National Hockey

NASHVILLE — Mike Fisher won't play for the Predators in Game 7 against the Winnipeg Jets because of a lower-body injury.

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenceman Mark Alt to a two-year deal. The team claimed the 26-year-old off waivers from Philadelphia on Feb. 26.

NASHVILLE — Predators goalie Pekka Rinne has years of post-season experience, including a couple Game 7s and a Stanley Cup Final.

Anyone who has played with Marc-Andre Fleury can tell he's dialed in by watching his mannerisms. Last year, he rubbed the shaft of his stick after making a save with it on Alex Ovechkin.

Ed Olczyk takes one look at the white-out-wearing crowds of Jets fans packing Winnipeg's arena and surrounding streets and is reassured about what he always knew of the Canadian prairie city, even during its bleakest days.

Anticipation, excitement and a fair amount of nerves are to be expected ahead of a Game 7. That's the easy part. Or at least the predictable part.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The smiling side of a handshake line at the end of the second round was a brand-new experience for Alex Ovechkin and Barry Trotz.

BOSTON — Bruins forward Brad Marchand has used the past few days since his team was eliminated in the second round in five games by the Tampa Bay Lightning to reflect on his role in the loss.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins don't expect the sting from their second-round playoff exit to fade anytime soon.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Rod Brind'Amour helped deliver the greatest moment in Carolina Hurricanes' history — a Stanley Cup championship. His next challenge is to create more memorable moments as their coach.