Morning Player Notes in the Draft (Apr 5)

An undisclosed injury kept Los Angeles defenseman Alec Martinez out of the Kings' lineup against the Canucks on Monday night, a game that they dropped 3-2.  The Kings did make a call-up, but didn't use Kevan Gravel for that game, but that's about the extent of the news on this injury at the moment.  There's no word on the severity of the injury or anything, so he's a question mark, heading to the playoffs.

This is our lead note, since Martinez belongs to Jeremy, our pool leader, who still managed to pull an extra point away from Brenda & Seward on opening night of the last week of the regular season.  His lead now stands at 10 points.

The Blue Jackets are not pulling any punches with their own players, as we finish up a disappointing season for them this year. Forward Scott Hartnell was scratched last night, due to some poor performances and so the coaches can audition some younger talent. That's a pretty significant blow to a player, even if it is the end of the year. No word on how Hartnell will finish off the regular season, yet.

Dale B. could have used Hartnell and whatever work ethic he would have brought, as his week's count is still at zero after Monday night, one of five teams to be shutout to start the week.  There's not a lot left for Dale's team to play for, except to stay out of the Basement Dweller nod.

The St. Louis Blues have officially shutdown both goalie Jake Allen and forward David Backes for the last week of the regular season, both suffering from lower-body injuries and their status will be re-evaluated at the end of the week, so their playoff availability will have a clearer picture.  Allen left the team's last game with the injury, while Backes came as a bit of a surprise, but there's a good chance that this is all very precautionary, since their spot is already locked up and a couple games missed should offer enough rest, leading up to the Spring Dance.

Scott's goaltending tandem could still very well come away with the most wins this season, as they have a 2-win lead over Kristy & Don with a few games left to play and he still has one goalie active through the week.  For Derek W., our reigning Mover & Shaker, his team is off to a roaring start again, leading the pool with 6 points, despite the injury costing Backes a game last night.

An upper-body injury is the description that the Rangers coaching staff is using to describe Ryan McDonagh's 1st period injury, which forced him from the game against Columbus on Monday.  If you're gauging the severity of the injury, by whether or not they're calling someone up, well, they say it is likely that someone will come up to take his spot and if I had to guess, it would be for the rest of the week.  He'll be day-to-day on the sheet though.

With the good start to the week, Derek W. has moved to within 4 points of Scott for 9th place, but injury problems are already starting to bite Derek's team in the butt.  Will his team be able to shake this injury problem and move up in the standings at all?

Click here for the updated injury/news page on the website