Taylor Hall has finally made the playoffs. His reward? A date with the Tampa Bay Lightning and plenty of face time with star blue-liner Victor Hedman.After a regular-season performance that put him in the conversation for MVP honors - Hall notched 93 points in 76 games, including a 25-game streak - the Devils forward needs a similar showing in the playoffs to give New Jersey any hope against the heavily favored Lightning.And that's a tall task. This Tampa Bay squad waltzed through the regular season en route to a franchise-record 113 points, and there's no denying Hedman was a big contributor.When he wasn't putting a career-high 17 goals past the opposing goaltender, Hedman was making life easier for Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, regularly pushing in-close chances away from Tampa Bay's crease.With that in mind, can the smaller Hall do enough to get around the hulking Hedman to help the Devils' chances?New Jersey won all three matchups against the Lightning this season, and Hall picked up an assist in each contest. But he couldn't score a goal of his own, apparently losing the battle in the net-front area where both players excel.If Hall can't translate his regular-season success to the playoffs and Hedman thrives in this shutdown assignment, it could be a short series.The Hall versus Hedman showdown begins Thursday in Tampa Bay.(Charts courtesy: HockeyViz.com)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Apparently needing 40 stitches in your ear warrants a good amount of time to recover, as Boston Bruins forward Riley Nash will miss Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, the team announced Wednesday.Related: Bruins' Riley Nash needed more than 40 stitches after taking puck to earNash has been out of the lineup since taking an errant point shot in the ear from teammate Torey Krug on March 31 against the Florida Panthers, missing the final five games of the season.Prior to getting his ear split open, Nash was having a career year, registering 15 goals and 26 assists in 15:25 of ice time per night. His status for Game 2 is still unclear.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper says he plans to have captain Steven Stamkos in the lineup when his team hosts the New Jersey Devils for Game 1 of their playoff series Thursday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.Stamkos sat out the club's final three games of the regular season as he dealt with a lower-body injury suffered April 1 versus the Nashville Predators.The 28-year-old was listed as day to day as he recovered, but the Lightning managed to win two of three down the stretch to clinch the top spot in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference with 113 points.In 78 games, Stamkos recorded 86 points - his highest total since 2011-12.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With a quick glance at the matchups set to make up the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, few pop off the page like the impending tilt between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.The Pennsylvanian rivals routinely combine for high-octane, entertaining games throughout the regular season, and the last time they met in the playoffs - Round 1 in 2012 - it was anarchy. Philly jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, winning Games 2 and 3 with eight goals apiece, only to allow 10 in Game 4 before advancing two games later.Aside from the absurd rate in which both teams found the back of the net, three Penguins players received suspensions for extracurricular activities, then head coach Dan Bylsma was fined $10,000, and Claude Giroux was deemed ready to take over Sidney Crosby's spot as top player in the world. Ha.Six years later, it would be foolish to expect the same sort of goonery, but don't be surprised if the Pens and Flyers engage in another constantly entertaining, offense-friendly battle.It's no grand revelation, but the Penguins can put the puck in the net. Their arsenal of firepower has led to back-to-back Stanley Cups, and a tie for the third-most goals for this campaign (270). Evgeni Malkin led the charge with 98 points this season, besting teammates Phil Kessel (92) and Crosby (89), as they all finished in the league's top 10 in scoring. Throw a healthy Kris Letang in to the mix, and Pittsburgh is as dynamic as ever.But, the Flyers are one of few teams that present a group of superstars potentially capable of matching the Pens' relentless output.Philadelphia opted to try Giroux on the wing this season, and it paid immediate dividends, as the captain recorded a personal-best 102 points and should earn some consideration for the Hart. Sean Couturier (76 points), and Jakub Voracek (85) also had career years, while the top defensive pairing of Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere combined for 106 points.Both teams have the weapons to consistently light the lamp, and considering Pittsburgh's depth and goaltending advantage, it will be paramount for Philadelphia's stars to find ways to create offense.Outgunning Crosby & Co. is a tall task, but Philadelphia enters the postseason with one regulation loss in its last 10 games, with Giroux earning 19 points in those contests. That may instill some confidence in the Flyers' faithful, but the Penguins won all four regular-season games, pouring in five goals each time.So all things considered, how does each group of All-Star-caliber players stack up?Pittsburgh's biggest advantage is it can spread Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel on three different lines, and have them join forces for one hell of a power play. Philadelphia began the year with its big three together, but have since decided to spread the wealth, separating Voracek from Giroux and Couturier.Here's a look at the difference in numbers on the top line with and without Voracek, who was third in the league with 65 assists this season.Combo TOI CF% GF%Giroux-Couturier-Voracek371:3756.71%68.57%Giroux-Couturier-No Voracek714:4954.28%61.33%(All stats at 5-on-5 courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Regardless of the right winger, Couturier and Giroux manage to control both shots and goals for at even strength very well, but up head to head with Crosby's line, posting those numbers would be nothing short of extraordinary.Crosby, as usual, has gone through his fair share of wingers this season, but enters the playoffs on a line flanked by Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel. Here's a look at the numbers they've put forth, as well as Malkin and his linemates.Combo TOI CF% GF%Rust-Crosby-Guentzel268:5258.63%58.82%Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist294:2257.41%64.29%Both units have limited minutes together, but have heavily dictated play. That Pittsburgh can roll out a unit so dominant even with Crosby on the bench, may leave the Flyers in serious trouble.At even strength, the Penguins appear to hold the advantage, so what about the power play?Unfortunately for the Flyers, things aren't looking much better. Philadelphia's top unit is undoubtedly dangerous, with Giroux, Voracek, and Gostisbehere landing seventh, ninth, and 10th, respectively, in regular-season power-play points. Who else is on that list, though? That would be Kessel, Crosby, and Malkin, who ranked first, third, and fourth.To nobody's surprise, the Pens' power-play efficiency led the league at 26.2 percent. Ominously, the Flyers finished the season killing penalties at a woeful 75.8 percent clip, good for 29th in the NHL.Based on the excitement of the rivalry and abundance of superstars on both sides, this Penguins-Flyers rematch should easily be one of the most entertaining series of the opening round, it just appears Philadelphia will have to battle the misfortune of pulling one of a handful of teams that can match or overpower its offensive abilities.Still, these are the Stanley Cup Playoffs. An overtime hero can emerge from anywhere, and a goalie can single-handedly win or blow a series, so the door remains open. And based on the history of these teams, something bizarre is bound to occur. It may not be Jaromir Jagr in Flyers colors, or the teams combining for 45 goals in four games, but be ready to expect the unexpected.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?Hockey fans will get that answer when the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins begin their opening-round playoff series thanks to the matchup between Auston Matthews and Zdeno Chara.Due to injuries, the two stars laced up in just one game against each other this season, but in that Feb. 3 meeting, Chara went to work. Matthews was held pointless in a 4-1 loss, one of just a handful of games this season in which he failed to pick up a point.It's no secret that the Maple Leafs superstar is most dangerous in front of the opponent's net, and since the Arizona native is as skilled a playmaker as he is a goal-scorer, his creativity makes him even more difficult to defend.Shutting him down is a role Chara relishes, as the hulking greybeard can still neutralize oncoming attacks thanks to his intensity and tremendous reach.When the veteran defenseman is on the ice, it's especially difficult for opponents to get shots from Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask's doorstep.Still, it's not all bad news for Matthews; as strong as Chara's performance has been in front of the cage, his shot-suppression abilities dip below the league average further out between the dots. That leaves plenty of dangerous areas for the forward.Round 1 of Matthews versus Chara begins Thursday in Boston.(Charts courtesy: HockeyViz.com)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

How do you up the ante of playoff hockey? Put a little money on the line.With the Vegas Golden Knights set to host their first-ever playoff game Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings, the bookies have prepared a few prop bets prior to puck drop:Will either team score in the first 10 minutes of the game?Bet OddsYesEvenNo-120Will the game go to overtime?Bet OddsYes+280No-360Will James Neal score a goal?BetOddsYes+200No-250Will William Karlsson score a goal?Bet OddsYes+150No-180Will Jonathan Marchessault get a point?Bet OddsYes-170No+145Will Tomas Tatar get a point?Bet OddsYes+180No-220How many shots on goal for the Kings?Bet OddsOver 29.5-110Under 29.5-110How many shots on goal for the Golden Knights?Bet OddsOver 32.5-110Under 32.5-110(Odds courtesy: Westgate Las Vegas Superbook)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pierre Dorion has made a rather significant promise about Erik Karlsson's future.The Ottawa Senators general manager had the following exchange at a town hall meeting with season-ticket holders Tuesday night:

