NHL Monday: Boston bests Leafs in shootout

And it’s little wonder why, with the league barreling through the calendar straight toward the looming Stanley Cup Playoffs. Monday was no different than the past couple of weeks: the intensity was stronger and the atmosphere more tense than usual. The tilt between the Blackhawks and Kings set the tone for the entire evening. Back-and-forth hockey. Wild saves. Coast-to-coast dekes. Last-second goals. Exactly how we fans like it.

Our very own March Madness.

The play was reviewed by the folks in Toronto, and video replays seemed to clearly show that Couture’s stick was well beneath the crossbar when he deflected the shot. About as clear cut as you can get, right?

Wrong. The officials ruled that the video evidence was “inconclusive” and that the play was ruled a no-goal based on the call from the referee nearest to the play. The Sharks were justifiably upset, but none of it mattered in the end, as the Sharks scored again later in the period (and survived that video review) to regain the two-goal lead.

I have to imagine that earpieces worn by NHL coaches are at least relatively expensive. Maybe it’s a negligible cost for a team like the Boston Bruins, and thus assistant coach Geoff Ward is completely justified in tossing it over his shoulder without a care in the world.

But that was a $9 beer, man.

But trivial and minute do not describe Larry Robinson’s hands at all.

via 25.media.tumblr.com

• Oilers should use offer sheets

• Printable bracket for March Madness

Lupul missed the majority of the 2013 season after fracturing his forearm on Jan. 23. In the two games he played after the injury, Lupul contributed three goals and an assist before being suspended. Will he pick up where he left off?

3. Who will be in eighth place in the Western Conference at the end of the night?

There are seven games scheduled in the NHL on Monday night, with two contests in the Eastern Conference and five in the West.

Here’s a full look at the schedule and Monday night’s starting goaltenders: