|
|
| Dominik Hasek allowed three goals on the first six shots he faced on Wednesday night which resulted in him being lifted from the game in favor of Chris Osgood (who stopped 19 of 22 shots). The Wings keep saying they want to go with Hasek in the playoffs, and he has won seven of his last nine decisions, but he continues to allow more goals than we are used to with four of his last six outings resulting in three or more goals allowed. |
|
| Duncan Keith, D, Chicago Blackhawks | Wednesday 4/2, 10:27 PM CT |
|
| Duncan Keith notched two assists on Wednesday night to reach a career-high of 32 points on the season. Duncan has been quite the offensive weapon from the blueline of late with 15 points in his last 29 games for a Blackhawks squad that is clinging desperately to a small sliver of hope that they might qualify for the playoffs. |
|
| Patrick Kane, W, Chicago Blackhawks | Wednesday 4/2, 10:23 PM CT |
|
| Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists in the Blackhawks 6-2 victory over the Red Wings. Kane continues to push for the rookie scoring title and now has 69 points in 80 games on the year. Kane has totaled 17 points in his last 16 games, so despite weighing in at barely 170 pounds, the grind of his first NHL season does not appear to be wearing him down. |
|
|
|
| While everyone in Pittsburgh has been talking about Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar has been stupendous and he followed suit on Wednesday night with a goal and two assists. An absolute power-play monster, Gonchar now has 46 points with the man-advantage this season after scoring all three of his points on this night on the power-play. |
|
|
|
| Sidney Crosby was the number one star on Wednesday night after scoring two goals and dishing an assist on Wednesday night. Crosby has 24 goals and 72 points in just 53 games this season, and figures to rejoin the 100-point club next season given health. |
|
| Martin Biron, G, Philadelphia Flyers | Wednesday 4/2, 9:23 PM CT |
|
| Martin Biron allowed four goals on Wednesday night, the second straight time he allowed a quartet of pucks to get past him, to pick up his second consecutive loss. Though his season has certainly been solid (28 victories, .917 SV%), Biron has slowed of late having allowed three or more goals in eight of his last 12 games. |
|
| Jeff Carter, C, Philadelphia Flyers | Wednesday 4/2, 9:20 PM CT |
|
| Jeff Carter scored his 29th goal of the season on Wednesday night as he pumped seven shots on goal in the Flyers' loss. After a down sophomore season (14-23-37), Carter has responded extremely well with 29 goals and 50 points through 80 games this season. He may still have another level next season, so if you are looking to add depth at the center position come next years draft, Carter may be worth a look. |
|
| Tim Thomas, G, Boston Bruins | Wednesday 4/2, 9:17 PM CT |
|
| Tim Thomas, coming off his worst month of the season (3.01 GAA, .901 SV% in March), stopped 23 of 25 shots on the night before he and his teammates fell 3-2 to the Devils in a shootout. Thomas falls to 3-1 in his last four starts, though he has now gone five straight games in which he has allowed two or fewer goals. |
|
| Milan Lucic, LW, Boston Bruins | Wednesday 4/2, 9:14 PM CT |
|
| Milan Lucic continues to post strong numbers as the season wears down as he scored a goal on Wednesday night, his sixth point in eight games. Lucic has had a sometimes uneven rookie season, but the most impressive number in his stat line may be the fact that he has suited up for 75 games this season. |
|
|
|
| Dainius Zubrus, who has largely been a disappointment this season, scored a goal and added an assist on Wednesday night. Zubrus now has just 13 goals and 37 points on the year, but he has scored four times in the past 10 games for the Devils. |
|
|
|
| Martin Brodeur picked up his 43rd victory of the season in a shootout victory on Wednesday as he stopped 25 of 27 shots that the Bruins threw at him. Brodeur has now won three straight decisions after losing four straight, so it appears that Brodeur is rounding back into form just in time for the playoffs. With the East being wide open this year, Brodeur seems like the best bet to select amongst goalies in that conference for a playoff pool. |
|
| Mike Smith, G, Tampa Bay Lightning | Wednesday 4/2, 9:07 PM CT |
|
| Mike Smith had the worst game of his young career as he allowed six goals on 32 shots to pick up his 18th loss of the season. Smith had allowed only four goals the past two games, though he has now lost four straight decisions and eight of his last 10 starts as he winds down an ineffective attempt to prove to the Bolts that he can be their starter next season. |
|
|
|
| Martin St. Louis notched a goal and an assist on Wednesday night, but unfortunately, as has happened a lot lately, St. Louis also was a (-2) on the night. St. Louis has 25 goals and 82 points on the season, numbers that are in direct opposition to his horrific plus/minus (-21) which has held him back from being a top option this season. |
|
