Hype for March 21, 2010

Ever since losing No. 1 defenceman Andre Markov for 35 games on the first day of the season, it's been a never-ending trail of costly injuries for the Montreal Canadiens.

But for the first time since that season-changing moment back in October, the Canadiens are starting to get healthy again.

And it couldn't come at a better time.

Michael Cammalleri skated with his teammates Friday for the first time since injuring his knee at the end of January, giving head coach Jacques Martin the closest thing to a full lineup he's had all year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs believe they're starting to build the foundation for better times ahead.

Several of the youngsters stepped up again as the Maple Leafs dispatched another playoff-bound opponent, beating the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday night.

The Detroit Red Wings left it late on Saturday night, but gave themselves a big boost in their playoff push.

Henrik Zetterberg scored in the last second of overtime as the streaking Red Wings beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3.

The Los Angeles Kings took another step toward their first playoff berth since 2002, while the New York Islanders headed home after a pair of frustrating one-goal defeats in Southern California.

Jonathan Quick posted his fourth shutout of the season and Brad Richardson scored in the first period, leading the Kings to a 1-0 victory on Saturday night.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Manny Legace was lifted in the second period Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins with an undisclosed injury.

Legace suffered an unspecified lower body injury after being levelled during a scramble in front of the net.

The  Vancouver Canucks have locked up forward Ryan Kesler to a US$30-million, six-year contract extension.

The 25-year-old forward was due to become a restricted free agent on July 1 and is now under contract through the 2015-16 season.

Radim Vrbata and the Phoenix Coyotes did what only three teams have done - rally after two periods to beat the Chicago Blackhawks.

Vrbata scored the lone goal of the shootout and the Coyotes twice came back from two-goal deficits to beat the Blackhawks 5-4 on Saturday night for their eighth straight win.