Quick Hits: Injury Updates, Signings, and Playoff Races
Michal Kempny tears hamstring

J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington: Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny expects to be out four to six months after tearing his hamstring. Surgery on the left hamstring was successful and could impact Kempny’s training camp.

Erik Karlsson makes a guarantee for playoffs

Paul Gackle: San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson guarantees he will be ready for the playoffs. He was less sure about playing a tuneup game, however.

Troy Terry update

Anaheim Ducks: Troy Terry’s broken tibia resulted in surgery which will cause him to miss 8-12 weeks. The fracture was deemed a non-displaced break of the lower tibia. This occurred after blocking a shot against the Calgary Flames.

Parise plays despite injury

Ken Wiebe: With the Minnesota Wild season hanging by the slimmest of margin, Zach Parise suits up and promptly scores twice against the Winnipeg Jets.

Jake Muzzin and Andreas Johnsson still ill

Michael Augello: Forward Andreas Johnsson was held out again on Tuesday along with Jake Muzzin due to illness. It is believed that both were feeling better but then became worse before game time.

Darcy Kuemper takes a stick to the face, leaves the game

Fox Sports Arizona:  Rick Tocchet updated the media post-game on the Darcy Kuemper injury. Tocchet felt Kuemper looked okay but his eyesight was a bit blurry. More will be known later on Wednesday.

Islanders sign Ohio State standout Mason Jobst to an entry-level deal

New York Islanders: The Islanders signed Jobst to a two-way entry-level contract on Tuesday. Jobst was a Hobey Baker Award finalist who played all four years at Ohio State University. It is a two-year deal which begins in 2019-20.

Jeff Blashill inks extension to stay with Detroit Red Wings

Max Bultmann of The Athletic:  The key sticking point with Blashill getting a two-year extension was the following:

“He plays our young players,” Holland told The Athletic at the time. “They play in important situations. The team plays hard. I think he’s done a really good job.”

The bottom line is Blashill has played the younger players more and more in his tenure. Now, he has to show that these young players are ready to take that next step with him as the coach.

Playoff races

Eastern Conference Playoff Race (Games Ending 4/2/19)#nhlplayoffrace pic.twitter.com/RRQPvNl3Gb

— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) April 3, 2019

Western Conference Playoff Race (Games Ending 4/2/19)#nhlplayofface pic.twitter.com/dZz6nt7QvF

— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) April 3, 2019