It is never easy to foresee the unforeseen. Injuries happen every day in the NHL and here at FantasyAlarm, our goal will be to help you try to stay on top of those maladies. Counting all the latest bumps, bites, and bruises, there were 29 players held out of lineups. Three of those are long term injuries from a previous year. Those players are likely not to return or have retired. That leaves 26 who have been hurt this season. Here are some of the more notable ouches out there and their possible prognosis on this Friday. Periodic updates and returns are provided as well. The latest walking wounded is listed below. With only 13 teams to monitor, the articles now are shorter. New York, San Jose, and Montreal have been deemed healthy for now.

Centers

Erik Haula has missed the last few games with what has been deemed an undisclosed injury. This is the time of year where injuries are kept as secretive as humanly possible. Bruce Boudreau has gone on the record saying he is hopeful that Haula can return for Game 5. The center is about 50-50 to return. No one will know until probably morning skate or maybe even warm-ups on Saturday. There will be some updates on social media as soon as today possibly.

Paul Stastny may return for Game 5 for St. Louis. The speculation is that he has been out since March 21st with a knee sprain (MCL possibly). Some have said groin too but it appears that the center is on his way back to being 100%. The extra day off between games undoubtedly helps here. A decision will be made by Mike Yeo sometime on Saturday as to Stastny’s playing status. That would help stabilize the forward lines at the very least for the Blues.

Wingers

Craig Smith was placed on the injured report on Wednesday with a minor injury. He looked worse and worse throughout the day on Thursday and by Thursday night, it was clear that he was going to be a scratch. Fortunately, Nashville will have some time before their second round begins. That should give him enough time to hopefully be healthy and ready to go.

Colin Wilson was thought to be back next week but now that is not the case. With Nashville sweeping Chicago out of round one, it is anyone’s guess when the winger will return. First, there is the wait to see when round number two will begin and then it is the where will Nashville play. The only thing known is that it will be a road game.

Defensemen

Sami Vatanen is banged up with an upper body injury believed to be in the shoulder area. The good news is that with the rest from round one, it is possible that Vatanen could be back sometime in round number two. That first game though is a question mark and the same was mentioned for Cam Fowler (knee sprain). This all depends on how fast they can get close to 100%. Being in game shape is one thing but playoff game shape is another.

Boston’s defensive core has been a huge issue in their series with Ottawa because of injury. Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo, and now Adam McQuaid are all out. That would make life tough 

for anyone. Krug and Carlo have not played a minute in this series and all three have been pronounced out for game five. At least, Frank Vatrano is okay after a foot injury scare. However, to not have three of your top six defensemen is tough for any team to overcome. This is not likely to change over the weekend either so Boston will have to find a way.

Goalies

Matt Murray is week to week with a groin injury. He was out for all of round one against Columbus and it is anyone’s guess if he can make it back for the second round. The speculation is that he is feeling better. Do you take out Marc-Andre Fleury who is playing well right now? That is the question. Pittsburgh will probably not have to play until later next week so they do not have to answer this right away. Also, Murray will not need to be rushed back.

Chris Wassel can be heard on Fantasy Hockey X every week and on various places throughout the internet. He can be followed on Fantasy Alarm and Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS. A special thanks this week to nhl.com, Brian Metzer, Pete Jensen, Eric Stephens, Dan Rosen, and Selene Parekh of The Fantasy Doctors for all their information. Thanks to all the beat writers that make this column possible each week. It is more difficult to find injury information of any kind in the playoff sometimes. These writers make that easier.