TAMPA, Fla. - Ben Bishop stopped 34 shots, Alex Killorn scored with less than two minutes remaining and the Tampa Bay Lightning advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.Killorn's second winning goal of the series was set up by Ryan Callahan, who retrieved goalie Petr Mrazek's bad pass behind the Detroit net and centered the puck in the crease for Killorn's backhander at 18:17 of the third period.Related - Watch: Lightning's Killorn scores series clincher off Mrazek misplayTampa Bay eliminated the Red Wings in the first round for the second straight year. Detroit pushed the defending Eastern Conference champions to seven games a year ago, but could only beat them once in five attempts this time, with Killorn, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov picking up the offensive slack for Tampa Bay with star Steven Stamkos injured.Detroit only scored eight goals in the series, though not because of a lack of opportunities.The Red Wings finished 1 for 25 on the power play, and their futility was never more evident than Thursday night, when they failed to even get a shot on goal during a 5-on-3 advantage early in the opening period.The closest they came during that first power-play was Pavel Datsyuk hitting the post. The Lightning were fortunate again late in the period, when Detroit's Danny Dekeyser also hit the post before the puck glanced off Bishop's right arm.Just as frustrating was an inability to crack Bishop in the second period, when the Tampa Bay goalie rejected Riley Sheahan, Darren Helm and Dylan Larkin on breakaways that could have snapped a scoreless tie.Bishop sopped 14 shots in the second and 11 more in the third, two in the closing seconds with Detroit on its fourth power play of the night. Mrazek wasn't tested as often but his teammates played a hand in that by limiting the line of Johnson, Kucherov and Killorn to a combined two shots heading into the final period.Mrazek, who replaced Jimmy Howard after the Red Wings lost the first two games of the series on the road, finished with 23 saves. He won Game 3 in Detroit 2-0 - his third career playoff shutout - all against the Lightning - but contributed to his own demise this time when he went behind the net but failed to clear the puck.Notes: Bishop has allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of his last 11 playoff starts, dating to last season. ... Detroit has trailed 3-1 in a playoff series 21 times, but only rallied to win twice - in the first round vs. Toronto in 1987 and vs. the Minnesota North Stars in 1992. ... Earlier Thursday, the Red Wings assigned D Xavier Ouellet to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, which begins a first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Watching the NHL playoffs from the comfort of home, Michael Grabner knows all too well how the Detroit Red Wings are feeling.Grabner witnessed several breakaway opportunities thwarted by Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop during Thursday's Game 5, prompting the free-agent forward - who's notoriously ineffective when in all alone - to empathize and educate.

Henrik Lundqvist's night has come to an abrupt end.The New York Rangers goaltender was replaced by backup Antti Raanta after allowing four goals on 18 shots in 26 minutes Thursday.Related: Watch: Sheary snipes Penguins' 3rd 1st-period goal on LundqvistLundqvist was pulled a couple minutes after Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin fired home his first of the series for his third point of the night.The 34-year-old has now conceded nine goals in four games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chuck Fletcher will stay on as general manager of the Minnesota Wild even if the team is bounced from the playoffs in the first round, club owner Craig Leipold said Thursday."There is absolutely no way Chuck is not going to be here next year," Leipold told Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune. "He is our guy. I continue to have a high level of confidence in Chuck and his staff and we’re already talking about next year ... Chuck knows he is not on any hot seat with me."So if there are rumors (about Fletcher being replaced) - and I haven’t seen them - then they aren’t something Chuck or anyone else should be worried about."Minnesota faces a 3-1 series deficit at the hands of the Dallas Stars, and squeaked into the playoffs after Fletcher replaced Mike Yeo with interim head coach John Torchetti.Fletcher is tied down by several long-term contracts to veteran players, and is currently icing a roster that's missing high-paid, injured forwards Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What time is it in New York? Three past Lundqvist.The Pittsburgh Penguins wasted little time getting to the New York Rangers goaltender in Game 4, netting three goals in the opening period.Eric Fehr and Patric Hornqvist punched in two before Conor Sheary added the cherry on top, intercepting a pass at his own blue line before racing in and sniping his first of the postseason past "King Henrik."A Rangers loss would put them down three games to one heading back to Pittsburgh.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

April 30 apparently can't come soon enough for Jim Benning.The Vancouver Canucks general manager admitted Thursday that he recently sat at his computer for hours running an NHL draft lottery simulator in hopes the virtual pingpong balls would come up in the club's favor.

