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| Joe Sakic may or may not return for another season, but if this was his final game he acquitted himself well with two assists in a Game 4 loss to the Red Wings. |
Our View: Sakic produced 10 points in 10 playoff games clearly signifying that he has plenty left in the tank if he wished to continue his remarkable career.
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| Chris Osgood stopped 29 of 31 shots to propel the Wings to the Western Conference finals on Thursday night. |
Our View: Since taking over for Dominik Hasek, Osgood has allowed just 11 goals in six games, all six of which have ended in a Red Wings victory.
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| Henrik Zetterberg had two goals and two assists to destroy the Avalanche 8-2 in Game 4. Mikael Samuelsson also scored twice in the series ending win. |
Our View: That's 4-straight games with a goal for Z who also has eight points in the last three games. With the way he, Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen are going, can anyone stop the Wings?
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| Johan Franzen capped an amazing second round by recording a hat-trick in the Wings clinching Game 4 victory over the Avalanche. |
Our View: Franzen produced nine goals in the second round, including two hat-tricks, to establish an all-time NHL record for goals in a four game playoff series. Overall he has 11 goals, 14 points and a +9 through 10 games.
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| Marc-Andre Fleury allowed only two goals on 33 shots on Thursday though the Penguins still fell 3-0 to the Rangers. The Pens still lead the series three games to one. |
Our View: Fleury continues to give the Penguins a chance to win every night, and even with the loss he is still 7-1 in the playoffs. What, you thought he wouldn't lose a game on the way to the Cup?
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| Brandon Dubinsky scored a goal and added an assist in the Rangers Game 4 victory over the Penguins. Chris Drury also added an assist even though he was expected to miss the game. |
Our View: Dubinsky has been a welcomed source of offense for the Rangers the past eight games when he has four goals and four assists for the blushirts providing excellent secondary scoring.
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| Henrik Lundqvist stopped all of the 29 shots that the Penguins threw his way as the Rangers forced a Game 5 with their victory on Thursday night. |
Our View: In four games against the Penguins it has been feast or famine for Henrik as he has allowed five, one, five and zero goals. Henrik displayed his Vezina trophy form tonight, and he will have to do that three more times for the Rangers to defeat the Penguins.
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| Jaromir Jagr helped the Rangers keep the dream alive on Thursday night as he scored two goals and added an assist in the Rangers 3-0 victory over the Penguins in Game 5. |
Our View: Where was this guy during the regular season? After sleep walking through his worst statistical season in 15 years, Jagr has been channeling his former MVP self with five goals and 15 points in nine playoff games. It's about time Jaromir.
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| Updating an earlier report, Maxime Talbot (foot) is out of the lineup for Game 4 for the Penguins, according to the AP. The good news is that Gary Roberts will be in the lineup to take Talbot's spot. |
Our View: In truth, this is probably a better move for the Penguins anyway considering the grit and leadership that Roberts possesses.
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| Zdeno Chara did in fact undergo the knife to fix his injured shoulder, according to the Boston Globe. Chara should be able to return for the start of training camp. |
Our View: Chara struggled through the shoulder injury at the end of the year an in the playoffs, but overall he still produced another solid season from the blueline. Provided he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he should once again be a top-5 pick from the blueline in all formats next season.
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| Updating an earlier report, Paul Stastny has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the second round due to an injured knee, according to TSN. |
Our View: Besides trailing three games to none, the Av's will also be without two of their other best players in Ryan Smyth and Peter Forsberg. Look for the Wings to end this series in Game 4.
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| R.J. Umberger started the post-season on the fourth line, but now he is one of the hottest scorers in the league with seven goals in the playoffs including six goals in his last four games, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "R.J.'s been terrific," coach John Stevens said. "He deserves a lot of credit. He's a man without a home, really. I've moved him all over the place for the good of the team." |
Our View: It's not like we are talking about a big time scorer here as Umberger totaled just 13 goals in the regular season, though he is doing his best to channel his inner Dave Lowry this playoff season. Kudos to Umberger.
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| Ryan Smyth was previously listed as doubtful, but is officially out for tonight's Game 4 against Detroit, according to the Denver Post. He has been taken out by a nagging foot injury. |
Our View: Colorado is facing elimination tonight, and Smyth will be missed, as he chipped in a pair of assists back in Game 1 against the Red Wings.
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| Peter Forsberg will miss tonight's Game 4 against Detroit due to his groin ailment, according to the Denver Post. At a Pepsi Center skatearound this morning, coach Joe Quenneville stated that Forsberg's groin issues have not cleared enough for him to take the ice.
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Our View: Forsberg chipped in five points over six games played against Minnesota in the first round, and he will be a tough loss for Colorado, as they trail Detroit 3-0 in the series.
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| Sean Avery remained in an intensive care unit Thursday, two days after his spleen was lacerated during battle with the Penguins, according to TSN.ca. Team spokesman John Rosasco stated, "He won't be removed from there until it stops bleeding, and it hasn't." He added that this is not a life-threatening situation.
