Sean O'Donnell

The Chicago Blackhawks are back to winning games in the third period, thanks in part to a more reliable bottom pairing on the back end.

 Now that the core of players for the Flyers has been ironed out, it’s time to cut the fat. The Flyers will have seven players who will become free agents after this season; four of them will be unrestricted free agents and three will be restricted free agents.

Unrestricted free agents are free to sign wherever they would like. Restricted free agents can solicit offers from other clubs, but their current club has a chance to match any contract offer.

The Broad Street Bullies. The moniker elicits varied reactions across the hockey world. In some it brings out fear, in others, unconditional hatred. In the surrounding Philadelphia area, it has always been a sense of pride, a badge of honor.

After watching the first few pre-season games these past couple of weeks, I came to a few conclusions about the Flyers this season.

First off, Jimmy Van Riemsdyk (JVR) is looking stellar. After a sub-par 2009-2010 season, JVR is looking to revitalize himself in the Flyers' offense. In the off-season, he has gained more muscle while maintaining seven-percent body fat! It certainly showed in the past few games. JVR looked quicker, more physical, and smarter. 

Following the Kovalchuk sweepstakes, the NHL community has a good idea of who is going where next year.

Many experts have focused on the impact Anton Volchenkov (Devils), Dan Hamhuis (Canucks), and Ray Whitney (Coyotes) will have on their new teams. Although these signings will have a big impact on the league, some players who will be an important addition to their team have gone unnoticed.

LOS ANGELES — Quit pinching yourself, Los Angeles hockey fans. You are not dreaming.

Yes, the Los Angeles Kings have made the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and for just the fifth time since 1993, when the Wayne Gretzky-led Kings went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.