Monday Injury Analysis April 6, 2009
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goaltenders ;
Atlanta's Kari Lehtonen (upper body) remains questionable for the week and with backup Johan Hedberg playing well, the team may just shut Lehtonen down for the season .
Buffalo's Patrick Lalime has a hip injury that has him day to day at the weeks start according to the Buffalo News . Probably not a big deal since Ryan Miller figures to get all the teams starts with a playoff berth still possible .
Not an injury note, but the Boston Globe suggests that the Bruins will split the team's 4 games this week giving Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez 2 starts each so as to give Thomas a little rest with the playoffs beginning next week .
The Stars Marty Turco (lower body) is no lock to play this week so I'd leave him on your bench . The team will go with backup Tobias Stephan or the recently recalled Matt Climie at least in the early part of the week .UPDATE Turco did practice Monday but is no lock to play Tuesday according to the Dallas Morning News.
Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom (facial cut) should be fine to start this week after sustaining the injury in his shutout Friday .
Montreal's Carey Price (flu) will likely backup Jaroslav Halak Monday against Ottawa. They returned Marc Denis to Hamilton (AHL) so Price has beaten the flu bug enough to at least dress as the backup .
New Jersey recalled Scott Clemmensen from the AHL when backup Kevin Weekes suffered a leg injury this past week . Weekes is likely out at least a few weeks so Clemmensen should begin the postseason as the primary backup to Marty Brodeur .
In Phoenix watch for Al Montoya to get more time in the Coyotes crease during the final week . He's been very solid in 2 of his first 3 starts and is a threat to Ilya Bryzgalov for playing time over the last handful of games .
Tampa Bay's Mike Smith has finally been shut down with post concussion syndrome according to the Tampa Tribune . The team will give Karri Ramo two of the clubs last 3 starts with Mike Mckenna getting the other .
Forwards:
Boston's Phil Kessel (upper body) has missed several games and remains questionable this week . The team did lose PJ Axelsson to an undisclosed injury at Monday's practice and according to the Boston Globe , Kessel was on the flight to Ottawa for Tuesday's game . He may well be needed to play at the start of the week after all . Axelsson is out on a day to day basis .
Calgary's Rene Bourque (ankle) is out again this evening against Los Angeles . He is skating but not yet practicing with teammates so he's a questionable start this week for roto leaguers .
Carolina's Matt Cullen (foot) remains out on a day to day basis with a foot injury . He's missed 5 games and I would expect with the team playing so well they'll give him extra time to get him healthy in time for the playoffs . Don't rely on him this coming week .
Chicago's Patrick Sharp is out Tuesday but the team holds out hope he'll get into a game or two before the playoffs begin . He was injured this past week when he collided with Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne .
Colorado's Ryan Smyth is done for the regular season with a fractured hand . Also on the Av's , Joe Sakic continues to hold out hope that he'll get into a contest before the regular season ends . I would not be willing to make that bet by placing the classy veteran in your fantasy lineup . As someone who as long respected Sakic, I do hope he gets to finish his career on his terms .
The Av's Paul Stastny remains out with a foot injury . There have been published reports suggesting he'll return this week and others saying he'll be shut down . My advice to you would be to play it conservative and leave him out of your lineups .
The Kings Alex Frolov returned Saturday with a pair of goals . Go ahead and use him this week if you need him .
Minnesota's Pierre- Marc Bouchard (concussion) may not play this week . I'd look elsewhere if you're a Bouchard owner for the seasons final week . Marian Gaborik continues to play extremely well in his late season return from groin/hip problems.
Nashville's Jason Arnott returned from a concussion Saturday and is a safe start entering the seasons final week . David Legwand (face) and Martin Erat (knee) are not expected to play again this season .
New Jersey's Patrick Elias (lower leg) may sit this week according to Newsday . The Devils will need him for an extended playoff run so they may play it cautious and let him rest the seasons final week .
The Islanders Kyle Okposo (groin) is questionable for the final week of the regular season . The Islanders have been long since eliminated from playoff contention so don't look for them to risk one of their best long term properties with nothing to play for in the last week .
The Rangers Nikolai Antropov (lower body likely knee) was hurt Saturday afternoon against Boston and is day to day . Newsday reports that he didn't practice Monday, but that an MRI on the knee revealed no significant damage . He suggested he would skate Tuesday morning if nothing changes between now and then .
San Jose is expected to get Ryane Clowe (lower body), Patrick Marleau (lower body) and Mike Grier (lower body) back for the last game or two of the regular season . Jeremy Roenick and Marcel Goc returned this past week from injury and should be safe starts as they get tuned up for the playoffs .
The Blues Patrik Berglund took nearly 30 stitches to close a cut on his leg against Detroit, but is already back in action and should be fine for this coming week . Berglund shows all signs of being a future star .
Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier was shut down for the season this past week . He needs wrist surgery, as well as some additional rehabilitation on his shoulder (operated on a year ago) . He's obviously still a star for the long term in keeper /dynasty formats .
Lastly our condolences to the Canucks Taylor Pyatt and his family . Pyatt's fiance' was killed this past week in a car accident while vacationing in Jamaica and he'll take an indefinite leave from the team to be with his family .
Defensemen:
Boston's Dennis Wideman (undisclosed) is out at least Tuesday against Ottawa as the Boston Globe reports that he did not make the trip to Ottawa for the contest . Also on the Bruins, Andrew Ference (lower body) did not make the trip to Ottawa and will not play Tuesday .Look for the B's to make at least one recall from their AHL affiliate in Providence to bolster their blueline .
Calgary's Robyn Regehr (lower body) and Adrian Aucoin (upper body) are sidelined on a day to day basis to begin the season's final week .UPDATE: Regehr will not play Monday against the Kings but Aucoin is expected to play according to the Calgary Herald .
Dallas Stephane Robidas (lower body) is day to day to start the week . Leave him out of your lineups .
Detroit's Brian Rafalski (groin) will miss the game Monday against Buffalo but hopes to return later in the week according to Michigan Live . He's been out for the last couple of games and wants to take extra time to make sure he's healthy for the start of the playoffs . He is skating at this point so a late week return is possible .
The Kings Kyle Quincey is finished for the year after electing to have back surgery this past week according to the NHL Network . Quincey had a breakout season and a guy keeper leaguers should be excited about for 2009/10.
The Islanders Mark Streit (groin) is questionable for the seasons final week . He's been a huge addition to the Isles this season but don't rely on him this last week .
The Rangers Michal Rozsival (knee) returned Saturday against the Bruins and is a safe play for the last week of the season .
The Sharks Rob Blake returned this past week and is a safe play if you need him .