He enters the fourth year of a six-year, $34.8 million deal, following another hip operation this season.

Hextall seemed fined with the 'tough love' approach.

Win, and they force a Game 7. Lose, and, well, you know.

Irwin reportedly heard about this after the boy's father posted about the incident on Facebook.

Bernier scored 16 goals and 26 points in 33 games last season in the AHL.

He's already a two-time champion. At 40 years of age, he's one win away from his third.

Some good barbs in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final edition of "Superlatives."

Another player becoming a coach on Friday.

His crime? The dreaded "banging on the glass."

Also reached agreements with Zac Dalpe and Dean Kukan.

Also an argument against suspending Sissons.

Despite getting crushed in Pittsburgh 6-0, NHL on NBC's Keith Jones fully expects the Nashville Predators to bounce back against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Providing lessons in grit.

His 21 points matches Dino Ciccarelli and Ville Leino.

Friday's collection of links.

Matt Irwin had some struggles trying to replace him.

Three assists. A skirmish with P.K. Subban. Oh, and he didn't mean to throw that water bottle.

"Our guys will respond," said coach Peter Laviolette.

And that's saying something.

Colton Sissons was given a match penalty after a back-and-forth with Olli Maatta resulted in a cross check and could be suspended, pending review. Mike Milbury and Keith Jones argue against the suspension.

After giving up three goals on nine shots, Pekka Rinne was pulled in between the first and second period. Was it the right decision?

P.K. Subban said the Predators have already moved on from the Game 5 drubbing, but Jeremy Roenick isn't convinced it'll be that easy to forget.

Sidney Crosby was on a mission and led the way for the Pens in Game 5, schooling the Preds along the way. Alongside Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, away from Mattias Ekholm and P.K. Subban, was able to dominate in...

Phil Kessel's performance in Game 5, which included three points on the score sheet, came at the perfect time for the Penguins and his confidence could mean trouble for the Predators.

The Penguins' defense and offense was finally clicking back on home ice and for the first time in the Stanley Cup Final, they got the best of the Predators.

Penguins' Ron Hainsey speaks with Brian Boucher about what clicked with the Penguins in the Game 5 win and the crucial advantage of playing at home ice.

Sidney Crosby applauds the play of Chris Kunitz, looks ahead to Game 6 in Nashville and denies throwing his water bottle. Crosby says the bizarre play happened because the bottle slipped out of his hand.

The home team continued to dominate in the Stanley Cup Final, as the Penguins soared to a 6-0 win over the Predators in Game 5.

Things are starting to get intense.

The biggest blowout of the series thus far.

The goals keep coming for the home team as Ron Hainsey nets the Penguins' sixth goal over Game 5.

Mike Milbury gives his take on the Sidney Crosby, P.K. Subban altercation in the first period, saying he doesn't mind with Crosby getting a bit even.

Sidney Crosby, unhappy with a slash on Chris Kunitz, accidentally throws his water bottle onto the ice mid-play.

Phil Kessel continues to pour it on for the Penguins, scoring the fifth unanswered goal of Game 5 in the Stanley Cup Final.

It is the second time in the Stanley Cup Final Rinne has been pulled.

With Pekka Rinne done after the first period, Conor Sheary manages to find the back of the Predators' net for a strong 4-0 lead in Game 5.

The two superstars are not getting along very well in this series.

Penguins' Evgeni Malkin beats Pekka Rinne top shelf at the end of the first period to extend the lead to 3-0.

Sidney Crosby pins down P.K. Subban and repeatedly shoves his head into the ice in an altercation behind the Penguins' net.

It all started with their struggling power play breaking through with an early goal.

Penguins' Bryan Rust goes top shelf against Pekka Rinne to extend the lead to 2-0 only 6:43 into Game 5.

Penguins' Justin Schultz snipes the puck through the legs of Austin Watson and then the five-hole of Pekka Rinne to open scoring two minutes into Game 5.

A fan threw a catfish, wrapped in a towel, was thrown onto the ice in Pittsburgh prior to the start of Game 5 between the Penguins and Predators.

