"Duncan Keith's smile was more complete Tuesday. But it also contained a lot more plastic than anyone would want in the mouth.

''I kind of want to take them back out because my mouth is all fake and plastic now,'' Keith said. ''[My] gums are pretty sore, obviously. I guess it looks better than with no teeth.''

Keith endured a six-to- seven-hour procedure with team dentists to replace the seven teeth he lost in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the San Jose Sharks.

Still, Keith, who reached iconic status for his ability to tough out his face-numbing losses, didn't mind showing off his new teeth at the Palms Casino & Resort, which hosts the NHL Awards tonight (6:30, Versus).

And why wouldn't he? Keith is a Stanley Cup champion, a gold-medal winner with Team Canada and one of the three finalists for the Norris Trophy, which goes to the league's best defenseman."