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Craig Custance answers readers' questions in this his mailbag. This week's topics include high expectations for the Washington Capitals, the outlook for the Buffalo Sabres, the potential link between brain trauma and depression in the NHL, and more.

Blog | Conversation | September 22, 2011

PITTSBURGH -- Whenever we think of Evgeni Malkin, we think of two things. First, the 2009 Eastern Conference finals, when he single-handedly demolished the Carolina Hurricanes in a four-game sweep en route to the Pittsburgh Penguins' first Cup cha...

If anyone deserves a trip to the Stanley Cup finals, it's Tim Thomas.

The Bruins' Game 4 loss makes this semifinal series anyone's for the taking.

Now is the time for someone to step forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning, or they will face a bleak picture against the Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals.

TAMPA, Fla. -- When you have two off days between the first two games of a playoff series, it can feel like the process is encased in mud. But after Boston's wild 6-5 victory Tuesday that evened these Eastern Conference finals with the Tampa Bay L...

Christian Petersen/Getty Images Lakers Repeat as NBA Champions The Los Angeles Lakers are the world champions. A hard-fought Game 7 came down to the final few possessions before the Lakers clutch foul shooting kept them ahead for good. Kobe Br...

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images The Montreal Canadiens did the unthinkable, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quaterfinals on the road. In what was the final game at the Igloo, Jaroslav Halak stopped 39 Pittsburgh s...

Puck Prospectus simulates a Penguins-Capitals matchup and shares the keys to a potential Eastern Conference final showdown.

Story | Conversation | December 15, 2009

Scott Burnside previews the 2009-10 season for the Carolina Hurricanes.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- If it seems like this Eastern Conference finals series is taking forever, well, that's because it is. Game 4 will mark just the fourth game in nine days, and if the Carolina Hurricanes manage to extend the series Tuesday night, Game ...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Here are some Sunday musings in the middle of the Eastern Conference finals: 1. Coming into this series, the Carolina Hurricanes played 14 playoff games and the Pittsburgh Penguins 13. So, how come the Penguins look fresh as a daisy...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The reverberations of Niklas Kronwall's devastating hit on Martin Havlat reached across the Midwest to the South and the site of the Eastern Conference finals, highlighting the great dilemma the NHL faces in how to deal with such mom...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The NHL opted not to suspend Carolina forward Ryan Bayda after he received a match penalty for intent to injure for cross checking Kris Letang in Thursday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Bayda was assessed a $2,500 fine, ...

PITTSBURGH -- We had a chance to chat briefly with Steve Yzerman, executive director of the 2010 Canadian Olympic team, Thursday night at Mellon Arena. He has been splitting time between his duties as the Red Wings' vice president of hockey operatio...

At this point last season, Evgeni Malkin was hitting the wall. Now, back in the Eastern Conference finals, he's just getting warmed up.