This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
Earlier this season, I wrote about how I wanted to see the Capitals versus the Stars in the Stanley Cup Final. This was because both of these teams have so much offensive talent and it would probably be a high scoring, exciting matchup, one that, in the copycat world of sports, could get hockey teams thinking about prioritizing offensive firepower, which would be great. That would still be an excellent series. I'd have no problems watching the Capitals and Stars square off for the Stanley Cup. However, in recent weeks, I've started to kind of hope that the Florida Panthers end up making it to the finals, and maybe even winning it all.
There are a few reasons for this. One is, obviously, the less than stellar history of this franchise. It would be cool to see them complete such a drastic turnaround. They did make it to the Stanley Cup Final back in 1996, but that wasn't a good thing, because they were a fluke that rode the trap to some upsets and helped set the NHL backward. This team is not that. The Panthers have plenty of scoring power, including some young, up-and-coming players. Aaron Ekblad is one of the future elite defensemen in the NHL. Their veterans are delightful guys like Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo, who are also still good. This is a good team. This is a fun team, and it is also something new for fans of the league, and the franchise.
Back in the day, I would rallied against the Panthers having success. I was an obnoxious teenager, bolstered by an idiotic book called The Death of Hockey, to be a purist about the sport. Now that I am an adult, I'm not of that mindset. I don't care that there is a hockey team in south Florida. I can be happy for any fan base, especially if they have had so little to root for. If the Panthers make it to the Stanley Cup Final, I will be happy. I don't think it will happen. The Capitals and Penguins both look great, although the Panthers will only have to beat one of them. Nevertheless, a man can hope.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Blue Jackets (Sergei Bobrovsky) at Maple Leafs (Garret Sparks), 7:00 PM
Canucks (Ryan Miller) at Oilers (Cam Talbot), 7:00 PM
Flyers (Steve Mason) at Red Wings (Petr Mrazek), 8:00 PM
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Wednesday
Blue Jackets
David Clarkson, RW (lower-body) – Out indefinitely
Cody Goloubef, D (oblique) – Day-to-day
Jack Johnson, D (shoulder) – Out for season
Curtis McElhinney, G (knee) – Out for season
Fedor Tyutin, D (undisclosed) – Day-to-day
Maple Leafs
Peter Holland, C (concussion) – Day-to-day
Matt Hunwick, D (hernia) – Out for season
Nazem Kadri, C (suspension) – Suspended four games
Leo Komarov, LW (lower-body) – Out indefinitely
Joffrey Lupul, LW (abdomen) – Out for season
Milan Michalek, LW (knee) – Out for season
Stephane Robidas, D (knee) – Out indefinitely
Raffi Torres, LW (knee) – Out for season
James van Riemsdyk, LW (foot) – Out for season
Canucks
Sven Baertschi, LW (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Alexander Edler, D (leg) – Out for season
Chris Higgins, LW (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Luca Sbisa, D (upper-body) – Out for season
Brandon Sutter, C (jaw) – Out for season
Linden Vey, C (upper-body) – Day-to-day
Radim Vrbata, RW (knee) – Out for season
Oilers
Brandon Davidson, D (lower-body) – Out long term
Andrew Ference, D (hip) – Out for season
Eric Gryba, D (knee) – Unlikely to return
Oscar Klefbom, D (infection) – Out for season
Benoit Pouliot, LW (shoulder) – Likely out for season
Flyers
Michael Del Zotto, D (wrist) – Out 3-4 months
Andrew MacDonald, D (head) – Out Wednesday
Michal Neuvirth, G (knee) – Out for regular season
Red Wings
Johan Franzen, RW (concussion) – Out for season
Drew Miller, LW (lower-body) – Out 4-6 months
Hot
John Tavares, C, NYI – Late in the year, anybody being hot is worth noting, even if it is a clearly great player like Tavares. Of course, earlier in the year Tavares was a little disappointing, but he's put that all behind him. On back-to-back nights, Tavares scored a goal and added two assists, and he has nine points in his last five games. The Islanders have had some issues down the stretch, but clearly not because of Tavares.
Derek Stepan, C, NYR – Let us stay in the Big Apple and talk about Stepan. He notched two goals, and tallied an assist, against the Lightning on Tuesday, leading the Rangers to a comeback victory. This gives Stepan 22 goals on the season, a new career best. He also has a four-game point streak, and has four multipoint games in his last six contests. We may have found somebody hotter than Tavares, and we didn't even have to leave New York.
Cold
Joel Ward, RW, SAN – Ward has been good for the Sharks this year, but recently he's seen his game slide. In his last seven games, he only has one point, a goal, and he missed a game due to an injury as well. He's also a whopping minus-8 in those games, owing mostly to an amazing bad minus-5 game. With only two games left in the regular season, there's no reason to take the gamble on him right now, and you may want to be wary heading into the postseason.
Erik Johnson, D, COL – Johnson has an impressive streak going on. A couple of them actually. He has zero points in his last seven games, and he's also posted a minus rating in eight straight games. With games left against Dallas and Anaheim, don't expect Johnson to find his footing in the waning days of the season.
Recommended Pickup
Carl Hagelin, LW, PIT – Mike Sullivan took over the Penguins, and decided they should play fast, and few players are as qualified to play fast hockey as Hagelin. As such, it is not surprising how well he's been playing in recent weeks. He has 38 points on the season, which is solid for a secondary scoring option, but he has nine points in his last 10 games, and he's taking a lot of shots. If you are looking for a gamble for the last couple of games of this season, or for an under-the-radar player for your playoff fantasy team, Hagelin is a nice option. Speed kills, after all. (I chose Hagelin for the recommended pickup before he scored two goals on Tuesday night. Obviously, that only bolsters my opinion.)
