The Penguins hope Jussi Jokinen juices a power play that may have cost them Game 3. (Jana Chytilova/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

Neither the Pittsburgh Penguins nor the Ottawa Senators were happy with the sputtering offenses that produced just one goal apiece in regulation in Game 3. So it’s no surprise that both Dan Bylsma and Paul MacLean are looking to add a little more punch to their rosters for tonight’s crucial Game 4 at Scotiabank Place.

In for Pittsburgh is Jussi Jokinen. For Ottawa, it’s Mark Stone.

Jokinen will see his first action in the series after sitting out the first three games, likely replacing Tanner Glass. He could skate on the fourth line tonight, with spot duty elsewhere to help out on face-offs, and should see time on Pittsburgh’s second power play unit. Don’t be surprised if he makes a big impact.

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If you really think about it, there is only one sure thing in this year’s NHL awards field. (Minas Panagiotakis/Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

Think about the levers that Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates had to pull to convince struggling superstar Alex Ovechkin to play the game his way, or how Mike Babcock guided the Detroit Red Wings into the post-Nick Lidstrom era with a rookie-laden lineup. That is a pair of remarkable coaching efforts right there, yet neither was good enough to make the cut for the Jack Adams Award, which is given to the coach who has contributed most to his team’s success. That tells you all you need to know about the quality of this year’s field.

The NHL announced this morning that Bruce Boudreau of the Anaheim Ducks, Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators, and Joel Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks are the finalists for the Adams, as selected by the members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association. It’s pretty easy to craft an argument in support of any one of them.

MORE NOMINEES: Hart | Norris | Vezina | Calder | Lindsay | Masterton | Selke | Byng

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Antti Niemi and the Sharks have the Canucks down 0-3, but will they let them back up? (Rich Lam/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

An annotated guide to this morning’s must-read hockey stories:

• Alain Vigneault is likely to take the fall when the Canucks are eliminated, but this defeat was induced by the failures of GM Mike Gillis.

• Tony Gallagher says it’s time for the Sedins to stop taking the blame in Vancouver. Apparently two assists apiece through three games gets you a pass in some parts.

• The Sharks have to be feeling good about themselves with a 3-0 series lead, but coach Todd McLellan will remind them today that the last time they were in this spot they ended up playing in a Game 7.

• The Senators battled back from a disappointing loss and mugged the Canadiens in a fight-filled Game 3.

• The Canadiens embarrassed themselves in every way while losing this one. That whirring sound you hear is Toe Blake spinning in his grave.

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Kyle Okposo (center) and the Islanders showcased their toughness in a comeback win over Pittsburgh. (Getty)

By Allan Muir

An annotated guide to this morning’s must-read hockey stories:

• The Penguins led Game 2 with their strength, Sidney Crosby. The New York Islanders countered with theirs: fearless resistance. Amazingly, it was enough for the Isles to steal a thriller in Pittsburgh.

• Sean Gentile breaks down Pittsburgh’s Game 2 break down. Is brutal puck management on the list? You bet.

• Montreal’s annoyance with Ottawa coach Paul MacLean inspired their gutsiest performance of the season.

• Ottawa needs to start driving to the net if it wants the upper hand in this series, because Craig Anderson can’t do it all by himself.

• I’m not coming around to Cam Cole’s thinking on the need for thinking to evolve on what is and isn’t a clean hit in hockey but he makes a very compelling case. This is a must-read.

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Coach Paul MacLean’s honesty about the devastating hit on Lars Eller didn’t sit well with the Canadiens. (Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

If you thought the Montreal Canadiens might let bygones be bygones a day after watching bloodied teammate Lars Eller wheeled off the ice in Game 1, you’re about to have your faith in humanity shaken.

The Habs didn’t like Eric Gryba’s hit that sent Eller to the hospital. And they didn’t like the postgame thoughts offered up by Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean any better.

MacLean aroused Montreal winger Brandon Prust’s ire by suggesting that Raphael Diaz, the Habs defenseman whose suicide pass left Eller open to the hit, was to blame for the play, not Gryba.

“[If I’m Eller], I’m really mad at [Diaz], whoever he is, because he passed me the puck in the middle of the rink when I wasn’t looking,” said MacLean. “That’s always been a dangerous place as far as I know. Ever since I’ve been playing this game, that’s a dangerous place to be — bad things happen.

“I think it’s a hockey play that ended up going badly for Lars Eller.”

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Keeping his Penguins in contention with high-powered offense, Sidney Crosby may well run off with the Hart Trophy. (Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

With every team but one — the Boston Bruins — having hit the halfway point of the abbreviated schedule, it’s time to update our handicapping of the postseason hardware races. Here are my first-quarter choices, so you can compare.

Not surprisingly, many of the names have changed since our first look revealed some surprise favorites. Injuries have played a part, but in most cases it’s been a matter of players reasserting themselves among the elite once they had a chance to get their legs under them.

Here’s how we see the fields shaping up. Got a bone to pick with these choices? Make your case in the comments section below.

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