A two-day break before the Stanley Cup final resumes on Saturday allowed members of the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins to reveal much more about themselves, including their inner coach and favourite transportation methods. This and more in the top NHL stories from Friday.
1. Every day we learn a little more about Brent Seabrook, the overtime clutch scorer and natural leader. CBCSports.ca senior hockey writer Tim Wharnsby has the story on the Blackhawks defenceman who doesn't need a "C" or an "A" on the front of his sweater to be a difference-maker. Plus his teammates are well aware.
2. Maybe Brent Seabrook might consider coaching in the distant future? For now, he can leave it to these bench bosses who all signed new contracts. Rangers general manager Glen Sather says his new coach Alain Vigneault is a 'perfect fit' in New York, Lindy Ruff found a home in Big D, and Dave Tippett is staying put with the Coyotes, wherever they end up that is. All eyes — and ears, of course — are now on John Tortorella.
3. Jonathan Toews has been on the receiving end of Seabrook's coach-like pep talks. They seemed to have lit a fire underneath the Blackhawks captain, as Toews ended a 10-game scoring drought with his goal against the Bruins in Game 4. See if Toews sparks some more offence as the Stanley Cup final continues Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7:30 p.m. ET).
4. Veteran winger Marian Hossa will suit up for Game 5, even though the injured forward hasn't been a regular at practice. The Slovakian sniper was a late scratch for Monday's Game 3 after taking part in warm-ups. Despite not being 100 per cent, he returned to the lineup in Game 4, in which he played 19 minutes and picked up an assist on Patrick Sharp's goal. Here are some comforting words from Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville: "Hossa is fine."
5. A strategy that contributed to the Blackhawks' success in their last outing was not to avoid Zdeno Chara, but rather attack the 6-foot-9 Bruins defenceman. Even though it worked for one night, the Bruins insist their captain isn't thrown off by some physical play. Besides, he is known to occasionally take a ride on the wild side.
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