This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the League
While fourteen teams are busy running down the clock before their tee-off times on Monday, the remaining sixteen have a ton on the line Sunday.
The Eastern matchups are set, based on the results from Saturday. By virtue of their win, Columbus has earned a matchup with the Penguins, giving Detroit a date with Boston.
Out in the West, things are far dicier. Both Colorado and St. Louis play their final games on Sunday – a win by Colorado gives them the Central division and a chance (based on Saturday's late game result) to take the Western Conference crown. If St. Louis wins and Colorado loses, the Blues head off to Dallas, rather than Chicago. With a first round matchup against the defending champion Blackhawks going to the loser, both squads will be playing for keeps on Sunday.
With play-off teams looking to rest key individuals and eliminated teams looking to prove something to management, Sunday will be a day where there are far more upsets than normal. A game like Philadelphia/Carolina might normally be considered a one-sided affair, but on the last day of the season, I would be more inclined to take the Hurricanes. Same goes for the Ottawa/Pittsburgh game.
In any event, the regular season has been a good one, but the best time of year is starting Wednesday. The first round (or Hockey Hanukah as I call it) looks to be full of great matchups and lots of hard fought gritty action.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid
Detroit Red Wings (Jimmy Howard) at St. Louis Blues (Ryan Miller), 12:30 PM
Boston Bruins (Tuukka Rask) at New Jersey Devils (Martin Brodeur), 3:00 PM
Carolina Hurricanes (Anton Khudobin) at Philadelphia Flyers (Steve Mason), 3:00 PM
Tampa Bay Lightning (Anders Lindback) at Washington Capitals (Jaroslav Halak), 3:00 PM
New York Islanders (Evgeni Nabokov) at Buffalo Sabres (Matt Hackett), 5:00 PM
Ottawa Senators (Robin Lehner) at Pittsburgh Penguins (Marc-Andre Fleury), 7:30 PM
Nashville Predators (Carter Hutton) at Minnesota Wild (Ilya Bryzgalov), 8:00 PM
Colorado Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov) at Anaheim Ducks (Jonas Hiller), 8:00 PM
Calgary Flames (Karri Ramo) at Vancouver Canucks (Eddie Lack), 9:00 PM
Dallas Stars (Tim Thomas) at Phoenix Coyotes (Thomas Greiss), 9:00 PM
Injury News For Teams Playing Sunday
Detroit Red Wings
Dan Cleary, RW - Cleary (knee) is still not skating and has no timetable for return, Ansar Khan of MLive reports. (3/13/2014)
Stephen Weiss, C - Weiss is not expected to play again this season after suffering several setbacks in his recovery from hernia surgery, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports. (4/4/2014)
Henrik Zetterberg, LW - GM Ken Holland said that Zetterberg (back) likely won't be ready for at least the early games of the Wings' first playoff series, Chuck Pleiness of the Macomb Daily reports. (4/10/2014)
Mikael Samuelsson, RW - Samuelsson (shoulder) skated with fellow injured forwards Stephen Weiss and Darren Helm before Thursday's practice,MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. (3/13/2014)
Jonathan Ericsson, D - GM Ken Holland said that Ericsson (finger) likely won't be ready for the start of their first playoff series, Chuck Pleiness of the Macomb Daily reports. (4/10/2014)
Alexey Marchenko, D - Marchenko is expected to miss the rest of the season with a severe high-ankle sprain, MLive.com's Peter J. Wallner reports. (2/26/2014)
Jonas Gustavsson, G - Gustavsson is unlikely to play Friday due to an unspecified injury suffered in Wednesday's game, Ansar Khan of MLive.comreports. (4/11/2014)
St. Louis Blues
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW - Tarasenko (hand) was back on the ice for practice Monday, reports NHL.com's Lou Korac. (4/8/2014)
Vladimir Sobotka, C - Sobotka will not play Friday due to an unspecified injury, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. (4/11/2014)
Patrik Berglund, C - Berglund left Friday's game against the Stars with an apparent upper-body injury, NHL.com's Lou Korac reports. (4/11/2014)
David Backes, C - Backes (foot) will not play in Friday's game against the Stars. (4/11/2014)
T.J. Oshie, RW - Oshie (upper body) will not play Friday against the Stars. (4/11/2014)
Derek Roy, C - Roy will not play Friday due to an unspecified injury, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. (4/11/2014)
Brenden Morrow, LW - Morrow (foot) was seen in a walking boot Friday, and he underwent some unspecified tests, the St. Louis Post-Dispatchreports. (4/11/2014)