The Detroit Red Wings are preaching patience with their head coach after another disappointing season.Jeff Blashill will be back as Detroit's bench boss in 2018-19, general manager Ken Holland confirmed Tuesday.Blashill failed to guide the Red Wings to a playoff berth for the second straight campaign, but Holland expressed confidence in him."I think in Jeff's case, he's got three years of experience," Holland said. "Some of those ideas that he might have had when he became an NHL head coach, with the success that he had in the American Hockey League, the success he had in college, the success that he had in junior hockey, this is a totally different set of circumstances."The team played hard right to the end. We've been out of it for … unless we went on a massive, won seven or eight or nine in a row, we really just sort of stayed behind and then we lost nine in a row in March and the bottom fell out. But I thought even when we lost nine in a row, we lost a lot of games by a goal, we played hard."Holland added that he was happy with how Detroit's young core developed under Blashill this season."I thought that the young kids that have been brought up, they improved," the GM said. "He played them, they were important, they got minutes. I think the experience of three years in the National Hockey League, he's been a guy that had success along the way, there's a reason for him to continue to be the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings."Blashill has one season remaining on the contract he signed in June 2015. Holland was in the final year of his deal, but he signed a two-year extension Saturday.The Red Wings made the playoffs in Blashill's first season as their head coach, but they were eliminated in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.He will coach Team USA at the World Championship next month for the second straight year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins signed undrafted college free agent Karson Kuhlman to a two-year, $1.5-million NHL contract, the team announced Tuesday.The forward will join the AHL's Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout agreement for the rest of the season.It's been quite a week for Kuhlman, who captained the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs to the Frozen Four championship Saturday. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after recording four points, including a goal and an assist in the final against Notre Dame.In total, Kuhlman, 22, finished his senior year with 13 goals and seven assists in 44 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived, so it's time to dust off the crystal ball and make some predictions. Here's our outlook for how the West will play out:Nashville Predators (1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)The Avalanche pulled out all the stops to clinch the West's second wild-card seed, including a knockout victory over the St. Louis Blues in the final game of the regular season. Even more impressive is that the Avalanche did it with starter Semyon Varlamov and top defender Erik Johnson on the sidelines.But after completing their second-half surge, how much do the Avalanche have left to make some noise in the playoffs, particularly given the team must face off against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Predators?Nashville took all four regular-season contests against Colorado, with three coming in regulation. Expect a similar showing in the postseason, especially with the banged-up Avs forced to turn to backup netminder Jonathan Bernier.Prediction: Preds cruise to second round with sweep of AvsWinnipeg Jets (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (3)Bruce Boudreau's NHL coaching record is impressive, if you stop reading after Game 82. That's because for all the success the affable bench boss has had in the regular season, he hasn't translated those victories to when it matters.In eight full seasons behind an NHL bench, Boudreau's squads have always cracked the 100-point plateau, but he's failed to carry over that success to the playoffs, with just five series wins since 2008. That includes four opening-round wins and just a single year where his team has made the Conference Finals.It's not about to get any easier this spring, with the Wild set for date with the high-flying Jets. Winnipeg boasts plenty of offensive options, and Boudreau's inability to adjust to the opposition will contribute to Minnesota's demise.Prediction: Wild coach Boudreau still can't translate success to springVegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC1)It's been a year of rewriting the record books for the Golden Knights, and there's no reason to believe that will stop in the postseason.Already the first modern-era expansion team to win its division in its inaugural campaign, and the lone first-year club to reach 100 points in its first season, is the possibility of a playoff series win all that far-fetched?The Golden Knights will have their work cut out for them against the Kings, who've won two Stanley Cups since 2012 and who boast the fewest goals against this season. Still, the Knights bring their own strengths to the table, as only three teams found the back of the net more often than Vegas, while netminder Marc-Andre Fleury's .927 save percentage is amongst the league's best.Prediction: Knights set another expansion record with series winAnaheim Ducks (2) vs. San Jose Sharks (3)No opening-round matchup in the West will be as tightly contested as this battle of California foes, and a series peppered with frequent overtime will be a good indication of that.While the Sharks took three of four regular-season meetups, two of those games were decided in a shootout, as was Anaheim's lone win against San Jose. In all, on just one occasion was a winner decided in 60 minutes.Adding intrigue is that both sides enter the series with a host of key names in the injury ward, counting Cam Fowler and John Gibson for the Ducks, while Joe Thornton is still sidelined for the Sharks. Nor are there any assurances the latter two will be ready to return in time for Game 1.Prediction: Ducks need three OT wins to knock out Sharks in seven(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's playoff time, folks. To get you prepared, we break down each of the Western Conference's first-round series. (Advanced stats at five-on-five courtesy: Corsica)Predators 1C vs. Avalanche WC2PredatorsStat Avalanche53-18-11Record43-30-956Goal differential2051.52% (9th)5-on-5 Corsi %47.57% (27th)8.19% (9th)Shooting percentage8.21% (7th).935 (1st)Save percentage.932 (3rd)101.74 (3rd)PDO101.45 (6th)Filip Forsberg (64)Leading scorerNathan MacKinnon (97)The Avalanche were dreadful a season ago, but, to the surprise of just about everybody, have qualified for the playoffs in a year when nobody gave them a chance. Their reward? A matchup with the NHL's most complete team, which is looking to avenge last season's Stanley Cup disappointment. If the task wasn't already tall enough, the Avs will have to get by without starter Semyon Varlamov, who was ruled out for the season.Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 9:30 p.m. ET (See full schedule)Jets 2C vs. Wild 3C JetsStat Wild52-20-10Record45-26-1159Goal differential2151.5% (10th)5-on-5 Corsi %47.18% (29th)8.53% (5th)Shooting percentage8.19% (8th).925 (11th)Save percentage.927 (10th)101.07 (7th)PDO100.91 (8th)Blake Wheeler (91)Leading scorerEric Staal (76)The Jets concluded the season with the second-most points in the NHL (114), and have plans far beyond earning their first series win in franchise history. To do so, though, they'll need to take down a Wild squad that went 14-6-5 down the stretch. While they're missing their top blue-liner in Ryan Suter, the animosity between these Northern rivals should make for quite an entertaining series.Game 1: Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m. ET (See full schedule)Golden Knights 1P vs. Kings WC1Golden KnightsStat Kings51-24-7Record45-29-844Goal differential3650.96% (12th)5-on-5 Corsi %50.05% (16th)8.38 (6th)Shooting percentage7.8% (14th).921 (17th)Save percentage.930 (4th)100.57 (10th)PDO100.88 (9th)William Karlsson (78)Leading scorerAnze Kopitar (92)Even though it's been decided for weeks, the Golden Knights making the playoffs in their inaugural season is nothing short of astonishing. The atmosphere in Vegas should be rocking to get things started, but the NHL's 31st franchise has a tall order on its hands. Shutting down MVP candidate Anze Kopitar will be tough, but it could make the difference in what promises to be a fast-paced, intense series.Game 1: Wednesday, April 11, 10 p.m. ET (See full schedule)Ducks P2 vs. Sharks P3 DucksStatsSharks44-25-13Record45-27-1019Goal differential2350.8% (13th)5-on-5 Corsi %48.62% (22nd)8.16% (10th)Shooting percentage7.5% (20th).933 (2nd)Save percentage.916 (27th)101.51 (5th)PDO99.13 (24th)Rickard Rakell (69)Leading scorerBrent Burns (67)The start times are late, but this West Coast battle should be fought tooth and nail. Both the Ducks and Sharks match up quite evenly and know each other quite well, but health will be a big factor. San Jose is doubtful to have Joe Thornton in the lineup, while Anaheim starter John Gibson is banged up as well. Regardless of who's in and who's out, expect this one to be neck-and-neck.Game 1: Wednesday, April 11, 10:30 p.m. ET (See full schedule)(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's playoff time, folks. To get you prepared, we break down each of the Eastern Conference's first-round series below. (Advanced stats at 5-on-5 courtesy: Corsica)Lightning 1A vs. Devils WC2LightningStat Devils54-23-5Record44-29-960Goal differential1251.62% (7th)5-on-5 Corsi %48.63 (21st)9.35% (1st)Shooting percentage7.91% (11th).929 (5th)Save percentage.917 (25th)102.28 (1st)PDO99.64 (19th)Nikita Kucherov (100)Leading scorerTaylor Hall (93)From first overall pick to first playoff berth in six seasons, the surprising New Jersey Devils are set to take on the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning. The series features a pair of Hart Trophy candidates in Kucherov and Hall, but the X-factor should be Devils netminder Keith Kinkaid, who emerged as the starter down the stretch and played phenomenally, but will now be tasked with shutting down one of the league's most potent attacks.Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 7:00 p.m. ET (See full schedule)Bruins 2A vs. Maple Leafs 3ABruinsStat Maple Leafs50-20-12Record49-26-756Goal differential4553.8% (2nd)5-on-5 Corsi %49.86 (17th)7.82% (13th)Shooting percentage9.01% (3rd).923 (14th)Save percentage.928 (8th)100.16 (15th)PDO101.82 (2nd)Brad Marchand (85)Leading scorerMitch Marner (69)The cruelty of the playoff format pitted two of the top teams in the conference against each other in Round 1, but this one should be a doozy. The Maple Leafs won three of four contests versus Boston this season, and Marner led the way with nine points. However, the red-hot Bruins were merely one point away from capturing the East's top seed. Don't be shocked if this one goes the distance.Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 7:00 p.m. ET (See full schedule)Capitals 1M vs. Blue Jackets WC1CapitalsStat Blue Jackets49-26-7Record45-30-720Goal differential1247.9% (24th)5-on-5 Corsi %51.55% (8th)9.14 (2nd)Shooting percentage7.44 (21st).924 (13th)Save percentage.928 (7th)101.61 (4th)PDO100.28 (14th)Alex Ovechkin (87)Leading scorerArtemi Panarin (82)Metropolitan Division adversaries are poised to do battle in what should be an evenly contested matchup. The biggest questions for this series lie between the pipes, as Washington has elected to lean on backup Philipp Grubauer as its starter, while Sergei Bobrovsky's career postseason save percentage is a dreadful .887. Whoever wins out in goal is likely moving on.Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. ET (See full schedule)Penguins 2M vs. Flyers 3MPenguinsStat Flyers47-29-6Record42-26-1422Goal differential852.23% (5th)5-on-5 Corsi %49.79 (18th)7.29 (23rd)Shooting percentage7.88 (12th).910 (29th)Save percentage.924 (12th)98.33 (29th)PDO100.36 (13th)Evgeni Malkin (98)Leading scorerClaude Giroux (102)The defending champs begin their quest for a three-peat against their most bitter rivals, a spectacle that was can't-miss television last time they met in the playoffs in 2012. Pittsburgh holds a notable depth advantage, emphasized by the acquisition of Derick Brassard before the trade deadline. That said, five of the NHL's top 15 scorers are in this series, so buckle up.Game 1: Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 p.m. ET (See full schedule)(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In order for the Colorado Avalanche to have any sort of chance against the Nashville Predators in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nathan MacKinnon will have to be even better than he was in the regular season.That's no small task considering MacKinnon finished fifth in NHL scoring with 39 goals and 58 assists in 74 games, and his 1.31 point per game average trailed Connor McDavid's mark of 1.32 by the smallest of margins.Only a fraction of that production came against the Predators, however, as Colorado dropped all four meetings against Nashville while MacKinnon was held largely in check:

St. Louis Blues star forward Vladimir Tarasenko will undergo surgery on a dislocated shoulder Wednesday, and has an expected recovery timeline of four to six months, general manager Doug Armstrong announced.Tarasenko suffered the injury in Saturday's must-win game versus the Colorado Avalanche. He left the contest in the first period and head coach Mike Yeo classified the ailment as "significant."The Blues, of course, lost 5-2, ending their season and handing over the final wild-card seed in the Western Conference to the Avs.While still highly productive, Tarasenko saw a slight drop in his numbers in 2017-18, registering 66 points in 80 games after topping at least 70 in his three seasons prior.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Goaltender Philipp Grubauer will start over Braden Holtby for the Washington Capitals in their Game 1 matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday."I think that Grubi deserves the opportunity," head coach Barry Trotz said, according to NHL.com's Brian McNally.Grubauer was the superior goaltender this season, posting a .923 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average in 35 games. Holtby, meanwhile, regressed significantly, as he owned just a .907 save percentage and a 2.99 GAA in 54 contests."Braden was fantastic. An absolute pro," Trotz said when asked how Hotlby handled the news.Grubauer and Holtby were splitting time down the stretch, as Trotz would seemingly ride the hot goaltender. Still, it's surprising that Washington won't have its former Vezina and Jennings Trophy winner between the pipes to begin the postseason.It appears Trotz will use a similar strategy in the playoffs, as he said he'll decide on his starting netminder on a "game-by-game" basis, he told Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.Though it likely didn't factor into Trotz's decision, Holtby also regressed from his regular-season marks in the playoffs last year, as the Caps were ousted in the second round despite being a Stanley Cup favorite. His postseason resume prior to last season, however, was sensational.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Over the past 12 years, only three Eastern Conference teams have won the Stanley Cup: the Carolina Hurricanes (2006), Boston Bruins (2011), and Pittsburgh Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017).This year's crop of eight teams have varying degrees of potential, as do the matchups. Here, we rank the East's four first-round series based on entertainment value and competitiveness.1. Penguins vs. FlyersIt would be hard to find a hockey fan who wasn't hoping for another installment of the Battle of Pennsylvania, quite possibly the NHL's hottest and most entertaining rivalry.It's no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are far from friendly, and they finished only two points apart in the Metropolitan Division, setting up their first head-to-head playoff matchup since a wild encounter in 2012.This series features five of the league's top 15 regular-season scorers (Claude Giroux, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Sidney Crosby, and Jakub Voracek) and enough defensive question marks that all those stars may have a chance to shine.If we're lucky, this one goes the distance.2. Bruins vs. Maple LeafsThanks to the current playoff system, the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs enter this series as the fourth- and seventh-ranked teams in the NHL, respectively. But they'll meet in the first round, stirring up memories of the Bruins' epic Game 7 comeback in 2013.This isn't the same Toronto team that allowed Boston to walk out of TD Garden that night with a miraculous win; in fact, only five of those Maple Leafs remain on the roster, namely Jake Gardiner, Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, and Leo Komarov. They're now surrounded by an incredibly talented young core and other veterans eager to exorcise any lingering demons from five years ago.At the other end of the ice, the Bruins have their own unique and successful mix of veterans and youngsters, and they look as dangerous as the team that advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final after being taken to the brink in the first round that year.Bruins-Leafs isn't quite at the level of Penguins-Flyers on the rivalry spectrum, but it could get pretty close by the end of this series, and it could be as fun to watch as any matchup on the board.3. Capitals vs. Blue JacketsThe Capitals and Blue Jackets have both long sought credibility as contenders. Both teams were set aside by the Penguins last year - Columbus in the first round and Washington in the second - but have managed to avoid Pittsburgh in this spring's opening series (and perhaps, if the Flyers have anything to say about it, will dodge them completely).At any rate, neither club wants to exit the playoffs this early. For the Capitals, anything less than a trip to the Conference Finals will be another bitter disappointment, and the Blue Jackets won't easily accept losing yet another series - they've only won three playoff games in the franchise's existence despite some recent regular-season success.This series has "slobberknocker" written all over it.4. Lightning vs. DevilsThe disparity between Eastern Conference playoff teams is most pronounced here, as the Tampa Bay Lightning finished 16 points ahead of the New Jersey Devils.Sure, neither team made the playoffs a year ago, but the Lightning have had serious Cup aspirations for several seasons now, while the Devils' rebuild is perhaps a bit ahead of schedule.These aren't the old-regime Devils that earned a reputation for lacking entertainment value while collecting championships. Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall won't go down without a fight in his playoff debut, but the Lightning will try to strike early and often, considering the Devils but a stepping stone.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's unfair that only one award is given to NHL rookies each year, and that it lumps all three positions into one pool of candidates. What makes a good forward doesn't make a good defenseman, and goaltenders are in a category all their own. There's room for more nuanced discussion.Let's broaden our horizons and take a look at how the major NHL awards would be given out if only rookies were considered (statistics courtesy NHL.com and Corsica.hockey):Hart Trophy - Mathew Barzal, IslandersChoosing Barzal for the Hart, despite the fact that the Islanders are once again on the outside of the playoff picture, was easy when taking into account his laundry list of accomplishments. His 85 points led the Islanders, and he finished 20 points ahead of the next-highest-scoring rookie. Barzal's assist total alone (63) was good for fifth in the league, ahead of names like Sidney Crosby, Nikita Kucherov, and Steven Stamkos. He also recorded 20 multi-point games.Runners-up: Clayton Keller, Coyotes; Yanni Gourde, LightningVezina Trophy - Juuse Saros, PredatorsOn the surface, Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks like the obvious choice for the Vezina, as he leads rookie goaltenders in wins with 14. A deeper exploration of goaltending statistics, however, reveals that Saros put up a better performance overall. He started and played the same number of games as Jarry (23 and 26, respectively) but only had 11 wins. However, Saros faced more shots, with 810 to Jarry's 687, and both his save percentage (.925) and high-danger save percentage (.843) were higher.Runners-up: Jarry; Malcolm Subban, Golden KnightsNorris Trophy - Will Butcher, DevilsAfter winning the 2017 Hobey Baker Award, Butcher graduated directly to the NHL - and thrived. In addition to leading all rookie defensemen in points with 44, he averaged 1.89 points/60. He also found success on the power play, with 23 of his points (including three goals) coming on the man advantage. Butcher accomplished this production without being a defensive liability. When he's on the ice, the Devils aren't only better at producing high-danger shots, they're better at suppressing them.Don't be surprised to see him in an expanded role next season after averaging just over 16 minutes of somewhat sheltered ice time in 2017-18, often ranking last among Devils defensemen. The team will likely want to see if he can handle tougher minutes and improve his even-strength production.Runners-up: Mikhail Sergachev, Lightning; Charlie McAvoy, BruinsLady Byng Trophy - Alex DeBrincat, BlackhawksWhat's