Just a few things that caught my eye:

• Ian Laperriere is Don Cherry tough. It's only been four weeks since he blocked a slapper with his face. Welcome back.

• Claude Giroux is to this year's playoffs as Ryan Getzlaf was to 2007; discuss. Two very different styles but the breakout potential is the same. 

• Michael Leighton has shut out the Habs in three of four games and nine of 12 periods, and is one win from going to the Stanley Cup finals. Not bad for a guy who was tossed on the scrap heap by none other than the Carolina Hurricanes. Best waiver find of the season. 

• Those plastic skate covers may prevent broken feet but they don't do anything to prevent goals. Just ask Josh Gorges. Or P.K. Subban. And why did so many straps break all of a sudden? You'd think they were composite sticks or something.

• Scary good. That's what the Flyers' forward ranks are now that Jeff Carter is back. Did you see him slice through the D? Like a warm knife through butter.

• Jaroslav Halak needs to be perfect. There's no other way at this point. None.

• Jordan Eberle was named the CHL Player of the Year today. And the Oil has Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, too. They both profile best on the wing. That's why the incompetent Oil will take sniping winger Taylor Hall instead of playmaking center Tyler Seguin at next month's draft. You just know it.