While he might be done playing hockey, John Scott hasn't stopped throwing jabs.The former heavyweight forward appeared on the recent ESPN "E:60" profile of Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, in which Scott spoke rather ill of the former Norris Trophy winner."I don't like him. I think on the ice, he's a piece of garbage," Scott said, according to Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski. "Perceived as like a hot shot, (that) this guy thinks he's better than everybody."The words are rather eye-opening and appeared to come out of nowhere, considering the two are not known for any on-ice animosity toward each other.The profile also covered Subban's upbringing, his career highlights, and some of the challenges he's dealt with regarding racism.As for Scott's comments, Subban is about to begin playing for the Stanley Cup, so chances are he has better things to worry about right now.Several clips from the profile can be viewed here. Meanwhile, the entire profile can be re-watched in it's entirety Sunday on ESPNEWS at 9 p.m. ET, while those in Canada can catch it Tuesday on TSN 2 at 10 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher should be good to go when Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final kicks off on Monday.Head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters on Sunday that he expects all players present on the team's current trip to be available for Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which would include Fisher and his fellow injured forward Craig Smith, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika.Fisher has been out of the Predators' lineup for the past two games with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Smith has not dressed since Game 6 of Nashville's second-round series against the St. Louis Blues while dealing with a lower-body injury, and has played in just four games during the playoffs.While the two would be welcome additions to the Preds' lineup, they have combined for just one assist in 18 games during the playoffs.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A little more offense from Jake Guentzel could go a long way for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the final round.The rookie has enjoyed a stellar first playoffs this spring, for the most part, sharing the league lead with nine goals and ranking fourth on his team with 16 points.However, despite his strong stats, Guentzel's production took a dip during the Eastern Conference Final as the Ottawa Senators limited the 22-year-old to just two assists in seven games.In fact, Guentzel hasn't found the back of the net since Game 6 against the Washington Capitals, having tallied just three assists over his last eight games.Amid the slump, head coach Mike Sullivan insisted Guentzel is contributing in other ways."I think Jake’s game has been really good. He didn’t score in that series, but I think there’s more to his game than just that," Sullivan said Sunday after practice. "He’s played some heavy minutes for us since he’s joined our team, in particular, in this playoff race.

As the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators prepare for the Stanley Cup Final, 28 other teams are putting their offseason plans into place.That means buyouts and an opportunity to restructure by ridding of mistakes from summers past. The window opens 48 hours after the conclusion of the playoffs and runs until the end of June.For the not-so-low cost of two thirds of a player's remaining salary spread over twice the term left on his contract, a team can clear the deck of its unwanted. Here are five players who could face that reality this offseason:Dan GirardiThe New York Rangers blue-liner would be the most expensive buyout of the bunch, as his deal runs for another three seasons and carries $13 million in owed salary, including $3 million in signing bonuses.For a team that seeks a puck-moving defenseman unlike Girardi on its right side, clearing out the 33-year-old would alleviate the dollars to add that piece. New York could be in the mix for Kevin Shattenkirk this summer, should he reach free agency, or the team could re-sign Brendan Smith, acquired from the Detroit Red Wings at this year's trade deadline.The Rangers are no stranger to buyouts, having previously used one-time compliance buyouts on former defenseman Wade Redden and center Brad Richards, who were paid to go away in 2013 and 2014, respectively.The buyout:Season Salary Cap Hit Buyout Buyout Cap Hit2017-18$4M$5.5M$1.11M$2.61M2018-19$3M$5.5M$1.11M$3.61M2019-20$3M$5.5M$1.11M$3.61M2020-21$0$0$1.11M$1.11M2021-22$0$0$1.11M$1.11M2022-23$0$0$1.11M$1.11MScott HartnellEvidence of Hartnell's time with the Columbus Blue Jackets running thin was seen in the postseason, when the veteran winger was scratched for Game 4 against the Penguins, and as he was held off the scoresheet in the four games he was in the lineup.While he finished 2017-18 with just 37 points in 78 games - his lowest full-season finish in more than a decade - the 35-year-old Hartnell can still be a valuable addition for most clubs. What complicates his future in Columbus is the coming expansion draft, when the Vegas Golden Knights will pry a player from each of the 30 teams.As Hartnell holds a no-movement clause, the rules state he must be protected, unless approached by the Blue Jackets to waive that right. Doing so would allow Columbus to protect another young player up front, like William Karlsson or Boone Jenner. But as there is no guarantee Hartnell would agree to that maneuver, and potentially risk being claimed by an expansion team, the best bet for the Blue Jackets could be to buy out the remaining two years of Hartnell's $4.75 million-a-year contract.The buyout:Season Salary Cap Hit Buyout Buyout Cap Hit2017-18$4.5M$4.75M$1.25M$1.5M2018-19$3M$4.75M$1.25M$3M2019-20$0$0$1.25M$1.25M2020-21$0$0$1.25M$1.25MJaroslav HalakThe math doesn't work. After losing the New York Islanders' top job last season to Thomas Greiss - who recently signed a three-year extension with the club - there is surely an unwillingness to pay big dollars for Halak to sit on the bench. Or as he did this season, star in the minors in Bridgeport.While the 32-year-old Halak has fallen out of favor in Brooklyn, he put together a late showing as the team's top performer following his recall from the minors in late March, in which he went 6-1 in seven games and allowed just 11 goals in the process. It was nearly enough to push New York into the postseason, only to miss by a single point. Couple that performance with how Halak fared with Team Europe at last summer's World Cup and he should have some suitors calling this offseason.Moving on from Halak would also open a full-time backup gig for Jean-Francois Berube, who the organization has thought highly of over the past two seasons but has been unable to provide him with proper playing time. A pending unrestricted free agent, Berube needs a new contract to stick around with the Islanders.The buyout:Season Salary Cap Hit Buyout Buyout Cap Hit2017-18$5M$4.5M$1.67M$1.17M2018-19$0$0$1.67M$1.67MAntti NiemiIf the writing was not on the wall following a disastrous season, the picture became clearer when the Dallas Stars brought in Ben Bishop.Now with three big-ticket goalies under contract in Bishop, Niemi, and Kari Lehtonen, the odds are the Stars will clear away their three-headed monster in the crease by sending a buyout to Niemi. That move comes at a cheaper rate than dumping Lehtonen - which isn't saying much about how his season fared. Together, the two combined for an NHL-worst .893 save percentage.Niemi, 33, has just one year remaining on his contract, so a buyout would come with a reasonable penalty that came off the books following the 2018-19 campaign.The buyout:Season Salary Cap Hit Buyout Buyout Cap Hit2017-18$4.5M$4.5M$1.5M$1.5M2018-19$0$0$1.5M$1.5MKevin BieksaAnaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle is a big fan of Bieksa. The problem is the 35-year-old is caught in a numbers game, both in terms of the expansion draft and in the many blue-liners, like Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour, coming up through the system in Anaheim.Like Hartnell, Bieksa holds a no-movement clause that requires protection in the expansion draft. But could the Ducks approach the veteran defender to do his club a solid? Waiving his no-movement clause would open up another protection slot for the Ducks, whether they choose to use it on a youngster like Josh Manson or a key forward like Rickard Rakell or Jakob Silfverberg.However, if Bieksa is unwilling to waive his contractual right, Anaheim may have no choice but to issue a buyout to Bieksa, who would then be made available to test the waters as an unrestricted free agent.The buyout:Season Salary Cap Hit Buyout Buyout Cap Hit2017-18$4M$4M$1.33M$4M2018-19$0$0$1.33M$0(h/t - CapFriendly)(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patric Hornqvist's return to the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup may be imminent.The 30-year-old participated in practice on Sunday, and head coach Mike Sullivan noted he'll be a game-time decision for Game 1 on Monday against the Nashville Predators. Sullivan added that the team is "definitely encouraged" by Hornqvist's status.In Sunday's skate, Hornqvist occupied his familiar spot on the team's top power-play unit alongside Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and Justin Schultz, according to NHL.com's Wes Crosby.Hornqvist has been out since Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators. However, he did take part in the pregame skate before Game 7, but was ultimately scratched.He's contributed four goals and seven points in 13 playoff games and should give the Penguins a boost if he does indeed return for Game 