Game 7 brings out all the hockey fans.NBCSN's broadcast of a Stanley Cup Playoffs winner-goes-on showdown between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks drew 1.353 million viewers Monday, setting a network record for the most-watched first-round game in history.Viewership peaked at two million in the third period, according to NBC's press release.The game was a hit locally in Chicago, as you'd expect, but it set a CSN Chicago record as the most-watched telecast ever, drawing a 19.1 household rating. The previous record of 13.7 was obliterated.Canadians may not be watching, but Americans are.- With H/T to Pro Hockey TalkCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brooks Orpik may soon be suiting up against the Pittsburgh Penguins.The Washington Capitals defenseman, who missed the final three games of his team's first-round series against Philadelphia, practiced Tuesday but remains day to day and is questionable to be ready for Game 1 on Thursday."I still have to do some stuff with the doctors just to make sure everything is going all right," Orpik said, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post. "That'll happen in the next couple of days. But it was a good step getting back on the ice."Orpik was injured after being drilled into the glass by Flyers forward Ryan White in Game 3 of the six-game series, and the exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed."It was just one of those ones I didn't see it coming," Orpik said of the hit. "If I saw it coming, probably nothing comes of it. I've been hit a lot harder than that and been fine. I think it's just bad luck."Orpik was limited to 41 regular-season games, averaging 19:49 of ice time a night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

R.J. Umberger believes he's cleared out his Philadelphia Flyers locker for the last time.The forward will turn 34 on May 2 and expects the Flyers to buy him out of the final season of his contract, according to the Courier-Post's Dave Isaac. He's slated to make $4.5 million in salary, while his cap number is $4.6 million.It'll cost the Flyers $1.5 million to buy Umberger out, and $1.6 million against the cap, according to General Fanager."I expect (a buyout)," Umberger said. "Who wouldn't after my season? That's something up to them, their decision. Business side of it, you can't control that."Umberger didn't play much this season, scoring two goals and adding nine assists in 39 games. He was unable to get into the club's postseason lineup, as the Flyers were bounced by the Washington Capitals in six games.The Pittsburgh native began his career with Philadelphia, and had his most productive seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2008-09 through 2011-12."It hasn't been a great two years (in Philadelphia)," Umberger added. "It's not what I imagined when I came here, but that's life."I know I still have stuff in the tank. I'll make the best of it wherever I'm at."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators are in uncharted territory.After staving off elimination at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 on Monday night, the Predators forced a do-or-die Game 7 - their first in franchise history.Six players on the current Predators roster have played in a Game 7, but those who haven't are doing their best to prepare."The mindset is a little bit different," Predators goalie Pekka Rinne told Adam Vingan of the Tennessean. "Just facing Game 7, you know what it means and what's at stake."James Neal, one of the few Predators who's already suited up in a winner-take-all series finale, feels his teammates will be ready."I think the pressure's been on them the whole series," Neal said. "Everyone's picked them to win. We know what kind of team we have here in Nashville. We did everything all year to push ourselves to this point. Why not win one more game?"Having already survived one elimination game, head coach Peter Laviolette is taking the same approach that extended the series."Our Game 7 is really no different than our Game 6," Laviolette said. "If we didn't win (Monday) we were done. I think we've got that going for us. We've already taken on an elimination game as a young group and found success. ... Our guys will be ready to play."Nashville has only escaped the first round twice in franchise history, and a win Wednesday night would set up a second-round clash with the San Jose Sharks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn has been suspended three games for charging Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday.Schenn, whose Flyers were eliminated by the Capitals in the first round, will miss his first three games of the 2016-17 season. The hit occurred in Sunday's Game 6 when Schenn left his feet to hit Oshie, his shoulder driving into Oshie's head.Schenn "approaches with speed and launches up and into his hit, making significant contact with Oshie's head," the DOPS explained. "This is charging. ... Rather than staying low and delivering a hit through Oshie's shoulder or chest, Schenn launches himself up and into Oshie, making substantial contact with Oshie's head. Schenn's elevation is evident, as he remains airborne until he crashes into the boards."Schenn's history played into the suspension, as he'd been fined and suspended once before.Oshie finished Game 6 against the Flyers and is considered good to go for Game 1 of Washington's second-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.The series between the Flyers and Capitals was extremely physical. Unfortunately, Schenn's hit crossed the line, and he'll be watching early next season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have signed 20-year-old netminder Daniel Vladar to a three-year entry-level contract, the club announced Tuesday.Selected 75th overall by the Bruins in 2015, Vladar spent last season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he posted a 12-12-4 record with a 2.31 goals against average and .920 save percentage.Vladar stands tall at 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, and represented the Czech Republic at the 2016 World Junior Championship in Helsinki.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues still have a long way to go.The day after a dramatic and emotional Game 7 win over the rival Chicago Blackhawks, forward Troy Brouwer - who scored the series-clinching goal - said the club is well aware there's plenty of hockey left to play before realizing the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup."We’re still not where we want to be," Brouwer told reporters. "We want to be playing in a month and half still, but it’s a big confidence booster."Brouwer initially missed opportunities to net the game-winner, and joked after the game that he would have quit hockey if it didn't go in.Since it did, the Blues are set to face off against the Dallas Stars in the second round and remain 12 wins away from being the last team standing in June.Knocking off the defending champions, however, is no small feat.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The highly-anticipated second-round matchup between Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin's Washington Capitals is set to get underway Thursday, April 28 in prime time.Here's the complete schedule.DateTime (ET)LocationNetworksThu. April 288 p.m.WashingtonNBCSN/TVA SportsSat. April 308 p.m.WashingtonNBCSN/TVA SportsMon. May 28 p.m.PittsburghNBCSN/TVA SportsWed. May 48 p.m.PittsburghNBCSN/TVA Sports*Sat. May 7TBDWashingtonTBD*Tue. May 10TBDPittsburghTBD*Thu. May 12TBDWashingtonTBD* If necessaryCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues will begin their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Friday, April 29.Here's a look at the complete schedule.GameDateTime (ET)LocationTelevisionGame 1Friday April 298 p.m.St. Louis at DallasNBCSN TVA SportsGame 2Sunday May 13 p.m.St. Louis at DallasNBC TVA SportsGame 3Tuesday May 38 p.m.Dallas at St. LouisUSA TVA SportsGame 4Thursday May 58 p.m.Dallas at St. LouisNBCSN TVA Sports*Game 5Saturday May 7TBDSt. Louis at DallasTBD*Game 6Monday May 9TBDDallas at St. LouisTBD*Game 7Wednesday May 11TBDSt. Louis at DallasTBD*If necessaryCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Canadian-born actor and comedian Will Arnett will host the annual NHL Awards show in Las Vegas on June 22, the league announced Tuesday.For the first time ever, the show will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Other iconic Vegas venues including the Palms Hotel and MGM Grand have previously hosted the event.A full lineup of celebrity presenters and entertainment will be released at a later date, but Arnett, a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, was happy to jump on the opportunity to host the awards this year."I'm excited to host the 2016 NHL Awards because we all know in 2017 I'll be too busy celebrating the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup," Arnett said.Finalists for each award will be announced starting April 27, when the finalists for the Vezina Trophy will be revealed.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed center Markus Granlund to a two-year contract extension.The deal is believed to be worth $1.8 million.

