Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf was fined $10,000 for directing an inappropriate comment toward another on-ice participant in Game 4 against the Nashville Predators, the NHL announced Saturday.According to Frank Seravalli of TSN, the remark was a homophobic slur."(Getzlaf's) comment was inappropriately demeaning and disrespectful, and crossed the line into behavior that we deem unacceptable," NHL senior vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell said in a statement.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's no secret: losing Ryan Johansen deeply hurts the Nashville Predators' chances of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.The 24-year-old center underwent thigh surgery to repair a mysterious injury suffered in Game 4, ending a 14-game playoff run in which he led the club with 13 points and drove the bus for an impressive Predators top line.Related: Poll: Can the Predators beat the Ducks without Ryan Johansen?That said, it's now a best of three between the Preds and the Anaheim Ducks, and even though Nashville's lost its top offensive player, by no means is the series over.Here are three reasons why.1. His linemates Johansen is just one piece of a truly terrifying top line that features Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg.Arvidsson's notched 10 points in the postseason thus far, and has five points in his last three games. Forsberg has accrued 12 points in the playoffs, and has scored a goal in four consecutive contests.Forsberg may have to shift to center in Johansen's absence, which would limit his time and space as he goes against Ducks shutdown pivot Ryan Kesler. It will be a tough test, but Forsberg and Arvidsson are legitimate offensive threats, and should still be able to generate a strong attack.2. Kings of the bounce backIn three games following losses this postseason, Nashville is 3-0, allowing a grand total of three goals.In those contests, goaltender Pekka Rinne owns a save percentage of .955. While his series versus the Ducks hasn't been his best, consecutive poor performances have been few and far between for the Finnish netminder of late.And although the series is locked at two games apiece, Nashville has mostly controlled play through four contests, out-attempting Anaheim 285-211 in all situations so far.If the Predators can stick to what they've been doing all postseason long, heading back to Music City with a 3-2 series lead is certainly attainable.3. The blue lineWhile Johansen is the Predators' most important piece up front, the foundation of this club is its depth on the blue line.Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and P.K. Subban occupy spots two through four in the defenseman scoring race this postseason, while Mattias Ekholm rounds out the best D corps in the playoffs.Through 14 games, the Predators are allowing 28.6 shots per game - the lowest mark among teams still playing - and their 1.79 goals against per contest leads the playoffs.Nashville wasn't able to dig itself out of an ugly first period in Game 4, ultimately dropping the decision in overtime before learning Johansen was out of the picture.Now the Predators undoubtedly face a tougher road to earn a chance to play for the Stanley Cup, but don't count them out just yet.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's not over until it's over.Team Canada put together a four-goal effort in the third period for a 4-2 comeback victory over Team Russia in semifinal action Saturday.The two sides were scoreless through the first 20 minutes, but goals by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nikita Gusev helped Russia take a 2-0 lead into the final frame.Vadim Shipachyov, who recently signed with the Vegas Golden Knights, drew an assist on Gusev's goal, marking his 13th point of the tournament.Canada got on the board just 17 seconds into the third with a goal from Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, who tipped a shot by Russian netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy.Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon drew an assist on Scheifele's goal, then added a tally of his own from the slot with less than five minutes remaining in the third to bring the score to 2-2.Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly completed the comeback just 1:51 later, registering his fifth goal of the tournament to put Canada ahead. The team would tally again, with Sean Couturier adding an empty-net goal.Canada will advance to the gold medal game to face the winner of Saturday's match between Finland and Sweden.The country has won gold the past two years, defeating Russia in 2015 and Finland in 2016.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are hurting. Not on the scoresheet, but in the infirmary.Pittsburgh defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Friday to even their conference final series at two games apiece. But it was a costly victory for the Penguins, who lost defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a concussion following a hit by Senators winger Bobby Ryan.It isn't known if Ruhwedel will be ready for Game 5. For now, he joins fellow blue-liners Kris Letang and Justin Schultz on the sidelines.The oft-injured Letang, who has been out since late February after undergoing neck surgery, won't see the ice this postseason.Schultz, meanwhile, has missed the last two games due to an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old has been one of the Penguins' most valuable defenders this postseason, leading all defensemen with eight points in 14 games. Like Ruhwedel, it's unknown if he'll suit up for Game 5.Ruhwedel's injury is the latest ailment to take its toll on a blue line already short on experience:DefensemanAgeCareer GPPointsPlayoff GP (Prior to 2017)Trevor Daley3389427850Olli Maatta222206431Ian Cole283387731Mark Streit3978443431Brian Dumoulin251633329Derrick Pouliot2367142Ron Hainsey369072530Two names stand out among the pack: youngster Derrick Pouliot and veteran Mark Streit, both scratched in Friday's win over the Senators. They've combined for one game this spring.A former first-round pick by the Penguins, Pouliot has rarely drawn into the lineup under coach Mike Sullivan.After missing nearly three months to start the season following a lower-body injury, the Saskatchewan native was limited to 11 contests this season. He hasn't played since the final game of the regular season.The high-flying defenseman has yet to display his scoring touch at the NHL level, but has shown it off with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he has recorded 70 points through 114 contests.With the Penguins' back end facing depth challenges, there's no better time for Pouliot to debut that offensive edge than now.The same can be said for Streit, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline. The hope was Streit would bring a veteran voice, but he's skated in a single playoff game with the Penguins, picking up an assist in Game 3 against the Senators.But it surely won't be the last appearance for Streit this spring, given the injury bug that has hampered the Penguins' blue line. The 39-year-old offers a wealth of knowledge, and now is the time for Sullivan and the Penguins to tap into it.