Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares suffered an oblique injury with Team Canada in preparation for the World Championship and will return to Toronto for re-evaluation, Leafs Public Relations announced.

More to come.

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Jared Bednar said there was only one circumstance that would have prevented Nathan MacKinnon from returning to Game 7.

"He (would have) had to have been stretchered off or out of the building in order to not come back," the Colorado Avalanche head coach told the assembled media, including Sportsnet, about his superstar forward after a season-ending loss to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

"That's the way I felt and that's the way our (other) coaches felt," Bednar added. "Our team was sure happy to get him back and he (made) a big difference right away in the belief in our group."

MacKinnon confirmed postgame that he suffered a sprained shoulder, telling reporters including CBS Denver's Michael Spencer that he sustained "a Grade 2 or 3 AC sprain," and that he received a shot before returning to the game.

The dynamic center left after crashing into the boards on his own early in the first period. He returned with about three minutes left in the opening frame.

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And then there were four.

The NHL announced the schedule for the third round of the playoffs following the San Jose Sharks' win over the Colorado Avalanche (all times ET):

Eastern Conference Final

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins

Western Conference Final

St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks

*if necessary

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This one could haunt Gabriel Landeskog for a long time.

The Colorado Avalanche had an equalizing goal overturned after the San Jose Sharks successfully challenged for offside in Game 7 on Wednesday night.

Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow skated the puck outside his blue line but turned it over before he could get any further. In transition, the Avs came down and scored, capitalizing on the neutral-zone giveaway.

However, while five Avalanche skaters were onside, a sixth - Landeskog - was slow to get off the ice.

Here's a screenshot of Landeskog, who was still standing at the bench as the puck reentered the Sharks' zone.

Although Landeskog was in the midst of a change and clearly not a factor in the goal, by rule, he was still offside.

Had one of Landeskog's teammates opened the gate, or if he hopped over the bench, the goal would've counted.

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The Colorado Avalanche can breathe a sigh of relief.

Nathan MacKinnon came back after being forced to depart early in Game 7 against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

The Colorado Avalanche star left while holding his right shoulder after going into the boards on his own less than two minutes into the contest.

MacKinnon exited for the dressing room after briefly remaining on the bench. The 23-year-old center then returned before the first intermission.

He's been enjoying a productive postseason, notching six goals and 13 points over Colorado's previous 11 games.

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In what Matt Duchene admitted is "probably the biggest decision I'll ever have to make," the pending unrestricted free agent is at least considering re-signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I've really enjoyed my time here and we will definitely be talking with (general manager Jarmo Kekalainen) and the Blue Jackets and seeing what's in store," Duchene told reporters during the team's locker cleanout day.

Still accepting a Game 6 loss in the second round of the playoffs, Duchene is far from settled on a destination. He said he will make a "hockey decision" and intends to explore all opportunities.

Duchene tied his career high with 70 points this past season and increased his value with 10 points in as many playoff games. Centers of his caliber and age (28) rarely hit the open market.

The Blue Jackets already have limited draft picks after Kekalainen's pre-deadline splurge, but if Duchene re-signs, the Ottawa Senators will receive Columbus' first-round pick in 2020.

"Obviously, it would be a great thing if it could continue, so we'll see what happens," Duchene said.

When asked what resources he'll use to help make his decision, Duchene said he may reach out to good friend John Tavares, who left the New York Islanders last summer to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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Ken Holland's first task as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers is to find a head coach, but that hasn't stopped him from eyeing possible improvements to his roster - specifically between the pipes - when free agency begins July 1.

"Many teams have two goalies now," Holland told TSN1260's Jason Gregor on Wednesday. "I'd like a goalie who could play 30-to-35 games and they challenge and push each other. Ideally, I'd like one who has pro experience. I will talk to teams, but right now we likely will find one in free agency."

Mikko Koskinen is the only netminder on Edmonton's roster with a contract for next season. Just two days before his dismissal, former GM Peter Chiarelli signed Koskinen to a three-year extension with a $4.5-million cap hit. After arriving back in North America on the heels of a successful KHL stint, the 30-year-old posted a .906 save percentage and a 2.93 goals-against average in 55 games.

With interim GM Keith Gretzky running the show, the Oilers traded Cam Talbot to the Philadelphia Flyers for fellow goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Stolarz started just two games for the Oilers upon his arrival and is a Group 6 unrestricted free agent this summer.

The free-agent goaltending class this summer is headlined by Sergei Bobrovsky and Vezina Trophy nominee Robin Lehner, both of whom are expected to be out of the cap-strapped Oilers' price range.

Here are the other top options, ranked in order by their save percentage last season:

The Oilers project to have roughly $12 million in cap space for next year.

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Ken Holland's first task as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers is to find a head coach, but that hasn't stopped him from eyeing possible improvements to his roster - specifically between the pipes - when free agency begins July 1.

"Many teams have two goalies now," Holland told TSN1260's Jason Gregor on Wednesday. "I'd like a goalie who could play 30-to-35 games and they challenge and push each other. Ideally, I'd like one who has pro experience. I will talk to teams, but right now we likely will find one in free agency."

Mikko Koskinen is the only netminder on Edmonton's roster with a contract for next season. Just two days before his dismissal, former GM Peter Chiarelli signed Koskinen to a three-year extension with a $4.5-million cap hit. After arriving back in North America on the heels of a successful KHL stint, the 30-year-old posted a .906 save percentage and a 2.93 goals-against average in 55 games.

With interim GM Keith Gretzky running the show, the Oilers traded Cam Talbot to the Philadelphia Flyers for fellow goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Stolarz started just two games for the Oilers upon his arrival and is a Group 6 unrestricted free agent this summer.

The free-agent goaltending class this summer is headlined by Sergei Bobrovsky and Vezina Trophy nominee Robin Lehner, both of whom are expected to be out of the cap-strapped Oilers' price range.

Here are the other top options, ranked in order by their save percentage last season:

The Oilers project to have roughly $12 million in cap space for next year.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.