Apparently Mother Nature isn't a fan of Game 7s.There have been multiple reports of power outages in the city of Ottawa, which obviously comes at an unfortunate time, considering the Senators are set to play in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final at 8 p.m. ET.

Justin Schultz is back in the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators.Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist took part in the pregame warmup but wasn't listed in the lineup.Schultz hadn't played since he was hurt in Game 2 of the series, when he fell awkwardly into the boards following a hit by Ottawa forward Mike Hoffman midway through the first period.Hornqvist hasn't played since Game 1 of the series on May 13.Both players were game-time decisions for Game 7.Penguins forward Conor Sheary returned to the lineup Thursday night after missing Games 5 and 6.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It wasn't the most significant defeat of Ryan Kesler's NHL or international career, but the veteran Anaheim Ducks forward says losing Game 6 of the Western Conference Final to the Nashville Predators was the most difficult."This was the toughest loss of my career," Kesler told reporters Thursday at the Ducks' final media session of the season. "This stings. It still stings. We left everything out there."Kesler struggled in the series as a whole, collecting one point in six games, and he was on the ice for four more goals against than goals for in Game 6.Still, the 32-year-old has endured several losses that one would expect to cut deeper than Monday night's elimination at the hands of the Predators, including Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final as a member of the Vancouver Canucks and Team USA's gold-medal game disappointment at the Olympics in 2010.Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa echoed Kesler's sentiment Thursday, calling their Game 6 loss the toughest of his career despite the fact that he was also Kesler's teammate on a Canucks squad that came one win short of winning a championship.Whether it's a case of recency bias or simply a sense of urgency because neither Kesler, 32, nor Bieksa, 35, has ever won the Cup, it's clear the pain of this particular loss is still lingering.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the heels of their season-ending loss to the Nashville Predators in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final on Monday, the Anaheim Ducks revealed severe injuries to two key blue-liners.Defenseman Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm will both require shoulder surgery for torn labrums this offseason, general manager Bob Murray announced Thursday.Lindholm's rehab should take four-to-five months, while Vatanen's will take longer, per Murray.Both defenseman played in all six games versus the Predators, logging regular minutes.The news adds to the onslaught of injuries Anaheim had to deal with throughout the postseason, as ailments to netminder John Gibson and forwards Patrick Eaves and Rickard Rakell ravaged the Ducks' roster when it mattered most.Murray and the Ducks face a major conundrum for the upcoming expansion draft due to numerous valuable players that need protection, and the injuries to Vatanen and Lindholm add yet another wrinkle.With Kevin Bieksa's no-movement clause, Anaheim can only protect three more defenseman if they opt for the eight skater, one goalie format. That leaves one of Vatanen, Lindholm, or the up-and-coming Josh Manson ripe for the taking.A potential trade for one of these players may be in the works, but the market could definitely shrink with such serious injuries now in play.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Newly-minted Sabres general manager Jason Botterill hasn't wasted any time making a much-needed addition to his blue line, signing 24-year-old defenseman Viktor Antipin to a one-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Thursday.Antipin spent 2016-17 with Magnitogorsk Metallurg in the KHL, recording six goals and 18 assists in 59 games while averaging 21:58 of ice time per game. He upped his play during his team's run to the KHL finals, scoring seven times with four helpers in 18 playoff games, logging over 24 minutes per night. He was awarded a golden helmet (given to playoff All-Stars) for his postseason play."Viktor is a well-rounded defenseman who has played in all situations at the pro level," Botterill said in a statement released by the team. "His mobility and puck-moving skills make him a perfect match for what we're hoping to build with our defense corps next season."Antipin will be joining a D-core in serious need of reinforcements. Rasmus Ristolainen is a true No. 1 defenseman, but after him, the projected depth chart is pretty bleak:LDRDJake McCabeRasmus RistolainenJosh GorgesZach BogosianViktor Antipin???Obviously McCabe isn't fit to play on a top pair, nor is Gorges capable of being a top-four defenseman anymore, so Botterill still has plenty of work to do, given that Dmitry Kulikov and Cody Franson are both pending unrestricted free agents. Nonetheless, the acquisition of the 5-foot-11 Antipin is a step in the right direction.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues added Steve Ott to their coaching staff, the team announced Thursday.Ott will join head coach Mike Yeo's staff as an assistant coach on a three-year contract."Steve was a competitor on the ice as a player and I expect him to bring that energy in this role," Yeo said. "He was highly respected as a player and a person among his teammates and I believe he will be a huge asset to our staff."

Though his stay was short, the Anaheim Ducks appear to have made a good impression on Patrick Eaves.The 33-year-old was acquired from the Dallas Stars ahead of the trade deadline, and while he played just a combined 27 games with the Ducks in both the regular season and playoffs, he seems to have enjoyed his stay."'I'm proud of this team," Eaves said. "I would love to be back here."Related: Ducks' Eaves, Rakell were sidelined with high ankle sprainsEaves will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and though he would like to return to the Ducks, he admits his decision will largely be impacted by his family, according to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register.Ideally, Eaves would like a multi-year deal, especially after signing consecutive one-year contracts. After tallying a career-high 32 goals and 51 points in 79 games, that might not be an issue.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eugene Melnyk took it upon himself to write a letter to a newspaper disputing what he feels was an unfair analysis of the Ottawa Senators' playoff ticket-selling woes.Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun wrote Wednesday that the team owner was primarily to blame for the fact not every game this postseason has sold out. The article also ran in the Ottawa Citizen.Brennan opined, "The only logical explanation for fans negatively stealing so much of the spotlight from the Senators' unexpectedly wondrous ride through the playoffs has to be a growing, general contempt for the team's owner, for one reason or another."Hogwash, Melnyk retorted Thursday, via the Ottawa Citizen:

It's not a dream, Nashville hockey fans.The Stanley Cup Final logo has officially been painted on the ice at Bridgestone Arena, which promises to be rocking when the hometown Predators take to the ice against the yet-to-be-determined Eastern Conference champions.

