Injuries to stars like Alex Ovechkin, Juuse Saros, and Tristan Jarry looming large for playoffs
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL Playoffs will begin on Monday, May 2 and could be without some big name stars.
At the top of that list is Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He’s not the only one as Predators number starting goalie Juuse Saros is out for the remainder of the regular season, which concludes today.
Here a look at some of the latest injuries and updates.
NHL Injury News: Alex Ovechkin
Ovechkin, 36, has 90 points (50 goals, 40 assists) in 77 games this season. His goal total ranks fourth in the NHL and he’s third in the league all-time with 780. He’s currently 21 goals behind Gordie Howe (801) for second all-time as he goes for Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894.
He appeared to injure his shoulder when he tripped over goalie Erik Kallgren’s stick after missing on a breakaway last Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. With his footing gone, he slid into the end boards and left the ice in obvious pain and discomfort.
“I just talked to him, and I think he’ll be all right,” T.J. Oshie said via The Washington Post. “It’s always scary seeing him go down and lay on the ice. He’s a tough guy.”
Ovechkin is a game-time decision tonight in the regular season finale for both the Capitals and New York Rangers. A loss of any kind tonight means they will face the Florida Panthers to open the post season. If they win, and the Penguins lose in regulation, they will face the Rangers.
Even if he does return tonight, one has to wonder if the injury will keep him from being 100% for the playoffs.
Update: Ovechkin will miss his third straight game. “He’s out with an upper-body injury,” head coach Peter Laviolette said without giving any other update on the injury.
Juuse Saros
Saros, 27, is having a great season for the Nashville Predators. He is 38-25-3 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .918 SV%. The Preds top goalie also has four shutouts in 67 starts this season which leads the NHL.
Unfortunately, Saros sustained lower-body injury during the third period of the Predators’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. He was able to skate to the bench on his own and was shelved for the remainder of the regular season.
The Predators will either face the Calgary Flames or the Colorado Avalanche depending on how their game tonight against the Arizona Coyotes goes. All Nashville needs is a point and they will lock up the first wild card spot and avoid facing the Avs.
Tristan Jarry
Jarry, 27, has been one of the top goalies in the NHL this season. His record stands at 34-18-6, with a GAA of 2.42 and a .919 SV%.
Unfortunately for the Penguins, he has not played since April 14 against the Islanders.
The latest update for Jarry is that he is week-to-week and may miss the start of the playoffs. He was last seen sporting a walking boot. If he’s unable to go, Casey DeSmith gets the nod.
“Tristan is going through a rehab process right now,” Sullivan said after Wednesday’s practice. “His status is week to week. We are not sure what that picture (outlook for the playoffs) will look like.”
TribLive
Other Notable Injuries
Carolina Hurricanes: Frederik Andersen is still considered day-to-day with a lower body injury
Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog is back to skating after surgery, day-to-day
Dallas Stars: Braden Holtby on IR for a lower-body injury, doing off-ice workouts
Edmonton Oilers: Darnell Nurse out with a lower-body injury and considered day-to-day
Minnesota Wild: Mats Zuccarello (LBI), Matt Dumba (UBI), and Jared Spurgeon (UBI) are day-to-day
New York Rangers: Artemi Panarin (UBI) and Andrew Copp (LBI) are day-to-day, Tyler Motte (UBI) is out indefinitely
Pittsburgh Penguins: Jason Zucker is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury
St. Louis Blues: David Perron (LBI) and Marco Scandella (LBI) is day-to-day
Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Bunting is day-to-day with an upper-body injury