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PHT Morning Skate: Messages keep getting sent in Washington

New York Islanders v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 17: Head coach Dale Hunter of the Washington Capitals watches the game against the New York Islanders at the Verizon Center on January 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

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PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Caps coach Dale Hunter benched Jeff Halpern and Keith Aucoin after being on ice for a Jets goal. At what point is this just a pointless gesture to show power? (CSNWashington.com)

Here’s your wacky thought of the day. With the Sabres charging hard in the East, could they actually win the Northeast Division? They’re just five points back of Boston. (Buffalo News)

The Red Wings are getting healthy in time for the end of the season and that’s bad enough news for Carolina tonight. (Detroit Free Press)

Think the Predators are bothered by Pekka Rinne’s slump? Not a chance. (Tennessean)

The Blues would love to prepare for their first round opponent in the playoffs but no one else in the West wants to help clear that up. (Post-Dispatch)

If your team is out of the playoff picture, the way it is for the Maple Leafs, it’s time to settle in for heavy doses of schadenfreude. (Globe And Mail)

Hey, at least Nazem Kadri showed what he’s capable of for the Leafs last night. (TSN)

Steve Stamkos sure picked a bad time of the year to hit a slump. (Tampa Tribune)

Jonas Hiller has shown what he’s made of dealing with issues this season. (OC Register)

Finally, INCH gets you caught up with yesterday’s goings-on in the NCAA tournament. Congrats to Union College, UMass-Lowell, Cornell, and Ferris State for their wins and their shot at earning a bid to the Frozen Four today. (East Regional, Midwest Regional)