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Jonathan Toews, F, Chicago Blackhawks
Toews hasn't played since Willie Mitchell leveled him with a hit on Oct. 21. Officially he's day-to-day with concussion-like symptoms -- but those days are starting to turn into weeks. Coach Joel Quenneville remains optimistic that it's a short-term injury.
It's an opportunity for: Patrick Kane. Sometimes your best players have to be even better in the absence of teammates. Kane played 23:47 in Chicago's Oct. 30 win over Montreal, his most ice-time all season.
Roberto Luongo, G, Vancouver Canucks
Injuries have hit the Canucks harder than any team. Luongo should be close to returning from a rib injury, but the Canucks have also played without key contributors Michael Grabner (ankle), Ryan Johnson (concussion), Daniel Sedin (foot) and Pavol Demitra (shoulder).
It's an opportunity for: Andrew Raycroft. Some suspected the Canucks might use Luongo's injury to showcase Cory Schneider. Raycroft won't let them. He's 3-1 with a 1.52 goals-against average.
Marc Savard, F, Boston Bruins
Boston lost its playmaking center until late November (at the earliest) because of a foot injury. "Right now, the bottom part of our lineup is doing their job and creating their chances," coach Claude Julien said. "It's a matter of the top part of our lineup has to somehow find ways to score goals."
It's an opportunity for: Patrice Bergeron. While nobody has seized the opportunity to replace Savard, Bergeron (four goals, four assists) has been one of the few offensive bright spots for Boston.
Paul Martin, D, New Jersey Devils
The underappreciated Martin has a broken forearm and is expected to miss at least a month. Finding a replacement for a guy who does everything for the Devils won't be easy, but this franchise always seems to find a way.
It's an opportunity for: Mark Fraser. It's a group effort for the New Jersey blue line but 23-year-old rookie Fraser is back from a head injury. He would like to capitalize on potential playing time.
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LA is only the second No. 8 seed to reach the Stanley Cup finals after defeating Phoenix 4-3 in overtime of Game 5 on Tuesday. The Kings only other appearance in the Stanley Cup finals was in 1993.
The Kings advance to the Stanley Cup finals after their playoff-record 10th consecutive road win.
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Video: NHL from NBC Sports |
Highlights: Kings 4, Coyotes 3 (OT) The Kings advance to the Stanley Cup finals after their playoff-record 10th consecutive road win. |
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