The sellout crowd in Pittsburgh helps sing the National Anthem to kick off Game 5 between the Predators and Penguins.

With the series tied 2-2.

Finnish play-by-play announcer Antti Mäkinen had is call of Pekka Rinne's three saves in four seconds go viral after Game 4. Makinen stopped by to translate his call, revealing having referred to Rinne as...

He was an assistant coach in Detroit.

Speculation is Minny d-man Jonas Brodin may be a fit in Boston.

He won a Stanley Cup in Colorado in 1996.

He missed 19 games last season due to a lower-body injury.

He was taken in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

And the reunion might not end there, either.

The home team has gone 4-0 in this series, and if the Predators are going to win the Stanley Cup, they're going to need to buck that trend.

And it could be at P.A. Parenteau's expense.

"That’s not our thinking at this time."

Both teams have played a lot of hockey this postseason, but the Penguins have played more.

And Nick Bonino is a gametime decision.

Both forwards had career seasons.

First, a new arena needs to get built. Only then will the NHL consider Seattle for expansion.

This won't help the team mend its relationship with the city.

And there are only two or three games left in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Stanley Cup Final series returns to Pittsburgh for Game 5, 8 pm ET. Watch on NBC, online or on the NBC Sports app.

There was just one problem with his costume.

All in a night's work as Game 5 approaches.

Meanwhile, Mike Sullivan dismisses word of "desperation."

No word on the price or term, though.

A steal for one of the league's most underrated wingers.

Pirates of the Puck?

He just won a Memorial Cup coaching the Windsor Spitfires.

The Penguins know they need to slow down the Predators as Game 5 heads back to Pittsburgh, especially with the momentum in favor of Pekka Rinne and Nashville.

Penguins - Predators is a best-of-three series. Having never been this far in the playoffs, the Preds goalie will gladly take it.

He added the CalgaryNEXT project is still "very much alive."

An official announcement confirming this news is expected later today.

It's not for lack of effort, but he's a big reason why the Pittsburgh offense fell silent in Nashville.

And they'll need to drastically improve Vancouver's special teams.

Pittsburgh would be very happy if one trend continues in the Stanley Cup Final.

Quite a swing in the standings for Dallas in a short time.

"He would be happy for me, I would be happy for him."

He just won the Memorial Cup after leading Windsor in scoring as a 17-year-old.

For four tickets. That is a lot of money.

That would be OHL Erie bench boss Kris Knoblauch.

Stan Bowman: "Jan has been on our radar for a number of years."

He'd also love to represent Canada at the Olympics.

Wednesday's collection of links.

"It just comes down to burying your chances," Sidney Crosby said.

It was for a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

He seems determined to play in the KHL in 2017-18.

Forget catfish.

He had gone 15 games without a goal.

First, it was Pekka Rinne under the microscope. Now, it's Matt Murray.

That is according to coach Mike Sullivan.

James Patrick played 1,280 career NHL games as a defenseman.

Matt Murray: Predators are "right on top of the puck all time, forcing turnovers and taking away our time and space."

Nashville Predators' P.K. Subban has a reputation for a bold personality, which is on full display against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final.

Arizona GM Chayka: "...if someone wants to pay an even higher value for him, that’s the industry."

It's getting good between the Penguins and Predators and we bring you the best goals thus far!

The operation is the result of a fractured ankle suffered in late March.

Record-setting local ratings for Game 4 in Nashville.

Oh, the controversy!!

He had an incredible year with Union College.

This year's "Bonino, Bonino, Bonino?'

Tuesday's collection of links.

The Preds netminder has turned it around, and in a major way.

He's impressing his team even beyond those game-winning goals.

The Predators and Penguins traded goals early, but Nashville's two-goal second period and a strong game from Pekka Rinne made all the difference as the home team won 4-1 to even up the series, 2-2.

"Honestly, I thought for the most part I played pretty well tonight."

The Penguins have had a hard time taking control of the Stanley Cup Final but the Predators should be prepared to take the defending champs' best shot in Game 5.

