A collection of the latest news from around the world of hockey:
The Penguins nearly completed a comeback for the ages (started by Phil Kessel, who else), but just fell short as the Lightning tied up the series. But losing the game wasn’t the biggest issue. Trevor Daley suffered what looked to be a very serious injury and was forced to leave the game. Since coming over from Chicago in a trade, Daley changed the complexion of the Pens defence, and he’s been a huge key to their success. Pittsburgh has been overcoming adversity and injuries all season long, so this is nothing new, but can they replace what Daley does on a nightly basis? [Todays Slapshot], [HockeyBuzz]
We don’t yet know the severity of the ailment, but Daley was seen leaving the arena on crutches. The Pens have bounced back time and time again, so don’t count them out of this series just yet. You don’t get to the Conference Final thanks to just one guy. But will life without their second most important d-man be too much to overcome? Or can these Penguins, seemingly a team of destiny, rise to the occasion once more? Lost in all the rest of the drama, Marc-Andre Fleury finally made an appearance in the net. Will he start game 5 or will Mike Sullivan go back to Murray? [NBC Sports], [TSN], [Yahoo Sports], [Pensburgh]
Can the St. Louis Blues even make a series of this or they toast? The Sharks have been better in nearly every facet of the game. Their defensive structure is causing the Blues fits. Martin Jones is on top of his game. Brent Burns is unstoppable, and San Jose’s powerplay is deadly. The Blues have come a long way, but they may have reached the end of the line against Joe Thornton and co. [CBC], [ESPN]
Does the switch to Jake Allen reek of desperation? [USA Today]
Where do the Rangers turn if they don’t bring back Keith Yandle? [Full Tilt NYR]
So that Mitch Marner kid is pretty good. [Beer League Heroes], [Last Word on Sports]
And finally, has Pavel Datsyuk signed a KHL contract? [Winging it in Motown]
