From "The Great One" to "The Greatest."

A Ben Lovejoy point shot gave the Pittsburgh Penguins an early Game 3 lead during the first period, and another helped his team reclaim its one-goal advantage before the end of the second.With less than a minute remaining in the middle frame, Lovejoy's long wrister was tipped in front by Patric Hornqvist, sneaking under the right arm of Martin Jones to put the Penguins up 2-1 over the Sharks heading into the third.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Braun has gotten hot at the right time. Well, really, the first time.The San Jose Sharks defenseman scored in consecutive games for the first time in his career Saturday in the first period of Game 3, sending a seeing-eye wrist shot through traffic that evaded multiple bodies before it landed in behind Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray.Braun has now scored San Jose's last two goals, and provided 50 percent of the team's total offense through seven-plus periods in the Stanley Cup Final.He has 16 goals in the regular season and playoffs combined for a career that spans six seasons, and includes more than 400 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Next season, Russian hockey fans will have options.The nation's greatest athletic exports will be carried live for the first time, as it has been announced that the NHL reached a multi-platform partnership with Eurosport to broadcast games for the next three seasons."This agreement with Eurosport will come as great news to NHL fans in Russia," the NHL's Executive Vice President of Media Distribution and Strategy said in a statement."Our global strategy and commitment is to bring the biggest stars in the NHL into homes around the world and to inspire the future generation of NHL players."Eurosport is the leader in winter sports coverage in Europe. It broadcasts major international tournaments and competitions for a variety of popular winter sports, and also provides coverage for Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One day after proclaiming he should be selected first overall, Patrik Laine continued to talk himself up at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo on Saturday.The 18-year-old compared himself to six-time Rocket Richard Trophy-winner Alex Ovechkin, telling TSN's Gino Reda it will take him five years to be like the Washington Capitals captain.And the 18-year-old's ambitions don't stop there. "I have the best ability to become the best player in the NHL someday," Laine said, according to Sportsnet's Matt Brown.The Finnish winger likened his competition for the Maple Leafs' No. 1 pick - Auston Matthews - to Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, but claimed he has a better shot and is a better goal-scorer than his American counterpart."We're quite even," Laine said, according to Brown, after being asked by all eight teams he interviewed with to compare himself and Matthews. "Toronto will have a tough decision to make."The second overall pick belongs to the Winnipeg Jets.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Brayden McNabb to a two-year contract extension Saturday, the team announced.

Joe Thornton may be 36 years old, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have something to offer Team Canada.The San Jose Sharks forward nabbed one of the final roster spots on Canada's World Cup of Hockey roster, and while he may be the oldest member of the team - by nearly four years - general manager Doug Armstrong believes he brings a couple of obvious skills to the table."He doesn’t play as much down low in his own zone, so he’s gone to a three-quarter ice game, which allows him to play with more speed in the neutral zone," Armstrong said Friday, according to Postmedia's Michael Traikos. "He’s still one of the best power-play players, and in my opinion he’s one of the top three passers - if not the best - in the world."Thornton finished second to Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson with 63 assists during the regular season and sits tied for 13th on the all-time assists list.After earning a gold medal with Canada at the 2010 Olympics, Thornton will make his seventh international appearance in September and will surely be looked upon to continue threading the needle.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Muhammad Ali has apparently touched almost everybody in the sports world - including San Jose Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer.At the end of his press conference Saturday, unprompted, DeBoer shared the story of when he met the boxing legend, who died Friday at 74.It was at his prom, of all places, where he met "The Greatest.""I just want to end with a quick thing on Muhammad Ali," DeBoer said. "Lost a great person. The reason I want to speak about him, I'm not a collector of sports memorabilia, but I have three things in my basement: I have a Wayne Gretzky stick, a Bobby Orr print, a Mike Weir Masters print, and I have a Quran signed by Muhammad Ali."I wouldn't normally share this with you, but I think considering the circumstances today. I got it 30 years ago. I was at my prom at the Royal Connaught Hotel in Hamilton. I was a 17-year-old kid. Had my tux on. I was in the lobby."Muhammad Ali walked in with his entourage. He was there for some type of appearance. I asked one of the entourage if I could meet him with my friends. He said to give him a minute. He came back to me and he said, 'Muhammad Ali is up in this room. Meet him up in his room in five minutes.'"Me and three or four of my buddies went up to the room. He got out a Quran for each of us. He wasn't preaching or trying to convert us, he just personalized each one for us, asked us some questions about what we were doing."It was an unbelievable life experience for me. I think, considering the circumstances, how this guy transcended not just boxing and sport, but how many people he's touched, it's an appropriate story to tell."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When the puck is dropped for Game 3 on Saturday night, history will be made.For the first time in franchise history, the San Jose Sharks will host a Stanley Cup Final game, and despite facing a 2-0 hole, the team is looking forward to relishing home ice."You can feel the energy going around the city right now," captain Joe Pavelski told Nicholas Cotsonika of NHL.com.The Sharks and their fans endured a rough patch after squandering a 3-0 series lead to their in-state rival Los Angeles Kings in 2014, then missing the playoffs in 2015.The only California-based team to not win a Cup, San Jose is happy to be where they are after all the past adversity."(Losing that way to the Kings) was as low as you can get as a professional athlete, individually and team-wise, and then last year obviously tough times missing the playoffs, going through some stuff as a team," said leading scorer Logan Couture. "But I really think everything we've gone through has made us a lot stronger as a group.""I think we're just excited to be home and an opportunity to play in front of our fans who have been waiting 25 years for this game," Couture added.Sharks forward Joe Thornton expects the home crowd to be ready."I think once you get into the Shark Tank, you'll know why (home ice has been an advantage)," Thornton said. "It's extremely loud, extremely intimidating."The Sharks own a 7-2 record at home in the postseason thus far.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl will not play in Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday due to a lower-body injury, according to head coach Pete DeBoer.The news comes a day after Hertl was absent from practice, only taking the ice briefly in a tracksuit before leaving.The 22-year-old was the Sharks' best player through the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, according to DeBoer. He netted one of the club's only three goals.He finished third in ice time among all Sharks forwards in Game 2 - behind only captain Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton - with 20:20 logged in the club's overtime loss.

