Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Huselius on his way out?; Bertuzzi-Moore back in the news; McCarty returns; Samsonov continues to score; Boll fights his way to the top; Hawks' prospect shining; and more hockey news & notes...


CRAWFORD UNDER FIRE 
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for Los Angeles Kings coach Marc Crawford, they've taken a turn for the worse.

Crawford has been named as a third party in a suit by former NHLer Steve Moore, originally filed against the Vancouver Canucks and Todd Bertuzzi. The Ducks' winger filed a lawsuit to include Crawford in the case, stating that his former coach instructed Canucks players to "make (Moore) pay the price." Allegedly following his coach's advice, Bertuzzi then sucker-punched Moore from behind, and drove him into the ice. Moore has consented to include Crawford in the $38 million lawsuit, making him liable if the court deems that Moore deserves compensation.

Could the controversy, combined with the Kings' atrocious season, spell the end of Crawford's tenure behind the bench in Los Angeles? Bertuzzi, who has arguably been hampered by the scrutiny over the Moore attack will now be thrown into the media fire once again. Not exactly good timing for the Anaheim forward, as the playoffs loom.

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IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE? 
Mike Keenan is making it abundantly clear that Kristian Huselius will probably not be wearing a Calgary Flames sweater next season, according to the Globe and Mail. INTEL: The Juice was a healthy scratch during Tuesday's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, as part of an ongoing saga with coach Mike Keenan. Proving he is still effective, Huselius tallied an assist in little over six minutes of ice time during the Flames' previous March 20 contest against Colorado. Potentially an unrestricted free agent this summer, Huselius will certainly be out to prove his worth to general managers league-wide if he gets back into game action. Regardless, it seems clear that Flames GM Darryl Sutter will choose to sign workhorse center Daymond Langkow over Huselius.

KESSEL STEPS UP 
Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel has three points in two games since Marc Savard�s injury. INTEL: Kessel is receiving increased power play time with the absence of Savard. With the Bruins hanging onto the final playoff spot in the East, Kessel's production, be it on the first or second line, is critical.

HEATING UP 
Senators' winger Dany Heatley may have been invisible on Thursday night against the Sabres, but he is a proven threat against the Bruins. INTEL: Look for Saturday's matchup with the Boston Bruins to be a big one for Heatley. While the Sens' top line of Heatley, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson was held to just one point Thursday, Heatley tallied a hat trick March 11 against the Bruins, with Spezza adding a goal as well.

ALIU COMES THROUGH 
Blackhawks prospect Akim Aliu scored with 80 seconds remaining Thursday night, keeping the London Knights alive in their OHL playoff series against the Guelph Storm, only for them to be eliminated Friday night in a 5-0 loss. INTEL: Aliu must continue to prove his scoring prowess if he hopes to earn a spot on the Hawks in the near future. Chicago's lineup is already rich in gritty forwards with scoring woes (see: Adam Burish).

SECOND COMING OF SERGEI 
The mysterious Sergei Samsonov tallied another assist in the Hurricanes 7-1 romp of the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday. INTEL: Samsonov now has five points in five games--Blackhawks, Canadiens and Bruins fans alike are collectively scratching their heads.

PROSPAL PROSPERING 
Flyers winger Vaclav Prospal netted his 33rd goal Friday night against the New Jersey Devils. INTEL: After a slow start following his trade to the Flyers from Tampa Bay, Prospal has seven points in five games. Prospal has been the beneficiary of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and now Daniel Briere this season. With the numbers he's put up, Prospal, a potential unrestricted free agent, will be an inexpensive addition to yet another offensive line next season.

McCARTY BACK ON THE GRIND 
Personal demons appeared to have ended the career of Darren McCarty, but the gritty winger made his return to the Red Wings lineup Friday. INTEL: McCarty was in the starting lineup against the St. Louis Blues alongside his "Grind Line" mates, Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby. His Cinderella story will continue in the playoffs, where he has been known as a clutch performer--just ask former goalie Ron Hextall.

STILLMAN SIDELINED 
The Ottawa Citizen reports that Jesse Winchester will make his NHL debut Saturday afternoon against the Boston Bruins. INTEL: Veteran Cory Stillman's injury will keep him out of action Saturday, giving Winchester his opportunity. Winchester was signed as a free agent out of Colgate University, where he scored eight goals and led the league with 29 assists.

BOLL-ING OVER THE COMPETITION 
Columbus winger Jared Boll returned Friday night from a hip pointer injury, and fought Nashville's Jordin Tootoo nearly two minutes into the game. INTEL: The Blue Jackets were upset with Tootoo's apparent dirty play, and Boll was the one to step up. The Jackets' rugged rookie now leads the league with 25 fighting majors, two ahead of Flyers' Riley Cote and Ducks' George Parros.

BOYES AMONG MEN 
Blues forward Brad Boyes scored his 39th goal in regulation, his 40th in overtime, and added an assist Friday to help defeat the mighty Detroit Red Wings 4-3. INTEL: The fourth-year winger is enjoying a career year, leading the Blues in goals. Boyes hasn't proven that he can consistently create chances, however, as his stellar scoring numbers are supplemented by only 20 assists. But as long as he keeps putting 'em in, Boyes will continue to see power play time, and even-strength time alongside Paul Kariya and a combination of David Perron and Keith Tkachuk

OTHER THINGS ON HIS MIND? 
There's a good chance Roberto Luongo was a little distracted Friday night against the Minnesota Wild. Luongo became the father of a baby girl Thursday afternoon, forcing him to fly to Florida to be with his wife on Thursday, then to Minnesota in time to join the Canucks. INTEL: There's plenty for the Canucks to panic about, as their 4-0 loss puts them in a tie with the Nashville Predators for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. No reason to panic about Luongo, however. In his defense, two of the three goals against him came on the power play.

ODUYA BELIEVE ME NOW? 
Underrated Devils blueliner Johnny Oduya is serving notice that he wants to be known as a top-four defenseman. The Swede potted two goals in the first period en route to a 5-4 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. INTEL: Oduya is a plus-26 on the defense-first Devils, plays difficult minutes and quarterbacks the power play, as well. The seventh-round pick is far exceeding expectations. Molreover, he's more disciplined than his numbers from Sweden suggested he would be: 173 PIM in 42 games in 2003, compared to only 44 this season in the NHL.

EVERYONE LOVES A BRUNETTE 
Avalanche veteran winger Andrew Brunette scored two goals in a 5-4 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers Friday night. INTEL:Brunette's veteran presence is another reason why Colorado remains a playoff contender--he sports a solid 59 points on the year.

BARING GLENCROSS 
Curtis Glencross continued to come up big Friday night, netting a goal during the Oilers high-stakes matchup with the Colorado Avalanche. INTEL: Playing on the "Who the heck are they?" line with Kyle Brodziak and Zack Stortini, Glencross has been a welcome addition to an already gritty Oilers lineup.

RANGERS FEELING RUSSIAN 
New York Rangers management had a close eye on Russia yesterday. The New York Post reports that management has scheduled a meeting with Russian team Omsk about prospect Alexei Cherepanov coming to North America. Coincidentally--or maybe not--Jaromir Jagr has also scheduled a meeting with Omsk about a contract for next season, reports The Bergen Record.

ELLIS UNBEATABLE 
Friday, Nashville Predators netminder Dan Ellis shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second time in four days for a 2-0 win. Ellis also blanked the Jackets on Tuesday night in a 3-0 win, stopping 36 shots. INTEL: Perhaps the Preds' plans to groom Ellis into a No. 1 goaltender may no longer be out of the question. Nashville is currently tied with Vancouver for the final playoff spot in the West.