Top Line: Blackhawks clinch Presidents’ Trophy; St. Louis top scorer, more links
Curse aside, winning the Presidents’ Trophy ain’t bad when you’re 17-3-3 at home. (Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
By Allan Muir
An annotated guide to this morning’s must-read hockey stories:
• Not sure why the Blackhawks tried to downplay it, because by capturing the Presidents’ Trophy with last night’s win over the Oilers, they’ve guaranteed themselves home ice advantage through the playoffs. That could prove to be a very big deal.
• Starter Ray Emery had to leave midway through the game with an undisclosed injury, leaving Corey Crawford to make this big-time stop in his place.
• Their playoff hopes are over, but two Lightning stars are in it to the finish. Martin St. Louis scored his seventh career hat trick to take over the NHL scoring lead and finally deliver on a promise to his son.. Steven Stamkos tallied once to move to within two goals of Alexander Ovechkin in the race for the Richard Trophy.
• Sidney Crosby is expected to seek medical clearance in the next 48 hours to resume playing. That doesn’t get him back in time to try to take back the scoring crown, but he could be available for the start of the playoffs.
• The Red Wings took control of their destiny with a thrilling win over the Kings, but they may have to face their next challenge — the Nashville Predators — without the services of Johan Franzen.
• Playoff hockey is not a birthright in Detroit, but Nick Cotsonika does a lovely job of explaining why it seems to be.
• The Senators have three games remaining on their schedule. Win one, and they’re in the postseason.
• Will Erik Karlsson be cleared to join the Sens? Sources around the team say maybe, but a local therapist isn’t so sure that’s possible.
• Daniel Wagner ponders the philosophical ramifications of Cory Schneider suffering a body injury. This is a must read for all acolytes of Descartes.
• With Schneider sidelined, Roberto Luongo is back between the pipes. And you know what that means.
