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| Ellis makes 39 saves | Wednesday 4/16, 11:06 PM CT |
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Dan Ellis made 39 saves on 41 shots in Game 4 as the Predators tied up their series with the Red Wings.
Our View: Ellis has faced 38 or more shots in three of the four games but only once in four starts has he allowed more than three of them to slip past him giving the Preds a chance to win in every game. |
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| Datsyuk scores twice | Wednesday 4/16, 11:03 PM CT |
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Pavel Datsyuk scored both Red Wings goals on Wednesday night in their 3-2 loss to the Predators.
Our View: Datsyuk has been doing his best with two goals and two assists in four games, but too many Wings scorers have failed to make much of a mark in Round 1. |
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| Hasek pulled for Osgood | Wednesday 4/16, 11:01 PM CT |
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Chris Osgood came in to relieve starter Dominik Hasek who allowed three goals on 14 shots, and though Osgood saved 13 of 13 shots, the Wings still fell to the Predators 3-2.
Our View: It remains to be seen who will start next time out, but after starting the series with a 2-0 lead, the Wings have now lost two straight to the scrappy Preds just won't go away. |
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| Spezza and mates fall | Wednesday 4/16, 9:45 PM CT |
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Jason Spezza skated on a line with Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson on Wedensday night, and the trio was held pointless in their series clinching defeat to the Penguins.
Our View: In the four games Spezza was held to one point, as was Heatley, though Alfredsson had nothing in two games. You simply can't win a series when your top-3 scorers are that ineffective. |
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| Fleury does his part in win | Wednesday 4/16, 9:42 PM CT |
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Marc-Andre Fleury made 21 saves on 22 shots to improve to 4-0 in the playoffs for the Penguins. Fleruy has allowed only five goals in those four games.
Our View: Fleury had a rough year appearing in only 35 games because of injury, but all told he is 23-10-2 on the year and should give the Pens a chance to win on almost every night. |
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| Malkin leads sweep of Senators | Wednesday 4/16, 9:37 PM CT |
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Evgeni Malkin scored a goal and was named the first star as the Penguins defeated the Senators 3-1 to complete their first round sweep of the Canadian club.
Our View: The goal was the second of the playoffs for Malkin and gives him two goals and five assists in four playoff contests as it's obvious that Malkin is impervious to pressure. |
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| Lundqvist earns third victory | Wednesday 4/16, 9:34 PM CT |
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Henrik Lundqvist picked up his third victory of the first round as he stopped 28 of the 31 shots thrown at him by the Devils.
Our View: Lundqvist allowed only two goals in the first two games of the series, though he ahas permitted seven pucks to slip past him his last two times on the ice. Still he is 3-1, and at this time of year all that matters is the W. |
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| Elias scores twice in loss | Wednesday 4/16, 9:31 PM CT |
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Patrik Elias scored two goals for the Devils in their 5-3 loss to the Rangers in Game 4.
Our View: Elias has been a consistent source of offense for the Devils in these playoffs with at least one point in each of the four games for a Devils team that is on the precipice of being sent home. |
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| Gomez scores two goals | Wednesday 4/16, 9:28 PM CT |
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Scott Gomez scored twice for the Rangers on Wednesday as they defeated the Devils 5-3 to move within one game of the second round.
Our View: Gomez must be loving this as he is helping to defeat his former team after a less than hoped for regular season that saw him score 16 times with 70 points in 80 games. |
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| Perry likely to play in Game 4 | Wednesday 4/16, 6:45 PM CT |
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Changing what had previously been reported, Corey Perry now appears likely to suit up for action in Game 4, this according to TSN. "Practice was on the lighter side today, but yesterday we did a lot of skating at the end of practice, and it's gotten better since last week, that's for sure."
Our View: Perry, who has been out for six weeks with a lacerated thigh muscle, would offer a huge boost to the Ducks offense that has failed to impress against the Stars in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. |
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| Phaneuf at the center of everything | Wednesday 4/16, 6:24 PM CT |
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Dion Phaneuf leads the Flames with three goals in their opening round battle with the Sharks, but he has been on the ice for all six San Jose goals in the past two games.