The Predators' undrafted rookie Frederick Gaudreau, a.k.a Freddy Hockey, continues to make a surprise impact in the Stanley Cup Final and secure his place on Nashville's roster.

Predators' Viktor Arvidsson snapped a 15-game goal drought in the Game 4 win and he says it's "about time I scored."

Another great effort from the Nashville netminder.

The Predators have flashed their speed and energy throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it has given the Penguins plenty of problems in their series.

Pekka Rinne had another outstanding game in Nashville to take an even series back to Pittsburgh and credits how few chances the Predators gave the Penguins in front of the net.

Big stars show up during NBC intermissions.

Nashville will get loud. Will Predators get even?

Charles Barkley is loving the Nashville atmosphere for Game 4 as he takes a break from NBA Finals coverage, but refuses to throw a catfish due to his hatred of fish.

Or is it the save of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Thanks to an incredible pass from Mike Fisher, Viktor Arvidsson gave the Predators a 3-1 lead in the second period after beating Matt Murray.

Predators fans shower "Freddie!" chants down on the ice.

Pekka Rinne stonewalls Sidney Crosby and continues his unreal sequence with a rebound stop and sprawling save across the crease to keep the Penguins at bay.

This will be difficult to top.

Predators' Frederick Gaudreau beat Penguins' Matt Murray on a wrap-around attempt in the second period to give Nashville a 2-1 lead in Game 4.

Carrie Underwood reveals she's more nervous for her husband, Mike Fisher, during the Stanley Cup Final than she is before a performance.

The place was rocking after Calle Jarnkrok made it 1-0, but the lead was fickle.

Sidney Crosby escapes from the clutches of the Predators' defense and skates in all alone where he beats Pekka Rinne on the backhand.

Calle Jarnkrok got the Predators on the board first in Game 4 as he put back a rebound to beat Matt Murray, giving Nashville a 1-0 lead.

Plenty of stars out for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

A fan, ignoring the wishes of Predators head coach Peter Laviolette, throws a catfish wrapped in a rally towel and wearing a glitter hat out onto the ice.

Dierks Bentley is the latest country music star to sing the National Anthem in front of the home crowd at the Bridgestone Arena before puck drop between the Penguins and Predators.

"It's not been a lot of fun broadcasting games this year."

Wayne Gretzky joins the desk after it's unveiled that the 1984-85 Oilers had been voted the Greatest NHL Team by fans. Gretzky says he would have chosen the 1987 team or the 1971 Montreal Canadiens.

A breath of fresh air for the Stanley Cup Final.

P.K. Subban claims that Sidney Crosby told him he had bad breath after the Predators took Game 3 in Nashville. To remedy that problem, Subban made sure to bring plenty of Listerine to Game 4.

But the judge also had some strong words for the NHL.

Four Oilers teams of the 1980s made the top 10.

Golf Channel's David Feherty joins Jeremy Roenick in Nashville. Feherty, who's favorite sport is hockey, talks similarities between the two sports and says the only true sports trophies are the Stanley Cup...

Solid insurance for the Sharks organization.

None of the recommendations involved replay reviews.

The 2017-18 season will be his 24th in the NHL. He will turn 46 in February.

We hit the streets of Nashville, Tennessee to give fans names and ask them whether they think he's a hockey player or country singer.

Coach Peter Laviolette has a message for Nashville fans attending Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final: Don't throw anything onto the ice.

Since the early 1900s, hockey players have taped the blade of their sticks and there are plenty of reasons why it's beneficial.

It should keep him out through the start of the 2017-18 season.

The Canadiens acquired him from the Colorado Avalanche this past season.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were both quiet in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

"I really can't explain it if you're not from there."

As many as half a dozen teams have shown interest.

The potential No. 1 overall pick said scouts have told him it's an "above average" group.

It's unclear what plans a modified ownership group may have for the team.

The city of Nashville is going completely bonkers for the Predators after reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. On Saturday, they won their first ever game in the Final...

