SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 04/08/17 1057588 What we learned from the Ducks' 4-0 win over the 1057619 Brian Campbell-Trevor van Riemsdyk pairing gives Chicago Blackhawks Blackhawks defensive depth 1057589 What you need to know: As John Gibson continues to roll, 1057620 Ryan Hartman, Blackhawks not upset about slash by so do the Ducks Ducks' Corey Perry 1057590 Ducks winger Nick Ritchie gets two-game ban, will miss 1057621 Cruising Blackhawks not sweating any stunted momentum start of playoffs 1057622 Nothing comes easy when lining up against Ducks 1057591 Ducks’ John Gibson makes his case to be top goalie 1057623 Blackhawks' third line creating chemistry and points 1057592 Anaheim Ducks blank Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 1057624 John Gibson outstanding: Quick hits from Blackhawks-Ducks 1057625 Blackhawks sit a few more veterans, fall to Ducks 1057593 's uncertain future looms over Arizona 1057626 FIVE THINGS TO WATCH: BLACKHAWKS CLOSE OUT Coyotes' season finale REGULAR SEASON VS. KINGS TODAY ON CSN 1057594 BICKLEY:It's time to say 'thank you' to Shane Doan 1057627 DUCKS FORWARD NICK RITCHIE SUSPENDED FOR 1057595 Arizona Coyotes' Radim Vrbata decides he wants to keep HIT ON BLACKHAWKS' MICHAL ROZSIVAL playing 1057628 BLACKHAWKS PROSPECT DENNIS GILBERT SHOWS 1057596 Five things to watch in Coyotes’ finale, starting with Doan MAJOR SIGNS OF PROGRESSION IN SOPHOMORE YEAR AT NOTRE DAME 1057597 With Torey Krug injured, Bruins need to readjust 1057598 Denver defenseman Will Butcher wins Hobey Baker 1057629 Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon hopes to be forgetful Award 1057599 Bruins' Torey Krug out tomorrow, 'day to day' after that 1057600 'The ultimate pro': Former Bruin Thornton faces his final 1057630 Blue Jackets | Nutivaara: blue liner from out of the blue game 1057631 Blue Jackets | Defensemen could be getting rest 1057601 Bruins notebook: Bruce Cassidy’s is to first beat the Capitals 1057602 Marchand doesn't sound ready to tone things down after 1057632 If the finale is Lindy Ruff's last ride with the Stars, here's a suspension look back at where it all went wrong 1057603 Haggerty: With Krug down, will McAvoy be up? 1057633 Dallas Stars await ‘quick rebuild,’ close with historically 1057604 FRIDAY, APRIL 7: WHAT SUITS PK SUBBAN ON GAME rock bottom Colorado DAY 1057605 KRUG OUT SATURDAY VS. CAPS, CONSIDERED ‘DAY Red Wings TO DAY’ 1057634 Wings' Anthony Mantha sizes up season, fighting, what he 1057606 TOUCHER & RICH HELP ALEX OVECHKIN GET CLOSE has learned TO THE 1057635 Octopi to fly when fans bid goodbye this weekend to 1057636 Who are the best to play at the Joe 1057607 Sabres Notebook: Okposo reportedly released; Guhle Louis Arena? joins Amerks; Foligno done 1057637 How to watch tonight's Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal 1057608 Lehner wants Sabres to earn their playing time Canadiens game 1057609 Report: Sabres' Okposo released from hospital 1057638 PETA objects to octopus tossing at Detroit Red Wings 1057610 Confidence back, Sabres' McCabe won't lose sleep over games benching 1057639 Wings' Mantha won't alter physical, punishing play 1057611 Okposo illness a 'cloud' for Sabres as they hit final 1057640 'Dead Things' era soured Red Wings' arrival at Joe Louis weekend Arena 1057612 Amerks score early but lose to 1057641 Henrik Zetterberg's 1,000th game will be Red Wings' last at Joe Louis Arena 1057642 Matt Lorito hopes skills will compensate for size with Red 1057613 Flames hope to cap regular-season work on winning note Wings 1057614 Eric Francis: Now that's Howe it's done – Gordie's sons 1057643 Red Wings' Anthony Mantha looks to return stronger after kick off pro-am tourney in father's memory lessons learned 1057644 Red Wings top pick Dennis Cholowski joins Grand Rapids Griffins 1057615 Canes recall Tolchinsky from Checkers 1057645 PETA wants Red Wings to fine, eject and ban anyone 1057616 a quiet but memorable presence behind 2006 throwing octopus on the ice scenes – DeCock 1057646 Mantha defends rise in fights 1057617 Teravainen has season of ups and downs 1057618 Canes nominate Staal for King Clancy Trophy 1057647 Hockey World: Connor McDavid has done enough to earn 1057689 How the Islanders still could make the Stanley Cup Hart Trophy as NHL MVP playoffs 1057648 First place is up for grabs for Edmonton Oilers on final 1057690 Islanders relying on pride, hope to the end weekend 1057649 Eighty down, two to go for Oilers in search of first place 1057650 Hockey World: McDavid has done enough to earn Hart 1057691 Mika Zibanejad reflects on early playoff experiences as Trophy Rangers’ regular season winds down 1057692 Mika Zibanejad can make mark on Rangers with playoff magic 1057651 Hyde: After self-inflicted setback season, can Panthers 1057693 How Ryan McDonagh proved he’s ready for Game 1 please put Dale Tallon back in charge? | Commentary 1057694 Rangers work on special teams ahead of final games, 1057652 Panthers missed Petrovic's toughness and stability on playoff series against Canadiens blue line NHL 1057695 Seattle Thunderbirds open series against Everett with 3-2 1057653 Three takeaways from the Kings' 4-1 loss to the Calgary victory Flames 1057696 Battle of lobbyists, consultants is expected to intensify as 1057654 Kings falter in second period, giving up three goals in a 3-group arena race heats up 4-1 loss to the Flames 1057655 seeks milestone goal as Kings face Senators Blackhawks 1057697 Playoff pride: Senators makes postseason in GM Pierre 1057656 Bob Miller’s memorable calls, resume and Hall of Fame Dorion's first year at the top plaque 1057698 Saving Erik Karlsson: Short-term pain for long-term gain 1057657 An appreciation of Bob Miller frozen in our memory by Senators 1057660 Bob Miller — an appreciation frozen in our memory 1057699 Game Day: Senators versus New York Rangers 1057661 Going pro was a no-brainer for Roy, but adjustment period 1057700 Donibrook: Alexandre Daigle was just 10 years ahead of starts now his time 1057662 APRIL 7: BUS TEXTS WITH STOTHERS 1057701 Senators' ups and downs normal part of NHL season, 1057663 APRIL 7 POSTGAME QUOTES: JACK CAMPBELL Daniel Alfredsson says 1057664 REIGN PLAYOFF-BOUND FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT 1057702 Owner Eugene Melnyk willing to roll the dice on this SEASON Senators team 1057665 GAME 64: REIGN 4, SAN DIEGO 0 + POSTGAME 1057703 This time, Senators owner Eugene Melnyk enjoying every NOTES/VIDEO moment of playoff run 1057666 DOUGHTY ARTICULATES FRUSTRATING ASPECTS 1057704 With Senators playoff bound, owner Melnyk can't wipe OF A SEASON ABOUT TO END smile off face 1057705 Senators likely sitting Karlsson until playoffs Minnesota Wild 1057706 Senators' Dorion celebrating playoff berth but knows more 1057667 Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper hopes to find bright spot in work lies ahead rough season 1057668 Wild's playoff opponent scenario 1057669 Wild-Arizona game preview 1057707 Saturday could be goalie Steve Mason's Flyers finale 1057670 Parise-Suter pairing, 5 years in, still paying off for Wild 1057708 Flyers' Mike Vecchione could win Hobey Baker Award on Friday 1057709 Butcher beats out Flyers' Vecchione for Hobey Baker 1057671 Lightning keep playoff hopes alive with win over Award Canadiens 1057710 NHL’s Centennial Fan Arena brings Stanley Cup, hockey 1057672 Keeping their eyes on the prize memorabilia to Wells Fargo Center 1057673 McDavid’s value to Oilers sets him apart in Hart 1057711 Flyers' Nick Schultz reflects with his 15-year career discussion nearing its end 1057674 Stu Cowan: Canadiens' Phillip Danault a deserving winner 1057712 Anthony Stolarz sent down for tonight's Phantoms game of Jacques Beauchamp Trophy 1057713 Travis Konecny not discouraged by benchings in 1057675 Game Day: will be in goal for Canadiens vs. 'humbling' rookie season Lightning 1057714 Flyers' Mike Vecchione beat out by Will Butcher for 2017 1057676 Canadiens to honour Carey Price, Phillip Danault and Max Hobey Baker Award Pacioretty before final home game 1057677 In the Habs' Room: 'Can't play scared,' Price says, closing Penguins home season 1057715 Penguins notebook: Hagelin returns to on-ice activity 1057678 About last night … desperate Tampa beats Canadiens 4-2 1057716 Penguins' Malkin up for new challenges 1057679 Canadiens drop final home game to desperate Lightning 1057717 Playing with Sidney Crosby is about much more than pedigree 1057718 Evgeni Malkin ups the ante in prank on 1057680 Predators hold off Stars in 7-3 victory 1057681 Making sense of the Predators' potential playoff opponents 1057682 How Devils' Stefan Noesen, Blake Coleman will approach offseason after 1st NHL experience 1057683 Why Patrik Elias opted to not play for Devils on Saturday 1057684 Detail of Devils' open practice on Friday with Patrik Elias 1057685 No quick fixes in Devils' rebuilding mode 1057686 Five years, no playoffs for Devils: What happened? 1057687 Devils up next: Home finale vs. Islanders 1057688 Devils' final two games will have plenty of highlights Websites 1057719 Sharks’ Couture skates for third straight day, but not 1057757 ESPN / First-round preview: vs. Thornton Columbus Blue Jackets 1057720 Sharks need Logan Couture to get well soon, and here’s 1057758 FOXSports.com / Hurricanes’ Bryan Bickell gets extremely why emotional after first game back in Carolina 1057721 Purdy: Sharks give Edmonton big confidence entering 1057759 .ca / Resilient Lightning continue to do their part NHL playoffs, which is a bad thing to stay alive in playoff race 1057722 Three takeaways: Hertl line strong, Marleau struggling 1057760 Sportsnet.ca / Canada’s drought continues as U.S. 1057723 Despite totals, Sharks loss to Oilers was there for the captures storybook gold taking 1057761 Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: Story behind Auston 1057724 Instant Replay: Sharks stumble in third period, fall to Matthews’ goal celebration Oilers 1057762 Sportsnet.ca / West Coast Bias: Ducks livid at ‘somewhat 1057725 DeBoer could rest some Sharks for finale; Couture intentional’ Giordano knee downcast 1057763 Sportsnet.ca / How so many Canadian teams got back to the St Louis Blues 1057764 Sportsnet.ca / Erik Karlsson expected to miss final two 1057726 Preview: Blues at Hurricanes games, return in playoffs 1057727 Sobotka, Blues happy he's back 1057765 Sportsnet.ca / Evgeni Malkin pranks Kessel with ‘The Phil 1057728 Blues like what they see in Sobotka Zone’ 1057766 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs look back at most nervous games played in their careers 1057729 All eyes on Lightning-Canadiens tonight 1057767 Sportsnet.ca / Sedins say they don’t want to play 1057730 Lightning moves one from playoff spot (w/ video) anywhere but Vancouver 1057731 Lightning journal: Andrei Vasilevskiy does his part to keep 1057768 TSN.CA / Every clinching scenario for the Leafs playoff hopes alive 1057769 TSN.CA / Leafs still in control of their own destiny 1057770 TSN.CA / Pens won't say if Crosby plays this weekend 1057771 TSN.CA / A closer look at Rangers vs. Canadiens 1057732 Boyle tells young Leafs to block out blue and white noise 1057772 TSN.CA / Habs letting key players rest this weekend 1057733 Leafs must pass physical to hit next level: Cox 1057773 TSN.CA / Panthers doctor: 'Turf war' keeping neurologists 1057734 Evgeni Malkin gets revenge on Phil Kessel for locker stunt off NHL study group 1057735 Unclear if Crosby will face Leafs 1057774 TSN.CA / NHL doctor slams ‘situational ethics’ on 1057736 'We have to earn our way in': Maple Leafs in driver's seat concussions in unsealed lawsuit documents entering final weekend 1057775 TSN.CA / Sens clinch playoff spot, but not how they 1057737 Former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier finds planned new life, confidence with Anaheim Ducks 1057776 USA TODAY / World Championships gold has added meaning for U.S. Women's National Hockey Team 1057777 USA TODAY / Hilary Knight's OT goal gives Team USA 1057755 Desjardins' loyalty to Canucks 'leaders' backfires in a big gold over Canada at World Championships way 1057756 Canucks hope to light up your beer on fan appreciation night 1057748 High-flying Jets prospect Harkins inks deal 1057749 Tonight's lineups for the Jets and the Predators Vegas Golden Knights 1057750 Big Buff encouraged about future 1057739 Golden Knights’ 1st player Reid Duke signs PTC with 1057751 Long season takes a toll on young superstar 1057752 Jets ink another 2015 draft pick 1057740 Golden Knights officials remember Red Wings’ longtime 1057753 Five keys for the Jets to beat the Predators home 1057754 Six straight for Jets means bupkis 1057741 Golden Knights’ Reid Duke joining AHL’s Chicago Wolves

Washington Capitals SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1057742 With Kevin Shattenkirk, the got exactly what they needed 1057743 With playoffs less than a week away, Capitals don’t know first-round opponent 1057744 : ‘I think the Caps are going to win the Stanley Cup’ 1057745 John Carlson, Brett Connolly won’t travel to Boston when Capitals face Bruins 1057746 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2017: NHL PLAYOFF BRACKET PROJECTION 1057747 JOHN CARLSON NOT THE ONLY CAP RULED OUT FOR BRUINS GAME 1057588 Anaheim Ducks

What we learned from the Ducks' 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks

Curtis Zupke

Thursday night’s game wasn’t representative of the Chicago Blackhawks, but it was entirely representative of the Ducks at this stage of the season. Missing one-third of their defense and center Nate Thompson, the Ducks got a 37-save performance from John Gibson in a 4-0 win against an irregular Chicago lineup. They clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs and are closing in on a fifth straight Pacific Division title. Here’s what we learned: His play in the three games since his return from a March 10 injury has answered any questions about the matter. Jonathan Bernier threw some doubt into the equation with an impressive run in Gibson’s 13-game absence, and the Ducks could turn to him at some point in the playoffs. But the fact that Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle gave Gibson the net Thursday further bolstered the argument for his so-called 1A goalie, who didn’t miss a beat despite two separate lower-body injuries. “I’ve said it before — I didn’t forget how to play,” Gibson said. “I just got hurt. Sometimes I think people might think you kind of lose it or something, but you put in a lot of work when you’re hurt to make sure you don’t miss a step.” Ritchie was handed a match after he felled Chicago defenseman Michal Rozsival with one punch. Rozsival cross-checked Corey Perry behind the net, and a fracas ensued with Chicago’s Jordin Tootoo. NHL rules for a match penalty stipulate that a player is automatically suspended pending a review by the league. Carlyle offered his take on what he saw. “[Ritchie] did go after Rozsival, and Rozsival had a chance to defend himself and chose not to,” Carlyle said. “But more surprising to me is the three punches that Tootoo got away with in the pile — he was hammering away — that seems to go unnoticed.” Anytime an organization can hang a banner, it’s an accomplishment. But the Ducks don’t want to hear about a possible fifth straight division title. “I think I have 13 or something in my career,” said. “That’s not what this team is going for. If you ask anybody, it doesn’t really matter to this group right now.” When it comes to fan attendance, the Ducks are normally a strong second-half team. It’s partly why they like to have a road-heavy schedule at the beginning of the season. But non-sellouts in 10 of the last 12 games are difficult to ignore. That includes an announced crowd of 16,462 on Thursday, just short of a sellout but atypical for a game against Chicago. Many Blackhawks fans might have been turned off because Chicago was resting its regulars. That doesn’t explain the larger pattern, though, particularly for the hottest team in the NHL down the stretch.

LA Times: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057589 Anaheim Ducks

What you need to know: As John Gibson continues to roll, so do the Ducks

April 7, 2017 Updated 1:51 p.m. By ERIC STEPHENS / STAFF WRITER

ANAHEIM – Here’s what you need to know about the Ducks’ 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night: THE GAME IN 140 OR LESS - Even without their two best defensemen, the Ducks rolled past an undermanned Cup contender behind their razor-sharp No. 1 goalie. THE QUOTE - “I’m just playing my game. Like I said before, I didn’t forget how to play. I just got hurt. Sometimes people might think you kind of lose it or something. You put in a lot of work when you’re hurt so when you come back, you don’t miss a step.” – Ducks goalie John Gibson THE PLAYER - John Gibson. If there was any possible question over who will start Game 1 for the Ducks in their first-round series, it was removed when Gibson got the start and delivered a sparkling 37-save . The Blackhawks didn’t dress a number of their top players but they still had Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin in the lineup and they had several quality chances turned aside. THE MOMENT - Rickard Rakell’s wizardry was on display once again. Ryan Getzlaf circled around at the point and let loose a shot toward the net. Rakell reached behind his back his stick and, with one hand, managed to deflect Getzlaf’s past Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford for his team-leading 33rd goal. THE THOUGHT - Nothing from this rare win over the Blackhawks at home should really be drawn from the standpoint of it having any lasting impact in case these teams were to meet again, which would be the Western Conference finals. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville made it clear that this would be the game some of his most relied upon players would get a rest before the playoffs begin and so Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa all sat out. But the Ducks took advantage as they should have, keeping their good vibe going. You can fear the possibility that they may be peaking too early but the postseason is right around the corner and you’d rather they be on their current 10-0-3 run than still struggling with inconsistency as they did earlier in the season. John Gibson’s sterling play coming off injury should inspire great confidence in him heading into the postseason but, of course, that’s a different animal he still has to master. Something else that has really developing is the recent impact of the Ducks’ fourth line. Chris Wagner, Nate Thompson and Logan Shaw are playing their best hockey and have made a difference in appearing on the scoresheet. Randy Carlyle isn’t ever going to be one to employ four lines equally and his preference is to have an energetic, physical group as opposed to desiring skill and scoring from his fourth line. But it appears that they’re playing with a ton of confidence and that allows Carlyle a better opportunity to get the matchups he desires if that threesome is able to consistently deliver quality shifts that put pressure on the opposition. Someone that needs to make an impact is Nick Ritchie, who hasn’t in a while and may have been a possible healthy scratch if Thompson didn’t miss the game. Punching Michal Rozsival in the face isn’t the kind of impact that’s needed.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057590 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks winger Nick Ritchie gets two-game ban, will miss start of playoffs

April 7, 2017 Updated 5:15 p.m. By ERIC STEPHENS / STAFF WRITER

Landing a punch to the face will land Ducks winger Nick Ritchie in the press box for the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ritchie was suspended for two games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Friday, putting him out for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Kings and Game 1 of their first-round series next week because of his punch to Chicago’s Michal Rozsival. Rozsival did not have his gloves off when Ritchie grabbed the top of his jersey and threw a right hand to the defenseman’s face. Rozsival left the game with what the Blackhawks called an upper-body injury and Ritchie was given a five-minute major and match penalty. In a video explanation of the suspension, Player Safety acknowledged Rozsival’s cross check of Ducks winger Corey Perry but said Ritchie’s retaliatory response “is in no way permitted or excusable.” Rozsival, who did receive a two-minute minor penalty for his infraction, was also noted to have his hands down and “gives no indication that he is a willing combatant in a potential fight.” Players Safety also said the veteran defenseman was not prepared for the altercation to escalate. It is the first such form of discipline for Ritchie in his two-year NHL career. Ritchie has 14 goals, 14 assists and 62 penalty minutes in 77 games with the Ducks this season. The winger will have to forfeit $4,967.59 of his salary to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. “He did go after Rozsival but that Rozsival had a chance to defend himself and chose not to,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said after their 4-0 win. “More surprising to me was the three punches that (Jordin) Tootoo got away with in the pile. He was hammering away. That seems to go unnoticed.” Jaycob Megna played his first NHL game with his family in attendance at . The special moment was all the more so because it came against the Blackhawks, the team he often followed while growing up outside Chicago. Born in Florida and again a resident there, Megna spent his formative years in the Windy City and attended many Blackhawks games at United Center. The defenseman was a big admirer of Chicago Jonathan Toews but watched their Stanley Cup celebrations from a distance. “I didn’t go to any of the parades,” Megna said. “I know a lot of my friends did. They were living downtown at the time. I definitely went to a lot of the games growing up. Even before they got as good as they are now, the United Center was kind of a ghost town and now it’s rocking every night. You can’t get a ticket. It’s unbelievable. “When I was growing up, you could sit right on the glass. Now you can barely get in the lower bowl.” Called up because of the injuries on the Ducks’ blue line, Megna played over 15 minutes and received a good grade from Carlyle. “It’s always tough to bring a kid up that’s never had a shot in an NHL game,” Carlyle said. “I thought he handled himself well. I think he got a little surprised by (Artemi) Panarin on his first shift. He got inside on him but that’s what those skilled players do. And after that point, I think he handled himself very well.” The Ducks have not looked to follow other playoff-bound teams and rest key personnel until they had their playoff position settled. Asked if he’d want to sit out Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Kings, Ryan Kesler said, “If they want me to rest, I’ll rest. If not, I’ll play. It’s not really my call. It’s up to those guys.” Ryan Getzlaf had an assist Thursday for his 70th point of the season, marking the sixth time that he has reached that total in his 12 NHL seasons. All have come with the Ducks, the only team he’s played for.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057591 Anaheim Ducks Montour, was thrilled. “He’s such a good guy and a good friend,” Montour said.

“You never take anything for granted,” Megna said. “You never know Ducks’ John Gibson makes his case to be top goalie what’s going to happen. If you expect something, you get disappointed. I’ve just been working for it and just fortunate that it’s come. I’m very thankful.” By Eric Stephens, [email protected],, @icemancometh on Twitter Megna, 24, said that his parents, Jay and Jacqueline, and sister Jessica Posted: 04/06/17, 10:52 PM PDT | Updated: 1 hr ago would be in attendance after traveling from the family’s residence in Florida. Older brother Jayson is a forward with the Vancouver Canucks. Jaycob said Jayson was upset that his game at Arizona got in the way of being there. ANAHEIM>> A start in Thursday’s game against Chicago might have helped John Gibson sharpen his game for the Stanley Cup playoffs, but “I called him before I got here and he was so fired up,” he said. he had already pronounced himself ready for the chase of the coveted silver chalice. Before facing the Blackhawks, Gibson had only two starts since LA Daily News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 aggravating a lower-body injury March 10, and both seemed to be all the Ducks needed to see. A strong 34-save effort in Edmonton last weekend was followed up by a sharp, 26-save outing in Tuesday’s home win over Calgary. And it had Gibson wondering what all the fuss was over his readiness. “I’ve got a lot of questions,” he said. “It’s like I didn’t forget how to play, right? Just had an injury. Came back a little too soon the first time. Now everything’s pretty good.” The two games showed that when he is right, Gibson is the Ducks’ No. 1 goalie. It was put into question only when he was sidelined for all but one ill-fated start over a month and Jonathan Bernier gave the Ducks some top-notch goaltending, resurrecting his career. The Ducks are in line to host Game 1 of their first-round series next week. As is his custom, Gibson doesn’t give up much about his motivations or desires. There isn’t a doubt that he wants that game, but he’s not going to share it with the world. “I just play hockey,” he said. Ducks coach Randy Carlyle shares few clues about which way he leans with his unless the performance makes it obvious. It’s 1A and 1B with him, with the assumption – from others at least – that Gibson is the former and Bernier is the latter. “His first game, he was outstanding,” Carlyle said. “And that’s what we needed from him. Again, both of our goaltenders, nobody can criticize or make any suggestion that we haven’t gotten A-quality goaltending from both of them. “Gibby came back and just basically picked up where he left off.” The Ducks have two remaining games, Thursday night against Chicago and Sunday’s finale against the Kings. Asked if he feels there’s a competition between him and Bernier for the Game 1 start, Gibson said, “You’d have to ask Randy what he thinks. I’ve been here for the whole year. I got hurt for a month.” It was Gibson who often put the Ducks on his back in January and February as his team tried to find some consistency. He was in net when they put together a 9-1-2 run and started their move up the Pacific Division standings. So it stands to reason that he shouldn’t lose his job due to an injury. Again, Gibson keeps it tight when it comes to providing insight. “People think what they want to think,” Gibson said. “At the end of the day, it’s going to be up to what he wants. Obviously everybody thinks differently. Every coach is different. Most times it’s one way. He could still change his mind and go a different way or take a different approach. It’s kind of out of my control. “I just go out there and play. That’s what I did all year. Just play. Just control what I can control.” Some drafted players don’t need very long to make their debut with their given clubs. In Jaycob Megna’s case, it took nearly five years before he got in his first NHL game for the Ducks. With the Ducks being shorthanded in their defense corps, the 6-foot-6 Megna got the call and got his chance. “It was obviously overwhelming,” Megna said. “Something you’ve been working for your whole life. It finally happens and you don’t even know what to do with it. It’s very exciting. Parents are really excited and family. It’s been great.” Megna was having a strong season with the ’s San Diego Gulls, totaling five goals and 22 assists. His plus-33 rating led the AHL. Now he is reunited with his Gulls defense partner, Brandon 1057592 Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks blank Chicago Blackhawks 4-0

By Eric Stephens, [email protected],, @icemancometh on Twitter Posted: 04/06/17, 10:49 PM PDT | Updated: 1 hr ago

ANAHEIM >> Closing in on another Pacific Division title does not ease the pain of losing Cam Fowler, but the Ducks could see securing home- ice advantage as a soothing tonic. The Ducks know they’re going to be without Fowler for most, if not all, of their best-of-7 first-round series and perhaps longer if they advance. That news didn’t lead them astray Thursday night against a familiar foe and the Western Conference’s top seed. John Gibson put the clamps down on a potential Game 1 start next week with a 37-save shutout and the Ducks beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-0, at Honda Center to secure the right to open their initial playoff series at home. The division could be theirs for a fifth consecutive season with one more Edmonton loss. The Oilers led San Jose, 3-2, in the third period late Thursday. Corey Perry, Chris Wagner, Ryan Kesler and Rickard Rakell supported their goalie with scores as the Ducks took advantage of the Blackhawks resting Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook after clinching the best record in the West and home ice through the conference finals. The Ducks played shorthanded as well, though not by choice. Missing from their blue line is Hampus Lindholm, who sat out for a third straight game and might not be back until Game 1. Fourth-line center Nate Thompson was also scratched because of an upper-body ailment. But it is the loss of Fowler that is being felt the most. Ducks general manager Bob Murray announced that their ice time leader and top point producer on defense will be out from two to six weeks, with him suffering a right knee injury. Fowler was hurt Tuesday when Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano connected on a knee-to-knee hit that put a critical player for the Ducks in immediate pain and resulted in him being assisted off the ice. He underwent an MRI exam Wednesday, which Murray said did not reveal any significant tear. “It could come around really quickly and it could not come around quickly,” Murray said. “We’ll know much more by the time the playoffs start. I’m not avoiding anything. It’s just the way this injury is.” Fowler has had knee injuries in the past, missing chunks of time during the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons because of ligament sprains. Murray said his worst fears immediately surfaced. “When I saw the hit, your heart goes in your mouth,” Murray said. “You’re thinking that’s it for the year. I think he may have gotten a little bit of a break but again, I’ll know more in a week or week and a half. And he’ll know where he’s at.” No penalty was assessed on the play and Giordano did not receive a disciplinary hearing, to which Murray simply said, “If that’s the standard, that’s the standard. I have no use.” Instead, Murray took aim at the Flames’ captain, likely referring to a 2011 knee-on-knee hit on then- Ducks forward Bobby Ryan. “The big thing in hockey today is concussions,” Murray continued. “But I still, as an old player, have no use for knee-on-knee hits. Especially if I think they’re somewhat intentional. “I hear how Gio’s a good guy and he’s this and he’s that. The media in Toronto saying ‘Well, he’s a good guy.’ He’s done this before. I have no respect for people who go after knees. I’m sorry but knees, they wreck your careers real quick. I don’t like it. I know I’ve said too much but I don’t care.” The losses are allowing young defenders like Brandon Montour and Shea Theodore to get extra playing time and experience ahead of the postseason. Jaycob Megna made his NHL debut and Sami Vatanen came back from a two-game absence to assist on Perry’s power-play goal in the first period.

LA Daily News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057593 Arizona Coyotes Andrea said she doesn’t know what Doan will decide. “I actually kind of wish I did a little bit,” she said. Shane Doan's uncertain future looms over Arizona Coyotes' season She also doesn’t have a preference between him returning and retiring finale as she wants this to be Doan’s call. “There’s nothing you can say that’s going to help,” she said. “I really just think you have to listen where they’re at and then just support what the Sarah McLellan , azcentral sports 5:55 p.m. MT April 7, 2017 decision is.” When that outcome will arrive is a mystery as Doan hasn’t set a timeline. On Saturdays before home games, Coyotes captain Shane Doan reports Nor does he have a deadline in mind for talking to the Coyotes. to the Ice Den in Scottsdale for the morning skate. Doan’s agent, Terry Bross, said he and Doan have yet to discuss the Afterward, he returns home and picks up his wife, Andrea, and their four issue in-depth, and Bross expects the moves the Coyotes make and how children for a family brunch at First Watch. competitive it looks like they’ll be next season will influence Doan. Then, once back at the house, Doan rests until it’s time drive to Gila Bross hopes Doan suits up for another year and lets everyone know this River Arena with his 15-year-old son, Josh, and two of Josh's teammates will be his last, so that fans and those around the league can recognize who are billeting with the Doans this year. During the ride, Josh, Daylan him. Doan said he didn’t want the Coyotes to commemorate him, pointing and Trey flip through the hockey cards they’ve had signed by NHLers out plenty of former teammates have retired quietly. What’s important to throughout the season – and the ones they plan to get autographed at him is saying goodbye, and he believes he’ll still have that chance when the night’s game. it's time. The background noise, at least lately, has been the soundtrack to the “I think Shane being who he is and as humble as he is, I don’t think he musical Hamilton. realizes the impact he’s had on so many people,” Bross said. “It may not exactly be about him getting a big sendoff as opposed to giving the fans “I know every word to it,” Doan said, a grin spreading across his face. and so many people that he’s touched over such a long a chance to come out and pay their respects. I think it’s more for them. But this Saturday – it’ll be different. “It’s kind of like a funeral. The funeral’s not really for the guy in the box. There isn’t a morning skate scheduled, and brunch at First Watch may It’s for the people saying goodbye to him.” just be Doan as his children’s itinerary for the day includes a hockey tournament, dance competition and performing in a play. MORE:Clayton Keller grateful for short stint with Coyotes Oh, and there’s the chance this may be the last time Doan ever plays in What Doan won’t do is rush the process. Already, during the season, the NHL. he’s felt mixed on the topic. Doan could suit up Saturday against Minnesota for his final game; the “If you’d asked me a month ago, it’s probably different than it was now,” 40-year-old has yet to decide his future. Doan said. “That’s the part that’s made me even more convinced that just take your time with the decision because I’ve gone back and forth so And being in limbo has Doan uneasy despite his attempt to approach it much one way or the other. When I think something for one way, as I try like a normal game. to get comfortable with it, it changes my mind over the course of time. So then I realize that I better make sure.” “I really don’t know,” he said. “I truly wish I did. It would make everything so much easier to be able to give a definitive answer, but I don’t know. Reaching that conclusion will be the hardest part for Doan, Andrea believes. “I think there’s a chance I come back and play. There’s a chance I don’t. I think last year, at the end of the year, I was pretty sure I was coming Retirement won’t be a problem for him; Andrea expects he’ll stay back. And this year, it’s not near as sure. But at the same time, there’s connected to hockey. But making a change of this magnitude is still still a large part of me that wants to.” difficult. A year ago, Doan was finishing up a renaissance season as he led the “I don’t think it matters how long you’ve played the game,” she said. “I team in goals with 28 – tying the third-highest of his career. think sometimes it seems like, ‘Oh, well you’ve had a great career and it’s been over 20 years.’ But when you’re in the situation at this level and you Although he wasn't settled on a return at the time, it seemed like a no- love what you do as much as he does, it’s always going to be tough and brainer to stage an encore after how productive he was amid a emotional. (But) he’s definitely ready for the next phase, for sure. He’s rejuvenation that coincided with the team ushering youth onto its roster. not upset about that.” But Doan’s offensive prowess disappeared in 2016-17. About 40 to 50 friends and family members, including Doan’s parents, “I never really anticipated that,” he said. brother, sister and their families, will be in attendance Saturday, and the potential significance isn’t lost on Doan as he acknowledged he’ll default On the brink of his 74th game, he has six goals and 26 points. His 4.3 to soaking in the experience. shooting percentage is a far cry from the 10.2 average he has for his career. And he’s averaging 2:35 less ice time per game than last season. Whether he adds to his legacy or this game puts a bow on it, Doan has made an extraordinary impact on the Coyotes and Arizona to cement his How Doan feels will help him determine a resolution as he considers status as one of the Valley’s most beloved athletes. where he’s at physically, his ability to contribute and what his role may be. But that’s just one of three factors in the equation. He’s surpassed 1,500 games and 400 goals and is one of only nine players in NHL history to log at least 21 seasons with the same He also has to talk to the Coyotes to find out if they want him back. organization. He owns the franchise records for games played, goals, assists, points, game-winners and power-play goals – a monopoly on the “It just hasn’t been discussed,” Doan said. record book that only four others in the NHL also have for their respective The Coyotes will have their exit interviews Monday, and General teams. Manager John Chayka said the team will make its decision on Doan after What's more, Doan has been the loyal face of a beleaguered franchise, talking to him. the heartbeat of one of the NHL’s perennial underdogs and the sport’s “I just want to have a discussion with Shane to see where he’s at more willing ambassador in the desert. so than anything,” Chayka said. “I think I want him to be a Coyote. Regardless of his decision, none of this changes. There’s no doubt about that. I think he has a lot to offer whether it’s on or off the ice. That’s kind of my mindset with things. But again, I don’t have And Doan’s content with that. all the information of where he’s at to even let you know where my mind stands on that.” “I’m very fortunate,” he said, “and very blessed.” While Doan subscribes to the “never say never” philosophy, it’s unlikely Coyotes update: Winger Radim Vrbata is approaching Saturday's season he’d sign elsewhere to continue playing. finale as exactly what it is, the last game of 2016-17, because the 35- year-old has decided he wants to continue playing. "There wasn't just “I’ve kind of proven that I don’t really like change,” Doan said. one day where I said, 'OK, you're playing,'" Vrbata said Friday. "It was more throughout the season, the feeling was that I can still do this and His family will also have a say. continue and be important to the team in some way and just enjoy being around the guys and around the people that are around the team. Then we talked as a family what we want to do. The oldest (son) wants me to play, so that had something to do with it. And, yeah, we just feel like we have one more year in us." Defensman Zbynek Michalek’s future, however, is more unclear as he’s waiting until the offseason to decide whether or not he’ll keep playing. Michalek, who was has spent most of the season in the minors before getting called up last month, is expected to play Saturday. “I know this could be if not my last game playing for the Coyotes but potentially my last game in the NHL,” the 34-year-old said. “So I couldn’t be happier to wearing a Coyotes uniform. It’s pretty special.” Wild update: The Wild have locked up the second seed in the Central Division and sit at 104 points with one game to go. Minnesota has won three in a row, most recently opening its final two-game road trip with a 4- 3 win over Colorado Thursday. During its win streak, the Wild have scored a combined 14 goals. Center Eric Staal leads the team in goals with 27, while center Mikael Granlund has a team-best 69 points. Center Martin Hanzal has three goals and 12 points in 19 games with Minnesota since getting traded from Arizona before the trade deadline. Winger Ryan White, who was also included in the trade, has two goals and an assist in 18 games. Minnesota is 21-13-6 on the road.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057594 Arizona Coyotes

BICKLEY:It's time to say 'thank you' to Shane Doan

Dan Bickley , azcentral sports Published 5:09 p.m. MT April 7, 2017 | Updated 8 hours ago

After 21 years of unparalleled service, Shane Doan could be down to his final game as captain of the Arizona Coyotes. Cheer like you’ll never see him again. Doan hasn’t made up his mind about whether he’s finished as a NHL player. That won’t change before Saturday’s faceoff. This inconvenient truth makes it impossible for a staged love-in at when the Coyotes wrap up their season with a game against Minnesota. Doan, 40, doesn’t look like he has much left in the tank. He certainly has nothing left to prove. He’s also endured an extremely frustrating season, from freak injuries to the salary-dump trade of teammate Martin Hanzal to diminished ice time. His unshakable faith in the organization has been tested like never before. It’s possible that Doan would like to finish his career on a better note. Maybe he’s tempted to try his hand with another organization, when it wouldn’t appear like he was chasing a Stanley Cup at the trade deadline. But that is highly unlikely, and in all probability, he just needs time to reconcile the finality of a career that has spanned two decades, two countries and zero Stanley Cup titles. Doan has told friends he’s going to spend the summer training with his son, Josh, a promising young player. The Coyotes will surely indulge whatever he wants, allowing him to return or retire on his terms. But smart money says he’ll close the book for good sometime before the start of training camp. In some ways, this is a story of faith unrewarded. You’d have to search long and hard to find another NHL captain who has dealt with more distractions, hardships and bad luck. He’s been the subject of legal battles with a corrupt Montreal politician who wrongly accused him of slurring French players. He’s had to keep the locker room together during a gambling scandal, a bankruptcy hearing and numerous ownership debacles. He was injured during a playoff series against the Red Wings in 2010, rebuffed by head coach Dave Tippett in his attempts to play in Game 7. He’s played in over 1,500 games and scored over 400 goals but enjoyed only one prolonged playoff run in his entire career. Doan’s loyalty, decency and patience has been invaluable to the Coyotes. No matter how much chaos or volatility enveloped the organization, his enduring belief and presence always reassured hockey fans in the Valley. That’s why a dramatic pay cut in 2017 must’ve hurt Doan to his core. By contrast, the Cardinals have always met or exceeded Larry Fitzgerald’s financial terms, keenly aware of the immense value he delivered to the team and its brand. Doan’s body of work speaks for itself, but his best efforts are rarely publicized. No athlete has ever been more gracious with fans or generous with their time. Recently, the Coyotes donated a postgame meet-and-great with Doan to a charity auction staged by a GiGi’s Playhouse, a foundation benefitting children with Down syndrome. Most athletes would sign a few autographs, shake a few hands and take a few pictures. Doan spent 45 minutes with the winning bidder. Who else does that? With Doan, it happens all the time. The Coyotes' captain might not be a Hall of Fame player. But he's a Hall of Fame person, and the Coyotes have been blessed to have him as an ambassador and a hood ornament. Few athletes have ever given more to a cause and received less in return. So a little advice for those attending the Coyotes’ final home game of the season: Shower him with love and appreciation. Act like it’s his last game in Arizona, even if he hasn’t made an official announcement. Give him a night he'll never forget, an evening that will compensate for all the Stanley Cups he never hoisted.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057595 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes' Radim Vrbata decides he wants to keep playing

Sarah McLellan , azcentral sports 2:54 p.m. MT April 7, 2017

Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata is approaching Saturday's season finale as exactly what it is, the last game of 2016-17, because he's decided he wants to continue playing. "There wasn't just one day where I said, 'OK, you're playing,'" Vrbata said Friday. "It was more throughout the season, the feeling was that I can still do this and continue and be important to the team in some way and just enjoy being around the guys and around the people that are around the team. Then we talked as a family what we want to do. The oldest (son) wants me to play, so that had something to do with it. And, yeah, we just feel like we have one more year in us." Vrbata and his family reached this decision after the trade deadline. While there wasn't a part of him that felt he couldn't keep playing, he wanted to make sure his wife Petra and their three sons were on board. "During the season, you're at Game, I don't know, 30 and you see 50 more games ahead of you and you see these road trips and the kids, they don't want you to go on these road trips," Vrbata said. "So that's why I was kind of hesitant to see what we want to do as a family. But it's a great fit here. We are set here – school, hockey, soccer for the oldest. The little ones seem comfortable here. It wasn't so much about hockey. I thought all along all season probably I have something in me for next year, and it was more about what the family would be." Vrbata's preference is to remain with the Coyotes; if there's no interest from the team, he said he'll evaluate other offers and then "go from there." "If there will be interest here, I think 99 percent we're coming back," he said. Arizona has been the most successful backdrop during Vrbata's 15- season career. Through 508 games with the franchise, he ranks eighth in goals (157) and 11th in points (343). And since the organization relocated to the Valley from Winnipeg, his point total is the third-highest. Asked if he sees a spot for Vrbata next season, General Manager John Chayka said, "Yeah. He’s our leading scorer. He produced well for us, played well for us, fit in well with our group on the right side. I'd say the main thing is we're looking to get better here in all areas. If there's a way to get better, we'll look to get better and certainly he proved he can be a productive player and a real stabilizing force for us. So I'd say it's certainly on the table." Vrbata reached the 20-goal plateau in Thursday's win against the Canucks for the sixth time in his career and fifth with the Coyotes. He enters the team's season finale Saturday against the Wild leading Arizona in goals (20), assists (35) and points (55) – a rebound performance after a down season with the Canucks in 2015-16. A free agent last summer, Vrbata returned to Arizona for his third stint with the franchise after signing a one-year, bonus-laden contract. The Arizona chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association recently nominated him for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. "I didn’t have any set goals or what I want to achieve," he said. "When you’re younger, there's always that pressure of next contract, next contract. Now, it's more about enjoying the game and being in the right spot and helping the young guys." Although he's realized what he wants to do next season, Vrbata isn't planning beyond that as he expects to approach his future on a year-by- year basis. "If the season goes well, then we can extend it always," he said. "I don't want to be in a position where I have a bad season and I ended up signing for another one and they're looking for a way to get rid of me. I think it's better for both sides. We'll see next week when we have those meetings what they're thinking, but this is probably my mindset."

Arizona Republic LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057596 Arizona Coyotes Center Alex Burmistrov, 25, will get one more chance to show the Coyotes management staff he is worth re-signing as a restricted free agent this summer. Burmistrov has four goals in his last four games and Five things to watch in Coyotes’ finale, starting with Doan 14 points in 25 games with the Coyotes. He also seems to have found some chemistry playing between wings Max Domi and Anthony Duclair.

“They play fast and they’ve been an entertaining line to watch,” coach Updated Apr 7, 2017 - 5:36 PM Dave Tippett said. “He’s a young player still — a young player looking for an opportunity and he’s dug in; he’s trying to show what he can do here. BY CRAIG MORGAN | April 7, 2017 @ 3:15 PM He’s trying to earn a contract.” Aside from Burmistrov (RFA), Vrbata, Doan and Michalek (all unrestricted free agents at the end of the season), the Coyotes have GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes’ 20th season in the desert will several other players whose futures are uncertain. conclude with a game against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes hope it ends on a high note. Anthony Duclair, Jordan Martinook, Peter Holland, Josh Jooris and Teemu Pulkkinen all are restricted free agents. Martinook and Duclair will Of the 12 teams that had been eliminated from playoff contention as of likely be back; the others are far less certain. Friday morning, only Winnipeg (39) has more points than the Coyotes (38) since Arizona began a three-game winning streak on Jan. 21 with The expansion draft will cost the Coyotes a player, with defenseman victories over Tampa Bay, Florida and Vancouver. Luke Schenn a possibility. The Coyotes improved to 17-15-4 in that 36-game stretch with a 4-3 win Wild at Coyotes over Vancouver on Thursday, lifting them past Vancouver into 28th place in the NHL standings; the first time Arizona has been out of 29th place Season series: Minnesota leads, 2-0 since Dec 15. Injury report: Coyotes — C Brad Richardson (leg) is out for the season. D Here are five storylines to watch in the finale, starting with the captain’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson (mother’s death) is also out. Wild — D Jared future. Spurgeon (lower body) is questionable. RW Chris Stewart (sick) is expected to rejoin the team. DOAN DONE? Scouting the Wild: Former Coyotes Martin Hanzal, who is expected to Shane Doan has not decided if he will retire after this season — one in play, has three goals and 12 points in 19 games for Minnesota. … G which he has just six goals and 26 points, which would be his lowest Darcy Kuemper is expected to start. … A Wild win would give it a output since the 1998-99 season. franchise-record 49 victories and one more point would also eclipse the franchise record for points of 104. … Minnesota is locked into second “I really don’t know,” said Doan, who has not set a timeline for making his place in the Central Division and the third overall seed in the Western decision. “I truly wish I did. It would make everything so much easier to Conference. be able to give a definitive answer. There’s a chance I come back and play; there’s a chance I don’t.” If Doan retires, he would end his career having played all 21 seasons Arizona Sports LOADED: 04.08.2017 with the same franchise; the last 20 in Arizona. He already holds the franchise records for most games played (1,539), goals (402), assists (569), points (971), power-play goals (128) and game-winning goals (69). Doan signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal in the offseason after leading the team with 28 goals in 2015-16, but injuries, a lesser role and inconsistent play prevented him from matching that effort this season. “It’s amazing how quickly you go from thinking you have lots of time to realizing you have no time,” Doan said. “This whole year, you wish you had a do-over on, but you don’t get them so you want to make sure you finish them off the right way.” Doan isn’t the only one who could be playing his final game in a Coyotes sweater. Veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek spent most of the final year of his contract playing in the American Hockey League with Tucson. It is unlikely the Coyotes will re-sign him and Michalek is realistic about his hockey future. “We’ve talked about all the scenarios and possibilities and it is what it is,” said Michalek, who will be in the lineup Saturday for just the third time this season. “When you look at this team and this organization and this league with the way it is heading, it’s not very favorable to me. “I have to talk with my wife and my agent after the season but I know my agent is working to keep options open in Europe. I love playing and honestly it was nice even down in Tucson to be that veteran presence and help show the young guys the right way, but all options are on the table now. I could play overseas. I could retire.” Center Martin Hanzal wanted to sign a new deal with the Coyotes but the two sides were not on the same page with the numbers and term so GM John Chayka shipped him to Minnesota along with forward Ryan White on Feb. 26 for three draft picks. Hanzal will be back in the barn where he played nearly 10 seasons, reunited with Michalek and fellow Czech Radim Vrbata, with whom he had lunch on Friday. Although the Wild is likely to rest two forwards on Saturday, Hanzal was scheduled to play against his old team. “He’s only been gone a month but it will be good to see Marty,” said Vrbata, who reached the 20-goal plateau for the sixth time in his career in a win over Vancouver on Thursday. “I’m sure it will be the same for him as it was for me when I was in Vancouver and came back. I imagine he will feel the same weird feeling, especially for the first time.” White and goalie Devan Dubnyk will also return to visit their former team on Saturday. Dubnyk is not expected to play. 1057597 Boston Bruins body injury and will miss Saturday’s game. Center Tim Schaller (lower body) figures to be a game-time decision.

With Torey Krug injured, Bruins need to readjust Boston Globe LOADED: 04.08.2017

By Owen PenceGLOBE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 7, 2017

Just days after clinching a postseason berth, the Bruins suffered a blow to their playoff possibilities when Torey Krug left Thursday night’s contest against Ottawa after sustaining a lower-body injury early in the first period. Though updates on the specificity of Krug’s injury were sparse following the Bruins’ practice at Warrior Arena Friday, the defenseman is listed as day-to-day and will miss Saturday’s final regular-season game with visiting Washington, according to interim coach Bruce Cassidy. Krug’s dynamism on the offensive end — his 8-43—51 line puts him in a three-way tie for fifth in points among NHL defensemen — along with his steadying presence on the Bruins’ league-leading penalty kill (85.5 percent) are among the qualities that could be difficult to replace if Krug’s absence extends into the postseason. “We’re not going to be able to replace what [Torey] does,” Cassidy said. “He’s a special talent on the power play and first pass, breakout and transition and all those things. The onus will be on us tomorrow just to make sure we make the necessary reads in our breakout.” With Krug sidelined, veteran John-Michael Liles saw extended ice time in Thursday’s 2-1 shootout loss, notching three shots on goal in more than 21 minutes. Liles’s presence on the top power-play unit could be key for the Bruins’ offense. “I’ll be ready wherever they put me, wherever they feel that I’m needed,” Liles said. “Hopefully Torey’s back soon and it’s up to not just myself, but everybody on the D-corps to pick up the slack. “Nobody’s going to do exactly what he does. He sees things that not everybody sees and he makes plays that not everybody can make. For us it’s just a matter of trying to pick our spots and doing what we can to minimize that loss.” After being granted his work visa Thursday, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson could make his NHL debut Saturday. Though a man of few words, the former Boston University center intimated his eagerness to see his first NHL playing time. “It’s nice to get up here,” Forsbacka Karlsson said. “It’s a very special feeling. I’m ready to go absolutely, but that’s always going to be up to the coaches. I’d say I’m pretty much up to speed. Everyone has been great.” While Cassidy is still getting to know the reserved younger man, it’s clear Forsbacka Karlsson’s presence could prove essential as Boston navigates through the injury-riddled waters of spring hockey. “He’s quiet, I’ll tell you that,” Cassidy said. “We understand he’s a very solid 200-foot player and if he gets in the lineup we’ll expect him to play to his strengths, but he’s a bit of an unknown, honestly. “[He’s] a nice kid, seems very cerebral, asks a lot of questions, understands when you’re talking systems [and will] interact with you, but other than that he’s a pretty quiet guy. I’m sure as he gets more comfortable his personality will emerge.” Zdeno Chara’s assist on a Drew Stafford wraparound power-play goal was the Bruins’ lone score in Thursday’s defensive struggle. With Krug out, Chara’s impact on the Boston power-play unit presents an interesting question for Cassidy: Use the defenseman to bolster Boston’s seventh-ranked power play, or save Chara’s precious minutes for shorthanded situations? “I don’t think there was any consternation over putting [Chara] out there,” Cassidy said. “It was about how many minutes [he plays] at the end of the day and how to best use those minutes. He would tell you, he’d like to play the whole game. “The little bit he’s been on it, he’s been hungry to be on it and I think he’s produced so we’ll have no problem putting him in there. We just have to balance it. If there’s a lot of penalty kills that night then you probably don’t see him out there as much. But if there’s a game where it’s maybe a penalty each side, absolutely.” Anton Khudobin will start in goal against Eastern Conference-leading Washington . . . Center Noel Acciari is listed as day-to-day with an upper- 1057598 Boston Bruins

Denver defenseman Will Butcher wins Hobey Baker Award

NAM Y. HUH/AP FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS APRIL 7, 2017

Denver senior Will Butcher picked up one nice trophy Friday. He is hoping to grab another one Saturday. Butcher became the first defenseman to win the Hobey Baker Award since Boston University’s Matt Gilroy in 2009. The captain of the Pioneers will be back on the ice Saturday night against Minnesota Duluth in the Frozen Four final. ‘‘It’s been a great ride, but we’re not done yet,’’ he said. Butcher is the second player from Denver to take home the Hobey, joining Matt Carle in 2006. Only seven defensemen have won the award given to the top player in college hockey. ‘‘I believe this award to be a team award,’’ Butcher said. ‘‘Tonight, as I accept this award, I accept it on behalf of our entire team at DU.’’ Butcher, a fifth-round selection by the Colorado Avalanche in 2013, has seven goals and a team-high 30 assists in 42 games. He also was the National Collegiate Hockey Conference player of the year. Forwards Zach Aston-Reese of Northeastern and Mike Vecchione of Union, a Saugus native, were the other finalists for the award. Aston-Reese had 31 goals and 32 assists in 38 games for the Huskies, and Vecchione finished with 29 goals and 34 assists in 38 games for the Dutchmen. Baker was a football and hockey star for Princeton and the biggest name in hockey before serving in the Army Air Corps during World War I. He was 26, already scheduled to be shipped home, when he was killed in a plane crash in France. Former Harvard forward won the award last year. Also on Friday, BU freshman forward Clayton Keller was named the recipient of the 2017 Tim Taylor Award, bestowed annually upon the best first-year player in Division 1 men’s hockey. The award is voted on by the nation’s assistant coaches and is named for the former Yale University and US Olympic Team head coach. Despite despite missing eight games during the regular season, Keller led all Hockey East rookies in several offensive categories, including goals (21), assists (24), points (45), goals per game (0.68), assists per game (0.77), points per game (1.45), shorthanded goals (4), shots on goal (138), and shots on goal per game (4.45). He made his NHL debut for the Arizona Coyotes this past Monday night. Aston-Reese, Vecchione, BU sophomore defenseman Charlie McEvoy, who recently signed with the Bruins, and Harvard freshman defenseman Adam Fox, joined Canisius senior goalie Charles Williams and Union junior forward on the AHCA/CCM Division 1 All-America team.

Boston Globe LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057599 Boston Bruins

Bruins' Torey Krug out tomorrow, 'day to day' after that

Rich Thompson Friday, April 07, 2017

Bruins defenseman Torey Krug did not participate in this morning’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton and will not play in the season finale against the Washington Capitals tomorrow afternoon (3) at the TD Garden. Krug sustained a lower body injury while colliding with Ottawa’s Victor Stahlberg in the first period of Thursday night’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Senators at the Garden. “Torey has a lower body and he will be out tomorrow,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “From there it is day to day.” Krug wasn’t the only casualty of the Bruins fourth loss to the Senators this season. Right wing Noel Acciari was on the ice for 12:55 minutes before exiting the game with an upper body injury. He did not practice and will not compete against the Capitals. Krug’s value as a puck moving was evident as the Bruins struggled to penetrate Ottawa’s smothering neutral-zone trap. He is also a key component on the point on the Bruins power play. Krug is currently in a three way tie for third in scoring among NHL defensemen with 51 points. “We are not going to be able to replace what he does,” said Cassidy. “He’s a special talent on the power play and first pass breakout and transition and all those things.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057600 Boston Bruins career, he's played the game the right way. He's battled hard, he's fought hard, he's stuck up for his teammates. He's just been the ultimate pro, the ultimate teammate." 'The ultimate pro': Former Bruin Thornton faces his final game Boston Herald LOADED: 04.08.2017 Staff Report Associated Press Friday, April 07, 2017

SUNRISE, Fla. — For Shawn Thornton, getting to the NHL was not easy. Same goes for leaving. The last game of Thornton's 20-year pro career — the first half spent grinding in the minors before he got to the NHL for good — comes Saturday night, when he and the Florida Panthers play host to the Buffalo Sabres. The Panthers play their season finale Sunday in Washington, and Thornton isn't making the trip. He's going out on his terms, on home ice, with a tall glass of celebratory scotch in his postgame plans. "A lot of years, a lot of punches in the face, a lot of miles on the bus," Thornton said. "But then a lot of charter flights, a lot of filets on those charter flights. It's the best job in the world." And now it's ending. He is one of two players to play more than 600 games in the American Hockey League and at least 700 games in the . The first was Jim Morrison, who logged 704 NHL games in a career that ended in the early 1970s. Thornton's last game will be his 705th. "It's been a good run," Thornton said. He'll get a bit of a break after the season but he's staying with the Panthers, in a somewhat still-to-be-determined capacity on the business side of the operation working with team president Matthew Caldwell. Thornton considered trading his skates for suits last year when he was weighing an offer to return to Boston — where he won one of his two Stanley Cups — and work in television and community relations. Florida interim coach Tom Rowe raves about Thornton and knows the end of his playing days is an emotional time. Rowe paid tribute last week when he sent Thornton out for the opening shift in Boston so he could hear an ovation from Bruins' fans one final time. "I think he'll be great," Rowe said when asked about Thornton's looming transition to front-office life. "The thing that's impressed me the most about him is how intelligent he is. He's a very, very smart guy and he's got a real passion for business and I think he's going to pick it up quickly." Thornton's career was not a glamorous one, with far more fights than goals. Drafted 190th overall in 1997, he was a fourth-line guy, an enforcer, someone whose job it was to protect his teammates by any means necessary. He never scored more than two goals in a game, never even had more than two points in a game. Thornton's first fight came in his second NHL contest, and he once told an opponent — while trying to bait him into a fight — that he could pick which hand to punch with. "He's the epitome of a hockey player," Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck said. But off the ice, Thornton is a mild-mannered sort. He started a foundation that works with people affected by cancer and Parkinson's disease, and is someone who was humbled by being nominated again this year for the Masterson Award that honors the player who best combines perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. "Definitely no complaints," Thornton said. "I tried to give back when I could. Hopefully when it's all said and done I'm remembered more for than the antics on the ice, because that was just a job." His next job awaits. His parents and some close friends are coming in for Saturday night's finale, and that glass of scotch — a bottle he's been saving for a couple years — awaits afterward. It'll be a toast to a career well done. "Saying he's been a heart and soul guy, even that does him an injustice," Panthers James Reimer said. "He's beyond that. His whole 1057601 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: Bruce Cassidy’s goal is to first beat the Capitals

Rich Thompson Saturday, April 08, 2017

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy outlined the team’s objectives for today’s encounter with the Washington Capitals at the Garden. “That’s our goal . . . to win and the focus has to be on us,” Cassidy said after yesterday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena. “We need to bring our ‘A’ game if we expect to get our two points.” The Bruins already secured at least the Eastern Conference’s final wild card playoff slot but remain in contention for second or third place in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins are third in the division with 95 points, one point behind Ottawa and two ahead of Toronto. Both the Senators and Maple Leafs have a game in hand but the Bruins own all the tiebreakers. “We want to win to solidify our (position) and I believe that could make us second or third and I don’t think we can slip to fourth,” Cassidy said. Unlike the Bruins, the Capitals have nothing riding on the outcome. Washington already won the Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight season. Capitals coach Barry Trotz has no reason to risk 11th hour injuries to top scorers Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov or T.J. Oshie in a meaningless road game. The same goes for goalie Braden Holtby, a notorious Bruins killer. “Those are things I can’t control so I guess we’ll see what the lineup looks like,” Cassidy said. “Usually there are some little tidbits you get if they are leaving guys behind, and if they rest a guy or two they are still a strong team.” The Bruins chances of beating the Capitals were compromised in Thursday night’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Senators. Defenseman Torey Krug (lower body) and third line winger Noel Acciari (upper body) sustained injuries and have been scratched from the Capitals game. Krug was injured during a routine collision along the boards with Ottawa’s Victor Stahlberg in the first period. Acciari was on the ice for 12:55 before exiting. Krug’s value as a puck-moving defenseman was evident as the B’s struggled to penetrate Ottawa’s smothering neutral zone trap. He also works the left point on the power play. Krug is in a three-way tie for fifth place for points by a defenseman at 51 with Winnipeg’s Dustin Byfuglien and Duncan Keith of the Black Hawks. “We are not going to be able to replace what he does,” Cassidy said. “He’s a special talent on the power play and first pass breakout and transition and all those things.” The Bruins are already down a winger with Brad Marchand serving the last of a two-game suspension for spearing the Lightning’s Jake Dotchin in Tuesday night’s 4-0 win. Cassidy suggested Boston University rookie Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson could make his NHL debut against the Caps. “I’m ready to go absolutely but that’s going to be up to the coach,” said Karlsson. . . . Cassidy had to break up his first defense pairing of Zdeno Chara and rookie Brandon Carlo, to adjust for Krug’s absence against the Senators. Chara was reunited with Adam McQuaid while Carlo worked rotating shifts with John Michael Liles and Kevan Miller. Carlo led the team with 28:04 minutes of ice time, his most this season. Colin Miller will likely take Krug’s spot.

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Marchand doesn't sound ready to tone things down after suspension

By Joe Haggerty April 07, 2017 1:29 AM

Chris Sale has gone from cutting up jerseys to making sure he kept the one in which he pitched seven scoreless innings in his Red Sox debut. BOSTON – Brad Marchand sounded Thursday like somebody that was sorry he’d negatively impacted his team and sorry he’d be $100,000 plus lighter in the wallet after getting suspended for a couple of games. But it also didn’t exactly sound like Marchand had “seen the light,” so to speak, after getting suspended for the final two games of the regular season following his spearing of Tampa Bay D-man Jake Dotchin in the groin on Tuesday night. “It was definitely very selfish and undisciplined at the time…well, obviously. But you can’t do anything about it now. The most important thing is that we’re in playoffs and regardless of who we have to play, we have to do the job,” said Marchand. “They won a huge game without me the other night and they’re going to be ready [to play] regardless. It is what it is. I mean, they made their decision and I have to live with it. Now, I have to move on and get ready for playoffs.” Clearly it might be time for Marchand to really focus on toning it down after getting smacked with his eighth round of supplemental discipline from the NHL for throwing a cheap shot. That’s far too many times in eight NHL seasons for the Nose Face Killah, and this time around it could potentially cost the Bruins a chance at home ice in the first round due to his absence in Thursday night’s 2-1 shootout loss to the . If the Bruins were to also lose a tight game to Washington on Saturday then there could certainly be a growing chorus of second-guessers ready to criticize their best player, Marchand, for costing the Bruins with his suspension-powered absence. The B’s agitator made it clear in defiant terms that he didn’t care much about any critical eye toward his actions past or present, and went with the time-honored “you can’t possibly understand if you didn’t play the game” defense that pretty much never works. “I’m not really concerned about how anyone really feels outside of the [B’s dressing] room,” said Marchand, showing the same kind of fiery spirit that makes him such a good player on the ice on most nights. “Things happen in hockey. The only people I care about in this world are my teammates and my family, and I think that they have different thoughts about me. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The team did the job so we’re in a position we need to be in for the playoffs. So we’ll move forward.” Marchand mentioned his teammates and his family as the only people whose opinions that he cares about, but surely his coaches also fit that bill while standing behind Marchand’s game-to-game passion and also acknowledging the loss of discipline against Tampa. “I’ll take Brad Marchand on my team any day,” said Cassidy. “I hope he understands how valuable he is to this team and on the ice. But Marchy is a big boy. I think when these things happen, I’m sure he thinks it through. “As I said this morning, Marchy plays hard and it’s what makes him a good player. Sometimes [the moment] gets the best of him, but at the end of the day we need him on the ice. Hopefully he comes back from [the two-game suspension] and plays within the boundaries of the game and that’s it, and still plays well.” The Bruins simply have to hope Marchand returns for the playoffs with something to prove beyond the antics that keep getting him suspended, and instead they get a focused, elite player that has already got his annual brush with NHL disciplinarians out of his system. A word to the wise, however: Don’t bet on that with a feisty, stubborn player in Marchand that probably doesn’t want to change much about his game after popping in a career-best 39 goals and 85 points this season.

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Haggerty: With Krug down, will McAvoy be up?

By Joe Haggerty April 07, 2017 7:26 AM

BOSTON -- Torey Krug hobbling out of TD Garden on crutches with a big, bulky brace supporting an injured right knee certainly isn't a sight Bruins fans were hoping for with the Stanley Cup playoffs less than a week away. But that's what they saw after Krug went down in the first period of Boston's 2-1 shootout loss to Ottawa Thursday night, suffering from what the B's are ominously calling a "lower-body injury." If Krug is sidelined for any length of time, it would put the Bruins in deep trouble before their playoff run even starts. He's Boston's most accomplished puck-mover among their D-men by a wide margin, he's the quarterback of a power-play unit that's been dominant during the just- concluded six game winning streak, and he's a legit top-4 defenseman on a team that simply doesn't have enough of them. "It's a tough loss, especially for the D's," admitted David Pastrnak. Krug's absence was felt in the loss to the Seantors. "We [only had] five D's [for most of the] game, so it was tough for them," said Pastrnak. "Maybe that's why [the Senators] came [after our D-men] in the second period. They obviously recognized that and put more pucks deep, and pressured our D. So, we tried to make it easier for them, the forwards." With Krug out after just two shifts, the Senators pinned the Bruins defense deep in their own end and dared them to adequately move the puck through the 1-3-1 trap employed by Ottawa coach Guy Boucher. They couldn't come close to doing that, resulting in the B's fourth loss in four tries against the Senators this season. "These are the games where [Krug] sees the ice very well in the neutral zone and it only takes a few seams when all the sudden you're in, and even on the foreheck [he can] spring a guy," said interim coach Bruce Cassidy. "He does it once or twice a game, and he gives us opportunities to attack with numbers, keeps pucks live, and even the offensive blueline play he'll find a play or two." So what can be done? Certainly the Bruins could plug 36-year-old John-Michael Liles into Krug's spot and hope he can pull together the kind of puck-moving performances Boston desperately needs. That would mean Colin Miller also drawing back into the lineup to give Boston more of a puck-moving element. The other option: Promoting Charlie McAvoy, newly signed after completing his sophomore season at Boston University, and seeing what he can do. McAvoy, 19, is the only defensemen in Boston's system with the ability to find seams while transitioning the puck up the ice like Krug, and the best hope to step in and replicate his skills on Boston's dangerous power play. President Cam Neely said just hours before the game on Felger & Mazz that the Bruins didn't plan to use McAvoy at the NHL level this season -- one benefit is that it wouldn't burn a year off McAvoy's rookie deal; if he plays even one game in the NHL this season it would enable him to hit free agency sooner -- but Neely also added if "there’s an opportunity where we think he can help us when we need him, then that’s a different story." This might qualify, as McAvoy is the only defenseman the B's have who can provide the same kind of electric offensive presence that Krug routinely brought to the table.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 7: WHAT SUITS PK SUBBAN ON GAME DAY

By Joe Haggerty April 07, 2017 2:13 PM

Chris Sale has gone from cutting up jerseys to making sure he kept the one in which he pitched seven scoreless innings in his Red Sox debut. Here are the links from around the hockey world, and what I’m reading, while getting ready to celebrate my daughter Zoe’s first birthday this weekend. *A hard-hitting piece from ESPN the Magazine about PK Subban’s sartorial style and how he picks out his game-day outfits. *Former BU standout Clayton Keller is thankful for getting some games with the Arizona Coyotes at the end of this season while preparing for next year with the Desert Dogs. *Dion Phaneuf is proud that his Sens have made the playoffs, but mum about possibly wanting a piece of the Leafs in the first round. *A stick salute to Craig Cunningham, who was named the AHL’s winner of the Fred T. Hunt Award this season. *Old friend Vladimir Sobotka is back in the NHL after signing a three-year contract with the St. Louis Blues. *Questions and answers about Sabres forward Kyle Okposo’s condition and how it landed him in a Neuro ICU ward. *For something completely different: Everything you’ve always wanted to know about a Blur rock anthem.

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KRUG OUT SATURDAY VS. CAPS, CONSIDERED ‘DAY TO DAY’

By Joe Haggerty April 07, 2017 2:01 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass. – On the bright side of things, the Bruins termed defenseman Torey Krug as “day-to-day” with a lower body injury suffered in Thursday night’s shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators, a night that saw Krug leave the arena hobbling on crutches and a knee brace. On the not-so-bright side, the “day-to-day” status for Krug will probably be reserved for just about everybody as they ready for playoff mode following Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale against the Washington Capitals. Both Krug and Noel Acciari (upper body) were missing from the Warrior Ice Arena at a full Bruins team practice on Friday morning and Krug has been ruled out for Saturday vs. Washington with no determination made for his availability beyond that. “[Krug] will be out tomorrow…that much we know,” said Bruce Cassidy. “From there it will be day-to-day with a lower body injury. [Acciari] wasn’t out there either and he’s day-to-day as well. We’re not going to be able to replace what he does. [Krug] is a special talent: Power play, first pass breakout and leads us into the transition [game]. He does all those things, so the onus will be on us to make the necessary reads on the breakout. We’re going to miss his ability to get us going on offense in a hurry.” Cassidy said there’s a very real possibility that Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson could make his NHL debut on Saturday against Washington, and that Colin Miller could be re-entering the lineup in Krug’s absence with John-Michael Liles stepping into a possible top-four role. Anton Khudobin will also be getting the start between the pipes vs. the Capitals with Boston still playing to secure the No. 3 or No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division playoff bracket.

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TOUCHER & RICH HELP ALEX OVECHKIN GET CLOSE TO THE STANLEY CUP

By Toucher and Rich April 07, 2017 1:41 PM

Chris Sale has gone from cutting up jerseys to making sure he kept the one in which he pitched seven scoreless innings in his Red Sox debut. One of the greatest players of all-time, but he hasn't got close to the Stanley Cup (so far). Toucher and Rich help Capitals' Alex Ovechkin realize his dream. The NHL Playoffs start April 12th on the networks of NBC.

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Sabres Notebook: Okposo reportedly released; Guhle joins Amerks; Foligno done

By John Vogl Published Fri, Apr 7, 2017

Kyle Okposo’s recovery from a serious illness has apparently begun. The Sabres forward, who spent much of the week in the neuro intensive care unit of Buffalo General Medical Center, was released from the hospital Friday, according to Tom Martin of Ch. 4. The Sabres could not confirm the report. Okposo has been ill since March 28 and went into the hospital earlier this week. The neuro ICU deals primarily with disorders or injuries of the brain or spinal cord. Sabres coach Dan Bylsma had no update on the 28-year-old during his midday news conference, but he said the condition of the right winger continued to weigh on the organization. “It’s a difficult situation and a difficult time for Kyle and his family,” Bylsma said in HarborCenter. “We want to do everything we can to be with him and help him through the time that he’s in right now. It’s certainly a cloud.” As expected, Brendan Guhle has joined the . The junior season for Buffalo’s top defense prospect ended this week, giving him time to play six games with the Amerks. Their season concludes next Saturday. “I’m excited to play,” Guhle told Rochester media before the Amerks hosted Hershey. “It’s a lot of games in not many days, so it should be fun.” The 19-year-old finished last season in Rochester, recording one goal and four points in six games. This season, he totaled 15 goals and 35 points in 53 games for two junior teams. He also appeared in three games for the Sabres as an emergency recall. “It’s been a good learning year for me,” Guhle said. “I’ve been all over the place. I’ve seen a lot of different people and a lot of different places. I enjoyed the ride, though. “It was a fun year, and I’m excited to be here for the end of it. I just want to work on my game here and see how I compare to the guys at this level.” The season is over for Marcus Foligno. Anders Nilsson might be done, too. Foligno suffered a knee injury during Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Montreal. Bylsma said the left winger would be out at least a week. Buffalo’s season concludes with games Saturday in Florida and Sunday in Tampa Bay. Foligno and captain Brian Gionta are the only Sabres who have appeared in every game. Nilsson returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday, but he apparently has not recovered enough from the shot he absorbed during Tuesday’s workout. The Sabres recalled goaltender Linus Ullmark from the Amerks before departing for Florida. The Sabres and Panthers are evenly matched. Buffalo is 33-35-12 for 78 points, and it has a minus-31 goal differential. Florida is 33-36-11 for 77 points, and it has a minus-32 goal differential. Those numbers add up to a meaningless game between the 13th- and 14th-place clubs in the Eastern Conference. “It’s a tough situation to be in, but the fact of the matter is we still have two games to play,” Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges said. “If anything, you look and see character, the character of every individual, us as a team. What are we made of? What’s our mindset? “Are we a team that just says who cares because it doesn’t matter, or do we at least have enough gumption, enough pride to do things the right way?”

Buffalo News LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057608 Buffalo Sabres “The only thing that I’ve said to him is, ‘Don’t even think twice about it,’” Gorges said. “‘It’s done. It’s gone. You’re a good player. You know you are. You’ve proved it over and over. You’ve been outstanding for us all Lehner wants Sabres to earn their playing time year.’ “You know what? It’s going to happen again. You’re going to have another game where you’re going to make a mistake and you’re going to By John Vogl cost a goal or you’re going to make a turnover or you’re going to have a tough couple stretches or periods. That’s hockey. That’s part of what we Published Fri, Apr 7, 2017 do. We make mistakes. The biggest thing is to know that it’s done, it’s over, it’s a new day.”

Added McCabe: “As a whole group, we need to just be accountable to Robin Lehner didn’t have an easy introduction to the NHL. During his first each other and have each other’s back.” two seasons, the Ottawa Senators used eight goaltenders. A bad game meant a trip to the back of the line. As Lehner looked back Friday, the system was for the best. Buffalo News LOADED: 04.08.2017 “If I played really, really well and lost the game, I was out,” the Sabres goaltender said. “I didn’t play again. If I wanted to play again, I needed to win and I needed to be outstanding. Then I got another game. “We’ve got to get back to the accountability of performing on the ice.” The Sabres have begun reflecting on their season as it reaches the final weekend. They visit Florida on Saturday and Tampa Bay on Sunday, then they’ll pack their gear and split. When Buffalo returns to the ice in September, Lehner would like guys to earn their time. “I remember coming into this league, either you performed or you didn’t,” he said in HarborCenter. “If you didn’t perform, you weren’t up here. It should go back to that. I hope it does.” The Sabres certainly had their share of players who didn’t perform. It’s part of the reason they’ll miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season. But injuries and lack of depth prohibited the organization from truly adopting a rewards-based system. Often, there wasn’t a healthy body to replace a struggling player. With the Rochester Americans sitting near the bottom of the American Hockey League, few players were pushing to get recalled and send someone to the bench. The guys in Buffalo needed to push themselves to be better, and too many times they didn’t. “We all have our assignments and jobs, and we have to buy into it,” Lehner said. “It was everyone this year not really seeing their roles. We’ve all got to buy into those roles.” One player who consistently stuck to his role was defenseman Jake McCabe. He’s struggled lately, however, and was a healthy scratch for Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Montreal. The 23-year-old was clearly angry over the benching. But like Lehner, he understands performance should dictate play, even for a guy voted Unsung Hero by his teammates. “It was a nice recognition,” McCabe said. “I just try to come to work every day. There’s a certain expectation of how I’m going to play and what my role is on this team. That’s what I try to bring every single day. “On the flip side of that, I haven’t been bringing it so I’m not in the lineup.” Coach Dan Bylsma wouldn’t say whether McCabe will return to the ice this weekend. “He knew exactly the last couple games where he’s at and where he’s been playing at,” Bylsma said. “There’s no shying away from it. “Jake’s a big part of our team. He’s a big part of our team going forward. He’s played that way this year, and we need him to step up and be a leader on this team. Getting the award is a sign of that.” McCabe admits his confidence took a hit this week. He coughed up the puck for a goal by the New York Islanders on Sunday, and he did the same thing the next night against Toronto. He was plus-4 for the season March 5, the highest rating among Buffalo defensemen, but he’s minus- 12 in the last 14 games. “I had four bad periods,” McCabe said of this week. “It’s just one of those times where I had a little bit of a confidence issue and wasn’t performing. We’ve got guys in this lineup that can perform. If you’re not going to perform, you’re not going to play. That’s what it came down to.” It remains to be seen whether that philosophy becomes more noticeable next season. For now, Josh Gorges just wants McCabe to know benchings happen. 1057609 Buffalo Sabres

Report: Sabres' Okposo released from hospital

By John Vogl Published Fri, Apr 7, 2017

Kyle Okposo, who has been in the neuro intensive care unit of Buffalo General Medical Center, has been released from the hospital, according a report. Tom Martin of Ch. 4 quoted a source saying the Sabres forward was discharged. The Sabres could not yet confirm the report. Okposo has been ill since March 28 and went into the hospital earlier this week with an undisclosed illness.

