Habs return to practice minus ‘underdog’ label

THE CANADIAN PRESS

BROSSARD, Que. — The Montreal Canadiens appear in no hurry to shed their underdog reputation, even after two stunning seven-game series wins have them in the Eastern Conference Final.

With a rare full-day off after eliminating the Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal players returned to the ice on Friday aware that the pundits may not be taking them so lightly anymore.

“There’s no doubt that the dynamic has changed

Price, Markov ‘hug and make up’ at practice

THE CANADIAN PRESS

BROSSARD, Que. — At the end of practice Thursday, goaltender Carey Price skated over to teammate Andrei Markov and wrapped him in a big hug.

That Price then looked up at the media seats at the Montreal Canadiens practice facility made it clear the gesture was in response to a report this week of a confrontation between the two in the club’s dressing room.

“We’re all family, we love each other,” Markov

Spezza back on skates at Senators practice

BY IAN MENDESsportsnet.ca

Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza has taken a significant step in his recovery from a knee injury, skating on Monday for the first time in almost a month.

Spezza suffered a torn MCL in his right knee on Dec. 14th in Toronto and the original prognosis likely had him out until after the Olympic Games. However, he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and could return to game action within 2-3

Lemieux takes in struggling Pens practice

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux watched most of the team’s lengthy 90-minute practice, which made it a different day than usual for the Stanley Cup champions.

The boss was in the house, and he clearly wasn’t there to socialize following the end of an 0-4 road trip.

The coach wasn’t very happy, either. Dan Bylsma originally scheduled a day off Monday following two games in Florida

Kessel skates on top line at Leafs practice

BY WEB STAFF
sportsnet.ca

With the Toronto Maple Leafs still in search of only their second win of the season, all eyes were on Phil Kessel at practice on Monday as the young forward skated on a line with Matt Stajan and Jason Blake.

Kessel, who has been recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, could make his Leafs debut on Tuesday night when Toronto plays host to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He will undergo a final test

Blackhawks’ Toews misses another practice

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, still recovering after taking a thunderous hit two days ago, missed his second straight practice Friday.

Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said Toews could still play Saturday night against Nashville and the team should know more by Saturday morning.

Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell was coming out of the penalty box and levelled the unsuspecting Toews

Winless Leafs go light-hearted at practice

BY WEB STAFF

sportsnet.ca

In an attempt to break the tension surrounding a winless team, the Toronto Maple Leafs mixed in some dodge ball at practice on Thursday, with GM Brian Burke watching from the seats.

The light-hearted morning skate also included Phil Kessel, who practised with the team for the first time since arriving in a trade with Boston. Kessel is not expected to be back in the lineup until November as he

Heatley hits ice for Sharks practice

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Dany Heatley got on the ice for a few precious minutes Friday in his first practice with his new team.

Heatley skated with San Jose Sharks centre Joe Thornton and right-winger Devin Setoguchi, who make up one of the most potent top lines in the NHL.

“It was more fun than skating by myself,” Heatley said in an introductory press conference. “I had fun with those two

First practice in months for Brodeur

NEWARK, N.J. — Four-time Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur practised with the New Jersey Devils for the first time since having elbow surgery in November, and hopes to play in a game within 10 days.

The 36-year-old Brodeur even quipped that if fellow goaltenders Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes either got lost or fell ill over the next 24 hours, he would tell coach Brent Sutter to put him in on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks.

First practice in months for Brodeur

NEWARK, N.J. — Four-time Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur practised with the New Jersey Devils for the first time since having elbow surgery in November, and hopes to play in a game within 10 days.

The 36-year-old Brodeur even quipped that if fellow goaltenders Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes either got lost or fell ill over the next 24 hours, he would tell coach Brent Sutter to put him in on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks.