Player Notes

Crawford stopped 26 of the 30 shots he faced in Saturday's loss to the Red Wings.
Recommendation: The Wings looked much better in all facets of the game Saturday, limiting the pressure of the Hawks in their defensive zone and outshooting Chicago 30-20 in the winning effort.

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.

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.

Howard stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced in Saturday's Game 2 win over Chicago.
Recommendation: After seeing 41 shots fired his way in the series opening loss on Wednesday, Howard had to be happy to see a much more complete effort from the squad in front of him at both ends of the ice Saturday. He'll be in goal for the Wings again when the series heads to Detroit for Game 3.

Kane snapped his playoff scoring drought by potting the opening tally in the Hawks' Game 2 loss to Detroit on Saturday.
Recommendation: The goal was only Kane's second since he scored the game-winner in the Hawks' series-clinching victory in the Stanley Cup finals in 2010.

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.

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 scoresheet.

Zetterberg had a pair of assists, including one on the game-winning tally in the Wings' victory over Chicago on Saturday.
Recommendation: After making a heads-up play in a race to a loose puck in the Hawks' zone, Zetterberg brought the puck behind the Chicago goal line before firing a pass through a defenseman's skates to Brendan Smith at the back door. Aside from his contributions offensively, Zetterberg's value in the series will also come in the form of providing a tough defensive matchup for Hawks captain Jonathan Toews.

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.

Havlat (groin) told the San Jose coaching staff "he's a go" for Saturday's Game 3 against Los Angeles, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports.
Recommendation: We'll make a follow-up note if/when Havlat is officially allowed to play, but it seems that at the very least he's lobbying his coaches to let him on the ice Saturday. It appears as if he'll play.

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.

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.

Clifford (undisclosed) practiced Friday but has not been cleared for contact, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Recommendation: Clifford's working towards a return but he'll need to be cleared for contact first.

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.