Devils get good news: Stevens back skating

After two months of keeping their fingers crossed, the Devils saw their chances of successfully defending the Stanley Cup increase significantly when injured captain Scott Stevens began skating on his own. Stevens, out since Jan. 7 with postconcussion syndrome, had hoped to return for the start of the playoffs. “He started skating, but nothing has changed,” said Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. “He is progressing. He’s feeling good. We don’t want anybody to look into this that he’s playing or not playing. We’ll take it one day at a time. I don’t feel any different about it than I have felt all along. We hope to have him (for the playoffs).” For the first time since Stevens was hurt, Lamoriello said “he’s recovering from a concussion” rather than burnout or fatigue. COACH’S APPROACH Pat…

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SNAPSHOTS

From around the NHL • There’s still no word whether the Atlanta district attorney’s office will pursue criminal charges against Dany Heatley for the accident that killed former Thrasher Dan Snyder. The DA’s office recently told Heatley’s lawyers it needs a few more weeks to complete its investigation. The accident happened six months ago. • Here’s one creative way to curb the recent violence and stick-related incidents: eliminate the Lady Byng Trophy. Could be this late in the season some players become overly concerned they’re going to be nominated for it. • What were the Flames thinking when they bought out Martin St-Louis? And, for that matter, why didn’t either Minnesota or Columbus scoop him in the expansion draft? • Our sincerest apologies to Petr Nedved. We were wrong. You have made a difference.…

San Jose prepares for return to playoffs

It took San Jose only 76 games to do what it didn’t come close to accomplishing last year: clinch a Stanley Cup playoff berth. One year removed from all the heightened expectations and bitter disappointment, the Sharks assured themselves of a sixth post-season in seven springs. “I would never have predicted 94 points and a shot at getting 100,” said coach Ron Wilson. “I would have thought we had a shot at a battle with those other teams looking at eighth before the season started.” And with the team assured of the playoffs, Wilson said things will only get more serious. “I told our team, ’I’m going to coach like they’re playoff games now, get used to it and I want you to play like they’re playoff games,’” he said. “We’ve had a…