Alex Khokhlachev is heading home.The frustrated Boston Bruins prospect is set to sign with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, reports rsport.ru, according to Sport-Express' Igor Eronko.Khokhlachev was drafted 40th overall by the Bruins in 2011, but has only played in nine NHL games despite putting up impressive numbers for Providence, Boston's AHL affiliate. This season, he scored 68 points in 60 games, but only earned five contests with the big club, failing to register a point.The 22-year-old has voiced his displeasure with his playing time in the past, and in April, Khokhlachev's agent blamed Bruins head coach Claude Julien for his lack of chances.Khokhlachev would join a Saint Petersburg team that features former NHLers Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Voynov.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Mark-Edouard Vlasic, it's always the same: Consistency, smart decisions and tough minutes - game in and game out.The San Jose Sharks defenseman is one of the best the league has to offer, but hardly garners any time in the spotlight. It could be the market he plays in, or it could be his modest style of play. But whatever it is that pushes the deserved attention away from him, he doesn't care."I'm here to play my game, help the team win," Vlasic told The Canadian Press. "If I get credit or I don't I'm not worried about that. I get it from the players, the coaches, the GMs throughout the league. That's the No. 1 thing. In order to make teams (like Canada) the GMs have to like the way you play and that's where I get my credit."Vlasic won gold with Team Canada in Sochi, and was one of four defensemen named to the Canadian preliminary World Cup roster.On top of Hockey Canada's brain trust, his teammates take notice of his play, too. Especially his playing partner, Justin Braun.When people wake up on the East Coast and they watch highlights he might not be on there for a good stick, a blocked shot, or shutting guys down all night," Braun said."He'd probably be known as one of the best shutdown D-men in the league (if he played in a major market) more than he already is."Vlasic is facing the unenviable task of shutting down the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final, and though he was minus-2 in Game 1, the hockey world should be able to catch a glimpse of his talents on the game's biggest stage as the series wears on.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent center Mark Arcobello has signed a two-year contract with SC Bern of the Swiss League.Arcobello, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, spent this past season in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization on a one-year, $1.1-million contract. He appeared in 20 games for the NHL club, with three goals and one assist to his credit.The majority of 2015-16 was spent with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, for whom Arcobello recorded 25 goals and 34 assists in 49 games.The undrafted 27-year-old heads to Europe with 139 NHL appearances on his record since 2012-13.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With head coach Ken Hitchcock officially back in the fold for one more season, the St. Louis Blues will turn their attention to roster composition.During an end-of-year press conference Tuesday, general manager Doug Armstrong addressed key decisions facing the club this summer, saying signing restricted free agent Jaden Schwartz is priority number one, while remaining less sure about the ability to re-sign captain David Backes."I'd love to keep him here. But it has to work out for David and his family and work out in our math equation," Armstrong admitted.Armstrong, to be sure, is demonstrating some forward thinking when it comes to Backes.Based on the strength of his 2016 playoff performance, the 32-year-old is expected to command much attention on the open market - and a raise over his $4.5-million cap hit - and re-resigning Backes with a much younger and talented Schwartz in need of a new deal would limit the already high-spending Blues.Troy Brouwer, Steve Ott, Kyle Brodziak, and Scottie Upshall are also scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this summer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vladimir Tarasenko needed time to gather himself.Called out in St. Louis for not addressing the media on locker clean-out day, the 24-year-old has cleared the air in regards to his silence immediately following a Western Conference Final loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks."I wasn't ready to talk," he said Tuesday, according to Tom Timmerman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I was too frustrated, too upset, too pissed off about our loss and I don't want to give you guys a hard time to talk with me because I was so mad."(But) it's good to have this experience in your life because you know now what it takes to go this deep and give you a chance to prepare better and go deep next time."Tarasenko also laughed off the suggestion of growing friction with the club, exacerbated by being called out by head coach Ken Hitchcock after Game 5 of the series with San Jose."We have really good relationships," he said. "The media talk about problems between me and the Blues, it's never been a problem. If there was going to be a problem, I would not sign for eight years."The winger - who carries a cap hit of $7.5 million through to the end of the 2022-23 season - is seen as a key piece to the puzzle in St. Louis moving forward, and rightfully so.Over the past two regular seasons, he's scored 77 goals in 157 games, with 15 tallies in 26 playoff contests.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues signed head coach Ken Hitchcock to a one-year contract extension, the club announced Tuesday.The 2016-17 season will be Hitchcock's sixth behind the Blues' bench, and 20th as a NHL head coach. It will also be his last, as Hitchcock announced he won't coach after next year."I just feel like I've got this really good year in me," Hitchcock said. "This season has invigorated me like no season before."There won't be any God damn farewell tour," he added, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford.