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Confidence back, Sabres' McCabe won't lose sleep over benching

By John Vogl Published Fri, Apr 7, 2017

A benching hasn’t affected Jake McCabe’s mindset. The defenseman knows what he can bring to the Sabres’ lineup. It’s not clear whether he’ll get the chance. After scratching McCabe in Buffalo’s previous game, coach Dan Bylsma wouldn’t say Friday whether the defenseman will be in the lineup this weekend. The Sabres close the season Saturday in Florida and Sunday in Tampa Bay. “I had four bad periods,” McCabe said in HarborCenter. “In this league, if you’re not performing you’re not going to play.” McCabe coughed pucks over in consecutive games this week, leading to goals for the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. He sat when Montreal came to town, though he defiantly said there was little to learn from watching. “I’ve played enough games,” he said. “There’s nothing eye-opening. It’s just one of those times where I had a little bit of a confidence issue and wasn’t performing. We’ve got guys in this lineup that can perform. “It just kind of snowballed a little bit. I’m not going to lose sleep over it. It is what it is. It’s a game. We got two points. That’s all that matters.” The benching came on the night the Sabres announced their player- voted awards. His teammates voted McCabe as the Unsung Hero. “It was a nice recognition," McCabe said. "We’ve got a great group of guys in here, so it was nice that it came from the teammates. I just try to come to work every day. There’s a certain expectation of how I’m going to play and what my role is on this team. That’s what I try to bring every single day. “On the flip side of that, I haven’t been bringing it so I’m not in the lineup.”

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Okposo illness a 'cloud' for Sabres as they hit final weekend

By John Vogl Published Fri, Apr 7, 2017

Though unable to give an update on Kyle Okposo, coach Dan Bylsma said Friday the Sabres continue to think about their hospitalized forward. “It’s a difficult situation and a difficult time for Kyle and his family,” Bylsma said in HarborCenter. “We want to do everything we can to be with him and help him through the time that he’s in right now. It’s certainly a cloud.” Okposo has been in the neuro intensive care unit at Buffalo General Medical Center this week with an undisclosed ailment. He’s been sick since March 28. The 28-year-old is in his first season with Buffalo after spending nine seasons with the New York Islanders. The Sabres hosted the Islanders on Sunday. “We were asking about him when we were in Buffalo, and it was probably quiet for a point and for a reason,” Islanders coach told the New York media. “We’re praying for him. He’s a wonderful person. “He spent a lot of time here and got to know him really well – not as a player, as a person. He’s a good man and we wish him the best. We hope he gets better.” In other Sabres news, left wing Marcus Foligno will miss the final two games of the season with a minor knee injury suffered Wednesday. The Sabres visit the Florida Panthers on Saturday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.

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Amerks score early but lose to Hershey Bears

Staff report 10:17 p.m. ET April 7, 2017

Defenseman Casey Nelson scored 26 seconds into regulation, but the Rochester Americans couldn’t get much else going offensively in a 3-2 loss to the Hershey Bears on Friday. Nelson’s goal gave Rochester (30-29-0-2) a short-lived lead. Hershey (40-22-8-3) scored 1:22 later. Brendan Guhle, also a defenseman, scored his first goal of the season for the Amerks later in the period to put Rochester back on top. Guhle, 19, was reassigned to the Amerks from the Prince George Cougars of the before Friday’s game. Rochester gave up two unanswered goals in the second period, with the eventual game-winner finding the back of the net for the Bears at the 18:26 mark. Daniel Muzito-Bagenda, Cole Schneider, Justin Vaive and Justin Bailey recorded assists for Rochester. Schneider remains Rochester’s top scorer with 59 points (22 goals, 37 assists) through 66 games this season and extends his point streak (3 goals, 7 assists) to eight games. Rochester concludes its season series with Hershey with a 1-3 mark. The Amerks play the second contest of their final three-in-three series at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Utica Comets at the Blue Cross Arena.

Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057613 Calgary Flames Playoffs, with the 82-game lead-up almost in the books, is next. Sure would be nice to go in with a win. Flames hope to cap regular-season work on winning note “Any game of the season, if you’ve just had a tough game, you have to kind of mentally get yourself back going,” Backlund said. “But if you have a good roll, you just go with it. You feel good about yourself, the whole Wes Gilbertson team feels good, so you just keep rolling. So I think it’s important we play well on Saturday.” Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 8:03 PM MDT

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.08.2017 SAN JOSE — Go in with a win. That would be ideal. The Calgary Flames don’t need a victory in Saturday’s regular-season finale against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center, but it sure would be nice to polish off their prep on a high note before what they hope is an extended run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. “We want to ramp it up and make sure we’re playing the same way in that game as we want to play in Game 1,” said Flames defenceman after burying the game-winner – on a breakaway, no less – in Thursday’s 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. “So it’s a big game, because we can use it that way. We just want to play the way we need to play to win.” This is the final weekend of regular-season action around the NHL. The Race To 16 Wins – must-see-TV every spring – starts midway through next week. The crew from Calgary will open their playoff run in enemy territory, but they’re still not sure exactly where they’ll be headed. The Flames (45-32-4) continue to jockey with the Nashville Predators for the two wild-card slots in the Western Conference. They’re currently deadlocked with 94 points apiece, although the Flames have the edge in the would-be tiebreaker. Plain and simple, a victory against the Sharks would solidify Calgary’s status as the first wild card and set a date with the Pacific Division champs – an honour the Anaheim Ducks can clinch with one more point, but the Edmonton Oilers still have a shot at it, too. If the Predators, who wrap up their regular-season slate against the Jets in Winnipeg, climb above Calgary in the standings, the Flames will instead open their Stanley Cup quest against the Chicago Blackhawks. “Of course, we want to win every game and it would be important to get a good feeling,” centre Mikael Backlund said of Saturday’s meeting with the Sharks (8 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan). “But I think what’s more important is the way we play. I think we want to go into playoffs having a good feeling. Finish off with a good game, just like (Thursday). We have to keep this thing rolling.” The Flames officially punched their playoff ticket with a 5-2 triumph over the Sharks last Friday at the Saddledome. Since then, skipper Glen Gulutzan has talked repeatedly about maintaining the “hum.” “Because it’s not an easy thing to turn it on and off,” he warned earlier this week. There was a definite dip in Sunday’s home-ice loss to the Ducks. Although the Flames also dropped the rematch two nights later at Honda Center, they were at least pleased with that spirited performance. It was back to the win column Thursday against the Kings, with crease call-up Jon Gillies delivering 27 saves in his NHL debut and getting offensive support from some of the depth guys – Sam Bennett, Alex Chiasson and frequent scratches Freddie Hamilton and Wideman – on his special night at Staples Center. Gillies will be a spectator in San Jose, with will-be spring workhorse Brian Elliott wanting one more start to fine-tune for the second season. Don’t be surprised if a few of Calgary’s marquee men get a night-off against the Sharks. In fact, it would be a surprise if they didn’t. “You allow some of the guys that have done a great job getting us to this spot to rest, while we get the chance to prove and show them that we’ve worked hard in practice, that we’ve been listening, we’ve been watching and we’re ready to contribute,” said spare forward Curtis Lazar, who had a team-high three hits in a feisty showing against the Kings. “You’re going to need everybody in the playoffs, and you know that.” 1057614 Calgary Flames Amongst other things, the centre in Howe’s name will also help caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, as Gordie did for Colleen, who battled Pick’s Disease (which causes dementia) until her Eric Francis: Now that's Howe it's done – Gordie's sons kick off pro-am death in 2009. tourney in father's memory “The hardest thing was my mother was basically gone three years before she passed,” said Mark, who recalls his mom becoming violent and eventually unable to walk or talk. Eric Francis “We knew what was happening and what the future held and I tell Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 7:51 PM MDT everyone going through the same thing: Spend the time with your loved ones because when it gets to the stage it has gone too far then you’re with a person who is really not that person.” One by one, admirers lined up to shake hands, pay their respects, share Thankful stem cell surgery in Mexico prolonged Gordie’s life several their stories and pose for a picture. quality years, the sons he so famously played alongside as /Houston Aeroes are also humbled by the response they The luncheon had ended much earlier, but Mark and were continue to receive following Mr. Elbows’ death at age 88. more than happy to stand at the front of the Westin’s ballroom, carrying on their dad’s honour, and doing it with the patience, class and grace Mr. “We think of it more of a celebration of life as we are doing today,” said Hockey exhibited as the game’s greatest of ambassadors. Mark, 61, who joined his father in the in 2011. He taught them well. “He wouldn’t want anybody weeping – he’d want them to go on with their lives and have fun, which is what life is all about. I hope this event keeps It has been 10 months since the most famous No. 9 of all time died. going and going forever. Yet, the tributes to continue to pour in. “I can see what the economy has done to this city the last few years and On Friday, the Gordie Howe C.A.R.E.S. (Centre for Alzheimer’s my hat is off to this city for stepping up with incredible support. Research and Education Society) Pro-Am hockey tourney kicked off with “As long as you want me here, the Howe family will be here.” a packed luncheon where a bronze bust of Howe was unveiled.

It will ultimately find a home at the Alzheimer’s research and care facility to be opened in Fish Creek Park next year bearing his name. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.08.2017 But on this day, it was flanked by his sons and former linemates – Mark and Marty – who spent plenty of time posing in front of it and, well, being Howes. “It’s important for us to do it, otherwise the legacy dies,” said Mark, scouting director for the Detroit Red Wings who also runs the Gordie and Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer’s. “We’re happy to do it. In terms of honouring my father and charities, I always consider it an honour for both mom and dad. Mom always made sure my dad was out there giving back. My dad was an absolutely wonderful person and he just loved being around people. “He was a better person than a hockey player. It’s very important as children of Gordie Howe that the legacy of Gordie and Colleen continue and from what I saw here today, this looks like it could be something really big. That’s special.” After raising $300,000 last year, the two-day tourney that pairs fundraising beer league teams with NHL alumni will raise more than $1 million this year. The Flames alumni deserve plenty of credit for the event, helping attract colleagues like Bryan Trottier, Michel Goulet, Mark Napier and Marty McSorley to join the likes of Robyn Regehr, Ron Stern, Perry Berezan, Lanny McDonald, Dana Murzyn, Joe Nieuwendyk, Joel Otto, Colin Patterson, Brendan Morrison and Jamie Macoun. And the fact that the Howes graciously flew in despite losing their dad so publicly June 10 made Friday’s kickoff even more special. Not surprising, given they’d done something similar at his public viewing at Joe Louis Arena last spring, when they made sure family members were there from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. to greet and thank fans who streamed in all day long. “I’ve seen dad do a million signings from 1-3 p.m. and there was still a line wrapped around the corner, but dad never left until everyone was taken care of – we did the same,” said Mark, whose family actually stayed until 10 p.m. that night when the line concluded. “It was a really hard, hard summer. Marty and I had a lot of obligations that come with being the son of Gordie Howe. My days off have been doing Gordie and Colleen Howe things – I’m not complaining – I’m proud and it’s a privilege to do it.” You can almost hear Gordie speaking when he says it. Sounds an awful lot like too, who learned from his idol, Howe, how to conduct himself. “These things don’t work if people don’t come to them, so it’s worth the effort,” said Marty, who also still helps run his father’s charitable foundation. “We were born and raised that way, it comes down to family values.” 1057615 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes recall Tolchinsky from Checkers

From staff reports

The Carolina Hurricanes on Friday recalled forward Sergey Tolchinsky from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League, and reassigned forward Andrew Poturalski to Charlotte. Tolchinsky, 22, is in his second full professional season and has scored seven goals and earned 15 assists (22 points) in 57 games with the Checkers this season. He made his NHL debut with Carolina on March 31, 2016, and earned one assist in two games last season with the Hurricanes.

News Observer LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057616 Carolina Hurricanes

David Gove a quiet but memorable presence behind 2006 scenes – DeCock

By Luke DeCock

It was like the greatest fantasy camp ever. The Carolina Hurricanes were storming through the playoffs, and David Gove, and Craig Kowalski were along for the ride. Called up from the minor leagues as playoff reinforcements, they had no responsibilities whatsoever, except to show up for practice and watch the games from the press box. They drank champagne from the Stanley Cup and were on the ice with it, and although they didn’t get their names on the Stanley Cup, the three young Black Aces, in hockey parlance – a pair of undersized forwards and Kowalski, a goalie – received the same rings as the other players, mementos of two months spent living the hockey life to its fullest. So some Hurricanes fans may not immediately connect Gove’s name to the Stanley Cup season when they hear the news that a former fringe NHL player died in Pittsburgh on Thursday. But Gove was an essential, if anonymous, part of that playoff run. According to media reports, Gove, 38, was found dead of a suspected heroin overdose in Pittsburgh, leaving behind a wife and son. “There are people that you’ve played with that you don’t remember the faces,” 2006 teammates said Friday. “They just passed on through. But when you talk about making memories as a band of brothers like we did in 2006, they are included in it. I remember them. I played with a million guys at a similar time and with similar roles in team, but I remember them. They’re etched in my memory.” Aucoin would go on to forge an NHL career with the Hurricanes and other teams; Gove and Kowalski were largely forgotten, although not by their teammates, who were impressed by their enthusiasm and, in Gove’s case, his cheerful smile. “He was such a likeable guy,” then-Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. “Everybody liked him and he fit that role perfectly. He enjoyed the run and did what was necessary to be ready to play.” Time is already passing too quickly for that group. Gove is the second member of the 2006 team to die, following Josef Vasicek, who was killed in a plane crash in Russia in 2011. Gove had been head coach of the , the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ECHL affiliate, in 2015-16 before taking a leave of absence at the start of the playoffs. He never returned to the team. It’s unknown at this point what demons Gove battled and for how long. His Stanley Cup ring was sold at auction in November 2015 for $7,716, offering one potential waypoint. The circumstances of his death will contribute to concerns about hockey’s painkiller culture, and even if Gove’s apparent addiction was unrelated, there will certainly be others for whom easily available painkillers while playing become a gateway drug to heroin and other opiates once their career ends. An undrafted native who played at Western Michigan, Gove had his only 20-goal AHL season with Lowell Lock Monsters in 2005-06, earning the playoff promotion along with Aucoin and Kowalski. Gove played two NHL games for the Hurricanes – one in 2005-06, one in 2006-07 – before moving on as a free agent. He would serve as captain of the Penguins’ AHL affiliate before becoming an assistant coach in Wheeling in 2015-16 and being promoted into the head job at midseason, only to leave on the eve of the playoffs. “I know the owner in Wheeling was helping him and working with him at that time,” Rutherford said. “I don’t know all the details. I know he was dealing with some issues, and that’s really all I know.” That’s all anyone really knows at this point. Something was clearly wrong, and Gove was never able to get on the right side of it. For two glorious months, he was on top of the hockey world with the Hurricanes. And for that, he’ll never be forgotten.

News Observer LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057617 Carolina Hurricanes

Teravainen has season of ups and downs

By Chip Alexander [email protected]

The trade was much discussed in the NHL and Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis much praised for pulling it off. Last June, the Canes acquired forwards Teuvo Teravainen and Bryan Bickell from the Chicago Blackhawks for a pair of draft picks. It was a big move for Francis, especially in getting Teravainen, a young Finn and former first-round draft pick who helped the Blackhawks win the 2015 Stanley Cup. Bickell won three Cups with the Blackhawks but his play had tailed off substantially. Looking to move the veteran to alleviate a salary-cap squeeze, Chicago had to part with Teravainen as part of the deal. The result? With the Canes about to play their final home game, hosting the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, Teravainen has had an inconsistent first season with the Canes. Bickell was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November but has been able to return this week to the Canes’ lineup. Asked to assess his season, Teravainen said, “I think I had my ups and downs but I think my overall game is better. It took a little time at the start to get to know the guys and everything. When I got to know everybody and got to know the system, I think I started playing better. “Of course, everyone has some tough times during the year. But I feel good about myself. I think I’m getting better.” Teravainen’s numbers this season with the Canes are roughly the same as with the Blackhawks in 2015-16. In 79 games, he has 15 goals and 26 assists and a minus-6 rating for Carolina. In 78 games with the Blackhawks, he had 13 goals and 22 assists, and a minus-2 rating. Teravainen, 22, has been used on the wing and at center this season. The Helsinki native has had some offensive dry spells – eight games without a point early in the season, seven straight without a point in February – but also had a career-high four points (goal, three assists) against Washington on Nov. 11; a career-best five-game point streak in late-December and early January, and also has set a career high in power-play points (14). Teravainen, called “Turbo” by his teammates and Canes coach Bill Peters, has at times been overshadowed by the other young Finn in the Canes lineup, Sebastian Aho. The rookie forward, 19, has 23 goals and 25 assists in his first season. “He’s been great,” Teravainen said. “He didn’t take too long to get to know the league and get comfortable. It’s been fun to play with him.” Teravainen already has set an offseason goal: more size. At 5-foot-11 and 178 pounds, he’s one of the Canes’ smaller players and can get bumped around in the course of physical, grinding action on the ice. Teravainen is a quick skater and has a wickedly quick release on his shot. The offensive instincts are there and he’s a responsible defensive player. But size — or lack of it — can be an issue. “It will be a big summer for me again, to get bigger and stronger again,” he said. “I think I did a good job last summer to get stronger. I feel like I’m better in the little battles and that kind of stuff right now. So I think I’m only going to get better.”

News Observer LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057618 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes nominate Staal for King Clancy Trophy

From staff reports

The Carolina Hurricanes on Friday announced that center Jordan Staal has been selected by his teammates as the team’s nominee for the 2016-17 King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The award honors the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community. Staal, 28, this season hosted 40 families from UNC Children’s Hospital, Duke Children’s Hospital and local cancer organizations in a suite at Hurricanes home games at PNC Arena. He provided each family with 12 tickets in a luxury suite, VIP parking, food and beverage and Staal Family Foundation T-shirts. One of the Hurricanes captains, Staal ranks fifth on the team in scoring with 43 points and leads all Hurricanes forwards in ice time per game (18:37). He is fourth in the NHL in faceoff win percentage (59.1). Each NHL team nominates one player for the King Clancy Trophy, and the winner is selected by voters from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and NHL Broadcasters’ Association. The trophy is presented as part of the 2017 NHL Awards in June.

News Observer LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057619 Chicago Blackhawks

Brian Campbell-Trevor van Riemsdyk pairing gives Blackhawks defensive depth

Chris Hine Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune

One factor that contributed to the Blackhawks' first-round loss to the Blues last season was their lack of defensive depth. The Hawks were asking then-rookie Trevor van Riemsdyk to skate more than 20 minutes per game and players such as Erik Gustafsson, who has been in Rockford all of this season, to come through in big situations. You might remember Gustafsson being on the ice when Troy Brouwer scored the winning goal in Game 7. In the offseason and at the trade deadline, general manager Stan Bowman made defensive depth a priority. The Hawks enter the playoffs deeper than they were a season ago, and that might be most noticeable in whom coach Joel Quenneville will roll out in his bottom defensive pairing — Brian Campbell and van Riemsdyk. A year ago, Quenneville was throwing darts to see who would be his fifth and sixth defensemen in the playoffs. Campbell and van Riemsdyk have been locked into that role since the middle of the season. "It has been a good pair for us," Quenneville said. "Consistency has been something you get from them. Defensively they've been fine. Offensively you get some good puck motion coming through the middle of the ice." It might not be the role the Hawks and Campbell, 37, envisioned when he came back in the offseason, but he and van Riemsdyk have embraced it, even if both are playing less than they were a season ago. Van Riemsdyk's average ice time of 18 minutes, 23 seconds is down 1:36 from last season, while Campbell has seen a bigger cut — down 3:52 to 18:25. "He's a really positive guy," van Riemsdyk said of Campbell. "He has played in the league for a while and has a lot of experience, so he's got a wealth of knowledge you can pull from." Added Campbell: "We've been really comfortable with each other. We kind of complement each other by getting open, moving the puck together up the ice." Van Riemsdyk, 25, is completing his second full NHL season and is still developing as an everyday defenseman. The good thing for the Hawks is they won't be asking him to do too much in the postseason. Last season he was playing top-four minutes. Now he is slotted into a more natural position in the bottom pairing, where the pressure isn't as great. Van Riemsdyk also said his body is fresher headed into this postseason. "The first long season, you learn a lot," he said. "Before that I hadn't played more than 40 games in a year. Doubling that, you learn a lot throughout the year on how to take care of yourself on the ice, off the ice and realize how important all that stuff is to make sure you're ready to play every day. "I've gotten better at it this year where I feel night in and night out, I'm ready to give a consistent effort." Campbell has noticed improvement in van Riemsdyk from the beginning of the season. "He really started skating and his offense keeps picking up more and more," Campbell said. "He's pushing that pace. He's very confident and he's got a lot of ability and he's an all-around just solid D-man." That's all the Hawks will be asking from both in the playoffs — just be solid — because it was shaky a year ago.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057620 Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan Hartman, Blackhawks not upset about slash by Ducks' Corey Perry

Chris Hine Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune

Corey Perry's slash on Ryan Hartman in the Blackhawks' 4-0 loss to the Ducks on Thursday night certainly looked like a dirty play. After a whistle in the first period, Perry whipped his stick at Hartman's right arm and connected, sending Hartman to the dressing room in immediate pain. Luckily for the Hawks, Hartman was able to return, and neither he nor coach Joel Quenneville got up in arms afterward about the slash. Hartman was wearing a splint on his right hand, but he had on a similar splint after the morning skate Thursday. "It's part of hockey," Hartman said of the slash. "It happens in chippy games. It's a big hit. They do some of those things, but it's just a part of hockey." Quenneville said he didn't know if the slash was flagrant and was satisfied that Perry was called for a minor penalty. It was the beginning of a rough night that featured several scraps. During the third period, Nick Ritchie landed a punch on Hawks defenseman Michal Rozsival after Rozsival cross-checked Perry. Ritchie appeared to cut Rozsival, who Quenneville said is day to day because of an upper-body injury. Andrew Desjardins suffered a lower-body injury and is day to day. The NHL on Friday suspended Ritchie for two games for the punch. The Hawks and Ducks could meet again in the playoffs, a combustible matchup based on Thursday's physicality. "When you have playoff rivalries or series, it's easy to rekindle those games, the intensity and the rivalries," Quenneville said. "Players see things, but at the end of the day, they'll be smart." Forsling impresses: Rookie defenseman Gustav Forsling played in his first game with the Hawks since Feb. 11. He spent most of the last two months in Rockford honing his game. Quenneville liked what he saw from Forsling, who played 19 minutes, 32 seconds. "He did some good things," Quenneville said. "He was moving up in the play and I liked his gap. He got better in certain situations. His first game in a long time up here, he did a good job."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057621 Chicago Blackhawks

Cruising Blackhawks not sweating any stunted momentum

Mark Lazerus @MarkLazerus | email

ANAHEIM, Calif. — As another grueling 82-game regular season nears its finish, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has allowed his team to cruise to the finish line, the top seed in the Western Conference long since sewn up. The Hawks didn’t practice last Saturday, as they normally would have before a day game. They didn’t practice Monday, as they normally might have after a day game. And they didn’t practice Friday in El Segundo, California, as they were scheduled to before the regular-season finale Saturday against the Kings. Duncan Keith has had two consecutive games off. Niklas Hjalmarsson, too. Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook got the game Thursday against the Ducks off, as well. Health and rest have mattered more than results, with potentially two more months of hockey on the horizon. But by the time Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs comes around next week, likely Thursday, the Hawks will have gone nearly two weeks without ‘‘playing for keeps,’’ as Quenneville likes to put it. And with three consecutive who-cares losses heading into the regular-season finale, the Hawks obviously aren’t firing on all cylinders as they head into the playoffs. But this isn’t new for the Hawks, who have built a championship legacy on flipping the switch when the playoffs start. And nobody seems too concerned about any stunted momentum. After a relatively competitive 4- 0 loss Thursday to the Ducks, which followed a far worse effort in a 4-3 loss Tuesday to the lowly Avalanche, the Hawks had no trouble forgetting about it. ‘‘That’s the only thing you can do right now,’’ rookie Ryan Hartman said. ‘‘Playoffs are coming up. You don’t want to think too hard about games like this. You don’t want to carry that on your shoulders going into the playoffs.’’ But while the Hawks are strolling to the finish line, their two most likely first-round opponents — the Predators and Flames — are in an all-out sprint in an effort to avoid finishing in the second wild-card spot and facing the top-seeded Hawks. The Predators and Flames are tied at 94 points heading into their regular-season finales Saturday. If the Flames — who hold the tiebreaker — beat the Sharks, the Hawks likely will get the Predators, who close against the Jets. The Blues are still a slim possibility, too, though they’re up a point ahead of both teams with two games left. The Hawks know the Predators well, having beaten them in the first round of their 2015 Stanley Cup run and having faced them 10 times in the two seasons since. The Flames, on the other hand, are a largely unknown commodity. The Hawks shrugged when asked whether it’s better to play a team they know well (and vice vera) or to play someone new. ‘‘It’s really tough to say,’’ Hossa said. ‘‘They’re both really good hockey teams. And it doesn’t matter who you face; it’s going to be a big challenge. In the first round, everybody’s always energized and excited. It’s not easy to play against anybody.’’ Quenneville hinted most of his big-name players will suit up for the regular-season finale in an attempt to keep them sharp for Game 1 next week. And while the only games that really matter to the Hawks on Saturday will be played in San Jose and Winnipeg, they’re going to try to treat the game against the Kings with a little more weight than the previous two on this trip because there’s no easing into things next week. ‘‘You’re playing in the NHL,’’ winger Patrick Kane said. ‘‘It’s another opportunity to play another game, another challenge, another opportunity to test ourselves against a good hockey team. I don’t think there’s any motivation problems in here at all. We’ve got a lot of guys trying to fill playoff positions and trying to present themselves to coaches for a spot in the lineup. There’s a lot of motivation for that.’’

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057622 Chicago Blackhawks Boston's David Pastrnak, Dallas Tyler Seguin and Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf all have 70 points and could also pass Panarin with a big finish in their season finales. Nothing comes easy when lining up against Ducks Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.08.2017 updated: 4/7/2017 5:54 PM John Dietz Follow @johndietzdh

If the Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks meet for the second time in three years in the Western Conference final, don't expect many love taps to be exchanged on the ice. No, the Hawks can once again expect a heavy dose of barbaric hits, crunching checks and maybe even an occasional sucker punch from a team that still thinks it can intimidate coach Joel Quenneville's squad. The skinny: The Kings, who won the Stanley Cup in 2014, will miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. L.A. traded for Ben Bishop at the deadline, hoping to make a push, but he is just 2-3-2 with a .900 save percentage for the Kings. … Jeff Carter (32 goals) and Tanner Pearson (24) are the only players with more than 16 goals. Carter has scored just twice in the last 19 games. … The Hawks are 1-0-1 vs. the Kings this season. The Ducks -- who beat a watered-down Hawks team 4-0 in Anaheim Thursday -- showed the world again that they're clearly OK with sending a message by going over the line after the whistle sounds. The first infraction came late in the first period when Corey Perry slashed Ryan Hartman in the right hand, sending Hartman to the dressing room for evaluation. "It happens in chippy games," said Hartman, who returned and ended up with five shots on goal in 13:41. "They hit, they do some of those things, but it's just part of hockey." Hartman wouldn't take the bait when asked if that kind of play should be part of the sport. "It happens," he said. An even bigger cheap shot occurred six minutes into the third period when Nick Ritchie took offense to Michal Rozsival cross checking Perry. Ritchie, a 6-foot-2, 232-pound forward who is 17 years younger than Rozsival, crunched the Blackhawks' D-man with a vicious right hook to the face. It left Rozsival sprawled out on the ice for several moments. He left under his own power, and is considered day-to-day. Ritchie received a 10-minute match penalty for deliberate injury and was scheduled to have a hearing with NHL Player Safety Friday. Quenneville -- like Hartman before him -- wouldn't add much fuel to the fire when asked if the Hawks will remember this kind of bush-league play if the teams meet up again in May. "When you have playoff rivalries, or series, it's easy to rekindle those (feelings)," the coach said. "I think that players see things, and at the end of the day, you've got to be smart." Who will it be? The Blackhawks' first-round opponent will likely be known after Saturday's games. If Calgary (94 points) stays tied or ahead or ahead of Nashville (94), the Predators will play the Hawks unless both teams win and the Blues drop their final two games against Carolina and Colorado. The Blues host the Avs Sunday. Calgary finishes the season at San Jose, while Nashville is at Winnipeg. Show him the money? Artemi Panarin is tied for ninth in points among forwards with 73, but he may need to add to that total Saturday in Los Angeles if he wants to cash in on a $1.725 million bonus for the second straight year. Panarin needs to finish in the top 10 and the race is extremely tight with Winnipeg's Blake Wheeler tied with Panarin, Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl in eighth with 75, and St. Louis' Vladimir Tarasenko in 11th with 72. If Panarin doesn't record a point, he would fall out of the top 10 if Wheeler gets one point Saturday against Nashville, and Tarasenko gets two more in the Blues' final two games. 1057623 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' third line creating chemistry and points

By Tracey Myers April 07, 2017 1:14 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Ryan Hartman could see a number of reasons why he and his current linemates were finding the back of the net more lately. "We've been with each other for a bit, that could be part of it. We're feeling comfortable with each other, finding chemistry. Sometimes it is puck luck, sometimes it may be matchups with certain teams that you pay better against," said Hartman, who will enter the final regular-season game with 19 goals. "It's been a good run. Hopefully we continue that into the playoffs and keep that four-line rotation." Marian Hossa had the night off on Thursday when the Blackhawks lost to the Anaheim Ducks but he, Hartman and Marcus Kruger have developed some chemistry and points in recent games. Their recent production is helping the Blackhawks keep more of that four-line rotation that worked so well for them back in February, and that they'll need in the playoffs. "Well with that line, make sure there's contribution offensively but you know you'll get reliability defensively. Krugs has the hot stick right now and has scored some nice goals for us. But the reliability with that line is what you like about it," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Predictability is what we count on." Kruger and Hossa looked like they were onto something in the Blackhawks' first-round series against the St. Louis Blues last spring. Hossa's rebound 26-goal season, coupled with the top two lines finding success, lets the Blackhawks put Hossa elsewhere to bolster scoring depth. Add Hartman, who's been confident and unafraid to shoot no matter who he's playing with, and it's become a good combination. It just took time for them to feel each other out. "Something like that, yeah," Hossa said. "There's lots of good potential on that line. Krugsy's steady defensively, can make some plays. Hartsy likes to go hard to the net and create space and also he has a really good shot. If he uses it more often I think it's to his advantage. It's about holding onto the puck a little more in the offensive zone and that way we can create more chances." When the Blackhawks start the playoffs next week they should have their lineup fairly set. The fourth line is, perhaps, the only area of some question. The Blackhawks have always found success with a four-line roll that gives them the right blend of defense and production. The Hartman- Kruger-Hossa combination has provided the former consistently, the latter recently. "We're going to need everybody," Kruger said. "We're coming close to playoffs and in the playoffs, it'll be tighter games. You need everyone bringing it because it's going to be tough to score goals."

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John Gibson outstanding: Quick hits from Blackhawks-Ducks

By Tracey Myers April 07, 2017 12:16 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Blackhawks had a few of their top guys sit out Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Considering where they are in the standings and this being Game No. 81, that was expected. Considering these Ducks-Blackhawks games can get physical to downright nasty – and this one did – it was probably best some of the top guys were out. Anyway, the regular season is almost over. Before we head to No. 82, let’s look at the notables from No. 81, a 4-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. What Worked: The Ducks’ opportunism. Anaheim had a lot more to play for on Thursday and when they had a scoring opportunity, especially with the Blackhawks missing three of their top defensemen, they took advantage of it. Corey Perry’s power-play goal was ultimately enough to win it, and he was wide open when he scored it. What Didn’t Work: Finding the rebounds. They were there to be had for the Blackhawks, no doubt. But whether it was the Blackhawks not being there for them or the Ducks keeping them from them, the Blackhawks couldn’t corral any of those potential second opportunities. You could also include the Blackhawks’ power play, which went 0-for-3 (including a three-minute power play in the third), in this category. Star of the game: John Gibson. The Blackhawks had some quality opportunities on Thursday night and the Ducks goaltender was up to stopping them all. He was especially good midway through the third period, when the Blackhawks were on a three-minute power play and came up empty. He Said It: “We’re coming back on Saturday with one more game, so let’s try to do the right things and get ready. We still have to play one more game, that’s the focus. In the past we’ve been in this situation before. Playing for keeps is what our team likes to do but let’s not look past [Los Angeles.]” Coach Joel Quenneville on the Blackhawks wrapping up the regular season on Saturday. By the Numbers: 19:32 – Time on ice for Gustav Forsling, who the Blackhawks recalled from Rockford on Wednesday. 24:28 – Ice time for Brian Campbell, a season high. 6 – this season for John Gibson. It was the 12th of his career. 10 – Faceoff victories, out of 15 attempts, for Tanner Kero on Thursday.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057625 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks sit a few more veterans, fall to Ducks

By Tracey Myers April 06, 2017 11:03 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif. – In less than a week, the Blackhawks will once again be manning a full team, playing games that mean something. In one of their last that had no bearing on the standings, the Blackhawks played better, but didn’t get the result. Corey Perry scored his 19th of the season and Chris Wagner also scored as the Anaheim Ducks beat the Blackhawks 4-0 on Thursday night. Michal Rozsival suffered an upper-body after Nick Ritchie punched him six minutes into the third period (Rozsival had crosschecked Ritchie a few moments prior to that). Ritchie was assessed a match penalty. Coach Joel Quenneville said he’ll know more about Rozsival’s situation on Friday. Quenneville said Andrew Desjardins also suffered a lower- body injury and is day-to-day. The Blackhawks were missing a few veterans, resting Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson (who’s still back in Chicago). But unlike Tuesday’s game in Colorado, the Blackhawks played a much better overall game on Thursday. They just couldn’t beat John Gibson, who stopped all 37 shots he saw. “We didn’t get the results we got in Colorado. We were fortunate to get a point [there],” Quenneville said. “Today we played alright. We out- chanced them but they were opportunistic on their chances." Ryan Hartman took a nasty slash to his right arm from Perry late in the first period but he returned to finish the game. “Just caught a nerve there. I’m alright,” said Hartman, who wouldn’t say this game was better than the Blackhawks’ outing against the Avalanche, but “different.” “Just different all around. We couldn’t find the net,” he said. “We were outshooting them for a bit. Gibson’s a good goalie, he had a good game. But I don’t know. We didn’t get very many pucks in at their blue line, we let them dictate the play a lot. So not a great game all around.” The Ducks, who were playing with a fuller lineup and looking to clinch the Pacific Division (which they did with this victory), had the answers. Perry was wide open for his goal, a power-play effort, to put the Ducks up 1-0 about seven minutes into the first period. Wagner added his late in the second period. Ryan Kesler added his 22nd goal of the season early in the third and Rickard Rakell scored his 33rd goal late in regulation. The Blackhawks will soon be starting their postseason schedule. These last few are tough in terms of getting up for them, especially with some players sitting. But the Blackhawks, regardless of lineup on Saturday, would like to close out their regular season the right way. “I thought for the most part a lot of guys had some good shifts in here and we had chances to score. Would have been nice to capitalize on a few, couple tough breaks, pucks are laying there, goalie made some good saves,” Patrick Kane said. “You kind of live and learn from every game, try to get better and learn from this and use it to look forward for our next one.”

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FIVE THINGS TO WATCH: BLACKHAWKS CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON VS. KINGS TODAY ON CSN

By Charlie Roumeliotis April 07, 2017 9:12 PM

Five Things to WATCH: 1. Artemi Panarin bonus watch. Well, it's Game No. 82, meaning it's the final chance the Russian winger can cash in on his bonuses for the second straight year. If Panarin finishes the season among the top-10 in forwards in points, he earns a $1.725 million bonus that will carry over into next year's salary cap. He's currently ranked ninth with 73 points. 2. How many points will Patrick Kane finish with? With Connor McDavid at 97 points and Kane at 88, it looks like there will be a new Art Ross Trophy winner. Kane's 106 points last year was a career high, and his current 88 is tied for second-best after reaching that same total during the 2009-10 season. 3. The fight for playoff roster spots. Joel Quenneville would like to nail down his bottom-six, and doesn't prefer to rotate it often throughout the playoffs. That means a handful of players will be competing for two roster spots in the final audition of the regular season. Those players include Andrew Desjardins, John Hayden, Vinnie Hinostroza, Tomas Jurco, Dennis Rasmussen and Jordin Tootoo. 4. Ryan Hartman's pursuit of 20 goals. We mentioned this in the previous game, but it's worth paying attention to in the final contest after the Blackhawks were shut out Thursday in Anaheim. Hartman is one goal away from becoming the seventh 20-goal scorer on the team this year, and it'd be the first time the Blackhawks would accomplish that feat since 1989-90. 5. Can Blackhawks set franchise road record? The Blackhawks have had two cracks at trying to set a new franchise record in road wins, currently sitting at 24. They reached that mark during the 2014-15 season, and will look to make it 25 today. Will third time be the charm?

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DUCKS FORWARD NICK RITCHIE SUSPENDED FOR HIT ON BLACKHAWKS' MICHAL ROZSIVAL

By Tracey Myers April 07, 2017 6:18 PM

Anaheim Ducks forward Nick Ritchie was suspended two games for roughing Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival in the Ducks' 4-0 victory on Thursday night. Ritchie punched Rozsival after Rozsival cross-checked Ducks forward Corey Perry early in the third period. In its video the NHL's Department of Player Safety stated: "Ritchie approaches Rozsival with a crosscheck, then drops his gloves and delivers a hard punch to the face of Rozsival, dropping him to the ice and causing an injury. While Rozsival did cross-check Perry, Ritchie's response is in no way permitted or excusable. He acknowledged he was seeking retribution for the crosscheck, which was already being penalized by the on-ice officials. Rozsival has his hands at his sides, and gives no indication that he is a willing combatant in a potential fight or is in any way prepared for the altercation to escalate. With no reason to suspect Rozsival is ready or willing to fight, Ritchie drops his gloves and delivers a forceful bare-knuckle punch to Rozsival's face at a time when Rozsival is unable to defend himself." As the department stated, Rozsival did suffer an injury during the incident. Following the game, coach Joel Quenneville said Rozsival was day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Ritchie will miss the Ducks’ final regular-season game and their first postseason game.

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BLACKHAWKS PROSPECT DENNIS GILBERT SHOWS MAJOR SIGNS OF PROGRESSION IN SOPHOMORE YEAR AT NOTRE DAME

By Charlie Roumeliotis April 07, 2017 5:30 PM

It was a bittersweet sophomore campaign for Dennis Gilbert. On one hand, he showed major signs of progression in his own game both on defense and offense. On the other, he was left wanting more after Notre Dame was eliminated by Denver 6-1 in the semifinals of the Frozen Four at the United Center on Thursday. "It was a tough night overall for us," Gilbert said when we chatted after the game. "Obviously we didn't want to end the season that way, leave our goalie out to dry and half our seniors walk away with a pretty bad taste in their mouth. It's all I'm really thinking about right now." A third round pick (No. 91 overall) by the Blackhawks in 2015, Gilbert anchored a blue line group that was one of the best in the country, allowing only 2.3 goals per game. A year after recording two goals, eight assists and a plus-5 rating in 37 games, he took a big step forward by ranking third on the team with 22 assists while his plus-29 rating was far and away the best on the club. He was also named Hockey East's best defensive defenseman, and third- team All-Star. "I thought I grew a lot this year, at both ends of the ice and all three zones," Gilbert said. It was evident when Denver coach Jim Montgomery called the Blackhawks prospect Notre Dame's best defenseman after the game, saying he made it an effort to adjust which lines he threw on the ice based on when Gilbert was or wasn't out there. Gilbert delivered a pair of massive hits in the second period, and did so with ease, displaying that 6-2, 220-pound size of his. He logged heavy minutes in the loss, blocked one shot and was a key part of the penalty kill unit. But there's always room for improvement, and Gilbert will focus on a few areas this offseason to take an ever bigger step forward in his junior year. "Keep getting smarter with the puck," he said. "Puck decisions, keep working on my skating, my quickness and continue to be hard to play against against those top forwards that I tried to track down this year." Despite helping the Fighting Irish reach their third Frozen Four in program history and ninth all-time NCAA appearance, Gilbert wants to be part of something even bigger next season. "It's tough right now looking back on everything, it's a lot to process right now," he said. I'm really proud of our team and the year we had. No one really thought we were going to have the chance to get here and be able to have a chance to play at the United Center and go to the Frozen Four. It was a pretty cool experience and I hope that, myself included, sophomores, the freshman and the younger guys can build off this and find a way to come out stronger next year with it."

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Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon hopes to be forgetful

By TERRY FREI | [email protected] | The Denver Post April 8, 2017 at 12:02 am

DALLAS — How will Nathan MacKinnon remember this season? “I’ll try to forget it, honestly,” the Avalanche center said after the morning skate Thursday. The 21-year-old MacKinnon, speaking hours before the Avalanche finished out its home season with a 4-3 loss to Minnesota, caught himself. “No, I mean, winning and losing there’s stuff to look back on, and lately I feel we’ve been playing pretty good,” he said. “But we still have 54 losses and I’m sure there will be a big turnaround next year. There’s stuff to learn from, but I want to be as positive as I can. If you dwell on this year, it’s going to be tough coming into next year feeling good about yourself. “I’m going to reflect and find stuff in my personal game that I need to get better at, but other than that, I’m going to try to forget about it.” The Avalanche will close out the season with games at Dallas on Saturday and St. Louis on Sunday. MacKinnon will go into the weekend with 16 goals and 35 assists, totals considered underachieving and disappointing in his fourth season after going No. 1 overall in the NHL’s 2013 draft. Even as a rookie in 2013-14, when he won the Calder Trophy and the Avalanche surprisingly piled up 112 points, he had 24 goals and both he and the franchise seemed on the verge of great things. This season also is a downturn after he had 21 goals in 2015-16. He has utilized his speed and dexterity to get 247 shots on goal, which ranked rank 16th in the NHL entering Friday, but his 6.5 shooting percentage was the worst among the league’s top 20 shooters. Plus, his flashy play for the 23-and-under Team North America in the World Cup last September added to both his image and expectations. MacKinnon also is suffering by comparison to the recent No. 1 overall choices, Connor McDavid of Edmonton, who will lead the league in scoring, and of Toronto, who could crack 40 goals. “I just want to come back and be effective,” MacKinnon said. “We’re going to have a high pick and (Tyson) Jost is here and we have some young guys in the (AHL) and I want to be a good leader for them. I’ve recently been a young guy, only been a rookie a few years ago and it’s pretty fresh in my mind, things to do and things not to do and those are probably the things I want to bring next year.” The Avalanche is 22-55-3 heading into the weekend. “I don’t know exactly what went wrong, but when you lose that much, it’s tough to rebound from,” MacKinnon said. “And just the collapsing. When we were down 2-0 and all of a sudden we’re down 6-0 after the third period. We were in a lot of close games and we collapsed. “We had some tough injuries, losing (Erik Johnson) for most of the year was hard and obviously (Semyon Varlamov) is a great goalie. Every time he made a push, he was thinking about his groin tearing. People gave him some heat for the way he played, but when you feel like you’re going to tear your groin every time you make a save, you feel bad for the guy. He’ll be back next year healthy and we have some motivated young guys coming in.”

Denver Post: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057630 Columbus Blue Jackets “They lost their top defender, and Nutivaara came in and there were guys on my team who were like, ‘Who the (expletive) is this guy?’ ″ Blue Jackets prospect Markus Hannikainen said. “You could really see how Blue Jackets | Nutivaara: blue liner from out of the blue much he had improved.” The playoff performance earned Nutivaara a trip to Chicago Blackhawks’ development camp. Just as a 20-year-old Nutivaara prepared to depart, Posted Apr 7, 2017 at 9:01 PM the Blue Jackets drafted him in the seventh round. Updated Apr 7, 2017 at 9:01 PM Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen had worked for the Ottawa Senators, an organization that didn’t mind spending draft picks on By Tom Reed overage players. Nutivaara was encouraged but knew he needed to tweak his game to make himself a legitimate NHL prospect. The Columbus Dispatch “I became more brave with the puck during my last season (in Finland),”

he said. “I made some mistakes and I got yelled at a lot, but I learned Ryan Murray sat in the Blue Jackets players’ lounge in December and when it was good to do those things with the puck and when it was not.” chatted with rookie Markus Nutivaara, a defenseman who had served as As Nutivaara altered his game, the Blue Jackets were shifting their his partner for three months but remained somewhat of a mystery to him. approach. The club traded for Jones last season and expected 19-year- The world junior championships were on television. Many of Murray’s old Zach Werenski to make the team in the fall. The franchise was teammates had played in the tournament and he wondered whether placing a high emphasis on mobile, puck-moving defensemen. Nutivaara had represented Finland. The 22-year-old with a shock of “I saw him play in August of 2015 and I talked to him after a game and I blond hair and cherubic face smiled. said, ‘You’re not that far from being over here,’ ” Kekalainen said. “I told him, ‘Hell no, not even close,’ ” he recalled. “Two years ago, “(Nutivaara) looked at me and I could tell he was thinking ‘Really?’ ” nobody knew about me even in Finland.” Nutivaara’s rookie season has been predictably uneven. He has played Nutivaara grew up 107 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Oulu. But in well at times but has struggled with one-on-one coverage, a byproduct of terms of hockey pedigree, he hails from out of nowhere. never having played on smaller North American ice surfaces, where defensive reads must be made quickly. The defenseman, who might partner with All-Star Seth Jones in the playoffs due to injures, thought of quitting the sport as a teenager. A His “welcome to the NHL moment” occurred in his regular-season debut youngster who may draw postseason shifts against Pittsburgh’s Sidney as Boston’s Brad Marchand beat him for a goal. Nutivaara has registered Crosby was playing in what he called a low-level junior “beer league” in two goals and five assists, playing at a plus-7 rating, in 64 games. 2012. There’s no question the 6-foot-1, 186-pound defenseman must get stronger in the offseason. Nutivaara was the 189th player selected in the 2015 NHL draft after having been passed over in his first two years of eligibility. His unlikely “He needs to understand the battles within the game and how much you tale is one of perseverance and learning on the fly. have to do it and how important they are,” Tortorella said. “The caveat is how quickly he can get you out of the end zone, and that’s why I like him “He takes nothing for granted because he knows how hard it is to get in the lineup because he can make plays.” here,” said Murray, sidelined with a broken hand. “He has told me his story of how he got here, and it was years and years of buckling down.” Nutivaara had been in and out of the lineup recently, but unless Werenski (shoulder) and Murray return from injury, the rookie will feature in the Nutivaara made the Jackets out of training camp on the strength of his playoffs. He even is working the point on the second-unit power play. mobility and the gift of delivering a crisp first pass out of the zone, one that gets a team quickly from defense to offense. But it’s another rapid Four months ago, Nutivaara told teammates that he wasn’t good enough transition, one from obscure Finnish junior to NHL rookie that at times to play for his world junior team. Now, he readies himself to step onto overwhelms him. hockey’s biggest stage. “I don’t think about it too much because it stresses me out,” Nutivaara Life comes at you fast, sometimes at speeds quicker than Marchand. But said, “I just focus on the day to day.” it sure beats a job in sales in Finland. For the longest time, he loved a game that didn’t seem to love him back. Nutivaara played hockey as child growing up in Finland’s fifth-largest city, Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.08.2017 but he was not considered a serious prospect. He toiled in a third-division junior league for his hometown team at 16. “It was almost like beer league,” Nutivaara said. “I was playing hockey for fun at that time.” The following year, he thought of quitting. If hockey hadn’t panned out, Nutivaara was toying with the idea of a career in sales. Would he have been a good salesman? “Oh, no, terrible,” Nutivaara said. His father is an autoworker. His mother works for Nokia, one of Oulu’s largest employers. His younger sister rides ponies in competition. Nutivaara’s family is supportive and they just want him to be happy. Hockey was never a priority with them. Nutivaara stuck with the sport, but to bolster his career he needed to move six hours south to Lahti. “He had to leave his town because he couldn’t make his (junior) team,” Blue Jackets coach said. “For coaches, and for all of us, but especially coaches, you can never say, ‘No.’ You cannot give up on people. You never know when the maturity is going to come and click in mentally.” Nutivaara finds himself in a situation similar to the one that afforded him his biggest break in hockey — a depth defenseman thrust into the spotlight. Playing in Finland’s top pro division, Nutivaara became an unexpected playoff hero in 2015 while replacing injured star blue liner Lasse Kukkonen. He helped lead Oulu Karpat to the league title. 1057631 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets | Defensemen could be getting rest

Posted Apr 7, 2017 at 9:00 PM Updated Apr 7, 2017 at 9:00 PM By Tom Reed The Columbus Dispatch

Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella remained true to his word last month when he vowed not to rest players down the stretch run to the playoffs. But with a postseason opponent determined and home-ice advantage lost, Tortorella was asked if he might rest or at least reduce the ice time of his top defensemen as the Blue Jackets play their final two regular- season games this weekend at Philadelphia and Toronto. “I’m not sure,” he said Friday before acknowledging that Gabriel Carlsson, recalled from the minors, could make his NHL debut in one of the two games. Tortorella probably must weigh what’s more important: Getting guys rest or snapping a five-game losing streak before meeting the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round. If he opts to give players a break, he likely would start on the blue line. Seth Jones, who averages a team-leading 23:24, Jack Johnson (21:47) and David Savard (21:46) are expected to play heavy minutes against the Penguins. That’s not about to change even if rookie standout Zach Werenski (shoulder) can return to the lineup in time for the series opener, which is Wednesday or Thursday. And it remains doubtful Ryan Murray, out since March 11 because of a broken hand, will be ready for the start of the series. Asked if Murray had progressed to “day-to-day” status, Tortorella said no on Friday. Jones, an All-Star, played nearly 25 minutes on Thursday in a 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Although Tortorella might reduce Jones’ minutes, he probably wants him in the lineup getting acquainted to new partner Markus Nutivaara. The coach was satisfied with the pairing — one likely to stay intact if Werenski isn’t ready for the opener. “I wanted to put a puck-handler with Jonesy, he’s been used to that all year long and I didn’t mind the (pairing) at all,” Tortorella said. Johnson said he would prefer to play both games this weekend. “I don’t feel tired at all,” he said. “I feel great.” Carlsson, 20, is excited about the possibility of getting an NHL game after just joining the Cleveland Monsters on April 1. He has played three minor-league games — registering one assist and a plus-2 rating — after completing his second full season for Linkoping HC in the Swedish Elite League. With the Monsters contending for playoff spot, the Jackets might have recalled Carlsson in part because it wouldn’t upset the core of their defense. But Tortorella said he received encouraging reports from Monsters coach John Madden. “He has been mistake-free and (Madden has been) very impressed with his positioning,” Tortorella said of the 6-foot-4, 191-pound defenseman. “Still just a young kid, but it’s very promising how he started his (minor league) career.” Ten days ago, the Jackets had within their grasp the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. But a season-worst five-game losing streak (0-4-1) has dashed all of that. The NHL is expected to announce the complete playoff schedule Sunday, but Games 1 and 2, and 5 and 7, if necessary, will be at PPG Paints Arena. “I’m not saying it because we’re at that spot right now, but I like going on the road,” Tortorella said. “I think there’s a lot of pressure on the home team for those first couple of games. ... I like starting on the road, but there is an advantage on home ice when you get to Game 7, in my

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057632 Dallas Stars against Anaheim in 2014 and a Game 7 playoff collapse last season at home against St. Louis. It wasn't a question of style so much as a question of handling adversity. If the finale is Lindy Ruff's last ride with the Stars, here's a look back at "I think he tried to help us by scaling the system back and simplifying where it all went wrong things, but we just got caught in an attitude, and the games were coming fast, and we were losing, and we got frustrated a little bit," Spezza said. "I think the coaches were right in there with us and we all wanted to solve it By Mike Heika , Staff Writer Contact Mike Heikaon Twitter:@MikeHeika together, and it just didn't work out."

Lindy Ruff has been with his current team longer than 25 other NHL Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.08.2017 coaches, having been hired by the Stars June 21, 2013. And with eight of the 30 coaches hired since the end of last season, four years is a pretty good run by NHL standards. If Ruff is coaching his last game with the Stars on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, it's not that unusual. He's had four years, his contract expires at the end of the season, and Dallas (25th in the NHL with a 33-37-11 record) has fallen from the best record in the West last season to one of the worst this year. The Stars will finish with the second fewest points in a full season since they moved to Dallas in 1993. But defining the role of Ruff and his staff in the collapse is a difficult task. General manager Jim Nill said any decision on the coaches will wait until the season is over, and Ruff also declined to talk about his future with the team. Injuries to six key forwards created adversity, and the Stars struggled to overcome that even when the lineup returned to relative health. "It started as a grind, and it's just been an incredible grind from Day 1 to try to push above .500," Ruff said. Nill added, "I just think when you had the injuries we had, we got in a hole and we were never able to climb out." Dallas will finish the season with some of the worst goaltending numbers in the league (currently 29th in GAA at 3.17 and 29th in save percentage at .894) and a penalty kill that is among the worst in franchise history (74.2 percent). Yet, the stat most referenced is the team's drop from first in the league in scoring at 3.23 goals per game to 17th at 2.70. By struggling with scoring, the Stars took more chances, and that created problems that led to the poor numbers in net and on the penalty kill. "We have built most of our game off of speed and creativity and being able to score three-four goals a game," Ruff said. "But when the puck didn't go in the net for us, we had some frustrated players who, instead of trying to stay with it and trying to play a 200-foot game, it became more of an individual try. And those individual tries a lot of times turned into opportunities for the opposition." Center Jason Spezza said he was one of the culprits. His goal production fell from 33 to 15, and his plus-minus from plus-4 to minus-18. "I think injuries definitely played a factor in why we started how we started," Spezza said. "But I think it's up to us how we reacted once we got off to a bad start. I feel like I wasn't as composed as I could have been at those times." Spezza said he believes in Ruff's aggressive system and said the players simply became too focused on individual play. "If you are going to play a go-go-go system, it comes back to the mental part of it," Spezza said. "You have to play with confidence. I was guilty of forcing things this year, and I fell into some bad habits. "I don't think there's anything wrong with how we played last year, I don't think there's anything wrong with how we wanted to play this year," Spezza added. "I think it's just a matter of if you're not going to play with confidence and with the belief you are going to win every night, it's hard to play any system." Ruff said the coaching staff scrambled for answers. He looks at last season when the power play was ranked fifth and the penalty kill 10th and believes the coaches know what they are doing. But he added that they didn't push the right buttons and come up with the right answers. "When you look at the games where we played so hard and so well and we didn't win, it's hard to criticize the team for the effort that went into those games where we hit goalposts, we hit crossbars, we generated the opportunities we needed to generate, and we didn't win games," Ruff said. "For the most part, when we got ourselves up and running, we were playing games we could win almost every night." Yet, they didn't win. That might be the epitaph on the season, and ultimately on Ruff's time with the Stars. Just as it was in a Game 6 playoff collapse at home 1057633 Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars await ‘quick rebuild,’ close with historically rock bottom Colorado

BY VINCE LANGFORD

Avalanche at Stars Records: Avalanche 22-53-3, 47 points; Stars 33-37-11, 77 pts. About the Avalanche: Colorado’ point total is the NHL’s worst since Atlanta had 39 points in 1999-2000. Hello. About the Stars: It’s the season ender and Fan Appreciation Night. Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a postgame interview on KTCK The Ticket after Thursday night’s 7-3 loss to Nashville that “it’s going to be a quick turnaround” and not a major rebuild for the Stars in 2017-18. The Stars also recalled forwards Mark McNeill, 24, (9 goals in 76 games, obtained in Johnny Oduya trade) and 2015 first-rounder Denis Gurianov, 20 (10 goals in 54 games) from the AHL.

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1057634 Detroit Red Wings

Wings' Anthony Mantha sizes up season, fighting, what he has learned

Helene St. James , Detroit Free Press Published 1:13 p.m. ET April 7, 2017 | Updated 5 hours ago

Anthony Mantha does not care for fighting. What he does care about is standing up for Detroit Red Wings teammates, and himself. Mantha was among several players who milled about Joe Louis Arena on Friday morning, getting in off-ice workouts and foregoing a practice so optional that call-up Matt Lorito was the only player on the ice. The Wings wrap up their season by hosting Montreal Saturday and the Devils on Sunday in the Joe’s finale. Mantha has been sidelined with a fractured right ring finger since fighting Tampa Bay’s Luke Witkowski on March 30. The good news is surgery won’t be needed, and Mantha could be ready to play should Canada invite him for the world championship beginning April 22 in Ukraine. The Witkowski fight was carryover from when the teams met March 24 in Detroit, where Mantha fought Greg McKegg after he’d delivered a cheap- shot on Dylan Larkin. Defending a teammate is fine; punching an opponent after he has fallen to the ice, as Mantha did, violates unwritten code –– something Mantha now realizes. “I defended Larkin there” Mantha said. “I thought it was kind of a hit from behind, so I do what I do when people get hit from behind –– I go defend them. I did agree with McKegg that it was too vicious punches by me. It is not my style of fighting. I don’t know what happened in my head at that moment. I did apologize to him in the penalty box and on the ice afterwards. “The next game, obviously their coach didn’t like it. I kind of knew that someone was going to come, and that second fight happened. I tried to stand up for myself. He was a strong dude. It was pretty hard for me to do anything. The finger, it kind of sucks that it happened –– if nothing happened, I keep playing the game and we don’t really talk about it any more.” It was an unfortunate development as Mantha was within reach of a 20- goal season, having scored 17 among 38 points in 60 games. He says he comes away from this season with “good learning memories,” most notably about needing to be more consistent. At 6-foot-5, 220-pounds, Mantha is a force when he skates but he's hard to notice when he doesn’t. The Wings consider him a key part of their future, and have stressed he needs to observe how hard Henrik Zetterberg pushes himself on and off the ice. “I don’t like fighting,” he said. “I don’t know why I fought that much this year. Things happen, and they happen quick. I just know I can stand up for myself and that is what I do.” Lorito in, Athanasiou out: An upper-body injury will keep Andreas Athanasiou out tonight, so Lorito will make his NHL debut. Lorito, 26, signed as a free agent last July. He has 54 points (21 goals) in 59 games with the Griffins. “I am really excited about the opportunity,” Lorito said. “It is going to be a fun game.” Lorito said he will have his parents, sister and girlfriend in attendance.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057635 Detroit Red Wings over his head, thereby flinging sea-critter crud onto the sacred surface, which the linesmen are required to keep tidy.

That led to a serious snit between league and team officials, ultimately Octopi to fly when fans bid goodbye this weekend to Joe Louis Arena resolved by a compromise several years ago: Sobotka is allowed the overhead swing if he performs it just inside the rink's Zamboni gateway, off the ice. For fans, there is no such official dispensation. Yes, Bill Laitner , Detroit Free Press 10:25 p.m. ET April 7, 2017 technically, it's against arena rules. "I hear you can get kicked out," said Samura Kakka, 30, of West Bloomfield, who works for the family sandwich-making firm. Win or lose — and missing the NHL playoffs be darned — there’s something along with hockey pucks that’s due to fly across the ice this But for Kakka, this weekend is special, and he feels his time has come. weekend at Joe Louis Arena. "I think my first game to watch the Wings, I was 5 years old. I have a lot It's slimy, squishy and dead. But for a die-hard Wings fan, tossing one of good memories, growing up, playing the game and watching this onto Detroit’s frigid field of hockey glory means far more than just getting dynasty," he said. He has vowed to enter himself in the octo memory a cephalopod airborne. It means enough to ignore Detroit's city ordinance book, despite any rule against this peculiar expression of sporting against making such a throw, and the league's rule as well, and the risk exuberance. of being ejected from the game and fined up to $500. Maybe, even, partly, because of the rule. It's verboten, it's risky, but ... it's Yes, there's something inviolate in sports fandom, called tradition. When tradition! it comes to hockey in Detroit, it's all about octopi. Said Kakka, "I'm thinking they won't try to stop you — not for the last “I have so many memories at Joe Louis,” said Tim Barnett, 27, of game at the Joe." Macomb Township. Barnett is determined to toss an octopus Sunday — at the Wings' last game of the season, and their very last at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.08.2017 “I’ve never done this, but I’ve seen so many people toss an octopus in honor of this great franchise we have here," said Barnett, an emergency medical technician, who will log his 15th game of the season this weekend. "I honestly want to be one of the people who can say, ‘I threw an octopus at the Joe.’ I’m ready for this,” he said. Ready, indeed, after visiting the headquarters of hockey octopi retailing — Superior Fish Co. in Royal Oak — where the slimy creatures sell for at $5.49 a pound, and whose website pictures co-owner Kevin Dean smiling alongside Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay. "We've been going octo-crazy here," Dean said Friday. This week's onslaught of octo-buyers is "a little bit hard to gauge," since the Wings have missed the playoffs for the first time in 25 years, so Dean expected sales to be slim to none, he said. Yet, because this year also marks a farewell to Joe Louis Arena, "I've had all these people call and say, 'This is on my bucket list' (or) 'This is on my husband's bucket list.' I already sold eight today, and I have a gentleman coming from Canada," Dean said Friday. Yes, but isn't he aiding and abetting a minor crime? Dean doesn't see it that way. "Detroit's been fortunate to have this great tradition. It's been saluted in the Red Wings magazine. It's been promoted in NFL films. At Joe Louis, they have a giant octopus on the ceiling. So read into that what you will," he said, adding unabashedly: "Most people sneak them in under their Red Wing jersey." On display at Superior Fish is a truly superior octopus — a 32-pounder, with tentacles that span about 12 feet — prompting Dean to quip: "He'd be good in goal." In contrast, most buyers choose a modest 2- to 4- pounder because even the small ones have tentacles close to a yard long. "We'll set you up with the right size for your throwing arm and for where your seats are," Dean said. He actually sells fans an "octo-kit" that puts the seafood in a plastic bag separate from a pair of rubber gloves and hand-wipes. "If they order it ahead of time, we'll be happy to parboil it, so when it hits the ice it won't splatter and stick. That's part of proper octoquette," he dead-panned. Frankly, sticking and splattering has been an issue. Although tossing an octopus at a key game has been a tradition with the Red Wings since it was begun by a couple of brothers with a store in Eastern Market — who famously chose the eight-armed octopus to symbolize eight NHL playoff games — still, throwing a slimy blob of dead seafood is not quite condoned by Red Wings officials. Asked this week if they had a rule about it, Wings spokesman Alex DiFilippo first said, "It's a gray area," then checked with his bosses and e- mailed back: "We don't have a comment at this time." The National Hockey League has been less tolerant. League officials once ordered that fan-favorite Zamboni driver Al Sobotka no longer be allowed to scoop up an octopus from the ice and then, in what the hockey honchos took to be an insult to the referee and linesman, swing it 1057636 Detroit Red Wings The Dominator was a two-time Cup champion and one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. First came to the Wings as part of a trade for Vyacheslav Kozlov, one piece of the famed . Who are the best Detroit Red Wings to play at the Joe Louis Arena? Third team F: Igor Larionov George Sipple , Detroit Free Press Published 12:05 a.m. ET April 8, 2017 The Professor. Played parts of eight seasons with the Wings. Scored the | Updated 3 hours ago winning goal in triple overtime of Game 3 against the Hurricanes and the Wings went on to win the 2002 Cup Finals in five games. Some of the greatest players in hockey history called Joe Louis Arena F: John Ogrodnick home. Some spent their entire careers with the Wings, while others Was the team’s leading goal scorer for six straight seasons (1980-81 to called Detroit home for brief, sometimes memorable, periods of time. 1985-86). Best season came in 1984-85, when he scored 55 goals and You’ll certainly have favorites that didn’t make this list (And I’m torn by 50 assists for 105 points in 79 games. not having Luc Robitaille on mine). I was tasked with picking five teams, each made up of three forwards (regardless of center or wing), two F: Bob Probert defensemen and a goaltender. And so, without further ado, here’s ... Legendary NHL tough guy. Part of the Bruise Brothers along with Joe First team Kocur back when fans were dreaming about Stanley Cup titles in the 80s. Scored 29 goals and accumulated 398 penalty minutes during the 1987- F: 88 season. No player meant more to the franchise during the Joe’s existence than D: Reed Larson the Captain. Won 3 Cups (1997-98, 2002) as a player. The all-time leader in goals at the Joe (330). Scored 20 goals for the Wings in five consecutive seasons, starting with the team’s first season at the Joe. F: Sergei Fedorov D: Larry Murphy Ranks 2nd on the all-time list for goals scored at the Joe (228). His No. 91 should have hung from the rafters at the Joe. Finished a Hall of Fame career with the Wings after being traded during the 1996-97 season from the Maple Leafs. Helped the Wings win two F: Brendan Shanahan Cup titles (1997-1998). Scored at least 25 goals in each of his nine seasons with the Wings and G: Mike Vernon scored at least 40 goals in three of those seasons. He’d already won a Cup with the Flames, then helped end the Wings’ D: Nicklas Lidstrom Stanley Cup drought. Was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1997. Had Belongs in the argument for greatest defenseman in NHL history. Helped a 2.40 goals-against average and was 53-24-14 over his three seasons the Wings win four Stanley Cups. Never missed the postseason. with the Wings. D: Vladimir Konstantinov Fourth team A member of the Russian Five. Helped the Wings win the 1997 Stanley F: Gerard Gallant Cup, then suffered career-ending injury in limo accident days after. No Had a four-year stretch where his goal totals were 38, 34, 39 and 36 for one has worn the No.16 since. the Wings. Ranks eighth among Wings for goals scored at the Joe (128). G: Chris Osgood F: Tomas Holmstrom Played on three Cup teams and was the starting goaltender for two Great net-front presence. Ranks ninth among players in club history with (1998, 2008). Replaced a struggling Dominik Hasek to help the Wings 127 goals scored at Joe Louis Arena. Four-time Cup champion (1997-98, win their last Cup. 2002, 2008). Second team F: Darren McCarty F: Henrik Zetterberg Beloved bad boy who scored the Cup-winning goal in 1997 and had two Ranks third on the all-time list for goals scored at the Joe. As team stints with the team. Helped the Wings win four Cup titles playing on captain, he did his best to keep the playoff streak alive. He just didn’t with Draper and Kirk Maltby. have enough talent around him. D: Niklas Kronwall F: Pavel Datsyuk Opponents who took the brunt of one of his big, open hits were Played on two Cup teams (2002, 2008). Three-time Selke winner and considered “Kronwalled.” Continues to play despite lingering knee issues. four-time Lady Byng winner. Decision to return home to play in Russia D: Brian Rafalski had a negative impact on the franchise in numerous ways. Grew up in Dearborn and returned home after signing a five-year, $30 F: Kris Draper million deal in July 2007. Helped the Wings win the Cup in 2008. Walked Four-time Cup champion. Wings acquired him from the Jets for one away from final year of his contract due to injuries. dollar in 1993. Became part of the famed Grind Line and went on to play G: Jimmy Howard over 1,000 games for the Wings. Won the Selke Trophy for the 2003-04 season. Recently played in his 400th career game for the Wings and has a career 2.44 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. Has two more D: Viacheslav Fetisov years left on current deal. Part of the famed Russian Five. The Wings started competing for Cups Fifth team after acquiring Fetisov in April 1995. The Wings lost to the Devils in the Cup Finals, but Fetisov helped them win back-to-back titles F: Johan Franzen in 1997-98. Nicknamed the Mule by Steve Yzerman. Scored 13 goals in 16 playoff games to help the Wings win the 2008 Stanley Cup. Came back the next D: Chris Chelios season and scored 12 playoff goals in 23 games. Remains on long-term One of the most hated opponents at the Joe, he won over the fans with injured reserve due to concussion symptoms. his play over parts of 10 seasons with the Wings. Played on two Cup F: Vyacheslav Kozlov teams (2002, 2008). Two-time Cup champion (1997-98). Part of the famed Russian Five. G: Dominik Hasek Dealt to Sabres in trade that brought Dominik Hasek to the Wings. Ranks 10th among Wings with 107 goals scored at the Joe. F: Joe Kocur Another beloved tough guy. Helped Wings win back-to-back Cups in 1997-98. President of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and started the Joe Kocur Foundation for Children. D: Paul Coffey Spent parts of four seasons with Wings and averaged more than a point a game in that time. Scored 46 goals and 193 assists for 239 points in 231 games with the Wings. D: Steve Chiasson Spent first eight of his 11 NHL seasons playing for the Wings. Scored 67 goals and 200 assists for 267 points in 471 games. Died at age 32 in an automobile accident in May 1999. G: Tim Cheveldae Had a 3.40 goals-against average and a .883 save percentage over parts of six seasons with the Wings. Best season was 1991-92, when he went 38-23-9 with a 3.20 GAA and a .886 SV%.

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How to watch tonight's Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens game

Marlowe Alter , Detroit Free Press 12:13 a.m. ET April 8, 2017

Detroit Red Wings (32-36-12, 76 points) vs. Montreal Canadiens (46-26- 9, 101 points). Game notes: Two games left at Joe Louis Arena. That's the story as the sentimental Red Wings play the Habs tonight and the Devils tomorrow in the season finale. We finished our top-20 countdown Friday by unveiling the No. 1 moment in Joe Louis Arena history. ... Montreal, the Atlantic Division champion, plays its final game of the regular season tonight. They will play the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.

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PETA objects to octopus tossing at Detroit Red Wings games

Bill Laitner , Detroit Free Press Published 6:14 p.m. ET April 7, 2017 | Updated 9 hours ago

A nationwide animal-welfare group said the Detroit Red Wings should throw the book at any die-hard fan — observing a 65-year-old tradition— who throws an octopus onto the ice at the team's games. Such a fan should be fined $5,000 — 10 times the rarely enforced fine in a city ordinance for littering a field of play — and should be ejected for life from all Red Wings games, said the nonprofit PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Although arena rules and a Detroit city ordinance forbid the practice, arena ushers and league officials have for the most part looked the other way for years. The Red Wings, scheduled to move to a new rink next year, are soon to play the team’s last two games at Joe Louis Arena — Saturday and Sunday. Fans are said to be buying the eight-tentacled sea creatures for tossing onto the ice to pay homage to the Joe. PETA said today that’s wrong, according to a news release from the group based in Norfolk, Va. “PETA — whose motto reads, in part, that ‘animals are not ours to use for entertainment’ — sent a letter today calling on the team and the arena to crack down on rules already in place to prohibit this practice,” the release said. The letter, addressed to Wings president and CEO Chris Ilitch from PETA President Ingrid Newkirk, said in part: “Octopuses are intelligent, sensitive animals who feel pain, and it's no more acceptable to kill one for such a disrespectful, frivolous, and stupid purpose than it is to throw a dead bear cub onto the ice during a Bruins game. ... It's no more acceptable to kill them for a decades-old tradition than it is to harm any other living beings.” At Superior Fish Co. in Royal Oak, long the fans' favored source of octopuses — or octopi, as some say — co-owner Kevin Dean said the sea creatures aren’t endangered, and they arrive at his store frozen and thoroughly "passed away" from the western Pacific Ocean, where they are plentiful. “Everyone's allowed to have their personal opinion," Dean said Friday. "But I compare the octopus in the Red Wings tradition to the pumpkin for Halloween. You don’t consume them. You use them for tradition,” he said. The Red Wings front office, queried earlier in the week for a comment on octopus tossing — before the PETA announcement — replied with “no comment at this time." So, what's a fan's alternative? PETA suggests people celebrate “with cruelty-free plush octopus toys.”

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057639 Detroit Red Wings “I just have to make sure I’m playing hard in my one-on-one battles,” Lorito said. “I’m not the biggest or strongest guy but there are other ways to win puck battles, like being good with my stick, and I have to make Wings' Mantha won't alter physical, punishing play sure I’m playing responsible defensively.” Forward Steve Ott has one assist is a minus-1 in 10 games with Montreal since the Red Wings traded him at the deadline. Ted Kulfan , The Detroit News Published 2:22 p.m. ET April 7, 2017 | Updated 2 hours ago Ott has been a good fit for the Canadiens, and Blashill isn’t surprised. “Steve Ott is a great teammate, great person and an effective hockey player,” Blashill said. “It doesn’t surprise me he’s fit in well. I like Steve a Detroit — It doesn’t sound like Anthony Mantha is going to change. lot. Steve did a real good job for us in numerous ways, some showed on the ice and some were behind the scenes.” If need be, Mantha will continue to protect himself and his teammates even after fracturing finger on his right hand March 30 in Tampa during a ...If the goalie rotation holds as it has been, Petr Mrazek will get the start fight with Lightning's Luke Witkowski (Western Michigan), which caused Saturday against Montreal and Jimmy Howard will likely play Sunday in Mantha to miss the final five games of the season. the regular-season and Joe Louis Arena finale against New Jersey. Mantha spoke with reporters Friday for the first time since the injury. “I don’t like fighting, (and) I don’t know why I fought so that much this Detroit News LOADED: 04.08.2017 year,” said Mantha of the five fights, a career-high regardless of junior or professional level. “But things happen and it happens quick. “(I’m) not really (going) change my style of play. But I just know I can stand up for myself and that’s what I do.” No surgery will be needed, said Mantha, who saw a hand specialist this week and was told everything is coming along fine. Mantha feels he’ll be able to begin rehabilitation and hockey offseason work in approximately three weeks. Mantha fought Witkowski, who was seeking retaliation for Mantha continuing to punch Lightning forward Greg McKegg in a March 24 fight after McKegg was down on the ice. “The fight against McKegg, obviously I defended (Dylan) Larkin there," Mantha said. "I thought it was a hit from behind (by McKegg against Larkin), and I just do what I do and when people get hit from behind, I defend them." But Mantha agreed hitting McKegg when the Tampa player was prone on the ice was “too vicious." "It’s not my style of fighting and I don’t know what happened in my head at that moment," Mantha said. "I did apologize to him in the penalty box and on the ice afterward.” Mantha expected the Lightning to get even in the second game between the teams. “But if nothing (would have) happened, I keep playing the game and you don’t really talk about it anymore.” Mantha finished with 17 goals and 19 assists (36 points) in 60 games, in what he called “an up and down season”. Mantha had a great training camp but got sent down to Grand Rapids, where he excelled and was promoted Nov. 12 and continued his goal- scoring at the NHL level. But an offensive slump and tendency to not skate hard enough caused him to be a healthy scratch for two games in March, before Mantha re- entered the lineup and scored three goals in 10 games before getting hurt. “I just need to focus on next year, coming back and not having slumps,” Mantha said. “One or two games (without a goal), but you can’t get to five or six games in a row.” Forward Matt Lorito was called up from Grand Rapids, and will likely be in the lineup Saturday against Montreal with Andreas Athanasiou (ribs) unlikely to play. Lorito (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) had 21 goals and 33 assists (54 points) in Grand Rapids, and would be the seventh player to make his NHL debut this season with the Red Wings. “He’s been a guy who in the American League is a proven offensive player,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He a little undersized, so until those guys get to the NHL, you never know for sure. “Like any guy coming up from the American League, they have to do what they do there here.” An undrafted free agent who the Red Wings signed last summer out of New Jersey’s organization Lorito, 26, is excited about getting an NHL opportunity. 1057640 Detroit Red Wings the Ilitches, let alone Norris, who owned the team before he ever arrived in Detroit.

