Sports

"At this point, I'd say he'll be back as No. 1," Nonis told reporters on Thursday to wrap up the year. "I think his mental make-up remains his strength. It's something you could question last year. I think it was clear that a lot of his issues a year ago were based upon his health. When we needed quality goaltending ... James was very good. I don't think anyone could point to goaltending as an issue with our team." The Leafs may continue their search for a quality veteran keeper, but Reimer made plenty of positive steps during the lockout-shortened campaign.

"We'll continue to work on it," Lamoriello said Thursday. "We've certainly started the process, but until (contracts) are complete there is nothing done." There hasn't been financial discussions at this point though. Clarkson would garner a fair share of attention if he were to hit the open market.

He continued his remarkable two-way play in the Bruins' 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Thursday. Chara racked up a game-high 38:02 of ice time, while dishing out nine shots, six hits and two points. The towering defender got his second goal of the postseason and he leads all defensemen in scoring with 10 points in eight games. The Bruins will continue to lean heavily on him even when their young blueliners, who are currently in the lineup, are replaced by the team's injured veterans.

The goal capped a furious comeback by the Kings who were down 3-2 with less than two minutes to go but a couple of San Jose penalties gave the Kings a two-man advantage and Dustin Brown scored at the 18:17 mark of the third to tie it up. The Kings were still on the power play when Lewis scored the winner 22 seconds later. The Kings got off to a 2-0 lead on goals by Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty. Los Angeles was great on the power play, scoring three times on six opportunities. It was Lewis's first goal of the playoffs.

It was Marchand's first goal of the playoffs after he was unable to find the back of the net in the seven game series against Toronto in the opening round. He also picked up his fourth assist in the playoffs as he helped set up the tying goal by Torey Krug early in the third period on the power play. Zdeno Chara opened the scoring for the Bruins and also added an assist. Marchand was apparently injured during the morning skate Thursday but managed to play. Boston fans are sure happy that he was able to.

Torres was assessed a minor penalty for charging on the play. He is a repeat offender and there was an injury on hit to Stoll, which also factored into the length of the suspension. He will be eligible to return if the Sharks can defeat the Kings and advance into the third round of the playoffs.

He received a knee-on-knee hit from Alexander Edler, who was assessed a major for kneeing, with 4:14 left in the first period. Staal wasn't able to put any weight on his leg as he was helped off the ice. "It's unfortunate and hopefully it's not too serious," Carolina GM Jim Rutherford said. "If it is serious, hopefully there will be enough recovery time for him to be ready for next season. We'll just hope for the best." He will have an MRI exam in Stockholm from NHL doctors.