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: CBy the most important measure, the season was a failure for the Lightning, but there were still some positives in an otherwise disappointing campaign.Tampa Bay missed the playoffs by a single victory, just one year after reaching the Eastern Conference Final, but there was a rather significant extenuating circumstance.Steven Stamkos tore his knee just 17 games into the season, and that put unexpected pressure on a talented, but already fragile roster.Despite the way Tampa Bay's season finished, general manager Steve Yzerman deserves to be lauded for his work securing the club's core while expertly navigating the salary cap.He convinced Stamkos to sign an eight-year deal a few days before July 1, negotiated an eight-year pact with Victor Hedman on the first day of free agency, and got Nikita Kucherov inked to a three-year contract two days before the Lightning's season opener.Yzerman then resolved the uncertainty surrounding pending free agent Ben Bishop, getting defensive prospect Erik Cernak and veteran goalie Peter Budaj in the deal that sent his longtime starting netminder to the Los Angeles Kings.Still, between Stamkos' injury and just barely missing out on a playoff spot, it certainly wasn't how the Lightning wanted to start or end the season.Free AgentsThe Lightning have three significant deals to get done this summer, as Jonathan Drouin, Ondrej Palat, and Tyler Johnson are all pending RFAs.Here's a look at the players whose contracts are up for renewal:Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge'16-'17 Cap Hit ($M)'16-'17 PointsJonathan Drouin (F)RFA220.89453Ondrej Palat (F)RFA263.3352Tyler Johnson (F)RFA263.3345Andrej Sustr (D)RFA261.4514Luke Witkowski (D)UFA270.5754Greg McKegg (F)UFA240.71Budaj performed admirably behind the Kings' tight defensive system, and Yzerman could do worse than re-signing him to serve as the backup next season.Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge'16-'17 Cap Hit ($M)'16-'17 SV %Budaj (G)UFA340.6.9152017 Draft PicksThe Lightning have seven picks in next month's draft, including a second-round acquired in the Brian Boyle deal and a sixth-round selection sent to Tampa Bay by the Montreal Canadiens in the Nikita Nesterov trade.RoundPick Total11 (14th overall)22 (1 from Leafs)31405062 (1 from Canadiens)71Summer prioritiesTampa Bay has three primary objectives before the puck drops next fall:1. Get Drouin's pen to paperThere was a time when an extension for Drouin seemed out of the question, but the young forward put his holdout behind him and posted his best NHL season to date.Drouin ranked second on the Lightning with 21 goals and finished third with 53 points, making his past transgressions distant memories.The 22-year-old is now unquestionably a key part of the franchise's future, and getting him locked in on a long-term deal would be another coup for Yzerman and company.Signing Johnson and Palat is certainly important, as well, but getting Drouin's deal done has to be considered the No. 1 item on the offseason agenda.2. Find more 'O' from the 'D'The GM said last weekend that more offensive production from the back end was indeed a priority for next season, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.Hedman poured in a career-high 72 points, but he barely had any offensive help among fellow blue-liners. The next-most productive Lightning defenseman was Anton Stralman, who chipped in 22 points.Tampa Bay gets so much of its scoring and overall offensive contributions from its forwards, but balancing that with defensemen who help spur the offense would be certainly be beneficial.3. Improve defensivelyThe other area of concern is the defensive play of the aforementioned group.Tampa Bay was an average team in that regard this season, ranking 16th in the NHL with 2.73 goals allowed per game. That was a significant decline from 2015-16, when the Lightning ranked fifth in the league with only 2.41 goals allowed per contest.Goaltending surely factors into that figure, but Tampa Bay should still look to upgrade defensively, even if the market for blue-liners this summer isn't robust.2017-18 OutlookAssuming Stamkos is healthy next season, the Lightning will be expected to return to the playoffs and once again challenge for the Stanley Cup.Expectations will be high again, and they should be, given Tampa Bay's track record with this core.It's Andrei Vasilevskiy's crease now, and the 22-year-old goaltender will have a clean slate to build on the 50-game workload he took on this season.A return to the Cup Final might be setting the bar high, but another playoff miss will simply be unacceptable.Offseason Outlook SeriesCOL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF

The dates for the Stanley Cup Final have been announced.With four teams - Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Anaheim Ducks - still vying for spots in the fourth round, the NHL has announced the championship series will begin May 29.Here's a list of the dates, with start times yet to be determined.GameDate 1May 292May 313June 34June 55June 86June 117June 14The team with the greatest number of points during the regular season gets home-ice advantage for the series.Both conference finals are currently tied 2-2.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa's power play has been dreadful this postseason. If they can't get it going with the man advantage, their magical run to the conference finals could be over faster than you can say "all even."The Senators are just six-for-52 (11.5 percent) with the man advantage in the postseason, including an active run of 25 straight power plays without a goal. Only the eliminated Rangers and Blues posted worse power-play percentages in the playoffs.It's not even the fact that they're not scoring with man advantage, it's that they simply can't get anything going. They've only recorded 46 shots on goal during their 52 power plays, per Corsica.Hockey.Frankly, that is unacceptable. There's no reason a team should be averaging fewer than one shot per power-play opportunity - especially one good enough to be in the Eastern Conference Final.Not only has the quantity of shots been poor, but so has the quality. Heading into Friday's game, they'd only generated 20 scoring chances for in 48 opportunities. None of the remaining teams have recorded fewer scoring chances, and Ottawa has received more power plays than anybody.Since the Sens play such a defensive style of hockey, they can't afford to be this bad with the man advantage. They struggle generating offense as it is.The best course of action would be to simplify everything. Get more traffic in front and throw everything on net. It doesn't have to be the big slapper. Wristers about a foot off the ice will do just fine.The power play will certainly be a focal point at Ottawa's next practice, so it will be interesting to see if head coach Guy Boucher does anything to shake it up.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are down another defenseman.Chad Ruhwedel suffered a concussion Friday during Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators and will be evaluated once the team returns home, head coach Mike Sullivan announced after the 3-2 win.Ruhwedel was forced to leave the game after a hit by Bobby Ryan late in the first period and was unable to return.