Boston Bruins
Marc Savard, C - The Bruins are expected to place Savard (concussion) on Long-Term Injured Reserve, Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe reports. (7/6/2013)
Daniel Paille, LW - Paille was helped off the ice on Saturday against Buffalo, Howard Ulman of the Boston Globe reports. (4/12/2014)
Dennis Seidenberg, D - Seidenberg -- who suffered a torn ACL and MCL back on Dec. 27, skated Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair his knee, the Boston Herald reports. (4/9/2014)
Chris Kelly, C - Kelly, who is day-to-day with a back injury, should be ready to go for the playoffs, according to the Bruins' official site. (4/11/2014)
Adam McQuaid, D - McQuaid (quad) has returned to the ice. (4/9/2014)
New Jersey Devils
Ryane Clowe, LW - Clowe (head) will likely miss Sunday's contest against the Bruins, Tom Gulitti of The Record reports. (4/12/2014)
Jacob Josefson, C - Josefson (foot) didn't travel with the Devils for Thursday's game in Ottawa, reports Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger. (4/11/2014)
Adam Henrique, C - Henrique (groin) will not play Friday against the Islanders, Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger reports. (4/11/2014)
Bryce Salvador, D - Salvador (groin) didn't travel for Thursday's game in Ottawa, reports Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger. (4/11/2014)
Carolina Hurricanes
Joni Pitkanen, D - Pitkanen (heel) remains without a return timetable. (3/13/2014)
Alexander Semin, LW - Semin missed Friday's win over Detroit due to an upper-body injury, according to Reuters. (4/11/2014)
Andrej Sekera, D - Sekera recently underwent abdominal surgery, from which he's expected to recover in approximately six weeks, the Canes' official website reports. (4/11/2014)
Philadelphia Flyers
Steve Mason, G - Flyers coach Craig Berube expects Mason (upper body) to be ready for the first game of the playoffs, Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. (4/12/2014)
Marc-Andre Bourdon, D - Bourdon has suffered a setback in his recovery from concussion issues and is out indefinitely for AHL Adirondack, Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. (2/22/2014)
Zac Rinaldo, LW - Rinaldo has been suspended for four games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, Sarah Baicker of CSN Philadelphiareports. (4/7/2014)
Nicklas Grossmann, D - Grossmann snuck a wrist shot by Devils goalie Martin Brodeur in Tuesday's 2-1 loss. (3/12/2014)
Steve Downie, RW - Downie will miss Saturday's contest against the Penguins, Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. (4/12/2014)
Chris Pronger, D - Pronger still suffers from concussion symptoms some two-and-a-half years after suffering his injury, reports TSN.ca. "I have them from time to time," Pronger said. "But I'm doing pretty well. For the most part, I'm pleased with the progress. Every once in a while you take a step backwards, but things have been progressing." (4/1/2014)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan Malone, LW - Malone was arrested early Saturday in Tampa on charges of driving under the influence and possession of cocaine, ESPN.comreports. Said Lightning GM Steve Yzerman: "We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning. Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today, but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time." (4/12/2014)
Mattias Ohlund, D - Ohlund (knee) was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Times reports. (10/2/2013)
Sami Salo, D - Salo (upper body) will not play in Friday's game against the Blue Jackets, Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times reports. (4/11/2014)
Brian Lee, D - Lee (knee) is still only doing off-ice workouts. (11/9/2013)
Valtteri Filppula, C - Filppula is out with a lower-body injury Friday against the Blue Jackets, Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times reports. (4/11/2014)
Ben Bishop, G - Bishop is dealing with an elbow injury, according to the Tampa Bay Times. (4/10/2014)
Teddy Purcell, RW - Purcell is dealing with a case of the flu and will not play Friday against the Blue Jackets, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribunereports. (4/11/2014)
Ondrej Palat, LW - Palat was removed from Friday's game in the third period after taking a big hit from the Blue Jackets' Jack Johnson, Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times reports. (4/11/2014)
