Watch Out for Tavares and the Islanders Next Season

John Tavares and the Islanders should be proud of their efforts throughout the season and playoffs. (Shannon Stapleton)

The New York Islanders may have left the ice with their heads downs following their heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6, but the home crowd Nassau Coliseum was on its feet applauding their efforts.

This was after all the Islanders' first playoff appearance since 2007. They gave the top seed Penguins all they could handle and then some in every game. With a team with so many young players like this Islanders franchise has, they will be able to use this experience to come back even better and hungrier next season to make another run at Lord Stanley's Cup.

For so many years, the Islanders have been ridiculed as the doormat of the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Islanders were adding and developing players through the draft and free agency. The used the very same model the Penguins used to build back up their elite franchise. The Islanders came into this season with the talent, but that had to prove it on the ice.

"We've taken a lot of heat in the past three years since I've been here, a lot of criticism from the media, people looked at us as a laughingstock," said Islanders forward Matt Martin. "Throughout this series, we showed we can play with anyone. We’re excited about the future. We think we have something special here." 

The Penguins witnessed firsthand the resiliency shown by this pesky and determined Islanders team. The vast majority of experts pegged this series as a four or five game piece of cake for the top seed. It turned out to be anything but that.

"It was every bit of a battle in those six games," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said after his team punched its ticket to a second-round matchup against the seventh-seeded Ottawa Senators. 

As I have already mentioned, this is a very good, young Islanders team. They have already made improvements. They are only going to continue to get better. One of the most obvious improvements that has been made this season has been the Islanders' increase in scoring depth/ Last season, they relied almost completely on superstar center John Tavares and linemate Matt Moulson. The lack of scoring depth made the task easy for opposing defenses to stop.

During this season and in the playoffs, the emergence of a strong second line has strengthened the Islanders' offense immensely. This line comprises of center Frans Nielsen and wingers Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo. During the six-series playoff series with the Penguins, this trio tallied three goals and six assists. This is a huge reason why the Islanders' offense was a threat throughout the series.

We cannot overlook the efforts of the depth forwards on the third and fourth lines as well. Michael Grabner and Casey Cizikas got involved in the scoring in the playoffs and will continue to develop next season. Matt Martin and Colin MacDonald also gave the team good energy, penalty killing and defending on the fourth line.

Of course, we cannot move on from the Islander offense without taking a look at the play of Tavares. He has truly emerged as one of the top players and leaders in the league. Tavares led the team with 47 points in 48 games, which included 28 goals scored (third highest in the NHL). His leadership, consistent offensive efforts and defensive improvement were among the main reasons why the Islanders were able to return to the playoffs. These efforts have not gone unnoticed as Tavares was one of three players to earn a Hart Trophy nomination.

Defensively, the Islanders have utilized a combination of experienced veterans and talented young players. This will only help the team to continue to improve for years to come. It all begins with the dynamic duo of captain Mark Streit and veteran defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. They played very well against the Penguins, The Islanders will need to re-sign Streit if they hope to keep him. If they are able to do so, this pairing will continue to provide the team with scoring, poise and leadership on the blue line.

The emergence of 22-year-old defensemen Travis Hamonic has been has been a pleasant surprise for the Islanders. His play against the Penguins was absolutely superb. Harmonic provided strong defense and a level of poise well beyond his years. He was able to keep Hart Trophy finalist Sidney Crosby under wraps for much of the series.

There were 16 Islanders who this series with the Penguins with four or fewer games of playoff experience, including Tavares and Moulson. These players learned much about the intensity, pressure and atmosphere that the playoffs create. With very promising young players like Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart waiting in the wings, these experienced players will be able to help them to be ready to compete with the best the NHL has to offer.

The Islanders have proven they belong on the same ice as the most talented team in the Eastern Conference. They have even frankly outplayed the Penguins at many points in the series. Even though they didn't come away the victor in the end, the Islanders have taken significant strides toward becoming a Stanley Cup contender for years to come.