Credit Mike Sullivan for ultimately making the right call.The Pittsburgh Penguins head coach set emotion aside and went with the informed decision, starting Matt Murray in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final in favor of Marc-Andre Fleury, who did yeoman's work to get the team into the third round to begin with.And in his first start of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Murray stopped 22 of 24 shots, backstopping his team to a huge win over the Ottawa Senators on Friday.The victory tied the series at 2-2, and effectively sealed Murray's fate as the Penguins' starter for the foreseeable future.Sure, Murray allowed two goals, but neither came as a result of poor efforts on his part. The second, in particular, took several bounces off sticks and skates en route to the back of the net, and the first was the result of a pretty wicked cross-ice pass from Bobby Ryan to Clarke MacArthur.More importantly, Murray came up huge in the early minutes, where his team had completely fallen apart in Game 3, resulting in Fleury's early exit. He also made key stops in the dying seconds with the Penguins on the penalty kill and with Craig Anderson having vacated the opposing net."(Murray) made some timely saves for us when we needed it," Sullivan said after the game. "I thought he was tracking the puck extremely well."In two appearances against the Senators in the series, Murray has stopped 41 of 44 shots, good for a save percentage of .932.After the game, Murray told Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Oake that he didn't feel at his best, which is understandable seeing as, prior to Wednesday, he hadn't played since April 6. He added he felt better as the game went on, which could spell bad news for the Senators moving forward.It would not have been a shock had Sullivan decided to stick with Fleury, but it appears Murray will take it from here, and rightfully so.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evgeni Malkin had a prime view of the Pittsburgh Penguins third goal in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final.The center was the intended target of a Brian Dumoulin pass that bounced off Dion Phaneuf's skate Friday and into the back of the Ottawa Senators net.Malkin, who's been battling Phaneuf all series long, made sure the defenseman knew it.Savage, as the kids say.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Losing Ryan Johansen for the remainder of the playoffs is obviously a devastating blow to the Nashville Predators. Not only was he the team's leading scorer in the playoffs, but the club is very weak down the middle after him. With that being said, the following four players will need to raise their games in order for Nashville to beat the Anaheim Ducks.Mike FisherThe team's captain, every indication is that Fisher is an excellent leader off the ice, but now it's time for him to start leading on it.Fisher has been held without a single point through 14 playoff games. Frankly, this is unacceptable. He's certainly a defensive-minded center, but he needs to start producing offensively if Nashville is going to stand a chance the rest of the way.At 36, Fisher is obviously no spring chicken, but he still scored 18 goals and registered 42 points in 72 regular-season games. His offensive touch is still there... somewhere.Fisher actually left Thursday's game in the third period for an undisclosed reason. The Predators desperately need him to be good to go for Game 5, and step up his game in the process.Colin WilsonWilson was chosen seventh overall by the Predators in the 2008 NHL Draft. He has largely underperformed relative to his draft status his entire career, but seems to have hit an all-time low this postseason.He hasn't scored in nine straight postseason games, picking up only two assists in that span. Simply put, the Preds need more offense from Wilson, and they need it now.He has spent most of his time on the wing throughout his career, but may be asked to play center in Johansen's absence. If this is the case, even more responsibility falls on his shoulders, making it that much more crucial for him to elevate his game.Calle JarnkrokIf Fisher is unable to play, Jarnkrok will be the club's de facto No. 1 center.The 25-year-old showed flashes of potential during the regular season, scoring 15 goals and adding 16 assists. Those flashes have been few and far between so far in the postseason, as he's totaled just two points.The Swede is going to need to play up to his potential for the Predators to have a chance. He'll have to go up against Ryan Getzlaf or Ryan Kesler - both of whom will require him to be at his very best at both ends of the ice. He can't get physically intimidated by either center. He needs to use his speed and be strong on the puck.Pekka RinneIt's hard to ask Rinne to raise his game when he has without a doubt been Nashville's best player throughout the entire postseason. However, he has slowly been coming down to earth as the playoffs have progressed:RoundOpponentSV%GAA1Blackhawks.9760.702Blues.9321.853Ducks.9112.34Simply put: without their best offensive player, the Predators can't allow more than one or two goals per game to win. Asking for a repeat of his first-round performance is unfair, but a return to his second-round form is more realistic. His numbers against Anaheim are quite pedestrian. He needs to be better.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators are about to be put to the test.As the Western Conference Final shifts back to Anahiem tied 2-2, Nashville will attempt to defeat the Ducks without the services of Ryan Johansen, after the team's No. 1 center suffered a left thigh injury that will sideline him for up to three months.Johansen led the Predators with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) through 14 games, and was also playing an important role in the neutral and defensive zones.His injury begs the question: Have the Predators become easy prey?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars are looking to invest in the present.After moving up in the NHL draft lottery to secure the third overall pick, general manager Jim Nill isn't set on using it."I have talked to other teams already about possibly moving that pick, getting an established player back," Nill told SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, per Sean Shapiro of Wrong Side of the Red Line."It gives us lot of options. I think this will heat up more as we go."There's likely two factors at work that could point the Stars to make such a move.For one, this year's draft class is highlighted by forwards Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier, and the field opens way up beginning with the third selection."There's probably a group of another 10 players, and that's when it comes down to team's personal preference," Nill said. "Are you looking for a big strong centerman? Are you looking for a scoring winger? Are you looking for a power forward? There is lot of different options there."On top of that, Dallas owns an additional, yet-to-be determined first-round pick courtesy of the Ducks. This selection comes by way of the Patrick Eaves trade, which included the condition sealed by the Ducks advancing to the Western Conference Final and Eaves playing in 50 percent of the games in the first two rounds, according to Cap Friendly.The Stars' earlier acquisition of Ben Bishop signals the team is looking to move way up the standings as early as next season, meaning it may indeed be prudent to move a high pick for more immediate help.The first round of the NHL draft is set for June 23 in Chicago.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators' Stanley Cup hopes took a massive hit Friday afternoon.Ryan Johansen, the team's No. 1 center, is out for the remainder of the playoffs after sustaining a left thigh injury in Thursday's Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks that required emergency surgery, the club announced.The surgery was successful and Johansen will need two-to-three months to recover.The 24-year-old departs the playoffs as Nashville's leading scorer, with three goals and 10 assists in 14 games. He was averaging 20:46 in ice time. His production will be sorely missed, and the pressure will be on Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson to produce in his absence.It's unclear when Johansen was injured in the Predators' 3-2 overtime loss Thursday to the Ducks, which tied the Western Conference Final 2-2. Johansen had a goal and three assists in four games against Anaheim, and was performing well despite a much-talked-about feud with Ducks pest Ryan Kesler.

The Ottawa Senators are embracing life as Canada's lone team still playing for the Stanley Cup.The club will sport Canadian flags on its helmets beginning Friday night - and, hopefully, into June.

For a non-controversy, the Pittsburgh Penguins certainly stretched this one out.After Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled from Game 3 on Wednesday, victimized on four of nine shots, and Matt Murray providing excellent relief, head coach Mike Sullivan said he'd sleep on his Game 4 starter decision. He did, but he didn't fill us in Thursday, instead saying an announcement would be made Friday. We're on a need-to-know basis, apparently, and we didn't need to know.Well, the decision's finally in: Murray is back in the crease. Last year's Stanley Cup-winning Pens starting goalie will make his first start of the postseason Friday night in Ottawa. He was hurt in warmups ahead of Game 1 of the first round against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but showed no rust Wednesday, stopping 19-of-20 shots.Here's the thing, though: For all the waiting and wondering - Fleury or Murray? Murray or Fleury? - goaltending isn't the reason why Pittsburgh's down 2-1 to the Ottawa Senators in the the Eastern Conference Final. Even after Wednesday's putrid effort, for which Fleury can hardly be blamed, "The Flower" still has a .924 save percentage in the playoffs - second only to Pekka Rinne among the four starting goalies still competing for the Cup. (For what it's worth, Fleury's stopped 61-of-67 shots against the Senators, for a .910 save percentage. Not superb, but it could certainly be worse.)The issue: Pittsburgh has three goals in three games. That ain't going to cut it. Period.Where's Sid?The Senators have frustrated the Penguins through three games, neutralizing a prolific offense that features four of the top six scorers in the playoffs. Even in the game Pittsburgh won (No. 2), the Penguins were at each other's throats, with Phil Kessel having a tantrum on the bench directed toward Evgeni Malkin, and Sullivan forced to have a chat with the Russian.The pair eventually hooked up on the Game 2 winner, but, through two games, Phil and Geno have only a goal and an assist. Like everyone else, they've been neutralized.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)But those two points are actually one better than Sidney Crosby, whose garbage-time goal in Game 3 - that made a 5-0 game 5-1 - is all he has to show for the series. Crosby's averaging only two shots per game, and is a minus-4. You have to give the Sens and their 1-3-1 system credit. It's working.Player Game 1 Corsi Game 2 Corsi Game 3 CorsiCrosby52.94%70%48.57%Related: On the Fly - Sens-style playoff hockey works, and that's all that mattersNo wrong choiceWhile some will criticize Sullivan for going with Murray, he's blessed to have the option to play and be confident in both of his goalies. Full credit to the Penguins' front office - holding on to Fleury was the right decision, and a tremendous one.Murray was excellent during the regular season, solidifying himself as both the goalie of the future and the present in Pittsburgh, while Fleury's play in the postseason after being dogged by trade and expansion draft rumors all season became one of the best stories of the playoffs.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)But, again, what ails the Pens isn't goaltending. Murray and Fleury can't score, like the rest of the Penguins. The only problem: Scoring isn't their job.Deja vuSullivan's been here before - last year, actually, as NHL.com's Tom Gulitti pointed out Friday - but the circumstances are certainly different:

The verdict is in: It's Matt Murray.The Pittsburgh Penguins will start the goaltender in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators in place of Marc-Andre Fleury, head coach Mike Sullivan announced Friday afternoon.Related: Scoring, not goaltending, the bigger issue for Pens"I'm not going to elaborate on the decision," Sullivan said, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.Fleury was pulled from Game 3 on Wednesday after Ottawa blitzed Pittsburgh for four goals on only nine shots in the first period. Murray stopped 19-of-20 shots in relief, and Fleury will resume his backup duties behind the 22-year-old.