1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fancy a wager? It's that time, folks.We've reached a spot on the calendar when committed puckheads open up their pocketbooks and sprinkle a little loot on some Stanley Cup Final prop bets. None juicier or more attractive than trying to predict who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy.Below is a breakdown of the odds, locks, long shots, and dark horses, along with a few picks you might be interested in come Monday night.OddsPlayer (Position)Odds to win Conn SmythePekka Rinne (G)3.75-1Evgeni Malkin (F)4.35-1Sidney Crosby (F)4.55-1Matt Murray (G)7.05-1Filip Forsberg (F)9-1Ryan Ellis (D)13-1P.K. Subban (D)13-1Phil Kessel (F)13-1Roman Josi (F)13-1Jake Guentzel (F)26-1Viktor Arvidsson (F)30-1Mattias Ekholm (D)34-1Chris Kunitz (F)42-1James Neal (F)42-1Nick Bonino (F)67-1Bryan Rust (F)67-1(Odds courtesy: Sports Interaction)There's no shortage of options, but choosing the winner is a lot more difficult than it looks. However, like picking a Super Bowl MVP, there's some strategy involved.For example, picking a goalie as your MVP is probably a decent call, especially this year with two elite 'tenders defending the blue paint in Matt Murray and Pekka Rinne.Since the award's inception in 1965, a netminder has taken home the trophy 16 times, most recently in 2012 when Jonathan Quick earned the hardware following the Kings' Cup victory over the New Jersey Devils.Safe BetsThis is the section you probably want to pay the most attention to, as the award will likely be taken home by one of the following two men.Pekka Rinne (3.75-1)It might be the boring and predictable choice, but if you've watched Rinne play this season, it's also the smart one. And though his regular season was solid, he's been an absolute beast between the pipes this postseason.Rinne leads the NHL in playoff wins (12) and save percentage (.941), and is tied for the league lead in shutouts (2).If Nashville hangs around in this series, Rinne will be a major factor. If the Preds manage to win this thing, expect the three-time Vezina finalist to be holding more than just the Cup over his head when all is said and done.Sidney Crosby (4.55-1)How do you not include Sid in this category? Dude is the definition of a lock.Let's not reinvent the wheel here. Crosby is the best all-around player on the planet and not having him in your mix of Conn Smythe candidates would be the slip of a lifetime.His playoff track record speaks for itself: 157 points in 142 games, four Eastern Conference titles, two Cups, and of course, a Conn Smythe Trophy. He performs when it matters most.Long ShotsHere's where we can get a little loose, dial back the wager amount (or not), and wait for a big payout.Phil Kessel (13-1)Over the last two postseasons, Kessel has registered 41 points in 43 games. For comparison's sake, Crosby has 39 in 42.Impressive. But Kessel has been scoring in the clutch his whole career, so his playoff numbers shouldn't really come as that much of a surprise. After all, he is a former fifth overall draft pick who produces at almost a point per game in the postseason.At 13-1, Phil is worth a wager.Ryan Ellis (13-1)Insert a top-four Nashville defenseman here.Realistically, any one of P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, or Mattias Ekholm could have their name in the mix for the hardware, but it's Ellis that seems to be on a path to something special.No longer an under-the-radar rearguard, Ellis has made the 2017 postseason his own coming-out party. If not for Erik Karlsson's ridiculous playoff performance, Ellis would be leading the league in points by a D-man with 11 through 16 games.Ellis has emerged as a legitimate offensive threat on Nashville's blue line, and he should also be a guy you're considering for the Conn Smythe.Dark HorsesThrow caution to the wind and go with your gut. You might not get a return on your investment, but this is hockey, so you never know what any given player is willing to do to drink from that glorious silver mug.Viktor Arvidsson (31-1)A key piece of Nashville's regular-season success with 31 goals and 30 assists, Arvidsson has continued his offensive production this spring, chipping in two goals and eight apples.The speedy winger will need to step up in the absence of Ryan Johansen and have an impact on this series. If he does, it may be just enough to etch his name on one of the most sought-after trophies in hockey.Bryan Rust (67-1) (Photos courtesy: Action Images)If 67-1 isn't juicy enough for you, take in the fact that Rust can put the puck in the back of the net, especially in the playoffs.In 112 regular-season games, Rust has 20 goals to his name, as opposed to 12 in just 40 postseason contests, six of which have come during Pittsburgh's current run. He's proved to be unfazed on the big stage, so you shouldn't be either when laying your wager on this underrated playoff performer.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here are three player matchups that will significantly swing the Stanley Cup Final depending on who gets the upper hand:P.K. Subban vs. Sidney CrosbyThough it hasn't been confirmed, the pairing of P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm will likely draw the assignment of Sidney Crosby's line. Subban and Ekholm did a tremendous job containing Ryan Getzlaf in the conference finals, holding him to zero goals and four assists in six games.Crosby is a whole different animal, though. His playmaking capability, edge work, and ability to protect the puck are second to none.Subban, who leads all Predators defensemen with 31 hits in the postseason, is going to have to continue his physical play against Crosby. Keep in mind, Crosby has played a lot of hockey over the past three years:Game typeAmount2014-15 reg. season77'15 playoffs5World Championship92015-16 reg. season80'16 playoffs24World Cup62016-17 reg. season75'17 playoffs18Total294Crosby has played an astounding 294 meaningful games since the beginning of the 2014-15 season. This could be taking a toll on his body, especially considering the wear and tear of back-to-back deep playoff runs.Now, Crosby might be in better physical condition than anyone on the planet, but it will still be key for Subban to set a physical presence throughout the series against No. 87.Roman Josi vs. Evgeni MalkinWith Subban likely to match up against Crosby's line, the pairing of Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis will see Evgeni Malkin's line over most of his ice time.Malkin has been playing some of the best hockey of his career this postseason - and that's saying a lot. Not quite like his '09 playoff performance, but through 19 games, the big center has seven goals and a postseason-leading 17 assists.He will certainly be a handful for Josi. However, Josi's best asset could mitigate Malkin's impact in this series: his skating ability.Josi is one of the best skaters in the entire league. The more he wheels the puck out of his own zone, the less chances Malkin will have to generate offense. Though he certainly isn't a slouch in his own zone, Malkin isn't known as an elite defensive center. He has received a total of four Selke Trophy votes in his career, and they were all for fifth place back in 2008-09.Forcing Malkin, and his linemates Phil Kessel and Scott Wilson, to play without the puck can lead to frustration, as we saw in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.Pekka Rinne vs. Matt MurrayThough Rinne and Murray will never be in each other's faces like the aforementioned matchups, their head-to-head play will arguably be the most important of the entire series. Both goaltenders have been spectacular in the postseason:StatRinneMurrayW-L12-43-1GAA1.701.35SV%.941.946SO21Obviously Rinne's numbers are over a much larger sample size, but Murray's play can't be discredited.Here's a not-so hot take: the better goalie will win the cup. Plain and simple. However, Rinne will likely be relied upon more heavily than Murray will, making his performance that much more crucial.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A local Pittsburgh fish market is doing its part to prevent catfish from winding up on PPG Paints Arena ice.With the Nashville Predators' tradition of throwing catfish onto the ice becoming a more common occurrence as the team treks forward in the postseason, Jim Wholey, the co-owner of Wholey's Fish Market has implemented new policy to keep Preds fans at bay."You have to show ID if you want to buy catfish here," Wholey said, according to Ben Schmitt of the Tribune-Review. "If you're from Tennessee, we're not selling it to you."Related - Watch: Titans' Lewan chucks catfish on ice during Predators' Game 6 winFor Wholey this isn't the first time he has implemented such a rule to prevent certain sea creatures from making an appearance on Pittsburgh Penguins ice.Back in both 2008 and 2009, a similar rule was put in place to try to deter Detroit Red Wings fans from throwing octopi onto the ice."Like I said in 2008, this is for eating, not throwing," said co-owner Dan Wholey. "Catfish are delicious, and we're going to eat them before, during and, after we beat the Predators."During Round 3, an inspired Preds fan was lucky enough to sneak a giant catfish into Honda Center in Anaheim and chuck it onto the ice ahead of Game 2.Related - Look: Huge catfish thrown on ice prior to Game 2 between Ducks, PredsIt seems it might be up to the home fans to keep their bizarre tradition alive.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the offseason underway for a number of teams, with the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.2016-17 Grade: B-It was a tale of two seasons for the St. Louis Blues.Check out what a wild ride 2016-17 was in Missouri:MonthRecordSeason RecordOctober5-2-25-2-2November8-5-113-7-3December6-6-219-13-5January5-8-024-21-5February7-5-031-26-5March11-2-242-28-7April4-1-046-29-7Of note:

The NHL will play an outdoor game at a U.S. service academy for the first time when the Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, next season.Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday that the Capitals and Maple Leafs will meet March 3 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the league had not announced the event.The 34,000-seat stadium hosts Navy football games and the Military Bowl.It's the first game at a service academy though quite possibly not the last. The league has explored doing games at the Army's home at West Point and at the Air Force Academy.The New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers played a preseason indoor game at West Point on Oct. 8, 2016. Panthers owner Vinnie Viola and expansion Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley have Army ties.This is the third outdoor game for the Capitals and Maple Leafs and the first in the Washington area since the 2015 Winter Classic downtown at Nationals Park.Capitals-Maple Leafs at the Naval Academy will be one of at least three outdoor games next season. The Ottawa Senators will host the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic on Dec. 19, and the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres will play in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Citi Field in New York.NHL Network revealed on air that the league would announce a game at Navy on Monday. In addition to being Memorial Day, it's the day commissioner Gary Bettman gives his state of the league address prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals are expected to be the home team in an outdoor game next season at the U.S. Naval Academy, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post.A potential opponent is unknown at this point, but Khurshdyan reports the NHL is expected to announce the event Monday, which also marks the beginning the Stanley Cup Final.The NHL has already announced the 2018 Winter Classic, which will be played at Citi Field between the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres, and the NHL100 Classic, which will feature the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.The Capitals have played two outdoor games: first in 2011 versus Pittsburgh, then in 2015 at Nationals Park against Chicago.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Sweden's gold-medal victory last Sunday at the World Championship was a moment of mixed emotions for defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.The Arizona Coyotes rearguard's mother, Annika, died in March after an extended battle with cancer, and a few days after the shootout triumph over Team Canada, Ekman-Larsson explained exactly how important the medal was to him."That gold medal means so much to me and my family," Ekman-Larsson said Friday, according to Dave Vest of NHL.com."I played for my mom. She's the reason I decided to finish the season with Team Sweden, and I'm really happy that I did. She meant so much to me and was such a big part of everything I've been doing for my whole life. I'm playing hockey because she loved it. That's why I want to bring the medal to her and show her."As Vest points out, Ekman-Larsson played through a portion of the 2016-17 season with a badly injured thumb suffered in November. Despite the ailment, the blue-liner suited up in all of the Coyotes' games last year until a three-game absence to be with his family ended his season a week early.Playing hockey in Arizona is hard enough, but add in the injury and the loss of his mother, and Ekman-Larsson had a season that he would likely want to forget.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)"It was a tough season for me from the beginning until the end," Ekman-Larsson said. "But my teammates in Arizona and the Coyotes organization have been unbelievably supportive."When you go through something like losing your mom you realize that hockey doesn't mean everything in life and that family comes first. I'm doing all right now, but this is not something that is going to take one day or one week or one year to get over. It's something I'll have to live with for the rest of my life."Candid words from one the best young D-men in the NHL.At only 25, Ekman-Larsson is on the cusp of superstardom and is quickly developing into an elite-level player. In 494 career games, Ekman-Larsson has amassed 88 goals and 160 assists for 248 points - 40 of those tallies came on the man advantage.OEL was equally impressive in Sweden's shootout victory over Canada, logging 27:40 of ice time, registering five shots on net, and scoring one of Sweden's two shootout goals.The team success felt at the worlds may be short-lived for Ekman-Larsson, as he returns to a Coyotes squad that finished tied for the third-worst record in the league last season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Stanley Cup Final will be a clash of the titans.The deepest defense will take on oozing offense, as the likes of P.K. Subban and Ryan Ellis will defend Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. And Matt Murray will be peppered with pucks by Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson.But what about players who don't get the headlines? Here are five others to keep your eye on when the puck drops Monday:Roman JosiArguably the NHL's most underrated blue-liner, Josi plays the most minutes on a Nashville defense that features the likes of Subban, Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm.A tremendous defender who plays calm under pressure, Josi is capable of chipping in offensively, too, with 10 points in 16 games. He is also one of just four Predators to net five or more goals this postseason.Jake GuentzelNot Crosby or Malkin. Not even Phil Kessel. No, the Penguins' top goal-scorer in the playoffs has been Guentzel, who's lit the lamp nine times. The Penguins' scoring depth has been on display all postseason, with no better headliner than the freshman forward.Guentzel ranks behind just four rookie scorers in NHL playoff history, and the 14 goals that Dino Ciccarelli scored with the Minnesota North Stars in the spring of 1981 could now be in striking distance.James NealThe agitating winger is sure to find his way into the spotlight in the Stanley Cup Final. The question is whether he'll do so by burying pucks or by getting under the skin of the opposition. Probably both.It's an interesting series for Neal, as the former Penguin was dealt to Nashville in 2014 in exchange for Patric Hornqvist. In Tennessee, Neal has become a mainstay of the Predators' offense, and has already chipped in with five goals in the playoffs.Olli MaattaKey injuries on the Pittsburgh blue line, where top defender Kris Letang has been out since mid-February following neck surgery, has left youngsters like Maatta to carry the mail on the Penguins' back end.Pulling down just over 21 minutes a night, Maatta is the Penguins' third-most relied upon defenseman. He's also averaged more time than the team's top-scoring blue-liner, Justin Schultz. Maatta has recorded seven points in 19 postseason contests, including the winning goal in Game 5 against the Ottawa Senators.Mike FisherNo, that's not a misprint. The Predators' captain has yet to find the scoresheet through 14 playoff games. Which means there's no time like the present.Sidelined for the two closing contests against the Anaheim Ducks, there is a good chance Fisher returns when the puck drops against the Penguins. With fellow pivot Ryan Johansen on the shelf for the remainder of the postseason, that makes Fisher's assignment up the middle even more crucial, as he will be charged with shutting down Crosby & Co. Never an easy task.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chris Neil isn't ready to hang up his skates just yet.The Senators heavyweight is coming off his 15th campaign - all spent with Ottawa - and despite a diminished role this season, the 37-year-old said he hopes to come back for 2017-18."The way I feel now, I want to play next year," Neil said, according to Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen.After playing in just 53 games during the regular season and contributing only one goal and three assists, Neil was nearly non-existent in the postseason. He dressed for just two contests - Games 5 and 6 against the New York Rangers - and played just 1:49 and 2:26 in a combined nine shifts.As for how realistic a return would be, Neil admitted he isn't too sure what the future holds."I came in, cleaned my locker, and I don't know what's ahead," he said, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

Arizona Coyotes winger Tobias Rieder will use the next two-to-three months to rehab from ankle surgery, the team announced Saturday.Rieder suffered the injury while competing with Team Germany at the World Championship. He scored one goal in three games at the tournament.With the Coyotes this season, he tallied 16 goals and 18 assists in 80 games.Rieder is expected to make a full recovery prior to training camp.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bobby Ryan's lucrative paycheck might keep him out of Vegas, at least for hockey reasons.The Ottawa Senators forward spoke to reporters at the team's locker clean out on Saturday and admitted he isn't worried about being selected by the Golden Knights in the impending expansion draft due to his hefty salary.

Thursday was bittersweet for Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson.His club fell in Game 7 in double overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins, missing out on the chance to play for the Stanley Cup. However, as Anderson explained Saturday, he'd received some great news about his wife Nicholle's health before the game.

