Flyers. He had 45 points (14G / 29A) in 77 games this season, so getting him back is huge for the Rangers.
Hedman was injured on Friday but may not miss any time and play this afternoon in Washington. Hedman has one goal and seven assists in his last six games and 55 points (13G / 42A) in 74 games this season.
Hedman only played 1:42 before retiring to the dressing room for the evening. He has been great on the Lightning blueline this season, so if his injury is serious that would really hurt Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs. Consider him day-to-day until we know more.
McDonagh was on the ice for the morning skate, but will not play. He was reportedly taking wristers while the rest of the team were taking slappers which could be a sign that McD's shoulder is not quite there yet. McDonagh will miss his fifth straight game and is not guaranteed to be ready for game 1.
McDonagh will miss his fourth straight game tonight, but could be back for the final game of the Rangers' regular season. The fact that he is skating and may play Saturday, is a great sign for McD's availability for the first-round vs. the Flyers.
McDonagh will miss his fourth straight game tomorrow. Thursday is there second last game of the year, so it looks like McDonagh won't play until the playoffs.
Rangers' head coach Alain Vigneault said he is not sure whether he will play McDonagh at all before the end of the regular season. We may have to wait until the playoffs before we see McDonagh back on the blueshirts' blueline.
McDonagh has missed the last two games after suffering a shoulder injury last Tuesday in Vancouver. He is expected to return for the final couple of games, but there is no word if he will be back in the lineup tonight vs. Carolina.
Elliott stopped 24 of 25 shots in a 2-1 win over the Sabres on Thursday. Elliott has won five of his last six starts while posting 1.12 GAA and .937 SV%. Today's matchup is not pretty, but he is still one of the best spot-start options you will find.
This comes as no surprise, we likely won't see McDonagh play until the last game or two of the regular season. John Moore will stay in the lineup while McDonagh is out.
This was expected after the Rangers announced that McDonagh is out indefinitely on Wednesday. John Moore will get back into the lineup and pair-up with Dan Girardi. There is still no timetable on McDonagh's return .
Elliott stopped all 33 shots that he faced in a 1-0 regulation win over the Penguins on March 23. He has gone 2-0-0 with a .088 GAA and .964 SV% since the Blues acquired Ryan Miller. He makes for an excellent spot-start vs. Miller's former team on Thursday.