Corey Perry continues to show a flair for the dramatic in the playoffs, and he's turning his underwhelming regular season into a distant memory.The Anaheim Ducks winger scored his third overtime winner of the 2017 postseason Thursday night in a Game 4 victory over the Nashville Predators, and while it deflected in off P.K. Subban's stick, Perry will take it.The goal put him in some elite company, too. Perry tied the NHL record for most playoff overtime winners in a single season, equaling the mark set by Maurice "Rocket" Richard in 1951 and Mel Hill in 1939.Perry is also in some impressive company on the all-time list.PlayerCareer Playoff OT GoalsJoe Sakic8Maurice Richard6Glenn Anderson5Patrick Kane5Corey Perry4As if that isn't enough, he tied Teemu Selanne for the most career game-winning playoff goals in Ducks history, notching his eighth Thursday night.Perry's emergence as a recurring overtime hero for Anaheim this spring comes after the veteran posted his worst output from a goal-scoring standpoint in a non-lockout campaign since 2006-07.He scored 19 goals in 82 games before these playoffs began, a far cry from the 34 markers he netted last season and a significant drop-off from the 35.6 goals he's averaged in the eight years since he potted 17 in his first full season 10 years ago.Perry has some miles on him at this point in his career, and sure, some of his goals are going in off sticks and from odd angles, but he's showing he can still produce when it matters most.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We're discussing the Ottawa Senators' (mostly boring) brand of playoff hockey in this week's "On the Fly" roundtable.Navin Vaswani: I looked up the list of Stanley Cup champions - there's no asterisk next to the New Jersey Devils' titles in 1995, 2000, and 2003. They perfected the trap and won three titles because of it. And that's pretty much the beginning and end of the "Senators are boring" discussion, because while their style of play dominates headlines, the team keeps marching on, somehow, to 16 wins. Only six more to go.You've heard and read it before: Some teams play to win, others play not to lose. Ottawa definitely falls into the latter category, and, since style points account for nothing in the playoffs, not losing is, uh, kind of paramount. The 1-3-1 system's working, and it doesn't matter a lick what you or I or anybody thinks of it.There's a lot of irony to this discussion, as well. Everyone keeps saying the Sens don't deserve to be where they are, but it's the system that's got them here. A coach is only as good as his players, and it's no stretch to say that, other than Erik Karlsson, there aren't any truly elite players on the squad, but the roster is littered with solid NHLers like Kyle Turris, Derick Brassard, Dion Phaneuf (who has found a home in Ottawa, behind Karlsson), Mike Hoffman, Craig Anderson, Mark Stone, and Clarke MacArthur. Toss in a couple of unexpected, yet exceptional, playoff performances from Bobby Ryan and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and suddenly you realize how deep the Senators are up front. Boring? Sure, that's one way to look at it. Another: The Senators have found the best method to win games with the squad they've got.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Then there's Karlsson himself. Arguably the league's most exciting player, he plays on the NHL's most boring side. But I'll tell you what wasn't boring, and what, for me, remains the top moment of the playoffs: Karlsson's unbelievable saucer pass from his goal line to Hoffman at the Boston Bruins' blue line. A close second: Phaneuf's obliteration of Bryan Rust, with the type of clean yet vicious open-ice hit you simply don't see all that much anymore. There's beauty, in other words, to be found in even the most boring team on the planet.Ottawa doesn't deserve to be derided for its style of play. Instead, the team deserves praise, because it isn't the Pittsburgh Penguins, which boast four of the top six playoff scorers. The Senators know exactly who they are. They've embraced their identity. To a man, they've bought in. And that's all that matters in the spring.Josh Gold-Smith: It's not pretty, but dammit, it works.Ottawa's style is unquestionably boring, but as long as the Senators are winning, it's not going away. Yes, it's a trap, but they can still put crooked numbers on the scoreboard when they want to, as we saw in the Game 3 blowout."Defense wins championships" is a tired cliche, but it's proven to be true many times in the history of the NHL and beyond. Every team plays a tighter game in the postseason, and as exhilarating as firewagon hockey is to watch, it's not always a recipe for playoff success.Sure, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup last season with a slew of dynamic scorers, and they have a shot at doing it again, but look at the most exciting teams besides the Penguins this season. The Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs were all must-watch squads, but now they're all sitting at home watching the Senators, who are a pair of wins away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final.It might be sleep-inducing, but it's hard to argue with a formula that's paying off for Guy Boucher's club.Craig Hagerman: Anything for the Cup, right?Well, the Senators are certainly taking that wisdom to heart - and all the power to 'em.Sure, their style might not be the most artistic display on the ice, but it works for them. And that means it would be hard to find a member of the franchise or its fan base who would be calling for a change, especially with the team only two wins away from advancing to their second-ever Stanley Cup Final.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)"The Senators are worse than watching your parents have sex," as Vice Sports' Dave Lozo put it, ever so vividly.They might piss off a Phil Kessel or two in the process, but what's wrong with that?Love them or hate them, the Senators are getting results, and that's all that matters. And while we're at it, let's not forget that Ottawa's outscored Pittsburgh 7-3 through three games. So maybe it's the Penguins who should be considering a style change.Josh Wegman: Sometimes I wonder if Guy Boucher's goal is to slowly kill hockey, but then I remember he's in the business of winning hockey games.Sure, his 1-3-1 trap can make some - though not all - games incredibly boring, but it has his team within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final - a position the Senators have no business being in on paper.Thumbs up to you, Mr. Boucher.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" suddenly has a whole new meaning.The pop singer took some unfair heat for the Nashville Predators' Game 4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after pointing out that she could be blamed for it because she sung the anthem at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday night.

What was John Gibson thinking?The Anaheim Ducks goaltender got away with an incredibly risky maneuver early in overtime of Game 4 on Thursday night, leaving the crease to retrieve his stick while the Nashville Predators controlled the puck nearby.Calle Jarnkrok had possession behind the net and James Neal stood lurking all alone in front of the empty cage, but the Predators failed to capitalize on the golden opportunity.Ducks forward Corey Perry scored later in the extra session to even the series, but it could have been a very different ending had Nashville converted on Gibson's gamble.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: C-Entering the season, many around the NHL expected the Philadelphia Flyers to be a legitimate playoff contender. However, their year unfolded in a manner that few expected.The Flyers showed flashes of brilliance during the 2016-17 campaign, but also flashed an uglier, sloppier side more fitting of a club working a rebuild.With All-Star caliber names on its roster like Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, Claude Giroux, and Jakub Voracek, Philly boasts the type of offensive talent that dynasties are built on.Sprinkle in the fact the Flyers also hold a ton of young talent both up front and on the back end, and it's even harder to understand the recent plight of the orange, black, and white.Relative to high expectations, this grade could potentially be even lower.However, Philadelphia's main issue - as it seemingly has been since Ron Hextall retired in 1999 - is goaltending.

All good things must come to an end.The Nashville Predators' home winning streak in the playoffs was finally snapped Thursday night, as the team lost 3-2 at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks in overtime. Their remarkable play at Bridgestone Arena dated back to the 2016 playoffs:GameOpponentSeriesScore1Anaheim Ducks'16 WCQF3-12San Jose Sharks'16 WCSF4-13San Jose Sharks'16 WCSF4-3 (3OT)4San Jose Sharks'16 WCSF4-3 (OT)5Chicago Blackhawks'17 WCQF3-2 (OT)6Chicago Blackhawks'17 WCQF4-17St. Louis Blues'17 WCSF3-18St. Louis BLues'17 WCSF2-19St. Louis Blues'17 WCSF3-110Anaheim Ducks'17 WCF2-1It's quite fitting that the streak began with a win against the Ducks, and ended against the Ducks. Talk about coming full circle.Even though the streak is over, it's safe to say visiting teams don't feel comfortable playing in the Music City. The Predators went 24-9-8 at home during the regular season, compared to a road record of 17-20-4.They will get a chance to start a new home playoff win streak in Game 6 on Monday, May 22.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If it was the Anaheim Ducks' plan to make Thursday's Game 4 interesting, they certainly succeeded.After taking a 2-0 advantage late into the third period, the Ducks watched as the Nashville Predators responded with a cannon from P.K. Subban and a goal with the extra attacker by Filip Forsberg in the dying seconds to send the game to overtime.Related - Watch: Perry's OT winner evens series at 2 games apieceDefenseman Kevin Bieksa spoke postgame, suggesting the late collapse was a gift by the team for the fans."Well, we're trying to keep the game entertaining. Sell it to the fans," Bieksa said.As for forward Nate Thompson, he admitted that the Ducks weren't too worried after coughing up the lead late."They tied it, and we couldn't come in (to the locker room) and sulk about it," Thompson said. "We went out and took care of business."That "business" tied the series at two games apiece as both clubs head back to Anaheim for Game 5.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After recording his lowest goal total in a full season since 2006-07, Corey Perry is making up for it in a big way this postseason. His centering pass off P.K. Subban's stick resulted in the Game 4 OT winner to give the Anaheim Ducks an even split of their series with the Nashville Predators at two games apiece.The goal was Perry's third overtime winner of the postseason, albeit just his fourth tally overall. He has clearly valued quality over quantity.Though Subban's stick certainly lent a helping hand, it just goes to show that it's never a bad idea to throw a puck near the net during overtime.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Filip Forsberg came up clutch again for the Nashville Predators on Thursday, scoring the game-tying goal against the Anaheim Ducks with just 34.5 seconds on the clock to send Game 4 to overtime.With the goal, Forsberg has now scored in each of the first four games of the series, and his four goals are the most of any player on either team.The goal was his seventh of the postseason, giving him a two-goal cushion for first among all Predators, while tying him with Joel Ward for the franchise record for most goals in a single playoffs.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nashville Predators fans are coming out in droves to support their club.In fact, 17,423 people filled the Bridgestone Arena to take in Thursday's Game 4, setting a Predators record, the team announced.The club averaged a home attendance of 17,159 in the regular season, which ranked 20th league-wide. However, the Predators averaged 100.3 percent of capacity, as the rink holds 17,113 for Predators games, which ranks eighth overall.That's a lot of yellow.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks came to play Thursday night.The club dominated their Nashville Predators foes in the first period of Game 4, outshooting the Predators 14-2. In so doing, the Ducks set a franchise playoff record for the fewest shots allowed in a period.The first period was a different story for the Predators, though:

Veteran Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa has rejoined his teammates for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Nashville Predators. It is his first appearance since injuring his knee in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal against the Edmonton Oilers.Bieksa, 35, will provide a gritty presence on the back end in a series that has had no shortage of nastiness.Shea Theodore, 21, was made a healthy scratch in order to make room for Bieksa. This is a bold move by head coach Randy Carlyle considering Theordore had been averaging over 17 minutes a night with eight points in 14 games throughout the playoffs.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The United States lost 2-0 in Thursday's quarterfinal matchup to Finland, prolonging their gold-medal drought at the World Championship to a staggering 57 years. In fact, the Americans haven't even made it to the gold-medal game since they won it in 1960.Given the depth of players the nation possesses, this is quite embarrassing, to be frank.Sure, Canada, Sweden, and Russia are all rich with talent, but countries such as the Czech Republic, Finland, Slovakia, and Switzerland have all played in at least one gold-medal game as recently as 2010.You could argue that hockey is the No. 1 sport in most of those countries and that USA is more concerned with their football, baseball, and basketball. However, USA has more than double the amount of hockey rinks (indoor and outdoor) in its country than Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland combined, according to the IIHF's website.Furthermore, USA had 266 players play in the NHL this season, second only to Canada's 451. Sweden was third with 91, per quanthockey.com.There have been many years where USA was missing almost all of its top players, but 2017 was not one of those years. The team featured firepower up front with Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau, and Dylan Larkin, stability on the back end with Jacob Trouba, Noah Hanifin, and Brady Skjei, and a good veteran goaltender in Jimmy Howard, who was coming off his best NHL season.To make matters worse, they lost to a Finnish team missing just about everyone. The only players on the Suomi to play at least 20 NHL games this year were Valtteri Filppula, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, and Jesse Puljujarvi. They got shut out by some goaltender named Harri Sateri.Prior to losing to the Finns, the Americans had dominated the tournament. They were 6-0-0-1, scoring 31 goals and allowing just 14. They even beat both Russia and Sweden.