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| Joffrey Lupul assisted on Mike Richards' second goal in Friday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Friday. |
Our View: It was four years to the night Lupul had a four-goal playoff game for Anaheim..
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| Evgeni Malkin scored two dazzling goals five minutes apart in the Penguins 4-2 victory over Philadelphia in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Friday. |
Our View: Malkin, who is only 21 but is the leading scorer in the playoffs with 17 points following a three-point night, scored with 6.5 seconds left in the first period with a tired Flyers line on the ice to put Pittsburgh up 3-2.
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| Marian Hossa , who after nine playoff games, has totaled five goals, 10 points, a plus-3 rating and 44 shots on goal for the Penguins. |
Our View: Hossa scored 66 points in the regular season, 29 of those found the net.
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| R.J. Umberger, in five playoff games against Montreal in the second round, scored a goal in every game, including twice in the second, fourth and fifth match-ups. |
Our View: He now totals nine goals in the playoffs, which is only four fewer than he tallied in 74 regular-season contests
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| Joel Quenneville has been fired by the Avalanche, according to the AP. GM Francois Giguere said, "After meeting with Joel, we mutually agreed that the best decision for both parties involved is to go separate ways. On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Joel for his years of service and wish him the best in his coaching career."
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Our View: He coached the Avalanche to a 44-31-7 regular-season record and a berth in the Western Conference playoffs this year.
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| Fernando Pisani is a finalist for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy, the AP reports. The award honors the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. Pisani bounced back after missing the first 26 games of the season due to ulcerative colitis. |
Our View: Nothing against Pisani, but we'll take the guy who fought through cancer (Jason Blake) or the warrior who logged his 24th season (Chris Chelios) over the dude with colitis.
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| Jason Blake is a finalist for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy, the AP reports. The award honors the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. Blake was diagnosed in October with chronic myelogenous leukemia but still played in all 82 games. |
Our View: Blake disappointed fantasy owners because he lost his goal-scoring touch this past season, but it's awfully tough to be hard on the guy. We expect him to have a better year in 2008-09.
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| Chris Chelios is a finalist for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy, the AP reports. The award honors the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. |
Our View: If 24 seasons of NHL don't scream perseverance and dedication, we don't know what does.
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| Stu Barnes said he may be ready to return for Game 2 against Detroit, according to the Dallas Morning News. He has missed four straight games due to concussion-like symptoms sustained back in Game 3 against the Sharks. |
Our View: He has been experiencing dizziness when he works out, but feels better every day. This is an important game for Dallas as they trail 1-0, and the team will make sure he is ready before putting him back on the ice.
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| Philippe Boucher missed his 10th straight playoff game on Thursday, but is expected to return to action at some point during the series with Detroit, according to the Dallas Morning News. He has been slowed by a hip strain, but was able to skate for the first time on Monday. |
Our View: The Stars' enforcer racked up 14 points over 38 games in the regular season, and his toughness will be much needed against Detroit. Dallas currently trails 1-0 in the series.
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| Kirk Maltby returned to the ice for the first time in over a month on Thursday, according to the Detroit News. He has been out nursing a hamstring injury. He replaced Darren McCarty. |
Our View: Maltby is a good penalty killer, and a high-energy player. He only scored 10 points over 61 games in the regular season, but the Red Wings are pleased to have him back.
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| Darren McCarty was a healthy scratch for Thursday's game against Dallas, according to the Detroit News. He was replaced by Kirk Maltby and Coach Mike Babcock said, "It was a tough decision. Mac's played real good. Maltby's a good penalty killer and plays with tempo. This series will be faster and faster."
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Our View: McCarty only has one point (a goal) over 10 playoff games.
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| Olaf Kolzig has confirmed that he has played his last game for the Capitals, according to FanNation. He also said he would like to return for a 17th NHL campaign. |
Our View: The franchise drafted him back in 1989. Kolzig went 25-21-6 in 2007, with a .892 save percentage. He only had one shutout, but can still hold his own between the pipes.
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| Valtteri Filppula battled his leg injury and contributed a goal in Thursday's 4-1 win over Dallas in Game 1. |
Our View: He has racked up five points over his last five playoff games, and has emerged as an unlikely source of production in the playoffs for Detroit, as he only scored 36 points over 78 games in the regular season.
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| Johan Franzen blasted his 12th goal of the playoffs in Thursday's 4-1 win over Dallas in Game 1. He also has three assists in the playoffs. |
Our View: He has scored a goal in five straight games, notching 10 over the span.
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| Steve Ott got his series off to a good start as he notched an assist in Thursday's 4-1 loss to Detroit. |
Our View: That was his third point of the playoffs.
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