It's here.The Stanley Cup Final kicks off Monday at 8 p.m. ET, and at first glance, it might look like a bit of a mismatch. The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the postseason as the reigning champs with the second-best record during the regular season.Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators scored a wild-card berth and proved that once the playoffs begin, the successes and failures of the regular season are left behind.Related: Pittsburgh opens as heavy favorite over NashvilleWith both teams having proven to be worthy finalists, this series should be everything fans could possibly ask for.Here is what you need to know ahead of Game 1:How they got herePenguinsPittsburgh's climb back to the final saw it square off against three familiar playoff foes.The Penguins made quick work of the inspired Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round, dispatching them in just five games. In Round 2, they met the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals, a series deemed by many to represent the unofficial Stanley Cup Final.After a back-and-forth series, the Penguins prevailed in Game 7, pushing their record to 3-0 against the Capitals in their last three playoff meetings.Finally, there was the Ottawa Senators - or the boring Sens as some called them. Ottawa didn't make life easy on the Penguins, taking 1-0 and 2-1 series advantages. However, on the back of Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh won its second Game 7 of the playoffs, needing double overtime to improve to 4-1 in postseason series against the Senators since 2007.PredatorsThe Predators appeared to be doomed before the playoffs even began, with the team pitted against the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks in Round 1.However, Nashville stunned arguably the hottest team of the past decade, sweeping Chicago in four games while allowing just three goals against.Next up was the St. Louis Blues, which despite playing Nashville to four one-goal affairs, just couldn't crack the Predators' defense. It took six games, but Nashville bested the Blues to advance to the third round for the first time in franchise history.Finally, the Predators had to claw their way past the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks became the first team to score more than three goals against the Predators this postseason when they tallied five in Game 2.After losing Ryan Johansen to a surprise injury prior to Game 5, things didn't look good for the Predators, but they played inspired hockey in outscoring Anaheim 9-4 over Games 5 and 6 to punch their ticket to their first Stanley Cup Final.Toe-to-toeThe series marks a clash between an offensive juggernaut and arguably the strongest defense corps in the NHL.While the Penguins might have the more potent offense, the Predators have done a great job of smothering the opposition through three rounds.Nashville also heads into the final having not trailed in a series at any time during the playoffs.TeamGFGASFSASV%PP%PK%FOW%Penguins584457462092.792585.551Predators472947947593.914.988.150.1Season seriesThe two-game season series was somewhat of a wash. Each team earned a victory, with Matt Murray getting the edge over Pekka Rinne in Game 2 of the series - a 4-2 Penguins win.Team RecordGFGAPPGSFSAPenguins1-1-05717369Predators1-1-07526973Looking back to the regular season, it's hard to give one team an edge over the other.InjuriesPenguinsFor the Penguins, the lack of Kris Letang continues to sting, but his absence is something that the club has learned to play through over the years. Patric Hornqvist's return to the lineup would certainly be welcomed.Player AilmentStatusPatric Hornqvistupper bodyday-to-dayChad Ruhwedelconcussionday-to-dayTom Kuhnhackllower bodyday-to-dayKris LetangneckindefinitelyPredatorsIt's no secret that the omission of Johansen is devastating for the Predators. The team got by without him for the final two games against the Ducks, but his 13 points in 14 games will be missed.On the other hand, while Mike Fisher also missed the team's last two contests, he has begun skating with the team and a return in the final appears likely.PlayerAilmentStatusRyan Johansenthighout for playoffsMike Fisherundisclosedday-to-dayCraig Smithlower bodyday-to-dayKevin Fialalegday-to-dayPositional advantagesForwardsAdvantage: PittsburghThis shouldn't come as a surprise, as a forward contingent including the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel is likely to challenge most in the league.The Penguins are the only team averaging more than three goals per game in the playoffs. Given that no defenseman on the team has more goals than Justin Schultz's three, it's pretty clear that Pittsburgh's forwards are doing the bulk of the scoring.DefenseAdvantage: PredatorsDefense, however, is a completely different story. The Penguins' defense corps doesn't come close to that of the Predators. In fact, four of the Predators' top eight point producers in the playoffs have been defensemen.Related: 3 stats that show how good Ryan Ellis has been this postseasonThe quartet of Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, and Mattias Ekholm sits second, third, fifth, and eighth, respectively, in playoff scoring among defensemen.Going head-to-head, the Predators have the overwhelming advantage. The Penguins' entire defense corps has tallied just eight goals, while Ellis and Josi alone have nine between them.GoaltendingAdvantage: TieWith all the talk that Rinne is likely the Predators' pick for the Conn Smythe Trophy, you would think that Nashville would have the clear advantage between the pipes, but that's not necessarily the case.Ever since Murray stole the net back from Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 3 against the Senators, the rookie netminder - yes, he's still considered a rookie - has been lights-out.Related: Penguins' Murray could win 2 Stanley Cups as a rookieHe's given up just seven goals on 130 shots - good enough for a .946 save percentage - while averaging just 1.35 goals against per game, marks that are actually better than Rinne's .941 and 1.70 - albeit in a much smaller sample size.Both goalies have been incredible, and heading in, it's hard to take one over the other. With each club earning a distinct advantage in the positions mentioned above, it's quite clear that the series could come down to which goaltender can outduel the other.What's on the lineHeading into the final, it is safe to presume that the Predators have more to prove than the Penguins.After numerous solid regular seasons, the Predators were finally able to crack the second-round barrier that had proven to be an overwhelming task in the past.For a franchise that is just now starting to get the recognition it deserves - thanks in large part to a deeply loyal fan base - a Stanley Cup would mean the world.A win would put Peter Laviolette into the discussion of the NHL's top coaches. Despite a Cup to his name and a winning pedigree, he never seems to be mentioned in the same conversation as the Joel Quennevilles and Mike Babcocks of the league.Then there is Subban. A Stanley Cup would be the ultimate prize for a player unfairly maligned in Montreal. Some may have questioned whether a team can win with him and his personality. This would finally put those conversations to rest.Pittsburgh captured the Cup last season with a roster nearly identical to its current makeup and is a well-established contender. The team is largely playing for history, attempting to be the first club to win back-to-back Cups since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.ScheduleGameDateTime (ET)HomeAwayTV1Mon. May 298 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBC / CBC / Sportsnet /TVA2Wed. May 318 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBCSN / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA3Sat. June 38 p.m.NashvillePittsburghNBCSN / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA4Mon. June 58 p.m.NashvillePittsburghNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA5*Thurs. June 88 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA6*Sun. June 118 p.m.NashvillePittsburghNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA7*Wed. June 148 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It may be time to take it outside.On the back of the Nashville Predators' playoff success, another win could soon be in the team's future, with the Predators in the running to host an outdoor game."It is something we're going to be looking at because as we had a wonderful draft, a spectacular All-Star Game, both in Nashville," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Nashville's 104.5 The Zone. "The building is as loud, if not louder, than any building in the league. The fans are great, they have developed their own special traditions and ways of watching the game."The NHL has officially held 22 outdoor games, with two more slated for next season in Ottawa and New York. The Predators are one of just seven teams to have neither hosted nor played in an outdoor game.The league may be looking to cash in on Nashville's postseason success. The Predators are the hottest ticket in town, setting franchise-high marks for attendance while two-thirds of locals have tuned in to watch the on-ice action.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On Monday, the 2017 Stanley Cup Final will kick off.The Pittsburgh Penguins return to the dance, surprising very few on their quest for a Stanley Cup repeat. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators will take part in their first finals after entering the playoffs as the 16-seed.The Predators' rise has truly been the most shocking part of the 2017 playoffs. They swept the Western Conference's top seed, the Chicago Blackhawks, and upended the Pacific Division-winning Anaheim Ducks en route to a finals berth.The Predators' run through the first three rounds has been nothing short of remarkable, and a victory over the Penguins would be the cherry on top. With that in mind, here is a sampling of some of the most shocking moments in Stanley Cup Final history:McSorley's illegal stickIn 1993, after dropping the first game of the series, the Montreal Canadiens looked to be in deep trouble, with the Los Angeles Kings once again leading 2-1 with just minutes remaining in regulation.It was then that the Canadiens took a major risk, calling for a stick measurement on Kings defenseman Marty McSorley. McSorley's curve was indeed deemed illegal, and after Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy was pulled, Montreal took to the ice with a 6-on-4 advantage.With the extra skaters, Eric Desjardins scored his second goal of the game to tie things at 2-2 heading to overtime. Desjardins would go on to score the game-winning goal less than a minute into overtime, completing the hat trick and evening the series at a game apiece.Montreal would win the next three contests to take the Stanley Cup in five games. As fate would have it, no Canadian team has won the Cup since.Kariya 'off the floor on the board'The hit that Scott Stevens laid on Paul Kariya in Game 6 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final sent immediate panic to not just the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim - oh how we miss that name - but the entire NHL.Midway through the second period, Kariya was knocked unconscious - on yet another brutal open-ice hit by Stevens, reminiscent of the one he laid on Eric Lindros - and had to be slowly helped off the ice and to the dressing room. It looked as though he was likely done for the series.Eleven minutes later, though, he returned to the ice and immediately made an impact. Kariya wired an absolute rocket over the catching glove of Martin Brodeur to give the Mighty Ducks a 4-1 lead. The team would take Game 6 by a 5-2 margin thanks to Kariya's unbelievable comeback.Unfortunately for the Mighty Ducks, the Devils would prevail in Game 7 to win the Cup.Bob Baun scores on broken ankleBefore there was Kariya, there was Bob Baun.In 1964, with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing elimination against the Detroit Red Wings, defenseman Bob Baun blocked a Gordie Howe shot and was forced to leave on a stretcher.Surprisingly, Baun would return to the game, later scoring the overtime winner to force a Game 7. The Maple Leafs would emerge victorious, winning 4-0 - with Baun continuing to play through pain - capturing their third straight Stanley Cup.What is so incredible about Baun's return is that that after the series, he learned that his ankle had indeed been fractured. #BecauseItsTheCup.Brett Hull scores controversial Cup winner vs. SabresIt's a goal that will go down in as arguably the most controversial in NHL history.Game 6 of the 1999 Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres saw both clubs go to triple overtime, with the Stars leading the series three games to two.With just over five minutes remaining in the period, on a scramble in front of the Sabres' net, Brett Hull corralled the puck and stuffed it past Dominik Hasek, ending the game and giving the Stars their first and only Stanley Cup win.However, many feel that the goal shouldn't have counted since Hull's foot was in the crease, and at the time, Rule 78-b stated: "...a player of the attacking side not possessing the puck may not stand in the goal crease." Of course, the argument on the play is what is considered having possession?Nevertheless, the goal would stand, but for some, the debate continues.Maple Leafs rally from 3-0 deficit to win Stanley CupThe Maple Leafs entered the 1942 Stanley Cup Final as the overwhelming favorites after finishing the regular season with the second-best record to the New York Rangers.However, in the finals, the Red Wings shocked the Maple Leafs, taking the first three games of the series and putting Toronto's Cup hopes on thin ice. But that's when things turned around.The Maple Leafs won the next three games by a combined score of 16-6, before taking Game 7 at Maple Leaf Gardens by a 3-1 score - in front of a then Canadian record 16,218 people - to capture the team's first Stanley Cup in 10 years.The win marked the first time a major professional sports team had rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to win a seven-game series.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before there was Nashville, there was nearly Pittsburgh.Peter Laviolette was named head coach of the Nashville Predators in May 2014 after being dumped by the Philadelphia Flyers eight months earlier.Had he been out of work one month longer, though, he could have been on the other side of this year's Stanley Cup Final with the Pittsburgh Penguins, general manager Jim Rutherford told Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun.Rutherford was named GM of the Penguins just four weeks after Laviolette headed to Tennessee, and remains a fan of the coach after their time together in Carolina, where Laviolette guided the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup 11 years ago."Interesting how things could have worked out differently, isn't it?" Rutherford said Friday. "I really have a special admiration for what he did when we worked together. ... We would have reunited. But the timing didn't work out."I think that's about as clear as I can say about what I thought about Peter Laviolette - the fact that if he was available, I would have hired him here when I first got here."Rutherford ultimately gave the job to Mike Johnston, who was later replaced with current bench boss Mike Sullivan en route to last season's Stanley Cup win.As the Penguins attempt to become the first team to capture back-to-back titles since the Detroit Red Wings did it in 1998, Rutherford will need to get by his former coach in order to accomplish the feat - no easy task given Laviolette's pedigree."Peter did a terrific job in Carolina that year, coming out of the lockout and bringing the players together," Rutherford added. "He's been to the final a few times now and that's not by accident."Game 1 of the series kicks off Monday in Pittsburgh.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alexander Lukashenko is less than pleased.The President of Belarus came away unimpressed by the performance of his nation's hockey team at the recent World Championship, criticizing the "absolutely spineless" squad after it failed to qualify for the playoff round.Belarus finished 13th out of 16 teams - one spot ahead of Slovenia in Group B - which was just enough to avoid relegation from next year's tournament."Even if you lose, then play with soul and the people will forgive you," Lukashenko told The Canadian Press. "But when you go out there you've lost the game before it even begins and your legs are shaking."The players weren't the only ones to take barbs from Lukashenko, who also lamented the "disgusting" work of the team's coaching staff. If the president had his way, he'd link performance to pay, and salary would follow success."Everyone's driving around in a Mercedes," Lukashenko added, "but there are no results."Lukashenko, who came into power in 1994, witnessed his country's best finish on the international stage in 2002, when Belarus lost the bronze-medal game at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.However, the nation will not have a shot at redemption at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, after falling to Slovenia in the Olympic qualifier.Twelve Belarusians have competed in the NHL, the most notable among them being New York Islanders forward Mikhail Grabovski.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the offseason underway for a number of teams, and the rest set to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.2016-17 Grade: A+It feels good to give out an A+ for a change. And the Ottawa Senators definitely earned it.What is there left to say about a team that captured the hearts and attention of hockey fans everywhere? A group that defied all the odds, experts, and naysayers to advance all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final?Well, Erik Karlsson is the best defenseman in the world, Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone are elite goal-scorers, and Craig Anderson clearly has what it takes to carry a team all the way.Ninety-eight points, the sixth-best record in the East, and a Conference Finals appearance should have Guy Boucher's group feeling pretty good heading into golf/cottage season.That's not to say the club didn't hit its share of rough patches. Ottawa had losing streaks of four or more games three times, including a five-game skid during the final two weeks of the campaign.The Sens still have some needs to address for next season, but for now, their fans should sit back and enjoy the success their club had in both the regular season and playoffs.Free AgentsAs is the case for many general managers, it'll be an interesting summer for Pierre Dorion as he evaluates his list of restricted and unrestricted free agents.Most of his attention will likely go to his group of forwards - Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ryan Dzingel, and Viktor Stalberg are all free agents.Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 PointsChris Neil (F)UFA37$1.5M4Viktor Stalberg (F)UFA31$1.5M16Chris Kelly (F)UFA36$900K12Tommy Wingels (F)UFA29$2.4M12Tom Pyatt (F)UFA30$800K23Ryan Dzingel (F)RFA25$750K32Jean-Gabriel Pageau (F)RFA24$900K33Jyrki Jokipakka (D)RFA25$900K6The No.1 goalie job in Ottawa is obviously secure with Anderson between the pipes, but after that, the Senators need to lock down a reliable backup.For the time being, they have one in Mike Condon, but he's a UFA and and a number of teams will be sniffing around for his services.Goalie2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 SV%Mike CondonUFA27$575K.914Matt O'ConnorRFA25$925KN/A2017 Draft PicksOttawa's second-round pick was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Dion Phaneuf trade last year, and the Sens dealt away their third-round pick in February's exchange with the Carolina Hurricanes for Stalberg.They still hold a second-round selection (from the Flames), but drafting in the first round at 28th overall and holding only four picks will make this summer even trickier for Dorion and Co.RoundPicks1121 (Flames)3041506170Summer Priorities1. Add a top-six forwardYeah, Ottawa and every other NHL club.But the Sens averaged the ninth-worst goals-for average per game last season at 2.51. Karlsson is nasty, but he's not good enough to pick up the offensive slack all by himself.The Senators need help up the middle and players like UFAs Martin Hanzal or Sam Gagner would offer the type of secondary scoring the team is looking for.2. Re-sign CondonFew backup 'tenders offer the stability Condon provides. The 27-year-old has proved he can fill in for a spot start, but more importantly, he can also carry a team if injuries - or illnesses - thrust him into the starting role.In 38 starts last season, Condon posted a respectable record of 19-14 to go along with a goals-against average of 2.48.The Senators still have the option of using Andrew Hammond in relief of Anderson, but the Hamburglar struggled in his six appearances last campaign to the tune of a 4.88 GAA and .837 save percentage.3. Give the kids a chanceThis is more of a training-camp priority, but Ottawa has a number of intriguing young talents knocking on the NHL door that could soon be cornerstones of the franchise.Everyone has heard about first-rounders Thomas Chabot and Colin White, but there's a third name you should get familiar with: Logan Brown.He's another exciting first-round pick that should make an impact with the big club sooner than later. Ottawa would be wise to give these kids a shot at a roster spot come September.2017-18 OutlookAside from the top few teams, the Eastern Conference is as wide-open as it has been in recent memory - a perfect time for Ottawa to bolster its roster and make another serious run at a Cup.The pieces are in place on the back end and in net to make this group competitive for at least the next couple of seasons, if not more. All that's missing is the depth scoring.If Dorion can address his lack of offensive punch up front with a top-six forward, the sky is the limit for Boucher's boys.Offseason Outlook SeriesCOL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF

Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis has recorded four goals and seven assists through 16 playoff games, giving him more points than teammates Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Viktor Arvidsson, and James Neal. In fact, his 11 points are second behind Erik Karlsson among defensemen this postseason.But points don't tell the whole story. Here are three other stats that justify how good Ellis has been this spring:Giveaway/takeaway ratioGiveaways and takeaways often get overlooked, but puck management is crucial in the postseason, when one turnover can change a series.Ellis has put together an impressive ratio of 10 takeaways to 13 giveaways. Here's how that stacks up against the rest of the Predators' defense:PlayerTKGVRyan Ellis1013P.K. Subban923Roman Josi222Mattias Ekholm924Yannick Weber47Matt Irwin34In fact, the only defensemen with more takeaways in the postseason are Karlsson (16), Josh Manson (12), and Dmitry Orlov (11).(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Thru%Through percentage calculates the number of shot attempts that reach the net. Getting pucks through from the point is even tougher in the playoffs considering players are much more willing to block shots. Ellis, however, has managed to get 43 of his 84 shot attempts on goal, for a Thru% of 51.2. Here's how the rest of the Preds' D has fared:PlayerThru%Ellis51.2Subban46.2Josi44.4Ekholm39.6Weber30.8Irwin25.0One reason why Ellis' Thru% is so high is because he's great at one-timing cross-ice passes, which gives opponents less time to get in the shooting lane. And when the big clapper isn't there, he's willing to just throw a wrist shot on goal. Any puck that gets on net from the point can lead to a scoring chance as long as there's traffic in front.The only defensemen with a higher Thru% in the playoffs than Ellis are Kevin Shattenkirk (57.1), Alex Pietrangelo (54.7), and Brandon Montour (52.1) (minimum 50 shot attempts).Blocked shotsThis one is much more straightforward. Ellis has recorded an impressive 41 blocks, which not only leads his team, but has him ranked fifth overall in the postseason.Along with his contributions on the offensive end, he's willing to put his body on the line for his teammates on the defensive end. It's safe the say the Predators wouldn't be in the Cup Final without the stellar play of their 26-year-old blue-liner.(Stats courtesy: Hockey Reference)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks may have the type of veteran leadership most clubs crave, but they also have the young guns required to compete in a league that gets younger with each passing season.Anaheim executive vice president and general manager Bob Murray acknowledged the youth his team has added while speaking with reporters Thursday."I think what's happened here over the last year-and-a-half, and it's starting to be recognized, is we've added some youth to our lineup," Murray said Thursday, according to Adam Brady of NHL.com. "And there is the emergence of Ricky (Rickard Rakell) and Silfvy (Jakob Silfverberg)."Both Rakell, 24, and Silfverberg, 26, have the youth and talent to contribute for some time and they've already played themselves into top-six roles.Related: Ducks' Silfverberg proving he belongs in Anaheim, not VegasThe pair are coming off banner years in which they each posted career highs in points and goals. Silfverberg notched 23 goals and 49 total points, while Rakell finished with 33 and 51.Don't get it twisted, the Ducks still live and die with veteran All-Stars Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. But, as Murray pointed out, Anaheim has some young players that will soon make their names known in the NHL."Everyone says we're an old team. We've got some veteran players, yes. But we've got some really good young kids and more kids coming," said Murray. "So we're in a good spot to move forward."In addition to Perry, Getzlaf, Silfverberg, and Rakell, the Ducks boast some talented lesser-known prospects who are eager for a full-time shot in an NHL lineup.PlayerAge2016-17 games played2016-17 pointsNick Ritchie (F)217728Ondrej Kase (F)215315Brandon Montour (D)23276Shea Theodore (D)21349Theodore, Kase, Montour, and Ritchie are just a few of the young names on Anaheim's roster to keep an eye on next season and beyond.Montour and Theodore are two under-the-radar players who have top-four potential, Kase and Ritchie both have a nose for the net with never-say-die work ethics, and all four played major roles in carrying the Ducks to the third round this postseason.All four players are under the age of 24.Mix in 23-year-old goaltender John Gibson, and Anaheim's stacked back end, and you have a young core that will have the team competing for a Western Conference crown year in and year out.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the world of pro sports, you occasionally hear about a team, player, or coach transcending the game. A story so good that it goes beyond the limits of the boxscore or sports section and into our daily lives.That's exactly what the Ottawa Senators accomplished with their 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs run that ended Thursday night at the hands of the reigning Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.The defeat was only a small part of the storyline that made this season special for Guy Boucher's men.Whether it was Craig Anderson's wife battling a rare form of cancer, Clarke MacArthur returning from four concussions in 18 months, or captain Erik Karlsson playing through multiple fractures in his heel, the 2016-17 Senators were nothing short of inspirational.Through all the adversity it had to face, the club taught us about a lot more than just hockey.It taught us that life - much like a career in the NHL - is not only difficult, it's precious, and that it takes courage and perseverance to succeed, no matter what it is you do.Following Thursday's Game 7 defeat, Boucher offered up a bit of insight that more than just hockey fans can benefit from. Praising his group for its accomplishments as hockey players, and perhaps more importantly, as human beings."They gave it their all, they put their soul into it," Boucher said early Friday morning from PPG Paints Arena. "They deserve to get credit for how wonderful these individuals have been and how resilient and together this group was, it was a real special, special group."Special indeed.Boucher will be at the helm of a club that will be in the mix for a playoff spot for the foreseeable future, so naturally the coach was asked about whether he felt a sense of pride with how his group has performed."I think it's beyond pride to be honest with you," said Boucher. "It was a lot more than hockey this year."(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Results on the ice are obviously paramount in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NHL that we all live in, but this year was different in Ottawa, where being a good teammate off the ice was just as important as succeeding on it."Obviously, hockey-wise, a lot of going through adversity, a lot of building, a lot of individuals grew to a level that, I will be honest with you, I never thought they would get there in a few months," Boucher said."This was a real team," the head coach added. "The reason why we're here is because it was a team, and every player at some moment or another had a terrific contribution, whether it was on the ice in terms of results, or it was inside of the room or it was off ice."Uplifting personal stories aside, the Senators earned the right to play in a deciding Conference Finals Game 7 with their season on the line. Despite being underdogs from the jump, Ottawa's playoff run put the league on notice: The Senators will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come in the East.Hockey is a magnificent game and as a society we can benefit a lot from it, and the Ottawa Senators are the latest example.Courage, determination, and a will to win.These are the things that we can learn from a group of men that truly showed the best of what this beautiful sport has to offer.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks have bolstered their depth on the back end by signing 25-year-old Philip Holm to a one-year, entry-level contract, the team announced.The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defenseman registered a career-high 21 points in 52 games with Vaxjo HC of the Swedish Hockey League. Holm was also a member of Sweden's gold-medal-winning squad at the 2017 World Championship, suiting up for seven games and recording three points (one goal, two assists)."Philip is a mobile, two-way defenseman who adds depth to our blue line," said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. "He made strides in his development last season with Vaxjo and played a strong series with Sweden at the World Championships. We're pleased to welcome him to the Canucks organization."Benning's reference to Holm being a strong two-way defenseman is no joke. He led the entire SHL with a plus/minus rating of plus-24 while logging 18:49 per night.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Murray is close to accomplishing something that has never occurred in NHL history and is unlikely to ever happen again: winning the Stanley Cup twice as a rookie goaltender.The Pittsburgh Penguins netminder backstopped the team to a championship in 2016, posting a record of 15-6 with a .923 save percentage along the way. However, by virtue of the fact he had appeared in only 13 regular season games prior to the postseason, he maintained his rookie status entering 2016-17.From the NHL's guidelines on Calder Trophy eligibility:

Spectacular goals.Crafty passes.Flashy saves.The conference finals had it all, highlighted by these top 10 plays, according to the NHL.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peter Laviolette and Mike Sullivan are about to make history.In coaching the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final, the two will serve as combatants in the first battle of two American-born bench bosses in the championship series.