that? DeBrincat is too small to be successful at the NHL level? It turns out he was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing Blackhawks season. Despite plenty of debate last summer about whether he was NHL-ready, DeBrincat played in all 82 games with the Blackhawks, averaging 14:48. Add to that his 52 points, including a team-leading 28 goals, and only six penalty minutes, and DeBrincat was the clear-cut choice for the Lady Byng, combining high-caliber play with "gentlemanly conduct."This selection is particularly hilarious given his junior history, in which he racked up 73, 28, and 49 PIM, respectively, in three seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. And even in his low year, he accumulated another 25 PIM in five World Junior Championship games. This is a big step for DeBrincat. Congratulations, kid.Runners-up: Samuel Girard, Avalanche; ButcherFrank J. Selke Trophy - Mathew Barzal, IslandersThe Selke Trophy is perhaps the most difficult award to assess. While it is, by its own definition, designated for the best defensive forward in the league, over the years it has morphed into an award typically given to the best two-way forward. More often than not, that forward is a center. (The last winger to win the Selke was the Dallas Stars' Jere Lehtinen in 2002-03.) This evolution leaves what criteria best define a Selke winner a bit muddy. For the purposes of this article, we looked at rookie forwards who played all 82 games and considered their time on ice (TOI) per game, defensive statistics, and point production. After all, a two-way forward's performance should be measured by his effectiveness at both ends of the ice.Three forwards stood out: Barzal, Nico Hischier of the Devils, and Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Barzal's total TOI was the highest of the group at 1,456.78, with Hischier at 1,337.37 and Dubois at 1,364. Barzal’s goals against were the highest at 72 in all situations, but at five-on-five his GA drops to 50. Dubois' GA is only 39, but he also played almost 1,000 fewer minutes than Barzal. Barzal also faced just slightly better competition than Hischier or Dubois, with his CF% QOC at 50.1 compared to Hischier's 49.98 and Dubois' 49.8.Weighing everything together, the race still feels close, but Barzal's point production (85 points versus Hischier's 52 and Dubois' 48), in addition to his defensive play, gives him the edge.Runners-up: Hischier, DuboisJack Adams Award - Bob Boughner, PanthersWe can't end this discussion without looking at another group of rookies: the first-year head coaches. The candidate pool was small. This year, the only first-timers were Boughner, Phil Housley of the Buffalo Sabres, and Travis Green of the Vancouver Canucks. With two of these teams in lottery contention and the third having spent the last month of the season making an unsuccessful playoff push, the choice was clear. Despite losing two high-scoring forwards to the Golden Knights due to a dubious move by general manager Dale Tallon, the Panthers finished with 96 points for only the third time in team history.Runners-up: Housley, Sabres; Green, Canucks(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As NHL teams are officially eliminated from Stanley Cup contention, theScore NHL freelance writer Katie Brown looks back at the highs and lows of their seasons, along with the biggest questions ahead of 2018-19. The 13th edition focuses on the Dallas Stars.The GoodTyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and Alexander Radulov. Seguin hit 40 goals for the first time in his career, while his 78 points were second best on the team. Benn finished off the season on a high note with two hat tricks and seven points in three games, narrowly edging out Seguin for the team lead with 79 points. And when the Stars signed Radulov, some weren't sure how things would pan out. But it's safe to say he put any doubts to rest by setting career highs in goals (27) and points (72).Hitch’s milestone. Ken Hitchcock celebrated becoming the third-winningest coach of all time this season, passing Al Arbour and ultimately finishing the campaign with 823 career victories to date. He’s also the winningest coach in Stars history. Hitchcock was hired in April 2017 for his second stint with the team a few months after being fired as coach of the St. Louis Blues. He also got his start as an NHL head coach with the Stars back in 1996.Top-10 defense. The Stars boasted the sixth-best defense in the NHL with 222 goals allowed, no doubt a product of Hitchcock's defensively minded system. Within that system, defenseman John Klingberg has thrived and improved in all areas of the ice. His 67 points were fourth most on the team and he was in the Norris Trophy conversation up until the team's late losing streak.The BadThat late-season losing skid. Any playoff hopes were extinguished in late March during a disastrous 0-4-2 road trip. The Stars then dropped their next two at home, and though they finished the season 4-2-0, it was too little, too late.Injury trouble. Sidelined by an ankle injury for the majority of training camp, Martin Hanzal was later plagued by hand, back, and hip problems throughout the season and eventually had spinal fusion surgery in March. Marc Methot’s knee pain led to midseason surgery, and he spent the rest of his campaign playing catch-up while appearing in just 36 total contests. However, the one that hurt the Stars the most was probably goalie Ben Bishop's knee injury in March. Bishop sat out five games, got hurt again in his first game back, and then didn't play again for the rest of the season. Without Bishop, the Stars went 2-8-1 and any hopes of the playoffs were dashed.Deadline inactivity. General manager Jim Nill's decision to not make any moves at the trade deadline might have ended up fine if Hanzal hadn’t been shut down for the season soon after. The Stars were 29th in goal-scoring following the deadline, and probably could have used a boost to aid their playoff push.QuestionsWhat really needs to be fixed? This is not a team that's in need of a total rebuild. This season, it was less about the personnel and more about how those pieces worked together - sometimes very well and other times not well at all. Establishing an identity would go a long way for the Stars when the new season starts next fall.Adding a backup goaltender should also be on the list, since Kari Lehtonen’s contract is up this summer and it's unlikely he’ll be back. It also might be prudent to look for a backup who could shoulder a starter's load if Bishop has injury trouble again. Meanwhile, Nill might look to part ways with Jason Spezza through either a buyout or a trade and pick up a No. 2 center via free agency.What will Seguin’s next contract look like? Though Seguin's contract isn’t up until 2019-20, his next deal is a hot topic, as he's in a position to command a significant raise (think somewhere in the $10-million-per-year range). Right now, it seems Seguin is happy in Dallas and isn’t thinking of going anywhere else, but it certainly bears watching. The direction taken by the organization this summer might have an effect on his plans.Does Hitchcock stay? The Stars' defense improved dramatically and Seguin's two-way game grew leaps and bounds under Hitchcock. But the inability to find offense is what doomed the Stars down the stretch. There's a clause in Hitchcock's contract that would allow him to move into an advisor's position at his discretion. Is that something management would consider?(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The hockey community continues to demonstrate support for the town of Humboldt, Saskatchewan and the fallen members of the Broncos hockey club following last week's fatal bus crash.Several current and former NHL players have started to join in on a tribute to the team by putting hockey sticks outside their doors.

John Tavares is officially on the clock.With the regular season now a thing of the past, the 27-year-old New York Islanders franchise center can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and it's time for him to get serious about making a decision."I've got to take some time to see how things go over the next few days and few weeks and collect my thoughts and move on from there," Tavares said Monday, according to Brian Compton of NHL.com. "I think I've earned the right to take my time. I don't know if it will be a week, two weeks, a month, two months, I don't really know."Tavares added that he's still processing the way the Islanders' season played out, and noted that he hasn't considered who might make him an offer if things get to that point."You don't know how many opportunities you get to get to this point and possibly see what the landscape is," Tavares said. "I don't even necessarily know if that's really what I want to do yet. I've always stated how much I love it here. It's emotional either way. Great organization, great place to play. Obviously, I want it to work out here."If Tavares does hit the open market, he'll become one of the most prolific free agents in hockey history, having recorded 621 points in 669 games since the Islanders selected him first overall in 2009.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andrew Shaw's offseason will start in the operating room.The Montreal Canadiens forward is scheduled to undergo knee surgery on Tuesday. Shaw suffered the injury against the Dallas Stars on March 13, and did not dress for the team's final 12 regular-season games.Shaw re-aggravated a knee injury on the play - previously described as a lower-body injury - that kept him out of the lineup for 19 games.Shaw also suffered a concussion on the same play, and experienced concussion symptoms for the following three days. He has now been medically cleared.The veteran forward is expected to make a full recovery prior to next season's training camp.The Canadiens acquired Shaw from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bill Peters' summer vacation will have to wait.The Carolina Hurricanes bench boss will coach Team Canada at the upcoming World Championship in Denmark.St. Louis Blues coach Mike Yeo and Florida Panthers bench boss Bob Boughner, who will serve as associate and assistant coach, respectively, will join Peters' coaching staff.This year's tournament marks the third World Championship for Peters, and his second time as head coach. Peters guided Canada to a gold-medal finish in 2016.Peters, 53, has spent the past four seasons with the Hurricanes after a three-year stint as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings.The 2018 World Championship begins May 4.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter shared an emotional message on Twitter on Tuesday after learning that Adam Herold - one of the victim's of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash - looked up to him.