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Perhaps the most logical theory as to why the States annually disappoint at this tournament is simple: the setting.The worlds have been held in Europe every year since 1962, with the lone exception being 2008 when the tournament took place in Quebec City and Halifax.Playing in front of a hostile European crowd can be awfully intimidating. They chant through the entire game as if it were a soccer match. American fans are outnumbered by fans of their European opposition regardless of which overseas nation is hosting the tournament.Maybe even more importantly, American players aren't accustomed to the larger international ice surface. Obviously, many European teams are made up of NHLers, but their supporting cast of players usually play overseas during the regular season and are therefore used to the big ice.The European setting certainly plays a part, but perhaps USA's failures at the worlds stem from a deeper meaning.Realistically, how many American kids grow up dreaming of starring in the World Championship? Probably none, because they all grow up dreaming of hoisting the Stanley Cup, or winning Olympic gold.This is not to say that the Americans don't want to win and make their country proud. They certainly do.However, when it comes down to a puck battle, or putting your body on the line, 33-year-old Topi Jaakola of Finland, who has played his entire career overseas, might just have that much more of a will to win than a young American player with a bright future in the NHL. For Jaakola, this is his Stanley Cup.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Canada's moving on at the World Hockey Championship after a 2-1 win over Germany in the quarterfinals.The top team in Group B in the preliminary round, Canada had little trouble in the first 40 minutes, outshooting Germany 35-8 (and 20-1 in the second period). The Germans made it interesting in the third, though, after Yannic Seidenberg scored shorthanded to trim Canada's lead to only one.Philipp Grubauer was exceptional in goal for the Germans. The Washington Capitals' backup did all he could for his team to pull off what would have been a remarkable upset. He finished with 48 saves on 50 shots.Jeff Skinner and Mark Scheifele scored for Canada, which will face Russia in the semifinals. The Russians won their quarterfinal against the Czech Republic by a 3-0 score.Sweden won its quarterfinal over Switzerland and will play Finland in the tournament's other semifinal, after the Finns knocked out the Americans earlier Thursday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander continues to make the World Hockey Championship his own personal highlight reel.On Thursday, the 21-year-old Swede did his best Auston Matthews impression with a spectacular solo effort to give Sweden a 2-1 lead on Switzerland. Nylander added an assist, good for his 12th point of the tournament.Below, for your viewing pleasure, is the aforementioned Matthews goal.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Several NHL clubs are reportedly saying, "Czech, please."Jan Rutta is weighing multiple offers to come to North America, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.The Edmonton Oilers are among the Canadian teams showing interest, but Dreger doesn't believe they've submitted an offer.Rutta is a 26-year-old defenseman who has been representing his country at the World Championship, and collected 32 points in 46 games with Pirati Chomutov in the Czech league this past season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes continued to rework their front office Thursday, this time promoting from within.Former NHLer Steve Sullivan, who served as the team's director of player development since May of 2016, was named assistant general manager, the team announced.Related: Coyotes add 27-year-old executive to front officeHe'll work alongside Arizona GM John Chayka, and will also serve as general manager for the Tuscon Roadrunners, the Coyotes' AHL affiliate.Sullivan suited up for 16 NHL seasons during his playing career, compiling 290 goals and 747 points.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Sullivan isn't tipping his hand just yet.The Pittsburgh Penguins coach declined to reveal his starting goaltender for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators when asked about the decision Thursday.Sullivan said he'll wait until Friday morning to announce whether Marc-Andre Fleury or Matt Murray gets the nod.For what it's worth, Fleury had a net to himself at Thursday's practice.

After a first-place finish in Group A, six wins in seven games, and a plus-17 goal differential, the U.S. was eliminated from the World Hockey Championship by Finland on Thursday.Here's what you need to know after another disappointing exit for the Americans:Finland 2, USA 0

New York Islanders head coach Doug Weight will have another experienced pair of eyes behind his bench come next season in assistant coach Luke Richardson, the team announced Thursday.The 48-year-old most recently served as the head coach of Canada's Spengler Cup-winning team at the 2016 tournament. He was also behind the bench of the Ottawa Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton from 2012-16 after working as an assistant coach with the big-league club from 2009-12.Richardson played in 1,417 NHL games over his 22-year career.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Frequent trips to the penalty box are nothing new for the Anaheim Ducks, but staying out of the sin bin would go a long way in helping them tie up the Western Conference Final against the Nashville Predators.The Ducks take a ridiculous amount of penalties, and while they've managed to get this far in spite of that, it's not a recipe for sustained success.Anaheim is the most penalized team in the playoffs, playing shorthanded a league-high 54 times and allowing an NHL-worst 14 power-play goals, or double the total given up by the Pittsburgh Penguins.That means the Ducks have compiled a kill rate of 74.1 percent in the postseason, worst among the four remaining teams.It's simply the way Anaheim plays. The Ducks were also the most penalized NHL team in the regular season, playing shorthanded a league-high 281 times, but the difference then was that their penalty-killing units boasted the fourth-best kill rate (84.7 percent) over the 82-game slate.This style of play didn't prevent them from winning yet another Pacific Division title, didn't deter them from cruising to a first-round sweep of the Calgary Flames, and didn't stop them from slipping past the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.But sooner or later, giving opponents copious amounts of power-play time will take its toll.It didn't cost them in Games 1 and 2 of this series against the Predators, as Nashville failed to convert on all eight opportunities, but it did in Game 3.Roman Josi's eventual winner with under three minutes left came with Ducks forward Chris Wagner in the box for high-sticking Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis.Sure, the Ducks notched a power-play goal of their own earlier in that game on Corey Perry's odd-angle shot, but Anaheim has given Nashville 12 chances on the man advantage in the series, while the Predators have only been shorthanded eight times in the first three contests.The slew of infractions has also clearly worn down the Ducks at even strength. Anaheim is being heavily outplayed at 5-on-5 in terms of scoring chances, puck possession, and shots on goal.Related: Carlyle has bigger problems than the shot counterThe Ducks' physical game is part of their identity, and they won plenty of games in spite of it, but a concerted effort to tone it down would give them a better chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The