Slater Koekkoek, D - Koekkoek has undergone season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, but will be ready for training camp in September, reports the Tampa Tribune. "In listening to the doctors, there's no reason Slater can't go on to have a good, long, healthy career," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said of the big defender who has now undergone three shoulder surgeries. (3/21/2014)
Victor Hedman, D - Hedman didn't return to Friday's fame after suffering a lower-body injury and there was no immediate update on his condition. (4/11/2014)
Washington Capitals
Marcus Johansson, LW - Coach Adam Oates went ahead and ruled Johansson (upper body) out for Sunday's season finale against the Lightning, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (4/11/2014)
Patrick Wey, D - Wey (head) will not join the Capitals on their upcoming four-game road trip, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (4/3/2014)
Jack Hillen, D - Hillen (head) will miss the rest of the Capitals' four-game road trip, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (4/3/2014)
Tomas Kundratek, D - Kundratek has suffered a torn ACL, which will end his season, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (11/12/2013)
Brooks Laich, C - Laich (groin) has reported improvement in his recovery from the procedure he underwent last Monday, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (3/27/2014)
Mike Green, D - Green (upper body) won't travel with the Caps for their next two road contests, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (4/7/2014)
New York Islanders
Lubomir Visnovsky, D - Coach Jack Capuano said none of the Islanders' injured players -- which includes Visnovsky (concussion) -- will return this season, reports Newsday's Arthur Staple. (4/11/2014)
Eric Boulton, LW - Boulton signed a one-year contract extension with the Islanders on Sunday, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports. (3/23/2014)
Kyle Okposo, RW - Okposo (lower body) and the Isles' other injured players won't return for the final games of this season, reports Newsday's Arthur Staple. (4/11/2014)
Michael Grabner, RW - Grabner (upper body) and the Isles' other injured players won't return this season, reports Newsday's Arthur Staple. (4/11/2014)
John Tavares, C - Tavares -- who suffered a torn MCL and torn meniscus during the Sochi Olympics -- will not need surgery to repair his knee, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports. (2/25/2014)
Cal Clutterbuck, RW - Coach Jack Capuano said none of the Islanders' injured players -- which includes Clutterbuck (upper body) -- will return this season, reports Newsday's Arthur Staple. (4/11/2014)
Calvin de Haan, D - Coach Jack Capuano confirmed that de Haan (lower body) as well as the other injured Islanders will not return this season, reports Newsday's Arthur Staple. (4/11/2014)
Brian Strait, D - Coach Jack Capuano said none of the Islanders' injured players -- which includes Strait (hand) -- will return this season, reportsNewsday's Arthur Staple. (4/11/2014)
Johan Sundstrom, C - Coach Jack Capuano said none of the injured Islanders -- which includes Sundstrom (upper body) -- will return this season, reports Newsday's Arthur Staple. (4/11/2014)
Sebastian Collberg, RW - Collberg is out with a shoulder injury, according to Newsday. (3/26/2014)
Buffalo Sabres
Chad Ruhwedel, D - Ruhwedel (concussion) will miss the final week of the regular season, ESPN.com reports. (4/7/2014)
Nathan Lieuwen, G - Lieuwen (concussion) will miss the final week of the regular season, ESPN.com reports. (4/7/2014)
Brian Flynn, RW - Flynn will miss the final regular season game on Sunday after leaving Saturday's game with a lower-body injury. (4/12/2014)
Matt Hackett, G - Sabres coach Ted Nolan said after Saturday's game that Hackett's leg injury does not look good. "It doesn't look good right now," Nolan said. We'll wrap him up as best we can, get him back home, have our doctors look at him." (4/12/2014)
Matt D'Agostini, RW - D'Agostini suffered a lower-body injury during Saturday's game and will not play in Sunday's season finale. (4/12/2014)
Tyler Myers, D - The Sabres aren't ruling out a return for Myers (midsection) this season. (4/6/2014)
Alexander Sulzer, D - Sulzer (upper body) will not travel with the Sabres during their five-game road trip beginning Tuesday in Calgary, John Vogl of the Buffalo News reports. (3/17/2014)
Michal Neuvirth, G - Neuvirth (lower body) is not expected to return this season. (4/6/2014)
Jhonas Enroth, G - Coach Ted Nolan acknowledged that Enroth (leg) is unlikely to return this season. (4/6/2014)