Marc Bergevin remains the right person for the job despite a disappointing season in Montreal.This according to Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, who will not be looking for a new general manager anytime soon."I'm very confident that with all the changes we have to make, I have the right person in place," Molson said Monday, the team announced. "Even if there will be changes, to have Marc in charge of turning the page is the right decision."Molson, evidently, is adamant about the need to make changes."We are extremely disappointed with our season," he said. "When things don't go well, it gives us the chance to evaluate everything we do. The status quo is unacceptable. We must bring back a winning culture which we did not see this season."If I can send one message to our fans, it would be that we will be better, both on the ice and off it. On the ice, changes will be required. Off the ice, we are going to improve our communication with fans at all levels."Montreal finished 28th in the overall standings, and Bergevin believes the one area that needs improvement is the team's attitude."If we had a different attitude on the team, we wouldn't have lost 40 games," he said. "We were never fighting for a playoff spot."Losing Shea Weber to injury was detrimental, Bergevin admitted, but not critical.

Jake Evans is ready to turn pro.The Notre Dame captain signed with the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, agreeing to a two-year, entry-level contract.Evans has spent the past four years with Notre Dame. In 40 games this season, he tallied 13 goals and 33 assists. The Toronto native captained Notre Dame to the championship game of this year's Frozen Four before falling to Minnesota Duluth.The Canadiens selected Evans in the seventh round of the 2014 draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bet on the Nashville Predators making good on their Stanley Cup potential this time around.Oddsmakers have made the defending Western Conference champions the favorites to win, with the Boston Bruins tabbed as the best to come out of the Eastern Conference.Rounding out the top five are the Vegas Golden Knights and the Winnipeg Jets, two franchises that have never won a single playoff game.TeamOddsNashville Predators15/4Boston Bruins11/2Tampa Bay Lightning6/1Vegas Golden Knights15/2Winnipeg Jets8/1Pittsburgh Penguins10/1Toronto Maple Leafs11/1Washington Capitals11/1Anaheim Ducks20/1Los Angeles Kings22/1San Jose Sharks25/1Philadelphia Flyers25/1Columbus Blue Jackets28/1Minnesota Wild30/1Colorado Avalanche33/1New Jersey Devils33/1(Odds courtesy: Bodog)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

USA Hockey is turning to a familiar face.The governing body has tabbed Detroit Red Wings bench boss Jeff Blashill to coach the American squad at the upcoming World Championship.Blashill brings a wealth of international experience to the U.S. bench. He led the Americans to a quarterfinal finish in last year's tournament, after finishing first in the Group A round robin with a 6-0-1 record.The Michigan native was also an an assistant coach during the 2009 World Junior Championship.Blashill has served as Red Wings head coach for the past three seasons.A handful of players have committed to this year's World Championship squad, including Chris Kreider, Casey Mittelstadt, and Patrick Kane, who will serve as captain.Related: World Championship commitment trackerThe World Championship begins in Denmark on May 4.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sean Monahan's offseason workout regimen has become much more difficult, as the Calgary Flames forward has undergone four different surgeries since being removed from the lineup near the end of March, Jermain Franklin of TSN reports.Monahan was pulled from the lineup following his last game on March 21 against the Anaheim Ducks to deal with nagging injuries, and went under the knife to repair injuries to both hips, his groin, and his wrist.Despite playing injured for a portion of the year, Monahan still suited up in 74 games for the Flames, registering a career-high 64 points (31 goals, 33 assists).Monahan should have plenty of time to recover, as Calgary missed the playoffs for the seventh time in the last nine seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Golf Channel - yes, Golf Channel - will air two NHL playoff games this spring.NBC Sports has the broadcasting rights to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the U.S., and it's decided to play two games on the sister channel.On April 18, Golf Channel will air Game 4 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils at 7:30 p.m. ET and Game 4 between the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks at 10:30 p.m. ET.It isn't uncommon for hockey and golf to cross paths, as many hockey players take up golf as an offseason sport. Still, this is a new one.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Expect a busy summer if you're a Carolina Hurricanes fan.New owner Tom Dundon wasn't shy when discussing what he wants to see out of the Canes at his end-of-season press conference, saying the team needs a major shake-up, and adding that "either the players have to be tougher or you bring in tougher players.""I don't want anyone to feel comfortable," he said, according to Michael Smith of the team's website. "Everyone has to do it different."While he didn't give specific names, Dundon clearly thought many of his team's players underachieved."Right now we have a lot of good assets," he said. "We didn't get enough out of any of those assets."The Hurricanes were many experts' hot pick to leap into the postseason this year, but they didn't come close, finishing 14 points out of a playoff spot.In many instances, the head coach takes the fall when a team fails to meet expectations, but Dundon says no decisions have been made on Bill Peters' future, per Michael Smith.The search for the heir apparent to Ron Francis is ongoing, but Don Waddell will handle interim GM duties in the meantime, Dundon said, according to Smith.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There is no denying it: the Ottawa Senators' 2017-18 season was a complete dumpster fire, as the team finished with an embarrassing 67 points only one season removed from coming within a goal of the Stanley Cup Final.However, all the losing isn't getting in the way of defenseman Erik Karlsson's desire to remain with the organization, as Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch reports that Karlsson still intends to sit down and discuss his future plans with Ottawa's front office."I'm going to deal with that as we move along this summer, but I'm still hopeful that the puck that I picked up is not going to be the one that's going to be the last," Karlsson said Monday during locker clean-out day.The puck Karlsson mentions is the much-discussed piece of vulcanized rubber he tucked into his pants after the Senators' last home game of the season.Karlsson is coming off his fifth consecutive campaign with at least 60 points, registering nine goals and 53 assists in 71 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Blackhawks forwards Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat will play for the United States at the World Championship, according to The Athletic's Scott Powers.Even though the Hawks had a down season, Kane was once again a stalwart, as he led the club with 76 points in 82 games. He brings a wealth of international experience to the table, and will serve as team captain for what will likely be a youthful American team.The 20-year-old DeBrincat led Chicago with 28 goals in his rookie season, and finished right behind Kane with 52 points.The tournament begins May 4 in Copenhagen and Herning, Denmark.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2017-18 regular season in the rearview, it's time for one final look at the major award races around the NHL. The previous edition was assembled prior to the playoff push in early March.Jack Adams Award - Gerard Gallant, Golden KnightsPrevious pick: Gerard GallantLeading a group of guys who have played together for years to the playoffs is enough of a challenge, let alone a group that was pieced together less than a year ago. That fact alone should earn Gallant the award.The Golden Knights didn't just squeak in, either, entering the postseason following a historic 109-point season as Pacific Division champs.No disrespect to Jared Bednar in Colorado, who has taken the Avalanche from the basement to meaningful springtime hockey, but Gallant is this year's clear-cut winner. Book it. - LivingstoneGM of the Year - George McPhee, Golden KnightsPrevious pick: David PoileWhile Predators general manager David Poile deserves credit for the moves he's made to build a powerhouse in Nashville, it's difficult not to give this prize to Golden Knights GM George McPhee.McPhee's built one of the NHL's best teams out of diamonds in the rough and players other GMs didn't want. William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, Nate Schmidt ... the list goes on. Perhaps more importantly, he hired the right man to steer the ship in Gallant. - WegmanVezina Trophy - Pekka Rinne, PredatorsPrevious pick: Andrei VasilevskiyWhile there's no denying the Nashville Predators have one of the deepest rosters in the league, Rinne's sensational season has been a major reason the Preds head into the playoffs as favorites to pose with the Cup come June.Rinne has been rock solid since the puck dropped on the 2017-18 campaign, finishing one win shy of matching his career high (42). The Finnish magician also finished in a tie for the most shutouts with eight and posted a sparkling .927 save percentage. - LivingstoneCalder Trophy - Mathew Barzal, IslandersPrevious pick: Mathew BarzalBarzal really ran away with this one. The Islanders' dynamic center collected 85 points - 20 more than the next rookie. Canucks phenom Brock Boeser could've given him a run for his money had he stayed healthy, but this year's Calder is a no-brainer. - WegmanNorris Trophy - Victor Hedman, LightningPrevious pick: Victor HedmanThe Norris Trophy doesn't always go to the best all-around defenseman, as stellar offensive campaigns have recently earned the hardware for guys like Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson. But Hedman really can do it all. Points, hits, blocked shots - he gets it done at both ends of the ice for the Lightning while logging a beastly amount of minutes per night (25:51).Hedman played an instrumental role in Tampa Bay clinching its first division title since 2004. And despite there being a handful of deserving rearguards, his ability to get the job done in his own end as well as offensively makes him our pick for the Norris. - LivingstoneSelke Trophy - Aleksander Barkov, PanthersPrevious pick: Patrice BergeronBarkov finished second among forwards in average time on ice, played against opponents' top lines and D pairings night in and night out, finished fifth in the league in takeaways, won 53.5 percent of his faceoffs, and even scored a league-high five shorthanded goals.Bergeron, who missed 18 games, and Anze Kopitar should again garner strong consideration, but Barkov is most deserving. - WegmanHart Trophy - Taylor Hall, DevilsPrevious pick: Nikita KucherovThe Hart Trophy is given to the player "judged most valuable to his team," and nobody epitomized that more than Taylor Hall. He had 41 more points than the next-closest Devils player as he carried them to the playoffs.Related - Hart Trophy Power Rankings: Many deserving candidates, but Hall stands outStrong arguments can be made for Nathan MacKinnon, Claude Giroux, and Kopitar, but Hall putting his team on his back down the stretch puts him a notch above everyone else. - Wegman (Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Since the NHL's current playoff format was implemented in 2013-14, fans have criticized the tendency for a conference's two best teams to square off in the second round rather than the conference final.As unfair as that can be, it makes it much easier to predict the final four teams, and that's what NHL playoff pools are all about.The goal isn't necessarily picking the best players, it's about choosing players from teams that will go the furthest. More games obviously result in more opportunities to collect goals and assists.This is easier said than done, however. Stacking your roster with players from the Lightning and Predators seems like the best way to build your team, but those players will go early and often (or be ridiculously expensive in auction formats).The best way to extract value is to stack your roster with players from a team that isn't expected to go deep into the playoffs. A wild-card team with a tough road matchup will be overlooked, but in a league with so much parity, any team is capable of getting hot at the right time and making a run to the Cup Final.In fact, in each season since the playoff reformatting, the Stanley Cup Final has had at least one team that was a three seed in their division or a wild-card team and started the first round of the playoffs on the road. Anyone who stacked their playoff pool teams with Predators players last year, or Sharks players the year prior, likely reaped the benefits, given neither team was expected to make it out of the first round.Using this strategy has its downsides, though. With a boom-or-bust philosophy, there's a chance one of the teams you bank on could lose in the first round. However, sprinkling in players from a variety of teams gives you a high floor, but virtually no shot at winning the whole thing - which is what it's all about.With that being said, here are a few under-the-radar teams that could help you win your playoff pool this year:Los Angeles KingsThe Kings will take on the Golden Knights in the first round. That seems like a daunting task, but it's a matchup they've fared well in this year, going 2-1-1 against the Knights, including back-to-back wins in late February.More importantly, the Kings have played their best hockey over the past month or so. Beginning with those back-to-back wins, they're 12-5-3 in their last 20 games, which has unsurprisingly coincided with the return of Jeff Carter, who missed nearly four months due to injury.The Kings are 17-5-4 with Carter in the lineup and 28-24-4 without.Players to target: Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Tyler Toffoli, Adrian Kempe, Tanner Pearson, Jake MuzzinAnaheim DucksThis should go without saying, but if you take any Kings players, don't take any Ducks players, as only one of them can make it through to the conference finals.Though the Ducks finished as the second seed in the Pacific, they've flown under the radar due to their injury problems. They're still not out of the woods, as Cam Fowler will likely miss the whole first round and John Gibson may not be ready for the series opener.However, their opponent, the Sharks, doesn't have a clean bill of health either, as Joe Thornton hasn't played since Jan. 23. Thornton isn't the player he once was, and the Sharks have managed without him, but in what will surely be a physical series, not having the big-bodied center is a massive loss.The Ducks enter the playoffs red-hot, having won five in a row, and are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games, while the Sharks stumbled to the finish line, going 1-5-2 in their last eight games.Players to target: Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell, Corey Perry, Jakob Silfverberg, Ondrej Kase, Ryan Kesler, Hampus Lindholm, Brandon MontourColumbus Blue JacketsChoosing a sleeper in the Eastern Conference is much more difficult than the West. Nonetheless, going through the Metropolitan Division will be a much easier road to the final four rather than going through the Atlantic Division, making the Blue Jackets an intriguing team to draft from.The Jackets are seemingly built for playoff hockey. They're big, physical, and excellent at five-on-five. This is key because, in the past, referees have called far fewer penalties in the playoffs compared to the regular season.Sergei Bobrovsky hasn't fared well against the Capitals in the past - or in the playoffs in general. He'll undoubtedly have to be Columbus' best player in order for it to come out on top. But if he gets hot, he can carry the team far.Players to target: Artemi Panarin, Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, Cam Atkinson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Josh AndersonWho should go No. 1?Focusing on one of the three teams above is smart, but it doesn't mean you should target their players right off the hop. They're sleepers for a reason.If you have the first overall pick, Nikita Kucherov is your safest bet. While the Lightning's second-round matchup will be tough, the Devils are the easiest first-round opponent any team will face.Here's how you should value the remainder of the top players. Remember, don't take multiple players coming out of the same divisional bracket. Pick one or maybe two teams per conference and load up on their best players.No.PlayerTeamDiv.1Nikita KucherovTBATL2Steven StamkosTBATL3Filip ForsbergNSHCEN4Evgeni MalkinPITMET5Sidney CrosbyPITMET6Blake WheelerWPGCEN7Patrik LaineWPGCEN8Mark ScheifeleWPGCEN9Phil KesselPITMET10Brad MarchandBOSATL11Auston MatthewsTORATL12Anze KopitarLAPAC13Alex OvechkinWSHMET14Brayden PointTBATL15Ryan GetzlafANAPAC16Patrice BergeronBOSATL17David PastrnakBOSATL18Victor HedmanTBATL19Nikolaj EhlersWPGCEN20Viktor ArvidssonNSHCEN21Rickard RakellANAPAC22Jeff CarterLAPAC23Drew DoughtyLAPAC24Evgeny KuznetsovWSHMET25P.K. SubbanNSHCEN26Ryan JohansenNSHCEN27Roman JosiNSHCEN28Mitch MarnerTORATL29William NylanderTORATL30Kyle ConnorWPGCEN(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars inked undrafted college free agent Tony Calderone to two-year, entry-level contract Monday, the team announced.The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout senior year at the University of Michigan, finishing first on the team with 25 goals, and second with 45 points in 40 games.As the team captain, Calderone was also instrumental in leading the Wolverines to the Frozen Four semifinal, where they were defeated by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo, and Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux were named the NHL's three stars of the week Monday.1st star - BennIt's a shame the Stars were already out of postseason contention, because Benn had a week for the ages. He recorded two hat tricks in three games - becoming the seventh player in Stars history to do so - and seven goals in total during the final week of the season.2nd star - LuongoLuongo's dazzling performance was also all for not, as the Panthers were eliminated from the playoff race. The veteran netminder went 3-0-0 with a 1.59 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in four appearances.3rd star - GirouxThough Giroux was the third star of the week, his performance was much more meaningful than the other two. He collected five goals and two assists in three games, including his first career hat trick in the Flyers' playoff-clinching game against the Rangers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After finishing at or near the bottom of the NHL standings in all three seasons since his trade to Buffalo, losing is starting to take its toll on Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly.O'Reilly was asked about yet another tough season while Buffalo players cleared out their lockers Monday, and was candid in his response. "It's disappointing, it's sad," he told Joe Yerdon of NHL.com."I feel throughout the year I've lost the love of the game multiple times. I need to get back to it; it's eaten myself up and you can see other guys, too. It's eaten myself up. It's tough."Buffalo managed only 25 wins this season, the lowest total since O'Reilly joined the team in 2015. Overall, the Sabres haven't qualified for the playoffs since 2011.However, missing the playoffs with Buffalo has at least given O'Reilly the opportunity to compete in the IIHF World Championship the last two seasons (he also participated in 2012, 2013, and 2015 while playing for the Colorado Avalanche). And he announced last week that he'll be making the trip to Denmark next month to represent Canada once again.The 27-year-old recorded 24 goals and 37 assists in 81 games this season for Buffalo.