from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

- Just about every coach would say no to pulling their goalie on a power play other than late in the game. They believe it’s too risky to leave the net empty in other situations. Their rigidity on this subject is exactly why a maverick should buck the trend and go six on four in the second period, for example, if his team is down by several goals. Coaches like predictability. They do not like havoc. Their penalty killers would not be prepared if they were outnumbered by two men in the second period of a 3-0 game. Coaches and players insist that gaining puck possession down two men is hard, to say nothing of scoring. Emptying the net would be risky. But it would be a calculated risk.

- When Steve Yzerman arrives in Boca Raton, Fla., for the GM meetings on Monday, he might have some visitors. A handful of GMs were puzzled because they weren’t aware of Brett Connolly’s availability on the trade market. It’s possible the Bruins might have had to a pay a higher price than two second-rounders to grab Connolly from the Lightning.

- Kris Russell is earning attaboys around the league for his shot-blocking. Through 65 games, the Calgary defenseman was credited with 228 blocks, 15 of which came in the Flames’ 4-3 shootout win over the Bruins March 5. The thing with blocks, however, is that they emphasize how much time a player spends in his own zone. Duncan Keith, for example, had only 89 blocks through 65 games. But that’s partly because the Blackhawks are on the attack more with Keith on the ice than the Flames are with Russell.

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