On the Washington Capitals …
Chuck Gormley: Coach Barry Trotz said that Brooks Orpik has an “upper-body” injury and will be evaluated today.
On the Florida Panthers …
George Richards: Defenseman Steven Kampfer (ankle) and center Vincent Trocheck (foot) skated yesterday and they’ll see if they are able to practice today.
On the New York Rangers …
Pat Leonard: Defenseman Ryan McDonagh took part in his first full practice since suffering his injury.
Dan Rosen: Defenseman Dan Girardi didn’t practice yesterday.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Bill West: Both Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray practiced yesterday.
“I’m progressing the way I want to,” said Murray, who also worked out on his own in recent days. “It’s kind of a day-at-a-time process. That’s how I’m looking at it.”
Fleury and Murray are still considered day-to-day according to coach Mike Sullivan.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sullivan doesn’t have a timetable for Murray, but was happy with what he saw yesterday.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Tyler Seguin didn’t play last night as he has an injury that is related to his previous Achilles tendon injury. He didn’t travel with the team to Minnesota, but if it’s determined that he’s ready for Game 4, he could join the team there.
“He’s just back in Dallas doing a little bit more rehab,” Ruff said. “He’s just day-to-day, really just related to his injury. We’ll just take it day-by-day and see where he’s at.”
Seguin returned for Game 2, and when coach Lindy Ruff was asked if Seguin hurt the injury by playing, Ruff said:
“Not his injury, but this is kind of related and might be kind of a fallout of all of the sudden playing at a high pace.”
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Craig Custance: Coach Jon Cooper confirms that Anton Stralman won’t return during the first round.
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: A TSN report said that it’s unlikely Steven Stamkos would be able to return to the lineup if the Lightning made it to the Stanley Cup Final. TSN talked to experts who have dealt with athletes and blood clots. Timeline for Stamkos to be out was one to three months, which hasn’t changed.
Stamkos’ surgeon, Dr. Karl Illig, can’t talk about the case, but did say that an athlete can return in two months .
“Definitely be possible to be back in two months,” Illig told the Tampa Bay Times. “Often they are physically ready before that, just blood thinners make the difference.”
Even if the Lightning were to make the Final, there is no guarantee that Stamkos would be able to play.