Suggested first question at John Tororella’s press conference:
“John, why did you bench Marion Gaborik for the first 11 minutes of the third period?”
End of press conference.
The Rangers’ superstar and many of his teammates were non-factors in a game the Devils on David Clarkson’s third-period goal.
It was the rugged winger’s third game-winner of the playoffs.

Being in the driver’s seat isn’t always the best place to be in traffic-choked Los Angeles. But the Kings will gladly take it, up 2-0 on the Phoenix Coyotes.

C’mon, did you really think Kyle Chipchura was going to the Stanley Cup final.
The 4-0 L.A. win probably was the last hockey game played in Phoenix this season.
Or maybe forever.
The Kings are 10-1 in the playoffs and have won seven road games in a row.
They have not trailed since the opening game of the St. Louis series, when David Backes’ goal put the Kings down 1-0 … for 7:42.
The Kings have scored 34 playoff goals and allowed 16.
Jeff Carter came to life with a hat trick in Game 2.
Phoenix captain Shane Doan and Martin Hanzal got game misconducts and could face further discipline.
It was a great run for the NHL’s poor relations this spring, but the Western Conference final smells an awful lot like Over.

Canadiens goaltender Carey Price spoke exclusively and at length with The Gazette and Hockey Inside/Out Saturday night from his offseason home in Kelowna, B.C.

It’s Hookey Night in Canada.
Your faithful live blogger will not be in his suburban basement offering breathless commentary on the opening game of what should be a dandy Eastern Conference final.
Instead, I’ll be at Montreal Maison symphonique listening to chamber music recital.
Maxim Vengerov, da.
Ilya Kovalchuk, nyet.