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Date: Team: Pos:

Joe Vitale - C - Penguins

Penguins forward Joe Vitale is working hard to make sure he remains in the Pittsburgh lineup for as long as he can.

Vitale watched the first four games of the postseason from the press box, but has been active ever since, contributing in ways that add value for the team. "I don't think I'm ever solidified," he said. "You look at the depth on this team. There's so much talent from one to four [lines] and the extras. It's kind of having that desperate mentality every time I play [that] any night I could be out again. That's kind of been my motivation since I got back in. It's gone well since then, so I'm hoping to keep it going." Provided he can remain productive centering the fourth line Vitale will continue to dress for the club.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 19 - 8:32 AM

Patrick Marleau - W - Sharks

Patrick Marleau assisted on both San Jose goals Saturday.

Marleau set up the overtime winner as Logan Couture scored to cut the Los Angeles lead in the series in half as the Sharks now trail two games to one. Marleau has six goals and nine points in seven playoff games thus far.

Source: CSN Bay Area

May 19 - 8:28 AM

Matt Niskanen - D - Penguins

Penguins Matt Niskanen recently found himself on the team's top defensive pairing alongside superstar Kris Letang.

Niskanen, who plays a fairly well-rounded game, understands he must play a more defensive style when paired with the Norris Trophy finalist. "Being aware of when [Letang] is being aggressive up the ice, I've got to be more responsible to let him do what he does," Niskanen said. It's a testament to his versatility that Niskanen can be paired with such an offensive partner after spending time alongside stay-at-home blueliner Doug Murray.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 19 - 8:25 AM

Jordan Nolan - C - Kings

Jordan Nolan was a healthy scratch on Saturday.

Nolan was replaced in the Kings lineup by Tanner Pearson. Nolan had four penalty minutes with nary a point in five previous playoff games this season.

Source: NHL.com

May 19 - 8:23 AM

Marc-Andre Fleury - G - Penguins

Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury continues to await his chance to get back between the pipes in the postseason.

Fleury was replaced by backup Tomas Vokoun prior to Game Six of the team's first round series win over the Islanders who has yet to concede the role, posting a perfect 4-0 record in the process. Vokoun will be in goal for Game Three of their second round series in Ottawa Sunday, but it's anybody's guess which net minder gets the nod once the Penguins actually lose a game.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 19 - 8:20 AM

Darryl Sutter - C - Kings

The Los Angeles Kings dropped to 15-24 all-time in Game 3's with their 2-1 loss in overtime Saturday.

The Kings still lead the best-of-seven series against San Jose 2-1. They will try and take a 3-1 lead when they meet the Sharks in San Jose Tuesday for Game 4.

Source: LAKings.com

May 19 - 8:15 AM

Robert Scuderi - D - Kings

Robert Scuderi had six blocked shots to lead the Kings Saturday.

Scuderi is now tied for third in the NHL with 23 blocked shots, trailing only Johnny Boychuk (32) and Daniel Girardi (29). Scuderi has two assists in nine playoff games this season.

Source: LAKings.com

May 19 - 8:10 AM

Trevor Lewis - W - Kings

Trevor Lewis said 'something happened' when he was called for goaltender interference with five seconds remaining in regulation time.

The penalty put the Kings down two men heading into the overtime as the Sharks Patrick Marleau pushed him into Antti Niemi in the Sharks net. While the Kings killed off the first penalty, they were unable to handle the onslaught of the Sharks as Logan Couture scored at the 1:29 mark of overtime.

Source: Los Angeles Times

May 19 - 8:05 AM

Keaton Ellerby - D - Kings

Keaton Ellerby replaced Alec Martinez in the Kings lineup Saturday.

Ellerby was plus-one with three hits and two blocked shots in 12:31 minutes of action. It was his first game since Game 4 of the opening round against the Blues.

Source: Los Angeles Times

May 19 - 7:52 AM

Tanner Pearson - W - Kings

Tanner Pearson made his NHL debut Saturday.

Pearson played only 5:44 minutes on the fourth line with Brad Richardson and Colin Fraser. "I was coming up to be a black ace, just expecting to skate with them," Pearson said. "I guess anything can happen. . . .If you had asked me three years ago and saying I'd be playing my first NHL game in three years, I would have taken it in a heartbeat but I probably wouldn't have believed you." Pearson was the Kings first round pick in the 2012 Draft after going undrafted in his previous two years of eligibility. He had 19 goals and 47 points in 64 AHL games and looks to have a bright future in the NHL.

Source: Los Angeles Times

May 19 - 7:48 AM

Jonathan Quick - G - Kings

Jonathan Quick was given a game misconduct at the end of Game 2 Saturday.

The mild-mannered Quick was not at all happy that the Sharks won at the 1:29 mark of overtime after Los Angeles was given a pair of penalties in last minute of regulation and was given the penalty for abuse of officials. While the Kings killed off the first penalty, they gave up a goal to Logan Couture with Trevor Lewis still in the box. Quick and the Kings will now look to bounce back Tuesday in Game 4 as they lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Source: Los Angeles Times

May 19 - 7:42 AM

Niklas Kronwall - D - Red Wings

Niklas Kronwall picked up his second point of the playoffs Saturday.

After a 29 point performance in 48 regular season games, Kronwall has struggled in the playoffs offensively as he has only two assists in nine games. He assisted on Johan Franzen's third period goal, along with Jonathan Ericsson. Kronwall needs to pick it up offensively for the Red Wings if Detroit has any hope in moving on to the Western Conference final.

May 19 - 7:26 AM

Daniel Cleary - W - Red Wings

Daniel Cleary had one assist on Saturday.

Cleary is having a good offensive playoff with two goals and four assists in nine games. Kudos if you picked him late in your playoff pool.

May 19 - 7:21 AM

Drew Miller - W - Red Wings

Coach Mike Babcock was very pleased to have Drew Miller back in the lineup.

Miller was out of the Detroit lineup since April 20 with a hand injury before returning Saturday. "I've got three penalty killers now on the fourth line," Babcock said. "Millsie knows how to play in all positions and he can really skate and get on the forecheck. He's not a big man but he's got a great stick and knows how to play, and so he makes us a much better team." Miller's return to the lineup bumped Todd Bertuzzi to the press box.

May 19 - 7:17 AM

Henrik Zetterberg - W - Red Wings

Henrik Zetterberg had two assists in the Red Wings 4-1 win Saturday.

The captain of the Red Wings moved into a tie for fourth place in NHL scoring as he now has 10 points in the playoffs, including three goals. He played 19:38 minutes Saturday and was the second star of the game.

Source: Detroit News

May 19 - 7:06 AM