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Alexander Burmistrov will not re-sign with Jets, according to report

2013-05-22T12:44:06Z

Winnipeg Jets forward Alexander Burmistrov has no intention of re-signing with the franchise, according to a report by Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press on Wednesday morning.

Burmistrov completed the final year of his entry-level contract in 2013 and is set to become a restricted free agent on July 5. Citing two sources, Lawless reports the 21-year-old forward does not want to return to the Jets and is interested in being traded.

Apparently, Burmistrov requested a trade at this year's trade deadline. Lawless reported on April 2 that Burmistrov's name had appeared on the market. On Wednesday, he learned that the Jets had been in discussions with the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators. Lawless states Drew Stafford, Jakob Silfverberg and Kyle Okposo were players discussed in the calls.

Burmistrov has clashed with head coach Claude Noel over the past two seasons. According to Lawless, the relationship was at its most hostile when Burmistrov was a healthy scratch in four-consecutive games in March.

Burmistrov's agent, Mark Gandler, informed Lawless that his client was not accepting offers from Russia's Kontinental Hockey League but would not discuss the nature of talks with Winnipeg.

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Alexei Emelin injury: Canadiens defenseman undergoes reconstructive surgery

2013-05-21T19:54:58Z

The status of Alexei Emelin was updated after successfully undergoing reconstructive knee surgery on Tuesday.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin successfully underwent reconstructive knee surgery, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Emelin sustained a season ending injury in a game against the Boston Bruins at the start of April. Emelin was attempting to hit Bruins forward Milan Lucic but ended up receiving the worst of the blow. He was forced to leave the game after the incident.

The Canadiens later announced that Emelin had torn a ligament in his left knee and would miss the remaining portion of the 2013 season. On Tuesday, the reconstructive procedure repaired the ACL and MCL in his knee. He will require approximately six months of rehabilitation, which means he will likely miss the start of the 2013-14 regular season.

In 38 games in 2013, the 26-year-old contributed 12 points (three goals, nine assists). Emelin was averaging 19:40 of ice-time per game, which included an average of 2:11 on the penalty kill.

Many believe the Canadiens' struggles at the tail-end of the season was impacted by Emelin's injury. Despite winning the Northeast Division, Montreal fell to the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. Of course, the team was overwhelmed with several injuries, which certainly played a factor.

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Alexei Emelin injury: Canadiens defenseman undergoes reconstructive surgery

2013-05-21T19:50:20Z

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin successfully underwent reconstructive knee surgery, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Emelin sustained a season-ending injury in a game against the Boston Bruins at the start of April. Emelin was attempting to hit Bruins forward Milan Lucic but ended up receiving the worst of the blow. He was forced to leave the game after the incident.

For more on the Canadiens visit: Eyes on the Prize

In 38 games in 2013, the 26-year-old contributed 12 points (three goals, nine assists). Emelin was averaging 19:40 of ice-time per game, which included an average of 2:11 on the penalty kill.

Many believe the Canadiens' struggles at the tail-end of the season were impacted by Emelin's injury. Despite winning the Northeast Division, Montreal fell to the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Of course, the team was overwhelmed with several injuries, which certainly played a factor.

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Stanley Cup playoffs 2013, Kings vs. Sharks Game 4: Time, TV schedule and more

2013-05-21T18:16:09Z

The San Jose Sharks left Los Angeles trailing the Kings 2-0 in their Western Conference Semifinal. When they return, they hope to be facing the prospects of a three-game series.

The Sharks managed to pull within a game of the Kings after completing a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 3. It marked the second consecutive contest that was decided by a single goal between the Pacific Division rivals. In addition, it was the second instance of special teams success aiding the winner in victory. Both of San Jose's goals were the result of a power play, including the game winner from Logan Couture.

Couture has been a key member of the Sharks this postseason. However, he appeared to sustain an injury in Game 3 that left questions about the severity of the issue.

How effective will Couture be in Game 4?

This is, of course, under the assumption that he plays in the game. According to reports from morning skate, Couture will be available for Game 4. With that in mind, it questions whether he is battling through injury. Will this alter his game in any way? Will his ice time minutes take a hit?

Will Los Angeles improve their road record?

The Kings have a 1-3 record on the road in the playoffs this season. Of course, with an undefeated record at home, this less than stellar showing hasn't mattered much. With that being said, Los Angeles would be in position to close out the series on home ice in Game 5 with a win on Tuesday night.

Will the Brown-Kopitar-Williams line contribute any production?

Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams have combined for a single goal in the semifinal. Considering how important this line is to the Kings, any kind of production could help push the team to victory. Will this be the case in Game 4?

Game Time: 10 p.m. ET

TV information: RDS, TSN, NBCSN

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NHL playoffs 2013: Dennis Seidenberg unlikely for Game 3

2013-05-21T17:23:57Z

Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg is unlikely to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, according to head coach Claude Julien after morning skate.

Julien stated that he didn't expect Seidenberg to participate in warmups for Game 3 and would be as surprised as anyone if he was able to do so. The head coach also directly said he didn't expect Seidenberg to be available.

Seidenberg sustained a lower-body injury in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. He has missed the first two games of the semifinal series due to the issue. On Monday, Julien stated Seidenberg was likely a game-time decision for Game 3 and that his status was going to be determined based upon how he felt. Apparently, he still isn't ready to return to action.

In addition to Seidenberg, Wade Redden has missed time due to injury. He's expected to be a game-time decision.

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Stanley Cup playoffs 2013: Sharks tie series with Kings, Rangers fall behind 3-0 to Bruins

2013-05-21T16:46:57Z

The Bruins took a commanding 3-0 series lead with a late winner against the Rangers, while the Sharks won Game 4 to tie their series with the Kings.

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville stated the referees erred in their decision to disallow the team's second period goal for goaltender interference.

The Blackhawks trailed the Detroit Red Wings by a single goal in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinal on Monday night, when Viktor Stalberg attempted a shot on net that seemingly tied the contest only moments after Patrick Kane had scored the team's first goal of the game.

However, the officials determined that Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard was obstructed by Chicago forward Andrew Shaw, who was in the crease. This led to the on-ice officials immediately ruling no-goal from the moment the puck crossed the goal line.

It appears as though Shaw didn't make contact with Howard and attempted to avoid the goaltender at all cost.

This is how Quenneville viewed the situation, via USA Today:

"I disagree with the call. He didn't touch the goalie."

Captain Jonathan Toews also expressed that Howard was cleanly allowed to make the save and that Shaw's presence had little to do with the puck entering the net.

This play was a continuation of controversial circumstances for the on-ice officials. On Kane's goal, Red Wings forward Johan Franzen was checked into the boards in the Chicago defensive zone, which helped gain puck possession for the Blackhawks in order to move the puck up ice.

Some believe Franzen was illegally hit and the play should not have been allowed to progress. This has led to speculation that the disallowed goal was a makeup call. Whether that is truly the case is up for interpretation.

Detroit ultimately went on to win the game, 3-1, and hold a 2-1 series lead.

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Stanley Cup playoffs 2013: Henrik Lundqvist injured shoulder in Game 2

2013-05-21T14:45:36Z

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist sustained a shoulder injury during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

The injury occurred during the third period when Lundqvist made a save on a shot attempt by David Paille. Lundqvist explained that he fell awkwardly after the play and hurt his shoulder in the process. Despite some discomfort, Lundqvist plans to play in Game 3 on Tuesday night. The goaltender stated that everyone is dealing with soreness during the playoffs and the injury will not alter his availability.

After recording consecutive shutouts to close out the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal, Lundqvist has allowed eight goals on 80 shots in the semifinal series against Boston. He is hoping for improved performance when the team returns to Madison Square Garden.

Lundqvist stated he will attempt to put last game's performance behind him, via ESPN New York:

"You're never happy or satisfied giving up five goals, but you have to move on and take the good parts and try to learn something from it."

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