With just days remaining before the playoffs start, there is no worse time to get hurt. But several teams around the league are dealing with injuries to key players: 5. Dennis Wideman, Capitals » Wideman filled in beautifully running the power play after his trade from Florida on Feb. 28. Together, Washington would be tough to stop with the man advantage. And Wideman was playing well in his own end, too, until a severe hematoma left him hospitalized with compartment syndrome.
4. Chris Pronger, Flyers » The elite defenseman had a pin inserted into his hand on March 14. A setback during rehab means he likely won’t play before the postseason. The Flyers were struggling even before Pronger was hurt with an unsightly 8-9-6 record over the last 23 games.
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3. Ryan Callahan, Rangers » This is a brutal loss for New York. Callahan isn’t that big — 5-foot-10, 190 pounds — but his brand of physicality epitomizes the Rangers’ style of play. He’s out long term with a broken leg after blocking a Zdeno Chara shot Monday. He’s also New York’s second-leading scorer (23 goals, 25 assists).
2. Sidney Crosby, Penguins » A concussion has kept Crosby out of the lineup since Jan. 5. He has since started skating with teammates and participating in morning skates the day of games. But it’s a long way from that to participating in actual postseason games. No indication yet from the Penguins that Crosby will be back this season.
1. Manny Malhotra, Canucks » Malhotra took a puck to the left eye in a March 16 game vs. Colorado. He has needed two surgeries to save his vision. He is out for the season, and his career is in jeopardy. He anchored Vancouver’s shutdown third line and was one of the best faceoff men in the NHL.