Few players fit into a team's persona like Brad Marchand does with the Boston Bruins, and general manager Don Sweeney wants to make sure the alluring winger stays put.Marchand's contract doesn't expire until 2017, but Sweeney wants to make an extension a priority this summer, along with the pressing issue of re-signing key players Loui Eriksson and Torey Krug, who become unrestricted and restricted free agents respectively July 1."We're going to look at Brad right away ... early on here in the process once we get past that first wave in July," Sweeney said, according to Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com. "We'll have some good discussions. We'd prefer that we're tracking on the earlier side of things. He's a big part of our hockey club."Both sides can officially begin discussing an extension beginning July 1 as well.Marchand has long been a integral member of the Bruins, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011 and chipping in at least 20 goals in every non-lockout season since.The 28-year-old has developed outstanding chemistry playing with Bruins' franchise centerman Patrice Bergeron, and scored a career-high 37 goals this season, earning him a spot on Team Canada's World Championship and World Cup of Hockey roster.Marchand has previously stated he'd be happy to remain in Boston, and with his production continuing to rise, he'll be due a raise from his current cap hit of $4.5 million.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's something in the air in San Jose ... sharks.The T-shirts that will be given out to fans at the SAP Center for Game 3 on Saturday are ready to go and they pay homage to the terribly amazing movie series "Sharknado."

Ty Ronning is quickly making a name for himself at the NHL Combine.The son of former NHLer Cliff Ronning was on hand for the fitness testing on Saturday where he turned heads, most notably with a very peculiar motivational quote."I enjoy playing with my heart and my passion; a little bit with my head; little bit with my balls down there," Ronning said, according to Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet Magazine.According to Ronning that sort of thing is just who he is.

No athlete in the history of sport has had a deeper impact on the world than Muhammad Ali, and in the wake of his death late Friday, the world is paying homage to the greatest of all time.Several NHLers took to social media to honor Ali.

With the NHL Combine underway, Olli Juolevi is selling himself.The fifth-ranked North American skater, and second-ranked defenseman believes he's the best available, citing his on-ice intelligence as the reason.

Although the final rosters for the World Cup of Hockey have been set, Sweden still has a spot to fill.In the wake of St. Louis Blues forward Alexander Steen suffering a shoulder injury that will shelf him for four-to-six months, the Three Crowns need a new forward.Steen will certainly be missed, topping 50 points in each of the last three seasons, and having represented Sweden five times in his career, including the 2014 Olympics, winning a silver medal.Here are three options to fill the void.Gustav NyquistOne of the surprising omissions from the team, Detroit Red Wings sniper Gustav Nyquist could be a valuable option for Sweden.The 26-year-old scored 43 points this season - a career low - but his speed and scoring touch could fit in well among Sweden's top lines.Not to mention, Nyquist could slot in alongside Red Wings' linemate Henrik Zetterberg.Mika Zibanejad Mika Zibanejad's stock has never been higher. The 23-year-old is coming off his best NHL season, scoring 21 goals and 30 assists in 81 games for the Ottawa Senators.A right-handed shot, Zibanejad could be valuable as Sweden only has three righties among its forwards.Zibanejad is rounding into the player the Senators expected when they drafted him sixth overall in 2011, and he's come up big for Sweden before, scoring the golden goal at the 2012 World Junior Championships.Patrik Berglund Another fit for Sweden could be Steen's linemate and fellow Olympic silver medalist Patrik Berglund.Coming off an injury-plagued season, Berglund only scored 15 points, but notched nine during the Blues playoff run when he was fully healthy.Though he's not as flashy as the previous two options, Berglund could provide stability in the bottom portion of Sweden's lineup.You can see Sweden's entire roster here.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alexander Steen won't play for Sweden in the World Cup of Hockey this fall.The St. Louis Blues forward had shoulder surgery and will be reevaluated in 16 weeks, the club announced Friday. He's expected to miss four-to-six months.Steen missed more than five weeks of action after dislocating his shoulder on a hit by Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton in February.He posted only four goals and 11 assists in 26 games - including the playoffs - following his return in late March.The 32-year-old ranked second on the Blues with 52 points during the regular season.Steen was named to Sweden's World Cup roster in March, but his injury will keep him out until at least early October, meaning he'll likely miss the whole tournament, which runs from Sept. 17 to Oct. 1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Jose Sharks coach Pete DeBoer admitted Friday that matching forward lines with the Pittsburgh Penguins is a challenge, largely due to the fact they boast elite scoring weapons on all three lines.But as the series shifts to San Jose and the Sharks gain last change, it's become quite simple for Marc-Edouard Vlasic.When Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com told Vlasic he and defense partner Justin Braun lined up against Sidney Crosby's top line just 22 percent of the time in Game 1 and 35 percent in Game 2, he responded:"That's not enough. Should be 90-95 (percent), so 35 is too low. Too low."The shutdown defender noted that at 35 percent, Crosby's seen equal opportunity against all three pairs. This is obviously a major concern for San Jose, considering the steep drop-off in talent - namely on the third unit.Having final change will help the Sharks in this regard, but if the Penguins continue to control puck possession as they have through the first two games, they'll have a hand in dictating matchups regardless of venue.