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Our View: The tough and scrappy pro is expected to make a full recovery.
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| Robert Scuderi is nursing a bruised left foot, but plans to play in Game 4 tonight against the Rangers, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: The enforcer from Syosset, New York, will be on the ice when the Penguins attempt to close out the series at Madison Square Garden. He chipped in two assists over the three games of the series so far.
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| Gary Roberts missed the last five games with an injured groin, but he is ready to return for Game 4 against the Rangers, according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Penguins lead 3-0, and can close out the series tonight at Madison Square Garden. |
Our View: He is expected to replace Max Talbot in the lineup, who may have a broken foot. Roberts has two goals over two playoff games this season, which both came against Ottawa.
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| Maxime Talbot is doubtful for Game 4 due to his foot injury, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Talbot's right foot may be broken, though neither he or team officials would disclose that information. Talbot commented, "It's a foot injury. It's listed day-to-day. And that's what they told me to say. It's disappointing. I don't know if I'll be ready."
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Our View: Talbot only scored 26 points over 63 games in the regular season, but he excels at penalty-kills, and had one game-winning goal to his credit. He will be missed on the ice if he cannot go.
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| Chris Drury will likely miss Game 4 against Pittsburgh due to his rib cage injury, according to the NY Daily News. Top penalty-killer Blair Betts is also out with his cheekbone injury, as well as Sean Avery, who suffered a lacerated spleen. |
Our View: The Rangers are in trouble as they are on the verge of elimination against Pittsburgh. Drury scored 25 goals over 82 games in the regular season.
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| Jose Theodore has a poor track record in the second round of the playoffs, as he is 2-16 over his career, according to the Denver Post. That includes 14 straight losses. |
Our View: Colorado is down 3-0 in the series against Detroit, and should have went with backup goalie Peter Budaj, who stopped 39-of-40 shots in the first two games against Detroit.
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| Peter Forsberg did not practice on Wednesday, and is questionable for tonight's Game 4 against Detroit, according to the Denver Post. He is still bothered by his groin ailment. |
Our View: Forsberg chipped in five points over six games played against Minnesota in the first round, and his services would be missed if he cannot make it onto the ice tonight, with Colorado down 3-0 in the series.
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| Ryan Smyth is doubtful for tonight's Game 4 against Detroit due to his foot ailment, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Colorado is on the verge of elimination while down 3-0 to Detroit, and he will be a tough loss for the team if he cannot play. He scored five points through the playoffs, with two assists coming in Game 1 against the Red Wings.
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| Kirk Maltby has been cleared to play for the Red Wings, according to the Denver Post. He has been out of action since April 2 due to his hamstring injury. |
Our View: He should get some ice time, but Detroit is up 3-0 in the series against Colorado and may just want to stick with their current lineup.
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| Mike Knuble dished out an assist in the Flyers' 4-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 4. That was his first game since April 19, as he was slowed by a hamstring injury. |
Our View: The Flyers lead the series 3-1, and his return will spark the team, as he scored 29 goals and 26 assists in the regular season.
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| Johan Franzen didn't practice on Wednesday, but Coach Mike Babock stated that he is fine, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Red Wings battle the Avalanche in Game 4 tonight. |
Our View: Franzen has 11 points in the playoffs, with seven coming in the current series against Colorado. The team leads the series 3-0, and they will count on Franzen to help them end it tonight.
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| Paul Stastny, who is nursing a knee injury, will be re-evaluated today, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He is considered doubtful for the remainder of the series against Detroit. |
Our View: Colorado is on the verge of elimination and Detroit will go in for the kill if Stastny cannot return. He led the team in scoring with 71 points over 66 games in the regular season.
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| Tomas Plekanec contributed a goal in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Philadelphia in Game 4, and he has scored a goal in back-to-back games in the series. |
Our View: He has scored three goals and four assists through the playoffs, and will continue to fight hard until the Canadiens play their final game.
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| Jaroslav Halak got the call over Carey Price in Game 4 on Wednesday, but he was ineffective as he allowed three goals on 25 shots in a 4-2 loss to Philadelphia. The other goal came on an empty net. |
Our View: Montreal now trails Philadelphia 3-1 in the series, and it was a surprising move to trust Halak in crucial Game 4, as he only made four starts in the regular season.
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| Joe Thornton chipped in an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Dallas in Game 4. San Jose trails in the series 3-1. |
Our View: Thornton has registered two goals and seven assists over the Sharks' 11 playoff games so far, but he has just two points over the four games against Dallas.
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| Jere Lehtinen scored the lone goal Wednesday's 2-1 loss to San Jose in Game 4. That was his first point of the series against the Sharks. |
Our View: Lehtinen racked up seven points in the playoffs overall, and has been quietly productive for Dallas.
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