Brett McLean News

Al MacInnis had the Blued long before he ever played in St. Louis. It's a little-known fact that the former NHL defenceman, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, began his junior career in Regina with the SJHL's Pat Blues, who were basically a farm team to the Regina Pats.

The Montreal Canadiens embark on a six-game road trip today, perhaps wondering how a team can plunge from a near-perfect 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs on Saturday to Tuesday night's horror show which left them facing a 3-0 deficit before finally losing 3-2 to the Florida Panthers.

Years ago, sports teams would hit the road for a traveling exhibition of games often referred to as a barnstorm tour.

No one calls this the South-least Division any more, but with consistent also-rans like the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers and lately the Tampa Bay Lightning, the temptation remains.

Three veteran NHLers have been placed on unconditional waivers, for the purposes of buying out their contracts.

This is the second straight post season that has seen a trade between the teams.