Player Notes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.