SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/29/2021 Anaheim Ducks Colorado Avalanche 1214364 Despite woeful season, Bob Murray and Dallas Eakins will 1214394 J.T. Compher has stepped up to second line to fill in for be back with Ducks suspended center Nazem Kadri 1214365 Ducks face ‘a critical summer,’ GM Bob Murray says 1214395 Three big questions for the Avalanche heading into their second-round series against the Golden Knights Arizona Coyotes 1214396 2021 NHL Playoffs: Golden Knights vs. Avalanche 1214366 Coyotes sign forward Ben McCartney to 3-year entry-level schedule, TV channel, games, scores, guide to the deal second-round 1214397 Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer has ‘something to Boston Bruins prove’ in these playoffs 1214367 Young Islanders went through growing pains, and now 1214398 Rest assured, Avs and Bruins relish long gap between they have playoff experience series 1214368 Bruins like their chances if they are dealt a full house 1214399 Avalanche to play Vegas Golden Knights in second round 1214369 Bruins are lined up well to take on Islanders this time 1214400 Patrick Roy and Mario Tremblay Reconcile in Hilarious Ad 1214370 Tuukka Rask talks contract status, health as Bruins get set 1214401 Indications are Sampo Ranta might replace Alex Newhook for second round of NHL playoffs for Game 1 Sunday 1214371 Bruins Notebook: B’s looking forward to Garden party 1214372 OBF: Not nearly enough talk about Bruins’ captain Patrice Columbus Blue Jackets Bergeron 1214402 Blue Jackets' hunt for next coach has produced crop of 1214373 Bruins vs. Islanders: Power ranking the lines, pairings, early candidates goalies 1214374 Tuukka Rask addresses health status, future with Bruins Dallas Stars 1214375 Boston Bruins Believe Long Layoff Prior To Isles Is 1214403 Strength in Number: Why Joel Hanley’s switch to No. 44 is ‘Advantageous’ more than a jersey, but a tribute to his brother’s l 1214376 Who has the edge in a Bruins-Islanders series? Our panel of anonymous experts breaks it all down Detroit Red Wings 1214377 Bruins, Islanders about to explore one of the quietest 1214404 Why the Detroit Red Wings might bring back Jonathan areas of the Boston-New York rivalry Bernier at goaltender 1214378 Bruins pre-scout: 6 Islanders pressure points they could 1214405 Red Wings show confidence Givani Smith is ready to stick target in the NHL 1214379 2021 NHL playoff preview: Bruins vs. Islanders 1214406 Red Wings’ offensive improvement must come mostly from within Buffalo Sabres 1214380 Sabres prospect Aaron Huglen's 'surreal' comeback from Edmonton Oilers back surgery 1214407 OILERS NOTES: Mike Smith proved everybody wrong this season Calgary Flames 1214408 Bubble hockey in Edmonton comes to end as junior 1214381 Calgary's Team Scotiabank steps up at PWHPA Secret showcase falls through Dream Gap Tour 1214409 Take a chill pill, Oilers fans. Get ready for a decade of 1214382 Flames prospect Pettersen proud to represent Norway on dominance world stage 1214410 Lowetide: An early look at the Oilers’ options for the 2021 draft Carolina Hurricanes 1214383 Here’s when the Hurricanes vs. Lightning NHL playoff Florida Panthers series begins and how to watch 1214411 This Panthers season was a massive step, but patience is 1214384 The absence of the indispensable Jaccob Slavin only running out to actually contend underlined his value to the Hurricanes 1214412 Panthers’ Barkov, Huberdeau want to start winning in 1214385 The Hurricanes switched up their lines after warmups. It playoffs: ‘Anything less is disappointment’ took another switch late to win. 1214413 Video of Florida Panthers fan asked to remove jersey in 1214386 Scouting the Lightning: What the Canes can expect in the Tampa goes viral second-round playoff series 1214414 Florida Panthers pack up, clear out as 2021 season 1214387 Hurricanes close out Nashville but have little time to officially ends celebrate. Tampa Bay is next. 1214415 Exit Day: Joel Quenneville reflects, talks future of Florida 1214388 Playing from behind is a habit the Hurricanes would like to Panthers break before Round 2 1214389 2021 NHL playoff preview: Hurricanes vs Lightning Los Angeles Kings 1214390 Five things the Hurricanes did to beat the Predators — 1214416 Kings add four to hockey operations staff and can carry forward against the Lightning 1214391 2021 NHL Playoffs: Lightning vs. Hurricanes schedule, TV channel, games, scores, guide to the second-round ser 1214392 ‘Pick your poison:’ A 360-degree look at the potent Lightning power play and how to defend it Chicago Blackhawks 1214393 Do the Blackhawks have a No. 1 goalie in Kevin Lankinen? Minnesota Wild New York Islanders 1214417 Vegas' Max Pacioretty makes the most of his series debut 1214445 Long Island’s Charlie McAvoy now a star for Bruins 1214418 Overmatched Wild shows hope for the future with seven- 1214446 Breaking down Islanders-Bruins with series prediction game series 1214447 Denis Potvin impressed by Islanders squad full of ‘heroes’ 1214419 Wild-Vegas game recap 1214448 Oliver Wahlstrom ‘doubtful’ for Islanders’ second-round 1214420 Janmark has hat trick to lead Vegas to Game 7 win over opener Wild 1214449 Taylor Hall could be difference maker in what promises to 1214421 Wild season ends with 6-2 Game 7 loss in Vegas be intense Isles-Bruins series 1214422 Wild's Nick Bonino played Game 6 hours after his son was 1214450 Isles boost Nassau Coliseum capacity for Bruins series born with more fully vaccinated-only sections 1214423 Jace Frederick: For once, the end of a Wild season feels 1214451 Islanders' Oliver Wahlstrom doubtful for Game 1 for Bruins more like a beginning 1214452 Who has the edge in a Bruins-Islanders series? Our panel 1214424 Wild go down swinging in Game 7 loss to Golden Knights of anonymous experts breaks it all down 1214425 For Wild veteran Nick Bonino, Game 7 isn’t even his 1214453 2021 NHL Playoffs: Bruins vs. Islanders schedule, TV biggest moment this week channel, games, scores, guide to the second-round series 1214426 More first-round heartbreak for Wild, compromised 1214454 Bruins, Islanders about to explore one of the quietest defensively in Game 7 by early loss of Jonas Brodin areas of the Boston-New York rivalry 1214455 2021 NHL playoff preview: Bruins vs. Islanders Montreal Canadiens 1214456 Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom ‘Doubtful’ for Game 1 against 1214427 Maple Leafs living ‘game to game’ as they prepare for Boston Bruins Game 6 against Canadiens 1214457 Islanders Will Need to Crack a New Goaltending Code 1214428 Suzuki scores in overtime as Habs beat Leafs 4-3 to force Against BruinsPublished 15 hours ago on May 28, 2021 Game 6 1214458 NYHN: Islanders Kick Off Series With Bruins on Saturday 1214429 Leafs must play like their season's on the line, & More defenceman Bogosian says 1214430 Canadiens Notebook: Nick Suzuki's OT goal was one to New York Rangers remember 1214459 Chris Drury taking patient approach in NY Rangers 1214431 Tomas Tatar hoping Game 6 vs. Leafs isn't his last with coaching search Canadiens 1214432 Canadiens' Cole Caufield gets big support from NFL star Ottawa Senators J.J. Watt 1214460 As the Senators prepare for draft lottery Wednesday, 1214433 Stu Cowan: Do the Canadiens have another fan-tastic there's some local names ranked in first round finish in them? 1214434 What the Puck: Canadiens' Game 5 win offers glimpse of Philadelphia Flyers CH future 1214461 World juniors coach won't be surprised if York makes 1214435 Hickey on hockey: Canadiens rookie Cole Caufield shows immediate impact on Flyers he belongs 1214436 About Last Night: Habs surrender lead but win 4-3 in OT in Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5 1214462 Penguins players brace for changes after latest playoff 1214437 Canadiens playoff notebook: Nature is healing with fans flameout returning, Tomas Tatar sees the end, juggling the defe 1214463 Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin 'was not 100%' during 1214438 Phillip Danault and his linemates are finding their comfort playoffs zone, and that bodes well for the Canadiens 1214464 Penguins’ Tristan Jarry: confidence unshaken, vows ‘I will be better next year’ Nashville Predators 1214465 'He’s a No. 1 goalie’: Penguins teammates stand behind 1214439 For all the Nashville Predators were, they're no longer a Tristan Jarry legit Stanley Cup hopeful | Estes 1214466 'We have higher expectations': Penguins coach Mike 1214440 Nashville Predators' improbable run to postseason ends Sullivan reflects on turbulent season, future of the organi with some questions, some answers 1214467 Penguins notes: Tristan Jarry vows to learn from 1214441 The Predators’ 5 biggest offseason priorities as a pivotal postseason mistakes summer begins 1214468 Kris Letang wants to finish career with Penguins' core 1214442 Rexrode: Predators improved and impressed, but now intact bold changes must come 1214469 The most important things the Penguins said on locker 1214443 The foundation was laid, but Preds have plenty of choices cleanout day: Expiring contracts, goaltending, injuries to make 1214470 ‘Well, it’s about freaking time’: Shelby Cassesse brings a new, needed voice to The Fan and Pittsburgh sports New Jersey Devils 1214471 Jarry Admits Inexperience, Growing Pains; Vows To 1214444 Stanley Cup winners show Devils the path must include Come Back Better finding value by any salary-cap legal means 1214472 Penguins Clean Out Day; Letang Wants Core Together, ‘That’s What We Want’ San Jose Sharks Vegas Golden Knights 1214473 If the Sharks land a top-two draft pick, how might it impact 1214496 Wild finally succumb to Golden Knights’ relentless their offseason plans? pressure 1214474 30 Sharks: Ignorance Was Bliss for San Jose’s Arturs Irbe 1214497 Column: Max Pacioretty returns just in time for Golden Knights St Louis Blues 1214498 Golden Knights, Avalanche to meet for West supremacy 1214475 Gordo: Why the Carpenter-Tarasenko comparison doesn't 1214499 Mattias Janmark tallies hat trick as Golden Knights hold up advance 1214476 In a season where lots went wrong, COVID issues hit 1214500 Max Pacioretty returns for Game 7 for Golden Knights Blues late 1214501 Sportsbooks need Wild over Knights in heavily bet Game 7 Tampa Bay Lightning 1214502 Ryan Reaves has false positive, available to play in Game 1214477 Tyler Johnson’s hustle making an impact for Lightning in 7 playoffs 1214503 Analysis: If anyone can beat the Avalanche, it’s the 1214478 Lightning to retire jersey policy after flap with Florida fan Golden Knights 1214479 Lightning fans will miss local flavor of regional broadcasts, 1214504 Pacioretty’s return, Janmark’s hat trick power Golden but welcome national exposure Knights to Game 7 victory over Wild 1214480 Lightning to open second round Sunday in Carolina 1214505 Blog: Golden Knights beat Wild in Game 7, advance to 1214481 Lightning to face Hurricanes in the second round second round vs. Avalanche 1214482 Synergy between Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point can 1214506 Golden Knights emerge from first-round battle with Wild make game ‘look easy’ stronger because of it 1214483 2021 NHL playoff preview: Hurricanes vs Lightning 1214507 Instant NHL Playoff Preview: Golden Knights vs. Colorado 1214484 2021 NHL Playoffs: Lightning vs. Hurricanes schedule, TV Avalanche in the second round channel, games, scores, guide to the second-round ser 1214508 2021 NHL Playoffs: Golden Knights vs. Avalanche 1214485 ‘Pick your poison:’ A 360-degree look at the potent schedule, TV channel, games, scores, guide to the Lightning power play and how to defend it second-round 1214509 With Season On The Line, Golden Knights Defeat Toronto Maple Leafs Minnesota, 6-2, In Game 7 Friday With Janmark Hat Trick, 1214486 Rasmus Sandin’s spot in the Leafs’ lineup is up in the air Pacior for Game 6 1214510 Las Vegas Sports-Biz News On A VGK Playoff Game 7 1214487 ‘It’s going to be electric’: Habs, Leafs set to battle in Game Friday 6 in front of fans 1214511 Max Pacioretty and Mattias Janmark Steal the Show for 1214488 The Leafs won’t say it but it’s time for their stars to come Golden Knights out against the Canadiens 1214512 ANALYSISVegas Golden Knights Advance With Game 1214489 Leafs-Habs to see fans for the first time at Game 6 in Seven Thrashing of Wild Montreal — and resale tickets aren’t cheap 1214513 Pacioretty Makes Dramatic Return for Vegas Golden 1214490 KOSHAN: Leafs head into Game 6 against Canadiens Knights with no interest in returning home for Game 7 1214514 GOLDEN KNIGHTS GAMEDAYMcNabb, Reaves, Krebs 1214491 SIMMONS: One goal in five games not enough for in COVID-19 Protocol for Vegas Golden Knights Matthews and Marner 1214515 ANALYSISVegas Golden Knights Scoring Missing In 1214492 HORNBY: Go Leafs Go will cost dough Action… Again 1214493 TRAIKOS: Why are the Montreal Canadiens so afraid of playing their kids? Washington Capitals 1214494 WARMINGTON: Leafs vs Habs Game 6 in Montreal a hot 1214516 Alex Ovechkin’s massive deal is ending, but he doesn’t ticket but not cheap want to look for a new team 1214495 Do the Maple Leafs need more from their top line? Is 1214517 What's next for Kuzy after Caps' playoff exit? William Nylander the answer? 1214518 Could Max Scherzer be the next D.C. franchise mainstay to go? Vancouver Canucks 1214525 Canucks shopping list: They need some forwards this Websites summer 1214528 The Athletic / Duhatschek notebook: How will Wayne 1214526 Patrick Johnston: Canucks should bring the Computer Gretzky do on TNT? Where could Tyson Barrie sign? Boys home Plus, Mas 1214527 Canucks depth chart heading into the offseason: Trade 1214529 The Athletic / NHL power rankings: The ‘Sour’ rankings chips, roster holes, Kraken bait and more say Colorado remains “Good 4 U”, but is it “Deja Vu” fo 1214530 Sportsnet.ca / Stanley Cup Playoffs Takeaways: Supporting cast takes centre stage in Vegas 1214531 Sportsnet.ca / Why Maple Leafs' Rasmus Sandin should expect to be benched for Game 6 1214532 Sportsnet.ca / Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Preview: Bruins vs. Islanders 1214533 Sportsnet.ca / Golden Knights' Fleury has seen everything over roller coaster career 1214534 Sportsnet.ca / Pettersson, Hughes contracts will be precedent-setting for Canucks 1214535 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens keep season alive with desperate Game 5 win over Maple Leafs 1214536 Leafs looking to get Matthews ‘cleaner looks’ 1214537 What do we make of the Jets? 1214538 USA TODAY / NHL playoff predictions: Who wins Game 7 between Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights? Winnipeg Jets 1214520 Waiting for Dubois to dominate 1214521 Maurice still the man, for now 1214522 Jets hoping Dubois can have significant impact as playoffs move forward 1214523 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets enjoying their break, trying to stay sharp, as Habs and Leafs slug it out 1214524 Would the Jets prefer the Maple Leafs or Canadiens? Likeability, loatheability, chances of winning and more
SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1214364 Anaheim Ducks
Despite woeful season, Bob Murray and Dallas Eakins will be back with Ducks
By HELENE ELLIOTT
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 head coach 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 point 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.”
LA Times: LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214365 Anaheim Ducks Drysdale (2020), have taken big strides. But there’s still a generation gap.
“A year ago, I was talking about the younger players,” Murray said. “I was Ducks face ‘a critical summer,’ GM Bob Murray says wondering where they would be and where they were going to get to. We didn’t really have an idea of what they were going to be. At this point in time this year, it’s much clearer to me that some of the younger guys have taken steps and can be legitimate top-six forwards in this league.” By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: May 28, 2021 at 3:05 p.m. | UPDATED: May 28, 2021 at 3:46 p.m. But what of mid-career players such as Adam Henrique and Rickard Rakell? Where do they fit in 2021-22 and beyond?
“You can call it a rebuild, retool, remodel, reset,” Murray said. “Whatever Ducks general manager Bob Murray laughed. He knew the questions you want to call it, it’s a plan. A key component of the plan for us has to were coming. Maybe not in such blunt terms, but after a clunker of a be our core group of players embracing what we’re trying to do, 2020-21 season, he was prepared Friday to address many of the understanding it, wanting to be a part of it and helping us. rebuilding franchise’s most pressing issues during a state-of-the-team Zoom call. “You can’t get moving forward quicker unless they embrace it and take part in it, take ownership of it themselves. We’ve got to identify which of Will you be back as GM next season? our core guys really want to do that, because they’re the key to this. Will Dallas Eakins continue to coach the team? Everybody wants to get faster and younger. You hear that all the time. We want to make a team that’s faster and younger and plays an exciting What is longtime captain Ryan Getzlaf’s future with the Ducks? brand of hockey that our fans want to come and see.
“I’m coming back next year,” Murray said after a brief chuckle. “Dallas will “That’s what we’re trying to build here. We need a certain group of be our coach next year. Ryan Getzlaf and I have met and we’re talking middle-aged players to take ownership and embrace this. We need about a few things. He’s obviously at a point in his career where he everybody, and I don’t think this happened last year, to get working. We needs to take a little step back and see what’s best for his family and need to have a good summer, making sure we’re all on the same page what he thinks his role can be. We discussed roles on the hockey team. and there’s no individual thinking.” Ryan and I discussed a whole bunch of things. We’ll continue to have discussions, so I don’t quite have an answer on that one.” Unlike recent seasons, when the Ducks faced salary cap restrictions, Murray has money to spend. The salaries of retiring players David What’s done is done. What happens next is what’s most important. Backes ($4.5 million) and Ryan Miller ($1 million), plus the reduction of Corey Perry’s buyout (down to $2 million from $6.625 million), give “This is a critical summer,” Murray admitted. Murray financial flexibility. Changes have already been made in the front office, with longtime Plus, Getzlaf’s $8.25-million cap hit comes off the books. If he re-signs executive David McNab announcing his retirement and Murray hiring Jeff with the Ducks, he’s likely to agree to a shorter and less expensive deal. Solomon away from the Kings to replace McNab as vice president of He turned 36 earlier this month and his best days are well behind him, as hockey operations and assistant general manager. evidenced by a shift to the fourth line late in 2020-21. “We got lucky,” Murray said of replacing McNab with Solomon. “First of Players such as Henrique, who has three years remaining on his contract all, you don’t replace everything David did, but Jeff brings us a whole at $5.825 million per season, and Rakell, who has one additional season different element. Jeff brings the analytic component to our organization at $3.8 million, could be left unprotected for the expansion draft, with the that really needs to be upgraded and moved forward. I just haven’t hope the Kraken opts to take one of them instead of a younger player. pushed hard enough to move it forward. But this was a good time for us to do that.” Murray expects a flurry of activity leading into the expansion and entry drafts. Greater changes are likely to be made in the coming weeks and months, including a shake-up on Eakins’ coaching staff after the Ducks set a “We’ve got to continue to draft well,” he said. “That is how we’re going to modern-day NHL record for power-play futility, with a meager 8.9% fill some of the boxes. I have boxes that need to get filled going forward, success rate. The Ducks also scored a league-low 126 goals overall. and there are two ways to do it. You’ve got to draft. You’ve always got to supplement through the draft. The other way is through trades, being “We’re in the process of re-evaluating the whole coaching staff,” Murray able to make a hockey deal if you have to make a hockey deal. I’m very said. anxious to see what happens right around the expansion draft.” The Ducks also are looking ahead to Wednesday’s draft lottery. Their Orange County Register: LOADED: 05.29.2021 second-to-last finish in the NHL’s standings gives them a 12.1% chance of picking first overall for the first time in their 28-year history and possibly selecting University of Michigan defenseman Owen Power.
Things will go quiet for several weeks, but then heat up again in July. Protected lists for the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft must be submitted by July 17, with the selections to follow July 21. The Ducks are guaranteed to lose one player.
The entry draft will be July 23-24.
Free agency begins July 28.
Training camps are tentatively set for Sept. 22.
Murray said he delayed his annual postseason meeting with reporters until after speaking Wednesday with owners Henry and Susan Samueli and chief executive officer Michael Schulman. Murray indicated they were fully on board with his ongoing plans to restore the Ducks to elite status in the NHL.
“They understand the plan,” Murray said. “They want it to be quicker, too. Everybody wants it. Nobody likes losing.”
Much has changed since his last postseason meeting with ownership. Many of the Ducks’ youngest players, including but not limited to leading scorer Max Comtois and top draft picks Trevor Zegras (2019) and Jamie 1214366 Arizona Coyotes
Coyotes sign forward Ben McCartney to 3-year entry-level deal
BY AUSTIN NICHOLSON
MAY 27, 2021 AT 12:51 PM
The Arizona Coyotes signed forward Ben McCartney to a three-year entry-level contract on Thursday.
“We are very pleased to sign Ben to an entry-level contract,” said general manager Bill Armstrong in the team’s press release.
“Ben had a great junior career and played well for the Roadrunners last season. We look forward to watching him continue to develop next year in Tucson.”
The Coyotes’ seventh-round pick played for both the Roadrunners (AHL) and the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) last season.
He had 13 goals, 24 assists and 37 points with the Wheat Kings before moving to Tucson.
McCartney played only four games with the Roadrunners and finished with one goal, four assists and five points.
He was drafted by Arizona as the 204th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Arizona Sports LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214367 Boston Bruins When the Bruins acquired Taylor Hall at the trade deadline, the addition of a proven scorer allowed things to fall into place across all their lines. In the same way, things synched up for the Islanders when they traded for Kyle Palmieri in April. In 17 games, Palmieri notched 4 points (two goals, Young Islanders went through growing pains, and now they have playoff two assists), filling a void with Anders Lee and Michael Dal Colle injured experience and also bringing punch to the lineup.
“He’s given us a more natural scorer,” Trotz said. “We needed a little more finish in our lineup and Kyle’s provided a little bit of grit a little bit of By Julian Benbow,Updated May 28, 2021, 7:38 p.m. finish and some experience.”
Palmieri scored three goals in the first round against Pittsburgh, including Defenseman Scott Mayfield has been to the playoffs four times in his two in the Islanders’ Game 1 win. seven-year career with the Islanders. And even though the exits brought Boston Globe LOADED: 05.29.2021 heartbreak, the losses felt less like disappointments and more like growing pains.
Mayfield was just 22 and in his second season when he experienced the playoffs for the first time, in the 2014-15 season. Brock Nelson was a rookie. Josh Bailey was a veteran with seven years of experience, but he was only 25.
They were young, but they saw how far they could go if they stayed together. With that group as a foundation, the Islanders added players such as Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, who became part of the team’s core. Bringing in the NHL’s third-winningest coach, Barry Trotz, tied it all together.
Now, as the Islanders prepare to open the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday against the Bruins, all those years feel like building blocks toward something bigger.
“I feel like it means a lot more this time around because we have a little more belief,” Mayfield said. “Whether it’s our fans, whether it’s other people, I think there’s a belief that we can go further.
“Inside the locker room, we’ve always had that belief here. I can even say in the years we didn’t make playoffs, I think guys knew that our core group could be a group that pushed in the playoffs to get it done.”
Two years ago, in Trotz’s first season with the team, the Islanders lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. Last year, they reached the conference finals but lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“After last year, making it the way we did, I think there’s a belief there’s a little more buzz that we could do something special,” Mayfield said.
It took six games for the Islanders to bounce the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and it was an upset to everyone except the Islanders. Mayfield said the postseason experience they’ve gained over the years is now proving valuable.
“I think we’re a confident group,” Mayfield said. “We’ve played a good amount of playoff series together now with Trotzy as the coach. I think winning the first one was our first step. But, at the same time, the playoffs can be an emotional roller coaster as far as just game-in, game-out, series-in, changing series, all that stuff. So it’s kind of staying even-keel and just making sure we play our game.”
Bailey has an edge
The Islanders have come to expect Bailey to raise his game in the postseason. He’s a different version of himself on the bigger stage.
“[Bailey] has a little more edge during the playoffs than he has maybe during the regular season,” Trotz said. “He’s played a lot of games in the league and sometimes you don’t have that same edge during the regular season. But playoff time, he steps up. He understands the magnitude of every game. Those good players have that ability to just raise their game he does in a very quiet way.”
Bailey finished the regular season with eight goals. He scored three in the first round against the Penguins, and he notched three assists.
Over the past three playoffs, he’s recorded nine goals and 23 assists.
Trotz said he has a well of experience to tap into with 58 playoff games under his belt.
“I think he’s a veteran player that has a high IQ and a high skill level,” Trotz said. “He elevates in the playoffs. And then we play a lot of playoff games. That’s probably the combination of those two.”
Palmieri fills void 1214368 Boston Bruins An upper-body ailment (believed to be a back strain) shelved the ace goalie for 17 games in March and April. No sign of any issues thus far. Rask allowed the Capitals 10 goals in five games, with a .941 save percentage, and was beaten cleanly just three times. Bruins like their chances if they are dealt a full house Asked about his pending unrestricted free agent status, he said he feels no rush.
By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated May 28, 2021, 7:57 p.m. “We haven’t had any discussions during the playoffs,” said Rask, 34, who is in the final year of an eight-year, $56 million deal. “We’ll find out.
“There’s going to obviously be some decisions to be made. We’ll see. Making its long-awaited return to the sporting scene: a playoff There’s no pressure about that. I’m sure we’re going to have good talks atmosphere. and come to a conclusion that pleases everybody.” The Bruins are expecting a sellout — or at least to sell as many seats as Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is unlikely to re-sign any of his they are permitted — for Game 1 against the Islanders. If the Red Sox UFAs — a group that includes Rask, Krejci, and Hall — before the July don’t sell out Saturday afternoon (or if they get rained out), it would be 21 expansion draft, since those players would then have to be protected the first full house in a Boston sports stadium in some 15 months. from Seattle. Free agency opens July 28. TD Garden could hold some 17,000 fans Saturday night. Assuming Rask returns for a 15th season, how much longer does he “It’s been a long time,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said before Friday’s want to play? workout. “You kind of forget what it’s like. I thought it was getting loud “With my style, I could probably play 10 more years if I wanted to,” he here with 25 percent capacity against the Caps, so I can only imagine a mused. “It’s just a matter of how long you want to play. That’s the full house. question I have to ask myself. How long do I want to keep doing this? “Probably be a little bit shocking at first, to be honest with you. You’re just “It takes a lot of time and effort every season to prepare yourself and go so used to quietness throughout the game.” through that grind, so those are the questions I have to ask. Meanwhile, the Islanders, who host Games 3 and 4, will increase “Because if you sign a contract and you play, you have to commit to it. capacity from 9,000 to 12,000 at Nassau Coliseum (full capacity is You don’t want to be second-guessing yourself midway through the 13,913). season — “Why did I keep playing?” — or you’re totally checked out. The Islanders said in a news release that “to create the loudest possible “I could play 10 more years with my style of hockey, but I’m definitely not atmosphere,” tickets will be made available primarily in “fully vaccinated” going to play that long. It’s just a matter of how long I want to keep sections. New York State guidelines mandate that fans provide proof of grinding out.” vaccination, with the final shot at least 14 days before game day. Massachusetts does not ask for the same. Fans must wear masks at TD Lauzon skates Garden. Among those who participated in an optional skate in Brighton: “Having close to a packed Garden [Saturday] is going to be special,” defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, who took a shot off the right hand in Game Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said. 1 against the Capitals. Cassidy didn’t know whether Lauzon would be cleared to start the Islanders series, but he’s expected back soon … “You don’t want to get too high, obviously, and waste your energy. But Fellow back liner Kevan Miller, who took a high hit from Dmitry Orlov in that being said, you have to soak it in and stay in the moment and work Game 4, was riding a stationary bike. He will not play in Game 1. “At out your game. Sometimes it does make a difference as far as energy least he’s progressing,” Cassidy said … Not too often does Bergeron goes. You try to get a lift out of that crowd going wild.” come in with a lesser faceoff win percentage than an opposing center. Escaping the trap The NHL’s first-round leader at the dot was the Islanders’ Casey Cizikas (66.3 percent), with Bergeron (58.5) running fifth. “They’re great at what The Islanders, under coach Barry Trotz, smother opponents with a they do,” said Bergeron of the Islanders, praising them for having a neutral-zone trap. Cassidy noted that this season, he has seen more 1-2- wealth of lefthanded and righthanded options. Krejci (53.2) and New 2 looks, rather than more conservative 1-1-3. Taylor Hall will help the York’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau (52.9) ranked 14th and 15th … Algonquin Bruins attack both schemes. Regional forward Kerryn O’Connell and Dexter Southfield forward Matt Copponi won the Bruins’ John Carlton Memorial Trophies, for excellence Hall, who scored four goals in the Bruins’ final three regular-season in academics and hockey. games against the Islanders, backs off defenders with powerful, low- center-of-gravity strides. His hands are strong. He has clicked with David Boston Globe LOADED: 05.29.2021 Krejci, who has a knack for setting him up to attack vulnerable defensemen.
Like many top puck-handlers (see: David Pastrnak), Hall can overreach when going one-on-one, but Cassidy didn’t say that has been a major issue.
“We’ve seen him go by guys in traffic where it doesn’t look like there’s much materializing, and all of a sudden he comes out the other side with the puck and he’s in all alone,” Cassidy said. “When he does get a head of speed and he gets it in the right spots from Krejci or the D, boy, he’s dangerous.”
Tuukka Rask held the Capitals to 10 goals in Boston's five-game victory, his .941 save percentage playing a big part.JOHN TLUMACKI/
GLOBE STAFF Rask: ‘Health is OK’
Tuukka Rask, who submitted a Grade-A performance in the Washington series, said Friday he’s not in perfect health, but he is ready to face the Islanders
“Game feels good,” Rask said during an appearance on WEEI. “Health is OK. I’ve been playing, so that’s OK. It’s not as good as I’d want it to be, but obviously I’ve been playing and practicing. I’m out there. That’s all that matters.” 1214369 Boston Bruins Red Army squad. He won’t be prone to the big boo-boo. And if there is a wrinkle in his game, Varlamov is there to smooth it out.
The netminding aside — admittedly like trying to ignore heat from the sun Bruins are lined up well to take on Islanders this time — Job 1 for the Bruins will be to establish their ice presence down low, particularly against top D pairings Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield-Nick Leddy.
By Kevin Paul Dupont,Updated May 28, 2021, 4:09 p.m. Solving those duos was mission impossible for Boston early in the season.
“Early in the year, they were so dependent on that one [Patrice Bergeron] The Bruins pre-April 12, without the likes of Taylor Hall, Mike Reilly, and line — they weren’t getting any secondary scoring at all,” recalled Trotz. Curtis Lazar in residence, would have had zero chance of slipping by “So I think all the focus and all the weight on that team was, if you can Washington in Round 1 of the playoffs. stop Bergeron’s line and not take penalties, you can probably have some Rather than talking about Round 2 and the Islanders today (Game 1, success.” Saturday, 8 p.m. at the Garden), we’d be focused on body parts and Limiting the Brad Marchand-Bergeron-David Pastrnak trio has been the surgeries, roster fixes, potential salary-cap casualties, upcoming free main challenge for Boston playoff opponents since Cassidy’s first agency, and how general manager Don Sweeney might keep Seattle postseason behind the bench in 2017. It’s that Hall-David Krejci-Smith from poaching a roster goodie in the July expansion draft. follow-up threesome now that makes it all the more difficult. The big line Uh, not today, Stanley. clicked for 8-5—13 vs. the Capitals, while the Krejci trio popped for 3-5— 8. As the series played out, both lines saw better looks, particularly off Instead, it’s the refurbished Islanders, the broad-shouldered charges of the rush. Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello, and specifically whether the Bruins can auger their way into that stout NYI defense to squeeze off shots in primo “All of our numbers went up, not only against New York but against scoring areas. The Penguins succeeded some, but not enough, even everybody,” said Cassidy, nothing his club’s offensive surge post-April with the superstar likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the job. 12. “Some of that, again, was Taylor Hall, Lazar comes in and is a little more creative on the fourth line, and Mike Reilly’s moving pucks a little As for the Bruins: They proved late in the season that they can get in cleaner than some of the other guys. there. Reason: because of the roster additions noted above, and above all, because of what Hall has meant for second-line pop and the club’s “All of that translates into some better attacks, really more of a rush quantum boost in five-on-five scoring. offense than anything.”
“Since they got Taylor Hall,” noted Trotz, now three years removed from Bruins in six, and then on to the Cup semis vs. TBA. That’s the inside ice. leading the Capitals to the Cup, “it’s really put everybody on the right seat Boston Globe LOADED: 05.29.2021 on the bus for their team.”
That Black-and-Gold bus is rolling right now. It should deliver a second- round victory in five or six games. The Bruins are confident, well-rested after Sunday’s first-round clincher, and in good health, albeit with some notable attrition on their blue line, including the rock-solid Kevan Miller, who won’t return for the start of the Islanders series and could be sidelined for the duration.
“From an outsider,” said Trotz, “it’s given them that first line/second line that is a threat night in and night out, and can be a game-changer for them at times.”
The Bruins needed five games to send the Capitals packing, the series tilting dramatically in their favor on Craig Smith’s OT winner in Game 3 when rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov hiccupped on the rear wall and left the puck back there for Smith to waltz out in front and stuff home. That Blue Danube of a finish became part of a stretch that carried into Game 5 during which the Bruins potted eight of nine goals between the two clubs.
The Islanders, even with their 21-16 scoring edge over six games with the Penguins, never held more than a one-goal lead in the first three games. Their first sign of relief came in Game 4 when they rolled up a 4- 0 lead before the Penguins scored their lone goal, and then it took a major gaffe in Game 5 by another rookie tender, Tristan Jarry, to provide their open door to Round 2.
All of 51 seconds into the second OT, Josh Bailey canned the 3-2 finisher, set up perfectly in the slot by, of all things, Jarry’s tape-to-tape pass. Under no pressure, and with infinite options to do otherwise, Jarry wired his pass up the middle for the oncoming Bailey to clip and convert. Two nights later, after rubbing out 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 deficits, the Islanders clinched it with a 5-3 win.
“We have good faith in our team,” said Trotz. “No different than going into Pittsburgh. You know, I think Bruce [Cassidy] said it in his presser the other day, and I’ll say it, there’s a lot of similarities in the teams, the way we play.”
Echoing Cassidy’s words of earlier in the week, Trotz added, “I think we’re playing ourselves little bit.”
The biggest, perhaps only surprise from the Islanders side has been the emergence of backup goaltender Ilya Sorokin, filching the No. 1 job from Semyon Varlamov, potentially this season’s Vezina winner. Sorokin, 25, is also a rookie, but played the last five-plus seasons for Russia’s famed 1214370 Boston Bruins
Tuukka Rask talks contract status, health as Bruins get set for second round of NHL playoffs
By Hayden Bird,Updated May 28, 2021, 1:55 p.m.
Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask spoke to WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” on Friday morning, discussing a range of topics as he prepares for the start of Boston’s next playoff series on Saturday against the Islanders.
One subject Rask talked about was helping to raise money for Charlie Capalbo, a fellow goaltender who is currently battling cancer for the third time.
“I figured I could help out and donate some money and hopefully if people want to donate a dollar or two, that probably would be greatly appreciated,” Rask explained.
As far as his current status with the Bruins, the 34-year-old goaltender said he thinks Boston is in a good place after defeating the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs in five games.
“I think we’re really well balanced,” Rask said of the Bruins. “We have four really solid lines, everybody can score, everybody can play defense. And I think our defensive pairings have come together. They feel very comfortable playing with each other.”
Rask missed several weeks late in the season due to an upper-body injury, but said he’s feeling good enough to stay on the ice.
“Game feels good,” Rask noted. “Health is OK. I’ve been playing, so that’s OK. It’s not as good as I’d want it to be, but obviously I’ve been playing and practicing. I’m out there. That’s all that matters.”
Following the season, Rask is set to become a free agent. He expanded on previous comments he’d made about his future when asked a health- related question following Game 1 of the series with the Capitals.
“I guess if you’re talking contract status, we haven’t had any discussions during the playoffs,” said Rask on Friday. “We’ll find out. There’s going to obviously be some decisions to be made. We’ll see. There’s no pressure about that. I’m sure we’re going to have good talks and come to a conclusion that pleases everybody.”
As far as how much longer he thinks he can play, the 14-year veteran shared his thoughts.
“With my style, I could probably play 10 more years if I wanted to,” said Rask. “It’s just a matter of how long you want to play. That’s the question I have to ask myself. How long do I want to keep doing this? It takes a lot of time and effort every season to prepare yourself and go through that grind, so those are the questions I have to ask.
“Because if you sign a contract and you play, you have to commit to it. You don’t want to be second-guessing yourself midway through the season — why did I keep playing, or you’re totally checked out. I could play 10 more years with my style of hockey, but I’m definitely not going to play that long. It’s just a matter of how long I want to keep grinding out.”
Boston Globe LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214371 Boston Bruins
Bruins Notebook: B’s looking forward to Garden party
By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: May 28, 2021 at 2:29 p.m. | UPDATED: May 28, 2021 at 5:19 p.m.
There may not be the traditionally full Garden capacity of 17,565 in the house for Saturday’s Game 1 between the Bruins and Islanders, but for the first time in over a year, it will be pretty darn close.