The extent to which the building helped pay for four Stanley Cups would 'Dead Things' era soured Red Wings' arrival at Joe Louis Arena be conjecture, on his part, he said. Detroit News columnist Bob Wojnowski walks us through the press box Gregg Krupa , The Detroit News Published 2:28 a.m. ET April 7, 2017 | experience at Joe Louis Arena. Updated 15 hours ago “I wouldn’t have a clue on what the agreement was,” Devellano said. “That was ownership. Detroit – The Red Wings did a lot of winning in Joe Louis Arena, but the “My job was to come in and build a hockey club. team that first moved there did not do a much of it. “Back then, when there was no cap, I would go over our player payroll They were an in-between bunch, playing so poorly some dubbed them with Mike and Marian, and that’s how we handled things,” Devellano the “Dead Things.” said. Thirty years earlier, the franchise under the Norris family and the coach “Now, did the building help pay for it? I can only hope it did!” and general manager Jack Adams launched the Gordie Howe era. Regardless of the favorability of the deal, it would take several seasons With Howe and Alex Delvecchio, Ted Lindsay, Terry Sawchuk and before the Wings began to maximize it. others, the Wings took flight after World War II, dominated the NHL in the Devellano may not know the terms of the lease with the city, but he firmly 1950s and challenged for the Stanley Cup into the mid-1960s. recalls the number of season-ticket holders three seasons after Joe Louis Later, beginning in 1982, Mike and Marian Ilitch hired Jim Devellano and Arena opened, when the Ilitches bought the club – 2,100. the Red Wings drafted Steve Yzerman, snuck Sergei Fedorov across the Only about 11 percent of the original capacity of 19,275 was paid for Canadian border and out of the clutches of the Russian national team, every game. scouted Sweden for Nicklas Lidstrom, hired and traded for Brendan Shanahan. They had significant support from other players. The team needed to sell the rest. And millions celebrated their Stanley Cups along Woodward and on Hart With Rutherford, Woods, John Ogrodnick, Dale McCourt and others, Plaza four times. many of the Dead Things tried. But between the two times of triumph, the Red Wings laid fallow. But, in the 17 seasons from 1967 to 1983, the Red Wings had 13 coaches. Only Bill Gadsby and Johnny Wilson won more than they lost, In the 13 seasons before they left Olympia for Joe Louis Arena in during that time. (Sid Abel’s .501 career coaching percentage was mostly December 1979, they made the playoffs twice, winning a total of three before.) games. The Wings barely won one-third of the games they played, compiling a In the first four seasons in their new home, they missed the playoffs. 455-670-203 record. The Red Wings had some good players, but not enough. And until the “Hockey is the ultimate team sport, and this most important thing to my Ilitches made a deal with former owner Bruce Norris for the purchase in mind after all these years is the coaching,” Woods said. “If you’re not 1982, the organization was passive. structured and you’re not organized, you’re not going to win. But some players persisted with fine performances amid the “If we had Montreal’s coaching, then, with Scotty Bowman, or the circumstances. Among them, a little goalie then called Jimmy Rutherford. Islanders’, with Al Arbour, we’d never miss the playoffs.” “We were in a rebuilding stage most of the ’70s,” said Rutherford, now With ownership increasingly apathetic and management left to its general manager of the defending Stanley Cup champions, the devices, by the time Joe Louis Arena opened, the architecture that Pittsburgh Penguins. “The Ilitches bought the franchise at an ultimate low supported victory utterly deteriorated. point.” “Normally, you practice at 10 in the morning, if we didn’t play the night In a far more offensive era, Rutherford routinely faced 40-50 shots on before,” Ogrodnick said, of his first season. “But I remember practicing at goal. 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Four seasons before Joe Louis Arena, the Wings finished 26-44-10. “We had to let the construction guys continue completing the building.” Rutherford was in net for 13 of the wins. Ogrodnick bridged the remaining gap to the Yzerman years, eventually It remains to his great credit that four of them were shutouts. playing on a line with him. “We certainly didn’t play a defensive style,” Rutherford said. “At first, I played on a line with Dale McCourt and Nick Foligno,” he said. Paul Woods, the youngest captain in franchise history before Yzerman, “We had a pretty good line. It was a thrill. scored 19 goals in his rookie season, two years before the Wings left “But after being there for a couple of years, the losing kind of wears on Olympia, in 1977-78. you. His energetic, 200-feet style of play and considerable speed made the “Hockey is a sport where you need all 20 guys going. You are only as future broadcaster popular with fans. strong as you’re weakest link. “At the time, leaving Olympia wasn’t such a good thing.” said Woods, the “It’s not fun. I was kind of used to winning.” 97.1 FM analyst. Things began to perk up. The Wings acquired Ivan Boldirev, a “We were sad. There was so much rich history. playmaking, scoring forward, and they drafted Yzerman, who had an “It was like a theater inside; the sound was just so deep. It was just such immediate impact. a great place to play.” “I know the Red Wings were struggling for a lot of years,” said Ogrodnick, To top it off, for the hard-pressed club, Joe Louis Arena was not finished who was 20 when he arrived. when they arrived. “I remember the building not being that full, and I remember the Ilitches “That sort of took the edge off of it, as well,” Woods said. giving a car away every game, just to get people in there. But the players understood the finances of a 25-percent increase in “I know they got a hell of a lease on the building. But they put their heart capacity, luxury boxes and the deal the City of Detroit gave Bruce Norris and soul into that organization to better it. to keep the Red Wings from following the Lions to the suburbs. “As a player, you can sense that.” “Economically, when we started to see the numbers, it made sense why they had to go,” Woods said. Detroit News LOADED: 04.08.2017 Devellano, who arrived three summers after Joe Louis Arena opened, says he cannot answer questions about the leases between the city and 1057641 Detroit Red Wings "I don't think he gets enough credit for what he does on an every-day basis. I think you can't have a better example for the younger guys."

Justin Abdelkader is most impressed by Zetterberg's work ethic. Henrik Zetterberg's 1,000th game will be Red Wings' last at Joe Louis Arena "He's had some great guys to learn under, whether it was Steve Yzerman and Nick Lidstrom, some real professional guys that work hard and bring it every day," Abdelkader said. "I think that's carried over into his game By Ansar Khan | [email protected] and his leadership. He thinks the game at such a high level. Even as he gets older everyone is going to slow down a bit, but he seems to stay a April 07, 2017 at 4:05 PM, updated April 07, 2017 at 4:08 PM step ahead of everyone on the ice." Zetterberg ranks seventh all-time among Red Wings with 902 points and is fifth in the playoffs, with 120 points in 137 games. The Red Wings have DETROIT - Jim Nill and Hakan Andersson were in Sweden scouting long maintained Zetterberg would have compiled even more points had other players when a slight 5-foot-10 kid who wasn't particularly fast he not been such a strong two-way player. That's fine with them. caught their eye because the puck seemed to be glued to his stick. "He's 36 years of age, in a league where everyone is talking youth and The Detroit Red Wings took a flier on him in the seventh round of the he's in the top 30 scorers in the National Hockey League, especially the 1999 draft, with the 210th overall pick. second half of the year he's really taken his game to another level," Holland said. Eighteen years later, Henrik Zetterberg remains strong on the puck, heavy on his skates and flourishing at age 36. "He plays with a ton of pride, fiercely competitive and I think you've seen the last little while, as our season has been on the line, he's been He will be remembered as one of the Red Wings' all-time greats. But he physical, goes to the hard areas, giving body checks, taking body still has some hockey left in him, including his 1,000th game Sunday checks. against the New Jersey Devils, which happens to be the final game at Joe Louis Arena. "Anybody that plays with Henrik seems to play a lot better with him than without him. I think that speaks to Henrik's ability to distribute the puck, "I couldn't have picked a better game to have my 1,000th," Zetterberg defend and be able to get the puck back so that with the said. "It's going to be a special night in many ways." puck." Zetterberg will join Gordie Howe (1,687), Nicklas Lidstrom (1,564), Alex

Delvecchio (1,549), Steve Yzerman (1,514), Kris Draper (1,137) and Tomas Holmstrom (1,026) as players who have appeared in 1,000 Michigan Live LOADED: 04.08.2017 games for the Red Wings. "When you come into the league, you don't expect to be around for that long and be blessed enough to be healthy and play for that long," Zetterberg said. "I'm proud of it and looking forward to it." The Red Wings have had many mid- to late-round gems from Europe over the years: Lidstrom, Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Holmstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg. When Zetterberg was the only non-NHL player named to the Swedish Olympic team in 2002, the Red Wings knew they had a real talent. They brought him over the next season. General manager Ken Holland credited the scouting of Nill, then the club's assistant GM, and Hakan Andersson, the organization's longtime director of European scouting. Gifted with great hands and hockey sense, Zetterberg's will and determination set him apart from others, Holland said. "He plays 200 feet, goes to the hard areas," Holland said. "He's competitive, humble, treats the game with a ton of respect as well as the people in the game and that's why he was a natural choice to be captain when Nick Lidstrom retired (in 2012)." Teammate Niklas Kronwall said: "He's got a determination that he wants to do it right every day. It's not easy and I don't think it's something you can teach. It's something that you have. It's just awesome to see that every day. He's not the biggest guy, strongest guy or fastest guy, but he's probably the smartest and hardest-working guy, and that goes a long way." Zetterberg said he learned in November that the season finale could be his 1,000th game. He didn't expect he would play all 82 games, as it appears he will. "I found that out early, but I didn't really want to talk about it or jinx myself too much," Zetterberg said. "To be honest, too, I didn't really expect to play all the games. It's one of my goals to play all the games and also to try to have a better second half than I did last year." Coach Jeff Blashill planned on reducing Zetterberg's ice time and possibly resting him on some back-to-back games after his play dipped in the second half the past couple of seasons. But Zetterberg was too good to sit, and he remained healthy. Zetterberg is leading the team with 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) and is tops among forwards in average ice time (19:44). "Really, this year what he has done is probably the most impressive out of all the years he's played," Kronwall said. "At this age, just his level every night, he's our best player every night. A lot of people say he's getting older, but Hank is still Hank. 1057642 Detroit Red Wings

Matt Lorito hopes skills will compensate for size with Red Wings

By Ansar Khan | [email protected] April 07, 2017 at 3:02 PM, updated April 07, 2017 at 3:03 PM

DETROIT - Like any player who is 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Matt Lorito must prove his offensive skills can compensate for his lack of size to make it in the NHL. Lorito's first opportunity will come Saturday, in his league debut with the Detroit Red Wings in the penultimate game at Joe Louis Arena, against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). He was excited to get the call following the ' 2-1 overtime victory at Manitoba Wednesday. Lorito was the only player skating Friday during an optional practice at the Joe. Lorito, 26, spoke to Evgeny Svechnikov, who returned to the Griffins Wednesday following two games with the Red Wings. "I asked him how it was and what he thought," Lorito said. "He said it was a lot of fun, said it was obviously a fast game, guys are big and strong. He said he had a great time, nothing but the best." The Red Wings signed Lorito, who went undrafted out of Brown University. as a free agent in the summer following parts of two seasons with the AHL's Albany Devils. He showed his offensive ability in training camp and the preseason and is tied for the Griffins' scoring lead (54 points, including 21 goals) with Ben Street, who will play his fifth game with the Red Wings on Saturday. "I thought I showed well, but at the same time, I definitely learned a lot in Grand Rapids," Lorito said. "I just tried to keep improving every day and it started in training camp." Lorito described himself as a smart, offensive player who is responsible in all three zones. "I like to use my speed to my advantage, try and create turnovers and take some time and space away with my legs," he said. "At the same time, I'm more of a playmaker. I like to make plays all around the ice and try to set up some goals." He said of his lack of size: "I think I just got to make sure I'm playing hard in all of my one-on-one battles. Obviously, I'm not the biggest and strongest guy, but I think there's other ways you can win puck battles, just being good with your stick. I got to make sure I'm playing responsible defensively and tracking back and just those one-on-one battles, make sure I'm bearing down." Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said Lorito has potential. "He's been a guy who in the American League is a proven offensive player," Blashill said. "He's a little undersized, so until those guys get to the NHL you never know for sure. "I know in the preseason he was really good offensively. He did a real good job on the power play, especially on the half-wall, on his forehand side, kind of walking down and finding seams. I think ultimately for him to be an effective player at this level he'll have to be good on the power play." Blashill said Lorito will get a chance to play with good players. He didn't say who. It should be a festive atmosphere with Montreal and its many fans at the game. Lorito's parents, sister, girlfriend and some buddies will attend. "It's going to be a fun game," Lorito said. "Obviously, Montreal is a really good team, they're in the playoffs. They're going to want to make sure they finish strong and we want to do a good job closing out this building."

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057643 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Anthony Mantha looks to return stronger after lessons learned

By Ansar Khan | [email protected] April 07, 2017 at 1:01 PM, updated April 07, 2017 at 1:09 PM

DETROIT - Anthony Mantha doesn't regret sticking up for a teammate, but admits he took it a bit too far. It was a lesson learned for the young Detroit Red Wings forward. Mantha said he won't need surgery on his broken right ring finger. "I saw the specialist yesterday and it's healing pretty good already," Mantha said Friday. "The bone structure is pretty aligned, so it's just a few weeks to heal and then we'll be good." Mantha was injured in a fight with Tampa Bay's Luke Witkowski on March 30. The Lightning defenseman was getting retribution for Mantha punching Greg McKegg when he was down during a fight on March 24. "I defended (Dylan) Larkin there," Mantha said of the fight with McKegg "I do what I did when people get hit from behind. I will defend that always." Mantha said he regrets throwing "two vicious punches" at McKegg when he was down, breaking an unwritten code in hockey and infuriating the Lightning. "I don't know what happened in my head at that moment," Mantha said. "I did apologize to him in the penalty box and on the ice afterwards. The next game obviously, their coach (Jon Cooper) didn't like it, so I kind of knew someone was going to come. Then the second fight happened." Witkowski came right at Mantha during a stoppage at 3:47 of the first period. "I tried to stand up for myself. Obviously, he was stronger," Mantha said. "It was pretty hard for me to do anything there. The finger, it kind of sucks that it happened, but if nothing happened there, I keep playing the game and we don't really talk about it anymore." He's not sure how he injured the finger. "I tried to look at the fight afterwards and I really couldn't find where it could have been," Mantha said. "Maybe on the helmet. Maybe just in his sweater. I'm not sure." The 6-foot-5, 221-pound Mantha had five fighting majors this season, not what he expected. "I don't believe in fighting. I don't know why I fought that much this year," Mantha said. "It's just things that happen, and it happens quick. Not really change my style of play, but maybe I just know I can stand up for myself and that's what I do." Mantha, 22, finished with 17 goals, which currently ranks third on the team, and 36 points in 60 games. He called it an "up and down season." "When I got called up, I was on a high, just playing the hockey I had to play this year, and I think I played pretty good," Mantha said. "Then I had a slowdown around those two games they had to scratch me (March 10- 12), but that's part of hockey. I just think to focus next year on coming back and not having slumps. One game, two games, OK but you can't get to five or six games in a row." He doesn't expect the injury to affect his off-season training, since it's a long break. "In three weeks, I'll do a bit of rehab to get it back to where it was," Mantha said. "I don't think it's going to affect me long-term. "I'll have a long summer ahead and I'll come back next year stronger." He's looking on the bright side. "If I had to be injured, I would rather be injured right at the end of the year right now than in the middle of the year and then miss 4-6 weeks," Mantha said. "It's unfortunate for sure, but I still keep good learning memories about this year."

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057644 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings top pick Dennis Cholowski joins Grand Rapids Griffins

By Peter J. Wallner | [email protected] April 07, 2017 at 8:00 AM, updated April 07, 2017 at 8:42 AM

Dennis Cholowski, the Detroit Red Wings top pick in the 2016 entry draft, is expected to join the Grand Rapids Griffins today, assistant general manager Ryan Martin said. The 19-year-old, the 20th overall pick who signed a three-year entry-level contract earlier this week, will remain with the Griffins throughout the regular season and playoffs, though whether or not he plays will be up to coach . The Griffins currently have eight defensemen on the roster, and it will grow again on Monday when Robbie Russo returns from the Red Wings. The other option was for Cholowski to play in the WHL, but Prince George, which owns his rights, is done for the season. Cholowski will practice with the Griffins and experience the postseason most likely as member of the team's black aces. Cholowski played 36 games as a freshman for St. Cloud State University this season. He had one goal, 11 assists and 14 penalty minutes. The Griffins practiced Friday ahead of a home game Saturday against Cleveland. They turn around and play at Cleveland on Sunday.

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057645 Detroit Red Wings

PETA wants Red Wings to fine, eject and ban anyone throwing octopus on the ice

By Brendan Savage | [email protected] April 07, 2017 at 6:48 PM, updated April 07, 2017 at 7:47 PM

DETROIT - Thinking about taking an octopus into one of the Detroit Red Wings' final two games at Joe Louis Arena this weekend? PETA wants to see people who do so get punished. The animal rights organization sent a letter to the Red Wings urging them to take action against anyone who brings an octopus into the arena. "Octopuses are intelligent, sensitive animals who feel pain, and it's no more acceptable to kill one for such a disrespectful, frivolous, and stupid purpose than it is to throw dead bear cubs onto the ice during a Bruins game," PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said on the organization's website. Newkirk asked the Red Wings to levy a $5,000 fine against anyone caught bringing an octopus into the arena or throwing it on the ice. In addition, she called for the violators to be ejected from the building and banned from all future Red Wings games. "We strongly urge you to prohibit them from flinging these intelligent animals--dead or alive--onto the ice this weekend and to check attendees for concealed octopuses at the door," Newkirk said in a letter to team president and CEO , according to Yahoo.com. "We hope you will issue a statement to all fans that throwing octopuses on the ice will not be tolerated. Perhaps you can encourage them to purchase and throw stuffed octopuses to celebrate their team's success, without making light of cruelty to animals. Thank you for your consideration." Newkirk went on to say that an octopus has 10,000 more genes than a human being, that they can navigate mazes, solve puzzles and open childproof jars. She urged the Red Wings to encourage fans to bring stuffed octopi to games to honor the tradition that began during the NHL's days. The eight tentacles on the octopus was a symbol of the eight victories it took to win the Stanley Cup when there were only six teams in the NHL. At least three octopi were thrown onto the ice during the Red Wings most recent home game, Monday's 5-4 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators. Building manager Al Sobotka has been known to twirl an octopus over his head after retrieving it from the ice and in the last several seasons the Red Wings lowered an inflated octopus - nicknamed Al The Octopus - from the JLA rafters before the first playoff game each year. The Red Wings failed to qualify for the playoffs this year for the first time in 26 seasons.

Michigan Live LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057646 Detroit Red Wings Macomb Daily LOADED: 04.08.2017 Mantha defends rise in fights

By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily Posted: 04/07/17, 2:12 PM EDT | Updated: 20 secs ago

DETROIT >> Anthony Mantha won’t back down from anyone. “I will defend that always,” Mantha said Friday at Joe Louis Arena. Mantha spoke for the first time since fracturing his right ring finger in a fight with Tampa Bay’s Luke Witkowski last week. Mantha did not initiate the fight with Witkowski, who went after him because the Wings forward instigated a fight with the Lightning’s Greg McKegg a week earlier. “That first fight against McKegg, obviously I defended (Dylan) Larkin there,” Mantha said. “I thought it was kind of different. I do that when people get hit from behind. It was two vicious punches that I threw. “It’s on myself, the fighting,” Mantha continued. “I don’t know what happened in my head at that moment. I did apologize to him in the penalty box and on the ice afterwards. The next game obviously, their coach didn’t like it, so I kind of knew someone was going to come. Then the second fight happened.” Witkowski landed several punches in the short fight before taking Mantha to the ice. “I knew it was going to come,” Mantha said. “I tried to stand up for myself. Obviously he was stronger. It was pretty hard for me to do anything there. The finger, it kind of sucks that it happened but if nothing happened there, I keep playing the game and we don’t really talk about it anymore.” In his brief time in the NHL, Mantha has gotten into five fights. “Obviously I don’t believe in fighting,” Mantha said. “I don’t know why I fought that much this year. It’s just things that happen and it happens quick. I didn’t really change my style of play, but maybe I just know I can stand up for myself and that’s what I do.” Detroit has just 25 fighting majors this season. The highest number of fighting majors Mantha has had in a regular season is three, and he did that twice while in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Mantha didn’t need surgery and said his finger is healing pretty good. “The bone structure is pretty aligned so it’s just a few weeks to heal and then we’ll be good,” Mantha said. Mantha finished with 17 goals, which was third on the team, and 19 assists in 60 games. “I think it was an up and down season,” Mantha said. “When I got called up, I was on a high if I could say, just playing the hockey I had to play this year, and I think I played pretty good. Then I had a slowdown around those two games they had to scratch me, but that’s part of hockey. “I just think to focus next year on coming back and not having slumps,” Mantha continued. “One game, two games, OK, but you can’t get to five or six games in a row. That‘s what I am looking to do.” Matt Lorito will get a chance to prove if he has a future in the NHL on Saturday. “I know in the preseason he was really, really good offensively,” Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “He did a real good job on the power play, especially on the half-wall, on his forehand side, kind of walking down and finding seams. I think ultimately for him to be an effective player at this level he’ll have to be good on the power play. He’ll get a chance to play with good players (Saturday). “I think like any guy coming up from the American League, they’ve got to show that they can do what they do there here,” Blashill continued. “He doesn’t have to be any different player, just be what he’s been down there.” Lorito, who went undrafted out of Brown University, is tied for the Griffins’ points lead (54) with Ben Street, who’s also with the Wings, in 59 games. He has 21 goals. 1057647 Edmonton Oilers 30th overall, winning the lottery to get Matthews, to a playoff team in the Adams.

Kesler is the snarliest of this group, and wins 58 per cent of his draws Hockey World: Connor McDavid has done enough to earn Hart Trophy even-strength, is the best shorthanded on draws, and is also a 60-point as NHL MVP player. Koivu has had a big bounce-back year with the Wild, is dynamite on power-play draws (best in the league) and is close to 60 points. Bergeron is a three-time winner and twice runner-up of the Selke Award Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid in December 2016. Jim Matheson and was 17-for-17 on draws in a game a few nights ago, but this is personal preference. I just like Kesler, winner in 2011, better.

If Canada doesn’t send NHLers to South Korea for the Olympics, Jim Matheson would Ben Scrivens be the Plan B goalie? Very good chance of it. He had a 2.28 average and eight shutouts for Dynamo Minsk this season in Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 9:51 AM MDT the KHL. How about centre Derek Roy, who played in , also in the KHL? Or long-ago Oiler Marc Pouliot, who’s been very good over in the Swiss League for years. He was in Biel this season. When Connor McDavid appeared on the ‘After Hours’ segment of last Saturday night — perched on a chair in the Even though Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang’s done for Hall of Fame room at Rogers Place — boisterous fans watching from the the season and they’ll miss a guy who played 29 mins a game in the street behind glass were banging on the glass and chanting “MVP, MVP, playoffs last spring, the Penguins just got Trevor Daley back after his MVP.” knee surgery and Olli Maatta is skating after breaking his hand and needing surgery as well. Also, they picked up veteran Ron Hainsey at the Albeit a small sample size, also a biased Edmonton Oilers’ crowd. deadline. Justin Schultz is now their No. 1 power-play guy and in line for $5 million a year as a UFA. But any thought of McDavid battling Sidney Crosby for the Hart Trophy has dissipated, right? Not much doubt who the best trade deadline acquisition’s been: Ducks forward , he of the beard that challenges Burns and Well, Crosby’s been carrying his Pittsburgh Penguins without Evgeni Joe Thornton. Ten goals in 18 games since the Dallas trade. As a UFA, Malkin for the last month, has had youngsters Connor Sheary and Jake he’s in the cat-bird seat July 1. Guentzel on his wings, and is still racking up points. Henrik Zetterberg has long been one of the classiest guys in the So No. 87 is still very much in the running, but odds are McDavid is going league and he emphasized that Tuesday when an Ottawa fan had a cup to win the award for the National Hockey league’s most-valuable player. of beer on the ledge down by the glass for the pre-game warmups so he If so, he’ll be the third youngest MVP winner after Crosby and Wayne could take some photos, and the Detroit Red Wings captain banged into Gretzky. the glass and the suds went flying. When he noticed what he’d done, he skated over to the bench and autographed one of his game sticks for the As long as the team that pays you is in the playoffs, the Hart almost fan. always goes to the NHL’s scoring champion — last year, it was Chicago’s Patrick Kane — or to the player who leads the league in goals Here are three reasons why Florida crashed and burned this year: (Alex Ovechkin) or, in a rare case, to a goalie like Carey Price, who Nick Bjugstad had a mediocre season with fewer than 15 points and was absolutely dominates in wins, goal-against average and save hurt twice, Jussi Jokinen played 17-1/2 minutes a night and had 30 percentage. points, and No. 1 D Aaron Ekblad’s game really dropped off, concussions aside. McDavid is going to win his first Art Ross Trophy as the top point producer. He’s got a higher points-per-game average than Crosby (1.20 Not much doubt whom the Penguins feel is their No. 1 in net. In the to 1.18). The Oilers have also gone from 29th overall last year to the Top biggest game of year against Columbus Tuesday, Matt Murray got the 10 this season, closing in on 100 points after scoring 70 last year. call, not Marc-Andre Fleury. Back in late February, Gretzky offered up a cautionary scenario on goals The day after St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong dealt Kevin to assists if McDavid and Crosby finished tied in points because the tie Shattenkirk, he waved off any questions about a return of Vladimir always goes to the player with more goals as No. 99 certainly Sobotka from the KHL because he was tired of the continual drama of it remembered from his first NHL season in 1979-80 when he tied Marcel all. But now that Sobotka’s coming back and signing a new long-term Dionne but Dionne had two more (53-51) goals. deal, he’ll fill the Nos. 1 or 2 centre hole and let Alex Steen be a winger not a centre. “I remember back in 1980, I thought the tie might go to points-per-game for both of us and I’d missed one when I was sick. But somebody said Oliver Ekman-Larsson hasn’t had his usual outstanding season on that year ‘no, no, it’s goals,’’’ recalled Gretzky. “It’s almost 40 years the Arizona Coyotes blue-line, and now we know why? His mum was since I did it (Dionne vs Gretzky) and nobody knew there would be a kid battling cancer all year back in Sweden and she just passed away. His coming along like Connor … I mean, there’s no reason why he can’t beat body was on the games but his mind was back home. Crosby (points) anyway. He’s capable of it. But, like I said, he can’t tie for Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown. the scoring,” said Gretzky. Hindsight always being 20-20, the Kings erred big-time taking the ‘C’ Here’s who I think should win this season’s awards, with runners-up: away from Dustin Brown — which was embarrassing to him and he also Burns’s game has dropped off in the last month, but it couldn’t stay that liked the responsibility and did a good job of it (dealing with the media, hot. He’s the most colourful defenceman in the league — with tattoos, his out in the community) — and giving it to Anze Kopitar. It’s just been extra snake collection, long beard, long hair, what comes out of his unfiltered weight on Kopitar, who was otherwise doing his thing as their best mouth — plus he’s learned how to defend and play against other teams’ offensive player with an ‘A’ on his jersey. top lines to go along with his almost point-a-game pace. Hedman is a How many NHL veterans aged 30-plus have had strong years after great big-man D, a great skater for a player who stands six-foot-six, also playing for Canada at the World Cup, when they had to start training with a huge wingspan to defend. Karlsson is the same sort of player as earlier? hasn’t had his usual exemplary season in Burns but not as good this season. Boston and certainly not Joe Thornton. At this time last year, Jumbo Joe I tend to go with a centre over a winger as a rookie because it’s a tougher was fourth in NHL scoring. Last time we looked, before he hurt his leg, he position to play. Laine had a slim lead until the past month, when was barely inside the top 80 this year. OK, part of that is his age, but his Matthews challenged Crosby for the Maurice Richard award as the body has rebelled against the extra work. NHL’s top goal-scorer. Laine, a year younger, has three hat-tricks this The Kings absolutely will be shopping one of their second pairing season. Werenski played in the first defence pairing for one of NHL’s top defencemen — Alec Martinez or Jake Muzzin — for scoring help up front four teams in Columbus, averaging 21 minutes a night. Honourable next season. Martinez is better with the puck, but he’s 30 in July, two mention to William Nylander, who had the longest point streak of the years older than Muzzin. They’ve broken in Paul LaDue (offensive- season, and Mitch Marner in Toronto. Both are 60-point players. minded) and Kevin Gravel (defensive) to take either player’s spot for next Tortorella’s Blue Jackets finished with 76 points last year, fourth worst, season. and improved by 30 in the toughest division (Metropolitan) in the league. The Oilers have McDavid, of course, but they were 29th and are making a run at top spot in the Pacific. Credit McLellan for righting the ship. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.08.2017 Babcock never won the award in Detroit but his Leafs have gone from 1057648 Edmonton Oilers strength goals all season … Brock Boeser, the Canucks first-round draft in 2015, has three goals in seven games since signing when University of North Dakota was eliminated from the NCAA tournament. Boeser, Oilers First place is up for grabs for Edmonton Oilers on final weekend freshman Drake Caggiula and Chicago rookie Nick Schmaltz, formed the best line in college hockey last season.

Jim Matheson Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.08.2017 Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 9:07 PM MDT

The Edmonton Oilers are closing out the season against Vancouver for the sixth straight season except this April the games aren’t mere footnotes on a hellish year. If the Oilers win Saturday in Vancouver and Sunday at home against the Canucks, and Anaheim loses in regulation to Los Angeles Sunday, they’ll finish first in the Pacific. A single point against the Canucks Saturday night on Fan Appreciation Night there gives them second over San Jose Sharks, which is a far cry from last April when they had 67 points on the last weekend when they met the Canucks for a home and home series and finished with 70 – second worst to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’ve got 99 now and the last time they got 100 or more was 30 years ago en route to their third Stanley Cup win. Yeah, you have to go back to 1986-87 in the Oiler glory days. The Oilers are 8-2 in their past 10 against a Canucks’ team that’s lost six in a row and could have the second best odds at draft lottery time. It’s death march time for the Canucks as it’s been for the Oilers for so many springs before this season. But, the Oilers can’t let off the gas pedal. They’ve beaten Vancouver 2-0 twice and lost 3-2 in a shootout so they’re hardly blown them out this year. ] In fact, centre Mark Letestu says there’s some bad habits creeping in. “We have to work on our starts, especially on the road. At home we’ve handled it pretty well but we’ve got behind the eight-ball on the road and that’s not a great recipe come playoff time,” he said. The Oilers can get home-ice advantage in the first round against San Jose even if they lose as long as it gets to OT or a shootout. But, deep down they still have the Ducks in their sights. They have just one game left. If the teams finish tied with 103 points, Oilers win the tie-breaker for first overall. “We’re working on our game. We certainly don’t want to give any points away but we only control the games against Vancouver. If Anaheim wins, there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Letestu. If the Oilers still have a shot at first overall, maybe they play Cam Talbot both games and backup Laurent Brossoit doesn’t get one. Talbot ties Tommy Salo’s 73 games of 2000-2001 if he plays in Vancouver. Talbot’s penalty-shot save on Marcus Sorenson in San Jose Thursday when the Sharks were looking to up the count to 3-1 was the first of Talbot’s Oiler career. The Oilers have had 43 penalty shots against them in their history and only 11 goals have been surrendered. Devan Dubnyk faced eight as an Oiler, stopping seven of eight. Bill Ranford faced nine and only gave up one. Swedish defenceman William Lagesson, the Oilers fourth- round draft in 2014, is leaving UMass-Amherst after two years in college. The 21-year- old signed a three-year entry level deal Friday after accumulating 15 points in 63 NCAA games. “William’s a big, stay-at-home defenceman,” said Oilers Assistant General Manager Keith Gretzky on 630 CHED’s Oilers Now. “He’s a little older, bigger, stronger and he needs to play more games. This will really help him and his development.” Todd McLellan’s son Tyson, a freshman winger at Denver University, helped the Pioneers reach the NCAA final Saturday against University of Minnesota-Duluth. Tyson is playing with Florida’s 2016 first-round draft centre Henrik Borgstrom and Liam Findlay on an all-freshman line. Borgstrom, Denver’s leading scorer in regular-season, found himself with Tyson and Findlay to start the NCAA tournament and scored one of Denver’s goals in a 6-1 win over Notre Dame Friday to reach the finals at United Center. THIS ‘N’ THAT: Former Oilers captain will be at the game Sunday. Moreau was a big part of the Oilers 2006 Stanley Cup run to the finals … ’s production has dropped way off. He has just 15 goals for the Canucks after 28 last season. He only has nine even- 1057649 Edmonton Oilers “He’s been huge,” said Talbot. “You get a guy who’s won a Stanley Cup before, with the experience of being in the playoffs and going on some deep runs, it’s something that not too many guys in this room have done. Eighty down, two to go for Oilers in search of first place “He has the experience that we need in a young group. And when he speaks up, guys listen because he’s been around and that’s what we need in this room right now.” Robert Tychkowski It was a bit of a slow start for the 235-pound winger, but with the games Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 8:41 PM MDT becoming tougher and more intense down the stretch, he’s in his element.

“I really believe he’s full time Edmonton Oilers right now,” said McLellan. For the Edmonton Oilers, this weekend is the extra point after the game- “He bleeds our colours. When you’ve won with another team and spent a winning touchdown drive. good portion of your career there, it takes a little while to adapt and to embrace everything that is going on around you. Now he’s so deep into it It is the 18th hole at The Open Championship when you’ve got a three- that it’s all that really matters.” shot lead.

Take care of some relatively simple business against the hapless and hopeless Vancouver Canucks and everything they’ve wanted out of this Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 04.08.2017 regular season is theirs. This is not the time for a Jean van de Velde or Tony Romo moment. Choking is not an option. The Oilers busted their backs for 80 games to get themselves in position to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs – they don’t want to let it slip away in the final two. “There’s a lot to play for heading into these two games,” said Thursday night hero , who scored the tying, winning and insurance goals in a 4-2 comeback win over the San Jose Sharks. “And nothing is guaranteed. “Anaheim hasn’t won the division yet.” The Oilers need one point out of the Saturday-Sunday home and home series with Vancouver to clinch second place in the Pacific. They can still win the division outright if they sweep the Canucks and Anaheim loses its final game of the season against Los Angeles. So getting up for the Canucks, manufacturing the same kind of intensity that was on display against San Jose, shouldn’t be a problem. “We still have something to play for,” said goaltender Cam Talbot, who established a new franchise record for wins in a season with 41. “We still have home ice to play for. That should be motivation enough for us at this point. We don’t want to have to start in (San Jose), it’s a tough building to play in. “If we can start at home, where we’ve been playing some good hockey lately, it’s huge. We have to carry this confidence forward into Saturday night.” And now is not to time to lose focus. “It’s about our mindset,” said Lucic. “We want to go into the playoffs with our game sharp and confident.” While it looks like Edmonton will likely play the Sharks, a first-round series with Calgary or Nashville is still an outside possibility. But the Oilers are not spending too much energy on the math. “You can’t go into the playoffs thinking who you’re going to play or what’s going to happen,” said Patrick Maroon. ‘We just have to continue what we’ve been doing all year; stick with it and don’t worry about who we’re going to face. We just have to keep doing the things that got us here.” They’ve won 10 of their last 12 to get here, which makes them one of the hottest teams in the NHL, but when asked if his team is peaking right now, head coach Todd McLellan said he hopes not. “I hope it comes together in the next few weeks,” he said. “To say this is the pinnacle and be satisfied is dangerous, I wont say that. We’ve put ourselves in a good position for home ice but we haven’t clinched that. We have some work ahead of us.” Because aside from Lucic’s third-period show of force, the Oilers spent disturbingly long portions of Thursday’s game on their heels – against a Sharks team that didn’t have two of its best players. “The fact we were able to come in and respond after a slow start was good, but we need to fix that,” said McLellan. “We’ve got to rest, adjust, fix a few things and be prepared to play again.” Lucic, with five goals in his last three games and 12 points in his last 14, is is like a hurricane gaining strength as it moves closer to land. If this is the player he’s going to be throughout the playoffs, it is a major, major development for the Oilers. 1057650 Edmonton Oilers 3. Zach Werenski (Columbus) I tend to go with a centre over a winger as a rookie because it’s a tougher position to play. Laine had a slim lead until the past month, when Hockey World: McDavid has done enough to earn Hart Trophy Matthews challenged Crosby for the Maurice Richard award as the NHL's top goal-scorer. Laine, a year younger, has three hat-tricks this season. Werenski played in the first defence pairing for one of NHL’s top four BY JIM MATHESON teams in Columbus, averaging 21 minutes a night. Honourable mention to William Nylander, who had the longest point streak of the season, and FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, APRIL 06, 2017 10:52 PM MDT | Mitch Marner in Toronto. Both are 60-point players. UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 06, 2017 10:56 PM MDT Jack Adams (coach of year).

1. John Tortorella (Columbus) When Connor McDavid appeared on the 'After Hours' segment of Hockey Night in Canada last Saturday night — perched on a chair in the Hall of 2. Todd McLellan (Edmonton) Fame room at Rogers Place — boisterous fans watching from the street behind glass were banging on the glass and chanting “MVP, MVP, MVP.” 3. Mike Babcock (Toronto) Albeit a small sample size, also a biased Edmonton Oilers’ crowd. Tortorella's Blue Jackets finished with 76 points last year, fourth worst, and improved by 30 in the toughest division (Metropolitan) in the league. But any thought of McDavid battling Sidney Crosby for the Hart Trophy The Oilers have McDavid, of course, but they were 29th and are making has dissipated, right? a run at top spot in the Pacific. Credit McLellan for righting the ship. Babcock never won the award in Detroit but his Leafs have gone from Well, Crosby’s been carrying his Pittsburgh Penguins without Evgeni 30th overall, winning the lottery to get Matthews, to a playoff team in the Malkin for the last month, has had youngsters Connor Sheary and Jake Adams. Guentzel on his wings, and is still racking up points. Selke (top two-way forward). So No. 87 is still very much in the running, but odds are McDavid is going to win the award for the National Hockey league's most-valuable player. 1.Ryan Kesler (Anaheim) If so, he’ll be the third youngest MVP winner after Crosby and Wayne 2. Mikko Koivu (Minnesota) Gretzky. 3. Patrice Bergeron (Boston) As long as the team that pays you is in the playoffs, the Hart almost always goes to the NHL’s scoring champion — last year, it was Kesler is the snarliest of this group, and wins 58 per cent of his draws Chicago’s Patrick Kane — or to the player who leads the league in goals even-strength, is the best shorthanded on draws, and is also a 60-point (Alex Ovechkin) or, in a rare case, to a goalie like Carey Price, who player. Koivu has had a big bounce-back year with the Wild, is dynamite absolutely dominates in wins, goal-against average and save on power-play draws (best in the league) and is close to 60 points. percentage. Bergeron is a three-time winner and twice runner-up of the Selke Award and was 17-for-17 on draws in a game a few nights ago, but this is McDavid is going to win his first Art Ross Trophy as the top point personal preference. I just like Kesler, winner in 2011, better. producer. He’s got a higher points-per-game average than Crosby (1.20 to 1.18). The Oilers have also gone from 29th overall last year to the Top Lady Byng (most gentlemanly player) 10 this season, closing in on 100 points after scoring 70 last year. 1. Jason Pominville (Minnesota) Back in late February, Gretzky offered up a cautionary scenario on goals 2. Mikael Granlund (Minnesota) to assists if McDavid and Crosby finished tied in points because the tie always goes to the player with more goals as No. 99 certainly 3. Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis) remembered from his first NHL season in 1979-80 when he tied Marcel Dionne but Dionne had two more (53-51) goals. Pominville has close to 50 points and only two minor penalties. Granlund and Tarasenko have just six minors and are in the Top 20 in NHL “I remember back in 1980, I thought the tie might go to points-per-game scoring. for both of us and I’d missed one when I was sick. But somebody said that year ‘no, no, it’s goals,’’’ recalled Gretzky. “It’s almost 40 years since I did it (Dionne vs Gretzky) and nobody knew there would be a kid Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 04.08.2017 coming along like Connor … I mean, there’s no reason why he can’t beat Crosby (points) anyway. He’s capable of it. But, like I said, he can’t tie for the scoring,” said Gretzky. Here’s who I think should win this season's awards, with runners-up: Hart. 1. McDavid 2. Crosby 3. Brent Burns, San Jose. Twenty even-strength goals, six game-winners Norris (top defenceman) 1. Burns 2. Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay). 3. Erik Karlsson (Ottawa). Burns's game has dropped off in the last month, but it couldn’t stay that hot. He’s the most colourful defenceman in the league — with tattoos, his snake collection, long beard, long hair, what comes out of his unfiltered mouth — plus he’s learned how to defend and play against other teams' top lines to go along with his almost point-a-game pace. Hedman is a great big-man D, a great skater for a player who stands six-foot-six, also with a huge wingspan to defend. Karlsson is the same sort of player as Burns but not as good this season. Calder (top rookie). 1. Auston Matthews (Toronto) 2. Patrik Laine (Winnipeg) 1057651 Florida Panthers Assistant general manager Steve Werier tweeted that everyone just had to “believe the process” — only he put a duck emjoi followed by a “-ing” before “process.” Hyde: After self-inflicted setback season, can Panthers please put Dale At some point, when the Panthers lost eight of their next nine games, that Tallon back in charge? | Commentary tweet with the duck emoji disappeared. As did this Panthers season. And the hope hockey would make a comeback into South Florida’s sports consciousness. Staff Report The hope now is that Viola and Cifu, who are obviously smart guys, are Sun Sentinel Columnist smart enough to put a proven hockey guy back in charge. Tallon is sitting there. The question isn’t really if he’s the best guy for this job.

The question is whether, after watching his good organization be If I own the Panthers, I hand the keys back to Dale Tallon. I pray he systematically dismantled, Tallon even wants the job. convinces Gerard Gallant to return as coach. I close my eyes and pretend this year never happened. The Panthers delivered their traditional parting gift to a lost season Sun Sentinel LOADED: 04.08.2017 Thursday night by having players take off game jerseys and hand them to fans. The braintrust that oversaw the train wreck this season did that jersey tradition one better. They were undressed completely. Everyone can see, in retrospect, how the front office crushed this season with self-inflicted mistakes. A year ago, the Panthers were an ascending NHL franchise by any regular-season measure — wins, points, division title, talented young players, blue-ribbon organization and that conversational metric of closest South Florida team to a title. Then the Panthers’ owners, Vinny Viola and Doug Cifu, decided to “fix” their “problems.” Tallon, whose golden personnel decisions as GM built the team, was oddly kicked upstairs to the nebulous role of president of hockey operations. His roster was changed, his organization dismantled. It wasn’t just Tallon’s lieutenant, Scott Luce, who was fired and immediately snatched up by expansion Las Vegas. It was scouts who left. The support staff that players count on was made over: New trainers, equipment guys, medical people, travel coordinator. ... Small things, in some cases. But they add up as anyone inside a business knows. As it worked out, the face of the franchise this year wasn’t Aleksander Barkov or Vincent Trocheck or some other player on ice. It was Tom Rowe. He hadn’t been a general manager or head coach of a NHL team until this year. Now he’s been both. And did he distinguish himself in either job? It sounded noble of Rowe to admit the other day he didn’t get the job done. But why did he get the jobs? His mysterious ascent came at the expense of others and was one of the stranger gambles by a franchise that had so much working well. Rowe and others of equal inexperience in the front office didn’t just convince the team owners they held the answers over a hockey mind like Tallon. They re-made the roster with those ideas. That meant getting some good, puck-moving defensemen like Mark Pysyk, Keith Yandle and Jason Demers. They’ll tell you these players’ numbers were just as expected, too. Which they were. But that only underlines how wrong the larger blueprint was. This isn’t fantasy hockey. The mix of talent matters. The trade of defenseman Erik Gudbranson, for instance, didn’t just net nothing for this year. It left the Panthers without a tough-guy defenseman. That showed on the ice. Maybe they had to trade Gudbranson considering his contract had one year left. Or maybe Tallon, who loved Gudbranson for all he brought, could have worked out a deal if he’d been in charge. Who knows? Tallon had his diminished role expanded as the disappointment wore on this year. It’s not back to what it was, though. He might not even be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again, considering the organization he took five years to build is in tatters. But he’s the Panthers’ best hope. He knows these players best. He’s an experienced hockey mind in a franchise full of unproven ones. This inexperience showed on a daily basis, too. The firing of Gallant at the first opportunity. The reaction to criticism like sports newbies. The inability to see how players didn’t respect Rowe. When the Panthers came back from a celebrated 5-0 road trip in early March, everyone in the franchise acted like the season already was a full success. Rowe didn’t talk about the playoffs being a possibility — they were a certainty. 1057652 Florida Panthers Matheson and Malgin scored goals Thursday, while McCoshen notched his first NHL point in his first NHL game.

Panthers missed Petrovic's toughness and stability on blue line Sun Sentinel LOADED: 04.08.2017

Harvey Fialkov Contact Reporter Sun Sentinel

A lot has been said about the Panthers disappointing season being tied to the long-term injuries to top-six forwards Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick Bjugstad and Aleksander Barkov. That certainly was a factor, as the trio has missed a combined 97 games and counting. But often overlooked is the early-season loss of top-six defenseman Alex Petrovic, who was out for 33 games from Nov.17 to Jan. 23 with a broken ankle. Petrovic, 25, who seemingly blossomed during last season’s first-round playoff loss to the Islanders with a goal and three assists and plus-5, picked off where he left off in October. He was leading the Panthers with a plus-8 in the first 16 games before a blocked shot shattered his ankle on Nov. 15 against the Canadiens. The Panthers were 8-7-1 with him and then lost 21 of 33 (12-12-9) without the 6-foot-4 defenseman, the most physical presence on the blue line who always sticks up for his teammates. Excluding rookie Mike Matheson (who played three regular-season games last year), only Petrovic and Aaron Ekblad were returning from the top-six defensive corps, so the chemistry was severely lacking without him. “It affected us,’’ Panthers interim coach Tom Rowe said recently. “Every injury affected us when we had guys out for as long as we did. “Petro made great strides last year and probably played his best hockey in the playoffs, which is a great sign when a guy could play under that kind of pressure in such an intense series. “He’s trending in the right direction, but has to continue because we’re counting on him in a big way. His consistency has improved a great deal from last year to this year and that’s the biggest thing for him.’’ Only Mark Pysyk has a better plus-minus (0) among defensemen than Petrovic’s minus-3. He has a goal and 13 assists while averaging a career-high 17:57 ice time. His 105 hits are one shy of Jason Demers, the leader among defensemen in 33 less games. “It sucks getting hurt early in the year,’’ Petrovic said. “You train all summer to make the playoffs like last year. We were pumped coming into next year. It’s tough. Now we’re at this point. “It’s a learning curve. Whatever experience you get you got to learn from. I’ll work harder this summer to keep getting better. “I believe I could be a top-four, top-two D-man one day, but I just want to be in the playoffs. That’s where I get my drive. Two years ago we were in the same position, not playing for anything, just waiting for the year to end. That sucks.’’ Petrovic is a restricted free agent this summer, so the Panthers are expected to work on an extension. There is a concern that he could be left unprotected in the June expansion draft in which the Panthers can either protect three defensemen in one scenario or eight combined forwards and defensemen in another. Panthers All-Star center Vincent Trocheck took no solace in finally snapping a 17-game goal drought when he scored his 23rd in Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Blues. He was more interested in his rookie teammates, such as Matheson, Ian McCoshen and MacKenzie Weegar, as well as center Denis Malgin, learning a lesson. “It’s no fun for us,’’ Trocheck said. “We thought we would be in a playoff spot, maybe go further than we did last year. These [young] guys are part of our future. “With McCoshen and Weegar coming up who haven’t been here, to see the true pain that it it really is to not make the playoffs. “To see everyone’s reaction after a loss and see how bad guys really wanted to be in the playoffs, that’s kind of a wake-up call that no matter how good a team you have on paper at the beginning of the season anything can happen. “There’s a lot of good teams in this league so you only get a few chances at taking the Cup, so you got to take advantage of it.’’ 1057653 Los Angeles Kings

Three takeaways from the Kings' 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames

Kevin Baxter

The Kings made the playoffs six times in the last seven years, advancing to the Western Conference quarterfinals five times and winning two Stanley Cups. So this spring’s early exit has taken a little getting used to, as Thursday’s flat, 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames showed. Here are three examples of where that adjustment has gone poorly. 1. Staying focused when there’s nothing to play for is a challenge “It’s disappointing when you’re eliminated,” Jarome Iginla said. “At the same time, once you get in the game, you want to win it. When you get out there you forget about all that other stuff, you just want to win the game and enjoy playing it, playing hard, playing the right way.” But the NHL is so balanced that losing even a little bit of sharpness can be decisive. “It’s a tough league and it’s very competitive,” Iginla said. “And … those little edges at different times make a big difference. It got away from us there in the second period, and they were sharper than we were.” 2. That second period was an exclamation point The second-period letdown Iginla was talking about resulted in three Calgary goals, turning a tie game into a rout. And since the Flames came in having won 32 consecutive games when leading after two periods, going into the second intermission up 4-1 meant there was probably no good reason to play the third period. “They got what they needed and got ahead and took control of the game,” Iginla said. “We gave up a few too many of those break[away]s. And in the second period it got away.” 3. Poor Pacific Division results helped sink Kings The last time the Kings were out of playoff contention with a week left in the regular season was 2009. Darryl Sutter was general manager of the Flames then and just five players from that team remain on the roster. The last time the Kings missed the postseason at all was 2015, following three consecutive appearances in the Western Conference finals and two Stanley Cups. And their failure to qualify this season is partially the result of a 12-14-2 record in the Pacific Division. “It’s new for this group,” Sutter said of the early exit. “When this team didn’t make the playoffs after winning a championship, they quite honest, for the lack of a better word, busted their ass to try and make the playoffs. They just didn’t have enough left. You could see it, and that was after three really hard years. “This is totally different. You’ve got a lot of players, even though they might’ve been here a year or two, they haven’t been prominent parts. They have not gotten the experience in winning. They do not have the experience of playoffs. We don’t match up in our division very well, and we certainly did not tonight, and it’s clear.”

LA Times: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057654 Los Angeles Kings

Kings falter in second period, giving up three goals in a 4-1 loss to the Flames

Kevin Baxter

The Kings staged their annual Fan Appreciation Night on Thursday, four days after the team was eliminated from contention for a playoff berth, something the fans really would have appreciated. Instead they got a team that was simply playing out the string, giving up three second-period goals in a 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. The game meant little to the Kings in the standings, but it was important for slumping Calgary, which needed a win to keep pace with victorious Nashville in the race for the Western Conference’s top wild-card berth. “We certainly realize that we can be the spoilers of the seeding or whatever,” captain Anze Kopitar said of the Kings, who finish the season with Chicago and the Ducks, two other teams battling for playoff positioning. But that, he added, isn’t the team’s primary focus. “We’ve got to look at ourselves,” he said. “Our game and how we perform.” They didn’t perform very well against Calgary. Two days after scoring six goals against Edmonton, the Kings got one on 28 shots against Calgary. And they gave up a power-play goal on the Flames’ first man-advantage opportunity. That goal came on a Sam Bennett one-timer from the top of the slot five minutes into the game and it was the third first-period power-play goal the Kings’ once-invincible penalty kill has allowed in as many games. The Kings got that back less than two minutes later, with Trevor Lewis rifling a shot in from the center of the right faceoff circle. But the Flames caught a big break to go ahead for good early in the second period. Dennis Wideman, who had been serving time for roughing, came out of the box just as Calgary’s penalty killers gained control of the puck deep in their own end. That left Wideman well behind the Kings defense, where he collected a long clearance from Micheal Ferland, launching him on a breakaway he finished by wristing a shot behind goalie Ben Bishop’s legs. Freddie Hamilton doubled the advantage midway through the period, shoving a wraparound in at the left post, and four minutes later Alex Chiasson redirected T.J. Brodie’s long slap slot in to give the Flames a 4- 1 advantage. At the end of the period the unappreciative fans sent the Kings off to a smattering of boos.

LA Times: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057655 Los Angeles Kings

Jarome Iginla seeks milestone goal as Kings face Blackhawks

April 7, 2017 Updated 3:36 p.m. By ELLIOTT TEAFORD / STAFF WRITER

BLACKHAWKS AT KINGS Update: Kings forward Jarome Iginla needs one goal in his final two games to break his deadlock with Joe Sakic for 15th place on the NHL’s all-time list with 625. Iginla also is one point away from reaching 1,300 for his career. ... Iginla, 39, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and has said he hasn’t decided whether to sign a new contract and continue his Hall of Fame-caliber career or retire. ... The Kings (38-35-7) were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday. The Kings complete their disappointing season Sunday against the playoff-bound Ducks at Honda Center. ... Anze Kopitar’s streak of leading the Kings in scoring will end at nine consecutive seasons. Jeff Carter leads the Kings with 63 points, including 32 goals. Kopitar has 49 points, including a team-high 37 assists. Michael Cammalleri was the last player not named Kopitar to lead the Kings in scoring when had 80 points in 2006-07. ... The Blackhawks’ game against the Kings is their regular-season finale. The Blackhawks (50-23-8) don’t have anything to play for, having clinched the best record in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage for the first three rounds of the playoffs.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057656 Los Angeles Kings

Bob Miller’s memorable calls, resume and Hall of Fame plaque

April 7, 2017 Updated 3:36 p.m. By TOM HOFFARTH / STAFF WRITER

2012 STANLEY CUP “One minute to go … the Kings are going to be Stanley Cup champions … 46 seconds to go… And now 34 seconds to go … This is for you, Kings fans … wherever you may be. All the frustration and disappointment of the past is gone. The 45-year drought is over. The Los Angeles Kings are indeed the kings of the National Hockey League. They are the 2012 Stanley Cup champions. … three .. two … one … it’s over!” “Here on the left side Martinez .. over to Clifford … right side … shot from there … and a save and a rebound … score! The Kings win the Cup! … Martinez getting the rebound … The Kings have won the Stanley Cup! The Kings, in the longest game in their history, win it 3-2 … Royalty reigns again in the National Hockey League. For the second time in three years, the Los Angeles Kings have ascended to the throne. The Kings are the 2014 Stanley Cup champions.” “Give it to Gretzky, the trailer … to McSorley … back in front to Gretzky … he scores! Wayne Gretzky’s NHL resume is now complete. He’s the all-time leader in points, assists and now with his 802nd goal, the all-time leading goal scorer in the history of the National Hockey League.” “Forever and ever, from this day on, that plaque is going to hang in the Hall of Fame. And I want to thank each and everyone one of you for making this one of the most cherished days of my life.” Hired in 1973 by the Long Angeles Kings as their play-by-play announcer, Bob Miller has called over 2,200 NHL games. As the long- standing “Voice of the Kings,” Miller became one of six inaugural members of the Los Angeles Kings Hall of Fame in 1997. The Kings also named the press box at the Staples Center in Bob Miller’s honour. He was also honoured in 1997 as California’s “Sportscaster of the Year” and given a lifetime contract by the Kings.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057657 Los Angeles Kings “Yet, I remember from the moment they dropped the puck, it was the most challenging play by play I had ever done, trying to keep up with the speed of the game at a pace where the listener, especially on the radio, An appreciation of Bob Miller frozen in our memory could get a picture in his mind of what’s going on the ice. You keep up with what’s going on in the moment.

“And I thought, ‘I love this. I love getting a call right on a scoring play.’ April 7, 2017 Updated 3:35 p.m. That’s what was in my mind. I really enjoy doing this sport. It’s been the enjoyment I’ve had all these years.” By TOM HOFFARTH / STAFF WRITER Appreciate how Bob Miller seized that opportunity, and then another one when the Kings offered him a chance to help educate a city full of desert dwellers about the game starting in 1973. One way or another, you learn to appreciate how a conversation with Bob Miller will take an unexpected alternative route that not even a When Jim Fox’s playing career with the Kings ended in 1990, and a job Google map can easily track. in the front office that would eventually lead to a broadcasting spot opened up on TV, he might not have fully understood what he was Wednesday afternoon, for example, Miller started talking about how getting into. growing up in Chicago, it was kind of strange that his boyhood sports hero was Detroit Tigers outfielder Al Kaline. Someone else who also “It was almost snobbish of me – I kind of looked down at my new job. I captured his attention was a Philadelphia Phillies “Whiz Kids” pitcher who didn’t think broadcasting was as important as playing,” says Fox, Miller’s won the first eight decisions of his rookie season and ended up starting a partner for the past 27 seasons when they split off the radio-TV game in that 1950 World Series. simulcast. His name was also Bob Miller. “What Bob taught me, and what I also heard from my parents, was a real life lesson – find pride in your job. I saw Bob come in every day, “We rarely went to Wrigley Field – but we went one day to see Bob Miller prepared, notes, a professional call of the game with all its ups and pitch and I’m sure I have his autograph somewhere in a book.” downs. He was always there. And it finally hit me: Get off your high horse Mostly, Miller’s boyhood was spent on the South Side as as a White Sox and have pride. That’s an intangible. He didn’t have to sit me down and fan. tell that to me. I learned it from him.” “One time – I must have been 12 or 13 – my friend and I were at Another thing Fox appreciates as a student in the Broadcasting School of Comiskey Park and there was a rain delay. It was pouring rain in the Bob Miller is how to live and learn. seventh inning. The teams were off the field. I looked down at the first- “When you work together long enough, you can step on the other base dugout and noticed there was no usher or security guard. So I ran person’s call, make mistakes, you’re always evaluating your own work to down there – my friend didn’t go with me – I hopped over the fence and try to get better. With Bob, it was, OK, that happened, let’s move on. He just sat in the first-base dugout. Still, there’s no security person kicking never carried a grudge, if that’s the right word. Clean slate. me out of there. “Coaches say all the time, don’t let what happened in the past hurt the “So, I decided I’m going to see what it’s like to be at home plate. At this future. When I played, I was very emotional and things could carry over. point, I don’t care if they see me and kick me out. All the fans are up But Bob, with his sense of humor that works personally as well as there in the overhang, staying out of the rain. So I ran out to home plate, professionally, always got me back on track on the booth. stepped in the batter’s box and took a few imaginary swings. “New play, new call, new game.” “And, still, no one was kicking me out. Vin Scully, Chick Hearn and Bob Miller all have their own star on the “So, I thought, why not go to the third-base dugout. I sat down there for a Hollywood Walk of Fame. couple of minutes. No one comes out. Miller’s marker at 6771 Hollywood Blvd., is right between the Hollywood “Now I got brave and went down the tunnel to the locker room, and Wax Museum a few steps to the west and – we’re not making this up – there’s the catcher, Sherm Lollar, smoking a cigarette with the pitcher, the Museum of Broken Relationships a few steps the other way. Billy Pierce. I hopped up right next to them and said, ‘Hey Sherm!” They look at me like, ‘Who’s he? One of the player’s kids?’ The three broadcasting legends have a permanent relationship in Southern California sports and the regional growth of baseball, basketball “So then I head for the clubhouse, and I get one foot into the door, and and hockey. They are linked, compared and embraced. And now they’re finally someone yells, ‘Hey, get outta here!’ officially all signed off. “Can you believe I got that far and no one stopped me on that whole If Scully was like our sports grandfather, and Hearn was like our colorful journey until then?” sports uncle, Miller’s personality fit in as our sports dad. Heavens no. Another time, another era. Like Robert Young in “Father Knows Best,” or Fred MacMurray in “My Just like it’s hard to believe Bob Miller’s journey as the Kings’ play-by- Three Sons.” The every-man sense of responsibility, with a sense of play man has come to this point. No one in Southern California wants to humor. stop him, either. It’s just that time. “I think of Chick as our rock star – Chickie Baby – and Vin, as gracious In a perfect scenario, without any of the health concerns that have and humble as he was, it was still like meeting the Pope, like talking to emerged in the last year and a half to factor in, Miller thought that as he some deity,” said John Ondrasik, the singer-songwriter best known as turned 78 to start this season, and the way it lined up as the Kings’ 50th Five for Fighting. season, this would be the moment to step away and begin retirement. “But with Bob … he’s like your friend. Just that guy. “I think that’s long enough,” Miller admitted this week, noting his 57 years “When the team won the Stanley Cup in 2012, to a person, I think the in the sports broadcasting business and 44 seasons with the Kings. “I one we were happiest to see as it happened wasn’t (team owner) Phil was thinking at the start of the season, it would probably be my last. I’m Anschutz or (coach) Darryl Sutter or (captain) Dustin Brown, it was Bob fine with this.” Miller. That shows how much he means to Kings fans. That’s the time I At Miller’s retirement announcement news conference last month at cried, when I saw Bob hold the Cup over his head. He was all of us. Staples Center, he acknowledged his goal as a kid was to become a pro Players come and go, but most of us have never heard a Kings game baseball player. When that didn’t happen as he played at the University without Bob. of Iowa, he could at least call their football and basketball games. “Sports has this irrational place in our lives in that it always seems to go Doing play-by-play for the University of Wisconsin football and on forever. But now we’re looking at our sports mortality. The trauma has basketball, Miller said: “One day, a Tuesday afternoon, I’m walking down more to do with us than with them, but we don’t want to admit that. It’s the hall at the radio station and the program manager said to me, ‘This fine and natural and maybe no city has been blessed as well we have to Friday and Saturday, I meant to tell you, we’re doing Wisconsin hockey have these three for all these decades.” … and you’re doing the play-by-play.’ Their hockey team got really good Another story Miller has about growing up in Chicago when he was with under their coach, 'Badger' Bob Johnson. that same friend who didn’t dare go on the Comiskey Park field during “I had never done a game. I watched the Blackhawks, but as everybody the baseball rain delay: knows, it’s a lot different doing a broadcast than just watching a game. “Chicago had the Bears and the Cardinals, and the Cardinals played at Comiskey Park. My friend and I were at a Bears-Cardinals game during a blizzard, and by halftime it was so unbelievable that we were sure that people leaving the game would never get home. “But we didn’t care. “I looked down toward that first-base dugout again, that same fence I hopped over before, and I said, ‘Let’s go down to the benches’ – that was when both teams were on the same sideline. We weren’t Cardinals’ fans, so we walked past them to the Bears’ bench, where everyone there is huddled in their parkas, and a security guard yells, ‘Hey, you two, get out of here.’ “So we head down to the Cardinals’ bench, and they’re in their capes trying to stay warm. No one’s paying attention to us. All of the sudden, the Cardinals quarterback comes on an end around, he’s knocked out of bounds in front of us and a huge fight starts. We’re right in the midst of it all. It scared me to death. “No one had to kick us out then. We got out of there. “I wouldn’t recommend anyone try doing that today – besides, I don’t think they would get that far.” Bob Miller can appreciate the fact that when he’s far down on the ice after the Kings-Blackhawks game on Saturday, following the call of his last home game, they'll let him stay as long as he likes.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057658 Los Angeles Kings

Iginla seeks milestone goal as Kings face Blackhawks

By Elliott Teaford, Daily Breeze POSTED: 04/07/17, 2:32 PM PDT | UPDATED: 9 HRS AGO # COMMENTS

Update: Kings forward Jarome Iginla needs one goal in his final two games to break his deadlock with Joe Sakic for 15th place on the NHL’s all-time list with 625. Iginla also is one point away from reaching 1,300 for his career. ... The 39-year-old Iginla is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and has said he hasn’t decided whether to sign a new contract and continue his Hall of Fame-caliber career or retire. ... The Kings (38-35-7) were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday. The Kings complete their disappointing season Sunday against the playoff- bound Ducks at Honda Center. ... Anze Kopitar’s streak of leading the Kings in scoring will end at nine consecutive seasons. Jeff Carter leads the Kings with 63 points, including 32 goals. Kopitar has 49 points, including a team-high 37 assists. Michael Cammalleri was the last player not named Kopitar to lead the Kings in scoring when had 80 points in 2006-07. ... The Blackhawks’ game against the Kings is their regular- season finale. The Blackhawks (50-23-8) don’t have anything to play for, having clinched the best record in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage for the first three rounds of the playoffs.

LA Daily News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057659 Los Angeles Kings

Bob Miller’s memorable calls, resume and Hall of Fame plaque

By Tom Hoffarth, Los Angeles Daily News POSTED: 04/07/17, 2:32 PM PDT | UPDATED: 9 HRS AGO # COMMENTS

• 2012 Stanley Cup: “One minute to go … the Kings are going to be Stanley Cup champions … 46 seconds to go… And now 34 seconds to go … This is for you, Kings fans … wherever you may be. All the frustration and disappointment of the past is gone. The 45-year drought is over. The Los Angeles Kings are indeed the kings of the National Hockey League. They are the 2012 Stanley Cup champions. … three .. two … one … it’s over!” • 2014 Stanley Cup: “Here on the left side Martinez .. over to Clifford … right side … shot from there … and a save and a rebound … score! The Kings win the Cup! … Martinez getting the rebound … The Kings have won the Stanley Cup! The Kings, in the longest game in their history, win it 3-2 … Royalty reigns again in the National Hockey League. For the second time in three years, the Los Angeles Kings have ascended to the throne. The Kings are the 2014 Stanley Cup champions.” • Wayne Gretzky becomes the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer in March 1994: “Give it to Gretzky, the trailer … to McSorley … back in front to Gretzky … he scores! Wayne Gretzky’s NHL resume is now complete. He’s the all-time leader in points, assists and now with his 802nd goal, the all-time leading goal scorer in the history of the National Hockey League.” • Bob Miller’s Hockey Hall of Fame plaque in 2000: Hired in 1973 by the Long Angeles Kings as their play-by-play announcer, Bob Miller has called over 2,200 NHL games. As the long- standing “Voice of the Kings,” Miller became one of six inaugural members of the Los Angeles Kings Hall of Fame in 1997. The Kings also named the press box at the Staples Center in Bob Miller’s honour. He was also honoured in 1997 as California’s “Sportscaster of the Year” and given a lifetime contract by the Kings. • From Miller’s Hockey Hall of Fame induction speech: “Forever and ever, from this day on, that plaque is going to hang in the Hall of Fame. And I want to thank each and everyone one of you for making this one of the most cherished days of my life.”

LA Daily News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057660 Los Angeles Kings “I had never done a game. I watched the Blackhawks, but as everybody knows, it’s a lot different doing a broadcast than just watching a game.

“Yet, I remember from the moment they dropped the puck, it was the Bob Miller — an appreciation frozen in our memory most challenging play by play I had ever done, trying to keep up with the speed of the game at a pace where the listener, especially on the radio, could get a picture in his mind of what’s going on the ice. You keep up By Tom Hoffarth, Los Angeles Daily News with what’s going on in the moment. POSTED: 04/07/17, 2:32 PM PDT | UPDATED: 9 HRS AGO # “And I thought, ‘I love this. I love getting a call right on a scoring play.’ COMMENTS That’s what was in my mind. I really enjoy doing this sport. It’s been the enjoyment I’ve had all these years.”

Appreciate how Bob Miller seized that opportunity, and then another one One way or another, you learn to appreciate how a conversation with when the Kings offered him a chance to help educate a city full of desert Bob Miller will take an unexpected alternative route that not even a dwellers about the game starting in 1973. Google map can easily track. When Jim Fox’s playing career with the Kings ended in 1990, and a job Wednesday afternoon, for example, Miller started about how growing up in the front office that would eventually lead to a broadcasting spot in Chicago, it was kind of strange that his boyhood sports hero was opened up on TV, he might not have fully understood what he was Detroit Tigers outfielder Al Kaline. Someone else who also captured his getting into. attention was a Philadelphia Phillies “Whiz Kids” pitcher who won the first eight decisions of his rookie season and ended up starting a game in that “It was almost snobbish of me – I kind of looked down at my new job. I 1950 World Series. didn’t think broadcasting was as important as playing,” says Fox, Miller’s partner for the past 27 seasons when they split off the radio-TV His name was also Bob Miller. simulcast. “We rarely went to Wrigley Field – but we went one day to see Bob Miller “What Bob taught me, and what I also heard from my parents, was a real pitch and I’m sure I have his autograph somewhere in a book.” life lesson – find pride in your job. I saw Bob come in every day, prepared, notes, a professional call of the game with all its ups and Mostly, Miller’s boyhood was spent on the South Side as as a White Sox downs. He was always there. And it finally hit me: Get off your high horse fan. and have pride. That’s an intangible. He didn’t have to sit me down and “One time – I must have been 12 or 13 – my friend and I were at tell that to me. I learned it from him.” Comiskey Park and there was a rain delay. It was pouring rain in the Another thing Fox appreciates as a student in the Broadcasting School of seventh inning. The teams were off the field. I looked down at the first- Bob Miller is how to live and learn. base dugout and noticed there was no usher or security guard. So I ran down there – my friend didn’t go with me – I hopped over the fence and “When you work together long enough, you can step on the other just sat in the first-base dugout. Still, there’s no security person kicking person’s call, make mistakes, you’re always evaluating your own work to me out of there. try to get better. With Bob, it was, OK, that happened, let’s move on. He never carried a grudge, if that’s the right word. Clean slate. “So, I decided I’m going to see what it’s like to be at home plate. At this point, I don’t care if they see me and kick me out. All the fans are up “Coaches say all the time, don’t let what happened in the past hurt the there in the overhang, staying out of the rain. So I ran out to home plate, future. When I played, I was very emotional and things could carry over. stepped in the batter’s box and took a few imaginary swings. But Bob, with his sense of humor that works personally as well as professionally, always got me back on track on the booth. “And, still, no one was kicking me out. “New play, new call, new game.” “So, I thought, why not go to the third-base dugout. I sat down there for a couple of minutes. No one comes out. Appreciate Bob Miller’s patience and persistence to do it right. “Now I got brave and went down the tunnel to the locker room, and Vin Scully, Chick Hearn and Bob Miller all have their own star on the there’s the catcher, Sherm Lollar, smoking a cigarette with the pitcher, Hollywood Walk of Fame. Billy Pierce. I hopped up right next to them and said, ‘Hey Sherm!” They look at me like, ‘Who’s he? One of the player’s kids?’ Miller’s marker at 6771 Hollywood Blvd., is right between the Hollywood Wax Museum a few steps to the west and – we’re not making this up – “So then I head for the clubhouse, and I get one foot into the door, and the Museum of Broken Relationships a few steps the other way. finally someone yells, ‘Hey, get outta here!’ The three broadcasting legends always have a permanent relationship in “Can you believe I got that far and no one stopped me on that whole Southern California sports and the regional growth of baseball, basketball journey until then?” and hockey. They are linked, compared and embraced. And now they’re officially all signed off. Heavens no. Another time, another era. If Scully was like our sports grandfather, and Hearn was like our colorful Just like it’s hard to believe Bob Miller’s journey as the Kings’ play-by- sports uncle, Miller’s personality fit in as our sports dad. play man has come to this point. No one in Southern California wants to stop him, either. It’s just that time. Like Robert Young in “Father Knows Best,” or Fred MacMurray in “My Three Sons.” The every-man sense of responsibility, with a sense of In a perfect scenario, without any of the health concerns that have humor. emerged in the last year and a half to factor in, Miller thought that as he turned 78 to start this season, and the way it lined up as the Kings’ 50th “I think of Chick as our rock star – Chickie Baby – and Vin, as gracious season, this would be the moment to step away and begin retirement. and humble as he was, it was still like meeting the Pope, like talking to some deity,” said John Ondrasik, the singer-songwriter best known as “I think that’s long enough,” Miller admitted this week, noting his 57 years Five for Fighting. in the sports broadcasting business and 44 seasons with the Kings. “I was thinking at the start of the season, it would probably be my last. I’m “But with Bob … he’s like your friend. Just that guy. fine with this.” “When the team won the Stanley Cup in 2012, to a person, I think the At Miller’s retirement announcement press conference last month at one we were most happiest to see as it happened wasn’t (team owner) Staples Center, he admitted his goal as a kid was to grow up and Phil Anschutz or (coach) Darryl Sutter or (captain) Dustin Brown, it was become a pro baseball player. When that didn’t happen as he played at Bob Miller. That shows how much he means to Kings fans. That’s the the University of Iowa, he could at least call their football and basketball time I cried, when I saw Bob hold the Cup over his head. He was all of games. us. Players come and go, but most of us have never heard a Kings game without Bob. Doing play-by-play for the University of Wisconsin football and basketball, Miller said: “One day, a Tuesday afternoon, I’m walking down “Sports has this irrational place in our lives in that it always seems to go the hall at the radio station and the program manager said to me, ‘This on forever. But now we’re looking at our sports mortality. The trauma has Friday and Saturday, I meant to tell you, we’re doing Wisconsin hockey more to do with us than with them, but we don’t want to admit that. It’s … and you’re doing the play-by-play.’ Their hockey team got really good fine and natural and maybe no city has been blessed as well we have to under their coach, ‘Badger’ Bob Johnson. have these three for all these decades.” Appreciate all that we’ve had. Another story Miller has about growing up in Chicago when he was with that same friend who didn’t dare go on the Comiskey Park field during the baseball rain delay: “Chicago had the Bears and the Cardinals, and the Cardinals played at Comiskey Park. My friend and I were at a Bears-Cardinals game during a blizzard, and by halftime it was so unbelievable that we were sure that people leaving the game would never get home. “But we didn’t care. “I looked down toward that first-base dugout again, that same fence I hopped over before, and I said, ‘Let’s go down to the benches’ – that was when both teams were on the same sideline. We weren’t Cardinals’ fans, so we walked past them to the Bears’ bench, where everyone there is huddled in their parkas, and a security guard yells, ‘Hey, you two, get out of here.’ “So we head down to the Cardinals’ bench, and they’re in their capes trying to stay warm. No one’s paying attention to us. All of the sudden, the Cardinals quarterback comes on an end around, he’s knocked out of bounds in front of us and a huge fight starts. We’re right in the midst of it all. It scared me to death. “No one had to kick us out then. We got out of there. “I wouldn’t recommend anyone try doing that today – besides, I don’t think they would get that far.” Bob Miller can appreciate the fact that when he’s far down on the ice after the Kings-Blackhawks game on Saturday, following the call of his last home game, they’ll let him stay as long as he likes.

