NHL Hockey Player News

Smith allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Flames 3-2 OT loss to the Avalanche in Game 2. It wasn't as impressive as his Game 1 shutout, but Smith was tough to beat once again and the Flames will continue to be the favourites to win this series as long as he is playing well. Smith was 10-8-1 with a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% on the road this season but playoffs Mike Smith seems like a different goalie.

Salomaki has been out since January 4th but is expected to replace Wayne Simmonds in Game 3. Salomaki had three goals and four assists in 37 games this season and is expected to replace Calle Jarnkrok and Rocco Grimaldi on the fourth-line.

Boyle missed Game 2 with what was described as an "illness" but the Predators announced on Monday that he will miss a few weeks after undergoing an appendix procedure. Rocco Grimaldi is expected to remain in the lineup for Game 3 and beyond while Boyle is out.

Simmonds was forced to leave Game 2 after being hit by a point-shot by his teammate and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with a lower-body issue. Simmonds could return to the Predators lineup if they advance past the first-round, but is expected to be replace by Miikka Salomaki in the meantime.

Fedun averaged just 8:16 TOI/gm through the first two games of the series and will be replaced by Jamie Oleksiak in Game 3. Fedun failed to record a point with one shot and a minus-2 rating in Games 1 and 2.

Oleksiak was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the series but will replace Taylor Fedun in Game 3. Oleksiak had 12 points (4G / 8A) in 57 games this season.

Janmark played just 6:31 TOI in Game 2 before leaving the game with an ankle issue. Janmark missed the morning skate on Monday but is expected to take warmups and is considered a game-time decision. Janmark, who had just 25 points in the regular season, has just one shot and four PIMS through two games in the postseason.

Basically Zuccarello still has some discomfort in his arm and they will allow him to take morning skates off so that he is able to remain in the lineup. Through the first two games of the series, Zuccarello has one goal on one shot.

Rinne stooped 22 of 23 shots in the Predators 2-1 overtime win in Game 2. Rinne has been far less busy than Ben Bishop through two games but has played just as well, stopping 48 of the 52 shots (.923 SV%) that he has faced so far. Rinne was solid on the road this year, posting a .915 SV% in 27 appearances, so the series shifting to Dallas should not affect him too much.

Girard is dealing with an injury, missed the morning skate and will not play in Game 3 vs. the Flames. Luckily for the Avalanche, they signed top prospect Cale Makar on Sunday and he will replace Girard in the lineup and on the second power-play unit.

Makar signed his entry-level contract on Sunday and will immediately draw into the Avalanche lineup in Game 3. Makar won the Hobey Baker Award and will be paired with Patrik Nemeth and quarterback the second power-play unit.

Grubauer stood tall in Game 2, allowing just two goals on 37 shots to allow the Avalanche to sneak away with a 3-2 OT win and a tied series heading back to Colorado. Grubauer has posted a .926 SV% through two games and was 10-5-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .913 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.

Bishop stopped 40 of 42 shots in the Stars 2-1 overtime loss in Nashville in Game 2. Bishop was outstanding for the second straight game and has now stopped 70 of the first 74 shots (.946 SV%) that he has faced in the series. Goals have been equally hard to come by at the other end of the rink, so Bishop will have to play great again in Game 3 if the Stars are going to take a 2-1 series lead.

de Haan skated again during the morning skate but will remain sidelined for the third straight playoff game. Haydn Fleury will stay on the Hurricanes third pairing until de Haan is healthy.

Mrazek allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Hurricanes 4-3 overtime loss in Washington in Game 2. Mrazek played better in Game 2 but is now down 2-0 having allowing seven goals on 50 shots (.860 SV%) in the first two games of the series. The Hurricanes will stick with Mrazek in Game 3, and the 27-year-old comes in at 12-5-1 with a 2.33 GAA and .914 SV% in Carolina this season.

Kampfer was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season but will replace Connor Clifton (undisclosed) in the lineup in Game 3. Kampfer had three goals and three assists (six points) in 35 games this season.

Clifton was forced to leave Game 2 early due to an undisclosed injury and will be replaced by Steven Kampfer in Game 3. Clifton, who has one shot in two games, is day-to-day.

Johansson will be held out for the second straight game with an illness, which means David Backes will remain in the lineup in Toronto. Johansson is day-to-day and questionable for Game 4.