SB Nation Denver: All Posts by Matt Brigidi

Penguins vs. Senators: Ottawa alters lines for Game 5

2013-05-24T17:02:57Z

With the Ottawa Senators' season on the brink, head coach Paul MacLean has decided to alter his starting lineup for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

MacLean will reunite the combination of captain Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek as the top forward combination. MacLean is hoping the unit can help calm the rest of the team down by getting them involved early. The second line will feature Colin Greening, Erik Condra and Kyle Turris. The bottom-six will consist of Jakob Silfverberg, Mika Zibanejad and Zack Smith on one line, with the combination of Chris Neil, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Zack Kassian on the other.

While Kassian took line rushes with Neil and Pageau, MacLean stated that Cory Conacher could play in Kassian's spot. Forward Mark Stone didn't make the trip to Pittsburgh as he sustained an undisclosed injury in Game 4.

MacLean is willing to switch up the lines during the course of the game.

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Did the Dallas Stars new logos leak?

2013-05-24T14:47:27Z

The Dallas Stars new logo apparently leaked on Thursday, when fans noticed a new logo on the team's official cell phone application. Located under the "Wallpaper" section, a circular logo with a 'D' superimposed on a star was available as an option. It is believed to be the shoulder patch design for the team's new uniforms, while the 'D' with the star is likely the crest on the sweaters.

The Stars are scheduled to introduce a re-branding on June 4, that will include a new logo and jersey pack. If these leaks are authentic (which they appear to be), the Stars have decided to alter the shade of green previously in their logo, as well as eliminate the gold accents.

When asked for comment by Brandon Worley of SB Nation's Stars' blog, Defending Big D, the team released the following statement:

"We will officially unveil our new logo and uniforms on June 4th at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Beyond that, we have no comment."

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Sergei Bobrovsky to receive offer from KHL, according to report

2013-05-24T14:21:01Z

Restricted free agent Sergei Bobrovsky will be receiving an offer from SKA St. Petersburg of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, according to reports on Friday morning.

The story surfaced via the twitter feed of Dmitry Chesnokov of Puck Daddy, who cited Vladimir Dekhtyarev. Apparently, SKA is interested in offering Bobrovsky a lucrative contract in an attempt to lure him away from the NHL. Bobrovsky previously played for SKA during the lockout and registered an 18-3-2 record with a .932 save percentage and 1.94 goals-against average.

This development comes a day after Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen stated that the two sides had made no progress in negotiations. Kekalainen confirmed that the team was prepared to retain Bobrovsky and would match any potential offer sheet. However, he did not believe the negotiations would come to that point.

This latest development is merely another point of leverage for the 24-year-old goaltender. Coming off a breakout season (albeit lockout shortened), Bobrovsky was named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. In the minds of many, he is the shoe-in favorite to win the award. Combine this with the potential of an offer sheet, as well as a lucrative offer from the KHL and you have a scenario where Bobrovsky stands to make a considerable amount of money.

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Stanley Cup playoffs 2013: Rangers take advantage of opportunity in Game 4, extend series

2013-05-24T13:42:08Z

Despite facing a daunting 3-0 series deficit, the New York Rangers managed to stave off elimination in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal when they defeated the Boston Bruins in overtime, 4-3. While the Rangers managed to battle off adversity -- at least, for one night -- the team still faces controversy as the decision to make Brad Richards a healthy scratch hangs in the ether.

When looking at Game 4 through the infallible gaze of hindsight, it appears the decision to bench Richards helped propel the team to victory. Head coach John Tortorella altered his roster prior to the contest, breaking up the fourth line of Arron Asham, Chris Kreider and Richards. In their place, Tortorella drew Derek Dorsett, Micheal Haley and Kris Newbury. While Asham joined Richards in the press box, Kreider moved up the lineup and ultimately scored the game-winning goal.