Patrick Kaleta, RW - Kaleta skated at the First Niagara Center for the first time since tearing his ACL back in November. (3/9/2014)
Chris Stewart, RW - Stewart will miss the Sabres' season finale with a lower-body injury. (4/12/2014)
Zenon Konopka, C - Konopka (back) won't be available Thursday against the Predators. (3/26/2014)
Christian Ehrhoff, D - Ehrhoff suffered a mild concussion in Saturday's game and will miss the Sabres' season finale Sunday. (4/12/2014)
Ottawa Senators
Jared Cowen, D - Cowen (lower body) may miss the rest of the season, NHL.com reports. (4/8/2014)
Stephane Da Costa, C - Da Costa will miss the next couple weeks after requiring plastic surgery on his face due to a high stick to the face during a game with AHL Binghamton on Saturday, Ian Mendes of TSN 1200 reports. (4/1/2014)
Mika Zibanejad, C - Zibanejad will not play in the Senators' final two games due to an unspecified injury or health issue, Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen reports. (4/11/2014)
Bobby Ryan, RW - Ryan will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a sports hernia Thursday. (3/27/2014)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Chris Conner, RW - Conner (foot) skated before Wednesday's practice, Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. (4/9/2014)
Joe Vitale, C - Vitale returned to Pittsburgh to have his mid-body injury evaluated. (4/5/2014)
Zach Sill, RW - Sill sustained an undisclosed injury with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton over the weekend, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Reviewreports. (1/27/2014)
Tomas Vokoun, G - The Penguins assigned Vokoun (pelvis) to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday for a conditioning stint. (4/9/2014)
Brooks Orpik, D - Orpik will miss Saturday's game against the Flyers. (4/12/2014)
Pascal Dupuis, RW - The Penguins confirmed Tuesday that Dupuis (knee) will miss the next six-to-eight months, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. (2/25/2014)
Marcel Goc, C - Goc will miss three weeks with a foot injury. (3/28/2014)
Chris Kunitz, LW - As expected, Kunitz did not play Saturday afternoon against the Flyers. (4/12/2014)
Evgeni Malkin, C - Malkin (foot) skated before Friday's practice but doesn't appear close to returning to game action, the Penguins' website reports. (4/11/2014)
Nashville Predators
Patrick Eaves, RW - Eaves (upper body) is out for Friday's game, The Tennessean's Joshua Cooper reports. (4/4/2014)
Minnesota Wild
Josh Harding, G - Harding (illness) joined the team Wednesday for his first practice since January, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribunereports. (4/2/2014)
Clayton Stoner, D - Stoner (knee) will return Sunday against the Preds, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. (4/12/2014)
Kyle Brodziak, C - Brodziak left Saturday's practice due to unspecified discomfort, but he's still expected to pay in Sunday's season finale against the Predators, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. (4/12/2014)
Niklas Backstrom, G - Backstrom (abdomen) underwent a third procedure Tuesday and will officially be ruled out from returning this season, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. (3/26/2014)
Mikael Granlund, C - Granlund (head) returned to practice Saturday for the first time since suffering his injury March 31, the Minneapolis Star-Tribunereports. (4/12/2014)
Jason Zucker, LW - Zucker underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a tendon in his left quadriceps. (3/26/2014)
Darcy Kuemper, G - Coach Mike Yeo said after Sunday's practice that he expects Kuemper (upper body) will be ready to play by the time the playoffs start, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. (4/6/2014)
Michael Rupp, RW - Rupp has been suspended four games for an illegal hit on St. Louis' T.J. Oshie on Thursday night, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. (4/11/2014)
Keith Ballard, D - Ballard (groin) returned to skating Tuesday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. (4/9/2014)
Colorado Avalanche
Cory Sarich, D - Sarich (back) missed his third straight game Sunday. (4/7/2014)
Alex Tanguay, LW - Tanguay -- who has been dealing with a knee issue -- will undergo season-ending hip surgery on Friday, Adrian Dater of the Denver Post reports. (2/20/2014)
Cody McLeod, LW - McLeod (ankle) is likely out for the rest of the regular season, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports. (4/8/2014)
John Mitchell, C - Mitchell will miss Friday's game against the Sharks with headaches and a possible concussion, Adrian Dater of the Denver Postreports. (4/11/2014)
