On The Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. With the conference finals in full swing, we look at one key storyline from each of the four remaining teams.
How will Stamkos' health impact his summer?
Ben Whyte: Steven Stamkos' NHL future has been in question all season long as he approaches free agency, but as his team pushes on while he recovers from a blood clot, that future becomes even more uncertain.
The Lightning will likely do whatever they can to re-sign him, but general manager Steve Yzerman may be forced to weigh Stamkos' health against the team's cap situation with other young stars hitting free agency this summer (Nikita Kucherov, Alex Killorn) and next (Victor Hedman, Ben Bishop, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat).
Teammate Andrei Vasilevskiy was able to return to action after a similar vascular surgery, but other NHLers - Tomas Vokoun and Pascal Dupuis - saw blood clots end their careers.
A return during the East final would certainly quell any hesitancy by the Lightning - and other suitors - toward a long-term deal, but the risk/reward of signing Stamkos is sure to be the biggest question of the offseason.
Haute Couture
Craig Hagerman: While Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns have been heralded for their incredible postseason contributions, the man atop the playoff scoring leaderboard deserves his due.
Logan Couture broke the San Jose Sharks' single-playoff points record Tuesday, then added to it with an assist in Thursday's Game 3 victory. His breakout has been one of the most dominant postseason offensive outbursts of the last two decades.
At this pace, if the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final and win out their remaining games, he'd finish with 28 points - the highest total by any player in six years.
If we give Couture the benefit of the doubt with an extra game in each series, he'd hit 31 points, the highest total since Evgeni Malkin's 36 in 2009 and the third highest since 1996. He's having an outstanding postseason - far better than he's been given credit for.
Mike Sullivan and the Penguins' awakening
Sean O'Leary: Sullivan has transformed the Penguins into what everyone expected from them: a dominant offense that's lethal in transition. He reinvigorated Sidney Crosby, who shook off a slow start and notched 66 of his 85 points under Sullivan as Pittsburgh steamrolled its competition down the stretch.
Phil Kessel found his stride under Sullivan, too, scoring 20 points in 21 games to close out the regular season. United with fellow blazers Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino on the third line, Kessel finally looks the player the Penguins hoped they acquired in July.
Pittsburgh is rolling, and it's hard to imagine this is the same team - apart from depth additions at the trade deadline - that was outside the playoff picture looking in under Mike Johnston.
This Penguins resurgence is eerily familiar to 2009, when Dan Bylsma took over coaching duties mid-season and led them to a championship.
What's wrong with the Blues?
Josh Gold-Smith: The St. Louis Blues have been smothered by the San Jose Sharks in the first three games of their conference final series.
The Blues have been shut out in back-to-back contests, being held without a goal since midway through Game 1 - a span of over 150 minutes - and they've been outscored 8-2 in the series.
It hasn't been for lack of opportunities. St. Louis outshot San Jose in both their losses, and actually had fewer shots on the goal than the Sharks in their Game 1 win.
The most concerning issue for the Blues is the power play. They went 0-for-7 on the man advantage in Games 2 and 3 combined, including six squandered chances in Game 2.
Credit Martin Jones and the Sharks for neutralizing the Blues' scoring chances and making the most of the ones they've created for themselves.
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