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Defenses Square Off

Perhaps years from now, hockey historians will look back at this year's Western Conference finals as the best showcase of defensemen ever.

All three Norris Trophy finalists - Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom along with Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger - will be on the ice when the Red Wings and Ducks open their series Friday night at Joe Louis Arena.

Drury Seeks Revenge

Dressed in black and wearing a frown to match, ever-brooding Buffalo Sabres co-captain Chris Drury made it clear Wednesday that his focus was on the future and not the past.

Drury wasn't in the mood to entertain questions about what happened in February, when he was knocked out and bloodied by Ottawa forward Chris Neil's blindside hit. And forget the bad blood that exists between the Sabres and Senators as they prepare to open the Eastern Conference finals.

Shark - Bait

Ron Wilson's floral-print golf shirt wasn't the sharpest wardrobe choice for a hockey coach whose club is one more collapse away from summer vacation.

Most teams spend this time of year trying to avoid the golf course. But the San Jose Sharks and the scratch golfer behind their bench have seemed downright eager for a tee time while blowing a lead in all three of their losses to the Detroit Red Wings.

Buffalo Hunters

Jaromir Jagr wears the 'C' on his chest and his heart on his sleeve.

There was no denying that the New York Rangers' latest tough loss in Buffalo still stung the captain Saturday, but he and his teammates still believe they can bounce back against the President's Trophy-winning Sabres.

Needing Dom-ination

The Detroit Red Wings-San Jose Sharks series has been picked apart from every direction by those trying to figure it out.

San Jose had 2-0 leads in each of the first two games of the Western Conference semifinal, blowing the cushion in Game 2.