SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 04/16/18 1091674 Ducks remain confident as they travel to San Jose down 1091711 Player grades: Did Ben Bishop live up to the No. 1 goalie 2-0 in first-round series title in your mind? Vote! 1091675 Ducks lose with their best defenseman in the press box 1091712 No playoffs? Reasons to still be optimistic about the future 1091676 Cam Fowler’s absence in series is issue Ducks can’t skate of the Cowboys, Mavs, Rangers, and Stars past 1091713 's official: This is the worst time in history to be a fan of 1091677 Play it Forward April 16-22: Who let the Dogg out for the North Texas' 4 major-sport franchises NHL playoffs? 1091678 Ducks’ rally falls short as Sharks take 2-0 lead back to San Jose 1091714 Detroit Red Wings' roster for next season: Who stays and 1091679 Whicker: Ducks fall short of the in home defeat who goes? 1091680 Whicker: Down 2-0, can the Ducks conjure up another 1091715 Consistency eludes Athanasiou; Wings future uncertain comeback? 1091716 Filip Hronek provides another glimpse into potential with 1091681 Ducks hope change in locale for Game 3 leaves them Red Wings wide awake 1091717 Oilers sign Rattie, more work badly needed on right-wing 1091682 Sydney Crosby lifts Penguins to series lead over Flyers 1091683 Riley Nash could return for Game 3 Kings 1091684 Bruins’ top line back in form for playoffs 1091718 Kings on the brink of elimination after Vegas cashes in on 1091686 Maple Leafs desperate for a way to flip the script vs. a big third period Bruins 1091719 Whicker: Golden Knights riding a wave of love into L.A. 1091687 David Pastrnak, Bruins make quick work of Maple Leafs in 1091720 Golden Knights defeat Kings, now lead 3-0 in series Game 2 1091721 Knights shove Kings closer to the other side of midnight 1091688 For David Pastrnak, a dazzling and historic performance in 1091722 GAME 3: LOS ANGELES VS VEGAS Game 2 vs. Maple Leafs 1091723 APRIL 15 NOTES; MUZZIN, PERRON IN; THAT 70’S 1091689 And suddenly, it’s or bust for the Bruins LINE; PROSPECT NEWS; MORE 1091690 Bruins notebook: Patrice Bergeron line having its way with 1091724 MUZZIN POISED TO RETURN FOR GAME 3, the Maple Leafs POTENTIALLY ALONGSIDE DOUGHTY 1091691 Big Rick Nash hitting the ground running for B's in playoffs 1091725 April 15 postgame notes - LA Kings Insider 1091692 This B's-Leafs series is going to be over a lot sooner than 1091726 April 15 postgame quotes: Kopitar, Iafallo we thought 1091727 April 15 postgame quotes: Vegas 1091694 Bruins' Perfection Line makes history against Maple Leafs 1091728 April 15 postgame quotes: John Stevens; reaction to Haula hit 1091695 Bucky Gleason: Enough already with dark clouds hanging over Buffalo sports 1091729 Wild-Winnipeg Game 3 recap 1091730 Playoff newcomers shine in Wild's Game 3 win over Jets 1091731 Wild's response in Game 3 just as pivotal as the result 1091696 'You want to be that difference-maker': Tkachuk emerging 1091732 Wild ground Jets with 6-2 win to cut series deficit to 2-1 as leader for Flames 1091733 Wild springs to life with goal outburst in Game 3 win over Jets 1091734 Wild not expecting return home for Game 3 to make 1091697 know Nathan MacKinnon is Colorado challenge vs. Jets easier Avalanche’s only hope 1091735 Brian Murphy: Wild’s Devan Dubnyk steps up, makes it a 1091698 Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators: Three things series again to watch for in Game 3 1091736 Wild show they can be physical, too, in blowout win over 1091699 Nine Avalanche players make debut Jets in Nashville series 1091737 Tyler Ennis still can’t crack the Wild playoff lineup: ‘It’s 1091700 Avalanche fashionista Nikita Zadorov to celebrate his frustrating’ birthday in style 1091738 Unsung players step into the spotlight in Wild's Game 3 1091701 The Morning After: Will the Avalanche ever beat the romp over Jets Predators? 1091739 In need of a major statement, Wild pour in six goals in 1091703 Avs, Devils, Leafs hoping home cookin' flips the Game 3 rout of Jets momentum 1091740 LeBrun: Jets' first test of postseason is proving they can brush off Game 3 loss 1091741 Wild-Jets notes: Tyler Ennis being a pro about not playing; 1091704 Sergei Bobrovsky sets team record with 54 saves in Game Jets late in to St. Paul 2 1091742 Dellow: Through two games, Jets on cusp of historic 1091705 Blue Jackets' Sergei Bobrovsky arrives as a playoff goalie 5-on-5 pounding of Wild 1091706 locking shots requires sacrificing body 1091743 Winnipeg's 2-0 lead is built on neutral zone pressure that 1091707 Blue Jackets 5, Capitals 4 | Matt Calvert's OT goal gives won't stop in Minnesota Jackets 2-0 series lead 1091708 Team ready for Game 2, after 'long' 2-day break 1091709 Matt Calvert's one-hander in OT gives Blue Jackets 2-0 series lead vs. Washington 1091710 By the numbers: Analyzing Blue Jackets vs. Capitals Game 2 1091744 , 89, was the model for the tin players in a 1091781 Kevin Gorman: Penguins prove their superiority with win famous table-top hockey game 1091782 Penguins notebook: Special teams flexes power in Game 1091745 To save the sinking Maple Leafs ship, Babcock needs to 3 rout put some personal beliefs aside 1091783 Kevin Gorman's Take 5: Five thoughts on Penguins 5, 1091746 Jack Todd: Marc Bergevin shows how not to take Flyers 1 in Game 3 responsibility for poor performance 1091784 Quick work: Penguins set record by scoring twice in 5 seconds Nashville Predators 1091785 Sidney Crosby blocks out hostile Philly crowd, leads 1091747 Predators forward, Stanley Cup winner Nick Bonino ready Penguins to Game 3 win to reprise role as playoff specialist 1091786 Three things to watch for in Penguins-Flyers Game 3 1091748 Nate dogged: Predators know MacKinnon is Colorado's 1091787 Penguins juggle line combinations in Game 3 against the only hope 1091749 Predators' minutes mounting through 2 games vs 1091788 Instant analysis: Penguins power play comes alive in Avalanche Game 3 win 1091750 Predators vs. Avalanche: 3 things to watch in Game 3 of 1091789 Penguins regain lead against Flyers with key road win NHL first-round playoff series 1091790 Penguins regain series lead against Flyers with key road 1091751 Predators earn highest TV rating since last year's Stanley win Cup Finals 1091791 Cross concussion off list of possible Kris Letang injuries 1091752 Devils sign prospect Joey Anderson to entry level deal | 1091792 Gackle: why Sharks fans can start planning their trip to What it means Vegas (or L.A.) 1091753 Devils drop to Lightning: 6 observations | How 10 minutes 1091793 Sharks sticking to ‘whistle-to-whistle’ game plan vs. changed Game 2 Ducks: “It’s been critical” 1091754 Devils playoffs: 3 keys to victory in Game 3 against 1091794 Blue Jackets top Capitals in OT for 2-0 series lead Lightning 1091795 Sharks, up 2-0 in series, say overconfidence not an issue 1091755 Avs, Devils, Leafs hoping home cookin' flips the 1091796 Five things that stood out as Sharks go up 2-0 on Ducks momentum 1091756 Devils’ Game 3 lineup shakeup could bring both a return, St Louis Blues debut 1091797 Blues believe Dunn can avoid sophomore slump 1091757 T.J. Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom score as Capitals down 1091798 on’t look now, but Alex Killorn is doing it again Islanders, 6-3 1091799 Lightning could face a different goalie when series resumes Monday 1091758 Top-flight NCAA coach could be outside-the-box Rangers Maple Leafs pick 1091800 Avalanche, Devils, Maple Leafs hope home cookin’ flips 1091759 Henrik Lundqvist chooses his knee’s health over country the momentum 1091801 To save the sinking Maple Leafs ship, Babcock needs to put some personal beliefs aside 1091760 Dahlin is the prize, but picking number one doesn't often 1091802 Maple Leafs’ Babcock uncertain if Komarov will be ready lead to finishing number one for Game 3 1091803 Monday Game 3 preview: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Philadelphia Flyers Leafs 1091762 Sidney Crosby once again leaves the Flyers and their fans 1091804 quest begins for Marlies after record season all wet | Mike Sielski 1091805 Stunned Leafs still have what it takes to rebound against 1091763 Flyers' penalize themselves in loss to Penguins in NHL Bruins Playoffs 1091806 Leafs better go big or they’re going home 1091764 Penguins making Flyers pay for their imperfections | Sam 1091807 Can coach Mike Babcock emulate Pat Burns and '93 Donnellon Leafs? 1091765 Flyers' early push wasn't enough to top Penguins in NHL 1091808 Leafs hope they can re-discover home success to climb playoffs back into series with Bruins 1091766 Sidney Crosby leads way as Penguins crush Flyers, 5-1, 1091809 Explosive Bruins expect better from Maple Leafs and take series lead 1091810 TRAIKOS: Leafs don't look like much of a playoff team 1091767 Flyers-Penguins preview: Trying to gain control in Battle of after two losses Pa. 1091811 SIMMONS: Still time for lost Leafs to salvage some pride 1091768 Moore: Penguins are just too much for the Flyers 1091812 Thoughts from the Bruins' two-game demolition of the 1091769 Flyers lose to Penguins 5-1 in Game 3 Maple Leafs in Beantown 1091770 Flyers lose to Penguins in Game 3, 5-1 1091813 What changes can the Maple Leafs make ahead of Game 1091771 Brian Elliott not ready to take blame for another lopsided 3 against Boston? Flyers loss 1091814 Mirtle: Maple Leafs' implosion will bring tough questions if 1091772 Crosby’s play has the Penguins high and dry they can't extend series 1091773 Flyers’ daunting challenge in Pittsburgh commences 1091815 Nikita Zaitsev has yet to be the defenceman the Leafs Wednesday need him to be 1091774 McCaffery: It’s time for Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds to be revived 1091775 Flyers play roulette too many times with Penguins' PP, lose home ice 1091776 Flyers come out swinging but knocked out by Penguins in Game 3 1091777 Flyers need to capitalize on home ice advantage against Penguins 1091778 Dave Hakstol's admission symbolic of Flyers' state 1091779 Flyers 5 takeaways: Penguins take series lead after 7 power plays 1091780 Flyers vs. Penguins: 3 things to watch in Game 3 1091845 Canucks prospects tracker: Week of April 16 1091830 Muddled in Minneapolis: Jets thumped 6-2 after a Wild 1091846 Five Canucks prospects to watch as Utica readies for the show of strength Calder Cup playoffs 1091831 Wild's bitter win over Winnipeg Jets makes for a better 1091847 The Sedins may have retired, but their example should still rivalry inspire next generation of Canucks 1091832 Wild coach says travel delay a non-issue for visiting Jets 1091833 Myers feeds highlight-reel goal past Dubnyk 1091834 Sluggish Jets look like different team in Game 3 loss 1091816 Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore off to fast start in playoffs 1091835 Jets just didn’t look the same in Game 3 after travel chaos 1091817 Golden Knights fans who travel to LA get their money’s on Saturday worth 1091836 Jets suffer blowout loss to Wild in Game 3, but still lead 1091818 Anze Kopitar’s hot start not enough for LA Kings series 1091819 David Perron returns, Tatar sits for Golden Knights in 1091837 Jets not concerned with travel issues Game 3 1091838 Wild not expecting weather advantage due to Jets travel 1091820 Golden Knights rally to beat Kings, 3-2, and take 3-0 woes series lead 1091839 Unsung players step into the spotlight in Wild's Game 3 1091821 Golden Knights knew Kings couldn't sustain early push, romp over Jets finish strong for 3-0 series lead 1091840 In need of a major statement, Wild pour in six goals in 1091822 Golden Knights rally to beat Kings, take commanding 3-0 Game 3 rout of Jets series lead 1091841 LeBrun: Jets' first test of postseason is proving they can brush off Game 3 loss 1091842 Wild-Jets notes: Tyler Ennis being a pro about not playing; 1091823 If the Capitals don’t get smarter, it soon will be too late for Jets late in to St. Paul them to learn their lesson 1091843 Dellow: Through two games, Jets on cusp of historic 1091824 Capitals’ Andre Burakovsky to be reevaluated for upper 5-on-5 pounding of Wild body injury Monday 1091844 Winnipeg's 2-0 lead is built on neutral zone pressure that 1091825 Capitals lose in overtime again, trail Blue Jackets 2-0 in won't stop in Minnesota series 1091826 Tarik's 3 Stars: Bobrovsky denies Capitals even series with outstanding Game 2 performance SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1091827 Tiny Capitals fan has all the emotions during Brett Connolly interaction 1091828 Taylor Chorney knew his team would have to face the Caps in the playoffs 1091829 Jakub Vrana a surprise scratch for Game 2 Websites 1091848 Sportsnet.ca / Wild desperation an inevitable obstacle on Jets’ path to second round 1091849 Sportsnet.ca / Kings turn up physicality but Golden Knights still prevail 1091850 Sportsnet.ca / Crosby, unfazed by Flyers' hostile environment, takes over in Game 3 1091851 Sportsnet.ca / Matthews must rise above chaos, find next level to keep Leafs afloat 1091852 Sportsnet.ca / Wild's Eric Staal finally produces in meaningful game again 1091853 Sportsnet.ca / Tyler Bozak appears to already be preparing for his Maple Leafs exit 1091854 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs need to address struggling penalty kill if they want to rebound 1091855 Sportsnet.ca / Jets-Wild Notebook: Winnipeg is owning puck possession 1091856 TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Crosby leads Penguins back to series lead 1091857 TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Bruins' top line punishes the Leafs 1091858 TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Flyers bounce back in Game Two 1091859 TSN.CA / Leafs return home with single goal in mind 1091860 USA TODAY / NHL playoffs loading up early with questionable hits 1091674 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks remain confident as they travel to San Jose down 2-0 in first-round series

By MIKE COPPINGER APR 15, 2018 | 4:15 PM

The Ducks have been here before. They stared down the barrel of a 2-0 series deficit after consecutive defeats to the Edmonton Oilers last season. Those second-round losses also came at home, and they set out on the road with a formidable task ahead. Slowly but surely, the victories came, and the Ducks returned to Anaheim with the series tied. The Ducks went on to top the Oilers in seven games and advance to the Western Conference finals. They hope to replicate that success beginning Monday with Game 3 against the San Jose Sharks. Once again, they set out on the road down 2-0, but they're confident, comfortable even. After all, once you've accomplished something, you know you're capable of doing it again. "All year here, people have been counting us out a long time, so we've been stepping it up when we need it the most," said Hampus Lindholm, who scored a goal in the Ducks' 3-2 loss Saturday in Game 2. "I believe in this group here." The Ducks scored six goals in Game 3 against the Oilers last season and turned the series around. They showed that same resolve this season as they battled through a rash of injuries to key players. It was uncertain for most of the final two weeks if the Ducks would even reach the postseason. They capped the season with a five-game winning streak to not only clinch a berth, but home ice in the first round. Of course, that advantage is now gone after the Sharks grabbed victories in both games at . It's up to the Ducks to earn at least one victory in San Jose if they hope to extend the series. "It's about winning. If you're home or away, it doesn't matter," Lindholm said. "Home ice is always comfortable for the guys, but for me, personally, it doesn't really matter. It's about winning a hockey game. At the end of the day, home or away, it's about what we do on the ice. "We need to come into their building and keep doing the good things we've been doing and try to clean up the stuff we haven't been doing so good." Coach Randy Carlyle believes his team needs to simplify its game, especially in the neutral zone. He wants the Ducks to simply push the puck into the Sharks' zone, and once they're there, he's confident they can score goals. That task is much more difficult without top defenseman Cam Fowler, who won't make the trip to San Jose as he continues to recover from a left shoulder injury he suffered on April 1. The Ducks are confident after their performance Saturday, even if they came up just short. They were constantly around the net, and sooner or later, they figure the goals will come after just two in the first two games. "They do a good job of covering their net, they play good team defense; they always have," said Andrew Cogliano. "It seems like we're getting there probably more than usual, but at the end of the day, you gotta put the puck in. "There's no quit, we've been in these situations before. You have to fight at this . You have to find a way to win in their building and make a difference. It's not ideal by any means to be down 2-0, but you have to find a way to do something in their building and get a win and continue the series."

LA Times: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091675 Anaheim Ducks Their arrivals pushed Brown out of the lineup, but he was back in the fold at the end of the regular season. Brown played in 37 playoff games during his three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and was a Ducks lose with their best defenseman in the press box member of the squad that lost in the 2015 . “If you win the [first] game, you have more things to build off of,” Brown said, “whereas we didn’t win this game so we kind of have to turn the By MIKE COPPINGER page.” APR 14, 2018 | 10:35 PM LA Times: LOADED: 04.16.2018 Ducks lose with their best defenseman in the press box Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa (3) sends Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) into center Adam Henrique (14) during thefirst period of Game 2 at Honda Center. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) The Ducks were destined for success in the playoffs, Cam Fowler was sure of it. His club first had to qualify for the postseason, no easy task considering how tightly contested the spots were. Of course, the Ducks accomplished that goal, but Fowler was injured before they even clinched a playoff berth. He missed the team's final three regular-season games because of a left shoulder injury and remained on the mend Saturday as the Ducks lost to the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in a first-round series at Honda Center. The team's top defenseman still isn't practicing, and Fowler's been forced to watch the club's first two games from the press box. There's no way to truly replace such a pivotal player, and his absence was felt in a Game 1 loss. Without Fowler, the breakouts were few and far between. There is hope, though. Coach Randy Carlyle expects Fowler to resume skating soon, and he hasn't been ruled out for the first round. The Ducks did welcome back Kevin Bieksa for Game 2 after he sat out the playoff opener. Bieksa underwent surgery to remove scar tissue from his left hand on March 16 and missed the rest of the regular season. Bieksa, who loves to mix it up, fought Philadelphia Flyers tough man Radko Gudas in October and, after landing a crushing right hand, used his left hand to break his fall. He opted against surgery and instead played through the pain. Fans cheer as teammates swarm Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) after his power-play goal on Sharks goaltender Martin Jones during the second period of Game 2 on Saturday at Honda Center. Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm beats Sharks goaltender Martin Jones on a power play during the second period of Game 2 on Saturday at Honda Center. Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) congratulates right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) after his goal against the Sharks 40 seconds into the first period of Game 2 on Saturday at Honda Center. "It wasn't an easy decision and it was one that — not to get too much into injuries — but it's something that happened in the beginning of the season," said Bieksa, who struggled this season with a team-worst minus-13 rating. "If I look back, yeah, maybe I should have had it done right away. But I didn't. "The situations that we were in at the time or whatever, I kind of decided to stick with it. ... Playoff hockey is the best time of the year and I feel like I play my best hockey then." The Ducks must hope he's right. The 36-year-old replaced rookie Andy Welinski in the lineup Saturday, adding toughness to a club looking for a physical edge. Bieksa won't be able to replace Fowler, though. That's going to be a team effort. Ducks center Adam Henrique (14) and Sharks defenseman Paul Martin (7) tangle in front of Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) during the first period of Game 2 on Saturday at Honda Center. Ducks goaltender John Gibson stops a shot from Sharks center Chris Tierney with his blocker after losing his stick during Game 2 on Saturday at Honda Center. And the kind of speed and grit J.T. Brown displayed in Game 1 amid an otherwise forgettable performance for the Ducks is exactly what they need. The speedy winger was picked up off waivers in January to help solidify the fourth line, but one month later, general manager Bob Murray traded for Jason Chimera at the deadline and also signed Chris Kelly. 1091676 Anaheim Ducks Getzlaf knows the ability to control all areas of the rink. The center has seen Lindholm’s growth over the defender’s five seasons.

“It’s about growing (into) where you’re a dominating force all the time,” Cam Fowler’s absence in series is issue Ducks can’t skate past Getzlaf said. “It’s about doing the little things differently and making sure he’s leading that back end all the time. He’s their leader back there right now. And he’s been good for us all year and he’s got to continue to do By ERIC STEPHENS that. PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 6:49 pm Asked if Lindholm is at that dominant stage, Getzlaf said. “He doesn’t have a choice.” UPDATED: April 15, 2018 at 6:52 PM QUESTIONABLE CHOICE

Corey Perry took himself off the ice during a critical period of Game 2 as ANAHEIM – Even as the big-minute defenseman that he has been for his decision to level Sharks forward Melker Karlsson with 3:43 left in the Ducks over the years, Cam Fowler has his strengths and regulation resulted in an interference penalty and a shorthanded situation deficiencies. with the Ducks down a goal. There are those who could stand to see Fowler be more physical in front Perry vehemently disagreed with the call on the grounds that Karlsson of his net instead of relying a lot on his stick work to deter offensive was attempting to play the puck as two others were battling for it along forwards. The occasional lost battle or coverage misread can elicit the boards in the San Jose zone but his demonstrative hit is what likely groans from those who zoom in on the flaws in his game. drew the whistle. But when it comes to pure skating and the ability to carry the puck out of “I think it would have been better served to be less violent,” Carlyle said. his own zone without the need of a pass, Fowler may have no equal “I think it still was a play where he could have taken the body. The among the Ducks. And it is one aspect they miss greatly with the opportunity to lay a body check on him on an opposing player that’s defender watching the first-round Western Conference playoff series fishing for a puck, it’s kind of borderline. against San Jose. “It’s an iffy play and the referee made the call based upon he felt that it Fowler remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury suffered late in the third was too violent.” period of an April 1 home game against Colorado. An original wide- ranging timetable of two-to-six weeks was set and that has held, with Ducks coach Randy Carlyle saying Sunday that Fowler will not travel up north for Games 3 or 4. Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 It was expected. Fowler has yet to resume skating and the likelihood that he can return by the end of the series is minimal. The question of his availability will become moot if the Ducks aren’t able to beat the Sharks and get the series back to Honda Center for Game 5 or extend it any further. After their 3-2 loss to the Sharks in Game 2, Carlyle again lamented the Ducks’ trouble with exiting out of their own zone in a quick and crisp manner. Fowler’s puck-handling and skating can prove essential in those times when it is necessary to relieve the forechecking pressure being applied. “There’s a calmness about Cam,” Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf said. “Any No. 1 (defenseman) in the league for that matter. It’s an element that obviously we have to overcome. We have a very capable back end at the moment and we just need to work with who’s out there. “Obviously without Cam in the lineup, guys have to step up and fill those roles. But, yeah, he brings a calmness to the game that you can use in certain situations.” With Fowler out, Brandon Montour is playing alongside Francois Beauchemin. It has put more pressure on Montour to be the chief puck mover among the duo, as well as be the lone defenseman to run the power play. There is a residual effect, though Carlyle downplayed the breakout issue Sunday. “Well, he’s an elite-level skater for sure,” Carlyle said. “If you look at the games and the way they’ve been played, there’s been virtually very minimal play in the neutral ice. A lot of pucks being stretched. And then it’s all about the ability to retrieve the puck and execute your breakout versus the opposition’s forecheck. “That really has been the way the first two games have been played. That and special teams.” LINDHOLM SOARS Hampus Lindholm was the Ducks’ best player in Game 2. The defenseman impacted them in all areas, showing his physical side on defense in putting San Jose’s Evander Kane on the ice with a big body check and factoring directly in both goals by scoring one and getting the only assist on the other. It was an example of Lindholm’s continued evolution into a dominant player. “I know in his mindset, he’s so comfortable playing against other team’s top players,” Ducks winger Rickard Rakell said. “He can do it in all kinds of ways. He’s such a competitor. He’s a really good player and he’s huge for us.” Said Carlyle: “He stood out. He was an individual that if you didn’t recognize him, you weren’t a hockey fan.” 1091677 Anaheim Ducks Details/TV: At , Tuesday-Thursday, 7:07 p.m., Fox Sports West

Enough talk about LeBron James coming to either the Lakers or Play it Forward April 16-22: Who let the Dogg out for the NHL playoffs? Clippers, because here’s where we get heavy does of Bryce Harper-to- the-Dodgers chin rubbing. Jon Heyman at FanRag.com puts the Dodgers at 3-1 odds of landing the soon-to-be free-agent Harper, but it seems to By TOM HOFFARTH be an either/or proposition, depending on whether they re-sign Clayton Kershaw. Saturday lines up for a Kershaw matchup against Stephen April 15, 2018 at 4:38 PM Strasburg. Meanwhile, the Red Sox face the Orioles on Monday morning (MLB Network, 11 a.m.) before heading West to start a nine-game, 10 day road Ranking the top 10 sports events April 16-22 you won’t want to miss: trip. Shohei Ohtani’s spot in the rotation moves to a Tuesday start NO. 1: NHL PLAYOFFS against Boston because of Sunday’s cancellation in Kansas City. WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS Also this week for the Dodgers: At San Diego, Monday-Wednesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA GAME 4: GOLDEN KNIGHTS at KINGS Also this week for the Angels: At Angel Stadium vs. San Francisco, Details/TV: At Staples Center, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Prime Ticket, Friday at 7:07 p.m., Saturday at 6:07 p.m., Sunday at 1:07 p.m., FSW NBCSN NO. 4: GOLF: LPGA TOUR HUGEL-JTBC L.A. OPEN GAME 3: DUCKS at SHARKS Details/TV: At Wilshire Country Club, Thursday-Sunday, Golf Channel Details/TV: At SAP Center in San Jose, Monday at 7:30 p.m., Prime Ticket, CNBC The women’s pro tour returns to L.A. for the first time since 2005 with a $1.5 million event, on the outskirts of the city’s Koreatown district. Keep We couldn’t help ourselves and clicked onto a new feature at NHL.com an eye out for 2017 Women’s PGA Champion Danielle Kang (Westlake called “Hockey 101 with Snoop Dogg.” The rapper from the LBC (once High, Pepperdine), Alison Lee (UCLA), Jenny Shin (South Korea born the home of the Ice Dogs, if you recall), refers to himself “Dogg Cherry” and the state’s top player when she was at Torrance High) and Robynn and calls Wayne Gretzky “99 problems, and you ain’t one of ‘em.” Why Ree (Redondo High, USC). Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Juli Inkster, the NHL and Snoop Dogg are even together on this? It’s his ties to the Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, Anna Nordqvist (recent winner at the Kings. ANA Inspiration in Palm Springs), Morgan Pressel, Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie are also entered (as well as Cheyenne Woods, the half- “One of the things we noticed when Snoop came to our All-Star game a sister of Tiger Woods). couple years ago in Los Angeles was not only is he Snoop and everybody loves him, but he really loves hockey,” the NHL’s executive Golf Channel has coverage each day starting at 3 p.m. vice president Steve Mayer told Deadline. “The first thing he said when we walked into the East locker room was, ‘Sid the Kid!’ — calling out More info: www.hugeljtbcopen.com Sidney Crosby. He knows the players, he knows the game, and we NO. 5: GYMNASTICS: NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS started talking back then about how he feels like he can help promote the game.” Details/TV: At Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Saturday at 4 p.m., ESPNU Ice, ice, baby. We hope the shows become, uh, better as the playoffs UCLA, winner of the Pac-12 title and the recent NCAA regional continue into May and June. Before then, we gotta expect Dogg to be championship, starts as the No. 3 national seed in a six-team semifinal fixing on having this Kings-Golden Knights series return to Las Vegas for bracket against No. 2 LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Nebraska. an encore of what happened there for Games 1 and 2. The top three advance to the “Super Six,” where they will likely face No. 1 seed and two-time defending champion Oklahoma and/or Pac-12 rivals The Ducks, meanwhile, didn’t take advantage of their home ice and are Utah, Cal or Washington. UCLA finished fourth last year in the finals, and on thin ice as they go to San Jose for what could be the closeout of their Kyla Ross was the individual winner in the bars and beam. season. More info: https://www.ncaa.com/sports/ gymnastics-women Also this week for the Kings: Game 5 at Las Vegas, Thursday at 7 p.m., Prime Ticket, NBCSN; Game 6 at Staples Center, Saturday, TBA. Both NO. 6: COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UCLA SPRING GAME games if necessary. Details/TV: At Drake Stadium, Saturday at 11 a.m., Pac 12 Network Also this week for the Ducks: Game 4 at San Jose, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Prime Ticket, Golf Channel; Game 5 at Honda Center, Friday, TBD; The spotlight may be on Chip Kelly and how he runs things, but there Game 6 at San Jose, Sunday, TBD. All games if necessary. may be more focus on Justin Frye, the new offensive line coach, who’ll have to figure out a way to protect whoever is playing quarterback. NO. 2: NBA PLAYOFFS NO. 7: COLLEGE WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS USC at UCLA GAME 2: SPURS at WARRIORS Details/TV: At , Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 Details/TV: At Oracle Arena in Oakland, Monday at 7:30 p.m., TNT p.m., Sunday at noon, Pac-12 Network EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS The Trojans (17-13) pulled out a 3-2 win over the Bruins (22-9) in the Dodgertown Classic on Lars Nootbaar’s eighth-inning home run into the GAME 2: PACERS at CAVALIERS UCLA bullpen last month, but it hasn’t established any trends in how their Details/TV: At Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Wednesday at 4 p.m., seasons have gone from there. TNT Also this week for UCLA: At Jackie Robinson Stadium vs. UC Irvine, Until someone else steps up, we’ll remain focused on a storyline that Tuesday at 6 p.m. provides whatever it takes to create a rematch between Golden State Also this week for USC: At vs. UC Santa Barbara, and Cleveland, who’ve been in every NBA Finals since 2015. While Tuesday at 6 p.m.; At Loyola Marymount, Wednesday at 6 p.m. neither the Warriors nor Cavs have the top seeding in their respective conferences, “The City” is still given 7/5 odds to win it all by the Bovoda Also this week for Long Beach State: At vs. Loyola sports book website, with “The Land” a third-favorite at 13/2 behind Marymount, Tuesday at 6 p.m.; At Cal Poly, Thursday at 7 p.m., ESPNU, Houston (8/5). The Lakers and Clippers are off the board, and that’s an Saturday at 6 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. odd feeling all together. Also this week for Cal State Fullerton: At University of San Diego, NO. 3: MLB: NATIONALS at DODGERS Tuesday at 6 p.m.; At vs. Hawaii, Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. Details/TV: At Dodger Stadium, Friday at 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA; Saturday at 6:10 p.m., SportsNet LA and Ch. 5; Sunday at 5 p.m., ESPN Also this week for Cal State Northridge: At San Diego State, Tuesday at 6 p.m.; At vs. UC Irvine, Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday and MLB: RED SOX at ANGELS Sunday at 1 p.m. Also this week for UC Irvine: At UCLA, Tuesday at 6 p.m., at Cal State Northridge, Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Also this week for UC Riverside: At Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Wednesday at 2 p.m.; At vs. San Jose State, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. Also this week for Pepperdine: At Eddy D. Field in Malibu vs. Cal Poly, Tuesday at 3 p.m.; At Eddy D. Field in Malibu vs. University of San Diego, Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Also this week for Loyola Marymount: At Long Beach State, Tuesday at 6 p.m.; At Page Stadium in Westchester vs. USC, Wednesday at 6 p.m.; At Page Stadium in Westchester vs. Portland, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. NO. 8: 60th MT. SAC RELAYS Details/TV: At Murdoch Stadium at El Camino College in Torrance, Thursday-Saturday As construction continues at Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Mt. SAC – the site for the 2020 U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials — El Camino College plays host to the event that produced six world-leading marks last season, including two NCAA records. Cooper Teare’s 4:00.16 mile was the second-best time in history and 10th-best in U.S. history.

NO. 9: 122nd BOSTON MARATHON Details/TV: Monday at 5:30 a.m., NBCSN Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts offers another chance to Galen Rupp to see if he’s up for this challenge. The two-time Olympic medalist and 2017 winner of the Chicago Marathon was 21 seconds behind winner Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya last year. “It was an incredible time,” said Rupp, who set a personal best 2:09:58. “The race exceeded any expectations that I had. I wouldn’t say that my training has been optimal, but I take nothing away from this guy (Kirui). He ran a hell of a race. I just didn’t have it in the last couple of miles. I’m very happy with this result.” On the women’s side, 2017 New York City Marathon winner and Olympic silver medalist Shalane Flanagan is the one who’ll get the most local attention. NO. 10: NFL: 2018 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT Details/TV: To be determined In 2017, the schedule came out a week before the draft. If that holds, the 2018 version will come out this Thursday. Or it could hold for a couple more weeks. Be prepared. The 99th NFL season will start Sept. 6, and the Rams know they’ll to go Mexico City to play the Chiefs, and the Chargers will go to Wembley Stadium in London to meet with Tennessee in late October. We know the NFL West will play the AFC West teams in the rotation – meaning an L.A. vs. L.A. matchup at the Coliseum. Otherwise … wait it out.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091678 Anaheim Ducks which Couture took and then made a move to his backhand on the sprawling Gibson and put a shot by him for a power-play conversion. Carlyle felt this one “was a little bit more damaging.” Ducks’ rally falls short as Sharks take 2-0 lead back to San Jose “You have to find a way to continue to push and create momentum,” Ducks left wing Andrew Cogliano said. “It seemed like they took it away from us right away with that goal. And those hurt. When you get a goal By ERIC STEPHENS early, it’s huge in the playoffs. PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 1:32 pm “We got to find a way to continue to push. you see other teams around the league, they get the second and third one right at the beginning. That’s what we needed to do tonight. It seemed like they did a good job of pressing back early.” ANAHEIM – The Ducks were better in Game 2 but that was to be expected after a dismal Game 1. Much better. Far better. But not The Ducks could feel salty about San Jose getting a man advantage in completely better. the first place with referee Francois Charron calling a questionable hooking penalty on Montour but not getting a power play earlier when Hence, the problem the Ducks have been unable to shake. San Jose Ondrej Kase was tripped by the Sharks’ Tomas Hertl. stayed better. And the Sharks are heading home with a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 Western Conference first-round series. But they couldn’t kill off the Montour minor. Brent Burns factored into that, intercepting an attempted Ducks clear allowed the scoring play to start. Martin Jones followed up his Game 1 shutout with a 28-save effort Hertl made a play all on his own to lift the Sharks into a 3-1 lead. Saturday night and San Jose made a two-goal lead stand up in a 3-2 victory over the Ducks in front of an overflow crowd of 17,430 at Honda With Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf trailing the play, Hertl moved into the Center. offensive zone and backed off Montour and Beauchemin enough to cut through the two and then beat Gibson cleanly with a shot on a play that The Ducks are dealing with a 2-0 series deficit for the second straight all three could have played better. postseason. They faced that against Edmonton in the second round after losing two home games to open it but rallied and won Game 7 to capture “Obviously they made a nice play in the neutral zone there,” Montour their first playoff round after dropping the first two games. said. “Beauch tried to slap it away. They got to the puck first. For me, it was kind of a tough play because I was pretty far back and he was They’ll need to pull off some similar heroics to advance. Jakob coming with lots of speed. Silfverberg and Hampus Lindholm scored goals in a decisive improved effort for Game 2 but they weren’t enough. Jones outdueled Ducks goalie “You have to tip your hat. It was a nice goal. For me, it was one of those John Gibson, who made 32 stops. Game 3 is Monday in San Jose. where I just tried to get as much body position as I could. He luckily enough flipped it over and it went in. 3-1. It’s tough to go from that. The “It’s a different team,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “Different group guys worked hard. We had our chances. It just didn’t go our way.” of players. I know the resolve in our room is one that I guarantee you we’re not going to lay down.” Added Carlyle: “When you gift things in the playoffs, usually you’re going to end up on the wrong side of the score.” Teams that have taken 2-0 series leads went on to win them 78.7 percent of the time, according to Elias Sports Bureau. The Ducks defied From that moment, Gibson was lights out. The Ducks stayed in the game those odds but they’ve also lost the opening two games at home in three because their netminder kept them in it, making several do-or-die saves. of their last five series. Joe Pavelski and Timo Meier were stopped on strong back-to-back chances in the second and Chris Tierney had a grade-A chance stolen “We have to go out there and outwork them,” defenseman Hampus away in the third. Lindholm said. “Get those wins that are going to be huge for us. All year people have been counting us out a lot of times. We’ve been stepping up Those helped the Ducks have a look at this one after being totally shut when we needed the most. I believe in this group here.” down in Game 1. Lindholm got them close at 7:51 in the second with a pinpoint power-play wrist shot that beat Jones after the defenseman got Brandon Montour also put up a brave front. “We’ve been down two a feed from Getzlaf. before,” Montour said. “They got to win four. The series isn’t over. It’s tough to lose two at home here but it’s a series. We’ll come back and Flush with momentum, had a tie game on his stick after a play hard for next game.” terrific pass from Montour. The winger made a move on Jones to get him off his skates but put his shot off the post and the Sharks managed to The message after a 3-0 Game 1 trouncing was that the Ducks had to clear the puck away. skate harder and get in position to deliver the physical edge to their game. It was heeded with emphasis in the early going. Jones was tested more than Game 1. His steadiness behind the Sharks’ tight system has given him the edge over Gibson’s occasional brilliance Nick Ritchie put a big hit on San Jose’s Paul Martin in the opening needed to erase mistakes from his teammates. minutes. Lindholm dropped Sharks forward Evander Kane, who had two goals in Game 1, with a clean open-ice hit. Francois Beauchemin “He was excellent and I thought both goalies were excellent,” DeBoer crushed San Jose winger Kevin Labanc with a hit that knocked his said. “We had four or five grade-A chances to extend the lead at different helmet off. points in the second and third and I thought Gibson made some big saves too. Jonesy has been a rock for us in this time of the year.” There was energy that they played with. Silfverberg provided that jolt just 40 seconds in with the game’s first shot, a hard wrist try from distance that Jones didn’t get a good read on and watched sail through him for the Ducks’ first goal of the series and initial lead. Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 And the Ducks stayed engaged. San Jose went about withstanding the expected surge and forged a tie game. The Sharks did it by taking advantage of Anaheim’s third defensive pairing, with Kevin Bieksa making his series debut and playing his first game since March 16. Sidelined for a month in order to have surgery on his left hand, Bieksa couldn’t keep San Jose’s Marcus Sorensen from keeping the puck and getting a pass back to Brenden Dillon back at the point. Dillon threw it behind the Ducks’ net for a designed carom and Sorensen read it, getting to the net. With Gibson up in the crease, it left enough room for Sorensen to easily tap it in for a 1-1 tie. The Sharks were back on even footing and went about seizing some control. “They came out physical,” San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. “We knew they were going to play their best game tonight. Especially early. We were prepared for that. I loved our resolve.” Two dazzling plays had them grabbing a two-goal lead. First, Labanc survived his hit from Beauchemin and hit Logan Couture with a pass, 1091679 Anaheim Ducks “You can’t give up three goals and expect to win,” Lindholm said. “We can’t let that happen every game.”

And no doubt Fowler would help the Ducks navigate the neutral zone Whicker: Ducks fall short of the goal in home defeat better. But the Sharks don’t have Joe Thornton or Joel Ward either. The injuries were worth mentioning in the first half of the season, not now. By MARK WHICKER Some remembered that the Ducks trailed Edmonton 2-0 last year in the second round, also losing Games 1-2 at home. They won in seven PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 11:41 am games, but it took the Komeback on Katella (cq) to pull out Game 5. UPDATED: April 15, 2018 at 1:04 PM “Sure, we can draw on that,” Lindholm said. “People have not been believing in us all year but we know what we’re capable of.”

Lindholm had his hands all over this game, from the moment he jammed ANAHEIM — It’s a 3-2 league, as Darryl Sutter used to say. Evander Kane in the mouth and started the Ducks’ hitting game. Pretty soon Francois Beauchemin was wiping out Kevin Labanc, and Nick The Ducks had the “two” Saturday night, on a game-opening shot by Ritchie was coming from behind to spill Dylan DeMelo, practically in Jakob Silfverberg that hit a stick and fluttered past Martin Jones, and an Labanc’s lap. indefensible power-play blast into the top right corner by Hampus Lindholm. “We don’t hit just to hit,” Lindholm said tartly. “We hit to get the puck in our zone and get our offense started.” Otherwise, scoring goals was like pulling a camel through the eye of a needle. Winning this Western Conference first-round series will be “I liked the way we handled that,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. “I approximately as hard. loved our resolve and our pushback. We didn’t ask the referees to take care of it and we stood in there and came out of that period ahead 2-1.” This Game 2 loss to San Jose, which dealt the Ducks an 0-2 series deficit, featured hot effort and cold hard truth. There will always be The Sharks also got Logan Couture’s power play goal after an games like this in the playoffs, when you do almost all you can, and undetectable hooking penalty called on Montour, but Gibson could have Anaheim did that for most of the second and third period. played that better. Same goes for Tomas Hertl’s foray through the Ducks’ defense, as Hertl imitated Mikalea Shiffrin and flipped a backhand shot But there will periodically be losses in those games, because playoff over Gibson’s shoulder. Hertl is also 26-15 in faceoffs in two games. games are so competitive. Therefore, you can’t afford a no-show like Game One, and now the Ducks have to win four out of five against a The Ducks needed all the chances they could get, and when Perry team they’ve only beaten once all season. shouldered Melker Karlsson to the ice with 3:43 left and got an interference penalty, there went two minutes of attack time. “We played okay, but it wasn’t good enough to win, and we’re down 2- nothing,” Andrew Cogliano said glumly. “They do a good job defensively, It is not yet time to be reminded that the Ducks haven’t been swept in a especially around the net, but then they always have. playoff series since Detroit in 1999. “We won’t go up there and lay down,” Carlyle said, although maybe they should try scoring that way. “We could look at certain plays, but the reality is that you have to make those plays in your own building. We have a team that’s been in these situations before, but we know it’s going to be tough.There are types of goals that go in this time of the year, and we were on the wrong end of Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 that tonight. You’ve got to put the puck in and you’ve got to make a difference that way.” Cogliano essentially said the same things 11 months ago when the Ducks were feeling the burn of a Game 6, season-ending loss at Nashville. They peppered Pekka Rinne with puck after puck, to no avail. Of the 16 playoff teams this season, no one scored fewer goals than the Ducks, who ranked 19th in the league in scoring, 23rtd in power play percentage and 30th in power play opportunities. If you watched the NHL Saturday afternoon, you saw Nashville’s Victor Arvidsson streak from coast to coast and, at full speed, slap a goal past Colorado goalie Jonathan Bernier (who, ironically, was the Ducks’ losing goaltender in that Game 6 loss at Nashville last year). The Ducks rarely do that. It’s much harder work for them. They probably burn more calories per goal than any team in hockey. Corey Perry used to stand in front of the net and knock in pucks as if it was the county fair. Here he skated in on Jones and doinked the post. It’s been a while now, but Teemu Selanne used to spin goals out of nothing. Bobby Ryan, too. Rickard Rakell has that gift but had one shot on goal Saturday. Nobody’s saying Ryan should still be here, and nobody’s picking apart the deals that sent William Karlsson to Columbus and then Las Vegas, or to New Jersey. But the Ducks need several pairs of hands that work like those do. Without them, it reduces the margin for error. The Ducks had 11 shots on goal in Period 2 and again in Period 3. They had 30 overall, and the Sharks blocked 16 and 15 others missed the net. Chief among those was a Brandon Montour howler that sailed over Jones’ right shoulder and onto the glass. Montour was running a 2-on-1 at the time, a rare luxury against a defensive team like San Jose. Ryan Getzlaf, centering a line with Rakell and Ondrej Kase, supervised a hard-working shift that ended when the puck dribbled off Kase’s stick. San Jose jumped on it, and Gibson had to make an all-world save with his blocker against Chris Tierney. No doubt Cam Fowler would allow the Ducks to escape their zone better. They seemed imprisoned there for the longest time in the second period, trailing 3-1, when San Jose’s Paul Martin bailed them out with a slashing penalty. Lindholm, from Getzlaf, beat Jones and cut the lead to one. It didn’t move from there. 1091680 Anaheim Ducks But, as the Ducks kept saying the past two days, it only takes one shift. Ryan Kesler went behind Jones’ net to pry loose a puck to Getzlaf, who was set up in the corner. As the Sharks clustered around Getzlaf and Whicker: Down 2-0, can the Ducks conjure up another comeback? Kesler, the captain put the puck neatly on the stick of Lindholm, who was in the high slot. Lindholm responded by firing a shot into the top left corner, and Jones could only wave. That made it 3-2. By MARK WHICKER On the other end, Gibson seemed to find his game again, at least long enough to deny Pavelski and Hertl on unaccompanied chances. The big PUBLISHED: April 14, 2018 at 11:30 pm crowd settled back for Period 3, at least knowing that the promise of real drama in the spring was being fulfilled on this night. At the end, they

merely hoped the Sharks hadn’t closed the show. ANAHEIM — The Ducks played two-thirds of Saturday night’s Game 2 as if they knew each other names. They also played as if Game 2 was important to them. Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 They got a perfect shot from Hampus Lindholm and some storybook work from John Gibson in net. They also lost, 3-2, and now they wonder if miracles are limited to one per decade. Last year the Ducks were also 0-2 in a series with Edmonton, in which they had home ice. They recovered to win in 7 games, but needed to wipe out a three-goal deficit in the final five minutes of Game 5, then win in double overtime. The San Jose Sharks are more experienced and balanced than those Oilers, and they now play Games 3-4 of this series at home. It will take a better effort than this for the Ducks to get this series back to Honda Center. They scored on the first shot of the game and then on Lindholm’s power- play bullet in the second period. But the Sharks took advantage of shaky moments by Gibson on goals by Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl, and were able to weather the Ducks’ frenzy after that. Forty seconds into Game 2, Jakob Silfverberg took his first shot on goal in the series, and it passed through some porous section of the body of goalie Martin Jones. Gee, a goal. Who knew it could be so easy? Then the Ducks began to bring the physical hammer that they left in the trunk of the car on Thursday. Francois Beauchemin wiped out Kevin Labanc near the San Jose bench, and then Nick Ritchie came from behind and dumped Dylan DeMelo practically in Labanc’s lap. That followed a high hit from Hampus Lindholm on Evander Kane, sending Kane to the bench in search of a blood-soaking towel. The Sharks did not turn any cheeks. Kane sent Andrew Cogliano reeling, and then Silfverberg and Kane went to the penalty box after a scrum. Meanwhile, San Jose tied it when Brandon Dillon lashed a shot against the end boards and back out to Marcus Sorensen, as the Sharks had outnumbered the Ducks down low. Sorensen sneaked inside and poked the goal inside the far post. Since referees Brad Watson and Francis Charron had pocketed their whistles during all that earlier combat, it was assumed that the first man- advantage would bring some hard criticism from the aggrieved party. The Honda Center crowd hissed when Tomas Hertl appeared to trip Ondrej Kase and no call was forthcoming. But the real complaints came when Brandon Montour was whistled for hooking in the Sharks’ offensive zone. That unleashed a San Jose power play that the Ducks couldn’t handle in Game 1. The Ducks at least were able to clear the puck to mid-ice a couple of times, but San Jose scored anyway, when Labanc hit Logan Couture on a nice cross-ice pass, and Couture skated in and shot the puck past John Gibson, who couldn’t keep his footing. The Ducks then got several nice chances on a shift by Ryan Getzlaf’s line, which now included Kase instead of Corey Perry, but nothing was forthcoming. Then the Sharks seized a 3-1 lead at the beginning of the second period. Hertl, who was similarly outstanding in Game 1, weaved through a spread-out defense like Mikaela Shiffrin coming down the mountain. His backhand flip over Gibson and into the net was too easy, too. A few minutes later, San Jose kept the Ducks penned into their zone with comical ease. The Sharks might still be doing that if Paul Martin hadn’t take a slashing penalty on Kase.. That set up Anaheim on a power play, which isn’t always good news, and sure enough the Ducks had to clear the puck at one point to prevent San Jose’s penalty-killers from camping out. 1091681 Anaheim Ducks The Ducks lean on him. Way too much at times. But given their offensive struggles, they’ve got to get the goals against under three by any means possible. Ducks hope change in locale for Game 3 leaves them wide awake “Stuff’s going to happen,” Gibson said. “There’s bounces and stuff. Nobody likes to lose. And I’ll definitely put more pressure on myself to be better hopefully in Game 3. Hopefully keep the goals down a little bit. By Eric Stephens “We know it’s going to be tough. … It’s going to be a challenge and it’s PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 8:47 pm going to be tight.” More is also needed from the top line. The Ducks have two goals in the first two games and none has come from Getzlaf or Rickard Rakell. ANAHEIM – Losing has its effects. Especially when it comes to losing Carlyle already took to moving up Ondrej Kase and dropping Corey Perry playoff games. to the third line for Game 2. “Right now, it doesn’t feel like I slept at all,” said Ducks forward Rickard But the only point has come from Getzlaf, who assisted on Hampus Rakell, who couldn’t remember when he eventually drifted off after Lindholm’s power-play goal Saturday. arriving home late Saturday night. “It’s really frustrating,” Rakell said. “It’s the playoffs. This is where it really The Ducks have lost two of them, the first two in a best-of-7 Western matters. When you’re not helping the team in the way you know you can, Conference quarterfinal series against San Jose where they hosted both it’s really frustrating. It’s hard to sleep at night because you’re rewinding at Honda Center in front of sellout crowds that wanted any chance to the game in your head the whole time, thinking I should have done erupt. something different here. I should have tried that. Do that. Some advantage that was. The Sharks put the clamps on the hosts in a “We have at least two more games here to prove ourselves and to show Game 1 shutout and then absorbed some early shots in Game 2 before we want to move forward.” coolly going about their business in grabbing the lead and not letting it get away. While striking a positive tone before their flight, Rakell also was realistic about the challenge ahead. This isn’t 2017 and this isn’t Edmonton. Past The result is a commanding 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3 at SAP resiliency can be summoned but little carries over in the Stanley Cup Center on Monday night. The Ducks have now lost six of the seven total playoffs. Not game to game and certainly not year to year. meetings between the teams this season. Now they’re facing the prospect of having to win four of the next five to start some kind of “It’s a different year and it’s not going to be served on a silver platter,” he Stanley Cup playoff run. said. “We got to go into San Jose and do the job. … We have to see the light at the end of the tunnel at this point.” Perhaps this is to be expected. It has been a season of defying the odds and responding to adverse situations, whether self-inflicted or put upon Clear playoff track can lie ahead. Or a Sharks train headed toward them. them.

“I don’t think it’s ever a spot you want to be in,” Ducks goalie John Gibson said. “It’s definitely tough. It’s been a grind all year. So it’s not Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 going to get any easier. I think we have a lot of guys here that have kind of been around and been in the situations before. “So I think we just got to fall back on that and just trust one another.” It is time to band together all right. The Ducks must raise their game because San Jose has simply been better. Up front, on defense, in goal. But they’ve got precedence to look right at for inspiration. It was only last year where Edmonton took Games 1 and 2 in Anaheim and went back home to a raucous Rogers Place. The Ducks stared at that imposing series deficit and erased it, extending a topsy-turvy series that become memorable and historic. It was the first time they captured one while down 0-2. And while less memorable, it was in 2016 where the Ducks dropped two at home to Nashville but won Games 3 and 4 on the road and ultimately forced a Game 7. “We‘ve been in this situation before,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said, starting to think back to Game 3 in Edmonton. “Sometimes it’s better to get away from home and get where you feel comfortable as a group. You’re all together in the hotel and doing those things. A little less distractions when you get on the road. “The mindset is to win one game now. That’s what we have to do. It’s preparation for that one game and that started in the first period.” The Ducks not only scored 25 seconds into that Game 3 but claimed the first period in decisive fashion and went on to a 6-3 win over the Oilers. In Game 2 against San Jose on Saturday, Jakob Silfverberg scored 40 seconds in but the Sharks came back and led after the opening 20 minutes. These Sharks are more experienced and much tighter defensively. The Ducks will have to be persistent while having a sense of calm in their latest dire predicament. “There has to be,” Getzlaf said. “You can’t put too much pressure on any situation in the playoffs. When you’re talking about a seven-game series, it’s about just trying to get better. Did a lot of better things. And we’re going to need another level for Game 3.” Some things were far better than their dreadful Game 1 but more is needed. Gibson made several tremendous saves to keep the Ducks close but his positioning got away from him in the first half of the game when the Sharks put three past him. 1091682 Boston Bruins Cam Atkinson scored twice, Josh Anderson had a goal at even strength, and Zack Werenski added one on the power play for the Blue Jackets.

Ovechkin looked like a man on a mission trying to tie the series for Sydney Crosby lifts Penguins to series lead over Flyers Washington three nights after coach Barry Trotz called him out for not making enough of an impact in Game 1. Jay Beagle’s early goal and Ovechkin’s two on the power play put Washington up, 3-1, before Michael O'Brien undisciplined play took its toll. Penalties to Tom Wilson and Devante Smith-Pelly allowed Columbus to tie the score and take the lead. But a delay-of-game penalty on Werenski Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists and Matt Murray stopped 26 set the stage for T.J. Oshie’s tying goal on the power play with 3:35 left. shots to help the Pittsburgh Penguins silence a raucous Philadelphia crowd Sunday afternoon and beat the Flyers, 5-1, to take a 2-1 lead in The game only got to overtime because Braden Holtby stopped all five their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. shots he faced in the third period after replacing Philipp Grubauer, who allowed four goals on 22 shots. The Pittsburgh captain matched a postseason-best with his 4-point effort. Washington outshot Columbus 21-5 in the third as Bobrovsky made ‘‘When we needed to, we made some good plays, we got some big several big stops, including one on Nicklas Backstrom when he didn’t saves and that’s what you need this time of year,’’ Crosby said. know where the puck was and another minutes later when a shot banked off the post and his left skate and he covered up in the crease. It’s the path Pittsburgh took the last two seasons all the way to parade routes in June. Wild 6, Jets 2 — Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise scored power-play goals in the first period as host Minnesota used a four-goal second Crosby, who has 93 points in 63 career regular-season games against period to roar back in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Philly, shut up the orange-and-black die-hards with a wraparound goal off a turnover midway through the first. The Wild will try to tie the best-of-seven series 2-2 in Game 4 at home Tuesday night. Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. Boston University product Jordan Greenway scored his first NHL goal Crosby had a hat trick in Game 1 and the three-time Stanley Cup just 20 seconds after Eric Staal sent a wrist shot past a struggling Connor champion showed no sign of easing up against his nemesis. The Flyers Hellebuyck, who was pulled for Steve Mason at the second intermission. haven’t won a playoff series since 2012. Matt Dumba and Marcus Foligno bookended the furious middle frame Two of the so-called fiercest rivals in the NHL have provided three with goals for the Wild. lopsided games: Pittsburgh’s 7-0 win in Game 1 and Philadelphia’s 5-1 victory in Game 2 could about qualify as nail-bitters in this series. Mikko Koivu and Nick Seeler each had two assists and Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves. Game 4 is Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Blake Wheeler and Tyler Myers scored for the Jets. Crosby scored his fourth goal of the series in the first period, and Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin, and Brian Dumoulin scored in the second to The San Jose Sharks excelled on the road again Saturday night, beating make it 4-0. Malkin and Dumoulin scored 5 seconds apart. the Anaheim Ducks, 3-2, to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference series. ‘‘After the third goal, I should've taken a timeout,’’ Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. ‘‘That would've been one thing to stop that momentum.’’ Logan Couture had a goal and an assist, and Martin Jones made 28 saves. Justin Schultz made it 5-1 in the third on Pittsburgh’s third power-play goal of the game. Marcus Sorensen and Tomas Hertl also scored for San Jose, which gave another disciplined performance to move halfway to its first series win Flyers goalie Brian Elliott, yanked in Game 1, had another rough outing since their Stanley Cup Final run in 2016. and might need to borrow fellow Wells Fargo Center tenant Joel Embiid’s black mask to have a better look at the puck. The Sharks also are halfway to their first playoff series win over their longtime downstate rivals. Elliott, who had 21 saves, was stunned at how easily the Penguins scored twice in 5 seconds. Hampus Lindholm had a goal and an assist for the Ducks. ‘‘Guy walking down main street,’’ he said. Jakob Silfverberg scored in the opening minute and John Gibson stopped 32 shots as Anaheim dropped to 3-6 in its last nine home playoff The Flyers ran a video package full of bloody fights, big goals, and games. memorable moments between the teams through the years with a ‘‘Bitter Rivals’’ caption. The Penguins could have just looked in their reflection Game 3 is Monday night in San Jose. from the 2016 and 2017 Cups and shrugged off the idea the Flyers are in their league. Brassard scored on the power play just 2:48 into the second. The Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 Penguins hit with back-to-back stunning goals that put the icing on the cake: Malkin scored on a one-timer and Dumoulin beat Elliott through the five-hole off the faceoff for a 4-0 lead. Crosby won the faceoff to set up the goal and had assists, naturally, on both of the goals that matched the NHL playoff record for fastest two scores by one team. ‘‘He thrives in that environment,’’ Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. ‘‘He has a comfort level in that environment. When stakes are high, in an away building, he tends to play his best. He has an ability to stay in the moment. He doesn’t get rattled. He doesn’t get fazed by adversity. That’s why he’s an elite player and he’s so accomplished.’’ At that point, each team had 12 shots. The Flyers, who played more like the team that lost 10 straight games over November-December, had no shot at pulling off the comeback. Travis Sanheim scored late in the third for the Flyers’ lone goal. ‘‘It’s not time to panic here,’’ Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. Blue Jackets 5, Capitals 4 — Sergei Bobrovsky made 54 saves, Matt Calvert scored the winner 12:22 into overtime, and visiting Columbus overcame two goals from Alex Ovechkin to take a 2-0 lead in their first- round playoff series. 1091683 Boston Bruins have to be on their toes. And that’s it. I don’t know what else you can do from there.”

Bergeron averaged 21.4 faceoffs per game during the regular season. Riley Nash could return for Game 3 He’s down to just 19.5 over the first two games of the series. As a result, Brad Marchand’s faceoff duties have ticked up from 1.9 a Julian Benbow game in the regular season to 5.5 so far in the playoffs. The changes to the NHL’s faceoff rules drew heavy criticism at the start of the season. Now, Krejci said, it feels like adjusting all over again. While the Bruins’ top-liners have been the show-stealers through the early stages of the Stanley Cup playoff matchup with the Toronto Maple “When you were going into the regular season with those new rules, you Leafs, Boston’s overall depth has allowed it to put together dominant kind of had to figure it out,” Krejci said. “Once you did it was fine. But it wins in the series’ first two games. kind of seems like we’re reverting back to the beginning again. Just kind of trying to figure it out. But at the same time, you just kind of have to do The possible return of third-line center Riley Nash could add to that in what you do and hope the refs don’t throw you out. It happened way too Game 3 on Monday. many times. Not just me, but Bergy, too. So just got to figure it out and that’s all it is.” Out since March 31 after being struck in the ear by a stray slapshot, Nash began skating in practice this week and could be cleared to make Breaking the ice his postseason debut in Toronto. It didn’t take long for rookie winger Jake DeBrusk to settle into the “Riley Nash is looking good,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “So he postseason. The 21-year-old punched in his first career goal on a power will be a guy that could go into the lineup [Monday].” play midway through the first period Saturday night. He now has a goal and an assist in the series. But the goal helped take the edge off. “It was Nash required more than 40 stitches after a snapshot by teammate Torey a really good feeling to see that go in. It was something that you always Krug struck him in the side of the head. The Bruins were cautious with dream of as a kid,” DeBrusk said. “It was pretty special. You want to get his recovery as he was still dealing with lingering concussion-like your first one as fast as possible, especially in the Stanley Cup playoffs symptoms. where the stakes are so high.” . . . The Bruins are 24-7 in seven-game series when they’ve taken a 2-0 lead. The Maple Leafs are 4-16 when Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. they’ve fallen into an 0-2 hole. The 28-year-old center had a career year with 15 goals and 26 assists.

The versatility he brings across multiple units is invaluable, Cassidy said. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 “It’s just another guy you put in the lineup that we trust to do the job at both ends of the ice,” Cassidy said. “Clearly the [Patrice] Bergeron line is doing a lot of the damage, but all year we won 50 games because of our support people and I put Riley in that category. He’s gravitating out of that to one of your main guys when you start playing 16-17 minutes a night, but that’s what he’s going to bring. “A little bit of everything — faceoffs, 200-foot game, matchup guy, kill penalties. He’s gone into the power-play position when we’ve had injuries. He’s moved up to the top line. He can fill in and move up and still produce when a guy like Bergeron was hurt or [David] Krejci. So that’s what he brings.” The possibility of Nash returning would immediately snap other pieces of the Bruins’ lineup back in place. Noel Acciari could slide to the physical fourth line. Nash could work the penalty kill again with Tim Schaller. “It just sort of sorts everything out for us a little better,” Cassidy said. Tommy Wingels could also be back on the ice after taking a ferocious hit along the side boards from Toronto’s Nazem Kadri in Game 1 and sitting out Game 2. “I think he’ll be very close as well,” Cassidy said. “We’ve just got to decide what our best fit is for the lineup. Let’s say they’re both healthy, if they both go in, who goes out?” Faceoff frustration After being kicked out of the faceoff too many times for his liking, all Bergeron wanted was an explanation. He asked Cassidy to talk to the supervisor of officials to find out what was going on. The problem? The answer could change from one official to another. “I could discuss it, the next night another linesman’s comes in and he’s got an area that he scrutinizes more than the next guy,” Cassidy said. Despite their dominance of the Maple Leafs in the first two games of this series, faceoffs have been complicated propositions for the Bruins. Toronto has won 55.5 percent of the faceoffs and the Bruins have had to play musical chairs more than a few times because someone was moved off the red dot. “It’s been a strength of ours all year,” Cassidy said. “I guess it’s concerning a little that our guys are getting tossed a lot. As much as they may or may not give us an explanation, I would hope that they give guys like Krejci and Bergy that’ve been in this league a long time some sort of level of, ‘Here, this is what we expect.’ “Having said that, if it happens, we’ve got to work on correcting it and the next guy in has to be mindful of, ‘Hey, we need to win faceoffs with help.’ If our center’s constantly getting thrown out, then the other four guys 1091684 Boston Bruins “I mean, I think they’re the best line in hockey for a reason,” Krug said. “They do things 200 feet in the d-zone and translate it into offense for them, and then they hound the puck like no other team. They’re great Bruins’ top line back in form for playoffs forecheckers and everyone brings something to the table, so it’s definitely tough to defend them, and then they’re your best defensive players as well.” Julian Benbow – Reporter Conventional wisdom says defenses clamp down on top lines in the postseason and things will get tougher for Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak the deeper the Bruins get. As the regular-season grind was slowly coming to an end and questions But Cassidy knows the Bruins will go as far as their top line takes them. started springing up about the fuzzy focus of the Bruins top liners, coach Bruce Cassidy wasn’t worried. “At the end of the day, they’re going to be our best line every night,” Cassidy said. “I think we all knew that and they’ve proven it.” The Bruins had relied on Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak all year. It wasn’t that they were losing steam. It was that they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 “By the end of the year, I think they were mentally fried at the end of the year,” Cassidy said. “Mentally fried, what I mean by that is I think they were looking forward to the playoffs.” The Bruins knew their Stanley Cup playoff path well in advance. They clinched their spot in early March. They still had the carrot of the top seed in the Eastern Conference dangling in front of them, but whether they went into the postseason as the No. 1 or No. 2 didn’t necessarily matter. “We knew we were in, we knew we had a good challenge in front of us whether we were first or second,” Cassidy said. “That’s what it was for the longest time.” Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. What mattered was returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2013 and bringing the Cup back to Boston for the first time since 2011. When Cassidy looked at Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak, he had no doubt they would be dialed in once the page turned to the postseason. “I think those guys like Marchy, Bergy, they want a Cup,” Cassidy said. “Pasta’s looking forward to proving that, hey, he’s an elite player, can be a playoff player. He was young last year going through it for the first time. I think that had a lot to do with it. They wanted to just fast-forward into the playoffs and forget that last week of the season.” The Bruins have jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the thanks to the sheer dominance of a first line humming on all cylinders. Through two games, they’ve already accounted for 20 points. Every member of the trio has five assists. Pastrnak’s hat trick in Game 2 sparked an avalanche in a 7-3 win. As a line, they’ve set the tone for the series from the top down. “They’ve been our best players all season and they proved it in those first two games,” said David Krejci. “So for the rest of us, just kind of follow their lead and keep playing the way they are. Obviously, they’ve got those skills that they’ve been putting the puck in the net, so we’re just feeding off their energy.” Not even Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock could brace himself for the staggering production from the Bruins top line. Pastrnak ignited a four- goal first period Saturday with a goal and two assists. From that point on, the Maple Leafs were in a daze. Babcock said he’d never seen anything like it. “No,” he said. “and if I had, I’d try to block it out of my mind, probably, you know, unless it was from my own team, obviously. They’re dominating us.” But it’s the way their doing it — hounding after pucks, locking in defensively, and constantly communicating — that not only makes them effective but also sets the tone for the entire team. “At the end of the night when we’re all in the room, those are guys that have played 20 minutes and played the right way,” said David Backes. “They’re working their butts off and nothing’s been given to them. They’re earning every minute, every inch of space that they have. “I think they are maybe making it look easy to the layman, to maybe my aunt that’s not a huge hockey fan. But to those that know all the particulars and what those guys are doing — especially neutralizing a potent lineup like they are while creating the offense — it’s a monumental task and those guys have not disappointed one bit.” The beauty, for Torey Krug, is that the defensive intensity they’ve shown creates the offensive opportunities they’ve been able to take advantage of. 1091685 Boston Bruins “I mean, I think they’re the best line in hockey for a reason,” Krug said. “They do things 200 feet in the D-zone and translate it into offense for them, and then they hound the puck like no other team. They’re great Bruins’ top line back in form for playoffs forecheckers and everyone brings something to the table, so it’s definitely tough to defend them, and then they’re your best defensive players as well.” Julian Benbow Conventional wisdom says defenses clamp down on top lines in the postseason and things will get tougher for Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak the deeper the Bruins get. As the regular-season grind was slowly coming to an end and questions But Cassidy knows the Bruins will go as far as their top line takes them. started springing up about the fuzzy focus of the Bruins’ top liners, coach Bruce Cassidy wasn’t worried. “At the end of the day, they’re going to be our best line every night,” Cassidy said. “I think we all knew that and they’ve proven it.” The Bruins had relied on Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak all year. It wasn’t that they were losing steam. It was that they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 “By the end of the year, I think they were mentally fried at the end of the year,” Cassidy said. “Mentally fried, what I mean by that is I think they were looking forward to the playoffs.” The Bruins knew their Stanley Cup playoff path well in advance. They clinched their spot in early March. They still had the carrot of the top seed in the Eastern Conference dangling in front of them, but whether they went into the postseason as the No. 1 or No. 2 didn’t necessarily matter. “We knew we were in, we knew we had a good challenge in front of us whether we were first or second,” Cassidy said. “That’s what it was for the longest time.” Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. What mattered was returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2013 and bringing the Cup back to Boston for the first time since 2011. When Cassidy looked at Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak, he had no doubt they would be dialed in once the page turned to the postseason. “I think those guys like Marchy, Bergy, they want a Cup,” Cassidy said. “Pasta’s looking forward to proving that, hey, he’s an elite player, can be a playoff player. He was young last year going through it for the first time. I think that had a lot to do with it. They wanted to just fast-forward into the playoffs and forget that last week of the season.” The Bruins have jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs thanks to the sheer dominance of a first line humming on all cylinders. Through two games, they’ve already accounted for 20 points. Every member of the trio has five assists. Pastrnak’s hat trick in Game 2 sparked an avalanche in a 7-3 win. As a line, they’ve set the tone for the series from the top down. “They’ve been our best players all season and they proved it in those first two games,” said David Krejci. “So for the rest of us, just kind of follow their lead and keep playing the way they are. Obviously, they’ve got those skills that they’ve been putting the puck in the net, so we’re just feeding off their energy.” Not even Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock could brace himself for the staggering production from the Bruins’ top line. Pastrnak ignited a four- goal first period Saturday with a goal and two assists. From that point on, the Maple Leafs were in a daze. Babcock said he’d never seen anything like it. “No,” he said, “and if I had, I’d try to block it out of my mind, probably, you know, unless it was from my own team, obviously. They’re dominating us.” But it’s the way their doing it — hounding after pucks, locking in defensively, and constantly communicating — that not only makes them effective but also sets the tone for the entire team. “At the end of the night when we’re all in the room, those are guys that have played 20 minutes and played the right way,” said David Backes. “They’re working their butts off and nothing’s been given to them. They’re earning every minute, every inch of space that they have. “I think they are maybe making it look easy to the layman, to maybe my aunt that’s not a huge hockey fan. But to those that know all the particulars and what those guys are doing — especially neutralizing a potent lineup like they are while creating the offense — it’s a monumental task and those guys have not disappointed one bit.” The beauty, for Torey Krug, is that the defensive intensity they’ve shown creates the offensive opportunities they’ve been able to take advantage of. 1091686 Boston Bruins

Maple Leafs desperate for a way to flip the script vs. Bruins

By Anthony Gulizia

Jake Gardiner cracked his stick over the crossbar. It was an obvious fit of frustration in the waning minutes of the Maple Leafs’ 7-3 loss to the Bruins Saturday night — a lopsided bout that was filled with head- scratching moments for Toronto. Gardiner’s careless turnover at the blue line turned into a Brad Marchand breakaway, which ended when David Pastrnak scored on the rebound to give the Bruins a 6-2 lead 12:34 into the third period. Pastrnak added another goal with 1 minute and 36 seconds to play, but the game had been over long before he netted the hat trick. The Maple Leafs were pummeled in every sense, the ice at TD Garden better resembling quicksand for a sinking Toronto team that has been outscored, 12-4, in the first two games of the series. “Look, we were outplayed for two games,” Maple Leafs forward Ron Hainsey said. “Certainly, if you add it up, it’s what, 12-4? We deserve every bit of criticism far and wide. The good news is the story isn’t totally written yet. We’ve got some work to do and can continue to improve and we can try to change the story.” The Maple Leafs’ tumultuous first period unfolded when the Bruins scored three goals that stemmed from both swift stickhandling and odd- angled attempts. They ended goaltender Frederik Andersen’s night before it ever really started. The 28-year-old was pulled from the game and trudged down the tunnel as the Garden crowd taunted him by chanting his name. Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. Tim Schaller and Hainsey were both given roughing penalties at 14:49 in the first period. Rick Nash converted a power-play goal 11 seconds later. For the second time in as many games, the Bruins had their way with the Maple Leafs’ penalty-kill unit. They converted 2 of 4 chances Saturday, which brought their power play to a staggering 50 percent after they scored three times on six chances in Game 1. “It would be hard to pick one, to be honest,” Hainsey said when asked what was troubling the Leafs’ special teams unit. “They’re scoring a lot, which would be the biggest issue. I’m not trying to be funny. It’d be hard to pick one.” Perhaps the more stunning realization for the Maple Leafs was that Bruins’ top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and Pastrnak has combined for 20 points in the first two games. Marchand and Bergeron tallied four assists each. Pastrnak also added three assists, a combination that has left the Maple Leafs flustered. Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs’ No. 1 center whose line is tasked with matching the Bruins’ top trio, struggled to find the answer to the team’s shortcomings. “[Crap] happens, I guess,” Matthews deadpanned. “It’s hockey. Got to rebound for Game 3.” Toronto, which finished the regular season with 105 points, is now staring down the ugly reality that it can be swept on home ice. Nazem Kadri is suspended for the next two games — part of his three- game suspension for his hit on Tommy Wingels in Game 1. Leo Komarov, who was promoted to left wing after Patrick Marleau replaced Kadri as the second-line center, was injured in Saturday’s loss. Now coach Mike Babcock and the Maple Leafs return to Toronto for Games 3 and 4, desperate for a way to flip the script and make it back to Boston for Game 5. “They’re dominating us,” Babcock said. “We need to go home and get regrouped. We need to get our mind right and go home and play like we can because we’re a way better team than we’re showing.”

Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091687 Boston Bruins it. Less than a minute before, they had derided the Leafs’ tender with chants of “And-er-sen, And-er-sen!”, and now he was back on the bench, mask off, a ballcap atop his bowed head. David Pastrnak, Bruins make quick work of Maple Leafs in Game 2 After only two shots on McElhinney, the Bruins had the lead up to 4-0, newcomer Rick Nash potting his first playoff goal in a Black-and-Gold sweater. The high-energy Pastrnak fired the shot from high in the slot Kevin Paul and the towering Nash used his long stick to make the deflection. Bruins, 4-0, and the building on Causeway was shaking on its foundation like the barn floor at a country dance. Get the latest Boston Globe sports news alerts right in your inbox. Marner’s goal, with 1:22 gone in the second, broke the Boston momentum slightly. Racing down the slot on a two-on-one break after Potent again from the start, and “Pasta” strong from wire to wire, the Krejci mishandled the puck at the offensive blue line, Marner finally put Bruins rolled up four goals on their first seven shots in the first period the Blue and White on the board when he batted home a return pass Saturday night at TD Garden and shook down the Maple Leafs, 7-3, to from Zach Hyman. take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Krejci atoned for his error at 3:46 with his second goal of the series, David Pastrnak, who scored the first, sixth, and seventh Black-and-Gold again with help from . . . yep, Pastrnak. Krejci was deeper in the slot goals for his hat trick, finished with a franchise-high 6 points, equaling a when Pastrnak let his shot go from up high and he made the redirect. It postseason feat only performed before by sainted Causeway forwards was only Boston’s 10th shot of the night, but the lead stood at 5-1. Phil Esposito (1969) and Rick Middleton (1983). Espo’s No. 7 is retired in the rafters, while Middleton’s No. 16 is long overdue for its ascension in the Garden heavens. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 Torey Krug assisted on three of the club’s four goals in the first period, and Pastrnak’s linemates, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, each bagged four assists on a night when the Bruins chewed through their Atlantic Division brethren the way Marathon tourists this weekend will devour the delicious foods of the North End. “He’s more comfortable in NHL playoff hockey, for one,” said coach Bruce Cassidy, attempting to explain Pastrnak’s magical night, in which he scored his three goals on only four shots. “A breakthrough night, that’s a good term. You could look back and say it is. I mean, 6 points in a Stanley Cup playoff game and a hat trick — that’s special.” Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be in Toronto Monday night, with Game 4 there on Thursday. The Leafs, 5-1 losers two nights earlier, went into the second period down, 4-0. They dented the Bruins’ momentum in the second with goals by Mitch Marner and Tyler Bozak, wrapped around David Krejci’s second goal of the series. The Leafs were still down by three goals, 5-2, but they at least were able to take something back home to give them hope of planting a foothold in the series. The Maple Leafs, who were trounced in both games in the Hub of Hockey, remain a franchise looking for its first Stanley Cup since 1967. Short of a miracle growing inside the Air Canada Centre, they looked destined to still be Cupless when training camp opens in September. Pastrnak put on a clinic in the first period, beginning with his goal at 5:26 . The talented Czech right winger picked up a puck in the slot off a Krug dish and twirled around ballet style in front of the net before knocking home a doorstep backhander. “To be honest, I wish every young guy in the league would get a chance to play with these two guys,” said Pastrnak, his line with Bergeron and Marchand finishing the night with an astounding 14 points — and 20 in the two games. “You take the lessons, what they have for you. For me, I listen and learn a lot from them — especially this year.” After going 3 for 6 on the power play in Game 1, the Bruins used their first advantage of the night to strike for the 2-0 lead, this time with rookie Jake DeBrusk tipping in Krug’s feed on a flat angle from the right-wing corner. DeBrusk angled his stick perfectly and the puck bled by starting goalie Frederik Andersen for the two-goal lead at 9:46. It was DeBrusk’ first postseason goal of his career. Only eight seconds before the goal, a blazing Kasperi Kapanen broke in alone on Tuukka Rask (30 saves) for a shorthanded attempt that would have tied it. But Kapanen’s shot rang off the post and the Bruins turned the puck up the ice and promptly doubled their lead. But for a piece of red pipe, the night could have been markedly different. Less than three minutes later, at 12:13, a nimble-footed Kevan Miller struck for the goal that knocked Andersen out of the game. After artfully dancing around in the left-wing corner to escape checking pressure, Miller fired in a wrist shot that ricocheted off defenseman Nikita Zaitsev for the 3-0 lead. That was it for Andersen, who had stopped only two of the five shots the Bruins put on net. Leafs coach Mike Babcock, desperate to stop the trouble, summoned Curtis McElhinney for relief. The Garden crowd loved 1091688 Boston Bruins But having a career year during the regular season (35-45—80) on a line with Bergeron and Brad Marchand prepared him to make the leap this postseason. For David Pastrnak, a dazzling and historic performance in Game 2 vs. “It’s obviously a lot of fun when you’re watching a guy that wants to learn, Maple Leafs wants to get better and asks questions, and works so hard to be at his best,” Bergeron said. “A lot of people in Boston already know how good he is. I think a lot of people are getting to know a little bit more from the Julian Benbow outside. But that being said, it’s been a great transition from an 18-year- old to who he is now.”

Get the latest Boston Globe sports news alerts right in your inbox. Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 By the time the puck found Bruins forward David Pastrnak midway through the third period of the Bruins’ 7-3 win in Game 2 of their first- round playoff matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the ice was Pastrnak’s stage and Maple Leafs goalie Curtis McElhinney was just a prop. McElhinney was practically the rabbit in Pastrnak’s historic hat trick. The magic act was set up by a pass from behind the net by Brad Marchand. When Pastrnak noticed the feed was a tad behind him, he realized he could break out something special. Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. He caught the puck on his blade, made a quick flick between his legs, went back to his forehand, baited McElhinney into a futile dive, and poked in his third goal of the night with McElhinney on his stomach. As the hats came flying onto the ice, Pastrnak just grinned. “I do this move a lot and I felt confident to do it,” he said. Pastrnak’s teammates have gotten used to being dazzled. “He just thinks the game different than a lot of players,” Torey Krug said. “He’s high-end skill and he’s going to make those plays. We see it in practice all the time, so we’re not very surprised by it and when he gets to pull it off in a game, it’s fun to watch.” But watching it unfold in the postseason was special. With three goals and three assists, Pastrnak became just the second player in Bruins history to notch 6 points in a playoff game, tying Phil Esposito and Rick Middleton for the franchise’s postseason record. His 9 points through the Bruins’ first two games not only pushed the team to a 2-0 series lead as they head to Toronto for Game 3 on Monday, but they also tied Esposito’s NHL and Bruins records for the most points by any player through the first two games of the playoffs. “He’s got that confidence,” said his linemate Patrice Bergeron. “He wants to be the guy. He wants to make those plays. If we don’t have the puck, he hunts it back.’’ His first goal of the night put Maple Leafs starting goalie Frederik Andersen in an early daze. The Bruins had Toronto’s defense tilted after a gorgeous pass by Krug that Pastrnak finished with a dance move, spinning in front of the net and putting Andersen in a trance. Pastrnak chalked it up to circumstance. “I didn’t feel like I could get a shot on the forehand, so I just kind of spinned into my backhand,” he said. “And I had a little bit of time so I moved the puck farther and got a good goal for us.” The goal opened the floodgates on a four-goal period that overwhelmed the Maple Leafs. Pastrnak did his damage in just 15:46 of ice time, and what his teammates marveled at more than the scoring was the work he did hounding down pucks. “That’s what amazes me with him,” Bergeron said. “There’s a lot of skill players that are skilled when they have the puck and when they don’t have it, they don’t necessarily want it as much as this guy right here. So I think he’s taken a tremendous step this year by the way that he plays away from the puck.” After a disappointing postseason a year ago, Pastrnak said he was motivated to leave his fingerprints on these playoffs. “Especially after last year, I kind of felt a little bit of pressure to be honest,” he said. 1091689 Boston Bruins guys we believe can score for us, even when a lot of it is from the top line. We’ve had secondary scoring on our second and third lines. It’s in the room. Obviously to score five and seven [goals] in the playoffs, it’s And suddenly, it’s Stanley Cup or bust for the Bruins not going to happen every night. We can’t go into Toronto thinking it’s going to happen. But guys believe they can pitch in, from 1 to 12.”

Who says it can’t happen? This is team chemistry at its best. There’s Tara Sullivan youth: Pastrnak and DeBrusk are 21 years old, defenseman Charlie McAvoy is 20, and newly elevated rookie Ryan Donato is 22. There’s experience: defenseman Zdeno Chara is 41 and recent Olympic signee Brian Gionta is 39. And there’s the in betweens: trade-deadline Buzzsaw, thy name is Bruins. acquisition Nash is 33, 2011 Cup winner Patrice Bergeron is 32, Brad The Maple Leafs never had a chance, not against the hottest team in Marchand is 29, and goalie Tuuka Rask is 31. hockey. It’s all there — and not just because of the star wattage found in those And suddenly, it’s Stanley Cup or bust. individual names, but in what they have shown themselves to be collectively, the way they play together, the way they fight for each other, After witnessing what the Bruins did Saturday night, after feeling the the way they handle the distribution of minutes and value the wisdom of thrum, hum, passion, and promise pulsing inside this sold-out arena, their coach. Those are the hallmarks of championship teams. after watching a first period so utterly lopsided the visiting goalie barely made it past the halfway point, there is no other conclusion. These Bruins By the time Pastrnak put the final exclamation point on this one, have it all — depth, talent, experience, youth — and they showed it all completing a hat trick with two third-period goals and tying a franchise against the overmatched Maple Leafs, a 7-3 win in Game 2 of their playoff record with six points (he also had three assists), he was the opening-round playoff series sending them up to Toronto with a 2-0 maestro leading his orchestra in the clearest chant of all. series lead and confidence beyond measure. “We want the Cup, we want the Cup!” Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens. After 12 goals in two games, after 20 total points from the top line, after Forget the notion that a series doesn’t start until the home team loses a two indoor hockey parties that show no sign of ending, who would deny game. This series is over, buried by the falling lumber left in the them? buzzsaw’s dust. No matter how much the hometown players tried to insist otherwise, promising they have to get better after allowing the Maple Leafs (gasp) a glimmer of momentum across the second and third Boston Globe LOADED: 04.16.2018 periods Saturday, these two games have left absolutely no doubt about which is the better team. What were the Leafs to do? They came out so ready for Game 2, fulfilling every promise made in the aftermath of Game 1’s 5-1 blowout loss that this would be different, flying around the ice, forcing us all to heed those cautious postgame warnings that the opening-night dominance would be near impossible to duplicate. But the flurry quickly melted under the heat of a relentless Bruins machine, an unstoppable force undeterred by mistake or misfortune. Watch Rick Nash sail a breakaway point-blank shot wide left not two minutes into the game? No problem. Just give it a few more minutes — about another two — and watch 21-year-old David Pastrnak turn a beautiful spin move in front of the net into a pass to himself, and watch him put it past Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen for a 1-0 lead. Watch him blow a kiss to the rafters and cup his ear to the fans who’d been only bursting to break out their seat-dances and towel-waves, their sounds of celebration starting a party that wouldn’t end. Because watch Toronto unravel in the aftermath, a power play goal by Jake DeBrusk, who was somehow left alone in front of the net (ouch, three-game Nazem Kadri suspension) making it 2-0 at 9:46. Just 2½ minutes later it was Kevan Miller throwing a puck in front of the net only to see it carom off the stick of Andersen, off the back of a Toronto defender, and into the goal. Then watch Andersen’s lonely skate of shame down the tunnel toward his locker room, pulled in favor of Curtis McElhinney, pushed to the rear after surrendering three goals on five shots. Anyone in Toronto have the number for that accountant from Chicago? Because the ugliness was far from over. Listen to the crowd erupt once again, the late-period introduction of Red Sox relief pitcher Joe Kelly, complete with video replays of the brawl Kelly had ignited only a few nights earlier in Fenway Park, sending the fans into near delirium, their hollers for this new favorite son eclipsed only by their well-rehearsed verses of “Yankees Suck.” But baseball season is only beginning; hockey is just hitting its stride. Take the ride to the five-minute mark of the period, listen as the PA announcer is still reciting details of another penalty against Toronto and watch Nash make it all come full circle, whipping a backhand shot into the goal for a 4-0 lead. What couldn’t the Bruins do? When David Krejci joined the goal-scoring party with a wrist flick he made appear ridiculously easy, when he quickly erased any hint of angst caused by Toronto’s early second-period goal and pushed the advantage to 5-1, it marked the second straight game the Bruins would boast five different goal scorers. Otherwise known as concrete evidence of the quality of their depth and legitimacy of their talent. “It’s probably not going to happen every night and we know that, it’s hard to score in this league,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We do have different 1091690 Boston Bruins

Bruins notebook: Patrice Bergeron line having its way with the Maple Leafs

Rich Thompson, Sunday, April 15, 2018

The Bruins first line was basically strategy-proof in the two playoff wins against the Maple Leafs. Center Patrice Bergeron and wingers Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak accounted for 14 points in the Bruins’ 7-3 win over Toronto on Saturday night at the Garden. Bergeron and Marchand had four assists apiece while Pastrnak enjoyed a career night with three goals and three assists. This, after the first line accounted for two goals and four assists in the 5-1 victory in the series opener. “They got some fortunate breaks around the net and created a lot of good looks around the net, and they defend well and they have the puck a lot,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy following an abbreviated practice yesterday at Warrior Ice Arena. “At the end of the day they are going to be our best line every night.” Containing the Bergeron line will be the focus of the Leafs and veteran coach Mike Babcock as the scene shifts for Game 3 to the Air Canada Centre tonight. The tactics that Babcock employed in the first two games were exercises in futility against what many now consider the best line in the NHL. “I guess you have checking matchups, you have offensive matchups against them,” said Cassidy. “I don’t know (how) much I could delve into every (strategy) because we have played against so many teams. They get the matchups and the best (defensive) pairs. I don’t know if there is one thing in particular. There are certain teams that try to be physical and certain teams that are puck-possession teams that try to keep the puck away. “But they eventually find their game and get it back and away they go.” Secondary power The Bruins power play was a difference maker in both wins. The B’s potted three in the opener and two more in the Saturday blowout. The first power-play unit is basically the Bergeron line with defenseman Torey Krug at the left point and Rick Nash around the net. And the Bruins got goals from their second power-play unit that were decisive in both matches. David Backes and David Krejci accounted for two of the three power-play goals in the opener and in Game 2 left winger Jake DeBrusk put the B’s up 2-0 at 9:46 of the first period. DeBrusk was on the ice with the first unit in Nash’s spot, but primarily hangs with the second unit. “Special teams this time of year is really big and it can make a huge difference in the game,” said DeBrusk. “That first unit is always doing its thing and we (second unit) try to keep the pressure on them and keep the momentum, and we’ve gotten some big goals around the net.” Welcome to Toronto Cassidy was quick to dismiss the Bruins overwhelming wins at home. He emphasized a revitalized Maple Leafs team will be on display in tonight. And the Leafs first line of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Leo Komarov has yet to score a point. “We know it is going to be a challenge just like it was a challenge for them to come here,” said Cassidy. “Their younger players tend to get more energized and revitalized back home. I would suspect we’ll put these two games behind us. Take the good from it and focus on what we’ve got to do in the start there because I know they will be buzzing.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091691 Boston Bruins

Big Rick Nash hitting the ground running for B's in playoffs

By Joe Haggerty April 15, 2018 7:03 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass – It was really a great unknown what 33-year-old Rick Nash was going to be able to bring to the Bruins in the playoffs after missing most of the season’s last month with a concussion. Nash never made it back into the B’s lineup for any kind of dress rehearsal regular season games ahead of the postseason, but it apparently wasn’t necessary for a veteran power forward that’s been a big-bodied factor in Boston’s first two games vs. Toronto. It was Nash that drew penalties in Game 1 with his puck possession game while playing keep-away from the Toronto defense, and that led to power play production on Thursday night. “It’s a new playoff for me just trying to take it as it comes,” said Nash. “I’ve had three and a half weeks off so it’s been a bit of a battle for me, trying to get my speed up. When you win it seems like everything goes right.” In Saturday’s Game 2 it was time for Nash to get on the score sheet and he did exactly that with a power play strike camped right in front of the net in Boston’s 7-3 romp over the Maple Leafs at TD Garden. “His impact has been tremendous, right from [Game 1], from the first shift on. His speed is obviously something they have to be aware of – it kind of makes their defensemen aware -- and he has that chemistry with David [Krejci] and Jake [DeBrusk],” said Patrice Bergeron. “It’s been a very good line for us. So, you’re right, his impact has been great.” Nash finished with the PP goal and six shot attempts in Saturday night’s win with the B’s top line taking most of the accolades, but the Bruins now that the big right winger is going to be an important piece in their postseason run. Eventually the offense is going to slow down for Patrice Bergeron’s line during Boston’s postseason run, and that’s when the B’s second line needs to playing that big supporting role. The Bruins had three 30-goal scorers this season in Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, but they didn’t have even one other 20-goal scorer among a number of B’s players that cracked double-digits this season. Nash is the kind of talented offensive finisher that can provide that level of offensive punch, and brings the size/strength element for a mostly undersized, young forward group up front. “At the end of the day, he’s an important player for us. That deal was made for a reason. He’s an elite player, so unfortunately, we lost him for a stretch there, but we saw it before he got hurt. [He] makes us more of a threat of a team,” said Bruce Cassidy. “He’s just a proven player in this league that can finish, that can win pucks and get to the net.” The power forward size and strength, and net-front abilities, are exactly the kinds of skills that are going to factor in a much bigger way during the Stanley Cup playoffs, and that’s already started to happen two games in with Nash and Boston.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091692 Boston Bruins bothering to play the puck. Jake Gardiner looked like a Game of Thrones character with the high, two-hand overhand smash of his stick on the crossbar after David Pastrnak dangled through his own legs for his third s This B's-Leafs series is going to be over a lot sooner than we thought goal of the night. The level of disinterest that Tomas Plekanec has shown for doing anything close to playoff work in the defensive zone has been surprising, frankly. On Kevan Miller’s goal, Plekanec just stood and watched Miller puck-handling in the corner with all kinds of time and By Joe Haggerty space before banking the puck in off a Leafs body in front of the net. Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen looks cooked after playing 66 games April 15, 2018 10:18 AM for the Leafs during the regular season, and the three goals allowed on five shots on Saturday night were prime evidence of that. BOSTON – Nearly every hockey prognosticator worth their weight in Even mighty Mike Babcock had six Maple Leafs players milling around in hockey tape predicted that the Bruins and Maple Leafs series would go the defensive zone for one of the most egregious too many men on the seven games, and even more so that Boston had a tough draw in a ice calls you’ll ever see in the first period, and that was immediately young, skilled and speedy Toronto group that had handled them well turned into a power play goal for Jake DeBrusk. over the last couple of seasons. After the game, Matthews was asked about the B’s top line outscoring his Well, this humble hockey writer is here to tell you that all of that stuff we line 20 points-to-none in the first two games of the series, and he replied told you was totally and completely wrong. “[Expletive] happens, I guess. That’s hockey.” No Auston, that’s your hockey team getting their ass kicked in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They The Boston Bruins have done the hockey equivalent of dropping a sound more like angst-y teenagers that had their cell phones privileges cartoon anvil on the Toronto Maple Leafs in each of the first two games taken away from them rather than hardened competitors pissed off and of their best-of-seven series and have twice beaten them by four goals ready to battle back in a playoff series. when the 60 minutes were up. “They’re dominating us,” said Babcock, of Boston’s Perfection Line Boston took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series after scoring seven accounting for 20 points in two games. “I actually thought we got off to a goals against a soft, overwhelmed Leafs defense and finished off a 7-3 pretty good start, and the pucks still went in the net, so give them credit win over Toronto on Saturday night that saw David Pastrnak end with a for playing really well. That line has been good on the power play, been hat trick and six flipping points. When one takes into account the two good five-on- five, and been good at the net scoring.” beatings the young-and-restless Leafs absorbed in Boston, the absence of important forward Nazem Kadri from the next couple of games in MORE - B's Perfection Line makes history vs Leafs Toronto and that it appears Toronto doesn’t have the personnel to hold It seems pretty obvious at this point that the Maple Leafs simply don’t down Boston’s top line in any way, shape or form, it’s fairly obvious that have the defensive personnel to hang with the Bruins in a playoff series, this Bruins/Leafs series is going to end much sooner rather than later. and losing Nazem Kadri (suspension) and now Leo Komarov (lower Clearly the Leafs and Mike Babcock might be able to wrangle enough body) has worsened that situation. It will need to play better with the good match-ups at home with last change to take a game on home ice at Black and Gold in need of two more wins to close out the series, but at Air Canada Centre, and players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner this point it’s a matter of “when” rather than “if” the Bruins step over a are still dangerous enough to take over a game. smoldering bag of leaves to advance to the second round. “We talked about this series being…it’s going to be a tough series. We know it has been and it will continue to be, and we know that they’re a Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 tight-checking team. They play hard,” said Patrice Bergeron. “We didn’t know what to expect. We aren’t just, you know, playing against them for four games during the regular season. “In the playoffs, the intensity increases, so that’s what we got. We had good starts the last two games; we can definitely do better in the second and third – especially today. I felt like they gave it to us a little bit. We’ll get back to the drawing board and look at the video, and keep getting better.” That being said, the Bruins are going to win this series, probably in four or five games, and set themselves up for an extended postseason run by finishing off a playoff series early. Don’t expect the Bruins to entertain any of these notions, of course, because there’s too much of a veteran presence to keep them on course in a playoff series where you can never take the foot off the accelerator. “Well, we won two games in a row. It’s a great start. The way we wanted it, the way people in Boston wanted it,” said Tuukka Rask, who has been excellent through the first two games of the series with the Bruins really not needing too many five star stops out of him. “Now we got to go on the road and obviously it’s going to be a lot tougher playing in their home building, and trying to grind out some wins out of there.” It’s the right thing for all the Bruins players to say and do, but Toronto hasn’t given any indication whatsoever this is going to be a competitive series. Their defense looks either unwilling or unable to play tight-checking, playoff-style in their own zone, and that’s opened things up for Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand David Pastrnak to combine for 20 points in two games. The Bruins power play really hasn’t been at its optimal level, but has still scored five power play goals in two games against a Toronto penalty kill that was one of the weak links entering this series. That doesn’t even mention the other end of it where putting Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron on ice matched up with Auston Matthews has completely shut down the Toronto star at the offensive end, and Adam McQuaid has made it his personal mission to hold Matthews down on the Leafs power play. There were actually also some really tangible signs that the young, talented Leafs were starting to give up on a series that’s getting too difficult for them. In the final few minutes of the first period, Mitch Marner turned and braced himself for a big hit with Tim Schaller in the corner rather than 1091693 Boston Bruins bothering to play the puck. Jake Gardiner looked like a Game of Thrones character with the high, two-hand overhand smash of his stick on the crossbar after David Pastrnak dangled through his own legs for his third This B's-Leafs series is going to be over a lot sooner than we thought goal of the night. The level of disinterest that Tomas Plekanec has shown for doing anything close to playoff work in the defensive zone has been surprising, frankly. On Kevan Miller’s goal, Plekanec just stood and watched Miller puck-handling in the corner with all kinds of time and By Joe Haggerty space before banking the puck in off a Leafs body in front of the net. Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen looks cooked after playing 66 games April 15, 2018 10:18 AM for the Leafs during the regular season, and the three goals allowed on five shots on Saturday night were prime evidence of that. BOSTON – Nearly every hockey prognosticator worth their weight in Even mighty Mike Babcock had six Maple Leafs players milling around in hockey tape predicted that the Bruins and Maple Leafs series would go the defensive zone for one of the most egregious too many men on the seven games, and even more so that Boston had a tough draw in a ice calls you’ll ever see in the first period, and that was immediately young, skilled and speedy Toronto group that had handled them well turned into a power play goal for Jake DeBrusk. over the last couple of seasons. After the game, Matthews was asked about the B’s top line outscoring his Well, this humble hockey writer is here to tell you that all of that stuff we line 20 points-to-none in the first two games of the series, and he replied told you was totally and completely wrong. “[Expletive] happens, I guess. That’s hockey.” No Auston, that’s your hockey team getting their ass kicked in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They The Boston Bruins have done the hockey equivalent of dropping a sound more like angst-y teenagers that had their cell phones privileges cartoon anvil on the Toronto Maple Leafs in each of the first two games taken away from them rather than hardened competitors pissed off and of their best-of-seven series and have twice beaten them by four goals ready to battle back in a playoff series. when the 60 minutes were up. “They’re dominating us,” said Babcock, of Boston’s Perfection Line Boston took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series after scoring seven accounting for 20 points in two games. “I actually thought we got off to a goals against a soft, overwhelmed Leafs defense and finished off a 7-3 pretty good start, and the pucks still went in the net, so give them credit win over Toronto on Saturday night that saw David Pastrnak end with a for playing really well. That line has been good on the power play, been hat trick and six flipping points. When one takes into account the two good five-on- five, and been good at the net scoring.” beatings the young-and-restless Leafs absorbed in Boston, the absence of important forward Nazem Kadri from the next couple of games in It seems pretty obvious at this point that the Maple Leafs simply don’t Toronto and that it appears Toronto doesn’t have the personnel to hold have the defensive personnel to hang with the Bruins in a playoff series, down Boston’s top line in any way, shape or form, it’s fairly obvious that and losing Nazem Kadri (suspension) and now Leo Komarov (lower this Bruins/Leafs series is going to end much sooner rather than later. body) has worsened that situation. It will need to play better with the Black and Gold in need of two more wins to close out the series, but at Clearly the Leafs and Mike Babcock might be able to wrangle enough this point it’s a matter of “when” rather than “if” the Bruins step over a good match-ups at home with last change to take a game on home ice at smoldering bag of leaves to advance to the second round. Air Canada Centre, and players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are still dangerous enough to take over a game. “We talked about this series being…it’s going to be a tough series. We Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 know it has been and it will continue to be, and we know that they’re a tight-checking team. They play hard,” said Patrice Bergeron. “We didn’t know what to expect. We aren’t just, you know, playing against them for four games during the regular season. “In the playoffs, the intensity increases, so that’s what we got. We had good starts the last two games; we can definitely do better in the second and third – especially today. I felt like they gave it to us a little bit. We’ll get back to the drawing board and look at the video, and keep getting better.” That being said, the Bruins are going to win this series, probably in four or five games, and set themselves up for an extended postseason run by finishing off a playoff series early. Don’t expect the Bruins to entertain any of these notions, of course, because there’s too much of a veteran presence to keep them on course in a playoff series where you can never take the foot off the accelerator. “Well, we won two games in a row. It’s a great start. The way we wanted it, the way people in Boston wanted it,” said Tuukka Rask, who has been excellent through the first two games of the series with the Bruins really not needing too many five star stops out of him. “Now we got to go on the road and obviously it’s going to be a lot tougher playing in their home building, and trying to grind out some wins out of there.” It’s the right thing for all the Bruins players to say and do, but Toronto hasn’t given any indication whatsoever this is going to be a competitive series. Their defense looks either unwilling or unable to play tight-checking, playoff-style in their own zone, and that’s opened things up for Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand David Pastrnak to combine for 20 points in two games. The Bruins power play really hasn’t been at its optimal level, but has still scored five power play goals in two games against a Toronto penalty kill that was one of the weak links entering this series. That doesn’t even mention the other end of it where putting Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron on ice matched up with Auston Matthews has completely shut down the Toronto star at the offensive end, and Adam McQuaid has made it his personal mission to hold Matthews down on the Leafs power play. There were actually also some really tangible signs that the young, talented Leafs were starting to give up on a series that’s getting too difficult for them. In the final few minutes of the first period, Mitch Marner turned and braced himself for a big hit with Tim Schaller in the corner rather than 1091694 Boston Bruins

Bruins' Perfection Line makes history against Maple Leafs

By Joe Haggerty April 15, 2018 8:31 AM

BOSTON -- The Perfection Line might need to be called the Historic Line. And not only because David Pastrnak became the first Bruins player with a six-point night in the playoffs since Rick Middleton back in 1983. The Pastrnak/Brad Marchand/Patrice Bergeron line produced a whopping four even-strength goals, three from Pastrnak (who also had three assists), in an overwhelming 7-3 Game 2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden on Saturday night. The three linemates have combined for 20 points in the first two games and have become the most dominating factor in the series, and not just for their offense. They've also played rugged, suffocating defense in clamping down on Auston Matthews inside their own zone. The former No. 1 overall pick has one goal in seven games against the Bruins, regular season and playoffs, in his two years in the league, and is being schooled by B's players who, for the most part, are older, tougher, more experienced and much more aware of what it takes to win in the postseason. His growing sense of frustration was evident when, when told the Bergeron/Marchand/Pastrnak line has 20 points to his line's zero in the first two games, he responded: "[Expletive] happens. That's hockey." Maybe it does, but, as the Bruins pointed out, it's not just because of luck or good fortune that [expletive] happens. "I mean, I think they're the best line in hockey for a reason," said B's defenseman Torey Krug. "They do things 200 feet in the D-zone and translate it into offense for them, and then they hound the puck like no other team. They're great forecheckers and everyone brings something to the table, so it's definitely tough to defend them. And then they're your best defensive players, as well." So what happens fron here? Perhaps Bergeron and Marchand can get more into the goal-scoring action, which so far has been dominated by Pastrnak, but it really doesn't matter to them as long as their line continues to play winning hockey. On Saturday night that included three goals (the fourth goal scored while their line was on the ice was by defenseman Kevan Miller), 14 points and a combined plus-14 rating, with the promise of getting even better given their chemistry and open communication during games. "I think we're moving our feet well, but we're communicating after almost every shift about what we're seeing and trying to change things up," said Bergeron. "We had some good looks in the first two games, but we can't stop there. . . . I think it's about keep getting better, keep improving, keep putting . . . games behind us and looking forward and staying in the moment." The Maple Leafs, he pointed out, are "going to adjust, [so] we're going to try to adjust. That's the type of game [the] playoffs are. [So] we're going to keep going at it, I guess." Sure, things may be a little different over the next few games in Toronto with the Leafs getting last change and allowing coach Mike Babcock to put out the matchups he desires. But it really might not matter, not with Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak playing as well as they are and with a ramshackle group of Toronto defensemen having no shutdown game right now. So it's hard to know just what the Perfection Line -- or Historic Line -- can do for an encore. Just maintaining what they've done so far would be plenty.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091695 Buffalo Sabres postseason touchdown in 18 straight years, haven't won a playoff game in 22 years and were bracing for a step backward this year.

The Sabres? They've been hit with so many uppercuts to the chin that Bucky Gleason: Enough already with dark clouds hanging over Buffalo they're begging for a left hook to the head. Every April for seven years, sports we've been reminded of the distance between the Sabres and teams participating in the playoffs. To get in the proper mood, all you need is a working TV and a dark, dreary spring afternoon. Bucky Gleason

Published Sun, Apr 15, 2018 Buffalo News LOADED: 04.16.2018

This is always a strange time of year with the Sabres done for the season, the NFL draft approaching, the Masters in the books and in the first few weeks of a 162-game schedule. Add a mid-April ice storm, and it made for a dark and dreary Sunday afternoon in Buffalo. Nearly every year, Buffalo is ranked among the top TV markets for the Stanley Cup playoffs even with the Sabres' absence for seven straight seasons. Last season, the region had one of the highest ratings for the NBA playoffs, too. If you looked out the window over the weekend, you understood why. Allow me to apologize in advance for coming across like a miserable crank, even by my minimum standards. Although it could be a case of seasonal depression, I may very well suffer from offseason depression. The official cause is unknown, but it likely stems from years of watching the playoffs on television rather than covering them. I wonder how many Buffalo fans suffer from a similar disorder. Sad but true: In the past seven years, the professional team I covered most in the postseason was ... the Cleveland Indians. Over the same period, Buffalo fans have watched their team appear in one playoff game, the Bills' 10-3 loss to the Jaguars that was among the more forgettable NFL postseason contests in years. Sorry, is this too depressing? I'd be happy to change my tune if the Bills or Sabres gave me an opportunity the way all four teams did last season in local college basketball. Between Ryan O'Reilly coming to accept losing and Richie Incognito's strange exit from the Bills, we think, Buffalo's pro teams could use a little good news. Imagine the vibe if the Bills fail to land a quality quarterback in the upcoming draft. Years ago, the Sabres would carry local sports through of dog days of April, sometimes into May and once into June. In another era, the Sabres were criticized every year because they failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs, not because they failed to make them. Buffalo fans actually thought life was tough between 1983-84 and 1991- 92, when the Sabres suffered first-round knockouts seven times and missed the postseason twice back when the league had either 21 or 22 teams. The Sabres had six coaches during the nine seasons, including all-time great Scotty Bowman. (Quick, name the Sabres' two 30-goal scorers the last time they reached the postseason. Thomas Vanek is easy. He had 32 goals and 73 points in 2010-11 but was criticized by fans for not scoring enough. The other: Drew Stafford, who had career highs of 31 goals and 51 points in only 62 games that year.) Since 1999-00, the last time the Bills and Sabres made the postseason the same year, they have combined to miss the playoffs 27 times in 33 seasons and had another year wiped out by the NHL lockout. Including the first Super Bowl, the two franchises have played 99 seasons without winning a title. Darcy Regier once told me the pressure to win was more intense in Buffalo than most places because there was no escaping the wrath when the Sabres fell short. He was right. People living in bigger cities have more options. The Rangers, Islanders and Knicks missed the postseason this year, for example? No big deal. Fans in New York quickly shifted toward the Yankees and Mets. When the Sabres missed the playoffs, they were pummeled until the Bills opened training camp. The Bills were ripped for missing the playoffs until the Sabres missed the playoffs again. People whine about sports writers being negative in Buffalo, as if perennial losers should be showered with sunshine. The Bills and Sabres took turns missing the postseason for six consecutive years, for heaven's sake. OK, so the Bills ended their playoff drought after 17 seasons thanks largely to a fluky pass by Andy Dalton. Yes, the Bills appear to have the right people in charge. It doesn't change the fact they haven't scored a 1091696 Calgary Flames It’s not the lone explanation for their face-plant, but it’s also not a complete coincidence the Flames won just two of their final dozen outings as Tkachuk was sidelined with a concussion. 'You want to be that difference-maker': Tkachuk emerging as leader for Calgary’s general manager, Treliving, has admitted his squad seemed to Flames lack emotional investment in key contests. The young whippersnapper in No. 19 is probably exempt from that Wes Gilbertson criticism. April 15, 2018 7:59 PM MDT Nobody has ever questioned his give-a-hoot. “He’s a productive player, but it’s just his all-in attitude,” Treliving said earlier this season. “In a short amount of time, he’s become a very When the Calgary Flames cleaned out their locker-stalls and said their important player too, so players gravitate to that. Players recognize the farewells last Monday, Matthew Tkachuk was seething. importance that he has to our team. One week later, he’s probably still steamed. “But I think players also recognize the way that he plays. I mean, this guy would bite off his left arm if it meant that we could win. Players, young That’s part of what the Flames love about this cagey kid. As general and old, get an appreciation for that. Anytime that you have a teammate manager Brad Treliving put it earlier this season: “This guy would bite off who is that competitive and when winning is so vital to the makeup, I his left arm if it meant that we could win.” think you get an appreciation for it.” The 20-year-old Tkachuk was a key offensive contributor as a Mention ‘Tkachuk’ and ‘leadership’ to any of the higher-ups at the sophomore — tickling twine 24 times and adding 25 assists for 49 points Saddledome and they’re quick to caution that you don’t want to push — but he certainly wasn’t going to use that arm to pat himself on the those responsibilities on a young’n. back as the Flames split for an extended vacation. It needs to happen organically. “I look at it a little differently — whether you had 100 points or 10 points, you didn’t have a great year. I mean, we didn’t do enough to get us into In this case, it is. the playoffs,” Tkachuk fumed during his final media availability of the season. “Whether that’s producing, whether that’s doing the little things, “He has good guys to learn from, especially with (Giordano) being here, whether that’s the way you’re carrying yourself in the room … We just but he has those qualities and he’s starting to take it more upon himself,” didn’t get that little bit of extra push to get in. said Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan prior to Tkachuk’s season- ending injury. “And I like the way he’s doing it, too … It’s more on the ice, “When people say, ‘You had a better year. Offensively, you produced a in between shifts, trying to say the right things at the right times, do the little bit more’ … It’s not about that at all. I didn’t do enough to help the right things at the right times, making sure guys know what’s going on in team get into the playoffs.” the game within the game. It’s not that in the locker-room, ‘Rah-rah’ or ‘Hey, listen to me.’ He’s not doing that. He’s letting his game kind of talk, We hate to crash this peeved-off party with a platter of positivity, but and I think that’s the first step for him in that leadership department. arguably the most encouraging development for the Flames during this lost season was Tkachuk’s continued emergence as a leader. “That’s where it starts for young guys, and he’s certainly started that up.” This kid, at least from this vantage point, sure seems like future captain On garbage-bag day, Flames alternate captain Troy Brouwer revealed material. that Tkachuk is a bit more outspoken than the bench boss was letting on. It’s no accident the sparkplug left-winger was assigned this winter as “He’s not a quiet voice in the room, which is amazing in our room,” Mark Giordano’s next-door neighbour in the home locker-room at the Brouwer said. “It’s a little bit unheard of to hear a 20-year-old be that Saddledome. vocal and that opinionated. But he reads the game well, he sees the game well, he understands the demeanour and the mentality and he is “You look at a guy like Mark who is the epitome of leadership on our going to be a great player and a good leader in this league for a long team and probably throughout the NHL, and obviously you want to pick time. up as much as possible to hopefully be looked at as guys like myself look at him,” Tkachuk said. “For me to be a guy in the future looked upon as “He can talk, and then he backs it up,” continued Brouwer, 32. “This the way we look at Mark, that would be cool.” league is changing a lot, especially since when I was in the league early … I don’t think I said anything for the first couple of years, and then you That day is coming. kind of emerge and find what kind of role player you’re going to be, what type of leader you’re going to be. He’s one that is picking it up quick. But Soon. also, that’s the way the league is going. With how good these young guys Giordano, 34, remains the heart-and-soul of the Flames and will have the are, you need your young guys to start doing that early on in their careers ‘C’ stitched on his jersey for as long as he’s on the payroll at the and be comfortable doing it.” Saddledome, but Tkachuk has already earned the respect of his co- There are sure to be changes — maybe some biggies — after the workers despite being the youngest guy on the roster. Flames underachieved their way to a playoff miss, but as fourth-line Not just because he puts up points. (He finished third on the team centre and veteran voice-of-reason Matt Stajan slipped into Monday’s scoring charts this season, trailing only the dynamite duo of Johnny goodbye remarks: “It’s not like you can just bring someone in and have Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.) them change everything.” Not just because he seemed to mature after two bone-headed Already here, Tkachuk doesn’t want to simply be a part of the change, he suspensions in a three-week stretch. wants to help lead it. “He just wants to win so bad and is such a competitor, and it rubs off on During this dreadful campaign, that’s perhaps the most positive news for all the other guys too,” Giordano said. “You know, when things aren’t the Flames. going well for the team, it frustrates him and he’ll do whatever he can to “You want to be that difference-maker,” Tkachuk declared. “You want to get us back in games and help us win. be taking on more of a role, where you’re producing more and you’re “You look at the way he plays … He doesn’t play for anything personal. taking charge that way, but you also want to be a guy in the locker-room He doesn’t play for his stats. He doesn’t play for goals and assists. He who people start to look up to. plays to win, and stuff like that rubs off on other guys. He’s 20 and he’s a “The way I play, I want that to kind of be a staple of the way I want our big part of our team already. He’s a big reason why we win games.” team to play. I think the way we’re going to be successful, the way playoff The reason the Flames are watching the opening round of the Stanley hockey needs to be played, it’s played hard. I want to try to show that by Cup playoffs from home is they didn’t win enough of ’em in 2017-18. how I play out there.” With a 37-35-10 record, they ultimately finished 11 points back of the second wildcard in the Western Conference, a divide that was stretched Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.16.2018 by a late-season letdown.

1091697 Colorado Avalanche

Nashville Predators know Nathan MacKinnon is Colorado Avalanche’s only hope

Andy Cross,

If you didn’t know, now you know: Nathan MacKinnon is a special kind of talent. It took Pekka Rinne gloving a bullet from the 22-year-old Colorado forward to keep him off the board on a charge to the net in Thursday’s Game 1 — that and an extended kick to stop MacKinnon linemate Mikko Rantanen on a breakaway made the Predators’ 5-2 comeback win possible. In Saturday’s Game 2, MacKinnon somehow fought off Filip Forsberg, muscled through Ryan Ellis and got a ridiculous backhand past Rinne to keep things close in an eventual 5-4 Preds win. The Morning After: Will the Avalanche ever beat the Predators? Kickin’ it with Kiz: If there’s catfish on ice in Nashville, what should Denver fans toss when the Avs score? Here’s one suggestion. Throughout both games, MacKinnon displayed his speed and masterful ability to possess the puck and do dangerous things with it. This is why he had 39 goals and 97 points this season. This is why the Predators have been watching him the way an actual predator watches its prey. No. 29 is under constant surveillance. And now it’s on MacKinnon to make this first-round series interesting. It’s on the Predators to deny him. If he gets loose in Monday’s Game 3 at Denver’s Pepsi Center, the Avalanche can win. If he doesn’t, they probably won’t. Things often aren’t that simple in a Stanley Cup Playoff series, but MacKinnon means that much to a Colorado team that would be well shy of postseason quality without him. “Oh man, he’s special,” Predators forward Austin Watson said of the short-list candidate for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP. “I mean, you don’t have the year he had this year without being a pretty incredible player. And just his line as a whole, they play the game with so much speed, you can’t get caught standing still.” Denver Post: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091698 Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators: Three things to watch for in Game 3

By MIKE CHAMBERS | April 15, 2018 at 5:31 PM

Early lead The Avs need another great start at home and to take an early lead — keeping the crowd involved throughout. The key to that offensive is, of course, the MGM Line with center Nathan MacKinnon and wingers Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. Jonathan Bernier He has allowed four goals in each of the first two games of this series. Bernier needs to be better. Yes, he’s facing a very deep and skilled Nashville attack, but Colorado needs its goalie to shine if it has any hopes of returning to Music City for Game 5. Change the course(s) The Avs, who have lost 12 consecutive games against the Predators, finished last in the NHL in faceoff percentage (44.2) in the regular season. The Avs were at 39 percent in Game 2 and the top-line guys — MacKinnon and Landeskog — were a combined 6-of-27. That must change. Denver Post: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091699 Colorado Avalanche

Nine Avalanche players make Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in Nashville series

By KYLE FREDRICKSON | April 15, 2018 at 4:35 PM

Alexander Kerfoot didn’t know exactly what to expect. The 23-year-old Avalanche center from Vancouver played in high-stakes games throughout his time as an amateur, including at Harvard, but never on the grand stage of the Stanley Cup playoffs. And, entering the Nashville series, he wasn’t alone. “Not a lot of us have played much in the playoffs before,” Kerfoot said. In all, nine Avalanche players made their NHL postseason debut through two losses at Nashville. The forwards are Sven Andrighetto, J.T. Compher, Tyson Jost, Mikko Rantanen and Kerfoot. The defensemen are Samuel Girard, David Warsofsky, Nikita Zadorov and Duncan Siemens. Zadorov leads the group with a goal and an assist. Three more added a point: Rantanen (assist), Compher (assist) and Kerfoot (goal). “I thought they’ve been good,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “It didn’t look to me like we were scared in the moment at all. We were there to compete and play hard. We made, I don’t know if you’d call them young mistakes, but we made some mistakes there that I think we can prevent. We most certainly have to going forward in the series, but for the most part I like the way our team is playing.” With first-time postseason jitters out of the way, Kerfoot believes the Avs youth has grown up quickly. “I think we’ve got that under our belts now and we’re excited with how we played and coming back home in front of the fans,” Kerfoot said. “It’s been great playing here all season long.” Health check. Girard, a rookie defenseman, did not skate during the team’s optional practice Sunday at the Pepsi Center after missing Game 2 in Nashville with an upper-body injury. Bednar was unable to provide a timetable for Girard’s return. “I don’t have an update on him yet this morning,” Bednar said. “He seems to be doing a little bit better today, so I’ll talk with the trainers when I get back there. Day-by-day for him.” The Morning After: Will the Avalanche ever beat the Predators? Kickin’ it with Kiz: If there’s catfish on ice in Nashville, what should Denver fans toss when the Avs score? Here’s one suggestion. Girard was replaced on the second pairing by Siemens, also a rookie. Home ice advantage. The Avalanche is 28-11-2 at home this season as the Pepsi Center welcomes Stanley Cup Playoff hockey back to Denver for the first time since 2014. The arena saw an overall increase in fan attendance this season of more than 28,000. “When we’ve played in this building in front of big crowds we’ve been energized and we’ve been on our toes of being the aggressors and we certainly need to continue to do that,” Bednar said. “I think our guys are hungry to get back here. We’ll have some matchup advantages that we want to play with as much as we possibly can just like they did in their building.” Added Avs center Nathan MacKinnon: “We have lots of confidence here and we’ve shown that with a good record. And guys have played really well here individually. The building has been a lot of fun this year.” Denver Post: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091700 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche fashionista Nikita Zadorov to celebrate his birthday in style

By MIKE CHAMBERS | April 15, 2018 at 3:47 PM

Nikita Zadorov will celebrate his 23rd birthday Monday, and the highly stylish Avalanche defenseman is bound to show off his presents by wearing them to Game 3 against Nashville at the Pepsi Center. Zadorov, a 6-foot-5 Russian, pushes the edge of fashion like he pushes the rules of playing physical on the ice. Not every teammate agrees with his black, gold-starred Gucci shoes and no socks, but everyone has a take on Zadorov’s interesting wardrobe. “I love it. I think he has great style,” Swiss forward Sven Andrighetto said. “I’m really into suits and stuff like that too. He dresses well, good custom suits. His shoes? Some guys think they’re questionable. I can see that. But I like them. Not many people can pull them off. He can. They’re great shoes.” Zadorov only hopes he is considered among the Avalanche’s best dressers. He says his competition is with Andrighetto, left wing Gabe Landeskog, right wing Blake Comeau and goalies Jonathan Bernier and Semyon Varlamov. The each tend to prefer the short pants and no socks — exposing their ankles. Comeau, from Canada, is the only North American in that group. “Some North American guys didn’t get them right away, but it takes them time,” Zadorov said. “Little different style. Some people don’t understand that — the guys from North America.” Zadorov declined to estimate what he pays for an outfit and how much his wardrobe is worth. But he said he doesn’t have a budget and his wife, Aleksandra, does most of his shopping. The couple has a daughter, Sophie, who turned 1 last week. “When I started to make money it became possible to buy some stuff on my own,” Zadorov said. “My mind-set was, obviously, I want to look good. I feel better when I go to the game and I’m dressed sharply and I look at myself in the mirror and I like the way I’m looking. I feel better before the game that way. “And hockey is different. We got more class in our sport than basketball or football. The way those guys dress — you got to have some respect for the game and dress like a pro. So you wear a suit, you wear a tie. You dress nicely. You don’t wear jeans. It’s what they’re missing in their league a little bit.” Landeskog doesn’t like to be lumped in with Zadorov on fashion. The Morning After: Will the Avalanche ever beat the Predators? Kickin’ it with Kiz: If there’s catfish on ice in Nashville, what should Denver fans toss when the Avs score? Here’s one suggestion. “The problem with Z is, he thinks the more expensive something is, it’s better — it’s nicer automatically. We try to explain to him that just because it’s expensive it doesn’t necessary means it looks good,” Landeskog said. “Obviously, style is personal and everyone has different opinions. But he’s got some different pieces. I’d love to tour his closet. He puts it together once in a while, but then he’s got days where I don’t know what happened. That’s Z for ya. He’s funny. We always harp on him, get on him for stuff. The beauty for Z is, he can take it.” Unlike the single guys on the team, Zadorov doesn’t dress partly to impress the opposite sex. He is a devoted husband looking to become a father of four. Nikita and Aleksandra are coming up on their three-year anniversary. “I want four kids. And I want to play with them,” Nikita said. “When my daughter is going to be a teen I’m only going to be 40. It’s not a bad gap. So I can be a really close friend to her, and she can tell me everything. I want to be close to my kids. I had a dream I had a son and maybe at the end of my career I can play with him on the same team. But we have a daughter right now and girls are unbelievable. She’s so much fun for us right now.” Zadorov is fashionably fun. Denver Post: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091701 Colorado Avalanche

The Morning After: Will the Avalanche ever beat the Predators?

By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 1:54 am | UPDATED: April 15, 2018 at 8:28 am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Same old story here with the Avalanche, which scored on its first shot for the second straight game but went on to lose for the 12th consecutive time to the Nashville Predators. Colorado trails 2-0 in this seven-game playoff series heading into Game 3 on Monday in Denver. THREE STARS Mattias Ekholm. Nashville defenseman had two assists and was plus-3 in 21:11. Nathan MacKinnon. Had a goal, an assist and a team-high six shots in 24:58 for the Avalanche. Austin Watson. Preds forward capitalized on an errant Avs line change to make it 4-2 early in the third period. WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED Tyson Barrie was bloodied by a puck to the face in the first period. He missed a couple shifts before returning and finishing with 22:10 in ice time, second among Avs defensemen. NEXT UP Game 3, Monday TAKEAWAYS Avalanche second-line center Carl Soderberg has zero shots in the series. Yes, he’s not a true No. 2 NHL centerman but he needs to do more in this series if the Avs have any hope of extending the series beyond four games. Forwards Tyson Jost, Colin Wilson and Matt Nieto also weren’t credited with a shot Saturday. Kickin’ it with Kiz: If there’s catfish on ice in Nashville, what should Denver fans toss when the Avs score? Here’s one suggestion. How deep are the Preds? They have 10 goals in the series — by eight different scorers. Filip Forsberg had two in Game 1 and Austin Watson has scored one in each game. Defensively, Nashville is so deep it can put the Roman Josi-Ryan Ellis pairing on the MGM Line or the “second” pairing of P.K. Subban and Mathias Ekholm. In Game 2 each of those guys logged more than 21 minutes, with Subban a team-high 27:03. Possession problem. The Avs were just 39 percent at the faceoff circle and the top line guys — MacKinnon and Gabe Landeskog — were a combined 6-of-27. Mile High playoff hockey. Hey, Games 3 and 4 are Monday and Wednesday at the Pepsi Center. The Avs are a different team at home. This is going to be fun. Denver Post: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091702 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche fashionista Nikita Zadorov to celebrate his birthday in style

By: Mike Chambers, Associated Press April 15, 2018 Updated: Today at 8:30 PM

Nikita Zadorov will celebrate his 23rd birthday Monday, and the highly stylish Avalanche defenseman is bound to show off his presents by wearing them to Game 3 against Nashville at the Pepsi Center. Zadorov, a 6-foot-5 Russian, pushes the edge of fashion like he pushes the rules of playing physical on the ice. Not every teammate agrees with his black, gold-starred Gucci shoes and no socks, but everyone has a take on Zadorov’s interesting wardrobe. “I love it. I think he has great style,” Swiss forward Sven Andrighetto said. “I’m really into suits and stuff like that too. He dresses well, good custom suits. His shoes? Some guys think they’re questionable. I can see that. But I like them. Not many people can pull them off. He can. They’re great shoes.” Zadorov only hopes he is considered among the Avalanche’s best dressers. He says his competition is with Andrighetto, left wing Gabe Landeskog, right wing Blake Comeau and goalies Jonathan Bernier and Semyon Varlamov. The each tend to prefer the short pants and no socks — exposing their ankles. Comeau, from Canada, is the only North American in that group. “Some North American guys didn’t get them right away, but it takes them time,” Zadorov said. “Little different style. Some people don’t understand that — the guys from North America.” Zadorov declined to estimate what he pays for an outfit and how much his wardrobe is worth. But he said he doesn’t have a budget and his wife, Aleksandra, does most of his shopping. The couple has a daughter, Sophie, who turned 1 last week. “When I started to make money it became possible to buy some stuff on my own,” Zadorov said. “My mind-set was, obviously, I want to look good. I feel better when I go to the game and I’m dressed sharply and I look at myself in the mirror and I like the way I’m looking. I feel better before the game that way. “And hockey is different. We got more class in our sport than basketball or football. The way those guys dress — you got to have some respect for the game and dress like a pro. So you wear a suit, you wear a tie. You dress nicely. You don’t wear jeans. It’s what they’re missing in their league a little bit.” Landeskog doesn’t like to be lumped in with Zadorov on fashion. “The problem with Z is, he thinks the more expensive something is, it’s better — it’s nicer automatically. We try to explain to him that just because it’s expensive it doesn’t necessary means it looks good,” Landeskog said. “Obviously, style is personal and everyone has different opinions. But he’s got some different pieces. I’d love to tour his closet. He puts it together once in a while, but then he’s got days where I don’t know what happened. That’s Z for ya. He’s funny. We always harp on him, get on him for stuff. The beauty for Z is, he can take it.” Unlike the single guys on the team, Zadorov doesn’t dress partly to impress the opposite sex. He is a devoted husband looking to become a father of four. Nikita and Aleksandra are coming up on their three-year anniversary. “I want four kids. And I want to play with them,” Nikita said. “When my daughter is going to be a teen I’m only going to be 40. It’s not a bad gap. So I can be a really close friend to her, and she can tell me everything. I want to be close to my kids. I had a dream I had a son and maybe at the end of my career I can play with him on the same team. But we have a daughter right now and girls are unbelievable. She’s so much fun for us right now.” Zadorov is fashionably fun. Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091703 Colorado Avalanche "Challenge accepted," Hinchcliffe responded. "They (Maple Leafs) are going to win it all. Nobody goes further than the team holding the Cup."

Hinchcliffe added: "Personally, I'm a red velvet guy." Avs, Devils, Leafs hoping home cookin' flips the momentum Newgarden said he prefers vanilla.

SAVING THE DAY By: PAT GRAHAM, Associated Press April 15, 2018 Updated: Today at 4:53 PM Avalanche coach Jared Bednar thought goaltender Jonathan Bernier played "OK" in the first two games.

"If you look at the importance of goaltending this time of year, good is DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon is counting on 18,000 of his rowdy usually not good enough," Bednar said. friends to give the Colorado Avalanche a little bit of an extra buzz. Goaltending is on the minds of the Devils, too. Keith Kinkaid played well Maybe even throw Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne off his game. down the stretch, but has struggled in the postseason. He was lifted in Trailing the top-seeded Predators 2-0 in the first-round series, the the second period Sunday after giving up five goals on 15 shots. Avalanche return Monday (10 p.m. EDT, NBCSN) to a building that's Cory Schneider, who was the starter most of the season until a hip and certainly been something to write home about this season. Their 28 wins groin injury in January sidelined him for a month, finished and did not at the Pepsi Center in the regular season tied the franchise mark held by allow a goal on 10 shots. the 2000-01 squad that went on to capture the Stanley Cup. "There is still a lot of hockey to be played," Devils forward "We have lots of confidence here," said MacKinnon , whose team has said, "and a lot of hockey on home ice as well." dropped 12 straight to the Predators. "The building has been a lot of fun this year." Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 04.16.2018 Colorado isn't the only team hoping a change of scenery provides a change in momentum — Toronto returns to friendly confines down 2-0 in the series against Boston (7 p.m., NBCSN). The New Jersey Devils are in the same boat versus Tampa Bay (7:30 p.m., CNBC) heading into their first playoff home game since 2012. Then there's the San Jose Sharks, who are sitting pretty after two road wins against Anaheim (10:30 p.m., CNBC). Now at home, the Sharks get last change and the opportunity to dictate matchups. "It's a nice luxury being at home, having those matchups," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. "The bigger advantage is the crowd and the environment and being able to sleep in your own bed." For New Jersey, climbing back in the series boils down to this — avoiding big early deficits. They trailed the Lightning 3-0 in Game 1 and 5-1 in Game 2 before staging a comeback. "We need to play as a group," said coach John Hynes, who plans to make some lineup changes. "We can't have passengers." MacKinnon said the Avs need to clean up the little things against a savvy Predators team. "We're in a tough spot right now," MacKinnon said. "Two games at home. Hopefully, we can even up the series." The Predators fully expect a more tenacious rush from a youthful Colorado squad. "They're persistent," Nashville forward Austin Watson said. "There's no quit in them." ENCORE Boston hopes David Pastrnak packs his Game 2 performance for the trip to Toronto. The 21-year-old had three goals and three assists to become the youngest NHL player with six or more points in a playoff game, surpassing Wayne Gretzky, according to the Bruins website. "When you're breaking a Wayne Gretzky record, I hope he realizes at his young age how cool it is," forward David Backes told reporters. "Hopefully he had fun last night and enjoyed that moment because it is special." REASON FOR OPTIMISM The Ducks can latch on to some recent history for optimism in coming back from an 0-2 deficit. They lost the first two games at home in the second round last year to Edmonton before rallying to win the series in seven games. "That's the situation we're in. We have a good team," Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano said. "We have a team that's been in these situations before." CAKE WALK This definitely takes the cake: At the start of the playoffs, IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden, a Nashville fan, proposed a wager to fellow racer, James Hinchcliffe, a Toronto Maple Leafs supporter. The driver with the team that bowed out of the Stanley Cup playoffs first had to bake the other a homemade cake and present it at an autograph session while wearing the opposing team's sweater. 1091704 Columbus Blue Jackets

Sergei Bobrovsky sets team record with 54 saves in Game 2

Steve Gorten Posted at 1:13 AM Updated at 1:13 AM

WASHINGTON — Having handled with ease every postgame question fired at him, about as many as the 54 saves he’d just made against the Washington Capitals, Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky walked out of the visitors’ dressing room, climbed on an exercise bike and started casually cycling. Bobrovsky had just turned in “one of the best goaltending performances I’ve seen in quite a while,” Jackets coach said, surviving a siege that peaked in the third period when his teammates took four minor penalties and the Capitals peppered him with 21 shots. Yet he was surprisingly relaxed, and didn’t seem the least bit tired. Bobrovsky stopped all but four shots he faced Sunday night in a 5-4 overtime win at Capital One Arena, topping his previous franchise record for saves in a game. He made 48 in a Game 5 win against the Penguins four years ago. “You look at the two sides, and Bob was the difference for them,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz noted. “He was on his game, and we just needed that one save. We just needed that one save, and we weren’t able to get it.” The Capitals will head to Columbus with their goalie situation as unsettled as it was before the best-of-seven series. Philipp Grubauer made his second consecutive start but was pulled during the second intermission after four goals allowed on 22 shots. Braden Holtby stopped 7 of 8 shots he faced. Trotz said he’d let the situation “simmer” before naming a starter for Game 3 Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. Meanwhile, Bobrovsky has successfully stomped doubts about his ability to perform in the playoffs. Of the seven goals the Capitals have scored the first two games of this series, five have come on power plays. “There were some momentum swings and we stood together,” Bobrovsky said. “We gave up a little bit of territory, but we didn’t break, and just worked through it. ... There were a lot of moments in the third period that tested our composure. I thought guys did a great job.” Bobrovsky said he trusted that his teammates would score when needed, so he just focused on stopping the puck. “I felt pretty good,” he said. “We’ve good chemistry. ... I tried to stay with the moment — moment by moment. You don’t know what moment is going to end the game, especially in overtime.” “It energizes our bench,” wing Matt Calvert said of Bobrovsky’s saves. “An example is that save on (Alex) Ovechkin in the third period there on a breakaway in a tight game. It allows us to be resilient, to go over the boards and block shots for him and play that much harder for him. He’s our best player and he was our best player by a mile tonight.” Added defenseman Seth Jones: “Bob made big saves when he had to, which was pretty much all night. ... We take for granted how special he is and how big he is for us — some of the saves he makes in big-time situations.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091705 Columbus Blue Jackets It’s no wonder that Capitals coach Barry Trotz has no hair. It’s a wonder that Tortorella has any hair left after the third period. Blue Jackets' Sergei Bobrovsky arrives as a playoff goalie Calvert (trip), Pierre-Luc Dubois (goaltender interference), Werenski (delay of game) and Boone Jenner (slash) presented the Capitals and their lethal power play with a half-period of a man advantage. Jackets 12:23 AM Michael Arace fans ought not whine about any of the calls, which were as legitimate as they were, ah, less-than-cerebral.

“Bob didn’t say anything between periods,” Calvert said. “He never does.” WASHINGTON — During the Stanley Cup playoffs, redemption might be a shift away. The same goes for ignominy. The Capitals outshot the Jackets 21-5 in the third. T.J. Oshie scored a power-play goal with 1:59 remaining in regulation to send the game to There was plenty of glory and blame, back and forth and back again, overtime. All things considered, it was amazing the thing got to OT. during Game 2 of the Blue Jackets-Washington Capitals series on Sunday night. There were 13 minor penalties called, eight on the “I felt pretty good,” Bobrovsky said. “It is what it is. I can’t choose how Jackets. Every power play, every kill, loomed as a game-changer. Short- many shots I face. I just play my game and do my things.” term heroes and goats were all over the ice. Jackets fans may recall that it was Calvert who, in the wee hours of April And then, there is the bigger picture, the larger arc of history. For the 20, 2014, scored the winning goal of the second overtime of a 4-3 victory Blue Jackets, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is such a big part of it. over the Penguins, in Pittsburgh, at whatever they call that arena now. It was the Jackets’ first, so-long-in-coming, playoff victory. Bob, who had a 3-10 record with a .887 save percentage and a 3.49 goals-against average in his previous playoff life. Bob, the two-time “I’m still here,” Calvert said with a grin. Vezina Trophy winner who — according to management and coaches, “The feeling was the same as the other time when you get to cheer with dating to last year — still has something to prove. Something to prove in your boys and everything,” he said. “But whether it’s me scoring or April and, heaven willing, May. Someday, maybe June. somebody else — it was (Artemi Panarin) the other night — we’re just a “It’s a long process, you know?” Bobrovsky said. “I would say your career resilient bunch and we’re excited to get home up two-nothing.” is a journey and you learn some things here and there. It doesn’t matter Was his skate in the air? Was he offside? What a silly review. what’s in the past. It’s, ‘When are we going to play the third game?’ It doesn’t matter what happened tonight. Each moment is huge right now “It looked like a good goal to me,” Calvert said, “but, honestly, you never and you just have to play.” know.” Bobrovsky was unbelievable Sunday. Even though Matt Calvert scored More redemption and ignominy is in the offing Tuesday, when the series the winning goal in overtime of a 5-4 victory, Bobrovsky won the game at picks up at Nationwide Arena. Capital One Arena. Was Calvert on-side? Was his right skate on or off the ice as Josh Anderson carried over the blue line? Forget about it. Here Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.16.2018 was the real deal: Bobrovsky made 54 saves. He made 21 in the third period, when his teammates did all they could to blow the game by taking dumb penalty after dumb penalty after dumb penalty. He was perfect in overtime. He stared down Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and the rest of them, and he won the game. “That was probably one of best goaltending performance I’ve seen in quite a while, with Bob,” coach John Tortorella said. The man has seen a few goalies, too. The Jackets have stolen two games on the road and taken a 2-0 series lead against the Capitals. They have shown incredible resilience and a great deal of grit. Both victories have come in overtime. Bobrovsky has been the man. The Jackets don’t get to the playoffs without Bob. And they don’t bring this series back to Nationwide Arena with a commanding lead without Bob. And what does he have to say about all of this? If you are a Jackets fans, you already know: Just stop the puck. Live in the moment. Stop the puck. “You never know which moment is going to end the game, especially in overtime,” he said, “so, just play the game.” The Capitals imploded in the second period. The last time Capital One Arena was so quiet, it was the Verizon Center. Or maybe the MCI Center. We’re checking. Brandon Dubinsky takes a high-sticking minor four minutes into the second and — nine seconds later — Ovechkin scores his second power- play goal of the game to push the Capitals’ lead to 3-1. Then, David Savard times a backward slide to thwart a three-on-one rush by the Capitals. And not a minute later, the Jackets score on their finest odd-man rush of the season: Calvert-Seth Jones-Zach Werenski- Anderson, bing-bing-bing-bing, and it’s 3-2. Then, Tom Wilson took one of the stupidest penalties of his career — and that is saying something, folks — when he went all Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka on Jones and was sent to the box for roughing. Cam Atkinson scored on the ensuing power play and, just like that, we had a 3-3 game. And then, Devante Smith-Pelly had a brain cramp and was called for holding Nick Foligno’s stick. Off he went, on came the Jackets’ power play and there was Werenski, slinging a wrist shot from just inside the blue line down the slot and under the crossbar to give the Jackets a 4-3 lead. 1091706 Columbus Blue Jackets locking shots requires sacrificing body

Steve Gorten Posted Apr 15, 2018 at 11:18 PM Updated Apr 15, 2018 at 11:36 PM

WASHINGTON — After Game 1 against the Capitals, Zach Werenski looked at Blue Jackets teammate Nick Foligno’s face, which had been bloodied by a slap shot and bore a scrape under his eye, and joked, “Hey, we’re matching.” Werenski has a scar under his right eye from a shot off Phil Kessel’s stick during last season’s first-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Werenski returned to the game that night, as Foligno did after a few minutes, but couldn’t play overtime because his eye was nearly swollen shut. An inch higher and he could have lost an eye, the defenseman recalled last month. “It definitely crosses my mind every time” he blocks a shot, Werenski said, but he had 92 blocked shots in the regular season, fourth most on the Jackets behind fellow defensemen David Savard (143), Jack Johnson (135) and Seth Jones (124). “It’s definitely hard” to have courage, Werenski said before Sunday’s Game 2. “It’s one of those things you just have to go out and do for your team. It’s part of our job.” It’s an undesirable yet important task in this best-of-seven series against the Capitals, Werenski said, because “they’re a team that likes to put the puck on net, a lot of blind plays toward the crease. If we can get in front of the puck and block those chances, we’ll get on transition and get our game going.” Foligno said of players sacrificing their body to block shots, “We’re not the smartest guys, I guess. You’re trying to help this team, and if you’ve got to block a game-winning shot with your face, you’ll do it, as dumb as that sounds.” He added, “Guys do it on a nightly basis. It’s just part of the demeanor in here and the attitude we have. When you see guys laying their bodies on the line, it just picks the whole team up.” Savard said he has enjoyed blocking shots since he was a young kid, so much that his team’s goalie would jokingly call him the second goalie on the ice. He credited teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand for a key block in overtime when the Capitals “were buzzing in our zone for a while” that shifted momentum. “When you get to the playoffs, everyone’s trying to do everything they can to win games,” Savard said. “It doesn’t matter how it happens.” Or at what cost. Defenseman Ian Cole had three teeth knocked out by a slap shot to the face in October while playing for the Penguins. “One thing that’s pretty cool, when he doesn’t have his (fake) teeth in his (mouth), he wears them on his ear,” Jackets coach John Tortorella said, admiringly. “I’ve always asked him why. Still haven’t gotten a straight answer on that. He’s got some old-school in him.” Slap shots Jeff Zatkoff was recalled from minor-league Cleveland to serve as the Jackets’ third (emergency) goalie. ... Capitals fourth-line center Jay Beagle made his series debut after missing Game 1 and the final three games of the regular season because of an upper-body injury. Defenseman Michal Kempny (upper body) also played. ... Jackets prospect Calvin Thurkauf was named to the Swiss National team roster for next month’s world championships. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091707 Columbus Blue Jackets Washington has plenty of firepower and Bobrovsky was up for this challenge.

“I try to not think about those things, how many shots I face,” Bobrovsky Blue Jackets 5, Capitals 4 | Matt Calvert's OT goal gives Jackets 2-0 said. “I just prepare myself for the first period and just feel good and series lead enjoy the atmosphere. We’ll see what’s going to happen. It was nice. It’s definitely a great win, a great team win. Guys stepped up when we needed them to.” George Richards Said coach John Tortorella: “That is probably one of the best goaltending performances I have seen in some time. It gives us an opportunity to stay in the game. When they surged, he made some key saves at some key WASHINGTON — If the Washington Capitals wondered whether the times.” Blue Jackets would up and quit, they got their answer — again — on Sunday night. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.16.2018 For the second time in as many games, the Jackets found themselves down two goals yet fought back to stun the Capitals with a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 2 of a Eastern Conference quarterfinal at Capital One Arena. The Jackets bring a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series back to Ohio with the next two games at Nationwide Arena. Game 3 is Tuesday night. “Definitely ready to get home,” said Cam Atkinson, who scored twice in the win. The Jackets led 4-3 for much of the third period with the Capitals coming hard. Sergei Bobrovsky made the first 17 saves of the period only to have T.J. Oshie whip one from the high slot of a power play to tie it with 3:35 left. Although the Capitals continued their push, the Jackets pulled off an overtime victory for the second consecutive game as Matt Calvert won it. “We had some great chances and we got the final one in the back of the net,” Calvert said. “Two games in overtime, that can really crush a team.” The Capitals came out flying and dominated much of the first period yet only led 2-1 after Atkinson scored with 95 seconds remaining in the first. Washington opened to a 3-1 lead at 4:09 of the second when Alex Ovechkin drilled a one-timer off a Nicklas Backstrom pass for his second power play goal of the game. But the Blue Jackets were far from done. They roared back and scored three in the second and went into the third holding a 4-3 lead as the arena was left in silence. The comeback began midway through the second period, Down two for the second time, the Jackets made it a one-goal game when Seth Jones and Zach Werenski played a little tic-tac-toe, Josh Anderson following through from the right circle. At 11:13 of the period, the score was tied at 3 when Atkinson scored again — this time from the right circle on the team’s second power play chance. With 1:08 remaining in the second, the Jackets took their first in-game lead of the series when Artemi Panarin let a shot fly from 50 feet out and Werenski knocked it past Philipp Grubauer to make it 4-3. Grubauer did not start the third as coach Barry Trotz put in Braden Holtby. Before the game, Ovechkin said he “needed to be better” and he did Ovechkin-like things with two power-play goals as Washington went 3- for-7. Ovechkin, who led the NHL in goals for a record-tying seventh time in the regular season, gave Washington a 2-0 lead with Atkinson in the box in the first on a slick wrist shot then made it 3-1 early in the second on a otherworld one-timer with Brandon Dubinsky serving time. “It’s hard,” Ovechkin said. “Obviously, we had opportunities to finish it up, but we didn’t two games in a row. But I think we played a solid game. We just didn’t win.” The Capitals took a 1-0 lead 2:12 in when Jay Beagle — who missed Game 1 because of an injury — deflected a Brooks Orpik shot. With 1:35 left in the period and the Jackets being outshot 17-6, Atkinson broke loose on a beautiful stretch pass from Nick Foligno and worked around Grubauer. Although Washington scored four goals and three Jackets players scored, the night belonged to Bobrovsky as much as anyone. Time and again, he held off the Capitals as they poured through the Jackets zone and fired away. He made 54 saves, including 26 from the third period on. 1091708 Columbus Blue Jackets

Team ready for Game 2, after 'long' 2-day break

George Richards

WASHINGTON — The long wait is over. Sure, the NHL only threw in an extra day between Game 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal between the Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals. That extra day, however, felt like a week. “It feels like we should have been playing,” Seth Jones said Saturday. “It’s weird, Pittsburgh is going to play its third game and we still haven’t played Game 2. It is what it is. We will be ready to go.” Columbus, of course, took the opener of this best-of-7 series which resumes Sunday night at Capital One Arena (FSOH, 97.1-FM) in Washington’s Chinatown neighborhood. The Jackets arrived in Washington on Tuesday following a practice in Columbus; they plan on returning to Ohio following the game. Game 3 is at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday. “It’s like we’ve been here for a week before games, having these two days,” Tortorella said Saturday. “We just want to refocus them. We had a really good video today. Certainly, I brought that back up. I hope they had a blast enjoying that win for a few hours, but now, today’s a work day and tomorrow we get back at it here. “You have some momentum on your side, in winning a game, but it changes quickly. Home or away, you’re looking to win the next game. So, keep your focus. And I feel that our team’s there.” Tortorella gave his team a day away from the rink on Friday and brought them back in for a focused workout at the arena on Saturday. On Sunday, it’s time to go back to work. The Capitals, Columbus knows, is going to come hard. “We know that team’s going to be better,” Thomas Vanek said. “They’re going to come out hard, just like we’re going to come out hard and again we’re just going to have to play a quick game and a simple game and be opportunistic here on the road. Bury our chances, be a little more disciplined obviously. Again, it’s a big first win for us but we’re going to go for the next one, of course.” Said Jones: “It’s all business for us. We’re not going to wade into this game. We’re going to try and take it to them right away, go home with another win. We’re going to be aggressive.” The Capitals have had that extra day to stew in a tough loss, one in which they held the upper hand for much of the night. Washington is getting fourth-line center Jay Beagle back after he missed the opener. “Everyone seems really calm,” T.J. Oshie told reporters following the Capitals’ morning skate in suburban Virginia on Sunday. “The other night, you’re disappointed. Anytime you give up a lead like that and lose in OT, you feel like you kind of gave a game away. I think they worked for it, but you still feel like you gave up a game in a series. So obviously, it was a little frustrating that night. We had a nice day to recover and it’s back to business, business as usual now.” Columbus will ice mostly the same lineup on Sunday with the big exception coming on the second line. Center Alexander Wennberg is out with an injury sustained in the third period of Game 1. Nick Foligno slides up to take his spot on the second line; Sonny Milano replaced Wennberg in the game lineup. The Jackets made their first move with the AHL Cleveland Monsters ending their season on Sunday with Jeff Zatkoff coming up to become the emergency third goalie. Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091709 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL officials reviewed the play for offsides briefly — it didn't seem brief on the bench, Calvert joked — before affirming the goal.

The Jackets trailed 2-0 and 3-2 on Thursday before escaping. They Matt Calvert's one-hander in OT gives Blue Jackets 2-0 series lead vs. trailed 2-0 and 3-1 on Sunday, but never got rattled, even in a loud Washington building against a desperate, veteran club. Cam Atkinson's breakaway goal late in the first period — sprung by a By Aaron Portzline 1h ago marvelous pass from Foligno – made it 2-1, and changed the complexion of the game heading into the first intermission.

“To come out of that period down just 2-1,” Tortorella said. “That's very WASHINGTON — Through his many years as a top-notch penalty-killer important at that juncture of the game.” — we're talking way back to his days on the Canadian prairies in junior hockey — Blue Jackets left winger Matt Calvert has developed a habit of The Blue Jackets seemed to steady in the second, getting goals from taking his left hand off his stick when he's not carrying the puck. Anderson (8:49), Atkinson (power play, 11:13) and Zach Werenski (power play, 18:52) to take their first regulation lead (4-3) so far in the It's earned him the wrath of a few coaches and some good-natured series. ribbing from teammates along the way, and maybe its cost him some scoring chances around the net. Two of those goals were power play goals, and one of them — just like Thursday — was prompted by a senseless penalty by Washington's Tom But on Sunday, as a riveting playoff game between the Blue Jackets and Wilson. Washington Capitals drifted into overtime in Capital One Arena, Calvert's bad habit served him well. The two teams were scrumming before Washington goaltender Philipp Grubauer when Wilson came soaring into the pile, grabbed Jackets Calvert's one-handed jam of a rebound off a Zach Werenski shot at 12:22 defenseman Seth Jones by the neck and wrestled him backward to the of the first overtime sent the Jackets to a 5-4 victory and gave Columbus ground, dislodging his helmet. a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series after two road games. Atkinson's goal was scored 39 seconds later to tie the score at 3. It's the “It was just unreal,” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said. “One hand on kind of goal the Blue Jackets would have never scored from November to his stick? I just told Calvy, he's the best one-handed hockey player I've February. The power play is feeling it. The entire roster is feeling it. ever seen. He made good on it tonight.” “The last month or so of our season, we didn't lose many games,” The Blue Jackets spent much of the night defending and leaned hard on Tortorella said. “As we've gone through that, I don't think it's because goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who set a franchise playoff record with 54 guys' physical skills have improved … and I don't think anybody's gotten saves. The Capitals outshot the Blue Jackets 58-30, including 27-8 in the faster. third period and overtime. “I just think it's a mindset, and it's a bridge we've crossed, and I hope we Werenski had one goal, two assists, Cam Atkinson had two goals and stay on the right side. We go out there knowing we're going to win. We're Seth Jones and Artemi Panarin each had two assists for the Blue there to win, not hope. As we've gone through here the past couple of Jackets. years, it was hoping. And hoping. And 'maybe they'll find a way.' Now it's a bit of a swagger that they have, and they're on the right side of it. “We know we can play a lot better, we can clean some things up,” Foligno said. “But we've done a lot of really good things — never say die, “By no means we do we have it figured out. Tonight's game … we were just keep going — to put ourselves in this position.” outplayed in a lot of minutes, but we had a goalie who gave us a chance … and then we found a way to get it done. Those are all good things to The game was reminiscent of the Blue Jackets' win in Game 1. The help with your mindset, as far as knowing you can get it done.” Jackets fell behind 2-0, leaned hard on goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (54 saves), and scored two power-play goals to key a comeback against the The Blue Jackets, up 4-3, took three minor penalties in the final 7:37 of Metropolitan Division champion Capitals. the third period, tempting fate with Washington's power play. Oshie scored with 3:35 remaining, on the second power play, tying the score at The final scene was the same, too: Blue Jackets players racing off the 4 and bringing the building to life. bench to mob Calvert as a building full of Capitals fans groaned in disgust. (Oh, how many times have they seen this movie.) If only for a little while. “I had one hand on my stick,” Calvert smiled, “and the rest is history.” “This is big,” Calvert said. “But our focus has to be on Game 3 and Game 3 only. We have a good chance. Two overtime wins can really hurt a Calvert created the sequence of events that led to the goal by getting in team, but we have to be ready for their best effort when we get home.” hard on the forecheck and checking Washington defenseman Brooks Orpik, jarring loose the puck Put another way: “When you put the body on somebody, good things happen,” Calvert “I can't wait to get home,” Atkinson said. “It feels like we've been here for said. “It spit right out to our guy.” a year.” Josh Anderson gathered the puck and found Werenski on the right side Notebook half-wall with space. As one of the youngest clubs in the NHL, the Blue Jackets figured to Werenski skated the puck through the right circle, around Washington have some growing pains on the big stage that is the Stanley Cup forward Jay Beagle and fired a low puck that Washington goaltender playoffs. They've made plenty of mistakes, allowed the Capitals to get off Braden Holtby stopped with his left pad. Calvert outworked Washington's to great starts and make huge pushes during games. And yet the Jackets Jakub Jerabek in tight — perhaps keeping him at bay with his free left lead the series 2-0 with two road wins. Here's Tortorella: “It’s fantastic for hand — as he jammed the puck back into the net. our team to go through all this. Easier for me to say now, because we won both of them. But I tell you guys this, and I still belive that. It’s a It was the second career OT game-winner for Calvert, who sealed the great experience for guys who haven’t played a lot of games. We first playoff win in Blue Jackets history — April 19, 2014 — with a put- certainly don’t use that as an excuse as far as us trying to succeed in the back goal in Pittsburgh. playoffs. But they have to go through some of these things. These two games … we win ‘em so you’re a lot happier, but the ebbs and flows are Artemi Panarin was the hero on Thursday, getting mobbed in the far excellent for us to go through.” corner. Calvert got swallowed whole by his teammates in the near corner this time, starting with an in-the-air hug with center Brandon Dubinsky as Calvert on going home up 2-0: “Two games in overtime, that could really they slammed into the wall. crush a team. But we're going to focus on using our fans. We have to come out in Game 3. They're going to be excited. We know how good “It happened so fast,” Calvert said, when asked if conjured memories of they are in the playoffs. We're going to have fun out there.” his goal in Pittsburgh. “In the corner, yes. Jones played 32:05, the second straight game he's been over 30 “I was under the doggy pile in Pittsburgh, I remember it well, the minutes. He had two assists, a plus-1, four blocks and four hits. celebration. Cam (Atkinson) tackled me and then Murr (Ryan Murray). This one was great. Me and Dubi in the corner, and I didn't have to be The Blue Jackets have been called for goaltender interference four times under a doggy pile.” so far in this series: Foligno has two of them (one each game), while Atkinson and Pierre-Luc Dubois has the other one. The loudest roar in the post-game dressing room came when a reporter informed Nick Foligno that his brother, Marcus, scored Sunday in the Wild's win over Winnipeg. “Yesssss!” Foligno said. “They won? (Yes.) Fuckin' right, pardon my language. I'll show you my text message. It's funny, I sent a text to my whole family saying, 'This is going to be a good night for the Folignos. So I'm glad we didn't disappoint.' That's just awesome.” The Capitals have been here before, down 0-2 after losing the first two games of the series at home. Very recently, in fact. Washington fell down 2-0 to Pittsburgh in the second round last season before forcing a Game 7 and losing it, 2-0, at home. NHL linesman Steve Barton tangled skates with Foligno coming off a faceoff and appeared to wrench his left knee something awful before landing on his back on the ice. A stretcher was brought to his side, but he managed to get off the ice with the help of a trainer under each of his arms. If this name sounds familiar, it should. Steve Barton was the linesman who was submarined by Edmonton's Connor McDavid and cracked his head in Rexall Place on March 27. That time he was stretchered off as a precaution. The Blue Jackets are not scheduled to practice on Monday. Back to work with a morning skate on Tuesday. The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091710 Columbus Blue Jackets According to Corsica.hockey, Bobrovsky had an expected save percentage (xSV%) of 91.6. xSV% is a calculation that shows how a goaltender should perform based on the quality of competition he’s By the numbers: Analyzing Blue Jackets vs. Capitals Game 2 facing. In Game 2, Bobrovsky out-performed his xGF% by posting a save percentage of 93.1, a differential of 1.5 percent. In comparison, the Capitals netminders underperformed with Philipp Grubauer having an xGF% differential of minus-12.5. Braden Holtby, who came in for the third By Alison Lukan 1h ago period and overtime had an xGF% of minus-2.7. In a game in which the Capitals so thoroughly controlled shot-based metrics, the performance of the Blue Jackets' goaltender cannot be WASHINGTON — In Game 1 of the Blue Jackets-Capitals series, overstated. underlying numbers showed there was reason to be confident in expecting a Columbus victory. At the conclusion of Game 2, as the Blue Game-winning goal scorer Matt Calvert was the only Blue Jackets player Jackets take a 2-0 series lead via a 5-4 overtime win, underlying to be above 50 percent in shot attempts for the night. The team was plus- numbers reveal that they're a group that can steal a game when they get 1 when he was on the ice. some spectacular individual performances. A quick check-in with Pierre-Luc Dubois and his line: After Dubois was Let’s look at how the Jackets pulled out this win in Washington D.C. matched up against Washington’s shutdown line in Game 1, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz chose to match top line to top line this game, and Team level Dubois saw around ten minutes of five-on-five play against Ovechkin, Columbus withstood an offensive barrage from Washington in this one. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. The Blue Jackets were outshot 58-30 and, including overtime, had the As the Capitals surged, so did their top line. Ovechkin led his team to a advantage in five-on-five shots in only one period — the second — when plus-6 shot differential when he was playing against Dubois and had a they scored three of their five goals. plus-9 advantage over Dubois’ linemates, Artemi Panarin and Cam When the game concluded, according to NaturalStatTrick.com, the Atkinson. Jackets had just 37.14 percent of all five-on-five attempts and just 55 After seeing a lot of Ryan Murray and Markus Nutivaara in Game 1, attempts total to the Capitals’ 103. Columbus mustered only 16 scoring Ovechkin spent his five-on-five time in Game 2 primarily against Seth chances to Washington’s 28 and got off just five high-danger attempts Jones and Zach Werenski. compared to the Capitals’ 17. Expect to see these matchup battles continue to evolve. The scoring chances map below from MoneyPuck.com illustrates how dominant the Capitals’ offensive game was in this one. Each dot shows a Ian Cole and David Savard again posted the best shot differentials of the scoring chance and the bigger the dot, the higher quality the chance. Jackets’ defensemen. Savard was minus-4, Cole was minus-5. We can see that the Capitals didn’t just generate a significantly higher The series now moves to Columbus for Games 3 and 4. Look for the number of attempts and chances, they also were effective at limiting the Jackets to work toward regaining the shot and scoring chance advantage Jackets, especially in the high-danger areas, unlike in Game 1. and spending a whole lot less time killing penalties. As always, here are our shot charts courtesy of HockeyViz.com. You can The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 see how the Blue Jackets' attempts were kept mainly out of the high- danger areas of “in the blue” and in the slot. Regaining that territory is something Blue Jackets players and coaches acknowledged needs to improve. Washington's attack came in heavy waves. The chart below from hockeyviz.com shows “pace” or the volume of shots through the timeline of the game moving from the top of the chart to the bottom. The Blue Jackets’ shot volume is on the left, the Capitals’ on the right. The wider the blue wave, the higher the pace, or volume of shots per 60. Every goal is marked with the goal scorer’s name. Dark blue represents when a team was on the power play. We see the Blue Jackets generated some blips of offense, but they had nowhere near the sustained volume of attempts the Capitals were firing. Special teams The Jackets didn’t just live dangerously in five-on-five play, they once again gave their opponent plenty of time to make hay on the power play. The Capitals had seven power plays and scored on three of them. Washington generated 29 total shot attempts and had 13 of its 58 shots on the power play. That’s a lot of looks to give a team known for its potent special teams. And while Alex Ovechkin had two of the Capitals' three power-play goals, it’s worth noting that the Capitals attacked not just from the left circle where the Washington captain is known to set up. The shot map below represents all of Washington’s power-play time and highlights why it's dangerous to devote too much attention to Ovechkin on the power play. The attempts are going to come from all over. It is, of course, worth noting that the Jackets had two power-play goals of their own but they were not nearly as dangerous overall compared to Washington. Columbus had ten attempts and six shots while playing with the man advantage. Individual level And here’s where we get to how the Jackets won this game. Sergei Bobrovsky was outstanding. “It’s one of the best goaltending performances I’ve seen in quite a while in Bob,” head coach John Tortorella said. Bobrovsky turned away 54 of 58 shots and outperformed even the usually high expectations for the two-time Vezina winner. 1091711 Dallas Stars

Player grades: Did Ben Bishop live up to the No. 1 goalie title in your mind? Vote!

By SportsDayDFW.com

The exercise is simple. Grade how you think every member of the Dallas Stars -- including head coach Ken Hitchcock and GM -- performed during the 2017-18 season. Some notes: -- We're including all players who appeared in more than 20 games and finished the years with the Stars. -- We'll be releasing player grades posts from now with Marc Methot all the way until May 18 with Brett Ritchie. -- Cap hits via spotrac.com. Ben Bishop Position: Goalie Stats: 53 games played | 26-17-5 record | .916 save percentage | 2.49 GAA 2017 cap hit: $4.9 million Notable: He played in five of the team's last 19 regular season games thanks to two injuries. He was much better at home than on the road this season. Here's his splits for home and away games. Home Record: 20-8-2 Save percentage: .931 GAA: 2.12 Away Record: 6-9-3 Save percentage: .891 GAA: 3.11 The 2017 season was the first of his six-year, $29.5 million deal he signed with Dallas. His cap hits are the same for every season at $4.9 million according to spotrac. He has a no movement clause of the next tow years of his deal, according to the site, and then a modified no-trade clause for the last three years of his deal (his age 33, 34 and 35 seasons). Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091712 Dallas Stars

No playoffs? Reasons to still be optimistic about the future of the Cowboys, Mavs, Rangers, and Stars

By SportsDayDFW.com

These are dark days in for the North Texas sports scene. Over the 2017-18 sports calendar, the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, and Texas Rangers all missed the playoffs together for the first time in history. SportsDay's Brad Townsend recently delved into the magnitude of such an 'accomplishment.' But it's not all doom and gloom, here are some reasons for optimism going forward for the four major pro sports franchises: Cowboys - Ezekiel Elliott doesn't have a six-game suspension hanging over his head. His presence alters the competitive landscape. - Young nucleus at key positions on both sides of the ball remains intact. The arrow, as Jerry Jones likes to say, is pointing up. - The Cowboys have won 22 regular-season games over the the last two years. New England and Pittsburgh are the only teams with more in that span. David Moore Mavericks - They have a point guard to grow with. Dennis Smith Jr. has all the tools to follow in the footsteps of Brad Davis, Derek Harper, Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. - Fate may be shining on them. Last year, they needed a point guard and the draft was full of them. This year, they need a big man and the draft is loaded with them. - Money. The Mavericks have it to spend. And no matter what their free- agent history suggests, having tons of cap space is the best recruiting tool for available NBA talent. Eddie Sefko Rangers - Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara are the foundation for a powerful offense for years to come. And Willie Calhoun might not be far from making it a trio. - Elvis Andrus continues to blossom as an offensive force and show signs he's maturing to such a point that it's possible to envision the second half of his career being better than the first. - There are now two Dilly Dog stands. Dilly Dogs apparently make everybody happy. Evan Grant Stars - While most teams are trying to get superstars, the Stars already have four. Jamie Benn, , John Klingberg and Alexander Radulov are all players a franchise can build around. - Klingberg is coming off his best season at age 25. Esa Lindell (24) and Stephen Johns (25) were both plus players in 2018. Julius Honka (22) and Miro Heiskanen (18) look ready to step in as regulars. - The Stars could create up to $17 million in cap space this offseason, giving Jim Nill plenty of money to find high-end scoring depth under the new NHL salary cap. Mike Heika Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091713 Dallas Stars And when the Mavericks bottomed out in the 1990s, the Stars joined the local landscape and became a near-perennial playoff team, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 and losing in the 2000 finals. 's official: This is the worst time in history to be a fan of North Texas' 4 With Dirk Nowitzki as their centerpiece, the Mavericks missed the major-sport franchises playoffs just once during a 16-season stretch (2000-16). Now, however, they have missed the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. Brad Townsend In short, North Texas' major-sports teams have ham-and-egged it remarkably well for six decades. And who will ever forget that four-month period of 2011, when the Mavericks won an NBA title and the Rangers "Our fans deserve better than this." came within one strike (twice) of winning the World Series? When Mavericks president Donnie Nelson uttered those words this week, A mere seven years later it's come to this: The worst time in history to be he was speaking of Mavericks fans, but his sentiment applies to all fans a North Texas pro sports fan. And, yes, we know the Dallas Wings eked of North Texas' four major-sport teams. into the playoffs in 2017 and lost their first-round series. The Mavericks' and Stars' regular seasons ended this week and the NBA Hip hip hurray. and NHL playoffs commenced without them, extending a pronounced postseason drought for North Texas' pro football, basketball, baseball Lean years and hockey teams. Prior to 2017-18, there never had been a sports year in which the How bad is it? Historically bad. The Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks and Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks and Stars failed to make the playoffs, Stars seasons that began in 2017 produced no playoff berths. That's dating to the Stars' 1993 arrival. And there had been only six occasions never happened before, dating to when the Stars joined the local pro in which only one of those franchises made the playoffs: sports landscape in 1993. *NHL lockout season The 2017 Cowboys finished 9-7 and, adding to fans' anguish, division rival Philadelphia won its first Super Bowl. The Rangers finished 78-84, Dallas Morning News LOADED: 04.16.2018 then watched in-state rival Houston win its first World Series. The Stars went 42-32-8 this season but fell three points short of a playoff berth thanks to one of the most epic regular-season collapses in NHL history. The Mavericks finished 24-58 and now are watching downstate rival Houston enter the playoffs with the NBA's best record. But, hey, the Mavericks did rather masterfully lose enough late-season games to secure the third-best odds entering the May 15 draft lottery. As fans well-know, there are two ways to analyze sports years: By seasons and calendar years. No matter how you dissect and autopsy the current states of local major sports teams, there has never been a worse time to be a fan of those franchises. Dating to the Cowboys' first playoff appearance in 1966, there have been only four calendar years in which at least one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area's major sports franchises did not earn a postseason berth: 1974, 1989, 2013 and 2017. Bleak though 2017 was for fans, it did include a brief hurrah. By virtue of their 13-3 finish in the 2016 regular season, the Cowboys on Jan. 15, 2017, hosted the Packers in a divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Green Bay's 34-31 victory that evening not only spoiled the Cowboys' season, but added a resounding splat to an eight-month stretch in which the Rangers, Stars, Cowboys and FC Dallas entered the playoffs as No. 1 seeds and failed to make it to their conference finals. Who among us would have imagined that Packers kicker Mason Crosby's game-winning 51-yard field goal, set up by Aaron Rodgers' improbable 36-yard completion to Jared Cook on third-and-20 with three seconds left, would foreshadow what has happened since? The Stars' and Mavericks' failures this season assure that North Texas' major-sport playoff drought will stretch to at least 19 months, to October of this year. And that would require that the 5-11 Rangers be the team that breaks the drought. Any realistic fan can deduce that the Cowboys are DFW's best next major-sport hope to make the playoffs. That would mean a drought of two years. Again, historically bad. Face it. Local sports fans have been spoiled to varying degrees during the last six decades. Even when the Cowboys failed to make it to the playoffs during their first six seasons of existence (1960-65), the AFL Dallas Texans, who also debuted here in 1960, won the 1962 championship before relocating to Kansas City and becoming the Chiefs. From 1966-85 the Cowboys produced an NFL-record 20 straight winning seasons and only twice (1974 and 1984) missed the playoffs. The Cowboys forged another extended run of success from 1991-99, missing the playoffs only once while winning three Super Bowls. Granted, the Rangers failed to make the postseason during their first 23 seasons in Arlington (1972-94), but when the Mavericks joined the NBA in 1980 the odds for postseason possibilities expanded. While the Cowboys stumbled during the 1980s, missing the playoffs five times, the Mavericks filled the void with regular playoff appearances and a 1988 Western Conference finals trip. 1091714 Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings' roster for next season: Who stays and who goes?

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 2:36 p.m. ET April 14, 2018 | Updated 11:43 a.m. ET April 15, 2018

The Detroit Red Wings have 14 NHL regulars signed to next season’s squad, leaving room to grow. A handful of the spots on the 23-man roster will be absorbed by the restricted free agents who need contracts: Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi, Andreas Athanasiou and Martin Frk. That would bring the number of forwards signed for next season to 11. The Wings have seven returnees on defense (counting Luke Witkowski) but there are possible changes coming. First, what will happen in the June draft? The NHL draft lottery is April 28, and if the Wings’ 8.5 percent chance of winning the right to draft first overall lands them the top spot, Rasmus Dahlin will reshape the defense. Second, there is the possibility Dennis Cholowski, the team’s first-round pick from 2016, will show he’s ready for the NHL. There’s likely to be at least one free agency signing, as the Wings need a goaltender to share the net with starter Jimmy Howard. Here is a breakdown of the roster situation. F Justin Abdelkader Age: 31. Status: Signed through 2022-23 at an annual salary cap hit of $4.25 million. Returning. F Andreas Athanasiou Age: 23. Status: Restricted free agent. He has arbitration rights this summer so there’ll be no holdout like last year. The club has the right to select a one- year or two-year deal. F Tyler Bertuzzi Age: 23. Status: Restricted free agent. Does not have arbitration rights. He used 48 games this season to show he’s a top-six guy, adding grit to the lineup. Look for a two-year deal. F David Booth Age: 33. Status: Unrestricted free agent. Will not be re-signed. G Jared Coreau Age: 26. Status: Unrestricted free agent. May still have a future with Grand Rapids Griffins, but disappointed during his time in Detroit and does not figure as the backup to Howard. D Trevor Daley Age: 34. Status: Signed through 2019-20 at an annual salary cap hit of $3.17 million. Patches the defense a bit with his ability to skate and move the puck. D Danny DeKeyser Age: 28. Status: Signed through 2021-22 at an annual salary cap hit of $5 million. Ideally builds on the good second half he had this season. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091715 Detroit Red Wings “That consistency level and work and compete is going to be critical for Double-A.”

Athanasiou, though, felt he showed during the course of the season he Consistency eludes Athanasiou; Wings future uncertain can compete on a consistent basis. “I can compete at a high level,” Athanasiou said. “I can compete in Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News Published 1:33 p.m. ET April 15, 2018 | playoffs. I kind of showed that the last time were in the playoffs, when I Updated 2:01 p.m. ET April 15, 2018 got in the Tampa series (2016). Competing at a high level is very important.

“There’s a lot of times where the stage is big here and you have to Detroit — Andreas Athanasiou remains a bit of a puzzle. compete on that level, and I think I do a real good job of competing on the big stage and at the highest level.” As the Red Wings settle into the offseason, one of the questions they’ll face heading into the summer will be what to do with the talented, but Whether that stage next season remains in Detroit, or somewhere else, frustrating, forward. will be something to watch this summer. Few, if any, players on the Red Wings have Athanasiou’s speed and skill Detroit News LOADED: 04.16.2018 combination. But few, also, can become invisible for long stretches like Athanasiou. A restricted free agent again this summer — after a rocky negotiation last year that lasted 10 games into the regular season — Athanasiou’s contract issues should be dealt with much quicker this time given he has arbitration rights, which will ensure a contract by mid-August. But would the Red Wings be better off trading the young forward for a young defenseman who is available (if there are any)? When asked about his future during last week’s locker cleanout, Athanasiou, 23, reiterated his desire to remain with the Red Wings’ organization. “This is one of the greatest organizations in the NHL,” Athanasiou said. “If I get the opportunity to play here, it’s unbelievable. The main thing is trying to get this team back to a playoff position, so you’re a contender for the Stanley Cup.” The opportunity to play more has been an issue for two seasons. Athanasiou saw his ice time slightly increase this season (15 minutes, 19 seconds, from 13:28 last year), but the inconsistency of playing time mirrored his production and overall play. After a good start to his season, especially coming off a contract holdout (17 points in 31 games), Athanasiou struggled mightily the second half of the season (16 points in 40 games). Athanasiou also had a team-worst minus-15 plus-minus rating. “You have to be ready; it’s that type of business you’re in,” Athanasiou said. “Whether it’s nine minutes, or 10 or 15, or 20, you have to be to try to do the best you can. “Obviously you want to play a lot, and if I do play, I think can produce more and give the team a better chance of winning. “(But) there are a lot of guys in this room that have to play. There’s a lot of things that go (into it) and you can’t really look to much into it. Whatever line combination (coach Jeff Blashill) puts out there, he’s trying to win hockey games. “You have to respect that and be ready with whatever you got.” When several veterans, including captain Henrik Zetterberg, said certain players were playing “poke and hope” hockey after a loss to Vegas in March — not concentrating on the defensive side as much — Athanasiou was clearly one of the players who were in that group. Zetterberg said at locker clean-out day that Dylan Larkin’s rise this season, while committing himself to play passionately at both ends of the rink, is a good example for Athanasiou going forward. “If he completes his game, I’m pretty sure his production will do the same,” Zetterberg said. Blashill has talked often the last two seasons about Athanasiou’s need to have a consistent approach to every shift, every game. When Blashill met with the media after locker cleanout, he again touched on Athanasiou learning about life in the NHL. “My message to Double-A was, I as a coach, have to know what I’m getting every single shift,” Blashill said. “The growth in him is going to be to learn to work and compete on every single shift. “If I’m guessing whether or not he’s going to work and compete, it’s hard to keep putting him out there because I don’t know what I’m getting. 1091716 Detroit Red Wings "I don't know. It's a hard question," he said. "The game there is different and the guys there are stronger, faster, so I don't know."

Michigan Live LOADED: Filip Hronek provides another glimpse into potential with Red Wings

Updated April 15, 2018 at 10:18 AM; Posted April 15, 2018 at 10:15 AM By Peter J. Wallner

GRAND RAPIDS - Filip Hronek capped an impressive regular season with a career night for the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday that provided another glimpse into what the Detroit Red Wings may get in the future. The rookie defenseman had a goal and four assists as the Griffins clinched second place in the Central Division with a 6-4 win against Cleveland on night in which regular blueliners Joe Hicketts and Robbie Russo were rested ahead of the playoffs. Not Hronek. His productive finale gave him 39 points (11-28-39) to tie Russo (2015-16) for most by a Griffins rookie defenseman, while his 11 goals were the most since Ryan Sproul debuted with 11 in 2013-14. The point total was second most among rookie defenseman and earned him a place on the all-rookie team. It was an interesting game for the 20-year-old from the Czech Republic. With two veterans out of the lineup, Hronek was the Griffins' third-most experienced defender. He spent time paired with Libor Sulak (second career game), Vili Saarrijavi (42 games) and mostly veteran Brian Lashoff. Hronek scooped up a loose puck and scored 44 seconds into the game against the Monsters and then picked up three straight assists to become the third Griffins player to have a four-point game this season. To cap it, Hronek nearly got into a third-period fight with Scott Savage. Both dropped their gloves before intercepted by the refs. "I had some good luck, probably. That's it. I didn't do nothing special," he said of his performance. But it helped going into the playoff opener this Saturday at Manitoba. The 6-foot, 178-pound Hronek has added about 10 pounds from his skinny frame last year when the 2016 second-round pick (53rd overall) arrived in time to play 10 games (1-1-2) and two appearances in the playoffs. He potentially gives the organization a productive offensive-minded blueliner that's been missing since Niklas Kronwall in the mid-2010s. Kronwall was the Red Wings' second leading scorer in 2013-14 (8-41-49) and was effective the following year as well (9-35-44). Since, Mike Green had led the team the past three seasons with a high of 36 points (14-22- 36) in 2016-17. Hronek, who tacked up 14 goals and 61 points in 59 games in juniors with the Saginaw Spirit in 2016-17, has made the most of his production this season. His 11 goals have included three on the power play and four game-winners. He was also two of six in shootouts. "I give him all the latitude possible to play offensive as long as he's responsible on the right side of the puck and making the right reads," coach Todd Nelson said. "I'm got going to stifle anyone's creativity especially someone like him." Lashoff said a big difference has been Hronek's defensive play. "I think the biggest thing is the coach can trust him and put him out there in any situation," Lashoff said. "He can put him out there when there's a minute left in a period and he's a guy who's responsible in his own end now and has the puck a lot. I think that's why he's played so well defensively because he's been good out of his own end." Nelson shared similar thoughts. "Over the course of the season his decision making has just gotten better," he said. "When to jump up and not get caught on a play. Earlier in the year he would get caught and end up with an odd-man rush, but now he's making the right decisions. He's been playing very well." Hronek was impressive enough to be in the conversation for the Red Wings' last call-up late in the season. Hicketts, who has thrived in his second year, received the promotion instead. Asked if he would have been ready if recalled, Hronek demurred. 1091717 Edmonton Oilers The cap is rumored to be in the $78-82 million range, meaning Edmonton would have between $4.5-$8.5 million to sign four players. That's fine if all the holes are filled but the Oilers have real issues. Peter Chiarelli has Oilers sign Rattie, more work badly needed on right-wing stated a right-handed defenceman and a backup goalie are priorities but we didn't hear a lot about a need for scoring forwards. In fact, he said in the media avail on Wednesday “I think our scoring was actually more than adequate this year”. For me, based on the general manager's By Allan Mitchell Apr 15, 2018 actions this year, we may be looking at a summer of inaction up front. What does it all mean? The Edmonton Oilers signed Ty Rattie to a one-year contract yesterday, We can't read minds, but we can examine history and tendencies. Peter $800,000 plus an opportunity to build on late-season success on the Chiarelli traded Jordan Eberle for Ryan Strome last summer, saving $3.5 Connor McDavid line. For Oilers fans, it's important to put the signing in million in cap money—and then sat on it. The only arguments that make perspective—this is a long shot and not all arrows are heading in a good any sense in a case of this kind were direction—but there's no doubt both player and team have much to gain from this contract. Inability to get a winger of note to sign a one-year deal There's a lot to unpack from these numbers, beginning with the fact that I don't think the offer sheet was a reasonable worry but wasn't there. We all success in 2017-18 occurred on the Connor McDavid line. Although don't know what we don't know. However, the Eberle trade was made their total time on ice together is on the wrong side of 200 minutes June 22, Leon Draisaitl signed August 16, and Thomas Vanek signed (people who are more familiar with sample size importance suggest 200 September 1. No sir. Peter Chiarelli must have decided that his depth minutes is an early qualifying marker for trust), Rattie played 157 minutes chart entering camp could provide the team with enough to cover the loss with McDavid and that's a substantial total. of Jordan Eberle. The success with McDavid (eight points for Rattie, 12 for 97 when the Chiarelli saw Anton Slepyshev's performance against Anaheim, two men were on the ice together) was counter balanced by the alongside Leon Draisaitl and Milan Lucic, and probably felt comfortable possession number (Corsi for 5×5: 46.84 when together). Ordinarily I'd betting a season on that small sample size. He likely believed Jesse quote something about 'score effects' or 'sample size' here, but it's over Puljujarvi would take a step forward and that Ryan Strome could slide in 150 minutes and McDavid is a Corsi God (52.27 without Rattie this on right-wing and be productive if required. None of those things were season). In 33:35 without McDavid, Rattie's Corsi for 5×5 was 39.44, and promising enough in the fall for Todd McLellan to endorse. His top two that number will get Rattie a ticket to Bakersfield should it continue when right-wingers opening night were Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto. he's playing away from the captain next season. The Rattie bet, isolated, is an intelligent one. However, the future can Rattie's shooting percentage was elevated (one was an empty netter) sometimes be predicted by the past. Peter Chiarelli felt Anton Slepyshev compared to his career total, but one of his strengths has always been could be a big part of the solution a year ago and may believe that Ty the ability to score at a prolific rate. His career AHL numbers confirm. Rattie can do the same in 2018-19. That's all fine, but it's a stunning risk. In not replacing Jordan Eberle, or more accurately in (possibly) replacing Through five AHL seasons, Rattie has scored 92 goals on 774 shots, him with Ty Rattie, the general manager would once again force his 11.89 shooting percentage. Also, he's been productive (28 AHL goals per coach into some difficult roster decisions opening night. Oilers fans are 82 games) and the speed issues that dogged him early in his pro career back in the same spot as they were the day after the Jordan Eberle weren't a factor during his short Edmonton audition at the end of the trade. In fact, they've never left. year. The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 Why this is a good signing Peter Chiarelli needs value contracts, Ty Rattie might be one. At the very least, Rattie provides depth on skill right-wing and is an insurance policy against struggling youth (both Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto should get long looks on skill lines in the fall). If he's more than that, music! If Rattie doesn't impress in camp (this is a scenario that shouldn't be overlooked, late-season spikes by mid-20's AHL forwards often turn to nothing in the fall), then the club can send him to Bakersfield and recall as necessary. It's also a good signing because the chemistry appeared to be on display. Despite the possession numbers, and possibly due to the addition of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the top unit, the line seemed to click when the puck was on their stick. General manager Peter Chiarelli used the word cerebral to describe Rattie and the line, so there could be some application for him on the power play next season. Why this could be an ineffective signing Money is tight for Edmonton this summer and Rattie is an option but not a solution. The Oilers current right-wing depth chart (Rattie, Jesse Puljujarvi, Pontus Aberg, Zack Kassian with Kailer Yamamoto bubbling under) is less than inspiring, meaning the club badly needs to add a veteran scorer at the position. This can also be listed as 'replacing Jordan Eberle one year later' and should be a part of the summer solution. If the Oilers do as last year, and fail to replace Eberle with a similar veteran scoring option, the club could be right back in the same spot again in 2018-19. Peter Chiarelli badly misjudged his roster a year ago, so badly his coach felt compelled to move Leon Draisaitl to the right side in the days before opening night. Signing Rattie may give Chiarelli a false sense of security, and thus doom the Oilers to another finish in the second division. How tight is the money? Edmonton is in the “we're not taking a summer holiday and it'll be a quiet Christmas” area of cap hell. If we estimate a bridge deal for Darnell Nurse (say, $3.5 million) and assume the Oilers can sign Drake Caggiula, Matt Benning and Ryan Strome for less than $5 million, Edmonton's cap number (for 19 men) will be around $73.5 million. All numbers via CapFriendly. 1091718 In between, the teams brought their hatred to a fervor halfway through the game. Anze Kopitar headed to the bench with his glove to his face after he took a butt-end from Erik Haula. Just minutes later, Doughty Kings on the brink of elimination after Vegas cashes in on a big third mock clapped Marchessault and tapped his head after he goaded period Marchessault into a mindless, end of period high-sticking penalty. LA Times: LOADED: 04.16.2018 By CURTIS ZUPKE APR 15, 2018 | 10:40 PM

Kings on the brink of elimination after Vegas cashes in on a big third period From electric, positive vibes to serious doubt. The pendulum swung could not have been greater inside Staples Center on Sunday night, when a game that offered so much promise at the start ended in an alarmingly familiar place in history for the Kings. They allowed three third period goals, including two in a span of 21 seconds, in a stunning 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 of their first-round series that send them back into awkward territory, down 0-3 in the series. The Kings will go into Game 4 on Monday with the knowledge that they erased an 0-3 deficit in 2014 against the San Jose Sharks and went on to win the Stanley Cup. The spotlight was ready for the Kings to get their first playoff win since 2016. They returned Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin. They were back in the comforts of home ice and their 18,484 towel-waving fans. Jonathan Quick was on his way to a shutout, with help from the first playoff goal from rookie Alex Iafallo, a scratch in Game 2. Then this newfound rivalry, historic just because of the expansion Golden Knights, took a turn on goals by James Neal and William Karlsson. Neal spun around Oscar Fantenberg on the right side and beat Quick between the legs at 14:22 of the third period. Karlsson was completely unmarked to bang in Jonathan Marchessault's pass off a faceoff at 14:44, which completed three third-period goals for Vegas. Kings left wing Tanner Pearson rides Golden Knights center William Karlsson during the first period of Game 3 on Sunday at Staples Center. The Golden Knights took the game back with a strong second period and kept pounding away with the same tenacity that made them the most successful expansion team in modern history. Vegas tied it on Cody Eakin's goal more than six minutes into the third period. He one-timed Ryan Carpenter's pass to finish a hemmed-in sequence in the Kings' end that began with Colin Miller's rocket shot off the post. It broke up what would have been Jonathan Quick's 10th playoff shutout to break Mike Richter's record for most among U.S.-born goalies. It also quelled Iafallo's goal in the first period that seemed to send the Kings on their way to victory in the most chippy game of the series yet. The building was packed and ready for the Kings' first home playoff game in two years, replete with a new video intro package, and after the physical tone was set, Iafallo struck. He swiped an air-born puck high into the net and it exited out so fast no stoppage took place amid the Kings celebration and the officials had to review it. Kings right wing Dustin Brown puts Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore into the boards during the first period of Game 3 on Sunday at Staples Center. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is separated from Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault during the second period of Game 3 on Sunday at Staples Center. Marchessault was penalized for high sticking. Replays showed it went in. They also showed Dustin Brown chasing down the puck behind the net to get it to Anze Kopitar to feed Iafallo for his first goal since March 3. Doughty had fresh legs and smarts to send the puck to the Vegas bench to draw a too many men penalty during its line change in the first period. Muzzin had to shake off some rust – he committed a turnover up the middle in one of his early shifts and was beaten to the net in the second period – but he drew an offensive-zone holding penalty from Eakin at the end of a first period. Kings coach John Stevens not only put Iafallo back in the lineup, he reunited the line of Tanner Pearson, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli, which has been used sparingly this season. 1091719 Los Angeles Kings Indeed, the Raiders are headed there in 2019 and it’s difficult to believe that the NBA and Major League Baseball won’t find their way to Vegas eventually. Whicker: Golden Knights riding a wave of love into L.A. On Saturday, there were NHL playoff games in Nashville and Tampa Bay and Anaheim , before capacity crowds. Soon the NHL will put a 32nd franchise in Seattle, where the Metropolitans won the Stanley Cup 101 By MARK WHICKER | April 15, 2018 at 6:53 PM years ago, the first American team to do so. Some people can even remember when L.A. hockey seemed preposterous. Sunday night brought the Kings their 288th consecutive LOS ANGELES — Ed Snider, the late owner of the Philadelphia Flyers sellout crowd, a streak that survived even though the Kings allowed the and a guy best described as “flinty,” was wondering if hockey could fewest goals in the NHL and ranked only 16th in scoring this season. survive all those low-scoring games. The nets are fine. He asked those around him if maybe the NHL shouldn’t widen the nets. Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 Current Kings coach John Stevens was coaching the Flyers then. He went back to the videotape and studied Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final, Philadelphia vs. Boston. One would think that would be Snider’s favorite alltime game. It brought the Flyers the first of back-to-back championships. It was also 1-0. “I’m a traditionalist,” Stevens said on Sunday morning, prior to Game 3 of the Kings-Vegas first-round series. “Mr. Snider wanted our opinion. I came away from watching that game realizing that what hockey people like most is the emotion. Every time Bobby Orr got knocked on his butt, the crowd was on its feet. Every time there was the confrontation, a big save, a rush down the ice … when you see both teams playing hard, that’s the emotion. I’m good with 1-0, 2-0 games, as long as we have the one or the two. “What did Mr. Snider think? Well, the nets never changed. But the emotion is still there. I can’t count the number of people in non-traditional towns, even in the minor leagues at a place like Hershey, Pa., who go to a game for the first time and they’re hooked for life.” In Game 1 on Wednesday, the Golden Knights beat the Kings, 1-0. In Game 2 on Friday, the Golden Knights beat the Kings, 2-1, in double overtime, to take a 2-0 series lead into Sunday night’s Game 3 at Staples Center. Maybe people back East nodded off, maybe you did, too. But the shift-to- shift enormity of those games kept everyone at T-Mobile Arena at full attention. That’s the thing about hockey when played at its best. Not many people are wandering the halls, looking for hot dogs. Not many selfies are being taken during a power play. Every sport is being altered for offense. Hockey is no exception. Yet it is always easier to stop someone from doing something than to do something yourself, and not just in politics. In baseball the bats and balls are built for propulsion. In football the defensive backs have been placed in straitjackets. In hockey, a team that is totally engaged can keep the puck between the goal lines, and when it gets dangerous, there’s a world-class goalie, wearing puck-repellent gear, looking like a knight. When the unit of scoring is the toughest to attain, that’s when our games are at their best. Ask your grand-dad about Koufax vs. Marichal. Stevens’ other point is that hockey only needs first-hand exposure to become an obsession. He saw that first-hand in Vegas. On Saturday, Knights’ defenseman Deryk Engelland took a video of fans standing on the roadside, going bananas for he and his teammates. This was not a return to Vegas. This was not the expansion party. This was Engelland driving to McCarran Airport from the Knights’ practice facility, the most routine off-day exercise. Even on weekdays, the expansion Knights play to capacity crowds. At practice. Yes, we’re talking about practice. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and his mates have a backlog of autographs to sign before they get to the car. Sure, it helps that the Knights were Pacific Division champions and went on a franchise-opening tear just as the city was dealing with the Mandalay Bay massacre. But the novelty didn’t wear off. It intensified. “It’s Vegas,” center Cody Eakin said. “It’s everything you thought it would be and more. Throw a bunch of hockey fanatics on top of what Vegas is, and it’s electric. And really insane. “It’s unbelievable to see them there for practice, pretty much every day. It says that Vegas is a real city, just like every other city, that has a real hunger for sports and camaraderie and something to cheer for. We’re lucky to be the first ones in there, the first ones to get our feet in the door.” 1091720 Los Angeles Kings “They’ve been great and it’s been fun to watch,” he said. “Tonight wasn’t easy. They scored first, we had a lot of penalties. Guys battled hard until the end again. They were coming and the guys did a great job to get the Golden Knights defeat Kings, now lead 3-0 in series puck out.” Kopitar might have felt like he had been in a boxing match after what happened in the second period. Kopitar cross-check Erik Haula from By Robert Morales | PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 11:35 pm | behind, landing on top of him during a scrum in front of the Kings’ net. In UPDATED: April 15, 2018 at 11:37 PM trying to get Kopitar off of him, Haula whirled his right arm back and caught Kopitar in the jaw with what at first appeared to be his glove, but was perhaps the butt end of the stick. LOS ANGELES – Taking a one-goal lead into the third period against a Kopitar was down face first for a second or two, then got up and was team like the Vegas Golden Knights is probably not very comforting. The obviously woozy. He went to the bench, but was back out there a short Kings on Sunday found out just how discomforting. time later. Trailing 1-0, Vegas got goals from Cody Eakin at 6:10 of the third, by The Kings were 0-for-5 on the power-play, the Golden Knights 0-for-4. James Neal at 14:23 and by William Karlsson at 14:44 – just 21 seconds after Neal scored. Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 Anze Kopitar scored at 17:56 to get the Kings close, but that was it as the Golden Knights defeated the Kings 3-2 in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series before a sellout crowd of 18,484 at Staples Center. The Kings now trail 3-0 in the series. Game 4 is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Staples Center. The Golden Knights were the fifth-highest scoring team in the league this season. Afterward, Kopitar was reminded that it was just in 2014 when the Kings were down 3-0 in a first-round series to San Jose. They came back to win that series, and their second Stanley Cup title in three years. “Yeah, I mean, we’re down but we’re not out,” he said. “So there’s at least one game left to be played. We’ve gotta start with winning one and go from there.” What will that take? “Play better, obviously,” Kopitar said. “Tonight was better again, but not good enough.” Rookie forward Alex Iafallo got the Kings just their second goal in the series when he scored 13:14 into the first period off assists from Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Officials had to review the play to see if the puck crossed the goal line after it hit what appeared to be the white bar behind the cross-bar. It did, and Kings fans had something to shout about. Iafallo knows this is a team full of players who have been through this before. Eleven of them were on that 2014 team. “All the experience and veterans in this locker room, they’ve been through it all,” he said. “They’ve been helping us young guys throughout the whole way. If we believe in them and believe in ourselves, we’ll be fine.” Iafallo sounded a bit frustrated that his team played so well, only to let the game get away in the final 20 minutes. “We had a good start there, a good two periods, so we’ve gotta make sure we play three periods,” said Iafallo, 24. The first big round of applause for the Kings came when Kings forward Adrian Kempe hit and took down Vegas defenseman Jon Merrill about 2 1/2 minutes into the game. Kempe kind of hovered over and shook Merrill while he was down. Kempe, who is 6-foot-2 but somewhat slight of frame, once again was showing his toughness. Kempe, just 21, had the inclination that when Iafallo scored it was going to be a better night for his team. “I mean, obviously, it’s a good feeling when you score the first goal of the game,” Kempe said. “And I think even though they scored a game-tying goal there, I think we felt that we had a good game and we had some good chances. “We had a couple of chances in the second and third periods that maybe we should have buried, but they came back and scored on their chances. It was tough. I think we did a pretty good game, but it’s not enough. We’ve gotta get better.” Jonathan Quick, who stopped 54 shots in a Game 2 double overtime loss at Vegas on Friday, stopped 23 of 26 in this one. Vegas goalie Marc- Andre Fleury had a fine game, stopping 37 of 39 shots. Fleury liked his team’s defense, which has allowed just three goals in three games. 1091721 Los Angeles Kings saves on Martinez and Doughty, Colin Miller led an assault on Quick, who never saw his first shot. Vegas kept capturing loose pucks until Cody Eakin’s shot zipped over Quick’s shoulder for a 1-1 tie. Knights shove Kings closer to the other side of midnight It would be untied soon enough, and a Kings’ season came closer to unraveling. By Mark Whicker | PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 11:06 pm | UPDATED: Orange County Register: LOADED: 04.16.2018 April 15, 2018 at 11:24 PM

LOS ANGELES — The nights in Las Vegas go on forever. So do the Knights. Having abosrbed the best and the hardest shots from the Kings in the first two periods, Vegas scored three times in the third period to win, 3-2, and take what used to be known as an impregnable 3-0 lead in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. James Neal lost the Kings’ Oscar Fantenberg on a move off the boards and beat Jonathan Quick on a shot to the far side to put Vegas ahead 2- 1. That followed a game-tying goal by Cody Eakin, and William Karlsson gave Vegas a two-goal lead. The Kings were down 3-0 to San Jose in the first round four years ago, but it’s hard to bring down such thunder twice in a decade. Especially since they had the better of the play ffor most of this one. “I think we all try to draw on those experiences,” said Trevor Lewis on Sunday morning. He was there with Drew Doughty, Anze Koipitar, Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown, Jake Muzzin, Kyle Clifford, Alec Martinez, Tyler Toffoli, Tanner Pearson and John Stevens, who was an assistant coach at the time. “It isn’t the same team as 2012 and 2014,” said Stevens, who has worked to quicken L.A.’s pace since he replaced Darryl Sutter. “I think this group has shown its ability to handle adversity whenever it’s happened during the season. We know there’s always going to be obstacles in our way.” The Kings also knew they were getting Doughty back from a suspension and Muzzin back from injury. Muzzin skated at Staples Center Sunday morning, although Stevens joked that he was trying to get out of extra conditioning. “Getting both of them back will be a big thing for our team,” Stevens said. “I’ve said it before, I think Drew is the most competitive guy I’ve ever seen.” They had lost 2-1 late in double overtime in Game 2, as Quick had to make 54 saves keep them in business. In the two games at T-Mobile Arena, Quick stopped 97 percent of the Knights’ even-strength shots. The Kings came out in Game 3 determined to let Quick kick back and enjoy himself. From the beginning of the first period the Kings wielded the hammer. Adrian Kempe took down John Merrill and held him down, and Clifford and Brown were doing their usual slamdances. They broke through for their first lead in the series when Brown went behind Marc-Andre Fleury’s net and took two Knights with him in a puck battle. He got the puck to Kopitar, who immediately fed Alex Iafallo at Fleury’s right post. Iafallo shot it in, although the officials needed a replay to validate it. But the Knights called upon the same bounceability that had led them to the Pacific Division championship in their inaugural season. They spent much of the period in the L.A. zone, but the Kings had their shot-blocking boots on and spared Quick any undue anxiety. The Staples Center crowd got angry when Eric Haula, the Vegas hero of Game 2, got entangled with Kopitar in front of Quck and swung the butt end of his stick against Kopitar’s jaw. The captain went to the bench for a while but re-emerged at the end of the period. The Knights also had a chance with 2:02 left when the Kings’ Oscar Fantenberg flipped the puck over the glass and earned a delay of game penalty. But the Kings, with the top penalty-killing unit in the NHL during the regular-season, extinguished that power play with style. They also got a bonus with 1.1 seconds left in the period. Doughty went after Jonathan Marchessault, who angrily swung his stick at Doughty and knocked off his helmet. As Marchessault went to the penalty box, Doughty pointed at his own brain. No taunting penalty was assessed, but the Kings had long since shown that their swagger was intact. But then to beat an expansion team with the chemistry that Vegas has, you need to play expansively. But Vegas killed off that penalty with no problem and then raised its game the way it has all season. After Marc-Andre Fleury made stalwart 1091722 Los Angeles Kings

GAME 3: LOS ANGELES VS VEGAS

JESSI MCDONALDAPRIL 15, 2018

GAME THREADSPLAYOFFS Vegas Golden Knights 3, Los Angeles Kings 2 Final Radio Feed FUBO TV Stream NHL.com Preview Box Score Ice Tracker SOG: LAK – 86; VGK – 26 PP: LAK – 0/4; VGK – 0/4 First Period 1) LAK – Alex Iafallo (1) (Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown), 13:14 Second Period No scoring Third Period 2) VGK – Cody Eakin (1) (Ryan Carpenter, David Perron), 6:10 3) VGK – James Neal (1) (Nate Schmidt, Alex Tuch), 14:22 4) VGK – William Karlsson (1) (Reilly Smith, Jonathan Marchessault), 14:44 5) LAK – Anze Kopitar (1) (Oscar Fantenberg), 17:56 (4) Los Angeles Kings (0-2) at (1) Vegas Golden Knights (2-0) Sunday, April 15, 2017, 7:30 p.m. PT Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA Referees: #10 Kyle Rehman, #13 Dan O’Halloran Linesmen: #75 Derek Amell, #92 Mark Schewchyk FOX Sports West, FOX Sports GO, NBCSN, FUBO TV, KABC 790, I Heart Radio LAK starters: G Jonathan Quick, D Jake Muzzin, D Drew Doughty, LW Alex Iafallo, C Anze Kopitar, RW Dustin Brown LAK scratches: F Andy Andreoff, F Jonny Brodzinski, D Derek Forbort, D Paul LaDue, F Michael Amadio, D Kevin Gravel VGK starters: G Marc-Andre Fleury, D Brayden McNabb, D Nate Schmidt, LW Jonathan Marchessault, C William Karlsson, RW Reilly Smith VGK scratches: F Oscar Lindberg, D Luca Sbisa, F Ryan Reaves, D Brad Hunt, F Tomas Tatar, G Dylan Ferguson LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091723 Los Angeles Kings -Doughty missed an NHL game for the first time since the end of the 2013-14 season when he was suspended for Game 2. For a player as competitive as he is, it was painful to be upstairs, watching from the APRIL 15 NOTES; MUZZIN, PERRON IN; THAT 70’S LINE; PROSPECT press box, and, later, from the dressing room: “Yeah, there’s a lot of NEWS; MORE highs and lows. Big scoring chance for us, I’m on a high and they had a scoring chance, I’m on a low for sure, and you know it’s hard to watch. Sometimes just getting up and pacing around just because it was so difficult to watch. But like I said, the boys played awesome. Easily JON ROSENAPRIL 15, 2018 could’ve won the game. You know, they played great.” -Each of the first three games of this series fall six years to the dates of the first three games of the Kings’ first round series in 2012 against ADVANCED STATSMORNING SKATE NOTESPLAYOFFSVIDEO Vancouver. Surely, that this happened six years ago today is some kind INSIDERS. A fine afternoon to you and yours. The LA Kings took the of good juju, right? Staples Center ice shortly before 10:00 a.m. in advance of Game 3 Do you remember the piercing tension of Game 3? The Kings hadn’t won tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights (7:30 p.m. / FOX Sports West / a playoff series in 11 years. This was before We Knew. Dustin Brown FOX Sports GO / NBCSN / FUBO TV / KABC 790 / I Heart Radio) and provided the great release with the game’s only goal. aligned as such: -Golden Knights top line forward Jonathan Marchessault described the Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown evolution of his own game and his team’s game over the course of such Pearson-Carter-Toffoli an improbably expansion season. “I mean, it was definitely a surprising season,” he said. “I knew that if I had the ice time, I could be successful. Rieder-Kempe-Lewis But as a top line player, to be able to be a part of the playoff team, I didn’t know that for me personally and I’m really happy, but not satisfied until Clifford-Thompson-Mitchell we accomplish this. I think as a hockey player you need to want more Muzzin-Doughty and personally I want more.” He also said that William Karlsson’s 43-goal outburst “surprised a little bit of everyone.” Fantenberg-Martinez “I think when he becomes a 24 goal-scorer before Christmas, I think Phaneuf-Folin everyone got surprised a little bit and we know, by now, we know he was gifted,” he said. Notes! -More prospect news: Game 7 in the Moose Jaw-Swift Current series is -The vitals: As noted, Jake Muzzin is poised to jump back into the lineup tomorrow evening at The Crushed Can Mosaic Place. Clague and the after missing the last five games of the regular season and the first two Warriors will play their second Game 7 in as many rounds; will their luck playoff games. Los Angeles has a Corsi-for of 56.6% over the 437 run out at home? The defenseman has one goal and 14 points in 13 minutes he spent on the ice alongside Drew Doughty during regular games thus far and will be expected to join Ontario once his playoff run season five-on-five play. Alex Iafallo replaced Michael Amadio amongst ends. Colin Miller was very aware of Sault Ste. Marie leading Owen the forward group and resumes his familiar spot alongside Anze Kopitar Sound three games to two when I spoke with him, but the Attack have a and Dustin Brown. That 70’s Line has also been reunited; there’s not a two-goal second period lead at the time of this publication and are one ton of data here, because Carter was gone for 55 games this season, but period away from forcing a Game 7 back in the Soo. Goalie Matthew his possession numbers alongside Pearson and Toffoli this season Villalta has a 2.66 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage in essentially straddle the break-even mark. These are remedial analytics the playoffs for the Greyhounds, who are dealing with a touch more that only scratch the surface of what the team looks at, but both Pearson resistance in the postseason than they faced during their stellar 55-7-3-3 and Toffoli posted better possession rates away from Carter than with regular season campaign. Defensive prospect Jacob Friend has four him. Something’s got to give in the push for offense, though, and there assists anf a plus-five rating in 10 playoff games for the Attack. has been palpable chemistry between the trio in the past, so That 70’s Line it is. Jonathan Quick gets the nod. -Tonight’s officials are referees Kyle Rehman and Dan O’Halloran and linesmen Derek Amell and Mark Shewchyk. Lorena Paril will sing the -Their vitals: Enter David Perron. national anthem. Let’s talk soon, Insiders. Gerard Gallant didn’t confirm that Perron in and gave the standard “I’ll Jake Muzzin, on getting back into the game: talk to the trainers after I’m done here,” bud did acknowledge that there’s a chance he could play. “He’s obviously one of our top players and he Yeah it’s been along time. I’m excited. You know, it’s tough to watch like had a great season for us and he’s missed the last seven or eight games, Dewey was saying, but I’m excited to get back in and try and help the but he’s an important player for us and a competitor, and … he had about guys win. 50 assists. He’s a good hockey player.” Perron would potentially replace Tomas Tatar in the lineup. Muzzin, on what he saw from upstairs: -Gallant’s best line was saved for when he was asked whether three Yeah there’s lots. When you sit down to watch, you tend to see the goals in 155 minutes is “enough offense.” “We’ll see. Worked so far,” he teams and players and stuff like that. So you know, I’m not going to tell said. you guys, but I think we saw some areas we can improve on and we talked about them and we’re going to execute tonight. -It was interesting that several players and Head Coach John Stevens noted how warm T-Mobile Arena was in Games 1 and 2. It’s warm for LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.16.2018 both teams, obviously, but the conditions did necessitate a little bit of understanding the sciences and processes behind a draining game that has the potential to extend well past regulation (such as Game 2). “Just maybe a few more bottles of water, and that’s about it,” Anze Kopitar said. Players lose some pretty significant weight over the course of those extended games, “but it’s all water weight,” as Jeff Carter said. “We’re reloading and getting everything back into your system. Guys have been around a long time, they know what they need and what they need to do to get re-energized and to get ready to go.” I’m planning as of now to write something about the science of maintaining peak performance during a game that extends into multiple overtimes. Be on the lookout over the next day or two. -Kopitar, on accentuating the forecheck: “I think we’re better, but I also think and know we can be still can be better. I think there’s no secret to it,” he said. “Again, I’ve talked about that before, we’ve just got to spend more time in their zone. We’re stressing out Quickie a little bit too much and putting pressure on him making a lot of saves and if we can cut those down I think we’ll be in good shape.” 1091724 Los Angeles Kings Yeah, we’re still missing one, but you know it’s definitely—you know, the young guys went in and did and played really hard. It’s a tough environment to go into. You know, some guys haven’t played for a while MUZZIN POISED TO RETURN FOR GAME 3, POTENTIALLY so they’re thrown into a playoff game and a double OT. I mean it’s a ALONGSIDE DOUGHTY tough situation, but they played their [tails] off. So, it was great to see, but we’re definitely excited to have Drew back and myself, so I think it should be a good push tonight. JON ROSENAPRIL 15, 2018 LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.16.2018

Though John Stevens didn’t confirm his availability, Jake Muzzin will be expected to make his return to the LA Kings lineup for tonight’s critical Game 3 against a Vegas Golden Knights team that has a two-to-nothing lead in the teams’ best-of-seven first round series. Muzzin hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury during Los Angeles’ 3-0 win over Calgary on March 26. He etched out perhaps his finest individual season as a pro, posting eight goals and a career-high 42 points in 74 games and leading team regulars with a 52.9% Corsi-for percentage. “I think he’s really close. I think he’s going to be a game-time decision,” Stevens said. “But we were just joking there – Muzz, he’s begging to stop getting a conditioned skate every day, so we we thought we’d get him in a regular rotation today. He’s working really hard. I think he’s close, so we’ll see. I haven’t talked to the trainer yet, but I’ll make sure to talk to him and see where he’s at, and then we’ll go from there.” Muzzin skated to the left of Drew Doughty, who did not play in Game 2 due to an NHL-imposed suspension for an illegal check to the head of Golden Knights forward William Carrier in Game 1. Though Doughty had skated primarily with Derek Forbort (who remains out with a lower-body injury) in the second half of the season and Muzzin with Christian Folin, their reunion would reprise a partnership that provided excellent minutes during the Kings’ Stanley Cup run of 2014. Again, Stevens did not confirm Muzzin’s place in the lineup, but he did confirm that he has been cleared for contact, and Muzzin indicated he’d play Sunday night. “Yeah it’s been a long time,” he said. “I’m excited. You know, it’s tough to watch, … but I’m excited to get back in and try and help the guys win.” #LAKings showing Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown Pearson-Carter-Toffoli Rieder-Kempe-Lewis Clifford-Thompson-Mitchell Muzzin-Doughty Fantenberg-Martinez Phaneuf-Folin Muzzin, Doughty, Iafallo in LaDue, Gravel, Amadio out — Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) April 15, 2018 John Stevens, on the potential of having Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin back for Game 3: I thought we had some guys come in and really step up big. I think oscar’s come in and done a really good job. But with Drew in your lineup, you’ve got a guy that plays big minutes in all situations that can really control the pace of the game, and I think beyond Drew as a player, he’s one of the leaders on our hockey team. The amount that he’s grown as a leader on our team has far surpassed his improvement as a player, and I think that’s been huge for our team. I’ve said this many times; he’s the most competitive guy that I think I’ve ever seen. To add that back to your lineup for us is just good for the group. Jake Muzzin, on being cleared to take contact: There’s a series of tests you have to pass until you get to that point and we reached it, so we’re all good. Muzzin, on what he saw of the series from watching upstairs: Yeah there’s lots. When you sit down to watch, you tend to see the teams and players and stuff like that. So, you know, I’m not going to tell you guys, but I think we saw some areas we can improve on and we talked about them and we’re going to execute tonight. Muzzin, on whether it feels like the full team is back: 1091725 Los Angeles Kings

April 15 postgame notes - LA Kings Insider

Jon RosenApril 16, 2018

-With the loss, Los Angeles fell to 0-3 all-time against Vegas in the playoffs, a record that includes a home mark of 0-1. The Kings fell to 111-143 all-time in the playoffs and 62-59 at home. -Los Angeles fell to 19-27 all-time in Game 3s. When losing Game 3, they have won 7 of 26 series. The Kings have won one of eight series they have trailed 3-0. Four teams have come back from 3-0 deficits in best-of-seven series: Toronto over Detroit in 1942, the New York Islanders over Pittsburgh in 1975, Philadelphia over Boston in 2010 and Los Angeles over San Jose in 2014. -In Game 3, the Kings led for 32:56, trailed for 5:37 and were tied for 21:27. Through their first round series, they have led for 32:56, trailed for 83:22 and have been tied for 99:04 of game time. -Los Angeles has scored three goals through the first three games. The club record for the fewest goals scored in a best-of-seven series is five from 1969, won by St. Louis in four games. -Since the 2014 Stanley Cup run, the Kings are 1-6 in playoff games decided by one goal. -The two teams totaled 85 hits (Los Angeles – 45; Vegas – 40) and have now been credited for a combined for 348 hits through the first three games of the series (Los Angeles – 193; Vegas – 155). In Game 3, James Neal was credited with a game-high eight hits. Dustin Brown was credited with six to lead L.A. -With his third period goal, Anze Kopitar (21 goals) surpassed Marcel Dionne (20 goals) for sixth place on the Kings’ all-time goal list and moved within one goal of tying Justin Williams (22 goals) for fifth place on the all-time goal list. -Los Angeles attempted 69 shots (39 on goal, 18 blocked, 12 missed). Vegas attempted 65 shots (26 on goal, 19 blocked, 20 missed). Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli finished tied with five shots on goal to lead all skaters. Jeff Carter (4 on goal, 2 blocked, 3 missed) led all skaters with nine shot attempts. -The Kings won 34-of-61 faceoffs (56%). Adrian Kempe won 4-of-9, Anze Kopitar won 12-of-22, Trevor Lewis won 2-of-5, Dustin Brown won 0-of-1, Nate Thompson won 9-of-10, Torrey Mitchell won 2-of-4 and Jeff Carter won 5-of-10. The Kings are scheduled to practice at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 16 at Toyota Sports Center. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091726 Los Angeles Kings

April 15 postgame quotes: Kopitar, Iafallo

Jon RosenApril 15, 2018

Anze Kopitar, on what happened over the final six minutes of the game: We got scored on twice and were chasing the game after that, really. Nothing I can really say about that. Kopitar, on whether the team can build on having come through in a 3-0 deficit before: Yeah. I mean, we’re down, but we’re not out. There’s at least one game left to be played. We’ve got to start with winning one and we’ll go from there Kopitar, on what the team has to do differently in Game 4: Play better, obviously. I think tonight was a better effort again, but not good enough. We’re going to figure out how to win just one game. Alex Iafallo, on what changed in the third period: I’m not sure. We’ve got to keep going and make sure we’re having strong plays and making sure we’re strong on the wall. We’ve got to remember our mistakes and be ready for the next game. Iafallo, on leaning on the veterans who have been in this situation before: Oh, yeah. We always do. All the experience and veterans in this locker room, they’ve been through it all and they’ve been helping us young guys throughout the whole way, so believe in them and believe in ourselves and we’ll be fine. Iafallo, on how “excellent” and “troublesome” the Golden Knights are to play against: They’re definitely avery good team and we’re aware. We had a good start there and good two periods and have got to make sure we play three periods and keep using our speed and keep controlling the puck. Iafallo, on what changed as Vegas gained its footing in the game in the second period: I’m not sure. Just got to keep going. I think we took our foot off the pedal there for a bit. We’ve always got to keep the foot on the pedal, keep battling, keep playing every shift hard. Iafallo, on having faith after having lost three one-goal games: Oh, yeah. We trust in ourselves. It’s been done before. We look at each other, look across the room and we trust each other, and we can definitely do it. Just got to believe and trust in each other. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091727 Los Angeles Kings

April 15 postgame quotes: Vegas

Jessi McDonaldApril 15, 2018

Gerard Gallant, on tonight’s game: L.A. came out and they played a great game tonight. The first period they took it to us physically, and we weathered the storm.Got behind 1-0, but I thought we kept coming back and kept playing better as the game went on, and in the third period we were fortunate to get that typing goal and that was a big goal for us. Marc-Andre Fleury, on the team’s will to win: It’s been great and it’s been fun to watch, you know? Tonight wasn’t easy. We had a lot of—they scored first and we had a lot of penalties tonight. We had a lot of guys battle hard until the end again, know that they were coming and the guys did a great job to keep the puck out. Fleury, on the physicality of tonight’s game: Yeah, it’s been big. You know, like I said, we got a few penalties tonight, but it’s good though. I thought everybody stuck with the game plan and stuck with it and we didn’t get into trouble in the third and played our game and it paid off. Fleury, on whether the team will enjoy tonight’s win: Yeah, sure. It’s a good feeling. Every time you can win in a playoff game, those games are always so hard to win and hard-fought. And we get just to relax tonight and enjoy it and tomorrow turn the page and get ready for game four. David Perron, on what allowed Vegas to come back in the third period: I mean again we’re down one-nothing and we’re trying to find that big play to get the team going. We found that big goal. I feel like it really pushed them back and got the emotion and I don’t know if they felt like we were just going to hang on and push it to overtime, but our guys have done a good job all year of keep pushing the pace and even getting that third goal which ended up being the difference and was huge for us. Perron, on whether he ever thought they would have the chance to sweep the Kings: Eh probably not, to be honest. But it’s a huge chance for us and at the end of the day it’s a seven game series for a reason and we’re not going to count them dead until it’s actually last buzzer of the fourth game that we win and I mean we’ll go from there. I mean they’re going to really give it their all and they’ve got a really good team over there and you see us 3-1 and we think we’re running away with the game and they score a goal and they make it a game again, so did a good job. William Karlsson, on Fleury’s performance in the final minutes of the game: Again, he was very good. He’s been very good the first two games too so he bails us out sometimes and it’s really good to see in a goalie. Karlsson, on whether he knew the puck was coming before he scored: Well when you play with Reilly Smith you kind of have to know that the puck might come there, so just have to be ready. Karlsson, on whether he sensed the momentum shifting in the third period: Yeah a little, I mean especially after the first goal. I think the momentum really swung away. After that we kind of felt that this was our game and I’m glad we got away with the lead there. Karlsson, on the Kings having come back from a 3-0 deficit before: We’re not happy until we’ve beat them a fourth time. Like you said, they have a history of coming back. They have great players and a leader of Anze Kopitar so it’s going to be tough. We’ve got to stay very focused. Karlsson, on finding a way to win: I don’t know if there’s a magic spell, but if you continue to keep grinding and trying and trying, it’s bound to go in. And, like I said earlier, when we got the first one I think the whole team felt that we were going to win this. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091728 Los Angeles Kings

April 15 postgame quotes: John Stevens; reaction to Haula hit

Jon RosenApril 15, 2018

On the game turning in the third period: I actually thought we played a really solid hockey game, but all three goals came from plays off the wall. The first goal came from a stalled puck on a forecheck where we got beat off the wall, the second goal came from a play we got beat off the wall, the third goal came from a play off a faceoff. So there are some critical errors at critical times that ended up costing us the hockey game. It’s unfortunate. I thought we made a good push here tonight and created a lot more zone time and made Fleury work a little harder than he had to this point of this series, but some critical errors at critical times along the wall end up costing you. On whether there is sense of the ability to come back in the locker room: From my point of view, as long as there’s time on the clock, same thing in the game. Everyone wants to come running to me with these analytics all the time that if you give up the first goal, you can’t win hockey games. I get tired of hearing it, to be honest with you. This team’s had some resilience all year. So, a puck goes in your net the first part of a hockey game doesn’t mean you just mail in the 45 minutes or whatever’s left on the clock. I’ve learned with this group as long as there’s time on the clock, there’s time to take care of business. On more shots resulting in “one goal” and a loss: Well, the game I was in, we had two. It was tight checking out there. I thought Kopi was a really good player for us tonight. He’s got guys draped all over him all night, but I thought we created a lot more offensive looks tonight – zone time, quality looks at the net – and that’s something that’s going to have to continue for us. On Erik Haula’s hit on Anze Kopitar: Yeah. We get a guy suspended for making a hockey play, and he butt ends one of the best players in the world in the face with the butt end of his stick. So, if I was confused before, I’m bewildered now. That’s an intent-to-injure play. I don’t like hard hockey – I love hard hockey. Good, honest, hard hockey, I love it, and Kopitar’s about as tough of a guy as you can find. You guys make the judgement, because it’s a bunch of B.S., to be honest with you. On whether David Perron gave Vegas a lift: He’s been a good player all year. He’s a veteran guy that’s been in the playoffs before. You’d have to ask their coaches about Perron. I was a little more worried about our guys. He’s a good player that’s obviously been in the league for a while. Tatar is, as well, so one guy’s out, one guy’s in. He’s got a right shot as opposed to the left shot. Plays on their power play, so you’ve got to be aware of that. But, other than that, you guys can be the judge on him. On whether Adrian Kempe has elevated his game: I’ll tell you this about Adrian Kempe: he’s got the heart of a lion. He played like aman tonight. Anybody that would ever question this guy, he’s a young kid that’s come over in a big environment and I thought he played outstanding tonight. He hasn’t had a lot of offense in his game, but to his credit, he’s trying to help the team win in other ways. It’s unfortunate, too, because he’s worked hard in the faceoff circle. He wins a draw clean, ends up getting scored on. He took a huge step for us this year, and I thought tonight might’ve been one of his better games of the year, so we’re going to need that and more from him. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091729 Minnesota Wild

Wild-Winnipeg Game 3 recap

APRIL 15, 2018 — 11:27PM

GAME RECAP Star Tribune’s Three Stars 1. Nick Seeler, Wild: The rookie defenseman had two assists, four blocked shots. 2. Marcus Foligno, Wild: Fourth-line winger scored his first playoff goal and had three big hits. 3. Jordan Greenway, Wild: First career goal in his first home playoff game. By the numbers 14 Playoff goals for the Wild by Zach Parise, a franchise high. Chris Miller

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091730 Minnesota Wild “They’re playing hard, and they’re big, physical guys and have got good hockey sense for the most part,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I thought the shift where Foligno hit two or three guys [in the first period] was the Playoff newcomers shine in Wild's Game 3 win over Jets one that sort of turned it all around for us and got the crowd into it. We sort of went well from there.”

-After getting shut down through the neutral zone in Winnipeg, the Wild By Sarah McLellan finally got pucks deep and with authority – an improvement that helped it generate much-needed offensive-zone time. APRIL 15, 2018 — 11:16PM The team also crashed the crease more frequently. Not only did this create scoring opportunities, but it seemed to fluster the Jets – who committed penalties amid the pressure in the paint and along the boards. The veterans were catalysts, giving the Wild the boost it needed to shrug out of the funk that headlined its stay in Winnipeg for the start of this first- “[The offense] made some good adjustments as far as coming through round, best-of-seven series. the neutral zone, and I thought it was great,” goalie Devan Dubnyk said. “It was very noticeable. It’s not a secret or magic trick how we score But the newcomers to the postseason also contributed, a well-timed lift goals. We’re going to the net. We’re a lot of movement in the offensive that put an exclamation point on the Wild’s decisive 6-2 win over the Jets zone. I think there’s a lot more crisscrossing and moving around under Sunday in Game 3 at Xcel Energy Center to cut Winnipeg’s lead to 2-1. control, and that’s going to confuse the other team. We did that a lot “I think that says a lot of good things about our team,” rookie winger better tonight, and it’s got to feel good for the guys to get six and we’re Jordan Greenway said. “We’ve got a lot of scoring from our top two lines going to have to play that same way.” and secondary scoring, too. Everyone is pushing in the right direction. -Jets coach Paul Maurice didn’t have an update on defenseman Tyler When we do all the right things out there, we have the success like we Myers, who was injured late in the second period after getting tied up did tonight.” with Foligno and falling to the ice. Myers didn’t return to the game. Greenway notched his first NHL goal in the second period, a spin-o-rama “We’ll have him looked at,” Maurice said. shot from the slot that was part of a three-goal outburst by the Wild to close out the period and solidify its comeback win. It was Greenway’s second point of the playoffs, as he also set up a goal Star Tribune LOADED: 04.16.2018 in Game 1. He became the first player in team history to score the first goal of his NHL career in the playoffs. “It was good,” Greenway said. “It was a good faceoff win by [Matt] Cullen, and I just tried to get to the front of the net. I don’t know who shot it from the point, but I just stepped out from the high slot and it found me. I tried to put it on net as quick as I could, and it found the back of the net. It was exciting.” Defenseman Nick Seeler was the one who initially put the puck on net, his first of two assists on the night. Seeler also made a difference defensively, especially on the penalty kill where he helped the team snuff out four of five chances for the Jets. His four blocked shots, which tied his career-best, were especially key, and he skated a career-high 18 minutes, 40 seconds. Overall, Seeler leads the Wild with 10 blocked shots this postseason. “Any way I can help the team, so whether it’s a couple of blocks or chipping in on the offense when it presents itself,” Seeler said. “So it was a great team win tonight. It was awesome.” The second assist Seeler earned was on winger Marcus Foligno’s first career postseason tally. A Jared Spurgeon shot bounced off Foligno and in for the Wild’s final goal of the game. “Lower abdomen,” he said. “Yeah, it was good. I’ll massage that one out later. We’re putting pucks on net. We’re getting bodies there now.” In total, Wild players combined for 18 points – a home playoff record, which tied for ninth in the NHL for most home points in a single playoff game in the last six postseasons. Captain Mikko Koivu had two assists, and his four in the series pace the Wild. Defenseman Matt Dumba had his first career playoff game-winner while adding an assist. Winger Zach Parise extended his goal streak to three games, and center Eric Staal scored his first of the series. “That’s definitely what it takes,” Dumba said. “Leadership stepping up. Veterans who have been in this situation before. Just trying to carry the load. It takes everyone. Everyone needs to be pulling in the right direction. It was nice to see that tonight for 60 minutes, and hopefully it’ll continue in Game 4.” Here’s what else to watch for after the Wild’s Game 3 win over the Jets. -The fourth line was solid against the Jets, setting up a goal and finishing off another with Foligno’s tally. His unit, which also features center Joel Eriksson Ek and winger Daniel Winnik, has made its presence felt throughout the series, impact that’s made it difficult for Boudreau to make substitutes. Not only has the trio dished out hits, and absorbed them without slowing down much, but the three has done a steady job of getting into the Jets’ end and gaining zone time through the cycle game. 1091731 Minnesota Wild The Wild needs to duplicate that same urgency in Game 4 on Tuesday with the expectation of a strong rebuttal by the Jets. The Wild has some momentum now because a performance like that builds confidence. Wild's response in Game 3 just as pivotal as the result This is the nature of playoff hockey, up and down, back and forth. The Wild looked hopeless on Friday and hellbent determined on Sunday. The response gave this series a different tone. APRIL 16, 2018 — 12:57AM

CHIP SCOGGINS Star Tribune LOADED: 04.16.2018

Now that’s how you make a statement. By showing pride and toughness, and a willingness to not back down from physical challenge. Backed into a corner, the Wild came out swinging. Not literally, like in the final seconds of Game 2. Wild players displayed a different kind of fortitude Sunday night. The Wild stood up to the bully with an offensive attack that was potent after being largely dormant the first two games. Six players scored goals as the Wild offered an impressive pushback against the Winnipeg Jets in a 6-2 victory in Game 3 at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild trails 2-1 in the best-of-seven, but the effort put forth by the home team made it feel like a series now. “We needed it,” Zach Parise said. “That’s the way playoffs go. You go from losing two up there, thinking it’s the end of the world. Now all of a sudden we’ve got some life.” Losing the first two games in Winnipeg was not the end of the world, or even unexpected. It was the optics of Game 2’s stinker that was sobering. The Jets pounded away and the Wild offered little resistance. The Wild spent so little time with the puck as the Jets hammered away with body blows that scoring chances felt like a rare phenomenon. Game 3 represented a 180-degree turn. “We were just kind of throwing pucks away in Winnipeg,” Mikael Granlund said. “We need to play good with the puck.” Wild players accomplished that from the opening faceoff, setting a tone that made clear they wouldn’t get pushed around without a response. They also delivered their own share of big hits. “We were bound and determined to take a stance,” defenseman Matt Dumba said. “We weren’t going to give them anything here at home and kind of snuff any sort of life that they were going to try and generate.” They were the aggressors this time. They were strong with the puck and won battles along the boards. They made better plays through the neutral zone and skated hard to the net, willing to take punishment. The most impressive aspect was their response when Dustin Byfuglien and Co. tried to turn the game into WWE. The Jets took undisciplined penalties in the first period by stepping over the line hoping to impose their will in the same manner as the first two games. The Wild stood its ground and then scored two power-play goals in the first period to seize control. There were positive signs up and down the lineup. Marcus Foligno gave the Jets a taste of their own medicine with two big hits along the glass on the same shift. Mikko Koivu assisted on the first two goals. Parise parked himself at the top of the crease and was rewarded with a power-play goal. Rookie Jordan Greenway made a positive impact with his size and notched his first career goal. Fellow rookie Nick Seeler continued to show maturity and strength on defense. A key moment came in the first period with the Wild trailing 1-0. Two Winnipeg penalties gave the Wild a 5-on-3 advantage for 1 minute, 21 seconds. The Wild failed to score with a two-man advantage, but Granlund banged in a rebound to tie the game at 1-1 before the power play expired. Not scoring in that situation would have created some uneasiness. The Wild desperately needed something positive to happen, and Granlund’s goal ignited a roaring fire. The floodgates opened in the second period. Four goals, including two in a span of 20 seconds by Eric Staal and Greenway, made it a rout. 1091732 Minnesota Wild There was a lot to like, at least, about the Wild's performance. All four lines produced at least one goal, and the rookie defenseman Seeler had a breakout game in the back with four blocked shots and a breakaway Wild ground Jets with 6-2 win to cut series deficit to 2-1 shot that hit the post and barely stayed in front of the line. "That's playoff hockey. You need everybody," Staal said. "You don't win unless you have four lines and all your defensive core going." By DAVE CAMPBELL NOTES APRIL 15, 2018 — 10:45PM The Wild set a franchise postseason record for goals in a home game. Their high was a 7-2 victory at Vancouver in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 5, 2003. ... After clinching their first-round ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild returned home from Winnipeg series with a win in Game 6 at Xcel Energy Center in 2015 over St. and regrouped to roar back in their first-round playoff series. Louis, the Wild lost both home games in a sweep by Chicago. Then they went 1-5 on their own ice in the playoffs over the last two years in series The Jets were a late arrival for Game 3 in more ways than one. losses to Dallas and St. Louis. ... Jets center Mathieu Perreault missed Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise had power-play goals in the first period his second straight game with an upper-body injury. Defenseman Toby for the spark that was missing on the road, and the Wild scored four Enstrom and center Matt Hendricks have yet to play in the series due to times in the second to beat the Jets 6-2 on Sunday night. a lower-body injury. ... Wheeler had the third postseason goal of his career in 28 games. "We're here to play," goalie Devan Dubnyk said, "and we're fully capable of pushing hard." The Wild will try to tie the best-of-seven series 2-2 when they host Game Star Tribune LOADED: 04.16.2018 4 on Tuesday night. "They have been physical so we've got to push back," said Jordan Greenway, who scored his first NHL goal just 20 seconds after Eric Staal sent a wrist shot past a struggling Connor Hellebuyck. Fighting pucks all night, Hellebuyck was pulled for Steve Mason at the second intermission. Matt Dumba and Marcus Foligno bookended the furious middle frame with goals for the Wild, who won a postseason home game for only the second time in their last nine contests. Mikko Koivu and Nick Seeler each had two assists and Dubnyk made 29 saves, keeping the crowd loud all night. Blake Wheeler and Tyler Myers scored for the Jets. "We're in a series here," said Hellebuyck, who made 16 saves. "We're going to lose one once in a while. It's how we respond to the next one." After overtaking the Wild with two third-period goals to win 3-2 in Game 1 and dominating the action in Game 2 on the way to a 4-1 victory, the Jets hit some minor turbulence. The blizzard that blanketed the Twin Cities forced their charter flight to land in Duluth on Saturday afternoon and return to Winnipeg for the night. The Jets skipped the customary morning skate and arrived Sunday about eight hours before faceoff. Whether or not the Jets were actually affected by the weather hardly mattered, given the way the Wild greeted them after the lackluster performance in Game 2. "I don't know if it made us worse, but I can say for a fact that it certainly didn't make us better," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. The only shot the Jets sent on target over the first 11-plus minutes was the one by Wheeler that went in, a wide-angle attempt on the power play and a softie if there ever was one in keeping with Dubnyk's uncanny tendency to let fluke goals get by him while making many more high- degree-of-difficulty stops. Dubnyk also gave up a goal on the first shot in a couple of games late in the regular season. "And then he shut the door. So I wasn't worried," Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I thought, 'OK. This is going to work.'" The Wild snapped right back. Koivu took the initial shot that set up both goals in the first period, with Granlund waiting for the rebound on the first one . Parise freed himself from a tie-up in traffic with Jacob Trouba to move in position for the redirect of the second one . Myers brought the decibel level down with his slap shot that cut the lead to 3-2 , but the Wild killed consecutive penalties with only about a minute between power plays soon after that to retake momentum. Then came the goals by Greenway and Staal, and the rout was on. "When when that second period started, we weren't able to get faster," Wheeler said. "And that's when the game changed. They stuck with it, and we just weren't able to get to our speed we needed." The second period went from bad to worse for the Jets, when Myers was checked by Foligno and caught his skate at the bottom of the boards. He needed help off the ice and into the locker room and did not return. Maurice had no update on the defenseman's condition, but without elaborating he suggested the injury could have been avoided. "Didn't love it," Maurice said, referring to both the hit and the outcome. 1091733 Minnesota Wild

Wild springs to life with goal outburst in Game 3 win over Jets

By Sarah McLellan APRIL 16, 2018 — 12:41AM

The Jets were the best team in the NHL during the regular season on home ice, a prowess they had no problem flexing during their sweep of the Wild in the first two games in Winnipeg. Two clubs tied for the second-most points at home. One of them was the Wild. And that efficiency was on display in the team's return to St. Paul. The Wild held serve with the Jets, muscling its way to a much-needed and hard-fought 6-2 victory Sunday in front of 19,175 at Xcel Energy Center in Game 3 to start to climb back into the first-round, best-of-seven series by trimming the Jets' lead to 2-1. "This is a bit of a statement game for us," goalie Devan Dubnyk said. "We're here to play." After getting outplayed and overwhelmed during parts of its stint in Winnipeg, the Wild exhibited the desperation and urgency needed to avoid a disastrous three-game hole — a tone that was set by the veterans and emphasized by the youth. Captain Mikko Koivu assisted on two goals, center Eric Staal earned two points — including his first goal of the series — and Dubnyk pocketed 29 saves, while winger Jordan Greenway buried his first NHL goal and defenseman Nick Seeler tallied a pair of assists. "That's playoff hockey," Staal said. "You need everybody." This success, however, didn't come easy. The Wild committed two slashing penalties in the first five minutes, and the Jets capitalized on their first shot — a throw by captain Blake Wheeler that got tipped by defenseman Jonas Brodin's stick before scooting between Dubnyk and the post only 4 minutes, 50 seconds after puck drop. "It didn't rattle us," winger Zach Parise said. The Wild responded with its own power-play goal. Although the team failed to convert on a lengthy five-on-three, it still scored with the man advantage at 9:47 when winger Mikael Granlund put back a rebound off a Koivu shot. "It made us believe that we could get another one," coach Bruce Boudreau said. And then with 2:10 left in the first, Parise redirected a Koivu feed for his team-leading third goal of the postseason. The Wild finished 2-for-3 on the power play; the Jets went 1-for-5. In the second, the Wild grew its lead — an offensive outburst ignited by the puck possession and tenacious forecheck the Wild lacked on the road. "We started to get a lot of success when we started putting pucks behind them and getting pucks on net and getting in front of [goalie Connor] Hellebuyck," Greenway said. Only 3:32 into the period, the fourth line set defenseman Matt Dumba up for a seeing-eye shot through traffic as part of his two-point effort. As expected, though, the Jets didn't sag. Instead, they clawed within one after a Tyler Myers shot from the half-wall eluded Dubnyk. But the Wild capped off the period with three goals in 3:43. Staal started the parade after accepting a Granlund pass and roofing it over Hellebuyck at 14:40. Only 20 seconds later, Greenway unleashed a glove-side shot that went in. "You only get that moment once, and it couldn't have been at a better time," Greenway said.

Star Tribune LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091734 Minnesota Wild 84: Shots for the Jets through two games. 2: Assists for winger Jack Roslovic in his playoff debut Friday. Wild not expecting return home for Game 3 to make challenge vs. Jets 20-13-8: Winnipeg’s record on the road during the regular season. easier 20.8: The Jets’ efficiency on the power play on the road in the regular season. By Sarah McLellan Latest on the Jets: APRIL 15, 2018 — 11:39AM The snow and wind that pelted the Twin Cities Saturday stalled the Jets’ arrival, as the team ended up returning to Winnipeg Saturday after landing in Duluth. The team did touch down in Minneapolis Sunday The road woes the Wild experienced throughout the regular season morning. It did not hold a morning skate. But the Wild doesn’t believe the carried over into the playoffs, plunging the team into an 0-2 hole against quirky travel schedule will have an effect on its opponent. “I’m sure it’s the Jets. not the first option of travel that they’d like to take,” Dubnyk said. “But at the end of the day, as soon as you land and get to the hotel, you forget But if its performance on home ice also translates, the team could start to about that pretty fast. I can’t see it being anything more than something claw its way back into its first-round series during Game 3 Sunday at to talk about.” Xcel Energy Center.

“It can be a big turning point in the series,” goalie Devan Dubnyk said. “We get tonight, and it sets us up for the next game. We weren’t able to Star Tribune LOADED: 04.16.2018 do what we wanted to do in Winnipeg, so this is a huge game for us. We need to go out there and not be afraid to just go play and trust that we’re a great hockey team and we can beat these guys, and I’m looking forward to seeing that tonight.” The Wild went 27-6-8 at home during the regular season, a source of confidence as it tries to recalibrate after 3-2 and 4-1 losses in Winnipeg earlier in the week. But just because the venue is changing doesn’t mean the Wild expects a different effort out of the Jets. “Winnipeg had a great road record, and I don’t think they’re going to change their game whatsoever,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “So we can’t be anticipating, ‘Oh we’re at home. We’re going to have success.’ We have to be ready to play the best game of the series so far.” Before the game, the Wild recalled forwards Kurtis Gabriel, Justin Kloos and Kyle Rau and goaltender Niklas Svedberg from Iowa of the . But don’t expect the team’s lineup to change. Projected Wild lineup: Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Nino Niederreiter Jason Zucker-Eric Staal-Mikael Granlund Jordan Greenway-Matt Cullen-Charlie Coyle Marcus Foligno-Joel Eriksson Ek-Daniel Winnik Jonas Brodin-Matt Dumba Nick Seeler-Jared Spurgeon Carson Soucy-Nate Prosser Devan Dubnyk Projected Jets lineup: Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Nikolaj Ehlers-Paul Stastny-Patrik Laine Jack Roslovic-Bryan Little-Joel Armia Andrew Copp-Adam Lowry-Brandon Tanev Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba Joe Morrow-Dustin Byfuglien Ben Chiarot-Tyler Myers Connor Hellebuyck Key Wild numbers: 77: Saves by Dubnyk through two games. 62: Points on home ice during the regular season. 2: Goals in two playoff games for winger Zach Parise. 57:01: How much defenseman Matt Dumba has played in the series. 6-6: The Wild’s all-time record in Game 3s. Key Jets numbers: 7-9-2: The Jets’ all-time record at Xcel Energy Center. 1091735 Minnesota Wild This is Dubnyk’s series to win for the Wild, who have received steady if unspectacular goaltending in the postseason from their regular-season stalwart ever since he arrived midseason 2014-15 from Arizona wearing Brian Murphy: Wild’s Devan Dubnyk steps up, makes it a series again savior’s robes. In 24 playoff games for Minnesota, he is just 8-16 with a pedestrian .906 save percentage. By BRIAN MURPHY Here is Dubnyk’s chance to steal a series and the narrative. The Wild did April 15, 2018 at 10:52 PM that with Sunday’s balanced attack, leveraging the home crowd energy to combat the Jets’ thundering physicality.

This is still Winnipeg’s series to lose. It has the firepower and depth to The knives were out for Devan Dubnyk, and they were long, sharp and wear down Minnesota, whose blue line is absent Ryan Suter and righteous. apprenticing Nick Seeler and Carson Soucy on the big stage. The Wild goaltender took a brief nap guarding his left post during a Seeler and fellow rookie Jordan Greenway, who bagged his first career Winnipeg power play early in the first period Sunday night. Blake playoff goal, have elevated their games to equal the intensity of playoff Wheeler flipped a one-hopper past him as if leading infield practice with a hockey. Sustaining it will be their biggest challenge. fungo. The Wild answered for losing the first two games of this best-of-seven The groans were audible as turbocharged fans plunged faces into hands. because Dubnyk atoned for his original sin. Throughout the Xcel Energy Center, there was a palpable sense of dread, like watching the latest weather forecast. “Their last game was a bit of a statement game, and this is a bit of a statement game for us,” he said. “We’re here to play, and we’re fully Minnesota’s best player in two nightmarish losses to the Jets north of the capable of pushing hard. We showed that tonight.” border had just yielded the game’s first goal, on Winnipeg’s first shot, spoon-feeding momentum it hardly needed. We have a series again. This was the Dubnyk of dubious and untimely playoff goals past, rearing himself in a must-win game for Minnesota, which was staring into the abyss of a 3-0 series deficit to the relentless Jets. Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.16.2018 Not on this night, though, not with the Wild offense finally unshackled and “Doob!” chants outnumbering gasps in Minnesota’s 6-2 series-saving victory. Dubnyk responded with a bevy of brilliant saves when it was still a one- goal game, holding serve and buying time for Minnesota’s cathartic scoring burst. “Goalies are amazing people in that they can let those things go and come back and play great,” said coach Bruce Boudreau. “I guess it’s a lot like a golfer making a bad shot. The good ones can let that shot go and look forward to the next shot. I think Duby’s in that category.” Now he is. Fluky goals used to doom the Wild in the postseason, piercing their confidence and green-lighting the Blackhawks, Stars and Blues — take your pick — to throttle down and conveniently advance. Dubnyk processed Wheeler’s bouncer, how he leaned off the post and opened a pocket for the seeing-eye, and quickly buried the memory. “You just accept what it is,” he said. “You do a mental checklist on what you would have done differently and then move on. You can’t go out and force the next save.” Look what happens when you hand your star goalie a durable lead instead of a sympathetic flak jacket. Dubnyk has been the Wild’s salvation this series, never mind the bloated numbers coming out of Manitoba. He was the only one in green and white during Game 2 to match Winnipeg’s high level during its dominant 4-0 win, when the Wild were completely overwhelmed by the Jets and the moment at raucous MTS Bell Centre. Dubnyk was the one drinking in Sunday’s inevitable win during the third period while his counterpart, Connor Hellebuyck, sat in the corner of the Jets bench, tarred and feathered for surrendering a half-dozen goals two days after yawning through a 17-shot shutout. Dubnyk shrugged off the Jets’ other goal early in the second when Tyler Myers stepped into a shot from the top of the right circle and threaded it through the netminder’s right side to pull the Jets within 3-2. The arena’s collective blood pressure quickly spiked, with the Jets menacing on consecutive power plays and threatening to seize control. Dubnyk, however, was the epitome of calm and cool throughout Minnesota’s superb kills. He moved across the crease quickly to deny Nikolaj Ehlers from point- blank range just after Zach Parise stepped out of the penalty box and later thwarted Bryan Little and Kyle Connor with the Jets still pressing. “Instead of 3-3, all of a sudden we get a flurry of goals right after that,” said Parise. “That’s a game-changer. That was huge for us. He’s been playing great.” 1091736 Minnesota Wild As the clock wound to a close in the third period, everyone in the building rose to their feet, providing the Wild with a 60-second standing ovation.

It was well-deserved, as suddenly the Wild are right back in the best-of- Wild show they can be physical, too, in blowout win over Jets seven series. “This gives us a lot of confidence,” Foligno said. “We can beat this team. By DANE MIZUTANI … They ran us out of their barn pretty good in Game 1 and Game 2 and it showed. It was kind of flip-flopped tonight in Game 3. It’s good to see. PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 8:50 pm We need to keep that going.” UPDATED: April 15, 2018 at 10:54 PM Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.16.2018 After being pushed around nearly 500 miles from home and returning to the Twin Cities down 2-0 in a best-of-seven series, it was reasonable to wonder whether the Wild could actually hang with the rival Winnipeg Jets. Heck, hulking Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien singlehandedly got into the head of every player inside the Wild locker room with his physical play. Everyone remembered his hit on Joel Eriksson Ek in Game 1 and his hit on Mikko Koivu in Game 2. Still, the Wild promised they’d respond, and they did Sunday night at the Xcel Energy Center with a 6-2 blowout win over the Jets. “That was a huge game,” Eric Staal said. “Everybody knew that coming in. I thought our emotional level was real high, the building was energetic, and we got to the gritty areas and got the job done.” “We are here to play,” Devan Dubnyk added, calling it a “statement game” for the Wild. “We are fully capable of pushing hard and we showed that tonight.” While the franchise record for most goals in a home playoff game will stand out to the naked eye, the truth is, the Wild won this game by showing they can be just as physical as the Jets. It started with Marcus Foligno laying the boom along the boards, showing everyone the Wild weren’t backing down, while simultaneously waking up the announced crowd of 19,175. It continued with Jason Zucker standing up for for his teammates after what he felt like was an unnecessary cross check near the crease. It ended with the Wild getting goals from six players to climb back into the best-of-seven series and perhaps plant a seed of doubt in the mind of every player inside the Jets locker room. “We aren’t a small team,” Foligno said. “We can’t be scared of that physical play. Every line did a good job for us tonight.” “They have been physical so we’ve got to push back,” Jordan Greenway added. “We wanted to be able to weather the storm early if they tried to come out like they did in the first two games. We really wanted to try to set the tone tonight and start with the first punch and kind of get them on their heels.” The thing that makes the win even more impressive for the Wild is the fact that the Jets actually landed the first body blow when Jets winger Blake Wheeler scored on a wide-angled shot that somehow found its way into the back of the net. Though the Wild could’ve sunk their shoulders after that unfortunate bounce, they relied on their physical play to earn a two-man advantage, and Mikael Granlund buried a rebound to tie the score. “We got a couple power plays after that,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “And when we scored the goal in the first period finally, it made us believe that we could get another one.” That’s exactly what happened as Zach Parise scored on a tap-in after a determined effort in front and Matt Dumba found the back of the net with a slap shot through heavy traffic. Still, the game was far from over at that point, as Jets defenseman Tyler Myers cut into the deficit with a big blast from the point. That, coupled with the fact that the Wild couldn’t stay out of the penalty box, made it feel like it was only a matter of time before the score was even. That never happened, though, as Nick Seeler made a couple of crucial blocks on the penalty kill before the Wild unleashed a three-goal flurry to help put the game away for good. It came courtesy of Staal netting his first goal of the postseason, Greenway scoring the first NHL goal, and Foligno getting rewarded for his play with a fortuitous bounce in front. 1091737 Minnesota Wild Niklas Svedberg on Sunday afternoon. It’s likely that more players will be called up in the near future with rosters expanding in the playoffs.

These players are commonly referred to as Black Aces, and while the Tyler Ennis still can’t crack the Wild playoff lineup: ‘It’s frustrating’ moniker sounds pretty cool, it’s highly unlikely that any of them will actually play. Typically, Black Aces don’t see any postseason action. They also don’t participate in warmups or travel with the team for road By DANE MIZUTANI games. PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 11:39 am UPDATED: April 15, 2018 at 3:18 PM Pioneer Press LOADED: 04.16.2018

Tyler Ennis has been waiting for the better part of a decade to make it back to postseason, so yes, he’s a little upset that he remains a healthy scratch for Game 3 on Sunday night at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild trail 0-2 in a best-of-seven series with the Winnipeg Jets. “It’s frustrating,” said Ennis, who hasn’t played in a postseason game since the 2010-11 season when he was a member of the Buffalo Sabres. “I want to be out there. Everyone wants to be out there. I think I can help the team.” After being acquired via trade this offseason, Ennis played in 73 of 82 games during the regular season. He tallied 22 points (8 goals, 14 assists) playing up and down the lineup and hoped he would get a chance to improve upon those numbers in the postseason. But with the arrival of 6-foot-6, 230-pound rookie Jordan Greenway last month, Ennis has found himself watching from the press box more often than not. It hasn’t help his cause that Greenway has played well in the postseason after looking a little lost in the regular season. Greenway, coach Bruce Boudreau said, “doesn’t deserve to come out.” “The only other young guy we have is (Joel) Eriksson Ek, and he’s not coming out,” Boudreau added, “and we’re not going to start a controversy where one of the Top 6 forwards are not playing good and we take him out. I think that would be counterproductive.” Unless something drastically changes in the coming days, Ennis might simply be the odd man out. “I’ve just got to keep working,” he said. “Just get my my reps in during practice and work hard after practice and get my workouts in.” “You have to have a fire,” he added. “You have to be competitive. I’m determined to stay ready. … If the opportunity comes, I’ll be in shape and I’ll be ready to go. Like I said, I think I can help the team. If not, I’m here to support my team.” TRAVEL DELAYS As far as Boudreau is concerned, the blizzard that descended up the Twin Cities this weekend is perfect weather for the playoffs. “If you’re playing in Antarctica,” Boudreau quipped in the hours leading up to Game 3. It wasn’t a joking matter for the Jets, who didn’t make it to the Twin Cities until Sunday morning, nearly 24 hours after their scheduled arrival time. #NHLJets have arrived in Minneapolis for tonight's Game 3 vs. the Minnesota Wild. Game time is 6:00 p.m. on @Sportsnet. — Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) April 15, 2018 They actually flew out on Saturday afternoon and were unable to land in the Twin Cities because of the harsh snow storm. They were briefly diverted to Duluth before opting to fly back home and try again Sunday morning. The #NHLJets returned to Winnipeg from Duluth this afternoon due to the ongoing conditions in the Twin Cities. The plan now is to depart tomorrow morning for Minneapolis. — Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) April 14, 2018 While traveling on the same day of the game is unusual, and perhaps puts a team at a slight disadvantage, the Wild don’t seem to think that’s going to be an issue for the Jets. “It’s overblown,” Boudreau said. “It’s playoff hockey and they’re going to be ready. … It’s all about the will and (the Jets) have will right now. This travel thing is a non-issue as far as I’m concerned.” BLACK ACES With the Iowa Wild season officially over, the organization called up center Justin Kloos, wingers Kyle Rau and Kurtis Gabriel, and goaltender 1091738 Minnesota Wild “Just tell everyone that I picked that spot, alright?” Greenway joked after the game.

Seeler was the player at the point on that play, earning his first Unsung players step into the spotlight in Wild's Game 3 romp over Jets postseason assist, which was followed up his very next shift with another helper. On that one, he pinched down and sent a shot that went wide of the net, but landed on Jared Spurgeon’s stick in time for a quick shot that By Chad Graff smacked off Foligno’s stomach and into the back of the net, a second point for the Eden Prairie native who is still getting accustomed to life in the NHL. As the cheers from the home crowd grew louder with the Wild’s “It feels a little more normal now, but I think going on the ice when they dominating Game 3 win finally complete, Marcus Foligno skated to the introduce the Minnesota Wild and the fans are going with their towels it home bench, the first player there, and looked around at more than just brings me back to all those games watching as a kid,” Seeler said. 19,000 fans that fought a foot of snow to watch the Wild notch a 6-2 over “It’s pretty cool. So sometimes you have to pinch yourself but at the end the Winnipeg Jets. of the day, you just have to do your job and play as a team.” His first career playoff win over, Foligno high-fived each teammate as The Wild were able to build on those three second-period goals within a they left the ice, making sure to stay until there were none left, the last three-minute, 43-second span because of the way their penalty kill Wild player to exit Sunday after a lopsided win, to which Foligno played against a Jets power play that was better than any in the Western contributed a goal and a tone that carried throughout. Conference in the regular season. In the two games prior, the Wild “got pretty bullied in Winnipeg with their The Wild gave Winnipeg two power plays when the Jets were within a physical play,” Foligno said, leading to a pair of losses to begin this best- goal, down 3-2, but killed them off because of the work from forwards of-seven series. But in returning the favor, Foligno was one of several Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, Daniel Winnik and Eriksson Ek. unheralded players that came through with the team’s backs against the wall, setting up now a hugely important Game 4 Tuesday night. “Any time you can kill a penalty against this team, it’s a great get, a great do or whatever the word is,” Boudreau said. “There were some guys For all the talk this postseason about the Wild’s plethora of playoff anxious to play, and when you take back-to-back penalties or you take a experience, it was an unsung group that helped make this first round lot of penalties, there’s a lot of guys sitting on the bench because we use series interesting. That group included: the same guys killing penalties. … It was good to see that we killed them and it got the crowd more into it again, and then the third and fourth line — A 21-year-old in Jordan Greenway who was a college student enrolled all really working hard for keeping the puck in after that to get the rest of in psychology courses at Boston University just weeks ago, now a relied- the group going.” upon member of the third line and the producer of the team’s fifth goal, the first he’s ever scored in the NHL. — A 24-year-old in Nick Seeler who managed only 10 assists in the The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 minor leagues this season, where he spent most of the year, yet somehow developed into a steady player who notched two assists and finished with the best 5-on-5 Corsi percentage of all the team’s defensemen in Game 3. — A 21-year-old in Joel Eriksson Ek who has become such an important part of Bruce Boudreau’s penalty kill that the coach only regularly uses three other forwards when down a man, helping the Wild kill off four of the Jets’ five power plays Sunday, including an important stretch in the second period where they successfully killed off three power plays in the first 12 minutes. — And, of course, Foligno, the veteran of six previous NHL seasons without a playoff appearance, who took it upon himself to set an energetic, physical tone in front of the home fans, which Boudreau credited for turning “it all around” before Foligno completed the scoring frenzy with a goal that snapped a 10-game point-less streak. “That's playoff hockey, you need everybody,” said Eric Staal. “You don't win unless you have four lines and all your defense core going. Those guys have been engaged right from Game 1 and have been real physical. And tonight, they were on the attack in the offensive zone, spending some time and they were rewarded with some big goals. We need a lot more out of everybody, and that's what you need to win.” There were plenty of positive storylines for the Wild after scoring their most home postseason goals in franchise history — Staal’s goal, Parise’s third tally in three games, and Devan Dubnyk’s response from two subpar goals allowed among them. But for a team that has already lost Ryan Suter for the rest of the playoffs and has seen top lines slowed when faced with tough matchups on the road, the emergence of the team’s role players was a welcome one Sunday. With a chance to even the series now, a boost of bravado throughout the lineup is important. “This win, this gives us a lot of confidence,” Foligno said. “We can beat this team.” Their contributions started early. Foligno delivered several big hits that shed any concerns that the Jets’ bullying, in Foligno’s words, would carry into Game 3. “It makes everyone want to go out there and do the same,” Greenway said. “It's good to feed off a guy like that. He was a big impact for us.” So was Greenway, the 6-foot-6 power forward who seems built for games like these. It was his tally that really allowed the Wild to separate themselves. Twenty seconds after Staal put the Wild up 4-2, Greenway collected a loose puck in the slot after a Matt Cullen faceoff and fired a wrist shot over Connor Hellebuyck’s glove without even looking at the net. 1091739 Minnesota Wild Maybe it was an instructed response to things getting out of hand in the waning seconds of Game 2.

Regardless, Wheeler, the former Gopher who has points in nine of his In need of a major statement, Wild pour in six goals in Game 3 rout of last 10 regular-season or playoff games in St. Paul, scored an early Jets power-play goal when his shot from basically the goal line at the bottom of the right circle kissed defenseman Jonas Brodin’s stick and hovered inside a post that Dubnyk didn’t have his leg pressed against. By Michael Russo Fluky, bad goal, but Dubnyk didn’t let it destroy the rest of his game.

“He straightened it out and made some key, key saves,” coach Bruce For one night at least, the Wild let the Winnipeg Jets know that they Boudreau said. “Goalies are amazing people that they can let those shouldn’t reserve their second-round flights and hotel rooms just yet. things go and come back and play great. I guess it’s a lot like a golfer making a bad shot. The good ones can let that shot go and look forward The Jets may still be in a good spot with a 2-1 quarterfinals lead, but to the next shot, and I think Duby’s in that category.” during a 6-2 pounding on Sunday night, the Wild alerted their bitter rival — and frankly, their own disenchanted fans following two discouraging Defenseman Ben Chiarot, who frankly was the gift that kept on giving losses in Winnipeg — that they don’t plan to go down quietly. during a nightmarish 60 minutes, opened the Wild’s door by cross- checking Staal. The Wild peppered Hellebuyck with shots until Jason The Wild showed they won’t be intimidated physically and can actually Zucker drew a minor from Adam Lowry. dole out some punishment as well. That gave the Wild a 1:21 5-on-3. After the first penalty expired, They demonstrated that they can get through the neutral zone and skate Granlund, who had just juked Chiarot out of his skates, scored on Koivu’s with and past the Jets. And they actually exhibited for the first time in the rebound. series an ability to get to the middle of the ice, create traffic and, get this, real-life shots on net that would actually test — and in Sunday’s case, Later in the period after Chiarot cross-checked Charlie Coyle into the end — goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s night after 40 minutes. boards, Koivu sent a seeing-eye, cross-slot pass onto the stick of Parise for a tap-in. It was Parise’s third goal of the playoffs. In a Game 3 victory, the Wild responded to an early Winnipeg power-play goal with two power-play goals of their own and four second-period goals Dumba took a penalty near the end of the first. The Jets’ power play to score the most goals they have ever scored at home in a playoff carried over into the second. The Wild killed it off. game. They got goals from six different players and points from 13 and used a total team effort to put at least a little doubt in the mind of the Defenseman Tyler Myers made it 3-2 with a slapper that blew by Dubnyk NHL’s second-best regular-season team. at the 6:42 mark. Of the six times in franchise history that the Wild lost the first two games Then, Parise took a tripping minor 41 seconds later. of a series on the road, the Wild have returned home to win Game 3 in The dread in the crowd was palpable. five of them. The Wild killed the penalty off, nonetheless, blocking four shots, including “Their last game was a bit of a statement game, and this is a bit of a two by Seeler 12 seconds apart on Bryan Little. statement game for us,” goalie Devan Dubnyk said. “We’re here to play, and we’re fully capable of pushing hard, and we showed that tonight by “He plays so hard,” Dubnyk said of Seeler. “You see the intensity on his getting pucks to the net, bodies to the net and good things happen. We’ll face when he plays. He blocks shots. I’m sure nobody wants to go in the feel good about it for a night and reset and understand that Game 4 corner with him. I know no one wants to drop the gloves with him. So (Tuesday) is just as big as this one.” you’ve got to have mean guys like that on your team, and he’s been great.” On a night where go-to guys Zach Parise, Eric Staal, Mikael Granlund and Matt Dumba scored goals and captain Mikko Koivu had one of his Then Coyle took a holding minor 61 seconds later. best playoff games out of the franchise-record 53 he has played, the Wild also got a boatload of strong efforts from the unsung supporting cast. The groan in the crowd was audible. Rookie Jordan Greenway scored his first goal as a pro. Rookie But the Wild killed that one off, too, to also preserve the 3-2 lead. defenseman Nick Seeler, the Eden Prairie native who said he was What’s amazing is Boudreau has continued a pattern where he basically pinching himself during starting lineups because it reminded him of when uses two sets of penalty-killing forwards — Koivu-Granlund and Joel he rooted for the Wild as a kid, was an absolute beast with persistent, Eriksson Ek-Daniel Winnik. Sometimes he’ll throw Coyle or Parise out hard-nosed shifts. He also had two assists and four blocked shots. And there, but he has stopped using guys like Staal, Cullen and Zucker. glass-rattling checker Marcus Foligno set an early tone by erupting much of the crowd of 19,175 with body checks on consecutive shifts. He was The Wild’s penalty kill entered the playoffs on fire, and Boudreau has ultimately rewarded with his first career playoff goal — the team’s sixth of continued the tactic despite the potential of tiring out the same four the night. forwards and defensemen like Dumba, Brodin, Seeler and Spurgeon. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon fired a shot that hit Foligno in what he said The result in this particular case? what his “lower abdomen.” “There were some guys anxious to play,” Boudreau said. “So, they had a “Yeah, it was good,” Foligno said. “I’ll massage that one out later.” lot of not only emotion and passion, but a lot of energy when they got on the ice.” It probably didn’t help matters that the Jets didn’t arrive in Minnesota until Sunday morning. Their chartered flight was first diverted to Duluth There may be something to that. because of Saturday’s blizzard, then returned to Winnipeg. They rescheduled their flight for 9 a.m. Sunday. Nobody used it as an excuse, Starting 2:16 after Coyle’s minor was killed, Staal and Greenway scored but the Jets certainly played like they were low on fuel. 20 seconds apart. “It’s one game in a seven-game series,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. The Staal goal — his first in the playoffs since 2009 — came after a “We didn’t play anywhere near our level tonight, and it’s a fine line for us. sensational spin-o-rama pass by Granlund after he forechecked Dustin We need to play with team speed, like we were able to accomplish the Byfuglien into a mishap. second half of both Games 1 and 2. They came out extremely hard, it’s Asked when he has pulled off such a move before, Granlund said, not a death sentence by any means in this building. But when that “Probably in a practice. The puck doesn’t stay on your blade like that second period started, we weren’t able to get faster. And that’s when the every time. A little lucky and a pretty nice shot by Staalzy.” game changed. They stuck with it, and we just weren’t able to get to our speed we needed to get to.” On the Greenway scenario, Cullen won a faceoff, Coyle lifted, guess who, Chiarot’s stick, Greenway found the puck, turned and let her rip. He After an opening two games where it felt like the referees were letting joked that it should be reported that he aimed and picked his spot. anything go, even egregious things like slashes, cross-checks and post- whistle scrums, veteran refs Wes McCauley and Tim Peel set an early “I just took the shot,” said the 21-year-old who a month ago was playing standard by calling Dumba and Matt Cullen on slashes across the hands. hockey for Boston University. “I didn’t know it went in honestly. I just On a couple goalmouth scrums, the refs also chose to take only one waited until everyone else reacted and then I reacted. You only get that player rather than multiple and perhaps even it up. moment once and it couldn’t have been at a better time.” That goal led into Foligno’s call when he got inside position on, guess 3. Mikael Granlund, Wild: Tied the game at 1-1 with his power-play tally who, Chiarot after, guess who, Chiarot didn’t clear the zone earlier in the in the first period. He would later follow that up with an even better spin- shift. o-rama assist to Eric Staal during the second period. Granlund was also great on the penalty kill. Chiarot’s the defenseman, incidentally, who got a two-year contract worth $1.4 million annually last June. It was that contract that caused the Wild Turning point to cut loose Christian Folin because it would have been used as a comparable in a potential arbitration case had Folin filed. The back-to-back penalty kills on the Parise and Coyle penalties in the middle frame of the second period. After killing off both penalties, Eric So, maybe it was some kind of weird karma. Staal scored his first goal of the playoffs 2:16 minutes later and the rout was on for the Wild. Action died down in the third period after an emotional first period that was spurred by gigantic checks as the intensity and hate rises in this series. Foligno nailed Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey on one shift and Andrew Copp later. It was a good response after earlier in the period The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 Byfuglien was again throwing his weight around against players like Staal and Nino Niederreiter. “Things might have stemmed from last game, just the physicality at the end of it,” Foligno said. “It was just more tonight of being clean and hitting and being aggressive out there and trying to get the puck back.” Added Dumba, “The hits, they definitely add up, the bangs and bruises that you get. They don’t just go away in a couple days. It’s just accumulating those and from the three games I think both teams are trying to do that. We got a couple good licks tonight.” A good sign if the Wild, after not being able to generate much of anything in Winnipeg, spent a lot of time threatening the Jets and Hellebuyck. Coach Paul Maurice eventually gave him a mercy pull after two periods for Steve Mason. “That was enough. He had seen enough,” Maurice said. Parise said, “There was a lot of good things we did, and we did what we had to do to get this series to 2-1. Power play got some big goals for us, penalty kill was good, so it was good all-around, a lot of good stuff. I think just better plays, better passes and putting each other in better spots in the neutral zone where we could gain entry and that just made the game a little easier for us, a little more puck possession and we capitalized when we had some chances.” Still, Boudreau knows that Tuesday night, when the Wild try to even the series and make it a best-of-three, will be a lot harder than Sunday. The Jets will be intent on responding with a much better game. “I still think we can play better. We built today,” he said. “There were building blocks of getting better. But there were times when I thought the whole team concept of the game, we didn't play as well as we could.” Now we have a playoff series. “You usually don’t run the table,” Maurice said. Myers injured on weird play Myers, the 6-foot-8 Jets defenseman who has two goals in the series, left the game with a lower body injury in the second period after Foligno stumbled into him. He left the arena with a slight limp after the game. “I went out to block the shot and then I thought he was jumping behind me and I don’t know, I just got tangled up and then he button-hooked away from me,” Foligno said. “I don’t know what happened. He kind of fell after. I didn’t really, like, hit him or do anything other than I just might have caught his leg or something with my shin pad or something, so I don’t know what happened to him, but I hope he’s OK.” Maurice said he didn’t like the play, an inference that he felt there was some intent. It’s unclear on replay if their left legs collided or if he was hurt when Foligno sort of punched his right leg while bracing himself. “That's just an awkward play,” Jets center Adam Lowry said. “Foligno just falls into him. It's unfortunate. I don't think there was any intent to injure or anything like that there.” The NHL indicated Foligno is not at risk of facing any supplemental discipline. The Athletic’s 3 Stars 1. Mikko Koivu, Wild: Registered the primary assists on both of the Wild’s first two goals of the game. Quite easily said, this no doubt could have been the best playoff game of Mikko’s career. 2. Nick Seeler, Wild: Notched his first two-career playoff points by assisting on goals from Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno. Absolutely tremendous on the penalty kill as well with big blocks for his team. 1091740 Minnesota Wild roller-coaster the past years with thinking we’re great when we win and we’re the worst when we lose. I don’t think that’s crept into our game at all this year. We know what kind of team we are, we know how we can LeBrun: Jets' first test of postseason is proving they can brush off Game play. When we play that game, we like our chances most nights.” 3 loss They didn’t play “their game” a whole lot on Sunday night. “Our game is based on some speed and some quickness and that was By Pierre LeBrun pretty much lacking in our game,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “We didn’t move the puck well. Didn’t skate as well as we need to, to defend and we also didn’t generate.” ST. PAUL, Minn. — Game 4 on Tuesday night will be a meaningful Echoed Jets centre Adam Lowry: “We just kind of lacked our speed. The barometer of how far this Winnipeg Jets team has come in its ascent to first two games we seemed to be on pucks and causing turnovers. For becoming one of the league’s elite teams. whatever reason, we didn't have it. You have to give them some credit. They played a good game. They're a good team at home. We'll put this Championship calibre squads have the ability to shrug their collective one behind us and move on to Game 4.” shoulders after a stinker, develop 48-hour amnesia and get right back on track. The Jets had a built-in excuse this weekend, their travel day on Saturday was a day-long odyssey to Duluth, Minnesota, and back to Winnipeg Because one thing’s for sure, they’re in a series now. before finally flying into the Twin Cities on Sunday morning and forgoing the normal morning skate. What was a lopsided matchup through two games in Winnipeg got real after Sunday night’s deserved, 6-2 win by the hometown Minnesota Wild. Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau himself pointed to that in assuming that the Jets were likely affected to some degree by it and expected them The team with more playoff experience served notice it wasn’t rolling to bounce back stronger Tuesday. over. None of the Jets players would use the Planes, Trains and Automobiles But if you’re one for body language and demeanour, and at this time of adventure as any kind of excuse. year I pay particular attention to how the bearded men comport themselves after a playoff loss, I’ve got a message for Jets fans: put your Though Maurice, because I think the man is incapable of not telling the mind at ease. truth, didn’t completely dismiss it. One by one, every player in that visitors’ dressing room Sunday night “I don’t know if it made us worse, but I can say for a fact that it certainly didn’t just say the words but you could tell actually believed them through didn’t make us better,” said the coach. and through. The eyes never lie. What Maurice also didn’t like was seeing defenceman Tyler Myers go “We lost a game, life goes on,” shrugged Jets defenceman Jacob down to injury after a collision at the Wild's blueline with Nick Foligno. Trouba. “It’s a long series. I don’t think anybody in here is making it more than it is.” “Didn’t love it,” said the Jets coach, inferring that he didn’t like what the Minnesota player did there. Nor should they. No word yet Sunday night on the severity of Myers’ injury, but quite They’re still in great shape, up 2-1 in their first-round series with a chance obviously that will be a big one to monitor. You don’t replace his top-four to go home and wrap things up Friday night in Winnipeg if they prevail in minutes and role very easily. As the Wild are living now without Ryan Game 4. Suter. The math in this series should still add up to more puck touches and shot Injury to Myers aside, the only other question left pondering with the Jets attempts, and ultimately, more goals and wins for the more talented Jets. is how Connor Hellebuyck responds after getting pulled two periods and six goals into the game. His teammates weren’t great in front of him, but But what we’ll find out after Winnipeg fell into the trap of taking a few he wasn’t swell, either. dumb penalties Sunday, losing its composure at times and, ultimately, coming out of its game plan, is the mettle of a team long on talent but He was the convenient narrative before the playoffs when wondering short on true playoff experience. about Winnipeg’s playoff chances for no other reason than, despite an outstanding, 44-win regular season, he had never played an NHL playoff Just how much this intangible truly matters in today’s youth-filled NHL I game before. suppose one can debate, but this is the one area that the Wild win hands-down, and there’s absolutely nothing the Jets can do to change it. Again, I see no reason for concern here, he will be better in Game 4, The core of this Minnesota team has been in the playoffs year after year. even if he wasn’t overly enthused taking questions about his own game Winnipeg, in its second playoff series in seven years, is truly green here on this night. and that can’t change until living out this spring to its fullest. “I don't really want to get into details because I'm putting this one behind “You can't really talk about experience when a lot of guys don't have it,” me,” he said. “We've got a long series ahead of us and I really want to said Jets centre Bryan Little. “We're going through this together, leaning look forward to the next one because this is a fun time of year.” on some of the older guys, like Buff (Dustin Byfuglien), who've been there before and been on that journey. We're a group that learns day-to-day, and we talk to each other about it. We're forgetting about this one and getting ready for the next one.” The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 I’ve been in dressing rooms after a playoff loss over the years where the words just don’t match the eyes or the overall body language. Where you’re just not buying what’s being sold. Because you see a young man staring in the head lights, deep down shaken by what’s suddenly happened in a series, and you wonder how they’re going to truly respond. This is not Winnipeg. Not right now. This is a team that scorched through March/April to wrap up the regular season, winning 11 of 12 to end things, before crushing Minnesota in each and every way in the opening two games at home. The Jets got hammered on this night, but it absolutely feels like a momentary speed bump to what still feels like a very likely outcome. And what they might lack in playoff experience, they can make up for in some manner by pointing to a season-long habit of not letting losses ever pile up. They’ve rebounded well all season long. “Yes, I think that’s something we’ve focused a lot on from past years,” said Trouba. “Just keeping the same mentality. We kind of went on a 1091741 Minnesota Wild Earlier this season, Wild players had problems getting to a home game against Ottawa because of a snowstorm. Some players had to abandon their cars, some players barely made it in time for warmups. Defenseman Wild-Jets notes: Tyler Ennis being a pro about not playing; Jets late in to Matt Dumba even slammed into the back of Ennis’ car. St. Paul Because of this, many Wild players are staying in day rooms Sunday at a local St. Paul hotel. By Michael Russo “This is real playoff weather … if you’re playing in Antarctica,” cracked Boudreau. Apr 15, 2018 Etc.

