Continuing with the Predators defense corps, Shea Weber will not return in Round 1. There were rumours Weber had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but Nashville’s official website deemed them erroneous.

Seth Jones has indeed stepped up with Weber out and joined Roman Josi on the top pair. What is interesting, though, is Victor Bartley has drawn into the lineup instead of Anton Volchenkov. Looking for a low-price flier in daily contests? Bartley may fit the bill.

He registered a shot on goal and blocked two in Game 5, and while he only played 13:20 minutes of ice, he attempted four shots and was a plus-10 in Corsi differential. Don’t forget, he went on a three-game run in mid-December where he returned five helpers.

Just to hammer home a pair of points, Nashville’s defense corps is deep, and they might be the only team in the league capable of losing their top defenseman and hardly skip a beat.

***

Last night when Mikko Koivu scored his power-play goal, NBCSN flashed in a ticker it was his first career playoff goal. I tweeted in amazement, and quickly was shown it was an incorrect stat.

How could the stat ever go live?

It actually surprises me more than this one.

Then it was suggested it was just a typo, because it was Koivu’s first goal of the series, after all. The same can’t be said for the Lupul slip up.

Whenever you want to be corrected head straight to Twitter.

***

The entire Jets team revealed they played injured in Round 1 — well almost everyone. And it leads to two thoughts.

First, what a likable team they are. Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba are personal favorites, and I took a shine to Drew Stafford a while ago.

Where does Stafford go? Does he stay with the Jets? What is his value on the open market?

He is a high-end third liner, but you’re hoping for more in the top six, right?

Secondly, what injury announcements are we going to hear about from the Penguins?

***

I watched more Penguins-Rangers than Senators-Canadiens, mainly because Montreal couldn’t keep it close on the scoreboard. I won’t talk about the game in any depth, therefore. I’m going to pass on the Brandon Prust spear, too. To show just how little I was in touch with it in real time, I didn’t know Ottawa scored a fifth goal until peeking at the box score.

Craig Anderson‘s 46 saves Friday upped his total to 121 through three games and a .976 save percentage. Obviously, it is an unsustainable run, but Anderson only needs another game to make it a serious issue for Montreal, especially with Carey Price looking mediocre Friday.

The Canadiens are shorter on talent then I ever thought, and I expected them to win Game 5. I did not expect them to win the series originally, though. And while Anderson is posting gaudy numbers, how much of that is lack of finish on Monreal’s end?

Thankfully, there won’t be scheduling conflicts to interfere with a full viewing Sunday.

***

Minnesota won’t go away, and they’ve forced St. Louis to win two in a row to advance. I was weary of Devan Dubnyk, and then felt like there was potential for him to blow up like so many other tendies have in Round 1. It didn’t happen Friday.

Dubnyk looked fantastic, in particular he made two huge saves on Alexander Steen and one on Jay Bouwmeester. Jake Allen, on the other hand, looked human. You know what is in store Sunday afternoon, as these two appear destined to duke it out in St. Louis with a Game 7 showdown.

This game was won by the better goaltender, as St. Louis had plenty of chances through two and a half periods to pull away.

Playoff pools are hinging on St. Louis advancing.

***

Thanks for taking the time to tune in, and enjoy your weekend.