Top Line: Sidney Crosby's clinic; Raffi Torres gets jobbed; more links

Sidney Crosby (center) and Evgeni Malkin were all smiles after Crosby's third goal against the Senators. (Getty Images) ByAllan Muir An annotated guide to this

Sidney Crosby (center) and Evgeni Malkin were all smiles after Crosby's third goal against the Senators. (Getty Images)

ByAllan Muir

An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:

• Sidney Crosby put on a clinic with his three-goal performance against Ottawa last night. Just another night at the rink for the smartest man in hockey.

• The Senators can only hope to find another level when they return home for Games 3 and 4 or this series could be very short.

• Of course, if the Penguins are willing to keep feeding Ottawa Grade-A scoring opportunities then maybe the Sens have a chance after all.

• So, do you think Ottawa has a goalie controversy heading into Game 3?

• San Jose GM Doug Wilson offered an eloquent rebuttal to the league's decision to suspend Raffi Torres. I'm right there with him on this one.

• "Twenty years ago, he would have got a medal for what he did!"

• The Sharks could be on the verge of adding a significant player in time for a must-win Game 3.

• Detroit needs to figure out how to get Johan Franzen a little grumpy if they want to see his best effort in Game 2.

• Considering the miraculous recoveries we've seen this season, should the Red Wingsget their hopes up about a key player who returned to practice yesterday?

• Since balance isn't working for Chicago's struggling power play, Joel Quenneville is ready to throw his All-Star eggs into one basket.

• He didn't have much to do in the opener, but Corey Crawfordexpects to play a larger role as the series against Detroit progresses. That's nice and all, but he may want to bring a crossword puzzle or something, just in case.

• Just on principle, I can't write that Marc Staal is eying a return in Game 2. Wait...ah, dang it!

• With an 0-3 overtime record this spring, the Rangersneed to keep Game 2 within the confines of 60 minutes.

• Brad Richards has been reduced to bit-player status for the Rangers. It's not even about a wake-up call or jump starting his game at this point. More like, "Sit over here out of the way and try not to hurt yourself."

• The Bruins are comfortable going with a trio of rookie defensemen if none of their battered blueliners are ready to return to action.

• So, how's home ice working out for ya so far?

• Is Paul Stastny the answer to Toronto's need for a No. 1 center? Howard Berger ignores the line of Colorado fans willing to drive Stastny to the airport and makes his case.

• James Reimer still hasn't figured out how to process that Game 7 loss.

• Unless there's a height requirement for the Hall of Fame, this guy is a shoo-in.

• The rusty Blades of Saskatoon gave the London Knights all they could handle in the opening game of the Memorial Cup.

Team Canada's greatest problem.

Seth Jones