While the desired result was achieved, it still remains to be seen whether this incarnation of the Rangers truly will continue to work. That's not to say the decision to bench Richards was the wrong one. It merely raises the question of whether New York won Game 4 or Boston lost it.

At one point in the contest, it appeared as though the Rangers' season was nearing its end. Namely, at the 12-minute mark of the second period when the Bruins had a two-goal lead after a pair of power play strikes. 39 seconds later, Carl Hagelin brought the Rangers within a goal with the aid of a creative lead pass from Derick Brassard.

That, in combination with a bizarre moment by Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask.

It wasn't the only advantageous strike for New York. At the opening of the third period, Rick Nash attempted to begin a forecheck by dumping the puck into Boston's zone. Rask left the net to coral the puck and handed it off to captain Zdeno Chara. As Chara broke from behind the net, Derek Stepan picked the puck off Chara's stick and brought the score even at two.

Whether the goal was scored because Chara's awareness was lacking, Rask was too lackadaisical in getting back to his net or Stepan made a great play is up for interpretation. Regardless of how one chooses to look at it, the end result was the Rangers gaining new life in a game they appeared ready to lose.

Had Boston not allowed these seemingly preventable goals, would TD Garden still be hosting semifinal contests? Probably not.

While the Bruins created an opening for their opponents, the Rangers still deserve some credit for coming away with the win. The team fell behind a second time when Tyler Seguin reestablished the Bruins lead later in the third. Despite this, New York responded with two unanswered goals.

While it remains to be seen what Tortorella does with his lineup for Game 5, it's probably a safe bet that he won't alter much. Especially in the case of Richards.

It will be interesting to see if New York can continue to extend the series. The Bruins seemingly dominated long stretches of Game 4 and has appeared the superior of the two teams. Given the difficulty of completing a sweep, one flawed performance probably shouldn't create too much cause for concern, even while accounting for demons from the Bruins' past.

The series will resume in Boston for Game 5 on Saturday night.

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Stanley Cup playoffs: Rangers avoid sweep, Wings and Kings win

2013-05-23T19:43:50Z

Thursday night the Rangers avoided sweep with an overtime win over the Bruins, while the Red Wings and Kings won to move to within a game of clinching their respective series.

New York Rangers forward Brad Richards confirmed he will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

Richards said head coach John Tortorella called him at home on Thursday morning in order to inform him of the decision. At morning skate, Richards remained on the ice after practice, which is usually an indication of a player being held out as a scratch.

With the Rangers trailing the Bruins 3-0 in the series, it's shocking to learn that Richards won't be in the lineup. Signed last summer to a nine-year, $60 million contract as an unrestricted free agent, Richards was acquired in order to be a difference-maker. His being held out of the lineup in an elimination game is not something to be expected with a player of his ability.

However, Richards struggled in 2013 and that remained the case in the postseason. He has one point in ten playoff games and is averaging 14:43 of ice time per game. In recent contests, he has been moved onto the fourth line and hasn't played more than 13 minutes since Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

During the regular season, he averaged 18:48 of ice time per game.

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Don Maloney near contract extension with Coyotes, according to report

2013-05-23T18:36:48Z

The Phoenix Coyotes are nearing a contract extension with general manager Don Maloney, according to a report by Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona.

For more on the Coyotes visit: Five for Howling

Morgan cites multiple sources in saying that the Coyotes, in conjunction with the NHL (the team's current owner), are finalizing the details of an extension. The specifics of the contract were not made available. Maloney's current contract will end on June 30. Many believe he would be highly sought after in the event that he was not retained by Phoenix.

The situation with the Coyotes has been tumultuous. The NHL has had operational control of the franchise since 2009 and has been attempting to sell it since. However, no deal has successfully been finalized. Many believed this would impact the negotiations with Maloney and head coach Dave Tippett, whose contract also expires on June 30. Some had expressed the opinion that they would wait until the ownership situation was resolved before renegotiating with the team.

However, if this report is accurate, it seems Maloney will still be in place regardless of what happens.

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