Decisions loom for Jim Benning and the Vancouver Canucks as they get set for what should be their first real taste of a rebuild in some time.The team kick-started the movement this season, trading veterans Jannik Hansen and Alex Burrows for draft picks and prospects. However, things might not end there.The Canucks still has some veteran pieces who could garner further draft picks and assets. The problem, however, is that Benning isn't sold on the idea of throwing his rookies and young stars into the fire without some stability in the lineup. It's one of the few reasons that, despite rumors, the team isn't actively shopping defensemen Chris Tanev or Alex Edler."I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t listen and see if it (trade) is worth it, but it’s hard to find good defensemen," Benning said, according to Ben Kuzma of The Province. "Especially defensemen 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."Unless it would make sense for our future, I’m not trading Chris. He means so much to our team. And we’re not looking to do anything with Alex (Edler)."Benning's feelings regarding team stability, especially on the back end, is also why he remains open to bringing back goaltender Ryan Miller even if it's to serve as backup to emerging No. 1 Jacob Markstrom."As we’re transitioning these young players into our lineup, I feel that if we have solid goaltending on a night-to-night basis, we can be competitive," Benning said."There's no worse feeling than trying to develop young players and get them up and going when you know you don’t have a chance to win. Ryan and Jacob have a healthy relationship because they're competitive and respect each other."We have something to offer Ryan that he already knows. We’ve got some positives for him and if that’s the route we go, that’s why we’re doing it."Miller is coming off a three-year, $18-million contract and can expect to take a sizable pay cut, especially as prospect Thatcher Demko enters the picture.Suffice to say the Canucks could be a busy team in the coming months.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rightly or wrongly, a player's career is often defined by their accomplishments in the postseason.Here are three players who have been walking the walk through three rounds and who can rewrite their legacies in this year's Stanley Cup Final:P.K. SubbanFor whatever reason, the Montreal Canadiens did not think they could win with P.K. Subban, and in less than a year, he's on the verge of doing just that as a member of the Nashville Predators.Yes, Subban is a member of arguably the best group of defensemen in the league, but he's hardly being carried along the way; rather, he's doing much of the heavy lifting.Through 16 playoff games, Subban is averaging the second-most ice time among Predators defensemen (25:52, four seconds behind Roman Josi), and is tied with Josi for second in points with 10 (two goals, eight assists), one behind Ryan Ellis.Subban also ranks first among his mates with a 54.15 Corsi For rating in five-on-five play, and not because he's being deployed in the offensive zone on a regular basis.O-Zone %D-Zone %N-Zone %28.2432.4439.31Subban has also continued to be criticized even during this playoff run, most notably by NBC's Mike Milbury, who called him a clown for daring to do a little dance during pregame warmups.Should the Predators prevail in the final, you can bet Subban will be dancing at the parade and through the summer, and rightfully so, as both a Norris Trophy winner and a Stanley Cup champion.(Advanced stats courtesy: Corsica Hockey)Evgeni MalkinLet's be perfectly clear, Malkin is not simply Sidney Crosby's sidekick, and his career achievements are already the envy of most, as evidenced by his packed trophy case.AwardYear(s)Stanley Cup2009 & 2016Art Ross Trophy2009 & 2012Calder Trophy2007Conn Smythe Trophy2009Hart Trophy2012Ted Lindsay Award2012Yet when the NHL named its 100 Greatest Players back on Jan. 1, the Pittsburgh Penguins center was inexplicably omitted.It was a gross oversight, and one that looks even sillier as Malkin sits first in playoff scoring through three rounds with seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points, four ahead of Crosby.A third Cup and a second Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP would most certainly rank Malkin among the very best players of all time, even if he's not appreciated by the very league he's excelled in over the past decade.Pekka RinneDespite being a three-time finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie during the regular season, Rinne has never really been viewed as a truly elite goaltender.But going back to the 2006 playoffs, the first after the 2004-05 lockout, only one goalie to win at least 12 playoff games in a single postseason has topped Rinne's .941 save percentage.RankGoalieSeasonSV%GPRecord1Jonathan Quick (LAK)2011-12.9462016-42Rinne (NSH)2016-17.9411612-43Tim Thomas (BOS)2010-11.9402516-94Tuukka Rask (BOS)2012-13.9402214-85Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT)2007-08.9332014-6Rinne will be in tough to improve upon or even maintain that save percentage while earning four more wins over the Penguins, but it should be noted that his best single-round performance came against the Chicago Blackhawks, to whom he allowed only three goals against in a four-game first-round sweep, posting a save percentage of .976.If he, with help from Nashville's formidable defense corps, can similarly flummox the Penguins and backstop his team to its first ever Cup win, there'll be far less reason, if any, to question his abilities.Rinne only needs to look at the other bench during the final to be reminded that a young buck like Juuse Saros could supplant him as the starter at some point in the near future, meaning the time to cement his legacy in Nashville is now.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With a dramatic double-overtime win in Game 7 on Thursday night over the Ottawa Senators, the Pittsburgh Penguins have given themselves a chance to become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the Detroit Red Wings won back-to-back Cups in 1997 and 1998.Related - Watch: Kunitz's goal in double OT sends Penguins to Stanley Cup FinalOf course, just getting to the finals was a task in itself. The Senators didn't make things easy on the Penguins, as their defensive-minded style at times suffocated any offense Pittsburgh could muster.Still, when it mattered most, the reigning champs were able to get it done. Looking back, it was these three gentlemen that really laid it on the line for the Penguins in Game 7:Conor ShearyHis stat line might just show a single assist on Chris Kunitz's first goal of the game, but Conor Sheary was a beast.The 24-year-old finished tied for second on the Penguins with four shots on goal and was a possession machine, leading all skaters with a 67.74 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five.The game also served as a bounce-back for the young forward - who also played a personal playoff-high 21:44 - as his assist was his first point of the series, and his first point since Game 6 of the second round against the Washington Capitals.Chris KunitzKunitz picked the perfect time to snap out of a 35-game goalless skid.Having not scored since mid-February, Kunitz tallied both the opening goal and the eventual game-winner, ripping a shot over the blocking glove of Craig Anderson.It was easily one of the biggest goals of his career - capping off his first three-point game of the season - even if he insists it might have been a little lucky."I was just trying to get it to a soft spot," Kunitz said postgame. "The puck just fluttered off my stick... Sometimes you just get lucky."Lucky or not, the goal extended the Penguins' postseason and made Kunitz the oldest player in NHL history to score a Game 7 overtime winner. Not too shabby.Justin SchultzWelcome back Justin Schultz.Playing for the first time since Game 2 of the series, Schultz made an immediate impact. While playing the fewest minutes of any Penguins defender (24:16) - likely due to injury concerns - he tallied a goal and an assist on Kunitz's game-winner.His power-play tally midway through the third period looked like it could stand as the deciding goal in a tight contest. He looked steady in returning to his rightful spot on the power play and helped a once-ailing blue line to further steady things in front of Matt Murray.With 10 points in 15 games, Schultz leads all Penguins defensemen in scoring and proved his value in helping propel his club to the next round.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In this week's edition of "On the Fly," we're looking back at moments from this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs that have stayed with us through three rounds. And, heads up, Ottawa's featured prominently, because the Senators had a magical few weeks.MacArthur's momentIan McLaren: Nobody expected Clarke MacArthur to play professional hockey again, much less score an overtime playoff goal to propel the Senators into Round 2.Prior to those Game 6 heroics, it was in Game 2 of Ottawa's series against the Boston Bruins that MacArthur put himself back on an NHL score sheet, netting an opening-period goal that marked his first tally in almost two years.MacArthur, of course, had been sidelined for most of the past two seasons after a series of concussions put his career in doubt. That he was able to return for Ottawa's postseason run was one thing, but to hit the back of the net on home ice was a special moment, to be sure."One of the most special moments I've lived as a coach," Senators head coach Guy Boucher said after the eventual Game 2 overtime win. "When (MacArthur) raised his arms, the whole city raised its arms."That sentiment surely wasn't limited to Ottawa.Anaheim's comebackFlip Livingstone: The wildest third-period comeback of the playoffs was arguably the most controversial, as well.The Anaheim Ducks scored three goals - all with an empty net - in the final 3:16 of Game 5 of the second round versus the Edmonton Oilers, sending what was a 3-0 contest to overtime. Corey Perry buried the game-winner 6:57 into the second extra frame to give the Ducks a 3-2 series advantage, but it was Rickard Rakell's game-tying goal that everyone was talking about.Oilers goalie Cam Talbot was forced to try to make saves with two Anaheim players on top of him when Rakell slid in the equalizer, but an Edmonton coach's challenge did not change the call on the ice - good goal.Edmonton blew a three-goal, third-period lead and wasted a glorious chance to pull ahead in the series - a fact that would end up haunting them only five days later when Anaheim eliminated the Oilers in Game 7.The last-minute flurry of goals, in-crease controversy, and double-overtime winner all made the game one of the best of the 2017 postseason.Sorry, Edmonton.Pageau's 4 Craig Hagerman: If the Senators were a Cinderella story, then Jean-Gabriel Pageau might just have played the titular role.The speedy forward was a rare source of offense for the Senators this postseason. Nowhere were his exploits more on display than in Game 2 of the second round, when Pageau put the Sens on his back and lifted them to an incredible double-overtime victory over the New York Rangers.After tallying his second goal of the playoffs midway through the first period, Pageau waited until the dying minutes of regulation to strike again, notching his second of the game with just over three minutes remaining. He completed his hat trick with 62 seconds left and Craig Anderson on the bench, tipping in a Kyle Turris slap shot to tie the game at 5-5 and send it to extras.In double OT, just under three minutes in, Pageau came in on a 2-on-1 break and shelved a wicked wrister over the catching glove of Henrik Lundqvist, capping off his four-goal outburst in style and bringing the Canadian Tire Centre to a frenzy.Four shots, four goals.Not too bad for a player who scored 12 times in 82 regular-season games.Kadri's shiftSean O'Leary: Though it's impossible to quantify, momentum is one of those divine elements in sports that you can just feel. It can start with a scoring chance, a save, or - in Nazem Kadri's case in Game 3 of the first round versus the Washington Capitals - a hit.