Warning: This video contains NSFW languageThings got tense as Dan Boyle addressed the media for the final time this season.The New York Rangers defenseman, who announced Tuesday he's leaning towards retirement, made it clear he wanted New York Post columnist Larry Brooks removed from the scrum before proceeding."I don't want him here," Boyle said.Then, to Brooks himself, he said, "Nobody likes you. Nobody respects you. Just so you know."More from the exchange, from Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski:

When the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings fell behind in each of their first-round matchups, the following Tweet from user @Slaylen began generating plenty of buzz in hockey's social-media realm:

Derick Brassard will wear the maple leaf for the first time in more than a decade.The New York Rangers announced Tuesday that Brassard will head to Russia and represent Canada at next month's World Championship.Brassard scored a career-best 27 goals and totalled 58 points this season, also sharing the postseason scoring lead with a goal and three assists in five games.He won a silver medal with Canada at the 2005 world junior tournament.The Rangers also confirmed that defender Brady Skjei will head to Russia, and represent the United States.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No one has built up more momentum than Patrik Laine before draft night.Four days before the NHL Draft Lottery, the projected No. 2 overall selection was awarded the Jarri Kurri Trophy as the MVP of the Finnish league playoffs.Laine, who turned 18 last week, dominated the men who play in Finland's top division, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists in 18 games to lead Tappara Tampere in winning the country's club championship.Related: Watch - Patrik Laine still blowing the top off the Finnish playoffsHere's Laine's goal from Tuesday's final, likely his last overseas - at least for quite some time.

