Penguins, Crosby refuse to lose

Craig Custance ESPN Senior Writer Close Senior NHL writer for ESPN The Magazine Wrote for Atlanta Journal-Constitution Wrote for The Sporting News Follow on Twitter PITTSBURGH -- It's a play they've made so many times together that Sidney Crosby didn't need to see much to know Chris Kunitz wanted the puck. There was brief eye contact but it was the way Kunitz was holding his stick that signaled he was ready. Crosby had just retrieved a pass from along the boards and was skating toward Kunitz when he started to raise his stick slightly in anticipation. "He wanted the puck," Crosby said. "He stopped in that area. He wanted to let one rip. I don't know how much he got on it, but he put it in the

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  Kunitz at the double to send Pens to Stanley Cup Finals

  Reuters
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  Kunitz scores OT winner, Penguins return to NHL finals

  AFP

Maple Leafs reportedly won't let Avalanche interview Dubas after all

Kyle Dubas, who is reportedly being courted by the Colorado Avalanche, was Brendan Shanahan’s first hire with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014. The Maple Leafs appear to have gotten cold feet over the possibility of losing assistant GM Kyle Dubas. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Friday morning that the Maple Leafs have rescinded their decision to let Dubas interview for a job with the Colorado Avalanche (presumably for GM, although Joe Sakic currently holds that title) only three days after reportedly green-lighting the process.

Will Islanders acquire Teddy Purcell, Gabriel Dumont, or Michael Hutchinson?

The Islanders will need to add a top-six forward and other forwards to add depth and improve ahead of next season, argues Scott Cullen of TSN in an edition of "Off-Season Game Plan." The Islanders won their final six games of the season, but narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. Cullen believes that the team's top concern this off-season must be to keep John Tavares, who has just one more year remaining on his contract. Andy Graziano, SNY.TV Twitter Hard to argue with Cullen's recap of the Islanders season, although calling Ladd a 'zero' because of assists was a tough take. There was no mention of the back injury suffered in training camp that hindered the forward past the all-star break or