LA Daily News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057661 Los Angeles Kings LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.08.2017 Going pro was a no-brainer for Roy, but adjustment period starts now

Lindsay Czarnecki April 7, 20170

This is just the beginning for Matt Roy and the decision to go pro and forgo his senior season was a no-brainer: “Absolutely. Once I had the opportunity to come out here, I jumped on it,” he said earlier this week. “My season ended on [a] Saturday and so I traveled back with my teammates, back to school at Michigan Tech and I had an offer the next day,” Roy recalled. “I was lucky enough to sign it that Sunday night and started the process of moving out on Monday.” The 22-year-old, 6-foot, 200-pound defenseman signed a two-year entry level contract with the Kings on March 27. Since then, he’s reported to the Reign and dressed in all three games he’s been eligible to play, making his pro debut on March 31 against Bakersfield. In his second game, he earned his first assist on a secondary helper by moving the puck on the blue line to Cameron Schilling, whose shot was tipped in by Joel Lowry. Through three games, playing mostly alongside Zac Leslie, Roy has an assist, two penalty minutes and a minus-two rating. “I think he did pretty good,” head coach Mike Stothers said of Roy’s debut. “I didn’t really know what to expect from Matty. I’ve seen him at development camp. I’ve seen him doing off-ice workouts and stuff like that. Looks good, but until you get in a game situation. He’s a bigger body than I thought, too. He’s a pretty thick kid. I thought he played a steady game. I wouldn’t say he was flashy by any stretch but he got around the ice, he made some good passes. Got an assist doing what he should be doing. It’s tough. It’s hard for those guys to come in. Sometimes you’re taking a spot of someone who’s been here all year or just coming in and not knowing anybody. It can be awkward. “He seems like a good kid. When they first come here they’re all pretty quiet.” His teammates though have been there to help with the transition on and off the ice. Some of the Reign’s players who have been through the college to pro leap understand what Roy is going through. “I think he’s doing well,” said forward Joel Lowry, who played at Cornell, on Monday. “It’s obviously a big jump from college. A lot of us have made that jump and know how it is.” Roy is currently rooming in a hotel with Quentin Shore, the younger brother of Kings forward Nick Shore, who Roy said is “showing me the ropes and taking care of me.” Before his first game, assistant captain Michael Mersch helped calm his nerves and gave Roy what he said was the best advice he’s received from a teammate so far. “It’s nice in the locker room the guys kept me loose a little bit,” Roy said. “Once I got my first shift out of the way I felt comfortable. The game seemed a little bit more my style, more structured. The guys were talking to me all weekend, helping me out as best they could so it’s been good. “Merschy said it’s just another hockey game. Just relax, just go play your game. He congratulated me on having my first game there and it was good to have him out there.” Away from the rink, when Roy left Michigan Tech he brought his studies with him and the work from his handful of classes to finish out the school year for his Sports and Fitness Management major. Last Sunday served as a homework cram day but the double duty between wrapping up school and taking on the world of AHL hockey hasn’t been easy. “Right now I’m just trying to focus as much on hockey as I can and hoping my teachers will help me out,” he said. This late-season Black Ace role is one of a crash course in getting-to- know-yous and more. On the ice, there’s only a little bit of previous experience with the Kings organization for Roy to draw from and the level of play is escalated. “At development camp I met some of the guys there, skated with them,” said Roy, whose drawn puck-moving comparisons to Paul LaDue. “The coaching staff, they worked with us last year a bit. I’m not too familiar but at least I have a little bit of a foundation with them. Right now we’re just building off of that, so it’s been good.” “The tempo’s a lot faster in practices here,” he added. “There’s not a lot of water breaks or anything, you’re just go, go, go the whole time. That’s been the biggest adjustment for me so far.” 1057662 Los Angeles Kings

APRIL 7: BUS TEXTS WITH STOTHERS

LINDSAY CZARNECKI APRIL 7, 20170 COMMENTS

This edition of Bus Texts with Stothers comes after a long week of travel, the Reign are heading home from San Diego with a spot clinched in the playoffs. Reign 4, San Diego 0 The Reign scored two power play goals in a 53-second span in the second period, goalie Jack Campbell made 30 saves for his fifth shutout of the season and clinched a playoff berth win a commanding win against the Ducks affiliate Friday night. Ontario’s all-important opening goal was scored by Sam Herr on a redirect of an Alexx Privitera shot at 14:38 of the first (they improved to 25-5-5-0 when scoring first). Early in the second period Michael Mersch took a high-stick from Andrew Welinski which resulted in a four-minute double minor and a power play that proved pivotal to the end result. Captain Vincent LoVerde made it 2- 0 as he came down the right wall and took a cross pass from Teddy Purcell to beat Gulls goalie Jhonas Enroth high. Mike Amadio then scored 53 seconds later using his own rebound to bank the puck off Enroth from behind the goal line for a 3-0 Ontario lead. Campbell had to hold strong early in the third — the Gulls’ Kalle Kossila hit a post, a play that had to be reviewed — and Amadio scored an empty netter with just under seven minutes remaining. The game also served as the return of heavy forward Justin Auger, who had missed the last six due to an upper-body injury. ORI: Hi, Stutts. Congrats on the win and the postseason berth. What went right tonight and how did you like this response from this group? Stothers: Thank you. The players have sacrificed, and competed, all season long and are very deserving of this accomplishment. We played a solid and responsible game tonight. We managed the puck well and kept it going north. We supported each other in all zones and our special teams came thru when needed. Soupy was dialed in and made the saves necessary. It was a great team effort, and a great team performance. ORI: Good to see Auger’s big body back out there as well I’m sure? Stothers: Sure was good to see the big fella back where he belongs. It was magnified even more when we lost Crescenzi and Bissonnette to injury in San Jose. We just can’t seem to get everyone healthy at the same time. Augie looked pretty good considering how long he was out. He is a big part of our team no doubt ORI: Enroth has given you guys trouble in the past. How were you able to break through especially on the crucial power play in the second? Stothers: He has played very well against us and so he should. He has carved out a pretty darn good career in the NHL. Tonight we did a good job of being busy in front of him. A lot of bodies were in front of him and a lot of pucks were directed at him. We used the back of the net well and got our point shots thru

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057663 Los Angeles Kings

APRIL 7 POSTGAME QUOTES: JACK CAMPBELL

LINDSAY CZARNECKI APRIL 7, 20170 COMMENTS

On the possibility of meeting San Diego in the postseason: Well, we’ll see about it. It will be a heck of a matchup. San Diego obviously was missing some guys tonight but they’re a heck of a team and they came hard and they don’t give up so it might be a great matchup. We’re just focused on getting in and just doing the best we can this weekend. On clinching a playoff berth in this kind of fashion: It’s a good feeling for sure getting into the playoffs. The boys played great tonight. I wouldn’t have done it without Zats. Zats was so supportive tonight and I just love him. Panda was playing great out there too. We had a great effort from everybody and just happy to be in the playoffs.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057664 Los Angeles Kings

REIGN PLAYOFF-BOUND FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON

LINDSAY CZARNECKI APRIL 7, 20170 COMMENTS

The Reign are headed to the postseason for a second straight season since the Ontario-based team became the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate. Heading into Friday, the Reign’s magic number to clinch a Calder Cup playoff berth was at three and they needed to earn at least a point in San Diego and get a little help from Bakersfield to secure a spot. Bakersfield lost 4-3 in San Antonio just shortly after 8 p.m. PT and the Reign took their 4-0 win in San Diego final nearly an hour and a half later to make it official. The Reign converted twice on a four-minute power play in the second period on goals by Vincent LoVerde and Mike Amadio just 53 seconds apart, and goalie Jack Campbell made 30 saves for his fifth shutout and 30th win to lead the Reign to the playoff-clincher. The Reign and Gulls, the Kings and Ducks affiliates respectively, appear as though they will face one another in the best-of-five first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Gulls (40-19-3-2; 664 winning percentage) sit at second in the Pacific and the Reign at third (34-20-10-0; .609). No. 1 and 4 seeds (currently San Jose and Stockton for the Pacific) in each division face one another in the first round while seeds 2 and 3 meet. The two also meet three more times in the Reign’s last four regular season games, including Saturday night in Ontario at 7 p.m. With Friday’s win, the Reign improved to 5-3-1-0 on the season against the Gulls. In 2015-16, the Reign defeated the Gulls four games to one in a seven- game second round series but were swept by eventual champ Lake Erie, now Cleveland, in the Western Conference Finals. The previous season the Kings’ AHL team was based in Manchester, N.H., and won the organization’s first Calder Cup before the affiliate moved to California.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057665 Los Angeles Kings –Tonight’s scratches: D Alex Lintuniemi, D Rob Scuderi, F Paul Bissonnette, D Kurtis MacDermid, F Andrew Crescenzi, F Devin Setoguchi, F Daniel Ciampini, D Zach Trotman. GAME 64: REIGN 4, SAN DIEGO 0 + POSTGAME NOTES/VIDEO –The Reign can clinch a playoff berth tonight under these two scenarios: 1. A win against San Diego AND a Bakersfield loss (regulation/OT/SO) at LINDSAY CZARNECKI APRIL 7, 20170 COMMENTS San Antonio OR GAME THREADSONTARIO REIGN 2. An OTL/SOL against San Diego AND a Bakersfield regulation loss at San Antonio Ontario Reign 4, San Diego Gulls 0 –Earlier today, forward Matt Luff was assigned to Ontario. Luff was SOG: ONT 32, SD 30 signed to a three-year entry-level deal by the Kings last September and recently finished up his season in junior. PP: ONT 2/6, SD 0/3 –The Reign have just five games left in their regular season and will face ONT starters: G Jack Campbell, D Vincent LoVerde, D Damir the Gulls in four of those contests. Ontario is 4-3-1-0 against the Gulls Sharipzianov, LW Brett Sutter, C Patrick Bjorkstrand, RW Philippe Maillet this season and 8-9-2-1 all-time. Five of the eight meetings have been decided by one goal. SD starters: G Jhonas Enroth, D Andrew Welinski, D Jeff Schultz, LW Jordan Samuels-Thomas, C Sam Carrick, RW Austin Ortega FIRST PERIOD LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1) ONT – Sam Herr (8) (Alexx Privitera, Patrick Bjorkstrand), 14:38 SECOND PERIOD 2) ONT PPG – Vincent LoVerde (8) (Teddy Purcell, T.J. Hensick), 5:37 3) ONT PPG – Mike Amadio (13) (Philippe Maillet), 6:30 THIRD PERIOD 4) ONT ENG – Mike Amadio (14) (Teddy Purcell), 13:07 POSTGAME NOTES –The Reign have clinched a playoff spot for a second straight season by virtue of this win and Bakersfield’s 4-3 loss against San Antonio. If the playoffs started Saturday, the Reign would face the Gulls in the best-of-5 first round. –With the win, the Reign improved to 34-20-10-0 overall and 4-3-1-0 against San Diego, which dropped to 40-19-3-2. Ontario improved to 28- 19-9-0 against Pacific Division opponents and 13-11-8-0 on the road. The two teams meet again on Saturday at Citizens Business Bank Arena. –The Reign’s Sam Herr scored the game’s opening goal and Ontario improved to 25-5-5-0 when scoring first. They also improved to 26-1-2-0 when leading going into the third. –Goalie Jack Campbell made 30 saves to earn his 30th win. The shutout was his fifth of the season and second against the Gulls. His record is now 30-14-6. –The Reign scored two power play goals (Vincent LoVerde and Mike Amadio) in a 53-second span in the second period. Overall, they won the special teams battle by going 2-for-6 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Their power play improved to 23.3 percent overall. –Amadio finished with two goals, the latter being an empty-netter. It was his first multi-goal game of the season. –Teddy Purcell had two assists and now has two goals and 10 assists in his last 11 games. T.J. Hensick added an assist and now has three goals and seven assists in his last 11. –The Reign outshot San Diego, 32-30, and were led by were Amadio’s five shots on goal. PREGAME NOTES –Here’s how the Reign are aligned tonight: Michael Mersch – Mike Amadio – Teddy Purcell Justin Auger – T.J. Hensick – Sean Backman Brett Sutter – Patrick Bjorkstrand – Philippe Maillet Joel Lowry – Quentin Shore – Sam Herr Damir Sharipzianov – Vincent LoVerde Cameron Schilling – Alexx Privitera Zac Leslie – Matt Roy 1057666 Los Angeles Kings

DOUGHTY ARTICULATES FRUSTRATING ASPECTS OF A SEASON ABOUT TO END

JON ROSEN APRIL 7, 20170 COMMENTS

The Los Angeles Kings held their final practice of the 2016-17 season on Friday, and while there didn’t appear to be any deviation in the focus or efforts during the skate, it did begin to feel like the final day of school was near. Exit meeting player availability will be next week, and a more thorough illustration of players’ sentiments will be shared then, but on Friday, Drew Doughty, a leader in both the team’s emotional involvement and its top executor of on-ice objectives, spoke about the most frustrating aspect of not playing past April 9. “The most frustrating? The fact that we have two more games to play and they don’t mean anything,” he said. “You come down to these games basically every season I’ve been here, besides my first season, these last two games meant something. These are the most fun games, the end of the season. And our last five games basically meant nothing. And to have that feeling, it sucks. It’s embarrassing and I think that we had a lot better in here this year and we obviously failed to be better. Everyone else is playing for a position in the playoffs, who they’re going to play and all that, and I wish we were, too. Because, like I said, the most fun time of the year is right now.” Continuing his reflection, he said he takes the early elimination “a little bit personally.” “I put a lot of that on my shoulders,” he said. “I did feel like I played well for the majority of the season but at times I could’ve been better and made a difference so it’s frustrating that at those times I didn’t step up and make a difference and help us out more.” Through 80 games, Doughty has 10 goals, 42 points, a plus-six rating and a 55.7% raw Corsi percentage. He has appeared in a team-best 242 consecutive games since his shoulder injury late in the 2013-14 season at San Jose. Doughty, on any message he might have for the fans as the season wraps up: You know what? My parents were actually in town this week, so they were at all the home games and they were shocked at what kind of support we had in the stands even though we were out of the playoff spot. [Reporter: I sat in the stands like two games ago.] Yeah, two games ago. [Reporter: I felt the same way. They were really upbeat.] So they were shocked at that and we felt it as players on the ice and that’s probably a big reason to why we beat Edmonton, is because of the fans. They kind of kept us in the game, so I guess to them, thanks for being there the whole time and even to the last game and next year we’re going to come back and try be on top again. Doughty, on whether he’ll play in the World Championships: I don’t think so. I don’t know yet, but I don’t think so.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057667 Minnesota Wild In 2014-15, after a contract dispute, Kuemper started the season with consecutive shutouts and a 6-2 record.

But in November, December and January, Kuemper and Niklas Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper hopes to find bright spot in rough season Backstrom struggled at the same time, the Wild had the worst save percentage in the NHL and the Wild acquired Dubnyk. By Michael Russo Star Tribune Kuemper played 21 games last season and 17 games this season, which is why goalie coach Bob Mason believes Kuemper’s game has taken a April 7, 2017 — 12:17PM turn for the worse. He often melts down in games when adversity strikes. One goal against can become two and three quickly.

“He’s very light in games played, so he gets very little traction,” Mason GLENDALE, ARIZ. – Once upon a time, Darcy Kuemper came through said. “There are tough moments in games where he hasn’t gotten the so often for the Wild, fans nicknamed him “The Kuemperor.” minutes to get through a lot of those. Being a goaltender, there are tight minutes where a span of minutes can be critical. The more you go When the Wild faces the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, the Wild’s one- through them, the more you get used to them. time “goalie of the future” will try to bandage his shattered confidence and pride after awkwardly being shoved to the back burner these past “I like to see guys get 40 games in a year to develop. What’s he gotten? few weeks. He’ll try to win a game in what possibly could be his final start Twenty last year, 20 again this year? Not a lot of games. He’s stuck with the organization. behind Duby. I think that plays big time into it.” On the line: Breaking the franchise record for wins and points after the Be ready Wild tied the marks of 49 and 104, respectively, Thursday in Denver. Mason said it’s imperative Kuemper doesn’t worry about the playoffs or Also on the line: Kuemper’s future — both immediate, as the Wild next season during Saturday’s start. He noted that things can change in decides whether to go with him or Alex Stalock as its backup in the a heartbeat. He reminded of 2013 when Kuemper was getting ready for playoffs; and long-term, as the pending free agent will likely need to find what the team hoped would be a long playoff run in Houston. a job elsewhere this offseason after a tough season. Backstrom got hurt in warmups before Game 1 against Chicago. “Darcy’s a proud guy, and this whole situation has been disappointing Kuemper was recalled to back up Josh Harding and suddenly was and not fun. We don’t need to sugarcoat anything: It’s not a nice situation playing in the series because Harding was injured. for anybody to be in,” No. 1 goalie Devan Dubnyk said. “I’ve talked to him about it. I said, ‘Take it from me: Anything that happens from now on will Still, the Wild plans to carry three goalies in the playoffs, so Stalock will depend on how you respond to this from now until whatever happens in likely be recalled in the next few days. your future.’” Asked if he feels he’s playing for his job as playoff backup Saturday, Dubnyk is referring to the month of March when Kuemper, who lost the Kuemper paused. confidence of his coach and the franchise that drafted him eight years ago, didn’t play two games he was “penciled” to start, then was scratched “I’m just focusing on going out there and playing,” he said. “I’ve been from three consecutive games while Stalock was recalled to start and working hard off the ice, on the ice. I feel my body is in good shape right back up. now and feel my game’s in a good place. I’m just looking forward to the start.” “It was hard because you want to play as much as you can,” said Kuemper, 26, pulled in two starts since Feb. 28 and mock-cheered during Star Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2017 a tough outing against Vancouver in his last appearance. “Seeing a game or two that you could have played and then all of sudden you’re watching is tough. “But it’s not my decision, so I tried not to get too caught up in it and just worried about keep doing things the right way and working hard in practice.” Dubnyk has lived this: “I told him, ‘I know how it feels.” The goalie life In 2013-14, with the Oilers, Dubnyk watched Edmonton bring in Richard Bachman, then Ilya Bryzgalov to compete with him. He was traded to Nashville, had two rocky starts in two months and was eventually shipped to Montreal, where he was buried in the minors. Dubnyk got lucky. The Coyotes gave him a flier to be their backup. He resurrected his career and was dealt to Minnesota. “What happens to you — if he’s here, if he’s somewhere else, what role he’s in — all depends on how he reacts to this tough situation,” Dubnyk said. “[Stalock] came up and played great and it makes it a little more stressful because Darcy’s a great goalie and obviously feels he could do the job, too, so [Saturday] is a good opportunity for Darcy to get in there and play a good game. “This stinks, but I told him that a lot of stuff happens in a career, and it all depends now how he takes it and responds to it.” Because of Kuemper’s rocky play this season (career-worst 3.26 goals- against average and .900 save percentage), it’s easy to forget there was a time where the future looked bright for the former Western Hockey League Player of the Year and Goalie of the Year. In 2013-14, Kuemper was 11-2-2 with a .934 save percentage during one second-half stretch before getting hurt. Bryzgalov finished the season and started the playoffs before poor performance thrust Kuemper into starts down 2-0 and 3-2 in a first-round series against Colorado. Kuemper won three home starts before getting hurt in the third period of Game 7. Bad moments 1057668 Minnesota Wild

Wild's playoff opponent scenario

APRIL 8, 2017 — 12:30AM Staff

WILD'S PLAYOFF SCENARIO • If St. Louis get a point against Carolina or Nashville loses in any fashion to Winnipeg, the Wild will play the Blues in the first round. • A point gets the Wild the second-best record in the Western Conference, assuring home-ice advantage at least until the conference finals. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057669 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Arizona game preview

APRIL 7, 2017 — 11:39PM Michael Russo

8 p.m. at Arizona • Gila River Arena • FSN, 100.3-FM Season finale could be it for Doan, too Preview: After beginning with the Coyotes organization when it was still the Winnipeg Jets in 1995, 40-year-old Arizona captain Shane Doan conceivably could be playing his final NHL game. After 10 years in the desert, 2005 first-round pick Martin Hanzal will face the Coyotes for the first time since being traded to the Wild on Feb. 26. With a point, the Wild — which had a team golf outing Friday — will break its franchise record for points (currently 104). With a win, the Wild will break its franchise record for wins (currently 48). The Wild is 10-1-2 in its past 13 meetings with Arizona. Its 10-game point streak ties the longest point streak against a single opponent in franchise history. Players to WATCH: Don’t be surprised with leading scorer Mikael Granlund, a point short of 70, gets the regular-season finale off. Hanzal has three goals and 12 points in 19 games with the Wild. C Eric Staal has a point in nine of his past 10 games. LW Nino Niederreiter has five goals in five games after none in the previous 16. LW Zach Parise is a goal from 20. RW Radim Vrbata just hit his sixth 20-goal season. Waiver pickup Alex Burmistrov has four goals in his past four games and 14 points in 25 games with the Coyotes. Numbers: Since they started a three-game winning streak Jan. 21, the Coyotes have more points (38) than any other team (12 of them) that has been eliminated from the playoffs except Winnipeg (39). Injuries: It’s believed Wild LW/RW Chris Stewart (strep throat) flew to Phoenix on Friday and will play. D Jared Spurgeon (lower body) is ready to return, but he will likely be held out for precautionary reasons unless the team wants to rest D Ryan Suter. Coyotes RW Brad Richardson (leg) and D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (personal) are out. Star Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057670 Minnesota Wild Nolan-to-Nash,-the-players-who-raised-a-team's-profile'Parise and Suter made a significant impact on the Wild's profile/a, too, both locally and nationally. In the basement of Xcel Energy Center, there's a framed cover Parise-Suter pairing, 5 years in, still paying off for Wild of The Hockey News magazine from the summer they signed with their pictures and the headline: "Call of the Wild! Suddenly, Minnesota is serious." By DAVE CAMPBELL Associated Press APRIL 7, 2017 — 9:47PM Since Parise and Suter arrived, the Wild have played in an arena that's 105 percent full with the official capacity at 17,954 fans. The overflow comes from standing-room tickets, and the average attendance this season of 19,071 set a franchise record. The sellout streak is at 147 ST. PAUL, Minn. — With much of Minnesota settled in at a lake, teeing straight games. things up at a golf course or prepping the backyard grill, the Wild offices were busier than usual for a holiday morning on July 4, 2012. Wild owner Craig Leipold controlled the Predators when Suter played for Nashville. Suter was raised one state away in Wisconsin , and his wife Four days into free agency, general manager Chuck Fletcher and his grew up in the Twin Cities area. Parise's late father, J.P. Parise, played staff were still pursuing two of the top players on the market, Zach Parise for the Minnesota North Stars . and Ryan Suter. Minnesota sports fans have long had a bridesmaid complex, stemming Some of the business-side leaders came in, too, just in case the dream from stars preferring to play elsewhere and devastating losses dashing scenario came true for a team mired in mediocrity since the feel-good championship dreams. The arrival of this duo, despite their strong ties to overachievement of a Western Conference finals trip in 2003. the area, raised expectations of sustained success accordingly. Shortly before lunchtime came the news that forever changed a fledgling "What it signifies is we're a really good hockey team that people want to organization, sent to the world from the Wild's official Twitter account : pay attention to, not just in Minnesota but across the country," Majka WE GOT 'EM. said, "and that is a good thing." "Honest to God, the phones started ringing like they hadn't since 1997 Star Tribune LOADED: 04.08.2017 when the franchise was granted," chief operating officer Matt Majka said, recalling the waves of employees who retreated from recreation and relaxation to help handle the calls for tickets. With only three appearances in the playoffs in the Wild's first 11 seasons, the departure of popular coach Jacques Lemaire three years earlier, sparkling new sports venues opening across the river in Minneapolis and a sunken national economy, touting the team in a crowded market to customers beyond the hard-core hockey niche had become more challenging. After announcing sellouts for the first 409 games in team history, including preseason and playoffs, the streak ended on Sept. 22, 2010. "We weren't a very good hockey team for a few years in there, so we had this perfect storm. We knew we had to do something to transform, and we were hopeful for Zach and Ryan," Majka said. "We were thankful they chose the 'State of Hockey,' and it really, literally overnight changed our world." The Wild are about to start their fifth straight postseason since Parise and Suter each signed 13-year, $98 million contracts on that Independence Day. They've only won two playoff series in that span, but they'll take their best record and their deepest lineup to the playoffs this time. "It's flown by," Parise said. "It's fun to see all the players developing and getting better and having good seasons this year. I feel like each season we're getting better and better, and hopefully that trend is going to keep going." This will be the first time the Wild will have home-ice advantage in a series in their five years. "Hopefully that'll be the difference for us. We played really solid earlier in the year here, and we're starting to get that mojo back at home," said Suter, who has a career-high nine goals from the blue line. Suter took an NHL-best plus-35 rating into the final weekend of the regular season while again ranking among the league leaders in ice time. "He never gets upset, never wavers," goalie Devan Dubnyk said. "He's just an absolute rock back there." Parise has had more of an uneven season, missing 13 games to injury and illness including the mumps, and struggling to find his scoring touch before the All-Star break. He has 11 points in his last 11 games, and his grit has never gone far from his game. He has a career-high 68 blocked shots. "I would think if I saw somebody working that hard, I'd want to work that hard, too," coach Bruce Boudreau said. Dubnyk's performance will have the biggest impact on how far the Wild are able to go this spring. The Mikael Granlund-Mikko Koivu-Jason Zucker line has been the most productive. But there's no denying the impact Parise and Suter will have as leaders toward their postseason fate. "They've made a huge impact on this team, for the confidence, not just the playoffs," Koivu said. "At that point when they signed, we had a lot of young guys, guys who are now here as veterans, so that impact on people away from the team, that's what you guys don't see."a /From- 1057671 Montreal Canadiens

Lightning keep playoff hopes alive with win over Canadiens

BILL BEACON Published Friday, Apr. 07, 2017 11:13PM EDT Last updated Friday, Apr. 07, 2017 11:14PM EDT

Rookie Yanni Gourde scored two goals and Nikita Kucherov got his 40th goal of the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning kept their playoff hopes alive with a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night. Alex Killorn also scored for the Lightning (41-30-10), who need to win their final regular season game Sunday against Buffalo and have Toronto and the New York Islanders lose to take the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay was coming off a win Thursday night in Toronto. Dwight King and Artturi Lehkonen scored for the Canadiens (46-25-9), who end the regular season Saturday night in Detroit. Montreal opens the playoffs Wednesday night against the New York Rangers. Montreal outshot Tampa Bay 29-22. The desperate Bolts faced a Canadiens team that had already clinched first place in the Atlantic Division and rested three banged up starting defencemen – Shea Weber, Jordie Benn and Alexei Emelin. Kucherov could have had three goals in the first period. The 23-year-old Russian was robbed by Carey Price 3:59 into the game, then froze the Montreal defence on a rush and hit a post from the slot at 11:42, but Gourde fired in the rebound to open the scoring. At 19:50, Ondrej Palat flipped a pass into the neutral zone that the speeding Kucherov controlled with a quick slap of the stick before beating Price inside the near post. Lehkonen found King coming off the bench with a stretch pass. The former Los Angeles King went in alone to beat Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pads for his first goal in 16 games as a Canadien at 9:59 of the second frame. Killorn got it back at 14:19 on a rush after Cory Conacher forced a turnover at the Tampa Bay blue line. Lehkonen saw his pass go in off a skate at 4:36 of the third but, only 21 seconds later, Gourde was left alone on the left side and put a Conacher pass into an open side for a fifth goal in his last seven games. Tribute was paid in the first period to three Canadian athletes who won world championships in the winter season – cross country skier Alex Harvey, alpine skier Erik Guay and snowboarder Laurie Blouin. Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057672 Montreal Canadiens “I was just kind of lucky when I guessed where he would be.” When asked to describe the remarkable plays he makes, McDavid is often left searching for words. He doesn’t think about; he simply does it. Keeping their eyes on the prize “It just comes to him naturally,” Shapiro says. “He doesn’t even understand what he is doing. He is very much a gifted player.” MARTY KLINKENBERG ’Offensively, he sees things developing before anybody else’ LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APR. 07, 2017 10:00PM EDT The most recent in a series of extraordinary NHL players, McDavid enters the final weekend of the regular season with a nine-point lead in the scoring race over Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane. In the 1980s, as Edmonton built hockey’s last dynasty, had more than Wayne Gretzky and on the bench. The The 20-year-old has put together an MVP-calibre year, leading the Oilers legendary coach had Karen Muncey on his staff. to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Over the past 12 games, as Edmonton has overtaken San Jose for second place in the Pacific An optician who performed preseason exams for the Oilers and Calgary Division, he has seven goals and 21 points. Flames, Muncey was among the pioneers of sports-vision training. Sather brought her on as an experiment before the 1984-85 season, and With games still to play against Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday, he kept her on to sharpen his players’ visual and motor skills as they won is only three points shy of 100, and the Oilers are on the verge of earning four Stanley Cups over the next six years. home ice for the first round of the playoffs. He has 29 multipoint games this season, three more than Crosby, and has either led or shared the “Glen very much bought into new, scientific approaches,” says Muncey, scoring race since Nov. 22. who operates a vision-training centre in Ottawa now. “He was always looking for something different that would help him win. Thus far, in 125 NHL games, he has never gone more than two games without scoring a point. He has not missed a step since returning to the “I was his big, secret weapon. He wouldn’t talk to anyone about what I lineup after suffering a broken clavicle that caused him to miss nearly half was doing. He loved the whole idea, and it made a difference with his of last season, and this year is shouldering the burden of being the team.” youngest captain in league history. While sophisticated tests are widely used to measure the reaction time With him leading the charge, the Oilers have 45 victories, their most and peripheral vision of preternatural stars such as Connor McDavid since winning the Stanley Cup for the third time in 1986-87. today, the Oilers were one of only two NHL teams to mix science with sports then. The Islanders did it first, employing an optometrist named “Connor sees things happening in front of him and behind him and only Leon Revien in 1981 to improve players’ hand-eye co-ordination, needs a glimpse to know what is going to happen two seconds later,” accuracy and timing. says his agent with the Orr Hockey Group, Jeff Jackson. “Offensively, he sees things developing before anybody else. “It seemed to me that the one part of the body that the athlete didn’t train was our eyes,” Sather says. “It seemed like you could change the “It is like he has a freaking GPS. He senses what is going on around strength of your peripheral vision, so I suggested we give it a try. him.” “That year in Edmonton, I had all of the players do it, and remember that Touted as the most remarkable player since Crosby joined the Pittsburgh Craig MacTavish really got into it. I could beat all of the guys at the Penguins in 2005, McDavid has exceeded impossibly high expectations. beginning but as Craig got better I couldn’t beat him anymore. He seems on his way to accomplishing what Crosby and Mario Lemieux did in Pittsburgh. He has resurrected a Gretzky-esque level of excitement “The science has gone a lot farther since then.” in Edmonton. The training that players received then is nothing like the program that is “I have had the honour of being around tremendous players in my day,” used today. Todd McLellan, the Oilers coach, said last week after McDavid played a role in all three goals in an overtime defeat of Anaheim. “Connor is at a “The science was very new to everybody and very primitive in the high level now, and is separating himself from other guys in the league. beginning,” Muncey says. “With the Oilers, we used ‘romper room’ techniques with balls, beads and strings. That was the sports-vision “He has been remarkable, really.” protocol in that day.” The first overall pick in the 2015 draft, McDavid scored 48 points in 45 Sather made the training compulsory for players, but some of them were games in his injury-abbreviated rookie season and has only got better. incredulous. Dave Semenko, the hulking defenceman who served as He wreaks havoc with opponents nearly every game, using blistering Gretzky’s protector on the ice, was among the skeptics. speed to skate through and around them. Once, while laying on a bench and being asked to track numbered tennis He is one of the few players able to accelerate as he carries a puck, balls suspended above him, the tough guy could hardly contain himself. maintains possession in tight combat and almost always looks to pass before he shoots. “He sat up and started laughing and asked, ‘Where is Allen Funt?’” Muncey says, referring to the host of the popular television program It’s not a coincidence that his linemates Leon Draisaitl and Patrick Candid Camera. “He was sure that he was the victim of some sort of Maroon are having career years. A beefy left wing, Maroon has 27 goals joke. He thought we were taking video of him to show it at the Oilers’ in 80 games. His previous high was 12 split between the Ducks and Christmas party.” Oilers last year. Draisaitl, 21, is eighth in the NHL in scoring, and together he and McDavid are the top tandem in the league. Through countless hours of training, the game’s biggest stars of today have developed keen spatial skills. Brenley Shapiro, a sports Cam Talbot, the Oilers’ goaltender who set a team record Thursday night psychologist and vision trainer in Toronto, says when tested, hockey with his 41st victory and has played well enough for Vézina Trophy players score higher than any other athletes. consideration, is the teammate with the best view of McDavid’s abilities as he watches plays develop from the other end of the ice. She has a series of stations set up at her cognitive-processing training centre to measure peripheral awareness, eye tracking and memory “His speed is second to none, and he is a smart, cerebral player,” Talbot recall, among other attributes. says. “The biggest thing is his hockey IQ. When you combine it with his speed, it’s a deadly combination. What he has done for us this season “Your brain is a command centre for the body,” Shapiro says. “Hockey is can’t be measured.” 95-per-cent visual.” Veteran coaches such as Dave King aren’t easy to impress. The former Able to skate at nearly 40 kilometres an hour, McDavid is not only the coach for Team Canada at three Winter Olympic Games and five NHL’s fastest skater, but among its quickest thinkers. In the summer of International Federation world championships says his pulse 2015, during a preseason game against the University of Alberta Golden quickens every time he watches McDavid. Bears, he set up a goal during a power play by directing a pass blindly through his own legs and the legs of an oncoming defenceman to a “You see lots of guys that can skate like hell but accomplish very little,” teammate in front of the net. says King, the first coach of the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets. “He skates fast, and his timing is impeccable. He is a clever, smart player and “It was simple math,” McDavid said. “I saw one guy following one of my it makes him hard to defend against. teammates and could feel another bearing down on me. By sheer numbers, it meant somebody was uncovered. “There aren’t many people that can play the game as fast as he does and process it like him. It is gratifying to watch. Every so often a talent like him comes along and it gives you hope that somewhere along the line there will be another like him.” ’He has great recognition skills and processes things very quickly’ McDavid’s rare combination of size and speed make him a dangerous weapon on the ice, but it’s the captain’s hockey IQ that makes him a generational talent. Karen Muncey moved to Edmonton with her family after finishing high school, and received a degree as a licensed optician and ophthalmic dispenser from the University of Alberta. Her former husband was also an optometrist, and together they had offices in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. During September, they would perform eye exams for the Flames and Oilers. That’s where she met Glen Sather. Eventually, she chatted to him about sports vision as a concept, and they reached a deal. She worked for the Oilers on her own time and at her own expense in 1984-85, during which time Sather became a believer. He paid her expenses and signed her to a personal-services contract, and was so impressed that he took her to New York with him when he left Edmonton to join the Rangers as president and general manager in 2000. Before and since then, Muncey has worked with players on a number of other NHL teams, as well as NHL referees, Canadian Olympic hockey teams, the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Blue Jays, RCMP emergency- response units and counter-terrorism forces. In 1989, in partnership with a former football player, Phil Jones, she designed a machine called DynaVision 2000 that is still used as a measuring tool in sports-vision training, along with other uses. The firm she currently runs, Dynamic Edge, trains students, high-performance athletes and elite businesspeople. Her start, though, began so many years ago with an invitation from Sather and the Oilers. “The truth was that until I went to work for him, I had never watched a hockey game,” Muncey says. “I had to learn real fast. The principle was simple, though. They wanted to identify skills that were essential, show that they could be improved and were measurable, and could be transferred to performance.” She recalls that MacTavish felt it gave him an edge, especially as an older player. Mark Messier and were complete packages, possessing strength and speed to go along with spatial skills. Gretzky could not match them in terms of physical prowess, but was still heads above. “He had amazing peripheral awareness,” Muncey says. “He was one of the slower skaters on the team, but he always knew where he needed to be and would be there. “Upstairs above the shoulders, nobody could compete with him.” Muncey has never tested McDavid, but offers a few conclusions about him. Physically, she says, he reminds her more of Messier than Gretzky. “He has great recognition skills and processes things very quickly,” she says. “He is physically fast, and in his thinking. Her certainly looks like he has the complete package. “He has the ability to take away time and space on the ice. He forces defencemen to make the choice to be passive or contain, and either one of those things could be wrong.” Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057673 Montreal Canadiens McDavid currently leads the NHL's overall scoring race with 97 points – but the real measure of his success (and why he will ultimately romp to the Hart) is how his performance has had an impact on the Oilers’ McDavid’s value to Oilers sets him apart in Hart discussion results. With him limited by injury last year, the Oilers missed the playoffs, finished last in the conference and were 29th overall. This year, they will ERIC DUHATSCHEK make the playoffs, and with two games remaining in the season, need only a single point to become the first Oilers’ team since 1986-87 to earn Published Friday, Apr. 07, 2017 7:37PM EDT 100 points in the standing. Last updated Friday, Apr. 07, 2017 10:34PM EDT In a year in which there is no shortage of qualified Hart Trophy candidates, including Crosby, that sort of impact sets McDavid apart. No

one playing in the NHL did it better this season – or has been more The Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL’s most valuable player almost valuable to his team. always trips up voters because of the way the award is narrowly defined. CALDER TROPHY Officially, the Hart goes to the player “adjudged to be most valuable to his team” – a small, but nuanced difference from “most outstanding player,” Rookie of the year which is actually what the Ted Lindsay Award honours and is voted on by the players themselves. 1. Auston Matthews, Toronto; 2. Patrick Laine, Winnipeg; 3. Zach Werenski, Columbus. Some years, a single dominant Hart Trophy candidate neatly fits the bill for both definitions. Last year, it was Sidney Crosby; the year before, In terms of immediate impact, the NHL’s rookie class of 2017 just might Carey Price. But there have also been years when a dominant NHL team be the greatest in history, with up to eight first-year players who would be has co-MVPs, which then diminished the Hart Trophy aspirations of under serious consideration for the Calder in a different year. But each. Matthews and Laine genuinely lived up to their 1-2 billing in last June’s entry draft. Matthews is a complete two-way talent a la Anze Kopitar and This year has been unique because, for the longest time, there were Laine a remarkable finisher, a la Alex Ovechkin. The fact that the Leafs three serious candidates, one at each position – goal, defence and are in the playoff hunt while the Jets aren’t will ultimately tilt it toward forward. Matthews. In goal, you had the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Sergei Bobrovsky, who took JACK ADAMS AWARD last year’s 27th-ranked team and had it in contention for the President’s Trophy right up until the final fortnight of the season. Coach of the year Until the early part of March, San Jose Sharks defenceman Brent Burns 1. Joel Quenneville, Chicago; 2. Todd McLellan, Edmonton; 3. Mike was the undisputed catalyst, offensively and defensively, for a team that Babcock, Toronto. led the Pacific Division most of the season. No NHL defenceman has won the scoring title since Bobby Orr in 1975 but Burns was in the mix for Usually, the broadcasters who vote for this award tend to give it to the three quarters of the season, an extraordinary achievement in this low- coach who oversaw the biggest year-over-year turnaround. If that pattern scoring era. holds, it’ll be a three-horse race among McLellan, Babcock and Columbus’s John Tortorella, who steered three of the four worst teams in But for all that Bobrovsky and Burns meant to Columbus and San Jose, it the NHL from a year ago straight up the standings. But Quenneville has is impossible to dispute the remarkable value that Connor McDavid has taken a Chicago team in constant transition – seven Calder eligible brought to the Edmonton Oilers. Now in his sophomore season after a players played for the Hawks this year – and consistently kept them at broken collarbone limited him to only 45 of a possible 82 games a year the top of the NHL charts, an extraordinary if frequently overlooked skill. ago, McDavid met and exceeded all the hype and hyperbole that accompanied his NHL arrival which is, in itself, a remarkable VÉZINA TROPHY development. Top goalie When teams play Edmonton, their game plans centre on stopping 1. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus; 2. Braden Holtby, Washington; 3. Cam McDavid. Most nights, they have to settle for limiting his impact. He has Talbot, Edmonton. been a consistently unstoppable force – his speed, his reach and his puck-handling skills making him the most consistently dangerous Columbus has a lot of hardware candidates, but no player has offensive player in the league. contributed more to the turnaround than a healthy Bobrovsky, the 2013 Vézina Trophy winner, who practically played every game in the first half, In two years, he has become the undisputed face of a franchise that has thanks to a comparatively light schedule and turned a deep but not seen a parade of No. 1 overall draft choices come in, unable to produce particularly star-studded team into a regular-season powerhouse. that sort of impact. NORRIS TROPHY In fact, it was McDavid’s emergence that gave GM Peter Chiarelli the will and impetus to trade away two previous No. 1 overall picks, Taylor Hall Top defenceman and Nail Yakupov, to clear the way for McDavid, and his right-hand man, Leon Draisaitl, to take over the team’s leadership group. 1. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa; 2. Brent Burns, San Jose; 3. Victor Hedman, Tampa. McDavid was the youngest captain in NHL history and sometimes, in the past, that distinction has proved to be counterproductive. Vincent All three of the primary Norris candidates delivered eye-catching Lecavalier wasn’t ready for it when he was appointed a young captain in offensive numbers. For most of the season, Burns was actually hovering Tampa. Gabriel Landeskog has struggled with his on-ice game since he among the NHL’s overall scoring leaders before his totals dropped off in became captain in Colorado. Even as accomplished and experienced a the final month. But Karlsson has added a shot-blocking component to player as Anze Kopitar, who is wearing the C for the first time in Los his other many attributes and helped turn a team that was 25th Angeles this season, saw the extra weight of the responsibility spill into defensively a year ago into a far stingier group. And lest people forget, his on-ice performance. the Norris officially goes to the player deemed to have “the greatest all- around ability in the position.” But McDavid and that singularly driven personality of his has handled it all in stride, the way he has handled practically everything in stride thus SELKE TROPHY far in his NHL career. Best defensive forward Nerves don’t seem to bother him. Pressure galvanizes rather than 1. Jonathan Toews, Chicago; 2. Ryan Kesler, Anaheim; 3. Mikko Koivu, paralyzes him. The only genuinely accurate comparison is to the young Minnesota. Crosby who, a dozen years into his career, still has that enduring passion to get incrementally better every year. Over time, the Selke has morphed into a different animal and doesn’t just celebrate defensive prowess. Instead, it generally goes to the NHL’s best For both Crosby and McDavid, being great isn’t good enough. They want all-around forward, which this year happened to be the remarkably to approach immortality and, helpfully for their respective clubs, would set efficient Toews. Captain Serious helped the Blackhawks become the aside personal accolades to achieve team goals. Crosby also won the class of the west with his faceoff proficiency, attention to defensive detail Hart trophy in his second NHL season and has since gone on to win the and saw his game spiced with an extra offensive dimension this year. Stanley Cup twice. Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057674 Montreal Canadiens and two head coaches, Galchenyuk still hasn’t been able to fit into that spot on a permanent basis. Danault has stepped in and has developed chemistry with Pacioretty and Radulov, something that simply doesn’t Stu Cowan: Canadiens' Phillip Danault a deserving winner of Jacques seem to be there when Galchenyuk is on the No. 1 line. Danault’s Beauchamp Trophy performance during the playoffs will go a long way toward determining how Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin addresses the No. 1 centre spot in the future. Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette “I didn’t do anything different,” Danault said about adjusting from a fourth- line centre to the No. 1 line. “I just got confidence and the coach gave me Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 4:50 PM EDT confidence and trust in me. And also my wingers … they believe in me, so it makes me a better player.”

For a kid who grew up skating on a backyard rink in Quebec, Danault Phillip Danault grew up in Victoriaville cheering for the Canadiens with admits there are times he has to pinch himself to believe he’s not only former captain Saku Koivu as his favourite player. playing for the Canadiens, but skating on the No. 1 line. He probably pretended he was Koivu while skating on the backyard rink “I try not to think about it too much,” Danault said, “but it’s a dream come his father, Alain, built every winter. true, really. “I just recently watched a video that my parents recorded when I was on “My father’s very proud of me, so is my mother (Michelle) and sister the ice outside as a kid,” Danault recalled after the Canadiens’ morning (Ann-Andrée),” he added. “They’ve all supported me the whole time.” skate in Brossard before facing the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday night at the Bell Centre. “There was a big tree in the middle of the rink. It was like They have reason to be proud. a D-man, but it didn’t move.” Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017 Danault smiled at the memory. The 24-year-old had another reason to smile Friday morning after it was announced he is the winner of this season’s Jacques Beauchamp- Molson Trophy as the Canadien who played a dominant role during the regular season without earning any particular honour. The award is voted on by members of the Montreal media who cover the team. “It’s a big honour, I’ve got to thank the media for that one, I think,” Danault said. “Obviously, I didn’t do that by myself. I got some great wingers and a great team.” An unsung-hero award is not something you would normally expect a team’s No. 1 centre to win, but there is no Canadiens player more deserving this season of the Jacques Beauchamp Trophy, which is named after the late journalist who long covered the team for Montréal- Matin and the Journal de Montréal. Since being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at last season’s NHL trade deadline, Danault has worked his way up from a defensive, fourth- line centre to playing on the No. 1 line between Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov. Danault has done it with the added pressure of being a francophone Quebecer playing in Montreal. “I live with pressure,” Danault said. “I played in my hometown in junior (with the Victoriaville Tigres) and I think everything happens for a reason. But that was a lower level … now it’s a big level.” Danault smiled again. Heading into the final regular-season home game against the Lightning, Danault had 13-27-40 totals while being one of only two Canadiens — along with Pacioretty — to play in all 80 games. Pacioretty is also one of Danault’s biggest fans, regularly talking about how much he enjoys playing on the same line as the centre, who has taken over the No. 1 job from Alex Galchenyuk. “I always tell Phil the points are kind of icing on the cake the way he plays,” Pacioretty said after Danault had a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over the Lightning last Saturday in Tampa. “He’s always in great support, great position, always in great D-zone position.” Pacioretty thinks Danault’s offensive numbers will continue to improve as he gains more experience and confidence, with only 133 NHL games under his belt before Friday’s game after being selected by the Blackhawks in the first round (26th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft. Heading into Friday’s game, Danault had 3-5-8 totals in his last 10 games. Danault said he wants to model himself after Boston Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron, who is a very good player to look up to as a two-way NHL centreman. “It’s important to be very good defensively in the NHL,” said Danault, who had won 51.8 per cent of his faceoffs and had a plus-5 rating before Friday’s game. “And then afterwards, with your confidence your offence comes and my linemates gave me confidence, too. They trust me, Radu and Patch, so they give me a lot of confidence and that makes me a better player.” The Canadiens have had a gaping hole at the No. 1 centre spot for far too long and Galchenyuk was supposed to fill that role after he was taken with the No. 3 overall pick at the 2012 NHL Draft. But after five seasons 1057675 Montreal Canadiens For Lernout, it will be his first game at the Bell Centre after making his NHL debut last season against the Panthers in Florida, suffering an upper-body injury in the second period of that game. Game Day: Carey Price will be in goal for Canadiens vs. Lightning “It’s the Bell Centre … it’s know around the world and the fans here are great,” Lernout said after the morning skate. “So I’m excited to get out there in front of them and play my game. STU COWAN “I think I really progressed since the start of the year,” the defenceman added. “I’m moving my feet a lot more, I’m more confident with the puck. I’m not just giving the puck away, I’m actually trying to make plays and The Canadiens play their final regular-season home game Friday night at actually making them.” the Bell Centre against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7:30 p.m., SN, RDS, TSN Radio 690). Lernout can give Benn a run for the money now as to who has the best beard on the Canadiens. While it’s basically a meaningless game for the Canadiens, who have already clinched first place in the Atlantic Division and will meet the New “I’m trying,” Lernout said with a smile. “I’m trying.” York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs, it’s a big game for the Lightning, who are fighting for a playoff spot. Assistant coach J.J. Daigneault talks with defenceman during #Habs morning skate in Brossard #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/u2dX9qc3gs With nothing on the line for the Canadiens, coach Claude Julien was asked after the morning skate in Brossard how he would explain starting — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) April 7, 2017 Price if the all-star goalie was somehow injured during a meaningless The lines and defence pairings game. Here’s how the lines and defence pairings looked at the morning skate: “I don’t have to, it’s part of the game,” Julien said. “We can play safe, ultra-safe, and then you could have a goaltender who says: ‘Listen, you Pacioretty – Danault – Radulov know what, I don’t want to sit out for a whole week, OK? It’s important for me to be on top of my game.’ So you got to make those tough decisions Byron – Plekanec – Gallagher sometimes. They’re not easy and we’ll always look at hindsight, right? If Galchenyuk – Shaw – Lehkonen everything goes well tonight and he plays well, we win a game and he’s good, then the plan went as according. So that’s where we’re at.” Martinsen – McCarron – King Julien was also asked if it was Price’s decision to play. Markov – Nesterov “There’s never a one-way street when it comes to those kind of Davidson – Petry decisions,” the head coach said. “There’s a goalie coach, there’s a goaltender, there’s a head coach and it’s all done with conversations. A Beaulieu – Lernout goaltender, if he doesn’t play tonight, he’s a whole week without playing. Forwards Torrey Mitchell, Steve Ott and Brian Flynn will be healthy And a goaltender who feels good about his game probably doesn’t want scratches. to sit out that long. So there’s a discussion there.” Stretch time at #Habs morning skate in Brossard #HabsIO Did the head coach think about trying to talk Price out of starting against pic.twitter.com/gsfIK4ov7Q the Lightning? — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) April 7, 2017 “There is a risk … we have to protect him,” Julien said. “As far as talking to him, there’s a goalie coach there that can talk to him. I have to be Lightning still fighting for playoff spot accountable for a lot of things, so I’ll let the goalie coach (Stéphane Waite) take a little bit of heat on that one.” The Lightning kept their playoff hopes alive with a 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs Thursday night in Toronto. With two games remaining in the Julien said Price won’t make the trip to Detroit for the Canadiens’ final regular season, the Lightning (40-30-10) are three points behind the regular-season game Saturday night, meaning either Al Montoya or Leafs (39-26-15), who hold down the final wild-card playoff spot in the Charlie Lindgren will get the start against the Red Wings. The coach Eastern Conference. The Lightning has to win their last two games to added there might be a few other players who also don’t travel to Detroit. have any hope of making the playoffs. The Lightning’s final regular- season game is Sunday against the Sabres in Buffalo. Lernout in lineup The Leafs need one point to clinch a playoff spot and play their final two Defenceman Brett Lernout, who was called up from the AHL’s St. John’s games at home Saturday against Pittsburgh and Sunday against IceCaps Thursday on an emergency basis, will be in the Canadiens’ Columbus. lineup against the Lightning, paired with Nathan Beaulieu. What’s next? Lernout, a 6-foot-4, 213-pounder, has 3-13-16 totals in 71 games this season with the IceCaps and is plus-5. The Canadiens selected the 21- The Canadiens will fly to Detroit immediately after Friday’s game and year-old in the third round (73rd overall) at the 2014 NHL Draft. play their final regular-season game against the Red Wings Saturday night (7 p.m., SN, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690). Lernout was called up on an emergency basis after injuries to defencemen Shea Weber and Alexei Emelin. Weber will miss his third The Canadiens will play the New York Rangers in the first round of the straight game with a lower-body injury, while Emelin suffered a lower- playoffs with Games 1 and 2 at the Bell Centre. While the schedule has body injury in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Sabres in Buffalo. Weber and yet to be officially released, the first two games are expected to be Emelin did not take part in the morning skate. Defenceman Jordie Benn played on Wednesday and Friday next week. did take part in the skate, but will miss his fifth straight game with an upper-body injury. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017 Julien said Weber will not play against the Lightning or Red Wings, but will definitely be ready for the playoffs, as will Benn, who might play in Detroit. Emelin will be re-evaluated next Tuesday before the playoffs begin. Julien said he doesn’t know much about Lernout and hasn’t seen him play before. “I saw him out there today just in the practice … he’s a big, tall guy, seems to move the puck well, seems to have good mobility. So I’m actually looking forward to seeing him. Those are great opportunities when you need players, to bring players that you can at least have a look at and get yourself familiar with those kind of guys. This is a great opportunity I think for me coming in late in the season to look at some of those young prospects.” 1057676 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens to honour Carey Price, Phillip Danault and Max Pacioretty before final home game

Posted by Stu Cowan

The Canadiens will honour Carey Price, Phillip Danault and Max Pacioretty before their final regular-season home game of the season Friday night at the Bell Centre against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7:30 p.m., SNE, RDS, TSN Radio 690). Price will receive the Molson Cup as Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season, marking the seventh time the goaltender has received the award. Price has a 37-19-5 record this season with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Brendan Gallagher is the Molson Cup winner for the March-April segment of the season. Price was also voted by his teammates as the Canadiens’ nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy with the winner to be announced at the NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas in June. The Clancy Trophy is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. Danault will be presented with the Jacques Beauchamp Award as the Canadien who played a dominant role during the regular season without earning any particular honour. The award is voted on by members of the Montreal media who cover the team. Danault has 13-27-40 totals and has played in all 80 games this season, earning a spot as the team’s No. 1 centre. Captain Pacioretty will receive the Jean Béliveau Trophy as the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities in the community. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057677 Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens couldn’t provide a win on Fan Appreciation Night, but Price did have a post-game message for Habs Nation.

“Just thanks for everything this season,” the goalie said. “Obviously In the Habs' Room: 'Can't play scared,' Price says, closing home season excited for the playoffs and looking forward to a positive playoffs.” A healthy Carey Price is the most positive news this team — and its fans STU COWAN, MONTREAL GAZETTE — can get. Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 11:38 PM EDT Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017

Carey Price is healthy heading into the playoffs. As far as the Canadiens are concerned, that was the most important news following Friday night’s 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre in which the all-star goalie stopped 18 of 22 shots. There was some head-shaking in the press room in Brossard earlier in the day when coach Claude Julien announced after the morning skate Price would be playing in what was basically a meaningless game for the Canadiens, who have already clinched first place in the Atlantic Division and will be playing the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. It was Fan Appreciation Night at the Bell Centre, with the Canadiens playing their final home game of the regular season, so maybe that had something to do with the decision. But Price also wanted to play, not wanting to go a week without any game action with the playoff series slated to start next Wednesday at the Bell Centre. “You can’t play scared,” Price said after the game. “I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t sitting around too long and trying to stay in a rhythm.” Price won’t make the trip to Detroit for the Canadiens’ final regular- season game Saturday night against the Red Wings (7 p.m., SN, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690) with Charlie Lindgren getting the start and Al Montoya as the backup. Captain Max Pacioretty, Alexander Radulov and Andrei Markov also won’t make the trip and neither will Shea Weber or Alexei Emelin, both recovering from lower-body injuries. Price finishes the regular season with a 37-20-5 record, a 2.23 goals- against average and a .923 save percentage. Before the game, he was presented with the Molson Cup as Player of the Year, marking the seventh time the goaltender has received the award. “It’s cool … hopefully I get a couple of free beers,” Price said with a grin. After the morning skate, Julien was asked how he would explain playing Price if the goaltender ended up getting injured during the game. “We can play safe, ultra-safe, and then you could have a goaltender who says: ‘Listen, you know what, I don’t want to sit out for a whole week, OK? It’s important for me to be on top of my game,'” Julien responded. “So you got to make those tough decisions sometimes. They’re not easy and we’ll always look at hindsight, right? If everything goes well tonight and he plays well, we win a game and he’s good, then the plan went as according.” The Canadiens didn’t win, but that didn’t matter in the master plan. While the team headed to Detroit after the game, Price was asked how he would spend his night in Montreal. “I’m going to go home and try to rest up,” he said. “That’s the idea for staying behind. Try and get a good night’s sleep, or at least two of them.” Pacioretty admitted the thought of injuries can creep into players’ heads when they’re playing games that are meaningless in the standings. “I’m not going to say I’m really superstitious, but when it gets brought up it’s obviously in the back of your mind a little bit,” said the captain, who received the Jean Béliveau Trophy before the game from the late Hall of Famer’s wife, Élise, as the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities in the community. “Not to use anything as an excuse, we got to be better than we were tonight. But it’s not like that wasn’t mentioned ever. I think it’s more a matter of never letting your guard down because that’s when stuff like that could happen. So that’s the way it’s been mentioned and I completely agree with it.” Pacioretty, who was held pointless against the Lightning, finishes the regular season with 35-32-67 totals, leading the team in goals and points. One player who looked like he was playing not to get injured against the Lightning was Alex Galchenyuk, who finished minus-2 in 12:16 of ice time with zero shots on goal. Julien said during his post-game news conference that Galchenyuk simply needs to be better in the playoffs and his effort level needs to increase. Galchenyuk has only one goal in his last 17 games while losing his job as the No. 1 centre to Phillip Danault. 1057678 Montreal Canadiens And that’s ominous: The loss to Tampa brought the Canadiens’ Friday record to 1-6.

The only win was a 3-1 conquest of mighty New Jersey on Jan. 20. About last night … desperate Tampa beats Canadiens 4-2 Friday losses included that 10-0 pasting in Columbus on Nov. 4.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017 Posted by Mike Boone

Be of good cheer, Canadiens fans. Yes, your team was lousy in a totally meaningless game. But let’s look on the bright side: Tampa Bay’s 4-2 win made Leafs fans MISERABLE! Had the Canadiens won their last home game of the regular season, the loss would have knocked Tampa Bay out of the playoff hunt. But that didn’t happen. So Toronto will play a home-ice back-to-back against Pittsburgh and Columbus, while the Lightning, who are one point behind, end their season on Sunday against Buffalo. The Islanders are still alive as well. It should be an entertaining Saturday night schedule … with the probable exception of the game in Detroit, where the Canadiens – with nothing to play for again – will try to avoid a three-game losing streak to cap their regular-season schedule. What can we conclude from the loss to Tampa? Not much. With nothing to play for, the Canadiens started a defence corps that included Brandon Davidson, Nikita Nesterov and Brett Lernout. Fearless prediction: None of the aforementioned blue liners will be in the lineup when the Canadiens begin their opening-round playoff series against the Rangers on Wednesday. That’s assuming Shea Weber, Jordie Benn and Alexei Emelin are healthy and ready to play. Let’s hope so. And while we’re looking ahead to the postseason, let’s hope Alex Galchenyuk emerges from his late-season funk. The Canadiens’ most naturally talented forward played 12:16 against Tampa. That’s less ToI than every Canadien except Michael McCarron and Andreas Martinsen. Even Dwight King had more ice time than Galchenyuk. And despite his limited playing time, Galchenyuk managed to finish the game at minus-2. He was on for both goals by Yanni Gourde. The pride of Sainte-Narcisse de Beaurivage, Quebec, Gourde was undrafted after his junior career with Victoriaville. He’s spent the last three seasons in the AHL and was a late-season call-up to the Lightning. Alex Galchenyuk was picked third overall in the 2012 draft. He has never played a shift in the minor leagues. Last season was miserable for the Canadiens, but Galchenyuk established career highs for goals (30) and points (56). He was poised for a breakout 2016-’17, but Galchenyuk has suffered injuries that have restricted him to 59 games. He has 16 goals and has not scored since Feb. 23 … in a contract year! In his postgame press conference, telecast during L’Antichambre, Claude Julien was asked about Galchenyuk’s slump and his shift from centre to wing. The coach didn’t mince words. “It’s not a question of what position he should be playing,” Claude Julien said. “It’s about his effort and how he should be playing. “The way he’s playing now,” Julien added, “we need better from him if we’re going to have success in the playoffs.” The opening-round schedule has not been announced, but it’s likely Game 2 of the Canadiens-Rangers series will be played next Friday. 1057679 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens drop final home game to desperate Lightning

Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 10:24 PM EDT

It was Fan Appreciation Night at the Bell Centre Friday, but the Canadiens couldn’t deliver a victory. However, with first place in the Atlantic Division already clinched and only one more road game remaining in the regular season, fans couldn’t have been too upset following a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Yanni Gourde scored twice, while Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn added singles for the Lightning. Dwight King and Artturi Lehkonen scored for the Canadiens. Canadiens goalie Carey Price made his final start of the regular season and won’t even make the trip to Detroit for Saturday’s game. Lightning stays alive: The win kept the Lightning’s playoff hopes alive and if you’re wondering how they’ve done it without Steven Stamkos — who has been out since Nov. 15 with a knee injury — look no further than Kucherov. The Lightning opened the scoring at 11:42 of the first period after Kucherov rang a shot off the crossbar and Gourde scored on the rebound. Kucherov made it 2-0 when he beat Price on a wicked wrist shot to the short side at 19:50 of the first period after getting behind defencemen Jeff Petry and Brandon Davidson on a long Hail Mary pass from Ondrej Palat. It was Kucherov’s 40th goal of the season and only Pittsburgh superstar Sidney Crosby, with 43, has scored more. The Lightning are now one point behind Toronto for the final wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with one game remaining. The Leafs have two games left. King scores his first as a Hab: It took 16 games, but King finally scored his first goal and got his first point as a Canadien after being acquired from Los Angeles at the NHL trade deadline. King managed to sneak behind the Lightning defence and was sent in on a breakaway from the blue line after a long pass from Lehkonen. King beat goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy through the five-hole at 9:59 of the second period. Cheering on West Island: Killorn, who grew up in Beaconsfield, made it 3-1 for the Lightning at 14:19 of the second period when he blew past Davidson and Nikita Nesterov and beat Price with a beautiful forehand move, putting the puck high to the glove side. Lucky Lehkonen: Lehkonen cut the Lightning’s lead to 3-2 when he scored an unassisted, short-handed goal at 4:36 of the third period. It was a lucky goal as Lehkonen floated a backhand toward the net from the corner behind the goal line and the puck somehow found its way behind Vasilevskiy for the rookie’s 17th goal of the season. Only 21 seconds later, Gourde restored Tampa’s two-goal lead. Lernout an emergency fill-in: With defencemen Shea Weber (lower-body injury), Alexei Emelin (lower body) and Jordie Benn (upper body) all sidelined, Brett Lernout was in the Canadiens lineup after being called up from the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps Thursday on an emergency basis. Coach Claude Julien said Weber and Benn will be ready for the playoffs, but Emelin will be re-evaluated early next week. What’s next: The Canadiens flew to Detroit after the game and will play their final regular-season game Saturday against the Red Wings (7 p.m., SN, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690) before starting the first round of the playoffs next week against the New York Rangers. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017

1057680 Nashville Predators

Predators hold off Stars in 7-3 victory

Adam Vingan , USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee 10:49 p.m. CT April 6, 2017

DALLAS — If you're hoping for more clarity regarding the Predators' playoff opponent, keep looking. The Predators' 7-3 victory against the Stars on Thursday left their first- round fate undecided. It appears that search will take until the absolute end of the NHL regular season Sunday. Both wild-card positions — the first spot setting up a matchup with the Pacific Division champion, the second spot with the Blackhawks — and third place in the Central Division, which would draw the Wild, are all up for grabs. Most dangerous lead: A 5-0 lead in the second period should be safe, but the Predators didn't clamp down and coasted, letting the Stars strike three consecutive times to trim their deficit to two goals. Defenseman Roman Josi's power-play goal late in the period reset the Predators, who need to use Thursday's hiccup as a learning tool for the playoffs. 31 for 38: Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson bookended the team's four- goal first period with his 30th and 31st goals this season, finishing the game with a career-high four points. Arvidsson and forward Filip Forsberg, both of whom share the team lead with 31 goals, are the Predators' third pair of 30-goal scorers in team history. It would require a hat trick Saturday against the Jets for either player to set Nashville's single-season record. New-look lines: After the Predators clinched a playoff spot last Sunday, Predators coach Peter Laviolette intended to use the final week of the regular season to ready his entire roster for the postseason. Captain Mike Fisher, forward Colin Wilson and defenseman Ryan Ellis all missed Thursday's game because of lower-body injuries, so Laviolette jumbled the forward lines and defense pairs. Among those making an impression was forward Harry Zolnierczyk, who scored Thursday in his first game since March 7. Up next: The Predators' season finale is Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets (6 p.m., Fox TN/102.5-FM). The playoffs open April 12, but the Predators' schedule has not been released. Tennessean LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057681 Nashville Predators When: 6 p.m. Saturday TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM Making sense of the Predators' potential playoff opponents Tennessean LOADED: 04.08.2017

Adam Vingan , USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee Published 2:06 p.m. CT April 7, 2017 | Updated 14 hours ago

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The end of the NHL's 82-game marathon is here, and the Predators are still without a playoff opponent. In fact, most of the Western Conference field is in limbo. The eight teams are solidified, but it will require the final two days of the regular season to set the bracket. The Predators' seeding is unknown. They could finish in either wild-card spot or third place in the Central Division, though the last option is a long shot with the Blues in control of that pursuit. Here are Nashville's three likeliest first-round opponents and how each of those potential series can come to be: The Predators and Flames, who occupy the first wild-card position, are tied with 94 points. Calgary, which plays San Jose on Saturday, holds the tiebreaker over Nashville, which visits Winnipeg in its finale, with more non-shootout victories. If the Predators lose in regulation to the Jets on Saturday, than they will meet the conference-leading Blackhawks in the first round. The battle- tested Blackhawks are 20-7-3 since the All-Star break, the best record in the West. The Predators have been on the wrong end of most of their recent meetings with the Blackhawks, losing 14 of the past 20 games between the two teams over the past three seasons. That includes the first-round playoff series in 2015, won by Chicago in six games. Anaheim Ducks Probability of first-round meeting: 29.2 percent For this matchup to materialize, the Predators have to outdo the Flames on Saturday and the Ducks must win the Pacific Division title for the fifth consecutive season. Anaheim has a four-point lead over Edmonton in that race, but the Oilers have one game in hand. A rematch of last year's first-round series won by the Predators in seven games would be intriguing. The Ducks' success this season has come with little fanfare, but they have been one of the NHL's most consistent teams. Revenge also is a motivation, making the Ducks a dangerous opponent. Anaheim is on a 13-game point streak (10-0-3), and one point against Los Angeles on Sunday would clinch the division. Edmonton Oilers Probability of first-round meeting: 4.7 percent The Oilers are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, ending what was the longest postseason drought in the NHL. A Pacific Division title would sweeten an already successful season, but Edmonton needs to sweep Vancouver in a back-to-back and receive outside help to overtake Anaheim. Captain Connor McDavid, who leads the league with 97 points, is at the forefront of a fast-paced team with several offensive weapons. He alone is a matchup nightmare, and his first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs should raise his game to another level if that were possible. PREDATORS PLAYOFF OPPONENTS Will play Chicago if: Nashville loses in regulation to Winnipeg or Nashville and Calgary (vs. San Jose) have same outcome Saturday. Will play Anaheim if: Nashville earns more points than Calgary and Anaheim gets one point against Los Angeles on Sunday. Will play Edmonton if: Nashville earns more points than Calgary, Edmonton wins its last two games (one in regulation) and Anaheim loses in regulation. Will play Minnesota if: Nashville defeats Winnipeg and St. Louis loses its last two games (vs. Carolina, Colorado) in regulation. NEXT GAME PREDATORS at JETS 1057682 New Jersey Devils

How Devils' Stefan Noesen, Blake Coleman will approach offseason after 1st NHL experience

Updated April 07, 2017 Posted April 07, 2017 Chris Ryan

NEWARK -- Rookies Stefan Noesen and Blake Coleman received their first big taste of NHL hockey this season, with each getting long, extended looks at the top level. The two Texas natives are part of the group of young Devils prospects aiming to climb the ladder and become difference makers down the line. Now that they both have a bigger chunk of NHL experience, here is how they will use that knowledge to their advantage in the offseason. Noesen's next step Noesen played in two NHL games prior to this season while he was a member of the Anaheim Ducks' organization, but this season was his first big chance to break into the league. He scored two goals in 12 games with the Ducks before the Devils claimed him off , and he has been a nightly fixture in New Jersey, where he has six more goals in 30 games. Noesen entered each previous offseason with the mentality of preparing to make the NHL team out of training camp. Now that he has some NHL experience under his belt, he will still approach the summer with the intention of earning a spot, with the added bonus of knowing what to expect. "I take the same look every single summer," Noesen told NJ Advance Media. "I go in like I’m going to make the team, even when I was in Anaheim and the roster was so small. It’s one thing to go in there and just show up, it’s another to go in and earn a spot. This year I really thought I had a chance (in Anaheim) and unfortunately there wasn’t a spot right away. Went down to the minors, played pretty well and got my chance.” Continuity in New Jersey One of the biggest benefits of Nosen's time with the Devils have been his consistent presence in the lineup. He was a healthy scratch once, but other than that, he has had the chance to play every game and establish himself. He joined the lineup immediately after the Devils claimed him off waivers, and he built chemistry quickly. Star Ledger LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057683 New Jersey Devils

Why Patrik Elias opted to not play for Devils on Saturday

Chris Ryan on April 07, 2017 at 6:00 AM, updated April 07, 2017 at 7:46 AM

NEWARK -- Devils general manager Ray Shero gave Patrik Elias the option to play in one of the team's final games as a part of his farewell, but the lifetime Devil declined for a couple reasons. Elias thought about the idea of playing, but as the April 8 home finale drew closer, he decided a final lap after pregame warmups would be more than enough. "We talked a couple months ago, and he said, 'If it comes down to it, would you want to play maybe one of the lat games?'" Elias said. "I didn't give him answer, then we touched on it a couple weeks ago. I've been away, I've been skiing, I haven't skated in two months and I don't think I'll be able to play a game." Patrik Elias' retirement press conference with Devils On top of Elias' decision that he wouldn't be ready to play a full game, he didn't want to take away from the integrity of the game for the Devils or the visiting New York Islanders. "It isn't fair to the guys that have been working here the whole year, training, and it wouldn't be fair to the Islanders," Elias said. "It would kind of take away from the game. Obviously the Islanders are still battling for that last (playoff) spot, so I didn't want to put myself in a position. I could get hurt, or the guys would feel bad, or somehow the game would be influenced because of that, and I didn't want to do that." Elias will still be on the ice for his final lap on Saturday, and he will also participate in a noon practice on Friday at the Prudential Center, which will be open to all fans. Elias' Top 10 Moments He will have his family and daughters in town for the weekend's festivities, and Elias sees it as a perfect way to thank Devils fans after his retirement. "I just felt that this will be a fun thing to do," Elias said. "I'm going to appreciate it, I'm going to enjoy it. Hopefully it won't make a fool out of me, that's why I'm still skating this week. It will be fun." Star Ledger LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057684 New Jersey Devils

Detail of Devils' open practice on Friday with Patrik Elias

Chris Ryan on April 07, 2017 at 5:55 AM, updated April 07, 2017 at 8:12 AM

NEWARK -- The Devils will continue their celebration of Patrik Elias' retirement when he participates in a team practice that is open to the public at noon on Friday at the Prudential Center. Anyone can attend the practice after RSVPing with the Devils here. Elias will skate with the team on Friday before warming up with the Devils during warmups prior to Saturday's home finale against the New York Islanders. Elias will then skate a final lap by himself to acknowledge the fans. How close Elias got to comeback With the Devils' season winding down, the team will get to finish the season on a celebratory note with the salute to Elias. "I think it will be a pretty special weekend for him and us as his teammates," forward Kyle Palmieri said. "I'm not sure what else they have planned outside of the practice and warmups, but it's our honor to be able to celebrate an amazing career with him and be able to celebrate all the things he's done for this franchise." Palmieri, who grew up in New Jersey at the height of Elias' career, said Elias' impact has been felt since he was a kid. "I remember watching Patty and I was fortunate enough to be his teammate a long ways down the road," Palmieri said. "But like I said the things he did for this franchise are really special, and it's an honor for our team to get to celebrate that with him." Star Ledger LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057685 New Jersey Devils Islanders on Saturday and playing the final NHL game at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Sunday.

So far, 38 players have appeared in at least one game for the Devils, No quick fixes in Devils' rebuilding mode including 12 rookies. A promising 9-3-3 start this season was torpedoed by a 4-12-4 stretch Andrew Gross , Published 11:01 a.m. ET April 7, 2017 | Updated 6 hours from Nov. 17-Dec. 27. And now the Devils are 3-15-4 since Feb. 19. A ago winning culture that can nurture younger players is not yet in place. “For us, it’s the guys who’ve been here for a while and considered part of the core of the leadership group of this team, we have to be the ones NEWARK – Time will judge what, if any progress, the Devils made in who are establishing that culture and showing the young guys the right 2016-17. Because, as the latest playoff-less season comes to its way to do things,” goalie Cory Schneider said. conclusion this weekend, the evaluation process slowly but surely became what this campaign was all about. Shero has been active in the trade market in each of the past two summers, first acquiring Montvale native Kyle Palmieri from the Ducks on The Devils, in their second season under general manager Ray Shero June 27, 2015 for draft picks, then landing fellow top-six wing Taylor Hall and coach John Hynes, will finish last in the Eastern Conference and from the Oilers in a blockbuster for top-pair defenseman Adam Larsson miss the playoffs for a fifth straight season since losing the 2012 Stanley on June 29, 2016. Cup Final to the L.A. Kings in six games. And, if anything, Shero has done a good job of stockpiling draft choices. Management has been clear this is a rebuilding process in the transition The Devils have 11 picks in the 2017 NHL Draft and nine more in 2018, from the Lou Lamoriello era. including first-round picks each year and a total of four second-round and four third-round selections. “My message since I was hired was that there are no shortcuts to becoming a playoff team again,” Shero told The Record. “It may feel like Shero’s first, first-rounder, rookie center Pavel Zacha, the sixth overall a step back this season but, to me, we have gone from the oldest team in pick in 2015 who turned 20 on Thursday, has eight goals and 16 assists the league to a much younger team with a lot more assets, draft pick in 68 games as he’s made the jump to the NHL directly from junior wise and player wise. hockey. Center Michael McLeod, selected 12th overall in 2016, has 27 goals and 46 assists in 57 games for Mississauga (OHL). “We have plenty of cap space and assets in order to improve but continuing to plug holes with older free-agent signings after I got the job That’s the foundation the Devils are trying to build. wasn’t the way to go,” Shero added. “That’s patchwork, not a plan. There could possibly be opportunities this offseason between the expansion But it’s no guarantee of quick success. draft, entry draft, free agency, etc. Through more draft picks, trades and “I think, obviously, that patience is something that is needed,” Merrill said. adding depth to our player pool, we have a stronger, younger foundation “But I also think a little bit of that [ticked]-off attitude is a good thing. I with which to move forward.” think that’s what we have in our locker room here and that’s what we’re But how close the Devils are to again being a perennial contender is very going to try and let boil over in the summer and come back next year with much in question. a real passion to get off this losing train and get something going.” And while management is preaching patience, that’s often a hard reality Time will be the judge of that. for the fan base to accept. Plus, as Hynes has said on more than a few Bergen Record LOADED: 04.08.2017 occasions this season, professional sports is about the “business of winning.” “We’re all cognizant of the fact that we have to get better,” Hynes said. “We have to do a good job of adding players to our team, whether that’s through trade, whether through the draft or whether it’s through free agency. When we get into the offseason, really focus on that next step.” “It’s an organization that came into the league and had success pretty quickly and had success for a long time, through the whole Lamoriello era pretty much,” defenseman Jon Merrill added. “They were a dominant team in the Eastern Conference and if they weren’t winning Cups, they were competing for them. So to now be five years in a row without a playoff team has got to be extremely frustrating for fans who are used to and accustomed to winning.” Attendance is understandably down this season, though not in a precipitous drop. The Devils averaged 14,531, ranked 27th in the 30-team NHL, through their first 39 games at The Rock, which currently has a capacity of 16,514 for hockey. It’s the fourth straight season attendance has declined. Last season, the Devils were 26th in the league with an average crowd of 15,073. The season before, attendance averaged 15,189 and, in 2013- 14, the Devils averaged 15,257. The Devils’ best attendance at The Rock came in the lockout-shortened 2013 season, when they averaged 17,114 for 24 home dates when the building held 17,625 for hockey. In a good sign for the franchise, many fans, at least those in the building, have not given up hope. “Cautiously optimistic,” said Keith Cook, 44, of New Providence, a Devils’ season-ticket holder since 1988. “It’s not going to be a quick fix, that’s for sure. They’re trying to get young. At least it seems like they have a plan going forward.” “I’m hoping they are,” added Matt Baran, 50, of Manalapan when asked whether he believed Shero and Hynes were the right people to lead the rebuilding efforts. “I think everyone is. Both have done good jobs in the past where they were. We just need a little bit more talent to come.” The Devils have two games remaining after Thursday’s 7-4 loss to the Stanley Cup-champion Penguins at Prudential Center, hosting the 1057686 New Jersey Devils

Five years, no playoffs for Devils: What happened?