They are preventing goals and providing a significant portion of the offense.

Colorado might make some noise this summer.

The Nashville Predators' run to the Stanley Cup Final has been embraced fully by the fans in Nashville and that was evident in Game 3.

The Preds look to even up their series against Pittsburgh.

Monday's collection of links.

It was reported on Saturday that teams are inquiring about the Coyotes veteran goalie.

Ciccarelli holds the record with 14 goals, set in 1981. Guentzel is one back of matching that.

Another plot twist.

"There's a lot of energy in the building."

P.K. Subban discussed the Nashville atmosphere, Sidney Crosby's bad breath comment and why Game 4 is the biggest game of the Nashville Predators' careers .

He spent 12 seasons in the NHL between 1987 and 2000.

That's the challenge facing the defending champs from Pittsburgh.

Just days after arriving in Nashville on crutches.

"If he wants to make stuff up, what can I do?"

"He's stepped in and done such a terrific job."

The Buffalo Sabres seem like a potential spot for him.

It was a mostly well-behaved crowd that partied and celebrated the Predators' big Stanley Cup Final win.

St. Louis, San Jose also believed to have reached out.

The NHL figures there are as many as 80 slashes per game.

He has one goal in his past seven games and has seen his ice time drop.

Benning: "Unless it would make sense for our future, I’m not trading Chris."

Credit to the Predators and their penalty killing.

Veteran netminder bounced back with a big effort in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Stanley Cup Final is getting chippy and who's at the center of all the physicality? P.K. Subban. No one is off limits for Subban and that style of play provides Mattias Ekholm offensive chances.

Yep, we've got ourselves a series.

Pekka Rinne made 27 saves, Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored 42 seconds apart in the second, as the Predators beat the Penguins in Game 3.

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne breaks down the Game 3 win and overcoming his shaky start in the opening period as well as the first two games of Stanley Cup Final.

Much of the talk after the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final revolved around Pekka Rinne, and he answered his critics in Game 3.

Predators' James Neal talks to Brian Boucher about refocusing during the first-period intermission, the home crowd advantage and playing better in front of Pekka Rinne.

Winning the first Stanley Cup Final game in franchise history in the process.

P.K. Subban defends Pekka Rinne's performances in Games 1 and 2, explains why his guarantee of a win in Game 3 didn't provide any added pressure and jokes that Sidney Crosby thinks his breath smells.

More fish!

Mattias Ekholm extends the Predators' lead to 5-1 as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin served time in the penalty box.

A catfish made its way out onto the ice following Craig Smith's breakaway goal on Matt Murray in period three.

The Predators take a three-goal lead off a breakaway goal from Craig Smith, which began with a Chris Kunitz, Phil Kessel turnover.

With only 22.6 seconds remaining in the second, James Neal bangs home a rebound for his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final for the Predators.

That was sudden.

Pekka Rinne's impressive save sequence in the second period of Game 3 keeps the Predators' 2-1 lead intact.

Predators jump to a 2-1 lead just 42 seconds after tying the game at one thanks to an insane wrister from Frederick Gaudreau.

Roman Josi lifts the roof off of Bridgestone Arena with a power play goal in the second as the Predators tie the Penguins at 1-1.

Martina McBride performed the national anthem.

That's goal No. 13 in the playoffs for 22-year-old forward.

Jake Guentzel stays red-hot for the Penguins, scoring his 12th goal of the playoffs to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead in Game 3.

Martina McBride gets things started in Nashville with the singing of the National Anthem for Game 3 between the Penguins and Predators.

Sidelined after blocking a shot in Game 2.

Getting his feet wet. Literally.

Can the Preds deliver on P.K. Subban's bold prediction?

Rex and Rob Ryan get in on the fun in Nashville ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin discusses his relationship with Phil Kessel and his previous Stanley Cup Final experiences as he nears playoff history.

George McPhee: "We have a lot of teams that are offering..."

Jeremy Roenick enlists the help of Titans' Taylor Lewan to find the biggest catfish in Nashville ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Predators and Penguins.