In The Crease

After referees Kevin Pollock and Brad Watson did an excellent job officiating the Mighty Ducks' 2-1 triple-overtime win against the Red Wings in Detroit last Thursday, they worked the Devils-Bruins match the next night in New Jersey. In that game (one of three that evening), there were several questionable calls, and it's likely Pollock and Watson were fatigued. The NHL put those refs in a bad spot, and the league needs to rethink its officials' schedule in the postseason....

Is it any coincidence that less than 24 hours after Anaheim goalie J.S. Giguere made 63 saves in that victory over the Red Wings, Flames general manager Craig Button was fired? One of Button's worst moves during his three-year tenure was dealing Giguere to the Ducks in June 2000 for a second-round draft pick....

At least five general managers want to change the rules that prohibit the size of curves on the stick blade. Those G.M.'s feel that allowing players to use a blade with a larger curve could punch up offense around the league....

With seven of eight higher seeds dropping their first game at home last week, don't be surprised if many teams follow the Devils' lead by forcing their players to stay at hotels during the postseason. New Jersey, which won its first two home games against the Bruins last week, thinks the hotel stays help players remain focused.