With the state and city lifting both their indoor and outdoor COVID-19 restrictions, the TD Garden will be rocking like it hasn’t since a March 7, 2020, loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Coach Bruce Cassidy was curious to see what that will feel like again.
“There is some anticipation. It’s been a long time, so you kind of forget what it’s like,” said Cassidy. “I thought it was getting loud here with 25 percent capacity, so I can only imagine a full house. It’ll be nice to have everyone back in there. It’ll be good for all sports to get back to your typical home-ice advantage in terms of the crowd being behind you, creating energy. All that is going to be great. Like I said, it’s been a long time.
“It’s probably going to be a little shocking at first, to be honest with you. You’re just so used to quietness throughout the games, so it’ll be a good thing for everybody, in any building, I think for both teams. Crowds obviously are there for the home team, but I think they can also get the visiting team into it. I think it’s just good for the game, period.”
With some logistics still being worked out, a spokesman for the club did not have an exact number on how many fans will be allowed in other than to say it will be “near full capacity.”
Throughout this season, the players have experienced an incremental appreciation for having fans in the building.
“It’s been a while. I’ve said this before: I think from the bubble to the start of this season, you adapt and you adjust to not having fans. In a way, you almost forget how special it is to have them,” said captain Patrice Bergeron. “So when we went up to 12 percent and now 25, it makes such a big difference — the impact they have on the game, the energy you try to feed off, is amazing. So having close to a packed Garden (Saturday) is going to be special.”
Any danger of the players being too amped up?
“You don’t want to be too high and waste your energy, but at the same time you need to soak it in and stay in the moment and worry about your game. But sometimes it does make a difference as far as energy goes and you try to get a lift out of that crowd going wild,” said Bergeron. …
Odds and Ends
The Capitals could not contain the B’s top line, but the Islanders should pose a stiffer challenge. They not only have two very good two-way centers in Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Casey Cizikas but a strong shutdown defense pairing in 6-3 Adam Pelech and 6-2 Ryan Pulock.
“They have a lot of size but they’re also very mobile. They move the puck well. They’re good on their retrievals and making that first pass,” said Bergeron. “I think it’s not just that first pairing but also all six defensemen play the puck well, but also seem to be in sync and stick to the system. It’s a very structured team defensively. … It’s definitely going to be a challenge. I think our forechecking and puck placement on our forecheck is going to be really important.” …
Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, who’s been out with an injured hand, participated in the B’s optional practice on Friday but Cassidy said a decision on his availability for Game 1 would be made on Saturday morning.
Defenseman Kevan Miller has begun riding the stationary bike but has not yet skated since suffering a head injury a week ago.
“That keeps him out of the lineup in the short-term here but at least he’s progressing,” said Cassidy.
Boston Herald LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214372 Boston Bruins All at the same time. After the Islanders closed out the Penguins on Wednesday at home, their
fans chanted “We Want Boston!” The last time these teams met in the OBF: Not nearly enough talk about Bruins’ captain Patrice Bergeron postseason was in 1983. The Islanders were in the midst of a Stanley Cup four-peat. Fortunately for Boston, Mike Bossy, Dennis Potvin and Billy Smith won’t be skating through any doors in this series.
By BILL SPEROS | May 28, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. The Bruins lost their first five games against Nassau County this season but won all three meetings after the trade deadline and the acquisition of
Taylor Hall. Defensive play and goaltending will be a key in this series. Patrice Bergeron and David Ortiz came to Boston in 2003. We’ve walked back from the official Tuukka Rask Diving Board on the Zakim Bridge, for now. It’s always open until that elusive 16th playoff The Score of Supremacy was in its first trimester. The Bay State had victory. The time off this week should do wonders for Boston’s Blueliners, celebrated only one pro championship in the new century. There would who absorbed a literal beating against Washington. be 11 more trophy-triggered Boston bacchanals over the next 16 years thanks to the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins. A dozen titles spread Still, Boston’s front line remains the best in the NHL and will be the across four teams in a 20-year span that will forever be unmatched. ultimate determining factor in just how far the team progresses toward the Stanley Cup. The players who dominated that run form their own mini–Mt. Rushmore chiseled into our emotional granite: Tom Brady, Paul Pierce, Ortiz and And Bergeron remains the core around which the rest of the Bruins’ Bergeron. universe rotates.
Brady is now winning titles in Tampa Bay. “I mean, we could talk about him all day,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of Bergeron after his team put Washington out of its misery and Pierce came and went from the Nets, Wizards, Clippers and ESPN. likely ended Chara’s career. “So happy to see him get his first series win as a captain.” Ortiz has been shot and pitched COVID shots since retiring in 2016. We could talk about Bergeron all day, week or month. There hasn’t been (Hard to believe it’s been five years since Big Papi’s farewell tour.) nearly enough talk about Bergeron during the past 17 years. They’re all gone. The Celtics are withering in the first round against the Nets. The Red Sox Except for Bergeron, who doesn’t even have his own nickname. have settled into a three-way fight in the AL East. Bergeron and the Bruins should dominate sports media until their season ends or Boston Can we get a #GrandPère on Twitter? plays host to a socially-distanced Duck Boat parade in July.
Even the key supporting cast members during the “Score” are among the Bergeron has one more year remaining on his contract. While other departed. Julian Edelman, Adam Vinatieri and Dustin Pedroia retired this Bruins greats including Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and even Milt Schmidt year. Mookie Betts roams right field for the Dodgers. Milan Lucic was last found themselves attached to other teams during their playing/coaching seen playing for Calgary. The Pro Basketball Hall of Fame just welcomed career, Bergeron has been nothing but a Bruin. The nightmare image of Kevin Garnett. Orr playing in Chicago forever scars the hockey soul of anyone over 50. But Bergeron is still here. And his Bruins have home ice for their second- It remains unimaginable that Bergeron will ever wear any uniform that round series against the Nassau County (N.Y.) Islanders. Game 1 is doesn’t feature a spoked B. Saturday night at TD Garden. Bergeron will be the rare player who gets to determine when and where Much has been made of Bergeron’s captaincy this season. A legacy he retires — unless injuries finally make that decision for him. delivered after Zdeno Chara was discarded and self-exiled to In the meantime, let’s talk about him as much as we can. Washington. But Bergeron has been a commander on the ice for more than a decade. All he needed was the “C” stitched on the front of his Boston Herald LOADED: 05.29.2021 jersey to make it official. Crazy that it took 17 seasons for Bergeron to become a captain, even though he ranks among the top-five players ever for a franchise founded 96 1/2 years ago.
In addition to playing in the literal 6-foot-9 (before stakes) shadow of Chara, Bergeron was lost in the magnificent maelstrom of titles and parades where the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and Brad Marchand stole the show.
The Quebec-born, native-French speaking Bergeron has a public persona that remains that of the textbook ideal hockey player: speak softly and carry a lethal stick. He’s won four Selke Trophies for his two- way play as a forward, tied for the most all-time. His official birth name “Patrice Bergeron-Cleary” is stamped on the Stanley Cup.
Bergeron’s fellow front-liner David Pastrnak has become a cult figure mangling the local language while trying to finish off his coffee at Dunkin Donuts. He’s even co-opted the “pasta” emoji on social media.
To his left, Bergeron has Marchand. The Little Ball of Hate has re- emerged this spring as both a vocal leader off the ice and a playmaker on it.
Both devour much more time on social and digital media than their discreet-but-deadly center.
During the Bruins’ 4-1 series rout of the aged Capitals, Marchand and Pastrnak found their games. But Bergeron scored a pair of goals in the 3- 1 series-clinching victory — including the game-winner. Bergeron dominated before shooting the puck, as well, winning 60% of his faceoffs in 17:53 of ice time in Game 5.
Not bad for a 35-year-old center who once played in the Stanley Cup Finals with a separated shoulder, cracked ribs, torn cartilage and a punctured lung. 1214373 Boston Bruins This line is a huge x-factor for the Bruins. Ritchie started off hot in the regular season but cooled off. He scored in Game 1 of the first round and didn't make a huge impact on the series overall. DeBrusk was pretty solid against the Capitals, scoring in the first two games and adding an assist Bruins vs. Islanders: Power ranking the lines, pairings, goalies in Game 4. His inconsistency is frustrating, but he's typically locked in come playoff time even if he's not scoring.
Coyle had a bad regular season and also didn't factor much in Round 1. BY NICK GOSS He's being paid like the top third-line center in the league and was a real difference maker for the Bruins when they beat the Blue Jackets in the second round two years ago. That's the kind of play the B's need from The Boston Bruins and New York Islanders will kick off the second round Coyle if they're going to receive the scoring depth needed to win this of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Game 1 at TD Garden on Saturday series. night. Bean: What B's can expect from strong, balanced Islanders team It's the first playoff meeting between these teams since the 1983 Wales Conference Final, where the Islanders emerged victorious in a six-game 7. Matt Martin--Casey Cizikas--Cal Clutterbuck series. This line sets a physical tone for the Islanders each game. These players Which team has the advantage at forward, on the blue line and between will throw huge hits, battle hard for 50-50 pucks, create traffic in front of the pipes in Round 2? Here's a power ranking of each line, pairing and the net and even fight if required. It's also capable of generating some goalie in the series. decent scoring looks, and Clutterbuck scored twice in Round 1.
LINES 8. Sean Kuraly--Curtis Lazar--Chris Wagner
1. Brad Marchand--Patrice Bergeron--David Pastrnak The B's fourth line plays a physical game and takes on tough defensive zone assignments. This group knows its role and plays it well, and head This line is one of the league's best, and it combined to score eight goals coach Bruce Cassidy can rely on it in several different situations. Still, the (three on the power play) in Round 1. If the B's top line is similarly Bruins need a little more offense from this group. Zero goals and one productive in Round 2, it would be hard to envision Boston losing the assist between these three players in Round 1 was not ideal. series. The B's tallied more than 60 percent of all shot attempts, shots on net, scoring chances and high-danger chances at 5-on-5 when this line PAIRINGS was on the ice in the first round. 1. Charlie McAvoy--Matt Grzelcyk There isn't a better two-way trio in the world. McAvoy is one of the top five defensemen in the league and should be a Complete preview and prediction for Bruins vs. Islanders series Norris Trophy finalist. Grzelcyk compliments McAvoy's game perfectly and the two have great chemistry. The Bruins dominated 5-on-5 play in 2. Taylor Hall--David Krejci--Craig Smith the first round when this pairing was on the ice, accounting for 60 percent of shot attempts and 67 percent (!) of scoring chances. That's pretty Hall scored a couple clutch goals in Round 1, including one of the damn good. prettiest of the playoffs so far. Smith won Game 3 by capitalizing on a miscommunication behind the Capitals net in double overtime. Krejci 2. Mike Reilly--Brandon Carlo didn't score but the B's drove puck possession at a high rate when he was on the ice during 5-on-5 action. Carlo is a legit shutdown defenseman and Reilly is a great skater who jumpstarts the transition game with quick, accurate passes out of the 3. Anthony Beauvillier--Brock Nelson--Josh Bailey defensive zone. The majority of Carlo's 5-on-5 minutes in games versus the Islanders during the regular season came against their second line. New York's second line dominated in Round 2, scoring nine goals (eight Given the way that line is playing (see above for more info) entering at 5-on-5) in six games. Beauvillier, Nelson and Bailey each had three Round 2, this matchup (if it continues) could prove pivotal in the outcome goals apiece. This is one of the hottest lines in the playoffs and the of the series. Bruins have to slow it down, so look for the Bergeron line and/or the McAvoy/Grzelcyk pairing to get plenty of action against this Islanders trio. 3. Adam Pelech--Ryan Pulock
The battle between the second lines should be a pivotal one in Round 2. The Pelech-Pulock pairing was matched up against Sidney Crosby's line in the first round and the Penguins tilted the ice in their favor quite a bit 4. Leo Komarov--Mathew Barzal--Jordan Eberle during that 5-on-5 action. The Bergeron line presents many of the same Barzal struggled in Round 1 with zero goals and three assists (only one challenges for the Islanders that the Crosby line did. New York will be in at 5-on-5). However, he has the ability to play at an elite level and is trouble if this pairing is out-shot and gives up a ton of scoring chances for without question the Islanders' best playmaker. He's led the team in a second consecutive series. scoring four consecutive seasons. There also might be some personal 4. Nick Leddy-Scott Mayfield motivation for Barzal against the Bruins after they passed on him three times in the first round of the 2015 draft. Leddy has 108 games of playoff experience with one Stanley Cup title from his time with the Blackhawks. He's still a quality playmaker and can Eberle plays the game with tremendous speed and Komarov plays a play 20-plus minutes per game against quality competition. He's a key tough, physical style. Overall, this is a well-balanced line that can excel in player for the Islanders in this series. Mayfield ranks second on the several different ways. Islanders in shorthanded time on ice per game at 1:58. 5. Kyle Palmieri--Jean-Gabriel Pageau--Travis Zajac 5. Connor Clifton--Jarred Tinordi Boston fans will fear this line because it has two of the biggest "B's Clifton entered the first round in Game 2 after Jeremy Lauzon suffered an killers" on it. Palmieri scored five times against the Bruins this season (all injury, and he played really well. His skating, physicality and penalty with New Jersey), while Pageau tallied eight points in eight games versus killing were a huge help to the B's. He also blocked four or five Alexander Boston. Zajac has loads of experience and can take important faceoffs if Ovechkin shots while the B's were shorthanded, which aided Boston's needed. Palmieri struggled after the Islanders acquired him before the effort in thwarting one of the league's top power-play units. Tinordi isn't a trade deadline. His four points (two goals, two assists) in 17 games to top-six defenseman but if Miller and/or Lauzon are unable to play at any close out the regular season were pretty underwhelming. However, he point in this series, he's the most experienced option for the third pairing. scored three times in Round 1, including the overtime winner in Game 1. 6. Andy Greene--Noah Dobson Palmieri and Hall were the top wingers available at the trade deadline, and whichever player performs at a higher level in this series could be a Greene is in his 15th season and has 77 games of playoff experience. key factor in the outcome. Dobson is a more offensive-minded player than Greene and plays a key role on New York's power play, where he averages 1:45 of ice time per 6. Nick Ritchie--Charlie Coyle--Jake DeBrusk game. This pairing was badly outshot in Round 1, which makes it an appealing matchup for Boston's bottom-six forwards.
GOALIES
1. Tuukka Rask
Rask shook off an average Game 1 performance against the Capitals and posted a .949 save percentage the rest of the series to lead the B's to the second round. He stopped 40 of the 41 shots sent his way in the Game 5 clincher on the road. Rask is a proven playoff performer with nearly 100 games of playoff experience. His counterpart, Sorokin, made his postseason debut earlier this month. The Bruins should have a clear advantage in net this series. Even a good-but-not-great performance from Rask should be enough.
2. Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin won all four of his starts in Round 1, including the last three games of the series. He tallied a .943 save percentage and a 1.81 GAA overall. The Islanders gave up 55 to 60 percent of all shot attempts, shots on net and scoring chances at 5-on-5. They also had a weaker power play than the Penguins. Despite all of that, New York emerged from the series because Sorokin was excellent in net and Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry was equally bad. Sorokin needs to have another stellar series because the Islanders are unlikely to beat the Bruins if Boston, like the Penguins, tilts the ice heavily in its favor at 5-on-5.
3. Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov was excellent in the regular season with a 2.04 GAA and a .929 save percentage. He missed Game 1 due to injury, returned to the lineup and lost the next two games. He allowed five goals on just 27 shots in a Game 3 defeat and lost his job to Sorokin. Varlamov's career is full of good-but-not-great playoff runs. He hasn't been a horrible postseason goalie, but he's probably not going to steal a series, either. New York is wisely riding the hot goalie in Sorokin, but head coach Barry Trotz does have the luxury of turning to an experienced veteran if needed.
4. Jeremy Swayman
Swayman being fourth on this list doesn't mean he isn't capable of playing well in a postseason setting as a rookie, he just doesn't have the experience or track record of the goalies above him. Boston's rookie netminder was fantastic during the regular season with a 7-3-0 record, a .945 save percentage and a 1.50 GAA. The Bruins should have plenty of confidence in Swayman if Rask struggles or suffers an injury.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214374 Boston Bruins
Tuukka Rask addresses health status, future with Bruins
BY DARREN HARTWELL
Tuukka Rask was a steady presence for the Bruins in their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff victory over the Washington Capitals. But the Boston goaltender still doesn't feel fully healthy heading into Round 2.
"Game feels good. Health is OK," Rask told WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" on Friday. "I’ve been playing, so that’s OK. It’s not as good as I’d want it to be, but obviously I’ve been playing and practicing. I’m out there. That’s all that matters."
Rask missed several weeks due to an upper-body injury in March and April and played sparingly down the stretch as rookie Jeremy Swayman emerged as the leading goaltender. Head coach Bruce Cassidy went back to Rask in the postseason, though, and the 34-year-old has delivered, stopping 95.9% of Capitals shots over Games 3 through 5 to help the Bruins close out the series.
Bruins-Islanders Round 2 playoff preview, odds and prediction
Rask is set to become a free agent after the season and sparked some speculation about his future prior to the Capitals series by responding, "I’ll talk to you after the season. You’ll find out," when asked if he felt physically able to play next season.
Rask clarified Friday that that comment was strictly health-related and had nothing to do with his contract. On the contract front, Rask said he'll wait until after the playoffs to decide what's next.
"If you’re talking contract status, we haven’t had any discussions during the playoffs. We’ll find out," Rask said. "There’s going to obviously be some decisions to be made. We’ll see. There’s no pressure about that. I’m sure we’re going to have good talks and come to a conclusion that pleases everybody."
Rask also seemed confident his body would hold up going forward, and that any decision to stop playing wouldn't be for physical reasons.
"With my style, I could probably play 10 more years if I wanted to. It’s just a matter of how long you want to play," he said. "That’s the question I have to ask myself. How long do I want to keep (going)? It takes a lot of time and effort every season to prepare yourself and go through that grind, so those are the questions I have to ask.
“Because if you sign a contract and you play, you have to commit to it. You don’t want to be second-guessing yourself midway through the season -- why did I keep playing, or you’re totally checked out. I could play 10 more years with my style of hockey, but I’m definitely not gonna play that long. It’s just a matter of how long I want to keep grinding out."
Rask has yet to win a Stanley Cup as Boston's starting goaltender, but his quest will continue Saturday night in Game 1 of the second round against the New York Islanders at TD Garden.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214375 Boston Bruins legitimate playoff crowds waiting for them at both TD Garden and Nassau Coliseum in the upcoming series.
Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.29.2021 Boston Bruins Believe Long Layoff Prior To Isles Is ‘Advantageous’
Published 19 hours ago on May 28, 2021By Joe Haggerty
The Boston Bruins will get nearly a week of down time prior to dropping the puck for Game 1 of the second round against the New York Islanders on Saturday night at TD Garden. The B’s dispatched the Washington Capitals last weekend in five games, took two full days off the ice and then snuck in a couple practice days prior to ramping up for this weekend’s opener against the Islanders.
It’s a good bit of rest following a physical series against a big, heavy Capitals crew, and prior to another heavy playoff match against an Islanders hockey club where the Black and Gold will need to fight for every inch of their ice against a hard-working, well-coached team.
The six days off between playoff series is a long respite in terms of a normal hockey routine during the regular season, but it’s nothing close to the 11 days off between the conference final sweep of Carolina and the 2019 Stanley Cup Final that the B’s experienced just a couple of years ago. With a veteran team full of players that played through that experience just a few years ago, Bruce Cassidy feels confident the Boston Bruins will respond well to a bit of a lengthy layoff.
“Rest is important. I think we’re a mature enough group, especially if you feel like you’re in it for the long haul, which we do,” said the Boston Bruins bench boss. “You want to close out any series as quickly as you can. It takes away the stress and any possibility of losing, obviously. Guys get to rest up a little bit.”
The added bonus, of course, is that the time off gets the Bruins a little closer to full health. Jeremy Lauzon has returned to practice after being out since Game 1 with a suspected right hand injury, and the extra time gives Kevan Miller (upper body) a better chance of returning at some point during the second round series. Given that the Bruins had very little practice time down the stretch while playing a ridiculous 17 games in the month of April, the hockey club was happy to be able to exhale after a sprint to the regular season finish line playing 23 games in 40 days.
“It’s such a challenging year from the compression overall of the schedule. I honestly believe the time we have right now will be advantageous to us, to have a little bit of a reset,” said Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney. “I think if we can get in [to practice] and stay healthy, we’ll be ready to go for the next round because it’s going to be a hell of a challenge.”
“We’re fortunate that we’re moving on to the next round and be able to take advantage of what looks like as much full capacity as we can within the protocols and what the league will mandate. We need it. The players have gone through tremendous challenges over the course of a year and a half and missing the excitement, having the energy of an incredible fanbase. Hopefully now we can get more fans in our building to fully support them the way that we know all Bruins fans will do.”
As Sweeney reference, the Boston Bruins also used the six days off to schedule second vaccine shots for a large group of their players and anticipate being at the 85 percent fully vaccinated threshold within the next couple of weeks. It means great freedom from the NHL’s COVID Protocols for the players and it also means that the TD Garden will be opening to “close to full capacity” this weekend for the start of the second round series.
And that has everybody excited from Bruins players, to fans and to employees at TD Garden that have been waiting all season for light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.
“Maybe this can show everybody that life is returning to somewhat normal. It’s been, as we all have experienced, it’s been a very strange 14 or 15 months here,” said Boston Bruins President Cam Neely. “It does bring so much more energy and excitement when there are fans in the building, especially at playoff time.”
The Boston Bruins still have one optional practice on Friday ahead of this weekend’s season opener, but they are rested, fine-tuned after a couple of good days of practice on the ice and totally jacked up at the thought of 1214376 Boston Bruins What’s the Bruins X factor? Current player: It’s got to be (Taylor) Hall. He’s given that line with
(David) Krejci and (Craig) Smith a huge boost. That top line is going to do Who has the edge in a Bruins-Islanders series? Our panel of anonymous what it always does, you really just have to limit the damage, but if they experts breaks it all down can come right behind it with a line that’s generating just as much that’s a lot for the Islanders to handle.
Scout: I think the biggest surprise for some people who watch the By Arthur Staple May 28, 2021 Islanders a lot will be how the Bruins can match their physicality. The Caps are a tough, tough team and I thought the Bruins “out-physicaled”
Wash in that series, they took a few of their key guys out of the picture Our panel — a current East Division player, a former Eastern Conference with that. (Chris) Wagner, (Sean) Kuraly, (Nick) Ritchie — those guys are NHLer, a Western Conference scout who covers the East and a public going to try and do what the Islanders do. If they do it well, that’s a data analyst — was pretty on target for Islanders-Penguins. It’s fair to say problem. no one saw how the Islanders would overcome Pittsburgh, with rookie Predictions? goalie Ilya Sorokin stepping in to lead the way and Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry ruining his team’s chances. Current player: I’ll go Bruins in seven. It’s basically a coin flip for me. If the big boys on Boston get going that probably gives them an edge no Nevertheless, we’ve reconvened the gang to preview Isles-Bruins. Let’s matter what the Islanders are doing, but I love that (Anthony) Beauvillier- see what they had to say: (Brock) Nelson-(Josh) Bailey line and they lit it up the last few games Who has the edge here? against Pitt. If the Islanders get their lines rolling and do what they do best, there’s basically nothing between these two. Scout: I’m probably giving the Bruins a slight edge, but very slight. People I think really underrate how well Tuukka Rask performs for Scout: Bruins in seven. It’s such a compelling series. Both teams have Boston and he was really sharp against Washington. They have three three lines that can score, though you’d like to see (Oliver) Wahlstrom lines that can score and so do the Islanders, so it’s a toss-up, really, with come back and give them some balance. I did like what (Travis) Zajac maybe just a small edge to the Bruins. did in Game 6 but Wahlstrom gives them a real threat. The goaltending is pretty even. Maybe if the Isles’ second and third D pairs can’t contain Current player: It’s going to be tight, no doubt. The Bruins really look like Krejci’s line or (Charlie) Coyle’s line that’s an issue that can’t be fixed in a they’re hitting their stride, that was a heck of a series they played against seven-game series. But it feels like there’s no way it’s going to be a short the Caps but the Islanders are just a fine-tuned machine — you expect one. them to play well this time of year and they did. These teams are built pretty similar so it could honestly fall either way. Former player: Bruins in six. I love the Islanders game, they are built for the long playoff haul but I just didn’t see enough good from them last Former player: I’m probably leaning Bruins here, mostly based on how round to make me feel like they’ve got what it takes this year. the teams looked last round. The Islanders won their series and they had some really good parts of their game, but the Bruins looked dominant at Data analyst: Bruins in six. The Islanders got five low-danger goals last times to me. In such a tight matchup I think that gives them the edge. round and won two games basically as a result. That doesn’t seem likely to happen here. Data analyst: Last round I said that you’d take a top-five defensive team over a top-five offensive team any day and the Islanders made that true The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 again, though with some caveats since the Penguins handed them a couple games. The Bruins were middle of the pack in terms of team defense this regular season, which is lower than you’d expect from them. They really shut down the Caps, though — just 18 high-danger chances for Washington in those five games at five-on-five. If the Bruins are that stingy defensively that they can match what the Islanders do you probably give Boston the edge going in.
Can Sorokin be the X factor again?
Scout: He was outstanding against Pitt but I can’t help thinking they’re going to need (Semyon) Varlamov before this series is over. You definitely wondered about Varlamov’s health after Game 3, he just doesn’t give up five like that without something being wrong. So if he’s healthy enough, I think they’re going to need both guys to win this one. That was always going to be a strength for the Islanders — you need two guys to go 3-4 rounds nowadays. So I’m not sleeping on seeing Varlamov come back.
Current player: Even if he’s not standing on his head again, the fact that Sorokin’s their No. 2 guy is a huge advantage. Boston has their kid (rookie Jeremy Swayman) and (Jaro) Halak, but if Rask doesn’t play well or gets hurt, it’s a big drop off. With the Islanders, they’ve got a guy in Varlamov who was lights out last playoffs and now this guy who won them a series.
Former player: I focused on the goalies last series and look how that worked out! This one, it’s real interesting with Sorokin. Every goalie’s second lap around the league is tougher than their first and he’s still on his first lap. That should help him. I can’t help but think when I watch him though: He makes himself look real small at times in the net. Side to side he’s terrific, but he doesn’t make himself big. I wonder if the Bruins forwards will give him more problems than the Penguins forwards did.
Data analyst: His numbers were good but even just watching, there was some luck involved — think about that Game 5 save in overtime (on Freddy Gaudreau’s deflection). You need that in the playoffs. It’s hard to get a full read on a player with so little data and video. The Bruins don’t have the most developed pre-scouting department so that may play a part. 1214377 Boston Bruins Alas for the Bruins, Mike Bossy was having one of his Mike Bossy seasons. Having scored 60 goals during the regular season — he did that five times in his career before knee and back injuries forced him to end his brilliant career at age 30 — Bossy went on a tear against the Bruins, Islanders about to explore one of the quietest areas of the Bruins. He scored nine goals in the series, four of them coming in an Boston-New York rivalry easy 8-4 Islanders victory in the clinching Game 6.
Boston’s last goal of the series — which makes it the last time a Bruin scored against the Islanders in the Stanley Cup playoffs — was a power- By Steve Buckley May 28, 2021 play tally by Middleton in the second period.
“The wild card was that the Islanders had won three Cups already,” said It took more than three weeks of negotiations — and a whole lot of finger- Middleton. “They knew how to win. We did as well, but the Islanders pointing, accusations and denials — but on January 27, 2000, the New really turned it on in the playoffs.” York Jets and New England Patriots finally agreed to a deal that would The Islanders also bumped off the Bruins in the 1979-80 Stanley Cup allow Bill Belichick to get the hell out of the Meadowlands and become playoffs, this time in five games in the quarter-finals. From there, the Isles the Pats’ new head coach. won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history by defeating the Such was the acrimony leading up to the announcement — who could Philadelphia Flyers in six games. forget Belichick resigning as “HC of the NYJ” — that Bill Parcells, head of Maybe if you’re an Islanders fan, then, you can be buoyed by the football operations for the Jets, tried to pretty things up by proclaiming, knowledge that two of the Isles’ Stanley Cup runs have gone through “The Border War is over.” Boston. Which of course it wasn’t. But … nah. And never will be. Maybe if you’re a Bruins fan, you can root for your guys to win one for Whether it’s Pats vs. Jets, Pats vs. Giants, Celtics vs. Knicks or Middleton, Bourque and the other veterans from ’80 and ’83. (especially) Red Sox vs. Yankees, the Boston-New York thing has been But … nah. Subplot Central for more than a century. From the Babe Ruth sale to the Kyrie Irving saga that’s been playing out during the Celtics-Brooklyn Nets There’s just no real history between the Bruins and Islanders. Perhaps playoff series, there’s usually a non-game related Boston-New York that’ll be the saving grace of this series: with no scores to settle, no contretemps to dissect and analyze. slights to be avenged, no curses to overcome, the 2020-21 Bruins and the 2020-21 Islanders can make some history of their own. But not always. Which brings us to the Bruins’ second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the New York Islanders that gets underway with The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 Game 1 Saturday night at TD Garden.
What we have here, friends, is fertile ground for our forever Boston-New York Border War. And before we continue, yes, I’m counting the Islanders as a New York team. It’s about as far from Times Square to Nassau Coliseum as it is from Boston Common to Gillette Stadium, so let’s not quibble over technicalities.
Besides, what was it that Islanders fans were chanting as their team was closing out its opening-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins? Ohhhh, right: “We want Boston! We want Boston!” That’s old- fashioned Border War stuff right there, even if Bruins-Islanders hasn’t contributed much to it over the years.
But if you’re in the market for new characters and fresh controversies to be written into the script, this is the series for you. Not only will this be just the third time the Bruins and Islanders have faced each other in the postseason, it’ll be their first showdown in the Cup tourney since 1983. To illustrate just how long ago 1983 was as relates to the Boston-New York Border War, consider this: That was the year newly-installed Giants head coach Bill Parcells promoted Bill Belichick from special teams coach to linebackers coach. The announcement merited barely more than a line or two of agate in the “Transactions” column.
It was also the year the New York Islanders of Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and Billy Smith won their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. And to get to the Cup final, where they erased the emerging Edmonton Oilers in four straight, they defeated a powerhouse edition of the Bruins in six games in the Wales Conference Finals.
The ’82-83 Bruins went 50-20-10 en route to capturing one of the many annoying “Adams Division” banners that were displayed from the rafters at the old Garden. Veteran Rick Middleton scored 49 goals that season, and 21-year-old Barry Pederson netted 46. Keith Crowder had 35 goals. Defenseman Raymond Bourque amassed 73 points, his career high at the time. And there were plenty of veterans, including Mike Milbury, Terry O’Reilly, Wayne Cashman (in his last season) and the Hall of Fame- bound Brad Park. Goaltender Pete Peeters won the Vezina Trophy, which must have been especially pleasing to Bruins coach Gerry Cheevers, who was between the pipes when the B’s won the Stanley Cup in 1970 and ’72.
“We had a very good team that year,” said Middleton, 67, president of the Bruins Alumni Association. “We had five All-Stars that year — Barry, myself, Ray (Bourque), Pete Peeters and Mike O’Connell. We just thought that was our year. We were very confident going in.” 1214378 Boston Bruins It is more fun to eat rocks than absorb punishment from Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. All three arrive with ferocity. The unit is critical to establishing a forecheck, causing turnovers and giving the Islanders momentum. Bruins pre-scout: 6 Islanders pressure points they could target They cannot hit, however, if the puck is gone.
Mike Reilly played in the last three regular-season games against the By Fluto Shinzawa May 28, 2021 Islanders. It may not have been a coincidence that the Bruins won all three with help from Reilly’s puck-moving touch. Reilly assisted on one of
the Bruins’ three goals against Sorokin by advancing deep into the corner The Islanders dispatched the Penguins in Game 6 on Wednesday to and setting up David Pastrnak. advance to the second round of the playoffs. Bruce Cassidy was “One pass can beat one or two guys,” Reilly said. “That’ll be for sure the watching. goal with those other lines too. Play quick. If you’re doing that, moving “You’re looking at systems, adjustments,” the Bruins coach said. “Who the puck quick, they’re not going to be able to be faster than the puck. A are the coaches putting out on the ice in certain situations — starting lot of the defensemen do a good job with that — make a good first pass, games, after a goal? Are they double-shifting a line that’s going well? Are try to beat a guy, suck a guy in, jump in a hole and maybe be a late they sitting some players? That’s how you look at it: the big picture. Is it attacker. If we can just try to do that and keep the puck going, I think we physical? Are they finishing checks on a regular basis? Are they trying to can be successful. Those guys are as physical as any line in the league.” play with pace? There’s little things you’re looking for through the ebb 3. Sorokin is inexperienced and flow of the game while you’re watching the game live.” The 2014 third-round pick has just four playoff appearances. Games 1 Earlier on Wednesday, assistant coaches Kevin Dean, Jay Pandolfo and and 2 will be at a nearly capacity TD Garden. There is no telling how a Joe Sacco, along with goalie coach Bob Essensa, huddled over their rookie goalie will perform before an almost-full hostile crowd for the first laptops to study clips compiled by video coordinator Mat Myers and time in his NHL career. assistant video coordinator Sean Andrake. The coaches reviewed their respective specialities — defense, power play and five-on-five offense, 4. An incomplete No. 1 line penalty kill, goaltending — from the eight regular-season meetings between the Bruins and Islanders. The Bruins were 3-3-2 against their Leo Komarov is a pain in the neck. He has a postseason history, while Long Island adversaries. with Toronto, of getting Brad Marchand to cross the line.
On Thursday, the staff assembled to go over all their intelligence and But Komarov (one goal and seven assists in 33 regular-season games) prepare their game plan for Round 2 of the postseason. The players got plays at a different gear than linemates Mathew Barzal (17 goals and 28 their first peek at Islanders clips before their 11 a.m. practice at Warrior assists in 55 games) and Jordan Eberle (16 goals and 17 assists in 55 Ice Arena. In some ways, they were watching themselves. games). If Cassidy uses Matt Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy at home against the first line, they will not have to worry as much about silencing “They’re a patient team,” Cassidy said. “They defend well. We saw it in Komarov. Their priority will be reducing Barzal’s time and space to the first series. Two good goaltenders. They had to go to their Plan B and freelance with the puck and closing on Eberle’s rapid release. he won them all four games. It doesn’t matter who they put in there. They’re going to get good goaltending. I think they have a lot of our 5. A conservative penalty kill attributes. They want to be structured. They want to play with discipline. Washington was aggressive in Round 1. At times, the Bruins had trouble They have good goaltending. Their D, they certainly want to get involved, gaining entries and clicking into their preferred sets. The Islanders pack but they want to play D first. They’ve got different lines that can hurt you. the house more and cede the outer limits of the offensive zone. In that regard, we’re playing ourselves, a little bit.” This makes it difficult to get shots through and complete seam passes. Ilya Sorokin was masterful in Round 1. Semyon Varlamov’s backup Bergeron will not have much room in the bumper. But McAvoy, Pastrnak posted a .943 save percentage, just a shade higher than Tuukka Rask and David Krejci should have more opportunities to handle pucks at the (.941). He was square to pucks, fast on east-west sequences, electric points and outwait the Islanders. with his pads. 6. Barzal can get frustrated The Bruins had two regular-season looks at Sorokin. They got two pucks past the 25-year-old and added an empty-netter on April 16 in a 3-0 win. The right-shot center is dazzling with the puck in open ice. But he can go Sorokin relieved an injured Varlamov in the third period on May 10. quiet when opponents limit his touches. Like all dynamo centers, Barzal Taylor Hall beat Sorokin in overtime to give the Bruins a 3-2 victory. is least effective when he’s chasing pucks instead of controlling them. If the Bruins use Grzelcyk and McAvoy along with the No. 1 line against The Islanders were thorough in front of Sorokin in their closeout game. Barzal, chances are they’ll be possessing the puck. They played typical Barry Trotz hockey: airtight in their defensive zone, structured with a high forward in the offensive zone, stifling in center ice. The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 The worker bees stuck with their hive mind.
‘When we go off individually, we’re not that good,” the Islanders coach said. “But when everybody stays on task, a lot can get accomplished with a group. I’ve said it to probably every team I’ve had: ‘You want to go somewhere fast, go by yourself. You want to go somewhere far, go with a group.’”
The Islanders will be a handful. But they have areas to pressure. Here are six:
1. Defensive mobility
Nick Leddy is an experienced puck-rusher. Noah Dobson, their power- play quarterback, walks the blue line well. But overall, the six-pack relies on positioning, strength, support from their collapsing forwards and good sticks. Foot speed is not their priority.
“Put some pressure on their D. There’s no doubt,” Cassidy said of his preference. “I thought earlier in the year, the games got away from us as much as what we did as what they did. The later games here at home, I thought we managed pucks better. We didn’t try to force the issue in games that were tight.”
2. An aggressive fourth line 1214379 Boston Bruins boasting top five goaltending, that likely would’ve been a key path to victory for New York.
