Symptom-free Sedin a game-time decision

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Daniel Alfredsson (POSTMEDIA OTTAWA CITIZEN)

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Darryl Dyck / the canadian press archives The Vancouver Canucks could use the services of goal scorer Daniel Sedin. (CP)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Daniel Sedin returned to practice with the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, skating alongside his brother for the first time since getting a concussion last month.

Sedin probably won't decide until game time today whether he'll suit up when the Canucks attempt to salvage their season.

Finally symptom-free after 2 1/2 weeks of pounding headaches, Sedin is pondering whether to play in tonight's crucial Game 4 of Vancouver's playoff series with the Los Angeles Kings. Sedin realizes the top-seeded Canucks are facing elimination after losing the first three, but he's simply grateful he's close to a comeback.

"It's been a tough four weeks, but it's good to be back and feeling good," Sedin said. "That's been my main issue. I really wanted to be back for the playoffs, but when that wasn't the case my main concern was getting back to 100 per cent. That's the case now."

The Canucks' top goal scorer and last season's Hart Trophy finalist skated with his teammates at the Kings' training complex for the first time since getting hurt 12 games ago on a hit from Chicago's Duncan Keith.

Asham, Neal suspended

after Game 3 misdeeds

NEW YORK -- The NHL suspended Pittsburgh forward Arron Asham for four games -- the remainder of his club's series with the Philadelphia Flyers -- and gave a one-game ban to Penguins teammate James Neal on Tuesday night for separate infractions.

Asham was punished after being given a match penalty for attempting to injure Philadelphia forward Brayden Schenn with a cross-check on Sunday in the first period of Pittsburgh's loss that put the Penguins in a 3-0 series hole.

If the series ends before Game 7, Asham will have to serve the remainder of the suspension next season.

Neal will miss Game 4 on Wednesday night for charging Flyers forward Claude Giroux in the third period on Sunday. Neal was given a minor penalty for charging and was ejected.

The Penguins will also be without forward Craig Adams, who received an automatic one-game suspension from the NHL on Monday for instigating a fight late in Game 3. Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma was fined $10,000 for the same fight.

Adams went after Flyers forward Scott Hartnell late in the third period while Hartnell was involved in an altercation with Sidney Crosby. Adams intervened, yanked Hartnell's hair, and the two started fighting.

Adams was assessed a minor penalty for instigating, a major penalty for fighting and was ejected.

Alfredsson unlikely

to return for Game 4

OTTAWA -- It looks like the Ottawa Senators will have to get used to life without Daniel Alfredsson.

Barring a miracle, it doesn't appear as if the 39-year-old captain will be able to play tonight in the fourth game of this best-of-seven series against the New York Rangers.

Alfredsson, who suffered a concussion when Rangers winger Carl Hagelin elbowed his head into the glass during Game 2, suffered a setback after Monday's morning skate, Senators coach Paul MacLean revealed on Tuesday. Other than that, MacLean had no more information about Alfredsson's condition.

"Nothing's changed," MacLean said. "I'm not going to speculate. If he feels fine, he will (play). But right now there's no change to it.

"We're going to evaluate it and see where he is (Wednesday) morning. If he's better and things go good, we'll evaluate the lineup and make decisions then." MacLean said the loss of Alfredsson can't be underestimated.

-- from the news services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 18, 2012 C3