National Hockey

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman earned accolades for making the boldest moves in improving Tampa Bay's Stanley Cup aspirations at the NHL's trade deadline in February.

MONTREAL — Max Pacioretty is quite aware that his days as a Montreal Canadien may be numbered.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Even the simplest of tasks like breathing and eating were painstakingly difficult for Logan Couture heading into the playoffs a year ago.

NEWARK, N.J. — Talk about making the most of opportunities. Look at what New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid has done the last 10 weeks.

TAMPA, Fla. — Steven Stamkos is back on the ice, eager to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning into the NHL playoffs. The five-time All-Star missed the last three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury.

ST. LOUIS — Three days after missing the playoffs, the St. Louis Blues learned their star forward Vladimir Tarasenko will need surgery on Wednesday for a dislocated left shoulder.

PITTSBURGH — The chase began nearly a year ago, when Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan addressed hundreds of thousands of fans following a second Stanley Cup championship parade through choked downtown streets in as many summers.

Will the Pittsburgh Penguins create a dynasty with a third straight Stanley Cup, or will Winnipeg or Toronto break Canada's 25-year championship drought? Can Nashville get the job done after losing in last year's final, or will the expansion Golden K

DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings are bringing coach Jeff Blashill for a fourth season, sticking with him while they rebuild after missing the post-season for the second year in a row.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Philipp Grubauer will start Washington's playoff opener against Columbus, the first Capitals goaltender not named Braden Holtby to start a post-season series since 2011.