A pair of Anaheim Ducks weren't able to get their feet wet late in the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to high ankle sprains.Patrick Eaves and Rickard Rakell were both sidelined with the ankle injury, head coach Randy Carlyle disclosed Thursday, according to Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times.Rakell scored 33 goals in the regular season, while Eaves registered 32 of his own in time split between Dallas and Anaheim.Losing Eaves in Round 2 and Rakell in Round 3, then, was not an insignificant hindrance in regards to the team's chances of advancing to the Cup Final.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A now-former Colorado Avalanche assistant coach has some offseason advice for Matt Duchene."I think he needs a break right now," Tim Army, who was dismissed by the club Wednesday after six seasons, told Terry Frei of the Denver Post."He has produced 30 goals in the league, he for sure should be a 25-goal guy every year. He has that ability and that’s a lot of goals in today’s game. I think he needs a summer to get away and forget about hockey for a little while."Duchene has averaged 25 goals for every 82 regular-season games played, but mustered only 18 in 77 appearances in 2016-17.His tenure with the team predated Army's, but the assistant watched as the winger experienced some ups and downs in his career trajectory, leading to an expectation that he's a leading candidate to be traded as part of a roster retooling.But from Army's point of view, what Duchene really needs is some time to clear his head outdoors, and not a change of scenery within the hockey world."I think sometimes he thinks himself into trouble," Army continued. "He overthinks things and he needs sometimes to let go and just go play. When he gets a little tight, it doesn’t go his way, he starts to overthink and grips the stick too tightly. It limits his ability to attack and make plays and attack openings. When he gets on a roll, he’s scary."Duchene did kick off his summer by playing for Canada at the World Championship, where he scored one goal in 10 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Taylor Hall is trying not to look back.Speaking on Sportsnet 590 in Toronto on Thursday, the New Jersey Devils forward commented on what it was like to watch his former team - the Edmonton Oilers - qualify for and win a round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and whether he was rooting for them to lose Game 7 against Anaheim."I wouldn't say I wanted them to lose, but it was nice to finally see them maybe get eliminated," Hall admitted."It's a tough thing to describe to people. I think there's been enough time that's passed since the trade has happened that you finally just kind of - it is what it is now, and I'm a Devil, and I'm excited to see what we can do next season."Hall, of course, was traded by the Oilers last summer to New Jersey in exchange for Adam Larsson. With that deal in the past, Hall reiterated he's looking forward to helping his current club achieve success."My focus these days and this summer is just becoming the best player that I can be, and show up to camp next year and help my team however I can," Hall said. "I'm excited that that's in New Jersey."Hall registered 20 goals and 33 assists in 72 games in his first season as a Devil.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The following three players were all considered "good" before the playoffs began, but none of them were considered to be stars. All three have utilized the Stanley Cup Playoffs as their red carpet to stardom.Ryan Ellis, PredatorsEllis enjoyed a breakout year during the regular season, but it largely went unnoticed because, well, he plays in Nashville. Now, on the national stage, his spectacular play isn't getting missed by anyone.Ellis sits third on the team with 11 points in the postseason. He has averaged exactly 24 minutes and and 2.7 shots per game. At 26, the former 11th overall pick has taken some time to develop, but he has finally come into his own - and it couldn't have come at a better time.Fellow defensemen Roman Josi and P.K. Subban were already stars before the playoffs began, but now Ellis has given them three on the blue line. Even Mattias Ekholm, who rounds out the Pradtors' top-four defenders, is on the doorstep of stardom, albeit in a less flashy manner.Pekka Rinne, PredatorsRinne has had a great career. He has started nearly 500 regular-season games for the Predators, owns a career .917 save percentage, and finished in the top three in Vezina Trophy voting three times.However, he's also never won a Vezina, posted a .910 save percentage or worse in three of his past five seasons, and has never played in a large market. So, frankly, he probably wasn't considered a "star" by most hockey fans.Until now, that is.Rinne's play during the postseason has been downright absurd. He's posted a ridiculous .941 save percentage and minuscule 1.70 goals-against average.He is a lock to take home the Conn Smythe if the Preds end up winning the Stanley Cup. Even if they lose, he could very well get the J.S. Giguere treatment and win playoff MVP anyway. Regardless, he has cemented himself as a star these playoffs.Jake Guentzel, PenguinsGuentzel enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign, scoring 16 goals and registering 33 points in just 40 games. He was scoring at a 30-goal pace. This has now been proven to be no fluke, as he has carried this scoring touch into the playoffs, notching nine goals - including three game-winners - in 17 games thus far.Guentzel's shooting percentage in both the regular season and the playoffs is abnormally high, but that's partially a byproduct of playing on Sidney Crosby's line.What Guentzel lacks in size he makes up for with quickness, instincts, and a high compete level. These playoffs have been a coming-out party for the youngster.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Players often say it's "just another game," but there's no denying Game 7 brings out the best in them.The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Ottawa Senators in a winner-take-all matchup Thursday night, with a berth in the Stanley Cup Final on the line.Both teams feature plenty of players who've come up big throughout these playoffs and in postseasons past.Here are a few players who should have a significant impact in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final:Evgeni MalkinMalkin has been the most productive Penguin in the playoffs, posting 24 points in 18 games, or five more than Sidney Crosby in one more game played.The Russian sniper scored Pittsburgh's lone goal in Game 6, and he's chipped in six points over the first six contests in this series.It's not just his recent success that makes him a prime candidate to influence this game, either. Malkin also has six points in six career Game 7s, and the Penguins are 4-2 in those contests.

