WHAT WE LEARNED IN THE NHL
Lessons learned from the last week of play:
Sharks could be toothless
The San Jose Sharks are flailing as they approach the playoffs. In addition to losing eight of their last 10 games — and scoring two goals or fewer in each of those defeats — they lost durable Joe Thornton to an apparent left leg injury after he was involved in a collision Sunday in Vancouver. There was no update on his condition Monday.
They already are without Logan Couture (facial injuries), so a long-term absence for Thornton would seriously undermine their chances of repeating as West champions. They finish the regular season at home against Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.
Bullish on the Bruins
A well-timed five-game winning streak — matching their longest this season — has put the Boston Bruins back into the East playoff picture. They have not reached the playoffs each of the last two seasons but they’re 17-7-0 under coach Bruce Cassidy, who replaced Claude Julien.
If it sounds like a threat and quacks like a threat …
Days after the Calgary Flames created immense goodwill by clinching a playoff berth for the second time in eight seasons, their president and chief executive, Ken King, said in a radio interview they could face the possibility of moving if the club and the city can’t agree on terms for a new arena.
“We’re not threatening people. And furthermore, I think and hope we’re going to get a deal,” he told the Calgary Herald. “The truth of the matter is, we would just move. Which is not to be confused as a threat. We don’t think it’s fair to threaten.” But isn’t that a threat? Two projects have been proposed but funding is a sticking point. The Flames’ current home, the Saddledome, opened in 1983 and is among the NHL’s oldest venues.
Red Wings’ playoff streak deser ves a salute
Their dwindling talent made it inevitable, but it was still a jolt to see the Detroit Red Wings’ playoff streak end at 25 seasons. They struggled to get a postseason berth the last few seasons and hadn’t gotten past the first round since 2013, but it still will be odd that they’re absent. The Pittsburgh Penguins have the NHL’s longest active playoff streak at 11 seasons.