Player Notes

Boychuk scored a goal in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Rangers.
Recommendation: Boychuk, who had just one goal and six points in 44 regular season games, now has four goals in 10 playoff contests to date, which gives him 10 goals in 55 career postseason games overall. While Boychuk earns most of his keep with his rugged presence -- he leads the playoffs with 37 blocked shots and is tied for fifth with 41 hits -- on the Bruins' blueline, it's not a complete fluke that he has found a scoring touch, given that he possesses a booming shot.

Sutton has retired from the NHL, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Recommendation: Sutton has battled a multitude of injuries over the past couple of seasons which certainly played a big part in his decision to retire. He leaves the NHL having played in 676 games, 38 goals, 112 assists, and 1,185 PIMs.

Thornton had one assist in his 19:39 on ice for the Sharks Tuesday.
Recommendation: That assist puts Thornton on a three-game point streak and he's got nine points in eight games this postseason. He's been crucial for the Sharks and played incredibly in the first period Tuesday. Jumbo Joe is living up to his name.

Neal notched three points in Wednesday's Game 4 win over the Senators.
Recommendation: Neal recorded two goals and an assist as the flood gates opened for the Pens in a 7-3 dismantling of Ottawa.

Couture had a tip-in goal and five shots in the Sharks win on Tuesday.
Recommendation: That's game-winning goals in back-to-back games for Couture. With 11 points in eight games, Couture has been as hot as a player can get this postseason.

Morrow (undisclosed) will not play in Wednesday's Game 4 against the Senators, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Recommendation: Morrow is officially out for Wednesday's tilt with the injury he suffered in practice Tuesday. Specifics regarding the ailment are still scarce, so consider him day-to-day heading into Friday's Game 5.

Clowe (undisclosed injury) practiced with the team for the first time since May 10, reports Steve Zipay.
Recommendation: There is a lot of speculation that Clowe, who has not practiced or played in a game since absorbing a hit by Capitals' forward Jason Chimera, is dealing with concussion-like symptoms. His status for game 4 is questionable.

Stralman will likely be unavailable for Thursday's Game 4 against the Bruins, Newsday reports.
Recommendation: In the second period of Tuesday's Game 3, Stralman took a hard hit from Boston's Milan Lucic and was forced to leave the game. The exact nature of the injury has not been disclosed, but it doesn't sound like Stralman will suit up Thursday. In his absence, Steve Eminger will likely move up to pair with Michael Del Zotto.

Stepan was held scoreless despite a team-high five shots on goal in Tuesday's 2-1 to Boston
Recommendation: After having a breakout year (44 points in 48 games) during the lockout shortened regular season, Stepan has been held in check during the playoffs, registering a plus-3 and just three goals in 10 games.

Galiardi had an assist nn Tuesday's win over Los Angeles, his first point this postseason.
Recommendation: After finishing the season very strong, Galiardi has all but disappeared from the Sharks' boxscore. His ice-time has shown this as well, dropping into the fifteen-minute range over the last three games.

Helm (back) will not return during the Red Wings' second round series against the Blackhawks but hasn't given up hope of coming back later on if the team advances, MLive.com reports.
Recommendation: A setback with Helm's injury, suffered two-and-a-half weeks ago in practice, led the Wings to decide to give the 26-year-old an extended rest. He said he feels pretty good and thinks he could get onto the ice right now, but added that that method hasn't worked for him so they're trying a new approach. Also, Helm said there has not been any discussion of having the back operated on this summer.

Lehner replaced starter Craig Anderson during the third period of Wednesday's 7-3 Game 4 loss to the Penguins.
Recommendation: Lehner allowed one goal on four shots, but will probably remain the backup as the Sens head back to Pittsburgh for a must-win Game 5 on Friday.

Vitale (undisclosed) will not play in Wednesday's Game 4 against the Senators, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Recommendation: Vitale won't be ready to go in Game 4, but there was some hope he could practice earlier in the week so perhaps he'll be ready to go by the time Friday's tilt rolls around.

Pavelski had an assist and three shots in the Sharks victory Tuesday.
Recommendation: Pavelski is on a tear and with Couture on his line, there's no sign of this stopping. He's been on the ice for 17 goals and only one against this postseason.

Karlsson notched two assists in the Senators' 7-3 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday.
Recommendation: With the Pens now up 3-1 and the series heading back to Pittsburgh for Game 5, Karlsson and his teammates will need to play a whole lot better to avoid elimination Friday.

Vokoun saved 30 of the 33 shots he faced (.909) in Wednesday's Game 4 win over the Senators.
Recommendation: This was probably one of Vokoun's worst games of the playoffs, but it didn't matter since the Pens found their groove and ended up blowing out the Senators 7-3. Vokoun will likely get the call again in Game 5 on Friday.

Lundqvist made 32 saves in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Boston.
Recommendation: After yielding five goals in Sunday's loss, Lundqvsit bounced back with a sharp performance in the loss. He stopped several breakaway's early to keep the game tied after the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately, a bad bounce led to the Rangers ultimate demise in game 3 and they now face elimination Thursday night.

Kreider (upper-body) did not skate at Wednesday's team practice, reports Steve Zipay reports.
Recommendation: Kreider, who took a high stick to the face Tuesday, has not made an enormous impact in the Rangers' playoff run as he did last season. He has been held to just one assist in six post-season games. His status for Thursday's game 4 is questionable.

Alfredsson recorded two points in a Game 4 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday.
Recommendation: The captain's goal and assist weren't nearly enough to stop Pittsburgh from cruising to a 7-3 victory and a 3-1 series lead.

Anderson will start Game 4 against the Penguins on Wednesday night.
Recommendation: No surprise here, as Anderson allowed just one goal on 50 shots in Ottawa's 2-1 double-overtime win Sunday. Expect the Sens to ride him the rest of the way through the playoffs.

Letang racked up four assists in Wednesday's Game 4 win over the Senators.
Recommendation: Letang was on the ice for both the Senators' first period goals, but ended the night with four points after the Pens exploded for six goals in the final two periods.

Burns opened the scoring Tuesday, adding three shots and 19:20 in ice time in the San Jose win.
Recommendation: That's Burns first point in the series against Los Angeles. He's been less effective for the Sharks in the postseason than during the regular season, averaging .5 points per game.