Kucherov missed the season finale on Saturday, but said he will play on Wednesday despite being sore. Kucherov set career-highs in goals (30) and points (66) in 77 games this season. He scored 10 goals in the playoffs last year, but had no goals and four assists in the seven game series vs. Detroit.
Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season, but he likely sat out the final game as a precaution. Hedman’s return is huge for a Lightning team that will be without at least Anton Stralman on the blueline and Steven Stamkos up front. Hedman had 10 goals and 37 assists (47 points) in78 games this season and had three assists in the Lightning’s seven-game series vs. the Red Wings last year.
Elliott closed out the regular season on a low-note, allowing four goals on 26 shots in the Blues loss to the Capitals on Saturday. Despite the loss, he won six of his final eight starts with a 1.76 GAA, .933 SV% and three shutouts. With Jake Allen still nurturing an injury, so Elliott gets the call to start the Blues playoff series with Chicago. Elliott was 1-1-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .892 SV% in three starts against the Blackhawks this season.
Kucherov missed the morning skate and will be held out of the lineup in the Lightning’s season finale. Head coach Jon Cooper said he is not worried about Kucherov, so expect him to be ready for game 1.
Hedman took part in the Lightning’s morning skate and could play tonight, but the Lightning won’t risk it and make sure he is ready for game 1 of the playoffs.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Lightning’s loss in New York on Tuesday. The 21-year-old has gone 11-9-0 with a 2.70 GAA and .913 SV% on the year. Tonight he will face a Canadiens team that has lost six of their last 10 games coming into tonight’s game vs.the Lighting.
Elliott allowed one goal on 25 shots in the Blues win in Chicago on Thursday. Since retuning to the Blues’ crease, Elliott has won six of seven starts while posting a 1.34 GAA , .924 and three shutouts. Tonight he faces the Capitals on home ice, where he is 11-3-3 with a 2.20 GAA and .927 SV% at Scottrade Center this season.
Elliott allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Blues win over the Coyotes on Monday. Elliott has won five of his last six starts while posting an impressive 1.41 GAA, .944 SV% and three shutouts. Elliott has had an excellent season, but he has struggled against the Blackhawks. The 30-year-old is 0-1-0 with a 4.80 GAA and .850 SV% in two starts vs. Chicago.
Hedman will miss his second straight game with an upper-body, but he is listed as day-to-day and could potentially return Saturday vs. the Canadiens. Matt Taormina will take Hedman’s spot tonight.
McDonagh has already been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, but it doesn’t look like he will be ready for the start of the playoffs as he heals a small fracture. He suffered the injury while blocking a shot in Columbus on Monday.
Vasilevskiy stopped all 13 shots that he faced after replacing Ben Bishop in the Lightning’s loss in Brooklyn last night. With Bishop struggling last night, Vasilevskiy will start tonight in New York. Vasilevskiy has gone 5-6-0 wit ha 2.55 GAA and .917 SV% on the road this year.
McDonagh suffered the injury while blocking a shot in Monday’s win in Columbus. The Rangers did not have an update on his status after the game, but it appears as if he is in danger of missing the final three remaining games of the season. Expect a full update in the next 24 hours.
Elliott was pulled after he allowed five goals on 23 shots in the Blues loss to Boston on Friday. After allowing just one goal in his four previous starts, it was surprising to see Elliott struggle vs. the Bruins. With Jake Allen out, Elliott will start tonight vs. Arizona. Elliott is 10-3-3 with a 2.21 GAA and .927 SV% on home ice this season.
Jake Allen suffered an undisclosed injury in Sunday’s win, so there’s a very strong chance that Brian Elliott will start vs. the Coyotes. He was pulled in his last start after allowing five goals on 23 shots.
Seabrook missed Tuesday’s game in Minnesota, but will return to the lineup on Friday. With Duncan Keith likely to be suspended, Seabrook will be leaned on heavily at even strength and will likely anchor the top power-play unit.
Elliott stopped 20 of 21 shots in the Blues win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. Yeah, he actually allowed a goal. Since returning to the crease on March 19th, Elliott has gone 4-0-0 with a 0.25 GAA, .989 SV% and three shutouts. He draws a strong matchup against a Bruins team that has lost five of their last six while averaging just 1.67 goals per game.
Kucherov missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will return to tonight vs. the Canadiens. Kucherov comes in on a four-game goal scoring streak (4G / 1A) and will be looking to score his 30th goal of the season. Mike Blunden will come out of the lineup to make room for the Russian forward.
