Articles by Doug Stolhand

DETROIT – It’s back.The Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche will rekindle one of the NHL’s best rivalries on Thursday night in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Jaromir Jagr sort of knows what to expect from Steel City fans who used to cheer his every move when he starred with Mario Lemieux and the high-flying Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1990s.

CALGARY – For the third year in a row, more was expected of the Calgary Flames.But the veteran team with a veteran coach exited in the first round of NHL playoffs again.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – In his first 18 NHL seasons, Jeremy Roenick would have celebrated a decisive playoff win in old-time hockey fashion by downing a few cold beers, or perhaps a good glass of wine.

DALLAS – Free from the burden of repeated playoff failures, the Dallas Stars had another reason to feel relieved Wednesday.Defenceman Sergei Zubov, out since January with various ailments, returned to practice and said he felt good afterward.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to look elsewhere for their new general manager.Brian Burke put widespread rumours regarding his future to rest Wednesday, announcing he will remain with the Anaheim Ducks through at least the 2008-09 season.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Alex Ovechkin is locked up. Now comes word that Bruce Boudreau is, too.With the superstar player signed for 13 years and the coach under contract “for a long time,” the Washington Capitals began their off-season Wednesday with a couple of certainties and a whole lot of decisions to make.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Coach Bruce Boudreau has been given a contract to stay with the Washington Capitals, a reward for leading the team from last in the NHL to a Southeast Division title.

BY JIM CRESSMAN
Nineteen-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Steve Mason, currently a goaltender with the Ontario League’s Kitchener Rangers, will be on the shelf for four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a minor tear April 18.

After knocking off the defending champion Anaheim Ducks, the Dallas Stars are now looking like Stanley Cup contenders as they get set to face the deep and talented San Jose Sharks in the second round of NHL playoffs.

MONTREAL – Some media are challenging the police seizure of recorded images of the rioting that erupted after the Montreal Canadiens won their series against the Boston Bruins.

MONTREAL – Montreal police have been visiting media outlets to seize recorded images of the rioting that happened after the Montreal Canadiens won their series against the Boston Bruins.

TORONTO – They were 1-2-3 in the NHL’s rookie scoring race and they are the final three contenders for the Calder Trophy.Forwards Patrick Kane, Nicklas Backstrom and Jonathan Toews were announced as the finalists for the rookie award Wednesday, the cream of the crop in a season where many fresh faces made a strong case for themselves.

MONTREAL – Police reported lots of jubilation but little confrontation as a show of force coupled with the resolve of citizens amounted to quiet night following Thursday night’s Montreal Canadiens victory.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The long break between series has been driving some of the Colorado Avalanche players bonkers.Not Peter Forsberg. He couldn’t have asked for a better scenario.

NEW YORK – NHL games will continue to air on NBC next season.The network decided to exercise its option to extend the contract, it announced Wednesday.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – Nashville Predators forward Martin Erat will play for the Czech Republic at the upcoming IIHF world hockey championship in Quebec City and Halifax.

CALGARY – The streets of Calgary were cold and quiet Tuesday night as the Flames were handily defeated in the deciding game seven of their first NHL playoff round series against the San Jose Sharks.

Summaries from Tuesday’s NHL playoff games:Flames 3 at Sharks 5First Period1. San Jose, Thornton 2 (Cheechoo, Roenick) 10:57 (pp)2. Calgary, Iginla 4 (Aucoin, Phaneuf) 12:23 (pp)Penalties – Eriksson Cal (hooking) 9:32, Michalek SJ (holding) 12:07, Nolan Cal, Clowe SJ (roughing) 12:46, Phaneuf Cal (holding) 17:12.