blue paint is for skating, not swimming, Marc-Andre.On Wednesday night, the Ottawa Senators torched Fleury with four first-period goals on only nine total shots on net, with the veteran goalie looking lost and out of position for the majority of his 12:52 of action.The Pittsburgh Penguins, as a group, came out flat and two of the four goals came off plays that were arguably not Fleury's fault - Marc Methot's fluky goal and Derick Brassard's tap-in. But the bottom line is the Penguins need better goaltending if they want to come back in this series.Matt Murray was pegged from Game 1 of this postseason as the Penguins' starting netminder, but due to a pregame lower-body injury suffered before the start of the Columbus series, his first taste of playoff action came last night.Murray made 19 of 20 stops in just over 46 minutes of action in Fleury's relief, but he deserves to be in the crease for the full 60.Here's a couple of reasons why Murray should start Game 4:Wilting Flower Fleury's last six games have been a roller-coaster ride of inconsistency.Including the final three games of Pittsburgh's second-round series versus the Washington Capitals, Fleury has been both brilliant and brutal, with the bad performances outweighing the good.Game & OpponentGoals AgainstSaves SV%ResultGame 5 vs. WSH428.875LossGame 6 vs. WSH521.808LossGame 7 vs. WSH029.1000S/O WinGame 1 vs. OTT233.943LossGame 2 vs. OTT023.1000S/O WinGame 3 vs. OTT45.556LossGive the guy some credit for his two postseason shutouts against two formidable opponents. And sure, having Brian Dumoulin and Ron Hainsey as two of your top D-men certainly doesn't help.But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how many guys named Sidney or Evgeni you have on your squad, giving up four-plus goals just cannot happen in the playoffs.For comparison's sake: In his 15 playoff games this year, Fleury has given up four goals or more in five different contests. During his 21-game playoff run last season, Murray only did that twice.Murray's earned it (Photo courtesy: Action Images)If last year's 21-game showing wasn't impressive enough - Murray went 15-6 with a 2.08 goals-against average - don't forget it was capped off with a Stanley Cup ring. And, if not for another unreal postseason from No. 87, a Conn Smythe Trophy could have accompanied Lord Stanley on Murray's mantle.The kid has earned the right to be Pittsburgh's go-to option in net.Postseason aside, the 22-year-old also proved he has what it takes to get the job done during the regular season as well. Murray finished the 2016-17 campaign with a record of 32-10, four shutouts, and a goals-against average of 2.41 - Fleury's regular-season goals-against average was 3.02.Regular season or playoffs, it really doesn't matter; Murray has proved that he is a winner. The only thing that Fleury has recently proved is that he is wildly inconsistent.

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: DThe Winnipeg Jets were among the most exciting teams this season, playing a lineup that featured rookie sensation Patrik Laine, youngster Nikolaj Ehlers, and emerging top center Mark Scheifele.It made for a team that could score but lacked structure. Winnipeg allowed the fourth-most goals this season as the team's netminders struggled, while the blue line had challenges of its own, from defenseman Tyler Myers missing most of the season with a lower-body injury to Jacob Trouba's month-long absence due to a contract dispute.Free AgentsSix Jets regulars are free agents this summer, with Marko Dano the most notable among them. The 22-year-old appeared in 38 games this season and remains an important piece for Winnipeg.Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 PointsChris Thorburn (F)UFA33$1.2M4Marko Dano (F)RFA22$925K11Andrew Copp (F)RFA22$925K17Brandon Tanev (F)RFA25$874K4Paul Postma (D)UFA28$888K14Ben Chiarot (D)RFA25$850K12Between the pipes, the Jets can wash their hands of veteran netminder Ondrej Pavelec, a pending unrestricted free agent who split the season between the NHL and the minors.Player (Position)2017-18 StatusAge2016-17 Cap Hit'16-17 SV%Ondrej Pavelec (G)UFA29$3.9M.888Connor Hellebuyck (G)RFA23$668k.9072017 Draft PicksWinnipeg will select 13th overall in the entry draft. The Jets were set to pick at No. 12, but were leapfrogged by the Philadelphia Flyers at the draft lottery, who moved from 13th to second overall.RoundPicks11213141516172 (Own & Canadiens)Summer Priorities1. Add a goalie to share duties with HellebuyckHellebuyck is a promising young netminder, but the Jets need insurance in the crease in order to make measurable progress.While Winnipeg could consider bringing in a top name to handle No. 1 duties, with Hellebuyck making spot starts, getting a veteran 'keeper to share the crease may be more realistic.Could the Pittsburgh Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury be a reasonable target? If Pittsburgh is prepared to move on from Fleury and grant its top job to Matt Murray, he could be an option for the Jets. Fleury is signed for just two more seasons, which should be the ideal time frame for Hellebuyck to grow into the No. 1 spot.2. Resolve Jacob Trouba's long-term futureAfter missing a month due to a contract holdout, Trouba agreed to a modest two-year deal to stay in Winnipeg. The first season of that pact is now burned up, meaning the Jets and Trouba will soon be back to the bargaining tables.But the issue Trouba raised hasn't changed - the blue-liner feels he cannot reach his potential as a right-shot defenseman given Winnipeg's depth on that side of the ice. Dustin Byfuglien and Myers both play right defense in Winnipeg.Moving forward, the Jets will need a long-term commitment from Trouba, who becomes a restricted free agent after next season. If they can't reach a deal, Winnipeg will need to revisit trade possibilities for the 23-year-old.3. Continue along the growth pathThere's no need to rush in Winnipeg. Rather, the team should grow from within and watch as its young talent develops. Laine scored 36 goals as a freshman, and has the potential to do even more as he becomes more familiar with the league and the North American game.Related: Matthews, Laine, Werenski named Calder Trophy finalistsLaine wasn't the only Jets skater to have a breakout season. Scheifele, 24, reached a new career high in goals and assists, as did Ehlers, while Byfuglien and captain Blake Wheeler maintained their consistency.The Jets are likely to introduce more young talent to their offensive ranks next season, with their top pick in 2015, Kyle Connor, a prime candidate to take a regular shift. Connor scored five points in 20 games with the Jets this year.2017-18 OutlookWinnipeg was in the playoff mix for much of this season, falling short of the postseason cutoff by just seven points.If the Jets have a healthy lineup, their young players take the next steps, and they add some stability between the pipes, Winnipeg could challenge for a playoff spot in 2017-18.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It just wouldn't be the Stanley Cup Playoffs without a goalie controversy, now would it?Marc-Andre Fleury had been a brick wall in the Penguins' crease so far in the postseason, but played like a giant block of Swiss cheese on Wednesday night. He got yanked after allowing four goals on nine shots.Matt Murray, who missed the start of the playoffs due to injury, stepped in and allowed just one goal on 20 shots in his 2017 postseason debut.When asked which goaltender will start in Game 4, head coach Mike Sullivan said "We'll sleep on it," according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Related: Poll: Who should start for Penguins in Game 4?Sullivan also added that he "hasn't given any consideration" to such decision as of yet, per Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.It's certainly a tough decision for Sullivan to make. Fleury is an experienced veteran who got the team through the playoffs' first two rounds with his superb play. On the other hand, Murray was Pittsburgh's better goalie throughout the regular season, showed no signs of rust in his Game 3 relief outing, and his play during last year's Stanley Cup run provides evidence of big-game composure.It could be one restless sleep for Sullivan.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

