3 years agoSt. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella reinjured himself in Sunday's Game 4 against the Wild, playing just 1:34 before leaving with a lower-body problem. According to Blues head coach Craig Berube, it's the same issue that forced Scandella to miss the final regular-season game and the start of the playoffs. The 32-year-old logged 17:18 in his return to the lineup in Game 3. An injury crisis has hit the Blues backline, but there was some extra help at least on Sunday as Scott Perunovich (wrist) made his first appearance since Jan. 15. Nick Leddy (upper body) and Robert Bortuzzo (upper body) could also be back in action soon.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Blues

3 years agoSt. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington got the start in Sunday's Game 4 against Minnesota, and he helped the team to tie the series at 2-2 with a 28-save effort in a 5-2 win. He managed to end a personal nine-game postseason losing streak in the process. The opening period didn't go too well for Binnington as he allowed one goal on five shots, but he was solid for the rest of the way and surely secured his spot for Game 5 as well. Binnington had a tough time for most parts during the regular season, giving up over three goals per game (3.13) and ending up with an 18-14-4 record. Ville Husso had a much better campaign with a 25-7-6 record and even started the playoffs with a shutout, but he had given up nine goals in two games before Binnington took over the crease on Sunday.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoBoston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand had a superb performance in Sunday's Game 4 victory over Carolina, recording a playoff career-high five points. He had two goals and three assists in the 5-2 win. The Bruins' franchise record for most points by a player in a playoff game stands at six points and was last achieved by David Pastrnak in 2018. Pastrnak rejoined the first line on Sunday and had a goal and an assist, while Patrice Bergeron went for a goal and two assists, so this was a classic performance from Boston's top line. Marchand now boasts nine points through the first four playoff games of the year. He's always been a very productive postseason performer and 2022 appears no different.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoNashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (lower body) will remain unavailable for Monday's Game 4 against Colorado. Nashville's No. 1 last played on Apr. 28 and it's possible that we won't see him again this season as the team is in danger of getting eliminated from the playoffs on Monday. Connor Ingram has started the last two games for Nashville and has registered a 3.71 goals-against average in the playoffs with a .879 save percentage. David Rittich started Game 1 and got chased in 15 minutes after the Avalanche exploded for five first-period goals.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brooks Bratten

3 years agoLos Angeles Kings winger Viktor Arvidsson (lower body) still isn't ready to help his team in the playoffs. He had a nice finish to the regular season, averaging a point per game over his last seven outings, but the Swedish winger was recently forced to deal with some personal issues and the team also revealed a couple of days ago that Arvidsson is carrying a lower-body problem. Alex Iafallo has replaced Arvidsson on the second line and started the first-round series against Edmonton nicely in the new role by getting two points in Game 1, but he heads into Game 4 following back-to-back pointless efforts.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Helene Elliott

3 years agoToronto Maple Leafs forward Alexander Kerfoot will start Sunday's Game 4 against Tampa Bay on the top line. He finished Game 3 skating alongside Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner and will now have a chance to start the game with them and spend even more time on the line. The move comes after Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe wasn't satisfied with his first line's work in Game 3. Kerfoot hasn't done a lot in the playoffs so far, notching a single point via a goal and recording seven shots. Michael Bunting will drop from the first line all the way down to the fourth.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jonas Siegel

3 years agoDallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski potted two goals to help the team grab a 2-1 series lead against Calgary with a 4-2 victory on Saturday. He tied the game at two 11:41 into the second period and ended up registering his second consecutive game-winning goal on the power play in the middle of the third frame. Pavelski joined Ron Francis as the second player in league history to record consecutive game-winning goals in the playoffs at age 37 or older. The veteran forward has now notched three goals in total in the series with just six shots on goal.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoColorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper had to leave Saturday's Game 3 against Nashville with an eye injury, but it's possible that he will play in Monday's Game 4. Kuemper hurt his eye near the end of the first period when Ryan Johansen's stick got through into his mask. The Avalanche No. 1 left after saving nine of 10 shots he faced. Pavel Francouz completed the job in a 7-3 victory by saving 18 of 20 shots. Kuemper has been a rock for Colorado all year and it will be interesting to see what the team is going to do with him. They are 3-0 up in the series and have no reason to rush Kuemper back, but the chances of completing a sweep are surely better with all of your best players on the ice and things might get a bit uncomfortable if Nashville gets some life back with a victory on Monday.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Elliotte Friedman