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - His European hockey apprenticeship over, Auston Matthews is back on North American soil and turning his attention on beginning his NHL career.From Matthews' home in Scottsdale, Arizona, to playing pro in Switzerland and last month's world championships in Russia, the 18-year-old forward arrived in Buffalo this week to participate in the league's annual pre-draft combine. It's the final step for Matthews, who in three weeks will be back for the NHL draft in Buffalo, where he is projected to be selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.''A lot of adventures, but it's nice to be back home,'' Matthews said Friday, standing in front of a large crowd of reporters - many of them from Toronto.''Whatever happens, happens. It's out of your control now. Our season's over,'' Matthews said about whether he'll become the first American-born player drafted since 2007, when Chicago selected Buffalo-born forward Patrick Kane. ''We have the testing tomorrow and that's really the last time besides meetings that you can really make an impression on teams.''Matthews has made his mark despite making the unusual move of playing for Zurich last season.Finishing second in the league's MVP voting, he led the Lions and finished 10th in the league with 24 goals, while adding 22 assists in 36 games. Despite a two-month layoff after Zurich was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in March, Matthews led the United States with six goals, while adding three assists at the world championships.''He lived up to expectations,'' NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said about the 6-foot-2, 194-pound Matthews. ''No one was going to say it would happen, that he would be one of the best players in the (Swiss) league, one of the top scorers in the league. That certainly wasn't expected. It wouldn't be of any 18 year old. But he went over there and had success.''Central Scouting ranks Finnish-born forwards Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi second and third.What separates Matthews is his play-making ability and speed, leading Marr to describe him as ''the complete package.''Matthews' performance at the world championships convinced Team North America general manager Peter Chiarelli to make him one of the final seven players chosen to the squad's 23-player World Cup of Hockey roster last week.''We couldn't ignore it,'' Chiarelli said. ''For me, he was the best if not one of the top two or three on that U.S. team.''Matthews' decision to play overseas was prompted because he was too old to play for the U.S. Developmental team and too young - by two days - to be eligible for last year's draft because of his Sept. 17 birthday.Rather than spend a season playing in college or at the Canadian junior level, Matthews and his agent Pat Brisson, decided it would be best to develop his game in Zurich. Another benefit was the Lions were headed by Marc Crawford, who coached the 1996-Stanley Cup-winning Colorado Avalanche.''We flew him and his parents over to explore and he was sold on it immediately,'' Brisson said. ''We wanted him in the right environment and felt the Swiss league was better than college or the CHL.''Matthews has no regrets of just missing out on being part of last year's draft, where Marr said he would have drawn comparisons to the top two players selected, Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Buffalo's Jack Eichel.''When I was born, you can't change that,'' Matthews said. ''I think it's nice to get that extra year to grow into your body some more and develop a little bit more.''Growing up an Arizona Coyotes fan, Matthews has no difficulty accepting the pressure that would come playing in a hockey mecca such as Toronto. It's where coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello are in the midst of rebuilding a once-proud franchise that has made the playoffs just once in the past 11 years.The Leafs met with Matthews this week, but have yet to tip their hand regarding who they'll draft first.''If that were to happen, I definitely think I can handle that. I think I'm physically and mentally strong,'' Matthews said of playing in Toronto. ''I want to be an impact player in the NHL. For whatever team, I can see myself being that player.''Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrik Laine may have pushed a little too hard in his pursuit for the No. 1 pick at the upcoming NHL draft.The projected No. 2 overall selection was unable to finish the VO2 max bike test at the NHL Combine after experiencing discomfort in his left knee eight minutes into the rigorous endurance test."I'm OK," he said, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "I didn't finish the test because I just don't want to get hurt; I have an important summer and I don't want to miss that."He plans to continue with select testing at workouts throughout the weekend, but performing upper body exercises only.Laine previously had surgery on his left knee.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matthew Tkachuk has an eye for talent; he chose to play out his draft season with the London Knights, after all.So when the top prospect for the upcoming NHL draft - who shared a line with the most dominant offensive force in Major Junior last season and has been rocketing up draft boards himself - offers an evaluation on a particular player, well, it carries some weight.But his evaluation of Connor McDavid will have fans dreaming up scenarios, too."McDavid is going to be the best player in the NHL, if he's not already," Tkachuk said at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo on Friday.Unlike with his decision to sign with London, Tkachuk won't have the luxury of picking his spot when he enters the pro ranks. But with the Edmonton Oilers currently holding the No. 4 selection, the club's expected to have the opportunity to pluck Tkachuk off the board.With that, the Oilers could one day skate Tkachuk on a line with the player they hope he pegged accurately.