Unencumbered by talk of possible bites or potential suspensions, Alex Ovechkin strolled into the locker room at the Capitals’ training facility Monday wearing an Italian soccer club’s jersey and his usual “What, me worry?” gap-toothed grin. A day before the Capitals and New York Rangers meet in Game 7, the league’s reigning MVP rested, taking advantage of coach Bruce Boudreau’s decision to make…

SportsBusiness Daily (subscription) League Notes SportsBusiness Daily (subscription), NC In Toronto, Kevin McGran wrote, "Even with groups lined up to place a second team in the Greater Toronto Area, the New York Islanders stymied at attempts to build a new arena and concern mounting about the Phoenix Coyotes, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman …

The New York Rangers have sent a letter to the NHL asking the league to discipline the Washington Capitals .

After yesterday’s action, the last two undecided series in the Western Conference are both tied up and I honestly couldn’t tell you which way this is going to go.

Consecutive Aprils have presented HockeyWashington with postseason-opening showdowns with hated foes of yesteryear, consecutive three-to-one deficits battled back from, and consecutive game 7s deciding them. But these two most recent game 7s feel worlds apart, don’t they?  There’s no such thing as a sure thing in any game 7, but has any engendered as universal a sense of optimism for the home faithful as the one the Caps will skate in tomorrow night? Unlike a year ago, when there really was universal acknowledgment of the Caps and Flyers being very evenly matched, in this April’s series, the Caps are demonstrably the better team.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette Islanders will receive Penguins third pick Rotoworld.com The Penguins acquired Guerin from the New York Islanders for a conditional draft pick. The draft pick could have been as low as a fifth rounder, but with the Penguins winning a playoff series, the draft pick has been upgraded to a third rounder. …

The List Internet novice Hilary Duff The List, UK While Mike offers Hilary technical support, the 21-year-old blonde star recently revealed she stands up for him if he gets abuse when playing for the New York Islanders . She said: "I like to sit in the audience, I don't sit up in a box or anything, …

Washington Post Poti shines - much to the dismay of Rangers fans Washington Times, DC His four-point game was his first since a four-assist game for the Rangers against the New York Islanders here Feb. 19, 2004. In the series, Poti has two goals and four assists

Purdy: Sharks hurting, but win would ease pain San Jose Mercury News,  USA They reached their first Stanley Cup finals that spring and ran into the veteran New York Islanders , who had won three straight Cups. After four games, the Islanders had made it four championships in a row. The Oilers were disappointed but happy about …

Purdy: Sharks hurting, but winning would ease the pain San Jose Mercury News,  USA They reached their first Stanley Cup finals that spring and ran into the veteran New York Islanders , who had won three straight Cups. After four games, the Islanders had made it four championships in a row.