In The Crease

The NHL should be commended for recognizing that the game needs fixing, but the proposed rule changes do not go far enough. The issue of opening up the neutral zone was not addressed, nor was the ever-present high-sticking. Too many players are using their sticks as a weapon or as a defensive restraint, and they need to be penalized....

The Coyotes are probably kicking themselves for trading center Daniel Briere to the Sabres for forward Chris Gratton last March. The 6'4", 225-pound Gratton was acquired for his size, but he has not played a big-body game, and Phoenix is starving for goals. Meanwhile, Briere, with 19 goals and 21 assists through Sunday, was sparking Buffalo's playoff charge. The Coyotes are trying to unload Gratton (eight goals) but can't get a nibble....

The two best penalty-killing tandems are the Red Wings' Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper and the Islanders' Michael Peca and Jason Blake. Detroit's duo had combined for seven shorthanded goals this season, while Peca and Blake helped shut down the Avalanche's potent power play in a 1-1 tie at Colorado last week.