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alexander Radulov is apparently setting the bar high.The former Nashville Predators forward is eyeing a return to the NHL after four seasons in the KHL, but his contract demands reportedly far exceed what at least one team is willing to pay."A number of teams are interested in Alex Radulov, no question about that, including Detroit," TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Friday's edition of "Insider Trading."MLive's Ansar Khan reported Thursday that the Red Wings were reluctant to give Radulov more than one year and more than $5 million."The belief is the Red Wings are comfortable (with) a one-year deal at around four million, but a couple of NHL sources have indicated he wants two years at $7.5 million per (season)," Dreger reported Friday.Radulov notched 65 points in 53 regular-season games for CSKA Moscow this season, adding 16 points in 20 playoff contests. He led the team to the Gagarin Cup Final, which it lost in seven games to Metallurg Magnitogorsk.The 29-year-old winger registered 47 goals and 102 points in 154 games over two stints with the Predators, the first coming between 2006 and 2008, followed by his return for the 2011-12 campaign.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There could be a brand new cast of characters on Broadway next season.TSN's Bob McKenzie reported Friday on "Insider Trading" that the New York Rangers are "wide open for business" and willing to consider a trade involving virtually any player on the roster.McKenzie notes that netminder Henrik Lundqvist and likely Ryan McDonagh are safe from consideration, but the rest of the team's high-paid stars - namely Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, and Derick Brassard - could be moved to "shuffle the deck" and help recoup picks, prospects, and cap space.That said, he cautions this isn't the jump point for a full-fledged rebuild for general manager Jeff Gorton, rather discussions and perhaps transactions aimed to introduce a new competitive dynamic.Only the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings have won more playoff games than the Rangers over the past five seasons. But in their ultimately unsuccessful title chase, they've pillaged their prospect pool and spoiled their depth.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly keen on taking a run at Steven Stamkos this summer, and general manager Ken Holland is apparently already trying to clear cap space to do it."(They're) most definitely looking at Steven Stamkos as an unrestricted free agent option, but in order for the Red Wings to get into that game, obviously they're going to have to move out the money of Pavel Datsyuk," TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Friday's edition of "Insider Trading."Datsyuk, who has one more year remaining at a cap hit of $7.5 million, has received an offer to play in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, but won't decide on his future before meeting with the Red Wings later this month."Ken Holland ... is actively trying to move that one year, the remaining year on his contract," Dreger said Friday. "Maybe there's a team out there that needs that $7.5 million to get to the (salary cap) floor, but the Red Wings know in order to move it, they're going to have to sweeten it."Dreger cites young forwards Tomas Jurco and Teemu Pulkkinen as players who could potentially be packaged with the hefty sum to entice a trade partner, adding that Holland is "hard at it" in his attempt to get a deal done.Datsyuk has said he's willing to help the Red Wings out by agreeing to have his contract moved if he chooses to depart for Russia.Stamkos will become a UFA if he's not re-signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning before July 1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Milan Lucic may have identified a Plan B.ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported Friday on "Insider Trading" that he believes the pending unrestricted free agent would be "warm" to receiving an offer from the Edmonton Oilers, should he be unable to iron out a deal to return to the Los Angeles Kings.The hulking winger has long stated his desire to return to Los Angeles after an enjoyable debut season with the club, but there would be some familiarity and comfort in Edmonton, as well. Lucic was drafted by and negotiated multiple contracts with Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli during their long tenure together with the Boston Bruins.LeBrun reiterated his belief that the power forward's overriding preference is to remain a King, but mentioned: "There are worse things than riding shotgun for Connor McDavid."Lucic, who will enter his 10th season this fall, recorded 20 goals and 55 points in 81 games with L.A. He was highly successful within the club's top six, finishing with a 61.4 percent Goals For rate at even strength.LeBrun also noted that Lucic's hometown club, the Vancouver Canucks, would be interested in investing in his services.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Line matching against the Pittsburgh Penguins isn't easy.San Jose Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer has learned as much as he noted Friday that shutting down their rival's superstars has been difficult."They have given us matchup problems," said DeBoer. "When you have Kessel, Crosby, and Malkin on three different lines, that's tough."DeBoer also believes the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel one-up his Shark's club in another sense."All three of those guys make more than anyone on our team," DeBoer said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.And he's right:Team Player 2015-16 Cap HitPenguinsMalkin$9.5MPenguinsCrosby$8.7MPenguinsKessel$6.8MSharksThornton$6.75MNot to mention the trio has been fairly consistent all playoffs, combining for 20 goals and 51 points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Logan Couture is talking faceoffs again.This time, instead of calling Sidney Crosby out for cheating and getting special treatment from the officials, the San Jose Sharks center is pointing the finger at all players who line up to take the draw, including himself."Everyone cheats on faceoffs," Couture told reporters Friday. "I cheat, Jumbo (Joe Thornton) cheats. That’s how you try and win draws. (Crosby's) one of the best at it.

Beginning Game 3 on Saturday, the San Jose Sharks are going to attempt to accomplish what only five of 49 NHL teams have done before them: come back from a 2-0 hole in the Stanley Cup Final.Related: On the Fly, NHL Roundtable: Are the Sharks finished?Here's a quick look at those who blazed the trail of hope.1942 Toronto Maple Leafs This Toronto Maple Leafs squad is set apart from the rest for erasing a 3-0 series hole against the Detroit Red Wings, who finished 15 points behind them in the standings that season.Toronto, of course, won four straight games after losing the first three, recording a shutout win over Detroit in Game 7 to win the Cup.Only the 1975 New York Islanders, 2010 Philadelphia Flyers and 2014 Los Angeles Kings have repeated that feat in any playoff series, giving the Sharks a slim measure of hope should they lose Game 3.1966 Montreal CanadiensThe Red Wings were victimized here again, this time at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens.Montreal won four in a row over the Red Wings, becoming the only team in NHL history to win the Cup in six games after dropping the first two of the series.1971 Montreal CanadiensThe year of Ken Dryden was capped by another comeback series win for the Canadiens in the Final.Like San Jose this year, Montreal lost the first two games on the road at the hands of the Blackhawks, including one in overtime. They held court on home ice, however, and won Game 6 at home after losing Game 5 back in Chicago.Montreal actually fell into a 2-0 hole in Game 7, but prevailed in the series-deciding game after scoring three goals in less than nine minutes.2009 Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Sharks need only to look across the ice to know that a comeback is indeed possible, as the Penguins did it themselves against the Red Wings in 2009.Pittsburgh lost the first two contests on the road, but won the next two at home to even the series. The first four games were played with Detroit star center Pavel Datsyuk on the sidelines with an injury, and with two of three to be played at their rink. It appeared as though the Red Wings were poised to have the upper hand against the Penguins in the Final for the second year in a row.After splitting the next two games, the clubs convened for a Game 7 in Detroit, which was won by the Penguins despite the fact Sidney Crosby missed the third period with a knee injury suffered earlier that night.Max Talbot scored two goals and Marc-Andre Fleury made a legendary save off Nicklas Lidstrom in the dying seconds to preserve the win.2011 Boston BruinsThe most recent squad to pull off the comeback was the 2011 Boston Bruins, who knocked off the Presidents' Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks and literally sparked a riot as a result.Like this year's Final, the first two games were won by the home team by a margin of one goal in each, with the second being won in overtime.The tide shifted mightily following dominant wins by the Bruins back in Boston, and while Roberto Luongo became only the second goalie to pitch two 1-0 shutouts in a single Final, it was Tim Thomas who stole the show with a 4-0 win in Game 7 in Vancouver.Thomas, then 37, set an NHL record for most saves in a Final (238) and became the first goalie to post a shutout on the road in Game 7 of the championship series.That Martin Jones has been excellent in defeat for the Sharks should be a great source of encouragement for the Sharks, who are by no means out of this series just yet.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Finnish prospect Patrik Laine was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs' brass, he would select himself with the first overall pick.The confident 18-year-old told TSN's Gary Lawless on Thursday that he feels he has played well enough to earn a No. 1 selection."My season was the best," Laine said. "It was pretty amazing. Everything went so well all the time. I didn’t have any tough times. It all fell into place. It was amazing to be part of the teams I was on and to have that success together. My opinion is I should be drafted first overall. You never know what’s going to happen. I think it’s going to be a tough race right until the end."Laine captured gold at the World Juniors and picked up a silver at the World Championship last month, collecting a combined 25 points in 17 games. He feels that his play has been stellar enough that a stint in the American Hockey League will not be necessary for his development, though living with his mother might be."My first year, I want to play the entire year in the NHL and not have to go to the AHL to learn the North American game," Laine said. "My mom will come with me for the start. I can’t live on my own. I can’t cook and I don’t want to have to eat out every day. It will be good to have mom around for the cooking and the laundry and everything."Laine enters the draft ranked second among all international skaters, behind the highly touted Auston Matthews.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

John Gruden has found a new, and ideally calmer, spot to ply his trade.The former NHL defenseman, who was infamously fired twice in one season by Flint Firebirds owner Rolf Nilsen, has been named coach of the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs."It was clear to me that John’s values and goals best aligned with what our organization holds in high regard," said Bulldogs president and general manager Steve Staios. "His background, competitiveness, and character are a tremendous asset for our team."Gruden endured a rough first season as an OHL head coach, deposed by Nilsen but rehired after the team walked out in protest. He was let go a second time two months later, at which the league then intervened and subsequently suspended Nilsen for five years.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Erik Gudbranson was halfway around the world the day he was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks.Gudbranson was traded last week from the Florida Panthers, along with a fifth-round pick, in exchange for forward Jared McCann and two draft picks. The defenseman said he learned about the trade while in Africa."I got Wi-Fi a day late, turned my phone on and my phone actually blew up," Gudbranson told News 1130 Sports in Vancouver on Friday.The 24-year-old admits he is thrilled to be joining such a big hockey market."Vancouver is one of the most exciting markets on the planet for hockey. The excitement grew, grew, and grew," said Gudbranson. "I'm excited about the scrutiny and the pressure, I thrive off that."Gudbranson was a far cry from from home when the deal went through and the trade will now seem him move nearly 3,500 miles from Sunrise, Fla. to Vancouver, B.C.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For a 9-year-old boy from Alberta, few things compare to a little face time with your favorite hockey player.That's exactly what Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames offered to a boy named Liam - whose family lost their home in the Fort McMurray fire - on his birthday.