Andrew Gross , Published 11:39 a.m. ET April 7, 2017 | Updated 6 hours ago

Playoff-less streak The Devils will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season since losing the 2012 Stanley Cup Final to the Kings in six games. Here’s a season- by-season look at what went wrong: 2013 19-19-10, 48 points Fifth place, Atlantic Division Despite an 8-1-3 start in a season shortened to 48 games due to the owner’s lockout, the Devils became the first Cup Finalist since 2007 to miss the playoffs (by seven points) as goalie Martin Brodeur missed a month because of a pinched nerve in his back and was limited to 29 games. 2013-14 35-29-18, 88 points Sixth place, Metropolitan Division Top offensive threat Ilya Kovalchuk “retired” to get out of his 15-year, $100 million deal and return to Russia, but Jaromir Jagr signed as a free agent and compiled 24 goals and 43 assists in 82 games while Brodeur and Cory Schneider, acquired from the Canucks as the heir apparent, split the goaltending duties. But the Devils were just 20-19-11 on Jan. 18 and, despite a late push, missed the playoffs by five points. 2014-15 32-36-14, 78 points Seventh place, Metropolitan Division With Brodeur gone and, after a seven-game stint with the Blues, retired, Schneider became the undisputed No. 1 goalie. But a 12-17-7 start cost coach Pete DeBoer his job the day after Christmas as general manager Lou Lamoriello, Scott Stevens and Adam Oates formed an interim coaching triumvirate for the rest of the season. Unhappy with his reduced playing time after DeBoer’s exit, Jagr was traded to the Panthers and the Devils missed the playoffs by 20 points. OLYMPICS: Devils disappointed in NHL's decision 2015-16 38-36-8, 84 points Seventh place, Metropolitan Division Optimism surrounded the first season under general manager Ray Shero and coach John Hynes despite an 0-3-1 start and the Devils’ inability to score goals as their 184 were last in the NHL. Schneider had an All-Star season, his first, but the Devils still missed the playoffs by 12 points. 2016-17 28-38-14, 70 points Eighth place, Metropolitan Division A 9-3-3 start quickly faded through a 4-12-4 stretch in November and December and their current 3-15-4 slump. Despite the acquisition of playmaker Taylor Hall from the Oilers for top-pair defenseman Adam Larsson, production continues to be an issue as they will finish last in the Eastern Conference in the standings and goals scored. Bergen Record LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057687 New Jersey Devils

Devils up next: Home finale vs. Islanders

Andrew Gross Published 7:14 p.m. ET April 7, 2017 | Updated 9 hours ago

UP NEXT Islanders at Devils Saturday, 6 p.m. TV: MSG, MSG Plus Radio: One Jersey Network (NewJerseyDevils.com or app, NHL.com or app or iHeartRadio app) Story line: This is the home finale for the Devils (28-38-14), who have lost two straight to the Islanders (39-29-12) after winning the lone game so far at Prudential Center, 3-2, on Feb. 18. G Keith Kinkaid (8-12-3, 2.58 goals-against average, .920 save percentage) is expected to start. The Islanders, missing C John Tavares (lower body) after he appeared to hurt his left hamstring in a 2-1 win over the Devils at Brooklyn on March 31, will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss. Bergen Record LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057688 New Jersey Devils

Devils' final two games will have plenty of highlights

Andrew Gross , 7:22 p.m. ET April 7, 2017

NEWARK – It’s long been apparent the Devils would miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season, the official elimination coming on March 25. Yet the season’s final weekend still will be packed with plenty of highlights thanks to a retiring player and an arena that is being retired. The Devils’ regular-season finale, on Sunday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit against the Red Wings, who had their string of 25 consecutive playoff appearances snapped, will mark the final NHL game at that venerable barn. But, from a Devils’ perspective, the focus is on Patrik Elias, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, who has not played this season and formally announced his retirement on March 31. For Saturday’s home finale against the rival Islanders, still clutching to their playoff hopes, Elias, who turns 41 on Thursday and who compiled 408 goals and 617 assists in 1,240 regular-season games while being part of two Stanley Cup winners, will participate in the pre-game warmups as he takes one final turn in uniform. Elias also skated with his now ex-teammates – his first time on ice with the full squad this season – on Friday at an open practice at Prudential Center. “I think it will be a pretty special weekend for him and us as his teammates,” Montvale’s Kyle Palmieri said. “It’s our honor to be able to celebrate such an amazing career with him and celebrate all the things he’s done for this franchise. Growing up as a kid, I remember watching Patty. I was fortunate enough to be his teammate a long ways down the road. “Anytime you get to celebrate a future Hall of Famer and a guy whose number is going to be up in the rafters next year, it’s a true honor,” Palmieri said. “It’s going to be a special weekend.” The Devils have announced they will retire Elias’ No. 26 next season. The Red Wings are moving from the cramped Joe, on the banks of Detroit River, to the downtown, state-of-the-art . First, though, will be a daylong celebration of their old arena, which opened in 1979 to replace the legendary Detroit Olympia. The Red Wings won four of their 11 Stanley Cups with Joe Louis Arena as their home. “It’s going to be special,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “You look at all the rinks around the league now, a lot of them are newer. Some of the rich tradition and history of some of the older buildings is gone now. To be the last game, it will be a great experience.” BRIEF: Rookie defenseman Steven Santini of Mahopac, N.Y. and forward Luke Gazdic were re-assigned to Albany (AHL). Bergen Record LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057689 New York Islanders

How the Islanders still could make the Stanley Cup playoffs

Updated April 7, 2017 11:09 AM By Neil Best

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Islanders improbably remain in contention for the second and final wild-card playoff berth in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, with a narrow, complicated path still to navigate. One road requires them to beat the Devils on Saturday and the Senators Sunday while the Maple Leafs lose both to the Penguins and Blue Jackets, with at least one of those losses coming in regulation time. But for that math to work out, the Islanders would need to win both of their games in regulation or overtime, enabling them to pass the Maple Leafs in the regulation-and-overtime-wins tiebreaker if both finish with 94 points. That reality could make for some complicated strategizing for coach Doug Weight. In theory, it might benefit the Islanders to pull their goalie in overtime to secure a win before the shootout for tiebreaker purposes. Trouble is, that logic could depend on results from elsewhere. Both Saturday and Sunday, the Maple Leafs’ games begin (and presumably end) one hour after the Islanders’, so Weight won’t know the full landscape. The Islanders could avoid ROW concerns if the Maple Leafs lose both of their games in regulation time. That way, the Islanders would finish with 94 points if they win two, and the Maple Leafs would be stuck at 93. But wait: the Lightning still loom with 90 points and two to play. They have 36 ROWs to the Islanders’ 37. More complications could ensue there, including the remote possibility of a three-way tie, which the Isles would lose out based on head-to-head tiebreakers. Tampa Bay plays Friday night against the Canadiens. If the Lightning loses, the Islanders will have one less thing to worry about. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057690 New York Islanders

Islanders relying on pride, hope to the end

April 7, 2017 8:24 PM By Arthur Staple

To have gotten to this point, still alive in the playoff race entering the final weekend of the regular season, is a minor achievement for the Islanders. Four straight wins, three without John Tavares and all of them needed to stay alive — it may all be too little, too late, but it’s still something. “Pride is great, but there’s still that ‘h’ word: Hope,” Doug Weight said on Friday following an optional Islanders practice in Newark ahead of the next do-or-die game against the Devils on Saturday. “I am proud of the last four, of how we’ve done it with some really good efforts, shaking up the nerves of some teams ahead of us.” There’s only one team that matters now and that’s the Leafs, who sit three points ahead with two games to go. There’s a few permutations with regulation/overtime wins vs. shootout wins, but the most direct path for the Islanders is a simple one. Beat the Devils and then the Senators on Sunday and hope the Leafs lose in regulation to the Penguins and Blue Jackets. Weight’s patchwork Islanders lineup the last three games may get a boost from the return of Nikolay Kulemin on Saturday after the big winger has missed the last seven with an upper-body injury. But they’ve managed to stay alive while missing Tavares, who won’t play this weekend with a hamstring injury; Ryan Strome, out since March 22 with a broken wrist; Casey Cizikas, done for the year after needing surgery on his hand and Travis Hamonic, sidelined with a left wrist/hand injury. “It’s been something like 170 points out of our lineup,” Weight said, “and that’s a pretty big number these days. Hopefully it’s something like what Pittsburgh has had to do the last 5-6 years, with some injuries to their big stars. You have guys who learn to play a certain way when those guys are out and then you realize you can keep playing that way once they’re back.” Islanders How the Isles still could make the playoffs So the Islanders will try to get to the playoffs with Thomas Hickey at left wing, with rookies Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Ho-Sang driving the offense, with rookie defensemen Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield playing regular roles and Jaroslav Halak, the forgotten man in the middle of this season during his three-month AHL exile, leading the way in goal as he’ll get his fifth straight start on Saturday. “You can’t be a 10-goal scorer and start trying to make plays like a 20- goal scorer,” Weight said. “What you need is simpler, harder, smarter. We’ve been simple and it’s been a big boost.” Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057691 New York Rangers

Mika Zibanejad reflects on early playoff experiences as Rangers’ regular season winds down

JUSTIN TASCH Updated: Saturday, April 8, 2017, 1:41 AM

OTTAWA − Mika Zibanejad’s first playoff game as a Ranger will be against the Canadiens, the same team he faced in his first-ever playoff game with the Senators, whom he’ll play against for the first time Saturday afternoon in the Rangers’ penultimate regular-season game. Zibanejad, whom the Rangers acquired from Ottawa over the summer for Derick Brassard, was 20 years old when he made his NHL postseason debut in Montreal on May 2, 2013, earning two assists in Ottawa’s 4-2 Game 1 victory before the Senators took the series in five. In recalling his first postseason experience, he remembers the immense media horde the day before the series began in Bell Centre. “A lot of media,” Zibanejad recently told the Daily News. “We came there and we usually have the locker room access, but at that point we had to go outside the locker room into the hallway and they had stations for players. For me that was overwhelming, but it was fun.” Before that first playoff game, Zibanejad said veteran players were talking with the youngsters about staying relaxed amid the intensity of playoff hockey. It helped, he said, that Ottawa won the game. After splitting the first two games, the series went to Ottawa for Game 3, where there was a line brawl in the third period while No. 7 seed Ottawa was up by three goals. “I think there were seven guys on the bench the last seven minutes,” he said. A look back at the 2014 series between the Rangers and Canadiens The Sens lost to top-seeded Pittsburgh in five games in the second round. “Being 20 and playing your first playoffs, getting to do that in two crazy hockey cities, it was really cool and an experience,” Zibanejad said. “It’s something I always dreamt of as a kid.” Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler, pitching in a game for the first time since Sept. 25, 2014, got knocked around Friday, giving up five runs on six hits while pitching four innings, in a 7-2 loss to the Marlins at Citi Field. New York Daily News back pages of 2017 Interestingly, Zibanejad potentially could’ve made his playoff debut in 2012 against the Rangers in the first round. He came back to North America from his Swedish club Djurgårdens IF and was told he had a chance to dress during the series, but he got hurt while with AHL Binghamton. Zibanejad didn’t play against his former club in the two meetings between the Rangers and Senators at the Garden earlier this year after he suffered a broken fibula on Nov. 20, which kept him out nearly two months. So Saturday will represent his first NHL game as a visitor in Ottawa and his first matchup against the Senators. HANK START will make his final regular-season start Saturday and Antti Raanta will play Sunday. All the Rangers who missed Wednesday’s game practiced Friday, though Ryan McDonagh will miss his fourth straight game Saturday. New York Daily News LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057692 New York Rangers New York Post LOADED: 04.08.2017

Mika Zibanejad can make mark on Rangers with playoff magic

By Larry Brooks April 7, 2017 | 7:54PM

It has been a long time coming for Mika Zibanejad, who is returning to the city of Ottawa that he called home for four years for the first time since his summer trade to the Rangers. “I’m excited, anxious, a little nervous, and have the entire range of emotions you would expect,” Zibanejad told The Post following Friday’s practice at the club’s training center before the flight north in advance of Saturday’s match against the Senators. “I haven’t been back since I left for training camp, so it’s going to be fun seeing a lot of my friends on Friday night and then playing on Saturday. “I haven’t even played against them yet, missing the two games at the Garden with the injury. It’s going to be different, for sure, but fun.” It is the broken fibula, which Zibanejad sustained sliding into the boards in a gruesome manner on Nov. 20 that sidelined the center for just shy of two months, that makes it so difficult for anyone to properly evaluate his season. “I think the adjustment to New York and to the Rangers has gone well, but the one specific thing I wanted to focus on was being more consistent with my game and that was hard to do with such a long absence,” Zibanejad said. “I think I was playing really well when I got hurt, the first game or two after I came back was good because of all the adrenaline and excitement, but then I dipped for a while. “So for the season, some was good and some was not as good, but I think I’m going in the right direction again.” Zibanejad, who presumably will center Rick Nash and either J.T. Miller or Jimmy Vesey on the Blueshirts’ second line, has recorded 34 points (13- 21) in 54 games. He has not scored a five-on-five goal since his first game back from the injury on Jan. 17, when he got a pair against Dallas. His last four goals have come on the power play and the two prior to that in three-on-three overtime. “It was a challenge coming back from that injury. It took time for me to get over it from a mental perspective,” Zibanejad said. “But it hasn’t been in the back of my mind for at least a few weeks. I feel good. I’m back to playing my game.” Zibanejad can be a lethal passer. His shot can be a weapon, certainly from the off-side left circle on the power play. He is strong on faceoffs. And he sure can skate. The Rangers need him to win his one-on-ones in order to establish a puck-possession game and to improve in his own end. “We saw Mika making big strides as far as his competitiveness and his competitiveness on the puck, but then he had a real serious injury for a guy probably whose best skillset is his skating,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “We’ve seen the signs of a good playmaker with good speed who has addressed his puck-battle issues.” Zibanejad’s first year on Broadway ultimately will be measured by his work in the playoffs, in which he has a career total of eight points (2-6) in 16 games with the Senators. It will not be forgotten that Derick Brassard earned the nickname Big Game Brass by hitting a succession of high notes while leading the Rangers in playoff scoring with 44 points (18-26) in 59 games in his four tournaments wearing the Blueshirt. “Of course I am aware of what he did in the playoffs, but they didn’t bring me here to be the next Brass,” Zibanejad said. “It’s very important for me to play well, but I don’t compare myself to him. I have my own game. I can only focus on that, not on any talk that’s going around. “There are a lot of players on this team with a lot of playoff experience. My two times there, I was learning. I’m sure I still will be, but I’m really excited about it and looking forward to it. This a high-reward time of the year.” And according to Vigneault, it can be Zibanejad’s time. “I think this is the perfect opportunity here with the playoffs just around the corner for Mika to establish himself as a top-notch player and top- notch centerman,” the coach said. “The pressure is on and the opportunity is there. I have a lot of confidence in Mika. He works extremely hard and it will be his time to show what he can do on the bigger stage.” 1057693 New York Rangers

How Ryan McDonagh proved he’s ready for Game 1

By Larry Brooks April 7, 2017 | 4:59pm

Ryan McDonagh did not make the trip to Ottawa with his Rangers teammates for Saturday afternoon’s penultimate match of the regular season, but the captain engaged fully in Friday’s practice and dispelled thoughts he might be impaired heading into the playoff opener in Montreal that probably will be played Wednesday. “I feel really good,” said McDonagh, who has missed the club’s three matches since the March 28 playoff clincher while tending to an undisclosed injury he had played through for a couple of weeks. “I’m excited to be back with the group. “We’re coming down to the wire here as far as what we want to do and where we want to be. We’re progressing in the right direction.” McDonagh, who was paired with Dan Girardi for the team’s extensive penalty-kill drills, leads the club and is 17th in the NHL while clocking 24:23 per game. It is unclear whether the defenseman will play in Sunday’s finale at the Garden against the Penguins, but it is not necessary for him to be primed to go when it counts. “[This break] has been good for everything,” he said. “Recharge the mind here, hopefully for a long run, and physically, for sure, letting the body heal up. We have enough time before the playoffs start that we’re able to get back out there and feel good on the ice.” Henrik Lundqvist will get the start in Ottawa while Antti Raanta, who went down late in practice after taking a shot on the knee, is good to go Sunday. “I feel pretty good,” said Lundqvist, who will make his sixth straight start since returning from the hip injury that cost him nearly three weeks last month. “My timing is better, my reads are better. You just try and maximize every minute you get to prepare yourself [for the playoffs].” Coach Alain Vigneault said immediately after practice he hadn’t decided on a lineup for Saturday, but 25-year-old winger Taylor Beck, recalled Friday from the AHL Wolf Pack, will make his Rangers debut. Beck, acquired from Edmonton organization for Justin Fontaine on March 1, has 13 points (6-7) in 14 games for Hartford and a combined 63 points (19-44) in the AHL this season. “He’s a young player I don’t know a lot about, so I’d like the opportunity to see him,” Vigneault said of the 6-foot-2, 203-pounder, who has recorded 23 points (11 goals) in 90 prior NHL games after having been Nashville’s 70th overall selection in the 2009 draft. Vigneault said it would not be necessary to have Brendan Smith play these next two on the side on which he will open the playoffs. Smith, a lefty, has played most of 13 games on the left and only four on the right with several partners. He was paired on the left with righty Kevin Klein on the PK drills while Brady Skjei — who has received only 20:53 of shorthanded ice all season — worked exclusively on the power play. “I’m going to do what’s best for the team,” Vigneault said when asked about the degree of difficulty he will encounter in deciding which of his team’s seven blue-line veterans would be the odd man out for Game 1. New York Post LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057694 New York Rangers

Rangers work on special teams ahead of final games, playoff series against Canadiens

Updated April 7, 2017 5:36 PM By Brian Heyman Special to Newsday

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Rangers poured sweat into their special teams during practice Friday with their special games set to begin next week — the Stanley Cup playoffs. “We spent a little bit of time on both the power play and penalty killing, just trying to fine-tune a couple of little areas of those special teams,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “Hopefully, it’s going to pay off down the road here.” Their road leads to a first-round matchup against Montreal, the team that sailed to the top of the Atlantic Division. First, there are two more games for fine-tuning by the East’s first wild-card holder — at Ottawa Saturday and at the Garden against Pittsburgh Sunday night. The Canadiens, though, are starting to enter their thoughts. “I’ve had a couple of conversations with guys, even today, working on our (penalty killing), talking about what to expect from Montreal, as well as what to expect for the next two days,” center Derek Stepan said. Forwards Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello and Jesper Fast and defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Nick Holden and Brady Skjei sat out Wednesday’s loss at Washington with minor injuries, but they were all back practicing. Vigneault said McDonagh will still miss his fourth straight game, but he wasn’t ready to say if the rest will play. McDonagh sounded ready. “I feel really good out there,” McDonagh said. “Timing-wise, hopefully it comes back quick.” It has come back for Henrik Lundqvist after the goalie missed eight games in March with a strained hip. He will start against Ottawa. Then Vigneault plans to play Antti Raanta against Pittsburgh. “I feel like the timing is better and the reads are better,” Lundqvist said. The Rangers will need Lundqvist to be at his best because Montreal goalie Carey Price has been at his. “I know Hank is real excited about the ‘Lundqvist versus Price series,’ ” Stepan said. “It elevates both goalies, too.” Montreal claimed all three games against the Rangers this season, one in a shootout. “You’re going to see both teams play with high amounts of speed,” Stepan said. “It’s going to be a really fun series. It’s the best time of the year. It’s playoff time.” Notes & quotes: Raanta was hurting after taking a shot off his knee in practice. “But he’s all right,” Vigneault said . . . Forward Taylor Beck was recalled from Hartford. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057695 NHL

Seattle Thunderbirds open series against Everett with 3-2 victory

Originally published April 7, 2017 at 10:03 pm Updated April 7, 2017 at 10:09 PM By Seattle Times staff

Donovan Neuls scored with 59 seconds remaining to give the Seattle Thunderbirds a 3-2 victory over the Everett Silvertips in their second- round playoff opener Friday at Xfinity Arena. Everett’s Aaron Irving had tied the score at 2-2 just 39 seconds earlier. Game 2 will be played at 7:05 Saturday in Everett. Games 3 and 4 will be played Tuesday and Friday at the ShoWare Center in Kent. Tyler Adams scored 5:31 into the third period to give the T-birds a 2-1 lead. Western Conference player of the year Mathew Barzal, in his first playoff game this season, gave the T-birds a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal at 2:07 of the second period. Barzal missed Seattle’s first-round four-game sweep of Tri-City with the mumps and had been a question mark entering this series. Everett’s Eetu Tuulola of Finland tied the score with just 2:07 left in the second period. Alexander True assisted on the first two Seattle goals. Everett’s Carter Hart, the CHL goalie of the year, made 30 saves. Carl Stankowski stopped 21 shots for Seattle. The teams had a close battle during the regular season, Everett hitting the 100-point plateau to win the U.S. Division title and Seattle finishing second at 98. But the Thunderbirds collected 46 wins, while the Silvertips managed 44. Seattle Times LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057696 NHL vote. (It should be mentioned that CBE’s $5,000-per-month Port contract doesn’t require registering for lobbying activities.)

And the Port isn’t the only anti-Sodo group paying for influence. Battle of lobbyists, consultants is expected to intensify as 3-group arena race heats up Records show the Mariners paid their former legal counsel, Bart Waldman, $4,623.92 early last year to oppose the Occidental street- vacation request by Hansen. George Allen, another registered lobbyist, By Geoff Baker received $3,600 from the Mariners for monitoring the work of city officials before the street-vacation vote.

And the money disclosed in public might be only a fraction of what’s Ten days before a crucial vote on a Sodo District arena last May, a top being spent. Lobbyists must register only when campaigning for or Port of Seattle lobbyist got some impromptu time with the politician many against specific legislation. In the city’s arena saga, all groups are suspected could swing the result. employing people for lobbyist-type work without them necessarily having to register. In Hansen’s case, Fatland and Claudon continue to work on In the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., airport last April 22, Port lobbyist Eric ffitch undisclosed private deals despite having declared no registered lobbying ran into Seattle City Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez, who would cast income in nearly a year. the decisive vote in a 5-4 council decision May 2 against the Sodo project pitched by Chris Hansen. AEG hired Nyhus Communications to handle local PR and is paying one of its employees, Katherine Fountain Mackinnon, to lobby city officials on With a Wednesday deadline set for proposals to renovate KeyArena – in their KeyArena plans. She was paid $1,251.25 last year for lobbying and direct competition with a since-revised Sodo project – the role of has yet to file disclosures this year. It is not known how much the lobbyists and paid consultants in Seattle’s arena debate has emerged remainder of the private contract between AEG and Nyhus is worth. front and center. Not only has the Port lobbied government officials as a Sodo-project opponent, but Hansen himself has paid lobbyists tens of Aaron Pickus, hired through Nyhus, is AEG’s main arena spokesman in thousands of dollars to push his plan while KeyArena renovation bidders Seattle but not registered for lobbying. Pickus used to serve as Anschutz Entertainment Group and Oak View Group are also hiring spokesman for former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. companies and individuals to sway opinion. As for the Oak View Group, spearheaded by Tim Leiweke and Irving And as the three-group arena race heats up, the battle of lobbyists and Azoff, it does not appear to have hired registered lobbyists. But the firm is consultants is expected to intensify and compete for support from a paying Steven Gottlieb to handle local communications for its Seattle public not always attuned to just how much gets quietly spent securing representative, Lance Lopes. these sports megadeals. Gottlieb on his LinkedIn profile says his company, Gottlieb Whether it’s worth spending the lobby money remains up for debate. Communications, allows individuals and firms to “extend awareness and After all, only one group will emerge victorious. manage their reputation through measurable thought leadership and influencer programs.” Also, timing can be everything in the lobby game. For instance, Gonzalez says ffitch getting her one-on-one didn’t mean much. She had already Lopes is a former Seahawks lobbyist but not registered for such work on spoken with Port Commissioner John Creighton, part of the Seattle behalf of OVG. Still, Gonzalez confirmed she has already met with Lopes delegation to Miami, at a cocktail reception the first night of the trip. at her office. Gonzalez insisted Lopes did not pitch specifics of OVG’s arena plans and only discussed what the relatively new company — Gonzalez had been on a Seattle Chamber of Commerce exchange to founded in late 2015 — is about. tour Port of Miami facilities and says she had already been lobbied to the hilt for months on the arena issue when ffitch approached her before the Gonzalez also met members of Hansen’s investment group — including group’s flight home. Hansen, Wally Walker and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson — in January for the first time. Gonzalez said she had previously met with “He happened to see me at the Fort Lauderdale Airport … and Fatland and Claudon in January 2016, four months before the Sodo vote. approached me, but we didn’t have any substantive conversation,” Gonzalez said this week, adding she had already met ffitch, who was at Fatland made waves in the upcoming three-group PR battle by making a the airport with other Port officials on the trip, once before. “We just January public-records request to the Port for information about its CBE focused on niceties.” consulting deal. That resulted in the CBE contract being posted on the Port’s website and was followed by media commentary about it on local Indeed, a follow-up email by ffitch, who did not respond to requests for television and radio. comment, to Gonzalez — obtained by The Seattle Times in a public- records request — didn’t suggest they had discussed anything Port spokesman Peter McGraw confirmed the only independent media substantial. Ffitch wrote: “it was a privilege to learn more about your records request on anything CBE-related has been by Andrew McIntosh background in the informal setting of the Fort Lauderdale airport. Despite of the Puget Sound Business Journal. McIntosh, who covers the Port my role with the Port being focused on Olympia and the state legislature, daily, followed up with a more detailed story about the CBE contract late I am sure we will have occasion to work together.” last month. By that point, she had spent six months hearing from lobbyists, Other than that, prior media commentary on the CBE deal appears consultants and officials on both sides of the Sodo debate and doubts generated solely off the work of Fatland. Which means, much like ffitch ffitch or Creighton could have influenced her additionally had they tried. chatting up Gonzalez at the airport, OVG rep Lopes paying her an office visit, or AEG lobbyist Mackinnon earning her keep, Fatland was doing “Certainly towards the tail end, I’d heard about every angle I could exactly what he’s paid to — trying to influence opinion. possibly hear related to those who were in favor and those who were opposed,’’ Gonzalez said. Seattle Times LOADED: 04.08.2017 Much focus up to now has been on the Port’s lobby efforts opposing the Sodo plan. It was revealed in January the Port could spend up to $185,000 on a three-year deal with Ceis Bayne East — also known as CBE Strategic — for consulting on industrial-lands issues, including a campaign to support a KeyArena renovation. While some question whether public money should be used to support one private-arena venture over another, the Port isn’t the only entity spending thousands monthly to influence public officials. Hansen’s two prime lobbyists for his Sodo project are Rollin Fatland — long a Seattle political fixture — and Lynn Claudon, wife of former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer. Public disclosures show Hansen paid Claudon $24,000 for the first six months of 2016 and Fatland $20,000 for the first four months before last May’s city-council vote on selling part of Occidental Avenue South to the Sodo-project group. That amounted to $4,000 per month for Claudon, pro-rated for half a year, and $5,000 monthly for Fatland, whose deal ran right up to the 1057697 Ottawa Senators Dorion was also optimistic that defenceman Marc Methot and winger Bobby Ryan would be ready to go in the playoffs.

Boucher will be forced into some tough choices before icing what he Playoff pride: Senators makes postseason in GM Pierre Dorion's first believes is the Senators’ best lineup. year at the top “It’s the first time in a long time that Guy has as many options as possible,” Dorion said. “He’s going to dress the best team to help win a Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen playoff round.” Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 5:27 PM EDT Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.08.2017

There’s no place Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion would rather be next Monday, when he celebrates his first anniversary in the job. In the Stanley Cup playoffs. After the stomach-churning, roller-coaster ride of the 2016-17 season — Dorion isn’t as publicly demonstrative as predecessor Bryan Murray, but he wears the losses just as hard — the Senators have accomplished the pre-season goal of reaching the National Hockey League post-season. Never-ending stress is part and parcel of what Dorion describes as his “dream job” atop an NHL front office. “Some people think all you do is make trades and transactions, but that’s just a little part of the job,” Dorion said. “It’s fun at times and very demanding at other times, but it was everything I was ready for.” As the celebration proceeded around him in the Senators dressing room at Boston’s TD Garden late Thursday, Dorion enjoyed a fun moment, reminding himself about any number of pivotal games along the way. “I started thinking about Game 1 against the Maple Leafs,” Dorion said in a conference call Friday. “I was thinking about our last little stretch and getting some key wins (this week). I thought about coming back to beat Toronto (on Feb. 18). I thought about the big win against Washington (on Jan. 24) and winning in Chicago (Dec. 20) for the first time in a while.” Besides going through specific victories, Dorion also thought about the obstacles that involved Craig Anderson, Clarke MacArthur and the injury bug that spread like a virus late in the season. Dorion praised Senators head coach Guy Boucher for impressing upon his players the need to play a take-few-chances style, but Dorion also found the players to fit that style. His best trade and probably the best trade in the NHL this season brought goaltender Mike Condon from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fifth- round draft choice in November. Without Condon, who played a franchise-record 27 consecutive games from Dec. 1 to Feb. 4, the Senators would have dropped out of the playoff race while Craig Anderson was on personal leave to be with his wife, Nicholle, in her battle with throat cancer. Condon went 13-8-5 during that run. At the trade deadline, Dorion added wingers and Viktor Stalberg, players the Senators certainly needed when injury upon injury hit their forward ranks. Burrows, who scored the tying goal in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Boston, has six goals and three assists in 18 games with the Senators. Dorion also made the tough decision to trade away 2013 first-round pick Curtis Lazar, a centre, for defenceman Jyrki (Kevin) Jokipakka, who has played in only two games. “We knew we wouldn’t go through the year without injuries,” Dorion said. “We tried to get (Boucher) some quality NHL depth.” Even though the Senators had clinched their own playoff spot, Dorion wouldn’t bite when asked Friday if he had a preferred opponent for the opening round. Possibilities include the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals. He took the safe road and complimented all three as strong teams. “Our first step was to get into the playoffs,” he said. “We have to stay the course. We got into the playoffs and hopefully we can make some noise.” Injury situation improving If the playoffs started Saturday, captain Erik Karlsson and centre/winger Zack Smith would be in the lineup, Dorion said Friday. With an extra few days off, though, they’ll be in even better health when the post-season does begin next week. 1057698 Ottawa Senators As much as Boucher doesn’t want to look past the weekend games, he can’t help but think about a dream scenario: Having Karlsson and fellow injured skaters Marc Methot, Zack Smith and Bobby Ryan all back for the Saving Erik Karlsson: Short-term pain for long-term gain by Senators playoffs. “Maybe, maybe this year we’re going to have one game with our full team on the ice,” Boucher said with a laughing. “We’re still looking at that and I Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen would like to ask Santa, but (Christmas) is pretty far away, so I guess I will have to light some candles.” Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 5:04 PM EDT Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.08.2017

The calculated gamble in protecting captain Erik Karlsson’s health could pay huge dividends for the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs. By resisting the urge to push the hobbling Karlsson into the lineup Thursday against the Boston Bruins — risk-reward discussions included the possibility of aggravating the damage — he could have more than a full week off to rest his ailing right foot before the National Hockey League post-season begins. Following the euphoria of the 2-1 shootout win that secured a berth in the post-season, Senators coach Guy Boucher said it was highly unlikely that the captain would play Saturday against the New York Rangers or Sunday in the regular-season finale versus the New York Islanders. General manager Pierre Dorion also said Friday that Karlsson was doubtful for the weekend. “Right now he needs (time off),” Boucher said. “It’s not resting, it’s giving him all the time to recuperate. I highly doubt (he’ll play) Saturday, but I keep it open because, the last time (he was out), I never expected he would play. This guy is a machine, he gets the red cape on and you never know when he’s flying in, so…” Home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs is at stake this weekend, but, in the bigger picture, a fully healthy or even an almost fully healthy Karlsson is more important. A candidate for the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player during the regular season, Karlsson presence could tip the balance in a playoff series. “He’s a huge part of our team,” fellow defenceman Dion Phaneuf said late Thursday night in Boston. “He has led our team all year. I always say, ‘He drives the bus.’” Still, winning a crucial game without Karlsson was entirely fitting for a Senators team that has defied odds throughout the season. From goaltender Craig Anderson’s absences to be with his wife, Nicholle, in her fight with throat cancer, to Clarke MacArthur’s concussion fight to a laundry list of late-season injuries, it’s an unlikely story to be sure. The numbers don’t add up. The Senators are the only playoff-bound team to allow more goals than they’ve scored. The power play and the penalty kill, usually vital for consistent success, both rank 23rd in the 30- team NHL. Somehow, though, they found a way, getting by on the smallest of margins. In 17 of their 43 victories, the Senators have scored two or fewer goals. In another six games, they’ve picked up either an overtime or shootout point without scoring more than two goals. After the Senators finally clinched a playoff spot in Boston, a roar came out of the dressing room. “You start the year and nobody expects us to be where we are,” Boucher said. “And, all of a sudden, you see all these things happening to us. When one adversity is over, the next one is there and you’re like, ‘When is this going to stop?’ The way these players have stuck together, the way they’ve supported each other … that’s what (the roar) was.” Anderson said there was no question that skating over all the hurdles added to the playoff excitement. There was also little doubt that some players had sacrificed offensive statistics, recognizing that Boucher’s tight defensive game didn’t allow for much freelancing. “We’re doing things the right way,” Anderson said. “We’re being team- oriented, goal-oriented. We’re not venturing off on our own page and just sticking to it.” The way forward Mark Stone saw it, nobody cared how you made the playoffs. Finding a way — any way — to get there is all that matters. “Last year, it was a terrible feeling,” Stone said. “When you make the playoffs two years ago on a Cinderella run, that feeling of accomplishment was incredible. And then the failure from last year and we bring in a new (coaching) staff and we bought in from the start. We’ve had a ton of adversity in the last three or four weeks, but credit to us, we gave ourselves enough leeway to get through some minor hiccups.” 1057699 Ottawa Senators Adam Clendening-Steve Kampfer Goaltenders Game Day: Senators versus New York Rangers Henrik Lundqvist Antti Raanta Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.08.2017 Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 4:34 PM EDT

RANGERS AT SENATORS New York Rangers (47-27-6) at Ottawa Senators (43-27-10), Canadian Tire Centre, 12:30 p.m., Sportsnet, RDS, TSN 1200 AM, 94.5 FM. Special teams Ottawa: power play 17.3 per cent (23rd in league), penalty killing 79.5 per cent (23rd) The big matchup Mika Zibanejad versus Derick Brassard: Interesting to look at last summer’s trade, isn’t it? Brassard has been a disappointment offensively — 13 goals and 25 assists — but Senators head coach Guy Boucher trusts in the type of two-way play that has helped the Senators make the playoffs. As Zibanejad returns to Canadian Tire Centre for the first time since the trade, he has also played a role in the Rangers’ reappearance in the playoffs, with 13 goals and 21 assists in a season marred by a broken leg. Maybe playoff success, or failure, will provide a fresh look at the deal. Three keys to the game 1-Securing home ice: The game means more to the Senators. A win guarantees them second in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. 2-Who plays? With the playoff representing the big picture, captain Erik Karlsson is unlikely to play for the Senators. The Rangers, locked into a playoff matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, sat five regulars for the previous game. 3-Stingy is as stingy does: The Senators are on a two-game winning streak despite scoring only three goals. The defensive style is boring and frustrating to opponents, but it works more often than not. Senators roster Forward lines Viktor Stalberg-Derick Brassard-Alex Burrows Mike Hoffman-Jean Gabriel Pageau-Tom Pyatt Tommy Wingels-Kyle Turris-Mark Stone Clarke MacArthur-Chris Kelly-Ryan Dzingel Defence pairs Fredrik Claesson-Ben Harpur Dion Phaneuf-Cody Ceci Mark Borowiecki-Chris Wideman Goaltenders Craig Anderson Mike Condon Injuries: Erik Karlsson, Marc Methot, Bobby Ryan, Zack Smith. N.Y. Rangers roster Forward lines Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Pavel Buchnevich Jimmy Vesey-Mika Zibanejad-Brandon Pirri Michael Grabner-Kevin Hayes-J.T. Miller Tanner Glass-Oscar Lindberg-Matt Puempel Defence pairs Marc Staal-Kevin Klein Brendan Smith-Dan Girardi 1057700 Ottawa Senators If he had been born 10 years later and started his career in 2004, when the league cracked down on hooking and holding, Daigle probably would have become a star and met all projections. Donibrook: Alexandre Daigle was just 10 years ahead of his time And, if he so desired, he might even still be playing the game he does not miss now. Don Brennan Off the bat: Teams paid $7,500 to enter Friday’s one-day tournament and the one that raised the most for the Senators foundation took Daniel Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 9:42 PM EDT Alfredsson with the first pick in Thursday night’s draft. Selected second was Radek Bonk, while former tough-guy Dennis Vial went third ahead of more skilled players like, well, all of them. Vial did score a goal in his team’s first game. “I had more than one,” he insisted. Nobody argued … Alexandre Daigle is standing in the lobby at Bells Sensplex wearing In between games, Bonk went home to do laundry and apply for a bike- clothes that are now so very out of style for him — hockey pants and racing license. The Senators’ first pick (third overall) in 1994 is now an hockey socks — along with the perma-grin of someone who is high on avid cyclist who does most of his peddling in his basement at this time of life. year, but he’ll eat up 150 kilometres of highway per day during the Eleven seasons have now passed since he last skated in the National summer. “It’s a good hobby,” said Bonk, now a 41-year-old Ottawa Hockey League, seven since the end of his playing career in Europe, and resident and as affable as they come. “It keeps me in a little bit of shape.” the first pick of the 1993 entry draft is asked if he misses the game. … Now player development coach of the Buffalo Sabres, former Senators captain Randy Cunneyworth is reminded of one of the game’s “I don’t,” Daigle says bluntly. “I played since I was eight, man. Can I do all-time greatest when he watches Buffalo’s brightest young star. “There something else? Can I? are a lot of similarities between Jack (Eichel) and Mario Lemieux,” Cunneyworth said. “Their physical stature, the way he sees the ice … “It was a great run. Don’t get me wrong. But I fit right in with what I do Jack is a great guy, he’s well liked and he’s very driven.”. My bold now. I love it.” prediction: Eichel wins the Art Ross next season. Daigle, one of 15 former Senators at the Sens Alumni & NHL Celebrity Connecting the dots: A hard-nosed defenceman who scored just 16 Cup on Friday, was in Ottawa for only the third time since retiring. Now goals in 393 NHL games, Lance Pitlick now teaches stick-handling and 42, he works in the movie industry, running studios for MTL Grande. skating skills in Minnesota. Of meeting up with ex-teammates in Ottawa Daigle still does some travelling — business takes him to Hollywood this week, Pitlick said: “It’s like a moment didn’t pass when we got about once a month — but otherwise lives in Montreal with his wife and together. It was really special.” … After three years of dating Aaron their three children, who are too young (nine, seven and five) to Rodgers, Olivia Munn will finally lose the cheesehead and find a warmer understand dad’s previous life. place to watch football games than the “Frozen Tundra” at Lambeau They’ve seen some highlights, but they don’t know that he was the Field. She’d look good in a Redblacks toque, and I’m sure we could find world’s best prospect in the early 1990s while scoring 237 points in 119 a seat for her in the TD Place press box … One of many reasons to love games for the Victoriaville Tigres. Or about his career in Ottawa, where the Masters: It’s the only time all year we can watch the ageless Freddy he scored 20 goals as an 18-year-old rookie, but never more than 51 Couples, who plays Augusta as well as anyone. How good would it be to points in 4 1/2 years. Or that he had brief stints with the Philadelphia see the now 57-year-old “Boom Boom” win this weekend? … The Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins Redblacks signed defensive lineman Steve Miller this week. No word on and Minnesota Wild before heading to the Swiss-A league for four more how negotiations are going with The Band. seasons. Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.08.2017 Daigle had size (6-foot, 200 pounds) and great speed, but he was largely a disappointment as an NHLer. Only once after being traded by Ottawa did he play more than 58 games in a season, and only once did he score as many as 51 points again, when he led the 2003-04 Wild in scoring. But regrets? He has none. “I had a great life out of it,” said Daigle, as likeable as ever and, while wearing a ball cap, anyway, still looking like he did when he was a teenager. “I played a lot of games. Everybody’s criticizing careers, saying I ‘should have been.’ Yeah I should have been. But, if you tell me my son will win two world championship, play 650 games, 200 in Europe, travel the world … I will sign him up (for that career) tomorrow. Anybody would. “We’re so focused on the selected few who are amazing, which is great, but the reality is there’s not too many guys who ‘do it.’ To do it for that long is so tough. The average career is what, 4.5 years or something like that? So I’ve got to be happy with what happened to me. It’s a great thing. “You’ve got to put it in perspective sometimes,” he continued. “I was 18 and I scored 20. At that time, people were hooking and holding. There were no rules. “If you ask me, sure, I’d like (to have started) 10 years later, in 2004, when they changed the rules. I would have been amazing. For sure, with the type of player I was, I would have had more success now. But there’s always my son.” Vincent, the five-year old, is Daigle’s only boy. While his sisters are involved in swimming and gymnastics, Vincent has just started playing hockey. Vincent will likely be a big boy, Daigle figures, as well as athletic. Along with his dad’s genes, his mom is 5-10 and a marathon runner. “I told my wife I’m going to put him on defence,” Daigle said. “She said, ‘Why?’ Ah, you’ve got pressure scoring every game (as a forward). On defence, you can play 1,200 games, and you just chip the puck out. She said, ‘What’s chipping?’ I said, ‘I’ll show you. It’s an art.’ And, if you put the puck right off the last part of the (glass) and it goes out, and you don’t have a penalty. This is genius. Those guys can play forever.” When he burst on the scene, Daigle was like today’s Connor McDavid. He didn’t have the same skills and vision as the Edmonton Oilers captain, but their size and speed was comparable and they played the same style of game. 1057701 Ottawa Senators

Senators' ups and downs normal part of NHL season, Daniel Alfredsson says

Don Brennan Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 9:27 PM EDT

Up and down the Ottawa Senators have gone in the final weeks of the regular season, winning six straight, losing five in a row and now two games into what they hope is another significant victory streak. Meanwhile, the inconsistencies are of no worry to Daniel Alfredsson, the franchise’s most prolific playoff scorer of all-time and now its senior advisor of hockey operations. “I like where we are, especially after the game yesterday” Alfredsson said Friday, referring to the playoff-spot-clinching 2-1 shootout victory in Boston. “I thought it’s a game we have to get a point, and the way we really shut them down was impressive. “And I think we do have more to give, but, overall, I’m not concerned.” Alfredsson pointed out dips in play were “natural occurrences” for every National Hockey League team, and the recent plunge by the Senators “happened to hit us at the same time as some injuries.” He doesn’t buy the theory that the Senators eased up, knowing they were in a good position after reeling off a half-dozen consecutive Ws. “There’s so many different things you can say. You want to clinch three weeks before so you can rest everybody, you want to play big games all the way until the end … There’s so many scenarios where you can say, ‘OK, this is the perfect one,’ ” said Alfredsson, who added the Senators should have no preference as to which opponent they draw in the first round of the postseason. “Doesn’t matter. When it comes to the playoffs, it’s a new season. “I think we’ve shown we can play with anybody, and the parity in the league is unbelievable these days,” he added. “I think you look at any matchup and you’re like … ahhh … Washington, probably they’ll be the favourites. But, in today’s day and age you never know. It’s so close. “Those records in season, you’ve got to take with a little bit of grain of season.” Alfredsson didn’t dare venture a guess as to how far the Senators could go in the playoffs, but did express his excitement for the days ahead. ”One round at a time,” he said. “It’s the best time of the year to be a hockey player, no question. But I’ve had my fun.” Don Brennan’s top five current Senators with playoff experience 1. : 93 games. Nine goals, 19 points and 192 PM in the post- season. Hasn’t played since Feb. 26 after breaking a finger in a fight. Guy Boucher would be wise to get Neil into the lineup this weekend. His passion would be a plus in the playoffs. 2. Chris Kelly: 90 games (including 54 with Boston, where he won a Cup in 2011, and 36 with the Senators), with 12 goals and 20 assists in the playoffs. Senators will count on his experience 3. Alex Burrows: 70 games. Has 19 goals and 15 assists in the playoffs. His best spring was in 2011, when he had 17 points in 25 playoff games. Burrows grit should be a plus for the Senators at this time of year. 4. Derick Brassard: 59 games. No Senators has had more post-season success than Brassard, who has 18 goals and 26 assists in the playoffs. He has had one five-point game (three goals and two assists in the Rangers’ 7-3 win over the Lightning) and two three-point games 5. Tommy Wingels: 45 games, with just two goals and eight assists in post-season play. Just behind him in playoff experience is Viktor Stalberg, who has two goals and seven assists in 43 games, but, more importantly, played 19 post-season games for the Blackhawks when they won the Cup in 2013. Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057702 Ottawa Senators

Owner Eugene Melnyk willing to roll the dice on this Senators team

Bruce Garrioch Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

Eugene Melnyk had a decision to make before the National Hockey League trade deadline. The Ottawa Senators’ owner chose to back his team. General manager Pierre Dorion decided to make two significant moves before the dealing was done on March 1, acquiring wingers Alex Burrows from the Vancouver Canucks and Viktor Stalberg from the Carolina Hurricanes to give the club much-needed depth. That required a commitment from Melnyk to add $2.5 million to the payroll. “There’s a certain point in the season, as an owner, where you need to make a bet,” Melnyk said Friday. “You either bet for the team going into the playoffs and on further, as far as you can and, hopefully, to a Stanley Cup and, when you get there, everything is up in the air, you’re now in the Stanley Cup final and it’s got its own dynamic. “Or, you bet against the team, and you say, ‘You know what, let’s save as much money as we can, we’re going to have revamp this team, that’s three of four years we’re not in the playoffs, we’ve got to change.’ I can’t fire anymore coaches, we’ve done enough of that, so then you’ve got really stick your hands into it and say, ‘Let’s go through every single player and see why this person is going to get us a Stanley Cup next year.’ “I made the bet for the team.” However, Melnyk also said he had received first-hand looks at what made this team tick. He sat down with Mike Condon in the midst of the goalie’s 27 consecutive appearances in net and also spoke by phone with goalie Craig Anderson and his wife, Nicholle, to make sure everything was OK before Craig rejoined the Senators in January. Recently, Melnyk had a call with forward Clarke MacArthur and his wife, Jessica, before Clarke came back from post-concussion syndrome. Owner Eugene Melnyk says he talked with players Mike Condon, Craig Anderson and Clarke MacArthur, and in some cases their wives, too, to try to get a handle on what makes the 2016-17 Senators tick. Jean Levac/Postmedia Jean Levac / Postmedia News “I sit down with these people one-on-one because I want to hear their story,” Melnyk said. “I was concerned about Condon when he played Game 14 in a row. I said, ‘Listen you will crack because I’ve seen it far too often,’ and he said, ‘No, no,’ and he told me all the things he does not to crack.’ Luckily, he didn’t.” Why did Melnyk bet on this group? “I saw that we really had a functional team,” he said. “I saw that we had the players, unlike other years, in line with the coach. Some tested him, and said, ‘I can do it my way,’ and that very quickly got extinguished. I think Guy (Boucher, head coach) has the room, he’s got them under lock and key as far as listening, and they have bought into his system. “By the way, it happens to work. He’s onto something. They play as a team and they’ve got each other’s backs. I saw it all the way back to the outpouring for (Nicholle Anderson). That’s real team spirit. Now, they’re fighting for a whole slew of things. To me, it was all in the spirit of those players and the management of those players.” Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057703 Ottawa Senators He said he had been thrilled by the support at the ticket gate after struggling early in the season to get people into the seats. Playoff tickets will go on sale Saturday at 9 a.m. This time, Senators owner Eugene Melnyk enjoying every moment of “I hope that we legitimately very strong games where people say, ‘This playoff run isn’t a fluke and these guys are a force to be reckoned with’ and outside of Ottawa people say this is a legitimate, talented team that will be competitive for years to come and will get respect around the league,” Bruce Garrioch Melnyk said. Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 6:27 PM EDT “I just want to make sure people in Ottawa have fun, and I hope we can get more than two (home playoff) games. I would love to see this run as long as possible to a Stanley Cup, of course. I’m hoping for the best like everyone else is. There’s a lot of exciting stuff going on and being in the The last time the Ottawa Senators made the Stanley Cup playoffs in the playoffs, it doesn’t get better.” spring of 2015, owner Eugene Melnyk was laying in a hospital bed in Toronto, in need of a life-saving liver transplant and wondering if he’d Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.08.2017 even be around in the summer, while getting daily updates on the state of his hockey team. Every morning, alternate governors Ken Villazor and Sheldon Plener, close friends of Melnyk’s, would come into his room at the University Health Network, where he was waiting to find a match for a transplant, to let him know how the Senators had fared with goaltender Andrew “The Hamburglar” Hammond leading the charge. The Senators went 23-4-4 down the stretch and qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the National Hockey League regular season. “They’d come in before 7 a.m., I’d look up with one eye and think, ‘I don’t need to get up yet, I need 10 more minutes of sleep,’ but they’d look at me and they’d be smiling,” Melnyk told Postmedia in a telephone interview Friday. “I’d ask, ‘Is it over?’ And every morning, they’d come in say, ‘No they pulled it off.’ “Sheldon, of course, would have to show me on his phone all the replays. It was the last thing I cared about. I was like, ‘Leave me alone. I’m dying here. Let me die in peace.’ He’s showing me this. I read every single article they brought in for me, and I was trying to enjoy it and trying to put myself in my head of a fan going through this whole run with The Hamburglar, and it was surreal. “You just couldn’t believe it and it’s too bad (he didn’t get to enjoy it) because I would have gone nuts if I was in Ottawa, like a lot of the fans did. I never enjoyed it because I never had the chance to. I was delighted, but it was paled over by the prospect of not being around for the second round, to be honest with you. This was all great, but what does it matter? ‘I’m not going to be around.’ ” Trying to bring awareness to organ donation with the launch of the The Organ Project in March, Melnyk recalled a story he told at last week’s gala at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel with singer Carrie Underwood donating her time to help raise money. “Here I was waiting daily for an organ and people are coming and say, ‘Hey, what are you doing this summer? I’m not even sure I’m going to be here.’ The second round, to me, was something that may happen one day, but they got knocked out, which was unfortunate. With or without me, I was the biggest fan,” Melnyk said. This year, after the Senators qualified for the post-season following Thursday’s 2-1 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins, Melnyk says he’s going to enjoy and cherish every moment. The Senators missed the playoffs last spring and, as a result, changes were made on and off the ice. Now, here the Senators are with only two games left and the possibility of clinching home-ice advantage for Round 1 if they can get beat the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. Melnyk said he couldn’t be happier to see the success the team had enjoyed under general manager Pierre Dorion, head coach Guy Boucher and the staff. “You can’t describe it. Every morning you wake up and you know that you’re getting there to get to the playoffs and that was the No. 1 objective,” Melnyk said. “The smile this morning was ear-to-ear. It still is and it still will be all weekend. “I’m more than proud. I’m proud of the coaching staff, Pierre and his staff and all the players that have stepped up. You’ve got to hand it to everybody in there. You can’t be more excited than I am, and I guess every fan is feeling the same way because now we’re looking forward to another three weeks of excitement, great hockey and a lot of fun.” Melnyk said when he looked back at the Senators’ trip to the Stanley Cup final in 2007, he had come to realize how difficult that journey was. “I didn’t appreciate what it took to get there because I was kind of newbie (as an NHL owner),” said Melnyk, who had purchased the club out of bankruptcy in August 2003. “Now, I fully appreciate where we are and how serious it is.” 1057704 Ottawa Senators bankruptcy in Aug. 2003. “Now, I fully appreciate where we are and how serious it is.”

He has been thrilled to see the support at the gate after struggling earlier With Senators playoff bound, owner Melnyk can't wipe smile off face in the season to get people into the seats. Playoff tickets will go on sale Saturday morning at 9 a.m. BY BRUCE GARRIOCH, OTTAWA SUN “I hope that we have legitimately very strong games where people say, ‘This isn’t a fluke and these guys are a force to be reckoned with’ and FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 04:40 PM EDT | UPDATED: outside of Ottawa people say this is a legitimate, talented team, that will FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 04:59 PM EDT be competitive for years to come and will get respect around the league,” Melnyk said.

“I just want to make sure people in Ottawa have fun and I hope we can The last time the Ottawa Senators made the playoffs, in the spring of get more than two (home playoff) games. I would love to see this run as 2015, owner Eugene Melnyk was laying in a hospital bed in Toronto, in long as possible to a Stanley Cup, of course. I’m hoping for the best like need of a life-saving liver transplant, wondering if he’d even be around everyone else is. There’s a lot of exciting stuff going on and being in the that summer, getting daily updates on the state of his hockey team. playoffs, it doesn’t get better.” Every morning, alternate governors Ken Villazor and Sheldon Plener, Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.08.2017 both close friends of Melnyk’s, would come into his room at the Toronto General Hospital, where he was waiting to find a match for a transplant, to let him know how the Senators had fared with goaltender Andrew 'The Hamburglar' Hammond leading the charge. The Senators went 23-4-4 down the stretch and qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the season. “They’d come in before 7 a.m., I’d look up with one eye and think I don’t need to get up yet, I need 10 more minutes of sleep but they’d look at me and they’d be smiling,” Melnyk told Postmedia in a telephone interview Friday. “I’d ask, ‘Is it over?’ And every morning, they’d come in and say, ‘No they pulled it off.’ “Sheldon, of course, would have to show me on his phone all the replays. It was the last thing I cared about. I was like, ‘Leave me alone. I’m dying here. Let me die in peace.’ He’s showing me this. I read every single article they brought in for me, and I was trying to enjoy it and trying to put myself in my head of a fan going through this whole run with 'The Hamburglar' and it was surreal. “You just couldn’t believe it and it’s too bad (he didn’t get to enjoy it) because I would have gone nuts if I was in Ottawa like a lot of the fans did. I never enjoyed it because I never had the chance to. I was delighted but it was paled over by the prospect of not being around for the second round to be honest with you. This was all great but what does it matter? I’m not going to be around.” Trying to bring awareness to organ donation with the launch of the The Organ Project last month, Melnyk recalled a story he told at last week’s gala at the Royal York Hotel with singer Carrie Underwood donating her time to help raise money. “Here I was waiting daily for an organ and people are coming and saying, ‘Hey, what are you doing this summer? I’m not even sure I’m going to be here.’ The second round, to me, was something that may happen one day, but they got knocked out, which was unfortunate. With or without me, I was the biggest fan,” said Melnyk. This time, after qualifying for the post-season following a 2-1 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins Thursday night at the TD Garden, Melnyk is going to enjoy and cherish every moment. The Senators missed last spring and, as a result, changes were made on and off the ice to get the club back to respectability. Now, here the Senators are with only two games left, with the possibility of clinching home-ice advantage for Round 1 if they can beat the New York Rangers Saturday at the Canadian Tire Centre. Melnyk couldn’t be happier to see the success Ottawa has had under GM Pierre Dorion, coach Guy Boucher and the rest of the staff. “You can’t describe it. Every morning you wake up and you know that you’re getting there to get to the playoffs and that was the No. 1 objective,” Melnyk said. “The smile this morning was ear to ear. It still is and it still will be all weekend. “I’m more than proud. I’m proud of the coaching staff, Pierre and his staff and all the players that have stepped up. You’ve got to hand it to everybody in there. You can’t be more excited than I am and I guess every fan is feeling the same way because now we’re looking forward to another three weeks of excitement, great hockey and a lot of fun.” Melnyk said when he looks back at Ottawa’s trip to the Stanley Cup final in 2007 he now realizes how difficult that journey was. “I didn’t appreciate what it took to get there because I was kind of a newbie (as an NHL owner),” said Melnyk, who purchased the club out of 1057705 Ottawa Senators accomplishment was incredible. And then the failure from last year and we bring in a new (coaching) staff and we bought in from the start. We’ve had a ton of adversity in the last three or four weeks, but credit to us, we Senators likely sitting Karlsson until playoffs gave ourselves enough leeway to get through some minor hiccups.” As much as Boucher doesn’t want to look past the weekend games, he can’t help but think about a dream scenario: Having Karlsson and fellow BY KEN WARREN injured players Marc Methot, Zack Smith and Bobby Ryan all back for the playoffs. FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 03:41 PM EDT | UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 03:49 PM EDT “Maybe, maybe this year we’re going to have one game with our full team on the ice,” he said, laughing to himself. “We’re still looking at that and I would like to ask Santa, but (Christmas) is pretty far away, so I guess I will have to light some candles.” The calculated gamble in protecting captain Erik Karlsson’s health could pay huge dividends for the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.08.2017 By resisting the urge to push the hobbling Karlsson into the lineup Thursday against the Boston Bruins — the heavy-duty, risk-reward discussions included the possibility of severely aggravating the damage — he could have more than a full week off to rest his ailing foot before the post-season begins. Following the euphoria of the 2-1 shootout win that secured a berth in the post-season, Senators coach Guy Boucher said it was highly unlikely the captain would play either Saturday against the New York Rangers or in Sunday’s regular season finale versus the New York Islanders. General manager Pierre Dorion also said Friday that Karlsson is doubtful for the weekend. “Right now he needs (time off),” Boucher said. “It’s not resting, it’s giving him all the time to recuperate. I highly doubt (he’ll play) Saturday, but I keep it open because the last time (he was out), I never expected he would play. This guy is a machine, he gets the red cape on and you never know when he’s flying in, so…” There is home ice at stake this weekend, but in the bigger picture, a fully healthy — or an almost fully healthy — Karlsson is more important. A Hart Trophy candidate as league most valuable player, his presence could tip the balance in a playoff series. “He’s a huge part of our team,” fellow defenceman Dion Phaneuf said late Thursday night in a dressing room that was filled with equal parts relief and pride. “He has led our team all year. I always say, ‘He drives the bus.’” Then again, winning a crucial game without Karlsson is entirely fitting for a Senators team that has defied odds throughout the season. From goaltender Craig Anderson’s absences to be with his wife, Nicholle, in her fight with throat cancer, to Clarke MacArthur’s concussion fight, to a laundry list of late-season injuries, it’s an unlikely story, to be sure. If you crunch the numbers, they don’t add up. The Senators are the only playoff-bound team that has allowed more goals than they’ve scored (goal differential of minus-2). The power play and the penalty kill — usually vital for consistent success — both rank 23rd in the NHL. Somehow, though, they found a way, getting by through the smallest of margins. In 17 of the Senators 43 wins, they’ve scored two or fewer goals. In another six games, they’ve picked up either an overtime or shootout point without scoring more than two goals. When the Senators finally clinched, a roar came out of the dressing room. “You start the year and nobody expects us to be where we are,” Boucher said. “And all of a sudden, you see all these things happening to us. When one adversity is over, the next one is there and you’re like, ‘when is this going to stop?’ The way these players have stuck together, the way they’ve supported each other … that’s what (the roar) was.” Anderson says there’s no question that skating around all the hurdles adds to the playoff excitement. There’s also little doubt that some players have sacrificed offensive statistics, recognizing that Boucher’s tight defensive game doesn’t allow for much freelancing. “We’re doing things the right way,” Anderson said. “We’re being team- oriented, goal-oriented. We’re not venturing off on our own page and just sticking to it.” The way Mark Stone sees it, nobody cares how you make the playoffs. Finding a way — any way — to get there is all that matters. “Last year, it was a terrible feeling,” Stone said. “When you make the playoffs two years ago on a Cinderella run, that feeling of 1057706 Ottawa Senators If the playoffs started Saturday, Erik captain Erik Karlsson and centre/winger Zack Smith would be in the lineup, according to Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. Senators' Dorion celebrating playoff berth but knows more work lies But with an extra few days off, they’ll be in even better health when the ahead post-season gets under way next week. Dorion was also optimistic that Marc Methot and Bobby Ryan would be BY KEN WARREN ready to go when puck drops in the playoffs. FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 03:20 PM EDT | UPDATED: It sets up a bittersweet situation for Boucher, who will be forced into FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 03:28 PM EDT some tough choices before icing what he believes is his best lineup. Dorion says he’ll steer clear of those decisions. There’s no place Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion would “It’s the first time in a long time that Guy has as many options as rather be on Monday when he celebrates his first anniversary in the job. possible,” he said. “He’s going to dress the best team to help win a playoff round.” In the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.08.2017 After the stomach-churning, roller-coaster ride of the 2016-17 season — Dorion isn’t quite as publicly demonstrative as predecessor Bryan Murray, but he wears the losses just as hard — the Senators have accomplished its pre-season goal of reaching the post-season. Never-ending stress is part and parcel of what he describes as his “dream job” atop of an NHL front office. “Some people think all you do is make trades and transactions, but that’s just a little part of the job,” he said. “It’s fun at times and very demanding at other times, but it was everything I was ready for.” As the celebration was going on around him in the Senators' dressing room at the TD Garden in Boston late Thursday, Dorion was enjoying the moment, reminding himself about any number of pivotal games along the way. “I started thinking about Game 1 against the Maple Leafs,” Dorion said in a conference call Friday. “I was thinking about our last little stretch and getting some key wins (this week). I thought about coming back to beat Toronto (on Feb. 18). I thought about the big win against Washington (on Jan. 24) and winning in Chicago (Dec. 20) for the first time in awhile.” In addition to going through specific victories, he also thought about the obstacles that involved Craig Anderson, Clarke MacArthur and the injury bug that spread like a virus in the final weeks of the season. Dorion praised coach Guy Boucher for impressing upon his players the need to play a conservative, take-few-chances style, but Dorion also found the players to fit that style. His best trade — probably the best trade in the NHL this season — was acquiring goaltender Mike Condon from Pittsburgh in November for a fifth-round draft choice. Without Condon, who played a franchise record 27 consecutive games from Dec. 1 to Feb. 4, the Senators would have dropped out of the playoff race while Craig Anderson was on personal leave to be with his wife, Nicholle, in her battle with throat cancer. Condon went 13-8-5 during that run in the Senators crease. At the trade deadline, Dorion added Alex Burrows and Viktor Stalberg, players the Senators certainly needed when injury upon injury hit the club’s forward ranks. Burrows, who scored the tying goal in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Boston, has six goals and three assists in 18 games with the Senators. He also made the tough decision to trade away 2013 first-round pick Curtis Lazar for defenceman Jyrki Jokipakka, who has played in only two games. “We knew we wouldn’t go through the year without injuries,” Dorion said. “We tried to get (Boucher) some quality NHL depth.” While the Senators have met its pre-season goal of reaching the playoffs, Dorion wouldn’t bite when asked Friday about his preferred opponent. The possibilities include Boston, Toronto and Washington. Dorion took the safe road, complimenting all three potential opponents as strong teams. Don’t, however, think for a moment that the Senators general manager is satisfied. “Our first step was to get into the playoffs,” he said. “We have to stay the course. We got into the playoffs and hopefully we can make some noise.” KARLSSON, SMITH OK 1057707 Philadelphia Flyers

Saturday could be goalie Steve Mason's Flyers finale

Updated: April 7, 2017 — 2:02 PM EDT by Sam Carchidi

Goalie Steve Mason, a potential unrestricted free agent this summer, could make the final appearance of his solid four-plus year career with the Flyers on Saturday afternoon against visiting Columbus, the team that traded him to Philadelphia late in the 2012-13 season. "To be honest with you, I haven't really given it that much thought that it might be my last weekend here," said Mason, whose 103 wins with the Flyers place him third in franchise history, behind Ron Hextall (240) and Bernie Parent (232). "I'm sure that it will hit me after the weekend is over. ... It could be a sad weekend, I guess." When the Flyers won their 10 straight on Dec. 14, only three of the NHL's 30 teams had more points. At the time, the Flyers were 13 points ahead of Toronto. The Maple Leafs (93 points) are currently the Eastern Conference's second wild-card team and are eight points ahead of the Flyers (85). The Flyers' up-and-down play the last four months has them out of the playoff picture, and their final two games _ after Saturday's matchup with the Blue Jackets, they host Carolina on Sunday night _ are meaningless in the standings. "We were in such a good position," Mason said of the Flyers' spot in mid- December. "If you would have told us we wouldn't be in the playoffs, it would have been a real shock. But at the end of the day, it's kind of been a slow and painful fall from that point in the season. We did it to ourselves. We weren't consistent enough." With the Flyers, Mason said he was a "much better goaltender" than at any point in his Columbus career. Better than his rookie-of-the-year season with the Blue Jackets in 2008- 09, when he had 10 shutouts, along with a 2.29 goals-against average and .916 save percentage? "There was a lot that just happened. That year was one of those years where everything went my way," he said. "I guarantee if you put any of the seasons I've had here into that Columbus season, it would have been a better rookie season. My game's in a much better place. I'm very confident in my game. Almost all that credit goes to [goalie coaches] Jeff Reese and Dilly [Kim Dillabaugh] and the countless hours ... you put in to get better. That's something I never did in Columbus. I'm proud of the work I put in." Mason, who turns 29 next month, has been inconsistent this season. He is 25-21-8 with a 2.67 GAA and .908 save percentage, but has excelled in his last 15 games (9-5-2, 2.15 GAA, .933 save percentage). Mason figures to be one of the top goaltenders in the free-agent market. The Flyers have not had any contact with Mason's agent this season. "I think Mase is a good goaltender. I've seen him work with Dilly and work at improving his game," coach Dave Hakstol said after Friday's practice in Voorhees. "He's had stretches where he's been very, very good and at the top of his game." Anthony Stolarz was sent to the Phantoms on Friday morning to play in an AHL game later that night. Stolarz will likely return and serve as Mason's backup Saturday. The 23-year-old New Jersey native will likely start Sunday's season finale. Breakaways. Winger Roman Lyubimov, a healthy scratch the last 12 games, will play for the first time since March 13. Lyubimov, 24, a restricted free agent who said he will have a "tough decision" this summer on whether to stay in the NHL or return to Russia, will be on the fourth line with Chris VandeVelde and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. ... Classy defenseman Nick Schultz, 34, will try to catch on with another team in the offseason, but knows his career might be coming to an end. "He's a good man who shows up and does his job every single day," Hakstol said. ... Michael Raffl skated with the team at for the first time since suffering a knee injury Feb. 28, but he will not play in either of the final two games. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057708 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' Mike Vecchione could win Hobey Baker Award on Friday by Sam Carchidi ,

For recently signed Flyers center Mike Vecchione, a whirlwind sequence could end Friday night with him being named the winner of the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the nation's top collegiate ice hockey player. Vecchione, the all-time leading scorer in Union College history, is a Hobey Baker finalist, along with Northeastern’s Zachary Aston-Reese and University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher. Vecchione and Aston-Reese shared the NCAA scoring title with 63 points each. Aston-Reese signed recently with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is now playing for their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton AHL team. Aston-Reese topped the NCAA in goals with 31, while Vecchione was second with 29. Vecchione tied for the NCAA lead with seven game- winning goals. Butcher, a fifth-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2013, has 37 points this season, and his team will face Minnesota-Duluth in Saturday night’s Frozen Four championship game. “I had to make a little outline for a speech, just in case,” Vecchione said after Thursday’s practice in Voorhees, before he traveled to Chicago to be at the award ceremony. “I hadn’t really put much thought into, with everything going on with the Flyers right now. Last night was the first time in a week or two that I could actually sit down and kind of think about it - and kind of put it into perspective that I might be winning this thing. Knock on wood, hopefully I can go out there and get another trophy for Union. But you never know with these things, so I’m just trying to prepare for that and enjoy the moment.” Vecchione, 24, Union’s captain, was asked what it would mean if he won the Hobey Baker Award, which is the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy in college football. “It would mean a lot. Obviously, I’m representing Union and everything they’ve done for me the last four years to help make me into the player I am today,” he said. Winning the award would also be a tribute to “all the sacrifices my parents have made, all the way from mites up to now,” he said. “They’ve helped me a tremendous amount. Just kept pushing me to pursue my dreams. To win the Hobey would be like icing on the cake, and then to hopefully come back and play on Sunday and score my first NHL goal. That’d be one hell of a year. I’m just trying to soak it all in.” Vecchione’s brilliant four-year Union career ended with a loss to Penn State on March 25 in the NCAA tournament. One of the NHL’s most sought-after free agents, he signed with the Flyers on March 31 and played in his first NHL game four nights later. Because he won’t arrive back in Philadelphia until late Friday night, Vecchione will not play in Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. home game against Columbus, but he will make his Wells Fargo Center debut in the Flyers’ season finale Sunday night against Carolina. Baker, who was born in suburban Philadelphia and became a World War I hero, is the only athlete elected to both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame. He starred at Princeton and was known for his sportsmanship. “We play in Hobey Baker Arena in Princeton all the time so you could look at the plaques and read those….and he obviously did a lot of incredible things,” Vecchione said. “Some of the characteristics they look at off the ice with Hobey, they cover that pretty well. Both on and off the ice, I do whatever I can to better myself and the community. I hope that goes a long way.” No Union player has won the Hobey Baker Award. Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, also from Union, was one of the 10 finalists in 2014, the year the school won the national championship. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057709 Philadelphia Flyers

Butcher beats out Flyers' Vecchione for Hobey Baker Award

Updated: April 7, 2017 — 8:59 PM EDT by Sam Carchidi, STAFF WRITER

Defenseman Will Butcher, a senior who has led the University of Denver into the Frozen Four championship game, won the Hobey Baker Award on Friday night as the nation's best collegiate player this season. Flyers center Mike Vecchione, who had an outstanding senior season at Union College, and Northeastern forward Zachary Aston-Reese were the other finalists. Butcher, a Colorado Avalanche prospect, is one of the nation's top scorers among defensemen with 37 points, and his team has been ranked No. 1 in the nation most of the season. He is the second Denver player to win the Hobey Baker. The first was defenseman Matt Carle, who won the award in 2006 and was dealt from Tampa Bay to the Flyers in 2008-09. Vecchione, 24, led Union to a 25-10-3 record and an NCAA tournament berth this season. The previous three Hobey Baker Award winners: South Jersey's Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College) in 2014, Jack Eichel (Boston University) in 2015, and Jimmy Vesey (Harvard) last year. Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, also from Union, was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award in 2014. Vecchione was a freshman on that team, which won the NCAA national title. Vecchione, the all-time leading scorer in Union history, and Aston-Reese shared the NCAA scoring title with 63 points apiece. Aston-Reese signed recently with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is now playing for their Wilkes- Barre/Scranton AHL team. Butcher was a fifth-round draft pick of the Avalanche in 2013, and his team will face Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAA title game Saturday night. In his NHL debut Tuesday, Vecchione played well while being used sparingly in the Flyers' 1-0 overtime loss in New Jersey. He will not play Saturday afternoon against Columbus, but will be in the lineup for the season finale Sunday night against visiting Carolina. He was named a first-team East all-American on Friday. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057710 Philadelphia Flyers

NHL’s Centennial Fan Arena brings Stanley Cup, hockey memorabilia to Wells Fargo Center

Updated: April 7, 2017 — 4:45 PM EDT by Jonathan Tannenwald ,

Though the Flyers have only pride to play for this weekend, fans attending games at the Wells Fargo Center will get a little something extra. The NHL’s Centennial Fan Arena tour has rolled into the Sports Complex, and will show off the Stanley Cup and historic hockey memorabilia. Make jokes if you want about this being the closest the Stanley Cup will get to the Flyers anytime soon. But fans will be able to get their picture taken with it, and the only other way to do that is to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The display is set up in parking lot G, just off Pattison Avenue between the subway station and Xfinity Live. Interactive activities for fans include a floor hockey rink and a virtual reality game in which fans can pretend to drive zambonis - and race friends to see who can clean the ice. There will be autograph sessions with former Flyers stars. Fans can also bring used hockey equipment to donate to the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. The fake "zamboni" that fans will sit on when playing in the NHL Centennial Fan Arena's virtual reality ice-cleaning game. The big attractions, of course, are the memorabilia display and the Stanley Cup. The memorabilia display is housed within a big trailer that’s covered with faces of hockey legends, and the names only grow more famous once you enter. You’ll see sticks used by the Montreal Canadiens’ Dickie Moore and the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stan Mikita. A wall display of skates goes as far back as a pair worn by the Canadiens’ Georges Vezina - yes, the man for whom the Vezina trophy is named - in the 1910s. Featured jerseys include the San Francisco Seals of the 1970s, the Montreal Maroons of the 1930s, and even the Philadelphia Quakers, a team that existed for just one season: 1930-31. The Stanley Cup will be in a tent outside the truck. Old hockey pucks on display at the NHL Centennial Fan Arena memorabilia exhibit. Here’s the full schedule of events this weekend: Saturday, April 8 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Centennial Fan Arena open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Stanley Cup on display 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Autograph session with , Brad Marsh and Brian Propp 12 p.m.: Philadelphia PowerPlay vs. Flyers Alumni wheelchair floor hockey demonstration game 12:30 p.m.: Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday, April 9 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Centennial Fan Arena open 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Stanley Cup on display 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Autograph session with Bob Kelley, Bernie Parent and Joe Watson 7 p.m.: Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057711 Philadelphia Flyers Steve Mason will start in goal Saturday afternoon against Columbus. … Look for Anthony Stolarz to return from the Phantoms and start Sunday's season-finale against Carolina. … Roman Lyubimov reenters the lineup Flyers' Nick Schultz reflects with his 15-year career nearing its end against the Blue Jackets with Chris VandeVelde and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. Lyubimov has sat 12 consecutive games. … Nick Cousins is expected to play one or both games this weekend. He has missed 11 games with a concussion but has been healthy since March 30. By Tim Panaccio | CSNPhilly.com April 07, 2017 1:50 PM Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017

VOORHEES, N.J. -- Unless the unexpected occurs this summer, Nick Schultz will play the final two games of his 15-year career this weekend, certainly the final two for the Flyers. "Well, I was offered a three-year deal and we'll see if I sign it," Schultz kidded after Friday's final practice at Skate Zone. "I'm contemplating." It's been a long journey for one of the league's genteel soldiers from Strasbourg, Saskatchewan, who has played over 1,000 games, three of them in strong hockey markets -- Minnesota, Edmonton and Philadelphia. Schultz spent the first 10 years of his career with the Wild. Jacques Lemaire and Mike Ramsey mentored him. Lemaire taught him correct defensive positioning. Ramsey taught him how NHL defensemen use their stick against stronger forwards. "He does all the little things that most people who watch a hockey game don't realize," Mark Streit said of Schultz last season during his 1,000th- game celebration. "It goes under the radar. As teammates, you appreciate the small things. Making a little play, taking a hit, blocking a ton of shots, just the kind of guy he is in the locker room." The Flyers plan on adding Sam Morin and one other young Phantoms defenseman next season. That means Schultz and Michael Del Zotto, another pending free agent, will not return. "You never know when it's over," Schultz said. "Just go out and have fun. If it happens this summer and it's over, I've been fortunate to play for a long time. Go out and have fun and enjoy every chance you have." The Flyers initially signed Schultz in July 2014 during free agency as a seventh defenseman. When Kimmo Timonen's blood clots were discovered, they signed Del Zotto. Schultz had been a regular nearly his entire career. His fortunes changed quickly once Braydon Coburn broke his foot in the team's season-opener in Boston. "Coming in [here], I was a seventh guy and then Coburn got hurt that first game and it kinda changed the scenario for me," Schultz said. "I was fortunate in that regard." He played 80 games that season, 81 last season, even with the addition of Evgeny Medvedev and Shayne Gostisbehere, but when this season began, the club had Andrew MacDonald here full time and added rookie Ivan Provorov. That pushed Schultz to the eighth defenseman, which is why he's played just 26 games, being a healthy scratch most nights. "He's been a guy who showed up whether in the lineup or out of the lineup and done his job each and every day with good preparation," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said of Schultz's two seasons under him. Sitting out hasn't been easy. "This is the first year I've gone through this," Schultz said. "It's a progression of that's the way it goes when you get to end of your career. You see it happening. You have good young players come in and develop. It's all part of it. It's natural. "When it comes to the end, it's such a drastic change from when you are used to training and getting ready for another year. That is all guys have known their whole life." Schultz admitted it would be hard to uproot his family just to play one year somewhere else. He's already talked to his wife about moving their family -- a boy and two girls -- back to Western Canada. His son, Jake, who is 10, has some unfinished business. "I think he would be fine if we went back, but he really wants to get to the talent show next year in the fifth grade," Schultz said. "They do a talent show. I'm not sure what his talent is in fifth grade. I guess he has a lot of time to work on it." Loose pucks 1057712 Philadelphia Flyers

Anthony Stolarz sent down for tonight's Phantoms game

By CSNPhilly.com Staff April 07, 2017 10:20 AM

The Flyers sent down goalie Anthony Stolarz to the Phantoms for tonight's game. Stolarz's loan to Lehigh Valley is likely just for one day with the Phantoms facings Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in Allentown tonight. Stolarz may then return to the Flyers for Saturday afternoon's clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Wells Fargo Center. The 23-year-old netminder has played in two games since he was recalled on an emergency basis last week with Steve Mason sick. He replaced Michal Neuvirth and preserved a 3-0 win over the Devils on Saturday after Neuvirth collapsed during the first period. The next night, Stolarz allowed four goals and made 20 saves in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers. Mason has since returned, but Stolarz still serves as the backup with Neuvirth out. For the season, Stolarz is 2-1 in six appearances (three starts) with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057713 Philadelphia Flyers "I think there's things in his game he's gotta get better at, but he's been a good player for us. I don't think anyone in our organization has been disappointed with him." Travis Konecny not discouraged by benchings in 'humbling' rookie Konecny isn't disappointed, either. season "It's definitely a humbling league," he said. "You got to learn every day, you can't take anything for granted and make sure if there's guys like By Tim Panaccio | CSNPhilly.com April 07, 2017 9:45 AM Jakey and G still out there that are still working on things and getting better, then it's definitely capable for a young guy like me to keep doing that. VOORHEES, N.J. -- The game wasn't even a minute old before Flyers "We played hard this year. I'm not disappointed. Obviously, disappointed rookie Travis Konecny tripped the Devils' Travis Zajac. about not making the playoffs, but I'm not disappointed in our guys. We gave it everything we had." Konecny stayed down on all fours watching the referee's hand. He already knew his fate had been sealed with coach Dave Hakstol once he He said he learned a valuable team lesson, as well: games in October returned to his own bench. are every bit as important as games in February during the stretch run. "When I looked up, my stick got caught in the back of [Zajac's] heel," The Flyers talked all through camp about getting off to a quick start. Konecny said. "I threw my stick down, let go, but he kinda stumbled over Hakstol preached multiple times about not playing "catch-up" hockey at my stick. I kinda looked at the ref to say, 'I let go of my stick and not trip the end. him.'" So what happened? The Flyers had just nine points in October -- 4-5-1. He still got the penalty. Still incurred the wrath of Hakstol, who benched They also had nine points (4-6-1) in February when the season was lost. him until five minutes into the second period. "It's a good experience for me to learn that it's hard to make up points in It's happened more than once this season -- even being scratched two this league," he said. "Every game, including October 12 [14] was it when separate times. we started? Those points matter from then, till the end of the year." "I understood what was happening … I knew I would get another Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 opportunity in the game," Konecny said. "It's just part of it. Something I have to look at myself and know I should not take that penalty at the start of the game … "You can't have that happen in the first shift of the game. It takes away the momentum from the whole team and puts it in their hands." Hakstol didn't feel the punishment deserved a lot of explanation on his part. "We'll talk a little bit tomorrow,” the coach after Tuesday's 1-0 overtime loss. "You don't need to do it within five minutes of the game and that's one, quite honestly, we don't need to discuss a whole lot." Konecny, who turned 20 last month, says his rookie season here been both "humbling" and an eye-opening experience. He regrets some things but nothing that has happened to him on the ice. Negatives turn to positives if your attitude is right. "There are guys in this room, who tell me they have gone through the exact same things I have gone through during my first year," he said. "Whether it's being scratched a few times or playing on the fourth line through the first, anywhere in the lineup. "It's all part of the game. I learned this year to stay confident and work hard. Eventually, you get your chances." Both Konecny and Shayne Gostisbehere were Hakstol's poster boys for discipline this season while certain veterans, who committed far more egregious errors, or simply disappeared for games on end, skated off without discipline. No benchings, no cut in ice time. Yet Konecny doesn't feel he was singled-out, nor does Gostisbehere. At least, that's what both have said publicly. "I personally don't think that is a fair assessment," Konecny said. "I would look at it a lot different. It's just that I have a lot to learn. I am a young player … "Guys who are taking penalties and not getting benched have earned a lot of respect throughout the league. They earned their place on the team and that right to get second and third chances." Konecny goes into the final two games of the season this weekend with 11 goals and 28 points in 68 games. Not bad, yet given his skill set, he was capable of scoring at least 15 goals and 40 points. "I think Travis has been good," general manager Ron Hextall said. "He's a young kid and there is some things to learn, there's no question. He's paid attention and overall had a pretty good year." Hindsight is never good, but did the organization do the right thing in not sending him back to junior? "I think I probably would have [kept him]," Hextall said. "He [was] 19 years old. You gotta be really careful with a 19-year-old. I think his energy level and stuff, which is one of the things that goes down as the year goes on, has stayed at a high level. 1057714 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' Mike Vecchione beat out by Will Butcher for 2017 Hobey Baker Award

By Tim Panaccio | CSNPhilly.com April 07, 2017 7:10 PM

It's been a big week for Mike Vecchione. After signing an entry-level contract with the Flyers last Friday and making his NHL debut Tuesday in New Jersey, Vecchione finished the week in Chicago on Friday night as one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's highest individual honor. But the Union College product came up shy of coming back to Philadelphia with the award, as Denver University defenseman Will Butcher won the 2017 Hobey Baker Award. Vecchione was the first Union player to make the top three finalists. Shayne Gostisbehere, who was Vecchione's teammate during his freshman season, was a top-10 finalist three years ago when the two won a national championship at the Frozen Four in Philadelphia. Vecchione was the ECAC Player of the Year in 2016-17 after leading Union College with 29 goals. His 1.66 points per game average was tied with Northeastern forward Zach Aston-Reese for highest average in the NCAA. He is the Dutchmen's all-time leading scorer with 175 points and also holds the school's assist record with 104. Aston-Reese was the other Hobey Baker finalist. Earlier this week, Vecchione, Gostisbehere and Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid were part of an NHL-first at Prudential Center -- three players from Union College participating in an NHL game simultaneously. Vecchione left for Chicago on Thursday night. He will rejoin the Flyers sometime on Saturday, but coach Dave Hakstol said he won't be in the lineup because of the travel issues involved with the Hobey Baker ceremonies. The Flyers have a rare 12:30 p.m. start against Columbus on Saturday. Instead, Vecchione will play in Sunday's season finale against Carolina. CSNPhilly.com's Tom Dougherty contributed to this report. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057715 Pittsburgh Penguins “I love hot dogs, too, you know,” Malkin said. “It's just not regular season. It's like only (in) summer time. … I never see (Kessel) eating hot dogs. It's just joking.” Penguins notebook: Hagelin returns to on-ice activity Frozen Four coming back? According to a report in the Boston Herald, PPG Paints Arena is Bill West | Friday, April 7, 2017, 5:57 p.m. expected to get the nod to host the 2022 Frozen Four when the sites for the next four NCAA championships are announced April 18. Updated 10 minutes ago The arena last hosted the event in 2013 when Yale defeated Qunnipiac for the title. TORONTO — Carl Hagelin soared around the ice at Ricoh Coliseum on A Penguins spokesman said he could not confirm the report Friday. Friday unconcerned with the drills proceeding around him. Penguins president David Morehouse has long been an advocate for In due time, Hagelin might return to his high-pressure, puck-hunting bringing high-profile amateur hockey events to the city, expressing his ways. But in his first on-ice activity since suffering a lower-body injury a desire to see the Frozen Four, World Junior Championship and NHL draft month ago, the winger kept his pace to a modest, pleasant tempo. combine in Pittsburgh. That's still an encouraging development for the Penguins, who have Tribune Review LOADED: 04.08.2017 spread Hagelin's penalty-killing duties around and used speedster Bryan Rust as a top-six left winger rather than the right side in recent weeks. Hagelin, who last played March 10, wore a no-contact jersey at Friday's partial-team practice and took a few laps around the rink before heading back to the locker room. Nonetheless, his presence resonated with teammates, as Trevor Daley tapped his stick on the ice a few times when Hagelin first appeared at the bench. Because he did not officially participate in the practice, Hagelin was not available to speak about his status. Chris Kunitz picked up a chunk of the penalty-killing minutes that previously went to Hagelin. But Kunitz's lower-body injury, which has caused him to miss the last three games and might keep him out of the playoffs, led to another shift in short-handed minute distribution. Rust killed off three minutes and 19 seconds Thursday against New Jersey. Josh Archibald and Carter Rowney each tied for the team-high in short- handed ice time (1:04) against Columbus on Tuesday. Learning curve A workout without many of Penguins stars at the home venue of the Marlies — Toronto's American Hockey League affiliate — proved bittersweet for winger Dominik Simon, whose call-up Thursday did not lead to a spot in the lineup against New Jersey. On one hand, Simon is where he wants to be — with the NHL club. On the other, the 22-year-old winger will continue to wonder if or when he'll head back to AHL venues as a member of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Coach Mike Sullivan sounded like a man interested in seeing how Simon fits with the Penguins after another year of polishing at the AHL level. Simon appeared in three Penguins games a season ago but lost out to Jake Guentzel, Archibald and Rowney in call-up opportunities this season. He has 14 goals and 31 assists in 67 games with the Baby Pens this season. “He's got great offensive instincts,” Sullivan said. “He's very creative. He's got really good hands, and he's got a sneaky shot. I think he's a guy who's played really well in Wilkes-Barre the second half of the season. I think he has a lot of upside as a player.” Goalie plans Marc-Andre Fleury participated in Friday's practice, and Matt Murray did not. Sullivan declined to name who will start Saturday against the Maple Leafs. Prank planners A day after Phil Kessel tweeted a picture of Evgeni Malkin's makeshift stall in the Penguins' dressing room in New Jersey, the Russian center, with help from equipment manager Dana Heinze, responded with a bit of humorous retaliation. Motivational signs, equipment, cups and a case of Coke cluttered a chair in an area designated as “The Phil Zone.” Kris Letang shared a photo of the set-up and added “Pay back is a (expletive).” Malkin not only fessed up to his role in the gag, he took it a step further when asked about what the scene lacked. “Uh, hot dogs,” said Malkin, rejuvenating a Kessel-loves-frankfurters narrative that started in Toronto. “I mean, it's all he'll eat.” He then walked back the jab at his frequent winger. 1057716 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins' Malkin up for new challenges

Bill West | Friday, April 7, 2017, 7:03 p.m. Updated 6 hours ago

TORONTO — Between the way he charmed the media in the dressing room with a wise crack about Phil Kessel and how he knocked Olli Maatta around with his backside and broad shoulders minutes earlier on the ice at Ricoh Coliseum on Monday, Penguins center Evgeni Malkin more closely resembled his midseason form than the ailing, uncertain version. That begs the question of whether Malkin will land in the lineup Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. And, perhaps just as importantly, will coach Mike Sullivan surround Malkin with the team's full complement of talent? There's nothing left for the Penguins to control as far as playoff fate. They locked up home-ice advantage for their first-round series with Columbus. Toronto, meanwhile, sits just three points up on Tampa Bay and the New York Islanders for the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot, and the Maple Leafs also have a chance at claiming second place in the Atlantic Division. Malkin, who last appeared in the lineup March 15, promises if he gets the green light to return to game action, he'll keep everything in perspective. “It's like good things before playoffs,” he said of Friday's playful but productive partial-team practice. “We need to relax a little bit. Play (Saturday), play Rangers (Sunday), and we need focus, because we play against good teams. We know how tough this team is. … We're not just giving Toronto the two points.” Asked specifically about Sidney Crosby's availability for the weekend games, Sullivan said there's a plan in place. He expounded on the philosophy within that plan while withholding specifics. “There's always a balance between making sure that you give guys sufficient rest but at the same side, you don't want to have them off so long that there's a significant amount of time between the playoffs and the last time they played in game action,” Sullivan said. Malkin relied on Maatta, out since Feb. 17 with a hand injury, to replicate the physicality of game conditions at the end of the practice. That workout instilled some confidence in Maatta about his own readiness to return. “He competes, even in stuff like that,” Maatta said. “It kind of surprises you every time. … I think I got a pretty good elbow to the head too from him there. It's a lot of fun. It kind of fires you up, as well.” Trevor Daley, who logged almost 21 minutes of ice time Thursday in his first game back since a knee injury in mid-February, considers the Penguins' situation a preferable one for any skaters who wish to wind themselves up for intense hockey. Losses this weekend aren't consequential, but they also aren't welcome. “That's one of the benefits we put ourselves in,” Daley said. “We're not fighting for our lives out there, which is a good thing. It's not as meaningful as a situation like that. But it's important to get ready and be ready for next week. … You don't want to go out there and take your time or make it easy. That's just a cause for something bad to happen. We want to be firing on all cylinders going in.” The number of Penguins close to returning is not lost on those who joined the NHL club as call-ups. Carter Rowney, who tallied three of his six points on the season in the Penguins' last three games, intends to leverage what amount of ice time remains attainable. “I don't want to take a day or a night off,” Rowney said. “I don't think anything is going to change for me in these next couple games. … I want to go out there and play consistent, keep building on my game.” Tribune Review LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057717 Pittsburgh Penguins “The speed that they bring is great,” Crosby said of his current line. “They’re strong on pucks. They work hard to get to those tough areas. They’re not the biggest guys. Playing with Sidney Crosby is about much more than pedigree “To be honest, some of the guys I’ve played with in the past haven’t always been the biggest guys. It’s the way you play. If everyone’s working to get loose pucks and create turnovers, I don’t think size is an April 7, 2017 4:08 PM issue.” By Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The most important thing may well be Crosby’s uncanny ability to play with the puck. As a result, he commands a ton of attention from the other team, another aspect Sullivan has repeatedly praised within Crosby’s game. TORONTO — They’ve come in all shapes and sizes, demeanors and styles. From the swift skating and smarts exhibited by Pascal Dupuis to If those playing with Crosby can find the open areas of the rink to get the rough-and-tumble games employed by Chris Kunitz and Patric those couple extra feet of available space, chances are they’ll get Hornqvist. rewarded. Like Sheary finishing Crosby’s between-his-legs, no-look pass Thursday in New Jersey. Conor Sheary and Jake Guentzel might accumulate 200 hits — a mark Kunitz and Hornqvist both achieved this season — oh, maybe by their “You look at Jake and Conor right now, these guys are quick, they’re early 30s. elusive, they’re brave, they go to those battle areas, and they can play that give-and-go game in the traffic,” Sullivan said. “I think that helps Sid But of all the differences among those who’ve shared a line with Sidney be at his best. I think Sid makes them better players as well with his Crosby in recent years — which includes differing levels of NHL ability to hang onto pucks and his strength on the puck. experience — they all share one odd trait: There’s not a can’t-miss prospect in the bunch. No Next Comings. Nobody with even close to a “The attention he commands from our opponents on the ice opens up first-round pedigree. opportunities for anyone who plays with him.” In fact, three of those five weren’t drafted, while Hornqvist was taken last The quietest among this group is certainly Guentzel; of course, he’s also overall in his draft year. That leaves Guentzel, a third-round selection in likely to be among the quietest in a library. 2013, as the most high profile of the group, and he’s more likely to get carded than hounded for autographs. But he was able to drill into probably the most basic aspect of finding success while playing with Crosby. “It’s kind of a funny fact,” Hornqvist said. “I don’t think it really matters who he plays with,” Guentzel said. “When There’s no debating that, but why has Crosby meshed so well with these you’re playing with him, everyone has that extra jump. He’s the best guys and not, say, James Neal or Phil Kessel? player in the world. It’s pretty easy to play with him.” “I think Sid has the ability to play with anybody and adapt his game and Post Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017 find ways to be successful,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He has such a versatile game. He can play the game so many different ways.” And play it really, really well, of course. With 43 goals, Crosby is enjoying the second-best goal-scoring season of his career, his second time over the 40-goal barrier, leaving 2016-17 second to only the 51 times he scored in 2009-10. Crosby’s greatest amount of success this season has undoubtedly come once he started centering Sheary and Guentzel on the team’s Western Canada trip, the Sid and The Kids line. Thinking the game the same way is certainly an important factor. Ditto for skating, shot selection and the ability to read off of one another. But Sheary brought up another fantastic point. “We’ve always had to play with a little bit more of a chip on our shoulders than some other guys,” Sheary said. “Not to say someone who’s drafted is given anything that they’ve got. But I think we’ve had to earn our way into the NHL and earn our way into an organization.” Crosby never had to prove his worth to the Penguins, but you’ll also have a tough time finding someone who works harder day in and day out, someone more in love with honing his craft and juicing every last ounce out of his God-given talent. Sullivan, who’s been in the NHL as a player or coach since 1991, believes Crosby might be the best he’s ever seen at playing down low, in the dirty areas, a blue-collar game sometimes frowned upon by those with Crosby’s massive amount of talent. “He might be the best player that I’ve seen in the trenches, underneath the hash marks, playing in the battle areas,” Sullivan said. “He’s so strong on the puck, the way he protects pucks and generates offense coming out of those battle areas. I don’t know if I’ve been around a player or seen a player who’s better. He tends to have success with guys who can help him in those areas.” Dupuis, Kunitz, Hornqvist, Sheary and Guentzel can all do that. In various ways, too. Dupuis was an expert at digging pucks out of corners. His blazing speed was probably equally as important. Dupuis and Kunitz were like Sheary and Guentzel in how they could react off of Crosby, taking advantage of a well-timed pass or delivering one of their own. Hornqvist’s straight-ahead style has meshed well at times with Crosby, and they both have no problem, as Sullivan said, working in the trenches. 1057718 Pittsburgh Penguins “It’s hard to simulate that stuff in a practice environment,” Sullivan said. “The only way you get that stuff is when you start actually playing in the games. With the amount of time that he’s had off, with all things Evgeni Malkin ups the ante in prank on Phil Kessel considered, I thought he had a real strong game.” Hagelin skates April 7, 2017 3:24 PM Carl Hagelin skated for about 10 minutes Friday. He did not officially rejoin the team but was simply testing out how it felt to be on skates with By Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette his lower-body injury. Post Gazette LOADED: 04.08.2017 TORONTO — With nothing to play for other than making sure their individual and team games are in order, Penguins players have had their fair share of fun on this road trip. In New Jersey, Phil Kessel tweeted a picture of Evgeni Malkin’s lonely folding chair, as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. Friday in Toronto, Malkin — with the aide of equipment manager Dana Heinze — fired back at Kessel, turning his locker into the “Strength and Conditioning Center,” per one of several signs that also included “The Phil Zone” and “Be Hard to Play Against!” About a dozen Coca-Cola cans were off to one side, a pot of coffee and some Tim Hortons cups on the seat. The only thing missing? “Hot dogs,” Malkin said, struggling to not break character. “I love hot dogs. Just not in the regular season. Only the summer. “I’ve actually never seen [Kessel] eat a hot dog. It’s just a joke.” And that’s just fine by Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. His team’s locked into the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, which means the Penguins will likely rest a few key players against the Maple Leafs, Rangers or both. But even during regular times, Sullivan enjoys the joking around. “It’s an indication of how close our team is,” Sullivan said. “I think they enjoy one another. They’re constantly running pranks on one another. I think that helps build chemistry around the group. Everybody likes it. It’s all in good fun. Phil always seems to be in the center of all that.” Malkin called Kessel “my guy” and his “good friend.” But after what Kessel tweeted, Malkin and Heinze decided that they needed the proper answer. “We had fun today,” Malkin said. “Little bit joking around. Good things before playoffs. We need to relax before playoffs.” Malkin: ‘I think I’m close’ Sullivan would not divulge his plans for the weekend, but if it were Malkin’s call, he’d be in. “I think I’m close to playing,” Malkin said about after a 45-minute workout at Ricoh Coliseum. Malkin and Olli Maatta both took contact Friday, bumping into one another at times, and reported no problems. An additional test will be to see how they respond to everything Saturday. “I’ll take more contact [Saturday] morning,” Malkin said. “If I feel normal, why not [return to the lineup]?” Not having to start back with playoff hockey right away would be big, Maatta said. “I think that would be a big advantage, having a game under my belt, not hopping right into the fire,” Maatta said. Encouraging return for Daley Trevor Daley skated 20:48 Thursday in his first game back from a 20- game absence because of knee surgery. Daley reported no problems a day later and felt his skating was close to where it needs to be. “For the most part, yeah,” Daley said. “It was catching up with the speed. In a practice you’re never going to get game-like speed, especially this time of year. It’s tough to even get practices this time of year. I was happy I got into a game.” Sullivan didn’t think that Daley showed too many signs of rust after they “threw him right into the battle.” About the only thing left is for Daley to build a little bit more conditioning and to refine his timing before the postseason starts. 1057719 San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ Couture skates for third straight day, but not Thornton

By Curtis Pashelka | PUBLISHED: April 7, 2017 at 1:04 pm | UPDATED: April 7, 2017 at 1:06 PM

SAN JOSE — Sharks center Logan Couture participated in an optional practice Friday and said it felt good to be skating for a third straight day but still does not know when he’ll be able to play again. There was no contact during the optional skate, which saw roughly half of the Sharks’ roster on the ice. Couture, who took a puck to his mouth March 25 in a game against Nashville, said he did not know when he might be able to take contact. Joe Thornton, recovering from a left knee injury, did not skate during the optional practice. “There wasn’t much for me to do out there,” Couture said. “Out with a few guys. But it was good to get back on the ice. Three days in a row and go for four tomorrow.” Couture was wearing a facial cage for Friday’s practice instead of the visor and mouth guard he had Thursday. “Just trying something different,” Couture said, adding that he was going to visit the dentist again Friday. The Sharks are scheduled to have another morning skate Saturday before their final regular season game that night against the Calgary Flames. It isn’t known yet if the Sharks will practice on Sunday. The Sharks, in all likelihood, will have at least two more practices next week before the start of the playoffs next Wednesday or Thursday. Chances are the Sharks, who are in third place in the Pacific Division with 97 points, two points back of Edmonton, will start the postseason on the road against the Oilers. To finish in second place in the division, the Sharks have to beat Calgary on Saturday, then hope the Oilers lose twice to Vancouver in regulation time to close the regular season. The Oilers and Canucks play in Vancouver on Saturday and in Edmonton on Sunday. The Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Oilers on Thursday at SAP Center all but sealed their fate for the first round, and it was evident how much they missed Couture’s work on special teams. The Sharks were 0-for-4 with the man advantage and gave up two power play goals, both to Milan Lucic, who had a natural hat trick in the third period. “We were OK, special teams wasn’t good,” Couture said. “Power play was struggling. (Penalty kill) gave up two, some tap-in goals in front of our net. “It sucks. I’ve said the multiple times. I’ve watched too much hockey the last few years and it’s not fun.” San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057720 San Jose Sharks Here’s the good news: Couture is a gamer. He’s one of those special athletes who seems to revel in adversity. The bigger the game, the tougher the challenge, the better he is. On Jan. 19, Couture found a way Sharks need Logan Couture to get well soon, and here’s why to score the game-winning goal in a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning even though, flu-stricken, he struggled to skate up and down the ice throughout the game. By Paul Gackle | Considering the state he’s in just a week before the start of the playoffs, Couture will probably need to summon that version of himself if the PUBLISHED: April 7, 2017 at 9:00 am | UPDATED: April 7, 2017 at 1:38 Sharks are going to have any chance at containing McDavid and PM advancing to the second round. If Couture isn’t in top form, the Sharks will be circling the drain quickly, because, as DeBoer pointed out, they really don’t have any other players SAN JOSE — Pete DeBoer spelled out just how hard it will be for the qualified to handle the job. Sharks to knock off the Edmonton Oilers in a potential seven-game playoff series. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 When asked why he gave Tomas Hertl the dispiriting assignment of going head-to-head with Oilers phenom Connor McDavid in the Sharks 4-2 loss Thursday, DeBoert bluntly replied: “because our other two centermen aren’t really centermen.” Hertl, the 23-year-old Czech, is the best of the Sharks “real centermen” right now because Logan Couture, who would normally draw the McDavid assignment, is still recovering from a gruesome-facial injury and Joe Thornton is resting his injured left knee. That has forced DeBoer to move Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau off the wing and into the middle. So DeBoer had no choice but to try to contain the most offensively-gifted player in hockey with Hertl, who has played less than full season at center. If DeBoer is forced to play this hand again next week in a likely Stanley Cup playoff matchup against the Oilers, the Sharks could be on the golf course very soon. It wasn’t all bad news. Mr. McDangle has inflicted more damage on a number of centermen with stronger resumés than Hertl this season. Hertl and his linemates managed to lock McDavid in a moth jar for large chunks of the game by keeping the puck in the offensive zone. McDavid eventually broke through, though, scoring a goal at the side of the net where the Sharks gave him enough room to do a cartwheel when the only way to slow him down is to stay on him like white on rice. The goal extended McDavid’s point streak to 12 games, the longest by an Oiler since ’s 13-game streak in 1989. DeBoer described the Hertl line’s performance against McDavid as OK. “He still found a way to get a goal. He’s an important piece for them. He provides more offense than any guy in the league for his individual team, and you’ve got to find a way to keep him off the board,” DeBoer said. McDavid, only 20, has earned a point in 41.3 percent of the Oilers goals this season. He leads the league in scoring with 97 points, multi-point games with 29 and he seems poised for a breakout performance in the playoffs. The Sharks, of course, are lucky to have one of the game’s best- defensive forwards on their roster. Unfortunately, that defensive forward, Couture, is experiencing tremendous pain right now by simply eating, talking and breathing after taking a redirected Brent Burns slapshot to the mouth on March 25. Couture is a particularly important chess piece because the Sharks’ identity is centered around defense this season. The Sharks of yesteryear would have had the offensive firepower to negate McDavid’s production by taking advantage of mismatches further down in the lineup. But in a league increasingly dominated by youth and speed, the veteran Sharks have struggled to create offense this season, ranking 19th in scoring (2.67 goals per game) and 25th on the power play (16.4). Instead of beating teams with Thornton’s passing and Marleau’s scoring touch, the Sharks like to grind opponents down with a strong forecheck, limit opposing chances with airtight team defense and score timely goals off rebounds and deflections. Among the Sharks forward group, it’s Couture who is tasked with shadowing the league’s top scorers, like McDavid, on a nightly basis, a role that often goes unnoticed because he’s also such a talented scorer. The Sharks also missed Couture on the penalty kill Thursday as the Oilers scored two goals on the power play, where McDavid picked up his second point of the night. It’s possible that Couture will make his way back into the lineup in the playoffs. Who knows, we might even see him for Game 1 next week. But he has yet to take contact and if the pain is so immense that it takes him 40 minutes just to finish a meal, will he really be able to play the physical, grinding style of game required to shut down a scorer as talented as McDavid? 1057721 San Jose Sharks Pavelski explained how the fort-holding can work and lead to a best-of- seven victory: By approaching every shift as essential and not getting cute. Purdy: Sharks give Edmonton big confidence entering NHL playoffs, “The smallest of details are going to get it done,” Pavelski said. “It’s which is a bad thing worked in the past that way. There’s no magic formula to it. It’s everyone elevating the game a little bit. It’s a team we can play with, I think. We have a lot of confidence in each other.” By Mark Purdy | PUBLISHED: April 7, 2017 at 7:30 am | UPDATED: April 7, 2017 at 7:34 am The problem is, after the Oilers’ comeback win, they now have just as much confidence. The Oilers team that skated off the ice Thursday at SAP Center had more swashbuckling body language than the one that skated onto the ice for warmups a few hours earlier. It is the sort of body SAN JOSE – If Thursday night was a playoff preview for the Sharks–and language that shows up when your team concludes a season series there’s a 95 percent chance it was–then no one around here will like the against the defending Western Conference champion Sharks with a 3-1- ending when the real thing begins next week. 1 record as opposed to a 2-2-1 record. It wasn’t so much that Edmonton beat the Sharks, 4-2. It wasn’t even so Of course, that guarantees nothing when the playoffs begin. But the much that the Sharks, by losing, all but squandered any chance for home events of Thursday won’t be forgotten, either. Home ice for the first ice in the first round. round was basically on the line. After 10 years without a playoff appearance, this was a significant and fairly huge moment for Edmonton. It was the optics. It was way the Oilers gathered momentum and We learned the Oilers could handle a significant and fairly huge moment. confidence as the game progressed, with forward Milan Lucic scoring three goals in the third period to overcome a 2-1 deficit. What else? We learned that Sharks goalie Martin Jones is just as good at stopping first shots as ever but is not so good at stopping second shots if Those three goals and that one period may have obliterated the Sharks’ he gives up a rebound and his teammates don’t clean up the pucks. sole remaining important edge over Edmonton entering the postseason– especially given the iffy status of injured San Jose centermen Joe Also, we learned that the Oilers game plan against the Sharks will involve Thornton and Logan Couture. as much shot-blocking as possible. That’s not unusual in the postseason but it was impressive to see Edmonton execute it so well. The Sharks What was that edge? Experience. Postseason fearlessness. Savvy blocked 16 shots Thursday, which isn’t shabby. The Oilers blocked 28. maturity. Whatever you want to call it. When the Sharks and Oilers line up against each other again in less than seven days as now seems Finally and not surprisingly, we learned that to beat the Oilers in a best- certain, it will be the Oilers’ first playoff game since 2006. They are a of-seven, the Sharks can’t rely on Marcus Sorensen to score the big young team. Most of Edmonton’s best players have never put a skate goal. Sorensen, the 25-year-old rookie signed last May out of the on ice in late April. The Sharks, on the other hand, are wizened Swedish League, was awarded a penalty shot early in the third period springtime skaters and reached the Stanley Cup Final last season. By with the Sharks still ahead, 2-1. His straightforward attempt sent the puck comparison, they have a far deeper big-game resume.’ directly into the pads of Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot. For two periods Thursday night, the beloved Los Tiburones seemed to be If Sorensen had instead converted the opportunity and given the Sharks putting that resume to good use. They led on the scoreboard, 2-1. They a 3-1 lead . . . well, who knows how the rest of the game would have were being outshot by the Oilers, 21-10, but not outplayed. The Sharks played out? DeBoer hinted that he knew. were making up for Couture and Thornton’s absences with strong fundamentals. They controlled the flow for significant stretches and–if “We had the game on our stick with the penalty shot,” DeBoer said. you counted shot attempts that were blocked–fired nearly as many pucks toward the net (29) as the Oilers (30). Pavelski, who will be a NHL coach one day if he chooses to follow that path, tends to see hockey success in terms of capitalizing on such Edmonton’s only goal in the first two periods was scored by rising opportunities when they present themselves. Those opportunities may superstar Connor McDavid. But you could sense a little frustration in come just two or three times a game for each individual player. It’s McDavid and his youthful teammates, who love to freewheel and have imperative to pounce when they do come.. Lucic did exactly that for yet to endure playoff-style grinding, as they tried to deal with the Sharks’ Edmonton. The Sharks had several good looks and/or whacks at more controlled game. rebound chances Thursday, but failed to bury them. “We felt like we were where we wanted to be,” said captain Joe Pavelski. “There was some loose change out there that I thought we could have picked up,” acknowledged Sharks defenseman David Schlemko. “It was there,” agreed Sharks winger Jannik Hansen about the team’s overall structure. “But it didn’t get done.” Instead, the Oilers picked up the change and picked up swagger. In the end, this year’s Sharks playoff run may be cut short and remembered for For this, you can credit Lucic, who will be the Oilers’ playoff-time hole the bad luck of having their two top centermen either playing injured or card. The former Boston Bruin and Los Angeles King was acquired by not playing at all. But after Thursday’s game, Pavelski said he still sees Edmonton last summer as an expensive free agent ($42 million over Edmonton as “a team we can play with” and defensemen Brent Burns seven years) at least in part because of his 101 postseason Stanley Cup was also upbeat, citing the Sharks’ 2016 run to the Final. tournament games. In the third period Thursday when it really mattered, Lucic was everywhere he needed to be. First, he tipped in a power play “What we went through last year should help,” Burns said. goal to tie the score at 2-2. He was in front of the crease to flip in another puck for the 3-2 lead. Lucic then sealed the deal by cleaning up a What the Oilers went through Thursday counts, too. That’s the problem. rebound for his final goal with 3:29 left in the third. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.08.2017 “Tremendous,” Oilers coach Todd McLellan said of Lucic’s night. “You throw the three goals out, even. His physicality, his ability to keep plays alive, power play execution, I thought he was tremendous. We’re lucky to have him at this time of the year.” In fairness, we should note that a year ago when Lucic was with the Kings, he wasn’ so tremendous. The Sharks held him to zero goals in their first round playoff victory over LA. So what did the Sharks do in that series to stifle Lucic that they didn’t do Thursday night? “It’s not the playoffs,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer replied when asked that exact question. “And we’ll come up with a plan for the playoffs when we play them.” The best plan of all would be to have Thornton and Couture back in uniform. A more likely scenario? One of the two may be involved in Game 1 or Game 2. The other returns in Game 3 or Game 4 or Game 5. In other words, the Sharks must find a way to hold down the fort and keep the series as even as possible until their top-tier reinforcements arrive. 1057722 San Jose Sharks

Three takeaways: Hertl line strong, Marleau struggling

By Kevin Kurz April 07, 2017 10:38 AM

SAN JOSE – For just the third time this season, the Sharks lost a game in regulation when holding a lead after two periods. The Oilers’ victory nearly assures Edmonton of home ice in the first round, while the Sharks’ struggle for points since early March continued. Here are our three takeaways from the 4-2 loss… 1 – Oilers bend, but don’t break Reaction in the Sharks’ dressing room was that they seemed generally pleased with their work ethic after Tuesday’s ugly win over Vancouver in which they basically packed it in after 50 minutes, but got away with it. The 15 shots on the board against Edmonton on Thursday simply didn’t reflect the way the game was played, in their view. That’s correct – to a point – as the Sharks only trailed 57-55 in shot attempts. Still, the Oilers were outworking the Sharks when both teams were in Edmonton’s defensive end, getting credit for a whopping 28 blocks and keeping the puck out of dangerous areas for goalie Cam Talbot. Brent Burns, who scored a second period goal, saw five of his seven attempts blocked. “It’s just execution. Working around them,” he said. David Schlemko, who managed to get two of his seven attempts on goal, said: “I thought we had a lot of good shifts in the o-zone. They did a good job of fronting pucks.” Getting the puck into the offensive zone is one thing. Working hard to get the puck and bodies to the net is another. The Sharks didn’t do enough of the latter. 2 – Hertl line strong, Marleau line not The Sharks’ European line of Tomas Hertl, Mikkel Boedker and Jannik Hansen was easily the team’s best on Thursday. Despite getting the tough assignment of playing against Connor McDavid’s line with Patrick Maroon and Leon Draisaitl much of the night, the three Sharks forwards led the way in shot attempt differential. Hertl and Boedker were each a plus-seven, while Hansen was a plus-six (McDavid and Draisaitl were a minus-four, and Maroon was a minus-six). “We handled it pretty good, our line against McDavid,” said Hertl, who set up Burns for a second period score. Patrick Marleau’s line, on the other hand, has been invisible lately. Along with Joonas Donskoi and Joel Ward, those three finished at the bottom of the list in shot-attempt differential, as Marleau was a minus-three while Ward (minus-nine) and Donskoi (minus-10) also had rough possession nights. If there’s a line that needs to be broken up with Joe Thornton and Logan Couture out, it’s this one. Why not move Marleau to the wing of the Chris Tierney line, and give Ryan Carpenter or Danny O’Regan another chance to play fourth line center? 3 – Matchup might not be a bad one for San Jose Here’s a glass-half-full outlook on the game from the Sharks’ perspective: Despite getting a relatively strong performance from Edmonton, and considering their injury situation, the Sharks were in a great position to pull out a win. Had Marcus Sorensen scored on that penalty shot in the third period, San Jose probably prevails. If Thornton and Couture are able to return in the first round against this Edmonton team – which is obviously lacking playoff experience – advancing to the second round doesn’t seem like an impossible task. “We’ve got to find a way. We almost did,” DeBoer said. “We’ll regroup and get ready for the next time we get a chance to play them.” Schlemko said: “I think we match up well against them. They have some high-end skill we’re going to have to do a little better job of shutting down. We’ll make some adjustments and look to get our game going, going into the playoffs here." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057723 San Jose Sharks

Despite shot totals, Sharks loss to Oilers was there for the taking

By Kevin Kurz April 06, 2017 11:39 PM

SAN JOSE – These are strange times for the San Jose Sharks. On one hand, they’d like to be building their game this time of year with the playoffs approaching next week. In that regard, they were better on Thursday night against Edmonton in a 4-2 loss than they were in Tuesday’s ugly 3-1 win over a pathetic Vancouver team that managed to outplay them for the majority of the night. On the other hand, though, there’s no sugarcoating the reality that without Joe Thornton and Logan Couture, they are going to have all kinds of trouble winning hockey games. Even coach Pete DeBoer, when asked why the Tomas Hertl line had the responsibility of playing against the Connor McDavid line, said, “our other two centermen (Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau) aren’t really centermen. Pretty simple.” And pretty tough to compete. Yet the Sharks did. The number that stands out on the scoresheet was that the Sharks managed just 15 shots on goal, a low for the season, to 32 for the Oilers. Edmonton managed to block 28 Sharks shot attempts, while another 12 missed the net. The game, though, was evenly played at even strength. “I don’t think the shots were really indicative of how we played,” David Schlemko said. DeBoer agreed. “I don’t think the shot clock or the score reflected the game,” he said. The difference was the Oilers scoring two power play goals in the third period, while the Sharks took an 0-for-4 with a man advantage. Marcus Sorensen failed on an early third period penalty shot attempt that would have increased the Sharks’ lead to 3-1, too. Despite being down their top two centers, and having trouble getting pucks to the net, this was a game that was there for the Sharks. Instead, a 2-1 lead after two periods slipped away due to their special teams issues that were profound even before the injuries. “Frustrated that a game gets away from us, one that we feel like we’re in pretty good control,” Pavelski said. “Just a couple penalties, and they popped a couple quick ones in on us. “It was right there. Felt good all night. Even though the shots, whatever they looked like, it did not feel like that. Felt like a game we were playing kind of how we wanted to.” The game turned on Sorensen’s failed penalty shot, when the rookie couldn’t solve Cam Talbot at 2:19 of the third. A too-many-men minor by the Sharks two minutes later resulted in the first of three straight goals by Milan Lucic. While the Sharks were pleased with their overall work ethic, the Oilers, still in the running for a division title, matched it. Lucic, especially, would not be denied. The former Bruins and Kings power forward got to the front of the net to deposit a couple more goals and all but end the Sharks’ hopes of starting a series on home ice. Saturday’s game with Calgary will likely not have much meaning, so attention will quickly turn to the playoffs and a potential series with the Oilers. “This [game] is forgotten,” Hansen said. “We can’t really use it for anything, it was a good way to see what they’re about, but…now the real work begins.” DeBoer said: “We’ve got to get our game in the right place. We’ve had a crazy busy month, a lot of ups and downs and a lot of adversity with some of the injuries we’ve been dealing with. For me, it’s getting our mindset in the right place for next Wednesday – or whatever day we open.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057724 San Jose Sharks Lineup Timo Meier came out of the lineup for Micheal Haley, who was a scratch for the past two games against Vancouver. Meier played for the AHL Instant Replay: Sharks stumble in third period, fall to Oilers Barracuda on Wednesday night. Burns became the first defenseman with at least 75 points in consecutive By Kevin Kurz April 06, 2017 9:50 PM seasons since the Rangers’ Brian Leetch in 1995-96 and 1996-97. McDavid’s goal increased his point streak to 11 games (6g, 15a). SAN JOSE – A third period hat trick by Milan Lucic pushed Edmonton to Up next a 4-2 comeback win over the Sharks on Thursday night at SAP Center. Calgary is 3-1-0 in the season series against San Jose. Edmonton (45-26-9, 99 points) is now in the driver seat for home ice Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 advantage in the first round, as they lead the Sharks (45-29-4, 97 points) by two points with one game in hand. San Jose concludes the regular season on Saturday at home against Calgary, while the Oilers – still in the running for first place in the Pacific Division – need just one point in their final two games with Vancouver to finish ahead of San Jose. The Ducks, who beat the Blackhawks on Thursday, cannot be caught by the Sharks. The Sharks led 2-1 to start the third, and had a golden opportunity to increase their lead when Matt Benning hauled down Marcus Sorensen resulting in a penalty shot for the rookie. He was stopped by Cam Talbot, though, 2:19 into the third. That allowed Edmonton to take advantage of a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty to the Sharks. Lucic redirected Oscar Klefbom’s point shot at 4:26, knotting the score at 2-2. Lucic scored again just three-and-a-half minutes later, boxing out David Schlemko in front of the net and tapping in the rebound of Klefbom shot on the rush at 7:57. He completed the hat trick with another power play goal at 16:31, whacking in a Mark Letestu rebound. The Sharks lost for the ninth time in their last 12 games. Joel Ward’s second goal in as many games opened the scoring. He tipped a floating puck by Schlemko through Cam Talbot at 6:08 of the first period for his 10th goal of season. Edmonton came on in the second period, though. Connor McDavid’s 30th goal of the season tied the score at 1-1 at 4:40, as the Edmonton captain cleaned up a puck that originated off of the stick of Klefbom and deflected off of Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun and Martin Jones’ pad on its way to McDavid’s tape. The Oilers kept coming after that, but Jones thwarted Leon Draisaitl with a quick right pad on an Edmonton odd-man rush with 13:18 left in the middle frame. San Jose retook the lead at 12:30. Tomas Hertl fought for a loose puck off of an offensive zone faceoff, and pushed it to Brent Burns at the point. Burns’ wrist shot made its way through a maze of bodies for his 29th of the season, and second in his last 22. Klefbof assisted on all four Oilers goals. Edmonton improved to 11-2-0 in its last 13 games. The Sharks had a season-low 15 shots on goal. Special teams Still looking generally lost on the power play without Joe Thornton and Logan Couture, the Sharks went 0-for-4 on the power play with just two shots on goal. They are 0-for-12 in the last five games. Penalty shots haven’t been much better, as the Sharks are just 1-for-7 on the season after Sorensen’s miss. Edmonton was 2-for-5 on the power play. The Oilers were awarded a first period power play after Micheal Haley was issued an instigator on a fight with Lucic. The Oilers’ heavyweight ran over Chris Tierney with a clean open-ice check, and was immediately challenged by Haley with 3:26 left in the opening frame. In goal Making his seventh straight start, Jones allowed four goals on 32 shots. He played all five games of the season series with Edmonton. Talbot, the NHL leader in games played and minutes, notched his 41st win with 13 saves. He also saw all the time in net against San Jose this season. 1057725 San Jose Sharks

DeBoer could rest some Sharks for finale; Couture downcast

By Kevin Kurz April 07, 2017 3:33 PM

SAN JOSE – Officially, the Sharks aren’t yet locked into third place in the Pacific Division. But the math says they might as well be. San Jose has a 97 percent chance of finishing behind both Edmonton and Anaheim, according to sportsclubstats.com, and would therefore start the first round in one of those locales. The Sharks conclude the regular season on Saturday with the Calgary Flames. Considering the Sharks’ core is among the oldest in the NHL, it might be a good opportunity for coach Pete DeBoer to pull some of his veterans from the lineup and give them some added rest before the playoffs. It’s been a brutal schedule, especially lately, as the Sharks have played 20 games in just 39 days from Feb. 28 through Thursday night. DeBoer hasn’t ruled out that possibility. “I don’t think anything is off the table. I think we’ll sit down here in the next day and see,” he said. “It’s been a tough month. There’s always that question of whether you want to take someone out of a rhythm, whether you want to rest them. There will be some individual situations we’ll look at.” The risk, of course, is that if some players do sit, there’s a chance that they will have been off for a complete week by the time the puck drops for Game 1. The Sharks are likely to open on Wednesday or Thursday of next week. Patrick Marleau almost certainly won’t come out, as he has an ongoing iron man streak of 623 games. He understood why rest might be beneficial to some players, though. “I think everybody’s situation is a little bit different. For some guys who have been playing well and feel like they need their rest, it would be a good opportunity,” he said. “For guys who still want to feel like their game gets to another level, they can do that. For guys who feel like that might be too much time off – there’s different situations for everybody.” Of course, the Sharks don’t have a long list of players currently at a high level. They’ve lost nine of their last 12 games, including Thursday’s 4-2 defeat to Edmonton in which they blew a third period lead. Perhaps trying to button up the details of their game is the best approach. Regardless of the recent results, or if some guys do end up coming out for the season finale, Marleau is confident the team will be able to put the past five weeks behind it for the playoff opener. “Definitely. Everybody starts at zero,” he said. “It’s not too hard to start fresh. It’s a brand new season, and that’s the way I think every team is looking at it.” Two players that surely won’t be in against the Flames are Joe Thornton (left knee) and Logan Couture (mouth). Thornton did not skate on Friday, while Couture is still not able to take contact. Couture seemed downcast despite skating again on Friday. He was wearing a full cage rather than the face shield/jaw protector he was sporting earlier in the week, but when asked if that helped him see the puck better, he said: “Not really, no. They both suck. Just trying something different.” The centerman still has no timeframe to return, and had another visit to the dentist scheduled later Friday. ”I don’t know what they’re going to do, but another trip there,” he said. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057726 St Louis Blues

Preview: Blues at Hurricanes

By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 4 hrs ago

When • 6 p.m. Saturday Where • PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C. TV, radio • Fox Sports Midwest, KMOX (1120 AM) Blues • The Blues need just a point, or a Nashville loss, to clinch third place in the Central and a first-round series with Minnesota. … The game may be the first for Vladimir Sobotka after playing the past three seasons in Russia. He practiced Friday and the team will decide his availability Saturday morning ... Carter Hutton will get the start in net. Hurricanes • Carolina beat the Blues 4-2 at Scottrade Center on Jan. 5. … The Hurricanes made a late run at a playoff spot with a 7-0-2 stretch at the end of March, but since then they’ve gone 0-4 and are going to finish sixth or seventh in the Metropolitan Division. … Sebastian Aho has 23 goals, the third-most among rookies this season. Injuries • Blues — D Robert Bortuzzo (upper body), C Paul Stastny (lower body), RW Nail Yakupov (undisclosed) and LW Robby Fabbri (knee), out. Hurricanes — D Ryan Murphy (lower body) and F Jay McClement (lower body), questionable. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057727 St Louis Blues in the KHL, where Sobotka had 37 goals and 102 points in 138 games, he may have more to contribute now.

“I’m interested in how his game has grown offensively because he took a Sobotka, Blues happy he's back whole different role in the KHL as a scoring player, a point-producing player, a player that played in key offensive situations,” Armstrong said. By Jeremy Rutherford St. Louis Post-Dispatch Sobotka said it’s possible because he believes “I’m more of a patient guy with the puck.” 5 hrs ago But even if that doesn’t come to fruition, the Blues believe they’re getting a sturdy forward who led the NHL in faceoff winning percentage (61.9 percent) the year he left. RALEIGH, N.C. • It began with a breakfast Friday among Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, coach Mike Yeo and Vladimir Sobotka. “If he comes back as the exact same player as he left, we’re excited,” Armstrong said. “It’s a high-end competitive player that doesn’t take a “My first impression was that he’s just a low-maintenance guy,” Yeo said. shift off that plays to his maximum.” “He just wants to be a hockey player and he basically said, ‘Play me where you want to play me and I’ll go do my best.’ It was good.” Yeo is familiar with Sobotka, but from the other side, facing him for three seasons when he coached the Minnesota Wild. A few hours later, Sobotka was back in the Blue Note for the first time since April 27, 2014, when the Blues fell to Chicago in Game 6 of the “I remember a fierce competitor,” Yeo said. “I remember a guy that’s Western Conference playoffs. An absence that was triggered by a good defensively, I remember a guy who can help your team offensively contract dispute the summer after that loss, leading Sobotka to flee for and I remember a guy that’s really hard to play against and I’m sure the Kontinental Hockey League, ended when he stepped on the ice at that’s what the opposing teams will remember too.” Raleigh Center Ice. There are nine players left on the Blues’ current roster who were “It’s finally over,” Sobotka said. “I was really tired to read stuff about me teammates of Sobotka, including Dmitrij Jaskin, who was among six where I’m going to play next year. It’s been going on too long and I’m skaters who practiced with him Friday. happy that it’s over now and everything is fine.” “He’s got everything,” Jaskin said. “He’s strong, fast, smart, good hands, In a reunion that perhaps few envisioned, not to mention that it comes good sense, everything you want from players. He didn’t change.” with a three-year contract extension, the Blues and Sobotka spent some time reflecting on what went wrong, whether any feelings were hurt and And perhaps most important, feelings about Sobotka haven’t changed. why they decided to get back together. “I’ve talked to a number of the players on the team and everybody is just “We wanted Vladi on a long-term deal, but we needed to do a one-year real excited to have him back in a real genuine way,” Yeo said. “You can deal for the cap space,” Armstrong said. “He felt that he wanted the free- tell that he’s been a great teammate here and whatever happened in the agent money immediately and it just wasn’t something that we could do past happened in the past and we’re all just real excited that he’s here at that time. I understood the position that we were taking from a and ready to contribute.” business standpoint, I understood the position he was taking from an Added Jaskin: “I guess it’s hard to explain to the fans, but everybody economic standpoint. The KHL was going to guarantee him a lot of knows it’s a business and there’s no hard feelings.” money for three years. There was some probably negative feelings toward us for not seeing his side on the contract, and disappointment that And Sobotka had the same sentiment Friday. he didn’t see our side of it.” “I got nothing against the Blues,” he said. “I always loved to play in St. But as Sobotka said Friday: “It’s part of life and I had to decide what I’m Louis and I always will.” going to do for the future at that time. I would never regret it. But nothing happened between (Amstrong and him) and we kept our relationship. We After three long years, Sobotka may finally make his return to the Blues’ had really good talks over the past three years.” lineup Saturday against Carolina, and if not then, Sunday against Colorado. When he does, “He’s going to fill a real valuable role for us,” In fact, Sobotka says he thought about returning to the Blues in 2015, Yeo said. “This is like adding a real quality player at the trade deadline after his first season in the KHL, but it wasn’t until last summer that it except it’s a little bit later than that.” became a stronger possibility. However, he found out that he no longer had an out-clause in his contract. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.08.2017 “I thought it was there, and when I wanted to leave, my agents said it’s not in the contract,” Sobotka said. “I couldn’t really do anything about it.” Sobotka, who fired agent Petr Svoboda and hired Craig Oster, his fourth agent during the process, played out the final season of his three-year contract with Avangard. That ended March 19, but the contract didn’t expire until April 30. He and the club, though, recently agreed to terminate it, allowing him to negotiate with the Blues. “We had a few talks with Army and in a week or 10 days everything was fine,” Sobotka said. “We speak about length and we agreed on that.” Many were surprised to see that the Blues gave Sobotka a three-year term at $3.5 million per season, considering he’s 29, hasn’t played in the NHL since 2014 and wasn’t a point-producer when he left. But Armstrong defended the deal. “(Sobotka) didn’t want to come back on a shorter-term deal and I wasn’t really excited about a short-term deal,” Armstrong said. “We’ve been through this process. I think with three years, he’s going to play in still that meaty part of his career, 30-32, and it doesn’t take us into that sort of gray area of how players are going to perform in their mid-to-late 30s. I think it’s a win-win for everyone.” It was attractive to Sobotka because he could stay put. “I just wanted to know where I’m going to be the next three years, maybe more,” he said. But what are the Blues getting for their money? Sobotka’s highest-scoring season in the NHL was his last with the Blues, when he had nine goals and 33 points. In seven seasons in the league, including three with Boston, he had 35 goals and 123 points in 381 games. But the Blues believe that because of an increased offensive role 1057728 St Louis Blues "I got nothing against the Blues," he said. "I always loved to play in St. Louis and I always will."

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.08.2017 Blues like what they see in Sobotka

By Jeremy Rutherford St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10 hrs ago

RALEIGH, N.C. • The Blues held an optional practice Friday and normally those don't draw much attention. But this one did because of who was among the seven players on the ice. Vladimir Sobotka was in attendance at Raleigh Center Ice, wearing the Blue Note for the first time in three years. A day after rejoining the club he left three years ago to play in Russia, Sobotka went through several rounds of drills with a few new and old teammates. He looked like his old self, but with one noticeable difference — he looked relieved. "It's finally over," Sobotka said. "I was really tired to read stuff about me where I'm going to play next year. It's been going on too long and I'm happy that it's over now and everything is fine." Sobotka touched on a number of topics, including whether he regrets his decision to bolt for the Kontinental Hockey League and his relationship with the Blues, and all of that will be in Saturday's Post-Dispatch and at STLtoday.com. But in the meantime, here is the team's plan for him now that he's here: Sobotka will skate with the full squad Saturday morning before the Blues' game against Carolina, and then he and the team will decide whether he'll be in the lineup against the Hurricanes. "I feel good, I just didn't skate for a while," Sobotka said. "It's different hockey style, so I need to get more training, get more use to smaller ice." Blues coach Mike Yeo said he's willing to take a wait-and-see approach. "He looked good on the ice, but I want to make sure that he feels like he's ready," Yeo said. "I want to make sure that we give him a good chance to be successful. He's been off for a while here and obviously coming back to the smaller ice surface, there's going to be a bit of an adjustment period. If he's ready to play, then we'd like to get him in. But if he physically doesn't feel quite ready, then it would be foolish on our part to put him in." Yeo said that he's "very excited" to have Sobotka on the roster. As head coach of the Minnesota Wild previously, he faced him for three seasons. "I remember a fierce competitor," Yeo said. "I remember a guy that's good defensively, I remember a guy who can help your team offensively and I remember a guy that's really hard to play against and I'm sure that's what the opposing teams will remember too." Yeo wasn't ready to say yet where he plans to use Sobotka, but knows there are plenty of options. "He's going to fill a real valuable role for us," Yeo said. "Not having Paul (Stastny) or Robby (Fabbri), this is like adding a real quality player at the trade deadline except it's a little bit later than that. He's obviously real strong on faceoffs, can play center, can play wing, can play on scoring lines, can play on checking lines, so he's a real versatile guy." Dmitrij Jaskin, who played with Sobotka for the Czech Republic at the last September, was one of the players on the ice with him Friday. "He's got everything," Jaskin said. "He's strong, fast, smart, good hands, good sense, everything you want from players. He didn't change." And perhaps most importantly, feelings about Sobotka haven't changed. "I've talked to a number of the players on the team and everybody is just real excited to have him back in a real genuine way," Yeo said. "You can tell that he's been a great teammate here and whatever happened in the past happened in the past and we're all just real excited that he's here and ready to contribute. We're all here to win. We want want to win a Stanley Cup and we all believe that he makes us stronger and makes us a tougher team to go against." Added Jaskin: "I guess it's hard to explain to the fans, but everybody knows it's a business and there's no hard feelings." And Sobotka had the same sentiment Friday. 1057729 Tampa Bay Lightning

All eyes on Lightning-Canadiens tonight oe Smith, Times Staff Writer Friday, April 7, 2017 11:07am

The Lightning, still fightning for its playoff life, faces the Canadiens at the Bell Centre. With a win, Tampa Bay can stay alive for one more day, putting more pressure on the Maple Leafs, the one team it can still catch. Win (in regulation or overtime), and the Lightning is one point out with one game left, and Toronto has a tough home back-to-back with Pittsburgh (Saturday) and Columbus (Sunday). But the Lightning's impressive 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs gave it a chance. "At this point, all we can do is put a little pressure on," defenseman Anton Stralman said. "We have to have the same effort (Friday), or (Thursday) is a wasted one." This will be a tough task tonight, as Carey Price will start in net for Montreal. The Lightning's decision in net will be interesting. It certainly appears like Andrei Vasilevskiy is getting a back-to-back start. Veteran backup Peter Budaj, who usually starts a back-to-back game, was the only goalie on the ice this morning, and out there for an hour. That's not typical for a goalie who is playing that night. Vasilevskiy hasn't been great in back-to-back situations, and if Sunday's home finale ends up mattering, the 22-year-old would then be depended on to start three games in four nights. On the other hand, this isn't a normal scenario, as Sunday won't matter if Tampa Bay can't win tonight. Might as well go down with your No. 1. Several other injured Lightning players skated this morning. Tyler Johnson, who missed last game with that nagging lower body injury, is a question mark for tonight. He certainly still looked like he wasn't right this morning, and left after 15 minutes, so it'd be surprising to see him playing. Steven Stamkos, Ryan Callahan, J.T. Brown, Jason Garrison also skated. None are expected to play tonight. Aside from the Lightning needing the Maple Leafs to lose both of their games this weekend (picking up no more than one point in the process), Tampa Bay needs the Islanders to net a maximum of three points in their final two games (Saturday in New Jersey, Sunday vs Ottawa). So that means any kind of loss, or one of the wins coming via shootout. The Islanders own a tiebreaker on Tampa Bay. Get all that? Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057730 Tampa Bay Lightning "It was his first (40-goal season)," Hedman said. "But definitely not his last."

Ondrej Palat was a stud again, his six blocked shots more than the entire Lightning moves one point from playoff spot (w/ video) Montreal team (five). Fourth liners Gabriel Dumont and Gregg McKegg won key faceoffs. Hedman logged another monster 28-minute performance. Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer "The guys played unbelievable," Vasilevskiy said. "We're playing like the Friday, April 7, 2017 11:19PM playoffs." Cooper said this was a game of "timing and answers." Montreal pulled within a goal twice. But each time, Tampa Bay responded. Killorn made it MONTREAL — The Lightning's playoff fate could be decided Saturday 3-1 late in the second on a hustle play. And 30 seconds after the night during the Toronto-Pittsburgh game. Canadiens scored a short-handed goal, Gourde scored again, giving Tampa Bay the 4-2 cushion. A Leafs win means Tampa Bay is out. THE NUMBERS: Updated Lightning stats Defenseman Anton Stralman said he'll be too nervous to watch. He'll play soccer and hockey with his four kids in the front yard. They'll play some "What's encouraging for us, these guys (rookies) that are new to this, board games, then order pizza. they don't seem to care," Cooper said. "It doesn't matter what league they're playing in. They're not afraid of the moment." "Movie night," Stralman said, smiling. They're just afraid to watch. Stralman admitted he might, during his This Lightning season has played out like a movie, so why shouldn't it family's movie night, check the scores of the Penguins-Leafs or have a wild twist at the end? Tampa Bay played its part, a 4-2 victory Islanders-Devils games. How will the Lightning's movie end? over Montreal on Friday capping off gutsy back-to-back games in which it beat the Canadiens and Maple Leafs on the road. Said Cooper: "You'll have to wait until Sunday night around 8 o'clock." "That's why this team has done so well in the playoffs," wing Alex Killorn Joe Smith can be reached at [email protected]. Follow said. "Because we rise to the occasion." @TBTimes_JSmith. The Lightning, in last place in the Eastern Conference just two months Lightning 2 1 1 4 ago, has gone from underachieving preseason Stanley Cup favorites to overachieving Cinderellas. With an injury-ravaged and rookie-filled Canadiens 0 1 1 2 lineup, Tampa Bay has gone on a 19-6-5 run, moving within one point of Toronto for the final wild-card spot in the East. First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Gourde 5 (Kucherov, Witkowski), 11:42. 2, Tampa Bay, Kucherov 40 (Point, Palat), 19:50. Penalties—Nesterov, LIGHTNING JOURNAL: Andrei Vasilevskiy does his part to keep playoff MTL, (cross checking), 1:30. hopes alive. Second Period—3, Montreal, King 9 (Lehkonen, Nesterov), 9:59. 4, But Tampa Bay needs Toronto to lose tonight to make Sunday's regular- Tampa Bay, Killorn 19 (Conacher), 14:19. Penalties—Palat, TB, season finale against Buffalo meaningful. The Maple Leafs must lose (interference), 4:33. both of their games this weekend, netting no more than one point. Also, the Islanders need to lose one of their final two games, too, or at least Third Period—5, Montreal, Lehkonen 17, 4:36 (sh). 6, Tampa Bay, pick up one win in a shootout. Gourde 6 (Conacher, Dotchin), 4:57. Penalties—Dotchin, TB, (tripping), 0:38; Galchenyuk, MTL, (hooking), 2:50; Coburn, TB, (delay of game), "It's out of our hands," Stralman said. "But who knows? All we can ask for 10:32; Stralman, TB, (tripping), 17:53. Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 13-4- is come Sunday, we've got something to play for." 5—22. Montreal 8-7-14—29. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 0 of 2; Montreal 0 of 4. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Vasilevskiy 22-17-7 (29 shots- Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, 22, is playing like a veteran No. 1. Vasilevskiy, 27 saves). Montreal, Price 37-20-5 (22-18). A—21,288 (21,273). T— starting back-to-back games for the first time in three months, was 2:32. Referees—Wes McCauley, Kelly Sutherland. Linesmen—Derek brilliant with 26 saves. His best save was an unreal backward split-pad Amell, Devin Berg. stop on a wraparound by Montreal's Philip Danualt midway through the first period, keeping the game scoreless. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.08.2017 "Sometimes you have to do some desperate stuff," Vasilevskiy said. "And I did it, and I got lucky." Vasilevskiy said he got lucky again midway through the third when, while sprawled out of position, he lunged for an Alexander Radulov deflected power-play shot. He preserved a two-goal lead. "A game-changer for us," Victor Hedman said. "A soccer-goalie save," Stralman said. THE MARTIN CHRONICLES: Night of the Living Lightning. Stralman sensed a Lightning mentality change after Tuesday's 4-0 loss in Boston, resulting in a relentless, determined effort Thursday and Friday. "Something released after that game," Stralman said. "We played to win, and it made a world of difference." As in Thursday's 4-1 win in Toronto, the Lightning struck first. This time it was Yanni Gourde, who continued his remarkable rookie run with the first of his two goals in the game. Of his six NHL goals, two have been tying goals, one an OT winner and now two in the biggest game of the year so far. Not bad for an undrafted 5-foot-9 forward who was once demoted to the ECHL. "Two monstrous goals," coach Jon Cooper said. "We wouldn't be having this interview without him." The same could be said for Nikita Kucherov, who showed why he should receive league MVP consideration. Kucherov racked up his 40th goal, becoming the fifth Lightning player to complete the feat. 1057731 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning journal: Andrei Vasilevskiy does his part to keep playoff hopes alive

Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer Friday, April 7, 2017 9:16PM

MONTREAL —With its season on the line, the Lightning continues to ride its No. 1 goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasilevskiy, 22, started Friday against the Canadiens, his third start in the past four days. The workload was a departure from Tampa Bay's typical plan, which is to use veteran backup Peter Budaj to keep Vasilevskiy fresh. But Vasilevskiy delivered, stopping 27 of 29 shots in an 4-2 win over the Canadiens. He picked up where he left off Thursday, when he lifted the Lightning to a 4-1 victory in Toronto. Starting Vasilevskiy was a risk. He has struggled on short rest, entering Friday 0-2-1 with a 4.56 goals-against average. This was his first time Vasilevskiy started back-to-back games since Jan. 7-8. Budaj had split back-to-backs since getting acquired from the Kings in the Ben Bishop trade in late February. THERE'S STILL A PULSE: The Lightning moves one point from a playoff spot with a win over the Canadiens. But with a loss Friday, Tampa Bay would have been eliminated from playoff contention. So if the Lightning was going to go down, it was going to do it with its best goalie. And if Sunday's regular-season finale against Buffalo means anything, expect Vasilevskiy in net. And that'd be the right call. Medical matters C Steven Stamkos (knee surgery), as expected, did not play Friday against the Canadiens, and it's unlikely he'll return for Sunday's regular- season finale. "I know he's getting more confident and getting closer," coach Jon Cooper said. "Just not ready yet." … C Tyler Johnson missed his second straight game with a nagging lower-body injury. D Jason Garrison (lower body) and F J.T. Brown (undisclosed) also participated in the morning skate with Johnson and were scratched. F Cedric Paquette was out, too. THE MARTIN CHRONICLES: Night of the Living Lightning. Minor matters . Syracuse D Matt Taormina (left) won the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's best defenseman. An All-Star for the third straight season, he set career highs in goals (14), assists (42) and points (56) in 66 games. He was never called up by the Lightning, though it didn't have many injuries to left-shot defensemen and it also has lefty Slater Koekkoek. . F Brett Howden, the Lightning's 2016 first-round draft pick, made his pro debut with Syracuse on Friday. Norris worthy Victor Hedman won't win the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman this season, but he warrants consideration for his stellar year. He has been one of the few constants in this turbulent Tampa Bay season. "In my three or four years with the team, a lot of our success has been predicated on how Victor has played," coach Jon Cooper said. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057732 Toronto Maple Leafs “What I suggest is (players) watch the hunting channel,” said coach Mike Babcock. “They don’t cover anything on the Leafs, and I’d go out for a nice dinner and get a nice sleep. Listen to country music radio. They Boyle tells young Leafs to block out blue and white noise don’t talk about hockey. “You know what’s going on around you. You want to do a real good job for the fans and the city. These guys want to win.” By Kevin McGran White noise aside, the Leafs are happy to be where they are. Fri., April 7, 2017 “It’s nice that we still control our own fate, and we did a good job setting ourselves up that way,” said rookie winger Connor Brown. “The biggest thing is playing with confidence and playing with poise. Brian Boyle has seen and experienced a lot in his days in hockey. That’s essentially why the centre was acquired at the trade deadline. “We feel good. We’re in the driver’s seat.” So, his young Maple Leafs teammates — who are trying to clinch the Toronto Star LOADED: 04.08.2017 team’s first post-season appearance since 2013 — would be wise to listen to the advice of a veteran of 100 Stanley Cup playoff games. He says he’s seen good teams lose because they got away from their plan, the style that got them to their heights. “You try so hard to be the guy. I think it comes from a good place,” said Boyle. “But you just have to play the game that got you there. It’s not going off the page. You need to stay with what got you there as a player, and what got you there as a team. “The battles and opportunities to rise to the occasion present themselves. You can’t go looking for them and get yourself out of whack and all wound up.” The next opportunity for the Maple Leafs to rise to the occasion comes on Saturday night against the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins at the Air Canada Centre. Boyle says the team needs to reach deep down inside to rise up. “It’s a little bit more compete. It’s a little bit more things that aren’t quite X’s and O’s,” said Boyle. “We think we learned a bit of a lesson (in Thursday night’s loss to Tampa). We still have a great opportunity. “If you can learn lessons along the way, it’s definitely a benefit. People talk about experience. That’s what it’s all about.” Pittsburgh doesn’t have much to play for — they know they’ll finish second in the Metropolitan Division and will face Columbus in the first round — but that doesn’t mean they will roll over and make life easy for the Maple Leafs, who went into Friday’s action up three points on the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning with two games to go. Tampa played Friday night in Montreal after beating Toronto 4-1 on Thursday, a game in which the Leafs seemed to get all wound up. They looked nervous at times and let their frustrations show. But the players say these setbacks are the learning experiences that will help them grow, as individuals and as a team. “It’s all part of getting used to playing these kinds of games,” said defenceman Morgan Rielly. “Given what’s at stake, we have to work on that, be a bit more loose. We can’t worry about what’s going on around us and just play our game.” The Leafs held an optional practice at the MasterCard Centre while the Penguins did the same at Ricoh Coliseum, home of the AHL’s Marlies. The Penguins, slowly getting some of their injured players back, expect the Leafs to play a desperate style. “We know how tough that team is,” said Evgeni Malkin, questionable with a shoulder injury. “They need to win. It’s very important for Toronto. They’re hungry. But we’re not going to give Toronto two points. We’re going to play hard.” If things go awry on Saturday, then there’s always Sunday’s regular- season finale against Columbus — win either weekend game and the Leafs are in — or hope that the New York Islanders and Tampa stumble on their own. “We have a chance against two good teams,” said Rielly. “Win a game and we’re in a great spot. We’re pretty comfortable with where we’re at. Are these games going to be tough? Yes. Are they important? Yes. That’s what we want. We want to play these meaningful games at this point in the season.” The Leafs will certainly learn about themselves on Saturday, whether they have a killer instinct or not. Early in the season, they routinely blew third-period leads — one of the reasons why they lead the league with 15 shootout and overtime losses. They’ve reversed that trend lately. But the inglorious collapses in this franchise’s past have not been forgotten by fans, and will surely be dredged up should the Leafs fail to reach the playoffs. 1057733 Toronto Maple Leafs physical presence among the top nine forwards. Players such as Matthews, William Nylander and Connor Brown are going to have learn to give as much as they get, just as Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk Leafs must pass physical to hit next level: Cox learned under Mike Babcock in Detroit. On the Toronto back end, only Roman Polak gives enemy skaters a consistently rough ride. So against the hardnosed Caps and desperate By Damien Cox Lightning, the Leafs fell behind and then were on the receiving end of most of the punishment. Fri., April 7, 2017 Eventually, over time, the Leafs will need to add more of a physical element. The kids will have to add grit to their natural gifts. It has been a week of bruising lessons for the Maple Leaf organization. Meanwhile, as Florida proved this season, and also Winnipeg to a certain extent, taking a big step forward with young talent often doesn’t mean the First, put all the speed and youth and pretty passing aside for a moment, trend upwards will continue. and understand there’s a whole other level of grit, nastiness and aggressiveness that’s going to have to be added before this team The Panthers had a team-record 103 points under Gerard Gallant last becomes a true winner, whether it’s next week in the Stanley Cup season. This season, injuries have hurt, some questionable decisions playoffs or next season. It may come from within or from without, quickly were made involving star blue-liner Aaron Ekblad and Gallant was or slowly, but it’s going to have to be found. punted in favour of the wholly inexperienced Tom Rowe. They’re going to have to become a much tougher team. Not as in Florida still has Ekblad, Sasha Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick fighting, which is (thankfully) all but extinct, but as in being the hammer Bjugstad and other good young players. But now it’s an open question as more often than the nail. to whether the Panthers have a team willing to do the necessary things to reach the next level. Second, as the final results of the 2016-17 regular season come in, it has once again become crystal clear that being a young, up-and-coming With the Jets, two springs ago they were in the playoffs, and with Mark hockey club one season doesn’t necessarily mean that will continue into Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, Nik Ehlers and Josh Morrissey in the the following season and beyond. Young teams that make a splash one organization, it seemed times would only get better. But then they missed season often regress the next. the post-season a year ago, and even with the addition of Patrik Laine this season and strong play in the final weeks, they’re going to miss So after a surprising season of lollipops and unicorns, the hard part really again. starts now for the Leafs. Many are saying that if this encouraging spring quickly turns into an early Losses to Washington and Tampa Bay this week, two teams that have summer without playoffs, it won’t matter because of all the good things been building for years and have playoff-hardened athletes, usefully that have happened. Well, that’s somewhat true, but not necessarily so. illustrated the next level of competitiveness required. You could partially excuse the lopsided loss to the Capitals on Tuesday as it was the fourth It may get better in future seasons, particularly if the Leafs understand game in six nights, and Washington’s just a better, deeper team. Still, the bruises that will have to be absorbed to get better. But it may not. there was an undeniable edge to the Caps’ game that wasn’t there in Toronto’s game. Damien Cox is the co-host of Prime Time Sports on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. He spent nearly 30 years covering a variety of sports for The Star. The nature of that contest probably gave the Lightning reason to believe Follow him @DamoSpin. His column appears Tuesday and Saturday. that playing the Leafs hard rather than with caution could be a profitable approach, and it was. The Leaf power play struggled, going 1-for-7 in the Toronto Star LOADED: 04.08.2017 two games, which only encourages opponents to come at them more aggressively. NHL officiating, it’s worth noting, has been sketchy all season, and particularly of late. Sidney Crosby mashed Marc Methot’s finger with his stick and wasn’t penalized, let alone suspended. Mark Giordano took out Cam Fowler’s knee with similar results. Early in Tuesday’s Leafs-Caps game, Alex Ovechkin went after Russian countryman Nikita Zaitsev in the corner. All Ovechkin could see were the numbers on Zaitsev’s back, but he drove his shoulder into those numbers and Zaitsev went into the glass, hard. No call, of course. Ovechkin delivered a similar physical message last weekend when he landed a thunderous hit on Zach Werenski of the Blue Jackets, knocking him head-first into the glass. On Thursday night, Tampa defenceman Jake Dotchin executed a classic, Bryan Marchment-like knee-on-knee hit on Leaf super-rookie Auston Matthews, leaving Matthews in a heap on the ice. No call. Play on. In the third, Matt Hunwick and Tampa forward Nikita Kucherov got into it, and Hunwick eventually decked Kucherov at the Leaf blue line with the puck nowhere nearby. No call. Maybe the retirement of too many veteran officials in recent years is having an impact and there just aren’t enough good zebras to go around these days. Or perhaps the league approves of this approach to the rulebook, which is rarely interpreted in a black-and-white manner but more of a dynamic, “what it means this week” fashion. We know the league despises offence, and will avoid legislating anything that detracts from having defence and goaltending dominate. This is not the National Football League where every season the league searches for ways to produce more scoring. In Gary Bettman’s NHL circa 2017, skill is viewed as the icing on the cake, but not the guts of the cake. The Edmonton Oilers realized that last summer when they traded a high-end offensive talent in Taylor Hall to New Jersey for a big stay-at- home defender in Adam Larsson, and then brought in Milan Lucic as well. Instead, we have a high-speed but cluttered environment, one in which the Leafs are going to have to learn to succeed, and right now they’re not really built for it. The addition of Brian Boyle has helped a little bit, but other than Leo Komarov and Nazem Kadri, there’s little consistent 1057734 Toronto Maple Leafs

Evgeni Malkin gets revenge on Phil Kessel for locker stunt

By Kevin McGran Fri., April 7, 2017

Evgeni Malkin got a little sweet revenge on Phil Kessel on Friday as a very loose bunch of Pittsburgh Penguins prepared for Saturday’s game against the Maple Leafs. Kessel had tweeted a picture of Malkin’s locker-room stall in New Jersey, making fun of it because it was basically no more than a folding chair for one of the best players in the game. Upon arrival at Ricoh Coliseum, where the Penguins held an optional skate, Kessel’s stall was adorned with all kinds of stuff — from Coke cans and coffee to work out equipment — thanks to Malkin and equipment manager Dana Heinze. Asked if anything was missing, Malkin didn’t miss a beat: “Hot dogs.” Kessel didn’t participate in Friday’s optional skate. During his time in Toronto, he developed a reputation for eating hot dogs. “I like hot dogs, too,” said Malkin, “but only in the summer time. (Kessel) likes coffee. I never seen him eat hot dogs. He’s a funny guy. He’s my good friend here.” Coach Mike Sullivan was happy to see his players horsing around this close to the playoffs: “That’s all part of it. It’s an indication of how close our team is. They enjoy one another. They are constantly running pranks on one another. That helps build the chemistry around the group. It’s all in good fun. And Phil always seems to be in the centre of all that.: The Penguins don’t have much to play for until the playoffs start next week. They’ve sewn up second place in the Metropolitan Division and know they will play Columbus in the first round. But they can use the final two games to get some players back in the lineup and battle-tested. Defenceman Trevor Daley returned Thursday night from a knee injury. Winger Carl Hagelin skated for the first time since injuring a foot March 12. And Malkin is closer to returning from a shoulder injury, maybe Saturday night. “I hope,” said Malkin. “It’s not easy to say right now. I have not played full contact. I feel normal. Why not?” Toronto Star LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057735 Toronto Maple Leafs “We talked about that today,” coach Mike Babcock said on Friday. “We have to play quicker. We worked hard all year long to set ourselves up for these opportunities. We are in a great spot in Game 81 so we are set Unclear if Crosby will face Leafs up good.” Don’t peek at the past By Terry Koshan, We would hate to throw scares into Leafs Nation, but quite simply, the Leafs recently have been owned by the Penguins. Pittsburgh is 8-0-2 in First posted: Friday, April 07, 2017 10:52 PM EDT its past 10 games against Toronto and is 3-0-1 in its past four visits to the Air Canada Centre. The Leafs must start well, but that could be moot. The Penguins have a record of 20-11-4 when their opponent scores first in a game. Whether the Maple Leafs have to deal with Sidney Crosby on Saturday night remains to be seen. Goalie games It’s possible Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan rests his superstar, Frederik Andersen has been a backbone for Toronto, and without his as the defending Stanley Cup champions have nothing left standings- play, the Leafs would not be on the cusp of clinching a playoff spot. wise to play for. The Penguins, who have 111 points, know they will finish Andersen is 1-2-0 against Pittsburgh in his career with a .916 save second in the Metropolitan Division and will have home-ice advantage in percentage. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan would not say whether rookie the first round of the playoffs against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matt Murray or veteran Marc-Andre Fleury will start for the Penguins. Fleury is 18-9-4 in his career against the Leafs. So will Crosby play in both Penguins games this weekend — in Toronto and then in New York against the Rangers on Sunday? Help the centres “We have a game plan that we have sketched out and we will take each Can the Leafs take advantage of a Penguins team that does a lot of game as it comes,” Sullivan said on Friday. things consistently well but not in the faceoff circle? Pittsburgh has a winning percentage of 47.6%, which was 28th in the NHL. Considering The Leafs were leaving nothing to chance. The capabilities of Crosby, the overall success the Penguins have had, they’re strong at retrieving who has 54 points (23 goals and 31 assists) in 36 career games against the puck. With that in mind, the Leafs will have to bear down that much the Leafs, continue to wow them. more in possession. Defenceman Morgan Rielly watched NHL highlights late on Thursday Embrace the moment and like everyone else was blown away by the no-look, between-the-legs pass Crosby made to Conor Sheary for a goal that night against New The Leafs want to avoid losing three in a row in regulation for the first Jersey. time in more than two months, and they say they are confident. Go and prove it. “What an opportunity for us to play against the defending “I have admired him for 10 years, and I feel like the appreciation for what champs,” veteran forward Brian Boyle said. “We’re on home ice for a he can do has only grown now that I have played against him,” Rielly great chance to clinch a playoff spot. It’s a great challenge for us and we said. “I know how hard it is to do what he does.” should be really excited about it.”ways with an even 700. Good news with Veteran forward Brian Boyle can’t help but be a fan. playoffs looming. “It’s cool to play in an era that he is playing in,” Boyle said. “To be able to THE BIG MATCHUP play against guys like that, especially him, I think with his skill level and Phil Kessel vs. Auston Matthews his competitiveness, it’s impressive to watch, it really is. You (just) don’t want to be idolizing the guy when you are playing against him.” Kessel is one of two Penguins to play in all of Pittsburgh’s games this season to date (Ian Cole is the other) and has put up 68 points, good for FROM FAN TO PLAYER third in team scoring. Kessel is a reminder of the Leafs in the recent past, When the Leafs and Boston Bruins clashed in the first round of the 2013 while Matthews is looking for his 40th goal and with 67 points and is Stanley Cup playoffs, Connor Brown — at the time a Leafs prospect going to be the face of the franchise for years to come, something Kessel playing for the Erie Otters of the — missed it. never became. “I was in Ireland (on a family trip) but I think every single one of my Toronto Star LOADED: 04.08.2017 buddies was in (Maple Leaf Square),” said Brown, selected in the sixth round in 2012, A Toronto native and a Leafs fan while growing up, Brown knows what securing a playoff spot would mean to Leafs Nation. And now that he has moved from fan to player, it’s about staying even-keel while his friends might be going a bit batty. “When the puck drops it pretty much takes care of itself,” Brown said. “It weighs a lot, just being from Toronto and how big it is, but any team you are on, once the puck drops, you turn into game mode and you don’t think about that too much. “We do a good job in here of keeping the circle tight within ourselves. We know how big the moment is, we understand it and we have to rise to it. It’s nice that we control our own fate.” LOOSE LEAFS The majority of Leafs chose to stay off the ice during an optional practice on Friday, with only Carrick and goalies Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney, among the regulars, taking part. Also on the ice were defencemen Martin Marincin and Alexey Marchenko and forwards Ben Smith and Josh Leivo. Nikita Soshnikov, out with an undisclosed injury, did not skate … Evgeni Malkin, who has missed 11 games with an upper- body injury, is nearing a return to the Penguins lineup … The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the Leafs, have signed Flint Firebirds (OHL) forward Ryan Moore. FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Back to basics During a loss against Tampa on Thursday, the Leafs, as James van Riemsdyk put it, were discombobulated in their own zone. A return to structure is crucial. 1057736 Toronto Maple Leafs “Same thing here in hockey. Play your shift, come back, take a deep breath get a drink of water and play your next one.”