OTTAWA, Ontario - Marc Methot, Derick Brassard, and Zack Smith scored in a 2:18 span midway through the first period to chase goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and the Ottawa Senators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final.Mike Hoffman opened the scoring 48 seconds in, and the Senators blew it open against the sluggish Penguins a few minutes later with the fastest three goals in team playoff history. Kyle Turris made it 5-0 late in the second period.Sidney Crosby ended Craig Anderson's shutout bid with a power-play goal in the third. Pittsburgh has scored a goal in each game in the series, dropping the opener 2-1 in overtime and winning the second 1-0.Anderson finished with 25 saves. Fleury allowed four goals on nine shots, and Matthew Murray made 19 saves in relief.Game 4 is Friday night in Ottawa.Hosting their first Eastern Conference final game in 10 years, the Sens came out flying. Hoffman got it going by capitalizing on Turris' shot that bounced awkwardly wide of the goal. Hoffman stuffed the shot, standing to the left of the goal, just between the post and right pad of Fleury.Brassard got the first of three when he snatched Erik Karlsson's dump-in and swung wide of the Pittsburgh goal. Bobby Ryan eventually gained possession down low and found Methot with a crafty pass. While his initial shot was stopped, the rebound bounced off Penguins defenseman Ian Cole and into the net. It was the second goal of the playoffs for Methot after he went scoreless in 68 games during the regular season.Brassard added his fourth of the postseason less than two minutes later, taking advantage of the Senators' offensive-zone pressure before slipping behind the aging Mark Streit for the shot that beat Fleury.Streit was making his playoff debut for the increasingly battered Pens, who lost Justin Schultz and Bryan Rust to upper-body injuries in Game 2. Pittsburgh, which did get Trevor Daley back from injury, also remained without injured winger Patric Hornqvist as well as No. 1 defenseman Kris Letang, who's out for the season with a neck ailment.Apparent miscommunication between the 39-year-old Streit and Cole led to Cole throwing the puck away shortly before Brassard's goal.Ottawa, looking crisp and confident, finished the flurry 24 seconds after Brassard's goal, with Smith beating Fleury on a wraparound, chasing Fleury from the game.In question now is whether coach Mike Sullivan turns to Murray, who helped deliver the Pens a Cup last season and was excellent in his first full NHL season, for Game 4 or goes back to Fleury.The crowd was delirious throughout the one-sided win and all the more so when their team got under the skin of the Penguins. At one point late in the first, Dion Phaneuf leveled former Maple Leafs teammate Phil Kessel. Ryan came by with a shove seconds later as Kessel waved his stick in the air at the Sens winger in apparent frustration.Towel-waving fans chanted Kessel's name and later cheered as Mark Stone mixed it up with Evgeni Malkin.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators superstar Erik Karlsson has now been on the ice for all 10 of his team's game-winning goals so far in the postseason. Coincidence? I think not.In fact, Karlsson has scored two game-winners himself and assisted on three more so far in the playoffs, giving him a direct impact on 50 percent of the club's game-winners.Though the second goal in a 5-1 victory lacks drama compared to Ottawa's other nail-biting game-winners, it's still impressive that he has now been on the ice for every single one. He does play nearly half of the game, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that good things happen when the Senators' captain is on the ice.Karlsson now has two goals,12 assists, and a plus-13 rating in 15 games in the postseason, further cementing his case as the Conn Smythe front-runner.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators made quick work of Marc-Andre Fleury on Wednesday night.The not-so-boring Sens went off for four goals in the opening 13 minutes of Game 3, chasing Fleury from the game and giving Matt Murray his first taste of the playoffs en route to a 5-1 win.Related: Twitter has fun after 'boring Sens' erupt with 4 goals in 1st periodAfter Fleury conceded four goals on just nine shots, Murray fared much better, turning away 19 of the 20 thrown his way.Murray had been the Penguins' go-to during the regular season and lifted the club to a Stanley Cup victory last season. Meanwhile, it can be argued that Fleury has been the Penguins' MVP of the playoffs up until this point.With the Penguins now down 2-1 in the series we ask you: Who should start for the Penguins in Game 4?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators forward Alex Burrows left Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday and did not return after suffering a lower-body injury, the team announced.Burrows appeared to suffer the injury midway through the second period after falling awkwardly on his left foot following a battle in front of the Penguins net with defenseman Ian Cole.While head coach Guy Boucher didn't have any update on Burrows postgame, he did note that the team is hopeful he will be available for Game 4, according to TSN's Brent Wallace.Burrows has struggled to produce offensively for the Senators during the playoffs. With an assist on Mike Hoffman's opening goal of the game, the 36-year-old now has just five assists during the postseason.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Just as everyone predicted.The "boring" Ottawa Senators - given their namesake for playing a 1-3-1 system - exploded out of the gate in the first period, scoring four goals before the game was 13 minutes old.It shocked many, and the offensive outburst allowed some Sens fans to poke fun at those throwing shade at their club.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled in favor of Matt Murray less than 13 minutes into Game 3 after allowing four goals on nine shots.Mike Hoffman got things started, scoring on a bank shot off Fleury just 48 seconds into the game. Then, Marc Methot, Derick Brassard, and Zack Smith all scored less than three minutes apart.In a bit of a role reversal, Murray, who was injured to start the postseason, replaces a red-hot Fleury. Last year, of course, Murray started in the postseason while Fleury was hurt and never looked back, leading the Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory.Fleury's revival was one of the best storylines of the 2017 playoffs, but it could be coming to an end shortly - if it already hasn't.Murray, 22, was Pittsburgh's superior goaltender throughout the regular season and could very well end up starting Game 4 with a strong showing throughout the remainder of Game 3. He has yet to appear in the 2017 postseason, but posted a .923 save percentage and a 2.08 GAA in the 2016 playoffs.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins finally got some good news on the injury front, as defensemen Trevor Daley and Mark Streit will both return to the lineup for Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators, the team announced.With the moves, the Penguins will ice a lineup consisting of 11 forwards and seven defensemen.For Streit, the game will be his first of the postseason and first since the team's final regular-season contest against the New York Rangers on April 9. In 19 games with the Penguins this season, Streit produced one goal and six points.As for Daley, he returns for the first time since Game 5 against the Washington Capitals, having missed the Penguins' last four contests. In 10 games this postseason, he has contributed one assist while playing an average of 18:27 per game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.