Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America
Now in round 2 of the playoffs, these teams are all playing as hard as possible to leave the round as division champions. Despite this, some of these teams are still facing injuries, or have acquired some along the way:
Dallas Stars
Center Tyler Seguin is still sidelined and considered day-to-day as a result of an Achilles injury he suffered back in March. Though Seguin has been working hard towards his return and has returned to the ice, it is still unknown when he will return to play.
Right winger Patrick Eaves is sidelined with a foot injury after blocking a puck. He was sidelined on April 29th, and though his injury is not initially believed to be very serious it is still unknown as to when the winger will officially return to play.
Lindy Ruff said Tyler Seguin and Patrick Eaves skated this morning. Neither will travel St. Louis.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) May 2, 2016
Nashville Predators
Center Cody Bass has been sidelined since April 25th as the result of a lower body injury sustained in a game against the Anaheim Ducks. He is currently sidelined on a day-to-day basis and it is unclear as to when the center will return to the ice.
New York Islanders
Isles goalie Jaroslav Halak is still sidelined from the groin injury he received on March 8th. It is still unknown when Halak will return and if he will be healthy in time for the playoffs.
Center Mikhail Grabovski is also still sidelined, due to a concussion, and is expected to be sidelined for another few weeks. Though he was expecting a speedy return to play, it is still unknown as to when he will return.
Left winger Anders Lee is also still sidelined with a fractured left fibula since April 7th. Lee is expected to be sidelined for a while as he recovers from his injury.
D-man Ryan Pulock has been sidelined since April 20th as the result of an undisclosed injury. He has been on injured reserve and is rumored to have an upper body injury. The defenseman is hoping to return to play soon.
Left winger Josh Bailey has also been sidelined on a day to day basis since April 24th. He has yet to return to the ice but is expected to do so against Tampa.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who was sidelined on April 1st due to a concussion, has yet to return to the ice so far in the playoffs. Though it seemed to be expected that he would return in round one against the Rangers, he has yet to return. It is unknown as to when the goaltender will finally return.
D-man Olli Maatta, who was originally sidelined on March 24th with a lower-body injury, had returned to play only to be sidelined again on April 30th as the result of an upper body injury. The injury was sustained in the team’s game against the Washington Capitals in which Maatta took a hit from Brooks Orpik.
Right winger Beau Bennett has yet to return since April 6th as the result of an undisclosed injury and is still on a day-to-day basis. It is unknown as to when the winger will return to play.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Center Steven Stamkos was sidelined on April 1st after his diagnosis of a blood clot in his arm. Stamkos is expected to be sidelined for 1-3 months as he recovers.
D-man Anton Stralman is still sidelined since March 25th after he sustained a fractured fibula. Stralman is currently sidelined indefinitely as he recovers.
Right winger JT Brown has been sidelined since April 15th as a result of an upper body injury he sustained in the team’s second game against the Detroit Red Wings in the first round.
Fellow right winger Erik Condra is also sidelined with an upper body injury that he received in game 1 of the second round against the New York Islanders. A hard check from the Isles’ Casey Cizikas landed the winger on injured reserve.
Mike Blunden is also currently sidelined as a result of an upper body injury and has been day to day since April 28th. It is unknown as to when the forward will return to play, but his injury is not presumed to be too serious.
D-man Matt Carle was sidelined on April 29th due to an undisclosed injury. His injury, and its severity are unknown. There has yet to be any news on his projected return.
