Kane on Game 1 return: 'It's exciting'

[IE]

Kane fractured his left clavicle in a game on Feb. 24, underwent surgery on Feb. 25 and was given a 12-week timetable to return. Wednesday will mark seven weeks since his surgery.

Blackhawks head team physician Dr. Michael Terry announced Tuesday that Kane had officially been cleared to return to game action.

 

[IE]

Canadiens bracing for Max Pacioretty to miss Game 1 vs. Senators


- Canadiens star winger Max Pacioretty still hasn't been medically cleared to play on the eve of Montreal's playoff opener against the Senators.

Pacioretty, recovering from a suspected concussion, was cleared for contact in practice Tuesday. But the Canadiens' leading scorer didn't take most of the line rushes, which seemed to signal a step back from the previous day's practice.

"First of all, I had to prepare our team to play for tomorrow's game and I haven't yet gotten any medical confirmation that he's coming back to play for tomorrow's game," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said in French, explaining Pacioretty's absence from line rushes.

 

[IE]

Red Wings to start Petr Mrazek in Game 1


Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has removed the mystery surrounding who will be his starting goaltender for the playoffs, naming 23-year-old Petr Mrazek as his starter against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Mrazek got the nod over incumbent Jimmy Howard, who struggled down the stretch as the Red Wings scrambled to secure a playoff spot. Game 1 is Thursday in Tampa at 7:30 p.m.

Mrazek went 16-9-2 with a .918 save percentage and 2.38 goals-against average this season in 29 games for the Red Wings.