The Washington Capitals will wait until after the Stanley Cup Playoffs before deciding whether to re-sign head coach Barry Trotz, general manager Brian MacLellan confirmed Friday.

With Trotz's contract set to expire at season's end, there have been no contract talks between the two parties, MacLellan told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.

"We wanted to wait to see how the year finished up total, the total year," he said.

In other words, regular-season success is good, but there's much left to be proven by Trotz's Capitals.

The veteran head coach has guided the Capitals to another first-place finish in the Metropolitan Division this season on the heels of two straight Presidents' Trophy wins. Playoff success has continued to elude the franchise, however, and whether or not Washington can finally get over that hump will certainly aid in the decision-making process.

"I think everything plays into it," MacLellan said. "Our focus now is just to win a first series. I think that's what everybody's thinking about."

Trotz has guided the Capitals to a regular-season record of 204-89-34 during his tenure as head coach, but the team has failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs under his watch.

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The final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference could be decided in a play-in game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers, the NHL announced Friday.

Here are the circumstances under which the game will happen, as outlined by the league:

• If at the conclusion of the regular season two teams competing for the final playoff berth in a conference are tied in points, ROW (regulation plus overtime wins), points in their season series (excluding the first home game for the team that has the extra game) and goal differential for the season, a tiebreaking game will be played.
• As it stands, the Flyers (41-26-14, 96 points) currently hold the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Florida Panthers (42-30-8, 92 points) the only team capable of grabbing it away from them.
• The Flyers (81 games played ) and Panthers (80 games played ) are tied in ROW (39), split their season series (after eliminating the odd home game between them), and Philadelphia currently is +3 in goal differential for the season, while Florida is -1.
• Therefore, the teams would play a tiebreaking game if Philadelphia loses its final game of the season by two goals exactly (Saturday vs. Rangers) and Florida wins its final two contests, both in shootouts (Saturday vs. Sabres, Sunday at Bruins).
• An equally weighted draw will be conducted to determine home ice advantage.
• If the score of the game is tied after regulation, Stanley Cup Playoff overtime rules will apply, meaning continuous, sudden-death 20-minute periods until a goal is scored.

It's a long shot, and the Flyers can clinch their spot with a single point Saturday against the Rangers before the Panthers even take to the ice against Buffalo.

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New York Rangers centerman Chris Kreider will be donning red, white, and blue for Team USA in May's World Championship in Denmark, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

Kreider has suited up for the U.S. in two previous tournaments in 2010 and 2011.

The 26-year-old Massachusetts native is coming off a season in which he registered 16 goals, 21 assists, and a Corsi For rating of 51.5 percent in only 57 games - his season was cut short due to blood clotting and subsequent rib resection surgery.

New York is set to miss the playoffs for only the second time in the last 13 seasons, making Kreider eligible to compete in his third World Championship.

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There will be one more trophy to present at this year's NHL Awards.

The NHL will unveil the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, which will "recognize the commitment of those who are improving lives and strengthening their communities through the game of hockey," the league announced Friday.

"We are privileged to honor Willie with the creation of this new community award," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "He has dedicated his life to equality and inclusion; to supporting young people of all backgrounds who are following their dreams; and to using hockey as a platform to build character and teach life skills."

The award will recognize a person, team, league, rink, or association that is not tied to the league or one of its 31 clubs.

Nominations for the award can be submitted via social media or through NHL.com. Six finalists will then be chosen before a public vote decides the inaugural winner.

In 1958, O'Ree made his debut with the Boston Bruins, breaking the color barrier as the first black player to skate in the NHL.

O'Ree appeared in 45 NHL games between 1958 and 1961.

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Anthony Duclair was back on the ice Friday, and he had some words for the man who sidelined him.

The Chicago Blackhawks forward has missed the last 11 games due to a lower-body injury after colliding with Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand.

Marchand was whistled for interference but didn't face supplemental discipline.

Count Duclair among those surprised the Bruins winger, who was suspended five games earlier this season, didn't get a call from the league.

"Everyone is going to have their own opinion," Duclair told Scott Powers of The Athletic. "At the same time, everyone knows his track record and he tends to do it.

"But sometimes, I don't know what happens, but he tends to do some dirty, dirty hits out there. I think it was pretty dirty, to be honest with you. He did reach out to me after, but I'm out for the rest of the year. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, hopefully I come back, but I thought it was pretty dirty."

