In The Crease

It appears as if the search for a new Kings coach to replace the recently fired Larry Robinson has been put on hold. L.A.'s ownership group is said to be looking to add a high-level management type to oversee the franchise along with general manager Dave Taylor. Among the new guy's first duties: name a coach. One person who might be available for the front-office role is Oilers president Glen Sather, who has an out clause in his contract....

Speaking of Robinson, he made a classy move last week when he took his three-man coaching staff, which had also been let go, on a four-day golf outing to Palm Springs. Robinson wanted to thank his coaches for their help over the four years he was behind the Kings' bench....

In the past two seasons the Sabres have relied almost exclusively on Richard Smehlik and Alexei Zhitnik as their No. 1 defensive tandem. However, since he was acquired from the Panthers by general manager Darcy Regier in March, blueliner Rhett Warrener has been paired with Jay McKee to give Buffalo another outstanding tandem that can be No. 1 in certain situations....

Here's why Scotty Bowman is the most successful coach in NHL history. Despite his Red Wings' 5-3 victory over the Mighty Ducks in Game 1 last week, Bowman was unhappy that Detroit allowed Anaheim snipers Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne several scoring chances. Then Bowman became so disgusted with Detroit's lackadaisical practice the following day that he ended the session after only 40 minutes. In Game 2 the fired-up Red Wings whipped Anaheim 5-1 and did a solid job on the Ducks' dynamic duo....

Why does St. Louis defenseman Al MacInnis, who scored from 65 feet against the Coyotes' Nikolai Khabibulin in Game 1, give goaltenders the shivers even when he's shooting from the neutral zone? Fearful of being hit by MacInnis's big shot, defensemen retreat into their zone, where MacInnis can use them as screens. He also has an uncanny ability to make the puck dip while it's in mid-flight....

With the two-referee system being used in the playoffs, coaches should make sure their teams practice 5-on-3 situations. In the first 20 postseason games there were ten 5-on-3 power plays, resulting in five goals.