- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens Max Pacioretty and Brian Gionta skated yesterday and traveled with the team. Coach Michel Therrien said they were day-to-day and could play today.
- Rachael Blount of the Star Tribune: Wild coach Mike Yeo said he isn’t afraid to break up their top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Charlie Coyle.
“If we think (splitting up the top line) is what we need, then that’s something we would be willing to do, for sure,’’ Yeo said. “Again, we’re coming home. It’s a little bit of a different situation now. … I think because we played one game that wasn’t good, I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel here.’’
Goalie Niklas Backstron (lower-body) practiced yesterday but it’s not known if he’ll be able to go in Game 3. No new updates for Jason Pominville (head injury) and Clayton Stoner (upper body).
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Penguins winger James Neal is unlikely to play due to his ankle injury. Jussi Jokinen will likely join Evgeni Malkin and Jarome Iginla.
- Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Gleason wouldn’t be surprised if Sabres winger Thomas Vanek ended up taking less money to play in Minnesota when his contract expires after next season. They will be contenders, he already has tons of money and he spends there offseasons there as his wife is from the state.
- Alex Seren Rosso: Russian press are saying that KHL Traktor will make LA Kings Slava Voynov a “can’t refuse offer” this summer.