Morning Hits: Habs-B’s, Rangers, Devils, Stars, Flyers, Lightning, Red Wings and Ducks
Louis Jean: The Canadiens and Bruins series will start on Thursday, with Game 2 on Saturday. Dejan Kovacevic: The Rangers are now 0-12 in playoff games since 2009 when they've had the series lead. Rich Chere: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello: "Realistically…
NHL Injuries: Backes, Getzlaf, Beleskey, Alfredsson, Murray, Tyutin and Bishop
Chris Kuc: Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: "We get (David) Backes back in the next two or three games, we're going to even go higher." Lou Korac of In The Slot: Backes and his upper-body injury didn't skate yesterday. "I mean, he's not…
NHL Injuries: Robidas, Morrow, Getzlaf, Kreider, Zetterberg and Gibbons
Mike Heika: Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said that Stephane Robidas probably won't require surgery for his fractured leg. Recovery will likely be quicker. Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues Brenden Morrow was trying to play through a fractured…
Afternoon Hits: Injury Updates and Practice Notes From Today
Dan Rosen: Ducks Ryan Getzlaf is expected to be able to go in Game 2. X-rays were negative, suffered only a deep facial laceration that received several stitches. Chris Johnston: Lightning's Ben Bishop spent over 30 minutes on the ice…
Morning Hits: Halak, Awards, Niemi, Playoffs Streaks and Starting Goalies
Renaud Lavoie: Jaroslav Halak's agent Allen Walsh: "Jaro never at anytime said he didn't want to start against St. Louis. A private conversation between a player and coach should stay private and not be discussed with the media. I am bewildered that…
Injury Notes: Boll, Fiddler, Franzen, Getzlaf and Schenn … Video of nasty hits taken by Getzlaf and Schenn
Stephen Whyno: Blue Jackets Jared Boll will be out three to four months after surgery to repair a torn tendon in his ankle. Dallas Stars: The Stars have put Vernon Fiddler on the IR and recall Cameron Gaunce. Helene St.…
Practice Notes: Salo, Elias, Skinner, Martin, Ducks and the Hurricanes injured goalies
Damian Cristodero: Lightning's Sami Salo (lower-body) is skating today in a no-contact jersey. Tom Gulitti: Devils Patrick Elias (back) is skating at practice today. Michael Smith: Hurricanes Jeff Skinner is wearing a no-contact jersey at practice today. Shelly Anderson: Penguins…
Injury Notes: Lightning, Leopold, Islanders, Getzlaf, Koivu, Emelin, Moore, Nash and Stempniak
Erik Erlendsson: The Lightning confirm that Steven Stamkos has a broken right tibia and will be out indefinitely. Nick Kypreos: The break isn't overly complicated and participating in the Sochi Olympics may not be out of the question. Damian Cristodero:…
Injury Notes: Rinne, McQuaid and Getzlaf
Nashville Predators: Predators statement on Pekka Rinne. Pekka Rinne underwent a MRI earlier this week and he continues to progress in his recovery from a bacterial infection in his hip which was initially identified and addressed with arthroscopic hip surgery…
Free Agent and Rumor Hits: Kessel, Liles, Teams over the cap, Stepan, Boyle, Gagne and White
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons thinks Phil Kessel could fall between Corey Perry's $8.6 million and Ryan Getzlaf's $8.2 million. Dion Phaneuf's new contract could be more complicated. Simmons wonders if the Flames would be interested in John-Michael…
Early Lines and Pairings: Sabres, Senators, Red Wings, Ducks, Blackhawks and Bruins
Mike Harrington: The Sabres will start camp with Tyler Myers playing with Christian Ehrhoff and not Henrik Tallinder. Mark Pysyk will play with Tallinder. Ian Mendes: Senators coach Paul MacLean said that Clarke MacArthur will start on a line with…
Injury Notes: Gryba, Howard, Bonino, Getzlaf, Beauchemin, Lydman, Fasth, Bozak and Huberdeau
Seth Rorabaugh: Senators coach Paul MacLean said that Eric Gryba will be further evaluated for his "upper-body" injury. Ansar Khan: Red Wings Jimmy Howard left practice early yesterday. He's had a sore hamstring, but he's still played well through it.…