NHL Northwest Division News

“To my friend Maria and her fine team in Minnesota: get ready to be buried by our Avalanche”

Funny how things work out. Tonight the Colorado Avalanche will meet the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. via 2008 Democratic Convention Watch

After battling it out for the Northwest Division title all season long, the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche will meet tonight for Game 1 of a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series at the ... via WWTI

The second-seeded San Jose Sharks will try to continue their strong finish in the regular season tonight, when they welcome the Calgary Flames to HP Pavilion for Game 1 of this best-of-seven Western Conference ... via WFRV-TV Green Bay

“Every day I can see a little bit of improvement, so that's the good thing”

Kurtis Foster leaned on his crutches, his pale face showing about 10 fewer pounds than before, and beamed about his first time out of the hospital or the house in three weeks. via KARE-TV Minneapolis

“Not that we won't look and try to be active, but we won't go into free agency like we did last year, where we knew we had to bring players in”

After rocking the boat a year ago with offer sheets to restricted free agents Thomas Vanek and Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe sees smoother sailing ahead this off-season. In an attempt to rebuild ... via Winnipeg Sun

“The guys, they'll play. They won't go home and cry”

Avalanche vs Wild playoff preview ST. PAUL, Minn. - Beaten up last April by the eventual NHL champions, the Minnesota Wild have some playoff experience to build on a year later. via Winnipeg Sun

Colorado Avalanche announcer Mike Haynes will undergo surgery for a brain aneurism and will miss the playoffs. via Newton Kansan

The architect himself has assured us that the foundation is sturdy enough, resilient enough, modern enough, to withstand the ravages of the elements; indeed, of time itself. via Canada.com

“I remember he used to shoot it like that all the time when he was younger”

SAN JOSE, Calif. : Although Joe Thornton rarely drops his gloves any more, he made an exception for rambunctious Dallas forward Steve Ott in the Sharks' regular-season finale. via International Herald Tribune

The Minnesota Wild defenseman Nick Schultz underwent an appendectomy Monday night, two days before they open a playoff series.

The team said the operation was successful and Schultz was resting comfortably at a Twin Cities hospital.

Minnesota opens the Western Conference playoffs Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild said Schultz's status would be updated when the team had more information.

Schultz played 81 games this season and had two goals and 15 points with a plus-9 rating. Read more

“You don't know what can happen at the end. It's better to be sixth instead of seventh.”

It seems like old times for the Colorado Avalanche. They're back in the playoffs with Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote. via CBS SportsLine

“That whole ovation from the fans and the respect from the Flames organization, that just doesn't happen in hockey anymore.”

A day after receiving more ovations than a Bruce Springsteen concert, Trevor Linden was still hedging about his widely expected retirement. via Edmonton Journal

The Minnesota Wild have announced the schedule for round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Wild learned Sunday that they'll play the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Game 1 is this Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center. Game 2 is Friday at 8 p.m. in Minnesota.

The best-of-seven series then switches to Denver. Games 3 and 4 will be next Monday and Tuesday in Colorado at 9 p.m.

If the series extends beyond four games, the schedule is as follows: Game 5 on Thursday, April 17, in Minnesota, 8 p.m.; Game 6 on Saturday, April 19, in Colorado, time to be determined; and Game 7 on Tuesday, April 22 at Minnesota, time to be announced. Read more

“At this point, I don't feel right talking about it”

- It was almost like the end of a Stanley Cup playoff series as players lined up to shake hands.

But Trevor Linden was the only Vancouver Canuck who went through the entire lineup of the Calgary Flames after a 7-1 loss Saturday night.

It was an unusual tribute for Linden, arguably the most popular pro athlete ever to perform in Vancouver.

"For someone who doesn't like attention, it was a little difficult," said Linden who hasn't revealed his future plans. "At the same time, it was a special night." Read more

“Eventually you have to slay the dragon”

Calgary Flames' Jarome Iginla celebrates with Wayne Primeau after scoring his 50th goal of the season against the Vancouver Canucks during third period NHL hockey action at GM Place in Vancouver, Saturday, ... via Slam Sports

The NHL regular season came to a close on Sunday with a dramatic flourish for the second consecutive season, setting the stage for the league's 90th chase for the Stanley Cup, which begins on Wednesday. via KEYE-TV Austin

“Growing up I played a lot for them, and we were winning a lot then, too.”

In the end their play drew rave reviews. But there was a time when Denis Grebeshkov and Ladislav Smid didn't fit in on the Edmonton Oilers blue line. via Slam Sports

Roberto Luongo was named the Vancouver Canucks ' most valuable player for the second straight season Saturday night as the NHL club handed out its annual awards. via NHL.com

“At first, I didn't watch much. I was sick of watching hockey, just because I'd been hurt so much these last two years”

It took weeks before Ethan Moreau could even watch his team with any degree of comfort -- not because of his season-ending injury but because it hurt elsewhere. via National Post

“The higher up you can get (in the standings) the better off you'll be.”

While the Colorado Avalanche have already secured their 12th playoff berth in 13 seasons, their seeding within the Western Conference remains unclear. via Fox Sports