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Date: Team: Pos:

Roman Josi - D - Predators

The Nashville Predators will make the signing of Roman Josi a priority in the off-season.

Josi will become a restricted free agent in the off-season and the Predators want him to add muscle in the off-season as they think he lacks "man strength" according to coach Barry Trotz. Josi is second on the Predators depth chart on the blueline, behind Shea Weber and is expected to be an integral part of the Nashville defense for many years to come. He had five goals and 18 points in 48 games this season and should hit the 35-40 point mark next season if he remains healthy.

Source: The Nashville Tennessean

May 18 - 7:49 AM

Drew Doughty - D - Kings

Coach Darryl Sutter was not happy with the play of his defenseman, save for the effort of Drew Doughty.

Doughty was a stud on the blueline once again as he played a team-leading 28:28 minutes and scored a power play goal, his second goal of the post-season. "Our defense can clearly do a better job at that (getting more involved in the play), other than Doughty last night," coach Darryl Sutter said. "I think he had . . .maybe nine total attempts, and he had five shots. After that, we were. . .not nearly as involved, or what we were getting from the outside from some guys that are looked on as goal scorers or shooters for their team, what they were doing in the series – things like that." Game 3 will be played on Saturday with the Kings leading two games to none.

Source: LAKings.com

May 18 - 7:35 AM

Brendan Smith - D - Red Wings

Brendan Smith took a lot of criticism for his play in Game 1 Wednesday.

Coach Mike Babcock did not think that Smith played poorly and spent Friday morning in the video room going over a tape with Smith that showed the defenseman all the good plays he made in Game 1. "I saw a young guy try to make a bunch of plays and no one there to accept the pass on the other end," Babcock said. Smith's speed allows him to be the first one to get the puck when it is dumped in and hopefully he will recover from the troubles he had in Game 1 and use the pep talk he got from Babcock to his advantage. Smith has a goal and an assist in eight playoffs games and despite his perceived poor performance Wednesday, he was plus-one in a 4-1 loss.

Source: Detroit Free Press

May 18 - 7:07 AM

Mike Babcock - C - Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have been outscored 15-5 in the third period during the 2013 playoffs.

That is not a good recipe for winning games and series and the Red Wings will need to figure out how to hold off the Blackhawks in the final stanza while increasing their production. The good thing is that the Red Wings scored enough in their opening round series to defeat the Ducks in seven games and move into the second round against the top-seed Chicago Blackhawks.

Source: Detroit News

May 18 - 7:01 AM

Henrik Zetterberg - W - Red Wings

Do not be surprised if the Detroit Red Wings put up a much better effort in Game 2 Saturday.

The Red Wings were spent coming into Game 1 Wednesday as the dropped a 4-1 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks. Detroit had a tough seven game series with Anaheim and the extra travel to the West Coast did not help. Detroit played like they were in a fog according to Henrik Zetterberg. "That's how it felt like, we were there but we weren't really there," the captain said. "It's nice to have a few extra days here and we feel we're ready to go." The Red Wings expect to play a lot better on Saturday.

Source: Detroit News

May 18 - 6:53 AM

Dan DeKeyser - D - Red Wings

Defenseman Dan DeKeyser (broken thumb) skated on Friday.

Before you get too excited that the rookie defenseman will be back in the lineup, he is still six-eight weeks away from returning. "I was just waiting to see the doctor and after he checked it out, he said I could get at least get on the ice and keep the legs going," he said. "I'm doing every little thing I can to make sure it gets better as quick as it can." Look for DeKeyser to be back for developmental camp in July. He has a lot of talent and should be considered late in deeper drafts next season if he is able to crack the Detroit lineup.

Source: Detroit News

May 18 - 6:46 AM

Michal Handzus - C - Blackhawks

Michal Handzus may be dealing with a sore back.

Handzus played in Game 1 but has missed the last three practices and the rumor mill suggest that he has a sore back. Coach Joel Quenneville says that Handzus will be available Saturday for Game 2 but if he is unable to go, then Ben Smith will take his spot between Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Stay tuned.

Source: Chicago Tribune

May 18 - 6:36 AM

Dave Bolland - C - Blackhawks

Dave Bolland played in Game 1 and his linemates were happy to have the pesky center back in the lineup.

Bolland missed the final couple of games of the regular season in addition to the first round of the playoffs with a groin injury but was back between Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell on the third line. "We had some good chances and we felt good. It felt like we got that chemistry back," Bickell said. "For his first game back, I thought (Bolland) played pretty well. The first period for our whole team was OK, but the second and third we picked it up, and he had a good second and third, too."