Kirk Muller is content with his new role.For the time being, at least.Muller was named an associate coach with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, an opportunity he willingly embraced shortly after notifying the St. Louis Blues he would not be returning as an assistant."I had a call from Michel (Therrien) to see if I had an interest in coming to Montreal. We had a long conversation and I got excited about it," Muller said Friday.So excited, in fact, he chose not to pursue a bigger role elsewhere.

Tyson Barrie's days in Colorado may be numbered.The 24-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent this July and that's one reason TSN's Bob McKenzie insists there's a good chance the Colorado Avalanche defenseman could be dealt."There’s no question in my mind, I think Tyson Barrie is going to be traded," McKenzie told TSN 1260 Radio on Friday, according to Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot.McKenzie added, "Colorado is looking for a defenseman. But I don’t think they like the economic leverage that Tyson Barrie has right now. Tyson Barrie has got a very strong arbitration case. I think he’s going to be looking for a sum of money that Colorado doesn’t feel comfortable in giving him. Therefore I think they’re looking for somebody who - looking for a different type of defenseman maybe, or one that’s not going to cost them as much money."Barrie is coming off his fourth full season with the Avalanche - including the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign - and is expected to receive a raise from his previous $2.6-million cap hit.Barrie's name has been and continues to be in trade talks, according to McKenzie, and he could be the perfect trade chip as the team looks to fill holes at all positions."I think they are in the market for a defenseman. I think they are in the market for forwards as well, being a non-playoff team and all," said McKenzie. "But I definitely think Tyson Barrie has been in play, and continues to be in play, and there's a real strong chance that he could be traded at some point here."Barrie led all Avalanche defensemen in scoring for the second straight year with 13 goals and 49 points in 78 games.- With h/t to Today's SlapshotCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. In the latest edition, we're discussing whether the San Jose Sharks can erase a 2-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final.There's hope for these SharksIan McLaren: The Sharks have paved an incredibly difficult road to making the jump from Western Conference to Stanley Cup champions, but they're by no means done after dropping the first two games of the final.For one, and as the Pittsburgh Penguins have already done, the Sharks are now presented with the opportunity to hold court on home ice, and common wisdom suggests not to begin ruling a team out until they've failed to do so.On top of that, the first two games of the series were decided by one goal, and although the Sharks were outshot in both, San Jose did hit several posts in Game 2 - glorious opportunities that went officially unregistered. In other words, bad luck helped keep them from earning a road split.If the club's top offensive players can get rolling while Martin Jones continues to play at a high level (he has a .930 save percentage through two Cup Final games), this could easily become a best-of-three affair.Josh Gold-Smith: The Sharks aren't finished after two games. They haven't even played at home yet.The team has work to do, but they nearly stole Game 2 - and home-ice advantage - from the Penguins before Conor Sheary's overtime winner.The Sharks have been outshot by an average of 35-24 in the first two games, and they took too long to overcome their Cup Final jitters in Game 1, but two one-goal losses on the road don't exactly spell doom for the club that eliminated the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues in the previous rounds.San Jose needs to get more production from its forwards, and can't rely on defensemen to generate such a large proportion of the team's scoring chances. If Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Joel Ward, and the rest of the group up front can get going, the Sharks will be right back in the series.It's overSean O'Leary: Beaming with optimism after earning their first-ever trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the Sharks were considered by many to be the favorites heading into their matchup with the Penguins.Two games in, however, it's a much different story.Pittsburgh has stymied the San Jose offense that steamrolled the Kings, Predators, and Blues, all while exploiting the Sharks' defense with a ridiculously potent four lines.Sidney Crosby is hungry (and not cheating), Evgeni Malkin is on the verge of erupting, and the "HBK" line is still rolling. Matt Murray has done his job and Kris Letang has anchored the blue line, which was supposed to be the Pens' Achilles' heel.There's plenty of reason to believe the Sharks can extend the series, as their stars can't remain quiet forever, but the possibility of winning four of five against a Penguins team rolling like this simply isn't in the cards.Navin Vaswani: Sorry, San Jose. We're done here.Now, it pains me to write that, because while I don't have a horse in this race, I want to see Thornton win a Stanley Cup. He deserves it. He's earned it. But dreams often don't come true.The Penguins lost four out of five twice this season. The first time: Dec. 14-21. Head coach Mike Sullivan was hired Dec. 12, and the Washington Capitals spoiled his debut two days later. The club lost Sullivan's first four games by a combined 15-4, but that was clearly Mike Johnston's fault.The second time: Jan. 5-15, with three of the losses coming in overtime. Sullivan was still learning his club, the Penguins still learning his system.Can a formidable team like the Sharks pull it off and win four of five? Of course. It's definitely premature to write them off before they play a game in San Jose. But the Pens simply look the part of a Stanley Cup winner - you have to admit that. And the Sharks don't.The Penguins