Vokoun Provided Stability Penguins Needed to Rout Islanders

Tomas Vokoun's 31-save shutout was an integral part of the Penguins 4-0 win over the Islanders in Game 5. (Jason Cohn)

The Pittsburgh Penguins were heavily favored going into their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series matchup with the New York Islanders. Following a 5-0 thrashing in Game 1, everyone thought a Penguins sweep was inevitable. The Islanders though didn't get the memo. A 6-4 win on Tuesday sent the series back to Pittsburgh tied 2-2.

What had gone wrong for the Penguins? A major issue was the lack of consistency and confidence from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury shut out the Islanders in Game 1 on May 1, but he allowed 14 goals in the three games since. This left head coach Dan Bylsma no choice but to give veteran Tomas Vokoun the start in Game 5.

Fleury struggles in net date back to last year's postseason. He has allowed 40 goals in his past 10 postseason games. The decision to make the change was difficult though seeing that Fleury had started every Penguins playoff game since 2007. When Vokoun took his place between the pipes for the opening faceoff Thursday night, it was the first time in 12 years someone other than Fleury started a playoff game for the Penguins.

The Penguins had brought Vokoun in for a situation such as this. During this past offseason, he was signed to a two-year contract to provide insurance in case Fleury struggled. When Fleury did struggle, Bylsma knew that he must turn to Vokoun. This would be the veteran's first appearance in a Stanley Cup playoff game since 2007.

Even though Vokoun is in his 14th NHL season, has played 700 career regular-season games and has 300 career victories, he admitted that felt the nerves throughout the day.

"I don't care who you are, you get a little nervous. I think you wouldn't be human if you weren't," Vokoun said. "I just tried to stay focused, but you don't want to get too focused because you don't want to wear yourself down thinking about the game four hours before the game starts. But it's still a game and you have to enjoy it."

The Penguins did not need Vokoun to be extraordinary. When you have a dynamic offense like the Penguins do, you just need a solid performance from your netminder. You just need him to make the saves he is supposed to make.

In Game 5, Vokoun did exactly that, especially when the Penguins need it the most. The Islanders controlled the first period. They had a number of great opportunities and outshot the Penguins 14-7, but Vokoun stood strong and would not give in.

The Penguins offense took control of the game from there. With three second period goals, they took control of the game. A third period power play goal by Kris Letang iced the game away. Vokoun made 31 saves enroute to the shutout.

"He was solid," Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said of Vokoun. "Hopefully we didn't make things too tough on him. We didn't do a great job of helping Marc out and we wanted to make sure we did a better job in front of our goalie. He made some good saves, but I think we did a better job in front of him and at keeping the puck down in their end a little more."

The Penguins will hit the road and look to wrap the series up on Saturday night. Following his solid performance in Game 5, it is expected that Vokoun will get another start. Once again, the Penguins don't need him to be extraordinary. If Vokoun can be solid like he was in Game 5, this is a team that is fully capable of making a run at Lord Stanley's Cup.

Top Winners From The NHL Trade Deadline

The Columbus Blue Jackets hope that trade deadline acquisition Marian Gaborik will help them return to the playoffs. (Al Bello)

The trade deadline in any sport can make a significant impact on a team whether they are buyers or sellers. Many NHL teams were looking for that one or two pieces that might push them over the edge in the quest to lift Lord Stanley's Cup. I have determined which teams I think are the top three winners at the trade deadline as they make a push for the postseason.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - The Penguins were one of the most active teams throughout the trade deadline window. They got things going early on and were still in the mix for some deals right before the deadline. The Penguins began by acquiring three in a span of four days (March 24-27). Veteran forwards Brenden Morrow and Jarome Iginla will help provide the Penguins with scoring depth and playoff experience up front. Douglas Murray gives the Penguins another defender who can deliver hits and block shots when needed. Just when it seemed the Penguins might be finished, general manager Ray Shero added one more piece to the puzzle in Jussi Jokinen from the Hurricanes. Jokinen will likely start at center while the Penguins wait for captain Sidney Crosby to recover from a broken jaw. Additionally, Jokinen brings valuable playoff experience for the Hurricanes' run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2009. His presence adds yet another depth piece to an already stocked front line.

