Tag Archives: Playoffs

Rangers’ McDonagh practices, may play in Game 3

The New York Rangers had a surprising participant at Monday's practice as injured captain Ryan McDonagh skated in a full-contact jersey on the team's fourth pairing alongside recent call-up Raphael Diaz.

"It made everybody feel good to see him out there," said veteran defenseman Dan Boyle. McDonagh has been out of the lineup since breaking his hand during an April 4 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Head coach Alain Vigneault said it's doubtful the blue-liner will play in Game 3 on Tuesday, but added that "stranger things have happened."

He also admitted he has "some decisions to make" with his defense group prior to the game, according to Jim Cerny of BlueshirtsUnited.com. There's speculation that the 30-year-old Diaz may draw into the lineup in place of rookie Dylan McIlrath.

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Stars’ Seguin day to day with Achilles injury, didn’t travel with team

Tyler Seguin returned to the Dallas Stars' lineup Sunday and saw the ice for the first time since suffering a cut to his left Achilles tendon during a March 17 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it's clear the forward isn't 100 percent.

On Monday, general manager Jim Nill told reporters Seguin remained in Texas to rehab his Achilles injury, but could be called to play in St. Paul if needed. He's considered day to day, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.

The 24-year-old was limited to just 15 minutes of action during his team's Game 2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, and was moved down to the fourth line during the third period.

Nill also added that defenseman Kris Russell is ill. Jordie Benn drew into his place on the blue line during Monday's practice.

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Wild recall Kurtis Gabriel ahead of Game 3

It appears the Minnesota Wild are preparing for a physical Game 3 against the Dallas Stars. The Wild have recalled Kurtis Gabriel from the AHL, and he skated on the team's fourth line with Chris Porter and Zac Dalpe at practice Monday.

"Hard-working kid, good on the walls, physical, likes to fight. The kind of player you like," lauded head coach John Torchetti, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.

The 22-year-old would replace Jarret Stoll in the lineup, who has no points and a minus-1 rating through two games.

Gabriel led the AHL's Iowa Wild with 137 penalty minutes in 66 games. He went without a point in the first three NHL games of his career earlier this season, but did receive a pair of fighting majors.

Seven other players were recalled by Minnesota on Monday as Iowa's season came to an end.

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Flyers place Ed Snider’s initials behind each net

Monday night will be an emotional one at Wells Fargo Center as the Philadelphia Flyers will honor late owner Ed Snider, who passed away last Monday, prior to Game 3 against the Washington Capitals.

With Snider's initials - E.M.S. (born Edward Malcolm) - already featuring on a commemorative patch on the Flyers' playoff jerseys, it was revealed Monday the initials will also be marked behind each net.

The team also placed a large banner outside the arena celebrating the man who owned the Flyers since they joined the NHL in 1967.

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Rangers recall Raphael Diaz from AHL

The New York Rangers may have a new man on the blue line in Game 3.

Veteran defenseman Raphael Diaz, who hasn't played in the NHL at all this season, was recalled from the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack and will be at the team's noon practice on Monday.

The 30-year-old appeared in four games during the Rangers' Stanley Cup Final run in 2014. He doesn't have a point in 12 career postseason games.

There is speculation Diaz could draw into the lineup Tuesday to replace rookie Dylan McIlrath, who played just nine minutes in Game 2. Injured blue-liners Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi aren't expected to be ready for Game 3, and are considered day to day.

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Boudreau calls Ducks ‘stupid’ after disappointing Game 2 loss

After Sunday's loss put the Anaheim Ducks in a surprising 2-0 deficit in their first-round series with the Nashville Predators, head coach Bruce Boudreau pinned the poor effort on a lack of discipline.

Related: Predators edge Ducks to take franchise's 1st 2-0 series lead​

"We were just stupid out there," Boudreau said in a postgame press conference. "The penalties we take sometimes are just so selfish and so dumb."

The Ducks gave up five power plays on the night, and a David Perron interference penalty late in the second period set up Shea Weber's eventual game-winner for the Predators.

Meanwhile, Anaheim had just one power play on the night.

"It was disappointing to us," Boudreau said when asked about the team's frustration level. "That's why we didn't get any power plays - because we're doing stupid stuff and they're just smiling and having a good old time."

The series now turns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, where the Ducks lost a pair of games earlier this season. They now have a steep hill to climb if they hope to advance to Round 2.

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NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 18, 2016

Playoff recaps and more in today’s collection of notable NHL headlines.  NHL Playoff Recaps STLTODAY/CHICAGO TRIBUNE: A late-game high-sticking penalty by Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane set the stage for Jaden Schwartz’s game-winning goal to give the St. Louis Blues a 3-2 victory in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series. The Blues overcame a 2-1 […]

Predators edge Ducks to take franchise’s 1st 2-0 series lead

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Craig Smith had a goal and an assist, Pekka Rinne made 27 saves and the Nashville Predators confidently claimed their second straight road victory to open their first-round series, 3-2 over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 on Sunday night.

Shea Weber and Mattias Ekholm also scored as the Predators took a 2-0 playoff series lead for the first time in franchise history with another win over the Pacific Division champions.

Smith got the tiebreaking goal midway through the second period on a slick setup from Forsberg, and Weber's booming shot put the Predators up 3-1 during a power play.

Nate Thompson cut into the lead with 2:42 to play, but Nashville closed out just its second road playoff victory since 2012.

Game 3 is Tuesday night in Nashville.

Andrew Cogliano scored and John Gibson stopped 24 shots for the Ducks, who have lost four straight postseason games dating to last year's Western Conference finals.

Related: Neal slyly tries to poke stick through Gibson's mask

The Ducks, who lost their regular-season home finale, hadn't lost three straight at Honda Center since mid-November. That was well before their phenomenal run from 29th place in the NHL standings to their fourth straight Pacific Division title.

That run won't last much longer if Anaheim can't solve the Predators, who have won just two playoff series in their entire franchise history - the same number won by Anaheim last season.

Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg each had two assists as Nashville took command of the series and silenced a boisterous arena in Game 2.

The Predators matched Anaheim's physical play, while Forsberg led an opportunistic offense in front of Rinne. The imposing Finnish goalie has outplayed Gibson, the rookie who has lost four straight postseason starts since 2014.

Neither team dominated the series opener, won 3-2 by the Predators. Anaheim gave up an opening-minute goal in Game 1, but held the Predators without a shot in the first five minutes of Game 2.

After Nashville's power play came up empty twice, Cogliano put the Ducks ahead when he blocked a dump-in by Weber and sped past Barret Jackman to score on a breakaway.

Ekholm tied it on a backhand late in the first after a setup from Colin Wilson. Smith then put the Predators ahead midway through the second on a pass from Forsberg after a sharp play along the boards by Josi.

Thompson trimmed the lead with a backhand that deflected off Josi's leg.

The Ducks lost defenseman Josh Manson to an upper-body injury at the first-period horn in Game 1, but veteran Kevin Bieksa returned to the lineup for his first playoff game with Anaheim. Bieksa hadn't played since March 24 due to an undisclosed injury.

NOTES: Weber played his 47th postseason game for Nashville, matching David Legwand for the franchise record. ... James Neal stoked the Ducks' anger later in the second when he took an unpenalized whack at Gibson's mask with his stick long after the whistle blew. ... Weber played 27:36.

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