3 years agoColorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog recorded a playoff career-high four points in Saturday's 7-3 victory over Nashville. He had two goals and two assists, with half of the points coming with the man advantage. Landeskog finished with six shots in total and produced three blocks and three hits as well. The Avalanche captain has started the playoffs in very good form after missing the end of the regular season with knee surgery, going for three goals and six points in three games. Colorado has scored seven goals twice in the series and Jared Bednar's team looks set to complete a sweep Monday night.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoPittsburgh Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues had a very productive start to Game 3 against the Rangers on Saturday, notching three points with two goals and an assist. Two of his point came on the power play. Rodrigues had gone pointless in the first two games of the series. The 28-year-old has had a solid campaign, but he's struggled to make an impact in the playoffs as a fourth-liner. He ended up playing just 9:28 on Saturday and 1:59 of his ice time came with the man advantage.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoWashington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov replaced Vitek Vanecek in the crease for Saturday's Game 3 against the Panthers and he produced a very good performance with 29 saves. Jonathan Huberdeau got one past him with less than three minutes played, but Samsonov bounced back from the early blow and helped his team to a big 6-1 victory. This was Samsonov's second playoff appearance of the season after he played the third period in a 5-1 loss in Game 2. Samsonov stopped all 17 shots he faced on Thursday, so he's produced an outstanding .978 save percentage in the postseason so far. The series continues on Monday with another game in Washington.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoSt. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug (lower body) won't be in the lineup Sunday against Minnesota and is set to be "out a bit", according to head coach Craig Berube. The 31-year-old managed to skate just 3:10 in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Wild and will sadly face another spell on the sidelines after already missing 18 regular-season games. Berube will be happy that there was at least some good news as well on Saturday as both Robert Bortuzzo (upper body) and Nick Leddy (upper body) were on the ice for practice. Looks like they are set to re-enter the lineup on Sunday.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com

3 years agoDallas Stars winger Alexander Radulov won't be in the lineup Saturday against Calgary. He will sit out the game as a healthy scratch, giving up his spot in the lineup to Marian Studenic. Radulov has had a poor campaign and he was very ineffective in the first two games against the Flames, managing just one shot on goal. He's gone pointless in 15 of his last 16 appearances, so it's no surprise that Stars head coach Rick Bowness tries something different in Game 3. Studenic hasn't done a lot in 2021-22 either, going for just four points in 33 regular-season games, but he'll bring something different and should have a lot more hunger to perform, as this will be his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brien Rea

3 years agoNew York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (lower body) is considered a game-time decision for Saturday's Game 3 against Pittsburgh. He was hurt in Tuesday's thrilling Game 1 and the team also considered Lindgren a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 2, which he ended up missing. Lindgren doesn't do much fantasy-wise, but he has been an important part of New York's success and the team would no doubt like to have him back in the lineup as soon as possible. The 24-year-old tallied 15 points with 129 hits and 141 blocks in 78 games during the regular season and he had three shots with five blocks and three hits in Game 1. Justin Braun replaced Lindgren on the first defensive pairing in Game 2 and managed to grab an assist.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Arthur Staple

3 years agoEdmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane celebrated his first playoff hat trick Friday night against the Kings, helping the team to a big 8-2 victory. He struck twice in the second period and finished off his three-goal effort with 20 seconds left in regulation. Kane also led all skaters with nine shots on goal and eight hits. That's now back-to-back three-point performances for Kane in the series after he couldn't get any offense going in Game 1. He's been busy with 19 hits as well and seems to be really relishing the opportunity to play playoff hockey for only the third time in his 13-year NHL career.--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN