Although he's almost ready to go, Tyler Seguin will be out of the lineup for Dallas' series opener versus Minnesota on Thursday night, Stars head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed.Ruff said Seguin will likely be in the lineup for Game 2, and would probably play if it was a Game 7 situation.Seguin is still recovering from an Achilles injury, and skated separately from the team on Thursday.Although he's not ready for their playoff opener, it's huge for the Stars to have Seguin's return on the horizon. Not only is he the team's second-highest scorer, he boasts key playoff experience dating back to his Stanley Cup championship with the Boston Bruins in 2011.The 24-year-old scored 33 goals and 40 assists this season, but hasn't played since March 17.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An air of uncertainty still surrounds the status of Henrik Lundqvist.The New York Rangers goaltender, who was injured in Game 1 of the team's first-round series against Pittsburgh after taking an errant stick to the eye, is set to visit a specialist Thursday, with more information in terms of his availability coming later.Head coach Alain Vigneault doesn't believe it's cause for too much concern.

With a goal and two assists in Game 1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins' first-round series against the New York Rangers, Sidney Crosby now sits sixth on the NHL's all-time playoff points per game list (minimum 50 games played):Related - VIDEO: Crosby snipes Raanta on breakaway

Former Senators head coach Dave Cameron may have some hurt feelings after the team dismissed him Tuesday, but said he doesn't have any regrets from his tenure in Ottawa.Cameron admitted in a press conference Thursday that he was disappointed to be leaving, but understands personnel decisions are out of his hands."I got fired because somebody didn't think I could do the job. ... No regrets," Cameron said, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun."The sun was up this morning and I'll be fine," he added.Much was made of an alleged rift between Cameron and Senators owner Eugene Melnyk after Melnyk expressed his disappointment in the team's performance and some of Cameron's decisions down the stretch.Cameron called Melnyk's comments "hurtful," and acknowledged he felt pressure from management to close out the season."I felt like I was fired for three weeks," Cameron said.With Cameron officially out of the picture, the search is on for the Senators' fifth head coach since 2008, and Melnyk's already assured new general manager Pierre Dorion the club has the resources to hire the best available candidate.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers have recalled goaltender Magnus Hellberg from AHL Hartford.Related: Lundqvist forced from series opener after inadvertent high stickThe roster move comes the morning after Henrik Lundqvist was forced to make an early exit from Game 1 of the team's first-round series against Pittsburgh with an eye injury.Lundqvist was labeled as day to day following the contest, and an update on his status is expected to be made later Thursday.Hellberg, 25, posted a record of 30-20-3 at the AHL level this season, with a save percentage of .918.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Carey Price injured, and thus not around to claim any and all plaudits he qualifies for, picking winners for the NHL's four major, most-contentious awards proved to be a difficult task.No thanks to Carey (tongue planted firmly in cheek, Canadiens fans), here's who's worthy of hardware this season.Hart Trophy"Player judged most valuable to his team"1. Patrick Kane

Claude Julien isn't going anywhere.Despite missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Boston Bruins have decided to retain the services of the winningest head coach in club history, general manager Don Sweeney announced Wednesday.

A 5-2 loss in the playoffs simply isn't good enough for New York Rangers center Derek Stepan.Despite scoring both goals for New York, Stepan was disappointed by his and his linemates' efforts to shut down Pittsburgh's top trio of Sidney Crosby, Patric Hornqvist, and Chris Kunitz."What stings is we talked about doing a job on their top line and we didn't get the job done against them," Stepan said, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. "We can't give up five goals and expect to win a playoff game."Hornqvist netted a hat trick and an assist, while Crosby had three points of his own.Stepan, along with wingers Chris Kreider and Rick Nash, will need to regroup in time for Game 2 to avoid a massive deficit before heading back to New York.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Attentions were divided as the Stanley Cup Playoffs began Wednesday.Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant hung up his sneakers with a 60-point performance, much to the delight and amazement of several NHL players.

David BackesAfter missing the last three regular-season games with injury, Backes wasn't a lock to make the lineup for Wednesday's Game 1. So, the Blues should feel especially fortunate after stealing Wednesday's opener - a game in which they were outshot nearly 2-1.Backes was culpable in the Blues being hemmed in throughout, but came through with the most important moment of the night, banking an overtime winner off the skate of Trevor van Riemsdyk and through the legs of Corey Crawford.Important and improbable, geometry aside. Backes' banker was his first career overtime playoff goal, and he has just two in 727 career regular-season games.Jeff ZatkoffPenguins fans broke into a collective hyperventilation when Marc-Andre Fleury failed to emerge out of the tunnel for warmup in Game 1, and, after connecting the dots, it was determined that journeyman Zatkoff would be making his Stanley Cup playoff debut.Alarmists quickly concluded that for the Penguins, several months worth of being one of, if not, the best team in the NHL had gone to waste. And even the team itself looked jumpy, having been on their heels for several shifts off the opening draw.But then Zatkoff (who knew he was playing the night before) settled in, and the Penguins followed suit. Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist led a five-goal surge in support of their emergency starter, who made 35 saves in the face of 37 shots for a comfortable Game 1 win.Ben Lovejoy/Tom KuhnhacklPittsburgh's win wasn't without nervy moments, of course.After Derek Stepan cut Pittsburgh's lead to one on a 5-on-3 advantage, Zatkoff dropped down a pad to stop a point shot, in the process freeing up Dan Boyle for what appeared to be a tap-in into an empty net.But Lovejoy was there, swinging around fast enough to chop the puck away from Boyle's blade. And when the Rangers failed to recoup possession, Kris Letang sent Nick Bonino and Kuhnhackl away on a 2-on-1.There, it was Bonino to Kuhnhackl and into the back of the net shorthanded - a massive two-goal swing in favor of Pittsburgh.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