closed out the regular season with a 16-5 record dating back to March 1. One of those losses was on the last day of the regular season, when Pittsburgh rested Crosby and Letang, and played without an injured Geno. They're 14-6 in the playoffs, including 2-0 in elimination games. They've peaked. The Penguins will win their fourth Stanley Cup.Ben Whyte: While the Sharks could certainly make the Stanley Cup Final more interesting with a Game 3 win, their fate in the series already looks to be sealed after they fell into an 0-2 hole.The Sharks' top power-play unit may have dominated its way through the Western Conference, but the Penguins have taken away their opponent's greatest weapon with excellent discipline, allowing a man advantage only three times across two victories.Also, since Sullivan began his tenure as coach with four straight losses in December, the Penguins have been near unbeatable, and are yet to lose back-to-back games in regulation in 2016.No team has bounced back after losses better than Pittsburgh, and if the Pens continue to stay out of the box, it seems impossible for the Sharks to win four of the next five.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brad Richards appears to be headed to his fourth NHL team in as many years.The 36-year-old unrestricted free agent is coming off a pair of one-year contracts after being bought out by the New York Rangers in 2014, and while he was able to win a Stanley Cup in Chicago, his latest stop in Detroit wasn't quite as successful."It didn’t seem like we ever got firing on all cylinders, just probably wasn't a great fit for me," Richards told The Guardian's Jason Malloy of his time with the Red Wings.Richards missed games early in the season due to a back injury, and finished 2015-16 with 10 goals and 18 assists in 68 regular-season games, with only one goal in five playoff appearances.The two-time Cup winner and 2004 playoff MVP seems content with what he's achieved in the NHL, but isn't quite ready to call it a career."I want to look at free agency and see who calls and what opportunities are there, but I haven’t made my mind up with what I want to do yet," he said. "I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of great things in hockey, and hockey has been great to me. If it was time, I wouldn’t feel cheated, but I’m not there yet."It’s a young, fast game now. (But) with rest and proper training I still have a good year left in me."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While Nick Bonino is helping the Pittsburgh Penguins challenge for a Stanley Cup, the Vancouver Canucks are left wondering what could have been if the player he was traded for had played a full season.In an interview on TSN 1040 in Vancouver on Thursday, Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins was asked about the deal that saw Bonino sent to Pittsburgh in exchange for Brandon Sutter, and he lamented an injury to the latter that limited him to only 20 games in 2015-16."The tough thing for us and for Brandon is he didn’t get to show what he could do last year," said Desjardins. "Everybody felt in our dressing room that if he's there then we're in the playoffs this year."Desjardins added it's easy to question trades in hindsight, explaining the deal was made with a view to injecting speed into the lineup."I like Nick Bonino. I’ve always liked him. He’s a great guy, he moves the puck really well," Desjardins said. "(But) we had to find more speed in our lineup. We just had to."Nick’s one fault is he’s not quick. But when you put him with (Carl) Hagelin and (Phil) Kessel, then he's quick. They make up for his speed. It becomes a quick line. We didn’t have that luxury, so we went with a guy that’s a little quicker and we went with Brandon Sutter."In the 20 games in which he appeared for the Canucks, Sutter recorded five goals, four assists, and 45 shots.The Canucks finished the season with 75 points, good for 28th in the overall standings and 12 points behind the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The highly anticipated collaboration between P.K. Subban and Snoop Dogg will have to wait a year.The charity basketball game featuring the Montreal Canadiens defenseman and the legendary rapper has been postponed until 2017, according to a statement issued to Bill Brownstein of the Montreal Gazette.The game was originally scheduled for June 11, 2016 at Montreal's Verdun Auditorium, but it will now be played next summer at a larger venue, the Bell Centre.The Just for Laughs comedy festival will join forces with local event promotion company Evenko to raise more money for the two stars' foundations."Just For Laughs, P.K. Subban, and Snoop Dogg have been thrilled by the response to this event, but realized there was a much greater opportunity to raise money for charity," the statement said."Just For Laughs will now partner with Evenko and the Bell Centre to produce an even more exciting and exceptional event as part of Just For Laughs' 35th anniversary edition.”Snoop will perform in Montreal on the originally planned date next week, as part of the Canadian Grand Prix festivities.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jersey ads are coming to the World Cup of Hockey.While speaking at the Brand Engagement Summit in Chicago, NHL chief marketing officer Brian Jennings said the league has sold sponsorships on the shoulders of the jerseys, according to Sports Business Daily.Related: NHL reveals 2016 World Cup jerseys​The NHL sees the World Cup as a test run for jersey ads, and plans to monitor how fans react to the new patches."With the use of technology, you're in a real-time dialogue that lets you know what they think and feel about it," Jennings said.There's no word on who bought the jersey ads, or how much the sponsorships cost. Last year, TSN reported the league was seeking $8 million for the ad space.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers, we hardly recognize thee.The organization continued its top-to-bottom offseason renovation Thursday with the unveiling of its new uniform and primary logo at a season-ticket holders event at BB&T Center.

