SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 06/04/17 1066214 Analysis: Fighting remains relevant as NHL continues to 1066241 The Latest: Catfish! And Hagelin in Pens lineup for Game evolve 3 1066242 Downtown packed for Final debut in Nashville Bruins 1066243 AP source: Okposo visits Sabres for 1st time since illness 1066215 Golden Knights GM George McPhee fielding offers 1066244 Stanley Cup Final: Game 3 recap 1066216 The Capitals’ dilemma: What to do with Alex Ovechkin? 1066245 Penguins young and old benefit from 's 1066217 AP source: Okposo visits Sabres for 1st time since illness leadership 1066218 Penguins' counterattacking style demoralizing to 1066246 Nashville responds with 5-1 victory over in opponents Game 3 1066219 Harris: says coach’s challenge stands up to 1066247 Tom Powers: NHL goalies have outgrown their nets NHL review 1066220 What happens in Buffalo may stay in Vegas with George Canadiens McPhee and fellow general managers in talks as 1066248 Predators prey on Penguins 5-1 with help from boisterous expansion fans 1066221 Combine Notebook: Keith Petruzzelli feels he’s top goalie 1066249 What the Puck: Canadiens need to solve the Alex prospect in NHL draft Galchenyuk enigma 1066222 Mike Harrington: Fans were ready as Preds provide quite 1066250 Predators fans let fish fly as Nashville hosts first Stanley a show Cup Final game 1066223 Stanley Cup Notebook: Former Sabre 1066251 Martina McBride sings National Anthem before Game 3 of has had chances with Pens Stanley Cup Final 1066224 NHL Scouting Combine Notebook: Sabres can find D; 1066252 Predators send noise level soaring at Bridgestone Arena yelling for Buffalo 1066253 Live Updates: Penguins lead Predators 1-0 in Game 3 1066225 Vegas' McPhee has Sabres' attention, along with every 1066254 Alan Jackson pumps up Predators fans before Game 3 of other team Stanley Cup Final 1066226 Pens at Preds Game Three: Five Things to Know 1066255 Pekka Rinne expected to start for Predators, PA 1066227 Sabres' Botterill, Vegas' McPhee have talk that goes Parenteau to debut in Stanley Cup Final 'really well' 1066256 Can the Preds find a formula and a way? Our writers 1066228 'Eichel Tower' family recalls magical day in Nashville with debate Sabres star 1066257 Flo Pilote helped Nashville win its first hockey 1066229 Road to the NHL Draft: Nico Hischier championship 1066230 After scouting combine, Victor's David Farrance one step 1066258 Officials to make crowd control changes before Monday's closer to NHL Draft Game 4 1066259 Predators claw back into Stanley Cup Final with Game 3 win over Penguins 1066231 Eric Francis: Former Flames coach fun face of hockey in 1066260 Massive crowds cause safety concerns during Game 3 of Nashville Stanley Cup Final 1066261 Predators, Pekka Rinne strike back in style 1066262 Third-period analysis: 2 more goals give Nashville first win 1066232 Penguins' counterattacking style demoralizing to of Stanley Cup Final opponents 1066263 P.K. Subban was right as Predators make Stanley Cup Final a series again 1066233 Player Profiles: Jason Spezza should get more time at Devils center and benefit from that 1066264 Devils, Needing an Answer, Query the Top N.H.L. Prospects Red Wings 1066265 How the Stanley Cup Wound Up in a Canal, or Didn’t 1066234 goalie Petr Mrazek 'has to improve his 1066266 While Nashville Parties, the Predators Cut Loose game' 1066267 Stanley Cup Final on TV today: What time, channel is 1066235 : Griffins beat Crunch in double-overtime, 6-5, Penguins vs. Predators Game 3 (6/3/17)? NHL take 2-0 series lead 2017 1066236 Griffins win in overtime, lead Calder Cup Final 2-0 1066268 Help wanted both up front and on defense for Devils 1066237 Live chat: at in 1066269 The skinny on Patrick, Hischier Game 2 1066270 Devils face pressure to make right pick at No. 1 1066238 Live scoring, stats: Predators vs. Penguins, Game 3 of the 1066239 Ben Street provides better double-OT finish for himself 1066271 Henrik Lundqvist played with injured knee in World and Griffins Championships 1066240 Hyde: We're not Loserville — but past 3 years have been tough | Commentary Ottawa Senators Maple Leafs 1066272 Top cop to eat crow, wear Penguins jersey 1066313 Busy times for ahead of expansion draft Flyers 1066314 Predators make series of it with huge, noisy Game 3 1066273 Hischier and Patrick also close in fitness testing victory: Arthur 1066274 Vegas GM is high on Flyers' goalie 1066315 Leafs talk with big Steelheads Hague 1066275 Hischier or Patrick? Flyers hope to feast on 'leftover' 1066316 Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators bounce back in Game 3 1066276 'Once in the lifetime' opportunity for Patrick and Hischier of Stanley Cup final to dump 5-1 as the Flyers figure to draft one of them 1066317 Dino Ciccarelli cheering for Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake 1066277 Flyers hoping to strike gold in draft — beyond first round, Guentzel in his pursuit of playoff scoring record too 1066278 Flyers GM calls scouting combine a 'small Canucks piece' of the process 1066329 Jeff Paterson: Who's the No. 1 goalie? It's not Travis 1066279 Flyers sign Swedish forward Oskar Lindblom, extending Green's No. 1 priority team's youth movement 1066280 Justin Bieber is now a Pittsburgh Penguins fan Vegas Golden Knights 1066281 For sale: Stanley Cup replicas owned by Flyers' legend 1066318 Top projected NHL draft picks Nolan Patrick, Nico Hischier Dave Schultz not concerned about being No. 1 1066282 NBC airs Peter Laviolette’s F-bomb during Stanley Cup 1066319 Golden Knights likely to stay at No. 6 in NHL Entry Draft Final 1066320 GM George McPhee says Golden Knights ready to deal 1066283 Guentzel's goal lifts Penguins by Predators 5-3 in Game 1 1066321 Line changes: How hockey substitutions work and why 1066284 NHL's international plan includes China but not Olympics they’re so important 1066285 Sidney Crosby: an appreciation | Mike Sielski 1066286 END TO END: WHAT TO MAKE OF FLYERS NOT SIGNING SAMUEL DOVE-MCFALLS? 1066322 The Latest: Rinne starting for Preds, Bonino likely out 1066287 Stanley Cup Final on TV today: What time, channel is 1066323 Downtown packed for Stanley Cup Final debut in Nashville Penguins vs. Predators Game 3 (6/3/17)? NHL Playoffs 1066324 Las Vegas NHL team ready to deal before expansion draft 2017 1066325 AP source: Okposo visits Sabres for 1st time since illness 1066326 GEORGE MCPHEE ON TRADING FOR ALEX Pittsburgh Penguins OVECHKIN: 'THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN' 1066288 Chipped Ice A.M.: Penguins' Sidney Crosby targets 1066327 CAPITALS GOALIE COACH MITCH KORN TAKING trouble spots heading into Game 3 TIME TO CONSIDER FUTURE WITH TEAM 1066289 Live at Game 3: Penguins at Predators 1066328 SHOULD THE CAPITALS ALEX OVECHKIN? 6 1066290 Plus-Minus: Predators 5, Penguins 1, Game 3, Stanley REASONS WHY IT WON'T HAPPEN Cup Final 1066291 Penguins' unfazed by his career-worst playoff Websites performance 1066331 .ca / Predators’ Game 3 victory will go down in 1066292 Gorman: Penguins get taste of Smashville in Game 3 loss Nashville lore 1066293 Penguins fall flat in Game 3 loss to Predators 1066332 Sportsnet.ca / Predators score five unanswered to down 1066294 Penguins notebook: out for Game 3; Carl Penguins in Game 3 Hagelin returns 1066333 Sportsnet.ca / Predators tempt fate but don’t get stung in 1066295 Sean Gentille: Please, Nashville, do not ruin the catfish Game 3 win thing 1066334 Sportsnet.ca / Rumour Roundup: Asking price high for 1066296 Bonino expected to miss Game 3 Canucks’ Chris Tanev 1066297 Sullivan not ruling out Bonino on skates Saturday 1066335 Sportsnet.ca / Ilya Kovalchuk still interested in returning to 1066298 Conor Sheary celebrates his goal in Game 1 of the the NHL Stanley Cup final against Nashville. (Matt 1066336 Sportsnet.ca / Sidney Crosby chirps P.K. Subban for Freed/Post-Gazett having bad breath 1066299 'Get the hell outta here:' A brief talk about $4K tickets with 1066337 Sportsnet.ca / Vegas GM downplays idea of acquiring a Bridgestone Arena scalper Ovechkin, Kovalchuk 1066300 Crosby, Malkin fail to record on goal 1066338 Sportsnet.ca / Projecting NHL rookie totals for Nolan 1066301 : No need to worry about Murray Patrick and Nico Hischier 1066302 Ron Cook: Predators goalie Rinne resurgent in Game 3 1066339 TSN.CA / Subban: Crosby said “my breath smelled bad” win 1066340 TSN.CA / Smashville no longer NHL novelty, now on the 1066303 Two quick goals shift momentum to Predators board in Cup Final 1066304 Penguins coach Sullivan still seeking improvement in 1066341 TSN.CA / Easy to see why Pens’ on head faceoffs coaching short lists 1066305 P.K. Subban: Sidney Crosby thinks I have bad breath 1066342 USA TODAY / Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final nearly perfect 1066306 Postgame: Predators 5, Penguins 1 for Predators and NHL 1066307 Dave Molinari: Penguins Report Card 1066343 USA TODAY / Predators claw back into Stanley Cup Final 1066308 Instant analysis: Penguins' power play punchless in Game with Game 3 win over Penguins 3 loss 1066344 USA TODAY / Nick Bonino out, Pekka Rinne in for Game 1066309 Predators take Game 3 from Penguins with 5-1 win 3 of Stanley Cup Final 1066310 Rex Ryan, Predators fans abuse Penguins 'smash car' 1066345 USA TODAY / Stanley Cup: Nick Bonino is game-time decision for Penguins in Game 3 1066311 Goalie Rinne keys Predators’ biggest win ever SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1066312 Lightning's Steven Stamkos: Hosting All-Star Game 'a little' bittersweet with no Olympics (w/ video) 1066214 Arizona Coyotes It highlighted the ability players still have to regulate themselves, as many believe fighting helps cut down on slashing and cheap shots since the perpetrators can be held accountable. Analysis: Fighting remains relevant as NHL continues to evolve What was also made clear was respect, unity and honor still matter to players and resonate with the fans supporting them. Sarah McLellan , azcentral sports 1:41 p.m. MT June 3, 2017 “To me, that’s everything,” said former Coyote Paul Bissonnette, who’s fought more than 50 times in the NHL.

Not every crunch against an elite player results in a fight; take the The Penguins are closing in on the Stanley Cup and possibly becoming Penguins, who have only two tussles on their scorecard during the the latest dynasty in the NHL. playoffs. And neither came after any of those incidents with Crosby. Another championship would be the organization’s second in as many Since 2008-09, the of fights per game has been cut in half from years, making Pittsburgh the first back-to-back winner since the late 0.6 to 0.3 with the percentage of games with fights falling from 41 to just 1990s, and the team would tie the Blackhawks for the most titles (three) under 25 percent. since 2009. The emphasis on speed and skill rather than just brawn helps explain the And yet the Penguins could be on the brink of a style makeover. drop off. On the eve of the Stanley Cup Final, Pittsburgh General Manager Jim So could the consequences of retaliation fighting. Each team loses the Rutherford told The Hockey News the Penguins’ approach has to adjust player who fights for at least five minutes as he serves a , and if in light of Sidney Crosby being a frequent target of his opponents this is a key player, the absence can sting. A power play may be this postseason. rewarded if one player is believed to have instigated the confrontation. And a fight can easily serve as a momentum swing that can boost one There was the cross-check to the head by Capitals defenseman Matt combatant’s team and hurt the other’s. Niskanen in the second round that induced a concussion, causing Crosby to miss a game. “Playing for (Coyotes coach ), there were a lot of times I’d want to do stuff and he’d say, ‘Now’s not the time. Now’s not the time,’” Another hit in the face came on the follow-through from a Mark Stone hit Bissonnette said. “A big part of it was learning how to pick my spots.” in the Eastern Conference Final against the Senators. Even though players aren’t choosing to fight as much as their And later in that same game, Crosby had water squirted at him from the predecessors once did, they have the option. And although it hasn’t been Ottawa bench and defenseman Marc Methot grabbed at his face during a exercised as much, there’s always the chance it rebounds to some scrum. extent, with Rutherford’s thoughts suggesting a mentality shift is possible. “I hear year after year how the league and everyone loves how the A resurrection of the enforcer, however, is unlikely. Penguins play,” Rutherford said. “‘They play pure hockey and they skate.’ Well, now it’s going to have to change and I feel bad about it, but it’s the Rule changes have already begun to infiltrate the sport to curb fighting. only way we can do it. We’re going to have to get one or two guys.” Last season, the began to issue an automatic As fighting has dwindled from the game in recent years, the role of the game misconduct for players who fought prior to or immediately after a enforcer has disappeared. To stay competitive in a salary-cap era, teams faceoff. Players also received a one-game suspension after their 10th have tried to maximize four lines and three defensive pairings with as fighting major during the regular season up to their 13th; after that, they much talent as possible instead of reserving spots for players who solely were tagged with a two-game ban. specialize in fisticuffs. In the Hockey League, players were suspended two games once But could on-ice vigilantes re-emerge? they fought three times. Maybe, but probably not. Bissonnette could see similar guidelines make it to the NHL but said players want to keep fighting in the game. Regardless, now isn’t the time to pull the plug on fighting – and not because of old-school nostalgia. Fighting as a staged gimmick isn’t as “Let’s allow guys to control it a bit in their own hands,” he said. relevant as it once was, like in the '70s when bench-clearing brawls were common. That doesn’t green-light the return of pugilists, though, because of how the style has already been minimized. What hasn’t faded, though, is the culture that instigates a scrap, the honor system that binds teammates and polices their foes. Today’s youth aren’t exposed to fighting as much as previous generations were, and while there is an upside to toughness, it isn’t Whether or not this attitude will eventually become extinct is unclear, but coveted by teams at the expense of drafting skill – especially since the the stakeholders – the players, coaches and GMs – should be the ones NHL could take steps in the future to eradicate fighting. So draft classes to evolve the game, even if that means beefing up their rosters as more featuring one-dimensional heavyweights remains doubtful. superstars enter the league. “If they can take care of themselves, that’ always a good thing,” said Honor means ‘everything’ Coyotes director of amateur scouting Tim Bernhardt. “But it’s almost like a bonus. It’s not something you’re going to say, ‘Let’s take this guy “Don’t tug on Superman’s cape.” because he can do it.’” That’s how play-by-play announcer explained an Data and cultural perspectives drive rule changes, said Dr. Javier interruption in the action during a Battle of between the Oilers Cardenas of the Barrow Neurological Institute, a sports neurologist who and Flames last October. serves as a sideline consultant for Cardinals and Arizona State football home games. As soon as Oilers captain Connor McDavid was directed into the boards by Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland after his shot went wide, Both are important to keep in mind amid the concussion-conscious Engelland was confronted by the Oilers’ Milan Lucic and the two dropped climate that's settled in over sports. their gloves. While fighting certainly opens up the possibility for injury, it isn’t causing The message was hard to miss; McDavid, who went on to lead the as many concussions as hits. Cardenas, citing a study from the British league in points and cement his status as one of the sport’s most Journal of Sports Medicine published in 2015, said 88 percent of electrifying artists, was off-limits. concussions in the NHL are from body checking, with 12 percent a result of fighting. Setting this tone didn’t prevent others from trying to rattle McDavid; Ducks center Ryan Kesler pestered him throughout the teams’ second- “On one side, you have purists who say, ‘It kind of keeps people in check round meeting earlier this postseason. for dirty plays,’” Cardenas said. “On the other hand, you say, ‘Well, culturally, is that something we want people to adopt out on the ice or in But the fight wasn’t meaningless. their daily lives and is this something that should be modeled in terms of Star players have long had teammates stand up for them to try to give sportsmanship?’ Those are other decisions that people who are in the them extra room on the ice. Dave Semenko and Marty McSorley are best rule-making need to consider.” known as ’s bodyguards in the '80s and ‘90s, and Lucic issued the same warning with his bout. Evolution is inevitable; just in the last 30 years, the NHL has gone from high-flying offenses in the ‘80s to the clutch-and-grab trapping of the ‘90s, and then a crackdown on obstruction through the 2000s that’s helped fuel an eye-popping speed that headlines today’s action. The league could be embarking on another distinct era with a talented cast like Crosby, McDavid and Scottsdale’s Auston Matthews at the helm – a unique collection of superstars that may end up requiring regular protection to ensure they stay on the ice and not on injured reserve after a string of slashes and spears. Or not. Teams will decide how best to surround these players. And adding a bit more grit may end up being the solution to ultimately providing what everyone wants: hockey that excites, entertains and enthralls.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066215 “It’s really easy to get to the floor,” said McPhee. “It happens quickly. Even without taking bad contracts you can get to the floor in a hurry. We learned that in our mock drafts. It’s easy to get there. That won’t be an Golden Knights GM George McPhee fielding offers issue. It’s managing how much we are going to take on. So we are certainly willing to take on some contracts, if the price is right.”

Including a draft pick or two? By Kevin Paul Dupont “Yes,” emphasized McPhee, “it would have to.” GLOBE STAFF JUNE 3, 2017 Bowers a keeper?

Shane Bowers, a left-shooting center ranked the 16th-best skater in BUFFALO — Nolan Patrick, a strapping 6-foot-3-inch center from North America for the upcoming draft, could be on the Bruins’ radar. , is the likely No. 1 pick in the NHL entry draft later this month, They have the No. 18 pick, although Sweeney said Friday that he is open and he was the focus of much media attention Saturday at the league’s to dealing it away for immediate help. annual testing combine. One way or the other, Bowers will be in Boston for the 2017-18 season. But it was the shorter (5-9) and older (58) ex-forward, George McPhee, After two years in the USHL (Waterloo), the Halifax, Nova Scotia, native who truly commanded the stage. will suit up for Boston University. McPhee, the former longtime general manager of the Washington “I think I am a complete two-way forward,” said Bowers, who said he also Capitals, these days is GM of the Vegas Golden Knights, and he made it received scholarship offers from Boston College, Wisconsin, and clear that he plans to be aggressive in the trade market in the days Minnesota-Duluth. “I can play all three zones and be responsible no leading to the June 21 expansion draft. matter where I am on the ice.” Could that portend a deal that would have the Bruins send Bowers, 17, will join a BU squad that suddenly has ample roster space. underperforming winger Matt Beleskey to Vegas? Possibly. Upon the conclusion of the season, both Forsbacka Karlsson and Charlie McAvoy turned pro with the Bruins. After only one season with the “Well, there’s certainly been a lot of discussion,” said McPhee, noting he Terriers, center Clayton Keller turned pro with the Coyotes and left wing spent much of the past five days talking to fellow GMs about myriad Kieffer Bellows decided junior hockey would be his stairway to hockey prospective deals. “Most of the guys have been really forthright in what heaven. they want to do, who they’ll probably expose, and who they’d like to protect. We’re trying to find ways to accommodate each other.” It was the BU coaching staff, along with the school’s state-of-the-art hockey facilities, that convinced Bowers to choose the Terriers. From the Bruins’ perspective, GM stands to lose one of his valued right-side defensemen, Adam McQuaid or Kevan Miller. GMs in “I felt comfortable on the campus,” he said, “and could picture myself similar situations have been proposing trades to McPhee ahead of the playing there.” draft — deals that could be announced as early as Monday or Tuesday — in order to get the Vegas GM not to select one of their coveted, yet unprotected, players on June 21. Boston Globe LOADED: 06.04.2017 “There are teams that really want to protect some people,” said McPhee, “and protect their rosters, and they are willing to pay a pretty fair price to get us to lay off certain people and get us to go in a certain direction.” In the Bruins’ case with Beleskey, who is due $11 million over the next three years, they would have to be creative to entice McPhee to bite. It likely would mean the Bruins adding a draft pick, perhaps a second- or third-rounder, or perhaps a lesser pick or two if Boston offered to keep a portion of Beleskey’s salary. If the clubs could consummate a deal on Beleskey, McPhee in turn would agree not to select McQuaid or Miller in the expansion draft. The Bruins then would have room to promote one of their prospects — kids such as Peter Cehlarik, Jake DeBrusk, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, or Anders Bjork. Beleskey was signed in July 2015 as a free agent, the first big UFA acquisition in Sweeney’s tenure. The ex-Duck had a decent first season in Black and Gold, but dipped badly in 2016-17, a knee injury playing part in his low production (3-5—8 in 49 games). When the season ended, Beleskey and fellow winger Jimmy Hayes were immediately pegged by the media as potential buyout candidates. If the Bruins were to buy out Beleskey, they would be forced to carry approximately $1.3 million for six more seasons. Moving him to Vegas, even at the cost of contributing $1 million a season toward his deal, would be the better bargain, albeit with the accompanying cost of adding a draft pick. McPhee said that he is open to taking on pricey deals, but he will be insistent on teams adding draft picks. Vegas will have the No. 6 pick in the first round of the entry draft on June 23. “I’d certainly like to be in a surplus situation for a few years,” said McPhee, referring to his appetite to horde draft picks. “Based on the way discussions are going, we are going to get some picks — certainly would like to load up there if we could. “We are willing to take on a couple of contracts that people would like to move. We have a lot of teams that are offering us big contracts. And I know what it’s like to be on the other side and be tight on the cap. It’s hard to move contracts. So they are looking at us as an opportunity to move a contract. We’ll take a few of those — for the right price.” Per league rules, Vegas must have a minimum $43.8 million committed to salaries upon the conclusion of the expansion draft. Once the season begins, the franchise must be at the league minimum of about $74 million (exact figure to determined later this month). 1066216 Boston Bruins performance. It is the second-lowest output of his career, well off the 528-shot unicorn he recorded in 2008-09, when 56 of his launches hit the back of the net. The Capitals’ dilemma: What to do with Alex Ovechkin? At even strength, Ovechkin scored a career-low 16 goals in 2016-17. Consider that in 2007-08, Ovechkin scored 43 of his 65 goals at even strength. By Fluto Shinzawa The captain finished the second round as Trotz’s third-line left wing. If GLOBE STAFF JUNE 3, 2017 Ovechkin is becoming a bottom-six five-on-five forward and a power-play specialist, he is doing so at an unreasonable cost.

“I think for him moving forward — he’s getting in the low 30s — I think Perhaps the hardest part of a general manager’s job is to explain to his he’s going to have to think of ways he can evolve into a player that still wealthy and successful boss that sometimes, even with every safeguard has a major impact on the game,” MacLellan said. “The game’s getting put in place, a team is subject to bad puck luck. faster. He’s going to have to train in a different way — a more speed way instead of a power way. He’s going to have to make adjustments to stay Brian MacLellan did a good job of selling this fact to his owner. [relevant] in the game.” had every right to be steamed about the Capitals’ annual So while MacLellan will be right to take a hands-off approach with the parlor trick of playing Charlie Brown to Pittsburgh’s Lucy. But the rest of his lineup, it’s the GM’s duty to consider a hockey trade, not one Washington owner did not instruct his GM to initiate rash thinking, the of culture change, for Ovechkin. It will not be easy. kind that gets good coaches fired and trustworthy players traded. Instead, MacLellan sold his employer on the reality of the situation: that While Nashville and Toronto succeeded in trading Shea Weber and Dion being the NHL’s best team does not guarantee a parade, not when the Phaneuf, two aging go-to players on massive contracts, such deals have league is built to allow No. 16 seeds such as Nashville to be one of two been the exception. Unless Ovechkin can stall the assault of time, he will clubs still alive. join a segment currently occupied by , Rick Nash, , Zach Parise, Paul Stastny, David Krejci, and Bobby Ryan It’s why any change the Capitals will make will be organic instead of — good players, to be sure, but not ones that represent peak efficiency forced. Pending unrestricted free agents Karl Alzner, Kevin Shattenkirk, of their megabucks deals. Justin Williams, and Daniel Winnik will leave Washington, free to chase the dollars elsewhere that MacLellan has allocated to younger and better The more likely outcome is for the Capitals to hope that a shift in training players. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Andre Burakovsky, Dmitry Orlov, Nate will help Ovechkin recapture some of his five-on-five presence. Schmidt, and ex-Bruin Brett Connolly, who will be restricted on July 1, will get the raises they deserve. The Capitals still have enough pieces to be dangermen in the playoffs. As hard as it is to be patient, it’s a better team-building approach than Other than that, MacLellan does not intend to inflict further damage upon destruction. a roster still reeling from an early exit. As a former coach, cannot help but look first to the men “I don’t think it makes sense in my mind,” MacLellan told Washington standing behind the benches. From his analyst’s perspective at NBC reporters on Tuesday, “just to blow it up or make a major change.” Sports, the Walpole native fully approves of how his fellow Massachusetts coaches are performing. The roster MacLellan assembled gave the Capitals the better odds of beating the Penguins. Washington recorded more shot attempts than “The two Boston-area guys have done a superb job of managing talent,” Pittsburgh seven straight times. In Game 1, the Capitals had an 83-41 said Milbury of the Penguins’ Mike Sullivan and the Predators’ Peter attempted shot advantage. They kept up the heat in Game 2, holding an Laviolette. “So did the guy in Ottawa. As much as I detest the way 88-45 margin over the Penguins. Ottawa controls the game, you have to give [Guy Boucher] credit for their level of success. There’s no doubt these guys are making an impact and The Capitals lost both of the first two games because of the position that making their presence felt. Coaching does matter. That’s clear to me.” remains the most fickle in the game: . Braden Holtby, of all goalies, looked normal. Marc-Andre Fleury did not. Milbury has appreciated how Laviolette did not ease off the accelerator following Nashville’s first-round sweep of . By the end of the series, when Holtby began playing more like Holtby, it was too late. Fleury, meanwhile, made his magic last until the Eastern Under Laviolette’s watch, the Predators adapted from countering Conference finals, only to have a better goalie in Matt Murray regain Chicago’s skill to the straight-line, muscle-flexing preferences of St. Louis command of the crease. and Anaheim. Even after Nashville’s Game 1 loss to Pittsburgh, Milbury tipped his hat to the Predators for outplaying their opponent while Goaltending remains the sport’s most undependable variable, subject to missing first-line center Ryan Johansen. spikes at all times. “They’d win a round, then he’d change the lineup to address the new Pekka Rinne, immortal in the first round and very good in the next two, opponent,” Milbury said of Laviolette, his coach for two seasons on Long turned back into a pumpkin in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Island while GM of the Islanders. “I thought Nashville was toast without Final. Sergei Bobrovsky is likely to pose with the in Las Johansen. But they looked like the far better team [in Game 1] than the Vegas later this month. The Columbus goalie posted an .882 save Penguins, even if you drop the top centerman.” percentage in a five-and-out first round against Pittsburgh. Sullivan, meanwhile, has caught Milbury’s attention for his in-game The thing the 27-year-old Holtby has on his side is history. It dictates that management, which has included changing lines and chasing specific Washington’s ace will be just that next season and for years to come. matchups. Holtby is not the organization’s only star. Nicklas Backstrom is the team’s “Sullivan was all over the place with his line combinations, desperate to best player. The No. 1 center is 29 years old and showing no signs of get something going,” Milbury said of the Marshfield native’s approach to slowing down. Marcus Johansson (26), Kuznetsov (24), and Burakovsky wake up his sleepy team in Game 1. “He kept on trying to work it. He’s (21) are in their primes. Orlov (25) and Matt Niskanen (30) combine as had the team finding ways to win. They’re saying all the right things, too. I an excellent all-around defense pairing. If his asking price is reasonable, heard it particularly in Ottawa, where every player was speaking like Guy T.J. Oshie (30) could return. Plenty of coaches would raise their hands to Boucher. They bought into the style of play and system, and the coaches show their interest in this level of firepower. they’re working for. They give each team a bit of identity that is pretty MacLellan’s primary dilemma, however, revolves around the oldest clear to witness. For me, as a former player and coach, it’s interesting to player of the Capitals’ core: 31-year-old Alex Ovechkin. MacLellan’s watch those guys operate. They’ve been superb, in my mind.” worry is not related to the usual silliness surrounding Ovechkin, such as You can look at replays all you want, from any camera angle and on whether he wants to win, if he’s a selfish hot dog, or how he will every screen imaginable. The regular conclusion, as was the case with incorporate his shoot-first approach into coach Barry Trotz’s system. ’s offside ruling in Game 1 of the Cup Final, is that such The organization’s nightmare is that the weight of Ovechkin’s 921 career plays are inconclusive. Which gets to the heart of the matter regarding games is showing up in his legs. If so, four more years at nearly $10 the ludicrous offside and goaltender interference challenges: Replays million annually will not be kind to the Capitals if this is the beginning of often only muddy what they should clarify. Ovechkin’s end. Consider the review in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, when Ovechkin landed 313 shots on net, second-most in the league after Brent the Penguins’ Trevor Daley had seemingly slipped the puck past Burns (320). Ovechkin’s proper context, however, is within his own Senators goalie Craig Anderson. Following Guy Boucher’s challenge, the ruling was that Daley had interfered with Anderson’s ability to make the . . When Pekka Rinne made his pro debut for Karpat of Finland’s SM- save by appearing to push the puck-stopper’s right pad. Referees Chris Liiga in 2001-02, Tim Thomas was one of the future Nashville goalie’s Rooney and Kelly Sutherland interpreted the play in this manner. Other teammates. Thomas was picked in the ninth round of the 1994 draft by referees may have seen it differently. This difference of opinion renders Quebec. Ten years later, the Predators nabbed Rinne in the eighth the entire review exercise practically irrelevant. As noted repeatedly in round. Now that’s value . . . Andover’s Max Prawdzik made the most of this space, the league had good intentions when introducing the taking off the spring semester from Boston University. The 20-year-old challenge system. goalie helped the Lone Star Brahmas beat the Aston Rebels to win the North American Hockey League championship. The former Brooks “What was intended with the coach’s challenge was to address the School puck-stopper has since returned to BU . . . Goaltending coaches glaring instance where an official didn’t see something that took place,” usually run their sessions with only their charges in mind. But Eli Wilson, commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters in Pittsburgh prior to Game 1 who has worked with Tuukka Rask, is teaming with skills coach Darryl of the Cup Final. “We are extremely comfortable with the fact that the Belfry for a three-day camp in Delta, British Columbia, starting June 9. officials in a coach’s challenge now have an opportunity to take a second Belfry, who is working with the Toronto Maple Leafs, counts Sidney look and see if they’re comfortable with their call. That’s what the coach’s Crosby, , and John Tavares among his clients. It makes challenge was intended to do.” sense for goalies and skaters to target their counterparts’ weaknesses, But NHL referees and linesmen rarely blow it. They almost never miss share secrets, and make each other better. . . . One day after Anders the slam-dunk calls such as Matt Duchene’s offside goal in 2013. Bjork signed with the Bruins, fellow Notre Dame standout Cal Petersen Instead, the officials are now responsible for hair-splitting circumstances announced he would not return to campus for his senior season. Good — the ones that, decided either way, do little to enhance the game. news for the Bruins and Sabres, but a tough 1-2 punch for the Fighting Irish, who are down two of their best players in their bid for a repeat visit It is nonsense for every coach, following an opposing goal, to look down to the Frozen Four. immediately at the screen on his bench to check for an errant skate entering the offensive zone a centimeter ahead of the puck. Nobody . . . The NHL delivered a knockout punch to 2018 Olympic participation would miss the challenges if they went away. by disclosing that Tampa’s Amalie Arena will host next year’s All-Star Game. The event had been scrubbed in previous Olympic years. Given Next generation is on the way the prickliness of international affairs in North Korea, perhaps the sport’s best players will not grumble about spending part of late January in Nashville’s top-four defense of P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm, Roman friendlier Florida. Josi, and is the biggest reason for the team’s achievements. This iteration required refreshing that appeared painful at the time: Ryan Suter signing a megadeal with Minnesota, Seth Jones being traded to Columbus for Ryan Johansen, and Shea Weber being moved to Fluto Shinzawa Montreal for Subban. The clock, however, is already ticking on this setup. Boston Globe LOADED: 06.04.2017 Ellis will be unrestricted after 2019. The right-shot defenseman will at least double his current average annual value of $2.5 million. By then, Dante Fabbro could be ready to succeed Ellis. Fabbro, Nashville’s 2016 first-round pick, will be a Boston University sophomore this fall. Depending on his performance, Fabbro could turn pro in 2018-19. When Ellis reaches unrestricted status, Fabbro will be 21, perhaps groomed enough by then to be in Nashville’s lineup. Carolina defense breath of fresh air Carolina’s breakthrough is coming, perhaps as soon as 2017-18, when former Chicago backup goalie Scott Darling takes over the starting job. Darling will be behind a blue line that could be the next version of Nashville’s setup. Justin Faulk is already a go-to defenseman. Jaccob Slavin is close. Norwood’s Noah Hanifin continues to learn. Former University of New Hampshire defenseman Brett Pesce is coming off a 2- 18—20 season. Faulk is the group’s graybeard at 25, while Hanifin is only 20. Slavin, Hanifin, and Pesce will remain on their entry-level deals in 2017-18, giving Carolina serious bang for the buck on the back end. The Hurricanes also have prospects Haydn Fleury (No. 7 overall, 2014) and Jake Bean (No. 13, 2016) pushing for pro work. GM Ron Francis could trade one of his young defensemen for up-front help, just like Predators GM did with Seth Jones to land Ryan Johansen. Gomez lands in Brooklyn The Islanders named Scott Gomez an assistant coach to Doug Weight on Tuesday. Gomez retired after the 2015-16 season with 181 goals and 575 assists in 1,079 games. The former New Jersey center will work with fellow newcomer Luke Richardson on Weight’s staff. Gomez, who won the Cup in 2003 with the cerebral Devils, joins an ever-growing group of bright-minded coaches and executives from that season. Others include Jamie Langenbrunner (director of player development, Bruins), (head coach, ), Jay Pandolfo (assistant coach, Bruins), Scott Niedermayer (player development coach, Anaheim), Joe Nieuwendyk (scout, Carolina), and Martin Brodeur (assistant GM, St. Louis). It would surprise nobody if ex-Devil Brian Gionta joined the list upon his retirement. Loose pucks Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion practically needed an entire afternoon to list all of his injured players: Erik Karlsson (ankle), Mark Borowiecki (ankle), Alex Burrows (ankle), Cody Ceci (finger), Zack Smith (ribs/abdominal muscles), Viktor Stalberg (ribs), Chris Neil (hand), Dion Phaneuf (wrist), Craig Anderson (back), Tom Pyatt (ankle), Derick Brassard (shoulder), Fredrik Claesson (back), Marc Methot (finger), Mark Stone (leg), and Ryan Dzingel (wrist). But no, there’s nothing wrong with the length of the NHL season. Really . . . Syracuse (Tampa Bay) and Grand Rapids (Detroit) started the Calder Cup Final on Friday. The entire run is available for free viewing at www.ahllive.com. Viewers must create an AHL Live account, select the all-access pass, and enter code FINALS17 . 1066217 Boston Bruins

AP source: Okposo visits Sabres for 1st time since illness

Staff Report Saturday, June 03, 2017

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A person with direct knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that forward Kyle Okposo has visited the Buffalo Sabres' facility for the first time in two months since he was hospitalized because of an undisclosed illness. The person says Okposo was in good spirits during the unannounced visit a few weeks ago and has since been attending family functions around Buffalo. Okposo is continuing to show signs of improvement, but the person says there is no timetable for when he will be cleared to skate. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres are not providing updates on Okposo's status, citing medical privacy laws. Okposo spent about a week undergoing tests at Buffalo General Hospital's neurosurgical intensive care unit in early April. He was first sidelined March 28 when he complained of feeling ill before a game at Columbus. Okposo had just returned to the lineup and played two games after missing 10 because of a rib injury.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066218 Boston Bruins tried to fend off similar frustration when seemingly every odd-man rush against was turning into a Penguins goal.

"It's easy to get frustrated when you feel like you played (better)," said Penguins' counterattacking style demoralizing to opponents Brooks Orpik, who won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009. "Whether you outplay a team for 55 minutes and you still have nothing to show for it, I think you've just got to just have belief in what you're doing that over the Staff Report course of 60 minutes or over time that eventually you're going to get the result that you want." Associated Press Saturday, June 03, 2017 After coming back to force a Game 7 and losing on home ice, the Capitals came away from the series believing they were the better team but were outplayed. The Predators are similarly talking now about the Through two games of the Stanley Cup Final, the Pittsburgh Penguins Penguins' fortunes on bounces but are trying not to fall into the same have been badly outshot, lost the majority of faceoffs and had the puck trap. far less than the Nashville Predators. "The chances that we've given up are low; the shot opportunities we've Yet, they lead the series 2-0, following a familiar script. given up are low," Laviolette said. "But yet we're finding ones that I think The Penguins frustrated the , Washington we can clean up and help take care of some of the situations that we're Capitals and Ottawa Senators with this unconventional method of leaving against an opportunistic team." winning. They're doing it again, needing just two more victories to win Every opponent can agree: Opportunistic is the best way to describe back-to-back championships. these Penguins. The Penguins scored three goals in a span of 3:08 in the third period of

Game 2. Pittsburgh won despite a 37-minute shot drought in Game 1. Boston Herald LOADED: 06.04.2017 "It's amazing," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "You've got to give Pittsburgh some credit here because they keep doing it. They get outplayed for long stretches, and then they counterattack and then they execute on the counterattack. They make the best of their scoring opportunities, and it seems to be a consistent pattern." It's a winning pattern that that could make Pittsburgh just the third team since the start of the salary-cap era in 2006 to be outshot and win the Cup, following the 2011 Boston Bruins and 2015 . The Penguins lost 44 of 77 faceoffs in Game 2 to fall under 50 percent for the series at 66-68. They've allowed 64 shots and taken 39 and been out-attempted 86-57 at 5-on-5 and are 1 of 10 on the power play. Nashville has controlled the play so far with nothing to show for it. "We can't just look at the numbers and say, 'Yeah, we're winning all the numbers but the scoreboard,'" Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said Thursday. "There's got to be things we got to do better." The Penguins are already 9-6 in these playoffs when outshot by an opponent, in part because they're scoring on a league-best 10.9 percent of their shots, which if it stands would be second-best among champions in the cap era behind only the 2010 Blackhawks. That kind of shooting success is difficult to sustain over 82 games but not impossible considering the firepower the Penguins have in Sidney Crosby, and . "They got three superstars on that team," Senators coach Guy Boucher said. "At some or another, they're going to get their looks. It's really tough to defend against that." It's even tougher when the goaltending can't match up. Pittsburgh's Marc- Andre Fleury and Matt Murray have combined for a .930 save percentage as Columbus' Sergei Bobrovsky put up an .882, Washington's Braden Holtby a .778 and Nashville's Pekka Rinne a .778 of his own through two games. You can't blame Ottawa's Craig Anderson and his .936 save percentage for not knocking out the Penguins, but there are plenty of other reasons the defending champs are still standing. Early in the first round, Columbus players called Penguins goals "lucky" and "fluky" and insisted everything would be all right if they continued to play their game. At one point, captain Nick Foligno said: "There's so much good that we're doing that it's going to break for us eventually." Sound familiar, Nashville? It didn't ever break for the Blue Jackets and they were ousted in five games despite putting 23 more shots on net than the Penguins. There's a reason Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan stresses a "counterattack mentality." Given the Capitals' 61-45 shot advantage through two games, Jay Beagle was asked if he was worried that his teammates sounded an awful lot like the Blue Jackets. Yeah, maybe. "You can feel like you're dominating them a little bit, dominating play in their zone a lot, and they strike," Beagle said. "They're really good at obviously capitalizing on their opportunities." Much like P.K. Subban said after the Predators' Game 2 Cup Final loss that they played well for all but about three crucial minutes, the Capitals 1066219 Boston Bruins the last (season) before the coach’s challenge. So in that regard, we think both are working well.

“Having said that, we’re constantly looking at what we can do to speed it Harris: Gary Bettman says coach’s challenge stands up to NHL review up and improve it and make sure it’s working well. Officials are a little more comfortable letting — when they’re not sure — an offside go, knowing that it get be corrected.” Stephen Harris Sunday, June 04, 2017 Bettman was asked if the league is contemplating opening up the coach’s challenge to plays other than offside or goalie interference. What if, for example, a tripping minor was called but a coach felt there was no The 2-year-old rule allowing NHL coaches to challenge a goal and seek a trip and it was a pure dive, and wanted a video review? video review, claiming the scoring play began with an offside entry into the attacking zone or that there was goaltender interference, has been no “I don’t think we want to be reviewing anything more by video,” Bettman friend to the Bruins. said with a facetious tone, “since it’s so well-received when we do it. Only one NHL team had more of its goals challenged during the 2016-17 “But the fact is, one of the things we’re going to look at is exactly how regular season than the B’s. And of the 16 times that happened to them, much time a coach is going to get to challenge. Sometimes the officials six goals were taken off the board — tied for the most in the league. And, take a little too long to go to the bench. The coaches do a variety of of course, the B’s saw it happen twice more during their razor-thin playoff things to take more time to look at the video. We’re going to contemplate loss to Ottawa. the possibility — we have to work this out — of putting a clock on how much time there is once a goal is scored. But beyond that, we think it’s In Game 4, a Noel Acciari goal was wiped off the board after a coach’s working the way it was intended to.” challenge showed an offside some 20 seconds earlier. The B’s lost, 1-0. The Panthers’ gain will be Boston’s loss. The Florida franchise made it And in overtime of Game 5, Acciari’s apparent game-winning goal was official Thursday that Shawn Thornton, the Bruins’ former on- and off-ice taken down because goaltender interference was ruled against Sean leader, is done as a player and will become a member of the team’s front Kuraly. office — with the august title of vice president, business operations. As with the shootouts that decide deadlocked regular-season games, the In years past, Thornton envisioned one possible post-hockey career path coach’s challenge is a controversial, love/hate area of the rulebook: as a return to Boston to work in the sports media, radio or television. But Teams love the rules when they work in their favor — and hate them early in his final NHL season, he was offered the front office position by when they’re on the wrong aside of the decision. Panthers president and CEO Matthew Caldwell. Particularly loathsome are the goals disallowed long after a player was, “I’ll be doing a little bit of everything,” Thornton said when the B’s visited maybe, a tenth of an inch offside — and wasn’t even a factor in the Florida in November. “Community relations, the business side, just scoring play that occurred 20, 30 seconds later. Also highly annoying is learning the whole business. that fact that the video reviews sometimes take several minutes, and even then, it too frequently seems, the ruling is inaccurate. “I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my career in hockey. The business side of operating an NHL team has always fascinated me.” These plays were certainly a source of great consternation throughout this season for the Bruins, who often seemed to be battling two Thornton, 39, was one of the most respected and well-liked players to opponents: The other team, and the guys in the NHL situation room in pass through the Bruins locker room in recent memory. After nine Toronto making the rulings on challenged plays. seasons in the AHL, he made the NHL for good in 2006-07, winning the Stanley Cup with Anaheim. He then spent seven seasons with the B’s But NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, speaking at a press conference and won a second Cup in 2011. The past three years, he was a part-time early last week before the start of the Stanley Cup final, expressed player for Florida. delight in the coach’s challenge system and said it will remain part of the game. He finished with 705 career NHL games, plus 105 more in the playoffs. He had 42-60-102 totals and 1,103 PIM. Hockeyfights.com lists 169 “While there’s lots of dialogue generated by the coach’s challenge, as fights for Thornton. well as video reviews for goalie interference and offside,” Bettman said, “they are working exactly as they were intended to: That is to provide He founded the Shawn Thornton Foundation, which, “fights to improve officials with an opportunity to get a better look at plays. the lives of those affected by cancer and Parkinson’s diseases.” The Foundation’s seventh annual Pucks and Punches for Parkinson’s Golf “We hear the commentary, ‘Well, it was just offside by a little bit. His Tournament will be held Aug. 14 at Middleton’s Ferncroft Country Club. skate was in the air.’ The fact of the matter is, it’s our job to make sure the rules are complied with, and the video replay through the coach’s challenge on offside has worked exactly as we hoped it would. The rule is the rule. We enforce it. Boston Herald LOADED: 06.04.2017 “Most interesting, I know people lose sight of this when they think about the delay that’s sometimes caused by a review — generally that’s because it’s a tough call — (but) there are 13 percent fewer offside calls this past season than there were the last season before we had the coach’s challenge. “(That) tells you two things: One, the players are responding to the fact that they know it’s going to get close scrutiny, and, two, my guess is on close calls officials are a little more comfortable letting — when they’re not sure — an offside go, knowing that it gets be corrected. “With respect to goaltender interference, let’s start with the fact that that is a judgment call. Everybody knows it’s a judgment call. If you’re on the wrong side of the outcome, you hate the rule — you don’t understand exactly what the standard is . . . all of those complaints. “What was intended with the coach’s challenge was to address the glaring instance where an official didn’t see something that took place. We are extremely comfortable with the fact that the officials in a coach’s challenge now have an opportunity to take a second look and see if they’re comfortable with their call. That’s what the coach’s challenge was intended to do.” Bettman said the challenge mechanism has reduced the instances of goalie interference calls. “Interestingly enough, I think the players are reacting to that, as well,” the commissioner said. “Because the number of goaltender interference penalties is actually down 22 percent this year compared to what it was 1066220 Boston Bruins

What happens in Buffalo may stay in Vegas with George McPhee and fellow general managers in talks as expansion draft looms

Steve Conroy Sunday, June 04, 2017

BUFFALO — The fact that George McPhee is the general manager of the new hockey franchise in Las Vegas presents the perfect metaphor for his current situation. McPhee right now holds all the cards against his fellow GMs. You want to keep a player but you can’t protect him in the expansion draft? McPhee’s your man, but it’ll cost you. Want to unload a bad contract? Get McPhee on the line — but be prepared to give up something to his Golden Knights. McPhee was at the home of the Buffalo Sabres this week for the NHL scouting combine, where he renewed ongoing conversations with the 30 other general managers. He said things are percolating enough that he should be able to announce some deals, maybe even within the next couple of days. “It’s been amazing, actually, since the start of this whole thing,” McPhee said. “The attention this franchise has garnered is certainly special for all of us, it’s stimulating and a positive experience all year long. But we’re that point now where we’ve planned and a prepared a lot, and now we have to deliver.” The Bruins won’t be able to protect every player that want to in the expansion draft, but they’re in pretty good shape. The guess here is that defenseman Kevan Miller will be protected, while Adam McQuaid, one of a handful of Stanley Cup winners still on the team, or Colin Miller, who was part of the Milan Lucic deal, will be left unprotected. But even if the B’s lose one of those two players, they’ll still be pretty well-stocked on the right side on defense with Brandon Carlo, Charlie McAvoy and Kevan Miller. What might be more pertinent to the Bruins is getting rid of a hefty contract. Matt Beleskey is bound to have a better year than the injury- plagued campaign of 2016-17, but it’s hard to imagine the left winger playing up to his contract, which is scheduled to pay him $3.8 million for the next three years. The B’s also have a bevy of prospects on the left side — Jake DeBrusk, Peter Cehlarik, Danton Heinen, Anders Bjork and Frank Vatrano — for whom Beleskey could represent a road block to their development. Would Beleskey’s contract be tempting to McPhee if it came with a third- round draft pick? Would Bruins general manager Don Sweeney, if he in fact does want to move Beleskey’s contract, go as high as a second- rounder? We’ll find out the answer to those and other questions between now and June 17, when teams have to have their protected lists into the league. But those are the kinds of conversations McPhee is having with his fellow GMs. Building the Golden Knights from the ground up, McPhee would like to have a surplus of draft picks in the club’s first couple of years. “We’re willing to take a couple of contracts that people would like to move,” said McPhee, who could also be the middle man for teams looking to get at others’ unprotected players. “We have a lot of teams that are offering us some big contracts. And I know what it’s like to be on the other side and tight on the (salary) cap. It’s hard to move contracts, so they’re looking at us to move a contract. And we’ll take a few of those. For the right price.” By the nature of the expansion beast, McPhee will be getting at least a few players who’ll be unhappy to be leaving their teams. McQuaid, for instance, expressed on breakup day that he’d very much like to remain a Bruin. But McPhee said he is not worried about those possible sentiments. “We’re not concerned about that, because players can be traded at any time — though players do seem to be worked up about expansion and where they fit with their clubs,” McPhee said. “But we’re pretty comfortable in feeling that whoever comes to Vegas is going to enjoy it. . . . With all that we have and if we do this right, we have a chance to win. And for most players, that’s all they want.” It should be an interesting couple of weeks.

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066221 Boston Bruins “(Patrick and Hischier) are different players, but the impact that they’ll have in the NHL will be very similar,” said director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr. Combine Notebook: Keith Petruzzelli feels he’s top goalie prospect in “It’s a very fine line between the two. We get the opportunity to spend a NHL draft lot of time with them and they’re both high character players, and coaches like that because those guys don’t require any maintenance. And they’re both competitors.” Steve Conroy Sunday, June 04, 2017

Boston Herald LOADED: 06.04.2017 BUFFALO — The week of the scouting combine can be nerve-racking for some prospects as they go through a week of meetings with team scouts and executives, and then run through what is often a vomit-inducing gauntlet of physical tests. But Keith Petruzzelli seemed to enjoy every minute of it. The goalie out of Wilbraham, Springfield Cathedral and, most recently, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL is ranked second among North American goalies. He had been first in the midterm rankings but was overtaken by Boston University’s Jake Oettinger. “It was pretty relaxed. I didn’t wake up before 9 until today,” he said with a laugh. The 6-foot-5 Petruzzelli said the most out-of-left-field question came from the Winnipeg Jets, who asked him if he made his bed every morning. (For the record, he doesn’t.) He interviewed with 20 teams, including the Bruins. Petruzzelli played his first two seasons at Cathedral, moved to the Selects Academy at South Kent School U-18 national program and then played last year at Muskegon. He’ll be headed to Quinnipiac, where he committed as a freshman at Cathedral. He said the bump up in competition this past year has helped him hone his game. “It was definitely a huge jump from U-18 to USHL. The USHL is such a great league. It prepares you greatly for college hockey and I couldn’t speak highly enough of it. I had a great time with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It’s a great team and a great organization,” said Petruzzelli. His biggest improvement? “Just my depth,” he said. “Last year with the U-18s, I was able to sit back and rely on my size a lot more because guys’ shots weren’t that good. But this year I really had to push at the top of my crease at all times and really challenge myself.” As easy going and affable as Petruzzelli is, he doesn’t lack confidence. When asked if he thought he was the best goalie in the draft, he didn’t hesitate to answer in the affirmative. Why does he think he’s the best? “My size and my ability to read when to be athletic and when to just use my size. And my ability to read shooters and read situations and understanding what he’s most likely going to do with the puck before he even makes that decision on what to do,” he said. We’ll soon find out if any NHL teams share his opinion. With the Washington Capitals suffering yet another playoff implosion, the idea that Alex Ovechkin could be on the trade market has been floated. And one of the speculated landing spots is Las Vegas, where his former general manager George McPhee now resides. McPhee, however, essentially said don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. “It doesn’t surprise me (that the rumors have cropped up) because of our relationship. But I don’t think anything will be happening there. There are too many jerseys with No. 8 on in the seats to be moving that player,” said McPhee. After Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel went at the top of the 2015 draft, and then Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine headlined last year, there seems to be a bit of a letdown to this year’s draft. The oft-injured Nolan Patrick and Swiss-born Nico Hischier, both centers, are expected to go 1-2 — it’s anyone’s guess who’ll go first — and then it appears there will be a free-for-all after that in what is believed to be a very thin crop. Nonetheless, some have compared Patrick and Hischier to the Taylor Hall-Tyler Seguin show of 2010, at least in how close they are in ability. New Jersey has the top pick and Philadelphia the second. 1066222 Buffalo Sabres "We're aware how crazy it was outside. You could feel the buzz," added Neal. "The hockey world is seeing it here now."