The "Spacey in Space" hoodie was one of the best stories to come out of the Florida Panthers' 2015-16 season, but alas, all good things must come to an end.With the Panthers now out of the playoffs, the team will be retiring "Spacey in Space."Related: After 'Spacey in Space,' 5 more NHL/celebrity team-ups we want to seeVeteran winger Shawn Thornton said Tuesday that he may auction off the original hoodie, which features Kevin Spacey's face floating in space, to benefit his foundation.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

CHICAGO - No June hockey for the Chicago Blackhawks this year. Heck, even May is a blank slate.Plenty of time for Chicago to plan for its sticky situation with the salary cap.The Blackhawks' title defense ended Monday night when they lost 3-2 to the St. Louis Blues in Game 7 of their compelling first-round series. Six of the seven games were decided by one goal, and Brent Seabrook and Andrew Ladd each had a shot go off both goal posts during losses for Chicago.It's the quickest exit for the Blackhawks since they also dropped their first playoff series in 2012. They won the Stanley Cup the following year, lost to the Los Angeles Kings in an epic Western Conference finals in 2014 and won the championship again last year.While Chicago should be able to contend for another title next season - most of its talented core is signed to long-term deals - it's also going to have to say goodbye to several players because of its ongoing wrestling match with the salary cap. Ladd, Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann - each of them acquired in deadline trades - likely will leave in free agency, and Andrew Shaw, Richard Panik and Brandon Mashinter also could be headed out the door.The 24-year-old Shaw, who has spent his entire career in Chicago, is eligible for restricted free agency. He had 14 goals and 20 assists in the regular season, and then led the Blackhawks with four playoff goals despite being suspended for Game 5 for using a gay slur.Coach Joel Quenneville loves Shaw's grit and presence in front of the net, but it's going to be difficult for general manager Stan Bowman to keep the pesky forward. Bowman faced a similar situation last summer with Brandon Saad, a younger, more talented player than Shaw, but also eligible for restricted free agency, and the Blackhawks traded him to Columbus on June 30.Panik also can become a restricted free agent, and Mashinter is eligible for unrestricted free agency. Panik was acquired in a January trade with Toronto and showed promise in the playoffs against the Blues. Mashinter had four goals and an assist in 41 games this season after beginning the year with no points in 23 career NHL games.Shedding Bryan Bickell's salary could provide some much needed cap relief, but the Blackhawks have been unable to trade the underperforming winger. Bowman likely would have to pair Bickell with one of Chicago's prospects to pull off such a deal, and the team might be inclined to ride out the last year of the forward's $16 million, four-year contract instead.No matter who stays or goes, the Blackhawks likely will have a very similar look next season. Patrick Kane, coming off his first career scoring title, and captain Jonathan Toews lead one of the NHL's most potent attacks, and Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson anchor one of the league's best defenses.The extra time off for their biggest stars will help, but any hope of any significant improvement likely rests with the development of their younger players, namely on the blue line.Trevor van Riemsdyk played in 82 games this season and led the team with 155 blocks. Erik Gustafsson, another 24-year-old defenseman, made his NHL debut in October and finished with 14 assists in 41 games.But van Riemsdyk had a couple of costly gaffes in the playoffs and Gustafsson played just seven minutes in each of the last two games against St. Louis. They have to provide more support for Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson for Chicago to make another deep run in the postseason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Ekblad doesn't look like a 20-year-old, and didn't sound like one either Tuesday.The Florida Panthers defenseman shared an introspective opinion on head injuries, and a general lack of on-ice insolence carried by certain players in the league.From Jameson Olive of FloridaPanthers.com:"As a player in the NHL, there are some guys you have to watch out for, and you've got to protect yourself. If that means protecting yourself and taking care of yourself in every situation and just making sure you're aware and alert, then that's what you've got to do. You can't overlook any shift in this league and you have to know who you're on the ice with. That's something you kind of have to take care of. It's not something you worry about, not something you're scared of. If you're scared, you're going to get hurt."Like many fans and pundits, Ekblad believes in harsher punishments, but is also urging players to do their part in protecting themselves."Obviously you want to see guys getting punished for things they shouldn't be doing. I'm not a dirty player. I don't think I've hit anyone from behind or hit somebody in the head in my two years (in the NHL). I feel there should be stiffer punishments for guys that don't respect other players' health in the league. It's a dangerous game and we all know that. We all signed up for it, but guys definitely have to take care of themselves better, and that's me included."The other guys have to have more respect, and I think the league should obviously come down harder on repeat offenders and guys that don't respect other players."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a disappointing first-round exit against the Pittsburgh Penguins, head coach Alain Vigneault told reporters Tuesday that every player on the New York Rangers will be evaluated as the team shifts its focus to next season."There are definitely going to be some changes as an organization," Vigneault said, as quoted by The Record's Andrew Gross. The bench boss added that the club needs to look at changes to its core group, and that its defense was a problem throughout the season."There's no denying that inconsistency this year was a big part of our season, especially from our back end," he said, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.The Rangers coach also said the team will wait 7-10 days before it begins assessing its personnel to avoid making any "drastic" decisions.

Recency bias has failed us this time.There's one game remaining in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the tournament has already forged an entirely new identity. For starters, the most successful unsuccessful team in the post-lockout era is through, having overthrown the impossibly resilient defending champions; California's small-town entity finally brought down the in-state giant, and did it without much push back; and a previously dynastic force won its first series in 23 years, and in its first try since moving into the Brooklyn borough.There are no Canadian teams or Original Six franchises in the second round for the first time ever. Just four clubs which have never won the Stanley Cup, and three one-hit wonders.So taking this discernible theme of exorcising demons, chasing away ghosts, or slaying whatever it is that's most sinister, it begs the question: Which of these teams has suffered most?And could it help us arrive at a champion?St. Louis BluesSt. Louis is the NHL's oldest active franchise without a championship, but not one that hasn't tasted success. The Blues have qualified for the postseason in 40-of-48 seasons in operation, which includes a run of 25 consecutive entries from 1980 through to the NHL's lockout season.But Blues' fans have become impervious to regular-season success because it's never translated to the playoffs. The Blues' three appearances in the Stanley Cup Final came in their first three years, but also at a time when the format required a 1967 expansion franchise to reach the final. In the time since, which, again, includes 25 consecutive bids, the Blues reached the conference finals twice, losing both.But even still, the post-lockout era has perhaps provided the most heartbreak. St. Louis, a team that's won more games that any other team over the last half decade, won just its second playoff series in the last 13 years with its seven-game triumph over the Blackhawks.San Jose SharksLike the Blues, San Jose has maintained a level of consistency throughout its history, missing the postseason just six times since its establishment in 1991 and failing to qualify once in the post-lockout era.However, the Sharks have enjoyed success when reaching the dance. They clinched their ninth series win since the lockout this spring in five games over the Los Angeles Kings. The problem's been stringing enough series wins together.San Jose reached the Western Conference Final three times in a stretch of seven seasons with at least 99 regular-season points beginning in 2003-04. In those series, the Sharks routinely folded, bowing out with an average of one win per appearance.Washington CapitalsExperiencing comfort in the throes of the postseason is a rare occurrence, but something completely foreign to the Capitals fan base.Washington owns a detailed history of building, and allowing leads to slip - a disturbing trend that dates as far back as 1985, when it became the first to blow a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five, and two years later, when it was the first to cough up a 3-1 series lead under the seven-game format.This is a team that's made the postseason in 26 of the last 33 years, but only made the Stanley Cup Final once in their history. But what's hurt most has been what's most recent.Washington has six division titles and five 100-point seasons since Alex Ovechkin - the greatest goal-scorer of his generation - joined the Capitals, and haven't made it past the second round.New York IslandersThe Islanders are unlike those mentioned above in that they have a plus-.500 postseason record. And while we're hesitant to include a club that's among merely a handful that can stake claim to a genuine dynasty, the last quarter century has been just too damning.Triumph eluded an entire generation of Islanders fans that came after the club's four consecutive Stanley Cups in the early 1980s. Those endured a 23-year run without a series victory before John Tavares' overtime winner versus the Panthers in Game 6.The club made the playoffs six times during those two-plus decades, winning just 11 games in total.VerdictWith all due respect to the previous futilities of the Sharks and Islanders, but if this is indeed time for gutting results to be replaced with glory, the Blues and Capitals should be the two teams who meet in the Stanley Cup Final.But with 227 combined points this season, neither the Blues nor Capitals seem to require what cosmic factors seemed to have presided over Round 1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers and Jaromir Jagr appear as though they'll quickly whip up a contract for another season.Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said Tuesday he believes a deal, which will take their leading scorer into age 45, will be worked out soon, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.Jagr confirmed immediately after Florida's Game 6 loss to the New York Islanders that he intends to play next season.Last year, and a few months after Jagr was acquired in-season, the two sides brokered a one-year extension within days after the regular season ended.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was a welcome sight for Tampa Bay Lightning fans, as captain Steven Stamkos skated in practice Tuesday for the first time since being diagnosed with a blood clot.The forward wore a red non-contact jersey and looked happy to be back on the ice with teammates. He skated on the fourth line with Brian Boyle and Mike Blunden.

Brian Campbell has no desire to bolt South Florida.The 36-year-old defenseman and pending unrestricted free agent - who has quietly played some of the best hockey of his career in his five seasons with the Florida Panthers - wants to return to the organization next season.Campbell said Tuesday he and his wife are exploring the real estate market in South Florida, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.His preference is obviously a great sign for an upstart team who, in the past, has been unable to attract high-profile free agents. But at the same time, general manager Dale Tallon, who's working on an organization-imposed budget, might be inclined to funnel Campbell's entire $7-million salary from an area of obvious strength, and into other more glaring weaknesses on the roster.Though Campbell must accept a pay cut - whether it's with the Panthers or on the open market - his enduring talent, and the sheer amount of money he's made in his career, affords him many options.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After being a healthy scratch for the final game of the New York Rangers' season, with the team losing its first-round series to the Pittsburgh Penguins, it appears Dan Boyle's NHL career may be over.The 39-year-old told reporters Tuesday he isn't ready to announce his retirement yet, and though he believes he can still play physically ... mentally, it's another story, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

Like many teams in the NHL, the Ottawa Senators are looking to bring their farm team as close to the parent club as possible.With their AHL affiliate currently located in Binghamton, N.Y., the Senators are looking to relocate their franchise to the Yardmen Arena in Belleville, Ontario, for the start of the 2017-18 campaign, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.The Yardmen Arena boasts an Olympic-sized ice surface, and there are current talks for the rink to undergo a renovation in an attempt to bring hockey back to the city after its OHL club left for Hamilton in 2015.According to Garrioch, the Senators aren't considering to move their farm club to anywhere other than Belleville, which is located just a three-hour drive from Canada's capital.Meanwhile, it's believed Ottawa doesn't want to leave Binghamton without an AHL franchise, and another NHL team may relocate its minor-league club to the city.Any relocation would need approval from the AHL's Board of Governors.The Senators join the Coyotes as teams reportedly looking to move their AHL affiliates, as Arizona announced plans earlier this month to move its farm club to Tucson for the start of next season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A group of firefighters in D.C. have placed the Washington Capitals' playoff fate in the hands of an Evgeny Kuznetsov figurine.

After three consecutive first-round exits, the St. Louis Blues finally broke through in Game 7 on Monday, knocking out the Chicago Blackhawks with a 3-2 victory - which pleased no one more than Ken Hitchcock."The naysayers can all take a day off," the Blues head coach said postgame, according to Mark Lazerus of the Sun-Times. "We can celebrate for a day, and then you all can start bashing us again."A loss likely would've cost Hitchcock his job, as it would've marked St. Louis' fifth consecutive playoff appearance without reaching the conference finals. Instead, the club eliminated the defending Cup champions."Every game was just packed with a sense of urgency and emotion," Hitchcock said of the series, as quoted by NHL.com's Lou Korac. "Every game felt like its own sudden death game. It was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun to coach in it, to play in it, to strategize in it, it was a lot of fun."It was real eye-opening what a championship team can do like them when they can dial it up. You find yourself on the bench just in awe with some of the things they do. We had to find a way to battle through it. We knew that there was going to be a push. It came and came hard. You play in a series like this, you see why that team has won three (Stanley) Cups."With the victory, the Blues advance to Round 2, where they'll face the Dallas Stars - the team Hitchcock led to his lone Stanley Cup win in 1999 against the Buffalo Sabres, who at the time were coached by current Stars bench boss Lindy Ruff.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Troy Brouwer knows his Game 7 winner wasn't pretty.The St. Louis Blues forward was in full self-deprecation mode after scoring the goal that eventually eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks and helped the Blues advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs."It was almost really embarrassing," Brouwer told FOX Sports Midwest's Darren Pang postgame. "If I'd have missed it, I would have quit hockey, but I'm glad that it went in. A couple good efforts, good plays on the wall, and it went in. That's all that matters."The veteran winger's initial shot hit the post, and he whiffed on the rebound with an open net before burying a third attempt on the backhand to give the Blues a 3-2 lead they wouldn't relinquish.Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock had his own way of describing Brouwer's winner.

Patrick Kane, the most prolific playoff performer of his generation, and one of the most clutch performers in postseason history, isn't used to packing his bags in April.Ousted by the St. Louis Blues in the first round, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in an unfamiliar position."It just doesn't really feel right," Kane said after Game 7.A three-time Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe winner, Kane only recorded one goal in the series, albeit a big one: the overtime winner in Game 5. He added six assists over the seven opening-round games.It is only the third time in Kane's career that the Blackhawks haven't made it out of the first round.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues finally overcame the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 7 on Monday night, and there was no shortage of action.The instant classic concluded a thrilling series, and the Twittersphere was on top of its game.

A matter of millimeters ended the Chicago Blackhawks' quest to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions.Trailing 3-2 with time expiring in the third period, Brent Seabrook launched a shot that bounced of both posts, but stayed out of the cage.They don't get any closer than that.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ST. LOUIS - Troy Brouwer tapped in his own rebound to snap a third-period tie and the St. Louis Blues advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, eliminating the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in Game 7 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series Monday night.Brouwer, who played for the Blackhawks' Cup winner in 2010 and was among the veteran additions to a team trying to break through, swiped in a backhander. The goal at 8:31 was his first in 24 postseason games since 2013.It is the first time the Blues advanced past the first round since 2012, when they beat San Jose in five games but then lost four straight to Los Angeles.Jori Lehtera scored his first career playoff goal and rookie defenseman Colton Parayko also scored for the Blues, who avoided another inglorious finish. They led 2-0 early before the Blackhawks tied it in the second period.Chicago just missed a chance to tie it when Brent Seabrook's shot went off both posts with about 3:30 left.Marian Hossa scored his third goal of the series and Andrew Shaw got his fourth on a power play for the Blackhawks. Patrick Kane was dangerous all night but was scoreless, and was minus-2.The Blackhawks have won three of the last five Cups - but when they don't win it all, the postseason can be a short one, with three first-round eliminations the last six seasons.Brouwer, playing in his seventh career Game 7, scored from close range off a feed from Robby Fabbri. The first shot went off the right post and he nudged the second past Corey Crawford.St. Louis was coached by the Blackhawks' Joel Quenneville the last time it played in a Game 7, a loss at Vancouver in 2003. The Game 7 win was the franchise's first since 1999.The Blues outscored the Blackhawks 7-3 in the first period in the series, but Chicago owned the second period with an 11-3 advantage. That included the first three of five unanswered goals in Game 6 on Saturday.Blues standout Vladimir Tarasenko was no factor after entering among the playoff leaders with four goals. He went to the locker room for about 2 1/2 minutes midway through the second for undisclosed reasons and his ice time was down, just as it has been earlier in the series.Game 7 drew a standing-room attendance of 19,935 and the arena had seldom been louder than after Parayko's drive from the point made it 2-0 at 13:43 of the first period. Lehtera's deflection on Jay Bouwmeester's point shot gave St. Louis an early cushion just a minute in.The Blackhawks had a 7-0 shots advantage the rest of the period and Hossa's third of the series, a drive from the top of the right circle on the counter-attack, cut the deficit to one at 18:30.Chicago made it 14 shots in a row at the start of the second period, including the tying goal by Shaw from a bad angle off the leg of Bouwmeester crouching in the crease and past Brian Elliott.NOTES: The Blackhawks made no lineup changes. The Blues re-inserted rookie D Joel Edmundson after sitting two games in place of Robert Bortuzzo. ... The 37-year-old Hossa has 149 career playoff points, including 52 goals. ... The Blues outscored the Blackhawks 7-3 in the first period in the series.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - James Neal scored the winning goal late in the second period, and the Nashville Predators held on to beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Monday night and force the first Game 7 in franchise history.The Predators had lost the previous five Game 6s when needing a win to stay alive in the playoffs, and they snapped a three-game skid to the Ducks to force this series back to Anaheim for the deciding game Wednesday night.Shea Weber had an empty-net goal with 10 seconds left off an assist by Neal. Mattias Ekholm also scored a goal, and Pekka Rinne made 26 saves for the win.Ryan Kesler scored a power-play goal for the Ducks, who now are 8-6 in Game 6s. They return to Anaheim where they lost their last Game 7 last spring in the Western Conference finals to eventual Stanley Cup champ Chicago.Rinne, who had been struggling in this series, came up big late. He stopped Corey Perry on a point-blank shot from in front with 6:40 left and turned away David Perron's wrister with less than 3 minutes to go.Nashville brought out Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker to wave a towel and charge up the sellout crowd. Fans just needed something to cheer after watching the Predators get outscored 12-3 in losing the last three games. They also got right wing Craig Smith back on the ice after he missed most of the last three games with a lower-body injury.Ekholm put the Predators up 1-0 at 8:10 of the second period, beating Andersen with a wrister from the top of the right circle off a pass from Calle Jarnkrok. That made the defenseman Nashville's top goal scorer with his second in this series. Fans rewarded the Predators with not one, but two standing ovations in the period.The Predators took a 2-0 lead when Ryan Johansen brought the puck up the right side and passed to Neal at the left post who tapped the puck into the net behind Andersen at 17:45.The Ducks got a power play with 42.8 seconds left in the period when officials penalized Ekholm for holding Hampus Lindolm after the Anaheim defenseman jumped onto Ekholm's back at the end boards. Kesler tapped the puck into the net behind Rinne who had just stopped a tip-in attempt by Perry.Fans still furious at the penalty tossed a handful of the towels given away by the Predators onto the ice and booed as the period ended.NOTES: The only other Game 6 Nashville won came in 2011 when clinching the franchise's first postseason series win over Anaheim. ... Andersen passed Jonas Hiller (26) for second for most postseason games played by an Anaheim goalie with his 27th playoff appearance. ... Predators center Cody Bass played only 1 minute, 17 seconds and three shifts before leaving the game with a lower-body injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Corey Crawford brought his A game to Game 7.The Chicago Blackhawks goaltender kept his team even with the St. Louis Blues through the first 40 minutes of the decisive first-round playoff game, absolutely robbing Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko with the leather.Crawford denied Robby Fabbri with another stellar stop earlier in the second period.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andrew Shaw wasn't even trying to score, but he drew the Chicago Blackhawks even with the St. Louis Blues.The Chicago forward's pass, intended for Patrick Kane, deflected in off Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to tie Game 7 at 2-2 on Monday night.Bouwmeester assisted on Jori Lehtera's opening goal of the game and Colton Parayko gave St. Louis an early two-goal advantage, but Marian Hossa scored before the first intermission and Shaw knotted the score early in the second period.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Either the St. Louis Blues forgot who they're playing, or they're master trolls.The club tweeted the following before Game 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night."Showtime" is Patrick Kane's nickname, and Blackhawks fans were quick to provide reminders in the replies.

The Nashville Predators received a much-needed offensive boost for Game 6 versus the Anaheim Ducks, as forward Craig Smith is back in the lineup.Smith missed Games 4 and 5 with a lower-body injury, and returns to the ice with the season on the line. He'll return to the Predators second line with Mike Ribeiro and Calle Jarnkrok.Nashville has struggled to score throughout the series, and have only mounted three goals over their last three games - all of which were Anaheim wins.Smith scored 21 goals in the regular season, and had two points in three games to begin the series.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn will have a hearing for an illegal hit to the head of Washington Capitals winger T.J. Oshie in Game 6, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday.Though there was no penalty assessed on the play, the league declared that Schenn was charging, and made illegal head contact.Here is the hit, which sent Oshie to the locker room as the second period concluded, but he returned for the third.Schenn and Oshie feuded throughout the series, and dropped the gloves to kick off Game 5.Oshie said he "doesn't really care" about the hit after the game, and is happy to know the Capitals are moving on to the second round.Since the Flyers' campaign is over, Schenn could be fined or face a suspension for the beginning of next season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In light of Tom Brady's "Deflategate" suspension being reinstated by The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Bobby Farnham - current New Jersey Devils grinder and former high school quarterback - posted a rather facetious tweet about the matter.

A slew of injuries to key players raised some doubts about the Tampa Bay Lightning's fate in the postseason, but after a convincing five-game series win over the Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay appears to be right on track.Top-pairing defenseman Anton Stralman fractured his left fibula on March 25, and head coach Jon Cooper admitted he's "hopeful" Stralman can return in the second round versus the New York Islanders.With Stralman out of the lineup, the Lightning fared just fine, holding the Red Wings to 1.60 goals per game in the opening round, which didn't happen to surprise goaltender Ben Bishop."I never doubted them to begin with," Bishop said. "They've always been there all year. We've had guys in and out it seems like the whole year. We have a good defense corps. We have seven guys that could step in at any time. They've proven it all year, and I didn't expect anything less. I don't think they even elevated. I think we just stayed the same, and they've been that way all year."Blueliner Andrej Sustr attributed Tampa Bay's early success to its depth as well."We've got some veteran defensemen that were able to step in and fill those minutes," Sustr said. "I think we all did a good job stepping up a notch a little bit and playing for Strals. We definitely want to keep going so we get Strals back."Tamps Bay's short first-round series bodes well for Stralman, who is in his fifth week of rehab, and is exercising on his own regularly.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dylan Larkin is heading to Russia.The 19-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward was among three players added Monday to the United States' roster for the upcoming World Championship in Moscow and St. Petersburg.His teammate Luke Glendening as well as New York Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei were also named to the team.Larkin will take part in his fourth tournament for USA Hockey after winning a bronze medal at the World Championship last spring. He won gold at the world junior tournament in 2014.Glendening will represent the United States for the first time, while Skjei will do so for a third time.The American side includes projected first overall pick Auston Matthews, Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Noah Hanifin, and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon.The roster now stands at 11 forwards, six defensemen, and three goaltenders. It will be coached by John Hynes of the New Jersey Devils.The World Championship takes place May 6-22.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the Detroit Red Wings were easily sent packing by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, the team isn't ready to tear it all down.At the club's end of the year locker clean out Monday, general manager Ken Holland made it clear the team isn't looking to go down the rebuild road."I'm not into a rebuild," Holland said, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. "They take eight to 10 years and that's if you want to tank it."Related: Red Wings' Howard would be OK with being tradedInstead, Holland believes the team will move forward by turning to their young stars."We're going to give more responsibility to younger players," said Holland. "We're not reloading and we're not rebuilding. We're trying to move young people onto our team."

Michigan's entire top line of Hobey Baker finalists have officially gone pro.Wolverines captain J.T. Compher joined Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte, who already worked out deals with their parent clubs, agreeing to an entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche, the team announced Monday.Compher, originally drafted 35th overall by the Buffalo Sabres and traded to Colorado in the Ryan O'Reilly deal, scored 16 goals and led the nation in assists, racking up 47 in 38 games.Connor and Motte signed with the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard won't lose sleep if he's traded this offseason.The 32-year-old admitted that he'd be OK with being traded, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, saying he understands it's part of the business.Howard may also be eyeing a trade as he has seemingly lost the starting job to Petr Mrazek, who started in 16 more games than Howard this season.Howard is coming off his seventh full-season in the league in which he posted a 2.8 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, both career-lows.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After starting Jonathan Quick 71 times last season, the Los Angeles Kings made it a point to nab capable help on the open market after moving Martin Jones, signing Jhonas Enroth to a $1.25-million deal.That, however, didn't aid their goaltending economy.Enroth started only 13 times for Los Angeles (scoring just short of $100,000 per), taking fewer minutes than 61 other goaltenders and receiving just three starts from the middle of February through the postseason.He voiced displeasure pertaining to his usage when he met with the media Sunday, though he didn't rule out a return."I really thought they were going to play me more," Enroth said, according to Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times. "If you sign a guy for $1.2(5) million, you're not going to play him 13 games, in my opinion."You should play him 20 or 25. I thought I earned more games, obviously. I played pretty solid in the games I got, but I got a lot of breaks in between games too, so it's tough to get a groove going."Enroth's right, at least with one thing. He allowed two goals or fewer in eight of 13 starts, and his save percentage was a solid .922, higher than the league's leading minutes eater, Quick.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A decision on whether or not Pavel Datsyuk has played his final game in the NHL is likely still a month away.The 37-year-old is not expected to make a decision on his playing career until after the World Championship, Datsyuk said, according to Helene St. James of Detroit Free Press.Datsyuk will play for Russia at the tournament that runs from May 6 until May 22 in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Former Nashville Predators first-round pick Alexander Radulov may once again be planning a return to the NHL.The 29-year-old - who has spent the past four years playing for CSKA Moscow of the KHL - failed to report to Russia's national team ahead of the World Championship, as first reported by Igor Eronko Sports-Express.Radulov is believed to be in New York considering an NHL return and should join Russia later in the week, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Friedman notes that the Colorado Avalanche are considered to be favorites in acquiring his services.

Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Marc-Andre Fleury was able to take shots again Monday at the club's optional skate, and, at least according to reporters present, looked quite good.But before speculation pertaining to his return could pick up enough speed, Fleury opened up about his latest concussion, revealing that he's still dealing with related symptoms."It's one of the toughest things I've been through," Fleury said, according to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "(There are) some good days, when you think you're back, and some bad days, when you think it's never going to be fixed."Pittsburgh's situation in goal will remain fluid - likely even if and when Fleury's able to return. But until his status is determined, the Penguins, and their very real championship aspirations, will be anchored by 21-year-old Matt Murray.But don't think the rookie will be without invaluable counsel from Fleury:

The second-round matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will once again pit two of the game's most polarizing players against one another.Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will once again do battle, but early on Crosby is making it clear that he isn't out to replicate the latter's game."I definitely don't have his shot, I don't score the way he does," Crosby said, according to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I'm not going to pretend that I do."The two last met in the postseason in 2009 when the Penguins edged the Capitals in seven games en route to their Stanley Cup win. The series saw the two score the lights out: Ovechkin netted eight goals and 14 points, while Crosby added eight goals and 13 points.

It's Joel's time.On the same weekend New York Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist was finished being "embarrassed" by the Pittsburgh Penguins, his twin brother, Joel, whom many consider a lesser Lundqvist, was being painted gold after leading his Frolunda to Sweden's club championship.(Courtesy: Yahoo! Sports)Naturally, however, this is an honor previously bestowed upon Henrik: