NHL News

--NASHVILLE-- An injury scare briefly sent P.K. Subban to the locker room during Tuesday's Game 4 against the Blues, but what might have been a Predators power play was negated when officials ruled the defenseman embellished the hit to his head. As part of a chippy, penalty-ridden third period, Blues defenseman Joel Edmundson took a run at Subban off a faceoff shortly after Nashville scored to take a 1-0 lead. Edmundson mugged Subban, who had the puck, knocking him to the ice along with his helmet. Subban stayed down for a moment before exiting to the Predators' locker room.

--PITTSBURGH-- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan confirmed the worst Tuesday: Sidney Crosby has a concussion, the result of a Matt Niskanen cross-check to the head that will leave Pittsburgh without its captain for at least Game 4. No doubt it throws the remainder of the second-round playoff series against the Capitals into a state of uncertainty. It's the latest in a long line of injuries which have robbed the NHL of its transcendent superstar.

--BOSTON-- The Bruins removed the interim tag from Bruce Cassidy's title Wednesday, naming him head coach, general manager Don Sweeney announced. Cassidy, who replaced Claude Julien after the he was fired Feb. 8, led the Bruins to the postseason for the first time in three years. Although Boston was eliminated Sunday by Ottawa in six games in the opening round, the team led the league in goals per game and tied for second in wins after Cassidy took over.

Place Bets on NHL

1. Chicago Blackhawks @ Boston Bruins
2. St Louis Blues @ Washington Capitals
3. Toronto Maple Leafs @ Minnesota Wild
4. Detroit Red Wings @ Los Angeles Kings