Lost in the San Jose Sharks' defeat in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final was another multi-point game from Brent Burns, his eighth of the playoffs.Burns and his beard assisted on both Sharks goals Monday, and he now has 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) this spring, which puts him in elite company. Only four defensemen have put up more points in a single postseason dating back to 1986 - and they were great ones.D-Man Postseason PointsBrian Leetch199434Al MacInnis198931Ray Bourque199125Larry Murphy199123Burns201622There's a good chance Burns ends up third on that list, behind only Leetch and MacInnis, by the time the Cup is awarded.Considering how much the game has changed since the late 1980s and early 1990s, and how much better goaltenders are today, Burns' playoffs are that much more impressive.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Golden State Warriors punching their ticket to the NBA Finals Monday night ensured that for the first time since 2003, one region's NHL and NBA franchises would be involved in their respective leagues' championship series at the same time. About 35 miles separate Oracle Arena in Oakland and SAP Center in San Jose.The hard part: No city or region has ever won both a Stanley Cup and an NBA title in the same spring. The closest it came to happening was 1994, when the New York Rangers hoisted the cup while their MSG counterpart, the Knicks, fell to the Houston Rockets in seven games.YearCity/RegionNBA teamNHL team2016Bay AreaWarriorsSharks2003New JerseyNetsDevils*1994New YorkKnicksRangers*1992ChicagoBulls*Blackhawks1980Philadelphia76ersFlyers1974BostonCeltics*Bruins1972New YorkKnicksRangers(* - won championship)Up until now with the Warriors and Sharks, all other teams shared arenas. The last time a city came away empty-handed after having both teams in the final round was Philadelphia in 1980.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes have hired Ulf Samuelsson to serve as head coach of the team’s minor-league affiliate, the AHL's Charlotte Checkers."Ulf has built a very strong coaching resume during a decade behind the bench in the AHL, NHL, and Swedish league," said Carolina general manager Ron Francis. "He has a proven history of helping to develop young players and understands the organizational culture that we are building here."The former NHL defenseman and Stanley Cup winner (Pittsburgh Penguins - 1991, 1992) spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers, helping the club reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 and the conference final in 2015.Prior to that, he coached Modo of the Swedish Hockey League, served as an associate with the Arizona Coyotes from 2006-07 until 2010-11, and cracked the coaching ranks as an assistant with Hartford (AHL) back in 2005.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators and the National Hockey League are evaluating the logistics of hosting an outdoor game on Parliament Hill in 2017, commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed Monday.The idea, first reported in March, is to incorporate a Heritage Classic with Canada’s 150th birthday and the NHL's 100th anniversary, both of which will be marked in 2017.Creating a temporary stadium and accommodating tens of thousands of fans on the Hill would not be a simple proposition, however."It's complicated. We'd have to know more. It's complicated and expensive," Bettman said at the league's annual Stanley Cup Final press conference. "We've been exploring it and doing some homework on it."Deputy commissioner Bill Daly added the league is looking at other options in Ottawa, including but not limited to TD Place, home of Ottawa's CFL team."There are number of possibilities in Ottawa," Daly said. "If it doesn't happen on Parliament Hill it doesn't necessarily mean we're not doing an outdoor game in Ottawa, right? As I said, there are other possibilities."Believe it or not there may be more than one but there might be No. 1 and No. 1A (TD Place)."At any rate, it appears as though the Senators will be hosting an outdoor game as early as 2017, with the location listed as TBD.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nick Bonino has a San Jose Sharks jersey at home, and for good reason. He was drafted by the club in 2007, in the sixth round, 173rd overall.Now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and having the playoffs of his life, Bonino reflected on the start of his NHL journey Monday, after scoring the game-winning goal against the Sharks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.The 28-year-old never suited up for the Sharks. He was traded in 2009 to the Anaheim Ducks, where he began his NHL career, but the Sharks will always be a part of his life."It was cool to be drafted. I'll always thank them for drafting me," Bonino said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Seth Rorabaugh. "But I only went to a couple of development camps. Really nice guys. A really, really good organization."I've got my draft jersey back in my room at home. I'll obviously never get rid of it. But that's it."Bonino made his NHL debut on March 26, 2009 with the Ducks in Edmonton. Seven years later, after five in Anaheim and one in Vancouver, he's in Pittsburgh. And while he doesn't know what his future holds, he's happy to be wearing black and gold."I think I found a home for sure," Bonino said about the Penguins after his Game 1 heroics. "I enjoy the guys, enjoy the team. Organization is first class. Definitely feels nice to be in the Cup Final playing with (Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin), it's been a lot of fun for me."

For the first time in a decade, the Eastern Conference champions won the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final.Indeed, the Pittsburgh Penguins replicated a feat last achieved by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, taking Game 1 courtesy of a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on home ice and putting themselves in a very favorable position moving forwardSince the Stanley Cup Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, the team that has taken Game 1 has gone on to capture the Cup 77.6 percent of the time (59 of 76 series) and each of the past four years, according to NHL Public Relations.Here are three keys to Pittsburgh's Game 1 win.Depth scoringPittsburgh's top three lines all got in on the scoring, with goals coming from seemingly unlikely but increasingly reliable forwards.The Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals scored 62 seconds apart by Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary. The pair made NHL history in the process.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced the passing of Stanley Cup winner Rick MacLeish on Tuesday. He was 66."With the passing of MacLeish, the Flyers have lost one of their legends," team president Paul Holmgren said in a statement.MacLeish spent the majority of his career with the Flyers, scoring 328 goals and adding 369 assists in 741 games with Philadelphia. He was a force on back-to-back Flyers teams that won the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975, scoring a combined 24 goals in 34 games over two playoff runs.

It appears Patrick Marleau will be in the San Jose Sharks lineup for a pivotal Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night.Marleau reportedly won't be disciplined by the league after a high hit on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust in Game 1 on Monday, according to multiple reports.Here's the hit:Rust was forced from the game, and was diagnosed as day to day with an upper-body injury, with his condition expected to be updated Tuesday. The Penguins will no doubt be unhappy with the league's decision, as head coach Mike Sullivan called the play a "blindside hit to the head."Marleau said after Game 1 that he didn't expect to be hearing from the league, saying he kept his elbow down on the play, which the video corroborates."I just kind of let him skate into me," Marleau said, according to Pro Hockey Talk's Jason Brough.Both Rust and Marleau found the back of the net in Game 1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After his team's 3-2 Game 1 victory over the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan lauded captain Sidney Crosby for his exceptional effort Monday."You can see his hunger to win. It's inspiring," Sullivan said of his star forward in a post-game interview. "I thought he was a force out there all night."Crosby dominated in 20:40 of ice time, firing four shots on goal and recording an incredible assist on Conor Sheary's goal that doubled the Penguins' lead midway through the first period."Every time he jumps over the boards, we feel like he's a threat to score, just a threat as far as putting pressure on our opponent's defense," Sullivan continued. "He has that twinkle in his eye."With Crosby firing on all cylinders, the Penguins' offense becomes even more difficult to handle, which could spell trouble for the Sharks as the Stanley Cup Final wears on.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins came away with a big 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, but it came at a price.Playoff sensation Bryan Rust left Monday's game after a high hit from Sharks forward Patrick Marleau, and is listed as day to day with an upper body injury.Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was less than enthused about the collision.

