News

MONTREAL – It seems that it is goalscoring and not goaltending that is at the root of the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff predicament.Debate raged after coach Guy Carbonneau named backup Jaroslav Halak as the starter for Game 4 of their playoff series against Philadelphia, but the result was the same – the Canadiens lost 4-2 despite outshooting the Flyers by a wide margin.

DENVER – The fiery rivalry has fizzled.

Usually a hotly contested, physical tussle, the Colorado-Detroit series hasn’t lived up to its past.

TORONTO – Hart Trophy finalists Jarome Iginla, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin will also be in the running for the Lester B. Pearson Award as the top player of the 2007-08 season, the NHL Players’ Association announced Thursday.

The NHLPA has announced Jarome Iginla, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin as finalists for the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the “most outstanding player” as voted by members of the players union.

NEW YORK – Rangers forward Sean Avery remained in an intensive care unit Thursday, two days after his spleen was lacerated during a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL scoring summaries from Wednesday:Canadiens 2 at Flyers 4First PeriodNo Scoring.Penalties – Richards Pha (boarding) 5:25, Kukkonen Pha (roughing) 11:14.

Movements in the world of hockey Wednesday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Signed F Matt Beleskey, F Jason Bailey and D John de Gray to three-year entry-level contracts.

DALLAS – Back to the Shark Tank.Milan Michalek scored San Jose’s first power-play goal of the series with 16:34 left and the Sharks beat Dallas 2-1 on Wednesday night to avoid being swept in the Western Conference semifinals.

TORONTO – Bruce Boudreau was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year Wednesday after leading the Washington Capitals to a remarkable turnaround.

PHILADELPHIA – Daniel Briere was steaming on the Philadelphia Flyers bench, upset at himself and his line for giving the Montreal Canadiens a new life.

PHILADELPHIA – Daniel Briere was steaming on the Philadelphia Flyers bench, upset at himself and his line for giving the Montreal Canadiens a new life.

DALLAS – Dallas Stars center Stu Barnes missed Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series against San Jose on Wednesday night, a day after he took a hard hit to the head.

PHILADELPHIA – The Montreal Canadiens are one game away from elimination despite yet another night of outshooting and outchancing the Philadelphia Flyers.

HALIFAX – Now that he’s got that Stanley Cup ring out of the way, there’s only one major piece of hardware missing from Teemu Selanne’s collection – a gold medal.

PHILADELPHIA – Jaroslav Halak got the nod over prized rookie Carey Price in the Montreal Canadiens net on Wednesday night.The team made the announcement two hours before puck drop for the 7 p.

HALIFAX – Canada faces an opponent at this IIHF World Hockey Championship that it has never seen before.As much as the Russians and Finns and Americans stand in the way of a gold medal, so does the burden of playing at home.

PHILADELPHIA – A year ago Patrice Brisebois would have never dreamed he’d be enjoying a playoff run right now, let alone with the Montreal Canadiens.

PHILADELPHIA – Montreal Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau still had people guessing after the morning skate Wednesday.Will it be Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak in goal for Game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers? “I made my decision and I feel strongly about it.

NEW YORK – New York Rangers forward Sean Avery has been hospitalized after lacerating his spleen during a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NEW YORK – New York Rangers forward Sean Avery has been hospitalized after lacerating his spleen during a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.