Things have changed since the deadline. Boston had a much more 2021 NHL playoff preview: Bruins vs. Islanders normal 8.3 percent shooting percentage and turned into an offensive powerhouse thanks to its shot volume game. An average shooting percentage may not seem that threatening, but when a team is always in the offensive zone it’s a major problem. The Bruins were the league’s top By Dom Luszczyszyn May 28, 2021 expected goals percentage team down the stretch, earning a top-five offence to match its sterling defence. That’s carried over to the playoffs where the team’s shooting percentage ranks second, though that looks If defence wins championships then the East Division finals combatants sustainable given the team’s expected goals for rate. should be of no surprise to anyone. For years, the Bruins and Islanders have made it their personal missions to stifle opponents and frustrate The Islanders? Not so much. The team does focus on quality as them into oblivion with their defensive prowess. Now, they meet their evidenced by its expected rate being higher than its pure shot attempt match … or so it would seem. rate. That may not even do it justice given the team’s ability to complete and capitalize on cross-seam passes. The issue for the Islanders is that The Islanders got by the Penguins in a series that looked like it would be Tristan Jarry will not be leading the Bruins on the ice. It’ll be someone very close. But the Bruins are a new beast thanks to their savvy deadline much better. That makes it difficult to expect the team to replicate the additions. It’s hard to argue any team has played better hockey than stunning 11 percent shooting percentage from the first round that drove Boston over the last month or so while there have been legitimate cracks the team’s playoff-best offence. I know Islanders fans hate this sentence, in the Islanders’ armour over the same stretch. but regression is likely. It’ll be even harder to get chances against Boston’s stingy defence, which was even better at suppressing shots in The series odds from the model reflect that, expecting the Bruins to the playoffs compared to the regular season. The Capitals, a better deliver something similar to what they did in Round 1: a win in five offensive team than the Islanders, really struggled. games. This has the makings of a strong defensive matchup, but the Bruins have Series Odds the Islanders beat there and the other problem is that their offence will Matchup adjustment takes into account each player’s Game Score likely be overwhelmingly stronger. The Islanders have the ability to hang against this specific opponent as well as his Game Score over the last six with Boston and make things interesting, but that version of the team weeks. hasn’t shown up as often since losing Anders Lee. The one before that was a real contender, a team that was top five in expected goals That’s the most likely outcome at 26 percent, but any Bruins win looks percentage all season. The one after has survived off “bend don’t break” likelier than any Islanders win. This series, according to the model, is and that can work for a little bit, but it’ll be a difficult strategy against a very lopsided. It will be very difficult for the Islanders to eke out a victory. team as relentless as Boston. Not impossible, but very difficult. On special teams, both teams have really strong penalty kills, but New To the Islanders fans already sprinting to their garage to grab a pitchfork, York’s did struggle in the first round while their power play was anemic. let me at least explain what’s going on here. After that, feel absolutely That too looks to be an advantage for Boston. free to go nuts in the comments to get all your anger out, print a picture of my face and put it on a dartboard — whatever makes it all better, as It’ll take a full team effort from New York to take Boston down, and that long as you remember that I do not hate this team or any team for that starts with figuring out how to stop Boston’s ridiculous top six. matter. And just know the longer the odds, the sweeter it will be to shove Roster Breakdown in my face if that 20 percent comes true. Matchup adjustment takes into account each player’s Game Score That 20 percent is largely a result of two key adjustments: the against this specific opponent as well as his Game Score over the last six matchup/recency effect and goaltending. Both hurt the Islanders. With weeks. The numbers may be slightly skewed as a result of ice-time Semyon Varlamov in net, New York’s chances would be five percentage allocation. points higher. Without the matchup/recency adjustment, the team’s chances would be nine percentage points higher. Essentially, this series Boston’s top line remains the focal point of every Bruins-related preview. would be a 66/34 series, which is likely a lot easier to buy (especially The trio of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak is the considering it’s closer to market price). I’m sure most Islanders fans straw that stirs the drink for the Bruins. They’ve played great all season, would agree the Bruins should be decently favoured and 66 percent but they took their territorial dominance to new heights in the first round would be understandable — but 80 percent is absolutely pitchfork- against Washington, earning a 72.5 percent expected goals rate grabbing season. together, which is second to only Toronto’s top line at time of writing (they may have dropped after Game 5). The trio may not have lit up the We’ll get to the goalie debate with the roster breakdown, but so far the scoresheet, but their ability to control the game was incredibly difficult to matchup/recency adjustment has been very worthwhile. The teams that ignore. They owned the puck, giving Washington very little to work with have come in hot have stayed hot while the teams that matched up well during the series — even less so than usual. During the season the line during the season have mostly continued that trend — win or lose. was closer to 64 percent. Unfortunately for the Islanders, there are a few signs in that vein that Things should get tougher for them in this series, though, as the point toward the Bruins. Islanders are much better situated to slow down the top line. Not shut Season Stats down, but slow down. During the season series, Boston’s top line still controlled play, but it was to a lesser degree at around 58 percent. Matchup-wise, it’s not about wins. The Islanders won five of eight Continuing that trend will be critical for the Islanders, as will stopping contests against Boston this season and while that is encouraging toward them on the power play. the team’s goal of winning four of seven here, it feels unlikely a playoff series will play out in the same way. The Islanders did that well to start the season series, beating the Bruins in five straight, but again, this is a different Bruins team. The two teams At five-on-five there are three key numbers that tell the story and one of went head-to-head three times after the deadline and the Bruins came them is not like the other. The Bruins had 57 percent of the shot out ahead each time. For a team as deep as the Islanders, stopping a attempts, 56 percent of the expected goals and … 44 percent of the one-line team didn’t seem all that troubling, but Boston’s second line is a actual goals. Boston carried the run of play heavily throughout, but it’s game-changer that has tipped the scales. Now, it’s not just one super- hard for any team to win a majority of games scoring on only 5 percent of charged top line to worry about, it’s two. It’s a matchup nightmare. It’s their shots. That was the difference. hard enough to slow down the top line, but now teams also have to worry Two months ago, that would’ve been incredibly worrisome for Boston. It about David Krejci, Craig Smith and Taylor Hall. wasn’t just the Islanders the team couldn’t score against — they couldn’t Hall has predictably been the best deadline addition for any team and score against anyone. The Bruins finished 30th in five-on-five shooting he’s single-handedly changed the team’s complexion. In 16 games percentage during the season at just 7 percent and with the Islanders before the playoffs, Hall had 14 points and elevated the second line to juggernaut status. In 180 minutes together, they outscored opponents by One of the reasons for that is the Bruins’ top pair, mainly their No. 1 a stunning margin of 13-1 and earned a 68 percent expected goals rate. defenceman Charlie McAvoy. Barzal may have avoided the forward He’s been a perfect fit next to Krejci and Smith, forming what looks to be matchup decently, but he couldn’t avoid the stud shutdown defenceman a nearly unstoppable trio. Hall was a big part of the three Bruins wins on the other side — the second most frequent skater he matched up over the Islanders since his arrival, scoring four goals while earning a 81 against this season. The duo went head-to-head for 56 minutes this percent expected goals rate. On paper, that second line is a huge hurdle season and Barzal only mustered a 42 percent expected goals rate to clear. against him.
It looked that way in the Pittsburgh series, too, the difference was McAvoy has a way of doing that against everyone he plays against and chemistry and fit. As noted in that series preview, Evgeni Malkin and he’s legitimately one of the league’s best defencemen. He’s elite Jason Zucker just didn’t work this season and they continued not to work defensively and an excellent puck-mover, which creates incredible five- during the playoffs. The Islanders exposed that weakness well. The on-five impacts regardless of who is his partner. It’s difficult to find Bruins’ second line is different because the trio fit together perfectly and someone who can drive a pair on his own, but McAvoy is that player, have already proved how well they can work together. The Islanders which contributes to his lofty GSVA rating. That’s a major issue for the themselves have seen it first-hand already. Islanders; they may have an elite defence pair of their own, but they happen to be playing one of the few teams with an even better one. That gives the team two top lines to game plan for and well, New York’s During the regular season, Matt Grzelcyk and McAvoy owned the puck, defence corps doesn’t look well-equipped for that. earning a 66 percent expected goals rate and that manifested in the The Islanders have Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech, arguably the NHL’s playoffs with a near-identical ratio. It’s yet another area that’s advantage best shutdown duo, but they only have one of each. The top pair will be Bruins. He was at 70 percent against Washington, giving Boston four tasked with the top line, but can Nick Leddy and Scott Mayfield really be such players during the playoffs. trusted with that tough second-line assignment? The Bruins advantages skew toward the top of the lineup and are fairly During the season there was a sizeable chasm in play-driving ability overwhelming. The top six is collectively worth 20.6 wins while New between the top two pairs. Together, Pulock and Pelech were excellent, York’s is just 8.9 wins. The top pairs are both elite, but Boston’s is still a earning a 61.6 percent expected goals share and 61 percent of the actual step above. The top of the lineup is the most important part of any roster goals. That’s elite and was among the highest marks in the league. and in this series the two teams simply aren’t close. That should lead to a Leddy and Mayfield were at 52 percent and 50.9 percent, respectively. massive discrepancy in five-on-five play, especially if the Islanders’ Solid numbers, but a big difference that will likely be exposed against a second line continues to get out-chanced the way they did against team that has a high octane second line. During the season series, the Pittsburgh. They may have been very productive, but the 34 percent duo had a 33 percent expected goals rate that was likely highly expected goals rate is alarming. influenced by the final three games where Hall and company eviscerated But if the Islanders can find a way to neutralize Boston’s top end talent to them. It’s hard not to expect similar results here. a manageable degree, there’s a legitimate path to victory. It’s an unlikely Perhaps the bigger problem is that the top pair also lost their matchup by path due to how difficult it will be to slow down Boston’s top six and top a large margin. That was implied by the Bruins top line being at 58 pair, but after that, the Bruins do look vulnerable. They’re a very top percent expected goals in the season series, but is confirmed further by heavy team and that can play right into the Islanders’ hands given the the top pair’s numbers mirroring that at 42 percent. Optimistically that team’s main strength is its depth. figure is lower than Boston’s usual dominance from its top line, and while Based on Game Score, Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been the best that’s one way to look at it, it ignores that the Islanders’ top pair has Islanders player in the playoffs with seven points in six games (tied for possession numbers north of 60 percent, too. Theoretically, that should the team lead), a solid expected goals rate relative to the team and a mean that when playing against each other everyone should be pushed plus-five at five-on-five. With eight points in eight games and a 53 closer to 50 percent. That’s not what happened and it’s another matchup percent expected goals rate, he was also the best Islanders player during the Islanders lost and look likely to lose in this series. the season series. He was a playoff hero last season and he may be Likely doesn’t mean impossible, but it means one of the keys for New what drives an Islanders upset in this series. Kyle Palmieri waking up to York is for the top pair to really step up their games in this series. This is score three goals in the series will help as will rookie sniper Oliver an extremely tough test that they have so far not had a strong answer for. Wahlstrom, assuming he’s healthy and able. Winning the matchup against the Ratatouille line would go an extremely That line really started to click during the playoffs and that could be a big long way in tipping the scales in New York’s favour. The duo had a 57 boost for the Islanders, especially considering the third line on the other percent goals rate against Pittsburgh, but given the poor expected goals side. Charlie Coyle, Nick Ritchie and Jake DeBrusk were all above rate (43 percent), that probably had more to do with the Jarry experience average in terms of expected goals and had some strong moments than their actual play. The top pair is this team’s identity and in this during Washington. DeBrusk and Ritchie had three points apiece, which series, they’ll need to be at their best. is solid for scoring depth, but all three still have a bit more to prove before That goes for New York’s top line too as the team’s dominance at five- we can ignore the disappointing regular season showing. Coyle on-five with the top pair was usually a result of having Mathew Barzal’s especially. There’s potential here, but for now, it’s an edge the Islanders line on at the same time. It was an incredible five-man unit, one that had have over Boston. an expected goals percentage north of 60 percent regardless of whether Ditto the team’s strong fourth line, a forechecking machine that can make it was Lee or Leo Komarov on the left side during the regular season. life miserable for any matchup. They’re coming off a strong series, which The playoffs have been a different story as they only managed a single cannot be said about a Boston fourth line that looks like a major liability. goal together at five-on-five. Against Pittsburgh, they were the only They don’t earn as much ice time, but when they’re out there it could be Islanders line that was outscored at five-on-five and had just a 43 percent trouble for Boston given their expected goals percentage was under 35 expected goals rate together. That won’t be good enough against percent against Washington. The Islanders really need to capitalize in Boston. those minutes to get Boston’s top six chasing the game. That’s when the During the season series, Barzal had seven points in eight games, which Islanders are usually at their best. is excellent, but those same five-on-five concerns remained. He had a Usually. In the playoffs, especially in the final two games, it felt like the sub-40 percent expected goals rate, but the extra interesting thing is that Islanders were parking the bus a bit more than usual rather than setting wasn’t a result of going up against the top line. Coach Barry Trotz the tempo. That could be problematic against this Bruins team and could actually did his best to keep Barzal away from the top line with Barzal mean that their goaltending comes under siege even more than it did only playing 21:51 of his 110 minutes against Bergeron. That might be against Pittsburgh. This is going to be a challenge for rookie netminder because Trotz didn’t want his best offensive threat neutralized or it might Ilya Sorokin. be because Barzal was outclassed when he did go up against Bergeron. He had a 27 percent expected goals rate against the annual Selke The decision for Sorokin to take over midway through the Penguins contender. In a playoff series, it will be a lot more difficult to hide Barzal series was a stroke of genius by Trotz, one this model doesn’t capture. from that matchup, especially on the road. After a series where he was He looks ready to be The Guy here and was poised under fire against a outplayed at five-on-five, scored zero goals and only added three assists, talented Pittsburgh team. His status as starter drops New York’s series Barzal will need to step up regardless. He has the talent to do so, but the win probability by five percentage points, but it certainly doesn’t feel that Bruins appear to be a difficult matchup for him. way given what we just witnessed in the opening round. It’s a result of his solid, but not overwhelming .918 save percentage and 2.7 goals saved for the season. His save percentage above expected wasn’t nearly as good as Semyon Varlamov’s this season and that plays a role in the model’s perception. It’s a big fan of Varlamov, but still a bit skeptical of Sorokin. It doesn’t account for playoff data either where Sorokin has a .943 save percentage, stopping 1.4 goals above expected with a save percentage above expected equal to Varlamov’s during the regular season. If that’s sustainable, the Islanders’ chances definitely improve.
The problem is that in this series they’ll have to face an actually good goalie in Tuukka Rask, who has a similarly strong .941 save percentage for the playoffs and an even better 2.2 goals saved above expected. Rask’s numbers this season were worse than Sorokin’s, but he has pedigree and was elite last season. That’s accounted for here and it’s why the model gives the Bruins the edge in net analytically. In reality, it may be a lot closer than given credit for here.
The other thing to remember is that the Bruins not only have a backup plan if Rask falters in Jeremy Swayman, they have a backup backup plan with the still capable Jaroslav Halak. The Penguins didn’t have that due to Casey DeSmith’s injury and that meant the Islanders could pick apart Jarry all series. On the off-chance the same happens against Rask, the Bruins won’t have the same issue.
Given the strength in net and on defence and with regard to their puck possession ability — it’s really difficult to see the Islanders scoring anywhere near as prolifically as they did in the last series. Based on the two rosters, it may be a real struggle in this series and may ultimately be their downfall.
The bottom line
Top end talent is the difference. It always is when it comes to any Islanders playoff series. It didn’t matter against Pittsburgh (twice) or Washington and Philadelphia last season. Against Tampa Bay, the team held its own, too. Stylistically, Boston feels like a much more difficult challenge because the Bruins’ game is basically “the Islanders, but better, plus we have three elite offensive talents.”
It’s hard to beat someone at your own game when your best assets aren’t a strength. The Islanders generally thrive because of their top line and top pair, but that’s greatly nullified here. The team has forward depth, but finding anyone to stack up favourably against Boston’s incredible second line is going to be incredibly challenging. Goaltending is usually a strength, too, but it’s hard not to side with Rask here.
The Islanders live to be in this position, ready to prove any doubters wrong. Everyone will have them as underdogs and this model will likely be the harshest of any due to the strong recent play of the Bruins. This series is the lowest probability the Islanders have had in a playoff series in the Trotz era, according to this model. With the way the Bruins are playing, a seemingly unstoppable buzzsaw, it doesn’t feel completely wrong either, even if it is a bit more extreme than expected. Can the Islanders defy the odds once again?
The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214380 Buffalo Sabres The injury began like many minor ailments athletes endure. In preparation for the NHL scouting combine in May 2019, Huglen attempted to deadlift a weighted hex bar when he felt a twinge in his back. He was diagnosed with a bulging disk, which typically requires four Sabres prospect Aaron Huglen's 'surreal' comeback from back surgery to six weeks for recovery.
When the six-week mark passed, Huglen went through several prescribed remedies by three chiropractors, all of which failed. A high- Lance Lysowski May 28, 2021 Updated 11 hrs ago caliber anti-inflammatory medicine alleviated the symptoms, only for them to return a few days later. He received four cortisone shots, but the pain and discomfort persisted. Huglen also underwent an unsuccessful The pain isn’t completely gone for Aaron Huglen. He still experiences the rhizotomy, a surgical procedure in which an electric current is used to dull discomfort in his back after a weekend of hockey. destroy problematic nerve roots in the spinal cord.
It’s become as common to Huglen as the other aches any athlete “When the injury originally happened, we thought that, well, he'll be back experiences during a rigorous five months that included 48 games skating again in maybe a month, maybe two months,” his father said. between the United States Hockey League regular season and playoffs. “And then things drag out. And before, you know, it's cutting into his hockey season, and he ends up missing the whole year. And so, we're Nothing about the root of the problem, or Huglen’s remarkable thinking, boy, is he ever gonna be able to play again, at full speed? So, comeback, are common, though. Huglen, a 20-year-old draft pick of the we had concerns. We were worried.” Buffalo Sabres, is a little more than one year removed from undergoing surgery on his back, specifically a microdisectomy, which is the removal The return of abnormal material that places pressure on a nerve root or the spinal cord. Fifteen months following the injury, in August 2020, Huglen returned to the ice. The pain was overwhelming. Fearing a setback, he chose to stop The lingering effects of the procedure remain, for now. But the two weeks skating and diligently worked through his prescribed physical therapy in bed post-operation and having his passion ripped from him at such a workouts. young age, will never leave Huglen. Huglen wanted to keep his skills sharp, so he’d step on the ice to “You know, hockey is not everything to me, but it's obviously a big part of stickhandle. His muscle memory didn’t fail him. The instincts weren’t my life,” the talented center told The Buffalo News. “So, it was fun to be gone. Neither were the skills that helped him score 40 goals between his able to do what I love again.” junior and senior seasons at Roseau High School in Roseau, Minn., a hockey-mad town that’s won the second-most state boys hockey Returning to the ice was a feat in and of itself. Huglen, a fourth-round championships and is located only 10 miles from the Canada border. draft choice of the Sabres in 2019, surpassed even his own loftiest expectations this season by earning co-MVP honors for the USHL’s When December arrived and the Force’s season was near, Huglen Fargo Force, helping his team reach the league’s championship series. decided to put on his skates and pads for another comeback attempt. The pain, albeit not excruciating, was present. He chose to continue. Only six months ago, Huglen was faced with a decision: skate through pain to attempt a comeback after missing the 2019-20 season or “I wasn’t sure how long I was going to be able to tolerate it or what but continue to wait for the sensation to disappear. Huglen proceeded to that was a point when I kind of made the decision to go for it,” said show why he was considered a future NHL player by former Sabres Huglen. “It had been so long. And I honestly felt like I had nothing to General Manager Jason Botterill. lose.”
Thanks to their age and production, Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart lead Following weeks of on-ice training, the call came. Huglen was told by his the way into the future for the Buffalo Sabres, even if General Manager coach, Pierre-Paul Lamoureux, that he could return to game action if he Kevyn Adams may have trade offers and new contracts to consider. Add felt comfortable. Mike and Brenda traveled down Interstate 29 to Fargo, in the potential of players such as Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt, Jack where, on Jan. 2, they watched Aaron score a goal in his first game since Quinn, Rasmus Dahlin and two goalies, and the cupboard is far from April 16, 2019. bare in Buffalo. “That was a really exciting time,” said Aaron. “It had been so long. I didn't Ben Tsujimoto know how it would go either, because I hadn't been playing for so long. I was just gonna go out there and have fun. That's what I did and ended “We're very proud of him,” said Mike Huglen, Aaron’s father. “We've up doing pretty well. It was a really surreal time. A lot of fun.” always known he's had very good hockey skill. And since he was a young kid, he was making some great plays here and there in games, but Huglen still had to be cautious. He rested for a few days following a once he faced this adversity, a kind of a threat to his continued ability to compressed stretch of games because the dull pain would return. Yet, for play and watching him through that and do what he needed to do as far all that Huglen endured, he finished the regular season with 15 goals and as his rehab exercises, I feel like he's really worked at it to get himself 20 assists for 35 points in 39 games. He added eight points, including back to where he was.” three goals, in nine playoff games during the Force’s run to the Clark Cup, where they lost to the Chicago Steel five games. 'We were worried' Huglen is back home with family, awaiting a checkup appointment with Aaron Huglen was warned that he would need help getting out of bed for doctors. He’ll then enroll at the University of Minnesota, where he’ll play approximately two weeks after the surgery last May, yet requiring hockey for the Golden Gophers. It wasn’t the path he intended, but it’s assistance from his parents, Mike and Brenda, was difficult. one that did not derail his promising career. Aaron wondered if he would ever play hockey again. The thought of “I think I'm close,” Huglen said. “I had a better season than I would have competing seemed unfathomable at the time. His days in bed were spent anticipated after missing so much time and I was thankful for that. But I'm reading and reminding himself that patience was the only path toward excited to get a summer of training and hit the weights a little bit, which I returning to the ice. haven't been able to do for so long. After that, I'll hopefully be feeling Then came physical therapy. Three sessions per week that began with 100% back to normal.” basic walking and progressed into half-squats. Huglen also had Buffalo News LOADED: 05.29.2021 exercises to perform on his own, movements designed to address localized weakness and maximize return of function.
“Honestly, it was pretty discouraging, not being able to get out of bed for two weeks,” recalled Huglen. “I was trying to be careful with it, too, but I got a lot of help from family. It was definitely different not being able to do all the things you could do. You always have doubts. I doubted a few times – like, if I could make a return. But I just had to stick with it.” 1214381 Calgary Flames “Since we haven’t really been on the ice, it was something we were trying to focus on: Getting pucks to the net and making a simple pass and making a simple play.”
Calgary's Team Scotiabank steps up at PWHPA Secret Dream Gap Tour Team Scotiabank won’t be playing in Sunday’s final at the Saddledome. Three losses in three games means they’re out of contention. They will, however, play against the Toronto-based Team Sonnet in one final game on Saturday. Daniel Austin For a group of athletes that’s been desperate for ice time, that’s Publishing date:May 28, 2021 • 2 hours ago something.
“We may not be playing in the final, but (Saturday) is the last game we’ll It should come as absolutely no surprise to anybody that actually skating, play for who knows how long, so that’s our gold-medal game,” Mikkelson practising and playing together is good for hockey teams. said. “Anyone who’s watching can expect to see Team Scotiabank come and play hard and battle.” That is completely and totally obvious. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 05.29.2021 For anyone who – inexplicably – denies that, we present to you Team Scotiabank.
The Calgary representatives at the PWHPA Secret Dream Gap Tour were barely able to practise together prior to this week’s three-team tournament in their hometown. That hurt.
They were defeated 6-1 in their opening game by a Team Bauer (Montreal) team that had been working together for months. The Calgary crew’s second game saw them fall 8-3 to the Toronto-based Team Sonnet.
That was earlier in the week, though.
On Friday, Team Scotiabank took to the ice for a rematch against Team Bauer. They ended up losing 4-3, but looked like an entirely different group than the one that had struggled so badly on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The improvement was real.
“I think every single day we’ve gotten better. That was our goal here,” said Meaghan Mikkelson, the veteran Team Canada defender. “We knew coming in that we had five or six players on our entire team who had even touched the ice since November and you look at a team like Montreal, they’ve been skating all year long. Even Toronto has, like, 13 national team members.
“I think coming in, our goal was to get better each and every day and we really showed that today. For us to come out and play the way we did today and give ourselves a chance to win that hockey game against a team that’s been skating five times a week, all year long, I think we did a great job.”
To be clear, the lack of practice time wasn’t being used as an excuse. It is an explanation for Team Scotiabank’s slow start to the week-long showcase for Canadian women’s hockey in Calgary, though.
COVID-19 restrictions prevented the group of Calgary-based players from putting in real work on the ice together, and that meant there was a lot of team-building that needed to be done in a very short period of time.
There were signs on Friday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome, though, that they’d already begun to find some chemistry.
The Montreal team is no joke, and goals from Kristin O’Neill, Alexandra Labelle and Marie-Philip Poulin put them ahead 3-1 in the second period. Rebecca Johnston scored the opener for Calgary.
With the way their first two games had gone this week, it would have been understandable if the Calgarians had hung their heads and accepted another loss.
Instead, they stormed back.
First, Blayre Turnbull finished off a nice pass from Johnston – who was outstanding all afternoon – to draw Team Scotiabank to within one. Then, the excellent 24-year-old Sarah Potomak tied things up in the third period.
Ultimately, a goal from Jessie Elridge would give Montreal the 4-3 lead they would never relinquish, but the pushback alone was enough to show how much progress the Calgary squad has made this week.
“I think it’s huge,” Johnston said. “The last couple games, once they got a goal and then two goals, we’d get a little bit deflated and it turned into more and more. I think for us, today was a new day and we wanted to take a new approach and keep it simple. 1214382 Calgary Flames to make the team better and to just make a difference out there,” Pettersen said. “I feel like in a lot of games this year, we did a good job of sticking to it. For myself, I just wanted to make sure I was bringing what I could bring every game. And throughout the year, I felt like I did a pretty Flames prospect Pettersen proud to represent Norway on world stage consistent job, although sometimes making mistakes and just learning from it really.
“For me, it was really just about playing consistent each game. Even if I Jeffrey Morgan wasn’t getting on the scoresheet, or if I was, I was still kind of looking at Publishing date:May 28, 2021 • 9 hours ago the way I played the game and if I did the little things right. In a tough year team-wise, you just have to look at what you can do yourself and how you can help make the team better through individual stuff. So it was a big learning year, I think.” Emilio Pettersen didn’t need even a nanosecond to ponder this question. The learning, thanks to a call from his country, isn’t done just yet. But before sharing the answer, the Calgary Flames’ forward prospect wanted to make one thing oh-so-clear. You know, just in case the staffers And when he finally gets home for his off-season, maybe he can treat at the Saddledome are reading. himself to a little bit of that milk-chocolatey magic from Freia, Not too much, of course. Pettersen hails from Norway — in fact, he is currently representing his country at the 2021 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Latvia — and is “I felt like I was hitting my groove a little bit at the end of the season,” asked if there are any specific comforts of home that he misses most Pettersen said when he arrived in Latvia. “And I’m excited to show that while spending his winters on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean. here against some really good teams.”
“This is a dangerous one, but I love Norwegian chocolate,” Pettersen Calgary Sun: LOADED: 05.29.2021 replied. “I don’t get it that often, just to put that out there, but definitely if my mom is sending me something, a birthday gift or something like that, I’ll always tell her, ‘If there is anything you could put in there, please sneak some chocolate in.’
“It’s made at a pretty famous factory in Norway called Freia, and it’s just really good. Every time I bring it to my friends over here, they absolutely love it. It’s a big hit. That’s one of my treats, I guess.”
The opportunity to skate in the international spotlight is another sort of treat for the 21-year-old left-winger.
Pettersen just wrapped his rookie campaign with the AHL’s Stockton Heat, finishing fifth in scoring among the farmhands with 14 points.
While he wasn’t one of the up-and-comers asked to stick around the Saddledome in hopes of an end-of-season audition, everybody seemed to agree that the chance to skate for Team Norway would be a developmental bonus for a guy who has turned heads since being selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
“I feel very honoured. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” Pettersen said from Latvia. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been watching worlds and been watching the guys I’m playing with in this tournament. All in all, it’s a dream come true for me. Wearing the jersey never disappoints. It’s the same feeling every time, even in world juniors. It’s pretty amazing and I’m pretty fired up.”
Pettersen scored his first of the tournament in Friday’s showdown with Latvia and although he was denied in the shootout, his squad still emerged with a 4-3 victory via the breakaway competition.
The Norwegians have managed only two Ws — the other a 4-1 triumph over Italy on Sunday — in five games so far, but they’re never an easy out. They proved that yet again in a 4-2 loss to Team Canada on Wednesday, although Pettersen missed that matchup due to a minor injury.
Norway’s next contest comes Saturday against the U.S.
“Obviously, we want to win and to be effective against those top teams, but you have to respect how good they are,” Pettersen said prior to the tournament. “Playing against guys that are doing well in the NHL, that’s a dream come true. And it’s where I want to play one day, so it will be exciting.”
The Flames figure this young left-hander — yet another undersized forward at 5-foot-10 and 180 lb. — is on the right track. He is shooting to become just the ninth gent from Norway to skate into the NHL spotlight.
Pettersen previously put up impressive numbers in his two seasons with the NCAA’s Denver Pioneers, notching 19 goals and 46 assists in 75 games from 2018-20.
He posted six goals and eight assists in 29 contests this winter with the Heat in his welcome-to-pro-hockey, decent pop on a team that had one extended winning streak and then a pile of losses.
“I felt like everything improved — play with the puck, play without the puck, reading the game at a faster pace, reading what I can do on the ice 1214383 Carolina Hurricanes
Here’s when the Hurricanes vs. Lightning NHL playoff series begins and how to watch
BY CHIP ALEXANDER
MAY 28, 2021 01:45 PM,
Who’s ready for more playoff hockey?
The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Game 1 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series at PNC Arena, the NHL announced Friday.
Game 2 also will be played at PNC Arena before the series shifts to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, for Game 3 and Game 4.
The Canes, who won the Central Division, have the home-ice advantage in the series against Tampa Bay, the 2020 Stanley Cup champion. Don Waddell, the Canes’ president and general manager, said Friday that attendance could top 16,000 in the first two games with the possibility of a full building at some point should Carolina continue to advance.
“It’s going to be another expense if we want to take that next step,” Waddell said. “But forget about the expense. If we can do it we’re going to do it because having the building full is very exciting not only for the fans but more importantly the players.”
Waddell, in looking as the financial aspects of being in the playoffs, said there is not as big a gain as many might believe because of the costs involved. “Where you do benefit from the playoffs, and we saw it three years ago, is the season-ticket bump we got the following year,” he added.
The Lightning closed out the Florida Panthers is six games, taking a 4-0 victory in Game 6 on Wednesday. The Canes then followed with a 4-3 overtime win Thursday to clinch their first-round series with the Nashville Predators in six games.
In sizing up the matchup against the Lightning, Waddell said, “You’ve got to try to stay out of the penalty box. I think they’re running about 40 percent on their power play, which is remarkable. The five guys they can put out there to run the power play is pretty darn good, maybe the best.
“Both teams skate very well. I think there will be a good flow to the games. Obviously their goaltending is outstanding. For us ,we’ve got to be ready to play. If we are, it’s going to be a helluva series.”
The Canes were 4-3-1 against the Lightning in the regular season, going 3-1-0 at home. Rookie goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was 2-1-0 against Tampa Bay, with a 1.02 goals-against average and .962 save percentage.
Nedeljkovic started all six playoff games and had 24 saves Thursday in the clincher.
“He doesn’t look like a rookie,”Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the game. “He was solid and that’s what you have to have at this time of year.”
Brind’Amour expressed pride in his team after the six-game series with the Predators, noting their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
“They take a lot of pride in how they play and how they represent each other and our organization,” he said. “You can see it. I think they also are hungry. They’re hungry and they want to win. They know that it takes a lot to win.”
News Observer LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214384 Carolina Hurricanes 2024) were his Mona Lisa. They’re both worth almost twice that much to the Hurricanes now.
Nationally, internationally, Hamilton’s point production has tended to The absence of the indispensable Jaccob Slavin only underlined his inject him into the Norris Trophy conversation in a way Slavin’s quiet value to the Hurricanes excellence does not. That really started to change during the Hurricanes’ playoff run in 2019, when Slavin was introduced to the hockey world at large through his immutable presence.
BY LUKE DECOCK Two years later, his value was only underlined by his absence.
MAY 28, 2021 12:46 PM News Observer LOADED: 05.29.2021
On the first goal, Jaccob Slavin skated forward, getting behind the defense and picking out a wide-open Dougie Hamilton at the back door.
On the second, seven minutes later, Slavin took the shot off a faceoff win that Sebastian Aho tipped past Juuse Saros to end the series.
The Carolina Hurricanes struggled without Slavin in the lineup. With him, they haven’t lost in the playoffs. He set up the two biggest goals of Game 6, completing the comeback to close out the Nashville Predators with a 4-3 overtime win. He made a subtle play to facilitate Jordan Staal’s overtime winner in Game 5.
And that -- all of that -- pales in comparison to his ability to defuse attacks on defense with his positioning or a subtle stick, or the way he makes every player on the ice with him better. On Thursday, he was on the ice for all three Carolina even-strength goals, and scoring chances were 15- 7 in the Hurricanes’ favor with Slavin on the ice. Only Andrei Svechnikov, who has struggled mightily to score in this series, was better.
If there was any doubt about Slavin’s indispensability to the Hurricanes, and there really shouldn’t have been, the three games he missed in this series removed all doubt.
“He goes in the lineup, we didn’t lose, right?” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He’s that important to this team.”
There was a delicate calculus in play here, a balancing of present and future, at heart a gamble. Slavin exited the Hurricanes’ penultimate regular-season game in Nashville for precautionary reasons, then sat out the final one with a “lower body” injury. He played in Game 1, a Carolina win, but sat out the next three.
The Hurricanes lost two of those in double overtime, Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei shouldering an impossible workload in Slavin’s absence as the games stretched out into oblivion, Jake Bean victimized on the Game 3 winner in a situation when he normally would not have been on the ice.
But if those were long games, Slavin was playing the long game all along.
“I think it’s progressing in the right way,” Slavin said. “As much as I hated sitting out those games, I think it was the right move. If we want to make a deep playoff run I want to be healthy in the later rounds as well and not push it too hard. It is feeling good the past two games. I felt good out there. I felt confident in my skating ability.”
The time away may have been necessary, but his return only highlighted how much he was missed. His mere presence lifts the entire team, and not only usual defensive partner Dougie Hamilton, although he probably missed Slavin more than anyone. Hamilton made some critical mental and defensive errors with Slavin out, so costly in a series where every goal was weighted with extraordinary value.
With Slavin back the past two games, Hamilton went from a partial liability to an overall asset, allowed to showcase his skills while obscuring any deficiencies.
But it’s not only Hamilton: Slavin eats up so much difficult ice time, it allows everyone else to slot into more reasonable roles.
“We all know he makes everybody around him better,” Brind’Amour said. “He plays with Dougie most of the time. That’s only going to make Dougie better.”
Ron Francis may have had his failings as a general manager -- an almost pathological unwillingness to make changes and catastrophic misses on goaltenders Eddie Lack and Scott Darling, just to start -- but the extraordinarily reasonable contract extensions he nailed down with Slavin ($5.3 million per year through 2025) and Pesce ($4.0 million through 1214385 Carolina Hurricanes TAILWINDS Nashville held its first and only two-goal lead of the series during
Thursday’s second period. It lasted only 6:02. Of the 434:13 played in the The Hurricanes switched up their lines after warmups. It took another series, the teams were separated by more than a goal for only 18:55. … switch late to win. Aho, held off the scoresheet in games 4 and 5, scored twice Thursday. He’s never gone pointless in three consecutive playoff games. He finished the series with a team-leading seven points (two goals, five assists). ... The Hurricanes outscored the Predators 9-2 in the third BY LUKE DECOCK period in the series. MAY 28, 2021 12:00 PM, News Observer LOADED: 05.29.2021
Was it subterfuge from Rod Brind’Amour? Or did the Carolina Hurricanes coach actually outthink himself? Either way, it ended up working. Eventually.
The Hurricanes went through warmups before Thursday night’s Game 6 with the same lines they’d used for most of the series, but quickly switched to new groupings that put Sebastian Aho between the team’s two in-form wingers, Brock McGinn and Martin Necas, while rearranging all three of the other lines.
That produced two of the Hurricanes’ worst periods of the playoffs, and Brind’Amour switched things up again in the third, one of the Hurricanes’ best. Aho kept McGinn but got Teuvo Teravainen back, and that line accounted for the game-tying and game-winning goals as the Hurricanes eliminated the Nashville Predators in six games with a 4-3 overtime win.
“We had a plan going in,’ Brind’Amour said. “It was just going to see what their matchups were, to be honest. When we saw what they were thinking of doing, we made the change. It didn’t work, obviously, for two periods. Then we changed that up again and that worked. Probably overthought it a little bit, maybe, but that’s coaching.”
FOUR STRAIGHT OVERTIME GAMES
After Jordan Staal scored only 2:03 into overtime Tuesday to win Game 5, the Hurricanes scored quickly again Thursday, with Aho’s tip of a Jaccob Slavin shot coming 1:06 into overtime. That was in stark contrast to games 3 and 4, which went a combined 71:04 with the Predators winning both.
“It was pretty awesome just to not have to play too much longer,” Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton said. “We were all pretty happy about that, I think.”
This series concluded with four straight overtime games, one of only three playoff series ever to have four consecutive OTs. The other two went even further. The Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes started their first-round series with five straight OT games in 2012 and the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens went to OT in all five games of the 1951 Stanley Cup finals.
“Four overtime games, it could have went either way,” Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said. “A bounce here, a bounce there. Obviously, it went their way tonight.”
JORDAN MARTINOOK DELIVERS FOR THE CANES
In critical moments of Game 6, the Hurricanes got a boost from Jordan Martinook, who at one point slid on the ice in front of Alex Nedeljkovic to deny a scoring chance and at another knocked Nashville defenseman Roman Josi out of the game with a big hit in the corner.
Martinook’s physical play was a big catalyst for the Hurricanes as they recovered from a sluggish first period and dismal second to dominate the game in the third.
“Martinook, he was having a good game, all the way through,” Brind’Amour said.
VERY SPECIAL TEAMS
The Hurricanes’ penalty-kill allowed just three power-play goals on 26 Nashville chances in the series, and two of those came with the Predators on a two-man advantage, including the goal that put Nashville up 3-1 in the second Thursday.
Carolina’s power play went 4-for-19, scoring key goals in games 5 and 6. Necas got the Hurricanes on the board after falling behind Tuesday and Aho’s power-play goal late in the second period Thursday gave the Hurricanes a puncher’s chance going into the third. 1214386 Carolina Hurricanes Carey Price of Montreal among goalies who played more than 10 games in the playoffs.
In this year’s Round 1, though, against an equally talented offensive club Scouting the Lightning: What the Canes can expect in the second-round in Florida, his numbers weren’t so gaudy. He’s allowed 16 goals in six playoff series games, a 2.64 GAA. His 16 goals allowed are third-most in the playoffs to date, behind only Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry and Nashville’s Juuse Saros (both of whom have been eliminated). With the Canes top scoring units still finding their footing in these playoffs, this would seem to be a BY JUSTIN PELLETIER favorable matchup, at least for now. MAY 28, 2021 10:37 AM, WHY TAMPA IS IN A DIFFERENT DIVISION
For the past seven seasons, the Hurricanes have played in the Despite the overall parity in the modern National Hockey League, it’s still Metropolitan Division. And for the first five years of that division’s rare for a defending Stanley Cup champion to miss the playoffs the existence, the Canes didn’t finish higher than sixth in the eight-team following season. We’re talking three-times-in-a-16-team-playoff-era rare. grouping. In 2019 and 2020, they were fourth and earned playoff berths under two different formats. It’s no shock that the defending bubble-hockey champion Tampa Bay Lightning is back in the hunt. What it took to get them there — legally — The Lightning, meanwhile, after being in the Southeast Division with was a feat of salary cap gymnastics. Carolina for years, was separated from its former division rivals to form the “Flortheast,” a scrambled Eastern Division that included mostly That the Lightning found a way to stash injured superstar Nikita Kucherov former Adams Division foes, plus Florida teams. So, with scheduling on the long-term injured reserve long enough to postpone his salary cap being what it was, despite Carolina being one of the more geographically hit for a full season is pure genius. Devious, but genius. Against the spirit adjacent NHL cities to Tampa, the teams played far fewer games against of the salary cap rules. But genius. Borderline unfair, but, well, you get each other than in previous seasons. the point. That changed this season, with the teams meeting eight times over 56 But, the Lightning is far more than just Kucherov. The team did make the games. The Canes went 4-3-1 in those games, with Carolina winning the playoffs without him, and they did so also without captain and team most recent of the eight meetings, 4-1 on April 20. lightning rod Steven Stamkos (whom the team had on the long-term injury list last season …). HURRICANES VS. LIGHTNING
So, with a quick turnaround for the Canes this week as they shift their When: Sunday, May 30, 5 p.m. gaze from Music City to the Southeast, here’s what the team will be Where: PNC Arena looking for against Tampa — and what you should, too — starting with Game 1. WATCH: NBCSN
THE BOLTS KNOW HOW TO SCORE News Observer LOADED: 05.29.2021 The one thing you might question when reinserting Kucherov into the lineup is what that could do to the team’s chemistry. The lines had been pretty well established over the 56-game season, and certain players were used to playing with one another.
But adding Kucherov? No problem.
The Lightning leads the league in goals in the playoffs with 24, and the scoring dispersal is pretty even. Brayden Point and Alex Killorn each have four goals for Tampa, Kucherov and Stamkos have three each and Anthony Cirelli, Yanni Gourde, Ondrej Palat and Ross Colton have two apiece. All four lines are represented, which makes matching up against the Lightning tough.
One thing Tampa doesn’t have is a goal from its blue line. Not that it’s seemed to matter so far, but it could. Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev are certainly capable, and Hedman does have eight assists (though seven of those are on the power play), but if the Canes are able to pinch off their forward production there is an avenue to slow down the scoring machine.
JUST HOW GOOD IS THE LIGHTNING ON THE POWER PLAY?
To say that the Tampa Bay Lightning is good on the power play is to say that Luciano Pavarotti is ‘OK’ at singing. Among the 16 teams in the first round, the Lightning is second only to the Avalanche in power-play percentage, clicking at a 40 percent clip. That allowed Tampa to average four goals per game over six games against Florida. A top unit that includes Stamkos, Kucherov, Point, Hedman and Killorn has been fun to watch, even when they haven’t scored (which hasn’t been often).
Part of the series against Nashville that so frustrated the Hurricanes’ faithful was an apparent disparity in penalties (which Nashville coach John Hynes debunked during a news conference between Games 5 and 6). The outlier in an otherwise evenly called series was Game 2, a game in which the Predators did a great job goading the Canes into retaliatory penalties. If the Canes slip and take a spate of penalties against that Tampa power play, that’s trouble.
SURPRISING IN THE CREASE
One of the big pieces of the Lightning’s run to the title a year ago was the play of hulking keeper Andrei Vasilevskiy, who posted a 1.90 goals- against average and a .941 save percentage, which was second only to 1214387 Carolina Hurricanes Aho’s first goal, on a second-period power play, was important. The third period belonged to the Canes, who outshot the Preds 16-5, forcing Saros to make save after save, until Hamilton scored on a set faceoff play, sneaking in alone on the backdoor for a 3-3 tie. Hurricanes close out Nashville but have little time to celebrate. Tampa Bay is next. The Predators were playing shorthanded at that point. They lost their captain, defenseman Roman Josi, after he took a big hit in the third from the Canes’ Jordan Martinook, missing the last 14:30 of regulation.
BY CHIP ALEXANDER “I didn’t think we played (well), especially the first two periods, and obviously Nashville was good,” Aho said. “We weren’t quite there. But the MAY 28, 2021 07:30 AM, third period was an unbelievable effort through the lineup and obviously OT as well. It shows there’s no quit in this team.”
Rod Brind’Amour didn’t have long to celebrate before being hit with the From the time the NHL announced the four-division setup for this season question: what about facing the Tampa Bay Lightning? and with the first two rounds of the playoffs set within the division, the Canes were faced with the prospect of having to face Tampa Bay. The The Carolina Hurricanes had just clinched their first-round Stanley Cup Canes’ goal is to win a Stanley Cup. To do it, they’ll have to go through playoff series with the Nashville Predators, taking a 4-3 victory Thursday the team that held up the Cup last year. in Game 6 on Sebastian Aho’s goal at 1:06 of overtime. Aho was wearing a black T-shirt after the game with “Prove it” on the Aho, getting position on the Preds’ Mikael Granlund in front of the net, front. That’s the Canes’ goal. got a piece of a Jaccob Slavin shot from the left wing to end it. The Canes players poured off the bench for another wild group hug, then News Observer LOADED: 05.29.2021 went through the requisite handshake line with a Predators team that had shown its own resilience in the hard-fought series, twice winning double- overtime games and earning a standing ovation from their fans at Bridgestone Arena.
Then, soon, the Tampa Bay Lightning question.
Brind’Amour broke into a grin as the Canes coach was asked about facing last year’s Stanley Cup champion and how the Canes would match up in the second-round series.
“You didn’t even let me enjoy it for a couple of minutes,” Brind’Amour said.
“You knew if we got through this series, whether it was Florida or Tampa (Bay), for me it was going to be the next best team in the league,” he said. “Either one. Pick ‘em. Stanley Cup champs or I thought Florida played great all year.
“We’re getting the Stanley Cup champs and we know what we’re up against. We’re going to have to be as good as we can to have a chance against these guys, especially now when they’ve kind of got their full group back. It’s a great challenge for us.”
And it could be a challenge for the champs. The Canes were the Central Division winners. The Canes will have the home-ice advantage and play the first two games at home in PNC Arena, where attendance will top 15,000 and the place will rock.
Granted, the Lightning looked impressive in beating the Panthers in six games and are more imposing with a healthy Nikita Kucherov in the lineup and with captain Steven Stamkos also back, rested and playing well.
Matchups? What about Canes rookie goalie Alex Nedeljkovic against the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, who most agree is the best goaltender in the world?
But Nedeljkovic, 25, has seemingly played with a chip on his shoulder all season, as if hell-bent on proving he can be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL. In his first Stanley Cup playoff series, he waged a back-and-forth battle with Juuse Saros of the Predators that was thrilling to watch at times as the two matched dynamic saves.
“He’s been unbelievable,” defenseman Dougie Hamilton said. “He’s got so much confidence. Just a quiet swag to him. I think that helps our team. He’s so calm in the net and plays the puck really well and makes huge saves. It’s easy to play in front of a guy like that.”
Nothing came easily for the Canes in this series. They allowed the Preds to score the first goal of the game too often and played from behind. They had some bad breaks, bad bounces. They lost the two double- overtime games in Game 3 and Game 4.
But they kept battling and did again Thursday in Game 6. Brock McGinn circled the net and beat Saros with blocker-side shot for a 1-1 tie. The Preds built a 3-1 lead on an even-strength goal by Granlund early in the second and then a 5-on-3 power-play goal by Ryan Johansen that had the arena rumbling. 1214388 Carolina Hurricanes But, McGinn said: “We have to do a better job of not putting ourselves in those scenarios.”
News Observer LOADED: 05.29.2021 Playing from behind is a habit the Hurricanes would like to break before Round 2
BY JUSTIN PELLETIER
MAY 28, 2021 06:30 AM,
The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t mean to play from behind all the time, they just … did. It didn’t end up costing them in the first round against the Nashville Predators after they rallied from behind in Game 6 in the wee hours Friday morning.
But it could cost them dearly against a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning — against whom the Canes will begin battling Sunday at 5 p.m. — or any other team remaining in these Stanley Cup playoffs.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour acknowledged multiple times throughout the series, and again after Game 6, that it wasn’t an ideal way to start a game or a period.
“That’s obviously not something we want to keep up,” Brind’Amour said matter-of-factly after the Game 6 win.
And the Canes didn’t fall behind in only one or two games, nor did the quick goal against happen just once in any of the games. This truly was a first-round trend:
• In Game 1, Filip Forsberg gave the Predators a 1-0 lead 12:14 into the game. Teuvo Teravainen equalized 1:27 later.
• In Game 2, the outlier, the game was still tight throughout. Despite a 3-0 final, two of those goals came in the game’s final minute as the Canes’ Alex Nedeljkovic earned his first playoff shutout.
• In Game 3, Ryan Ellis scored for Nashville just 4:35 into the game. The Canes equalized, took the lead, and gave up the lead again, all before the start of the third period, which also started with a quick Nashville goal. Brett Pesce’s late third-period strike forced overtime.
• In Game 4, Luke Kunin made it 1-0 for the Preds just 57 seconds into the game. Ryan Johansen scored early in the second to snap another tie. Both times the Canes equalized, and yet another double-OT game went the home team’s way.
• In Game 5, Yakov Trenin kept the trend alive, though it took a while — nearly 12 minutes — for the Preds to take a 1-0 lead. Trenin added another just 53 seconds into the second, though, in another period with a slow start.
• Thursday in Game 6, with a chance to eliminate the Predators, the Hurricanes once again played from behind. This time, Nick Cousins redirected an Eric Haula slap pass into the cage just 1:44 into the contest. Brock McGinn tied the game for Carolina in the first, but again in the second, Nashville struck quickly, at 1:13.
And with a chance to move on, it was this most recent example that was head-scratcher. Though Brind’Amour was quick to point out that although the Canes fell behind, they also clawed their way back into each one.
“To flip that, we’ll fight back,” Brind’Amour said. “I think that’s the thing. We’re not trying to give up the first goal, but the fact that if we do, it’s not over. I think that’s a real confidence boost to this team moving forward.”
The players have adopted Brind’Amour’s grind-it-out mentality, something he played with, and something he’s obviously coached up among his players.
“We’re a resilient group, we just keep playing no matter what happens,” said defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who scored the third-period equalizer on a set play on an offensive zone faceoff. “We just keep going, keep going, keep going. It’s been like that for a couple of years now.”
Thursday, McGinn picked up the pieces early, netting his third of the playoffs 2:37 after Cousins’ opening marker.
“This series we kind of got behind the eight-ball most of the games, so I think we did a good job of fighting back and not quitting on the games,” McGinn said. 1214389 Carolina Hurricanes though the Lightning have added a dangerous weapon to that, Carolina has the ability to slow it down.
On the other side of things, the Lightning’s usually stingy penalty kill had 2021 NHL playoff preview: Hurricanes vs Lightning some real trouble limiting chances and goals against Florida, while Carolina’s usually strong power play struggled to generate as much against Nashville. Tampa Bay’s power play vs. Carolina’s penalty kill will be an epic battle of strengths, but whichever team figures out the other By Dom Luszczyszyn May 28, 2021 side might hold the overall edge here.
In the end, it probably all comes down to goaltending though. That’s not It’s the playoff series many of us expected from the very start of the something the Hurricanes got much of during the first round, but it was season, and one we’ve been longing for all year: Hurricanes vs. what propelled both teams to the top of the standings this season and is Lightning. Two of the league’s best and most exciting teams square off in what defined the season series. While these two teams may feel like a duel for Central Division supremacy, the defending champions going up high-octane offensive juggernauts, the actual season series only against an on-the-rise team that has finally arrived as a legitimate averaged 4.4 goals per game as a result of identically good goaltending contender. at five-on-five. A .945 or .946 on both sides of the ledger meant both teams scored nearly one goal-per-60 less than expected and both The Hurricanes won the division and were the better team for much of penalty kills did their parts. the year. With the season series being split very evenly you might expect odds closer to 50-50. But while this series is a close one, there is a slant Unless the firepower on both sides awakens, this might turn into another towards the defending champions who are obviously a very different goaltending duel as it has all year between these two teams. Both teams team in these playoffs thanks to the return of their best skater. Tampa have a very strong candidate for the job, a microcosm for the teams as a Bay has the early edge here. whole: the established team/goalie with a winning pedigree going up against a rising team/goalie hungry to dethrone the best. Series Odds Roster Breakdown Matchup adjustment takes into account each player’s Game Score against this specific opponent as well as his Game Score over the last six Matchup adjustment takes into account each player’s Game Score weeks. against this specific opponent as well as his Game Score over the last six weeks. The numbers may be slightly skewed as a result of ice-time The two teams split the series 4-4 with just one goal separating the two, allocation. but Nikita Kucherov is a major X-factor and that was plainly evident in the opening round. He is the difference in this series, adding an extra nine Andrei Vasilevskiy is widely regarded as the best goalie in the world. He percent to Tampa Bay’s series probability. Carolina would be at 49.3 won the Vezina Trophy in 2019 and looks likely to add another to his percent if not for Kucherov, which would’ve made this series just about mantle at the end of this season. He has a large sample size of strong as close as you can get to even odds. play, even if it took until this season for this particular model (which uses data from Evolving Hockey’s expected goals model) to figure that out. Unfortunately for Hurricanes fans, we don’t live on that planet. Kucherov Vasilevskiy finished the season fourth in goals saved above expected at is back and he’s as big of a problem as he’s ever been and that makes 12.7, though he was second in goals saved above average with 21. the road to the semifinals much more arduous. It’s obviously not That’s a strong season that makes him worthy of his lofty GSVA total. impossible, but Carolina is the clear underdog here now, a role that will likely fuel this team. They’re hungry, have a lot of heart, and are ready to And yet, the goalie on the other side, the up-and-coming Alex prove they belong among the league’s elite as a true contender. There’s Nedeljkovic, is just a shade higher and worth 4.2 wins. He has a very no better measuring stick for that than a series against a fully healthy limited sample of 27 career games so the error bars for his projection are Lightning team. significantly larger, but in 23 games this year he saved 13.2 goals above expected. In 19 fewer games, he was half a goal better than Vasilevskiy, Season Stats though Tampa Bay’s netminder has made up the difference in the postseason so far (4.1 goals saved vs. 0.5 for Nedeljkovic). Nedeljkovic Like the Florida series, there isn’t too much to glean from Tampa Bay’s also gave this Lightning team plenty of trouble in particular, allowing only season stats. The Lightning were strong across the board as expected, three goals over three contests and saving 4.8 goals above expected in but their overall numbers weren’t exactly elite. A 53 percent share in those games alone. every major category at five-on-five is good, but it’s not world-beating by any means and obviously pales in comparison to past seasons. It’s also On paper, according to this model, it’s a surprisingly even matchup a fair bit worse than Carolina’s full-season numbers where the between the pipes. I’m a big fan of Vasilevskiy’s game and disagree that Hurricanes were three percentage points better in terms of goals share he’s the lesser choice, but the overall sentiment might not be so far- with the slightest of edges in expected goals share. Combine that with fetched. That sentiment is that goaltending in this series might not be a better special teams numbers on both the power play and penalty kill and lopsided mismatch by any stretch — Nedeljkovic looks like he can hang. it would be fair to call Carolina the better team this past season. There might be much less confidence in what he’s shown to date due to low volume of games, but what he has shown in his short career so far The same goes for the head-to-head matchup. It may have been by the has been very impressive. It’ll be a matter of which goalie brings his best slightest of margins, but Carolina had the edge in goals at five-on-five stuff for this series. and special teams. There was a clear expected goals edge in that latter category too that offers plenty of optimism for Carolina. The Hurricanes Despite the projected rating, the better goalie will still likely be Vasilevskiy have the better shot and expected goal shares at five-on-five during the and going through the two rosters side-by-side reveals a similar feeling of playoffs, but it’s important to remember the differing quality of competition big brother vs. little brother. The Hurricanes are very strong across the there as Florida is a stronger team than Nashville (and looked like a board and look pretty similarly constructed to Tampa Bay, but the tough matchup to the Lightning based on the season series). At even Lightning are just a bit stronger each time. Each team has a loaded top strength this series looks like it should be relatively tight, though how big line with star scorers, but it’s hard not to side with the Lightning. Same of an impact Kucherov has to all those numbers remains to be goes for a secondary scoring second line, as well as a fierce checking determined. line – Tampa has the edge. Defensive depth is in their favour too ever so slightly, even if Tampa Bay’s is arranged towards balance. While this is a different Lightning team thanks to Kucherov, the team’s biggest strength in the first round as a result of his return is one Carolina Really, the only area where Carolina has an edge is that its number one is well-equipped to combat. Tampa Bay had the best power play of the defenceman is better than Tampa Bay’s … which … uhh … might also opening round in terms of goals-per-60, but there’s a massive difference be wrong. between Florida’s poor penalty kill and Carolina’s. Things won’t be so easy against Carolina’s power kill which held Nashville to under four If Carolina wins this series, it might finally be enough for Dougie Hamilton goals-per-60. Yes, there’s also a massive difference between Nashville’s to get the respect he deserves as one of the game’s top defencemen. He power play and Tampa Bay’s, but Carolina was second in the league on produced well for Carolina this season and was a catalyst for the team’s the penalty kill by both actual and expected goals during the regular elite power play, but as usual it’s his five-on-five play that’s most worthy season. It’s something that manifested during the season series too and of praise. His 57 percent expected goals rate was 12th league-wide and he’s been the only defenceman in the league who’s consistently been series between both clubs this year: Teuvo Teravainen didn’t play in any near the top of that leaderboard for five years running. When Hamilton is of the games between these two clubs either. Teravainen was sidelined on the ice, good things happen and that led to Carolina earning 63 for all but 21 games this season and though he’s obviously no Kucherov, percent of the goals this past season. Hamilton had a 56 percent his playmaking ability and defensive awareness was sorely missed for expected goals rate during the first round which is pretty impressive Carolina. He had a quiet first round, but at his best he can be a considering four of the games were spent next to Brady Skjei. Getting difference-maker. Same goes for Andrei Svechnikov who still has Jaccob Slavin back was obviously a godsend though and the pair another gear left to hit. These playoffs and this series could spark that dominated the final two games. breakthrough to elite status.
I’ll die on the “Hamilton is elite” hill and anyone who says otherwise at The Hurricanes are far from a one-line team though and possess one of this point is being willfully ignorant, but taking Hamilton over Victor the league’s most fearsome middle sixes. Everyone fits in the right place Hedman is of course a much spicier take. The model is all-in on it with and has a role. In the first round, all three of the team’s lines in the top one win separating the two, but that’s partly because Hedman played the nine earned an expected goals percentage greater than 60 percent when last month of the season injured which seriously tanked his projected intact. There were times where the lines were shuffled to find a spark, but value. He too was a three-win defenceman before that and if he’s truly it’s clear the way it’s usually set up is likely the most optimal. back to full health, then Tampa Bay’s edge only grows further. He was second on the team in expected goals percentage in the opening round Vincent Trocheck has been a revelation for the Hurricanes all season, at 50 percent. but for Carolina to win this series he’ll have to step things up a bit. He had just two points in seven games against Tampa Bay this season and But even if we account for Hedman’s injury the two defenders are close only managed three points in the opening round. There’s room for more and that’s probably not a consensus opinion either. Visually, it’s hard not from him and the same goes for Nino Niederreiter who had just one point to back Hedman who does a lot for the Lightning from the back end and against Nashville. In the speedy Martin Necas though, Carolina has a bit can take his game to new heights in the playoffs as we saw last year. But of a secret weapon against the Lightning. He was tied for second on the the impacts at five-on-five really support Hamilton enough to at least team in the first round with five points, but more impressive was his make it a conversation. heroics against Tampa Bay this season. He led all Hurricanes skaters with eight points and had a very strong 56 percent expected goals rate to From the start of the season to March 27 (to ignore the injury-plagued go with it. Necas had a strong breakout this season and he has the final month), Hedman had a 60 percent goals rate and 53 percent potential to really make a name for himself in this series. He’s a guy to expected goals rate at five-on-five, both of which were lower than watch out for. Hamilton’s. Relative to teammates, both numbers were negative, and that’s while playing against secondary matchups. Hamilton plays top While most will veer towards the guys in the top six as the guys that matchups and puts up better results. That’s been true in each of the last make Carolina go, it’s the third line anchored by captain Jordan Staal that two seasons and though he doesn’t score as many points as Hedman, was the engine in the opening round. Staal is the perfect checking line his impact at even strength appears larger. Against the Lightning this center and he showcased his two-way ability well against Nashville, year, Hamilton had a 57 percent expected goals rate. Hedman was the leading his line to a very nice 69 percent expected goals rate for the exact opposite at 43 percent. If these playoffs go in a similar direction, it’s series. That trio is a forechecking force and will cause headaches for the advantage Carolina and should provide a boost for Hamilton’s reputation. Lightning.
Having Slavin obviously helps with that a lot. Hedman rarely has a The matchup game will be especially intriguing in this series because the legitimate partner to play with, doing a lot on his own, while Hamilton has two teams are built pretty similarly up front. I doubt we see power vs. developed some strong chemistry with a player who is probably a power which would mean Staal will likely be in charge of keeping Tampa number one defender in his own right. Slavin is an incredible puck-mover Bay’s super line in check. that can really do it all. He’s solid in his own end which affords Hamilton the opportunity to freelance a bit more. Add a rejuvenated Brett Pesce to Last playoffs, the line of Brayden Point, Kucherov and Ondrej Palat were the mix and Carolina has an excellent triumvirate of defenders that’s a cheat code and they’ll be an extremely tough assignment for Staal and tough for any team to match. Pesce had a bit of a down year in 2019-20, co. The line has a solid 57 percent expected goals rate and outscored but bounced back in a big way in 2020-21 to get back to the level of a Florida 4-2 in their minutes together, but that pales in comparison to what legitimate top-pair defender. He was second to Hamilton in expected they can do. Last year they outscored opponents 21-9 en route to a goals percentage this year at a shade under 57 percent. Stanley Cup and had a 65 percent expected goals percentage in the process. Tampa Bay’s next best defender to Hedman isn’t on either of Slavin’s or Pesce’s level, but the Lightning do have a solid trio manning every That’s a terrifying enough line at five-on-five, but it’s what Point and pairing to give the team balance. Mikhail Sergachev is a nice weapon to Kucherov can accomplish with the man advantage that’s really scary. have on the third pair and though he didn’t take the expected leap to Kucherov, despite missing an entire regular season of hockey, leads the stardom this year, he was still a strong puck-mover that held his own at league in playoff points with 11 in six games and seven of those have even strength. In the playoffs he led all Lightning defencemen in come with the man advantage. His ability to completely freeze penalty expected goals. kills with his half wall mastery is among his best attributes and it makes Tampa Bay’s power play all the more threatening. He’s ridiculous in the Ryan McDonagh and Erik Cernak make up the team’s shutdown pair and best way and it’s nice to see him immediately step in and be a force. despite playing tough minutes were the team’s best five-on-five There was an acclimation period at five-on-five to start the series against defenders this season. They took on the very tough Aleksander Barkov Florida, but it didn’t last long and he looks just like his old self again. He’s assignment, and though they narrowly lost the possession battle, they the best skater on either side, and with Point as his running mate Tampa won on the scoresheet by a sizeable margin. The shutdown pair will have Bay has the two best skaters in the series. That’s usually a good recipe a similarly tough task ahead of them with Carolina’s top line though they for success. saw the exact opposite effect during the season: excellent expected goals rates, but McDonagh was outscored 5-2. It was 6-0 against That leaves Tampa Bay’s own checking line as the answer for Carolina’s Cernak. own top line, and they too look ready to pick up right where they left off from the last playoffs. They had a 58 percent expected goals rate Sebastian Aho is not as strong as Barkov is, but “Playoff Aho” might be a together and upped that to 60 percent during the regular season. They’re different story. He was electric against Nashville scoring five goals and a problem, especially with Barclay Goodrow back and healthy (Ross seven points in six games while being the strong play-driver at five-on- Colton was not cutting it). He just fits so well next to Yanni Gourde and five he always is. Aho lives for the postseason with 19 points in 14 Blake Coleman, both of whom would be legitimate top-six options on games over the last two playoff runs. He’s going to be a problem for another club. Here, they’re tenacious and annoying disruptors, ready to Tampa Bay, especially if Carolina sticks with its super-charged top line. make Aho’s life hell. You may not see their names on the scoresheet as The trio was excellent territorially against Nashville with a 61 percent much as the guys in the top six, but the little things they do absolutely expected goals rate and though they didn’t convert on all opportunities, translate to their underlying numbers. They’re analytics darlings. it’s encouraging that the chances were there. They still outscored Nashville 2-1. That leaves the second line featuring Steven Stamkos, Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn — a line that looked a little vulnerable going into the While all eyes are on the return of Kucherov for Tampa Bay, there’s a Florida series. Previous stints together suggested the chemistry wasn’t small detail that’s been almost completely ignored regarding the season there and down seasons from Cirelli and Killorn didn’t inspire much confidence. Six games later, any worries are out the window as their numbers together were identical to the top line’s: 4-2 on the scoresheet with a 57 percent expected goals rate. Not bad, plus Stamkos and Killorn helped a fair bit on the power play, which contributed to both scoring eight points in the series. That was second to only Kucherov.
Tampa Bay’s firepower is a bit more obvious than Carolina’s and there are a lot of weapons that the Hurricanes will need to nullify, but that wasn’t too big of a problem during the season series. Kucherov obviously changes the dynamic, but it was Killorn who led the Lightning forwards in points against Carolina and he only had five. Hedman had five too. Point and Palat had four in eight games, and Stamkos had just two in six games. That’s a rough look and the top guys will need to step up. It might come down to which stars on either side can solve the goaltending conundrum on the other side.
The bottom line
There is a lot of talent in this series on either side, but nothing will be given — everything will be earned. That could mean another grind-it-out series decided by goaltending just like the head-to-head matchups this year, and that’s something both teams will welcome just fine. They may have the reputation for fun, fast-paced hockey, but both teams are built for the postseason, ready for whatever style is necessary to win.
Tampa Bay is the elder statesmen here, the favourite, the defending champion. The Lightning have been contenders for most of the past decade and know exactly what it takes to win. They will be a very tough team to knock out.
But Carolina is certainly one of the teams capable of doing it. This isn’t their first playoff rodeo having gone to conference finals two seasons ago only to get swept by the Bruins, and then losing to Boston again in the opening round last season. Losses are learning opportunities and this team too knows what it will take to go the distance after experiencing those two defeats at the hands of a very strong contender. It felt like the team had some deer in the headlights moments in those series, but I don’t think that’ll be the case here. Carolina is ready for this moment.
Whether that means victory is much tougher to say, though the odds aren’t in their favour. The Hurricanes will need to be at their best because the similarly constructed Lightning are just a little bit better all throughout the lineup. Regardless of who wins, little brother or big brother, the fight to make it to the next round between these two should be a classic.
The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214390 Carolina Hurricanes “The way the players react to him is just incredible. These players want to play for him,” Waddell said. “I’ve seen it where it’s not always that way, but I know this team — they want to win for him. They don’t want to let him down.” Five things the Hurricanes did to beat the Predators — and can carry forward against the Lightning He knows when to pack that punch — like after a few rough shifts when he knows his guys can do better — and he does it out of respect for them. His expectations of the team and its individuals give them confidence in their expectations of themselves. By Sara Civian May 28, 2021 And, as Waddell said, they respond. Martin Necas’ equalizer came only a
few shifts after a Brind’Amour speech. Much like the rest of the series — and the rest of the Carolina The other side of it is a closeness and a family bond he’s cultivated. Hurricanes’ season, really — Game 6 of the first round in Nashville wasn’t pretty. There were no lacrosse goals, sparse offerings for the Just watch this: highlight reels, and it got off on the worst foot possible, with a Predators goal just 1 minute, 44 seconds into the game. Staal has elevated his play past what anyone on the outside expected in an effort to get the Canes to Round 2. Those on the inside, on the other But the Hurricanes knew what they had to do. hand, saw it coming.
“I think when you have the chance to close out a team, that’s exactly “It’s awesome,” Slavin told me after Game 5, when I asked him what it’s what you want to do,” left wing Jordan Martinook said after morning skate like to be captained by Staal. “You see the emotion he had there at the Thursday. “You don’t want to give them another chance. We obviously end. He doesn’t always show it, but that’s the emotion he puts into every know they are going to be a desperate team, but we’re going to be just single thing he does. He’s a great leader on and off the ice. He’s a beast as desperate because we want to close it out. (In) Game 7s, anything on the ice. Off the ice, he’s just a great guy. He’s a great leader, a great can happen.” teammate. He’s willing to do whatever it takes. I’m thankful I don’t have to play against him down low in the corners. I’m thankful he’s on our In the fourth consecutive overtime situation and sixth game of the series, side.” the Hurricanes eliminated the Predators in a 4-3 decision. I’ll let Necas, aka “Marty Jr.,” show Martinook’s impact with one facial “We just keep playing — we’re a resilient group,” said Dougie Hamilton, expression. who broke through shooting percentage regression for the game-tying goal. “We just keep playing no matter what happens. We just keep going. Don’t forget that right after this, Martinook drew a penalty that resulted in We’ve been in every game all year. There’s no quit in us.” the Canes’ power-play goal.
That’s a good thing because it doesn’t get slower or easier from here. “We had to wake up. (Martinook) was doing his thing. That was big for us. I think he drew a penalty after that, and we scored on the power The Canes know all about how tough Round 2 against the defending play,” Hamilton said. “That’s big for him to step up and the rest of us to champion Tampa Bay Lightning will be. General manager Don Waddell follow. That could have been the turning point for us.” gave us his scouting report Monday: Slavin came back from injury exactly when the team needed him and “They won the Stanley Cup last year, not by mistake — they’re a very didn’t miss a beat. He uncharacteristically threw his body around to make good hockey team. The one thing, certainly, to watch from the first round a statement in his first shift back and has been absolutely dynamic since, is you’ve got to try and stay out of the penalty box. You know you’re including the work he did on Thursday’s game-winner. going to take some penalties, but they’ve got to be good penalties because I think they’re running somewhere around 40 percent on their 2. Resiliency power play, which is remarkable. The five guys that they put out there to run the power play is pretty darn good in the league, probably the best. I’m not going to act like these games have been easy for the Canes, or … I think both teams skate very well. There’s going to be a good flow to even ideal. Besides Game 1, they’ve all been nail-biters with tons of the game. Obviously, their goaltender is outstanding, one of the best in blemishes and deflating moments. But the Canes have done what the league. For us, we’ve got to be ready to play. If we are, it’s going to they’ve prided themselves on all season: risen above. be a hell of a series.” The Predators scored first in five of six games in the series. That can’t The good news? There might be an even fuller PNC Arena. Waddell said continue against the Lightning, but the Canes have managed to dig they’re working on getting at least 16,000 strong for Sunday’s 5 p.m. ET themselves out of some pretty bad situations. puck drop in Raleigh. “That’s not something we want to keep up, but again to flip it, we’ve “We’re looking at every measurement right now,” he said. “I think we’re shown that we’ll fight back. That’s the thing,” Brind’Amour said. “We’re going to get 16,000 or right around that number come Sunday. We’ve not trying to give up the first goal, obviously, but the fact that when we already started looking at measurements that can possibly increase it. do, it’s not over. That’s a real confidence boost for this team.” We still have quite a number of seats blocked off by the NHL around the They scored three straight after a 3-1 deficit to win Game 6. benches and penalty box. Just got back in here a few minutes ago and am going to meet with the box office to see how many seats we actually 3. Sebastian Aho have blocked off. I think it’s around 500. That takes away from your capacity also, so it’s just going to be another expense if we want to take You just can’t say enough about Aho’s demeanor in the playoffs: that next step, but forget about the expense. Certainly, if we want to do it, competitive, surgical, businesslike. He is here to win, and after this series we’re going to do it.” has 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 29 career playoff games.
What else can the Hurricanes take into Round 2? Let’s look back at the He nails the set plays and celebrates like he can’t be bothered to get five biggest reasons the Canes avoided a first-round exit and what they excited — there’s a job to finish. Game 6 was a classic in that aspect, mean going forward. between two offensive zone faceoffs that resulted in a late-game equalizer and the game-winner he’d eventually net himself, and the 1. Leadership power play. Nashville has been too good at five-on-five, and Aho knew someone had to break through on the man advantage to get this done. Leadership thrives on the fine line between screaming and silence. The Canes’ leaders — namely, coach Rod Brind’Amour, captain Jordan Staal No player impacts the Hurricanes’ on-ice product more than Aho, and and alternate captains Jaccob Slavin and Martinook — all provided luckily for them, he’s rarely off. essential leadership in their own ways in the first round. 4. Sorry, haters: Brock McGinn Brind’Amour is revolutionizing the idea of a “player’s coach,” and he’s patient with his feistier moments so that they pack a real punch. He does I had an epiphany Thursday night that maybe half of you have already this with a term my therapist calls “radical empathy.” come to and half of you will hate: Brock McGinn reminds me of Brind’Amour in the playoffs. Brind’Amour, noted McGinn fan, smiled when I asked him about it.
“Oh, I don’t know. He’s old school,” Brind’Amour said. “He could play back in the day, I’ll just leave it at that.”
McGinn has been the difference on the road, with two goals in a brutal loss, and then a response to Nick Cousins’ opener Thursday night.
He just understands how to play on a big stage on the road, and he’s fearless about it. Four points in the past three games, for the record.
5. The Power Kill
You say the Lightning power play is going to be a problem?
Look me in the eyes and tell me the Canes win this series without this performance.
The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214391 Carolina Hurricanes
2021 NHL Playoffs: Lightning vs. Hurricanes schedule, TV channel, games, scores, guide to the second-round series
By The Athletic NHL Staff May 28, 2021
In this Central Division matchup, the No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning are facing the No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. For more information on the playoffs, check out The Athletic’s daily chances, odds and betting guide and complete NHL coverage.
Schedule/TV/results
Game 1: at Carolina, Sunday, May 30, 5 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, TVAS)
Game 2: at Carolina, date, time and TV TBD
Game 3: at Tampa Bay, date, time and TV TBD
Game 4: at Tampa Bay, date, time and TV TBD
Game 5*: at Carolina, date, time and TV TBD
Game 6*: at Tampa Bay, date, time and TV TBD
Game 7*: at Carolina, date, time and TV TBD
(* – if necessary)
What to expect from the series
Dom Luszczyszyn’s Lightning-Hurricanes preview: This is the matchup we all wanted in the Central Division this year. Both teams are pretty similar, but one has the slight edge in all categories.
Five things the Hurricanes did to beat the Predators — and can carry forward against the Lightning: From Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal to the Power Kill, here are the reasons the Hurricanes are succeeding so far in the playoffs.
“Pick your poison:” A 360-degree look at the potent Lightning power play and how to defend it: Tampa Bay has scored eight goals with the man advantage — a stunning 40-percent clip. Here’s how they do it.
Lightning and Hurricanes top reads
Where did Alex Nedeljkovic come from? Inside the Hurricanes goalie’s journey from top prospect to waivers to potential playoff hope.
How to win back-to-back Stanley Cups: Past champs believe Lightning have the recipe to repeat: Past back-to-back Cup champs from the Red Wings and Penguins believe the Lightning can “absolutely” repeat.
Three words to sum up 1,000 games of the Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal: What everyone from Rod to Crosby had to say.
NHL second-round playoff matchups
North Division: Jets-Maple Leafs/Canadiens
East Division: Islanders-Bruins
West Division: Avalanche-Golden Knights/Wild
The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214392 Carolina Hurricanes “Everyone looks at the highlights and sees the puck go in the net, but they don’t see the step that happens before you get there,” coach Jon Cooper said. “It’s the breakout, the shot before that happens, the retrieval, where guys know where other guys are going. Ultimately, guys’ ‘Pick your poison:’ A 360-degree look at the potent Lightning power play playmaking and skill has to take over, and it does. They are highly skilled and how to defend it and the power play is an art to them. It’s on full display. But so much more goes into it than just ‘the puck ends up in the net.’”
It starts with getting the puck in the offensive zone, which is one of the By Joe Smith and Shayna Goldman May 28, 2021 first objectives of the power play according to the work of Parnass, followed by maintaining possession, quickly getting into formation, and generating scoring chances. Joel Quenneville has won more Stanley Cups than any other coach in the past 11 years, and will likely be in the Hall of Fame. The Lightning have two of the best in terms of zone entries in Point and Kucherov, which allows the power play plenty of time to set up. Point’s But the Panthers coach still struggled to find a way to thwart the one of the best at bringing the puck into the offensive zone at 5-on-5 too Lightning’s potent power play in their first-round series. Tampa Bay both in terms of the rate of entries and carry-in percentage, according to scored eight goals with the man advantage — a stunning 40-percent clip. Corey Sznajder’s tracking data. That translates to the power play, where he often has more space because not only are their opponents down a Quenneville felt with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov returning for player, but have to face-off against the team’s best at once. the playoffs, it was like Tampa Bay starting a Texas Hold’em hand with “a pair of aces.” When it was suggested to Quenneville that a key might be What makes Point so effective carrying the puck in? taking away the two world-class snipers on the flanks and force Victor Hedman shoot from up top, he chuckled. “He’s inherently good at it,” Moore said. “It’s his speed, timing, lateral movement with the puck is as good or better than anyone in the league… They still have Brayden Point in the middle, he pointed out. Being a smaller guy helps him be agile. I feel all those teams that try to have a 1-3 or play back, and you drop it to Point when you’re not gapped “It is pick your poison,” Quenneville said. “That’s why they’re the best at up, you’ve got no chance.” it.” Do you try to disrupt the drop pass? The Lightning were outshot and out-chanced at 5-on-5 against the Panthers, but their power play helped them advance to the second “If they see you, they’ll adjust and all of a sudden, they stretch pass it and round. And it could be a major factor if the Cup champions manage an Point doesn’t come back,” Moore said. “It’s a constant cat and mouse historic repeat. It makes their matchup with the touted Hurricanes penalty game, especially in the playoffs when you go up against teams over and kill must-see TV. over. That’s where the coaching adjustments come in.”
“It’s nightmare fuel for a penalty kill,” former Lightning wing Ryan Quick regroups help make the most of the power play clock, and with Callahan said. puck possession, the Lightning can get into formation and get to work. All but one of the Lightning’s eight postseason goals was scored while in So, let’s break down what makes the Lightning so dangerous on the formation in the offensive zone. power play and how teams can try to defend against it. Stamkos said the top unit has a lot of experience together, which helps “What separates Tampa is not skill — a lot of power plays around the their chemistry and their reads. league have skill,” said former NHLer and current NBCSN analyst Dominic Moore. “What separates Tampa is the intelligence with which “We’re a familiar group with each other, we’ve played together a long they design their units, design their plays. It’s kind of like Jiu-Jitsu, they time now. The power play has clicked and been a big part of our use what you do against you. If you take one thing away, well that opens success,” Stamkos said. up something else.” Through six playoff games, the Lightning have created a high volume of The setup shots — about 94 unblocked shot attempts per 60. Expected goals, which weighs in shot type, angle, distance, and whether it was a rush or The Lightning go with the 1-3-1 “umbrella” formation that many teams second chance opportunity among other factors, can be used as a proxy use. The key difference for Tampa Bay is that their top unit is loaded with for shot quality; Tampa Bay’s generated 8.3 expected goals per 60. star power. They’ve out-performed that by a lot, scoring at a rate of 18.91 goals per Just as teams have trended toward a four forward and one defender unit 60. that’s proven to boost shot and goal production, more are also leaning on The heat maps below help give a glimpse into that offensive generation, their top power play unit instead of equally splitting time between groups. with orange and brown tones representing where the team frequently Tampa’s top unit has played close to 78 percent of the power play shoots from, and purple areas showing where they rarely shoot. minutes in the playoffs. (Via HockeyViz) The first unit’s core has been the same for much of the last two years. Stamkos and his right-handed shot is stationed in the left circle, while Six games is already a small sample, it’s even smaller when breaking it lefty Kucherov plays on the right. Each is a dynamic passer and shooter. down into just power play time; the Lightning have only played about 25 Plus, both play on their off-wing which helps speed up puck movement minutes on the man-advantage so far. Operating at 40 percent may not and shooting that can challenge a goaltender’s lateral movement. While be sustainable long-term, but there’s clearly a difference between their there are some defensive risks to playing on the offside, Arik Parnass, production now versus during the regular season when they clicked at now an analyst for the Avalanche, found that deploying skaters on their 22.2 percent (ninth in the league). The team’s shooting the puck and off-wing can lead to a higher goal probability. getting to the quality areas more often. Much of that has to do with a key addition for the playoffs. Point plays in the slot between the wingers, to round out the ‘three’ of the umbrella formation. Alex Killorn helps provide a screen in front of the Runs through Kucherov crease, and is at the ready for deflections and second chance shots, and Hedman is up at the point. Ryan McDonagh and Blake Coleman believe Kucherov is one of the best in the world at the half wall spot, partly due to his elite hockey IQ, partly Tampa Bay’s approach focuses on puck movement and reads, with three due to his skill and playmaking ability. The power play runs through him. one-timer options up top and both flanks. What strikes Marty St. Louis about the Lightning power play is how there’s not really many set plays. “What he’s able to do is read the layers,” St. Louis said. “He’s not just making one read, he’s making a bunch of reads at once. And he usually “They just read off one another,” he said. “And with great playmakers and makes the best play. Not just a play. He usually can find the best play game-breakers, they can make you pay if you over defend one thing. It’s through multiple layers of reads. He knows where not just where his guys like chess the way they do it.” are, he knows where the opponents are, whether he’s a righty or lefty, there’s so many calculations he has to do and very quickly be able to How the Lightning generate offense execute the best possible play.” Kucherov had to shake off rust after missing the entire 2020-21 regular Case in point was Killorn’s zone entry on Brayden Point’s power-play season and get back up to speed after hip surgery last offseason. That goal in the second period of Game 3. Before the tic-tac-toe passing play appeared to impede his 5-on-5 game a bit when the series opened, but of Stamkos to Hedman to Kucherov, who one-touched a pass to Point in not on the power play. When the Lightning are in formation on the man- the slot, Killorn had to fight off three Panthers to maintain possession in advantage, their winger can stay somewhat stationary while dishing the the zone. puck or firing it on net. “It’s about possession in space,” St. Louis said. “As soon as you lose “He can see the right play happening two plays before it’s there,” possession, it’s more physical work. I think ‘Killer’ is one of the best in McDonagh said. “His anticipation, his understanding of who is going to retrievals. I compare him to Dennis Rodman, how he knew where every be the guy open is world class. There are guys that can see a play there, rebound was going to go. ‘Killer’ is really good at retrieving, he has a but not necessarily make it all the time.” sense of where the puck is going to end up based on the angle of the shot. Honestly, you won’t have a good power play unless you’re able to With the return of Kucherov the team “added another level to the power retrieve and they do a really good job at it.” play,” according to Killorn. “Every power play unit needs guys to understand what their job is out “He’s one of the best, if not the best, half wall guy in the entire NHL. He there and ‘Killer’ understands, he knows he has to be strong on the puck makes players around him a lot better. He’s finding Pointer. If you take and retrieve pucks when they go behind the net or in the corners,” Pointer away, Stammer is open. If you take Stammer away, I’m open in Stamkos said. front. If you take me away, Hedman is free. When Kuch can find those guys, it’s very difficult.” How do you defend it?
(Via HockeyViz) “What would be your choice if you give them one of those options?” Dave Andreychuk asked. The shooters “I don’t think you want to give Kuch the puck, I don’t think you want to It’s tough enough when you have one of the generation’s most prolific give up the Stamkos one-timer. I personally would try to let Victor goal scorers in Stamkos on one flank. And he’s not making it any easier Hedman shoot down the middle of the ice. You have the best chance of this postseason, he’s firing the puck at the highest rate of any skater in blocking it from there. You’ve got to stay close to Point because he the playoffs –– most of which have come from ‘his office’ in the left circle. seems to be able to find a way to get there. What I would say is, ‘Okay, It’s where the sniper has clustered so many of his shots throughout his we’re going to give up a shot from Hedman, they’re not going to beat us career, especially on the power play. It’s where Stamkos scored the elsewhere.’” series-clinching goal in Game 6. That’s the challenge the Lightning’s opponents face: Finding the lesser of The shot maps below from HockeyViz highlight just how many of those five evils. power play attempts have been taken from that area of the ice. “If you’re a killer, I always wanted to flush that half wall guy down as (Via HockeyViz) much as possible,” said Moore, an experienced penalty killer. “I wanted to not just take away that pass up to the top because it’s easy for them to What makes Stamkos and Kucherov so unique is they’re among the best use the bumper and get it to the top indirectly. In most cases, the most at one-timing any pass. skilled player is the man on the half wall and I felt, ‘Take the puck out of his hands.’ It’s harder than it seems.” “Front foot, back foot, short side, far side,” St. Louis said of Stamkos. “He doesn’t just shoot — he shoots to score every time. The Hurricanes have a proactive approach while shorthanded. While they can shut down their opponents’ offense with Jaccob Slavin, Brett “There are certain times you’re just shooting it trying to get it on net, and Pesce, and Jordan Staal leading the charge, they have a more shooting it as quick as possible,” Stamkos said. “Other times, if you know dimensional penalty kill. Their aggressive power kill excels at disrupting a goalie has a tendency to anticipate well and slide over, I have to go teams from staying in formation and in the offensive zone. If any team back against the grain. There are different moments where you can think can ‘keep them on the run,’ it’s Carolina. The question is how much before you shoot.” they’ll counter-attack against a power play this loaded. According to Parnass, one-timers are one of the most dangerous shots, The Panthers struggled to limit shots and quality chances against on the aside from tips, because the puck movement can catch a goaltender out penalty kill, and their netminders only stopped 65 percent of the shots of position. Ideally, that movement goes across the royal road, or the they faced. imaginary line that goes right down the middle of the home plate area in front of the net, forcing a goaltender to move laterally. Against Nashville, the Hurricanes had the opportunity to push the pace of play and create short-handed offense. They were one of the better teams Kucherov and Stamkos are just two of the shooters that can deflate a in the opening round at creating quality chances for and limiting those penalty killing unit. Point’s one of the best players in the league; he’s against. And they had the stability of Alex Nedeljkovic in net. improved his skating, reads and reacts to plays at a high pace, and is incredibly crafty. And he plays in a scoring area in front of the net. But there’s less room for error in Round 2 with the Lightning as their next opponent. There’s also Hedman at the point, who put his offensive impact on display throughout last year’s Stanley Cup run. Andreychuk put it simply: “The easiest way to defend them is to stay out of the box.” “He can’t be afraid to pound pucks from the middle,” St. Louis said. “You create confusion, you create a chaotic environment. Now that’s where Carolina’s taken 32 penalties through six games so far this postseason, there’s breakdowns, and seams open for retrievals. I think Heddy has and do have to be more disciplined against Tampa – although some done a really good job of shooting the puck when it’s time” questionable officiating has inflated that total along the way. So even if they can find ways to defend this power play, which won’t be easy, they During the playoffs, that shot hasn’t come as often on the power play. certainly can’t give them this many opportunities. Instead, much of the shooting has been left for the skillful forwards around him. As Coleman explained, this power play is “typically one step ahead of the PK” because they’ve been together for so long. “He’s done a good job of pretending to go one way and then the other, feel which way the box is moving and all of a sudden go against the “They know what the options are before you get the puck. The best grain, and now there’s so much more space for that guy to shoot,” St. power plays have the quickest puck movement and multiple options that Louis said. can hurt you, and it’s no secret that “Kuch’ is one of the best in the world at the half wall and world-class shot from Stammer, and a lot of guys that The retrievals can hurt you. The biggest misconception about the Lightning power play is that it’s all “I’m happy they’re on my side.” skill and highlight-reel plays. Power plays are hard work, as Killorn mentioned; winning puck battles and securing puck retrievals are key. The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214393 Chicago Blackhawks
Do the Blackhawks have a No. 1 goalie in Kevin Lankinen?
BY CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS
One of the biggest storylines going into training camp was which goaltender would take control of the No. 1 job after the Blackhawks parted ways in the offseason with two-time Stanley Cup champion Corey Crawford.
The competition centered around three netminders: Collin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban. Of that group, only Delia (16 starts) and Subban (60 starts) had NHL experience.
And yet it was Lankinen who emerged as the go-to guy after he started in 37 of the 56 games and went 17-14-5 with a 3.01 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and two shutouts.
Now the question is: Have the Blackhawks found their starting goaltender of the future in Lankinen? The short answer: maybe. But it's too early to make any such declarations, given the sample size.
"Kevin had the longest run of the three during the season," President/GM Stan Bowman said. "I think he emerged as the guy who stepped forward, but I think they all had their moments. ... I remember saying early on that we don’t know at this point which player’s going to emerge or if one or two of them will. Kevin probably took the biggest step forward, but I don’t think any took a step backward. It was great to see Kevin take that."
Lankinen got off to a terrific start after going 9-3-3 with a 2.55 goals- against average and .924 save percentage in his first 15 games. His play started to dip when the schedule got tougher in March and the Blackhawks rode him hard in hopes of making a playoff push.
Those experiences will be important learning lessons for the young goaltender moving forward as he looks to solidify himself as a bonafide No. 1 goaltender.
"It's been a crazy season all-in-all," Lankinen said. "I really enjoyed it, though. Lots of learning lessons, lots of great experiences and great moments. I was able to show myself and everybody else what I could do."
The Blackhawks have four goaltenders under contract next season: Delia, Lankinen, Subban and newly signed Arvid Soderblom. As of now, it looks like those four guys will be the ones fighting for the crease at training camp again.
If the Blackhawks are sold on Lankinen as their potential No. 1 starter, it would make sense for them to explore signing a veteran goaltender in the offseason to help him navigate the ups and downs of an 82-game season, both physically and mentally. If they feel the jury is still out, well then we might just see the competition from this season carry into the next.
"I feel like I had a good season," Lankinen said after his final start of the season. "What comes next season, that's not up to me yet. I haven't thought about it. My goal was just to win tonight, and we'll see what happens in the future."
"He has had a successful year as far as where he started and where he’s ending," head coach Jeremy Colliton echoed. "But it should be just a stepping stone, at least that’s how I hope he looks at it. He’s got to do everything he can to improve, work on his game, train hard and come in and earn more. So, those things, they’ll be sorted out by performance."
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214394 Colorado Avalanche
J.T. Compher has stepped up to second line to fill in for suspended center Nazem Kadri
By RYAN O’HALLORAN | PUBLISHED: May 28, 2021 at 5:25 p.m. | UPDATED: May 28, 2021 at 5:34 p.m.
The Avalanche learned to play — and win — without center Nazem Kadri in Games 3 and 4 of its first-round sweep of St. Louis.
Kadri has sat out the first two games of an eight-game suspension administered by the NHL for his illegal check to the head of St. Louis defenseman Justin Faulk on May 19.
Kadri’s appeal was heard by the league office on Thursday, but as of Friday at 5 p.m., a final decision had not been announced.
As he did to wrap up the Blues series, J.T. Compher took the second-line center line rushes during Friday’s practice between wingers Andre Burakovsky and Joonas Donskoi. The Avalanche will play Game 1 of its second-round series against Minnesota or Vegas at 6 p.m. Sunday.
“I thought (Compher) was good (against St. Louis),” Avs coach Jared Bednar said earlier this week. “His checking was good, he seems to be skating a lot better in the latter part of the season, he’s been on pucks and I’ve liked his game on both sides of the puck.”
Compher averaged 14:43 of ice time against St. Louis (one goal) and saw his usual steady amount of minutes killing penalties; the Avalanche were 7 of 9 short-handed.
“He’s always been like that,” center Nathan MacKinnon said of Compher’s ability to move up and down the lineup. “He had a really good second half (of the season), a really good first round and it’s obviously key to have depth. He’s been stepping up for years into different spots. Very versatile for us.”
If kept at eight games, Kadri’s suspension will be the longest of the 2021 regular season/playoffs, exceeding the seven-game penalty for Washington’s Tom Wilson in early March and the longest of any kind since Wilson’s 14-game ban in September 2018.
Getting ready. The Avalanche had another full-squad practice Friday at Ball Arena, lasting about 45 minutes. The Avs will have a full week between Game 4 of the St. Louis series and Game 1 on Sunday.
First-year Winger Alex Newhook (back) returned after sitting out Thursday’s workout, but through observation of the line rushes, rookie Sampo Ranta took Newhook’s fourth-line spot with center Pierre- Edouard Bellemare and right wing Carl Soderberg.
Ranta, the Avalanche’s third-round pick in 2018, had 31 points for the University of Minnesota this season and seven in 14 games for the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. He has not played in an NHL game.
“He looks great; he has all the tools to be a really good player,” MacKinnon said. “Talking to him off the ice, he’s humble and wants to learn, which is great to see from a young player.”
Footnote. In the past decade only twice has a team that swept its first- round series (like the Avalanche) faced a second-round opponent that needed seven games to advance (Minnesota or Vegas) — both in 2018. Columbus swept Tampa Bay, but lost to Boston, and the New York Islanders swept Pittsburgh, but lost to Carolina. … Defenseman Conor Timmins averaged a team-low 9:29 of ice time in Round 1, but the experience was valuable. “I just kept it simple,” he said. “For the most part, I was pretty good moving pucks, did a good job defending and spent some time in the O zone so I think I can build on that.”
Denver Post: LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214395 Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, the team’s most recent full skate before Friday. Coach Jared Bednar said earlier in the week that he expects the rookie to be ready for the second round, so he could still play in Game 1. The Avalanche are also without reserve forward Jayson Megna, who had Three big questions for the Avalanche heading into their second-round points in the final two games of the regular season but tested positive for series against the Golden Knights COVID-19 this past week.
If Ranta cracks the lineup, he would likely take Newhook’s slot as a fourth-line winger playing with center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Carl By Peter Baugh May 29, 2021 Soderberg, both of whom are more than 10 years his senior.
Ranta is from Finland, and he cited Rantanen, another Finn, as someone After a season battling for the best record in the NHL, the Avalanche and he looks up to. They’ve worked out in the offseason together and, in his Vegas Golden Knights will face off for a long-awaited postseason tilt. news conference after signing his pro contract, Ranta said it would be After letting a 3-1 series lead slip away, Vegas knocked off Minnesota 6- “awesome” to play with the star Avalanche winger someday. 2 in a Game 7 on Friday, advancing to the second round. With Newhook’s status up in the air, that day could be coming soon. Now the Golden Knights will travel to Colorado — which ultimately won “I’m not sure what the lineup is or anything,” MacKinnon said. “But the Presidents’ Trophy over Vegas in a tiebreaker — for Game 1. Puck whenever he gets the chance to play, he’ll be ready.” drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Time on Sunday. What’s the latest on Nazem Kadri? The Avalanche coaching staff has been breaking down both Vegas and Minnesota this week, and players will go over a crash course scouting Kadri received an eight-game suspension for a hit to Justin Faulk’s head report Saturday. The teams already have plenty of familiarity with each in Game 2 of the first round. He served the first two games of his other, though, playing eight times in the regular season. Colorado took suspension against the Blues and elected to appeal the discipline. NHL the season series, going 4-3-1, but the Golden Knights outscored the commissioner Gary Bettman heard the appeal Thursday and will render a Avalanche 18-17. decision, though Kadri’s camp doesn’t have clarity on when a decision will come. Vegas leading goal scorer Max Pacioretty missed the first six games of the Minnesota series, but he returned Friday. He, captain Mark Stone “The Commissioner will endeavor to hear all appeals on an expedited and the goalie tandem of Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner will mark basis and will determine whether the decision was supported by clear quite a test for the Avalanche. Defenseman Shea Theodore will appear and convincing evidence,” the NHL’s website says. on Norris Trophy ballots, and the Knights roster also features veteran blueliner Alex Pietrangelo, their big free-agent acquisition and a Stanley Since Kadri’s suspension is for more than six games, he will have the Cup winner with the Blues in 2019. right to a subsequent appeal to a neutral arbitrator.
But Colorado has more than enough star power itself. Superstar Nathan “The neutral arbitrator shall have full remedial authority in respect of the MacKinnon and his linemates, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, matter,” per the NHL page. “The standard of review will be whether the dominated the Blues in a first-round rout, and Cale Makar, Devon Toews League’s finding of violation of the League Playing Rules and the penalty and Samuel Girard give the Avalanche arguably the best defensive corps imposed were both supported by substantial evidence.” in the NHL. Philipp Grubauer also had a standout season in net. Kadri will remain suspended while his appeal is pending. If the eight- The two teams are in completely different situations. Vegas will enter game ban holds, he would not be available until a potential Game 7 Game 1 riding a high after its Game 7 win, but it’ll have less than 48 against Vegas. hours of rest after a grueling opening-round series. Colorado, meanwhile, J.T. Compher has been skating as second-line center in Kadri’s spot. In hasn’t played since last Sunday. They’ll be well rested and have had time Sean Gentille and Dom Luszczyszyn’s most recent power rankings for to let bumps and bruises heal, but they might have to kick off some rust. The Athletic, Gentille made a good point in regard to Compher’s play, “Rest is a weapon,” forward Tyson Jost said this week. saying he had “an expected goals percentage (56.14) that was right there with Kadri’s (and) an actual goals percentage (68.42) that was right there It’ll be a fascinating matchup between two Stanley Cup-level teams. Here at the top of Avs’ regulars.” are three storylines to keep an eye on: “We have depth,” MacKinnon said. “(Compher) is very versatile for us, Is Sampo Ranta’s time coming? and he’s been like that for years. Nothing new for him. He’s not nervous at all about the spot he’s in.” The Avalanche relied on one rookie forward in the first round: Alex Newhook, who scored his first NHL goal against the Blues but injured his What does Erik Johnson’s presence mean? back in Game 4. Now another player fresh out of college could replace him. Sampo Ranta, the Avalanche’s 2018 third-round pick, has been The Avalanche have been without defenseman Erik Johnson, their practicing with the fourth line the past two full-team skates and could be longest-tenured player and an alternate captain, for all but four games an option to make his NHL debut Sunday. this series. He suffered a scary upper-body injury Jan. 30 against Minnesota and hasn’t played since. General manager Joe Sakic said at “He’s got all the tools to be a really good player,” MacKinnon said. “He the trade deadline there’s a chance he could play in the later rounds of looks like an awesome player. Talking to him off the ice, too, he’s a really the playoffs, but that’s hard to count on after so long off. nice guy. Very humble, wants to learn, which is great to see from a young player.” Johnson has, though, been able spend more time around his teammates lately. The 20-year-old Ranta, listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, signed with the Avalanche in April after spending the previous three seasons playing “He wasn’t around for a long time,” Bednar said. “He’s been around here college hockey for Minnesota. He finished second in the NCAA with 19 a little bit last week and it’s not every day, but he has had a presence goals this year and, after signing his first pro contract, had nine points in around the room a little bit here more recently.” 16 games playing for the Colorado Eagles in the AHL. “It’s nice to see him doing better,” MacKinnon said. “His spirits are better. “His game is about building lateral speed and generating offense off of I don’t think he’s coming back this season, but just as a human being that,” Eagles coach Greg Cronin said during the season. “His challenge hopefully he gets healthy. It’s good to see him around, though. He’s at this level is going to be more of a vertical, straight-line game and a working hard off the ice.” stop-and-start game. He’s not afraid, so he’ll get physical with people. And regardless of whether he is able to get on the ice this postseason, He’s got a body frame that will allow him to attack inside ice.” his presence is a boost. “I’m not sure,” Ranta said in April when asked about the chances of Said MacKinnon simply: “It’s good to see your friend.” making his NHL debut this season. “My game will do my talking.” The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 Newhook skated Friday but was on a line of extra forwards with Kiefer Sherwood and the suspended Nazem Kadri. He took a maintenance day 1214396 Colorado Avalanche
2021 NHL Playoffs: Golden Knights vs. Avalanche schedule, TV channel, games, scores, guide to the second-round series
By The Athletic NHL Staff and more May 29, 2021
In this West Division matchup, the No. 2 Vegas Golden Knights are facing the No. 1 Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Schedule/TV/results
Game 1: at Colorado, Sunday, May 30, 8 p.m. Eastern (NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS)
Game 2: at Colorado, date, time and TV TBD
Game 3: at Vegas, date, time and TV TBD
Game 4: at Vegas, date, time and TV TBD
*Game 5: at Colorado, date, time and TV TBD
*Game 6: at Vegas, date, time and TV TBD
*Game 7: at Colorado, date, time and TV TBD
(* – if necessary)
What to expect from the series
Three big questions for the Avalanche heading into their second-round series against the Golden Knights: It’ll be a fascinating matchup between two Stanley Cup-level teams, and here are some aspects of play to keep an eye on.
Instant NHL Playoff Preview: Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche in the second round: A quick look at how the Golden Knights match up with the Avalanche, with Game 1 set for Sunday.
Avalanche and Golden Knights top reads
The early years of Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon: Frisbee, figure skating and dancing to “Electric Feel.”
Marc-Andre Fleury, better than ever at age 36: Fleury stamped himself as a Vezina Trophy candidate this season.
Cale Makar “has it’“: What NHL defensive legends see when they watch the Avalanche’s 22-year-old star.
Vegas bang for the buck: Which Golden Knights overperformed or underperformed this season?
The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214397 Colorado Avalanche And Grubauer proved to be exactly what they needed. He solidified their goaltending, leading the Spitfires to an OHL title. Then, in the 2010 Memorial Cup, he posted a .930 save percentage, helping his team to a title. Boughner called his demeanor “perfect for a goaltender.” Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer has ‘something to prove’ in these playoffs “You could tell he just gave our team so much confidence,” the coach said. “We scored a lot of goals but we needed someone that had some experience and calmness to his game, and that’s what he brought us.”
By Peter Baugh May 28, 2021 Listed at 6-foot-1, Grubauer isn’t one of the bigger goalies in the league. The past three Vezina Trophy winners have all been at least 6-3, and
Grubauer is at least 3 inches shorter than the other goalies currently Philipp Grubauer can’t point to one specific, groundbreaking change that skating with the Avalanche. This stood out to Hockey Hall of Famer Doug has led to his standout 2020-21 season. He describes it more as the Gilmour, Grubauer’s OHL general manager in Kingston in 2010-11. accumulation of minor adjustments he’s made over the course of his “He’s not your typical 6-foot-4 goalie,” said Gilmour, now working with the career. He started analyzing video after every game as a teenager, for Maple Leafs. “He has to play big, and he played big for us, for sure.” example, and now works on situational exercises during Avalanche practices, focusing on details related to upcoming opponents. He strives The potential Boughner and Gilmour saw in Grubauer carried him to the to avoid making the same in-game mistake twice. NHL, and the Avalanche traded for him ahead of the 2018-2019 season. Along with Brandon Saad and Andre Burakovsky, he’s one of only three He’s done this all with a goal in mind that he’s had since watching Felix Colorado regulars who have won a Stanley Cup, and he compared the Potvin and Mike Richter highlight videos growing up in Rosenheim, Avalanche’s situation to the Capitals a few years ago. Colorado is looking Germany: becoming an undisputed No. 1 NHL goaltender. to get over a hump and advance past the second round, and Washington “You just adapt and adjust,” the 29-year-old said. “It’s small steps over had trouble beating Pittsburgh in the playoffs. They finally did in 2018, the years.” and that year ended with them lifting the Cup.
Those strides have culminated in the best season of Grubauer’s NHL “It was great to be a part of and find out what’s going on past the second career, and they’ve made him arguably the most irreplaceable player on round, conference finals, finals: how the intensity gets raised again,” the Avalanche’s roster. On a team featuring a potential Hart Trophy Grubauer said. “In the playoffs, every small little detail matters.” finalist in superstar center in Nathan MacKinnon, a potential Norris Grubauer has also delighted fans by wearing a cowboy hat to games and winner in defenseman Cale Makar and a captain who’s done it all in the on road trips this year — he likes spending time at a friend’s ranch and postseason in Gabriel Landeskog — Grubauer is the key to the said it’s impacted his style — and showed a level of candidness in the postseason hopes. first round when discussing Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, who skated Two of Grubauer’s past three seasons, though, ended with him watching, to the Avalanche’s side of the ice after Game 2. not playing. While with the Capitals in 2018, he got benched during the “If he feels the need to come down and do that stuff and fake punch playoffs in favor of Braden Holtby, who proceeded to lift Washington to its guys, then so be it,” Grubauer said. “I worry about stopping the pucks.” first Stanley Cup. Then he suffered a groin injury last season in Game 1 of the Avalanche’s second-round matchup with the Stars and it kept him He’s done a good job at that, and it could lead to a big payday this out for the rest of the series, which Colorado lost in overtime in Game 7. offseason, especially if he keeps his play up in the postseason. He currently carries a $3.33 million cap hit — a bargain for the Avalanche, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said going into the season that it would given his production — but is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. be a big season for the goaltender, noting the lingering disappointment of Binnington, 27, and Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom, 31, two similarly aged not being able to play the bulk of the Stars series. goalies who recently inked long-term deals, each signed six-year “He’s coming back with a vengeance and something to prove,” the coach contracts worth $6 million a year. Grubauer said during the season that said. “I see a guy that’s taking another step in leadership of this team and there hasn’t been much negotiating with the Avalanche because of the holding himself accountable to be an impact player for us on big nights.” compressed schedule but added that he wasn’t in any rush.
The results: A league-high seven shutouts, a 1.95 goals-against average The Avalanche, who are in a tight cap situation, will have a lot to consider (best among goalies who started more than half of their team’s games), a when evaluating Grubauer over the summer. He’s had an outstanding .922 save percentage and career-high 40 games played during the season, boosted by a strong Avalanche defense. But even with the regular season. strong play in front of him, his advanced statistics are promising. Among goalies who played more than half of their teams’ games, he ranked fifth And, most importantly for the Avalanche, he’s playing his best hockey at in the league in goals saved above average and eighth in goals saved the most important time of year. With help from the best shot- above expected, per Evolving-Hockey. suppressing defense in the league, he posted a 1.75 GAA and a .936 save percentage in a four-game first-round sweep of the Blues. “Everyone in our room and with our organization values Grubi and what he’s done for us,” Bednar said recently. “I think he gets overshadowed “He’s swallowing everything that’s a routine shot, and then he’s made because we’re not letting teams put up 40 shots a night or high 30s. some crazy saves on top of that this year,” Landeskog said. “He’s really We’re trying to keep those shots down, but it doesn’t diminish what he elevated his game and been that anchor back there that we need.” brings to our team. When we need a save, he’s been there to give it to us.” Other than health, what’s the key to Grubauer’s success? Take it from one of the best goal scorers in the league, Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, The goaltender has also shown an impressive ability not to lose his who has played with Grubauer on German national teams: “I’m no goalie rhythm, even when the season has had interruptions. The Avalanche coach here, don’t get me wrong, but I think he’s very quick. He’s hard to have gone through two COVID-19-related pauses, and Grubauer got the beat side to side. He reads the play really well. He does everything right, virus himself, experiencing minor symptoms. He hasn’t suffered any and he’s obviously had a fantastic season.” other injuries all season; he placed an emphasis on durability during offseason training and frequently said throughout the season he was Grubauer, one of only two active NHL goalies from Germany (Detroit’s comfortable with his heavy workload. Thomas Greiss is the other), came to North America as a 16-year-old in 2008 to play in the Ontario Hockey League. That’s where he met San Grubauer has also found creative ways to improve while away from the Jose Sharks coach Bob Boughner, then the Windsor Spitfires coach. rink. He uses a virtual reality system that simulates a hockey rink and net. He can crouch in position and, holding remotes in each hand, stop Boughner remembers liking Grubauer when Belleville selected him in the pucks. league’s import draft, so a year later, Windsor made a trade to acquire him. The move solidified an already star-studded roster: Taylor Hall, who “You can pick the drills, you can pick screens, you can pick deflections,” went on to become the top pick in the 2010 NHL draft and won a Hart said Grubauer, who uses the device to warm up his eyes on game days Trophy in 2018, was averaging nearly two points a game for the Spitfires, and also relied on it while the team was on its COVID-19 pauses. “You and the team also featured NHLers Ryan Ellis, Adam Henrique, Zack can see your gloves and your blockers and you can track the puck.” Kassian and Cam Fowler. The Avalanche traded for goalie depth during the season, acquiring Jonas Johansson and Devan Dubnyk, but Johansson has never played in a postseason game and Dubnyk posted a sub-.900 save percentage on the season. If the Avalanche want to make a deep postseason run, Grubauer will likely have to be their guy.
That’s more than OK with them.
“He’s been great for us all year,” forward Nazem Kadri said earlier this month. “Why wouldn’t we be confident in him?”
The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214398 Colorado Avalanche The Avalanche are steadily healing, too. Most notably, young defenseman Bowen Byram, who hasn’t played since March 25 against Vegas due to an upper-body injury.
Rest assured, Avs and Bruins relish long gap between series “I’m just happy to be feeling 100% again," Byram said. “It’s definitely a tough thing to go through and it was frustrating being out for so long.”
The injury bug besieged the Bruins' blue line with defensemen Jeremy By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer 20 hrs ago Lauzon, Jakub Zboril and Kevan Miller all sidelined. Lauzon returned to practice Wednesday in a non-contact jersey, with Cassidy saying he's
“trending very well.” DENVER (AP) — Devan Dubnyk debunked the whole rest-or-rust “Our group has enough experience to understand the time off, how to debate. use it to the best of their abilities as far as getting rest and recovery,” Rest always trumps potential rust, the Colorado Avalanche backup Bruins president Cam Neely said. “It’s very important. Especially if you goaltender said, because rust may at most spill into the opening minutes hope to have a long run, I think these days off are going to be very of Game 1 — if at all. beneficial moving forward.”
The Avalanche are certainly well-rested. Same goes for the Boston Because the road only gets tougher. Bruins. "We just need to stay sharp,” Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar said. Both teams made quick work of their first-round opponents, which was “Whatever the guys need to do now, whether it’s getting on the ice or not rewarded with some valuable downtime. The Bruins will play the New or making sure their bodies are recovered is important. York Islanders starting Saturday — a full five days off between games. "We need to make sure that we’re ready and not too much time off where The top-seeded Avalanche face either Minnesota or Vegas, who play we’re getting out of that winning mindset.” Game 7 of their grueling series Friday night in Las Vegas. The winner LOADED: 05.29.2021 travels to the Mile High City to begin a second-round series with Game 1 set for Sunday. That's a six-day break for Colorado.
“It’s a real advantage to have the rest we have,” said Dubnyk, whose team finished a sweep of St. Louis on Sunday.
Because the alternative is not that appealing — a long, grinding series where anything can happen, including going home.
“You always want to close out a series as quickly as you can. It just takes away any stress,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, whose team eliminated Washington in Game 5 on Sunday. “Guys get to rest up a little bit. So I’m OK with it. We’ll try to do whatever we can.”
The Bruins experienced a similar sort of layoff during their 2019 Stanley Cup chase. They completed a sweep of Carolina in the Eastern Conference final on May 16 and then had to wait for the Blues to eliminate San Jose in six games on May 21.
The Cup Final between the two didn’t begin until May 27, with Boston going 11 days between games.
St. Louis captured the Cup in seven.
“I think guys have their eye on the prize, so to speak, and they’ll be fine,” Cassidy said of the break.
The Avalanche have taken a low-key approach to a week of practice sessions. If a player feels like taking the ice, they take the ice. If they don’t, they don’t.
"Every individual is different,” Avalanche forward Andre Burakovsky said. “So do whatever it takes to get prepared.”
The Avalanche have shown to be a resilient bunch with time on their hands. Twice they were paused due to coronavirus-related issues this season, but they still captured the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record.
Much like Boston, Colorado is no stranger to the playoff waiting game. In 2019, the Avalanche knocked off Calgary in five games, clinching their first-round series on April 19. They waited until April 26 to open a second-round series against San Jose, which the Avalanche lost in seven.
For coach Jared Bednar, this is a perfect chance to tighten up some areas.
Asked which particular ones, Bednar cracked: "All of them. That would be my answer. ... We’ll brush up on everything.”
Admittedly, Burakovsky doesn’t watch much hockey in the regular season. He's tuning in now to catch the Wild and Golden Knights. The Avalanche went 5-2-1 against Minnesota in the regular season and 4-3-1 vs. Vegas.
“It's good to see what kind of style they’re playing now in the playoffs and where you can expose them," Burakovsky said. 1214399 Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche to play Vegas Golden Knights in second round
Published 5 hours ago on May 28, 2021By Adrian Dater
Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights. Twenty-six years ago, the very utterance about a possible future NHL Stanley Cup Playoff city series matchup would have been grounds for admission to a mental health ward.
On Sunday night in Denver, where NHL hockey was given a rare future reconnoiter after the original Colorado Rockies left town in 1982, the Golden Knights will play the Avs in Game 1 of a second-round series. Vegas earned a trip to the second round with their seventh-game victory over the Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena in Sin City tonight.
Colorado beat out Vegas by percentage points on a tie-breaker to win the first seed in the Honda West Division title. Many pundits believe these may be the two best teams in the NHL.
Vegas is a bigger, heavier team than the Avs. But the Avs have more speed and skill. It remains to be seen, though, whether the Avs can impose their will more on Vegas than vice-versa. The Avs will enter as the favored team with the sportsbooks probably.
But the Avs have failed to get past the second round of the playoffs since 2002, including two straight second-round exits. There is a lot of pressure on this Avs team, and it won’t be easy at all against Vegas. In Game 7, Vegas’ Max Pacrioretty returned in dramatic fashion, after having not played since May 1. Pacrioretty scored in his return.
All the games in the series will be available to any cable subscribers and NBC channels, with no local blackouts.
Colorado hockey now LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214400 Colorado Avalanche
Patrick Roy and Mario Tremblay Reconcile in Hilarious Ad
Published 9 hours ago on May 28, 2021By Adrian Dater
It remains one of the most pivotal moments in Colorado Avalanche history – and yet it happened with the Montreal Canadiens. The on-the- bench snarling match between Patrick Roy and former Habs coach Mario Tremblay directly led to the seismic Roy trade to Colorado four days later, on Dec. 6, 1995. The Avs – and Canadiens – were never the same in the ensuing years.
After all these years, Roy and Tremblay can apparently now have a laugh about it.
Roy and Tremblay just did two really funny ads for Uber Eats, which I’ll post below, and Le Soleil also wrote an article about it. Despite taking four years – four years – of French in high school, I still can barely make out what anyone is saying in the language. I know bits and pieces still, but, yeah, I’m just not very bright. Je suis en imbecile. But I have many Avs fan friends from Quebec who are always happy to translate for me.
Patrick Roy, who is looking to get back into the NHL, and Tremblay did two ads, one in English and one in French.
Here’s the English version:
And now the French version, which has some funnier repartee:
Thanks to my friend Philippe Bissonette, an airline pilot from Quebec, here is what is being said in the French version:
“Tremblay scores to make it 9-1 then says to Roy: ‘you should pull your goalie’. Roy answers back: ‘No, he’s still good for another couple championships!’
Great ad!
Here is the article from Le Soleil, and a Google translation of it: (sorry for the unwieldy layout of the story, but it is what it is:
Out of the game as the team trailed 9-1 against the Detroit Red Wings, the goaltender had twice passed the then head coach of the Canadiens to slide to the ear of President Ronald Corey that he had just played his last game with the team.
"Got it," the lips could be read in Tremblay's direction. He would be traded to Colorado a few days later to then win the Stanley Cup that same season with the Avalanche.
“I was pleasantly surprised when I got the idea of working with Uber Eats and reuniting with Mario. This is something that I had in mind for a long time. If there's one thing that brings people together, it's food, ”Roy said in a statement.
“In life, there are opportunities that pass and you have to seize them. Uber Eats was able to create this moment, ”noted Tremblay for his part.
The Tonight I Eat ad was broadcast exclusively on TVA Sports during the first intermission of Thursday's game between the Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The campaign promotes the variety of Quebec restaurants and meals that can be found on the app.
“What not many people know is that we were roommates during the 1985-1986 season. The pandemic has been an opportunity to reflect, to put things in perspective and we are very happy to be reconciled thanks to Uber Eats. We are really happy to have taken this decision and we invite Quebeckers who are cold with loved ones to think about the idea of seeing them again, ”added with one voice those who also appreciate the visibility offered to restaurateurs in their homes. Steps.
In this adventure, Roy and Tremblay jointly signed a hockey stick which will be given to Opération Enfant Soleil via Uber Eats during the telethon. It is auctioned at uber.encansoleil.ca.
Colorado hockey now LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214401 Colorado Avalanche
Indications are Sampo Ranta might replace Alex Newhook for Game 1 Sunday
Published 15 hours ago on May 28, 2021By Adrian Dater
From high above rinkside here at Ball Arena: the most newsy thing that I can derive from Avs practice today is the fact that Sampo Ranta skated on a line with two guys who will play Game 1 against either Vegas or Minnesota Sunday night, and that Alex Newhook skated with two guys who almost certainly won’t play Sunday night.
While Newhook did practice at what appeared to be full speed, after missing a couple of practices with a lower-body injury, he skated in drills on a line with the suspended Nazem Kadri and spare forward Kiefer Sherwood. Meanwhile, Rampa skated with P.E. Bellemare and Carl Soderberg.
Could Ranta replace Newhook in the Game 1 lineup? Certainly seems possible, though Jared Bednar isn’t going to tip his hand on that right now.
The other three lines at practice:
Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen
Saad-Jost-Nichushkin
Burakovsky-Compher-Donskoi
Conor Timmins and Patrik Nemeth are still paired together, by the way, so don’t expect to see Bo Byram in Game 1.
As for the potential Ranta replacement of Newhook, I mean, I’m not sure how to feel about it. Newy scored the game-winner in Game 4 and Ranta has yet to play a shift in the NHL. But if he’s not 100 percent, I guess that would change things. Or, maybe Newhook will be back on a line with Bellemare and Carl tomorrow.
I’ll update this story after the coach speaks.
Colorado hockey now LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214402 Columbus Blue Jackets Multiple reports have connected Tocchet, the former Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning coach, with the Blue Jackets, Rangers and Buffalo Sabres. Like Tortorella, Tocchet and the Coyotes mutually Blue Jackets' hunt for next coach has produced crop of early candidates agreed to part ways after this season, which was the 57-year-old's fourth in Arizona.
Like Gallant, Tocchet was a goal-scoring forward in the NHL BRIAN HEDGER before entering the coaching ranks, in 2002-03 as an assistant with Colorado. He has spent the past 13 years coaching as an NHL assistant
or head coach, and is another one of the bigger names on the market. The Blue Jackets’ search for a head coach is heating up. Tocchet reportedly interviewed with the Rangers on Tuesday, the General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has said the position will be filled Sabres on Wednesday and has an interview set up with the Blue Jackets before NHL free agency arrives on July 28, but it might happen sooner this week. than later. The names of candidates are starting to emerge and Michael Arace: Random thoughts on Jackets' coaching search, including interviews are taking place to find John Tortorella's replacement. 'I like Tocchet' CBJ coach search: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen has plenty of Todd Nelson, Dallas Stars assistant coach options to replace coach John Tortorella Nelson, 52, is a Dallas Stars assistant to coach Rick Bowness and has Here’s a look at six options confirmed through multiple sources and spent the past 19 years coaching professionally. reports as candidates for the vacancy: Nelson has logged one brief stint as an NHL head coach in 2014-15, Brad Larsen, Blue Jackets assistant after taking over the Edmonton Oilers midway through that season, and All that’s known about Larsen’s candidacy is that he will be guided the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins to a Calder Cup championship in interviewed. Larsen, 43, specialized in coaching Blue Jackets’ forwards 2017. He’s been an assistant with the Stars for three years, previously and coordinated the power play as one of Tortorella’s assistants the past worked as an NHL assistant with the former Atlanta Thrashers and has five seasons. also been mentioned for the Coyotes' coaching vacancy.
He also was an assistant for two years with previous Blue Jackets coach According to Sportsnet, Nelson has scheduled interviews with Arizona Todd Richards and has spent the past 11 years coaching for the and Columbus. organization — including two as an assistant and two as head coach of Takeaways: Blue Jackets dealing with 'larger problems' than loss to the Springfield Falcons, the team's American Hockey League affiliate Dallas Stars before the Cleveland Monsters. NHL playoffs: Heroes, villains among former Blue Jackets still chasing The Blue Jackets’ power play struggled under Larsen’s purview, but that the Stanley Cup wasn’t his only job responsibility. He’s still young among his coaching peers and Kekalainen thinks Larsen will be an NHL head coach sooner Jukka Jalonen, Finnish coach or later. Jalonen, 57, has loads of head coaching experience in multiple European 2021 season: Takeaways from Blue Jackets' finale include Tortorella's leagues and has guided a number of Finnish national teams to success exit and a video coach's new view on the international stage. He is currently in Latvia coaching Finland in the world championships and it’s unclear whether he will get an interview David Quinn, former New York Rangers coach with the Blue Jackets. Quinn, 54, was fired by the New York Rangers on May 12, a week after Kekalainen was interviewed for a podcast called “Hockey Wanderlüst” they parted ways with general manager Jeff Gorton and president of earlier this week and brought up Jalonen’s name when asked whether he hockey operations John Davidson, who was recently rehired by the Blue will consider European coaches. Kekalainen said Jalonen would be Jackets in the same role. considered for the Jackets’ vacancy, but stopped short of confirming that Asked last week whether Quinn would be considered for the Jackets’ he will get an interview. vacancy, Davidson said it would be “negligent” not to consider his former Kekalainen was recently named as Finland’s assistant GM for the 2022 coach in New York. Quinn, a former head coach at Boston University, Olympic team and knows Jalonen well. He also knows a number of other was only three years into a full rebuild project with the Rangers and European coaches and didn’t rule out the possibility of hiring one. went 96-87-25 overall. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 05.29.2021 The assumption is he will get at least one interview, but it’s unknown if or when it will happen.
What to know: Blue Jackets' search to include former Rangers coach David Quinn, who might be a good fit
Gerard Gallant, former Vegas coach with extensive resume
Gallant reportedly has interviewed with the Blue Jackets this week via video conference from Riga, Latvia, where he is coaching Canada’s national team at the IIHF world championship. The Athletic reported that development Thursday.
Gallant, 57, didn’t coach this season after being fired in 2019-20 by the Vegas Golden Knights despite a 24-19-6 start to the season. Gallant is the hottest name among available NHL coaches and the former forward now has 17 years of NHL coaching experience as an assistant and head coach — including his first opportunity to run a bench with the Blue Jackets in parts of three seasons, from 2003-07.
Gallant also has interviewed with the Rangers and could be in the running for the expansion Seattle Kraken, a role he handled with aplomb in Vegas.
Next for Keklalainen: Michael Arace: Blue Jackets GM has a raft of big decisions ahead of him
Rick Tocchet 1214403 Dallas Stars Strength in number Since Jordon’s death, Joel learned more about mental health, taking
psychology classes in college and understanding more about brain Strength in Number: Why Joel Hanley’s switch to No. 44 is more than a chemistry. jersey, but a tribute to his brother’s legacy “In the last 30 years, we’ve learned a lot about the mental side of the brain, and there’s so many things we haven’t learned either,” Joel said. “There’s still a long way to go as far as understanding the brain and By Matthew DeFranks10:00 AM on May 28, 2021 CDT understanding mental health and how it affects [us].”
Because of the age difference, Jordon and Joel played only one season of hockey together, in 2007-08 on the Georgina Ice, a junior team in Long before he wore No. 44 on his Dallas Stars sleeves or back or Ontario. They still played hockey together at the family’s cottage or helmet, Joel Hanley wore it on his shoulder. ministicks inside the house but didn’t play organized hockey with each Much like his dad Rob’s arm and his mom Rosanne’s back, Joel had the other outside that one season. No. 44 stamped on his left shoulder for the last decade. It rests on a The season served as a springboard for Joel to UMass and then a shield, below the initials “J.R.H” and above a script “Walk By Faith.” professional career with stops in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. It was also There’s also an ichthys — a Christian symbol — with crossed hockey when Jordon gave his No. 44 to Joel. sticks in the background. It’s a tattoo Joel designed in the summer of 2011, months after his brother Jordon died by suicide in October 2010. After Joel wore No. 44 in college, it would be another seven years before “Hanley” and “44” were reunited on the back of a hockey sweater. With It was a way for the Hanleys to honor Jordon and remember Joel’s Montreal and Arizona, Joel wore No. 71. During his first two seasons with outgoing, athletic, spiritual older brother. This past season in Dallas, Joel Dallas, including when he scored a goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup found another tribute, wearing No. 44 for the first time in his professional Final, Joel wore No. 39. hockey career — the same number Jordon wore growing up and one that he passed on to Joel. But when Gavin Bayreuther departed the Stars organization last year, No. 44 became available, and Joel’s wife, Kate, told him he should ask When Stars training camp began four months ago, it was the first time the team if he could change numbers. since college that Joel was wearing his older brother’s number. “I don’t know if it’s a big deal or not, but it would mean a lot to me if I “I never thought I’d be able to wear, especially for an NHL team in Dallas, could change to 44,” Joel recalls telling equipment manager Steve never thought I’d have the chance to wear 44, so it was just really Sumner. A week later, he was told the number was his. special,” Joel said. “When I walked in, I was like ‘Wow!’ kind of reflecting on what it’s taken to get there and just thinking about my brother and just Still inspiring knowing that he would be so proud of me. Rob and Rosanne have watched almost every game Joel’s played “since “He never got to see me play a pro game, so he was definitely looking he’s been just a little fella,” Rob said, a career that has taken him through down and really happy and proud of what’s happened so far.” one ECHL team, four AHL teams and three NHL teams. The Hanley house is plastered with pictures of Joel in the NHL. Touching many lives “Oh, we’ve got too many pictures here,” Rob said. “There’s no more room Jordon died when he was 23, while 19-year-old Joel was going through on the walls. We’ve got some of his stuff from Montreal and Arizona, the his freshman year of college at UMass. Jordon was a hockey player, a school.” lacrosse player, a volleyball player and a track and field standout, Joel said, who studied kinesiology at York University in Toronto and posted Both Rob and Joel express a hint of wonder when talking about Joel’s straight A’s. NHL career, one that will continue for another two seasons with the Stars after Joel signed an extension earlier this season. Joel knows that Jordon He was an approachable person who kept a prayer list on his iPod for would have been his biggest fan. “friends, family, someone he met, a stranger,” Joel said. Jordon’s faith impacted many people in Keswick, Ontario, where Rob owns and runs “Honestly, he always would give me so much positive encouragement Hanley’s Plumbing. Though the time following Jordon’s death was a blur like ‘Man, I don’t know how you saw that play,’” Joel said. “He was for Joel, he remembers people coming up to him at the funeral to talk always really positive with me, and he was the one that I always looked about his late brother. up to. He was four years older than me and stronger than me, so I was trying to keep up with him. Just the classic brother duo trying to push “Everyone enjoyed being around him,” Joel said. “He had a soft spot for each other. people that didn’t fit in very well. He would always go out of his way to make people feel special. That was something that I admired about him. “Definitely didn’t imagine that I would be in the NHL. I know he would be the biggest fan, the biggest supporter, and try to be at every game. “People would come up to me after and be like, ‘Jordon was a big part of Asking questions and stuff, I know he’d be texting me after every game my life.’” for sure.” It was a side of Jordon that Joel hadn’t realized before, how many people Since Jordon’s death, Joel has written his initials — J.R.H. for Jordon he influenced, and said it was “overwhelming to just see that and the Robert Hanley — and “44” on his stick, along with an ichthys as a people that reached out.” reflection of Joel’s renewed Christian faith. “They were four years apart, but I don’t think that mattered,” Rob said. This season, Joel was able to have 44 on his sleeves and back and “Jordon, he was a real sensitive guy and he’d always let Joel jump in with helmet, too. all his buddies. They had a real strong relationship. It’s been a tough go for him, for sure, losing your brother.” “I have faith today just because of Jordon and my parents,” Joel said. “That’s kind of the biggest thing, just knowing that one day, I’ll see Jordon When Joel went to UMass in 2010, it was emotional for the entire family again. That gives me hope and gives me encouragement that I’ll see him since it was his first time leaving Keswick. About a month later, Joel again.” received a call from his parents telling him Jordon had died. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 05.29.2021 Jordon was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that results in extreme mood swings and energy. “Jordon was always so upbeat and high energy all the time, so I guess with bipolar disorder, you get super high and super low,” Joel said. “During the highs, it was his personality to begin with. And then the lows, maybe we could have done a better job of seeing the lows. But when things like this happen, you don’t really want to put blame on yourself, it was the lows that we didn’t really see.” 1214404 Detroit Red Wings
Why the Detroit Red Wings might bring back Jonathan Bernier at goaltender
HELENE ST. JAMES
Over the past two seasons, Jonathan Bernier has been the Detroit Red Wings’ most reliable player.
He has provided the goaltending needed for his teammates to have a chance to win games, even as those teammates were prone to defensive lapses and struggled to score. Now Bernier’s contract is expiring, and general manager Steve Yzerman has to decide whether to keep Bernier, or sign someone new. There isn’t a prospect in the organization who is ready for an audition.
For his part, Bernier isn’t wavering.
“My family and I, we really like it here,” he said on May 20. “I feel comfortable at the rink, on the ice. For me, it would be my No. 1 choice, but it all depends on if Steve wants to keep me or if he wants to try somebody else. But I’d definitely like to stay here.”
Since mid-December 2019, Bernier has posted a .915 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average in 49 appearances, 46 of which were starts.
The one issue with Bernier, 32, has been staying healthy. He suffered an upper-body injury Jan. 28, though that happened because teammate Anthony Mantha ran into Bernier. That sidelined Bernier three weeks. He spent three weeks in sickbay again from March 18-April 8, that time with a lower-body injury stemming from another run-in with a teammate, Patrik Nemeth. During the 2019-20 season, Bernier missed roughly three weeks in January with a lower-body injury.
Bernier is coming off a three-year, $9 million contract. Thomas Greiss, who rebounded from a poor start to post a .912 save percentage and 2.70 GAA in 34 games, was signed last October for two years, $7.2 million.
There are multiple goaltenders who could hit the open market this offseason, but high-profile ones such as Tuukka Rask (Boston Bruins) and Pekka Rinne (Nashville Predators) are either likely to re-sign with their previous teams or make more sense for a team in win-now mode.
If Yzerman wants to bring in somebody younger, Chris Driedger could be an interesting choice. He’s 27, and coming off a two-year, $1.7 million contract. The 6-foot-4 Driedger spent the past two seasons with the Florida Panthers, backing up Sergei Bobrovsky. Driedger went 14-6-3 in in 23 starts with a .927 save percentage and 2.07 GAA in 23 starts this season. He played three games in the playoffs, posting a .871 save percentage and 3.70 GAA, after Bobrovsky failed to impress in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Re-signing Bernier would seem to be the safest route, perhaps on a short-term deal in the $3 million range. Bernier has developed the mental toughness to play on a team in a rebuild, able to block out losing games in a way he wasn’t able to when he was with the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs from 2013-16. He was traded during the summer that the Leafs — the NHL's worst team in 2015-16 — won the draft lottery and were able to add Auston Matthews, transforming the franchise.
“I lived it in Toronto and the one thing that I regret is being there through the pain but not when they’re better,” Bernier said. “So that’s one of the reasons I want to stay here. All the pain we went through the last couple years, I finally see we are getting better with some great young guys. We are headed in the right direction, and I’d definitely like to stay here.”
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214405 Detroit Red Wings The Wings are at an important crossroads with Smith, in that at the start of next season, he'll either need to stay on the NHL roster or be exposed on waivers.
Red Wings show confidence Givani Smith is ready to stick in the NHL There's also the question of whether to protect Smith on the expansion list, as he's a player the expansion Seattle Kraken would surely be interested in selecting.
TED KULFAN General manager Steve Yzerman grouped Smith among several young players (Smith, Michael Rasmussen, Dennis Cholowski, Gustav
Lindstrom) who the Wings have to make decisions on. Detroit — In a hockey season that almost wasn't because of the Yzerman said Smith was among the players who didn't look out of place pandemic, Givani Smith was thankful for the chance to play and get back in the NHL, but that positions in the lineup will not be handed out freely. to doing what he loves most. "Our decision at the end of training camp is, are they on the roster?" That's being on the ice, and doing so with a fearlessness that makes him Yzerman said of certain Wings prospects. "Are we willing to risk putting an intriguing prospect for the Red Wings. any of them on waivers? They’re going to have to be pretty bad to be put In the summer and autumn of 2020, it didn't look like there was a path for on waivers at this point, and I don’t anticipate that. But I can’t guarantee a young player like Smith to play pro hockey in 2021. The pandemic that they’re going to be in the lineup, and that’s up to them.” seemed to be winning. Smith played 16 games with the Wings (one goal, three assists) and 25 "I remember sitting at home and itching to get back and play," Smith said. with the Griffins (nine goals, six assists). "Scoring goals or being in a fight, or just skating on the ice. "It was a good learning point in my career," said Smith, who has now "It was nice to have these months to play." played 37 NHL games over two seasons. "I was able to get some NHL time and develop my game a little more. Going back and forth, it was Smith split time with the Wings and Grand Rapids of the American good for me mentally. Hockey League. He believes it was a productive season, and provided another opportunity to show he's closer to being ready for the NHL full- "It was a grind, but it's nice to work for things, and not have it just given." time. Smith knows what he needs to work on. Listening to Wings coach Jeff Blashill and Smith's peers in Detroit, the "I need to get a little bit quicker with my skating, and also to navigate the progress of the big, rugged forward has been evident. corner a little better and make the right play. Making plays in the It affirmed the Wings' confidence in Smith. As soon as next season, offensive zone and keeping things going," he said. Smith likely will get to show what he can do on the NHL level on a daily Making the decision for the Wings. basis. Detroit News LOADED: 05.29.2021 "I'm excited and ready to work hard to get that spot, that job," Smith said.
Wings fans have been salivating for Smith to get a spot in the lineup for quite some time.
At 6-foot-2, 210-pounds, he brings an element of toughness to an organization that could use more of it.
Late in the season against Florida, Smith was in the lineup against the Panthers. Florida defenseman Riley Stillman leveled Dylan Larkin with a big hit in a game the Panthers had taken several physical liberties on smaller Wings forwards.
Smith challenged Stillman to a third-period fight, meeting the problem head on.
“It’s a testament to who Smitty is,” forward Luke Glendening said after the game. “To step in there, after he (Smith) had already fought (earlier in the game), and stand up for Larks, stand up for a teammate."
Blashill took notice.
“That’s stepping up big time," the coach said.
Smith, 23, a Wings' 2016 second-round draft pick who the team has brought along patiently, has expanded his game beyond the physical presence.
Against those same Panthers on Super Bowl Sunday, Smith had a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight). In that game, you could see the confidence growing in Smith's overall ability.
His skating and offensive awareness looked improved during this shortened season. His play away from the puck was better.
“When he gets into the offensive zone, he’s a load,” Blashill said. “He’s a hard guy to check and he has pretty good hands in those (hard) areas, and he knows to go to the net.”
Smith felt there were areas, specifically in the offensive zone, where he made strides this season.
"(The biggest improvement) was being able to keep plays going, and recognize the areas of the ice where I am," Smith said. "Body position, things like that. I just improved mentally, growing as a player.
"Just getting tougher and stronger. Overall, making more plays in the offensive zone." 1214406 Detroit Red Wings been here will be important and any additions that add scoring without sacrificing the other side will be important as well.”
Michigan Live LOADED: 05.29.2021 Red Wings’ offensive improvement must come mostly from within
Posted May 27, 6:02 AM
By Ansar Khan
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 Zach Hyman (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 1214407 Edmonton Oilers unrestricted free-agent Dmitry Kulikov was healthy scratch for Kris Russell in elimination game against Winnipeg, his chances of returning certainly went down. Keep an eye on Patrik Nemeth (Colorado) as a third-pairing LD possibility. The Oilers were interested but Detroit traded OILERS NOTES: Mike Smith proved everybody wrong this season him to the Avs. They got Kulikov at deadline, instead … Dominik Kahun is in Latvia playing for the German national team at the worlds. Will the
restricted free-agent winger get a qualifying offer here or will he enter the Jim Matheson • Publishing date:May 28, 2021 • 4 hours ago • UFA fray? When you’re a healthy scratch the last two playoff games, you have little leverage but he still scored nine goals in 48 games. That’s 15- goal pace over 82 games … When Holland, unsolicited, talks about how well Devin Shore played in Game 4 against Winnipeg, that sounds like a Mike Smith has a starter’s mentality, which is why the NHL’s oldest puck- tell they’re going to re-sign him … Unlikely Joakim Nygard will be back, stopper will likely be returning on a one-year deal for a handsome raise same with Patrick Russell, both UFA forwards who spent weeks and on his $1.5-million because he can be that here, but as to his goalie weeks on the taxi-squad. Between them, they played 17 games this year. partner? Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.29.2021 Clearly murky.
Mikko Koskinen ($4.5-million) will likely be unprotected in the expansion draft. Alex Stalock ($785,000), too, if Smith is re-signed by then. Koskinen turns 33 in July, Stalock 34.
The Oilers probably want to get younger, somebody in the mid 20s range to work with the 39-year-old Smith. Whether that’s going after a UFA like Chris Driedger in Florida, even with his slim portfolio, or trading for an established Joonas Korpisalo in Columbus, which would mean finding a team for Koskinen, who knows?
Driedger will have lots of suitors; Korpisalo has one year left and he’s unrestricted, a consideration for any team in a trade.
The clock’s ticking on Smith’s best-before date at his age but he’s coming back if the money’s right. While figuring out goalies is basically voodoo — they can be good one year, fantastic the next and seem to lose it the next — Smith was one of the NHL’s top six to eight goalies when, only the Oilers, wanted him, as a consolation prize after missing out on Jakob Markstrom.
“Honestly I came on a mission … I proved to myself and to a lot of people I’m still capable of being a top goaltender in this league,” said Smith. “I did a lot of things in the off-season to set me up to be prepared. To have the injury (leg) before the season started wasn’t ideal, but it was probably one of the most consistent years I’ve had in a long time.
“Not having my family here (his wife and four kids stayed in Kelowna) wasn’t ideal. There were a lot of sacrifices made but I love playing this game. I love playing at a high level, even at my age and still having the drive to compete. Disappointed by how it ended but I’ll be stronger because of it,” he said.
When Winnipeg winger Kyle Connor squeezed a shot under goalie Smith’s arm for the winner in the third OT period in Game 4, he was tired and upset, but it wasn’t the end of the world for Smith.
“As a kid you dream of playing triple overtime in the NHL playoffs. Not the outcome we wanted, but overtime games? Nothing like it,” said Smith. “You replay the games over and over in your mind, you go through the what ifs. There’s a fine line between winning and losing in the play offs. You earn it.”
Smith didn’t change his technique or style, but getting his body finer tuned helped.
“There’s a physical aspect to this. I moved to Kelowna, I was able to work with (goalie coach/trainer) Adam Francilla, whom have a lot of respect for,” he said.
“I’ve always stressed the physical part, but he got me working on different stuff. I was in the best shape ever. I stayed healthy, too. But stopping the pucks? I didn’t really change anything.”
This ‘n that: The Oilers may want to get bigger on LW in free-agency but don’t discount Jaden Schwartz in St. Louis. He turns 29 in a month, fast (190 pounds, five-foot 10), but after two 50-plus point seasons he’s coming off poor 21-point (eight goals) in 44 games this year. His dad Rick died this season which obviously had bearing on his season … The Oilers made a mistake not playing Stalock after they claimed him March 1 from Minnesota. He ate up a roster spot for weeks after he got off IR. He can be an NHL backup, for sure. Will he be in Bakersfield if they get somebody else for Smith? … Ex-Oilers coach and current Dallas assistant Todd Nelson has reportedly interviewed in Columbus for their vacant head job and might get a look in Arizona, too … Ken Holland probably has circled Mattias Janmark, the ex-Dallas winger now in Vegas, as a free-agent to go after. He’s a very versatile third-liner … If 1214408 Edmonton Oilers The event had basically been built for weeks now. One of the attractions of holding the event here was to provides a stage
for the two top rated CHL draft prospects, forward Dylan Guenther and Bubble hockey in Edmonton comes to end as junior showcase falls goaltender Sebastian Cossa both of the Oil Kings and to showcase some through of the others likely to play for Team Canada in the return of the IIHF world junior here Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
Thursday NHL Central Scouting announced the final rankings. Guenther Derek Van Diest dropped to fifth among North American skaters while Cossa remained No. 1 among North American goaltenders. Publishing date:May 28, 2021 • 10 hours ago • “It’s going to be an interesting draft,” said Nicholson. “There weren’t
many views of this draft class by scouts. That’s why we were willing to The coronavirus pandemic inspired Edmonton Ice Age is now officially take this on. If we hadn’t run the other hubs it would have been a ton over. more. We had the model. We were helping them more than they were helping us just because we were so successful with the two other The final horn has sounded on 10 months of the city being the world bubbles. It was basically going to be a made-for-TV event, so it would capital of no-fans-in-the-stands bubble hockey that began back on July have been pretty contained.” 26. If nothing else, the cancellation provides closure to a significant chapter It didn’t end in triple overtime in the third longest game in Oilers history in Edmonton hockey history. Monday in Winnipeg. The final bubble actually burst Thursday when the planned Canadian Hockey League Prospects Showcase & NHL Combine “It was huge,” said Nicholson of the exposure and the image of both the for draft eligible players officially fell apart. city and the organization.
“We will not be hosting for sure — 100 per cent,” Oilers chairman Bob “It also kept OEG functional. It gave us jobs. It didn’t make any money Nicholson confirmed of the event planned for July 1-2-3-4. but it filled some holes, that’s for sure. And all the way to the presentation of the Stanley Cup and the presentation of the world junior, it was What happened? spectacular.”
“It was basically the CHL and all the COVID conflicts,” said Nicholson of Nicholson said the Edmonton experience is over but the great thing is the protocols that were in place for the NHL Hub City and IIHF near- that the return of the NHL in the fall and world junior do-over will actually perfect productions under Alberta Health Services mandated conditions be able to be experienced by fans in the building. here. “I think it will be more exciting than ever because of all the pent-up “The CHL thought it was still too strict. They wanted to come here energy,” he said. because of all of our history and all that we’d done but they felt it was still too complicated.” “There’s disappointment because of how the Oilers lost and being swept but the fans know we got a lot better and that we should even be a great The timing was interesting. deal better next season with what Kenny Holland will be able to achieve in the offseason.” While no fans have attended pro sports events in Canada so far, Edmonton will possibly be left in a situation of effectively going from zero Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.29.2021 to 60 … as in 60,000.
With Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announcing Alberta’s so-called Grand Re-Opening in time for the Calgary Stampede, the Edmonton EE football club, in the largest stadium in the CFL, was left ecstatic with the news.
“We are very excited about the announcement, particularly as it relates to an Aug. 5 start with full capacity,” said President and CEO Chris Presson.
Full capacity. What wonderful words.
At Commonwealth Stadium, since the installation of new seats, that’s now 56,302 not the 60,000 it used to be.
While there’s unlikely to be any feeling great remorse about the loss of the showcase event, it would have been a nice way to complete the pandemic package Edmonton had given the hockey world since “The Pause” in mid-March last year.
The Oilers Entertainment Group had gone to great lengths to build one last bubble event here to follow the 81-games of last year’s Hub City Stanley Cup playoffs hosting here followed by a return to the bubble with the hosting of the IIHF world junior, the ice will now come out and the focus will be on the return of summer sports.
And considering the city is about to enter a 15th month without a sports fan turning a turnstile, that will be definitely be something to be celebrated.
Nicholson, with OEG owning the Edmonton Oil Kings, felt they were the right people to do it.
The event was to include a trio of teams featuring draft eligible players from each of the QMJHL, OHL and WHL playing a round robin with a final with participation in the NHL Combine on the non-game days. The NHL was to provide combine funds to finance most of it. The combine is an event held prior to the draft where players are tested, evaluated, have medicals and are interviewed by management and scouts of the now 32 NHL teams. 1214409 Edmonton Oilers General manager Ken Holland and head coach Dave Tippett took over a team that was in 28th place with a minus-42 in goals for/against, and took it to 11th place in two seasons with a plus-29 in goals for/against. I mean, come on. Take a chill pill, Oilers fans. Get ready for a decade of dominance Playoff pratfall? Tampa Bay was swept in the playoffs two years and carried the Stanley Cup in the bubble here last year. Tampa Bay was built by Holland protégé Steve Yzerman. The Lightning defeated the Terry Jones Dallas Stars, managed by Holland protégé Jim Nill, in last year’s Hub Publishing date:May 28, 2021 • 4 hours ago • City Stanley Cup Final right here in Rogers Place
For his part, Holland did it this year wearing handcuffs because of the salary-cap situation he inherited because of the major mess made by his Take a pill Edmonton. Relax. Get past the emotion of the Oilers’ early predecessor, Peter Chiarelli. exit. You’ve had all week. Holland had no money to spend last off-season, so he signed up four This is not a return to the decade of darkness. That’s all in the past. players at minimum expense this nattering nabob of negativism called Enough already. Get over it. “reclamation projects.” They were Tyson Barrie, Jesse Puljujarvi, Kyle Turris and Mike Smith. He batted three for four! Step back and consider where this team will be when it returns from playing in empty arenas and you can share what I totally believe will be a People were disappointed that Holland, in his exit interview, didn’t make new decade of excellence in Edmonton. It’s there to behold. promises for immediate action?
For the last 15 years, I’ve typed a lot of negative paragraphs about the Holland and Tippett have brought stability that should be celebrated bottom-feeding Oilers as they flailed and failed. But Edmonton just despite what happened in the playoffs. watched two exceptional seasons and all the arrows are up. Holland has salary-cap room to work with now. He knows what he is This city knows hockey. So, slap yourselves. doing and what he intends to do is make moves to give this team a chance to reach for the top for the rest of the decade. If you live and die with this team, you’re picking yourself up out of a puddle covered in mud again. We all know that unlike many other cities, Everybody in town knows the moves he has to make. Bottom-six the fans in this city take it personally. But you’ve had enough time to feel forwards. Secondary scoring. Upgrade for left wing on a top line. Third- sorry for yourselves since three straight overtime losses, including a line centre. Goaltender. He’s going to work to make those moves now, replay of the Miracle on Manchester and the third longest overtime game internally and externally, not in 2025. in Oilers history. He’s a grinder, not a showman. Step back. Look at the big picture. Quote-unquote: “As a manager I need a good off-season.” Ask yourself some questions. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.29.2021 Is there a hockey club in Canada or in next season’s Pacific Division — maybe even in all of the NHL — you’d really rather watch for the rest of this decade?
Connor McDavid is 24. He’s about to win his second Hart Trophy and third Art Ross. Leon Draisaitl is 25. He’s coming off a Hart and a Ross. For a second straight year, they were 1-2 in scoring. They’re the ultimate show in the NHL. Period. They are just now entering their ‘window.’
And what we watched from these two this year in terms of maturity, leadership, hunger, dedication to defence and so many other areas, was exceptional.
Darnell Nurse developed into a Norris Trophy caliber defenceman in front of your eyes, even if it had to be on your TV screens, this year. And what a way to finish the season, playing 62:07 minutes in Game 4 after going to OT the night before, flying back to Edmonton for the birth of his new son, Aiden.
You’ve waited for a defence to develop here and now it’s happening, with Adam Larsson coming off his best year and eager to re-up. If Oscar Klefbom returns from surgery good to go and the likes of Even Bouchard, Philip Broberg and others about to join Ethan Bear in the mix, look at all the up arrows involved.
And how impressed were you with the maturity and character of Bear this week? Yes, he made the turnover that sent Game 4 into overtime. But Bear was forced to endure the mindless social media racist comments and handled it brilliantly.
Take a good look at this group. This is a great bunch of guys who genuinely like each other, love Edmonton that handled themselves exceptionally well in their exit interviews, despite the extent that they’d just been gutted a dozen hours earlier in Winnipeg.
The core and developing players all spoke to how much they wanted to be here, loved playing here and believed in each other, wanted to win for each other and return to start writing different endings. Edmonton fans want players who want to be in Edmonton. And clearly it was from-the- heart stuff.
There are those who throw out statistics to make points, and I love fans who do deep dives into the numbers. But why do so many of them ignore the most important statistical evidence of all — the standings? 1214410 Edmonton Oilers No. 21 overall 2
Traded to the Red Wings for Andreas Athanasiou Lowetide: An early look at the Oilers’ options for the 2021 draft 3
Awarded to the Flames by the NHL By Allan Mitchell May 28, 2021 4
No. 117 overall For the first time in more than a decade, the NHL entry draft won’t be the top attraction in the Edmonton Oilers’ offseason. 5
From 2010 through last year’s video conference edition, Oilers fans were Traded to the Senators for Tyler Ennis accustomed to the procurement of a gifted player with a high pick on opening night of the proceedings. 6
Things will be different this summer. No. 181 overall
The Oilers have established that the current roster can make the 6 playoffs, but for two seasons in a row, they have failed to get out of the No. 189 overall first round. Management knows the challenge, and this season the team has money (and more resources) to make things happen. 7
General manager Ken Holland gave media and fans the outline and No. 213 overall timeline for this summer at Wednesday’s media availability, as the work of improving the roster goes into Year 3 under his leadership. Edmonton has five selections over the seven rounds but only one in the first 100 picks. I think Holland would contemplate dealing down. Using Much of the business of a hockey summer happens around the draft, and The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn’s trade value chart for specific picks, the there are several attractive options for Holland and the Oilers. First, there No. 21 pick is worth two selections (Nos. 32 and 54) currently held by the are some wrinkles in this year’s draft you should know about, as they Buffalo Sabres. may be the catalyst for unusual moves by NHL teams. That’s a deal Edmonton could make and win, partly because this year’s 2021 draft oddities draft is so wide open and local scouting knowledge may hold extreme value. Having more picks means having a better chance to hit a home In a normal season, most draft-eligible players would be plucked from the run. four major junior leagues. Trading out completely In 2020, Canadian junior leagues remained dominant. The OHL (31 picks), WHL (28) and QMJHL (19) represented 36 percent of the NHL’s This would be highly unusual for Holland, because the result (without 217 selections. picks added in separate deals) would mean a lost year in the draft.
The USHL (along with the U.S. National Team Development Program, One seam in the system he might pursue is something similar to the which plays some games in the league) accounted for 36 more Andreas Athanasiou transaction. That deal involved the Oilers giving up selections, meaning the four powerhouse junior circuits delivered 114 of two second-round selections (about equal to a first-round pick) in 217 (52.5 percent) of the total picks. exchange for an RFA with arbitration rights.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected some leagues more than others in the The Red Wings weren’t sure what to do with the arbitration-eligible 2020-21 season. The OHL played no games, WHL played some games Athanasiou, who despite struggling had a 30-goal NHL season in his (no club more than 24, far less than half a season) and the QMJHL saw recent past that would be part of the arbitration case. teams play between 26 and 40 games along with playoffs. Holland took the risk, eventually leading to considerable criticism for both The USHL played almost its entire schedule and crowned a league the player and the GM. champion, therefore showcasing the best players eligible, including Luke Hughes and Chaz Lucius. That may give players from the league an That doesn’t make it a bad idea, in theory, and better execution in advantage come draft day, as scouts will have had fresh views and might procurement could benefit the Oilers for years. be more certain of the USHL prospects. The deadline deal by the Panthers that brought Sam Bennett from the In Europe, draft-eligible players saw action but often in lower leagues due Flames is that type of trade. Florida gave up Emil Heineman, who was a to the flood of North American players who wanted to play the first half of second-round pick from the 2020 draft, plus a second-rounder in 2021 for the season to get ready for the NHL campaign. Those players would Bennett. He is an RFA this summer and is likely to sign for an increase in have been scouted and should retain much of their actual value. Florida based on his strong post-deadline showing.
All of this means we could see older players chosen. Players born A few players Holland might target in the same fashion: between Jan. 1, 2001, and Sept. 15, 2003, are eligible for the 2021 draft. Warren Foegele, Hurricanes: He is 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, has good European players born in 2000 are eligible and players chosen in the speed, can win battles and has delivered consistent offence for three 2019 draft who are unsigned will be eligible. The Oilers under Holland years running, via Natural Stat Trick. used this rule to select Ilya Konovalov in the 2019 draft. Sam Reinhart, Sabres: Obviously this would be a bigger deal and would Expect plenty of 19- and 20-year-olds to be chosen, as NHL teams will involve more than the No. 21 selection, and it’d be less than ideal have a stronger book on them. because Reinhart is a righty. However, the skill is there, and he would be an upgrade at right wing over Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto. Trading up or down Andrew Copp, Jets: Money is always an issue for the Jets, not The Oilers are unlikely to trade up from No. 21 in the first round. The necessarily for the coming season but long term. Winnipeg has an prospect pipeline ( or “development program,” as Holland called it in his internal cap and miles of less-expensive options bubbling under. I doubt presser) will also be docked several new players because some they would deal Copp to the Oilers, but he makes the list for sure. selections are gone from this year’s draft, via trade. The current list of picks (subject to change) looks like this: Holland could target a player under contract and one year away from a big payday, like Jake DeBrusk. Edmonton might be wise to target ROUND PICK DeBrusk, or a similar player, while he’s on a slight downbeat, as with his talent it’s unlikely he’ll be available one year from now. 1 It’s also possible the first-round selection could be used to ease a team’s expansion worries. An organization like the Lightning might be tempted by a nonconference team offering its first for an exposed player.
First-round possibilities
Oilers fans are still getting to know Holland and director of amateur scouting Tyler Wright, but early indications have the organization valuing athletes and players who have at least one dominant strength.
Looking at how the first round might play out, Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa would be a good fit. In his two WHL seasons, Cossa has posted save percentages of .921 and .941, and in a season when scouting opportunities are rare, scouts and management will have an up-to-date book on the big man (6-6, 212).
Cossa told Guy Flaming of the Pipeline Show, “I move well in my crease for how big I am, move east-west as well as anyone,” and that is the bold bullet point on his resume that makes him an attractive option around No. 20 in this year’s draft.
The other player Edmonton might have its eyes on is Mason McTavish, who scored 29 goals in his draft-minus-one season with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. He is a dangerous shooter (scored a bunch in Switzerland and the U18s this season), creative with the puck and has size (6-1, 207). It’s doubtful he would fall to the Oilers, but he would be a quality selection at No. 21.
Overagers
It’s a good bet that half or more of Edmonton’s 2021 picks will be on their second year (or more) of eligibility. The organization is comfortable in taking older players, would have a longer history tracking the prospects and could be acquiring a player closer to NHL-ready. Here are a few names:
Owen Pederson, Winnipeg Ice: He is 19 years old, 6-3 and 192 pounds, with goal scoring (13 in 24 games this season) as his main strength. Pederson is a smart player who has a sixth sense around the net, and he could be a draft bargain in later rounds.
Zakhar Bardakov, Vityaz Podolsk (KHL): He turned 20 in February and scored eight goals in the KHL during 2020-21.
Zachary Okabe, St. Cloud State: He just completed his sophomore season. He’s undersized (5-9, 170) but is a burner and fantastic passer.
Summary
Edmonton’s cap room this year gives the team room to wheel in free agency. The draft gives the club a chance to move down, to move out of the first round for the right (young) player, or to choose another significant piece for the future.
If I’m betting on Edmonton’s moves draft weekend, Cossa in the first round, at least one overage player in later rounds and one or more defenceman are all good bets.
The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214411 Florida Panthers “We’ll talk about it with my people, with the organization, too, and we’ll come up with something, but all I can say is I love it here right now,” the star center said. “I’ve enjoyed this year the most I’ve enjoyed in my entire life, so I want to keep doing that every year.” This Panthers season was a massive step, but patience is running out to actually contend Said Quenneville: “Expectations are healthy.”
FLORIDA PANTHERS OFFSEASON OUTLOOK, PREVIEW
BY DAVID WILSON Florida is in position to keep most of its roster intact, too. The Panthers will have about $10 million in cap space to work with this offseason, MAY 28, 2021 01:36 PM, according to CapFriendly, and have eight unrestricted free agents and and nine restricted free agents.
Of the restricted free agents, Bennett will certainly be back — Florida Aleksander Barkov spent most of eight seasons waiting for a year like traded for him in April with the intention of keeping him long term — and this one. the Panthers will have every opportunity to bring back Duclair and He went to the Stanley Cup playoffs once in 2016 in his third season in Forsling after they both played top-line roles this season. the NHL, then got to go to the expanded playoffs last year, but a year like Of the unrestricted free agents, Wennberg will be the top priority after he the 2020-21 NHL season for the Florida Panthers — with a franchise spent most of the year as the second-line center. Driedger is coming off a record for points percentage and a real belief they were a Stanley Cup breakout year — he was tied for fourth in the NHL in save percentage in contender — eluded him. It was, undeniably, a massive step forward and the regular season — but there’s not really room to keep him around with a positive development for an organization without much history of Sergei Bobrovsky entering the third season of a seven-year, $70-million winning, but, in the end, it will only matter if it’s actually a springboard to deal and fellow goaltender Spencer Knight ready to compete for the playoff success. starting job. Next year, the Panthers have to win a postseason series for the first time The 2021 NHL Expansion Draft also complicates the offseason plan. The since the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs. Seattle Kraken will select one player from each NHL team, except the “Anything less is a disappointment,” Barkov said, “for sure.” recent-expansion Vegas Golden Knights, and the Panthers can protect up to 11 players, as long as they’re seven forwards, three defensemen The best regular season in team history once again yielded a first-round and one goalie. All players with no-move clauses must be protected, exit when Florida fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0, on Wednesday to which means, as of now, Bobrovsky and defenseman Keith Yandle both bow out of the playoffs. After an unprecedented level of success in a have to. Impending free agents are also part of the Expansion Draft, shortened regular season, the Panthers felt a different type of giving the Kraken an exclusive window to negotiate with them. disappointment when they left Tampa after their 4-2 series loss to the Lightning. A fair expectation of forwards to be protected: Barkov, Huberdeau, Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Patric Hornqvist, and two of Wennberg, After his first season in Florida, Joel Quenneville was disappointed with Duclair and Frank Vatrano. As for the three defenseman, Yandle, Ekblad the way the Panthers played almost all year long, finishing below .500 in and MacKenzie Weegar are virtual locks, plus Bobrovsky as the the 2019-20 NHL season and only reaching the 2020 Stanley Cup goaltender. playoffs when the league expanded them to 22 teams because of the COVID-19 pandemic. After his second year, the coach was disappointed Unless Yandle and Bobrovsky waive their no-move clauses, Forsling will because of what this season could’ve been. be exposed, Driedger will be unprotected and at least one potential top- six forward will be available to Seattle. Florida was the higher seed than Tampa Bay in the opening round. It won the regular-season series with the in-state rival and even regularly Still, the Panthers will mostly be intact — and probably even improved — generated more shots, scoring chances and high-danger chances than next year. the Lightning throughout the best-of-7 series. The Panthers viewed “Huge step forward, but we’re not satisfied. We’re not done. This is just themselves as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, who just happened to the beginning,” Barkov said. “I’m really looking forward to next season.” match up against the defending Cup champion in the first round. Miami Herald LOADED: 05.29.2021 Part of it was the result of a COVID-altered season, with teams playing within regional divisions, so Florida wound up playing another of the best teams in the league in the first round despite finishing fourth in the NHL’s overall standings. Part of it, though, was the result of a team still working to join the ranks of the league’s elite.
“For the organization, for us mentally — we’ve got to win a round,” All- Star left wing Jonathan Huberdeau said, “and after, you never know what can happen.”
Barkov, 25 and the captain, is entering his ninth season and still hasn’t won a playoff series. Huberdeau, 27 and an alternate captain, is entering his 10th without a series win.
Those two — plus defenseman Aaron Ekblad, a former No. 1 overall pick who didn’t play in the postseason because of a leg fracture — make up a still-promising core, but patience.
“We’ve been here for a long time and we always say we’re sick of losing, and this year obviously we didn’t win, but it made it just seem like it’s fun to win and this year was a lot of fun. And that’s what we want to feel every year coming in,” Huberdeau said. “I want to bring a Stanley Cup to Florida. That’s what I want to do. I want to play here my whole career, but we’ve got to get on the winning side and the winning culture.”
Huberdeau is still locked up for two more seasons, but Barkov will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2021-22 NHL season.
Although he said he hasn’t thought much about an extension, Barkov is happy right now and wants to stay with the Panthers — as long as they keep winning. 1214412 Florida Panthers them how to win those games. … You got to learn from those teams and put that in your own game and do that next time you’re in the playoffs.”
Quenneville knows that, for a team with relatively little playoff experience, Panthers’ Barkov, Huberdeau want to start winning in playoffs: ‘Anything it was encouraging to see his Panthers compete with defending champs, less is disappointment’ setting the stage to be better equipped for future postseason meetings.
“I thought we played them at least even and gave ourselves a great chance,” Quenneville said. “There’s little lessons along that, but you need By DAVID FURONES a lot of things to win a round. And to try do that four times, is the biggest challenge that you face in your hockey career. I still thought we made MAY 28, 2021 AT 3:21 PM significant inroads in learning that lesson.”
As far as Barkov’s contract talks that will heat up over the following year, The Florida Panthers’ 2021 season gave South Florida a taste of what he said Friday he hasn’t thought about it much yet but offered comforting truly competitive hockey can look like for a franchise that hasn’t thoughts for Panthers fans that want to see the Finnish star in South experienced much success in its history. Florida for years to come.
But as the Panthers made the stride of having their best regular season “I love it here right now. I’ve enjoyed this year the most,” he said. “I want (.705 points percentage) and finishing with the fourth-most points overall to keep doing that every year, so I’m really happy.” in the NHL standings, they had the tough draw of facing the defending With Knight’s rise and fellow goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who turns 33 Stanley Cup-champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round — as the in September, having five years left on his $70 million contract, Florida Lightning brought former league MVP Nikita Kucherov into the lineup for has goalie questions to answer in an offseason where Chris Driedger is the first time all season. also a free agent. It resulted in a six-game first-round exit, but the Panthers will go into a “He handled it like a pro, commend him in a tough situation that he was key offseason with urgency to take the next step: Win a playoff series for just moving to be a good teammate,” said Quenneville said of Bobrovsky the first time since 1996 and make a deep playoff run. getting pulled in the playoffs and being a healthy scratch for the final two “Anything less is disappointment, for sure,” said star center Aleksander games. “It was a situation where he wants to play, but I think he has an Barkov on Friday morning as Florida wrapped up its season. “We’re understanding of the situation we have now. So, we’ll sort the goalie stuff capable of going further. Even these playoffs, I feel like we were really out over the course of the summer.” contenders. We’re really trying to win the Cup, but obviously, a game at a Quenneville said Ekblad, who suffered a brutal lower-extremity injury in time. Tampa was good. They beat us four times. late March, is on track with his 12-week recovery timetable and should be “We took a huge step forward, with the organization, with the team, in the healthy in his return next season. right direction. We played really good hockey over almost every game. Sun Sentinel LOADED: 05.29.2021 Even in the playoffs, we played good hockey. Just couldn’t come up with the wins. … We’re note done. This is just the beginning. I’m really looking forward to next season, but first, get some rest.”
Left wing Jonathan Huberdeau backed up Barkov’s sentiment on Friday afternoon.
“We got to start by winning one round, and that’s what we’re going to do next year,” said Huberdeau, who turns 28 on June 4. “Now we know we can be a playoff team. We know what we can do. ... We have to win for the organization, for us, mentally. We have to win a round and, after, you never know what can happen.
“I want to bring a Stanley Cup to Florida. That’s what I want to do. I want to play here my whole career, but we’ve got to get on the winning side and winning culture.”
Panthers coach Joel Quenneville, completing his second season at the helm in Sunrise, appreciates the approach of his rising stars.
“Expectations are healthy,” said Quenneville, who has won three Stanley Cup titles leading the Chicago Blackhawks and another as an assistant for the Colorado Avalanche. “Creating a higher standard of expected play is where we’re at. I think that happened, started being in place going into the playoffs.”
Hyde: Panthers ending should be a beginning | Commentary »
The Panthers move forward with their young core of forwards Barkov and Huberdeau and defensemen MacKenzie Weegar, after a breakthrough season, and Aaron Ekblad, who was injured for the final stretch — plus an up-and-coming goalie prospect in 20-year-old Spencer Knight.
“It’s been a crazy last couple of months, kind of flew by,” Knight said Friday. “Only got in a few games and a few playoff games, but it’s really helpful for me going into the offseason, just being able to recognize that I’ve started my professional career. I think it just gives me a sense of what it’s like around here and what it’s like to be a pro.”
That group, which, in some cases, isn’t so young anymore, along with the veteran experience sprinkled in, looks to one day get over the hump of the perennially contending big brother up I-75 in Tampa Bay.
“We learned a lot from Tampa,” said Barkov, the 25-year-old with one more season left on his current contract. “They won the Cup last year. They know how to do it. They have a good team, so we learned from 1214413 Florida Panthers It is reality, however, in most Sun Belt markets — regardless of the sport — you are going to have fans of the other team.
Most of them live in your neighborhood. Video of Florida Panthers fan asked to remove jersey in Tampa goes It happens at Panthers, Marlins, Heat and Dolphins games, for sure, as viral well as at games of the Arizona Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Coyotes as well as in Nashville and Carolina. Atlanta knows of which we speak.
Published 13 hours ago on May 28, 2021By George Richards The list goes on and on.
When you live in a town with a high level of transplanted residents from the north, you’re going to see a lot of loyalty to teams from those areas A video of a Florida fan being asked to remove his Panthers jersey at and not necessarily to the local one. Wednesday’s Game 6 in Tampa is going viral as Brad Bargman’s YouTube post has gotten 84,000 views since being put up on Thursday. It is why Tampa has a hockey team in the first place.
Bargman apparently attended Wednesday’s game with his 11-year-old Did the NHL give a one-sport town like Tampa a team in the early 1990s son and both were approached by what appear to be team staffers at the because it believed in the local fan base? No. It knew there were a lot of Lightning’s Chase Club at Amalie Arena and asked to take off their transplants and snowbirds who would fill the joint up. Panthers gear or leave the area. As Reggie Dunlop said in ‘Slap Shot:’ “What do you think those old He is not the first person to be asked to remove opposing team gear in geezers really miss in Florida?Hockey. Their own team. A Saturday night the team’s club area — just perhaps the first to record his interaction. game. Those poor old people down there, they got to have something to root for.” I have not been able to locate Bargman for comment. When the Panthers first started, Bill Torrey said the team welcomed fans Anyway, the Lightning has had this “no opposing gear” rule in place for who root for the Rangers, Islanders or Canadiens when they played the the past six years but, as of Thursday afternoon, apparently will not Panthers — but he hoped those fans would root for their new team (the enforce it anymore. Panthers) the rest of the time.
According to Greg Wyshynski, the Lightning told ESPN that it would not And, perhaps over the years, change their allegiances. force opposing fans to change out of enemy apparel. That has definitely happened in Tampa over the years and, to a lesser The rule only applied to the club areas — the Chase and Lexus clubs — extent, in South Florida. at the arena as well as seating areas along the glass in an attempt to keep opposing fan gear from being on television. The Lightning are an established entity in Tampa. Even though the Bucs just won the Super Bowl and have decades on the Lightning, you could What amounts to a Tampa Bay-only (or plain old clothing) dress code say the hockey team runs that town. policy was pretty well stated. It is about time they stopped with the “you can’t wear this here” stuff. Tickets in these specific areas come with disclaimers: Only Lightning gear or neutral clothing is allowed. It really was not a good look — and it took a viral video from a guy wearing Panthers gear to make it go away. At least for now. “Fans wearing visiting team apparel will be asked to remove them while in these areas,” the Ticketmaster statement reads. Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 05.29.2021
Looking at tickets in the Chase Club earlier Thursday on StubHub, there is a note that says there is an “apparel restriction” and that “opponent jerseys cannot be worn.”
Per TickPick: “The one caveat for both club areas, is that away team colors are PROHIBITED and the staff will ask you to remove. This is a fairly childish policy, but it ensures that no visiting team fans will end up on the TV broadcasts.’’
Yeah, it most definitely was a “fairly childish” policy and one that made the organization sound a little insecure in their standing. Which, of course, it should not be.
Make no mistake, the Lightning is a first-class organization but one which apparently got tired of seeing opposing teams clog the lower bowl — like when the Rangers came to town for the 2015 Eastern Conference finals.
This is when the team first implemented selling tickets to fans with Florida addresses first.
For the Stanley Cup Finals, some Chicago fans wanting to come down for some games found themselves locked out when their credit cards were declined when they put their zip codes in.
The New York Times did a story on Tampa’s restrictive ticket policy in 2015 during the Rangers series in the east finals.
“We’re not going to apologize for the policy. We want to create as much of a hometown environment for the Lightning players and our season- ticket holders as we can, and we’ve been somewhat successful with it,’’ then-executive VP of communications Bill Wickett told the Times.
Wickett left the Lightning for Nashville earlier this year.
“We understand some general hockey fans don’t like it, but the Lightning team and Lightning fans need to come first. We wanted to do anything we could to make sure the building is blue and fans inside are Lightning fans.” 1214414 Florida Panthers This summer will be shorter. The NHL is expected to go back to its normal 82-game schedule, which
means training camp by mid-September, exhibition games soon Florida Panthers pack up, clear out as 2021 season officially ends afterward and a season kickoff around October 12.
For the teams which play for the Stanley Cup come July, the means a really short offseason. Published 17 hours ago on May 28, 2021By George Richards For teams like the Panthers, it should be just long enough.
“The sooner the better for us,’’ Barkov said. “We obviously finished the Clean out day is an annual rite of passage for hockey teams and only season two days ago, but we want to keep going. Let’s get some rest, one gets to do it with the stale scent of Champagne lingering in the room. get better mentally and physically and come back even stronger.” For the Florida Panthers, the end of the 2021 NHL season came quickly as these things tend to do. OFFSEASON BUSINESS
Even though the Panthers were on the verge of elimination since losing The Panthers have a lot of business to attend to this summer and Game 4 of their playoff series with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, general manager Bill Zito has a lot of things on his plate. no one ever expects to lose. Florida has to make a number of decisions on which restricted free The Panthers were planning on having a Game 7 at BB&T Center on agents (Sam Bennett, Anthony Duclair, Gus Forsling, etc.) to retain and Friday night, the winner moving on to face Carolina in the second round. which pending free agents (Brandon Montour, Alex Wennberg) it wants to make serious offers to. Instead, players wrapped up sticks, packed up duffel bags and put the finishing touches on their end-of-season golf outing and team party. Goalie Chris Driedger, a free agent looking to be a starter, almost certainly will not be back. Radko Gudas said no one did anything on Thursday as the only plans anyone had was for an off day before returning to the arena for Friday’s The Panthers also have to deal with the upcoming expansion draft (July Game 7 morning skate. 21) with Zito saying the Panthers know they’re going to lose a good player, but it will be interesting to see exactly who Florida protects from The end of a season, unless your team has been out of it for weeks and the Kraken. the finale is a foregone conclusion, is like hitting a wall. Who knows, perhaps there is a side deal with Seattle already in place? No more practices, no more games. Plenty of time to get to that. It takes time to adjust to having nowhere to be anymore. Zito and his front office are already working on draft prep (July 23-24) “You see the guys today and you’re like, ‘What did you do yesterday?’ It’s with qualifying offers for the RFAs to come after that. just like, ‘Nothing.’ I had nothing planned and nothing I really wanted to do,’’ Gudas said. BARKOV’S BIG DEAL
“It was really tough. In our minds, we weren’t ready for the season to be The Panthers are also working on their offer to Barkov and their future over. That one really stings this year.” together.
It is not ‘say goodbye for the summer’ just yet, but the Panthers are Barkov, who turns 26 in September and just wrapped up his eighth NHL getting there. season, can become a free agent after next season.
While no travel plans were set before Wednesday night’s loss, they’re Florida can sign Barkov to a long-term extension this summer — perhaps being worked on now. as early as late July when the NHL’s new business year is expected to start. Most players will not return to BB&T Center for months; some may only return as visitors. The Panthers are not messing around with this.
What we do know is the team the Panthers iced Wednesday in Tampa Of course there will be negotiations between the two sides but the will not return completely intact when the 2021-22 season opens in general belief is a big deal will get done. October. These will not be contentious negotiations. No team ever does. Panthers NHL Award WATCH: Sasha Barkov; Selke, Hart trophies Disappointing end leads promising Florida Panthers into offseason With the work Zito & Co. already has done to the roster, getting Barkov These next few days will be the last ones the 2021 Panthers will spend locked down long-term may just be the most important thing the Panthers together. And then they will go their separate ways. Most will be back but do in this offseason. a good number will not. It also could also be the team’s biggest move. That’s just how professional sports works. Clearing salary cap space is also an offseason priority as it will be for “Yeah, it’s never easy,” Jonathan Huberdeau said. “We don’t know every other contending team in this flat-cap world. what’s going to happen. It’s not my job, but I like the team that we have “I haven’t really thought about it yet,” said Barkov, who told FHN two and hopefully a lot of the guys come back next year. Obviously we’re weeks ago that he had not thought of the upcoming negotiations. going to hang out with each other the next few days and enjoy our time. Then, it’s get ready for the next season. It’s part of the business. You “Obviously we’ll talk about it, my people and the organization. We’ll come lose some guys and that’s part of it. It’s never easy. Hopefully we stay up with something. I love it here and I enjoyed this season the most of the same team, come back next year and be even better.” my entire life. I want to keep doing that every year. I am really happy.”
BACK BEFORE YOU KNOW IT Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 05.29.2021 Due to the odd scheduling of this season, the offseason will be a little shorter than the last.
The Panthers broke last August after being eliminated from the extended postseason Toronto bubble and did not return for training camp until January.
Sasha Barkov said the extended offseason was good for him as he got to spend a lot of time at home in Finland and prepare for what turned out to be his best NHL season. 1214415 Florida Panthers Obviously our regular season put us in a better spot this year as far as we knew what to expect game-in, game-out from our guys. When we got to the playoffs, we were ready. We were at the playoff pace. Their power play was lethal in some key moments. Exit Day: Joel Quenneville reflects, talks future of Florida Panthers Look at Game 1, Game 2 and the last game, we had our chances. I think the regret is that a lot of things have got to go right. We believe we can do it and that’s a step in that direction as well. Published 15 hours ago on May 28, 2021By George Richards What were most proud of this season?
I think the pace of our game and the consistency that we played it at. You Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville looked ready for summer as he could say we were hard to play against, our work ethic was good. But the stepped to the team’s makeshift Zoom conference arraignment for the pace and sustaining it from start to finish was probably a step in the right final time on Friday afternoon. direction for sure. Wearing a red golf shirt, his voice still a little raspy from yelling over the How do you improve on that next season? din of sold out crowds throughout this playoff series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Quenneville looked back on the 2021 season and what is I think our rush game was good, I think defending the rush we can be a ahead for the Panthers. little bit better. I think our defensive zone coverage improved to a level that can get the job done. One message sent to players on Friday’s exit day was that they are close, but the Panthers are not there yet. Our special teams had good stretches, OK stretches. But overall, I can’t really say there was one area that really was our nemesis. I think for the Quenneville said he was encouraged by the way the Panthers kept a most part that brought more predictability and consistency. consistent game throughout the season and in their playoff loss to the Lightning. Do you feel everyone on the team is on the same page moving forward?
Tampa Bay may have played its best game in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory, Expectations are healthy Creating a higher standard of expected play is but the Panthers did not let up throughout the series either. where we’re at. I think that happened and we started to be in place going into the playoffs and I think that was the consistency you’re getting from The Panthers play this season was encouraging and they need to build lines, four lines. The way we were attacking off the rush. off of this next year from the start. That standard is starting from Square One. That’s where we’re taking Quenneville said expectations have been raised within the fabric of the off from. Easier said than done but that’s what we’re looking forward to. organization — and that’s not a bad thing. We want to push each other and whatever changes we can do improve Among the topics discussed: Dealing with Covid-19, how he plans to our team, you know, Bill has done a great job in a short amount of time. address the goalie situation next season after making Sergei Bobrovsky That’s what we’ll be looking at. a healthy scratch in the final two playoff games and why sometimes Surprised the NHL got all the way through this Covid-19 season? teams have to lose in the playoffs to learn how to win in them. I think the doubt for me was last year in the bubble. That gave me some Here is what Joel Quenneville had to say in his final meeting with the encouragement that this can happen and this can get done. I think that media in 2021: was probably even more amazing in that type of environment that we You wanted to see this team get tougher to play against this season. Did were able to get through a playoff run. you accomplish that? Knowing that in this type of a situation, it is doable. A lot of things were I think we were made significant progress in being hard to play against, going on across the board, whether it was the league organizing being way more competitive game-in, game-out. There was way more everybody in the protocol that had to be in place and our local consistency in that type of our game. Game-to-game, we gave ourselves compliance officer who was implementing the rules and having fun with it a chance to get points every single night. Knowing that was our standard along the way. Guys adapted to it and did not stray from it. A lot of things of play and expectations from the staff, by teammates, linemates that happened in an unusual year but I was pretty proud of the guys and the was in place, accountability from the players went to a different level job they did. which we appreciate. Having the squad and the team and everybody getting a chance to play So there was a lot of things that were put in place, whether it Horny and then being a part of it, knowing how competitive it is to be in the coming in with his enthusiasm or … each guy had a different kind of look lineup, and then showing the right support. That was probably the thing to what he brought our team. There was a lot of individual contributions that was really helped our team. that added up to us being harder to play against and being way more Did seeing all the fans at games serve as a reminder that sports really do consistent in the work department. matter? Do you feel the Panthers have closed the gap between your team and I think everybody loves sports. They love it from all ways whether it’s the the best in the NHL? excitement or a hit or a fight, a goal or a save, a close call. There’s this I think we had a heck of a year in a lot of ways. It was a big improvement and that which gets you excited about watching hockey which makes it in our overall team game. (We played a) playoff-ready team that knows so great. how to win. There are some things we can take out of that series But it’s really really unusual when you don’t hear the appreciation or the because I thought we played them at least even and gave ourselves a excitement from the fans in those empty buildings. All of a sudden it great chance. We lost a couple of games that maybe we could have returns and now you have playoff hockey. been playing a Game 7. But they know how to win and their best game was Game 6. You watch our games here, go to Tampa, watch last night in Nashville and the pitches keep getting higher and the crowds are keep getting I think our game was pretty consistent from start to finish. Playing the bigger. The excitement, which makes hockey and playoff hockey so right way and from that there’s little lessons along they way. You need a exciting, it’s a whole different game and they get to see how important it lot of things to go right to win a round and to try to do that four times is is to win and I think people appreciate that type of passion. the biggest challenge of that you faced in your hockey career. On that note, going to miss wearing a mask on the bench? I still thought we made significant inroads of learning that lesson. You saw Carolina last night, the division is, you got to go through that to be That’s why I’m can’t talk right now. champions. It’ll be a great and interesting next round. It’s a something we certainly learned from and I think that there’s real valuable lessons that Feel good about the future of this organization and your role in that we look forward to playing. moving forward?
Do you agree sometimes teams have to lose and learn before they take I think we’re excited. I think talking to all the players today and talking to that next step in the playoffs? our staff, and we haven’t really, really summed up the whole season, but I think we made significant progress in the consistency of our team. We played at a high level, a predictable level and expectations changed internally.
Now I think that going into a start of a season all of a sudden we have different goals. The goal will always be to make the playoffs and then there’s the next plan. There was a lot of belief that went along going into this playoffs. I think we all felt that if things changed a little bit here or there, we could be having a different conversation here today.
Disappointing end leads promising Florida Panthers into offseason
How do you handle the goalie situation now after what happened the past two games — starting Spencer Knight while scratching Sergei Bobrovsky?
They’ll get talked about. With Bob’s situation here, he handled it like a pro. I commend him for, being in a tough situation, he was just trying to be a good teammate. He was getting himself ready to come in as soon as possible. In talking with him, going forward as well, it was a situation where he wants to play and I think he has an understanding of the situation we have now.
So, we’ll sort the goalie stuff out over the course of the summer. We haven’t talked about the players with Bill and the plans, but certainly it was different.
Having three goalies around who could all play and were all successful. I’d say that was unique in its own way and the decision making was something that you had to trust guts and experience as well.
Was there one common message sent to the players in their exit meetings?
I think there was a message that you can take out of the Tampa series as far as you’re close but you learn from a heck of a hockey team. Know how hard it is to win one playoff round and then try to do that four times. That’s the process you’re getting yourself ready for.
Florida Panthers pack up, clear out as 2021 season officially ends
We feel their consistency, they played their best in Game 6 so you have to improve over the course of a series. I thought we didn’t slow down at all in any of the games which is encouraging.
Knowing that you face a top team like that and give them something to think about, maybe it’s something for us to think about as well when we find a way to get the job done. There are some improvements to be had and knowing that we played pretty good hockey to go forward off of that.
Is their a final update on Aaron Ekblad?
That was a disappointment that he didn’t get a chance to play. If that would have happened, we would have been in a pretty good spot. He was disappointed as well coming off a great year and he has more than enough time to get himself ready for the next season. That’s what we’re all looking forward to.
Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214416 Los Angeles Kings
Kings add four to hockey operations staff
By Zach Dooley15 hours ago
Insiders, some news this morning!
The LA Kings have added four to their hockey operations staff this morning. From the team’s official press release –
The LA Kings have named Ryan Kruse as Vice President of Research and Development, Jake Goldberg as Senior Director of Hockey Operations, Vukie Mpofu as Manager of Hockey Operations and Legal Affairs, and Rosie Yu as Software Engineer for Research and Development. In addition, Joe Leibfried has transitioned into the role of Team Finance Consultant. These positions are all part of the hockey operations department.
Kruse joins the Kings after spending the past seven years with the Chicago Cubs where he held multiple roles with the organization. He most recently served as Director of Baseball Systems Development where he led a team of software engineers and delivered several custom products built for the enhancement of baseball operations. With LA, he will be responsible for overseeing all data analytics and working closely with the general manager and hockey operations staff on strategic development. Prior to his time with the Cubs, he spent 15 years in software engineering and advancement with companies such as Noesis Energy, SolarWinds, Hyper9, AlterPoint and Cargill. The Minnesota native is receiving his Master of Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has his Bachelor of Arts in Quantitative Methods and Computer Science from the University of St. Thomas.
Goldberg comes to LA after three seasons (2017-20) with the Arizona Coyotes, initially serving as Director of Hockey Operations before assuming the role of Assistant to the General Manager. Among his responsibilities with the Kings, Goldberg will be involved with negotiating player contracts, overseeing the salary cap, preparation for arbitration and other matters pertaining to the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Prior to his time in Arizona, Goldberg was with the London Knights (OHL) for four seasons in multiple capacities, including Assistant Director of Scouting and then Assistant General Manager and Director of Analytics, winning the Memorial Cup and OHL Championship in 2016. The Toronto native was previously a corporate lawyer at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and also served as an Advanced Statistics Consultant with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2012-13 season. Goldberg received his business degree from the Ivey School of Business and his law degree from Western University.
A recent graduate from UCLA School of Law, Mpofu has spent the last five months working as a Legal Intern for Team Sports at Wasserman in Los Angeles. Prior to that, he spent 10 months with the Vegas Golden Knights as Hockey Legal Affairs Intern, concluding that role this past January. He has also held positions with UCLA Athletics (NCAA Compliance Extern) and Wintersports, Ltd. (Hockey Legal Intern). The native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan played for two seasons (2012-14) in the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a forward with the Red Deer Rebels, tallying 15 points (9-6=15) in 69 games. As part of the Kings, Mpofu will work closely with Goldberg on all matters pertaining to hockey operations and legal affairs.
Yu, who has a PhD in Materials Engineering from MIT and is receiving her Master of Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, will report to Kruse and work to further hockey operations applications and analytical models.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214417 Minnesota Wild
Vegas' Max Pacioretty makes the most of his series debut
By Randy Johnson, Star Tribune MAY 29, 2021 — 12:47AM
Throughout the West Division first-round playoff series against the Wild, Vegas Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer had said injured winger Max Pacioretty would be a game-time decision, and the decision every time was to keep the team's leading goal scorer out of the lineup.
That changed for Friday night's Game 7 in Las Vegas, and it paid off in a big way for the Golden Knights.
Pacioretty, who paced Vegas with 24 regular-season goals and added 27 assists, returned to the lineup after not playing since May 1 because of an undisclosed injury. He was back on the top line at left wing with center Chandler Stephenson and right winger Mark Stone and scored the winning goal in the second period as the Golden Knights defeated the Wild 6-2 to advance to the second round.
"Huge lift," said DeBoer, who improved to 6-0 in Game 7s. "Just writing his name on the board in the lineup gave our group a lift. … It changed everything, about our confidence, our confidence to score."
With the score tied 2-2, Pacioretty got loose in the Wild zone, drove down the middle to the net and converted a pass from Stephenson to beat Wild goalie Cam Talbot for a 3-2 Vegas lead at 7:44 of the second. The Golden Knights poured it on from there, securing a second-round matchup with Colorado.
"It was some good days and bad days, and I turned the corner a couple days ago," Pacioretty said, adding that the time away from the ice was "a lot more nerve-racking when you're up there [in the press box] watching and have no control over the game."
The addition of Pacioretty to the lineup had a trickle-down effect, too. It enabled DeBoer to move Alex Tuch back to the third line, where he skated with left winger Mattias Janmark and center Nicolas Roy. Janmark responded by notching a hat trick, scoring the Golden Knights' first, fifth and sixth goals.
"I had a couple hat tricks back home in the Swedish league but never had one over here," said Janmark, acquired from Chicago in April. "… Game 7 is what everyone dreams about and scoring a hat trick is what everyone dreams of."
Fourth-line right winger Ryan Reaves, who missed Game 6, was taken off the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list on Friday afternoon and returned to the lineup. Defenseman Brayden McNabb remained on the list. DeBoer said his team dealt with 11 false-positive COVID-19 tests in the series.
Reaves made an impact, but it wasn't in a positive way. With Vegas leading 2-1 in the second, he checked Wild defenseman Ryan Suter face-first into the goalpost, drawing an interference penalty. Kirill Kaprizov tied it for the Wild on the power play.
It wasn't just the forwards who got in on the scoring for Vegas. The third defensive pairing of Nicolas Hague and Zach Whitecloud each contributed a goal.
Hague broke a 1-1 tie 2:05 into the second period, whistling a shot from the blue line past Talbot. Whitecloud, the former Bemidji State standout, extended the Vegas lead to 4-2 at 13:38 of the second, toe-dragging as a Wild player slid by and firing a shot into the far upper corner of the cage.
"It's fun. It's the best time of the year," Whitecloud said. "When you're playing in Game 7, there's nowhere you'd rather be."
Star Tribune LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214418 Minnesota Wild Suter said: "It was a tough year, with all of the stuff going on." We already know that Kaprizov has replaced Parise as the franchise
player. The question is whether they will ever play together again. Overmatched Wild shows hope for the future with seven-game series Kaprizov excelled in his first year in America. He and his team should be back in the playoffs next year, and, with a little help at center, should be better at the most important version of the game. MAY 29, 2021 — 12:49AM "Those guys are just going to get better and better, with Kirill having Jim Souhan another year under his belt," said Marcus Foligno. "We're going to be a dangerous team, or even a more dangerous team, next season."
The columnist did not travel for this game. This article was written using Ryan Suter had his face smashed into the goalpost, then wobbled off the the television broadcast and video interviews after the game. ice, only to return, probably wishing he could apply some gas station frozen pasta to his cheek. Star Tribune LOADED: 05.29.2021 Zach Parise scored on a no-look, between-the-legs tip-in, never turning to show off his new facial stitches until the puck was in the net.
Joel Eriksson Ek left because of an injury, only to return. Jonas Brodin took a hit that left his left side crumpled, needing help to open the gate so he could rush down the tunnel.
Wild players wore this beating on their faces, beneath their pads and on the scoreboard, losing Game 7 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series 6-2 to the Golden Knights on Friday night in Las Vegas.
How they and their fans should feel about this series and this team depends on the realisticness of each individual's expectations.
My recommendation: After the emotions fade, after seven games worth of manufactured hatred of the opponent dissipates, Wild players and coaches should admit something to themselves: They lost to a better team.
The Wild was good enough to turn what could have been a blowout series into wonderful entertainment. But don't confuse competitiveness and entertainment with equality.
Vegas outscored the Wild 20-13. That's right — despite a few dominant offensive periods, the Wild couldn't average two goals per game.
Vegas had the better goaltender, although Cam Talbot, like his team, put up a quality fight. Vegas has the better size, depth and recent playoff pedigree, which is a remarkable development for a franchise that isn't much older than Kirill Kaprizov's first whisker.
This wasn't one of those losses that should cause Minnesota sports fans to lament fate. This wasn't an embarrassment, like the Vikings losing badly to the Giants or Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. This wasn't a heartbreaker, like the Vikings losing to the Saints or Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. This was an overmatched team proving itself gritty enough to extend a series that could easily have ended on Monday.
The Wild finished third in an eight-team division that featured a bunch of lousy teams. It got to face a second-place team in the first round of the playoffs. The Wild was probably lucky to not have matched up with Colorado, which swept St. Louis.
Instead, the Wild drew the Golden Knights, a good-not-great team but a tough matchup. And, predictably, a team dependent on two young scorers, in Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala, received sporadic production but not dominance from the duo.
And received good-but-not-magical goaltending from Talbot. And good- but-not-always-physical play from the defense. And lacked talent and depth at center.
The Wild flashed its strengths but suffered because of its weaknesses, and, if we're to be honest, this series might have ended in a much-less- encouraging five games if Parise hadn't been returned to the lineup because of an injury to Marcus Johansson.
Parise produced a key goal to help win Game 5 and a beautiful breakout pass that started the scoring in Game 6. Without him, this series would have appeared, and been, much more lopsided.
Late Friday night, Parise mentioned the "sideshow" that surrounded his benching in the first four games of this series, noted he has four more years on his contract and said of meetings with the Wild this summer, "We'll see how it goes. … We'll have to figure that out in the coming summer what's going to happen. I don't have an answer for that right now." 1214419 Minnesota Wild
Wild-Vegas game recap
MAY 29, 2021 — 12:44AM SARAH MCLELLAN
GAME RECAP
Star Tribune's three stars
1. Mattias Janmark, Golden Knights: The winger scored a hat trick.
2. Max Pacioretty, Golden Knights: The winger scored the game-winner after sitting out the previous six games of the series with injury.
3. Shea Theodore, Golden Knights: The defenseman picked up two assists, his first points of the playoffs
By the numbers
1 Power play goal by the Wild for a second straight game.
3 Goals in the second period by Vegas.
11 Different Golden Knights players with at least a point.
Star Tribune LOADED: 05.29.2021 1214420 Minnesota Wild climb," DeBoer said. "It was critical that we got him back tonight. It changed, I thought, everything about our confidence, about our confidence to score."
Janmark has hat trick to lead Vegas to Game 7 win over Wild Later in the second, defenseman Shea Theodore unselfishly passed up an opportunity to fire one on net, dished to his right for Whitecloud, who found the far, top corner to extend Vegas' lead to 4-2.
By W.G. RAMIREZ Associated Press MAY 29, 2021 — 12:45AM Theodore snapped a scoreless series drought with assists on Pacioretty and Whitecloud's goals.
After playing aggressively through the first two periods, the Knights LAS VEGAS — Mattias Janmark had scored just one goal since being played low-risk hockey in the third while keeping the Wild at bay until acquired by Vegas at the trade deadline from Chicago. Janmark scored his second after Nicolas Roy stripped Ryan Suter behind He tripled that Friday night with his first career hat trick in what might the net. Roy fed Janmark, who snapped the puck over Talbot's far have been the most important home playoff game in the Golden Knights' shoulder. Janmark's empty-netter with a little more than three minutes left four-year history, a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 7 of their put the game out of reach. opening-round series. "We knew it was going to be a really tough series," DeBoer said. "I guess "It's what every player dreams of, to score in a Game 7," Janmark said. that's what you get for tying for the most points in the league, is to get an "To win a Game 7 and to score a hat trick, it's hard to believe that it's opponent like that." going to happen to you, but today, bounces were going in. Next stop: Denver, where the other team with the most points in the "It's a dream come true, for sure." league awaits.
Nic Hague, Max Pacioretty and Zach Whitecloud also scored for Vegas, Star Tribune LOADED: 05.29.2021 which hosted a Game 7 for the first time after losing in San Jose in 2018 and defeating Vancouver in Edmonton last year. It was also the first time Vegas clinched a playoff series at home.
Marc-Andre Fleury, playing in his eighth career Game 7, made 19 saves to earn his 85th playoff victory in front of an announced crowd of 12,156. Fleury is three playoff wins shy of tying Billy Smith and Ed Belfour for fourth in NHL history.
"It was a ton of fun," said Hague, the only Golden Knights skater in the lineup who hadn't played in a Game 7. "The building was rocking, which is always awesome. But it was on another level tonight. A little nervous at the start. Boy, was that a fun game."
Vegas, which squandered a 3-1 series lead for the third straight season, heads to Denver for Sunday's second-round opener against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche won the regular-season series, 4-3-1.
Peter DeBoer improved to 6-0 when coaching in Game 7s, while Minnesota dropped to 3-1 all-time in a seventh game. Home teams in Game 7s are 105-74, excluding last season's playoff bubble in Canada.
Zach Parise and Kirill Kaprizov scored for the Wild. Cam Talbot made 29 saves.
"We hope that they're proud of each other and proud of themselves of how they conducted themselves this year," Minnesota coach Dean Evason said. "You get to a Game 7 and one team wins and one team loses. Our effort was there. We competed our butts off."
Janmark opened the scoring when he fought the pressure to create his own rush, then went forehand-to-backhand and used a filthy deke before softly tapping the puck past Talbot's right skate. Parise, who started the series scratched from the lineup, tied it at 1 when he sent Joel Eriksson Ek's feed to the front of the crease between both his legs and Fleury's.
Hague got his first goal since April 5 when he lasered a wrist shot from the blue line to give Vegas a 2-1 advantage. The Wild answered shortly thereafter, and moments after Ryan Reaves was called for cross- checking Ryan Suter, as Kaprizov's snapper from the edge of the left circle beat Fleury to his glove side.
"We had a pretty good start and made it 2-2," Wild forward Marcus Foligno said. "We liked our chances, but couldn't get a lot generating after that."
Unlike the Golden Knights, who again dominated the second period by generating scoring chances and capitalizing on ample opportunities. In the second periods of the series, Vegas outscored Minnesota 11-2 and outshot the Wild 96-51.
Pacioretty made his presence felt in his first game back from an undisclosed injury since the regular season, when he sneaked into the slot and one-timed Chandler Stephenson's feed from the boards past the pads of Talbot to put Vegas back on top, 3-2, with what ended up being the winner.
"There was a lot to unpack with this series and playing the first six games without (Pacioretty), our leading goal scorer, was a hill our group had to 1214421 Minnesota Wild "Ek is such a warrior," Evason said. "Gave absolutely everything he had. I can't imagine how busted up he is."
And although the Wild had bounced back throughout the season, Wild season ends with 6-2 Game 7 loss in Vegas including in these playoffs, the team didn't have another comeback in it.
"We got ourselves to a Game 7," Evason said. "We just didn't push through. We need to learn from this experience right now, and we will." By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune MAY 29, 2021 — 12:57AM Star Tribune LOADED: 05.29.2021
LAS VEGAS – The culmination of the first-round series between the Wild and Golden Knights encapsulated what the battle between these two teams was built on: who could rise above the physical grind and score.
And while the Wild did that in spurts to rally from a 3-1 deficit and extend the action to a decisive finale, the team ultimately didn't have the manpower to persevere one more time, falling 6-2 on Friday to Vegas in front of 12,156 at T-Mobile Arena to get eliminated from the playoffs.
"We all felt like we could beat these guys," Ryan Suter. "Everyone else might think one thing, but the group of guys that we had we felt confident in ourselves. We're pretty disappointed it's ended the way it has."
The Wild has failed to make it past its first round of postseason games for a fifth straight time. As for the Golden Knights, they move on to face the Avalanche in Round 2. Their coach Pete DeBoer is 6-0 all-time in Game 7s.
"They took advantage of their key moments, and we didn't," Wild coach Dean Evason said. "Likely the difference in the game."
Vegas' Mattias Janmark scored a hat trick, but Max Pacioretty was the sparkplug. The Golden Knights' leading goal scorer in the regular season made his playoffs debut after not playing since May 1 due to an upper- body injury and wired in the game-winner during a three-goal second period that gave Vegas a lead it wouldn't relinquish.
"It adds a different dynamic to them," Zach Parise said. "Just gives them that much more depth and for him to come right in and contribute and deliver, that was a big addition for them."
The climb to catch up was too steep for the Wild, which was shorthanded for almost the entire game. Nicolas Roy crunched Jonas Brodin's left side into the boards early in the first period and Brodin left the bench hunched over. He did not return, leaving the Wild with only five defensemen for most of the game.
"It was a huge loss for us," Evason said.
Not being at full strength was especially tough for a Wild lineup that was chasing the Golden Knights most of the night.
BOXSCORE: Vegas 6, Wild 2
Vegas opened the scoring at 5:09 of the first period when Janmark slid the puck by goalie Cam Talbot's right pad. Parise tied the game at 16:49 with one of the slickest goals of the playoffs, swiping a deflected puck through his legs while his back faced the net.
But like the first, the Golden Knights pounced on the Wild early in the second and regained the lead at 2:05 on a point shot by Nicolas Hague.
After Wild defenseman Ryan Suter was pushed from behind by Ryan Reaves to fall face-first into the post, the Wild received a power play and took advantage with a one-timer from Kirill Kaprizov at 4:35 to even the score at 2.
But then Pacioretty stole the spotlight.
He was left all alone in the slot to bury a one-timer at 7:44, and then Zach Whitecloud capitalized on a rising shot at 13:38. Janmark tallied his second of the game at 12:36 of the third before completing the hat trick into an empty net at 16:53.
"We spent a lot of time in our D zone," Suter said, "and it's not a very good recipe for success when you're defending the whole time."
Talbot had 28 saves, and Fleury made 18 stops. The Wild power play went 1-for-2, while Vegas was 0-for-1.
Suter kept playing after he was dumped into the net, a penalty by Reaves that Suter thought could have been called a major but wasn't. Center Joel Eriksson Ek also returned after leaving the bench in the second. Evason confirmed Eriksson Ek aggravated an injury he sustained in Game 6. 1214422 Minnesota Wild The Wild lost defenseman Jonas Brodin in the first period of Friday's game when he took a hit along the boards. He didn't return, meaning the Wild had to rotate five defensemen into play.
Wild's Nick Bonino played Game 6 hours after his son was born Suter played 28 minutes, 50 seconds and Matt Dumba played 28:47 as they ate up most of the minutes. Brodin's night ended after only two shifts.
By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune MAY 29, 2021 — 12:46AM Center Joel Eriksson Ek, who suffered a leg injury in Game 6 when he flew into a goalpost, had the injury aggravated during the game, but was
able to continue. LAS VEGAS – Nick Bonino arrived at Xcel Energy Center for a game The Wild played the past three games without defenseman Carson Wednesday two hours before puck drop, as he normally does, and went Soucy, who has an undisclosed injury. Soucy skated Friday morning and through his usual warmup. was "progressing," Evason said, meaning he likely could have returned But before that, his day was far from typical. had the Wild advanced to play Sunday against Colorado. Calen Addison again played in Soucy's place Friday. Bonino and his wife, Lauren, welcomed their third child, a son named Bowie, on Wednesday afternoon before Game 6 against Vegas in St. Star Tribune LOADED: 05.29.2021 Paul.
"My plan was to play the whole day," said Bonino, 33. "Everything was smooth. The baby and mom were healthy, and [I was] able to get to the game at 6 [p.m.] and then felt a little bit tired in warmups. But Game 6, elimination game, those are easy to get up for. I thought it was great to be a part of a win like that."
After getting to the hospital around 7 a.m., Lauren delivered Bowie at approximately 2:30 p.m. and Bonino spent time with them while also trying to grab a snooze on the couch before taking off for the game.
The Boninos met at Boston University, where both were standout hockey players. Nick Bonino played on a national championship team at BU, and won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Lauren Cherewyk, who was from St. Albert, Alberta, had 33 goals and 38 assists in 144 games for the Terriers women's team from 2007-11. They married in 2014.
The veteran forward faced another goodbye when he had to travel to Vegas for Game 7 on Friday; daughters Maisie and Isobel are also home with Lauren.
"He's a day old, but we're in the playoffs," Bonino said. "We've got help at home with Lauren's family, so these are things we were ready for."
Bright lights of Game 7
Half of the players in the Wild's lineup suited up Friday night for their first career Game 7s, one of the brightest spotlights in pro sports, let alone the NHL and Stanley Cup playoffs.
"When you're a kid playing road hockey or shooting on the net in your backyard or front of your garage, you're always talking about Game 7 game winner," coach Dean Evason said.
"We're all kids, right? We're all kids playing a game."
Bonino brought the most Game 7 experience to the ice for the Wild, appearing in six Game 7s before Friday. Ian Cole, who like Bonino won Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017, was next with five previous games.
Marcus Johansson, who's out because of a broken left arm, has logged the most Game 7s among Wild players with eight.
Four players in action for the Wild on Friday also participated in the team's last Game 7, a 5-4 overtime win at Colorado on April 30, 2014.
Defenseman Jared Spurgeon tied the game at 4 with 2 minutes, 27 seconds to go in the third period, and Nino Niederreiter scored 5:02 in overtime to seal the comeback. Aside from Spurgeon, defensemen Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin and winger Zach Parise were also part of the rally.
"We trailed the entire game and we kept tying it up, and I remember Jared scoring that late one to make it 4-4 and [goalie Ilya Bryzgalov] coming in and shutting the door and then all of a sudden Nino getting that game-winner for us," Parise said. "It was an exciting game. It was awesome for us as a team.
"There's just that special thing about Game 7s from a player's perspective, what's on the line. They're the games you want to play in, and then also from a fan's perspective, they're always exciting to watch."
Brodin injured early 1214423 Minnesota Wild The Wild will be better next year because their best players will their rise to stardom.
Yes, there are needs. The hunt for that elusive No. 1 center continues. Jace Frederick: For once, the end of a Wild season feels more like a No one is saying Minnesota will hoist the Stanley Cup next season. beginning Still, for once, it makes sense to look at this team and think to yourself, “The best is yet to come.”
By JACE FREDERICK PUBLISHED: May 28, 2021 at 10:55 p.m. | Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.29.2021 UPDATED: May 28, 2021 at 11:34 p.m.
Another playoff appearance, another early exit for the Wild.
Minnesota has made eight postseason trips since 2013 — assuming you count last year’s qualifying round — and has bowed out in the first or second round every time.
Friday’s 6-2 loss in Game 7 in Las Vegas marked Minnesota’s fifth straight first-round departure.Jace Frederick column sig
Ho hum. Status quo.
So why does this one feel a little different?
Perhaps it’s because rather than this being another end to a mundane season, it feels more like the beginning.
This Wild team was electric. They feature young, must-see goal scorers like Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala. Other young talents such as Joel Eriksson Ek, Jordan Greenway, Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin round out a core so promising you don’t even know what its ceiling is.
That’s not even including the mythical Matt Boldy, who lit up the American Hockey League this season to the tune of 18 points in 14 games. There is a reason so many wanted to see him skate with the NHL club this postseason. Wait until next year. He is just another reason for fans to fondly look forward to the future.
How refreshing is that? Sure beats past years, when the Wild season ended exactly when you thought it would, because just making the playoffs was about all those groups seemed capable of accomplishing. And there was no reason to believe ensuing seasons would bring anything different.
This team looked so good at times, you almost believed it might make a deep postseason run in its first real crack at the playoffs.
For once, the Wild were the team with the scintillating goal scorers capable of stealing games even when they were thoroughly outplayed, such as Game 5. There were other times, like Game 6, where Minnesota frankly just looked better than a Las Vegas team with a legitimate postseason resume.
Social media suggested there were plenty of Wild fans who believed their team was going to advance Friday night, and for good reason. Because that’s what is possible with this team, which wasn’t true of previous editions.
Sure, it didn’t go Minnesota’s way this time. Friday couldn’t have played out much worse for the Wild. Brodin left the game early. Eriksson Ek and Ryan Suter each left the ice for short periods of time. The Wild clearly were not at 100 percent.
At times during the final two periods, Minnesota seemed to be skating on “E” — though, to the Wild’s credit, they didn’t exactly lie down.
There were other times in the last two weeks when the Wild didn’t look prepared for the punches and counterpunches the Golden Knights threw within the series, or even individual games.
Yes, this group was the first to lose a Game 7 in Wild history. It’s a good bet it will also be the first to achieve countless other positive feats not previously deemed possible in this franchise’s relatively brief existence.
The Wild will be better next year for this experience — a seven-game heavyweight bout with a perennial Stanley Cup contender who tied Colorado for the most points in the NHL during the regular season. That may be the echelon this group soon ascends to.
The Wild will be better, because next year this core will have another season with which to mesh and grow together. 1214424 Minnesota Wild If the Wild were thinking comeback, Janmark put those thoughts to bed midway through the third period with a snipe to make it 5-2. Though that proved to be the dagger, Janmark added an empty-net goal in the final minutes to complete his hat trick and finalize the score at 6-2. Wild go down swinging in Game 7 loss to Golden Knights As the final buzzer sounded on the this unprecedented season, Wild players skated through the handshake line looking directly at the Golden Knights players across from them. By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: May 28, 2021 at 10:49 p.m. | UPDATED: May 28, 2021 at 11:52 p.m. It was a fitting scene considering this version of the Wild had no reason to hang their heads.
“There’s a lot of positives that can be taken from this season,” Talbot LAS VEGAS — In the end, the Wild simply ran out of gas in Game 7 of said. “I don’t think anyone had us pegged to push these guys to Game 7, their first-round series. Largely because they almost ran out of players. and at the beginning of the year no one even had us making the playoffs, Truthfully, for this version of the Wild, that might’ve been the only thing I don’t think. standing in the way of a magical run. This group of players proved to be “We have a lot of good core pieces, and a lot of good leadership pieces, cut from a different cloth this season with their ability to consistently as well. This is a group that can do something special moving forward. overcome adversity. I’m looking forward to being a part of that.” That played out so many different times over the past six months — from Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.29.2021 overcoming a lengthy COVID shutdown, to mounting countless comeback wins — so it’s only right the Wild went down swinging in a 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena.
“This year was a tough year with all the stuff going on,” Ryan Suter said. “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. We are pretty disappointed that it’s ended the way its has.”
Though the Wild finished the game with most of their players still on the bench, they clearly weren’t at 100 percent. They lost Jonas Brodin to an apparent upper-body injury early in the game, and Joel Eriksson Ek clearly wasn’t at 100 percent as he fought through a lower-body injury. If that wasn’t enough, Carson Soucy missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury, which forced rookie Calen Addison into the lineup.
“You’d like to say if everyone is healthy we’d be a different team tonight maybe,” Marcus Foligno said. “It is what it is.”
Still, the Wild gave the Golden Knights everything they could handle in the winner-take-all matchup, erasing a couple of deficits early in the game before fading down the stretch.
After missing the entire series to this point with an upper-body injury, star sniper Max Pacioretty returned to the lineup for Game 7, and he scored what stood up as the game-winner, proving to be the finisher the Golden Knights have so sorely lacked for the past couple of weeks.
His presence in the lineup provided a boost before puck drop as the Golden Knights started the game on fire. They peppered goaltender Cam Talbot with scoring chances early in the opening minutes of the game, and broke through when Mattias Janmark stole a puck in the neutral zone, skated around a defender in front, and calmly slid the puck past the goal line to make it 1-0.
Give the Wild a ton of credit. For the umpteenth time this postseason, they took a haymaker on the chin, and like they have each time, they responded with a flurry of their own.
After a getting a couple of scoring chances in front of goaltender Marc- Andre Fleury, the Wild finally beat him with a goal from Zach Parise on the doorstep. He parked his butt near the crease, then skillfully hammered a backhand attempt between his legs to tie the game at 1-1.
“We were all ready to play,” Parise said. “With all the sideshow stuff that’s been going on, I was ready to play from Day 1, and tonight was no different.”
That set the stage for the second period, where Nicolas Hague made it 2- 1 in favor of the Golden Knights with a wrist shot from the point that snuck past Talbot.
While it would’ve been easy for the Wild start thinking about the offseason at that point — especially with the 12,156 fans in attendance reaching a deafening decibel level — they battled back once more with a goal from Kirill Kaprizov to tie the game at 2-2.
That’s where the magic stopped for the Wild.
After nearly scoring a couple of times earlier in the game, Pacioretty finally got his goal midway through the second period to put the Golden Knights in front 3-2. That seemed to take the edge off, and Zach Whitecloud extended the lead to 4-2 later in the frame. 1214425 Minnesota Wild “He’s just progressing,” coach Dean Evason said of Soucy. “He’s gone through rehab and all that good stuff. The next step is on the ice.”
Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.29.2021 For Wild veteran Nick Bonino, Game 7 isn’t even his biggest moment this week
By DANE MIZUTANI PUBLISHED: May 28, 2021 at 4:15 p.m. | UPDATED: May 28, 2021 at 4:15 p.m.
LAS VEGAS — It was a whirlwind 48 hours for Wild veteran Nick Bonino leading up to Game 7 at T-Mobile Arena.
He arrived at a hospital in the Twin Cities on Wednesday morning with his wife Lauren about to give birth to the couple’s first son. The doctors induced labor a few hours later and Bowie came into the world right around 2:30 p.m.
After spending some quality time with the family, Bonino packed up his stuff and raced to downtown St. Paul for a must-win Game 6 of the first- round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights. He arrived a couple of hours before puck drop at Xcel Energy Center and was able to go through his usual pregame routine.
“My plan the whole day was to play,” Bonino said. “Obviously, if complications arose as it got closer to the game, we would have talked about it. I got to the (8 p.m.) game at 6 o’clock. I was able to get a normal warmup in. All the guys were congratulating me. It was pretty cool.”
Though he admitted to feeling a little tired during warmups for Wednesday’s game, Bonino got a rush of adrenaline once the puck dropped. He logged exactly 11 minutes of ice time as the Wild earned a 3-0 victory over the Golden Knights to force a Game 7.
“Those are easy to get up for,” Bonino said. “It was great to be a part of a win like that.”
With the Wild forcing a Game 7 on the road, Bonino had to board the team charter to Las Vegas on Thursday afternoon. He admitted it was a weird feeling leaving home just 24 hours after his son was born.
Plus, he wasn’t sure how long he would been gone. If the Wild beat Vegas in Game 7, they would fly straight to Denver for a second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche.
“It’s a little bit hard,” Bonino said. “But we’re in the playoffs. We have help at home with Lauren’s family, so these are things we were ready for. I would love to be able to put the kids in the (Stanley Cup), and this is part of that.”
PARISE SHINES
It’s hard to believe Wild veteran Zach Parise spent the early portion of the first-round series with the Golden Knights as a healthy scratch. Especially considering the impact he has made since being reinserted into the lineup for Game 4.
After feeling his way through his first game of the postseason, Parise scored a big goal in Game 5 and added an important assist in Game 6. Not that he was surprised by his production.
“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. “I’m just happy to be in the room and playing and hopefully keep contributing to the team winning.”
Needless to say, Parise is enjoying his view from the ice level a heck of a lot more than watching from up above alongside team reporter Dan Myers.
“I was begging them, ‘Just don’t put my tickets next to Dan anymore please,’ ” Parise joked. “Fortunately, they moved me down the bench, so no looking back.”
SOUCY SKATES
After suffering a lower-body injury earlier this week, defenseman Carson Soucy participated in the morning skate ahead of Friday’s game. But he wasn’t available to play in the actual game; fellow defenseman Calen Addison moved back into the lineup instead. 1214426 Minnesota Wild The future should be bright with prospects such as Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi, Addison and others coming, but the loss will trigger a busy offseason for general manager Bill Guerin.
More first-round heartbreak for Wild, compromised defensively in Game He’ll need to address the team’s feeble center position because the Wild, 7 by early loss of Jonas Brodin who lost 42 of 62 faceoffs Friday, got little production up the middle beyond Eriksson Ek. The Wild GM has expansion challenges, will need to count dollars and cents when re-signing Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Kevin Fiala and will need to have a heart-to-heart talk with Zach Parise in By Michael Russo May 29, 2021 the coming days.
Parise, scratched in three of the final four regular-season games after LAS VEGAS — We’ll never know, but one does have to wonder how first seeing his ice time slashed the final month, was scratched in the first different Friday night’s Game 7 showdown between the Wild and Vegas three games of the series and didn’t play on the power play for the past Golden Knights would have been had Jonas Brodin not gotten hurt less couple of months. It was the lowest point of his career, yet he returned to than six minutes into the game. the lineup and scored two goals, including one beautiful tying goal in Game 7, and an assist in the final four games. Maybe the Wild’s plane Saturday morning would be directed to Denver rather than the Twin Cities for another long offseason. Parise talked Friday morning about how his confidence never waned and that he knew he could make an impact in the series. After Friday’s game, If you ever doubted Brodin’s value to the Wild, just review the video of he further opened the door to his dismay in an unsolicited fashion when Minnesota’s season-ending 6-2 loss to see how the game unfolded after asked about his motivation. Kirill Kaprizov tied the score early in the second period. “With all the sideshow stuff that’s been going on, I was ready to play from The moment Brodin left the ice in pain and struggled down the tunnel Day 1,” Parise said. “Tonight was no different.” with what surely looked like a shoulder or collarbone injury, the obvious question was: How long would the Wild survive without him? Asked how much his situation will need to be addressed after this offseason in order for him to be comfortable with his role, Parise said, “I As goaltender Cam Talbot said, give the Wild credit for hanging in there. think that conversation is gonna be for a different day. We’ll see where it But they spent a ton of time in their own end and had to use a mishmash goes. I don’t know. I don’t know. We’ll have to figure that out in the of mostly four defensemen because they didn’t want to overexpose coming summer what’s going to happen, but I really don’t have an rookie Calen Addison with Carson Soucy already hurt. That created more answer on that right now.” open ice than we’d seen in the previous six games of this tight-checking series and a lot of confusion before Vegas broke the game open and Asked if he wonders if Friday’s game could be his last in a Wild uniform, advanced out of the first round. Parise, who’s well aware that his only options are a trade, a buyout or returning, said with a grin, “I mean, I’ve got four years left in my deal. “Anytime you lose a defenseman in a game like this, it’s tough,” Talbot That’s, I guess, not really up to me at the time. But right now, just said. “But to lose Brodes, who does everything well for us? He kills disappointed in the outcome of the game.” penalties, he’s so elusive back there and can escape under pressure. They come at you in waves. It’s not easy to fill those minutes, and they Fair enough. all did an admirable job tonight. Against a group like that in a building like Just 26 seconds after Janmark scored the game’s first goal, Brodin was this, it’s never an easy guy to replace, that’s for sure.” crunched against the wall by Nicolas Roy. It was immediately clear this Facing a team that led the NHL in victories and tied for the most points in was no stinger or anything like that. He suffered a significant injury and the league, the Wild did a commendable job of rallying from a 3-1 series immediately left. Evason said he didn’t know the extent of the injury, so deficit to pull even and force a winner-take-all final game in rowdy T- the team will save the revelation of what happened until the end-of- Mobile Arena. And just as they did all series, the Wild put some doubt in season media wrapups next week. the Golden Knights’ mind when Kaprizov scored a second-period power- The Wild tied the score when Parise, posting up all alone in front of Marc- play goal. Andre Fleury, watched as an Eriksson Ek-deflected Ryan Suter shot “What a great opponent they were,” said Golden Knights coach Pete trickled right to him. He perfectly backhanded the puck through Fleury’s DeBoer, who is 6-0 in Game 7s. “They gave us everything we can wickets. handle.” The Wild fell behind again early in the second, but Ryan Reaves turned But Max Pacioretty, the Golden Knights’ first-line left wing, who had the game when he violently pushed Suter face-first into the goalpost. missed the previous games in the series with an upper-body injury, “It wasn’t good,” Suter, sporting a bruise below his left eye, said of returned to the lineup for the first time since May 1 and made an Reaves’ dirty hit. “Didn’t feel good.” immediate impact. Besides deepening Vegas’ lineup by pushing Alex Tuch to its third line, Pacioretty escaped Jordan Greenway just three The infraction could have been deemed a major, but the Wild instead minutes after Kaprizov’s power-play goal for what turned out to be the were given a minor, and Kaprizov scored off Mats Zuccarello’s feed. winning goal and the first of four consecutive tallies by Vegas. But not long after, Pacioretty scored, and the Wild would be chasing the One of those goals came from former Bemidji State defenseman Zach rest of the way. There were some other moments that could have Whitecloud and two from Mattias Janmark, who had a hat trick. changed the game. Kaprizov hit the crossbar. Parise was stoned by Fleury twice before Vegas’ fourth goal. Nick Bjugstad should have Let’s be honest: The Wild’s reward, anyway, would have been a second- earned a double minor when he was cut open after being high-sticked. round matchup against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Eriksson Ek was mauled a couple of times in front of the net. Avalanche, a juggernaut that just swept the St. Louis Blues and who beat the Wild in five of eight regular-season meetings, including a couple of But it was the Brodin injury and subsequent absence that changed the epic spankings in Denver. game. There’s no debate about that.
But it was a disappointing way for the Wild, who haven’t advanced past “You lose a defenseman like Brodes, it’s tough. Top-4 D-man that plays the first round since 2015, to finish a season during which they were in all situations is definitely hard,” Suter said. “We spent a lot of time in dominant on home ice, got a likely Calder Trophy-winning season from our D zone, and it’s not a very good recipe for success when you’re Kaprizov, produced great goaltending, for the most part, received a defending the whole time.” breakout season from Joel Eriksson Ek and at one point late in the season flirted with home-ice advantage in the first round. “Brodes is an unbelievable defenseman, and there’s a reason why he’s so special for us,” Marcus Foligno said. “You’ve got to give a lot of credit “Right now, the group in that room is very disappointed with how far to Addison, Ian Cole. They’ve got to step up and play some more we’ve come and didn’t get past that spot that we were in,” coach Dean minutes. And it’s not easy. I mean, you’re getting pushed out there quite Evason said. “We got ourselves to a Game 7. We just didn’t push a bit at times where Brodes is going over there to handle that speed of through. We need to learn from this experience right now, and we will.” their top players. It’s a gutsy effort on everyone, but you never want to see Brodes go down early. It just goes to show you know how valuable Max Pacioretty: Playing in his first game since May 1, he returned he is to our team.” for Game 7 and snapped a 2-2 tie with the winning goal.
It also didn’t help that Eriksson Ek, who hurt his left leg in the third period Shea Theodore, Golden Knights: Norris Trophy contender had of Game 6 when he drove the net and crashed into the goalpost, was two assists, three shots, another three shot attempts and three blocked skating on one leg after aggravating the injury when Greenway, who had shots. a rough game, threw Alex Pietrangelo into him. Turning point Eriksson Ek hobbled to the bench and down the runway and missed a number of shifts before returning in visible discomfort. Less than six minutes into the game and 26 seconds after Janmark’s first goal, Nicolas Roy crunched Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin into the “I’m not surprised about Ekker. He’s a horse,” said Foligno, Eriksson Ek’s boards. Brodin was injured and lost for the rest of the game, meaning linemate. Minnesota, already without Carson Soucy, played 54 minutes with five defensemen, including a 21-year-old rookie. Said Evason: “Ek is such a warrior. Gave absolutely everything he had. I can’t imagine how busted up he is.” By the numbers
The Wild gave up three second-period goals and were outshot 17-6. 3-1: Wild record in Game 7s. When they look back at this series, they’ll need to go no further than the second period of each game to figure out where they lost it. 6-0: Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer’s record in Game 7s.
They were outscored 11-2 and outshot 96-51 after a regular season in 5-0: Records in Game 7s for Golden Knights defensemen Alex which they were outscored 61-46 and outshot 591-562 in the middle Pietrangelo and Alec Martinez. stanza. 7: Game 7s played by the Wild’s Nick Bonino (3-4).
It was simply a disappointing finish to an exciting season and series, 80: Career playoff points for Zach Parise in 105 games. something the Wild have experienced way too often during this run of five first-round exits (including last summer’s qualifying round) in six seasons. They said it
“We all firmly believed with where we were a handful of days ago, down “You can make up a forward obviously when you’ve got 12 of them. 3-1 making this thing 3-3, we all firmly believed that we were going to win You’ve got six guys back there, and it’s very difficult. People are playing this game tonight,” Parise said. “Making it 2-2, we were in a great out of position and playing too many minutes and different minutes. It position. And then they got those two goals to make it 4-2, we didn’t quit, disrupts, obviously. Compound that with the guy that usually eats up the we played, we competed, but just couldn’t get that third one. 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 they’re all brutal. Anytime you’re eliminated from the postseason, it’s — Wild coach Dean Evason on the injury to defenseman Jonas Brodin not fun.” 5:35 into the game.
Still, the Wild are excited about the future, something they’ll all start The Athletic LOADED: 05.29.2021 focusing on once the latest sting wears off.
“There’s a lot of positives that can be taken from this season,” said Talbot, who was fabulous in the series leading into Game 7. “I don’t think anyone had us pegged to push these guys to seven. At the beginning of the year, no one even had us making the playoffs, I don’t think.
“So, I think that this group came together. We got a lot of good, young core pieces and a lot of good leadership pieces as well. So this is a group that can do something special moving forward. I’m just looking forward to be part of that moving forward after this year.”
Bonino’s wife gives birth, then he rushes to rink
Wednesday night in St. Paul, rookie Matt Boldy was an option in warmups in case Foligno or Nick Bonino couldn’t play.
Foligno was dealing with an injury. Bonino was dealing with something else.
Bonino’s wife, Lauren, gave birth to the couple’s third child and first son – given the cool name of Bowie Bonino — 5 1/2 hours before the opening puck drop of Game 6.
After getting to the hospital at 7 a.m., Bonino sprinted into Xcel Energy Center at 6 p.m. and was able to play.
“I felt a little bit tired in warmups, but Game 6, elimination game, those are easy to get up for,” Bonino said. “And I thought it was great to be a part of a win like that.”
After playing so soon after the birth of his son, Bonino was on the Wild’s Las Vegas-directed charter Thursday, Bowie’s first day on Earth.
“It’s a little bit hard,” Bonino said. “You just give birth and he’s a day old, but we’re in the playoffs, we’ve got help at home with Lauren’s family, so these are things we were ready for. It’s obviously odd knowing what happens tonight if we’re gone for a week or gone for a day. I would love to be able to put the (three) kids in the Cup (in six weeks).”
Unfortunately, that won’t happen — at least not this season — for the two-time Cup champion.
The Athletic’s 3 stars