PITTSBURGH - Nick Bonino's main job for the Pittsburgh Penguins is to get to the front of the net and create chaos. The well-bearded forward executed perfectly in his debut in the Stanley Cup Final.Bonino took a pretty feed from the corner by Kris Letang and beat Martin Jones from in close with 2:33 remaining to lift the Penguins to a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 on Monday night.Rookies Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary staked Pittsburgh to an early two-goal lead before the Sharks tied it in the second period on goals by Tomas Hertl and Patrick Marleau. The Penguins responded by upping the pressure in the final period and it paid off with Bonino's fourth goal of the playoffs after he darted to the San Jose net in time to knuckle Letang's pass by Jones for the winner.Game 2 is Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.Matt Murray finished with 24 saves for Pittsburgh, which began its bid for the fourth title in franchise history by peppering Jones constantly in the first and final periods. Jones made 38 stops but couldn't get his blocker on Bonino's wrist shot. The Penguins threw 41 shots at Jones, well over the 28 he faced on average during San Jose's playoff run.The Sharks made it to the first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history by rebuilding themselves on the fly. Two years removed from a brutal collapse from a 3-0 series lead in the first round against Los Angeles, San Jose ended a 9,005 day wait to play in the NHL's championship round by relying on a tough, aggressive style that squeezes opponents with a relentless forecheck while limiting chances in front of Jones.Yet veterans Marleau and Joe Thornton - the top two picks in the 1997 draft held in Pittsburgh who had waited nearly two decades to make it to the league's biggest stage - insisted the Sharks were hardly satisfied after dispatching St. Louis in a cathartic Western Conference finals.Maybe, but the Sharks looked a step slow - maybe two steps slow - while searching for their footing against the Penguins, who rallied from a 3-2 deficit to edge the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games to advance to their first Cup Final since 2009.Rust, who surprisingly made the team out of training camp and became an unlikely playoff star by scoring both of Pittsburgh's goals in Game 7 against the Lightning, gave the Penguins the lead 12:46 into the first when he slammed home a rebound off a Justin Schultz shot for his sixth of the postseason, a franchise record for playoff goals by a rookie.Less than a minute later Sheary, who didn't become a regular until the middle of January, made it 2-0 when Sidney Crosby whipped a blind backhand cross-ice pass to Sheary's stick. The rookie's wrist shot from the right circle zipped by Jones and the Penguins appeared to be in complete command by overwhelming the Sharks in a way few have in months.San Jose and its group of Cup newcomers regained its composure in the intermission and responded with a big surge. Hertl jammed a shot from just outside the crease between Murray's legs on the power play 3:02 into the second to give the Sharks momentum. Late in the second, Marleau collected a rebound off a Brent Burns one-timer behind the Pittsburgh net and then beat Murray on a wraparound to the far post that caromed off Murray's extended right leg and into the net.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Stanley Cup Final has its first questionable hit, and it involved a pair of goal-scorers from earlier in Game 1.San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau was given a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust, whose head jolted back as a result of the third-period hit.Following a brief trip to his team's dressing room, Rust returned to the game. He managed to play for one shift before heading back down the tunnel, ending his night for good.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After leading his team to the Western Conference Final for the first time in his five-year tenure, it appears head coach Ken Hitchcock has done enough to stay with the St. Louis Blues.The Blues are expected to make a formal announcement as early as Tuesday that Hitchcock will remain with the team on what's likely to be another one-year contract, reports Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman.

The Pittsburgh Penguins came to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.Forward Bryan Rust - who scored two goals in Game 7 versus the Tampa Bay Lightning - got things started with his sixth goal of the postseason, a Penguins rookie record.Only 1:02 later, Conor Sheary extended the Penguins lead with a pin-point wrister, set up by a beautiful feed from Sidney Crosby.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The likelihood of the NHL travelling to Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics continues to dwindle.Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the issue Monday, saying the financial aspect is the biggest hurdle to overcome at this point."I'm sure our teams are not interested in paying for the privilege of disrupting our season," he said at his press conference ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.Bettman said the IIHF and International Olympic Committee (IOC) would need to cover the costs, but there's been no "substantive discussions" between the parties.Travelling to South Korea in February would cost millions when factoring in transportation, insurance, and accommodations.Since 1998 in Nagano, Japan, NHLers have competed in the OIympics, but there was similar doubt regarding their participation in Sochi in 2014.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL will make a decision by the end of 2016.

The NHL is expected to make a decision on its current expansion process before the NHL Awards on June 22."Prior to the Awards event, the Board of Governors will meet, and I anticipate being able to provide a more definitive word on where the expansion process stands," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced in his annual press conference prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.He added that while he "would not handicap what's going to happen," he's "fairly certain" they'll know more after the Board of Governors' meeting.Bettman said the league's executive board is expected to decide on a recommendation of four possible expansion options by June 15, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

The Russians will need to find another blueliner.Former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov was named to Russia's World Cup roster last week, but NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday that the Russian Hockey Federation has been told that Voynov's ineligible to participate because he's under NHL suspension.Voynov spent two months in prison on domestic violence charges and voluntarily returned to Russia after being detained by immigration officials. He was suspended for the final 76 games of the season by the NHL and his contract was voided when he chose to leave the U.S. rather than face deportation.Russian head coach Oleg Znarog said the decision isn't up to the NHL, because the World Cup is an international tournament, but Bettman came down with what appears to be the final word Monday.After returning to Russia, Voynov played for St. Petersburg in the KHL, registering seven assists in 23 games, and two assists in 15 playoff games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Pittsburgh Penguins have removed the "For Sale" sign outside Consol Energy Center.NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke to the media at a press conference before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday and talked about a potential sale of the Penguins."My understanding is there's no urgency, nothing pressing, no process in place for (the) Penguins to sell the club," Bettman said, according to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski.Last June, the Penguins had a wealth management firm explore a potential sale, and were reportedly looking for at least $750 million. Penguins owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle released a statement in January saying they were exploring all strategic options, including the sale of the club.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Thornton is so close.The San Jose Sharks center will finally play for the Stanley Cup, and he's hoping to get as close to it as he did as a 17-year-old.His faith in the Sharks has never wavered, according to NHL.com's Nicholas Cotsonika. Thornton was at Game 4 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Final, when the Detroit Red Wings finished off the Philadelphia Flyers and Steve Yzerman became a champion for the first time.Thornton was a top prospect at the time, eventually being drafted first overall at the 1997 draft. He took in the game with his brother John, and both were "bawling" when the Cup was lifted. In fact, John was a huge Yzerman fan, and Thornton eventually wore No. 19 in honor of the legendary Red Wings captain.There are many similarities between Thornton and Yzerman. Before he became a Cup winner, Yzerman was never afforded the respect he truly deserved. He was a lightning rod of criticism in Detroit, and was often rumored to be on his way out of town via trade.Thornton's career has been brilliant. He'll go down as one of the most prolific passers in the game. He was traded early in his career from the Boston Bruins to the Sharks, though, and his legacy is synonymous with the disappointing one of the Sharks. Great regular seasons, dreadful playoff defeats, and an inability to win it all.Eventually the "C" was taken off Thornton's jersey, and many thought his days in the Bay Area were numbered. But here he is, almost 20 years after Yzerman won his Cup, chasing his own.Over the past few weeks, Thornton's been honest about who he is: a great hockey player, but only one part of a team. And it takes a team to win a Stanley Cup. He said he wasn't bothered about losing the captaincy, and that he's comfortable in his own skin. He added that he loves to play the game and to put in the work."I enjoy the burn," Thornton said. "(Hockey's) the only thing I know, and I love it."Even after the tough spring send-offs, Thornton always looked ahead positively to the upcoming seasons."You've got to put in the hard work in the summertime. You've just got to believe, and this can happen," he said."Next year" finally arrived for Thornton. All that's left is the Cup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When Dainius Zubrus speaks, the San Jose Sharks should listen.Aside from goaltender Martin Jones, the 37-year-old is the only player on the Sharks with honest-to-goodness Stanley Cup Final experience. As he approaches the end of his career, he knows this could be his last shot at glory. In fact, it could the only shot for some of his teammates.This will be Zubrus' third Cup Final. He's 0-for-2, and he knows how hard it is to get back to the dance. He played for the Cup as an 18-year-old rookie with the Philadelphia Flyers, and was part of Peter DeBoer's New Jersey Devils finals squad in 2012, which lost in six games to the Los Angeles Kings."This could be the best chance of their life," Zubrus said about his teammates, as quoted by Yahoo Sports' Sean Leahy, "and probably the best team they're going to be on ... don't waste the opportunity."The Sharks have all the motivation in the world, especially considering Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will be playing in their first Cup Final game Monday night. It took them a long, long time - and thousands of games - to make it, and they don't want to go home empty-handed.Zubrus has come as close as two wins short."For whatever reason, it's just very hard to get to this point and to win it," he said.It's the journey that makes the Stanley Cup the most revered trophy in pro sports.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We're ready. So are the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks.For the Pens, Kris Letang's a go. So is Nick Bonino. On the San Jose side, Matt Nieto's healthy after missing the Western Conference Final, but he's going to watch Game 1 with the rest of us.Here are the projected lineups for the opener of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night, courtesy of the Sharks' website:SharksLW C RWTomas HertlJoe ThorntonJoe PavelskiPatrick MarleauLogan CoutureJoonas DonskoiMelker KarlssonChris TierneyJoel WardDainius ZubrusNick SpalingTommy WingelsLDRDPaul MartinBrent BurnsMarc-Edouard VlasicJustin BraunBrenden DillonRoman PolakGMartin JonesJames ReimerPenguinsLW C RWConor ShearySidney CrosbyPatric HornqvistChris KunitzEvgeni MalkinBryan RustCarl HagelinNick BoninoPhil KesselTom KuhnhacklMatt CullenEric FehrLD RDBrian DumoulinKris LetangOlli MaattaBen LovejoyIan ColeJustin SchultzGMatt MurrayMarc-Andre FleuryCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Troy Brouwer has not ruled out a potential homecoming next season.The St. Louis Blues forward - who's poised to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 - admitted Monday that he's considered the idea of joining the Canucks in an interview with News 1130 Radio in Vancouver."I have thought about it, for sure. Family and friends, playing for my hometown, it would be an experience for sure," said Brouwer. He added, "My dad was a huge Canucks fan, Mark Messier was a big influence in my hockey career, I watched him a lot in Vancouver."Brouwer appears to be considering all his options - after the Blues were eliminated by the San Jose Sharks, he said he'd love to return to St. Louis. He said Monday he expects to meet with the Blues prior to July 1 and get a better idea regarding his future.While the 30-year-old appears intrigued by the prospect of coming home, he knows it would also depend on Canucks management."Definitely be a great experience to play for the hometown team and see what it's like but I don't know (what the) Canucks' plans are," said Brouwer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here we go.Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final begins at 8 p.m. ET on Monday night. Here are eight important statistics ahead of puck drop in Pittsburgh between the San Jose Sharks and Penguins.-125The Penguins are favored over the Sharks, according to Bodog, though most hockey experts - including those at theScore - have the Sharks raising the Stanley Cup.78%The Stanley Cup Final became a best-of-seven affair in 1939. Since then, the team that wins Game 1 has won the series 78 percent of the time.15Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are both making their third appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. They each have 15 points, the fewest either player has recorded heading into the fourth and final round.Joe Thornton has 15 assists heading into the Cup Final, making him one of only four players 35 or older to record at least 15 assists in a playoff year. He's in good company: Jean Beliveau, Larry Robinson, and Steve Yzerman are the other three.If the Penguins win the Stanley Cup and Matt Murray records four wins, he'll end up with 15 wins, tying Ron Hextall, Patrick Roy, and Cam Ward for the record for most wins by a rookie goalie in a single postseason.(Courtesy: @SanJoseSharks)17-1The two clubs are a combined 17-1 when leading after two periods this postseason. The Sharks are undefeated at 8-0, while the Pens are 9-1.1-2The Sharks and Penguins are the highest-scoring teams in the playoffs. San Jose's averaging a league-best 3.50 goals per game this spring, while the Pens are second at 3.22.Thornton and Patrick Marleau were drafted first and second overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh, and both are making their first appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, in Pittsburgh, as it happens. Symmetry.20,342If this series goes the distance and the Sharks end up losing, they'll have a good excuse: fatigue. San Jose's logged 20,342 miles in the air during the postseason, more than double the Penguins' 9,614. Pittsburgh hasn't played a game in the Pacific since early December.3-0The Sharks are the fourth team based in California to make the Stanley Cup Final since 2007, joining the 2007 Anaheim Ducks and the 2012 and 2014 Los Angeles Kings. California-based teams are 3-0 in the finals since 2007.1This is the first time the Sharks will play for the Stanley Cup, making it their first-ever playoff meeting with the Penguins.Starting goaltenders Matt Murray and Martin Jones will make their first Stanley Cup Final appearances, too.- With h/t to ESPN Stats & Information and NHL Public RelationsCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Marleau is quite content right where he is.The veteran of 18 NHL seasons is set to take the ice for the first time in a Stanley Cup Final Monday night, and he will do so with the team that he reportedly asked for a trade away from early this season.However, on the back of the San Jose Sharks' best playoff run in franchise history, Marleau couldn't picture being anywhere else."It would be hard to imagine that," Marleau said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I'm extremely happy to be here."Marleau reportedly asked for a trade as early as training camp, and was believed to be "driving the bus" on a potential deal thanks to a full no-movement clause in his contract.However, Marleau refused to clarify if such rumors were true, only suggesting that he had to play through them."When those rumors start swirling and things like that, you can't control them, so you just try to control what you can do, and what I can do is just come to the rink ready to play each and every day," Marleau said.For now, though, the team's all-time leader in games played, goals, and points appears to have put things behind him and has his eyes set on capturing the franchise's first Stanley Cup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The rosters of the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks are loaded with talent. Here are four players - two from each team - to keep an eye on in what will be a memorable Stanley Cup Final:Sidney CrosbyThe Kid's 28, a man now. While Sidney Crosby remains arguably the NHL's best player and the face of professional hockey, it's been seven long years since he played in the Stanley Cup Final. After his concussion issues, the thought crossed his mind, and certainly yours: Would he ever make it back to the top?Crosby's back, and he's taking nothing for granted. He understands what the journey means. He appreciates how difficult it is to not only win a Stanley Cup, but how tough it is to be one of two teams left standing in June.Nobody works harder than Crosby. And while it's almost crazy to say, "Watch Crosby, the generational talent, during the Stanley Cup Final," it must be said. Because if the past seven years taught us anything, it's that nothing is guaranteed. The game promises zero. This could be Crosby's last chance at a Stanley Cup, which would only be his second. Cherish the moment. You know Sid will."I'll do everything I can to try to do it," Crosby said of winning his second Cup, writes NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "I probably enjoy (being in the Cup Final again) more now having realized how tough it is to get here."Tomas HertlTomas Hertl is having the time of his life."I like to be smiling all the time," Hertl said Sunday during media day. "Some guys back home (say), 'You smiling all the time, just give me a break! I don't have time for smiling.' (I say), 'OK, I just like it, guys, I can't. I can't stop it."You'd be smiling non-stop, too, if you were 22 years old and playing for the Stanley Cup.Hertl's been productive this spring, with five goals and five assists in 18 games. And if he can produce during the final, he'll go a long way in helping San Jose win its first Stanley Cup. The Penguins have their hands full in Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau. It's going to be up to Hertl and teammates Joel Ward and Joonas Donskoi to provide secondary scoring.The Prague native is the most talented of the Sharks' depth forwards. He's averaging almost 18 minutes a night, more ice than Marleau, and is fourth on the club in the playoffs with 45 shots. Hertl's got flair, he's immensely talented, and should he leave his mark on this series, he'll find his name on the Cup for the rest of time.Nick BoninoAfter three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nick Bonino is second on the Penguins in scoring and has as many points as Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Yeah.Bonino has been a beast for the Penguins through 18 games, centering the "HBK" line with Carl Hagelin and leading scorer Phil Kessel. And Pittsburgh's going to need that line to continue to do work if it wants to win the Cup.After taking a shot off his foot in Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bonino didn't practice Sunday, but "will be fine" for Game 1 on Monday, according to head coach Mike Sullivan. His fitness will be worth monitoring, at least early in the series.Bonino had 29 points during the regular season, and played 15:50 a game. He's up to 17:03 in the playoffs, and, as mentioned, has 15 points, more than 50 percent of his production during the 82-game schedule. Two of his three goals were overtime winners.It's as simple as this: Pittsburgh needs Bonino - and Brian Dumoulin, playing more than 20 minutes on the blue line - to continue his miraculous spring.Martin JonesBelieve it or not, based on save percentage only, the Penguins have the advantage in goal.Matt Murray Statistic Martin Jones.924SV%.9192.22GAA2.12437Shots Against479404Saves44033Goals Against391Shutouts311Wins1215Starts18Now, Martin Jones has played three more games than his rookie counterpart Matt Murray, but both goalies are freshmen when it comes to the Stanley Cup Final.Murray turned 22 last week. He's playing pressure-free hockey in a way, simply enjoying the ride. Jones is 26. This was the season he finally got his shot. He ran with it. But facing a formidable Penguins offense, he's going to have to be better than Murray in order for the Sharks to come away with the Cup.Both goalies are interesting players to watch, simply because they're so green, and play such an integral position. Jones, though, seems to have a bit more on the line than Murray.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks got over a franchise-long drought this season by finally punching their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 set for Monday night against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.One problem for Bay Area sports fans: At the same time, the Golden State Warriors will be hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA's Western Conference finals. Count Sharks winger Joel Ward as one foiled by the scheduling."It sucks," Ward said Monday afternoon, according to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshinski. "I wanted to watch the (Warriors). I was hoping it'd be tomorrow."The Toronto native seems to be a fan of more than hockey, tweeting support at times to his hometown Raptors while also donning a Blue Jays t-shirt in his avatar.As far as the viewing conundrum goes, a Warriors win in Game 7 would make the Bay Area the first region since New Jersey in 2003 (Devils and Nets), to have both their NBA and NHL teams playing in their respective league's championship series at the same time."Both teams are making the Bay Area proud, and the Bay Area will support both teams," Sharks forward Tommy Wingels said. "There's a reason you have 35 TVs at a sports bar, right?"Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While he may not have taken the ice during this postseason, Pascal Dupuis has still been instrumental in his team's successful playoff run.Although Dupuis was forced to call it a career back in December due to blood clots, he hasn't shied away from supporting his teammates. The 37-year-old still feels like a member of the team, tagging along for a playoff ride with the Pittsburgh Penguins."I feel like I'm in it completely, as far as being in it, yes," Dupuis said, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "But it's a different side of it than I'm used to, obviously. I've been through this a couple times as a player, and still the title beside my name is 'player,' but I don't feel like it now. No, it's completely different."Dupuis continues to follow the team through their everyday routines and while his on-ice duties have certainly been lifted, he continues to aid the team in any way he can."I want them to win and I want to win too, so whatever I can do to help, that's pretty much my title or my role now," Dupuis said. "Whatever is needed for me to do. Like, I need to put a butt end on Eric Fehr's stick Game 6 in Tampa Bay, I did it between periods. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do."Penguins Forward Chris Kunitz has admired Dupuis in how he has taken the news this season, and admits there has been very little change in his transition away from being an active-roster player."He's not a guy that sulks on it, doesn't show regret. He comes to the rink, he still works out hard, he still gives us insight," Kunitz said. "He's on the plane, he's on the buses. He keeps the team loose just like he did when he played."He was the guy that always organized dinners and made sure we were a group and a family and on the road always included people, so I think he's still done a great job of doing that. He's just doing it maybe a little farther away from the group than usual."Dupuis will continue to be along for the journey as he looks to capture his first Stanley Cup since 2009.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka underwent hip surgery upon the completion of the Calgary Flames' season, president Brian Burke revealed Friday on Sportnset 960 The Fan radio.The procedure may keep Jokipakka from playing for Finland at this fall's World Cup in Toronto, Burke said. Jokipakka was added to the Finnish squad last week when the club filled out its roster.Jokipakka will turn 25 in August, and a decision on his status will be made later in the summer. The Flames are quite pleased that he was added to the roster, according to Burke, who said the inclusion speaks to the kid's bright future.Acquired in a deadline deal that sent Kris Russell to the Dallas Stars, Jokipakka had six assists in 18 games as a Flame, logging slightly under 18 minutes per game. He has two goals and 20 assists in 109 career games, and is set for restricted free agency after the 2016-17 season.- With h/t to Pro Hockey TalkCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Kessel is uncoachable.That was the narrative suggested by Toronto media last season following comments from his former coach Ron Wilson while Kessel struggled with the Maple Leafs, the team stuck in the midst of one of the worst midseason collapses in franchise history.More than a year later, it appears the Pittsburgh Penguins' coaching staff has reached a similar conclusion - for a much different reason."He certainly has way better instincts on offense than the coaching staff," head coach Mike Sullivan said Monday. "That's what makes him an elite player."After a solid first season in Pittsburgh that saw Kessel collect 26 goals and 59 points in 82 games, he's picked up his play in the postseason. He leads the team with nine goals and 18 points, and heads up the league with 73 shots.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Stanley Cup Final is upon us.With that, the field of players - not only vying for a drink from Lord Stanley, but also to lift the Conn Smythe Trophy - has been narrowed.Here are the five most worthy candidates to take home postseason MVP honors heading into the Stanley Cup Final Monday night in Pittsburgh:1) Joe Pavelski, SharksWhat more could be asked of Joe Pavelski that he hasn't already done in his first season as the club's new captain?The 31-year-old paces the league with the 13 goals in 18 games, with four coming in the form of game-winners - also a playoff best. He has been instrumental in helping the Sharks boast one of the deadliest power plays in the playoffs with five power-play goals and nine points with the extra man.As Pavelski enters the final round of the playoffs, he brings with him a seven-game point streak - having collected at least one point in every game of the third round - and a four-game goal streak. Meanwhile he has been held off the scoreboard just four times during the postseason.Vegas Odds: +2502) Logan Couture, SharksWhile Pavelski's name has come up the most in the goals column, Logan Couture has his name on almost every playoff scoresheet.After three rounds Couture leads all playoff performers with 16 assists and 24 points. He has already amassed more points than Patrick Kane and Tyler Johnson did last year, who led the playoffs with 23 points.With a few more productive games, Couture could amass one of the most stellar playoff performances of the last 20 years, an honor most certainly worthy of playoff MVP status.Vegas Odds: +7503) Phil Kessel, PenguinsPhil Kessel has been one hot dog.The Penguins forward has continued his career narrative, once again elevating his play in the postseason. His nine goals and nine assists in 18 games see him leading the march of the Penguins toward their first Cup since 2009.In classic Kessel fashion, he also leads all players with 73 shots and all while occupying the team's third line with Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino - forming the now famous, "HBK" line.A World Cup of Hockey omission could be the last thing on his mind with a possible Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe on his mantle.Vegas Odds: +5504) Brent Burns, SharksBrent Burns went fairly uncontested for the title of best defenseman this postseason, after capturing a Norris Trophy nomination for his regular-season display.His 20 points in 18 games help cap off a Sharks sweep atop the playoff scoring leaderboard, as he sits third behind Couture and Pavelski. Burns has been a constant threat all postseason from the back end, with his deadly wrister seemingly always able to get through any traffic with ease.His offense has helped make the Sharks an offensive juggernaut at all positions, and he could be a difference maker heading into the final round.Vegas Odds: +9005) Matt Murray, PenguinsIt's no question that the Penguins wouldn't be where they are if not for Matt Murray's coming-out party.The 22-year-old has shined in his first taste of NHL playoff hockey, posting a .924 save percentage, a 2.22 goals-against average, and one shutout in 15 games.After a shaky Game 4 in the Conference Final, the youngster gave way for veteran Marc-Andre Fleury's first and only start of the playoffs in Game 5.Regaining his confidence, Murray returned to the net facing elimination in Games 6 and 7. There he cashed in two clutch performances, giving up just three goals in two games and a .937 save percentage, helping his team oust the reigning Eastern Conference champs.Vegas Odds: +600In the runningSidney CrosbyCrosby appeared to rekindle his knack for the dramatic after a quiet second-round against the Washington Capitals. He collected five points, including three game-winning goals, against the Tampa Bay Lightning.He now shares the second spot alongside Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bonino in team scoring.Vegas Odds: +600Joe ThorntonIt is no accident that Joe Thornton will finally get a chance to play for his first Stanley Cup. He has continued to do his thing this postseason with 15 assists and 18 points in 18 games.Jumbo Joe only has one trophy on his mind, but winning a Conn Smythe is definitely not out of the question.Vegas Odds: +900Martin JonesWhile Matt Murray is garnering most of the goalie discussion, Jones has also thrived in his first true playoff test. His 12 wins this postseason are a franchise best in a single playoff season, while his three shutouts match Evgeni Nabokov for the franchise record.Vegas Odds: +900(Odds coursey: Bovada)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two teams, one stunning trophy.The Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks begins Monday night in Pennsylvania. Here are five surefire predictions for what will be a very entertaining series.Sharks in 6The Sharks will emerge victorious in what will be a tight six-game affair, winning the Stanley Cup in San Jose. How's that for exorcising a generation's worth of demons?There's more. Four of the six games will be decided by one goal, and we're in for at least two overtime contests.Joe Thornton - and his beard - will raise the Stanley Cup. He'll get it second, after captain Joe Pavelski lifts it toward the heavens. Then Patrick Marleau. And Brent Burns. Yes, in that precise order.Fleury will start at least 1 gameMatt Murray's been incredible, and his story is sensational, but the Penguins will turn to Marc-Andre Fleury in the crease at least once in the final.It won't be because Murray's playing poorly. Think back to the third-round series between the Sharks and St. Louis Blues. After being shut out in Game 2 and 3, Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock started Jake Allen in Game 4 over Brian Elliott - and it worked. The Blues responded, scoring six goals. They scored a combined seven in the series' other five games.The Sharks are going to frustrate the Penguins much like they did the Blues, and Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan will be forced to play one of his few remaining hands - the desperation goalie change.Burns will win the Conn SmytheThe Sharks have been paced by Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski so far in the postseason. Couture leads the NHL with 24 playoff points, while Pavelski is second with 22. But it'll be Burns who will lead both teams in Cup Final scoring, and he'll win the Conn Smythe Trophy in the process.Burns has been electric through three rounds, his 18 points third in the league behind his teammates. But The Most Interesting Man in Hockey is about to hit another gear.Malkin will explodeEvgeni Malkin has 15 points in 17 spring games, but only four goals. He's going to score at least that many in the Cup Final.Geno scored only once in six games in the second round, and only once in seven games against Tampa Bay. He put 17 pucks on net against the Washington Capitals, and had 27 shots against the Lightning.Malkin's shooting 7.4 percent in the postseason. That's going to change in a big way over the next two weeks.You will be entertainedThese are two excellent teams. There are marquee players up and down both rosters. It's going to be one hell of a series. The pace will be high. Both teams can skate. The speed will blow you away.Everywhere you look, there's a storyline. Marc-Edouard Vlasic shut down Vladimir Tarasenko; can he do the same to Sidney Crosby? Can Justin Schultz actually contribute to a Cup-winning defense corps? Will Martin Jones ever begin playing like a first-year No. 1 goalie who made his first career playoff start a few weeks ago? Will an egregious World Cup snub motivate Phil Kessel? Will Matt Cullen, who's played 100 games this season, eventually look like a 39-year-old out there?Bottom line: We're in store for one of the more entertaining Stanley Cup Final series in recent memory. You're not going to want to miss it.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Everybody knows Sharks weigh more than Penguins.As the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks get set to do battle in this year's Stanley Cup Final - with the Sharks in pursuit of their first ever Cup and the Penguins in search of their first since 2009 - one thing is evident, the Sharks are bigger, heavier, and more experienced than their counterparts.

Willie O'Ree was a pioneer, and Joel Ward believes it's time for him to be honored appropriately.O'Ree was the first black player in the NHL. He made his debut in 1958, playing two games as a call-up for the Boston Bruins. He scored four goals and added 10 assists in 43 games with the Bruins during the 1960-61 season.Ward, a San Jose Sharks forward, believes it's time the NHL discussed retiring O'Ree's No. 22, writes ESPN's Joe McDonald, much like Major League Baseball did with Jackie Robinson's No. 42."That's something to definitely talk about for sure," Ward said. "It would be great if they did. Obviously that's something that would be a great discussion about. With the amount of respect Willie has around the league, it would definitely be something special if that did come up."I definitely think Willie should be recognized for sure. The league obviously does that with a task force, but I do think that Willie should definitely be a big part of the league for sure for what he did. It's a no-brainer. Without Willie, it would be tough for me to be sitting here today. I definitely think Willie should be a big part of this."Ward wears No. 42 to honor Robinson, the first black player in MLB history. In 1997, MLB retired Robinson's number, and the league celebrates his legacy each season on Jackie Robinson Day, every April 15.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The London Knights did it in style.Matthew Tkachuk scored the Memorial Cup-winning goal in overtime against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Sunday.The winner was Tkachuk's second goal of the game and fifth of the week. He opened the scoring in the first period.The Knights trailed 2-1 late in the third period, before Christian Dvorak tied up the game with 4:11 left to play, setting up Tkachuk's heroics. The win was London's 17th in a row.

Canada's team is no more.The Toronto Marlies' dominant season ended in the most disappointing fashion Sunday, as the AHL club was eliminated by the Hershey Bears - the Washington Capitals' affiliate - in Game 5 by a 3-2 score.The Marlies fell behind 3-0 and although they made a game of it, couldn't find the tying goal to keep their season alive. The Bears will face the Lake Erie Monsters - the Columbus Blue Jackets' affiliate - in the Calder Cup Finals.

Dean Lombardi and company at Team USA headquarters overthought this one.Phil Kessel was a surprising omission from the United States' World Cup of Hockey team when the full squad was announced Friday, and the decision is no less curious 48 hours later. In fact, it's only becoming more difficult to justify, especially when you look at the numbers.While Kessel saw a drop in production in his first season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he still managed to score 25 goals, a number most forwards would kill for. More importantly, he's lighting it up in the playoffs. He has nine goals and nine assists in 18 games as the Penguins prepare to play for the Stanley Cup. He now has 22 goals in 40 career playoff games, all the more impressive considering the Toronto Maple Leafs wasted his prime. He rises to the occasion when the competition is the stiffest, which will be the case in the fall at the World Cup.It's as simple as this: Only one American-born player has more points than Kessel since 2010, and only one American-born player has scored more goals than Kessel since 2010.Goals since 2010RankPlayerGoalsGP1Joe Pavelski1834502Kessel1774583Patrick Kane1754144Max Pacioretty1683955Bobby Ryan1394396Zach Parise1393547David Backes1354458Blake Wheeler1344529Ryan Kesler13341310James van Riemsdyk12136811Ryan Callahan11939616T.J. Oshie10439025Brandon Dubinsky8238128Justin Abdelkader77426Points since 2010Rank Player Points GP1Kane4334142Kessel3984583Pavelski3854504Wheeler3574525Pacioretty3193956Ryan3164397Derek Stepan3054348Backes3044459Dustin Byfuglien28841810Parise28435415Callahan25139619Dubinsky24238138Abdelkader168426Canada proved at the Sochi Olympics that even in a short tournament, the most talented team is going to win. For the Americans to win the World Cup, they need the Kessels of the world on the ice, not - with all due respect - the Callahans, Dubinskys, and Abdelkaders."It is what it is," Kessel said Sunday of his World Cup snub. It was the diplomatic answer. The truth is, it's a foolish decision, and the Americans will regret it.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joel Ward isn't a fan of media day.The San Jose Sharks forward let it be known Sunday that he'd rather be watching television hours before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final."I don't like the hoopla too much," Ward said, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt. "I'd rather be hibernating, caved up in my room, watching 'Ellen.'"The "Ellen" watching is working for Ward, and pro athletes are nothing if not creatures of habit. The 35-year-old had the second-best statistical season of his career, scoring 21 goals and adding 22 assists in 79 games. He's been a force in the postseason as well, with six goals and five assists in 18 games.

Joe Thornton's playoff beard is nothing short of majestic.Upkeep, however, is taxing.