Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Taylor Hall collects his first Gordie Howe hat trick, but injured his ankle is his fight with Blue Jackets Derek Dorsett. I was Hall’s first fight. “I probably shouldn’t have had my first one against him … I know how he plays. He did hit me with a good punch,” said Hall, who would rather fight his own battles than have a teammate help him out. Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie is hearing a high ankle sprain, MRI today, could be done for season since only 5 weeks are left.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers will also be without Ales Hemsky for about 3 weeks with a rotator cuff injury to his right shoulder. Hemsky has missed 104 in the last 5 seasons, and has had shoulder issues the last 2 years, left shoulder last year, and now the right. Theo Peckham is out with a concussion.
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Brad Richards and Nicklas Grossman both took part in the Stars full practice yesterday. “It was a step forward, but I really don’t know yet,” said Richards, who has been skating in Frisco on his own. “This was the first time with people on the ice and contact, and it was a little different than skating on my own. I’ll have to see how I react. It was not as easy as just going out on my own to skate.”
Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: Sidney Crosby is still suffering from concussion symptoms, but is doing some light exercises on a bike. Last week they were saying a mid-April return would be the best case scenario. It may turn out that the Penguins would need to win a round or 2 before he’s able to return, if at all.
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Adam Foote practiced yesterday for the first time with teammates yesterday and hopes to play on Saturday.
