Granlund is a more skilled and crafty forward than Coyle and should provide a spark to a Wild power-play that has just two goals on 15 opportunities in this series. Granlund has one goal (OT GWG in Game 3) and two assists through the first five games.
Granlund missed the final six games of the regular season with a head injury, but he is ready to go in game 1 vs. the Avalanche. Tonight, will mark Granlund's NHL playoff debut. He finished the season with eight goals and 33 assists (41 points) in 63 games. Expect him to centre a line with Jason Pominville and Matt Moulson.
After Columbus won last night, Detroit can not better their position in the standings so they will give Jimmy Howard the afternoon off despite being confirmed by Mike Babcock on Saturday.
It turns out that Jordan Coreau was only recalled for the Red WIngs morning skate, but it will be Mrazek who will backup Jimmy Howard tonight vs. the Hurricanes. Mrazek is 1-4-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .916 SV% with the Red Wings this season. He has been spectacular with the Griffins, going 22-8-1 with a 2.07 GAA and .925 SV% in 31 games.
Kreider is skating with a brace, but no glove on his surgically repaired left hand this morning. Kreider will miss his seventh consecutive game tonight and remains without a timetable for his return.
Granlund suffered what appeared to be a head injury Monday when his face smacked Jarret Stoll's left shoulder during a check along the boards in Monday's victory over the Kings in Los Angeles. Granlund won't play Thursday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks. Beyond that, coach Mike Yeo said he could shed little light on Granlund's status.
Granlund left Monday's game early after suffering a black-eye following in the third period. The Wild have recalled Jake Dowell to fill-in for Granlund if he is unable to play.
No surprise, that the original TSN report ends up being spot on. The original details from the Rangers were very vague, but now that Kreider has officially had the surgery it is safe to assume that he will miss the rest of the regular season and likely part of the playoffs.
Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault confirmed that Kreider is dealing with a hand injury and it sounds like surgery is a possibility. For now there is no timetable for his return, but we know that he will miss at least five games and could be done for the rest of the regular season.
There was a report from Bob McKenzie that said he might have a broken hand and could miss one month. It was deleted rather quickly, so the nature of Kreider's injury is unknown at this time. The Rangers said he will not play tomorrow, but would provide no further update. Expect a more detailed injury report tom come on Wednesday.
Gudas has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury. He was reportedly close to playing on Monday but was held out. He told reporters today that he is good to go, so it sounds like he will be back in the lineup vs. the Panthers.
Gudas has missed the last four games, but was reportedly surprised he did not play on Monday. Skating again this morning is a good sign that the Lightning will get the NHL's fifth leading hitter (209) back on Thursday. Monitor his status following tomorrow's morning skate.
Mrazek will be a late change to the Red Wings lineup in a crucial game vs. the Blue Jackets. He is 1-3-0 with a 1.64 GAA and .924 SV% with Detroit tonight. He has gone 18-5-1 with a 2.01 GAA and .928 SV% with Grand Rapids. Get Howie out of your lineup.
Gudas skated with a regular jersey this morning and is close to returning but is not ready tonight.
Mrazek has been recalled to back-up Jimmy Howard on Sunday because Jonas Gustavsson has a sore groin. Mrazek has gone 1-3-0 with a 1.64 GAA and .924 SV% with the Red Wings this season.
Gudas skated on Friday but took part with a no-contact jersey so he was not expected to play tonight. Monitor Gudas' status prior to Monday's contest vs. the Coyotes.
The 'no contact' jersey suggests that Gudas will not be ready for Saturday's clash with the Bruins, but returning to the ice is a step in the right direction for the physical defenseman.
Gudas is doubtful to play vs. the Sabres tonight which would be the second straight game that he will have missed after suffering a lower-body injury on Sunday vs. the Avalanche.
Gudas was injured on Sunday against Colorado and appears he will not play tonight vs. the Blues. With Gudas out, the Lightning will likely return to six defenseman as Mike Kostka moves onto a regular D-pairing.
Gudas left Sunday's loss to the Avalanche favouring his leg after a second period hit. He is expected to be re-evaluated in the next few days, but will likely miss at least Tuesday's contest.