Source: CSN Chicago

May 18 - 6:27 AM

Ben Smith - W - Blackhawks

Ben Smith centered the second line in practice Friday.

Smith replaced Michal Handzus between Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane but Handzus is expected to be back in the Chicago lineup for Game 2 Saturday. It was thought that Smith could play in Game 1 in place of Handzus but Handzus was in his regular spot when the game began and ended up playing 17:01 minutes while winning seven of 11 faceoff draws.

Source: CSN Chicago

May 18 - 6:21 AM

Viktor Stalberg - W - Blackhawks

Viktor Stalberg may not be in the Chicago lineup once again in Game 2 Saturday.

Stalberg was a healthy scratch in Game 1 and was wearing a white jersey in practice Friday, a sign that he would not be dressing for Game 2. Stalberg is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season but doesn't think sitting in the press box during the playoffs will affect that status. "Whether I'm here next year or not, we'll see what happens. That's something we’ll take (up) after the year," Stalberg said. "It's nothing I'm really too concerned about at this point. We'll figure that one out after, hopefully, we hoist the Cup here."

Source: CSN Chicago

May 18 - 6:14 AM

Craig Anderson - G - Senators

Craig Anderson was roughed up for three goals in Ottawa's 4-3 setback in Game 2 of their semifinal series with the Penguins on Friday night.

The Penguins certainly dictated the pace, though Anderson wasn't sharp for the second straight tilt, making 18 saves and getting yanked 1:15 into the second period. The silver lining was how backup Robin Lehner played. Making his playoff debut, Lehner kicked aside 20 of 21 shots, the only goal coming about seven minutes after he entered the game. The 21-year-old got sharper as game went on, making a number of great saves to keep Ottawa within striking distance. Anderson is still the starter, but he's now given up seven goals in the series and Lehner's performance Friday night might sway coach Paul MacLean into a quick hook if he struggles again.

May 17 - 10:40 PM

Jean-Gabriel Pageau - C - Senators

Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for the Senators in their 4-3 loss in Game 2 of their second-round series with the Penguins on Friday night.

The coming out party continues for the 5-foot-9 winger who now has four goals and two helpers in seven playoff games. Kyle Turris notched a power-play goal and Colin Greening had the other marker. Chris Neil had four penalty minuets, a game-high six hits and a helper. Ottawa needs to figure out a way to hold on to pucks longer and sustain pressure or this will be a very short series for them. The upside is that this is a team that has brushed aside adversity the entire season.

May 17 - 10:34 PM

Tomas Vokoun - G - Penguins

Tomas Vokoun made 19 saves in Pittsburgh's 4-3 win against Ottawa in Game 2 of their semifinal series Friday night.

Vokoun made some key saves, but this really was not his finest effort as he looked shaky at times. He allowed a goal in each period. This performance could crack the door open a bit for Marc-Andre Fleury to get another opportunity, though the fact Vokoun has won his four playoff starts should matter more in the big picture. Vokoun has a 1.70 goals-against average and .945 percentage in the postseason. The Penguins take a 2-0 series lead into Ottawa for Game 3 on Sunday night.

May 17 - 10:26 PM

Sidney Crosby - C - Penguins

Sidney Crosby had a hat trick to lead the Penguins over the Senators 4-3 in Game 2 of their second-round series Friday night.

The Penguins now hold a 2-0 lead in the series. Crosby notched his hat trick by 1:15 of the second period, showcasing his tools with great stick handling and speed, cleverness on the ice and a plus shot. It's not easy to stop the Penguins captain, but the Senators certainly could've done a better job being physical on him. Brenden Morrow potted what is considered the game-winning goal. Paul Martin and Kris Letang picked up two assists apiece. Matt Niskanen finished with a game-high plus-three rating, and he also had a helper. Chris Kunitz, James Neal and Evgeni Malkin also had assists.

May 17 - 10:20 PM

Rob Klinkhammer - W - Coyotes

Rob Klinkhammer signed a two-year, $1.25 million contract with the Coyotes.

Klinkhammer is coming off a one-year, two-way deal worth $650,000. The upside for him now is some job security on a one-way contract. He had five goals and 11 points in 22 NHL games, and he notched 44 points in 55 AHL games this season.

Source: Renaud Lavoie on Twitter

May 17 - 10:05 PM