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Humboldt Broncos defenseman Ryan Straschnitzki suffered a broken back and is paralyzed from the chest down following the horrific bus crash that left 15 dead on Friday, but it hasn't stopped him from wanting to get back out on the ice."He keeps wanting to try and move his legs, of course, because he wants to go back skating," Ryan's father, Tom, told Sammy Hudes and Ryan Rumbolt of the Calgary Herald. "He just looked at me and his mother and he goes, 'Well, I'm gonna get onto the Olympic sledge hockey team.'"He’s an amazing kid, that boy."The 18-year-old Straschnitzki underwent a successful seven-hour surgery, in which rods and pins were placed in his back, and fluids were removed from his lungs where there had been bleeding.It would be easy for Straschnitzki to dwell on the fact that he'll likely never walk again, but instead, he's apparently keeping a positive outlook on life. It's one of the lone positive stories to come out of this tragedy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 14th and final regular-season installment of theScore's NHL Power Rankings was put together by hockey editors Josh Gold-Smith, Craig Hagerman, and Cory Wilkins.1. Nashville Predators (53-18-11) ▲Previously 4thThere's no beating around it - the Predators are the team to beat going into the postseason. They are the Presidents' Trophy winner and a reigning Stanley Cup finalist.They're also built to contend once again. Anything short of another Cup Final appearance is sure to be a disappointment. - Hagerman2. Winnipeg Jets (52-20-10)Previously 2ndThe Jets are entering the playoffs after going 9-1-0 in their last 10 games, including five straight victories. Their top six is arguably the best in the league and they're also relatively healthy, even without Dmitry Kulikov.If anyone in the West can give the Preds a scare, it's the Jets. - Hagerman3. Tampa Bay Lightning (54-23-5) ▼Previously 1stWith losses in five of their last eight games to close out the season, the Lightning aren't entering the playoffs with an overly hot hand. That being said, you can't discount their body of work all season.Specifically, they scored 19 more goals than the next closest team, and have the best goal differential in the league. - Hagerman4. Boston Bruins (50-20-12) ▼Previously 3rdFrom Jan. 1 on, only the Predators had a better record than the Bruins.The club has been dominant, and even in the face of numerous injuries, it always finds ways to win games. Now, with a healthy lineup, a lethal top line that's intact, and incredible resiliency that keeps them in every game, the Bruins could be the scariest team in the East. - Hagerman5. Vegas Golden Knights (51-24-7) ▲Previously 6thThis is the most successful expansion team in league history.The Golden Knights had a season to remember, and while they stumbled in the final week - especially in their 7-1 loss to Calgary - they've been mighty consistent, especially on home ice. - Hagerman6. Toronto Maple Leafs (49-26-7) ▼Previously 5thStatistically, the Maple Leafs had the best season in franchise history.Toronto set a club record for home wins and points in a single season, while Frederik Andersen established the team's single-season wins record among goalies. Heading into the playoffs, the power play is rolling and Auston Matthews has points in nine straight games since his return from injury. - Hagerman7. Washington Capitals (49-26-7) ▲ Previously 8thThe Capitals closed out the regular season with an impressive 8-2-0 record over their final 10 games.Meanwhile, Alexander Ovechkin finished just one shy of his eighth 50-goal campaign, and John Carlson had a career year by leading all defensemen with 68 points. However, those personal achievements will mean very little if the Capitals once again choke in the playoffs. - Hagerman8. Pittsburgh Penguins (47-29-6) ▲Previously 10thCan the Penguins three-peat?With the best power play in the league, three players with 89 or more points, and experience on their side, it's hard to bet against them. - Hagerman9. Anaheim Ducks (44-25-13) ▲Previously 14thAn incredible 8-1-1 record down the stretch helped the Ducks sneak into second place in the Pacific Division, giving them home-ice advantage in the first round.If you're betting on the hot hand coming into the postseason, keep an eye on this team. - Hagerman10. San Jose Sharks (45-27-10) ▼Previously 7thAfter making a surge in the previous edition of these rankings, the Sharks have fallen back back down to earth.The team has won just five of its last 10 games, and that slide cost it home ice in the first round. Meanwhile, with Joe Thornton not expected to return for the start of the playoffs, the club will have to continue playing without arguably its most experienced leader. - Hagerman11. Los Angeles Kings (45-29-8) ▲Previously 17thThe Kings finished the regular season by going 4-1-1, and while they didn't secure one of the Pacific Division's top three playoff spots, they have the edge in terms of postseason experience over the Golden Knights in Round 1. - Gold-Smith12. Minnesota Wild (45-26-11) ▼Previously 9thThe Wild wrapped up their slate with a less-than-ideal mini-road swing in California, falling to the Ducks and Kings on back-to-back nights before doubling up the Sharks on Saturday. They'll face the white-hot Jets in the opening round of the playoffs, and they won't be favored. - Gold-Smith13. Columbus Blue Jackets (45-30-7)Previously 13thThe Blue Jackets went five straight games without losing in regulation until the Predators beat them 4-2 on Saturday night, but Columbus' top-10 defense will now be put to the test by the Capitals' top-10 offense. - Gold-Smith14. New Jersey Devils (44-29-9) ▲Previously 16thNew Jersey won seven of its last 10 down the stretch and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since its Stanley Cup Final run in 2012. Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, and Co. have the Devils headed in the right direction, regardless of how their first-round series goes. - Gold-Smith15. Philadelphia Flyers (42-26-14)Previously 15thThe Flyers ride into the postseason on a high, having won four of their last five and two straight - including a blowout, playoff-berth-clinching win over the New York Rangers. That sends them into a highly anticipated intrastate series against the rival Penguins with some momentum. - Gold-Smith16. Colorado Avalanche (43-30-9) ▼Previously 11thThe Avalanche punctuated their remarkable turnaround with a win over the Blues on Saturday night that knocked St. Louis out and gave Colorado a playoff spot, a year after the team finished with the worst record of the salary-cap era. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are really fun to watch, and they could give the Predators a headache or two. - Gold-Smith17. Florida Panthers (44-30-8) ▲Previously 18thThe Panthers reeled off five straight victories to close their season and prevented the Bruins from clinching the Atlantic Division title in the finale Sunday. That's little consolation for a club that will be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin Wednesday night. - Gold-Smith18. St. Louis Blues (44-32-6) ▼Previously 12thAll the Blues had to do to make the playoffs was earn a point against the Avalanche on Saturday night, so that loss is going to sting for a while. St. Louis deserves credit for getting back in the race after a pre-deadline tailspin forced the Paul Stastny trade, but it doesn't much matter now. - Gold-Smith19. Dallas Stars (42-32-8)Previously 19thAn eight-game losing skid in March stuck a fork in the Stars, who had high hopes for the season with the additions of Alexander Radulov and Ben Bishop, among others. John Klingberg took a significant step forward, but the team as a whole still has plenty of room for growth. - Gold-Smith20. Carolina Hurricanes (36-25-11) ▲Previously 21stDefeating the Lightning in overtime Saturday night was a nice way to end another discouraging campaign in Carolina, but the Hurricanes missed the playoffs yet again and won only two of their final seven contests. - Gold-Smith21. Calgary Flames (37-35-10) ▼Previously 20thA disappointing season is made even worse when you consider the Flames moved an eventual lottery pick for defenseman Travis Hamonic. A second straight underwhelming year could also be bad news for head coach Glen Gulutzan. - Wilkins22. New York Islanders (35-27-10) ▲Previously 25thThe only thing that matters in Brooklyn right now is the immediate future of John Tavares. The Islanders' captain will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and a departure would be devastating for the franchise. - Wilkins23. Edmonton Oilers (36-40-6) ▼Previously 22ndImagine having Connor McDavid in your lineup and still missing the playoffs by nearly 20 points. The big concern in the Alberta capital is wondering whether last year's playoff team was a fluke and if this season's edition is closer to reality. - Wilkins24. Chicago Blackhawks (33-39-10)Previously 24thThe Blackhawks' days of chasing Cups are over, but the usual duo will be tasked with bringing the team back to contention; general manager Stan Bowman and head coach Joel Quenneville will both return next season. - Wilkins25. Vancouver Canucks (31-40-11) ▲Previously 30thThe Sedins are done, but the next wave is on the way in Vancouver, with Brock Boeser, who scored 29 goals as a rookie, Swedish recruit Elias Pettersson, and 2018 Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Gaudette in the fold. Lottery luck could also see the Canucks add to their budding prospect pool. - Wilkins26. New York Rangers (34-39-9) ▼Previously 23rdThe shake-up continued in Manhattan on Saturday with the dismissal of coach Alain Vigneault, whose exit followed the deadline departures of franchise mainstays Ryan McDonagh, Rick Nash, and J.T. Miller. Next up: Will the Rangers' rebuild successfully avoid the temptations of free agency this offseason? - Wilkins27. Arizona Coyotes (29-41-12) ▲Previously 28thAfter posting a winning record once the calendar flipped to 2018, brighter days are ahead in the desert. Look for another busy offseason, as GM John Chayka has hinted that significant moves are to come. - Wilkins28. Detroit Red Wings (30-39-13) ▼Previously 26If it wasn't evident already, the rebuild is on in Hockeytown, with the Red Wings deciding that GM Ken Holland is the right man to steer the franchise through that process. Obtaining three picks for Tomas Tatar at the trade deadline made for a strong start. - Wilkins29. Montreal Canadiens (29-40-13) ▼Previously 27thThis Canadiens' offseason plan looks a lot like last summer's agenda - upgrade up the middle. The experiment of Jonathan Drouin as a center failed, which means the addition of a top pivot must be the main priority for returning GM Marc Bergevin. - Wilkins30. Ottawa Senators (28-43-11) ▼Previously 29thPutting protections on the first-rounder involved in the Matt Duchene deal proved to be a wise move by GM Pierre Dorion, as the Senators hold the second-best odds entering the draft lottery. Ottawa can defer its 2019 first-round pick to the Avalanche. - Wilkins31. Buffalo Sabres (25-45-12)Previously 31stThere's Jack Eichel, and there's more hope on the way in former first-rounders Alex Nylander and Casey Mittelstadt. Still, the Sabres' lack of depth was exposed this season. A full year at the helm for Jason Botterill should give the rookie GM plenty of ideas on where his squad needs help. - Wilkins(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jonathan Quick has been rewarded for his efforts.The Los Angeles Kings netminder is the recipient of the William M. Jennings Trophy for the 2017-18 season, awarded to the goaltender whose team allows the fewest goals against.In 64 appearances this season, Quick posted a 33-28-3 record, allowing just 147 goals. He finishes the regular season with a .921 save percentage and 2.40 GAA. The Kings allowed just 203 goals across 82 games.Quick is a two-time winner of the Jennings Trophy, as he also took home the award in 2013-14.