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| Hossa scores in Pens flurry | Friday 4/25, 10:19 PM CT |
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Marian Hossa scored 20 seconds after teammate Petr Sykora early in the third period helping Pittsburgh complete one of best comeback victories in their playoff history. The Rangers seemed incontrol of the game with a 3-0 late in the second quarter but allowed three third period goals in the 5-4 loss.
Our View: Hossa, Sidney Crosby and company are going to be tough to beat, or at least steal momentum from, after Friday's victory. |
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| Malkin scores winner | Friday 4/25, 8:56 PM CT |
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Evgeni Malkin scored on a power play goal with less than two minutes remaining helping the Pens rally from a three-goal deficit and beat the Rangers 5-4 on Friday night.
Our View: New York appeared to be in complete control of the game with a 3-0 lead late in the second period before Pittsburgh started their run. |
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| Leighton makes 98 saves in one game | Friday 4/25, 5:00 PM CT |
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In case you missed it, Michael Leighton made an unfathomable 98 saves in the Albany River Rats 3-2 loss 5 OT loss to the Philadelphia Phantoms in the longest game in AHL history.
Our View: Leighton has only played in 50 games in his NHL career, including just three games this past season, but he will live on in hockey history for this astonishing performance. |
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| Staal brothers to face off in Round 2 | Friday 4/25, 4:42 PM CT |
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Jordan Staal will get the chance to suit up against the Rangers in the second round of the playoffs with the added bonus of being able to play against his brother Marc, according to the AP. “It’s your brother,” Jordan said. “You want to end his season, you don’t want him to end yours. It’s going to be a battle, but we’re still going to be brothers afterward.
Our View: Neither player figures to be much of a force from a points perspective, though Staal, Jordan that is, could always surprise with a nice offensive showing. |
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| Thornton, mates ready for Round 2 | Friday 4/25, 4:34 PM CT |
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Joe Thornton and the Sharks are preparing to take on the Stars in the second round with Thornton looking to put past playoff failures behind him, according to the Sharks Official Site.
Our View: Thornton scored 96 points in 82 games during the regular season, and he added seven points in the Sharks seven game series against the Flames in the first round. However, Thornton has just 45 points in 64 career playoff games which has led some to question his resolve, which is pretty unfair considering the fact that he has 27 points in 29 playoff games as a Shark. |
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| Turco at top of game | Friday 4/25, 4:22 PM CT |
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Marty Turco has long carried around the label of great goaltender who caves under pressure, but this playoff season he is trying to erase that belief, according to NHL.com.
Our View: What is odd is that Turco won the national championship with Michigan twice in his collegiate career, including being named the Froze Four MVP once. So far in six games he has posted a 2.01 GAA and .912 SV% and now he gets a shot at the Sharks in Round 2. |
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| Stuart will return for Game 2 | Friday 4/25, 3:58 PM CT |
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Brad Stuart, who has been dealing with an injured finger, missed Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs not because of injury, but because he was with his wife for the birth of his son, according to the Detroit News. Stuart is expected back in the lineup for Game 2.
Our View: Andreas Lilja dressed in place of Stuart, and will likely be a healthy scratch in Game 2 with the return of Stuart. Stuart will look to bring a physical presence to the Wings lineup from the blueline and he also provides a booming shot that can be utilized for shots from the point. |
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| Ranger to undergo surgery | Friday 4/25, 3:52 PM CT |
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Paul Ranger had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder earlier this week with the procedure being performed by Dr. James Andrews, according to the AP.
Our View: The prognosis is good with Ranger and he should be back on the ice for the start of next season, good news for a Lightning squad that was the recipient of his career-high totals in goals (10) and points (31). |
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| Zetterberg nominated for Selke Trophy | Friday 4/25, 3:48 PM CT |
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Henrik Zetterberg was nominated for the Selke Trophy awarded to the forward "who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," according to NHL.com.
Our View: Teammate Pavel Datsyuk was also nominated, so it's not difficult to understand why the Wings led the league in GAA at 2.16. |
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| Datsyuk nominated for Selke Trophy | Friday 4/25, 3:46 PM CT |
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Pavel Datsyuk was nominated for the Selke Trophy awarded to the forward "who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," according to NHL.com.
Our View: It could be a big off-season for Datstuk given that he was also nominated for the Lady Byng award and that he suits up for the Red Wings who are pursuing the Stanley Cup. Toss in the 97 points and +41 rating he posted on the year, and you are arguably looking at one of the 10 best players in the NHL. |
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| Madden nominated for Selke Trophy | Friday 4/25, 3:44 PM CT |
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John Madden was nominated for the Selke Trophy awarded to the forward "who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," according to NHL.com.