| Eric Staal, C, Carolina Hurricanes | Wednesday 4/2, 9:00 PM CT |
|
| Eric Staal continued his tremendous scoring pace of late with a goal and an assist on Wednesday night. Staal now has seven goals and 23 points in his last 14 games as he has been the lone steadying force amongst a team beset by injuries. Mark down Staal as a top playoff option if the Canes qualify. |
|
| Chad LaRose, W, Carolina Hurricanes | Wednesday 4/2, 8:58 PM CT |
|
| Chad LaRose had the game of his life as he scored a hat-trick to lead the Hurricanes to a 6-2 victory over the Lightning. LaRose has been on a nice little run of late with four goals and five points in his last four games though keep your expectations muted if the Canes make the playoffs as he still has only 11 goals and 22 points in 57 games this season. |
|
| Gary Roberts, W, Tampa Bay Lightning | Wednesday 4/2, 7:13 PM CT |
|
| Gary Roberts hopes to be able to return for the Penguins last game of the season to get ready for the playoffs, this according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Roberts has been out since December 29th with a broken leg and high ankle sprain. "I need a few more days of practice, but it definitely feels better....Hopefully, with no setbacks [over] the next few days, maybe I'll play Sunday." Roberts is the prototypical playoff performer in that he is gritty and possesses offensive upside. His experience and skill would be a huge boost to the Penguins. |
|
|
|
| Corey Perry, out since March 6th with a lacerated quadriceps tendon, hopes to return at some point in the first round of the playoffs, this according to the Orange County Register. Being that this was/is a severe injury, we are a bit reluctant to suggest adding Perry to a playoff pool squad, but it appears that, barring a setback, he will be available at some point in the next two weeks. |
|
|
|
| Taylor Pyatt suffered a concussion on Tuesday and as a result he will not be active on Thursday, this according to TSN. Rick Rypien will likely take Pyatt's spot in the lineup. The Canucks need grinders like Pyatt to come through in the playoffs, so if he is out long-term this is a big blow for the club. As it stands, it appears that Pyatt will end the year with 16 goals and 37 points. |
|
| Ales Hemsky, W, Edmonton Oilers | Wednesday 4/2, 6:43 PM CT |
|
| Ales Hemsky re-injured his knee on Tuesday night in the battle of Alberta, and though Hemsky says he is OK, TSN is reporting that Hemsky will not suit up against Vancouver on Thursday. The Oilers are officially out of the playoffs, so the team will certainly not push its leading scorer to return to the ice for a couple of meaningless games. |
|
|
|
| Alexander Ovechkin was named the NHL's first star for the month of March, this according to TSN. in 14 games, the Caps went 10-4 led by the league's most dynamic player who had 14 goals and 12 assists. Here's to hoping that the Caps make the playoffs because the hockey nation deserves to see as much of this exuberant force of nature as possible. |
|
|
|
| Marc-Andre Fleury was named the NHL's second star for the month of March, this according to TSN. Fleury went 9-1-1 with a 1.44 GAA and .951 save percentage on the month for the streaking Penguins. Fleury has firmly established himself as one of the best young keepers in the game, though that isn't surprising considering he was the first overall selection in the 2003 Entry draft which marked the first time a goalie was selected first overall. |
|
|
|
| Johan Franzen was named the NHL's third star for the month of March, this according to TSN. Franzen is now up to 26 goals and 36 points in 69 games on the year, and he was at his best in March with 18 points, 14 of them coming on goals. Oh yeah, six of those goals went for game-winners as well. The Wings are getting healthy just in time for the playoffs, so you might want to consider stocking your playoff roster with players who wear the wheel on their jersey. |
|
| Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens | Wednesday 4/2, 4:38 PM CT |
|
| Carey Price was named the NHL's rookie of the month of March thanks to a 7-3-0 record with a 2.67 GAA and .924 save percentage, this according to NHL.com. Price finished ahead of Sam Gagner (6-9-15pts), Nicklas Backstrom (5-9-14), Patrick Kane (4-10-14) and Eric Ersberg (5-4-2, 2.31 GAA,. .932 SV%) for the award. Price will try to follow in the footsteps of Patrick Roy and Ken Dryden by leading the Habs to the Cup. |
|
| Matt Cullen, C, Carolina Hurricanes | Wednesday 4/2, 4:33 PM CT |
|
| Matt Cullen was activated from the injured list on Wednesday, this according to NHL.com. Cullen has been dealing with the after effects of a concussion, though the symptoms have apparently subsided. With 49 points in 57 games on the year, Cullen figures to try help the Hurricanes to make it to the playoffs over the final week by adding offense to the club. |
|
|
|
