NHL: Breaking Stories and all the Latest from NBC Sports

It’s official: Trocheck back in Panthers lineup for Game 5
That could be huge for Florida with the series tied.

Video: Neuvirth robs Johansson, continues to bail out the Flyers
Philly was outshot 30-8 through two periods.

Report: Datsyuk to play for Russia at Worlds
Which will begin May 6… in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Trocheck might play tonight (but don’t bet the farm on it)
“We’re going to get him back soon, so whether it’s tonight or Sunday or Game 7, we’ll see.”

WATCH LIVE: Tonight’s Stanley Cup playoff action
Three teams facing elimination.

Hats, but not rats: NHL commish on what fans can throw on ice
“We don’t think it’s appropriate, other than the case of the hat trick, to throw things on the ice. Not only is it disruptive to the game, it’s potentially dangerous.”

The Red Wings — good enough to make the playoffs, but ‘nothing more’
A franchise at a crossroads.

Stars to stick with Niemi tonight, Ruff ‘tired of explaining our two goalie thing’
“It’s been working and it’s been a good option for us.”

Jets part ways with AHL coach McCambridge
GM Kevin Cheveldayoff announced the move on Thursday.

Hurricanes sign Chris Chelios’ kid
That would be Jake Chelios, who spent last season in AHL Charlotte.

‘Canes stay busy, ink Nordstrom to two-year, $2.55M extension
“Joakim took a major step forward in his career last season.”

Video: Cam Neely is sick of the Boston media ‘stirring the pot’
Not good times for the Bruins president.

Varlamov: Avalanche are ‘waiting’ on Radulov
Apparently, all he needs to do is call Patrick Roy.

‘It’s a big loss’ — Isles pretty sure Pulock’s done for series
Rookie d-man had two points in the last two games.

Here’s your Stanley Cup playoffs schedule for tonight
The Flyers, Wild and Kings are facing elimination.

Caps rule out Orpik again, Trotz won’t answer concussion questions
Big d-man hasn’t played since getting hit by Flyers forward Ryan White.

PHT Morning Skate: Wild fan petitions for Prince’s ‘Let’s go Crazy’ to be goal song
Friday’s collection of links.

Video: Preds’ Ribeiro lands an ugly spear on Ducks’ Perry
That was dirty.

Stayin’ alive: Kane beats Blues in double OT, forces Game 6
It took Patrick Kane a while to make his mark on this series. But when he did, he made it count. Kane scored the double-OT winner against the Blues on Thursday night, giving the ‘Hawks a 4-3 win while staving off elimination, forcing a Game 6 back in Chicago. The goal came just 3:07 into […]

Killer finish: Killorn’s late winner bounces Detroit from playoffs
Ben Bishop was massive for Tampa Bay as well.

Broadway flop: Rangers thumped by Pens at MSG, now on brink of elimination
Rough night for the Blueshirts, rough night for Henrik Lundqvist.

Stars rule out Seguin for Game 5
With a win, Dallas can advance to the second round for the first time since 2008.

Rangers ‘picked a very bad night to have a very bad game’
So says head coach Alain Vigneault.

Ducks storm back, beat Preds to even series at 2-2
Nashville squanders away a commanding lead.

Datsyuk will take time before deciding playing future
“I need a little bit cool down and emotions go out and start thinking about it more.”

WATCH LIVE: Tonight’s Stanley Cup playoff action
Four games, two of the possible elimination variety.

Pens torch Lundqvist with three goals on first 12 shots (Update: And now he’s done)
And it was nearly four on 14.

GM Fletcher ‘not on any hot seat’ with Wild owner
“There is absolutely no way Chuck is not going to be here next year.”

Reunited with Toews on Chicago’s top line, Kane hoping for some ‘instant chemistry’
“At this point of the playoffs, sometimes things call for change.”

Sutter: ‘The referees missed some calls last night’
“When it’s 3-2, there should’ve been some calls, clearly.”

Stalberg says he ‘hasn’t heard’ from Letang, who said yesterday that he apologized for high stick
You choose who to believe.

Flames ‘remain committed’ to arena plan, which city report called ‘not feasible’
The owners of the Calgary Flames have an ambitious plan to replace aging Scotiabank Saddledome, and they’ve promised not to “steal money from the city” to get the new arena built. Yesterday, the city essentially told them to go back to the drawing board. From the Calgary Herald: The Calgary Flames’ ambitious vision to build a professional […]

Good news on Laughton, plus a funny story about Ed Snider and Donald Trump
Good news on the health of Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton. Teammate Wayne Simmonds told reporters that Laughton is talking and moving and will be released from hospital later today. Laughton was taken to the hospital last night after crashing into the end boards during the Flyers’ 2-1 victory over the Capitals. He stayed overnight for “precautionary reasons.” […]

Here’s your Stanley Cup playoffs schedule for tonight
The Red Wings and Blackhawks look to stay alive.

Just for Men: Brent Burns
Bask in his bearded glory.

It looks like the Predators might be without Craig Smith in Game 4
Colin Wilson is in line for a promotion.

Red Wings aiming for some ‘ugly ones’ on the power play
At this point, they’ll take them any way they can get them.

‘Timely goal-scoring’ and ‘great goaltending’ have been the keys for St. Louis
The Blues can finish off the Blackhawks tonight at home.