As the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators gear up for a critical Game 7, the Penguins' most clutch performer awaits in the shadows.No, it's not Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, or even Phil Kessel. The man to keep an eye on Thursday night? Bryan Rust.The 25-year-old has played just 112 regular-season games over the last three seasons with the Penguins, but he's already demonstrating a knack for Game 7 dramatics.Rust has played in just two Game 7s over the last two seasons - against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference finals last year and then against the Washington Capitals last round - and in each of those games, he scored the eventual winner.The Penguins edged the Lightning by a slim 2-1 advantage. Rust scored both goals while playing just 11:12 - the third-lowest ice time among all Penguins forwards - and still managing five shots on goal.Last round, Rust scored the game's opening goal, which held up as the winner as the Penguins skated to a 2-0 victory over Washington.Of course, it's a very small sample size. In 39 playoff games, Rust has amassed 12 goals and 16 points, meaning one in four of his playoff goals have come in Game 7s. He's also scored two of his three career playoff game-winners in Game 7s.Certain players live for the big moments, and while he's still just getting established, Rust appears to be that kind of player. Move over, Justin Williams.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Johansen wishes he could have seen his battle with Ryan Kesler through to the very end.After Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, Johansen - who went head-to-head with the Anaheim Ducks' center all night - had some choice words, saying, "I don't know how you can cheer for a guy like that," and "It just doesn't make sense how he plays the game."Johansen was unable to finish the series as a result of a serious leg injury that developed following Game 4, and while he doesn't regret his comments, he definitely wanted to add "have a nice summer" to Kesler and the Ducks following a Nashville series win."I really meant what I said," Johansen said on TSN 1040 in Vancouver on Wednesday. "I would never take back what I said. It’s just frustrating. Whether people think he’s doing a good job at what he does ... I just don’t want to get into it again. What I said is what I meant. I’m just happy we were able to beat them, and I wish I could have been in line to shake their hands."Johansen, who required emergency surgery after being diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome in his left thigh, was able to join teammates for the presentation of the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, and quite understandably admits to struggling with not being able to play."It was just awesome to go out there and stand beside the boys and enjoy that moment," he said. "It's been pretty tough, I won't lie, it's been difficult and I'm sure it's going to be a little frustrating not being out there even moving forward now."Johansen was playing some of the best hockey of his career at the time of the injury and is expected to make a full recovery.The Predators, meanwhile, await the winner of Game 7 between Ottawa and Pittsburgh.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the offseason underway for most teams, and the rest 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: C+For the first time since 2014, the Boston Bruins made it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but not without a major shakeup along the way.After guiding the team to a 26-23-6 record through 55 games, longtime and Cup-winning head coach Claude Julien was fired, and assistant Bruce Cassidy was promoted to interim bench boss. From that point on, the Bruins went 18-8-1, good enough to clinch a postseason berth and earn Cassidy the gig moving forward.Once in the playoffs, Boston fell to Ottawa in the opening round, albeit with a depleted blue line and with four of the six games being decided in overtime.Despite being a playoff bubble team over the course of the season, Boston finished with a second-ranked five-on-five Corsi rating of 54.68, suggesting solid play throughout the season mixed with a touch of bad luck that kept them down. In fact, Boston's PDO (save percentage + shooting percentage) was a 29th-ranked 98.13 in five-on-five play, with only lowly Colorado faring worse.The underlying numbers show the team was better than its point total suggested. But the Bruins achieved basically their lowest possible level of tangible success, keeping their overall grade down.Free agentsThe Bruins have a number of players who need contracts come July 1, with David Pastrnak standing out as a major item on Sweeney's to-do list, and Ryan Spooner's tenure with the club seemingly at a crossroads after he was scratched in the playoffs.Player (position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 PointsDavid Pastrnak (F)RFA20$92500070Ryan Spooner (F)RFA25$95000039Tim Schaller (F)RFA26$92500014Noel Acciari (F)RFA25$7925005Dominic Moore (F)UFA36$90000025Drew Stafford (F)UFA31$4.35M21Joe Morrow (D)RFA24$8000001John-Michael Liles (D)UFA36$2M52017 draft picksThe Bruins will make six picks in the coming draft, and only four of their own.RoundPicks1121 (Oilers)3041506172 (Own + Panthers)Summer priorities1. Left side, weak side: Team president Cam Neely has already named two clear roster needs: left wing and left-side defense.When it comes to the former, Matt Beleskey and Jimmy Hayes have disappointed in black and gold, and both were scratched during the playoffs. While Brad Marchand has emerged as one of the league's best left-wingers, there's a steep drop-off in talent under his name on the depth chart.On the blue line, both John-Michael Liles and Joe Morrow are free agents, leaving only Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug as left-hand-shot defensemen. The Bruins have prospects like Jakub Zboril, Rob O'Gara, and Matt Grzelcyk in the pipeline, but it's possible none of them are ready to play full time in the NHL yet.Ideally, the left-side defenseman they target will be able to take Charlie McAvoy under his wing like Chara did with Brandon Carlo this past season.2. Get Pastrnak signed long term: In light of how the Bruins have handled young players in recent years - most notably Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton - the club can ill afford to mess around with another budding star.David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, David Backes, and Marchand will all make between $6 million and $7.25 million next season. Given that Pastrnak has become just as integral to the forward group, he deserves to be compensated as such.Only Marchand topped Pastrnak's 70 points (34 goals, 36 assists) in 2016-17, with Krejci ranking third with 54 points.The Bruins need to lock him up, and for a long time.3. Find a better backup: The backup goaltender position was perhaps the biggest roster flaw this past season.Anton Khudobin rejoined Boston last summer, and while he did provide the team with a few wins and some solid play down the stretch, his poor performance near the beginning of the season forced Tuukka Rask to carry a heavier load than necessary.Khudobin was one of three goalies to spell Rask, with underwhelming results.PlayerGamesRecordSave %Anton Khudobin167-6-1.904Zane McIntyre80-4-1.858Malcolm Subban10-1-0.813He remains under contract for 2017-18, but could easily be sent down to the AHL in favor of Zane McIntyre, who's had a promising season in the minors. He could also be bought out with a view to signing a better, more established backup.Either way, this situation needs to be fixed.2017-18 outlookFor next season to be a success, the Bruins will need to shed the label of playoff bubble team and return to contention. A team built around the likes of Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak, Krejci, Rask, and even an aging Chara should be in the playoffs and winning rounds year in and year out.And help is on the way, thanks to general manager Don Sweeney's rebuild on the fly. The young McAvoy appears poised to make his presence felt after a successful playoff debut, and there are several other prospects both on the blue line and up front that could make the team and infuse some pep on the cheap.Last summer's somewhat ill-advised David Backes signing is a mistake that shouldn't be repeated, but it signals Boston's intent to remain competitive in the present.The Bruins could have their best team since winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2014, and, quite frankly, it's time to make up for wasted years in between.Offseason Outlook SeriesCOL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF

P.K. Subban still has no explanation for why he was traded to the Nashville Predators, but he insists it doesn't bother him."I still have no idea why I'm not a Montreal Canadien, and quite frankly, I really don't care," the star defenseman told ESPN's Jeremy Schaap in an interview airing on "E:60" this Sunday, according to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski.Subban also defended his exuberance on the ice."I'm going to come to the rink, I'm going to enjoy what I do, and if someone believes that I should come to work and not smile and not be myself, well I'm sorry, who are they to tell me how to live my life?" he said.Subban's goal celebrations have been a source of controversy in a league that tends to discourage overt expressions of emotion, and the blue-liner told Schaap he doesn't intend to stop expressing himself.

With the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins set to square off in Game 7 on Thursday, we take a look at five incredible Game 7s over the past five years. One can only hope Thursday's tilt is as exciting as these historic contests.Maple Leafs, Bruins (2013)Venue: TD Garden