MATTHEWS 'LITTLE SORE' BUT OK 'We have to earn our way in': Maple Leafs in driver's seat entering final weekend Auston Matthews got knocked around against the Tampa Bay Lightning and lived to tell about it.

The Calder Trophy favourite has come to expect the physical attention, BY TERRY KOSHAN, TORONTO SUN though it might not always be as obvious as it was on Thursday night. FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 01:52 PM EDT | UPDATED: Matthews said on Friday he was fine after absorbing a knee from Tampa FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 05:57 PM EDT defenceman Jake Dotchin. Later in the game, Braydon Coburn tossed Matthews into the Tampa net. TORONTO — If his Maple Leafs are starting to feel the pressure that “That kind of stuff happens,” Matthews said, referring to the Dotchin hit. comes with playing in Toronto — and the increased heat that comes with “Little sore, but at this point of the season I think everybody is (dealing) trying to nail down a playoff spot — Mike Babcock offered some advice. with something, so it’s not really that big of a deal.” “You could go home and watch you guys (the media) all day long if you Matthews finished the game with a team-high nine shot attempts, wanted to,” the Leafs coach said after the players had an optional including three shots on goal. practice on Friday at the MasterCard Centre. Matthews leads all NHL rookies in scoring with 67 points, three more “What I would suggest is you watch the hunting channel, they don’t cover than Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets. anything on the Leafs, go out for a nice dinner and get a good sleep and I Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.08.2017 would come in (Saturday) and get ready. “Country music radio, they don’t talk about hockey. You know what’s going on around you and you want to do a real good job for the fans and the city of Toronto and all those things. These guys want to win for them(selves) too. I think that’s the priority.” The Leafs remain in the driver’s seat heading into the final weekend of the regular season. With 93 points and two games remaining — at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday — Toronto holds the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and were three points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Islanders. The Lightning was playing in Montreal against the Canadiens on Friday night in the lone game on the NHL schedule. A loss and Tampa’s playoff hopes would be finished. Games involving the Islanders and Lightning this weekend are of little interest to the Leafs. If the Leafs get two points in their final two games they’re going to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, and that's their focus. “What I like about this opportunity is we have to earn our way in,” Babcock said. “No one is giving it to you. And that’s what it is all about, is having these opportunities to grow your game in moments that matter. They have all had these opportunities at different levels, just not at this level. So let’s look after business.” As for whether the Leafs are battling nerves with a playoff spot for the taking, they’re drawing on past experiences to get them through the intensity. Yes, there have been back-to-back regulation losses for the first time in more than a month, but the Leafs have won 11 of their past 16. “If you’re playing in the NHL, (the great likelihood is) you’ve had some success on big stages before,” defenceman Connor Carrick said. “When you are getting ready to play big games, what is it that makes you nervous? Screwing up. Well, you have already played big games and screwed up and still have a career. “The most crippling thing is when you are afraid to make mistakes. That’s hard hockey to play, when you’re really jammed up. You have to mentally saddle up.” And, from veteran Brian Boyle’s view, don’t go off script. “You just have to do what gets you there,” Boyle said. “The battles and the opportunities to rise to the occasion will present themselves. You can’t go out looking for it and get yourself all out whack. I think that’s kind of what I learned even before I got into the NHL.” The hunting channel and country music to relax? Some Leafs might have had an issue with Babcock’s suggestion. It sounded more like they were going to catch some of the Masters on television. Even Babcock couldn’t stray from a golf analogy. “It’s no different than being on the tee at the Masters,” Babcock said. “You step up there, you have to clear your mind and hit the ball. If there is momentary doubt you push through it and hit it down the middle and get ready for your next shot. 1057737 Toronto Maple Leafs An impending unrestricted free agent, Bernier even has hopes of getting another crack at being a No. 1 somewhere next season.

“Hopefully I can get another chance at it. But, to be honest, I’m really Former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier finds new life, focused on right now and not focusing too much ahead for next year. I confidence with Anaheim Ducks think we have everything to go deep and I really want to focus on what’s going on now and we’ll see in the summer what’s going to happen.” Jonas Siegel, The Canadian Press | April 7, 2017 2:17 PM ET National Post LOADED: 04.08.2017

Jonathan Bernier has gone 12 straight starts without a regulation loss, thrusting himself unexpectedly into the goaltending conversation for the Ducks' upcoming playoff run. People keep asking Jonathan Bernier if this is the best he’s ever played, as though his re-emergence in Anaheim is some big surprise. It’s not a shock to the 28-year-old, who recently wrapped up a sterling March in which he went 10-1-2 with a cool .941 save percentage. Bernier has gone 12 straight starts without a regulation loss, thrusting himself unexpectedly into the goaltending conversation for the Ducks’ upcoming playoff run. “I’ve never lost confidence in myself to be honest,” said Bernier during a recent phone interview from southern California. “I always believed that I’m a good goalie and I can do the job in this league and obviously to have that stretch right now — I’m not trying to prove anything to people, I think I’m just trying to get better every day for me. I only try to push myself. I’m not looking really at what people are saying or what they think, it’s just all about me (and what I think) right.” It wasn’t long ago that Bernier struggled to win even once. The Laval, Que., native lost his first 10 starts with the Leafs last season, quickly souring any future under then-new head coach Mike Babcock. Toronto briefly demoted him to the minors sent him to Anaheim in the summer, following the acquisition of his replacement, Frederik Andersen. Whether because of poor play, poor teams, injury or struggles handling an intense spotlight at a young age, Bernier’s experience with the Leafs never panned out. He wonders now how he might have fared if the 2013 trade from Los Angeles had come at a later point in his career, when he had more experience under his belt, more maturity for handling the ups and downs. “There’s a lot of things I would’ve done, probably, different when I was in Toronto, especially my third year,” said Bernier, who has a 20-7-4 record with the Ducks this season. “But I believe that I learned from what happened and I matured a lot as a player and as a person. And you’ve just got to take all those experiences, either good or bad, and you’ve just got to keep going forward. If you look back that’s when you get screwed.” One lesson from Toronto was worrying less about end results and more about the process of getting there. During that poor start to his third season with the Leafs one loss just snowballed into another, and Bernier felt almost helpless to stop it. He’s focused now on going shot to shot, period to period, game to game and nothing beyond that. He’s also made some slight technical changes in his year with the Ducks, coached by Randy Carlyle, his one-time boss with the Leafs. Bernier isn’t being as aggressive in the crease as he was under Babcock, who prefers his goalies to play that way. “Sometimes you just don’t feel as comfortable by doing this,” Bernier said of aggressively challenging shooters. “We all have a comfort level in our depth and I don’t think I was (comfortable) at beginning and maybe it had an effect on my game.” Bernier has only played this much (38 games) and this well at one point in his NHL career — that first season with Toronto when he assembled a .923 save percentage in 55 games. Even he’s noticed that his numbers were better then than they are now, so he’s not quite sure whether he’s now truly at his best. Regardless, his confidence in the crease is gradually increasing. He has gained Carlyle’s faith after stepping up during a recent injury to starter John Gibson. “I think (Carlyle) has confidence in me and that makes a big difference for a goalie when your coach knows that you can win some games and he has confidence in you, then you feel confident, right?” Bernier said, a striking contrast to Babcock, whose lack of faith became all too apparent. Without much outside noise or distraction, Bernier has found it easier to focus on hockey in his return California — where he started his career with the Kings. His strong March has made him only a slight underdog to Gibson to start for the Ducks when the playoffs begin next week. 1057738 Toronto Maple Leafs An impending unrestricted free agent, Bernier even has hopes of getting another crack at being a No. 1 somewhere next season.

“Hopefully I can get another chance at it. But, to be honest, I’m really Former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier finds new life, focused on right now and not focusing too much ahead for next year. I confidence with Anaheim Ducks think we have everything to go deep and I really want to focus on what’s going on now and we’ll see in the summer what’s going to happen.” Jonas Siegel, The Canadian Press | April 7, 2017 2:17 PM ET National Post LOADED: 04.08.2017

Jonathan Bernier has gone 12 straight starts without a regulation loss, thrusting himself unexpectedly into the goaltending conversation for the Ducks' upcoming playoff run. People keep asking Jonathan Bernier if this is the best he’s ever played, as though his re-emergence in Anaheim is some big surprise. It’s not a shock to the 28-year-old, who recently wrapped up a sterling March in which he went 10-1-2 with a cool .941 save percentage. Bernier has gone 12 straight starts without a regulation loss, thrusting himself unexpectedly into the goaltending conversation for the Ducks’ upcoming playoff run. “I’ve never lost confidence in myself to be honest,” said Bernier during a recent phone interview from southern California. “I always believed that I’m a good goalie and I can do the job in this league and obviously to have that stretch right now — I’m not trying to prove anything to people, I think I’m just trying to get better every day for me. I only try to push myself. I’m not looking really at what people are saying or what they think, it’s just all about me (and what I think) right.” It wasn’t long ago that Bernier struggled to win even once. The Laval, Que., native lost his first 10 starts with the Leafs last season, quickly souring any future under then-new head coach Mike Babcock. Toronto briefly demoted him to the minors sent him to Anaheim in the summer, following the acquisition of his replacement, Frederik Andersen. Whether because of poor play, poor teams, injury or struggles handling an intense spotlight at a young age, Bernier’s experience with the Leafs never panned out. He wonders now how he might have fared if the 2013 trade from Los Angeles had come at a later point in his career, when he had more experience under his belt, more maturity for handling the ups and downs. “There’s a lot of things I would’ve done, probably, different when I was in Toronto, especially my third year,” said Bernier, who has a 20-7-4 record with the Ducks this season. “But I believe that I learned from what happened and I matured a lot as a player and as a person. And you’ve just got to take all those experiences, either good or bad, and you’ve just got to keep going forward. If you look back that’s when you get screwed.” One lesson from Toronto was worrying less about end results and more about the process of getting there. During that poor start to his third season with the Leafs one loss just snowballed into another, and Bernier felt almost helpless to stop it. He’s focused now on going shot to shot, period to period, game to game and nothing beyond that. He’s also made some slight technical changes in his year with the Ducks, coached by Randy Carlyle, his one-time boss with the Leafs. Bernier isn’t being as aggressive in the crease as he was under Babcock, who prefers his goalies to play that way. “Sometimes you just don’t feel as comfortable by doing this,” Bernier said of aggressively challenging shooters. “We all have a comfort level in our depth and I don’t think I was (comfortable) at beginning and maybe it had an effect on my game.” Bernier has only played this much (38 games) and this well at one point in his NHL career — that first season with Toronto when he assembled a .923 save percentage in 55 games. Even he’s noticed that his numbers were better then than they are now, so he’s not quite sure whether he’s now truly at his best. Regardless, his confidence in the crease is gradually increasing. He has gained Carlyle’s faith after stepping up during a recent injury to starter John Gibson. “I think (Carlyle) has confidence in me and that makes a big difference for a goalie when your coach knows that you can win some games and he has confidence in you, then you feel confident, right?” Bernier said, a striking contrast to Babcock, whose lack of faith became all too apparent. Without much outside noise or distraction, Bernier has found it easier to focus on hockey in his return California — where he started his career with the Kings. His strong March has made him only a slight underdog to Gibson to start for the Ducks when the playoffs begin next week. 1057739 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ 1st player Reid Duke signs PTC with Chicago Wolves

By Steve Carp April 7, 2017 - 9:49 am Updated April 7, 2017 - 8:48 PM

The Golden Knights announced Friday that Reid Duke, the organization’s first player signed, has signed a professional tryout contract with Chicago of the American Hockey League. Duke, 21, signed with the Knights on March 6 after his season with the Brandon Wheat Kings concluded. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward had 37 goals and 34 assists in 59 games for Brandon. He will make his pro debut Saturday against the Iowa Wild. “With Reid Duke’s WHL season ending last week, we have explored opportunities and options for him to play additional games this year,” Knights general manager George McPhee said. “The Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, who are currently the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, agreed to take Reid on a professional tryout agreement. “Reid will be available to play for Chicago beginning Friday. We are appreciative of the Wolves organization for affording Reid this opportunity, which will be beneficial for his development as a player.” Chicago is expected to serve as the Knights’ AHL affiliate next season. Both sides have been negotiating for months, and an announcement is expected at the end of the Wolves’ season. McPhee would not confirm that a deal has been struck. “The Golden Knights’ AHL affiliation discussions are still ongoing,” he said. “We will announce those details after the affiliation agreement has been finalized and confirmed.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057740 Vegas Golden Knights Even when it was new, The Joe felt like a broken-in home in an old neighborhood. There were few frills to the place. But the sightlines were great to watch hockey, and The Joe created its own history. The Red Golden Knights officials remember Red Wings’ longtime home Wings won four Stanley Cups while playing there and made the Finals six times.

“It didn’t have the mystique of the Forum in Montreal or Maple Leaf By Steve Carp Gardens,” Craven said. “But it had great pizza. They put a little something extra in the pizza, and you’d always want to grab a couple of April 7, 2017 - 9:31 am slices after the games.” Updated April 7, 2017 - 7:20 PM LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.08.2017

The Joe. Whether you’re a Detroit native or a hockey fan halfway around the world, when you hear “The Joe” mentioned, you know what it is. Joe Louis Arena, the longtime home of the Detroit Red Wings, is closing its doors Sunday after a 38-year run. The Red Wings, who had their own magnificent postseason run of 25 years, saw that streak end when they were recently eliminated from playoff contention. They move into their new downtown building, Little Caesars Arena, this fall. Several Golden Knights executives and scouts have fond memories of playing in The Joe, some as Red Wings, some as the visitor. But they remember the old barn as a place where you could feel the passion of the fans and the home team definitely had an edge. “I remember how lively the boards were,” said Knights senior vice president Murray Craven, who broke into the NHL with the Red Wings in 1982. “I loved how the puck would come right back to you when you shot it a certain way. “I always thought it was a nice edge for the Red Wings, and they took advantage of that.” Knights NHL scout Mike Foligno broke in with the Red Wings in 1979, the same year as Joe Louis Arena opened. “My best and most memorable events that stayed with me my whole life happened at training camp,” Foligno said. “Our medical trainer, Lefty Wilson, was walking through our dressing room as we were getting ready for an early on-ice sessions. As I was starting to put my equipment on, I asked, ‘What time is it?’ “Well, just as I asked that question, Lefty Wilson turned the corner with a sponge baseball bat on his shoulder. Lefty took a swing at me with that sponge baseball bat and said: ‘What time is it? Kid! It’s the best time of your life and don’t you forget it!’ That quote from Lefty has stayed with me for the last 38 years, and I have not only lived it every day but have repeated it to many others since then.” Knights general manager George McPhee remembers the fans willing the Red Wings to victory in the playoffs when he was the GM in Washington. “My most vivid Joe Louis memory was that of the Red Wing fans inspiring the team to victory,” McPhee said. “It was in Game 2 of Stanley Cup Finals in 1998, the Capitals were leading 4-2 midway through the third period when Esa Tikkanen intercepted a pass and on a partial breakaway pump-faked the goaltender to the ice for a wide-open net. The goal would have sealed the game and tied the series at 1-1. “He inexplicably missed. At that moment, the Wings’ fans responded with encouragement, some standing, that turned into a knowing roar. The team was still in it, and they let them know it. The Wings responded with a comeback OT win that was the turning point in the series. That response from a knowledgeable hockey crowd affected the game and series.” Kelly McCrimmon, the Knights’ assistant GM, played in Joe Louis Arena as a collegian. “I played in the Great Lakes Invitational when I was at Michigan,” McCrimmon said. “The arena was pretty new at the time, which made it real exciting.” Eric Tosi, the Golden Knights’ vice president of communications, made many trips to The Joe with the Boston Bruins. He remembers the people who worked in the building that made it a special place to visit. “One of the most enjoyable and entertaining conversations I have had in hockey was with Al Sobotka, who has been the building operations manager and the Zamboni driver at Joe Louis Arena since it opened,” Tosi said. “He is a legend in Detroit, famous for picking up octopus on the ice during Wings playoff games and twirling it above his head to get the crowd going.” 1057741 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Reid Duke joining AHL’s Chicago Wolves

By Jesse Granger (contact) Friday, April 7, 2017 | 9 a.m.

The fledgling Vegas Golden Knights’ only player, Reid Duke, will be joining the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves on a professional tryout agreement, the Golden Knights announced this morning. While the Golden Knights haven’t made any announcements about their minor league affiliate, this move may shed some light on the subject. The Wolves are affiliated with the St. Louis Blues but have been rumored as the future minor league team for the Golden Knights. Unlike many affiliates, the Blues do not own the Wolves and have discussed creating their own AHL team in Kansas City. “The Golden Knights AHL affiliation discussions are still ongoing,” Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee said in a statement. “We will announce those details after the affiliation agreement has been finalized and confirmed.” Duke leaves the Brandon Wheat Kings after leading the Canadian junior squad with 37 goals and 34 assists for 71 points in 59 games. He scored three goals in four games against the Medicine Hat Tigers during the 2017 Western Hockey League playoffs, which wrapped up March 29. “With Reid Duke’s WHL season ending last week, we have explored opportunities and options for him to play additional games this year,” McPhee said. “The Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League agreed to take Reid on a professional tryout agreement. Reid will be available to play for Chicago beginning Friday. We are appreciative of the Wolves organization for affording Reid this opportunity, which will be beneficial for his development as a player.” The Wolves have five games remaining on their regular season schedule and have already clinched a spot in the AHL playoffs. LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057742 Washington Capitals you get new guys, everybody’s sort of standoffish, but we’ve been on a few road trips right off the hop when we got him, so he’s spent a lot of time in hotels the last little while. He’s gotten to know his teammates With Kevin Shattenkirk, the Washington Capitals got exactly what they quite well.” needed Washington Post LOADED: 04.08.2017

By Isabelle Khurshudyan April 7 at 4:11 PM

Upon watching his newest teammate assist on two goals in Colorado, defenseman Karl Alzner made an observation from the Capitals’ bench. If Kevin Shattenkirk had been with Washington from the start of the season, “he would’ve had 80 points by now,” Alzner said. Shattenkirk’s 17-game production since he was traded from St. Louis to the Capitals — one goal and 12 assists — has already equaled Alzner’s 13 points in 80 games. It’s a poor comparison because their roles and styles of play differ, but the ease with which Shattenkirk has jelled with Washington’s lineup has impressed. He’s even joined the team’s crossword club already, “so you know he fits right in,” Alzner said. Before the trade deadline, General Manager Brian MacLellan was hesitant to make a major move so as to not upset the chemistry on a close-knit first-place Capitals team. He felt Shattenkirk was the one player worth the risk because of his on-ice value, an elite puck-moving, offensive blueliner. But MacLellan also did his due diligence on Shattenkirk as a teammate, and he received rave reviews from T.J. Oshie and Brooks Orpik, both of whom had played with Shattenkirk before. Midseason trades can be hit or miss because it often takes time for players to adjust to their new surroundings. But with the postseason just two games away, this one has been a success so far with Shattenkirk already feeling comfortable with the Capitals. “He’s one of those guys that you think of first when you’re asking people to go do stuff, you know?” Alzner said. “He’s just one of those guys that you really enjoy spending time with. He’s very smart, very observant, remembers people’s names and just an overall very good person, which has kind of been the M.O. of this management and coaching staff with the type of people they get.” That he’s immediately produced hasn’t hurt either. Washington’s power play, consistently ranked atop the league for years, had a 21.8 scoring percentage prior to Shattenkirk’s arrival. Since he’s been on the point of the top unit, the Capitals have scored on 29 percent of their power plays, superstar winger Alex Ovechkin has five power-play goals and the unit has scored 12 times in the past 10 games. With Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on either side on the power play, Shattenkirk initially felt pressure to force the puck to one of them. But the unit has excelled as he’s started to shoot from the top more, which has in turn created openings for Shattenkirk’s flat passes to Ovechkin’s one- timer sweet spot in the left faceoff circle. “I think you can see his skill, his ability to move the puck, shoot the puck,” Ovechkin said. “My main goal coming in here was not to tip toe into the game and try to figure out how to play with these guys,” Shattenkirk said. “I just wanted to play how I know is best, play my best games and figure it out on the fly, how to gain some chemistry with these guys. I think the way that I play best and that aggressive offensive style of the game, it allows me to produce. I think when you have so many skilled guys who are making great plays, it’s pretty easy for a guy like me to get some points.” Shattenkirk said he started to feel at home with the team when it was on the road. The Capitals’ four-game losing streak last month that included a winless three-game trip in California was a low point in the season for Washington, but for Shattenkirk, the adversity helped him bond with his new teammates. “All of that stuff helps just build great chemistry and make me feel comfortable going into the playoffs,” he said. Shattenkirk’s growing confidence has been noticeable in his play. Coach Barry Trotz said Shattenkirk was stationary on the power play at first, but he’s started initiating some movement as he’s gotten more settled. Against Toronto, Shattenkirk called for Ovechkin to switch positions with him, with Shattenkirk going to the left faceoff circle before scoring his first goal with Washington. That seemed to mark the last step of his initiation. “Obviously, there was some growing pains just because we play a little different than St. Louis,” Trotz said. “He makes really intelligent plays, he’s got great poise, his puck skills are very, very strong, and he’s fit in with the group extremely well from a personal level. Sometimes, when 1057743 Washington Capitals

With playoffs less than a week away, Capitals don’t know first-round opponent

By Jesse Dougherty April 7 at 3:22 PM

Daniel Winnik pans through the NHL scores at the end of each day and, with the regular season winding down, is paying a little extra attention to a small handful of teams. The Capitals clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and the Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight year, with a 2-0 win over the New York Rangers on Wednesday. Now they are waiting to see who they’ll play in the first round of the playoffs, and it could be any of the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins (who finish their regular season at home against the Capitals on Saturday), Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders or Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators and Bruins have already clinched playoff spots and are currently in second and third, respectively, in the Atlantic division. The Maple Leafs are currently in the East’s second wild-card spot and would be the Capitals’ first-round opponent if the playoffs started today. The Islanders and Lightning are each three points behind the Maple Leafs — long shots, but not mathematically eliminated — and the Lightning plays the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. “I guess you could call it a five-team race, but it’s really a three-team race if anything,” Winnik said. “But it’s interesting, lots of movement this time of year so it’s definitely for us to keep an eye on.” Capitals Coach Barry Trotz took a harder stance on there being three possible first-round opponents for his team. The Maple Leafs need one win to clinch a playoff spot and play the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets, who are locked in as the East’s second and third seeds, respectively, and will match up in the first round. From there, the Maple Leafs currently have the highest chance of starting a playoff run in Washington, likely on Thursday. After last night, Capitals could still face five opponents: Leafs: 70% Bruins: 18% Islanders: 5% Senators: 5% Lightning: 2% — Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) April 7, 2017 “We’ve done pretty deep pre-scouts on every team. We’re trying to figure out who that might be,” Trotz said in Toronto on Tuesday. “Obviously, that’s sort of the race. I think you’ve got to trust what you know when you’ve played them, and then you’ll go back and get a sort of very intense look at whoever is selected that you’ll play. It’s going to probably go to Game 82, so we might not know until Saturday or Sunday.” That will most likely give the Capitals three days, following their regular- season finale against the Florida Panthers on Sunday, to prep for their first-round matchup. In the meantime, players will keep one eye on the league scoreboard while trying to carry the momentum of a 10-1-1 stretch into the postseason. The Capitals achieved their goal of winning the Metropolitan Division and have an opportunity to mix in regular scratches like Paul Carey and Taylor Chorney in the next two games. A comfortable end to the regular season was earned in the first 80 games of the year, and now all the Capitals can do is wait for their next test. “We’re watching,” defenseman Karl Alzner said. “But not worrying.” Washington Post LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057744 Washington Capitals

Mike Milbury: ‘I think the Caps are going to win the Stanley Cup’

By Dan Steinberg April 7 at 3:12 PM

It’d be hard to look at this NHL season — the ebbs and flows, the injuries and trades, the wins and losses, the advanced numbers — and not come to the conclusion that the Caps are the best hockey team going. That doesn’t mean they’ll win the Stanley Cup. But they sure seem like the best bet, anyhow. and Mike Milbury are watching the same NHL season as the rest of us. And they have come to the same conclusion. It’s a conclusion that might make some Caps boosters nervous, but one that will be argued more and more in the next few days. “Everything is lined up perfectly for Washington,” Jones said, during NBCSN’s pregame show Wednesday night. “There are no holes. You’d be nuts not to pick the Washington Capitals to come out of the Eastern Conference.” “I think the Caps are going to win the Stanley Cup,” Milbury said, one- upping his colleague. “And I’ve said it for some time, and I’m sticking with that.” Gulp? Milbury later added to his comments. “This is Washington’s time,” he said. “Everybody is in sync. They’ve had their pain. They’ve had their experience. They have depth. They have balance. They have goaltending. Now is the time. There are no more excuses.” “Alex Ovechkin doesn’t have to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for the Washington Capitals to win the Stanley Cup,” Jones added. “That’s probably the most refreshing thing for Alex Ovechkin. There are other players in that lineup. There are other stars. … The team around him is better. They are in a perfect position. You look around the league; there are holes, there are injuries, and the Capitals have none of that.” Milbury said there are “questions that still roll around in my mind” about the Capitals: whether they are mentally tough enough, or disciplined enough, or smart enough. “I think they are,” he said. “I think they’ve grown up.” This was all before the Caps handled the Rangers to clinch everything they could clinch, part of their late-season surge that has erased all those earlier concerns (ahem) that the team had peaked too soon. And so Milbury’s confidence in Washington continued during the network’s postgame show, when he was asked about potential early-round matchups. “I don’t think the Washington Capitals should be afraid of anybody,” he said. “This is their second straight Presidents’ Trophy. They’ve got experience. They’ve got depth. They’ve got goaltending. They’ve got defense. Balanced scoring up front. It shouldn’t matter to them who they play. This is Washington’s year; they should act like it. … “They have had fear of past experiences going south in Washington,” he went on. “If they start to hit some bumps early in the first round, or even in the second round, that may cause panic. But that’s why they have to stay focused on what they do, and not who they’re playing or how they’re going to change their game based on other opponents. This is the team to beat, and I think they should have that attitude.” There’s not really any reason not to think the Caps are the team to beat. Which is why Mike Milbury won’t be the last one making this argument. Washington Post LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057745 Washington Capitals

John Carlson, Brett Connolly won’t travel to Boston when Capitals face Bruins

By Jesse Dougherty April 7 at 2:21 PM

The Capitals will be without two regulars for their last road game of the regular season, as defenseman John Carlson and forward Brett Connolly will not travel to Boston this weekend. Carlson will miss his third straight game with an undisclosed lower-body injury. Connolly got sick Thursday and Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said it didn’t make sense for him to make the trip. Trotz, who classified both players as day-to-day, said Carlson could play in the team’s regular season finale against the Florida Panthers on Sunday. “But if there’s any doubt we’re going to hold him off until the playoffs,” said Trotz, adding that Connolly would likely play against the Panthers. Nate Schmidt has been paired with Karl Alzner in Carlson’s absence, and scored a goal in the Capitals’ 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Either Schmidt or Taylor Chorney will fill Carlson’s spot against the Bruins, as Trotz said he wants to get Chorney, who last played on Feb. 25, on the ice for one of these last two games. Connolly’s absence makes room for Paul Carey alongside Lars Eller and Andre Burakovsky on the Capitals’ third line. The 28-year-old Carey joined the team before its recent five-game road trip and is vying to be its extra forward during the playoffs. The Capitals’ other option seems to be 21-year-old forward Jakub Vrana, who filled in on the third line while Burakovsky missed 15 games with a right hand injury. Saturday will be Carey’s first appearance since his last recall from the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey. Trotz, as with Chorney, said he planned to play Carey in one of these last two games even before Connolly got sick. After Friday’s practice, Carey had not been told if he will be on the playoff roster. “It’s always good to get an opportunity to show what you can do,” Carey said. “We’re getting close here, just two more games. So I’m hoping I can stick around, definitely hoping.” The opportunity to make his case comes near his hometown of Weymouth, Massachusetts. Trotz told Carey to tell his parents he would be in the lineup so they would attend the game. Beyond that, Trotz isn’t sure how many friends and family members Carey will spot tickets for. “It’s going to cost him a little bit, this game,” Trotz said. “It’s a little tough for him, he might have to cut it off and just do the parents.” Washington Post LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057746 Washington Capitals

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2017: NHL PLAYOFF BRACKET PROJECTION

By Troy Machir April 07, 2017 10:44 AM

With two games reaming on the 2016-17 schedule for the Capitals, the Eastern Conference playoff picture is far from decided. The Bruins, who host the Capitals in the penultimate game of the regular season, sit at 44-30-7, and one of several teams that could potentially face the Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Toronto Maple Leafs, sitting at 39-26-15, are currently slotted in to face the Capitals in the first round, but with two games left, anything could happen. The Tampa Bay Lightning sit at 40-30-10 and still have a shot to bounce the Maple Leafs with wins over The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres if the Maple Leafs finish the season 0-2. The Bruins (95 points) have just one game remaining, their home game on Saturday vs. the Capitals. The Maple Leafs (93 points) have games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins remaining on their schedule. The Maple Leafs would need to pick up wins against two of the best teams in the NHL to avoid playing the Capitals in the first round. In all, the Capitals could potentially play the Bruins, Maple Leafs, Lightning, Senators or Islanders. Here is how the 2017 NHL Playoff Bracket looks as the league heads into the final weekend of play. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057747 Washington Capitals

JOHN CARLSON NOT THE ONLY CAP RULED OUT FOR BRUINS GAME

By Tarik El-Bashir April 07, 2017 1:09 PM

John Carlson and Brett Connolly are not traveling with the Capitals to Boston for Saturday’s game, Coach Barry Trotz said following practice at Kettler Iceplex on Friday. Carlson has missed the past two contests with a lower body injury and did not practice Friday. Connolly, meantime, came down with an illness on Thursday. The third line winger also did not practice Friday. “They’re day-to-day,” Trotz said. Trotz added that Carlson is questionable for Sunday’s season finale against Florida, while Connolly is likely to play vs. the Panthers at Verizon Center. Otherwise, the Caps are healthy and Trotz expects everyone to suit up in Boston. Trotz said he even expects to get eighth defenseman Taylor Chorney into his first game since Feb. 25. Trotz also said spare forward Paul Carey will replace Connolly in Boston. It’ll be Carey’s first game in the NHL since March 2—and it’ll come in his home state of Massachusetts. “Carey will go in and it’s the first time he’s played in the Boston Gardens, and he’s from that area,” Trotz said. “His mom and dad will be at the game. I told him to call the family [but] it’s going to cost him a little bit [for tickets].” Boston will be shorthanded, as well. Leading scorer Brad Marchand will sit out the second game of a two-game suspension while defenseman Torey Krug is out with a lower body. The Bruins also announced that backup goalie Anton Khudobin will get the start. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057748 Winnipeg Jets

High-flying Jets prospect Harkins inks deal

Posted: 04/7/2017 11:40 AM Staff

The Winnipeg Jets have signed another highly regarded prospect, agreeing to terms with forward Jansen Harkins on a three-year entry- level contract with an average annual value of US$925,000. Harkins, who signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL's for the remainder of the 2016-17 season, recently completed a four-year career with the WHL's Prince George Cougars. The 19-year-old led the Cougars in scoring with 72 points, including 19 goals, in 64 games. Jansen Harkins was selected by the Jets in the second round (47th overall) in the 2015 draft. Harkins scored 242 points, including 75 goals, 275 games during his career with the Cougars and leaves Prince George as the franchise points leader. He was twice named to the WHL All-Star team for the Canada/Russia Series and played in the 2015 Top Prospects Game. Harkins was selected by the Jets in the second round (47th overall) in the 2015 draft. He joins and Jack Roslovic as the first three Jets selections from the 2015 draft class that have signed professional deals. Connor and Roslovic were first-round draft picks. On the international scene, Harkins won a silver medal at the 2014 World Under-18 Hockey Challenge as a member of Team Pacific, a gold medal with Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka and bronze with Canada at the 2015 under-18 world championship. Meanwhile, the Moose announced the signing of Jets prospect Michael Spacek to an amateur tryout agreement. Spacek was Winnipeg's fourth- round pick (108th overall) in 2015. The 19-year-old forward is coming off his second season in the WHL with Red Deer where he paced the Rebels in scoring this season with 85 points, including 30 goals, in 59 games, good for 17th overall in the WHL. Spacek led the WHL in scoring through the first round of the playoffs, totalling 12 points, including four goals, in seven games. Spacek, from Pardubice, Czech Republic, has collected 139 points in 120 WHL games. He represented the Czech Republic at the world junior championship the past three years, posting nine points, including three goals, in 15 tournament games. The Moose also announced they have released forwards Adam Pleskach, Phil Brewer and Rob Flick from their professional tryouts. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.08.2017 1057749 Winnipeg Jets 34 Michael Hutchinson G 37 Connor Hellebuyck G Tonight's lineups for the Jets and the Predators 5 D 7 Ben Chiarot D By: Mike Sawatzky 8 Jacob Trouba D Posted: 04/7/2017 9:18 PM 9 Andrew Copp C 13 Brandon Tanev LW ABOUT THE PREDS 17 Adam Lowry C -- The Predators (41-28-12) remain in contention for third place in the 18 Bryan Little C Central Division, one point behind the St. Louis Blues. The Blues have two regular-season games while Nashville — currently holding down a 19 Nic Petan LW wild-card spot — plays its final game tonight at the MTS Centre. 22 Chris Thorburn RW -- Nashville defencemen Ryan Ellis and forwards Mike Fisher and Colin 26 Blake Wheeler RW Wilson missed Thursday’s 7-3 win over the Dallas Stars with lower-body injuries. 27 Nikolaj Ehlers LW -- "I think everybody in the room is just happy for him. He’s truly earned 29 Patrik Laine RW his 30 goals. Coming into the year, not knowing what kind of a year he’s going to have, to see to this point right now is pretty special for him, and 33 Dustin Byfuglien D everybody’s happy for him," Preds coach Peter Laviolette said on a 40 Joel Armia RW breakout season for Viktor Arvidsson. 44 Josh Morrissey D Arvidsson, who had two goals and four points against the Stars Thursday, now has 31 goals and 61 points in 79 games. 55 Mark Scheifele C NASHVILLE PREDATORS 56 Marko Dano C 35 Pekka Rinne G 62 Nelson Nogier D 74 Juuse Saros G 71 Julian Melchiori D 2 Anthony Bitetto D 81 Kyle Connor LW 4 Ryan Ellis (A) D 85 Mathieu Perreault LW 7 Yannick Weber D Head coach: Paul Maurice 9 Filip Forsberg LW Assistant coaches: Charlie Huddy, Jamie Kompon, Todd Woodcroft 10 Colton Sissons C Goaltending coach: Wade Flaherty 11 P.A. Parenteau RW Video coach: Matt Prefontaine 12 Mike Fisher (C) C (Lineups subject to change) 14 Mattias Ekholm D Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.08.2017 15 Craig Smith RW 18 James Neal (A) RW 19 Calle Jarnkrok C 20 Miikka Salomaki RW 24 D 26 Harry Zolnierczyk LW 33 Colin Wilson LW 38 Viktor Arvidsson LW 51 Austin Watson LW 52 Matt Irwin D 55 Cody McLeod LW 58 Kevin Fiala LW 59 Roman Josi (A) D 76 P.K. Subban D 83 Vernon Fidler C 92 Ryan Johansen C Head coach: Peter Laviolette Assistant coaches: Kevin McCarthy, Goaltending coach: Ben Vanderklok Video coach: Lawrence Feloney WINNIPEG JETS 1057750 Winnipeg Jets

Big Buff encouraged about future

By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 04/7/2017 9:26 PM : Dustin Byfuglien made a rare appearance in front of microphones Friday afternoon and the Winnipeg Jets star defenceman responded to a variety of questions from the media. On the club’s strong play of late, despite missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons since relocating from Atlanta, and its six-game winning streak heading into tonight’s regular-season finale against the visiting Nashville Predators he said, "We can take a lot of good things out of our second half, to look forward to next year. There’s a lot of good in our game. These last few we’ve been getting some young kids in and giving them the opportunity to get a feel for the NHL." What have the Jets done right? "(We) outscored our opponents. I guess I really haven’t sat down and really watched any of it. But we’ve kept it pretty simple and we didn’t stop working... "It’s good for our organization going into a summer. Why’d we beat these guys down the stretch at this time of year compared to the middle or beginning of the season? Where our team was from the beginning to the end, we can do a lot of good things with a break." Is a late hot streak due to the pressure being off? "There’s probably more pressure now. Guys fighting for a job next year and guys trying to establish themselves trying to earn that full-time NHL spot. This time of year is one of the toughest times to play. Other teams are getting ready for playoffs. We’re trying to get guys to be an NHL guy." What about expectations for next season? Will the Jets be a playoff team? "It’s way too early to look ahead that far. This year’s not even over. Every locker room changes every year. We’re going to have new guys coming in and some guys going out. That’s the business. We’ve got to wait until it gets closer." Was he encouraged by the team’s play? "Yeah. We’re not far off a playoff spot. Just little things we can work on to get better." What was his evaluation of rookie Josh Morrissey and AHL call-up Julian Melchiori, who served as his main defence partners this season? "(Morrissey) sees the ice unbelievable. He’s a good skater. He really committed himself to establishing himself in the NHL. He had a great year. I got to spend most of the time with him. I had fun. It’s just little things you can teach those guys that I enjoy doing. "Even (Melchiori) came in and had a pretty good second half. It’s just ‘go out there and have fun’ with these kids. Keep ’em loose and yell at ’em and just have fun. They’ve both done great jobs. Mels came in and (has) done great on that left side for me. That’s one thing that’s nice when you can rely on your partners." Is he interested in playing for the American squad at the upcoming world championship? "We’ll have to cross that path when it comes. I would think they probably will (call), but who knows?" Are the Jets just an experienced goaltender away from contending? "You could sit and pick our team apart whichever way you want. We could use some more D, we could use forwards, too. There’s stuff that’s out of our control. We’ve just got to come to work. Who we’ve got is who we’ve got. We’ve just got to make it work." Does he support a contract extension for head coach Paul Maurice, who has a year remaining on his current deal? "Yeah, he should be sticking around. I’m pretty sure I don’t have anything to say on that one. He’s done a pretty good job with these kids, and just teaching us and getting us to pull in the right direction." Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.08.2017 1057751 Winnipeg Jets

Long season takes a toll on young superstar

By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 04/7/2017 9:22 PM

Patrik Laine has performed superhuman feats on the ice, but the Jets’ rookie right-winger admitted Friday he’s mortal after all and has been feeling the wear and tear of a long NHL season. "The pace is just so much higher and, of course, we’re playing almost every second day," said Winnipeg’s sensational Finn, who turns 19 on April 19. "So it’s tough and all the travelling and switching time zones, that’s something I’m (wasn’t) used to. Right now, I’m pretty tired. One more game tomorrow, and, hopefully, I’m gonna get a break after that." Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine says he's unsure if he'll play for Finland in the world chamionships next month in Paris and Cologne. Laine, who was named MVP of last spring’s world championship and also played for Finland at last fall’s World Cup, was non-committal about playing for his country at the worlds next month in Paris and Cologne. "I don’t know yet," said Laine, who missed eight games at mid-season while recovering from a concussion. "There’s a lot of things I have to think about. I might go. I might not go." Jets head coach Paul Maurice would be just as happy if Laine takes an extended break. "I think he’s played enough hockey for two men over the last year and a half," Maurice said. Big year for Ehlers Jets left-winger Nikolaj Ehlers’ sophomore season has exceeded most expectations. He has 25 goals and 64 points and will be one of only four Winnipeg players to play in all 82 regular-season games. "I think I’ve taken a big step in every thing," Ehlers said. "The biggest step I’ve taken, and I haven’t really shown the last couple of games, is defensively. I feel like I’ve taken a big step and I’ve just tried to work on all the small details that Paul, the coaching staff, the players have told me about and helped me a bit." Ehlers will be available to play for Denmark at the upcoming world championship, an unintended benefit of missing the NHL post-season. "I love going," Ehlers said. "I love playing for the Danish national team. Putting that jersey on gives you a special feeling, being able to represent your country, so I love going... It’s a super-exciting tournament. Next year it’s in Denmark. Hopefully, I can’t go next year, but it’s always exciting to go back home and represent your country." Trouba to Europe? Blue-liner Jacob Trouba is wrapping up the most-successful season of his career, but will he cap it with an appearance at the worlds for Team USA? "I don’t know yet," Trouba said. "I’ve got a call, but I have to make a decision on that. Hopefully, in the next couple of days. See how some things heal up, I guess. We’ll see if I’ll be good to go by then. (There’s) an injury that has to heal before I feel comfortable playing." Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.08.2017 1057752 Winnipeg Jets

Jets ink another 2015 draft pick

PAUL FRIESEN, WINNIPEG SUN FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 10:17 AM CDT | UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 02:20 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets have signed another of their 2015 draft picks. Forward Jansen Harkins, a second-round selection, has inked a three- year, entry-level contract with an average annual salary of $925,000. Harkins, 19, is coming off his final season with Western League's Prince George Cougars, leading the team with 72 points, including 21 goals, in 64 games. He leaves Prince George as the franchise points leader, with 242. He joins Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic as 2015 draft picks who've signed deals. Harkins has also signed an amateur tryout contract and will join the AHL's Manitoba Moose for the remainder of the season. Roslovic and goalie Eric Comrie both rejoined the Moose today after playing with the Jets last night in Columbus. Jets head coach Paul Maurice says Connor will suit up in the team's season finale at home against Nashville, Saturday. The Moose have also signed forward Michael Spacek to a tryout. Spacek, 19, was a fourth-round pick in 2015 who recently completed his second WHL season with Red Deer. The Moose are at home to Tucson tonight. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.08.2017 1057753 Winnipeg Jets FORWARDS Filip Forsberg-Ryan Johansen-James Neal Five keys for the Jets to beat the Predators Viktor Arvidsson-Calle Jarnkrok-Craig Smith Kevin Fiala-Colton Sissons-PA Parenteau BY KEN WIEBE, WINNIPEG SUN Harry Zolnierczyk-Austin Watson-Mikka Salomaki FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 08:47 AM CDT | UPDATED: DEFENCE FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 01:31 PM CDT Roman Josi-Matt Irwin

Mattias Ekholm-P.K. Subban KEEP IT ROLLING Anthony Bitteto-Brad Hunt The formula for the Jets has been pretty simple during this season-long six-game winning streak. In all but one of those games, they've scored GOALIES four or more goals, while allowing two or fewer in four of them and Pekka Rinne outscoring the opposition 24-15 during the stretch. Can they keep it up against the playoff-bound Predators? Jusse Saros SPREADING THE WEALTH Sick Bay The Jets top guns have been productive for most of the season, but it Jets: G Ondrej Pavelec (knee), D Tyler Myers (lower body), D Toby was the second line that had a big game in the 5-4 victory over the Enstrom (knee), D Paul Postma (sports hernia), D Ben Chiarot (upper Columbus Blue Jackets as centre Bryan Little had a goal and three body), LW Shawn Matthias (shoulder) assists for his first four-point night of the season and Mathieu Perreault had a goal and two helpers. Perreault is up to nine goals and 18 assists Predators: D Ryan Ellis (lower body), D Yannick Weber (upper body), C for 28 points over his past 22 games. Mike Wilson lower body), LW Colin Wilson (lower body), C Vernon Fiddler (upper body), RW Cody Bass (lower body) FINDING MOTIVATION Special teams On Thursday, the Jets had a couple of players making their NHL debuts in goalie Eric Comrie and Jack Roslovic. Since being eliminated from Power play playoff contention, the Jets have done a pretty good job of finding internal Jets: 18.3 (T18) motivation under what are trying circumstances. On Saturday, the Jets have an opportunity to reach 40 wins and to finish with 22 home wins. Predators: 19.4 (T14) Their record of 21-18-1 is something they'll need to improve on if they want to get back into the playoffs next spring. They were 18-17-6 on the Penalty kill road. Jets: 77.0% (27) SPEAKING OF MOTIVATION Predators: 80.8% (T16) The Predators certainly aren't lacking motivation, as they enter their final Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.08.2017 game of the season with 94 points and their playoff position isn't settled. Currently situated as the second wild card since the Calgary Flames hold the tie-breaker, the Predators could move up to third place in the Central Division with a win and a loss by the St. Louis Blues. They'll be hungry. BEWARE OF BALANCED ATTACK For the third time in franchise history – and second time in as many seasons – the Predators have a pair of 30-goal scorers on the roster and they play on separate lines. Filip Forsberg eclipsed 30 for the second consecutive season, while Viktor Arvidsson joined him at 31 by scoring twice on Thursday. Limiting their production will be on the Jets check list. The big match-up Connor Hellebuyck vs Pekka Rinne The Jets young goalie has endured plenty of ups-and-downs this season but did manage to post 25 wins in 55 appearances. He'll be asked to outplay the Predators veteran starter, who is also looking to finish strong as he tries to peak for the playoffs. WINNIPEG JETS FORWARDS Andrew Copp-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Mathieu Perreault-Bryan Little-Patrik Laine Nikolaj Ehlers-Adam Lowry-Joel Armia Kyle Connor-Nic Petan-Chris Thorburn DEFENCE Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba Julian Melchiori-Dustin Byfuglien Mark Stuart-Nelson Nogier GOALTENDERS Connor Hellebuyck Michael Hutchinson NASHVILLE PREDATORS 1057754 Winnipeg Jets “I've had a couple of phone calls but I haven't really thought about it yet. I might go, I might not go.”

You would think there'd be a ton of pressure from his home country to Six straight for Jets means bupkis play. “He's played enough hockey for two men over the last year and a half,” BY PAUL FRIESEN, WINNIPEG SUN Maurice said. “And he's found that you're not getting to the end of an NHL season healthy. The World Championship is a really individual FIRST POSTED: FRIDAY, APRIL 07, 2017 08:51 PM CDT decision... I'm not going to have any interest in turning on the TV to find Patrik playing.

“He does what he wants, but he doesn't need to go there for me.” Six straight wins to end a season is the perfect way for a team to go into the Stanley Cup tournament. WORLDS-BOUND? For a team that's not playoff-bound, it's about as meaningful as winning So far, Mark Scheifele is the only Jet committed to the Worlds. six consecutive pre-season games in September. Maurice says defenceman Tyler Myers is also a possibility for Team “I don't put any more stock into our team game at this time of year than Canada. almost exhibition,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said, Friday. “I'm not looking at this and saying, 'Hey, we've won six in a row, we're right there Defenceman Jacob Trouba says he'd love to play for the U.S. but needs -- we're starting the season next year 6-0.' to heal up, first. “The two points in the standings now aren't very valuable.” “I've got a call, but I have to make a decision on that,” Trouba said. “I want to go. It's a good opportunity to represent your country and Amid the desperate search for positives by some, it's refreshing, and a bit something I've always enjoyed doing.” surprising, to hear Maurice downplay what his team has done over the last two weeks. Byfuglien said he expected interest from Team USA, too, but would have to “cross that path when it comes.” Individually, he was quick to point out, these games are important in the competition for jobs and roles next season. Nik Ehlers was more committal. But a sign the Jets have discovered a winning formula or suddenly "I love playing for the Danish national team,” Ehlers said. “Putting that become a contender – not a chance. jersey on gives you a special feeling, being able to represent your country... it's a super exciting tournament. NO. 33 SPEAKS “Next year it's in Denmark. Hopefully, I can't go next year...” Reporters were told Friday would likely be defenceman Dustin Byfuglien's last interview of the season, as he speaks just once every full Ehlers, of course, is hoping the Jets are playoff bound at this time next moon, or so. year. Byfuglien didn't discount the win streak the way his coach did. TRANSACTION WIRE “It's good for our organization going into a summer,” he said. “Why'd we The Jets have signed 2015, second-round draft pick, forward Jansen beat these guys down the stretch at this time of year compared to the Harkins, to a three-year, entry-level contract with an average annual middle or beginning of the season? Where our team was from the salary of $925,000. beginning to the end -- we can do a lot of good things with a break.” Harkins, 19, is coming off his final season with WHL's Prince George While saying the Jets aren't far off a playoff spot, Byfuglien wouldn't bite Cougars, leading the team with 72 points, including 21 goals, in 64 on the suggestion better goaltending would have made the difference. games. “You could sit and pick our team apart whichever way you want,” he said. He'll join the Manitoba Moose for their last few games, as will forward “Who we've got is who we've got. We've just got to make it work.” Michael Spacek, a fourth-round pick who signed an amateur tryout. Byfuglien did throw his support behind Maurice. The Jets also sent centre Jack Roslovic and goalie Eric Comrie back to the Moose. “Yeah, he should be sticking around,” he said. “He's done a pretty good job with these kids, and just teaching us and getting us to pull in the right Kyle Connor will suit up for his first NHL game since November, on direction.” Saturday. WILTED UNDER PRESSURE LAST LAUGH Rookie Patrik Laine says the Jets didn't handle playoff pressure well – Here's Ehlers on what it'll be like to finally be apart from his buddy Laine but doesn't include himself in that assessment. this summer. “It's easier to play because we don't have any pressures and we can just “It's gonna be so nice.” go out there and have fun and just play the game,” Laine said. “It doesn't Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.08.2017 affect me at all. I'm playing the same game if I have pressure or not. “But you can feel it on the ice. I can't really explain it. It's pretty hard. But you can feel it... when there's a lot of pressure.” OUT OF GAS One of the reasons Laine has cooled of late is probably fatigue. He recently told me he played around 100 games last season, including his Finnish League playoffs, the World Juniors and World Championship. Coupled with his first NHL season, it's hit him like a ton of bricks. “Yeah, it's been a long season,” he said. “There was the World Cup and all the exhibition games and almost a full season and concussions and that kind of stuff... the pace is just so much higher and, of course, we're playing almost every second day. “So it's tough, and all the travelling and switching time zones – that's something I haven't (been) used to. Right now I'm pretty tired.” Laine's not even sure he'll join Finland for next month's World Championship. 1057755 Vancouver Canucks There were times last season when he was left throwing things, put off he wasn’t in Desjardins’ lineup. The head coach was as hard on Baertschi as he’s been on anyone. Desjardins' loyalty to Canucks 'leaders' backfires in a big way He was also incredibly patient when he needed to be, like the first half of last season when he stuck with the Horvat-Baertschi duo even though they weren’t producing. JASON BOTCHFORD Even near the start of this season, Desjardins made Baertschi a healthy Published on: April 7, 2017 | Last Updated: April 7, 2017 4:35 PM PDT scratch and what followed was his most productive run of the season. Markus Granlund emerged as a productive top-six winger under Willie Desjardins. It is a cruel twist of fate, but it was the veteran players who let Willie Desjardins down this season. 3. Markus Granlund Ironic then, the Vancouver Canucks he was most fiercely loyal to are the It hardly matters whose idea it was to play Granlund in the top six — same ones who will inevitably cost the man his National Hockey League something the Canucks came up with during the summer — Desjardins coaching job. is going to get the credit. The cornerstone of Desjardins’ program in Vancouver has been his Lost as a fourth-line centre, Granlund was reborn as a top-six winger this unwavering devotion to the players with the most experience, the so- season. Even with a bad wrist he was the Canucks’ most dangerous goal called leaders. At its most simplistic, the motivation is easy to scorer. understand. Keep the old guys happy, keep the locker-room on side. LOSSES It helps explain why the Sedins were never split up, why Brandon Sutter played far more than he could reasonably handle, why Luca Sbisa has Brandon Sutter failed to find the net much on the power play despite led the Canucks in ice time for the past 65 games, and why Desjardins playing a ton of minutes on a line with the Sedins. and his staff displayed zero willingness to change an awful power play, 1. BRANDON SUTTER choosing instead to roll out Sutter with the twins like this combination was legislated in the collective bargaining agreement. Yes, he scored 17 goals, but just four on the power play, where he produced seven points on the season. Willie Desjardins made his young players ‘earn it,’ which has been successful in the past. This year? Not so much. His 2.17 points-per-60 minutes played on the power play ranked 181st of 193 forwards who were regular contributors on NHL power-play units. You better believe this, if Erik Gudbranson were healthy he would have also been given Desjardins’ benefit of the doubt. He would have been The 18:48 minutes-per-game he played were nearly a full two minutes playing and it would have been one of the so-called kids sitting, that kid above his career average. The results weren’t good. likely being Nikita Tyramkin. The Canucks controlled just 44.1 per cent of the unblocked shot attempts All of this worked for Desjardins, until it didn’t. when he was on the ice at even strength, and that ranked 251 of the 253 players who have logged 1,000 minutes. Since Jan. 21, a 33-game stretch, the Canucks have been the worst team in the league. In this slide to 29th, they have had the fewest wins, It just crushed the Canucks, and in turn Desjardins’ team. points, shots and goals. Their 19 points in those 33 games is a 47-point pace over an 82-game schedule. Luca Sbisa knows his days as a Vancouver Canuck may be numbered with the expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights entering the NHL and Over the course of this season, some in the media have accused the picking unprotected players from existing teams. bench boss of unreasonable stubbornness, and suggested it hurt his team, an allegation he responded to late in the season with real passion. 2. LUCA SBISA Desjardins pointed out he has had success making young players “earn It’s almost amazing to read, but Sbisa leads the team in total minutes it.” He isn’t wrong. played since mid-November. He did look fine early in the season but he was in a third-pairing role. But there is a flip side to this, a cold, unforgiving flip side. When injuries cropped up, Desjardins’ unwillingness to play better While Desjardins may have been doing right by some of the kids’ defenceman more than Sbisa cost him. development, he was leaning too heavily on his vets, and they flopped. The Canucks controlled just 44.4 per cent of the unblocked shot attempts But in a season that will go down as one of the Canucks’ worst, when Sbisa was on the ice at even strength and that ranks right with Desjardins had wins and losses among his players. Sutter at the bottom of the league. Here we break down the top three in each category: It meant the Canucks were pinned way too often during Sbisa shifts. WINS Hall of famers for their careers, the Sedins were too poor on the power play and were overworked this season. HANDOUT Bo Horvat had to earn his expanded role, and he responded well to the challenge. 3. THE SEDINS 1. Bo Horvat They are the leaders, hall of famers and the two Canucks who represent a generation. They were also poor on the power play and played too There is no player Desjardins had more success with, and you can many minutes. understand why when you see they are two men cut from the same cloth. The Sedins’ offence started collapsing in November and by March they Horvat is driven by the motivation to do the right thing on the ice, rooted had nothing left to help prop up an injury-riddled team. with a strong defensive conscience. What really burned Desjardins, however, was his insistence on playing He lives and breathes the sport, and works diligently to get better. All of defensive-minded wingers, such as Michael Chaput and Jayson Megna, this plays well with Desjardins, even if it didn’t get Horvat any breaks. He with the Sedins. It essentially vaporized the Canucks’ two best players. earned every inch he got, and that process with Willie for three years made him a better player. Their point totals dipped to levels we haven’t seen in 12 years, but a big part of that was a power play that did little all season. The Canucks’ 21-year-old centre couldn’t believe it when he saw the opening night lineup and he was centring the fourth line. Even that move Why did Desjardins insist on keeping Sutter with them for those man- paid off for Desjardins, because Horvat used it as a motivator this advantage shifts? season, again trying to prove people wrong. Seems, he had earned it, unfortunately. Say this for Desjardins, with Horvat he pushed all the right buttons. [email protected] 2. Sven Baertschi twitter.com/botchford Turns out, Baertschi is one fiery player. NEXT GAME Saturday Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks 7 p.m., Rogers Arena CBC, TSN 1040 AM Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057756 Vancouver Canucks

Canucks hope to light up your beer on fan appreciation night

Staff Reporter April 7, 2017 2:16 PM PDT

The Vancouver Canucks will be giving away Budweiser-Canucks Goal- Synced glasses to the first 13,000 fans who show up for Saturday’s season home finale against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena. The glasses sync to your smartphone and light up every time the Canucks score. Just in case the home squad doesn’t score on fan appreciation night (as if!), the Canucks will show “a special video that incorporates the Budweiser Goal-Synced Glasses … lighting up the arena in unison.” Fans under legal drinking age will be provided with illuminated bracelets. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057757 Websites the Blue Jackets' offense and transition game runs through Werenski, if he's not 100 percent, that slows things down considerably. ... Defenseman Ryan Murray (hand) is also a long shot to play, meaning ESPN / First-round preview: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue both teams have pretty banged-up blue lines. Jackets Goalie advantage: Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who leads the league with a .933 save percentage, is going to win the Vezina for the second time. He's the great equalizer for the Blue Jackets. ... That said, if 6:36 PM ET I had to pick between Bobrovsky and Penguins goalie Matt Murray in a playoff series, I would pick Murray. He won a Stanley Cup last spring; his Craig Custance postseason save percentage is .923. He followed that up by posting exactly the save percentage (.923) during his first full season in the NHL.

... Bobrovsky has an .890 save percentage in 13 career postseason Pittsburgh Penguins (50-19-11, second, Metropolitan Division) vs. games. That's not a large sample size but just concerning enough that Columbus Blue Jackets (49-23-8, third, Metropolitan Division) there might be an edge in goal for the Penguins, which is surprising considering the Blue Jackets will be starting a Vezina winner. CanadiensRangers EDITOR'S PICKS Why you have to WATCH: The Penguins and Blue Jackets have consistently been two of the top five teams in the league -- regardless of First-round preview: Canadiens vs. Rangers division, regardless of conference. One of them is going home after the Will Carey Price win the battle of the superstar goaltenders with Henrik first round, which is a shame and an indictment of the current division- Lundqvist? Which stud defenseman will assert himself, Shea Weber or heavy playoff format. This series will be like the Eastern Conference Ryan McDonagh? Our series preview tells all. finals in the first round. On one hand, it's disappointing it has to happen so soon. On the other, it should be awesome hockey. Making trophy cases for McDavid, Matthews Stanley Cup odds Will Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby win the Hart Trophy? Is budding Leafs star Auston Matthews a lock for rookie of the year? Scott Burnside Odds listed are as of April 3. (Courtesy Westgate) predicts who will take home the hardware in June. TEAM ODDS Coaching advantage: This might be the most fun subplot of the playoffs. Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella are best friends. They talk a lot. Sullivan often leaned on Tortorella during Washington Capitals 4-1 the Penguins' Stanley Cup run last spring and won't have that voice on his side this spring. ... Both have Stanley Cups (Tortorella won with the Pittsburgh Penguins 8-1 Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004), but Tortorella would be the first to tell you Anaheim Ducks 10-1 that Sullivan is the more progressive thinker. Tortorella has said he's learned more from Sullivan in his career than Sullivan has learned from Columbus Blue Jackets 10-1 him. ... Sullivan was masterful in making adjustments over the course of the playoffs last spring, but Tortorella knows his tendencies. This Minnesota Wild 10-1 matchup will be fascinating. New York Rangers 10-1 Prediction: This should be a tight series between two powerhouses, but Edmonton Oilers 12-1 the Blue Jackets are limping into the postseason, with a power play that has dried up. ... Columbus is a young team, meaning it has a major Montreal Canadiens 14-1 playoff experience disadvantage in this series, so give the slight edge to Pittsburgh. Penguins in seven. San Jose Sharks 14-1 ESPN LOADED: 04.08.2017 Boston Bruins 20-1 Calgary Flames 25-1 St. Louis Blues 25-1 Nashville Predators 30-1 Toronto Maple Leafs 30-1 Ottawa Senators 40-1 Tampa Bay Lightning 60-1 New York Islanders 100-1 Head to head: Each team was 1-1-2 in the season series, so they both can claim a winning record. It's NHL math, thanks to the point awarded for an overtime loss. ... The Blue Jackets do enjoy one advantage, outscoring the Penguins 13-10 in head-to-head action without relying too heavily on the power play, an important distinction because the power play limped down the stretch for Columbus. ... The Blue Jackets were pretty dominant in the faceoff circle against the Penguins, winning 58.7 percent. Both the Penguins and Blue Jackets were under 50 percent on faceoffs on the season. Injury fallout: Injuries loom large in this series. The biggest is to Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, who is out four to six months after surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. "Letang is a huge loss," one Western Conference scout texted. The list of recent Stanley Cup winners without a dominant No. 1 defenseman is short. It's hard to see the Penguins repeating without Letang because he was so key to their win last spring. ... The potential return of defenseman Olli Maatta (hand) would boost a banged-up Penguins defense. ... Left winger Carl Hagelin, who gave the Penguins such a speed edge in the playoffs last year, is out with a foot injury. The Penguins injuries are Exhibit A as to why it's so hard to repeat as Cup champs -- all those extra games in a winning season can make players more susceptible to injuries the following season. ... The injury to watch for Columbus is defenseman Zach Werenski, who suffered an apparent shoulder injury against the Washington Capitals. So much of 1057758 Websites

FOXSports.com / Hurricanes’ Bryan Bickell gets extremely emotional after first game back in Carolina

Pete Blackburn Apr 7, 2017 at 2:55p ET

Bryan Bickell returned to the ice on Thursday for his first game in Raleigh since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After a 3-0 loss to the Islanders, the Carolina Hurricanes veteran forward became extremely emotional while speaking to the media about the road ahead. Bickell, who was diagnosed in November, rejoined the team this week and has played in two games. During his postgame comments, Bickell indicated that he hasn’t felt great since returning and that he’s hoping he feels better over the next two games. But the 31-year-old forward got choked up and revealed that he’s planning to address the team about his status. “We’re gonna take it game-by-game, I think,” Bickell said. “It’s tough. I haven’t told my teammates yet … I got to talk to my teammates here in the next couple of days and let them know first what’s happening. Between the emotions overflowing and that contents of that quote, speculation is Bickell may announce that he’s stepping away from the game following Carolina’s final few contests. Bickell has put together a solid NHL career, recording 165 points in 393 games over a 10-year span and winning three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks. If he’s forced to exit, he can take pride in playing a strong role in one of the most impressive NHL dynasties in the modern era. Hopefully the treatments that have allowed him to get back on the ice for the final stretch of this season will continue to limit the effects of the disease. FOXSports.com LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057759 Websites against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "If you googled the word competitor, I think his face shows up first."

The Lightning are filled with those types of players, and they pulled Sportsnet.ca / Resilient Lightning continue to do their part to stay alive in through against a Canadiens team that put 28 shots on net and put up playoff race more of a challenge than expected. The game meant nothing in the standings to the Canadiens, who had Eric Engels punched their ticket to the post-season over a week ago and clinched home-ice advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs by nailing April 8, 2017, 12:23 AM down top spot in the Atlantic Division with a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Monday.

They will travel to Detroit for a game on Saturday—their last at Joe Louis MONTREAL—We shouldn’t be surprised, but we should definitely be Arena—without goaltender Carey Price, defenceman Andrei Markov, impressed. leading scorer Max Pacioretty and Radulov. The Tampa Bay Lightning—who have been facing elimination from the Injured defencemen Shea Weber and Alexei Emelin aren’t making the playoff race, seemingly for the better part of two months—kept their trip, either. hopes alive with a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens that never seemed to be much in doubt from the minute the puck dropped on Meanwhile, the Lightning will head home to host Buffalo in their last Friday. game of the season on Sunday. Their resilience has brought the team to within one point of the Leafs, who are set for back-to-back games against Sure, there were a few scares, but from the second Yanni Gourde the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets this weekend. deposited his fifth goal in his 20th career game at the 11:42 mark of the first period, the Lightning never trailed. We shouldn’t be surprised they’ve shown the composure to stay alive, but we should certainly be impressed. And it was right as Gourde popped in his second of the night—this one coming on the power play to give Tampa some much needed insurance Unfortunately for the Lightning, all the Leafs have to do is win to eliminate with 15 minutes remaining in the third period—that this fabled run down them. the stretch for the Lightning was put into context. Cooper says he won’t watch. It’s the players like Gourde who have been instrumental in keeping this Lightning drive alive; a player like 26-year-old defenceman Luke "The one thing about this is it’s out of our control, so if I was a team Witkowski, who airmailed a pass to Nikita Kucherov to start the 2-on-1 watching our game [Friday], I probably would’ve been aggravated for two rush that led to Gourde’s first goal; a player like Cory Conacher, who was and a half hours," said Cooper. "So, save myself any potential re-acquired by the Lightning last off-season and managed to come aggravation and just get a text at about 10:00 [p.m. Saturday]." through with two huge assists on Friday—when it mattered most. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 They are players we wouldn’t be talking about had it not been for the injuries that have turned what was supposed to be a dream season into a bit of a nightmare. "That’s why we’re winning," said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. "Can’t say enough about the [Gabriel] Dumont-[Mikael] Bournival-[Greg] McKegg line and how they’ve been winning faceoffs and getting us out of our own end. It’s a full-team effort, that’s what’s carrying us." That, and the contributions of a few superstars that had most people prognosticating before the season began that this Lightning team had as good of a chance as ever to capture its first Stanley Cup since 2004. A Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2015 and a return visit that stopped short in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016, had put them in position. But as they entered Game 80 of their season without a single player having played in all of them, their three-point deficit in the race for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot made sense. Friday’s game was one, like the last 20 or so before it, begging for the kind of heroism Steven Stamkos is paid to provide. But the Lightning captain has missed all but 17 this season with a knee injury. Big-game player Ryan Callahan was reduced to just 18 games. So it was the superstar, Kucherov, who stepped up by taking the shot off the crossbar that led to Gourde’s first goal before scoring a beauty of his own with only 10 seconds remaining in the first period to give him 40 on the year. It was Ondrej Palat, who recorded his 35th assist of the season by launching the Hail Mary to Kucherov. Palat providing a couple of heroic shot blocks with the Lightning clinging to a two-goal lead and being forced to kill off a 6-on-4 advantage the Canadiens had with just over two minutes remaining, earning him player of the game honours from his teammates. One of two Wedding Crashers themed player of the game awards the Lightning hand out. This went to Palat, hunting vest went to Gourde. pic.twitter.com/kNxdBkSYSO — Eric Engels (@EricEngels) April 8, 2017 And this run would’ve come to an end had it not been for a few saves goaltender Andrei Vasilievskiy made. None better than his scrambling blocker stop in the third period on Alexander Radulov. "He’s an up-and-coming star in this league," said Cooper. "That [save] was unbelievable," added Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman, who played 28:05 after playing nearly half of Thursday’s game 1057760 Websites It was Agosta who got Canada on the board, and early on, just 1:01 into the game. On a two-on-one rush, Jenn Wakefield saucered a pass over the stick of the American defender, and Agosta wired a wrist shot top Sportsnet.ca / Canada’s drought continues as U.S. captures storybook corner, glove side, to make it 1-0 Canada. gold But as Kessel pointed out, there was plenty of game left. "You know you have to score once to win," said the 25-year-old, who hasn’t been a part of a world championship team since 2013, due to missing nearly three Kristina Rutherford years with concussion symptoms. April 8, 2017, 1:36 AM "At that point, down 1-0, there’s no panic on our bench. It was huge to get a goal right back."

That one came from veteran American defender Kacey Bellamy to make PLYMOUTH, Mich.— Marie-Philip Poulin still had her white Team it 1-1 heading into the second period. It was Bellamy’s first of two, as she Canada jersey on, but she’d taken off the silver medal that had been struck again in the second to give the Americans their first lead, after placed around her neck just minutes earlier. getting a through-the-legs pass from Knight right in front. Said Canada’s captain: "That was a tough one." Canada evened things up when Brianne Jenner hammered home a slap shot on the power play, a goal that was initially waved off, then It was, yet again. determined good after a video replay—news that sent the entire For the fourth straight time at an IIHF Women’s World Championship, Canadian bench into a jump up and down cheer. Canada is second best, on the losing side of a rivalry with the United Team USA had a barrage of chances in the last two minutes of the third States. Not since 2012 have the Canadians won at this tournament, on the power play after Canadian defender Jocelyne Larocque got called which is why they came here "on a mission," as Poulin put it on the eve for tripping. Kelli Stack had a chance from the slot, Kessel swiped at a of this gold-medal game. bouncing puck off a rebound right in front, and Lee Stecklen rifled one on But for the fourth time in a row, Team USA came out the winner, this time net from the point. But Szabados shut the door. after a back-and-forth, aggressive, momentum-shift-filled, down-to-the- Until Knight ripped it in overtime, that is. wire final that had to go to overtime. "It really hasn’t sunk in yet," Knight said of her game-winner, grinning. And really, what else did you expect out of a matchup between these two "It’s exciting." countries? The next big game between these two teams will come less than a year It was Hilary Knight who scored the winner, a bar-down one-timer on a from now, at the Olympics, where Canada is the defending champion pass from linemate Kendall Coyne, 10:17 into overtime, to give the and winner of the last four gold medals. Americans the 3-2 win. That brought most of this sold out crowd of 3,917 to their feet—everyone aside from the healthy Canadian contingent here. Agosta said as the team prepares for the next Winter Games, the big lesson from this loss, aside from needing more quality shots, is the loss Between the third period and overtime, Coyne had a quick chat with itself. As she put it, her silver medal no longer hanging around her neck: Knight. "I told her to f-ing rip it," said Coyne, grinning, that gold medal "Remember what it feels like." hanging around her neck. "And she did." Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 Yes, she did. "I was just thinking I gotta block a shot and then I gotta get it to Kendall ‘cause she’s fast as hell and she’s gonna skate up the ice with it," Knight said, still wearing all her gear and a white championship ball cap. The American bench cleared right after the puck went in, and gloves and sticks flew into the air as players celebrated at the far boards with Knight and Coyne. Team Canada’s players stood, leaning on the bench, staring at the ice. The win is a storybook finish for the Americans, and not only because it’s their first-ever on home soil. In the weeks leading up to this tournament, Team USA threatened to boycott participation here unless USA Hockey came up with a better contract to support both the women’s team and girls’ development programs. Just a few days before the tournament began, an agreement was made. "To think that we maybe wouldn’t have been on the ice, and to get here— we were on a mission right from Day 1," said forward Amanda Kessel. "Unbelievable." "The negotiation process took a toll," added Knight. "But we knew it was gonna be a bond that was unbreakable—we set historic landmarks for the next generation. And to build off of that and come in with that momentum and then make another historic landmark for ourselves, winning our next championship here on home soil." Knight has scored the winner in overtime at the world championships before. This one was sweeter, though. "It was awesome," she said, of the crowd. "We play in a lot of other places where we’re usually getting booed, so to have cheers is something different." While Canada had its chances in overtime, the Americans had the bulk of the offensive opportunities. Minutes before Knight struck with the winner, Canadian defender Halli Krzyzaniak basically stole a goal from the Americans, clearing the puck off the goal line. Tournament MVP Brianna Decker also had a couple of good chances to end the game. Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados, who made 37 saves, kept her team in it. "She kept us in time and time again, and she always has, and she always will," said veteran forward Meghan Agosta. 1057761 Websites 3. Great chat with a rejuvenated Cory Conacher Thursday. The 5-foot-8 (maybe) undrafted forward drew in for the injured Tyler Johnson. After four rocky years, he's back with the Lightning. In between? Stops in Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: Story behind Auston Matthews’ goal Ottawa, Buffalo, New York, Bridgeport, Utica, Syracuse and Bern. celebration “Before I went to Switzerland last year I was doubting whether I could play in the NHL. That last year or so leading up to Switzerland was up and down. I wasn’t putting up points in the AHL. That was tough for me. Luke Fox I’ve matured a lot," Conacher says. April 7, 2017, 3:56 PM Despite sneaking into the playoffs as an eight seed, Bern upset Matthews' top-seeded Zurich in Round 1 and went on to capture the Swiss league championship. Conacher scored five playoff goals. A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious "It solidified that I’m still young. I still have a chance to play in this league. and less so, and rolling four lines deep. I wanted no regrets. I wanted one more shot," he says. 1. Fun time of year for us hockey writers. We have between now and So he busted his rear end last summer and earned a gig with Tampa's puck drop on the playoffs Wednesday to fill out our awards ballot. farm team. Playing in the AHL this season was frustrating, but with Vegas expanding the league, Conacher, 27, is the type of player who What a difference two weeks of a condensed schedule make. A couple of could benefit from the larger job pool. He already has pro offers the trophy races we imagined would burn down to the wick are now overseas, but wants to max out his NHL dream. forgone conclusions. Give Connor McDavid the Art Ross and Hart. Wrap a bow on Sidney Crosby‘s Rocket Richard. “It’s important for me to find out what type of player I can be," Conacher says. “I believe I’m good enough to play in this league.”; A couple of the others have gotten tougher. Braden Holtby surpassed Sergei Bobrovsky in wins, increasing his chances of the Vezina (writers Conacher made the most of his downtime in Bern, which routinely draws don’t vote on that one, but still). Erik Karlsson’s bad-angle goals on one 17,000 devoted fans for home games. There are no road trips in the leg and Victor Hedman’s 70-point campaign could well have pulled a few Swiss league, but he and his wife travelled to Germany, France, and Italy Norris votes out of Brent Burns’ pocket. during breaks in play. That Auston Matthews now leads Patrik Laine in both goals (will he hit 4. One of the go-to arguments when discrediting Olympic participation is 'em with the 40 this weekend?) and points should suck some drama out that there is no tangible evidence that it converts new fans. of the Calder reveal. T.J. Sochi vehemently disagrees. But today we pencilled Matthews' name on our ballot (we order five candidates for each award) for another trophy, too: The Lady Byng. “I’ve met dozens… probably hundreds of people since the Olympics that have told me they didn’t watch hockey until the Olympics. Or they didn’t Consider this questionable knee-on-knee interference from Lightning play hockey until then. Or now they’re playing in a men’s league. Or their defenceman Jake Dotchkin Thursday: kid’s playing now because they watched that [2014 U.S.-Russia] game," Oshie says. The teen sensation was targeted hard in that game — 226-pound Braydon Coburn also launched the rookie into the Lightning net — and "For me, I didn’t think about that. I was just playing hockey and trying to yet he never retaliated. win a game. It’s unfortunate that now there’s no chance for that couple hundred—and that’s just [those who approached] me—people that Moreover, he told reporters Friday of the Dotchin play: "That kind of stuff picked up a stick.” happens. I feel fine... not really that big of a deal." Still in denial that Gary Bettman's decision is final, Oshie did concede Matthews isn't a wimp. He doesn't shy from contact or those glorified that he'd tune in to see an amateur USA squad try to bring home gold. dirty areas. And, true, the Maple Leafs hired Matt Martin — who challenged Coburn for his 13th fight of the season Thursday — to give "I’d 100 per cent watch it," Oshie says. "I’d watch every game, but there’s the No. 1 pick some protection. (Fun fact: Matthews now uses a shot of a difference in the pace of the [NHL] game compared to college kids.” him and Martin as his Twitter profile pic.) “You cannot say no. It’s going to be stupid for yourself. You didn’t want to No one with more goals than Matthews has fewer penalty minutes than play for your country.” —Dmitry Orlov, if Team Russia calls his 14. Only two players with more points have fewer penalty minutes (Vladimir Tarasenko and Mikael Granlund have 12 PIMs each), and — luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) April 4, 2017 they're both on my ballot, too. 5. Shortly before the Capitals secured their second straight Presidents' Add Matthews' turn-the-other-cheek discipline and deflect-the-praise Trophy and the devastating injury to Kris Letang was announced, I got demeanour, and you have an excellent candidate for a trophy that into ye olde playoff-format debate with Oshie. honours sportsmanship mixed with a high level of play. Loved his response when I suggested Washington avoid the Penguins in At least twice we've seen him score and thrust a teammate ahead of him Round 1. in the celebratory glove-tap bench pass. After his four-goal debut he owned up to a defensive mistake. And there was the time he pleaded “We’re going to have to play them eventually. Honestly, we lost out to teammate Josh Leivo be named first star instead of him. Pittsburgh [last spring]," Oshie said. 2. If Matthews does exhibit a flash of cockiness publicly (not a bad thing, "I’d relish the opportunity to send them home early. Whatever it is. I think by the way) it may be in his little wrist-flick goal celebration as he makes home ice is important, but we’re going to have to play one of those two his way to the bench and daps his teammates. teams anyway if we’re going to get where we wanna get to.” We sought out the origins of the dap, which is certainly being mimicked 6. If you could form a hockey team from scratch right now, you'd have to by kids in driveways as you read this. consider starting with Victor Hedman as your No. 1 defenceman. Either him or Karlsson. Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner sit directly across from Matthews on the defencemen's bank of stalls in the Leafs dressing room. They started In Thursday's must-win over Toronto he skated a silly 28:32 and doing it with each other as an inside joke a couple seasons ago as a registered three assists to draw within a point of Karlsson's 71 on the personal joke, and the rookie picked up on it. year. “It’s a little bit of an inside thing that me and Jake started doing, then It's Tampa's most critical stretch of games, and the pace-controlling D- Auston saw us doing it. He likes it," Rielly explained. “He’d be crying man has put up 11 points in his past nine games. laughing. And now he’s started doing it.” “He kinda drives the bus back there. When he’s on, our team’s on," “Actually saw Gards do it a couple times," Matthews says. "He’s sneaky coach Jon Cooper said. “I have no idea if he’ll be one of the three with it. So I mimicked him a couple times. Then it became a thing where finalists for the Norris Trophy, but I’ll tell ya, in my three or four years most of the time we do that.” coaching this team, a lot of our success is predicated on how Victor’s played. As you’ve seen, we’ve had a lot of team success the past couple Wondering what in the blazes I'm talking about? Watch Matthews' wrist years. He’s just a phenomenal athlete.” as he approaches the bench after he scores this goal: 7. 'Tis the season we learn which NHLers will delay their summer always put in the [visitors'] dressing room right before the playoffs vacations to join their national team at the world championship, a.k.a. the started." Oilers Bowl. Canada is the tournament's two-time defending champ. 12. Have a few cherished personal memories of the old barn. We know Taylor Hall is out. We know Mark Scheifele, Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon are in. Max Domi has a quiet four-game point streak The first time I met Gordie Howe and he made a joke and kindly signed going — does he suit up again? an autograph for my dad. Wonder if it would be wise for to purposely avoid going My first Stanley Cup final game, which I attended with my girlfriend, and heavy on NHLers and instead focus on prospective Olympians for this the Red Wings beat the Penguins that night and the place rocked to tournament? A chance to them to bond and get more shifts on the big Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." ice. Staying in Windsor with enough buddies to get a group rate and some 8. At the risk of dealing out more angry Olympic statements to a fan base free plush Zamboni toys. One guy never made it back across the border that might already have ring fatigue, I thought Kevin Shattenkirk's mini that night (he's fine). rant was particularly strong but couldn't squeeze it into my column on his But the big one was my first live NHL game as a kid. Me in the back seat pending free agency. of my grandfather's truck, him holding onto that little handle above the So here he is: window up front and telling stories. A big, gentle heart who bet on horses, woke up early to take his grandkids out for greasy breakfasts, and the “Now they seem to want to use it as a bargaining chip, and that’s wrong. guy who took me to my first real hockey game. Like "Joe," he too had a That’s not what the Olympics are for. The reason we started going was friendly, ordinary nickname. Everyone called him Pal. so we could grow the game and show the world how great it is when you get the best players in the world playing against each other. I know that’s Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 what they’re trying to achieve with the World Cup, but that’s going to take time. This is right in the prime of it. The last Olympics was fantastic, and to just dismiss it, really without much conversation, is tough. “A lot of guys here [in the Washington room] went in 2014. That’s why it’s so frustrating. We knew how great of an experience it was. For my family to get over there and watch me play and go to their games and events, that’s something we’ll have forever. The Russian guys were fortunate to have it in their home country; you saw how exciting it was for them. We’d all be foreigners in South Korea, but I think it would be cool to experience that.” Asked if he'd begrudge an NHL teammate like Alex Ovechkin or Evgeny Kuznetsov for bolting mid-season, Shattenkirk was definitive. “No. I tip my cap to those guys for doing that," he said. "That’s something that will cause trouble with your team, but if that’s your sentiment, if that’s how you feel, then absolutely you should honour that and be proud you did it. I definitely wouldn’t hold anything against you.” 9. For every Shattenkirk there is a Nate Schmidt. The Capitals' depth defenceman lost his roster spot when Brian MacLellan brought in a shiny, new rental. He never complained. The affable Red Bull that is Schmidt drew into the lineup last-minute Tuesday in Toronto when John Carlson pulled out midway through warm- ups — and scored a goal. "The guys were excited for him to score," coach Barry Trotz said. “He’s one of those ultimate teammates. When you make a deal to bring in a guy like Shattenkirk, Schmidtty is the ultimate teammate and backed off his spot.” Schmidtty was flying high post-game and told a great story behind his new haircut, given to him without permission by Braden Holtby: 10. Do Lou's rules apply to playoff beards? Brian Boyle certainly hopes not. He’d like to let his facial hair grow. “I never thought I had much of a beard to begin with, but apparently I do,” the newest Maple Leaf said. Boyle chocks up his Captain Hook look (“That’s how it grows”) to laziness. He’d rather let it flow. After the deadline trade? “Tried to buzz it up,” Boyle explains. “They said, ‘You gotta take that down [even more].’ ‘OK.’ ” Shrug. 11. Sunday brings the final game at The Joe. And while we're perplexed by the schedule makers' choice of opponent — New Jersey Devils, really? How about Montreal? Or Chicago?! Even Colorado? — we did enjoy cup-of-coffee Red Wing Wendel Clark's memories of going in there as a Maple Leaf. "The love-hate of that rivalry," Clark recalled. "We always played Friday at Joe and Saturday at home. You never knew which one was going to be the hockey game and which one was going to be the other. Always remember great ice and fans. Even when we did an alumni game, I think in '06, and it was almost sold out. The fans still hated us. That rivalry, the old Chuck Norris Division rivalry, Toronto- Detroit we had a couple playoff rounds in there as well. A great old building. Big rink, great ice, and the fresh coat of paint he Red Wings 1057762 Websites “If we’re going to win we’re going to win in Vancouver,” Henrik said back in September. “But who knows? We’re not going to stay if we can’t help the team, or if they don’t want us. Who knows what happens? Sportsnet.ca / West Coast Bias: Ducks livid at ‘somewhat intentional’ “We’re not going to retire because we don’t want to play for another Giordano knee team.” Here’s the link to that piece. Mark Spector But Thursday in Glendale, in a conversation with Arizona writer Craig April 7, 2017, 9:02 PM Morgan, Henrik changed his tune somewhat. “If (Canucks management) sees a future for us then we might have another year in us here after next year,” said. “If not, I don’t In all your travels, you will meet few people more sour than a National think we’re prepared to go anywhere else.” Hockey League general manager who just lost his No. 1 defenceman a week before the playoffs are to begin. Worse yet, on a play he considers I’ll say this: I don’t really want to see the Sedins in anything other than sketchy. Canucks blue, white and green. And really, assuming the twins are ready to take a pay cut, there will be room for them in the Canucks' Top 9 when Hockey world, meet Anaheim GM Bob Murray. He is ticked off after the 2018-19 season begins, no? Calgary’s Mark Giordano locked knees with Ducks defenceman Cam Fowler Tuesday night in Anaheim. “All we know is we’re going to play next year,” said Henrik, who has 15 goals and 48 points this season. Daniel, the goal scorer of the two, has The Ducks say that Fowler, who has emerged as their best defenceman just nine even strength goals and only 15 in total this season. this season, will be gone from “two to six weeks.” He’ll miss the first round for sure, which, as luck would have it, could well be against “This has been an off year for us. We have to produce more and we Calgary (more on that later). know we can do it,” Henrik said. “We’re not going to be 100-point guys anymore but we think we can get back to putting up 60, 65 points and “It was dismissed very quickly by the people in charge. That’s their job, that’s something we’re aiming for.” so I guess that’s the standard,” said Murray, referring to the good folks at the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. “The big thing in hockey is “For us, it’s all about if the team is going in the right direction and if you concussions. But as an old player, I have no use for knee-on-knee hits. see there’s a place for us on the team,” Daniel said. “If we’re healthy and Especially if I think they are somewhat intentional.” if management wants us to be a part of the future, we can see ourselves playing more years. But for us, it’s Vancouver or nothing. We’re not going Those are Murray’s heat-of-the-moment words. I can’t imagine anyone to go anywhere else to play.” looking at the hit — who doesn’t have a vested interest — and describing it with the words “somewhat intentional.” As it should be. “I hear how Gio is a good guy, and he’s this and he’s that,” spat Murray, When Milan Lucic scored a third-period natural hat trick in San Jose his face reddening. “Well, he’s done this before. I have no respect for Thursday night, it not only turned that decisive game around for people who go after knees. I’m sorry, but knees, they wreck your career Edmonton, there is reason to believe it went a long way in turning this real quick.” sibling relationship as well. Here’s a video of the hit. Edmonton went 3-1-1 vs. San Jose in the season series, and walked into the SAP Center in a huge game, trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes, and danced As an objective observer, I see a hit that is a tad late, but no signs of away with a decisive victory. intent to injure. Giordano’s legs are close together. There is no knee sticking out to stop a player from walking around the Flames Veteran San Jose Mercury News columnist Mark Purdy laid it down defenceman. better than most, as he often does: “I did not like the hit,” Murray said. “I know I’ve said too much but I don’t “Those three goals and that one period may have obliterated the Sharks’ care.” sole remaining important edge over Edmonton entering the post-season — especially given the iffy status of injured San Jose centermen Joe Set Your Clocks Thornton and Logan Couture. This is the time of year when playoff implications come down to the hour. “What was that edge? Experience. Post-season fearlessness. Savvy So here goes: maturity. Whatever you want to call it.” 5 pm MT on Saturday — Nashville at Winnipeg. This is Sports front in the San Jose Mercury News today. pic.twitter.com/0Ml8nEpE1e 8 pm MT on Saturday — Calgary at San Jose. — Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) April 7, 2017 Calgary and Nashville each have 94 points, but the Flames have two more ROWs (regulation and OT wins). So they’ll likely know by puck drop In Round 1 last year, the Sharks limited Lucic — who was playing for the Saturday what is required to remain in the first wildcard position and play L.A. Kings — to zero goals and three assists in the five games. What did Anaheim, or fall to the second wildcard spot and get the Chicago Los Tiburones do then that they could not do Thursday? Blackhawks. “It’s not the playoffs,” said Sharks coach Pete DeBoer. “And we’ll come 8 pm MT Saturday — Edmonton at Vancouver up with a plan for the playoffs when we play them.” An Oilers win clinches second place in the Pacific. A loss and a San Jose Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 win on Sunday means the Oilers would need a point at home Sunday against the Canucks. 6:30 pm MT Sunday — Los Angeles at Anaheim 7 pm MT Sunday — Vancouver at Edmonton. If Edmonton sweeps the Canucks without going to a shootout, and Anaheim loses to the Kings in regulation, the Oilers win the Division. That could mean a Battle of Alberta. Sportsclubstats.com gives Edmonton a 14 per cent chance of winning the Pacific. Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet NOW Staying Home When we talked to the Sedin brothers during the World Cup of Hockey in September, they both left the door open to the slim possibility that they might don another NHL sweater other than the Vancouver Canucks’ when their contracts expire after next season. 1057763 Websites Price’s return has been the biggest factor in the Canadiens reasserting their dominance as Canada’s best team, but don’t underestimate the coaching change they made in February, which has brought a new Sportsnet.ca / How so many Canadian teams got back to the Stanley defensive focus evidenced by Price’s .942 save percentage since Claude Cup Playoffs Julien arrived. The most drastic change of anyone from this year to last is the Edmonton Oilers’ goals for percentage, which improved from 44.08 per cent to Andrew Berkshire 53.67 per cent, one of the largest changes since 2008 when 5-vs-5 data became publicly available. April 7, 2017, 5:26 PM Obviously part of the reason for this has been the improved depth of the team at forward and defence, not to mention some magical work by Cam Talbot, but that kind of jump usually involves some luck too -- and not just Last season there was a fair amount of panic across Canada when every good luck this year, but bad luck last year. There’s an argument to be single Canadian NHL team missed the playoffs for the first time since made that the Oilers punched above their weight a bit this year, just not 1970. It led to some interesting think pieces on how all seven could miss by as much as it looks since last year was a bit of a train wreck. out in a league where 53 per cent of teams qualify for the post-season. Like the Oilers, the Maple Leafs have made an incredible improvement in The panic over national identity has been delayed by a year though, after goals due to a drastically improved roster and a bit more luck on their five of those seven teams managed to put themselves back into the side. I’m not even sure how to describe adding 120 goals from rookies -- playoff picture for the 2016-17 season, including a division win by the it’s so crazy that you’d think there’d be even more overwhelming Montreal Canadiens, and perennial bottom dwellers Edmonton and coverage of it. Toronto finally breaking out of rebuild mode. The Flames, meanwhile, got smarter. Last season they played a rope-a- So if things were so wrong with Canadian hockey last year, what’s dope counterattacking game under Bob Hartley, and while it had worked changed so much that now five of seven teams were able to get into the before (even earning him the Jack Adams Award) it’s not a style that has playoffs (Toronto is yet to clinch, but would need extraordinary had sustained success in the NHL. circumstances to not make it)? The Flames under Glen Gulutzan pushed more puck-carrying out of their External Factors own zone and into the opponent’s zone, and while the results were All three Canadian teams in the Eastern Conference made the playoffs, extremely inconsistent early in the season, they stuck with the changes but considering they’re all in the same division, I think we can assume and it has paid off big time down the stretch. that if the Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t lose about half their lineup for most The Senators are the hardest team of all to figure out, boasting marginal of the season one of them wouldn’t have made the cut. You could argue improvement with the least impactful roster changes. There has been that maybe Boston would have missed instead of the Leafs or Senators, improvement, but it’s very finely cut, and they’re the only team in the but even if you give equal odds to each team, there’s a 67 per cent playoffs with a negative goal differential. chance a Canadian team would have missed. Then again, if the Senators didn’t lose Craig Anderson for large stretches Even with all their injuries and selling at the deadline, the Lightning are during the season, maybe they wouldn’t be in the negatives after all. on the Leafs’ heels as the season winds to a close. Not every Canadian team that made the playoffs is a serious Stanley Natural progression Cup contender, but the course that seemed so disastrous last season Despite their poor overall records last season, you could see that the has evidently been reversed, at least for now. Maple Leafs and Oilers were starting to put things together after lengthy Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 periods of mismanagement. Mike Babcock and Todd McLellan didn’t have immediate success working their young teams into proven systems, but the process was there even if the results weren’t. Roster improvement While the Canadiens and Oilers both made some big backwards (sideways if you’re extremely generous) moves in the off-season, overall they both significantly improved their rosters. The Canadiens added Alex Radulov, Shea Weber, Andrew Shaw, Artturi Lehkonen, Phillip Danault (late last season), Al Montoya, and a healthy Carey Price to a team that wasn’t nearly as bad as their results last season. The Oilers added Milan Lucic, Adam Larsson, Kris Russell, Patrick Maroon (late last season), and a healthy Oscar Klefbom. The Maple Leafs boast the most improved roster of anyone, adding Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev, and others, with seemingly every rookie making a big positive impact. The Flames made fewer roster changes than others, building on a strong, young core with the addition of Matthew Tkachuk, while Kris Versteeg and Troy Brouwer brought some veteran presence to the table. The Senators had the least amount of roster turnover to begin the season, flipping Mika Zibanejad for Derick Brassard in the off-season, and adding depth players such as Tom Pyatt and Chris Kelly, but beefed up at the deadline with Alex Burrows and Viktor Stalberg. All these factors, combined with coaching impact, have seen huge leaps forward for these teams over last season, especially at even strength. Not every team has improved by the same margins of course, with the Senators lagging behind the other four across the board, but every team has improved in score-adjusted Corsi, goals for percentage, and Emmanual Perry’s expected goals model from Corsica.Hockey (Ottawa’s goals for percentage being the only stat that dropped). The Canadiens have seen a huge improvement in goals for percentage despite modest improvements in their Corsi and expected goals, but that makes sense when you consider they’ve gone from Ben Scrivens and Mike Condon to Carey Price back in net. 1057764 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Erik Karlsson expected to miss final two games, return in playoffs

Emily Sadler April 7, 2017, 9:45 PM

The Ottawa Senators officially clinched a playoff berth on Thursday night, and they did so without Erik Karlsson. According to general manager Pierre Dorion, Karlsson will continue to sit out until the playoffs, missing the team’s final two games of the regular season in favour of a little extra healing time. “Most likely Erik will not play until the end of the regular season,” Dorion told reporters on Friday. “If tomorrow was Game 1 of the playoffs … he would be playing.” Karlsson suffered a foot injury on Tuesday and was listed as day-to-day by head coach Guy Boucher. He didn’t travel to Boston for Thursday’s contest. Ottawa closes out the season with back-to-back games against New York opponents, versus the Rangers on Saturday and the playoff-hungry Islanders Sunday. The Senators have been dealing with plenty of injuries of late, but signs are pointing to the team having a (mostly) healthy start to the post- season ahead. Dorion said forward Bobby Ryan and defenceman Marc Methot will join Karlsson on the sidelines this weekend but, like their captain, they’re expected to be back in time for puck drop on Round 1. “We're very hopeful that they'll be back for the playoffs,” Dorion said. The GM also said forward Zack Smith and Viktor Stalberg are good to go. "That would be the first time in a very long time for the Ottawa Senators that everyone would be available," Dorion said. "I think that just gives [coach Guy Boucher] as many options as possible, and he can play around with his lines and do what he needs to do to field what he thinks would be the best team to help us win in the playoffs." Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057765 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Evgeni Malkin pranks Kessel with ‘The Phil Zone’

Emily Sadler April 7, 2017, 8:25 PM

The Pittsburgh Penguins had a little fun with some locker-room pranks on Friday, keeping things light as they gear up for another post-season run. Phil Kessel learned a valuable lesson: don’t mess with Malkin. On Thursday, Kessel tweeted a photo of Evgeni Malkin‘s makeshift locker stall in New Jersey ahead of their game against the Devils: The locker-room at the Prudential Center only had 24 stalls, so equipment manager Dana Heinze asked Malkin if he wouldn’t mind being the odd man out by using a chair, seeing as the injured forward wasn’t playing anyway. Naturally, Malkin and Heinze decided to get a little revenge upon arriving in Toronto—and so "The Phil Zone" was born: Pittsburgh Penguins on Twitter Here's what happens when you mess with Geno... cred: @Letang_58 Before: https://t.co/54ZLJxFa1i After: As Kessel walked into Ricoh Coliseum on Friday, he discovered his very own custom stall set up outside the locker room. Along with his gear were a few key accessories: team signs, a case of Coca-Cola and a pot of coffee. When asked later what was missing, Malkin said: “Hot dogs.” "He's a funny guy. He's my good friend," Malkin said. "He's an amazing player and amazing guy." Coach Sullivan on today's locker room prank: "It's all in good fun. And Phil always seems to be in the center of all that." pic.twitter.com/Go70z6deYY — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2017 Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057766 Websites Coached by his father, Dan, the Toronto Marlboros went 8-0 through the tournament of champions. Connor was 15 at the time and recalls being as nervous as he’s ever been – before or since – in the lead-up to facing Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs look back at most nervous games played in London in the final. their careers “At the time, that was huge,” said Brown. “You work so hard all year.” The Marlboros ended up winning 3-0 and celebrating with non-alcoholic Chris Johnston champagne on the bus ride home from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. April 7, 2017, 3:34 PM In the years since, Brown has learned to manage his emotions before a big game.

“Nerves are nerves,” he said. “It’s like anything, once the puck drops it TORONTO – With another chance to secure a playoff spot, there are kind of just all goes away. Once you first step on the ice and you just get bound to be some nerves bouncing around Air Canada Centre before yourself into the game all of the noise and everything kind of goes away.” puck drop on Saturday. Connor Carrick The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t shying away from that reality. They felt them in missing a chance to clinch against Tampa on Thursday and Oct. 1, 2013 – Washington Capitals vs. Chicago Blackhawks, first NHL expect a similar atmosphere with the Pittsburgh Penguins coming to town game for Game No. 81. When Connor Carrick attended his first NHL training camp with the “You relish the opportunities that you feel like that because I think it’s real Washington Capitals, he didn’t expect to make the team. He didn’t even important to feel like that,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said Friday. “You have a contract. shouldn’t be in this sport if you don’t. I think any competitor, in games But the teenager turned some heads in pre-season and wound up that are exciting that way. I think it’s good for you. making the opening-night roster – playing in his hometown against the “And I think it’s real good for our guys.” Chicago Blackhawks, no less. The Leafs still control their own destiny. It was a difficult experience. A win against Pittsburgh on Saturday or Columbus on Sunday is enough “I thought I’d be jacked up for it,” said Carrick. to get them in. But the margin for error is shrinking with each passing day Instead, he was nearly out of gas. and a team with seven rookies won’t want to arrive at the final day of the regular season without an “X” beside its name. “I wasn’t signed going into camp – I signed real late, the third or fourth week of camp – and I remember finding out I was on the roster on Twitter Play the Sportsnet Fantasy Playoffs Pool for your chance to win $5,000 because they’d sent a guy on waivers,” he said. “Every day was like cash if you are crowned the champ! It's FREE and easy to play. Game 7, every practice I was jacked up for and I remember my first NHL Make Your Picks Now! game, it was in Chicago, and I was physically tired and mentally tired. “It’s no different than being on the tee at the Masters,” said Babcock. “The season hadn’t even started yet.” “You step up there, you’ve got to clear your mind and hit the ball. If He played a little more than 10 minutes that night and was on the ice for there’s momentary doubt, you push through it and you hit it down the a couple goals against. middle and you get ready for your next shot. Carrick is a player who tends to put a lot of pressure on himself, but now “It’s the same thing here in hockey: You play your shift, come back and takes pride in being able to calm his nerves when the heat gets turned take a deep breath and get a drink of water, and play your next one.” up. With that in mind, we asked some of the Leafs about the game that made His secret? them most nervous in their past, and how they think it will stack up to Saturday night against the Penguins: “Having done it and making plays,” said Carrick. “When you’re getting ready to play big games what makes you nervous? Well, screwing up. If Morgan Rielly couldn’t sleep. At least not like usual. you’ve already played big games and screwed up [you learn it’s not the His game-day routine was completely out of whack with a chance to win end of the world]. Like, I still have a career, I’m fine – your head’s above a gold medal at ’s VTB Ice Palace last spring. water and you’ve got to make plays. “You feel the pressure leading up to that,” said Rielly. “I mean your pre- “Honestly, the most crippling thing is when you’re afraid to make game warmup, it’s really all you can think about. That was probably the mistakes. That’s hard hockey to play, when you’re really, really jammed biggest game of my life, for sure.” up.” What made the situation so unique? Brian Boyle has experienced just about everything the sport has to offer – Game 7s, Stanley Cup finals, overtime games in the playoffs when “That’s an easy answer because of how nervous I was,” he said. “It’s one your season is on the line, etc. and done. It’s one game and you’re playing a team that you don’t really know that well and you’re in a foreign country and you don’t really have But it was two huge games in college where he felt the most anxiety. your fans there. You have one chance to do it and if you don’t do it “It wasn’t necessarily nerves, but I learned a lesson there,” said Boyle. you’ve got to wait a year to go back there.” “You try so hard to be the guy and I think it comes from a good place, but Rielly managed to hold his nerve and help Team Canada to a 2-0 victory. you just have to do what gets you there. … The battles and the He hopes to draw on that experience Saturday because it’s a moment he opportunities to kind of rise to the occasion will present themselves. You feels is only a degree or two off in terms of its magnitude. can’t go out looking for it and get yourself all out whack and get yourself too wound up. “It’s not night and day [apart] – that’s a big game tomorrow night,” said Rielly. “But I think the approach has to be a bit different. You’re not “I think that’s kind of what I learned even before I got to the NHL, but it playing for a gold medal, you’re playing for an opportunity to go to the takes years and years for some guys and other guys just go out and they playoffs. play their game and they do well and it translates well.” “That’s a huge opportunity and I mean you can’t downplay it, but you His two NCAA championship games are not fond memories. can’t blow it out of proportion either.” As a junior, his team suffered a 2-1 loss on a third-period power-play goal Connor Brown by Wisconsin’s Tom Gilbert. March 28, 2009 – Toronto Marlboros vs. London Jr. Knights, All-Ontario As a senior, Boyle put Boston College ahead before Michigan State Bantam AAA Championship rallied in the third period, getting the winner from Justin Abdelkader with 19 seconds left to play in regulation. The last championship team Connor Brown played for needed to be perfect. “They stay with you,” said Boyle. “It’s 10 years ago and it’s still, it’s tough. You learn a lot more from losses a lot of times and you keep playing. “You have another opportunity and you’re never guaranteed any of those, so we all should be excited. It’s a very exciting opportunity for us tomorrow.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057767 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Sedins say they don’t want to play anywhere but Vancouver

Mike Johnston April 7, 2017, 11:44 AM

If Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin decide to play beyond next season, it won’t be for anyone else other than the Vancouver Canucks. The twins are enduring their least productive season since the 2004 lockout. Prior to the start of next season they’ll turn 37 and enter the final year on their current contracts. That is to say there are question marks surrounding what lies ahead. “If they see a future for us, then we might have another year in us here after next year,” Henrik told Craig Morgan of FanRag Sports. “If not, I don’t think we’re prepared to go anywhere else…Our future is not only up to us now. We know that the management needs to see a place for us in this rebuild. It’s not always in their interest to have guys like us around. Maybe you need a change of personality and all those kinds of things.” If the Canucks struggle next season like they have this year, would general manager would ask the twins to waive their no-trade clauses? The brothers have full no-movement clauses and the likelihood they'd waive them next season appears slim. “We’ve never really been in this position before, but we’re up there now, age-wise,” Daniel said. “For us, it’s all about if the team is going in the right direction and if you see there’s a place for us on the team. If we’re healthy and if management wants us to be a part of the future, we can see ourselves playing more years but for us, it’s Vancouver or nothing. We’re not going to go anywhere else to play.” Sportsnet's Fantasy Playoffs Pool Play the Sportsnet Fantasy Playoffs Pool for your chance to win $5,000 cash if you are crowned the champ! It's FREE and easy to play. Make Your Picks Now! If Canucks brass decides to hand the reins to the Bo Horvats and Brock Boesers of the world in 2018 and end the Sedin era in Vancouver, don’t expect to see the Swedish duo try their luck overseas. “It’s not a league where you can go back and think you’re going to dominate,” Daniel said of the where both forwards have spent time with the Modo franchise. “It’s not like you can go back and play on the decline. You’ve got to be at the top of your game. You have to prepare the same way. It’s a tough league.” Daniel and Henrik have spent their entire NHL careers with the Canucks after being selected second and third overall, respectively, in the 1999 NHL Draft. Henrik has 1,018 points in 1,246 games and Daniel has 984 in 1,223 games and their unique on-ice chemistry has been one of the more entertaining and dominant dynamics to watch in the NHL for more than a decade. There aren’t many people in hockey with a better understanding of the Sedins than their former Canucks teammate and current president of hockey operations, Trevor Linden. “I got to play with them, recognized very quickly that these guys are so competitive, tough guys, play in traffic, and I’ve been able to watch them win Hart Trophies and Art Ross Trophies and become leaders," Linden told Sportsnet prior to the season. “I think the special thing about them is I don’t think there’s any combination in the league that has innate ability to find one another and play that style…I don’t think the league has ever seen anything like this before and we’ll probably go a long time before we see anything like this again. "As people, I can’t say enough about them as humans and leaders. I’ve got a ton of respect for them, as you can tell, and this is coming from having played with them and now having worked with them on this side." The Canucks close out the 2016-17 season with a home-and-home series against the Edmonton Oilers on the weekend. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057768 Websites to take, no? It would be entirely avoidable, since a win over Tampa Bay on Thursday night would have not only clinched a spot for the Leafs, but eliminated Tampa Bay. TSN.CA / Every clinching scenario for the Leafs How it happens: The Leafs lose both games in regulation, plus any two wins by the Lightning, plus the Islanders lose one game in regulation. By Frank Seravalli Odds: 3 per cent, per HockeyViz.com 5. THE 18-WHEELER Sixteen spots. Fifteen tickets punched. Scenario: Islanders in, Maple Leafs out. That leaves one Stanley Cup playoff position up for grabs in the final Scoop: The banged-up Senators could have little to play for in Brooklyn weekend of the season — and hockey’s biggest market up in arms after on Sunday, potentially clinching home-ice advantage in the first round on the Maple Leafs appeared to have that spot locked up heading into Saturday. That could mean lots of players resting for Game 2, while an Tuesday’s game against Washington. Islanders win could also do the Sens the favour of eliminating their Ontario rival. Toronto remains in the driver’s seat, to the tune of a 92 per cent shot at the playoffs, according to HockeyViz.com. Any combination of two points How it happens: Any Sens win vs. the Rangers on Saturday, plus the by Toronto in these final two games clinches a spot, as well as any Bruins losing in regulation to the Capitals on Saturday, plus the Lightning regulation loss by both the Islanders and Lightning. losing in regulation to the Canadiens on Friday, plus the Leafs losing both games in regulation, plus the Islanders winning both games. That doesn’t mean the young Leafs aren’t tightening up, Mike Babcock acknowledged Thursday night after Toronto lost consecutive games in Odds: 4 per cent, per HockeyViz.com regulation for the first time since Feb. 18. In summary, here are Eastern Conference playoff odds, according to Babcock likened the Maple Leafs’ job this weekend to a golfer at the HockeyViz.com: Masters. Maple Leafs: 93 per cent “You’ve got to clear your mind and hit the ball,” Babcock told reporters Islanders: 4 per cent Friday. Lightning: 3 per cent Here are five scenarios in play for the Maple Leafs this weekend, ranging from the best case scenario to an 18-wheeler off a cliff: Here are Maple Leafs’ most likely first-round opponents, according to HockeyViz.com: 1. LEAFS SKIRT CAPS Capitals: 70 per cent Scenario: Leafs secure second or third place in Atlantic Division, producing a Battle of Ontario for the first time since 2002. Senators: 18 per cent Scoop: The most drastic change in the Maple Leafs’ playoff chances this Bruins: 5 per cent week was actually that their odds to face the back-to-back Presidents Trophy-winning Capitals in the first round more than doubled. If Toronto Here are the remaining schedules: would like to be anything other than an overwhelming underdog to win a Maple Leafs: Sat vs. Penguins 7:00pm; Sun vs. Blue Jackets 6:00pm. round, they need to collect at least three points this weekend and hope for a Bruins loss. Lightning: Fri at Canadiens 7:30pm; Sun vs. Sabres 5:00pm. How it happens: The Bruins lose in any fashion on Saturday to the Islanders: Sat at Devils 6:00pm; Sun vs. Senators 5:00pm. Capitals and the Leafs collect three or more points. That is the most simplistic scenario, with multiple combinations of wins and losses able to Senators (clinched): Sat vs. Rangers 12:30pm; Sun at Islanders 5:00pm. produce the result. Bruins (clinched): Sat vs. Capitals 3:00pm. Odds: 23 per cent, per HockeyViz.com. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 2. SEVEN DATES WITH OVI (IF NECESSARY) Scenario: Leafs finish in second Wild Card position. Scoop: See No. 1. This was avoidable. Toronto’s most likely first-round opponent was Ottawa heading into final week of the season. How it happens: Any kind of Bruins win against the Capitals on Saturday, plus the Maple Leafs earn two points in two games. Odds: 70 per cent, per HockeyViz.com. 3. LEAFS BACK INTO PLAYOFFS WITH LOSSES Scenario: Leafs clinch a spot without collecting a point. Scoop: The Leafs don’t even need to gain a single point in order to get in. They will finish in the second wild card position and face the Washington Capitals. Any failure by the Lightning or Islanders to gain at least three points this weekend automatically clinches it for the Leafs — which is why they have such a strong chance to get in. Besides, it would still count as the first time since 2003-04 that the Leafs have reached the playoffs in an 82-game season. How it happens: The Lightning lose one game in regulation, plus the Islanders lose one game in regulation, plus the Leafs come up with zero points in final two games -OR- the Lightning earn one point in two games, plus the Islanders earn one point in two games, plus the Leafs come up with zero points in final two games. Odds: 51 per cent, per HockeyViz.com. 4. THURSDAY COMES BACK TO HAUNT Scenario: Lightning in, Maple Leafs out. Scoop: Any instance of the Maple Leafs missing the playoffs will be painful in Toronto, but it coming at expense of the Lightning will be easier 1057769 Websites Matthews on Pens showdown: 'We should be able to come out with a win''

Auston Matthews admits that Toronto has struggled in its last two games, TSN.CA / Leafs still in control of their own destiny but the Leafs rookie is still confident his team will be able to clinch a playoff spot on Saturday night when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins. The recipe for a win, Matthews said, is simple. By Kristen Shilton “What you’ve got to do is trust the guys in the room,” Babcock added. “You’ve got to trust your structure and you’ve got to come out and compete and you can’t let nerves get in the way and that’s part of TORONTO – At the halfway point of the season, Toronto Maple Leafs growing up.” head coach Mike Babcock began dousing the flames of high expectations engulfing his team and their unexpected positioning as part The window for applying their lessons is rapidly closing, but the Leafs of the league’s playoff puzzle. refuse to sound any alarm bells. The pressure the Maple Leafs are sensing feels motivated more by their own expectations than that of the And now, Babcock is using the same philosophy to extinguish mounting city or its fan base - born of a singular belief that they’d be able to prove concern over his team’s missed opportunities to actually clinch a people wrong. postseason berth. “We knew right from the start we were going to be better than [others] The Leafs could have punched their ticket with a win in either of their last thought,” said Rielly. “It’s not as if our goal was to [just] grow and get two games, but lost them both by a decisive 4-1 score. After an better, we wanted to make the playoffs. impressive 8-1-1 run, Toronto has dropped back-to-back games in regulation for the first time since mid-February. “Now that we’re here, I think we’re happy we have a chance to play two good teams. As long as the Leafs can gain two points over their last two regular season games, the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders won’t “Are these games going to be tough? Yes. But that’s what we want. We be able to catch them for the Eastern Conference’s second wild card want to play these meaningful games at this time of the season.” spot. Grab one or fewer points and the scenarios are increasingly precarious. But the Maple Leafs will be in control of their destiny until the TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 end. “What I like about this opportunity is we have to earn our way in,” Babcock said Friday after a team meeting at MasterCard Centre. “That’s what it’s about. “Nobody’s going to give it to you. It’s having these opportunities to grow your game in moments that matter. They’ve all had these opportunities at different levels just not at this level so let’s [take care of] business.” With their first chance to clinch on Tuesday, then Leafs were facing the league-leading Washington Capitals after a win in Buffalo the night before. Simply put, they were too tired on the second night of a back-to- backs (and the end of a road trip at that) to feel the weight of the moment. Skip ahead to Thursday against Tampa Bay and that wasn’t the case. Toronto turned in a wholly uninspired performance against a Lightning club dripping with desperation to keep their own playoff hopes alive. Leafs are nervous and that's a good thing, Babcock argues Mike Babcock said his team played tight in Thursday's loss to the Lightning. But the Maple Leafs coach believes that the nerves his young team is feeling right now can be channeled in a positive way. "You have to earn your way in and that’s what it’s all about," Babcock said. “I don’t know. They probably wanted it more than us,” said Auston Matthews. “The [Lightning] won all their 50-50 battles, they were on top of us and we didn’t have an answer for it so we have to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” The Leafs have been a loose and relaxed group all season, but as the competition becomes more significant they need to strike a better balance between being too complacent and too unsure. “Maybe we were a bit tight last night given what’s at stake,” said Morgan Rielly. “Moving forward we have to work on that, be a bit more loose and not worry about what’s going on around us. “[That said], these are big games and we have to be ready. It’s good to be relaxed, but these are important games and we know what we have to do.” All season long, everything the Leafs have done has been part of their learning process - playing up to nine rookies in a game and being patient with the evolution of lines and defence pairings. While individual players may have had success elsewhere, the Leafs franchise hasn’t established a winning culture in years. And doing so comes with its own lessons. “[Thursday] was a big game, and when it’s a big game you get more emotions - good and bad,” explained Brian Boyle, a veteran of 100 NHL playoff games. “You try to learn to taper those and bring it down. “No one in here is dwelling on last night. It was an opportunity, but we have more opportunities to clinch and that’s what we need to understand and remember.” 1057770 Websites

TSN.CA / Pens won't say if Crosby plays this weekend

The Canadian Press

TORONTO - The Pittsburgh Penguins have two games left in the regular season with nothing on the line, and whether Sidney Crosby will play in one or both remains a mystery. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan declined to say whether the team planned to rest their captain either against the desperate Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday or against the New York Rangers on Sunday night. "We have a game-plan that we've sketched out and we'll take each game as it comes," Sullivan said with a smile following a limited practice on Friday afternoon. The Penguins have already sealed up home-ice advantage in a first round playoff series with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Crosby seems to have locked up his second Rocket Richard trophy. His 43 goals in only 74 games well in front of Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov and the suspended Brad Marchand. Resting the 29-year-old seems to make a lot of sense, especially for a team that's been battered by injuries as it chases a second straight Stanley Cup. Conversely, Saturday's game means everything to the Leafs, who need two points in their final two games to clinch a first playoff berth since 2013. Even if Crosby sits — probably less likely on Saturday night than Sunday — there's a chance Toronto might have to face Evgeni Malkin. The Russian star, who's missed the last 11 games with an upper body injury, skated with a limited group of teammates at practice and expressed hope of getting in over the weekend. "I feel normal," Malkin said of playing Saturday. "Why not?" Malkin, who has 72 points in 62 games this season, noted that he'd yet to take contact, but was feeling better and better each day. "We'll see how it goes," Sullivan said. "We're taking it each day at a time." TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057771 Websites Goalie advantage: Two of the world's best meet up in this series, although Henrik Lundqvist doesn't enjoy playing at the Bell Centre, where he's 4-9-2 with an ugly 3.87 goals-against average and .877 percentage TSN.CA / A closer look at Rangers vs. Canadiens in the regular season, going 2-1 with a 2.82 GAA and .915 SP in that 2014 playoff series in Montreal -- much better, although he still was pulled from a Game 5 loss. So, yeah, it's his House of Horrors. Price has recovered nicely from a midseason malaise that saw him struggle by his By Pierre LeBrun lofty standards. He's been razor-sharp since Julien came on, improving his even-strength save percentage from .934 to .944. His most marked

improvement, however, has come on the PK, where his save percentage Montreal Canadiens (46-25-9, first, Atlantic Division) vs. New York went from .852 to .929 under Julien. Rangers (47-27-6, first wild card in the Eastern Conference) Coaching advantage: Alain Vigneault and Claude Julien are both cut Why you have to WATCH: Carey Price has been waiting three years for from the same philosophical cloth (read: defensive structure) and are this moment -- which is not a good thing for the Rangers. The world's No. considered among the top coaches in the NHL. Both signed healthy 1 goalie saw his Eastern Conference finals end in Game 1 against the contracts this year too, Julien's new deal paying him $5 million per Rangers in May 2014, when winger Chris Kreider crashed into him and season starting next season (third-highest in the NHL) and Vigneault took Price out of the series. With Dustin Tokarski in net for the Habs, the right behind at $4.1 million per. There's a reason they're getting paid so Rangers went on to win the Eastern finals in six games. Which is not to much. ... This will be a real chess match between two pals who know suggest the Rangers wouldn't have won with a healthy Price in net, but each other very well. we'll get a chance to find out. Price, Olympic champion with Team Prediction: As one NHL scout said, "This series is a tossup." One of the Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, is back and looking as brilliant as things that concerns me about the Rangers, though, is just how long ever as the Atlantic Division-champion Canadiens look to get past a very they've had nothing to play for, stuck in a wild-card spot with no room to capable Rangers team that is a wild-card team only by virtue of playing in go for what seems like forever, with so little urgency. Can they just flip a the NHL's toughest division. switch come the playoffs? Oh, and there's that Lundqvist-Bell Centre Stanley Cup odds factor, too. Canadiens in 6. Odds listed are as of April 3. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 (Courtesy Westgate) TEAM ODDS Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Washington Capitals 4-1 Pittsburgh Penguins 8-1 Anaheim Ducks 10-1 Columbus Blue Jackets 10-1 Minnesota Wild 10-1 New York Rangers 10-1 Edmonton Oilers 12-1 Montreal Canadiens 14-1 San Jose Sharks 14-1 Boston Bruins 20-1 Calgary Flames 25-1 St. Louis Blues 25-1 Nashville Predators 30-1 Toronto Maple Leafs 30-1 Ottawa Senators 40-1 Tampa Bay Lightning 60-1 New York Islanders 100-1 Head to head: The Canadiens swept the season series 3-0-0 against the Rangers, outscoring the Blueshirts 11-7 (not counting a shootout decider), all three games coming between Jan. 14 and March 4. ... The Blueshirts are a top-five scoring team while the Canadiens are middle of the pack, and while the team has played much better under new coach Claude Julien (15-6-1), it's been on the defensive side of things -- goals have still been difficult to organically produce. ... The key in this series might be special teams, where both clubs have similar-ranked power plays (NYR: 11th; MTL: 13th) but the Canadiens have a sizeable edge in penalty kill (14th-22nd), which improved from 22nd under Julien. The Rangers' best chance to win will be to stay out of the box and keep it a 5- on-5 series, where they have more offensive talent. Injury fallout: Stud blue-liners Ryan McDonagh of the Rangers and Shea Weber of the Canadiens both missed time late in the season with lower- body injuries, although with nothing to play for, the teams were maybe being cautious, given how many minutes each player has played this season (each led their teams). Still, as one NHL scout said, you wonder if it will affect the effectiveness of each shutdown defenseman. They are both hugely key in each team's effort to shut down the other team's top offensive threats. 1057772 Websites

TSN.CA / Habs letting key players rest this weekend

The Canadian Press

BROSSARD, Que. — The Montreal Canadiens will use the final weekend of the NHL regular season to give some veterans a rest. Coach Claude Julien said injured defencemen Shea Weber and Alexei Emelin will sit out games Friday night at home against Tampa Bay and Saturday night in Detroit, while a decision has yet to be made on whether rearguard Jordie Benn will suit up against the Red Wings. Goaltender Carey Price got the start against the Lightning but he and some other veterans may not even make the trip to Detroit. The Canadiens, who have locked up first place in the Atlantic Division, begin the playoffs at home Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Julien said Weber and Benn will "definitely be ready for the playoffs." The announcement meant Weber will end up missing the last four games of the regular season with an undisclosed injury. Benn could see his run of games missed to six with an upper body problem. Emelin was injured in a 2-1 loss Wednesday night in Buffalo. Julien sounded less optimistic when he said Emelin's health will be evaluated on Tuesday to see if he's ready to start the playoffs. The main decision centred on Price, the star goaltender who has been on fire since Julien replaced the fired Michel Therrien in mid-February. Some felt Price should be kept out of the last two games to avoid the risk of an injury, but it appears he wanted to get one last start against the Lightning. "If he doesn't play (Friday) it's a whole week without playing, and a goaltender who feels good about his game probably doesn't want to sit out too long," said Julien. "He's not playing (Saturday), so that will give him a good four days of rest. "We can play it ultra-safe, but then you can have a goaltender who says 'listen, I don't want to sit out for a whole week. It's important for me to be on top of my game.' It's important to make those tough decisions sometimes. They're not easy." With Emelin out, the Canadiens called up Brett Lernout from St. John's of the American Hockey League. The six-foot-four defenceman injured a knee in his only previous NHL game on April 2, 2016 against the Panthers in Florida. "It wasn't a big hit, it was just the way I fell," Lernout said of the season- ending injury. "I guess it was just bad luck." The Winnipeg native, drafted in the third round in 2014, is considered a solid prospect, but the physical, right side defenceman may need patience to break into an already deep defence corps. "There are a lot of numbers, but I'm only 21 and I still have lots of room to develop," he said. "I'm still learning a lot. "It's only my second year pro. It takes time and I'm ready to take that time." It's Julien's first look at Lernout. "These are good opportunities when you can bring in players and at least get a look at them," the coach said. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057773 Websites Other court exhibits documented that the NHL has repeatedly refused to fund any research examining the long-term cognitive health of former players. TSN.CA / Panthers doctor: 'Turf war' keeping neurologists off NHL study One group of unsealed emails, sent in 2009 after Chicago Blackhawks group forward Martin Havlat returned to action in the playoffs two days he was levelled and left unconscious on the ice after a hit by Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall, highlighted concerns one team doctor had about the By Rick Westhead "situational ethics" involved with clearing players to return to the ice after head injuries.

Eight years after Havlat's injury, NHL teams continue to draw scrutiny for A Miami-based neurologist who has treated Florida Panther players says their management of concussions and brain injuries. a "turf war" is preventing neurologists from being represented on the National Hockey League's Concussion Subcommittee. On March 25, Florida Panthers interim coach Tom Rowe second guessed his decision to allow defenceman Aaron Ekblad to play after Since 1997, the subcommittee has been advising the league on how best missing four games with his fourth head or neck-related injury in three to treat players who suffer head injuries and brain trauma. years. Yet since at least 2010 when he began working with the Panthers, the "I'm not going to lie to you, I wish we didn't [play him]," Rowe told The subcommittee’s membership has not included a neurologist, says Dr. Florida Sun-Sentinel. "That's on me because the doctors and medical Frank Conidi. staff cleared him. "It's a turf war," he told TSN in a telephone interview this week. "The “I had some reservations and wish I stayed with my gut. That's nobody's neuropsychologists who control that group don't want to let go. I don't get fault but my own. I usually give those guys 2-3 days of practice and I it. wish I did that." “We would be a valuable asset and this makes no sense, other than Dr. Conidi says that while the NHL allows team doctors to clear players being about politics and turf. It's straightforward. If you were dealing with after they have suffered concussions, the NFL demands players with heart problems among players, you would want to have a cardiologist on concussions to be cleared by neurologists. the panel, wouldn't you?" "The NFL is way ahead of the NHL in this," Dr. Conidi says. Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in identifying brain diseases, disorders and injuries and managing their symptoms. They Like the NHL, the NFL was also sued by a group of former players over typically have nine years of concentrated training – four years of medical its handling of brain injuries. While the NHL lawsuit continues, the NFL school, one year of interning, three years of residency and another year settled its litigation. spent in a neurological fellowship. Ian Pulver, an NHL player agent and former NHLPA lawyer, says he's By comparison, neuropsychologists are generally academics who are not seen improvements in the league's return-to-play protocols. medical doctors and have not completed medical residencies. Most have five-to-seven years of training before receiving their PhD. "When I was at the union there was pressure on doctors to clear players to get back on the ice, but now that's less so," he said. "I think club "In most jurisdictions, neuropsychologists cannot prescribe medications," doctors enjoy when players get second opinions so that they are explained Dr. Mary Pat McAndrews, a neuropsychologist in Toronto with protected, too. A good doctor should feel comfortable with a diagnosis the University Health Network. "Instead, they use treatments like and if an athlete who has a very short shelf life wants to go get checked cognitive behavioural therapy, working with clients, usually in the short by another doctor, then so be it." term like eight to 12 sessions, to identify problems and help with strategies to address them." In both the NFL and NHL, players are typically cared for by doctors and athletic trainers who are hired and paid by teams. Medical staffs routinely The concussion subcommittee – originally formed in 1997 before being discuss player health with coaches and other team management. disbanded in 2007 and reconstituted the same year – has been instrumental in helping the NHL and NHL Players' Association develop a One Harvard University law professor says that the NHL should overhaul protocol for the treatment of concussions. The subcommittee’s members its medical structure to free team doctors and trainers from any real or have been an influential sounding board for senior NHL executives about perceived conflicts of interest. possible research looking into the cognitive health of players. Glenn Cohen, a Montreal native who is the director of Harvard Law "Three years ago I asked if the [subcommittee] would consider adding at School's Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology and least a few neurologists onto the group," says Dr. Conidi. "The NHL and Bioethics, published a report in November that urged the NFL to adopt concussion [subcommittee’s] answer was, ‘No, we're good.' " new guidelines for team medical staff so doctors who treat players are not required to report to coaches and other team management. Dr. Conidi says the subcommittee is dominated by neuropsychologists such as Dr. Ruben Echemendia, who co-chairs the NHL/NHLPA "For both the NFL or the NHL, whenever you have a club physician who Concussion Subcommittee. is trying to serve both the interests of an injured player and management, there's a recipe for an ethically problematic state of affairs," Cohen said Dr. Echemendia, NHL spokesman Gary Meagher and Panthers in an interview this week. spokeswoman Adelyn Biedenbach did not reply to emails seeking comment. Cohen's report capped a two-year study of NFL players. His research was funded by the NFL Players Association, although he said the union "Not aware of any neurologist being named as an official member of the did not have control over the report's conclusions. Concussion Subcommittee," NHLPA spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon wrote in an email to TSN. In their 2011 collective bargaining agreement the NFL and NFLPA promised to make a joint $11 million annual contribution to medical However, Weatherdon wrote that Michigan-based neurologist Dr. Jeffrey research during the 10-year deal. Kutcher is a consultant to the NHLPA who regularly participates in Concussion subcommittee matters, although he is not a voting member The NHL and NHLPA have no such agreement. of that group. Cohen said that his report advised the NFL to create a system where Dr. Kutcher said that he, too, would like to see neurologists added to the doctors who treat players are hired by a neutral committee, although they Concussion subcommittee. would still be paid by the team. "Neurologists are physicians who best understand the disease and injury "We spoke to a number of players for our report and what they told us states of the human brain," Dr. Kutcher told TSN in a phone interview. was they want a physician committed to their health and nobody's interests but their own," Cohen said. Dr. Conidi's comments come amid renewed attention on the NHL's medical practices and policies. Last week, a U.S. federal court judge in Weatherdon said it's possible the Players’ Association might pursue Minneapolis unsealed 27 court exhibits in the NHL concussion lawsuit. Cohen's recommendations. Among the newly disclosed documents were records showing an "This is a matter that may arise in future negotiations, but in any event a allegation made in 2009 by former NHLPA executive that physician's professional obligation/duty should always be to the health players who are treated by team doctors are "often given grief" for asking and well-being of the player," he said. for a second medical opinion. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057774 Websites public to develop cognitive problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, the plaintiffs’ lawyers say.

“Are we still paying him anything?” TSN.CA / NHL doctor slams ‘situational ethics’ on concussions in unsealed lawsuit documents The unsealed court exhibits include an email string following an incident during the 2010-11 season.

The NHL fined but did not suspend New York Rangers player Derek By Rick Westhead Stepan for elbowing Mike Green, then of the Washington Capitals, during a game. Days later, former NHL referee Kerry Fraser appeared on TSN and criticized the league’s discipline. The National Hockey League team doctor had seen enough. Fraser sent an email to a group of 39 medical researchers on March 1, Hours earlier, he watched Chicago Blackhawks forward Martin Havlat 2011, including Dr. Echemendia. Fraser included a link to a video of the return to the ice for Game 4 of the 2009 NHL Western Conference final, incident on TSN’s website. just two days after Havlat had been knocked unconscious during Game 3 by a ferocious bodycheck. In Game 4, Havlat was hit again and was “You will see the hit and then you can judge as to whether a ‘fine’ was forced to leave the game early. warranted? You make the call,” Fraser wrote. The team doctor – one of at least 30 physicians charged with Dr. Echemendia forwarded Fraser’s email to Grand and Daly. safeguarding the health of the NHL’s players – couldn’t understand why “FYI see below the kinds of emails that Kerry Fraser is circulating,” Dr. Havlat had been allowed back into the Blackhawks lineup for Game 4. Echemendia wrote. “I am once again disappointed in my colleagues in the [National Hockey Daly forwarded the email string to commissioner Gary Bettman. League Team Physicians Society],” the doctor wrote in an email to Dr. Willem Meeuwisse, a Calgary-based member of the NHL’s Concussion “I’m not sure there is anything we can or should be doing, but I wanted Working Group. “We all sit around and talk and talk about concussion you to be aware,” Daly wrote. management. Then it’s the playoffs, someone suffers an obvious loss of consciousness and is back playing in less than 48 hours. “Are we still paying him anything?” Bettman asked in reply. “This same Chicago player was hit hard again today and was unable to “Yes, his severance,” Daly answered. “But I’m not sure we can stop continue in the game. Another example of situational ethics. Our only job paying him for expressing views critical of the League.” is to protect the players from harm including when the player is ‘clearing’ “It wouldn’t be nice but maybe he should understand it’s not nice to bite himself to play. We must be their advocate regardless of what the coach the hand that feeds you,” Bettman wrote. “Please have someone check or general manager thinks.” to see if there are any grounds to withhold. Don’t want to hurt him – A week later, Dr. Meeuwisse forwarded the doctor’s email – after maybe just get his attention. This campaign, his book – somewhat removing his identity – to Dr. Ruben Echemendia, a neuropsychologist in delusional.” and the co-chair of the NHL Concussion Working Group, Repeated requests from researchers for NHL support NHL lawyer Julie Grand and Ottawa Senators doctor Mark Aubry. Many of the emails and records unsealed by the court go back a decade “I chose to remove his name, and have not circulated to everyone on the and detail repeated requests for NHL support from medical researchers. concussion committee because it could be taken as quite inflammatory,” Dr. Meeuwisse wrote in his May 31, 2009, email. “However, I think he is In 2008, Dr. Echemendia forwarded an ESPN story about concussions in verbalizing what many people think, so I thought I should pass along the sports to Grand. sentiment.” “Given the press on concussions in NHL (see story link below) would it Grand forwarded the email the same day to NHL deputy commissioner make sense to issue a joint NHL/NHLPA press release on the many Bill Daly. There is no record of a response from Daly in the documents. things that we are doing?” Echemendia wrote in a Feb. 8, 2008, email. “Given the cooperative spirit (NHL/NHLPA) on this issue, as well as the The NHL has fought in court for months to prevent the emails from Dr. importance and visibility, does it make sense to begin discussions Meeuwisse and the NHL team doctor from being made public, but the regarding a joint NHL/NHLPA retired players study? I just provided league lost that battle on Tuesday when a U.S. federal court judge independent consultation [to] the NFL on the study they are planning and unsealed more than two dozen court exhibits that included that email I know where they are headed.” string. Grand forwarded Dr. Echemendia’s email to Daly. In a judgment released Tuesday, Judge Susan Richard Nelson wrote that while the NHL objected to the unsealing of the emails about Havlat, “I am not sure we want to start focusing on a retired players’ study at this “citing a chilling effect on deliberations regarding medical issues,” the point,” Grand wrote in a Feb. 11, 2008, email. “Your thoughts? Ruben league failed “to present compelling reasons to overcome the seems to be pushing this b/c he keeps bringing it up.” presumption of public access to [the emails about Havlat’s injury and return to play.]” That wasn’t the only time the NHL was asked to pursue a study on concussions. Lawyers for a group of former players suing the NHL in a high-stakes concussion lawsuit say the doctor’s candid comments are evidence that Other email strings unsealed by the court show that an Ottawa-based even some physicians within the NHL’s own medical community feel company called Biokinetics asked the NHL to pursue similar research in conflicted about the pressure that players and their doctors face about 2002 that might help to make player helmets more effective. Grand returning to action after head injuries. dismissed the suggestion, saying the study "seemed expensive and unlikely to give us practical results that would be useful in reducing The documents unsealed Tuesday are the latest set of emails and injuries." records that have been opened to public scrutiny since the NHL concussion litigation began during the autumn of 2013. In 2010, Baycrest Medical Centre asked Toronto Maple Leafs part owner Larry Tanenbaum to help begin a study of retired NHL players. Two The NHL has argued in the proposed class action lawsuit in U.S. federal years later, in 2012, Columbia University researchers also asked for court in Minneapolis that NHL players can educate themselves and “put similar help from the NHL. two and two together” about the dangers of repeated head trauma. The league had asked the court to keep the 27 court exhibits sealed, arguing The NHL has reportedly refused to fund any head trauma research. In their release would hurt the league’s competitive interests and chill future January, USA Today reported the NHL has not given money to any of the internal debates about player safety. four centres leading research into neurodegenerative diseases and earlier this year, the NHL retained a medical expert in its concussion But lawyers for the group of former players say the NHL has marketed litigation who argues chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, does not and profited from violence and has abdicated its responsibility to inform exist as a disease. players about the long-term risks of concussions. Those lawyers say the new public documents are evidence that some NHL executives have held “...tree huggin, never played sport, leftist doctors...” in contempt at least some doctors who work on concussion-related Some of the released emails disclosed describe the behind-the-scenes issues. debate at the NHL following the death in January 2009 of Don The court filings also highlight the NHL’s lack of interest in helping Sanderson, a player in an Ontario men’s senior league who died after his researchers learn whether NHL players are more likely than the general helmet came off and he hit his head on the ice during a fight. Weeks after Sanderson’s death, Stephen Walkom, the NHL’s director of officiating, discussed with colleagues possible rule changes to prevent other serious injuries. Johanna Kytola, who worked in the NHL’s officiating department, emailed Walkom on Feb. 10, 2009, to ask whether a consensus had been reached on new rules regarding fighting. “Ya love it, much to the dismay of the tree huggin, never played sport, leftist doctors… that soon won’t let us climb stairs for fear of concussion...” Walkom responded. “Well ultimately you can never get rid of fighting... No matter what the injury risk ;)” Kytola wrote. Kytola wrote that she thought fighting would decrease in future seasons and asked whether other NHL executives supported the notion of ejecting players from games after two fights rather than three. “Not a big change but we must demonstrate that we care about safety and want to minimize fighting in the game… at a minimum keep helmets on and secured during fights...” Walkom replied. Over the following weeks, more emails and records showed some players and staff had worries about the NHL’s handling of injuries. Records from the NHL general manager meetings in March 2009 describe former NHLPA official Glenn Healy telling NHL executives that players who asked their teams for second medical opinions following injuries “often received grief from clubs.” Media at a “hysterical period” One court exhibit featured notes from a general managers’ meeting during the 2013-14 season. The date of the meeting is unclear although it occurred sometime before the Sochi Olympics in February 2014. GMs and NHL officials again discussed rules for fighting, particularly after high-profile incidents involving Montreal Canadiens forward George Parros and Chicago goalie Ray Emery. Parros was knocked out during a fight in Montreal’s season-opening game on home ice. Emery weeks later skated down the ice during a game against Washington and picked a fight with Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. “The media is at a hysterical period on this subject,” Bettman is quoted as saying. “It’s a combination of concussions, the NFL news, the Parros situation and the Emery situation. We need to push back a bit on what is being written on it. We should not have this debate publicly whether you support it or not. You can do what you want but it is being made more important than it is. Ken Dryden’s book and Bobby Orr’s books come out with conflicting views. Having this public debate is not good. Please don’t speak to the media about it. Helping the media with the controversy of the issue doesn’t help things.” Later in the meeting, San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson asks for guidance if media ask about fighting. “The consensus right now is status quo,” Bettman is quoted as answering. “If media asks about this, deflect the question. Tell them we are having a great season and we will continue to look into issues that come up in the future.” TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 1057775 Websites But the Senators have been able to withstand offensive slumps from Stone, Bobby Ryan and Brassard down the stretch and qualify for the playoffs. TSN.CA / Sens clinch playoff spot, but not how they planned They may not have earned a nickname like the Pesky Sens, but one could certainly make an argument that this year’s club is every bit as resilient as the squad that captured everybody’s hearts four years ago. By Ian Mendes Under Boucher, the Senators never went more than two games without getting a point – a claim that no other Eastern Conference team can make. In a season of tumultuous ups and downs, the Senators were actually the epitome of calm, cool and collected. In mid-August, Guy Boucher sat down for lunch with Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and made a bold claim. And in what had to be a sign of the hockey gods finally smiling on the Senators, it seemed fitting that the Senators would clinch a playoff berth The new head coach – who hadn’t even run a single practice with his on Clarke MacArthur’s 32nd birthday on Thursday night – with the team – told Melnyk that he believed the 2016-17 Ottawa Senators were veteran forward in the lineup. definitely a playoff team. And if they could avoid injuries, Boucher felt his squad could be a Stanley Cup contender. Just imagine telling a Senators fan a few weeks ago that the Senators would clinch a playoff spot with MacArthur in the lineup, but Karlsson out Boucher has looked like a genius with the first part of his claim, guiding due to injury. the Senators to a playoff berth after the club fell 11 points short of that goal last season. But the journey to this point was probably not how Nobody would have predicted that scenario unfolding a couple of weeks Boucher envisioned it unfolding. ago. In one of his first practices as a head coach, Boucher watched helplessly But once again, it’s a great example of how the 2016-17 Senators got the as veteran forward Clarke MacArthur was crushed along the boards by destination that Guy Boucher was hoping for – just not taking the route minor league defenseman Patrick Sieloff. MacArthur’s subsequent anybody expected. concussion cast a dark shadow over the rest of training camp and suddenly left Boucher without one of his top-six forward options. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.08.2017 Another top-six forward, Mark Stone, was also felled by a training camp concussion, while Curtis Lazar was sidelined with a case of mononucleosis. This was not the start Boucher had in mind when he proclaimed the Senators would make the playoffs. And yet, unbeknown to most, there was still another piece of terrible news looming on the horizon. Partway through training camp, the club announced that Craig Anderson would be leaving the team to attend to a personal situation. In November, it was publicly revealed that Anderson’s wife Nicholle had been diagnosed with cancer and the Senators were granting their No. 1 netminder the ability to leave the team as he saw fit. For a 68-day window in the middle of the season, the Senators were without their top goalie. And so they turned to Mike Condon – who had bounced between Montreal and Pittsburgh in the fall – to essentially save their season. While Pierre Dorion has certainly made bolder and splashier trades – think Derick Brassard and Alex Burrows – his acquisition of Condon for a fifth-round draft pick from Pittsburgh will go down as his best trade to date. Condon appeared in a franchise-record 27 consecutive games and provided No. 1 goaltending to a team that desperately needed it. He held down the fort until Anderson was ready to return in the middle of February. Naturally, Anderson posted a shutout in his first start back. But when Anderson returned, he was playing behind a team that had bought into Boucher’s game plan. And maybe playing without Anderson forced everyone to tighten up defensively, because by the middle of February, this was no longer the loosey-goosey bunch that allowed Auston Matthews to score four goals on opening night. Instead, the Senators had transformed into an airtight defensive squad that seemed to adhere to Boucher’s system. Boucher’s system became a favourite hashtag amongst Senators fans on social media, as they would often use #TheSystem to explain victories over more talented opponents like Pittsburgh, Chicago and Washington. Boucher’s system became this team’s identity – much like how the team used the #PeskySens moniker on Twitter a couple of years ago. The Pesky Sens were never more evident than in 2012-13, when they played a significant portion of the lockout-shortened campaign without the likes of Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza, Craig Anderson, Milan Michalek and Jared Cowen. They were praised for their performance in the face of adversity, but this year’s edition of the Senators has given that group a pretty good run for their money. In addition to the early-season injuries and absences, the Senators were suddenly hit with a rash of significant injuries down the stretch of this season. Top defensemen like Cody Ceci, Marc Methot and Erik Karlsson have all missed time in the past two weeks, which suddenly put Ottawa’s playoff spot into serious jeopardy. Up front, Mark Stone missed a significant amount of time in late February with an injury and hasn’t looked 100 per cent healthy since returning. Stone is currently mired in a 14-game goalless drought, which is exceedingly rare for one of the most consistent offensive players on the roster. 1057776 Websites Kacey Bellamy scored two goals for Team USA in the championship game, and she said afterward players never lost faith during the contract negotiations. USA TODAY / World Championships gold has added meaning for U.S. That wasn’t easy, considering that USA Hockey officials, at one point, Women's National Hockey Team considered using replacement players. “We were being very optimistic,” Bellamy said. “We are such a tight-knit Kevin Allen , USA TODAY Sports 1:01 a.m. ET April 8, 2017 team. We knew this was the team they wanted to put on the ice. Luckily, we stuck together.”

Stauber thought Knight’s blocked shot was symbolic of the price the PLYMOUTH, Mich. — U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team coach Robb American women were willing to pay for the success. That was true on Stauber likes to tell his players “we don’t care who scores, but trust me, and off the ice. we remember who blocks shots." “It was indicative of our team the entire tournament,” Stauber said. Stauber, a former NHL goalie, is not likely to ever forget that it was a “Across the board, the effort this team gave, from Day 1 right through the blocked shot by Hilary Knight that led to her scoring the game-winning overtime, was a special effort” overtime goal in Team USA’s 3-2 win against Canada at the IIHF World Championships. In the long run, the women’s victory in winning financial security will greatly boost American women’s hockey. But remaining champions of “I don’t know what a fan paid for a ticket tonight, but they should have the world made the triumph even sweeter. doubled it because it was a good hockey game,” Stauber said. “That was a quite a fight they had coming in,” Stauber said. “They felt After the first period, former Canadian women’s hockey star Cassie strongly about certain situations and they fought hard for what they Campbell tweeted that it was the fastest women’s game she had ever believed in. Obviously USA Hockey believed in them because they came seen played. together in the end." That 1st period of hockey between @HC_Women and @usahockey was USA TODAY LOADED: 04.08.2017 the fastest period of womens hockey I have ever seen. Wow! — Cassie Campbell (@CassieCampbell) April 8, 2017 It was a memorable game because it gave Team USA its seventh gold medal in the past eight World Championships, and three in a row since Team USA lost to Canada at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. It was an emotional game for the American women because they had been riding a roller coaster since March 15, when they threatened to boycott the World Championships if they didn’t receive a new contract from USA Hockey that would give them the financial support they needed to stay active in the sport in non-Olympic years. The American women didn’t even know they would be playing in the World Championships until USA Hockey officials agreed to a new deal three days before the start of the tournament. The new financial package — paying players around $70,000 in non- Olympic years and potentially more than $100,000 in an Olympic year — was a major “win” that could change American women’s hockey for years to come, but players understood the story needed a happy ending to make it more meaningful. “The negotiation process took a toll,” Knight said. “But we knew there would be a bond that would be unbreakable. We set a historic landmark for the next generation. (What we wanted was) to build off that, to come in with momentum, and then win our next world championship.” It was fitting that Knight netted the game-winner because she was one of the spokespersons for the women’s fight for the improved financial package. She blocked a shot just inside her team’s defensive zone, and then head- manned the puck to speedy Kendall Coyne. Quickly, the Americans were jetting up-ice on a three-on-two break. Coyne had no doubt about what she needed to do. “When you have the best player in the world behind you, you get the puck to her,” Coyne said. Coyne also had no doubt about what Knight would do because Coyne had given her specific instructions. “Between periods, I told her, ‘Just rip it,' ” Coyne said. Knight buried the shot high into the net to create the storybook ending. HILARY KNIGHT!!! #2017WWCpic.twitter.com/rIdNDVwCRY — Blinn Manuel Miranda (@NHLBlinn) April 8, 2017 No one wanted to talk about the beauty of the goal, preferring to discuss the work that went into the goal and the championship. “For a couple of weeks leading up to the tournament we just kept telling each other to stay focused, to keep up with the training, on and off the ice, and mentally, because we knew there was a chance that we would be coming in at the last minute,” Team USA goalie Nicole Hensley said. “Everyone bought in.” 1057777 Websites

USA TODAY / Hilary Knight's OT goal gives Team USA gold over Canada at World Championships

Kevin Allen , USA TODAY Sports Published 10:35 p.m. ET April 7, 2017 | Updated 4 hours ago

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — U.S. women’s hockey players took home both the money and the gold from the IIHF World Championships on Friday. Ten days after agreeing to a new four-year contract that will allow American women to stay in the sport longer, Hilary Knight scored at 10:17 of overtime to give the Americans a 3-2 win against Canada in the championship game in front of a sold-out crowd at USA Hockey Arena. Knight started the game-winning play by blocking a shot in the American defensive zone. Taking advantage of a 3-on-2 break, Kendall Coyne set up Knight for the game-winner, a rising shot from the slot. The U.S. women have now won seven of the past eight World Championships. It was an emotional win for the American women, who had threatened to boycott the World Championships if they didn’t receive a contract that would change the landscape of women’s hockey in America. Demanding what they called a “livable wage,” the Americans finally received a new deal that will pay them around $70,000 in non-Olympic years and potentially more than $100,000 in Olympic years. Their new deal came only three days before they opened the tournament with a win over the Canadians in the preliminary round. Knight was one of the vocal leaders of the players’ demands for an improved financial package. The U.S. player of the game was Kacey Bellamy, who scored twice. Her second goal had given Team USA a 2-1 lead 42 seconds into the third period, but Canada tied it on a power-play goal by Brianne Jenner at 9:44 of the period. Team USA’s Brianna Decker was in the penalty box for hooking. As expected, the game was evenly played. The game was tied 1-1 after two periods and Canada had a 20-17 edge in shots. The game felt that close, with both teams pressuring the opposition at various times. Former Canadian Olympic star Cassie Campbell tweeted after the first period of Friday’s game that it was the fastest period of women's hockey she had ever seen. Meghan Agosta scored at 1:01 of the first period to give Canada a 1-0 lead, and Bellamy had answered at 4:34 to tie the game. USA TODAY LOADED: 04.08.2017