National Hockey

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Washington Capitals can now turn their attention to the Pittsburgh Penguins and avenging some playoff disappointments.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — When Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold entered the team's new practice facility a couple of weeks ago, the organizational motto was staring him in the face.

NASHVILLE — Losing the Stanley Cup last June wasn't what hurt Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg the most. Seeing how painful the loss was for veteran centre Mike Fisher proved even more agonizing.

WINNIPEG — Tyler Myers knows he's about to take part in a marquee playoff matchup that will send one very good team home for the summer. The Winnipeg defenceman just hopes it's not his Jets.

CALGARY — The sooner Bill Peters can tick the box of coaching an NHL playoff team, the better for him and the Calgary Flames. The 53-year-old from Three Hills, Alta., was introduced Monday as the Calgary's new head coach.

DENVER — Fair warning to the rest of the league: As fast and young as the Colorado Avalanche were this season, general manager Joe Sakic vows to make them even faster and younger. It's become a full-speed-ahead priority.

PHILADELPHIA — Sidney Crosby tormented the Flyers just as he has from the start of his NHL career. Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin were clutch when needed in pivotal games.

DENVER — The Nashville Predators are done dealing with the speed of Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche. Next, they get the physicality of Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets . There's no easy test this time of year. "They've got size.

PHILADELPHIA — Flyers fans spent the final minutes of another empty season doing what boorish fans do with elimination on deck. They chucked beer cans and threw trash and hats and whatever objects were within reach onto the ice.

DENVER — Colorado had speed and youth. Nashville brought experience and know-how. It was plain to see which won out — this time.