"Erik Cole's triumphant return from a broken neck took place in the 2006 Stanley Cup final.Ethan Moreau had been so happy to see the Carolina Hurricanes winger back in action, so pleased that he'd overcome all odds, that he smashed Cole as soon as — and as hard as — he could.

Asked what he remembers about that jarring sight, Steve Staios chuckles Friday morning.

"You don't take it easy — that's the playoffs, that's the finals," says Staios, then, of course, a member of the Edmonton Oilers. "I mean, if Ethan's mom was coming back from injury, I think he'd take a run at her to win the Stanley Cup. We all probably would. And there were probably 10 hits like that per game in those games."

Staios puts on a straight face.

"And the fact that it was his first shift back? I'm going to say coincidence."

Even without the post-season's merciless mindset, no one's rolling out the red carpet for Daymond Langkow.

The Calgary Flames centre, freshly back from his own neck issues, cannot expect sympathy. (Nor, knowing the guy, would he want it.)

After all, Langkow has been cleared medically.

Meaning he's fair game.

St. Louis Blues forward Cam Janssen probably speaks for all opposing players when he's asked if Langkow will get any slack in the regular season's final week."