Every Game 7 is accompanied by a slew of statistics intended to add to the drama.The winner-take-all contests aren't decided by numbers, but getting a sense of how the teams and their key players have performed in past Game 7s can provide insight into who's most likely to prevail.Some numbers are more telling than others, but they all help paint the picture heading into the decisive game.Here are 17 figures to keep in mind as the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to host the Ottawa Senators in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night:0Number of times the Senators have won a Game 7 in their current incarnation's franchise history.5Game 7s played by Ottawa since re-entering the NHL in 1992-93.7Game 7s played by the Penguins at home after losing Game 6 on the road.0Wins by Pittsburgh in those games, according to Sportsnet.9-7The Penguins' all-time record in Game 7s.3-7Pittsburgh's record in Game 7s at home. Thursday's game will take place in Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena.8Game 7s played by Penguins forward Carl Hagelin, who's won seven of them. Teammate Chris Kunitz has also appeared in eight, and he's 5-3, while Matt Cullen is 6-0.No Senators player has taken part in more than the five Game 7s played by Derick Brassard and Chris Kelly.5Seasons since Ottawa last appeared in a Game 7. The New York Rangers eliminated the Senators with a 2-1 victory to close out their first-round series on April 26, 2012.5Players still on Ottawa's roster who played in that game - Craig Anderson, Erik Karlsson, Chris Neil, Zack Smith, and Kyle Turris.3Combined goals by Penguins forward Bryan Rust in his two Game 7s, including a double dip in the decisive contest of last year's Eastern Conference Final.2Combined goals scored by Senators forward Alex Burrows in three career Game 7s.1Game 7 victories by Senators head coach Guy Boucher in Pittsburgh, albeit accomplished in his rookie season as a head coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2011..583All-time winning percentage for home teams in Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.1-1Record for home teams in Game 7s this spring.125-43All-time record for the team that scores first in a Game 7.40Number of Game 7s that have gone to overtime out of 168 all-time winner-take-all games, or 23.8 percent.20-20Record for both home and road teams in Game 7s that have gone to overtime.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews is giving new life to Mitch Marner's status as a meme.Matthews changed his Twitter avatar to a Photoshopped shot of Marner boarding a school bus with some younger students.(Courtesy: Twitter/@AM34)The Marner portion of Matthews' avi is real, and it's a flipped version of the one posted by Postmedia's Mike Zeisberger at the airport Monday.

Do or die for a chance to play for the Stanley Cup. It doesn't get much better than that.Pittsburgh hosts Ottawa in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night. The Penguins are trying to make it to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in their quest to repeat, while the Senators are looking to make their second final in club history (and win the franchise's first Cup).Here's where things stand after six games:TeamGFGASFSASV%PP%PK%FOW%Penguins1411200168.93527.8% (5-for-18)94.4% (17-for-18)49.4%Senators1114168200.9305.5% (1-for-18)72.2% (13-for-18)50.6%What do you think?Puck drop is shortly after 8 p.m. ET. You can watch the game on CBC in the north and NBCSN in the U.S.Winner gets Nashville.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Yeo is bringing in a familiar face.The St. Louis Blues named Darryl Sydor an assistant coach Wednesday, reuniting the former NHL defenseman with the Blues head coach, with whom he worked for five seasons as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild.It's a three-year deal for Sydor, who was an assistant with the Blues' former AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, last season.Last week, the Blues opted not to renew the contracts of three assistants - Ray Bennett, Steve Thomas, and Rick Wilson - as well as that of goalie development coach Ty Conklin.Yeo was promoted from associate to head coach in February, replacing the fired Ken Hitchcock, who later resurfaced with the Dallas Stars.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Craig Cunningham is sticking with the Arizona Coyotes.The club has signed the former player to a two-year contract to serve as a pro scout, as well as to assist in player development with the Coyotes' prospects."Craig was a smart, hard-working player with an incredible passion for the game," said general manager John Chayka. "We're confident that he will bring those same qualities to the Coyotes in his new role and that he will be an invaluable asset to our organization. We look forward to Craig helping us in several areas and are excited that he is staying with the club."Cunningham's playing career was cut short as a result of a cardiac emergency prior to a Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) game on Nov. 19, 2016. Part of his left leg was subsequently amputated in order to ensure a full recovery."I'm very excited to begin the next chapter of my life with the Coyotes," said Cunningham. "I'm very grateful to John Chayka, (coach) Dave Tippett, the Coyotes and Roadrunners organizations, and all of the great fans across Arizona for the incredible support I've received over the past year. I'm looking forward to helping the Coyotes and I can't wait to get started in my new role."Cunningham appeared in 63 NHL games as a member of the Coyotes and Boston Bruins.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators are setting a trap.Winger Clarke MacArthur made no bones about his team's gameplan heading into Game 7 against the Penguins in Pittsburgh:

It's an Ottawa Senators supporter's worst nightmare: Game 7.Tuesday was great; also bittersweet. The Sens refused to begin their offseason, forcing a deciding game in the Eastern Conference Final versus the Penguins in Pittsburgh. All that's on the line is the chance to play for the Stanley Cup. So, everything.However, for Ottawa to advance and depose the defending champs, it must exorcise some major win-or-go-home demons. Thursday night will be the sixth Game 7 in franchise history, and the Senators are still searching for win No. 1. It's going to be agony - but hopefully the good kind, in the end.Now, a couple of sentences from "Outline," an incredible novel by Rachel Cusk, come to mind:

Bobby Ryan desperately wanted to go back to Pittsburgh. Not only did he get his wish, he did his part.The 30-year-old continued his stellar playoffs Tuesday, scoring a much needed power-play goal for Ottawa, which tied Game 6 against the Penguins 1-1. Mike Hoffman would score the winner, forcing a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final. And that's all Ryan wanted:

Add another name to the list of head coaching candidates in Florida.San Jose Sharks assistant Bob Boughner will reportedly meet with the Panthers for an interview this week, according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN. The Sharks granted permission to speak to Boughner earlier in May.Boughner has been with San Jose since 2015, and was part of Pete DeBoer's staff when the team made a Stanley Cup Final appearance last spring.He previously served as an assistant with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010-11, with long stints as head coach of the OHL's Windsor Spitfires from 2006-10 and 2011-15 sandwiching that NHL experience.Boughner joins Michel Therrien, Todd Reirden, and Jim Montgomery as reported candidates for Florida's vacant position.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evgeni Malkin believes it's Pittsburgh's turn to bounce back from a tough loss.After dominating Game 5 to the tune of a 7-0 win over the Ottawa Senators, the Penguins were unable to book a spot in the Stanley Cup Final in Game 6 despite outshooting the opposition by a wide margin.Malkin was the only Penguin to get the better of Craig Anderson on Tuesday, while recording seven of Pittsburgh's 46 shots in the 2-1 loss. A similar effort should seal the deal in Game 7, according to the Russian center."I think we had great game," Malkin said postgame, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "We missed so many great chances. It's a hard game. We played against a good team, and after the last game, they changed and they played better. We know it's a tight game. We'll go back home and win the last one. We play at home. It's a good chance to win."Malkin's goal was his seventh of the postseason, bringing his point total to 24, most among remaining players and five ahead of second-ranked Sidney Crosby (19).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 Calgary Flames bounced back from a horrid 2015-16 season. In their first year with Glen Gulutzan behind the bench, they registered 94 points, finishing as the Western Conference's first wild-card team. They played exceptionally well down the stretch, posting a record of 21-9-1 in their final 31 games.The Flames were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks, but three of the four games were decided by one goal. Regardless, reaching the postseason was good enough to earn this team a B grade.Free AgentsMost of Calgary's core pieces are locked up long term, but a good chunk of its supporting cast will require contract renewals, specifically on the back end. More importantly, both of its goaltenders are unrestricted free agents:Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 Points/SV%Kris Versteeg (LW/RW)UFA31$950K37Sam Bennett (C)RFA20$925K26Curtis Lazar (C/RW)RFA22$894 1674Micheal Ferland (LW/RW)RFA25$825K25Alex Chiasson (RW)RFA26$800K24Dennis Wideman (D)UFA34$5.25M18Deryk Engelland (D)UFA35$2 916 66716Michael Stone (D)UFA26$2M15Brian Elliott (G)UFA32$2.5M.910Chad Johnson (G)UFA30$1.7M.910Ladislav Smid (D)UFA31$3.5M0 (LTIR)2017 Draft PicksThe Flames have just five picks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft:RoundPicks11 (16th overall)203041516171(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Summer Priorities1. Acquire a legitimate No. 1 goaltender:Alright, Flames. Enough of this two-headed monster business in net. Time to go out and get a legitimate No. 1 goalie. Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson both had stretches of good play, but neither was as consistent as needed to make a run at the Cup.The only problem is, available No. 1 goaltenders are few and far between. Ryan Miller is probably the best available free-agent netminder, but he'll be 37 by the time next season rolls around.Perhaps the most available goaltender via trade this offseason will be Marc-Andre Fleury. He was a bit shaky during the regular season, but re-upped his value with strong postseason play.Otherwise, the best course of action would be calling up rebuilding teams like Arizona, Detroit, and New Jersey to inquire about the asking prices of Mike Smith, Jimmy Howard, and Cory Schneider. All three are capable of taking the Flames deep into the playoffs with the right pieces in front of them.2. Add three defensemen:The Flames' top three defensemen of Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, and T.J. Brodie form one of the best trios in the league. If they were to add another legitimate blue-liner, such as Kevin Shattenkirk or Karl Alzner, for example, it would give them a top-4 that they can ride, not unlike the Nashville Predators.If they can't land a big name to round out their top-4, they would be smart to add three capable, if unspectacular, names to give them a strong D-core one to six. Brendan Smith, Ron Hainsey, Trevor Daley, Michael Del Zotto, and Cody Franson should all be considered. Re-signing Michael Stone also shouldn't be ruled out.3. Get a winger to play with Monahan and Gaudreau:The vacant wing on Calgary's top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau was a revolving door throughout the regular season. Gulutzan experimented with Micheal Ferland, Alex Chiasson, and Troy Brouwer, among others, but none are long-term solutions on the top line.Going out and getting one of the top available wingers, such as T.J. Oshie or Alexander Radulov, would be ideal, but could cost a pretty penny.When Monahan and Gaudreau had their breakout seasons in 2014-15, the club's leading scorer was their linemate, Jiri Hudler. While getting a high-profile player would be nice, Hudler's season is evidence that a big name isn't required for success. A veteran such as Radim Vrbata, for example, won't cost a fortune and could mesh well with Monahan and Gaudreau.2017-18 OutlookIf the Flames can solve their goaltending issues, they will be legitimate contenders in the Pacific Division. The Sharks are only getting older and the Ducks could be hurt by the expansion draft more than any other team. The Kings could very well enter a rebuild - or a retool - and the Coyotes and Canucks are lottery candidates. The rival Oilers will be the favorites, though, which should give Calgary all the more reason to restock and put out a competitive team next season.Offseason Outlook SeriesCOL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF

Senators head coach Guy Boucher had high praise for his goaltender Craig Anderson after his club's 2-1 victory in Game 6.

OTTAWA, Ontario - Mike Hoffman scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night and force a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals.Bobby Ryan also scored a rare power-play goal for Ottawa and Craig Anderson stopped 44 shots.Evgeni Malkin gave Pittsburgh, vying for its second straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the lead early in the second period and Matt Murray finished with 28 saves.Game 7 is Thursday night in Pittsburgh, with the winner advancing to face the Nashville Predators for the championship.The Senators managed to quickly forget a 7-0 loss two days earlier in Game 5 and extend their season for one more shot at a return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 10 years.Ottawa was primarily looking for a return to structure in Game 6, beginning with a smoother start - which they got. Notable in a scoreless opening period were two effective penalty kills, one of which saw Viktor Stalberg get the best opportunity short-handed.Pittsburgh had four shots with the man advantage, but Anderson stopped them all. The 35-year-old struggled through Games 4 and 5 - allowing seven goals - but it was evident early that he had his game back in this one. He stopped Nick Bonino off a rebound in transition, Scott Wilson off a deflected shot by Phil Kessel, and Bonino again when Kyle Turris gave the puck away.Murray was also sharp. The 22-year-old, who replaced Marc-Andre Fleury after Game 3, made maybe his finest save of the first on Derick Brassard, who found an open lane down the middle of the ice following a pass from Ryan.The Penguins appeared to have opened the scoring just over three minutes into the second, but Trevor Daley was deemed to have interfered with Anderson following an Ottawa challenge.Less than two minutes later though, Pittsburgh took the 1-0 lead anyway off a few moments of brilliance from Malkin. The playoff scoring leading (24 points) bounced off a check from Zack Smith behind the goal and after being stopped on his drive to the net, followed up with a nifty backhand rebound to beat Anderson.It was the 153rd career playoff point in 142 games for Malkin - three back of Sidney Crosby for second among active players behind Jaromir Jagr - who had been jarring with Hoffman a few minutes earlier.The Senators had little going until a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage for 1:24 just past the midway point of the period. The Ottawa power play, which had gone 0 for 29 in the previous 10 games, came through with Ryan ultimately wiring a one-timer short-side to tie the score.It was the sixth goal and 15th point of the playoffs for Ryan, who is second on the Senators behind captain Erik Karlsson (16 points).Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Craig Anderson turned in a sensational Game 6 performance, stopping 45 of 46 shots in Ottawa's 2-1 victory to stave off elimination. With the win, Anderson earned his way into the Senators' record books, tying Patrick Lalime for the club's all-time record with 21 postseason wins.The victory came after a forgettable Game 5 performance in which he was yanked after allowing four goals on 14 shots in a 7-0 blowout loss on his 36th birthday.In Anderson's last four games when facing elimination, he is 3-1 with a 0.76 GAA and a .978 save percentage.Anderson has continued to show that no amount of adversity, in the crease and in life, is too much for him to handle. His wife Nicholle, of course, has been battling a rare form of throat cancer since October.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The streak is over.Prior to this Bobby Ryan one-timer, the Ottawa Senators had gone 0-for-29 with the man advantage. Their last power-play goal came in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Rangers on April 27.The key to this tally was the movement at the top of the umbrella. With Kyle Turris shifting to the middle and Ryan creeping out towards the faceoff circle, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta lost track of which lane he needed to be in in order to block the shot.For Ryan, he has arguably been Ottawa's best forward since the start of the playoffs. He now has 15 points - one back of Erik Karlsson for the team lead - and is responsible for three of the team's seven power-play goals in the postseason. It's safe to say he has made up for an abysmal regular season, in which he registered just 25 points.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Early in the second period of Game 6 Tuesday night, Trevor Daley appeared to break the ice, jamming home a loose puck to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 1-0 lead.Or so we thought.After the Ottawa Senators opted to challenge the call, referees determined it was goaltender interference, negating the goal.Here's a look:Much like the controversy that overtook the Anaheim Ducks - Edmonton Oilers series in round two, the call - and lack of explanation - left hockey fans wondering what the rule actually is.

