Several teams face pressure to win Stanley Cup in lockout-shortened season

Vancouver Canucks' Daniel Sedin, of Sweden, skates at NHL hockey training camp at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, Jan. , 15, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken Jan. 14, 2013, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby smiles during NHL hockey practice at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The headaches are gone. Finally. So are the doubts, the ones Crosby couldn't outrun as he rehabilitated from concussion-like symptoms that robbed hockey's best player from two years in the middle of his prime. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)

Rangers coach John Tortorella says it's the right time for Rick Nash to be in New York.

The franchise is going for its first Stanley Cup since 1994.

Nash improves the Rangers' chances.

On the other side of North America, the Vancouver Canucks can't wait to resume their quest for their first NHL title.

The Rangers, Canucks — and their fans — won't want to talk or hear about parity if another team hoists the Cup in June.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins are also feeling a sense of urgency to win it all again.

And, making it to the playoffs isn't enough for the Nashville Predators, who raised the stakes by keeping captain Shea Weber for $110 million.

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