Ehrhoff (upper body) will not play in Game 1 of the Pens' playoff series with the Rangers on Thursday. On a positive note, Ehrhoff said that he's now in the day-to-day phase of his recovery after being cleared to take contact Tuesday. He participated in Wednesday's practice in a limited fashion, but should increase his involvement over the next couple of days. A return to the lineup for Saturday's Game 2 in New York shouldn't be ruled out.

Ehrhoff (upper body) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. After being cleared for contact a day earlier, Ehrhoff rejoined his mates on the ice, but didn't appear to be skating on a regular pairing. As a result, he appears doubtful to play in Thursday's playoff opener against the Rangers, though coach Mike Johnston should provide an update on that front the morning of the game. If Ehrhoff is made unavailable, Derrick Pouliot -- who is also recovering from an injury -- or AHL call-ups Brian Dumoulin and Scott Harrington could enter the lineup Thursday.

Ehrhoff (upper body) has been cleared for contact, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. That said, the Penguins still consider Ehrhoff day-to-day as Thursday's playoff opener against the Rangers approaches.

Ehrhoff (upper body) joined his teammates for Monday's optional practice. Meanwhile, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review relays that Ehrhoff skated extensively Monday, but there has been no concrete update on when the blueliner might play again. The Penguins open up their playoff slate on Thursday against the Rangers.

Ehrhoff (upper body) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Islanders and is doubtful to play Saturday in Buffalo, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Ehrhoff took to the ice Friday morning, but was limited to skating with the Penguins' conditioning coach rather than with the rest of the team. Since Ehrhoff won't have an opportunity to take contact before Saturday's contest, it looks pretty safe to rule him out for the weekend. However, if the Penguins still haven't clinched a playoff spot by then, desperate times may call for desperate measures.

Pens coach Mike Johnston said Ehrhoff (upper body) might return to the lineup this weekend. "Ehrhoff is skating at home (in Pittsburgh)," Johnston said. "We like the way he's progressing. He could possibly be ready for the weekend but I won't have any confirmation of that until Wednesday." Ehrhoff's season has bordered on catastrophic for fantasy owners. The defenseman has 14 points (3G, 11A) in 49 contests, with only two points on the power play. Given Pittsburgh's recent spate of injuries to its blue line, however, the team will take any and all healthy bodies.

Coach Mike Johnston said there's a chance that Ehrhoff (upper body) could be ready to play by the time the postseason begins, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Ehrhoff resumed skating last week, but still hasn't taken part in a full-contact session with the Penguins. It doesn't look like Ehrhoff will have the opportunity to prove himself healthy and ready to go for the Pens' final two regular-season contests, but if the team is able to secure a playoff spot, the blueliner might be an option by the time Game 1 rolls around.

Ehrhoff (upper body) will not travel to Ottawa for Tuesday's game against the Senators, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Ehrhoff has just two more chances to play before the end of the regular season, with the Penguins facing the Islanders on Friday and Sabres on Saturday. While the team would probably prefer that he get a tune-up game before the start of the playoffs, Ehrhoff may have already played his last regular-season game this year.

Ehrhoff (upper body) will not play in Saturday's game against the Blue Jackets or Sunday's game against the Flyers, Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. No surprise here, as the Penguins seemingly just hope to have Ehrhoff back for the playoffs. It woulnd't be surprising to see the defenseman get a tune-up game or two before the end of the regular season, but expectations should remain close to non-existent.

Ehrhoff (upper body) resumed skating on his own prior to Wednesday's optional team session, Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Coach Mike Johnston said that the team would check back in on Ehrhoff's status Thursday morning before deciding if he'll be able to participate in practice with the rest of the team. It's still up in the air if he'll be able to get back in the lineup before the regular season ends, but given that Ehrhoff is already skating, a return during the first round of the playoffs seems plausible.