With their season at stake, the Ottawa Senators have opted to insert rookie Colin White into the lineup Tuesday for his playoff debut in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.White, selected 21st overall by the Senators in 2015, appeared in only two games this season, but is one of the club's top prospects.The 20-year-old center spent his season at Boston College, where he scored 33 points in 35 games. White was also a key member of Team USA's gold medal triumph at this year's world juniors.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After coming up short in the playoffs, the same Anaheim Ducks squad that just missed this year's Stanley Cup Final is unlikely to return next spring.That's because the Ducks face arguably the biggest decisions of any team ahead of next month's expansion draft, when the incoming Vegas Golden Knights will grab a player from each team, and there are plenty of players worth plucking from the Ducks.For the expansion draft, teams can protect one goaltender and either seven forwards and three defensemen, or any combination of eight skaters. The wrinkle: Any player with a no-movement clause cannot be exposed, unless he agrees to do so.So if you're Ducks general manager Bob Murray, that means begging veteran defenseman Kevin Bieksa to help out by waiving his no-move clause. If not, that means the following names must stay put:PlayerPositionCapTerm2016-17Corey PerryF$8.625M4 Years53 Pts in 82 GPRyan GetzlafF$8.25M4 Years73 Pts in 74 GPRyan KeslerF$6.875M5 Years58 Pts in 82 GPKevin BieksaD$4M1 Year14 Pts in 81 GPGiven the Ducks' depth on the blue line - which was on full display in the playoffs - it's all but assured that Murray will opt for the second route, meaning Anaheim will choose to protect more than three defensemen.And let's say that, yes, Bieksa is willing to roll the dice on ending up in Vegas. But even in that situation, Anaheim still has four defensemen it would like to hang on to: Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler, and Josh Manson.The good news is that most of the Ducks' young blue-liners, namely Brandon Montour, Shea Theodore, and Jacob Larsson, are exempt from the expansion draft. But by protecting four rearguards, that leaves just four other slots up front, with Perry, Getzlaf, and Kesler filling up all but one.Not good news when you also plan to have Jakob Silfverberg, Rickard Rakell, and maybe even ironman Andrew Cogliano as part of your future.So rather than lose a good asset for free, expect a Duck - either up front or on the back end - to be on the move prior to the expansion draft, as it's in Anaheim's best interest to find an asset in return rather than lose a good player for free to the Golden Knights.Less than 24 hours removed from the playoffs, and there's already so little time for rest this offseason in Orange County.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators are hoping a little extra rest will pay off for their superstar.Captain Erik Karlsson sat out the second half of a lopsided Game 5 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he maintains it was solely for precautionary reasons and not due to a re-aggravation of hairline fractures in his left foot that he admitted to playing with in the opening round.For the most part, at least.From Dan Rosen of NHL.com, in advance of Tuesday's Game 6 in Ottawa:

