How the Lightning built a shutdown line on the fly — and might change it up again

Erik Karlsson wasn’t playing at nearly 100 per cent during the Stanley Cup playoffs — and he was still by far Ottawa’s best player in their run to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. Not only was he Ottawa’s best player, he was often the best player on the ice between the Senators and their opponents, despite playing through a foot injury. The Senators remain hopeful that their best player will be ready for the beginning of the regular season in October.

The National Hockey League, which suspended play on March 12 amid the coronavirus pandemic, on Tuesday extended its self-quarantine recommendation to players until April 30. The league had previously advised players to stay at home until Wednesday. The NHL said in a statement it was extending the guidelines “following consultation with our medical experts, as well as with representatives of the NHLPA”.