In this weeks report we look at updates, players recently injured, the resulting suspensions, and more.

 

The East

Boston Bruins

Adam McQuaid, Defense – Eye – Day-to-Day

McQuaid did not travel with the team to Washington. He is close to a return, but is questionable for game four.

 

Tuukka Rask, Goal – Groin – Day-to-Day

The Bruins are going to be very cautious with Rasks groin injury. He is close to returning to back up Tim Thomas, but Claude Julien is being careful. "Because he's a goaltender and the injury that he has, you can't rush him back,'' Julien said. "That's all we need – for Tim to go down, he goes in, then he goes down after the first or second shot. We're just making sure that when he's back, he's going to be 100 percent. Not 99, but 100 percent.''

 

Florida Panthers

 

Marco Sturm, Wing – Lower Body – Day-to-Day

Was questionable for game one, and continues to miss games due to a lower body injury.

 

Ottawa Senators

Daniel Alfredsson, Winger – Concussion – Day-to-Day

Carl Hagelin received a three game suspension for his elbow to the Sens Captain. This is Alfredssons second concussion this season at the hands of the Rangers.  Alfredsson did not play in game two, and was not in practice on Tuesday, or Wednesday. Will the loss of Alfredsson to the Sens cause them to collapse, or will they rally around their leader.

 

 

Philadelphia Flyers

James Van Riemsdyk, Wing – Foot – Day-to-Day

JVR is close to returning from his foot injury as he has returned to practice on Tuesday.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins

Paul Martin, Defense – Undisclosed – Day-to-Day

Martin will not play in game four as the Penguins face elimination. It is suspected martin suffered the injury as a result of a hit from Flyers Braden Schenn.

 

Western Conference

Chicago Blackhawks

Marian Hossa, Wing – Undisclosed – Day-to-Day

Raffi Torres strikes again. Torres delivered a devastating hit to Hossa Tuesday night that caused Hossa to be removed on a stretcher in a neck brace. He was later released from hospital and is currently resting at home. No further details are available at this time.

 

 

Detroit Red Wings

Darren Helm, Wing – Arm – Four-to-Five Months

In his first game back Helm suffered an unfortunate injury as his forearm was lacerated by a skate blade. He had surgery that night. While he was fortunate to not have suffered any tendon damage and will make a full recovery his playoffs are over.

 

Los Angeles Kings

Kyle Clifford, Wing – Upper Body – Day-to-Day

Clifford left the series opening game after being hit by Canucks Byron Bitz. Clifford has been replaced on the fourth line by Andrei Loktionov.

 

 

Nashville Predators

Hal Gill, Defense – Lower Body – Day-to-Day

Gill is close to returning and was a game-day decision for game four. He is very close to playing his first post season game for the Predators.

 

Phoenix Coyotes

Martin Hanzal – Center – Lower Body – Day-to-Day

Hanzal was a game-time decision for Wednesdays game three but was unable to play. He is expected back for game four.

 

St. Louis Blues

Jaroslav Halak, Goal – Lower Body – Day-to-Day

Halak suffered an ankle injury after a collision with teammate Barret Jackman in game two. He returned to practice on Tuesday, but will not play or backup in game four.

 

Vancouver Canucks

Daniel Sedin, Wing – Concussion – Day-to-Day

Daniel Sedin will be a game-time decision for Wednesdays game four as the Canucks face elimination.

 

Suspended Players

Raffi Torres, Phoenix Coyotes – Indefinite

Torres has been suspended indefinitely pending an in person hearing scheduled for Friday for his hit on Marian Hossa Tuesday night.

 

http://youtu.be/elsAJxrn0fE

 

Andrew Shaw, Chicago Blackhawks – Available April 23

Shaw received a three game suspension for his hit on Coyotes goalie Mike Smith

 

http://youtu.be/j6Icb7Dhu7A

 

Carl Hagelin, New York Rangers – Available April 23

Hagelin received a three game suspension for his elbow to Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson.

 

http://youtu.be/jE5Nz2efcW8

 

Matt Carkner, Ottawa Senators – Available April 18, 2012

Carkner was suspended one game for his attack on Rangers Brian Boyle

 

http://youtu.be/KtqDnXXotCc

 

Arron Asham, Pittsburgh Penguins – Available Round Two

Asham was suspended for four games after cross checking Brayden Schenn in the throat.

 

http://youtu.be/Djukr02Sedw

 

James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins – Available April 20

The Penguins will also be without Neal as he is suspended for one game for his hit to the Flyers Sean Couturier in game three.

 

http://youtu.be/lUcoBa1kOaQ

 

Craig Adams, Pittsburgh Penguins – Available April 20

Adams received an automatic one game suspension for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of game three.

 

Byron Bitz, Vancouver Canucks – Available April 18

Bitz has served his two game suspension for his boarding hit on Kyle Clifford in game one.

 

http://youtu.be/6irIRUs1oEc

 

Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals – Available April 21

Backstrom will miss game four while he serves his one game suspension for cross-checking Boston Bruins Rich Peverley in the face after game three.