2. Minnesota Wild - The Wild have been one of the Western Conference's best teams the past several weeks. As they look to prove that they are Stanley Cup contenders, they acquired one of the best players available at the deadline in Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville. The Wild did have to give up quite a bit in return. This included highly touted prospect Johan Larsson, goaltending prospect Matt Hackett, a first-round pick in 2013 and a second-round pick in 2014. The Wild did also receive the Sabres' fourth-round pick in 2014. That is a lot to give up, but for what a player like Pominville could mean to a playoff run, it is well worth it. He has reached the 30-goal plateau twice and recorded at least 20 goals in six straight seasons. Pominville adds the kind of scoring depth that the Wild need for a playoff run. He is a leader with the character and experience that is such a benefit to the team as a whole. The Wild are going to be battling the Vancouver Canucks for the Northwest Division crown the remainder of this month. This deadline move could prove to be enough to help them secure home-ice for the first round and possibly beyond.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets - After years and years of selling at the trade deadline, the Blue Jackets were actually buyers this season. The shocked everyone by acquiring three-time 40-goal scorer Marian Gaborik from the struggling New York Rangers. Just like the case was with the Wild acquiring Pominville, the price was heavy for Gaborik. The Blue Jackets gave up three of their key role players in Derek Dorsett (currently injured), Derick Brassard and John Moore. That is a significant amount to give up, but when you consider that this is team that has been to the playoffs just once (and were swept by Detroit in that lone playoff visit), the fact that they are in the hunt for a surprise postseason berth, makes Gaborik definitely worth the cost. Gaborik fell out of favor with the Rangers due to tension between him and head coach John Tortorella. The trade though reunites him with former teammates Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky, who ended up with the Blue Jackets in the Rick Nash trade last summer. Gaborik can definitely be an impact player with a fresh start from a team desperate that is desperate for his scoring help. The Blue Jackets currently rank 29th in goals per game and 27th on the power play. They will need Gaborik to help spark their offense if they hope to secure a return to the postseason.

No Suspension for Cooke is Proper Decision by the NHL

Erik Karlsson grimaces in pain after his Achilles’ tendon was cut by the skate of Matt Cooke. (Gene J. Puskar)

When Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke looked to check Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson into the boards during Wednesday night's game, Cooke's skate was slightly elevated. It made contact with the back of Karlsoon's leg, who immeadiately grimaced and went down on the ice.

The diagnosis was not pretty. Cooke's skate had caused a 70 percent laceration of Karlsson's Achilles’ tendon. This means Karlsson will likely be out three to four months, which is the remainder of the season. This is a just a big loss for the Senators, but for all of hockey. The reigning Norris trophy winner is one of the best and most enjoyable defenseman in the league.

The Senators organization, especially owner Eugene Melnyk, has been vocal about their desire to see Cooke suspended for what they believe to a malicious play. However, there is no evidence that Cooke had any malevolent intent during the play. The only reason that a rumor of suspension is being brought up is because of Cooke's history in the league.

Cooke has been suspended by the league five times for illegal hits. In 2009, he had hits to the head of  Artem Anisimov and Scott Walker. His blindside hit of Marc Savard in 2010 led to league changes to head shot rules. In February 2011, he had controversial hits on Alexander Ovechkin and Fedor Tyutin. The worst incident though came a month later when Cooke was suspended for a hit to the Ryan McDonagh.

The Penguins organizations even supported the suspension following the hit on McDonagh. General Manager Ray Shero told Cooke that he had to change his style of play, or he would be looking for a new place of employment. Cooke has kept himself clean since the suspension, until the incident with Karlsson came along.

Everyone who can look at the incident from an unbiased standpoint realizes that this was merely an unfortunate accident. Cooke did not even know what happened during the play until after the game.

"It wasn’t until after the game when I found out what actually happened, and instantly you feel awful,” Cooke said. “It was totally not my intent on the play. It was just a freak kind of accident, and I hope [Karlsson] understands that."

Even some of Cooke's harshest critics in the past have gone to his defense for this case. Don Cherry, the Hockey Night in Canada commentator who has ridiculed Cooke in the past, said Cooke did not intentionally try to injure Karlsson.

"No, he didn’t do that [on purpose]. It was a freak accident. No human being would do that," said Cherry. "I think he was just trying to take him in there [to the boards] … it was an accident."

Brendan Shanahan and the NHL's player safety department agreed with Cherry's assessment. They determined that Cooke should not be disciplined for his skate cutting Karlsson. I agree with their conclusion as well. The accident is an unfortunate one, but there was no malicious intent involved at all.

The Penguins organization feels badly about what happened and understands the pain that the Senators are now going through. They lost their leader, Sidney Crosby, for an extended time following a hard hit by David Steckel.

"I feel horrible for Erik Karlsson, I feel bad for Ottawa," said Shero. "It’s a bad feeling. But I can't rationalize where that was a dirty play or anything with intent. Our fan base knows how it feels to lose a star player. It's emotional. I know how it feels like. It's just very unfortunate. I would not be defending Matt Cooke if I thought it was a dirty hockey play."

I have a few last thoughts as a result of all of this. First, our prayers and thoughts go out to Karlsson for a speedy recovery. Second, I respect the NHL for making the proper decision in not suspending Cooke. Finally, I hope that players around the world realize the importance of wrapping tape around the area at the top of their skates to prevent this type of incident from every happening again.

Top Five Stories to Follow This NHL Season

A healthy Sidney Crosby is exactly what the NHL looks to put the lockout behind them. (Gene J. Puskar)

After a long and laborious lockout, the NHL season finally gets under way tomorrow. In this shortened season, there are many stories to follow. I will simply give five of my top ones to watch throughout this season.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby returns to the ice fully healthy. Crosby significantly benefited from the lockout in that he was able to get fully healthy after battling through concussions the last two seasons. Crosby was inspirational in moving the NHL past the 2005 lockout and bringing fans back to the game. This season could be very similar. Crosby could be set for a huge return to stardom. That is something even his haters cannot ignore.

2. The Minnesota Wild spent big money during the offseason, but it remains to be seen if it will be worth it. The Wild have not been to the playoffs since 2008. Their main struggle last season was that they had the NHL's worst offense. During the offseason, the Wild spent a combined $196 million on free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. Whether that can translate to success, remains to be seen. The Wild have many unanswered questions so far, including whether or not goaltender Josh Harding can return to top form following his inspiring return from multiple sclerosis.

3. Rick Nash could be the missing piece that the New York Rangers need to win the Stanley Cup. The Rangers have had some great pieces. Brad Richards, Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik lead the way offensively. They also have had a solid core of young players and a solid defense that is anchored by Henrik Lundqvist, one of the greatest goaltenders in the world. Over the past several years, they simply have not been enough. This likely prompted the Rangers to go out and get Rick Nash. Nash is one of the league's best scorers and is going to make a huge impact if he can adjust to life in the spotlight.

4. The Carolina Hurricanes could be this season's surprise playoff team. The Hurricanes were not in the playoff picture last season, but they steadily improved as the season wore on. In fact, they had the Southeast Division's best record over the last 48 games of this past season. In the offseason, the Hurricanes bolstered their roster by acquiring Jordan Staal and signing Alexander Semin. They could be primed to make some noise in a winnable division.

5. This could be the season the Detroit Red Wings finally don't make the playoffs. Last season, the Red Wings fell down to the fifth seed in the playoffs. Then, during the offseason, they had to deal with the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the best defensemen in NHL history. The affect this will have on the Red Wings, remains to be seen. Some people believe that they could wind up coming up short in their bid for their 22nd straight playoff berth.

Malkin Wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP

Evgeni Malkin stands behind the three trophies he was awarded. (Bruce Bennett)

Evgeni Malkin is finally receiving the respect he deserves. Long overshadowed by teammate and fellow superstar Sydney Crosby, Malkin has been use to being more or less in the background. This season was not that way as Malkin arguably had the best season of his career, despite doing most of it without Crosby. Concussions limited Crosby to playing in only 22 games this season.

From training camp on throughout the regular season and playoffs, Malkin had a renewed determination about his play. After missing much of the latter part of the 2010-11 season due to knee surgery, he was ready to get out there and take on a more prominent role. The result was a regular season total of 109 points with 50 goals and 59 assists. That meant Malkin finished with the most points in the league, second most goals, and third most assists.

With the Stanley Cup well in the books, all hockey eyes turned Wednesday night to the NHL's Awards show. Malkin's season was so incredible that he not only won one trophy. Not even two. But three trophies total. First, he won the Hart Trophy, becoming the league's most valuable player for the first time. Second, Malkin won his second Art Ross Trophy as the league scoring champion. Third, he won the Ted Lindsay Award, which is the honor of best player in the league as determined by the NHLPA members. Malkin could hardly believe it. He stated, "It's the best day of my life. It's a pretty special day, and I'm very excited and nervous."

Did Malkin need these honors to earn his place among the best in the game? No, he did not. He had already won a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and an Art Ross Trophy. These trophies are merely confirmation of what is already widely known. The crazy thing about Malkin is that he turns just 26 years old next month. He is just beginning the prime of his career. Evgeni Malkin is one of the greatest hockey players in the world and should be for many years to come.

Crosby's Penguins are the Best Team in Hockey

In their last 30 games, the Pittsburgh Penguins are 24-4-2. That is just plain ridiculous. The Penguins have steamrolled through the latter part of January, all of February, and all of March so far. As if things couldn't get any better, superstar Sidney Crosby returned to the ice for his first home game in more than three months tonight. How did the Penguins celebrate? They gave goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury the night off, but no need to worry. The offense netted eight goals. James Neal recorded his second NHL hat trick, Evgeni Malkin had five points (2 goals and 3 assists), and Crosby added four assists.

The Penguins are playing lights out hockey right now. Fleury leads the NHL wins and is among the leaders across the statline. Malkin extended his NHL points lead to 93. The Penguins are now only a point behind the New York Rangers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. It is amazing to consider that they have done this despite being decimated by injuries, particularly those to Crosby.

If Crosby can remain healthy and in top form, there is no reason in my mind why the Penguins shouldn't be considered the best team in hockey. They are on fire as a team and that is unlikely to change before the playoffs, which are only three weeks away. Malkin should win MVP of the league. Fleury should also be among the favorites for the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender). The bottomline is that those trophies don't matter. All the Penguins are focused on is winning games, with the ultimate goal being to win the trophy that does matter, Lord Stanley's Cup.

Who's Marching Into March, and Who's Not?

Marching Forward

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - 83 points, 4th place in the Eastern Conference

The Pittsburgh Penguins won their sixth in a row tonight and are 8-2-0 in their last ten. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been a rock in the net. The win tonight gave him four straight seasons with 35 or more wins. He is one of only four goaltenders in NHL history to accomplish the feat. The winning streak has pushed the Penguins past the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

2. St. Louis Blues - 89 points, 2nd place in the Western Conference

The St. Louis Blues are marching to the tune of 5-1-0 in the last six. The streak has the Blues tied with the Red Wings for the Central Division lead. Center T.J. Oshie, who leads the team in points, has seven points in his last five games. The Blues begin a three game homestand tomorrow, before heading on a big seven game road trip. That road trip could have a lot to say about who will win the Central Division.

3. Chicago Blackhawks - 79 points, 6th place in the Western Conference

The Chicago Blackhawks are 7-3 in their last ten, including a nice 2-1 win at the Detroit Red Wings. The streak has pushed them ahead of the pack trying to get the last couple playoff spots in the Western Conference. Backup goaltender Ray Emery is a main reason why. He was named the NHL's third star of the week, due to his efforts last week. Emery was 3-0-0 with a 1.12 goals against average and a .959 save percentage. The Blackhawks travel to St. Louis tomorrow and host the New York Rangers on Friday night.

Marching Backward

1. Boston Bruins - 79 points, 2nd place in the Eastern Conference

The Boston Bruins are mired in mediocrity right now. They've slipped to 2-3-1 in their past six. The top spot in the Eastern Conference seems to be out of the question right now, as they are far more concerned with the Ottawa Senators who are now only three points back for the Northeast Division lead. Goaltender Tim Thomas has struggled lately, letting 13 goals in past five games. However, Thomas is unlikely to see a break with backup Tuukka Rask out the next four-to-six weeks. The Bruins did sign veteran netminder Marty Turco, but his conditioning is in question.

2. San Jose Sharks - 73 points, 8th place in the Western Conference

The San Jose Sharks have gone from being in comfortable control of the Pacific Division to barely hanging on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The reason why? The Sharks have just four wins in their past fifteen games. They now sit third in the Pacific Division are in danger of falling out of the playoffs altogether. If the Sharks are going to win the division or at least make the playoffs, they better start turning things around soon, before it it too late.

3. Washington Capitals - 69 points, 9th place in the Eastern Conference

The Washington Capitals seemed to be heading in the right direction when they won three games in a row, but they've now been shutout both of their last two games. Everyone thought this team was going to make a charge into the playoffs, but this team looks less and less like it everyday. The Capitals might go from playoff flop to missing them all together. This has been a disappointing season to say the least.

NHL Teams Rising and Falling as They Start 2012

We are ten days into 2012, and the NHL standings show teams on the rise and teams on the fall. I will take look at three of each.

Teams on the Rise

1. New York Rangers - The New York Rangers got the come-from-behind win in the Winter Classic and haven't looked back. They are winners of five straight and nine of their last ten. The win streak also gives them the most points of any team in the NHL. Things are going well to say the least for John Tortorella's club right now.

2. San Jose Sharks - The San Jose Sharks have a nice win streak going as well. They've won four in a row and are 8-1-1 in their last ten. The offense is starting to come together for the Sharks, who now lead the Pacific Division. If they can maintain their success, they will be eyeing the best record in the Western Conference.

3. Ottawa Senators - The Ottawa Senators may be overachieving right now, but one can't deny how well the team is playing. They are an impressive 9-2-2 in their last thirteen games. With this streak of great play, the Senators have even pulled themselves into the thick of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

Teams on the Fall

1. Chicago Blackhawks - It is a surprise to see the Chicago Blackhawks on this list, but the team has lost four games in a row. During the losing streak, they have given up sixteen goals. The Blackhawks need to pull it together on defense and in the net. The team has already fallen to third in the Central Division standings.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins - Life simply isn't treating the Pittsburgh Penguins very well right now. It appears that Jordan Staal and James Neal will be joining Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang in rehab with substantial injuries. The team has lost four in a row and scored only five goals in those games. The question becomes whether or not this team will be able to pull it together and make the playoffs.

3. Minnesota Wild - The Minnesota Wild continue to fall farther and farther as their team's offense continues in its continual drought. The Wild have only won one game in their last twelve. During that stretch, their offense has only managed to score seventeen goals. If this team doesn't find some offense soon, they are going to keep on plummeting.

Sidney Crosby Looks Like His Old Self

The Pittsburgh Penguins were already tied for first with the most points in the NHL. The Penguins have been playing great. Could things get any better? They just did. Superstar Sidney Crosby returned to the ice for the first time in 10 months following a serious concussion. What does he do in his first game back? He scores 2 goals and has 2 assists. Should we be surprised? I don't think so. This is what we've come to expect from him. It's just wonderful to see him back on the ice.

In other NHL News:

The San Jose Sharks are on fire right now. After starting the season 1-3-0, the Sharks have now gone 11-2-1 in their last 14 games. The Sharks have 25 points in 19 games on the season, giving them the best winning percentage (.694).

The Boston Bruins say not so fast. Do you think the Sharks are hot? You should check us out. The Bruins are currently on a 9 game winning streak. They may have started the season 3-7, but that seems like a faint memory now.

The Minnesota Wild have won 4 in a row and are tied for the most points in the NHL with 27. How are they doing it? The Wild are without doubt the stingiest team in the NHL. They are allowing only 1.95 goals per game. The problem though is on the other end of the ice. The Wild's offense is ranked 28th in the NHL. If they offense improves at all, this could be an even tougher team to beat.

ESPN's Scott Burnside's take on Sidney Crosby's return to the ice: http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/12412/size-of-stage-no-match-for-sidney-crosby

NHL.com examination of the Minnesota Wild: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=602473