One catfish rained down on the Penguins during the warm-ups, with Mike Harrington: Fans were ready as Preds provide quite a show backup goalie Marc-Andre Fleury sweeping it out of the crease. Another skittered across the ice just as Martina McBride finished the national anthem, landing a few feet away from the Pittsburgh starters as they By Mike Harrington stood on the blue line. Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017 The fans were loud during the first period even as the Preds were down. Said veteran PA Parenteau, inserted in the lineup after two games as a healthy scratch: "I played in the Bell in the playoffs. This is crazy." NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- You see a lot of things in this gig over the years. The first intermission saw a concert on the in-arena stage from Tommy Historic moments, great stadiums and arenas, cities in a lather to support Shaw of Styx. In the second intermission, a house band took over with a their team at its time of triumph. But what the international hockey media wicked Beatles rendition of "Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band" and saw Saturday in and around Bridgestone Arena simply was something "Little Help from My Friends." new to all of us. Yes, as the song said, we all enjoyed the show. The Nashville Predators got back in the Stanley Cup final with a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins but the First Star of this one was their fans The screaming and chanting built with each goal. Most fans on the and their city. sides of the 100 level spent the entire game standing. It spread to the 200 and 300 level in the third period. The final's first trip to Tennessee was a day-long festival, capped as the home folks wished with a victory that cut Pittsburgh's lead to two games We have a series again. The Penguins have struggled this entire series, to one. benefitting from Rinne's shaky goaltending in the first two games. The Preds were much better on their home ice and Pittsburgh has another By way of summary, Nashville won this one with a three-goal second force it has to deal with as well. period. Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau burned Matt Murray with goals in a 42-second span early in the period and James Neal created some breathing room by catching the Pittsburgh goaltender looking the wrong way in the crease and jamming the puck home with just 23 second Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 left in the period. Murray went more than 72 minutes without giving up a goal since early in Game Two before his defense -- and his glove hand -- betrayed him. Meanwhile, embattled Nashville starter Pekka Rinne gave up another bad rebound and yet another goal to Penguins rookie just 2:46 into the game and then didn't let in any others.. The Predators held Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin without a shot on goal in the game. Those, however, are all just mere details soon to be forgotten compared to the scene that surrounded this one. Far more of note were the estimated-by-police count of 50,000 people congregating on Broadway to watch the game on giant screens set up adjacent to the arena and the noise of those who found their way inside. There's a reason the Preds are 8-1 at home in the playoffs. Whether it's some meaningless Tuesday night game in October against the Avalanche, they're loud here. But for what was the most anticipated sporting event in the city's history, the fans were in epic form. P.K. Subban guaranteed victory in this one as soon as Game Two ended Wednesday in Pittsburgh and reiterated his confidence over the last two days. He knew. "Driving into the rink, we saw the whole Broadway strip was packed with people," Subban said. "We knew what it was going to be like coming home, we wanted to take advantage of it and we did. That's one game and we move forward." How loud was it? Longtime NHL observers were wondering how the noise might have matched old Chicago Stadium during some of its halcyon days. This corner never made it to the original "Madhouse on Madison" before it closed in 1994 but I have my doubts. As far as NHL arenas go, you'd be hard-pressed to find any like this. From this view, the only thing comparable these ears have heard was old during the 2001 World Series. Fans were shoulder to shoulder on Broadway watching a pregame concert. They took turns smashing the Penguins-themed car parked in front of the building -- with former Bills coach and Preds season ticket- holder Rex Ryan among those grabbing the sledgehammer. The warm-ups were the first thing that really stood out inside. Most NHL arenas are empty during them, with fans still coming in or standing in the concession lines. Saturday night, there were 17,000 gold-clad people standing in front of their seats screaming during them. The fans offered their support to Rinne as well, chanting his name "Pretty cool. That was unbelievable," said Rinne, who made 27 saves. "Collectively we came to the locker room and everybody was telling each other we've never seen anything like that. As players, we're really proud to be part of that, to have a chance to get our fans recognized on the big stage." 1066223 Buffalo Sabres "He'll bring what he always brings to our team," Pens coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's got tons of speed, he's a real good penalty killer. He forces turnovers all over the ice because of his speed and puck pursuit. Stanley Cup Notebook: Former Sabre Chad Ruhwedel has had chances He's been a big part of this team, helped us win a lot of games." with Pens The Predators needed more speed in their lineup to counter the Penguins so they inserted veteran P.A. Parenteau and Harry Zolnierczyk into the lineup in place of overmatched pluggers Cody McLeod and By Mike Harrington Vernon Fiddler. Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017 Tennessee becomes the 15th state to serve as a Stanley Cup final venue since the NHL was founded in 1917, joining California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, , Texas and Washington. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- There's only one former member of the Buffalo Sabres in the Stanley Cup final, and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel seems Games have also have been played in the District of Columbia and four to be on the outside looking in on the Pittsburgh Penguins' top six after Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec). being felled by a concussion in Game Four of the Eastern Conference final against Ottawa. Ruhwedel is cleared now but has not played since his injury and it will Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 probably take an ailment from somebody on the Penguins' blueline to get him back in the lineup. He was a healthy scratch against for Game Three against the Nashville Predators in Bridgestone Arena. Still, after not getting much of a chance with the Sabres the last two years, Ruhwedel is thrilled with the way the Penguins gave him looks when injuries struck their defense corps. "It's been surreal," Ruhwedel said. "Coming up in December-January was nice but actually staying and playing a good number of games is really cool. Then you're talking playoffs and that's a whole other battle. Even with a few injuries, it's good to be ready if my name gets called." The Penguins have been without start blueliner for the entire playoffs after neck surgery. and Trevor Daley have both missed four games this postseason with injuries as well. Ruhwedel played 28 games this year in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, with four goals and 12 assists. He played 34 games with the Penguins, with two goals, eight assists and a plus-9 rating. He does not have a point in six playoff appearances and played a high of 21 minutes, 25 seconds in the Penguins' 1-0 win over Ottawa that evened the East final at a game apiece. Ruhwedel said it's been quite an education to be in the locker room and play with a playoff-tested team like the Penguins. "It helps a lot the way they compose themselves around the locker room," he said. "They're all even-keeled and not struck by the lights and the noise. It really helps me. It's one thing to play against guys like them. It's a whole other thing to play with them. It's something special to play with guys like that on a regular basis. We're talking Tier I players and it's cool to be on the ice with them." Ruhwedel, a San Diego native, was signed as a college free agent in the spring of 2013 by former Sabres GM Darcy Regier but never cracked the Buffalo lineup with any regularity. He played 178 games in Rochester the last three seasons, putting up back-to-back 10-goal campaigns, but only saw action in 33 NHL games. Under GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma, Ruhwedel never got much of a look. He played just four NHL games in 2014-15, and only one in 2015-16, when the Sabres had no injuries on defense the entire season. He signed a one-year, two-way deal with Pittsburgh last summer for $575,000. "After my three years-plus, we both just determined there wasn't going to be a fit there," Ruhwedel said of his time with the Sabres. "Even if an offer did come on the table, my agent and I had decided we were going to try the open maarket. It's been the right call with a Class A organization this far and still going. Definitely a great choice for me." Ruhwedel said Murray's firing took him by surprise but said he left his time in Wilkes-Barre impressed with new Sabres boss Jason Botterill. "I was a little shocked because he got re-signed before last season," Ruhwedel said, referring to Murray's ill-fated contract extension from owner Terry Pegula. "But Buffalo has had some troubles lately. You look at the players he put together and it's a quality team that didn't click, be it injuries or whatever. It's just unfortunate they haven't had the success they've been hoping for. But I think Botterill can really spark a turn for them." Penguins center Nick Bonino took a P.K. Subban howitzer to the ankle in Game Two and was seen here Friday in a walking boot. With Bonino out, went back in the lineup after being a scratch the first two games. Hagelin has just one goal in 11 playoff games this year. 1066224 Buffalo Sabres “It’s a very nice city,” Makar said. “To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for the city because I hadn’t heard too much about it, but being here I got to walk a little bit around the town and see the buildings NHL Scouting Combine Notebook: Sabres can find D; yelling for Buffalo they have here. It’s pretty exceptional.”

By John Vogl Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017

From sport to sport and general manager to general manager, the approach to drafting stays the same. Take the best player available. Someday, though, the Sabres are simply going to have to take the best defenseman available. The blue line is clearly the weakest part of the organization. The troubles start in Buffalo and travel down the pipeline. Casey Nelson is the only top-four candidate in Rochester. The prospect list features Brendan Guhle, Will Borgen, Casey Fitzgerald and little else. The Sabres have eight picks in this month’s NHL Draft, including five in the first three rounds. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they added defensemen, possibly starting with the No. 8 overall selection June 23 in Chicago. There’s talent out there. “A lot of variety, a lot of versatility,” Dan Marr, the director of NHL Central Scouting, said Saturday. “It depends on what type of player you’re looking for.” The emphasis is on defensemen who can move the puck. The prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine were aware. “It’s important that there are offensive defenseman and good-skating defensemen, puck movers,” said Rochester native David Farrance, the 46th-ranked skater who will head to Boston University in the fall. “It’s really growing toward that side of the game for defensemen.” The top-rated blue-liner in the draft is Cale Makar at No. 9. He had 24 goals and 75 points in 54 games for Brooks of the lower-tier Alberta Junior Hockey League. “It’s not often you have a defenseman who’s one of the best scorers and the MVP player in the league,” said Marr, who thinks Makar has the potential to grow into an Erik Karlsson or Kris Letang. At No. 11, Juuso Valimaki leads a bevy of Finnish defensemen. Henri Jokiharju is No. 19. The European rankings feature Miro Heiskanen at No. 4 and Urho Vaakanainen at No. 8. “We have a lot of good D’s in this draft, especially the Finns,” said Vaakanainen. “There’s a lot of competition." Valimaki may be the closest to the NHL. He’s 6-foot-2, 204 pounds and had 19 goals and 61 points in 60 games for Tri-City of the Western Hockey League. “I’m trying to be like Victor Hedman,” Valimaki said. “A team who needs a D-man, it’d be nice to go to a team like that, obviously, to maybe get ice time early or maybe get to the NHL a little earlier. But I’d be honored to go anywhere.” No. 12-ranked Callan Foote, the son of longtime NHL defenseman Adam Foote, is also in the D-man conversation. The conversation is likely being held in Sabreland. As usual, the most noise during fitness testing came from the bike area. Players pedaled their hardest in 30-second intervals with a trainer screaming in their face, “Move it! Keep going! Finish! Finish!” “At the moment you hear it a little bit, but you’re just focused on trying to give anything you can,” said No. 2 prospect Nico Hischier. “But it motivates you, for sure.” Hischier, in the running with fellow forward Nolan Patrick for first overall pick, will join other top prospects for Game Four of the Stanley Cup in Nashville. “It’s actually my second NHL I’ve watched live,” the Switzerland native said. “My first one was when I was 12 in Ottawa. I’m pretty excited. Not a lot of guys have a chance to watch an NHL Stanley Cup playoff final game, and it’s going to be fun for sure.” The combine closed its third straight year in Buffalo on Saturday. The NHL will return for at least the next two springs. It fills the Canalside hotels for a week and introduces future pros to Buffalo. 1066225 Buffalo Sabres expansion draft results will be announced that night during the NHL Awards Ceremony.

“I’m certainly not going to talk about who we might be interested in … Vegas' McPhee has Sabres' attention, along with every other team until we see the whole universe of who’s available,” McPhee said. “We might like a particular player, but there’s another player on that roster we like, too, and is a better fit. Everything’s related to everything else. Doing By John Vogl one thing with one club may change how we approach another club. Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017 “We’ll be looking for younger players, people that will be with us three or four years from now.”

McPhee knows other teams will also be interested in seeing the full list of As more than 50 NHL scouts and executives sat in a row Saturday, it available players. was fitting that George McPhee was in the first seat. He’s the most intriguing man in hockey, a guy who’s having talks with the Sabres and "Clubs look at the list and they see someone that’s a good fit for them," every other team. McPhee said. "Why not ask us to claim that player who might have a year or two left on his deal that fills a hole for them rather than that club Being Vegas’ general manager certainly has its perks – more than having to go out and sign a free agent for five or six years? There’ll be McPhee ever imagined. some of that, for sure." The NHL expansion draft will be held this month, and every team will lose With all the deals available to the Golden Knights, they could wind up one player to McPhee and the Golden Knights. Needless to say, there with an insane number of draft picks. As much as the hockey world are plenty of guys that teams don’t want to lose. There are also guys that focuses on the expansion draft, McPhee has just as much attention on teams would love to give away. the entry draft June 23-24 in Chicago. Those options come with a cost, and McPhee holds the pricing gun. “That’s going to be our most important draft,” McPhee said. “We’ve got to get better players out of the entry draft than the expansion draft if we “When we first looked at the expansion draft and were going through it, want to be a good team and compete for the Cup one day. We’re going we sort of had an idea of what we might be able to accomplish,” McPhee to have to be really good at the entry draft. said in HarborCenter. “But there are teams that really want to protect some people and protect their rosters, and they’re willing to pay a pretty “The attention that this new franchise has garnered is amazing. It’s fair price to get us to lay off certain people and go in a different direction. certainly special for all of us and a stimulating and positive experience all year long. But we’re at that point now where we’ve planned and prepared “There’s certainly been a lot of discussion, and most of the guys have a lot, and now we have to deliver.” been really forthright in what they want to do, who they’ll probably expose and who they’d like to protect. We’re trying to find ways to accommodate each other. We won’t be able to do that with everyone, but there will be some deals that happen.” Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 The trades should start in the coming days, McPhee said. He’ll be on his phone Monday and Tuesday, examining options and cementing deals. He will be talking with Buffalo GM Jason Botterill. “We’ve had one conversation so far that went really well,” McPhee said. “I imagine things will pick up next week. He’s certainly had a lot going on as well.” In addition to hiring coaches for Buffalo and Rochester, Botterill needs to prepare for the expansion and entry drafts. Former GM Tim Murray had the framework of a deal in place with McPhee, and Botterill needs to decide whether to proceed with that protection option or design his own. “We’re pretty fluent in what everybody has and what they want to do,” McPhee said. “You just try to do the best deal you can on a team-by- team basis and determine what’s the best you can extract and what’s fair and reasonable, and you go from there. ‘We’ve had some real good discussions, and we expect some things will start happening next week.” The expansion rules essentially provide Vegas with a third-line forward, second-pair defenseman or backup goaltender from every team. In Buffalo, that means netminder Linus Ullmark will be available, and forwards , Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons could be options for the Golden Knights. To entice McPhee to select Moulson and his $5 million salary, the Sabres would have to hand over a draft pick. “There will be some of that,” McPhee said. “We’re willing to take on a couple of contracts that people would like to move. We have a lot of teams that are offering us some big contracts. “We’ll take a few of those for the right price.” Inside the Sabres: Vegas will roll the expansion dice on ... Prior to the expansion draft, Vegas will have a chance to negotiate with free agents. If it signs one, that counts as an expansion pick and the player’s former team won’t lose anyone else. Brian Gionta, Dmitry Kulikov and Cody Franson head the Sabres’ list of unrestricted free agents. “If that’s the best asset with that particular team, then we’re going to be aggressive and negotiate with that player,” McPhee said. Teams will submit their draft protection lists June 17, and they will be released to the public June 18. From June 18-21, the Golden Knights can sign free agents. Vegas will submit its picks at 10 a.m. June 21, and the 1066226 Buffalo Sabres

Pens at Preds Game Three: Five Things to Know

By Mike Harrington Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Get ready for noise inside and outside of Bridgestone Arena tonight as the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins play Game Three of the Stanley Cup final. Faceoff is around 8:20 Eastern time and the game is on NBC Sports Network (the rest of the series shifts back to NBC, starting with Game Four here Monday night. The atmosphere is the talk of the town: There could be as many as 30,000 people jammed into the downtown core -- outside the building -- to watch the game on big screens. About two hours before faceoff, there's a free concert by Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson. The Penguins lead the series, two games to none, and another Pittsburgh win tonight almost certainly means we'll have our first repeat Cup champion since the 1998 Detroit Red Wings. But Nashville is 7-1 at home in these playoffs. Here are Five Things to Know about tonight's game: Nashville goalie question: Coach Peter Laviolette was asked yet again if struggling goaltender Pekka Rinne was starting tonight and said simply, "Next question." Rinne, for the record, was in the starter's net and was the first goalie off the ice this morning. He's almost certainly taking his 4.71 goals-against average and .778 save percentage in the first two games back to the crease tonight. Preds lineup: Nashville needs more speed to counter the Penguins so it appears Laviolette is going to insert veteran P.A. Parenteau and Harry Zolnierczyk into the lineup in place of overmatched pluggers Cody McLeod and Vernon Fiddler. Parenteau confirmed to reporters he is playing. Pens lineup: Nick Bonino took a P.K. Subban howitzer to the ankle in Game Two and was seen here Friday in a walking boot. It's likely Carl Hagelin is going back in the lineup after being a scratch the first two games. Hagelin has just one goal in 11 playoff games this year. "He'll bring what he always brings to our team," Pens coach Mike Sullivan said today. "He's got tons of speed, he's a real good penalty killer. He forces turnovers all over the ice because of his speed and puck pursuit. He's been a big part of this team, helped us win a lot of games." How do the Preds avoid the hometown hype? Said captain Mike Fisher, in a reference to one of the institutional downtown honky tonks: "I'll stay away from downtown for sure. I won't be going to Tootsie's or anything." Added Parenteau, a former Montreal Canadien, of the Bridgestone crazies: "I played in the Bell Centre in the playoffs and this is crazy." Pens winger said Friday his team has to play the "dullest road game ever" to try to quiet the crowd. Sullivan's response? "You have to play the game the right way. I don't know if that's dull or exciting," the coach said. "The way I look at it, I don't know if we have a game plan for home and a game plan for road. We put a game plan together we think plays to the strength of this group." Quality shots: The Predators have outshot Pittsburgh, 64-39, in the two games but have nothing to show for it. Oddly enough, less is more for the Pens as they are 6-1 in the playoffs when outshot by 10 or more.

Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066227 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' Botterill, Vegas' McPhee have talk that goes 'really well'

By John Vogl Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017

It’s quite possible every NHL team wants to make a deal with Vegas regarding the expansion draft. Under Tim Murray, the Sabres had the framework of one such deal in place. Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee has talked to Murray’s replacement, Jason Botterill, and it was a good chat. “We’ve had one conversation so far that went really well,” McPhee said Saturday in HarborCenter. “I imagine things will pick up next week. He’s certainly had a lot going on as well.” The Sabres’ new GM has indeed been busy. Botterill is looking for coaches for Buffalo and Rochester. He’s getting to know his scouting staff. But with the expansion draft rapidly approaching (June 17-21), Botterill will want to make a deal with McPhee in order to protect – or lose – a certain player. The Sabres are not alone in that regard. “There’s certainly been a lot of discussion, and most of the guys have been really forthright in what they want to do, who they’ll probably expose and who they’d like to protect,” McPhee said at the NHL Scouting Combine. “We’re trying to find ways to accommodate each other. We won’t be able to do that with everyone, but there will be some deals that happen beforehand and teams get protection as a result.” McPhee said deals could happen as quickly as the next few days. Vegas will select one player from each of the 30 teams, either through free agency or the expansion draft. Teams can offer the Golden Knights a draft pick or other asset in return for staying away from a prospect or for selecting a big contract. “I didn’t anticipate having a lot of discussion about expansion this week,” McPhee said. “We thought this would be more focused on the combine and the kids and getting ready for the entry draft, but it seems every day we’d go down to lunch and run into a few GMs and the conversations started. “It’s been a busy week, but certainly productive.” Below is our in-season look at the Sabres and the expansion draft. A post-season analysis will be coming next week.

Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066228 Buffalo Sabres The Eichel Tower from 1 to 48. It's easy for an NHL player to make an impression on a 9-year-old. But what Eichel did that afternoon resonated with a pair of parents as well. 'Eichel Tower' family recalls magical day in Nashville with Sabres star "I'll tell you what," said Elise Gworek. "I was looking to buy myself an Eichel jersey that day after how nice that guy was to us." By Mike Harrington "He spent more time than I ever thought he would just because they were Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017 on that gameday schedule," said John Gworek, an editor for Athlon Sports who wrote a first-person account of the day for Sabres.com. "He was in no hurry. It was nice. Jack really drew C.J. out because obviously in a situation like that he was starstruck. He just kept asking C.J. SPRING HILL, Tenn. -- There's a family with Buffalo roots in the questions until it turned into a conversation and I really appreciated it." Nashville suburbs enjoying the Predators' Stanley Cup run, even though Mom grew up as a Penguins fan in Pittsburgh. But what the Gworeks are Father and son headed back to Bridgestone in the evening for the game really waiting for is the day Jack Eichel can get the Sabres back to the and what happened that night? The Sabres rallied from a 4-2 deficit for a playoffs and maybe even visit Nashville for another Cup final. 5-4 win -- with Eichel scoring his second of the game and perhaps his goal of the season to win it in overtime over the eventual Western Welcome to the home of The Eichel Tower. Conference champions. The story of the Gworeks was featured in February during an MSG "I almost flipped over the rail in front of us," C.J. said of the winning goal. intermission video that was also published on Sabres.com and played on the jumbotron between periods in KeyBank Center. It was one of the "He jumped up big time so that was fun," John Gworek said. "If the more memorable pieces of the season put together by the Sabres' New Sabres had lost 5-0, we would have said, 'That was amazing day for CJ' York Emmy Award-winning video crew. and everything. But to have it go that way, you couldn't have written that." It all started during a game in Ottawa in January, 2016 when Sabres C.J. Gworek plays center in the Junior Predators program, and has play-by-play man Dan Dunleavy used the phrase "The Eichel Tower" to played three times between periods of Preds games in Bridgestone describe a goal from Eichel in a game against the Senators in Canadian Arena. He's also practiced there several times and one of the program's Tire Centre. (Eiffel Tower/Eichel Tower, get it?). C.J. Gworek, then 7 at most notable coaches is former Buffalo and Nashville forward J.P. the time, suggested to his dad that they should build an Eichel Tower of Dumont. He played a season of Mite hockey with the sons of former Pred their own with pucks to signify each goal from the Sabres star. and current Penguins elder statesman . "As soon as CJ heard it, his head kind of snapped around to me and his He wears No. 15 because of Eichel. Eichel even tweeted C.J. a happy eyes got real big," John Gworek said in the video of the Dunleavy call. birthday wish on April 5, the day of the Sabres' home finale, and a good Things have taken off from there. luck wish for one of his hockey games. How much Buffalo is in the Gworek household? "Absolutely above and beyond on Jack's part," John Gworek said. An out-of-town reporter seeking the house on a quiet suburban street The family is happy about the Predators' run as well, with C.J. Gworek about 40 minutes from downtown didn't have to worry about addresses listing defenseman P.K. Subban as his favorite player. Thursday evening. The car in the driveway with the Bills and Sabres decals on the window gave it away. The name of the family's ultra- "There's started to be expectations here but there's so many different friendly 1 1/2-year-old cavapoo poodle/spaniel mix? Hobbs. As in Roy things about how they were able to build this team," John Gworek said. Hobbs, the Robert Redford baseball hero from the filmed-in-Buffalo 80s "As excited as people are about it and as much as it's grown, there's classic "The Natural." been one GM and two coaches. You couldn't do that in a market that had any expectations. For a long time they were happy to have a team and The family playroom that houses the Eichel Tower, which sits on a shelf had to really build it." in one corner of the room, includes pieces of John Gworek's memorabilia like old Sabres jerseys and even a 70s-era Erie County Savings Bank Elise Gworek may have been a Penguins fan in her youth but there's no poster that featured the Bills, Sabres and Braves. discord in the house over this series. John Gworek, 46, is a Kenmore native who attended Canisius High "I grew up in Pittsburgh but I've discovered levels of being a fan," she School for two years before his family moved to Dubois, Pa. He met his said. "My brother played hockey and we rooted for the Steelers and wife, Elise, when they both attended Indiana (Pa.) University. Elise Penguins even when we lived in Arizona for a time but I don't relate to Gworek grew up a Penguins and Steelers fan, remembering how she John's level of fandom. This is a man who cried at the kitchen table when used to wear a No. 75 Steelers jersey for Hall of Famer Mean Joe Mr. Pegula bought the team in Buffalo. You don't see a Penguins flag Greene. flying outside -- but you can be sure if Buffalo was in it, the house would be painted. Each time Eichel scores in a game, C.J. grabs a puck from the family stash and places it atop the tower. An updated picture is then tweeted "Truthfully -- and this is going to sound all mom -- my favorite team is from the Eichel Tower account. There are currently 48 numbered pucks whoever C.J. plays for. I'm happy no matter who wins. Any time my in the tower, one for each goal in Eichel's two NHL seasons. hometown is mentioned, I get excited about that. But C.J. played for the Junior Predators and my kids were both born here. That to me is just as The No. 24 puck is labeled in gold instead of white to signify the final special and I'm also for the underdog. The Penguins have won it a lot count from Eichel's rookie year, which also happened to be the number and I think it would be great if someone else got a shot." of goals he scored in his injury-shortened sophomore season. There's a special puck at the top signed by Eichel himself. "He highlighted some of the top players. He showed them equpiment and the rules," Elise Gworek said. "Grown-ups were asking questions. Dunleavy and the Sabres got wind of the tower on Twitter and contacted There's a lot of kids that play sports but hockey is still growing here." the family. A video crew from the team and in-arena host Lauren Hall, on the road for a Sabres Road Crew event in Nashville, came to the home "The kids are knowing more about it here than the adults because they're for an interview. They also arranged for the family to attend the pregame growing up with hockey," John Gworek said. "In 20 years, it's really skate the day of the Sabres' Jan. 24 visit to Bridgestone Arena (skates grown. When I first came here, it was nothing like this. Now you go to a are usually not open to fans of the visiting team). game and it's a much more knowledgeable crowd." C.J. wore his navy blue Eichel jersey and John was resplendent in 70s John Gworek said a parent on another team in his son's league powder blue . Kindergarten-bound daughter Dina also congratulated him on the Sabres' video treatment of his son and he he had a Sabres jersey on. What the family held secret from C.J. was that stills hears from people learning about the video and the Twitter project. the team was planning a meet-and-greet with Eichel after the skate. "Then it starts going around Facebook and you hear even more," he said. So while C.J. was thrilled to stickhandle pucks thrown to him by Anders "People are like, 'You're the guy from Buffalo and I'm like 'Yeah, my son Nilsson with a stick he got from Sam Reinhart, the real prize was meeting is the Eichel Tower kid.' It's still a small community of hockey so Eichel and getting a signed puck for the tower. The surprise worked. everybody kind of knows who he is." "I was thinking 'What's happening?' C.J. Gworek said when he saw Eichel coming up the arena stairs to say hello. "He said hi, I said hi, then Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 he gave me a puck, signed pictures. He asked me if the tower was my idea." 1066229 Buffalo Sabres

Road to the NHL Draft: Nico Hischier

By John Vogl Published Sat, Jun 3, 2017

Nico Hischier Position: Center Junior team: Halifax (QMJHL) 2016-17 stats: 57 games, 38 goals, 48 assists, 86 points Size: 6-foot-1, 176 pounds Born: Naters, Switzerland Central Scouting rank: No. 2 (North America) What to know: Switzerland will be watching to see if Hischier becomes the country’s highest-drafted player. The Swiss won’t be watching long. Hischier is expected to go first or second, topping the No. 5 selection of countryman Nino Niederreiter in 2010. After playing in professional Swiss leagues, Hischier left home this season and quickly adapted to the North American game. He was the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rookie of the Year and earned the Mike Bossy Trophy as the league’s top prospect. He’s tested himself at the last two world junior championships, including a four-goal, seven- point showing in five games this year. Though wiry, Hischier isn’t afraid to get to the boards or the net. He has good speed, but his agility is what has set him apart. They said it: “Hischier is definitely worth the price of admission. He has a high skill level, but what’s most impressive is the way he competes, his drive and work ethic. He is a player who is first on the forecheck forcing a turnover, and when the play transitions, he’s the first player back. He’s in that category as a special player.” – Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. The Buffalo News is profiling prospects leading up to the NHL Draft, which will be held June 23-24 in Chicago.

Buffalo News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066230 Buffalo Sabres Scouts already know plenty, but being able to weigh strength, agility and fitness levels for the top third of the 2017 class is another piece to the puzzle. Prospects also underwent psychological testing and one-on-one After scouting combine, Victor's David Farrance one step closer to NHL interviews with teams earlier in the week. Farrance interviewed with 17 Draft teams but he said the Buffalo Sabres weren't among them. “A little stressful,’’ he said. “There were a lot of questions you need to answer in the right way, but overall I think I did OK. It’ s a process but it’s Leo Roth , @leoroth 5:33 p.m. ET June 3, 2017 a fun one, too. I’ve learned some good lessons and it’s just good to be here, to be around a lot of great players, so I’m happy I was able to be here.’’ BUFFALO – At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, David Farrance was inside the The overwhelming majority of players selected in the draft will either HarborCenter pedaling a stationary bike like the finish of the Tour de return to junior hockey or head to college. Farrance is headed to Boston France was in sight, a man with tattooed arms and a braided Mohawk University, a school with a rich hockey tradition where current Sabres’ haircut screaming in his ear. star Jack Eichel played as a freshman. “Push it, push it. Get after it, get after it.’’ “The team I hopefully get drafted by will let me know when they think I’m ready for the next step, for the NHL, the AHL, whatever,’’ said Farrance, As always, Farrance did just that, the 17-year-old Victor native who has signed on with Pittsford-based agent Steve Bartlett. “I love the completing his fitness testing to cap a whirlwind week of interviews and city of Boston, being close to Fenway (he's a big baseball fan) and I meetings at the NHL Scouting Combine. already know a couple guys on the BU team, all great guys so I’m really Unlike the other 102 players who were here from places such as looking forward to that.’’ Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, Farrance And of course, he's looking forward to being the next Rochester player would have a short trip home, his father, David, waiting to pick him up. to write his NHL story. After Saturday, he was one step closer to his “It was pretty fun hanging out with players from all around the world and dream. getting to know each other,’’ Farrance said. “And yeah, only an hour away. I’ll have a quick drive home after this.’’ Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 06.04.2017 Farrance’s progression from All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year at Victor High School where he led the Blue Devils to the Section V Class BB championship in 2014-15 to sure-fire NHL prospect is right on schedule. Two strong seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Farrance faced top junior, collegiate and international competition, has earned him a No. 11 ranking among North American defensemen and No. 46 ranking among all skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Two other Rochester products who were not at the combine, wingers Jack Dugan, 19, of Pittsford and Northwood School, and Jake Tortora, Farrance’s NTDP teammate and fellow Victor native, are ranked 108 and 165, respectively. Farrance and Tortora helped the USA National Team to a gold medal at the recent U18 World Junior Championships in Slovakia. The NHL Draft starts June 23 in Chicago – Farrance's 18th birthday. But what about that combine instructor screaming in his ear? “You definitely hear him,’’ Farrance said with a grin. “I kind of like it. It keeps me focused and ready to go.’’ Farrance has been that way since his parents were tying his skates. Through all those youth hockey years, after-school private skating lessons, and round-trip car rides to Syracuse to play with the elite Stars program. Two years with the NTDP has furthered his skills as an offensively gifted defender (he had 15 goals, 45 assists and 60 points and was plus 11 in 116 career games). NHL scouts like his speed, acceleration and vision on the ice, all coveted attributes in a league where puck-moving defensemen are becoming more valued to offset an influx of quicker, faster forwards. “I feel the game these days is changing, going in the direction of offensive-minded defensemen, good-skating defensemen and puck- movers,’’ said Farrance, who measured out at a shade under 5 feet 11 inches and a solid 195 pounds. “I’ve been able to deal with the size of other players and it’s no problem for me.’’ NHL Central Scouting rates 357 skaters and 44 worldwide with only 100 or so invited to the combine. Fourteen NTDP ’99 birth-year players have been ranked, with Farrance the highest among the team’s defensemen. Fitness testing held on KeyBank Rink included getting measured for height, weight and wingspan, vertical jump, bench press, agility, pull-ups and anaerobic capacity (spin bike). Farrance opted out of the bench press and pull up due to a minor shoulder injury. Dressed in black shorts and red tank top with their position identified and assigned a number, each player went through his paces before a 200- foot row of team scouts and personnel people, laptops open and clipboards ready. 1066231 Calgary Flames Alan Jackson and Billy Ray Cyrus and the concerts they’re putting on and what’s going on downtown. Hockey is almost secondary.”

Crisp’s broadcasting role morphed into more analysis a few years ago, Eric Francis: Former Flames coach fun face of hockey in Nashville hosting pregame, post-game and intermission segments he calls Coach’s Corner (“I borrowed it from Don – I hope he doesn’t mind,” he chuckled.), giving him even more time to mingle with fans. Eric Francis His wife Sheila is way ahead of him on that front, spending game nights Published on: June 3, 2017 | Last Updated: June 3, 2017 4:14 PM MDT in a denim jacket that reads “Crispy” on the back, popping into various boxes, hugging every fifth or six person she encounters.

“Truth be known, I’m on her coattails, and I’m man enough to admit it,” NASHVILLE – The small crowd gathering near the entrance of laughs Crisp, whose wife counts everyone from Barbara Mandrel, Faith Bridgestone Arena’s swanky Lexus Lounge suggests royalty of some sort Hill, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, Urban and Kidman as friends. has entered the room. “It’s like a little community – once you’re here you never leave,” he said. Given its proximity to the Predators dressing room perhaps Carrie Underwood has popped down to greet husband/captain Mike Fisher. “We feel like we have 800 relatives here.” Maybe Keith Urban brought wife Nicole Kidman to meet some of the So beloved is Crisp, the organization named its large, lower bowl party players, or Blake Shelton could have dropped in for a drink. box, Pete and Terry’s All-inclusive Club, which the duo sees as an incredible honour. Upon closer inspection it’s revealed the focal point of fan adoration is a 74-year-old from Parry Sound, Ont., whose last name isn’t Orr, has never “It started at $99 a ticket for all you can eat and drink and it was the best played guitar and can’t sing a lick: . seat in the house,” said Crisp, who chuckled when told those tickets were sold at the box office for $450 in the final. As the Predators’ Day 1 TV and radio colour commentator, the former Cup-winning coach of the Calgary Flames is regularly feted by fans as “Does that mean Pete and I are making money? Geez, I need to the man who taught the city to fall in love with the game. renegotiate my contract.” And now, during the team’s first Stanley Cup final appearance, the love- in has reached new heights. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 06.04.2017 “He’s the fun face of hockey in Nashville,” said son Tony, watching the fan adulation his father has enjoyed in Tennessee for the better part of 19 years. “In Nashville he was the first person they saw when they did Hockey 101 in 1998. He has the credibility of a former NHLer and Stanley Cup winner but he is 100 per cent a Nashvillian and he takes great pride in that. He’s one of them. He’s like a proud dad right now because he watched this thing from birth. He’s so proud of the city, the team and the people that work there. You can’t wipe the smile off his face now.” Truth is, no one has ever been able to rob “Crispy” of that grin. Armed with a personality, sense of humour and love of life that prompted the Predators to lure him out of retirement following his firing as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Crisp graciously shakes every fan’s hand and patiently listens to their story. “They just say, ‘I’ve listened to you for so long,’ or, ‘my dad and grandpa listened to you.’ They all go back to when we started,” said Crisp, who is essentially the Peter Maher/Ed Whalen of Nashville as his TV broadcasts were simulcast on radio for years. “This is football, baseball and NASCAR country, so when we first came here 19 years ago and joined Pete Weber we went to every hotel and service club they wanted us at to preach hockey. “I remember when we first started they would announce during the games, ‘that was an icing,’ and ‘that was offside,’ and ‘that was a tripping call.’ When we’d go to Q and A’s they couldn’t get their head around, ‘how do they know when to change – do they have a little whistle? How do the referees know what to call, it’s going so fast? One time they asked ‘why would you take your goalie out and leave your net open?’ It was so much fun to convert them. “I said to Pete the other day, ‘do you realize we’ve raised half the people going through this building and now they’ve all graduated and are bringing their own families to the game?’ We are so happy we’ve helped a generation fill this building.” A three-time loser in the Stanley Cup final as a forward with St. Louis, Crisp hoisted two Cups with Philadelphia before piloting Calgary to glory in 1989 as coach. He insists his seventh time in the final may just be the most fun. “This is different in so much as I get to enjoy this one,” said Crisp, thrilled he chose to commute to Nashville from Florida his first year to help grow hockey in a state he quickly fell in love with. “I loved it with the Flames but when you’re a coach or you are playing you are in a cocoon and are so zeroed in what’s happening you don’t really get to enjoy the extraneous stuff like the hoopla with the fans and how much it means to your city. “It fascinates me how your city and your fans can get so caught up in it. We had the TV on today and every channel was all Predators. It’s gold everywhere in the city. You’d almost forget there’s a game going on with 1066232 Colorado Avalanche outplay a team for 55 minutes and you still have nothing to show for it, I think you've just got to just have belief in what you're doing that over the course of 60 minutes or over time that eventually you're going to get the Penguins' counterattacking style demoralizing to opponents result that you want." After coming back to force a Game 7 and losing on home ice, the Capitals came away from the series believing they were the better team By: STEPHEN WHYNO, Associated Press June 3, 2017 Updated: but were outplayed. The Predators are similarly talking now about the Today at 1:57 am Penguins' fortunes on bounces but have their eyes wide open to not falling into the same trap.

"The chances that we've given up are low; the shot opportunities we've Through two games of the Stanley Cup Final, the Pittsburgh Penguins given up are low," Laviolette said. "But yet we're finding ones that I think have been badly outshot, lost the majority of faceoffs and had the puck we can clean up and help take care of some of the situations that we're far less than the Nashville Predators. leaving against an opportunistic team." Yet, they lead the series two games to none, following a familiar script. That's something every opponent can agree on: Opportunistic is the best way to describe these Penguins. The Penguins frustrated the Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators with this unconventional method of winning and are doing it again, needing just two more victories to win back-to-back championships. Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 06.04.2017 "It's amazing," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "You've got to give Pittsburgh some credit here because they keep doing it. They get outplayed for long stretches, and then they counterattack and then they execute on the counterattack. They make the best of their scoring opportunities, and it seems to be a consistent pattern." It's a winning pattern that that could make Pittsburgh just the third team since the start of the salary-cap era in 2006 to be outshot and win the Cup, following the 2011 Boston Bruins and 2015 Chicago Blackhawks. The Penguins lost 44 of 77 faceoffs in Game 2 to fall under 50 percent for the series at 66-68. They've allowed 64 shots and taken 39 and been out-attempted 86-57 at 5-on-5 and are 1 of 10 on the power play. Nashville has controlled the play so far and has nothing to show for it. "We can't just look at the numbers and say, 'Yeah, we're winning all the numbers but the scoreboard,'" Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said Thursday. "There's got to be things we got to do better." The Penguins are already 9-6 in these playoffs when outshot by an opponent, in part because they're scoring on a league-best 10.9 percent of their shots, which if it stands would be second-best in the cap era behind only the 2010 Blackhawks. That kind of shooting success is difficult to sustain over 82 games but not impossible considering the firepower the Penguins have in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. "They got three superstars on that team," Senators coach Guy Boucher said. "At some point or another, they're going to get their looks. It's really tough to defend against that." It's even tougher when the goaltending can't match up. Pittsburgh's Marc- Andre Fleury and Matt Murray have combined for a .930 save percentage as Columbus' Sergei Bobrovsky put up an .882, Washington's Braden Holtby a .778 and Nashville's Pekka Rinne a .778 of his own through two games. You can't blame Ottawa's Craig Anderson and his .936 save percentage for not knocking out the Penguins, but there are plenty of other reasons the defending champs are still standing. Early in the first round, Columbus players called Penguins goals "lucky" and "fluky" and insisted everything would be all right if they continued to play their game. At one point, captain Nick Foligno said: "There's so much good that we're doing that it's going to break for us eventually." Sound familiar, Nashville? It didn't ever break for the Blue Jackets and they were ousted in five games despite putting 23 more shots on net than the Penguins. There's a reason Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan stresses a "counterattack mentality." Given the Capitals' 61-45 shot advantage through two games, Jay Beagle was asked if he was worried that his teammates sounded an awful lot like the Blue Jackets. Yeah, maybe. "You can feel like you're dominating them a little bit, dominating play in their zone a lot, and they strike," Beagle said. "They're really good at obviously capitalizing on their opportunities." Much like P.K. Subban said after the Predators' Game 2 Cup Final loss that they played well for all but about three crucial minutes, the Capitals tried to fend off similar frustration when seemingly every odd-man rush against was turning into a Penguins goal. "It's easy to get frustrated when you feel like you played (better)," said Brooks Orpik, who won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009. "Whether you 1066233 Dallas Stars

Player Profiles: Jason Spezza should get more time at center and benefit from that

By Mike Heika , Staff Writer Contact Mike Heikaon Twitter:@MikeHeika

Jason Spezza Center, 6-3, 210 Age: 33 Shoots: Right 2016-17 stats: 68 GP, 15 G, 35 A, 50 pts, Minus-18 Contract status: In third year of four-year contract that has a salary cap hit of $7.5 million. Did you know: Spezza's mom entered him in a beautiful baby contest when he was 1, and he won. That led to modeling gigs on television (Minute Maid) and in print (Kmart, "Baby," the musical) 2016-17 Recap: Spezza struggled with injuries and with Lindy Ruff's usage. Ruff moved Spezza to the wing a great deal, and that created some confusion in his role. Add to that the loss of 2015-16 wingers like Mattias Janmark (injury), (injury) and Valeri Nichushkin (KHL), and Spezza rarely looked comfortable. Still, he finished with 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 68 games, so he still was an effective scorer. However, his minus-18 was second worst on the team and was earned with turnovers and poor defensive play. 2016-17 Grade: C- 2017-18 Outlook: Spezza is a center, and new coach Ken Hitchcock said he wants to use him that way. Hitchcock also coaches a more structured system that will allow Spezza better defensive support. The guess is he will play a more conservative game at even strength and then try to pick up his points on the power play. Spezza is the best faceoff man on the team and his lack of work in the circle last season dropped his success rate. He went from 54.8 percent on 981 draws in 2015-16 to 52.2 percent on 678 faceoffs last season. Expect him to get more work on the dots in this upcoming season. 2017-18 Projected Stats: 80 GP, 28 goals, 43 assists, 71 points.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066234 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek 'has to improve his game'

Helene St. James , Detroit Free Press 2:25 p.m. ET June 3, 2017

How concerned are the Detroit Red Wings with how mediocre Petr Mrazek has been the past year? Mrazek finished his Wings season with a 3.04 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in 50 games, losing the starter’s job he was handed last summer to Jimmy Howard, and, briefly, to Jared Coreau. With the Wings out of the playoffs, Mrazek, 25, joined the Czech Republic national team to play at the World Championship in May. He finished that tournament with a 2.47 goals-against average and .881 save percentage in four games. When it came time for the quarterfinal game, the first elimination game of the tournament, the Czechs started their KHL goalie, not Mrazek. The Mrazek question was put to Wings coach Jeff Blashill during a recent interview with the Free Press. Blashill coached the U.S. at the World Championship, but the U.S. played in Cologne, Germany, while the Czechs played in Paris. “It’s so competitive in the NHL today, first you want to rest and recoup,” Blashill said when asked what is ahead for Mrazek. “Then you need to work at your game and get better. Petr is in the same boat. He has to continue to improved his game, so that he is ready to compete when he comes to camp. We all have to continue to improve, all of us have to do that.” The swagger that once served Mrazek well seems to be fading. At the halfway point of the season, he had a 3.19 goals-against average and .893 save percentage. While the Wings have a corps that lacks a No. 1 defenseman, Howard played behind the same defense, and had a .934 save percentage and 1.96 goals-against average when he was injured in mid-December. The Wings can protect one goaltender in June’s expansion draft, and with Mrazek signed for another season at $4 million and Howard, 33, on the books for two more seasons at $5.3 million, there are explorations about a trade. Though he’s had a rough year, Mrazek is eight years younger, and cheaper. The concern with Howard as the No. 1 guy is his tendency to get hurt (though the December injury was because he got run into, not because of anything Howard did). The Wings also are in a pickle Coreau is no longer waiver exempt next season. He played 14 games with the Wings this past season, looking stellar some nights (two shutouts) and shaky in others. He has been a force in the AHL playoffs, where the Grand Rapids Griffins are playing in the Calder Cup finals.

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Calder Cup: Griffins beat Crunch in double-overtime, 6-5, take 2-0 series lead

Lee Snider and Kirkland Crawford , Detroit Free Press Published 11:39 p.m. ET June 3, 2017 | Updated 5 hours ago

Ben Street's second goal of the night cam at 7:02 of the second overtime to give the Grand Rapids Griffins a 6-5 win over the Syracuse Crunch Saturday at Van Andel Arena. The Griffins now have a 2-0 series lead in the Calder Cup Final in the best-of-seven series. Jared Coreau made 50 saves over 87 minutes of play. Grand Rapids won Game 1, 3-2, on Friday. Tyler Bertuzzi scored at 13:36 of the third period for the Griffins, but Michael Bournival scored at 15:15 of the period to tie the game, 5-5. Martin Frk added a goal and an assist and Tomas Nosek had a goal and an assist for Grand Rapids. Evgeny Svechnikov also scored for the Griffins. Game 3 is Wednesday night at Syracuse.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066236 Detroit Red Wings

Griffins win in overtime, lead Calder Cup Final 2-0

Ted Kulfan , The Detroit News Published 11:42 p.m. ET June 3, 2017 | Updated 4 hours ago

Grand Rapids — Four hours and six minutes later, it was finally over. Ben Street scored in double overtime Saturday to give the Grand Rapids Griffins a 6-5 victory over the Syracuse Crunch and a commanding lead in the Calder Cup Finals. Street scored his second goal of the game after the Crunch failed to clear the zone, Eric Tangradi intercepted the pass, and found Street in the slot. “He had some room there and skated it in and a made a nice little pass over to me,” Street said. “I knew I was in a scoring area, so I just tried to drag it a little bit and make the goalie open up. “I was lucky it found the back of the net.” The series shifts to Syracuse Wednesday for Game 3. Games 4 and, if necessary, 5 are also in Syracuse under the 2-3-2 series format. Despite the series lead, the Griffins know this series is far from over after two extremely close, one-goal victories. “We expect close games, it’s the finals, it’s a good team over there,” forward Tyler Bertuzzi said. “They fought to the very end. Obviously we’re up 2-0, and it’s a really good feeling, but we know we got outworked in the first overtime. “The whole game was pretty close. We’re happy with where we are but we have a lot better in us.” Bertuzzi scored his seventh goal of the playoffs at 13:36 of the third period, giving Grand Rapids a 5-4 lead. But the Crunch answered with Michael Bournival tying the score at 15:15. Syracuse outshot the Griffins 19-11 in overtime — 55-52 for the game — with Griffins goalie Jared Coreau having to make at least three outstanding saves to keep the game going in the first overtime. “Going into overtime your senses are heightened, you’re ready for anything,” said Coreau, who made 50 saves. “One mistake could lead to the win or loss. I don’t mind it. That’s what’s going to win a championship. You have to have some periods where you steal it for the guys.” Coreau stopped Syracuse’s Byron Froese on a penalty shot with 5:07 left in the game, preserving the 5-4 Grand Rapids lead at the time. Crunch forward Cory Conacher tied the game 4-4 with a power-play goal at 7:47 of the third period, his 10th goal of the playoffs. Grand Rapids scored three power-play goals, including Tomas Nosek’s 10th goal at 24 seconds of the third period, which broke a 3-3 tie. Martin Frk and Evgeny Svechnikov added the other two Griffins power- play goals. Grand Rapids has now scored a power-play goal in 13 consecutive playoff games. Saturday’s sellout crowd of 10,834 at Van Andel Arena was the third sellout of a Finals game in Griffins history — and eighth sellout in franchise history. Yan Gourde, Joel Vermin and Erick Condra (Trenton) added Syracuse goals. Griffins coach Todd Nelson was at a loss for words after the game. “It was back-and-forth all night, two real good hockey teams going at it,” Nelson said. “Both games could have gone either way. I’m happy we got the two at home to save home-ice advantage. “But it was everything tonight. Penalty shot, power play goals, great saves on both ends. I’m speechless.”

Detroit News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066237 Detroit Red Wings

Live chat: Syracuse Crunch at Grand Rapids Griffins in Game 2

By Peter J. Wallner | [email protected] June 03, 2017 at 6:00 PM, updated June 03, 2017 at 8:41 PM

SECOND PERIOD 11:29 - After two near-misses by Tyler Bertuzzi on open looks, the Crunch's Dominik Masin called for tripping. 6:08 - Griffins get an immediate chance to get back in it with a power play as Tye McGinn for tripping. 5:31 - Just like that and the Crunch take the lead. Matthew Peca's shot from the right side goes off Jared Coreau's pad and right to an open Erik Condra. Syracuse 3, Grand Rapids 2. 4:20 - Great maneuving through traffic by Joel Vermin to tie the score. The wiggled past two defenders and flicked a shot over Jared Coreau's shoulder. Grand Rapids 2, Syracuse 2 :04 - Puck barley dropped and Griffins' Tomas Nosek put an elbow on Yanni Gourde. Fourth power play for Crunch. FIRST PERIOD (completed) Griffins 2, Crunch 1 17:23 - Power play doesn't last long as Martin Frk whistled after play was stopped for a check to the head. 17:17 - Griffins, already with a PP goal for the 13th consecutive game, get another shot as Michael Bournival goes offf for hooking. 14:03 - Griffins face second penalty kill as Dylan McIlrath goes off for roughing. 12:29 - Ben Street gets an easy open-look goal as he is in the right place after Eric Tangradi's shot from the right goes off Mike McKenna's pad to the waiting Street. Grand Rapids 2, Syracuse 1 10:37 - Yanni Gourde scores for the Crunch on a weird one. Gourde's shot goes off defenseman Robbie Russo, then back to a streaking Gourde who hits it in the air past Jared Coreau. Grand Rapids 1, Syracuse 1 ba5:27 - Griffins get power play goal from Martin Frk as he faked a slap shot, skated right and fired a one-time over the far shoulder of Mike McKenna. Grand Rapids 1, Syracuse 0 3:48 - Cory Conacher called for a trip as Matthew Ford broke free during the penalty kill. Four a side for 1:18. 3:06 - First penalty on the night goes to Griffins' Brian Lashoff for hooking.

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Live scoring, stats: Predators vs. Penguins, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals

By Josh Slagter | [email protected] June 03, 2017 at 6:30 PM, updated June 03, 2017 at 6:31 PM

The Nashville Predators will win Game 3, and make it a series. P.K. Skubban guaranteed it, so it must be true. And for the Predators' sake, they better hope Subban is right. The Pittsburgh Penguins grabbed the first two games of the series, and are two wins from hoisting the Stanley Cup for a second straight year.

Michigan Live LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066239 Detroit Red Wings

Ben Street provides better double-OT finish for himself and Griffins

By Peter J. Wallner | [email protected] June 04, 2017 at 12:27 AM, updated June 04, 2017 at 12:33 AM

GRAND RAPIDS - Ben Street, who experienced the disappointment of losing a playoff game in double overtime against Grand Rapids, was pleased to be able to provide one for them in the Calder Cup Finals on Saturday. The forward took a pass from Eric Tangradi, waited a moment and fired over Mike McKenna's shoulder at 7:09 of the second overtime for a 6-5 win. The victory gives the Griffins a 2-0 lead in the Calder Cup Finals with the series moving to Syracuse for potentially three games beginning Wednesday. Street was happy to oblige on a number of levels. Of immediate interest, it made up for a delay of game penalty late in the first overtime when he inadvertently flipped the puck out of play. But better, it was nice for the seventh-year pro to be on the winning side of a double overtime game. He was with Abbotsford when the Heat lost at home in a conference quarterfinal game in 2014. The opponent? The Griffins. "I've been on the losing end of a double overtime game and it's obviously depressing," said Street, in his first year with the Griffins. "For us, we feel like we stole it a little bit." But the joy of scoring the goal was quickly matched by fatigue. "The feeling is like excitement to score and then relief that we won," he said. "It was obviously huge to win a game like that when we were on the ropes a bit. We might have stolen it. But (Jared Coreau) kept us in it and we were able to hold serve at home and we'll take that."