Before the puck drops on the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, the Pittsburgh Penguins can thank their opponents for helping them gain a clear advantage in playoff wins in recent years.The Nashville Predators swept the Chicago Blackhawks en route to their Western Conference championship, allowing the Penguins to build quite a gap between them and the next most successful team since the NHL adopted a salary cap coming out of the 2004-05 lockout.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are about to take on a defense corps the likes of which they haven't met through the first three rounds of the playoffs.In fact, the Penguins' toughest test was last round when they faced Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson, but as Chris Kunitz suggests, the Predators are a different beast.

Despite a crushing loss Thursday in double overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators fans remain proud of their club's accomplishments.Many fans proved just how appreciative they were of the club's effort by welcoming them back from Pittsburgh with thunderous applause at the Ottawa Airport.Players and head coach Guy Boucher were extremely appreciative as they made sure to give several handshakes and high fives on their way out.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the offseason underway for a number of teams and the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.2016-17 Grade: BThe San Jose Sharks fell in the first round of the playoffs, unable to build on last year's trip to the Stanley Cup Final, as the injury-riddled squad was eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in six games.Free AgentsTwo players stand out among the handful of skaters due new contracts come July 1: Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.Both former Sharks captains, the aging scorers are still seen as important pieces of San Jose's core. However, the challenge with any new deal will be term, as contracts signed after age 35 can have long-term salary cap implications.Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 PointsJoe Thornton (F)UFA37$6.75M50Patrick Marleau (F)UFA37$6.667M46Micheal Haley (F)UFA31$625K12Chris Tierney (F)RFA22$712K232017 Draft PicksThe Sharks have seven picks in the coming draft. After the first round, San Jose won't pick again until Round 5, having traded its second-, third-, and fourth-rounders. Those selections acquired Roman Polak, Nick Spaling, and Jannik Hansen, plus a compensatory pick was sent to New Jersey for coach Peter DeBoer.RoundPicks112030405162 (Own & Coyotes)73 (Own & Blackhawks & Senators)Summer Priorities1. Bring back Thornton, move on from MarleauThornton's production fell to 50 points this season, down from 82 the previous year. While he's no longer the face of the franchise - that title belongs to defenseman Brent Burns - there is still value in size up the middle, and the Sharks have that in spades in Thornton.Related: Burns, Crosby, McDavid named Ted Lindsay Award finalistsAs for Marleau, he's been a loyal soldier for the franchise that drafted him second overall in 1997, but looming cap concerns could force the longest-standing Shark to test the free-agent waters this summer.2. Rest and relaxation to prepare for another Cup runIt's difficult to make repeat trips to the Stanley Cup Finals, let alone win it all. The Sharks whiffed in the playoffs this year, but an extended offseason could pay big dividends for a squad which played 106 games last year and followed it up with another 88 contests this campaign.An extended summer will also aid the ailing Sharks in recovering from an injury-riddled postseason, in which all of Thornton, Marleau, Tomas Hertl, and Logan Couture played banged up.3. Inject new blood to the forward ranksLook for San Jose to add some youth next season, headlined by 2015 top pick Timo Meier. The 20-year-old split this season between the Sharks and the minors, where he finished with 23 points in 33 games with the AHL's Barracudas. He's ready for full-time NHL duty next season.Sharks fans will also be reminded of Hertl, who was limited to 49 games this season due to a knee injury. The 23-year-old was one of the team's most exciting players a year ago, when he finished with 46 points in 81 games.2017-18 OutlookThe Sharks' Stanley Cup window hasn't fully closed, but the team's shot at winning it all is becoming increasingly slim as its core ages.The pieces are there - Pavelski, Couture, Burns, and goaltender Martin Jones - for the Sharks to continue to contend, but the team needs to add more flair to its lineup to keep up with the best of the West. San Jose's 221 goals this season ranked a pedestrian 19th.Last year's big-ticket free agent, Mikkel Boedker, failed to deliver on offense, as he chipped in just 10 goals. The Sharks need more from him, while they will also look to their young talent in Meier and Hertl to take the next step. The Sharks' core can contribute, but more is needed across the board in order for San Jose to keep its place in the contender's circle.Offseason Outlook SeriesCOL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF

Nicholle Anderson put it best.Craig Anderson's wife, diagnosed with cancer in the fall, took to Twitter after watching her husband and his Ottawa Senators fall to the Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final:

The smart money's on the Pittsburgh Penguins to defeat the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Final and repeat as champions.Here are your Cup Final odds, courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook:Team OddsPredators+130Penguins-150The teams split two games during the regular season, each winning on home ice.Nashville won 5-1 on Oct. 22, while the Penguins defeated the Preds 4-2 on Jan. 31. Marc-Andre Fleury faced Juuse Saros in goal in that first game (Fleury allowed five goals on 23 shots and was pulled), while Matt Murray and Pekka Rinne battled in the second meeting.The latter two will be in the crease Monday night when Game 1 is played in Pittsburgh, barring any injuries.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins. Nashville Predators. The 2017 Stanley Cup Final is set.We knew this year's championship round would start Monday (and sure, we also knew the dates for all seven potential games), but all of the loose ends were tied up when the Penguins eliminated the Ottawa Senators in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night.The Penguins will have home-ice advantage by virtue of having a better record during the regular season.Here are the dates and times as well as the TV info for the Cup Final.GameDateTime (ET)HomeAwayTV1Mon. May 298 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBC / CBC / Sportsnet /TVA2Wed. May 318 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBCSN / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA3Sat. June 38 p.m.NashvillePittsburghNBCSN / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA4Mon. June 58 p.m.NashvillePittsburghNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA5*Thurs. June 88 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA6*Sun. June 118 p.m.NashvillePittsburghNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA7*Wed. June 148 p.m.PittsburghNashvilleNBC / CBC / Sportsnet / TVA*If necessaryCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Craig Anderson just about willed the Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup Final.The goaltender turned in another marvelous performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night, but it wasn't enough, Ottawa falling 3-2 in double overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins.After a tumultuous season that saw Anderson's wife Nicholle diagnosed with cancer, and led to the shot-stopper missing significant time away from the team, Anderson put it perfectly when asked how he'd remember the 2016-17 season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Thursday to advance to their fourth Stanley Cup Final since 2008 and, of course, Twitter went nuts after Chris Kunitz buried the double-overtime winner.With so many intriguing storylines to follow in this series, the postgame tweet reaction was worth a read:

For the first time in NHL history, two American-born head coaches will square off in the Stanley Cup Final, according to the NHL Coaches Association.Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, a native of Marshfield, Mass., rallied his team to the final by winning two Game 7s. He made a series-altering decision against Ottawa by starting Matt Murray in Game 4 after Marc-Andre Fleury had carried them up to that point.Peter Laviolette, a native of Franklin, Mass., has masterfully led his team to a 12-4 record on the road to the Cup Final. His willingness to adapt to his opponent has been put on full display. The Predators played more of a defensive, trap style against the high-flying Blackhawks in Round 1, but then upped the tempo against St. Louis and Anaheim.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a Penguins-Predators Stanley Cup Final.Pittsburgh defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in double overtime of Game 7 on Chris Kunitz's one-timer winner to advance to the main event. The defending champs are four wins away from repeating.Sidney Crosby set up the series-winning goal, and it was Kunitz's second tally of the game, after going more than 30 contests without a goal. Kunitz added an assist, and it was his first three-point game of the season.The Penguins outshot the Senators 42-29, and had a 71-60 advantage in shot attempts.Goaltender Craig Anderson was the best Senator on the night, stopping 39-of-42 shots, but Ottawa's magical playoff run is over. And what a run it was.Pittsburgh will host Nashville in Game 1 on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Charles Barkley prefers actual competition.The former NBA great and current TNT broadcaster was basically done with Game 5 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics at halftime Thursday.He wanted to watch Game 7 - what was left of it - between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins instead:

Marc Methot can lay the body.That much was clear Thursday, when the Ottawa Senators D-man took Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin off his skates and out of the play with a nasty - but clean - hip check.The hit was laid near the end of the second period with the game tied at 1-1.Methot has some previous experience in the hip-check department:Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Erik Karlsson has set the Ottawa Senators record for assists in a playoff year with the primary helper on Ryan Dzingel's game-tying goal late in Game 7. His 16th assist surpasses Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, who tallied 15 a decade ago during Ottawa's run to the Stanley Cup Final.Karlsson's feat is especially impressive considering he plays defense, and reached 16 assists in his 19th game, whereas is took Spezza and Heatley an even 20 to record 15.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mark Stone used every bit of his leg to stay onside. He then made sure it mattered.The Ottawa Senators forward tied up Game 7 at 1-1 only 20 seconds after Chris Kunitz gave the Pittsburgh Penguins a lead, going upstairs on Matt Murray with a wicked shot.Here's a better look at Stone's stretch: