This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
What kind of a timeframe is 1-to-3 months for Steven Stamkos' blood clot? I suppose the media demands a specific timetable, but 30 to 90 days is about as wide of a margin for return as you'll ever see. Evgeni Malkin, for instance, is dealing with an injury estimated to cost 6-8 weeks, but 1-3 months is a new one. In the end, it's really just a good thing the blood clot was caught and Stamkos' long-range prognosis is excellent.
Those interested in reading about how the NHL thinks on a range of topics can click here for a link to The Globe and Mail.
Jaromir Jagr entered action Sunday as the NHL's 21st leading scorer with 62 points in 68 games. Aside from his fantasy value, the 44-year-old has a group of fans called the "Travelling Jagrs." These guys dress up on all of Jagr's different sweaters. Click here for a link from CBS Sports article on Jagr and his fans.
Poolies still fighting for championships likely can't wait for the final regular-season week to start, so without further adieu …
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid
Tampa Bay Lightning (Ben Bishop) at New York Islanders (Thomas Greiss), 7:00 PM
New York Rangers (Antti Raanta) at Columbus Blue Jackets (Sergei Bobrovsky), 7:00 PM
Florida Panthers (Roberto Luongo) at Toronto Maple Leafs (Garret Sparks), 7:30 PM
Arizona Coyotes (Mike Smith) at St. Louis Blues (Jake Allen), 8:00 PM
Los Angeles Kings (Jonathan Quick) at Vancouver Canucks (Ryan Miller), 10:00 PM
Injury News For Teams Playing Monday
Tampa Bay Lightning
Anton Stralman, D - out indefinitely.
Steven Stamkos, C - Stamkos is out one to three months.
Jonathan Drouin, C - Drouin -- who remains with AHL Syracuse -- is day-to-day with a lower body injury.
Mattias Ohlund, D - Ohlund remains on long-term injured reserve.
New York Islanders
Jaroslav Halak, G - Halak out til late April.
Mikhail Grabovski, C - out Monday.
Travis Hamonic, D - out rest of regular season.
Adam Pelech, D - resumed practicing.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Fedor Tyutin, D - doubtful for Monday.
Jack Johnson, D - out rest of season.
David Clarkson, RW - questionable for Monday.
Curtis McElhinney, G - out rest of season.
Florida Panthers
Willie Mitchell, D - out Monday.
Dave Bolland, C - out Monday.
Vincent Trocheck, C - will miss remainder of regular season.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Leo Komarov, LW - out Monday but close to returning.
Nikita Soshnikov, LW - out Monday.
Matt Hunwick, D - out rest of season.
James van Riemsdyk, LW - out rest of season.
Peter Holland, C - questionable for Monday.
Joffrey Lupul, LW - out rest of season.
Milan Michalek, LW - out rest of season.
Raffi Torres, LW - Won't play again in 2015-16.
Arizona Coyotes
Joe Vitale, C - out rest of season.
Anders Lindback, G - still on IR.
Jarred Tinordi, D - serving suspension.
Eric Selleck, LW - missed Saturday.
Martin Hanzal, C - also missed Saturday.
Michael Stone, D - out rest of season.
St. Louis Blues
Jake Allen, G - left Sunday's game, look for Elliott on Monday.
Jay Bouwmeester, D - out with concussion.
Steve Ott, C - questionable for Monday.
Robby Fabbri, C - likely out Monday.
Los Angeles Kings
Marian Gaborik, RW - skating but likely out Monday.
Matt Greene, D - out Monday.
Jordan Nolan, RW - out indefinitely.
Vancouver Canucks
Alexander Edler, D - out rest of season.
Brandon Prust, LW - out rest of season.
Brandon Sutter, C - out rest of season.
Luca Sbisa, D - also out last week of season.
Derek Dorsett, RW - probable for Monday.
Linden Vey, C - left Friday, questionable for Monday.
Sven Baertschi, LW - missed Sunday's skate, questionable for Monday.
Radim Vrbata, RW - out last week of season.
Chris Higgins, LW - left Friday, questionable for Monday.
Hot
Artemi Panarin, LW, CHI -- The Russian rookie has scored more points in his last two games (8) than he compiled in the previous 16 tilts (7). The acknowledgement that Panarin is worthy of the hot list is more of an acknowledgement that the line of Patrick Kane, Artem Anisimov and Panarin is back to playing well. Chicago hosts Arizona and St. Louis before traveling to Columbus in Week 26 to close out the regular season. The trio seems to have awoken after going through a post All-Star break slumber. Panarin's weekend explosion gives him 28 goals and 72 points in 77 games. Reaching the 30-goal mark could give him the incentive fantasy owners need from him during Week 26.
Wayne Simmonds, RW, PHI – The Flyers have a heavy final week of action, skating four times. Like Panarin, Simmonds is knocking on the 30-goal plateau. Following Sunday's snipe the feisty forward has 29 scores. He's never reached 30 goals before, finishing with 28 goals twice and 29 two more times. Sunday put him in position to reach his new high-water mark, provided the league doesn't discipline him for a neck slash to Pittsburgh goalie Mark Murray's neck with his stick. Simmonds and the Flyers face off against the Pens on Saturday, setting the scene for another big game from him.
Cold
Henrik Lundqvist, G, NYR – The King has been overrun by the proletariat in recent action. Lundqvist has played some uncharacteristically bad hockey when fantasy owners needed him most. He was pulled Saturday after giving up three goals in 21 minutes to the Sabres. On Thursday the Hurricanes roughed him up for four goals in another loss. Lundqvist has gone 2-4-3 with a 3.59 goals-against average and .899 save percentage since March 3. The Rangers have four games in Week 26 (including three at home) and Lundqvist is so good it's hard to predict his demise, but his current 2.47 GAA is the worst of his 11 NHL seasons.
Recommended Pickup
Matt Murray, G, PIT – Murray improved to two 7-2-1 Sunday, stopping 28 of 30 shots in a 6-2 victory over cross-state rival Philadelphia. Coach Mike Sullivan isn't expected to update starter Marc-Andre Fleury's status regarding concussion-like symptoms until after practice Monday or Tuesday. For that reason, Murray could start two of Pittsburgh's three games in Week 26 (with Jeff Zatkoff getting the other game). Coach Sullivan called Murray "mature beyond his years" Sunday, adding that he exudes a quiet confidence. He's recorded 16 shutouts in 72 career AHL games and blanked the Islanders on Saturday. The Thunder Bay product makes for a good choice the rest of the regular season (at least) and for the future in keeper leagues.
