--On Friday, we told you about Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko taking a young fan on a road trip. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes a day-by-day look at the entire trip.“If you make a kid smile that’s just a little part of what we could help with and make her a little more happy. It’s nice to have her here and then we need to win the next two games for her and make her even more happy.” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
--Patrik Elias, who officially retired on Friday, spent two of his best years with Jason Arnott and Petr Sykora. The trio was the key part of a Stanley Cup run, but Elias told the New York Post that he wishes they stuck together longer than they actually did. “Obviously those were the best two years, but more than that, playing on that line with Petr and Arnie was the most fun of my career. Every time we went onto the ice, every game, every practice, we had so much fun together. But Lou made those decisions. I don’t really know why. I wish we had been together longer.” (New York Post)
--Brendan Shanahan spent nine years as a member of the Detroit Red Wings, and on Saturday, he got to skate on the Joe Louis Arena ice for the last time. “The thoughts and the emotions were sort of different. The thoughts were, ‘Boy, my legs hurt, and my lungs hurt.’ And the emotions were, it’s the end of a great run. Hockey players refer to arenas sometimes as barns affectionately, and this, to me, is a great old barn.” (NHL.com)
--The New York Rangers finally won a game at home (it only took them six weeks) and they eliminated the Philadelphia Flyers from post-season contention by beating them, 4-3. You can check out the highlights of the game by clicking the video at the top of the page.
--Former NHL broadcaster Harry Neale is 80 years old and even though he’s retired, he still enjoys heading to the rink in Buffalo and sharing jokes and stories. “I’ve often thought how lucky I was that I never really thought I had a ‘job’ job once I got into hockey because of my passion for the game and enjoying the players. I still like going to the home games. I go up to Toronto occasionally and go to games.” (Buffalo News)
--Sportsnet’s Andrew Berkshire breaks down the top contenders for this year’s Hart Trophy. Using overall offensive production, offensive contributions relative to teammates and differentials relative to teammates, Berkshire believes Brad Marchand, Brent Burns, Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson are legit options to take home the MVP award. But in the end, he says McDavid is the clear winner. (Sportsnet)
--Cal Babych, the son of former NHLer Dave Babych, scored the game-winning goal in the longest game in CHL/WHL history. It only took five overtime periods! (The Score)