After a scary incident Wednesday, Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton was released from hospital Thursday, the team announced.The 21-year-old was admitted to Jefferson Hospital for precautionary reasons after he was stretchered off following a hit from Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson in Game 4.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Hudson Fasching will play for the United States at the upcoming World Championship in Russia.The 20-year-old forward was added to the 2016 roster by USA Hockey on Thursday.Fasching will represent the U.S. for the fourth time in his career following a pair of appearances in the World Junior Hockey Championships and two years playing at the Under-18 tournament.He scored a goal in his debut with the Sabres on March 26, and played in seven NHL games after wrapping up his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota.The U.S. team now boasts nine forwards, five defensemen, and three goaltenders, including recently signed Vancouver Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Executives, players, and fans of the Philadelphia Flyers paid respect to the Snider family at late owner and chairman Ed Snider's memorial Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center, and shared stories about a man who's love for his hockey team was incomparable.An emotional NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke at the service. He revealed that Snider was the first owner he contacted when the 2013 work stoppage ended - a call that happened to be placed on Snider's 80th birthday."This has always been a loud building," Bettman added. "And Ed's voice has always been among the loudest."

The Minnesota Wild are mourning a legend with local ties.The NHL club paid tribute to Prince, the supremely talented multi-instrumentalist and pop icon who died Thursday at the age of 57, by adding a purple background to the profile images across its social media platforms.Prince was born in Minneapolis in 1958 and lived in the North Star State until his death.He was nearly synonymous with the color purple, thanks in large part to "Purple Rain," his 1984 recording that's widely considered one of the greatest albums in music history.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joel Quenneville's hoping that pairing Jonathan Toews with Patrick Kane will encourage another postseason escape for the Chicago Blackhawks.Toews and Kane skated with Richard Panik at the morning skate ahead of Game 5 versus the St. Louis Blues, as the Blackhawks - with their backs against the wall, down 3-1 - turn to what Quenneville's called his "nuclear option."He employed a similar strategy last year, when the Blackhawks were down 3-2 in the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks, and won Games 6 and 7.Teuvo Teravainen will step into Kane's role, skating with Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin, while Andrew Ladd and Marian Hossa will shift to the third unit.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray will look to build on his successful debut start in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Thursday's Game 4 versus the New York Rangers.Murray was announced as the game-day starter with Marc-Andre Fleury still unavailable and absent from team activities.The 21-year-old made 16 saves in Game 3, helping the Penguins earn a 2-1 series lead in the first-round Metropolitan matchup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Viktor Stalberg's lost three teeth, and perhaps also a little respect for Kris Letang.Stalberg said Thursday that he did not receive an apology from the Pittsburgh Penguins star defenseman, who delivered a violent, but in the end deemed inadvertent, slash across his jaw in Game 3.Letang indicated with reporters that he reached out Wednesday.Stalberg was on the ice for the team's optional skate, and like Letang, who avoided discipline, could feature in Game 4.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A new report by the city of Calgary says the Flames' arena proposal could cost more than double the initial estimate.The report claims the price tag of the CalgaryNext project will likely reach $1.8 billion, with taxpayers responsible for at least $1.2 billion, according to CBC News' Robson Fletcher.The project was unveiled by the Flames and the CFL's Stampeders last August with an estimated cost of $890 million."Administration has come to the conclusion that CalgaryNext is not feasible in its present form or location," the report reads, while recommending an alternative plan to build a new NHL arena at Stampede Park and a new football stadium and field house at the McMahon Stadium site.City council is expected to discuss the report on Monday."I know many Calgarians are looking for a better arena space, but this is just one option," Mayor Naheed Nenshi said of the CalgaryNext proposal."I've always said: public money must be used for public benefit and council will have a robust discussion about this on Monday. City administration has also identified a potential alternative for council's consideration that may accomplish the same objectives, but at a lower cost."When the Edmonton Oilers move into their new arena next season, the Flames will technically have the oldest arena in the NHL: The Scotiabank Saddledome was built in 1983.