Florida Panthers

Several years ago the NHL started handing out an award for leadership and they aptly named it after Mark Messier, who was undoubtedly one of the greatest captains his sport has ever seen.

The NHL awards will be revealed over a two-day span during the Stanley Cup Finals.

The top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins will try to finish off the Ottawa Senators on Friday when they host Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at CONSOL Energy Center.

DETROIT - On the border of the human mass surrounding his team's captain, Jimmy Howard caught Henrik Zetterberg's eye. The Red Wings goalie then nodded for Zetterberg to escape the interrogation after a series-turning Game 4 victory, Howard literally stepping up to a small platform on the locker room carpet.

LOS ANGELES - The curt answers and the grim expressions Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning augured a strong effort by the Kings in Game 5, and it was forthcoming.

DETROIT - Bewildered, Jonathan Toews stood in front of his locker Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena and offered an explanation he didn't have.

LOS ANGELES-Sometime after the Los Angeles Kings' season ends - and that might not be for a while - it wouldn't be surprising to hear that center Anze Kopitar had been hampered by an injury from mid-March onward.

LOS ANGELES - The Stanley Cup playoffs have reached "win or go home" time for the Sharks.

Detroit Red Wings fans across America would like to thank Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks.

DETROIT - Down one goal Thursday night with the prospect of a season implosion very much looming, the Chicago Blackhawks and their array of goal-scoring whizzes went on a third-period power play.