Zuccarello has missed the last four games with a hand injury that he suffered in Sochi. He will take part in the morning skate and unless he suffers a setback, expect him to be in the lineup on Friday.
Head coach Alain Vigneault had a lot of positive news about Zuccarello this morning. He could return later this week, which is way ahead of his 3-4 week timeline. When Zuccarello can return has to do with whether or not he can deal with the pain. Monitor his status before Friday's contest.
Zuccarello said he suffered the injury blocking a shot during Norway’s 3-1 loss to Austria Sunday in a Group B match at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Zuccarello leads the Rangers with 28 assists and 43 points in 58 games this season. “It’s tough, but it’s part of the game so you kind of have to just go with it,” Zuccarello said Friday, wearing a black brace on his left hand. “But obviously it’s nothing you wanted to happen over there. It’s a tough one.”
The only current NHL player on Norway's roster will not suit up against Russia in an elmination game. This is a huge loss for Norway, Zuccarello was playing major minutes on their top line and top power-play unit.
Tarasenko acknowledged he was worried, disappointed to miss Thursday’s game against Boston with the flu-like symptoms and fearful the illness might impact his Olympic experience. “Yeah, I was worried,” said Tarasenko, who has 18 goals and 15 assists. “It happens to everybody, but I wanted to get better as soon as possible.”
Sedin has been playing through a rib injury for much of the last month and was visibly in pain on the ice, prompting the Canucks to sit him out of their last two games before the break. It will be Johansson’s first Olympic appearance. is in his fourth NHL season and is steadily adding to his offensive totals again this year. In 58 games for the Capitals, Johansson has seven goals and 29 assists. His addition is the second injury replacement in a week that Sweden, favored to be medal contenders in Sochi, has needed to make for ailing veterans.
Tarasenko has not been completely ruled out, but it does not sound like he will play. With the Olympics on the horizon and Tarasenko playing for Russia, it will be no surprise if he is held out. Dmitrij Jaskin will slide into the lineup for Tarasenko.
Spurgeon missed the last 14 games with a broken foot, but will be back on the blueline tonight. Clayton Stoner will be scratched with Spurgeon returning.
Spurgeon has missed 14 games with a broken foot, but it sounds like he will be back in tomorrow. There was talk that he may return this past Saturday but that never ended up coming together. He has one goal and 11 assists in 43 games this season.
Just kidding! There were reports that Spurgeon looked in line to return to the Wild's blueline tonight, but he will end up being held out of his 14th consecutive game. Keith Ballard will stay in the lineup.
Spurgeon has missed the last 13 games with a broken foot but is expected to replace Keith Ballard on the blueline. Spurgeon has 12 points (1G / 11A) in 43 games this season.
Spurgeon, who has missed the past 13 games with a broken foot, might return against the Flames. Spurgeon didn’t take part in a regular pairing during Friday’s practice, but the Wild made sure to get him plenty of reps. “I thought he looked really good moving the puck and showed no problems whatsoever working in the D zone,” coach Mike Yeo said. If Spurgeon returns, Keith Ballard would be the likely scratch.
Spurgeon will test his foot on Friday when he takes part in a contact practice. They will see how he responds tomorrow before they decide if he plays on Saturday. He has been out since January 2 with a foot injury.
Tarasenko missed the last two games with the flu, but should be back in tonight. He was skating on a line with with Vladimir Sobotka and Magnus Paajarvi at the morning skate. Tarasenko has three goals and six assists (9 points) in his last nine games.
Tarasenko missed last night's game in Detroit because of the flu, but monitor his status prior to tonight's game. He will skate on a line with Vlad Sobotka and Magnus Paajarvi if he does play.
The Blues are in Detroit tonight, but they may be without Tarasenko who is currently fighting the flu. Tarasenko hasn't scored in his last four games but has totalled 15 goals and 14 assists (29 points) in 47 games this season. Adam Cracknell will draw into the lineup if Tarasenko can't play.
There was no word on what is ailing Foligno, but he is listed as day-to-day. Drew Stafford will replace Foligno in the lineup after missing the last six games.
The Wild has sustained a significant loss in its lineup for at least the next fews weeks as Spurgeon, who has played alongside Ryan Suter the past two games and was plus-3 in 27 minutes against Buffalo on Thursday, will be sidelined with a lower-body injury. He has been placed on injured reserve. Jonas Brodin will move back to the right side with Suter and Nate Prosser will move to the second pair with Marco Scandella.
Spurgeon will be out for the next seven days, they have recalled Brett Bulmer from Iowa (AHL).
Keaton Ellerby will enter the lineup with Bogosian out. Consider Bogosian day-to-day and monitor his status prior to Sunday's game against the Avalanche.
