In The Crease

The rash of face and eye injuries in recent seasons has led a number of young NHL players to experiment with visors at the world championships, which started last week in Cologne, Germany. Among those using the added protection are Brad Isbister, Patrick Marleau, Kyle McLaren, Derek Morris, Ryan Smythe and Joe Thornton, all of whom are under 25 years old....

One of the main reasons Mario Lemieux's chronic sore back has not bothered him in the last couple of months has been his new exercise regimen. In February, on the recommendation of former Canadiens trainer Gaetan Lefebvre, Lemieux visited Biotonix, a Montreal-based company that does computer analyses of a client's posture. The analysis showed that Lemieux has a postural deviation, so Biotonix gave him an exercise program to strengthen and stretch his back muscles....

Many scouts think that the Panthers have the top prospect playing outside the NHL: 6'1", 190-pound Kristian Huselius, a scoring winger who was drafted in the second round in 1997 and who played in Sweden this season, producing 32 goals in 49 games....

The Thrashers, who have the No. 1 pick in the June draft, are listening to offers for their choice. General manager Don Waddell would want a top goaltender as part of any deal....

Capitals star center Adam Oates had a good excuse for his subpar showing (no points) in Washington's opening-round loss to the Penguins: He was playing with an injury to his knee and ankle....

Rookie referee Kevin Pollock is getting rave reviews for his work in the postseason. Along with Paul Devorski, Pollock worked Game 1 of the Avalanche-Kings series, in which two penalties were called correctly and fearlessly in overtime. ( Jaroslav Modry's game-winning goal for Los Angeles came on a power play.) Look for Pollock to call games in the next round.