Brian Burke: I’ll beat the snot out of somebody if Oilers win lottery

While many fans are excited to see if their favorite team will be awarded with the first overall pick in Saturday's NHL Draft Lottery, just as many are simply hoping the Edmonton Oilers don't win the lottery for the fifth time in seven years.

Among that crowd, unsurprisingly, is Calgary Flames president Brian Burke, who gave this response when asked by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman how he would react if the team's Alberta rivals is given the No. 1 pick:

Burke went further, adding that it would be a "travesty" if the Boston Bruins won the lottery, according to Andrew Walker of FAN 590. The Bruins have recorded the most points among non-playoff teams for two consecutive seasons.

The Flames, meanwhile, have never selected higher than fourth in an NHL draft. They have an 8.5 percent chance at the first overall pick in Jun, and a 26.3 percent chance at cracking the top three.

Earlier this week, Burke criticized the current lottery system, explaining that a situation where the three best non-playoff teams could win the top three picks is something "no one ever wanted." He also believes teams that win the lottery should not be eligible to win again for a specified time period.

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Barkov, Eriksson, Kopitar named Lady Byng finalists

Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov, Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson, and Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar were named this year's nominees for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy on Saturday.

It's the first time Barkov has been up for the award, given "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."

The 20-year-old concluded his third season in the league, setting career-highs in goals and points with 28 and 59, respectively.

Meanwhile for Eriksson, the nomination was the second of his career after the 30-year-old finished third in voting during the 2010-11 season.

Kopitar receives his second award nomination in three days after being named a finalist for the Selke Trophy on Thursday, awarded to the best defensive forward.

Winners will be announced at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 22.

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Stars’ Eaves day to day, Nichushkin to play Game 2

Dallas Stars forward Valeri Nichushkin will get another chance to prove his worth in the postseason.

Head coach Lindy Ruff said the 21-year-old will draw back into the lineup for Game 2 against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.

The move could be the result of Patrick Eaves' foot injury, which currently has the forward day to day, according to Ruff.

The 31-year-old left Friday's game after blocking a shot, and was seen in crutches on Saturday.

Eaves has fared admirably this spring, with five points in seven games. On the other hand, Nichushkin has gone pointless in five contests.

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Rays wish Lightning luck ahead of Game 2

The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in an early hole in their second-round series after dropping Game 1 against the New York Islanders on Wednesday, but ahead of Saturday's Game 2, the city's baseball team gave them some additional support.

Prior to Saturday afternoon's game, the Rays wished them good luck by tweeting a photo of a large Lightning banner in their clubhouse.

The Rays are also in action Saturday, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.

In the opening round of the NHL playoffs, all eight teams that won Game 1 went on to win the series.

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Getzlaf on Boudreau firing: ‘Coaches can only do so much’

In an all-too-familiar narrative Saturday, the players appear to be shouldering the blame for the firing of Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau on Friday.

Captain Ryan Getzlaf spoke to the media at the team's closing interviews, and lent his support to his former bench boss.

"Coaches can only do so much," said Getzlaf. "They have a responsibility, as do we. We have to absorb a lot of that.

"I take a lot of responsibility for things that go on here," Getzlaf added. "I look in the mirror and look at the group and what we can do better."

Getzlaf had five points in seven games, but was held off the score sheet in the club's final two games of the series.

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Getzlaf on Boudreau firing: ‘Coaches can only do so much’

In an all-too-familiar narrative Saturday, the players appear to be shouldering the blame for the firing of Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau on Friday.

Captain Ryan Getzlaf spoke to the media at the team's closing interviews, and lent his support to his former bench boss.

"Coaches can only do so much," said Getzlaf. "They have a responsibility, as do we. We have to absorb a lot of that.

"I take a lot of responsibility for things that go on here," Getzlaf added. "I look in the mirror and look at the group and what we can do better."

Getzlaf had five points in seven games, but was held off the score sheet in the club's final two games of the series.

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McDavid advises Auston Matthews to ‘smile no matter what’ ahead of lottery

With the NHL Draft Lottery just hours away, Auston Matthews - widely expected to be picked first overall - will soon learn who will have the first chance to draft him in June.

On Saturday, Matthews received some welcome advice on how to handle the situation from last year's No. 1 pick, Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, who poked fun at his own reaction from a year ago.

"My advice is just smile no matter what," McDavid said, per TSN's Ryan Rishaug.

McDavid memorably didn't look thrilled upon learning Edmonton won the lottery. He would put that behind him though and go on to record 48 points in 45 games as a rookie.

Matthews, an Arizona native, will certainly be hoping to see his hometown Coyotes win the first pick, but there's a 68.5 percent chance the 18-year-old will be heading north of the border to a Canadian squad.

Both McDavid (Canada) and Matthews (United States) are both currently in Europe, as they prepare to represent their respective countries at the IIHF World Championship, beginning May 6.

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Ducks’ Manson suffered mild concussion, separated shoulder in Round 1

It's now clear what was ailing Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson in the first round of the playoffs.

The team held exit interviews Saturday where Manson revealed that he suffered a mild concussion and a separated shoulder following a hit by Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg in the opening series.

The 24-year-old will not need surgery to repair the shoulder, Manson told NHL.com's Chris Zupke.

Manson was hopeful to return to the lineup for the second round, but a Game 7 loss to the Predators derailed his plans.

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Capitals’ Wilson says hit on Sheary meant to be ‘bluff check’

The hit on Conor Sheary that landed Tom Wilson a maximum fine was unintentional, Wilson claims.

The Washington Capitals forward was handed a $2,404 fine Friday for kneeing his Pittsburgh Penguins counterpart in Game 1, but according to Wilson, the hit in question was meant to merely psych Sheary out.

"I was just gonna bluff check him, give him a fake attack, go to the bench, and our legs got caught up," Wilson told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.

The edgy forward has gone pointless during the playoffs but has accumulated 11 penalty minutes and is tied for seventh in hits.

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Joakim Andersson leaves NHL, signs 2-year deal in Sweden

After playing in all five games of the Detroit Red Wings' first-round series loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, forward Joakim Andersson will be returning home to Sweden next season.

The 27-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Örebro of the Swedish Hockey League, the club announced Saturday, MLive.com's Ansar Khan confirmed.

Andersson recorded just a goal and two assists in 29 games this past season. He leaves the Red Wings with 15 goals and 21 assists in 205 career games over a five-year stint with the team.

The center was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

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