San Jose Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer is contemplating a significant line shuffle in advance of Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.

Patrick Marleau started Game 1 on the left wing of the second line with Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi, but could be bumped to a third-line center role in an attempt to match the forward depth of the St. Louis Blues.

"It's game to game," DeBoer said of Marleau's line assignment, according to Lou Korac of NHL.com. "Two Patrick Marleaus, one plays center, one on the third line ... I think we've been effective with three centers down the middle, Couture, Marleau, and (Joe) Thornton. We've also been very effective with him on the wing.

"I think two things come into play. Are you better as a team and is the individual better? That's the balance. I'm not here to make Patrick Marleau feel good. We're here to win games and we're going to put him wherever we feel we have to win games."

DeBoer deployed a third line of Melker Karlsson, Chris Tierney, and Joel Ward in the series opener. The Blues countered with Alex Steen at center, and David Backes and Patrik Berglund on the wings.

Marleau won just over 50 percent of his faceoff attempts during the regular season, and has contributed four goals and five assists in 13 playoff games.

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Connor McDavid could soon become only the fourth teenage captain in NHL history.

In an interview with TSN's Darren Dreger, the 19-year-old was asked if he felt ready for the responsibility, having already been called the de facto leader of the Edmonton Oilers by Taylor Hall at the end of his rookie season.

"I think it’s a better question for my teammates," McDavid began. "I mean, I think if you have their respect and they’re behind you and they’re backing you in everything you do, then I think that makes that job very easy.

"But for me, I’m looking to have a good summer, come into training camp, and whether or not that happens, that’s a different story. But I think I want to come to camp and show everyone that I’m not some young 19-year-old anymore, and I’m ready to take a bigger role."

McDavid made an impact immediately upon hitting the NHL stage, recording 48 points in 45 games during his injury-shortened rookie campaign.

If he is indeed chosen to wear the "C," he would join Gabriel Landeskog, Sidney Crosby, and Vincent Lecavalier as players to do so prior to their 20th birthdays.

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The NHL's motion to dismiss class action lawsuits filed by former players dealing with concussions has been denied by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Darren Heitner of Forbes reports.

The league argued that the class action could be preempted by labor law, but this was not accepted by the court. The former players - diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) - can now continue with their lawsuits.

After courts upheld a $1-billion plan to settle concussion lawsuits between the NFL and former players in April, Heitner suggests the NHL may have to begin considering a settlement option of their own.

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Anton Stralman provided every indication during Monday's morning workout that he'll return to the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup versus the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2.

Stralman, out of the lineup since fracturing his fibula in late March, exited the ice with the regulars after full participation. Nikita Nesterov, meanwhile, stayed on the ice to get in work with the Lightning's expected scratches.

The top-pairing defenseman would be a massive addition for the Bolts, who have defied many expert expectations through the opening two rounds. If he's fit, he'll presumably play alongside Victor Hedman, who's providing some of his best hockey of the season at the right time.

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P.K. Subban now has a rap song with his namesake.

Montreal rapper Wasiu is leading the promotion of his new mixtape with a song entitled "P.K. Subban," which extols the Canadiens blue-liner for being a star athlete, philanthropist, and an empowering figure in the local black community.

Wasiu explained his vision in an essay for Fader, writing that he hopes Subban will further establish his place as one of, if not, the face of their city with the help of the song.

"People are going to have to accept that the face of a white, French city is a black man - whether they like it or not."

- With h/t to Luke Fox of Sportsnet

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Pete DeBoer is still beating the drum.

For a second straight day, the San Jose Sharks coach reminded the media - and in turn the officiating crew - their Western Conference final opponent St. Louis Blues have a penchant for taking penalties.

"St. Louis is one of the most penalized teams in the league," DeBoer said Monday, as quoted by the Vancouver Sun's Ian MacIntyre. "They need to call the game accordingly."

For the one power play they received in Game 1, the Blues committed three minor penalties, which is in line with their average throughout the playoffs and slightly down from the regular season.

The Sharks, by the way, converted more power-play tries than any team in the regular season, and have scored more goals than any team remaining in the postseason tournament with the man up.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock, has since been asked about his counterpart's subtle campaigning, telling reporters the Blues won't "whine" for calls.

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With the stinging six-game defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins having now sunk in, the Washington Capitals' latest playoff failure has come clearer into focus for Brian MacLellan.

In a media debriefing Monday morning, the second-year general manager spoke in confidence about his core, but said that improving his bottom six must be an offseason priority.

MacLellan mentioned the ancillary importance of former Capitals middle-six forward Joel Ward, who sprung to the San Jose Sharks in free agency last summer.

"He's the kind of guy we needed in the playoffs," MacLellan said, according to the Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.

MacLellan said that Tom Wilson is the type of player they want to mold into a Ward-type function, but they'll likely have to explore other options to remedy another issue: speed. He noted that Washington got "exposed" by quicker teams, namely the Penguins.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely going to shake up their blue line for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final, as defenseman Justin Schultz is expected to be in the lineup Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Schultz will replace Olli Maatta, who remained on the ice with the regular healthy scratches during Monday's morning skate.

Head coach Mike Sullivan has said his lineup of defensemen will be a game-time decision, but he was critical of Maatta's Game 1 performance. The young Finn was on the ice for the Lightning's first goal Friday, as Alex Killorn snuck behind him and scored on a breakaway.

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