In The Crease

John D'Amico, who was the NHL supervisor in the replay booth for last Friday's Flyers-Sabres' no-goal controversy, was also in charge during another contentious replay incident. On March 18 the Hurricanes were denied the tying score late in a game against the Canadiens despite video footage that clearly showed the goal should have counted. Had the call gone the right way and had Carolina held on for a tie ( Montreal won 3-2), the Hurricanes would have edged Buffalo for the final playoff berth in the Eastern
Conference....

If the Bruins fire coach Pat Burns as expected, former Boston forward Dave Poulin may have the inside track on the job. The 41-year-old Poulin , who has coached Notre Dame to a 71-99-22 record over the last five years, has the intelligence and charisma to be a successful coach in the league....

Colin Campbell , the NHL 's dean of discipline, sent the wrong message by suspending Capitals wing Chris Simon only one game for cross-checking Penguins defenseman Peter Popovic in the face last Thursday. Any attempt to strike a player in the head with the stick should be met with a far more severe punishment....

One reason the Oilers dropped the first two games to the Stars in the playoffs was the absence of hard-hitting forward Mike Grier , who was out with a triceps injury. Grier drives to the net and finishes his checks as well as anyone in the league. His physical play could have helped neutralize Dallas 's 6'5", 230-pound defenseman Derian Hatcher (above), who had 23 hits in the series's first two games....

The Maple Leafs must be thrilled that they acquired forward Darcy Tucker , who was obtained from the Lightning on Feb. 9. Not only did Tucker score the winning goal in Game 1 against the Senators last week, but he also plays an aggressive, in-your-face game.