RADIO
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
Mason Lohrei Set to Miss Game 4 as Healthy Scratch
Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei is expected to be a healthy scratch on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports. The Bruins plan to give Jordan Harris his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut as Hampus Lindholm's running mate on the second defensive pairing. Lohrei has found it difficult in the postseason this year, going scoreless and posting a minus-four rating in the first three games. Harris appeared in only eight regular-season games but found some offensive success, scoring one goal and recording two assists.
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Emil Andrae Won't Play Saturday
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (upper body) will sit out Saturday's Game 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. The Swedish rearguard is working his way back from an upper-body injury sustained during the series opener. Andrea skated on Saturday morning, so he could be an option later in the series. Currently, Philadelphia has no reason to shake up the defense, having limited Pittsburgh to four goals in the series. Noah Juulsen has been Andrea's replacement on the third defensive pairing, recording two assists in Game 3.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Arturs Silovs Starting Game 4 Against Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs will replace Stuart Skinner in the crease on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports. The Penguins are facing elimination on Saturday night and will try to shift momentum in the series by making a change between the pipes. Skinner registered a 3.08 goals-against average and a .873 save percentage in the first three games of the matchup. Silovs had a couple of rough outings to end the regular season, finishing with a 19-12-8 record. He had a 3.07 goals-against average with a .888 save percentage. The Latvian netminder lost his lone appearance against Philadelphia 3-2 in a shootout, despite producing 32 saves.
Source: Adam Kimelman
Source: Adam Kimelman
Dan Vladar Cleared for Game 4
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (arm) will start in Saturday's Game 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports. Vladar hurt his right arm in Game 3 and missed Thursday's practice. He returned to ice on Saturday morning and is ready to go as the Flyers attempt to complete a sweep against their state rivals. Through the first three games of the first-round series, Vladar has been a huge part of Philadelphia's success, allowing only four goals and posting one shutout. He has recorded a .947 save percentage, limiting the Penguins to two even-strength goals.
Source: Adam Kimelman
Source: Adam Kimelman
Mats Zuccarello Remains Out Saturday
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (upper body) won't be an option for Saturday's Game 4 against the Dallas Stars, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He will be out for a third straight contest after being initially labeled a game-time decision. Zuccarello's absence has allowed Bobby Brink to jump on the first line. The 24-year-old has struggled to find chemistry with his new teammates since joining from Philadelphia, but he did contribute a power-play assist in Wednesday's Game 3 loss. On Saturday, Brink will attempt to record points in back-to-back games for only the second time as a Wild player.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Nikolaj Ehlers Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers (lower body) was a late scratch for Saturday's Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators. Ehlers averaged over 20 minutes of ice time in the first three games of the series and didn't appear to be limited in any way, but a lower-body injury knocked him out of the lineup. The Danish forward has tallied one assist in the lower-scoring matchup. With Ehlers unavailable, Nicolas Deslauriers jumped into action. Carolina has a chance to end the series on Saturday, which would give Ehlers a lot of recovery time before the next game.
Source: Carolina Hurricanes PR
Source: Carolina Hurricanes PR
Kirby Dach Battles and Scores Two Points in Friday Triumph
Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach has not had the easiest NHL career. Dach has battled through frequent injuries and worse. However, on Friday night, he was clutch on the ice, even with limited ice time. Despite playing less than 12 minutes, the center scored a goal and added an assist in Montreal's 3-2 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dach managed two shots on goal and was on the ice for all of the Canadiens goals. Alexandre Texier also had a goal and assist, but noted that Dach was able to screen Andrei Vasilevskiy, which led to the Lane Hutson overtime tally. A little self confidence goes a long way, and Dach could see more ice time going forward in this series.
Source: Stu Cowan
Source: Stu Cowan
Connor McDavid Delivers Mixed-Bag Performance Friday
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid lit the lamp on Friday night and added an assist. The power-play goal in the third period cut the deficit to one at the time. However, Jackson LaCombe continued to frustrate the center of the Oilers early and often. McDavid appeared almost a step slow at times. He did have three shots on goal but missed three shots. The captain of Edmonton was also minus-four with two giveaways. McDavid did deliver three hits in the 7-4 Game 3 defeat. He also lost eight of 11 face-offs at the dot. Something appears off, whether it be injury or frustration, but the Oilers may have to consider playing Leon Draisaitl with McDavid more often.
Source: Eric Friesen
Source: Eric Friesen
Karel Vejmelka Saves Utah With Huge Effort Friday
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka was peppered on Friday night with a lot of shots from the Vegas Golden Knights, but the Mammoth goaltender turned aside 30 shots in the 4-2 victory. Vejmelka held Vegas to two goals on the road in Game 2. However, his performance in Game 3 may have been the highlight of Friday night. Vejmelka made quite a few sensational saves and kept Vegas from making a comeback. Utah only managed 12 shots on goal as the ice tilted toward the Czech goalie. There is a reason why the workhorse, who started 64 games (38 wins), continues to be relied on so heavily. He makes the extra save, including a critical one on Tomas Hertl late to preserve the two-goal lead.
Source: Jesse Granger
Source: Jesse Granger
Lane Hutson Scores Crucial Overtime Goal in Montreal Win
Defenseman Lane Hutson called his own shot early in overtime on Friday night for the Montreal Canadiens. The defenseman launched a blast past Andrei Vasilevskiy to give Montreal a critical 3-2 win in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series. Not only did the Canadiens go up 2-1 in the series, but now they have home-ice advantage back. Hutson also blocked four shots, produced two shots on goal, and delivered three hits. Hutson scored 12 goals during the regular season but has two already in three postseason games, as the young defenseman continues to produce at the right time for Montreal.
Source: Michael Traikos
Source: Michael Traikos
Lawson Crouse Cashes in With Two Goals for Utah
Utah Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse is a big-bodied left winger who can throw his body around. Crouse can also score playoff goals that most pundits talk about. The forward delivered on Friday night with two goals, including the game-winner in a 4-2 Mammoth win. Crouse tallied twice in the middle frame to push the Utah lead to 4-0. He may have had only two shots on goal, but both changed the trajectory of the game. Crouse also delivered four hits in the win as Utah went up two games to one on the Vegas Golden Knights. The left winger has had his chances in all three games of the series, but Game 3 proved to be the charm.
Source: Utah Mammoth PR
Source: Utah Mammoth PR
Mikael Granlund Serves Up Trio of Assists in Anaheim Big Win
Anaheim Ducks center Mikael Granlund continued to impress as he dished out three assists and added a power-play goal in Anaheim's 7-4 win on Friday night. Granlund turned several plays into goals solely from second effort alone. He had a second goal wiped off the board due to a high stick in the second period, but that did not slow Granlund down. The Anaheim center also delivered four hits as the 34-year-old, along with the Ducks' offense, wore down the Edmonton defense. Granlund and the Ducks are playing fun hockey and wearing down the Oilers, especially later in contests.
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Troy Terry Available for Game 3 Against Oilers
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (undisclosed) will play in Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Hayley Elwood of the Ducks' official site reports. Terry missed the morning skate, but Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville has confirmed he will remain in the lineup. The long season has taken a toll on Terry's body, and he has regularly skipped morning skates lately. While it appears Terry is banged up, he hasn't let it affect his performance. In the series between two high-octane offenses, Terry has been the top-scoring forward alongside Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl. He has contributed two goals and two assists through the first two games.
Source: Hayley Elwood
Source: Hayley Elwood
Radko Gudas Misses Second Straight Game Friday
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body) isn't an option for Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Hayley Elwood of the Ducks' official site reports. The Ducks lost their captain to a lower-body injury late in the regular season, and Gudas has appeared in only two games this month. Drew Helleson filled the void in the lineup in Game 2 and is set to keep his spot on Friday night. In his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, Helleson recorded one SOG, three hits, and a minus-one rating in 7:52 of ice time. Anaheim is rolling with seven defensemen, which led to four rearguards logging 23-plus minutes in Game 2. The top-four group will remain busy on Friday against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Source: Hayley Elwood
Source: Hayley Elwood