Maybe P.K. Subban was right all along.Traded by the Montreal Canadiens to the Nashville Predators in an offseason blockbuster, Subban was headed to a market still relatively new to hockey, but one where he felt he could win."I'm excited about the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup," Subban said in July. "That's what this is all about."The NHL made its foray into Tennessee in 1998 as part of a four-team expansion. Nearly two decades later, and the Predators have put the pieces in place to become a model franchise, one that offers stars like Subban a chance to drink from Lord Stanley's cup.This season, the Predators have continued to raise the bar, like selling out all 41 home games for the first time in the franchise's 19-year history. Then skip ahead to the playoffs, where 17,423 Predators faithful were on hand for Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks, setting a single-game attendance record.That's not all. Away from the rink, Predators fans are tuning in at home, setting a new high mark with each passing game. The series-deciding Game 6 against Anaheim scored a 16.5 rating from NBC, meaning about 165,000 Nashville households, or about two-thirds of local homes, cheered on the Predators from the comforts of the couch."I played in one of the best hockey markets in the world in Montreal," Subban told Linda Cohn of ESPN. "When I came here, a lot of people were saying to me that this is a 'C' market for hockey. What a joke that is."It's a raucous bunch no doubt, so much so that Guinness World Records has been on hand to measure the decibel level in Bridgestone Arena."Anybody that steps on the ice in this building or walks around this city knows this is an 'A' market for hockey," Subban added. "There is nothing more that this city deserves than a Stanley Cup and we have an opportunity to do it now."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar will have some new faces on his staff to work with next season.Goalie coach Francois Allaire, along with assistants Tim Army and Dave Farrish, will not return for 2017-18, the club announced Tuesday.The dismissals come on the heels of an awful campaign in which the Avalanche amassed just 48 points, the lowest total of any team in a full season since the adoption of the shootout.Allaire is likely the most well known of the three, having won three Stanley Cups while serving as goalie coach of the Montreal Canadiens (1986, 1993) and Anaheim Ducks (2007), with both Patrick Roy and Jean-Sebastien Giguere playing massive roles under Allaire's tutelage.Army had served as an assistant coach in Colorado since 2012, while Farrish joined the staff in 2015.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pekka Rinne's having a time.The Nashville Predators are off to their first Stanley Cup Final, and they have their goaltender to thank. Rinne has been out of this world this spring, and he punctuated his playoff performance Monday night by stopping 38-of-41 shots during a game in which his team fired only 16 pucks on Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonathan Bernier. The Ducks had 16 shots in the third period alone.Rinne's been masterful, any way you look at it.Since the lockoutGoing back to 2005-06, the first season after the 2004-05 lockout, only one goalie to win at least 12 playoff games in a season has bettered Rinne's .941 save percentage (the Finn has stopped a remarkable 446-of-474 shots).RankGoalieSeasonSV%GPStanley Cup?1Jonathan Quick (LAK)2011-12.94620Yes2Rinne (NSH)2016-17.94116TBD3Tim Thomas (BOS)2010-11.94025Yes4Tuukka Rask (BOS)2012-13.94022Lost SCF5Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT)2007-08.93320Lost SCFAs you can see, a goaltending performance like Rinne's ends one of two ways.All time(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Going back 100 years, Rinne's .941 percentage ranks third all time among goalies to win at least 12 games in a postseason. He's submitting a playoff performance that betters legends and Hall of Famers like Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek, and Patrick Roy.RankGoalieSeasonSV%GPStanley Cup?1Quick (LAK)2011-12.94620Yes2Jean-Sebastien Giguere (ANA)2002-03.94521Lost SCF3Rinne (NSH)2016-17.94116TBD4Olaf Kolzig (WSH)1997-98.94121Lost SCF5Thomas (BOS)2010-11.94025Yes6Rask (BOS)2012-13.94022Lost SCF7Hasek (BUF)1998-99.93919Lost SCF8Brodeur (NJD)2002-03.93424Yes9Roy (COL)2000-01.93423Yes10Nikolai Khabibulin (TBL)2003-04.93323YesAt his age(Photo courtesy: Action Images)As The Athletic's James Mirtle pointed out, Rinne's performance is that much more impressive considering he's 34 years old.In fact, what Rinne's doing at his age is unprecedented. Only six goalies 34 or older have won at least 11 games in a postseason with a save percentage of at least .930.RankGoalieAgeSeasonSV%GPStanley Cup?1Rinne (NSH)342016-17.94116TBD2Thomas (BOS)362010-11.94025Yes3Hasek (BUF)341998-99.93919Lost SCF4Roy (COL)352000-01.93423Yes5Ed Belfour (DAL)341999-00.93123Lost SCF6Chris Osgood (DET)352007-08.93019Yes(On an aside, what Tim Thomas did in 2010-11 at 36 was stunning.)The numbers don't lie. Should the Predators win the final, Rinne will be the reason why, and he'll have a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Stanley Cup to show for a dream-like run in the playoffs.(Data courtesy: Hockey Reference)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers will need to pay the piper.Heading into the offseason, the Broadway Blueshirts have a handful of decisions to make, with one pertaining to the future of defenseman Brendan Smith.A pending unrestricted free agent, Smith was added in a deadline deal that sent two draft picks to the Detroit Red Wings, with the 28-year-old later becoming a mainstay on the right side of the Manhattan blue line.Smith skated in 18 regular-season games with the Rangers, plus another 12 playoff contests. In the postseason, he saw the third-most minutes among New York blue-liners, holding down 19:41 per night and trailing only Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi.Now just a few weeks from free agency, Smith is prepared to cash in on his performance, but just how much could balancing his team's cap constraints be part of the picture?"He's looking for a good fit with a good organization, and the Rangers certainly qualify," Smith's agent, Anton Thun, told Larry Brooks of the New York Post. "But to pass up free agency, Brendan’s going to need a contract that reflects market value."New York has long desired a top puck-moving defender, particularly on the right side and have been rumored as a destination for top prize Kevin Shattenkirk. The New York native could become a free agent this offseason.As for Smith, he could have plenty of interested suitors this summer."There might be a couple of teams like Minnesota and Anaheim who have extra defensemen and are going to have expansion-protection issues, but there are 28 others who are looking," Thun added. "And if you take a look, I think Brendan has a lot to offer every team that needs (defense)."Some cap creativity may be needed on the Rangers' part if they are to keep Smith. According to Cap Friendly, New York has about $9 million in projected cap space, but with several key players needing new contracts, including Mika Zibanejad, Oscar Lindberg, and Jesper Fast.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colton Sissons' modest hockey goals appear to have finally become reality.The Nashville Predators center recorded a hat trick and the game-winning goal in Game 6 against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, helping propel the team to its first Stanley Cup Final appearance."It was a wild ride so far this year, a lot of challenges for me personally, obviously being out of the lineup," Sissons told reporters after the biggest game of his career. "I just wanted to be a regular guy playing every single night to now arguably (the No.) 1 or 2 center for us with (Ryan Johansen and Mike Fisher) out."Often scratched during the regular season, Sissons had recently been bumped up the depth chart as a result of the key injuries he mentioned. Many assumed losing Johansen and Fisher would be a deal breaker for the Predators, but those worries have been waylaid for the time being."It's been a wild ride," Sissons reiterated, "but it feels good and I'm just enjoying it."Drafted 50th overall, Sissons has now scored five goals and added five assists in 16 playoff games; those 10 points represent half of his career point total through 109 regular-season games.After his Game 6 heroics, there's no way he'll be seen as just a regular guy in Nashville anymore - at least not among the fans.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators are making their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final.Prior to Monday, the Predators were one of just five NHL teams to have never punched their ticket to the final. Now just four teams remain in the hunt for their first shot at the final round:Arizona CoyotesThe longest drought belongs to the Coyotes, who joined the NHL as the Winnipeg Jets in 1979 before uprooting and heading to the desert 17 years later.In all, it counts for 38 seasons in which the Coyotes have not advanced to the final. The franchise made its closest bid to win it all in 2012 before falling to the Los Angeles Kings in Round 3, missing the final by three wins.The good news is that the future is bright in Arizona, with a host of young talent led by the likes of Max Domi, Brendan Perlini, Clayton Keller, and Jakob Chychrun, among others, so the team's winning ways shouldn't be too far off.Columbus Blue JacketsLeading up to 2017, the Blue Jackets were a laughingstock, missing the playoffs in all but two seasons in their 15-year history. That all changed this year.Under the guidance of coach John Tortorella, the Blue Jackets embraced a style of play that led them to their best season in franchise history, finishing with 108 points for the NHL's fourth-best record.And while the Blue Jackets were bounced early in the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins, this season was simply a preview of what's to come in the Ohio capital, where the Blue Jackets have established one of the league's most exciting cores built around Alexander Wennberg and Zach Werenski.Minnesota WildThe Wild were somewhat of a surprise this season, their first under new bench boss Bruce Boudreau. He brought eight division titles with him to St. Paul and nearly had another in his first season with the Wild prior to a late-season slump.While Minnesota wasn't able to translate its regular-season success to the spring, falling to the St. Louis Blues in five games in the opening round, Wild fans still have much to be happy about.Boudreau breathed new life into the Wild, getting the most out of veteran players like Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, and new addition Eric Staal, while overseeing promising progress from youngsters Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter.Winnipeg JetsAfter a single playoff appearance in their first 11 years as the Atlanta Thrashers, the Jets have advanced to the postseason just once since their relocation to the Manitoba capital. But hope is on the way given the team's rising stars.With young talent like this, visions of Lord Stanley are hard to ignore.The Jets boast arguably the NHL's best crop of young talent, and the franchise was lucky enough to add to it last summer with rookie Patrik Laine, as the Finnish freshman scoring 36 times in his inaugural campaign. That type of player just happens to roll through Winnipeg every so often.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

