Avalanche, Wings Ordered To Behave

In a Detroit-Colorado rivalry rife with bloodletting, the NHL wants both teams on best behavior when the Western Conference finals begin Thursday at Denver.

Players from both teams appear to be saying all the right things. The Avalanche, who get center Peter Forsberg back from a concussion, talked about not taking dumb penalties and how much they respect the Red Wings.

Detroit players, meanwhile, promised to play disciplined hockey with no retaliation, and insisted their hatred of the Avalanche was a thing of the past.

But both general managers have been warned that savagery - such as the cheap shots, bloody fisticuffs and 148 minutes in penalties that marred the most recent meeting in Detroit on March 26 - will not be tolerated.

Colorado defenseman Uwe Krupp underwent successful surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve in his lower back, team physician Andrew Parker said.

Lemaire might return

Jacques Lemaire remained coy about his future but indicated he would return as coach of the New Jersey Devils if general manager Lou Lamoriello wants him back.

“I have to talk to Lou about this first and go from there,” Lemaire said as players cleaned out their lockers. “I don’t see any problem.”

Coach won’t commit

Coach Terry Murray doesn’t plan to name the Philadelphia Flyers’ starting goalie in Friday’s first game of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers until at least Thursday.

Will it be Ron Hextall, the season-long No. 1 whose slump at the end of the season put him on the bench for all but one of Philadelphia’s 10 playoff games?

Or will it be Garth Snow, who took advantage of the chance to replace Hextall by posting a 7-2 record in his first Stanley Cup experience?