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the focus inside the Tampa Bay Lightning boardroom, at least in terms of active negotiation, has been on Steven Stamkos - not their leading scorer.Contract talks between pending restricted free-agent winger Nikita Kucherov and the Lightning have not commenced, his agent, Scott Greenspun, said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.This is no slight or indicator against Kucherov, of course. As Stamkos closes in on unrestricted status, his burning contract case takes rank, affecting every decision made by Steve Yzerman and his brain trust.But conversely, Kucherov's emergence as a front-line talent on a bargain-bin salary, and into a player that has stepped up to fill the offensive void in the absence of the captain these playoffs, will factor in Stamkos' future, as well.Kucherov, who's three years younger than Stamkos, requires a massive raise from his current $700,000 salary - TSN's Craig Button even envisioning a multi-year contract comparable to the $60-million mega deal Vladimir Tarasenko brokered with the St. Louis Blues as a restricted free agent last summer, per Smith.Alex Killorn, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Cedric Paquette are among other key contributors who will also be looking to negotiate raises.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Are you a Toronto Maple Leafs fan with 20 minutes to spare?If so - and maybe even if not - you'll want to check out this Mitch Marner compilation, which features every single one of the top prospect's 39 goals and 77 assists for the OHL's London Knights this season.The 18-year-old has scored multiple highlight-reel goals in his third campaign with the Knights, who are taking on the Erie Otters in the Western Conference final.The Leafs selected Marner fourth overall in 2015.- With h/t to Ryan FanceyCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a tradition many are aware of, but few know the slimy sacrifices required to make it happen.Four Nashville Predators fans continued the ritual of tossing catfish on the ice Tuesday night before Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena, and the next day, they provided video evidence of how they accomplished the feat.Austin Casselman, Wes Collins, and two friends strapped three catfish - weighing between 12-18 pounds each - to their backs, brought them into the area, and threw them on the ice, as they later explained to local station WKRN.They weren't too concerned the smell would blow their cover."I was more worried about the bulkiness in the back (of the jersey)," Collins said. "You kind of got to be strategic how you stand to make the shirt fluff out."Surely, Mike Fisher is proud of them.- With h/t to Kristopher MartelCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jaromir Jagr isn't interested in celebrating the latest feather inserted into his brimming cap.The Florida Panthers' 44-year-old winger - still in the midst of a tormenting 35-game playoff scoring drought - collected a critical assist in a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders in Game 4, which gave him 200 points for his postseason career.He's just the fifth player in NHL history to reach the milestone and first who wasn't part of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty in the 1980s, but it is a feat he swiftly dismissed."To be honest with you: Do you remember who scored goals 10 years ago? I don't. It's everything about the Cup. Who cares who scored?" Jagr said after the game via Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski."I want to help, of course. But no one remembers who scored next year. Only the champion."Jagr's comments are consistent with his ethos, but perhaps are also helped along by mounting frustration from the pressure to deliver."There's a lot of guys counting on me to help, and I just don't want to disappoint them," he said. "I just want to do the best for people who trust in me. That's what I worry about. Nothing personal. Be here and help. That's what I really worry about."His assist was his first point of the playoffs - part of a four-year drought that he admitted was eating at him prior to Game 4.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the Tampa Bay Lightning and prospective buyers, a little goodwill can't hurt this time of year.The Bolts have put their game-worn jerseys from last season's Stanley Cup Final up for auction to benefit the Lightning Foundation.There are 28 sweaters currently up for sale, including Nikita Kucherov's No. 86, which is the most expensive item right now.You can find the complete listing here.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski scored power-play goals in the second period and the San Jose Sharks again moved to the brink of eliminating the Los Angeles Kings from the playoffs with a 3-2 victory Wednesday night in Game 4 of their first-round series.Patrick Marleau added a power-play goal in the third period and Martin Jones made 26 saves against his former team to put San Jose up 3-1 in the series heading into Game 5 on Friday night in Los Angeles.But knocking the Kings out is never easy. The Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead to Los Angeles in the first round two years ago, becoming the fourth NHL team ever to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games.Trevor Lewis and Luke Schenn scored and Jonathan Quick made 26 saves for the Kings.Kings coach Darryl Sutter described the first three games as a ''power-play series'' and was proved prophetic with the way Game 4 went. The Sharks converted on their first two chances with the man advantage and stopped Los Angeles to take control of the game.The bearded Burns got it started after Jeff Carter got sent to the box for roughing Marc-Edouard Vlasic after the whistle in a scrum near San Jose's net. Joel Ward froze quick before sending a cross-ice pass to Burns, who launched a one-timer that beat Quick before he could slide across the crease for his second goal of the series.Then, after the Sharks killed two penalties, they struck again when Rob Scuderi was called for tripping Tomas Hertl. Joe Thornton got the puck behind the net and put a centering pass right on Pavelski's tape for the goal. Pavelski has four goals in the series.Marleau added his first goal of the series just seconds into another power-play chance when he gathered in Logan Couture's blocked shot and beat Quick with a backhander to make it 3-0.Los Angeles got back in the game with two goals in less than five minutes thanks to point shots from Schenn. The first was deflected by Lewis for a goal and the second went through a screen to beat Jones.But the Kings couldn't get anything else by Jones and now must win three straight to win the series.The game got off to a fast start as the teams went end to end in a first period that was played entirely at even strength. Both teams had good chances, with the Kings getting the better of the play in the opening half of the period and the Sharks answering after that.But Drew Doughty made a diving stop in the crease to rob Thornton and Quick stymied Marleau on a 2-on-1 to keep San Jose off the board.Anze Kopitar handcuffed Jones with a tricky shot just after that, but Jones managed to cover up the loose puck in the crease before a big scramble. The Kings then didn't get another shot on goal in the final 6:56 of the period.NOTES: Pavelski has 30 career playoff goals. ... The win by the Sharks was the first by a home team this series. ... Both teams kept the same lineup as in Game 3.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's now win or go home for the Minnesota Wild.The club dropped Game 4 against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night and now trail the series three games to one. But while the odds are clearly in the Stars' favor, Wild defenseman Ryan Suter feels the team can benefit from their position."We're best when our backs are against the wall," Suter said while also noting the team must be more disiplined. "We have to come out with that same intensity, urgency and stay out of the box."Head coach John Torchetti also remained positive postgame, suggesting he is excited for the challenge going forward."I'm looking forward to see who will step up," said Torchetti. "As a coach, you want to see who has that character."The beginning of do-or-die hockey for the Wild begins Friday when the series heads back to Dallas for Game 5.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Jason Spezza scored the go-ahead goal with his skate, Ales Hemsky and Patrick Eaves each scored on a second-period power play to give Dallas' lagging special teams a lift, and the Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on Wednesday night to push their series lead to 3-1.Antti Niemi assumed the net from Kari Lehtonen, who started the first three games, and made 28 saves for the Stars. They'll host Game 5 in Dallas on Friday.Jason Pominville and Charlie Coyle both gave the Wild the lead with second-period goals, but they weren't able to sustain the momentum from a spirited comeback in Game 3 for the entire night.The Wild finished the game with a 6-on-4 after a high-stick penalty on Antoine Roussel with goalie Devan Dubnyk pulled, but the Stars tightened up and allowed only one shot on target over the 84-second two-man advantage.By the time the first period was half-finished, the Stars had cast aside their sluggishness from the previous contest that saw them manage only 17 shots on net. After a scoreless but fast-paced first period, the floodgates opened on both sides in the five-goal middle frame.Pominville, playing on that thriving third line with Erik Haula and Nino Niederreiter, scored his third goal of the series by crashing the crease and knocking in Niederreiter's fluttering rebound shot off his shin.Then the Wild got a little sloppy, and the Stars seized the opportunity. With Colton Sceviour screening Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk, Hemsky's slap shot evened the game with 6 seconds left on the first Dallas power play.Related: Watch: Stars' Hemsky turns back the clock with 1st playoff goal in 10 yearsCoyle answered 63 seconds later with the most skillful goals of the series, fighting through a would-be hooking penalty on Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski as he nudged the puck forward, snagged it in the air and set it back down to set up a right-left deke on Niemi and backhand it in the corner.Related: Watch: Wild's Coyle flashes incredible hand-eye coordination on goalNiederreiter took a slashing penalty a few minutes later, though, and Eaves followed with a redirection that eluded Dubnyk. Finally, with 69 seconds remaining before the second intermission, Jason Demers launched a shot that ricocheted perfectly off the front of Spezza's left foot for a 3-2 lead.The Stars have a dangerous power play that finished fourth in the NHL during the regular season at 22.1 percent, but the Wild killed 12 of 13 penalties over the first three games.After acquiring Niemi in a trade with San Jose last summer to pair him with Lehtonen, the Stars carefully rotated the 32-year-olds throughout the season, with each goalie getting exactly 25 wins. Lehtonen posted a shutout in Game 1, but he wasn't as sharp in Game 3, making the transition a natural one for coach Lindy Ruff.NOTES: Of the Wild LWs with upper-body injuries, Thomas Vanek is closer to returning than Zach Parise, whose status coach John Torchetti labeled ''week to week.'' Said Vanek: ''I really ramped it up the last few days here, and I feel good, but again, I just need time, and there's not a whole lot of it right now. I'll just keep pushing it and see where it goes.'' ... Niemi raised his career postseason record to 36-26. ... Stars D Kris Russell returned to the lineup after missing the last game with an illness. ... Haula has 10 goals and 14 assists in 30 games including the playoffs under Torchetti, who replaced Mike Yeo in mid-February.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NEW YORK - Alex Petrovic scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period and the Florida Panthers beat the New York Islanders 2-1 on Wednesday night to even their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.Teddy Purcell also scored for Florida and Jaromir Jagr had an assist for his 200th career playoff point. Roberto Luongo stopped 26 shots.John Tavares had his third goal of the series for New York, and Thomas Greiss finished with 27 saves.The Panthers got their first playoff road win since April 17, 2012, against New Jersey in Game 3 of the first round.Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Friday night in Sunrise, Florida.On the go-ahead goal, Petrovic got the puck up high near the middle, slowly skated to the right and fired a shot into the top left corner past Greiss to put the Panthers ahead 2-1 at 9:25 of the third.The Panthers nearly scored with 9:15 left in the second when Jonathan Huberdeau had a breakaway and his shot was stopped by Greiss. Huberdeau slid into Greiss and the puck was knocked loose and went over the line. No goal was called on the ice and the play was reviewed and the call was upheld. Panthers coach Gerard Gallant was upset over the non-goal and used his challenge. After a lengthy review, the non-goal call was upheld again, much to the delight of the home crowd.Related: Panthers' Huberdeau disallowed 1st playoff goal after sliding into netAbout 90 seconds after play resumed, the Islanders' Josh Bailey jammed a puck out of Luongo's pads and across the line, but the officials waved it off because the whistle had blown.The Panthers finally got on the scoreboard first late in the second period. About a minute after the Islanders' Matt Martin was sent off for tripping Nick Bjugstad, Greiss slid to the left to knock away Jagr's tip attempt. However Jagr got the puck behind the net, skated around and fed Purcell, who fired it in as Greiss was getting back in position. The assist, Jagr's 200th career postseason point, was his 122nd in the playoffs, breaking a tie with Al MacInnis and Glenn Anderson for sole possession of ninth place on the NHL list.Related: Jagr becomes 5th player with 200 career playoff pointsPenalties to Aleksander Barkov and Dmitry Kulikov gave the Islanders a 5-on-3 for 39 seconds in the final minute of the second. New York took advantage as Pulock passed to Tavares on the right side and the captain skated in and wristed a shot past Luongo to tie it with 16 seconds remaining - just after the first penalty expired.The Panthers had a 10-5 advantage on shots in a tightly played first period. Florida had a power play just 2:04 in as Casey Cizikas was whistled for tripping Brian Campbell. Nick Bjugstad had their lone shot during the man advantage, but his snap shot was stopped by Greiss.The Islanders got one shot on goal in their lone power play about six minutes in as Okposo's shot fluttered in the air and deflected up off Luongo's mask.Greiss stopped Bjugstad's backhand from the left side about 8 minutes in, and also made a nice stop on Reilly Smith's wrist shot from in close with about 3 1/2 minutes left in the first.NOTES: Panthers C Vincent Trochek and D Steven Kampfer have not played in the series while recovering from lower-body injuries, though Gallant again said earlier Wednesday they were close. ... Florida used 11 forwards and 10 defensemen, with Jakub Kindl replacing C Greg McKegg ... Jagr, who has not scored a goal in 35 consecutive playoff games, played in his 206th postseason game - breaking a tie with former Devils goalie Martin Brodeur for 17th place in NHL history. ... Tavares, who also has four assists in the series, now has 10 goals and 11 assists in his last 14 games. He also has scored a goal in seven of his last eight games, including the regular season. ... The Islanders fell to 11-4-3 at home since the All-Star break.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers and the hockey world at large can breathe a sigh of relief after a scary moment in Wednesday's Game 4.Forward Scott Laughton was stretchered off the ice in the first period. He'll stay overnight at a local hospital for precautionary reasons, but all tests have come back negative, the team announced following the win over Washington.Laughton appeared to lose an edge while pursuing the puck with Capitals defenseman John Carlson and crashed hard into the boards. He was said to be conscious and talking while being carried off the ice.Both his coach and the Capitals were wishing him well after the game.

With his first point of the 2016 playoffs, Jaromir Jagr has joined an elite group.The 44-year-old's assist on Teddy Purcell's second-period goal Wednesday made the Florida Panthers forward just the fifth player in NHL history to record 200 career playoff points.Jagr joins a quartet of former Edmonton Oilers greats in Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Glenn Anderson to hit the mark.The assist was also Jagr's 122nd of his postseason career and moved him past Anderson and Al MacInnis for ninth on the NHL's all-time list.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NHL bad boy Sean Avery will now be looking to uphold the law.The veteran of 580 NHL games will be doing an about-face compared to his on-ice antics when he portrays a Watertown police officer in the upcoming film "Patriots Day," about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, according to Matt Juul of Boston Magazine.Avery posted a picture to Instagram on Tuesday where he's dressed in a police uniform and noted the obvious irony of the situation.

Even Wayne Gretzky gets shut out from time to time.The Great One attempted to sneak a smooch during Game 4 of the first-round series between the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals, only to be left out in the cold by wife Janet.The Gretzkys, along with a host of other notable hockey people, are in town for Thursday's memorial for Ed Snider.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton was stretchered off the ice during the first period of Wednesday's Game 4 after an awkward fall into the end boards.Laughton appeared to lose an edge while pursuing the puck alongside John Carlson of the Washington Capitals. He was conscious and speaking while being carefully taken off the ice, Scott Oake of CBC said on the broadcast.The Flyers' faithful sent warm wishes while clearly concerned about the condition of the young forward.

The NHL addressed the one-game suspension handed to Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw for a homophobic slur uttered Tuesday during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.In a comment to the Chicago Tribune, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league "stand(s) for tolerance and inclusion" with a view towards eliminating future incidents from the game altogether:

Eddie Lack knows a thing or two about goalie controversies in Vancouver.The former Canucks netminder took to Twitter on Wednesday to kick-start a new potential crease drama featuring Jacob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko, the Hobey Baker finalist who recently signed an entry-level deal with the club.

The Boston Bruins' brass feel they should be watching the team play instead of addressing its future.On Wednesday, president Cam Neely was joined by owner Jeremy Jacbos and chief executive officer Charlie Jacobs to discuss missing the playoffs for the second straight season, with the former stressing the importance of not wasting the core group of assembled talent, especially as they advance in age."We know where our better players are in their careers, we have an idea of how many more good years they have left at the top of their game," Neely told reporters. "It’s very important for us to put pieces around them to compete again for a Cup. That has to happen sooner rather than later."That group includes Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Tuukka Rask, and Zdeno Chara - the team captain who's under contract for two more seasons and is less than a year away from his 40th birthday. Brad Marchand fits into the category as well, although the star winger is able to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.In Neely's estimation, this year's club appeared well positioned for a playoff berth after a one-year hiatus, only to experience a late-season swoon that left him shaking his head."Quite frankly, with 86 points and 13 games to go, we should’ve been a playoff team - we should be playing right now," he said. "We should’ve locked up the third seed and who knows? But that didn’t happen, and we’re all extremely disappointed the way the season ended."Neely added he believes in general manager Don Sweeney and he knows retooling on the fly is no easy proposition, but more was expected from this season's group."We know what our goals are, we know what we need to improve and we’re taking the necessary steps to continue to do that," he said. "From my perspective. we were told by Don it’s going to be a bumpy road, we should see some improvement along the way and for the most part, we had that. But it's the way we finished that was extremely disappointing for us."In terms of the offseason outlook, the Bruins will explore any and every avenue towards improving the roster.Everything is on the table, to be honest with you," Neely admitted. "We need to improve our club and everything’s on the table to try and do that."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed goaltender Thatcher Demko to a three-year entry-level contract, general manager Jim Benning announced Wednesday.Demko, drafted 36th overall in 2014, recently completed his third season with Boston College, leading the Eagles to a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four. Demko posted a record of 27-8-4 with a .935 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 39 games this season, the latter setting a new single-season school record.The 20-year-old was also a finalist for the 2016 Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in college hockey.The team released a handy highlight video, putting the old eye test up against his numbers.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw has been suspended one game for using a homophobic slur and fined $5,000 for directing an inappropriate gesture toward a referee during Game 4 of the team's first-round series with the St. Louis Blues, the league announced Wednesday.Related: Shaw apologizes for homophobic slur, Blackhawks 'extremely disappointed'"While Mr. Shaw was apologetic and remorseful for both the offensive comments and the inappropriate gesture directed at the on-ice officials, he must be held accountable for his actions," said Colin Campbell, the NHL's senior executive vice president of hockey operations."The emotion of the moment cannot and will not be a mitigating factor for the conduct that is expected of an NHL player."Shaw will also be required to undergo sensitivity training.The forward will miss Thursday's Game 5 of the series with his team facing the possibility of being eliminated from the postseason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Zach Parise's timetable has gone from vague to ... less vague.Minnesota Wild head coach John Torchetti said Wednesday that his leading scorer is now week to week with the injury that's kept him out of the regular-season finale and the club's first three playoff games.Parise was ruled out indefinitely last Wednesday before the start of Minnesota's first-round series against the Dallas Stars.He led the Wild with 25 goals and ranked second on the team with 53 points during the regular season, despite missing 12 games. He's reportedly been dealing with "disabling back pain" since January.Teammate Thomas Vanek is now day to day with his injury, after being labeled week to week before the series began."I feel good skating (and) shooting," Vanek said. "(But) I don't feel fully comfortable yet ... I feel like I'm getting close."The Stars lead the Wild 2-1 in their best-of-seven series with Game 4 set for Wednesday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thatcher Demko has agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks, TSN is reporting via Bob McKenzie.He's expected to officially sign later Wednesday afternoon.The second-round draft selection spent three seasons at Boston College. He was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award in his final season, winning 27 games - earning a shutout in 10 of those starts - and stopping pucks at a .935 rate as a junior starter.The San Diego, Calif., native towers at 6-foot-4, and has elite athleticism for the position.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antti Niemi is getting an opportunity to run with the Dallas Stars crease.Niemi was the first off the ice at the team's morning skate, indicating that he'll start in place of Kari Lehtonen in Wednesday's Game 4 versus the Minnesota Wild, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.Lehtonen performed well in three starts, allowing one goal in two games on home ice before allowing four goals on 24 shots in Game 3. All told, he stopped pucks at a .931 clip, or a rate well above the team's season average.It's been the Stars' intention to utilize both veteran goaltenders, so it was really only a matter of time before Niemi made an appearance in the series.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andrew Shaw apologized Wednesday for using a homophobic slur late in the Chicago Blackhawks' Game 4 loss to the St. Louis Blues."I am sincerely sorry for the insensitive remarks that I made last night while in the penalty box," Shaw said in a statement.Shaw was seen uttering the slur twice Tuesday night - immediately after he was given an interference penalty with just over two minutes left in the game, and again while sitting in the penalty box."When I got home and saw the video, it was evident that what I did was wrong, no matter the circumstances," Shaw said. "I apologize to many people, including the gay and lesbian community, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Blackhawks fans and anyone else I may have offended. I know my words were hurtful and I will learn from my mistake."He met the media briefly after the release of the statement and said he'll change his ways going forward.

With rumors of interest elsewhere, Toronto Maple Leafs upstart executive Kyle Dubas dispelled belief he's ready to take on a lead role with another organization."I don't believe I'm ready to be an NHL general manager," Dubas said, according to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star."I believe I have a lot to learn, and I believe that Toronto is the best place for me to (do that). With everything that is going on here now, this is not a place that I want to leave, and I don't believe that I'm ready to leave."Dubas, thought to be the Maple Leafs' general manager in waiting, was one of the first minds brought into the organization after Brendan Shanahan was hired as president. Working with Shanahan and, perhaps more importantly, a GM with decades of experience in Lou Lamoriello, the 29-year-old has lent his progressive approach to the process of flipping a flawed NHL roster, and building up a powerhouse farm system led by the AHL's Toronto Marlies.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars will be without Tyler Seguin again in Game 4, as the scoring center has still not made the trip to Minnesota, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.Seguin returned to the lineup in Game 2, after a near month-long absence due to a cut to his left Achilles. Though, it is believed he suffered a setback that kept him from both Game 3 and 4.Stars GM Jim Nill said Thursday that Seguin has not returned to skating since his return to the lineup.He remains day to day.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hockey-speak would tell you that a team's best players must be their best players when the playoffs roll around. That's all well and good, but in today's cap world, those bargain-bin buys - players who provide that extra goal, save, hit, or blocked shot - are often the difference between winning and losing.Here are three thrifty purchases making a difference for their teams early in these Stanley Cup Playoffs.Reilly SmithCompleted at a time when most were still unpacking the Brandon Saad and Phil Kessel deals, Dale Tallon's acquisition of Smith (and the contract of Marc Savard) in exchange for limited forward Jimmy Hayes was understandably shifted to the back burner.But after a full regular season slate, and Smith having provided a comparable scoring rate at a substantially lower cost while fortifying Florida's second unit, there's an argument that he's been the most impactful top-six add from last summer.And that influence has carried into the postseason - in spades. Smith's scored four goals and tallied eight points through nine-plus periods - or had a hand in 80 percent of Florida's offense - thus far.Matt CullenCullen, who agreed to a basement $800,000 salary after more than a month on the open market last summer, has emerged as the ultimate ancillary tool for the Penguins.The 39-year-old has taken on a plug-and-play role, shifting up and down the lineup and filling voids whenever needed. But at the same time he's been their constant, taking on critical defensive assignments, digging in on draws, and anchoring a fresh-faced bottom six.That isn't to say his offensive instincts haven't endured. Cullen added to his 16-goal total in the regular season with a spectacular individual effort in Game 3, scoring a goal that would stand as the game-winner.Shane PrinceIslanders fans were disappointed when the team made what was believed to be a largely inconsequential move at the deadline, exchanging a third-round pick for a seventh to acquire Shane Prince from the Senators.Primarily an extra body in Ottawa, Prince immediately stepped into a regular third-line role with the Islanders. He hasn't set the world on fire offensively since his add, but did ignite Barclays Center in Game 3 with one of the more critical goals this season - a marker that cut the deficit to one and spurred an eventual come-from-behind win.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michal Neuvirth will start in place of beleaguered Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason in Wednesday's do-or-die Game 4, he told reporters after the morning skate.Neuvirth had a strong first season with the Flyers in a split role, helping lead the club to the league's best overall five-on-five save percentage with a personal .924 clip.He won 18 times in 32 appearances, but has appeared in just three games since the Feb. 29 trade deadline after sustaining a knee injury.Mason was brilliant in his absence, leading the Flyers to an improbable playoff appearance, but has struggled upon arrival. He's made just 69 saves on 81 shots in three games, and committed a pair of egregious blunders that led to goals.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kris Letang is reportedly off the hook.The Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman will not have a hearing for slashing New York Rangers forward Viktor Stalberg on Tuesday night, TVA's Renaud Lavoie reports.Letang swung his stick and hit Stalberg in the face in the third period of the Penguins' 3-1 win.Letang wasn't assessed a penalty on the play.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vladimir Tarasenko's penchant for scoring hasn't been deterred by the playoffs.The St. Louis Blues forward now has 13 goals in 17 career postseason games after notching two more in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Andrew Shaw's outburst has drawn the attention of the NHL.The Chicago Blackhawks winger appeared to direct a homophobic slur at an official on two separate occasions after being assessed an interference penalty with 2:04 remaining late in Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night."Yes, we are looking into it, and no we can't comment on it until that process is complete," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.The league has also informed the Blackhawks that it is investigating Shaw's comments, ESPN's Craig Custance reports.Related: Shaw on whether he directed homophobic slur at ref: 'I don't know what I said'The first instance came after the whistle.The second came while Shaw was in the penalty box.He also flipped the double-bird at the official.There is precedent in the NHL in terms of supplementary discipline for derogatory comments and gestures.James Wisniewski was suspended two games for an obscene gesture toward Sean Avery in 2010 and the NHL suspended former Washington Capitals forward Chris Simon three games for directing a racial slur at former Edmonton Oilers forward Mike Grier in 1997.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.