Steven Stamkos' chances of suiting up in Friday's game have gone from slim to none.

The Tampa Bay Lightning captain told reporters he won't play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

"I think there's a big difference between playing through pain and playing with your life at risk," Stamkos said.

He gave himself a five-percent chance of playing Friday when asked about his status at Thursday's practice, adding there's a "real possibility" he may not play again for the Lightning this season following vascular surgery to treat a blood clot condition that's kept him out for the last seven weeks.

The 26-year-old center took part in Friday's optional skate and has been practicing with the team this week, but he hasn't played in a game since March 31.

"As I said since day one, I wouldn't be working if I didn't think there was a chance," Stamkos said. "There's just also a chance it may not."

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For the first time in their 22-year history, the Florida Panthers are undertaking a full-fledged rebrand.

The club will unveil their new look at a viewing party at the BB&T Center on June 2.

Aaron Ekblad, Vincent Trocheck, Shawn Thornton, and Steven Kampfer will be on hand to model the new home and away uniforms, which are expected to feature this redesigned logo.

(Courtesy: sportslogos.net)

The new-look badge is expected to be stitched on a horizontal stripe across the sweater, almost mirroring the Montreal Canadiens' design scheme.

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It's run on 150 minutes, or seven-plus periods in the West Final, since the St. Louis Blues scored. So naturally, their big-ticket scorer, Vladimir Tarasenko, has been fitted in position under the playoff microscope.

And for good reason. Because while he maintains a share of the team lead in points and is tied for third in postseason goals, Tarasenko's lone goal-scoring contribution over the last six games - the weightiest stretch of his pro career - has been a puck deposited into an empty net in Game 7 versus the Dallas Stars.

The 40-goal scorer was reduced to two shots in his 20 minutes in Thursday's Game 3 loss, extending a drought coach Ken Hitchcock attributed, in part, to a lack of experience.

"He's learning hard lessons, like any other player. Robby (Fabbri) is learning it, (Colton) Parayko is learning it. Vladi is learning some really hard lessons," Hitchcock said.

"The playoffs are for veteran players. The veteran players on both teams have this thing dialed up."

Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, and Logan Couture - San Jose's leading per-game scorers in the regular year - have combined for 12 points on the eight goals scored in the series.

The rub: These Sharks, the one's who share the same function as Tarasenko, have dealt with - and previously succumbed to - the plight facing St. Louis' sniper. And finally appear prepared to overcome it.

"Some guys never learn it. Some guys can't do it. Some guys learn that lesson and they really become accomplished players, especially scoring players. But (Tarasenko's) going to have to fight through everything if he expects to score a goal and contribute offensively," Hitchcock added.

"Unfortunately for all of us, you got to go through it."

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Calm, cool, collected, and confident.

That encapsulates Joe Thornton these days, as evidenced not only by his play on the ice but also his demeanor in the San Jose Sharks locker room.

Related: Thornton threads pass behind net to set up Hertl goal

Following a Game 3 win over the St. Louis Blues in which he recorded two assists and has brought the Sharks to within two wins of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance, the 36-year-old was asked if he's surprised he's playing so well at this stage in his career.

His response?

"No. I know I'm a great player."

Even Brent Burns had to get in on the conversation.

The numbers, of course, back him up.

Dating back to the beginning of the regular season, Thornton has recorded 93 points in 97 games, ranking him fifth among all NHL players. While his numbers are reflective of the talent assembled around him in San Jose, they also speak to his ability to carry the game on his stick.

Already a lock for the Hall of Fame, the Stanley Cup is the one big piece missing from his resume. If he keeps playing like he is, that could soon change.

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It wasn't very exciting, but he'll take it.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones steered away 20 St. Louis Blues shots Thursday to pick up his second consecutive shutout, becoming the first netminder in franchise history to achieve the feat.

Jones also matched Evgeni Nabokov's output from the 2004 playoffs, recording his third shutout of the postseason and his 10th win - both franchise bests.

The 22-year-old has now gone 150:45 without conceding a goal, and his club holds a 2-1 series lead.

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The San Jose Sharks are getting inside the heads of the St. Louis Blues.

Forward Troy Brouwer proved as much as he was seen breaking a stick on the Blues' bench in the third period, clearly frustrated by the state of the game.

The Sharks were up 3-0 at the time and hung on for the win. They now lead the series 2-1.

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That Joe Thornton can still make these kinds of passes at his age and with his size is nothing short of remarkable.

Related: Elliott yanked after Blues allow 7th consecutive goal of series

The benefactor in this case was Tomas Hertl, who scored his second goal of the night and chased St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott from the net as a result.

The helper was Thornton's second of the night and 10th in 15 playoff games.

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Brian Elliott played the role of the wake up caller Thursday in San Jose.

The St. Louis goaltender was pulled after the Sharks took a 3-0 lead early in the third period of Game 4, but goaltending isn't really the problem for the Blues.

The goal that led to Elliott's early exit was scored by Tomas Hertl - his second of the night - and marked the seventh-straight from the Sharks in the series dating back to Game 2.

The Blues, in fact, have not scored since 9:15 of the second period in Game 1, a span of almost 140 minutes.

So while Jake Allen came in to finish this one, Elliott is expected to be back between the pipes in Game 4, and hopefully with a more inspired bunch in front of him.

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Tomas Hertl got everything on his fourth goal of the postseason.

The 22-year-old unleashed a wicked slap shot past St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott to open the scoring in Game 3 on Thursday.

Hertl's fourth of the postseason was his second of the Conference Final and ties him with Patrick Marleau for fourth on the team.

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The San Jose Sharks are doing some good off the ice while battling it out for the right to play for the Stanley Cup on the ice.

The club has invited a family from Fort McMurray, Alberta to attend Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

What drew the Sharks to this particular family is that, although they lost lost their home to the devastating wildfire that recently tore through the community, they made a point to save their Sharks gear.

The Sharks will fly the family to San Jose for Game 4, where they will be treated to a VIP experience at the game Saturday including zamboni rides, high-fiving the team when they come out of the locker room, and new jerseys.

Well done, Sharks.

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