Player Notes

Hannan missed about six minutes of action early in the second period of Saturday's Game 3 against the Kings after sliding face-first into the boards.
Recommendation: After a brief respite, he returned to action and skated an otherwise normal complement of shifts. There's no indication that he won't be able to go in Tuesday's Game 4.

Marleau assisted on both San Jose goals as the Sharks edged the Kings 2-1 in Saturday's Game 3 of the teams' second-round series.
Recommendation: He has a 5-3-8 ledger after seven playoff games, with half of those points coming on San Jose power plays. There's no sign that this productivity will abate.

Quick was on his game Saturday, stopping 38 San Jose shots, but his teammates couldn't generate enough offense to close the deal as the Sharks escaped with a 2-1 overtime win.
Recommendation: He's displaying the same form in this postseason that propelled the Kings to the 2012 Stanley Cup. We have no hesitation about commending him to you whenever LA takes the ice.

Couture returned to the ice after sustaining a second-period leg injury and delivered the game-winner in overtime as the Sharks edged Los Angeles on Saturay night, 2-1. The win cuts the Kings' series lead to 2-1.
Recommendation: This is the first OT tally of Couture's career, and came on a San Jose power play. The injury cost him most of the second frame, but he played all of the third before delivering the clincher. As long as he's on a line with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, Couture is a solid bet to appear on the score sheet.

Niemi outdueled LA's Jonathan Quick on Saturday as the Sharks got by the Kings in overtime, 2-1. Niemi stopped 26 shots on the night.
Recommendation: Niemi rose to this ocasion. The Sharks had to have this game, to avoid dropping into a 3-0 hole; and Niemi had to come up big, as Quick put on another dazzling performance. Game 4 is Tuesday, and Niemi will assuredly be in the crease for that contest.

Havlat (groin) took regular shifts in the first period of Saturday's game, but did not return after the first intermission, according to the braodcast team on TSN.
Recommendation: How many body parts can a Havlat hurt if a Havlat could hurt body parts? The guy is cursed. Don't hold your breath this time.

Staal (third-degree MCL sprain) faces a three-month recovery time but will not need surgery, Tampa Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson reports
Recommendation: It's a significant injury, but the offseason should be enough time for Staal to be ready for the 2013-14 season, which would have been in jeopardy had he suffered a tear. The news is good, in other words.

Anderson will start Game 3 against Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sportsnet.ca's Ian Mendes reports.
Recommendation: Anderson has taken a beating from Pittsburgh in the first two games, allowing a miserable seven goals on just 51 shots. A regular season GAA of 1.69 gives Ottawa a reason to keep the faith in Anderson, however, and his odds of pulling off a win are aided by the return of Jason Spezza (back), who hasn't played since Jan. 27.

Stoll (head) is not in the lineup for Saturday's Game 3.
Recommendation: Stoll suffered a head injury after being hit by Raffi Torres of the Sharks. It is unknown how long he will remain out of the lineup.

Bertuzzi will not play in Game 2 against Chicago on Saturday, Detroit News writer John Niyo reports.
Recommendation: Bertuzzi lands on the bench due to the return of Drew Miller, who had been sitting due to a hand injury.

Kennedy has been scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Game 3.
Recommendation: Kennedy did not play in Game 1 of the series and played just 6:51 in Game 2. He has not played a significant role throughout the playoffs, and it appears that is not going to change going forward.

Edler has been suspended for the remainder of the IIHF World Championships for his knee-to-knee hit on Eric Staal, the Vancouver Province reports.
Recommendation: Sweden will have to play without Edler in Saturday's semifinal match against Finland and the following medal game.

Stalberg will be a healthy scratch for Saturday's Game 2 against Detroit, NHL.com's Brian Hedger reports.
Recommendation: Stalberg has no known injury issues, so his benching appears to be due to slumping performance and perhaps tensions with the Chicago coaching staff over his playing time.

Clifford (undisclosed) is not in the lineup for Saturday's Game 3 against the Sharks.
Recommendation: Clifford did not play in the series' fist two games due to an injury he apparently suffered during the team's first round series against St. Louis. He continues to be listed as day-to-day.

Miller (hand) has been cleared to play, NHL.com's Brian Hedger reports.
Recommendation: It's not clear whether Miller will play in Saturday's Game 2 against Chicago, but coach Mike Babcock previously implied that Miller would play once medically cleared. We'll watch for confirmation on that.

Martinez was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Game 3.
Recommendation: The team did not state a reason for the move and has not provided any information regarding his status for Game 4. Martinez has seen his ice time decrease slightly in the first two games of the series, and he played just 11:49 in Game 2.

Carcillo has played in the last three Blackhawks' playoff games heading into Saturday's Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Red Wings.
Recommendation: Carcillo had been in and out of the lineup during the 2013 regular season either because of injuries or as a healthy scratch. He helped his cause to stay in the lineup by collecting an assist on Wednesday in the Game 1 victory over the Red Wings. The more physical team that Chicago faces the more likely that Carcillo will find a spot on the ice.

Greene (lower body) has been scratched from Saturday's lineup for Game 3.
Recommendation: Greene has only played in five games this season and hasn't been in the lineup since Apr. 24. His status going forward remains unknown, but he is not likely to be a major contributor through the remainder of the playoffs.

Spezza (back) will make his return in Sunday's Game 3 against Pittsburgh.
Recommendation: What merely seemed probable earlier Saturday appears set in stone now. Spezza will play Sunday, giving Ottawa a glimmer of hope despite a two-game deficit to Pittsburgh.

Lehner came on in relief during the second period of Friday's Game 2 loss to the Penguins.
Recommendation: Starter Craig Anderson allowed three goals on 21 shots before being yanked in favor of Lehner, who allowed one goal on 21 shots. There's no word yet on who will start Game 3 on Sunday, as the Sens may be looking for a spark with their backs against the wall in the series.