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Humboldt Broncos, the community, and the nation grieved as one Sunday night as hundreds gathered in Humboldt, Saskatchewan to mourn those killed and injured in Friday's tragic bus crash.In a vigil at the Broncos' arena, team president Kevin Garinger struggled to hold back tears as he read aloud the names of the victims.The vigil was organized by the provincial government and local faith leaders, according to CBC News' Guy Quenneville.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance.Of the 29 people on board the Broncos' bus Friday night, 15 died. One injured player has been released from hospital.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins fell in defeat Sunday, meaning the Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched the Atlantic Division. As a result, the eight series to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs are now set in stone:Eastern ConferenceAtlantic DivisionTampa Bay Lightning (A1) vs. New Jersey Devils (WC2)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 127 p.m.LightningNHL Network / SN / TVA Sports2Saturday April 143 p.m.LightningNBC / CNBC / SN360 / TVA Sports3Monday April 167:30 p.m.DevilsCNBC / SN / TVA Sports4Wednesday April 187:30 p.m.DevilsGOLF / SN / TVA Sports*5Saturday April 21TBDLightningTBD*6Monday April 23TBDDevilsTBD*7Wednesday April 25TBDLightningTBDBoston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 127 p.m.BruinsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports2Saturday April 148 p.m.BruinsNBC / CBC / TVA Sports3Monday April 167 p.m.Maple LeafsCBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN4Thursday April 197 p.m.Maple LeafsCBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN*5Saturday April 21TBDBruinsTBD*6Monday April 23TBDMaple LeafsTBD*7Wednesday April 25TBDBruinsTBDMetropolitan DivisionWashington Capitals (M1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC1)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 127:30 p.m.CapitalsUSA / SN360 / TVA Sports2Sunday April 157:30 p.m.CapitalsNBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports3Tuesday April 177:30 p.m.Blue JacketsNBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports4Thursday April 197:30 p.m.Blue JacketsUSA / SN / TVA Sports*5Saturday April 21TBDCapitalsTBD*6Monday April 23TBDBlue JacketsTBD*7Wednesday April 25TBDCapitalsTBDPittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 117 p.m.PenguinsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports2Friday April 137 p.m.PenguinsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports3Sunday April 153 p.m.FlyersNBC / CBC / TVA Sports4Wednesday April 187 p.m.FlyersNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports*5Friday April 20TBDPenguinsTBD*6Sunday April 22TBDFlyersTBD*7Tuesday April 24TBDPenguinsTBDWestern ConferenceCentral DivisionNashville Predators (C1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 129:30 p.m.PredatorsNBCSN / SN / TVA Sports2Saturday April 143 p.m.PredatorsNBC / CNBC / SN / TVA Sports3Monday April 1610 p.m.AvalancheNBCSN / SN / TVA Sports4Wednesday April 1810 p.m.AvalancheNBCSN / SN / TVA Sports*5Friday April 20TBDPredatorsTBD*6Sunday April 22TBDAvalancheTBD*7Tuesday April 24TBDPredatorsTBDWinnipeg Jets (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 117 p.m.JetsSN / TVA Sports / CNBC2Friday April 137:30 p.m.JetsSN / TVA Sports / USA3Sunday April 157 p.m.WildUSA / SN / TVA Sports4Tuesday April 178 p.m.WildCNBC / SN / TVA Sports*5Friday April 20TBDJetsTBD*6Sunday April 22TBDWildTBD*7Wednesday April 25TBDJetsTBDPacific DivisionVegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC1)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 1110 p.m.KnightsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports2Friday April 1310 p.m.KnightsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports3Sunday April 1510:30 p.m.KingsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports4Tuesday April 1710:30 p.m.KingsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports*5Thursday April 1910 p.m.KnightsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports*6Saturday April 21TBDKingsTBD*7Monday April 23TBDKnightsTBDAnaheim Ducks (P2) vs. San Jose Sharks (P3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 1210:30 p.m.DucksUSA / SN360 / TVA Sports2Saturday April 1410:30 p.m.DucksNBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports3Monday April 1610:30 p.m.SharksCNBC / SN1 / TVA Sports4Wednesday April 1810:30 p.m.SharksGOLF / SN1 / TVA Sports*5Friday April 20TBDDucksTBD*6Sunday April 22TBDSharksTBD*7Tuesday April 24TBDDucksTBD*If necessary

It was a disappointing season for the Edmonton Oilers, but no one can blame Connor McDavid.The 21-year-old superstar captured his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top point producer, racking up 108 while playing all 82 games.Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux came closest to dethroning him, notching 102 points, and Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov finished third with 100 in 80 contests.McDavid captured his first Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP with a 100-point campaign in 2016-17.He has 256 points in 209 games over his first three NHL seasons, the first of which was reduced to 45 games due to injury.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Clear some space in Alex Ovechkin's trophy case.The Washington Capitals captain capped the 2017-18 campaign by winning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal-scorer on the back of a 49-goal season.This marks the seventh time Ovechkin has won the award, and the fifth time in the past six seasons. He first earned the honor in 2007-08.Ovechkin's 49 goals represent the lowest output he's needed to win the trophy save for the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, when he netted 32 goals in 48 games.His most memorable goal this season was likely his 600th career tally, as Ovechkin became just the 20th NHL player to ever reach that plateau and the fourth-fastest to get there.The NHL introduced the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in the 1998-99 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins fell to the Florida Panthers 4-2 in the regular-season finale on Sunday night, setting up a first-round playoff series between the Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.The Tampa Bay Lightning clinched top spot in the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division title as a result, and they will face the New Jersey Devils in the opening round.The Bruins will have home-ice advantage against the Leafs, while the Lightning host the Devils in Game 1. Both series start on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

James Reimer was unable to finish the Florida Panthers' final game of the regular season against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night, exiting with an apparent injury with eight minutes remaining in the third period.Roberto Luongo came on in relief with the Panthers leading 3-2, in a game that would determine the Bruins' first-round playoff matchup.Reimer went down late in a penalty kill while the Bruins were on a four-minute man advantage. He stayed in the game and play resumed, but then left at a subsequent stoppage.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Less than 48 hours after launching a GoFundMe page, the crowdsourcing initiative has raised more than $4 million for the families of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus accident.The accident occurred Friday when a tractor trailer struck the team bus, killing 15. The team was en route to a road playoff game at the time of the accident.Related: Humboldt player released from hospitalMore than 61,000 have donated, including several NHL organizations and players.Donations can be made here.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One member of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been released from hospital, team president Kevin Garinger confirmed Sunday, per Ryan McKenna of The Canadian Press.The player, who was not named, is the first person involved in Friday's tragic bus crash to be discharged.Fifteen of the 29 people on board have died, and 13 remain in hospital.A vigil to mourn the victims will be held at Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, on Sunday night at 9 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor McDavid isn't quite ready for the offseason.The Edmonton Oilers captain has been added to the Canadian roster for the upcoming World Championship in Denmark."Going to World Championships is not where you want to be playing in May," McDavid told Oilers beat reporter Paul Gazzola. "But ultimately, it's so special to represent your country."It marks the second World Championship for McDavid, who was a part of Canada's gold medal-winning squad in 2016.McDavid will be joined by Oilers teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who had a fifth-place finish at the World Championship in 2012.The tournament begins May 4.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan and Calgary Flames bench boss Glen Gulutzan traveled to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to meet with the families of those impacted by the tragic bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team.Both men are natives of Saskatchewan and brought gifts for their visit with survivors of the crash.