Some observers believed the honor - Most Valuable Player of the playoffs - should have gone to teammate Rod Brind'Amour, whose postseason body of work was just as impressive.

But the award went to Ward, then a 21-year-old rookie goalie who wrested the No. 1 job from Martin Gerber (he now plays for Ottawa) and posted a 15-8 record with a 2.14 goals-against average, .920 saves percentage and two shutouts in the playoffs.

Until recently, the Hurricanes might have wondered if Ward winning the trophy was a fluke.

The Hurricanes have a chance to finish first in the Southeast Division and secure no worse than the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they're just as close to missing the playoffs.

Ward has been in the crease for 24 of the Hurricanes' 29 wins - former Overland High School athlete John Grahame has the other five - but his 2.91 average and .898 saves percentage aren't cause for excitement.

It's why his recent resurgence is reason for hope in The Triangle, where hockey emerged during last year's playoff run from the long shadow cast by college basketball.

Ward has gone 3-1-1 in his past six starts (he didn't get a decision after being pulled in a 5-4 loss at Minnesota), but allowed four goals in Thursday night's 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers.

Despite the lapse, the Hurricanes believe they can rely on his play the rest of the way.

"He's a pressure-situation goalie, and I think he sees what's going on," coach Peter Laviolette told The (Raleigh) News & Observer. "We need everybody to step up, but you always need your goaltending to step up. He's doing that. I think he proved last year in the playoffs how competitive he is and how cool and collected he is when things are on the line, and we're in that position now."

Ward pegs his earlier problems to being too analytical.

"I'm trying to get back to having a clear mind and just going out there and playing," he said.

The Hurricanes also have been giving Ward more defensive support.

"A few times we've left him hung out to dry," defenseman Glen Wesley said. "We took that as a responsibility as a group to do a better job."

Good deal for Nashville

It really didn't cost much for the Nashville Predators to enhance their chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

To land Peter Forsberg from the Philadelphia Flyers, they gave up a spare part (right wing Scottie Upshall), a prospect (Ryan Parent) and first- and third-round draft picks.

The trade was made hours after Forsberg met with Flyers chairman Ed Snider, who reportedly had given the former Avalanche star until Sunday to let him know whether he planned to re-sign with the team or waive his no-trade clause.

Forsberg's addition gives the Predators just what they were looking for - a big-time center to go along with Jason Arnott and David Legwand.

Just as important, the Predators were able to keep Forsberg away from Central Division rival Detroit. The Red Wings were among those interested in acquiring the former Hart Trophy winner, along with Anaheim and Vancouver.

Forsberg gives the Predators much-needed playoff experience, too. His 162 postseason points are seven more than the rest of the Predators combined.

The Predators have one game remaining with the Avalanche, April 7 at the Pepsi Center, and it will look strange to see Forsberg in a mustard jersey when he plays in town for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Forsberg, 33, seems to be over the foot and ankle problems that have plagued him, but he might turn out to be a rental for the Predators. He's in the final year of a two-year deal worth $5.75 million this season and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1.

Rangers in danger

Like the Avalanche, the New York Rangers have been an inconsistent bunch and are in danger of falling out of the playoff race.

"If we trade wins and losses, we're going nowhere," Jaromir Jagr said.

Except for a five-game winning streak in December and a four- game streak in January, the Rangers have managed to win as many as three in a row only once.

The Rangers, who beat Carolina 4-1 on Thursday, play eight of their next nine games at Madison Square Garden, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. The Rangers have 11 wins in 26 home games.

Giving a little extra

The Avalanche and Dallas Stars raised more than $10,000 during Sunday's game for the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation.

Based in Littleton, the foundation contributes financial resources to nonprofit organizations that benefit children's charities.

Every player pledged a predetermined amount for various on-ice performances. Management and coaches from both teams also made pledges.

Slap shots

• Boston Bruins forward Brandon Bochenski has four goals and two assists in four games since being acquired from Chicago for a prospect. "He didn't show that when he was here," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "He didn't have the enthusiasm or the jam. Maybe he's starting to figure it out because it's his third team in six months. Good for him if he does well."

• Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher has matched a career high for goals with 16 and needs four to break the franchise record for a defenseman. Brad Maxwell scored 19 goals with the Minnesota North Stars in 1983-84.

• The Atlanta Thrashers' only win in the past seven games (1-5-1) was their 6-3 victory Feb. 8 against the Avalanche. They were outscored 26-11 in the other six games.

Making his mark

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur is closing in on a couple of single-season records: games played and wins. Brodeur, 34, leads the NHL in wins (35) and games (55). Brodeur also has won 35-plus games a record 10 consecutive seasons. "Consistency is what I always looked up to in Patrick Roy, who was the best goalie in the game," he said. Nine of Brodeur's wins this season have come in overtime, an advantage wins record-holder Bernie Parent didn't have.

Category Brodeur's total NHL record Record-holder (team), season

Wins 35 47 Bernie Parent (Philadelphia), 1973-74

Games 55 79 Grant Fuhr (St. Louis), 1995-96

sadowskir@RockyMountainNews.com