- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning coach Jon Cooper said that Tyler Johnson (upper-body) and Victor Hedman (lower-body) will be out this weekend.
“I don’t want to leave these guys to the point where their next game is Game 1,” Cooper said. “I’d rather that not have to happen. But they have to go through the doctors before they get to me.”
Johnson appears to be closer to returning than Hedman.
- John Glennon of the Tennessean: James Neal, Matt Cullen and Shea Weber all practiced yesterday, though coach Peter Laviolette didn’t know if they’ll play on Saturday. Paul Gaustad will miss Saturday’s game with an upper-body injury. Eric Nystrom (lower-body) didn’t practice.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Alexander Steen could return to the Blues lineup this weekend. Vladimir Tarasenko could be out for the remainder of the regular season.
“Anybody that’s out … we won’t comment until they come back in,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “So everybody is day to day, and certainly everybody is going to be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs.”
Tarasenko left Monday’s game with an apparent right leg injury.
“Lower-body, day to day, that’s what you’re going to get for the next four months — get used to it,” Hitchcock said.
- Mark Stepneski of Stars.NHL: The Stars recalled Valeri Nichushkin from his conditioning stint. Jordie Benn appears to be ready to return after missing two games with a back issue.
- Lisa Dillman: Kings Andrej Sekera isn’t expected back before the end of the regular season.
- Curtis Zupke: Kings Tanner Pearson will have another x-ray soon. Don’t know if getting back before the end of the regular season is realistic. Guessing it isn’t.
- Jenn Menendez: Penguins Evgeni Malkin hasn’t received clearance to play yet. He practiced yesterday and is questionable for the weekend.
- Joe Smith: Lightning’s Jason Garrison was on the ice yesterday, but is still on a three-four week time frame. Hoping to get back for part of the first round.
- Chad Graff: Wild’s Matt Cooke could return as early as Tuesday.
- Tom Gulitti: Devils Stephen Gionta (lower back) didn’t practice yesterday.
- Bruce Garrioch: Senators Chris Neil was on the ice yesterday.
- George Richards: Panthers Al Montoya (groin) was on the ice yesterday before their morning skate.
