from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- If you were a hockey scout and you’d never seen Tyson Barrie play before this season, what would you tell your team about him? And would you recommend signing him? I’m not sure I would … Leafs are still trying to figure Barrie out. He looked lost playing for Mike Babcock, scored three goals in his first three games under Sheldon Keefe, but has just one goal in 22 games since.

- How much will Dougie Hamilton’s broken fibula injury hurt the Carolina Hurricanes? He was having a terrific season. Carolina is a tight playoff race. Four teams – Canes, Philadelphia, Florida and Columbus – for two spots and two points behind them all … The West could go down to the final weekend. Right now, it’s Arizona and Calgary at 57, Vancouver and Vegas at 56, Edmonton at 55, Winnipeg at 54. It’s hockey’s version of musical chairs. Six teams, five playoff spots, someone will be left standing … And who do you like in the Atlantic – Boston or Tampa Bay? The Lightning are again playing the best hockey in the league. They have a +38 goal differential. Since December 1st, the Lightning are 17-7-1 and the Bruins are 10-13-7.

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