SCOREBOARD
Thursday, May 10
Ottawa at Buffalo (7 p.m. EDT). The Sabres have won all three postseason series between the teams, including last year’s semifinals.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
The Western Conference finals between Detroit and Anaheim will feature three Norris Trophy winners. Nicklas Lidstrom of the Red Wings was the league’s top defenseman four times from 2001-06. The Ducks’ Scott Niedermayer briefly interrupted his run in 2004 and teammate Chris Pronger won it in 2000 while playing with St. Louis.
SEEN IT ALL
Daniel Alfredsson is the only player to appear in every Ottawa playoff game in franchise history.
SIGNED
Tampa Bay re-signed winger Jason Ward to a two-year contract on Wednesday.
SPEAKING
“For me, it ended when I stood up, got stitched up, showered up and that was it.” – Buffalo’s Chris Drury on getting elbowed in the head by Ottawa’s Chris Neil on Feb. 22, leaving him with a concussion and sparking a brawl between the teams. The Sabres and Senators meet in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night.