Our View: Madden has a long history of being one of the most defensively responsible forwards in the league, a reputation earned on the strength of capturing this award in 2000-01 and finishing runner up in 2002-03 and 2003-04. He also chipped in 20 goals this season for the second time in his career. |
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| Forsberg questionable for Game 2 | Friday 4/25, 2:55 PM CT |
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Peter Forsberg is questionable for Game 2 against Detroit, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Forsberg missed Game 1 with a groin injury, and didn't practice on Friday.
Our View: Forsberg scored 14 points over nine games in the regular season, and scored five points over six games played in the postseason. He can still perform at a high level, but just cannot stay on the ice. |
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| Wolski out for Game 2 | Friday 4/25, 2:51 PM CT |
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Wojtek Wolski sustained an upper-body injury in Game 1 against Detroit and is expected to miss the rest of the series, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: This is a tough loss for Colorado, as Wolski scored five points over seven games in the playoffs. |
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| Theodore expected for Game 2 | Friday 4/25, 2:47 PM CT |
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Jose Theodore has been fighting a case of the flu, but he is expected to play in Game 2 on Saturday against Detroit, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He felt well enough to practice today.
Our View: Theodore allowed four goals on 16 shots in Game 1, but he wasn't feeling well, and he should bounce back in Game 2. |
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| Roberts out for Friday | Friday 4/25, 2:11 PM CT |
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Gary Roberts will not be in action tonight against the Rangers, according to TSN.ca. He is nursing a groin injury and decided he couldn't play after going through the team's morning skate on Friday. Coach Michel Therrien stated, "It's Gary's call. We're disappointed that he's not able to play, but we have to respect that decision."
Our View: He will be missed on the ice against New York, and hopefully he can return at some point in the series. |
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| Roberts to be game-time decision | Friday 4/25, 11:09 AM CT |
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Gary Roberts will be a game-time decision for tonight's Game 1 against the Rangers, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Roberts, who is nursing a groin injury, took part in the team's full squad practice for the second consecutive day, but he has yet to name himself fit to play tonight. He said, "The bottom line is that I have to skate and, when you're playing against a team like that that's a great hockey club, I don't want to be a liability out there. If everything goes well and there are no setbacks, hopefully I'll be in the lineup."
Our View: The Penguins' gritty warrior is needed on the ice against the Rangers. |
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| Koivu chips in assist in win | Friday 4/25, 7:35 AM CT |
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Saku Koivu chipped in an assist in Thursday's 4-3 win over Philadelphia in Game 1.
Our View: He has now recorded an assist in four straight games, scoring five over the span. He is yet to score a goal in the playoffs, however. |
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| Rafalski generates two assists | Friday 4/25, 7:30 AM CT |
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Brian Rafalski generated two assists in Thursday's 4-3 win over Colorado in Game 1. He now has six points over seven games in the playoffs.
Our View: Rafalski is among the most productive enforcers in the NHL, as he scored 55 points over 73 games in the regular season, with 10 power-play goals to his credit. He should remain a solid source of points until the Red Wings play their final game. |
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| Smyth chips in two assists in loss | Friday 4/25, 7:24 AM CT |
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Ryan Smyth chipped in a pair of assists in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Detroit in Game 1.
Our View: He scored three points over the six-game series against Minnesota, and is off to a good start in Round 2. He was inconsistent in the regular season, but has stepped up in crunch time. |
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| McLaren questionable | Friday 4/25, 7:19 AM CT |
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Kyle McLaren is listed as questionable for Game 1 against Dallas, according to the Dallas Morning News. He is nursing a groin injury.
Our View: The enforcer will be missed on the ice for San Jose if he cannot play, but won't be missed as a fantasy performer, as he only notched 11 points over 60 games in the regular season. |
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| Boucher remains out | Friday 4/25, 7:15 AM CT |
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Philippe Boucher will miss Game 1 against the Sharks, according to the Dallas Morning News. He is still recovering from his hip injury.
Our View: The enforcer will be missed as he scored 14 points over 37 games this season. Fellow enfocer Sergei Zubov may return to action, however. |
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| Zubov may return tonight? | Friday 4/25, 7:11 AM CT |
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Sergei Zubov has a chance to be in the Stars' lineup tonight, according to the Dallas Morning News. Zubov remains listed as day-to-day due to various ailments, and Coach Dave Tippett said the Stars would see how he reacts to today's morning skate in San Jose.
Our View: The Stars' enforcer scored 35 points over 46 games in the regular season, and he would be a welcome addition back to the Stars, as well as your playoff fantasy lineups. |
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