The IR Report Playoff Edition

The quest for the Stanley Cup begins in earnest on Wednesday and injuries will be a key factor in both the NHL and your fantasy league.

Boston Bruins

Adam McQuaid, Defense – Eye – Day-to-Day
McQuaid missed Tuesdays practice with an eye injury and is doubtful for Thursday’s opener.

Johnny Boychuk, Defense – Knee – Day-to-Day
Boychuk has been in full practice both Monday and Tuesday but has not been announced as ready for action in game one. That is not to say he won’t play, just no announcement at this time.

Tuukka Rask, Goal – Groin – Day-to-Day
Rask has also been back in full practice since Monday and may be ready to back up on Thursday

Nathan Horton, Wing – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Although officially listed as day-to-day, Horton is still not on the ice or taking work outs. It is highly unlikely he will return to action at any time in the post season.
*Update* Bruins announced Horton will not return at any point in the post season.

Florida Panthers

Matt Bradley and Jack Skille
Neither player is probable to return for the post season as Skille had shoulder surgery and Bradley has a concussion.

New Jersey Devils

David Clarkson, Wing – Lower Body – Day-to-Day
Clarkson was on the ice for the team practice on Tuesday and should be ready to play in game one against Florida

Jacob Josefson, Center – Wrist – Week-to-Week
Josefson has a non-displaced wrist fracture, but the injury will not require surgery to repair. He will not play in the first round.

Henrik Tallinder, Defense – Leg – Indefinite
Tallinder has a blood clot in his leg and has not played since Jan 17th. It is a serious injury and hi is doubtful to return any time in the post season.

New York Rangers

The Rangers will be without Mats Zuccarello (wrist surgery), Steve Eminger (ankle), and Michael Sauer (Concussion) for at least the first round against the Senators

Ottawa Senators

Chris Neil, Wing – Upper Body – Day-to-Day
The Sens had a scare when Neil crashed hard into the boards at practice and was helped off the ice. He is expected to be ready for game one on Thursday.

Philadelphia Flyers

Daniel Briere, Center – Back – Indefinite
Briere missed the final three games of the regular season, but was in practice on Monday, and again on Tuesday. He could be ready for game one.
*Update* Briere played in game one and was a major factor scoring two goals.

James Van Riemsdyk, Wing – Foot – Mid-to-Late-April
JVR could make his return in the first round if the series goes long.

Out for First Round
Chris Pronger will miss the entire post season with his concussion. Defenseman Andrej Meszaros will miss the entire first round with his lower body injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Matt Niskanen, Defense – Upper Body – Day-to-Day
Niskanen has not resumed skating. He is doubtful for a first round return.

Washington Capitals

Tomas Vokun, Goal – Groin – Day-to-Day
Vokun was on the ice for 2o minutes after resting for 12 days. He is still a ways away and is doubtful for the first round.

Michael Neuvirth, Goal – Lower Body – Day-to-Day
Neuvirth is closer to returning than Vokun is as he was also on the ice on Tuesday but participated in drills and took some shots. He is probable to return during the first round, perhaps as a back-up.

John Erskine, Defense – Lower Body – Day-to-Day
Continues to recover from knee arthroscopic surgery

Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews, Center – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Toews had another full practice on the ice on Tuesday, but would not comment if he would be ready for game one on Thursday. It looks promising!

Steve Montador, Defense – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Montador was struck in the head by a shot from Mark Fayne and suffered a concussion on March 27th

Ben Smith and Dan Carcillo
Both players have suffered season ending injuries.

Detroit Red Wings

Darren Helm, Center – Knee – Day-to-Day
Helm was cleared for contact in practice on Tuesday. He will return at some point in the series against Nashville.
*Update* - Helm did in fact play but left in the first period after being slashed on the wrist by a skate and underwent surgery.

Joey MacDonald, Goal – Back – Day-to-Day
MacDonald received cortisone shot on Monday but his ailing back will likely see TY Conklin be the back up in the post season.

Patrick Eaves, Wing – Concussion – Indefinite
Eaves has not been able to resume work outs and is very unlikely to play in the post season.

Los Angeles Kings

Jeff Carter, Center – Ankle – Day-to-Day
Carter said he expected to be ready for the post season a week ago, and recently said "I think it takes a little bit to kind of warm up, but once I get going it's doing pretty good."
*Update* Carter was in game one.

Brad Richardson, Wing – Appendectomy – Indefinite
Richardson had an emergency appendectomy surgery on Monday and is out indefinitely.

Out for Post Season
Don’t expect Scott Parse (Hip), or Simon Gagne (Concussion) to return at any point of the post season even though Gagne has resumed skating.

Nashville Predators

Anders Lindback, Goal, Upper Body – Day-to-Day
Lindback was back in practice on Tuesday and Coach Barry Trotz expects him to back up to start the series against Detroit

Vancouver Canucks

Daniel Sedin, Wing – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Sedin was on ice in practice with the team on Monday, but not on Tuesday. He is questionable for game one, but expect him to return soon. Coach Alain Vigneault was not telling what the status on Sedin is. Based on his set back from exertion in practice on Monday my best guess is he is at least a week or two away minimum.

Keith Ballard, Defense - Concussion - Day-to-Day
Ballard is recovering from a concussion and did not play in game one.

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