- Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sidney Crosby has been cleared for contact and is expected to practice with the team today. He’s been out since March 30th after fracturing his jaw. He’s expected to meet with his medical people next week to determine when he can get back in the lineup. Being in the lineup for Game 1 hasn’t been ruled out. It’s looking like the Penguins could open up on Wednesday.
- Dave Molinari: There is still no timetable on Crosby’s return, but it won’t be before the playoffs start.
- Stephen Whyno: Capitals coach Adam Oates wouldn’t rule out Joel Ward returning on Saturday, but added that he needs a couple good practices.
- Andrew Gross: Ryane Clowe left last night’s game with a possible leg injury. Rangers won’t say if it’s lower or upper-body.
- John Hoven of the Mayor’s Manor: Kings GM Dean Lombardi on if he thought defenseman Willie Mitchell would be out the entire season:
“No. Quite frankly, this was basically just a meniscus, which are a dime-a-dozen now in sports. I don’t know. I’ve had so many discussions with doctors, just like Grey’s Anatomy here or something, but bottom line is…Part of it is the way he’s a little bit knock-kneed and the stress that puts on it combined with wear and tear, and then the meniscus. It doesn’t look good, you know? He tried twice. It reached a mark where he could push it, and then every time he pushed it, it was serious problems.”
Lombardi on if Mitchell’s injury is career threatening:
“It’s possible. It’s always a tough decision for athletes. You know, you have Kobe Bryant, who was playing bone-on-bone. But this could be serious repercussions on his normal life down the road. So that’s the hard thing for a player. Could he push it, maybe? And play through the swelling and everything for a year or two? Yeah. But with that said, he might have to go the rest of his life walking with a limp. And that’s a very difficult call for an athlete.”
