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Jason Zucker Makes Early Exit in Blowout Win
Buffalo Sabres winger Jason Zucker (undisclosed) exited the action midway through the third period in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Boston Bruins, Jourdon LaBarber of the Sabres' official site reports. After taking a 4-0 lead in the first period, Buffalo was already in cruise control at that point, which could mean Zucker's exit was for precautionary reasons. Tyler Kozak (undisclosed) also didn't finish the game for the Sabres, who went up 3-1 in the series. Zucker had a hot finish to the regular season, but he hasn't been very sharp in the playoffs. The veteran is still looking for his first points against the Bruins, failing to score with eight attempts on net. An update on Zucker and Kozak is expected before Tuesday's Game 5.
Source: Jourdon LaBarber
Source: Jourdon LaBarber
Emil Andrae Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Monday
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (upper body) looks set to rejoin the lineup on Monday in Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has been out of action since sustaining an upper-body injury in the series opener. Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported on Sunday that Andrae skated on the third defensive pairing at practice. Noah Juulsen has filled in for Andrae in the last few games and is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday. In 61 regular-season outings, Andrae was limited to 15:20 of ice time per game, but he was effective. The 24-year-old led all Flyers defensemen with a plus-15 rating, while notching 13 points (two goals, 11 assists). He also logged 36 SOG, 58 blocks, and 68 hits.
Source: Jordan Hall
Source: Jordan Hall
Matvei Michkov Set to Be Scratched for Game 5
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov wasn't part of the team's regular four forward lines during Sunday's practice, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. This suggests the Russian talent will be a healthy scratch for Monday's Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It would be an understandable decision by Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, as Michkov has been ineffective in the series. He has gone scoreless in four games, with only four SOG and a minus-one rating. After averaging 14:50 of ice time during the regular season, Michkov has been limited to 10:05 in the playoffs. Alex Bump, who had nine points (five goals, four assists) in 17 regular-season games, is expected to replace Michkov in the lineup on Monday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Radko Gudas Remains Sidelined Sunday
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) isn't an option for Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, Hayley Elwood of the Ducks' official site reports. The Czech veteran suffered a lower-body injury late in the regular season and hasn't played in the playoffs since logging 9:40 of action in Game 1. Drew Helleson has done a good job as his replacement on the third defensive pairing. In his first two career postseason games, Helleson has recorded one assist, two SOG, four hits, and a plus-one rating. Gudas' next chance to return will come on Tuesday night, when the series heads back to Edmonton.
Source: Hayley Elwood
Source: Hayley Elwood
Jason Dickinson a Game-Time Decision Sunday
Edmonton Oilers center Jason Dickinson (undisclosed) is considered a game-time call for Sunday's Game 4 tilt against the Anaheim Ducks, Jamie Umbach of the Oilers' official site reports. The 30-year-old has been a game-time decision for all three postseason games so far, playing only once. His two goals helped Edmonton to a 4-3 victory in Game 1. "I think so. I hope so," Dickinson said about his availability for Game 4 after Saturday's practice. Dickinson was banged up late in the regular season, suffering an undisclosed injury against San Jose on April 8. Josh Samanski or Curtis Lazar will make way for Dickinson if he's ready to return on Sunday night.
Source: Jamie Umbach
Source: Jamie Umbach
Maxwell Crozier to Replace Declan Carlile Sunday
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier is expected to draw into the lineup for Sunday's Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Declan Carlile has been used as a replacement for Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) in a couple of games, but the team will turn to Crozier on Sunday night. The 26-year-old did a decent job on defense during the regular season, registering 10 points (one goal, nine assists), 46 SOG, 31 blocks, 39 hits, and a plus-five rating in 35 contests.
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Alexander Nikishin Diagnosed With Concussion
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin has been officially diagnosed with a concussion after being injured in Saturday's Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators. Nikishin had to exit the game early in the second period after being on the receiving end of a massive hit from Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven. The Russian rearguard must clear the NHL's concussion protocol before being an option to return to the lineup. Carolina finished off the first-round series on Saturday, so the team will have some downtime before the next game, which will benefit Nikishin. After a good rookie campaign, Nikishin has been quiet in the playoffs, failing to score a point in four games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Viktor Arvidsson Exits Early Sunday
Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) didn't finish Sunday's Game 4 against the Buffalo Sabres, Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News reports. The Swedish veteran took only four shifts in the game, logging 3:13 of ice time. In Game 2, Arvidsson had two goals, but these have been his only points in the series so far. He has gone minus-four across four games, recording 11 SOG. Boston must tweak its second line and second power-play unit if Arvidsson misses additional time. The series will head back to Buffalo on Tuesday, with the Sabres holding a 3-1 lead.
