Saturday, March 31, 2007
The goalies below have been confirmed by a source:
Joey MacDonald, Boston Bruins - MacDonald is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Thrashers, reports the Hockey Journal.
Marty Turco, Dallas Stars - Turco is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Predators, reports the Dallas Morning News.
Martin Gerber, Ottawa Senators - Gerber is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Islanders, reports the official Senators website.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins - Fleury is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Maple Leafs, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens - Huet is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Sabres, reports the Montreal Gazette. They're only speculating but it makes sense as coach Guy Carbonneau had previously stated that Jaroslav Halak will start only as long as he's winning and unfortunately for him, suffered a loss to the Sens last night. Meanwhile, Huet has been officially cleared to return to action.
Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers - Lehtonen is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Bruins, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog.
The goalies below have not been confirmed by any sources:
Nicklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild - Backstrom is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Avalanche.
Peter Budaj, Colorado Avalanche - Budaj is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Wild.
Andrew Raycroft, Toronto Maple Leafs - Raycroft is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Penguins.
Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres - Miller is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Canadiens.
Wade Dubielewicz, New York Islanders - Dubielewicz is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Senators. Rick DiPietro remains sidelined due to a concussion - yes, the Islanders have finally admitted it - and Mike Dunham has been very mediocre in his place so we think Dubielewicz will get the call tonight.
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers - Lundqvist is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Flyers.
Martin Biron, Philadelphia Flyers - Biron is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Rangers.
Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Lightning.
Johan Holmqvist, Tampa Bay Lightning - Holmqvist is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Capitals.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Ducks - Giguere is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Blues. Giguere's wife is still waiting to have her baby so Giggy's fantasy owners should be on baby alert as well since he could be summoned away from the team at any moment.
Curtis Sanford, St. Louis Blues - Sanford is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Predators.
Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Stars.
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames - Kiprusoff is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Canucks.
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks - Luongo is the probable starter for Saturday's game against the Flames.
Year-to-date: 2212 / 2328 = 95.0%
Ryan Smyth misses game vs. Buffalo
Fri, Mar 30, 2007
By Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Forward Ryan Smyth missed the New York Islanders game against The Buffalo Sabres on Friday because of leg injury, further depleting New York's roster for its final playoff push.
Smyth is day-to-day after practicing on a limited basis since a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. A high-scoring left wing acquired from the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL trade deadline last month, Smyth has four goals and nine assists in 13 games with New York.
The Islanders are already without starting goalie Rick DiPietro, who's out indefinitely after missing his second straight game because of a concussion.
New York entered Friday's game with 84 points, tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Islanders are in a tightly contested race between six teams separated by three points, vying for the final three playoff spots heading into the final week of the season.
The Islanders continued adding players, signing defenseman Deron Quint on Friday. Quint, a nine-year NHL veteran, spent the past three seasons playing in Europe and must clear 24-hour waivers before being allowed to play for the Islanders.
Quint last played in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003-04, when he had four goals and seven assists in 51 games.
Defenseman Todd Simpson, signed Thursday, cleared waivers and will be eligible to play Saturday when New York hosts Ottawa. A 10-year NHL veteran, Simpson spent this past year playing in Germany.
Neither Quint, should he clear waivers, and Simpson would be eligible to compete in the playoffs.
Red Wings Kronwall helped off ice
Fri, Mar 30, 2007
By Associated Press
DETROIT --Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall was helped off the ice after being inured on a check from the the Dallas Stars' Joel Lundqvist just 24 seconds into Friday night's game.
Kronwall was hit from the side and into the end boards by Lundqvist as he stopped behind Detroit's net as he tried retrieve the puck.
Kronwall, who was holding his right leg off the ice as he was helped off the ice, has already had a broken leg and major knee surgery during his three-season NHL career.
The Red Wings next game is Sunday when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets