sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ball Arena, Blayre Turnbull, Bob Guindon, Butt Fumble, Charlie McAvoy, Chico Resch

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/30/2021 Anaheim Ducks Avalanche 1214539 Despite woeful season, Bob Murray and Dallas Eakins will 1214572 Playoffs schedule: Avalanche vs. Golden be back with Ducks Knights in second round 1214540 Bob Murray and Dallas Eakins are returning to the Ducks, 1214573 vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Who has but what changes might they make? the edge, five things to watch and predictions 1214574 Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Three keys for Colorado 1214541 Brian Daccord, top lieutenant for GM Bill Armstrong, 1214575 Avalanche preparing for rock ’em, sock ’em series against leaves Coyotes' front office Vegas: “Our compete level is going to have be throug 1214576 Started with the drop pass, Avalanche power play will Bruins need to be difference against Vegas 1214542 Islanders’ forecheck no match for Bruins’ finesse 1214577 Avs have worldly playoff performers in Nathan MacKinnon, 1214543 David Pastrnak scores a hat trick as Bruins take command Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar of Game 1 in victory over Islanders 1214578 Scouting the series: Breaking Avalanche vs. Golden 1214544 With a packed house in TD Garden for Bruins-Islanders, Knights with Peter Baugh and Jesse Granger the buzz was back in the city 1214579 2021 NHL playoff preview: Avalanche vs. Golden Knights 1214545 Tireless Charlie McAvoy continues to do it all as Bruins 1214580 By a whisker: Avs, Knights brace for tight 2nd-round series jump out to series lead 1214581 Scott Takes: The Avs have what it takes to beat 1214546 Islanders’ run of four straight Stanley Cup championships Vegas…but can they? only gets better with time 1214547 Meet Steve Babineau, the photographer behind Wayne Gretzky’s $3.75 million rookie card 1214582 Another blow: informs Blue Jackets he’ll test 1214548 Pastrnak hat trick leads Bruins past Islanders, 5-2 free agency, per report 1214549 Bruins Notebook: Jeremy Lauzon draws back in 1214550 NHL Round II: How Bruins, Islanders match up 1214583 How Detroit Red Wings' 1997 Stanley Cup run really 1214551 Game 1 observations: Islanders no match for dominant began 25 years ago today B's top line 1214584 Saturday's NHL playoffs: In front of 1st Canadian crowd, 1214552 Bruins-Islanders Round 2 playoff preview, analysis, key Habs force Game 7 vs. Leafs in OT matchup 1214585 Red Wings’ offensive improvement must come mostly 1214553 Projected lines, pairings for Bruins vs. Islanders Game 1 from within 1214554 Talking Points: Bring Game 1 Party To The Fans Oilers 1214555 We Finally Have Full Boston Bruins-Islanders Schedule 1214586 Racial barrage directed at Oilers' Bear leads to outpouring 1214556 Boston Bruins Fans Rock Almost Full TD Garden of charity 1214557 Boston Bruins Smith (Lower Body) Knocked Out of Game 1214587 Global pandemic led to out-of-this world Edmonton 50-50 1 Win sports raffles 1214558 Game 1: Boston Bruins Vs. Lines, 1214588 Ideal Oilers free-agent targets: The best fits for the many Preview roster holes Edmonton needs to fill this offseason 1214559 Boston Bruins Injury Update: Lauzon In For Game 1 Vs Islanders 1214560 Welcome Back Boston Bruins Fans And Welcome Back 1214589 Kings sign Russian winger Vladimir Tkachyov Boston! 1214590 Kings sign forward Vladimir Tkachyov to one-year entry- 1214561 Boston Bruins/Islanders Preview: ‘We’re Playing level contract Ourselves A Bit’ | BHN+ 1214562 Boston Bruins McAvoy Touching Greatness In The Wild Playoffs 1214591 With Zach Parise still viable, Wild has to get ready to 1214563 Mark Recchi Excited For ‘Unreal’ Boston Bruins Fans! make nice 1214564 Bruins dominate Game 1, powered by David Pastrnak’s 1214592 Young scorers give Wild optimism moving forward showy hat trick and an arena full of fans 1214593 Wild show promise, despite latest one-and-done in 1214565 From Jeremy Lauzon to Kevan Miller: Answering playoffs second-round Bruins lineup questions 1214594 After 'sideshow stuff' ends, Zach Parise has strong playoff series for Wild 1214595 Zach Parise shows he can help a contender — you know, 1214566 Daniel Palka getting a second chance with Red Wings as like the Wild he tries to resurrect career 1214596 Wild GM Bill Guerin has a pivotal offseason ahead of him. Here’s a blue Calgary Flames 1214597 Charley Walters: Danielle Hunter’s contract dispute with 1214567 'It was huge': Calgary's Team Scotiabank earns first win in Vikings not exactly Aaron Rodgers-like its final game at PWHPA event 1214598 Wild veteran Zach Parise laments ‘sideshow stuff’ from this season 1214568 Who has the goaltending edge as the Canes host the Lightning in Game 1 of their series? 1214569 He won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning. Will he get to play against them as a Hurricane? 1214570 Scouting the series: Breaking down Lightning vs. Hurricanes with Sara Civian and Joe Smith 1214571 Blackhawks offseason preview: Big decisions await with drafts, trades, free agency 1214599 Habs give boisterous Montreal crowd reason to cheer with 1214638 Habs give boisterous Montreal crowd reason to cheer with 3-2 overtime win against Maple Leafs 3-2 overtime win against Maple Leafs 1214600 Leafs have one remaining opportunity to end past playoff 1214639 Canadiens to face rival Maple Leafs in front of fans in failures pandemic first for Canadian NHL teams 1214601 Stu Cowan: A night to remember as Canadiens beat Leafs 1214640 Everybody knows the deal. The Leafs are on the ropes, in OT hoping to avoid a Game 7 knockout 1214602 In the Habs' Room: Kotkaniemi saves the day, but bows to 1214641 Kotkaniemi scores in OT, Price stars as Habs again down Carey Price Leafs in OT to force Game 7 1214603 Kotkaniemi forces Game 7 in Toronto with OT winner 1214642 Toronto fans and GTA residents, Hayden Flewelling, 19, 1214604 Canadiens Game Day: 'The people deserve this,' Brendan (left) and Ryan Mawhinney, 20, endure some abuse from Gallagher says M 1214605 2021 NHL Playoffs: North Division finals schedule, TV 1214643 ‘It’s obviously frustrating.’ Maple Leafs fall to Canadiens in channel, games, scores, guide to the second-round series overtime again. Next up: Game 7 1214606 Canadiens playoffs plus/minus: Montreal lives another 1214644 HORNBY: Leafs could relive nightmare from 1987 day, forces Game 7, thanks to Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Car 1214645 Game 7 next for Leafs, Canadiens after Montreal stuns with Game 6 OT victory New York Islanders 1214646 SIMMONS: Best-of-seven now a best-of-one for Maple 1214607 David Pastrnak has hat trick, Bruins blast Islanders Leafs 1214608 Islanders’ Casey Cizikas relishing faceoff test vs. Patrice 1214647 Dermott in, Foligno a possibility in Game 6 as Leafs seek Bergeron to eliminate Canadiens 1214609 Islanders fall in Game 1 as David Pastrnak’s hat trick lifts 1214648 2021 NHL Playoffs: North Division finals schedule, TV Bruins channel, games, scores, guide to the second-round series 1214610 Islanders, Bruins reaping benefits of trade deadline deals 1214649 Mirtle: Make no mistake, the Maple Leafs losing this series 1214611 NHL playoff history with Bruins could be good Islanders would be the biggest collapse of them all omen 1214650 Maple Leafs report cards: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner 1214612 It will take perfection for Islanders to stop the Perfection stifled as slow start, costly gaffes lead to Game 6 lo Line 1214613 David Pastrnak, Bruins too much for Islanders in Game 1 Vegas Golden Knights victory 1214651 Silver Knights lose Pacific Division final to Bakersfield 1214614 Isles-Bruins have little playoff history, but two series are 1214652 Golden Knights-Colorado Avalanche series schedule very memorable for blue and orange released 1214615 Islanders excited about playing to growing crowds 1214653 Golden Knights reward bettors in Game 7, but now are 1214616 Islanders are going to have to deal with Bruins' Perfection underdogs Line much more effectively to win this series 1214654 Golden Knights in unfamiliar underdog role in playoffs 1214617 Current Islanders buy into the dynasty team of the 1980s 1214655 Recapping Golden Knights-Avalanche season series 1214618 Ilya Sorokin or ? Top-line change? 1214656 Golden Knights, Avalanche battle for the Rockies, power Takeaways from Islanders’ Game 1 loss to Bruins in West 1214619 We Finally Have Full New York Islanders-Bruins Schedule 1214657 Golden Knights will return to full capacity at T-Mobile 1214620 Islanders Far From Perfect Against Boston’s ‘Perfection Arena Line’ in Game 1 1214658 T-Mobile Arena back to full capacity for Golden Knights 1214621 Pastrnak Burns Islanders in Game 1 Loss to Bruins games 1214622 How The Islanders Froze Penguins And What’s Next 1214659 Scouting the series: Breaking down Avalanche vs. Golden 1214623 Islanders Need Breakout Series from Mathew Barzal in Knights with Peter Baugh and Jesse Granger Second Round vs Boston 1214660 2021 NHL playoff preview: Avalanche vs. Golden Knights 1214661 Golden Knights Vs Colorado Avalanche Game 3 Is Friday In Las Vegas and Game 4 Is Sunday In Vegas 1214624 Minor league report: Nailers beaten by Stingrays 1214662 Golden Knights Return To 100 Percent Attendance 1214625 Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen finds a 'home' Capacity At T-Mobile Arena Starting With Colorado Vs 1214626 Mark Madden's Hot Take: Bringing back Mike Sullivan is Vegas Gam not a no-brainer for Penguins 1214627 Ron Cook: Ugly week highlights the decline of Pittsburgh Websites pro sports 1214665 The Athletic / NHL business notebook: ESPN and TNT 1214628 Friedman: Mike Sullivan WILL Return as Penguins Coach broadcast teams taking shape, Dominic Moore’s OT 1214629 Jake Guentzel: ‘I Let a Lot of People Down,’ Ready to Hit predi Weight Room 1214666 .ca / Canadiens take Game 6 and momentum 1214630 Stylin’ and Profilin’ Kapanen Finally Found a Home with from Maple Leafs in front of home fans Penguins 1214667 Sportsnet.ca / Leafs, Canadiens reward fans' electric atmosphere with memorable game St Louis Blues 1214668 Sportsnet.ca / In Game 7, Leafs will confront both 1214631 Who stays? Who goes? Schwartz heads list of Blues' Canadiens and ghost of playoffs past pending free agents 1214669 Sportsnet.ca / With style and substance, Pastrnak delivers 1214632 Blues depth chart heading into the offseason: Where does in Bruins' series-opening win Klim Kostin fit? Which positions need attention? 1214670 Foligno a GTD for Leafs in Game 6 1214671 TSN.CA / Leafs want to make sure series ends in Game 6 1214633 More schedule details for Lightning-Hurricanes series Winnipeg Jets 1214634 Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov feels ‘normal’ after first round 1214663 Jets champing at the bit for second leg of playoff race 1214635 It’s no coincidence Lightning’s Pat Maroon is going for 1214664 JETS NOTES: No media types around, so Jets can let third straight Cup their hair down 1214636 What did we learn about the Lightning in the first round of SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 the playoffs? 1214637 Scouting the series: Breaking down Lightning vs. Hurricanes with Sara Civian and Joe Smith 1214539 Anaheim Ducks LA Times: LOADED: 05.30.2021

Despite woeful season, Bob Murray and Dallas Eakins will be back with Ducks

By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST

MAY 28, 2021 5:34 PM PT

Ducks general manager Bob Murray said he will return next season after three straight playoff misses with the goal of getting players “to embrace what we’re doing here, and they’ve got to take ownership of it.”

Murray also said coach Dallas Eakins will return. However, Murray is seeking an assistant coach who can take responsibility for the power play and ease Eakins’ burden. The Ducks’ power play ranked last in the NHL last season with a success rate of 8.9%, and the team ranked 30th among 31 teams with a record of 17-30-9. Former Kings coach Darryl Sutter was an advisor to Eakins before the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to travel between Canada and the United States; Sutter gave up his advisory role to become of the Calgary Flames in March.

Speaking during a season wrapup video conference, Murray said the Ducks’ dismal season produced the small benefit of giving the organization a chance to assess young players’ talent and potential fit in the lineup.

“A lot has been said about this being a lost season and I don’t agree with that totally,” he said. “A year ago I was talking about where younger players would be and where they would get to. We really didn’t have an idea where they’d be. At this in time it’s much clearer to me that some of the younger guys have taken steps…

The Lakers, behind the play of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, dominated the Suns during the third quarter Thursday, showing signs of future dominance.

“Some of the young guys came along really well and a few didn’t. A couple of the middle-age guys have had lost years. Remodel, retool, reset — whatever you want to call it, it’s a plan. We need the core players and middle-aged players embracing what we do. We’ve got to identify which of our core guys really want to do that.”

He identified the team’s biggest need as top-six forwards — the Ducks ranked last in goals per game at 2.21 — but said they will choose the best player available in the annual draft, which is heavier at the top with promising defensemen than forwards. The Ducks have a 12.1% chance of winning the draft lottery on Wednesday and of getting the No. 1 choice. The Buffalo Sabres have the best odds at the top pick, 16.6%.

Murray blamed the Ducks’ scoring woes in part on the fact that too many players were unwilling to battle to get to tough areas on the ice to draw penalties or get prime scoring chances. He accepted blame for not recognizing that sooner. “We got older and maybe I waited one year too long to start this whatever ‘re’ word you want to use. We got older and guys got less willing to go to those places,” he said. “I don’t quite have the answers.”

In an era where pitchers throw harder than ever, and hitters are trained to react accordingly, the demand for a knuckleball pitcher could be rising in MLB.

Murray said he discussed his plans with owners Henry and Susan Samueli and executive chairman Michael Schulman and was pleased with their reaction. “They want it to be quicker, too. Everybody wants it. Nobody likes losing,” Murray said. He added that he was given a budget that’s “more than fair” for next season.

The Ducks have already made changes on the executive side, adding former Kings salary cap guru Jeff Solomon as vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager following the retirement of David McNab as senior vice president of hockey operations. “Jeff brings us a whole different element of things….[and] brings an analytic component to our organization that really needs to be upgraded and moved forward. I just haven’t pushed hard enough to move it forward but this was a good time for us to do that. We got lucky. We got a break finally.”

1214540 Anaheim Ducks a bad team after more than a year away from the rink. The sport’s thrills in a live setting are intoxicating, one of its greatest appeals.

Still, Anaheim wasn’t selling out every night even when it was winning Bob Murray and Dallas Eakins are returning to the Ducks, but what 50-plus games. Seeing how long the faithful, especially the “93ers,” will changes might they make? put up with losing hockey isn’t wise.

Naturally, there were an array of topics that came up during Murray’s By Eric Stephens half-hour postseason chat. Here are nine other takeaways worth chewing on as the Ducks move further into the GM’s self-described “critical May 29, 2021 summer.”

There will be a change behind the bench

When the 2021-22 NHL season begins, Bob Murray will be running the Murray covered Eakins’ status for 2021-22, and the two essentially have Ducks and Dallas Eakins will be coaching them. a year to show some serious progress has been made because their contracts expire after next season. Neither should be rewarded with an Feel free to make peace with both, Ducks fans. Perhaps you already extension until tangible progress is apparent. But there will be at least have. Maybe this is even something you want. But if those two things still one new face on the coaching staff. leave you boiling, try having a little chamomile tea and putting on some Sade, Bob Marley or, if you really need to mellow out, some Jack Assistant coach Mark Morrison figures to pay the price for an ever- Johnson. malfunctioning power play that was the worst in NHL history (8.9 percent) since it became an official statistic in 1977-78. Late in the season, Eakins Having talked with owners Henry and Susan Samueli and the team’s showed his dissatisfaction with how the power play repeatedly failed executive chairman, Michael Schulman, on Wednesday to discuss the when he took over the units and began drawing up plays. And in his franchise, Murray met with the media Friday and removed any lingering midseason address, Murray indicated how he wished he had made a hire doubts about his status and that of his bench boss following a season in last offseason. which the team finished with the second-worst record in the NHL. Murray threw his support behind Eakins during the year and, on Friday, Not that there was much doubt. Most changes to the major players in said his head coach did well to bring along the Ducks’ younger talent. organizations are made immediately after the season, and that didn’t happen in Anaheim. As the days peeled away, it was apparent that the “I think he did a very good job at that,” Murray said. “I think he definitely coach and GM would stay in place. — he needs some help going forward with the group we have. That’s one thing we are doing. We’re reassessing the whole coaching staff. “I’m coming back next year,” Murray said. “Dallas will be our coach next Obviously, we’ve got criteria if we’re going to make changes — what type year.” of people we need to help Dallas going forward. Once that was announced formally and put out on social media by “It was a heavy load when it started to go south. He hung in there. But reporters, it was met mostly with wisecracks, groans and bits of rage. we’ve got to get him somebody to help with the power play. And he has Snide remarks and the airing of gripes are how many people use social to be able to stay out of it. He’s got to communicate with the players. media. Many of us are wannabe comedians. But it also provides a He’s got to be free to just go around. What he does best is communicate, window into what many fans are thinking and feeling. They are frustrated and he’s got to do it. Again, that’s why we’re re-evaluating the whole about how things have gone downhill after the Ducks slugged it out with coaching staff. Up and down the organization.” Nashville in a contentious and painful Western Conference finals. For a franchise not known for widespread fan fervor, more and more are Gibson’s frustration is understood — to an extent voicing their displeasure after a third straight season far out of the playoffs. Usually concise, John Gibson opened up in an expansive interview (for him) this month. He built his success with Anaheim and still loves playing In the end, the Samuelis sign off on who’s in charge and the big moves there. He wouldn’t have signed a maximum contract extension if he the front office makes. Murray, who will head into his 14th season as didn’t. But he made it very clear that he is tired of the losses piling up. Anaheim’s GM, has convinced the check-writers that he has a plan, that The only stat he’s concerned with is wins. he is following it, that they should follow it and that it will eventually lead to success. “I think we’ve got to start taking some steps forward and trying to figure out what’s needed to have that happen,” he said. “I think you ask “The meeting was great,” Murray said. “They understand the plan. They anybody, they want to win. Nobody wants to lose. And it seems like the want it to be quicker too. Everybody wants it. Nobody likes losing. But last few years, we kind of found ways to lose games. Put ourselves they’re understanding where we’re going and what we’re doing. I got to behind the eight and maybe get a little comfortable with losing. be honest: I think they’re being more than fair with what our plan is on Obviously, we have to figure out ways in what’s the best plan of action to budget next year. We walked out, and … Henry was very good.” change and kind of turn the tide.”

The part about the budget should at least bring some comfort to those If that was a way to put pressure on management to address the roster who worry that the financial flexibility the Ducks will finally get this this summer, well, those concerns were heard. Murray said Gibson summer after years of being tight against the salary cap (and having to “became very frustrated this year” and that “it’s understandable.” rely on long-term injured reserve for usable space) might not be used. That could have been the case because the Samuelis and owners across “Well, he wants us to move forward,” the GM said. “He wants us to get the NHL incurred heavy financial losses due to the pandemic. better. I don’t know if he is referring to going and getting other players. I don’t know if he’s referring to that. Might be. And we do our best we can But some change must occur. Most fans weren’t able to let their voices to do that. That might mean we should change things for some other be heard at or show their unhappiness through staying players. He obviously wants this organization to take steps forward home because darn near everybody did. They could, however, express quickly.” themselves by not renewing season tickets. We assume the Samuelis know this (again, it’s been years since they spoke about the club’s on-ice More than ever, Murray could cut from the longstanding core fortunes and they rarely grant sit-down interviews), and maybe they still Ryan Getzlaf has been with the Ducks for 16 seasons. Time will tell have faith that Murray and company will turn this — as he put it: rebuild, whether the big center will return for No. 17. Others also are in question. retool, reset, whatever you want to call it — into a renaissance. Murray flatly said that he is more willing to move someone from the core The Ducks are already irrelevant in a Southern California sports as he addresses the roster. Cam Fowler has the next-longest tenure at landscape in which winning won’t make you a rival to the Lakers or 11 seasons. Hampus Lindholm, Jakob Silfverberg, Rickard Rakell and Dodgers or even USC for massive popularity, but it at least puts you on Josh Manson each have been around for eight. So has Gibson. Adam the radar. But continued losing will make you a laughingstock in the Henrique is the core’s newest member at four-plus years. hockey world. Three years without postseason hockey can’t turn into five “A key component of the plan for us has to be our group of core players or seven. Or nine. Hockey fans are among the most devoted, and we and middle-age players embracing what we’re trying to do,” Murray said. saw that when season ticket holders were eager to come back and watch “Understanding it. Wanting to be part of it. And helping us. Because you can’t get moving forward quicker unless they embrace it and take part in Anaheim has never won the draft lottery. Most years, as a playoff team, it. Take ownership of it themselves. We’ve got to identify which of our the Ducks haven’t been in a position to win it. The closest was 2005, core guys really want to do that.” when they had the No. 2 pick and selected Bobby Ryan after Pittsburgh took wunderkind Sidney Crosby. Rakell and Manson have easier contracts to move and could fetch a good return. The team also could see if there are takers for Henrique, With a 12.1 percent chance to win the lottery on Wednesday, the Ducks though the three years left on his deal are an obstacle. Rakell’s drop-off have the second-best odds behind Buffalo. Murray said he asked Henry from hitting the 30-goal mark twice to scoring 42 goals in his last 186 Samueli if he wanted to step in front of the camera and represent the games has left Murray perplexed. team the way he did in 2005. Otherwise, he tried to avoid the subject. “I’ll give you this,” Murray said. “It might be a win for a change just not to fall “Ricky’s had two years in a row where he’s just not scoring,” he said. (in the draft order). Because every year we fall. Might just be a win not to “And he does get scoring chances. We’ve got to get them back on the fall, and I’ll leave it at that.” right page.” Murray said the Ducks’ longstanding policy is to take the best player Speaking of Getzlaf, is no news good news? available regardless of position. And while he knows they require more Whatever happens with Getzlaf, there is no question that the longtime high-end forwards, he’s aware this draft is stronger in defenseman at the captain has left quite a legacy with the franchise. He has played all 1,101 top and that Michigan freshman Owen Power has emerged as the clear- of his regular-season games (and 125 playoff contests) with the Ducks cut favorite to go first overall. and needs seven points to pass Teemu Selanne as the team’s all-time “Owen Power is a very good hockey player,” Murray said. “Just watch leading scorer. Eighteen points will get him to 1,000. him right now in the world championships. He’s a very good hockey But the 36-year-old finished with only 17 points in 48 games last season. player.” Late in the season, Getzlaf spent time on the fourth line and on right wing Among the Ducks’ key pending free agents, Getzlaf is the only one who — two developments that once were unthinkable. Murray said he and has unrestricted status, and he certainly won’t get anywhere near his Getzlaf have talked about the future. Nothing concrete has been previous annual $8.25 million. Otherwise, the Ducks have seven notable finalized. restricted free agents: Jones, Comtois, Isac Lundestrom, Sam Steel, “He’s obviously at the point in his career where he needs to take a little Alexander Volkov, Danton Heinen and Sam Steel. step back and see what’s best for his family and what he thinks his role Only Volkov and Heinen have arbitration rights. Heinen could be a player can be,” Murray said. “We discussed roles on the hockey team. Ryan Anaheim doesn’t qualify because of his $2.8 million price tag. But the and I discussed a whole bunch of things, and we will continue to have Ducks will have some contract work ahead of them this summer. It’ll be discussions.” interesting to see if they attempt to lock up one (Comtois?) for longer The perception is that Anaheim has been in the Stone Age when it than a bridge deal. comes to utilizing analytics and advanced metrics to evaluate the “Jeff, David (McNab) and I have had a couple of discussions about that effectiveness of players and help tailor its system of play. Maybe it’s a bit so far,” Murray said. “We haven’t got into any detail yet. We know who of exaggeration — it’s had two members of its support staff devoted to they are, and we know what we have to do. I’m concerned about it, but analytics in recent years. Some of that perception is accurate because it’s something that will happen in due time.” many other teams have larger staffs. In a season without a ton of positives, the Ducks did not have any And Murray has never been one to speak glowingly when the subject of COVID-19 issues that forced the postponement of any games. The few analytics arises. But the hiring of Jeff Solomon as their cap and budget games rescheduled were a result of opposing teams having to move strategist and as a lead contract negotiator could bring the Ducks into contests. more of a metrics mindset. Only Henrique popped on the league’s unavailable list because of close “Jeff brings the analytic component to our organization that really needs contact with an affected individual. Four others appeared because of to be upgraded and moved forward,” Murray said. “I just haven’t pushed false-positive tests. That his players and staff were diligent was a point of hard enough to move it forward. This was a good time for us to do that.” pride for Murray. “I think it should be recognized, how good a job they Murray considers himself lucky to get Solomon, who wanted to move on did,” he said. from the Kings after 15 years. The pursuit of him is evidence that he has But it was a challenge. Some players found it difficult to play in an been impressed with how L.A. has gone about its rebuild. “I’ve dealt with atmosphere consisting of an empty arena with canned fan noise. While Jeff for years in doing things,” Murray said. “There’s just a whole bunch travel was much more limited in a 56-game season solely made up of of mutual respect there.” division opponents, players were largely restricted to their hotel rooms Wanted: A top-six forward who can put the puck in the net away from the rink.

The Ducks scored a league-low 124 goals in 2020-21. Their offensive “I think it would be much more of a factor for a team that was struggling ineptitude isn’t just limited to one season. Over these three years without than a team if everything was going well,” Murray said. “So, yeah, it was playoff hockey, their 502 goals rank 30th out of 31 teams. Only Detroit tough. It was very hard. It was really hard.” (491) scored fewer.

Murray had some theories on why players who used to produce now are The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 not.

“We got older,” Murray said. “And maybe I waited one year too long to start this whatever ‘re-‘ word you want to use. … Guys were less willing to go to those places.”

He went on to point out how the Ducks don’t draw as many power plays, in addition to being ineffective with the ones they get, noting that Max Jones and Max Comtois draw penalties because they’re willing to go to the net. But the Ducks need more talent up front. Parting with a prospect to get some proven scorers could be part of their plan.

“We got to get some shooters,” he said. “Those are the areas I’m looking in. … We got a bunch of good, young defensemen coming. So that’s where it’s possible maybe to make a trade to get a top-six forward. I’m saying it’s possible. But we’ll see what happens when it comes to that time frame.”

Is it clear who the Ducks will select if they get the No. 1 pick? 1214541 Arizona Coyotes

Brian Daccord, top lieutenant for GM Bill Armstrong, leaves Coyotes' front office

JOSÉ M. ROMERO | Arizona Republic

Brian Daccord, who spent this season as the special assistant to Arizona Coyotes General Manager Bill Armstrong, has resigned from his position, the team confirmed on Saturday.

Daccord was hired in September, the first person Armstrong brought on to his hockey operations staff. He also served as the director of goaltending operations as the Coyotes revamped that area of the club.

Reached via text on Saturday, Daccord cited a desire to focus on his family and his goaltending development company, Stop It, LLC, which trains goalie prospects. He said he was proud to have worked for the Coyotes and appreciative of the opportunity to work for Armstrong, calling his eight months a "tremendous experience."

Daccord added that he will continue to follow the team and looks forward to watching the Coyotes "become a championship organization."

The Coyotes operated without an assistant general manager this season, and are in a search for their next head coach. They terminated the contract of former assistant GM Steve Sullivan in February of this year.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214542 Boston Bruins round, in part because they were outshot dramatically, 41-19, in the Game 5 clincher. After 40;00, the Boston edge stood at 30-12.

▪ The Isles may not be as big as the Capitals, but they make up for it, Islanders’ forecheck no match for Bruins’ finesse especially on the forecheck, with quickness and pop. Case in point, Leo Komarov’s forecheck on Grzelcyk at the 7:00 mark of the second, leaving Grzelcyk slow to get back on his feet. He eventually made his way back By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff to the bench, gingerly, and then made his way to the dressing room briefly after regaining his wind on the bench. He returned quickly to the Updated May 30, 2021, 12:13 a.m. bench and finally began taking regular shifts around the 13:20 mark.

The Bruins can’t afford to lose backline personnel. They already have The Bruins Saturday became the first team this postseason to post five seen Steve Kampfer and John Moore exit for the season, following consecutive victories, sending the New York Islanders and their surgery. They have no handle on how soon, or if, Kevan Miller, dinged in energized and usually productive forecheck skittering down Causeway the Washington series, will be back. Jeremy Lauzon finally made his way Street en route to a 5-2 victory at the Garden. back for Game 1 against the Caps, but Jakub Zboril remains not ready for prime time. The little bit of rust the Bruins might have feared after nearly a one-week layoff was, for the most part, sanded off by midway through the first ▪ The Bruins followed one part of the game plan to a T: owning a 30-12 period. The Bruins pounded Islanders rookie netminder Ilya Sorokin with advantage for shots on goal over the opening 40:00. Shot attempts were 40 shots, tilted the ice their way throughout most of the 60 minutes, and even more lopsided, 49-20. They should be able to control the series if breezed to victory with three strikes in the third. they can keep up that kind of advantage for firepower.

The Islanders, built around structure and patient and stout defense in ▪ The Isles love to hit. Two of their forwards ranked among the league’s front of their net, never were able to get a on the game. Their top 10 hitters in the regular season: 6. Cal Clutterbuck (191) and 8. Matt energized, plucky forecheck, something that gave Boston fits and starts Martin (181). By the end of 40:00 in Game 1, the Isles had a 36-12 lead early this season, failed to keep the Bruins pressed in their own end and, in hits, and Clutterbuck had 6 and Martin had 4. Connor Clifton led the in turn, delivered little in the way of bonafide scoring chances against Bruins in the regular season with 108 pops. Bruins goalie . ▪ Sorokin had 28 saves to his credit over the first two periods. Not bad. “We did a better job moving [the puck] quickly,” noted Bruins coach But he was clearly the more “leaky” of the two tenders. He had two or . “Rims around the boards. We started winning our share three instances where he couldn’t find the puck after stopping it and was of battles along the boards, so wingers, that backs them off … even if fortunate the Bruins weren’t more alert with their sticks. Sorokin also you just punt it out to the neutral zone they have to reset and start over.” gave up a fat rebound off a Bergeron bumper shot, leading to Pastrnak cashing in the loose puck for a brief 2-1 lead in the second. Leaks near Early in the season, noted Cassidy, the Isles dogged forechecking was a the red pipes are dangerous. problem. Some of Saturday night was simply having the advantage of knowing what was to come. The Isles brought it. The Bruins swatted it away. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.30.2021 “Maybe we were lesson stubborn at times, too … kept moving it,” added Cassidy, now 32-29 in his playoff action as the Bruins bench boss. “We built in some misdirection or reverses in certain situations that we’ll continue to work on.”

▪ Led by David Pastrnak’s hat trick, the top line finished 3-3—6, underscoring yet again how hard it is for the opposition to contain the Brad Marchand--Pastrnak trio.

The main challenge in suppressing them is that, individually, they all are equal amounts passers and shooters. The trio collected 19 of the 40 shots on Sorokin.

“That top line can do a little bit of everything,” noted Isles backliner Scott Mayfield prior to puck drop. “I think the biggest thing for me is that they’re never out of a play, so I’m never out of a play — you can’t take a second off. Even if you think things have calmed down, you’re never out of a play and you have to make sure if they are on the ice you’re watching them the whole time.”

▪ Like the Washington series, in which the Bruins saw Tom Wilson score the series-opening goal, the Black-and-Gold again had to chase a lead when Anthony Beauvillier connected on the night’s first power play.

Every club prefers to play with a lead. The Bruins led for only 8:47 over the first three games against Washington until finally working with healthy lead times in Games 4 and 5. But the Isles are better structured and more disciplined than the Capitals. If the Bruins have to chase leads in this series, it will cost them energy, and could be a tough trend to reverse.

▪ The Bruins evened it, 1-1, with their first power play of the night, Pastrnak connecting from the left side after was on target with a wrister from the right point.

It was a slight departure for coach Bruce Cassidy, using both Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy at the points. But only 33 seconds remained in the first when the Bruins were handed the advantage, leading Cassidy to pair up his two most offensive-minded backliners for the draw. The strategy paid off only nine seconds into the advantage.

▪ The Bruins finished the first period with a substantial 18-8 shot advantage and outchanced the Isles, 26-12 for the period. They owned only a 173-169 edge in the five games against the Capitals in the first 1214543 Boston Bruins Islanders coach Barry Trotz, when asked what his charges didn’t do well against the Bergeron trio, offered: “Keeping them off the scoreboard.”

His netminder, Sorokin, had trouble controlling his rebounds. Pastrnak’s David Pastrnak scores a hat trick as Bruins take command of Game 1 in first two goals came from the same left-circle spot on the ice, off long victory over Islanders rebounds. His patient power-play strike with 24 seconds left in the first, and clean-up one-timer at 11:08 of the second, were the payoffs for his linemates’ hammering of the Isles. By Matt Porter Globe Staff The Bruins’ top six so thoroughly outplayed their matchups through the Updated May 29, 2021, 10:57 p.m. first two periods that the Islanders were out-attempted, 26-2, when top- pair defenseman Ryan Pulock was on the ice.

Pastrnak was a tone-setter, going after Pulock’s partner, Adam Pelech, Fans returned to TD Garden on Saturday in full force, filling the building during the first period. Pastrnak arrived at the rink wearing a suit of for the first time in what seemed like forever. They were eager, aching to mostly white, the arms and legs covered in blue birds and branches and cheer and scream and boo and bask in the fellowship that only live sports flowers. He topped his locks with a dark Fedora. can provide. “You need to play good” wearing a getup like that, he said, but it wasn’t The Bruins gave them a moment, and a memory, that will last a lifetime. even his hottest look. What could be better than a David Pastrnak hat trick, an emphatic, “It’s a boring one, compared to what I was going to wear,” he said. “Still series-opening win over the Islanders, to send them home happy? After have a couple crazy ones in the closet. Hopefully I’ll be bold enough to what we have all been through? wear them. I love fashion. As long as I feel good, I don’t care what other Some 17,400 fans, hundreds of them losing their hats, reached levels of people think.” delirium not seen in this town for 14-plus months when Pastrnak finished McAvoy knew the home crowd would love it. his second career playoff hat trick in a 5-2 Bruins win over the Islanders in Game 1. “They were excited,” he said. “They were into it. They were loud. They were passionate. They were everything that makes Bruins fans so Pastrnak, with Taylor Hall driving to the net, fired past Ilya Sorokin’s special. Really happy to get the win for them.” blocker to make it 4-2 at 15:50 of the third, helping put the Bruins up, 1-0, in this second-round series. Hall added an empty-netter to seal it.

“In the warmup, it felt like 22 players playing their first NHL game,” Boston Globe LOADED: 05.30.2021 Pastrnak said. “Everybody looking around. So many people.

“It’s a different sport with them in the building. Definitely warms your heart and reminds you why you play this sport.”

His third goal was the indelible moment, the unforgettable few minutes where the building shook and the faithful swayed. Bruce Cassidy was looking around, soaking it in.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a full house,” Cassidy said. “I think it was just a good moment to look around and see a lot of joy. … Playoff hockey, you know? That’s what it’s all about.”

When Pastrnak rushed up the ice, Charlie McAvoy was at the end of a long shift. He changed off.

“I got on the bench and sat down and immediately stood back up and was giving out some tired hugs,” McAvoy said. “The building erupted. The hats going on the ice. After watching the goal, I think it was Hallsy who drove the net on that play — I don’t know if he gets a point or not, but he backs off those defensemen and gets a screen. Those plays tonight, you can look at all our goals, guys making selfless plays. That’s what you need to win.

“But yeah, the music after and the hats, hearing the crowd just go wild. It’s something about what’s so special about being a Boston Bruin, embodied in that moment.”

McAvoy, the favorite son of , had them rocking with a rocket of a slapper that made it 3-2 at 6:20 of the second, with David Krejci (three assists) getting a credited helper and Nick Ritchie (net front screen) and Connor Clifton (outlet pass) earning attaboys.

“Probably feels special to him,” Cassidy said of McAvoy, who grew up a Rangers fan in Long Beach, N.Y. “Rub it into a few of his buddies back home.”

It wasn’t a supremely challenging night for Tuukka Rask, who finished with 20 saves. He spent a lot of time watching his mates, particularly those in the top six, pound the Islanders. In total, they outshot the Isles, 40-22, and the Patrice Bergeron-led top line outshot their opponents, 17- 3, at 5 on 5.

“The energy and the atmosphere, it was everything we expected and more,” Bergeron said. “Special night.

“It was a year of a lot of ups and downs. More downs than ups. Craziness and heartache. You could tell everyone was trying to enjoy themselves.” 1214544 Boston Bruins players against us because they use him in so many different situations. We have to keep an eye on that as well.”

Schedule set for remainder of series With a packed house in TD Garden for Bruins-Islanders, the buzz was back in the city Dates, and some start times, for the rest of the series have been set.

Game 2 is 7:30 p.m. Monday (NBCSN). The Bruins visit for Game 3 (7:30 p.m. Thursday, NBCSN) and another By Matt Porter Globe Staff nationally televised tilt in Game 4 (7:15 p.m. Saturday, NBC).

Updated May 29, 2021, 9:33 p.m. Times and TV channels for Game 5 (Monday, June 7) in Boston, Game 6 on Long Island (Wednesday, June 9) and Game 7 in Boston (Friday, June 11) have not been determined. It was drizzly and unseasonably cool on Saturday -- or, for the 17,000- plus fans who packed TD Garden for Game 1, perfect hockey weather. Bruce Cassidy concerned about Jeremy Lauzon

Two hours before puck drop, the bars and restaurants on Causeway and Jeremy Lauzon, who took a shot off his right hand in Game 1 against the Canal Streets were stuffed. Dozens of parties waited in line. Fans Capitals, returned to the lineup as Connor Clifton’s partner. Cassidy was streamed across the bridge from Charlestown, hopped off the T, and expecting Lauzon to play his physical, shot-blocking style and hoping he climbed out of the parking garages. didn’t overextend himself with the puck on his stick. “Execute the first pass, make the right decision, which is always a challenge for young The doors opened at 6:30, the first fans reached their seats. Some defensemen,” Cassidy said prior to Game 1. “That’s always a challenge marked the occasion with selfies. Many let out elated hollers when they for him when he’s been out, is getting up to speed with his puck play” … reached their seats. T. J. Connelly, the Garden D.J., played “Freedom A brief concern in the second: Matt Grzelcyk was hurting after Leo ’90” by George Michael. Komarov stapled him to the end boards, skating off with an apparent lower-body issue. He visited the dressing room at 7:51 of the second, but The first full “Let’s Go Bruins” chant, at 7:38 p.m., rocked the house returned shortly after … Jake DeBrusk was promoted to the No. 2 line in before warmups began. This was several minutes after a video reminding the third period after Craig Smith (lower body) was ruled out. It was fans of the two-beer-per-person policy was soundly booed. immediately unclear what happened to the right wing. Cassidy said it was The buzz was back in the city prior to the Bruins 5-2 Game 1 win over the a “red flag” that he couldn’t continue, but added he would be evaluated Islanders. Across town, at the same time the TD Garden doors opened, Sunday morning ... Looking ahead: the NHL is reseeding the four more than 29,000 at erupted after Red Sox reliever Adam winners of the second-round divisional series. The Stanley Cup Semifinal Ottavino got a bases-loaded strikeout to preserve a 2-0 seventh-inning matchups will be determined by regular-season points. One of the lead. Bruins fans echoed back before puck drop, screaming when the uncomplicated scenarios for the third round involves Toronto winning the Bruins hit the ice for warmup, when the house lights went down, when North. If that happens, the Bruins-Islanders winner would be the lowest of the starting lineups were announced. four remaining seeds. They would face the Colorado-Vegas winner. Those teams finished 1-2 in the overall standings … Oliver Wahlstrom, When honorary fan banner captain A.J. Quetta was shown on the video injured in Game 5 against Pittsburgh, did not play for the Islanders. The board -- with the announcement that he is back home -- it was as loud as rookie winger from Yarmouth, Maine and Boston College has been a it has been in 15 months. capable depth scorer with a heavy shot … Last series against Pittsburgh, Islanders rookie Ilya Sorokin became the 10th goalie in league history to “We’re excited,” Brad Marchand said Saturday morning. “Been a little win his first four playoff starts. Sorokin, 25, is hardly a knock-kneed envious watching the other games and seeing how many people have newbie under the bright lights. He played 69 playoff games in the KHL, been in the arenas. Really been looking forward to that. I can’t wait to going 50-17 with a .940 save percentage and setting a league record for see that and how loud it’s going to be, how excited fans are going to be. playoff (16). He went to three finals with CSKA Definitely going to have a huge adrenaline rush off of that.” Moscow, winning the championship in 2019 (he was playoff MVP). He Brad Marchand praises Leo Komarov has an Olympic Gold medal as a backup, appearing in one game for the Olympic Athletes from Russia in 2018. Marchand had an MVP-caliber season for the Bruins, finishing third in league scoring (29-40--69) and dragging the Bruins into the fight on nights they were sluggish. A changed man -- mosty -- Marchand did have Boston Globe LOADED: 05.30.2021 his Old Brad moments in the Capitals series, adding 10 minutes in penalties to his three goals. Three of his minors were for post-whistle activity.

Few players would love to see Marchand take penalties more than Leo Komarov, the Estonian irritant currently riding on Mathew Barzal’s line. During Komarov’s days with the Maple Leafs, he stuck to Marchand like glue, leading to a well-publicized nuzzling incident in the 2018 first round.

Before Game 1 of this series, Marchand was fully complimentary.

“He’s a great player for their group,” he said. “He knows his role and plays it to a T. He’s physical, he can score, he can make some plays. He’s made some big plays for that group. He’s out there when they need a big kill or a big moment. Just a competitive guy.”

Another grinder on the Island, Casey Cizikas, had his compass pointed toward the Bruins end.

“Keep getting pucks in deep, hitting them, being on him,” he said. “Oh my god, this guy’s on me again.”

Annoying in a different sense: J-G Pageau, on a line with fellow Bruin- destroyer Kyle Palmieri. Only three players -- Victor Hedman, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nikita Kucherov -- had more assists in the first round than the ex-Senator (six).

“Pageau had a good series, but he always does, he’s a good player and always plays well,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, whose team takes a 1-0 lead into Game 2 on Monday night. “He’s one of their most effective 1214545 Boston Bruins The former Bruins captain is one of the great links in the steely chain of d-men who have fortified this franchise across its history, and in seeing McAvoy both up close and from afar, Bourque fully believes he is Tireless Charlie McAvoy continues to do it all as Bruins jump out to watching “the next guy” in that chain. series lead “When he was drafted [14th overall in 2016] the hype and everything about him was that he was going to be the next guy and we’re seeing that now,” Bourque said. “I’m a believer that for any real good team, you By Tara Sullivan Globe Columnist have to have that anchor to count on to eat up minutes and play in all situations. He is that. Updated May 29, 2021, 6:44 p.m. “I just like the physical aspect as well in a defenseman that is in that

position for a team. He dishes some major hits.” The Bruins had only just killed off an inexplicable third-period — For all the things that have gone right these playoffs - the undeniable yet another bench minor for too many men on the ice — when Connor leadership of Patrice Bergeron, the steady backstopping of Tuukka Rask, Clifton sprung Nick Ritchie from the box. the awakening of Pastrnak, the alternating brilliance of Brad Marchand, Within seconds Ritchie was in front of the Islanders net, perfectly Taylor Hall, or Krejci, the valuable contributions of Matt Grzelcyk, Clifton, positioned for the play that would come next, the one that might be easily Charlie Coyle, or Jake DeBrusk - McAvoy’s consistency has been overlooked in the glow of David Pastrnak’s hat-trick night, but one that absolutely vital. He sets the foundation. did just as much (maybe more?) to secure the Bruins’ 5-2 win in Game 1 He averaged a team-high 27:15 of ice time in the five games against the of their playoff opener against the Islanders. Caps, including a game-high 33:53 in the double-overtime win in Game The play that was made by Charlie McAvoy. 3. And had that game not been ended by Craig Smith’s heads-up game- winner on a goalie mistake, McAvoy would have kept on skating. Tireless As if the Bruins’ No. 1 defenseman hadn’t done enough these playoffs to doesn’t begin to describe him. move into the NHL’s most rarefied air, his wicked blast from the point added yet another layer to his greatness, a screaming goal that sailed “It’s obviously something you notice, maybe the first thing you notice with through Ritchie’s screen and past Ilya Sorokin’s stick to give the Bruins a him,” Bergeron said. “Training camp or a captain’s practice, you do a little 3-2 lead. It was McAvoy’s first goal of the postseason, joining the five scrimmage, and he’ll be on the ice for five-plus minutes and seems to still assists and endless minutes the 23-year-old had given across the be flying out there. He’s one of those guys that can skate forever and opening series, and would count as the game-winner. never get tired. It’s definitely great to have it. I wish I felt that way as well. It’s very impressive and a testament to his conditioning.” It was a goal to pushTD Garden to its most off-the-charts volume of an incredibly loud night, releasing the pent-up energy of fans who hadn’t And to his strength. And to his skill. been allowed to fill the building for 444 COVID-blocked days, fans who One game into the second round of the playoffs, the Bruins 2021 story is were determined to let the hockey world know just how grateful they were far from written. But neither is McAvoy’s. His ascension in the aftermath to be back. of Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug has played out in real time excellence, The Bruins seemed equally determined to reward their faith. For McAvoy, an ongoing maturation before our eyes that, much like the man himself, a kid who grew up on Long Island, in the very suburbs of New York that shows no sign of slowing down. inspired his playoff opponents’ name, the night couldn’t have gone any better. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.30.2021 “He gets the winner against his old team, probably feels special to him, he can rub it in to his buddies back home,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “At the end of the day, it’s a huge goal for us. Not surprised. Charlie’s coming around offensively. He’s playing more, more confident with his shot versus distribution ratio, shooting the puck a bit more. That one happened to have eyes and it was good timing for us.”

One that McAvoy insisted couldn’t have happened without Ritchie, for his selfless work in the crease, or David Krejci, for his pinpoint pass with eyes.

“So I saw the puck get rimmed, coming off the bench, Krech got it, and knowing the player Krech is, he knows where everyone is on the ice,” McAvoy said. “I wanted to make myself available in a shooting position. I knew I had a guy coming on me, that I had to shoot off to the side of his body, and watching the goal you can attribute all of it to Nick Ritchie in front. So many times this year, he’s standing in front, taking everyone’s eyes, being a pain. So selfless.”

So true, and so much the words of an ever-maturing, evolving leader. Once again, McAvoy was up for anything and everything Saturday night, flying around the ice in 5-on-5, delivering hits and mixing it up (like he did at the end of the second period), ready for the penalty kill and the power play alike — always out there, reminding everyone he has the lung capacity befitting an Olympic swimmer.

Even better, stamina reminiscent of a certain Hall of Fame Bruins defenseman, a player similarly known for the indefatigable ability to outlast anyone on skates.

“He’s just got the complete package,” Hall of Famer said in a pregame phone call, hours before he would head to his North End restaurant Tresca and then onto the Garden with his two sons and grandson to watch the game. “He’s big, he’s strong, he skates well, he sees the ice well, he moves well. He’s counted on to play major minutes. He anchors the defense and he is improving all the time, taking charge.

“He hasn’t even hit how good he’s going to be. The bigger the game, the better he is.” 1214546 Boston Bruins good. Steve was a teenager, so probably saw the most hockey on television at that age … he just took to the Islanders. He liked a lot, Bossy, Trottier and Chico in nets.”

Islanders’ run of four straight Stanley Cup championships only gets better For all their star talent, the Islanders might never have put it together if with time not for Torrey’s trade with the LA Kings in March 1980, acquiring Goring for Billy Harris and . Goring provided vital support at center, especially on special teams. By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff Goring, who later in his career coached the Bruins for a short time, Updated May 29, 2021, 6:02 p.m. chipped in with 27 goals and 62 points in those four Cups seasons, almost in lockstep with opportunistic winger (25 goals/63

points). Along with Bob Bourne, they provided that secondary scoring Andy Greene, the 37-year-old defenseman, is the lone current Islander always crucial for a Cup contender. roster player to be alive during the club’s run of four consecutive Cups Barry Trotz, now wrapping up his third year behind the Islanders bench, (1980-’83). Born in October ’82, he was still in a crib when the likes of grew up in the same part of small town Manitoba (Dauphin) as Goring. Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin, Mike Bossy and Co. waltzed the Cup He recalled Saturday morning that local players who made it to the pros, around Nassau Coliseum for the final time in ’83, the hockey world tracking there via junior teams in western Canada, provided him with unaware that the game’s last great dynasty had come to end. inspiration to try to do the same. Nearly four decades later, many of the memories of that era have faded, “When you come from a small town in northern Canada, and you get but there are constant reminders for the current Islanders, who absorbed and Ron Low — I went to their hockey school — I mean, a 5-2 loss to the Bruins Saturday night at the Garden in Game 1 of the those are the things you dream about,” said Trotz, who led the Islanders East Division Final, to act as inspiration. to the Eastern Conference finals last summer in the playoff bubble. ’'In a “I think that’s huge, having that history” said Islanders defenseman Scott small town, your heroes were the junior players. In my area there was Mayfield, noting that many of the alums from that era still live and work Butchie, who’d just finished playing in Dauphin, and Ron …they were my around Long Island. “Just having those guys around, seeing them at first heroes. And guys like Don Laraway and Blaine Stoughton were all games. I mean their banners are in our practice rink. Their banners are in part of that group.” our game rink. So we’re constantly reminded of it.” Laraway, a Dauphin Kings alum, was a winger whom the Bruins selected Decades later, the four-Cup run remains unmatched and today looks with the No. 18 pick in the ’74 draft. He passed up the opportunity to more impressive through the prism of time. come here and played in the WHA for five seasons before retiring at age 26. Trottier, selected No. 18 in the WHA, opted instead to go the The Oilers, who ended the Islanders’ drive for five by knocking out the Islanders, who picked him off at No. 22 in the NHL draft. champs in the ’84 Final, won four of the next five titles, sandwiching a pair of back-to-back Cup wins around the Habs title win in ’86. But no Trotz, a 5-foot-9 defenseman, played three years of junior hockey in the NHL team has won more than two in a row ever since the ’83 title, which WHL but was never drafted. At age 24 in 1986, he launched his coaching had the Islanders sweeping the Oilers in the Final. career as bench boss of the Dauphin Kings.

The Islanders have yet to reach a Final since their loss to Edmonton in Trotz and Goring now see a lot of each other. Goring is a longtime ’84, a night that ended with a blizzard of orange and blue balloons member of the club’s broadcast team. cascading down from the , an exhausted and “Funny story,” said Trotz, “I was never good enough to play [in the NHL], crestfallen Potvin kneeling at center ice. The -led Oilers and I said to Butchie when I got here, ‘You know, I used to go to your became the first ex-WHA franchise to win the Cup. hockey school in Dauphin back then, but I wasn’t good enough to play.’ Mathew Barzal, the club’s devilishly clever center, was born in 1997, And he said, ‘Well, you should have come more often.’ We had a little amid the franchise’s darkest days. The Islanders went from 1995-2001, laugh about that.” seven straight seasons, without qualifying for the playoffs. From 2006 to

2014, the year before Barzal was drafted, they missed the postseason seven of nine times. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.30.2021 Yet the grand history of the franchise has not been lost on Barzal.

“I see bits and pieces of it on the NHL Network when I’m watching,” he said. “Or sometimes in-game video [at Nassau Coliseum] when they’re showing contrasts to old clips.”

One of those clips, noted Barzal, showed Butch Goring being presented the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP) after the Islanders won the Cup for a second time in ’81.

“You see them with their beards, looking all old and ugly and beat up,” he said. “You almost get chills when you see that stuff, seeing how hard they worked and how exciting it was for them.”

The Islanders were an unstoppable force in that era. , the GM, and Al Arbour, the coach, both went on to be inducted in the . Their three leading stars all averaged more than a point per game over the four-year run: Trottier (75 games/107 points); Bossy (72 games/111 points) and Potvin (78 games/85 points).

Bossy, Trottier and Potvin all have been enshrined in the HHOF, as have left winger Clark Gillies and the franchise goalie, Battlin’ .

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy grew up in Ottawa and was only 15 when the Islanders won their first Cup. His brother Steve, a goalie when they played ball hockey outside the family home, was a huge Islanders fan, partly because of the team’s great success. But also because of , their affable goalie, who backed up Smith for the first two Cup wins.

“He liked Chico Resch’s mask,” recalled Cassidy. “So he painted the replica himself — and it looked pretty good, I thought. The Islanders were 1214547 Boston Bruins As for grade factoring in value, Phil Castinetti, owner of the Sportsworld collectible shop in Saugus, said Friday afternoon that he has the same Gretzky card for sale now for $4,000.

Meet Steve Babineau, the photographer behind Wayne Gretzky’s $3.75 “But it’s only graded a 5,” said Castinetti. “So there you go … imagine the million rookie card difference between a 5 and Gem Mint 10. Yeah, a 5 is halfway to a 10, but the difference in money is phenomenal.”

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff A new card, freshly pulled out of the pack, often won’t merit a Gem Mint 10 rating, noted Castinetti. Be it poor printing, or inferior cutting prior to Updated May 29, 2021, 12:06 p.m. packaging, not all new cards are created equally.

“To get a O-Pee-Chee was very, very tough,” he said. “They had rough cuts. They didn’t do a good job making the cards. There’s A pristine Wayne Gretzky trading card, from his rookie NHL season of always factory things — it could be a factory miscut, it could be cut off- 1979-80, scored a whopping $3.75 million in a private transaction via center, or a scuff or a bad corner. Just because it comes out of a pack Heritage Auctions this past week, not surprisingly a record in the hockey doesn’t mean it’s a perfect card.” card market. According to Babineau, currently working on a book to commemorate the A big week for the Great One. Turner Sports also announced that No. 99 WHA’s founding in 1972, Topps/O-Pee-Chee returned his original will be an analyst for the share of games it broadcasts in the United Gretzky transparency sometime in 1979 or 1980. He’s convinced he has States TV market. The game’s all-time scoring leader reportedly will be it in storage, tucked away in the bottom of a box, but he has yet to find it. paid $3 million a year, or enough for a healthy down payment should one His cut remains whatever’s left of that $17 fee. of his cards come up again for bidding. “A roll of film in those days went for $5,” he recalled. “Then it was maybe Life imitates art all the time. When the art inside a pack of bubble gum another $6 to get the roll developed. OK, so now you’re at $11, for a cards reaches Van Gogh levels, we’ve moved to a new act in the theater payout of $17. And don’t forget, you were putting out $11 with no of the absurd. guarantee that you’d sell a single thing. Crazy!” Unknown to most everyone about that Gretzky card is its connection to Decades after shooting the picture used for the coveted card, Babineau the Hub of Hockey and to Springfield. It was Steve Babineau, then only met Gretzky again and reminded him he was the guy who took his rookie 3-4 years on the job as the official Bruins team photographer, who picture. They were both in Sunrise, Fla., where Jaromir Jagr, then with snapped that picture of Gretzky one night in Springfield with the World the Panthers, had moved second to Gretzky on the NHL’s all-time Hockey Association’s Oilers in town to face the New England Whalers. scoring list. Babineau, now 68, can tell you where he was sitting inside the Civic “Really?” said Gretzky, when Babineau informed him he took the picture. Center (penalty box, no glass), the film he was pushing (35mm), the camera he was using (Topcon Super DM with an 80-200mm lens), and “And then he says, ‘OK, where was I playing?’ ” what Gretzky was doing (peeking up at the scoreboard while in the offensive zone), when he popped the picture. Babineau fast forwarded through chapter and verse … WHA … Springfield … season wrapping up … Gordie Howe in the Whalers’ Oh, and of course he recalls what his freelance assignment was that lineup. night. “And he just looked at me, smiled,” said Babineau, “stuck out his hand “Mostly I was there to shoot Gordie Howe,” said Babineau, recalling the and said, ‘You win.’ ” NHL legend who also happened to be the idol of the then-18-year-old Gretzky. “But, yeah, Wayne was on my list, too, because someone — Meanwhile, the $3.75 million sales price had Babineau factoring time Hockey News or Topps — had called and said, ‘Hey, there’s this kid spent ferreting through storage boxes this Memorial Day weekend. He is Gretzky … he looks pretty good … so try to get some of him, will you?’ ” certain he still has the original transparency, and hopes maybe there’s a way to claw back a few more bucks from that long ago freelance gig. While sitting in the penalty box for pregame warm-ups, recalled Babineau, the baby-faced Great One skated over, leading Babineau to “I’ll call the guy who bought the card for $3.75 million and tell him he can blurt out that he was there to take his picture. Gretzky pivoted for a quick have the original for $5.2 million!” kidded Babineau. “I’ll even frame it for cameo shot or two, and later that night Babineau filled up a roll of film on him, OK? The problem is, I have to find it first. Trust me, if I find it, you’ll game action. One shot, he recalled, included Gretzky and Howe know about it, brother. I’ll grab that microphone from the anthem singer opposing each other for a faceoff. at the Garden and yell, ‘Look what I found!’ ”

“Again, my real intent was to see Howe,” said Babineau, now the Bruins’ PUCK DROP photographer for 45 years. “There was no knowing then that Wayne Patrice Bergeron again led the NHL in faceoff wins (714) during the Gretzky was going to be Wayne Gretzky, right? I mean, who knew? I regular season, and of the 10 players to take more than 1,000 drops, sure as hell didn’t know it, I can tell you that.” Patrice The Thief also led in winning percentage (62.3). Blues center Those who were in the know, including Gretzky himself, would have been Ryan O’Reilly finished second, winning 58.9 percent of his 1,196 lined up from Springfield to Edmonton and on to the Northwest Territories faceoffs. to gobble up his rookie cards, selling them off today whenever the need Depending on line matchups against the Islanders, Bergeron likely will be for another $3.75 million in spare change arose. opposed most frequently by fellow Quebecer Jean-Gabriel Pageau or Babineau’s compensation for that photo, which he sold to Topps in New Brock Nelson. Pageau ranked 17th in wins (472), while Nelson slotted in York in the spring or summer of ’79, was the going rate: $17. The shot — at No. 42 with 349 wins. Another Islander, Casey Cizikas, was 44th with which Babineau dropped in the mail as a plastic slide transparency — 340 wins. was among 6-10 of his pictures that Topps and its Canadian subsidiary, “They’re great at what they do,” said Bergeron. “The Islanders are a team O-Pee-Chee, purchased for the set of cards in 1979-80, the season that that they like to put a righthanded faceoff man on the right side, a lefty on the Oilers, Nordiques, Jets, and Whalers merged with the NHL. the left side. So at any given time you’re always up against a guy that is The card auctioned this past week was printed by O-Pee-Chee and was on his strong side, and that is definitely a challenge of its own.” graded as a Gem Mint 10. As Bergeron noted, winning the draw isn’t just about the center. Wingers Values in the card trade, with prices spiking dramatically since the start of fighting for possession off a neutral drop can determine the win and the pandemic, are typically determined mainly by scarcity and condition getting possession — the object of the exercise. — as well as whims of the market. One only must recall the insanity of “It’s always a great challenge to go up against really good faceoff guys,” the Beanie Baby market, both its rise and collapse, to know what a force he added. psychology can play in the trade. Dating to his rookie season of 2003-04, no one has taken more faceoffs (22,900) in the regular season than Bergeron. Only three others, Sidney Crosby, Anze Kopitar, and Eric Staal, have cracked the 20,000 mark. games, 56 points, 1.120; 14. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay, 96 games, Bergeron’s 57.4 lifetime win rate is also No. 1 in that group. 106 points, 1.104; 15. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh, 174 games, 191 points, 1.098; 26. Pastrnak, Boston, 57 games, 59 points, 1.035; 30. Evgeni With that kind of experience banked, Bergeron doesn’t study video on his Malkin, Pittsburgh, 170 games, 174 points, 1.024. opponents’ tendencies at the dot. And because no career list in a Boston-based paper can leave him off: 6. “To be honest, it’s kind of in my head,” he said. “I know what’s coming. I , Boston, 74 games, 92 points, 1.243. know how they like to take their faceoffs. I am sure they think the same way with me. You play against a guy eight times during a season, and Loose pucks beyond … those guys have been around for sometime now … so you kind of know how they go about taking their faceoffs and you try to find Two other Bruins draftees who logged heavy game totals in net: Bill ways to counter that.” Ranford (647) and Ken Dryden (397). Unlike Bouchard and Dryden, Ranford played some of those games (52 plus eight more in the playoffs) The NHL keeps faceoff records only back to the 1997-98 season, which in the Boston net … It could be a Herculean task for the Turner Sports was the year Joe Thornton entered the league as a Bruin. To date, anchor to tease interesting information out of Gretzky beyond his play Jumbo Joe has taken 25,364 faceoffs, the lone player in the league to analysis. He retired in the spring of 1999, so there has been about a 99 amass more than Bergeron’s 22,900. percent turnover in playing personnel, not to mention a dramatic way in the way the game is played. Also, much like Orr, Gretzky is very reserved ETC. and humble, traits that typically don’t project well on TV … With a new The Blues exited Round 1 with nary a whimper, swept into the Cup arena being built next to Belmont Park for the start of next season, the dustbin by the Avalanche by a lopsided aggregate score of 20-7, the Islanders are down to their final few games at Nassau Coliseum. Years drubbing complete in a tidy 240:00 minimum. into his retirement, ex-New York baseball writer Barney Kremenko worked as a greeter/press box steward during Islanders home games. The Oilers, astonishingly, also bowed out in four to the Jets, but Connor He was a sweetheart of a man, his likes no longer to be found in any of McDavid & Co. at least pushed three of the games into OT, including a the league’s press boxes. Kremenko, by the way, coined the nickname triple-OT Game 4 closer. “The Say Hey Kid” for Willie Mays, soon after the brilliant outfielder broke in with the Giants in 1951 … Reminder, the NHL for this season Colorado’s tour de force was all the more impressive in that it started the abandoned conference play, so the Cup Final will not be decided series with Nazem Kadri in its lineup and, lo and behold, still prevailed. between the East and West. Instead, the four teams to win Round 2 will For all his years in Toronto, the Maple Leafs never could say the same. be seeded 1-4 according to the points they accrued during the regular Kadri, though, lived up to his self-sabotage reputation with a vicious high season … Only Bruins fans of sharp memory, and some age, will hit on Justin Faulk in Game 2 , which led to an eight-game suspension remember there was another Taylor Hall to play for the Bruins. The first for the ex-Leaf. one, who suited up for only seven games with Boston in 1987-88, was The Blues now have the summer to figure out why they let captain Alex originally a Canucks draft pick and signed on here after only seeing Pietrangelo beat a UFA path to Vegas in the offseason. More importantly, limited action in Vancouver over three seasons. The right winger, who what to do about it. played briefly with Cam Neely on the Canucks, never played in the NHL again after his seven-game stint … Ex-Bruins great Jean Ratelle, now 80 Yes, the price for Pietrangelo ran very high ($8.8 million annually over and living south of the city, recently made a three-hour signing seven years), especially for a guy then about to turn 31, but such is the appearance at Sportsworld, where some of his signed pieces remain for market for a 6-foot-3-inch franchise defenseman with a captain’s sale. “One of the two or three best days we’ve ever had here,” said pedigree and a recent Cup title. A backline led by downsizers Torey Krug Castinetti. “I tried for years to get him to come, and he was great. Signed and Faulk (combined cap hit of $13 million) didn’t come close to patching everything, enjoyed his time talking to people. Everybody loves Jean.” the hole.

Meanwhile, the Blues are just 2-10-1 (last year’s seeding round included) in the playoffs since clipping the Cup from the Bruins in Game 7 at the Boston Globe LOADED: 05.30.2021 Garden in June 2019. Jordan Binnington, superb in net for the Blues in the clincher that night, especially in the first period, has recorded nine straight playoff defeats.

Only three goalies in NHL history have endured longer losing streaks: Chicago’s Tony Esposito’s 16-game skid from 1975-79; Atlanta’s Dan Bouchard lost 10 from 1974-80; and Toronto’s Harry Lumley matched Bouchard’s streak from 1954-56.

Bouchard, by the way, was chosen No. 27 in the 1970 draft by the Bruins, only to be lost to the Flames in the ’72 expansion — less than four weeks after the Bruins beat the Rangers for the Cup.

By the start of training camp in September, had bolted for WHA Cleveland, and his partner, , played one more season in Boston with fellow stoppers , John Adams, and Jacques Plante.

Bouchard finished his career with 655 games in net, the most ever by a Bruins draftee.

As noted here late in the week, David Pastrnak finished up the Washington series as one of only a handful of players in today’s league averaging better than a point per game over his playoff career.

Pastrnak headed into Round 2 vs. the Islanders with a 22-37—59 (1.035 ppg) line in 57 games.

Entering weekend play, Pastrnak stood as one of only 35 NHLers all time with a career playoff sheet above the 1.00 ppg mark.

Wayne Gretzky (1.837) and Mario Lemieux (1.607) top the chart, followed by ex-Bruin/NESN commentator Barry Pederson (1.432).

Of the 35 players on the list, Pastrnak was one of only six active this season. Their ranking: 4. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado, 44 games, 63 points, 1.432 points per game; 12. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay, 50 1214548 Boston Bruins On the ensuing power play, the B’s failed to clear the zone a couple of times — had a rough first period — and Anthony Beauvillier deflected a Noah Dobson shot past Tuukka Rask at 11:48.

Pastrnak hat trick leads Bruins past Islanders, 5-2 But the B’s got it back before the period was out. With 32.3 seconds left in the first, Andy Greene was called for high-sticking Charlie Coyle and the B’s wasted no time. After Bergeron battled to win a faceoff in the By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald right dot, Sorokin kicked out a David Krejci (three assists) shot right to Pastrnak on the left wing. Pastrnak waited patiently for Sorokin to over- PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 11:04 p.m. | UPDATED: May 30, 2021 at commit to the short side and then Pastrnak beat him to the far side with 12:29 a.m. 23.3 seconds in the period.

The B’s held a 18-8 shot advantage in the first, but that was a bit On a joyous day on which the city opened up fully for the first time since misleading. They allowed too many quick odd-man rushes and decent the coronavirus pandemic hit over a year ago, the Bruins made sure they scoring chances. They got better as the game went on. didn’t mess up the script. The adjustments? In a fun back-and-forth Game 1 of the best-of-seven second-round series “Communication, using each other, just trusting your teammates to be in with the New York Islanders, the Bruins broke open a tie game in the the right spots. And when we tried to get the puck out, we just made sure third period with a pair of goals to capture a 5-2 victory on Saturday. we beared down. And that was it,” said McAvoy. “I thought our forwards Showing up to the Garden wearing a blue fand white loral suit that was played great tonight. I thought they attacked with tons of pace and our every bit as loud as the crowd would be, David Pastrnak netted a hat skill was on display. They had lots of great chances and looks. When trick to lead the way. He and the Bruins were carried to victory on the we’re moving like that and attacking I think often times we’re able to carry shoulders — and lungs — of 17,400 who nearly ripped the roof of the the momentum of the game.” building. Game 1 showed just how difficult an opponent the Islanders can be. The “In the warmup, it felt like 22 players were playing their first NHL game,” B’s outshot them 40-22 and the top two lines spent oodles of time in the said Pastrnak, who attempted nine shots and landed seven. “It’s a New York zone. Yet they were in a tie game going into the third. different sport with fans in the building. It warms your heart and reminds Pastrnak gave the B’s their first lead of the game at 11:08 with his you why you play the sport.” second goal of the game. After some heavy pressure by the B’s top line, Charlie McAvoy broke a 2-2 tie at 6:20 of the third period to give the B’s a Brad Marchand fed Bergeron for his patented shot at the right side 3-2 lead. The Bruins had just killed off a too many men penalty (their third of the slot. He didn’t seem to get a lot on it, but it produced another fat of the playoffs), with Nick Ritchie serving the two minutes. He stayed on rebound for Pastrnak, who buried it into the half empty net. the ice after it was killed and, after the B’s controlled the puck in the But the Isles would not go away. They tied it up at 12:34 on a long Adam offensive zone, he parked himself in front of goalie Ilya Sorokin. David Pelech slapper. Barzal had just whiffed on a Leo Komarov pass on Krejci teed it up for McAvoy, who whistled it past the helpless Sorokin. what would have been an easy backdoor goal, but the Islanders Then, with 4:10 left in regulation, Pastrnak completed the hat trick. recovered the puck. Jordan Eberle fed Pelech at the the middle of the Catching the Islanders on a change, Pastrnak used a Taylor Hall middle blue line and, whether not not Jeremy Lauzon screened him, Rask rush as a screen to beat Sorokin for the insurance goal, making it rain appeared to react an instant late, allowing Pelech’s shot to beat him over hats in a kind of scene we haven’t witnessed in 15 months. the glove arm.

“I was trying to enjoy the moment, looking around the crowd,” said coach The B’s also lost Craig Smith in the second period with a lower body Bruce Cassidy. “It’s been a long time since we had a full house here at injury and did not, which could be a cause for concern, considering how the Garden. And they were behind us from warmup on. Obviously we much his willingness to do the grunt work has helped that second line. want to play well for the group and each other, but also for the fans who “Obviously when you don’t come back, that’s the first red flag. But it’s have continued to support us and came out tonight especially. I think it early so we’ll see how it is in the morning,” said Cassidy. was a just a good moment to look around and see a lot of joy.” The loss of Smith did not slow the B’s down in the third period, however, Hall added an empty-netter to finish it off. and the B’s top end players made the difference. The crowd was the star of the night in the early going. It was the first time Meeting the press on Zoom after the game wearing his pregame a full house was allowed in the Garden for a Bruins game since March 7, ensemble, Pastrnak said he actually chose to dress conservatvely — for 2020, and the fans made sure they were going to be heard. him, anyway. Over an hour before puck drop, the people who made it up to the balcony “I like fashion, you know,” said the beaming Pastrnak, topping off the were already raucous and the buzz only grew as game time approached. wardrobe with a broad-brimmed black hat. “I will say it’s the boring (suit) The standard “No Smoking” warning was booed. Ditto for the “Two beer today that I decided to wear compared to what I was going to wear. I per customer” announcement. backed up and decided to go with this one. I still have a couple of crazy AJ Quetta, the Bishop Feehan High School player who was paralyzed in ones in the closet and hopefully I’ll be bold enough to wear them. I love a game during the schoolboy season, was introduced as the night’s fashion and as long as I feel good, I don’t really care what other people honorary banner captain and the spine-tingling roar from the stands was think.” reminiscent the one Zdeno Chara received before Game 5 of the Stanley With way he played on Saturday night, Bruins fans must be thinking one Cup Final when he suited up with a shattered jaw. thing — the bolder, the better. Even the powerful voice of anthem singer Todd Angilly had to compete with the fans as they belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner” with him. Boston Herald LOADED: 05.30.2021 “The energy, the atmosphere, was every thing we expected and more,” said captain Patrice Bergeron, who had a pair of helpers.

Then finally, it was time to play hockey and it was pretty much what was expected of this series. The Bruins punched, the Islanders counter- punched. And when the B’s tried to break out of their zone, the Isles made it tough on them. That’s how the visitors got on the board first. Off a defensive zone draw, Pastrnak jumped on the puck and tried to create a break for himself up the right wing, but the Islander defenseman held the blue line, sent it back deep and, after the Isles cycled a bit, Charlie McAvoy had to hook Brock Nelson going to the net. 1214549 Boston Bruins The Bruins had six days off since knocking the Capitals out of the playoffs while the Islanders got two days off since eliminating the Penguins. In the B’s three runs to the Cup finals, they’ve all started with Bruins Notebook: Jeremy Lauzon draws back in an intense seven-game series win — the first over the Canadiens and the next two over the Maple Leafs — that catapulted them into the second round and beyond.

By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald But on the age-old rest-versus-rust question, Cassidy will take the hard- earned time off. May 29, 2021 at 7:55 p.m. “I imagine there will be a little bit (of rust). They’ve played more recently

in a high-intensity game so there may be a bit of an advantage. I just The good news for the Bruins is that Jeremy Lauzon was cleared to play think the rest for any team is good in the long run if you have aspirations for Game 1 against the Islanders on Saturday night. His grit and of making a long run,” said Cassidy. “These extra days will come in competitiveness should be an asset at this time of the season. handy, whether it’s this series or the next series. It’s always good to get out of those intense games as quickly as possible and move on. I think But the re-insertion of Lauzon into the lineup raised a question. Will his every team has that in mind. It doesn’t always work out that way. But for game be up to speed enough to jump onto this moving playoff train? us, I don’t expect a lot (of rust.). We played last Sunday and played five games in nine days so it hasn’t been that long. We did take a couple of While his layoff from a hand injury suffered in Game 1 against the days in between to heal up. I thought we had good practices, but you Capitals has not been all that long — just two weeks — Lauzon has can’t replicate that game situation. So for us, I think finding our game in shown that it sometimes takes him a while to get his game going when the first period (will be key), the physical part of it, the one-on-one battles, he returns after absences. He was a difference-maker for the B’s when defensemen going back on pucks and getting hit. We’ve got to make he went into the lineup midway through the 2019-20 regular season, but sure we’re in the right mindset at the opening whistle. That’s where you never regained his mojo in the bubble playoffs after the months-long may see a little bit of rust. We’ll try to address it. One way you do that is layoff. He eventually lost his spot in the lineup. It also took him a handful controlling the face-off circle and playing in their end early on.” of games to get going after missing five weeks with a broken hand earlier this season. Wahlstrom remains out

Coach Bruce Cassidy hopes his growing experience with these situations Oliver Wahlstrom, the Islanders’ 20-year-old sharpshooter and former BC will help him. Eagle, remained out of the lineup after getting knocked woozy in Game 5 against the Penguins. Wahlstrom had 12 goals in the regular season, “He’s been through it a few time now,” said Cassidy after the team’s including three against the Bruins. He also had a goal and two assists in morning skate at . “The message is always ‘stay within five games against the Pens. yourself’ when he’s healthy. That’s when he plays his best, when he’s just hard to play against, physical and getting in people’s faces, just playing hard hockey, getting the kill with his shot-blocking and clears, executing a good first pass and making the right decision. That’s always Boston Herald LOADED: 05.30.2021 a challenge for young defensemen, reading the forecheck well, moving the puck from tape to tape. That’s always a challenge for him when he’s been out, just getting up to speed with his puck play. At the offensive blue line you want it on and off your stick when you haven’t played as much, probably be more conservative than aggressive. But at the end of the day, once he’s out there, he’s got to play his game and hopefully he recognizes when to do a little bit more when it’s there versus just moving it and defending well.”

Lauzon was slated to start on a pair with Connor Clifton.

So far so good with B’s third line

With the depth of the Islanders, the third and fourth lines should face some challenges. The third line, on the surface, looks like a mismatch of leftover bodies with Jake DeBrusk playing his off wing on the right side next to center Charlie Coyle and left wing Nick Ritchie. But Cassidy was reasonably pleased with the line’s performance in the Washington series. DeBrusk had a two goals and an assist, Ritchie had 1-2—3 totals and Coyle had a goal and an assist.

“I think (DeBrusk) was more effective early than late, but he scored a couple of big goals for us, so that matters. His board work on that side is still a work in progress. Against a heavy team like Washington that was pinching their D down, there was some issues. Not only him but our whole team, especially Game 5. We weren’t good enough there,” said Cassidy. “I would expect some of the same out of the Islanders. But yeah, I think the line has been good. They’ve pitched in offensively. They’ve matched up well. Ritchie was matched up a lot against (Tom) Wilson and I think that tempered some of what could have taken place, just having him on the ice there. They’ll have their matchup again against some bigger, stronger guys in this series. Other times, they may have to play against (Mat) Barzal, which is a speed line. So it is what it is for them. They’ve got a little bit of everything on that line and I thought they’ve done their job well. They’ve accepted where they are in the lineup. They’re all guys who have played up in the lineup at different times, but they’ve settled in and given us some good hockey. They’re the line that has been together the least, so there’s still some chemistry issues for them. But the more they’re together, I think the more they’ll be a threat.”

Cassidy will take the time off 1214550 Boston Bruins THE EDGE: Bruins.

Defensive pairings

NHL Stanley Cup playoffs Round II: How Bruins, Islanders match up BRUINS

Matt Grzelcyk—Charlie McAvoy

By STEVE CONROY | [email protected] | Boston Herald Mike Reilly—Brandon Carlo

May 29, 2021 at 5:16 a.m. Jeremy Lauzon—Connor Clifton

Extras: Kevan Miller, Jarred Tinordi, Jakub Zboril

When the Islanders came to Boston for their final regular season game, ISLANDERS we saw something we don’t often see. Adam Pelech—Ryan Pulock In a tie game, coach Barry Trotz pulled goalie Ilya Sorokin for an extra skater. It made all the sense in the world. The Islanders needed two Nick Leddy—Scott Mayfield points in regulation to have a chance at third place in the East Division. Andy Greene—Noah Dobson The Isles were not able to tie it up and, with third place in the division locked up for the B’s, Taylor Hall scored a spectacular goal in overtime to THE SKINNY: The uncertainty surrounding the Bruins’ third pairing is a put an exclamation point on what at the time seemed like a modest bit troublesome. As of Friday, Lauzon had not yet been cleared, though accomplishment. he seemed to be trending toward a Game 1. Miller, who suffered a head injury a week ago, is riding the stationary bike, but has not yet returned to Now the B’s need to make it count. With the top two East seeds now out, skating and will miss at least Game 1. that win allowed the B’s to get home-ice advantage over the Islanders. And that could very well be the difference in what should be a very tight But the B’s have the best defenseman in the series in the workhorse series against a well-coached, tenacious opponent, especially when you McAvoy and his partnership Grzelcyk, often paired with the B’s top line, consider how dominant the Isles have been at the Nassau Coliseum (21- is a dynamo. The Islanders no doubt will look to be physical with 4-3 regular season, 2-1 postseason). Grzelcyk but he handled the hard-checking Capitals just fine. On top of that, the second pairing of Reilly and Carlo got better with each game in This will be the first time the B’s face off against the Islanders since since the Washington series after limited time together at the end of the regular 1983 when Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin were nearing the season. end of their dynasty on Long Island. The Islanders are no slouches on the back end, however. They finished These Islanders aren’t quite as dangerous as that crew, but they are the regular season second in goals against (2.23), just a few hairs ahead formidable in their own way. Here’s how the series breaks down. of the B’s (2.39). The goaltending and structure had something to do with Forward lines that, of course, but the top pairing is one of the best shutdown tandems in the league. The Isles have size in D-men all over 6-foot-2 in Pelech, BRUINS Mayfield, Dobson and Pulock, who can really pound the puck.

Brad Marchand—Patrice Bergeron—David Pastrnak The is a close one, but McAvoy puts the B’s over the top.

Taylor Hall—David Krejci—Craig Smith THE EDGE: Bruins.

Nick Ritchie—Charlie Coyle—Jake DeBrusk GOALTENDING

Sean Kuraly—Curtis Lazar—Chris Wagner BRUINS

Extras: , Karson Kuhlman Tuukka Rask

ISLANDERS Jeremy Swayman

Leo Komarov—Mat Barzal—Jordan Eberle ISLANDERS

Anthony Beauvillier—Brock Nelson—Josh Bailey Ilya Sorokin

Kyle-Palmieri—Jean-Gabriel Pageau—Travis Zajac Semyon Varlamov

Matt Martin—Casey Cizikas—Cal Clutterbuck THE SKINNY: Rask answered a lot of questions in the first round. The fear here was that he wasn’t yet completely healthy. He did not look great Extra: Oliver Wahlstrom in his last two starts. But after losing Game 1 on a crazy bounce in THE SKINNY: The Bruins are coming together up front at just the right overtime — eliciting the usual howls — he shut down the Caps. He time. The top six was solidified almost immediately with the addition of posted a .941 save percentage and a 1.81 GAA in the first series and, Hall at the deadline. The bottom six took much longer to jell, but they while he did not have to be spectacular, the Penguins certainly would appeared to do just that in the first round. Coyle appears to have have liked Rask’s workmanlike performance. When the playoffs started, regained his confidence with the puck after a rough year and seemed to Swayman looked like a viable option if things didn’t go well. But the be gaining some chemistry with DeBrusk, another player looking to farther away we get from Swayman’s last game, it would seem more and mentally jettison the regular season. The fourth line, which played more likely that this is Rask’s net as long as he stays healthy. together the first few games after the deadline, was reunited in Game 2 As for the Islanders, Varlamov was having a terrific season. He posted a against the Caps and managed to get the job done. .929 save percentage and 2.04 GAA until he had to leave their last game Meanwhile, the Isles were able to score 21 goals in six games against of the regular season at the Garden with a lower body injury. He started the Penguins, but Tristan Jarry‘s shaky goaltending had something to do Games 2 and 3 against the Pens, both losses, and was replaced by the with that. Still, there’s some skill here, starting with Barzal. If you haven’t rookie Sorokin. It’s a good bet Barry Trotz will start with Sorokin after his heard that the B’s passed on drafting him in 2015. While Barzal never performance against Pittsburgh, but Varlamov is a damn good fallback exploded in the first round, the second line picked up the slack. Bailey is guy if he’s healthy. underrated and makes a nice tandem with Nelson while Beauvillier’s THE EDGE: Bruins. speed is a handful. The Isles have a pair of bona fide Bruin killers on the third line and if Wahlstrom, hurt in the Pittsburgh series, can return, the SPECIAL TEAMS unit could be trouble. The Islander fourth line is one of the most effective of its kind in the league. The Bruins have been better in both the power-play and penalty kill — in both the regular season and the first round – than the Islanders. The B’s But while depth is an Islander strength, the B’s top six has been finished 10th in PP (21.9%) in the regular season and improved their explosive since Hall arrived. success rate in the playoffs to 26.3% while the Islanders have remained the exact same in the regular season and the playoffs at an 18.8% rate.

The B’s finished second in the regular season in PK (86.0%) and have pretty much stayed consistent in the playoffs (85.7%). They were a little better than the Isles there, too. New York was ranked sixth in the regular season (83.7%), but dipped in their series against Pittsburgh (75.0%)

The Isles do know how to stay out of the box, however. While the B’s led the league in minors (199), the Islanders took only 139, second fewest only to Columbus.

THE EDGE: Bruins

COACHES

BRUINS

Bruce Cassidy

ISLANDERS

Barry Trotz

THE SKINNY: In the last round, we gave the nod to Peter Laviolette over Cassidy because of the Laviolette’s lengthy resume that’s highlighted by the Stanley Cup in Carolina. Cassidy’s club proceeded to slice through the Caps’ 1-3-1 and take great advantage of Washington’s man-to-man defensive system for a five-game series win.

But Trotz has a Cup to his credit that’s even more recent than Laviolette (2018 with Washington) and a Cup means a lot. Under his and GM Lou Lamoriello’s guidance, the Islanders have risen to be a power in the East far more quickly than anyone expected.

Cassidy has been nothing short of a great hire for the B’s, but it’s tough to trump a Cup.

THE SKINNY: Islanders.

INTANGIBLES

When the Capitals punched the Bruins in the mouth, they seemed almost surprised that the B’s shook it off and kept playing, sometimes even punching right back. The Caps had plenty of players who know what it takes to win a Stanley Cup and, as soon as they got down in the series, they looked like they no longer cared to give it.

The Islanders, on the other hand, are a team still ascending. They had a taste of the semifinals last year and their thirst is not yet quenched. The B’s backbone is made of strong character, too, but they will have to earn everything they get in this series.

THE EDGE: Islanders

THE PICK: Bruins in 6.

Boston Herald LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214551 Boston Bruins The lackluster performance from the bottom-six didn't cost the Bruins in Game 1 because the Bergeron line was so dominant, but the Islanders are a really good defensive team and it wouldn't be shocking if they kept Game 1 observations: Islanders no match for dominant B's top line the top line in check for a game or two. The B's third line will have to step up at some point. So far, it's been a non-factor for most of the playoffs.

BY NICK GOSS Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.30.2021

BRUINS

BOSTON -- The Bruins had nearly a week of rest between the first and second rounds of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the long layoff didn't seem to bother them in a Game 1 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday night.

TD Garden played host to a near-capacity crowd for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year as 17,4000 fans saw the B's earn a 5-2 victory to open Round 2.

Here are three observations from Game 1.

1) Bruins' top line still red hot

The Islanders had no answers for the Bruins' first line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. This trio picked up right where it left off after a stellar Round 1 versus the Washington Capitals.

Pastrnak was the best of the group. He scored a hat trick, finding the net once on the power play and twice more at even strength. Bergeron picked up assists on Pastrnak's first two goals and Marchand earned a helper on his linemate's second tally.

David Pastrnak came to play in Game 1.

These numbers are nothing new for Boston's top trio. It's been a trend all playoffs (and for several years, quite frankly).

This line accounted for 19 of Boston's 40 shots on net at all strengths. They spent a ton of time in the attacking zone and created an abundance of scoring chances.

This series will be a very challenging one for the Islanders if they don't find a way to slow down the Bruins' top line. New York struggled in most shot metrics at 5-on-5 against Sidney Crosby's line in Round 1 versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Saturday was more of the same for the Islanders.

2) Mathew Barzal still hasn't scored for NYI

The Islanders' top center and leading scorer for four consecutive seasons still doesn't have a goal in seven games during the 2021 playoffs.

Barzal was mostly a non-factor in Game 1 with zero points, only one shot on net and two penalty minutes. He also failed to tally a single shot attempt, shot on net or scoring chance during 13:43 of 5-on-5 action. Barzal lost five of his six faceoffs, too.

The Bruins' best players shined in the series opener and it was the difference in the game. The Islanders' best player made the opposite impact, and it's hard to envision New York's offense matching Boston's firepower in this series if Barzal's struggles continue.

3) Bruins' bottom-six must be better

Only six of the Bruins' 40 shots on net came from their bottom-six forwards, and half of them came from Chris Wagner. The B's also generated just five scoring chances in 17:42 of 5-on-5 ice time from the third and fourth lines, compared to 24 scoring chances and 24 shots on net from the top-six forwards.

Boston's third line, specifically, didn't create nearly enough in the attacking zone. One shot from Charlie Coyle and zero from both Jake DeBrusk and Nick Ritchie is subpar, to say the least. Ritchie, in fairness, did set a good screen on Charlie McAvoy's go-ahead goal in the third period.

The bottom-six could see a bit of a shakeup Monday night depending on the status of second-line winger Craig Smith, who left the game with a lower body injury in the second period and didn't return. B's head coach Bruce Cassidy didn't have an update on Smith after the game. DeBrusk was moved up from the third line to skate in Smith's place alongside Taylor Hall and David Krejci. 1214552 Boston Bruins Mathew Barzal, C, Islanders

As noted above, Barzal was subpar offensively in the first round. He tallied three points (zero goals, three assists) but only one at 5-on-5. Bruins-Islanders Round 2 playoff preview, analysis, key matchup Barzal is the Islanders' best playmaker, a key cog on their power play and has led the team in scoring four consecutive seasons. New York will be in real trouble if he struggles for a second straight series. BY NICK GOSS Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, Islanders

Pageau is the most notable "B's killer" left in the playoffs. He dominated BRUINS Boston during the regular season with eight points (five goals, three assists) in eight games. He has scored 11 times in 31 career games Many hockey fans are about to see the Boston Bruins and New York versus the B's. Islanders play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time. Pageau is a crucial part of the Islanders' third line alongside Travis Zajac These teams will meet in the second round following the Islanders' first- and Kyle Palmieri. He tied Beauvillier for the team lead in scoring during round clinching Game 6 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Round 1 with seven points (one goal, six assists) -- six of them coming at Wednesday night. The Bruins eliminated the Washington Capitals in 5-on-5. New York needs another strong series from Pageau to match Game 5 last Sunday. Boston's firepower. Boston has the home ice advantage as the No. 3 seed hosting the No. 4 Kyle Palmieri, RW, Islanders seed from the East Division. Game 1 is Saturday night at TD Garden. A bunch of teams, including the Bruins, were reportedly interested in This is the first playoff meeting between these teams since the 1983 acquiring Palmieri from the Devils before the trade deadline. The Wales Conference Final, which the Islanders won in six games en route Islanders got him, and he underwhelmed in the regular season with just to their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup title. two goals and two assists in 17 games. However, he's been more Bean: What B's can expect from strong, balanced Islanders team productive in the playoffs with three goals in six games -- two in Game 1 (including the overtime winner) and another in the series-deciding Game Which team has the edge? What is the key matchup, and which goalie 6. situation is more favorable? Here's our playoff preview for Bruins vs. Islanders. (All stats via Natural Stat Trick) Palmieri is another player who loves playing against the Bruins. He scored five goals in nine games versus Boston during the regular Regular Season Head-to-Head season. Whether the Islanders receive the required amount of scoring depth to beat the B's could be largely dependent on Palmieri's The season series between the Bruins and Islanders really is a two-part performance in this series. story. David Pastrnak, RW, Bruins The Bruins struggled mightily against the Islanders for most of the year, going winless in the first five matchups (0-3-2). However, after both Pastrnak struggled a bit early in the Capitals series but got going late teams made meaningful moves before the trade deadline, the Bruins with a goal and an assist in both Game 4 and Game 5. His less-than- dominated the series by winning the last three games and outscoring the stellar production early in the series wasn't from a lack of good looks at Islanders by a 10-3 margin. the net, though. He led the Bruins over the five-game series with 34 shot attempts, 22 shots on net (11 more than anyone else) and 18 scoring Here are some key 5-on-5 stats from the regular season series overall. chances during 5-on-5 action. If Pastrnak continues to generate those After the trade deadline, the B's controlled more than 60 percent of the kinds of chances in Round 2, the floodgates could open and we might shot attempts, shots on net and scoring chances at 5-on-5 in the three see four or more goals from him. games against the Islanders. They also out scored New York 5-2 at 5-on- Charlie Coyle, C, Bruins 5. Coyle had a poor regular season (16 points in 51 games) and wasn't The post-trade deadline numbers are a better indication of what this much better in Round 1. He tallied one goal and one assist with just second-round series could look like because those rosters are what we'll seven shots on net in five games versus the Capitals. He's being paid see over the next two weeks. like the best third-line center in the league, but he certainly hasn't Key Matchup performed to that level in 2021. A bounce-back series from Coyle would likely give the B's a clear advantage in scoring depth that could prove Slowing down the Islanders begins with cooling off a red-hot second line pivotal in the series outcome. that dominated in the series-clinching Game 6 versus the Penguins. New York's trio of Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey scored Mike Reilly, D, Bruins eight 5-on-5 goals in Round 1, including one from Beauvillier and two The Islanders are a well-structured team defensively and they forecheck from Nelson on Wednesday night. really well. They also play a tough, physical game that wears down The Islanders' first line has not been very potent in the playoffs so far. opponents over the course of a long series. Reilly's ability to jumpstart No. 1 center Mathew Barzal scored zero goals and tallied one 5-on-5 the transition game by skating out of trouble in the defensive zone and assist in six games versus the Penguins. making a good first pass up ice will be important for the Bruins. Reilly also is one of the best B's defensemen in regards to getting shots The second line is on fire, and that's where the B's need to put their through to the net and avoiding traffic in front. This ability will also be shutdown line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak important against an Islanders team with the third-most blocked shots in as far as matchups go. We also should expect to see the Charlie the playoffs entering Thursday. McAvoy-Matt Grzelcyk pairing often deployed against the Isles' second line, especially at TD Garden where the B's have the last line change as Goalie Breakdown the home team. Tuukka Rask, Bruins: 5 GP, .941 SV%, 1.81 GAA in first round The Bruins' second line of Taylor Hall, David Krejci and Craig Smith has Rask had a rollercoaster Game 1 against the Capitals that ended with a been awesome since the team acquired Hall at the trade deadline. They soft overtime goal allowed. After that, he was excellent in net for Boston. were good in Round 1, too, scoring three goals in five games against the Rask had a .949 save percentage over the last four games, including a Capitals, including Smith's Game 3 winner in double overtime. This trio Game 5 performance in which he stopped 40 of the 41 shots sent his still has another level (or two) to hit, though. way as the Capitals tried to extend their season. His .906 save If the Bruins' second line is even with the Islanders' in terms of scoring, percentage on high-danger chances in Round 1 also shows how locked the B's should be in pretty good shape because they have a deeper and in he was throughout the series. more talented group of forwards overall. The Islanders have a weaker power play than the Capitals and were 21st Players to Watch in goals scored per game during the regular season, whereas the Capitals were fifth in scoring. Rask probably won't have to steal the series for the Bruins -- he just needs to avoid the kind of puck-handling mistakes and soft goals we saw from Tristan Jarry that torpedoed the Penguins in the first round.

Might Islanders fans regret this 'We want Boston' chant?

Ilya Sorokin, Islanders: 4 GP, .943 SV, 1.95 GAA in first round

New York's starting netminder Semyon Varlamov was one of the best goalies in the regular season with a .929 save percentage and a 2.04 GAA in 36 games. After Sorokin started and won Game 1 of the first round, Varlamov returned from injury and got his job back. He lost the next two games and played particularly poor in Game 3, giving up five goals on just 27 shots.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz went back to Sorokin and he won the next three games. Sorokin did allow three goals in two of his four starts versus the Penguins, but overall he played quite well given the high amount of shots and scoring chances he faced.

Sorokin needs to be the Islanders' first or second best player for them to win this series. He's capable of it, but Rask has much more playoff experience and boasts a far more impressive playoff track record.

Prediction

Bruins in five.

This series should go a lot like the Islanders' first-round matchup but with one key difference. Like the Penguins, the Bruins should control between 55 and 60 percent of all shot attempts, shots on net and scoring chances during 5-on-5 action. The Bruins, similar to the Penguins in Round 1, should win the special teams battles against the Islanders.

The major difference is goaltending, where the Rask/Jeremy Swayman duo is superior to Jarry and the Islanders' combo of Sorokin and Varlamov. So, unless the Islanders show massive improvement at 5-on-5 against a Bruins team that defends better than the Penguins, the B's shouldn't have too much trouble reaching the semifinal.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214553 Boston Bruins

Projected lines, pairings for Bruins vs. Islanders Game 1

BY NICK GOSS

BRUINS

The Boston Bruins are well-rested entering Game 1 of their second- round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the New York Islanders on Saturday night at TD Garden.

The B's eliminated the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the first-round last Sunday. So, they've had almost a week off between the two rounds. For a veteran team with some injuries on the blue line, the rest should be a benefit for the Bruins.

We shouldn't expect any major lineup changes for Boston going into Round 2. Same for the Islanders, who eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of their Round 1 series Wednesday night.

Isles coach Barry Trotz said no change to Oliver Wahlstrom's status (he was "doubtful" yesterday), so said similar lineup for Game 1 vs. Boston tonight as Game 6 vs. Pittsburgh on Wednesday.— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 29, 2021

However, the Bruins will get defenseman Jeremy Lauzon back in the lineup. Cassidy confirmed Lauzon's return Saturday morning. Lauzon missed the last four games of the first round because of injury.

Tuukka Rask will start in net for the Bruins and Ilya Sorokin should start for the Islanders.

Home ice advantage could also be a huge boost for the Bruins in this series, and Saturday night in particular. The series opener will be the first game of the Bruins' season with TD Garden at a near-full capacity. Massachusetts lifted its COVID-19 restrictions Saturday.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214554 Boston Bruins Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021

Talking Points: Boston Bruins Bring Game 1 Party To The Fans

Published 3 hours ago on May 30, 2021

By Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – Here are the Talking Points from the Boston Bruins 5-2 win over the New York Islanders in Game 1 of their second round series at TD Garden.

GOLD STAR: David Pastrnak waltzed into TD Garden wearing a flashy white and blue suit with a bullfighter’s hat, so everybody had to have an idea he was feeling pretty good about dropping a big performance on the Islanders. That’s exactly what Pastrnak did scoring a hat trick against the Isles and helping the Perfection Line dominate against the Islanders in a Game 1 where they couldn’t do anything to slow down the Black and Gold. Pastrnak capped it off with a great move into the offensive zone while using the driving Taylor Hall to occupy the defense, and that freed up No. 88 to fire a laser from the high slot that iced things in the third period for Boston. His first two goals were long rebounds from Isles goalie Ilya Sorokin that Pastrnak was able to collect, and then feed right back into the Isles goalie before the young netminder could recover. In all Pastrnak finished with the three goals, a plus-2 rating, seven shots on net, nine shot attempts and an offensively dominant performance energized by the crowd that gives him the extra juice he needs to perform.

BLACK EYE: Mat Barzal did not look into anything that was happening on the ice during this one. The playmaking center finished with one shot on net, two giveaways and lost 17-of-22 faceoffs while getting completely worked by the Bruins centers. Barzal compounded the other mistakes by taking a tripping call right after Pastrnak finished off his hat trick in the third period to make it 4-2, and in doing so eliminated the Islanders from even the desperation chance of pulling the goalie. Instead the Bruins were handed a power play and Taylor Hall scored an empty netter that completely slammed the door shut on New York. Barzal didn’t look engaged or tremendously interested in playing the Bruins in this Game 1, and he was part of an Islanders team that clearly didn’t have all cylinders firing on Saturday night.

TURNING POINT: After struggling early this season against the Islanders when it came to third periods, it was Boston’s turn to create a third period nightmare against thew Isles in Game 1 on Saturday night. After the two teams battled to a 2-2 tie through the first 40 minutes and Tuukka Rask had allowed a long distance goal to tie things up, it was the Bruins scoring three unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes to take complete control of the game. The game-winner was a huge turn of events as the Bruins successfully killed a penalty and then converted on a Charlie McAvoy long distance bomb at the other end of the ice for the go-ahead goal. Once the Black and Gold had recovered the lead, they aggressively built on it with two more scores before it was all said and done.

HONORABLE MENTION: The Bruins fans earned this one, all 17,400 of them. They were rocking the house during pregame warm-ups and brought the energy from beginning to end with a joy and appreciation that comes only when you rediscover something that had been taken away from you. They busted out a “We Want the Cup” chant midway through the game and absolutely flooded the ice with hats from all directions when David Pastrnak finished off the hat trick in the third period. It’s been a long 15 months for everybody dealing with COVID-19 protocols and a very different way of living, but Saturday night’s Bruins crowd at TD Garden sent a signal to the rest of our community that it’s okay to get back to normal. You could see it in the way they celebrated everything before, during and after the game and you could see it in the way the players fed off that energy and used it to dominate the Islanders club. Saturday night’s Game 1 win was something special for the Bruins and for the city of Boston.

BY THE NUMBERS: 17,400 – the number of Boston Bruins fans at TD Garden on Saturday night as the packed house brought an electric, celebratory vibe to the proceedings and made it feel like one giant hockey party as the Bruins played winning hockey.

1214555 Boston Bruins

We Finally Have Full Boston Bruins-Islanders Schedule

Published 3 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

The Boston Bruins beat the New York Islanders 5-2 in Game 1 to take a 1-0 series lead in their second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series at an almost full and rocking TD Garden Saturday night. Late in the game, the NHL finally announced a full schedule for the series.

Game 2 between the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders will be on Monday at 7:30 pm ET (TV: NBCSN, SN1, TVA Sports RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub).

The two teams then get a three-day break while the series switches to Long Island and what promises to be a very loud Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York for Games 3 and 4. Game 3 will be Thursday at 7:30 PM ET and Game 4 will be next Saturday night at 7:15 PM ET. If necessary, the series will switch back to Boston and TD Garden for Game 5 on Monday, June, 7.

Here’s the full remaining schedule:

Game 2: Monday, May 31 at 7:30 pm ET (TV: NBCSN, SN1, TVA Sports RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)

Game 3: Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 pm ET (TV: NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)

Game 4: Saturday, June 5 at 7:15 pm ET (TV: NBC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)

Game 5: Monday, June 7 at TBD (TBD)

Game 6: Wednesday, June 9 at TBD (TBD)

Game 7: Friday, June 11 at TBD (TBD)

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214556 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Fans Rock Almost Full TD Garden

Published 4 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

The Boston sports scene has had some magical moments over the years and there’s no doubt that Game 1 of the second-round series between the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders at TD Garden will shoot to the top of the list.

On the day that Massachusetts reopened for the first time since March 2020, TD Garden was allowed to be filled to just short of full capacity, which would be 18,291 fans. It didn’t just feel like there was a full house though because from warmups until the final horn, the arena and the atmosphere outside it felt like the whole city of Boston were there cheering. The Boston Bruins fed off the amazing energy from the fans and beat the New York Islanders 5-2 behind a hat trick from Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak.

Bostonians have been waiting since March 7, 2020, to pack the Garden and the release of emotion, joy, and raw fan noise was palpable. No fake crowd noise was needed on this night and when Todd Angilly took the mic for the Star-Spangled banner, he had the biggest and loudest backup vocals a singer could ask for. Boston Bruins fans belted out the anthem almost as loud as when former anthem singer Rene Rancourt gave up the mic for them in the first game back after the Boston Marathon.

Then when Bruins winger David Pastrnak tied the game at one with 24 seconds left in the first period, the roof almost blew off!

Pastrnak would score again to make it 2-1 Bruins 11:08 into the second period but he wasn’t done. After the Islanders tied the game at two 12:34 into the second period and then Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy regained the lead for the Bruins 6:20 into the third period, Pastrnak did blow the roof off as he completed the first Boston Bruins hat trick of what is as close to post-COVID as we’ve been. His third goal of the game at 15:50 to make it 4-2 Boston Bruins sent the building into delirium and hundreds of hats came flying onto the ice for the first time this season.

When the final horn sounded and the Bruins were up 1-0 in the series, the fans belted out the traditional ‘Dirty Water’ and the city of Boston felt normal again!

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214557 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Smith (Lower Body) Knocked Out of Game 1 Win

Published 4 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins should be feeling good after a 5-2 Game 1 win over the New York Islanders in the second round of the playoffs, but the victory may have come at a bit of a price. Right winger Craig Smith was knocked out of Saturday night’s game at TD Garden with a lower body injury that limited him to just 10:14 of ice time in the victory.

Smith skated the first couple of shifts in the third, but then was replaced by Jake DeBrusk on that line for most of the rest of the game’s final segment before the club announced he was done for the night. It appeared that the speedy, versatile Smith took the brunt of a leg-on-leg hit from Islanders winger Cal Clutterbuck, so it remains to be seen how serious or minor it turns out to be for a guy that’s quickly developed into a very valuable top-6 winger for the Black and Gold.

“Lower-body [injury and he] did not come back. [We’ll] reassess in the morning. When you don’t come back [in the game] that’s the first red flag, but it’s early,” said Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “We’ll have a better update in the morning.”

Any kind of a serious injury for Smith would be a tough blow for the Bruins given how well he’s been skating on the second line with David Krejci and Taylor Hall during the playoffs. It’s also tough timing for the B’s given how they had just healed up after a tough first round series against Washington that saw Jeremy Lauzon go down with an injury before returning for the Islanders series.

Smith has a goal and three points along with a plus-1 rating in six games for the B’s during these playoffs and had the big double overtime game- winner in Game 3 vs. Washington that became a turning point in that series. It was a bit of a quiet night for Smith in Game 1 vs. the Islanders, though as he missed the net with three of his four shot attempts before exiting with the injury.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214558 Boston Bruins

Game 1: Boston Bruins Vs. New York Islanders Lines, Preview

Published 12 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

The Boston Bruins and New York islanders kick off their second-round series tonight (8 PM ET, NBC, Sportsnet, TVAS) at what’s expected to be as close as possible to a sellout crowd thanks to the state of Massachusetts reopening on Saturday.

“We’re excited. Been a little envious watching the other games … Can’t wait to see that and how loud it’s going to be,” Boston winger Brad Marchand said on Saturday.

With the New York Islanders also able to play in front of an almost full capacity (13,900) crowd of 12,000 fans in the second round, the seventh man will surely play a huge role in this series.

“People are going to be nuts because they’ve been sitting there and they haven’t been able to go to a lot of games, and they’re going to be even that much more passionate about it,” former Boston Bruins winger Mark Recchi told Boston Hockey Now on Friday night.

This is the moment Boston bruins fans and players have been waiting for and it couldn’t come at a better time as the Bruins try to advance to the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in the last ten seasons.

Bruins Notes

-Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask will be back between the pipes after going 4-1 with a 1.81 GAA and a .941 save percentage in the first round.

-Defenseman Kevan Miller remains out of the lineup with a concussion and there is no timetable for his return. Defenseman John Moore and forward Ondrej Kase have been ruled out for the season.

-Rookie defenseman Jeremy Lauzon will return to the lineup after missing the final four games of the Bruins’ five-game series win over the Washington Capitals in the first round.

–The Bruins’ powerplay is now 5-for-19 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after going 0-for-3 in Game 5 against the Capitals. The Boston Bruins are scoring at a 26.3% clip on the powerplay.

-After killing off all four Capitals’ powerplays in Game 5, the Bruins penalty kill has now killed off 18 of 21 power-play attempts against in the playoffs for an 85.7 success rate.

New York Islanders Notes

-Illya Sorokin will start for the Islanders tonight. Sorokin was sensational in the first round after replacing Semyon Varlamov. He is 4-0 with a 1.95 GAA and a .943 save percentage in the playoffs.

-New York Islanders star Mathew Barzal had three points – all assists – in the six-game, first-round win over the Pittsburgh Penguins but appeared to be finding his stride in Game 6.

-The Islanders’ powerplay is 3-for-16 with an 18.8% success rate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

-The Islanders’ penalty kill has killed off 9 of 12 power-play attempts against in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, giving them a 75 percent success rate.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214559 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Injury Update: Lauzon In For Game 1 Vs Islanders

Published 13 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

Boston Bruins rookie defenseman Jeremy Lauzon will return to the lineup tonight for in Game 1 of the Bruins’ second-round series against the New York Islanders that kicks off at 8 PM ET (NBC, Sportsnet, TVAS) at what’s expected to be a packed and rocking TD Garden.

After blocking a shot by Washington Capitals defenseman Justin Schultz in Game 1 of the first round, Lauzon missed the remaining four games of the series that the Boston Bruins won in five games. The 24-year-old, six- foot-one, 204-pound rearguard has missed games intermittently throughout the season and as it was each time he returned from injury, the goal will be for Lauzon to keep it simple and play his trademark physical game.

“He’s been through it a few times now and the message is ‘always stay within yourself’, Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media following an optional pre-game skate ahead of Game 1. “I mean, even when he’s healthy, that’s when he’s at his best. He’s just hard to play against; physical, getting in people’s faces, just playing hard hockey, good on the kill with his shot-blocking and clears. Try to execute a good first pass and make sure everything is the right decision which is always a challenge for young defensemen; reading the forecheck well, tape-to- tape.

So that’s always the challenge for him when he’s been out. Just getting up to speed with his puck play, up and at the offensive blue line obviously, on and off your stick when you haven’t played as much. Probably lean more conservative than aggressive but at the end of the day, once he’s out there, he’d gotta play his game, and hopefully he recognizes to do a little bit more with his game when it’s there and moving it and defending well.”

It is expected that Boston Bruins defenseman Jarred Tinordi will sit and Lauzon and Connor Clifton will form the third defensive pairing.

On Friday, Cassidy also told the media that Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller (concussion) was doing better but was still yet to skate since being on the wrong end of a cheap shot by Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov in Game 4 of the first round. There were no further updates Saturday on a potential return for Miller.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214560 Boston Bruins

Welcome Back Boston Bruins Fans And Welcome Back Boston!

Published 14 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

The second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs is finally here for the Boston Bruins and their fans. When the Bruins step on the ice for Game 1 against the New York Islanders tonight at TD Garden though, it won’t just be about the excitement of playoff hockey. This moment will mean so much more!

For the first time since March 7, 2020, TD Garden will be allowed to have more than 12-percent capacity (2,191). The last time there were this many Boston Bruins fans rocking the Garden was five days before the NHL, the city of Boston, the state of Massachusetts, and the United States essentially shutdown before being ravaged by a once in a lifetime pandemic, that has taken the lives of almost 595,000 Americans and brought the country’s economy to levels not seen since The Great Depression.

Today marks the start of what the state of Massachusetts and the city of Boston pray is a rebirth and the beginning of a comeback like the one Patrice Bergeron and the Boston Bruins completed in the third period and overtime of Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Late this afternoon, fans will jam a revamped and spanking new that Bruins fans and the surrounding community never really got a chance to enjoy after a giant remodeling that began in 2018 had just started to gain traction when COVID hit. Gone are longtime staples of the North Station and West End like The Fours, Sullivan’s Tap, and McGann’s but Porter’s Pub, The Greatest Bar, The Harp, and an array of new establishments will be packed to the brim again!

The state of Massachusetts and the city of Boston are open again the excitement, emotion, and hope that comes with this reopening from hell is about to come pouring down onto the TD Garden ice.

“People are going to be nuts because they’ve been sitting there and they haven’t been able to go to a lot of games, and they’re going to be even that much more passionate about it,” former Boston Bruins winger and five-time Stanley Cup Champion Mark Recchi told Boston Hockey Now Friday night.

After an optional pre-game skate, Saturday morning, Recchi’s former teammate and current Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand was amped up for what he knows will be one of those moments where sports and life intertwine and lift the human spirit.

“We’re excited. Been a little envious watching the other games … Can’t wait to see that and how loud it’s going to be,” Marchand said.

Oh, it will be loud Brad, but more importantly, it will be the closest to normal anyone there in the building, watching on TV or listening on the radio has been since March 2020. When Marchand and the Bruins step onto the ice to ‘Cochise’ by Audioslave, as they have for every playoff game since 2009, there will be an electric release like we haven’t seen since that Bergeron goal and the 2011 Stanley Cup run!

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214561 Boston Bruins including the power play where he just began playing with the top unit during the playoffs.

McAvoy is the kind of No. 1 defenseman that every team needs in order Boston Bruins/Islanders Preview: ‘We’re Playing Ourselves A Bit’ | BHN+ to go on a two-month long Stanley Cup run.

“(He’s) unbelievable. I can’t say enough good things about him,” said Published 16 hours ago on May 29, 2021 Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk of McAvoy. “I got to play with him in college, and you could see from an early age he was a special player. By Joe Haggerty He’s only gotten better and better each year. The biggest thing about him is when the spotlight is on him and the lights get brighter, Chucky shows

up to play and elevates his game. It’s fun to watch him grow right in front BRIGHTON, Mass — The Boston Bruins view the New York Islanders as of our eyes. He’s one of the best defensemen in the league.” the opposite side of the same coin as they prepare for tonight’s series Beyond McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk has turned into a solid puck-moving opener in the second round at TD Garden. Both teams are chock full of partner for the top pairing even if they can be a little light in the defensive 200-foot two-way players that don’t mind heavy hockey, both teams have zone at times. Mike Reilly got better as the series went along vs. excellent goaltending and both teams are extremely well-coached while Washington partnered with Brandon Carlo, and Connor Clifton did a nice paying close attention to the details. job stepping in for the injured Kevan Miller. Jeremy Lauzon returning The Islanders aren’t going to crumble like the Washington Capitals did in from injury would be a boost for the group, but missing Miller leaves them the first round after blowing Game 3 in double overtime, but they don’t a bit shorthanded in the stoutness department. really have the explosive ability to dominate the Bruins with skill or The Islanders are short on star power at the defensemen position, but physicality like the Capitals did at points. Truthfully, these will be heavy, Scott Mayfield, Ryan Pulock, Noah Dobson, Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech hard-fought games where both teams battle for every inch of the ice and and Andy Greene are a solid six-man unit that’s going to provide a perhaps don’t combine for big goal-scoring totals throughout the series. defensive wall around the Isles net. These are exactly the kind of big, In other words, it will be grinding playoff hockey where the team that strong and no-frills D-men groups that have given the B’s problems makes the fewest number of mistakes is going to win. offensively in the past, and this is why Taylor Hall could be a massive factor for the Bruins in this upcoming series. “I think they have a lot of our attributes. They want to be structured, they want to play with discipline, they have good goaltending,” said Boston Given their good health on the back end to start the series, this could be Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy earlier this week. “Their ‘D’ certainly an advantage for the Isles against a top-heavy B’s group. gets involved, but they want to play D first. They’ve got different lines that Advantage: Islanders. can hurt you. So, in that regard, we’re playing ourselves a little bit. Very well coached. So, for us, it’s a matter of staying within ourselves, play the Goaltending: Tuukka Rask has played like he’s got something to prove or game in front of you, put some pressure on their D.” something to play and that’s good news for the Bruins.

So, it’s going to be a grinding battle of wills doubling as a hockey playoff Rask let up a bit of a goofy goal in the overtime of Game 1 against the series, and here’s how we see it all breaking down: Capitals, but after that it was a dominant performance for the Bruins netminder. He posted a 1.81 goals against average and .941 save Forwards: This might be the biggest area of difference when breaking it percentage in the five games against the Islanders and was brilliant at down. On one side there’s the NHL’s best forward line, the Perfection the points where Boston needed him to be in order to win playoff games. Line, with Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. They That is all they need from Rask at this point and that’s exactly what he combined for eight goals and 13 points in five games against the Capitals was for the Black and Gold. after Peter Laviolette made the classic mistake of pretending not to know who the “Perfection Line” was prior to the start of the series. The bad news for the Islanders is that No. 1 Semyon Varlamov struggled in the first round against the Penguins as Tristan Marchand had a Hart Trophy-level season and played the hero in the first Jarry struggled right along with him. Varlamov finished with a .903 save round with a massive overtime game-winning goal in Game 2 vs. percentage and lost two games in the series against Pittsburgh. Washington and had three goals in the five-game series. Pastrnak exploded in the final few games of the series and finished with two goals But the good news for the Islanders is that they have two strong and six points in five games, a sign he might be ready to truly go off and youngster Ilya Sorokin stepped up with a 1.95 goals against the Islanders in the second round. against average and a .943 save percentage for New York to lead them to a first round victory. Sorokin should be getting the series start against Adding a motivated, productive Taylor Hall to the second line has the Bruins based on his red-hot play in the first round, but that’s no transformed that group into an equally dangerous trio with David Krejci. different than the first round going up against Ilya Samsonov, who was Both Hall and Craig Smith scored clutch goals in the series vs. very strong for the Capitals aside from the Game 3 gaffe in double Washington. The Bruins have a bruising third line with Nick Ritchie, Sean overtime. Kuraly and Charlie Coyle, and a fourth line anchored by the energetic Curtis Lazar. Based on overall playoff experience and the way he looked in the first round, the Bruins have a slight edge over the Islanders that could loom It will get interesting with the matchups as Barry Trotz is expected to larger if Sorokin stumbles at all as he goes deeper into the postseason. match either Jean-Gabriel Pageau or Casey Cizikas up against Boston’s top line for a true shutdown effort. Pageau is a certified Bruins killer and Advantage: Bruins. he combined with Isles winger Kyle Palmieri to score a whopping 10 goals against the Black and Gold this season. So, it could be much Special Teams: The Bruins special teams has traditionally been a tougher sledding for Boston’s top offensive guys in this round based on strength over the years, and it was no different in the first round vs. the effort to shut them down. Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey both scored Washington. The B’s penalty kill unit won the series for them in some three goals apiece vs. the Penguins in the first round, and Anthony ways by holding down a top-ranked Capitals PP unit consistently over the Beauvillier was dominant with three goals and seven points in five course of the five games. Even when ace penalty killer Kevan Miller went games. down with injury, Connor Clifton stepped up and blocked shots while holding things down. The Bruins power play busted through mid-series Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin are arguably the best fourth line when Bruce Cassidy swapped in David Krejci and Charlie McAvoy for in the league, so they must be accounted for in the series as well. Still, Nick Ritchie and Matt Grzelcyk on the top unit. They exploded for three the Isles miss the injured Anders Lee and that lowers their overall depth power play goals in Game 4 and sit as the fifth-ranked team with a 26.3 and star power at the forward spot when compared with the Bruins. percent success rate in the postseason. The Bruins penalty kill is ranked 4th among playoff teams with an 85.7 percent success rate. Advantage: Bruins. The Islanders penalty kill actually struggled a bit in the first round shutting Defenseman: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has ascended down Pittsburgh only 75 percent of the time, and the Isles power play is to the highest level of defensemen play in the postseason. He’s got five not considered high-powered even though Mat Barzal is out there as a points in five playoff games thus far, is logging over 27 minutes of ice playmaker. They scored on 18.8 percent of their power plays in the first time per game and is dominating in all situations for the Boston Bruins, round but will need to step it up if they hope to keep it up against stacked B’s special teams units.

This is arguably the biggest area of separation between the two teams and a place where the Boston Bruins could do a lot of damage.

Advantage: Bruins.

Coaching/Intangibles: Bruce Cassidy has enjoyed consistent success during his time guiding the Boston Bruins and has come as close to winning a Stanley Cup as possible without actually hoisting it after losing a Game 7 on home ice in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. The B’s bench boss did one of his best coaching jobs this season covering up gaping roster holes that weren’t adequately filled until the Bruins acquired Hall, Reilly and Lazar at the trade deadline. Cassidy is intelligent, innovative and able to adjust on the fly and will have the Boston Bruins fully prepared for their series against the Islanders.

Barry Trotz is one of the best coaches in the NHL and has been for a long time. He gets his hockey clubs to work hard, wrings the most out of the talent that he has and has teams that save their best for last in the third periods of games. His teams aren’t usually among the most explosive or skilled based on the blue-collar style he employs, but the Islanders actually have some pretty good offensive talent all things considered. Trotz is a Stanley Cup winner with the Capitals, but he also tends to have teams that have a hard time elevating their play in the postseason after regular season success.

The Bruins are one of the tightest units in the NHL with leadership and clutch performers, but they also have a player in Pastrnak that’s still got a ton to prove in the postseason. And a No. 1 goalie in Rask that’s never been able to win the big game to get the Bruins over the hump for a Cup under his watch.

The Islanders have strong character players on a roster designed by Lou Lamoriello and are very reminiscent of the strong Devils teams that he built back in the day. They are not going to buckle in a playoff series as the Capitals did in the first round. This is going to be a mental and physical test for the Bruins against a competitive Isles group that isn’t going to give them anything.

Advantage: Even.

Prediction: The Boston Bruins and Islanders aren’t going to have the entertainment value that the Bruins and Capitals did in the first round. This will be bruising, fundamentally good playoff hockey between two well-matched teams that play hard at both ends of the ice. In the end, the Bruins are the more talented all-around group. Bruins in 6.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214562 Boston Bruins When Bergeron is giving that kind of effusive praise for the kind of conditioning that he prides himself on, it’s something to stand up and take notice of. Certainly, McAvoy’s head coach has taken notice of the Boston Bruins McAvoy Touching Greatness In The Playoffs kind of workhorse his No. 1 defenseman has developed into just a few seasons into an NHL career with all kinds of possibilities.

“Everything we give him he seems to excel at and, obviously, still a Published 19 hours ago on May 29, 2021 young guy in this league that’s only going to get better,” said Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “There’s a tremendous ceiling, he By Joe Haggerty seems to get highly motivated for the bright lights.

“And the thing that goes unnoticed with Charlie is he plays a lot of hard BRIGHTON, Mass – Any hockey club aspiring to win the Stanley Cup is minutes but recovers well. He’s just got a real good ability to reset and going to need players ascending to greatness during the long, grueling get back out there. I don’t know if he’s got extra-large lungs or what.” playoff run, and the Boston Bruins are no different than everybody else. Certainly, some will point to Tuukka Rask and his .940 save percentage And that goes double when it comes to franchise defenseman on Cup or Brad Marchand and his game-winning overtime goal in Game 2 as contenders that are touching greatness. encouraging signs of a Bruins team poised for a long playoff push. But McAvoy’s brilliance with his physicality, his shutdown abilities, his Pretty much every Stanley Cup champion in recent memory has boasted Herculean ability to play massive minutes and now his power play a bona fide No. 1 defenseman in the prime of their career, whether it was acumen are efficiently dominating these playoffs. Victor Hedman and the Tampa Bay Lightning last season or a 34-year- old Zdeno Chara with the Boston Bruins during their 2011 Stanley Cup The PP production is the newest wrinkle with McAvoy taking over for run. Or Alex Pietrangelo leading the St. Louis Blues over the Bruins a Grzelcyk as a point man on the top power play unit with all five of his couple of seasons ago and Duncan Keith finishing as the Conn Smythe first-round assists vs. Washington coming on the man advantage. Prior to winner for the Chicago Blackhawks in the middle of their dynastic Stanley the playoffs, McAvoy was languishing a bit on the little-used second PP Cup run. group that essentially picks up for the scraps from the top unit.

So, it’s a wholly encouraging Bruins sign that Charlie McAvoy has That has now changed with McAvoy, Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David ratcheted things up to the next level for the Black and Gold during the Pastrnak and David Krejci now operating on the top PP group. first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The 23-year-old McAvoy has five As said after the series vs. Washington was all over, assists and a plus-4 rating in five playoff games against the Washington McAvoy “was really dominant on both sides of the puck for large, large Capitals and has averaged a massive 27:15 of ice time thus far in the stretches” against the Capitals whether it was setting up PP looks or postseason. smashing headlong into Tom Wilson during a massive Game 5 car-crash As Bruins President Cam Neely said, “[McAvoy] has really taken it to collision. another level.” Either way, McAvoy is just trying to finish the job he and the rest of the It isn’t just the surface numbers, however, as the Bruins have dominated Bruins fumbled on when they lost the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. puck possession, shots on net and every other fancy stats category when “Just trying to do whatever the team needs me to do, whatever I can to McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk are out on the ice together. help us win hockey games,” McAvoy said. “I think that’s everyone’s The two have been teammates and a defensive pair dating back to their mindset, everybody’s pulling the rope and guys are elevating, the whole Boston University days together, but Grzelcyk makes it clear that his BU team’s elevating. We’re trying to build something here; we’re trying to buddy is on a different level these days. grow each game.

Chucky Bright Lights has turned Chucky Big Time. “It’s the playoffs now and winning’s all that matters. I’m just trying to pull the rope just like everybody. I think that’s what the whole team is doing.” “(He’s) unbelievable. I can’t say enough good things about him,” said Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk of McAvoy. “I got to play with him in Everything that McAvoy is doing right now is helping the Bruins win college, and you could see from an early age he was a special player. hockey games, and if it keeps up at his current dominant levels it may He’s only gotten better and better each year. The biggest thing about him help the B’s get to exactly where they want to be about six weeks from is when the spotlight is on him and the lights get brighter, Chucky shows now. up to play and elevates his game.

“Being his partner, I want to make sure I’m supporting him: Putting pucks Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 in good spots for him to get going the other way in transition. I think we read off of each other really well. It’s really fun to play with him. It’s fun to watch him grow up right in front of our eyes. He’s one of the best defensemen in the league.”

While McAvoy certainly had a solid regular season for the Bruins and will get his share of consideration for the Norris Trophy this time around, the young B’s defenseman is playing his way right into national recognition with his current postseason. If it continues this year then perhaps McAvoy will end up as a Conn Smythe candidate should the Boston Bruins live up to their potential, but it should also lead to heavy Norris consideration next season as well.

Among NHL teams that advanced past the first round of the postseason, only Josh Morrissey, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei and Neil Pionk have logged more ice time per game than McAvoy and one of them have as many points as the Boston Bruins D-man. McAvoy’s ability to soak up massive minutes without compromising his level of play is becoming his calling card, and it’s something even Patrice Bergeron is actually envious of at this point.

“It’s probably one of the first things you notice with him in training camp or in captain’s practices when you scrimmage out there, he could be on the ice for five minutes and he will still be flying out there,” said Bergeron. “He’s one of those guys that can just skate forever and never gets tired. It’s a great [skill] to have. I wish I felt that way as well. It’s very impressive and it’s a testament to his conditioning.” 1214563 Boston Bruins games, and they’re going to be even that much more passionate about it.”

As Recchi pointed out though, the Coliseum will be just as crazy when Mark Recchi Excited For ‘Unreal’ Boston Bruins Fans! the Islanders return home to play the Bruins in Games 3 and 4.

“We actually played them back two years ago when I was in Pitt,” Recchi Published 21 hours ago on May 29, 2021 recalled. “That was a full building then and No.1, it’s right on top of ya, and it’s like whatever 13,000-14,000 people, and they just feel like they’re By Jimmy Murphy right on top of you, and even though it’s the same size ice, it just feels small and especially how tight they play as a team, so it’s gonna be a

heck of a series, these two teams.” Will Boston Bruins fans make the New York Islanders fans regret that a Recchi’s absolutely right but this will also be a heck of a series between raucous Nassau Coliseum crowd chanted ‘We Want Boston’ as time ran two great fan bases and now the Boston Bruins fans have a chance to be down in the Islanders’ 5-3, series-clinching win over the Pittsburgh just as loud as, if not louder than, the Islanders fans were in Game 6 Penguins in Game 6 of the first round Wednesday? against the Penguins. Former Boston Bruins winger Mark Recchi thinks what’s expected to be a sellout crowd of 16,432, which amounts to 90 percent of the 18,258 full capacity at TD Garden, will be rocking as it did when he and the 2010-11 Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup a decade ago. In a phone interview with Boston Hockey Now on Friday night, Recchi said that watching the Islanders-Penguins first-round series and other series that had increased attendance at each arena, reminded him of just how important fans are to the game and specifically, the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Honestly, nothing stands out but every game, there was something at some point, where the fans were so incredible about it,” Recchi – an Assistant Coach for the now – recalled of his hall of fame career and the role fans played. “It got ya back on track or maybe you were down and you had one big shift and all of a sudden the building’s going crazy; that’s such a good feeling man! So not having the fans for the most part, for the last year or so. …especially last year’s playoffs, and it’s unreal; you forget how passionate it is and how incredible it is, and it does drive you; it does help, there’s no question. I know on the Island, that’s a small building too, it gets loud in there, and Boston does too. It’s going to be loud in there too.”

After playing in front of no fans for just over a year, TD Garden was allowed to operate at 12 percent (2,191) of its full capacity of 18,258 fans on March 25. Then, starting on May 10, and for the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Boston Bruins have been allowed to play in front of 4,564 for 25 percent capacity. Recchi knows first hand what a just about packed TD Garden can mean for Boston Bruins players and when asked what moment during that magical Stanley Cup run a decade ago stood out the most, Recchi immediately went to Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

The Boston Bruins were trailing that series 2-0 after losing by a goal in each of the first two games in Vancouver. In the opening period, Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome drilled Bruins winger Nathan Horton with a late, open-ice hit that knocked Horton out cold and had him stretchered off the ice. Rome would eventually be suspended for four games but Recchi and the Boston Bruins immediately punished the Canucks on the scoreboard scoring five straight goals on their way to an 8-1 rout. While Horton’s overtime winner over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the first round and his goal in the waning minutes of the 2011 Eastern Conference Final had the Garden rocking, Game 3 of the Cup Final still stands out as the loudest Recchi can recall not just as a Bruin but in his entire hall of fame career.

“I would say all of those but then the start of the Stanley Cup Finals, Game 3 in Boston, when we got back. …was f..king unreal!” Recchi said as he laughed and recalled that electric moment in Boston Bruins history. “Getting to the finals, that was unreal, it was incredible, but that first game [in Boston], Game 3, the first time in. …ya you’re talking 21 years, since they’ve been in the finals, and to me, I remember that moment, I just remember the start of it and it was. …that’s just one moment, I remember it like it was yesterday and it was incredible!”

When Recchi was informed of Td Garden almost being at full capacity now, he was excited because he knows not only will the normal passion of Bruins fans pour down onto the Garden ice but also the emotion of a fan base that hasn’t been able to connect as they did in Game 3 of the 2011 Cup Final since the Bruins lost to the St. Louis Blues in Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.

“Oh, that’s awesome! So it’s pretty much a full crowd; so that’s incredible,” an excited Recchi said. “People are going to be nuts because they’ve been sitting there and they haven’t been able to go to a lot of 1214564 Boston Bruins Bruins were trending in the right direction. They were reducing some of the early in-zone jitters on clearing attempts. They were getting their looks between the circles on Sorokin. They were in sync.

Bruins dominate Game 1, powered by David Pastrnak’s showy hat trick “When it was your turn to get the puck out, just making sure you bear and an arena full of fans down. That was it,” Charlie McAvoy said. “I thought our forwards played great tonight. I thought they attacked with tons of pace. Our skill was on display. They really played awesome. Lots of great chances and looks. By Fluto Shinzawa When we’re moving like that, when we’re attacking and using each other, oftentimes we’re able to carry the momentum of the game.” May 30, 2021 McAvoy pulled the momentum toward his team’s side for good in the

third. With Nick Ritchie parked in front, McAvoy rapped a long-distance David Pastrnak is a showman. A man who shies away from attention one-timer that caught Sorokin peeking the other way. It set up Pastrnak would not have strutted into TD Garden wearing a white suit with patterns to do his thing, which he enjoyed. Pastrnak has had enough of playing of blue ferns speckling the arms. hockey in empty rinks.

“I like fashion,” Pastrnak said Saturday after the Bruins’ 5-2 Game 1 win “It’s a different sport with them in the building,” Pastrnak said. “It definitely over the Islanders in their second-round playoff matchup. “It’s a boring warms your heart and reminds you why you play this sport. It was one today that I decided, compared to what I was going to wear. In the awesome to have them back.” end, I backed up and decided to go with this one. Still have a couple crazy ones in the closet. Hopefully, I’ll be able to wear them. I love fashion. As long as I feel good, I don’t really care what people think.” The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 It could only have been Pastrnak, then, to touch off Boston’s biggest frenzy in more than 14 months. At 13:50 of the third period, Pastrnak blew the roof off TD Garden — filled with 17,400 on Massachusetts’ first day of no COVID-19 restrictions — by pumping his third puck past Ilya Sorokin. Hundreds of hats sailed onto the Garden ice to commemorate not only Pastrnak’s achievement but also, perhaps, the beginning of better days.

The crowd had Pastrnak to thank for the opportunity.

“It seems like he rises to the occasion every time he’s asked to,” Patrice Bergeron said. “He’s one of those guys that brings that energy. But he also loves to get the crowd going. It seems kind of fitting for him to have one of those nights with the fans back in the building.”

Pastrnak’s third goal was classic No. 88. Earlier in his shift, he had been dumped in center ice, peeved that he didn’t get a call. After he picked off Brock Nelson’s pass, Pastrnak was determined to make up for the non- penalty.

He walked Josh Bailey in the neutral zone. As he accelerated into the offensive zone and curled into the slot, Taylor Hall, fresh over the boards, skated straight into Noah Dobson and Adam Pelech. With the two defenders occupied by Hall, Pastrnak whistled a wrister past Sorokin’s blocker. The right wing, who’d spent too many regular-season shifts fumbling pucks and misfiring one-timers, stitched together all of his dynamic skills in one electric sequence. The hats signaled the fans’ delight.

“I think it was just a good moment to look around and see a lot of joy,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Obviously, Pasta’s a goal scorer. He’s found his touch.”

The Islanders had no answers for Pastrnak, Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The first-liners did their thing all night, from winning pucks to snapping east-west pucks in the offensive zone to getting Sorokin to scurry all around his crease. During five-on-five play, the Bruins outshot the Islanders 17-3 with the No. 1 line on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Bergeron led all players with eight pucks on goal. Pastrnak drained three of his seven shots. Marchand was everywhere.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz, who did not have last change, had to split up his top pair of Pelech and Ryan Pulock at times to account for the Bruins’ first two lines. It didn’t work. Trotz will have to devise a fix in a hurry, whether that’s riding the Pelech-Pulock pair, getting a different line against Bergeron’s unit or perhaps even putting Semyon Varlamov back in net.

Sorokin stopped some surefire goals. But the former No. 2 punted out a bad rebound on Bergeron’s shot that led to Pastrnak’s second goal.

It was almost as sloppy as the sequence before Pastrnak’s first goal. Sorokin kicked out David Krejci’s point shot to Pastrnak. As the goalie tried to recover, he slid too far to his right and failed to get square to Pastrnak. The right wing thanked Sorokin for his mistake.

The top line and the Bruins were in control for the entire game. Even when Anthony Beauvillier gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead in the first, the 1214565 Boston Bruins Sure looks that way. Assuming Trotz deploys Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock against the No. 1 line, it will be up to Nick Leddy and Scott Mayfield to silence the second line. That will not be easy.

From Jeremy Lauzon to Kevan Miller: Answering second-round Bruins Hall scored four goals in three games against the Islanders after his lineup questions Boston arrival. His straight-line speed and agility make him wicked to defend off the rush.

By Fluto Shinzawa “The last series against Washington, against the Islanders, we’ve seen him go by guys in traffic where it doesn’t look like there’s much May 29, 2021 materializing,” Cassidy said. “All of a sudden, he comes out the other side with the puck and he’s in all alone. There’s some times it doesn’t

work out. We have to let him be Taylor and still remind him of, ‘OK, The Bruins got through the Capitals in good shape. They were able to there’s a time and a place and a score, game situations.’ He’s been very follow two rest days with three days of practice, including an optional good with it. He’s got a centerman who reads off him well. So he doesn’t session Friday. They are in good health save for Kevan Miller, who will have to do it by himself, so to speak. But when he does get ahead of not play in Game 1. speed and he gets in the right spots, from (David) Krejci or the D, boy, he’s dangerous.” So what are the issues they’ll face in Round 2 against the Islanders? Here are eight: 5. How are the Bruins feeling after vaccination?

1. Will Jeremy Lauzon be available for Game 1? A large group of players received their second COVID-19 shots Tuesday. All felt well enough to practice the following two days. Tuukka Rask opted It’s possible. As of Friday, when the Bruins held an optional practice, for pre-practice work with goalie coach Bob Essensa on Wednesday. Lauzon (right hand) had yet to be cleared. But on Thursday, Lauzon was a full practice participant, skating alongside Connor Clifton on the No. 3 Those players will be considered fully vaccinated by June 8. pairing. On Wednesday, Lauzon wore a non-contact jersey. 6. Could Mike Reilly be a difference-maker? If Lauzon gets the green light, he’ll add more foot speed to the third pair. No question. It may not have been a coincidence that the Bruins beat the He’ll also take his place in the first penalty-killing rotation next to Brandon Islanders all three times following the trade deadline. Reilly touched the Carlo. game on multiple levels. First, he gave the No. 2 pair a sharp and If Lauzon is not cleared, Jarred Tinordi will be the No. 6 defenseman. confident puck mover. Second, Reilly got shots through from the point, Tinordi filled his role in the Round 1 closeout game against Washington. which is something Lauzon and Jakub Zboril could not do consistently. The Islanders have big, grinding forwards like the Capitals. Tinordi could Third, he triggered the Bruins’ stretch game, especially with Hall and handle his assignments. Craig Smith. Fourth, Reilly allowed Cassidy to make Matt Grzelcyk- Charlie McAvoy a full-time No. 1 pair. 2. Could Miller return in the second round? “He’s had a real good offensive blue-line impact on us, first and Unknown. Miller rode the stationary bike Friday. He has yet to skate foremost,” Cassidy said. “We were struggling with getting our shots since taking a high hit from Dmitry Orlov in Game 4. Miller required through and making good decisions up there. He came in and changed hospitalization following the play. some of that. Made some real good plays, both up high and give-and- goes where he ended up down low making plays to forwards in front of Clifton locked down Miller’s right-side spot in Game 5. But the Bruins are the net. I think he did it three times in his first five, six games. I think the not the same long-term without Miller’s physical play and calming guys gave him the puck and were ready to get it back in those situations. presence. They would welcome him back to butt heads with Matt Martin, So he certainly added secondary offense from the back end.” Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. 7. Who’s up when injuries happen? 3. Will starting at home make a difference? Urho Vaakanainen has been practicing as the No. 8 defenseman behind Absolutely. Massachusetts is lifting pandemic restrictions Saturday, just Tinordi. Zboril skated Wednesday with the extra players. in time for Game 1. TD Garden will be at near capacity. It most recently operated at 25 percent. Up front, Trent Frederic and Karson Kuhlman have been the 13th and 14th forwards the entire run. “From the bubble to the start of this season, you adapt and you adjust to not having fans,” Patrice Bergeron said. “In a way, you almost forget how In goal, Jeremy Swayman is the No. 2. Jaroslav Halak participated in a special it is to have them. So when we went up to 12 percent and now full practice Wednesday when Rask opted for on-ice work before the 25, it made such a big difference. The impact they have on the game, the session. energy they bring that you try to feed off is amazing. Having close to a packed Garden (Saturday) is going to be special.” 8. Could special teams hurt the Bruins?

It will also allow coach Bruce Cassidy to pursue a series lead with his Sure could. They had to kill 21 penalties in Round 1. They do not want to preferred matchups. Cassidy does not like to chase matchups on the visit the penalty box as often in Round 2. road, but he has ones he likes at the Garden. Cassidy can train his best “Being in the box 21 times in five games is too much,” said general players against the Islanders’ top two lines. manager Don Sweeney. It also gives lines and pairings shifts to click into rhythm. Islanders coach The Islanders were at 18.8 percent on the power play against Pittsburgh. Barry Trotz is not shy about taking players off the ice and replacing them They were at the same rate during the regular season. mid-shift. This could give the Bruins chances to put the Islanders into chase mode right away. On the flip side, the Islanders are disciplined. They were shorthanded 135 times during the regular season, second-least in the league. The “It’s more about what we can do and beating the matchup you’re up Bruins were shorthanded 178 times (No. 4). against at any given time,” Bergeron said. “For us, it’s a lot of worrying what we can do as a line when we step out on the ice. Obviously, you try to be aware of who you’re playing against. That’s really important, especially in a playoff series. That being said, I don’t think we’re stuck to The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 the matchups. It makes it easier sometimes when you’re on the road.”

TD Garden during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. (Bob DeChiara / USA Today)

4. Could Taylor Hall take advantage of his matchups? 1214566 Buffalo Sabres he hit 27 homers in the big leagues and then he struggled the past couple of years. The fact is that we think maybe there’s an opportunity for him to bounce back with us and we know that the ability is there, we just Daniel Palka getting a second chance with Red Wings as he tries to have to get it out of him.” resurrect career Going into this weekend’s games against Syracuse which will wrap up a two-week homestand for the Wings, Palka is starting to come around after a slow start. He has lifted his average to .262 and leads the team SAL MAIORANA | Rochester Democrat and Chronicle with five home runs and 11 RBI.

“This homestand, I haven’t had an at bat where I look back and don’t like my approach, so I’m just gonna stick to that,” said Palka, who in The last time Daniel Palka took up residence in Rochester, a solid 2017 Thursday’s 9-8 victory over the Mets walked in all four of his plate season with the Red Wings led to his finally making it to the major appearances. leagues the following year. “I think it’s a good sign,” manager Matt LeCroy said of Palka’s discipline Now Palka is back and hoping that his personal history repeats itself as that day. “He’s getting in a good position where he’s recognizing some he tries to resurrect his career again in Rochester, this time with an eye balls that are borderline pitches that he’s picking up pretty early for a ball. on getting called up to the parent Washington Nationals at some point in He’s getting back to what we know he’s capable of becoming so that’s 2021. always a good sign when you’re staying in the strike zone.” “It’s nice coming somewhere where you’ve had success in the past and me and my wife were really comfortable here before,” Palka said. “Coming back just made it kind of easy, being familiar with everything.” Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 05.30.2021 The lefty-swinging outfielder first showed up at Frontier Field in 2016 when he was in the Twins’ organization and in 54 games he hit 13 home runs while putting up an OPS of .779.

He spent the bulk of 2017 with the Red Wings and in 84 games he hit 11 homers, had 42 RBI, batted .274 and had an OPS of .759.

However, that wasn’t enough for the Twins and at the end of the year he was waived. That’s when the White Sox picked him up, and it was in Chicago where he enjoyed his breakthrough in 2018.

He made his major league debut on April 25 of that year, and in his third game for Chicago he went 4-for-5, scored three runs, and hit his first home run, a three-run shot off the Royals’ Burch Smith.

'A very dark place': Many of us had an awful 2020, but few had it worse than Red Wings catcher Tres Barrera

Baseball is back: Red Wings fans thrilled to be at Frontier Field

Palka didn’t play another minor league game the rest of the season and wound up appearing in 124 games for the Sox, hit 27 home runs and finished fifth in the American League rookie of the year voting.

But baseball being baseball, rarely is there a straight line on one’s career. Palka got off to a brutal start in 2019 and was sent down to Triple-A Charlotte where he spent most of the season. In 30 games for the Sox he batted .107 with two home runs, and he hasn’t played in the majors since.

He was released by the White Sox just after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season began in July and wound up signing with the Samsung Lions in the Korean Baseball Organization.

“When 2019 didn’t start well, I went down and did my thing, what I normally do, and got back to normal,” Palka said, referring to the 27 home runs and 72 RBI he produced in Charlotte. “And then in 2020 I didn’t get an opportunity (in America). So, now that I’ve got the opportunity to come back and play in Triple-A, I’m gonna seize it.”

Palka said he thoroughly enjoyed his time in South Korea because it gave him some perspective.

“There’s just so much respect there for everybody, for each other, and it’s just a really cool culture,” he said. “Us being in the States, you take so much for granted, so many little things that we’ve got, and it’s just really cool to be on the other side of the world and be immersed in an entirely different culture.”

But that’s not where he wants to play baseball, so he’s appreciative that he has a fresh chance in Rochester.

That came about partly off a recommendation from Trip Keister who is now the manager at the Nationals Double-A affiliate in Harrisburg, but who in 2015 managed Palka when he was playing in the Arizona Fall League.

“We know what he’s capable of doing and we’ve watched him over the years,” said Mark Scialabba, the Nationals Assistant General Manager, Player Development. “Keister actually had him in the fall league. We signed him late in the process. Obviously, his left-handed power – I mean 1214567 Calgary Flames “I think she never stops showing how good a goal-scorer she is and how talented she is.”

Turnbull was far from alone in her praise. 'It was huge': Calgary's Team Scotiabank earns first win in its final game at PWHPA event “She’s a pure goal-scorer,” said defender Brigette Lacquette. “Every time she touches the puck, magic happens. I’m so proud of her.”

That was echoed throughout the Team Scotiabank dressing room. Jeffrey Morgan “She has the ability to score,” Mikkelson said. “She’s a dynamic, speedy, Publishing date: May 29, 2021 slippery player. I’ve practised and played with her a lot. Players with that raw talent and scoring ability don’t come around too often.”

They had already shown improvement. ICE CHIPS

Getting a win, though? That sort of solidified just how far Calgary’s Team Mikkelson left the game in the second period and did not return. There Scotiabank had come in such a short period of time. was no post-game update on her condition, but she did manage to skate off the ice on her own … Turnbull, for the record, is an avid fly-fisher. She Facing off against Toronto’s Team Sonnet in the final game of round- laughed when she was asked about it, but said that any day she isn’t robin action of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association’s training is a day she can be found on the river … Seriously, though, Secret Dream Gap Tour stop in their hometown on Saturday, the Calgary Potomak seems like the type of player Canadian fans might love crew played their best 60 minutes of the tournament and secured a 3-2 watching at the Olympics … Team Sonnet and Team Bauer will face off win. for the tournament championship on Sunday (2:30 p.m. MT, ). It wasn’t enough to book them a spot in Sunday’s final at the , but that wasn’t the point.

A win is a win, and the elated celebration at the game’s final buzzer Calgary Sun: LOADED: 05.30.2021 showed just how much that mattered.

“It was huge,” said Team Scotiabank goaltender Kristen Campbell, who was sensational in stopping 37 of the 39 shots she faced on Saturday. “I thought we did all the little things right today. We were kind of knocking on the door the whole week. Each game, I thought we got better and better and I’m just super proud of the team. It was a full team effort and we just played a full 60 minutes.”

The victory was the sort of result that makes you wonder how different things might have gone for the Calgarians if the tournament had been a little bit longer or if they had more practice time.

This was a group that had not been on the ice together before the tournament since last November. They came in cold, and were handed a 6-1 loss to Montreal’s Team Bauer in their opening game on Tuesday, then fell 8-3 to Team Sonnet the next day.

But the Calgarians were much more competitive as the weekend approached, losing 4-3 to Team Bauer in a hard-fought game on Friday.

On Saturday, national team stalwarts such Blayre Turnbull and Rebecca Johnston led the way for the hosts offensively, while Meaghan Mikkelson was exceptional on the blue-line, although she left the game after crashing hard into the boards.

Turnbull potted Scotiabank’s opener, while Sarah Potomak scored the other two goals and assisted on Turnbull’s marker. Johnston added two assists.

The 23-year-old Potomak was the star of the round-robin, leading all skaters with five goals. We’ll get back to her in a second, but it seems exceedingly strange that Potomak didn’t score an invite to the Team Canada Olympic Centralization roster.

One way or another, the Calgary squad didn’t leave this week’s tournament empty-handed. They don’t have the chance to play for the championship on Sunday, but they showed this weekend that with a little more time, they might be a force to be reckoned with.

STAR POWER

Potomak is something special to watch. She’s got an eye for the net and a high hockey I.Q.

Her second goal on Saturday was especially impressive, as she gained possession of the puck from behind the net and found space to rip a shot into the back of the Toronto net.

Her teammates were definitely impressed.

“It’s a lot of fun playing with someone who has that high level of skill.” Turnbull said. “Don’t even look at the way she scores goals. Look at the way she sees the ice and the plays she’s making away from the net, too. They’re really high-end plays. For her to get rewarded on the scoreboard is obviously awesome for our team and for her in general. 1214568 Carolina Hurricanes “And you absolutely have to have that self-belief. You’ve got to have that belief that you can be the difference. And Alex Nedeljkovic has those things.”

Who has the goaltending edge as the Canes host the Lightning in Game Nedeljkovic allowed three goals in three games against the Lightning this 1 of their series? season, shutting out Tampa Bay 4-0 on Feb. 20. He was 2-1-0, all against Vasilevskiy, and won 4-1 in his last start against the Lightning on April 20 in Tampa.

BY CHIP ALEXANDER Nedeljkovic had a .922 save percentage against the Predators in the first round. Vasilevskiy closed at . 929 in his six games against Florida, MAY 29, 2021 06:30 PM allowing six goals in a Game 3 loss but shutting out the Panthers 4-0 with 29 saves in Game 6 to close out the series.

RALEIGH Nedeljkovic said he watched some of Lightning-Panthers series, but only a little, saying, “Sometimes it’s good to get away from the rink a little bit, Alex Nedeljkovic of the Carolina Hurricanes is the kind of person and including watching other games. You just try to re-set and recharge and goalie who rarely gets caught up with who’s in the other net, playing for refocus.” the other guys. Nedeljkovic goes into the second-round series realizing there will be “Honestly, it doesn’t matter,” Nedeljkovic said Saturday. good times and bad, respectful of the firepower of a Tampa Bay lineup that now has winger Nikita Kucherov back in it. In the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs it was Juuse Saros of the . Saros was brilliant at times and twice won But playoff pressure? double-overtime games, but Nedeljkovic and the Canes won the series in six games. “It’s really no different than any other position that I’ve been in,” Nedeljkovic said “There’s obviously more people in the buildings now, so But the second round brings a sterner test, perhaps the ultimate playoff it’s a bigger audience, and more cameras in your face. You’ve got to stay test. The Canes face the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 2020 Stanley Cup as even keel as possible. Ride the highs and try to get out of the lows as champion. They have Andrei Vasilevskiy, arguably the best goalie in the quick as you can, because they’re going to be there. It’s trying to avoid NHL, and the world. them as best you can and try to keep them as small as you can.”

On paper, and in the opinion of many who follow the NHL, that’s a key mismatch — Vasilevskiy versus Nedeljkovic — and one could be the winning edge for Tampa Bay in the Central Division second-round series. News Observer LOADED: 05.30.2021

Vasilevskiy, 26, has the Stanley Cup championship ring. He won the 2019 and could win it again this year, and has led the league in wins the past four seasons. He will making his 60th career playoff start Sunday in Game 1 against the Canes at PNC Arena.

“He’s one of the best in the league and he’s been that way for a long time now,” Nedeljkovic said. “He knows what it takes to get to the end.”

The “end” being raising up the Cup in victory.

There’s also this to consider: In beating the in six games in the opening round, Vasilevskiy was on the ice for 364 minutes. Nedeljkovic, in six games against the Predators, played 433 minutes, although he did face fewer shots (206) than Vasilevskiy (226).

Nedeljkovic, 25, has a simple approach to handling that kind of workload: Keep a clear head, focus on the next puck.

“Rinse and repeat,” he said. “Keep doing the same thing over and over.”

Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said he no longer considered Nedeljkovic, who started 23 games in the regular season, a rookie after clinching the Nashville playoff series. Canes captain Jordan Staal feels much the same about the player known as “Ned” to his teammates, fans, family and friends.

“He looked calm and comfortable and he’s got a lot of gamer attitude of making those big saves when you need them,” Staal said Saturday. “Obviously he has consistently played the puck really well for our D and our forwards and helped us break out a lot. He has just done a lot of the little things that help us win and the boys feel comfortable when he’s in net.”

The Predators were impressed with Nedeljkovic’s puck-handling ability, tying to keep him from being in position to play it as the series wore on. That’s a keep-away approach the Lightning could copy.

Tripp Tracy, the Canes’ TV analyst and a former goalie, has watched Nedeljkovic develop from a second-round NHL draft pick to the to being the Canes starter in the playoffs.

Tracy, in a recent interview, said he likes the way Nedeljkovic goes about his business, about his positive demeanor on the ice. He said Nedeljkovic has adopted an “I want to dominate” kind of mentality — “An alpha thing,” Tracy said — that all the really good goalies have.

“That means he’s looking at any goalie in the league, though he’s not directly going against the goaltender at the other end, and believe he can absolutely be the guy who wins the goaltending dimension,” Tracy said. 1214569 Carolina Hurricanes Panthers, which was scheduled on the Hurricanes’ off nights against the Predators.

“Here and there, sometimes,” Nedeljkovic said. “It’s good to get away He won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning. Will he get to play against from the rink a little bit. Reset, refocus and recharge.” them as a Hurricane?

News Observer LOADED: 05.30.2021 BY LUKE DECOCK

MAY 29, 2021 01:10 PM

RALEIGH

The Carolina Hurricanes practiced with their core group on Saturday, the 20 players who played in Thursday’s Game 6 win over the Nashville Predators plus Cedric Paquette, Jake Gardiner and Maxime Lajoie.

Of that extra trio, Paquette is the only one who has yet to play in the playoffs, and now faces the team he won the Stanley Cup with last fall in the second round. Paquette was acquired in part for his postseason experience with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but was hurt at the end of the regular season and has yet to crack the lineup in the playoffs.

The Hurricanes listed Paquette as injured throughout the Nashville series but Brind’Amour said Saturday the fourth-line center has been available all along and could play in Sunday’s Game 1 if needed.

“You want to get him in, because I know he’s effective, but who are you taking out?” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “At this point, we’re playing pretty well. I like how the group’s going. Right now he’s just kind of the odd man out. There’s a good chance he’ll get in here. The way things go, very rarely do you get through a couple series without guys getting nicked up. He’s ready if we need him.”

It looked Saturday like Paquette’s opportunity might have arrived when Nino Niederreiter left the ice in the middle of practice but Brind’Amour said he didn’t think Niederreiter had a significant problem.

“Nino, I don’t know, he did a little something,” Brind’Amour said. “I don’t know how serious that is. I don’t think it’s an issue.”

WILL PNC ARENA BE THE LARGEST HOUSE IN THE NHL?

The official PNC Arena capacity for Games 1 and 2: 16,299. The Hurricanes announced Wednesday that the additional ventilation equipment they installed to meet NHL standards would allow them to increase attendance to 15,000 or more. Barring any unannounced changes in Boston or on Saturday, that will be the largest crowd to see an NHL playoff game this season.

The Nashville Predators have the most so far, 14,107 to see the Hurricanes close out the series in Game 6 on Thursday with a 4-3 overtime win. Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said Friday there was still a chance the building could be full at some point if the Hurricanes advance through the playoffs.

“This building, as we all know, when it’s full it’s one of the loudest buildings, I think, in the league,” Waddell said. “Even with our 12,000 crowds in the first round.”

STILL WAITING ON SVECH

Andrei Svechnikov finished the Nashville series with only the one empty- net goal in Game 1 but did emerge from that series as the Hurricanes’ best five-on-five player, analytically speaking. At the same time, Svechnikov was also eighth on the team in xG (expected goals) per Natural Stat Trick which suggests that his shots haven’t been coming from dangerous enough places on the ice.

“I think he’s been getting chances and playing well,” Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said. “He’s another elite player and when the puck starts going in for him, look out. He’s one shot away from really helping this squad. He does a lot of other little things that really help us throughout the game anyway. But he’s a guy that obviously wants to score goals. I’m sure they’ll go in for him really soon.”

SCOUTING TAMPA BAY

It’s not like the Hurricanes needed much of a scouting report after eight regular-season games against the Lightning, but Alex Nedeljkovic said he did watch some of Tampa Bay’s first-round series against the Florida 1214570 Carolina Hurricanes “They’ve got world-class sticks, and they can see the ice,” Cooper said. “They play in similar spots on the power play. Both kill penalties, both from the same country. There’s a lot to like about both of those players, and they seem to do big things for their teams at big times. He’s just Scouting the series: Breaking down Lightning vs. Hurricanes with Sara another guy we’ll have to contain if we’re going to have any chance in Civian and Joe Smith this series because he’s a really important player.”

Cooper said he’s not a “hard match” guy, with the most important thing getting the right D-pair on the ice against other team’s top players. In that By Sara Civian and Joe Smith sense, I think you’ll see a lot of Ryan McDonagh-Erik Cernak pair against May 29, 2021 the Aho line. They played a ton against the Barkov line and held their own with McDonagh playing at an extremely high level. “He was a stud,” Cooper said. “McDonagh falls behind (Victor) Hedman and (Mikhail) Sergachev when it comes to people talking about their defenseman,” an Dear Hurricanes and Lightning fans, we hope you aren’t sick of each NHL scout said. “But he’s rock solid.” other quite yet. After an eight-game regular-season series that was as playoff-y as it gets, Tampa Bay and Carolina will face off in the second The power play vs. ‘power’ kill round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Smith: I thought it was fitting that Canes GM Don Waddell brought up in The first-ever postseason meeting between these teams is expected to his news conference Friday how one thing he learned from the first round be fast-paced and fun. Their regular-season meetings ended up pretty is that they have to stay out of the box against the Lightning. much even — both teams had a 4-3-1 record, and the Canes had the slightest edge in goals (18-17). Tampa Bay’s power play has been dominant and a key difference-maker in the Panthers series with the Lightning scoring eight goals (on 40 The Lightning gave rookie goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic his first career percent efficiency). Shayna Goldman and I did a pretty comprehensive NHL and gave the Canes reason to keep riding him into the breakdown on the Tampa Bay power play and why it’s so dynamic. playoffs, and Vezina winner Andrei Vasilevskiy needs no introduction. But I also know you and Shayna did a similar piece on how the Canes Let Lightning writer Joe Smith and Hurricanes writer Sara Civian ease “power kill” has been the answer to most power plays with their you into this matchup before things get wild. Knowing these two teams, aggressive style. Carolina will want to take far fewer than the 32 that’ll happen fast. penalties they had against Nashville, but there’s reason to believe the Canes have the kind of PK unit that can at least slow down Tampa Bay. Tackling the top lines “They have in the past,” Lightning color analyst said. “The Smith: The Lightning top line of Ondrej Palat–Brayden Point–Nikita Lightning are going to have to zip the puck around really fast. It’ll be more Kucherov was dominant in last year’s run to the Cup and picked up predetermined where, ‘I’m going here even before I get it.’ If you bobble where it left off to open the playoffs. Kucherov, who missed the entire the puck, just know you’re going to be in trouble and you better have regular season after late December, set a record with 11 points in a support, especially on the half wall. The (Canes) have really good playoff series against the Panthers (seven on the power play). Kucherov instincts and read off each other, it’s not just one guy putting on pressure, said it took a couple of games to get acclimated to the speed and then, “I it’s everyone. It’s a sequence every bit as much as the Lightning power felt like I would during the regular season,” he said. “So far so good.” play is a sequence. This is where retrievals will be extremely important.” Sara, how do you see the Canes attacking this trio? A lot of Dougie Sara, how do you think the Canes will approach Tampa’s PP? Hamilton? I assume now that Jaccob Slavin is back, he could play a big role in this. As one NHL scout told me, “Slavin is one of the most Civian: Yeah, Waddell spoke no lies. underrated defensemen in the league. He’s a big, big piece of the puzzle.” “As we know, they’re a great hockey team,” he said. “They won the Stanley Cup last year, not by mistake. They’re a very good hockey team. Civian: Yeah, if the last few games of Round 1 were any indication, The one thing, certainly, to watch from the first round is you’ve got to try Slavin’s return will be absolutely essential in the Hurricanes’ attempt to and stay out of the penalty box. You know you’re going to take some contain the Lightning’s top line. He’s got three assists in his three games penalties, but they’ve got to be good penalties because I think they’re played, and each has been a game-breaking moment. running somewhere around 40 percent on their power play, which is remarkable. The five guys they put out there to run the power play is More than that, he is one of the best defenders of the slot in the entire pretty darn good in the league, probably the best. So discipline and we’ve league. The Canes were sorely missing that in both of their losses to the had great games with them this year.” Predators. Slavin is the puzzle piece that allows the rest of the defense to fall into place, especially his defensive partner, Hamilton. It’s not like The power kill is an excellent tool to have in your arsenal, but the catch is Hamilton was terrible without Slavin — he tied for the team lead in shots you don’t want to have to use it, and the Canes were pushing their luck — but the difference on the defensive side of things is palpable. And when Nashville started to cash in after Game 2. The margin of error that’ll be crucial against one of the most offensively talented lines in the increases every minute you’re out there down a man. NHL. That said, penalty-kill situations are inevitable over the course of a “(Kucherov) is the X-factor there,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour seven-game series, and the Canes are lucky they have such a killer PK said. “He’s one of the most talented players, and he’s probably the going against an opponent like this. freshest guy in the league. When you add in both factors, that doesn’t bode well, but that’s part of it. That’s a huge weapon for them that they The best way to describe it? The Canes had more chances short-handed haven’t had, and it’s something we’re going to have to be aware of.” than the Predators did on their power play in Game 2. As Goldman and I went over, the Canes’ offensive aggressiveness short-handed is just an The even-strength matchups will be intriguing, but like you said, seven of extension of their forecheck — and deploying Aho, Martin Necas and Kucherov’s 11 points (!) have come on the power play. I bet special Teuvo Teravainen along with defensive juggernauts like Jordan Staal, teams will be the real spectacle of the series. Brett Pesce and Slavin.

The Hurricanes’ top line has been nothing to scoff at, either. Sebastian Slavin’s return is huge — the Canes put up that Game 2 performance Aho’s got five goals and seven points in six games. That consistency has without him, their No. 2 guy in short-handed time on ice. been huge for the Canes. The X-factor (4-wheel-drive) lines How do you think the Canes’ top dogs fare against the Lightning? Smith: Barclay Goodrow returned for the Lightning at the end of the Smith: I think the Lightning will have a heck of a challenge with Carolina’s Panthers series and you could tell the difference he made. It wasn’t just top line led by Aho. The Cup champs were able to advance past Florida the five hits or throwing Owen Tippett into his own bench. partly because they were able to contain Sasha Barkov, at least in five- on-five situations, where the Finnish superstar had just three points. I It reunited the Yanni Gourde line that played a pivotal role in the Cup run. asked coach Jon Cooper how the Aho and Barkov lines compared, and Goodrow, Gourde and Blake Coleman not only started many periods and he felt the two Fins have a lot more in common, other than their size. shut down other teams’ top players, but they also scored key goals. “You can’t have all Ferraris,” Cooper said. “Sometimes you need a good good at moving in. He’s got great hands. You have to be able to control old-fashioned four-wheel-drive Jeep to get you through the mud. And his movement and his ability to fire the puck on the power play.” that’s what Barclay Goodrow can do for you.” Sara, are we finally starting to see Hamilton appreciated leaguewide? I’d imagine the Canes four-wheel-drive line has to be the Staal one? One And how do the Canes use him the best? NHL scout told me he thought Staal “might have played the best hockey of his career.” Civian: Yeah, for me Hedman is so good that I’ve been critical of him this season because I’m comparing HIM to HIMSELF, not him to the rest of Sara, what got into Staal this year — there a time machine anywhere? — the league. He’s remained elite compared to basically everyone except and how much of an impact do you think he and his line can have in this himself at his best. It makes sense if he has been dealing with an injury, series? but the way he’s managed to play on and elevate his game throughout the playoffs has been scary for his opponents. Civian: I think Hurricanes commentator Tripp Tracy, cousin of Ford’s CEO, would prefer a comparison to trucks, but whatever analogy you To answer your question, I don’t know if we’ll ever see Hamilton pick, the captain has arguably been the MVP of this team. That doesn’t appreciated leaguewide. Something about him makes people lose their mean he’s been the most skilled or put up the most points, but he’s minds — it’s like he’s only allowed to either be the best player to ever live overcome adversity, plays hard minutes against the toughest matchups or the worst. and doesn’t make excuses. Joe, I really don’t get it. I think he is well above average in all facets and I think it’s been crucial for a young, skilled team to have someone like an elite scorer. Slavin is so good defensively that it has an impact on Staal to look up to. If you ask them, though, he’s doing exactly what he’s Hamilton when he’s out, but that’s not Hamilton’s fault. always done. Either way, he’s at his best when he’s scoring goals, has the support of “It’s awesome,” Slavin told me after Game 5, when I asked him what it’s the coaching staff and playing next to Slavin. Once he breaks through, like to be captained by Staal. “You see the emotion he had there at the it’s tough to stop and that should scare the Lightning a bit because he end. He doesn’t always show it, but that’s the emotion he puts into every finally connected for his first goal of the playoffs in Game 6. single thing he does. He’s a great leader on and off the ice. He’s a beast on the ice. Off the ice, he’s just a great guy. He’s a great leader, a great Who can dictate the pace? teammate. He’s willing to do whatever it takes. I’m thankful I don’t have Smith: Cooper has talked a lot about how the Canes are like a fast-break to play against him down low in the corners. I’m thankful he’s on our basketball team, able to do man-to-man pressure all the way up the ice. side.” They’re one of the best forechecking teams in the league, too, so there They do have to admit the points are coming easier for Staal than they should be incredible pace to this series. have in years this season, and he’s been keeping it up in the playoffs. A key to me will be who will manage the puck better as turnovers can He’s second on the Canes with four goals and five points in six games. quickly turn into transition and goals. Steven Stamkos pointed to the These guys always make a difference during the playoffs, right? You’ve template for their game plan is how they performed in a Game 6 win over got Staal, but he’s the captain for a reason. I’d point to Brock McGinn as the Panthers, a very “clinical” and championship-like execution in all a Goodrow type for the Canes right now. areas.

He keeps scoring on the road in tough situations, and he’s just a textbook “The Lightning are going to have to be really effective in their own zone “gamer.” You’ll remember he scored the Game 7 double-overtime goal and move the puck quickly,” Engblom said. “Just trying to relieve that lifted the Canes past the Capitals two seasons ago. pressure when you need to even if it’s an icing. They can put pressure on the forecheck in the neutral zone and that’s part of their transition game. I keep telling Brind’Amour that McGinn is starting to remind me of him, They all forecheck, all five guys are active, and every line, there’s no and he keeps smiling. dropoff. Brind’Amour has them all going 100 miles per hour. I think the Lightning have to play by the clock and the score when they’re going to Which alpha defenseman plays better? make the safe play quickly. Sometimes you have to live to fight another Smith: We’re not supposed to disclose our NHL Awards ballots before day.” they’re announced in July. Sara, I really think this is going to be an even series and has the potential But I don’t think it’s a major spoiler alert that two of my top five for the to go seven games. And, for me, I feel the Lightning have the slight edge Norris Trophy are in this series: Hedman and Hamilton. because of their experience and goaltending. We saw it in the Florida series where the Panthers used three goalies, including rookie Spencer You may not agree where I put either of them, but the fact is both are Knight. Vasilevskiy, who could win his second Vezina Trophy, saved his major play-drivers for their teams and will be key factors in this series. best for the final game, a 4-0 shutout in Game 6. Hedman, a Norris Trophy finalist every year since the Great Depression, is apparently dealing with an injury, perhaps stemming from his awkward Do you feel “Ned” can match Vasilevskiy in a long series? crash into the boards against Columbus on March 30. Civian: Oh, yeah, no matter what happens this series is guaranteed to be Still, as Hedman goes, often go the Lightning, and he seemed to get electric. Both teams have that basketball game pace to them. better as the Panthers series went on, including his best game in Game To Cooper’s point, the man-to-man analogy is exactly what makes the 6. Hedman talked about the “lull” in his play later in the season, but I power kill work. These guys are not afraid to implement a little full-court wouldn’t put it past the Conn Smythe winner in rebounding on this run. press — maybe thank Hamilton’s mom, who is an Olympic medalist in Here’s how one NHL scout saw Hedman’s season. basketball.

“There’s been a lot of chatter about an injury with Hedman,” the scout The penalty kill is a microcosm of their whole game — a game of said. “I don’t know what it is — upper body, lower body, mid body, but I applying pressure. think it’s gone on for a while. His first half of the season, it had Norris “The way I like to play PK is puck pressure, and sometimes there’s Trophy written all over it — it wasn’t even close for me. He was heads chances, and it doesn’t matter — if it’s PP, PK, five-on-five, if there’s a and tails above anything that I had seen. But at some point, something breakaway chance I’m going for it. It happens,” Aho said. “It’s not happened there and I think his game suffered. Skating-wise, in the first something I’m thinking about when I’m out there, that I’ve got to get the half of the season, he was up the ice all the time. And I didn’t see that in breakaway on the PK. It’s from the puck pressure, and sometimes you the second half.” get a little lucky bounce.”

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have an alpha defenseman of their own in You’re not going to be able to take these risks without a good goalie, Hamilton, who scored the score-tying goal in their series clincher against point-blank. I’m not going to sit here and tell you promising rookie the Predators in Game 6. Nedeljkovic has the repertoire of Vezina Trophy winner and all-around “You have to be aware of Hamilton,” Engblom said. “There’s a lot of beast Vasilevskiy, but I’ll let him explain why he’s been able to stay so similarities with ‘Heddy,’ even size-wise. You’re going to have to be calm and at times play like he’s been there before. aware of him jumping into the play, getting up in the rush. He’s sneaky “Once I got a few games after my first action in almost a year, once you kind of figure it out, I got into the right mental space,” he said. “I’d tell myself, ‘It’s just another game. You’ve been doing this your whole life. It’s nothing new, really. You’re just playing against better players. But you gotta believe in yourself that you’re good enough to be here, you’re good enough to make the saves and play at a high level.'”

He’s been pretty good in his first taste of the NHL playoffs — especially without Slavin. I’m really curious to see if he can match Vasilevskiy, but I don’t think that’s how the Canes should be looking at it.

If they’re going to win against a weathered and dynamic team like the Lightning, they have to play like they have David Ayres in net.

When is Game 2?

Smith and Civian: If you hear anything, please let us know.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214571 Chicago Blackhawks One way or another, the Hawks should end up with a healthy amount of cap space.

Expansion draft Blackhawks offseason preview: Big decisions await with drafts, trades, On July 21, the Kraken will choose one player from each of 30 teams, free agency excluding the Golden Knights.

From the Hawks, automatically exempt are Suter, Reichel, Dominik By Ben Pope@BenPopeCST Kubalik, Kirby Dach, Philipp Kurashev, Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, Wyatt Kalynuk and other players in the first two years of their first contract. May 29, 2021, 6:30am CDT The Hawks are required to protect Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews because of their no-movement clauses (unless Toews retires). They also will protect Hagel, Alex DeBrincat and Connor Murphy. As the Stanley Cup playoffs march on without them, the Blackhawks are looking ahead to an interesting offseason. Forwards Ryan Carpenter and Brett Connolly and defenseman Calvin de Haan will be exposed to fulfill another requirement. The first notable event of the summer — the draft lottery — will happen Wednesday. But many of general manager Stan Bowman’s big decisions The players on the borderline are -forwards Nylander, Kampf, Gaudette, will occur in July, once the offseason calendar fully ramps up. Dylan Strome and Henrik Borgstrom and defensemen Zadorov and Riley Stillman. Here’s a preview of all that’s to come for the Hawks this offseason. The Hawks could protect three of those five forwards and one of those Draft lottery two defensemen, or none of the forwards but both defensemen. Those The Hawks enter the draft lottery drawing technically holding the 12th decisions partly will depend on Bowman’s aforementioned re-signing overall pick, but functionally it’s the 11th pick because the Coyotes are plans. forfeiting the actual 11th pick. The Hawks will lose just one player regardless. The final protection list is Only the top two spots — held by the Sabres and Ducks — will be due July 17. determined by lottery this year. The expansion Kraken start with the No. NHL Draft 3 pick. If the Hawks land a top-two pick, they’ll choose among franchise-altering The Hawks’ odds of drafting in each possible position are as follows: players such as Owen Power, Dylan Guenther, Luke Hughes and Kent 2.7% in first, 2.9% in second, 81.7% in 12th (functionally 11th), 12.4% in Johnson during the draft July 23-24. 13th (12th) and 0.3% in 14th (13th). If they stick in 12th (actually 11th), as is most likely, their pick will be less Re-signings predictable and less momentous — but still a top-grade prospect. The Hawks’ pending restricted free-agent list includes a number of The middle of the first round lacks defensemen, but Corson Ceulemans notable (but no star) players. Their pending unrestricted free-agent list and Carson Lambos are viable options. Last year’s second-round includes only one notable player, a rarity around the NHL this year. selection of Drew Commesso makes it unlikely the Hawks will pick a UFAs: F Vinnie Hinostroza, F Zack Smith, F Brandon Pirri, F John goalie, but this year’s top two netminders — Jesper Wallstedt and Quenneville, D Anton Lindholm, G Matt Tomkins. Sebastian Cossa — will go near 12th.

RFAs: F Pius Suter, F Brandon Hagel, F David Kampf, F Adam The Hawks probably will look for a forward, and there are plenty. Aatu Gaudette, F Alex Nylander, F Josh Dickinson, D Nikita Zadorov. Raty, -formerly considered this year’s top prospect, has fallen dramatically but could be a buy-low option — and would generate buzz. Expiring draft rights: D Roope Laavainen, D Josh Ess, D Cole Moberg. Harvard-bound Matthew Coronato might be a reach at No. 12 but was prolific with the Chicago Steel this season, posting 85 points in 51 Bowman can get to work at any time, and already has in some cases, games. negotiating with these players’ agents. He also is expected to sign 2020 first-round pick Lukas Reichel and potentially another prospect or two. Other forwards in play at No. 12 include Chaz Lucius, Cole Sillinger, Xavier Bourgault, Brennan Othmann, Fabian Lysell and Daniil Chayka. Smith, Pirri, Quenneville and Dickinson won’t be re-signed, and Tomkins already signed in Sweden. Among the players with expiring draft rights, The Hawks also hold two picks in each of the second, fourth and seventh only Moberg might sign. rounds, plus one sixth-round pick — but no third- or fifth-round picks — for a total of eight picks. Suter, Hagel and Nylander definitely will be re-signed. The only questions are for how much and how long. Meanwhile, trades will be possible anytime, but the draft is an especially likely time for them. The most interesting re-signing decisions Bowman will have to make involve Hinostroza, Zadorov, Kampf and Gaudette. Zadorov is a valuable As of now, the Hawks are on track to have too many NHL-caliber players piece, so if he’s not brought back, the Hawks will trade his rights. The on one-way contracts next season but not enough elite players to other three have value, too, but it’s unclear if they’ll fit into the Hawks’ contend. Bowman will look to remedy the former issue, and potentially forward logjam next season. also the latter, with trades. Strome and Zadorov headline the bait list.

Toews, Seabrook and Shaw Free agency

The looming question of the Hawks’ offseason is whether Jonathan This year’s UFA class is loaded. Alex Ovechkin, Gabriel Landeskog, Toews will -return next season, and that answer has no specific date or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Dougie Hamilton, and timeline. Tuukka Rask are just some of the top players who will be available July 28. As usual, there are plenty of lower-tier players to be found, too. NHL insider Darren Dreger reported in April that Toews “should be healthy and ready to return ... next season.” Bowman said earlier in May But because of the Hawks’ aforementioned surplus of NHL-caliber the Hawks are “hopeful he’ll be back” but will “let it play out.” players — in addition to their ongoing youth movement — they probably won’t sign many free agents. Bowman also will have to decide what to do with Brent Seabrook and Andrew Shaw, who have respective cap hits of $6.9 million and $3.9 Bowman likely will call Hamilton and Barrie, the top two UFA million. defensemen. He might inquire about ex-Hawk Phillip Danault, who grew into one of the league’s best defensive forwards in Montreal. And a The NHL’s long-term injured-reserve rules are plentiful and complicated. veteran backup goalie such as Jonathan Bernier, Jaroslav Halak or One plausible option entails putting Seabrook’s contract on offseason James Reimer could be worth considering. LTIR, then putting Shaw’s contract on LTIR the day next season begins. If Toews doesn’t return, he also would join the LTIR puzzle. But the free-agency period should be relatively quiet for the Hawks overall.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214572 Colorado Avalanche

Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule: Avalanche vs. Golden Knights in second round

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

May 29, 2021 at 9:12 p.m.

The NHL released the complete Avalanche-Vegas Golden Knights second-round series schedule on Saturday night. The league had previously announced Game 1 on Sunday at (6 p.m., NBC).

The best-of-seven schedule:

Game 1: Golden Knights at Avalanche, Sunday, May 30, 6 p.m. NBC

Game 2: Golden Knights at Avalanche, Wednesday, June 2, 8 p.m. NBCSN

Game 3: Avalanche at Golden Knights, Friday, June 4, 8 p.m. NBCSN

Game 4: Avalanche at Golden Knights, Sunday, June 6, 6:30 p.m. NBCSN

* Game 5: Golden Knights at Avalanche, Tuesday, June 8, TBD

* Game 6: Avalanche at Golden Knights, Thursday, June 10, TBD

* Game 7: Golden Knights at Avalanche, Saturday, June 12, TBD

*if necessary

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214573 Colorado Avalanche Knights to the Western Conference finals. But fifth-year Avs coach has a deeper understanding and relationship with his players, and collectively, the team is rock-solid from top to bottom.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Who has the edge, five EDGE: Avalanche things to watch and predictions Five things to watch

Five things to watch in the Avalanche’s second-round playoff series By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] and RYAN against the Knights: O’HALLORAN | [email protected] | The Denver Post 1. Rest vs. rust PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at The Avalanche will have six off days between the clinching win over St. 7:36 p.m. Louis and the series opener against Vegas. Coach Jared Bednar has given his players a day off (Monday), held an optional practice (Tuesday) and conducted full-squad skates (Wednesday-Saturday), all with the goal Who has the edge? of creating rest and avoiding rust. Over the past five years, teams with at least six off days are 7-6 in a series, including 0-3 in 2019, when FORWARDS Columbus, the New York Islanders and Boston all lost after breaks of The Avalanche’s top line had nine goals and 24 points in the four-game eight, nine and 10 days off, respectively, between playoff series. The key sweep of St. Louis. If center Nathan MacKinnon and wingers Gabe for the Avs: Take advantage of a Vegas team that has already played Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen come close to that production in this three more postseason games. In the last five years, those 13 teams are series — even if it goes six or seven games — Colorado will win. Depth 7-6 in Game 1. scoring will be important, however, and second-line sniper Andre 2. Under-26 limit Burakovsky (one assist against the Blues) needs to contribute. Vegas can be an explosive offensive team, but first-line center Chandler During its nine-game winning streak bridging the regular season and Stevenson is no MacKinnon (Who is?). Stevenson’s wingers, Mark Stone playoffs, the Avalanche has allowed 25 or fewer shots in six games. In and Max Pacioretty, are elite playmakers, and Pacioretty had six of the the first round, the Avs held St. Louis to 27.5 shots per game (second- Knights’ 18 goals against the Avs in the regular season. The Knights’ best in playoffs); Vegas averaged 32.1 shots per game in its win over second line is a tremendous trio with center William Karlsson and Minnesota (11th of 16 teams). Sure, there will be a game in this series wingers Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith. And Vegas has fourth- that goalie Philipp Grubauer will have to be lights out, but keep the line giant Ryan Reaves, the toughest player on skates. Knights in the 25-shot range and the Avs will win. “It’s what our goal is every night, to limit the amount of shots and keep the team to the EDGE: Even outside,” defenseman Devon Toews said. “It’s a five-man group DEFENSEMEN defending. It’s a whole-team community we’ve created in our zone.”

The Avalanche can push the pace from the back end like no other team 3. Max is back in the league. Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Sam Girard are terrific at Winger Max Pacioretty returned to the Vegas lineup Friday for the first moving the puck and maintaining possession in the offensive end. time since May 1 and scored the eventual game-winning goal. The Blues Shutdown guys Ryan Graves and Patrik Nemeth must play tough and had no shot against the Avalanche minus leading scorer David Perron Colorado has great depth with Conor Timmins, Bo Byram, Jacob (COVID-19). No such luck in round 2. Pacioretty led the Knights in goals MacDonald and others. Vegas is similarly stocked with Alex Pietrangelo (24) and was second in points (51) and shots on goal (174) in the regular on the first pairing and Shea Theodore on the second. Tough guy season. “Just writing his name up on the board in the lineup gave our Brayden McNabb, however, is on the COVID protocol list and his group a lift,” Knights coach Pete DeBoer said after Game 7. “Playing the replacement, former Av Nick Holden, isn’t nearly as tough. As deep and first six games of the series without him was a hill our group had to climb. talented the Avs are at D, Vegas could be the one team that matches It was critical we got him back (Friday). It changed everything.” them. 4. Secondary scoring EDGE: Avalanche In the first round, 11 Avalanche players scored at least once, including GOALTENDING three by Brandon Saad and two by Joonas Donskoi. Vegas had 12 The Avs’ Philipp Grubauer had a .936 save percentage and 1.75 goals- skaters score at least once, including three apiece by Mattias Janmark against average against St. Louis to begin his sixth postseason. He has (all in Game 7) and Alex Tuch and two by Nicolas Roy. The top lines are become a trusted puck-stopper. But so is Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury, who expected to do top-line things, but the difference could be the production had a .931 SP and 1.71 GAA in the seven-game series against from Lines 2-3 of each team, particularly at even strength. The Avs need Minnesota. The 6-foot Grubauer was a backup with the 2018 Stanley more production from second-line winger Andre Burakovsky (one assist) Cup champion Washington Capitals, and the 6-2 Fleury has three Cup and third-line winger Valeri Nichushkin (empty-net goal); the Knights with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the latter as a backup. In terms of need more from the second line of Jonathan Marchessault, William depth, the Avs and Knights have experienced extra-large goalies who Karlsson and Reilly Smith (three combined goals in round 1). won’t get rattled if called upon. Colorado’s Devan Dubnyk is 6-6 and 5. Win in 4, 5 or 6 Vegas’ Robin Lehner is 6-4. Both are accustomed to a No. 1 role. Saying this with tongue semi-planted in cheek, the Avalanche must finish EDGE: Even this series before it reaches Game 7. Why? Friday’s 6-2 win over SPECIAL TEAMS Minnesota moved Knights coach Pete DeBoer to 6-0 all-time in Game 7s, a remarkable statistic considering the Avalanche have won only four The Avalanche is red-hot on the power play, capitalizing on 6-of-12 Game 7s since moving to Denver in 1995 (4-8 record). DeBoer’s San opportunities against St. Louis to lead the league with a 50% clip. Jose club beat the Avalanche in Game 7 two years ago. Add in Knights However, Colorado’s final two man-advantage tallies came on a vacated goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who has won three career Game 7s, including net in Game 4. Vegas wasn’t nearly as dangerous against Minnesota, the Stanley Cup Final at Detroit in 2009, and the Avs might want to avoid scoring at just 13.3%. The Avs and Knights both have strong penalty- a Game 7. killing units and, unlike Colorado, Vegas uses a top-line forward (Mark Stone) as a shorthanded scoring threat. Avs-Knights predictions

EDGE: Avalanche Mike Chambers, Avalanche beat writer: This is like the Avs and Red Wings in the late 1990s. The winner of this series will probably be COACHING favored to win the Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights can flat-out fly but the Avalanche can’t be stopped with everybody on board. Vegas and Peter DeBoer is 6-0 in Game 7s, including San Jose’s 3-2 victory over goalie Marc-Andre Fleury can steal a game or two but Colorado is too the Avalanche in the 2019 Western Conference semifinals when he was darn good to lose more games than it wins. Avs in six the Sharks’ bench boss. He joined Vegas early last season and led the Sean Keeler, columnist: I believe in Ball Arena. I believe in mojo. I believe in destiny. I believe in Nate, Landy, Mikko, Cale, the Tornado, ’s vision and Jared Bednar’s calm. I believe in the unrelenting storm, the tides of burgundy that rise to lift all boats. Mostly, I believe in Philipp Grubauer. Because as long as he’s the man in blue between the pipes, these Avs can handle anything thrown at them. Fists included. Avalanche in seven

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Well, after umpteen months when the pandemic played havoc with all our regular schedules, including the NHL slate, it’s good to see a sign of normalcy: The Stanley Cup winner will be decided in June. Except this year the champ will be crowned during the playoffs’ second round. If the Avs find a way to beat Vegas, nobody will find a way to stop Colorado from raising the Cup. But who wins this series? Well, that’s a roll of the dice. Avalanche in seven

Ryan O’Halloran, staff writer: The NHL’s two best regular-season teams … meet in the second round. Exhibit 425 of how flawed the league’s playoff format is and will be until the Lords of the Boards get a clue. In a matchup this tight, the tie-breaker is siding with the club which has the best player. Center Nathan MacKinnon scores 13 points in the series as the Avs advance to round 3. Avalanche in six

Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: If the Avalanche is finally going to advance past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, goalie Philipp Grubauer will need at least one game in this series. If Game 3 of the Avs’ first-round series sweep of the Blues showed us anything, it’s that the time to doubt Grubi has long since passed. Avalanche in seven

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214574 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Three keys for Colorado

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

May 29, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

The Avalanche hosts the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 1 of a second- round West Division series Sunday.

Three keys for the Avs

1) Maintain home-ice edge. Colorado is 2-0 at Ball Arena this postseason and 18-0-1 in its last 19 games overall. The Avs finished 22-4-2 at home (.821) in the regular season, and their .821 home points percentage was the club’s highest ever. Colorado outscored its opponents 110-54 on home ice and if that dominance continues the Knights will be in trouble, with four of the potential seven games in Denver.

2) Score first, play fast. Colorado scored first in the first three games in St. Louis to take a dominating 3-0 series lead into Game 4. The Avs, like most teams, play better with the lead, and that will be crucial against Vegas. Both teams like to play a north-south game at a sizzling pace, but Colorado might have more ability to do so rolling four lines. The quicker the pace, the better chance for the Avs.

3) Don’t be intimidated. Vegas has fourth-line options and they’re all big and intimidating players who can spark the team with heavy hits. It starts with winger Ryan Reaves, 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, and arguably the toughest man in the game. William Carrier, 6-2, 218 pounds, was the other fourth-line winger in Game 7 against Minnesota. The center was Patrick Brown, 6-1, 210, but Keegan Kolesar, 6-2, 217, is typically in the mix. The Avs can play a physical game but they’re better off using their speed to avoid the grind.

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214575 Colorado Avalanche Denver Post: LOADED: 05.30.2021

Avalanche preparing for rock ’em, sock ’em series against Vegas: “Our compete level is going to have be through the roof”

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 2:58 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at 3:20 p.m.

Minnesota or Vegas, the Avalanche was bound to play a physical opponent in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Golden Knights just seem to have more of a bad-boy reputation, and the Avs will prepare accordingly.

Colorado finally learned its second-round foe Friday night after the Knights defeated the Wild 6-2 in Game 7 of their series at T-Mobile Arena. The Avs practiced for the fifth consecutive day Saturday and will have had a weeklong break between games going into Sunday’s Game 1 against Vegas at Ball Arena.

“This is two evenly matched teams,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said after Saturday’s practice. “A little bit of a different style but both teams are deep. Both teams play with a lot of speed. Both teams have good goaltending. It’s a little bit different style but I’m expecting a long, hard series here and so is our team. We’re just trying to go out and play our game to the best of our ability.”

Colorado, the Presidents’ Trophy winner by virtue of a tiebreaker over Vegas, was 4-3-1 against the Knights in the eight regular-season meetings. Five of them were one-goal games. The Avs won the finale 2-1 on May 10 in Las Vegas despite being outshot 37-21.

The Knights will undoubtedly try to play ultra-physical because they have the personnel. On March 21 at Ball Arena, the Avs crushed Vegas 5-1. Two days later, the Knights amped up their physical game and beat Colorado 3-2 in overtime.

“We’ll have to deal with the physical aspect, no question, and we’re going to have to push back. We did that against St. Louis,” said Bednar, whose team swept the Blues with relative ease in the first round. “From a physicality standpoint, I thought we were really good in our battles and it’s something that we’re going to have to be good at with Vegas because they swarm the puck, they’re on the puck and they’re strong on pucks.

“So our compete level is going to have be through the roof and we just have to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help our teammates out to make sure they’re not taking big licks. Part of that is communication. Part of it is (avoiding checks). Part of it is getting in the right spot and doing the early work so there’s outlet passes so guys don’t have to hang onto the puck. You have to move the puck ahead of their pressure.”

Avs captain Gabe Landeskog is unafraid.

“Yeah, they’re a physical team. They’re a good team. Listen, it’s not their physicality that makes them good. There’s a lot of things that make them good. If they want to play that game, it’s fine,” Landeskog said. “We just went through a series playing like that. We’re going to play our game and continue what we do, and play fast. We’re excited for this series.”

If the Avs advance to the third round, they will play an opponent outside the West Division — a team they have not played this season. For this round, Bednar and his staff know exactly what to prepare for.

“We’ve played pretty well against Vegas in physical games. We’ve played pretty well against them in games that have been up and down,” he said. “They’ve bettered us a few times. We’ve got the better of them a few times. You go through a 56-game schedule and we finish tied (for first) in points. In our eight-game series against them, we finish one point ahead of them.”

Full capacity. Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Saturday that T-Mobile Arena will allow 100% capacity beginning with Game 3 against the Avalanche. The arena holds 17,367. There were 12,156 fans at Friday’s Game 7 against the Minnesota Wild.

Ball Arena was cleared to increase its variance to 10,500 (57.3%) for the playoffs. It holds 18,007 for hockey. 1214576 Colorado Avalanche Said Moore: “I would get up the ice instead of backing off. Backing off is usually a recipe for failure.”

But is the drop pass an automatic key to success? Started with the drop pass, Avalanche power play will need to be “Some teams end up killing off some of their power-play time by doing it,” difference against Vegas Moore said. “The teams that do it well get up the ice in a hurry and then create space. It’s effective when you have guys as mobile as the Avs.”

By RYAN O’HALLORAN | [email protected] | The Denver MacKinnon, one of the NHL’s best skaters, is the ideal player to receive Post the drop pass.

May 29, 2021 at 12:27 p.m. “What MacKinnon does so well is he attacks straight at you so you can’t take an angle at him and then he has the ability with speed to make the pass to one of his guys on the (wings),” said Hedican, who now works on the San Jose Sharks’ broadcasts. “His brain processor is so good, he When the Avalanche sends out its power-play personnel Sunday night can attack with speed and is such a good timing passer, it’s a very against the Vegas Golden Knights, there will be a sight as familiar as a difficult thing to stop.” Nathan MacKinnon one-timer or a Gabe Landeskog deflection: The drop pass. The Knights had great success containing the Avs’ power play. Speaking generally, Bednar said the Avalanche have developed “work-arounds” to Ever since coach Jared Bednar was on the staff of the Columbus Blue attack opponents, but when the drop pass is used, the key is for Jackets’ AHL affiliate in Springfield, Mass., nearly a decade ago, using MacKinnon and Burakovsky to gain the zone before a lateral pass; the the neutral-zone-to-own-zone drop pass to start a power-play rush has dump-and-chase isn’t a part of the plan. been a staple. MacKinnon and Burakovsky dashing through the neutral zone at high “It’s tough to defend when you do it right and you’re able to buy some speed provides two choices for a defenseman: Retreat or stand flat- space,” Bednar said. “It can be difficult to defend your o-zone entries and skated at the blue line. Either way allows the Avalanche a zone entry. possession. The key is to not just gain the zone, but gain the outlet pass Because of the Avs’ skill level, the drop pass makes sense. or set-up pass to get you full possession if you can’t attack on the rush.” “We’ve built in some different options off that drop and when you have The Avalanche’s goal: Reach the opponent’s blue line with possession players like Nate and Burakovsky, guys who can skate and maneuver and pace. through the neutral zone (you can),” Bednar said. “Obviously, Nate is “The point is to back off the penalty killers so they’re standing still when a elite at it so when you have a player like that, you want it in his hands guy is coming at you with speed,” said former NHL player Dominic and want it in his hands with space. The drop allows you to do that.” Moore, who is now an analyst for NBC. “A lot of the teams in the league are trying to do some form of it. The Avs are one of the teams that do it well for the most part.” Denver Post: LOADED: 05.30.2021 The Avalanche power play started fast against St. Louis (3-of-5 in Games 1-2) but ended slow — five consecutive failed chances before two empty- net power-play goals to sweep the series.

“It’s definitely easy stuff to tighten up, but overall (6-of-12), I felt we did a relatively good job,” defenseman Cale Makar said.

It will be difficult to do a good job against the Knights.

Vegas had the NHL’s best penalty kill in the regular season, allowing only 19 power-play goals in 144 chances (86.8%). In their first-round series win over Minnesota, the Knights killed nine of 11 penalties (81.8%).

The Avalanche’s power play was disabled against the Knights in eight regular-season matches — 1-for-21 (4.8%) compared to 46-of-186 (24.7%) against the rest of the West Division. Even-strength work allowed the Avs to split those eight games.

The Avs’ first-round power-play work against St. Louis may provide a clue to their second-round strategy.

The first 10 power-play opportunities were analyzed (its last two came against St. Louis’ empty net). The Avalanche had 27 zone entries.

It used the drop pass 14 times, most often to MacKinnon (first unit) and Andre Burakovsky (second unit).

The defensemen, usually Makar or Devon Toews, delivered the initial pass to the right wing and left wing three and four times, respectively.

The Avs attempted the straight carry-into-zone strategy four times.

It had one icing call (missed pass) and neutral zone turnover apiece.

The Blues likely forced the Avs out of using the drop pass because they put one of their forwards higher up-ice. That led to Makar and Toews starting the entry with a pass to either flank.

“Their pressure through the neutral zone was really good,” Burakovsky said. “It was extremely hard to find ice to skate in.”

Before the playoffs, Moore and former NHL defenseman said an aggressive approach is best against the Avalanche.

“As a penalty killer, you want to gain ice back and start picking up momentum to steer MacKinnon one way or the other,” Hedican said. 1214577 Colorado Avalanche

Avs have worldly playoff performers in Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar

By MIKE CHAMBERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 5:45 a.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at 9:23 a.m.

Pretty remarkable, this trio.

Young stars Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar of the Avalanche are next to the legends of the game when it comes to playoff- producing consistency.

MacKinnon, the 25-year-old star center, has a career postseason points- per-game average of 1.43 — the highest for an active player and fourth- highest all-time. Only Wayne Gretzky (1.84), Mario Lemieux (1.61), and Barry Pederson (1.53) have scored at a higher career playoff clip.

Gretzky and Lemieux, of course, are in everybody’s top-five greatest all- time players — often No. 1 and No. 2 — with the likes of Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr. Pederson, a relatively obscure name, had excellent playoff runs with the Boston Bruins in 1982 and 1983. He produced 50 points in 28 games and led the Bruins to the Prince of Wales Conference finals in ’83 against the New York Islanders, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.

When MacKinnon’s career ends, I’m betting he’ll catch Pederson and join Gretzky and Lemieux in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Rantanen, the 24-year-old right winger, has a 1.23 points average in the playoffs — second-highest for an active player and eighth all-time. With a typical two points in Game 1 on Sunday, Rantanen will surpass Hall of Famer’s Mike Bossy (1.24), Bobby Orr (1.24) and Mark Messier (1.25) for fourth at 1.26.

Makar, the superstar 22-year-old defenseman, has a 0.83 playoff points average — highest among active blueliners and right behind Hall of Famer’s Ray Bourque and Doug Wilson, both at 0.84 and tied for seventh all-time. Makar was the NHL’s only point-per-game defenseman in the regular season and he seems bound to finish his career as a point- per-game player in the postseason, which only Orr (1.24), (1.02) and Paul Coffey (1.01) have done.

The Avs’ playoff-proven stars unquestionably play off each others’ strengths. All three typically start the game together. But Avs coach Jared Bednar said it’s more than that.

“It’s a hunger to win, it’s competitiveness within each individual and as a group, the desire to get to where we’re trying to go as a team, and high ability and skill level,” Bednar told me. “When you put those together, the work ethic, the competitiveness, the skill, and the desire to win — especially in elite players like that — (it’s special).

“Those guys just have the ability, doesn’t matter what the temperature of the game is, to elevate their game and be difference-makers in a bunch of different areas. We’ve seen it from Nate in years past. We’re starting to see it from Mikko. Cale, probably from Day 1, has been a guy who has been able to elevate for us in tight games, important games, and games where the temperature is high.

“You have to have guys like that….That’s what it takes to win.”

The Avalanche will win its next series and advance to the conference finals if MacKinnon, Rantanen and Makar remain healthy and do their thing. The Avs will need other major contributions, beginning with goalie Philipp Grubauer and including power forward Gabe Landeskog and defenseman Devon Toews, but this team is too good to lose before the NHL semifinals.

MacKinnon, Rantanen and Makar will again lead the way offensively.

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214578 Colorado Avalanche other days (except for Monday, the day after the Blues series ended, when players got a day off).

“When you talk about rust, it might be for five, six, seven minutes in the Scouting the series: Breaking down Avalanche vs. Golden Knights with first period,” backup goaltender Devan Dubnyk said. “I don’t think it’s Peter Baugh and Jesse Granger going to extend beyond that. … I think it’s a real advantage for us to have the rest that we had.” — Baugh

Can the goaltending for the Golden Knights hold up against Colorado’s By Peter Baugh and Jesse Granger elite attack?

May 30, 2021 The most interesting matchup of this series, at least in my eyes, is how Colorado’s elite scorers will fare against the NHL’s best goaltending.

Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular in the regular season, and that Ryan Graves has heard the narrative. He knows the Avalanche’s fast excellence has rolled right into the playoffs. He saved 3.2 goals above style of play gets questioned, and he seemed ready to talk about it average in the opening round against Minnesota and was the only goalie Saturday after a full-team skate. to shut out the Avalanche this season (he did it twice).

“Teams have been trying to say all year how physical they’re going to be There’s also a chance Robin Lehner sees some ice time in this series with us; St. Louis did the same thing,” the Colorado defenseman said, after not playing in the first round. He combined with Fleury to allow the referencing the Avalanche’s first-round sweep of the Blues. “We don’t fewest goals in the NHL this season, and either goalie will give an shy away from it. We’re not worried about it. It’s something we think we exceptional Avalanche attack its toughest test to date. Their contrasting can overcome with our speed. We know that our speed will overcome styles could also throw a wrinkle into Colorado’s offensive strategy, as any physicality other teams may bring our way.” Lehner plays a much quieter, positional game, contrasting with Fleury’s aggressive, acrobatic style. — Granger Well, he and his teammates are in for another physical matchup in the second round, with the Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights set to How much does Nazem Kadri’s absence hurt? square off starting Sunday evening with Game 1. It’s a best-of-seven Kadri is a proven postseason performer (18 points in 15 playoff games playoff series that in some ways felt destined all year, between two star- last season), and his hardworking style is productive in the playoffs. He studded teams that finished tied for the most points in the NHL. had one assist in the two games against the Blues before his eight-game Whereas the Avalanche disposed of St. Louis quickly, Vegas went seven suspension, which he appealed. That’s now in the hands of NHL games with Minnesota, winning 6-2 on Friday to advance. Colorado commissioner Gary Bettman. hasn’t played since Sunday, allowing players to rest and recover, but the As strong as Kadri was last postseason, he had a tough end to the Golden Knights might be riding an emotional high after a Game 7 win, regular season, logging only one goal and six assists in the final 26 even if they have a few more bumps and bruises. games. J.T. Compher has held his own filling in on the second line, but “We knew that to get to where we want to go, we’d have to go through Kadri’s absence certainly detracts from Colorado’s forward depth. If a few them in the second round,” Vegas winger Max Pacioretty said Friday more forwards get injured, the Avalanche might have to turn to night. “Everyone believes that they’re the measuring-stick team in the inexperienced players, such as Sampo Ranta, in what could be a tight, league. They’ve been sitting at home, probably resting up, but no matter physical series. — Baugh what, we’ve got to make life difficult, especially on their star players.” Quick reflections: The Avalanche’s lineup likely won’t change much from With Game 1 coming up, Golden Knights writer Jesse Granger and the first round. Why would it? Colorado dominated the Blues, and every Avalanche writer Peter Baugh break down the matchup: forward logged at least one point in the series. Ranta could slot in if Newhook (back) isn’t ready to go or if coach Jared Bednar thinks he lines Big questions up well against Vegas, and MacDonald and Byram are options to enter the lineup if Colorado needs extra defensemen. — Baugh How will Vegas try to contain the Avalanche’s top line? Quick reflections: Pacioretty is a welcome addition to the lineup just in Stopping Colorado’s super line is a near impossibility, but there might not time for this series. Perhaps just as important, his return allows Tuch to be a team better equipped than the Golden Knights to at least slow it play in his usual third-line role, which enhances Vegas’ ability to match down. Vegas will hope to contain Nathan MacKinnon’s speed in transition Colorado’s forward depth. Kolesar was a healthy scratch in Game 7 and force the Avalanche’s top line to score with sustained zone time. against the Wild after playing the first six games. He’s an option if coach That minimizes Colorado’s speed advantage and emphasizes the Golden Peter DeBoer wants to switch up things or would be the first replacement Knights’ edge in size and strength. MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and in case of injury. — Granger Mikko Rantanen are capable of taking over games, but Vegas did a relatively good job against them in the regular season. Injury outlook

Colorado averaged a league-high 3.75 goals per game in their 48 games Avalanche against the rest of the West division but only 2.13 against the Golden Knights. MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen combined for only three The Avalanche’s core players are good to go, and the team is mostly goals against Vegas. As to who will actually match up with those three on healthy, at least among players who’ve been available most of the the ice, it will most likely be Alex Pietrangelo and Alec Martinez. In the season. Newhook suffered a back injury in Game 4 of the first round, but final regular-season meeting, on May 10, Pietrangelo was on the ice for Bednar said he should be ready for the series. He’s been skating, though 13:28 of MacKinnon’s 16:58 of even-strength ice time. The Golden Ranta has spent time in his spot on the fourth line at this week’s Knights’ big free-agency signing hasn’t had the season many hoped for, practices. … Byram, who hasn’t played since a high hit from Kolesar on but if he can contain MacKinnon in this series, he would more than make March 25, was cleared to play going into the first round, and Colorado up for it. — Granger could call on him if Bednar decides to shake up the defensive pairings. … Backup goalie Pavel Francouz (lower body) is out for the season. He How much of an impact will the time off have on the Avalanche? suffered a lower-body injury before playing a game this season. … Logan O’Connor (lower body) has progressed more quickly than expected and By the time the puck drops Sunday, Colorado will have gone nearly a full could be an option at some point, Bednar said. He has skated on his own week without playing a game. Forward Tyson Jost called the rest a and with small groups. … Matt Calvert (upper body) and Erik Johnson weapon, saying it was important to close out the Blues quickly. That gave (upper body) are out long term, per Bednar, and are doubtful to return by Colorado time to recover after a short but physical series. the end of the playoffs. Calvert, who played 19 games this season, had “I’m sure (players) are really appreciating their bodies healing and surgery, and Johnson, who played four, has yet to resume skating. — resting,” MacKinnon said before the Avalanche’s second-round opponent Baugh was known. “Whoever we play Sunday, we’ll be ready to go. We’ve been Golden Knights working really hard at practice.” Vegas received a massive boost when Pacioretty returned to the lineup The time off could also lend itself to rust. To combat that, Colorado had for Friday’s Game 7. It was his first appearance since May 1, and he three full-team practices during the week, as well as optional skates the showed rust early but eventually found his rhythm and scored what but Colorado is one of them. In this rare case, it’s in Vegas’ best interest turned out to be the winning goal. He should be in the lineup against to play low-event hockey and try to grind through these games rather Colorado but is far from fully healthy. … Brayden McNabb missed the than playing free-flowing, up-and-down hockey. If the Golden Knights can final two games of the first round after testing positive for COVID-19. He be physical with the Avalanche in the neutral zone to limit transition remains on the NHL’s COVID-19 list, and his availability is unknown. If he opportunities, rely on their goalies and get the occasional spectacular does eventually return, he’ll likely slot back into his second-pair role next play from Stone and Pacioretty, they can pull off their first playoff upset to Shea Theodore. … Ryan Reaves returned to the lineup for Game 7 since the 2018 Western Conference finals in Winnipeg. after a false-positive COVID-19 test led to his being held out of Game 6, and he’s fully healthy entering the second round. … Tomas Nosek left Game 2 with an undisclosed injury and has not returned. He hasn’t The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 skated with the team since, and despite DeBoer calling his status a game-time decision, a return doesn’t seem imminent. He could be an option as the series goes on, though. … Rookie forward Peyton Krebs underwent surgery to repair a fractured jaw after taking a puck to the face on May 8. GM Kelly McCrimmon said Saturday that Krebs has progressed more quickly than the team initially expected and could be an option later in the playoffs, depending on how far Vegas advances. It’s unclear whether that could happen in this series or if DeBoer would insert him into the lineup even if he is available. — Granger

X-factors

Baugh’s take: Grubauer has had the best season of his career, and he was strong in the St. Louis series, posting a .936 save percentage. Vegas is likely to create better scoring opportunities than St. Louis did, so looking to Grubauer to replicate his first-round numbers is a big expectation. If he plays at a similar level, though, moving well across the crease and halting high-danger chances, the Avalanche will be in good shape, even if his numbers are slightly less prolific than they were against St. Louis.

Fleury will obviously be key for Vegas. He’s played like a Vezina Trophy candidate this season, and the Golden Knights are probably in trouble if he’s anything less than that in the second round. Tuch can also pose problems for opponents. He had three goals in eight games against the Avalanche this season and has great speed, which helped him to an 18- goal season.

Granger’s take: Pacioretty led the Golden Knights with six goals against the Avalanche this season. No other player had more than three. After a career season, Pacioretty missed nearly the entire first round with an undisclosed injury but returned for Game 7, and his impact was immediately felt. He’s the best pure scorer on a team that lacks that particular skill set, and he creates time and space for Mark Stone, who looks like a different player when he’s playing alongside Pacioretty. Pacioretty not only provides a scoring boost for Vegas’ top line but also bumps Tuch back down to his normal spot on the third line, where he’s a nightmare matchup for any team.

“It changed, I thought, everything about our confidence,” DeBoer said of Pacioretty’s return to the lineup against the Wild. “(It changed) our confidence to score, and it slotted our lines properly.”

For Colorado: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was once the key to the Vegas fourth line, and now he’s doing the same thing in Colorado. Bellemare brings defensive responsibility every shift and pitches in just enough offensively. He’s done that more often against his former teammates, with six points in 10 games against Vegas. The Avalanche have an advantage when the top lines are compared, and I think the Golden Knights have the stronger middle six. That leaves us with a battle of the fourth lines, and I think Bellemare could be the difference-maker there.

What has to happen for the Avalanche to win the series?

If Colorado can stay healthy, it has as good a chance as any team still in the playoffs to hoist the Stanley Cup. That health will be crucial in what could be a bruising series against the Golden Knights. The top line will have to continue to excel (MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen each had at least seven points in four games against the Blues), and the team could really thrive if middle-six forwards such as Saad and Burakovsky can provide scoring depth. The Avalanche defense has done a great job of making Grubauer’s life easy this season, but the goalie will have to be on his game against Vegas, especially with Pacioretty back in the fold for Vegas. Grubauer stole a regular-season game from the Golden Knights earlier this month; if he can do the same in this series, it could go a long way toward helping the team advance. — Baugh

What has to happen for the Golden Knights to win the series?

The recipe is simple. They need exceptional goaltending — whether it’s Fleury or Lehner in net — and timely scoring from their stars. There are few teams in the league Vegas doesn’t want to get into a track meet with, 1214579 Colorado Avalanche That’s difficult to match up against even if Colorado did benefit from playing against a much weaker opponent. Still, Vegas knows the feeling well from the season series, considering Colorado also carried the run of play there. It wasn’t a lopsided possession affair by any means, but 2021 NHL playoff preview: Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Vegas losing the five-on-five battle at all is noteworthy considering that, too, is its claim to fame. Vegas is normally a puck possession juggernaut,

but Colorado is a clear step ahead, and that manifested in the season By Dom Luszczyszyn series. The Avalanche had the edge across the board, an edge that became larger with Colorado earning nearly 56 percent of the goals for May 29, 2021 the series.

What is especially intriguing from the season series is how well Vegas was able to stifle Colorado’s excellent power play. Over eight games, the For the Colorado Avalanche, it’s been a long wait. They quickly disposed Avalanche generated fewer chances and way fewer goals, scoring only of the St. Louis Blues in four games, winning every single game by three 1.6 per 60. That’s fewer than they had at five-on-five against Vegas. or more goals. That meant waiting a full week between games as Vegas Though that’s likely not completely sustainable, it showcases Vegas’ best and Minnesota battled for seven games for the right to take on the chance at advancing to the next round. The Golden Knights had the league’s top team. That grueling seven-game grind is an advantage in league’s best penalty kill during the season, and they’ll need it to be at its and of itself for the well-rested Avalanche. best in this series, especially with the way Colorado’s power play was After a somewhat anticlimactic game Friday, Colorado finally has an converting in the opening round. opponent: Vegas, just as expected. It took a little longer for the Golden Vegas did have some issues there against Minnesota from a scoring Knights to best the Wild, who proved every bit as tough as the season chance perspective, and its power play struggled to convert as well. Both series prophesied, but they’re here now. things need to be addressed quickly here, though it’s worth noting the This is the series everyone has been hoping for since the divisions were Golden Knights’ five-on-five became more and more impressive as the announced: the top two teams in the West on paper squaring off. Despite series went along. From Game 5 onward it felt like they finally solved the all the hype surrounding the matchup between the titans, the series itself matchup issue against Minnesota and imposed their will over the pace of might not be as close as it appears. That’s not because the model isn’t play much more. That they were the better team there for the series fond of Vegas, a top-five team, but because it doesn’t believe any team is despite missing their second-best forward is a good sign. that close to Colorado. Though Colorado’s season numbers are exceptional, Vegas’ are no joke, Series odds either. The Golden Knights’ goal ratio for the season was nearly at Colorado’s level at 58 percent, and they were a top-five possession and (Matchup adjustment takes into account each player’s Game Score scoring chance team thanks to a prolific offense of their own. This has against this specific opponent as well as his Game Score over the past the potential to be an exciting, high-octane series based on both teams’ six weeks.) affinity to generate shots and chances on offense.

Despite how strong Vegas has been this season, Colorado is a very Still, Vegas is going to be tough in this series, and a comparison between heavy favorite in this series, odds that have much more to do with the the teams’ rosters explains why. For the Avalanche, star power rules the Avalanche than the Golden Knights. All season they’ve been a dominant, day. It’s the reason the team’s season stats are so exceptional, and it’s play-driving team, better than any team since 2007-08 by a wide margin, the reason for their edge in this series. and that’s been a consistent trend this year. The territorial dominance makes it a lot easier to trust the Avalanche will prevail in a seven-game Roster breakdown series and that there isn’t really a team in the league Colorado should Ever since Vegas made it to the Stanley Cup Final and lost in five fear. That includes Vegas and is why Colorado has a nice 69 percent games, it’s been the team’s mission to obtain what it was so clearly chance of advancing. missing in that series: star power. The team’s dominance was especially strong down the stretch and The Golden Knights traded for Max Pacioretty that summer and Mark continued into the postseason, where the Avalanche not only made short Stone at the trade deadline to bolster their forward group. That allowed work of the Blues but also heavily outplayed them. That’s accounted for their shockingly strong top line to become an even stronger second line, in a pretty high matchup/recency adjustment, though that also includes one of the league’s best, putting everyone into their rightful role. More games against Vegas this season in which Colorado was the better team importantly, it gave Vegas a legitimate top line led by two elite wingers. despite an even win record. Pacioretty wasn’t elite when he was acquired, but he had the potential to This will be Vegas’ toughest test. Get through the Avalanche and there’s be given his past pedigree. Next to Stone, he’s playing the best hockey a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup on the horizon. It’ll be a of his career, scoring 66 points in 71 games last year before following challenge, but no matter how great the opponent, there’s always a path that up with 51 in 48 games this season — a 41-goal and 87-point pace. to victory. It’s not at all far-fetched despite the tilted odds. Pacioretty was sorely missed in the first six games of the opening round and made his presence felt by scoring the eventual series-winning goal. Season stats Not a bad return.

It’s pretty easy to see why Colorado is so heavily favored, just based on As good as Pacioretty has been, though, Vegas is still very much the its season stats. It’s a sea of blue — deep blue, at that. First in Corsi, first Stone show, and he deserves a significant amount of credit for how that in expected goals, first in goals, first or third on both sides of the puck for top line operates. From a production standpoint, Stone had his best all three categories. On special teams, it’s sixth on the power play and season yet with 61 points in 55 games, a 91-point pace. With his seventh on the penalty kill, with strong scoring chance rates for both. The breakthrough to superstardom, it became much more accepted in the only flaw is goaltending, and that’s mostly a byproduct of Philipp mainstream that Stone was one of the 10 to 15 best players in hockey. Grubauer missing some games more than anything. With him in net, this His projected 3.6 win rate certainly puts him there by Game Score Value team has no flaws. Added (GSVA). Stone has been right around the point-per-game mark That’s scary to go up against, and the Blues saw that firsthand in the since 2017-18, but “90-point player” carries a bit more cache. What playoffs, as the Avalanche obliterated them to the tune of a 64 percent makes that even more impressive is that he managed it despite a poor expected goals rate and a 72 percent actual goals rate at five-on-five. Vegas power play and that at five-on-five his 2.92 points per 60 this Both were among the most lopsided ratios of any playoff series since season actually ranked sixth leaguewide — the most of any player in this 2007-08, and the numbers are even more staggering when you split series. them up. Colorado generated 2.9 expected goals per 60 and allowed just For Stone, it’s never been about points, though. It’s with the little things 1.6, scoring 3.1 and allowing 1.2. Just absurd. The team’s power play he does all over the ice that he gets his value — the point totals are just a was absolutely scorching too, converting on half their chances while the nice bonus that extend him the clout he’s already deserved for years. penalty kill did its absolute best to stifle chances. Colorado was first in Stone is a monster at five-on-five, routinely putting up some of the best expected goals against there. on-ice numbers in the league. Over the past two seasons in Vegas, the team has earned 58.9 percent of the expected goals with Stone on the ice and 61 percent of the actual goals. Among forwards, that ranks ninth and 22nd leaguewide. He’s an elite, do-it-all player. On offense he can perfectly. His ability to move the puck is a huge asset to the team’s puck create off the rush or the cycle, he creates high-danger plays well for possession game. Add Samuel Girard to the mix and Colorado has three himself and his teammates, and he’s excellent in transition. His 78 defenders who are rated as No. 1 defenders or better. Vegas acquired percent carry-in rate on zone entries this season was a top-five mark. Pietrangelo after seeing its game crumble against two elite puck-movers Combine that with his excellent defense, specifically his penchant to — now the Golden Knights get an even bigger challenge with Colorado, retrieve possession, and it’s easy to see why he’s such a dominant force which has three. Girard took a major step forward this season, with his at five-on-five. underlying numbers finally matching his dazzling skill set. With Ryan Graves in tow, the Avalanche have two defense pairings who can run at It is worth noting, however, that he wasn’t nearly as commanding in the 60 percent of the shot share with ease. first round, nor in the season series against Colorado. In both instances, Vegas had just 52 percent of the expected goals share with Stone on the Vegas doesn’t, but the Golden Knights’ depth isn’t too bad. Alec Martinez ice, which is a fair bit below his usually lofty standards. He has another looks rejuvenated in Vegas (though he did struggle in the first round), gear in him that he’ll need to find in this series. helping Pietrangelo anchor the shutdown pair, and Nicolas Hague and Zach Whitecloud create a dependable third pair that can do well in cushy After adding Stone and Pacioretty and losing to a Dallas team that minutes. Hague was one of the few Golden Knights with a positive bolstered two stars on the back end, Vegas felt it needed something expected goals percentage against Colorado this season (Theodore and similar, that its quest to collect stars wasn’t complete. The Golden Pietrangelo were below 50 percent). He had a strong 56 percent in the Knights added Alex Pietrangelo to give them a second high-end opening round, and the bottom pair looks to be an advantage for Vegas. defenseman, and he delivered. His underlying numbers weren’t overly impressive — a 51 percent expected goals rate and 59 percent actual The same goes for Vegas’ second line, and the absence of Kadri looms goals rate that were both on the lower end of the team — but he large here. The trio of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and managed them in extremely difficult minutes. That’s tough to do, and he Reilly Smith hasn’t been nearly as dominant since that first magical particularly excelled at moving the puck, looking like the team’s best season, but there’s potential for them to be difference-makers. Smith had defender in breaking the puck out, a crucial element to the team’s fast a disappointing season, but he’s a proven playoff performer. play style. Marchessault is a gifted scorer who can help support the top line, and Karlsson is an underrated two-way center. Together, the trio had a 62 Pietrangelo’s presence allowed Shea Theodore to flourish and become percent expected goals rate in the opening round, outscoring Minnesota the star defenseman many figured he could be over the past couple of 4-1. That’s a big step up from their regular-season numbers, which is seasons — especially after last season’s playoffs. He had a strong 55 especially encouraging because they all struggled against Minnesota percent expected goals rate this year, led all Vegas defenders with a 64 during the season series. The same is true here against Colorado, when percent actual goals rate by way of all the offense he was creating and the three didn’t carry the run of play and didn’t produce much, either. At scored 42 points in 53 games. That’s a 65-point pace that would’ve been their best, their ability off the rush can create problems for any team and a career high for him. Theodore has just two points in the playoffs so far, can shift the balance back toward Vegas a bit. but his ability to push play was exceptional, as his 65 percent expected goals rate was 8 percentage points better than Vegas’ next best Having Pacioretty back means having Alex Tuch back in the bottom six, defenseman. When he’s on, the team dominates. which is a real luxury for Vegas. The line already looked so much stronger in Game 7 with him there, and it was nice to see Mattias That is a very strong quartet, an elite core that can rival most other teams Janmark play the surprise-hero role with a hat trick that night. around the league. The strategy to collect star players like they were Infinity Stones was certainly worthwhile, as it’s given Vegas its best Colorado’s second line might not be at Vegas’ level, but overall the team collection of talent yet. It led to the team’s best regular season — but it’s still has the depth advantage, mostly because the Avalanche aren’t using still difficult not to look across the aisle in this series in envy. What Vegas a roster spot for any players with whom hockey is the secondary focus. has is great. What Colorado has is just better. From a possession perspective, Andre Burakovsky and Joonas Donskoi had a very strong opening round, thriving with Kadri or J.T. Compher as The top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel their center. Compher is a bit of a passenger at five-on-five, but that Landeskog is one of the best in the league, if not the best. The best works just fine on this line, where Burakovsky and Donskoi thrive with the teams are led by their best players, and Colorado has the two best puck on their sticks. To his credit, he was also a lot better against Vegas skaters in the series with MacKinnon and Rantanen, who are coming off this season compared with Kadri, whose average Game Score of minus- spectacular seasons, scoring at 111- and 104-point paces. Landeskog 0.11 against the Golden Knights was the second worst on the team. was close to putting up a point-per-game season too, and he’s also the defensive backbone of the top line. That gives Colorado a trio of elite Colorado’s center depth still takes a hit with Kadri suspended, but the talents on the top line, something Vegas doesn’t have. That’s all while wingers in the middle six are tough to beat. Brandon Saad and Valeri putting up elite numbers at five-on-five with the line putting up a 66 Nichushkin are really effective players with the puck and in the offensive percent expected goals rate together. They own the puck. Though the zone and can be a pain to play against. Nichushkin remains an analytics line outscored the Blues 5-0 during the opening round, the usual puck darling, a strong forechecker who’s gifted with the puck, but there’s room possession dominance wasn’t as prolific with “just” a 58 percent for him to step up his game. He was one of the leaders in expected goals expected goals rate together. Slackers. percentage for the Avalanche during the regular season but was last on the team in the first round. He also went pointless against Vegas in eight As great as the top line is at five-on-five, they’re just as big of a problem games during the season series. Saad had only two points in six games, on the power play, and that’s where a lot of their extra value relative to but he looked good in the opening round with three goals in four games Stone on the other side comes from. That didn’t manifest itself against and a 66 percent expected goals rate. He’s a proven playoff performer Vegas during the season series though, as noted, and it meant all three after all those years in Chicago and should be a major asset in a struggled to produce. MacKinnon had just six points in eight games, contentious series. Rantanen had four in seven and Landeskog had just two in six. If those three are again neutralized with the man advantage, this becomes a The two teams are pretty similar depth-wise, and in terms of total value, much more even series. The depth on each side, especially with Nazem there’s a pretty clear dividing line between them in terms of arrangement. Kadri suspended until at least Game 7, is much more equal. Vegas has two elite players up front with Stone and Pacioretty, and they match up well in value with Landeskog and Rantanen. On the back end, The same goes with Cale Makar on the back end. He was the only it’s the same story, with Pietrangelo and Theodore being close to Girard defenseman this year to score at a point-per-game pace, but the lack of and Toews. Essentially, what this model is saying is that Vegas is just execution on the power play also hurt his production against Vegas with about equal to Colorado … without MacKinnon and Makar, Colorado’s just two points in six games. Even if he’s not scoring though, he’s still a two best players. Ouch. The other 16 skaters total up to 22.2 wins for major asset to Colorado’s blue line with his elite puck-moving ability in all Colorado, and Vegas’ are worth 23.2. three zones. He’s excellent at breaking it out of the zone, moving it up the ice and especially keeping it in the zone. A big part of Colorado’s It wouldn’t be at all surprising if those two were the difference here territorial dominance is Makar’s ability to walk the line, which is rivaled by because Vegas simply has no one on that level. It’s what separates a no one else in the game. truly elite team, Vegas, from one of the best-constructed teams in the salary-cap era. On paper, the Avalanche are an absolute juggernaut, and He forms arguably the best defense pairing in hockey with Devon Toews, it feels unfair that the difference between the two can be judged not by a who has been even better than advertised as an Avalanche. Toews is a marginal player but by two players who are among the absolute best at gifted puck-mover and a smart defender, and he fits Colorado’s scheme their position. It’s difficult to compete with that. Vegas does have one final edge, though, and that’s in net. Marc-Andre Fleury had a renaissance season, leading all goalies with 19.4 goals saved above expected thanks to a .928 save percentage. He was excellent all season and holds a sizeable advantage over Grubauer, who was 13th in the league this season at 4.5 goals saved. Still very strong, just not on Fleury’s level. Goaltending is always fickle, but Fleury has series-stealing potential that can render all of Colorado’s other advantages moot. It won’t matter how big the shot and scoring chance advantage is for Colorado if the pucks don’t get by Fleury.

The bottom line

Vegas is an elite team, a bona fide Stanley Cup contender. It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Golden Knights pull off the victory in this series, as they are without a doubt one of the league’s best teams.

Colorado is different, though. This is a special team, the highest-rated team this model has seen over the past decade. The way the Avalanche control the puck is not only second to none this year, but it’s also second to none since those numbers even existed. By a wide margin. It might seem a bit silly for there to be such a divide between two elite teams in terms of series odds, but Colorado isn’t just an elite team. The Avalanche are a very clear step above the rest of the pack. They have a top-three center and defenseman leaguewide, elite stars on top of that, exceptional depth to support and a strong, capable goalie to bring it all together. The team doesn’t really have a flaw.

That will make them harder to expose in a seven-game series. While it’s not out of the question for them to lose — this is hockey, after all — it will be very difficult for any team to defeat them. The Golden Knights will have the first real crack at doing so, and the odds aren’t in their favor.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214580 Colorado Avalanche

By a whisker: Avs, Knights brace for tight 2nd-round series

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer

DENVER (AP) — For as good as young defenseman Cale Makar has been this season, he’s looking for even more personal growth — from his playoff beard.

“Don’t expect too much from me,” the 22-year-old Colorado Avalanche standout cracked of his hard-to-see facial hair. “Hopefully as we continue going maybe get a little bit of a mustache."

One thing is apparent: There's a razor-thin difference between the top- seeded Avalanche and their second-round opponent, the Vegas Golden Knights, as they start a best-of-seven series Sunday night in Denver.

These two teams were evenly matched during the regular season, splitting their eight-game series (technically, the Avs were 4-3-1 with one more point because they had an overtime loss). They tied for the most points in the league, but the Avalanche earned the coveted Presidents' Trophy — along with home-ice advantage throughout the postseason — courtesy of a tiebreaker (more regulation wins).

It's a matchup that seemed almost inevitable to happen, with the two teams among the FanDuel Sportsbook favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup.

“We knew that to get to where we want to go, we’d have to go through them at least in the second round,” Vegas forward Max Pacioretty said. “Everyone believes that they’re the measuring stick team in the league.”

The Avs are well-rested, too, after finishing their four-game sweep of St. Louis last Sunday. The Golden Knights enter the series opener riding a wave of momentum after a Game 7 win over Minnesota on Friday.

“They have home ice. They won the Presidents’ Trophy, so I guess by definition that puts us in the underdog role,” Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. "I suspect once the puck drops there won’t be much talk the rest of the way about who the underdog is or who the favorite is. It’ll be settled on the ice.”

Both teams feature elite goaltenders: Philipp Grubauer for Colorado and Marc-Andre Fleury for Vegas. Grubauer had a 1.75 goals-against average against St. Louis, while Fleury posted a 1.71 GAA versus Minnesota.

“He’s found a way to adapt his game over the years,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said of Fleury. “He continues to play at an elite level.”

This marks the first time the Golden Knights and Avalanche meet in a postseason series. They did play in a Stanley Cup round-robin game last August, with Vegas winning 4-3 in overtime.

The stakes are now higher.

“We know them. They know us,” Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “It’s going to be an exciting series.”

The Golden Knights have a chance to join some exclusive company. Only four teams in NHL history captured a Game 7 and then knocked off the league's No. 1-ranked team in the next round. They're looking to join Boston (2010-11 playoffs), Calgary (’03-04), Pittsburgh (’91-92) and Philadelphia (’73-74), according to research by NHL Stats. The Bruins and Flyers finished the feat in the Stanley Cup Final.

LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214581 Colorado Avalanche At the end of the day—in the playoffs especially—you need to be able to hold your own. The more physical team usually wins the series. The Avs clearly have the offense, but will that be enough to get them past the big bad Vegas Golden Knights? I guess we’ll find out in the next two weeks. Scott Takes: The Avs have what it takes to beat Vegas…but can they? This is very likely a series that is bound to go the distance, all seven games. The seventh game in the second round has proven to be an issue for the Avs over the past couple of postseason appearances. Published 16 hours ago on May 29, 2021 In general, the second round has proven to be a sore spot for Colorado By Scott MacDonald over the years. The Avs haven’t made it out of Round 2 since 2002.

We know this Avs team has what it takes to beat Vegas…but can they? I’ve been saying it all year. It was always going to be between Vegas and

Colorado for tops in the West. And I truly do think it’ll either be the Golden Knights or Avs representing the left side of the bracket when it Colorado hockey now LOADED: 05.30.2021 comes to the Stanley Cup Final.

But before we move on, honorable mention here to the Minnesota Wild, who, to give them credit, were a very good team in the regular season and nearly pulled off the upset against Vegas in a close opening round of the playoffs…except it wasn’t really particularly close, despite what the series record might indicate.

The Wild were largely outplayed in Game 1 but eked out an OT winner. Game 5 we can chalk up to a very rare off night for Marc-Andre Fleury, who allowed four goals on 14 shots. Minny was pretty good in Game 6; I’ll give them that.

It’s also worth noting that the Knights were sans-Max Pacioretty, their leading goal scorer, through almost the entire series. He made his presence felt in his Game-7 return, however, and he’ll surely make his presence felt all series long for the Avalanche.

Enough of Minnesota; they’re off to the golf course. The point here is, you’d be sorely mistaken to discount the Golden Knights based on their first-round performance against Minnesota.

Clearly, the Avs have what it takes to beat the Mighty Knights of Vegas. Despite many bumps in the road, Colorado still earned the NHL’s regular season crown. They did what most pundits and bookies thought they’d do, which is look—and play—like Stanley Cup favorites.

The most impressive part of that: They accomplished this feat despite losing the third-most man games to injury.

Again, clearly, the Avs have what it takes to beat Vegas.

But can they? Well that’s a whole ‘nother question.

Vegas is an elite hockey team, and I know I don’t have to tell you that. You know that already. As compared to the Avalanche over the years, it’s incredibly close.

All-time, Colorado has a 44-43 goal advantage in the all-time series. Vegas is 8-8-1 against the Avs in their 17 meetings over the years. Since the Golden Knights joined the NHL, they’ve won more games than the Avalanche has in that span—173 wins to 162. The Avs are fifth in goals scored since 2017-18; Vegas is right behind them at sixth. Historically speaking, it’s bound to be evenly matched.

This year alone, five of eight games have been decided by one goal.

What’s not particularly close—and the only reason (outside of unforeseen injuries *knock vigorously on wood*) the Golden Knights could best the Avalanche in the series is an area of the game that many fans would be quick to point out as the chink in the armor of the Avs.

Physical play. Hitting. Ground and pound, old-school, playoff hockey. Whatever you want to call it. It’s an area where Avalanche hasn’t been particularly strong over the years.

The Avs finished dead-last in the NHL in the hits department during the regular season, finishing with an average of right around 16 hits per 60 minutes.

The Golden Knights are decidedly much better, which has carried into the postseason. Vegas has so far averaged 45 hits per game (!) in the postseason.

The Avs? 16.5 per game. The fewest of the 16-team playoff pack.

I’m not saying hitting and overall physicality from a team is what differentiates a Cup contender from a second-round exit. Obviously not. But, at the same time, I’m not not saying that. 1214582 Columbus Blue Jackets a competitive club again in 2021-22. It could lead to an organizational overhaul, an old-school “rebuilding,” especially if Jones’ decision has aftershocks.

Another blow: Seth Jones informs Blue Jackets he’ll test free agency, per Does defenseman Zach Werenski, a restricted free agent with arbitration report rights next summer, want to stick around without his playing partner? Werenski signing a long-term deal into his UFA years was seen as uncertain even before this news.

By Aaron Portzline Does a veteran player like Cam Atkinson, who turns 32 next month, want to remain in Columbus through a lengthy rebuild? May 30, 2021 The Blue Jackets were already facing a daunting summer, with several

momentous decisions to be made. Kekalainen has said that hiring a COLUMBUS, Ohio — The hits just keep coming for the Blue Jackets. coach to replace was the No. 1 priority, but Jones’ decision has weighed on the minds of fans for many months now. After losing a plethora of star players to free agency and forced trades over the past two seasons, the Blue Jackets had hoped to stem the tide And it appears this summer — lifted earlier this month by the news of this summer by signing defenseman Seth Jones to a long-term contract Davidson’s return — has now taken a horrible turn. extension. “It’s a situation (unrestricted free agency) you only get once in your But Jones has reportedly informed the Blue Jackets that he plans to lifetime,” Jones said during exit interviews with the media after the pursue unrestricted free agency when he hits the market in 2022. season. “Yeah, there’s a lot of pressure, and people are looking at you Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that Jones has told from all over, but I really have to take a step back and think about what I the Blue Jackets “that he will not be re-signing.” want.”

Jones’ agent, Pat Brisson, declined to comment on what he called “private conversations” between Jones’ camp and the Blue Jackets. The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 Jones did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has denied multiple times within the past two weeks that he had any indication of Jones’ plans, but there were reports from within the club this week that bad news had been delivered.

This is a devastating blow for the organization.

The Blue Jackets were prepared to offer Jones, 26, what would have been almost certainly the largest contract in franchise history, and they likely would have named him the club’s next captain if he’d signed long term.

But none of it, apparently, was enough to convince the perennial Norris Trophy candidate to spend his prime years in Columbus.

Not only does it continue a slow march of talent away from the Blue Jackets organization — Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matt Duchene, Josh Anderson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, et al. have all left since the end of the 2019 playoffs — but it raises the worrying question of what further fallout this could create?

Do the Blue Jackets move to trade Jones this summer?

Kekalainen indicated to The Athletic earlier this month that he planned to keep Jones into next season — even without an extension in place — in the hope that Jones would somehow change his mind.

But much has changed with the Blue Jackets since Kekalainen made those comments.

John Davidson, who was fired by the late this season, was rehired by the Blue Jackets as the president of hockey operations, the same position he held with the Jackets from 2012 to 2019.

Davidson was here in 2019 when the Blue Jackets held on to Panarin and Bobrovsky in the final year of their contracts, but it was justified by the Blue Jackets’ “going for it” at the NHL trade deadline for the first time in franchise history.

The Jackets swept Tampa Bay in the first round — the first playoff series win in franchise history — but Panarin and Bobrovsky left the following summer as unrestricted free agents, signing with the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers, respectively.

Davidson seemed to signal a slightly different approach in a conversation with The Athletic last weekend.

“When you deal with situations like this, they are what they are,” Davidson said. “No matter which way it goes, you have to respect the player’s wishes, what they want. If they stay, they stay. If they don’t, they go, and we try to do the best we can with what the (trade) return’s going to be … if that’s what it comes to.”

The Blue Jackets would likely get a major trade return for Jones, but his desire to be traded might also quash Kekalainen’s vow to “reload” and be 1214583 Detroit Red Wings back to him, he didn’t have a chance. He was at his mercy. Lemieux could have broken his neck. Hey, they beat us, they had the better team — but that’s just BS.

How Detroit Red Wings' 1997 Stanley Cup run really began 25 years ago “I probably would have speared him in the face.” today Goalie Chris Osgood, Draper’s best friend and roommate, vowed the Wings would even the score.

By Viv Bernstein, Keith Gave and Steve Schrader Special to Detroit Free “When he comes back to play the Red Wings next year, we’ll be waiting Press for him,” Osgood said. “It’s not a threat.”

Even though Draper’s face and heart were broken, he walked out of McNichols Arena with a smile and a promise. Twenty-five years ago almost to the day — as the calendar was about to flip to June in 1996 — the Detroit Red Wings sustained their most- “It’s not a good way to go out,” he said, wiping blood from his mouth with crushing playoff elimination after their greatest regular season. The Free a white towel. “I’ll see him again. I’ll be back, no doubt.” Press’ new book — “Stanleytown: 25 Years Later” — starts at this When Ramsey, a hero from the at the 1980 Lake Placid lowest of lows and tells the behind-the-scenes stories of the Stanley Olympics and a veteran of 1,068 NHL games, walked off the ice for what Cup’s return to Detroit a season later, after 42 agonizing years. An he thought was the last time in his career, he had tears in his eyes. excerpt from the book: “This is our passion,” right wing Darren McCarty said. “We got our heart Another season was over. Another dream dead and buried, this time by torn out.” an Avalanche. The 1995-96 Red Wings, arguably the greatest team in regular-season history, proved once again they were just that: a great The Avalanche, in its first season after moving from Quebec City, swept regular-season team. the Florida Panthers for the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Lemieux was on the ice to hoist it, receiving only a two-game suspension for cheap- Not a great playoff team. Not a champion. shotting Draper. It ended May 29, 1996, at Denver’s McNichols Arena with a 4-1 loss to

Colorado in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. It ended with a three-goal outburst by the Avalanche in the second period that sent the Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.30.2021 Wings into summer, sent defenseman into retirement without a Stanley Cup and sent fans reeling.

“The expectations of our team, and our own expectations, was to get back to the Stanley Cup finals and win, and we didn’t do that,” captain Steve Yzerman said. “We didn’t live up to expectations. We didn’t play as well as the Detroit Red Wings are expected to play, as well as we expected to play.”

The expectations were even greater this time — to end a 41-year Stanley Cup drought — because of the Wings’ regular season, when they won 62 games, breaking the NHL record of 60 set by Scotty Bowman’s 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens (who also won the Cup).

The Wings ran away from the field with their second straight Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s regular-season champions, going 62-13-17 for 131 points, 27 better than the runner-up Avalanche, who won the Pacific Division. To Detroit’s fans — who sang “I Want Stanley” and threw scores of octopi — another playoff failure was simply unthinkable.

“Obviously, there’s a big difference between playoff hockey and regular- season hockey,” Yzerman said. “We said it, and we meant it when we said it, winning 62 games during the regular season means nothing. It’s not an indicator of what’s going to happen in the playoffs. Come playoff time, we didn’t respond.”

Asked why the Wings faltered, Bowman said: “They had a player like Joe Sakic. We were banged up a lot and we weren’t 100%. But we lost to a good team. They were neck-and-neck with us for two years.”

The Wings also were hurt by the long road they took to reach the conference finals, including a seven-game series with St. Louis in the semifinals. They didn’t have enough gas left for the bigger, more physical Avs, who received big efforts from stars Sakic, and Patrick Roy.

“We … were stretched by St. Louis in the previous series,” Bowman said, “and we never had time to catch our breath.”

This time, the insult of another playoff elimination was made even more bitter by an injury in the first period of the deciding game.

Colorado’s hit center Kris Draper from behind and slammed him into the boards. Draper suffered a broken jaw, cheekbone and nose, a concussion and several displaced teeth; he needed 30 stitches in his mouth and also was cut around his nose and right eye.

Lemieux was assessed a five-minute penalty and ejected, but he returned for the postgame handshakes.

“I can’t believe I shook his bleeping hand,” right wing Dino Ciccarelli said. “I hadn’t seen Kris’ face. It’s BS. Kris was one of our best players, and Lemieux blindsided him. The poor kid was right by the door, he had his 1214584 Detroit Red Wings York Islanders 5-2 on Saturday night in the opening game of their second-round playoff series.

Charlie McAvoy and Taylor Hall also scored, and Patrice Bergeron had a Saturday's NHL playoffs: In front of 1st Canadian crowd, Habs force pair of assists for the Bruins, who will host Game 2 on Monday night. Game 7 vs. Leafs in OT For subscribers: Edmonton's Dylan Guenther could reverse Red Wings' WHL draft history

Staff Report Tuukka Rask finished with 20 saves as the Bruins kept most of the action at the other end of the ice, outshooting the Islanders 40-22.

Rask didn’t allow anything past him after Adam Pelech’s goal for the Montreal Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Saturday night Islanders 12:34 into the second period tied it at 2. It was one of only four to force Game 7 in the first-round series. shots in the period for the Islanders, who were playing before a rowdy crowd of fans who packed TD Garden for the first time in more than a Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli also scored and Carey Price made 41 year. saves in front of the first Canadian hockey crowd since the start of the pandemic. Anthony Beauvillier also scored for the Islanders, Jordan Eberle had two assists and Ilya Sorokin finished with 35 saves, keeping New York in it With his team outshot 13-2 and struggling to generate anything in the through the first 40 minutes despite the onslaught of shots from the extra period, Kotkaniemi ripped a shot past Jack Campbell's glove side Bruins. after Toronto defenseman Travis Dermott turned the puck over to Paul Byron.

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” the 20-year-old Kotkaniemi said. “Remarkable Detroit News LOADED: 05.30.2021 ... it’s a great feeling. Especially when the fans are in the stands. Gives you goosebumps.”

Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie scored for Toronto, beating Price with under 10 minutes to go in regulation to tie it. Campbell stopped 28 shots.

For subscribers: Trio of Wolverines dominate final NHL scouting rankings for 2021 draft

“The crowd and the push at the start was significant for them," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We’ve got to be a whole lot better.”

Game 7 is Monday night in Toronto, with the winner facing Winnipeg. Also an overtime winner in Game 5 in Toronto, the Canadiens are looking to come back from a 3-1 series deficit to win for the third time in franchise history.

“There’s no quit in this group,” said Montreal captain Shea Weber, who played more than 37 minutes. “We grinded. (Price) kept us in it, especially in overtime there when they were pushing and gave us a chance."

Montreal won despite being outshot 13-2 in overtime.

“That’s just hockey,” Toffoli said. “You just have to find a way. One shot wins it. We just found a way.”

About 2,500 fans were allowed in the 21,302-seat arena after the Quebec government relaxed some restrictions and the province’s curfew ended Friday.

“We could hear them before the game and, going out for warmups, had chills,” Weber said. “Honestly, it was unbelievable. It felt like a lot more than 2,500 people. It was amazing. I can’t imagine what 20,000 people would be like.

“That was electric.”

Perry opened the scoring at 5:26 of the third period on a scramble in front with Toronto's William Nylander off for goalie interference.

Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe's challenge was denied, putting the Maple Leafs back down a man. Mitch Marner then fired a clearing attempt over the glass to gift the home side a 5-on-3 power play for 1:41.

The latest: Red Wings show confidence Givani Smith is ready to stick in the NHL

And the Canadiens made the Maple Leafs pay when Toffoli squeezed a shot past Campbell at 6:43 to stretch the lead to 2-0.

Spezza cut it to one with 8:25 left when his shot went in off the stick of Montreal defenseman Jeff Petry. Brodie tied it off Petry’s skate with 3:11 left.

“We just didn’t come ready to play,” Marner said. “We really do have to start on time because it’s getting said a lot, and it’s not good enough.”

Bruins 5, Islanders 2: David Pastrnak got his second career playoff hat trick, David Krejci had four assists and the Boston Bruins beat the New 1214585 Detroit Red Wings been here will be important and any additions that add scoring without sacrificing the other side will be important as well.”

Red Wings’ offensive improvement must come mostly from within Michigan Live LOADED: 05.30.2021

Posted May 27, 2021

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

Three goals often translate into two points for NHL teams. The Detroit Red Wings went 17-1-2 this season when scoring three or more goals.

Problem was, they averaged only 2.23 goals, the second-lowest output in the league. It has been an issue the past two seasons – they ranked last in 2019-20, averaging only 2.00 goals per game.

After improving defensively and in net in 2021, offense is the Red Wings’ top priority.

“We need to score more goals and improve offensively,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “That’s easier said than done. The biggest part of that is having players who have the ability to produce.

“I’m hopeful our younger players can generate a little more offense. With the players that have been here for a while, I expect them to score more than they did this year.”

The improvement must come mostly from within the organization. The Red Wings will look to sign a couple of free-agent forwards, preferably right-handed shooters, but that market surely will be thin when it opens on July 28.

The list of potential unrestricted free-agent forwards with offensive ability includes Alex Ovechkin (Washington), Gabriel Landeskog and Brandon Saad (Colorado), Taylor Hall and David Krejci (Boston), Mike Hoffman and Jaden Schwartz (St. Louis), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton), Blake Coleman (Tampa Bay) and (Toronto).

Several are expected to re-sign with their current club. Those that don’t might not be inclined to move from a strong team, in many cases, to a rebuilding club.

Yzerman didn’t rule out trading for offense – in addition to their own first- round pick, the Red Wings have Washington’s (it will be in the mid- to late 20s), as well as three second-rounders.

“I don’t think it makes a lot of sense for us to be trading draft picks and prospects for players that might not be here in three, four, five years,” Yzerman said. “So, if we are able to do something with some of our future assets, I’d certainly be willing to do that, but I would look to add younger players that are going to fit with the core group – Dylan Larkin, Jakub Vrana, Tyler Bertuzzi, roughly in that 26 or under range.

“Having said that, if something is too good to pass up that doesn’t necessarily fit that description, I’d be open to it. You can look at free agency, the players that might be there today, I don’t know that they’re going to be there once free agency opens. What are they going to cost and are we a fit for them? We’ll explore it. In trades I’d like to add younger players; in free agency I’m more open to anything.”

Regardless of who they add, the Red Wings must generate more offense from players already here.

It starts with a healthy Bertuzzi (limited to nine games) and Robby Fabbri (10 goals in only 30 games) and a better season from Larkin (nine goals and 23 points in 44 games).

Having Vrana for a full season will help (eight goals and 11 points in 11 games with Detroit), as will growth from younger players like Filip Zadina and Michael Rasmussen.

“Having introduced a number of young players over the last couple years, and we’ll continue to do that, the growth of those players can be big depending on the steps they take,” coach Jeff Blashill said.

“It’s probably going to take a little bit of everything. You don’t need to lead the league in goals in order to be a really good team. If you play smart hockey, you play the right way, you have to score enough. We didn’t win some of those close games; you just have to slowly turn those close games into wins. Certainly, the growth of the players that have 1214586 “After the social-media racism comments, I’ve received so much love and support. It’s such a good feeling. It makes me feel empowered,” he said.

“So many people are going out of their way to stand up and express their Racial barrage directed at Oilers' Bear leads to outpouring of charity feelings and how sorry they are and to show everyone else and to put an end to it. It started off negative but standing up and saying basically what I felt and what I experienced turned out to be just a huge positive. I think it’s a big deal. It didn’t just happen to me but it also happens to many First Nations people.” Publishing date: May 29, 2021 Saturday began for him with the horrifying news of the discovery of the residential-school graves in Kamloops.

Beckie Scott had never met Ethan Bear before. Just like the Edmonton “It hit us all hard. My girlfriend, Lenasia Ned’s grandparents, Charlotte Oilers knew nothing of Canada’s legendary three-time cross and Ron, both went to school there. They talked about how kids from that country gold- and silver-medal winnong Olympian from Vermillion. school would just go missing and they were never told where they were or what happened to them. It hurts. Both of my parents went to But at 3 p.m. on Saturday, they met on a Zoom call that illustrated how residential schools in Saskatchewan.” much goodness can come out of such incredible ugliness. It made Ethan Bear’s heart swell and it should make your heart swell, too. To be connected with Beckie Scott and her program Saturday, Bear suggested, helped. Bear was targeted by racist social-media trolls after his third-period turnover resulted in a goal that helped force the third longest overtime “I didn’t know Beckie until we got all of these incredible donations. I think game in the Edmonton Oilers history, leading to an early playoff exit it’s amazing what she’s offering. We need those programs not just to involving three consecutive overtime losses to the Winnipeg Jets. focus our kids in sports but in education.”

Sometimes negative happenings can have ultra-positive outcomes and Ethan Bear, in a big way this week, discovered he’s a winner. that was definitely the case when these two good people were brought together in a powerful way by a horrible situation. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.30.2021 There has been overwhelming reaction in support for Bear, the born-in- Regina, second-year NHL defenceman raised in the Ochapowace Nation near Whitewood, Sask.

On the day that the world was dealing with the revelation of a mass of graves containing the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, Scott called Bear to offer a revelation of her own.

Scott is the CEO of the Spirit North charity that empowers Indigenous children in more than 62 communities across Canada, and informed him the national non-profit organization received nearly 100 significant donations within 24 hours of Game 4 and the racist internet reaction that followed.

“On Tuesday evening, we started receiving donations — multiple donations on our website portal. And we couldn’t really figure out what was happening,” Scott said on the phone only a few minutes after the meeting with Bear. “It was really unusual to be receiving so many donations in a short period of time. And it continued to happen all day Wednesday.

“So, we went in and tried to figure it out. Many of the messages that went with the donations said, ‘This is for Ethan Bear,’ and, ‘Respect for Ethan Bear,’ and, ‘In honour of Ethan Bear.’

“It became clear that all of the donations were in solidarity with Ethan. It was an inspirational outpouring of emotion for Ethan and directed to Indigenous youth in sports. It was very heart warming to see how many people were responding in such a positive way.

“Out of something really dark and disgraceful and the most ugly expression of racism that you could have, shone a light on the importance of equality in sports,” Scott continued. “In a way, it was something beautiful and positive that came out of something really ugly. There wasn’t just all kinds of outpouring for Ethan from all corners and all kinds of people but a quiet outpouring of support for Spirit North to support Indigenous youth as well.”

Scott reached Bear to offer Spirit North assistance to help Ethan set up his own foundation.

“We made some preliminary plans to partner together in the future and work to the common goal, which is to elevate Indigenous youth in sports and create equality and inclusion for Indigenous youth in sport. We’re really excited to work with Ethan. We definitely offered our help as an organization with the experience you need to start this sort of thing.

“We really admire Ethan for his courage and standing up and the statement he made and we’re so proud to be aligned with him.”

Bear, who called about 20 minutes later, said he’s just been overwhelmed with the response of ordinary people from all walks of life and all backgrounds, and to hear from Scott and Spirit North sort of embodied it. 1214587 Edmonton Oilers that it took weeks to sort out and declare a winner, with the final total pot figure of $14,176,850 and more than $7 million to the winner.

Seven million for a raffle at a hockey game! Global pandemic led to out-of-this world Edmonton 50-50 sports raffles This year, the two home playoff games resulted in cheques to the winner in the amounts of $2,058,340 and $1,336,225 with the two games from Winnipeg manufacturing two near-millionaires with payout totals of Terry Jones $769,600 and $843,195.

Publishing date: May 29, 2021 Today, with the revelation of these numbers here and the incredible impact of not only the Oilers Entertainment Group’s but Hockey Canada’s

at the world junior, Curling ’s at the Scotties, Brier and other One can only imagine where the numbers would have ended up if the bubbles, Edmonton EE and other Alberta online 50-50, I can’t help but Edmonton Oilers had gone deep into the playoffs instead of making wonder what the late Roger Holteen would have thought. back-to-back four-game exits. Over the years, I’ve taken a lot of ribbing about my 50-50 updates and Not the goals, the assists or any of the numbers Connor McDavid and commentaries on Twitter. But I came by it honestly. The first time I was Leon Draisaitl might have produced. Not the minutes of ice time Darnell introduced to a 50-50 was with Holteen at the Lacombe Lions Baseball Nurse may have accumulated. Not the save totals of goaltender Mike Tournament in the 1950s, ‘60s and 70s. Smith. Holteen spent the games walking around the 3,000-seat ballpark with a The really big numbers. $500 bill pinned to his baseball cap, selling 1,000 tickets at $1 each. He didn’t require a government permit to do so. The 50-50 numbers. For all I know, the 50-50 might have been invented in my hometown. The biggest number of all is $100 million. Whatever, it has grown to such an extent over the years that it even The combined sports coronavirus pandemic 50-50 ticket purchase affected attendance. Fans boosted crowd counts by several thousand to numbers totaled well over one hundred million dollars! be able to get tickets for carry-over 50-50 pots at Edmonton EE football games. With the Oilers’ exit from the playoffs, the world’s greatest 50-50 season has come to an end and the final accounting truly must go down in all of With two or three six-figure payouts every season, the Edmonton 50-50 sports history as an remarkable record. became well known through sport in Canada and inspired similar raffles in other communities. But this year, as a result of COVID-19, Edmonton Think about that. Count the zeros. We’re talking about game day lucky took it where it’s never been before. number draws. Since Edmonton became the NHL’s start-to-finish Hub City bubble For starters let’s just deal with the Oilers. capital, playing host to Stanley Cup playoff games last summer, the 50- Edmonton went 50-50 crazy in several other sports with other mind- 50 became an online production instead of an in-stadium event. boggling totals as well, but it all started with the Oilers gaining “No one does community better than Edmonton and our friends in North government approval, with no fans in the stands, to hold their 50-50 Central Alberta,” said OEG spokesperson Tim Shipton. “The success of draws online. the online 50-50 has been astounding but not surprising. It should have STORY CONTINUES BELOW been expected. We’re just thrilled the Oilers and the foundation have been able to drive such positive outcomes for so many people across the This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. region.

Article content “Our priority for next year and the years ahead is going to be getting the The Oilers’ numbers dating back to the opening of the NHL Hub City in 50-50 proceeds back into the community where they can have the July: biggest impact. Our focus is on helping vulnerable populations in Edmonton’s downtown, improving youth hockey programming and • $86 million in gross sales. getting more kids from under-represented communities into the sport.”

• $30 million from NHL Hub City bubble games. The 50-50, which had set world records at the International Federation world junior championships here in 2012, will return along • $56 million from 2021 regular season and playoffs. with the IIHF world-junior-in-a-bubble during the holiday season.

• $43 million to winners. Scott Smith, CEO of Hockey Canada, reports the final payout total for the • $24 million already dispersed to charities with millions more to be Edmonton world junior was a remarkable $15 million and that a plan is in designated in the coming weeks. place that has been shared with Alberta Gaming and Lottery that will include spending in four primary areas, all within the province of Alberta Only in Edmonton has what is effectively a raffle become such a and much of it in the Edmonton area. significant part of the sports culture of a city. The incredible payouts changed the lives of so many people — both of prize money winners and “Dollars will be spent directly on youth hockey to subsidize the game and charitable concerns. This year, it became celebrated internationally. reduce the cost of entry and for kids to be able to stay in the game,” said Smith. “Dollars will also be spent to host events in Alberta in the future, In a span of less than 10 months, the Oilers Foundation not only bailed including para-hockey, women’s events such as the ESSO Cup and U-18 out a lot of hurting charities but put a special emphasis on amateur and development camps. youth sporting organizations faced with funding crisis situations as a result of COVID-19. “A third area will be funds used for infrastructure upgrades to increase accessibility and usage. Dollars will also be used to engage the The Oilers’ 50-50 most mindboggling numbers: community in hockey this coming fall with the world junior schools program as an example,” Smith said of the coming replay of the world • It created SEVEN millionaires. junior tournament co-hosted by Edmonton and Red Deer. • A total of 27 winners received cheques for more than $500,000. When the NHL schedule relaunched in January with a 56-game schedule • The average jackpot for 2021 was $935,000. featuring a Canadian division with no fans in the stands, the Oilers returned with an online 50-50 for all 56 games plus four playoff games. • The average payout was $467,500. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis endorsed a 50-50 program at the Last summer, the four Oilers games in the Hub City bubble produced request of Edmonton-based Curling Alberta for game days of all the prize pots of $762,550, $3,259,445, $5,417,130 and then broke the bubble curling events held in Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park WinSport internet with so much action for Game 4 against the Chicago Blackhawks Arena venue this spring, including the Scotties, Brier, mixed doubles, women’s world championships and the only two Slam Curling Tour series events held this year.

Curling Alberta sold $1,235,990 worth of 50-50 tickets.

“We recognized that this was a one-time and very significant opportunity, so we were highly motivated to go after each dollar as a gift back to our sport and our communities,” said CEO Jill Richard. “The unexpected opportunity to host the online raffles alongside the Curling’s Capital series was a godsend for the sport in Alberta.

“The pandemic significantly damaged the finances of many of our clubs. The proceeds will allow us to take steps to help them get back on their feet.

“The board of Curling Alberta is currently seeking input from some of the key shareholders to decide exactly how the funds will be used to support grassroots initiatives. We have more than 170 member clubs and more than 50,000 curlers and the challenge now is to maximize the impact.”

Alberta Junior Hockey League teams, left playing shortened schedules with no spectators in their buildings, also ran a combined 50-50 to subsidize their teams and were benefactors of proceeds from an Oilers regular-season game draw as well.

The Edmonton Football Team that was most responsible for making an institution of the 50-50 and used the million dollars or more raised every year to support the University of Alberta Golden Bears and the junior Wildcats and Huskies, raised a pot of $415,910 with a special 50-50 to make up for no CFL season.

The EE also raised another pot of $991,800 in memory of locker-room attendant Joey Moss and creation of his foundation in what will become an annual event. The football team also ran a 50-50 to benefit the Cross Cancer Institute charity of the World’s Longest Hockey Game that produced a pot of $399,165 despite being allowed no spectators to make donations.

You get the idea. Numbers that would have been considered earth- shattering a year earlier became ho-hum.

The Edmonton 50-50 season of seasons will be changed forever.

What will they do going forward? Go back to in house 50-50s or remain with game day online draws?

The football team didn’t think twice.

“For the upcoming season, we will conduct online 50-50s province-wide for all home and away games,” reported club spokesman Allan Watt.

And with that will end my own personal 50-50 dream.

My press box seat at Commonwealth Stadium is eight positions from the door where 50-50 ticket winners are asked to report. My plan was to calmly raise a finger and have them confirm my winning ticket without leaving my seat. I’d continue to calmly write my column until I heard 40,000 people boo when the name of the winner was revealed on the stadium scoreboard.

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214588 Edmonton Oilers The Leafs have salary-cap issues but will undoubtedly do anything they can to keep Hyman, who turns 29 next month. He’ll be a coveted player if he hits the open market.

Ideal Oilers free-agent targets: The best fits for the many roster holes Fit: 9/10 Edmonton needs to fill this offseason Chances of signing: Low

Blake Coleman (2021 cap hit: $1.8 million) By Daniel Nugent-Bowman See above except replace the Leafs with the Lightning, switch almost 29 May 29, 2021 years old with turning 30 in November, and with much less power-play action.

Fit: 8.5/10 The Oilers are in their win-now window and are expected to be active in free agency. Chances of signing: Low

General manager has roughly $25 million in salary-cap Taylor Hall (2021 cap hit: $8 million) space at his disposal right now. Buyouts to the likes of James Neal Could this be the year for a Hall reunion with the team that drafted him and/or Mikko Koskinen would push that total around or even above $30 No. 1 in 2010? It seems like it’s now or never. million. Hall would fulfill a need for the Oilers (top-six left winger) and the Oilers Yes, some of that money is expected to go to some of the team’s have the money to pay him. Of course, there’s a new general manager pending unrestricted free agents. Mike Smith is expected back and so is and coach since he was shipped out of town as well. Adam Larsson. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could very easily return, too. His relationship with the Bruins sure seems to be going well, though. However, the latter two aren’t in line for pay bumps and might even take less than they make now. Smith is probably due for a raise, but it isn’t “It’s probably been some of the most enjoyable hockey I’ve ever played likely to be exorbitant. They collectively made less than $12 million this in my career,” he said earlier this month. “I really hope there’s more to season, and it should cost in the same ballpark to have them back in the come.” fold. For better or worse, Hall coming back to Edmonton is probably a long There are smaller housekeeping items for Holland to address — RFA shot. Kailer Yamamoto needs a new contract — but regardless of how you slice it, he has room to add a significant player or two and sand out the Fit: 8/10 rough edges. Chances of signing: Low

Organized by best fits for the Oilers, here are some targets Holland and Brandon Saad (2021 cap hit: $6 million) his staff should be considering for the various holes on the roster. It’s been safe to pencil in Saad for 20 goals and 35 points over a healthy Note: Probabilities listed account for the Oilers being one of up to 32 82-game season. Now put him on McDavid’s or Draisaitl’s left wing and teams trying to sign the players. his numbers could explode. Because while Tyson Jost and Valeri Top-six wingers Nichushkin (Saad’s current linemates) are nice players, and Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky and Joonas Donskoi (other common linemates) The Oilers need at least one more of them and ideally two to support are as well, none are the NHL’s top two scorers. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It’s impossible to envision Alex Ovechkin leaving Washington for Edmonton, so he’s been excluded. Saad is known for getting to the dirty areas and can finish off chances when he’s set up in close. He’ll be 29 in the fall and might not command Gabriel Landeskog (2021 cap hit: $5,571,429) $6 million again — especially in this NHL economy.

He’d be an ideal fit for the Oilers. Absolutely, positively perfect. As opposed to Landeskog, there’s a much greater chance the Avs let Saad explore free agency. Leadership? The Avalanche named him the youngest captain in NHL history a little over a year after he was drafted second in 2011, right Fit: 7.5/10 behind Nugent-Hopkins. He held that distinction until Connor McDavid came along. Chances of signing: Average

Ability to play with elite players? I don’t know; I feel like Nathan Jaden Schwartz (2021 cap hit: $5.35 million) MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are all right. Schwartz’s productivity has been inconsistent of late. He had just 11 Power-play acumen? He could be an upgrade on Alex Chiasson or goals in 2018-19 but responded with one more than that total in the James Neal as the net-front guy. playoffs as the Blues won the Stanley Cup. He had 22 goals in 71 games last season but just eight in 40 games in 2021. Zero points in four playoff Landeskog’s no slouch offensively either — he was nearly a point-per- games, too. game player in 2021 — and would add more size and strength to Edmonton’s top six, too. If the Oilers could get the good version of Schwartz, he’d be an excellent addition. He’s turning 29 next month; a short- or mid-term deal at a lower The Avs are going to need to pay MacKinnon and Cale Makar soon, but salary than his current deal would be ideal. it’s hard to believe they’d let their captain go while they have cap space and appear to be in a better contending space than the Oilers. However, Fit: 7.5/10 the Blues parted ways with Alex Pietrangelo a year after he hoisted the Chances of signing: Above average Stanley Cup, so you never know. Tomas Tatar (2021 cap hit: $5.3 million) Fit: 10/10 He’s been a top-line player for the Canadiens, he can play either wing Chances of signing: Very low and he’s good for at least 20 goals. There’s a lot to like here. The age — Zach Hyman (2021 cap hit: $2.25 million) he turns 31 in December — is a concern, but a long-term deal probably isn’t in the cards for Tatar anyway. At the right price and term, how good would Hyman look in an Oilers jersey? Fit: 7/10

He can score, check, pitch in on the power play and kill penalties. The Chances of signing: Average Oilers need to be harder to play against, and Hyman checks all the Kyle Palmieri (2021 cap hit: $4.65 million) boxes. Before this year, Palmieri had scored at least 24 goals in five straight Wennberg had an effective bounce-back season with the Panthers, seasons. The Oilers need scorers. Seems like a good match. posting 17 goals and 29 points in all 56 games, after a lousy end to his tenure in Columbus. He played a reasonable amount — 22 percent of his He turned 30 this season, however, and had 10 goals in 51 games. ice time — against elite competition and had a 52 CF% in that scenario. Perhaps buyer beware. He was on the positive side of the Corsi for and expected-goals percentages thresholds during his Devils time, so there Wennberg turns 27 in September and shouldn’t command a lengthy might have been some bad luck there. A short-term deal at a reduced contract. There could be a match here. freight makes sense for the Oilers. Fit: 7/10 Fit: 7/10 Chances of signing: Average Chances of signing: Average David Krejci (2021 cap hit: $7.25 million) Mikael Granlund (2021 cap hit: $3.75 million) He’s like Danault in that he could play up in the lineup — but probably Could the Oilers have another Granlund on the team? The Markus won’t on the Oilers. He had 44 points in 51 games. He just turned 35, so experiment of 2019-20 wasn’t exactly full of noteworthy moments, but his that’s reason to be wary of a sizable deal, but there might be a little gas older brother is a different class of player. left in the tank.

Mikael’s time in Nashville hasn’t been exceptional since the time he was Getting him to leave the Bruins — the only organization he’s ever known acquired at the 2019 trade deadline. But the 29-year-old had an excellent — and at a reduced price, are the even bigger obstacles. showing in the postseason with five points in six games, a timely boost ahead of free agency. Fit: 5.5/10

Fit: 6.5/10 Chances of signing: Very low

Chances of signing: Below average Ryan Getzlaf (2021 cap hit: $8.25 million)

Mike Hoffman (2021 cap hit: $4 million) As with Krejci, don’t let the cap hit scary you. Getzlaf, 36, won’t sign for anything close to that on his next contract. It won’t be a long deal either. All this guy does is put the puck in the back of the net. He has 36, 29 and 17 goals in the last three seasons; don’t forget, the last two were His production fell off a cliff this past season — five goals and 17 points truncated. You have to consider him. in 48 games — but he could provide leadership and stability to the bottom six. Also, like Krejci, Getzlaf is a right-handed centreman with a The Oilers had better do their due diligence, though. Hoffman tends to propensity to win faceoffs. wear out his welcome with teams. It was far from a rosy situation in St. Louis this past season. Could Getzlaf actually leave the American Southwest? It seems highly unlikely, but perhaps the possibility of a Stanley Cup run intrigues him. Two-way hockey is also far from his strength, so Hoffman has to be in the top six or he’ll likely be watching games. This could have Andreas Fit: 5/10 Athanasiou 2.0 written all over it. Chances of signing: Very low

Fit: 4/10 Nick Bjugstad and Nick Bonino (2021 cap hits: $4.1 million)

Chances of signing: Very low They’re evaluated together because they’re both on the Wild and have Middle-six centres the same cap hit. They also play a lot of wing — they’ve been centred by Nico Sturm on a depth line in the playoffs — so they can offer some The Oilers are set at No. 1 centre with you know who. They should be flexibility. good behind him with Draisaitl. At best they could use a 2B centre to give them more cover when Draisaitl plays with McDavid. At worst they need Both will have to take big pay cuts. Bonino is a lefty, is more productive a component pivot (preferably right-handed) who can win draws. They do and is a better faceoff man. He’s also 33 compared with the 28-year-old have to be careful not to block Ryan McLeod’s progress, too. Bjugstad, who’s a righty with more size.

Derek Ryan (2021 cap hit: $3.125 million) Fits: 5/10

Ryan doesn’t have the chops to play in the top six, but he’s a perfectly Chances of signing: Average suitable third-line centre — especially for the Oilers. Brandon Sutter (2021 cap hit: $4.375 million)

He won’t cost a ton, he shoots right, he won 52 percent of his faceoffs He’s an excellent faceoff guy — 55.5 percent in 2021 — and has some this past season, and he played 27 percent of his ice time against elite offensive skill when healthy. competition. (He managed a 58.7 Corsi for percentage in that situation, too.) The former University of Alberta Golden Bear turns 35 and wouldn’t But Sutter’s underlying numbers weren’t good on a poor Canucks team require a long-term deal, so he could support McLeod rather than impede this past season. They weren’t good on a much better Canucks team the him. season before. He’s also 32.

Fit: 9/10 Anything other than offering a low-cost, one-year deal is too much for the Oilers. Probably: Good Fit: 3/10 Phillip Danault (2021 cap hit: $3,083,333) Chances of signing: Very low He’s exactly what the Oilers need in the short term, even if he shoots left. Depth wingers Danault is a Selke Trophy-type pivot who plays on the first line for the Canadiens but would mostly play on the third for the Oilers. McDavid, Production in the bottom six has been a black hole for quite some time. Draisaitl and Danault up the middle would be a scary proposition for The Oilers need more players that can chip in offensively and be tougher other teams to contend with. to play against behind the main-producing forwards.

He’s going to command a healthy raise on what he’s making now. That Joel Armia (2021 cap hit: $2.6 million) would eat into a good chunk of the available cash. Is it worth it for a He hit double digits in goals in the four previous seasons and would have player who’d be more of a depth option on the Oilers? this year had there been 26 more games on the schedule as per usual. Fit: 8/10 Throw in his underlying numbers — 54.5 CF%, 61 GF%, 52.7 xGF% — Chances of signing: Average and the 28-year-old (as of Monday) is exactly the type of player the Oilers could use in their bottom six. His ability to play either wing is a Alexander Wennberg (2021 cap hit: $2.25 million) bonus. Fit: 8.5/10 Fit: 7.5/10

Chances of signing: Above average Chances of signing: Very low

Barclay Goodrow (2021 cap hit: $925,000) Jamie Oleksiak (2021 cap hit: $2,137,500)

Goodrow doesn’t produce a ton of offence — he’s good for high single Oleksiak had an excellent season on a Stars team that barely missed the digits in goals and appropriately 20 points — but he does a lot more than playoffs — 52.6 CF%, 48.4 GF%, 54.1 xGF% — to go along with six that. goals and 14 assists in 56 games.

He’s a pain to play against, and he spent more than a quarter of his time The Oilers could use an upgrade at No. 2 LD and it helps that Oleksiak facing elite competition. He did it well, too, with a 56.2 CF%. He can also played almost 30 percent of his ice time against elite competition and play centre if needed. He’ll likely get a decent pay bump and garner managed a 53.1 Corsi for percentage against them. He turns 29 in interest from many teams. December and could be a solid addition on a short-term deal.

Fit: 8/10 Fit: 7.5/10

Chances of signing: Above average Chances of signing: Average

Nick Foligno (2021 cap hit: $5.5 million) Ryan Murray (2021 cap hit: $4.6 million)

Foligno had seven goals and 20 points in 49 games with Columbus and Murray was asked to do a lot on a bad Devils team, playing 40 percent of Toronto this past season. He can hang in the top six but is probably best his minutes against elites. He fared reasonably well, too, with a 46.9 suited for a third-line role at this stage of his career. That flexibility, Corsi for percentage in that situation — again, on a bad team. combined with his leadership and penalty-killing abilities could help the Oilers. Murray doesn’t bring much offence — he didn’t score a goal all season — but the Oilers wouldn’t need him to do that. He turns 28 in December, Foligno will be 34 in October, has three young children and has played so there should be some good tread left on the tires. his entire career in the Eastern Conference, so there would some life considerations he’d have to make before any big move. Fit: 7/10

Fit: 7/10 Chances of signing: Average

Chances of signing: Average Alec Martinez (2021 cap hit: $4 million)

Jordan Martinook (2021 cap hit: $2 million) At the right price and term, Martinez would be a nice addition to the Oilers defence. They could slot him right behind Nurse on the left side Martinook would provide some grit and versatility to the bottom six and pair him with the defensive-first Larsson (if he re-signs). because he can play all three forward positions. His advanced stats are average, and he doesn’t produce a ton, though. However, they should be wary about giving a long or expensive contract to the soon-to-be 34-year-old. Though Martinez brings offence — nine Fit: 4/10 goals and 32 points in 53 games — and has mostly solid underlying numbers, he did so while only playing just 18 percent of his time against Chances of signing: Low elite competition. His Corsi for percentage dipped to 48.6 in that situation.

Wayne Simmonds (2021 cap hit: $1.5 million) Fit: 6.5/10

The Oilers offered Simmonds a contract two years ago, but he opted to Chances of signing: Below average sign with the Devils instead. 1B goalies He’ll turn 33 this summer but has shown this season with the Leafs that there might be a little bit of game left. Holland said this week that he wants to re-sign 39-year-old goaltender Mike Smith, who was one of Edmonton’s best players this season. But Fit: 4/10 Smith’s age and inconsistency over his career mean the Oilers should Chances of signing: Low have someone capable of taking over in case he falters. These are the free-agent options that fit the bill. Philipp Grubauer and Tuukka Rask are Corey Perry (2021 cap hit: $750,000) excluded since they’re bona fide starters.

Is there a player Oilers fans hate more? Well, he scored nine goals in 49 Linus Ullmark (2021 cap hit: $2.6 million) games this season for barely more than the league minimum. He’s 36, so one-year deals are probably the norm for him now. The Oilers — and The Sabres might have had more of a puncher’s chance this season had their fans — might have to think twice about it. Ullmark not been limited to 20 games due to injury. Ullmark had a .920 save percentage, and his 5.5 goals saved above average ranked 18th in Fit: 4/10 the league.

Chances of signing: Average He’s just 27, too, so there could be an opportunity for him to grow with the Oilers. He could be a hot commodity. Top-four defencemen Fit: 8/10 Oscar Klefbom missed the full season with a shoulder injury, and his status is still uncertain for next season. His replacement, Tyson Barrie, is Chances of signing: Below average a free agent and isn’t expected to return. Adam Larsson needs a new contract. Ethan Bear had an inconsistent sophomore season. It seems Chris Driedger (2021 cap hit: $850,000 million) like the Oilers could use another reliable blueliner, ideally a lefty. His NHL resume isn’t long, but Driedger was excellent during the last two Dougie Hamilton (2021 cap hit: $5.75 million) seasons in Florida (35 appearances). He was especially solid this season with a .927 save percentage and 12 goals saved above average, which Can you imagine a top pair of Hamilton and Darnell Nurse? Wouldn’t that ranked eighth in the league just behind Oilers’ Smith. be something? Like fellow 6-foot-4 goalie Ullmark, Driedger is just 27 — just with less Hamilton is arguably the best player set to hit the open market. He’s NHL time. going to get paid handsomely; the first digit of his contract will probably start with an eight. Hamilton is worth it. Fit: 7.5/10

The Oilers could afford him, but it would hamper their ability to make Chances of signing: Below average other improvements. That alone might deter them from making a serious Jonathan Bernier (2021 cap hit: $3 million) pitch. Bernier stood out on a porous Red Wings team, compiling a .914 save percentage and 4.8 goals saved above average. He’s been a starter or part of a platoon for years now, so he should be capable of stepping in when needed. He’ll be 33 in August and won’t likely require much term.

Fit: 7/10

Chances of signing: Average

Petr Mrazek (2021 cap hit: $3.125 million)

Mrazek was limited to 12 games this season, but his numbers — .923 save percentage and 4.5 goals saved above average — were very good. The 29-year-old is now backing up Alex Nedeljkovic in the playoffs.

Holland knows Mrazek well from their Detroit days when the goalie had his best season, posting a .921 SV% in 54 games in 2015-16. We’re quite removed from that now.

Fit: 6.5/10

Chances of signing: Average

Frederik Andersen (2021 cap hit: $5 million)

This would be step down for Andersen, who spent four previous seasons before this one as the Maple Leafs’ unquestioned starter before losing his job to Jack Campbell.

But Smith isn’t going to play forever, and there could a chance for Andersen to rebuild his career, especially on a multiyear contract. Andersen turns 32 in October.

Fit: 5.5/10

Chances of signing: Below average

Jaroslav Halak (2021 cap hit: $2.25 million)

If the Oilers are looking for a solid veteran, Halak might be the best option out there. He did have a down year with a .905 save percentage compared with .922 and .919 in the previous two seasons. Was that just a blip or, at 36, was that a sign of things to come?

Fit: 5/10

Chances of signing: Below average

Antti Raanta (2021 cap hit: $4.25 million)

Raanta is an effective goalie, even an excellent one, when he’s on his game and healthy. He’s posted save percentages better than .920 in three of the past five seasons. Two of those seasons, 2018-19 and 2021, saw him limited to 12 games each and his play suffered.

It would be a big gamble for the Oilers to put their trust in Raanta, 32.

Fit: 3/10

Chances of signing: Low

James Reimer (2021 cap hit: $3.4 million)

Reimer is a year removed from a .914 save percentage but is probably best suited for a backup role now. That should work for some team out there, but it probably isn’t ideal for the Oilers’ expected situation.

Fit: 3/10

Chances of signing: Low

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214589 Los Angeles Kings

Kings sign Russian winger Vladimir Tkachyov

By ANDREW KNOLL

PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 6:55 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at 7:05 p.m.

The Kings signed Russian winger Vladimir Tkachyov to a one-year contract worth $832,500, General Manager Rob Blake said in a news release Saturday.

Tkachyov, 25, has played with four different clubs in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

Most recently he skated for St. Petersburg SKA, for which he posted 11 goals and 27 assists in 45 games last season. The KHL already completed a full campaign, including the playoffs, during which he had eight points in 11 games. Overall, he has 185 career points in 254 KHL contests. He also competed for Russia’s junior national team at the under-18 and under-20 levels.

The KHL has expanded across borders in Europe and is widely regarded as the world’s second-best hockey league. The Kings have added players from the KHL, including Ilya Kovalchuk and Nikolai Prokhorkin, in recent years with mixed results. However, KHL products such as Artermi Panarin, an undrafted free agent like Tkachyov, and former fifth-round pick Kirill Kaprizov have come to the NHL to instantly transform into franchise cornerstones.

Like Kovalchuk and Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, Tkachyov is a right-shot winger who typically plays the left side. But unlike those two, he is known more for his patience with the puck and playmaking than his goal-scoring prowess. He might not skate as effectively as Kaprizov, but Tkachyov is a similarly well-rounded skater with the hands and dangling ability to turn his mobility into production.

Tkachyov is not unfamiliar with the North American rink dimensions and style of play. He scored 79 points in 66 games across two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before returning to Russia to compete professionally. He nearly signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014, only to have it voided by the NHL due to a technicality.

During the brief period when he was expected to enter Edmonton’s system, he was dubbed “Vladdy Hockey,” a play on the nickname “Johnny Hockey” given to Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau.

In his draft year, 2014, he was once ranked 14th among European skaters by Central scouting but was passed over entirely.

At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Tkachyov has been plagued by questions about his size as well as his defensive ability. But his slight frame and offensive-mindedness did not prevent him from excelling in the KHL, where the ice surfaces vary between three sizes and play has become increasingly structured over time.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214590 Los Angeles Kings

Kings sign forward Vladimir Tkachyov to one-year entry-level contract

By Zach Dooley

The LA Kings announced today that they have signed forward Vladimir Tkachyov to a one-year, entry-level contract worth $925,000 at the NHL level.

Tkachyov is regarded as an offensive, playmaking forward who adds another option to the group of forwards vying for forward positions with the 2021-22 Kings.

The 25-year-old winger joins the Kings organization from SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, where he led his team in scoring during the 2020- 21 season. Tkachyov collected 38 points (11-27-38) from 45 games played, topping the charts in assists and points. Tkachyov also led his team in scoring during the 2019-20 season, with a KHL career-best 42 points, and appeared in the KHL All-Star Game in both 2018 and 2020. In his KHL career, also including time with Ufa Salavat Yulayev, Vladivostok Admiral and Omsk Avangard, Tkachyov tallied 185 points (62-123-185) from 254 games played.

Tkachyov has reached the KHL Conference Finals on two occasions, including the 2020-21 season. He led his team with seven assists during the postseason, as he totaled eight points (1-7-8) from 11 games played.

In his junior career, Tkachyov skated in two seasons in the QMJHL with Moncton and Quebec from 2013-15, collecting 79 total points (26-53-79) from 66 games played. He went on to add 25 points (13-12-25) from 27 postseason games played, as he helped Quebec reach the QMJHL Final in 2015. As the host city that season, they advanced to the where he also tallied three points (0-3=3) in five games, reaching the semi-finals before falling to the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL.

Tkachyov initially agreed to an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014, after he went undrafted earlier that year, but the contract was rejected by the NHL, with the league stating that Tkachyov was ineligible to sign an entry-level contract until 2015. The NHL’s CBA stated that undrafted players from the CHL needed to play a full season in North America in order to be eligible to sign with an NHL club. Tkachyov then returned to Russia to begin his professional career.

Internationally, Tkachyov has represented Russia on the Euro Hockey Tour, and at the Deutschland Cup, as well as in the Jr. Super Series at the youth level.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214591 Minnesota Wild Maybe the Wild will have to rest Parise regularly to get the most out of him. Why not? The regular season matters little. The NHL, unlike baseball, is a playoff sport.

With Zach Parise still viable, Wild has to get ready to make nice And in these playoffs, the Wild scored just 13 goals in a seven-game series against Vegas. Parise, while playing in just four of the games, produced three points -— two goals from his workshop around the net, and one assist on a breakout pass to Fiala that led to a Ryan Hartman MAY 29, 2021 — 9:34PM goal. Jim Souhan @SOUHANSTRIB I'm surprised Parise was so sharp. A year ago, I thought it was time to trade him, but deciding to trade someone and finding the right deal are two different things. Nordy, the Minnesota Wild's mascot, might be out of a job. After watching him against Vegas, I think the Wild is stuck with Parise What this team needs is not a nondescript furball in a Christmas-tree and should find a way to feel good about that. sweater. I'll buy the muffins. What this team needs is an emotional support animal.

Amid all of the optimism the Wild expressed late Friday night after being eliminated from the first round of the Stanley Cup playoff were these two, Star Tribune LOADED: 05.30.2021 telling words:

"Sideshow."

"Stuff."

They were uttered by the Wild's two highest-paid and longest-tenured players, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

By definition, and to borrow another of Suter's words, it's "tough" for a franchise to move on from franchise players.

That movement began in the past year under General Manager Bill Guerin and coach Dean Evason. They reduced Suter's playing time. They benched Parise at the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs. That move was probably justifiable internally and may have been for the good of the franchise but wound up looking self- destructive when Parise became one of the best players in the series upon his return.

So by late Friday, Parise was complaining about the "sideshow" and Suter was complaining about all the "stuff going on around here," and now Guerin and Evason have a problem as they try to stamp their playoff loss as a building exercise rather than a chemistry failure.

Parise and Suter have four years remaining on their contracts. Suter remains a solid player. Parise may have revived his trade value, but he did so while demonstrating what his value could be, again, to this franchise.

What does a hockey expert recommend to right the ship?

I have no idea, but I recommend puppies.

And muffins. And those coffee cooler drinks.

Guerin, Evason, Parise and owner Craig Leipold need to go into a room with caffeine and baked goods and therapy dogs and stay in there until they've figured out how to coexist.

Trading Parise would be difficult and probably damaging to the franchise. So it's time for this group of people to recognize that all over the sports world there are difficult personalities and relationships, and while Parise may be a pain in the rear to management, that rear is always in gear on the ice.

As much as modern sports likes to pretend that every team is a family, a lot of these families are dysfunctional. Here's what the Wild needs to remember: Championship teams are usually dysfunctional, too.

Michael Jordan hated the man who built championship teams around him. The Bronx Zoo Yankees fought one another and won for each other. Anyone who believes that everyone on every winning team loves one another has not spent enough time in a locker room.

Parise probably will never forgive his bosses for embarrassing him, and Evason and Guerin might wish they could wish Parise away, but the last four games of the series produced an inconvenient truth:

Parise, when healthy, can still be one of this team's best players. Combine a productive version of Parise with Kirill Kaprizov, Kevin Fiala, Joel Eriksson Ek and presumably Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi, and next year's Wild team could be the first to win a playoff series since 2015. 1214592 Minnesota Wild No one in the NHL had better scoring balance, a lineup that boasted 17 players with at least 15 points.

Marcus Foligno shined as a two-way specialist. Jordan Greenway took a Young scorers give Wild optimism moving forward leap in his development. Mats Zuccarello clicked with Kaprizov.

Ryan Hartman and Victor Rask became the centers the team tried to sign in the offseason. Nico Sturm was effective in a full-time role. And the By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune versatility of veteran acquisitions Nick Bonino, Marcus Johansson and Nick Bjugstad helped everyone settle into these responsibilities, which MAY 29, 2021 — 9:34PM included a change of scenery for Parise on the fourth line.

"When you can roll third and fourth lines over and not only control play The outcome was the same — another first-round exit from the playoffs and control time of possession but produce and score," defenseman Ian by the Wild, more what-ifs and further disappointment. Cole said, "you're putting yourself and you're putting your team in a really great spot." "They're all brutal," veteran winger Zach Parise said. "Anytime you're eliminated from the postseason, it's not fun." This by-committee approach also extended to the Wild's zone.

But then similarities start to subside. Although Talbot performed like the No. 1 goalie the Wild signed him to be, rookie Kaapo Kahkonen manned the crease when Talbot was In an offbeat season, the Wild was just as unconventional. The team unavailable early in the season and thrived amid the unexpected turned a transitional year into a springboard, a promising performance opportunity. that previewed a way out from setbacks that have become mundane for the franchise. Kahkonen's 16 wins are a rookie single-season record for the Wild, and his nine-game winning streak in February and March is tied for the fifth So, while the seven-game loss to the higher-ranked Golden Knights is a longest by a rookie goalie in NHL history. familiar result, the journey wasn't. And that's why the future could also be different. Together, the two stabilized a position that had been in flux. Especially Talbot. "There's a lot of positives that can be taken from this season," goaltender Cam Talbot said. "I don't think anyone had us pegged to push these guys Brought in as a free agent last offseason on a three-year, $11 million to seven. At the beginning of the year, no one even had us making the contract, he brought a poise between the pipes that complements the playoffs I don't think. Wild's box-out defending. After going 19-8-5 in the regular season, Talbot didn't waver in the playoffs. He's the only Wild goalie to record two "This group, we came together. We got a lot of good young core pieces shutouts in a series and wrapped the playoffs with a .923 save and a lot of good leadership pieces, as well. So, this is a group that can percentage. do something special moving forward." "He's been everything for this group — stopping the puck, leading," The Wild progressed most when it came to the vitals the team has long coach Dean Evason said. "He was absolutely phenomenal in the series needed to succeed: its youth and the offense. and gave us an opportunity to get to Game 7 and gave us a chance to win." After years of being led by veterans, twentysomethings finally seized the torch. And spearheading the takeover was rookie phenom Kirill Kaprizov. In front of Talbot, the defense remained integral to the Wild's identity.

Five years elapsed between the Wild drafting the Russian winger in the First-year captain Jared Spurgeon, Ryan Suter, Jonas Brodin and Matt fifth round and Kaprizov finally signing a contract to make his NHL debut, Dumba continued to solidify a reputable top four, while Cole rounded out a lag that allowed the buzz to build like an urban legend. But Kaprizov a competitive third pair with Carson Soucy. The penalty kill was also in didn't just live up to the hype, he eclipsed it — revitalizing a franchise the top half of the NHL. hungry for a superstar. In the end, the Wild as assembled made sense. Not only did the 24-year-old lead the Wild goals (27) and points (51), but he emerged as the undisputed favorite for the league's Calder Trophy as At 35-16-5, the team finished ninth in the NHL in a compact, 56-game rookie of the year. What's also impressive is he ranked among the likes schedule that featured division-only action during the pandemic — which of Colorado's Mikko Rantanen (30) and Boston's Brad Marchand (29) in affected the Wild, stalling play in February after more half the roster was goals, slotting eighth in the NHL. sidelined by a COVID-19 outbreak.

The last time the Wild had a top-10 goal scorer who was drafted by the Still, the Wild wound up third in the West Division behind Colorado and team was Marian Gaborik in 2007-08. Vegas (the top two teams in the entire league).

"Some things were definitely easier than I thought," Kaprizov said in "Our resiliency and the way the group conducted themselves all year," Russian through a translator. "Some things were definitely more difficult. Evason said, "they should be extremely proud of themselves." Overall, you're never left satisfied. You always want to do better. You Summer to-do list always want to have a better performance. So, overall, I think at the end of the day there is definitely a lot of improvement and things to look The Wild's season officially stopped Friday, with that Game 7 letdown to forward to to improve and get better at." the Golden Knights, but the ending also felt like a beginning.

But Kaprizov wasn't alone in this parade of goals for an offense that was Now it's up to logistics to fulfill that vibe. eighth best in the NHL — despite a lackluster power play and after the Wild was middle-of-the-pack last season. Kaprizov, Fiala and Eriksson Ek are up for new deals, contracts that could eat up the majority of the Wild's budget since all three are coming Winger Kevin Fiala produced another 20-goal campaign, deploying his off strong seasons. The Wild has decisions to make on its crop of UFAs, skillful shot as much as his savvy playmaking ability. And Joel Eriksson which includes the likes of Cole and Bonino. Ek filled the hole at No. 1 center after becoming a juggernaut at both ends of the rink. He combined his trademark stingy defending with a There's also an expansion draft to prepare for, as Seattle gets closer to knack for the back of the net, racking up a career-high 19 goals in a curating its lineup by nabbing a player from every NHL team except breakthrough season that helps alleviate some of the pressure to Vegas. address the center-ice position. A heart-to-heart with Parise is also likely coming to figure out his role "We push each other," Fiala said. "We have high standards." after he was a healthy scratch at times, including to start the playoffs. Parise anticipates the conversation to happen in the offseason. Those three wielded the compasses for the Wild's attack, but the team's depth was its north star. In the meantime, reality lingers. The Wild fell short of a Stanley Cup, and this has happened before — again and again. But maybe, eventually, history will stop repeating itself. The way the team played this year, evolution like that doesn't seem so far-fetched.

"We're a couple of games away from being first in our division," Foligno said. "Stuff like that you have to take in in a positive way and just be angry all summer in a way of wanting to get better. There's no doubt in my mind our team next season will be better."

Star Tribune LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214593 Minnesota Wild "We'll have to figure that out in the coming summer what's going to happen, but I really don't have an answer on that right now," said Parise, who has four seasons left on his deal.

Wild show promise, despite latest one-and-done in playoffs BACK TO NORMAL

Under the previous alignment the NHL has planned to return to next season, the Wild would have finished in second place behind Colorado. By DAVE CAMPBELL Associated Press They would have had home-ice advantage against Nashville, which was eliminated by Carolina in six games. MAY 29, 2021 — 7:13PM Seattle will enter the league for 2021-22, when Arizona moves over to

become the eighth team in the Central Division with Chicago, Colorado, In the end, the Minnesota Wild were left with another early exit from the Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg. playoffs. STILL WAITING Still, this truncated season, while fully enveloped by COVID-19 protocols, The Wild have made the postseason eight times in the last nine years, looked a little bit like a new beginning. but they have not won a series since 2015. Los Angeles is the only other Pivoting further away from the core and identity of the teams of the team in the Western Conference, which covers the Central and Pacific previous seven years, before the advent of the coronavirus and the divisions under the regular alignment, that has gone longer without arrival of Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild entered a new era with the dynamic advancing. The last time the Kings won a series was actually the Stanley Russian left wing at the forefront of their attack. Cup finals in 2014.

The Calder Trophy front-runner, who led all NHL rookies with 27 goals and 51 points, did not disappoint in his long-awaited debut. Kevin Fiala Star Tribune LOADED: 05.30.2021 picked up where he left off before the pandemic pause in 2020 and gave the Wild another proven scorer. Joel Eriksson Ek played like a first-line center, ratcheting up his offense to match his tenacious defense. New goalie Cam Talbot was a decent match with the deep group of defensemen in front of him.

The Wild enjoyed a significant boost from the 56-game schedule that had them only playing opponents in the temporarily reshuffled West Division, with San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim producing three of the league's seven worst records in 2021, but any pad the three California teams provided them in the standings was negated by the presence of Colorado and Vegas at the top.

Pitted in the first round against the Golden Knights, who had the most wins in the NHL, the Wild gave them all they could handle before falling 6-2 in the decisive seventh game of the series on Friday. Injuries caught up with them, with standout defenseman Jonas Brodin departing early and Eriksson Ek and defenseman Ryan Suter playing through pain.

"We all felt like we could beat these guys. Everyone else might think one thing, but the group of guys that we had we felt confident in ourselves," Suter said. "We are pretty disappointed that it's ended the way its has."

ON THE BENCH

Head coach Dean Evason's first full season on the job was an unquestionable success, but he'll need to help the Wild build on this showing and ultimately advance in the playoffs for general manager Bill Guerin to give him another contract. Evason's current deal will expire after next season.

"We got ourselves to a Game 7. We just didn't push through. We need to learn from this experience right now, and we will," Evason said.

CONSTRUCTION SEASON

Guerin has plenty to work on with the roster this summer, starting with a lack of depth at center. He'll have to figure out which players to leave unprotected in the July 21 expansion draft for Seattle. Then there's the matter of managing the salary cap, with Kaprizov, Fiala and Eriksson Ek all needing new contracts as restricted free agents. Veteran forwards Nick Bonino, Nick Bjugstad and Marcus Johansson will all be unrestricted free agents along with defenseman Ian Cole.

PARISE'S UNCERTAIN FUTURE

After playing their first season without longtime captain Mikko Koivu, the Wild appear headed for a split with another lineup fixture in left wing Zach Parise.

Parise, who helped trigger an unprecedented run for the franchise on and off the ice when he and Suter signed identical 13-year, $98 million contracts on July 4, 2012, fell to the fourth line down the stretch of the season and was a healthy scratch for the first three games of the Vegas series.

After reminding the team of his value by tallying two goals and an assist over the last three games, Parise described his benching as "sideshow stuff" in his interview with reporters following Game 7. 1214594 Minnesota Wild "They come at you in waves, so give the other five guys out there a ton of credit battling," goaltender Cam Talbot said. "It's not easy to fill those minutes, and they all did an admirable job [Friday night]. Against a group like that in a building like this, [Brodin's] never an easy guy to replace After 'sideshow stuff' ends, Zach Parise has strong playoff series for Wild that's for sure."

Center Joel Eriksson Ek was also hurt, aggravating an injury from Game 6. By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune Despite leaving the game in the second period, Eriksson Ek continued to MAY 29, 2021 — 8:32PM play.

"You'd like to say if everyone's healthy, we'd be a different team maybe, Zach Parise didn't start the playoffs for the Wild, but the veteran winger possibly," winger Marcus Foligno said. "But it is what it is." finished them as one of the team's offensive leaders. Minor not a major And that turnaround puts the spotlight on where he fits with the Wild in Suter went face-first into the post in the second period after getting the future. shoved from behind by Vegas' Ryan Reaves. "We were all motivated to play a Game 7," Parise said after the Wild was "It wasn't good," Suter said. "Didn't feel good, but that's part of the game. eliminated from the postseason Friday with a 6-2 loss to the Golden Just gotta put it behind you and move on." Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas. "These are special games and opportunities. With all the sideshow stuff that's been going on, yeah, I The Wild was awarded a two-minute power play, with Reaves getting was ready to play from Day 1. Tonight was no different." tagged for interference, but Suter thought a major penalty could have been called. The explanation Evason received on why the penalty didn't After beginning the season in the top-six forward group, Parise slid down escalate had to do with where the infraction happened. the depth chart to the fourth line and then eventually out of the lineup all together. "They can't call it boarding because it's at the net and not the boards," Evason said. "It was pretty violent, obviously. Probably another key He was a healthy scratch for three of the last four games of the regular moment." season and was also idle for Games 1-3 against Vegas. Parise returned in Game 4 when the Wild was forced to make a change after winger Marcus Johansson broke his left arm in Game 3, and Parise debuted on the fourth line. Star Tribune LOADED: 05.30.2021

But once he was promoted to play alongside winger Kevin Fiala and center Ryan Hartman, Parise began to chip in on offense. He scored during the Wild's 4-2 win in Game 5, assisted on the game-deciding goal in Game 6 and then tied Game 7 at 1 late in the first period when he whacked a deflected puck between his legs while his back was to the net. In the end, his two goals and three points tied for the most on the Wild in the playoffs.

"There was never any doubt in my mind that I can play and be an impact player in the series and in these games," Parise said ahead of Game 7.

After the game, Parise said the conversation about his role will "be for a different day.

"We'll see where it goes," he continued. "I don't know. I don't know. We'll have to figure that out in the coming summer what's going to happen, but I really don't have an answer on that right now."

The 36-year-old is under contract for another four seasons, a 13-year, $98 million pact with the Wild that includes a no-movement clause.

"I've got four years left in my deal," Parise said. "That's, I guess, not really up to me at the time. But right now, just disappointed in the outcome of the game."

Brodin hurt

Jonas Brodin played less than two minutes of Game 7 before getting knocked out of the action when the Golden Knights' Nicolas Roy leveled Brodin by the Wild bench, ramming Brodin's left side into the boards.

That left the Wild with just five defensemen for the rest of the night, including rookie Calen Addison who was skating in his third playoff game and making his sixth appearance in the NHL overall.

"You can make up a forward obviously when you've [got] 12 of them," said Wild coach Dean Evason, who didn't know the extent of Brodin's injury after the game. "You've got six guys back there, and it's very difficult. People are playing out of position and playing too many minutes and different minutes. It disrupts obviously.

"Compound that with the guy [out] usually eats up the most minutes and skates like the wind and can get back for pucks and breaks it out and all those things. It was a huge loss for us, no question. But very proud of the five guys that are back there."

In Brodin's absence, Ryan Suter logged a series-high 28 minutes, 50 seconds. Matt Dumba played 28:47. 1214595 Minnesota Wild postseason excitement back to the State of Hockey. That doesn’t happen without Parise.

His most trenchant words on the situation might have come after Game 7 Zach Parise shows he can help a contender — you know, like the Wild in response to a question about Max Pacioretty, the Knights’ regular- season scoring leader who returned from injury on Friday and scored a key goal.

By JOHN SHIPLEY | [email protected] | Pioneer Press “For him to come right in and contribute and deliver,” Parise said, “That was a big addition for them.” PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 5:41 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at 5:42 p.m. Indeed.

On July 4, 2012, the Wild signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to identical Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.30.2021 13-year, $98 million contracts with the firm belief it would win them Minnesota’s first Stanley Cup. It hasn’t worked, and the consensus is that it never will.

But we saw something from the Minnesota Wild, and Parise and Suter, this postseason to believe that maybe, just maybe, that plan comes to fruition in Year 10 of those blockbuster deals. Go figure.

At 36, Suter remains a Top 4 NHL defenseman and played that way all season. Parise, who will turn 37 in July, was scratched for the first three games of the postseason but quickly became a difference-maker with two goals and an assist as the Wild pushed the Vegas Golden Knights to Game 7 on Friday in Las Vegas.

The Wild’s 6-2 loss eliminated them in the first round for the fifth straight time if you count last summer’s play-in series loss to Vancouver — and the NHL does — but this is the best-looking Minnesota team since it took two second-round games from Western Conference champ Chicago in 2014.

Coach Dean Evason stopped playing Parise the last week of the regular season, then scratched him for the first three games of the playoffs. Before that, Evason had taken Parise off the power play, where the left wing had made a living for so many years. So, it seemed Parise was on his way out, despite four years and a no-trade clause left on his deal.

Parise was, in fact, asked Friday if he thought he had just played his last game in Minnesota.

“I’ve got four years left on my deal,” he said. “That’s not really up to me at this time.”

After Marcus Johansson broke his arm in Game 3, Parise was put in the lineup. He scored a go-ahead goal in a 3-2 victory in Game 5 at Las Vegas, had a key assist on the go-ahead goal in a 3-0 victory in Game 6 in St. Paul, and tied Game 7 in the first period, 1-1, with the Wild’s most exciting goal of the series, a no-look reverse scoop between his legs and through Marc-Andre Fleury’s 5 hole.

Once thought too expensive to trade or buy out — he has a $7.5 million cap hit for the next four seasons — Parise suddenly looks like the kind of player a team just a piece or two away from a deep run might be willing to take on.

Some team like, you know, the Wild.

Who knows what’s going on between Parise and the Wild? Maybe Parise wanted to choose his linemates, or play more minutes. Maybe it’s as simple as Evason not liking his game. Whatever it is, it seems serious enough to be an issue. The veteran never criticized the decision to scratch him, but he made it clear he wasn’t happy about it, that he thought he could help.

“I was ready to play from Day 1,” he said Friday.

Because of that cap hit, and because Parise has a no-trade clause, moving him will be nearly impossible. General manager Bill Guerin came close with a deal to the New York Islanders at the 2020 trade deadline but it fell through at the 11th hour. If Parise doesn’t think he’ll play in Minnesota, he’ll likely waive the no-trade, but that’s only half the battle.

The reality is, the Wild only owe Parise a total of $10 million more over the next four years. Forget the cap hit for a moment; that’s the deal the team made and has to live with. Would you sign Parise for $2.5 million a year?

This year’s team did something in the postseason that none of its immediate four predecessors did: Show up. More important, it brought 1214596 Minnesota Wild handful of players with no-movement clauses on the roster, including Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, and Mats Zuccarello. Those players have to be protected no matter what, by rule, unless they agree to waive their no-movement clause. The only reason a Wild GM Bill Guerin has a pivotal offseason ahead of him. Here’s a blue player would agree to do that is if they were confident they wouldn’t be selected in the expansion draft. If the Wild are able to convince some

like, say, Suter, to do that, it would allow them to protect Matt Dumba in By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press the expansion draft. Though there are so many moving parts that go into the expansion draft, it’s safe to assume Guerin will do his due diligence PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 5:23 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at to try to dictate which player he loses. 5:24 p.m. FIGURE OUT ZACH PARISE SAGA

This could get messy. It’s clear Parise is unhappy with the way he was For the first time in recent memory — maybe ever — the Wild bowing out treated down the stretch. He voiced his frustration after the Game 7 loss in the first round of the playoffs doesn’t seem like a ho-hum manifestation to the Golden Knights, and hinted that he wouldn’t be interesting in of the same tired storyline. This truly feels like the beginning of playing a depth role moving forward. The only problem for Parise is he’s something special in St. Paul. under contract through the 2024-25 season, and thus, the Wild are very unlikely to buy him out this offseason. That would put the organization in Sure, the Wild would love to be gearing up for the Colorado Avalanche salary cap hell for the rest of the decade. There’s a chance the Wild right now rather than prepping for exit interviews. A series against the could work out a trade if another team was willing to take on the Stanley Cup favorites would serve as a litmus test for how far the Wild remainder of Parise’s fat 13-year, $98 million contract. Maybe the most have to go to become a legitimate contender. likely scenario is Parise accepts his future as a depth player near the That will come at some point. bottom of the lineup. He proved effective in that role throughout the playoffs and could still make an impact if he’s willing to do it. In the meantime, Wild general manager is about to embark on a pivotal offseason. If the 50-year-old Guerin plays his cards right — and he’s proven more than capable of that throughout his tenure — the Wild could Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.30.2021 be a force to be reckoned with moving forward.

Here’s a blueprint for the next few months.

RE-SIGN KIRILL KAPRIZOV ASAP

This the most important thing of the offseason. Nothing else even comes close. For the first time in franchise history, the Wild have a legitimate superstar on their roster. Kirill Kaprizov took the league by storm as a rookie, scoring 27 goals and tallying 24 assists in the regular season. While the 24-year-old Russian left something to be desired in the playoffs, he’s a generational talent that’s merely scratching the surface in terms of the impact he can have on a nightly basis. Now he’s going to be expensive. There are some people that think Kaprizov ask for a contract with an average annual value in the upwards of $8.5 million. Maybe even more. As steep as that price sounds in the grand scheme of things, Guerin might have to bite the bullet at some point. It’s so important that the Wild sign Kaprizov to a long-term deal. If they don’t, it runs the risk of losing him to a larger market in the prime of his career.

LOCK UP RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Kevin Fiala and Joel Eriksson Ek are restricted free agents this offseason and both will be looking for hefty pay raises. Similar to Kaprizov, it would behoove the Wild to keep Fiala and Eriksson around the Twin Cities for the foreseeable future. They both seem to be foundational pieces in the way they impact the game. Looking specifically at Fiala, though he’s as streaky of a player as there is in the league, he can easily be a 30-goal scorer with some upside as a 40-goal scorer. Then there’s Eriksson Ek, who he might be the best two-way player in the league. He took the next step as an offensive player this season to go along with his dominance as a defensive player. It’s not going to be cheap to lock up both players. But it’s going to be worth it.

DECIDE ON UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

This is where things start to get interesting. There are a number of unrestricted free agents on the roster including Marcus Johansson, Nick Bonino, Nick Bjugstad, and Ian Cole. There’s a world in which the Wild decide not to bring any of those players back. Listening to the way Guerin talks about Bonino and Cole, though, it’s hard to imagine he doesn’t at least try to re-sign both players if the price is right. They bring credibility to the locker room with a couple of Stanley Cups under their belt. They also play a hard game that makes the Wild a much tougher team to play against in both ends. This will come down to money. It also might make sense to bring Bjugstad back if he’s willing to sign for cheap. He’s a versatile player that proved his worth in the postseason.

NAVIGATE EXPANSION DRAFT

It’s a foregone conclusion that the Wild are going to lose a good player to the Seattle Kraken the expansion draft. Which player they lose remains to be seen. Looking at the depth on the current roster, it’s hard to imagine the Wild don’t go the route of protecting seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender. It’s worth noting that there are a 1214597 Minnesota Wild Gilbert’s pitching star teammate at Stillwater, Will Frisch, is 3-0 with a 2.17 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 54 innings as a freshman for Oregon State.

Charley Walters: Danielle Hunter’s contract dispute with Vikings not Former Simley High infielder Michael Busch, 23, who received a signing exactly Aaron Rodgers-like bonus of $2.3 million from the Dodgers two summers ago, last week hit his sixth homer of the season for Class AA Tulsa.

Ex-Twins reliever Trevor May, 31, is 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA for the first- By CHARLEY WALTERS | [email protected] | Pioneer Press place Mets, with 24 strikeouts in 18 innings.

PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 4:44 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at Northwestern grad Erik Bremer, 25, son of longtime Twins TV play-by- 6:02 p.m. play voice Dick Bremer, this season is radio play by play voice for the Washington Nationals’ Class A affiliate Fredericksburg (Va.). This is

Erik’s sixth year of play by play, counting his work in the Cape Cod But what is clear is that the Packers, with Rodgers as this League as well as two seasons calling games in Australia. This is Dick’s season, could be a 13-4 team. Without him, more like 7-10. 38th major league season.

The Vikings with Hunter rushing from the edge this season? Perhaps 10- Dalvin Cook at No. 46, and Adam Thielen at No. 47, are the only Vikings 7. Without him? Try 7-10. among the NFL’s top 50 players in league apparel sales. Ex-Viking Stefan Diggs of Buffalo is No. 50. No. 1 is Tampa Bay’s , No. The Vikings should be able to adjust Hunter’s undervalued contract, 5 the Packers’ Rodgers. considering the NFL has $113 billion — that’s billion, not million — coming in new media deals beginning next year. That was Gophers hockey icon Johnny Mayasich in the Twin Cities last week visiting family before returning to hometown Eveleth. Mayasich, 88, Presumed NHL rookie of the year Kirill Kaprizov is 24 years old. But he plans to continue his curling competition when COVID-19 diminishes. won’t be the oldest NHL rookie of the year. That was another Russian, Sergei Makarov, who was 31 when he won the Calder Trophy with the Among 36 officials working the first round of the NBA playoffs are Ken Calgary Flames in 1990. Mauer from St. Paul and Pat Fraher from Hastings. Mauer, in his 27th playoff season, leads the group with 223 playoffs games worked. Fraher After that, the league adopted the “Makarov Rule,” which states a rookie is in his 13th playoff season. Minnetonka native Eric Dalen is an alternate has to be 26 or under to win the trophy. Makarov, by the way, is most for his first playoff. famous for being the right wing on the Soviet Red Army’s famed KLM line with Igor Larionov and Vladimir Krutov. James Marvel, who struck out four and allowed no earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in Indianapolis’ 6-4 victory over the Saints in St. Paul the other Lead investor in the proposed purchase of the Timberwolves-Lynx from day, is the son of former Minnesota Women’s State Amateur golf Glen Taylor — Marc Lore — according to Forbes has about $500 million champion Julie Gumlia, who with her mother Jody twice won the to put into the $1.5 million deal. Women’s State Four-Ball championship.

Lore’s partner, Alex Rodriguez, has much less, perhaps $100 million. Sports memorabilia collector Corey Nikko of Cloquet has 524 baseballs The NBA’s debt limit is $325 million, making the deal appear somewhat signed by individuals who played for the Twins. By his count, 891 men dubious. have played for the Twins. He’s still got 367 autographed balls to get.

Now comes word from Forbes that Taylor had an all-cash offer to sell the NBA hall of famer Shaq O’Neal has sold his interest in 155 Five Guys Wolves for $1.4 billion, but instead opted to sell to Lore and Rodriguez. hamburger restaurants, Front Office Sports mentioned. Why? Because it would allow Taylor to remain controlling partner for two years. The $1.4 billion cash offer is no longer on the table. Meanwhile, former Gopher Kris Humphries, 36, who spent 16 seasons in the NBA during which he made more than $62 million, and his father, The Twins are averaging 9,402 of their current COVID-allowed 23,700 former Gophers football player William Humphries of Minneapolis, have attendance capacity for games at Target Field. Although there’s been increased their Five Guys franchise ownerships to 10 in Minnesota and some discussion about moving some night games to day games for Wisconsin. They also own three Crisp & Green restaurants. Kris also public safety concerns downtown, that’s not expected to happen. owns a multitude of real estate buildings.

“Clearly, public safety is on the mind of a lot of our fans,” Twins president “One of the first books I ever gave Kris when he was in (Hopkins) high Dave St. Peter said Wednesday. “But the reality of it is we survey our school was ‘The Millionaire Next Door,’/I” William said. fans and talk to fans about how they feel once they come to the games, and upwards of about 95 percent of those fans say they feel safe coming Outfielder Torii Hunter, Jr., 26, son of the former Twins outfielder, is into the ballpark, parking, what have you. batting .176 between Double-A Rocket City and Triple-A Salt Lake with three home runs in 20 games for LA Angels minor league affiliates. “Yeah, there are some real public safety challenges for our downtown. But the perceptions of those challenges are far worse than the reality in After Joe Mauer’s final major league game, the future hall of famer our mind. We have a role; we built a downtown ballpark. It’s not realistic donated his entire three-foot long bag of catching gear for display at to play all day games. We do need to play night games. Target Field.

“And frankly, we’re trying to lead, we’re trying to reinvigorate our Among protocols for the MIAC baseball playoffs were prohibiting downtown. One of the ways we can do that is bringing back large scale sunflower seeds at venues. events like Twins baseball. Employees coming back downtown over the Former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire makes the ceremonial first pitch next several months will be another big part of that. at the St. Cloud Rox opening game on Friday against Duluth. “So we tend to believe that Twins baseball at Target Field remains a very Troy Merritt from Spring Lake Park shot 13-under-par (66 on Saturday, safe endeavor for all fans. And those fans who have chosen to come out 65 on Sunday) in the recent Byron Nelson PGA tournament in Texas, are experiencing that.” earning $263,250. Best Minnesota high school baseball college prospect might be Atwater Besides increasing his season total to $796,926, Merritt advanced 22 Cosmos Grove City left-handed pitcher-outfielder college-uncommitted spots to No. 114 in FedEx Cup standings. The top 125 advance to FedEx senior Josh Kingery, son of former Kansas City Royals outfielder Mike playoffs that begin in August, with first-place prize money of $15 million Kingery. from a total fund of $60 million. Drew Gilbert, the former Stillwater pitcher-outfielder star, is hitting .275 That was Casey Danielson of the noted Osceola, Wis., golfing family with six home in 59 games as a sophomore for No. 4 nationally-ranked winning the other day on the Symetra Tour, the official developmental Tennessee. Pitching, Gilbert hasn’t given up a run in 8 1/3 innings with tour of the LPGA. Danielson ranks sixth on the tour’s money list with eight strikeouts. $36,762 after seven events. The Twins will honor their 1991 World Series champions with a 30th The number of American Legion baseball teams in Minnesota has anniversary on Aug. 14 before their game against Tampa Bay./l reached a record high 372 this year. Except for last year (due to COVID- 19), the Minnesota American Legion has held a state tournament Wild owner Craig Leipold says he has no regrets about the $98 million, annually since 1926. Tournaments this year begin in July at various 13-year contracts he gave to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Those deals locations. each have four years left. Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle is paid nearly $1 million a year “The signing of both Ryan and Zach were great signings; they changed under his current contract, which runs through 2026. Ohio State a.d. our team significantly from both a financial standpoint and from a ticket Gene Smith’s recent new deal that also runs through 2026 is worth $2 sales and culture standpoint,” Leipold said. “I would do the whole thing million annually. over again. It was going to be basically $100 million per player; the longer we made the contract the more you could divide by 100, so that’s The NCAA Women’s Final Four basketball tournament will be April 1 and how we got the cap number to $7.5 million for both of them.” April 3 at , where local fans hope UConn star Paige Bueckers from Hopkins makes it a homecoming. NCAA VP for women’s Does the owner expect both players to play out their contracts? basketball Lynn Holzman will do a Dunkers Zoom meeting about the “I don’t know. That’ll be up to them,” he said. tournament on June 24./l

Research on Wild coach Dean Evason shows that on Jan. 7, 1986, OVERHEARD playing for the against the Calgary Flames, Evason In a four-page Sports Illustrated feature on Prince this week, a junior high scored a hat trick. But he also received a five-minute penalty and 10- school teammate of the late 5-foot-3 musician from Minneapolis, minute misconduct for a fight with Calgary’s Doug Risebrough, who describing his youth basketball skills: “He could dribble, he could shoot, eventually would become the Wild’s GM. and he was quick, classic point guard. I’m telling you, a few more inches There’s buzz now that Kevin Garnett, who is said to be worth more than and, who knows, we might think of Prince as a basketball player, not a $200 million, will be heavily involved in the Timberwolves basketball musician.” department if he joins franchise investors Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore if/when they gain full control in 2023. The word is Garnett, the ex- Timberwolf, wants the franchise to remain in Minnesota but Rodriguez Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.30.2021 wants to move it to Seattle, where he played for seven seasons.

Full NHL playoff shares for Wild players losing in seven games to Las Vegas could amount to about $15,000 apiece.

New Utah men’s basketball coach Craig Smith, who was a serious candidate for the Gophers job that went to Ben Johnson, is highly involved with 6-8 Steffon Mitchell, the former Shakopee star who is transferring from Boston College.

The Twins’ playoff odds dropped from 64 percent before the season to nine percent on Friday, according to fivethirtyeight.com statistical analysis, which projects the team to finish with a 77-85 record and six percent chance to win their division.

Wei-Long Hsu last weekend received a check for $195,000 for winning the LPGA Pure Silk Championship. At the same time, Tim Mickelson, who caddied for brother Phil in winning the PGA Championship, is expected to get more than $200,000 from Phil’s $2.16 million prize.

Members of Southview Country Club raised more than $10,000 to help defray expenses for their 17-year-old Isabella McCauley’s competition in the U.S. Women’s Open golf championship this week at the posh Olympic Club in San Francisco. Other Twin Cities clubs, including Minneapolis, North Oaks and Minikahda, with layouts similar to that of the Olympic Club contributed their courses for practice.

McCauley, who left for San Francisco on Saturday, is scheduled to play practice rounds at Olympic with Sarah Burnham on Monday and Amy Olson on Tuesday of the LPGA Tour.

With Troy Vincent apparently pulling out of consideration, it looks like Sean Frazier, who was Barry Alvarez’s deputy a.d. at Wisconsin before taking the a.d. job at Northern Illinois, is frontrunner to succeed Alvarez as a.d. at Wisconsin.

Among those rumored for the job is former Gophers interim a.d. Beth Goetz, the a.d. at Ball State.

No doubt fiery late would have gone ballistic over granddaughter Oliva Paradise and her University of St. Thomas women’s tennis team’s program elimination by the school, which could lead to a Title IX lawsuit if not reinstated.

Meanwhile, the university is in the midst of hiring some 40 assorted athletics assistants for its move to Division I.

Bud Grant, 94, who says he’s been associated with athletics for 77 years, has a video out promoting reinstatement of the Gophers men’s tennis program, which is being eliminated for so-called budget reasons.

Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson, 35, with a guaranteed $92 million, four-year contract, is batting .227 in 38 games. 1214598 Minnesota Wild

Wild veteran Zach Parise laments ‘sideshow stuff’ from this season

By DANE MIZUTANI | [email protected] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: May 29, 2021 at 3:07 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2021 at 8:13 p.m.

There’s a legitimate argument to be made that veteran winger Zach Parise was the most impactful player on the Wild throughout the first- round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. At least when he was on the ice.

The 36-year-old Parise spent the early portion of the postseason as a healthy scratch, only drawing into the lineup after fellow winger Marcus Johansson broke his arm. Though he was rather ineffective in his return to the lineup in Game 4, Parise scored a game-changing goal in Game 5, added an important score in Game 6, and netted a ridiculous goal in Game 7.

That type of production was anecdotal proof of the player Parise still believes he can be. It’s unclear if the Wild feel the same way about the longtime face of the franchise.

As much as Parise proved his worth in the postseason, it’s clear the Wild see him as a depth player at this point in his career. He fell out of coach Dean Evason’s rotation as the regular season progressed and eventually started to sit out as a healthy scratch.

Asked about his motivation level heading into a must-win Game 7 on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena, Parise lamented the “sideshow stuff” that became a story late in the regular season. He clearly feels jilted by the way he was treated down the stretch.

Would he accept a reduced role moving forward?

“That conversation is going to be for a different day,” Parise said. “We will see where it goes. I don’t know. We will have to figure that out in the summer. Just what’s going to happen. I really don’t have an answer on that right now.”

While some think Parise might’ve played his last game in a Wild sweater, it’s worth noting that his 13-year, $98 million contract doesn’t expire until after the 2024-25 season. Does he think he will be in the Twin Cities next season?

“I’ve got four years left in my deal,” Parise said. “That’s, I guess, not really up to me.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214599 Montreal Canadiens Marner also panicked and flipped a puck over the glass and was called for delay of game, which gave the Canadiens the 5-on-3 advantage that led to their second score.

Habs give boisterous Montreal crowd reason to cheer with 3-2 overtime “A dumb play,” Marner said. win against Maple Leafs Nobody would argue.

After losing the opening game in the series, the Maple Leafs won three in Marty Klinkenberg a row. They have now frittered away the overwhelming advantage that they had. 5/30/2021 “You work hard to give yourself a crack at putting a team away,” Nick Foligno, the Toronto centre, said. “We’re coming up on three chances now. Tyler Toffoli (73) of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal after scoring on Jack Campbell (36) of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the “We’ve come back and come back in the last two games. At some point, third period in Game 6 of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs we’ll come through. It is time for the clichés to stop. It is Game 7, and at the on May 29, 2021, in Montreal. The Montreal Canadiens time to put everything on the line.” are the first NHL Canadian team to host 2,500 fans since the COVID-19 pandemic. Price put on a masterful performance in the Canadiens net, stopping all but two of the 43 shots he faced. Jack Campbell was also excelled for The Maple Leafs squandered another opportunity at putting away the Toronto, stopping 31 of 34. Canadiens on Saturday night, and now must win on Monday to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montreal won in Facing elimination in Game 5, the Canadiens came out with urgency and overtime 3-2 to force a seventh and deciding game in the first-round built a 2-0 lead 8:18 into the first period on goals by forward Joel Armia. series between the ’s oldest rivals. With its They got ahead again, even though the Maple Leafs players said they second-straight loss in sudden death, Toronto has now lost six straight realized they needed a better start. chances to close out a postseason series since 2018. The last time the “That is unacceptable this time of year,” Foligno said. “It is something we Maple Leafs won one was in 2004. have to rectify.” Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored the winning goal, with 4 minutes 45 seconds This series is the first between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens in the left in the first extra period. The team that wins on Monday will play the playoffs since 1979. Winnipeg Jets in the next round. Toronto captured their first division title since 1999-2000, but none of that The only Game 7 to date between Toronto and Montreal came in the matters now. 1964 semifinals, when Dave Keon scored all three Maple Leafs goals in a winner-take-all showdown en route to hoisting the Stanley Cup. “It is frustrating losing the game, but I like the way we battled back,” Matthews said. “We had plenty of chances. We just didn’t get it done.” Fans were on hand for hockey in Canada for the first time in more than 14 months and created a jubilant ruckus throughout. With a curfew in Matthews gave kudos to the boisterous crowd. Montreal lifted only a day earlier, a celebration of both freedom and hockey unfolded at the Bell Centre. “We haven’t seen fans in more than a year,” he said. “It definitely brings a different dynamic. It was an awesome atmosphere.” Although the crowd was limited to just 2,500 people, it sounded much louder. Fans stood and roared when Carey Price, the Canadiens Toronto has one more chance. It will be its seventh since 2018. goaltender, led the home team onto the ice. They sang “” “We’d like to rewrite that script,” Matthews said. lustily in two languages and one voice. They waved white towels and booed when Auston Matthews, the Toronto star, touched the puck.

Especially early on, the cacophony seemed to boost their beloved Les Globe And Mail LOADED: 05.30.2021 Habitants.

Montreal deluged Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell with pucks, and at one point had a 10-0 lead in shots. Campbell stopped numerous dangerous chances, including attempts from in close by Phillip Danault and Tyler Toffoli, and a breakaway by Nick Suzuki. The latter beat Campbell with the overtime winner in Game 5.

At the other end, Price was just as good. In the final minute and a half of the first period, he made difficult saves on Mitch Marner and Nick Foligno, who returned to the lineup after missing three games with an undisclosed injury.

As the teams went to their dressing rooms for the first intermission, a chant of “Carey, Carey, Carey” washed over the arena. After so long, such a sweet sound.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jason Spezza (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Montreal Canadiens during third period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Montreal on May 29, 2021.

The game was scoreless through the first 40 minutes, and then the Canadiens jumped on top 2-0 in the third period on power-play goals by Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli. Just as they did in Thursday’s defeat, the Maple Leafs battled back and tied it late. This time it was Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie that did the damage for Toronto. Brodie had scored just once in 56 regular-season games.

Matthews, who led the NHL with 41 goals, has just one in six this postseason. Marner has yet to score in the series, and has now gone 16 consecutive playoff games without goal.

“We have to be better in these situations,” Marner said. 1214600 Montreal Canadiens “I think we’ve done a lot of really good things,” Matthews said. “Maybe it hasn’t showed up in the scoresheet. Obviously, we’d like to see those pucks go in.”

Leafs have one remaining opportunity to end past playoff failures Keefe was more succinct in discussing the line’s hardships. “I thought they worked really hard,” he said. “Obviously, they didn’t get enough done.”

Herb Zurkowsky • Montreal Gazette While the Leafs are a bruised and battered lot at this stage, the players to a man disputed the notion doubts, or a lack of confidence, are beginning Publishing date: May 30, 2021 to fester following two squandered opportunities to end the series.

“That last 10 minutes shows we don’t quit,” Campbell said. “We have Twice now the Toronto Maple Leafs have failed to put the Canadiens adversity. It doesn’t matter who’s in or out of our lineup — we believe in away in their North Division series. each other. We have great leadership. We’ll be ready to go.

Twice the team that finished first in the division fell behind, battled back, “The team’s disappointed for sure,” he added. “We played well enough to sent the game to overtime and ended up losing. And now, the questions get it done. The (Canadiens) are a resilient team. They’re not going down will begin again for a team that has failed to win a playoff round since easy.” 2004 and has repeatedly squandered opportunities to end series over the One thing’s certain: The Winnipeg Jets are enjoying every minute of this. years. The Jets will meet the winner, after sweeping Edmonton in the opening- “We’ve been on the other end of the stick in these do or die games,” round, and undoubtedly hope Monday’s game goes into overtime again. Leafs centre Auston Matthews said. “We obviously would like to rewrite that script. We have a great opportunity come Monday. We’ll be ready to go.” Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.30.2021 This best-of-seven series is headed to a deciding game on Monday night at Toronto’s following the Canadiens’ 3-2 overtime victory Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored the winning goal at 15:15 on only Montreal’s second shot of the extra session after Toronto overcame a two-goal deficit with third-period scores from Jason Spezza at 11:35 and defenceman T.J. Brodie at 16:49.

While there’s no doubt the 2,500 spectators in attendance — the first time fans were permitted into the building since March 11, 2020 — provided the Canadiens with impetus to begin the game, it proved largely insignificant considering no goals were scored through two periods.

Instead, the Canadiens took a 2-0 lead in the third on goals within 1:17 from Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli.

Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe challenged the opening score, believing Toffoli had interfered with goaltender Jack Campbell, impeding his ability to regain his position and leaving Perry with an open net.

The challenge was overturned, leading to an automatic minor penalty. Then, after Mitch Marner sent the puck into the crowd and received a delay-of-game minor, the visitors were two-men short for 1:41. Toffoli subsequently scored.

Keefe admitted the challenge was a long shot. What he couldn’t have anticipated, of course, was the Marner penalty.

“We felt it was worthy of a challenge,” Keefe said. “There was some precedent there, with Toffoli standing in the crease. We thought, given what was happening in the game, the significance of the goal, we thought in the moment it was worthy of a challenge. We had the confidence in our penalty-kill if we needed to get it done, like it has all series.

“Obviously, it ended up being a 5-on-3.”

This was the second consecutive overtime loss for the Leafs when they appeared to have all the momentum heading into the extra session. The Canadiens have now won two straight after the Leafs captured consecutive games in Montreal. And, while the deciding game will be played in Toronto — without spectators — the Canadiens already have won twice there.

“The games have gotten harder,” Keefe admitted. “Montreal has played better and we haven’t dealt with it well.”

While Matthews registered a team-high seven shots in slightly more than 30 minutes’ ice time, he had nothing to show for his efforts. The NHL leader this season with 41 goals, he has been held to one goal through six games, along with three assists, and hasn’t beaten Carey Price since the second game.

Matthews’ linemates, Marner and Zach Hyman, also have struggled. Marner has four assists; Hyman, one goal. 1214601 Montreal Canadiens There were no goals in the second period, either. Corey Perry finally opened the scoring for the Canadiens at 5:26 of the

third period on a power play, followed by another power-play goal by Stu Cowan: A night to remember as Canadiens beat Leafs in OT Toffoli at 6:43 and it sounded like there were about 10,000 fans in the building.

But the Leafs battled back and got goals from Jason Spezza and TJ Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette Brodie to force overtime.

Publishing date: May 30, 2021 For Toffoli, it was his first time playing in front of fans at the Bell Centre as a member of the Canadiens.

“I dreamed of scoring in front of 20,000 fans, not 2,500,” he said. “But it Oh, what a night! was really cool. It was just a great experience. A huge game for us. For those who could afford the crazy prices on the ticket resale market to Obviously, we needed to win and we all came to play.” be among the 2,500 fans at the Bell Centre Saturday night for Game 6 of The Canadiens looked like they were running out of gas in overtime — this first-round playoff series between the Canadiens and Toronto Maple especially top-four defencemen Shea Weber, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry and Leafs you couldn’t have asked for a more entertaining hockey game. Joel Edmundson — and the Leafs were outshooting them 13-1 in the Hopefully your heart was up to the task. extra period. But Carey Price was Playoff Carey Price, making 41 saves in the game. Then Paul Byron stole the puck just inside the Toronto blue Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored at 15:15 of overtime to give the Canadiens a line and fed Kotkaniemi with a pass and the Canadiens’ second shot in 3-2 win after they had blown a 2-0 third-period lead to force Game 7 OT went in. Monday in Toronto (7 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). “It’s pretty unbelievable,” Kotkaniemi said after the game. “I actually just started to think … it’s probably my first-ever OT goal. It’s pretty After being announced as the first star of the game, the fans cheered remarkable. It was a great feeling, especially when the fans are in the wildly for Kotkaniemi and he applauded back at them. stands. It just gives you little goosebumps. It’s just an unbelievable feeling. Hard to describe.” It was the perfect ending to a night Montrealers will probably never forget as fans returned to the Bell Centre for the first time since the start of It was definitely a night to remember that ended with the Canadiens COVID-19. The light at the end of the pandemic tunnel seemed to get a players all standing at centre ice and holding their sticks up high to salute little brighter. the fans.

Forty-five minutes before the game, the cheapest seat available on the It might not be the last time fans get to see them at the Bell Centre this Ticketmaster website was $955.90 and the most expensive was $4,840. season. Sportsnet tweeted out a photo of a young fan wearing a Canadiens sweater on a Montreal terrasse in the afternoon holding a sign that said: “Sorry Mom I sold my little brother to be here!” Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.30.2021 But whatever price fans paid — season-ticket holders were able to purchase tickets for $190, $260 or $330 before they hit the resale market — they were pumped with excitement before the game even started, cheering and waving the white CH towels they were given.

The first “Go Habs Go!” chant started shortly before the Canadiens hit the ice for the pregame warmup and there were loud boos when the Leafs came out. There were some fans wearing Leafs sweaters, but you couldn’t hear them.

When it was time for the national anthem, longtime Bell Centre organist Diane Bibeau started to play O Canada and then stopped, allowing the fans to sing it unrehearsed all by themselves the rest of the way — in both official languages.

It might have upset Quebec Premier François Legault and those offended by hearing someone say “Bonjour/Hi” but it really was beautiful — as Montreal as a two-cheek kiss.

Hopefully, some day soon we can actually give two-cheek kisses again. Some Canadiens fans might have already done it after Kotkaniemi’s goal.

“It was pretty cool going out for warmup and seeing the towels going,” the Canadiens’ Tyler Toffoli said after the game. “They were fired up and they definitely gave us that emotion to start the game.

“It was great having the fans back in the building,” he added. “They’re obviously really excited. They’ve been through a lot … we’ve all been through a lot. So for everybody who got the opportunity tonight we’re very grateful and they definitely helped us get that win tonight.”

The Canadiens were definitely fired up by the fans to start the game and outshot the Leafs 8-0 in the first four minutes, but couldn’t beat goalie Jack Campbell.

The Canadiens continued to dominate for most of the first period and when the team tweeted out a video of Jeff Petry’s two young boys cheering in the stands with their mother you couldn’t help but wish the defenceman would open the scoring.

Montreal outshot Toronto 15-9 in the first period, but the score was still 0- 0 and you wondered how much longer it might be before the fans started to lose their voices and also if the Canadiens would ever score a goal. 1214602 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.30.2021

In the Habs' Room: Kotkaniemi saves the day, but bows to Carey Price

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: May 30, 2021

Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored the biggest goal of his career, but the Canadiens will be battling the Maple Leafs on Monday for a spot in the North Division final because Carey Price did what he does best.

Price made 13 saves of his 41 saves in overtime Saturday as Montreal defeated Toronto 3-2 to deadlock the best-of-seven division semifinal 3- 3.

“Without him, we wouldn’t be here now,” Kotkaniemi said. “He saved my ass more than once today, so I’m thankful. I think everyone can see he’s carrying our team and making the big save every time.”

“I thought Price played unbelievable and gave us a chance, especially in the overtime, (when) they were pushing,” said captain Shea Weber.

It was the seventh consecutive loss for the Leafs in a series-clinching game, but Weber wouldn’t speculate about whether Montreal had created some doubt among the Leafs.

“We’re not really thinking about that,” Weber said. “We’re thinking about giving ourselves a chance to win the series.”

Weber said the Canadiens received a boost from the 2,500 fans in attendance at the Bell Centre. They were the first spectators in a Canadian NHL rink in 444 days.

“We could hear them before the game and, going out for warmup, we had chills again,” Weber said. “It was unbelievable. It felt like a lot more than 2,500 people, it was amazing. I can’t imagine what 20,000 people would be like because that was electric.”

Coach Dominique Ducharme said he felt his team played enough to win this game in regulation.

“For the first three periods, I don’t think we had too many lows,” Ducharme said. “I thought we had good offensive zone time, really good chances in the first period when we could have had two or three goals. We were really dynamic.”

Ducharme said he was pleased the Canadiens held their own in the second period because that’s when things fell apart for the Canadiens in Games 2, 3 and 4.

Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli produced Montreal’s first two power-play goals of the series and Ducharme noted the two goals the Leafs scored to tie the game were both the result of unlucky bounces. The first was deflected off Jeff Petry’s stick and the second changed direction after hitting Petry’s skate.

Phil Danault’s line did another good job keeping Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in check. This was the fourth time in six games that Marner has failed to earn a point.

The game represented a breakthrough for rookie Jake Evans, who missed four games after suffering an injury in Game 1. He replaced Tomas Tatar on the line with Danault and Brendan Gallagher and turned in a strong two-way effort. Evans was on the ice for 23:05 and the only forward with more ice time was Danault at 23:56.

When asked why he had confidence in Evans, who was a seventh-round pick before heading to a successful U.S. college career at Notre Dame, Ducharme said: “The way he skates, the way he battles in situations. He plays hard. He can do a little of everything. We’re not just trying to play defence. You need some offensive zone time, force (the Leafs) to play defence and that line had some good moments, forcing them to defend.”

Speaking of defence, Ducharme shortened his bench and went with his top four defencemen for most of the game and they played monster minutes.

Weber led the way wth 37:07 of ice time, followed by Ben Chiarot (35:20), Petry (34:51) and Joel Edmundson (28:30). 1214603 Montreal Canadiens

Kotkaniemi forces Game 7 in Toronto with OT winner

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date: May 29, 2021

Jesperi Kotkaniemi provided the 2,500 fans at the Bell Centre with something to remember as he scored at 15:15 of overtime to give the Canadiens a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It was the only second shot of the period for the Canadiens who leaned on Carey Price, who made 13 of his 41 saves in overtime.

The win tied the best-of-seven North Division semifinal at 3-3 with the seventh and deciding game scheduled for Monday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Toronto defenceman T.J. Brodie sent the game into overtime when he got the bounce at 16:49 of the third period. His shot deflected off Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry and Price was unable to react.

Montreal took a 2-0 lead earlier in the third period when the power play came to life.

The Canadiens’ power play was 0-for-15 in the series when veteran Corey Perry tapped in a loose puck at 5:26 to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.

Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe decided to challenge the goal for goaltender interference, but the replay showed while Tyler Toffoli was in the crease, he didn’t make contact wth Toronto goaltender Jack Campbell, who was sprawled at the side of the crease and made no attempt to regain his position.

The failed challenge gave the Canadiens another power play and it became a 5-on-3 advantage when Mitch Marner shot the puck over the glass. That provided an opportunity for Toffoli to end a nine-game goal- scoring drought. Petry picked up an assist on the goal and it was the first point for a Montreal defenceman in the series.

The Canadiens had a torrid start as they outshot the Leafs 8-0 over the first four minutes, a number which is even more impressive because the Leafs were on the power play for two of those minutes. Campbell had to be sharp as Nick Suzuki, Toffoli and Kotkaniemi all had scoring chances early in the game and he foiled Suzuki on a breakaway midway though the period.

The second period ended with the teams tied 0-0, but Montreal had the best scoring chances.

Cole Caufield hit a crossbar early in the period and Campbell got some help from defenceman Jake Muzzin when the Canadiens had a 3-on-1 break coming out of a penalty kill. Muzzin did a good job of cutting off the pass and Toffoli’s only option was to keep the puck and shoot off the right wing and Campbell made the save.

Later in the period, Petry found Eric Staal cutting to the net on a 2-on-1 advantage, but again Campbell was able to make the save.

Muzzin went to the dressing room midway through the second period with what appeared to be a groin injury and he didn’t return.

Each team made lineup changes as they welcomed back injured players.

Jake Evans, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 1, replaced veteran Tomas Tatar and played as the left winger on a line with Phil Danault and Brendan Gallagher. Tatar has gone 17 games without a goal and has only three assists in that stretch, including one in the playoffs.

Nick Foligno was back in the Leafs’ lineup after missing three games with a lower-body injury.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214604 Montreal Canadiens The all-caps headline in the New York Post the day of the game was: “WE’LL WIN TONIGHT”.

Messier then went out and scored three goals in a 4-2 Game 6 victory Canadiens Game Day: 'The people deserve this,' Brendan Gallagher over the Devils and the Rangers won Game 7 by a 2-1 score in OT says before going on to win the Stanley Cup.

Gallagher wasn’t ready to guarantee a Game 6 Canadiens victory on Saturday morning. Stu Cowan • Montreal Gazette “Nothing’s a guarantee,” Gallagher said. “I don’t think you’re going to get Publishing date: May 29, 2021 a Mark Messier quote from me. But you know, I’ve said it all year, no matter what the script’s gone from — and I wouldn’t lie to you guys —

belief has never been an issue. We’ve had some issues that we’ve been There will be 2,500 fans at the Bell Centre Saturday night when the able to sort out along the way, but the belief in this locker room will Canadiens face the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 of their first-round always be there. playoff series (7:30 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio). “When the puck drops, we believe that if every guy shows up, The Maple Leafs lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 with the Canadiens accountable to one another, and that’s where it comes from,” Gallagher facing elimination for the second straight game after winning Game 5 added. “So we show up at the game tonight with the same mentality we Thursday night in Toronto 4-3 in overtime. had last game — simplify it, really try to block out all the other things that could be going on inside your mind and win a hockey game. We’ve all Because of COVID-19, Saturday’s game will mark the first time since done it our whole lives, we know what goes into it. Do whatever it takes March 10 of last year — when the Canadiens lost 4-2 to the Nashville and find a way to survive one more day.” Predators — that fans will be allowed in the Bell Centre. Gallagher said a key for the Canadiens will be to stay out of the penalty An overnight COVID-19 curfew in Montreal that began on Jan. 9 was box like they did in Game 5, when both teams went 0-for-1 on the power lifted on Friday and terrasses were allowed to reopen, bringing some life play. back to the city ahead of Game 6. “We enjoyed the fact that the game was decided five-on-five,” Gallagher “I’m just really happy for Montrealers, Quebecers in general,” the said. “I think that’s the way we’re going to have success. Even Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher said after Saturday’s morning skate at the sometimes when we’re killing off the penalties it just allows their top guys Bell Sports Complex in Brossard. “I think the pandemic hit the people to feel the puck and be comfortable. So we were happy with the way the here as hard as anyone in our country. The people deserve this. I think game was called. Obviously, I think (the referees) kind of let them play they were disciplined, they listened to what was being asked of them. both sides and for us to continue to play that way, keep the penalties at a These are rewards that were earned. So I’m glad that the people are able minimum, play that five-on-five game, keep rolling. It seems like as that to get out and you can sense the excitement from our fans. Hopefully we game went on we were able to feel a little bit more comfortable and, can find a way to put on a show here tonight and reward them with a win obviously, we had a great start. Each game’s going to take on a new because we’re definitely excited to get them back in the building. mentality here and just do whatever it takes to survive that one more day.” “You watch the other sporting events going on around the world it is unfortunate that we’re a little bit behind them because you see the The Canadiens are 0-for-14 on the power play in this series, while the excitement,” Gallagher added. “As a player, it really makes you miss Leafs are 3-for-17 (17.7 per cent). those opportunities. So we’re getting closer and closer to it. Hopefully we can continue to win some hockey games here and get to that end result The kids are all right that you see happening around the league and in other sports right now.” The Canadiens got big contributions from Suzuki and fellow youngsters If the Canadiens win Saturday, Game 7 will be Monday night in Toronto. Cole Caufield and Jesperi Kotkaniemi in Game 5. Caufield assisted on Suzuki’s OT goal, while Kotkaniemi scored his second goal of the series Tatar made healthy scratch in the second period.

After Saturday’s morning skate Canadiens head coach Dominique “They’re kids, but I hope they understand how important they are to our Ducharme said Jake Evans, who had missed the previous four games group and we rely on them,” Gallagher said. “I’m pretty confident that with an undisclosed injury, would be a game-time decision. they have that mentality and they understand that it doesn’t matter the situation you’re in, this is playoff hockey. If you’re on the ice there’s a lot Evans took part in the pregame warmup and was ready to go. He will of trust and accountability being put into you to get the job done and take Tomas Tatar’s spot at left wing on a line with Phillip Danault and they’re stepping up for us and that’s huge. Brendan Gallagher. “Especially at a young age, it’s not the easiest thing to do,” Gallagher Defenceman Brett Kulak will also be in the lineup, taking the place of Jon added. “Sometimes you’re going to defer to older players, more Merrill, who was injured in Game 5. Ducharme said Merrill would be out experienced players. But for them to be able to step up and take on that for at least a week if the Canadiens advance in the playoffs. challenge is what we need and they’ve done a good job of it.” “He’s a big part of our team,” Gallagher said about Evans. “I think you “This group loves being with each other and we want to continue on and saw down the stretch him being in the lineup how much he helps us. He move along to the next phase here. That’s the motivation.” brings a speed aspect to the game, he’s a smart player. He’s able to chip in on the offensive side a little bit more than he’s probably given credit to. Perry happy to be a Hab Right now, I think he’s taken on a lot of defensive responsibility, but when he gets the puck on his stick he’s able to make plays and make things Veteran forward Corey Perry was excited after signing a one-year, happen and create offence at the other end as well. US$750,000 contract with the Canadiens last December as a free agent.

“I talked the other day about in order to play in the league nowadays you “This opportunity came up and it’s something that I didn’t want to turn have to be able to do it all,” Gallagher added. “You can’t just be an down,” Perry said at the time. “I’ve always wanted to play in a Canadian offensive guy or be a defensive guy. I think the more and more you watch city and growing up Montreal was my favourite team, being so close to Jake the more you’ll see that he’s able to chip in on both ends of the ice.” the border in Northern . This is exciting for me. It’s a new chapter and looking forward to it.” No guaranteed win After Saturday’s morning skate, Perry was asked if this season has been Heading into Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference final against the everything he thought it would be. New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers captain Mark Messier guaranteed his team would win and avoid elimination. “Oh, for sure — and more,” he said. “It’s a special, special place to play hockey. Especially you get to the playoffs and you’re playing in the “We know we are going to go in there and win Game 6 and bring it back playoffs and now we get to play in front of our fans. So it’s definitely to the Garden,” Messier said. exciting and relishing this opportunity.” After Game 5, Suzuki spoke about how Perry and fellow veteran Eric Staal had addressed the team during a meeting the day before the game.

“I think what was said it definitely resonated with some guys and with most of the group,” Perry said when asked about the team meeting. “Everybody’s been through things. It’s just different opportunities during the year when it’s time to say something, it’s time to not. Shea (Weber) was another guy that said something as well. I think everything’s been said. You just go out and now you just have to play hockey.”

When asked what he likes about playing in an elimination game, Perry said it’s the pressure.

“Who’s going to be that guy to step up on that night?” he said. “That’s when big moments are made and people don’t forget those moments. It’s just hockey, but it’s exciting. To have another chance to play another game, you got to lay it on the line.”

The dynamic duo

The Canadiens did a good job of shutting down the Leafs’ dynamic duo of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner through the first five games. Matthews had only one goal and three assists, while Marner had no goals and four assists.

Gallagher’s line, with Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar, has been matched up against the line of Matthews, Marner and Zach Hyman.

“That line specifically, I think when you talk about Matthews and Marner, they do such a good job of holding on to the puck, maybe better than any other line,” Gallagher said. “So when they have it, they really don’t want to give it back. They don’t waste shots, they don’t waste opportunities, they try to wheel around. At the start of the shift, especially, if you allow them to start with the puck there’s not a very high chance you’re going to get it back. You’re probably going to be in defend mode.

“So to limit their time and space early and often and don’t let them get into that cycle situation where they feel comfortable and they’re wheeling around in our offensive zone is always important,” Gallagher added. “They’re one of the best at it. Those two, specifically, work so well together. They get their Ds activated, they get involved, so in order to play in the offensive zone is where, obviously, they have the least chance to score. But you have to do that early on and make sure you start the shift and hopefully have the puck and make sure that you’re kind of doing the same thing and holding on to it and not giving them that offensive zone time because once they have it they’re not giving it up.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214605 Montreal Canadiens played big roles in his reaching the NHL. They recount how they lived that moment.

2021 NHL Playoffs: North Division finals schedule, TV channel, games, The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 scores, guide to the second-round series

By The Athletic NHL Staff

May 30, 2021

In this North Division matchup in the second round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, the No. 3 Winnipeg Jets are facing the winner of Monday night’s Game 7 between the No. 4 Montreal Canadiens and No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs. For more on the playoffs, check out The Athletic’s second-round predictions, daily chances, odds and betting guide and complete NHL coverage.

Schedule/TV/results

If Toronto wins Game 7:

Game 1: at Toronto, Wednesday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 2: at Toronto, Friday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, USA)

Game 3: at Winnipeg, Sunday, June 6, 6 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 4: at Winnipeg, Monday, June 7, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 5*: at Toronto, Wednesday, June 9, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 6*: at Winnipeg, Friday, June 11, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 7*: at Toronto, Sunday, June 13, time TBD (TV TBD)

(* – if necessary)

If Montreal wins Game 7:

Game 1: at Winnipeg, Wednesday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 2: at Winnipeg, Friday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, USA)

Game 3: at Montreal, Sunday, June 6, 6 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 4: at Montreal, Monday, June 7, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 5*: at Winnipeg, Wednesday, June 9, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 6*: at Montreal, Friday, June 11, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 7*: at Winnipeg, Sunday, June 13, time TBD (TV TBD)

(* – if necessary)

What to expect from the series

Jets, Maple Leafs and Canadiens top reads

Angles, hands, wingspan … work: How Auston Matthews became the best goal scorer of his generation: The NHL’s leading goal-scorer is “a unicorn,” but is he also leading others to a new understanding of how to put the puck in the net?

Untold stories of Jets centre Paul Stastny: From how he got his smile to his college Taco Bell diet to 1,000 NHL games: As he approaches his 1,000th career NHL game, read a few anecdotes about “Stas” from teammates, family and more.

The ultimate hockey nerd: Untold stories of Jason Spezza’s journey from junior phenom to beloved Maple Leafs veteran: Jason Spezza’s impressive resume is only a small piece of what makes him one of the most fascinating and revered figures in the NHL today.

Joe Thornton and Gord Downie: Inside a friendship that changed an NHL star and inspired a music legend: Hockey and music brought them together, but their friendship grew stronger through years and heartache and Downie’s tragic death.

Cole Caufield’s debut with the Canadiens as seen through the eyes of his father and brother: Cole Caufield’s father, Paul, and brother, Brock, 1214606 Montreal Canadiens You can’t help but wonder what the score would have been had the Canadiens scored just once in the first period. Save for the Leafs’ third period, a much more dangerous Canadiens team would’ve put the Leafs away early. In a losing effort, we’d be focusing much more on the Canadiens playoffs plus/minus: Montreal lives another day, forces Game Canadiens’ inability to score goals when needed at different points in this 7, thanks to Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Carey Price series.

But Saturday night won’t go down as one of those nights.

By Julian McKenzie There was good. There was bad. But there will be a Game 7. Take us to Game 7, Zaza Pachulia. May 30, 2021 The pluses

Jesperi Kotkaniemi: I’m not sure how much complaining you can do You have to go all the way back to March 11, 2020. Before Saturday about Kotkaniemi this postseason. He’s scored goals and done well in night, that’s the last time the Bell Centre hosted fans for a Canadiens the faceoff circle. Maybe he had a chip on his shoulder after being game, a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators in the team’s first game since benched in Game 1, maybe he didn’t, but he’s brought it in this series. It the passing of legend Henri Richard. That was 445 days ago. might be another year where the Canadiens can look back fondly on In the present, a much smaller crowd was in full voice for a Game 6 Kotkaniemi in the postseason. featuring two teams who hadn’t played each other in a series since 1979. Also, give credit where credit is due. Kotkaniemi’s postgame drip? On And some paid thousands upon thousands to be there. point. It was worth it. The crowd: 2,500 fans or 21,000-plus? Just hearing them sing the Maybe to the surprise of many, there will be a Game 7 between the Leafs anthem prior to Saturday night’s game was so precious. If you didn’t and Canadiens on Monday night. have a tear in your eye after the singing ended, you have no heart.

“There’s no quit in this group,” Canadiens captain Shea Weber said. The “Ca-rey” chants and “Campbell” chants were also a nice touch. And “Even though we’ve given up leads in the last couple of games. We to see them enjoy the overtime winner from Kotkaniemi might have made grinded it out.” the expensive ticket prices all worthwhile. They made a big difference — not just for the Canadiens, but for our collective viewing experience. Still, that meant those 2,500 fans had to sweat it out a bit. The Evans-Danault-Gallagher line: Auston Matthews has one goal The Canadiens thrived off the energy of the crowd and earned the first through six games, in large part because he hasn’t solved the top line ten shots on goal in the first period, continuing with the great featuring Danault. Tonight, that streak of futility continued. This time, forechecking they displayed in Game 5. They swarmed the Leafs early. Jake Evans (who played well at even strength and on the penalty kill) Outlet passes, a much more common reoccurrence for the Canadiens at rode shotgun with Danault and Gallagher. the beginning of the season, made their return and led to breakaways. It was the best start to a game all series long. Carey Price: He was solid in the net for the Canadiens, pitching a shutout until Spezza ruined that in the third. Otherwise, he played another steady However, Montreal ended the first with nothing to show for it. The game game, shining brightest while his team was on the penalty kill in the third might’ve ended very differently if the Canadiens had buried an period and in overtime when it seemed the Canadiens couldn’t do opportunity or two in the opening 20 minutes. anything.

The Canadiens noticeably slowed after the opening period yet were able The power play: Finally, the Canadiens scored on the power play. Not to keep the Leafs at bay. It almost felt like the Leafs were playing rope-a- once, but twice! dope, taking body shots and hoping to weather storms until the seas cooled. They had to fight off a flurry of chances partway through the Corey Perry: The game-opening goal, the work in front of the net, a slick second as the Canadiens were regaining their mojo. Eric Staal failed to pass to Kotkaniemi for a scoring chance in the third. He put in the work score after receiving a cross pass from Jeff Petry in front of the net. Saturday night. Brendan Gallagher had chances. Petry and Weber fired from the point. Shea Weber: Weber had the cleanest game of the Canadiens’ four most- Even Phillip Danault got a chance. No dice for the Canadiens despite used defencemen and logged nearly 40 minutes of ice time in a winning holding the Leafs to 14 shots through 40 minutes. Toronto losing Jake effort. Muzzin to injury also hurt its cause. The minuses The dam broke in the third for Montreal, and it took the power play (and a series of Leafs mistakes from two of their best players) to do it. Joel Edmundson: A costly turnover led to the Leafs’ first goal, cutting the Canadiens’ advantage in half. He gave away the puck minutes later to Their first was of the greasiest variety with Corey Perry banging at the Matthews of all people. net before burying a goal. Following a failed coach’s challenge and an unforced error by Mitch Marner to take a puck-over-glass penalty, Tyler Ben Chiarot: He wasn’t great at clearing the puck from his zone Saturday Toffoli scored a power-play goal to give his team a two-goal cushion. night. His worst clearance attempt on the night led to the game-tying goal by Brodie. But the Leafs and their offence, which has had to rely on goals from everyone beyond their top line, were just too strong in the third to be Jeff Petry: This series was already tough enough for Petry leading into denied. Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie took advantage of Canadiens Game 6. Not one, but two deflections off him beat Price. I think defensive mistakes and tied the game in regulation. Edmundson and Chiarot deserve a bit more blame for the Leafs’ goals being scored, but I think Price makes those saves if Petry doesn’t deflect “I thought we deserved a better fate in the 60 minutes. I thought we the pucks. The bad bounces also overshadowed the fact that he became probably could have had a couple more goals,” Weber said. the first Canadiens defenceman to pick up a point in the series. The Leafs continued to press the play in overtime against the Canadiens’ Dominique Ducharme: His team was fighting for dear life in overtime with tired-looking defence. The Canadiens’ back end (with Erik Gustafsson no shots and a tired defence. He would’ve done well to call a timeout or and Brett Kulak stapled to the bench) could barely get out of their own maybe given Gustafsson and Kulak a few more shifts in regulation to zone in the extra period. give his top four defencemen more energy in overtime. But in overtime, it was the Canadiens playing rope-a-dope as Jesperi

Kotkaniemi, the young centre who was a healthy scratch in Game 1, delivered a knockout punch. The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 “It’s pretty unbelievable. I actually started to think, it’s probably my first- ever OT goal,” Kotkaniemi said. “It’s pretty remarkable. It’s a great feeling. Especially when the fans are in the stands.” 1214607 New York Islanders

David Pastrnak has hat trick, Bruins blast Islanders

By DOUG ALDEN

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MAY 29, 2021 AT 11:23 PM

David Pastrnak got his second career playoff hat trick, David Krejci had four assists and the Boston Bruins beat the Islanders 5-2 on Saturday night in the opening game of their second-round playoff series.

Charlie McAvoy and Taylor Hall also scored, and Patrice Bergeron had a pair of assists for the Bruins, who will host Game 2 on Monday night.

Tuukka Rask finished with 20 saves as the Bruins kept most of the action at the other end of the ice, outshooting the Islanders 40-22.

Rask didn’t allow anything past him after Adam Pelech’s goal for the Islanders 12:34 into the second period tied it at 2. It was one of only four shots in the period for the Islanders, who were playing before a rowdy crowd of fans who packed TD Garden for the first time in more than a year.

Anthony Beauvillier also scored for the Islanders, Jordan Eberle had two assists and Ilya Sorokin finished with 35 saves, keeping the Islanders in it through the first 40 minutes despite the onslaught of shots from the Bruins.

Sorokin stopped Pastrnak twice on one-timers from in close in the first period, but couldn’t hold off the Bruins’ sharp-shooter as he got his second career playoff hat trick.

Pastrnak, whose first postseason hat trick came three years ago in Game 2 of the opening round against Toronto, scored his third Saturday after weaving through the Islanders zone and ripping a wrist shot past Sorokin 14:10 into the third period.

The hats began flying from all levels of of the arena, which got loud enough to shake over the few minutes it took to clear the ice as elated Boston fans celebrated being back inside the arena and another victory by the Bruins.

Pastrnak’s goal and an empty-netter by Hall in the final minute triggered several anti-New York chants and a few rounds of “We Want The Cup!”

With the game tied at 2, the Bruins regained the lead for good 6:20 into the third on a slap shot by McAvoy for his first goal of the playoffs. Boston had just successfully killed a penalty for having too many men on the ice and was in control the rest of the game.

The Islanders had been able to match the Bruins through the first two periods despite the wide offensive disparity.

Sorokin still stopped 17 of Boston’s 18 shots in the opening 20 minutes, while Rask faced only eight at the other end. The second period was more of the same, with Boston holding a 12-4 shots advantage and both teams scoring one goal.

The Islanders led 1-0 after Beauvillier scored 11:48 into the first on a tip. But the Isles took a late penalty when Andy Greene was called for high sticking with 32.3 seconds left in the first, which was more than enough time for Boston’s “Perfection Line” to tie it before the end of the period.

Bergeron won the faceoff after the whistle and got the puck to Krejci for a shot that Sorokin stopped, but deflected the rebound to his right. Pastrnak was waiting in the circle and took a moment to corral the puck, then fired a wrister past Sorokin.

Pastrnak’s second was very similar to the first, a rebound kicking off Sorokin’s pad right to Pastrnak for a one-timer 8:52 into the second that put Boston up 2-1.

New York Daily News LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214608 New York Islanders

Islanders’ Casey Cizikas relishing faceoff test vs. Patrice Bergeron

By Larry Brooks

May 30, 2021 | 2:02am

This second-round matchup between the Bruins and Islanders features two of the NHL’s most proficient players at the dots — Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and the Islanders’ Casey Cizikas.

“He’s the best faceoff guy in the league in my opinion, the way he approaches every draw is different and he’s strong on his stick, so it kind of creates a different animal in that aspect,” said Cizikas, who went 0-for- 2 against Bergeron in the Islanders’ 5-2 loss in Game 1 on Saturday night in Boston. “So I just watch some video and do my best to get in there quick, make it hard, tie up draws and just get help. That’s kind of the main thing. He’s going to be tough but it’s a good battle.”

Bergeron led the league by a winning a sparkling 62.3 percent of his draws during the regular season before posting a 58.5 mark in the first round against Washington. Cizikas checked in at 53.2 percent during the regular season before capturing 53 of his 80 draws in the opening round against Pittsburgh for a 66.3 clip.

The Bruins paced the NHL during the regular season at 54.2 percent while the Islanders were ninth at 51.4. Boston won 54.2 percent of its draws against the Caps while the Islanders won 52.5 percent of their draws against the Penguins.

Oliver Wahlstrom remained sidelined for a second straight game, the Islanders winger still feeling the effects of a third period Game 5 collision with the Penguin’s Mike Matheson on Monday in which he sustained a leg injury.

When Islanders coach Barry Trotz was asked if there had been a change in the rookie’s condition, the coach replied: “None … none at all.”

Boston’s Tuukka Rask entered the match leading NHL goaltenders with 48 victories, a 2.12 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in the playoffs since taking over as the No. 1 in 2012-13. Rask led the Bruins to the finals in 2013 and 2019.

They lost in six games to the Blackhawks in 2013 before going down in seven to the Blues in 2019.

Bruins winger Craig Smith left the game after one early third-period shift, feeling the effects of a big hit he took from Cal Clutterbuck midway through the second period.

New York Post LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214609 New York Islanders Pulock pair at every opportunity. The game was played with pace from beginning to end, but the Bruins did not sacrifice any element of their physicality to create offense against an opponent that could never quite stand its ground in the neutral zone. The Bruins had little opposition Islanders fall in Game 1 as David Pastrnak’s hat trick lifts Bruins sweeping into the offensive zone.

“We’ve got to challenge them a little bit more, we backed off, they’re going to make plays,” Trotz said. “We’ve got to tighten up there.” By Larry Brooks The coach was responding to a specific question about the Bergeron line May 29, 2021 | 11:05pm | Updated but his answer applied generally. Trotz also acknowledged he would need a lot more offensive following a night where the Kyle Palmieri-Jean- Gabriel Pageau-Travis Zajac line was the team’s best. Only the score flattered the Islanders … and that was 5-2, albeit with an empty-netter proving the cherry on top for the Bruins. “We’re going to need more from our lines,” said the coach. “I really felt that I only had probably one line that was on top of their game. The other This was one game and one game only and it was played in front of the lines had spurts, but right through our whole lineup we’re going to have to first NHL full house since the pandemic pause on March 11, 2020. It was be much better.” frenzied in Boston on Saturday night and the B’s rode the wave to dominance and a 1-0 lead in this second-round series that picks back up Truer words were not spoken on Saturday. on Monday.

Truly, though, the Islanders were overwhelmed at times by Boston’s New York Post LOADED: 05.30.2021 attack, impotent in their attempts to defend the Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak trio that had its way with every group Barry Trotz sent out against them. The coach had no more answers than his players on a night Pastrnak recorded a hat trick and the line combined for a 23-6 advantage in shot attempts.

The Islanders’ forecheck was for the most part ineffective. They consistently backed up and in, not only against the Bergeron unit, but against the second line featuring Taylor Hall and David Krejci. They were unable to get pucks to the net with consistency, unable to create second chances against Tuukka Rask.

The Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck Identity Line had little impact. Mathew Barzal’s line was barely noticeable, though that was the unit on for the Adam Pelech 60-footer that tied the score 2-2 at 12:34 of the second period.

David Pastrnak hugs Patrice Bergeron after beating Ilya Sorokin for one of his three goals in the Islanders’ 6-3 Game 1 loss to the Bruins.

Yes, it was 2-2 midway through the second and yes, it was still 2-2 until Charlie McAvoy blasted one through a screen from the top of the zone at 6:20, just under 20 seconds after the B’s killed a too-many-men-penalty that came 42 years too late. Of course, no Guy Lafleur on the Islanders’ side.

After it was over, the Islanders maintained they had done good things and that the 40-22 shot total was hardly indicative of the match’s flow. Perhaps they were playing in a different game. Perhaps they saw no advantage in beating themselves up in the Zoom room after the Bruins had pretty well done that on the ice.

Still, there seemed a pretty significant disconnect between what the Islanders representatives were saying and what most people were seeing. One after another said that the numbers were not a true reflection of the game. All righty then, but here are the numbers, courtesy of Naturalstattrick:

Five-on-five attempts, 58-30, Boston.

Scoring chances: 35-11, Boston.

High Danger Chances: 12-2, Boston.

“I thought we managed the first period pretty well,” said Trotz, whose team took a 1-0 lead on Anthony Beauvillier’s power play goal at 11:48, only to yield the advantage at 19:36 when Pastrnak got a PPG from the left for his first of the night. “The second, I thought we got stuck in our end a little bit just by not managing the puck the way we need to.

“I felt pretty good after it was 2-2 but the third goal hurt. I thought we regained our composure and had a few looks but the fourth one was the nail in the coffin.”

The fourth one was Pastrnak’s hat trick goal at 15:50, again from the left. It capped a night on which his unit built a 23-6 advantage in five-on-five attempts. Combined with the second line, the B’s had a top-six edge of 40-13. Did we mention yet that the Barzal-Jordan Eberle-Leo Komarov unit could muster just three attempts and one shot on goal?

Boston came hard all night, finishing every check. The Islanders did, too, but the Bruins drove the bus and took pieces out of the Pelech-Ryan 1214610 New York Islanders Palmieri had become a staple on the third line, with Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the middle and Oliver Wahlstrom on the other side. Now that Wahlstrom is down with a leg injury, Zajac has joined the unit.

Islanders, Bruins reaping benefits of trade deadline deals “Two things that Palms has done for us is that he’s given us a more natural scorer,” Trotz said. “Michael Dal Colle was there for a while and got injured so that left us with a hole.

By Larry Brooks “Michael played very well this year, nothing against him, but there was not much production. But we needed a little more finish in our lineup and May 29, 2021 | 5:38pm | Updated Kyle has provided a little bit of grit, a little bit of finish and a little bit of experience.

Long Island hockey star now Islanders’ opposition: ‘Heat from people’ “Now without Anders Lee and Oliver Wahlstrom out, you need people to come in and do a real good job so if we didn’t have Palmieri or Zajac, The Islanders and Bruins, second-round playoff opponents whose series we’d be in deep.” opened in Boston on Saturday night, are not precise mirror Images of one another (Who, for instance, is the Brad Marchand equivalent on the Isles?), but they are close enough in their approach to the game. New York Post LOADED: 05.30.2021 Both teams are relentless in tracking down puck carriers and limiting their opponents’ time and space. Both teams are hard on the forecheck and go hard to the net, the B’s with the predilection of at times going hard through opposing goaltenders. Both teams make it difficult to get to the inside. Both teams have superior goaltending.

Plus, both teams bulked up at the trade deadline. The Islanders improved their depth while partially filling the hole created by Anders Lee’s absence in acquiring Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the Devils. The Bruins reinvented their second line by acquiring Taylor Hall from the Sabres.

And Hall, who lollygagged his way through most of his stay in Buffalo following a sour 2019-20 in which he wore out his welcome in New Jersey before passing through Arizona, has, just like that, regained the passion and the form that earned him the 2018 Hart Trophy.

That makes Boston a much more formidable outfit and a much tougher club to match up against. That’s because now it is not only about trying to contain the Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak first line (for which the “P” nickname will never appear in this space regardless of how perfectly the line has been constructed), it is also about the challenge of facing Hall with a revived David Krejci in the middle and Craig Smith on the other side.

Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri

Before acquiring the 29-year-old winger, the Bruins had been giving Nick Ritchie or Charlie Coyle a fair amount of time on the second line. Ritchie and Coyle now slot in with Jake DeBrusk on a physical third line.

“Since they got Taylor Hall, it really put everybody in the right seat on the bus,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “From an outsider, it has given them a first line-second line that is a threat and can be a game-changer at times for them.

“So if you look at our [Nick Leddy-Scott Mayfield] second pair and whatever line that’s out there has to do a really good job and has to respect what they can do because they’re very dangerous. They’ve got good complementary pieces on both lines, they’ve got some speed and some finish on the first line with a very creative center.

“And their second line has some speed and a very creative centerman and they can do a lot of similar things,” the Islanders coach said. “Their third and fourth lines give them real good balance throughout their team but that second line puts everybody in their place and makes them so dangerous.

“We’re going to need whatever lines and pairs that are out there against them to have the same respect for that line as the Bergeron line and make sure you limit them — I don’t know if you can keep them off the scoreboard — as much as they can.”

In the five-game, first-round victory over the Capitals, the Bergeron line and the Krejci unit each recorded four goals at five-on-five. Hall chipped in with a pair against Washington after recording eight goals in 16 regular-season games as a Bruin following his disastrous showing with the Sabres in which he scored two goals in 37 games.

While the Bruins were pulling off their deal for Hall, the Islanders were acquiring Palmieri and Zajac. 1214611 New York Islanders

NHL playoff history with Bruins could be good Islanders omen

By David Blezow

May 29, 2021 | 12:14pm | Updated

Long Island hockey star now Islanders’ opposition: ‘Heat from people’

The Islanders and Bruins are set to meet in the postseason for just the third time in their histories. In the previous two collisions, the Islanders captured the series on the way to winning the first and last of their four consecutive Stanley Cups. Here’s a look:

1980 quarterfinals: Islanders win, 4-1

After dispatching the Kings in the first round, the Islanders went to to begin the second round. The Bruins had amassed 105 points in the regular season to the Islanders’ 91. But the Isles took control of the series early, winning twice in overtime.

Clark Gillies won Game 1 just 62 seconds into the first extra period. Game 2 began with a pair of epic fights between Gillies and Terry O’Reilly, and the first period concluded with a benches-clearing brawl that resulted in eight players receiving game misconducts. The game ended 5-4 when Bob Bourne scored at 1:24 of the first overtime, but the Gillies-O’Reilly battles have been credited as the catalyst for the Islanders winning the Cup.

On Long Island, Bryan Trottier’s two goals and two assists led the Islanders to a 5-3 win in Game 3. Boston averted the sweep on O’Reilly’s overtime goal in Game 4. Things started to get dicey back in Boston when the Bruins took a 2-0 lead in the first four minutes of Game 5. But Stefan Persson scored a power-play goal in the second period and Duane Sutter, Gillies and Denis Potvin scored in the third to cue the handshake line. The Islanders moved on to defeat the Sabres in six and the Flyers in six to win their first championship in just the eighth season of the franchise’s existence.

The Islanders and Bruins met twice in the playoffs before the 2021 second round.

1983 semifinals: Islanders win, 4-2

After romping to the league’s top points totals and two more Stanley Cups, the Islanders dipped to 96 points in 1982-83 — 14 fewer than the Bruins. This meant that after beating the Capitals, 3-1, and Rangers, 4-2, the Islanders again had to start the series on Causeway Street. This time, they split the first two before the offense went nuclear at Nassau Coliseum.

Mike Bossy had a goal and three assists in a 7-3 win in Game 3, then scored a hat trick in an 8-3 rout in Game 4. Boston survived at home in Game 5 before Bossy did himself one better with a four-goal game in an 8-4 closeout.

The Islanders then swept the Oilers for their fourth Cup, and won three more series the following year to make it an astounding 19 series in a row before losing in the Cup finals to Edmonton.

New York Post LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214612 New York Islanders It was the kind of electric atmosphere players missed in the bubble last season, when the Islanders reached the conference finals before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Lightning.

It will take perfection for Islanders to stop the Perfection Line The Islanders still can win this series, of course, and at least get back to that round. But if they do not, this could well become the second year in a row they are eliminated by the Cup champion.

By Neil Best The Bruins look that good. [email protected] @sportswatch

Updated May 30, 2021 1:17 AM Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.30.2021

On paper, the Bruins looked to be a formidable obstacle on the Islanders’ road back to the NHL final four. On the ice, they looked like a roadblock.

The Islanders are an experienced, well-coached team that will not fold in the face of one tough day at the office, but the Bruins’ 5-2 victory Saturday night in Game 1 of a second-round playoff series illustrated what a tough task this will be.

Afterward, the visitors did their best to put a relatively positive spin on what occurred — taking issue in particular with what they considered a misleading discrepancy in shots on goal — but they did not look like the better team.

And they did not look like they were the team with the better No. 1 line. Not even close.

Boston’s "Perfection Line" lived up to its hype and more, led by David Pastrnak’s hat trick. But their most eye-opening statistic was this one: Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand combined for 19 shots on goal. Nineteen!

The Islanders had 22 as a team, and their sputtering top line of Leo Komarov, Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle totaled three.

Barry Trotz said he thought his first line was "OK," but he did not rule out changes in advance of Game 2 on Monday.

The Islanders seemed mildly annoyed when reminded by reporters of the Bruins’ shots-on-goal edge, but they did not deny they must improve.

"They’re a volume-shooting team," defenseman Andy Greene said. "They shoot from a lot of bad angles to try to create havoc and traffic in front there. But at the same time, it’s probably something we can do a little bit better."

Greene said Pastrnak found "a little soft area" in which he likes to operate. He scored one easy goal off a juicy rebound and two beauties on which he showed admirable patience before firing the puck past Ilya Sorokin.

"We just have to make sure we’re aware over there and just try to limit his opportunities," Greene said. "Not just him but the whole line."

Defending the "Perfection Line" does not require perfection, but it will require far more than what the Islanders accomplished in Game 1.

Sorokin had another strong game in goal, but he gave up too many rebounds, and on several occasions lost track of where the puck was after saves. He figures to get the start in Game 2, and should.

As for Pastrnak and friends, the Islanders must give them far less room to operate.

"We’ve got to challenge them a little bit more," Trotz said. "We backed off . . . We have to tighten up there."

The Islanders are a defense-first team, but to win this series they might have to match the Bruins’ scoring. With the top line getting little done, that might fall to Brock Nelson’s line centering Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier.

Beauvillier, who has been hot of late, was the only Islanders forward to score Saturday night, doing so on a power play when he tipped in Noah Dobson’s shot.

"They obviously have a lot of firepower up front," Beauvillier said. "It’s got to be our job to defend better and obviously create more offense."

The Bruins presumably got a jolt from the biggest NHL crowd in 444 days — 17,400 strong at TD Garden, with the only sections left unoccupied being the ones directly behind the team benches. 1214613 New York Islanders The Islanders went 5-2-1 against the Bruins in the regular season, winning all four at the Coliseum but dropping all three games after the Bruins acquired Hall from the Sabres. Five of those eight games also were tied entering the third period. David Pastrnak, Bruins too much for Islanders in Game 1 victory It’s just the third time the teams have met in the playoffs and the first time since 1983.

By Andrew Gross "We played them eight times this year, so we have a good grasp of how each other plays and what we need to do to be successful against each [email protected] @AGrossNewsday other," Casey Cizikas said before the game. "The playoffs are a different Updated May 30, 2021 12:28 AM animal and you’re playing each other consecutively and the stakes are bigger. At the end of the day, we know how we have to play to beat these guys."

BOSTON — Too much David Pastrnak and too few of their own chances. It was that simple for the Islanders in Game 1 against the Bruins and a potential problem for the rest of this second-round series. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.30.2021

The Bruins won, 5-2, on Saturday night before a crazed crowd of 17,400 at TD Garden. The teams play similar defensively structured games and rely on creating offense off a heavy forecheck and straight-line skating. But the Bruins also have Pastrnak, who notched a hat trick, and his top- line mates, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, who totaled six points.

Tuukka Rask needed to make only 20 saves. Ilya Sorokin stopped 35 shots for the Islanders, who were outchanced 65-38.

"I didn’t feel like it was that many," coach Barry Trotz said. "I think they had a happy finger on the shot clock a little bit. They were just throwing pucks there. The chances were pretty even.

"The problem is we passed up some looks. When we can put it in play and drive the net, we’re looking for that next play a little bit too much tonight."

Game 2 will be played Monday night before the series shifts to Nassau Coliseum.

"I think we’ve just got to stick to what we do best and our game plan and what brought us here," said Anthony Beauvillier, who opened the scoring on the power play by deflecting defenseman Noah Dobson’s blue-line shot at 11:48 of the first period. He extended his goal streak to three games and point streak to five, with four goals and three assists.

"They’re a really good team and the further you’re going to go in the playoffs, the harder the games are going to get and the harder it will be to win," Beauvillier said. "They have a lot of firepower up front. It’s going to be our job to defend better and create more offense."

Long Beach’s Charlie McAvoy gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead at 6:20 of the third period as his blue-line shot went through a screen set by Nick Ritchie. Pastrnak completed his hat trick from the high slot at 15:50. Taylor Hall scored a power-play empty-netter at 18:35.

"I felt pretty good in the third," Trotz said. "That third goal, right after the power play, that one hurt. We sort of regained our composure, had a couple of looks and then the fourth one was a nail in the coffin."

Ritchie had exited the penalty box 18 seconds before McAvoy’s goal after serving the Bruins’ too-many-men penalty. The Islanders were held to two shots on that man advantage as the Bruins gained momentum from their strong penalty kill.

Pastrnak’s second goal gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead at 11:08 of the second period. For all of Sorokin’s playoff brilliance, he does have a penchant for giving up long rebounds, and that’s how Pastrnak scored twice, this time depositing the puck after Bergeron’s initial shot.

Pastrnak also scored on the power play with 23.3 seconds left in the first period — Andy Greene was called for high-sticking Charlie Coyle nine seconds earlier — as he connected from the left circle on the rebound of David Krejci’s initial shot.

Defenseman Adam Pelech quickly tied the score at 2 after Pastrnak’s second goal at 12:34 with a rising slap shot through traffic from the blue line. It was one of just four Islanders shots on goal in the second period.

"I heard them say before the series they feel like they’re playing themselves," Jordan Eberle said. "We feel the same way. They’re a detailed team, as are we. The playoffs come down to a chip in or a shot or whatever it is. But we’ve got to continue to stay on top of them and play the way that we know that got us here. We’re a veteran team and we’re going to regroup from this." 1214614 New York Islanders Said Gillies, "We got the rest of the league to take notice that, ‘Holy cow, this team had never done that before.’ We had just pounded the Big Bad Bruins into submission."

Isles-Bruins have little playoff history, but two series are very memorable The teams met again in the 1983 conference final, again after the Bruins for blue and orange had 14 more regular-season points.

The Islanders won in six games, with goals totals in the four victories of 5, 7, 8 and 8. Updated May 29, 2021 7:34 PM Butch Goring opened the scoring less than a minute into Game 6 at Nassau Coliseum and Mike Bossy scored four goals in the clincher, giving him nine in the series. Boston vs. New York! What could be better, amirite? After Game 6, Bossy spoke to reporters while smoking a cigarette. So, "Curse of the Bambino!" "Spygate!" "!" "Butt !" yes, it was a long time ago. Bucky Dent! Aaron Boone! That "little roller up along first!"

Even in sports other than football and baseball, there have been By Neil Best moments. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.30.2021 Ask any member of the 1973 Knicks the most important event in that year’s championship run, and he will cite the seven-game conference final against the Celtics, not the NBA Finals against the Lakers.

All of which makes this holiday weekend’s goings-on in Boston a little odd, given the sports rivalry between the cities.

The Nets, Celtics, Islanders and Bruins have playoff games scheduled there every night from Friday to Monday.

The four franchises have met in big games in the past – although the Nets were in New Jersey when they faced the Celtics en route to the NBA Finals in 2002 and ’03. And currently Kyrie Irving is a lightning rod up north.

But Yankees-Red Sox, these ain’t.

Considering the relatively short distance between Uniondale and Boston, the Islanders’ lack of history with the Bruins is surprising.

Before the current season, the last time they shared a division was 1973- 74, when the Islanders were in their second season and the Bruins were bound for the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Flyers.

After that, the franchises parted ways until being reunited in the pandemic-induced new East Division. The Bruins finished third and the Islanders fourth, but both won first-round series against higher seeds, and here we are.

The last time the teams met in the playoffs was 1983 – before every current Islander other than Andy Greene was born – and they did so only once before that, in 1980.

At least that 1980 series, in the NHL quarterfinals, was a memorable one. The Islanders prevailed in a key step toward their first Cup, and in it they displayed the toughness some believed they were missing in the late 1970s.

The Bruins also had 14 more points in the regular season than did those Islanders.

Bobby Nystrom took the lead in making sure the Islanders would not be pushed around.

In an interview with Newsday last year, he recalled watching a local Boston sportscaster’s pre-series prediction that the Bruins would intimidate the Islanders and win in five.

"This guy said, ‘The Bruins are going to run them right out of the building,’ " Nystrom recalled. "I was so ticked off with it. I said, ‘We’ve got to show them.’ "

Teammate Clark Gillies remembered watching the telecast with Nystrom. "I thought Bobby Nystrom was going to go through the TV after this guy. He turned to me and said, ‘Clarkie, we’re not going to let that happen.’ "

Nystrom took the liberty of actually assigning matchups for the battles to come in. The result was a fight-filled series that did last only five games, but with the Islanders winning four of them.

The Islanders won Game 2 in Boston, 5-4, in overtime, in a game that featured 248 penalty minutes in a first period that included a bench- clearing brawl. 1214615 New York Islanders

Islanders excited about playing to growing crowds

By Andrew Gross [email protected] @AGrossNewsday

Updated May 30, 2021 12:44 AM

Attendance for the Bruins’ 5-2 win in Game 1 at TD Garden was expanded to close to 17,400, nearly the building’s full capacity of 17,850. The Bruins had hosted 4,565 fans for Games 3 and 4 of their five-game win over the Capitals in the first round.

"I get excited for it," Islanders center Casey Cizikas said. "As a hockey player, going into another team’s building and the crowd is roaring and they’re going, it gets you amped, as well."

It was announced on Friday that Coliseum capacity will be expanded to 12,000 when the series shifts back to Long Island on Thursday night by increasing the number of vaccinated sections. Only five sections will be reserved for non-vaccinated fans.

The Islanders had 9,000 in their building for Wednesday’s series- clinching 5-3 win over the Penguins in Game 6 of that first-round series. The Coliseum hosted 6,800 for Games 3 and 4 of that series.

The NHL finally announced the full schedule for the Islanders-Bruins series.

Game 2’s 7:30 p.m. faceoff on Monday had already been announced. Game 3 at the Coliseum will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Game 4 will be Saturday at 7:15 p.m. on Ch. 4 following the Belmont Stakes.

Games 5, 6, 7, if necessary, will be June 7, 9, 11, with times and television outlets to be determined.

Those pesky players

Coach Barry Trotz was asked if pesky Leo Komarov could be an X-factor in the series, given his run-ins with Bruins agitator Brad Marchand over the years (Marchand twice kiss/licked Komarov’s face when he was with the Maple Leafs).

"I think both teams have a couple of guys that get under people’s skin," Trotz said. "I don’t know if you can single out Marchy or Leo. That’s the way they play. That’s their DNA. As a coach, you love those players. You hate them when they’re on the other side."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214616 New York Islanders we’re gonna have to be, right through our whole lineup, we’re gonna have to do much better.’’

Islanders are going to have to deal with Bruins' Perfection Line much Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.30.2021 more effectively to win this series

By Colin Stephenson [email protected] @ColinSNewsday

Updated May 30, 2021 1:44 AM

In their first-round playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, one of the keys for the Islanders was the ability to limit the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby to one goal and one assist in the series and hold the No. 1 line of Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust to four goals and three assists in the six games.

The Bruins’ top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak produced nearly double that in their team’s first-round win over the Capitals, producing eight goals and five assists in five games.

And in Game 1 of the East Division finals between the Bruins and Islanders on Saturday night in Boston, Boston’s "Perfection Line’’ made it clear they will be a bigger challenge than Crosby and his linemates were.

Pastrnak’s second career playoff hat trick did most of the damage as the Bruins took the opener of the best-of-seven series, 5-2, at TD Garden. Bergeron assisted on two of the goals.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz had said after the morning skate that he believes the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line is the best in the league.

"They’ve got all the elements,’’ he said. "Bergeron is one of the best two- way centermen, high hockey IQ; Marchie gives them that little energy, but also that physical element, with a high skill level and intelligence, and Pastrnak, to me, is a little more of a pure shooter. As a group, to me, they’re the top line.’’

Pastrnak’s first goal, which tied the score at 1-1 at 19:36 of the first period, came on the power play on the rebound of a shot by David Krejci. His second goal also was a rebound after a shot from Bergeron and gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead at 11:08 of the second.

His third goal, which made it 4-2, came off a turnover at center ice and was aided by Taylor Hall plowing into Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson, moving him out of the way to both screen goalie Ilya Sorokin and open a lane for Pastrnak to score his fifth goal of the postseason. Hall probably could have been called for interference but wasn’t.

Trotz wasn’t happy with the job the Islanders did on the Bruins’ big line in Game 1.

"We’ve got to challenge them a little bit more,’’ he said. "We backed off [and] they’re gonna make plays through you.’’

Against Pittsburgh, the Isles used several different lines against Crosby’s unit, though in the end, it was the second line of center Brock Nelson between wingers Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey, and the top defense pair of Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock, who matched up most often against Pittsburgh’s top guns.

In Game 1 against Boston, the same five got the assignment against Pastrnak and Co., and it didn’t go as well.

Bergeron had a game-high eight shots on goal, Pastrnak had seven and Marchand had four.

Trotz was asked before the game what the key will be in defending the Bruins’ top unit. "You’ve got to limit their touches,’’ the coach said. "You’ve got to limit their time and space, you’ve got to have layers on the interior, you’ve got to have awareness, you’ve got to have stick detail, you’ve got to have all that.

"You have to limit their options. And you have to do it as a group of five. You can’t do it with just three players; you need all five players. Plus your goaltender is going to have to make some big saves against them.’’

After the game, he said, "We’ve got to tighten up there. We’re gonna need more from our lines. I really felt that I only had really probably one line that was really on top of the game. The other lines had spurts. But 1214617 New York Islanders fans are so passionate about that time period. We just want to be able to bring that back for them. Try to replicate what they did and bring another one home."

Current Islanders buy into the dynasty team of the 1980s And, of course, Goring is a daily presence.

"We want to impart the same feeling of what you need to do to win," Goring said. "I hope the guys, when they see us or talk to us, see By Andrew Gross something in our conversations and realize how the competitive level was unbelievable. Everybody talks about the skill level of the Islanders’ [email protected] @AGrossNewsday dynasty. But the need to win was sky high. We didn’t want to win. We Updated May 29, 2021 3:37 PM needed to win, and that’s a big difference."

BOSTON — Matt Martin was born in Windsor, Ontario, 32 years ago and Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.30.2021 grew up rooting for the Red Wings first and then the Avalanche because Joe Sakic and goalie Patrick Roy were his favorite players. He knew little of the Islanders’ Stanley Cup dynasty from 1980-83.

That all changed, of course, when the Islanders drafted Martin in 2008. He came to understand the bond the Cup-winning crew has with Long Island. Now he and the current Islanders want to cement their own legacy in franchise lore.

"They have a lot of special memories, special bonds," Martin said before Saturday night’s Game 1 of the Islanders’ second-round series against the Bruins at TD Garden. "As a team, we’re trying to make the same sort of memories here."

The Islanders have advanced to the second round for the third straight season under coach Barry Trotz and they reached the Eastern Conference finals last season for the first time since 1993. But the Islanders have not been to the Cup Final since 1984, when the dynasty torch was passed to the Oilers.

Josh Bailey of the New York Islanders celebrates his second-period goal against the Penguins in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series at Nassau Coliseum on May 22, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac

"We want them to do well," Butch Goring, a member of the Islanders’ four Cup winners who later coached the team and is now their television analyst for MSG Networks, said of the alumni. "We want them to have success. We’ve lived it and certainly want this organization to enjoy the same success.

"I think they’ve established something," Goring added. "They play hard every night. As a former coach, that’s one of the things I’m most proud of. I really felt my teams played hard. That’s what the Islanders of today are. When you leave the game, you can look back and whatever success is wonderful. But if you say, ‘I played my best, I played hard night in and night out,’ that’s a pretty good legacy, too. It makes it better if you have a Cup with you."

Trotz said it’s unlikely the Islanders — or any other team — will win four straight Cups, so matching that legacy probably won’t happen.

But the Islanders have kept a core group together long-term — Josh Bailey made his Islanders’ debut in 2008 — and they’ve been through the franchise’s roller coaster fortunes.

"I think what’s very important for this group, they had to fight through some of the growing pains of past regimes," Trotz said. "Now, they’re getting a little bit older. They’re probably on the 13th green right now. They’re looking at it as there’s only so many opportunities that are going to come along.

"They are a very close group. They’re a group that believes in team first. And they’re a group that wants to do something and leave their mark. Everybody strives for the Stanley Cup. If you get it, it’s the pinnacle of a career. At the same time, having established yourself as a good player and a good team for a period of time does leave a legacy."

COVID-19 guidelines restrict the interactions the current players can have. But, pre-pandemic, many of the Islanders’ alumni and current players had plenty of time to bond. Injured captain Anders Lee has talked about the legacy of No. 27 he now shares with John Tonelli and how meaningful that is to him.

Martin mentioned the annual golf tournament Clark Gillies hosts.

"That’s huge having that history and seeing those guys around," defenseman Scott Mayfield said. "Their banners are in our practice rink. Their banners are in our game rink. We’re constantly reminded of it. The 1214618 New York Islanders Game 1, with Trotz mixing and matching his other five defensemen at even strength while sprinkling in Dobson for a shift here and there.

Sound familiar? This was the 2019-20 Dobson plan, when he essentially Ilya Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov? Top-line change? Takeaways from functioned as a part-time player for 34 games and played just one playoff Islanders’ Game 1 loss to Bruins game. Dobson had an eventful night for such limited minutes, on the ice for four goals, two by each side; he got bodied out of position by Taylor Hall before Pastrnak’s hat-trick goal late in the third, a play that might be interference in the regular season but is more likely evidence that By Arthur Staple Dobson’s strength isn’t where it needs to be for such a key spot. May 30, 2021 Much like the forward situation, Trotz has precious few options to make changes to the defense. Thomas Hickey has been taking warmups as the seventh defenseman. Hickey hasn’t played since March 29, and The Islanders didn’t deserve a better fate than their Game 1 loss to the Trotz clearly doesn’t trust Hickey to withstand the punishment of the Boston Bruins. But the situation isn’t quite as bleak as it looks in the Bruins forwards. Braydon Coburn is around and he’s plenty big but hours after the game, one in which a nearly full TD Garden went bonkers probably too slow to handle the Bruins’ speed. from the start and reached an apex on David Pastrnak’s hat trick goal with 4:10 to go that dropped the Isles behind by two. So Dobson is likely staying in the lineup and staying in a reduced role at even strength. He has not looked completely himself since returning from They were outplayed, not overmatched. Let’s break it down: a three-week COVID-19 bout in March so perhaps this is the right course of action, but the Islanders defense corps might wear down sooner as a Stick with Sorokin? result. Ilya Sorokin wasn’t the reason the Islanders lost. He gave up four goals How to deal with Perfection on 39 shots, though Barry Trotz felt the TD Garden off-ice official counting shots on net had “a happy finger” and perhaps pressed the The Islanders weren’t exactly in awe of the Brad Marchand-Patrice button for the home side a bit too eagerly. Sorokin was moving Bergeron-Pastrnak line but they were too deferential, backing off the blue confidently all night but lost track of at least three shots after they hit him, line on any number of Bruins rushes. Dobson was guilty of that on all of which could have turned into goals had he either moved the wrong Pastrnak’s last goal, giving No. 88 loads of room on the entry and then way and pushed the pucks behind him or if his defensemen hadn’t dived getting caught in Hall’s bull rush to the net. to prevent Bruins sticks from reaching the loose change. The Perfection Line dominated in Game 1; if the Islanders had been able Semyon Varlamov will not have played in 11 days by the time Monday’s to contain them even a bit more, limit them to two goals even, it could Game 2 comes around. He’s healthy enough to back up, so he’s have been a different outcome. As it was, the Islanders had trouble when presumably healthy enough to play. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock weren’t on the ice and even at times when they were — Trotz split them up on occasion to get at least one of Trotz leaves the vast majority of the Islanders’ goaltending decisions to them out there against either the Bergeron or David Krejci lines, to only Mitch Korn and Piero Greco, but Trotz surely has the final say. Does he modest effect. want to see what Varlamov, his potential Vezina Trophy finalist, could do after Sorokin’s first not-great outing of the playoffs? They have to try to take away time and space, etc. But a lot of the damage started with Islanders defenders backing too far off, allowing What would you do? entries and setups. Time for a top-line change Not enough north-south Mathew Barzal’s line helped produce the 2-2 tying goal in the second, The Islanders were credited with 38 shot attempts, a far-too-low number with Barzal missing on a setup from Leo Komarov before Jordan Eberle for a game in which the Bruins wanted to and did shoot from anywhere. retrieved the puck and teed up Adam Pelech’s one-timer. Trotz thought The Islanders prefer quality over quantity, but Trotz pointed out they Barzal’s line “was OK — I didn’t really have too many issues with them.” passed up some opportunities on choppy ice when the game and setting Trotz’s biggest lament was having only one line going as far as demanded simplicity. generating consistent zone time and that was the Anthony Beauvillier- Brock Nelson-Josh Bailey line once again, even though they were on for Beauvillier was the Isles’ best forward, with yet another goal and a dog- three against. on-bone mentality in his forecheck game. A few other Islanders forwards need to match that tenacity for Monday. The Komarov-Barzal-Eberle line hasn’t been bad all the way through the playoffs, but that’s not the standard this time of year. Without Anders Lee, it’s not a true top line anymore, but you can see what a team derives from its top forwards going the way Boston’s guys were in Game 1. The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 Barzal needs to be better, and he needs a better winger than Komarov, who looked slow in a game played at a high pace.

The options are limited. Oliver Wahlstrom missed his second game in a row. Whether he can get enough rehab and on-ice work to be a candidate to go back in for Game 2 isn’t known; if he can go it’s hard to see where Trotz drops his 20-year-old rookie right in on Barzal’s wing, especially if that line is going to get tougher matchups on the road.

But putting Wahlstrom back in his usual spot with J-G Pageau and Kyle Palmieri frees up Travis Zajac, who didn’t look out of place Saturday, to replace Komarov alongside Barzal. Zajac’s not a huge offensive catalyst but he’s not a drag on chance generation either; Saturday it was noticeable on a couple of occasions that Barzal simply doesn’t appear to have confidence that a rush out wide and pass to the slot will produce anything.

Komarov can be effective and his physical side might still be a plus in what promises to be a heavy series, but if the option is there, Zajac is a better choice.

Dobson dilemma

Noah Dobson played just 10:44 at even strength Saturday, more than only Komarov (10:43). He was essentially a power-play specialist in 1214619 New York Islanders

We Finally Have Full New York Islanders-Bruins Schedule

Published 3 hours ago on May 30, 2021

By Jimmy Murphy

The Boston Bruins beat the New York Islanders 5-2 in Game 1 to take a 1-0 series lead in the second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series at an almost full and rocking TD Garden Saturday night. Late in the game, the NHL finally announced a full schedule for the series.

Game 2 between the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders will be on Monday at 7:30 pm ET (TV: NBCSN, SN1, TVA Sports).

The two teams then get a three-day break while the series switches to Long Island and what promises to be a very loud Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York for Games 3 and 4. Game 3 will be Thursday at 7:30 PM ET and Game 4 will be next Saturday night at 7:15 PM ET. If necessary, the series will switch back to Boston and TD Garden for Game 5 on Monday, June, 7.

Here’s the full remaining schedule:

Game 2: Monday, May 31 at 7:30 pm ET (TV: NBCSN, SN1, TVA Sports)

Game 3: Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 pm ET (TV: NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports)

Game 4: Saturday, June 5 at 7:15 pm ET (TV: NBC, SN, CBC, TVA Sports)

Game 5: Monday, June 7 at TBD (TBD)

Game 6: Wednesday, June 9 at TBD (TBD)

Game 7: Friday, June 11 at TBD (TBD)

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214620 New York Islanders

Islanders Far From Perfect Against Boston’s ‘Perfection Line’ in Game 1

Published 3 hours ago on May 30, 2021

By Christian Arnold

BOSTON — There were no surprises for the New York Islanders in their Game 1 loss to the Boston Bruins, especially from the always lethal “perfection line.” Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron made New York pay with a combined six points on Saturday and a hat trick for Pastrnak.

It was Charlie McAvoy’s early third-period goal that was the game- winner, but it was the play of the top line and Pastrnak that allowed that moment to occur in the first place. And his third goal of the night ended any hope of an Islanders comeback in the third period.

“We have to challenge them a little bit more. We backed off, they’re going to make plays through you,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “We have to tighten up there. We’re going to need more from our lines. I really felt that I had really probably one line that was really on top of their game.

“The other lines had spurts, but we’re going to have to be, right through our whole line up, we’re going to have to be much better.”

The space that the New York Islanders allowed for Pastrnak and his linemates was clear on all three of his goals on Saturday. On his power- play goal, he was allowed to sit in the faceoff circle all alone in the perfect spot to collect the rebound that Ilya Sorokin had given up.

He buried his opportunity.

When Pastrnak scored with 8:52 left in the second period to put Boston back in front, he skated undetected towards the net in the perfect spot yet again to pick up the rebound. The puck went right to him and by the time Ryan Pulock noticed Pastrnak there it was too late.

He scored again.

And when Pastrnak completed the hat trick, he was able to skate right by the New York Islanders in the neutral zone and then into the slot, where he fired his wrist shot by Ilya Sorokin to send an avalanche of hats onto the ice from the stands. There were some who felt that Taylor Hall interfered with Dobson and Pelech, but the Islanders had already put themselves in a precarious spot.

“They did nothing that we were surprised by,” Andy Greene said. “A couple of them, Pastrnak likes to sit in that area over there. That’s a little soft area there. A couple of bouncing pucks and deflections right to him and he’s not going to miss those. So we just have to make sure we’re just aware over there and then just try to limit his opportunities.

“Not just him, the whole line, and that’s what I take out of it tonight.”

The “perfection line” played just as advertised on Saturday night. Their 17 shot attempts five-on-five, accordng to Natural Stat Trick, were the most of the four Boston lines, as were their 16 scoring chances. Four of those were high danger.

The Islanders will have a day to regroup and figure out how to contain Pastrnak, Marchand and Bergeron. They have shown during the First Round that they can keep some of the NHL’s most dynamic scorers off the board, and they’ll need to dig down in their bag of tricks to do it again when the puck drops for Game 2 against Boston on Monday.

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214621 New York Islanders to be, right through our whole line up, we’re going to have to be much better.”

The Islanders and Boston will play game 2 on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at TD Pastrnak Burns Islanders in Game 1 Loss to Bruins Garden.

Published 4 hours ago on May 29, 2021 NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021

By Christian Arnold

BOSTON — The New York Islanders gave David Pastrnak room to work and he made them pay for it.

Pastrnak completed the hat trick and Long Island native Charlie McAvoy scored the go-ahead goal 6:20 into the third to break a 2-2 tie in an eventual 5-2 Game 1 win for the Boston Bruins. Anthony Beauvillier and Adam Pelech scored the only goals for New York in the loss.

Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves in the loss, which was his first in the playoffs and the first time in the postseason that he surrendered more than three goals.

“I thought we did a lot of good things during the game. Obviously, it didn’t go the way we wanted,” Beauvillier said. “It’s playoffs, there’s going to be lows and there’s going to be highs. We just have to fight through it. Make sure we get ready for the next game.”

Islanders Far From Perfect Against Boston’s ‘Perfection Line’ in Game 1

McAvoy’s game-winning goal came just after Boston killed off the Islanders’ third power play of the night. New York failed to get anything going on the man-advantage and with Nick Ritchie screening Sorokin, McAvoy fired a one-timer from the blue line that was out of the reach for the Isles’ rookie netminder.

Pastrnak was able to all but seal the game with his third goal of the night at 15:50 of the third. He took the puck in the neutral zone and skated into the Islanders’ end, firing a hard shot from the slot that went by Sorokin to make it a 4-2 game. Taylor Hall scored on the empty net to make it 5-2 in the closing minutes.

New York and Boston played a close game through the first 40 minutes and the islanders were bailed out at times by the play of Sorokin in net. Five-on-five the Islanders were out-attempted in shots 35-17, according to Natural Stat Trick, and Boston owned New York on high danger scoring chances, 12-2

New York only registered 22 shots on goal and the Islanders failed to contain the “perfection line,” which combined for six points in Game 1.

“They were throwing from everywhere,” Eberle said. “I thought, for the most part, we kept their high quality outside. We’re a veteran team. We’re going to regroup here and be ready for the next game.”

The Islanders scored the game’s opening goal 11:48 into the game off the man advantage. Beauvillier was able to deflect the puck in the slot off a shot from the point by Noah Dobson.

The goal was Beauvillier’s fourth of the playoffs and his fourth goal in his last five games.

Boston evened the game up at one with a power-play goal of their own in the final minute of the first period. David Krejci fired the puck from far out and Sorokin made the leg save, but the rebound went right to David Pastrnak, who teed up the wrist shot to tie the game at 19:36.

After coming out aggressively to start the second period, Pastrnak found the net for the second time of the night to put Boston up 2-1. In nearly identical fashion, Pastrnak buried a rebound that went off the leg of Sorokin and bounced right to him for the go-ahead goal at 11:08.

The Islanders found an answer of their own less than two minutes later.

Leo Komarov nearly set up Mathew Barzal for a scoring chance right in front, but the pass was too quick and went by the 24-year-old. Jordan Eberle was able to pick up the loose puck and feed Pelech at the point for the one-timer, which got by the glove of Rask.

“We’re going to need more from our lines,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “I really felt that I had really probably one line that was really on top of their game. The other lines had spurts, but we’re going to have 1214622 New York Islanders the Washington Capitals. And they are no doubt better defensively, simply due to the remarkable talents of their top center.

Complimentary scoring is there too, with Jake DeBrusk waking from a How The Islanders Froze Penguins And What’s Next season-long slumber and the trade deadline addition of speedy Taylor Hall. The defense after Charlie McEvoy might make you ask, ‘who is that guy’, but they will no doubt be better than what the Penguins trotted out there. Published 13 hours ago on May 29, 2021 They are big, bruising and physical. Play a north-south game comparable By Andy Graziano to New York.

And yeah, I’m highly confident that Tuuka Rask will outplay Jarry by a I said Penguins in six. I Didn’t sense the New York Islanders could simply tremendous margin. “flip the switch” and find their game after limping to the finish line. I’m done making predictions. The Islanders dominated the regular I was wrong. season series between these two teams early, winning the first five before dropping the last three. To be fair, New York was outplayed for a solid stretch of their six-game series with Pittsburgh, but they did end up locating their mojo and playing New York showed resilience, pride and character when they clearly two of their best games in Game 4 and Game 6. Also, to be honest, we weren’t up to pace early in their first-round series, before seemingly did say that goaltending would be the difference. We merely didn’t finding their stride late. Boston is clearly playing their best hockey of the correctly predict which goaltender that would be. season. Should be a grinding, fun series between two teams who play a similar style. “I thought we showed a lot of resiliency. We were chasing the game and I thought, when the game was 2-1, we got a huge save that gave us Sit back and enjoy the ride. momentum. When it was 5-3, we got a huge save and it settled us right down.” head coach Barry Trotz said after the 5-3 Game 6 clincher. NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 Of course, he’s talking about rookie Ilya Sorokin, who made a surprise game-one start in place of injured Semyon Varlamov, then replaced the Islanders’ starter in Game 4 after two shaky showings. He showed calm, poise, and most importantly, rebound control in posting a .943 save percentage against a menacing offensive team that claimed tons of puck possession and zone time.

Some might argue Sorokin’s extended time in the KHL means he’s not necessarily a ‘rookie, even though the official league definition applies. But, the quality of shooters and intense parity when looking at the two leagues is incomparable. Islanders fans have waited a long time for him to make his debut, and once he got acclimated after some early season hiccups, he has been fantastic.

It’s his crease to lose at the moment.

While Mathew Barzal was struggling to find open space against the Penguins focused defensive approach, the Islanders second line bailed them out again. Brock Nelson, Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey combined for nine goals and 10 assists in the series, completely outplaying the Penguins top line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust (4-3-7).

Yes, much of the credit there goes to the defensive pair of Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech, but it can’t be understated how much the Islanders benefited from the offensive production of what has been their finest playoff line for two years running.

Bailey notched the overtime winner in game five, and Nelson paced the attack in game six, scoring two and missing an empty net for what would have been a playoff hat trick. Beauviller, once again, continues to score big goals in the biggest moments, a trait that many truly don’t possess when the going gets tough.

It must have seemed like Christmas to Islanders fans after analyzing the performance of Penguins goaltender Tristian Jarry.

Playing to an .888 save percentage in the series, Jarry produced some huge mistakes in the most critical moments. None graver than passing the puck directly to Bailey on the game-five, double-overtime winner, rather than making a simple play to the boards. I’m convinced that was a series ender, not just a game ender.

His lack of confidence carried over to his game six performance, where he gave up what could be considered weak goals to Kyle Palmieri, Nelson and Ryan Pulock. Had Casey DeSmith been healthy, there is no doubt Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan would have gone that route, likely for game five and beyond.

The Bruins are a much different team as the Islanders get ready for game one tonight in Boston.

They send out a top line that could be considered on par, if not better, than Pittsburgh. David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand combined for eight goals and five assists in their five-game demolition of 1214623 New York Islanders

Islanders Need Breakout Series from Mathew Barzal in Second Round vs Boston

Published 16 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Christian Arnold

If there was as good a time as any for Mathew Barzal to break out of his shell in the playoffs, round two against the Boston Bruins would be it.

The Islanders star and most offensively gifted player had been somewhat quiet through their First Round series win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the six games against Pittsburgh, Barzal had three points — all assists which came in Game 2 and Game 3 — but appeared as though he had been gaining some confidence in the final games of the series.

Now with Boston on deck, Barzal needs to bring that confidence to the Second Round if the Islanders are going to have a good chance against a talented opponent. And Barzal has been able to do that over the course of his career against Boston.

The recently turned 24-year-old has made it a habit out of turning up his game when it came to playing Boston. Related or not, Boston passed up on drafting Mathew Barzal three times during the 2015 NHL Draft allowing the Islanders to select him at 16th overall.

In 17 career games against Boston, Barzal has 14 points (five goals, nine assists), which included three goals against them this season. Barzal scored what would become the go-ahead goal in a 4-2 win over Boston at the Nassau Coliseum on Feb. 13.

He finished the regular season with seven points (three goals, four assists) in the eight games New York faced Boston.

Islanders Will Need to Crack a New Goaltending Code Against Bruins

“I wouldn’t say there is any specific reason,” Barzal responded when asked by NYI Hockey Now about the reason for his success against Boston. “If I had to pinpoint anything I think it’s just maybe when you play the Boston Bruins you know that you have to bring your highest compete level. Or else you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb out there. Maybe that’s it, but it’s just an intense game and I know I have to be on top of my game or else you’re going to stick out, and it’s not going to be good.”

While the Islanders had had a bit of an offensive explosion in the final three games of their series with Pittsburgh, Boston will present a much tougher challenge, especially with a veteran netminder like Tuukka Rask guarding the net. The Islanders were able to get to Tristan Jarry in the First Round much easier than they will against Rask.

“Against Boston, he has pretty good number,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “I think he rises to the challenge and they have some pretty good players that play you hard. I think he’s up for that challenge.”

That’s why Barzal’s offensive contributions become that much more imperative.

The good news is that Trotz has seen steady improvement by the forward during the First Round. Mathew Barzal had several scoring chances in Game 6.

“I think he’s learned the emotional side of the playoffs and that it’s not going to be easy,” Trotz said. “What you might be able to do in the regular season you sometimes can’t do against your opponent in the playoffs. He’s in a better place emotionally and therefore he can breakout for us. He’s a maturing player, he just turned 24 the other day, and there’s been a lot of growth. Sometimes it doesn’t show as much on the ice, but the other parts.

“The understanding that it’s not going to be the perfect every day, you’re not going to be able to get five points tonight, but you can still contribute in different ways. He’s learned that for us.”

NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021

1214624 Pittsburgh Penguins

Minor league report: Nailers beaten by Stingrays

SETH RORABAUGH

Sunday, May 30, 2021 1:37 a.m.

Goaltender Louis-Phlip Guindon made 44 saves on 50 shots for the Wheeling Nailers in a 6-2 road loss to the South Carolina Stingrays at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, S.C. on Saturday.

Forward Patrick Watling recorded two assists for Wheeling (21-36-6-1) while forwards Matt Alfaro and Austin Fyten each added goals.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214625 Pittsburgh Penguins “He’s a great coach,” Kapanen said. “He’s done a tremendous job with everybody here. This is an unbelievable organization. I’m just lucky to be here. This is a very good team. The future for us is very bright.”

Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen finds a 'home'

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.30.2021

SETH RORABAUGH

Saturday, May 29, 2021 7:01 a.m.

Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen scored 30 points in 40 games this season.

Kasperi Kapanen’s first campaign as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t go smoothly.

When your individual season is delayed because you’re stuck on another continent because of a bureaucratic snafu related to a global pandemic, nothing is smooth.

But when the talented winger was on the ice, he more often than not showed the talent and skill that prompted the Penguins to make him their first-round pick in 2014 and to swing a blockbuster trade to bring him back this past August.

In 40 games, he produced a steady 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) while appearing to establish chemistry on the second line with franchise center Evgeni Malkin.

Like a lot of his teammates, the postseason wasn’t his finest moment as he was limited to three points (one goal, two assists) in six games.

Regardless, Kapanen seemed to find a fit in Pittsburgh after spending the first five seasons of his NHL career as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

More than that, he appeared to find — to use a phrase he used repeatedly during a video conference Friday — a “home.”

“Just a great group of guys kind of welcoming me in,” said Kapanen, who got emotional at times Friday. “Made me feel at home in a way, for sure. I’m grateful for that. The way that it ended obviously was short. It (stinks) right now. But I’m very grateful for the way the guys made me feel at home and feel a part of this team. I appreciate that.”

Things weren’t perfect for Kapanen in his new home. The native of Finland missed all of training camp and the first three games of the regular season after an unexplained delay for a work visa he applied for in October. It was not processed until January.

Then there was the benching he received from coach Mike Sullivan during a 3-2 home win against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena that prompted a heart-to-heart between player and coach to hash things out.

Additionally, Kapanen missed 13 games throughout March and April because of a left foot injury he suffered after being struck by a puck during a 5-2 home win against the Buffalo Sabres.

Despite quite a few impediments to his season, Kapanen expressed a profound appreciation for his surroundings the past five months.

“I was in Toronto before this,” said the 24-year-old Kapanen. “A great place to be, but I never really felt this comfortable, ever, with a certain group of guys. I’m just very lucky to be here and enjoy it with these guys right now.”

Kapanen, who never has played more than seven games in a postseason during his career, appeared to take his team’s loss to the Islanders in the first round of the postseason — which included two overtime defeats — particularly hard.

“A couple of overtimes, it can go either way,” Kapanen said. “They won both of those overtimes. But they’re a good team. So hats off to them. They’re a good team. We just couldn’t get it done.”

Just about anyone who participated in the loss for the Penguins would appear to be a candidate to be moved off the payroll by management, including Kapanen and Sullivan.

Kapanen doesn’t appear to be interested in either party leaving town. 1214626 Pittsburgh Penguins

Mark Madden's Hot Take: Bringing back Mike Sullivan is not a no-brainer for Penguins

MARK MADDEN

Saturday, May 29, 2021 7:01 a.m.

Mike Sullivan will probably coach the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.

But there might be some debate in management’s mind. Sullivan won Stanley Cups in 2016 and ’17. But his Penguins have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for three straight seasons. Recent bias does Sullivan no favors.

GM and president of hockey operations Brian Burke will make the Penguins bigger and heavier. Sullivan might balk at that.

But Hextall and Burke owe Sullivan nothing. Sullivan won Cups for ex- GM Jim Rutherford, not them.

If Hextall, Burke and ownership aren’t sure about Sullivan’s return, they need to decide immediately.

In 2014, the Penguins fired GM Ray Shero after the 2013-14 season concluded but waited three more weeks to dismiss coach Dan Bylsma. In the interim, the coaching pool dried up. The Penguins settled for junior coach Mike Johnston.

That didn’t go very well. Johnston only lasted 110 games.

There are currently four coaching openings in the NHL: Arizona, Columbus, the New York Rangers and expansion Seattle. There are several top candidates available, including Gerard Gallant, Claude Julien and Rick Tocchet.

I’m not sure if the Penguins should keep Sullivan or not.

Sullivan is an excellent coach, but perhaps he’s hit his expiration date. Maybe the Penguins need to hear a different message and voice. Sullivan’s speed-and-skill, “just-play” style might not work with this group or in an NHL that’s trending heavy.

If Tocchet would definitely take the job, the Penguins should be tempted. An assistant with the Penguins from 2014-17, Tocchet has great respect in the locker room and 100% credibility with ownership. If anyone can gauge how to properly combine skill and heavy, it’s Tocchet. That’s how he played and how he coaches.

But whatever the Penguins decide, they need to decide now — or they might have to settle for Johnston again. Worse yet, John Tortorella. (Just kidding. I hope.)

Sullivan shouldn’t be untouchable. Chicago fired Joel Quenneville. Los Angeles axed Darryl Sutter. Detroit let Mike Babcock walk. If Hextall and Burke think a bad start next season gets Sullivan terminated, he should go now.

Sullivan likely would fill one of the current vacancies, so the Penguins wouldn’t have to pay off the last two years of his deal.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214627 Pittsburgh Penguins We know what we are going to get from them. Nothing.

Maybe we had all of this coming. Ron Cook: Ugly week highlights the decline of Pittsburgh pro sports After the Penguins’ five Stanley Cups and the Steelers’ six Super Bowls?

We’ve been pretty lucky except with our baseball team. But that doesn’t Ron Cook make thoughts of what our teams are going to do in the near future any easier to take. 5/29/2021 It looks like it could be a really rough ride.

The Penguins have been in existence for 53 years. On Monday night at PPG Paints Arena, in Game 5 of their playoff series against the New Post Gazette LOADED: 05.30.2021 York Islanders, goaltender Tristan Jarry turned the puck over in double overtime, leading to the winning goal by the Islanders. It was the worst gaffe in franchise history.

The Pirates have been around for 140 years. On Thursday afternoon at PNC Park, first baseman Will Craig allowed a run to score from second base after he chased a Chicago Cubs batter back toward home plate to tag him out rather than just step on first base for the final out of the inning. It was the worst gaffe in franchise history.

Nice week, right?

Don’t forget the Steelers, who joined the NFL in 1933. In their most recent game in January, center Maurkice Pouncey snapped the ball over Ben Roethlisberger’s head on the first play of a playoff game, resulting in a for the Cleveland Browns. It was one of the worst gaffes in franchise history.

This is professional sports in Pittsburgh these days.

Can you remember worse calamities at the same time?

I can’t.

The Penguins lost the Jarry game and then were eliminated from the playoffs in Game 6 on Long Island on Wednesday night when Jarry allowed five more goals. It was the third consecutive year that they were bounced out in the first round. They have lost their past four playoff series, 13 of their past 16 postseason games.

The Pirates’ loss to the Cubs on Thursday afternoon was their sixth in a row and their 20th in 26 games. They took an 18-31 record into a weekend series against the and were on pace to lose 103 games. They will have a losing season for the 25th time in the past 29 seasons. They were the worst team in baseball last season with a 19- 41 record.

The Steelers were embarrassed at home by the Browns in that playoff loss. It was their fourth consecutive season without a postseason win. They have just three playoff wins since their most recent appearance after the 2010 season.

Does anyone see another Super Bowl coming anytime soon?

Or another Stanley Cup, for that matter?

Many of the NFL’s so-called insiders are picking the Steelers to finish third in the AFC North this season behind the Browns and Baltimore Ravens. The great Roethlisberger — the best quarterback in franchise history — is 39 and nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career. No one knows for sure how much he has left or what quarterback will lead the team in 2022. Roethlisberger? Mason Rudolph? Dwayne Haskins? Someone else? Uncertainty abounds.

The Penguins also are getting older in a hurry. Sidney Crosby will be 34 in August. Evgeni Malkin will be 35 in July. Kris Letang is 34. There has been speculation Malkin or Letang could be traded this offseason because of the recent postseason failures. Mike Sullivan, who is a terrific coach, also might not be back, perhaps because of philosophical differences with the new management team of Brian Burke and Ron Hextall. Sullivan has said he believes in speed and skill. Burke has said he likes size and toughness. Can they find a happy middle ground? There hardly is any guarantee the team will make the playoffs next season for an astonishing 16th consecutive year. All good things must end, right?

And the Pirates?

Does anything more really need to be said about the irrelevant Pirates? 1214628 Pittsburgh Penguins

Friedman: Mike Sullivan WILL Return as Penguins Coach

Published 5 hours ago on May 29, 2021

By Dan Kingerski

It’s a sign of the times and the uncertainty which surrounds the Pittsburgh Penguins offseason. Everyone from Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and even Jake Guentzel face questions about their return to the Penguins. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was no exception.

However, according to , Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman, Sullivan will indeed return as the Penguins coach.

“He’s a heck of a coach. He’s under contract for three more years,” Friedman declared in the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada. “I’d expect him to be back behind the bench in Pittsburgh, in case anyone had any questions,”

The Penguins’ future was thrown into question when they failed to convert opportunities and lost their Round One series to the New York Islanders in six games. The loss was the third straight opening-round loss by the Penguins, including the 2020 Qualifying Round loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins lost that best of five series in four games and didn’t put up much of a fight.

For three years, Sullivan has been just a few wins behind Dan Bylsma as the Penguins’ all-time winningest playoff coach. Bylsma has 43 career playoff wins with the Penguins. Sullivan has inched up to 41, with only three wins in the last three years.

Sullivan trails Bylsma by only 15 wins to be the Penguins all-time winningest coach in the regular season, too. On June 18, 2015, Sullivan was hired to be the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins head coach. However, on Dec. 12, 2015, he replaced head coach Mike Johnston as the Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss.

The Penguins lost the first four games under Mike Sullivan but won the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup. In 2019, then-general manager Jim Rutherford signed Sullivan to a five-year contract extension which runs through the 2023-2024 season.

The Penguins won the East Division this season, and Sullivan is receiving significant buzz for the Jack Adams award as the league’s coach of the year.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214629 Pittsburgh Penguins And the Pittsburgh Penguins will need more from Guentzel, not in the regular season, where he has an amazing 83 goals in his last 177 games. His numbers are unquestionably elite, but in the playoffs, he has struggled mightily over the past three seasons. Jake Guentzel: ‘I Let a Lot of People Down,’ Ready to Hit Weight Room After scoring 23 goals in his first 37 playoff games, Guentzel has just three goals in the last three years, which spans only 14 games, in part because Guentzel has not filled the net with Crosby as he did in 2017 Published 17 hours ago on May 29, 2021 and 2018. By Dan Kingerski The Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and the Islanders again have deployed similar strategies to beat the Penguins. Each team protected the net and packed the zone. They gave the Penguins the perimeter and Beyond the intense focus on the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending in the the puck, but took away the scoring zones, at least without being paying Round One series loss to the New York Islanders, the other issue which the price to get there. plagued the Penguins was their steadfast inability to get the clinching goal. Or the next goal. Or simply enough goals. And that responsibility Letting people down might be dramatic, but it is his job and he’ll need to falls on the Penguins goal scorers, including top-line left wing Jake find a way to get that red light flashing again, or the Penguins will Guentzel. continue to lose–assuming they make the playoffs for the 16th straight season. Despite playing only six games against a defensively stingy team, the Penguins far and away still lead the NHL playoffs in total scoring chances Guentzel is going to hit the weight room to hold up his end of the bargain. with 177. The Vegas Golden Knights just completed a seven-game win over the Minnesota Wild and have only 158. Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 It will take at least another couple of games before the Carolina Hurricanes or Boston Bruins catch the Penguins total.

And yet, the Penguins scored just 16 goals in six games. They yielded 21 and that’s why they’re at home.

Guentzel is one of those players who is primarily responsible to light the lamp. His ice time, his role which includes playing with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and his ample paycheck are because he can score goals.

Yet Guentzel didn’t hit the scoresheet until a power-play goal in Game 6.

“…Sometimes you feel it and everything goes in. And sometimes it’s just not going to find a way in the net. I thought I had chances, I had shots,” Guentzel said. “I’ve got to find a better way to produce and do my job there, so I take responsibility for that and I let a lot of people down. But I’ve just got to find a way to put the puck in and make plays and be better there.”

That’s a big admission from Guentzel; not that he didn’t score enough in the Round One series, but that he let down his team.

As PHN noted during the series, Guentzel did indeed have a lot of shots. But the stat sheet and the reality diverge. Guentzel put shots on net but a vast majority of those shots were not in the scoring zones. For example, in Game 4, Guentzel led the Penguins with six shots but only one was within 25 feet.

At 5v5, Guentzel had no goals and one assist. Overall, he had 19 shots at even strength, and according to NaturalStatTrick.com, Guentzel also had 19 scoring chances (which means a lot were blocked). In six games, Guentzel had only eight high-danger chances.

The New York Islanders had no shame putting more than a couple of bodies near the net. It was a crowded and heavy space around the Islanders net. And the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Guentzel has swallowed up.

Guentzel wasn’t the only winger who had trouble scoring. Jared McCann had no goals. Jason Zucker had a pair of markers but only 11 shots and three high-danger chances in the six games. The Penguins top three LWs counted only Zucker’s goals at even-strength and were largely ineffective against the Islanders’ packed defensive strategy.

“…We were feeling good about ourselves going into the playoffs. But sometimes you just run into a good team–and they’re a good team and they had a great goaltender,” Guentzel said. “So it’s just it’s part of the game sometimes.”

Whether the Penguins challenged Guentzel to get stronger, or the intelligent player already knew, Guentzel admitted that 180 pounds probably isn’t enough, especially with the changing NHL game which is moving back towards a heavy physicality to combat speedy teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins.

If Guentzel is a Penguins winger next season, he will have to fight through the clog of the New York Islanders, or any number of other teams who realize they too can beat speedy, smaller teams by packing the zone and daring the wingers t break up the clog. 1214630 Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs for a few seasons. He didn’t get a regular lineup spot until 2018-19, despite making his NHL debut in 2015-16. That was a long three years that Toronto and Babcock made him toil, back and forth from the AHL. Stylin’ and Profilin’ Kapanen Finally Found a Home with Penguins And just when he thought he arrived with 20 goals in 2018-19, Babcock was relieved of his duties. New coach Sheldon Keefe used Kapanen in a bottom-six role for most of last season. Published 19 hours ago on May 29, 2021 And then he got to play with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. That’s an By Dan Kingerski upgrade, and you can understand why Kapanen so embraced the team and his role.

The defeat crushed Pittsburgh Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen. His melancholy and emotional attachment to the Penguins was obvious as Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 05.30.2021 he answered questions for the final time after the 2020-21 Penguins season crashed with a thud on Monday. His answers included big breaths, a softening voice, and long pauses with those big breaths.

The Penguins had a 2-1 series lead and felt good about their chances on Thursday morning. By Monday, the season was over. Three straight losses in the playoffs will do that.

But man, Kapanen brought some style game to his exit interviews. Most players show up in a team t-shirt and hat or some semblance of workout gear. Exit interviews with coaches and management aren’t usually celebratory events or fashionable soirees, but Kapanen managed to bring a bit of pop to the proceedings.

Even as the breath seemed to leave his chest when talking about the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins season.

“It wasn’t the start that I wanted for sure, but just a great group of guys kind of like welcomed me in, made me feel at home in a way, for sure. So I’m grateful for that,” Kapanen said. “And the way that it ended was short, but (long pause) it sucks right now. But I’m very grateful for the way the guys kind of made me feel at home and made me feel part of this team, and I appreciate that. So that’s my best answer.”

Kasperi Kapanen didn’t arrive in Pittsburgh immediately. He was delayed by COVID restrictions and immigration status, delaying his travel from Finland. Kapanen didn’t show up until the end of training camp and had to complete a two-week quarantine.

He burst onto the Penguins scene. His first game electrified the Penguins and helped to beat the Washington Capitals in overtime. Fans who weren’t yet allowed in the building clamored for more, even as Kapanen slotted on the fourth line to get back into game shape.

“I’m looking forward to (next season) right away, to be honest. I mean, I was in Toronto before this, and it was a great place to be, but I never really felt this comfortable ever with a certain group of guys,” Kapanen said before again trailing off. “And I’m just very lucky to be here, and it’s a joy with these guys right now.”

With his bright purple t-shirt and a purple hat with his sunglasses neatly arranged, Kapanen easily stood out on Friday. But he stood out on the ice with the Penguins, too. It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Head coach Mike Sullivan benched him for the third period against the Islanders in mid-February.

And then Kasperi Kapanen roared back after a little chat with Sullivan. He scored 14 points (5-9-14) in his next 13 games.

Overall, Kapanen scored 30 points (11-19-30) in 40 games but, more importantly, finally found a home with the Penguins. After finding the pine and being shuffled up and down the lineup under Mike Babcock and Sheldon Keefe in Toronto, Kapanen was planted in the Pittsburgh Penguins top-six. He was responsible for scoring goals. He was not a spare part but an important piece.

Babcock is notoriously difficult on some players. He can suck the fun out of things if you’re one of those players.

Conversely, the topic of Mike Sullivan brightened up Kapanen, who clearly enjoys his new coach.

“I think he’s a great coach. I think he’s done a tremendous job with everybody here,” Kapanen concluded. It’s an unbelievable organization…I’m just lucky to be here. I think this is a very good team. So I think the future for us is very bright.”

Kapanen’s journey home to the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2014 draft has been a winding road. He had to fight to make the 1214631 St Louis Blues “I certainly want to sit and take some time and talk to our entire staff,” Armstrong said. “Mike, he’s a goal-scorer. And I think he was certainly in the top portion of our team in points. When we needed goals when our season was on the brink, I thought he stepped up and played. Who stays? Who goes? Schwartz heads list of Blues' pending free agents “It’s that communication and bonding that takes time with coaches and teammates. Sometimes you say, ‘OK, I envision this player working with that guy.’ And it doesn’t work out that way.”

Jim Thomas Hoffman finished third on the team in goals (17) and tied for third with Brayden Schenn in points (36). His seven power play goals were a team-

high. In many ways, Jaden Schwartz plays a big man’s game in a small man’s But his ice time per game (15:04) was his lowest total in six years, it took body. He’ll hound pucks in the corner. Go net front on offense. Doesn’t a long time before he saw regular duty on the first power play unit, and back down from contact. He’s fast. Determined. he was benched for three games by Berube from March 28 through April In short, he’s coach Craig Berube’s type of player. And he’s the headliner 9. in this year’s group of pending free agents on the Blues. So does Hoffman, who made $4 million this season, even want to come It’s a group that includes eight unrestricted free agents, with notable back? players such as Mike Hoffman, Tyler Bozak and Carl Gunnarsson joining And does Berube, who at times wasn’t thrilled with Hoffman’s defense Schwartz in that group. There are also seven restricted free agents with and checking, want him back? expiring contracts, including Vince Dunn, Ivan Barbashev, Zach Sanford, Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas. “What I was really impressed with Mike though, was he hung in there, he battled, he worked, he waited for his opportunity, and then he produced,” While keeping in mind that restricted free agents almost never leave, Armstrong said. unless you want them to leave, that’s still a lot of work for general manager Doug Armstrong and his front office team this offseason. They What about Bozak? have plenty of time, however, given that free agency has been pushed back nearly a month – to July 28 this year from the usual July 1. Bozak is in a different category. He’s a stabilizing role player who plays defense, kills penalties, wins faceoffs and scores a goal every now and After locking in goalie Jordan Binnington to a six-year, $36 million then. After missing 21 games with a concussion, and then three more contract extension during the just-completed season, the Blues have with an unrelated upper-body injury he was strong down the stretch with about $15 million of salary cap space. four goals and 10 assists over his last 18 regular-season games. But at age 35, his career is winding down. Realistically, that’s not enough to re-sign the four unrestricted free agents and five restricted free agents listed above. But the Blues will lose some He’s finishing off a three-year, $15 million deal, but probably would have salary in whoever Seattle selects in the expansion draft July 21. And they to accept less than $5 million a year to remain a Blue. may not want all those players back anyway. Or vice versa. “Bozy’s a good pro, and I’ve enjoyed him for three years,” Armstrong It starts with Schwartz, the senior member of the Blues in terms of said. “And if it works out, that would be great.” continuous service, having played his first game for the team more than nine years ago on March 17, 2012. Since becoming a full-time player Gunnarsson, 34, also is on the downside of his career, and was sharing during the 2013-14 season, Schwartz has scored 19 or more goals in five the No. 6/No. 7 defensemen role with Robert Bortuzzo before his season of eight seasons. ended with a right knee injury Feb. 22 after playing in only 12 games.

But due in large part to injuries, he has run hot and cold lately, with only He made a modest $1.75 million in the ’20-’21 season, so perhaps the 11 regular-season goals in the 2018-19 Stanley Cup season, followed by Blues bring him back, particularly if they lose a D-man in the expansion 22 in ’19-’20 and just eight in 40 games this season. draft.

“It was a tough year for him for sure from an offensive standpoint, not Among the team’s restricted free agents, as long as the Blues make a producing,” Berube said. “He wants to produce and we need him to one-year qualifying offer, they retain the rights to that player. Dunn, produce but that didn’t happen. Sanford and Barbashev are eligible for arbitration, which makes is a little trickier, and potentially contentious. “Now, he gives you everything he’s got on the ice. Hard worker, extremely hard worker and competitive player. Real good team guy. He One of the Blues’ other arbitration-eligible RFA’s, forward Jacob de la had injuries this year. He was banged up a little bit down the stretch for Rose, reportedly has a contract offer from Farjestad in the Swedish sure but nothing that kept him out of the lineup.” Hockey League in his native country.

Schwartz, who turns 29 next month, missed 15 games from mid- “I think this will be an active year, not only potentially here in St. Louis but February through mid-March with what was believed to be an oblique around the league,” Armstrong said. “Any time you have expansion you muscle injury. have teams trying to do what’s best for them whether it’s not exposing players to Seattle, making trades in which they feel they’re in a better He had a tough lead-up to the season as well, with the passing of his spot, or just giving Seattle a list of players. And then a flat cap for the father Rick to a heart attack at age 59 in November. foreseeable future.

“Schwartz is a player that we talked to before the season and he was “So I think it’s gonna be an interesting summer.” very adamant that he was comfortable waiting (to negotiate a new contract),” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. “And I St. Louis Blues 2021 Report Card: Reflections on a season of understood that, with him going through a lot of things personally. Now disappointment we have until the end of July to figure out if this relationship’s gonna FORWARDS - RYAN O’REILLY continue.” St. Louis Blues vs. the Arizona Coyotes (copy) For now, Schwartz is taking a little down time with the season just ended, his agent told the Post-Dispatch, before they start thinking about a new He stepped up down the stretch of the regular season, scoring 10 goals contract. Schwartz averaged $5.35 million a year on the old one. With the in 13 games. He posted a career-high plus-25 rating, won 58.9 percent of combination of a flat salary cap, what figures to be a slow market, and his faceoffs and produced a stellar 43/24 takeaway/giveaway ratio. Schwartz’s down year in goal production, it’s possible the Blues don’t O’Reilly put extra focus on getting shots on goal and it worked, since offer a raise on the next contract. 69.7 percent of his attempts got through. That’s how you double your goal total from one year to the next. Will Hoffman return? GRADE: A As for Hoffman, Armstrong said perhaps optimistically that he could envision a scenario where the hard-shooting winger returns. DAVID PERRON Blues versus Sharks (copy) IVAN BARBASHEV

He joked Tuesday about getting an 8-year contract extension after next Blues Avalanche game (copy) season, but has been seriously good at an advanced age. Perron (19 goals, 39 assists in 56 games) delivered consistent point-per-game Like most Blues forwards, Barbashev suffered regression with his hit-per- production all year while posting strong possession metrics. His 18:03 game rate. Otherwise he remained on par with his previous checking line average time on ice was the second-highest of his career. He played production when healthy. He earned a promotion to scoring-line work at every regular season game ... and then COVID-19 denied him another the end, but his inability to finish was evident in the playoffs. He missed shot at postseason play. the net on a point-blank shot from the slot and he failed three times to lift the puck over Philipp Grubauer’s pad at the right post. GRADE: A GRADE: C JORDAN KYROU MIKE HOFFMAN Blues Ducks Hockey (copy) Blues don't clinch; fall in shootout (copy) He finally established himself in the NHL, albeit in uneven fashion. Kyrou scored 12 points his first 12 games. Later, though, he was held without a OK, so he’s not a Craig Berube-style player. Everybody knew that going point 13 times during a 15-game span. He produced solid possession in. Hoffman can really shoot the puck. When the Chief finally put him in metrics while getting sheltered usage (59.2 percent offensive zone position to do that – on the power-play unit and during 6-on-5 play – he starts). Kyrou began playing more tenaciously late in the season and he came through. He scored 8 goals and added 7 assists in his last 16 was noticeable in the playoffs while scoring once and putting 10 shots on games. His 17 power-play points trailed only Perron. With sheltered goal. usage (60.6 percent offensive zone starts) he earned a plus-2 rating despite the earlier defensive indifference that made him a healthy GRADE: B scratch.

TYLER BOZAK GRADE: C

Tyler Bozak (copy) KYLE CLIFFORD

He stepped up production from a 35-point pace last season to a 45-point Blues Avalanche Hockey (copy) pace. During the final 14 games his ice time jumped to 16:18 and he produced 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Bozak won 56.8 perfect He played a robust game while moving in and out of the lineup. But his of his faceoffs, making him an invaluable tag-team partner for O’Reilly. hit rate and shot rate were far below what they were the season before in He scored two shorthanded goals, one in the playoffs. But at this stage of Los Angeles and Toronto. Clifford chipped in a bit on the subpar penalty his career he didn’t quite measure up to his $5 million salary. kill unit and he played with an edge, which the team needed. But injuries in this disjointed season kept the Blues from building the sort of dynamic GRADE: B fourth line that boosted their Cup run.

SAMMY BLAIS GRADE: C

Anaheim Ducks vs St. Louis Blues JACOB DE LA ROSE

Sammy is who he is. He delivers crunching body hits. He scores the Blues V Sharks (copy) occasional goal. He suffers more than his share of injuries. His shot rate declined this season and his hit rate slipped, too, but his production was When in the lineup he took a 31 percent penalty-kill share. He landed 22 on par with last season. Blais scored a goal and delivered 14 playoff hits, hits in 13 games and recorded a 6/1 takeaway-giveaway ratio while so at least the Avalanche knew he was in the series. getting 71.4 percent of his zone starts in the . But he won just 46.6 percent of his draws and he produced no goals and 1 assist GRADE: B offensively.

DAKOTA JOSHUA GRADE: C

Blues vs. Golden Knights JADEN SCHWARTZ

He made the list of pleasant surprises. Joshua played 12 games as an Anaheim Ducks vs St. Louis Blues (copy) emergency fill-in and made his mark with 23 hits, including one on Vegas Golden Knights ruffian Ryan Reaves. His only goal caromed in off his One again he followed a strong offensive campaign (25 goals, 33 assists body, but at least he was driving to the net. Bonus point: Joshua won in 71 games in 2019-20) with a much lesser one (8 goals, 13 assists in 57.8 percent of his faceoffs while proving he can play center. 40 games). His offensive zone start rate (48.2 percent) was the lowest of his career and his power-play role (2:04 per game) diminished as well. GRADE: B Then he failed to register a point in the playoffs. He still checked well, but he lost significant leverage heading into free agency. MACKENZIE MACEACHERN GRADE: C-minus Blues Coyotes Hockey (copy) OSKAR SUNDQVIST A year ago he scored seven goals in 51 games. MacEachern failed to produce at that level this season – he had just 1 goal and 1 assist in 12 St. Louis Blues vs. the Arizona Coyotes (copy) games – but he chipped in as a penalty killer and scored his goal shorthanded. His shot rate and hit rate were on par with last season and Before suffering his season-ending knee injury, Sundqvist failed to he finished plus-3. measure up to previous years despite heavier deployment. He averaged a career-high 15:09 in ice time and his 21.3 percent power-play share GRADE: C was also his best. Yet he scored only at a 26-point pace, down from 34- and 33-point paces the previous two seasons. He finished with a minus-6 BRAYDEN SCHENN rating after finishing plus-5 the year before.

Blues 7, Wild 3 (copy) GRADE: C-minus

He almost single-handedly refused to let the Blues get soft this season. ROBERT THOMAS He landed 119 hits and took a memorable run at Mikko Rantanen in the playoffs. He was willing to drop the gloves as well. But after scoring 6 Blues swept from playoffs with 5-2 loss to Colorado (copy) times in a 9-game January stretch, he scored just 10 times in his final 46 games. On the plus side, he handled a big workload (19:09 per game), He flashed his tremendous playmaking talent in the playoffs while saw more penalty-killing duty and made progress in the faceoff circle earning three assists and creating other scoring chances. But after (52.4 percent) scoring at a 52-point pace last season, he slipped to a 30-point pace during this injury-marred season. And his peripheral statistics indicate GRADE C passive play: 22 shots on goal, 5 hits, 11 blocked shots. He won just 42.6 percent of his faceoffs and just 46.8 percent of his shot attempts got on JAKE WALMAN goal – the worst rate among regular forwards. Terry scores shootout winner, Ducks beat Blues 3-2 (copy) GRADE: D-plus He exceeded expectations, stepping in under emergency circumstances ZACH SANFORD to turn heads with his puck-rushing skill and confidence. Walman has made the journey from hot prospect to non-prospect and back. His speed Blues vs. Golden Knights (copy) did not translate into production, though, and his minus-7 rating and 6/17 After scoring at a 42-point pace last season he regressed to a 25-point takeaway/giveaway ratio reminds us that there’s work to do. pace this season. After finishing plus-13 last season, he was minus-13 GRADE: C-plus this season. After getting various opportunities to play on the top three lines, he fell into a fourth-line role. He produced just two goals and two ROBERT BORTUZZO assists in his last 26 regular season games and didn’t register a playoff point. On the plus side, he played a big penalty-killing role for the first Blues V Avalanche (copy) time and he held up when used as the No. 4 center. He maintained status quo as a third-pairing defender who moved in and GRADE: D-plus out of the lineup. Bortuzzo logged a bit more ice time, but he remained in a sheltered role (57.8 percent offensive zone starts) and his share of the VLADIMIR TARASENKO team’s power-play duty declined. On the other hand, he was one of the few Blues to play more physically this season – landing 19 more hits in Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues (copy) two fewer games played. He was missed after absorbing a head shot two We know he can still play because he scored twice in the elimination games into the playoffs. game. And we know he is getting healthier because Russia called him for GRADE: C the World Championships. Tarasenko scored 54 points in the 46 games before his latest shoulder injury. The comeback was challenging for sure, COLTON PARAYKO but his four goals in 24 regular season games still ranked as a big disappointment. He averaged just 0.58 points per game this season after Avalanche Blues Hockey (copy) averaging 0.83 or better six straight years. Ah, what could have been. A healthy Parayko could have enjoyed a GRADE: D breakthrough season as a true No. 1 defenseman. Instead he labored with a back injury, was shut down for a big chunk of the season and then DEFENSEMEN: JUSTIN FAULK returned to play just OK. His 13/23 takeaway/giveaway ratio was his career-worst. After a strong offensive finish in 2019-20 (15 points in 19 St. Louis Blues V Vegas Golden Knights (copy) games), he produced just 12 points in 32 games and nothing on the He might have been the most improved player in the entire league. Faulk power play. Blues fans are anxious to see if he can make a full recovery. added nearly 4 minutes to his average playing time. His share of penalty GRADE: C killing jumped from 22.8 percent to 55.6 percent. He landed 45 more hits while playing in 13 fewer games. Faulk produced seven points in his last CARL GUNNARSSON seven regular season games before getting knocked out of the playoffs by Nazem Kadri’s cheap shot. Sharks Blues Hockey (copy)

GRADE: A Had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury, he could have played a key role down the stretch given the other injuries. He could have made TOREY KRUG his case for more NHL time. His penalty-killing share (46 percent) was his highest as a Blue and it would have stayed high. Instead he faded to Blue versus Blue (copy) the background after 12 games.

Once he settled in with his new team and found his place on the power GRADE: C play, fans saw why GM Doug Armstrong signed him. Krug produced 16 points in his last 18 games. He assumed more responsibility than he had NIKKO MIKKOLA in Boston, playing a career-high 22:33 per game while getting 46.3 percent of his starts in the defensive zone. As Armstrong noted, that Blues Sharks Hockey (copy) heavier workload took a toll on his 5-on-5 play at times – although he did He looked the part of a Blues defenseman with his rangy build and long finish plus-11. reach. But Mikkola struggled with the puck. In the regular season and GRADE: B+ playoffs combined, he had just three takeaways against 22 giveaways. So he earned his minus-11 rating. On the plus side, he remained MARCO SCANDELLA aggressive and showed no hesitation to jump into the offensive play during the postseason. Marco Scandella (copy) GRADE: C-minus His plus-14 rating was second only to O’Reilly. His share of the team’s penalty-killing duty was the second-highest of his career. His playing time GOALTENDERS: JORDAN BINNINGTON was up appreciably from what he did for three teams last season. Scandella struggled defending the Colorado Avalanche rush at times in NHL clears Blues, Golden Knights after virus testing errors (copy) the playoffs, but he had plenty of company there. And like most Blues, he His inconsistency led to a .512 quality start percentage, which ranked saw his possession metrics take a beating with the Blues unable to 30th among regular netminders. Binnington started well, going 5-1-1 in sustain offensive zone pressure. January with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage GRADE: B while appearing recovered from his Bubble Hockey debacle. His February and March got ugly, then Binnington posted strong ratios in VINCE DUNN April (2.45, .925) and May (2.42, .914). He also competed hard in the playoffs despite facing a mismatch. Blues Coyotes Hockey (copy) GRADE: C+ He was coming on offensively (8 points in 7 games) before suffering an upper-body injury in mid-April that ended his season. Dunn shouldered a VILLE HUSSO bigger workload, 3 minutes more per game, but remained in sheltered usage (58.8 percent offensive zone starts). He remained prone to risky Blues 4, Wild 0 (copy) plays, as evidenced by his 10/26 takeaway/giveaway ratio and minus-8 He capped his rookie season on a positive note by shutting out the rating. He could be a 40- to 50-point defenseman with more power-play Minnesota Wild. But with a .467 quality start percentage and mediocre time, but on this team his share was 36.5 percent. ratios (3.20, .893), Husso was barely adequate in his backup role despite GRADE: C-plus his 9-6-1 overall record and his 7-2-1 mark on the road. But what did you expect in his first NHL season? GRADE: C- Pro-hockey

OWNERSHIP The latest STL Blues hockey news, NHL headlines, scores, standings and rosters. St. Louis Blues host first open practice of 2019-20 season (copy) * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes In the face of staggering revenue losses due to the pandemic, Tom agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Stillman’s group still allowed the Blues to spend to the NHL salary cap and beyond. The Blues put $64 million on the table for Alex Pietrangelo, then signed free-agent Torey Krug after Pietrangelo left. The Blues added free-agent Mike Hoffman with the cap space cleared by players on Jim Thomas long-term injured reserve. The ownership’s commitment to winning remained unwavering despite taking a huge financial hit. St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.30.2021 GRADE: A

MANAGEMENT

Head coach Berube (copy)

The Blues let captain Alex Pietrangelo get away. Could general manager Doug Armstrong have done more to retain him? Maybe not, since Pietrangelo was committed to testing free agency. He got a better contract structure with the Golden Knights, but not more total dollars. That whole episode was a head-scratcher. Armstrong rebounded by adding offense with Krug and Hoffman, but the team got smaller and less tenacious in the process. On the other hand, Armstrong’s faith in Justin Faulk was richly rewarded when Faulk delivered a strong second season. And depth players like Dakota Joshua and Steven Santani filled in nicely to make the front office look smart.

GRADE: C

COACHING STAFF

Day two of camp (copy)

Thanks to injuries and the COVID-19 disruptions, this season became a constant scramble. The lineup remained in constant flux. Craig Berube and his staff rallied the team late in the regular season, but the Blues were still no match for the Colorado Avalanche. Injuries played a big part as the team suffered a four-game sweep, but the Blues still seemed to have more to give. They never got their penalty-killing unit up to par. At times they sustained pressure 5-on-5 ... and at times they didn’t. The power play finally got into gear and Berube finally positioned Hoffman to succeed offensively.

GRADE: C

BLUES FREE AGENTS

UNRESTRICTED

F Tyler Bozak

F Mike Hoffman

F Austin Poganski

F Jaden Schwartz

F Nathan Walker

D Carl Gunnarsson

D Mitch Reinke

G Jon Gillies

RESTRICTED

(Arbitration eligible)

F Ivan Barbashev

F Jacob de la Rose

F Dakota Joshua

F Zach Sanford

D Vince Dunn

(Not arbitration eligible)

F Jordan Kyrou

F Robert Thomas

Tags 1214632 St Louis Blues 22 Nathan Walker

UFA Blues depth chart heading into the offseason: Where does Klim Kostin fit? Which positions need attention? 27

Even if Schwartz is re-signed, this group is extremely light on skill and goal scoring. Only Schwartz has recorded a 20-goal season in the NHL By Jeremy Rutherford (four times), and he had just eight goals in 40 games this season. Ivan May 29, 2021 Barbashev can play in the top six in a pinch, but he’s better suited for the bottom six. Zach Sanford has had plenty of opportunities on Ryan O’Reilly’s line and has had his moments, but there’s a reason the team had him centering the fourth line toward the end of the season. Kyle This is the time of the year when if your NHL team isn’t in the playoffs, Clifford and Mackenzie MacEachern are both fourth-liners, at best. The you’re ready to make changes. But unfortunately, we’re still perhaps a hope is that Klim Kostin, who played in the Blues’ final two regular- month or more from any moves being made. season games, can transfer the skills he showed in the KHL this season That means it’s a good time for clubs to take inventory of what they have. to the NHL. He’ll have a chance to make the team in training camp, and how he performs will determine how high he climbs the depth chart. But The Blues have 36 players on their roster, which includes pending regardless, the Blues should address this position even if Schwartz unrestricted free agents like Jaden Schwartz, along with restricted free returns. agents. It breaks down to 20 forwards, 12 defensemen and four goalies. Centers The roster won’t look the same when the 2021-22 season gets underway, but how different will it be? Ryan O'Reilly

Well, the Blues have several needs this summer, and The Athletic listed $7.5 million AAV their top 10 priorities after they were swept in the first round by Colorado. 30 The Seattle expansion draft on June 21 will also impact how much wheeling and dealing happens. Brayden Schenn

“I think this will be an active year, not only potentially here in St. Louis but $6.5 million AAV around the league,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said this week. “Anytime you have expansion, you have teams trying to do what’s 29 best for them whether it’s not exposing players to Seattle, making trades Robert Thomas in which they feel they’re in a better spot or just giving Seattle a list of players. RFA (no arb rights)

“So I think it’s going to be an interesting summer. Will there be a lot of 21 change? Time will tell.” Tyler Bozak In the meantime, let’s see what the Blues are starting with this summer. Here’s the complete depth chart, with UFAs and RFAs color-coded UFA (contract statuses and average annual values via CapFriendly). There 35 are players who could be listed in different positions, but for our purposes, we’ve picked a spot for them that makes the most sense. Oskar Sundqvist

Players under contract $2.75 million AAV

Pending UFAs 27

Pending RFAs Jacob de la Rose

Left wingers RFA (arb rights)

Jaden Schwartz 26

UFA Dakota Joshua

28 RFA (arb rights)

Ivan Barbashev 25

RFA (arb rights) The Blues are set with O’Reilly at the top of the depth chart. Brayden Schenn could have been listed at left wing, but he’s better at center, and 25 with Robert Thomas still trying to find his game, the Blues need Schenn Zach Sanford in the middle. If Thomas eventually takes the next step, then maybe the Blues can consider moving Schenn to wing on a more regular basis, but RFA (arb rights) that hasn’t happened yet. Meanwhile, Tyler Bozak was a solid contributor for the Blues this season, but the future for the 35-year-old veteran is 26 uncertain as he heads to unrestricted free agency. There seems to be Kyle Clifford interest on both sides in a return, but even if Bozak comes back, it would be in a bottom-six role. That decision could hinge on the health of Oskar $1 million AAV Sundqvist, whose 2020-21 season ended with a torn knee ligament. He underwent knee and hip surgery, and it will be a big bonus when he’s 30 back. Dakota Joshua got 12 games this season as a rookie and deserves Mackenzie MacEachern a longer look next season.

$900,000 AAV Right wingers

27 David Perron

Klim Kostin $4 million AAV

$863,333 AAV 33 Vladimir Tarasenko it be because of a trade or because he’s taken in the Seattle expansion draft. There are high hopes for Niko Mikkola, who plays with the type of $7.5 million AAV physicality the Blues are lacking on the blue line. And this season was 29 also a breakthrough year for Jake Walman, a 2014 draft pick who proved that he can play at the NHL level. Carl Gunnarsson, who is coming off a Mike Hoffman torn ACL, likely won’t be back.

UFA Right defense

31 Colton Parayko

Jordan Kyrou $5.5 million AAV

RFA (no arb rights) 28

23 Justin Faulk

Sammy Blais $6.5 million AAV

$1.5 million AAV 29

24 Robert Bortuzzo

Austin Poganski $1.375 million AAV

UFA (Group 6) 32

25 Steven Santini

This side of the offense looks to be in decent shape, but it would be a $750,000 AAV whole lot better if Vladimir Tarasenko returns closer to form. Some fans may be skeptical, and that’s understandable, but if you’re trying to remain 26 optimistic, he’s played in just 42 games since the Blues won the Stanley Scott Perunovich Cup in 2019. Two other developments could similarly leave the club in great shape: First, David Perron, who led the team with 58 points, $2.175 million AAV (w/ bonuses) appears to be only getting better with age (33), and second, Jordan Kyrou emerged and scored 35 points in 55 games this season. Mike 22 Hoffman is expected to explore free agency, though Armstrong said last Mitch Reinke week that he could see him coming back. Never say never, but at this point, there’s no sense in counting on that happening. Sammy Blais was UFA (Group 6) a bit of a disappointment this past season but was OK in a fourth-line 25 role. And then there’s Austin Poganski, who the Blues were seemingly high on as a role player but appeared in just five games. There is some definition here in that five of the six defensemen are under contract next season, but beginning with Paryako’s back issues, there’s Left defense still reason to be concerned. Armstrong acknowledged the Blues aren’t Torey Krug out of the woods yet regarding whether Parayko will need surgery. Then there’s Justin Faulk, who had his season end early in the playoffs with $6.5 million AAV what is believed to be a concussion. He’ll have plenty of time to heal for 30 the 2021-22 season, but does this make him susceptible to more head injuries in the future? Robert Bortuzzo will be back in his familiar spot on Marco Scandella the third pairing but may have competition from prospect Scott Perunovich, the 2020 Hobey Baker winner, who was sidelined this $3.275 million AAV season due to shoulder surgery. If you’re wondering why the left-shot 31 Perunovich is listed on the right side, it’s because he’s played there a lot in his career. Meanwhile, journeyman Steven Santini looked pretty good Vince Dunn in a small sample size.

RFA (with arb rights) Goalies

24 Jordan Binnington

Niko Mikkola $6 million AAV

$787,500 AAV 27

25 Ville Husso

Jake Walman $750,000 AAV

$725,000 AAV 26

25 Jon Gillies

Carl Gunnarsson UFA

UFA 27

34 Joel Hofer

This side needs attention and will probably get it. There’s talent, but the $795,000 AAV roles for each player may be too big. Torey Krug’s five-on-five numbers were actually better than the eye test, but he doesn’t need to be playing 20 22-plus minutes per game with tough assignments. While Marco This is Jordan Binnington’s job for the next half-dozen years after he Scandella has shown promise in a shutdown role with Colton Parayko, signed a six-year, $36 million contract extension. There are some fans that doesn’t seem ideal. And Vince Dunn, when finally given top-four ice who want to talk about his past two playoffs in which he’s gone 0-9 with a time, didn’t do well with it, so questions remain about how much he can 4.19 goals-against average and an .875 save percentage. But let’s be handle. In fact, questions remain if he’ll be around next season, whether honest, as poorly as Binnington played in the Edmonton bubble, he was good, if not great, against Colorado this year and wasn’t the problem. Ville Husso is under contract next season, and while Binnington’s long- term contract has triggered speculation the Blues might trade Husso and sign a veteran backup, that may not happen for another year because his $750,000 AAV is beneficial to the team’s salary-cap situation. Jon Gillies is eligible for free agency, and if he’s not re-signed, the Blues may be interested in bringing an experienced goalie into the organization. After Gillies, the Blues are down to prospect Joel Hofer, whose development this year was stymied because of a lack of playing time.

Also in the system

Forwards: Jake Neighbours, Hugh McGing, Nikita Alexandrov, Mathias Laferriere, Alexei Toropchenko, Evan Polei (RFA), Tanner Kaspick (RFA), Sam Anas, Curtis McKenzie (UFA) and Nolan Stevens (RFA).

Defenseman: Tyler Tucker.

Goalies: Evan Fitzpatrick (RFA) and Colten Ellis.

Jeremy Rutherford

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214633 Tampa Bay Lightning

More schedule details for Lightning-Hurricanes series

By Eduardo A. Encina

RALEIGH, N.C. — The NHL announced some of the remaining dates, times and TV listings for the Lightning’s second-round playoff series against the Hurricanes.

The Lightning will open their series Sunday at 5 p.m. at PNC Arena; NBC Sports Network is carrying the game. Here’s the rest of the schedule, which was announced late Saturday night.

Game 2: Tuesday in Raleigh, 7:30 p.m. NBC Sports Network

Game 3: Thursday in Tampa, 8 p.m., USA Network

Game 4: Saturday in Tampa, 4 p.m., USA Network

Game 5: Tuesday in Raleigh, TBD, TBD*

For Erin, giving birth to a healthy baby girl felt like a miracle

SPONSORED CONTENT

For Erin, giving birth to a healthy baby girl felt like a miracle

By UPMC

Game 6: Thursday in Tampa, TBD, TBD*

Game 7: Saturday in Raleigh, TBD, TBD*

*- If necessary

Sign up for Lightning Strikes, a weekly newsletter from Bolts beat writer Eduardo A. Encina that brings you closer to the ice.

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.

UP NEXT:Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov feels ‘normal’ after first round

Eduardo A. Encina

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214634 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov feels ‘normal’ after first round

By Mari Faiello

TAMPA — Even after missing the entire regular season recovering from offseason hip surgery, no one doubted Nikita Kucherov would have an impact in the Lightning’s first-round playoff series against the Panthers.

And make an impact he has. The right wing leads the league in postseason points (11) with three goals and eight assists after six games.

“It took a few games for me to adjust the speed and physically adjust to the game,” Kucherov said. “But after two games, I felt normal, like I would during the season. I didn’t have any issues and so far, so good.”

Kucherov immediately was added back on the top line with Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat in addition to the team’s top power-play unit, shifting Palat to the second unit.

In Kucherov’s first game May 16, he notched three points with back-to- back, power-play goals in the second period and an assist on Point’s tying power-play goal late in the third period.

GOAL: #GoBolts' Kucherov is back. He scores the game-tying goal from the right circle on a one-timer on the #TBLightning power-play with 15:02 remaining in the second period against #FlaPanthers. pic.twitter.com/O25MiJ9bTS

— ����������� (@faiello_mari) May 17, 2021

“The power play’s huge and when you get a goal or assist, it gives you a boost, a little confidence,” Kucherov said. “You start feeling a little more comfortable in the game, more loose. And I think that’s helped me a lot to have some (power play) time. and it’s kind of given me a boost for the next games for sure.”

The chemistry wasn’t lost in Kucherov’s return, either. Passes threaded through traffic like they were on a string and everything fit together as easy as a puzzle.

“We knew with him coming back he was going to be good to go, I mean, he’s one of the best players in the world,” Point said. “You’re going to play different with different linemates, but Kuch sees the ice so well. He gets you the puck in such good spots, it’s easy to play with him.”

With Round 2 against Carolina starting Sunday at 5 p.m. on NBCSN, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Kucherov will be “X factor” in the series, adding he’s “a huge weapon” and “the freshest guy in the league.”

Contact Mari Faiello at [email protected]. Follow @faiello_mari.

MARI FAIELLO

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214635 Tampa Bay Lightning and he averaged just 11:36 of ice time in the regular season. But he takes pride in doing the little things like winning puck battles and playing the forecheck.

It’s no coincidence Lightning’s Pat Maroon is going for third straight Cup Pat Maroon dumps Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar along the boards during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.

Pat Maroon dumps Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar along the By Eduardo A. Encina boards during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

“When he’s down low with the puck, it doesn’t matter who’s on D,” rookie TAMPA — Several months before they became Stanley Cup champions, forward Ross Colton said. “I don’t think you’re gonna take it from him. the Lightning struggled to shake off their past failures. They began last He’s so effective with the puck and I think for a while there, that’s why we season slowly, and the hangover of their disappointing first-round loss to were having so much success (on the fourth line).” the Blue Jackets lingered. Maroon was rewarded with one of the biggest goals of the Panthers Pat Maroon was new to the Lightning locker room, and having just lifted series, scoring first in Game 6, a tone setter in the Lightning’s 4-0 series- the Cup the previous season with the Blues, he brought a winning clinching victory. Maroon went to the net as center Tyler Johnson beat mentality to his new team. Maroon — along with fellow newcomer Kevin out an icing call and centered a pass to him in front. Shattenkirk — couldn’t grasp why his new teammates weren’t letting go of the past. “He’s just a guy that’s willing to do whatever it takes to win,” forward Alex Killorn said. “It doesn’t matter how many minutes he’s playing. Whenever “We weren’t getting the results we wanted early in the season, there was he’s one the ice, he makes an impact. There’s obviously a lot of things a lot of talk about the Columbus series, a lot of talk in our locker room, that go on in the game. For him to kind of stand up for his teammates, and I think those two guys were instrumental in having that narrative he’s always willing to do that and, you know, I guess keep the team on leave our locker room,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “Those two their toes a little bit.” guys were a big part of getting the guys to turn the page because they weren’t here for that, and I think they saw it as being disruptive. They Colton — who has tried to emulate Maroon’s relentlessness in battling for were instrumental parts in helping us get past that.” the puck — said Maroon has been a huge help to him on and off the ice throughout his rookie season. Maroon now is playing for his third straight Stanley Cup, and everyone around him says it’s no coincidence that he has such bragging rights. “Winning back-to-back Cups doesn’t just happen for no reason,” Colton Maroon is a role player, doing the blue-collar work on the Lightning’s said. “With Patty, he’s awesome. Whatever he says in the locker room fourth line. But If there are certain qualities that make a winning player — goes a long way with everyone and he just does the little things on the like a positive mentality and a reputation for being a hard worker and a ice right. He’s always a calming presence on the ice when I would come good teammate — Maroon possesses those. back from a shift, even if I was a little frustrated. He’s an awesome guy and a good friend.” “I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I try to do the best I can to keep the guys motivated, keep them light, keep them laughing in the room,” Maroon said. “Just knowing our structure, our system and what works and what does not work so I try to just remind the guys as much as I can. EDUARDO A. ENCINA I try to be a good leader. It’s been fun to watch our team grow the last two years and the way we’ve changed our game and the way we’ve competed. We know how we’re supposed to win and how we’re not Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.30.2021 supposed to win.”

Maroon gets a lot of attention for providing physicality. He is the team’s enforcer and doesn’t shy away from confrontations. He can be an agitator at times, but he’s always there to defend a teammate. And the grit Maroon provides is something the Lightning needed to win last year’s Stanley Cup.

“If you don’t have a guy like that on your roster, you’re looking for one,” said NHL Network studio analyst and former defenseman Stu Grimson, who got into his share of fights as a player. “There are exceptions along the way, there are clubs that can get by without it, but it takes a special group. It’s a commodity that every club covets.

“It’s kind of an equalizer in some respects. If you can go out and acquire that, why wouldn’t you because it comes with nothing but upside when you get someone who can play and be dependable like a Patrick Maroon can.”

There’s no doubt Maroon got under the Panthers’ skin in the first round. He set the tone heading into the playoff series, beckoning the Florida bench to come at him while being escorted off the ice during the Lightning’s May 8 game in Sunrise.

He received a one-game suspension for going after Panthers forward Brandon Montour after the two were separated by officials. And during the series, Maroon received a $3,879.31 fine for tackling Noel Acciari on a late-third period faceoff in Game 5.

“I don’t try to look for it unless it comes to me,” Maroon said. “Some players are just doing their job and they’re playing hard, but between the whistles, I just try to go out there and stick up for my teammates as best I possibly can. It’s always been in me to do that. I’ll continue to do that. I just feel like I’m here to protect my teammates. I’m here to help in any way that I can. If I can make the team play bigger and stronger and you know, then you know that’s a positive sign.”

He’s not a top offensive threat — even though he was a 27-goal scorer in 2016-17 in Edmonton when he had Connor McDavid as a linemate — 1214636 Tampa Bay Lightning “I would say our biggest thing is our maturity when adversity hits, (it) has really taken a good step with this group.”

The six games against Florida were a good start. It’s just hard to gauge, What did we learn about the Lightning in the first round of the playoffs? with the entire regular season played within the division, how difficult that test was for the Lightning.

One thing for sure is that this is a familiar team. And as they get deeper By John Romano into the summer, you just have to count on them continuing that transition from how they played in the 2021 regular season back into that victorious

look of the 2020 postseason. TAMPA — For four months, we watched a generic brand of Lightning John Romano can be reached at [email protected]. Follow hockey. Pretty good, kinda effective, but not quite the real thing. @romano_tbtimes. The defensive corps was in transition, the lines were ever shifting and, of course, Nikita Kucherov was out of the picture for the entire regular season. Steven Stamkos missed much of April, Jan Rutta missed all of it, JOHN ROMANO and the rest of us missed the joy of long, effortless winning streaks.

That’s what made the first-round series against Florida so compelling. It was like seeing the Lightning nearly intact for the first time since they Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.30.2021 carried the Stanley Cup around the bubble. Were they healthy? How cohesive would they be? Was the magic still there?

Six games later, we have some encouraging answers. And the Lightning have a date with Carolina in the second round of the NHL postseason.

“As that series went on,” coach Jon Cooper said, “I was pretty proud of the way the guys came together for not being together all year.”

Mind you, this wasn’t vintage Lightning. If you thought they could skate onto the ice in Sunrise and pick up where they left off in Edmonton last September, you were dreaming. The defense is still adjusting to the addition of David Savard (not to mention the departures of Kevin Shattenkirk and Zach Bogosian), and hiccups are inevitable.

There were too many penalties and too many blown leads. And, after holding Columbus, Boston, New York and Dallas to 2.4, 2.0, 2.0 and 2.5 goals per game last postseason, the Lightning surrendered 2.8 against the Panthers.

But there was a difference between the team you had been watching in March and April, and the team that frustrated the higher-seeded Panthers into making five goaltender changes (switching amongst three goalies) in six games.

Tampa Bay’s power play was ridiculously potent, and the offense was balanced with the top three lines all getting at least four evenhanded goals in the series. You never got the sense that Florida could shut down the Lightning’s offense for any length of time.

“As that series went on, we got better as a team, and I think that was from having a little bit of a common lineup,” Cooper said. “And I think getting (Barclay) Goodrow back pushed us to another level, added a little depth for us.”

As impressive as Kucherov looked in his return, as nice as it was to see Stamkos firing one-timers at the net, as strong as the Ryan McDonagh/Erik Cernak pairing played against Florida’s top line, there were still enough details to give you pause.

Victor Hedman was brilliant on the power play with seven assists, but he had no goals and only one assist in evenhanded situations. Considering his slow final month of the season, it’s worth wondering exactly how healthy last season’s Conn Smythe winner is.

And while the Lightning outscored the Panthers 24-17 for the series, it was a much closer 12-10 margin in 5-on-5 situations. Maybe that sounds nitpicky but it’s not so easy to dismiss for a team that spent much of the year testing out different blue line combinations.

Where the Lightning was impressive was their composure. Even after blowing leads, even after losing games, they never ceded control or momentum to Florida. The Lightning were the better team, and they acted that way the entire series.

“This year’s group has shown a pretty mature demeanor about the way they play and what they have to do,” Cooper said. “We’re missing some characters: the Shattenkirks and Bogosians and (Braydon) Coburn. And (Cedric) Paquette had been with us a long time. So you’re missing definite characters, but we still have this common core nucleus that is pretty driven to win. 1214637 Tampa Bay Lightning “They’ve got world-class sticks, and they can see the ice,” Cooper said. “They play in similar spots on the power play. Both kill penalties, both from the same country. There’s a lot to like about both of those players, and they seem to do big things for their teams at big times. He’s just Scouting the series: Breaking down Lightning vs. Hurricanes with Sara another guy we’ll have to contain if we’re going to have any chance in Civian and Joe Smith this series because he’s a really important player.”

Cooper said he’s not a “hard match” guy, with the most important thing getting the right D-pair on the ice against other team’s top players. In that By Sara Civian and Joe Smith sense, I think you’ll see a lot of Ryan McDonagh-Erik Cernak pair against May 29, 2021 the Aho line. They played a ton against the Barkov line and held their own with McDonagh playing at an extremely high level. “He was a stud,” Cooper said. “McDonagh falls behind (Victor) Hedman and (Mikhail) Sergachev when it comes to people talking about their defenseman,” an Dear Hurricanes and Lightning fans, we hope you aren’t sick of each NHL scout said. “But he’s rock solid.” other quite yet. After an eight-game regular-season series that was as playoff-y as it gets, Tampa Bay and Carolina will face off in the second The power play vs. ‘power’ kill round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Smith: I thought it was fitting that Canes GM Don Waddell brought up in The first-ever postseason meeting between these teams is expected to his news conference Friday how one thing he learned from the first round be fast-paced and fun. Their regular-season meetings ended up pretty is that they have to stay out of the box against the Lightning. much even — both teams had a 4-3-1 record, and the Canes had the slightest edge in goals (18-17). Tampa Bay’s power play has been dominant and a key difference-maker in the Panthers series with the Lightning scoring eight goals (on 40 The Lightning gave rookie goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic his first career percent efficiency). Shayna Goldman and I did a pretty comprehensive NHL shutout and gave the Canes reason to keep riding him into the breakdown on the Tampa Bay power play and why it’s so dynamic. playoffs, and Vezina winner Andrei Vasilevskiy needs no introduction. But I also know you and Shayna did a similar piece on how the Canes Let Lightning writer Joe Smith and Hurricanes writer Sara Civian ease “power kill” has been the answer to most power plays with their you into this matchup before things get wild. Knowing these two teams, aggressive style. Carolina will want to take far fewer than the 32 that’ll happen fast. penalties they had against Nashville, but there’s reason to believe the Canes have the kind of PK unit that can at least slow down Tampa Bay. Tackling the top lines “They have in the past,” Lightning color analyst Brian Engblom said. “The Smith: The Lightning top line of Ondrej Palat–Brayden Point–Nikita Lightning are going to have to zip the puck around really fast. It’ll be more Kucherov was dominant in last year’s run to the Cup and picked up predetermined where, ‘I’m going here even before I get it.’ If you bobble where it left off to open the playoffs. Kucherov, who missed the entire the puck, just know you’re going to be in trouble and you better have regular season after late December, set a record with 11 points in a support, especially on the half wall. The (Canes) have really good playoff series against the Panthers (seven on the power play). Kucherov instincts and read off each other, it’s not just one guy putting on pressure, said it took a couple of games to get acclimated to the speed and then, “I it’s everyone. It’s a sequence every bit as much as the Lightning power felt like I would during the regular season,” he said. “So far so good.” play is a sequence. This is where retrievals will be extremely important.” Sara, how do you see the Canes attacking this trio? A lot of Dougie Sara, how do you think the Canes will approach Tampa’s PP? Hamilton? I assume now that Jaccob Slavin is back, he could play a big role in this. As one NHL scout told me, “Slavin is one of the most Civian: Yeah, Waddell spoke no lies. underrated defensemen in the league. He’s a big, big piece of the puzzle.” “As we know, they’re a great hockey team,” he said. “They won the Stanley Cup last year, not by mistake. They’re a very good hockey team. Civian: Yeah, if the last few games of Round 1 were any indication, The one thing, certainly, to watch from the first round is you’ve got to try Slavin’s return will be absolutely essential in the Hurricanes’ attempt to and stay out of the penalty box. You know you’re going to take some contain the Lightning’s top line. He’s got three assists in his three games penalties, but they’ve got to be good penalties because I think they’re played, and each has been a game-breaking moment. running somewhere around 40 percent on their power play, which is remarkable. The five guys they put out there to run the power play is More than that, he is one of the best defenders of the slot in the entire pretty darn good in the league, probably the best. So discipline and we’ve league. The Canes were sorely missing that in both of their losses to the had great games with them this year.” Predators. Slavin is the puzzle piece that allows the rest of the defense to fall into place, especially his defensive partner, Hamilton. It’s not like The power kill is an excellent tool to have in your arsenal, but the catch is Hamilton was terrible without Slavin — he tied for the team lead in shots you don’t want to have to use it, and the Canes were pushing their luck — but the difference on the defensive side of things is palpable. And when Nashville started to cash in after Game 2. The margin of error that’ll be crucial against one of the most offensively talented lines in the increases every minute you’re out there down a man. NHL. That said, penalty-kill situations are inevitable over the course of a “(Kucherov) is the X-factor there,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour seven-game series, and the Canes are lucky they have such a killer PK said. “He’s one of the most talented players, and he’s probably the going against an opponent like this. freshest guy in the league. When you add in both factors, that doesn’t bode well, but that’s part of it. That’s a huge weapon for them that they The best way to describe it? The Canes had more chances short-handed haven’t had, and it’s something we’re going to have to be aware of.” than the Predators did on their power play in Game 2. As Goldman and I went over, the Canes’ offensive aggressiveness short-handed is just an The even-strength matchups will be intriguing, but like you said, seven of extension of their forecheck — and deploying Aho, Martin Necas and Kucherov’s 11 points (!) have come on the power play. I bet special Teuvo Teravainen along with defensive juggernauts like Jordan Staal, teams will be the real spectacle of the series. Brett Pesce and Slavin.

The Hurricanes’ top line has been nothing to scoff at, either. Sebastian Slavin’s return is huge — the Canes put up that Game 2 performance Aho’s got five goals and seven points in six games. That consistency has without him, their No. 2 guy in short-handed time on ice. been huge for the Canes. The X-factor (4-wheel-drive) lines How do you think the Canes’ top dogs fare against the Lightning? Smith: Barclay Goodrow returned for the Lightning at the end of the Smith: I think the Lightning will have a heck of a challenge with Carolina’s Panthers series and you could tell the difference he made. It wasn’t just top line led by Aho. The Cup champs were able to advance past Florida the five hits or throwing Owen Tippett into his own bench. partly because they were able to contain Sasha Barkov, at least in five- on-five situations, where the Finnish superstar had just three points. I It reunited the Yanni Gourde line that played a pivotal role in the Cup run. asked coach Jon Cooper how the Aho and Barkov lines compared, and Goodrow, Gourde and Blake Coleman not only started many periods and he felt the two Fins have a lot more in common, other than their size. shut down other teams’ top players, but they also scored key goals. “You can’t have all Ferraris,” Cooper said. “Sometimes you need a good good at moving in. He’s got great hands. You have to be able to control old-fashioned four-wheel-drive Jeep to get you through the mud. And his movement and his ability to fire the puck on the power play.” that’s what Barclay Goodrow can do for you.” Sara, are we finally starting to see Hamilton appreciated leaguewide? I’d imagine the Canes four-wheel-drive line has to be the Staal one? One And how do the Canes use him the best? NHL scout told me he thought Staal “might have played the best hockey of his career.” Civian: Yeah, for me Hedman is so good that I’ve been critical of him this season because I’m comparing HIM to HIMSELF, not him to the rest of Sara, what got into Staal this year — there a time machine anywhere? — the league. He’s remained elite compared to basically everyone except and how much of an impact do you think he and his line can have in this himself at his best. It makes sense if he has been dealing with an injury, series? but the way he’s managed to play on and elevate his game throughout the playoffs has been scary for his opponents. Civian: I think Hurricanes commentator Tripp Tracy, cousin of Ford’s CEO, would prefer a comparison to trucks, but whatever analogy you To answer your question, I don’t know if we’ll ever see Hamilton pick, the captain has arguably been the MVP of this team. That doesn’t appreciated leaguewide. Something about him makes people lose their mean he’s been the most skilled or put up the most points, but he’s minds — it’s like he’s only allowed to either be the best player to ever live overcome adversity, plays hard minutes against the toughest matchups or the worst. and doesn’t make excuses. Joe, I really don’t get it. I think he is well above average in all facets and I think it’s been crucial for a young, skilled team to have someone like an elite scorer. Slavin is so good defensively that it has an impact on Staal to look up to. If you ask them, though, he’s doing exactly what he’s Hamilton when he’s out, but that’s not Hamilton’s fault. always done. Either way, he’s at his best when he’s scoring goals, has the support of “It’s awesome,” Slavin told me after Game 5, when I asked him what it’s the coaching staff and playing next to Slavin. Once he breaks through, like to be captained by Staal. “You see the emotion he had there at the it’s tough to stop and that should scare the Lightning a bit because he end. He doesn’t always show it, but that’s the emotion he puts into every finally connected for his first goal of the playoffs in Game 6. single thing he does. He’s a great leader on and off the ice. He’s a beast on the ice. Off the ice, he’s just a great guy. He’s a great leader, a great Who can dictate the pace? teammate. He’s willing to do whatever it takes. I’m thankful I don’t have Smith: Cooper has talked a lot about how the Canes are like a fast-break to play against him down low in the corners. I’m thankful he’s on our basketball team, able to do man-to-man pressure all the way up the ice. side.” They’re one of the best forechecking teams in the league, too, so there They do have to admit the points are coming easier for Staal than they should be incredible pace to this series. have in years this season, and he’s been keeping it up in the playoffs. A key to me will be who will manage the puck better as turnovers can He’s second on the Canes with four goals and five points in six games. quickly turn into transition and goals. Steven Stamkos pointed to the These guys always make a difference during the playoffs, right? You’ve template for their game plan is how they performed in a Game 6 win over got Staal, but he’s the captain for a reason. I’d point to Brock McGinn as the Panthers, a very “clinical” and championship-like execution in all a Goodrow type for the Canes right now. areas.

He keeps scoring on the road in tough situations, and he’s just a textbook “The Lightning are going to have to be really effective in their own zone “gamer.” You’ll remember he scored the Game 7 double-overtime goal and move the puck quickly,” Engblom said. “Just trying to relieve that lifted the Canes past the Capitals two seasons ago. pressure when you need to even if it’s an icing. They can put pressure on the forecheck in the neutral zone and that’s part of their transition game. I keep telling Brind’Amour that McGinn is starting to remind me of him, They all forecheck, all five guys are active, and every line, there’s no and he keeps smiling. dropoff. Brind’Amour has them all going 100 miles per hour. I think the Lightning have to play by the clock and the score when they’re going to Which alpha defenseman plays better? make the safe play quickly. Sometimes you have to live to fight another Smith: We’re not supposed to disclose our NHL Awards ballots before day.” they’re announced in July. Sara, I really think this is going to be an even series and has the potential But I don’t think it’s a major spoiler alert that two of my top five for the to go seven games. And, for me, I feel the Lightning have the slight edge Norris Trophy are in this series: Hedman and Hamilton. because of their experience and goaltending. We saw it in the Florida series where the Panthers used three goalies, including rookie Spencer You may not agree where I put either of them, but the fact is both are Knight. Vasilevskiy, who could win his second Vezina Trophy, saved his major play-drivers for their teams and will be key factors in this series. best for the final game, a 4-0 shutout in Game 6. Hedman, a Norris Trophy finalist every year since the Great Depression, is apparently dealing with an injury, perhaps stemming from his awkward Do you feel “Ned” can match Vasilevskiy in a long series? crash into the boards against Columbus on March 30. Civian: Oh, yeah, no matter what happens this series is guaranteed to be Still, as Hedman goes, often go the Lightning, and he seemed to get electric. Both teams have that basketball game pace to them. better as the Panthers series went on, including his best game in Game To Cooper’s point, the man-to-man analogy is exactly what makes the 6. Hedman talked about the “lull” in his play later in the season, but I power kill work. These guys are not afraid to implement a little full-court wouldn’t put it past the Conn Smythe winner in rebounding on this run. press — maybe thank Hamilton’s mom, who is an Olympic medalist in Here’s how one NHL scout saw Hedman’s season. basketball.

“There’s been a lot of chatter about an injury with Hedman,” the scout The penalty kill is a microcosm of their whole game — a game of said. “I don’t know what it is — upper body, lower body, mid body, but I applying pressure. think it’s gone on for a while. His first half of the season, it had Norris “The way I like to play PK is puck pressure, and sometimes there’s Trophy written all over it — it wasn’t even close for me. He was heads chances, and it doesn’t matter — if it’s PP, PK, five-on-five, if there’s a and tails above anything that I had seen. But at some point, something breakaway chance I’m going for it. It happens,” Aho said. “It’s not happened there and I think his game suffered. Skating-wise, in the first something I’m thinking about when I’m out there, that I’ve got to get the half of the season, he was up the ice all the time. And I didn’t see that in breakaway on the PK. It’s from the puck pressure, and sometimes you the second half.” get a little lucky bounce.”

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have an alpha defenseman of their own in You’re not going to be able to take these risks without a good goalie, Hamilton, who scored the score-tying goal in their series clincher against point-blank. I’m not going to sit here and tell you promising rookie the Predators in Game 6. Nedeljkovic has the repertoire of Vezina Trophy winner and all-around “You have to be aware of Hamilton,” Engblom said. “There’s a lot of beast Vasilevskiy, but I’ll let him explain why he’s been able to stay so similarities with ‘Heddy,’ even size-wise. You’re going to have to be calm and at times play like he’s been there before. aware of him jumping into the play, getting up in the rush. He’s sneaky “Once I got a few games after my first action in almost a year, once you kind of figure it out, I got into the right mental space,” he said. “I’d tell myself, ‘It’s just another game. You’ve been doing this your whole life. It’s nothing new, really. You’re just playing against better players. But you gotta believe in yourself that you’re good enough to be here, you’re good enough to make the saves and play at a high level.'”

He’s been pretty good in his first taste of the NHL playoffs — especially without Slavin. I’m really curious to see if he can match Vasilevskiy, but I don’t think that’s how the Canes should be looking at it.

If they’re going to win against a weathered and dynamic team like the Lightning, they have to play like they have David Ayres in net.

When is Game 2?

Smith and Civian: If you hear anything, please let us know.

(Editor’s note: The NHL announced late Saturday that Game 2 will be Tuesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.)

Sara Civian

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214638 Toronto Maple Leafs “You work hard to give yourself a crack at putting a team away,” Nick Foligno, the Toronto centre, said. “We’re coming up on three chances now.

Habs give boisterous Montreal crowd reason to cheer with 3-2 overtime “We’ve come back and come back in the last two games. At some point, win against Maple Leafs we’ll come through. It is time for the clichés to stop. It is Game 7, and time to put everything on the line.”

Price put on a masterful performance in the Canadiens net, stopping all MARTY KLINKENBERG but two of the 43 shots he faced. Jack Campbell was also excelled for Toronto, stopping 31 of 34. PUBLISHED MAY 30, 2021 Facing elimination in Game 5, the Canadiens came out with urgency and

built a 2-0 lead 8:18 into the first period on goals by forward Joel Armia. The Maple Leafs squandered another opportunity at putting away the They got ahead again, even though the Maple Leafs players said they Canadiens on Saturday night, and now must win on Monday to advance realized they needed a better start. to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montreal won in “That is unacceptable this time of year,” Foligno said. “It is something we overtime 3-2 to force a seventh and deciding game in the first-round have to rectify.” series between the National Hockey League’s oldest rivals. With its second-straight loss in sudden death, Toronto has now lost six straight This series is the first between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens in the chances to close out a postseason series since 2018. The last time the playoffs since 1979. Maple Leafs won one was in 2004. Toronto captured their first division title since 1999-2000, but none of that Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored the winning goal, with 4 minutes 45 seconds matters now. left in the first extra period. The team that wins on Monday will play the Winnipeg Jets in the next round. “It is frustrating losing the game, but I like the way we battled back,” Matthews said. “We had plenty of chances. We just didn’t get it done.” The only Game 7 to date between Toronto and Montreal came in the 1964 semifinals, when Dave Keon scored all three Maple Leafs goals in Matthews gave kudos to the boisterous crowd. a winner-take-all showdown en route to hoisting the Stanley Cup. “We haven’t seen fans in more than a year,” he said. “It definitely brings a Fans were on hand for hockey in Canada for the first time in more than different dynamic. It was an awesome atmosphere.” 14 months and created a jubilant ruckus throughout. With a curfew in Toronto has one more chance. It will be its seventh since 2018. Montreal lifted only a day earlier, a celebration of both freedom and hockey unfolded at the Bell Centre. “We’d like to rewrite that script,” Matthews said.

Although the crowd was limited to just 2,500 people, it sounded much louder. Fans stood and roared when Carey Price, the Canadiens goaltender, led the home team onto the ice. They sang “O Canada” Globe And Mail LOADED: 05.30.2021 lustily in two languages and one voice. They waved white towels and booed when Auston Matthews, the Toronto star, touched the puck.

Especially early on, the cacophony seemed to boost their beloved Les Habitants.

Montreal deluged Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell with pucks, and at one point had a 10-0 lead in shots. Campbell stopped numerous dangerous chances, including attempts from in close by Phillip Danault and Tyler Toffoli, and a breakaway by Nick Suzuki. The latter beat Campbell with the overtime winner in Game 5.

At the other end, Price was just as good. In the final minute and a half of the first period, he made difficult saves on Mitch Marner and Nick Foligno, who returned to the lineup after missing three games with an undisclosed injury.

As the teams went to their dressing rooms for the first intermission, a chant of “Carey, Carey, Carey” washed over the arena. After so long, such a sweet sound.

The game was scoreless through the first 40 minutes, and then the Canadiens jumped on top 2-0 in the third period on power-play goals by Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli. Just as they did in Thursday’s defeat, the Maple Leafs battled back and tied it late. This time it was Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie that did the damage for Toronto. Brodie had scored just once in 56 regular-season games.

Matthews, who led the NHL with 41 goals, has just one in six this postseason. Marner has yet to score in the series, and has now gone 16 consecutive playoff games without goal.

“We have to be better in these situations,” Marner said.

Marner also panicked and flipped a puck over the glass and was called for delay of game, which gave the Canadiens the 5-on-3 advantage that led to their second score.

“A dumb play,” Marner said.

Nobody would argue.

After losing the opening game in the series, the Maple Leafs won three in a row. They have now frittered away the overwhelming advantage that they had. 1214639 Toronto Maple Leafs

Canadiens to face rival Maple Leafs in front of fans in pandemic first for Canadian NHL teams

PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2021

Staff

Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber is introduced before an empty Bell Centre for the Canadiens NHL home opener in January 2021.

PAUL CHIASSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS

For the first time since March 2020, a Canadian NHL team will have paying fans in the arena tonight.

After Quebec loosened COVID-19 restrictions, the Montreal Canadiens will be permitted to have 2,500 fans in the 21,273-seat Bell Centre for Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While it is a first for a Canadian NHL team, American rinks have had bigger crowds throughout the playoffs.

The Canadiens say they gave priority to season-ticket holders, luxury- suite holders, and corporate partners to purchase tickets in pods of two or four.

Ticket buyers are allowed to resell tickets. Prices were high Friday, with the cheapest seats selling for just under $1,500 on Ticketmaster.

All fans must socially distance from those outside their pod and those aged five and up must wear a mask except when eating or drinking. Only bottled water will be sold at concessions. The first 12 rows also will remain empty.

Quebec’s curfew – in place since Jan. 9 – was lifted Friday night. Restaurant patios across the province were also permitted to reopen Friday after being closed in some parts of the province, including Montreal, since Oct. 1.

The new measures come as COVID-19 hospitalizations in Quebec have declined to their lowest level in more than six months.

The then-Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal) of had the first crowd in Canada at a pro sporting event during the pandemic when they were permitted to allow 250 fans to a game at their outdoor stadium last summer.

Some junior hockey teams also have been allowed to have limited crowds. The Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League had a maximum attendance of 1,900 for games this season, the biggest crowds among the six Maritime teams in that circuit.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214640 Toronto Maple Leafs “I think that last 10 minutes or so just shows we don’t quit.” Montreal had just two shots in OT. They only needed one.

It was the Habs who came out with buzzed intensity at puck drop, Everybody knows the deal. The Leafs are on the ropes, hoping to avoid a doubtless energized by a giddy crowd — how lovely to hear the Game 7 knockout Canadian anthem sung by fans a cappella — sprinting to an 8-0 lead in shots, 10 shots at the five-minute mark, and the more threatening team on the ice even through a tangle-footed Toronto power play. Only by the Rosie DiManno grace of Jack Campbell did the Leafs weather that storm, contending with all kinds of traffic around his crease, Toronto’s two best chances Sat., May 29, 2021 actually coming short-handed.

While the Leafs countered with better shot zip in the second, mostly they Now you can agonize. benefitted from Montreal’s scoring awfulness. A clutch save by Carey Price on Alex Kerfoot on a power play swung ’round into a three-on-one Wring hands, shake a clenched fist, pull out some hair. the other way with only Jake Muzzin back, but Campbell was again equal to the challenge. Shortly thereafter, Muzzin — hand to his groin — skated Inexplicably, disturbingly, but with a familiar odour of flatulence, the to the bench and immediately disappeared into the dressing room, not to Maple Leafs are not today savouring their first playoff series victory since be seen again, which meant extra minutes devolving to Travis Dermott. George W. Bush was president, Britney Spears’ “Toxic” ruled the airways and the CBC introduced a seven-second delay on following a Montreal continued to impede Toronto’s signature puck-possession Coach’s Corner rant about francophone and European players. (Don game through a much-ado-about-nothing 40 minutes as Price frustrated who?) the Leafs on their limited offensive thrust opportunities.

Not rid of post-season phantoms that hover over the franchise, like some Then the roof fell in, come the third. paranormal curse. With William Nylander drawing two minutes for falling backwards on Not enjoying a Sunday of repose before turning their minds to Winnipeg. Price, the Montreal power play — 0-for-the-playoffs at that point — finally woke up, Corey Perry putting the Habs on the board off the draw, Instead, deadlocked — dreadlocked — with Montreal in their opening- unassisted. round encounter and facing elimination themselves. Regrettably, Keefe challenged, presumably on the grounds that Tyler Remember carefree days of yore — um, three days ago — when Toronto Toffoli had obstructed Campbell on the goal, rather than pushed into the had the Canadiens on the ropes, up three games to one? Four hundred netminder by T.J. Brodie. Toronto lost the bid, the Leafs were assessed and nineteen minutes into this infernal series and the Leafs are right back another penalty for their trouble and, unbelievably, handed the where they started. But it doesn’t feel like hockey equilibrium, not one bit. Canadiens a long two-man advantage when Mitch Marner, under no It feels like slouching toward disaster. pressure at all, inadvertently flipped the puck over the glass, delay-of- No need to enumerate all the reasons why Leaf Nation is in an existential game felony. funk or review recent post-season backstory. Everybody knows the deal. Took Toffoli 58 seconds to make it 2-0. Game 6 on Saturday at the Bell Centre was supposed to be one not-so- But … spasm of life, comeback redux for Toronto, shades of Game 5. small-step for the Leafs but a giant leap for Leaf-kind. Jason Spezza, with his third of the series, halved Montreal’s lead at They should have taken that stride by ridding themselves of an 11:35 by beating Price off a turnover. Five minutes later, Brodie uncorked overmatched, outclassed yet dogged Montreal outfit — in front of a a slapshot from the top of the circle that deflected off Jeff Petry and voila, pandemic-restricted if full-throated in-person crowd of 2,500 — after all tied up — fifth goal from the Leaf blue-liners. failing to bounce their rivals in Game 5, at home. Unfortunately, that’s all she wrote for Toronto … After rallying from a two-goal deficit to force overtime, the Maple Leafs Thus here we are again — they are again — on the slippery side of bench was in a sombre mood after the Canadiens buried the winner in professed destiny, the razor’s edge of a must-win Game 7 in Toronto the extra period. Monday. Where, ahem, the Leafs have twice lost to the visitors in this But nyuh-uh. tournament.

Got smacked upside the head instead, 3-2, Jesperi Kotkaniemi the hero Oh, they continue to declare confidence. They deny mental fragility, at 15:15 of overtime. panic seizure or any mood swing in the dressing room. “I don’t think it ever really changes,” Marner had observed in the a.m. Way too cool cat “An unbelievable feeling,” he said, “with all the fans here. Incredible.” for the jitters.

That’s 0-for-6 in potential series-clinching series in the era of Auston That would be the Marner who hasn’t actually scored a goal in his last 17 Matthews and Mitch Marner. playoff games. On a glitz line with Matthews, who’s found the back of the In what had been teed up, by the players, as their Game 7, the mind net precisely once since the regular season ended (and two goalposts), game within the game. And now they’ve got a real Game 7 on their despite coming into Saturday with a series-leading 28 scoring chances hands. and 25 shots. Rocket Richard Trophy chops — a gaudy 41 goals — don’t mean a thing if Matthews can’t find that playoff swing finish around the “Be ready to play, have to have our absolute best, really,” understated net, for all that the Montreal checking line has kept him in their harassing Sheldon Keefe afterwards. crosshairs.

Pressure escalating to a fever pitch for Monday? LEAFS PLAYOFFS

“You have to ignore it, you’ve got to play,” said the coach. “I don’t think ‘It’s obviously frustrating.’ Maple Leafs fall to Canadiens in overtime pressure has anything to do with it at this stage. I don’t think that’s a again. Next up: Game 7 factor. It’s just the games have gotten harder, Montreal’s played better, and we haven’t dealt with it well.” Sure, the Leafs are without their concussed captain, John Tavares, but a reconstituted second line had lifted all boats, and Nick Foligno was back At least Campbell — outwardly anyway, in Zoom mode — didn’t seem in harness after missing the previous three games with a lower-body fatally rattled. injury.

“I’m feeling really good. I think the team, disappointed for sure. We Still, it might reasonably have been expected that Toronto would have thought we played well enough to get it done tonight. But they’re a wind in its sails, having rallied from 3-0 down 48 hours previously, resilient team.” The Habs, he meant. “They’re not going down easily. despite a quick overtime kick in the goolies. Strung tight, like an arrow in We’ve got to refocus and we’ll be ready to go for Game 7.” the crossbow, because “we don’t want a team like that to hang around,” as Spezza had warned. Because … because … “The guys are good,” Keefe had reassured in his a.m. Q&A with reporters. “They recognize that we weren’t good enough the other day and that’s why we’re here in Montreal tonight. But the guys have confidence in themselves, in their ability. We just have to go out here and just be who we are.”

Well, who are they really, enquiring minds want to know. The Leafs who racked up 77 points in a marvellous abbreviated regular season — a 113-point pace had they played an 82-game slate — and won their division, 18 points clear of Montreal? Or a ghostly echo of the Leafs who haven’t won a playoff series since 2004, with squeamishness in their DNA?

For weeks now, Keefe et al have been asserting that these Leafs are a self-contained organism, with their own identity, detached from history, with half a dozen new faces in the lineup any given playoff night, several of the post-season wizened variety. Though only Campbell and rookie Rasmus Sandin pulled up as NHL playoff virgins.

Keefe made the prudent decision to scratch Sandin from the Game 6 fray after he’d revealed some playoff rawness in Game 5, the culprit on a couple of goals. Dermott — prudently and presciently, as it turned out — was restored to the lineup.

It’s a bell jar, the post-season, regardless of what anybody had been saying, with stress ratcheted and mistakes devastating.

Keefe had spent time, too, had chats with players who may have needed some ego-stroking, some settling down, to dispel any lingering misgivings. Alex Galchenyuk, whose gaffe led to Montreal’s OT goal on Thursday, was specifically mentally reinforced.

“It would hit any player hard.”

This, knotted through six, has surely hit all the Leafs hard.

Can they avoid a knockout punch?

Rosie DiManno

Toronto Star LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214641 Toronto Maple Leafs “Montreal, in (Games 5 and 6), had a real hard push at the start and we can’t get through that,” Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “The crowd and the push at the start was significant for them.

Kotkaniemi scores in OT, Price stars as Habs again down Leafs in OT to “We’ve got to be a whole lot better.” force Game 7 Saturday’s tilt between combatants with a long history, although not much of it recent, was played in front of those boisterous 2,500 fans inside the 21,302-seat venue after the Quebec government relaxed some By Joshua Clipperton restrictions and the province’s curfew ended Friday.

Sat., May 29, 2021 “We could hear them before the game, and going out for warmups, had chills,” Weber said. “Honestly, it was unbelievable. It felt like a lot more

than 2,500 people. It was amazing. I can’t imagine what 20,000 people MONTREAL - Canada’s first NHL crowd in nearly 15 months put on a would be like. show early Saturday as their team — propelled by the energy inside the “That was electric.” Bell Centre — attacked in waves. The winner of Toronto-Montreal will take on Winnipeg after the Jets When the Maple Leafs finally pushed back, scoring twice in the final nine registered a surprising sweep of Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers in minutes of regulation to erase a two-goal deficit and then dominating the the Canadian-based North Division’s other first-round series. Canadiens much of overtime, the nervous, tension-filled 2,500 people in attendance could barely muster applause as Carey Price, like he has so Badly outplayed through 40 minutes, but still tied 0-0, the top-seeded many times, kept his team breathing. Leafs got a power play early in the third period, but Price denied NHL regular-season goal leader Auston Matthews on the doorstep. One mistake on the other side and a quick shot that took a deflection snapped the building back into a euphoria and ensured this Original Six The Canadiens then got their second man advantage of the night when playoff matchup will go the distance. William Nylander went off for goalie interference, and Perry scored his first at 5:26 on a scramble in front as the Bell Centre exploded in Jesperi Kotkaniemi buried the winner at 15:15 of OT as Montreal celebration. defeated Toronto 3-2 on Saturday to force a seventh and deciding game in the teams’ first-round series. Keefe had his challenge for goalie interference denied, which put Toronto back down a man. Marner then fired a clearing attempt over the glass to “It’s pretty unbelievable,” said the 20-year-old Kotkaniemi. “Remarkable gift the home side a 5-on-3 power play for 1:41. ... it’s a great feeling. Especially when the fans are in the stands. And the Canadiens made the Leafs pay when Toffoli squeezed his first “Gives you goosebumps.” past Campbell at 6:43 to stretch the lead to 2-0 as Montreal fans — Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli scored in regulation for Montreal, which got masked and socially distanced — again rejoiced throughout the 41 saves from Price, including 13 in the extra period, as Toronto looked cavernous building. to close things out. Down to five defencemen after Jake Muzzin left with an apparent groin The Canadiens blew a two-goal lead in the third for a second time in 48 injury in the second, Spezza breathed life into Toronto at 11:35 when his hours, but again found a way to keep their season going on borrowed shot went in off the stick of Montreal defenceman Jeff Petry before time. Matthews hit the post a couple minutes later.

“There’s no quit in this group,” said Montreal captain Shea Weber, who The Leafs continued to push, and Brodie fired his first goal of 2021 off played more than 37 minutes. “We grinded. (Price) kept us in it, Petry’s skate and past Price with 3:11 left in regulation before being especially in overtime there when they were pushing and gave us a mobbed by teammates inside a stunned Bell Centre. chance. Toronto then carried the play much of OT, but Price was there at every “That one shot made the difference.” turn to set up the late drama.

Montreal Canadiens’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi (15) celebrates with teammate “It was special, really special,” said Kotkaniemi, a healthy scratch in Paul Byron after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during overtime Game 1. “Just seeing people out there, I think we finally have a feeling period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Montreal, Saturday, we’re moving in the right direction.” May 29, 2021. Without a playoff series victory in 17 years, but 11-1 all-time when With his team struggling to generate anything in the extra period, leading 3-1, the Leafs were still minus captain John Tavares (concussion, Kotkaniemi ripped his third of the playoffs glove side on Leafs goalie Jack knee), but forward Nick Foligno (lower-body injury) returned to the lineup Campbell — the shot glanced off defenceman Zach Bogosian — after after missing three games, while Canadiens counterpart Jake Evans was Toronto blue-liner Travis Dermott turned the puck over. back in after getting hurt in the opener. Montreal also inserted defenceman Brett Kulak for the injured Jon Merrill. “That’s just hockey,” Toffoli said of his team being outshot 13-2 in OT. “You just have to find a way. One shot wins it. Spurred on by the first Canadian hockey crowd since March 11, 2020 — fans belted out O Canada to a national television audience — Montreal “We just found a way.” came out on firing and led 8-0 on the shot clock during an early barrage that included a Toronto power play. Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie replied for suddenly wobbly Toronto, while Campbell stopped 28 shots. Campbell, who was jeered by the crowd early and often, made big stops on Toffoli, Weber, Nick Suzuki and Eric Staal, with the Leafs firmly on “We just didn’t come ready to play,” Leafs winger Mitch Marner said. “We their heels. really do have to start on time because it’s getting said a lot, and it’s not good enough.” The scenes outside the Bell Centre before puck drop resembled some level of normality as fans enjoyed beers in the sunshine. The Canadiens, who won Game 5 in overtime at Scotiabank Arena and are looking to come back from a 3-1 series deficit to win for the third time The Canadiens gave Game 6 seat priority to season-ticket holders, in franchise history, now head to Toronto for Monday’s finale with wind luxury-suite holders and corporate partners to purchase tickets in pods of firmly in their sails. two or four.

The Leafs, meanwhile, desperately need to get back on track or face the Buyers were allowed to resell tickets, and more than a few took prospect of another disastrous playoff exit for a team and fan base that’s advantage. Prices were exorbitant for the average fan on the secondary suffered without a Stanley Cup, or much to get excited about, for the last market, with the cheapest pair available a couple of hours before puck 54 years. drop still priced around $1,800 on Ticketmaster.

But for the people in attendance supporting the home team — and with the money available — it was worth every dollar. “Great having the fans back,” Toffoli said. “They’ve been through a lot. We’ve all been through a lot.

“They definitely helped us get that win.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2021.

Toronto Star LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214642 Toronto Maple Leafs At the centre of it all were the Montreal Canadiens — Canada’s oldest and proudest hockey team — and the Toronto Maple Leafs — just as storied a franchise, but with stories that have fewer happy endings.

Toronto fans and GTA residents, Hayden Flewelling, 19, (left) and Ryan In fact, the Maple Leafs’ inability to put away a team in the playoffs led to Mawhinney, 20, endure some abuse from Montreal fans at an outdoor this moment. That overtime goal Montreal’s Nick Suzuki scored Thursday cafe on their way to the playoff game between the two historic rival in Toronto made sure Game 6 could happen. teams. Fans were allowed into a sporting event for the first time in almost Maybe it had to happen so that we could see fans in the stands, and 15 months in Canada. marvel that many of them paid exorbitant prices to scalpers just so they could say they were there. Those that watched Hockey Night In Canada from home could see it for themselves, reasoning that if Montrealers can Kevin McGran do it, maybe the rest of us can do it.

“Having some people back in the building is a sign of progress for our country,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. “This is less about the game MONTREAL—It looked like — oh, what’s that word — normal. and our sport and the playoffs. It’s about the progress being made in the If you’re not sure what normal looks like anymore, it looks like about country and I think that’s a really good sign.” 2,500 fans at the Bell Centre, mostly in the bleu-blanc-rouge of the Players wanted it. Well, except maybe the Maple Leafs, who are working Montreal Canadiens but of course some in the blue and white of the through some other playoff issues. Toronto Maple Leafs because Leafs fans always find their way in. “The Bell Centre, fans in the stands, it’s exciting,” said Canadiens Yes, Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs was the first forward Corey Perry, a two-time Olympic gold medallist. “It’s a special time this many Canadians could gather under one roof since mid-March time of year.” of 2020. That’s more than 14 months of being told to self-isolate, and wash your hands, and wear a mask. And work from home, if you could The hockey media — who are dipping their toes back into travelling to work at all. cover the game again — wanted it.

They sang an emotional “O Canada” in both official languages. They Hey, I won’t lie, Montreal is a great road city. I was here just a couple of chanted “Go Habs Go.” They waved towels. Even at just 12 per cent days ago, for Games 3 and 4. I walked the streets of a ghost town, my capacity, they were louder than you might expect. Louder still for local game credential a shield as evidence I was returning to the hotel from hero Carey Price. And for big hits. They jeered Leafs goalie Jack work. Everyone under a strict curfew. Don’t wander too far away from Campbell. Oohs and aahs for close plays. Booing the refs. They had fun. home if you’re walking your dog. It gave you goosebumps to hear it. Finally. No, Habs Fever has not overtaken Montreal. The city was not awash in Of course it got even louder when Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored in overtime, Le Tricolore, even Saturday before the game. Normally, the excitement the 3-2 win by Montreal forcing Game 7 in Toronto on Monday. builds with jersey-wearing gatherings around the monuments to Canadiens legends. There wasn’t much of that, maybe because there And though this was a pivotal playoff game between two historic rivals, it were only 2,500 fans, not the 20,000 that would fill the Bell Centre to felt more like a pivotal moment in Canada’s battle against the capacity. coronavirus. So maybe this was more “almost” than “normal.” Maybe we just wanted it “Just so grateful we’re allowed to do this again,” said A.J. McKenzie, to be so normal we start throwing that word around because it’s a word decked out in an Auston Matthews jersey outside the Bell Centre. “We’ve that comforts us. been locked up for the last little while. Now we’re allowed to get back out and have some beverages on a patio and be able to come watch a I was diagnosed with Celiac a few years back. Giving up gluten meant hockey game.” giving up bread, beer and the like. Now I scour the markets for bread that looks normal, beer that tastes normal. I Instagram that stuff when I find it. In-arena attendants who hadn’t seen each other in months took group Maybe I’ve lost the taste for real bread, and for real beer. I’m certain I’ve selfies to commemorate the moment before going inside. Fan seating developed a new sense of what tastes normal. Funny what a steady diet was well spaced out, none closer to the ice than the seventh row. millet, buckwheat and quinoa can do to you. “Referees” wandered the rink with “stop” signs, reminding fans to wear masks and keep their distance. The point is, we can all develop a new normal. Masks are part of normal, now. Touching elevator buttons with knuckles is normal now. Telehealth? For more than a year now, the virus has ravaged us. It has taken too Sure. Zoom calls are so normal, they’re a dreaded part of our day. many lives, made too many sick, stolen too many moments and made us uncomfortable in each other’s presence. Now because of fans in the stands in Game 6, the new normal has started to look a bit more like the old normal. Montreal was once the epicentre of the pandemic, the province of Quebec the hardest hit in the early days of COVID-19. Now Quebec has We’ve watched jealously how other countries — especially the United come out of its months-long lockdown, the strict curfews having gotten States, which seemed so far behind us in containing the virus and now things under control, the vaccine roll-out offering hope. seems so far ahead in terms of ending the pandemic — welcomed fans back to events like the Super Bowl and NBA games. Tampa adopted our Now Montreal is a beacon for those of us who remain locked down, Raptors, and Buffalo and Dunedin, Fla., shared our Blue Jays. signalling hopefully the end is near. Turns out the light at the end of the pandemic’s tunnel was red, and it lit up every time someone scored and We’re inching back, starting with the sport we’re famous for. I’m not one fans got to cheer. Or boo. Like normal. to wax poetic on hockey’s place in Canadiana. Inclusivity and diversity speak more to Canadiana in my books, and hockey has plenty of issues Montreal took its first steps towards normalcy Friday on St-Laurent, on on those fronts. Ste-Catherine, in Old Montreal and with the party hounds on Crescent Street. Patios and terraces were filled with diners. People walked with But hockey is certainly part of the Canadian psyche. And it was good for friends, and laughed and smiled. It all looked — there’s that word again the Canadian psyche to see the beginnings of our return to normal at the — normal. Bell Centre, on a Saturday night, in a game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. “It’s very liberating,” said McKenzie, originally from Kitchener and now a golf pro at Royal Montreal. “It was nice to socialize and see some other As 13-year-old Gabriel Boisvert, wearing a Habs jersey, put it: “The people.” game, it’s a party.”

On the newscasts in Montreal they talked about how people can “deconfine.” There’s a new word. Take that, social distancing. Some will need lessons, or at least encouragement, to end their own self isolation. Kevin McGran

Toronto Star LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214643 Toronto Maple Leafs The Canadiens were clearly the better team for the first 50 minutes, bolstered by loud and flag-waving fans, the first fans allowed into a hockey rink since the pandemic hit 14 months ago.

‘It’s obviously frustrating.’ Maple Leafs fall to Canadiens in overtime “Montreal, in both games, had a real hard push at the start and we can’t again. Next up: Game 7 get through that,” said Keefe. “Can’t break out, can’t get momentum and life to get through it. I thought obviously the crowd and the push at the start was significant for them. Obviously, we’ve got to be a whole lot better there.” Kevin McGran The crowd is hardly the reason the Leafs lost. They failed at their second

chance in two games to win the series by turning in a comically bad MONTREAL—Game 7 it is. performance — their worst of the season — for two and a half periods.

The Maple Leafs will battle history and their own personal demons now The Leafs had promised to play as desperate a version of the game as that the Montreal Canadiens have won not just once but twice in overtime Montreal, but came up woefully short from the opening puck drop to the to tie their North Division semifinal at three games each. final frame.

The Winnipeg Jets wait in the wings to face the winner of a Monday The Canadiens scored 1:17 apart to take a 2-0 lead by the midway mark battle that seemed so unlikely only a few days ago. of the third period. William Nylander was called for interfering on Price and Perry scored Montreal’s first power-play goal of the series. Leafs Jesperi Kotkaniemi jumped on a Travis Dermott giveaway — these things coach Sheldon Keefe challenged for goaltender interference and lost, seem contagious — at 15:15 of overtime as the Canadiens proved in giving the Leafs a delay-of-game penalty when the call on the ice was both Games 5 and 6 to be the more opportunistic of the two teams. confirmed.

Jason Spezza and T.J. Brodie — unlikely heroes, both — forced the “We felt it was worthy of a challenge,” said Keefe. “There’s some overtime after Montreal had gotten a pair of power-play goals early in the precedent there. The piece that we were looking at was just at the end third period from Corey Perry and Tyler Toffoli. But Jesperi Kotkaniemi with Toffoli standing in the crease and we thought there’s some took advantage the Dermott miscue to end an overtime in which the precedent there where the goalie’s trying to get back into his crease and Leafs outshot Montreal 13-2. can’t and goals come back.

“I think it’s obviously frustrating losing the game, but battling back the “We weren’t really sure how that one would go but thought, given what way we did ... It’s a game of inches out there in overtime to obviously end was happening in the game with the significance of the goal, thought in the game and we couldn’t get it done,” said Leafs forward Auston the moment that it was worthy of a challenge and having confidence in Matthews. “We’re going to move on and we’ve got another game here. our penalty kill if we needed to get it done like it has all series for us. We’re going back home and we’ve got to be ready.” Obviously, we end up being 5-on-3 so it doesn’t go the way we want it to.” The Leafs will go into Game 7 with injuries mounting. Jake Muzzin left the game in the second period. Coach Sheldon Keefe offered no update What was Marner thinking? on the defenceman’s status. Yes, the 5-on-3. Just 19 seconds into the second power play, Marner got Game 7 his own delay-of-game penalty for clearing the puck over the glass, leading to Toffoli’s goal. The Leafs haven’t done so well in Game 7s, and face the prospect of playing the deciding game without their captain, John Tavares, and their “It went over the glass,” said Marner. “Dumb play. I tried to get it down ice top defenceman, Muzzin, who appeared to be favouring his right groin for Zach Hyman to chase on it. It wasn’t my best.” when he left the game. Muzzin missed last year’s decisive Game 5 against Columbus in the qualifying round. The decision went Columbus’s More mistakes way. The Leafs also lost Game 7s to Boston, in both 2018 and 2019. Whatever ailed Rasmus Sandin and Alex Galchenyuk, whose giveaways So Monday’s task comes with the weight of some history for the Leafs, led to Montreal’s victory in Game 5, spread to the rest of the Leafs in while the Canadiens are essentially playing with house money. They had Game 6. been given up for dead after dropping Games 3 and 4 at home and When it came to controlling the puck, they simply couldn’t. They would heading to Toronto trailing the series three games to one. overskate it. Or fail to corral a pass. Or simply find another way to give it “I’m not worried about that,” said Keefe. “I don’t think pressure is the up. A team that is one of the best in the NHL at possessing the puck for issue here. It’s just a matter of playing a hockey game where we’ve got to long stretches and wearing an opponent down had the tables turned on elevate our play.” them.

As Nick Foligno put it: “We have a great opportunity in front of us. It’s The Canadiens were faster, more aggressive and playing with a time for the words to stop, for the clichés to stop. It’s Game 7. It’s time to confidence drawn from Price in net and their boisterous fans, the first put it all on the line. I have no doubt, going to battle with these guys, that inside a rink since the pandemic struck 14 months ago. we’ll do that.” The Leafs took over in overtime, but couldn’t score on Price. And it was a Heat is on another mistake, off Dermott’s stick, that sent the series to Game 7.

But the heat now is on the Leafs’ best players — Matthews and Mitch Roster notes Marner — who have combined for one goal in the series. Foligno returned to the Leafs lineup, centring the second line with “We’re playing too much in our zone,” Marner said. “When we got in their Nylander and Galchenyuk. It’s a job he took for Game 2, taking over for zone, we’re doing a decent job of moving the puck around and getting to Tavares. But Foligno missed Games 3, 4 and 5 with an undisclosed the net. But too much energy wasted in our own zone. We’ve got to make injury. sure we’re better than that. Nothing we can do now. Just got to make “We knew when we brought him in that he would be a difference-maker sure we’re ready for Game 7 and look forward to it.” for us in all regards in terms of the leadership and the energy, the Said Matthews: “I think we’ve done a lot of really good things. Maybe it competitiveness that he has,” said Keefe. “He can play anywhere in the hasn’t showed up on the scoresheet, but whether it was gaining lineup. He’s an important player for us for sure.” momentum for our team when we’ve lost it or just creating chances and Defensive change creating havoc. Obviously, we’d like to see those pucks go in, but we’re just going to keep shooting and keep fighting, and keep working to help Dermott replaced Sandin, whose giveaways on Thursday led to two the team win.” Montreal goals. “I thought Dermott had quite a good game for us the other night,” said Keefe. “Rasmus is coming off of a tough night and I just Blame game felt going with Dermott would be the right move. It gives Rasmus a little bit more time to settle in, with the combination of both, learning from the previous game and gaining a little extra experience as he’s making his way through his first playoff series in the NHL.

Chit chat

Galchenyuk made the mistake that led to Montreal’s overtime winner in Game 5. Keefe had a chat with him, too. “You want to be sure to be able to have a conversation with him and just reaffirm the fact that he’s done a lot of really good things, not just in this series but all season long,” said Keefe. “Those should be the things that he’s thinking about and that should give him the confidence to come back here today, and recover from a mistake.

“It’s a difficult one to overcome. It would hit any player hard. But again, it’s really important you don’t let one play define you as a player. As we look at the big picture, he’s done a lot of really good things. In fact he was a major difference-maker for us in Game 4. He’s got lots of reasons to just push past that one.”

Kevin McGran

Toronto Star LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214644 Toronto Maple Leafs stay in command as his health slipped and the erratic Brophy feuded with key players.

Though Toronto won its opening series against St. Louis and scored a HORNBY: Leafs could relive nightmare from 1987 bunch against Detroit, round two versus Detroit got away from them. Captain Steve Yzerman sparked the Red Wings’ offence and coach Jacques Demers outsmarted Brophy. Demers replaced goalie Greg Stefan with Glen Hanlon, who had two shutouts in the three closing wins, Lance Hornby Detroit outscoring Toronto 10-2. Publishing date:May 30, 2021 LOOSE LEAFS

The Jets continue to wait out the winner of this series. “In the backs of The Maple Leafs had a dream they were starting their first Stanley Cup our heads we were preparing to most likely play Sunday and now we’re journey since 1967. preparing that we might play Monday or Tuesday,” said Paul Stastny. “It’s always nice to have that little break and see the other teams play It’s fast becoming a nightmare from 1987, the last and only Toronto team against each other and beat up on each other.” … Saturday’s game to blow a 3-1 series lead when the other 11 finished the job. And though came on the 28th anniversary of Wayne Gretzky eliminating the Leafs they still have their emergency seventh game option against the Montreal from the 1993 Western final with a hat trick for the Kings, spoiling the last Canadiens on Monday, the longest-serving members of his team have chance for a Montreal – Toronto Cup final … Exactly a year earlier, the lost the last three since 2018 with everything on the table. Leafs had hired coach Pat Burns away from Montreal … Among the many player connections between the teams are defencemen Morgan After the Leafs were in command of this series, they’re trying to avoid Rielly of the Leafs and Joel Edmundson of Montreal were junior becoming the 30th team in NHL history to suffer such a fate. There has teammates on Moose Jaw, drafted a year apart. Jon Merrill, a University been role reversal as the course of the week, the Leafs going from a pro- of Michigan teammate of Zach Hyman, will miss the rest of this series active game plan that produced three straight victories to sitting back too with an injury said Montreal coach Dominique Ducharme. Brett Kulak much with little room for their skill players. replaced him Saturday. “I believe in this group,” insisted Nick Foligno. “You look around the room at our guys with the ability they have, I feel confident. Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.30.2021 “This happens for a reason, Sometimes this is what catapults you.”

CROWD CONTROL

Coach Sheldon Keefe and his team might have thought such a small crowd at the Bell Centre was more symbolic of COVID-19 recovery than anything intimidating like a full house of 20,000. But the 2,500, the first NHL fans in 14 months, made themselves heard.

“The crowd and the push at the start was significant for them,” said Keefe. “(Both Games 5 and 6), we can’t get through that, can’t break through to get momentum and life. We have to be a lot better there.”

It’s back to canned music and fake crowd noise on Monday at home, but at least there were sweet, familiar early game sounds on Saturday. They included an acapella bilingual O Canada, the traditional jeering of a returning ex-Hab (Alex Galchenyuk) and the chanting of Carey Price’s name.

Viewers also had to get used to people chasing pucks that went over the glass. About 500 Leaf fans, some who paid thousands of dollars on the secondary ticket market, were glad they made the effort, though some said the volume of music meant to drown out any of their scattered cheers. There were no alcohol sales.

The game coincided with some loosening of outdoor dining and other restrictions in Montreal.

“I’m just happy for Montreal and for Quebecers,” said Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher. “The pandemic hit people here as hard as anyone in our country. They deserve this, they listened to the rules. These are rewards that were earned.”

BIG HOLE TO FILL

The loss of Jake Muzzin in the first period with a lower body injury, which conjured bad memories of him going down against Columbus a year ago, could’ve seen Toronto simply wilt at that point. But the five surviving defencemen played almost 60 minutes. The Leafs have also been without John Tavares since Game 1 and Foligno for a couple.

“You saw tonight, we did have the depth,” said Mitch Marner. “In the third (which included a TJ Brodie tying goal) and OT they did a good job filling in for Muzzy. They did a good job stepping up and taking more of a role.”

WHAT A GROUP

At least these Leafs are not the dysfunctional family from ‘87 in the last years of owner ’s reign. He’d fired coach Dan Maloney despite a successful ‘85-86 season in favour of John Brophy and replaced general manager Gerry McNamara midway through ‘86-87 with Gord Stellick. But there was an ensuing power struggle as Ballard tried to 1214645 Toronto Maple Leafs “It’s frustrating losing the game. We’re going to move on and we got another game here. We’re going back home and we have to be ready.”

Leafs defenceman TJ Brodie capped a wild third when he tied the game Game 7 next for Leafs, Canadiens after Montreal stuns with Game 6 OT at 16:49 when his shot eluded Price after going off Canadiens victory defenceman Jeff Petry.

That brought the Leafs back from a 2-0 deficit, and that occurred after the teams started the period deadlocked at 0-0. Terry Koshan Veteran Jason Spezza got the Leafs going at 11:35 when he beat Price Publishing date:May 30, 2021 after taking a pass from Alex Kerfoot.

Campbell made a terrific save on Nick Suzuki at the side of the net after Montreal had taken a two-goal lead. Toronto Maple and Montreal Canadiens players exchange blows during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Unable to score on their first 15 power plays from the beginning of Game Playoffs at Bell Centre. 1, the Canadiens struck gold in the third with two power-play goals.

Article content First up was savvy veteran Corey Perry, who poked the puck into an open net 5:26 during a scramble. The Maple Leafs like to think they’re able to overcome any kind of adversity. Campbell was nowhere near his net, and Keefe challenged for goalie interference, hoping Tyler Toffoli had done enough to impede Campbell. We’re about to find out whether they can back up that feeling about themselves with any substance. The goal stood after a review. Not only were the Leafs penalized for delay of game, Marner inexcusably shot the puck over the glass 19 On Monday night at Scotiabank Arena, to be precise. seconds after the bench minor. The Leafs and Canadiens will play a Game 7 in their best-of-seven Toffoli soon buried a Suzuki pass and it was 2-0 Montreal. series, that becoming fact when Montreal’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored at 15:15 of overtime of Game 6 on Saturday, giving his team a 3-2 victory in “Dumb play,” Marner said. “I have to shoot it down (the ice).” front of 2,500 boisterous fans at the Bell Centre. Keefe made a couple of lineup changes, dropping Adam Brooks as Nick Kotkaniemi scored in the extra period when he snapped a shot past Jack Foligno returned from missing three games with a lower-body injury and Campbell following a Travis Dermott turnover. The shot hit Leafs inserting Dermott in place of Rasmus Sandin on the blue line. defenceman Zach Bogosian before getting past Campbell. Though the Leafs had said earlier in the day they knew the Canadiens Carey Price stopped Leafs 13 shots in overtime and finished with 41 would be a tough out, Toronto had little response to an upbeat Montreal saves. start.

The Leafs’ 3-1 series lead is gone after they failed to close it out in The Canadiens fired 10 shots on Campbell in the first five minutes, and consecutive games, despite insisting they had no interest in letting the two of those minutes were spent killing a Josh Anderson minor. Canadiens off the mat. Campbell didn’t flinch, stopping a Shea Weber drive and later denying a “I don’t think pressure is an issue,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “It’s Suzuki backhand on a brief breakaway. just a matter of playing a hockey game where we’ve got to elevate our play. We did that at times tonight. Foligno agreed that the Leafs’ start was not acceptable. But he noted the Leafs’ ability to come back in the past two games before losing each in “As the games have got harder, Montreal has played better, and we overtime. haven’t dealt with it well.” “We’re going to break through at some point,” Foligno said. “We know we Anything is possible in a deciding game, and though the Leafs were the got to play better, and we will play better. They compete to come back in favourite when the series got started, that perceived edge has eroded. games (is there), but let’s give ourselves a chance to win the right way.

And you know the Leafs’ history. No playoff series win since 2004, and “These guys care, man. You see in that room, you feel it. That’s why you ousters in the first round of each of the past four post-seasons, including want to be a part of it. We have a great opportunity in front of us. the qualifying round last August against Columbus. “It’s time for the words to stop, the cliches to stop, it’s Game 7. It’s time to This club was built by general manager Kyle Dubas to do some playoff put it all on the line, and I have no doubt going to battle with these guys damage, not make a small dent. that we will do that.”

The Leafs were forced to go with five defencemen when stalwart Jake Muzzin departed the game midway through the second period. Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.30.2021 Muzzin appeared to have a groin issue as he left the ice, and the Leafs announced that Muzzin would not return because of a lower-body injury. Keefe had no update on Muzzin after the game.

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have been under some heat to put more goals on the scoreboard. Between the two of them, they have one goal, that coming from Matthews in Game 2.

The Matthews line, which includes Zach Hyman, has not been on the ice for a goal against at five-on-five during the series.

That’s good, but these guys — specifically Matthews and Marner — are paid primarily to pile up up points.

Being encouraged by getting chances in the playoffs doesn’t cut it. They have to score.

“We’ve done a lot of really good things,” Matthews said. “Maybe it hasn’t showed up on the scoresheet, but whether it was gaining momentum for our team when we’ve lost it or just creating chances and creating havoc, we’d like to see those pucks going in, but we’ll just keep shooting and keep fighting and keep working to help the team win. 1214646 Toronto Maple Leafs With two men off, Montreal made it 2-0 rather quickly on Tyler Toffoli’s first goal of the series and at that point it looked like there would certainly be a Game 7.

SIMMONS: Best-of-seven now a best-of-one for Maple Leafs The Leafs came to life, finally, down 2-0, desperate because they needed to be desperate. Not desperate because they needed to start the game that way. That’s hard to understand from this group. It’s hard to comprehend with so much at stake why they had to little for the first 50 Steve Simmons minutes. Publishing date:May 29, 2021 Two late Toronto goals sent the game to overtime and the Leafs were all over the puck in extra time. They had a chance to score in the second minutes, the third minute, the fourth minutes, the fifth minute. Price was Montreal Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi reacts with teammates sharp, but the Leafs couldn’t get the right shot off. after scoring the winning goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell during the overtime period on May 29, 2021, at the Bell Centre. And again, the sport’s leading scorer, Auston Matthews, was goalless. And his linemate Marner was goalless. And for Marner, that’s now 17 Jack Campbell said he would show up for Game 6 of the playoff series playoff games without a goal. That’s not accidental. That’s not bad luck. with the Montreal Canadiens. That’s a kind of reality that needs to change for the Leafs to get their He kept his word. His teammates did not show up until late in the third money’s worth from one of hockey’s highest-paid players. period and into the overtime. Now there’s a Game 7. Now it’s one and done for either the Leafs or the Campbell faced a barrage of shots, situations, possible goals and Habs. Toronto has now lost twice in a row in overtime, with neither game giveaways in keeping the Maple Leafs in the game against the Habs and being the kind you can look at and take a certain pride in. in the series: The only reason there was overtime in Game 6, the only reason the Leafs had any chance of moving on, was because Campbell Campbell can’t be better than he was Saturday night. He made so many was absolutely brilliant in goal. saves at 0-0 and again at 2-0 that kept the Leafs alive, gave them the opportunity to win. Until he allowed the one shot in the fourth period that gave Montreal a 3- 2 win and will push this surprising playoff series to a seventh game. They should have won it overtime with all their chances.

This was almost two games in one, really. Three games, if you consider They should have found a way after tying the game and taking it over. the ending. The first was a dominant, strong performance by the Six games in and Matthews has one goal, Marner has none, Jake Muzzin Montreal Canadiens. They did everything better than the Leafs for the is injured, and there are all kinds of reasons to be upset. first 50 minutes.

They skated harder. They passed better. They won the loose puck battles. They made it look as though they were the desperate team and Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.30.2021 the Leafs just expected to show up to win. The Leafs were disappointing in Game 5 in Toronto. They were more disappointing for so much of the game Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

This wasn’t about fans in the building. This wasn’t about atmosphere. This was about responding, to start the game, to end the game, and just about everything in between.

In overtime, though, after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game late, the Leafs completely owned the puck.

They had five or six strong opportunities to score. They dominated the shots on goal, at one time 10-0 in overtime. The shortened bench, with Jake Muzzin out due to injury and coach Sheldon Keefe looking to those who could win the game, seemed to be working.

Montreal had one chance to score in overtime, and it did.

The Leafs had eight shots in the first six and a half minutes of overtime and Carey Price kept his team in the game and the Leafs squandered opportunity after opportunity, with the Leafs getting beaten on a goal by Jesperi Kotkaniemi at 15:15 of the only overtime period.

But really, it was Campbell who kept Toronto in the game for two periods, kept the score at 0-0 for way longer than it should have been. And so many circumstances, did the Leafs in during the third period before they came back to tie the game.

The first goal of the game, scored by Corey Perry, from where Perry scores so many of his goals, was a typical Montreal, throw a bunch of people at the net on the power play and hope for the best.

They got the best.

What wasn’t that good was the Leafs response to Perry’s goal. Coach Sheldon Keefe challenged the 1-0 score for goaltender interference. There wasn’t anything resembling that on the play.

In a matter of seconds, the officials determined the goal was good and the Leafs were penalized for the challenge.

It wasn’t just a penalty. Seconds after the power play began, Mitch Marner, gripping his stick tight all night long, flipped the puck over the boards with no one around him. For that, he was penalized for delay of game.

And the Leafs were two men short. 1214647 Toronto Maple Leafs For Montreal, defenceman Brett Kulak will take the place of Jon Merrill, who was hurt in Game 5.

The Canadiens, of course, want nothing more than to get on a flight and Dermott in, Foligno a possibility in Game 6 as Leafs seek to eliminate head back to Toronto for Game 7. Canadiens There’s as much confidence in the Montreal room as there is among the Leafs, but Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher wasn’t up for providing any bulletin-board material. Terry Koshan “Nothing is a guarantee,” Gallagher said on Saturday morning. “I don’t Publishing date:May 29, 2021 think you’re going to get a Mark Messier quote from me.

“I’ve said it all year. I wouldn’t lie to you guys: Belief has never been an issue. When the puck drops, we believe that if every guy shows up The Maple Leafs will have defenceman Travis Dermott in the lineup for accountable to one another … we show up with the same mentality we Game 6 tonight in Montreal. had last game, simplify it, try to block out all the other things that could be The Maple Leafs are in line to get a couple of reinforcements on going on inside your mind and win a hockey game. Saturday night as they look to end the Montreal Canadiens’ season. “Do whatever it takes and find a way to survive one more day.” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed following the morning skate that defenceman Travis Dermott will replace Rasmus Sandin in the lineup for Game 6, while a decision on forward Nick Foligno will be made following Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.30.2021 the pre-game warmup at the Bell Centre.

“I thought Derms played a good game for us (in Game 4) when we put him in,” Keefe said. “Rasmus is coming off a tough night and we just felt that going with Derms would be the right move.

“It gives Rasmus a little bit more time to settle in and it’s a combination of both learning from the previous game and gaining a little extra experience as he’s making his way through his first playoff series in the NHL.”

Sandin giveaways led to two Canadiens goals in Game 5 in Toronto, a 4- 3 victory by Montreal in overtime.

The Leafs lead the best-of-seven series 3-2. A win on Saturday night would give them their first playoff series victory since 2004 and would set up a second-round date with the Winnipeg Jets. A loss and it’s back to Toronto for Game 7 on Monday.

Foligno, who has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury, centred Alex Galchenyuk and William Nylander during the morning skate. If he returns, Adam Brooks would sit.

The domino effect on the lineup would put Alex Kerfoot on the third line between Ilya Mikheyev and Wayne Simmonds. The fourth line would have Pierre Engvall centring Joe Thornton and Jason Spezza.

“Nick will be a game-time decision,” Keefe said. “We knew when we brought him in (via trade with Columbus in April) that he can be a difference-maker for us in terms of the leadership and the energy, the competitiveness that he has, the ability to play anywhere in the lineup and different positions.

“Getting him back would be a boost.”

While the presence of fans in the building isn’t likely to impact whether the Leafs can fulfill their quest to end the series, the fact that up to 2,500 fans will be permitted to be in the Bell Centre is a large positive in coming out of the pandemic, no matter who they are cheering for.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about, is that having some people back in the building is a sign of progress for our country,” Keefe said. “That’s a really good sign for everybody.”

Leafs superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are under some heat to put more goals on the scoreboard, but Marner wasn’t sweating about it on Saturday morning. Between the two of them, they have one goal, that coming from Matthews in Game 2.

“We’ve had a lot of great chances,” Marner said. “We’ve been around the net, eventually one is going to go in. We’re realizing that we’re getting our opportunities, so we’re just staying patient with it.

“I don’t think (the team’s) mood ever really changes. It’s the same always.

“Everyone’s always happy, looking at the bright side, making sure we’re focused on trying to finish this team out and trying to move on.”

The Matthews line, which includes Zach Hyman, has not been on the ice for a goal against at five-on-five during the series. 1214648 Toronto Maple Leafs played big roles in his reaching the NHL. They recount how they lived that moment.

LeBrun: Q&A with Marc Bergevin on Cole Caufield, the Eric Staal trade 2021 NHL Playoffs: North Division finals schedule, TV channel, games, and what’s next: With the trade deadline a week away, Pierre LeBrun scores, guide to the second-round series chatted with Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin.

NHL second-round playoff matchups

By The Athletic West Division: Golden Knights-Avalanche

May 30, 2021 East Division: Islanders-Bruins

Central Division: Lightning-Hurricanes

In this North Division matchup in the second round of the 2021 NHL Scores & schedule | NHL podcasts | Complete NHL coverage Stanley Cup playoffs, the No. 3 Winnipeg Jets are facing the winner of

Monday night’s Game 7 between the No. 4 Montreal Canadiens and No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs. For more on the playoffs, check out The The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 Athletic’s second-round predictions, daily chances, odds and betting guide and complete NHL coverage.

Schedule/TV/results

If Toronto wins Game 7:

Game 1: at Toronto, Wednesday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 2: at Toronto, Friday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, USA)

Game 3: at Winnipeg, Sunday, June 6, 6 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 4: at Winnipeg, Monday, June 7, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 5*: at Toronto, Wednesday, June 9, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 6*: at Winnipeg, Friday, June 11, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 7*: at Toronto, Sunday, June 13, time TBD (TV TBD)

(* – if necessary)

If Montreal wins Game 7:

Game 1: at Winnipeg, Wednesday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 2: at Winnipeg, Friday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. ET (SN, CBC, TVAS, USA)

Game 3: at Montreal, Sunday, June 6, 6 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NBCSN)

Game 4: at Montreal, Monday, June 7, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 5*: at Winnipeg, Wednesday, June 9, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 6*: at Montreal, Friday, June 11, time TBD (TV TBD)

Game 7*: at Winnipeg, Sunday, June 13, time TBD (TV TBD)

(* – if necessary)

What to expect from the series

Jets, Maple Leafs and Canadiens top reads

Angles, hands, wingspan … work: How Auston Matthews became the best goal scorer of his generation: The NHL’s leading goal-scorer is “a unicorn,” but is he also leading others to a new understanding of how to put the puck in the net?

Untold stories of Jets centre Paul Stastny: From how he got his smile to his college Taco Bell diet to 1,000 NHL games: As he approaches his 1,000th career NHL game, read a few anecdotes about “Stas” from teammates, family and more.

The ultimate hockey nerd: Untold stories of Jason Spezza’s journey from junior phenom to beloved Maple Leafs veteran: Jason Spezza’s impressive resume is only a small piece of what makes him one of the most fascinating and revered figures in the NHL today.

Joe Thornton and Gord Downie: Inside a friendship that changed an NHL star and inspired a music legend: Hockey and music brought them together, but their friendship grew stronger through years and heartache and Downie’s tragic death.

Cole Caufield’s debut with the Canadiens as seen through the eyes of his father and brother: Cole Caufield’s father, Paul, and brother, Brock, 1214649 Toronto Maple Leafs Honestly, sometimes it feels like this organization doesn’t deserve the massive, unrelenting support the fan base gives it.

The Leafs certainly haven’t earned it here in this series. Mirtle: Make no mistake, the Maple Leafs losing this series would be the Even if the Leafs win Game 7 against Montreal, they’ve cost themselves biggest collapse of them all a lot by letting this series get away from them these past two games.

Jake Muzzin, arguably their best defenceman, is now hurt and likely By James Mirtle unavailable for a while. Round 2, if the Leafs get there, will start almost right away, and they’ll face a Winnipeg Jets team that is confident and May 30, 2021 rested after sweeping the Oilers.

Toronto’s chances of winning that series, if it happens, have plummeted the past few days. I was making small talk with a member of the Maple Leafs staff a few weeks ago, as the regular season wound down, and offered the If the Leafs lose Game 7 on Monday night? comment that it had been a very solid campaign. This will be one of the worst choke jobs in franchise history. Maybe even Stars showed up. Team improved defensively. No. 1 goalie emerged. league history? Won the division handily. Yes, it will be worse than the “it was 4-1” game, as the Leafs were heavy Not a lot to complain about overall. underdogs and had no business beating Boston in 2013. There were minimal expectations with that team and even getting as far as it did was “Yeah,” the staffer said. “But we all know it all comes down to the gravy. playoffs.” It will be worse than losing to the Capitals in 2017 and the Bruins in 2018 It’s been that way all season for the organization, with a singular focus on and 2019, when, again, the Leafs were the underdogs trying to knock off these games. No matter how much the Leafs dominated the Canadian one of the best clubs in the NHL. Division, they all knew they would be judged on what they did in the postseason — and little else. It will even be worse than losing to the Blue Jackets, of all teams, last year during the play-in round and missing the postseason altogether. Well … That team had a miserable regular season, with a coaching change and Now, the Leafs’ season is down to one game. And, frankly, it’s probably injuries and a weak blue line. Expectations were low, even if the Leafs more than just their season on the line in Game 7 on Monday. Multiple had beaten Columbus. seasons have been building to this point. But this group is not an overmatched team succumbing to the pressure of Seven, if you start counting at the beginning of the Shanaplan, when trying to beat a superior opponent. This is not a young lineup, lacking in Brendan Shanahan was hired as president in 2014. playoff experience — certainly not with all the veterans the Leafs have stuffed on the roster the past two years. A whole roster, and the philosophy that built it, has led the Leafs here. It’s pretty hard to call that process a success if they fail. Because this failure It’s also not a team that’s played overwhelmingly well and been goalie’d isn’t really about blowing one game. It’s about continual failures, over and into submission, even if we allow that Price has been very good. over. No, it’s a group of players who should know better and have reverted to And for a franchise that has made collapses its hallmark the past 17 previous form. They haven’t shown up in key moments in this series, years, this would be the biggest of them all. frittering away not just a three-goal lead in a game but a 3-1 series lead — something that almost never happens to a top team, in any situation. A brief refresher: The Leafs finished this season 18 points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens, who ranked 18th in the league — behind two non- In fact, in all of NHL, NBA and MLB history, a favoured team had gone up playoff teams — coming in. Over an 82-game campaign, Toronto was on 3-1 in a best-of-seven series 432 times before this season. Those pace to be 26 points and 16 wins clear of Montreal in the standings. favourites managed to close out the series 94 percent of the time.

The Leafs scored half a goal a game more than the Canadiens this If the Leafs blow this series, they will be only the 27th team with home season. They allowed 0.31 fewer goals a game. Their young stars, advantage to do so in the history of North American pro sports. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, piled up goals and points and I haven’t finished picking through the record books at this point, but my finished among the league leaders — miles ahead of the highest-ranked guess is the Leafs would become one of the most heavily favoured Habs. teams to ever do so. This series was not supposed to be close. Our statistician, Dom It would be a historic faceplant. Luszczyszyn — who was beating the bookies with his predictions all season — gave the Leafs a whopping 82.7 percent chance of winning And their two young superstars will have combined to score just one goal the series, one of the most lopsided marks I’ve ever seen. all series, barring further contributions Monday.

For four games, that’s how it looked like it was going to play out, too. The “I think the games have gotten harder, Montreal has played better and Leafs were outclassing Montreal in every facet of the game — save for we haven’t dealt with it well,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe lamented after Carey Price’s brilliance in net. the latest loss.

Now? You look around the NHL playoffs and there have been contending teams sweeping their opponents (the Avalanche) or putting away Well, the Leafs have effectively given this series back to their opponent talented teams early (the Lightning). There were the Hurricanes, Bruins these past two games. They showed up for the first two periods of Game and Golden Knights, who all overcame some serious first-round adversity 5 uninterested and lethargic, going down 3-0 before storming back to and pushed through past better teams than the one the Leafs are facing. force overtime. Any one of those five teams might win the Stanley Cup a few rounds Not having learned their lesson well enough there, they served up much from now. the same listlessness in Game 6 on Saturday, albeit going down only 2-0 before storming back to push things to extra time. But after the way the Leafs have played in this series — and especially these past two games — they do not look like a team that belongs in that After the loss, some members of the organization had the nerve to point group. They don’t look like a team that can even beat Winnipeg, barring a to the fact the Bell Centre was 11 percent full as one reason for the poor serious transformation. start. They’re now badly banged up, missing their captain and another huge In a Game 6. To win the franchise’s first series in nearly two decades. piece on the blue line. They’re reeling after dropping two overtime Against a team the Leafs dominated all season and should be able to games, repeating a pattern of playing incomplete games that we’ve seen walk all over, based on the respective rosters. too many times in the past few seasons. And their stars have been almost totally shut down by a lesser opponent in Games 5 and 6.

Who can even be confident the Leafs will show up for Game 7?

And that’s about as damning a comment as I can think to make, with their season on the line.

One more chance to prove us wrong. One more chance to avoid another entry in the history books, for the wrong reasons, yet again.

James Mirtle

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214650 Toronto Maple Leafs third-period goal reminded me of. He didn’t overthink things, just threw the puck on net and the Leafs found some life afterward. Kudos to him for his continued energy late in the game.

Maple Leafs report cards: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner stifled as slow Alex Kerfoot (LW, No. 15): Good puck movement throughout the game. start, costly gaffes lead to Game 6 loss He was one of their more consistently engaged players, even if that bar was pretty low for most of the game. Kerfoot created some good chances in overtime. He had an assist.

By Joshua Kloke William Nylander (RW, No. 88): He was picking pockets, double-shifting and. once again, looking like the Leafs’ best forward. He moved the puck May 30, 2021 well all game and forced a turnover ahead of the Leafs goal. His penalty was not a great one to take, but overall, he continued to elevate his game. Mitch Marner had just needlessly sent the puck over the boards to give the Montreal Canadiens a power play and raised his head to the rafters Pierre Engvall (C, No. 47): Engvall showcased decent possession and of the Bell Centre in disbelief. His stunned look was likely worn by passing, most notably on his assist to Brodie on the Leafs’ tying goal. He countless Leafs fans, all asking the same question: What in the world is hung in and looked more and more confident with the puck when the going on with this Leafs team, especially its best players? game became more tense, which has to be a pleasant surprise for the coaching staff. Game 6 ended up being a puzzling tale of two games for the Leafs. Their first two periods were the Leafs’ most listless of the series, with Auston B- Matthews and Mitch Marner in particular looking like shells of their Jake Muzzin (LD, No. 8): Muzzin made some decent outlet passes and regular-season selves, as the Montreal Canadiens played a compact provided his typical steadying influence until he left the game in the defensive game and worked the Leafs into the ground with their energy. second period. The Leafs were left seemingly without any ideas in the offensive zone. HERE IS WHAT TOOK MUZZIN OUT. LOOKS LIKE HE PULLED If it wasn’t for Jack Campbell’s excellent performance, the Leafs would SOMETHING PIC.TWITTER.COM/HWWYH1CFCZ have been written off. But in the third period, once again, the Leafs fought back to tie the game and send it to overtime. — OMAR (@TICTACTOMAR) MAY 30, 2021

Despite dominating overtime, another needless error cost the Leafs as Really, really not good for the Leafs. they dropped Game 6 by a final score of 3-2. C+ I imagine even more heads throughout Leafs Nation looked to the skies and asked: How does this keep happening to this team? Zach Bogosian (RD, No. 22): Excellent play from Bogosian to stand up Josh Anderson as he had a clear look at the goal late in the first period. “Montreal in both games had a real hard push at the start, and we can’t His play with the puck and his physicality in overtime were strong. His get through that,” said Sheldon Keefe. “Can’t break out, can’t get positioning on the overtime goal might have prevented Campbell from momentum and life to get through it. I thought obviously the crowd and stopping the puck, however. the push at the start was significant for them. Obviously, we’ve got to be a whole lot better there.” Zach Hyman (LW, No. 11): I liked his energy off the puck, but with the puck he was far from dominant. He undoubtedly had the most energy of On to the observations! his line, but he still needed to connect with his linemates a little more often closer to the Canadiens goal. Player reports C 1st star: T.J. Brodie (RD, No. 78): Meet the next mayor of Chatham-Kent. Ilya Mikheyev (RW, No. 65): Mikheyev continued to build on his decent One positive from a game that ultimately raised more questions about last few games with some noted aggressiveness in the offensive zone, this Leafs team was the consistent play of Brodie. If Muzzin is indeed out which was needed after he lost a few puck battles in his own zone. He in Game 7, Brodie is going to have to log big, big minutes. had chances to score with four shots on goal, but has yet to score his Brodie lost a puck battle or two but also did well to get his stick down and first playoff goal. break up some Canadiens passes in the first period. I liked his efforts to Auston Matthews (C, No. 34): There were glimpses of that hunger for get down low in the offensive zone and create a surprise turnover. When goals that he showed throughout the regular season, but something just the Leafs needed composure on both sides of the puck in the third seemed off with Matthews for most of the game. He wasn’t moving with period, Brodie was their guy. as much energy as you’d hope. He ended up throwing seven shots on Like Jason Spezza, Brodie didn’t overthink things and just put the puck net, but his shot didn’t have the same pop and he never looked in control on net late in the game for the tying goal. He logged 31:18 TOI. of the game. Like Marner, he needs to produce more. His low shooting percentage would indicate he’s going to break out of his funk, but the 2nd star: Jack Campbell (G, No. 36): Campbell picked a good day to put runway to do so is incredibly short. up one of his better efforts as a Leaf. Great patience and positioning from Campbell in the first two minutes as the Canadiens were buzzing around Nick Foligno (C, No. 71): Though he attempted to get into some good the Leafs net and put up six shots in that time. spots, Foligno wasn’t all that effective on both sides of the puck. He probably was not feeling 100 percent in his first game back after injury, For most of the game, he looked like the only Leaf who sensed the but he did not look like the player the Leafs needed. opportunity in front of him, and he made a ton of excellent saves. I know people are going to grill him for being that far out of the net on the C- Canadiens’ first goal, but the Leafs don’t get to where they ended up Travis Dermott (LD, No. 23): Dermott looked fine offensively but without him and his late-game saves. He stopped 28 of 31 shots. continued to be overwhelmed when defending against the rush. His 3rd star: Morgan Rielly (LD, No. 44): An excellent pass from Rielly to turnover in overtime was costly. For a Leafs team whose blue line is beat Foligno in the slot in the first period was a rare highlight from the Leafs up, he’s going to need to recover quickly. early on. He continued to play a calm, smart game with his puck D+ movement and generally made good second efforts defensively. He logged 34:43 TOI and had 72 percent of the five-on-five expected goals. Alex Galchenyuk (LW, No. 12): Galchenyuk responded to his poor (All stats via Natural Stat Trick). performance in Game 5’s overtime with an energetic first few shifts. He could be accused of trying to do too much with the puck, but his energy B+ was a boon to a team that needed it out of the gate. Jason Spezza (C, No. 19): Remember when Spezza dropped the gloves Still, for all that energy, he lacked much in the way of offence, finishing with Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Dean Kukan in Game 4 of the with just one shot and 42 percent five-on-five expected goals, the lowest qualification round last year to try to spark the Leafs? That’s what his of any Leafs forward. D If Muzzin is unavailable, another lineup change is coming.

Wayne Simmonds (RW, No. 24): Simmonds was on the wrong end of a But beyond the lineup changes, it’s safe to call Game 7 the biggest game few big hits and was far from a threat offensively. He was not dangerous in a generation for the Leafs. At home, against their storied rivals, a team near the Canadiens goal. they were heavily favoured to beat coming into the series, a win could change the narrative about this core and their inability to win series- Mitch Marner (RW, No. 16): Marner helped weather the storm on the clinching playoff games. penalty kill during an early onslaught from the Canadiens. He was blocking shots. Offensively, I thought Marner looked fine in the first A loss would waste one of the best regular seasons in recent memory period, slowing down on the rush and using his deft passing skills to and make the questions about this talented team louder than they’ve create chances. been in years.

But as the game wore on, Marner looked less and less like the player “I don’t think pressure is an issue here,” Keefe said. “It’s just a matter of who finished fourth in NHL scoring this season. We know he has the playing a hockey game where we’ve got to elevate our play.” ability to dominate the game offensively, but you wouldn’t know it from his play in Game 6. He needed to be far more aggressive moving toward the goal and make simple plays with the puck. Joshua Kloke

I gave Marner and Matthews the benefit of the doubt earlier in the series, but they don’t deserve that benefit for two games in a row. The Leafs needed their best players to be just that. Marner and Matthews might The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 have started to click late in the game, but the Leafs needed far more than that.

“I thought they worked really hard but didn’t get enough done,” Keefe said of the Leafs’ top line.

I have no idea what Marner was thinking when he flipped the puck over the glass. It’s a bad sign for the Leafs when one of their best players plays without composure in the third period of a playoff game.

“It’s a dumb play. I’ve got to shoot it down, try to get it down the ice for (Hyman) to chase on it. But it went over the glass,” Marner said of the play.

Justin Holl (RD, No. 3): An ugly night. Holl had trouble controlling the puck in his own zone throughout the first period and didn’t fare much better in puck battles. He looked lost without his defence partner and registered a team-worst 40 percent five-on-five expected goals.

Nothing to see here:

Joe Thornton (LW, No. 97): Decent efforts to cycle the puck, but not much else. He was not a factor. The offensive creativity he showed at times this season was nowhere to be found.

Game Score

Game Score is a metric developed by The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn to quickly measure a player’s performance in a single game.

Heat map

Natural Stat Trick helps us out with a snapshot of where the shots were coming from Saturday:

Final grade: D

We can look at the details, including bad habits re-emerging as the Leafs power play looked uninspired with unnecessary puck movement and zero shots through their first two power plays. We wonder about a lack of energy to start the game. We can look at Keefe’s questionable decision to challenge a goal. All of it, I’m sure Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle will go over in great detail.

But for now, with 40 percent of the five-on-five expected goals through the first two periods and 87 percent of the expected goals in the third period and overtime, this was another example of the team that Kyle Dubas used the term “Jekyll and Hyde” to describe … once again. It’s incredibly concerning that the Leafs woke up way too late two games in a row, especially considering the heightened importance of those games. They had an opportunity to seize this game. The talent is there and, as evidenced by their play in overtime, the ability to dominate games is there, as well.

The ability to do so for a full 60 minutes when it matters is not.

“I thought obviously we controlled things significantly in that overtime, and there were periods in the game, back half of the first period we started to find ourselves and we were going OK,” Keefe said. “The second period has been a strength for us this series, but that’s two games in a row now it hasn’t been. Those are the kind of things we’ve got to focus on. We’re not focused on any of the other things that, frankly, are irrelevant in this moment for our team.”

What to watch for Monday in Game 7: Well, everything. 1214651 Vegas Golden Knights

Silver Knights lose Pacific Division final to Bakersfield

By Ben Gotz

May 29, 2021 - 9:37 PM

Updated May 29, 2021 - 10:37 PM

The Silver Knights ended their inaugural regular season the same way their parent club did: With a division title.

Their postseason ended in similar fashion as well.

The Silver Knights lost 3-2 to the on Saturday in front of a team-record announced crowd of 7,420 at T-Mobile Arena to fall in their best-of-three Pacific Division final 2-1.

“We’re certainly disappointed that we lost tonight but we’re not disappointed in how we played,” coach Manny Viveiros said. “I thought that tonight was one of our best games all season long here. Give Bakersfield credit, they came in and played a smart game tonight.”

Forward Tyler Benson scored the game-winning goal for Bakersfield with 11:09 remaining in the third period. The Silver Knights took a 1-0 lead 3:37 into the second period with a goal from left wing Dylan Sikura, but the Condors responded quickly. They scored twice 2:38 apart later in the frame to take a 2-1 lead into the third period.

Defenseman Kaedan Korczak, the Golden Knights’ second-round pick in 2019, tied the game with his first goal in 16 American Hockey League games before Benson gave Bakersfield the lead.

”It was a long time coming,” Korczak said. “I had a couple chances before. All the guys were kind of giving it to me because I was kind of snakebitten there for a bit. Super nice to get the first one, especially at home here at Vegas.”

The Silver Knights couldn’t find an equalizer afterward. They had 35 shots on goal, but goaltender Stuart Skinner, who was pulled after the first period of Game 2, kept the Condors in front.

The Silver Knights finished the year 25-13-1 in the regular season and 3- 2 in the playoffs.

“Tough to swallow right now but I think we can be proud of ourselves,” center Jonas Rondbjerg said. “We had a really good first year. I think we played a really good game today but it didn’t bounce our way. That’s the way hockey goes.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214652 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights-Colorado Avalanche series schedule released

By Ben Gotz

May 29, 2021 - 8:13 PM

The NHL released the full schedule of the Golden Knights’ second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Game 1 will be at 5 p.m. Sunday at Ball Arena in Denver. Game 2 will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The winner of the best-of-seven series will move on to the NHL semifinals.

Game 1 will be shown on KSNV-3. Games 2, 3 and 4 will be on NBCSN.

The full schedule can be found below:

Game 1 — 5 p.m. Sunday, Ball Arena, KSNV-3

Game 2 — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Ball Arena, NBCSN

Game 3 — 7 p.m. Friday, T-Mobile Arena, NBCSN

Game 4 — 5:30 p.m. June 6, T-Mobile Arena, NBCSN

Game 5 — TBD June 8, Ball Arena, TBD*

Game 6 — TBD June 10, T-Mobile Arena, TBD*

Game 7 — TBD June 12, Ball Arena, TBD*

*If necessary

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214653 Vegas Golden Knights Handicapper Dana Lane picked two first-round series winners in the Review-Journal in the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning. He also picked the Knights to win the Stanley Cup and is sticking with them to upset the Avalanche in the series. Golden Knights reward bettors in Game 7, but now are underdogs “Truth is, the winner of this series will likely win the Cup,” said Lane (@DanaLaneSports). “You don’t have to think too deep when handicapping most Stanley Cup playoff games because it’s usually as By Todd Dewey simple as who has the better goaltender and which team is playing well May 29, 2021 - 5:48 PM in front of them. This is where I give Vegas the edge.

“I’ll take (Marc-Andre) Fleury over (Philipp) Grubauer, who was hardly tested against St. Louis.” Game 7 was a dream scenario for Golden Knights bettors and a nightmare for Las Vegas sportsbooks. In Game 1, Lane recommends a play on under 5½ goals.

In beating the Minnesota Wild 6-2 on Friday, the Knights not only “The Avalanche, who have not played in a week, will have a hard time delivered a win in their first-round NHL playoff series but also cashed matching the intensity level of the Knights to start,” he said. “The under is tickets on the game on the money line, the ever-popular puck line (-1½) an attractive option in Game 1 with two teams that will likely go through a and over the total of five goals. feeling out process before the offense gets cranked up.”

“It was a beatdown,” William Hill sportsbook director Nick Bogdanovich said. “Some guy bet $180,000 to win $100,000 (on the Knights) an hour LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.30.2021 before the game. Combine that with all the parlays and it was a good licking.”

BetMGM also reported a big loss.

“We ended up taking a beating on it because of that puck line,” MGM Resorts director of trading Jeff Stoneback said. “It’s magnified for us because they’re putting more and more people in (T-Mobile Arena), and a lot of people make bets before the game in close proximity at Park MGM and New York-New York.”

The bright side for the books is the victory set up a compelling matchup between the Knights and Colorado Avalanche — the Stanley Cup favorites all season — in a West Division final series that starts Sunday in Denver.

“Game 7 was the best-case scenario for the guests. But for us, it was a win-win because of the handle, atmosphere, hype and enthusiasm in our books having them play Colorado will generate,” Sunset Station sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “I anticipate this being a long, grueling series, and we could potentially see a record handle.”

Knights big underdogs

The Avalanche are -185 series favorites over the Knights, who are +165 at the Westgate, which posted the line at -175/+155 after Game 7.

“Most of the money will come in (Sunday), but so far we have all Avalanche money,” Westgate vice president of risk Ed Salmons said Saturday.

BetMGM took an $11,000 wager to win $6,111 on Colorado to capture the series at -180, though Stoneback expects to need the Avalanche by game time.

The Knights are +155 underdogs to Colorado (-170) in Game 1.

“It’s early, so there’s not a lot of action yet,” Bogdanovich said Saturday. “But they’re going to take the Knights at the plus price. They’re used to laying prices with the Golden Knights, and now you’re getting +160? They’ll salivate over that.

“We’ll definitely need Colorado in the series and in Game 1.”

The Golden Knights would be favored over every other playoff team. But against the Avalanche, they are the biggest playoff underdogs in their four-year franchise history.

On the surface, Colorado has the advantage in Game 1 of being well- rested. It has been off since May 23, when it finished a four-game sweep of St. Louis.

“But having a whole week off can be a deterrent to a team because they can get rusty not playing,” Salmons said. “The Knights have been playing every other day. This is their schedule, and plus they’re probably the healthiest they have been in months now with (Max) Pacioretty back.

“The Knights have everything in place to beat the Avalanche. It’s just a case of can they?”

Best bet 1214654 Vegas Golden Knights who the favorite is. It will be settled on the ice where you’d expect it to be.”

Besides, being the favorite isn’t always a good omen. Golden Knights in unfamiliar underdog role in playoffs The Knights were -170 to win the Stanley Cup against Washington four years ago.

By Ed Graney Five games later, Alex Ovechkin was stumbling out of T-Mobile Arena clutching the Cup on his way to a historic summer bender. Ah, memories. May 29, 2021 - 5:06 PM

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.30.2021 DENVER — An interesting and yet perhaps meaningless stat: When a team in a first-round matchup of the Stanley Cup playoffs goes seven games to win a series and then meets a higher seed that swept its opponent, the lower seed is 5-0 in that next round.

It’s a potential reality for the Golden Knights.

They’re just not expected to do so.

Welcome to unfamiliar territory, the Knights entering their best-of-seven showdown with the Colorado Avalanche as an underdog in a series that begins with Game 1 on Sunday night at Ball Arena.

The Westgate sportsbook opened the Avalanche at -175 on Friday night. The market grew a tad higher Saturday.

If forward Max Pacioretty had not returned from injury to play in a Game 7 clinching win for the Knights against Minnesota, the Avalanche could have opened -200.

Expect underdog money

“We’ve always taken support for the Knights in (the playoffs) throughout the years,” said Jeff Sherman, vice president of risk for the Westgate sportsbook. “We’re expecting that now, especially with them being an underdog. Colorado has been No. 1 in our power ratings. When they’re a healthy team, they’re No. 1 in the league.

“I’m expecting to see more Knights support because this is one of the rare times you’re going to get them as the underdog. We’re expecting the ’dog money to show up.”

The Knights have advanced to the playoffs in each of their four years and just once have not been favored to win a series. That came during the 2017 expansion season against Winnipeg in the Western Conference Final.

The Knights won in five games.

There was also the infamous first-round series against San Jose in 2019, which opened as a pick’em and ended in the folly of Game 7 and the Sharks scoring four goals in five minutes after a major penalty was assessed to the Knights.

San Jose advanced, and the Knights clinched a permanent role on the NHL’s all-time bloopers reel.

But nothing about how this latest series is being forecast should surprise. Rare is the current power ranking that doesn’t have Colorado — which swept St. Louis in the first round — sitting atop the league.

On some, the margin between the Avalanche and a next-best option is that of on the compared to a recreational gymnast.

Hanging banners

Colorado and the Knights split eight regular-season meetings, and each finished with 82 points. But the Avalanche got to hang the Presidents’ Trophy banner because they had more wins in regulation. I want them to include a picture of a minivan to commemorate being czars of the Honda Division. Just pull a Nashville and go all-in on the banner weirdness.

But you can be sure Colorado and the Knights are thinking about displaying a more prominent sign of success when the postseason ends.

“I expect it will be a really good series,” Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “They have home ice. They won the Presidents’ Trophy, so I guess by definition, that puts us in an underdog role. But it is what it is.

“We are anxious to get started, and I suspect once the puck drops, there won’t be a lot of talk the rest of the way about who the underdog is or 1214655 Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena Pain.

That’s probably the best word to sum up what the Knights were feeling Recapping Golden Knights-Avalanche season series after seeing this game slip away in regulation. Colorado took leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but the Knights tied the score each time.

By Ben Gotz Center Nazem Kadri then scored with 41 seconds to play to steal a regulation win for the Avalanche. Colorado securing both points — and May 29, 2021 - 4:41 PM giving the Knights none — was a key swing in the West Division race.

Feb. 20

Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7) and Colorado Avalanche 3, Knights 2 Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor (25) skate after the puck during the first period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, Stateline T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review- A gorgeous day that turned into the longest game in Knights history. Journal) @ellenschmidttt The teams squared off at 12:13 p.m. in a picturesque location in Lake Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) turns around to celebrate Tahoe, but played only one period before the sun forced the NHL to after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the second suspend play because of ice conditions. They resumed the game in the period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at T-Mobile evening and didn’t finish until 10:49 p.m. Arena, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt Defenseman Alec Martinez tied the score 1-1 once play resumed. Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon then went coast to coast to give his Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) congratulates Golden team the lead back in the second period, and defenseman Devon Toews Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) for scoring a goal during the second scored an insurance goal in the third. period of their NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Feb. 22 Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt Knights 3, Avalanche 0 Colorado Avalanche team members celebrates after Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) scored a goal on Golden Knights Ball Arena goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period of their NHL Coach Pete DeBoer reacted to the two straight losses to the Avalanche hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las by scrambling his forwards line in search of a spark. Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt It worked. Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) and Colorado Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) eye the puck during the third Left wing Alex Tuch, elevated to the top line, struck twice in the second period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at T-Mobile period, and left wing Jonathan Marchessault also scored. Arena, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt Fleury posted a 34-save shutout to rebound from the two-game losing streak. It was the second and final time Colorado was shut out. Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) lets in a goal by Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (4) during the final minute of March 25 the third period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Avalanche 5, Knights 1 T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review- Journal) @ellenschmidttt Ball Arena

Golden Knights right wing Ryan Reaves (75) and Colorado Avalanche The Knights got off to a good start, as Pacioretty scored 40 seconds after right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) compete for the puck during the third puck drop. period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at T-Mobile But the Avalanche imposed their will the rest of the way. Colorado scored Arena, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) four times in the second period to turn the game into a rout. Former @ellenschmidttt Knights center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare added another tally in the third. Finally, they meet. Fleury gave up five goals for the only time of the season. This was also The Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche have been circling each the only game of the series in which Colorado scored a power-play goal. other all season as the clear-cut top two teams in the NHL’s West March 27 Division. Now they’ll face off in the playoffs starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, with the survivor advancing to the league’s final four. Knights 3, Avalanche 2 (OT)

Because of the NHL’s schedule format this season, these two teams Ball Arena have compiled quite a history against each other. Here’s a look at the regular-season series: The Knights responded to their disappointment from two days earlier with a much better performance. Feb. 14 They fell behind the Avalanche 1-0 and 2-1, but rallied to score each time Knights 1, Avalanche 0 with goals from Martinez and left wing William Carrier. Tuch set up T-Mobile Arena Pacioretty for the game-winner 1:56 into overtime. It was the only game between the teams that went longer than three The first matchup was a goaltending duel between Philipp Grubauer and periods. Marc-Andre Fleury.

Grubauer was excellent, making 23 saves on 24 shots. The only one that April 28 beat him came from left wing Max Pacioretty 1:38 into the second period. Knights 5, Avalanche 2

Fleury was even better. He stopped all 30 shots he faced for the second T-Mobile Arena of his six shutouts. It was the first of two times the Avalanche were shut out in a game. The Knights put together a thorough performance against a short-handed Avalanche side to take control of the West Division race. Feb. 16 Pacioretty and Mark Stone took turns setting each other up. Pacioretty Avalanche 3, Knights 2 had two goals and one assist, and Stone had a goal and two assists. Colorado was without left wing Mikko Rantanen and Grubauer. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk made his only appearance of the series and gave up four goals on 25 shots.

May 10

Avalanche 2, Knights 1

T-Mobile Arena

This game ultimately decided the West Division.

The Knights needed a victory to secure the title and Presidents’ Trophy. And they played well despite having only 15 skaters because of injuries and salary cap restraints.

Center J.T. Compher scored the game-winner with 8:27 to play. The Knights lost despite outshooting Colorado 37-21.

The win meant the Avalanche controlled their destiny for the division title and Presidents’ Trophy. They won their final two games to clinch both.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214656 Vegas Golden Knights Colorado, led by center Nathan MacKinnon, is coming off a sweep of St. Louis in the first round and outscored the Blues 20-7 in the four games.

“Limiting that speed, limiting that skill, making it tough in all areas of the Golden Knights, Avalanche battle for the Rockies, power in West ice,” Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud said looking ahead to the series. “And I think focusing on our game, too, and what we do well. And like I said before, executing that game plan. Managing pucks, doing all the little things that make us a good team are going to be key. We’re By David Schoen looking forward to the next series.” May 29, 2021 - 12:11 PM

Updated May 29, 2021 - 1:25 PM LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.30.2021

DENVER — The current alphas of the NHL’s Western Conference sized up each other in recent seasons. They stalked and circled and gave each other the stink eye while waiting to settle their score.

But this isn’t just about playoff supremacy between the Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. This is a territorial invasion, a full-out assault more than four years in the making by Vegas owner Bill Foley.

“Being the team of the Rockies is going to be a lot of fun,” the graduate of West Point said in 2017 before his expansion club played a game.

War has been declared!

After the two heavyweights teased a potential matchup in the playoff bubble last season, they finally will battle in the best-of-seven West Division final starting Sunday at Ball Arena.

“I love our group,” Knights coach Pete DeBoer said. “I’m proud of how we handled the first round, and obviously we’re excited about getting to work here and seeing how we stack up against Colorado.”

The Knights held summer promotional road trips through the Rocky Mountain region in each of their first three seasons.

Also, the club’s first TV contract with AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain and ROOT Sports included distribution in Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, prime territory for the Avalanche.

“Our vision is to make the Vegas Golden Knights ‘the team of the Rockies,’ ” Foley said in 2017 when the TV deal was announced.

The Knights and Avalanche nearly crossed paths in 2018 before the expansion team reached the Stanley Cup Final, but an upstart Colorado club finished as the second wild card and lost to Central Division champion Nashville in the first round.

The following season, the Avalanche were waiting in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs for the winner of the Knights-Sharks series. One major penalty, four power-play goals and an overtime heartbreaker later, it was San Jose that moved on to face Colorado.

The teams appeared to be on a collision course again in 2020 before the regular season was paused because of the coronavirus pandemic. In the round robin, the Knights defeated Colorado 4-3 in overtime to claim the top seed, and most observers were awaiting a showdown in the conference final.

But the Avalanche couldn’t get past Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals and the matchup had to wait until now.

The Knights tied Colorado during the regular season with 82 points, but the Avalanche won the tiebreaker for the Presidents’ Trophy and top overall seed.

Each club had four victories during the season series, with five of the games decided by one goal, including one that went into overtime. Colorado grinded out a 2-1 victory May 10 at T-Mobile Arena that proved to be the difference in home-ice advantage.

“We’re going to get each other here pretty fresh and, as I mentioned, we both had the same record,” left wing Max Pacioretty said. “They got us on the tiebreak, but everyone believes they’re the measuring stick team in the league and they’ve been sitting at home probably resting up. But no matter, we’ve got to make life difficult, especially on their star players.”

Pacioretty returned to the Knights’ lineup in Game 7 and scored the go- ahead goal in his first appearance since May 1.

The Knights enter the series nearly at full strength, with defenseman Brayden McNabb in NHL COVID protocol after a positive test result. 1214657 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights will return to full capacity at T-Mobile Arena

By Ben Gotz

May 29, 2021 - 10:52 am

T-Mobile Arena will be full for the first time this season in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The Golden Knights will have “100 percent capacity and beyond” at their home rink starting with Game 3 of the West Division final playoff series, general manager Kelly McCrimmon said Saturday.

The NHL has not announced the full schedule for the best-of-seven series against the Colorado Avalanche.

“That’s going to be really great for our fans and be great for the atmosphere in the building and for our team,” McCrimmon said.

The Knights have not announced whether fans will be required to wear masks to games. The NHL on Friday announced that starting in the second round, there no longer will be a requirement for guests over age 2 to wear a face covering while in the arena, subject to local guidelines.

The Knights had 12,156 fans for their Game 7 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday, approximately 70 percent of capacity. They haven’t had a full building since a March 3, 2020, win over the New Jersey Devils.

“The crowd’s always good,” left wing William Carrier said before Game 7. “We’ve played a lot of games in the playoffs, and they’re great for us.”

Knights reach vaccination threshold

McCrimmon said Saturday the Knights are considered a vaccinated team because more than 85 percent of their travel party is fully vaccinated, allowing them to have looser restrictions.

The team still had numerous COVID-19 scares in the first round despite that. McCrimmon said five players and four staff members tested positive between Games 2 and 3 against Minnesota, but they were determined to be false positives.

Defenseman Brayden McNabb went into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols between Games 5 and 6, and McCrimmon said he tested positive. Right wing Ryan Reaves and rookie forward Peyton Krebs went into the protocols a day later but were cleared within 24 hours.

McCrimmon said Reaves had a false positive and Krebs was considered a close contact of Reaves. Reaves didn’t play in Game 6 against the Wild.

“It’s concerning, but it’s the process the National Hockey League used and the exact same process the used, and I guess it’s just the realities of mass testing on a daily basis that these things are going to happen,” McCrimmon said. “It doesn’t make it any less unsettling when it does happen, and you desperately hope you wouldn’t have a player miss a game and be unavailable to play because of a false positive.”

Krebs update

McCrimmon didn’t rule out Krebs, who fractured his jaw in his fourth NHL game and had surgery, for the rest of the season.

Krebs, 20, was the Knights’ first-round pick in 2019 and had an assist in his debut. McCrimmon said the team initially thought he would be out “very long term,” but the prognosis now appears to be more optimistic.

“He’s not available to play, but I do believe his timeline is quite a bit shorter than what we anticipated initially,” McCrimmon said. “We’re hopeful if we can keep playing that he’s a player that would be available for selection by the coaching staff.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214658 Vegas Golden Knights

T-Mobile Arena back to full capacity for Golden Knights games

By Justin Emerson

Saturday, May 29, 2021 | 12:24 p.m.

T-Mobile Arena will return to 100% fan capacity for the remainder of Vegas Golden Knights’ playoff games, general manager Kelly McCrimmon said today.

Vegas’ return to a full building coincides with Clark County’s edict that COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted on June 1. Dates for the Golden Knights’ second-round series with the Avalanche have not been announced, but Game 1 is Sunday, so Game 3, the first home game of the series, would not be until after June 1.

The Golden Knights hosted four playoff games in first-round series with the Wild, starting with 8,683 fans for the first two games and reaching 12,156 fans in the final two games. A full-capacity T-Mobile Arena holds about 18,000 for hockey.

It’s also possible that vaccinated attendees will not be required to wear masks, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NHL. Despite CDC guidance earlier in the month, the league still enforced mask-wearing at arenas until it released new guidelines yesterday.

As of Saturday morning, the team had not announced an updated mask policy.

The Golden Knights are guaranteed at least two home games — Games 3 and 4 — at home against the Avalanche. Those games are expected to start later next week, and Game 6 would be at home as well, if it become necessary.

Games 1 and 2 will be played at Ball Arena in Denver, as will Games 5 and 7, if necessary.

LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214659 Vegas Golden Knights other days (except for Monday, the day after the Blues series ended, when players got a day off).

“When you talk about rust, it might be for five, six, seven minutes in the Scouting the series: Breaking down Avalanche vs. Golden Knights with first period,” backup goaltender Devan Dubnyk said. “I don’t think it’s Peter Baugh and Jesse Granger going to extend beyond that. … I think it’s a real advantage for us to have the rest that we had.” — Baugh

Can the goaltending for the Golden Knights hold up against Colorado’s By Peter Baugh and Jesse Granger elite attack?

May 30, 2021 The most interesting matchup of this series, at least in my eyes, is how Colorado’s elite scorers will fare against the NHL’s best goaltending.

Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular in the regular season, and that Ryan Graves has heard the narrative. He knows the Avalanche’s fast excellence has rolled right into the playoffs. He saved 3.2 goals above style of play gets questioned, and he seemed ready to talk about it average in the opening round against Minnesota and was the only goalie Saturday after a full-team skate. to shut out the Avalanche this season (he did it twice).

“Teams have been trying to say all year how physical they’re going to be There’s also a chance Robin Lehner sees some ice time in this series with us; St. Louis did the same thing,” the Colorado defenseman said, after not playing in the first round. He combined with Fleury to allow the referencing the Avalanche’s first-round sweep of the Blues. “We don’t fewest goals in the NHL this season, and either goalie will give an shy away from it. We’re not worried about it. It’s something we think we exceptional Avalanche attack its toughest test to date. Their contrasting can overcome with our speed. We know that our speed will overcome styles could also throw a wrinkle into Colorado’s offensive strategy, as any physicality other teams may bring our way.” Lehner plays a much quieter, positional game, contrasting with Fleury’s aggressive, acrobatic style. — Granger Well, he and his teammates are in for another physical matchup in the second round, with the Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights set to How much does Nazem Kadri’s absence hurt? square off starting Sunday evening with Game 1. It’s a best-of-seven Kadri is a proven postseason performer (18 points in 15 playoff games playoff series that in some ways felt destined all year, between two star- last season), and his hardworking style is productive in the playoffs. He studded teams that finished tied for the most points in the NHL. had one assist in the two games against the Blues before his eight-game Whereas the Avalanche disposed of St. Louis quickly, Vegas went seven suspension, which he appealed. That’s now in the hands of NHL games with Minnesota, winning 6-2 on Friday to advance. Colorado commissioner Gary Bettman. hasn’t played since Sunday, allowing players to rest and recover, but the As strong as Kadri was last postseason, he had a tough end to the Golden Knights might be riding an emotional high after a Game 7 win, regular season, logging only one goal and six assists in the final 26 even if they have a few more bumps and bruises. games. J.T. Compher has held his own filling in on the second line, but “We knew that to get to where we want to go, we’d have to go through Kadri’s absence certainly detracts from Colorado’s forward depth. If a few them in the second round,” Vegas winger Max Pacioretty said Friday more forwards get injured, the Avalanche might have to turn to night. “Everyone believes that they’re the measuring-stick team in the inexperienced players, such as Sampo Ranta, in what could be a tight, league. They’ve been sitting at home, probably resting up, but no matter physical series. — Baugh what, we’ve got to make life difficult, especially on their star players.” Projected lineups With Game 1 coming up, Golden Knights writer Jesse Granger and Avalanche Avalanche writer Peter Baugh break down the matchup: Forwards Big questions Gabriel Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko Rantanen How will Vegas try to contain the Avalanche’s top line? Andre Burakovsky-J.T. Compher-Joonas Donskoi Stopping Colorado’s super line is a near impossibility, but there might not be a team better equipped than the Golden Knights to at least slow it Brandon Saad-Tyson Jost-Valeri Nichushkin down. Vegas will hope to contain Nathan MacKinnon’s speed in transition and force the Avalanche’s top line to score with sustained zone time. Carl Soderberg-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Alex Newhook That minimizes Colorado’s speed advantage and emphasizes the Golden Defensemen Knights’ edge in size and strength. MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen are capable of taking over games, but Vegas did a Devon Toews-Cale Makar relatively good job against them in the regular season. Ryan Graves-Samuel Girard Colorado averaged a league-high 3.75 goals per game in their 48 games against the rest of the West division but only 2.13 against the Golden Patrik Nemeth-Conor Timmins Knights. MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen combined for only three Goaltender goals against Vegas. As to who will actually match up with those three on the ice, it will most likely be Alex Pietrangelo and Alec Martinez. In the Philipp Grubauer final regular-season meeting, on May 10, Pietrangelo was on the ice for 13:28 of MacKinnon’s 16:58 of even-strength ice time. The Golden Extras: Forwards Kiefer Sherwood, Sampo Ranta and Nazem Kadri Knights’ big free-agency signing hasn’t had the season many hoped for, (suspended through Game 6, pending appeal), defensemen Jacob but if he can contain MacKinnon in this series, he would more than make MacDonald and Bowen Byram, goaltenders Devan Dubnyk and Jonas up for it. — Granger Johansson

How much of an impact will the time off have on the Avalanche? Quick reflections: The Avalanche’s lineup likely won’t change much from the first round. Why would it? Colorado dominated the Blues, and every By the time the puck drops Sunday, Colorado will have gone nearly a full forward logged at least one point in the series. Ranta could slot in if week without playing a game. Forward Tyson Jost called the rest a Newhook (back) isn’t ready to go or if coach Jared Bednar thinks he lines weapon, saying it was important to close out the Blues quickly. That gave up well against Vegas, and MacDonald and Byram are options to enter Colorado time to recover after a short but physical series. the lineup if Colorado needs extra defensemen. — Baugh

“I’m sure (players) are really appreciating their bodies healing and Golden Knights resting,” MacKinnon said before the Avalanche’s second-round opponent was known. “Whoever we play Sunday, we’ll be ready to go. We’ve been Forwards working really hard at practice.” Max Pacioretty–Chandler Stephenson–Mark Stone

The time off could also lend itself to rust. To combat that, Colorado had Jonathan Marchessault–William Karlsson–Reilly Smith three full-team practices during the week, as well as optional skates the Mattias Janmark–Nic Roy–Alex Tuch shape, even if his numbers are slightly less prolific than they were against St. Louis. William Carrier–Patrick Brown–Ryan Reaves Fleury will obviously be key for Vegas. He’s played like a Vezina Trophy Defensemen candidate this season, and the Golden Knights are probably in trouble if Alec Martinez–Alex Pietrangelo he’s anything less than that in the second round. Tuch can also pose problems for opponents. He had three goals in eight games against the Nick Holden–Shea Theodore Avalanche this season and has great speed, which helped him to an 18- goal season. Nic Hague–Zach Whitecloud Granger’s take: Pacioretty led the Golden Knights with six goals against Goaltenders the Avalanche this season. No other player had more than three. After a Marc-Andre Fleury career season, Pacioretty missed nearly the entire first round with an undisclosed injury but returned for Game 7, and his impact was Robin Lehner immediately felt. He’s the best pure scorer on a team that lacks that particular skill set, and he creates time and space for Mark Stone, who Extras: Forwards Keegan Kolesar and Dylan Sikura, defensemen looks like a different player when he’s playing alongside Pacioretty. Brayden McNabb (COVID-19) and Dylan Coghlan, goaltender Oscar Pacioretty not only provides a scoring boost for Vegas’ top line but also Dansk bumps Tuch back down to his normal spot on the third line, where he’s a Quick reflections: Pacioretty is a welcome addition to the lineup just in nightmare matchup for any team. time for this series. Perhaps just as important, his return allows Tuch to “It changed, I thought, everything about our confidence,” DeBoer said of play in his usual third-line role, which enhances Vegas’ ability to match Pacioretty’s return to the lineup against the Wild. “(It changed) our Colorado’s forward depth. Kolesar was a healthy scratch in Game 7 confidence to score, and it slotted our lines properly.” against the Wild after playing the first six games. He’s an option if coach Peter DeBoer wants to switch up things or would be the first replacement For Colorado: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was once the key to the Vegas in case of injury. — Granger fourth line, and now he’s doing the same thing in Colorado. Bellemare brings defensive responsibility every shift and pitches in just enough Injury outlook offensively. He’s done that more often against his former teammates, Avalanche with six points in 10 games against Vegas. The Avalanche have an advantage when the top lines are compared, and I think the Golden The Avalanche’s core players are good to go, and the team is mostly Knights have the stronger middle six. That leaves us with a battle of the healthy, at least among players who’ve been available most of the fourth lines, and I think Bellemare could be the difference-maker there. season. Newhook suffered a back injury in Game 4 of the first round, but Bednar said he should be ready for the series. He’s been skating, though By the numbers Ranta has spent time in his spot on the fourth line at this week’s Regular-season meetings practices. … Byram, who hasn’t played since a high hit from Kolesar on March 25, was cleared to play going into the first round, and Colorado March 14: Vegas 1, Colorado 0 could call on him if Bednar decides to shake up the defensive pairings. … Backup goalie Pavel Francouz (lower body) is out for the season. He March 16: Colorado 3, Vegas 2 suffered a lower-body injury before playing a game this season. … Logan March 20: Colorado 3, Vegas 2 O’Connor (lower body) has progressed more quickly than expected and could be an option at some point, Bednar said. He has skated on his own March 22: Vegas 3, Colorado 0 and with small groups. … Matt Calvert (upper body) and Erik Johnson (upper body) are out long term, per Bednar, and are doubtful to return by March 25: Colorado 5, Vegas 1 the end of the playoffs. Calvert, who played 19 games this season, had March 27: Vegas 3, Colorado 2 (OT) surgery, and Johnson, who played four, has yet to resume skating. — Baugh April 28: Vegas 5, Colorado 2

Golden Knights May 10: Colorado 2, Vegas 1

Vegas received a massive boost when Pacioretty returned to the lineup Golden Knights’ leading scorers for Friday’s Game 7. It was his first appearance since May 1, and he showed rust early but eventually found his rhythm and scored what Regular season: Mark Stone (61) turned out to be the winning goal. He should be in the lineup against Against Colorado: Max Pacioretty (8) Colorado but is far from fully healthy. … Brayden McNabb missed the final two games of the first round after testing positive for COVID-19. He Playoffs: Mattias Janmark (6) remains on the NHL’s COVID-19 list, and his availability is unknown. If he Avalanche’s leading scorers does eventually return, he’ll likely slot back into his second-pair role next to Shea Theodore. … Ryan Reaves returned to the lineup for Game 7 Regular season: Mikko Rantanen (66) after a false-positive COVID-19 test led to his being held out of Game 6, and he’s fully healthy entering the second round. … Tomas Nosek left Against Vegas: Nathan MacKinnon (6) Game 2 with an undisclosed injury and has not returned. He hasn’t Playoffs: Nathan MacKinnon (9) skated with the team since, and despite DeBoer calling his status a game-time decision, a return doesn’t seem imminent. He could be an Avalanche goalies option as the series goes on, though. … Rookie forward Peyton Krebs underwent surgery to repair a fractured jaw after taking a puck to the face Philipp Grubauer: Regular season — 40 games (30-9-1), .922 save on May 8. GM Kelly McCrimmon said Saturday that Krebs has percentage, 1.95 goals-against average. Against Vegas — 7 games (4-2- progressed more quickly than the team initially expected and could be an 1), .935 save percentage, 1.86 GAA. Round 1 — 4 games (4-0), .936 option later in the playoffs, depending on how far Vegas advances. It’s save percentage, 1.75 GAA. unclear whether that could happen in this series or if DeBoer would insert Devan Dubnyk (all stats while with the Avalanche): Regular season — 5 him into the lineup even if he is available. — Granger games (3-2), .886 save percentage, 3.26 GAA. Against Vegas — 1 game X-factors (0-1), .840 save percentage, 4.24 GAA.

Baugh’s take: Grubauer has had the best season of his career, and he Jonas Johansson (all stats with the Avalanche): Regular season — 8 was strong in the St. Louis series, posting a .936 save percentage. games (5-1-1), .913 save percentage, 2.06 GAA. Against Vegas — N/A. Vegas is likely to create better scoring opportunities than St. Louis did, so Golden Knights goalies looking to Grubauer to replicate his first-round numbers is a big expectation. If he plays at a similar level, though, moving well across the Marc-Andre Fleury: Regular season — 36 games (26-10-0), .928 save crease and halting high-danger chances, the Avalanche will be in good percentage, 1.98 GAA. Against Colorado — 7 games (4-3), .932 save percentage, 2.14 GAA. Round 1 — 7 games (4-3), .931 save percentage, 1.71 GAA.

Robin Lehner: Regular season — 19 games (13-4-2), .913 save percentage, 2.29 GAA. Against Colorado — 1 game (0-1-0), .905 save percentage, 2.06 GAA.

What has to happen for the Avalanche to win the series?

If Colorado can stay healthy, it has as good a chance as any team still in the playoffs to hoist the Stanley Cup. That health will be crucial in what could be a bruising series against the Golden Knights. The top line will have to continue to excel (MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen each had at least seven points in four games against the Blues), and the team could really thrive if middle-six forwards such as Saad and Burakovsky can provide scoring depth. The Avalanche defense has done a great job of making Grubauer’s life easy this season, but the goalie will have to be on his game against Vegas, especially with Pacioretty back in the fold for Vegas. Grubauer stole a regular-season game from the Golden Knights earlier this month; if he can do the same in this series, it could go a long way toward helping the team advance. — Baugh

What has to happen for the Golden Knights to win the series?

The recipe is simple. They need exceptional goaltending — whether it’s Fleury or Lehner in net — and timely scoring from their stars. There are few teams in the league Vegas doesn’t want to get into a track meet with, but Colorado is one of them. In this rare case, it’s in Vegas’ best interest to play low-event hockey and try to grind through these games rather than playing free-flowing, up-and-down hockey. If the Golden Knights can be physical with the Avalanche in the neutral zone to limit transition opportunities, rely on their goalies and get the occasional spectacular play from Stone and Pacioretty, they can pull off their first playoff upset since the 2018 Western Conference finals in Winnipeg.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214660 Vegas Golden Knights That’s difficult to match up against even if Colorado did benefit from playing against a much weaker opponent. Still, Vegas knows the feeling well from the season series, considering Colorado also carried the run of play there. It wasn’t a lopsided possession affair by any means, but 2021 NHL playoff preview: Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Vegas losing the five-on-five battle at all is noteworthy considering that, too, is its claim to fame. Vegas is normally a puck possession juggernaut,

but Colorado is a clear step ahead, and that manifested in the season By Dom Luszczyszyn series. The Avalanche had the edge across the board, an edge that became larger with Colorado earning nearly 56 percent of the goals for May 29, 2021 the series.

What is especially intriguing from the season series is how well Vegas was able to stifle Colorado’s excellent power play. Over eight games, the For the Colorado Avalanche, it’s been a long wait. They quickly disposed Avalanche generated fewer chances and way fewer goals, scoring only of the St. Louis Blues in four games, winning every single game by three 1.6 per 60. That’s fewer than they had at five-on-five against Vegas. or more goals. That meant waiting a full week between games as Vegas Though that’s likely not completely sustainable, it showcases Vegas’ best and Minnesota battled for seven games for the right to take on the chance at advancing to the next round. The Golden Knights had the league’s top team. That grueling seven-game grind is an advantage in league’s best penalty kill during the season, and they’ll need it to be at its and of itself for the well-rested Avalanche. best in this series, especially with the way Colorado’s power play was After a somewhat anticlimactic game Friday, Colorado finally has an converting in the opening round. opponent: Vegas, just as expected. It took a little longer for the Golden Vegas did have some issues there against Minnesota from a scoring Knights to best the Wild, who proved every bit as tough as the season chance perspective, and its power play struggled to convert as well. Both series prophesied, but they’re here now. things need to be addressed quickly here, though it’s worth noting the This is the series everyone has been hoping for since the divisions were Golden Knights’ five-on-five became more and more impressive as the announced: the top two teams in the West on paper squaring off. Despite series went along. From Game 5 onward it felt like they finally solved the all the hype surrounding the matchup between the titans, the series itself matchup issue against Minnesota and imposed their will over the pace of might not be as close as it appears. That’s not because the model isn’t play much more. That they were the better team there for the series fond of Vegas, a top-five team, but because it doesn’t believe any team is despite missing their second-best forward is a good sign. that close to Colorado. Though Colorado’s season numbers are exceptional, Vegas’ are no joke, Series odds either. The Golden Knights’ goal ratio for the season was nearly at Colorado’s level at 58 percent, and they were a top-five possession and (Matchup adjustment takes into account each player’s Game Score scoring chance team thanks to a prolific offense of their own. This has against this specific opponent as well as his Game Score over the past the potential to be an exciting, high-octane series based on both teams’ six weeks.) affinity to generate shots and chances on offense.

Despite how strong Vegas has been this season, Colorado is a very Still, Vegas is going to be tough in this series, and a comparison between heavy favorite in this series, odds that have much more to do with the the teams’ rosters explains why. For the Avalanche, star power rules the Avalanche than the Golden Knights. All season they’ve been a dominant, day. It’s the reason the team’s season stats are so exceptional, and it’s play-driving team, better than any team since 2007-08 by a wide margin, the reason for their edge in this series. and that’s been a consistent trend this year. The territorial dominance makes it a lot easier to trust the Avalanche will prevail in a seven-game Roster breakdown series and that there isn’t really a team in the league Colorado should (Matchup adjustment takes into account each player’s Game Score fear. That includes Vegas and is why Colorado has a nice 69 percent against this specific opponent as well as his Game Score over the past chance of advancing. six weeks. The numbers may be slightly skewed as a result of ice-time The team’s dominance was especially strong down the stretch and allocation.) continued into the postseason, where the Avalanche not only made short Ever since Vegas made it to the Stanley Cup Final and lost in five work of the Blues but also heavily outplayed them. That’s accounted for games, it’s been the team’s mission to obtain what it was so clearly in a pretty high matchup/recency adjustment, though that also includes missing in that series: star power. games against Vegas this season in which Colorado was the better team despite an even win record. The Golden Knights traded for Max Pacioretty that summer and Mark Stone at the trade deadline to bolster their forward group. That allowed This will be Vegas’ toughest test. Get through the Avalanche and there’s their shockingly strong top line to become an even stronger second line, a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup on the horizon. It’ll be a one of the league’s best, putting everyone into their rightful role. More challenge, but no matter how great the opponent, there’s always a path importantly, it gave Vegas a legitimate top line led by two elite wingers. to victory. It’s not at all far-fetched despite the tilted odds. Pacioretty wasn’t elite when he was acquired, but he had the potential to Season stats be given his past pedigree. Next to Stone, he’s playing the best hockey of his career, scoring 66 points in 71 games last year before following It’s pretty easy to see why Colorado is so heavily favored, just based on that up with 51 in 48 games this season — a 41-goal and 87-point pace. its season stats. It’s a sea of blue — deep blue, at that. First in Corsi, first Pacioretty was sorely missed in the first six games of the opening round in expected goals, first in goals, first or third on both sides of the puck for and made his presence felt by scoring the eventual series-winning goal. all three categories. On special teams, it’s sixth on the power play and Not a bad return. seventh on the penalty kill, with strong scoring chance rates for both. The only flaw is goaltending, and that’s mostly a byproduct of Philipp As good as Pacioretty has been, though, Vegas is still very much the Grubauer missing some games more than anything. With him in net, this Stone show, and he deserves a significant amount of credit for how that team has no flaws. top line operates. From a production standpoint, Stone had his best season yet with 61 points in 55 games, a 91-point pace. With his That’s scary to go up against, and the Blues saw that firsthand in the breakthrough to superstardom, it became much more accepted in the playoffs, as the Avalanche obliterated them to the tune of a 64 percent mainstream that Stone was one of the 10 to 15 best players in hockey. expected goals rate and a 72 percent actual goals rate at five-on-five. His projected 3.6 win rate certainly puts him there by Game Score Value Both were among the most lopsided ratios of any playoff series since Added (GSVA). Stone has been right around the point-per-game mark 2007-08, and the numbers are even more staggering when you split since 2017-18, but “90-point player” carries a bit more cache. What them up. Colorado generated 2.9 expected goals per 60 and allowed just makes that even more impressive is that he managed it despite a poor 1.6, scoring 3.1 and allowing 1.2. Just absurd. The team’s power play Vegas power play and that at five-on-five his 2.92 points per 60 this was absolutely scorching too, converting on half their chances while the season actually ranked sixth leaguewide — the most of any player in this penalty kill did its absolute best to stifle chances. Colorado was first in series. expected goals against there. For Stone, it’s never been about points, though. It’s with the little things he does all over the ice that he gets his value — the point totals are just a nice bonus that extend him the clout he’s already deserved for years. territorial dominance is Makar’s ability to walk the line, which is rivaled by Stone is a monster at five-on-five, routinely putting up some of the best no one else in the game. on-ice numbers in the league. Over the past two seasons in Vegas, the team has earned 58.9 percent of the expected goals with Stone on the He forms arguably the best defense pairing in hockey with Devon Toews, ice and 61 percent of the actual goals. Among forwards, that ranks ninth who has been even better than advertised as an Avalanche. Toews is a and 22nd leaguewide. He’s an elite, do-it-all player. On offense he can gifted puck-mover and a smart defender, and he fits Colorado’s scheme create off the rush or the cycle, he creates high-danger plays well for perfectly. His ability to move the puck is a huge asset to the team’s puck himself and his teammates, and he’s excellent in transition. His 78 possession game. Add Samuel Girard to the mix and Colorado has three percent carry-in rate on zone entries this season was a top-five mark. defenders who are rated as No. 1 defenders or better. Vegas acquired Combine that with his excellent defense, specifically his penchant to Pietrangelo after seeing its game crumble against two elite puck-movers retrieve possession, and it’s easy to see why he’s such a dominant force — now the Golden Knights get an even bigger challenge with Colorado, at five-on-five. which has three. Girard took a major step forward this season, with his underlying numbers finally matching his dazzling skill set. With Ryan It is worth noting, however, that he wasn’t nearly as commanding in the Graves in tow, the Avalanche have two defense pairings who can run at first round, nor in the season series against Colorado. In both instances, 60 percent of the shot share with ease. Vegas had just 52 percent of the expected goals share with Stone on the ice, which is a fair bit below his usually lofty standards. He has another Vegas doesn’t, but the Golden Knights’ depth isn’t too bad. Alec Martinez gear in him that he’ll need to find in this series. looks rejuvenated in Vegas (though he did struggle in the first round), helping Pietrangelo anchor the shutdown pair, and Nicolas Hague and After adding Stone and Pacioretty and losing to a Dallas team that Zach Whitecloud create a dependable third pair that can do well in cushy bolstered two stars on the back end, Vegas felt it needed something minutes. Hague was one of the few Golden Knights with a positive similar, that its quest to collect stars wasn’t complete. The Golden expected goals percentage against Colorado this season (Theodore and Knights added Alex Pietrangelo to give them a second high-end Pietrangelo were below 50 percent). He had a strong 56 percent in the defenseman, and he delivered. His underlying numbers weren’t overly opening round, and the bottom pair looks to be an advantage for Vegas. impressive — a 51 percent expected goals rate and 59 percent actual goals rate that were both on the lower end of the team — but he The same goes for Vegas’ second line, and the absence of Kadri looms managed them in extremely difficult minutes. That’s tough to do, and he large here. The trio of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and particularly excelled at moving the puck, looking like the team’s best Reilly Smith hasn’t been nearly as dominant since that first magical defender in breaking the puck out, a crucial element to the team’s fast season, but there’s potential for them to be difference-makers. Smith had play style. a disappointing season, but he’s a proven playoff performer. Marchessault is a gifted scorer who can help support the top line, and Pietrangelo’s presence allowed Shea Theodore to flourish and become Karlsson is an underrated two-way center. Together, the trio had a 62 the star defenseman many figured he could be over the past couple of percent expected goals rate in the opening round, outscoring Minnesota seasons — especially after last season’s playoffs. He had a strong 55 4-1. That’s a big step up from their regular-season numbers, which is percent expected goals rate this year, led all Vegas defenders with a 64 especially encouraging because they all struggled against Minnesota percent actual goals rate by way of all the offense he was creating and during the season series. The same is true here against Colorado, when scored 42 points in 53 games. That’s a 65-point pace that would’ve been the three didn’t carry the run of play and didn’t produce much, either. At a career high for him. Theodore has just two points in the playoffs so far, their best, their ability off the rush can create problems for any team and but his ability to push play was exceptional, as his 65 percent expected can shift the balance back toward Vegas a bit. goals rate was 8 percentage points better than Vegas’ next best defenseman. When he’s on, the team dominates. Having Pacioretty back means having Alex Tuch back in the bottom six, which is a real luxury for Vegas. The line already looked so much That is a very strong quartet, an elite core that can rival most other teams stronger in Game 7 with him there, and it was nice to see Mattias around the league. The strategy to collect star players like they were Janmark play the surprise-hero role with a hat trick that night. Infinity Stones was certainly worthwhile, as it’s given Vegas its best collection of talent yet. It led to the team’s best regular season — but it’s Colorado’s second line might not be at Vegas’ level, but overall the team still difficult not to look across the aisle in this series in envy. What Vegas still has the depth advantage, mostly because the Avalanche aren’t using has is great. What Colorado has is just better. a roster spot for any players with whom hockey is the secondary focus. From a possession perspective, Andre Burakovsky and Joonas Donskoi The top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel had a very strong opening round, thriving with Kadri or J.T. Compher as Landeskog is one of the best in the league, if not the best. The best their center. Compher is a bit of a passenger at five-on-five, but that teams are led by their best players, and Colorado has the two best works just fine on this line, where Burakovsky and Donskoi thrive with the skaters in the series with MacKinnon and Rantanen, who are coming off puck on their sticks. To his credit, he was also a lot better against Vegas spectacular seasons, scoring at 111- and 104-point paces. Landeskog this season compared with Kadri, whose average Game Score of minus- was close to putting up a point-per-game season too, and he’s also the 0.11 against the Golden Knights was the second worst on the team. defensive backbone of the top line. That gives Colorado a trio of elite talents on the top line, something Vegas doesn’t have. That’s all while Colorado’s center depth still takes a hit with Kadri suspended, but the putting up elite numbers at five-on-five with the line putting up a 66 wingers in the middle six are tough to beat. Brandon Saad and Valeri percent expected goals rate together. They own the puck. Though the Nichushkin are really effective players with the puck and in the offensive line outscored the Blues 5-0 during the opening round, the usual puck zone and can be a pain to play against. Nichushkin remains an analytics possession dominance wasn’t as prolific with “just” a 58 percent darling, a strong forechecker who’s gifted with the puck, but there’s room expected goals rate together. Slackers. for him to step up his game. He was one of the leaders in expected goals percentage for the Avalanche during the regular season but was last on As great as the top line is at five-on-five, they’re just as big of a problem the team in the first round. He also went pointless against Vegas in eight on the power play, and that’s where a lot of their extra value relative to games during the season series. Saad had only two points in six games, Stone on the other side comes from. That didn’t manifest itself against but he looked good in the opening round with three goals in four games Vegas during the season series though, as noted, and it meant all three and a 66 percent expected goals rate. He’s a proven playoff performer struggled to produce. MacKinnon had just six points in eight games, after all those years in Chicago and should be a major asset in a Rantanen had four in seven and Landeskog had just two in six. If those contentious series. three are again neutralized with the man advantage, this becomes a much more even series. The depth on each side, especially with Nazem The two teams are pretty similar depth-wise, and in terms of total value, Kadri suspended until at least Game 7, is much more equal. there’s a pretty clear dividing line between them in terms of arrangement. Vegas has two elite players up front with Stone and Pacioretty, and they The same goes with Cale Makar on the back end. He was the only match up well in value with Landeskog and Rantanen. On the back end, defenseman this year to score at a point-per-game pace, but the lack of it’s the same story, with Pietrangelo and Theodore being close to Girard execution on the power play also hurt his production against Vegas with and Toews. Essentially, what this model is saying is that Vegas is just just two points in six games. Even if he’s not scoring though, he’s still a about equal to Colorado … without MacKinnon and Makar, Colorado’s major asset to Colorado’s blue line with his elite puck-moving ability in all two best players. Ouch. The other 16 skaters total up to 22.2 wins for three zones. He’s excellent at breaking it out of the zone, moving it up Colorado, and Vegas’ are worth 23.2. the ice and especially keeping it in the zone. A big part of Colorado’s It wouldn’t be at all surprising if those two were the difference here because Vegas simply has no one on that level. It’s what separates a truly elite team, Vegas, from one of the best-constructed teams in the salary-cap era. On paper, the Avalanche are an absolute juggernaut, and it feels unfair that the difference between the two can be judged not by a marginal player but by two players who are among the absolute best at their position. It’s difficult to compete with that.

Vegas does have one final edge, though, and that’s in net. Marc-Andre Fleury had a renaissance season, leading all goalies with 19.4 goals saved above expected thanks to a .928 save percentage. He was excellent all season and holds a sizeable advantage over Grubauer, who was 13th in the league this season at 4.5 goals saved. Still very strong, just not on Fleury’s level. Goaltending is always fickle, but Fleury has series-stealing potential that can render all of Colorado’s other advantages moot. It won’t matter how big the shot and scoring chance advantage is for Colorado if the pucks don’t get by Fleury.

The bottom line

Vegas is an elite team, a bona fide Stanley Cup contender. It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Golden Knights pull off the victory in this series, as they are without a doubt one of the league’s best teams.

Colorado is different, though. This is a special team, the highest-rated team this model has seen over the past decade. The way the Avalanche control the puck is not only second to none this year, but it’s also second to none since those numbers even existed. By a wide margin. It might seem a bit silly for there to be such a divide between two elite teams in terms of series odds, but Colorado isn’t just an elite team. The Avalanche are a very clear step above the rest of the pack. They have a top-three center and defenseman leaguewide, elite stars on top of that, exceptional depth to support and a strong, capable goalie to bring it all together. The team doesn’t really have a flaw.

That will make them harder to expose in a seven-game series. While it’s not out of the question for them to lose — this is hockey, after all — it will be very difficult for any team to defeat them. The Golden Knights will have the first real crack at doing so, and the odds aren’t in their favor.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214661 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Vs Colorado Avalanche Game 3 Is Friday In Las Vegas and Game 4 Is Sunday In Vegas

May 29, 2021

By Alan Snel

The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche will play at T-Mobile Arena in front of 100 percent capacity crowds on Friday and Sunday next week — Games 3 and 4 of the Vegas-Colorado West Division playoffs.

Here is the schedule for the first first four games.

The Knights play in Denver Sunday and Wednesday before the Best-of-7 second round series moves to Las Vegas for the games at 7 PM PT Friday and 5:30PM PT Sunday. If needed, Game 5 is June 8 in Denver, Game 6 is June 10 in Las Vegas and Game 7 is June 12 in Denver.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214662 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Return To 100 Percent Attendance Capacity At T-Mobile Arena Starting With Colorado Vs Vegas Game 3 Next Week

May 29, 2021

By Alan Snel

All the way back.

A COVID-19 pandemic season that began with no fans at Vegas Golden Knights NHL games at T-Mobile Arena in mid-January will have 100 percent attendance capacity at the Golden Knights’ home venue for the Colorado vs Vegas Game 3 next week in early June.

Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon broke the news while chatting with media on a remote video session Saturday morning.

We’re very pleased to win the series. We felt last night was a very special night for the organization: our first series victory on home ice. The energy the crowd gave our team was really helpful, special and made it a very memorable night — Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon.

“Minnesota was everything we thought they’d be. It was an incredibly hard-fought series,” McCrimmon said.

The Golden Knights have been given permission to increase fan capacity throughout the amended 56-game pandemic season.

The Knights began with no fans in January, but had their first fans at T- Mobile Arena on March 1 when 2,605 were allowed in the venue that has 17,367 fixed seats for VGK games.

Most recently, the Knights were given permission by Clark County to have 12,165 fans (70 percent capacity) in the arena for home games against the Minnesota Wild in the NHL postseason round 1, which concluded Friday night with a VGK Game 7 win, 6-2.

The Golden Knights play the Colorado Avalanche Sunday evening in Game 1 of the Best-of-7 West Division playoff finals.

LVSportsBiz.com LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214663 Winnipeg Jets Reinforcing how his team has to play is easier now than it might have been going into the playoffs. Maurice just has to point to how the Jets beat the Oilers.

Jets champing at the bit for second leg of playoff race Smothering, shot-blocking defence first, offence when it comes. Low risk, high reward.

The Jets learned plenty about coming from behind, following their Paul Friesen comeback from a 4-1 deficit in Game 3. They endured the pressure of overtime. The exhaustion of multiple periods. Publishing date:May 29, 2021 “You start talking about why we’re successful, what we’re able to do,”

Lowry said. “Stay committed to the style of play Paul wants and the style Tuesday was a write-off. Wednesday, a proper chance to recover. of play that made us successful in Round 1. You’re going to win games, you’re going to find ways to win games even when you might be out of it Thursday and Friday were a return to a normal routine: meetings, video or you might not have your best things every night.” and practice. They’ll take the same formula, with a tweak here and there, into the next Now that the weekend has rolled around, the Winnipeg Jets are antsier series. than a cocker spaniel watching a squirrel through the front window. The plan is also to pack the same emotion, which might be the bigger Will somebody please let me out? challenge, at least to start.

“I would have liked to play tomorrow,” Mathieu Perreault said on “First you’ve got to probably fill the reserves,” Maurice said. “Get rested, Saturday. “Or today.” get ready, get right. That anticipation is coming. You can already feel it. And there’s confidence we’ll be able to get to that emotional level. Yes, the Jets will be well-rested and healthier than quarter horses by the time they’re released from between-round captivity to start the second “The longer your break is, the more anticipation… we’re close to needing leg of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. a game here, soon.”

But they’ll also be far removed from the emotional high they were on in Jets schedule for Round 2 the days following Monday’s triple-overtime, series-clinching win over Edmonton. (opponent and locations to be determined)

“You get amped up to play games,” Perreault said. “And if you’re not Game 1: Wednesday, June 2, 6:30 p.m. playing for that long, sometimes you can lose that a little bit. We’ll have to Game 2: Friday, June 4, 6:30 p.m. figure it out on our own here… and get back to that emotional level for Game 1.” Sunday, June 6, 5 p.m.

When hockey players get on a roll, they just want to keep going. Monday, June 7 TBD Practice? Who needs it. A day off? OK, but just one. *Wednesday, June 9 TBD Winnipeg’s four straight playoff wins matches its season high, back in late February. Include the two victories to close out the regular season *Friday, June 11 TBD and the Jets are on a six-game heater, something they haven’t *Sunday, June 13 TBD experienced since late in the 2017-18 season. *if necessary “You try and stay sharp in practice,” Adam Lowry said. “You want to make sure you don’t let any bad habits creep into your game throughout the practice. And then you’re kind of just waiting. Sometimes you get a little anxious to get started. We all want to just keep playing.” Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.30.2021

Instead, they’ve been watching. Leafs vs Habs. Once upon a time it was the great Canadian rivalry.

Now, the winner is goin’ to Winnipeg, for a series starting Wednesday.

It’ll take a seventh game to determine it, as the Habs stayed alive with a 3-2 overtime win in Game 6, Saturday night.

Waiting is a Jets team that runs the gamut of experience, from rookie Logan Stanley on the blue line to players in their prime, like Nik Ehlers, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck, to veterans in their mid-thirties, like Blake Wheeler, Paul Stastny, Nate Thompson and Trevor Lewis.

Perreault, at 33, isn’t far behind those old horses.

“This is what we play for,” he said. “A guy like me that’s getting older, you never know when another chance is going to come up. Now it’s going to be down to eight teams and you can really cherish that and bring everything you have to that second round so you can keep moving forward.”

The man tasked with having his team ready for Game 1 of Round 2 says it’s a matter of covering all the bases, starting with recovery and preparation.

“You can’t practice at a playoff pace,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “It’s not the same. We don’t want to. We’re not running and finishing every check and battling in the same way.”

Details and tactics marked the first few days of practice. Special teams was a focus of Saturday’s session. 1214664 Winnipeg Jets The Jets were big underdogs against the Oilers, but Lowry reiterated what teammates have said: they never stopped believing in themselves.

“For the most part we were really strong bouncing back from losses, JETS NOTES: No media types around, so Jets can let their hair down coming back and generally winning the next game,” he said. “And you go on that slide right near the end of the year and everyone’s trying to figure out, ‘What’s wrong with the Winnipeg Jets? Edmonton’s 7-2 against them, they’re going to roll right over them.’ Paul Friesen “But in our locker room we really believe in the group we have. We have Publishing date:May 29, 2021 a world-class goalie who gives us a chance to win every night. There could be people counting us out, but what we draw on in our room is the belief in each other.” You often hear about the sanctity of the hockey dressing room. What happens in the room stays in the room, is the cliché. Fool’s game

This NHL season, that’s actually been true. Not that he’d admit it if he was, but Maurice insisted he wasn’t pulling for either the Leafs or Habs to win their series. Pre-pandemic, a team would have just 10 minutes after a game before media types filed in to pick their brains on what just happened. He’s learned over the years that’s a fool’s game.

Usually, at least with the Winnipeg Jets, the entire team had cleared out “If you think ‘Hey, we’ve played well against this team but we haven’t by then and reporters entered an empty room, where they waited for played well against this team,’ it doesn’t matter,” the coach said. “Picking select players to emerge from a back room for questions. a team is foolish because every team in the playoffs has enough of a strength and your task at hand is to play as close to as strong a game as Late last season and all of this one, that’s all changed. you’re capable of playing. It doesn’t have to look like the other team’s in order to win.” All post-game interviews are done via Zoom, leaving players the run of the place. Ice chips

“You can call it sacred, special,” centre Adam Lowry said, Saturday. Hellebuyck didn’t practise with the team on Saturday, instead working “Now, after a game you can unwind. You cherish those moments alone with goalie coach Wade Flaherty before practice. Much of the together. It’s one of the few places where we’re allowed to spend time session dealt with special teams… Defenceman Nathan Beaulieu is back with each other. With the restrictions, it’s been a refuge for us. A place with the team, travelling and rehabbing from his shoulder surgery. It’s the where, with the pressures of the game, guys can unwind and let their hair closest he’ll get, though, as he’s been ruled out for the entire post- down a little bit and really enjoy the wins.” season. Maurice: “He should be a part of it right now and he is.”

The hair’s been down low of late, with the Jets celebrating three straight overtime wins in their first-round sweep of Edmonton. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.30.2021 Lowry says players have talked about embracing the moment during this odd and trying season, making it as fun as possible.

The dressing room has been the focal point.

“We’ve been hanging out in there a lot more than we ever did before,” Mathieu Perreault said. “It’s been a lot of fun, especially now in the playoffs that we’re winning. Especially after that last game, the long game, you sit in your stall in your gear and calm down a little bit and enjoy each other’s company and the win.

“This is something we never got to do before and we’re enjoying ourselves.”

It’s likely to continue right through the second round, and beyond.

Different animal for Round 2

While the Jets get full marks for limiting the damage done by Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they’ll be facing a more balanced team in the second round.

Head coach Paul Maurice says the plan is to play the same way against everyone.

“We weren’t casual with the other players on Edmonton,” he said. “We’ll approach every player like it’s their best player and show the same amount of respect to all of them.”

At times, a lack of respect actually comes in handy. The Jets weren’t shy about getting in the faces of the two Edmonton stars.

“We’re focused on how our team’s going to play, how our team’s going to defend,” Lowry said. “I don’t think it’s going to change, regardless of who the opponent is.”

No more sneaking around

With their shocking sweep of the Oilers, the Jets aren’t going to take anybody by surprise anymore, and they know it.

“Edmonton maybe was a little surprised at our commitment to defense and how tightly we were able to check some of them early in the series,” Lowry said. “But as you move on, every team is capable of winning every night. I don’t think moving into Round 2 you’re going to see that. You’re going to get every team’s best every night and the better team’s going to come out on top.” 1214665 Websites Moore calling his shots Dominic Moore claims there’s no secret to picking overtime winners.

“I don’t know, you’ve just got to go with your intuition,” Moore said. “I The Athletic / NHL business notebook: ESPN and TNT broadcast teams guess you could try to have some other method, but what else can you taking shape, Dominic Moore’s OT goal predictions really say about that?”

Intuition or something else, Moore has picked up recent social media By Sean Shapiro fame for hitting on overtime winners as a studio analyst with NBC Sports. He’s on a hot streak right now, having picked three straight OT winners May 29, 2021 when asked during the intermission report.

His picks of Joel Eriksson Ek, Josh Bailey and Kyle Connor all are solid offensive players (especially Connor, who had 26 goals in 56 games this In 1984, a then-16-year-old wrote a fan letter to an 18-year- year) but all didn’t lead their teams in scoring this past season. old . Moore, who has also been doing color commentary in-game for NBCSN, Albert doesn’t remember the contents of the letter, neither does Olczyk, can’t help but laugh at how it’s blown up since the video was tweeted but it had enough of an impact that Albert received a signed photo of the earlier this week. On Tuesday night, the NHL’s official Twitter account 1984 United States Olympic team from Olczyk. tweeted at him for an OT pick, which he didn’t see until later since he had Thirty-seven years later, Albert still has that photo and he also has a already gone to bed. broadcast partner in Olczyk as the duo will move from the lead team at “I knew the kid was gonna be up at something like 6 a.m. and we had NBC Sports to the lead broadcast team at Turner Sports after calling the worked triple OT the night before,” Moore said. Stanley Cup Final this season. Moore, 40, is in his first year as a broadcaster and joined NBCSN before “It ended up being a very small world,” Olcyzyk said. “When my paths the start of this season, working select games during the regular season. crossed with Kenny for the first time in this business we talked and he In the playoffs, he’s had a mix of studio and color commentary roles, and showed me the picture … it’s one of those storybook stories that you sit right now the plan is for him to work as the color commentary for North there and you can’t make up.” Division second-round games between the Winnipeg Jets and either the Turner Sports made that news official this week when it also announced Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs. Wayne Gretzky would be part of the Turner team as an in-studio analyst. “I don’t even know if I’m even having success, to be honest,” Moore said. Like most of the hockey talent at NBC, Olcyzk and Albert were thrown “I guess it’s a good sign they haven’t kicked me off. I think what I was, into scramble mode when it became clear that NBC would no longer be was as a player I was versatile and had to prepare for everything, I think the national television partner for the league and Turner went from a dark those things helped me look at the game from a different perspective horse to the top choice, skipping over NBC and Fox. because it wasn’t just one role.”

“It was sort of a whirlwind,” Albert said. “There were all kinds of rumors Moore ended up on television as a residual effect of the annual table whether there would NBC staying or Fox would come in, which is actually tennis tournament he hosts, called Smashfest, to raise funds for the Katie one of my other employers, and nobody in the media had been talking Moore and Steve Moore Foundations. Moore worked with NHL’s chief about Turner and then it became a whirlwind for everybody.” content officer Steve Mayer to promote digital content around the event during 2020, and it was at the suggestion of Mayer’s that Moore and Albert and Olcyzk weren’t actively looking for jobs until NBC was officially NBC Sports connected for a potential role. out, and once that happened, both were contacted rather quickly by Turner Sports. A combination of factors came into play for both in picking Other TV dominoes a destination, but the flexibility to keep doing other jobs was important. It’s not been officially confirmed by Turner Sports, but and Olcyzk will still be able to work Blackhawks’ games locally, while the are also expected to join the broadcast for next season. Turner deal is hockey only and won’t preclude him from setting up a Jones has been doing studio work for NBC Sports, while Pang is horse racing contract with another network, potentially still with NBC. It’s expected to continue doing work for both the St. Louis Blues and Turner also not out of the realm of possibility that both could also end up back Sports starting next season. with NBC in a one-off deal for hockey at the 2022 Olympics once it’s ESPN’s rollout is still awaiting a lead play-by-play voice, although there confirmed the NHL is sending players. are some internal candidates, including Steve Levy, while Albert hasn’t worked with Turner, but he’s well acquainted with the is also considered a gold standard in the industry and is available for network and he joins a network where his father, , was the such a role, even with his duties as the Seattle Kraken play-by-play lead NBA voice and will retire after the 2021 playoffs. announcer. Remember, broadcasters doing local and national isn’t uncommon. Gretzky’s hiring didn’t impact Albert or Olcyzk’s decision to sign with Turner. In fact, neither have spoken to Gretzky since the hiring as of ESPN has landed and in analyst roles, while Friday afternoon, but both were excited about what hiring the greatest Leah Hextall is going to be part of the ESPN broadcast plans, likely as player of all time meant for Turner’s NHL ambitions. one of the go-to play-by-play voices.

“The first thing when you think about Turner, the first thing you think Both networks have approached or had conversations with on-air talent about is their NBA studio show,” Albert said. “Its unprecedented success for ancillary studio or analyst work, including Kevin Weekes and Moore. that show has had, and I put it right up there with the Fox football One name that hasn’t come up so far, however, is Pierre McGuire, who pregame show … I think those two shows are the gold standard for at this point hasn’t been approached by either network for their national sports television pregame shows. And Turner wants to make a big splash broadcasts. on the hockey side and hiring Wayne is the No. 1 step.” McGuire not landing a national gig would be mildly surprising, Albert got to know Gretzky during his final three playing seasons with the considering his fixture on NHL broadcasts since 2006 and the industry’s Rangers. It’s well documented that Gretzky was nervous about flying and tendency to keep established voices in the mix. Even if he’s not on NHL would try to distract himself by coming up to the part of the Rangers broadcasts, McGuire could stick with NBC in a hockey role for the 2022 charter where the broadcasters sat. Olympics.

“He would try to divert his brain and take his mind off the flight,” Albert Odds and Ends said. “He and (John Davidson) would chat for 30 to 45 minutes, and the • Sportico released its list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for 2021 other broadcasters we were like flies on the wall. I’ll never forget, Wayne and, unsurprisingly, the NHL didn’t make an appearance in the top 100. had an encyclopedic knowledge, even as a player, and they would start talking about the league, players, even other sports. I was amazed. I was The minimum bar to clear for inclusion on the list ended up being $26 thinking even back then, Wayne Gretzky could host a sports talk show if million, which is the estimated combined income for Toronto Raptors’ he wanted to.” Kyle Lowry from his salary and endorsements. That leaves roughly a $10 million gap between Lowry and the NHL’s estimated top earner for 2021 in Auston Matthews. Matthews, according to Forbes, had an estimated income of $16 million from his Toronto Maple Leafs salary and endorsements, including his investment in Marsblade.

• On Friday, the NHLPA announced how the $20 million playoff sum from the league would broken up, with the Stanley Cup Champion set to receive $5,781,250 to be split among the players.

Presidents’ Trophy winner: $781,250 ($781,250 to one team)

First-round losers: $3,125,000 ($390,625 each to eight teams)

Second-round losers: $3,125,000 ($781,250 each to four teams)

Third-round losers: $3,750,000 ($1,875,000 each to two teams)

Stanley Cup Finalist: $3,437,500 ($3,437,500 to one team)

Stanley Cup champions: $5,781,250 ($5,781,250 to one team)

Total: $20,000,000

• It’s looking like ESPN will be the home for the expansion draft and NHL Draft this summer.

It’s an unsurprising, but exciting, development for the league with the TV partner that has signed on for the A package in the next seven seasons.

There’s also hope that ESPN will create more buzz around the NHL Draft, tackling some of the ideas used when covering the NFL and NBA drafts. That comes with cross-promotional elements, including the ESPN app, which may even include push notifications for respective picks. This isn’t groundbreaking, but still a major leap for the sport when you consider how ESPN had covered the draft in the past.

Overall, there have been a handful of small, but notable developments for ESPN when it comes to promoting the sport since it signed on with the NHL.

Currently, the IIHF World Championship games not shown by NHL Network are available on ESPN+ with the TSN stream. This is something that would have been viable in the past, but was never done and follows up ESPN+ streaming TSN’s NHL trade deadline show in 2021. More important, there’s seemingly been more of a push to get hockey into the first half of the show on SportsCenter.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214666 Websites “I dreamed of scoring in front of 20,000 fans, not 2,500,” he said, “but it was really cool. It was just a great experience. Huge game for us. Obviously, we needed to win, and we all came to play.”

Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens take Game 6 and momentum from Maple Leafs Yes, they did. Whether it was Jake Evans coming off an injury and in front of home fans skating over 23 minutes, or Kotkaniemi, who was scratched in Game 1 and now leads the Canadiens with three goals in five games, everyone contributed.

Eric Engels Carey Price made 41 saves. He made the 11 he faced before his team got a shot in overtime look easy. May 30, 2021, 1:41 AM The tension in the building — on the ice and in the stands — rose

significantly when Jason Spezza got Toronto on the board in the 12th MONTREAL — Jesperi Kotkaniemi was serenaded by real, live people, minute of the third period. When Brodie scored 5:14 later, you could hear not canned noise coming out of a speaker. The stick he used to score the a pin drop. overtime goal that will send the Montreal Canadiens back to Toronto for But the stress-level hit its crescendo in overtime, right before No. 15 Game 7 against the Maple Leafs was already holstered when he ended the game at the 15:15 mark. There was Price, cool as a gestured to each section of the Bell Centre and received the sweet sound cucumber, turning aside Alex Galchenyuk’s wrist shot from 17 feet away of jubilation from 2,500 fans in attendance. like it was nothing. It felt like they held their collective breath from about the point T.J. Brodie “He was dialled tonight,” said Weber. “When he’s on and settling things tied the game 2-2 in the 17th minute of the third period to the second the down, I think it helps your group as a whole. He’s that backbone. He just shot that ended this game left Kotkaniemi’s stick and found its way keeps giving you chances.” through Zach Bogosian’s body and around Jack Campbell’s glove. But they made more of a difference than anyone could’ve imagined when it This was a game because of the role Weber and partner Ben Chiarot was announced Quebec’s COVID-19 restrictions would ease just enough played in it. Weber logged a team-high 37:07 over 36 shifts, and Chiarot to enable them to be at a game for the first time since Mar. 10, 2020. played 35:20 over 37.

In reality, they had waited since April of 2017, when the Bell Centre had Jeff Petry played close to 35 minutes and Joel Edmundson close to 29, last hosted fans for a Stanley Cup Playoff game, and they wasted no and the four of them bashed every Maple Leaf in sight. time in having their presence felt. They haven’t done it alone, but they’ve played a huge role in limiting “We heard them before the game,” said Canadiens captain Shea Rocket Richard Trophy-winner Auston Matthews to just one goal and Weber. “Going out for the warmup, I had chills. Honestly, it felt like a lot superstar line mate Marner to none in this series. more than 2,500 people. It was amazing. I can’t imagine what 20,000 people would be like right now, because that was electric.” They’re an intimidating group.

It was emotional, too — not only when they were singing for Kotkaniemi “I think they’re warriors,” said Kotkaniemi. “They’re doing the mean job. instead of filing out of the building, but particularly when they belted out The mean men being tough out there.” the national anthem accapella in both languages. You could feel every The hits they didn’t throw had as much of an impact. syllable. This game turned when William Nylander, who’s been Toronto’s most God keep our land glorious and free — out of the shackles of the dynamic forward, backed into Price and put the Canadiens on the power pandemic, with our initial quarantine fading further into the recesses, with play at 5:16 of the third period. You couldn’t help but notice he'd lost his this experience a giant leap towards the life we enjoyed before this sense of where he was on the ice trying to avoid a hit from Chiarot. horrible uninvited guest broke into our homes, locked the doors and barred the windows. It was chilling to the bone as those words came out Nylander wasn’t the only one ducking them, and that’s something the in beautiful harmony. Maple Leafs will need to address before Game 7.

And then the hockey game started, and what a hockey game it was. They’ll also need to figure out why they’ve had two opportunities to end this series with a single shot and have whiffed on them. They need to get For 40 minutes, the Canadiens asserted themselves in a way they hadn’t to the bottom of why Marner looks like a shell of himself and why at any other point over the first five games. Take what you saw in the first Matthews can’t find the right side of the post. period of Thursday’s Game 5 — with Montreal scoring the first two goals early on — and it didn’t hold a candle to this. It feels like the pressure of playoff failings past has bitten them, even if Keefe says it hasn’t. The Canadiens held a 21-15 edge in shots, they were up 44-30 in attempts, 29-18 in hits, and they had won 55 per cent of the faceoffs “I'm not worried about that,” said Keefe. “I don't think pressure is the through the first 40 minutes. The scoring chances at even-strength read issue here. It's just a matter of playing a hockey game where we've got to 20-8 Montreal, but the score read 0-0. elevate our play.”

“I thought we deserved, really, maybe a little bit more than we got,” said The Canadiens feel they can do it, even without their fans behind them in Weber, “and we pushed but we just couldn’t score.” Toronto. They’ve got momentum, a battle-tested and highly-experienced group, with four Stanley Cup winners in their lineup to Toronto’s one. But they didn’t stop pushing in the third. And then the least likely thing of all happened: the Canadiens finally scored a power-play goal after And they are playing for more opportunities to do their thing in front of whiffing on their first 15 opportunities of the series. fans at the Bell Centre. The type who sing, dance, give you chills and even hold their breath from time to time. Corey Perry, on the doorstep, cleaning up the garbage like he’s done so many times before over his Hall-of-Fame career.

Tyler Toffoli was celebrating his first of the series after Maple Leafs Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.30.2021 coach Sheldon Keefe unsuccessfully challenged Perry’s goal for goaltender interference, and after Mitch Marner flipped a puck over the glass to give the Canadiens a 5-on-3 for 1:41 or less.

It took 58 seconds of the discombobulated stuff the Canadiens’ power play has been made of, but Nick Suzuki found Toffoli in the slot and the fans rose to their feet and celebrated the 2-0 lead.

It may not have been how he imagined it when he signed a four-year, $17-million contract in October, but it was something Toffoli will never forget. 1214667 Websites There was an atmosphere before you walked through the doors. Fans were chanting on Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal three hours before puck drop and those brave enough to be strolling around in Leafs sweaters were playfully heckled. Sportsnet.ca / Leafs, Canadiens reward fans' electric atmosphere with memorable game One young man held up a sign that read: “Sorry mom, I sold my little brother to be here.”

Remaining Time -2:17 Chris Johnston Weber credits the character on Canadiens for overtime win May 30, 2021, 1:10 AM As puck drop drew closer, heart rates picked up. MONTREAL -- Mon dieu. The North Division teams did a marvellous job these last few months of That just felt different. grinding through a 56-game regular season in empty arenas -- particularly while watching highlights of more lively games south of the To hear 2,500 people singing 'O Canada' in both official languages after border each night -- but you were reminded of how inferior the sanitized 14 months of quiet was to have something stirred deep within your soul. product was as soon as the hum returned. To see the referees audibly second-guessed and Carey Price feted with chants of “Carey! Carey!” and even to have a wave of tense silence wash There was a “Go Habs Go!” chant before warmups began and a hearty over the early parts of a one-sided overtime period was to watch our round of boos when the Leafs first hit the ice. That gave way to a roar sport come back to life. when Price led the Canadiens out.

Remaining Time -2:09 “We could hear ‘em before the game and going out for warmups. I had chills again,” said Montreal captain Shea Weber. “Honestly it was Undeniable impact from fans as they cheered on Canadiens in Game 6 unbelievable. It felt like a lot more than 2,500 people, it was amazing. I Jesperi Kotkaniemi restored joy by extending the Montreal Canadiens can’t imagine what 20,000 people would be like right now because that season and even that came with a strange realization: It’s almost was electric for that amount.” inconceivable that Game 7 in this series against the Toronto Maple Leafs Even the Leafs, fresh off a loss bound to set off a 48-hour firestorm back will be able to produce a scene which eclipses what went on inside the home, came away impressed. Jack Campbell said “they made the most Bell Centre on Saturday night. of 2,500 people.” Auston Matthews said “we haven’t seen fans in over a This was more than a hockey game -- and it wound up being a hell of a year so it definitely brings a different dynamic.” hockey game. This was a tangible reminder that we’re inching ever Remaining Time -3:51 closer to reclaiming some of the things we’ve missed most while the COVID-19 pandemic ground the country to a halt. Keefe not concerned about pressure on Maple Leafs in Game 7

Brendan Gallagher viewed it as a reward for Quebecers who endured an It was difficult to tell if Kotkaniemi was more excited about his overtime evening curfew that ran from early January through Friday night, lifted winner or the environment that produced it. He conflated the two during a only after case counts were brought under control. The people can now post-game interview spilling over with glee visit a terrace, gather in small groups and cheer the Canadiens on in person. “We’ve all been waiting this whole year and finally we’re here,” said Kotkaniemi. “I think the pandemic’s hit the people here as hard as anyone in our country and the people deserve this,” said Gallagher, a longtime Hab by The pandemic has affected people differently, but we’ve all been granted way of Vancouver. “I think they were disciplined, they listened to what an extra heap of perspective. Back in March 2020, could you ever was being asked of ‘em.” imagine a coach like Sheldon Keefe saying that getting fans back into the arena was even more significant than a game where his team had a Remaining Time -1:02 chance to clinch a playoff series for the first time in 17 years?

Kotkaniemi says fans gave Canadiens the energy to force Game 7 “It’s actually something I’ve been thinking about,” said Keefe. “It’s less about the game and our sport and the playoffs and all of that, but more That’s the way this public-health crisis has been treated in basically all just about some progress being made in the country.” corners of the country. It’s been a grind. While the Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are both eager to follow Montreal’s lead and open their Years ago another hockey coach, Andy Murray, summed up our doors again, they understand the need to remain patient. attachment to this sport by claiming that Canadians have a deeper emotional well when it comes to hockey than those in any other country It will be authorities in Ontario and Toronto that signal when it’s safe to in the world. start socially distancing inside Scotiabank Arena, with the Leafs organization ready to pivot quickly if and when they get the green light. We’ve all dug deep here.

So far they’re not hearing much on that front. And on Saturday night in this hockey cathedral, we collectively returned to the well. It was glorious. Remaining Time -4:40

Future looks bright for Canadiens with young guns overtime heroics Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.30.2021 The Jets have prepared a return-to-venue plan and hope to eventually sort out how many fans might be allowed inside Bell MTS Place as part of discussions with the Manitoba government. However, that province extended its stay-at-home orders by another two weeks on Thursday, which means the hockey team might have to play into Round 3 before those conversations take place.

The Canadiens were granted the ability to operate at roughly 10-per-cent capacity after formulating an extensive health and safety plan. Fans used 10 different entry and exit points on Saturday and had their movements restricted on the concourse. You couldn’t go buy a beer and hot dog, either.

And still, despite the spaced-out sections and no-frills experience, they got their money’s worth. Even those that set fire to their monthly budget and spent thousands on tickets from the resale market. 1214668 Websites understanding our starts are critical against this team. It gives them all the momentum.”

Remaining Time -0:59 Sportsnet.ca / In Game 7, Leafs will confront both Canadiens and ghost Foligno after loss: ‘It’s unacceptable at this time of year’ of playoffs past On this night, Montreal built its lead with a trademark-ugly Corey Perry

paint-crashing goal that triggered a series of unfortunate events. One Luke Fox problem became three. xMay 30, 2021, 2:00 AM Keefe failed on a long-shot goalie-interference challenge. He’d hoped Tyler Toffoli impeded Jack Campbell’s ability to gain position during the crease scramble and the scoreboard would be wiped clean.

Pucker factor. “We weren’t really sure how that one would go, but thought, given what was happening in the game with the significance of the goal, thought in That’s the military term for it. the moment that it was worthy of a challenge and having confidence in How do you respond under duress? When the stakes are higher than the our penalty kill if we needed to get it done, like it has all series for us,” resale prices for the first fan-attended Canadian hockey game in 14-plus Keefe explained. months? When history and past trauma and 2,500 Olé, Olé, Olés are Killing the bench’s delay-of-game minor, an unhurried Mitch Marner cracking your amour if not your psyche? threw the puck over the glass, triggering a juicy 5-on-3 power play. Toffoli In and outside of the club’s bubble, much has been made of the 2021 doubled the lead in short order. Toronto Maple Leafs’ improved consistency, their sturdy leadership, and “Dumb play,” Marner admitted. matured poise. Keefe provided this curt assessment of his top line: “They worked really According to plan, they thrived in a dominant regular-season, essentially hard. Obviously, they didn't get enough done.” running Canada wire-to-wire, busting records and swiping trophies and elevating hopes. Remaining Time -1:21

They splurged like a quarantined customer riding an Amazon Prime free Matthews ready to ‘rewrite script’ for Maple Leafs heading into Game 7 trial at the trade deadline. Sure, there is some solace in responding strong with Jake Muzzin (lower- They seized a 3-1 series lead over the seemingly outmatched 16th-seed body) departing early, in getting deep-cut contributions from Jason Montreal Canadiens without aid of their fallen captain. Spezza and T.J. Brodie, and in rallying late to force overtime.

They’ve had two cracks to show “killer instinct” instead of saying it. But when the margins for error are so slim, tough-luck shooting percentages (Auston Matthews: 3.1; Marner: 0) don’t have time to crawl They had the ghost trapped in their proton beams… and crossed the back to the norm. streams. Daggers flash out of the dark, and it’s over before you know it. So. Here we are again, for a seventh time, with a rich and talented core that has now fallen to 0-and-6 in opportunities to eliminate a post-season In Game 5, the OT winner was sprung off a brutal high-zone turnover by opponent. Alex Galchenyuk, who’d had a fabulous rebound season and was a difference-maker in Game 3. “The games have gotten harder. Montreal has played better, and we haven’t dealt with it well,” Sheldon Keefe said following Saturday’s 3-2 In Game 6, it was Travis Dermott, who had been virtually mistake-free in Game 6 overtime loss. his two series appearances, mishandling the puck in his own zone.

Putting forth a face of composure, the Maple Leafs coach looked like a To think: Toronto had generated the first eight shots of the fourth period driver whose 18-wheeler is still on the road — but the treads are wearing and steered every chunk of rubber away from Campbell through OT’s thin. first 11 minutes.

Yes, the Maple Leafs will be battling a zoned-in Carey Price, a giddy One Dermott fumble, one Bogosian screen, and one opportunistic Jesperi Kotkaniemi and the cross-checks of Shea Weber in Game 7. Jesperi Kotkaniemi later, and the Canadiens accomplished something never seen before. They became the first team in NHL history to But, like it or not, they’ll also be fighting the spectre of all those failures in surrender multi-goal, third-period leads in consecutive games while TD Garden and the bubble. facing elimination, and win each of them. “I’m not worried about that, no,” Keefe said. “I don’t think pressure is an “It’s an unbelievable feeling, especially with all the fans that are here,” issue here. I think it’s just a matter of playing a hockey game where hero Kotkaniemi said. we’ve got to elevate our play. Remaining Time -2:25 “We’re not focused on any of the other things that, frankly, are irrelevant in this moment for our team.” Gotta See It: Kotkaniemi scores in overtime to send series to Game 7

What will be extremely relevant is how the Maple Leafs start at 7 p.m. on The Maple Leafs will get you down, but not out. Monday and whether all those good habits to earn home ice were worth anything. Yet.

Toronto dug itself deficits of 0-3 in Game 5 and 0-2 in Game 6. “It's a game of inches out there in overtime to obviously end the game, and we couldn't get it done,” said Matthews, seeing each of his game- The latter was a game 2020 Cup champ Zach Bogosian said they had to high seven shots die on Price. “We'd like to see those pucks go in. But treat like a Game 7. Let’s hope not, for Leafs’ sake. They were out- we're just going to keep shooting and keep fighting and keep working to chanced 21-6 in Period 1 and lucky to escape the first 20 minutes tied 0- help the team win.” 0. Over the post-loss Zoom calls, the veteran Foligno sounded like the only Let’s be clear: the Canadiens deserve full marks for their role in the Leaf unburdened by the ghosts. puckering. The new guy has lived what it takes to be on the happy side of a do-or- So, how does one explain such disengaged starts in such important die playoff game. games? He sounded optimistic, downright unpuckered. “Can’t. It’s unacceptable here this time of year, obviously,” said Nick Foligno, after his return to the lineup. “It’s learning from that and "These guys care. You see in that room. You feel it. We have a great opportunity in front of us,” Foligno said. “In a Game 7, you rise the occasion because you're in the moment, and you know there may not be tomorrow. You look around that room and the guys on our team that have the abilities that they have — I feel real confident with their mindset being that way.

“And don't worry about what the fans are saying. It doesn't matter.

“This happens for a reason. Sometimes this is what catapults you. It's hard for the fan base to hear right now, but we're going to come and have the mindset that we're going to win a hockey game.”

Is it Monday yet?

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.30.2021 1214669 Websites and using each other, I think oftentimes we're able to carry the momentum of the game.”

It’s difficult to identify a weakness in the New York lineup, but also hard Sportsnet.ca / With style and substance, Pastrnak delivers in Bruins' to find a game-breaker to match Pastrnak, Bergeron or Marchand. series-opening win Islander Mat Barzal had another quiet night and has no goals and three assists in seven playoff games.

Hats rain down in Boston after Pastrnak completes hat-trick against MacIntyre Islanders

May 30, 2021, 1:17 AM Hall of Fame company

Here’s how special Pastrnak is: his second Stanley Cup playoff hat trick leaves him in Bruins’ history behind only (four), Johnny He came dressed like a shower curtain, then washed away the New York Bucyk and Cam Neely (three each). Islanders. “It felt like 22 players playing their first NHL game, you know?” Pastrnak David Pastrnak’s flamboyant arena entrance on Saturday was somehow said of playing in front of a full house and full-throated crowd. “Everybody exceeded by his audacious performance as the fashionista scored three looking around and so many people. It's a different sport with them in the times to drive the Boston Bruins to a 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the building. Definitely kind of warms your heart and kind of reminds you why National Hockey League’s East Division final. you play this sport.” The 25-year-old winger’s hat-trick goal with 4:10 remaining was the most Getting to the goalie poignant moment on a memorable night for hockey, as the TD Garden was filled with fans for the first time since the coronavirus erupted 15 The loss was hardly the fault of New York goalie Ilya Sorokin, whose months ago. team was outshot 40-22. But the 25-year-old Russian rookie, who replaced starter Semyon Varlamov during the Islanders’ first-round win There was a lot of built-up hat inventory for the 17,400 fans to unload against the Pittsburgh Penguins, looked vulnerable after entering the when Pastrnak cut to the middle of the ice on a two-on-two, used game with a 4-0 playoff record and .943 save rate. teammate Taylor Hall’s moving pick and wristed in his fifth goal in three playoff games. Varlamov struggled to locate several pucks lying around him and spring- loaded rebounds all game, including on Pastrnak’s second goal that “I was trying to enjoy the moment, looking around the crowd,” Boston made it 2-1 in the second period. coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Zoom. “It's been a long time since we had a full house here at the Garden. Obviously, we want to play well The Bruins just knocked down the goalie the Islanders were riding. for the group and for each other, but also for the fans that have continued to support us and came out tonight. I think it was just a good moment to McAvoy hammers point shot to give Bruins lead over Islanders look around and see a lot of joy.” (Over) rating Taylor Hall The downpour of ball caps on the ice was only the second-biggest Picked up on discount from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline, the fashion statement of the night after the Bruins tweeted out a photo of 29-year-old Hall, who had never won a full playoff series until Boston Pastrnak arriving for work in a tighty-whitey suit boldly detailed with navy eliminated the Washington Capitals last week, has four points in six post- blue foliage lifted from an English country garden: vines and flowers and season games for the Bruins. birds. With five shots on target and three other misses from excellent shooting If it’s true that you dress how you feel, the suit should have been a positions, Hall could have matched Pastrnak’s hat trick on Saturday but warning to the Islanders because when a player as supremely skilled as instead settled for one empty-net point. Kind of the story of his career so Pastrnak is feeling that confident, he’s capable of anything. far – except Hall actually has only seven goals in 20 playoff games. “It's more like motivation, right?” the Czech said of his suit selection, But as a complementary player, like a Phil Kessel to the Penguins’ which was topped by a wide-brimmed black hat. “You need to play good. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Hall is positioned to succeed on a I like fashion. The thing I'm going to say is it's a boring one today that I strong team that isn’t asking him to be the go-to guy. His line with Krejci decided (to wear), compared to what I was going to wear. I still have a looked excellent, although its third member, Craig Smith, left the game couple of crazy ones in the closet. Hopefully, I'm bold enough to wear with a lower-body injury after a hit from Cal Clutterbuck. them. I love fashion, and as long as I feel good, I don't really care what other people think.” Game 2 of the series is Monday in Boston.

We think he looked pretty awesome, even in his work clothes.

Stream the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Sportsnet NOW Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.30.2021 Livestream every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, blackout-free. Plus get the NHL Draft, Free Agency, Blue Jays & MLB, NBA Playoffs matchups and more.

Coached by Barry Trotz and managed by Lou Lamoriello, nobody embodies “team” like the Islanders do. They’ll have more games to prove they’re the best team in this series. But at the top of the lineups, the Bruins indisputably have the best players. And they were the difference in Game 1.

Pastrnak and linemates Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand combined for six points and 19 shots -- that’s on-goal, not attempts (18 Islanders skaters combined for six points and 22 shots). But Boston’s second line was also excellent, with David Krejci’s three assists including a gift empty-netter for Hall.

And the Bruins’ outstanding young defenceman, Charlie McAvoy, broke a 2-2 tie at 6:20 of the third period with a one-timer from the point through Nick Ritchie’s screen.

“I thought our forwards played great tonight,” McAvoy said. “I thought they attacked with tons of pace and our skill was on display. Lots of great chances and looks. When we're moving like that, when we're attacking 1214670 Websites Dermott produced a quietly effective performance in logging 13 minutes during Toronto's Game 4 shutout. He played most of the season with Bogosian so there's plenty of built-in chemistry.

Foligno a GTD for Leafs in Game 6 What stands out about Dermott?

"Just his poise with the puck," said Brodie. "His ability to make plays under pressure, especially on the break out ... For a guy his age, that’s a By Mark Masters great asset."

The 24-year-old Dermott dressed in all 19 of Toronto's playoff games during the last three seasons. After missing the the last three games with a lower-body injury, Nick Foligno joined the Leafs at the morning skate. He took reps as the Sandin will sit after rough Game 5; Dermott draws in for Leafs second-line centre skating between Alex Galchenyuk and William Nylander. The 33-year-old didn't look entirely comfortable and was Sheldon Keefe reveals that Travis Dermott will draw into the lineup spotted shaking out his right leg a couple of times. He also smacked the tonight for Game 6, after Rasmus Sandin had a 'rough game' in their boards with his stick at one point in apparent frustration. overtime loss.

"Nick will be a game-time decision," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "He's an Marner is still looking for his first goal of the series. Linemate Auston important player for us, for sure, and getting him back would be a boost, Matthews has just one goal. but his status will be determined later tonight." "We've had a lot of great chances," Marner said. "We've been around the Foligno was a key figure in the bubble last year as the Columbus Blue net and eventually one's going to go in. So, I think the frustration level, Jackets eliminated the Leafs. In fact, it was his empty-net goal that we're keeping it low ... tonight, we got to try and bear down a little bit sealed the Game 5 win. Now, Foligno may get a chance to help the Leafs more. We've played a pretty good series so far just defensively-wise and get over the hump and win the franchise's first series in 17 years. playing smart with the puck and not giving a whole lot up in our D-zone."

"He's got the playoff experience," noted winger Mitch Marner. "He knows The Leafs top line has outscored the Canadiens 3-0 in five-on-five play what it takes to win and knows what it takes to finish out these series ... if during the series. he can go we're very excited to have him." Marner was hooting and hollering like his usual self at Toronto's morning "It'd be big," agreed defenceman T.J. Brodie. "He brings a lot of skate. experience and he's a playoff guy. The way he plays, the physicalness, "I don't think our mood ever really changes," he said. "It's the same the way he gets on the forecheck and down low, it's what playoff hockey always. Everyone's always happy, looking at the bright side and making is." sure we're focused." If Foligno is able to play, Alex Kerfoot will move to the third line, Pierre Tonight's game will be the first time the Leafs have played in front of a Engvall will drop to the fourth line and Adam Brooks will be the odd man live crowd since the pandemic began as 2,500 fans will be allowed into out. the Bell Centre. Leafs Ice Chips: Foligno skates on second line; will be game-time "I'm sure there will be some blue and white in there as well," Marner said. decision "I don't think it does anything different for us. It's the same mindset. We Nick Foligno took the morning skate back on the second line for the want to make sure we finish out a team. It will bring some energy to their Maple Leafs, however he did look a bit uncomfortable at times and will team, but I'm sure it'll bring some to ours too. It'll be fun to play in front of still be a game-time decision. Mark Masters has more on the Leafs as people again and hearing people actually cheer so we're excited for it as they prepare for Game 6. well."

Galchenyuk's turnover gifted the Canadiens the overtime goal in Game 5. Marner keeping frustration level low as Leafs top line looks to break out Keefe spoke to the 27-year-old to make sure he isn't letting the mistake Mitch Marner says their line's frustration levels have been low because impact his confidence. they're still generating chances against the Canadiens, they just don't "It is a difficult one to overcome and it would hit any player hard," Keefe have a lot to show for. He's hoping tonight they can hunker down and find acknowledged. "It's really important you don't let one play define you as a the back of the net. player and I think, as we look at the big picture, he's done a lot of good Lines at Leafs morning skate: things. In fact, he was a major difference maker for us in Game 4. He's played really well as he's come in and taken part in this series. So, he's F got lots of reasons to just push past that one and just be himself here tonight." Hyman - Matthews - Marner

Keefe said the same message applies to the entire team. Galchenyuk - Foligno - Nylander

"We just have to go out here today and be who we are," the coach Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Simmonds stressed. "We've played a lot of games this season and, just like we Thornton - Engvall - Spezza talked about with Galchenyuk, you look at what you've done to get to this point and the big picture and the grand scheme and that gives us D confidence." Rielly - Brodie Keefe has faith Galchenyuk will bounce back from OT error Muzzin - Holl After coughing up a turnover that led to the overtime game-winning goal, Sheldon Keefe says he's not worried about Alex Galchenyuk and one Dermott - Bogosian mistake doesn't speak to his body of work in the playoffs. G

Rasmus Sandin won't get a shot at redemption. At least not tonight. The Campbell starts 21-year-old defenceman will be a healthy scratch after committing a pair of costly turnovers in Game 5. Travis Dermott will take his spot on the Andersen third pair alongside Zach Bogosian.

"Rasmus is coming off of a tough night and I just felt here today that going with Derms would be the right move," Keefe said. "It gives Rasmus TSN.CA LOADED: 05.30.2021 a little bit more time to settle in ... Dermott played a good game for us the other night when we put him in." 1214671 Websites Dermott has been a healthy scratch in all but Game 4 of this series, and Keefe liked when he saw from his defenceman that night.

“Derms played a good game for us the other night, and Rasmus is TSN.CA / Leafs want to make sure series ends in Game 6 coming off of a tough night and we just felt that going with Derms would be the right move for us,” said Keefe. “It gives Rasmus a little bit more time to settle in. There's a combination of both learning from the previous game and then gaining a little extra experience as he's making his way By Kristen Shilton through his first playoff series in the NHL.”

There’s also the potential for Nick Foligno to return. Toronto’s prized TORONTO – The Maple Leafs failed to eliminate the Montreal trade deadline acquisition has been sidelined for the last three games Canadiens once already this postseason. And once was plenty. with a lower-body injury. He took the team’s morning skate Saturday on a line with Galchenyuk and Nylander, but was visibly grimacing at times Toronto could have sent the Canadiens packing from their first-round and didn’t look entirely comfortable. playoff series with a win in Thursday’s Game 5. Instead, the Leafs had to claw their way back from a three-goal deficit that forced overtime, only to Keefe said Foligno remains a game-time decision. Adam Brooks, who lose less than a minute in off one brutally self-inflicted mistake. was dressed as an extra for the skate, didn’t remain out with the other projected scratches for additional work following the session, indicating So the Leafs returned to Montreal for Saturday’s Game 6, with another he’s most likely to draw in if Foligno isn’t available. shot at winning the series and making the franchise’s first visit to the second round since 2004. Whoever is dressed for the Leafs better be prepared to execute. Keefe said he’s emphasized to the group how well they played in Games 2-4 “We want to make sure this ends tonight,” Mitch Marner said following (when Toronto outscored Montreal 11-2), and that one bad blip doesn’t the Leafs’ morning skate on Saturday. “Last game wasn't our best at all. change who the Leafs are at their core. Everyone is aware of that; we know we've got to do better. We expect a lot better from ourselves, especially in those opportunities and those “The guys have confidence in themselves and their ability and we just moments. Tonight is another great opportunity to show how good of a have to go out here today and be who we are,” said Keefe. “You look at team we are and really finish this out.” what you've done to get to this point in the big picture and that gives us confidence to be able to go out and play a good game here tonight and The Leafs’ performance through that 4-3 overtime loss in Game 5 was finish this series off.” their worst of the postseason, marred by costly turnovers and poor defensive zone execution. Toronto was down 3-0 early in the second period before responding with three unanswered goals (including two TSN.CA LOADED: 05.30.2021 from Jake Muzzin) that had Montreal on the brink of heading home in sudden death overtime.

But it was the Leafs’ own miscue that was deadly. In the opening seconds of overtime, Alex Galchenyuk send a blind pass off the boards and right onto the stick of Nick Suzuki. That sent Suzuki into a two-on- none breakaway with Cole Caufield, and ended in Suzuki’s game- winning goal just 59 seconds into the extra frame.

That painful end was tough for the Leafs to swallow, and could potentially derail Galchenyuk’s terrific postseason to date. After being a healthy scratch in Game 1, the 27-year-old roared back in Toronto’s next four games with a goal and three assists.

That ties Galchenyuk for third-most points among Leafs this postseason, even with the missed action early. Head coach Sheldon Keefe made sure in the aftermath of Game 5 to let Galchenyuk know how valuable his overall contributions have been.

“It is a difficult [mistake] to overcome and it would hit any player hard,” Keefe said of Galchenyuk’s turnover. "But it's really important you don't let one play define you as a player and as we look at the big picture, he's done a lot of really good things. He was a major difference-maker for us [in a three-point performance] in Game 4. It should give him the confidence to come back here today, and recover from a mistake like that.”

The same could be said of Keefe’s entire team. While falling behind in Game 5 was concerning, the Leafs also managed to fight their way back and be in position to win. And if not for one poor decision by Galchenyuk, the outcome could have been in the Leafs’ favour.

Still, Montreal did its job by capitalizing on Toronto’s many errors. They won’t hesitate to do so again, and the Leafs can’t afford to tempt fate with another poor start.

“The fact we were able to find our way back into [Game 5] despite not playing at our best helps our confidence here coming in today,” said Keefe. “But at the same time, we know Montreal showed that they're not going to go easily and they're going to make it really difficult on us and today is going to be more of that. We’ve got to play our way through their pressure and their speed and look to establish our game earlier than we did the other night.”

Keefe is also prepared to make a couple lineup changes. Rasmus Sandin is coming off an awful Game 5, where the rookie was minus-two from a couple brutal defensive zone gaffs. For Game 6, it’ll be Travis Dermott stepping back onto the Leafs’ third pairing with Zach Bogosian.