Tuesday morning update
Mikael Samuelsson hasn't ruled out playing in Game 1 Thursday against Nashville. "Me, in my mind, no," said Samuelsson, who missed the last couple weeks of the regular season with a sore groin. Samuelsson skated after practice Tuesday and was optimistic with his progress. "I felt pretty good," said Samuelsson, who wasn't expected to be ready until later in the series. "I'll skate again tomorrow and see how I feel." Kris Draper (groin) and Brad Stuart (broken finger) will both be in the line up, but Kirk Maltby (hamnstring) will miss the opener, if not, the first several games. There was a definite feel of the playoff hockey Tuesday as preparations began for the series. "The weather should be nicer," said Dominik Hasek, who was eagerly anticipating Al Sobotka's barbecue, another playoff opener staple. "But it's the best time of the year."
