* As the NHL’s trade deadline approaches, there is the usual speculation about what teams might do to facilitate a playoff run or to rebuild with prospects. The Lightning aren’t part of the rumor-mongering. They’re looking forward to getting back the offensive wizardry of one of their own, the rehabbing Nikita Kucherov, to bolster their playoff run in defense of the Stanley Cup.
* NCAA tournament’s worst fear: A (men’s) team, Virginia Commonwealth (VCU), had to drop out mere hours before its opener against Oregon because of virus protocols.