Defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson have been assigned by the Capitals to Hershey of the AHL, according to an Associated Press report on Thursday.

The Sabres have picked up the one-year option on coach Lindy Ruff?s contract, which means he will be back for a 13th season, according to an Associated Press report. Minority owner Larry Quinn announced the move during a news conference Thursday, three days after Buffalo was eliminated by Boston in their first-round series.

Alex Ovechkin says the Capitals aren't panicking despite the fact that the Canadiens have forced a Game 7 back in Washington on Wednesday night. Montreal's Jaroslav Halak made 53 saves in Game 6, which the Canadiens won 4-1 over the Capitals. Washington once led the series 3-1. "No, I think we have lots of confidence," Ovechkin said when asked if the team was panicking. "No panic, nothing. What can you do? We didn't score the goals. We had lots of chances, just didn't score."

Devils coach Jacques LeMaire has retired following his team?s first-round playoff elimination for the third straight year, according to an Associated Press report. Lemaire made the surprising announcement Monday, four days after the Devils were ousted by the Flyers in five games.

Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa avoided a suspension from the NHL for his hit on Nashville defenseman Dan Hamhuis and will be in the lineup for Game 6, according to an Associated Press report. NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell conducted a hearing with Hossa on Sunday and decided that no further penalty would be assessed.

Boston?s Zdeno Chara will play in Game 6 against the Buffalo Sabres after the NHL rescinded an instigator penalty assessed to the Bruins? defenseman in a Game 5 loss, according to an Associated Press report on Saturday.

Drew Doughty of the Kings, Mike Green of the Capitals and Duncan Keith of the Blackhawks have been named as finalists for the NHL's Norris Trophy. The award is handed out yearly to the league's top defenseman.

Carey Price will start in goal when the Canadiens attempt to even their series with the Capitals on Wednesday night, according to an Associated Press report. Coach Jacques Martin picked his starting goalie following the morning skate.

The Wild have fired assistant GM Tom Thompson, according to an Associated Press report. GM Chuck Fletcher released a statement on Tuesday saying the team will not renew Thompson?s contract. Fletcher?s statement read ?the Wild thanks Tom Thompson for his years of service and many contributions to the organization. We wish Tom future success.?

Goaltender Semyon Varlamov will get the start for the Capitals in Game 3 of their playoff series against the Canadiens, according to an Associated Press report. The Capitals planned to go with the 21-year-old Varlamov on Monday night instead of Jose Theodore, who had hoped to start against his former team.