National Hockey

WASHINGTON — Victor Hedman figured all the Tampa Bay Lightning needed to get back on track was a shift in momentum. The big defenceman took it upon himself to provide it.

WINNIPEG — Jonathan Marchessault was left unprotected in the expansion draft by the Florida Panthers, who seemed to determine his breakout season was a fluke. Oops.

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche are bringing back defenceman Mark Barberio on a two-year deal. Barberio is coming off a season in which he had three goals and 10 assists.

The Vegas Golden Knights are proving to be as popular at the merchandise table as they are in Sin City. The NHL expansion team has been a hot ticket all season at T-Mobile Arena and that has continued during the Golden Knights' deep playoff run.

WINNIPEG — The Jets won't be flying to Nevada carrying a heavy load of anger or desperation.

WINNIPEG — Blake Wheeler liked 57 minutes of Monday's game between Winnipeg and Vegas. The other three minutes, not so much.

WINNIPEG — Jonathan Marchessault gave a blunt assessment of the Vegas Golden Knights' pedestrian effort in Game 1 of the Western Conference final.

Eric Meadow drives around his neighbourhood with a giant logo on his car — a blue and white circle with a jet and a maple leaf — signalling to other hockey fans where his allegiance is.

WASHINGTON — Jon Cooper walked into the locker room and didn't get the sense Lightning players were down in the dumps about losing the first two games of the Eastern Conference final.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers have signed goaltender Stuart Skinner to a three-year entry-level contract.