By a toe.The St. Louis Blues earned an all-important Game 1 win over the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks after captain David Backes scored his first career playoff overtime winner off the skate of Trevor van Riemsdyk.Backes got the postgame interview, but the plaudits belong to Brian Elliott. The Blues netminder - who quietly finished with the league's best save rate - made 35 saves to register his first career playoff shutout.He bailed out a Blues team that was being outshot 2-to-1 through 69 minutes before Backes' banker, and went more than 20 minutes without firing rubber on Corey Crawford for a stretch that spilled into overtime.Any win, of course, is quite meaningful in a seven-game series, but this victory was particularly important. Duncan Keith will return from suspension in Game 2 and aid a blue line stretched thin in his absence.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping everyone - including the New York Rangers - on a need-to-know basis.After Wednesday's Game 1 win behind 35 saves from surprise starter Jeff Zatkoff, coach Mike Sullivan was mum on the status of the incumbent Marc-Andre Fleury and his continuing recovery from a concussion."When we decide to put Marc-Andre in game, we'll let you know," he said.Sullivan, though, wasn't always this transparent.Machinating at the morning skate, Sullivan revealed that he deliberately sent Fleury - who didn't dress - off the ice first to make it appear as though he was starting, in turn preventing the Rangers from game-planning for the third-string netminder.Zatkoff told reporters afterwards he knew the crease was his as early as Tuesday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

PITTSBURGH - Patric Hornqvist had his first playoff hat trick and the Pittsburgh Penguins pulled away from the New York Rangers 5-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Wednesday night.Related: VIDEO: Crosby snipes Raanta on breakawayHornqvist added an assist, Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists and backup goaltender Jeff Zatkoff did just fine in his first postseason start, finishing with 35 saves. Tom Kuhnhackl also scored for Pittsburgh, which took advantage when New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist left with a facial injury after the first period.Related: Lundqvist takes high stick to eye, replaced by RaantaGame 3 is Saturday in Pittsburgh.Lundqvist played just 20 minutes after taking a stick to the face from teammate Marc Staal. Antti Raanta was shaky in Lundqvist's place, stopping 16 of 19 shots.Derek Stepan scored twice for the Rangers but New York never led as its quest to knock the Penguins out of the playoffs for a third straight year got off to an underwhelming start.The Penguins ripped off a 14-2 surge to end the regular season even with Fleury sidelined since March 31 with a concussion. He returned to practice this week and was the first goaltender off the ice during Wednesday morning's skate, typically an indication of who is starting. Coach Mike Sullivan remained coy about his decision-making process, and when Pittsburgh came out for warm-ups in their vintage black-and-gold uniforms, Fleury wasn't even in uniform, instead sitting in the press box in a blue suit.That left the job to Zatkoff, who'd played just five times since Jan. 1 after losing his spot as the primary backup to rookie Matt Murray. Yet with Murray out indefinitely with a concussion of his own, the Penguins gave Zatkoff the first postseason start of his three-year career, or 110 fewer than Lundqvist.Zatkoff didn't exactly look overcome by the stage. Good thing because his teammates gave him little help early. New York dominated the opening minutes, throwing shots at Zatkoff from all angles rather than trying to set anything up. Zatkoff lacks Fleury's athleticism but managed to scramble when required, keeping the Penguins afloat early while his teammates took time to find their legs.Then, in an instant, New York's decided advantage in the net disappeared.Staal was fending off a Pittsburgh player in front of the New York net when his stick became wedged in between the bars on Lundqvist's mask with 48 seconds to go in the first period. The goalie who has been the backbone of deep playoff runs each of the last two years writhed in pain for several moments before slowly skating to the bench. He stayed in the game long enough for Pittsburgh to take the lead when Hornqvist flipped a rebound between Lundqvist's legs with 18 seconds left.Lundqvist stayed in the dressing room at the start of the second period, forcing Raanta to unexpectedly make his postseason debut. He had little to do until a stretch pass from Hornqvist sprung Crosby in alone. The wrist shot zipped over Raanta's glove 18:56 into the second and the Penguins were up 2-0.New York's drew to 2-1 when Stepan stuffed in a shot from the doorstep on a 5-on-3 but Pittsburgh countered with a short-handed goal from Kuhnhackl 5:31 into the third and when Hornqvist pounced on a loose puck in the Rangers' crease and eased it in, the Penguins were up three and in control.NOTES: The teams held a pregame moment of silence for longtime Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider, who passed away earlier this week. ... Stepan has six goals in his last six games. ... Pittsburgh dressed seven defensemen rather than the usual six and scratched forward Tom Sestito. ... The Penguins improved to 21-14 in Game 1s at home. ... Both teams went 1 for 5 on the power play.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jonathan Drouin was everywhere Wednesday night.The 21-year-old forward did a little bit of everything in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena, as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.Drouin was all over the ice, and he was on it often. The winger logged 17:39 of ice time, second only to Ondrej Palat among Lightning forwards.He recorded three shots on goal and finished with the third-highest Corsi For percentage in all situations among Tampa Bay players (61.11), according to HockeyStats.ca.It wasn't all positive for Drouin, though. He also took a pair of penalties, and cost his team when he went offside on Victor Hedman's goal that was disallowed on a coach's challenge.Drouin attracted plenty of attention from the Red Wings after leveling Detroit forward Justin Abdelkader.

The coach's challenge has sacrificed its first playoff goal.Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill successfully contended in Game 1 on Wednesday that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin skated into an offside position before his pass to Valtteri Filppula crossed the blue line on the left wing, negating Victor Hedman's go-ahead marker.

It was a scary sight Wednesday when New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was high-sticked by teammate Marc Staal.The 34-year-old went down in a heap after he appeared to take a Trevor Daley shot to the neck. Further review showed it wasn't the shot that sent the netminder kicking in agony on the ice, but rather Staal's stick going through his mask.Lundqvist remained in the game after receiving a few eye drops from the medical staff.However, Antti Raanta started the second period, and Lundqvist wasn't on the Rangers' bench.During a stoppage of play in the second, head coach Alain Vigneault said Lundqvist is day to day.Lundqvist will be re-evaluated Thursday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The valuation explains as much, but Lou Lamoriello ain't afraid to come out and say it, either.Hours after signing Nazem Kadri to a six-year contract extension worth $4.5 million annually, the Maple Leafs GM admitted on Toronto radio that the club doesn't envision the 25-year-old, though still highly coveted, as their No. 1 center down the line."In my opinion he's not a first-line center, but he's a center that can handle every situation that's asked of him," Lamoriello told Prime Time Sports on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. "Mike (Babcock) kept giving him more and more (responsibility) and he accepted it and he thrived in it."He added: "What I see in Kadri is the type of player that I personally want on my team. I want him in a seventh game of the Stanley Cup. I want him out there when the game is on the line because he brings everything and leaves (it all on the ice)."The swiftness to which Kadri agreed to terms suggests that he's of the same mind. But based on comments from Kadri and Morgan Rielly, who also signed a six-year deal Wednesday, they were more than willing to make concessions to be a part of what the Maple Leafs are building.Rielly even went as far as admitting his camp "didn't put up much of a fight."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Scoring in the Stanley Cup Playoffs has gotten off to a booming start.Watch Nikita Kucherov launch a rolling puck over the shoulder of Jimmy Howard, giving the Tampa Bay Lightning an early lead over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1.Kucherov used last year's postseason as a platform toward stardom. He scored 10 goals and 22 points in 26 games, helping lead the Bolts into the Stanley Cup Final.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been forced to turn to goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to start Game 1 against the New York Rangers on Wednesday.Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray are not dressed due to injuries. Tristan Jarry will back up Zatkoff.Fleury was a game-time decision heading into Wednesday and had been the first goalie off the ice at team's morning skate, while Jarry was absent at the skate.The 31-year-old Fleury has not played since March 31 after suffering his second concussion of the season.The game marks Zatkoff's first postseason appearance.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyler Johnson is ready to go.The Tampa Bay Lightning forward is in the lineup for Game 1 against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night.Johnson took part in the pregame warmup on a line with Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov.He left Tampa Bay's regular-season finale Saturday with an injury after being hit late by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Greg Pateryn.The Lightning are without Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman, who aren't expected to play in the first-round series.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks announced the signing of college defenseman Troy Stecher on Wednesday.Stecher spent the last three seasons at the University of North Dakota, which won its eighth NCAA title over the weekend. The 22-year-old enjoyed his most productive season as a junior, scoring eight goals and adding 21 assists in 43 games.The Richmond, British Columbia, native was the college teammate of Canucks 2015 first-round pick Brock Boeser, who had 60 points this season, and who will return to North Dakota for at least another year.

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Alex Tuch to a three-year entry-level contract.Tuch was selected by the Wild in the first round (18th overall) in 2014. He's coming off his second season with Boston College, where he finished with 18 goals and 34 points in 40 games.The 19-year-old represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship, where he helped his team capture gold.Tuch's contract will kick in at the beginning of the 2016-17 season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The futures of Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly were never really in doubt.The Toronto Maple Leafs locked the youngsters up long term Wednesday, the forward and defender signing six-year contracts that take some of their unrestricted free-agent years off the table."It was pretty simple," Kadri said of the negotiations, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "I think both of us felt the same way. It got done fairly quickly and fairly easily."Rielly's deal is worth $30 million, while Kadri's comes in at $27.5 million. Both figures are more than reasonable, especially with the salary cap set to rise again."It was a bit easier than I thought," said Rielly, who was set to hit restricted free agency for the first time. "We wanted to make sure it went smoothly. We didn't put up much of a fight."For Kadri, the contract is the culmination of some hard work, and some lessons learned. He signed a two-year bridge contract before the 2013-14 season, and a one-year contract before this past season. Kadri was suspended by the Maple Leafs to close out the 2014-15 season, and he had a lot to prove coming into his first season with Mike Babcock behind the bench."There's been some growing pains," Kadri said, "But to play in a market like Toronto is a great opportunity."From nearby London, Ontario, Kadri said his heart is blue and white."The Maple Leaf logo is all I've ever known and all I've ever wanted to play for."

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping a reshuffling of the lines can help two of their oldest players find their game.Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are expected to be reunited on a line for Game 1 of the Red Wings' first-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night."Those two guys play well off each other," Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill told Bill Roose of the club's official website."They think the game very similar. They play the game very similar. I think today's hockey has become very much north-south, but they're two guys who still like to play east to west. So when they're together, it might accentuate their positives a little better. The decision I always have to make is is that the right thing for the hockey team in its entirety? Right now, we've made the decision that it's the right thing to start here most likely in Game 1."Both experienced forwards are mired in scoring slumps. Zetterberg, the Red Wings' captain, hasn't scored in his last 11 games and has a single marker in his last 24 contests. Datsyuk, Detroit's elder statesman, hasn't scored in his last 10 games.Blashill says he sees signs that Zetterberg is on the verge of breaking out of his drought."When I went back over the last 20 games, his scoring chances have been very good. He hasn't really dropped off that much from the previous 20 games prior to that or really throughout the season. You're always going to have a little ebb and flow on that.I see him still playing at a high level. He's got tons of responsibility. He's had to play against a lot of the other teams' best players, which is not an easy task. I just think if he keeps playing the same game, the production will come."A glimpse at the analytics confirms reuniting the veteran pair is a smart move.The line of Datsyuk, Justin Abdelkader, and Zetterberg drove possession better than all other Red Wings combinations this season, with a 57.88 even-strength Corsi For percentage, according to Corsica Hockey.Zetterberg spent most of his regular-season minutes alongside Abdelkader and Dylan Larkin, while Datsyuk played more time with Brad Richards and Darren Helm, but neither player was as productive with those groups from a possession standpoint.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins know how to serve up some drama.After missing the playoffs, being eliminated on what was originally the last day of the regular season, there's been much speculation about the job status of head coach Claude Julien, who completed his ninth season behind the bench.That speculation will come to a head Thursday, when general manager Don Sweeney and Julien will meet with the media for their season-ending presser. It's at 10 a.m. ET, and if Julien's being let go, he may announce it himself.

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues with predictions for each of the eight first-round playoff series, three of which begin Wednesday.It's the most wonderful time of the year.And theScore's NHL editors are ready for what will be an exciting two months - and an especially exciting two weeks. There's nothing better than the first round. Here are our predictions.Western ConferenceStars vs. WildEditorPickCuthbertStarsGold-SmithStarsHagermanWildMcLarenStarsO'LearyStarsVaswaniStarsWhyteStarsTotal: 6-1 StarsOnly one pick for the Wild against a Dallas team with defensive issues. If Minnesota's able to pull this off without Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek, it would be one of the more monumental upsets in NHL playoff history.Blues vs. BlackhawksEditorPickCuthbertBluesGold-SmithBluesHagermanBlackhawksMcLarenBluesO'LearyBlackhawksVaswaniBluesWhyteBluesTotal: 5-2 BluesWe're surprisingly in favor of the St. Louis Blues. Since 2013, the Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup every two years - and that means they're going home. At least, that's the consensus among some of the most brilliant hockey minds of our time.Ducks vs. PredatorsEditorPickCuthbertPredatorsGold-SmithDucksHagermanDucksMcLarenDucksO'LearyDucksVaswaniDucksWhyteDucksTotal: 6-1 DucksThe Nashville Predators need a miracle against the high-flying Anaheim Ducks, and only one of us thinks they can pull it off. Godspeed, Pekka Rinne.Kings vs. SharksEditorPickCuthbertKingsGold-SmithKingsHagermanKingsMcLarenSharksO'LearyKingsVaswaniSharksWhyteKingsTotal: 5-2 KingsIn the battle of California, the Los Angeles Kings are the consensus pick, but a couple of us are rooting for Joe Thornton's beard. Since 2012, the Kings have won the Cup every two years. If history is our guide, it's their year.Eastern ConferenceCapitals vs. FlyersEditor PickCuthbertCapitalsGold-SmithCapitalsHagermanCapitalsMcLarenCapitalsO'LearyCapitalsVaswaniFlyersWhyteCapitalsTotal: 6-1 CapitalsThe presidential Capitals are the sexy pick. Clearly. This will be one of the more interesting series of the first round, considering how early the Capitals locked up the No. 1 seed. The Flyers will be emotionally charged, too, after the death of owner Ed Snider.Panthers vs. IslandersEditorPickCuthbertPanthersGold-SmithPanthersHagermanPanthersMcLarenPanthersO'LearyIslandersVaswaniPanthersWhyteIslandersTotal: 5-2 PanthersJaromir Jagr's back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. We clearly don't want to see him go home after only one round. As for the Islanders, if they're dispatched by Florida, it will be their third first-round exit under Jack Capuano. Strike three.Penguins vs. RangersEditorPickCuthbertPenguinsGold-SmithPenguinsHagermanPenguinsMcLarenPenguinsO'LearyPenguinsVaswaniPenguinsWhytePenguinsTotal: 7-0 PenguinsWe believe the Rangers' competitive window is about to slam rudely shut in New York's face.Lightning vs. Red WingsEditorPickCuthbertLightningGold-SmithLightningHagermanLightningMcLarenLightningO'LearyRed WingsVaswaniRed WingsWhyteRed WingsTotal: 4-3 LightningWe believe this will be the closest series of the first round, and Pavel Datsyuk will provide some magic, but the Tampa Bay Lightning will prevail, even without Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman. They've got a sizable advantage in goal, and so much of the playoffs comes down to the men in the crease.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes co-owner Anthony LeBlanc is pouring cold water on reports the club expressed interest in Toronto Maple Leafs assistant general manager Kyle Dubas related to their vacant GM position.

The San Jose Sharks are back in the Stanley Cup playoffs after a one-year hiatus, and have their sights set on shaking off the ghost of the great 2014 collapse.That year, of course, they blew a 3-0 first-round series lead to the Los Angeles Kings, whom they're matched up against this time around.San Jose took the regular-season series with a record of 3-1-1, but will that success carry over to the postseason?Here's what you need to know before the puck drops:Tale of the tapeKingsStatisticSharks102Points982.72 (14th)Goals per game2.89 (4th)2.34 (5th)Goals against2.52 (11th)20% (8th)Power play22.5% (3rd)81.4% (15th)Penalty kill80.5% (21st)56.4% (1st)Corsi51.7% (8th)6.8% (25th)5-on-5 SH%7.7% (12th)92.9% (9th)5-on-5 SV%92.3% (20th)Kopitar: 74Leading scorerThornton: 82Key playersJoe ThorntonWhile Jaromir Jagr continues to amaze with his longevity, 37-year-old Joe Thornton remains at the top of his game, emerging as a dark horse Hart Trophy candidate for the Sharks this season.Thornton recorded 19 goals and 63 assists in all 82 games, finishing in a tie for fourth in NHL scoring with Ottawa's Erik Karlsson, and three points behind the defenseman for the league lead in assists.Jettisoned as team captain following the dramatic collapse of 2014 in favor of Joe Pavelski, who began donning the "C" this season, Thornton remains in many ways the chum that stirs the waters for these Sharks.Don't believe the narrative that Thornton doesn't bring it in the postseason, either. He ranks 13th among all active NHL players in career playoff points with 100 through 132 games.Drew DoughtyFor some, the Los Angeles defenseman put himself in position to unseat Karlsson as the Norris Trophy winner this year. While the playoffs bear no weight in terms of voting on the award, it's here that Drew Doughty can demonstrate his impact to a wider audience.Doughty didn't blow anyone away offensively this season, scoring 14 goals and adding 37 assists, which is eight points off his career high set in 2009-10. Among players at his position with at least 1,000 minutes played, however, he ranked first with a Corsi rating of 58.9 during five-on-five play. Only teammates Tyler Toffoli (59.4) and Milan Lucic (59.3) boasted better numbers.He also posted the best single-season on-ice shot attempt differential of the past decade.(Courtesy: r/hockey)In short, Doughty drives possession and is a force at his own end. Shutting down the Sharks begins with him.Martin Jones and James ReimerNot always a position of strength for the Sharks, head coach Pete DeBoer now has a luxury - or rather a difficult decision to make - in a 1A-1B situation heading into the playoffs.General manager Doug Wilson sent a first-round pick to Boston to secure Martin Jones' rights, and the gamble has paid off.

Steven Stamkos isn't giving up on this season.While his Tampa Bay Lightning prepare for Game 1 of a first-round series against Detroit, the captain remains in hospital following vascular surgery to fix a blood clot.Alex Killorn, one of several players to visit Stamkos on Monday, was told to help get the team as far as possible so as to leave the door open for a late-playoff return."You can tell he wants to be there (on the ice)," Killorn told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "In the case he could come back, he really wants to make sure we go back to the final to give him a chance to play again this season. That was kind of his message, 'Just go to the finals and maybe I'll see you guys.'"Stamkos was given a timeline of one-to-three months, meaning it's not out of the realm of possibility.Without him and Anton Stralman in the lineup, however, the task of repeating as Eastern Conference champions won't be an easy one.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With no Canadian teams in the playoffs, some of the attention will shift to players who used to play up north and were moved for a variety of reasons. A few of those players will get to show their former teams what they missed - or prove that trading them was the right call.Related: 3 reasons why Canadians should still watch the NHL playoffsThere are 22 players in this season's playoffs who ended last season on a Canadian team.Here are some of the most notable.Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh PenguinsAll seemed right in the world for Kessel when he inked an eight-year, $64-million contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the start of the 2013-14 season. Kessel was Toronto's scoring leader for six seasons, and one of the more consistent goal-scorers in the league. But Toronto only had a single playoff performance to show with Kessel in the lineup. He performed well, scoring four goals and six points in a now infamous seven-game series loss.When Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford pulled the trigger on July 1 to get Kessel, it wasn't a move designed to get his team into the playoffs, but to provide more scoring throughout the lineup. The Penguins needed Kessel's offensive prowess to help stop a string of early spring exits. With 21 points in 22 career playoff games, and Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 2016 now Toronto's, we're about to find out if the Pens' gamble paid off.Andrew Ladd, Chicago BlackhawksAcquired only days before the trade deadline from Winnipeg, Ladd never wanted to leave the Jets. But unable to agree to terms with its captain, and having already signed other players to massive extensions, Winnipeg felt it necessary to get some assets in return before Ladd hit unrestricted free agency.Ladd's fit in well and should continue to do so on a team he won a Stanley Cup with in 2010. He had eight goals and 12 points in 19 games with the Blackhawks, and having recently turned 30, he's looking to win his third Cup ring.Teddy Purcell and Jiri Hudler, Florida PanthersHudler and Purcell, both wingers, were acquired from the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline and have played together on the Florida Panthers' third line since.This being Florida's first trip to the playoffs in four seasons, both players bring experience - 99 combined postseason games - and will be expected to help settle some of the younger players' nerves. Hudler has 41 points in 77 career playoff games, while Purcell comes in with seven goals and 18 points in 22 spring games.James Reimer, San Jose SharksIt's been established that Martin Jones will start Game 1 of the playoffs for the Sharks, but don't be surprised if you see Reimer at some point. Acquired before the trade deadline from Toronto, Reimer has been nothing short of superb in his brief tenure out west, with a 6-2 record, a .938 save percentage, and a 1.62 goals-against average. He also has something Jones doesn't have - playoff experience.Here are a few other noteworthy players taking part in the postseason who were recently playing for Canadian teams:

It's Jimmy Howard's crease.The Detroit Red Wings confirmed Wednesday afternoon what many expected: Howard will start Game 1 of the club's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.The series is a rematch of last year's first-round matchup, the difference being Petr Mrazek was in goal for the Red Wings. Tampa Bay won in seven games, so Detroit's turning to Howard, who was the starter down the stretch, as the Red Wings needed Game 82 to clinch a playoff berth - their 25th straight.Howard had a disappointing season, which he spent most of as Mrazek's backup. But that all means nothing now. The playoffs are a new season, and represent a chance at redemption. Howard has a career .919 save percentage and three shutouts in 46 career postseason games.Detroit went 2-1 against the Lightning with Howard in the crease this season, the goaltender stopping 92.5 percent of the Tampa Bay shots he faced.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran coach Craig Hartsburg is calling it a career.An assistant with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Hartsburg is retiring after 27 years behind various benches. He'll remain with the club in a hockey operations capacity.Hartsburg cited the difficulty in leaving his family and grandchildren at the end of each summer as the impetus behind his decision.Now 56, Hartsburg spent time as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Ottawa Senators, compiling a 201-208-69 record."I've been very fortunate to spend the past 30-plus years in the game as a player or coach and have enjoyed every minute of it, but my priority now is to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren," Hartsburg said. "I have really enjoyed my time in Columbus, working with both John Tortorella and Todd Richards, and appreciate the opportunity to continue to be part of the organization in a role that will also allow me to devote more time to my family."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An NHL rink can be imposing to a visiting team even on the best of days. These three buildings are arenas opposing teams dread making the trip out to, and they'll continue to strike fear into visitors during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Madison Square GardenLocation: New York, N.Y.

The Minnesota Wild will have to take on the Dallas Stars without two of their top forwards.Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek won't travel with the team for Games 1 and 2 of the Wild's first-round series versus the Stars. Parise is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, while Vanek is week to week with an upper-body injury of his own.

The Toronto Maple Leafs see Morgan Rielly and Nazem Kadri as key pieces of a winning future.Related: Maple Leafs sign Rielly, Kadri to 6-year contractsThat was the clear message general manager Lou Lamoriello delivered on a conference call Wednesday to confirm their respective six-year contracts signed earlier in the day."It was extremely important (to sign Kadri and Rielly to extensions), because it was a message to the commitment to both of them," he said. "This is just another step towards what we want to be in building the foundation for this franchise."As far as Lamoriello is concerned, Rielly can be penciled in as a No. 1 defenseman with All-Star potential.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Wednesday, with the biggest names in the sport taking aim at Lord Stanley's mug. Casting terror into the hearts of their opposition, these three players have established themselves as the most feared stars in the NHL postseason.Sidney CrosbyPos: C | Postseason record: 55-45

The Toronto Maple Leafs have locked up a pair of core, young players.Defenseman Morgan Rielly and forward Nazem Kadri have signed six-year contracts, the club announced Wednesday.Rielly's deal is worth $30 million ($5-million cap hit), while Kadri's is set at $27 million ($4.5-million cap hit), according to Bob McKenzie of TSN.Both players were set to become restricted free agents this summer.

The NHL playoffs can turn lifelong friends into temporary enemies, but one thing every hockey fan can agree on is how great it is watching a grizzled veteran hoist the Stanley Cup, knowing the chance may never come again.From 36-year-old Calgary Flames co-captain Lanny McDonald lifting the trophy for the first time in 1989, to Ray Bourque finally winning the championship with the Colorado Avalanche to end his 22-year career, there have been plenty of memorable Cup moments involving veteran players.Here's a trio of experienced NHLers who are likely taking their last shot at claiming hockey's Holy Grail in 2016.Pavel DatsyukThe 37-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward says he hasn't decided whether to return to Russia or remain in the NHL next season, after admitting he's considering going home to finish out his career.Datsyuk doesn't have much left to prove in North America, with a pair of Stanley Cup championships, three Selke trophies and four Lady Byng awards in a 14-year NHL career.The Magic Man still has his moments, though, and his revelatory statements over the weekend make it more evident than ever that it's time to savor every one of them while we still can.Vincent LecavalierThe Los Angeles Kings forward plans to retire at season's end, so unless he has a Datsyukian change of heart, this is it for Lecavalier.The former Tampa Bay captain won the Cup with the Lightning in 2004, but it's eluded him since.The Kings are always a threat to win come playoff time, and Lecavalier has shown occasional flashes of his former dominance since being traded to L.A. by the Philadelphia Flyers in January.Willie MitchellThe Florida Panthers captain hasn't played in months due to concussion symptoms that may force him into retirement.Mitchell is skating with the team every day, and if he's able to play this spring, his mere presence will provide the Panthers' young core with some added motivation.The 38-year-old won the Cup twice with the Kings, in 2012 and 2014, and could ride off into the sunset with a third championship if Florida is able to keep its regular-season momentum going with a title run.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Khokhlachev is frustrated.The 22-year-old center, a second-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2011, has appeared in only nine NHL games despite posting strong numbers for the team's AHL affiliate over the past three seasons.According to his agent, Bruins coach Claude Julien is to blame.

Russian defenseman Nikita Zaitsev appears set for a move to Canada.CSKA Moscow general manager Sergei Fedorov said Wednesday the 24-year-old has committed to joining the Toronto Maple Leafs.

WWE Monday Night Raw was hosted at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, and four wrestling superstars were surprised with custom Kings jerseys prior to the event.

Midway through the NHL season, it didn't appear as though the Anaheim Ducks, nor the Nashville Predators, would reach the postseason.Thanks to drastic second-half turnarounds for both teams, though, the Ducks and Predators are set to square off in the opening round.Nashville won the season series 2-1, but the clubs haven't met since November. Both strong possession teams that have trouble scoring, this has the makings of a long, tightly contested series.Tale of the tapeDucksStatisticPredators103Points962.62 (17th)Goals per game2.73 (13th)2.29 (1st)Goals against2.6 (14th)23.1% (1st)Power play19.7% (10th)87.2% (1st)Penalty kill81.2% (16th)52.4% (5th)Corsi52.5% (4th)6.6% (T-28th)5-on-5 SH%7.3% (18th)92.4% (T-18th)5-on-5 SV%92.2% (22nd)Getzlaf: 63Leading scorerForsberg: 64Key playersJohn Gibson and Frederik AndersenDucks head coach Bruce Boudreau joked he may flip a coin to decide between Gibson and Andersen to start the series, and luckily for him, both sides of that coin are reliable between the pipes.NameGPRecordGAASv%SOAndersen4322-9-72.30.9193Gibson4021-13-42.07.9204In a series that will likely be hard-pressed for goalies, the Ducks - no matter who starts in net - have a capable goalie to shut down opponents.Ryan JohansenSomeone needs to score for Nashville, and a strong series from Johansen could solidify his worth to the Predators' brass.Acquired in one of the biggest trades of the season, Johansen tallied only eight goals in 42 games with Nashville, but a good showing in the playoffs would erase a troublesome regular season.Beyond Filip Forsberg and James Neal, Nashville's offense needs to step up to beat the team that allowed the fewest goals in the 82-game campaign, and although it's a small sample size, Johansen has tallied six points in six career playoff games.Corey PerryPerry's style of play is built for the playoffs.The gritty winger excels in getting under opponents' skin, and is a menace in front of the net. Nashville's top defensive pairing of Roman Josi and Shea Weber will be in charge of neutralizing Perry's time and space, but that's easier said than done.The 30-year-old Perry has already racked up 90 career playoff contests, in which he's scored 32 goals and 42 assists.ScheduleDateTime (ET)LocationNetworksFri. April 1510:30 p.m.AnaheimNBCSN/CBC/TVA SportsSun. April 1710:30 p.m.AnaheimNBCSN/Sportsnet/TVA SportsTue. April 199:30 p.m.NashvilleUSA/SN360/TVA SportsThu. April 218 p.m.NashvilleCNBC/FX Canada/TVA SportsSat. April 23*TBDAnaheimTBDMon. April 25*TBDNashvilleTBDWed. April 27*TBDAnaheimTBD*If necessaryCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Mike Richards set to face the team he spent the first six years of his career with, Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz has promoted the forward to the team's third line, beside Jason Chimera and Marcus Johansson."I'm excited to see him play in the playoffs," Chimera said of Richards, per CSN's Chuck Gormley. "He's one of those guys that gets it done. He always brings out the physicality. Guys like him and (Justin Williams) always seem like the bigger the game the bigger they play. It’s a different dynamic for sure."Richards has struggled to produce during his short tenure in Washington, recording just five points in 39 games. But Gormley notes that like Chimera, Richards has averaged more points per game during the playoffs (0.70) than in the regular season (0.65) during his career."He has the ability to slow things down when everything gets hectic," Trotz said of the two-time Stanley Cup champion. "In the playoffs he's been a player who finds a way to affect the game in a positive way. It's the same with Justin Williams."He and Williams - his former Los Angeles Kings teammate - both boast incredible 7-0 career records in Game 7's, and the Capitals hope this veteran experience can finally bring them the playoff success that's escaped them in the past.Game 1 between the Capitals and Flyers is scheduled to begin Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk isn't ruling out dealing any of his players, but he'll leave those decisions up to his new general manager.Melnyk joined Sportsnet's "Tim & Sid" on Tuesday and was asked if he'd consider anyone on the Senators roster untradeable."No," he said.When asked if that included Erik Karlsson, Melnyk said while the owner does have final say, that decision will be made by management."I'm not going to say anything other than ... first of all, I don't make those decisions. I let the coaches and the GMs make those decisions. They come to me when it's a big name, they come to me for everything in the end, but ... if they came in and had a deal on the table ... I can't keep them accountable if I don't let them take a shot."If they're wrong and wrong and wrong, then things change, but it's their team to coach and to manage, so if I stick my nose into it, who do I blame at the end but myself? (I'll) let them do their job. That's what they're paid (to do) and that's what they know how to do much better than I ever will."Melnyk said he hopes to have a new head coach in place by the draft in late June.Pierre Dorion replaced Bryan Murray as general manager Sunday and his first major act was firing head coach Dave Cameron on Tuesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Well, that couldn't have gone any better.The Toronto Maple Leafs finally bottomed out, and for franchise supporters - who wear it like a badge of honor, an understanding of profound disappointment, and never-ceasing impending doom, of leads never too large to not be blown - it was beautiful to watch. Last place. Thirtieth. The best of the worst. They finally did it.Of timingIt's easy to get philosophical about the Maple Leafs. If God exists - a big if - she or he isn't a fan of Toronto's hockey team; that cannot be disputed. What's also certain is that timing has never been the organization's forte. Until The Great Rebuild.The Blue Jays made the playoffs in 2015. For three months, all of Toronto - babies, mothers, grandmothers - was drunk on baseball. Hockey, the Maple Leafs, weren't on the radar. Not during training camp, after expectations were placed so low they weren't even truly set. The Leafs were even an afterthought on Opening Night. "Game 5" means the complete and utter wondrous opposite to Blue Jays supporters of what "Game 7" means to Maple Leafs fans.Baseball magic transitioned almost seamlessly to basketball delight. This season's Toronto Raptors are the greatest Raptors, the best basketball team to ever call Toronto home. In the spring, the Air Canada Centre and the area around it belongs not to the Maple Leafs, but the Raptors.And what the Maple Leafs have hopefully learned is that Toronto isn't a hockey town, or a baseball, or basketball town. It's all of them. Like any place else, it only wants a winner. And it will wait. Decades. But when that winning team comes back, Toronto will be there. Will love it. Will make you think the SkyDome roof may blow off after Troy Tulowitzki hits a bases-clearing double, or when Marco Estrada triumphantly walks off the mound - again - in a do-or-die game. Whether it's the fall or the spring, whether it's the Blue Jays in the American League Division Series or the Raptors and Wizards in the first round, when the playoffs come to town, Toronto comes alive in a way only a sports team can bring it to life.The timing of president Brendan Shanahan's great gutting isn't very Maple Leafs-like at all. It's good.Babcock's LeafsWhat's been so soul-crushing about the Maple Leafs of recent years is they made you feel, well, almost nothing at all. Apathy. The Maple Leafs are not good. They lose. That's simply what they do.Paul Maurice's and Ron Wilson's teams could never make a save. Randy Carlyle was completely maddening behind the bench. The debate over Phil Kessel, which the media helped become unbearably toxic, was so polarizing to the point it became exhausting, a relic of the early Mats Sundin years, the shadow of Wendel Clark seemingly forever looming over an often brainless sports town. Dion Phaneuf's tenure was symbolic of failure, "It was 4-1" the punchline. The poor guy was sent over the boards time and time and time and time again, he never had a chance.But goodbye, finally, to all of that.It's almost surreal how quickly the tone around the Maple Leafs changed after Babcock took over. His Maple Leafs played hard. Like Shanahan, Babcock had a plan. With a rag-tag roster, Toronto had the puck. The players bought in, almost immediately. Even P.A. Parenteau was out there giving it everything he had, becoming Toronto's only 20-goal scorer. It couldn't have been hard to move on from what Carlyle was selling, but it was nothing short of striking what Babcock was able to get out of the roster he was given, a roster that continued to be dismantled in his first season on the job, that resembled a minor-league club by April.It's funny, Toronto finished dead last, but ask a Maple Leafs supporter if she or he thinks Babcock's worth all that money, and the answer's yes, oh yes, at least nine times out of 10.Everything coming up Maple LeafsWhat didn't work?Phaneuf's gone, the Ottawa Senators trading for the defenseman and his entire contract in order to try to make the playoffs. Lou Lamoriello made Stephane Robidas disappear. Joffrey Lupul may be next to go poof. Jake Gardiner was a treat to watch on the blue line, his 53.3 Corsi For rating easily the highest of his career.Morgan Rielly's going to sign a long-term extension. Nazem Kadri made fans in Babcock and Lomoriello, and proved he's one of the very, very few players who can be part of the solution in Toronto. The Martin Marincin signing worked out, Frank Corrado and Connor Carrick look like they have futures on the Toronto blue line, and Nikita Soshnikov and Zach Hyman are young forwards to be positive about. Hell, even Garret Sparks played his part. Toronto doesn't finish last if James Reimer isn't traded and Sparks isn't given the crease.Then there's young William Nylander. Eight of the 19-year-old's 13 points during his audition came at 5-on-5, his Corsi For rating an exceptional 53.9. The Maple Leafs have something in this kid, no doubt. And the last young blonde Swede who came along with a ton of pressure on his shoulders ended up with a statue outside the ACC.Pain as pleasureThe pain arrived, as prescribed. But it came as part of a plan. This wasn't the Maple Leafs expecting to make the playoffs and finishing 29th, as happened under Brian Burke in 2010. The club didn't have its first-round pick then, of course, which would have been used to draft Tyler Seguin. This time around, Toronto has two first-round picks, and two picks throughout the second, third, and fourth rounds. Twelve picks in total. And that's the difference.Pain is a big part of being a Maple Leafs supporter. Pain is always expected. But it's a lot easier to stomach when it's clear the pain will lead somewhere. It's okay to be swallowed by the losing abyss that has become the essence of the Edmonton Oilers, as long as there's a plan to get out. As the Oilers have proved, nothing's guaranteed. But the abyss and the hope that comes with it is better than the alternative, better than spinning wheels going nowhere, than no patience, no vision, nothing but pain for the sake of pain.Let's be honest, the Maple Leafs are probably not going to win the draft lottery. This goes back to timing, and God. But that's not the point. That Toronto put itself in the best position to win it, that it has the highest odds, is.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Canadian teams may have been shut out of the NHL postseason, but there is still a plethora of young Canadian talent looking to steal the spotlight as they chase a Stanley Cup, with the eyes of the entire hockey world upon them.Here's a trio of young Canucks - under 25 - worth watching this spring:Aaron Ekblad, Florida PanthersAfter being selected first overall in 2014, Ekblad needed to wait just two seasons before making his playoff debut, and the 20-year-old heads into a series against the New York Islanders in incredible form.GPGAP+/-CF%781521361850.7The defenseman has seven points and a plus-5 rating in his last six games as his ice time continues to increase, playing at least 21 minutes in all but one game since March 1.Paired with 36-year-old Brian Campbell and surrounded by veterans with a wealth of playoff experience including Roberto Luongo and Jaromir Jagr, Ekblad won't be looked upon to carry his team, but the Calder winner could make a huge statement with an impressive playoff run.Ryan Johansen, Nashville PredatorsThe Predators long coveted a No. 1 center, and believed they finally found their man after dealing Seth Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Johansen. The 23-year-old will now have to prove that he can be the difference for a team who has won just two of ten postseason series all-time.GP G A P +/- CF%80144660650.8While he failed to score at the 30-goal pace set in his past two seasons, Johansen has emerged as a key playmaker for the Predators, posting a career-high 46 assists this season while seeing power play time beside 30-goal scorers James Neal and Filip Forsberg.Nashville faces a tough test in the Anaheim Ducks, but the Predators did manage to take two of three regular-season meetings - all before the Johansen trade. If the young forward can find his scoring touch early, a first-round upset may not be unrealistic.Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay LightningOne of the biggest storylines of the NHL season is now continuing into the playoffs as Drouin has been thrust into a top-six role in the absence of captain Steven Stamkos - who is dealing with a blood clot.GP G A P +/- CF%214610150.7The 21-year-old was recalled in the midst of a five-game goal-scoring streak with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, and he continued his productive run with goals in both of his games with Tampa Bay since being brought up April 7.Last year, Drouin went pointless in six games during the Lightning's Stanley Cup Finals run, but if his recent offensive output is any indication of how he'll play in the playoffs, Steve Yzerman's decision to keep the winger at the deadline - and give him a second chance - might just save their season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dean Lombardi says Drew Doughty's lack of flair shouldn't prevent him from winning the Norris Trophy.The Los Angeles Kings general manager made the case Tuesday when asked why his franchise defenseman deserves the award, which is handed out annually to the NHL's top blue-liner."Not even close. All you've got to do is stay up and watch West Coast games, and you'll know why, and I won't even have to explain it to you," Lombardi told Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News."You know what the beauty of that position is? It's the classic case where greatness is the subtleties. And that No. 1 defenseman, what makes him special? Unless you really understand the game and see some of the things he does, you have to study the game, not watch the game, and realize what he does is really special, and has nothing to do with highlights and the points and all of this stuff."It's not the highlight-film position. It's not supposed to be, and then we turned it (into one) because (of) Paul Coffey. I guess he pulled it off. But at least Paul Coffey was in the playoffs. And this stuff that (Doughty) plays for a better team? How good do you think we are without him? How about the other way around?"Doughty's principal competitor for this year's Norris Trophy is Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson, who led all rearguards in assists and points while ranking fifth among all skaters in the latter category with 82.The Kings defenseman notched a respectable 51 points, and, like Karlsson, played in all 82 games.Doughty was unrivaled at the position when it came to puck possession, ranking first among qualified defensemen and fourth among all qualified skaters with a 58.94 even-strength Corsi For percentage, according to War-On-Ice.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran goaltender Cam Ward is heading to unrestricted free agency this summer but the 32-year-old is hopeful he can remain with the Carolina Hurricanes - with whom he has spent the first 11 years of his NHL career."I want to stay because I want to stay, but also because I believe in the group we have here, and where this organization is going," Ward said of his future, according to Michelle McMahon of Fox Sports. He also praised the team's young defensemen as a reason to stay in Raleigh."I can't say enough good things. Usually there's one rookie, but to have three, that's not normal, and they are the real deal."Rookies Noah Hanifin, Jaccob Slavin, and Brett Pesce each appeared in at least 63 games this season - and look to make up a solid defense corps for the future behind All-Star Justin Faulk.Ward, a Conn Smythe winner after the Hurricanes' 2006 Cup win in his rookie season, posted a 23-17-10 record in 52 appearances this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.