NHL and smelling salts; MacLellan’s Caps analysis (Puck Headlines)

Here are your Puck Headlines: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at [email protected].

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 17: A fan comes prepared for the St. Patrick's Day game between the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild at the Prudential Center on March 17, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

• Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Thursday’s New Jersey Devils/Minnesota Wild game. (Getty)

• Ever wonder about why NHL players use smelling salts? Explaining what smelling salts do, and don’t do, for NHL players. [Sports Illustrated]

• Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan opens up on his career and his team, which is leading the NHL in points. [USA Today]

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• Breaking down the 2016 Women’s Frozen Four, which starts Friday. [Victory Press]

• The rivalry between the Saskatoon Blades and Regina Pats heated up yet again. The two clubs combined for 50 penalty minutes during a second-period line brawl Thursday night. [Buzzing the Net]

• The University of Wisconsin fired long-time coach Mike Eaves. Eaves is also the all-time leading scorer in program history, a three-time captain, a two-time Most Valuable Player, an honor student and member of the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. [UW Badgers]

• The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Stephen Johns to a two-year contract extension. Johns was acquired in the trade last summer that brought Patrick Sharp to the Stars. [Dallas Stars]

• Former Dallas Stars forward Brenden Morrow reflects on his playing career. Morrow announced his retirement from hockey after signing a one-day contract with the Stars on Thursday. [Players’ Tribune]

• Taking a look at the Detroit Red Wings from an analytical perspective. [MLive]

• Why the NHL and WHA merged, and changed the face of hockey in the 1980s. [Vice]

• How Capitals broadcaster Craig Laughlin got in the booth, and why he never left. [Washington Post]

• Alyssa Gagliardi of the Boston Pride has won a lot of championships in her career at many different levels. The Pride won the Isobel Cup last weekend. [The Hockey Writers]

• Trying to explain the Boston Bruins’ handling of AHL scoring ace Frank Vatrano. [Boston Sports Desk]

• The Pittsburgh Penguins need to figure out their penalty kill problems as they head into the playoffs. [Today’s Slapshot]

• Viktor Tikhonov is living up to his promise with the team that drafted him years ago, the Arizona Coyotes. Tikhonov started the year with the Chicago Blackhawks, but was picked up on waivers by the Coyotes. [AZ Central]

• How can the Dallas Stars enter the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs playing their best? [Blackout Dallas]

• No movement clauses could have a big impact on the Columbus Blue Jackets in a possible expansion draft. [Buckeye State Hockey]

• San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns has been an offensive star this season. But are his numbers sustainable for your fantasy team? [Dobber Hockey]

• Who would the Edmonton Oilers protect in a possible expansion draft. [Oilers Nation]

• Finally, Nice shot by Martin Frk of the Grand Rapids Griffins.