I have to give Mike Sullivan credit - he looks like a genius.After Marc-Andre Fleury got off to a poor start in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Pittsburgh Penguins coach immediately went to Matt Murray to finish the game, then promptly started him in Game 4, even though Fleury had carried the Penguins this far.Murray had missed all of the playoffs with a lower-body injury up to that point, and Sullivan's fitness for the job would be questioned if Murray did not play well.Murray rewarded his coach with a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 4, followed by a shutout in Game 5. He has two wins, and has allowed just three goals against on 71 shots in the three games he has played.The Penguins, up 3-2 in the series with Murray in goal, now look unstoppable.So why would a coach do this? Why take out Fleury after all the work he's put in to carry his team to the Eastern Conference Final?I'm going to tell you why.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Murray got Sullivan his first Stanley Cup as a head coach. Sullivan trusts Murray, and knows him well. Coaches are fiercely loyal to players that help them win.When I was the third goalie with the eventual Stanley Cup-champion New York Rangers in 1994, Mike Keenan brought in Steve Larmer, Brian Noonan, and Stephan Matteau from Chicago. He traded great players like Mike Gartner, James Patrick, and Tony Amonte to get them.Why?Keenan knew them from Chicago, and trusted that they could help him win.Every good coach has his boys - the players he trusts. Unless you're an All-Star player, which accounts for roughly 5-7 percent of the NHL, you need to have someone on your side - a coach to help you climb the ladder. Matteau and Noonan were good players, but by no means superstars. Keenan helped them both become millionaires and Stanley Cup champions.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The man that helped me climb that ladder was Tom Renney. I had won a Memorial Cup with him in Kamloops. So when Tom landed the head coaching job for Hockey Canada and the 1994 Olympic team, who did he bring in as the goalie he would trust for the biggest tournament in the world? Me - and for the same reasons Sullivan went to Murray. I had won with Tom before.I recall not playing well just before the 1994 Olympics, and there was talk of bringing another goalie in to replace me. But Tom stuck by me. I remember a particular day in Sweden, two weeks before the Olympics; Tom brought me in for a meeting to talk to me. He said all the right things, and I went on to play every minute in the Olympics, winning a silver medal for Canada.Was it a little ruthless to not start Fleury in Game 4? Definitely.But Matt Murray is Mike Sullivan's guy, and that's all there is to it.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time in four decades, David Poile has a chance to win it all.The Nashville Predators long-time general manager has crafted a team that will play in its first Stanley Cup Final next week. It's also a first for Poile, who has been with the franchise since its 1998 inception.Poile began his career in hockey operations as assistant GM with the former Atlanta Flames in 1977, spending five years with the franchise, including the final two in Calgary following its relocation.The 67-year-old then arrived in Tennessee after 15 years at the helm of the Washington Capitals, who advanced to the Stanley Cup Final a year after his 1997 firing. In Nashville, Poile would be the architect of the NHL's newest expansion franchise, where 19 years later and he is the longest-tenured GM.In the early goings in Music City, Poile built a team respected for its work ethic. But in recent campaigns, he's pulled off blockbuster deals to bring in the likes of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and P.K. Subban.Those moves have transformed the Predators into a juggernaut, one that now has a chance at its first championship.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators may have to attempt to avoid elimination in front of some empty seats.In advance of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and with Ottawa's season on the line, plenty of tickets remained available as of Tuesday morning.

With the offseason underway for a number of teams and the remainder 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: AVery few would have predicted a playoff spot for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, but after defying the odds with a rookie-heavy roster, many feel the team had what it takes to oust the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals after forcing five games to overtime in Round 1.Mike Babcock and the Maple Leafs saw a 26-point improvement after finishing with the worst record in the league a season earlier, all while allowing their rookies to play in all situations and make mistakes.Free AgentsPlayer (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 PointsBrian Boyle (F)UFA32$2M25Zach Hyman (F)RFA24$900K28Connor Brown (F)RFA23$686 66736Roman Polak (D)UFA31$2.25M11Matt Hunwick (D)UFA31$1.2M19Stephan Robidas (D)UFA40$3MDNPBrooks Laich (F)UFA40$3.55MDNPMilan Michalek (F)UFA32$3.05M2Colin Greening (F)UFA31$1.7MDNPPlayer (Position) 2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 SV%Curtis McElhinney (G)UFA33$800K.9172017 Draft PicksAfter taking a combined 20 picks in the last two drafts, the Maple Leafs have just seven selections this time around, a sign the rebuilding period is quietly coming to an end.RoundPicks1121 (Sharks)3042 (Own+Penguins)516171Summer priorities 1. Upgrade defenseIt's no secret that the Maple Leafs' biggest flaw is their thin defensive corps.Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner both appeared to take a big step forward in their development - especially in the postseason - and Nikita Zaitsev appears to have been a smart gamble, but it stops there.The team still lacks a true No. 1 and won't be able to attain one for nothing. Some rumors suggest the team could have its eyes on Karl Alzner of the Capitals, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but Toronto needs more than that.The Maple Leafs will have to decide whether to risk dealing one of their young forwards for a proven defenseman. If they are keen on improving on this season, they must get better in their own end somehow.2. Sign capable backupThis could be as simple as re-upping Curtis McElhinney.The Maple Leafs acquired McElhinney on Jan. 10 after he was placed on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Upon joining the club, the 33-year-old posted a .914 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against average in 14 games.The Maple Leafs dealt Jhonas Enroth after he allowed 18 goals in six games without collecting a single win for the team. The Maple Leafs might want more than McElhinney, but the fact is they need someone who can be relied on for at least adequate goaltending to offer Frederik Andersen the occasional rest.3. Continue to develop young starsIt's important to understand that even though the Maple Leafs enjoyed great success this season, they are still extremely young. While it's easy to project even better seasons from the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, they're still just becoming accustomed to life in the NHL.These three and many others on the Maple Leafs have more growing, learning, and improving to do before Toronto can be considered among the best clubs in the East.2017-18 OutlookThe 2016-17 season went about as well as the Maple Leafs could have hoped - minus a series win over the Capitals.Their three most promising rookies made significant impacts in their first true tastes of the NHL and each thrived. Matthews, Marner, and Nylander all earned Rookie of the Month honors - Nylander twice - and gave fans something to be proud of for the first time in a long time.The team made its first playoff appearance since the 2012-13 campaign and Toronto's problems in goal appear to be fixed.That said, there's still lots of room for improvement. The defense is in drastic need of an upgrade and a steady backup goalie would go a long way.If 2016-17 was just a sneak peek of what is to come for the Maple Leafs, it might not be too long before they really can be considered contenders. And when was the last time anyone said that about the Maple Leafs?(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.