Michigan Live LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066240 Florida Panthers The Panthers’ fate depends on how quickly Tallon puts Humpty Dumpty back together again. This isn’t just about players. Tallon lost his top lieutenant, and scouts as well as training, equipment and medical staff Hyde: We're not Loserville — but past 3 years have been tough | due to this past 10 months of silliness. Teams don’t win in pro sports. Commentary Organizations do. The Marlins will get a new owner later this summer. That has to help moving forward. Even so, anyone who thinks Jeffrey Loria doesn’t want Dave Hyde to win isn’t paying attention. He has a $115 million payroll this year. That’s on the outer edge of sustainability. This team will either need to be Sun Sentinel Columnist re-worked or (get ready) torn down completely. The Dolphins, like the Heat, face a roadblock for as long as Bill Belichick and Tom Brady keep setting the standard in the NFL. That said, they’re We’re in the worst three-year stretch in South Florida’s sports history. It’s doing exactly what they should. They didn’t fall for the trap that they’re an not even close, really. offseason away. They’re trying to be the Patriots by building an Look at the standings. organization. (Hint: Look down). And the Hurricanes? Their football team has the top-rated recruiting class next year. Their basketball team is bringing in three top recruits. Their Our baseball team, the Marlins, delivered the moment of their season baseball team surely will start another tournament streak. Saturday with a no-hitter by Edinson Volquez. That reminds you how magical any day in sports can be. It’s just a shame the big-picture So when you ask if the next few years will be better in South Florida, the backdrop isn’t better. answer is to look around. The Marlins won just four of their opening 20 games at Marlins Park. They can’t be worse. Their season seemed sunk before it got through May. And people are used to this. Throw in Dan Jennings’ managerial era at one comic end of this three-year run and Jose Fernandez’s death at the other and this is a Sun Sentinel LOADED: 06.04.2017 numbing run of years. Our basketball team, the Heat, remains the local standard of excellence, and no one is taking shots at a team that won three titles this millennium. But look what’s happened the past three years. LeBron James went home. Chris Bosh’s career abruptly ended. Even Dwyane Wade left in a snit. Yes, the 2015-16 Heat were one of South Florida’s measly three teams that made the playoffs in the past three years. They were the only team to advance, too. And the 2017 Heat had a disappointingly remarkable season, but no playoffs, causing Pat Riley to say amid the semi-praise, “I’m not all goose-bumply and fuzzy haired.” Our hockey team, the Panthers, had a season to forget. Their ownership and front office turned a can’t-miss team that made the playoffs in 2016 into such a mess they went from demoting last offseason to handing him back the keys 10 months later and saying, “Please fix us.” Our football team, the Dolphins, might have found their way out of a 15- year run in the wilderness last season. We’ll see. But 2016 was something to enjoy considering the years of blunders that led up it. The Miami Dolphins started slow in 2016, losing four of the season’s first five games, but finished strong, winning nine of 11, and made the playoffs in Adam Gase’s rookie season as a head coach. It was a remarkable turnaround, one that should have the team’s fan base excited about what’s to come. The Dolphins are working in their offseason additions during the team's organized team activity sessions, but there are still some concerns. Here are 10 questions that will likely impact the team’s success in 2017: (Omar Kelly) It also showed how the bar was lowered that getting blown out in the playoffs represented a great season. That kind of finish once got Don Shula fired and sent Jimmy Johnson into retirement. The Hurricanes? We won’t even mention Al Golden. The highlight of the past few years was winning the Russell Athletic Bowl in Camping World Stadium in December. Oh, and UM’s baseball team ended 44 consecutive years of going to the postseason tournament this year. Did I miss anything? Maybe David Beckham chasing a soccer franchise like a hat in the wind for the past three years? It’s common for people to say this is all just negative media talk to sell a story. But, really, bad news doesn’t sell. Good news sells in sports. The Marlins winning the World Series (years ago). The Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final (years ago). The Heat winning it all (again and again). That’s what sells. So will the next three years be any better? Well, yes and no. Go down the list. The Heat will make blue-ribbon decisions, because that’s who they are. But LeBron, at 32, is a roadblock for the next few years in the Eastern Conference and Golden State will remain one in the West. The Heat, in other words, can do everything right and not get close to a title. 1066241 Minnesota Wild "Decisions go into every game," Laviolette said. "We have to look at every series, then we have to look at every game as a single entity to make sure we're putting the right pieces on the ice to try and be The Latest: Catfish! And Hagelin in Pens lineup for Game 3 successful. There's always adjustments, always moves." 5:30 p.m. Staff Report The Nashville Predators and their fans finally have the game they've been waiting so very long to host. Associated Press JUNE 3, 2017 — 7:10PM The first Stanley Cup Final not only in the franchise's history, but also the first major league championship game ever played in Tennessee with Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Latest on Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final (all times local): Nashville shut down a chunk of Broadway where the honky tonks and bars line the street for a free concert by country superstar Alan Jackson. 7 p.m. Fans packed shoulder to shoulder nearly an hour before Jackson's concert with the street then being used for an outdoor viewing party. We have catfish on the ice in Nashville. Predators forward Harry Zolnierczyk says the atmosphere was crazy An eager Predators fan couldn't wait for the national anthem, instead through the first three rounds of the playoffs and now sees Nashville chucking the first catfish onto the ice on the end of the ice where the revamping everything downtown. He says the Predators are excited for Penguins were warming up. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury used his stick to Game 3. sweep the fish toward the bench where someone scooped it up. The defending champion Penguins lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. Meanwhile, Carl Hagelin is back in the Penguins' lineup for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Hagelin replaces injured center Nick Bonino, who took a puck off his left Star Tribune LOADED: 06.04.2017 foot or ankle in Game 2 on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. He was called a game-time decision, but not practicing Friday and getting around on crutches in a walking boot made it clear Bonino was a long shot at best. Hagelin, who missed more than a month with a lower-body injury before making his playoff debut in the second round, had been a healthy scratch. He's expected to start on the fourth line. "He's got tons of speed," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's a real good penalty killer. I think he forces turnovers all over the ice because of his speed and his puck pursuit game. Haggy is a good player. He's been a big part of this team all year. He's helped us win a lot of games." 6:40 p.m. Pekka Rinne has led the Predators onto the ice at Bridgestone Arena for the first Stanley Cup Final game in Nashville, making him the starter. Rinne's status was a question mark after the veteran goaltender allowed eight goals to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Games 1 and 2. He became just the fourth goalie in NHL history to do that. Predators coach Peter Laviolette was noncommittal about his goalie choice as he typically is with lineup decisions. But Rinne was first off the ice after the team's morning skate Saturday as Juuse Saros stayed on for extra work. Fans chanted "Pek-ka! Pek-ka!" in support of Rinne. Rinne came into the Cup Final as a favorite for the as playoff MVP. Injured Penguins center Nick Bonino was not on the ice for warmups, and he'll miss Game 3 after taking a puck off the left foot or ankle on Wednesday. 5:45 p.m. Penguins center Nick Bonino looks to be out of the mix for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Predators. Bonino was in a suit and, using crutches and in a walking boot about an hour before the start of pregame warmups. He took a shot from P.K. Subban off the left foot or ankle in Game 2 Wednesday. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan called Bonino a game-time decision, but based on practice lines Friday, will slide to center and Carl Hagelin will rejoin the lineup with Bonino out. 5:40 p.m. Peter Laviolette won't talk about his lineup but is expected to make some changes with his Nashville Predators down 2-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins going into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Based on the morning skate at Bridgestone Arena, P-A Parenteau and Harry Zolnierczyk looked to be replacing Cody McLeod and Vern Fiddler. Colin Wilson, who missed the first two games of the series with an unspecified lower-body injury, skated but could be more likely to return for Game 4 Monday. Laviolette defended McLeod on Friday but also didn't play him in a similar speed series, in the first round against Chicago. 1066242 Minnesota Wild

Downtown packed for Stanley Cup Final debut in Nashville

Staff Report Associated Press JUNE 3, 2017 — 5:40PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Predators and their fans finally have the game they've been waiting so very long to host. The first Stanley Cup Final not only in the franchise's history, but also the first major league championship game ever played in Tennessee with Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Nashville shut down a chunk of Broadway where the honky tonks and bars line the street for a free concert by country superstar Alan Jackson. Fans packed shoulder to shoulder nearly an hour before Jackson's concert with the street then being used for an outdoor viewing party. Predators forward Harry Zolnierczyk says the atmosphere was crazy through the first three rounds of the playoffs and now sees Nashville revamping everything downtown. He says the Predators are excited for Game 3. The defending champion Penguins lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

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AP source: Okposo visits Sabres for 1st time since illness

By JOHN WAWROW Associated Press JUNE 3, 2017 — 10:00AM

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A person with direct knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that forward Kyle Okposo has visited the Buffalo Sabres' facility for the first time in two months since he was hospitalized because of an undisclosed illness. The person says Okposo was in good spirits during the unannounced visit a few weeks ago and has since been attending family functions around Buffalo. Okposo is continuing to show signs of improvement, but the person says there is no timetable for when he will be cleared to skate. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres are not providing updates on Okposo's status, citing medical privacy laws. Okposo spent about a week undergoing tests at Buffalo General Hospital's neurosurgical intensive care unit in early April. He was first sidelined March 28 when he complained of feeling ill before a game at Columbus. Okposo had just returned to the lineup and played two games after missing 10 because of a rib injury.

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Stanley Cup Final: Game 3 recap

MICHAEL RUSSO JUNE 3, 2017 — 11:21PM

Star Tribune’s 1. Roman Josi, Predators: Goal and two assists for the standout defenseman. 2. Pekka Rinne, Nashville: Bounced back from being pulled in Game 2 by making 27 saves and winning his 13th game. 3. Jake Guentzel, Pittsburgh: Scored his playoff-leading 13th goal, one from tying the NHL rookie record. By the numbers 20 Points by Guentzel, a record for U.S.-born rookie NHLers and one from tying the NHL rookie record. 17-4 The combined home record by Penguins and Predators this postseason. 1-for-13 The Penguins power play in the series. 5 Goals allowed for fourth time this postseason by Pittsburgh.

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Penguins young and old benefit from Sidney Crosby's leadership

By Michael Russo Star Tribune JUNE 3, 2017 — 11:21PM

NASHVILLE – Jake Guentzel joked earlier in the Stanley Cup Final that the first time he saw his locker room stall would be next to Sidney Crosby’s, he was just scared to mess things up for the star center. “But Sid has been nothing but a help to me on and off the ice,” said Guentzel, the Penguins rookie and NHL’s leading goal scorer in the playoffs. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said it wasn’t a coincidence that the 22- year-old Guentzel was placed to the left of Crosby. “We tend to put a lot of the young guys next to Sid when they come up and join our team,” Sullivan said. “He’s such a great influence on them. I think the leadership that he provides, just those informal conversations are great for a young player. I think Sid has a really nice way of making those guys feel comfortable when they come into our dressing room. The influence he has on these kids goes a long way to giving these kids the confidence that they need. “When you look at our locker room, for a young player, on the surface it could be an intimidating locker room. We have a lot of star power in there. These guys really look up to some of the players that we have on our team, Sid being probably the guy that personifies that. I think he has a great way of disarming that right away, making guys feel comfortable when they come into our dressing room.” Veteran Matt Cullen said Crosby is not only this way with youngsters. “He’s one of the best just all-around teammates I’ve ever had,” said Cullen, 40. “He doesn’t get enough credit for that. Obviously he’s one of the best players to ever play the game, and everybody agrees with that, but I was impressed off the ice how he really makes a point of going out of his way to make everybody feel a part of the team. I was a 38-year-old veteran coming to the team last year, but he went out of his way to offer to help me look for houses or help me with any transitions that I needed for the kids. He has a lot on his plate. I think there’s more asked of him than any player in the league, and he’s accommodating when it comes with the media, with everything. He’s as good as they get. And it’s all genuine. “You see that with young guys like Guentzel or [Conor] Sheary last year. He goes out of his way to make people feel comfortable within the group. That goes a long way. Think it’s easy for a kid like Guentzel to come up and immediately be put on a line with Sid? No way, but when Sid makes you feel comfortable on the side, it goes a long way to making you feel comfortable playing next to him on the ice.” Guentzel was a huge Crosby fan growing up. On the other hand, Ryan Guentzel, Jake’s oldest brother, was an “Alex Ovechkin guy” growing up. But, Ryan Guentzel says, “Getting now to watch Crosby play and hearing Jake tell us about him as a person, I can’t respect this guy enough.” Injured Predators No. 1 center Ryan Johansen said it has been easier than he thought being sidelined by a thigh injury. “The identity and the character of our team, how we’re built, it’s been pretty easy to watch because, I mean, these guys, every time they’re on the ice, they throw everything they’ve got,” Johansen said. “They’re not going to stop for anything. As I’ve been sitting on the couch basically for the last two weeks, it’s been really inspiring watching guys like Freddy Gaudreau, Austin Watson, Pontus Aberg, just elevating their games.” Etc. • The Predators tinkered with their lineup for Game 3, playing forwards P.A. Parenteau and Harry Zolnierczyk and scratching Cody McLeod and Vernon Fiddler. • Penguins forward Nick Bonino (ankle) was scratched and replaced by Carl Hagelin.

Star Tribune LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066246 Minnesota Wild "It was the same Pekka everyone's been talking about for a long time now," Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "Our belief in him never wavers in this room. He was unbelievable." Nashville responds with 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh in Game 3 It's a series now. The game turned nasty at times and there also was some world-class chirping at the end between Crosby and Subban. By Michael Russo Star Tribune JUNE 3, 2017 — 11:36PM "He told me my breath smelled bad," Subban said. "I really don't understand why, because I used Listerine before the game. I thought my breath smelled great." NASHVILLE – With Nashville police estimating 50,000 people partying on the streets of downtown Nashville, a lucky 17,000 lively, very loud fans got to flood into Bridgestone Arena on Saturday night and turn that Star Tribune LOADED: 06.04.2017 colorful venue into a jolly bash. Every section of the arena was filled during pregame warmups, which is an oddity. And with both teams prepping, "Let's Go Preds!!!" chants broke out, as did "Pekka! Pekka! Pekka," an ode to the Pekka Rinne, the Predators' lifer goaltender who struggled mightily in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. After giving up an early goal to — who else? — Jake Guentzel, Rinne bounced back during a 27-save performance as the Predators took Game 3 over in the second period and put some doubt in the Pittsburgh Penguins' repeat hopes by cutting their series deficit to 2-1 with a 5-1 steamrolling. "Pretty cool. That was unbelievable," Rinne said of the pregame serenade from fans. "Collectively, everyone was telling each other we've never seen anything like that. As a player, we're really proud to be part of just having our fans a chance to get recognized and being in the big stage now. It's a good showcase for the city of Nashville and our fans." As enthusiastic as advertised, the Predators' passionate fan base had the arena vibrating with standing ovations during play and TV timeouts. Catfish, cowboy hats and rally towels hit the ice, Martina McBride sang the national anthem, Hank Williams Jr. waved a towel from the band stage and actress Nicole Kidman highlighted the star-studded crowd by dancing with husband, country music star Keith Urban. "It was the best atmosphere I've ever played in," Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban said. "Pretty spectacular." The crowd grew especially vivacious when the Predators rallied in the second period after Guentzel's playoff-leading 13th goal. Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart and James Neal scored with 22.6 seconds left. Josi, one of five NHL defensemen who has recorded at least 40 points in each of the past four seasons — Brent Burns, Dustin Byfuglien, Erik Karlsson and Duncan Keith are the others — had points on all three goals. "He's as consistent a player as there is in the NHL," coach Peter Laviolette said of Josi. Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm scored third-period goals as the Predators went on to improve to 8-1 at home in the playoffs and 4-0 in Game 3s, all at Bridgestone Arena. "We've been outplayed in stretches [of the series]," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "Do we have to be better? Yeah, and we're capable of that." While Guentzel continues to light the lamp with four goals in the series to put himself within one of Dino Ciccarelli's NHL rookie record of 14 and within one point of the NHL rookie record of 21 held by Ciccarelli and Ville Leino, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each were held without a shot in a playoff game for the first time in their careers. In addition, Phil Kessel went without a goal for the third time in the series and seventh time in the past eight games. "The speed was there, our execution was there, we made sure we were on the right side of stuff," Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. "It was a 60-minute effort. Every guy really took their game to the next level." Rinne was pulled in Game 2 and allowed eight goals on 36 shots in the first two games (.778 save percentage). So imagine how tough it was when even though Laviolette was convinced his team was "dialed in" to start the game, Guentzel scored his 50th pro goal in 95 games this season off a rebound 2:46 into the game. "The first couple games and beginning of this game, it's been a battle," Rinne said. "At those moments, you just mentally, you try to erase your mind and focus on the next save and you remind yourself you're still in the playoffs and life's pretty good." Rinne recovered, especially in the second period when he stopped 13 shots, including back-to-back chances by Kessel and Chris Kunitz. 1066247 Minnesota Wild scoring. It’s to the point where goalies even stop most shootout attempts. That’s because there are no “greasy” shootout goals.

Also, give defenders more leeway in clearing the area. It used to be that Tom Powers: NHL goalies have outgrown their nets forwards who camped near the goal had to pay a tremendous physical price. Now, pipsqueaks can stand there with impunity because they’re protected by the refs. Big, strong defensemen must front them because By TOM POWERS | [email protected] | they aren’t allowed physically move them. That adds to the congestion and nurtures the “greasy goal” mentality. June 3, 2017 at 7:00 am But I can’t discuss the defensemen issue right now. I have to see what Jacques says about it first. The size of a regulation NHL goal is 72 inches by 48 inches. Coincidentally, the size of a regulation NHL goaltender is 72 inches by 48 inches. The latter is increasingly rapidly. Pioneer Press LOADED: 06.04.2017 Because goaltenders, with all their equipment, now plug into nets like corks into wine bottles, we are forced to witness a never-ending quest for “greasy goals.” Tom PowersThat is a term I have come to regard with the same disdain as “tax hike” and “rain delay.” With the evolution of goaltenders and their equipment, the hockey phrase “putting the biscuit in the basket” has been replaced by “putting the biscuit in the bread basket.” It’s almost impossible to miss the goalie when shooting. Instead, we now have a group of world-class athletes forming a large clump near the crease. By creating their own mosh pit, the offense hopes to jab or stab a puck behind a large, armored goaltender. This is how most NHL goals are scored. The have featured plenty of excitement. The officials are calling games the way they used to call playoff games decades ago: No autopsy, no penalty. This has led to big body checks and quite a few turnovers, as puck-carriers have subtly opted to seek shelter rather than face hard-charging, blood-thirsty forecheckers. The action has been wonderful, enhanced by the lyrical play-by-play of , the astute analysis of Ed Olczyk and the conviviality of Pierre McGuire, who loves everybody’s home town, all the minor-league stick boys and all the assistant trainers in junior hockey. The action has been wonderful, that is, until it comes time to finish off a great play by scoring. Right until it comes time to reward all that hard work and creativity. Then the whole thing fizzles because the puck has nowhere to go except into the goalie’s equipment. Then the “greasiness” begins. It’s frustrating. The goalies are so big, talented and well-equipped that they must make a mistake to allow a goal, and that mistake usually involves not covering a tiny sliver of space through which a jabbed puck might pass. Imagine if a larger percentage of the great passes by Sidney Crosby, quick-wristers by Alex Ovechkin and booming slappers from Zdeno Chara found their way past a goaltender – just as God intended. Then a one-goal deficit wouldn’t seem like a mountain to climb. What to do, what to do? Well, as it turns out, Jacques Lemaire was right. Jacques Lemaire was always right, of course. He was, and is, a hockey oracle. And he used to wave his hand to cut off all discussion when anyone talked about ways to increase scoring. “Just make the nets bigger,” he’d say. Yes, but if you do that … (insert dismissive wave of the hand here.) “The goalies are bigger and better, but the nets are the same size. Make the nets bigger.” And then he’d roll his eyes as if to say that the answer is so obvious that it’s ridiculous to keep asking the question. The game today is faster than ever, but it comes down to a continual series of races to get to the other end and coagulate in front of the net. I still can’t get used to it. The ultra-talented Pittsburgh Penguins can offer occasional relief, yet even they have had a huge helping of 1-0, 2-1 postseason games. Jacques was right and other coaches, such as Toronto’s Mike Babcock, have since agreed. Never mind trying to shrink goalie pads. You couldn’t possibly shrink them enough to make a difference. Just increase the size of the goal. I’m not saying put a soccer goal back there; just make it big enough to allow the offense a target — a few inches all around. To me, it’s not a question of creating more offense, it’s about being fair. Give the guys on offense an equal chance and they’ll generate more 1066248 second goal of the Stanley Cup final, a quick wrister. Suddenly, Nashville was on top – and they never trailed again.

Predators’ defenceman PK Subban calmly guaranteed a win in Game 3, Predators prey on Penguins 5-1 with help from boisterous fans which really had nothing to do with anything, other than taking some of the pressure and attention away from goaltender Pekka Rinne, who’d been under fire after struggling in the first two games of the series. ERIC DUHATSCHEK There was never any real question that the Predators would come back The Globe and Mail with Rinne, who is their No. 1 goaltender, and the main reason they’re in the final in the first place. Published Saturday, Jun. 03, 2017 11:36PM EDT But coach Peter Laviolette had some inexperienced observers wondering Last updated Sunday, Jun. 04, 2017 12:56AM EDT if he’d make a switch, just because he didn’t name a Game 3 starter. Never mind that Laviolette is like almost every other NHL coach these

days – refusing to divulge who is in, or out, of his lineup, feeling it could Playing host to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in franchise history, give the opponent important intelligence in terms of devising a game the city of Nashville was in the mood to party. Country superstar Alan plan. Jackson, wielding a guitar with a Predators’ logo on the front and back, Rinne’s time to shine came just after the Predators took their second- played an energetic set at the jammed-packed pregame party. Martina period lead, when he made important, successive saves on close-in McBride sang the national anthem. Hank Williams Jr. was on stage, chances by Phil Kessel and Chris Kunitz as the Penguins pressed for the waving the , just before puck drop. quick equalizer. It didn’t happen. The decibel level in Bridgestone Arena was off the charts – and when it Murray was good at the other end, too, and probably a little unlucky when was all over, you could honestly say, the crowd practically willed the the Predators opened up a two-goal cushion with only 23 seconds Predators to victory during Saturday’s pivotal third game of the Stanley remaining in the middle period, Neal scoring on a centring pass from Cup final. Viktor Arvidsson that serendipitously deflected right onto his stick off Normally, an early goal – which Pittsburgh scored, Jake Guentzel defenceman . contributing his league-leading 13th of the playoffs – will quiet everybody Smith and Ekholm turned it into a laugher with their third-period goals. in the building. When things started to get silly at that point, referees Wes McCauley and Not Saturday night. Brad Meier started sending a succession of players to the dressing rooms, with misconduct penalties, to keep tempers from erupting further. The crowd stayed with it, and so did the Predators, who erupted for three second-period goals – including two scored in a span of 42 seconds – Rinne has struggled since the middle of the third round, but he does lead and then won the game going away, by a final tally of 5-1 over the playoffs in wins, with 13 now, and has been especially good at home, Pittsburgh, the defending Stanley Cup champions. where the Predators are now 8-1 in nine starts thus far. “Just driving into the arena before the game and then on TV, before the As the lowest-seeded team in the playoffs, Nashville has started every game, we saw the whole Broadway strip packed with people,” Predators’ series on the road, where they’ve been okay. But Rinne had a 1.54 GAA defenceman P.K. Subban told NBC Sports postgame. “We knew it was and a .947 save percentage at Bridgestone Arena in the playoffs, and on going to be packed with people, and we wanted to take advantage of it, Saturday, he was far sharper than he’d been the last couple of weeks. and we did. That’s one game now – and we’re going to move forward.” Subban said he didn’t feel any extra pressure after promising a win, The victory by the Predators narrowed Pittsburgh’s lead in the best-of- saying: “It’s just hockey. It’s a game, at the end of the day. I’m confident seven Stanley Cup final to 2-1. in my teammates and our ability to win hockey games when we need to. Today, our leaders stepped up.” Roman Josi, Frederik Gaudreau, James Neal, Craig Smith and Matthias Ekholm scored for Nashville against Penguins goaltender Matt Murray, According to Subban, the Predators’ poise in handling the early adversity who actually played very well in the first half of the game, when it was still largely contributed to the victory. close. “The first two games, we played good hockey,” said Subban, “but that’s a Game 4 will be played Monday night in Nashville, a city that has become championship team and we can’t afford to make the mistakes we made. extraordinarily receptive to the underdog Predators, who entered the People wanted to talk about Peks [Rinne], but we didn’t play well enough 2017 NHL playoffs as the de facto 16th seed – the team with the poorest in front of him. You saw tonight, we had a bad bounce early in the game regular-season record to actually qualify for postseason play. to go down 1-0, but like our team has done the whole playoffs, we showed really good composure today, and we’re going to take that into Thus far, they’ve eliminated three higher seeds – the Chicago the next game.” Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and – and now presumably have the Penguins a little more worried than they were a day earlier. Pittsburgh is striving to become the first team in two decades to win Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.04.2017 back-to-back Stanley Cup champions and at different times, looked weary and almost out of gas, even after getting two days off between games. Officially, Tennessee became the 15th U.S. state to serve as a Stanley Cup final venue since the NHL was founded in 1917 – and it is hard to imagine a wilder scene than the one on display Saturday, a packed house of over 18,000 people inside the building, about twice that many watching the viewing party outside. Ultimately, they liked what they saw from the Predators, with Nashville flipping the script on Pittsburgh, which used its quick-strike attack to win the first two games of the series on their home ice. This time, Nashville turned a one-goal deficit into a one-goal lead in a flash – a 42-second sequence early in the second period, which began when Pittsburgh’s Justin Schultz was penalized for holding the Predators’ Harry Zolnierczyk. It was an odd goal, just because Josi was unable to make a clean play on a cross-ice feed from Ekholm, a little bobble that actually turned out to be fortuitous. It forced Josi to double clutch on his shot, and the short delay, along with the fact that his shot deflected off Pittsburgh penalty killer Carter Rowney, froze Murray and beat him glove side, which was where he was vulnerable Saturday night. Up to that point in the game, Murray had been flat-out sensational for Pittsburgh. But shortly thereafter, the opportunistic Gaudreau scored his 1066249 Montreal Canadiens But given his middling season and management’s mixed feelings about him, you wonder if the GM might not prefer to go for a shorter contract.

Galchenyuk’s agent, Pat Brisson, told Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse What the Puck: Canadiens need to solve the Alex Galchenyuk enigma this week that he and his client are open to a long-term contract, but would also consider a one-year deal, going on to say that he and his team were going to see what Galchenyuk would be worth if the case Brendan Kelly, Montreal Gazette went to arbitration. Published on: June 3, 2017 | Last Updated: June 3, 2017 4:58 PM EDT Brisson will probably tell Bergevin that he should take a look at the contract given to another young player comparable to Galchenyuk. That would be Nashville Predators hotshot left-winger Filip Forsberg, who is tearing up the playoffs with eight goals and 15 points in 18 games. He’s Marc Bergevin has lots on his plate this summer. Carey Price’s contract coming off a 31-goal season and that’s his third straight campaign with a is up at the end of next season, but most of us figure he’ll try to re-sign similar goal total. He scored 33 in 2015-16 and 26 in 2014-15. Brisson the greatest-goalie-who’s-never-won-anything-in-the-playoffs this would obviously love a Forsberg-like contract. Bergevin not so much. summer because the Canadiens’ general manager won’t want that issue Last year, Forsberg signed a six-year deal with Nashville for a cool $6 hanging like a dark cloud over the team all season. You don’t want to be million a season. hearing endless media chatter about whether or not Price is going to sign with the Habs, which would be just the sort of distraction that could cause So what Bergevin will almost certainly reply is that Forsberg is a much a fragile team like the Habs lose focus. more consistent scorer than Galchenyuk — and that he has been terrific in the playoffs. Chucky, like almost all of his teammates, was a dud in the There is also the matter of trying to keep Alexander Radulov, who is set 2017 playoffs. to become an unrestricted free agent. He was a major sparkplug for the Canadiens’ offence all season and that is no small deal for a team that So the mystery continues. Is Galchenyuk the Habs’ great offensive hope has so much trouble putting the puck in the back of the net. or is he going to be a perennial also-ran? The chap who was supposed to be the No. 1 centre started this post-season on the wing on the fourth But maybe the biggest challenge facing the Montreal GM is the strange line, which is clearly a case of management punishing him, in my view. case of Alex Galchenyuk. The ultra-talented forward was signed third overall by the Habs in the 2012 draft and at the time everyone from Is it that they just don’t like his lack of defensive skill or is it something Canadiens management to the fan base thought they finally had landed else? Galchenyuk was involved in a high-profile incident early in 2016 in the big, strong centre that the team has been seeking for over two which his girlfriend was arrested by the police for suspected domestic decades. violence. Canadiens management famously has little tolerance for any questionable off-ice behaviour. But five years later, Galchenyuk’s place on the team couldn’t be less clear. He becomes a restricted free agent this summer and, a year ago, But at the same time, the team has so little firepower up front that it’s you would’ve thought it would be a slam dunk that he’d be set to sign a hard to believe the rumours making the rounds that they’re thinking of lucrative long-term contract with the Canadiens around this time. He trading Galchenyuk. Once you go beyond Max Pacioretty, there is almost scored 30 goals in the 2015-16 season and he accomplished this no one on the Habs’ roster who can put the puck in the net. impressive feat despite the fact that coach Michel Therrien appeared to be doing everything in his power to stunt the development of the young So maybe the best solution for management is to sign him for one year player, limiting his ice time and rarely using him on the first wave of the and see if he comes back to life. But you never know. Maybe they’ll do power play. what they’ve often done in the past and rather than work hard to solve a difficult player, they simply ship him out of town. And you just know, in But Chucky stumbled big time last season. He got off to an amazing classic Habs-trade fashion, he’ll end up somewhere else and start start, notching 23 points in the first 24 games and he was showing real lighting up the scoreboard. chemistry on a line with Radulov. But then he went down with a knee injury in December and he ended up missing 21 games. When he returned, he didn’t look like the same player and he finished the season with a disappointing 17 goals and 44 points in 61 games. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 And the debate just never ends as to whether Galchenyuk is a winger or a centre. He doesn’t seem to know and neither does his GM or his coach. At the post-season media interviews, Galchenyuk looked visibly angry when asked the question yet again. “I think I answered this question way too many times and you’re asking me again,” said Galchenyuk. Then he shrugged his shoulders: “And I’ll have the same response. So I don’t know what you’re trying to get out of me.” He looked like he’d rather be anywhere else except in front of a scrum of reporters talking about his lacklustre season. I remember making this same argument with Subban, yet they'd been trying to trade him for 4 years. Bergevin didn’t sound any more enthused to be talking about his star forward. “Alex didn’t have a season that was up to our expectations,” said Bergevin, in his post-season news conference. Coach Claude Julien said he was still holding out hope that Galchenyuk would end up as a centre, but the coach, like Therrien, continued to grumble about his defensive play in his own zone. “Ideally, we’d love to have (Galchenyuk) play centre,” said Julien, after the Habs’ season was ended by the New York Rangers in the first round. “You have to be good at both ends of the ice and you have to be responsible.” In short, the jury’s out on the 23-year-old Milwaukee-born player of Belarusian descent. So what does Bergevin do? He is coming off a two- year contract that paid him $5.6 million, the classic Habs bridge contract, so you would’ve thought Bergevin would be ready to sign him to a long- term deal. 1066250 Nashville Predators

Predators fans let fish fly as Nashville hosts first Stanley Cup Final game

Joel Ebert , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 4:46 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 9 minutes ago

Fish fever was alive and well in Nashville Saturday when the team hosted its first ever Stanley Cup Final game at Bridgestone Arena with Predators fans tossing two catfish and a stuff penguin onto the ice prior to the game's start. The objects flew onto the ice as country star Martina McBride ended her singing of the National Anthem, with fans throughout the arena shouting and waving fans in support of the tradition that has gained recognition recently. Even before the mass tossing, a catfish appeared on the ice. During warmups, backup goalie Marc-Andre Fleury used his stick to scoop up a catfish and bring it to his team's bench. Prior to puck drop, fans were told to keep their fish at bay. "We are discouraging fans from throwing anything onto the ice other than hats during a hat trick," team spokesman Kevin Wilson said Saturday afternoon. Wilson declined to say whether fans would face additional security measures to ensure they didn't sneak any fish into the arena. Despite the discouragement by the team, the frenzy over the fish has taken Music City by storm. A local fish company in Germantown said it would provide anyone with a ticket to Games 3 or 4 of the Stanley Cup Final a free catfish. The offer came after fish markets in Pittsburgh said they wouldn't sell catfish to Preds fans and just days after Jacob Waddell, aka "Catfish Jake," was charged with three misdemeanors in Pittsburgh after throwing a catfish onto the ice during Game 1. After the incident, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation weighed in on the event, which garnered more attention after Pittsburgh officials labeled the catfish a "instrument of crime." Nashville police even got in on the catfish fun this week. During a Friday morning meeting, an officer jokingly asked if they were prepared for the presence of catfish. Fans inside the stadium Saturday scoffed at the "instrument of crime" label, with one person holding a sign with the verbage showing up on the Jumbotron. Predators fans have been throwing catfish on the ice since at least 2003 in a tradition co-opted from the Detroit Red Wings’ octopus toss. As the series, in which the Preds trail the Penguins 2-0, turns to Nashville, there was significant anticipation that catfish would return en masse. The fervor over catfish even spilled over to NBC, the network providing coverage of the entire series. Shortly before the game, the TV station posted a two-minute video on social media featuring former Chicago Blackhawks star turned analyst . In the video, Roenick recruits Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan who provides assistance to Roenick who at one point jumps underwater and snags a fish with his bare hands. Outside and inside Bridgestone Arena, fans could be seen wearing catfish costumes. This is a developing story.

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Martina McBride sings National Anthem before Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

Dana Sulonen, USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 7:21 p.m. CT June 3, 2017

In the biggest sporting event to happen in the city of Nashville, it was a country music great who graced the ice with the national anthem. On Saturday before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, country superstar Martina McBride became the latest singer to get the honor of singing the Star Spangled Banner. On Thursday, the catfish came out of the bag when McBride's daughter, Delaney McBride, posted a picture of her dad John McBride with the Stanley Cup on her private Facebook page Thursday with the caption: “When your dad gets to hang with the Stanley Cup? Oh and Tina is singing the anthem on Saturday. LOOK OUT.” Though it wasn't as big of a surprise like when Carrie Underwood sang during Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against Chicago, McBride was still met with thunderous applause. With her performance, McBride joined a star-studded list of her peers who have tacked the job including Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Underwood and Lady Antebellum.

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Predators send noise level soaring at Bridgestone Arena

Mike Organ , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 6:45 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 31 minutes ago

There's been a lot noise about all the noise that's made during the Predators' playoff games. Claims have been made that the noise level reaches the same as that of a military jet airplane during takeoff (130 dBA) or a clap of thunder (120). Those numbers are according to a Purdue University study. "(Bridgestone) has become the loudest building in the NHL," Predators captain Mike Fisher said before the game. "You’ll hear that tonight, so bring your earplugs." Using the Decibel 10 noise/sound meter app on an iPhone, The Tennessean recorded key moments Saturday before, during and at the end of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against Pittsburgh at Bridgestone Arena. The results: ► 71.1 in a mostly empty arena at 3:05 p.m. ► 104.0 during pregame sound check including the video board show at 3:35 p.m. This, of course, was not crowd noise. ► 97.5 when the Predators came onto the ice for pregame warm-up at 6:41 p.m. ► 93.5 first "Lets go Predators" chant at 6:47 p.m. ►100.5 second "Lets go Predators" chant as Predators exited the ice after warm-up at 6:56 p.m.

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Live Updates: Penguins lead Predators 1-0 in Game 3

Jon Garcia , USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee Published 6:00 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 3 minutes ago

The Nashville Predators host their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history when the Pittsburgh Penguins bring a 2-0 series lead to Bridgestone Arena. Stick right here for live updates throughout the game: FIRST PERIOD Well, not the start the Predators were looking for. Predators killer Jake Guentzel scores his third goal of the series. A jittery shift led to someone mishandling a puck they should have taken control of. That led to a point shot, a rebound and a goal. The puck has dropped and Nashville is ready for some hockey. Martina McBride sang the national anthem, which wasn't surprising as the surprise was spoiled yesterday. As expected, Pekka Rinne will be your starting goal and there will be a new look to the lineup. I don't see Vernon Fiddler, so expect Frederick Gaudreau to slide into the center position. Nashville has fully embraced the Stanley Cup Final. Lower Broadway is packed with hockey fans and tourists alike, whether they were finding their way to the game, watching Alan Jackson, or bar-hopping through the honky tonks, everyone is ready for this game to start. Even Rex and Rob Ryan are getting in on the action, going ham on the "smash car." We'll also see how many catfish hit the ice tonight. The Predators are publicly discouraging fans from hurling them in the arena.

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Alan Jackson pumps up Predators fans before Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

Jordan Buie , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 6:35 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 35 minutes ago

Thousands of Nashville Predators fans lined the stage before Alan Jackson's free concert on Broadway on Saturday afternoon, some waiting in the sun since midday to soak in what one fan said Nashville does best: sports and music. "This is Alan Jackson, and he's a legend, and who gets more country than that?" said Wanda Rush, who came to Nashville from Memphis. "He's here to celebrate the Predators, and we are here to celebrate him and behind us, well, that's Smashville." By 4:30 p.m., just before Jackson's concert, the crowd gathered for the Broadway tailgate that stretched from Fifth Avenue to the riverfront, with several early arrivals sitting in chairs in front of the stage and hundreds more standing in spots they'd saved hours before — some leaning out the windows and over the rails of bars down Music City's main stretch of honky tonks. "We are making history, the Preds are doing well and this is Nashville, but it's still up and coming," said Nashvillian Tyler Bickel, who had been waiting in front of the stage since 12:30 p.m. "But having all of these people out here really makes for a great time. I don't think people leave Nashville not wanting to come back." Jackson came out and greeted screaming fans just before 5 p.m. sporting a guitar that said, "Go Preds." "The Predators asked us to come out here and play for y'all, and we're just gonna try to have a good time before the big game tonight," Jackson said, before playing several of his classics. "I'm going to play y'all some country music tonight. It's just amazing to be down here in the middle of Broadway, Music City, USA where all this country music first started."

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Pekka Rinne expected to start for Predators, PA Parenteau to debut in Stanley Cup Final

Adam Vingan , USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee Published 12:07 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 7 hours ago

Two off days of fielding lineup-related questions rankled Predators coach Peter Laviolette, so his curtness Saturday morning was predictable. Who is your starting goaltender tonight? "Next question," he said. Is there any temptation to tinker with your lineup with your team trailing the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final? "Next question," he said. Laviolette didn't reveal anything, as expected. But there were clues during Saturday's optional morning skate that would suggest that changes will be made in Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena (7 p.m., NBC/102.5-FM). Something that won't change is Nashville's starting goaltender. Pekka Rinne, who has been at the center of a goaltending "controversy" since being pulled in Wednesday's Game 2 loss, is expected to play. He inhabited the crease typically reserved for the presumed starter during the Predators' morning skate and returned to the locker room before backup Juuse Saros. Rinne, who has a .778 save percentage through two games, is winless in nine career starts against Pittsburgh during the regular season and postseason (0-7-2). Elsewhere, Predators forward P.A. Parenteau said that he'll make his Stanley Cup Final debut Saturday. He played in one game in each of the previous three rounds, last appearing in Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks on May 18. "Hopefully I can bring a little offense tonight and help the team generate a little more," Parenteau said. Parenteau could slot in at right wing on a new-look line with center Frederick Gaudreau and forward Harry Zolnierczyk, the latter of whom hasn't played in the Predators' past five games. That could mean that veteran forwards Cody McLeod and Vernon Fiddler will be scratched. Among the participants at the Predators' morning skate was injured forward Colin Wilson. He is hopeful that he'll be able to return from an unspecified injury, which prevented him from playing in the past two games, during the Stanley Cup Final barring any setbacks. "It's an interesting dynamic because it's one series left," Wilson said of battling the urge to return before he's fully ready. "You have time, it's early on in the series, but you don't have a lot of time."

Tennessean LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066256 Nashville Predators AV: I think the Predators will win, too. And it appears that McLeod will exit the lineup for forward P.A. Parenteau, who said he will make his Stanley Cup Final debut. Don't be surprised to see Zolnierczyk make an Can the Preds find a formula and a way? Our writers debate appearance, either. Let's make it 3-1. JR: Homer Vingan just doesn't have the same ring. Joe Rexrode and Adam Vingan , The Tennessean Published 11:47 a.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 8 hours ago Tennessean LOADED: 06.04.2017

Today's the big day, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, Nashville's first chance to host a sporting event of this magnitude, the Predators' chance to cut into a 2-0 series deficit and give the Pittsburgh Penguins some payback. And I'm on the record as liking their chances. Beat writer Adam Vingan, on the other hand ... we might have to start calling him Negative Ned. Or Antagonistic Adam. Or Non-believin' Vingan. We were debating the Predators' chances on the plane back from Pittsburgh the other day and thought it might be worth taking this argument public. So Adam, I ask you, why are you so certain the Predators will be swept in this series and outscored 12-0 or so in the next two home games? ADAM VINGAN: Slow your roll, Joe. It was actually 11-0. I'm kidding, of course. I don't believe the Predators are going to be unceremoniously swept out of the Stanley Cup Final. But how many teams have won a Stanley Cup when losing the first two games of a best-of-seven final? Five of 50. My friend Alex Prewitt of Sports Illustrated uncovered that the Penguins have lost four of five, which is what they'd have to do to lose this series, twice under coach Mike Sullivan since the team promoted him in December 2015. If Nashville wins Saturday, the complexion of this series completely changes. The Predators can easily argue that they've been the better team in every statistical measure that typically predicts success, but they haven't been in the one that counts — wins. Pittsburgh has capitalized on each Nashville mistake. JOE REXRODE: Agree on the last point. And I understand the history. I also remember that the last time I was in Pittsburgh before last week's trip, I watched at a sports bar filled with excited Penguins fans as young Sidney Crosby and Co. won at Detroit in Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final -- a series they trailed 2-0. Boston did it a couple years later. The fact that it happens so rarely is interesting and, frankly, a bit surprising given the unpredictable nature of this sport. I think it can happen again this year. But the Predators obviously have to get things started Saturday. Do you feel more or less like they'll get it done than you did right after Game 2? AV: Well, if you listen to P.K. Subban, they're going to win Game 3. His teammates share that confidence, and they should. Despite an injury- ravaged forward group, the Predators aren't being outplayed. What Nashville needs to do is be more careful with the puck in certain situations. The three Pittsburgh third-period goals in Game 2 were created off Nashville turnovers, particularly when it came to pinching in the offensive zone. And of course, they need a Finnish goaltender to make saves. But which one? JR: That's some serious trolling. Kind of like Peter Laviolette, trolling the entire media throng since Game 2 on an obvious goaltender decision. We both know it's going to be Pekka Rinne, and to me, there's no debate on that. Rinne has the experience, he has been elite for most of this postseason, and making that move right now would not help this team psychologically. Also, though I think Saros has a bright future, I'm not sure he's ready for this. Look, if the Penguins get to Rinne again and Game 3 goes bad, maybe then you make the switch. While you're still in this series and can change it with one big win, you look to Rinne to provide it. Right? AV: Of course. I just wanted to needle you for calling me "Non-believin' Vingan." That is not going to be a thing. Prediction time, Joe. Give it to me. JR: Well, first of all, I must say I was surprised to see no changes in the lines at Friday's practice, though now that appears to be Laviolette gamesmanship. As you deduced from the optional skate and interviews before Game 3, it looks like lineup changes are coming. When you asked Laviolette about Cody McLeod on Friday, pointing out that McLeod wasn't part of the similar-style Chicago series, his answer was as close as I think he'll come to saying: "Cody is playing because we're banged up." We know Colin Wilson is hurt but Harry Zolnierczyk clearly hasn't been fully healthy either. Now it may be time for him to emerge, because Nashville needs as much speed as it can muster. As for this game, I think Rinne needs some work and some success early, get some rhythm and get the crowd roaring for him. And the Predators need big guns to produce. Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, they've been split up but they're both needed tonight. I think Nashville will respond with an "A" performance and win 4-2. And you? 1066257 Nashville Predators

Flo Pilote helped Nashville win its first hockey championship

Mike Organ , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 7:00 a.m. CT June 3, 2017

Nobody’s pulling harder for the Predators to come back and win the Stanley Cup Final than a man who helped bring the first hockey championship to Nashville. As an original member of the Nashville Dixie Flyers, Flo Pilote says 50 years is long enough for the city to have gone without a hockey title. He was a driving force for the Flyers when they won back-to-back Eastern Hockey League championships in 1966 and 1967. “I would really like to see the Predators win the (Stanley) Cup because I am so happy with what hockey has become in Nashville today, with how big it is,” said Pilote, 81, who has lived in Hermitage since 1961. “When I played, we didn’t have any marketing; it was all word of mouth and the newspapers covered us.” Pilote is the epitome of an old-school hockey player. He was a tough-as- nails defensemen who didn’t wear a helmet or shoulder pads but still would hit you hard enough to knock the plaque off your teeth. And speaking of teeth, Pilote lost his front two early in his career. He also nearly lost his left eye when he was called up from the minor leagues to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1961. He made the team, but during an intersquad scrimmage while going after hall of famer , he was involved in a collision with several other players and took a skate blade to his forehead. The injury ended his NHL career. Pilote's brother Pierre played for the Blackhawks (1956-68) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (1968-69). He was a three-time Norris Trophy winner (1963, 1964, 1965) as the top defenseman in the NHL and was inducted into the in 1975. The year after Flo was injured was the first for the Dixie Flyers, and he was one of the first to sign with the franchise, which played at Municipal Auditorium. Pilote played in seven of the Flyers' nine seasons in Nashville. “The game has changed a lot since then,” Pilote said. “They should never have removed the red line because somebody’s going to get killed running into each other; they go so fast The speed is one of the main differences from then and now.” Another significant change, Pilote said, is the way the puck is shot. “They shoot it in from way out; we used to carry it in,” he said. “Carrying it in took a lot of skill. And on defense we used to play the game where you follow one man. You back-check your left wing and you back-check your right wing, the defenseman stays up and the goaltender works hard at it.” Because of the increase in speed, Pilote said, the game today is more difficult to watch. “I ain’t got no more fingernails and I started chewing on my toenails after trying to watch the game today,” he said. Pilote's son Terry graduated from DuPont High in 1976, played hockey at Miami (Ohio) University and then returned to Nashville where he played for the Nashville South Stars, a minor league team owned by Larry Schmittou, which also played at Municipal Auditorium (1981-83). Flo is still in top condition. At 181 pounds, he weighs exactly what he did when he played for the Dixie Flyers and actually continued to play organized hockey until he was 75. He is still a popular figure in Hermitage, where until a few years ago he owned and operated a sports bar appropriately named The Penalty Box.

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Officials to make crowd control changes before Monday's Game 4

Joel Ebert , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 12:07 a.m. CT June 4, 2017 | Updated 2 hours ago

Officials in Nashville are planning on making changes as a result of complications that arose during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. With an estimated 50,000 people who descended downtown for Saturday's game between the Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins, complications arose as a portion of Lower Broadway was blocked off with metal guardrails for the free Alan Jackson concert. The event was organized by the Nashville Convention and Visitor's Bureau, with APEX Security Group, a private company that previously helped with games, providing security. Although the free concert was originally set to be contained between Fifth Ave. and Third Ave. on Broadway, the blocked off area was expanded, said Don Aaron, a spokesman for Nashville police. Eventually the area blocked off for the concert was expanded all the way to First Ave., said David Corman, captain of special events. "We did that for public safety reasons," he said. Aaron said instead of going into the blocked off area, people opted to stand on the sidewalk to watch Jackson's performance. "The sidewalks were essentially blocked," Aaron said. Corman said he has already been in discussions with the fire officials about making changes before Game 4, which will take place Monday. "We knew this was going to be challenging but certainly, although this may look more crowded, it's not more crowded than what we experience for July 4 or New Year's Eve. It's just a smaller work space," he said. On New Year's Eve as the year changed to 2016, there were an estimated 150,000 people who gathered in Lower Broadway. Corman said although the crowd presented challenges, there were enough safety measures between private security and Metro police in place that they could have responded to any potential issues that could have occurred. "As congested as the sidewalks were, if an officer needed to get in there quickly sure they could," Aaron said, adding that he personally saw people who were claustrophobic. Complicating matters further with the crowds was a technical issues at Preds Plaza outside Bridgestone Arena that resulted in fans flocking towards the already crowded area at Fifth and Broadway. "I think the night was a success but it was not without its issues," Aaron said. "The safety measures that we all agreed upon may have caused some issues with mobility," Corman said. Among the safety precautions police used for Saturday's game were a line of water barriers which were lined on Fifth and Broadway to prevent any vehicles from driving into the crowd. Aaron said Saturday's event were the first time the water barriers were used. Aaron and Corman both said some changes will need to be made before Monday's Game 4. With more than 100 police officers on the scene throughout the day, Aaron said there were only 11 arrests. Seven were for public intoxication, three people were arrested for dealing in counterfeit tickets and one person received a misdemeanor citation for flying a drone over this large crowd which is illegal. "If you look at a regular Friday or Saturday night that's not too far off from what they normally experience," Corman said. Turning to Monday, Aaron said anyone who planned on coming to Lower Broadway should arrive early and have an idea of where they want to go.

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Predators claw back into Stanley Cup Final with Game 3 win over Penguins

Kevin Allen , USA TODAY Sports Published 11:05 p.m. ET June 3, 2017 | Updated 5 hours ago

NASHVILLE — Inspired by a loud, boisterous, festive crowd, the Nashville Predators slammed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 to cut the Penguins’ lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final. The Predators are now 8-1 at home in this postseason. Defenseman Roman Josi had a goal and two assists to lead the Predators, who were playing the first ever Stanley Cup Final game in Nashville. Here’s what matters from Game 3: Rinne is back: After 48 hours of fan and media debate about whether Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne would be replaced, Rinne responded with a strong performance. He made 27 saves, including 13 in the second period when the Predators scored three goals. The scoring: After the Penguins took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Jake Guentzel’s NHL-leading 13th playoff goal, Josi, Frederick Gaudreau and James Neal scored in the second period to give Nashville a 3-1 lead. Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm scored their first goals of this postseason for the Predators in the third period. Festive atmosphere: It was a madhouse inside and outside Bridgestone Arena. Fans filled the arena and streets around the arena. The NHL and NBC may have been the biggest winner in Game 3 because the series has the potential to be entertaining on and off the ice. Power outage: The Penguins went 0-for-3 on the power play and are now 1-for-13 in the series. Reality check: This was the most goals the Penguins have given up in a game since goalie Matt Murray came back in the lineup as a starter.

Tennessean LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066260 Nashville Predators His party then wandered around, trying to find another viewing party. He's been to five previous public viewing parties during the Preds' playoff run and he could not find any other place that wasn't already at capacity. Massive crowds cause safety concerns during Game 3 of Stanley Cup "The logistics of it were just so poorly planned. And in a town full of Final managers, event planners and logistics experts, this is inexcusable," he said. Kirk A. Bado , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 8:02 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 4 hours ago Tennessean LOADED: 06.04.2017

Thousands of Predators fans descended to Broadway on Saturday night, causing congestion, frustration and safety concerns. At the Broadway Smash viewing party, thousands of fans were packed shoulder to shoulder, causing some fans to question even coming downtown. Kevin Smith drove up to Nashville from Franklin with two friends. They arrived at 3 p.m. and started the day at Jack's BBQ and had table overlooking Lower Broadway. After watching the pregame concert and first period from that location, they decided to check out the street level. "No. Too crowded. I mean it's been fun, it's kind of once in a lifetime. But, yeah." he said, shaking his head. He did not feel like he was in any danger, but noted the frustration with trying to move around. "Yeah, I don't feel unsafe. I guess just not enough space to bring in all of the fans to this. But it's fantastic, I'm a big Preds fan." he said. "Man this is like gridlock out here. It's crazy." While most of the viewers for the watch party were seated in the blocked- off areas in the streets, most of the concerns came on the sidewalks. Metro Nashville Police estimated over 50,000 people came downtown to watch the game, crowding streets, bars and sidewalks. As of 11 p.m. on Saturday, metro reported 11 arrests: seven for public intoxication, three for counterfeit tickets and one for flying a drone over the large crowd. Fans and the standard downtown Saturday night crowd alike were swarming near fences and barriers to get a glimpse of the screens, leading to major back-ups for people attempting to move in either direction. "I'm from New Orleans and this is worse than Mardi Gras," said Wyatt Jones, who works downtown. "... At Mardi Gras I could move like 10 blocks in 10 minutes. Here I think I've moved a block in 10 minutes." Mayor Megan Barry's office, Metro Nashville Police Department and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation did not respond to calls late Saturday night. While the crowds on Broadway were an immediate safety concern, there was also disappointment and confusion when an announcer at the Preds Plaza Party at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza came over the public address system to make an announcement: "We're having some issues here and we're going to have to clear the Plaza." Dalton Irvin, 19 of Nashville, got to the plaza two hours before the puck dropped to secure his spot and felt dejected when he was told to leave. "And they say we're a hockey town." Irivn said he did not think they would reopen the viewing area, and went with his friends to find space in the short time before the puck was set to drop. After 10 minutes of confusion and frustration, a modified viewing area was re-opened on the plaza, but much smaller than the original. David Kells, vice president of booking at Predators and Bridgestone Arena said it was a capacity issue. "We were at capacity and now we are re-opening with a smaller area," he said. Hundreds of fans shouted at security, frustrated that they did not know about the plans to reopen the viewing area. Josh Peterson from Franklin arrived downtown around 3:45 and tried to get into the Alan Jackson show on Broadway, but was turned away because they were at capacity. He decided to secure a spot in front of the screen. Peterson was shocked when they were told to leave right before the national anthem. "The whole thing was a total disaster," he said. 1066261 Nashville Predators “I think these first couple games … it's been a battle,” Rinne acknowledged. “I think at those moments, you just mentally try to erase your mind, just focus on the next save, remind yourself that you're still in Predators, Pekka Rinne strike back in style the Finals. Life is pretty good. But I think the second period helped me.” The Penguins actually played well after the Predators' flurry in the second, trying to mount one of their own. Rinne wouldn’t let them. He Joe Rexrode , USA TODAY NETWORK -- Tennessee Published 10:16 ended up saving 27 of 28 shots, and sometimes a little extra work is p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 3 hours ago good. “His game tonight was rock solid,” said Predators coach Peter Laviolette, who was never going to look anywhere else to turn this thing around, Lower Broadway teemed with sunburns and hoarse voices, the sure despite his insistence on not saying so. scents of beer and grilled meats in the air, the sidewalks so packed that people were shuffling more than walking. “There was no decision,” he said when asked about starting Rinne. “Just you guys. There was no decision on that.” A bachelorette party that might have been on its last legs stopped and huddled up outside Rippy’s Bar & Grill on 5th. Nine young women in Laviolette simply doesn’t talk lineups. But he has had a knack in these Nashville Predators T-shirts and “SMASH” baseball hats – the bride-to- playoffs for changing them and getting good results. be had a veil streaming out of the back of her hat – sang along with the Rippy’s sound system. On Saturday he made a needed switch, bringing the speed of Harry Zolnierczyk back and sitting down enforcer Cody McLeod. He also “Don’t stop, believing! Hold on to that feel-iiiing!” brought in seldom-used PA Parenteau for Vern Fiddler and moved Gaudreau back to center. It was four hours before game time. So the new fourth line was Parenteau-Gaudreau-Zolnierczyk. Two guys The party lived up to its billing. Then so did the team. And when swimming in vowels and one rich in consonants. Considering the result, Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne closed the door for good on let’s call them the Wheel of Fortune Line. Pittsburgh in a 5-1 victory in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena, they were all on the same level. And let’s give credit to Zolnierczyk for creating good fortune for the Predators with his speed in the second period, entering the Penguins There was much joy in Nashville after a team and its fans responded with zone with the puck and forcing Justin Schultz to hold him. That set up sheer force to the biggest sports moment this city has seen. And there is Josi’s tying goal. renewed conviction – not that anyone necessarily stopped believing – that the Stanley Cup can still end up here when it’s all over. “He brings speed; he brings energy; he brings physicality,” Laviolette said of Harry Z. “That was a perfect example.’ “We really showed that we’re not going away easy here,” said Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm, whose superlative postseason finally saw Then Gaudreau got the winner. Then Viktor Arvidsson had a Viktor its first goal, making him the 19th Predator to score one since the Arvidsson moment, creating offense out of nothing with his tenacity, playoffs began. “We think we’re in a great spot.” setting up former Penguin James Neal to make it 3-1 with just 22.6 ticks left in the second. It’s a 2-1 lead for Pittsburgh, Monday’s Game 4 at Bridgestone presenting another opportunity for a party at the intersection of Cray and It was pretty much over then. Craig Smith got one past Murray on a Zee, and more importantly an opportunity for the Predators to create a breakaway and Ekholm scored, the first goal for each in this postseason, new series. If it’s tied heading back to Pittsburgh for the start of a best of in a third period that got appropriately snippy. three, the pressure’s all on the defending champs. Rinne, who heard chants of “Pekka! Pekka! Pekka!” before the game, got That does not seem like a far-fetched scenario based on the way the hugs and little head bumps after the buzzer sounded from teammates Predators responded Saturday. Jake Guentzel put a rebound past Rinne including Juuse Saros, the rookie goalie who was never a serious for his fourth goal of the series just 2:46 into the game, and by the end of consideration to replace him. the first, the Predators had gone more than three periods without getting the puck past Matt Murray. Subban had words for Guentzel and Sidney Crosby. Apparently Crosby told Subban his breath smells. Subban later refuted that, claiming he And then they pulled a Penguins on the Penguins. A winning flurry. uses mouthwash. Subban did not, however, promise another victory. Roman Josi finally squeezed one past Murray on his glove side to tie, a power-play goal, and seconds later Austin Watson made a crafty pass to “Like I said before Game 3, I said ‘We’re going to win this game and then set up Frederick Gaudreau. He gathered the puck between the circles, we’ll move forward,’” Subban said. “So, we’re going to move forward.” wheeled and scored, glove side again. On to Monday, when the party should look exactly the same. The journey Bridgestone, which continues to outdo itself despite very little margin for to the Cup will take a big turn, one way or the other. extra noise, found new territory. Two goals in 42 seconds. But the flurry wasn’t finished. Tennessean LOADED: 06.04.2017 The most important part saw Pittsburgh’s Phil Kessel, on a 2-on-1 rush with Chris Kunitz, blasting on Rinne. Rinne stopped it, gave up a rebound, sprawled to stop Kessel as well, and that might have been Bridgestone’s loudest moment yet. P.K. Subban, the man who vowed multiple times since Game 2 that the Predators were going to win Game 3, turned back and tapped Rinne with his stick. Play was continuing, but he took a second to say something, and it must have been something loud if Rinne heard it. “I think he was just like ‘Damn right,’” Rinne said afterward, laughing. “I don’t know if I can say it on air,” Subban said. “But, um, I told him ‘Good job.’” The moment was big enough for a profane, in-game “attaboy.” It was the moment we knew: Rinne is just fine, the eight goals yielded on 36 shots in Games 1 and 2 behind him. And while everyone can say now that they knew Rinne had it all along, there was reason to wonder. He knew everyone was asking about him and talking about him. He knew the first two games were not his best. A nearly full stadium for warmups – for warmups! – started chanting his name, and that doesn’t happen if he doesn’t need a pick-me-up coming off the first two games. 1066262 Nashville Predators Penguins: 0 SHOTS ON GOAL: Third-period analysis: 2 more goals give Nashville first win of Stanley Predators: 16 Cup Final Penguins: 13

PENALTIES: Dave Boucher , USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 8:02 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 5 hours ago Predators: 1 (Ellis, boarding, 16:37) Penguins: 1 (Schultz, holding, 4:13) Third period HITS (Unofficial stats from the NHL) Predators: 10 Two more give the Predators renewed hope and their first win of the Penguins: 9 Stanley Cup Final. The Predators earned their first power play of the game 4:13 into the GOALS: period on a Justin Schultz hold. Callie Jarnkrok found defenseman Roman Josi, who patiently found a shooting lane to tie the game at the Predators: 2 (Smith, 4:54; Ekholm, 13:10) 5:51 mark. Forty one seconds later, center Frederick Gaudreau picked a Penguin pocket, drove to his right and gave Nashville the lead with less Penguins: 0 than 14 minutes left in the period. ASSISTS: Goalie Pekka Rinne seemed spurred on by the scoring, reverting to the Predators: 2 (Jarnkrok, Sissons, 13:10) stone wall that led the Predators all playoffs. The fans responded in kind, sending their own barrage of cheers and jeers onto Penguin netminder Penguins: 0 Matt Murray. SHOTS ON GOAL: Predators forward Austin Watson deflected several Penguins shots, delivering key blocks that have been his hallmark all playoffs. Pittsburgh Predators: 5 fired off a few blistering shots but did have the sustained possession that gave the defending champs the edge in the first period. Penguins: 9 The Penguins went on the power play with 3:23 remaining after a Ryan PENALTIES: Ellis boarding. But the Predators prevented any real scoring chances. As Predators: 6 (Ekholm, roughing, 10:42; Forsberg, cross checking 12:43; the clock ticked down, veteran forward James Neal forced a shot through Arvidsson, holding, 15:24; Neal, unsportsmanlike, 15:24; Ekholm, Murray at point-blank range, giving Nashville a 3-1 edge heading into the misconduct, 15:38; Watson, misconduct, 17:01) last period. Penguins: 8 (Hagelin, roughing, 10:42, Crosby, boarding, 12:43; Malkin, First period cross checking, 12:43; Daley, holding, 15:24, Cole, roughing, 15:24; Yet another goal from a Pittsburgh rookie phenom puts the Predators Hornqvist, misconduct, 15:38; Kessel, roughing, 17:01; Kunitz, down 1-0 after 20 minutes. misconduct, 17:01; Cullen, misconduct, 10:01) GOALS: HITS Predators: 0 Predators: 6 Penguins: 1 (Guentzel, 2:46) Penguins: 9 ASSISTS: Nashville forward Frederick Gaudreau thought he'd score his second of the game, racing forward on a breakaway three minutes into the period. Predators: 0 But his shot sailed wide, to the groans of Predators fans. Penguins: 2 (Cole, Crosby) The Penguins continued to press, leaving forward Craig Smith alone for a breakaway one minute later. The previously injured Smith slammed a SHOTS ON GOAL: shot past goalie Matt Murray's left shoulder for the Predator's fourth goal of the night with 15 minutes left in the game. Predators: 12 Penguins forward Conor Sheary had a wide-open net 90 seconds later, Penguins: 6 but goalie Pekka Rinne flung out his stick to stop Sheary from sneaking PENALTIES: in a shot on the far post. Predators: 2 (Subban, holding, 4:50; Team, too many men on the ice, At the 12:43 mark, Penguins dynamic duo Sidney Crosby and Evgeni 12:44) Malkin huddled in the penalty box, boarding and cross checking penalties giving Nashville a man advantage. Predators forward Filip Forsberg Penguins: 0 served a simultaneous roughing penalty. HITS Crosby returned to the ice seconds later after an Ekholm slapshot beat Murray stickside for Nashville's fifth goal of the night. Predators: 17 Play turned chippy at the end, both teams racking up penalties as the Penguins: 9 Penguins tried to create opportunities while venting some frustration. In front of an absolutely dynamic Bridgestone Arena crowd, the Predators Second period tested Penguin goalie Matt Murray early. But a costly turnover by defenseman Yannick Weber gave Pittsburgh possession deep in The best period of the Stanley Cup Final for the Predators, who recorded Nashville territory. Moments later the red-hot Jake Guentzel jammed three goals to go up 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining. home a rebound allowed by Predator goalie Pekka Rinne, scoring his 13th goal of the playoffs and giving the Penguins a 1-0 lead 2:46 into the GOALS: game. Predators: 3 (Josi, 5:51; Gaudreau, 6:33; Neal, 19:37) Two minutes later P.K. Subban gave up a penalty, but the Predators Penguins: 0 killed it off with ease. ASSISTS: Nashville had a tough time maintaining possession until midway through the period, beating back Penguins drives before mounting any real Predators: 6 (Jarnkrok, Ekholm, 5:51; Watson, Josi, 6:33; Arvidsson, attack. Murray smothered a rip from Predator defenseman Mattias Josi, 19:37) Ekholm at the 10:25 mark. Seconds later he managed to flip away a PA Parenteau shot, the Predators best look of the game. A penalty for too many men on the ice killed Nashville's momentum with 6:45 remaining. The Predators managed an odd man rush during the kill, controlling the puck the majority of the penalty. The puck bounced dangerously through the Penguin crease a few times, but a Predators stick never made contact.

Tennessean LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066263 Nashville Predators

P.K. Subban was right as Predators make Stanley Cup Final a series again

Adam Vingan , USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee Published 10:05 p.m. CT June 3, 2017 | Updated 4 hours ago

Hands on his hips, defiant and brash, P.K. Subban called his shot. The Predators had lost twice to the Pittsburgh Penguins to open the Stanley Cup Final despite everything but the final score of each game indicating they were the better team. “We’re going back home, we’re going to win the next game, and then we’ll see what happens from there,” Subban said Wednesday. The "guarantee" grew as the Stanley Cup Final transitioned to Nashville, but what else was Subban supposed to say? Five teams in Stanley Cup Final history have won a championship when losing the first two games of a seven-game series. What of it? Take your history and stick it. “We all felt that way,” Predators center Colton Sissons said. “We just didn’t go out and say it.” Nothing needed to be said. The Predators' 5-1 rout of the Penguins on Saturday spoke volumes. "At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what was said before the game. The game's over. We won." Nashville welcomed the Stanley Cup Final to an atmosphere it has never experienced. More than 50,000 people stuffed Broadway, with 17,283 cramming into Bridgestone Arena. Most were in place when warmups began, continuing the city-wide celebration. "In warmups, 15,000 people standing and cheering us on, the atmosphere is unbelievable," Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said. An early Penguins lead, brought on by rookie forward and Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne's personal tormenter Jake Guentzel, threatened to kill Nashville's buzz. That is, until the Predators beat the Penguins at their own game. The Penguins' opportunism is what has propelled them to within two wins of consecutive championships, twice victimizing the Predators in Pittsburgh with their quick-strike ability. Nashville countered with a similar response Saturday, taking the lead with two goals in 42 seconds in the second period from defenseman Roman Josi and forward Frederick Gaudreau. "I don't want to blame the first two losses on puck luck, but it didn't bounce our way all the time and we ended up walking away with nothing," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "Today it maybe bounced a little bit more. We found looks we liked." Three more unanswered goals, provided by forwards James Neal and Craig Smith as well as defenseman Mattias Ekholm, matched the most allowed by the Penguins in a Stanley Cup Final game in their history. "I think coming home, obviously wasn't the start we were looking for with going down two games in Pittsburgh," Neal said. "But (Bridgestone Arena is) a place we feel confident. We got the job done. It's a great win for our team. We'll build off that."

Tennessean LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066264 Hischier recorded 38 goals and 48 assists for Halifax. He dazzled at the world juniors with seven points in five games.

“I went to a weekend in Halifax, and Nico put on such a show,” Marr said. Devils, Needing an Answer, Query the Top N.H.L. Prospects “I said, ‘This kid is literally worth the price of admission.’ When you watched Brandon in the playoffs the year before, you left going: ‘You want Nolan Patrick on your team. This is a guy you can win with.’” By MATT HIGGINSJUNE 3, 2017 Marr said both players were head and shoulders above the rest of the draft field. Whomever the Devils do not select will most likely wind up with the , who own the second pick. BUFFALO — One of the most colorful stories about an N.H.L. prospect concerned Trevor Linden and the . In 1988, Brian “They are different types of players,” said Shero, who has visited Patrick Burke, the assistant general manager for the Canucks at the time, had in Winnipeg and Hischier in Switzerland. asked Linden to come from his home in , Alberta, to Vancouver for psychological testing before the draft. Hischier, who called the interviews “a little bit more important than the testing,” said he had a good meeting with Shero. “He told me about New Linden explained that he was unable to because he needed to help his Jersey, about the whole organization, and about the city, and all that father with the cattle on the family farm. stuff,” Hischier said. “It was pretty interesting.” When asked what his job was, Burke told The Toronto Star, Linden Patrick said he did not get any indication whether New Jersey would pick explained: “Well, as they come into the pen, I’m the one who grabs them him first. “They were really good; they were a really friendly group,” he and throws them down and pins them while they brand them and castrate said. “They spent some good time with me, so it’s been fun.” them.” Although Shero said he can find out a lot about a player by searching his Burke said, “O.K., you can skip the test.” name online or looking him up on social media, the Devils employ Dr. Aimee Kimball, a sports psychologist, to help with questioning during Nearly 30 years later, 104 of the top N.H.L. draft prospects, ages 17 and player interviews. 18, have gathered to submit to a battery of tests here at HarborCenter, a three-rink campus, for the N.H.L. scouting combine. Shero is one of six members of the Devils’ staff present during interviews, but he said Kimball asks 80 percent of the questions. In physical testing, which began on Friday, players were put through the paces to measure agility, strength, speed, balance and endurance. But “It’s a matter of gathering more information and looking for red flags,” the bulk of the week — and, some suggest, the most important aspect of Shero said. “It’s an added layer of information. We’re in the information the combine — was reserved for private 20-minute player interviews with business. You try to minimize your risks.” the 31 N.H.L. teams. Last week, the Devils interviewed more than 60 players, including Many top prospects have been prepared by agents and managers and Hischier and Patrick, but they were not all auditioning for the No. 1 pick. sound almost robotic when describing their interactions with team New Jersey has 10 other selections in the draft. representatives. “Sometimes it’s funny, they get asked a question, and they say, ‘Wow, But that does not mean there are no surprises. At least one story that’s a new one,’” Shero said. “Let’s see how they respond to it. Some circulating this year has added to the lore, said Dan Marr, director of kids say: ‘Can I take that one back? The more I think about it.…’ You N.H.L. Central Scouting, a league department that runs the combine and think they’re done and next thing you know there’s a funny story about ranks draft-eligible players. their sister, or something about their personality.” “One European player went into a team suite and the European scout from the same country asked him, ‘What do you think of the elite league in our country?’” said Marr, who would not reveal the name of the team or New York Times LOADED: 06.04.2017 the player. “The player said, ‘I think it’s stupid, slow and boring.’” When the European scout asked the same question of the next player, he got the same response. The first player had told the second prospect about the exchange after his meeting. “The guy freaked out,” Marr said of the scout. “The kids set that one up. Some of these kids are real characters.” The Devils, who own the No. 1 pick in this month’s draft, are not necessarily looking for colorful characters. “At the end of the day, you’re drafting a hockey player,” General Manager said. The Devils are expected to select one of two centers — Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier — and Shero would not reveal which player he preferred. Patrick is ranked No. 1 and Hischier No. 2 by Central Scouting, but many consider them equally worthy of the first selection. “If the order was flipped, I don’t think anyone would blink an eye,” Marr said. Patrick is a rugged 6-foot-2, 198-pound right-hand shot from Winnipeg, . His father, Steve, and uncle James Patrick played in the N.H.L. Nolan Patrick was the captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League during the 2016-17 season, but he missed more than half of the games because of injuries, recording 20 goals and 26 assists in 33 games. His reputation rests largely on the 2015-16 W.H.L. season, when he accrued 102 points in 72 games and led the Wheat Kings to the , the championship of Canadian junior hockey. He was named most valuable player of the playoffs. Hischier rocketed to prominence during the 2016-17 season while playing for the of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and for Switzerland at the World Junior Championship, an international under-19 tournament. A 6-foot, 176-pound left-handed shot, 1066265 New Jersey Devils out for an informal get-together at his house. Three players — Georges Vezina, Sprague Cleghorn and Sylvio Mantha — rode with Dandurand in his Ford Model T, which stalled on a hill. Everyone got out to push. How the Stanley Cup Wound Up in a Canal, or Didn’t “Cleghorn, who had been jealously carrying the hard-won Stanley Cup in his lap, deposited it on the curb at the roadside before he joined us in shoving the car up the hill,” Dandurand told Roche. “When we reached By ERIC ZWEIGJUNE 3, 2017 the top, we hopped back into the car and resumed our hockey chatter as we got going again.”

When they got to the house, Dandurand’s wife asked where the Cup If you know anything about the early history of the Stanley Cup, you’ve was. “We realized that Cleghorn had left it on the side of the road,” probably heard this story: The Cup, hockey’s most famous championship Dandurand said. “Sprague and I drove hurriedly back to the spot almost trophy, was once kicked into the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. The tale has an hour after we had pushed the car up the hill. There was the Cup, in all been passed down for generations — but it probably isn’t true. its shining majesty, still sitting on the curb of the busy street!” Lore has it that in 1905 (unless, maybe, it was 1906), some members of Leo Dandurand wasn’t above stretching the truth — he is responsible for the Ottawa Silver Seven, forerunner of the modern Senators, left a a myth that Vezina fathered more than 20 children — but this Stanley celebratory banquet together and decided it would be fun to see (or Cup tale mostly matches the historical record. made a bet to determine) if the Stanley Cup could be kicked across the canal. The future Hall of Famer Harvey Pulford is sometimes singled out And nine days after Westwick wrote about the canal incident, he followed as the kicker. up with a column that mentioned the Canadiens’ caper. “Sprague Cleghorn,” he wrote, “once told me this story was authentic.” The Stanley Cup, which the Silver Seven held from 1903 to 1906, was a lot smaller then, not much larger than the bowl that sits atop the trophy So there you go. Maybe. today, roughly the size of a ball for rugby, a sport that Pulford and several of his teammates also played. And the battle for the championship was a lot shorter, ending in winter, New York Times LOADED: 06.04.2017 when the canal was most likely frozen. So while early versions of the legend held that the trophy sank, later accounts have had it sitting safely on the ice (perhaps overnight; maybe as long as a few days) until it was rescued. Any good tale is bound to change over the years. So the fact that there are many variations is not reason enough to doubt it. Still, plenty of clues suggest that the kick into the canal never happened. The 2008 book “Win, Tie or Wrangle: The Inside Story of the Old Ottawa Senators 1883-1935,” by Paul Kitchen, does not mention the episode. Kitchen explained that he had never found a contemporary source and that he had come to disbelieve the legend. He was not the first. Sixty-five years earlier, a Canadian Press obituary of Frank Calder, the N.H.L.’s first president, referred to the Rideau Canal tale and said, “Calder always maintained the story was a fable.” And yet, in 1958, the lead article in a commemorative magazine published by the N.H.L., “Stanley Cup: First Official History of Hockey’s Most Famous Trophy 1893-1957,” repeated the canal tale. However, in another article just a few pages later, Bill Westwick, the longtime sports editor of The Ottawa Journal, wrote: “Many a story surrounds the travel and treatment of the prized emblem of ice supremacy. But stories have a habit of growing in the telling and actual facts hardly support some of the yarns spun about the Stanley Cup resting in the bottom of the Rideau Canal.” In 1973, Westwick, whose father, Harry Westwick, was a star player for the Silver Seven, shared more of what he knew. In a column, he wrote that years earlier he had begun seeking details of the episode. “I even annoyed my own father,” he wrote, because Harry Westwick was supposed to have been on the scene that night. “It never happened,” Bill Westwick wrote, “and those supposed to be concerned with the escapade were irritated for the reason it never took place and it had grown — like so many stories — from a comparatively minor incident.” The real story, according to Westwick: A group of players — including one who had decided to take the Cup home — walked away from the banquet together and followed a shortcut off the old Canal Street to a route that included a fence. One of them tossed the Cup over. It was briefly left to sit where it had landed, and when players returned for it, “one of the stars of the club, the late Alf Smith, took a playful soccer kick at it.” Despite their annoyance about the story, Westwick wrote, “one player after the other in later years just let the tale grow.” His own father, he wrote, would invariably remark, “I guess it’s got to be a good story, and nobody will believe it didn’t happen anyway.” For all the work Westwick did to debunk that Stanley Cup story, he has also helped back up another: the tale about some of the Montreal Canadiens leaving the trophy by the side of a road after their victory in 1924. One account of that incident appeared in 1953 in “The Hockey Book” by Bill Roche. Roche relied on a description from the Canadiens’ owner, Leo Dandurand, who said that the team, after attending a reception, had set 1066266 New Jersey Devils The first period encapsulated the series: Nashville had more shots on goal, but Pittsburgh scored more goals. Predators Coach Peter Laviolette had said that he was pleased with his team’s performance across 110 of While Nashville Parties, the Predators Cut Loose the series’ first 120 minutes. Presumably, that assessment could have been amended after a second period that established Nashville’s dominance. By BEN SHPIGELJUNE 4, 2017 The Predators’ second-period push evoked Pittsburgh’s bursts from the first two games. A cross-ice pass from Calle Jarnkrok found Roman Josi, who faked once, then ripped a shot that deflected off the arm of a diving Carter Rowney and beat Murray to his glove side at 5:51. Then, at 6:33, NASHVILLE — The denizens of Smashville donned gold boas and gold Frederick Gaudreau — who does not even have a dressing stall in caps and gold T-shirts that said “Hockey-Tonk” and sauntered down Nashville’s locker room, just a small table and a wooden chair — used Lower Broadway. Men with “I Need Tickets” signs around their necks Cole as a screen to zing in a wrist shot from the slot. meandered through bachelorette parties quaffing from plastic cups and taking selfies outside Bridgestone Arena, where a junked car adorned Then came the fortunate bounces. James Neal positioned himself near with the Pittsburgh Penguins logo awaited sledgehammering. Families the far post as Arvidsson muscled for the puck behind the net. His pass toting camping chairs weaved through the crowd, staking out territory for was deflected, first off Pittsburgh defenseman Brian Dumoulin and then the Alan Jackson concert, or the Game 3 viewing party, or both. off the net, before reaching Neal, who banked the puck in off Murray with 22.6 seconds left in the period. It was seven hours before the opening face-off of the first Stanley Cup finals home game in Predators history. Temperatures hovered in the mid- “We’ve been outplayed in stretches, there’s no question — we’re well 80s, without a breeze, and a nervous energy pulsed through downtown aware of that,” Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan said. “Do we have to be — not out of fear that the Predators would lose, because defenseman better? Yeah, we know we’ve got to be better. I think our team is capable P.K. Subban had guaranteed they would not, but that Nashville might run of that.” out of beer. Ever since winning Game 2 on Wednesday, Pittsburgh endured one “Saturdays, weekend games, in this city,” Subban said, “it’s pretty special prevailing line of questioning: How would it handle the atmosphere? The because, obviously, most people don’t have to work the day after.” Penguins alternately embraced it, appreciated it and diminished its potential impact. The party raged all afternoon and evening, and it was sure to continue deep into Sunday, the fans toasting the joys of hockey-fueled Summarizing their general feeling, Crosby said: “I think it’s something pandemonium in June and a 5-1 Predators victory that restored some you’re aware of.” balance to the series. They were aware of the throbbing noise during warm-ups, when the The fans in the lower bowl at Bridgestone, and most of the upper level crowd chanted, “Let’s go, Preds!”, and of the city’s predilection for too, stood and shouted for much of the night, especially during the throwing bottom feeders onto the ice, when the Pittsburgh backup goalie second period, when Nashville dazed the Penguins with two goals in 42 Marc-Andre Fleury removed a tossed catfish with his stick. seconds and another just before the intermission. Two more, including a breakaway by Craig Smith, came in the third. The crowd’s roar was “You don’t see that anywhere, probably in any sport,” Nashville earsplitting and sustained, and it spontaneously morphed into chants and defenseman Ryan Ellis said after the game. “You don’t see a full stadium taunts, like those heard by Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray, who was told in warm-ups.” several times — in language more indelicate than this — that he stunk, a lot, and that the Penguins’ demise Saturday was all his fault. It was only the beginning of the festivities at Bridgestone Arena, where the Predators are 8-1 this postseason. But for many inside, it was the “It’s for sure saying that we’re here to play, we’re not out of this by any middle of a day that would not end until long after they had filed out into means,” said defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who scored Nashville’s final the warm night to celebrate in the hockey capital of the South. goal and played a significant role in holding Pittsburgh’s high-scoring stars, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, without a shot. Only five out of 50 teams have overcome a 2-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup New York Times LOADED: 06.04.2017 finals, and although Subban did not promise a total comeback after his team lost Game 2 (or, for that matter, a victory in Game 4 on Monday), he could claim at least partial oracle status because of a reversal of the two elements that sunk the Predators in Pittsburgh: bad bounces and subpar goaltending. Nashville scored one goal off an auspicious carom and rebounded from Game 2 on the strength of an inspired performance from goalie Pekka Rinne, who had 27 saves, including consecutive stops on Phil Kessel and Chris Kunitz just after the Predators went ahead by 2-1, and justified the wardrobe choices of all those gold-clad fans in T-shirts that said, “Keep Calm We Have Pekka.” “I think these first couple games, beginning of the game, it’s been a battle,” said Rinne, who was pulled after three quick goals in Game 2 and had allowed eight on 36 shots in those first two losses. “I think at those moments, you just mentally try to erase your mind, just focus on the next save, remind yourself that you’re still in the finals. Life is pretty good.” He still encountered somber queries about his mental state. “I mean, every question is like somebody died or something,” he said before the game. But Nashville’s chances of winning did hinge on Rinne’s readiness. The Penguins’ first shot on goal, a slap shot by after a poor clearing attempt by Viktor Arvidsson, crashed into Rinne’s chest. Their second, off the rebound of Cole’s shot, darted beneath Rinne’s pads at 2 minutes 46 seconds, and it was at that moment that the Predators probably wished that they had heeded a reporter’s recommendation that morning to stash Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel somewhere. With that opening goal, his 13th of the playoffs and fourth in his past five periods, Guentzel edged ever closer to becoming the first rookie to lead the N.H.L. in playoff goals. But tat the first media timeout, as the ice crew cleaned the surface, the undaunted home crowd showered the Predators with a 90-second standing ovation. “It just gave us that energy back,” Ekholm said. 1066267 New Jersey Devils

Stanley Cup Final on TV today: What time, channel is Penguins vs. Predators Game 3 (6/3/17)? NHL Playoffs 2017

Updated on June 3, 2017 at 7:08 AM Posted on June 3, 2017 at 7:00 AM BY CHRIS RYAN [email protected],

The Pittsburgh Penguins, leading 2-0 in the best-of-seven NHL Stanley Cup Final, meet the Nashville Predators in Game 3 on Saturday, June 3, 2017 (6/3/17) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Here's what you need to know: Who: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators What: Game 3, Stanley Cup Final Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tenn. Line: Predators -130 A good night's sleep has P.K. Subban more confident than ever about what the Nashville Predators will do on their own ice trailing the Pittsburgh Penguins 0-2 in the Stanley Cup Final. He delivered an All-Star guarantee for Saturday night. "There's no question," Subban said. "We're going to win the next game, and then we'll move forward." Subban came very close to guaranteeing a win in the moments after Pittsburgh's 4-1 win Wednesday night. The Penguins turned a 1-1 game into a rout by scoring three goals in the first 3:28 of the third period , forcing Nashville coach Peter Laviolette to pull star goaltender Pekka Rinne for rookie Juuse Saros. On Thursday, the All-Star defenseman channeled , who backed up his own guarantee of a Rangers' win against New Jersey in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. Subban explained why he was so confident, noting the Predators know they deserve to be playing for the Stanley Cup. "We're capable of playing even better than we did in Pittsburgh, and I thought we played some great hockey," Subban said. "I mean, out of 120 minutes, maybe we'd like to take back six of them. Ultimately, we have to be realistic with where we're at. We're down 2-nothing. We're coming back in our barn, and we don't lose here. So it starts Saturday." Laviolette gave no hint about whether Rinne will start Game 3, saying only that he will not talk about lineup changes. The Predators coach says his goalies know who will start. Rinne went into the final with the stingiest numbers in net this postseason and a favorite to win the Conn Smythe trophy as postseason MVP. The 34-year-old goalie has instead given up eight goals on 36 shots through two games. Two goals went off teammates and into the net, but it has not been the inspiring performance that the Predators and their fans are used to from the big Finn. His save percentage has dipped throughout the playoffs -- .976 against Chicago, then .932 against St. Louis and .925 in the West finals against Anaheim. Against the quick-strike Penguins, it's just .778. Still, the three-time Vezina Trophy finalist has allowed only 13 goals in eight playoff games at home and his teammates vowed to play better defense. "It's not his fault by any means," Nashville captain Mike Fisher said of the goals allowed in Pittsburgh. "We know we can do a better job in front of him. It's a team game, and everyone looks at shots and save percentage but forget about the quality and who we're playing. And certain parts of the game where we got to help him out."

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066268 New Jersey Devils

Help wanted both up front and on defense for Devils

Andrew Gross , Staff Writer, @AGrossRecord 4:44 p.m. ET June 3, 2017

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Devils have not made a defenseman their first selection in an NHL Draft since choosing Mahopac, N.Y.’s Steven Santini 42nd overall in 2013 and they used just three of their 14 picks in the last two drafts on defensemen, none higher than the fourth round. But Devils Director of Amateur Scouting Paul Castron said on Saturday on the last day of the NHL Scouting Combine he was not sure whether forwards or defensemen were a bigger organizational need. The Devils own the first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago on June 23- 24, with centers Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier the consensus top two choices. Who were the highest picks in Devils' team history? “If I had to pick one [position] I don’t know if I could,” Castron said. “The truth is, we do need help at both positions.” Castron acknowledged there might be more depth up front after picking Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian 12th and 41st overall, respectively, in 2016, Pavel Zacha sixth overall in 2015 and John Quenneville 30th in 2014. Castron said though Bastian was picked as a right wing, the organization is hoping he can develop as a center. One by-product of their week together at the Scouting Combine is that the Winnipeg-born Patrick and the Swiss-born Hischier have gotten to know each other much better and have a budding friendship. And while each insists they are not competing with the other to see who is picked first, they are still competitive. “It was tough on the chin-ups when I saw him on top of the leaderboard,” Patrick said. “I thought I’ve got to put some up. But I’m not competing against him.” For the record, Hischier did 13 pull-ups while Patrick notched 11. By far the most interesting test to watch among the seven stations was the Wingate cycle. Essentially a stationary bicycle set at a high resistance, the prospects had to pedal at a rapid rate for a timed period, with trainers screaming encouragement at them. “I knew it was going to be hard,” Hischier said. “And it was hard. You hear [the trainer] a little bit but I was just focused on the test. I’m really happy about my testing. I don’t have to prove anything here but I was happy.”

Bergen Record LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066269 New Jersey Devils

The skinny on Patrick, Hischier

Andrew Gross , Staff Writer, @AGrossRecord 3:48 p.m. ET June 3, 2017

Nico Hischier Position: Center/left wing Age/Height, Weight: 18/6-foot, 174 Born: Naters, Switzerland Devils face pressure to make right pick at No. 1 2016-17 statistics: Halifax (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) 38 goals, 48 assists in 57 games The skinny: A strong skater and stickhandler who is an excellent playmaker because of his poise with the puck on his stick. He rocketed up the scouting rankings in his one season of Canadian junior hockey and also through his performance at the World Junior Championships, as he compiled four goals and three assists in five games. Not necessarily the fastest skater but very shifty. His defensive game has been underrated. Nolan Patrick Brandon Wheat Kings' Nolan Patrick at a game against Position: Center Age/Height, Weight: 18/6-3, 200 Born: Winnipeg, Man. 2016-17 statistics: Brandon (Western Hockey League) 20 goals, 26 assists in 33 games The skinny: A two-way center with a solid combination of skating ability, size and hand skills. Often looks to pass first but possesses a wicked wrist shot. A top defender in four seasons of junior hockey. Questions were raised after last summer’s surgery for a sports hernia and groin and stomach muscle injury this past season. But Patrick finished the season strong and seems to have convinced teams at the Scouting Combine he is not injury prone.

Bergen Record LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066270 New Jersey Devils Also for Shero to consider, assuming he’ll field inquiring calls from other teams, is trading down in the draft and acquiring immediate NHL talent.

It’s all part of the pressure Shero faces to make the right calls to right the Devils face pressure to make right pick at No. 1 Devils.

Andrew Gross , Staff Writer, @AGrossRecord 3:21 p.m. ET June 3, 2017 Bergen Record LOADED: 06.04.2017

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Winning the top overall pick via the Draft Lottery was the easy part. The hard part for the Devils and general manager Ray Shero, in a year without a consensus No. 1, is making the right choice for the rebuilding franchise. Make no mistake, there is plenty of pressure when it comes to choosing between 18-year-old forwards Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier. And that pressure goes beyond needing to revitalize a franchise that’s missed the playoffs for five straight seasons. “One of the interesting things this year is that Philadelphia is picking second, which is down the road and they’re in your division,” TSN analyst and former NHL general manager Craig Button said on Saturday, the last day of the NHL Scouting Combine. “There’s always going to be an inevitable comparison between the first pick and the scrutiny that goes with it. But now the person picking second is right down the road for you.” So while Shero, who enters the NHL Draft June 23-24 in Chicago with 11 picks overall in the seven rounds, might have the toughest choice, Flyers GM Ron Hextall might have the easiest – just pick the player the Devils didn’t, provided both teams, as expected, keep their picks. Both Patrick and Hischier are expected to be solid NHL forwards, if not in the same class as the last two No. 1 picks, the Oilers’ Connor McDavid and the Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews, or the last two No. 2s, the Sabres’ Jack Eichel and the Jets’ Patrik Laine, for that matter. “We need to build talent and depth,” Shero said in a text message to The Record. “Picking this high is a better chance to add to the quality. Having 10 additional picks adds to the depth. “There’s always pressure to hit on a top pick, whether it’s in the first five or 10 overall,” Shero added. “And you can say the same thing applies throughout the first round where there’s an expectation that a player should play in time. But that has proven to not necessarily be accurate percentage wise.” The running narrative in the Nico or Nolan comparisons is that the Winnipeg-born Patrick, at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and still bulking up, is the more complete two-way center and the Swiss-born, 6-foot, 174-pound Hischier is the more dynamic offensive player. “I don’t know if they’re as different as people might think,” Devils Director of Amateur Scouting Paul Castron said. “Both are highly skilled players. Both care about the way they play without the puck. I think the public might think Nico is more offensively-minded. I don’t necessarily see it that way. He’s creative but he’s also responsible without the puck. “You certainly want to get it right, that’s the objective,” Castron added. “Right now, there is no question we are in a little bit of a rebuilding phase and that does put pressure on management. But it also puts pressure on the player we take. It’s a tough league for an 18-year-old to make an impact.” Button, who has Hischier being selected first in his mock draft, agreed it’s important not to “create unrealistic expectations for the player,” especially considering how generational talents McDavid and Matthews have performed. “Neither Patrick nor Hischier are in that category,” Button said. “I think both of these kids are real good players. I think it’s neck and neck.” For his part, Patrick said he doesn’t try to compare himself to other No. 1 picks. “I don’t expect to come into the NHL and score 40 goals or score four goals in my first game, I don’t think that happens very often,” said Patrick of Matthews, who did both as a rookie. “I’m just going to try to be my own player and contribute.” Meanwhile, Shero and the Devils’ job is not over when either Patrick or Hischier is picked, not with two picks each in the second, third and fourth rounds. “Seeing the difference mid-late picks are making for Nashville and Pittsburgh, it’s just another example that the entire draft is important,” Shero said of the two Stanley Cup Finalists. “Picks like that for every team help balance off some of the randomness of any draft (especially of teenagers).” 1066271 New York Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist played with injured knee in World Championships

Updated June 3, 2017 7:12 PM By Steve Zipay [email protected]

Henrik Lundqvist suffered a right knee injury while playing in the World Championships last month and will need four to six weeks of rest and treatment, according to a Swedish newspaper report. The Rangers’ goaltender, who won four games to help Team Sweden capture the gold medal, told Sport-Express that he played in pain from the ligament injury, which appears minor, during the semifinal against Finland. Sweden beat Team Canada, 2-1, in a shootout for the championship. A Rangers spokesman said Lundqvist suffered “an isolated MCL sprain that he was able to play through in the championship game” and that the team does not expect “any disruption with his summer preparation/training and also expect no issues going forward.” Lundqvist left New York for Europe days after the Rangers were eliminated in six games by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the playoffs to play for Sweden, captained by his twin brother Joel, who invited him to the tournament. He told the paper that he wouldn’t be back on the ice until the beginning of August in Gothenberg, where he and his wife and two daughters live in the summer. In a translation of the article, Lundqvist says that on the morning of the gold-medal game in Cologne, Germany, on May 21, “I did not think I could play; we did several treatments and I was in pain. Then we tested a syringe [injection] to see if the pain would disappear . . . Without the syringe it was very bad . . . the first half of the game went well, but then it got worse when the effect began to disappear. But I was just glad I could play. I knew I did not do anything that would worsen my knee. So it was about defying the pain.” After the game, Lundqvist also was knocked on his back in the goal crease by a flying leap from celebrating teammate William Nylander, a Toronto Maple Leafs forward. Lundqvist, who had a subpar season (31-20-4, 2.74 goals-against- average. .910 save percentage) given his accomplishments over the past 11 years, has four years remaining on his seven-year contract worth $59.5 million.

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1066272 Ottawa Senators

Top cop to eat crow, wear Penguins jersey

LAUREN MALYK SATURDAY, JUNE 03, 2017 12:18 PM EDT

Ottawa’s police chief will be trading in his red, black and white Senators colours for a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey. On Friday night, Charles Bordeleau tweeted that he had received a Penguins jersey with a Pittsburgh police patch. He tagged the rival chief, Scott Schubert, and the Ottawa police’s Twitter account in his post. Last week, the Senators were defeated by the Penguins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final, leaving the team with broken playoff dreams. Pittsburgh is up 2-0 over the Nashville Predators heading into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final on Saturday. Schubert tweeted Bordeleau that he was looking forward to seeing him wear the jersey. “You are a man of your word,” wrote Schubert, while tagging the Pittsburgh police, Penguins and , the former Penguins superstar and a current owner of the team. Bordleau teased that users would have to wait for “next week for the promised photo” with the jersey. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066273 Philadelphia Flyers McDavid, of course, went No. 1 in the draft to and has blossomed into a young superstar.

Some have referred to Hischier as the "Swiss Connor McDavid." Hischier and Patrick also close in fitness testing "I think it's too much," Hischier said with a smile. "I don't think you can compare [me] to Connor McDavid; he's on another level. He's better than JUNE 3, 2017 — 4:22 PM EDT any other player, and it's really like high expectations. I don't like when they call me that." Sam Carchidi Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017

BUFFALO - Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier, gifted centers who are expected to be the first two picks in the NHL draft, were fairly even during Saturday's fitness testing at the scouting combine. In other words, if New Jersey was looking for a reason to make one of the players the No. 1 overall pick based on the fitness results, well, it didn't happen. The Devils will select No. 1 in the first round June 23 in Chicago, while the Flyers will pick No. 2. The Flyers had a little over a 2 percent chance to get as high as they did in the draft lottery. It is still considered a coin flip as to which player goes No. 1. "They're this close," said Craig Button, the draft expert from TSN in Canada, as he held his thumb and index finger an inch apart. Dan Marr, director of the NHL's Central Scouting, said Patrick and Hischier won't be generational players like Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews. "But they'll be solid franchise players for their clubs once they get established," he said at the combine. On the ice, Patrick and Hischier are head and shoulders above the other draft prospects, scouts say. But they tested in the middle of the pack in several of the fitness events. Patrick (6-foot-2, 198 pounds) was stronger than the 6-1, 178-pound Hischier in the bench-press (12 reps to 7), but Hischier had the edge in the standing long jump (105.75 inches to 99.75 inches), showing he has explosive legs - a key to a player's success. "I was really happy about my testing," said Hischier, who, like Patrick, will attend the Stanley Cup Final on Monday in Nashville. "I don't have to prove anything here, but I just did what I can and I'm happy with it." Patrick said he didn't view the combine, which had 103 players in the fitness portion, as a competition between himself and Hischier. But he did admit to looking at the scoreboard before one event. "It's tough when you're about to do chin-ups and you see he's atop the leader board, and I [said], 'I've got to put some up here,' "he said. "But you know, I'm not competing against him. He's a great guy and I see he did good in the testing and I'm happy for him." Hischier, who said Pavel Datsyuk is his role model, did 13 chin-ups, two more than Patrick. The most grueling part of the fitness testing occurs at the end of the circuit, when the prospects ride a stationary grade-spin bike. They pedal at low resistance for two minutes. To start the test, the athlete pedals at a progressively quicker cadence so that by the time the designated workload has been reached, he is pedaling at his maximum capacity. The athlete pedals at maximum capacity against the designated workload for 30 seconds. "I was terrible. I was pretty zonked after that and my breakfast didn't stay down," Patrick said after competing in something called the Wingate cycle ergometer test, which measures a player's explosiveness. "So it was a tough one for sure. . . . It was tough for everyone. No matter how hard you train for that, everybody was gassed and leaving it all out there." Patrick said he had no ill effects from a sports hernia, which caused him to miss time this season in the Western Hockey League. He doesn't believe he needs more surgery. Next week, Patrick said, he will travel to Philadelphia and Newark to be examined by the Flyers and Devils doctors. "They just want to make sure I'm healthy," said Patrick, who has been in contact recently with and , two of his friends who play for the Flyers. As for the combine testing, scouts say it tells only a small portion of a player's ability. Two years ago, Jack Eichel outscored McDavid in most of the fitness categories. 1066274 Philadelphia Flyers

Vegas GM is high on Flyers' goalie Michal Neuvirth

JUNE 3, 2017 — 5:55 PM EDT Sam Carchidi

BUFFALO - Will Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth end up with the new NHL team in Las Vegas? George McPhee, the general manager of the Vegas Golden Knights, held a similar spot with Washington when Neuvirth was with the Capitals. "As a goaltender, we always described Michal as a guy who was technically perfect," McPhee said at the NHL scouting combine Saturday. "He certainly has a great physique and body composition for the position." McPhee said Neuvirth was athletic and had matured, "and he's at that point where he can be really good." Teams will hand in their protected lists June 18, and Vegas' selections will be announced June 21. If Neuvirth, 29, isn't protected by the Flyers in the expansion draft, would he be high on McPhee's list? "We'll see. I'm certainly not going to talk about who we might be interested in," he said. He added that it's tough to evaluate until he can see all the players who will be available. Neuvirth had a career-best year in 2015-16, but struggled last season, compiling a 2.82 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. McPhee said most of the general managers "have been really forthright in what they want to do and who they'll probably expose and who they'd like to protect. We're just trying to find ways to accommodate each other. . . . There will be some deals." Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066275 Philadelphia Flyers In other words, No. 2 has been slightly better than No. 1. The Flyers hope history repeats itself. Hischier or Patrick? Flyers hope to feast on 'leftover' Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017

JUNE 3, 2017 — 3:13 PM EDT Sam Carchidi

BUFFALO - Based on a recent poll, Flyers fans are hoping dynamic center Nico Hischier is the player the team selects with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft on June 23. They may get their wish, but general manager Ron Hextall has to bite his tongue on his preference. Hextall has no control over which player New Jersey will choose at No. 1 - Nolan Patrick, another gifted two-way center, and Hischier are regarded as the draft's crown jewels - so he's keeping his thoughts to himself. Ray Shero, the Devils' general manager, isn't tipping his hand, either. But Devils insiders believe Patrick is a better fit for New Jersey because of his size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds) and two-way ability. He has been described as an Anze Kopitar in the making, and that is high praise indeed. If it plays out that way and the Devils grab Patrick, the Flyers will gladly scoop up a player - the 6-1, 176-pound Hischier - whom one scout compared to a young (gulp) Nicklas Backstrom, Washington's smooth- passing center. Patrick is steady and more physical than Hischier. Hischier is faster and more creative. Either one would be a home run for the offense-challenged Flyers. Hextall, speaking from the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo early in the week, sounded as if he was choosing between chocolate mousse and strawberry shortcake. What's not to like? "Nolan's a big kid. He's a very well-rounded hockey player. He has good vision, makes a lot of plays, and he's a good scorer," Hextall said. "And he's a very solid two-way player." He praised Hischier for his speed, vision, and hands. "And he's also a very good two-way player," said Hextall, adding that both centers were defensively sound. Scouts are divided. Some think Patrick is the safer pick. Some think Hischier has more upside. NHL Central Scouting rates Patrick No. 1, and Hischier No. 2. Craig Button, the former Calgary general manager who is now a TSN draft analyst, has Hischier No. 1 and Patrick No. 2. Both centers are natural scorers and have the potential to be NHL stars, but, from here, Hischier is a better fit for the Flyers because of his speed and creativity. They are a straight-line team and are too predictable - and they need a player with Hischier's inventiveness and hockey sense. If they do select Hischier, it wouldn't be surprising if he played wing for a year, provided he earned a spot with the Flyers in training camp. He could then move to center the following season, when Valtteri Filppula's contract expires. It would be a lot easier for the shifty Hischier to move to wing than Patrick. "Nolan is a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger, and Nico does have high-end speed," Hextall said. "So they're a little bit different players." Because there doesn't seem much difference in the value of Patrick and Hischier, many in the hockey world are comparing this to the 2010 draft. Back then, there was a huge debate on whether Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall should go No. 1. Hall went No. 1 to Edmonton, and Seguin fell to Boston at No. 2. "I've heard that quite a bit," Patrick said of the comparisons to 2010. Hall is now with New Jersey, so there's a chance he will be one of Patrick's teammates. Hall has been a solid player, scoring 20 or more goals five times. Seguin, now with Dallas, has been more explosive, averaging 33 goals over his last four seasons. 1066276 Philadelphia Flyers Patrick said he has leaned on his father, Steve, and his uncle, James, for advice as he has climbed the ranks. Both are former NHL players.

"They've been huge for me since I was really young," he said. "They've 'Once in the lifetime' opportunity for Patrick and Hischier as the Flyers taught me so many things about being a professional and being a good figure to draft one of them person. They're huge on how you carry yourself off the ice." Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 JUNE 2, 2017 — 9:56 PM EDT Sam Carchidi,

BUFFALO - Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier, the most heralded players in the NHL draft, are enjoying the spotlight, which has intensified with the scouting combine this week in Buffalo. "It happens once in a lifetime," Hischier, whose sentiments were echoed by Patrick, said at the combine Friday. "It's a fun week for sure." The 18-year-old centers will forever be linked because of the debate about which player should be selected No. 1 overall in the draft on June 23. New Jersey and the Flyers, thanks to lottery luck, have the first two picks, respectively. Patrick and Hischier were among the many players the Flyers and Devils interviewed in Buffalo. "I have no idea," Patrick said when asked if he had an inkling which team would select him. "They were both real friendly and real nice. It's up to them on draft day. I couldn't tell anything by the vibes or the meetings." "It doesn't matter" where I go, said Hischier, who is expected to be selected higher than any Swiss player in history. "In the end, I just know I'm going to be happy wherever I am." Hischier came over from Switzerland and played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, collecting 38 goals and 86 points in 57 games for Halifax. He said he knew there were more hockey scouts in North America, but the main reason he wanted to play in the QMJHL was to become a better player. Patrick had an injury-plagued season with Brandon in the Western Hockey League, collecting 20 goals and 46 points in 33 games. Patrick claimed his injury was misdiagnosed the previous season. He said he had two sports hernias, but his doctor diagnosed one. Patrick said the injury carried over into this year. "It is what it is, and I'm not mad about it," he said. "I don't think it's the worst thing for me. I think a little adversity for a young kid makes you stronger as a player." Hischier and Patrick will go through lots of fitness testing with the other top prospects Saturday. They have formed a bond this week as they have gone through four days of interviews with teams and some fitness testing Friday. "I got to know him better this week," Hischier said before doing an interview in German. "He's a great guy, a funny guy. I'm doing well with him." Hischier said Flyers general manager Ron Hextall and Devils GM Ray Shero gave him lots of information about their teams and their respective regions. Hextall, he said, told him about "how they want to play and what their organization is about and their history." Patrick's goal is to make a strong impression in training camp and start next season in the NHL. "I don't like thinking what's going to keep me away," he said. "I'll do everything I can to get there. I'm not going to let anything get in my way. That's my goal, and I'm not a huge guy to set goals, but I've had that one for three years." Hischier was a little more cautious. "I really want to focus on my summer practice and get some weight on," he said. "Then in camp I can compare myself to the other players and see from there how I feel on the ice and make my opinion there." Playing in Halifax this season, Hischier said, improved his overall game. "It went so well for me this year; it couldn't go better," he said. "But all that matters is that I became a better hockey player. I go step by step. I'm real happy where I am right now, but I know it's still early, and I have a long way" to go. He said he needs to become a more physical player, "especially my play in front of the net." 1066277 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers hoping to strike gold in draft — beyond first round, too

JUNE 2, 2017 — 5:23 PM EDT Sam Carchidi

BUFFALO - While most of the focus has been on which player the Flyers will select with the No. 2 overall choice — Nico Hischier or Nolan Patrick figures to fall to them — they also will have 10 other picks in the June 23- 24 draft. “You have to hit on your first-round pick. You also have to hit on some late picks,” general manager Ron Hextall said in a conference call with reporters on Friday, “and our guys to this point have done a really good job. We’ve got to continue on. You can’t take one player out of the draft and be a successful franchise.” That has been one of the reasons behind the Penguins’ success. Yes, Pittsburgh struck gold with first-round picks Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin many years ago, but it also hit the jackpot with third-round picks Matt Murray (83rd overall in 2012) and Jake Guentzel (77th overall in 2013). Guentzel is a strong candidate to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the top player in this year’s playoffs. The Flyers’ best picks, beyond the first round, were (third round in 2012) and Oskar Lindblom (fifth round in 2014) in recent years. The jury is still out on many others. Hextall interviewed more than 70 prospects during his four days at the scouting combine in Buffalo before returning Thursday. Maybe one of the prospects will be the next Guentzel. Or Murray. The fitness part of the combine began Friday and will continue Saturday. The Flyers have other team representatives watching the prospects perform. Hextall said that the combine “won’t make or break” whether you select a player, but that it clears up some things about the prospect. “You try to get a little background and see what they’ve been through in life,” he said about the interview portion of the combine. Breakaways. Patrick had an injury-plagued season, but Hextall said he was now “healthy and ready to go.” … Hextall is negotiating with (unrestricted free agent) and Shayne Gostisbehere (restricted free agent). He said he would like to sign them “sooner rather than later, but if things drag out a bit, that’s pretty much a normal part of the process.”… Hextall reiterated that he will listen to offers for the No. 2 overall pick. “You never know what’s going to come along,” he said, adding he doesn’t anticipate dealing the selection. “But you have to be open to making your franchise better, and if something comes along that makes us better, we’ll consider it.” … Hextall said the search continues for an assistant coach to replace Joe Mullen. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066278 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers GM Ron Hextall calls scouting combine a 'small piece' of the process

JUNE 1, 2017 — 9:03 AM EDT Sam Carchidi

The NHL's scouting combine is underway in Buffalo, and the top draft prospects are interviewed and tested in numerous fitness categories, including pull-ups, bench-press, grip strength, and standing long jump. Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said the combine provides a snippet of information for him and his scouting staff to digest. "It's just another thing you check off," Hextall said. "It's nice to meet the kids and see where the kids have come from after the end of their season in terms of size and strength, and you get to see their maturity level." But he gave the impression that the scouting reports he receives are much more important than what happens at the scouting combine. Hextall said there are "different things you can take out of the combine, but you have to be careful. These are really young kids and some of them are a little immature and you might get a wrong impression. Sometimes, maybe they don't say the right thing. But this is a small piece of it. You have to be really careful not to overvalue it." Hextall is part of a Flyers contingent that is interviewing prospects for four days in Buffalo. Interestingly, Hextall will not stick around for the fitness testing on Saturday because he feels his time is better spent in amateur- scouting meetings back home. He will entrust trainer Jim McCrossin and Ben Peterson, the Flyers' director of sports science, to watch the fitness portion of the combine and will review their reports. "The interview portion is great," Hextall said. "You get a little bit of background about the kids; they talk about their families and how they grew up and how their hockey career has been to date. So it's great to get some background to find out exactly where some of these kids have come from." As for the fitness testing, "some kids are just way ahead of others, maturity-wise, so you have to be careful" in evaluating them, he said. "It's nice to see a kid who is big and strong, but sometimes a kid who is not as big and strong has a lot of upside. There's value in it, but, again, it's just a piece of the puzzle." Thanks to their luck in the lottery, the Flyers have the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the draft June 23 in Chicago, behind only New Jersey. Centers Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick are expected to be the first two players selected, though there is a huge debate as to which one will be chosen first. Hextall interviewed both of them. "They both seem like genuine good people," Hextall said. "We talked a little bit about their families and their background, and everything came off good with both kids." The fact that nearly half the NHL teams are expected to interview Hischier and Patrick has triggered speculation that the Flyers and New Jersey are getting lots of offers to trade their highly coveted first picks. "I've had some talks. I'll just leave it at that," Hextall said. Hextall, who interviewed 30 players in the first two days of the scouting combine, reiterated that he plans to keep the No. 2 overall pick unless he is overwhelmed by an offer. "We're going to listen because if people want to talk, I'd be doing a disservice not to listen," Hextall said. "Again, I don't anticipate moving the pick, but we'll see." Breakaways. The scouting combine has invited 106 prospects. . . . The Flyers have 12 picks in the seven draft rounds, including two in the third round and three in the fourth round. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066279 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign Swedish forward Oskar Lindblom, extending team's youth movement

MAY 31, 2017 — 8:24 AM EDT Sam Carchidi,

Oskar Lindblom took a step toward becoming a regular in the Flyers lineup Tuesday. The highly touted left winger signed a three-year entry-level deal for $925,000 annually, and he is expected to be in the Flyers lineup this season. On Twitter, Lindblom said he was “very proud and honored to have signed my first NHL contract.” Lindblom, who will turn 21 on Aug. 15, finished last season second in the Swedish Hockey League with 22 goals and fourth with 47 points in 52 games. He was named the forward of the year in the SHL, Sweden’s top league. In 20 postseason games, he collected 14 points, including four goals. A native of Sweden, the 6-foot-2, 196-pound Lindblom was selected by the Flyers in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. Left wing was one of the Flyers’ weakest positions last season, and Lindblom has a clear path to winning a job in training camp, provided he gets acclimated to the smaller rinks and the more physical style of play. “His biggest weakness his draft year was his skating; he’s cleaned that up,” general manager Ron Hextall said Tuesday from the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo. “He’s become a much better skater. He’s worked at it, and the other part was he was a young kid and he’s added a lot of strength since then.” Playing against men in Sweden, Lindblom had a breakout season in 2016-17 with Brynas. The previous year, he managed just eight goals and 25 points, then had seven points in a late-season, eight-game stint with the AHL’s Phantoms. Last month, Hextall said Lindblom had “come a long way since his draft year.” In 141 career games with Brynas, Lindblom registered 38 goals and 87 points. “He plays a real well-rounded game,” Hextall said. “It takes time for kids to develop, and Oskar’s a great example. He’s gotten better every year.” The Flyers, coming off a disappointing 88-point season (39-33-10), could have six rookies on the team in 2017-18. Lindblom, defensemen Sam Morin and Robert Hagg, goalie Anthony Stolarz, center Mike Vecchione, and their first-round pick — expected to be either Nico Hischier or Nolan Patrick, two highly regarded centers — are strong candidates to earn roster spots. The Flyers have the second overall pick in the June 23 draft, behind New Jersey, and they will get a look at the top prospects at the scouting combine this week. Hextall has interviewed Hischier and Patrick. According to NHL.com, Patrick will meet with 13 teams, while Hischier will be interviewed by 14 teams. That’s a lot of interest in players who are expected to be gone after the first two picks, fueling speculation that numerous teams are calling the Flyers and Devils with trade offers for their coveted draft selections. As for Lindblom, he was part of Hextall’s first draft class as the Flyers’ general manager. The Flyers chose defenseman Travis Sanheim with their first-round pick that season before taking forward Nicolas Aube- Kubel and Mark Friedman in the second and third rounds, respectively. They didn’t have a fourth-round selection, and they chose Lindblom in the fifth round with the 138th overall pick. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066280 Philadelphia Flyers

Justin Bieber is now a Pittsburgh Penguins fan

MAY 31, 2017 — 2:54 PM EDT Jonathan Tannenwald

This might be the best thing ever to happen to the Pittsburgh Penguins, especially if you’re the kind of hockey fan who really hates them. Such as, to pick one example that I promise is totally random, a Philadelphia Flyers fan. Justin Bieber posted the following photo to his Instagram feed on Wednesday: Bieber is famously a hockey fan. But the Canada native (London, Ontario to be precise) has a history of changing sides often when it comes to picking his favorite teams. When Bieber showed up to the Air Canada Centre in April for a Capitals-Maple Leafs playoff game, he was seen wearing one of Toronto’s famous blue-and-white sweaters. As the Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg noted at the time, Bieber has previously been seen wearing Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and gear. And if you think the Flyers might have been spared this atrocity over the years, alas, they have not been. He donned the orange and black at a Wells Fargo Center concert last year. The man, it has to be said, is a bandwagoner. Gasp. (I realize that I risk having my email inbox and all of my social media feeds obliterated by Bieber’s army of loyalists. I can take it. I think. I hope.) This much is certain: the PR department at NBC is quite pleased that Bieber is paying attention to its most prominent sports property of the moment. �� BIEBER HAS DECLARED HIS ALLEGIANCE. �� (via IG/justinbieber) pic.twitter.com/NbgVc7kxTf — NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) May 31, 2017 Now, for the heck of it, let’s look at some of the replies to that tweet… nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo — Dan Brillman (@DanBrillman) May 31, 2017 Dear god no. Keep him away — Jake (@BlondedYeezus) May 31, 2017 nobody's supposed to have that blonde crew cut after they're 12 — Moist Bones (@stupidskeleton) May 31, 2017 NOOOOOOOO. I speak for the Pens fan base in saying WE DON'T WANT HIM — Davis Ender (@DavisEnder) May 31, 2017 Katy Perry looks awful — Cabeza de Bucket (@BucketHeadTN) May 31, 2017 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO this is worse than losing crosby https://t.co/6TK7tsRPJ1 — Megan Soisson (@msois) May 31, 2017 and i almost liked bieber — Julian S-K (@Julian__SK) May 31, 2017 Like him or not, he’s officially Pittsburgh’s problem for the time being. And for the rest of us, that’s just fine. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066281 Philadelphia Flyers

For sale: Stanley Cup replicas owned by Flyers' legend Dave Schultz

MAY 31, 2017 — 2:19 PM EDT Jonathan Tannenwald

Flyers legend Dave Schultz is selling the miniature Stanley Cup trophies he was awarded when the team won hockey’s grandest prize in 1974 and 1975. While they aren’t the real Stanley Cup, they are official items awarded by the . Each trophy stands around 13 inches tall, and is engraved with the names of the players, coaches and staff members from those seasons. Goldin Auctions is handling the sale, and set the minimum bid at $5,000 per item. The prices are already up to $7,000 for the 1974 trophy and $7,500 for the 1975 trophy. Click on either of the links above for more details, including on how to place your bid if you are so inclined. Other Flyers items currently up for auction include Lou Scheinfeld’s 1974 Stanley Cup ring; one of Dave Schultz’s game-worn skates from the 1973-74 season; and a stick used in games by Ilkka Sinsalo in the that he had signed by Flyers legends such as Schultz, Rick MacLeish, and more. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066282 Philadelphia Flyers

NBC airs Peter Laviolette’s F-bomb during Stanley Cup Final

MAY 30, 2017 — 11:54 AM EDT Rob Tornoe

Last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins overcame a comeback by the Nashville Predators to win Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, 5-3. But the fireworks happened before the puck was even dropped. Golic calls out ESPN staffers for claiming breakup of 'Mike & Mike' turned 'poisonous' Moments before the start of the game, Predators head coach Peter Laviolette, who coached the Flyers from 2009 - 2014, offered a profane prep talk that somehow aired on NBC unedited, despite being pre-taped. Here’s the clip (warning: NSFW language): Lavy coming in hot with the f-bomb pic.twitter.com/OqrVzqWWdu — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 30, 2017 NBC didn't acknowledge the error until midway through the first period, when play-by-play announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick apologized to viewers following the game's first commercial break. “During the Predators locker room segment of our pre-game coverage, inappropriate language was heard on the air," a NBC spokesman said in a statement. "We apologize to our viewers.” “Someone is in a lot of trouble today if not out of a job,” said WIP host Mark Farzetta, who knows the process of what goes into putting a locker room clip on the air thanks to his time with SportsNet. “My only thought was, ‘Did he say ‘puck?’” Later in the game, refererees overturned a goal by Predators defenceman P.K. Subban due to left winger Filip Forsberg being slightly offside, which shifted momentum in the game to the Penguins. NBC didn’t air the audio, but cameras did catch Laviolette offering his colorful opinion about the call to the officials. When you’re playing Mario Kart & your sibling hits you with a blue shell right before the finish line pic.twitter.com/u7b6Teq0Mv (h/t @CMS_74_ — Jon Garcia (@JGarcia36) May 30, 2017 WIP host Al Morganti, who caught the slip-up while watching the game live last night, predicted what the reaction would be from most Flyers fans when they catch Laviolette's profane clip. “Here’s the reaction in Philadelphia, I guarantee it, ‘Boy, I wish he were back here,’” Morganti said. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066283 Philadelphia Flyers Nashville was better from the opening faceoff but Pittsburgh managed to build a quick 3-0 lead anyway thanks to a fortunate bounce and some quick thinking by Penguins video coordinator Andy Saucier. Part of his Guentzel's goal lifts Penguins by Predators 5-3 in Game 1 job title is to alert coach Mike Sullivan when to challenge a call. The moment came 12:47 into the first when P.K. Subban sent a wrist shot by Murray that appeared to give the Predators the lead. MAY 30, 2017 — 3:01 AM EDT Sullivan used his coach's challenge, arguing Nashville forward Filip Forsberg was offside. A lengthy review indicated Forsberg's right skate WILL GRAVES was in the air as he brought the puck into a zone, a no-no. "The impact of that moment and then the chain of events that happened after that with the penalty kills I think changed the course of the game," PITTSBURGH (AP) - This is what the Pittsburgh Penguins do. They find Laviolette said. a way. The decision gave the Penguins all the wiggle room they needed to take Even on nights when they blow a three-goal lead, they go an entire charge. Malkin scored on a 5-on-3 15:32 into the first, Sheary's first of the period (and then some) without registering a single shot and the playoffs made it 2-0 just 65 seconds later and when Bonino's innocent opponent is fresher, quicker and, for long stretches, demonstrably better. centering pass smacked off Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm's left Maybe it's mystique. Maybe it's luck. Maybe it's a bit of both. What makes knee and by Rinne just 17 seconds before the end of the period, the defending Stanley Cup champions different from the 29 other clubs Pittsburgh was in full command. chasing them isn't the way they dominate when they play well. It's their It looked like a repeat of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals ability to survive when they don't. against Ottawa, when the Penguins poured in four goals in the first On nights like Monday in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, when a brief period of a 7-0 rout. early flurry led to a baffling lull only to end how so many games have Nashville, unlike the Senators, didn't bail. They haven't at any point ended for the Penguins over the last two springs: with the bigger number during their remarkable run. Why start now? on the scoreboard next to their name and the guys on the other bench wondering how Pittsburgh got away. Again. Ellis scored the first goal by a Predator in a Stanley Cup Final 8:21 into the second and Nashville kept Rinne downright bored at the other end. Rookie Jake Guentzel fired a shot by Nashville's Pekka Rinne with 3:17 Pittsburgh didn't manage a shot on net in the second period, the first time left in regulation to put the Penguins ahead to stay in a flat-out weird 5-3 it's happened in a playoff game in franchise history - and the first such victory. period by any team in a Final game since the NHL began tracking shots "None of us in our dressing room is fooled by the score tonight," on goal in 1958. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. Nashville kept coming. Sissons beat Murray 10:06 into the third and Game 2 is Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. Gaudreau tied it just after a fruitless Pittsburgh power play. The Penguins were outshot 26-12 and went 37 minutes without No matter. The Penguins have become chameleons under Sullivan. They managing to get one puck on Rinne, the best goalie in the playoffs and can win with both firepower and precision. the main reason the Predators are on their sport's biggest stage for the Guentzel slipped one by Rinne with 3:17 to go in regulation and Bonino first time. And yet it didn't matter. added an empty netter to give Pittsburgh early control of the series. When Guentzel ended an eight-game goalless drought and Nick Bonino "We didn't do a great job of (shooting), but we made them count," Crosby picked up his second goal on an empty-netter , the Penguins were in said. "But it was a good finish there to get that one from Jake." control as they try to become the first team since Detroit in 1998 to win back-to-back Cups. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 "It's not textbook," said Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby, who picked up two assists. "We've got some things we need to improve on." The Penguins will have the luxury of doing it with the lead. Conor Sheary scored his first of the playoffs and Evgeni Malkin collected his eighth . The Penguins won despite putting just 12 shots on goal. Matt Murray finished with 23 saves for the Penguins, who used the first coach's challenge in Final history to wipe out an early Nashville goal and held on despite their astonishing shot drought. "I think at the end of the day we're up 1-0," Bonino said. "We had a good first, we had a terrible second and we were terrible in the third. I don't think it's Xs and Os. We've got to work harder, compete a little harder, but we got some timely goals." Ryan Ellis, Colton Sissons and Frederick Gaudreau scored for the Predators. Rinne stopped just seven shots. "It was a different game," Rinne said. "I can't remember facing that kind of game before." The Penguins had all of three days to get ready for the final following a draining slog through the Eastern Conference that included a pair of Game 7 victories, the second a double-overtime thriller against Ottawa last Thursday. Pittsburgh looked a step behind at the outset. The Predators, who crashed the NHL's biggest stage for the first time behind Rinne and a group of talented defenseman, were hardly intimidated by the stakes, the crowd or the defending champions, trying to become the first repeat winner since Detroit in 1998. All the guys from "Smashville" have to show for it is their first deficit of the playoffs on a night a fan threw a catfish onto the ice to try and give the Predators a taste of home. "I thought our guys played a great game," Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. "We hate the score. We hate the result but we'll move forward." 1066284 Philadelphia Flyers "We have a lot of patience for the Coyotes," Daly said. "We're confident there are a lot of good arena opportunities available to them there. Our ownership is focused on cultivating one of those opportunities. There's NHL's international plan includes China but not Olympics every sense that they'll be successful in doing that. So we support their efforts."

CATCH ME OUTSIDE MAY 30, 2017 — 3:01 AM EDT The NHL will play at three outdoor games during the 2017-18 season. WILL GRAVES Ottawa will face Montreal in the NHL 100 Classic at Landsdowne Park in Ottawa on Dec. 16 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first NHL game played on Dec. 19, 1917. The Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers will play at Citi Field - the home of baseball's New York Mets - in PITTSBURGH (AP) - The NHL is heading to Asia next season. Just not the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 and Washington and Toronto will play a the Olympics. Stadium Series Game on March 3 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Commissioner Gary Bettman emphatically reasserted the league will not Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. take a break next February to participate in the 2018 Winter Games in Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 South Korea next February. The league previously announced it would skip going to Pyeongchang earlier this spring, a point Bettman bluntly reiterated on Monday just hours before Pittsburgh and Nashville met in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. "(We've seen) a number of comments from the (International Federation) and player reps suggesting it was still an open issue, it is not and has not been," Bettman said. IIHF President Rene Fasel said the governing body was touching base with the NHL Players' Association two or three times per week, hoping to work out a solution. Lee Hee-beom, head of the Pyeongchang Organizing committee, said in London earlier this month he was "ready to cooperate" with the NHL to make sure the best players in the world could participate in the games as they've done in every Winter Olympics since 1998. Nope. While saying the NHL is not "anti-Olympics," Bettman said league owners are no longer interested in having their arenas go dark in the middle of winter while some of their best employees traveled to the other side of the world, particularly if the International Olympic Committee wants no part of picking up the insurance cost. Bettman said the league "never negotiated" with the IOC, saying the league didn't have "the appetite to continue participation." Some players, like Washington star , have indicated they will play for their home countries regardless of whether the league takes a break or not. Bettman doesn't see that happening. "We have an expectation that none of our players are going," he said. "But I don't want to get into the gymnastics involved in what that means. There's no reason to pick that fight right now." The league is hardly abandoning efforts to expand its global footprint. The league will host events on three continents during the 2017-18 season. The Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings will play a pair of exhibition games in China in September. Ottawa and Colorado will meet in a regular season game in Stockholm in November and Tampa will host to the All-Star game for the second time next January. The Canucks and Kings will play in Shanghai on Sept. 21 and in Beijing on Sept. 23. Beijing will welcome the world for the 2022 Winter Olympics, yet Bettman said the topic of NHL players tagging along never came up. "I think the focus is more about long-term developing the sport, not what happens for two weeks in 2022," Bettman said. Other takeaways from Bettman's annual state-of-the-league address: VEGAS BABY The expansion Las Vegas Knights will have 72 hours - and not the initially announced 48 - to review each team's protected list. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league is "very pleased" with the city's response to the arrival of its first major professional sports franchise. UNDER REVIEW There are no plans to expand what is covered by the newly introduced coach's challenge but Bettman said the league is thinking about using a clock to limit the window on when coaches can alert officials they want a play reviewed. RAISING ARIZONA The league continued to back the Arizona Coyotes' ownership in its quest to find a permanent home. The team is entering the final year of its lease with Gila River Arena in Glendale, a significant haul for fans from Phoenix. 1066285 Philadelphia Flyers The implication of Luukko's comment was that, by missing the playoffs from 2002 through 2006 and positioning themselves to draft Crosby, Malkin, and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, among others, the Penguins Sidney Crosby: an appreciation | Mike Sielski had taken a shameful shortcut to excellence. It was a cheap and convenient excuse to cover up the Flyers' own hard history: They missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons in the MAY 29, 2017 — 3:01 AM EDT early 1990s, and they mined that fallow stretch for Mike Ricci and Eric Lindros instead of Jaromir Jagr and Peter Forsberg. Such are the Mike Sielski consequences of consequential choices. The Flyers have made and will make another succession of them now as they try to build a team

capable of winning a championship. One wonders how many more The Flyers' long and thus-far-futile chase after Sidney Crosby and the Stanley Cups the game's greatest player will have hoisted over his head Pittsburgh Penguins dates to a stunning and sobering afternoon nine before they do, how long Sidney Crosby will still stand in their way. years ago, to the sight of a team president bitter over the past and a Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.04.2017 general manager pondering the future. The Penguins had just embarrassed the Flyers, 6-0, in Game 5 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals, finishing them off to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, and in the bowels of the building then called Mellon Arena, Peter Luukko and Paul Holmgren were coming to terms with what the Flyers had to do to catch up to Crosby & Co., and how difficult that pursuit would be. "They have two of the best forwards in the world," Holmgren said then, referring to Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. "We knew going into this series they were going to be hard to beat. When you lose four games to one, it sort of emphasizes that point." The Penguins have spent the better part of a decade driving home that same point. On Thursday night, when he collected a loose puck near the Ottawa Senators' net, slowed the action to a standstill, and feathered a drop pass to Chris Kunitz for a Game 7 double-overtime goal, Crosby helped send the Penguins to their fourth Finals appearance in 10 years. He already has won as many championships over that period, two, as the Flyers have in their 50 years of existence. And if Crosby, ever since his NHL debut in 2005, has always been regarded here less as a respected competitor and more as the most reviled villain in Philadelphia sports, it's long past time for him to receive credit for his greatness. He is the consummate example of an athlete whom Philadelphia fans hate because they recognize, if they are being honest with themselves, that they would love him in equal measure if he were theirs. He has all the requisite qualities: the affection for agitation, the willingness to tread on that fine line between intense competitiveness and bona fide dirty play, the toughness - maybe the better word is recklessness - to keep returning to the lineup despite missing close to 120 games in his career because of concussion-related problems. That disregard of the long-term effects on his brain and his life might cost Crosby in his years to come, and it tinges each of his achievements with uncomfortable questions about his own good sense and the macho code in a brutal sport. But make no mistake: It increases the respect for him around the NHL, and it would make him a god here. "He's amazing," said former NHL goaltender , who analyzes the league for the NHL Network. "The thing with Sid is he wants to be great every night. For as skilled as he is, it's his willingness every night to compete, to battle. As much as those things are inherent for any player in the league, for him it's at a different level. It's like wanting to be Michael Jordan every time on the floor. The greats have that." The Jordan comparison is good, but there's a better one in a Crosby contemporary. Earlier this month at the NBA draft lottery, Joel Embiid suggested that the 76ers would be reaching their prime just as LeBron James was about to begin his decline, facilitating their rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. No single hockey player could possibly have the same outsized impact on his team that James has had on his, but Crosby has come about as close as one could. His presence, in part, compelled the Flyers to trade for Chris Pronger in 2009, to take the chance that a 35-year-old franchise defenseman had enough left to neutralize the Penguins' star forwards. And Crosby has reduced his primary individual foil, the Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, to the Carmelo Anthony of the NHL, a spectacular scorer who never does enough to lift his team to postseason success because, it seems, he never quite understands and accepts the sacrifices that it would require of him. "You ask anybody in Pittsburgh - they never worry about that with Sid," Weekes said. "Whatever it is, whatever the one-on-one battle, you know you're getting a max effort and max attention to detail with Sidney Crosby. You can't put a price on that. Sometimes that supersedes your skill set. Sometimes it complements it." From that first postseason series against Crosby, though, the Flyers' side of the rivalry has been flavored with envy, a resentment born of the notion that their unwillingness to start fresh with a full-fledged rebuilding effort made their efforts to win a Stanley Cup somehow more honorable than the Penguins'. "We never played to lose for a number of years," Luukko, then the Flyers' president, said after that Game 5 loss in 2008. "And Pittsburgh, to [its] credit, took advantage of all those picks." 1066286 Philadelphia Flyers all. That's a valuable role in the NHL. But the Flyers have so many of that type player on the roster now and in the system.

The glaring need is for impact, scoring forwards who can provide a jolt on END TO END: WHAT TO MAKE OF FLYERS NOT SIGNING SAMUEL the ice and on the scoreboard. That's why it was so important to get a DOVE-MCFALLS? guy like Oskar Lindblom in the fold earlier this week. He has the ceiling to do both of those things sooner rather than later. CSN.com Staff The bottom line here is the Flyers just need more offensive upside out of their prospects right now. The bright side here for Dove-McFalls is that June 03, 2017 4:00 PM he can reenter the draft now, and after the solid season he had, he could well find a new NHL home come the weekend of June 23-24.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.04.2017 End to End: Who's better fit for Flyers, Nico Hischier or Nolan Patrick? Throughout the offseason, we'll ask questions about the Flyers to our resident hockey analysts and see what they have to say. Going End to End today are CSNPhilly.com producers/reporters Tom Dougherty, Jordan Hall and Greg Paone. The topic: What to make of the Flyers not signing Samuel Dove-McFalls? Dougherty The Flyers made an interesting decision Thursday to not sign prospect Samuel Dove-McFalls to an entry-level contract, but it definitely did not come as a surprise. Dove-McFalls was a fourth-round pick in 2015 with limited offensive upside. He dealt with a knee injury in 2015-16 that limited him to 29 games with Saint John, but worked hard to prove himself this season. He scored a career-high 17 goals and 53 points in 66 games. Still, that was not enough to get an entry-level contract. At 20 years old, he is draft eligible again. Saint John traded his rights Friday to Rimouski, which means an overage season in the QMJHL is another possibility for Dove-McFalls. Another option on the table for the forward prospect is signing an AHL contract. He doesn't project to be anything higher than a fourth-line player. He was one of two fourth-round picks in 2015 with Mikhail Vorobyov being the other. They already signed Vorobyov, who will be competing for a regular spot in the Phantoms' lineup next season. Sure, it's disappointing to see a fourth-round pick wasted. If the Flyers didn't select Vorobyov, who has higher upside and was one of Russia's best players at the world juniors, six picks after Dove-McFalls, I would be more critical of this decision to let Dove-McFalls go. But losing a projected fourth-line player is not a loss worth dwelling on. Hall It's a shame for Dove-McFalls, who impressively rebounded from an injury-stricken season by putting up career highs across the board. His 17 goals, 36 assists, 53 points and plus-21 rating were all personal bests in his fourth junior season. Just last week, Dove-McFalls expanded on how he had become more explosive after a summer of training and also shifted to wing at times to show his versatility for a chance at the next level (see story). But that wasn't enough to convince the Flyers to keep the 2015 fourth- round draft pick. The Flyers obviously know more than we know about Dove-McFalls. Maybe they had already seen his potential and know they're about to stock the prospect cupboard even more with the June 23-24 entry draft. It happens — not all draft picks sign and make their way through the system. From what I've read, Dove-McFalls is a role forward. The Flyers made their decision and it won't be a game-changer by any means. But Dove- McFalls did his job this season, which should only help his next chance with a new organization — and good for him. Paone It's been a run of tough luck for Dove-McFalls and Thursday's decision by Ron Hextall and the Flyers' brass was just the latest installment. The knee injury a couple years ago was the start, and though he produced a resurgent season this year in the "Q" to help lead Saint John to the Memorial Cup, it still wasn't enough to earn an NHL contract. Sure, it's a tough pill to swallow for the kid. But it's a stark reminder that hockey is a business at the end of the day. And from the Flyers' standpoint, you can't blame them for this decision. The fact of the matter is that Dove-McFalls, at this point in time, projects to be a depth forward. And that's fine, there's nothing wrong with that at 1066287 Philadelphia Flyers

Stanley Cup Final on TV today: What time, channel is Penguins vs. Predators Game 3 (6/3/17)? NHL Playoffs 2017 on June 3, 2017 at 7:08 AM CHRIS RYAN

The Pittsburgh Penguins, leading 2-0 in the best-of-seven NHL Stanley Cup Final, meet the Nashville Predators in Game 3 on Saturday, June 3, 2017 (6/3/17) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Here's what you need to know: Who: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators What: Game 3, Stanley Cup Final Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tenn. When: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Time: 8 p.m. Eastern TV: NBCSN Livestream: NBC Sports Live Line: Predators -130 A good night's sleep has P.K. Subban more confident than ever about what the Nashville Predators will do on their own ice trailing the Pittsburgh Penguins 0-2 in the Stanley Cup Final. He delivered an All-Star guarantee for Saturday night. "There's no question," Subban said. "We're going to win the next game, and then we'll move forward." Politi: Beware of No. 1 overall pick Subban came very close to guaranteeing a win in the moments after Pittsburgh's 4-1 win Wednesday night. The Penguins turned a 1-1 game into a rout by scoring three goals in the first 3:28 of the third period , forcing Nashville coach Peter Laviolette to pull star goaltender Pekka Rinne for rookie Juuse Saros. On Thursday, the All-Star defenseman channeled Mark Messier, who backed up his own guarantee of a Rangers' win against New Jersey in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. Subban explained why he was so confident, noting the Predators know they deserve to be playing for the Stanley Cup. "We're capable of playing even better than we did in Pittsburgh, and I thought we played some great hockey," Subban said. "I mean, out of 120 minutes, maybe we'd like to take back six of them. Ultimately, we have to be realistic with where we're at. We're down 2-nothing. We're coming back in our barn, and we don't lose here. So it starts Saturday." Laviolette gave no hint about whether Rinne will start Game 3, saying only that he will not talk about lineup changes. The Predators coach says his goalies know who will start. Rinne went into the final with the stingiest numbers in net this postseason and a favorite to win the Conn Smythe trophy as postseason MVP. The 34-year-old goalie has instead given up eight goals on 36 shots through two games. Two goals went off teammates and into the net, but it has not been the inspiring performance that the Predators and their fans are used to from the big Finn. His save percentage has dipped throughout the playoffs -- .976 against Chicago, then .932 against St. Louis and .925 in the West finals against Anaheim. Against the quick-strike Penguins, it's just .778. Still, the three-time Vezina Trophy finalist has allowed only 13 goals in eight playoff games at home and his teammates vowed to play better defense. "It's not his fault by any means," Nashville captain Mike Fisher said of the goals allowed in Pittsburgh. "We know we can do a better job in front of him. It's a team game, and everyone looks at shots and save percentage but forget about the quality and who we're playing. And certain parts of the game where we got to help him out." Star Ledger LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066288 Pittsburgh Penguins “I think everyone is prepared, regardless of who is in,” Crosby said. “Everyone's going to do whatever it takes to make sure they can play. If not, someone else who steps in is ready to take on that challenge. That's Chipped Ice A.M.: Penguins' Sidney Crosby targets trouble spots just the nature of this time of year.” heading into Game 3 ... THE SERIES: Penguins lead, 2-0 JONATHAN BOMBULIE LAST GAME: Matt Murray gave up a goal to Pontus Aberg on the Saturday, June 3, 2017, 8:33 a.m. seventh shot he faced, then turned back the next 30 Nashville offerings, leading the Penguins to a 4-1 victory in Game 2 Wednesday night.

NEXT GAME: The Predators host the Penguins in Game 3 at 8 p.m. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, the Saturday. The Penguins have fared extraordinarily well in Game 3s on Penguins went 1 for 10 on the power play. the road in franchise history, going 26-13. In Game 2 Wednesday night, the Penguins lost 44 of the 77 faceoffs they A NOTE: The Penguins have taken a 2-0 lead in a playoff series nine took. times in the Crosby-Malkin era. They've won all nine. Those aren't the most important stats on the docket, of course. The A QUOTE: “I think we have another level. We've shown some glimpses Penguins outscored the Nashville Predators 9-4 and have a 2-0 series of it and we've had short periods of time, but I think we've got better for a lead heading into Game 3 Saturday night. full 60-minute game.” – Bryan Rust Still, they're troubling enough to Sidney Crosby that he's vowed to do A NUMBER: 6 – career Stanley Cup Final victories for goalie Matt something about them. Murray. The franchise record is seven, held by Tom Barrasso. On the faceoff front, he took personal responsibility. Tribune Review LOADED: 06.04.2017 “It probably starts with me. I have to win a few more faceoffs,” said Crosby, who lost 19 of 29 draws in Game 2. “I think that would go a long way as far as getting possession.” On the matter of the power play, Crosby preached patience. “They pressure a lot,” he said. “They're trying to force mistakes. Once you make a little mistake, they're jumping, making a play on you. “It really comes down to execution. We have guys that can make plays, that are capable, when there is a mistake, finding a way to make a play. Just being patient. It's not always going to be pretty. You're just making sure you execute well. I think that's the biggest thing for us, is when we start to slow it down a bit, making that one play to give us that chance.” Those are just a few of the topics Crosby discussed with reporters at the team hotel after landing in Nashville on Friday afternoon. Some others: -- Crosby said P.K. Subban's claim – interpreted in some circles as a guarantee – that the Predators will win Game 3, has attracted more attention outside of the Penguins locker room than inside it. “Nobody has really talked about it, to be honest,” he said. “I think we know that this time of year, there's no shortage of motivation. I think going into this situation, we expect their best game. We expect a desperate team. It's not something we've discussed. I think at this point you're motivated enough. We know we've got to be ready.” -- Crosby said the third period of Game 2, in which the Penguins scored three goals on odd-man rushes, needs to be the team's blueprint for success moving forward. “We played a little bit more loose,” Crosby said. “Doesn't mean that we were giving up chances. We just seemed to be a little more on our toes. When we play that way, a little more aggressive, we create a little bit more. You see the chances that we're able to get.” -- Crosby said it's important for the Penguins to set the tone in Game 3 now that the series has shifted to the raucous confines of Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. “We watch games on TV. We can see they play a pretty inspired game here,” Crosby said. “I think just try to go with the same mindset we have on the road all playoffs long. We know they feed off their crowd. Hopefully we can get on them early.” -- Crosby will be playing the 22nd Stanley Cup Final game of his career Saturday night. He said the mental preparation process becomes easier with experience. “I think you understand there's no point, there's nothing you can really gain in looking ahead, and I think you understand a game like (Saturday), you expect a pretty desperate hockey team,” Crosby said. “You know, you did what you wanted to do at home, but there's lots of hockey left. It doesn't mean it makes it any easier sometimes, but I think it definitely helps in the process.” -- Crosby discussed the potential absence of center Nick Bonino, who suffered a lower-body injury blocking a Subban shot in the first period of Game 2. Coach Mike Sullivan said Bonino will be a game-time decision Saturday night. Bonino arrived in Nashville walking crutches and wearing a walking boot. 1066289 Pittsburgh Penguins

Live at Game 3: Penguins at Predators

JONATHAN BOMBULIE AND BILL WEST Saturday, June 3, 2017, 1:45 p.m.

The Penguins' Sidney Crosby stretches on the ice before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Predators on June 3, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. PREGAME Penguins center Nick Bonino did not take the ice for warm-ups in the minutes ahead of Game 3 on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena, bringing a predictable end to two days of speculation and questioning about his status. Bonino suffered a lower-body injury after he blocked a P.K. Subban slap shot in the first period of Game 2, but he managed to return to action in the second period and finish with more than 15 minutes of ice time. He did not participate in Friday's practice or Saturday's morning skate, but coach Mike Sullivan still described the center as a "game-time decision." With Bonino out, the Penguins moved Carter Rowney to center and plugged Carl Hagelin back in the lineup as a winger. Hagelin served as a healthy scratch in Game 1 and 2. "It's not about you. It's about the team doing well," Hagelin said of his role in recent days. "You just try to go out there, if you get the chance, go out there and do your best, spend some extra times on certain things after practice to try to get better." Sullivan's coy answer about the lineup paled in comparison to Nashville coach Peter Laviolette's responses to whether Pekka Rinne will start in goal for the Predators. Laviolette said, "Next question," when asked specifically if Rinne gets the nod in Game 3 and also when asked about the likelihood of changing any part of the lineup after falling behind, 2-0, in the series. Rinne ultimately emerged as Nashville's starter. As the team with the worst record among the 16 that made the playoffs, Nashville has been in this situation three times already this postseason – coming home for Game 3 after playing the first two games of a series on the road. They've thrived, winning all three times. The Penguins, meanwhile, have been in this situation twice. In the first round, they went into Columbus and won 5-4 in overtime. In the Eastern Conference finals, they went into Ottawa and were trounced, 5-1. "You know they're going to come out with a lot of energy," Sullivan said. "They're going to try to have a good start. They're going to try to feed off their home crowd. I think all of those things, I'm stating the obvious, probably. "Other than that, I don't think our team's any different than other teams. It's not like teams have two different game plans, one for home and one for the road. It gets talked about a lot, but I'm not sure in real terms it's what actually happens. Teams are trying to play to their strengths, regardless of where the game is played." Tribune Review LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066290 Pittsburgh Penguins

Plus-Minus: Predators 5, Penguins 1, Game 3, Stanley Cup Final

BILL WEST Sunday, June 4, 2017, 12:30 a.m.

No game sheet is complete without plus-minus, a sometimes misleading statistic that attempts to reflect a skater's two-way performance. The Tribune-Review's version of plus-minus for the postseason also addresses two-play, albeit with more taken into account. PLUS Nashville D Roman Josi His power-play goal to tie the score at 1-1 highlighted a three-point performance. The ice also tilted in Nashville's favor when Josi jumped over the boards during a 5-1 win in Game 3. PLUS Nashville F Craig Smith Arguably no forward finished with a better two-way performance than Smith, who was on the ice for 19 Nashville shot attempts and just eight from the Penguins during five-on-five play, according to www.hockeystats.ca. PLUS Nashville G Pekka Rinne He won back a considerable amount of Nashville fans' faith with a 27- save performance. He made 13 saves during a particularly critical pushback from the Penguins in the second period. EVEN Penguins F Jake Guentzel He inched closer to breaking rookie playoff scoring records with his goal in the first period. He needs one more goal and one more point to tie the single-postseason marks. EVEN Penguins F Conor Sheary The winger's five shots on goal tied Patric Hornqvist for the team high. Sheary finished with nine attempts and also had favorable five-on-five possession numbers. MINUS Penguins F Evgeni Malkin Unable to even get credit for a shot attempt, the star center spent far too much time chasing the puck instead of controlling it and dictating play. He was on the ice for just four Penguins five-on-five shot attempts and 15 from the Predators. MINUS Penguins F Chris Kunitz His giveaway after running into Phil Kessel while carrying the puck through the neutral zone led to Smith's breakaway goal in the third period. He also struggled mightily to help the Penguins' possession game. MINUS Penguins D An anchor of the penalty kill, he and his short-handed specialist cohorts struggled against a Nashville power play that went 2 for 3. Hainsey finished the night as a minus-2. Tribune Review LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066291 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins' Matt Murray unfazed by his career-worst playoff performance

BILL WEST Sunday, June 4, 2017, 12:27 a.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No metaphorical dark clouds hung over Matt Murray's stall in the visitor's dressing room following the Penguins' 5-1 loss to Nashville in Game 3 on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. Questions about Marc-Andre Fleury looming as an option to start never arose. With the way Murray assessed his own performance, he barely even conveyed disappointment about a game in which he allowed five goals — the most in any of his 29 career playoff appearances — and finished with his second-worst save percentage (.848) in a postseason game. Quirky bounces gave Murray a reason to leave the arena without much anxiety about his role in the loss, which cut the Penguins' lead in the Stanley Cup Final to 2-1 heading into Monday's Game 4. “A goal is a goal, and you want all of them back,” Murray said. “I thought I was in the right spot on almost all of them. A couple weird bounces. And the breakaway, maybe I thought I could've made a better play on it. Otherwise, I was pretty happy with my positioning. I'm just about making a save.” The first shot to beat him, a Roman Josi slap shot during a second-period power play, deflected off of Carter Rowney on its way to the net. A shot from James Neal slipped past Murray only after the puck bounced off the back of the goal and went right to the winger. And Craig Smith's goal was the only breakaway Murray didn't deny during his 28-save night. “He kept us in the game,” winger Jake Guentzel said. “We've got to help him out a little more.” Nashville's rowdy fans did their best to shake the 23-year-old netminder. Their post-goal chants, capped with a few rounds of “It's all your fault,” rang out loud enough to resonate on television broadcasts. But Murray, as he promised before Game 3, gave little attention to the mockery. “It was loud,” he acknowledged. “It was really loud. Passionate fan base. ... I don't think it really has as big of an impact (on play) as people say.” What Murray devoted more energy and attention to was the way Nashville, for a third straight game, created chaos at the net front. He didn't consider it a drastic difference from what he witnessed in Game 1 or 2. But it contributed to some of those quirky deflections and wayward pucks. “The first one goes off our shot blocker and changes direction,” Murray said. “That one there takes a weird bounce off the back of the net and goes right to their guy. You don't want to look too hard into those things. It's just a weird bounce here and there, and they were able to capitalize on it.” Coach Mike Sullivan used the term “freebies” to describe some of the Nashville's goals. He pinned nothing on Murray. The breakdowns that led to most of the trouble happened further up ice. “We didn't force them to have to work for it,” Sullivan said. “That's an area where we have to be better moving forward. ... There were some (goals) that were preventable, for sure.” The Penguins addressed such disappointments well in previous series. Murray anticipated another instance of necessary self-assessment against Nashville. But he found no need to beat himself up about anything. “I thought they were pretty good through the first two games as well,” he said. “Threw a lot at the net, a lot of traffic. We expected a big response out of them for sure, and that's exactly what we got.” Tribune Review LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066292 Pittsburgh Penguins

Gorman: Penguins get taste of Smashville in Game 3 loss

KEVIN GORMAN Sunday, June 4, 2017, 12:12 a.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The streets of Smashville were packed with people eager to enjoy their first taste of the Stanley Cup Final, courtesy of a Predators' playoff run expected by no one outside of Tennessee. If you were wondering how Nashville became Smashville, we all found out Saturday night when the Predators pounded the Penguins, 5-1, in Game 3 of the Cup Final inside a boisterous Bridgestone Arena. “You could just feel the buzz,” Predators winger James Neal said, adding it carried from the streets onto the ice. “The hockey world is starting to see it.” You would never have known the Predators were trailing the Penguins, 2-0, in this best-of-seven series, given the excitement before the first Cup Final game played here since the NHL awarded this city an expansion team in 1998. This is a country music town, first and foremost, one that showed off its star power with Alan Jackson playing a free concert on Broadway and Martina McBride singing the national anthem. Even a pair of Pittsburgh favorites — Hank Williams Jr. and Styx — turned on the City of Champions. Williams Jr., who was part of the Steelers' 75th anniversary celebration, waved a rally towel to fire up the crowd before the game. At the first intermission, Styx played a trio of songs, including Renegade, which has become an anthem for the Steelers. Awesome as the atmosphere was — just as loud here as it sounded on your TV — it had nothing to do with the outcome. More so than their music, the Predators proved they could play championship-caliber hockey. The sweetest sound was the goal horn. “It's an exciting atmosphere,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We were well aware of it going in. Our guys were excited to play here. It's a great hockey city. There was a lot of energy in the building. I don't think it had an impact on how we performed.” Despite the amped-up crowd, the Predators didn't score the game's first goal. That was a gem by the Penguins' Jake Guentzel, the rookie winger who scored his NHL-best 13th tally of the playoffs for a 1-0 lead at 2 minutes, 46 seconds of the first period. But the Penguins didn't score again, as star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both failed to register a shot on goal and the power play went powerless. The game, and perhaps this series, changed in a span of 42 seconds. That's how long it took between Roman Josi's tying power-play goal at 5:51 of the second period and Frederick Gaudreau's go-ahead goal for a 2-1 lead. “They were down 2-nothing, and they wanted to play better. I don't think that's overly profound. We've got to respond better,” Penguins defenseman Ian Cole said of the series. “We try to play inside the glass, not what's going on outside the glass. What's going on outside shouldn't matter.” Just for good measure in this tale of turncoats, Neal scored for a 3-1 lead with only 22.6 second left in the second period. The Predators weren't done, as winger Craig Smith added a breakaway goal for a 4-1 lead 4:54 into the third and defenseman Mattias Ekholm made it 5-1 with 13:10 left. By that point, the roof was ready to blow off this barn. “They're a loud crowd,” Guentzel said, “so we've got to handle it next game and be ready for it.” Smashville showed that it was ready for the Cup, even if it didn't show much Southern hospitality. Tribune Review LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066293 Pittsburgh Penguins "It's tough to come back when those things happen," winger Patric Hornqvist said. "We have to stay with it. We can't give up that goal. And we have to be better on the power play." Penguins fall flat in Game 3 loss to Predators Tribune Review LOADED: 06.04.2017

JONATHAN BOMBULIE Saturday, June 3, 2017, 11:12 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When a raucous Bridgestone Arena crowd was in danger of losing its enthusiasm, Roman Josi and his teammates on the power play gave the Nashville Predators a spark. For the Penguins, the power play was where sparks went to die. Josi's special-teams strike kickstarted a three-goal second period for the Predators, leading them to a 5-1 victory over the Penguins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night. The Penguins lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Monday night in Nashville. "They were the more desperate team tonight," Sidney Crosby said. "That was pretty evident." The Penguins went 0 for 3 on the power play in the game to fall to 1 for 13 in the series. They managed one shot on goal in six minutes of power- play time. "It's the first time in my career we can't score like that," Evgeni Malkin said. "So many chances. We're not shooting the puck. They pressure us. First power play, we moved the puck so well, but still no shots. "We need to change something. I don't know. If we score a couple goals, it's so much easier to play. It's not working. We need change. Maybe players. I don't know. It's tough to say right now. But I know we played bad on the power play." Whether on the power play or even strength, neither Crosby nor Malkin got a shot on the goal in the game. Crosby attempted one. Malkin tried none. "I'm not having room," Malkin said. "I have puck, like, one second. I try my best. We all try our best. They play very well. We need to change something. I don't know. It's hard to say right now." Given the energy level in the building, which was hosting a game in the final series for the first time, it would have been reasonable to expect the adrenaline-fueled Predators to steamroll the Penguins early. They did nothing of the sort, and before the game was three minutes old, Jake Guentzel gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead. Crosby's line caused a commotion on the forecheck, with the puck making its way to Ian Cole at the left point. Cole shot, and Guentzel slipped the rebound past goalie Pekka Rinne. Guentzel has scored in all three games of the final series. He has 13 goals in the playoffs, one off the all-time NHL rookie record set by Minnesota's Dino Ciccarelli in 1981. "I thought the first part of the game, we did everything we wanted to do," coach Mike Sullivan said. "We got the first goal. I thought we controlled the puck. We controlled momentum." The Penguins continued to push, and Rinne continued to look shaky but the score stayed 1-0 through the end of the period. That left the Predators in a perfectly fine position from which to attack in the second. And attack they did. The momentum turned when Justin Schultz was called for holding about four minutes in. Josi scored on the ensuing power play, connecting on a shot from the right faceoff circle that deflected off the left glove of penalty killer Carter Rowney. The Predators rode the wave to another goal 42 seconds later when Frederick Gaudreau used Cole as a screen and beat Matt Murray with a wrister from the slot. "We gave them so much space," Malkin said. "They controlled puck. We lost control, I think, after the first period. We took a couple of penalties. We gave them a couple of breakaways. It's not our game." Finally, with 22.6 seconds left in the period, the Predators delivered a dagger when a Viktor Arvidsson pass banked off defenseman Brian Dumoulin and the back of the net to James Neal at the post for a shot in off Murray's glove. 1066294 Pittsburgh Penguins For the Penguins, though, communication on the ice continued without the need for many words. At this stage of the season, rowdy crowds cannot do much to interfere with the connection between skaters. Penguins notebook: Nick Bonino out for Game 3; Carl Hagelin returns “Sometimes you can't hear things,” said Maatta, who named Columbus as another city with a particularly noticeable crowd presence. “You kind of make sure you trust your guys to be in the right spot at the right time.” BILL WEST AND JONATHAN BOMBULIE Tribune Review LOADED: 06.04.2017 Saturday, June 3, 2017, 9:27 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the Penguins rushed onto the ice for pregame warm-ups Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena, center Nick Bonino lingered elsewhere. The exact location hardly mattered. His absence from the ice in the minutes ahead of Game 3 revealed the degree of Bonino's injury, something coach Mike Sullivan declined to disclose during the previous 48 hours. Described by Sullivan as “day-to-day” and a “game-time decision,” Bonino missed the third game of the Stanley Cup Final with the lower- body injury he suffered in Game 2 against Nashville on Wednesday, when he blocked a P.K. Subban slap shot in the first period. Bonino managed to finish that game, but he did not participate in practice Friday or at Saturday's morning skate. He wore a walking boot on his left foot and used crutches to get around after arriving in Nashville. With Bonino absent, the Penguins moved Carter Rowney to center and put Carl Hagelin back in the lineup after scratching him in Game 1 and 2. DRAWING IT UP When Sullivan mentioned the need for better play at the faceoff dot following Game 2, attention turned to the Penguins' win-loss figures for understandable reasons — they claimed just 33 of 77 (42.9 percent) of draws, including three of 10 on the power play. But the coach indicated the Penguins' plan for improvement in Game 3 went beyond simply asking centers to snap more pucks back to teammates. “You need help from the people beside you to get in and get their noses over pucks and win some puck battles,” Sullivan said. “Probably of the scoring chances we gave up in (Game 2), 50 percent of them started off of faceoffs — that's a guesstimation on my part. My point is, there were a fair amount where we just didn't pay enough attention to detail.” COUNTRY FRIED It's easy to forget, because their hometowns are so far from Nashville, but plenty of Canadians are country music fans, and Penguins players are no exception. Winger Scott Wilson, a native of Oakville, Ontario, said he would have loved to get the chance to meet any of the stars who sung the national anthem before Predators games in the playoffs. “Yeah. Pretty much all of them. I think a lot of guys in this room listen to country, so it would be pretty cool,” Wilson said. Olli Maatta said he thinks defenseman Justin Schultz, who hails from Kelowna, British Columbia, is the biggest country fan on the team. Maatta added the style of music isn't all that popular in his native Finland, which gave him an idea. “I should try to bring it in, huh?” he joked. A SLICE OF ICE With temperatures pushing 90 degrees in Nashville on Saturday afternoon, there was concern about the quality of the ice surface at Bridgestone Arena. “It was a little sticky today, but I find that every rink this time of year in the playoffs, it's a little worse in the morning, then it's pretty good for game time,” Wilson said after morning skate. On the subject of ice conditions, Wilson said there was significant improvement at PPG Paints Arena from Game 1 to Game 2 of the series. “I thought the first game it was pretty soft, but the second game was a lot better,” Wilson said. “Those guys just adjust to the people coming in and out of the rink and the temperatures and everything.” LOUD HOUSE Predators fans promised the Penguins a rowdy, hostile environment, and hours before Game 3's opening puck drop, hordes of people surrounded Bridgestone Arena and made their enthusiasm apparent. Noise carried through the walls of the arena. 1066295 Pittsburgh Penguins

Sean Gentille: Please, Nashville, do not ruin the catfish thing

SEAN GENTILLE 7:04 PM JUN 3, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jake Waddell seemed a little confused by it. He wasn’t alone. "Thank you. That's hilarious. So I keep this? Wow," Waddell, the dude who threw a catfish on the ice at PPG Paints Arena during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, had just received a copy of a proclamation of support for the Predators by the Tennessee House of Representatives. “That’s a lot of reading.” It was a symbolic, gauzy, slightly corny gesture spearheaded by Representative Bryan Waddell, who handed the document to Waddell at Losers Bar in downtown Nashville. Though it also spoke about Predators fans in general, it made sense to single out Waddell. He is, as we established, the dude who threw a catfish on the ice at PPG Paints Arena during Game of the Stanley Cup Final. People went nuts over it, present company included. A member of the ice crew removes a catfish that was thrown onto the ice during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final at PPG Paints Arena. “This is insane,” Waddell. “I thought for maybe a day, it’d be like ‘aw man, you’re cool!’ But this is insane.” Waddell was far from the first here, though; fans in Nashville have been throwing catfish for years. They just hadn’t had the opportunity to do it in an opposing arena on national TV. The entire moment, like Waddell and Terry said, is about further establishing Nashville’s (deserved) reputation as not just a great hockey market, but one with real history and real traditions. That’s the challenge when you’re an young franchise in any sport; the Predators are 20 years old. An NHL team based in the South, though, is working at an even bigger deficit. There was no meaningful hockey culture here before the Preds came to town, and though that’s not an inherently bad thing, it can make connections difficult. That’s part of the reason it was smart of the district attorney’s office to drop the charges against Waddell; “I think they appreciated that,” Terry said. The point is that you can’t force stuff like this; it has to happen organically. That’s true of every great sports tradition — Terrible Towel, Lambeau Leap, whatever — and it’s true enough here, too. “We’re not an original hockey town. We’re not an original anything town,” Waddell said. “We didn’t have football, we didn’t have hockey. You give a bunch of rednecks a reason to get together and drink and get loud, and we’ll do it. That’s what we do here better than anymore.” Talk about it too much, though, and you run the real risk of hitting a saturation point. Terry’s proclamation focused heavily on establishing an identity. That has happened. Now, “Smashville” can enjoy it. The catfish tradition had its coming-out party, and Waddell seems like the perfect guy to lead the way — he’s using all this publicity to raise money for several children’s charities, which is great. One of those is Last Minute Toy Store, which provides gifts to underprivileged kids. “Catfish bringing money to kids for Christmas? It’s kinda crazy, but it’s working,” Waddell said. He’s right. Predators fans were looking for tradition, and they found it. Now, it’s up to them to make sure it doesn’t get stale — or cost their team. Officials could penalize the Predators for delay of game if it continues, “More than anything, all this stuff can go away, I want ‘em to win. I’m a Preds fan,” Waddell said. “If we don’t win, it don’t matter. ... If anybody’s going to to do it, I hope they’re smart enough to do it right before the game starts, because if it costs the team, it’s the complete opposite of what we’re trying to do.” Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066296 Pittsburgh Penguins

Bonino expected to miss Game 3

JASON MACKEY 6:51 PM JUN 3, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nick Bonino will either be out of the lineup Saturday for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final, or the Penguins center has his own dressing room at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Penguins equipment manager Dana Heinze tweeted out pictures of the Penguins dressing room in its pregame setup, and Bonino did not have a stall, his jersey and equipment nowhere to be seen. Officially, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has said for the past two days that Bonino – and the rest of his lineup – would be a game-time decision. Bonino was injured blocking a P.K. Subban shot in the first period of Game 2 on Wednesday. He returned for the start of the second, but when the Penguins arrived in Nashville on Friday, Bonino was on crutches and wearing a walking boot. If Bonino can’t play, it’s expected that Carter Rowney will shift from wing to center, and Carl Hagelin will return to the starting lineup. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066297 Pittsburgh Penguins Temperatures here crept into the 90s Saturday, hardly ideal conditions for maintaining a 17,000 square foot sheet of ice.

But following the Penguins’ game-day skate, winger Scott Wilson said Sullivan not ruling out Bonino on skates Saturday the conditions weren’t too bad. “It was a little sticky,” he said. “I find that every rink this time of year in the DAVE MOLINARI, SAM WERNER AND JASON MACKEY playoffs, it’s always a little worse in the morning and then it’s pretty good for game time.” 2:55 PM JUN 3, 2017 Lots of action outside Bridgestone Arena

There will be a hockey game at Bridgestone Arena Saturday night, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nick Bonino was on crutches Friday, but coach although fans will have to get past – or through – a lot to get inside the Mike Sullivan isn’t willing to rule out him being on skates Saturday night. venue. Bonino, injured when he blocked a P.K. Subban shot during the There will be, for starters, a concert by Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Penguins’ 4-1 victory in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final, was not among Jackson in a nearby plaza, and an area where people could pay to the 18 players who participated in the team’s optional game-day skate at assault a car painted in Penguins colors with a sledgehammer. Bridgestone Arena, but coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Bonino will be a “game-time decision.” The Penguins, though, seem to have avoided getting caught up in the sideshows that surround games in Nashville. If, as expected, Bonino is held out of the game, the Penguins are expected to move Carter Rowney to center and return Carl Hagelin, a “I think the guys last year kind of experienced kind of the same thing, healthy scratch for Games 1 and 2, to the lineup. even though it wasn’t in Nashville,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot of hype, wherever you are. Hagelin’s speed could be an asset for the Penguins, and his penalty- killing ability would fill some of the void created by Bonino’s absence. “Guys who have been in that situation before kind of know how to go about their day and not let it bother them.” Richard Wilson stands outside the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville selling tickets for 1000 dollars each for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final Predators walking the the line of routine, excitement Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. The hubbub has been unlike anything the Predators have experienced in “If [Hagelin] plays, I’m sure he’ll bring everything he always brings to our the franchise's existence. team,” Sullivan said. “He’s got tons of speed. He’s a real good penalty- Maybe throughout NHL history, for that matter. killer. The chaotic, crazy and just plain fun atmosphere around Bridgestone “I think he forces turnovers all over the ice because of his speed and his Arena for its first-ever Stanley Cup final has caught Predators’ players puck-pursuit game. [Hagelin] is a good player. He’s been a big part of attention, but they’ve had to walk the line of embracing it while also this team all year. He’s helped us win a lot of games.” staying focused on the task at hand. Simple logic points to Rinne starting in goal for Nashville “Every year it seems to have grown and grown,” Predators captain Mike Simple logic – and all available evidence – points to Pekka Rinne starting Fisher said. “Last year we got a little taste of it. This year has been in goal for Nashville, even though he played poorly in Games 1 and 2. unbelievable. After all, his play was the biggest factor in Nashville’s previous victories "Everything that’s gone on, as a player, I've been so proud to see against Chicago, St. Louis and Anaheim, and inexperienced backup [Nashville] grow as a hockey market, where it’s become the loudest Juuse Saros would be a risky option. building in the NHL. Nonetheless, Predators coach Peter Laviolette declined to confirm that "You’ll hear that tonight, so bring your earplugs.” Rinne will get the start. That doesn’t mean the Predators have adjusted their routines to His response, when asked if Rinne will be in goal for Game 3: “Next accommodate. question.” There won’t be any mid-day trips to Hattie B’s for hot chicken or Jack’s Conor Sheary celebrates his goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final for barbecue. Just the same old stuff they’ve done the entire season. against Nashville. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette) “We can take confidence in the fact that we’ve played good at home,” Subban’s guarantee didn’t waves in the Penguins’ dressing room Fisher said. “I think we’ve been loose. I think we’ve done a great job of that. Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban’s so-called guarantee that the Predators will win Game 3 didn’t make many waves in the Penguins’ “It will be the same as we always do: normal routines, make sure we’re dressing room. getting our food and rest. ... I’ll stay away from downtown. Won’t be going to Tootsie’s." “It’s hard to say,” winger Conor Sheary said. “We’re just going to focus on our ourselves in this room and what we need to do to win. Loss of Johansen felt “They’re confident in their group, we’re confident in ours. We’re just going It’s tough to make up for the loss of Ryan Johansen, one of the best to go out and play and hopefully get the result we’re looking for.” young centers in the NHL, out for this series because of acute compartment syndrome in his left thigh. Penguins are “skilled and fast team” It’s also tough to deny that his absence has had a negative effect on the Nashville probably didn’t expect to face a 2-0 deficit going into Game 3 Predators, especially Johansen’s linemates in Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Saturday night. Forsberg, who've combined for one point – a meaningless Arvidsson assist in Game 2 – in two games. That doesn’t mean the Predators were surprised by anything the Penguins did during the first two games of the final. “He’s a great player,” Arvidsson said of Johansen. “We had great chemistry together. We have to face the fact that he’s not in our lineup “We knew they were going to be a skilled and fast team, and that’s anymore. We have to battle through it. We haven’t been able to score as exactly what they are,” defenseman Roman Josi said. “They play with a much. We have to keep doing what we’re doing, and it’s going to come.” lot of speed, a lot of skill, and they have a lot of guys who can score. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 “They’re pretty much what we thought they would be.” Center Mike Fisher offered a similar assessment. “Everyone knows who Pittsburgh is, what kind of team they are and their strengths,” he said. “I don’t think they’re ever going to surprise anyone. They won it all last year for a reason.” “It was a little sticky” 1066298 Pittsburgh Penguins Nobody’s happier about that than Sheary, who could not have possibly handled this situation any better.

“I think he’s playing the same way,” Sidney Crosby said. “The guy’s going Conor Sheary celebrates his goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final to compete every night and use his speed. I’m sure scoring gave him a against Nashville. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette) 1 little bit of confidence. The way he competes and uses his speed, that’s his strength. I think he knows that, and I think he tries to play that every night.” JASON MACKEY From the skates 1:49 PM JUN 3, 2017 Not a ton, honestly.

Sullivan maintained that Bonino will be a game-time decision. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Conor Sheary figured he would find a positive somewhere, anywhere, buried in the mess of what he had become I find that hard to believe. He didn’t practice yesterday, didn’t take the earlier this postseason. skate today and was seen yesterday in a walking boot and on crutches. So Sheary thought back to the 2016 postseason, his first in the NHL. Again, he could; it is the Stanley Cup final. But at this point the sense I’ve Then, too, Sheary was squeezed out of a lineup spot. gotten from talking to guy is that they’re prepared to move on with Bonino. Given another chance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final, Sheary seized the moment. If he can’t, Carl Hagelin will draw into the lineup. “If I’m able to crack the lineup going forward,” Sheary said after the first Numbers to note of two games he spent as a healthy scratch, “maybe I could use that as 19: Successful kills out of the past 20 chances for the Predators. motivation.” 6: Wins in seven tries for the Penguins when they’ve been outshot by 10 Penguins Nick Bonino is tries to get up after getting injured against the or more, including a 2-0 mark this series. Predators in the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Wednesday. 3: Consecutive multipoint games for Kunitz. Both of those things have happened. 39: Wins in 64 tries for the Penguins all-time in Game 3, including a 26- 13 record on the road. Sheary has responded to a benching last round by running off a three- game point streak, highlighted by a goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup 12: Goals for Jake Guentzel, most in the NHL. If this keeps up, he would final. be the first rookie to lead in the NHL in playoff goal-scoring for the first time since 1926-27. In two years, Sheary now has three goals and five points in eight career Stanley Cup final games. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 “I was getting a little stressed out and frustrated,” Sheary said of going 15 playoff games without a goal, accumulating just three assists and having a minus-8 rating. “You just have to relax and play. I think I’ve been doing a better job of doing that.” Sheary’s struggles – hardly physical but a lot mental – got him booted from Sidney Crosby’s wing. However, a few shifts into Sheary’s Game 7 return, coach Mike Sullivan noticed the jump Sheary had and elevated him to play with Crosby and Chris Kunitz. In Game 1 against Nashville, Sheary scored the type of goal he would have struggled to score in the earlier rounds, holding the puck an extra beat and firing with confidence. When Sheary’s at his best, he’s using his speed, hunting pucks and acting on his instincts. None of that went particularly well when Sheary was thinking too much earlier in the playoffs, like a baseball player too worried about his swing. Now, Sheary’s head is clear. He’s having fun. He’s skating. He’s relaxed. He’s producing. And his teammates are noticing. “As soon as he got one on the board, he started playing with a lot more confidence,” Bryan Rust said. “He’s doing a lot more with the puck. He’s hanging onto it a little bit more. He’s playing a little bit harder. That’s obviously good for our team.” With Nick Bonino potentially out Saturday for Game 3 with a lower-body injury, Sheary could have a big role to fill as the primary offensive presence on the Penguins third line. Bonino was spotted in a walking boot and on crutches when the Penguins’ plane landed in Nashville on Friday. If Bonino can’t go, it’ll be Carter Rowney between Scott Wilson and Sheary. Like Rust, Wilson knows Sheary well. Both tried to get Sheary to chill out when he was struggling. But even as Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have experienced, slumps happen to the best of them. “It’s tough on everybody,” Wilson said. “Even when the big guys aren’t scoring, it’s frustrating. Sometimes you might be playing better hockey, but you’re not getting the bounces or it’s just not going your way. “Away from the ice, [Sheary] doesn’t really change anything. He always comes to the rink in a good mood and works hard. It’s good he’s got out of that.” 1066299 Pittsburgh Penguins

'Get the hell outta here:' A brief talk about $4K tickets with a Bridgestone Arena scalper

SEAN GENTILLE 1:48 PM JUN 3, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Advice for anyone looking for tickets outside Bridgestone Arena: Know what you’re getting into and prepare to be yelled at. Scalpers at the corner of Fifth Ave. and Broadway were out at least nine hours ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. They should’ve been; it’s the first Cup final in Predators history. Broadway, lined with bars, is already blocked off for a pregame Alan Jackson concert. The downtown area is crawling with hockey fans, bachelorette parties and a generally rowdy, dedicated, determined group of binge drinkers. In other words, it’s time to make some money, and the scalpers are out for theirs. Part of their method: Being amazingly, impressively mean. It’s important to recognize greatness, and these guys are great at being mean. The cost of tickets on the secondary market has been a discussion topic all week long, and it isn’t coming down. On StubHub at 1 p.m. CT, you were looking at $1,200 per just to get in the door. Seats in the lower bowl behind the net were at least double that. Lower bowl neutral zone: About $5,000 per. Such is life when you mix real fandom, tourism and the entertainment industry. Guys across the street doing it the old-fashioned way are acutely aware of this, even if the mooks doing price-checks are not. “Sixteen thousand for four,” Scalper No. 1, stationed outside Rippy’s Bar and Grill, said to somebody. The response was understandable enough: “Who is going to pay that?” Scalper No. 1: “Somebody will. Not you, though. Get outta here.” That’s when I walked over. “Are you serious? Where are the seats?” Scalper No. 1: “Yeah, I’m serious. Are you gonna buy these?” Me: “No, I’m just interested.” Scalper No. 1: “Then I’m not interested in talking to you. Get the hell outta here if you’re not gonna buy.” So, of course, I hung around for a while, largely looking at my phone and trying not to get punched. Most of the interactions followed that template: Curious folks, clueless to the actual going rate of tickets, getting dunked on by scalpers for being doofuses. I heard “somebody will” more times than I could count. Penguins Nick Bonino is tries to get up after getting injured against the Predators in the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Wednesday. Eventually, a portly, middle-aged man (baseball cap, Predators t-shirt tucked into a pair of chino shorts) popped out of Rippy’s and asked Scalper No. 2 for his price. Scalper No. 2 gave it. Portly middle-aged man scoffed and popped back into Rippy’s. Scalper No. 2: “Then why are you wasting my time, you ‘Abbott and Costello’-looking mother-[expletive.]” And that was my cue to go inside. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066300 Pittsburgh Penguins Anybody who has watched this team with any sort of regularity would probably agree: Whether it’s confidence or health, Kessel isn’t at his best right now. Crosby, Malkin fail to record shot on goal “He's an elite shooter,” Sullivan said when asked postgame whether he sensed that Kessel was about to break out. “He can score goals. We always try to encourage him to shoot the puck more because he has one JASON MACKEY of the best shots in the game. He had a couple looks [Saturday]. He had a breakaway late in the game. 7:19 AM JUN 4, 2017 “I think Phil is a guy, if one goes in for him, it certainly gives him a boost of confidence. We're trying to encourage him to shoot the puck and think shot first. He's certainly at his best when he's in that mindset.” NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are the Penguins’ two best players. I thought the Penguins’ best line for much of the night was the fourth line of Carl Hagelin, Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist. They weren’t Saturday night. While this was still a game – before two goals in 42 seconds or James In a 5-1 loss to the Predators in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final, Crosby Neal’s late in the second period – they provided several extended, and Malkin together failed to register a shot on goal for the first time in offensive-zone shifts that gave the Penguins a boost. their respective NHL careers. Of course, as Hornqvist pointed out, they didn’t score. A big part of that was the power play, where the Penguins finished without a goal on three chances, dropping them to 1 for 13 with four “We had a few good shifts down there, but we still have to take that next shots on goal in this series. step to score goals,” Hornqvist said. “That’s all that matters. Other than that, we did some real good things. We’ll Watch video [Sunday]. Crosby said he OK with the number of chances he got, but none of his Hopefully we can learn something and go back and have a really strong three shot attempts made it through. Game 4.” “I had some opportunities to shoot it,” Crosby said. “Didn’t get it there. The group accounted for eight of the Penguins’ 28 shots on goal, with There were a few chances around the net. I have to find a way to get it Hornqvist tallying five. Hagelin, in the lineup after spending a couple through.” games as a healthy scratch, was also quite good, his speed very much The Penguins were actually decent on their first power play of the game. evident in this one. Puck movement was there. There was at least some semblance of a Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 flow. Then, nothing. That group added little in terms of momentum the rest of the way, and much of the talk after this one centered on how to make it better. “I need to play better,” Malkin said. “Maybe shoot a couple times. Not one-timer but wrist shot. Go to the net. I don’t know. I can’t explain it.” Not only the power play, Malkin wasn’t thrilled with what his line produced. “I didn’t play great,” Malkin said. “We didn’t play much in the offensive zone.” In trying to explain how he and Crosby went without a shot on goal, Malkin talked about having little room to make a play. “I have the puck for one second,” Malkin said. “They jump to me. I try my best.” It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. Nashville, remember, has shut down some of the game’s best offensive players these playoffs. Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews had two points apiece in four games. The Predators held Vladimir Tarasenko of the Blues to three points in six and Anaheim’s Corey Perry to a pair of goals in the same number of games. Right now Crosby has three assists in the series and Malkin two goals, so let’s not beat the shutting-down-the-stars drum quite yet. But it’s also possible the Predators stumbled on something here. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan brought up something that he’s said before with these guys when asked about them postgame: That their even-strength games feed off of what they do on the power play. “I thought they had some looks,” Sullivan said. “They had some attempts. They didn't hit the net, obviously. Those are important guys for us. We want them to get pucks on the net because they have the ability to score.” If the Penguins do get the power play figured out by Monday, it likely will produce more shot numbers for Crosby and Malkin. What’s up with Phil? Phil Kessel had three shots on goal and five attempts, but he also has just one goal in eight games – the sixth goal during a 7-0 rout of Ottawa in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. I isolated on Kessel for a few shifts tonight, and it looked like he was favoring his right arm – wrist, elbow, shoulder, something. Could be something, could be nothing. But definitely worth monitoring going forward. 1066301 Pittsburgh Penguins By the time media entered the Penguins dressing room, Murray already had his mind on the next game. His postseason save percentage had dropped a full 15 points — from .943 to .928 — but he was hardly Joe Starkey: No need to worry about Murray sweating it. And he really didn’t allow any terrible goals. “It’s the Stanley Cup final,” he said. “We knew we were going to go through some adversity. It’s about how we respond.” JOE STARKEY The bet here is that Murray will respond the way he usually does. 6:18 AM JUN 4, 2017 Excellently. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Another game like this, and the Marc-Andre Fleury talk is sure to begin. But not now. Not among the sane, anyway. Matt Murray has had one great game, one decent game and one bad game in this Stanley Cup final. It so happened that Saturday night was the bad one — a 5-1 loss in which he at one point allowed three goals on four shots. I’m betting he trends back toward great in Game 4. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne makes save on the Penguins' Carter Rowney Saturday in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Arena. Not that Murray was the primary culprit Saturday. Far from it. Just because the “Smashville” crowd took great pleasure in yelling “It’s all your fault!” at the Penguins’ 23-year-old goaltender doesn’t mean it was right. The Penguins allowed too many odd-man breaks, too many breakaways, too many Grade-A chances to have any real hope of winning the game. The power play stunk again. The Penguins tried to sit on an early 1-0 lead. Neither Evgeni Malkin nor Sidney Crosby registered a single shot. Phil Kessel struggled, to put it mildly, his most notable play coming on a late retaliatory cross check on Matt Irwin, who seems to like to hit people from behind. But it was only one game. They say a series doesn’t start until the home team loses. This one stands at 2-1 in favor of the Penguins, who can still put themselves within one win of the Cup if they take Game 4. As for Murray, you know he won’t be rattled. Nothing rattles him. That was obvious, again, in watching him calmly answer questions at his locker after the game. Maybe some would want Murray to blame himself afterward, but he is stubborn that way. He doesn’t often flog himself in public, which is probably a healthy thing. Scott Wilson reaches to score on Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne in the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final May 31 at PPG Paints Arena. He simply spoke the truth when he said, “I don’t think we were at our best tonight, to be honest. I thought we were a little on our heels all night.” Not that Murray absolved himself. I wondered if there was a goal he’d like to have back. “All of ’em,” he said. He elaborated: “A goal’s a goal, and you want them all back. I thought I was in the right spot on almost all of them. The breakaway (Craig Smith, third period), I maybe could have played better. But give credit to them for playing a good game.” Malkin said Nashville was the “hungrier” team. That sounds about right — although the game looked promising when the Penguins took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, thanks largely to Murray’s 12 saves. A ticky-tacky holding call on Justin Schultz gave Nashville its first power play early in the second. Roman Josi tied it when his slap shot deflected off Carter Rowney. Just 42 seconds later, Frederick Gaudreau — Fred the Pred — ripped a perfect shot glove-side to make it 2-1 and nearly blow the roof off one of the loudest buildings you will ever hear. James Neal made it 3-1 when he took a puck that deflected off the back of the net and banked it off Murray’s left arm. The Josi and Neal goals were what Predators coach Peter Laviolette was referring to when he talked about “puck luck” after the game. As in, his team finally getting some. Murray didn’t get any, as the third devolved into a series of Predators’ rushes fueled by the Penguins’ desperation risk-taking. The low point was Chris Kunitz accidentally banging the puck off Kessel’s skate near center ice, allowing Smith a breakaway. 1066302 Pittsburgh Penguins It’s a shame the Penguins didn’t test Rinne much after Guentzel’s goal. At that point, Rinne looked as if he wanted to hide as the raucous Nashville crowd quickly turned just a bit nervous. All his bravado Friday, Ron Cook: Predators goalie Rinne resurgent in Game 3 win based on his 7-1 record, 1.54 goals-against average and .947 save percentage in home games in these playoffs, seemed hollow. He was ready to break, although he said otherwise after the game. RON COOK “You try to raise your mind and focus on the next save and remind yourself you’re still in the finals and life is pretty good.” 6:14 AM JUN 4, 2017 Like most goaltenders and most teams, Rinne and the Predators play better with the lead. He stopped 19 shots after Gaudreau’s goal, making superb saves on a Chris Kunitz rebound attempt and on a Conor Sheary NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The interrogation was rough, especially for a man shot with his stick. His teammates made things easier for him down the who had been the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley stretch, as James Neal scored with 22.6 seconds left in the second Cup playoffs MVP just two games earlier. period, and Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm followed in the third. “I mean, every question is like somebody died or something,” Nashville It turns out Rinne’s confidence and Subban’s bluster were justified. goaltender Pekka Rinne said Friday on the eve of Game 3 of the Cup final. Rinne figures to be a force the rest of the series, especially if the Penguins don’t start getting more shots on him. They were fortunate to Rinne assured everyone that he and the Predators were very much win games 1 and 2 despite Nashville’s edge in shots on goal (64-39) and alive against the Penguins despite his wretched play in the first two shot attempts (117-69). You might remember they went 37 minutes games and his team’s 0-2 deficit in the series. without a shot in Game 1. They were outshot again Saturday night, 33- Penguins goalie Matt Murray allowed five goals in Game 3 of the Stanley 28. Cup final but should get another chance. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 And so they are. The Predators gushed about Rinne Saturday night after their 5-1 win. “His game was rock solid,” coach Peter Laviolette said. Rinne was much better, although it was impossible for him to be worse after he allowed eight goals on 36 shots in the first two games and was benched in the third period of Game 2. He bounced back in a big way Saturday and played better than Matt Murray, certainly doing his part to back up Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban’s pre-game guarantee that the Predators would win Game 3. But the Penguins let Rinne off the hook, if you’ll pardon that expression here in, of all places, the Catfish Capital of the South. They had a chance to run Rinne out of the bedlam that was Bridgestone Arena and the Predators out of the series after Jake Guentzel scored on the Penguins’ second shot just 2:46 into the game for a 1-0 lead. They failed badly, though, getting just four more shots the rest of the first period and two in the first five-plus minutes of the second. By the time, they got another, they trailed, 2-1, on goals by Nashville’s Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau. “We tried to score, but sometimes it’s not that easy,” Evgeni Malkin said. The game was lost in that first period because the Penguins’ power play failed to add on to the lead. It had two chances but didn’t get a shot on net. It had another opportunity in the second period and managed just one shot. The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin works around the Predators' Pontus Aberg in the third period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final Saturday night in Nashville. It’s turned into a rotten trend. The Penguins’ power play is 1 for 13 in the series, Malkin scoring the goal five-on-three in Game 1. Those 13 opportunities produced just four shots. “I have no idea,” Malkin said when asked about the failures. “It’s like first time in my career we can’t score like that. So many chances and we’re not shooting the puck. We talk before the game, control puck, But we forget shooting. I know we need shots.” Malkin and Sidney Crosby finished the game without a shot on goal. That’s the first time both were shut out in the same postseason game. “I have no room,” Malkin said. “I have puck for like one second. They jump at me. I try my best. We all try our best. We need to change something [on the power play].” A suggestion: How about replacing Phil Kessel with Guentzel? Kessel has just one goal in the past eight games. Guentzel has scored four of the Penguins’ 10 goals in the series and a staggering 13 in these playoffs. He became the first player since Detroit Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman in 1997 to score goals in the first three games of a Cup final. “We need to change something,” Malkin repeated. “We play bad on power play.” 1066303 Pittsburgh Penguins “It’s tough,” Guentzel said. “You never try and allow that to happen. I thought we bounced back a little bit there, but it obviously hurts a little bit.” Two quick goals shift momentum to Predators Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017

SAM WERNER 6:03 AM JUN 4, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Predators’ first goal hadn’t even been announced — though it would have been difficult to hear in raucous Bridgestone Arena, anyway — when Frederick Gaudreau followed up with their second to give his team the lead. Roman Josi and Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart early in the second period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final Saturday night, a lightning- quick momentum switch that propelled Nashville to a 5-1 win. “Two goals in 40 seconds isn’t ideal,” defenseman Ian Cole said. “I thought we had a good pushback after the two goals, which is good to see, but obviously that can’t happen.” Predators goalie Pekka Rinne makes save on the Penguins' Carter Rowney Saturday in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Arena. Josi’s goal came on the power play, which has been lethal for the Predators in their series. Calle Jarnkrok made a cross-ice pass to Josi, and his shot from the top of the right circle beat Matt Murray on his glove side. “They got some momentum when they got that power-play goal,” Sidney Crosby said. The Predators won the ensuing faceoff, but Crosby’s line worked the puck into the Predators’ offensive zone. Nashville regained control in the defensive end as Crosby’s line was coming off and Evgeni Malkin’s line was coming on, Josi fired a stretch pass up the ice to Austin Watson. Watson absorbed a hit from Chris Kunitz and chipped the puck ahead to Gaudreau, who was able to back off Cole just enough to release a wrist shot from the high slot. Like Josi’s rocket, Gaudreau’s shot got past Murray’s glove and into the net. It gave the Predators the lead for just the second time in the series, the other being a five-minute stretch in the first period of Game 2. “You don’t want to give up two goals like that,” Crosby said. “They get one on the power play, but to follow it up with another one and then you don’t want to give up one [to James Neal] late in the period. Kind of a couple plays there that really gave them momentum.” Up until those two goals, the Penguins had largely controlled play and had (at least somewhat) quieted the Nashville crowd. Penguins goalie Matt Murray allowed five goals in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final but should get another chance. Jake Guentzel’s first-period goal seemed to indicate that this game might follow the same script as the first two: The Predators would dominate in shot attempts, but the Penguins would seize every scoring opportunity afforded to them. “I thought the first part of the game, we did everything we wanted to do,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We got the first goal, I thought we controlled the puck, we controlled momentum.” But the one-two punch of Josi and Gaudreau’s scores gave the Predators, and their fans, some life in the game and series. “Whenever you score two goals, the crowd gets into it,” Guentzel said. The few minutes that followed Gaudreau’s goal might have been the most entertaining hockey of the series so far, with the teams trading quality scoring chances and play flowing up and down the ice. That, generally, is the style of play the Penguins want. Love our Pens coverage? Consider subscribing. Support journalism. Subscribe today. “I thought our push-back was really good after that,” Sullivan said. “We had seven, eight, nine minutes of real good hockey.” They couldn’t find a goal, though, and Gaudreau’s stood as the game- winner as the Predators cut the Penguins’ series lead to 2-1. It capped off 42 seconds of hockey that ended up defining the night, and perhaps redefining the series. 1066304 Pittsburgh Penguins “We have to battle through it. We haven’t been able to score as much. We have to keep doing what we’re doing, and it’s going to come.”

No response to Subban Penguins coach Sullivan still seeking improvement in faceoffs Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban’s much-discussed guarantee that the Predators will win Game 3 didn’t make many waves in the Penguins’ DAVE MOLINARI, SAM WERNER AND JASON MACKEY dressing room. 6:01 AM JUN 4, 2017 “We’re just going to focus on ourselves in this room and what we need to do to win,” winger Conor Sheary said. “They’re confident in their group, we’re confident in ours.” NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Penguins entered Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 final against Nashville Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena needing two victories to claim the franchise’s fifth championship. They also went into it as the No. 7 faceoff team in these playoffs, with a success rate of 50.8. Four of the six teams ahead of them didn’t make it out of the first round, and three of the league’s top five faceoff clubs during the regular season didn’t qualify of the playoffs. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne makes save on the Penguins' Carter Rowney Saturday in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Arena. All of that suggests that, while individual draws can be critical to the outcome of a game, there is undue emphasis put on winning faceoffs in general. Nonetheless, coach Mike Sullivan clearly wasn’t happy with the Penguins’ 33-44 showing in Game 2, particularly when competing for “50-50” pucks. “It’s not just the center iceman,” he said. “Probably seven out of 10 faceoffs end up somewhere around the faceoff circle. “Now, you need help from the people beside you to get in and get their noses over pucks and win some puck battles. It’s a collective effort on a lot of occasions. As a team, we know we have to be a whole lot better in that area.” Beating the heat Temperatures here crept into the 90s Saturday, hardly ideal conditions for maintaining a 17,000 square-foot sheet of ice. But following the Penguins’ game-day skate, winger Scott Wilson said the conditions weren’t too bad. Penguins goalie Matt Murray allowed five goals in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final but should get another chance. “It was a little sticky,” he said. “I find that every rink this time of year in the playoffs, it’s always a little worse in the morning and then it’s pretty good for game time.” Penguins’ play no surprise Nashville probably didn’t expect to face a 2-0 deficit going into Game 3 Saturday night. That doesn’t mean the Predators were surprised by anything the Penguins did during the first two games of the final. “We knew they were going to be a skilled and fast team, and that’s exactly what they are,” defenseman Roman Josi said. “They play with a lot of speed, a lot of skill, and they have a lot of guys who can score. “They’re pretty much what we thought they would be.” Center Mike Fisher offered a similar assessment. “Everyone knows who Pittsburgh is, what kind of team they are and their strengths,” he said. “I don’t think they’re ever going to surprise anyone.” Johansen absence vital It’s tough to make up for the loss of Ryan Johansen, one of the best young centers in the NHL, out for this series because of a severe injury to his left thigh. It’s also tough to deny that his absence has had a negative effect on the Predators, especially Johansen’s linemates in Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg, who’d combined for one point — a meaningless Arvidsson assist in Game 2 — in the first two games. “He’s a great player,” Arvidsson said. “We had great chemistry together. We have to face the fact that he’s not in our lineup anymore. 1066305 Pittsburgh Penguins

P.K. Subban: Sidney Crosby thinks I have bad breath

ADAM BITTNER 5:48 AM JUN 4, 2017

Sidney Crosby and P.K. Subban exchanged words during the Penguins’ 5-1 loss Saturday in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. As the Predators defenseman tells it, most of them were about oral hygiene. “Usually when guys chirp after a game or during a game, it’s usually about your game or something personal,” Subban told reporters after the game. “But he went on to tell me that my breath smelled bad. I really don’t understand why, because I used Listerine before the game. I thought my breath smelled great. At the end of the day, we’re just gonna take the win and move on.” This, apparently, really stuck in Subban’s craw, as he made a similar comment to NBC Sports’ Pierre McGuire before leaving the ice. Craig Smith celebrates his break-away goal against Matt Murray in the third period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final June 3 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Maybe this is Subban’s way of letting Crosby know his trash talk is weak. Maybe he’s hamming it up for the cameras and microphones, as he’s known for injecting some spice into post-game interview sessions that typically are pretty dull. Maybe he feels strongly about the brand of mouthwash he uses. Maybe it’s a little bit of all of those things. What’s clear is Subban is feeling good after limiting the Penguins captain to just one shot and delivering on his guarantee that his team would win Game 3. If Crosby and the Penguins want him to keep his mouth shut — for fear of halitosis or trash talk — the best way to do that would probably be to score more goals. Game 4 is Monday back at Bridgestone Arena. The Penguins lead the series, two games to one. We’ll see if Crosby comes armed with some mints. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066306 Pittsburgh Penguins Hornqvist finished with a team-high five shots on goal, while Hagelin recorded two and Cullen one.

Don’t blame the crowd Postgame: Predators 5, Penguins 1 Bridgestone Arena was as lively as advertised, with the fans loud and ultra-supportive of the Predators from warm-ups on. DAVE MOLINARI The Predators seemed to feed off that energy, but with few exceptions, 5:12 AM JUN 4, 2017 the Penguins didn’t appear to be put off their game by the fans. “I thought our players really liked the buzz in the building,” Sullivan said. “It’s an exciting place to play.” The game wasn’t three minutes old, and already the Penguins had found a way to quiet a crowd that was as raucous as billed. News, notes, numbers and nuggets They scored a goal. ▪ The Penguins have lost consecutive road games in the playoffs for the first time during Sullivan’s tenure as coach. They absorbed a 2-1 defeat Jake Guentzel – who else? – staked them to a 1-0 lead when he at Ottawa in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final. punched an Ian Cole rebound past Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne, who looked every bit as shaky as he had during the previous two games of ▪ Nashville outhit the Penguins, 33-26. the Stanley Cup final. ▪ The latest evidence that faceoffs, in general, are overrated: The Scott Wilson reaches to score on Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne in Penguins went 36-32 on them. the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final May 31 at PPG Paints ▪ Guentzel needs one goal and one point to match the NHL rookie Arena. records of 14 goals and 21 points in a playoff year. Just over two minutes later, the Penguins were awarded a power play. ▪ The Penguins scored first for the 11th time in 16 Stanley Cup final An opportunity to take a chokehold on Game 3 – and the series. road games. It’s just the third time they lost when doing so. They didn’t score. ▪ Cullen had a three-game scoring streak end. He’s never had a four- Same with another man-advantage when Nashville was caught with too game streak in the playoffs. many men on the ice at 12:44. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 And so began their slide to a 5-1 loss at Bridgestone Arena, a defeat that sliced their lead in the series to 2-1. “We will watch the film and see what we can learn from it,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “We are not going to let this get us down.” That suggests the coaches will skip any video related to the power play, which has gone 0-for-12 – while generating a total of three shots – since scoring on a five-on-three in Game 1. “We need to change, maybe players, I don’t know,” center Evgeni Malkin said. “It’s tough to say right now. I know we can play better.” Captain Sidney Crosby battles Predators defenseman P.K. Subban for the puck in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. When a power play is struggling – especially when confronted by an aggressive penalty-kill, like Nashville’s – the obvious solution is to return to the basic, sending pucks and bodies to the net as often as possible. If Sullivan and his staff have been delivering that message, it hasn’t gotten through. Mind you, the power play was hardly the only underachieving facet of their game Saturday night. “It's a hard lesson, but we've got to be better,” center Sidney Crosby said. That shouldn’t be tough, because it’s difficult to imagine them being all that much worse. The Penguins’ top offensive talents had little impact – neither Crosby nor Evgeni Malkin recorded a shot on goal, and Phil Kessel’s goal-scoring slump grew to one in the past eight games – and they gave up five goals in a Cup final game for the first time since Game 5 in Detroit in 2009. One encouraging thing for the Penguins is that they – and particularly goalie Matt Murray – have a history of rebounding from adversity since Sullivan took over as coach. “A loss is a loss,” Murray said. “It doesn’t matter what the score is. Once it’s over, we put it behind us.” Sullivan expressed a similar sentiment. “We’re disappointed we didn’t get the result, but we also understand that this is a series,” he said. “Our guys have been through this.” The fourth shall be first It’s revealing that the Penguins’ most effective line might have been the No. 4 unit, at least until Sullivan reconfigured some forward combinations for the third period. Before that, the fourth line had Carl Hagelin, making his debut in this series, and Patric Hornqvist on the wings with Matt Cullen. 1066307 Pittsburgh Penguins

Dave Molinari: Penguins Report Card

DAVE MOLINARI 5:08 AM JUN 4, 2017

FORWARDS - Grade: C- Depth and balance are important, but the Penguins have to start getting more production from their big-name offensive talents – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel – if they hope to win the series. Kessel has one goal in the past eight games, while Crosby and Malkin combined for zero shots in Game 3. They’re being outperformed by rookie winger Jake Guentzel, who has four goals in the series and a league-best 13 in the playoffs. Losing center Nick Bonino hurt, but his replacement, Carl Hagelin, played well on the fourth line alongside Matt Cullen and Patric Hornqvist before the unit was disbanded. DEFENSEMEN - Grade: D+ There are times when the Penguins’ defense corps looks like the patchwork group that it is, and Game 3 was one of those. Expectations for the unit have to be kept reasonable, but it’s not unrealistic to think that the Penguins could be getting more out of Trevor Daley and Justin Schultz, and most of their colleagues. These defensemen don’t have to be difference-makers [in a positive way], but they can’t flirt with being a liability, either. Especially when the Penguins’ forwards aren’t performing to their potential. Scott Wilson reaches to score on Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne in the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final May 31 at PPG Paints Arena. GOALIE - Grade: C Matt Murray allowed the Penguins to reach the first intermission with a lead by stopping all 12 shots Nashville threw at him during the first 20 minutes but, like his teammates, had a miserable second period, as the Predators put three of 16 shots past him. Fair or not, Murray has to take his game to a high level and keep it there if the Penguins’ big-ticket offensive players aren’t going to produce the way they should. He’s hardly the reason the Penguins lost Game 3, but he didn’t do nearly enough to prevent the defeat, either. SPECIAL TEAMS - Grade: F Power plays are cyclical, running hot and cold with little warning, but it’s almost inconceivable that a power play whose No. 1 unit features as much talent as the Penguins’ would be so ineffective. It scored on a five- on-three early in Game 1, but has gone 0-for-12 since, while generating a total of three shots on goal. That’s totally unacceptable, especially when the power play seems to lack any sense of urgency. Maybe losing a series will drive home the value of getting pucks and bodies to the net. And the penalty-kill was 1-for-3 [0-for-2 when it mattered even a little] to complete the special-teams debacle of Game 3.

COACHING - Grade: C- Mike Sullivan and his staff altered a couple of defense pairings before the game and reconfigured some forward combinations for the third period, but none of the changes had a significant impact on the outcome. And while the coaches presumably aren’t insisting that members of the power play refrain from putting pucks on the net, it’s their responsibility to make sure players execute what they’ve been told. And, if those players refuse to do so, to replace them – no matter who those individuals happen to be. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066308 Pittsburgh Penguins and better resemble the goalie who’s been so effective for Nashville for most of these playoffs.

Next: The teams get a day off before reconvening for Game 4 Monday Instant analysis: Penguins' power play punchless in Game 3 loss back at Bridgestone Arena. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 ADAM BITTNER 4:05 AM JUN 4, 2017

The Penguins lost to the Predators, 5-1, in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. They now lead the championship series, two games to one. Here are some initial thoughts from the defeat. It was over when: Nashville winger and former Penguin James Neal tapped the puck past goalie Matt Murray off an awkward bounce to cap a second-period rampage of three goals for the Predators. The Bridgestone Arena crowd was euphoric, and it was pretty clear at that point that this wouldn’t be the Penguins’ night. Heroes: The Nashville defensemen were as advertised in this one. In their own end, they did a nice job forcing the Penguins to play from the perimeter. The visitors got the puck deep a few times, notably on Guentzel’s goal, but it was hard work for the most part. Offensively, Roman Josi got the Predators on the board with a power play goal, then added assists on Frederick Gaudreau’s 42 seconds later and Neal’s at the end of the period to give the Predators the lead. Mattias Ekholm chipped in the Predators’ fifth goal on the power play in the third period. This after Nashville defensemen led the NHL in points in the regular season. They’re a dangerous bunch at both ends, and the Penguins are going to need to do a better job dealing with them moving forward. Jake Guentzel has been a one-man wrecking crew in this series. The rookie winger scored his 13th goal of the playoffs and fourth of the Stanley Cup final in the first period to give the Penguins an early 1-0 lead. His teammates should try going to the net the way he has in this series. Goalie Matt Murray stops a shot in front of the Predators' Filip Forsberg in the first period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final, Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Goats: The Penguins’ power play is a hot mess right now. After whiffing on seven attempts in Game 2, the group was 0-for-3 Saturday. Worse, it continued to struggle merely to get past the Predators blue line to generate any kind of a cycle. More than a couple times, this led to odd- man rushes the other way for the shorthanded Predators. The Penguins have too much talent to be struggling at something so fundamental. Breaking through with the man advantage is hard sometimes, but it’s definitely not going to happen if they’re spending most of their power play time trying to dig the puck out of their own end because of turnovers and general neutral zone futility. (To be fair, the penalty kill unit didn’t help much either, giving up two goals.) Offensive zone entry rough at even strength, too: Two of the most vivid examples were neutral zone turnovers that led to two Nashville breakaways early in the third period. Murray turned away the first, but the Predators’ Craig Smith snapped the second past the Penguins goalie for a 4-1 lead after winger Chris Kunitz lost the puck off teammate Phil Kessel’s skate. The Penguins weren’t badly outshot in this game, but lopsided scores like the one they lost by will be in play if they can’t at least avoid disasters like those while they’re trying to press the attack. Really, the game was won and lost at the Predators’ blue line, and there’s not a whole lot else to say beyond that. Stars not getting shots: Captain Sidney Crosby had none. Center Evgeni Malkin had none. Winger Phil Kessel had three. The Penguins did generate a healthy 28 shots, and those guys played a part in that. Crosby assisted on Guentzel’s goal after all. But it’s hard to imagine the Penguins thriving if these guys are consistently getting fewer shots than guys like, um, Conor Sheary, who had five. Murray not great: He had plenty of time to size up Josi on the first Predators’ goal, then just got beat badly on the glove side by Gaudreau. Neal’s goal was a tough one to stop, and his teammates completely let him down on the breakaway by Smith, but still, it’s probably the worst Murray has looked in these playoffs. The Penguins need him to bounce back in Game 4. Pekka Rinne better: The Predators goalie continued to look shaky early, especially on the Guentzel goal on which he should have made a simple pad save. Once his team took the lead, though, he began to settle down 1066309 Pittsburgh Penguins Playing from behind, the Penguins were also forced to take a bunch of chances and, as a result, coughed up a few odd-man rushes.

The most obvious might have been a neutral-zone turnover by Chris Predators take Game 3 from Penguins with 5-1 win Kunitz in the third period that led to a breakaway goal for Craig Smith. Not all Kunitz’s fault. The puck hit Kessel’s skate. But it still resulted in a chance the other way. JASON MACKEY Whether it was poor puck-management or Nashville simply being 4:14 AM JUN 4, 2017 opportunistic, the Penguins will want to make smarter decisions in the neutral zone for Game 4.

The Predators seemed to target Matt Murray's glove hand and scored NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nobody could have reasonably expected the three times that way. Murray said afterward he was happy with his Nashville Predators to fade quietly into the night. positioning on the goals; it simply came down to making the save. They don’t do anything below maximum decibel level. Why on Earth "I thought I was in the right spot on almost all of them," Murray said. "A wouldn’t they crank it up for the first Stanley Cup final game in Music couple weird bounces. The breakaway, maybe I thought I could have City? made a better play on it. Other than that, I was pretty happy with my positioning. It’s just about making a save." The Predators’ 5-1 win over the Penguins in Game 3 Saturday included many ingredients, but any sort of postgame analysis should start with a One good element for the Penguins was play of Carl Hagelin, Matt Cullen caveat: Hey, the Predators don’t stink. and Patric Hornqvist. They strung together several solid shifts early, but the group was unable to beat Rinne. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne makes save on the Penguins' Carter Rowney Saturday in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final at Bridgestone Things got heated late, too, as Matt Irwin shoved Cullen from behind, a Arena. development that could easily reappear in Game 4. “It’s a seven-game series,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s a Jake Guentzel scored the Penguins' first goal, his 13th of the season. long series. We knew this was going to be a hard-fought battle. That’s He's now one shy of Dino Ciccarelli's rookie record set back in 1980-81. exactly what it is. Save that for another day, however. The Penguins were beaten by a “We’ve got to try and respond the right way.” team Saturday that simply wanted it more. The Predators had won seven of eight games at Bridgestone Arena in While that hasn't happened a ton under Sullivan – it's the first time these playoffs. They swept the Chicago Blackhawks and beat the St. they've suffered back-to-back road losses in the postseason on his watch Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks in six games to get here, locking down – it's not exactly revolutionary for the opposing team to have a bounce- those teams’ respective stars en route to victory. back game at home. Back home in front of their hockey-mad fans, a city that has been Its players get paid, too. whipped into a frenzy by how cool playoff hockey can be whenever it’s hot outside, the Predators turned this thing into a series again with a "They were hungrier," Malkin said. "We played [well] the first period, then superb performance on home ice. we gave them so much space; they controlled the puck. We lost control after first period. We took a couple penalties and gave them a couple Game 4 is back at Bridgestone on Monday, and the Penguins can quickly breakaways. It’s not our game. forget Saturday’s loss ever happened if they respond with a better effort then. "We need to forget that, look forward and look to next game." "They were the more desperate team," captain Sidney Crosby said. "That Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 was pretty evident. We’ve got to find a way to raise that level of desperation and be better all over the ice.” How can the Penguins do that? Penguins goalie Matt Murray allowed five goals in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final but should get another chance. Start with the power play. It went 0 for 3 Saturday and managed just one shot on Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, who stopped 27 of 28 in a bounce-back effort. For those of you sick – or bored – enough to keep score at home, that’s 0 for their past 10 over the past two games, with three shots on goal in 17:26. Instead of using a collection of highly skilled players to gain momentum, the Penguins are losing it when this group takes the ice. "It’s not working," Evgeni Malkin said. "We need to change something, maybe players, I don’t know. It’s tough to say right now. I know we can play better on the power play." Worse, the key cogs on the Penguins power play – Sidney Crosby, Malkin and Phil Kessel – finished with three shots on goal and eight shot attempts on Saturday. "I didn't have room," Malkin said. I have the puck for one second, and they jump to me." Crosby talked about the same stuff. It was a combined of missing the net and Predators shot blocks. Sullivan said postgame the Penguins are still trying to get Kessel to have more of a shoot-first attitude, and there’s increasing speculation that he’s not exactly healthy. Meanwhile, Nashville’s power play struck for a key goal early in the second period, which kick-started a three-goal run and gave the Predators confidence. Mattias Ekholm added a second man-advantage marker late. "They got some momentum when they got that power play goal," Crosby said of Roman Josi's score at 5:51 of the second period. 1066310 Pittsburgh Penguins

Rex Ryan, Predators fans abuse Penguins 'smash car'

ADAM BITTNER 1:04 AM JUN 4, 2017

So this is what they mean when they call it “Smashville.” Predators fans, led by former NFL coach Rex Ryan, took a sledgehammer to a car painted in Penguins colors and parked outside of Bridgestone Arena ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final Saturday in Nashville Tenn. Take a look. Ryan, the former Buffalo Bills and New York Jets coach, was among the more prominent people to get his cuts in on the “smash car,” a Predators playoff tradition that has taken on added prominence this season as the team has advanced to the championship round for the first time. Post Gazette LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066311 San Jose Sharks

Goalie Rinne keys Predators’ biggest win ever

Teresa M. Walker 9:59 pm, Saturday, June 3, 2017

NASHVILLE — Predators coach Peter Laviolette heard all the questions and criticism of Pekka Rinne after the goaltender’s struggles in the Stanley Cup Finals in Pittsburgh. Well, Laviolette never thought of switching goalies. A change of scenery helped Rinne and all his Nashville teammates as they dominated once again on their own ice for the biggest piece of franchise history yet. A victory in the Stanley Cup Finals. Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart in the second period, and the Predators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 Saturday night to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Rinne started and made 27 saves against a Pittsburgh team that continued to struggle on the power play and lacked the same zip they had in winning the first two games at home. “There was no decision,” Laviolette said of changing goalies. “He was terrific. I said that after Game 2. He’s been the backbone for our team. He’s been excellent. His game tonight was rock solid.” The Predators capped the biggest party in Nashville history with a victory that gave thousands of fans inside and outside of the arena reason to celebrate. Country star Keith Urban and wife, actress Nicole Kidman, were high-fiving inside the arena and they had plenty of company. Credit Rinne for coming through with a stingy performance and helping the Predators improve to 8-1 at home this postseason. The 6-foot-5 Finn looked so shaky in the first two games, giving up eight goals on just 36 shots. Laviolette benched him in the third period of Game 2 when Rinne gave up three goals in the first 3:28 of a 4-1 loss. Rinne said he changed nothing and knew he was playing all the time. Nashville fans did their best to lift his spirits by chanting his name in pregame warm-ups. “Collectively we came into the locker room, and we were telling each other we’ve never seen anything like that,” Rinne said. Josi also had two assists. James Neal, Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm also scored for Nashville as the Predators worked out some frustration against the Pens. “Like our team has done the whole playoffs against Chicago, St. Louis, Anaheim, we showed really good composure,” said Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban, who had predicted a win in Game 3. “We’re going to take that into the next game.” Game 4 is Monday night. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said he thought his Penguins gave up a couple of easy goals. “We’re disappointed we didn’t get the result, but we also understand that this is a series,” Sullivan said. “Our guys, they’ve been through this. They can draw on their experience. We’re not going to let this certainly get us down. We’re going to learn from it, move by it and get ready for the next game.” Chronicle LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066312 Tampa Bay Lightning for an outdoor game. "We believe there is a viable option in Tampa," NHL executive VP Steve Mayer said.

MISC: The Lightning said its season ticket sales are up to 14,500, a huge Lightning's Steven Stamkos: Hosting All-Star Game 'a little' bittersweet jump from the 4,000 when Vinik took over in 2010. … The Lightning said with no Olympics (w/ video) it broke even this season even with no playoff games. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.04.2017 Joe Smith Saturday, June 3, 2017 5:57PM

TAMPA — Captain Steven Stamkos sounds genuine in saying he's excited for Tampa to host the 2018 All-Star Game in January. Stamkos, 27, grew up in the city after arriving as an 18-year-old No. 1 overall draft pick by the Lightning in 2008. He believes this event has been a "long time coming" for a franchise that has done a 180-degree turn since owner Jeff Vinik took over in 2010. But it's still hard for Stamkos to hide the disappointment of what the game signals: that the NHL won't be participating in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. Stamkos hasn't competed for Canada in an Olympics and may never get that chance unless owners have a change of heart for 2022. "It's a little bittersweet," Stamkos said. "If there's the Olympics, then the (All-Star Game) doesn't come to Tampa, so it's a double-edged sword. If it comes to the point where there's no Olympics, I couldn't think of a better place to host the game. We've proven the hockey market that we are, how great we are. I think it'd be a great time." So here we have Vinik in the middle. It makes sense for him to prefer hosting an All-Star Game to shutting his business down for three weeks for the Olympics (as the NHL has done for the past five Games) and having his best players (and biggest investments) risking injury overseas. But the faces of Vinik's franchise, from Stamkos to Victor Hedman, have strongly voiced their disappointment in the Olympics decision. Hedman and fellow Swede Anton Stralman experienced the joy of winning gold at the World Championship last month, but neither has played in the Olympics. Stralman said the league "crushed a dream," caring mostly about money. "It's a few billionaires trying to make an extra buck," Stralman said. (And with Vinik's Marriott Waterside charging $599 a night for rooms All- Star weekend, plenty of bucks will be made.) So I asked Vinik, what's your message to your players? "I'm empathetic towards the players. I understand their points of view," he said. "But I also understand the point of view of the owners and commissioner that we are shutting down our season for three weeks. No other professional sports league does that. It's a strong belief of the owners that it doesn't make sense." That won't make it easier for even Vinik's All-Stars to take. SLAP SHOTS: GM Steve Yzerman said he's had talks with the camps of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin, who can be restricted free agents July 1, and remains confident he can sign all three. … Yzerman said he made a contract offer to forward prospect Boko Imama before dealing his rights to the Kings on Wednesday for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2018. The condition was met when Imama, a 2015 sixth-round pick, signed with the Kings the next day. … The Lightning liked what it has seen from D Darren Raddysh (junior Ontario Leagues's Erie Otters), and it wouldn't be surprising if it is one of the teams interested in the unrestricted free agent. Raddysh's brother, Taylor, is a Lightning forward prospect. EXPANSION TALK: Yzerman hasn't finalized his protection list for the June 21 expansion draft, but he has a pretty good idea of who will be protected: "If I had to do it today, I could," he said. Expansion Vegas GM George McPhee told Canada's TSN TV network he may have a few deals to announce this week. Though some teams are expected to make side deals with Vegas to have control over what player they lose in expansion, Yzerman said he wasn't sure if Tampa Bay could pull one off. … Two TSN writers did a mock expansion draft, and both had LW Alex Killorn the player the Lightning would lose. … Yzerman declined to say whether he has, or will, ask RW Ryan Callahan to waive his no-move clause for the expansion draft, which would allow another forward to be protected. OUTDOOR GAME? The Lightning isn't stopping at hosting the 2018 All- Star Game. It is pushing to host an outdoor game and a draft in future years. Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league will consider Tampa 1066313 Toronto Maple Leafs And the signing of Shipachyov is the clearest indication yet that Vegas also plans to add skill through free agency. Shipachyov, 30, finished third in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League last season with 76 Busy times for Vegas Golden Knights ahead of expansion draft points. He also collected 13 points in 10 games at the world championship last month, ranking sixth as Russia finished third. NHL's newest team has already signed three players, and has scouts looking for more. “Bill Foley will spend whatever we’re allowed to spend to put a good team on the ice,” McPhee said, referring to the team owner. “He wants to win, Russian star Vadim Shipachyov, left, is one of the first players signed by and he paid half a billion for the franchise and has built a $30 million the Vegas Golden Knights. practice facility. So being able to spend to the cap is not an issue.” Building through free agency plays to an advantage the NHL has afforded its newest team. Although the terms have yet to be completed, TAL PINCHEVSKY the Golden Knights will have a 48- or 72-hour window around the time of the expansion draft to sign free agents, who cannot be signed by other Sat., June 3, 2017 teams until July 1. Should the Golden Knights sign a free agent during this period, they would be prohibited from selecting anyone from that player’s former team in the expansion draft. Mere weeks before they are to select 30 players in the NHL expansion draft, the Vegas Golden Knights are operating at a breakneck pace. Even with talented players such as Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ryan Johansen and Tyler Johnson entering restricted free agency, McPhee said he was With its professional and amateur scouts evaluating talent across the unlikely to sign such players and would instead pursue unrestricted free hockey map, the team signed three players — junior forward Reid Duke, agents. Russian star Vadim Shipachyov and, on Thursday, Czech winger Tomas Hyka — and offered a glimpse into the type of roster it hopes to By targeting established NHL talent, the Golden Knights expect to assemble. exceed the modest expectations typically assigned to expansion teams. The hope is that they will soon be Las Vegas’ newest must-see The Golden Knights, Las Vegas’ first major pro sports franchise, expect attraction. to entertain. They do not intend to do that by relying solely on players made available by the NHL’s 30 other teams. “We want to be a real competitive team that develops real strong identity, that plays an up-tempo style and is able to not only entertain our fans but “There’s really only one way to build a successful NHL team, and that is also foster an environment where people will develop and improve as through a combination of strong drafting and development, effective players,” McCrimmon said. “That in general terms will be our focus with trading and free-agent procurement,” general manager George McPhee respect to how we want to play, what we’re going to look like.” said. “It’s not about playing some stripped, sit-back style. Players don’t enjoy that. They want to play a game where they have some freedom in Toronto Star LOADED: 06.04.2017 how they can move and how they think. Hockey should never be boring.” McPhee’s intention to field a speedy, skilled team played considerably into his decision to choose as the coach. A favourite among his players, Gallant led a Florida Panthers team that finished atop the Atlantic Division and ranked eighth in offence in 2015-16. McPhee does not seem interested in emulating the architects of previous expansion teams. He is instead following the precedent he set during 17 years as the general manager of the Washington Capitals. During McPhee’s last five seasons in Washington, only two teams scored more than the Capitals’ 1,121 goals. “I think you’d have to look at the team that we built in Washington,” McPhee said. “That’s a talented team. It’s got depth; it’s got speed, good- character players. It has size. Really had some exceptional seasons. We’ll do our best to assemble that kind of team.” The foundation for that roster will come from the expansion draft on June 21 in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights’ front office will receive the league’s list of unprotected players on June 18, after which they will have 72 hours to select their team. The league’s other teams must protect seven forwards, three defencemen and a goaltender, or a combination of eight total skaters and a goalie, offering a greater variety of talent than previous expansion drafts. McPhee and his staff have been meticulously preparing for the big day through monthly mock drafts. “The mock drafts are valuable in terms of us having some reps in terms of the process,” the assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “They encourage and then facilitate a real healthy discussion on players.” Those mock drafts have gotten a greater degree of clarity as McPhee has engaged the league’s other general managers. Although the Golden Knights have limited assets with which to leverage trades, McPhee has stayed active. By agreeing to select or pass on certain players in the expansion draft, Vegas could receive assets from teams. Although no such transactions have been completed, negotiations have made McPhee privy to the expansion draft plans of up to a dozen teams. In previous expansions — most recently the addition of the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2000 — teams relied almost entirely on players selected in the expansion draft. In some cases, a top pick in the entry draft made the inaugural roster. But the Golden Knights’ plan deviates from that. Vegas owns the sixth pick in the entry draft on June 23 and 24, but McPhee says he does not expect to rush teenage players into the lineup. “I wouldn’t imagine they’d be ready for opening night,” said McPhee, attending the scouting combine for draft prospects this week in Buffalo. “It’s better to take your time developing players.” 1066314 Toronto Maple Leafs the third on a breakaway, and one more from Mattias Ekholm on a rush. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin combined for no shots on goal. Wipeout. Predators make series of it with huge, noisy Game 3 victory: Arthur Rinne had allowed eight goals in the first two games, and at least three in five games since the start of the conference final, but he made 27 saves: He made a big-time paddle save on Conor Sheary in the third, and while BRUCE ARTHUR he still looked awkward he was good enough, and his team was better. So in the third it got nasty between the teams — Pittsburgh’s skill guys Sat., June 3, 2017 looked appropriately frustrated — but in the stands they were hucking catfish and cowboy hats and whatever else on the ice in Tennessee,

thundering and delirious. This was Hockey Night in America, and the NASHVILLE—For all the talk of Nashville as a hockey town, as the Stanley Cup final truly arrived in Nashville. Nashville arrived, too. epicentre of a party that the NHL probably wishes it could bottle and Toronto Star LOADED: 06.04.2017 export to every market that ever faltered and threatened to fail, the real heart of it is a hockey team that was worthy of the noise. The Predators swept Chicago and ate up St. Louis and outlasted Anaheim’s murderous intent, and even after losing the first two games of the Stanley Cup final, it was clear: Get a little luck and some goaltending, and the Predators were the better team. Well, there you are. Nashville fell behind and then swept over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3, and after winning 5-1, now trail the series 2-1. This is a series again, which was, for Nashville, the minimum requirement. Without a win, all the joy surrounding this team might feel a little empty. Instead, it was allowed to bloom. Outside the building the streets teemed with everyone, from families to bands of bros to guys with biker beards to the city’s inexhaustible supply of bachelorette parties, featuring phalanxes of tanned young women with matching T-shirts and the exhausted eyes of people trying to have a life-defining time for a few days in a town like Nashville. It’s not for amateurs. Inside the building they threw catfish and howled and appended the word “SUCKS!” to the announcement of the Penguins starting lineup, and stood and cheered through TV timeouts. People who called it the greatest crowd in history were perhaps a little hyperbolic, but the crowd was just fantastic. Nobody ever said you had to teach Americans to be sports fans. It just depends on the sport. “This is No. 1,” said Predators forward P.A. Parenteau. “I played in (Montreal’s) Bell Centre, in the playoffs, and this is crazier. Yeah.” He noted Montreal’s been going crazy for hockey for 200 years, and here it is still new — as one Nashville cop put it, surveying the crowds, “It’s really ramped up in the last few weeks. A lot of people have been big Predators fans for a month.” Everybody knows it wasn’t always like this. When then-owner Craig Leipold tried to sell the team to Blackberry billionaire Jim Balsillie 10 years ago, he had lost $70 million (U.S.) over 10 years and said, “I have come to the conclusion that I cannot make it work here. As hard as we tried and as good a team as we had — I mean, we are one of the elite teams in this league, and we (have) by far the lowest revenue. It doesn’t work.” Local ownership helped save them, as did public money: The Tennessean newspaper estimates the city has contributed $81.7 million since 2008. That’s part of the story, too. But oh, it was a show. Just 2:46 into the game Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel buried an Ian Cole rebound for his fourth goal in three games. Pekka Rinne couldn’t hold onto the rebound, and it was 1-0 Pittsburgh, again. And while the Predators continued to dominate 5-on-5 play, after one period of Game 3 Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray was at a .947 save percentage in the playoffs, and the Penguins were waiting to see if they could either sneak something else past Rinne or kill the clock for a full 57 minutes. They couldn’t. Roman Josi tied it on a power play shot that went in off Pittsburgh centre Carter Rowney’s hand, and 42 seconds later Frederick Gaudreau pulled down a pass on a rush into the Pittsburgh zone and whipped a wrist shot under Murray’s glove. Then, it got loud. The goals happened so fast it took a little time for the crowd to regroup and do their elaborate ‘Mur-ray, Mur-ray, It’s All Your Fault’ chant. They did, but it took a minute for everything to settle down. This was Nashville as a hockey town at the highest level, with a team worthy of every bit of the noise. The Penguins actually pushed back, in some of their best two-way play of the series, and Rinne had to make a big sliding save off Chris Kunitz after giving up another big rebound of a Phil Kessel shot. He might not have made that save in the first two games. Nashville added a third goal at the end of the period on a tremendous shift from Victor Arvidsson that ended with James Neal’s first goal since Game 2 of the conference final; they got another one from Craig Smith in 1066315 Toronto Maple Leafs Ian Mitchell, a smallish defenceman from a Tier II team in Spruce Grove, Alta., also spoke to the Leafs, but has already committed to the University of Denver. That school produced Leafs centre Tyler Bozak and Leafs talk with big Steelheads defenceman Hague they won the NCAA title last year. “You can go to a program that can develop high caliber players such as Bozak and Paul Stastny and some other guys who are coming up,” LANCE HORNBY Mitchell said. “I want to go to a place that will give me the best chance to go to the NHL. It’s a big time bonus with Jim Montgomery coming back SATURDAY, JUNE 03, 2017 06:33 PM EDT next year. He’s an NHL caliber coach.” LOOSE LEAFS BUFFALO - In case there was any doubt which team Nic Hague’s mother You can’t talk about Foote without mentioning his feet. His size 16’s had wants to see him drafted by, she has kept the baby blue and white a few media people staring at the floor during his press scrum. “One of sweater he wore as a 1-year-old. my main focuses is developing my foot speed to catch up to my big feet and try to grow as a defenceman, too,” Foote said. He wears a 13 skate, “She was showing me that just before I came here,” said Hague, a but says a good pair of dress shoes are the hardest thing to buy ... Ex- projected mid-first round defenceman who was definitely on Toronto’s Leaf and current broadcaster Bob McGill continues to make progress in a radar at the NHL scouting combine. “Mom (Sheila) and dad (Bob) are Peterborough hospital after a blood clot related stroke earlier in the week. both big fans. I’ve watched (the Leafs) since I can remember.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 06.04.2017 After first-round picks from far afield, the WHL’s Morgan Rielly, Swede William Nylander and Arizona native Auston Matthews, Hague is a player they’re very familiar with. The Kitchener-born giant on the Mississauga Steelheads fits what the Leafs need, a blue line heavyweight. “It was a good interview,” Hague said of his talks with the Leafs, among the many clubs talking to him. “A lot of the guys in that room had seen me play right from minor midget in the Toronto area. A lot of a familiar faces were there and it was nice to meet guys such as Mr. (Lou) Lamoriello and the guys you always see on TV.” But there are a lot of things Hague needs to iron out in his game and there are no guarantees the Leafs, picking 17th, will opt for him. The last time they were at 17, the Leafs took a home-grown defenceman, Carlo Colaiacovo. Hague liked his progress this year under coach James Richmond and a team that made the OHL final. He improved areas such as gap control and stuffing the opposition rush at the blue line. “That’s huge, it always runs through my head,” Hague said. “Especially the system we ran with J.R,, who loved to deny zone entry.” Hague certainly has the off-ice smarts as a former OHL scholastic player of the year. BEST FOOTE FORWARD There were many rumours through the years of Adam Foote coming back to the Toronto area to play for the Leafs, but it could his son Cal Foote who gets the call. The No. 12-rated player by International Scouting Services, the 6-foot-4 defenceman from the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets also had a chat with the Leafs this week. Though he was born in Colorado during his dad’s Stanley Cup years with the Avalanche, Foote’s mother is from Uxbridge, Ont., and he has made frequent trips to visit relations around the province. His junior coach is ex-Leaf defenceman Jason Smith. “It was pretty cool having guys such as Lamoriello and Brendan Shanahan there for my interview,” Foote said. Foote’s support group includes Matt Duchene, who lived with the family during his first two years with the Avs. “He throws me a text here and there to wish me good luck,” Cal said. “He was great to have around for my brother and I and our family. I did look up to him and still do.” LET’S TALK One Leafs scout defined this month’s draft thusly: “It’s quite a challenge for us, given how well we did with three picks in the top eight the past three years.” The team had up to 15 club personnel in their interview suite at times this week. Lamoriello, assistant general manager Mark Hunter and many players spoke of new director of Western Area Scouting Tim Speltz taking a lead role in assessing the prospects. “When you first get in, it’s intimidating,” said Spokane centre Jaret Anderson-Dolan. “But once you’re talking, you introduce yourself, you get in a groove with them. They’re a team that has some of the best prospects in the league right now with Matthews making an impact right away. That would be pretty cool to go there.” Anderson-Dolan talked to 29 of 31 teams, Dallas and Pittsburgh excepted, and counted his interviews with Toronto, Chicago and Los Angeles as his best. PIONEER SPIRIT 1066316 Toronto Maple Leafs took a pass in flight from Austin Watson and beat Matt Murray high on the glove hand for the 2-1 lead.

That was all the Predators needed. Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators bounce back in Game 3 of Stanley Cup final to dump Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 With 22.6 seconds remaining in the second period, James Neal tucked in a loose puck to make it 3-1. In the third period, Nashville kept coming. This time, it was Pittsburgh that unravelled, giving up two breakaways in Michael Traikos the first five minutes. June 4, 2017 12:47 AM ET On the first, Gaudreau missed the net on a deke. On the second, caused when Kunitz and Kessel ran into each other at centre ice, Craig Smith made no mistake and put the Predators up 4-1. A power-play goal from Mattias Ekholm put the game out of reach. NASHVILLE — The thing about guaranteeing a win in sports is that it is so redundant, so obvious, so unnecessary. “We played a full 60 minutes,” said Subban. “We’re going to have to do that for the rest of the series. It’s a 2-1 series and we look forward to Like, what are you supposed to say? That you expect to lose? That you Game 4 now. It’s always the next game. It’s always the next game until hope to win but aren’t confident enough to admit it? it’s over.” Still, when P.K. Subban said that the Nashville Predators were going to Where this goes for Game 4 is anyone’s guess. But based on what we’ve win Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final after losing the previous two games, seen, it’s a guarantee this series isn’t close to being over. it made all the usual headlines. SUBBAN ‘A CLASSY GUY’ It wasn’t necessarily a promise. But that’s how it was viewed. P.K. Subban is not just getting under the skin of Pittsburgh’s top And yet, it wasn’t his promise to make. That task fell to Pekka Rinne, who forwards. He’s also getting into their nostrils. had been the reason why the Predators were trailing in the first place. If anyone needed to guarantee a better effort, it was the goalie who some At the end of Game 2, Subban and Evgeni Malkin exchanged words and questioned whether he should start but who also had the ability to then punches after the Nashville Predators defenceman claimed Malkin dramatically change the tone of the series. said something in Russian. In Game 3, in which Malkin and Sidney Crosby went without a shot, it was Crosby’s turn to trash talk Subban. Rinne did just that, stopping 27 of 28 shots in the 5-1 win for the Predators. The Pittsburgh Penguins now lead the best-of-seven series 2- What was said? It turns out it was less about hockey and more about 1, with Game 4 in Nashville on Monday. hygiene. “I think these first couple of games, it’s been a battle,” said Rinne. “At “Usually when guys chirp after a game or during a game, it’s usually those moments, you try to erase your mind and focus on the next save about your game or something personal,” said Subban. “But (Crosby) and remind yourself that you’re in the finals and life is still pretty good. I went on to tell me that my breath smelled. I really don’t understand why, was able to make some pretty big saves.” because I used Listerine before the game. I thought my breath smelled great.” The Predators needed this one. It was as close to a must-win as you are going to find. Not because falling behind 3-0 in the best-of-seven series After the game, Predators goalie Pekka Rinne backed up Subban’s would have been a kiss of death, but because Nashville had outplayed comments. Pittsburgh in the previous two games and had nothing to show for it. “He’s a classy guy,” said Rinne. “He always flosses.” Playing at home, where they are now 8-1 in the playoffs, everything clicked into place for the Predators. National Post LOADED: 06.04.2017 The offence, which had stuttered in the previous two games, came alive with three goals in the second period. The penalty kill was once again perfect. But it was goaltending that really won the game. “We knew that he was going to put a game together,” defenceman Ryan Ellis said of Rinne. “It was a treat to watch. Peks was lights out tonight.” Rinne, who had been pulled in Game 2 and who had a .778 save percentage combined in the first two games of the series, was back to his MVP-worthy form. On one flurry in the second period, the Predators goalie stopped a Phil Kessel wrist shot on a two-on-one and then followed it up by sliding across the crease and robbing Chris Kunitz on the rebound. “I don’t even think it was a matter of him bouncing back,” said Subban. “I thought the whole team did a better job in front of him, not giving up odd- man rushes. It’s tough. You give odd-man rushes to the defending Stanley Cup champions, they’re going to bury you. When we did, he was able to shut the door.” And yet, the night started out far from perfect for both Rinne and the Predators. Less than three minutes into the game, the sold-out crowd was temporarily silenced when Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel scored yet again to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead in the opening three minutes of the first period. It was a heck of a goal. With the Penguins controlling the play in the offensive zone, Guentzel dropped a pass back to defenceman Ian Cole and then charged towards the net, grabbing the ensuing rebound and scoring his fourth goal in three games. It was also the rookie’s 13th of the playoffs — one back of Dino Ciccarelli’s rookie record. Had Pittsburgh scored another goal, this one could have ended differently. Instead, Rinne held the fort, stopped the following 26 shots, and kept his team in the game. Eventually, the Predators answered back. With Nashville on the power play, defenceman Roman Josi tied the game on a blast from the point. Less than a minute later, Frederick Gaudreau 1066317 Toronto Maple Leafs “They’re not sticking him on the third line,” said Ciccarelli. “I like that they’re playing him with Crosby and some of the big-name guys. You’re going to get opportunities that way.” Dino Ciccarelli cheering for Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake Guentzel in his Still, Guentzel is making the most of those opportunities. He’s not playing pursuit of playoff goal scoring record like a first-year player. He is not deferring to his teammates or passing up on shots. Instead, he’s calling for the puck and wanting to be the guy who scores the big goal. Michael Traikos “I like that,” said Ciccarelli. “He’s got a real knack for the net. Even on June 3, 2017 10:35 PM ET that second goal (in Game 2), before he crossed the blue line you could see him smacking his stick against the ice because he wants the puck. And then you see him busting to the net. Coaches say, go to the net, good things happen. It’s working for him.” NASHVILLE — Jake Guentzel began his first-ever NHL playoffs by scoring five goals in five games against the Columbus Blue Jackets. When asked if he plans on contacting Guentzel, Ciccarelli said maybe later when the series is over and the kid has his record. Until then, he Dino Ciccarelli began his by almost getting killed. has just one piece of advice for the 22-year-old. “That playoffs (in 1981), we started against Boston and what I remember “You kind of have to soak it in,” said Ciccarelli. “I remember the older is there was a bench-clearing brawl,” Ciccarelli said in a phone interview. players saying enjoy this, because you never know when you’re going to “It started before the puck even dropped. Al Secord was on that Bruins get back. It took 15 years for me to get back.” team. So was Stan Jonathan and Terry O’Reilly. They had a lot of these real tough guys. National Post LOADED: 06.04.2017 “I remember I kind of just grabbed someone who wasn’t going to kick the crap out of me.” For Ciccarelli, who was a 21-year-old rookie in 1980-81, it was his welcome to the NHL moment. He had played 32 games that year with the Minnesota North Stars, but this was different. This was playoff hockey. It was kill or be killed. “The Bruins were notorious for that stuff,” said Ciccarelli. “They were just setting the tone of the playoffs. Whether you liked it or not, you had better get focused.” Ciccarelli, the 5-foot-10 forward who wasn’t drafted because he was too small, didn’t back down. He scored in his first playoff game and had three goals and five points in a three-game sweep of the Bruins. By the end of the playoffs, he had scored a rookie record 14 goals in 19 games to help the North Stars reach the Stanley Cup final, where they ended up losing to the in five games. Thirty-six years later, Guentzel moved to within one goal away from tying the record by opening the scoring in Game 3 against the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. And Ciccarelli couldn’t be happier, even if “the kid probably doesn’t know who I am.” “I’ve been watching the games. It looks like he’s probably going to get the record,” said Ciccarelli. “Records are meant to be broken.” Heading into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final, Guentzel had 12 goals and 17 points in 21 games. Unlike Ciccarelli, who made his Hall of Fame career two feet in front of the net, Guentzel has used a laser-accurate shot to do most of his damage. But regardless of where they score, both have a gift for coming up big when it matters the most. Once the playoffs began, something clicked in Guentzel. The Pittsburgh Penguins forward, who had 16 goals in 40 games in the regular season, scored the winning goal in just his second playoff game. He followed it up with a hat trick — including another game winner — in Game 3 of the first round. Though he went without a goal in the entire third round against the Ottawa Senators, Guentzel has more than made up for it in the Stanley Cup final, where he had three goals in the first two games — two of them game-winners. “It’s all crazy,” said Guentzel. “You don’t expect it to go like this.” Guentzel said he is aware of the record he is chasing, but is less familiar with the player who currently holds it. After all, he was four years old when Ciccarelli played his final game. “I know that he played with the North Stars,” said Guentzel, who hasn’t had much time to reflect on what he’s been able to accomplish so far. “It would be very cool to be in that category.” With one of the worst playoff beards on the team, the baby-faced Guentzel looks very much like a rookie. But he’s not being treated as one. The Penguins have used him primarily on the top line with Sidney Crosby, something has obviously provided ample scoring chances. The same thing happened to Ciccarelli, who played on a line with Bobby Smith, the team’s leading scorer, and 30-goal scorer Steve Payne. 1066318 Vegas Golden Knights McPhee said Saturday it’s unlikely Ovechkin becomes a Golden Knight. “I’m not surprised give our relationship that there’s rumors, but I don’t think anything will be happening there,” he said. “There’s too many Top projected NHL draft picks Nolan Patrick, Nico Hischier not jerseys with No. 8 on them in the seats in Washington.” concerned about being No. 1 Scott Zucker is going to be one busy grandfather. His three sons are all expecting babies in the upcoming months. By Steve Carp Las Vegas Review-Journal What’s more, all three are boys. June 3, 2017 - 12:42 PM Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker and his wife Carly are expecting their first child together in late October. Evan Zucker, who is the head coach of the Junior Golden Knights under-14 AAA team, is expecting his BUFFALO, N.Y. — Nolan or Nico? first child along with his wife Mandy in early October. Adam Zucker, who is assisting Evan with the Junior Golden Knights, also is on track to The debate rages on whether Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier will be taken become a first-time father as he and his wife Lauren are expecting their by the New Jersey Devils with the No. 1 overall pick at the 2017 NHL baby in mid-August. Entry Draft later this month in Chicago. “We were very excited when we got the news,” he said. “There’s no Both interviewed this week at the NHL Scouting Combine in KeyBank question they’ll all be holding a hockey stick in their hands.” Arena with the Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers, who own the No. 2 pick. Both participated in the combine’s fitness testing Saturday at the Harborcenter. For Patrick, who went through an injury-plagued season with the Brandon Wheat Kings this past season, it was particularly LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.04.2017 important that he got the medical green light to take part. “I think I need to be out there and show that I’m physically okay,” he said Friday. The two centers have different styles. Patrick is probably the more physical player while Hischier is the better skater. The two went head-to- head in at the Prospects Game in late January and while Patrick’s team won, Hischier may have had the better individual performance. Hischier, who is from Switzerland and played for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, said he’s not concerned about where he gets selected. He will likely make history as the highest-drafted Swiss-born player. Nino Neiderriter was taken No. 5 overall in the 2010 draft by the New York Islanders and is currently with the Minnesota Wild. “My dream is to play in the NHL so if I’m picked first or second, it doesn’t matter,” he said. Neither is regarded by scouts throughout the league as generational players. They’re not Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews. But they appear to remain at the top of the heap as the 31 teams put their draft big boards into sharper focus, particularly in New Jersey and Philadelphia. “The media’s done a good job with pumping us down, saying we’re not going to have the immediate impact or anything like that,” Patrick said. “I guess that’s good for us and not as much pressure.” The NHL announced earlier this week that there will be a moratorium on any transaction activity between the 30 current members, beginning noon (PST) on June 17 and concluding at 7 a.m. (PST ) June 22. The Golden Knights are exempt and will be allowed to pursue free agents during the 72-hour window which runs from June 18 to June 21. Other dates to note: June 12: Teams have until 2 p.m. (PST) to ask players with no-move or no-trade clauses to waive their clause. June 15: First buy-out period begins. June 16: Final day to place players on waivers prior to expansion draft trade-waiver freeze, 9 a.m. (PST); Deadline for players to agree to waive their no-move or no-trade clause, 2 p.m. (PST). As the 31 NHL teams do business in advance of the June 21 expansion draft, no team may have as many issues to deal with than the Washington Capitals. They have 11 unrestricted and restricted free agents and only $22.8 million in salary cap space. General manager Brian MacLellan might have to lose some key pieces from this year’s President’s Trophy club. There’s even speculation the Caps may look to move their captain and franchise player Alex Ovechkin. But that may be difficult given Ovechkin’s no-trade clause and his contract ($9.5 million a year and he’s signed through 2021). There’s speculation that the Golden Knights might be a landing spot for Ovechkin because George McPhee drafted him and has always held him in high regard and the fact the Knights could use a star superstar player to help engage their fan base. 1066319 Vegas Golden Knights As for the players, they’re done talking and testing. The next time they’ll be seen and heard is June 23 at the United Center in Chicago during the draft. Golden Knights likely to stay at No. 6 in NHL Entry Draft “I’m just going to relax and work out,” Glass said of his pre-draft plans. “I’m going to try not to think about the draft.” By Steve Carp Las Vegas Review-Journal June 3, 2017 - 12:26 PM LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.04.2017 Updated June 3, 2017 - 12:53 PM

BUFFALO, N.Y. — For Golden Knights general manager George McPhee and his hockey operations staff, the most important time of the year for the NHL expansion franchise is almost here. The June 23 NHL Entry Draft is looming ominously. The Knights have been watching games since August. With the NHL Scouting Combine having wrapped up Saturday at the Harborcenter, it’s time to take all the data and information and notes from all the discussions and reports that have been filed by the scouting staff over the past 10 months and make some big decisions. A lot will happen between now and June 23 in Chicago. The Knights own the No. 6 pick. Have they found their man? Or could they trade down and still get him? Or does it mean trading up? “I don’t anticipate us moving up or down,” McPhee said during a break in the testing Saturday. “So far, nobody has approached us about our pick. “Usually you don’t see too much movement in the position we’re in. We’re confident we’re going to get a very good player and a very good person.” McPhee said he trusts the integrity of the team’s current big board. At this point, he doesn’t see major fluctuation in the rankings the team has assigned the players that occupy the board. “I’m always amazed at how poised and polite these young men are,” McPhee said. “It gets better every year. They’re bright. They’re polite. They’re athletic. They take care of themselves. It’s very fortunate we have these kinds of kids coming into the league every year. It’s great for the sport. “We may move someone up a little or down a little but I don’t see any major or dramatic changes at this point.” Assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the team got a lot from its week in Buffalo. “You get to know the players at people which is good,” he said. “You get to see them react in the various drills and you get a sense of their compete level and how hard is a player working.” For the players, it was a long week too. But they were glad to have gone through the experience. “It was good,” said Cody Glass, a center with the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League who is expected to go in the top six. “The drills were a good test, especially the bike. It was good to have someone yelling at you to help you finish.” Glass tested well overall, which probably didn’t hurt his stock. He had interviewed with the Golden Knights earlier in the week and if he were to be selected by them, he would be excited about living and playing in Las Vegas. “I think it would be a unique opportunity to be part of something starting from the beginning and help build something,” he said. “I’d be thrilled and honored if they drafted me.” , a center for the Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires who also figures to be taken in the first six picks, enjoyed his interview with the Knights. Like Glass, he saw playing for an expansion team as an opportunity to earn playing time quicker. “There’ll be a lot of chances to play and I enjoyed talking to them,” he said of the Knights. “They told me about all the things that they’ve got going (in Las Vegas) and it was very interesting.” McPhee said there’s a good chance the team won’t settle on who they’re going to pick until the night before the entry draft. “We’re going to have a lot of discussions in the next couple of weeks,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of information we’ve been collecting since we began last summer and we feel like we’re well prepared for the (entry) draft.” 1066320 Vegas Golden Knights

GM George McPhee says Golden Knights ready to deal

By Steve Carp Las Vegas Review-Journal June 3, 2017 - 5:54 PM

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Don’t be surprised if the Golden Knights acquire a veteran player with a huge contract in the NHL Expansion Draft. It’s part of general manager George McPhee’s master plan. As the June 21 draft nears, McPhee has been fielding calls from fellow GMs desperate to unload dead weight and gain salary cap relief. “We have a lot of teams offering us big contracts,” McPhee said Saturday at the NHL Scouting Combine. “We’ll take a few of those, for the right price.” McPhee said the price is draft picks. He wants a surplus of picks for 2017 and beyond. Because, as important as the Expansion Draft is, he thinks the Entry Draft is the pathway for long-term success for the franchise. McPhee said the desperation of some NHL teams to dump bad contracts and aging players might be more bountiful for the Knights than he initially anticipated. “There’s been a lot of discussion, and a lot of the guys (GMs) have been forthright about what they’d like to do and who they’d like to protect,” McPhee said. “We’re trying to find ways to accommodate each other.” McPhee said the first deals might be finalized in the next few days. “We’re far along on a couple that I imagine we’ll have something done soon,” he said. McPhee said he’s not shopping for a marquee player. He shot down the rumor of acquiring Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, saying, “I don’t think there’s going to be anything happening there. “The face of our franchise will be our logo. That’s the way we’re trying to do things by being team-centric. “We’ll try to get as many good players as we can. But it’s all about building the right team, about chemistry and all those cliches. But that’s real.” McPhee said he doesn’t know how many deals he’ll make before June 21, but he’s willing to listen to all offers. “You try to do the best deal you can on a team-by-team basis,” he said. “You try to make a deal that’s fair and reasonable for both sides.” McPhee said he was surprised by all the talk about the expansion draft during the combine. “I didn’t plan on having lot of discussion about the expansion (draft) this week,” he said. “But then you’d go to lunch and the conversation would start. It’s been a busy week but productive.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066321 Vegas Golden Knights

Line changes: How hockey substitutions work and why they’re so important

By Jesse Granger (contact) Saturday, June 3, 2017 | 2 a.m.

In most sports, players on the bench wait patiently for a stoppage in play before trotting onto the field. Hockey is quite the opposite. Players are constantly hurdling the boards as their counterparts exit the ice in a mad dash to complete substitutions as quickly and seamlessly as possible. These chaotic-looking moments to those unfamiliar with hockey featuring multiple players coming and going are known as line changes. And one miscalculation during a line change can result in a penalty or an advantage for the opposing team. “Fast line changes are key,” said Golden Knights Senior Vice President , who played 18 seasons in the NHL. “They are such a big part of the game because they happen so often.” The average top-line player, akin to starters in other sports, will take 30 to 40 shifts a game. Craven said the amount of time a player stayed on the ice was one of fans’ biggest misconceptions about hockey. “People really have the hardest time understanding how long a shift is, and it’s only about 45 seconds,” he said. “People say, ‘What do you mean 45 seconds? That’s all?’ I tell them, ‘It’s a 45-second sprint, so just go out your front door and run down the block as hard as you can for 45 seconds and see how tired you are.’” By the time the sprint ends, the player desperately needs a replacement. That’s why players waiting on the bench must be constantly aware of the game situation. “When you’re on the bench you know when your line is about to be up,” Craven said. “You know who you’re taking off the ice. You’re watching him and you get a sense when he’s getting tired. You’re ready for when the puck gets shot in and he comes over to the bench.” But the change can only be made at certain times during a game without giving the opponent a scoring opportunity — the most common being when the puck is dumped into the offensive zone. “There’s a point where you get too tired out there and all you do is make mistakes,” Craven said. “You can’t keep up and you start hooking, clutching and grabbing to get that edge back.” An exiting player must be within five feet of the bench before his substitute comes onto the ice. If he’s farther than five feet from the bench when the sub’s skates touch down, referees can whistle the team for a too-many-men penalty. Officials can levy the same infraction if either player touches the puck or participates in the play — even if they are within the five feet. Individual changes are legal, but substitutions are almost always done in lines. Every NHL team has four forward lines of three players (left wing, right wing and center) and three defensive lines of two players (left and right defensemen). Defensemen stay on the ice longer because they usually do less skating. This postseason, for example, the top 25 players in average ice time were all defensemen — led by Minnesota’s Ryan Suter with 29.1 minutes per game. The leading forward for average ice time was Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf, who finished at 24.2 minutes per game.

LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066322 Washington Capitals Washington Times LOADED: 06.04.2017 The Latest: Rinne starting for Preds, Bonino likely out

Staff Report By - Associated Press - Saturday, June 3, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Latest on Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final (all times local): 6:40 p.m. Pekka Rinne has led the Predators onto the ice at Bridgestone Arena for the first Stanley Cup Final game in Nashville, making him the starter. Rinne’s status was a question mark after the veteran goaltender allowed eight goals to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Games 1 and 2. He became just the fourth goalie in NHL history to do that. Predators coach Peter Laviolette was noncommittal about his goalie choice as he typically is with lineup decisions. But Rinne was first off the ice after the team’s morning skate Saturday as Juuse Saros stayed on for extra work. Fans chanted “Pek-ka! Pek-ka!” in support of Rinne. Rinne came into the Cup Final as a favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Injured Penguins center Nick Bonino was not on the ice for warmups, and he’ll miss Game 3 after taking a puck off the left foot or ankle on Wednesday. 5:45 p.m. Penguins center Nick Bonino looks to be out of the mix for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Predators. Bonino was in a suit and, using crutches and in a walking boot about an hour before the start of pregame warmups. He took a shot from P.K. Subban off the left foot or ankle in Game 2 Wednesday. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan called Bonino a game-time decision, but based on practice lines Friday, Carter Rowney will slide to center and Carl Hagelin will rejoin the lineup with Bonino out. 5:40 p.m. Peter Laviolette won’t talk about his lineup but is expected to make some changes with his Nashville Predators down 2-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins going into Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Based on the morning skate at Bridgestone Arena, P-A Parenteau and Harry Zolnierczyk looked to be replacing Cody McLeod and Vern Fiddler. Colin Wilson, who missed the first two games of the series with an unspecified lower-body injury, skated but could be more likely to return for Game 4 Monday. Laviolette defended McLeod on Friday but also didn’t play him in a similar speed series, in the first round against Chicago. “Decisions go into every game,” Laviolette said. “We have to look at every series, then we have to look at every game as a single entity to make sure we’re putting the right pieces on the ice to try and be successful. There’s always adjustments, always moves.” 5:30 p.m. The Nashville Predators and their fans finally have the game they’ve been waiting so very long to host. The first Stanley Cup Final not only in the franchise’s history, but also the first major league championship game ever played in Tennessee with Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Nashville shut down a chunk of Broadway where the honky tonks and bars line the street for a free concert by country superstar Alan Jackson. Fans packed shoulder to shoulder nearly an hour before Jackson’s concert with the street then being used for an outdoor viewing party. Predators forward Harry Zolnierczyk says the atmosphere was crazy through the first three rounds of the playoffs and now sees Nashville revamping everything downtown. He says the Predators are excited for Game 3. The defending champion Penguins lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. 1066323 Washington Capitals

Downtown packed for Stanley Cup Final debut in Nashville

By - Associated Press - Saturday, June 3, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Nashville Predators and their fans finally have the game they’ve been waiting so very long to host. The first Stanley Cup Final not only in the franchise’s history, but also the first major league championship game ever played in Tennessee with Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Nashville shut down a chunk of Broadway where the honky tonks and bars line the street for a free concert by country superstar Alan Jackson. Fans packed shoulder to shoulder nearly an hour before Jackson’s concert with the street then being used for an outdoor viewing party. Predators forward Harry Zolnierczyk says the atmosphere was crazy through the first three rounds of the playoffs and now sees Nashville revamping everything downtown. He says the Predators are excited for Game 3. The defending champion Penguins lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Washington Times LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066324 Washington Capitals “It doesn’t surprise me because of our relationship,” McPhee said, before breaking into a laugh. “But I don’t think anything will be happening there. There’s too many jerseys with No. 8 on them in the seats in Washington Las Vegas NHL team ready to deal before expansion draft from moving that player.”

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press - Saturday, June 3, 2017 Washington Times LOADED: 06.04.2017

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Vegas is ready to deal. George McPhee, the expansion Golden Knights‘ general manager, had such a busy week of trade talks at the NHL’s pre-draft combine in Buffalo that he anticipates formally announcing several trades within the next few days. “We’re far enough along with a few teams that my plan is to sit on the phone all day Monday, Tuesday to see what we can accomplish,” McPhee said Saturday. “We’ve had some real good discussions and I expect some things will start happening next week.” That’s a little ahead of schedule for McPhee, who expected attending the combine to focus mostly on assessing the pool of prospects Vegas might consider selecting with its seven picks - starting with No. 6 overall - at the entry draft in Chicago on June 23-24. Instead, McPhee couldn’t get through his hotel lobby without fielding trade offers in advance of the expansion draft June 21. “It seemed the other day we go down to lunch, and I ran into a few GMs and the conversations started,” McPhee said. “It’s been a busy week, but certainly productive.” The trades McPhee is referring to are those he anticipates to make in advance of the expansion draft, when Vegas will select one player off each of the 30 teams’ unprotected lists. Teams, however, can influence the Golden Knights‘ decision on which player to pick or avoid by agreeing to trades beforehand. That leaves McPhee juggling numerous trade options and opportunities to acquire players or draft picks as compensation to address the franchise’s short- and long-term needs. McPhee’s objective is stockpiling draft picks and he didn’t rule out acquiring them in exchange for players with high-priced contracts from teams experiencing salary-cap issues. “Most of the guys have been really forthright in what they want to do, who they’ll probably expose and who they’d like to protect,” McPhee said. “And we’re trying to find ways to accommodate each other. We won’t be able to do that with everyone.” The Golden Knights have been the focus of attention and McPhee on every team’s speed dial because he holds most of the cards when it comes to the expansion draft. Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treviling went so far as to jokingly refer to McPhee as being some sort of “puppeteer” during an interview with Canada’s TSN cable network this week. McPhee laughed when informed of Treliving’s remark. “I’ve been called worse,” he said. The expansion draft process opens on June 18, when the NHL will reveal the list of players available to the Golden Knights. The players will include pending restricted and unrestricted free agents, which Vegas can consider signing over a three-day period before the team submits its list of selections. McPhee and his staff have spent much of the past year conducting a series of mock drafts to prepare for the draft. McPhee, however, acknowledged there’s no way of determining what strategy the team takes until the actual list is revealed. “Until we see everything, it’s hard to know,” he said. McPhee doesn’t see a need to add a marquee player to generate a buzz and compete for attention in a city renowned for its entertainment excesses. “The face of our franchise will be our logo. That’s the way we’re going to try and to things and be team-centric,” he said. “We don’t feel the need to go get names.” That won’t halt the speculation, McPhee acknowledged, particularly regarding his ties to Washington as the Capitals former GM. One rumor has Alex Ovechkin linked to Vegas. 1066325 Washington Capitals

AP source: Okposo visits Sabres for 1st time since illness

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press - Saturday, June 3, 2017

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A person with direct knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that forward Kyle Okposo has visited the Buffalo Sabres’ facility for the first time in two months since he was hospitalized because of an undisclosed illness. The person says Okposo was in good spirits during the unannounced visit a few weeks ago and has since been attending family functions around Buffalo. Okposo is continuing to show signs of improvement, but the person says there is no timetable for when he will be cleared to skate. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres are not providing updates on Okposo’s status, citing medical privacy laws. Okposo spent about a week undergoing tests at Buffalo General Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive care unit in early April. He was first sidelined March 28 when he complained of feeling ill before a game at Columbus. Okposo had just returned to the lineup and played two games after missing 10 because of a rib injury.

Washington Times LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066326 Washington Capitals

GEORGE MCPHEE ON TRADING FOR ALEX OVECHKIN: 'THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN'

By J.J. Regan June 03, 2017 4:31 PM

With Alex Ovechkin set to turn 32 in September, another early playoff exit has led some to wonder if it is time for the Capitals to move on from the Great 8. Even if general manager Brian MacLellan was thinking of making such a move – which he has already said he is not – Ovechkin's cap hit would prove to be a non-starter for most teams. But not the Vegas Golden Knights The NHL's newest expansion team has a roster to build and a salary cap floor to hit which means they have lots of money to spend this season. Given that the general manager also happens to be former Capitals general manager George McPhee who drafted Ovechkin, the possibility of Vegas as a potential trade partner is an intriguing thought. McPhee, however, put that possibility to bed on Saturday. In truth, a deal with Vegas would be hard to pull off. While the team does have plenty of money to spend, they also have very little with which to offer Washington other than draft picks. They currently have only three players signed, but nothing with which to build a trade package attractive enough to pry Ovechkin out of Washington. Especially if the general manager isn't on board with the trade.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066327 Washington Capitals

CAPITALS GOALIE COACH MITCH KORN TAKING TIME TO CONSIDER FUTURE WITH TEAM

By J.J. Regan June 03, 2017 10:10 AM

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan told reporters he will not make any changes to the coaching staff this offseason, but he may be forced to find a new goalie coach next season. According to MacLellan, current goalie coach Mitch Korn is taking time to “ponder his future.” “I think he's keeping it open whether he comes back,” MacLellan said. “He's talked a little bit about a consulting role.” Korn is extremely high regarded after a career working with goalies like Dominik Hasek, Pekka Rinne and Tomas Vokoun, among others. Barry Trotz brought Korn to Washington when he was hired as head coach in 2014 and he helped turn Capitals netminder Braden Holtby into a Vezina-caliber goalie. Holtby won the award as the league’s top goalie in 2015-16 and is again a finalist for the 2016-17 season. Korn has also helped develop Philipp Grubauer from prospect to budding NHL starter. Losing Korn – who turns 60 in September – would be a significant blow for the Capitals, but one the team is already preparing for. “We've been grooming Scott Murray for a goaltending coaching job, so the transition will happen,” MacLellan said. “I'm just not sure if it will be this year, next year or the year after. Mitch wants to spend more time at his home.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066328 Washington Capitals is zero compensation for losing a player in the expansion draft. You cannot give Ovechkin up for nothing. Yes, Vegas could still try to make a trade, but just what exactly could they offer? The Golden Knights have SHOULD THE CAPITALS TRADE ALEX OVECHKIN? 6 REASONS only two players currently under contract. That’s it. With all due respect, WHY IT WON'T HAPPEN the Caps are not trading Ovechkin for Duke Reid. Based on the set up of the expansion draft, it is not likely to yield Vegas anywhere close to the kind of talent the Caps would hope to get in return for a trade. Sure, McPhee could throw a bunch of draft picks at Washington, but if the By J.J. Regan May 24, 2017 9:33 AM Caps hope to win now with Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Braden Holtby, will not make this team any better in the present.

You can’t get equal value in return Alex Ovechkin is undeniably the best player to ever suit up for the Washington Capitals. He is the greatest goal scorer of a generation and Ovechkin will be a 32-year-old winger with little postseason success and one of the best players of all time. And yet, he is still struggling to find a cap hit of over $9.5 million. If Ovechkin hits the trade market, he will playoff success. have plenty of suitors, but the Capitals cannot possibly hope to get back anything close to equal value for him. First, considering everything he In 12 NHL seasons, Ovechkin has led the Capitals to the postseason has accomplished, how long he has played for Washington, the fact that nine times, but has never made it past the second round. As the team’s he is the team captain and the face of the franchise, he means more to best player, he receives most of the praise for the team’s successes and the Capitals than he would to any other team in the NHL. Second, any most of the blame for its failures. It would be unfair to pin all of the team’s potential trade partner will not approach this from the standpoint that they playoff struggles on the Great 8 alone, but with an all-time great player to are trading for a generational talent, rather what they would be getting is build around, the Capitals have been a team with championship a winger on the back half of his career with a massive cap hit. Whatever aspirations and they simply have not lived up to that. And that has some you think Ovechkin may be worth on the trade market, the other 30 NHL people wondering if it may be time to move on. teams will have a much lower value of him and there is no point in pulling Ovechkin will be 32 years old before the start of the 2017-18 season and the trigger on a trade if you do not like what you are getting in return. Father Time, as they say, is undefeated. With a cap hit just over $9.5 He has a modified no-trade clause million and no real postseason success to speak of, would the Capitals possibly consider trading him? Ovechkin’s cap hit, age, postseason history and trade value are not the only obstacles the Caps face would face in making a potential deal. His Not likely. contract also carries a modified no-trade clause that allows him to list 10 Now let’s be clear, if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anyone can. I am not teams in which he cannot be traded to. That further limits the team’s trying to say that it can’t happen, but here are a few reasons why it won’t: options. Typically in these situations, when a team intends to pursue a trade they ask for the player to give them the list before they begin talking He is still a productive player to other teams. In this day and age, it is impossible to keep that news like that quiet. Somehow, someway, someon in the media would find out that Yes, Ovechkin is on the wrong side of 30, but with 33 goals this season the Caps requested Ovechkin’s list of 10 teams and report that the team he still was tied for the team lead in goals and ranked 13th overall in the was shopping him. When that happens, Ovechkin’s price tag would drop NHL. T.J. Oshie also scored 33 goals for the Caps and is set to become significantly. At that point, general manager Brian MacLellan would an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Capitals likely do not have essentially have to be move him to prevent the story from becoming a the money to re-sign Oshie, but even if they could, ask yourself this: Who perpetual distraction to the team. At least that’s how every other general is more likely to have more offensive production next season, a 30-year- manager would view it. Motivated sellers are good news for a potential old Oshie who has reached the 30-goal mark only once in his entire buyer, bad news for Ovechkin’s trade value. career and who played in 68 games in 2016-17 due to injury or Ovechkin who has never scored fewer than 32 goals and has never played fewer What he means to the franchise than 72 games in a full 82-game season in his career? He can’t keep up that pace forever, but there’s a good chance that even if Ovechkin takes Let’s turn the clocks back to a time before Ovechkin came to a step back in 2017-18, he still may be a better offensive player than Washington. In the 2003-04 season, the Capitals ranked 25th in the Oshie. league in home attendance with fewer than 15,000 fans per game. That’s fewer than the , Florida Panthers and Arizona Coyotes. His cap hit makes him hard to move Ovechkin completely reignited the fan base in a way no player has ever in the team’s history. Of all the Caps fans out there today, a sizable Ovechkin has the fourth-highest cap hit among active players in the NHL. number of them do not know Capitals hockey without Ovechkin, not Most teams do not have $9.5 million worth of empty cap space with because of their age, but because he is what ultimately drew them in and which to plug Ovechkin into the lineup and those that do usually carry got them interested in the sport. He is a dynamic player with a fun that much space for a reason, namely, they are trying to save money. I personality that hockey fans across the league love to see play. Consider do not foresee the Arizona Coyotes suddenly getting out the checkbook this, only 11 teams have ever appeared in the NHL Winter Classic. The to pay for Ovechkin. Sometimes teams can find a way to make an even Caps have played in it twice. Even the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal swap for a player with a similar cap hit. Just look at last offseason when Canadiens and New York Rangers, all three of which are NHL the Montreal Canadiens traded P.K. Subban ($9 million cap hit) to the franchises, have only made one appearance. That does not happen Nashville Predators for Shea Weber (about $7.9 million cap hit). Let’s without Ovechkin. Nostalgia is a dangerous thing in sports and teams take a look at the top ten cap hits in the NHL to see if there is a possible cannot allow themselves to be handcuffed by it, but it would be a hard trade there: Patrick Kane ($10.5 million), Jonathan Toews ($10.5 million), sell to trade away the face of the franchise when many Caps fans, Anze Kopitar ($10 million), Evgeni Malkin ($9.5 million), Subban, Sidney perhaps even a majority of them, equate Ovechkin with Capitals hockey. Crosby ($8.7 million), Corey Perry (about $8.6 million), Steven Stamkos ($8.5 million) and Henrik Lunuqvist ($8.5 million). Do you see any trades on that list that would make sense for both teams because I don’t. That would mean teams would have to give up a significant package to Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.04.2017 Washington and I am not so sure he would be worth that to many suitors (more on that to come). There would be no shortage of interest for Ovechkin if he was available, but getting the math to work would be incredibly difficult. Vegas does not make as much sense as you may think While most teams do not have the cap space to make a deal work, there is one team with plenty of cap space and they just so happen to have the same general manager, George McPhee, who drafted Ovechkin. Yes, the Vegas Golden Knights are the wild card of the offseason as they have to find a way to build an entire roster from scratch. With plenty of money to spend and plenty of familiarity with Ovechkin, some see this as a match made in Heaven. It’s not. First, if there are any people out there with the crazy notion that Washington should simply leave Ovechkin exposed at the expansion draft in the hopes that McPhee will take him off their hands, that would be the worst possible move the Caps could make. Even if you are sold on the idea that they need to move Ovechkin, there 1066329 Vancouver Canucks Green feels strongly he has one, for sure, in Jacob Markstrom. Whether he’s a No. 1, though, remains to be seen.

Jeff Paterson: Who's the No. 1 goalie? It's not Travis Green's No. 1 priority Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 06.04.2017

JEFF PATERSON Published on: June 3, 2017 | Last Updated: June 3, 2017 12:24 PM PDT

It will surely work its way up his list, but right now Travis Green claims the Vancouver Canucks’ goaltending situation isn’t a priority. When reached late this week, the new head coach of the hockey club was worrying far more about his teenage daughter’s high school graduation and plans for furthering her education in the fall. And when that isn’t top of mind, Green says he’s busy poring over video of the team he has inherited and is working diligently to finalize the staff that will work alongside him on the Canucks bench next season. He hopes to have those pieces in place before the June 23-24 National Hockey League Draft in Chicago. Then, he’ll get around to figuring out what his goaltending will look like next season. While the crease situation remains cloudy, with Ryan Miller set to become an unrestricted free agent at month’s end, Green has no doubt that Jacob Markstrom has what it takes to be a No. 1 netminder in the best league on the planet. That doesn’t mean the new coach is declaring the 27-year-old his starter, but it certainly echoes the comments of general manager Jim Benning earlier in the week that Markstrom possesses the skill set necessary to one day command the crease on a nightly basis. “I think he’s a guy who is a potential No. 1 goalie in the NHL,” Green says over the phone from his off-season home in Southern California. “He’s a competitor. You look at good goalies. It’s the same thing with Miller. Guys that are No. 1 goalies have a bit of a demeanor to them. They’re confident, they believe in themselves not in a cocky way, but they have leadership qualities within them. When I look at Marky — and it’s the same way I look at Miller — I see that. Obviously, I know Markstrom better than Miller, and I know he’s got that drive and that competitiveness. He’s not a guy that just wants to play in the NHL as a back-up. He wants to be a starter.” In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, Utica Comets goalie Jacob Markstrom blocks a goal attempt as Comets player Brendan Gaunce and player Brendan Leipsic watch during an AHL hockey game at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, in Utica, N.Y. Green rode Markstrom to an appearance in the American Hockey League Final when the two were together in Utica in 2015, so there is a pre-existing bond of trust in place. But until Green knows his options between the pipes, it’s impossible to project Markstrom’s workload. That was something the two discussed shortly after Green was hired in mid- April. “I’ve talked to Jacob,” he explains. “We had a good a conversation.” Green reached out to Miller, too, to get a better sense of where the veteran netminder stands as far his future is concerned, but contends he doesn’t know where Miller plans to play next season. “It wasn’t anything more than talking to him like I talked to every other guy on the team,” Green says. “I wanted his thoughts. I wanted to talk a little bit about where he wanted to play. As a coach you want to know that. I really enjoyed it. He’s been in the league a long time and you have to respect that. He’s been a great goalie in the league. And he’s played very well for the Canucks.” And may yet again. Green insists goaltending — like all positions on the roster — will be a group decision. He has and will continue to make his thoughts known to management, but for now he’ll watch to see how the Miller scenario plays out. “Obviously, Jim is the GM and he has to do what he thinks is best for the team,” Green says. “But Jim and I have had great communication. We’ve talked about everything and every position — what I think and what he thinks — and that’s important. I’m confident that we’re going to have two good goalies next year. It’s early now. I know there has been lots of talk about Ryan. Where it ends up, we’ll see. But every coach wants to have two good goalies.” 1066330 Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Province: LOADED: 06.04.2017

Jeff Paterson: Who’s the No. 1 goalie? It’s not Travis Green’s No. 1 priority

JEFF PATERSON Published: June 3, 2017

It will surely work its way up his list, but right now Travis Green claims the Vancouver Canucks’ goaltending situation isn’t a priority. When reached late this week, the new head coach of the hockey club was worrying far more about his teenage daughter’s high school graduation and plans for furthering her education in the fall. And when that isn’t top of mind, Green says he’s busy poring over video of the team he has inherited and is working diligently to finalize the staff that will work alongside him on the Canucks bench next season. He hopes to have those pieces in place before the June 23-24 National Hockey League Draft in Chicago. Then, he’ll get around to figuring out what his goaltending will look like next season. While the crease situation remains cloudy, with Ryan Miller set to become an unrestricted free agent at month’s end, Green has no doubt that Jacob Markstrom has what it takes to be a No. 1 netminder in the best league on the planet. That doesn’t mean the new coach is declaring the 27-year-old his starter, but it certainly echoes the comments of general manager Jim Benning earlier in the week that Markstrom possesses the skill set necessary to one day command the crease on a nightly basis. “I think he’s a guy who is a potential No. 1 goalie in the NHL,” Green says over the phone from his off-season home in Southern California. “He’s a competitor. You look at good goalies. It’s the same thing with Miller. Guys that are No. 1 goalies have a bit of a demeanor to them. They’re confident, they believe in themselves not in a cocky way, but they have leadership qualities within them. When I look at Marky — and it’s the same way I look at Miller — I see that. Obviously, I know Markstrom better than Miller, and I know he’s got that drive and that competitiveness. He’s not a guy that just wants to play in the NHL as a back-up. He wants to be a starter.” Green rode Markstrom to an appearance in the American Hockey League Final when the two were together in Utica in 2015, so there is a pre-existing bond of trust in place. But until Green knows his options between the pipes, it’s impossible to project Markstrom’s workload. That was something the two discussed shortly after Green was hired in mid- April. “I’ve talked to Jacob,” he explains. “We had a good a conversation.” Green reached out to Miller, too, to get a better sense of where the veteran netminder stands as far his future is concerned, but contends he doesn’t know where Miller plans to play next season. “It wasn’t anything more than talking to him like I talked to every other guy on the team,” Green says. “I wanted his thoughts. I wanted to talk a little bit about where he wanted to play. As a coach you want to know that. I really enjoyed it. He’s been in the league a long time and you have to respect that. He’s been a great goalie in the league. And he’s played very well for the Canucks.” And may yet again. Green insists goaltending — like all positions on the roster — will be a group decision. He has and will continue to make his thoughts known to management, but for now he’ll watch to see how the Miller scenario plays out. “Obviously, Jim is the GM and he has to do what he thinks is best for the team,” Green says. “But Jim and I have had great communication. We’ve talked about everything and every position — what I think and what he thinks — and that’s important. I’m confident that we’re going to have two good goalies next year. It’s early now. I know there has been lots of talk about Ryan. Where it ends up, we’ll see. But every coach wants to have two good goalies.” Green feels strongly he has one, for sure, in Jacob Markstrom. Whether he’s a No. 1, though, remains to be seen.

1066331 Websites "He was pumped up," said Rinne. "He tried to block that shot, tried to make a great play. And, you know, I think he was just like: ‘Damn right!"’

Somehow, the stingy Predators kept both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Sportsnet.ca / Predators’ Game 3 victory will go down in Nashville lore Malkin from registering a shot on goal in a playoff game for the first time ever. Pittsburgh’s power play continued its struggles with an 0-for-3 performance. Chris Johnston The party went to another level in the final 20 minutes – after James Neal @reporterchris banged in a rebound late in the second period and Craig Smith scored on a third-period breakaway and Mattias Ekholm sniped the top corner on a June 3, 2017, 11:25 PM power play. Still, this was a night that seemed somehow bigger than hockey. That’s strange to say, especially since this is the Stanley Cup Final. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – This will be a day they talk about here for a generation. Maybe longer. But people here have waited a long time for this kind of occasion – 19 years to be exact – and seemingly everyone walking the street knew it. There are kids who came down to Lower Broadway with their parents on You saw t-shirts with "Hockey Tonk" and "Everyone over Nashville" and Saturday afternoon and got to swing a sledgehammer at an old car all kinds of other slogans. painted in Pittsburgh Penguins colours. They stood among the sea of strangers that stretched in all directions from Bridgestone Arena and Now their team has some life in a series Pittsburgh leads 2-1 heading celebrated a city as unique as the chants that echoed through the into Game 4 here on Monday. building. That will be another opportunity for a civic celebration unlike any these Then they watched a rocking hockey game. eyes have ever witnessed around an NHL game. The bar has been raised, but don’t bet against this spirited community pushing it even Well, more accurately, they cheered through one. During warmups, higher still. during a 90-second TV timeout, during every appearance of a catfish on the ice and during every hair-raising goal by their Nashville Predators. "They don’t get enough credit for knowing the game and knowing hockey," said Subban. "They do know the game and they understand the "Yeah, you know what, that’s the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in," importance of these games. Regardless of what the score is, they’re defenceman P.K. Subban said after a 5-1 victory in the city’s opening act going to support us and be there for us because we’ve worked so hard to in the Stanley Cup Final. "It was pretty spectacular. Anybody who paid give them something to cheer about. the price of admission to watch the game, I’m sure it was money well spent for them." "I mean if you thought it was loud today I’m sure it’ll be even louder in Game 4." It was the kind of game that served as a reward for the hardcore fans that have lived and died with the Predators from the very beginning. It was a It wasn’t quite a guarantee, but it seemed like a pretty good bet. night certain to make hardcore fans out of those that have jumped aboard this runaway train a little more recently. Holy smokes. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.04.2017 Take a bow, Nashville. "It’s just you can feel it," said rookie Frederick Gaudreau, who scored the second goal of his NHL career. "The energy is crazy. You’re in town, somebody recognizes you and they’re just like so proud. It really is a big boost to be playing in this city." It really hit the players when they came out for warmups and the building was already close to capacity. And loud. There was even a chant for goalie Pekka Rinne, who had been heavily scrutinized by the media after two uneven performances in Pittsburgh. In the stands, the love was unconditional. "Pretty cool," said Rinne. "I mean, that was unbelievable. Collectively we came to the locker-room, and everybody was kind of telling each other that we’ve never seen anything like that." "You don’t see that anywhere," added defenceman Ryan Ellis. "Probably in any sport. You don’t see almost a full stadium in warmups." It didn’t let up even when Nashville went down on an early goal by Jake Guentzel. At that point, they were trailing 2-0 in the series and 1-0 in Game 3, and still the 17,283 gold-plated beauties who dipped deep into their savings accounts to buy tickets screamed throughout an entire commercial break. Their faith was rewarded during a second period where Roman Josi and Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart after Nashville had gone more than 72 minutes since last scoring on Matt Murray. Gaudreau’s goal had Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban jumping and dancing in the stands. The untold thousands gathered around the viewing screens outside, too. This Preds movement brought out a little bit of everything, including Boston Celtics centre Kelly Olynyk, NFL coaches Rex and Rob Ryan and Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Not long after Nashville went ahead 2-1, Rinne rewarded the faith of head coach Peter Laviolette. The much-discussed goaltender denied Phil Kessel off the rush and slid across to get a glove and pad on Chris Kunitz’s rebound chance. It was his biggest moment of the series. Subban showered him with enthusiastic expletives. 1066332 Websites Early on, Matt Murray extended his scoreless streak to 72:54 with the Pittsburgh goalie looking ready to notch his 21st playoff win. Then he gave up five goals in the span of 15 shots and the catfish watch was on. Sportsnet.ca / Predators score five unanswered to down Penguins in The Predators got it started with a three-goal flurry in the second. Game 3 Josi scored his sixth goal off a slap shot at 5:51, tying it at 1-1 and finally giving nervous fans something to enjoy. Then Gaudreau, who scored his Staff Report first career NHL goal in Game 1, scored 42 seconds later to put Nashville ahead with his wrister from the high slot, taking advantage of a screen by Associated Press Penguins defenceman Ian Cole to beat Murray glove-side. June 3, 2017, 11:05 PM Just after that go-ahead goal, the Penguins had a rush on Rinne, and the three-time Vezina Trophy finalist made back-to-back big saves. First, he stopped Phil Kessel's wrister from the right circle. The rebound bounced back into the slot, and Rinne made a save on Chris Kunitz with an assist NASHVILLE — Predators coach Peter Laviolette heard all the questions from Subban sliding over to help. and criticism of Pekka Rinne after the goaltender’s struggles in the Stanley Cup Final in Pittsburgh. Neal made it 3-1 with 22.6 seconds left in the second, banking the puck off Murray's left arm for his first goal in the series and sixth of the Well, Laviolette never thought of switching goalies. playoffs. Smith's goal on a breakaway at 4:54 was his first of the playoffs, A change of scenery helped Rinne and all his Nashville teammates as and Ekholm padded the lead with a power-play goal with 6:50 left. they dominated once again on their own ice for the biggest piece of "We played some good hockey in those first two games, just a couple franchise history yet. little breakdowns and they jumped all over us and it was in the back of A victory in the Stanley Cup Final. the net," Neal said. "It was a good job of limiting that tonight." Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart in the As for Rinne, Neal added: "We felt we left him out to dry a few times in second period, and the Predators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 the last game. I thought we did a better job tonight." Saturday night to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Rinne started Notes: Smith is the 18th different Nashville player to score a goal this and made 27 saves against a Pittsburgh team that continued to struggle post-season, and Ekholm became the 19th. ... The Penguins went 0 of 3 on the power play and lacked the same zip they had in winning the first on the power play and now are 1 of 13 in this series. ... With an assist, two games at home. Crosby now has 160 career playoff points (56 goals, 104 assists) and "There was no decision," Laviolette said of changing goalies. "He was tied Mike Bossy, Gordie Howe, Bobby Smith and Al MacInnis for 20th all- terrific. I said that after Game 2. He's been the backbone for our team. time. ... Laviolette sat veterans Cody McLeod and Vern Fiddler to get He's been excellent. His game tonight was rock solid." more speed with Harry Zolnierczyk and P.A. Parenteau. ... Pittsburgh forward Carl Hagelin played for the first time with centre Nick Bonino out The Predators capped the biggest party in Nashville history with a victory after taking a Subban slap shot off his left foot in Game 2 that left him on that gave thousands of fans inside and outside of the arena reason to crutches and in a walking boot. celebrate. Country star Keith Urban and wife, actress Nicole Kidman, were high-fiving inside the arena and they had plenty of company. Credit Rinne for coming through with a stingy performance and helping the Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.04.2017 Predators improve to 8-1 at home this post-season. The 6-foot-5 Finn looked so shaky in the first two games, giving up eight goals on just 36 shots. Laviolette benched him in the third period of Game 2 when Rinne gave up three goals in the first 3:28 of a 4-1 loss. Rinne said he changed nothing and knew he was playing all the time. Nashville fans did their best to lift his spirits by chanting his name in pre- game warm-ups. "Collectively we came into the locker room, and we were telling each other we've never seen anything like that," Rinne said. Josi also had two assists. James Neal, Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm also scored for Nashville as the Predators worked out some frustration against the Pens. "Like our team has done the whole playoffs against Chicago, St. Louis, Anaheim, we showed really good composure," said Nashville defenceman P.K. Subban, who had predicted a win in Game 3. "We're going to take that into the next game." Game 4 is Monday night. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said he thought his Penguins gave up a couple of easy goals. "We're disappointed we didn't get the result, but we also understand that this is a series," Sullivan said. "Our guys, they've been through this. They can draw on their experience. We're not going to let this certainly get us down. We're going to learn from it, move by it and get ready for the next game." Captain Sidney Crosby did not have a shot on goal, and neither did Evgeni Malkin. "Hopefully a game like this is something that's a hard lesson," Crosby said. "But we've got to make sure we're better." Jake Guentzel scored his 13th goal this post-season and fourth of this series for Pittsburgh and now is one off Dino Ciccarelli's rookie record of 14 in 1981 for Minnesota. Guentzel, already with two game-winning goals in the series, put the Penguins up 1-0 on their second shot with a wrister off a rebound of Ian Cole that beat Rinne just 2:46 into the game. Rinne stopped the next 26 shots for the victory and the party continued into the night. 1066333 Websites The crowd roared and then started to chant, “Murray, Murray / You suck / It’s all your fault.” Yeah, 17,000 and not one decent lyricist among them.

I’m not really sure how many of the Predators’ goals were Murray’s fault. Sportsnet.ca / Predators tempt fate but don’t get stung in Game 3 win James Neal’s in the dying seconds of the second period came out of a scramble, a defensive breakdown. Craig Smith made it 4-1 five minutes into the third but that was on a breakaway a shift or two after Murray Gare Joyce turned aside Gaudreau on a breakaway of his own. By the time Mattias Ekholm made it 5-1 on a power-play blast, it was a moot point. @garejoycenhl It’s hard to lay any blame on Murray, given that going into Saturday June 4, 2017, 1:02 AM night’s game he had a 5-1 record in the playoffs with a 1.54 GAA and a .943 save percentage. Saturday night he was beaten five times on 34

shots. You wondered if Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan might pull Murray NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Predators took the biggest risk but he opted to give a vote of confidence to his No. 1 and spared him there is in sports: They threw the party before they had anything to another snide serenade. celebrate. Ellis suggested that his team was in a good place with a shot at tying the Such hubris is the stuff of 100,000 hurtin’ songs, except no one in series at two games apiece Monday. “We’ve been doing the same things Nashville calls it “hubris” because it doesn’t rhyme with anything since the last three games [but it’s been a matter of] a little puck luck here and the retirement of Dainius Zubrus. timely goals,” Ellis said. “We’ve liked our game in all three games.” The Predators tempted fate but didn’t get stung in a well-deserved 5-1 I couldn’t stick around for the entire Alan Jackson pre-game show. I’m win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at a not sure if his set list included his No. 1 hit, Where Were You (When the rockin’ Bridgestone Arena. Defenceman Roman Josi showed the way for World Stopped Turning). Seventeen thousand were on their feet the home team with a goal and two assists in the second period. believing they were seeing the series grind to a halt and start turning in the Predators’ direction. It wasn’t exactly a house party that the Predators threw because it spilled out into the closed-off streets around the arena with a free pre-game concert featuring Alan Jackson, the country and western powerhouse. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.04.2017 His fans and the Predators’ legion took Jackson’s best-known hit to heart from breakfast on: It’s Five O’clock Somewhere. Suffice it to say that people who have been around the league three or four decades were talking about the scene on Saturday being like no other they had ever experienced. And if hockey media types have debatable expertise about the game, years in the business qualifies them as expert witnesses when it comes to public displays of alcohol-fuelled incoherence. It carried over when 17,000 were poured into the arena. They were on their feet, attempting to set a stadium record for volume of their cheers— and that was just during the warm up. Many will make the case that the home cheers don’t really register with the players but it was a point of conversation among the players once they could hear each other. “It was unbelievable,” goaltender Pekka Rinne said. “We came back to the dressing room … and we’re telling everybody we haven’t seen anything like that.” Added Nashville coach Peter Laviolette: “It seems to escalate as the playoffs go on.” The Penguins had designs on spoiling the party and quieting the crowd. Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz talked about the necessity of playing “a boring road game.” Now you could make a case that, on style and strategy, the Penguins played a couple of boring and at times stultifying road games at their PPG Paints Arena to take a 2-0 lead in the series. You could even say that this has been their method through three rounds of the playoffs to this point. Kunitz and his teammates repeated a party line holding that “a quick start was crucial to taking the crowd out of a game.” Easier said than done — 99 per cent of the crowd at the Preds’ barn wouldn’t quit until last call and at least four out of five would consider picking up where they left off in the parking lot. Good to Kunitz’s word, the defending Stanley Cup champions set about sucking the oxygen out of the arena through the first eight minutes of action (or inaction). Less than three minutes in, rookie Jake Guentzel picked up his 13th goal of the post-season, fighting through the check of Predators’ defenceman Ryan Ellis to push a rebound from Ian Cole’s shot past Rinne. These were the first two shots that Rinne had to face and it might have looked like the netminder’s form was going to be as dicey as it had been in the first two episodes of the Cup Final. At 1-0 for Pittsburgh, the loneliest man in Nashville wore a mask and only wished it wasn’t water in his bottle. Well, the last bit is artistic license but the point is made. Though Guentzel’s goal was the only one up on the scoreboard, you had more than a sense that the game turned in the home team’s favour midway through the first period — over that stretch, the Predators outshot the Pens 10-2 and had two or three five-star chances. Early in the second, Harry Zolnierczyk, one of the depth players rotated in and out of Nashville's lineup, drew a holding penalty on Justin Schultz. On the ensuing power play, Josi blasted a puck that slightly deflected off Carter Rowney’s glove, not giving Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray much of a chance at getting his own mitt on it. Before Josi’s goal was announced, Frederick Gaudreau scored what turned out to be the winner, capitalizing on a turnover by Pittsburgh blue-liner Trevor Daley. 1066334 Websites in the league again, Los Angeles was tied for 24th league-wide in goals with 199. One option they're reportedly exploring is 25-year-old Buffalo Sabres sniper Evander Kane, who has just one season remaining on his Sportsnet.ca / Rumour Roundup: Asking price high for Canucks’ Chris contract with a $5.25 million cap hit. Tanev "Evander Kane, he’s an unrestricted free agent after next season," Friedman said "and the word is that the LA Kings are one of the teams that's interested and I think the Sabres are willing to do it if LA and them Rory Boylen can strike a deal." June 3, 2017, 11:19 PM Kane scored 28 goals this season, his second with the Sabres, and he scored 20 the season before. The fourth-overall pick of the 2009 draft, Kane has had an inconsistent career to this point, but is known for his strength and shot -- a style that may fit well with the Kings' "heavy As we get closer to the end of the Stanley Cup Final, an expected wild hockey" style. and crazy off-season is beginning to pick up in the rumour mill. On Saturday night’s Headlines segment, the panel Kane was originally acquired by the Sabres in a 2015 blockbuster with discussed a few potential moves generating buzz. the Winnipeg Jets, in which Buffalo picked him up alongside Zach Bogosian for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, prospects Joel Armia and Buckle up. Before you know it, the moves will come fast and furious. Brendan Lemieux, and a first-round pick. As Arizona continues building more for the future than the present, the team seems willing to move 35-year-old goalie Mike Smith. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.04.2017 Smith is making $5.66 million against the cap for this season and next before his contract expires and is coming off a season in which he posted a .914 save percentage. With Ben Bishop signing in Dallas and Scott Darling signing in Carolina, the number of goalies who can make a difference for a team are starting to dwindle. Smith has reached a conference final with the Coyotes, so he’s proven capable of leading a team deep in the playoffs before. "A lot of teams are asking Arizona about Mike Smith," Sportsnet's said. "Mike Smith of course wants to win now. The feeling in Arizona is they might go much younger. Talk is the salary cap might force them to be bottom-feeders, which means they might finally be ready to move Mike Smith." Smith has been with the Coyotes since 2011-12 and previously played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars. Kypreos didn't connect Smith with any franchise, but Winnipeg, Calgary and Philadelphia are a few teams without a clear No. 1 who are expecting to make a push towards winning in 2017-18. With Canucks president Trevor Linden reluctantly admitting in April that his team is indeed in a rebuild there has been much speculation as to what this means for some of the veteran players on the roster. According to CapFriendly, Tanev doesn't have any trade restrictions in his contract yet, but a modified no-trade will kick in for 2017-18. At that point, Tanev can list eight teams to which he will not accept a trade. So if the Canucks wish to move the 27-year-old defenceman, this might be the off-season to do it in. But according to Sportsnet's , the Canucks aren't exactly eager to trade Tanev. Teams have been calling Vancouver about a potential move, but the price to acquire him remains high. "There's been a lot of talk about Chris Tanev and the Vancouver Canucks," Friedman said. "The one thing I’ve heard is other GMs who say they’ve reached out to Vancouver have been told this is no guarantee and if Chris Tanev is going anywhere the price is going to be very high for him. He’s got three more years under contract. He’s a good player at a good price. I don’t think Vancouver is looking to do this unless it's a great deal." Tanev is making $4.45 million against the cap through the 2019-20 season and averaged 20:20 of ice time per game for the Canucks this season. He was the biggest penalty killer among all Canucks blue liners. Vancouver GM Jim Benning talked about the potential for a Tanev move last week. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t listen and see if [a trade] is worth it, but it’s hard to find good defencemen,” Benning said. “Especially defencemen who are mobile and move the puck. I’m not shopping Tanev or bringing his name up in conversations with other GMs. They bring up his name.” The Los Angeles Kings missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons this year, resulting in the firing of coach Darryl Sutter and GM Dean Lombardi. In an effort to reach the playoffs, the team acquired goalie Ben Bishop and veteran at the trade deadline, but that didn't do enough to address their main area of weakness: the offence. With former key contributors Marian Gaborik and Dustin Brown combining for just 24 goals and more than $11 million against the cap, the Kings are in desperate need of both salary relief and a younger contributor on offence. Despite being one of the better possession teams 1066335 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Ilya Kovalchuk still interested in returning to the NHL

Emily Sadler June 3, 2017, 11:19 PM

Any hopes of former New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk returning to the NHL are still alive and well, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. “There were reports this week that Ilya Kovalchuk would stay in the KHL and not come back to North America,” Friedman said during Saturday night’s broadcast. “Word out of the Scouting Combine is that is not the case, that Kovalchuk is still very much interested in playing in the NHL next season.” It’s a bit of a complicated path for Kovalchuk—and one that runs through New Jersey. The Devils still hold his NHL rights, which means they could either sign the 34-year-old if he opts to return to New Jersey, or conduct a sign-and-trade. Neither option can be done before July 1, but both will require full cooperation from both parties. Devils general manager Ray Shero told NHL.com on Thursday that “Kovalchuk kind of drives the bus on this in terms of talking to teams or where he could want to play.” "I can't go out calling teams because that's a waste of my time," Shero said. "He's going to tell [us] where he wants to play, and in the end, if that does work out and it's not the Devils, then I've got to see if that makes sense for us to do that." “I won’t be surprised if some of the interest comes from people who know him—maybe like a Peter DeBoer of San Jose, Martin Brodeur in St. Louis, possibly even a Lou Lamoriello in Toronto,” Friedman said on Saturday. DeBoer was Kovalchuk’s coach in New Jersey for two seasons while Brodeur was his teammate there. Lamoriello, of course, was the man who brought Kovalchuk to New Jersey via a blockbuster trade in February 2010. “It’s a complex deal because of New Jersey and getting him signed,” explained Friedman, “but the word is that teams are saying Kovalchuk still wants to come to North America.” Kovalchuk signed a 15-year, $100-million deal with the Devils in 2010, but announced his retirement three years later, stating a desire to return home to Russia. Since then, he has played four seasons with the KHL's St. Petersburg SKA where he has registered a combined 89 goals and 222 points 209 games.

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Sportsnet.ca / Sidney Crosby chirps P.K. Subban for having bad breath

Chris Johnston @reporterchris June 4, 2017, 12:16 AM

NASHVILE, Tenn. – Now we are talking about P.K. Subban’s breath. After time ticked away on a 5-1 victory by the Nashville Predators in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, Subban came together with Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and some words were exchanged. Fortunately, the defenceman was willing to let everyone in on the conversation. "Usually when guys chirp after a game or during the game it’s usually about your game or something personal, but he went on to tell me that my breath smelled bad, and I don’t know why, because I used Listerine before the game," said Subban. "So I thought my breath smelled great. I mean, at the end of the day we’re just going to take the win and move on." This, almost certainly, won’t be the final word on the chirping between the former Team Canada teammates. Perhaps Listerine will try and recruit Subban for some marketing opportunities. At least the Predators saw some humour in the exchange. "He’s a classy guy," goalie Pekka Rinne said of Subban. "He always flosses.

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Sportsnet.ca / Vegas GM downplays idea of acquiring Ovechkin, Kovalchuk

Rory Boylen June 3, 2017, 7:18 PM

Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee was the centre of attention at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo on Saturday, and while the top prospects in this year’s draft were sweating it out through gruelling tests, McPhee was being grilled by the press about his plans. Early in the day, McPhee joined Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino and to discuss how he might approach the Expansion Draft, from the possibility of selecting up to seven goalies to his outlook at the entry draft ahead. You can read more on those questions here. McPhee also spoke to a larger contingent of media later in the day and was asked specifically about how the Vegas Golden Knights might target star players in the NHL, most likely via trade rather than plucking them off another team’s roster at the draft. The Golden Knights GM downplayed his team’s need to get a superstar for the nascent franchise. "The face of our franchise will be our logo," McPhee said. "That's the way we're going to try and do things and be team-centric. We'll get as many good players as we can, but as we all know it's about building the right team, the right chemistry, all these cliches, but that's real. "We don’t feel the need to go get names." He was also questioned about the rumours in Washington about a possible Alex Ovechkin trade. Capitals GM Brian MacLellan made headlines this week when he didn't completely eliminate the idea that Ovechkin could be moved this summer. While MacLellan did say he didn't think a move like that is in the organization's best interests, he left the door open when he said: “Maybe at some point if there’s a legitimate hockey deal that came available." McPhee, of course, is very familiar with Ovechkin from his time as Capitals GM. He signed Ovechkin to his current contract, which still has four years left with a $9.538 million cap hit, before the team let him go in 2014. So would the Vegas GM be interested in reuniting with his star player in an effort to get towards the salary cap floor and give the expansion team a push forward? "That's not going to happen. Too many No. 8 jerseys in Washington," McPhee told Golden Knights beat writer Steve Carp. That wasn't the only Russian sniper McPhee was asked about. With rumours swirling that Ilya Kovalchuk could return to the NHL, some have wondered if the Golden Knights would make a trade with New Jersey to acquire his rights. "We haven’t had any discussion and I don’t imagine we'd go down that path," McPhee said. "We'll be looking for younger players and people who will be with us three to four years from now."

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066338 Websites Hischier and Patrick would reasonably compare to other top five picks, and thus should still be viewed as extremely skilled prospects who will slot in near the top of most organizational depth charts. Sportsnet.ca / Projecting NHL rookie totals for Nolan Patrick and Nico Whichever of these two players is selected first overall will likely to be Hischier productive for many years to come and Philadelphia should be happy with whoever is left at No. 2. Stephen Burtch June 3, 2017, 5:36 PM Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 06.04.2017

The 2017 NHL Draft has been described as “lacklustre” or a “drop off” relative to recent years, which have featured obvious generational talents at the top – we can think of this as the McDavid-Eichel-Matthews effect. The top two candidates for the first overall pick this year are both highly regarded, but come with significant question marks. Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) is a prototypical, well- rounded centre with size who has a significant pedigree – but questions have arisen due to his not insignificant injury history and late birthday. Swiss wunderkind Nico Hischier of the star factory Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) and formerly SC Bern in the NLA (Switzerland) has steadily risen in the eyes of scouts throughout the 2016-17 season. His breakout showing at the IIHF World Junior Championship drew even more attention to what was one of the better CHL import rookie seasons in recent memory. Patrick has been tracked as the top prospect of the 2017 NHL Draft for a couple years. His father and uncle both played in the NHL and he was heavily scouted as the fourth overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. It is worth remembering that Patrick's Sept. 19 birthday means he missed being eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft by only four days - similar to how Auston Matthews missed the 2015 Draft cutoff by two days. The majority of his top-end peers in the WHL Draft were NHL draft eligible last year and four of them were first-round picks. If we compare Patrick's 2016 WHL results to those of his bantam draft peers we see he likely had the numbers to put himself in the running as a high-level first-rounder in last year's NHL draft. He significantly out- produced the likes of Benson, Steel, and Howden – all three of whom were late first-rounders. Unfortunately, injuries limited Patrick to only 33 games this season, and when he did play his point production was slightly lower compared to 2016 - though his goal scoring did tick up slightly from 0.58 per game to 0.60. The lack of games for Patrick and the solid season from Hischier allowed the gifted CHL rookie to enter the conversation for the first overall selection. Despite the fact his Mooseheads were in the midst of a rebuild, Hischier drove them offensively as a 17-year-old rookie import, finishing 10th in QMJHL scoring. What makes the debate around who goes first overall most interesting is that while neither Hischier nor Patrick seem to be generational talents, this seems to be one of the closer statistical comparisons in recent memory. Using a similar point projection model to what I have employed in the past to examine CHL-NHL translation for top tier prospects, we find Patrick is likely still the superior selection, but by a very small degree. Because of Patrick's injuries and lack of games played this past year, it makes some sense to try and incorporate the data we had from his 2015- 16 season to develop a clearer picture of his true ability. We can age adjust his production and then take the weighted average of the two seasons to obtain a hybrid projection based on his two prior years. We can then compare this projection to what we could expect out of Hischier and a similar cohort of top NHL draft picks selected from CHL teams in recent seasons: Arguably both Patrick and Hischier could directly make the jump to the NHL, but they would likely slot in as second or third line skaters who produce around half a point per game in relatively sheltered minutes. It is worth noting that the main reason Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin were projected to be more productive is due to their higher average time on ice. Obviously, if Patrick or Hischier are given more significant TOI by their NHL clubs as rookies, their projection will be significantly higher. Patrick’s closest comparable offensively at the junior level is Philadelphia Flyers centre , and for Hischier there is a striking similarity to Sam Bennett’s output. These comparisons also give us a more concrete sense of where these prospects should rank compared to those from recent draft years. Both 1066339 Websites

TSN.CA / Subban: Crosby said “my breath smelled bad”

By Frank Seravalli

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Before his faux “guarantee” for Game 3, P.K. Subban said he was going to be in Sidney Crosby’s face so much that “he’s not going to like it.” Turns out, Subban got a little too close for comfort, according to Crosby. Subban and Crosby jawed on their way off the ice after a rousing 5-1 victory for the Predators at a raucous Bridgestone Arena, with Subban relaying post-game that Crosby said the smell was not pleasant. “Usually when guys chirp after the game, it’s usually about your game or something personal, but he went on to tell me that my breath smelled bad,” Subban said. “I don’t know why, because I used Listerine before the game. “So I thought my breath smelled great.” Crosby and the Penguins’ frustration was apparent in the third period. Evgeni Malkin and Crosby have appeared in 142 Stanley Cup playoff games together, but Game 3 against the Predators was the first time ever that both were held without a single shot on goal. Predators coach Peter Laviolette couldn’t put his finger on why that happened - and didn’t put much emphasis on the fact that it did. “To be honest, tonight we probably gave up the most with regard to chances,” Laviolette said. “Tonight was just a good back-and-forth game. If they weren’t taking the shots, they were probably making somebody else take the shots. They don’t need to actually take it. They see the ice well, bring people toward them, make plays.” The Predators have outshot the Penguins by a 97-67 margin through the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final. Crosby, 29, has now failed to score in 12 consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances and has just one total goal in his last 19 Final games. “I thought they had some looks,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Malkin and Crosby. “They had some attempts. Those are important guys for us. We want them to get pucks on net because they have the ability to score. We haven’t had th success that we would like here in this early part of the series. We’ve certainly got to figure that out as a group. I believe we will.”

TSN.CA LOADED: 06.04.2017 1066340 Websites That allowed the Predators and their faithful to exhale, their full-throated chants of “He shoots! He scores! You suck! It’s all your fault!” soon raining down fast and furious on Murray. Those fans barely sat down TSN.CA / Smashville no longer NHL novelty, now on the board in Cup again the remainder of the contest, watching Neal, Craig Smith and Final Ekholm pour it on. The chants must have gotten to Murray. He allowed five or more goals for just the fourth time in his two-year NHL career - and the first time ever By Frank Seravalli in a Stanley Cup playoff game. The loss represented just the second of the spring for Murray (5-2).

Meanwhile, Rinne’s only blemish after a shaky first two outings was NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Upwards of 50,000 gold-clad fans packed neon- Guentzel’s goal in the opening minutes. He stopped 27 of 28 shots to drenched Lower Broadway outside Bridgestone Arena for a party the assuage the fears of Laviolette and all of Middle Tennessee. likes of which the NHL had never before seen. “These first couple games, beginning of the game, it’s been a battle,” Wall to wall fans lined the world famous establishments in Predators gear Rinne said. “I think at those moments, you just mentally try to erase your and overflowed onto rooftops just to catch a glimpse of the arrival of the mind, just focus on the next save, remind yourself that you’re still in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time ever in Music City, U.S.A. Final. Life is pretty good.” For a few hours, at least, the honky tonks became hockey tonks - the live Rinne called it a “great team win.” Ekholm and Smith were Nashville’s music played one decibel lower with all eyes focused on the Cup. 18th and 19th different goal scorers of the playoffs, leaving them two shy of a record set by the 1987 Philadelphia Flyers, led by Captain Dave Peter Laviolette said his coaching staff caught a shot of the swell of Poulin. support gathering on a sultry Saturday night in a moment of downtime before Game 3. On this night, the defending Stanley Cup champions looked beatable for the first time in a few weeks. Both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin “Pretty amazing,” Laviolette said. were held without a shot for the first time ever in 142 playoff games Even for a city with a raucous reputation, this Stanley Cup Final together. ratcheted it up to a whole new level. Some players said they had trouble Nashville has now outshot Pittsburgh by a 97-67 margin, but they finally navigating to the game. have something to show for it. “We were aware of how crazy it was outside,” James Neal said. “You can Nashville is on the board now, no longer just a novelty, or a non- feel the buzz.” traditional city proud to host. The Predators have officially arrived on Inside Bridgestone Arena, home to hockey’s most unique atmosphere, hockey’s biggest stage. the building was equally buzzed - but with a hint of nervous energy, too. “The hockey world is starting to see it here,” Neal said. “The atmosphere The first sweep in the Stanley Cup Final since the Detroit Red Wings last in the warmups and the building was unbelievable, right through the did it in 1998 - coincidentally, also the last team to repeat as champs - whole game. It’s a place we love to play and we’re proud to be a part of was still on the table. it.” So many questions lingered: How would Pekke Rinne respond after unravelling in Game 2? Would Rinne even start after Peter Laviolette’s TSN.CA LOADED: 06.04.2017 awkward avoidance of the question in press conferences? Could the Preds find a way to beat Matt Murray? Turns out, the party will rage on into Monday, at the very least. Nashvegas has itself a Stanley Cup Final now. The crowd never wavered after an early goal from Jake Guentzel and the Predators punched back against the Pittsburgh Penguins with five unanswered goals and steamrolled to a 5-1 victory to push their record on home ice to a near flawless 8-1 in these Stanley Cup playoffs. The Predators will have a chance to knot the best-of-seven series for Lord Stanley’s chalice at two games apiece in Game 4 on Monday night. “You know what, best atmosphere I’ve ever played in,” P.K. Subban said. “It was pretty spectacular. Anybody who paid the price of admission to watch the game, I’m sure it was money well spent for them.” Too often, the idea of home ice advantage is overrated - particularly during the Stanley Cup playoffs. But there was actually a tangible moment in Game 3 that the Predators said helped get them back on track. Guentzel scored his fourth goal of the series less than three minutes into Game 3, which at that point equaled the Predators’ entire team output. It could have gotten to Rinne, but at the first television timeout, the 17,283 on hand saluted him and the Predators with a standing ovation. “It just gave us that energy back,” Mattias Ekholm said. More than 15,000 fans stood and chanted Rinne’s name during warmups in a scene that was louder than many NHL buildings during a regular season affair. “I mean, that was unbelievable,” Rinne said. “Collectively we came to the locker room and everybody was kind of telling each other that we’ve never seen anything like that. It was pretty cool.” Frederick Gaudreau became the 11th different Predator to score the game-winning goal among Nashville’s 13 wins this postseason. “Freddy Hockey” blew the roof off the building when he scored 42 seconds after Roman Josi first got Nashville on the board. Rinne followed that up with a key save seconds later to keep Pittsburgh at bay. 1066341 Websites the one who said Crosby was playing too much around the perimeter when he struggled to a career-worst start to the 2014-15 season.

Phil Kessel said last week that Tocchet is his “favourite assistant coach TSN.CA / Easy to see why Pens’ Rick Tocchet on head coaching short of all time that I’m ever played for,” tall praise from a player that’s lived lists through seven different coaching regime changes in his decade in the NHL. Tocchet helped nurture 19-year-old Steven Stamkos to a 51-goal season. By Frank Seravalli “He just gets it,” Kessel told the Buffalo News. “He understands what it’s like to play the game, to be a player. He makes it fun. If he gets that opportunity, it would be unbelievable for him. I don’t want to see him go, NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The last thing Sidney Crosby did before heading right? Because he’s a great guy and a great coach.” back to the Penguins’ hotel on Saturday morning before Game 3 was chat with assistant coach Rick Tocchet in the bowels of Bridgestone Tocchet admitted coaching the NHL has changed, even since he was in Arena. Tampa Bay. He said coaching is a “partnership now your players.” Tocchet’s presence around Pittsburgh’s stars is a common thread. The “Ten or 15 years ago, you could tell a guy to do something and he was spotlight may be on head coach Mike Sullivan, but it’s apparent that scared, so he went and did it,” Tocchet said. “Now, you can’t scare Tocchet is one of the men that makes the defending Stanley Cup players in this league. The old days, what a coach said goes. You didn’t champions go behind the scenes. talk to your players. Communication is huge now. They want answers, they want to be accountable. There’s different ways to make them The more time you spend around the Penguins, it’s easy to see why accountable. Tocchet has been linked to the short list of head coaching candidates this summer. “You almost make them say it. You don’t have to tell them what they’re doing wrong. They can see it. That’s the secret to it.” Both the Sabres and Panthers have kept their vacancies through the Stanley Cup Final to wait for the opportunity to interview Predators Tocchet is one of only five players in NHL history to finish his career with assistant Phil Housley and Tocchet, who of course worked with new 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes, joining the likes of Brendan Buffalo GM Jason Botterill in Pittsburgh. Shanahan and others. He netted 440 goals and 2,972 PIM - and is the all-time leader in Gordie Howe hat tricks (18). “He’s an intense guy,” Crosby said. “He brings a lot of passion to the game. Just with him being a former player, with the game he [played], an Some may discount him for being a tough guy, or bring up his “character” offensive guy, a bit of an edge. He’s not that far removed from the game. because of a gambling scandal that earned him probation from NHL I think that’s something as players we can all relate to.” commissioner Gary Bettman for a season. That’s long in the past, before he even coached in Tampa Bay. Tocchet said Saturday he’s never had more fun coaching than his last two years with the Penguins, but admitted he’d like “another kick” at Tocchet has an easiness about him, an ability to get along with and being a head coach. His parts of two seasons in Tampa Bay from 2008- relate to every guy in the room, that can’t be quantified. He’s someone 10 were marred organizational dysfunction around him. that Crosby said he “show me something” in the Xs and Os department, but also give Kessel a shot of confidence at the same time. It’s time for a “If a situation arises, I’d love a shot at it,” Tocchet told TSN. “Listen, second chance. there’s a lot of great coaches out there. Every year, it seems, there’s a flavour of the year coach - whether it’s a guy in the minors or an assistant “He’s an invaluable part of our staff,” Sullivan said. “I think he’s one of the that’s winning. all-time warriors of the game … I think he’s a great student of the game. He has a good analytical eye … He has some great relationships with “I think I’m a good coach. I can work with anybody chemistry-wise. If it some of the players on our team. I think our players have a lot of respect works out, it works out. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’m lucky in the situation for him and what he brings to the table.” I’m in, this is the best job other than being a head coach, being with Mike and the Penguins.” Part of the story of these Stanley Cup Final head coaches has been TSN.CA LOADED: 06.04.2017 second (or third) chances. When Peter Laviolette was asked about what it meant to become just the fourth head coach ever to take three different teams to a Final, he laughed. “I think it just means I’ve been fired a lot,” Laviolette deadpanned. Sullivan went almost a full decade between coaching the Bruins and getting another shot with the Penguins last December. He still hasn’t lost a playoff series yet (7-0). During those nine years between head jobs, the only coach that Sullivan served under not named John Tortorella was actually Tocchet in Tampa Bay. Tocchet went 53-69-26 (.446) after replacing , who lasted just 16 games. “We became close in Tampa,” Tocchet said of Sullivan. “We had a tough time. It sucks when you don’t make the playoffs. It sucks when it’s a dysfunctional situation. The thing ‘Sully’ helped me with, every day he would say ‘Hey, listen, keep working, let’s work with the young guys.’ I learned a lot from the situation, but I also learned a lot from ‘Sully.’ He’s a really organized guy. Every day he pushed us to have a purpose. He just gave me a little confidence coming to the rink every day.” Tocchet was brought in by Penguins GM in 2014 - his first NHL job since being fired by the Lightning in 2010 - on a suggestion from owner Mario Lemieux, to work for Mike Johnston. It made for a seamless transition when Sullivan replaced Johnston a couple months in. “The thing with ‘Sully’ is he gives you full autonomy on a lot of stuff,” Tocchet said. “He’ll say ‘Go sit down with these three guys, or talk to that guy.’ He delegates, lets us do our work. He’s the boss, but he’s not a control freak.” That autonomy allowed Tocchet to develop a close relationship with a lot of the Penguins. He has a way with stars, treating them the same as he would rookie Jake Guentzel. He worked under Wayne Gretzky in Phoenix, calls Lemieux one of his closest friends in the game. He was 1066342 Websites Saros. Rinne had given up eight goals and posted a .778 save percentage in the first two games of the series.

He posted 27 saves in Game 3, including 13 in the second period when USA TODAY / Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final nearly perfect for Predators the Predators were building a 3-1 lead. and NHL “There has been no doubt in him at all,” Ekholm said. “But what a way to come back.” Kevin Allen , USA TODAY Sports 1:10 a.m. ET June 4, 2017 USA TODAY LOADED: 06.04.2017 NASHVILLE — Coaches will tell you that there is no such thing as a perfect team performance. But the Nashville Predators’ 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final may have come close to being a perfect win in terms of what it meant for the team, Nashville fans, goalie Pekka Rinne and the NHL. “It was electric here,” Predators forward Craig Smith said. This was the first Stanley Cup Final game ever played in Nashville, and even during warm-ups the lower bowl was packed with fans, all standing, all cheering and chanting with as much energy as you will ever witness at a sporting event. Rinne said when players came into the dressing room after warm-ups they were all telling each other that they had never seen anything like that. “And we were all aware how crazy it was outside,” Predators forward James Neal said. NHL officials have to be pleased with the outcome simply because it is very clear now that this could be a highly entertaining series featuring two energized fan bases. MORE: Predators claw back into Stanley Cup Final with Game 3 win over Penguins P.K. Subban on what Sidney Crosby said after Game 3: 'He told me my breath smelled' In Pittsburgh, Penguins shirts and signs are everywhere. In Nashville, the buzz about the Predators flows up Broadway. Talk of the Predators fills the honky-tonks. “This is giving our fans a chance to be recognized,” Rinne said. “They are on the big stage now. This is a good showcase for the City of Nashville." On the ice, the Predators played their most consistent, and best game of the series. Defenseman Mattas Ekholm said recently that when the Predators are playing smart and sharply they can beat anybody. The Predators proved his point in Game 3. “I think this is for sure saying, ‘We are here to play and we are not out of this by any means,' " Ekholm said. The Predators are now down 2-1 in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 4 in Nashville on Monday. They are now 8-1 at home in this postseason. “I thought the speed was there, the execution was there,” Ekholm said. “I really thought it was a 60-minute game. (Rinne) was unbelievable and every guy took his game to the next level and that is what we needed.” Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were both held without a shot in a playoff game for the first time in their history together. The Penguins were also 0-for-3 on the power play, leaving them 1-for-13 on the power play in the series. “My observation of coaching these guys, is when they have success on the power play, it helps their overall game, their five-on-five game,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It gives them confidence. They feel the puck. "We haven't had the (power play) success that we would like. We certainly have to figure that out as a group. I believe we will.” Nashville defenseman Roman Josi led the offensive attack with a goal and two assists. “He’s as consistent of a player as there is in the National Hockey League,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. But the most important player was Rinne. For the past 48 hours, fans and media have debated whether he should be replaced by rookie Juuse 1066343 Websites

USA TODAY / Predators claw back into Stanley Cup Final with Game 3 win over Penguins

Kevin Allen , USA TODAY Sports Published 11:05 p.m. ET June 3, 2017 | Updated 5 hours ago

NASHVILLE — Inspired by a loud, boisterous, festive crowd, the Nashville Predators slammed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 to cut the Penguins’ lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final. The Predators are now 8-1 at home in this postseason. Defenseman Roman Josi had a goal and two assists to lead the Predators, who were playing the first ever Stanley Cup Final game in Nashville. Here’s what matters from Game 3: Rinne is back: After 48 hours of fan and media debate about whether Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne would be replaced, Rinne responded with a strong performance. He made 27 saves, including 13 in the second period when the Predators scored three goals. The scoring: After the Penguins took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Jake Guentzel’s NHL-leading 13th playoff goal, Josi, Frederick Gaudreau and James Neal scored in the second period to give Nashville a 3-1 lead. Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm scored their first goals of this postseason for the Predators in the third period. Festive atmosphere: It was a madhouse inside and outside Bridgestone Arena. Fans filled the arena and streets around the arena. The NHL and NBC may have been the biggest winner in Game 3 because the series has the potential to be entertaining on and off the ice. Power outage: The Penguins went 0-for-3 on the power play and are now 1-for-13 in the series. Reality check: This was the most goals the Penguins have given up in a game since goalie Matt Murray came back in the lineup as a starter.

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USA TODAY / Nick Bonino out, Pekka Rinne in for Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

Kevin Allen , USA TODAY Sports 8:22 p.m. ET June 3, 2017

NASHVILLE — Pekka Rinne is the starting goalie for the National Predators in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is the first Stanley Cup Final game ever played in Nashville. Even though Rinne has been the Predators’ most important player in this postseason, there has been considerable debate about whether Nashville coach Peter Laviolette would replace him with backup Juuse Saros. The reason why it was an issue was that Rinne was pulled in Game 2, and owns a .778 save percentage in the first two games of the series. Laviolette could have defused the speculation, but it’s his policy not to discuss his starters and he refused to change that policy. It always seemed unlikely that Laviolette would change goalies because Saros is 23, and has only played 17 minutes over the past 59 days. Meanwhile, the Penguins are playing without center Nick Bonino, who has a foot injury injury he suffered in Game 2 when he blocked a shot from Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban. Speedy Carl Hagelin has been inserted at wing, and Carter Rowney will play at center. P.A. Parenteau and Harry Zolnierczyk are in for Nashville and Cody McLeod and Vernon Fiddler are out.

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USA TODAY / Stanley Cup: Nick Bonino is game-time decision for Penguins in Game 3

Kevin Allen , USA TODAY Sports 1:46 p.m. ET June 3, 2017

NASHVILLE – The playing status of Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Bonino, seen wearing a walking boot and using crutches Friday, will be a game-time decision for Saturday night's Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators. Bonino was injured in Game 2 when Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban’s shot struck him on the ankle. The extent of his injury has not be revealed. "He’s a character guy,” Penguins forward Carter Rowney said. “You can see that with the way he plays. He’s a two-way forward, and he means a lot to this team. He brings a lot to the table.” “It doesn’t matter what the lineup is, everyone feels pretty comfortable and confident in our team,” Rowney said. “Whether your role changes or not, I think everyone will be able to adjust and adapt.” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan wouldn’t offer any hints about what he expects to happen, but when asked about Hagelin he said: “He has tons of speed. He’s a real good penalty killer. He forces turnovers all over the ice because of his speed.” Hagelin recently returned from injury, and is still trying to restore the sharpness to his game.

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