Our View: Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla are without a doubt the leaders that must excel for the Flames to have success, but unless Phaneuf ups his defensive game to match his physical intensity and offense, the Flames will fall to the Sharks. |
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| Lilja out, Lebda in | Wednesday 4/16, 5:13 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier story, Andreas Lilja will not suit up for Game 4 because of the flu, he will be replaced in the lineup by Brett Lebda, this according to the Detroit News. "Lebs can push the puck up the ice. Our penalty kill has been good and Lils can block shots as good as anybody. You sacrifice something to get something," HC Mike Babcock said.
Our View: This is good news for fantasy gamers as Lebda certainly has more offensive upside than Lilja, though honestly, it is a relatively minor move that should result in limited fantasy value for Lebda. |
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| Morrow doing it all for Stars | Wednesday 4/16, 4:34 PM CT |
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Brenden Morrow continues to be a thorn in the side of the Ducks in the first round as he has been involved in all aspects of the game. "I remember hearing Guy (Carbonneau) say many times that the difference between being good and being a champion is being willing to make that extra effort," Morrow told NHL.com.
Our View: Morrow has three goals and five points in three games, and he has teamed with Mike Ribeiro (seven points) as the two biggest forces leading the Stars charge. |
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| Ovechkin looks to lead troops | Wednesday 4/16, 4:29 PM CT |
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Alexander Ovechkin has found the going rough in his first exposure to the playoffs, this according to the AP. Besides scoring the game winner in Game 1, Ovechkin has been limited to two assists for three points in three games. “I’m frustrated we’re losing,” Ovechkin said. “It’s not about scoring, it’s about winning.”
Our View: Look for Ovechkin to have a massive performance in Game 4 as the Caps can ill afford to fall behind three games to one if they hope to emerge victorious. |
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| Zubov back on skates | Wednesday 4/16, 4:16 PM CT |
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Sergei Zubov (groin) returned to the ice for the first time since having a procedure in Germany, though no timeline has been established for his return to game action, this according to TSN.
Our View: Somehow the Stars are up 2 game to 1 against the mighty Ducks despite missing their power-play leader. Zubov's return would be a huge boost to the club, but he is still likely a ways away from game action. |
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| Alfredsson back on 1st line | Wednesday 4/16, 4:09 PM CT |
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Daniel Alfredsson will be reunited with former linemates Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley for Game 4, this according to TSN.
Our View: This trio is the most dominating group on ice, so look for this group to do everything in their power to avoid being swept for the third time in franchise history. |
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| Samsonov signs 3-year deal | Wednesday 4/16, 4:05 PM CT |
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Sergei Samsonov signed a 3-year, $7.6 million contract to remain with the Carolina Hurricanes, this according to TSN. "We were very excited about Sergei's play after he arrived in Carolina," said Hurricanes' president Jim Rutherford. "It was important to the success of our team going forward that we keep him here."
Our View: c |
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| Roberts doubtful for Wednesday | Wednesday 4/16, 12:06 PM CT |
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Gary Roberts remains listed as doubtful for tonight's game against Ottawa, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Roberts isn't likely to rush back until there's little risk of making the injury more severe.
Our View: The 41-year old holds little fantasy value. |
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| Schultz aggravated injury | Wednesday 4/16, 12:01 PM CT |
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Jeff Schultz aggravated his upper body injury during battle on Tuesday, according to the Washington Post. He is considered day-to-day.
Our View: The gritty enforcer is needed on the ice for Washington, especially against the hard hitting Flyers. |
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| Arnason scores two points in win | Wednesday 4/16, 8:00 AM CT |
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Tyler Arnason scored a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Minnesota. Those were his first points of the series.
Our View: He only scored 31 points in the regular season, and that was a great effort for him last night. |
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| Theodore makes 24 stops in win | Wednesday 4/16, 7:56 AM CT |
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Jose Theodore stopped 24-of-25 shots in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Minnesota. He is now 2-2 in the series.
Our View: That was his best performance of the playoffs so far, as he allowed eight goals over the previous three contests. |
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| Koivu extends playoff streak | Wednesday 4/16, 7:52 AM CT |
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Mikko Koivu scored the lone goal in Minnesota's 5-1 loss to Colorado on Tuesday, and he has now impressively scored a goal in all four games of the series.
Our View: He only scored 11 goals over 56 games in the regular season, but has been Minnesota's most consistent source of points in the playoffs so far. |
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| Leopold contributes two assists | Wednesday 4/16, 7:48 AM CT |
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Jordan Leopold contributed two assists in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Minnesota. That was notably his first action of the playoffs.