Matt Duchene, C - Duchene will miss about four weeks with a knee injury that he sustained Saturday, the Avs' official site reports. (3/31/2014)
Tyson Barrie, D - Barrie left with an upper-body injury in the second period of Friday's game against the Sharks, Terry Frei of the Denver Post reports. (4/11/2014)
Anaheim Ducks
Stefan Noesen, C - Noesen is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL. (10/14/2013)
Frederik Andersen, G - Andersen (upper body) took part in Tuesday's practice, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports. (4/8/2014)
Luca Sbisa, D - Sbisa missed Wednesday's game against the Sharks with an upper-body injury, the Associated Press reports. (4/10/2014)
Tim Jackman, RW - Jackman suffered a broken hand Friday, and the injury will require surgery, the Eric Stephens of the Orange County Registerreports. (4/5/2014)
Mark Fistric, D - Fistric (lower body) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Oilers. (3/28/2014)
Sheldon Souray, D - Souray, who has yet to play in 2013-14, will have season-ending wrist surgery Friday, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports. (1/16/2014)
Calgary Flames
Michael Cammalleri, C - Cammalleri (face) is out for Friday's game against the Jets. (4/11/2014)
Ladislav Smid, D - Smid (upper body) is not expected to return this season, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. (4/10/2014)
Dennis Wideman, D - Wideman (upper body) has been shut down for the rest of the season, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports. (4/9/2014)
David Jones, RW - Jones (upper body) will not play again this season, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports. (4/9/2014)
Mikael Backlund, C - Backlund (hand) is out for Friday's game against the Jets. (4/11/2014)
Tyler Wotherspoon, D - Wotherspoon will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. (4/2/2014)
Markus Granlund, C - Granlund (shoulder) is unlikely to play again this season, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. (4/10/2014)
Michael Ferland, LW - Ferland underwent knee surgery Saturday and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. (1/18/2014)
Patrick Sieloff, D - After missing the first half of the season with a staph infection, Sieloff has been cleared for off-ice activities, the Calgary Sun reports. (1/17/2014)
Vancouver Canucks
Hunter Shinkaruk, C - Shinkaruk will require major hip surgery and miss the rest of the WHL season, Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun reports. (12/27/2013)
Mike Santorelli, C - Santorelli (shoulder) has undergone season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum, Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun reports. (1/30/2014)
Chris Tanev, D - Tanev will be out 3-4 weeks with a broken finger. (3/19/2014)
Andrew Alberts, D - Coach John Tortorella said Alberts (concussion) has been slow to recover and shouldn't be expected to return anytime soon,Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun reports. (2/24/2014)
Chris Higgins, LW - Higgins is sick and will not play in Saturday's game against the Oilers. (4/12/2014)
Dallas Stars
Ray Whitney, LW - Whitney (lower body) will miss his fourth straight game Wednesday against the Blue Jackets, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports. (4/9/2014)
Aaron Rome, D - Rome did not practice on Monday after being injured in Saturday's game, NHL.com's Mark Stepneski reports. (3/31/2014)
Rich Peverley, RW - Peverley underwent successful surgery to correct an abnormal heart rhythm on Tuesday. (3/19/2014)
Brenden Dillon, D - Dillon left Friday's game against the Blues with a lower-body injury and did not return, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning Newsreports. (4/11/2014)
Phoenix Coyotes
David Schlemko, D - Schlemko (foot) will miss the last two games of the season, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports. (4/12/2014)
Martin Hanzal, C - Hanzal (lower body) is out for Saturday's game against the Sharks, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports. (4/12/2014)
Mike Smith, G - Smith (knee) will not be available Saturday against the Sharks, Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic reports. (4/11/2014)
Hot/Cold/Recommended Pickup
Because so many players will likely be resting up for the play-offs today, it's going to be exceptionally difficult to predict who (if anybody) will be the hot or the cold, so we're going to forgo this section for the last day of the season.