| Marc Savard, who has a broken bone in his back, hasn't been on the ice with the Bruins in some 10 days and he will not play on Wednesday night either, this according to the Boston Globe. Injuries like this can be very scary, and many times no news is not good news. The team is going nowhere in the playoffs without Savard, but at this point we just don't know whether or not to expect that Savard will even be on the ice in the NHL's second season. |
|
|
|
| Patrice Bergeron continues to improve on almost a daily basis, and while he is almost certain to miss the final few days of the regular season, there is some hope that he will be able to play at some point in the playoffs, this according to the Boston Globe. Bergeron still hasn't been cleared for contact and it would be foolish to count on any type of performance from him in the playoffs. Don't forget about him next year though if he has a solid off-season as he is still a point-per-game type performer when healthy. |
|
|
|
| Pascal Leclaire figures to return from a concussion on Thursday, this according to the Columbus Dispatch. Leclaire hasn't played since March 14th, yet he still sits near the top of the leagues leader board in SV% (.919), GAA (2.22) and shutouts (nine). Activate him if you normally would, and that means if he is on your roster, he should be started on Thursday. |
|
|
|
| Justin Williams return to game action lasted all of 3:48 as he injured his back in his first game on ice after sitting out 43 games with a torn ACL, this according to the Charlotte Observer. At this point it is unknown when Williams will be back on ice, but given all the time he has missed he would appear to be a long shot to have a productive playoff run, that is if the Hurricanes make the playoffs. |
|
|
|
| Jonathan Cheechoo, out the past 10 days due to a cheap shot elbow to the back of the head, returned to the ice for the first time on Tuesday, this according to the Mercury News. "It's getting better every day," Cheechoo said. Its shocking that the league didn't penalize Chris Kunitz for the dirty hit. If Cheechoo had been on a Canadian team, we would posit that Kunitz would have been suspended for five games, but with little in the way of complaints in the media, the Kunitz hit went unpunished. Cheechoo should play one of the final two games of the year and he appears on track to be ready to go in the playoffs. |
|
|
|
| Evgeni Nabokov, who won his 46th game on Tuesday night, will not get a chance to tied the NHL single season record for wins (48) as he will be rested in one of the team's last two games, this according to the Mercury News. In order to prepare for the playoffs, the team will give one start to Brian Boucher and the other to Nabokov who has appeared in 75 of the Sharks 80 games this season. For those of you in playoff pools, it will be exceedingly difficult to chose a goalie other than Nabokov. |
|
| Mats Sundin, C, Toronto Maple Leafs | Wednesday 4/2, 4:06 PM CT |
|
| Mats Sundin may have played his last game as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, this according to a report in the Toronto Star. Likely out of action for the teams final two games due to a groin injury, Sundin wants to end his career in Toronto, though it remains unclear if the team will chose to bring him back. No matter how old he becomes, it seems like no one can stop Sundin from racking up the points. No matter where he ends up next season, it's almost impossible to think he will fail to score at least 70 points since he does so every year. |
|
|
|
| Shaone Morrisonn will be re-evaluated today after suffering an upper body injury that forced him out of action on Tuesday night, according to the Washington Post. He holds a PIM of 63 this season. |
|
|
|
| Sergei Zubov has suffered a setback to his foot and groin injuries, according to ESPN.com. He has been out since Jan 17 and it looked like he was going to be ready to play for the start of the playoffs, but that may not be the case now. He will see a specialist on Friday and Dave Tippett commented, "It's a concern, it's a concern. We'll revisit it on Friday. We'll see what results we get and where we are."
|
|
|
|
| Joe Thornton scored his 94th point of the season on Tuesday, coming on an assist in a 5-2 win over the Kings. He has scored 13 points over his last 10 games. |
|
|
|
| Patrick Marleau notched one goal and one assist in Tuesday night's 5-2 win over the Kings. He has racked up five points over his last five games, and has scored 45 for the season. |
|
|
|
| Patrick O'Sullivan scored his 21st goal of the season in a 5-2 loss to San Jose on Tuesday night. He has now scored five points over his last five games. |
|
| Nik Antropov, W, Toronto Maple Leafs | Wednesday 4/2, 7:58 AM CT |
|
| Nik Antropov missed Tuesday night's game with a knee injury, according to the Toronto Star. Antropov is listed as day-to-day and is needed back on the ice as he scored 56 points over 72 games this season. |
|
| Kris Draper, C, Detroit Red Wings | Wednesday 4/2, 7:38 AM CT |
|
| Kris Draper could miss the final three games of the regular season due to his groin injury, according to the Detroit News. He may be able to return for the playoffs, and has scored 17 points in 65 games this season. |
|
|
|