Our View: He only generated 13 points in the regular season, but he is off to a good start in the playoffs. |
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| Salei chips in two points in win | Wednesday 4/16, 7:44 AM CT |
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Ruslan Salei chipped in a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Minnesota. He now has three points over the four games of the series.
Our View: Salei only scored 30 points over 81 games in the regular season, but has stepped up his game in the playoffs. |
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| Perry still not cleared to play | Wednesday 4/16, 7:39 AM CT |
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Corey Perry continues to be able to skate, but is yet to be cleared by doctors to play, according to the LA Times. He has been out since March 6 because of a torn quadriceps.
Our View: He scored 54 points in the regular season, with four game-winning goals to his credit, and the team will continue to miss him on the ice. |
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| Niedermayer out against Dallas | Wednesday 4/16, 7:34 AM CT |
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Rob Niedermayer could miss the remainder of the playoff series against Dallas, according to the LA Times. He is suffering from concussion-like symptoms sustained in Game 2. Coach Randy Carlyle stated, "He's feeling nauseous. Not feeling just right. Specifically, it happens more when he's traveling in a vehicle. We felt it wouldn't be very smart to put him in an airplane. At this point, he's not traveling today. Who's to say he couldn't travel here tomorrow?"
Our View: Niedermayer is a solid vet, and will be missed by Anaheim. |
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| Ward questionable for Game 5 | Wednesday 4/16, 7:28 AM CT |
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Aaron Ward suffered an undisclosed injury during battle on Tuesday, and he is listed as questionable for Game 5, according to the Boston Globe. He would be a sizable loss for Boston if he ultimately cannot go.
Our View: He is a great enforcer for Boston, but holds little fantasy value with only 13 points scored for the season. |
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| Maltby remains out | Wednesday 4/16, 7:22 AM CT |
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Kirk Maltby will miss another game tonight due to his hamstring ailment, according to the Detroit News. He will likely miss the remainder of the first round.
Our View: He is needed back on the ice for Detroit, but he held little fantasy value with only 10 points scored for the season. |
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| Lilja may not play Wednesday | Wednesday 4/16, 7:18 AM CT |
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Defenseman Andreas Lilja may not play tonight, according to the Detroit News. He has been battling flu-like symptoms, and Coach Mike Babcock stated that there may be some changes, depending on how some guys are feeling.
Our View: Brett Lebda is a possible candidate to replace him if needed. |
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| Pronger named Third Star | Wednesday 4/16, 7:13 AM CT |
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Chris Pronger was named the Third Star on Tuesday night, as he notched two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win over Dallas, according to NHL.com. Anaheim trails in the series 2-1.
Our View: Those were the enforcers' first points in the series. |
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| Price earns Second Star honor | Wednesday 4/16, 7:09 AM CT |
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Carey Price earned Second Star honors on Tuesday night, as he stopped all 27 shots in a 1-0 shutout win over Boston, according to NHL.com. He led Montreal to a 3-1 lead in the series.
Our View: He has made 110 saves in the series so far. |
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| Briere named First Star | Wednesday 4/16, 7:03 AM CT |
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Daniel Briere was named the First Star for Tuesday night, as he generated two goals and an assist in a 6-3 win over the Capitals, according to NHL.com. The Flyers now hold a 2-1 lead in the series, and he has six points over the three games.
Our View: Briere scored 72 points over 79 games in the regular season, and remains strong in the playoffs. |
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| Clowe pulls Sharks to win | Wednesday 4/16, 1:04 AM CT |
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San Jose left winger Ryane Clowe continues to work as the offensive arm of power in the Sharks bid for the Stanley Cup, netting one goal and an assist on the game-winning net with a setup for Joe Thornton.
Our View: Clowe's goal was his FOURTH of the playoffs thus far, and it appears he's going to take the lead in getting the Sharks back in this series, now tied at 2-2. |
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| Arnason, Salei save the Avs | Wednesday 4/16, 12:30 AM CT |
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In the ugliest game of the night, the Colorado Avalanche put 1-5 licking on the Minnesota Wild and then the Wild attempted to resolve the conflict with fists (racking up 89 total penalty minutes). For the Avs, it was center Tyler Arnason and defenseman Ruslan Salei getting it done.
Our View: Arnason and Salei each had a goal and an assist, leading their team in a game that will not soon be forgotten. |
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