Just one day after it was reported he wouldn't return as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues, Kirk Muller has already found a new job.Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Thursday that Muller was appointed the team's new associate coach."We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Kirk Muller, and are extremely happy about his desire to return to the Canadiens' organization," Bergevin said."Kirk brings a great deal of experience, determination and leadership, and I have no doubt that these qualities will be essential for our coaching staff. Kirk has a thorough knowledge of the Montreal market, he enjoyed success as a player, and as captain of the Canadiens, and these assets will certainly contribute to the success of our team."Muller helped Montreal win its most recent Stanley Cup as a player in 1993, and was named captain in 1994, only to be traded midway through the season.

It's Stanley's turn to brave The Shark Tank.The Stanley Cup Final will land in Northern California for the first time ever Saturday when the San Jose Sharks host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the season's culminating series.Here are five reasons to look forward to the series' first stop in San Jose:The DesperationThere'll be no easing into the Stanley Cup spectacle in San Jose; the Sharks absolutely must win Saturday's Game 3 to avoid seeing the franchise's debut appearance after 25 years from being a read-through.The Sharks have faced elimination in these playoffs, but the plight they overcame in their second-round series versus the Nashville Predators pales in comparison to the blow Conor Sheary delivered in Game 2.We have to see San Jose at its very best - at the jump - or it's more than likely curtains for the Sharks before even getting accustomed to these foreign waters.The Jock JamsThese Sharks have something for "Chelsea Dagger."Hands down, the best goal celebration song in the NHL belong to the Sharks, who encapsulate their endearing, self-deprecating, wholly new lease on life by slapping mitts to a throwback to gym classes everywhere in the '90s: 2 Unlimited's "Get Ready For This."Full credit to the fans, who voted this classic Jock Jam in as the team's official goal song. We'd like to believe Brent Burns and Joe Thornton stuffed the ballot box, too.The TankIt will be how the Sharks - not the fans - handle being pushed into a corner for the first time this tournament. For a support system that knows nothing but postseason failure, though, an adverse start, and the heightened prospects of a swift elimination already being down 0-2, could have a discernible effect on the atmosphere.That said, The Shark Tank has represented one of the more inhospitable road barns to visit over the past half-decade, and the fans will be most appropriately hyped for their first opportunity to welcome the Stanley Cup Final foe.The HeadSeriously, there's no cooler on-ice prop to send a billowing cloud of fake fog through and to wheel out of. And it's not particularly close.The TealFor my money, the best jersey in the NHL - the Penguins' throwback third - happens to be one of the most underrated. The Cup Final will remain aesthetically pleasing as the series shifts to Northern California, where the Sharks will don what they like to call "Deep Pacific teal."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a busy few weeks, a sprained ankle will keep Matthew Tkachuk from participating in fitness tests at the NHL Scouting Combine, writes NHL.com's Mike Morreale."I'm going to hold off on the testing," Tkachuk said. "I'm a little dinged up. There's no point in doing any of the bike tests or the testing right now if I'm not 100 percent. Whichever team drafts me, I'll be excited to test at development camp and see where I rank. We'll see what they think and go from there."Tkachuk, a First Team OHL All-Star, helped the London Knights to the Memorial Cup, scoring the tournament winner in overtime. He had 30 goals and 77 assists during the regular season, and 20 goals and 20 assists in 18 playoff games, before his heroics at the Memorial Cup.Ranked second among North American skaters by the NHL ahead of the draft this month, Tkachuk's stock is "gaining momentum" after his dominant spring, one executive told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Everyone's a blogger these days, including Pittsburgh's Jeff Zatkoff.The Penguins' third-string goaltender is writing for NHL.com during the Stanley Cup Final, and he dropped an interesting nugget in his reaction to Game 2 about what he expected to be a joyous flight to San Jose.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly isn't worried about the internal conflict swirling around the Carolina Hurricanes."We know a lot more about what's going on in Carolina than the average person and what's public," Daly said on "Hockey Central at Noon" on Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Thursday.Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos is being sued by his three sons for $105 million, with the sons alleging their father borrowed the money from trust accounts promised to them in his will in order to fund the team.Daly insisted it's nothing more than a familial dispute and downplayed the effect it will have on the NHL."I view the public litigation to be more along the lines of a family squabble than anything that would raise material concern for the league in and of itself," the deputy commissioner said."You have to understand the entire situation, and we're obviously, on the whole, comfortable with the entire situation of what's going on in Carolina."One of Karmanos' sons, Jason, was fired from his role as executive vice-president and assistant general manager of the Hurricanes in the fall of 2013, reportedly over a "family matter." He was later hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins.None of Karmanos' sons attended his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame last November.The owner has been trying to find a buyer for the club, but wants to ensure it remains in North Carolina.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.