Along the boards

Los Angeles Kings The Kings, left for dead when Rob Blake was traded, won't go away and may well be the West's No. 8 seed. Felix Potvin's season high for shutouts before this season was five with Toronto in 1997-98. He already has five in 19 starts with Los Angeles. Mattias Ohlund Last season, the Canucks weren't half the team they are this season. A year ago, the Swedish defenseman was a plus-6. He's a minus-6 in the last two weeks. Dallas Stars Talk of the Stars fading, clearly, has no foundation. Recently, the Stars set a modern-day NHL record by holding opponents to one goal or fewer in eight consecutive games. And they just secured their fifth consecutive division title, which has only been done by three other teams in history ('70s Canadiens, '80s Oilers, and today's Avs). Philly's Kent Manderville In his first 54 games, nothing. In his last 24, he has five goals, including the game-winner against the Red Wings on Saturday. Hot seat: Garth Snow should get at least a start this week, and if he expects to get any consideration for a playoff start, he better stand on his head. Hot seat, Part Deux: It's a little more important for Roman Turek to have a good week. He not only has to salvage his status as the Blues' No. 1 goalie but also has to help spark a team that's struggling.

Chris Pronger returned to the St. Louis Blues lineup a couple days ahead of schedule, and it couldn't have come too soon for the struggling club.

Pronger, recovering from a broken left forearm he suffered last month, returned to the lineup Sunday night against Columbus. Even if he can't shoot and pass with his usual strength, the Blues are happy to see their captain back on the ice.

The Blues were 6-5-3-1 when Pronger was sidelined for 15 games after undergoing knee surgery at the end of January. During his recent absence, St. Louis was 2-6-4-3. That's nine losses in 15 games. The Blues lost their last two games by a combined score of 10-5 -- including an unprecedented blown lead in the third period at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

"It's gotten to the point where you get sick of watching games," said Pronger, frustrated by the injuries which have limited him to 47 games, his lowest total since 1994-95. "I can't watch anymore. The joke is over."

Watching the team lose doesn't sit well with the league's reigning MVP and Norris Trophy winner. Wednesday in Detroit was a perfect example: Even though his team exited the first period tied 2-2, Pronger was done watching. The Blues lost the game 5-2.

"So, I watched about 10 minutes of the game (Wednesday night). Then, I buckled. I had seen enough," he said. "Not fun. It's tough when you're sitting. You don't feel like part of the team, especially when the team is struggling."

With that loss, coupled with Saturday's 5-3 loss in Pittsburgh, the Blues virtually handed the Central Division to Detroit. The Red Wings have a seven-point edge with four games remaining.

Through it all, Pronger has felt powerless from the press box.

"Once in a while, I'll try and help guys out in practice -- things I notice, little things or good things they did," he said. "But most of that stuff is the coach's job."

Pronger had said he wouldn't play the final three games of the regular season unless the forearm is healed. He was expected to come back Tuesday, but instead made his return against Columbus on Sunday.

"I feel good, legs-wise," he said.

Watching hockey was a novel experience for Pronger, who spent his free time planning his upcoming wedding and monitoring his NCAA hoops pool. In his five years in St. Louis before this season, Pronger missed 27 games and averaged 77 games played. This season he has missed 31 games -- 30 due to injury and one due to a suspension -- and played just 47.

"This is one of those things I hopefully won't have to go through again in my career," he said. "With the knee and wrist, it's been very frustrating."

Frustrating for Pronger, debilitating to the Blues.

Games to watch: To live and die with L.A.
Gotta love old Wang Chung/'80s movie references. But this week, survival out West hinges on the Kings. If they run the table, some team (Vancouver, San Jose or Phoenix) will get bounced from the top eight.

Monday: Vancouver at Los Angeles
The Kings are coming off a great win against the Avs on Saturday. A letdown would set a bad tone for the week and place the Kings in a difficult position, especially considering their last three games are on the road.

Tuesday: Los Angeles at Phoenix
The Coyotes control their fate. When teams are within a point of each other, a four-point game can make or break a team's chances to qualify for the playoffs. Oh, and Phoenix also finishes on the road with games in San Jose and Anaheim.

Thursday: Los Angeles at Vancouver
Without Markus Naslund, the Canucks have struggled. GM Brian Burke won't even mention the "P" word, but he said: "I believe in the character of this team." The Canucks haven't won consecutive games since February, and only have a two-point edge on No. 9 Los Angeles.

Thursday: Phoenix at San Jose
Two months ago, this was a battle between division leaders. That kind of matchup brings out the best in players. So does desperation.

Mailbag
Got a question? Send it in and Breakout will break it down.

James Fife, Los Angeles, Calif.: There has been a lot of talk lately about the leaders out West being worried about playing teams like Edmonton in the first round of the playoffs. Are there any teams that could play the spoiler role in the East?

Answer: After New Jersey, the East is wide open. Ottawa has had every bit the season the Devils had, but the Senators don't pose as much of a playoff threat because they don't have a history of success.

It doesn't appear that Boston, Carolina or Toronto pose too much of a problem for the better teams but Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Philly have as much a chance at advancing as anyone else.