It's not the first time this season Marchand has avoided suspension. Many thought he'd miss a few games following a recent cross-check to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Andrew MacDonald. He was ultimately fined $5,000.

Last month, New Jersey Devils forward Marcus Johansson echoed similar comments to Duclair's after he missed 31 games and suffered a concussion courtesy of a Marchand elbow. Johansson called the hit "stupid" and warned that the winger could cause a career-ending injury if he doesn't change his style of play.

As for Duclair, who was initially expected to miss one-to-two weeks but has seen that timetable pushed back as he continues his recovery, he's hopeful to re-sign with Chicago and have the chance to show his offensive game.

The Blackhawks acquired him from the Arizona Coyotes in January, but injuries have limited him to just 23 appearances and eight points.

"I think next year will be sort of a different look and more of a full team," Duclair said. "I'd definitely love to be a part of the future."

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The San Jose Sharks have had to persevere without Joe Thornton for the better part of two-and-a-half months and will likely have to do the same to begin the playoffs.

Head coach Pete DeBoer spoke to the media on Friday where he noted that Thornton is doubtful to return to the lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs, according to The Athletic's Kevin Kurz.

Thornton has been out of the Sharks' lineup since Jan. 23, missing the team's last 34 games due to a knee injury. Luckily, the Sharks have clinched a playoff spot and currently sit second in the Pacific Division.

In 47 games this season, Thornton has 13 goals and 36 points.

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Casey Mittelstadt will be adding to his international experience.

The Buffalo Sabres forward and Minnesota native will join Team USA for the upcoming World Championship in Denmark, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

Mittelstadt made his NHL debut with the Sabres last month, joining the team after his season wrapped at the University of Minnesota. The 19-year-old has picked up three points in four games with the Sabres.

Buffalo selected Mittelstadt with the eighth pick in last year's draft.

The World Championship begins May 4, with Team USA aiming for its first gold medal since 1960.

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Jonathan Pitre, otherwise known as the "Butterfly Boy' died Wednesday evening at 17 after a heroic battle with epidermolysis bullosa.

The disease makes the skin incredibly fragile and easily susceptible to blistering and erosion, making scratching and rubbing nearly impossible. He lost his fight after suffering septic shock as the result of an infection.

Pitre raised a great deal of money for the disease and was known for being a huge fan of the Ottawa Senators. Last March, ahead of a stem cell treatment in Minnesota, the Senators surprised Pitre with a meet-and-greet.

His story made waves around the NHL, so when news of his death broke Friday, many in the hockey community took to social media to pay their respects.

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Antti Raanta likes life in the desert.

The netminder has agreed to a three-year extension with the Arizona Coyotes, which TSN's Bob McKenzie reported will carry an annual cap hit of $4.25 million.

"We're extremely pleased to sign Antti to a three-year contract," general manager John Chayka said. "When we acquired Antti last summer, we believed that he had the talent and desire to become an elite starting goaltender and he certainly proved that this season.

"You can't be successful in this league without an outstanding No. 1 goaltender and now we have that with Antti. I'd also like to thank our owner, Andrew Barroway, for providing us with the resources to get this very important deal done."

In 46 appearances this season, Raanta has posted a 21-16-6 record, alongside a .930 save percentage and 2.24 GAA, both of which rank third best in the NHL.

The Finnish puck-stopper is currently in the second year of a two-year deal that carries a $1-million annual cap hit.

Raanta was among the best impending unrestricted free-agent goaltenders. That list is now headlined by the likes of Carter Hutton, Jonathan Bernier, and Kari Lehtonen.

The Coyotes acquired Raanta from the New York Rangers last offseason.

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Steven Stamkos needs a little more rest.

The Tampa Bay Lightning captain won't play Friday versus the Buffalo Sabres, marking his second straight missed game due to a nagging lower-body injury, coach Jon Cooper confirmed to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.

Counting this contest, Stamkos will have missed three of the last six games, but the hope remains that some extra time off will have him rested and ready for the playoffs.

The Lightning have clinched a postseason berth, but their first-round playoff opponent remains undetermined. Tampa Bay has picked up 110 points on the season and sits atop the Atlantic Division, ahead of the Boston Bruins by virtue of a tiebreaker.

Following the game against the Sabres, the Lightning will close out their regular-season schedule Saturday versus the Carolina Hurricanes.

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