Source: Michael DeRosa
Source: Michael DeRosa
Arturs Silovs Steps in and Saves Pittsburgh on Saturday
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs was asked to start an elimination game. All the Penguins goaltender did was make 28 saves on 30 shots in a 4-2 win. Pittsburgh will now play on Monday at home and have a little life in the Battle of Pennsylvania. Silovs made several key saves while Pittsburgh was short-handed. Dan Muse said it best: "When his name was called, he was ready. Great by him." The goaltender is the last line of defense on the penalty kill and even short-handed. Silovs stopped all seven shots in those situations. The Latvian goaltender had not played in 11 days but came through in the clutch on Saturday night.
Source: Pens Inside Scoop
Source: Pens Inside Scoop
Sidney Crosby Helps Lead Pittsburgh to Road Win Over Philadelphia
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby did not want to go home for good after Saturday. Crosby scored a power-play goal early, but it was the assist he added during the third period that was vital. The Penguins center kicked the puck off the end boards to Kris Letang, who beat Dan Vladar. That increased the Penguins' lead to 3-1 and proved to be the game-winning goal. Crosby opened the scoring, had three shots on goal, and blocked two shots in 18:54 of ice time. It was his 39th career postseason goal on the road as well (sixth all-time). Crosby was the lead cog in a team effort that helped shut down the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.
Source: Seth Rorabaugh
Source: Seth Rorabaugh
Brock Faber a Huge Factor in Minnesota's Overtime Victory
Defenseman Brock Faber has enjoyed some season for the Minnesota Wild, but he's had an even better Round 1. Faber scored again on Saturday. The defenseman added an assist as well on the tying goal by Marcus Foligno. Faber had five shots on goal, four blocked shots, and two hits. This gives Faber a total of five points (three goals) in four contests. He has even outshone Quinn Hughes (four assists, plus-seven) a bit. Faber is also a plus-seven in the series and played 74:43 of ice time in the last two games. The young defenseman continues to be a huge factor in one of the best matchups of Round 1.
Source: Minnesota Wild PR
Source: Minnesota Wild PR
Matt Boldy Evens Series Between Minnesota and Dallas in Big Way
Forward Matt Boldy converted with less than a half-minute remaining in the first overtime on Saturday to even the series between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. Boldy has at least four shots on net in each of the first four games of the series. Boldy also delivered three hits and blocked a shot in Game 4. The left winger even had a goal disallowed earlier in overtime. He was active and involved well before the tip of the Jared Spurgeon shot that sent Minnesota fans into a frenzy. Boldy has five points and three goals in the series, but it was his third goal that guaranteed at least a Game 6 back in Minnesota.
Source: Ryan Bowlin
Source: Ryan Bowlin
Frederik Andersen a Game-Changer as Carolina Closes Out Ottawa
Goaltender Frederik Andersen allowed five goals in four games for the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1. That included a shutout while recording 25 saves on 27 shots in the clincher on Saturday. The Danish goaltender may be 36, but he played like he was 26. Despite nine power-play chances, Ottawa only scored once as Andersen made several high-danger saves on the penalty kill. Andersen, as Sean Walker said, "was the real difference in this series." The goaltender posted a .955 save percentage and a 1.10 goals-against average in the series as Carolina awaits its next opponent.
Source: Walt Ruff
Source: Walt Ruff
Logan Stankoven Scores Yet Again as Carolina Sweeps Ottawa
Center Logan Stankoven did it again on Saturday as the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated the Ottawa Senators via a 4-2 Game 4 win. Stankoven scored a critical power-play goal early in the third period. The Carolina center scored a goal in every game of the series as the Hurricanes advanced to Round 2. The second line, which includes Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake, combined for 16 points. Stankoven also had three shots on goal, which gave him a total of 18 points in the series. Sebastian Aho was credited with the game-winning tally via the first of his two empty-net goals. However, it was Stankoven who again did not miss when opportunity presented itself.
Source: Victor Kaisar
Source: Victor Kaisar
Josh Manson Not Expected to Play Sunday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is set to miss Sunday's Game 4 against the Los Angeles Kings, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Manson is "unlikely" to play on Sunday. The veteran defenseman missed Saturday's practice after sustaining an upper-body injury on Thursday in Game 3 of the series. Manson started the playoffs well, recording two assists and 10 hits in three games. Nick Blankenburg is set to take his spot in the lineup as the Presidents' Trophy winners aim to complete a first-round sweep against the Kings.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
