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FILE - In this May 7, 2017, file photo, Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette, top left, talks with assistant coach Kevin McCarthy during the team's 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Nashville, Tenn. Laviolette is just the third coach since the NHL split its playoffs between conferences in 1994 to take three different teams to a conference final, joining Ken Hitchcock (Dallas, Philadelphia and St. Louis) and Darryl Sutter (Chicago, Calgary and Los Angeles). If the Predators get past Anaheim in the Western Conference finals, which start Friday night, he would be the first in that span to take three different teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Peter Laviolette too busy coaching Preds to ponder history

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

New York Rangers' Rick Nash (61) fights for control of the puck with Ottawa Senators' Erik Karlsson (65) during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

It’s a trap! Cup champion Penguins wary of stingy Senators

By WILL GRAVES - Associated Press

Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie celebrates after scoring during the third period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Ducks end Game 7 woes, beat Oilers 2-1 to reach West finals

By GREG BEACHAM - Associated Press

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, is taken to the ice by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) during the second period of Game 7 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinal, Wednesday, May 10, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Caps’ Alex Ovechkin finished playoffs with lower-body injury

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2017, file photo, Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling guards the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y. Darling is ready to be a starting goalie for the first time. The Chicago Blackhawks' longtime backup is taking over as Carolina's top option following his recent trade to the Hurricanes. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)

Darling eager to capitalize on chance to start for Carolina

By JOEDY McCREARY - Associated Press

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) scores a goal past Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the second period of Game 7 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinal, Wednesday, May 10, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Penguins shut out Capitals in Game 7, advance to East final

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

Former NHL player McKegney charged with impaired driving

Associated Press

FILE - In this May 13, 2015, file photo, the New York Rangers celebrate the game winning goal by center Derek Stepan (21) against the Washington Capitals as Capitals goalie Braden Holtby looks at the puck in the net in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in New York. Game 7 may be the most exciting phrase in sports to a lot of people, but not the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have lost six of nine times they’ve faced Game 7 in the Alex Ovechkin era. Wednesday, May 10, 2017 is the chance for the Capitals to confront its Game 7 demons as it hosts the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

Capitals, Ducks confront Game 7 demons vs. Penguins, Oilers

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

LA Kings re-sign Tanner Pearson to 4-year, $15 million deal

By GREG BEACHAM - Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2015, file photo, Russia's Ilya Kovalchuk celebrates after scoring during the second period action of the Channel One Cup ice hockey match against Finland in Moscow, Russia. New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero has had preliminary talks with Ilya Kovalchuk's agent regarding the former No. 1 draft pick's pending return to the NHL four years after bolting to play in his native Russia. In speaking with agent Jay Grossman on Monday, May 8, 2017, Shero says he’s keeping all options open regarding Kovalchuk's future. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File)

Devils contact Kovalchuk to discuss pending return to NHL

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury reacts to allowing a goal to Washington Capitals' John Carlson during the third period of Game 6 in an NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinal hockey game in Pittsburgh, Monday, May 8, 2017. The Capitals won 5-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Stifled Penguins head to Game 7 looking for a spark

By WILL GRAVES - Associated Press

In this May 7, 2017, photo, Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) celebrates after scoring the winning goal against the St. Louis Blues during the third period in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Nashville, Tenn. Johansen is the big center the Predators brought in with their first big trade of 2016, lost in all the attention focused on the acquisition of defenseman P.K. Subban. Johansen has been a key piece in Nashville's run to the franchise's first ever berth in the Western Conference finals. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Preds’ 1st big trade of 2016 paying off for team, Johansen

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, of Finland, waves to fans as he leaves the ice after his team defeated the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

History made clinching Western finals berth, Preds now rest

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 17, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins' Nick Bonino (13) celebrates his goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, in Pittsburgh. With one head-snap motion, Nick Bonino drew the ire of the hockey world and put a spotlight on the sport’s dirty little secret of embellishment. Bonino sold a high-sticking penalty against Washington’s T.J. Oshie when replays showed the Pittsburgh forward was never hit in the face late in Game 4, and it worked. The Penguins got a power play and held on to win as the Capitals couldn’t get a 6-on-5 by pulling their goaltender. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Bonino incident puts focus on embellishment in hockey

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

Nashville Predators players, including Ryan Johansen (92); Ryan Ellis, center; and Viktor Arvidsson (38), of Sweden; confer during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues Friday, May 5, 2017, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Predators, Ducks win away from advancing to Western finals

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) congratulates teammates as they leave the ice after defeated the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators lead the series 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

With Laviolette, Preds find offensive payoff in postseason

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

Washington Capitals' Kevin Shattenkirk (22) celebrates with Dmitry Orlov (9), and Alex Ovechkin (8) after score the game-winning goal in overtime of Game 3 in an NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinal hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Monday, May 1, 2017. The Capitals won 3-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Shattenkirk nets OT winner for Caps; Crosby exits

By WILL GRAVES - Associated Press

Crosby, McDavid and Bobrovsky are Hart Trophy finalists

Associated Press

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, right, watches from the bench next to defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) during the third period of Game 2 in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Saturday, April 29, 2017, in Washington. Holtby was pulled from the game after the second period. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Desperate Capitals go back to Holtby for Game 3 vs. Penguins

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

Devils buck odds to win NHL draft lottery

By John Wawrow - Associated Press