Dumba didn’t practice Saturday or skate Sunday morning due to an Trailing 0-2 in a playoff series usually triggers lineup changes, but undisclosed injury, sources say. The Wild even took it easy on Sunday night when the Wild host the Winnipeg Jets, Tyler Ennis will be defenseman Ryan Murphy on Sunday morning in case Murphy has to scratched for a third consecutive game. play Sunday night. Ennis admits to, obviously and understandably, being frustrated, but he’s But Boudreau said Dumba will be in the lineup against the Jets. also being professional about it.

“You have to have a fire. You have to be competitive. I'm determined to stay ready and be ready,” Ennis, 28, said. “If the opportunity comes. I'll The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 be in shape and I'll be ready to go. I think I can help the team. If I'm not in, I'm here to support my team.” Coach Bruce Boudreau said he’d love to play Ennis, but right now, “it’s really difficult.” He said rookies Jordan Greenway and Joel Eriksson Ek don’t deserve to come out. “I like the way both of those young men have played, and we’re not going to start a controversy where one of the top six forwards are not playing good, take him out and put Tyler in at this stage anyway,” Boudreau said. “I think that’d be counterproductive.” The one player who could probably come out is Ennis’ former Buffalo Sabres teammate, Marcus Foligno, but he too is playing well and bringing size and physicality to the fourth line with Eriksson Ek and Daniel Winnik. Boudreau’s not about to scratch the latter two, particularly because they’re solid penalty killers. As for Greenway, Boudreau said, “He’s gotten better every game. I thought he was our best forward, quite frankly, in Winnipeg the last game. He’s a big, strong kid, but he’s also got pretty good hands. He’s got really good hockey sense. He’s very responsible without the puck, and you’re learning this more and more. Even though it’s only his eighth game. We’re seeing a lot of really good things out of him.” While Ennis can bring speed and skill, Boudreau was not happy with his season. He felt Ennis turned too many pucks over and was pushed off the puck easily, so it’s likely Boudreau feels his size would be an issue against the Jets. He scored eight goals and 14 assists in 73 games during the regular season. Most saddening for Ennis is he’s hoping to play in his first postseason since 2011. “That just adds to the frustration,” Ennis said. “Like I said, I'm going to support everyone in the room and be a good teammate and be ready to help the team when I get in.” Most interesting, Iowa’s season has come to an end, so the Wild recalled forwards Kurtis Gabriel, Kyle Rau and Justin Kloos and goalie Niklas Svedberg as initial Black Aces on Sunday. It’s likely that Rau or Gabriel now would get in even before Ennis. Wild hope Winnipeg has Jet Lag The Jets, whose flight was diverted to Duluth on Saturday because of the blizzard that hit the Twin Cities, ended up flying back to Winnipeg, spending the night there and flying to Minnesota on Sunday morning. They landed at 10:15. Boudreau said the Wild can’t expect anything but the Jets’ best Sunday night just because their normal routine was thrown off. “It’s overblown. It’s playoff hockey and they’re going to be ready,” said Boudreau, the former Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks coach. “We had a time in Washington, one time we had a noon game, Pittsburgh couldn’t get in, they bussed in 10 hours before the game and outplayed us really badly. It’s all about the will and Winnipeg has will right now, so this travel thing is a non-issue as far as I’m concerned.” Goalie Devan Dubnyk concurred: “I’m sure it’s not he first option of travel that they’d like to take, but at the end of the day, as soon as you land and get to the hotel, you forget about that pretty fast. I can’t see it being anything more than something to talk about.” 1091742 Minnesota Wild series returning to Minnesota will help the Wild all that much — there just seem to be too many holes to fill.

It's not all on the players, though. Coming in to the series, I was Dellow: Through two games, Jets on cusp of historic 5-on-5 pounding of wondering how the Wild would generate power-play goals against the Wild Jets. Colleague Murat Ates was on the same page, foreseeing that Minnesota would end up blasting away from the outside, unable to generate anything from in close. By Tyler Dellow In Game 1, the Wild had but a single power play. Everything they Apr 15, 2018 generated was from the outside. Gord Miller thought there was a deflection in there but I'm skeptical. At the very least, it wasn't really a shot intended to be tipped — those tend not be fired in three feet off the ice, some of the guys I've played beer league with notwithstanding. There's a cliche in hockey that a playoff series doesn't really start until the home team loses a game. By that standard, the Jets-Wild series As I pointed out before the series, when the Wild have scored power-play hasn't started yet. Having watched the games though, it doesn't feel like goals with their 3F2D this year, the goals have tended to be scored by the Wild are all that close to the Jets and, barring some sort of a miracle, the forwards from in tight. it looks like they're going to be polished off handily by the Jets, who are up 2-0 in the best-of-seven first-round series. So running a power play that's bombing away from the outside with no realistic chance of generating deflections is kind of a waste of time, both Some of these failings are hard to pin on the coaching staff. Through two generally and in the specific case of how the Wild have scored goals. games, the Wild have been getting run over at 5-on-5. As I discussed Game 2 saw some improvement on this front, in that the Wild started prior to the series, the loss of Ryan Suter put the Wild into a really bad generating some things from the side of the ice and where there was a position because they don't really have anyone who you'd remotely want realistic possibility of a deflection. More than half of it was still just to push into a top-four role. It's not just that though — there isn't a Wild aimless shots from the outside. defenceman with a Corsi% that's topped 40 per cent through two games. Only two forwards — Marcus Foligno and Joel Eriksson Ek — are over (In fairness – I still don't like these shots from the outside particularly, but 40 per cent. It's been rough. I liked the job that Mikko Koivu did setting a few screens for the shooter, which you'll notice in the video.) Even if you accept that Winnipeg's a deeper team than the Wild and that this is exacerbated by Suter's absence, getting outshot 75-28 with a 33.9 That said, there were some better looks for the Wild in Game 2, including per cent Corsi% is a pretty remarkable achievement over two games for a goal. a playoff team. Looking a little more closely, there's something bizarre going on. Through two games, Minnesota's had 43 defensive zone You have to keep the power play stuff in perspective — the Wild scored faceoffs at 5-on-5, going 26-17. Not bad. Winnipeg's only had 15 6.9 GF/60 in the two games in Winnipeg, which is about what an average defensive zone faceoffs, going 8-7. power play does, which seems to be about what they are. That said, if they want to get past the Jets, particularly with the way in which There's a little bit of an icing effect here but not a huge one — at 5-on-5, Winnipeg has been running over them at 5-on-5, they're going to need to the Wild have iced the puck seven times to four for the Jets. The Wild find a way to squeeze some extra goals out. just seem to be struggling to slow down the Jets at all, even in situations where they should be able to do so. For example, the winning goal in Game 2 was probably a write-off either way, but a Game 1 power-play Game 1 came on a Minnesota shift that began with a defensive zone goal would have been huge for Minnesota. If they're going to find a way faceoff win. The Wild were unable to clear and it ended up in the back of past Winnipeg, consistently finding a way to get inside and avoiding the net. wasted shots from the outside would be big. These things happen. Unfortunately, it's part of a broader trend. On their So through two games, the Jets look imperious and as if they're cruising 26 shifts that have begun with defensive zone faceoff wins to this point in toward the second round. Minnesota's probably down to hoping that a the series, they've allowed shot attempts on 50 per cent of them. In the combination of bounces and Devan Dubnyk can steal the series. That's regular season, they allowed shot attempts on just 37 per cent of those not a fun place to be. shifts. (Obviously, we're in the land of small samples but that's the playoffs.) That goal is representative of a larger problem over the course of the first two games for Minnesota. The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 It's showing up elsewhere, too. Minnesota's struggled to produce anything after winning neutral zone faceoffs. Their forecheck hasn't slowed up the Jets after Minnesota loses an offensive zone faceoff. The Jets have just gone through them over and over. It's hard to nail it down to “The Wild need to do this and this better” because they've been getting hammered at basically everything 5-on-5 related. Which is why I kind of look at the players rather than the coaching. History is always helpful when it comes to understanding how total a beatdown has been. Hockey started with the better data era in 2007-08. Since then, 86 teams have gone down 2-0 in a series. The only other team with a worse Corsi% through two games than Minnesota's against Winnipeg was the Colorado Avalanche in a 2007-08 series against Detroit, a possession powerhouse. Colorado lost the first two games with a 33.83 per cent Corsi%. Why take it to a second digit after the decimal? Well, the Wild are at a 33.85 per cent Corsi% through two games. It really is about as bad as it can get. Generally speaking, it's more difficult to get terribly outshot while losing. The other team sits back, your team is pressing…poof! Score effects. When you look at the teams that have won the first two games of a series with a 60 per cent or better Corsi% since 2007-08, you've got the 2007- 08 Red Wings (against Colorado, Nashville and Pittsburgh), the 2012-13 (against Minnesota) and the 2008-09 Chicago Blackhawks (against Calgary). The 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings just miss this list, at 40.3 per cent. And this year's Winnipeg Jets. That's some impressive company. As I said above, this seems like a talent issue from Minnesota's perspective more than anything. Winnipeg's incredibly deep, the Wild aren't, Winnipeg's top end is better, and the Wild have some key players nicked up. Unless you think that Suter is one of the best players in the world, the gulf between the Wild and Jets looks vast. I'm not sure that the 1091743 Minnesota Wild Minnesota did protect the middle of the ice, largely as advertised. But Winnipeg came at the Wild in waves, with speed, as soon as Minnesota’s first breakout pass. The Jets dominance of shot attempts and zone time Winnipeg's 2-0 lead is built on neutral zone pressure that won't stop in was built off of overwhelming up ice pressure. Minnesota I won’t steal all of Sporer’s excellent work but I will borrow his first example: By Murat Ates This is a set breakout off of a faceoff win and it goes to Mikael Granlund, one of the Wild’s fastest and most intelligent transition players. Typically, Apr 15, 2018 Granlund with the puck in the neutral zone is a zone entry waiting to happen but, in this case, Morrow instantaneously closes him down.

It’s a pattern that repeated itself throughout the game. Granlund and Through its opening two wins of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, other Wild players can’t fly through the neutral zone if they can't get Winnipeg has played nearly twice as much hockey in Minnesota’s end as across their blue line. it has in its own. “I think our puck movement has gotta be a lot better,” Parise explained. It’s safe to say the Wild are noticing. “When we do gain possession of it, we're not coming up the ice together, too many broken plays through the neutral zone, it's just not a lot of puck “We had nothing,” lamented Charlie Coyle. possession for us. We're making it hard.” “Just not a lot of puck possession for us,” echoed Zach Parise. I’d argue that Winnipeg’s speed and commitment to up-ice pressure is “We couldn’t answer their momentum,” explained Mikko Koivu. the source of Minnesota’s problems. “Couldn’t get into the (offensive) zone,” said Jason Zucker. And, if you go through history and pick through the 12.7 per cent of teams who have come back from being down, 2-0, I suspect you’ll find a Still, no one said it better than Wild coach Bruce Boudreau, when asked lot of them controlled the game better than Minnesota has thus far. if the advantage of last change in Minnesota would lead to a change in series fortunes. Parise put it this way. “I think all the matchups were hurting tonight,” Boudreau declared. “We “We've gotta play a lot better than we have in the first two. We got to didn’t have a shot on goal until five minutes left in the third period.” figure out a way to get some offensive zone time and I feel like we've been playing on three quarters of the rink for two games now. You're not Indeed, it is hard to like a counterpuncher’s chances when the counter going to win like that.” never comes. And the way Winnipeg is playing right now, it’s hard to imagine this series turning on its head any time soon. Winnipeg’s lead isn’t built off of bounces. It is the product of territorial play so consistently dominant, offence often feels inevitable – even if it’s Through 102 minutes and 27 seconds of 5-on-5 play, Winnipeg has 66 coming from further away. per cent of the shot attempts and 63 per cent of high danger scoring chances. Even against the Wild’s collapsing, slot-protecting defensive At the onset of the series, I asked Paul Maurice point blank: given that posture, the Jets have found ways to break through for a 6-2 lead in 5- the Wild protect the middle of the ice so well, how do you get to prime on-5 goals. real estate? “Listen, we’re trying,” Boudreau said after Friday night’s game. “You guys “Maybe you don’t, right? If they’re all in the middle of the ice, you don’t are trying to make it sound like we’re not trying. They played really good need to be.” and they beat us tonight. We’ll be ready on Sunday.” As I processed my surprise, Maurice continued. “They protect the middle He certainly didn’t sound defeated – and, the last time I checked it takes of the ice pretty well. You’re just not getting there easily. You certainly four wins to win a playoff series – but the odds are wildly stacked in don’t want to force things in that aren’t there because they have so many Winnipeg’s favour right now. bodies there. We skate well – we’ll have to use the ice around them.” One year ago against St. Louis, when Minnesota faced the same 2-0 Winnipeg’s offensive depth means most lines can attack the middle of deficit it does today, Dane Mizutani looked up the odds: teams down 0-2 the ice so honestly and with such legitimate threat that Minnesota’s in the NHL playoffs came back to win the series only 12.7 per cent of the defensive posture is a necessity as much as a habit. time. Those odds weren’t inspiring then and, given that St. Louis closed This opens up offence in other areas of the zone. out the Wild in five games, it’s not inspiring now. With thanks once again to Shayna Goldman for the .GIF, here is Myers Today, Dom Luszczyszyn gives Winnipeg a 90 per cent chance of with proof: winning round one. I have said it many times: attacking from the blue line in is Myers’ biggest As they have done all season long, the Jets are saying all of the right strength. That deke – from a standstill, no less – looks like a high risk, things. After Saturday morning’s practice as the Bell MTS Iceplex, Tyler high reward play that simply shouldn’t work. But Myers pulls it off Myers promised Winnipeg won’t let up. regularly. “We make comments every day about it for sure,” said Myers, who When I asked him how it felt to watch such a high-risk move from the opened Friday night’s scoring with a highlight reel goal. “We’ve created bench, Maurice wryly raised an eyebrow before responding. that habit of that’s just the level we know we have to play at to win. It’s become a part of our room, a part of our game.” “Yeah,” Maurice began, then smiled as he collected his thoughts. “I’m pretty sure I can’t be drowned. I can hold my breath for a long time.” Paul Maurice was quick to caution against overconfidence, citing Minnesota’s sterling 27-6-8 record at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint On Saturday, Maurice was more confident. Paul. “We encourage them,” he said. “And we do have a five-man offensive “It’s a loud building,” Maurice said. “What we need to do is handle it. Our zone game that we like to play. But there’s a responsibility there. I game won’t change, the things that we want to accomplish on the ice, but thought we were on the right side of some of those decisions.” it’s going to feel different on the bench.” To me, what all of this adds up to is the fact that this series will be won or “In that building, the puck crosses the blue-line and the crowd is lost at Minnesota’s blue line. Spectacular plays like Myers made might expecting the chance… It just needs to get near the net and they get yet be part of it but smart decisions, aggressive up ice pressure, and a pretty excited. It’s all part of the learning process for the new guys and thorough commitment to taking away Minnesota’s time and space will the veteran guys who’ve had that experience before can help out.” play a bigger role. The biggest key to Winnipeg closing the Wild out will be maintaining the It’s hard to bet on a counterpuncher who doesn’t have time to take a speed and intensity of its puck pressure. swing. In Evan Sporer’s Game 2 walkthrough for The Athletic, he broke down And if you ask me, Winnipeg is too good to let the Wild take theirs. the Jets single biggest area of success – the way Winnipeg shut down the Wild in transition. The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091744 Montreal Canadiens The winger regained his scoring touch in the AHL. After scoring 40 goals for the Buffalo Bisons in 1960-61, Mr. Gamble demanded a salary increase. Instead, he was traded to Rochester, where he would record Dick Gamble, 89, was the model for the tin players in a famous table-top seasons of 39, 35, 34, 48, 47 and 46 goals for the Amerks. The durable hockey game forward, who rarely missed a game, won the scoring title with 98 points in 71 games in 1965-66, also earning honours as the league’s most valuable player. TOM HAWTHORN He added duties as the teams playing coach two years later, hanging up his skates after scoring just one goal in eight games to start the 1969-70 UPDATED APRIL 15, 2018 season. While his NHL totals were unimpressive with 41 goals and 41 assists in 195 games, his 892 points in 898 AHL games remains the fifth-

best in league history more than 45 years after he retired. Dick Gamble’s name is engraved on the Stanley Cup and it hangs from He had less success behind the bench and in the office as the Amerks’ the rafters at the arena in Rochester, N.Y. general manager, a position he held for a year before fired in 1971. Mr. Gamble, who has died at 89, had a 21-season professional career, He became a recreational vehicle salesman in Caledonia, N.Y. In 1963, an achievement of note for a rare (NHL) player he opened a summer hockey camp, one of the first of its kind, in to hail from New Brunswick. For all his success on ice, he received little Bowmanville, Ont., where he joined goalie Gerry Cheevers and recognition for what might be his lasting contribution to sports lore as the defenceman Larry Hillman in teaching youngsters the fundamentals of model for the tin players of a table-top hockey game. the game. A 6-foot, 178-pound left winger known for an accurate shot, Mr. Gamble Mr. Gamble has been inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of broke into the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, helping the storied club Fame at Fredericton (1984) and the American Hockey League Hall of win a Stanley Cup championship in 1953. Fame (2007). His name was added to the Moncton Wall of Fame in 1986 The bulk of his career was spent in the minor professional American and the Walk of Fame in Rochester in 2000. Hockey League (AHL), one level below the NHL. The forward was a top In 1999, the Amerks retired his No. 9 sweater in tribute to him and to scorer for the , guiding the club to three , a star player who inherited the number. championships in the mid-1960s. Mr. Gamble died on March 22 in hospital in Rochester. He leaves the At the advanced age of 38, he led the AHL in scoring. He played for former Marcia McNish, his wife of 45 years; a daughter; three sons; five another three full seasons before hanging up his skates for a job as grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. coach. As prolific a scorer as he was on the ice, Mr. Gamble – or at least his A long-faced man with deep-set eyes, a battered nose and jug ears, Mr. likeness – scored countless goals in table-hockey games played across Gamble was said to carry a look of perpetual grievance, earning him the the land. In the 1950s, Eagle Toys Ltd. of Montreal unveiled a version of nickname Grumps. the game featuring tin players in the livery of the Canadiens and Maple Richard Frank Gamble was born in Moncton on Nov. 16, 1928, to the Leafs. It was revealed in Michael McKinley’s 2006 book Hockey: A former Frances Louisa Lane, a farmer’s daughter from Prosser Brook, People’s History that the model for the defencemen and forwards was N.B., and Frank Ernest Gamble, an immigrant from Guernsey in the Mr. Gamble, who was rendered on competing teams of identical quintets Channel Islands. The father came to Canada at the age of 13 in 1908 to as a brunette with Montreal and a strawberry blond with Toronto. work on a farm in Saskatchewan. He served in the army during the First

World War and afterward laboured for the Canadian National Railway. Young Dick played shinny on the frozen sloughs near the rail yards Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.16.2018 where his father worked. “My father didn’t want me to become a hockey player,” the athlete once told the sports writer Eddie St. Pierre. “He was concerned I might wind up a hockey bum.” The sharpshooting forward led his junior Moncton Bruins to the Maritime title and Eddie Drillon, an NHL scoring star also from Moncton, recommended the player to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs passed, feeling the player was too small and needed seasoning. The teenager put in three more seasons of junior with the Oshawa Generals in Ontario followed by two campaigns with the Quebec Aces. The Canadiens added the rookie to their roster for the 1951-52 season and he responded by scoring 23 goals in 64 games. The stellar performance was overshadowed by three other superb rookies Montreal added that season in Dollard St. Laurent, Dickie Moore and Bernie (Boom Boom) Geoffrion, who won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. The latter two forwards went on to be inducted into the . Dick Gamble's image on an Eagle Toys table-top hockey game from the 1950s. ANDRÉ RIVEST The following season the Canadiens finished in second place in the regular season. They eliminated the fourth-place Chicago Black Hawks in a seven-game semi-final series with Mr. Gamble scoring the game- winning goal in a 4-3 comeback in Game 2. Despite his heroics, the winger was benched by coach Dick Irvin Sr. in the finals against the Boston Bruins, who were defeated in five games, earning Mr. Gamble a place on the Stanley Cup despite having watched the triumph in street clothes. He would be traded to Chicago for part of a season before returning to the Canadiens, where a precipitous drop in scoring led to a demotion to the minors that would last for the final 15 seasons of his career, except for three games of spot duty with the NHL Maple Leafs. 1091745 Montreal Canadiens Frederik Andersen, not great in this series but not a culprit either, will start in goal. That was all the coach was willing to say.

“We’re going to play hard against them. We’ve got last change. I’ll tell To save the sinking Maple Leafs ship, Babcock needs to put some you tomorrow during warmup,” was the word on how Babcock plans to personal beliefs aside handle the Bergeron line. Presumably he will think of something by then.

David Shoalts Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.16.2018 PUBLISHED APRIL 15, 2018

Mike Babcock is the master of projecting resolve and determination from every fibre of his being. A sense of doubt around him has as much chance as … as the Leafs’ defence when the Boston Bruins have the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line on the ice. But one has to wonder if the Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach is feeling as overwhelmed as his players right now. The Leafs ship has so many holes it is hard to find a place to begin with potential repairs in time for Monday night’s third game in the first-round NHL playoff series. At this point, it is not even certain the Leafs can find enough jam to avoid an embarrassment in front of their own fans, let alone making a dent in Boston’s 2-0 series lead with an actual win. Perhaps the best place Babcock can start with his list of repairs is himself. If the Leafs are to slow down the buzz saw that tore through them in the first two games of the series, the coach has to put aside at least some of his own beliefs. For example, his lack of trust in Dominic Moore and his persistent yet puzzling belief in Tomas Plekanec. All season long, Babcock looked elsewhere for a fourth-line centre while Moore played in fits and starts. It started in training camp with the Miro Aaltonen flirtation, then there was Eric Fehr for a bit, back to Moore, then Frédérik Gauthier and so on. Plekanec’s arrival at the trade deadline was supposed to end all that and give the Leafs someone who could play almost anywhere in the lineup. But the shock that the Montreal Canadiens traded him, the only NHL team he ever played for, seems to have been too much for Plekanec. Through two playoff games, the reluctant Czech was a mere spectator. He should never wear a Leafs sweater again. And now that Leo Komarov (leg) may join Nazem Kadri (suspended) on the sidelines, there are no practical reasons for Babcock to keep Moore out of the lineup. No, Moore is not going to turn this around. But youngsters Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson should at least get to have a live body at centre. Something else Babcock needs to set aside is his aversion to loading up the ice time on his younger players. With Kadri’s inability to exercise even a modicum of common sense -- taking him out of the series for three games -- and veterans Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk joining Plekanec on the missing-persons list, it is time to see what the kids can do with a heavy workload. Take Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Kapanen and Johnsson, spread them on the top nine with Connor Brown and Zach Hyman, and roll them. Maybe their speed will be enough to dislodge that big, suffocating rock known as the Bergeron line. Which brings us to the most onerous task of all. Trying to bring some sense of order to the Leafs’ game when Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak are running amok to the tune of 20 points in two games. In the first game, the Boston trio shredded Matthews’s line and the defence pair of Morgan Rielly and Ron Hainsey. In Game 2, Babcock assigned Nikita Zaitsev and Jake Gardiner to the big line and they were even worse than Rielly and Hainsey. And don’t even think about Travis Dermott and Roman Polak. The latter is so far behind the play in this series he could almost find Plekanec. Not that Polak is alone. As a group, the Leafs defencemen are giving all of the Bruins forwards great swaths of open ice in their own zone. There was a small burst of light for the Leafs when they used their speed in the first five minutes of the second game to at least keep the Bruins on the defensive. That may be the only solution given that the Bruins are so dominant physically. Maybe somehow that might fix the abysmal penalty killing and power play as well. In any case, Babcock was as dismissive as usual on Sunday when asked about his plans for Monday night. He isn’t expecting Komarov to play and 1091746 Montreal Canadiens Enter Bergevin, a guy you could have a beer with, a prankster with a sense of humour, a man who could get everyone to loosen up. Six years on, however, Bergevin is beginning to seem more and more like Jack Todd: Marc Bergevin shows how not to take responsibility for poor Gauthier. Next thing you know, we’ll be hearing the players were forced performance to eat a vegan meal on the plane following a bad game on the West Coast.

Really, what Bergevin needed to say was achingly simple: “I blew it. We Jack Todd needed Andrei Markov and Alexander Radulov, we needed them badly, and I went about it all wrong. It was too little, too late. I should have been Published on: April 15, 2018 out in front with both of them and locked them up early and I didn’t and that set the tone for this entire disaster. Last Updated: April 15, 2018 7:16 PM EDT “It’s on me, ladies and gentlemen. I’m the GM, I’m the one who messed

up.” If anyone wants to write a book on the Art of the Exit Interview, we can But like his team’s season, the GM’s exit interview was a disappointment point to three prime examples of how it’s done (and not done) from last from start to finish. week’s “How the Titanic Went Down” interviews in Buffalo and Montreal.

First, following the worst season of his career, a season when he became a favourite whipping boy for frustrated fans, Canadiens sniper Montreal Gazette LOADED: 04.16.2018 Max Pacioretty opened his heart and talked about his love for this city and its fans. Props to the captain for his honesty, for being open enough to learn to love a place that is so very different from the U.S., for his willingness to share his feelings. After an even worse season for his team, veteran Buffalo Sabres centre Ryan O’Reilly offered a rare, candid peek at what really goes through a player’s head as his team sleepwalks through a terrible campaign. And, finally, given a chance to step up and take the blame for a disastrous season that was mostly of his own making, Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin did the exact opposite: he pointed his finger squarely the players in the room, repeating over and over again that his team had an “attitude” problem. Let’s start with O’Reilly, who went to a place where players rarely go, before, during or after their careers. The Sabres, he said, had adopted a mindset where they were “okay with losing.” “It’s crept into all our games,” O’Reilly said. “Yeah, it’s disappointing. It’s sad. I feel throughout the year I’ve lost the love of the game multiple times, and just need to get it back because it’s eating myself up, and eating the other guys up, too.” Some of the usual bottom-feeding radio jocks and comment-string mouth-breathers went off on O’Reilly but in truth, he was only saying what you already know if you stop to think: no player can go through a 50-loss season and take every loss to heart. After a while, the losing leaves you numb. (We should also note that O’Reilly was being hard on himself after a 24-goal, 37-assist season that would have led the Canadiens in scoring.) Pacioretty, who has always worn his heart on his sleeve, admitted that he was in a tough position at season’s end: “I think as you get older, you get a little bit more emotional,” Pacioretty said. “I never expected that. I’m prepared for anything, but this is special. It might be my last time doing an interview in this locker room, so yeah, it is a little bit emotional.” “I love it here,” Pacioretty said. “We’re just so comfortable with the way people live their lives here. … This is a special place and it’s more of a European lifestyle … but I’ve fallen in love with this city.” Then it was Bergevin’s turn. Maybe he should have stuck with the clichés, because what he trotted out for the cameras was an embarrassment. “It was a disappointing season from start to finish and that is unacceptable,” Bergevin said – a statement with which no one could disagree. “The overall attitude needs to change,” Bergevin went on. “I think an attitude changes a lot of things. Of course good players make things better, but if you have good players with the right attitude. … I could bring anyone in here, but if the attitude is not better, we’re going to be in the same spot.” So who was responsible for putting together this team full of players with rotten attitudes? Don Cherry? Fonzie? Drake? Minnie Mouse? Call me crazy but I could swear Marc Bergevin has been GM of the Montreal Canadiens for six seasons now. If there is a bad attitude in the room, surely he is responsible? What good does it do to shift the burden to the players, when you selected those players? One of Bergevin’s real accomplishments when he came here was to change the culture left by outgoing GM Pierre (The Ghost) Gauthier. Gauthier was on a virtual war footing with his players after his shabby treatment of a couple of traded players (notably Mike Cammalleri). Gauthier was so tense he could make coffee nervous and it rubbed off on the entire organization. 1091747 Nashville Predators

Predators forward, Stanley Cup winner Nick Bonino ready to reprise role as playoff specialist

Adam Vingan, Published 5:10 p.m. CT April 15, 2018

The Predators coveted Nick Bonino’s playoff experience when they signed him to a four-year, $16.4 million contract in July. Bonino was an invaluable member of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ back-to- back Stanley Cups and received a raise in free agency that reflected those contributions. In many ways, Bonino's true value to the Predators will be determined by how he performs in the postseason. He appears primed to reprise his role as a playoff specialist. "I think it's getting a little bit more defined as we go along here," Bonino said of his usage. "Coming off (a leg) injury and then re-injuring it (in October), it took a while to get back to where I felt comfortable." In defense of Bonino's unremarkable regular season, he spent the first half finding his footing. Once he did, he began to prove his worth. The Predators also helped by utilizing Bonino properly after acquiring center Kyle Turris in November. They courted him during free agency to be their second-line center, which may have been too ambitious. Since the Turris trade, Bonino has nestled into his optimal role in the bottom six, roving around the lineup as necessary. "I'd say by January, every game for him has been a good game and an important game just with the way he plays the game — his smarts, his versatility, his experience," Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. "There's lots of things that he's brought to the table." Against the Colorado Avalanche, Bonino has anchored a shutdown unit with Colton Sissons and Austin Watson that has done a commendable job guarding Nathan MacKinnon's dynamic line. When Bonino has shared the ice with MacKinnon at even strength, the Predators are on the right side of shot attempts (24-22), high-danger attempts (4-2), scoring chances (9-8) and goals (2-0), according to naturalstattrick.com. "We're counted on a little bit more on the defensive side of things," Sissons said. "(Bonino) is so experienced and so smart, so he makes it really easy to play with him." Bonino notices similarities in how the Penguins and Predators are constructed. "Pittsburgh, you see guys who've won a lot of awards, individual awards over the course of their careers," Bonino said. "I think here, you have guys that definitely can win those awards. "We've got so much talent in here. We're just a little bit younger. Young but not inexperienced. I think the last few years, they've gotten that experience. I'm just trying to add what I have to it." The Predators leave for Denver to take on the Avalanche in games 3 and 4 of the first round NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series. Predators vs. Avalanche Predators lead series 2-0 All times are CT. All games on 102.5-FM. Game 1: Nashville 5, Colorado 2 Game 2: Nashville 5, Colorado 4 Game 3: Monday at Colorado, 9 p.m. (Fox TN, NBC SN) Game 4: Wednesday at Colorado, 9 p.m. (Fox TN, NBC SN) Game 5 (if necessary): Friday at Nashville, TBD Game 6 (if necessary): April 22 at Colorado, TBD Game 7 (if necessary): April 24 at Nashville, TBD

Tennessean LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091748 Nashville Predators This is where being at home and having the last change on faceoffs helps, of course. Colorado coach Jared Bednar should take advantage in his building and try to get MacKinnon’s line on the ice with the Preds’ Nate dogged: Predators know MacKinnon is Colorado's only hope fourth line and third pairing when he can. Though Game 2 was full of penalties, power plays and 4 on 4 time, the Preds’ approach was the same. Josi and Ellis saw most of the 5 on 5 Joe Rexrode time against MacKinnon’s line, as did the Bonino-Sissons-Watson line. Published 11:49 a.m. CT April 15, 2018 “I don’t know if we expected it entirely,” Watson, who has two goals in two games, said of Laviolette putting his line against Colorado’s best. Updated 6:49 p.m. CT April 15, 2018 “But we know all three of us are good in our own end and play the game pretty detailed, and if we’re out there against them that’s what we’re

going to be asked to do. It’s nothing where we’re being asked to go If you didn’t know, now you know: Nathan MacKinnon is a special kind of above and beyond how we want to play the game anyway.” talent. Laviolette downplayed the specific matchup on MacKinnon, saying “If it It took Pekka Rinne gloving a bullet from the 22-year-old Colorado ends up being the Johansen line, that’s fine, too. Really all of our lines, to forward to keep him off the board on a charge to the net in Thursday’s be honest with you, I trust,” he said, and that’s part of why this team is Game 1 – that and an extended kick to stop MacKinnon linemate Mikko where it is. Rantanen on a breakaway made the Predators’ 5-2 comeback win But the Predators know who they prefer on the ice against MacKinnon. possible. In Saturday’s Game 2, MacKinnon somehow fought off Filip And MacKinnon, who also had a 5-on-3 assist Saturday and six shots in Forsberg, muscled through Ryan Ellis and got a ridiculous backhand past a whopping 25 minutes of ice time, has to know that he either builds on Rinne to keep things close in an eventual 5-4 Preds win. that production or this series ends soon. Predators reporter Adam Vingan explains the keys to game 3 of the

Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche series which moves to Denver. Tennessean LOADED: 04.16.2018 Throughout both games, MacKinnon displayed his speed and masterful ability to possess the puck and do dangerous things with it. This is why he had 39 goals and 97 points this season. This is why the Predators have been watching him the way an actual predator watches its prey. No. 29 is under constant surveillance. And now it’s on MacKinnon to make this first-round series interesting. It’s on the Predators to deny him. If he gets loose in Monday’s Game 3 at Denver’s Pepsi Center, the Avalanche can win. If he doesn’t, they probably won’t. Things often aren’t that simple in a Stanley Cup Playoff series, but MacKinnon means that much to a Colorado team that would be well shy of postseason quality without him. “Oh man, he’s special,” Predators forward Austin Watson said of the short-list candidate for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP. “I mean, you don’t have the year he had this year without being a pretty incredible player. And just his line as a whole, they play the game with so much speed, you can’t get caught standing still. "I mean if you are, they’ll blow right around you. Even if you think you’re doing a good job on them, you can’t really take your foot off the gas at all or they’ll turn it back on you and get chances.” Already, it has been fascinating to watch Peter Laviolette match his team up with the line of MacKinnon, Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. Fascinating and somewhat surprising. I expected to see a good share of best vs. best, Nashville countering that line with its top line. And after watching what P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm did as a shutdown defensive pairing in last year’s Stanley Cup Final run, those two seemed to make sense against Colorado’s big three. But Laviolette switched up early in Game 1 and sent his third line of Nick Bonino, Watson and Colton Sissons at MacKinnon and Co. for most of the night. And he opted for the pairing of Ellis and Roman Josi as a matchup, which is less surprising because those two are built to counter speed while Subban and Ekholm specialize in grappling with big, strong foes. The Game 1 numbers back up the approach, and bear with me now as I descend into the statistical wormhole known as naturalstattrick.com. Bonino was on the ice for 9:31 against MacKinnon in 5 on 5, and in that time the Preds had a 13-11 edge in shot attempts while Colorado had a 4-2 edge in scoring chances. By comparison, Johansen saw MacKinnon for just 4:09 in 5 on 5, and the Avs had advantages of 10-3 in shot attempts and 6-1 in scoring chances. Between that defensive work and a total of seven points and three goals, Nashville’s third line has been the key to the series through two games. They've been fast, physical and aggressive, creating their own chances even while shadowing Colorado's best. “They’ve been unbelievable,” Johansen said. Also per naturalstattrick.com, Ellis saw MacKinnon for 13:37 of 5 on 5 time in Game 1. Subban was with MacKinnon for just 2:33, and the third pairing of Alexei Emelin and Matt Irwin managed 19 seconds against him. Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette is thankful for the home ice advantage throughout the NHL Playoffs. 1091749 Nashville Predators

Predators' penalty minutes mounting through 2 games vs Avalanche

Erik Bacharach, Published 10:15 a.m. CT April 15, 2018 Updated 12:46 p.m. CT April 15, 2018

After penalties saturated the Predators’ 5-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, penalties also saturated the postgame conversation. The numbers say all that talk is warranted — for the most part. Game 2 of the Predators-Avalanche series featured more penalty minutes than in any other game Saturday night: Nashville had 14 penalty minutes, and Colorado had 12. The average among the other six teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday night was 8.7 penalty minutes. None of the other NHL teams that played Saturday night had more than 10 minutes in penalties. But those numbers have nothing on the type of night the NHL saw Friday. In Game 2 of the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh series Friday, the teams racked up a combined 42 penalty minutes, though that number was inflated by two 10-minute misconducts. The Game 2 matchup between Winnipeg and Minnesota saw a combined 82 penalty minutes, though there were four 10-minute misconducts in that one. Penalty Minutes in the Stanley Cup playoffs Through the first few days of the postseason, six teams have been called for a postseason-high 11 penalties — including Colorado — and two have been called for 10, including the Predators. Nashville had only six minutes worth of penalties in Game 1, Its two-game total of 20 penalty minutes ranks as the ninth-highest total among 16 postseason teams. Colorado, which had 18 penalty minutes in the series opener, ranks fourth with 30 total penalty minutes through two games. Still, the 2018 playoffs are already off to a much more penalty-ridden start for Nashville than last year's postseason. In Nashville's 2017 first-round series, the Predators had only 20 penalty minutes during their four-game sweep of Chicago. The Blackhawks had a total of 30 penalty minutes. During the Predators' 2017 run to the Stanley Cup finals, Nashville averaged 12.3 penalty minutes per game, which ranked third-most last postseason. The Predators' opponents averaged 13.2 penalty minutes. This year, the Preds were the most-penalized team during the regular season. Saturday’s penalties, Austin Watson said, were merely a continuation of that trend. “The majority of the time,” he said, “we’ve done a bad job of being disciplined during the regular season.” Ryan Johansen was asked if he thought Game 2 was called tighter than usual. “Yeah,” he said. “You try, as a player, I don’t even know, you try and focus on just your job and what we need to do. That’s not in our hands, the way the game is being called.”

Tennessean LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091750 Nashville Predators

Predators vs. Avalanche: 3 things to watch in Game 3 of NHL first-round playoff series

Adam Vingan, Published 7:44 a.m. CT April 15, 2018 Updated 10:02 a.m. CT April 15, 2018

Balanced attack The Predators' scoring depth has been a major component of their success this season. Through two games against the Avalanche, eight players have scored and 13 have at least one point. Because of that balance, the Predators scored five goals in consecutive playoff games for the first time in franchise history. The Avalanche have been weakened by a depleted defense. They were without Samuel Girard (upper-body injury) on Saturday, and it's unknown if he'll play Monday. Time for a change? Statistics suggest that Miikka Salomaki, Mike Fisher and Ryan Hartman have been an effective unit in this series. The eye test, however, seems to say otherwise. That line's coverage in the defensive zone has been spotty, as evidenced by the sequence that led to the Avalanche's first goal Saturday. The Predators have options if they were to consider a personnel change, with Scott Hartnell being the likeliest choice. Nashville will benefit from the eventual return of Calle Jarnkrok, who hasn't played since March 13 because of injury. He appears close to rejoining the lineup. Early game, early goal. Teams that take a 2-0 series lead have advanced 86.4 percent of the time in NHL postseason history. That increases to 88,7 percent when those two games are won at home. The odds are on the Predators' side, but they don't expect to breeze into the second round. The Avalanche have not looked overwhelmed in this series, and they'll be more competitive at Pepsi Center, where they won 28 games this season.

Tennessean LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091751 Nashville Predators

Predators earn highest TV rating since last year's Stanley Cup Finals

Mike Organ, Published 10:00 a.m. CT April 15, 2018 Updated 2:39 p.m. CT April 15, 2018

The Predators' local television ratings continue to soar. Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Predators and Colorado Avalanche Saturday earned a whopping 10.3 rating, according to WTVF programming and research director Mark Binda. That means 106,162 Nashville households watched the Predators take a 2-0 lead in the series by beating the Avalanche 5-4 at Bridgestone Arena. The rating for the first game of the series was a 7.5. Saturday's rating was the highest since the Predators set a franchise record with a 27.4 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final last season against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette is thankful for the home ice advantage throughout the NHL Playoffs. Saturday's rating also set a franchise record for the highest in the first or second rounds of the playoffs. The average rating through the regular season this year was 2.1 Saturday's game was broadcast on Channel 4 (NBC). The series continues Monday on Fox Sports Tennessee and NBC Sports in Colorado at 9 p.m. Mike Organ

Tennessean LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091752 New Jersey Devils

Devils sign prospect Joey Anderson to entry level deal | What it means

Updated April 15, 2018 at 4:02 PM; Posted April 15, 2018 at 3:57 PM By Chris Ryan

The Devils signed forward prospect Joey Anderson to a three-year entry level contract on Sunday. The 19-year-old Anderson is in New Jersey and will join the NHL team on Monday. The first year of Anderson's contract will count toward the 2017- 18 season, so he will have two years left on his deal starting next season. Anderson is eligible to play in the postseason with the Devils, who play Game 3 of their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Prudential Center. The Devils selected Anderson with the 73rd overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. The third-round selection was the Devils' third player taken in the Draft behind Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian. Anderson stuck out at Development Camp Anderson recently finished his sophomore season at Minnesota-Duluth, where he helped the team win the NCAA title. He finished with 27 points in 36 games. Anderson was also named captain of Team USA during the World Junior Championships. While Anderson could play with the Devils in the 2017-18 playoffs, the Devils certainly added another future forward option to the organization at the start of next season. The right wing possesses plenty of offensive skill that earned him spots on the past two Team USA World Junior Championship rosters, and during each of his two collegiate seasons, he reached the NCAA Frozen Four with Minnesota-Duluth. When Anderson played with the U.S. National Development Team prior to being drafted, he shared a line with Clayton Keller and Kieffer Bellows -- two players taken in the first round of the 2016 Draft before Anderson. Keller just finished his first NHL season, and his play earned him consideration for the Calder Trophy. When those three played together, Anderson showed the ability to play with high-quality skill and speed, and it was one of the appealing things to the Devils about getting him in the middle of the Draft. Now the Devils will see if he can make an impact at the NHL level. Anderson possesses the speed and offensive ability that could help make the Devils a deeper, more dangerous team, if he shows he is NHL- ready. The Devils have used several left-handed shots on their opposite side during the 2017-18 season, so Anderson would add another righty to line up on that side down the line.

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091753 New Jersey Devils

Devils drop to Lightning: 6 observations | How 10 minutes changed Game 2

Posted April 15, 2018 at 06:15 AM Updated April 15, 2018 at 06:16 AM By Chris Ryan

TAMPA, Fla. -- The start was better. The second period? Not so much. Another rough stretch proved to be the difference as the Devils dropped Game 2, 5-3, of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lighting on Saturday. A second straight loss at Amalie Arena put the Devils in a 2-0 series hole. Here's a look at the 10 minutes that cost the Devils in the second period, the three areas they need to clean up and more. Costly 10 minutes Four goals and three penalties can be enough to swing any playoff game in an opponent's favor. It's even more likely when all that happens in a 10-minute stretch. That run to start the second period turned a 1-1 game into a 5-1 deficit for the Devils, and despite tilting the ice the other way in the third period, it was far too much to overcome. "We had a bad 10 minutes or so and it cost us," defenseman Andy Greene said. "We gotta be better on the PK there. Give up two net-front goals there. Besides that, we battled really hard. We had a really good third period." "But we can’t give up chances like that. We have to be a little more desperate in front there, and make sure our PK come sup big, because we’re going to have to kill a few off. Obviously we had a really good kill in the first (period). Really, really good kill. I thought it gave us momentum, and then it took away from us in the second." Better penalty discipline needed The Devils finished with five minor penalties, leading to three Lightning power plays. They converted on the two in the second period, making the Devils pay for a couple costly mistakes. Those two penalties were avoidable infractions, too. Ben Lovejoy flipped a puck over the glass for a delay of game call, and Kyle Palmieri was tagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after Lovejoy took a pair of big hits later in the period. "Special teams have to be better. We’ve got to make sure we have penalty discipline," Devils coach John Hynes said. "It’s one of the things going into the series that we had talked about. So those two areas can be better. But I thought there’s lots to build on 5-on-5." Alex Killorn,Keith Kinkaid,Ben Lovejoy But for what it's worth, Hynes disagreed with the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called against Palmieri. In a game that featured 71 hits, plus plenty of extracurricular activity following plays, that instance seemed singled out. "Based on everything else that had gone on in the game, yes, I was shocked at that call," Hynes said.

Star Ledger LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091754 New Jersey Devils

Devils playoffs: 3 keys to victory in Game 3 against Lightning

Abbey Mastracco, Published 4:35 p.m. ET April 15, 2018

NEWARK - The Devils are back in Newark to play their first playoff game at Prudential Center since 2012. And while there’s a great deal of excitement, it’s somewhat tempered by the task at hand: Climbing out of an 0-2 hole in their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. With two games in their own home barn in front of their crowd, there’s no reason to count the Devils out quite yet. There’s plenty of hockey left to be played, but there is a fair amount of work that needs to be done in order for the Devils to be able to extend the series. Here are three things the Devils want to see in Game 3 against the Lightning, Monday night at Prudential Center. Play more disciplined The Devils did not practice on Sunday, but coach John Hynes was available on a conference call, along with captain Andy Greene and alternate captain Taylor Hall. One of the biggest things Hynes stressed was playing with better penalty defense. The Lightning’s power play is one of the most dangerous in hockey and the Devils feel they have given them far too many chances. They scored twice with the man-advantage on Saturday in Game 3 and they’re 3-for-4 in the series. Hynes knows they’ve been disciplined against top power play teams in the past and he wants the team to return to those ways. Hynes said the penalties have been mostly control issues, meaning it’s on the Devils to better control themselves, be it trying to get the puck out of the zone or emotionally when things get heated. “Our penalty discipline has to be better,” Hynes said. “Our special teams has to take it up a notch.” John Hynes talks about the Devils’ Game 2 loss and what he thought of Cory Schneider’s performance. Better net-front defense Most of the goals given up have been a result of net-front defensive breakdowns. The Devils don’t like how the Lightning forwards have been able to skate into the slot and make things happen so easily. Cory Schneider defended the performance of Keith Kinkaid after Game 2, saying there was no way he could have made some of those saves. It was a similar sentiment expressed by Taylor Hall, who said the Devils need to make Tampa Bay play on the perimeter. “They’re a team that can really turn plays quite quickly. It doesn’t seem like a Grade-A chance until it’s in the back of your net and that’s why they’re such a potent team offensively,” Hall said. “So it’s up to us to take away sticks in front, to eliminate passing lanes and just be better in front of our goalies and keep more shots to the outside. It’s a big part of playoff hockey.” Consistency Hynes lamented the team’s consistency through the first two games and Greene also said there wasn’t enough attention paid to the small details that can make-or-break a playoff game. There will be lineup changes made, Hynes said, and possibly a change in net, though he’s not showing his cards just yet. But regardless of who plays, he wants the team to know that there can be no lapses in energy, effort or attention in Game 3. “I think in general, we need to be a more consistent team and not play well in pockets,” Hynes said. “Whoever you’re up against, you’ve got to be able to compete. We can try to use some of those matchups and things at home, but the biggest difference between us winning and losing is just being a way more thorough team for 60 minutes.”

Bergen Record LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091755 New Jersey Devils "Challenge accepted," Hinchcliffe responded. "They (Maple Leafs) are going to win it all. Nobody goes further than the team holding the Cup."

Hinchcliffe added: "Personally, I'm a red velvet guy." Avs, Devils, Leafs hoping home cookin' flips the momentum Newgarden said he prefers vanilla.

SAVING THE DAY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Avalanche coach Jared Bednar thought goaltender Jonathan Bernier Sunday, April 15, 2018, 4:52 PM played "OK" in the first two games. "If you look at the importance of goaltending this time of year, good is DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon is counting on 18,000 of his rowdy usually not good enough," Bednar said. friends to give the Colorado Avalanche a little bit of an extra buzz. Goaltending is on the minds of the Devils, too. Keith Kinkaid played well Maybe even throw Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne off his game. down the stretch, but has struggled in the postseason. He was lifted in the second period Sunday after giving up five goals on 15 shots. Trailing the top-seeded Predators 2-0 in the first-round series, the Avalanche return Monday (10 p.m. EDT, NBCSN) to a building that's Cory Schneider, who was the starter most of the season until a hip and certainly been something to write home about this season. Their 28 wins groin injury in January sidelined him for a month, finished and did not at the Pepsi Center in the regular season tied the franchise mark held by allow a goal on 10 shots. the 2000-01 squad that went on to capture the Stanley Cup. "There is still a lot of hockey to be played," Devils forward Taylor Hall "We have lots of confidence here," said MacKinnon , whose team has said, "and a lot of hockey on home ice as well." dropped 12 straight to the Predators. "The building has been a lot of fun this year." New York Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 Colorado isn't the only team hoping a change of scenery provides a change in momentum — Toronto returns to friendly confines down 2-0 in the series against Boston (7 p.m., NBCSN). The New Jersey Devils are in the same boat versus Tampa Bay (7:30 p.m., CNBC) heading into their first playoff home game since 2012. Then there's the San Jose Sharks, who are sitting pretty after two road wins against Anaheim (10:30 p.m., CNBC). Now at home, the Sharks get last change and the opportunity to dictate matchups. "It's a nice luxury being at home, having those matchups," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. "The bigger advantage is the crowd and the environment and being able to sleep in your own bed." For New Jersey, climbing back in the series boils down to this — avoiding big early deficits. They trailed the Lightning 3-0 in Game 1 and 5-1 in Game 2 before staging a comeback. "We need to play as a group," said coach John Hynes, who plans to make some lineup changes. "We can't have passengers." MacKinnon said the Avs need to clean up the little things against a savvy Predators team. "We're in a tough spot right now," MacKinnon said. "Two games at home. Hopefully, we can even up the series." The Predators fully expect a more tenacious rush from a youthful Colorado squad. "They're persistent," Nashville forward Austin Watson said. "There's no quit in them." ENCORE Boston hopes David Pastrnak packs his Game 2 performance for the trip to Toronto. The 21-year-old had three goals and three assists to become the youngest NHL player with six or more points in a playoff game, surpassing Wayne Gretzky, according to the Bruins website. "When you're breaking a Wayne Gretzky record, I hope he realizes at his young age how cool it is," forward David Backes told reporters. "Hopefully he had fun last night and enjoyed that moment because it is special." REASON FOR OPTIMISM The Ducks can latch on to some recent history for optimism in coming back from an 0-2 deficit. They lost the first two games at home in the second round last year to Edmonton before rallying to win the series in seven games. "That's the situation we're in. We have a good team," Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano said. "We have a team that's been in these situations before." CAKE WALK This definitely takes the cake: At the start of the playoffs, IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden, a Nashville fan, proposed a wager to fellow racer, James Hinchcliffe, a Toronto Maple Leafs supporter. The driver with the team that bowed out of the Stanley Cup playoffs first had to bake the other a homemade cake and present it at an autograph session while wearing the opposing team's sweater. 1091756 New Jersey Devils

Devils’ Game 3 lineup shakeup could bring both a return, debut

By Brett Cyrgalis April 15, 2018 | 11:47PM

John Hynes is not about to sit on his hands. The Devils coach knows he needs to do something or the club’s first time back in the playoffs in the past six years is going to be a short one. So Hynes is trying to halt the losses to the Lightning with a few unnamed changes coming for Game 3 on Monday night in Newark. “We’ll have some lineup changes,” Hynes said on a conference call Sunday. “There are some players that haven’t performed well enough to warrant them staying in.” That could very well include the goalie, with Long Island’s Keith Kinkaid having struggled in the first two games that ended in losses of 5-2 and 5- 3. Hynes pulled Kinkaid near the end of Game 2 on Saturday in Tampa after he allowed all five goals on 15 shots and brought in veteran Cory Schneider, who stopped all 10 shots he faced. Schneider, the former All- Star, had his starting job taken from him after a midseason injury sidelined him and Kinkaid excelled. Schneider has not won a game since Dec. 27. Modal Trigger “I have made a decision for the starting goaltender on Monday, but have not spoken to the goalies,” Hynes said. “We will stick to the regular- season routine of announcing the start on game day.” The changes could also include third-round pick Joey Anderson joining the lineup after the standout forward from Minnesota-Duluth signed his entry-level deal Sunday following his team’s NCAA championship. The 19-year-old will skate with the club Monday, and would surely be a wake- up call to the players if the captain of Team USA from the World Juniors tournament in January went right into the lineup. “You look at his high character and professionalism and his discipline,” assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald told the Devils website. “Everyone wants to be the guy who comes down the boards and just rifles a shot top shelf or makes a nice little play in the corner, but it takes a certain kind of player to get to the net and he’s got an undeniable will to do that. It’s unconditional and he’s a self-starter. He doesn’t need anyone to get him going. He just goes.” The Devils need quite a lot to hang with the top-seeded Lightning. Tampa Bay’s dynamic offense has overwhelmed the young defensive corps, and for a franchise that used to be predicated on limiting opportunities, they have given up far too many. “We can’t give Tampa free offense,” Hynes said. “Our penalty discipline has to be better. Our special teams needs to take it up a notch.” There has been impressive poise from rookies Nico Hischier and Will Butcher, as well as the same high-end performance from likely Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall, finally getting his first chance at the postseason after so many fruitless seasons in Edmonton. But the Devils have been generally outclassed in the first two games, and changes are needed if they want to claw their way back. “We’ve shown that we can play with them and play the way we want to,” Hall said. “They are a great team and have a lot of great players. They are a threat, but hopefully on home ice we can dictate play for a full 60.”

New York Post LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091757 New York Islanders Barzal's unassisted goal with 14:30 remaining in the second tied the score at 1. The tie did not last long as Washington took advantage of a 5- on-3 power play. Backstrom's persistent jabbing at a loose puck in front T.J. Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom score as Capitals down Islanders, 6-3 of Halak led to a 2-1 lead with 7:12 left in the second.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 Friday, March 16, 2018, 11:23 PM

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals scored 13 goals in two games against the New York Islanders, and Alex Ovechkin accounted for none of them. T.J. Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom and Matt Niskanen scored as Washington swept a home-and-home set against the skidding Islanders with a 6-3 win on Friday night. had a goal and two assists for the Capitals, who hammered the Islanders 7-3 in New York on Thursday. Jakub Vrana's goal gave Washington a 5-1 lead with 9:04 remaining, and Lars Eller added an empty-netter. "It's very important to have balance. I don't think anyone here is worried about (Ovechkin) not scoring, but it is good we have other guys stepping up," Oshie said. "That's important. We want confidence throughout the lineup offensively going into the postseason." Braden Holtby gained confidence in his return to the lineup. The 2016 Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goaltender had lost seven of eight and did not play in the previous four games. Holtby made 22 saves against the Islanders in his first game since March 6. "I felt a lot better," he said. "Not that I was feeling horrible before. You get refreshed from a week off work." Washington broke a tie with the idle Pittsburgh Penguins for sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals' four- game winning streak is their longest since taking five in a row from Dec. 28 to Jan. 9. Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and John Tavares scored for the Islanders, who have lost 10 of 11. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington's second-leading scorer, left in the second period and did not return after sustaining an upper-body injury. Capitals coach Barry Trotz said Kuznetsov is day-to-day and would be re-evaluated Saturday. Kuznetsov had two assists before exiting. In the final seconds of the second period, he smashed into the boards behind the Islanders net as New York's Thomas Hickey was called for a slashing penalty. The slow- rising Kuznetsov eventually skated off and headed straight toward the locker room. The Islanders were called for 11 penalties that totaled 41 minutes one night after a lopsided loss. Ross Johnston received a game misconduct following a fight with Washington's Tom Wilson. "You can't sit in the box against that team," Islanders coach Doug Weight said. "We battled. It wasn't as hard as we wanted to play in the first, but we took three penalties and guys battled physically, they worked hard. They'll probably say it was an easy game, but we worked hard." Philipp Grubauer, tied for fourth in the league with a 2.26 goals-against average, went 3-1 in net for Washington over the previous four games. Trotz would not commit to a starting goaltender for Sunday's pivotal matchup at Philadelphia. The good news for Washington is that Holtby's performance makes the decision difficult. "I thought (Holtby) was pretty solid. He looked really confident," Trotz said. "You could tell by his play with the puck in the corner on the power play the one time. He's feeling some confidence, so that's good." Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak made 25 saves. New York has given up at least five goals in 20 games this season. "Try to come in here and play for each other," Nelson said of New York's motivation with postseason hopes rapidly fading. "We are where we are. It's tough. But you've got to go out there and be professional and do your job and work every day." Oshie redirected Ovechkin's shot past Halak for a power-play goal in the first period. Oshie has three goals in two games after a 19-game drought. 1091758 New York Rangers development of young players and actually winning — and don’t tell the likes of Henrik Lundqvist that it’s going to take a few years.

Quinn wouldn’t just leave his alma mater for any job, but if the Rangers Top-flight NCAA coach could be outside-the-box Rangers pick found that he was their man? It might be too inviting to stay. “I think everybody at some point, if you look around some of the colleges, By Brett Cyrgalis if they’ve been there a while, they want a challenge,” Capuano said. “They want to see if they can reach the pinnacle, the best league in the April 15, 2018 | 11:31pm world, which is the NHL.”

Will Jimmy Vesey take the next step under new coach? New York Post LOADED: 04.16.2018 It’s not as if David Quinn is frequently circulating his résumé, and it’s not as if the Rangers are knocking down the door of Boston University’s head coach to replace Alain Vigneault as they continue their rebuild while searching for new voice behind the bench. But if Blueshirts assistant general manager and B.U. alumnus Chris Drury comes calling, let’s just say that Quinn is going to pick up the phone for the sake of mutual interest. “It just makes sense,” said former B.U. standout defenseman Colby Cohen, hero of the 2009 national championship game the Terriers won when Quinn was an assistant under the legendary Jack Parker and Kevin Shattenkirk, another Ranger and Cohen’s best friend, patrolled their blue line. “I think [Quinn] would be a great fit,” said the admittedly biased Cohen. “He’s such a smart guy that he’ll understand how to deal with players making millions of dollars. But players will respect him and buy into his ways.” Cohen’s comparison for Quinn was another B.U. product, Mike Sullivan, a former Rangers assistant under John Tortorella who went on to win the past two Stanley Cups with the Penguins, and is vying for a third this spring. What that means is that Quinn is a disciplinarian and every player is held accountable. “There were times when I wanted to kill Quinny and he wanted to kill me as a player,” Cohen said. “But he pretty much taught me how to play defense.” The question is how good the fit might be. Cohen spoke glowingly about Quinn’s “swagger,” which is needed when taking such a high-profile job. There are going to be a lot of young, inexperienced players on the Rangers next season, and general manager Jeff Gorton is going to have to figure out what type of person he wants to lead them. “He’s a details coach,” Cohen said. “All players at that level can do the major things, but they have to do all the little things to be successful.” Modal Trigger It was that same way when Quinn was younger, growing up in Cranston, R.I., alongside former Islanders coach Jack Capuano. The two left that hard-scrabble town as teenagers to play hockey at Kent School in leafy Connecticut. From there, Capuano went to play at Maine while Quinn went off to B.U., graduating in 1987. And don’t mention the 1995 national championship game to Capuano, when B.U. beat Maine, 6-2. “We had some battles, obviously in our college days,” Capuano said, “but he’s got the bragging rights.” Soon, Quinn’s playing career would be over, getting one season in the AHL and another in the IHL before succumbing to what’s known as “Christmas disease,” a form of hemophilia. He took an assistant’s job at Northeastern in 1994, and by 2004 — after stops at Nebraska-Omaha and junior-level Team USA teams — he went back to B.U. to be an assistant under Parker. By 2009, he was coaching B.U.’s defense — with some work on the power play — for a team that had a handful of future NHL players, notably including Shattenkirk, Matt Gilroy, Eric Gryba, Chris Higgins, Nick Bonino and Colin Wilson. The Terriers went on a miraculous run in the NCAA Tournament that culminated in the championship game against Miami (Ohio), when they scored two goals in the final 59.5 seconds of regulation and Cohen scored a fluttering game-winner in overtime. “We had a lot of really talented players, and he got us all on the same page — which isn’t easy,” said Cohen, who after a brief pro career is now a color commentator for broadcasts on CBS Sports and Westwood One radio, among other outlets. “We had a lot of big personalities, and we all bought in.” The Rangers have a lot of questions when considering what they want in a new head coach. They have to strike a balance between the 1091759 New York Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist chooses his knee’s health over country

By Larry Brooks April 15, 2018 | 7:06PM

Henrik Lundqvist declined an invitation to join Team Sweden for the World Championships while citing the knee issue he first referenced at the Rangers’ breakup day on April 10 as the reason. Lundqvist, who originally sustained the left MCL injury during Tre Kronor’s run to the title last spring, underwent an MRI exam last week that revealed no structural damage. The netminder, who never missed a practice and did not appear at all compromised by the knee, started 50 of the club’s first 60 games before the Rangers fell out of the playoff race and management gave an extended look at 22-year-old Alexandar Georgiev. Lundqvist went 26-26- 7/.915/2.98 in 61 starts and 63 appearances. The plan is for Lundqvist to receive platelet-rich plasma treatment and rest for three weeks before beginning his normal offseason training regimen.

New York Post LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091760 Ottawa Senators Franchise defenceman Duncan Keith was chosen 54th overall in the 2002 draft, the 15th defenceman selected.

As much as the draft is a selling point to fans, the Los Angeles Kings won Dahlin is the prize, but picking number one doesn't often lead to finishing the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 despite having only one of their own number one top 10 draft selections in their lineup: Drew Doughty. The Detroit Red Wings have also proven that a team can experience Ken Warren long-term success without the benefit of high draft picks. The Red Wings won the Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008. Their run of 25 consecutive Published on: April 15, 2018 | Last Updated: April 15, 2018 8:40 PM EDT playoff appearances came to an end in 2017. For the most part, they accomplished all of that without any high end picks, including several years without a first round selection. Should the Ottawa Senators secure the golden ticket in the NHL draft Detroit is the exception to the rule, of course. lottery on April 28, we can safely predict a few summer events along the following lines. The road back to respectability usually comes through strong drafting. It is too much, however, to expect one player to immediately make all the Once the selection of Rasmus Dahlin is made official at the draft on June difference – even if his name is Dahlin. 22, the teen phenom will be paraded around the city with a franchise player tag attached. –The top prospects for NHL draft The hype that naturally comes with being selected first overall will lead 1-Rasmus Dahlin: It’s one of those years — like with Connor McDavid in some fans to believe the hope that a Stanley Cup will soon follow. 2015 and Austin Matthews in 2016 — when there’s no doubt about who will be selected first overall. Nothing wrong with that. It’s Marketing 101, a perfect opportunity to sell a brighter future, along with thousands of seats. Dahlin, the slick defenceman who has played the past two seasons with Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League (the same team that Erik Karlsson Besides, if Dahlin isn’t coming here, a similar scene will play out and Daniel Alfredsson played for) is the class of the field. wherever he does go. “No other player in this draft is close in the discussion,” according to TSN Now, here’s a little cold water to pour on the plans for the parade route in draft analyst Craig Button. Ottawa, Buffalo, Vancouver or wherever the lucky lottery ball lands. The Edmonton Oilers know the story all too well. Dahlin is the type of player who has the franchise player tag written all over him. Over the past three decades, only three teams — the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa In terms of style, Button says Dahlin is closer to Viktor Hedman of the Bay Lightning — have won the Cup on the backs of a first overall Tampa Bay Lightning than to the Senators’ Erik Karlsson. selection. 2-Filip Zadina: The Czech sharpshooter has lit it up with Halifax in the First, we’ll talk about the rare success stories. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In a neck-and-neck-and-neck prospect battle with fellow wingers Brady Tkachuk and Andrei With the help of Sidney Crosby (2005) and Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Svechnikov to go number two behind Dahlin, Zadina possesses superb the Penguins parlayed top picks into the past two Stanley Cup titles, stickhandling skills. Pierre Dorion has spent plenty of time watching him along with a championship in 2009. In a previous Penguins era of in the past few months. dominance, Mario Lemieux (1984) served as the centrepiece for Pittsburgh’s run to the Cup in 1991 and 1992. 3-Brady Tkachuk: The family bloodlines include father Keith and brother Matthew. Like his Dad and his sibling, the 18-year-old from Boston The Blackhawks reached the top in 2010, 2013 and 2015, with Patrick University owns a mean streak, a physical edge that makes him hard to Kane (2007) delivering on his first overall promise. play against. The “power forward” applies perfectly to his skill set. Since 1988, Vincent Lecavalier (1998) is the only other first pick to lead 4-Andrei Svechnikov: The Barrie Colts star seemingly has it all: speed, his team all the way to the championship. agility and goal-scoring hands. There is some question about his defensive game and discipline, but he has, perhaps naturally, been It’s startling, really, when you think of some of the marquee names — compared to fellow Russian Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues. including Mats Sundin (1989), Joe Thornton (1997), Ilya Kovalchuk The Senators haven’t drafted a Russian-born player since the long (2001), Alex Ovechkin (2004) and John Tavares (2009) — who have forgotten Ruslan Bashkirov in 2007, but GM Pierre Dorion says he will owned the first overall mantle. pick the best player available, regardless of nationality. Of course, Steven Stamkos (2008) could still win a Stanley Cup title with 5-Adam Boqvist: The highly-skilled, offensively gifted defenceman, who Tampa. In Toronto, Auston Matthews (2016) is just beginning his career plays for Brynas in the Swedish Elite League, has drawn comparisons to and Connor McDavid (2015) could have another decade trying to lead Erik Karlsson. He may, however, not quite be physically ready for the Edmonton to the top. NHL, which could see him slide down the draft board slightly. Some Yet Edmonton is also the place to start in explaining how there are few early-season draft lists had him ranked as high as second behind Dahlin. guarantees to success simply by picking first. 6-Quintin Hughes: The new age of smaller, speedier NHL defenceman The second Oilers dynasty that many deemed inevitable following the comes at the right time for Hughes, who put up big numbers (five goals, number one selections of Taylor Hall in 2010, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 24 assists) in his first season at . Hughes has crept up the 2011 and Nail Yakupov in 2012 disappeared. Hall is now in the midst of prospect board throughout the season, partly because he has proven he his long-awaited first playoff run with New Jersey, while Yakupov is on can play against bigger and more physically mature players. his third NHL team, receiving a shot in the post-season with surprising SENATORS HISTORY OF TOP 5 SELECTIONS Colorado. 1992: ALEXEI YASHIN, 2nd overall Clearly, success is about much more than being bad and/or lucky enough to pick first. Ott Totals: 504GP, 222G, 275A, 497Pts There’s a need to surround the young talent with the proper pieces, Playoffs: 26GP, 6G, 9A, 15 Pts either through other solid draft choices, trades and/or free agency. *Traded to NYI on June 23,2001 for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt and NYI Pittsburgh and Chicago were basement teams before their turnaround. second overall pick in 2001 draft () In the case of the Penguins, Evgeni Malkin was secured with the second NHL Totals: 850GP, 337G, 444A, 781Pts overall pick in 2004, immediately after Ovechkin. The Penguins also used the number two choice in 2006 to draft Jordan Staal. Staal won the Cup Playoffs: 48GP, 11G, 16A, 27Pts with the Penguins in 2009. When he was traded to Carolina, part of the return package included defenceman Brian Dumoulin, who has been part 1993: ALEXANDRE DAIGLE, 1st overall of the past two championship teams. Ott Totals: 301GP, 74G, 98A, 172Pts As for the Blackhawks, drafting Jonathan Toews third overall in 2006 – Playoffs: 7GP, 0G, 0A, 0 Pts behind Staal and Erik Johnson – was pivotal in winning the three titles. *Traded to Pha on Jan. 17,1998 for Vaclav Prospal, Pat Falloon and Pha 2nd round pick in 1998 (Chris Bala) NHL Totals: 616GP, 129G, 198A, 327Pts Playoffs: 12GP, 0G, 2A, 2 Pts. 1994: RADEK BONK, 3rd overall Ott Totals: 689GP, 152G, 247A, 399 Pts Playoffs: 61GP, 9G, 15A, 24 Pts *Traded to LAK on June 6,2004 for 3rd round pick in 2004 draft (Shawn Weller) NHL Totals: 969GP, 194G, 303A, 497 Pts Playoffs: 73GP, 12G, 15A, 27 Pts 1995: BRYAN BERARD, 1st overall Ott Totals: 0GP, 0G, 0A, 0 Pts. Playoffs: 0G, 0G, 0A, 0 Pts. *Traded to NYI on Jan. 23,1996, along with Don Beaupre and Martin Straka, for Wade Redden and Damian Rhodes NHL Totals: 619GP, 76G, 247A, 323Pts Playoffs: 20GP, 2G, 8A, 10Pts 1996: CHRIS PHILLIPS, 1st overall Ott Totals: 1,179GP, 71G, 217A, 288 Pts Playoffs: 114GP, 6G, 9A, 15 Pts NHL Totals: 1,179GP, 71G, 217A, 288 Pts Playoffs: 114GP, 6G, 9A, 15 Pts 2001: JASON SPEZZA, 2nd overall Ott Totals: 689GP, 251G, 436A, 687Pts Playoffs: 56GP, 17G, 35A, 52Pts *Traded to Dal on July 1, 2014, along with Ludwig Karlsson, for Alex Chiasson, Alex Guptill, and Dal 2nd round pick in 2015 NHL Totals: 987GP, 324G, 564A, 888 Pts Playoffs: 56GP, 17G, 35A, 52 Pts. Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091761 Ottawa Senators As for the Blackhawks, drafting Jonathan Toews third overall in 2006 – behind Staal and Erik Johnson – was pivotal in winning the three titles. Franchise defenceman Duncan Keith was chosen 54th overall in the Dahlin is the prize, but picking number one doesn't often lead to finishing 2002 draft, the 15th defenceman selected. number one As much as the draft is a selling point to fans, the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 despite having only one of their own top 10 draft selections in their lineup: Drew Doughty. Ken Warren The Detroit Red Wings have also proven that a team can experience Published:April 15, 2018 long-term success without the benefit of high draft picks. The Red Wings won the Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008. Their run of 25 consecutive Updated:April 15, 2018 8:40 PM EDT playoff appearances came to an end in 2017. For the most part, they accomplished all of that without any high end picks, including several

years without a first round selection. Should the Ottawa Senators secure the golden ticket in the NHL draft Detroit is the exception to the rule, of course. lottery on April 28, we can safely predict a few summer events along the following lines. The road back to respectability usually comes through strong drafting. It is too much, however, to expect one player to immediately make all the Once the selection of Rasmus Dahlin is made official at the draft on June difference – even if his name is Dahlin. 22, the teen phenom will be paraded around the city with a franchise player tag attached. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 04.16.2018 The hype that naturally comes with being selected first overall will lead some fans to believe the hope that a Stanley Cup will soon follow. Nothing wrong with that. It’s Marketing 101, a perfect opportunity to sell a brighter future, along with thousands of seats. Besides, if Dahlin isn’t coming here, a similar scene will play out wherever he does go. Now, here’s a little cold water to pour on the plans for the parade route in Ottawa, Buffalo, Vancouver or wherever the lucky lottery ball lands. The Edmonton Oilers know the story all too well. Over the past three decades, only three teams — the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning — have won the Cup on the backs of a first overall selection. First, we’ll talk about the rare success stories. With the help of Sidney Crosby (2005) and Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), the Penguins parlayed top picks into the past two Stanley Cup titles, along with a championship in 2009. In a previous Penguins era of dominance, Mario Lemieux (1984) served as the centrepiece for Pittsburgh’s run to the Cup in 1991 and 1992. The Blackhawks reached the top in 2010, 2013 and 2015, with Patrick Kane (2007) delivering on his first overall promise. Since 1988, Vincent Lecavalier (1998) is the only other first pick to lead his team all the way to the championship. It’s startling, really, when you think of some of the marquee names — including Mats Sundin (1989), Joe Thornton (1997), Ilya Kovalchuk (2001), Alex Ovechkin (2004) and John Tavares (2009) — who have owned the first overall mantle. Of course, Steven Stamkos (2008) could still win a Stanley Cup title with Tampa. In Toronto, Auston Matthews (2016) is just beginning his career and Connor McDavid (2015) could have another decade trying to lead Edmonton to the top. Yet Edmonton is also the place to start in explaining how there are few guarantees to success simply by picking first. The second Oilers dynasty that many deemed inevitable following the number one selections of Taylor Hall in 2010, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2011 and Nail Yakupov in 2012 disappeared. Hall is now in the midst of his long-awaited first playoff run with New Jersey, while Yakupov is on his third NHL team, receiving a shot in the post-season with surprising Colorado. Clearly, success is about much more than being bad and/or lucky enough to pick first. There’s a need to surround the young talent with the proper pieces, either through other solid draft choices, trades and/or free agency. Pittsburgh and Chicago were basement teams before their turnaround. In the case of the Penguins, Evgeni Malkin was secured with the second overall pick in 2004, immediately after Ovechkin. The Penguins also used the number two choice in 2006 to draft Jordan Staal. Staal won the Cup with the Penguins in 2009. When he was traded to Carolina, part of the return package included defenceman Brian Dumoulin, who has been part of the past two championship teams. 1091762 Philadelphia Flyers young to remember that, to Clarke, the structural integrity of Valeri Kharlamov’s ankle was a small price to pay for victory in the 1972 Summit Series. Anyone suggesting, as Flyers coach Dave Hakstol did, Sidney Crosby once again leaves the Flyers and their fans all wet | Mike that Crosby embellished or exaggerated the effect of a love-tap-like slash Sielski from Claude Giroux early in the second period Sunday – a penalty that led to the Penguins’ second goal, by Derick Brassard – would praise another player for exhibiting the same method acting. Updated: APRIL 16, 2018 — 3:01 AM EDT Crosby burns with the same fire to win that the greatest Flyer of all did, and perhaps their similarities account for why people here hate him so by Mike Sielski, much: He reflects the very qualities that they demand from their own superstars. They know at their subconscious core that they would adore

him if he played for their team. There is no shame, if you have any sense of grace or even a small God forbid they admit as much, of course. Better to piddle on his image. measure of self-respect, in taking perverse pleasure in watching Sidney And their own. Crosby torment and toy with the Flyers in this first-round playoff series. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 No opposing athlete arouses the same animosity here that Crosby does, none drives the most repellent segment of the Flyers’ fan base battier than he does, and none responds to the vitriol with the same excellence. He was the best and most productive player on the ice in the Penguins’ 5-1 Game 3 rout on Sunday, scoring their first goal and adding three assists thereafter. This, four days after a hat trick in Game 1. This, amid another example of the puerile behavior that too many Flyers fans are too happy to exhibit. Two years ago, in a blowout postseason loss to the Washington Capitals, it was a shower of translucent wristbands to the ice, putting the players and officials at risk of injury. This time, it was a clandestine and apparently successful mission to put a photograph of Crosby at the base of every urinal in the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers, through two spokesmen, said that they were not responsible for the photos’ strategic placement throughout the arena. And though there’s no way to know whether every urinal in the building contained a Crosby photo, a quick reporting excursion confirmed that each of the three in the men’s room near Section 118 did. “It’s not the first building it’s happened in,” Crosby said. “I don’t know if they stole that idea from someone else, but yeah, that’s not the first time that’s happened.” Terrific. Not only were the stunt’s masterminds classless, they were unoriginal. Understand: The prank wasn’t necessarily a reflection on the Flyers or even most of their followers. But it was a reflection on plenty of them, and it was stupid and sophomoric, another validation of the worst stereotypes of Philadelphia sports fans, the kind of thing that a high school meathead finds funny but that comes off to any mature person as pathetic. At one point, the arena videoboard showed a succession of Flyers-Penguins highlights. There were goals. There were brawls. There were the words fierce rivalry. It was the perfect pump-this-place-up catalyst if you could manage to forget some relevant history: The Flyers haven’t won a championship in nearly 43 years and have been chasing Crosby and the Penguins for a decade now, and the object of everyone’s discontent Sunday could have spent those minutes sitting on the bench and buffing his three Stanley Cup rings to a sparkling shine. In that context, amid that reality, it was difficult not to derive some satisfaction from seeing Crosby make one dynamic play after another. The Flyers were the better team through the game’s first 10 minutes, until Crosby swooped in from the left-wing boards, accepted a deft pass from Patric Hornqvist, curled around the Flyers’ net, and emerged at the other side to stuff the puck home. He assisted on the Penguins’ third goal, a right-circle blast by Evgeni Malkin, then won the ensuing center-ice faceoff, surged into the Flyers’ zone, and found Brian Dumoulin just five seconds later for a wrist shot that slipped through Brian Elliott’s legs – for a stunning and silencing 4-0 lead. By the time the final horn sounded and the Penguins’ 2-1 series lead was official and Crosby’s name was announced as the game’s first star, there were barely enough fans left for a weak-throated boo. The obvious hostility had seemed to inspire him. “It’s an indication of how competitive he is,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He thrives in that environment. He has a comfort level in that environment. So when the stakes are high, if we’re in an away building and there are important games, Sid tends to play his best. … He just thrives on it, and that’s why he’s the elite player that he is, and that’s why he’s as accomplished as he is.” Crosby now has 30 points in 20 career playoff games against the Flyers, and in style and substance, he is proving a more-talented iteration of Bobby Clarke. Beyond their offensive skills and leadership, both were willing to engage in gamesmanship or tread the line of clean play – and sometimes cross it – to gain an edge. Any Flyers fan bemoaning the frequency with which Crosby uses his stick blade like a prison shiv either has a selective memory or is too 1091763 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' penalize themselves in loss to Penguins in NHL Playoffs

Updated: APRIL 15, 2018 — 9:07 PM EDT by Ed Barkowitz,

The Penguins’ power play during the regular season was borderline lethal. It is impressive that, for a franchise that has won five Stanley Cups and once employed guys such as Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, this season’s club set the team record for power play efficiency. Pittsburgh hit on more than 26 percent of its chances. The league average is about 20. The Flyers are down, 2-1, in this Eastern Conference series on merit. Put on as many dog masks as you want, but give the Penguins seven power plays, totaling 11:23, and they will carve you up as they did the Flyers on Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center. “We were careless,” Jake Voracek said afterward. “We’ve got to stay out of the box.” The emphatic 5-1 win regained the home-ice advantage for Pittsburgh and continued a noticeable trend. The Penguins’ won twice in Philadelphia during the regular season — by scores of 5-1 and 5-2. Pittsburgh already was up, 1-0, when Derrick Brassard scored the Penguins’ first power-play goal in the second period after Matt Read’s broken stick made the 5-on-4 feel more like a 5-on-3. Read did his best to defend, but he looked like a guy searching for a contact lens in the dark. Evgeni Malkin tallied the next one after Voracek’s hooking penalty created a 4-on-3 Penguins advantage following coincidental minors. It was back to 4-on-4 when Brian Dumoulin scored five seconds later. Yeah, five seconds. Fastest two goals ever against the Flyers; regular season or playoffs. Crosby won the faceoff after the Malkin goal and the Penguins’ speed created an instant odd-man rush. Bang. “It was a nice play by him,” Claude Giroux said glumly. The Flyers’ captain was a very un-Giroux-like 4-for-12 on faceoffs. If giving Pittsburgh power plays is mortal sin No. 1, giving them open ice with 4-on-4s is a close second. “We just can’t get beat off a neutral-zone draw like that and have a guy [Dumoulin] walking down Main Street,” said goaltender Brian Elliott, who probably should have made that save. “It’s just another thing that I don’t think we were ready for right off the draw there.” There was plenty of blame to go around. Giroux committed a slash on Crosby by whacking the stick out of his hands during a puck battle. Voracek hooked Conor Sheary and, later, was called for high-sticking Jamie Oleksiak. There was a Scott Laughton high-stick and tripping minors assessed to Brandon Manning and Radko Gudas. Add it all up and it’s easy to see how Crosby can post four points (goal, three assists) while barely breaking a sweat. Sorry, Flyers fans, but it’s time for a new chant. “Crosby sucks” isn’t working. The Flyers can point to their performance in Game 2 when they responded from a 7-0 loss with a 5-1 win. The series resumes on Wednesday. Another sloppy performance and it could be the last hockey game at the Wells Fargo Center for months. “They’ve had the top power play in the league all season, so obviously a big key is for us to stay out of the box and to minimize those chances,” said defenseman Andrew MacDonald. “The more you give them, the harder it’s going to be for us. That’s certainly something that we can control … our sticks and the penalties that we take. That’s definitely something we’re going to have to do.” Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091764 Philadelphia Flyers Truth is, Pittsburgh has been far from perfect in any of the three games played in this series, yet it has outscored the Flyers, 13-6. The Flyers have given themselves and their fans a reason to believe at points of this Penguins making Flyers pay for their imperfections | Sam Donnellon series, too, especially when Travis Konecny busts through for a spectacular goal as he did in Game 2, or Nolan Patrick reads a play deftly and gets a breakaway as he did Sunday. Updated: APRIL 15, 2018 — 8:51 PM EDT In other positive news, Travis Sanheim scored his first postseason goal Sunday. by Sam Donnellon On a day when his more veteran teammates celebrated their carelessness with repeated parades to the box and couldn’t finish off some impressive early groundwork, it hardly mattered. It’s a revered hockey cliché, this idea that to win, a team must play its ultimate best for an entire game. “The first 20 minutes tonight was the first time I thought we looked close to how we want to look with the puck,’’ Hakstol said. “I thought our pace It’s hardly ever true. was good. I thought we had enough possessions and some opportunities What is true is the lesser team must play its better hockey longer, often off our offensive zone play. But you have to be able to sustain that for 60 much longer, than the better team. minutes. Then you can evaluate what the outcome is. Not 20.’’ For 10 minutes in Sunday’s 5-1 Game 3 loss to the Penguins, the Flyers Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 did everything right. Well, almost everything. They turned the Penguins over at mid-ice, bottled them up inside of their own zone, possessed the puck as if they were playing against a junior team and not the two-time Stanley Cup champions. They drew a pair of penalties. But the Penguins are the two-time Stanley Cup champions, which means this: They don’t have to play 60 minutes of hockey to win. You do. They can send Phil Kessel and Derick Brassard, two players who were among the brightest stars for their previous teams, out on a third line. They can center Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, a pair of Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winners, on their top two lines. They can take advantage of a little crack and flip the narrative upside down, as they did by emerging from that first period with the lead. “We’ve made a conscious decision that our team identity is going to be our strength down the middle,’’ Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said, referencing the trades that added Brassard and fourth-line center Riley Sheahan to the Penguins after the free-agent departures of Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen. “Those two moves really solidified our strength down the middle, which we think is such an important part of our overall team play.’’ “You play behind two elite players like Crosby and Malkin, they make our team that much better. They’re different players in how they play. But they are critically important to our ability to play the game the way we want to play.’’ Brassard and Kessel combined on a critical power-play goal early in the second period Sunday that changed the whole tone of the game. Before that, Crosby had made the Flyers pay for one of their few first-period mistakes, Michael Raffl coughing up a puck along the boards that ended with Crosby snapping in a wraparound goal – negating the Flyers’ overall dominance. “But I didn’t think that was an issue,’’ Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “The game took a drastic turn within six or seven minutes of the second period. Centering around the penalties.’’ Oh yeah, the penalties. The Flyers’ captain, Claude Giroux, took the first of what would be seven over a 30-minute span, slashing the stick out of Crosby’s hand. Kessel and Brassard, part of Pittsburgh’s second power- play unit, put together one of those bang-bang plays from the side of the net, and the hole was doubled. And then came a parade, but not the kind this town has been treated to of late. Jake Voracek took the first of his two stick penalties at 5:56 of the second period. Malkin scored at 6:48 to make it 3-0. “I should have called a timeout after that,’’ said Hakstol, but he didn’t, and five seconds later, after Giroux badly lost a center-ice faceoff and then lost Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin trailing the play, the score stood at 4-0. The Wells Fargo Center crowd, so electric at the start, was defused. On the positive side, concessions in the corridors made a killing. It was the second game in three that the Flyers didn’t get the important saves from their goaltender, who had allowed four goals by the time the Penguins evened up an 11-4 first-period shot advantage at 12 apiece. Brian Elliott made some important saves in the game in between, but even in that game Pittsburgh hit the post four times, and Crosby did something he might never have done before – missed a wide-open net by firing a puck across the crease behind a beaten Elliott. 1091765 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' early push wasn't enough to top Penguins in NHL playoffs

Updated: APRIL 15, 2018 — 8:20 PM EDT by Sam Carchidi,

Like a boxer, the Pittsburgh Penguins took the Flyers’ best punches in the opening period Sunday at the then-percolating Wells Fargo Center. They brushed them aside and took control of the game in the second period en route to a 5-1 win, giving Pittsburgh a two-games-to-one lead in a strange series — each team has taken a turn winning by a lopsided margin — that resumes Wednesday. The Flyers had a huge territorial advantage and an 11-4 shots edge in the first period, but left the ice facing a 1-0 deficit. “You have to give the Flyers a lot of credit; they came out in the first period and had a really strong start,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said, “and I thought Sid was a big reason that our team settled down.” Sullivan was referring to Sidney Crosby, who scored on a wraparound midway through the first to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. “He has that ability to just stay in the moment. He doesn’t get rattled, he doesn’t get fazed by any of the adversity or anything that a high-stakes environment might present to other players,” Sullivan said. “He just thrives on it, and that’s why he’s the elite player he is.” After Crosby’s goal, the Flyers had numerous first-period chances, but goalie Matt Murray had all the answers. Earlier, with the game scoreless, he made a glove save on Nolan Patrick’s breakaway. “Their crowd was very loud and rowdy, so we did a good job there,” Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin said about surviving the Flyers’ first-period surge. “… Obviously, Murray saved us. We stuck with our game plan. We didn’t try to do it individually. I thought that was the key there, especially in the first period.” A matter of seconds Pittsburgh equaled a Stanley Cup playoff record by scoring two second- period goals five seconds apart. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the quickest two goals ever scored against the Flyers in the regular-season or the playoffs. It surpassed the two goals scored six seconds apart, both by Chicago’s Jim Pappin, in a game against the Flyers on Feb. 16, 1972. Breakaways In the three playoff games, Crosby (four goals, three assists) and Evgeni Malkin (two goals, one assist) have combined for 10 points — seven more than the total for Claude Giroux (one assist) and Jake Voracek (two assists). Giroux had 10 shot attempts (four on goal) Sunday. … Sean Couturier played a game-high 26 minutes, 18 seconds. … The Penguins won 53 percent of the faceoffs. … Sullivan: . “I thought Matt Murray was out best penalty killer tonight.” Murray stopped all 11 power-play shots. The Penguins had three goals on nine power-play shots. .. There is a chance Michal Neuvirth will be ready to play Wednesday, but Brian Elliott is expected to get the start. … The Flyers will not practice Monday and will be back on the ice at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Voorhees. … The Penguins returned to Pittsburgh after the game. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091766 Philadelphia Flyers deke, but Murray didn’t bite, and he still had to make a great glove save as Patrick tried to put the shot inside the right post.

“I didn’t get it up high enough,” Patrick said, adding he wanted to go “over Sidney Crosby leads way as Penguins crush Flyers, 5-1, and take series his glove and I shot it right into his glove and made it pretty easy on him.” lead The Penguins struggled mightily on the road this season, but they had no problems at the Wells Fargo Center, where they won both regular- by Sam Carchidi, season games and outscored the Flyers by a combined 10-3 score. With Sunday’s blowout, they have three wins and have outscored the Flyers, 15-4, at the Center. The Flyers overcame a lopsided loss and won Game 2, and it was the Overall, Pittsburgh was 17-20-4 on the road this season, the second- Penguins’ turn Sunday to bounce back from a one-sided defeat. worst record of the 16 playoff teams. No team has won the Stanley Cup with a losing regular-season road record since New Jersey in 1995. Penguins 5, Flyers 1. But don’t count out the Penguins from ending that drought and winning Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to spark the Penguins, who their third straight Cup. turned a 2-0 second-period lead to 4-0 by scoring two goals in five seconds – equaling a Stanley Cup playoff record for the two quickest Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 goals. Pittsburgh leads the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, two games to one. Game 4 will be played Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers, who played without discipline in the final two periods, are just 7-21 in series when they trail, two games to one. They are 20-3 in series when they have won two of the first three games. “It’s disappointing whenever you lose, especially in the playoffs,” said rookie center Nolan Patrick, who was robbed by goalie Matt Murray as he went in alone during a Flyers-dominated first period. “You have to have a short memory.” The Flyers had a short memory after they were thrashed in Game 1, 7-0. They won Game 2, 5-1. Second-period goals by Derick Brassard (power play), Evgeni Malkin (four-on-three power play), and defenseman Brian Dumoulin gave the Penguins a 4-0 cushion. With 13 minutes, 7 seconds left in the second, Dumoulin put a left-circle shot through the legs of goalie Brian Elliott after taking a pass from Crosby, who has 13 goals and 30 points in 20 career playoff games against the Flyers. Dumoulin’s goal was scored just five seconds after Malkin tallied, equaling the 1965 Detroit Red Wings’ record (set against Chicago) for the two quickest goals in Stanley Cup history. The Penguins, who scored three power-play goals after going 1 for 8 in the first two games, made the Flyers pay for second-period penalties to Claude Giroux (slashing), Travis Konecny (interference), and Jake Voracek (interference). “It just seemed like we couldn’t get a flow going because we were taking more penalties than we wanted to,” Elliott said. “And then when we had opportunities on the power play, we didn’t really generate too much. They did a really good job shutting us down.” “It’s hard to play that team if you don’t stay out of the box,” said Voracek, whose two penalties led to pair of Pittsburgh goals. The Penguins were 3 for 7 on the power play, while the Flyers were 0 for 6. In the teams’ three meetings at the Wells Fargo Center (two in the regular season), Pittsburgh is 6 for 13 on the power play and the Flyers are 0 for 15. With 6:18 to go in the second, rookie defenseman Travis Sanheim cut the deficit to 4-1 when his wrist shot from just inside the blue line went through traffic and past Murray. Pittsburgh, which scored on four of its first 12 shots, added its final power-play goal when Justin Schultz scored on a point drive with 12:52 left in the game. That power play was granted because of Voracek’s high-sticking infraction on Jamie Oleksiak. Including the playoffs, Pittsburgh has scored 33 goals (4.7 per game) in the seven games against the Flyers this season. Considering the opponent, the Flyers played one of their better opening periods of the season – and left the ice trailing. The reason? Murray was sensational and the Penguins were opportunistic, converting a Michael Raffl turnover into a wraparound goal by (who else?) Crosby with 9:35 left in the period. In the first period, the Flyers had a huge territorial advantage and outshot the Penguins, 11-4. Murray made his biggest save when he stopped Patrick on a breakaway with 18:45 to go in the period. Patrick made a 1091767 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers-Penguins preview: Trying to gain control in Battle of Pa.

Updated: APRIL 15, 2018 — 11:51 AM EDT by Sam Carchidi,

Penguins (48-30-6) at Flyers (43-27-14) KEY PLAYERS: The Flyers, who avenged a 7-0 Game 1 loss and scored a stunning 5-1 win in Game 2 on Friday, return to the Wells Fargo Center and suddenly have the home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series. That’s not necessarily a good thing, however. Even though the Flyers got the last line change at home, Pittsburgh won both regular-season games at the Wells Fargo Center by a combined 10- 3. The Penguins are 15-6-2 in their last 23 regular-season games at the Center. The Penguins were 3 for 6 on their power play in their two wins in Philadelphia in the regular season, while the Flyers were 0 for 9. The Flyers got goals from Shayne Gostisbehere, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, Nolan Patrick, and Andrew MacDonald (empty net) in Friday’s win, and Brian Elliott stopped 34 of 35 shots. The Flyers did a great job of keeping the Penguins on the perimeter, but they were also helped by four Pittsburgh shots that hit the post. After going 0 for 4 on its power play and having zero shots with a man- advantage in the opener, the Flyers went 2 for 3 in Game 2. They also were 4 for 4 on the penalty kill. The Flyers were fortunate on one of their penalty kills as Sidney Crosby missed a wide-open net late in the second period. “If I find a way to put it in, it’s 2-1 and a different game,” said Crosby, who broke his stick over the crossbar in frustration after his failed attempt. After two playoff games, Couturier (three points) and defenseman Ivan Provorov (two) are the Flyers’ top producers, and Elliott has a 4.04 GAA and .889 save percentage. Jake Guentzel (4 points), Crosby (3), and defenseman Brian Dumoulin (3) pace the Pens, and Murray has a 2.07 GAA and .907 save percentage. THINGS TO KNOW: In Game 2, Matt Read led the Flyers in hits (5) and blocked shots (4)…The Flyers had fewer home points than any of the 16 playoff teams except Los Angeles (49), but they won their last five games at the Wells Fargo Center….Phil Kessel had 92 points in the regular season but has been kept off the scoresheet in the first two playoff games…..The Pens were just 17-20-4 on the road this season and allowed 3.37 goals per game, the league’s eighth-worst figure…..Murray is 8-1 after a playoff loss in the last two seasons….. The Flyers have a 36-38 record in playoff OT games. ….Fans attending the game are reminded that even though its Game 3 of the series, Sunday’s ticket is marked “Round 1 Home Game 1.” HEAD TO HEAD: The Flyers went 0-2-2 against the Penguins in the regular season and allowed five goals in each game. Overall, the Flyers hold a 153-90-30-10 regular-season advantage in the all-time series. COMING FLYERS GAMES: Wednesday: 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center Friday, April 20: time TBA at Pittsburgh Sunday, April 22: time TBA at Wells Fargo Center (if necessary) Tuesday, April 24: time TBA at Pittsburgh (if necessary) Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091768 Philadelphia Flyers Hakstol could try starting goalie Petr Mrazek, who replaced Elliott after five goals in the opener, but the inconsistent Mrazek hasn’t shown that he’s capable of providing any tangible lift. Moore: Penguins are just too much for the Flyers He could switch up his personnel in search of a more effective combination — maybe put Konecny back on the No. 1 line instead of Raffl — or just to change things up a bit. He could make some subtle By Tom Moore style adjustments, but that’s about it. Posted Apr 15, 2018 at 8:25 PM As for Sullivan, there’s no reason for him to do anything more than minor tinkering because he has the superior players — led by the terrific Updated Apr 15, 2018 at 8:44 PM Crosby, who had a goal and three assists — the better goalie and better team.

Those are three significant obstacles for the Flyers to overcome. PHILADELPHIA — The Penguins are too talented, too fast and too good for the Flyers. Burlington County Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 It’s difficult to reach any other conclusion following Pittsburgh’s 5-1 victory in Game 3 of NHL first-round playoff series Sunday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center. Trailing 2-1, the Flyers must win three of the final four games to advance, with two of the games on the road. At this point, that seems unlikely. Pittsburgh scored three more power-play goals against the Flyers. In seven meetings, counting the regular season, the Penguins have tallied at least five goals six times. There is no reason to think the Flyers will suddenly figure out a way to keep captain Sidney Crosby and high-flying Pittsburgh in check. Flyers coach Dave Hakstol didn’t make any significant adjustments following the 7-0 Game 1 thrashing and Philly rebounded with a 5-1 win Friday to even the series. Turns out Pens coach Mike Sullivan was right to be relatively unconcerned beforehand, saying “I know we didn’t get the result we wanted, but there was a lot to like in Game 2.” There was even more for him to like in Game 3. The two-time defending champion Penguins withstood the Flyers’ first- period surge, featuring excellent scoring chances from centers Nolan Patrick, Sean Couturier, Val Filppula and winger Travis Konecny that they couldn’t get past goalie Matt Murray. Tom Moore Podcast: “They came hard,” Crosby said. “We expected that. That was a great job by (Murray) allowing us to settle in.” “Murray saved us,” said defenseman Brian Dumoulin. Despite holding an 11-4 shot advantage, Philly trailed at the end of the period when Crosby beat slow-reacting goalie Brian Elliott after a Michael Raffl turnover. Essentially, the Flyers wasted a solid first period and their shot at winning. “We had a lot of chances to get the lead and the goalie made some big saves for them,” said Flyers captain Claude Giroux, who did not have one of his better outings. Crosby, as he has done so many times before, turned the tide with his goal after the Pens didn’t have a shot for the first 9 1/2 minutes. “It was huge,” said Pittsburgh center Derick Brassard. “That kind of quieted the crowd a little bit and we just built on our game.” Crosby excels in hostile buildings, which the Wells Fargo Center certainly is. He’s booed every time he touches the puck and fans apparently placed photos of Crosby in urinals around the building. “I don’t know if they stole that idea from someone else, but that’s not the first time that has happened,” he said. Rookie Patrick, who was one of the Flyers’ most active players, insisted Crosby’s goal didn’t take the wind out of the Flyers’ sails — rather, it was “totally undisciplined penalties. You can’t do that against that team.” Pittsburgh didn’t waste its chances, scoring three goals in a span of 4 minutes, 5 seconds of the second period. A pair of Pittsburgh power-play goals (by Brassard and fellow center Evgeni Malkin), the second of which Dumoulin (from Crosby) followed a mere five seconds later to make it 4-0, and the Flyers, who allowed four goals on 12 shots, were done. So what can Hakstol do to give the Flyers their best shot to even the series on Wednesday evening? 1091769 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers lose to Penguins 5-1 in Game 3

By DAN GELSTON / The Associated Press Posted Apr 15, 2018 at 6:12 PM

PHILADELPHIA — Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists and Matt Murray stopped 26 shots to help the Pittsburgh Penguins silence a raucous Philadelphia crowd and beat the Flyers 5-1 on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series. Two of the so-called fiercest rivals in the NHL have provided three lopsided games: Pittsburgh’s 7-0 win in Game 1 and Philadelphia’s 5-1 victory in Game 2 could about qualify as nail-bitters in this series. Game 4 is Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Crosby scored his fourth goal of the series in the first period, and Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin and Brian Dumoulin scored in the second to make it 4-0. Malkin and Dumoulin scored 5 seconds apart. Justin Schultz made it 5-1 in the third on Pittsburgh’s third power-play goal of the game. Brian Elliott, yanked in Game 1, had another rough outing and might need to borrow fellow Wells Fargo Center tenant Joel Embiid’s black mask to have a better look at the puck. The Flyers haven’t won a playoff series since 2012 and pulled out all the theatrical stops in their return to the postseason after a one-year absence. Light-up bracelets flickered in the darkened arena and another packed house roared “Crosby sucks! Crosby sucks!” Here’s the thing Philly fans haven’t realized: he really doesn’t — and especially not against the Flyers. Crosby, who has 93 points in 63 career regular-season games against Philly, shut up the orange-and-black die-hards with a wraparound goal off a turnover midway through the first. Crosby had a hat trick in Game 1 and the three-time Stanley Cup champion showed no sign of easing up. Flyers fans even stuck photos of the hated Crosby inside the urinals throughout the arena that had to guarantee they were more on target with their shots than anyone on the home team’s roster. The Flyers ran a video package full of bloody fights, big goals and memorable moments between the teams through the years with a “Bitter Rivals” caption. The Penguins could have just looked in their reflection from the 2016 and 2017 Cups and shrugged off the idea the Flyers are in their league. Brassard scored on the power play just 2:48 into the second. Then came back-to-back stunning goals that put the icing on the urinal cake: Malkin scored on a one-timer and Dumoulin off the faceoff beat Elliott through the five-hole for a 4-0 lead. Crosby had both assists, naturally. At that point, each team had 12 shots. The Flyers, who played more like the team that lost 10 straight games over November-December, had no shot at pulling off the comeback. Travis Sanheim scored late in the third for the Flyers’ lone goal. Notes: Flyers great Bobby Clarke was at the game. So was former Flyers captain Peter Forsberg. ... Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons was in the house. The Sixers have won 17 straight games. Fans started chanting “Trust the Process!” as the game turned into a rout. ... Philadelphia’s 22 wins at home during the regular season were the fewest of any team in the NHL playoffs. Burlington County Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091770 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers lose to Penguins in Game 3, 5-1

By Dan Gelston, The Associated Press POSTED: 04/15/18, 5:57 PM EDT | UPDATED: 5 HRS AGO 0

PHILADELPHIA >> Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists and Matt Murray stopped 26 shots to help the Pittsburgh Penguins silence a raucous Philadelphia crowd and beat the Flyers 5-1 on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series. Two of the so-called fiercest rivals in the NHL have provided three lopsided games: Pittsburgh’s 7-0 win in Game 1 and Philadelphia’s 5-1 victory in Game 2 could about qualify as nail-bitters in this series. Game 3 is Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Crosby scored his fourth goal of the series in the first period, and Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin and Brian Dumoulin scored in the second to make it 4-0. Malkin and Dumoulin scored 5 seconds apart. Justin Schultz made it 5-1 in the third on Pittsburgh’s third power-play goal of the game. Brian Elliott, yanked in Game 1, had another rough outing and might need to borrow fellow Wells Fargo Center tenant Joel Embiid’s black mask to have a better look at the puck. The Flyers haven’t won a playoff series since 2012 and pulled out all the theatrical stops in their return to the postseason after a one-year absence. Light-up bracelets flickered in the darkened arena and another packed house roared “Crosby sucks! Crosby sucks!” Here’s the thing Philly fans haven’t realized, he really doesn’t — and especially not against the Flyers. Crosby, who has 93 points in 63 career regular-season games against Philly, shut up the orange-and-black die-hards with a wraparound goal off a turnover midway through the first. Crosby had a hat trick in Game 1 and the three-time Stanley Cup champion showed no sign of easing up. Flyers fans even stuck photos of the hated Crosby inside the urinals throughout the arena that had to guarantee they were more on target with their shots than anyone on the home team’s roster. The Flyers ran a video package full of bloody fights, big goals and memorable moments between the teams through the years with a “Bitter Rivals” caption. The Penguins could have just looked in their reflection from the 2016 and 2017 Cups and shrugged off the idea the Flyers are in their league. Brassard scored on the power play just 2:48 into the second. Then came back-to-back stunning goals that put the icing on the urinal cake: Malkin scored on a one-timer and Dumoulin off the faceoff beat Elliott through the five-hole for a 4-0 lead. Crosby had both assists, naturally. At that point, each team had 12 shots. The Flyers, who played more like the team that lost 10 straight games over November-December, had no shot at pulling off the comeback. Travis Sanheim scored late in the third for the Flyers’ lone goal. Notes: Flyers great Bobby Clarke was at the game. So was former Flyers captain Peter Forsberg. ... Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons was in the house. The Sixers have won 17 straight games. Fans started chanting “Trust the Process!” as the game turned into a rout. ... Philadelphia’s 22 wins at home during the regular season were the fewest of any team in the NHL playoffs. Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091771 Philadelphia Flyers He’s done it once in the series. The Flyers, who have little alternative, will take that and hope.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 Brian Elliott not ready to take blame for another lopsided Flyers loss

By Jack McCaffery, Delaware County Daily Times POSTED: 04/15/18, 10:35 PM EDT | UPDATED: 29 SECS AGO #

PHILADELPHIA >> Three games into their first-round playoff series, the Flyers have displayed at least one back-door charm. Brian Elliott, they have found, can recover from a disappointing performance. That’s it. Just that. After their 5-1 loss Sunday to the Pittsburgh Penguins, in which Elliott tied a Stanley Cup playoffs record of allowing two goals within five seconds, it was at least something for the Flyers to consider. They would know that their goaltender needed to be yanked early in a 7-0 Game 1 loss, but that he rallied to help produce a 5-1 Game 2 victory. Game 4 is Wednesday. Encore? “I don’t know,” Elliott was saying after the Flyers tripped into a 2-1 series hole. “If we had that answer, we probably wouldn’t be answering this question. You try your best to do it and we didn’t get it done.” Elliott, troubled by injury late in the season, was ordinary Sunday, seeing 26 shots and repelling 21. And since he was hardly the only Flyer to supply mediocrity, he was not universally blamed. Then again, since that wasn’t his head he was standing on, either, he would have to cop to at least some frustration. “I’m sure just as much as any other guy in this room,” he said. “I think we know that’s not how to carry over what we did last game. We have to get back to what made us so good in the last game. And we have a couple of days here to refocus and look at things. We’ll have a game plan for sure.” Since Dave Hakstol didn’t pull Elliott Sunday, and since the Pittsburgh scoring was more opportunity-based than goaltender-caused, that plan for Game 4 is not likely to include a change in net. There will be, though, that five-second, second-period jolt Sunday that allowed a 2-1 game become a 4-1 problem and thrust Elliott into hockey-playoff history. At 6:48 of the second, Evgeni Malkin scored on a 4-on-3 power-play to make it 3-1. Before the crowd of 19,955 had stopped complaining, Sidney Crosby would take the ensuing faceoff and find Brian Dumoulin, who would breeze in on Elliott and score from a four-on-four opportunity. Had Dumoulin taken four seconds, not five, it would have broken the record. He settled for breaking the game open at 6:53. “I mean, I didn’t know,” Dumoulin said. “I think he (Crosby) just saw that and made a read. Obviously on 4-on-4, there is a little more ice there especially in the center-dot face-off. He just made a reat play off that face-off and made a great pass over to me in the zone.” By then, the Flyers seemed numbed. They had been blasted in Game 1, recovered in Game 2, and had no answers in Game 3. Though Elliott wasn’t exactly pushed to offer an apology, he wasn’t quick, either, to volunteer one. Rather, he comfortably took his place beneath the many layers of Flyers’ failure, including a series of penalties involving stick violations, too many men on the ice and other un-forced blunders. “I don’t know if it’s frustration or if you get caught not moving your feet and you’re reaching a little bit,” the goaltender said. “That’s what happens you lose control of your stick. That’s when the penalties are called. It’s definitely not an excuse. We did it to ourselves. We have to make it a focus. We can’t be doing that.” Elliott wasn’t even prepared to offer the standard need-to-do-a-better-job routine when the postgame talk turned to the five-second flurry. “We can’t get beat off of a neutral zone draw like that and have a guy walking down Main Street,” he said. “It’s just another thing that I don’t think we were ready for right off the draw there.” Nor was he ready to stop the puck. But there’s always Game 4. “It’s another loss,” said Elliott, who has allowed 11 goals in his three starts. “That’s all we think about right now. We have to come back in Game 4 here and use our crowd, use what we do best in this barn to make us successful.” 1091772 Philadelphia Flyers

Crosby’s play has the Penguins high and dry

By Rob Parent, POSTED: 04/15/18, 8:15 PM EDT | UPDATED: 49 SECS AGO

PHILADELPHIA >> It was pretty easy to predict how Sidney Crosby and the Penguins would react Sunday to the way the Flyers made such a splash in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh. Crosby, once again doing a star turn in a place that motivates him about as well as any other, scored the first goal of Game 3 then set up three others to lead the Penguins to a 5-1 victory, or the same score that the Flyers had posted in their lone win of the series two days before. That second series game was almost an anomoly for Crosby, since he’d registered five points in the 7-0 Penguins win in Game 1. Now he’d like to look ahead to Game 4 Wednesday in Philadelphia, a chance to really water down the fire the Flyers like to bring on home ice, especially in desperate times. “You have to move on when you get a couple of looks and they don’t go in,” Crosby said with a reference to the Pittsburgh loss Friday. “You’ve got to turn the page. So it was good to get one early. I always think it makes a big difference as far as being able to forget about it.” Crosby’s early one was a beaut, kicking the puck ahead of him and into a wraparound move that beat Brian Elliott’s attempt to get across the crease at 10:25 of the first, giving the Penguins a lead they wouldn’t relinquish to the dismay of Flyers fans. “I think it’s always intense,” Crosby said of the atmosphere he’s accustomed to at Wells Fargo Center. “It’s a tough environment to come into, so we all prepare as well as we have to. We played well today.” All well and good. Now for the real Crosby story angle, since he wasn’t the only one that was on his game Sunday. So were the fans. Specifically those who photocopied Crosby’s pictures and player cards and draped them at the base of a few Wells Fargo Center urinals. Nice touch. But even that wasn’t going to knock Crosby off his game when asked about it. “Not the first building that’s happened in,” he said of his wet rest room image. “I don’t know if they stole that idea from someone else, but yeah, that’s not the first time that’s happened.” Of course, Crosby and the Penguins aren’t first-timers, either, coming off a pair of Stanley Cup championships. While handling Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is proving to be a task too difficult for the Flyers as the series goes along, what really pushed these Pens to the titles the past couple of years is also revealing itself. It’s all well and good that Crosby totaled nine points in two series games and Malkin has a couple of goals. But it’s what they and their teammates have done to the Flyers’ offense in two games that has mattered more. “I think we’ve done a pretty good job of defending,” Crosby said. “That’s been our mindset, just defend well. Find ways to create zone time when we get a chance. But when we have to defend, defend well. We’ve done a pretty good job of that.” Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091773 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ daunting challenge in Pittsburgh commences Wednesday

By Rob Parent, Delaware County Daily Times POSTED: 04/08/18, 11:02 PM EDT | UPDATED: 6 DAYS AGO #

PHILADELPHIA >> The team that gave the Flyers fits in the last several days of the season increased their workload yet again Sunday night. The defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2 in Boston, thereby keeping an Atlantic Division title out of the Bruins’ hands and instead crowning the Tampa Bay Bucs with the title. Not that it means much. As the No. 1 seed out of the East, Tampa will thus get the second wildcard team, better known as the New Jersey Devils, in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile the Bruins, the second seed in the Atlantic, get third-seeded Toronto. That should be a bit of a tougher test for them. As for the Flyers, they hung around all day waiting for their first-round schedule to play out, as it would ultimately be determined by the outcome of that lone Sunday night game. Boston’s loss means a shorter initial stay for the Flyers in Pittsburgh, and thus a shorter turnaround between Games 1 and 2 ... which everyone from the players to the fans to the media probably wanted, anyway. The Flyers will start their first-round series with their cross- Commonwealth rival Wednesday night, with Game 2 Friday night. Both games are 7 p.m. starts. The series will move to Philadelphia for a Game 3 Sunday at 3 p.m. Game 4 will be next Wednesday night, April 18, at 7 o’clock at Wells Fargo Center. Game 5 if necessary at PPG Paints Arena would be Friday night, with Game 6 in Philly being Sunday and a Game 7 Tues., April 24 in Pittsburgh, with times to be determined. It remains to be seen also if the Flyers can turn this into a long series or even have a chance of winning it. Don’t forget that in the four regular season meetings between the teams, the Penguins won all four. The Flyers did earn a couple of points by extending two of the losses to extra time. And over the past three seasons, the Flyers have only managed to win three of 12 meetings between the teams. No matter what happened during the regular season, or anytime in the past, and no matter what the schedule says and even no matter the opponent, the Flyers think they’re ready to start all over again. “I think starting in early February, we had a 12-game point streak,” Ivan Provorov said. “After that we’ve been playing lots of teams that have been in the playoffs and playing lots of hard games. So, I think the last two months definitely helped us to prepare for the playoffs. “It doesn’t matter in the playoffs how many points you had in the regular season. Everybody’s even, everyone has the same opportunity to win the Cup. We’re going to continue playing well and taking it game-by-game.” As for games, veteran goalie Brian Elliott has only had two of them since missing seven weeks with “core muscle” surgery. But even in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 5-0 shutout of the Rangers that clinched a playoff spot for the Flyers, Elliott was able to put the Flyers’ situation in perspective. “This is just the start of the work,” Elliott said, “so it’s not a celebration. It’s not like baseball, when you’ve got champagne in the room. We know that there’s a lot of tough games coming up and we have to prepare mentally right from the get-go. You have to take it in a little bit and be proud of where we came from this season. But you have to put that in your back pocket and come back to work.” Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091774 Philadelphia Flyers “And, almost to a man, we had a lot of guys who played really well in the first period. And I would include him in that. You know what? He’s one of our leaders. He’s a guy that we’re going to look to. And he has to be a McCaffery: It’s time for Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds to be revived guy that helps us real quickly get over the disappointment of tonight and come back and play a complete game in game number four.”

The series is three games old, not seven. And things can change. The By Jack McCaffery, POSTED: 04/15/18, 8:28 PM EDT | UPDATED: 30 best players can sometimes rally and begin to score in bunches. But how SECS AGO is it that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both scored goals Sunday, and have combined for six goals in three games? Why don’t they have to wait to warm up? PHILADELPHIA >> They have been bouncing around the Flyers’ forward “He just thrives on it,” Pens coach Mike Sullivan said of Crosby. “And lines and hockey fantasies since 2012, making money and winning that’s why he is the elite player that he is.” prizes, gaining popularity and hinting at excellence. The Flyers, who have been playing poor hockey and the recovering from They have been All-Stars and more. At times, they have dazzled. They it all season, have time to do their thing again. If they win at home have been popular at the souvenir stands. And the three of them, and Wednesday, it’s a three-game series, the Pens are startled, all of that that would be Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek and Wayne Simmonds, have usual noise. But they are not going to recover if Giroux, Simmonds and combined to win one playoff series in the seven seasons they have been Voracek don’t score goals, the way elite players are supposed to score grinning for the same team photo. goals. The Flyers lost Sunday, 5-1, to the Penguins, surrendering the home-ice It’s been a while since 2012. A long while. Too long. advantage in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal. There were the normal reasons, including sloppy penalties, slow goaltending and the Delaware County Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 reality that Pittsburgh has the better team. But the lack of scoring from the three veteran franchise-faces was becoming more difficult than ever to ignore. In three playoff games this season, Giroux has no goals. And Voracek has no goals. And Simmonds has no goals. The Flyers are not built to win that way, not games, not playoff series, and not silvery trophies. The popular area-wide hobby of Giroux-ripping cooled this season when the captain bagged 102 points and a strong MVP candidacy. Though he hasn’t scored a goal in the first three games, he had an assist in Game 2 and, early Sunday, he was helping to dictate the flow that helped the Flyers to an 11-4 first-period edge in shots on goal. And he has had splendid postseasons. He scored 10 goals in the 23-game charge to the Stanley Cup Finals, before the arrivals of Simmonds and Voracek. And in 2012, he was good for eight postseason goals. Since then, he has played 16 playoff games and has scored two goals. After the Flyers, who have been outscored 12-1 in their two series losses to Pittsburgh, fell Sunday, Giroux was asked specifically if more goal- scoring is required from their best players. The resulting verbal gymnastics were of Olympic quality. “Yeah,” he said. “There is a lot of hockey left to be played here. We have no doubt we are going to come out strong.” So there was that. And, shift for shift, Giroux and Voracek were not inept Sunday. Voracek played with jump, speeding from one end of the rink to the other, creating a disturbance if not any goals. Then, there was Simmonds, the Flyers’ 2017 Bobby Clarke Award winner as team MVP, a player long believed to be a shift away from NHL superstardom. The stat sheet revealed that he played 12:38, including 2:21 on the power play. But the 19,955 witnesses would have had a difficult time swearing that they’d spotted him anywhere near the scene. Simmonds is 29 and will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. Whispers are the Flyers will try to move him for anything before that, and for two good reasons: It’s proper business … and he is no longer the player he was in the seasons up to and including his 2017 All-Star season. Simmonds was slowed by complicated dental issues this season, needing to have a spray of teeth pulled, requiring root canal surgery and generally playing through discomfort. For that, his scoring dipped from 31 goals in 2017 to 24. He has been lumped with Travis Konecny and Valtteri Filppula on a third line that hasn’t done much to highlight any of them, and which was about as active in the Wells Fargo Center over the weekend as Joel Embiid. The Flyers cannot win unless Konecny is making a difference. And they can’t win if Simmonds isn’t charging into the slot and being a pest. The game particularly sloppy, the Flyers were often caught shorthanded, limiting Simmonds’ potential. But either he rallies or, well, it soon will be clean-out-day in Voorhees. “Well, Simmer has been playing pretty good hockey,” Dave Hakstol countered. “I liked their first 20 minutes; I liked Fil’s line, that line. And now you get into the number of power-plays, penalties back and forth. With Simmer being part of that second unit and not killing penalties, along with everybody else, you’ve got certain players out there on the kill expending all their energy and other guys sitting on the bench not being able to carry the momentum that they had in the first period. 1091775 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers play roulette too many times with Penguins' PP, lose home ice

By John Boruk | NBC Sports Philadelphia April 15, 2018 8:45 PM

They already have two future Hall of Famers in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, plus another 330-goal scorer in Phil Kessel. Clearly, the Pittsburgh Penguins don’t need another team’s charity when it came to scoring goals and winning hockey games. But the Flyers obliged anyway and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions certainly didn’t refuse the gratuity, as the Penguins were rewarded with seven power-play opportunities on their way to an easy 5- 1 win in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Dave Hakstol could have written with a big, black Sharpie “Don't take penalties” on his dry-erase board and the message would have applied no matter how many games this series goes. “I don’t know if it’s frustration or you get caught not moving your feet and you’re reaching a little bit,” goaltender Brian Elliott said. “That’s what happens when you lose control of your stick.” After sticking it to the Penguins on Friday in Pittsburgh, 5-1, the Flyers found a completely different method of sticking it to the Pens for Game 3. There was a pair of tripping and high-sticking penalties to go along with a slashing call. In all, the Flyers were guilty of five stick infractions in just under 40 minutes in Game 3, and the free fall started with Claude Giroux’s slashing call against Sidney Crosby just 72 seconds into the second period. “I didn’t think G’s slash, honestly, was a penalty, but the stick comes out of their player’s hands and that gets called,” Dave Hakstol said. “That’s the only one that I probably would have had an issue with.” “You can’t do that against that team,” Nolan Patrick said. “They have an unbelievable power play.” Actually, unbelievable is an understatement. Not only did the Penguins bring the NHL’s No. 1 power play into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, at a 26.2 percent success rate, this power play was also the most successful power play in the history of the Penguins franchise. Fifty-one seasons in the expansion era and this was ranked No. 1. Not even Mario Lemieux with Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis and operated a power play at a higher rate of success than the 2017-18 Penguins. The Flyers' 29th-ranked penalty kill, which had struggled throughout most of the regular season, found a way to limit the Penguins to just one power-play goal in eight chances over the first two games of the series. Of the 16 playoff teams, the Flyers had statistically the best penalty kill in the postseason. Play roulette 20 times and statistical probability will tell you that if you land on black on the first 12 spins, eventually you’ll have a run on red. After two games, it was time to cash in your chips and leave the casino. Yet the Flyers, in their carelessness Sunday, elected to let it all ride in Game 3, and now they’ve handed home-ice advantage back to Pittsburgh. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091776 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers come out swinging but knocked out by Penguins in Game 3

By John Boruk | NBC Sports Philadelphia April 15, 2018 5:53 PM

Two Penguins goals in five seconds doomed the Flyers, as Pittsburgh easily took Game 3, 5-1, Sunday evening at the Wells Fargo Center. The Penguins connected for three power-play goals as Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin and Justin Schultz scored. The Penguins lead the series, 2-1. Sidney Crosby, following his Game 1 hat trick, recorded his second three-point game of the series. He had a goal and three assists. Crosby now has seven points (four goals, three assists) in the series. Travis Sanheim scored his first career postseason goal at 13:42 of the second period. Pittsburgh has scored five or more goals in six of the seven games against the Flyers, including the regular and postseason. The series stays in Philadelphia with Game 4 on Wednesday night (7 p.m./NBCSP). • The Flyers fed off the energy of a sold-out Wells Fargo Center and came out buzzing in the first 20 minutes. Not only did they outshoot the Pens, 11-4, in the first period, but they almost had the same number of quality scoring chances as the game was played nearly exclusively in the Penguins' end. Penguins goalie Matt Murray was the difference maker, as he made some spectacular saves with his best coming on a glove save on a Nolan Patrick breakaway. If not for Murray, the Flyers could have led 3-0 after one. Murray finished with 26 saves. • The Flyers left all the first-period momentum in the locker room after committing some untimely penalties early in the second period. Claude Giroux was whistled for slashing on Crosby and Jakub Voracek caught Conor Sheary with a hook and a high stick. In all, the Flyers were whistled for five stick infractions, which set the Penguins up perfectly. • Pittsburgh capitalized on three power plays as the Flyers played with fire — and were burnt. Facing the most successful PP in Penguins history, a unit that finished No. 1 in the NHL, it was only a matter of time. The Pens' power play had the Flyers' penalty killers backed in on their first goal, with Brassard firing a near-unstoppable shot and Malkin uncorking a one-time to beat Brian Elliott on their second PP goal. • All it took was two goals in five seconds for the Penguins to put this game out of reach, tying the NHL record for the fastest two goals in postseason history. The second goal was set up by Crosby's impressive faceoff win against Giroux, not only winning the draw cleanly but maintaining possession and feeding defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the slot for a shot that Elliott needed to stop. That goal gave the Penguins a 4-0 lead, which completely sucked the life out of the Wells Fargo Center. • Playing off the emotions of the crowd, tempers between the teams were apparent early on, which the Flyers fed off more than the Penguins. It was the first time in this series where raw emotion took over in the first five minutes and the Flyers channeled that into a strong opening period. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091777 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers need to capitalize on home ice advantage against Penguins

By Andrew Kulp | The700Level April 15, 2018 11:10 AM

VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers must fare better at the Wells Fargo Center than they did during the regular season to keep their momentum going Sunday against the Penguins. The series returns to Philadelphia knotted at 1-1, putting the Flyers in position to gain the upper hand with home ice. Then again, they haven’t exactly dominated in their own building, particularly against the Penguins. Though they had a winning record of 22-13-6, the Flyers finished with the fewest home wins of any playoff team in 2017-18. They’re also 2-4 against Pittsburgh at the Wells Fargo Center over the last three seasons. Despite the appearance of any issues, Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol didn’t sound concerned. “We’re just going to worry about playing a good hockey game,” Hakstol said Saturday. “I think we had a winning record at home, didn’t we? So we were OK. “I’m not real worried about what the regular-season record was or games that are passed.” The Flyers have performed better at home of late, coming in with a five- game winning streak. And there’s no doubt the place will be ready to rock the moment the puck drops for Game 3. The question is whether the Flyers are ready for the pressure of playing in front of their own fans. “It will be another interesting challenge for our team, especially for our young guys to manage,” Hakstol said. “Can you harness that and use that in a positive way rather than have it weigh you down?” For budding stars such as Travis Konecny, Nolan Patrick and Ivan Provorov, this will be their first playoff experience at the Wells Fargo Center. While it’s difficult to put a finger on what exactly prevented the Flyers from owning home ice this season, youth is the one constant. “Maybe it’s just the maturity of our team,” Flyers center Sean Couturier said. “Sometimes in front of your own fans, you try to put a show on, try to look good. Sometimes less is more.” The Flyers have two playoff games under their belts already. They’ve had a chance to experience the level of intensity NHL fans come with when the Stanley Cup is on the line. Of course, PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh is nothing like playing in Philly. “I don’t think you can really compare to our building,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. “Our building is pretty loud, and a 3 o’clock game, the people are going to be ready for sure.” How the Flyers manage their emotions Sunday could go a long way toward determining the outcome of Game 3, not to mention the remainder of the series. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091778 Philadelphia Flyers

Dave Hakstol's admission symbolic of Flyers' state

By Jordan Hall | NBC Sports Philadelphia April 15, 2018 10:15 PM

There was nothing Dave Hakstol did — or didn't do — Sunday that held a drastic impact on the outcome of Game 3, a 5-1 loss for the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. The players committed infraction after infraction while Hakstol served simply as a bystander to the carelessness, which now has the Flyers pinned in a 2-1 series deficit (see story). But, in a way, Hakstol's own admission postgame encapsulated the entire makeup of this best-of-seven first-round playoff matchup with the Penguins. On one side, there's a team rich with experience, built to win these series-shifting games, no matter the environment or circumstances. On the other side, there's a team still sprouting, still learning in these moments, even with a blend of veterans. And even for the head coach. Not hiding from accountability, Hakstol wished he had done something differently Sunday as the Flyers were in the midst of uncoiling. Evgeni Malkin had just sent a power-play missile into the back of the Flyers' net, ballooning Pittsburgh's lead to 3-0 just 6:48 into the second period, while sounding the alarms for the Flyers. No one reacted and things never settled. "I should have taken a timeout after the third, after the third goal," Hakstol said. "Hindsight is 20/20, you don't get it back. You always want to save that timeout because I felt like we were playing well. We had a bad stretch, we dug a little bit of a hole, but I had no doubt that we could come back and dig our way out of that hole." Five seconds later, directly off the faceoff and at 4-on-4, Sidney Crosby made a play not many else can to set up the Penguins' insurmountable 4-0 advantage. Within a flash, the air was sucked out of the Flyers and their fans. "You want to save that timeout for the critical time at the end of the game," Hakstol said. "Well, go home with it in your back pocket and what good does it do you? That would have been one thing to stop that momentum because that 4-on-4 goal … now you're in a real deep hole, that's tough to come back from." After the Flyers committed eight penalties, seven of which were stick violations, Hakstol didn't have to take any blame but did anyway. He was also forced to discuss, at length, his team's discipline. When asked to expand some more on the topic, Hakstol nearly grew frustrated. "Well, I think the penalty problems were particular to tonight and I already talked to that," Hakstol said. "You've got to take care of your stick. We took a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty and we took how many stick penalties? There, it's been addressed. Now we have to go out and execute. Sorry, I don't mean to … that is what it is." And the Flyers, through no real fault of their own, are what they are right now — a group, from the coaches down to the players, still growing through some on-the-job training. It just so happens to be on the playoff stage against a team that's been there, done that. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091779 Philadelphia Flyers Elliott isn’t the biggest problem In Game 1, each Penguins shot was cause for a gasp because Elliott still didn’t look like he was ready after abdominal surgery in February. In the Flyers 5 takeaways: Penguins take series lead after 7 power plays second period of Game 2 he started to get a lot sharper, making 34 saves on 35 shots in the game. He was somewhere in between in Game 3, but goaltending was far from the biggest reason the Flyers find Dave Isaac, Published 6:43 p.m. ET April 15, 2018 | Updated 6:46 p.m. themselves down in the series again. ET April 15, 2018 There are certainly times when the Flyers could have used a big save for momentum, but the way almost everyone else was playing in front of him it didn’t seem to matter much. He finished Sunday with 21 saves. PHILADELPHIA — Between the lightshow on and off the ice, the flames shooting just below the scoreboard and the onslaught of shots at Matt Flyers’ best players haven’t shown up Murray’s net, the Flyers’ start was so strong the Penguins’ first shot was ignored. Sean Couturier had a three-point Game 2. Other than that, the Flyers haven’t gotten that much from their best players. It wasn’t added on the scoreboard and in the official scoring system until midway through the frame, just before their first goal. That’s how long the Giroux, an MVP candidate in the regular season, hasn’t done much to lift Flyers sustained pressure. Nolan Patrick nearly opened the scoring less his team and called his Game 1 performance “terrible.” than two minutes into the game. Then Travis Sanheim. But they never Wayne Simmonds, who has been the posterchild for playoff hockey since got anything for it and by the time they cooled off the reigning champions he became a Flyer, has been taken off the top power-play unit and hasn’t took over. done enough to earn the spot back at even strength. “It’s gonna happen like that sometimes, especially against that team,” Voracek, fourth in the league in assists in the regular season, had two Jake Voracek said. “They don’t need many opportunities to score. One stick infractions in Game 3. lucky bounce…they score that first one. Couple power plays, they score two goals, game over.” “There’s a lot of hockey left to play here,” Giroux said. “I have no doubt that we’re gonna come out strong in Game 4.” Final score: 5-1, the same margin of victory the Flyers had in Game 2. Matchups stay as home ice changes That momentum is now gone as the Penguins carry the series lead. They’ll head back to Pittsburgh before returning for Wednesday’s Game The hosting team gets to make the last line change, thus getting to pick 4. the matchups after seeing which opponent’s line is out on the ice. Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan did that in the first two games and Dave After the Flyers responded in Game 2 with a very strong performance, Hakstol in games 3 and 4. It didn’t change just because the series shifted Sidney Crosby had four more points. The Flyers were extra sloppy with to Philadelphia. the puck and it cost them. It was one of the things coach Dave Hakstol mentioned before the game. It was still Crosby’s line against Couturier’s; Malkin’s against Patrick’s; Brassard’s against Valtteri Filppula’s and Riley Sheahan’s against Jori “I think we have to be better with the puck in a lot of areas,” he said. Lehtera’s. They weren’t after the first push. “I think it's a small part of the series,” Hakstol said. “The matchups in this Michael Raffl coughed it up leading to Crosby’s goal that made it 1-0. series may develop from game to game. But I still think the most Oskar Lindblom flubbed a pass that led to a Brandon Manning tripping important thing is everybody in the lineup being ready to do a job, no minor and Penguins power-play goal. matter who they are lined up against, and go out and play a good hockey game. Matchups will be a part of it, but probably not as dominant a part The more the score got out of control, the more the Flyers took risks and of it as you might think.” that certainly added to the sloppiness also. Courier-Post LOADED: 04.16.2018 “We gotta come more with the speed like we did in Game 2,” Voracek said. “We were spread out too much in the neutral zone and spread out in the forecheck. Better timing from the (defensemen) and forwards, we’ll get better Wednesday.” “We know that’s not how we carry over what we did last game,” goalie Brian Elliott added. “It’s kinda…get back to what made us so good in the last game. We’ve got a couple days to look over things and have a gameplan for (Wednesday).” Here are four more observations from Game 3… Penalties a huge factor Typically in the playoffs referees swallow the whistles to an extent. Sunday they had a little more work than normal. The Flyers took eight penalties and it was hard to argue with any of them with the possible exception of a Claude Giroux slash. “You can’t do that against that team,” Nolan Patrick said. “They’ve got an unbelievable power play. We gotta be better.” The penalty kill had improved in recent weeks, but against the power play that finished first in the regular season it’s really playing with fire and the Flyers got burned. Power-play goals from Derick Brassard and Evgeni Malkin really took the wind out of the Flyers’ sails in the Flyers’ second period. Brian Dumoulin scoring five seconds after Malkin, tying an NHL playoff record, was the nail in the coffin. Justin Schultz added a third power-play goal in the third period. What was more eye-opening than the number of penalties was how they came from being undisciplined. “I don’t know if it’s frustration or you just get caught not moving your feet and you’re reaching a little bit,” Elliott said. “That’s what happens. You lose control of your stick a little bit and penalties are called. It’s definitely not an excuse. We did it to ourselves. We have to make it a focus that we can’t be doing that.” 1091780 Philadelphia Flyers Some things bounced the Flyers' way in Game 2. One facet of the game that was definitely earned was the work on the penalty kill. Some luck involved when Sidney Crosby missed an open net with two seconds left Flyers vs. Penguins: 3 things to watch in Game 3 in the second period, sure, but holding the Penguins to only three shots in eight minutes of power play is no easy feat.

3. Goalie matchup Dave Isaac, Published 7:00 a.m. ET April 15, 2018 Brian Elliott redeemed himself in Game 2 with 34 saves on 35 shots. He'll be back between the pipes for the Flyers, his save percentage up to .889 after a disastrous Game 1. Today: Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Matt Murray will be in goal for Pittsburgh. He allowed five goals last Site: Wells Fargo Center/Philadelphia, Pa. game, snapping his epic playoff shutout streak. His save percentage for the series is .907. Time: 3 p.m. Courier-Post LOADED: 04.16.2018 TV/Radio: NBC/97.5 FM Series: tied 1-1 PREDICTIONS: Dave Isaac’s first round Stanley Cup playoff picks FLYERS PROJECTED LINEUP Forwards 28-Claude Giroux, 14-Sean Couturier, 12-Michael Raffl 54-Oskar Lindblom, 19-Nolan Patrick, 93-Jake Voracek 11-Travis Konecny, 51-Valtteri Filppula, 17-Wayne Simmonds 21-Scott Laughton, 15-Jori Lehtera, 24-Matt Read Defensemen 9-Ivan Provorov & 53-Shayne Gostisbehere 6-Travis Sanheim & 47-Andrew MacDonald 23-Brandon Manning & 3-Radko Gudas Goalie 37-Brian Elliott Injuries/Suspensions G Michal Neuvirth — day-to-day, lower-body injury PENGUINS PROJECTED LINEUP Forwards 59-Jake Guentzel, 87-Sidney Crosby, 17-Bryan Rust 62-Carl Hagelin, 71-Evgeni Malkin, 72-Patric Hornqvist 43-Conor Sheary, 19-Derick Brassard, 81-Phil Kessel 46-Zach Aston-Reese, 15-Riley Sheahan, 34-Tom Kuhnhackl Defensemen 8-Brian Dumoulin & 58-Kris Letang 3-Olli Maatta & 4-Justin Schultz 6-Jamie Oleksiak & 2-Chad Ruhwedel Goalie 30-Matt Murray Injuries/Suspensions RW Carter Rowney — out indefinitely, upper-body injury THREE THINGS TO WATCH 1. Take advantage of home ice By splitting the first two games in Pittsburgh, the Flyers give themselves a chance to have home ice in the series from here on out. Of course, they have to actually follow through on it. They finished the regular season 22-13-6 at Wells Fargo Center, the fewest home wins of any playoff team. “I remember my first playoff game here in Philly,” Claude Giroux said. “It’s pretty hardcore. It’s pretty wild. It’s a good time. You have to take it all in but at the same time remember there’s a hockey game here and do the right things.” 2. Keep the penalty kill going 1091781 Pittsburgh Penguins Tribune Review LOADED: 04.16.2018

Kevin Gorman: Penguins prove their superiority with win

KEVIN GORMAN | Sunday, April 15, 2018, 10:09 p.m. Updated 4 hours ago

Forget the scores. The Penguins are the superior team in this Stanley Cup first-round series. They have been better than the Flyers, win or lose, whether or not they capitalized on chances. The first period of Game 3 on Sunday was different. The Flyers pushed the pace, possessed the puck and fed off a loud, rowdy Wells Fargo Center crowd that was about to reach a crescendo when Nolan Patrick tried to do his best Travis Konecny impression by beating a Penguins defenseman to the right and going glove side. Then the Penguins answered. And the Flyers had no answer. Penguins 5, Flyers 1. “The first 20 minutes was the first time we looked close to how we want to be with the puck,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “I thought our pace was good. I thought we had enough possession and some opportunities off our offensive zone play. “But you have to be able to sustain that for 60 minutes. Then you can evaluate what the outcome is, not 20.” The Penguins didn't just answer the Flyers. They answered the questions that trailed them after the Game 2 loss and did so in a hostile environment. If you worried about whether Matt Murray could stop the puck, Sidney Crosby could find the net, Kris Letang could come back from his collision with Claude Giroux, Phil Kessel could contribute a point or the power play could convert ... Worry no more. After following a Game 1 shutout by giving up five goals in the Game 2 loss, Matt Murray stopped 26 shots and is 9-1 after playoff losses in his NHL career. “You want to win games, so, obviously, after a loss is important,” Murray said. “It's just as important as after a win.” After following a Game 1 hat trick by missing on three great chances in Game 2, Crosby scored a wraparound goal to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 10:25. “It was good to get one early,” Crosby said. “That always makes a big difference as far as being able to forget about it.” Aside from that save and that shot, the Flyers outplayed the Penguins almost every way imaginable in the first period. Yet they still trailed. “Whether you want to say they weathered the storm in the first period or not, I don't know,” Hakstol said. “I mean, it was a good first period. They came out of it 1-0. “From there, I thought we did things that aren't going to give you success against that team. We've done a pretty good job of killing penalties, but you give them that number of opportunities, they're going to make you pay on some of them.” The Penguins did, despite the power play going 1 for 8 in the first two games of the series. They went 3 for 7 in Game 3, starting with Kessel scoring his first playoff points on a feed to Derick Brassard for a power- play goal at 2:48 of the second. Letang set up Evgeni Malkin for a power-play goal and 3-0 lead at 6:48 of the second. Five seconds later, Brian Dumoulin scored to make it 4-0, setting a franchise playoff record for fastest back-to-back goals. “We stuck with our game plan,” Dumoulin said. “We didn't try to do it individually. I thought that was the key, especially in the first period.” Mike Sullivan deserves credit for the game plan and for his team sticking to it. Before the game, the Penguins coach spoke with confidence about how much he liked about the way they played in Game 2, even if they didn't get the result. Sullivan didn't have to say it, but he knew had the superior team. Now everyone else does, too. 1091782 Pittsburgh Penguins our team, our effort, our execution and that's where all of our focus is and it starts with me.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 04.16.2018 Penguins notebook: Special teams flexes power in Game 3 rout

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Sunday, April 15, 2018, 8:33 p.m. Updated 4 hours ago

PHILADELPHIA — Given the Penguins had the most efficient power play in franchise history during the regular season, it seemed unlikely the Flyers could keep the unit quiet for an entire best-of-seven playoff series. On Sunday afternoon, the Penguins' power play made a loud statement. Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin and Justin Schultz scored second-period goals with the man advantage as the Penguins rolled to a 5-1 victory in Game 3 of the first-round series. The Penguins were 1 for 8 on the power play in the first two games. They went 3 for 7 on Sunday. The first goal Sunday was scored by a mixture of the team's two power- play personnel groups. Phil Kessel, a member of the first unit, corralled a puck down low and made a nifty pass to Brassard, a member of the second unit, for a shot into the top corner from the bottom of the left faceoff circle to make it 2-0 early in the second period. The second goal came on a Malkin one-timer from the right circle during a four-on-three advantage four minutes later. Schultz's goal came on a blast from the center point in the third period. “It's going to win you games, especially this time of the year,” Brassard said. “There's a lot of talent in this room, this group here. This is the best (power play) the entire regular season. It's just a matter (of time) before they connect. We work on it every day.” KILLING BETTER In addition to thriving on the power play, the Penguins enjoyed a spotless, 6-for-6 effort from their penalty kill Sunday. The Flyers scored two power-play goals in Game 2 on Friday night. “I think what we did well tonight is we didn't give them that freebie, that backdoor tap-in goal that really is indefensible from a goaltender's standpoint,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “And Matt Murray, I thought, was our best penalty killer tonight. He made some big saves for us.” YOU'RE IN BIG TROUBLE Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has proven throughout his career he can handle the adversity playing on the road sometimes brings. That includes, apparently, being urinated upon in effigy. According to social media reports, a fan placed photos of Crosby in the bottom of the urinals in all the men's rooms at the Wells Fargo Center before Sunday's game. Crosby, who had a goal and three assists, didn't seem upset about the gesture. “That's not the first building that's happened in,” Crosby said. “I don't know if they stole that idea from someone else.” BANNING LOBBYISTS It's fairly common practice at this time of year in the NHL. Coaches, when seated in front of a microphone and cameras, will use the moment to lobby for favorable calls from officials or favorable rulings on possible suspensions from the league's department of player safety. Sullivan never uses such rhetoric. After Claude Giroux clobbered Kris Letang in an open-ice collision in Game 2, Sullivan said he had an opinion about what happened, but he'd keep it to himself. When it was clear Giroux wasn't going to be suspended, Sullivan again declined to comment Saturday. Sullivan said he takes that tact, in part, as an example for his players to follow. “Because I'm not sure it's productive. I'm not sure it's effective,” he said before Sunday's game. “It's a distraction from what our team is trying to accomplish. So we're going to focus on what we can control, and that's 1091783 Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins had no apprehension with playing Letang, despite the Game 2 second-period collision with Claude Giroux that caused a cut on his hand and concerns of a concussion. Kevin Gorman's Take 5: Five thoughts on Penguins 5, Flyers 1 in Game Sullivan said Letang didn't require concussion protocol, and called his 3 absence at Saturday's practice a maintenance day. Not only did Letang get a secondary assist on Brassard's goal but Letang KEVIN GORMAN | Sunday, April 15, 2018, 5:55 p.m. also set up Evgeni Malkin's 4-on-3 goal at 6:48 of the second period for a 3-0 lead. Updated 7 hours ago 5. THAT WAS FAST

Defenseman Brian Dumoulin followed Malkin's goal with one of his own PHILADELPHIA — Five quick thoughts on Game 3 between the only five seconds later. Penguins and Flyers: Not only did Dumoulin become the 13th Penguins player to score a goal 1. GREAT IN GOAL against the Flyers this season, but it was a franchise record for fastest back-to-back goals in a playoff game. Fresh off a 5-1 Game 2 victory and in their playoff home debut, the Flyers came out fast in the first period. When Justin Schultz added a power-play goal in the third period, he became the 14th Penguins player to score against the Flyers. If you're And Matt Murray was ready Sunday. counting, only Letang, Zach Aston-Reese, Olli Maatta, Chad Ruhwedel and Riley Sheahan haven't scored against the Flyers this season. The Penguins goalie stoned a Nolan Patrick breakaway with a glove save, blocked Travis Sanheim after a cross-ice pass from Jori Lehtera There's still time. and stopped a Scott Laughton wrister before the Penguins attempted their first official shot on goal. Tribune Review LOADED: 04.16.2018 Where Murray followed the Game 1 shutout by allowing a goal in the final minute of the first period in Game 2, the Penguins killed a pair of penalties in Game 3. The Flyers had several scrambles around the net. But after allowing five goals on 19 shots Friday night, Murray stopped everything that came at him. The Penguins weathered that storm, including a PK in the final 1:43. Turns out, they took the Flyers' best shot and came out clean. 2. CROSBY SHOOTS AND SCORES Sidney Crosby followed a hat trick in Game 1 by missing three great scoring chances in Game 2, including a second-period breakaway and a point-blank shot. As accustomed, Flyers fans at Wells Fargo Center delighted in chanting "Crosby sucks!" just before the opening faceoff. As accustomed, Crosby silenced the Philly crowd. After a Michael Raffl turnover, the puck bounced to Patric Hornqvist in the slot. Hornqvist passed to Crosby, who played it off his skate to the left of the post and scored a wraparound goal for a 1-0 lead at 10 minutes, 25 seconds of the first period. The most amazing part isn't that it was Crosby's fourth goal of the playoffs. It's that he could/should have seven. 3. PROVING HIS POINT Through the first two games of this series, Phil Kessel was practically invisible — at least, on the score sheet. Before the game, Penguins radio analyst Phil Bourque dropped some serious statistics about Kessel, noting he went scoreless only four times this season. One of those was in Game 1, the first time at home this season Kessel failed to register a shot on goal. But Kessel was in danger of going three games without a point for the first time since a stretch from Feb. 15-18. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan didn't seem concerned before Game 3, saying Kessel has been "in this situation at lot and knows how to respond." The Penguins went to great lengths to set Kessel up for a wrister from the left circle on their first power play, but Flyers goalie Brian Elliott made a glove save. On the second power play, after Kris Letang's shot went off Elliott's pads and Kessel fed Derick Brassard for a shot from the left circle for a 2-0 lead at 2:48 of the second period. 4. A GAME DECISION Sullivan was being coy when asked about Letang's availability just two hours before Game 3, saying "all of our players are game-time decisions." 1091784 Pittsburgh Penguins

Quick work: Penguins set record by scoring twice in 5 seconds

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Sunday, April 15, 2018, 4:48 p.m. Updated 4 hours ago

PHILADELPHIA — A blast of a one-timer by Evgeni Malkin on the power play. A crafty play by Sidney Crosby that leads to a goal. Those two highlights happened dozens of times before in Penguins playoff history. They never happened as quickly, however, as they did Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. Malkin and Brian Dumoulin scored five seconds apart — the fastest pair of playoff goals in franchise history — to lead the Penguins to a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3 of a first-round series. It broke the team record of seven seconds set by Ron Stackhouse and Rick Kehoe in a 1980 playoff game against Boston. It tied the NHL record for fastest two playoff goals set when Detroit's Norm Ullman scored twice against Chicago in 1965. "The game took a drastic turn within six, seven minutes at the start of the second period," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. The first goal was a classic Malkin one-timer from the right faceoff circle on a four-on-three power play. Kris Letang teed him up, and Malkin blasted it past goalie Brian Elliott at the 6 minutes, 48 seconds mark. At that point, with his team down 3-0, Hakstol said he should have called a timeout. "We were playing well. We had a bad stretch. We dug a little bit of a hole, but I had no doubt that we could come back and dig our way out of that hole," he said. "You want to save that timeout for the critical time at the end of the game. Well, go home with it in your back pocket and what good does it do you?" Off the ensuing faceoff, Crosby pushed the puck forward past Flyers center Claude Giroux. He skated up the right wing and made a backhand saucer pass across the slot to Dumoulin on the left side for a shot and a goal at the 6:53 mark. Crosby gave Dumoulin credit for his hockey sense on the play. "He made a great read," Crosby said. "He jumped up in the play and gave us numbers." Dumoulin said he didn't know what Crosby was up to before he did it. "I think he just saw that and made a read," Dumoulin said. "Obviously on four-on-four, a little more ice there especially in the center dot face-off. He just made great play off that face-off and made a great pass over to me in the zone." Giroux, meanwhile, could do nothing but tip his cap. "It was a nice play by him," Giroux said. Tribune Review LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091785 Pittsburgh Penguins Brassard scored off a nifty power-play feed from Phil Kessel early in the second. Evgeni Malkin and Brian Dumoulin scored five seconds apart later in the period to make it 4-0. Sidney Crosby blocks out hostile Philly crowd, leads Penguins to Game 3 A hostile crowd's jeers had been replaced by tears. win “It's a tough environment to come into,” Crosby said. “I think we all prepare knowing that. We played well today. I think it's just one of those JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Sunday, April 15, 2018, 4:06 p.m. things.” Updated 4 hours ago Tribune Review LOADED: 04.16.2018

PHILADELPHIA — Nashville with its catfish and down-home taunts? Rookies. Washington and its sea of red? Amateurs. If a hockey team really wants to play in a hostile environment, it's got to come to Philadelphia. No one does hostile quite like the residents of Pennsylvania's largest city. And no one thrives in a hostile environment quite like Sidney Crosby. A crowd-silencing goal by Crosby and a couple of early five-star saves from goalie Matt Murray kept their team afloat during a tumultuous first period, allowing the Penguins to roar past the Flyers with a dominant second period that led to a 5-1 victory in Game 3 of a first-round series Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. The Penguins lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday in Philadelphia. The road environment was at its most hostile in the first period. The Philadelphia crowd, a profane wave of orange, growled its guttural displeasure with the Penguins and their captain. The team they root for was in a similar mood. The Flyers used an aggressive forecheck to take an 11-4 shots advantage and push the Penguins onto their heels. First, Murray made a pair of game-changing saves to keep the Flyers off the scoreboard. Less than two minutes in, Nolan Patrick blew past Olli Maatta up the right wing, but Murray made the save with his glove. Less than a minute later, Murray made a pad stop on Travis Sanheim at the left post after a backdoor pass from Jori Lehtera. “That's my job as a goalie,” Murray said. “Stop the puck and keep the puck out of the net.” At the period's midpoint, with the Flyers still feeling frisky, Crosby scored a massive goal. The Penguins forecheck forced Flyers winger Michael Raffl into a turnover in the defensive zone. The puck kicked to Patric Hornqvist in the slot, and he fed Crosby at the left post for a wraparound goal. “It was a big goal,” center Derick Brassard said. “It kind of quieted the crowd a little bit.” Crosby finished the game with a goal and three assists, giving him 171 career playoff points. That's one point off Mario Lemieux's franchise record. The performance also gave Crosby 21 goals and 58 points in 39 career games in the building where the fans hate him the most. Crosby said he's not sure why he's had so much success in Philadelphia. Coach Mike Sullivan didn't have the same problem. “I just think it's an indication of how competitive he is,” Sullivan said. “I think he thrives in that environment. When the stakes are high, if we're in an away building, and they're important games, Sid tends to play his best, and he's done that certainly from my experience here, time and time again. “You gotta give the Flyers a lot of credit. They had a really strong start. I thought Sid was a big reason that our team settled down. That first goal he got, for example, he has an ability to stay in the moment. He doesn't get rattled. He doesn't get fazed by any of the adversity or anything that a high-stakes environment might present to other players.” Instead of enjoying the fruits of their exceptional first period, the Flyers were down, 1-0. Their moment had passed. The Penguins largely dominated the rest of the game. 1091786 Pittsburgh Penguins

Three things to watch for in Penguins-Flyers Game 3

JONATHAN BOMBULIE | Sunday, April 15, 2018, 8:33 a.m. Updated 11 hours ago

PHILADELPHIA – Given their losing record on the road this season, it's reasonable to suggest the Penguins have a tough task ahead of them as their tied first-round series with the Flyers shifts to the Wells Fargo Center for the next two games. It will only be tough, however, if the Flyers play well enough at home to take advantage of the situation. The Flyers went 22-13-6 in Philadelphia this season, including two losses to the Penguins by a combined score of 10-3. Of the 16 teams that made the playoffs, only Los Angeles had a worse home record. “I think we had a winning record at home, didn't we? So we were OK,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “I'm not real worried about what the regular-season record was or games that are past. Only one that matters is (Sunday).” Here are three things to watch in Game 3 Sunday afternoon. 1. BIG RIG WARNING After joining the Penguins in a midseason trade, defenseman Jamie Oleksiak jumped right into the team's biggest rivalry. He played some of his best hockey of the season in two games in Philadelphia, filling up the stat sheet with two goals, an assist, a plus-4 rating, 11 penalty minutes, four hits and four blocked shots. “It's just a result of how we play as a team,” Oleksiak said, explaining his success at the Wells Fargo Center. “Everybody's up for that game, real excited for that game. You kind of feel in the locker room the focus and the intensity and everything. I think it brings everyone into it.” Also keep an eye on the other five Penguins players who hit the scoresheet in both regular-season trips to Philadelphia this season: Riley Sheahan, Conor Sheary, Phil Kessel, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. 2. MATCH.COM Hakstol will have the opportunity to use the personnel he prefers against Crosby's line now that the series has shifted to Philadelphia. That's good news for him, since whatever he was trying to do in Pittsburgh wasn't working. In the first two games of the series, when Crosby was on the ice at even strength, the Penguins had sizeable advantages in goals (5-0), shots (20- 7), shot attempts (30-18), scoring chances (17-8) and high-danger scoring chances (8-2). “I don't think there's been a ton of matching,” Crosby said. “Definitely coaches have in mind who they want out there in certain situations, but it's not always necessarily based on who the other team is putting out there. As players, you just go out there when called upon and be ready to compete.” 3. BOUNCING BACK If his postseason history is any indication, expect Matt Murray to have a bounce-back performance after a 15-save showing in Game 2. Murray has started the game immediately following a Penguins playoff loss nine times in his career. He's 8-1 with a .934 save percentage. Tribune Review LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091787 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins juggle line combinations in Game 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers

SAM WERNER APR 15, 2018 4:36 PM

PHILADELPHIA — The Penguins switched their forward lines Sunday for the first time this postseason, making some moves at right wing to try to bounce back from their Game 2 loss. The moves, evidently, worked out, as they took Game 3, 5-1, and staked a 2-1 lead in their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers. Patric Hornqvist moved back up to Sidney Crosby’s top line opposite Jake Guentzel, and Phil Kessel was reunited with Evgeni Malkin. Bryan Rust, who had been playing with Crosby, moved down to the third line with Conor Sheary and Derick Brassard. Only the fourth line of Zach Aston-Reese, Riley Sheahan and Tom Kuhnhackl remained the same as Games 1 and 2. “It was more of a general shake-up a little bit,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “They’re not any combinations that we haven’t used in the past. Sometimes when we just tweak a little bit, we get a positive response from people.” Sullivan specifically talked about reuniting Malkin and Kessel. The two played 567:51 together this regular season, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. That’s the second-most time Malkin spent with any winger, behind only Carl Hagelin. “They have some chemistry, they can be dynamic when they’re playing,” Sullivan said. “We thought that might be an opportunity to reunite those two guys. As I always say, nothing’s every etched in stone. We thought we would go with what we went with this game here. We thought the lines played well.” Given Sullivan’s reluctance to change line combinations after victories, it’s probably a safe bet the lineup will look similar Wednesday in Game 4 at Wells Fargo Center. Good night on PK The Penguin’ penalty kill held the Flyers scoreless on all six of their power-play opportunities Sunday, after allowing two power-play goals Friday in Game 2. Even though the result was better, though, Sullivan has liked what he has seen from his penalty kill all series. “In the first two games, we gave up two scoring chances on our penalty kill, in two games,” Sullivan said. “But both of them went in the net. The optics make the penalty kill look bad, but when you drill down into the details of the penalty kill and you look at the overall process and the decisions they made and their commitment, we felt as though they did a lot of really good things in the first two games.” Staying silent Sullivan will often offer expansive answers on hockey-related topics or even his team’s mindset in approaching a particular game. He’s considerably less chatty when discussing officiating. Sullivan always has been that way, too. Never has he been one to publicly lobby for a suspension or criticize officials. “I’m not sure it’s productive,” Sullivan said. “I’m not sure it’s effective. I think it’s a distraction from what our team is trying to accomplish. We’re going to focus on what we can control, and that’s our team, our effort, our execution. That’s where all is our focus is. It starts with me.” Game-time decisions Once again, Sullivan went into the game Sunday saying all of his players would be game-time decisions, with one exception. Carter Rowney still was not yet ready to return from an upper-body injury, despite joining the Penguins Saturday in practice. Sullivan did say that Rowney is getting close. Post Gazette LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091788 Pittsburgh Penguins

Instant analysis: Penguins power play comes alive in Game 3 win

ADAM BITTNER APR 15, 2018 2:54 PM

The Penguins got a 5-1 win against the Flyers in Game 3 of their Stanley Cup playoffs first-round series Sunday in Philadelphia. The Penguins now lead the series, 2-1. Here are some initial thoughts on the victory. It was over when: Evgeni Malkin and Brian Dumoulin scored within five seconds of each other to make the score 4-0 early in the second period. Dumoulin’s not much of a goal scorer, so when even he got on the board, you pretty much knew it wasn’t going to be the Flyers’ day. Heroes: Matt Murray was the Penguins’ rock in the first period. The Flyers fed off the energy of their home fans, out-shooting the Penguins, 11-4. But Murray stopped everything, allowing his teammates to settle in and start turning the tide beginning with Sidney Crosby’s goal about halfway through the frame. It was a nice bounce-back performance for him after he gave up four goals in Game 2. The Penguins’ power play was a little too cute at times, but it’s hard to argue with its results. Malkin and Derick Brassard both scored with the man advantage in the early moments of the second period, and Justin Schultz added a power play tally in the third to overwhelm the Flyers. That should give the unit a lot of confidence after it scored on just 1 of 9 attempts in the first two games of the series. Penguins center Jake Guentzel celebrates a goal by Brian Dumoulin in the second period in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers Sunday at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Dave Molinari's report card: Penguins 5, Flyers 1 Goats: Brian Elliott couldn’t maintain his team’s early momentum. The Flyers goalie failed to protect his post and gave up a wrap-around goal to Crosby at 10:25 of the first that clearly deflated his teammates. Things only got worse with the Penguins’ flurry of goals in the second. Elliott is becoming a bit of an enigma. He looked awful in Game 1, bounced back with a gem in Game 2 and reverted for Game 3. The Flyers need him to be more consistent if they’re going to stay in this series. Getting punchy: Claude Giroux’s hit on Kris Letang in Game 2 seemed to turn up the intensity of the series, and that definitely translated to Game 3. There weren’t any major fights, but there was a lot of pushing and shoving that indicates that these teams increasingly don’t like each other. The Penguins did a pretty good job of keeping their emotions in check beyond a Malkin interference penalty in the second period. Still, composure is something they’ll have to be mindful of as the Flyers become more desperate at home in Game 4. No ill effects: Speaking of Letang, he didn’t look to be at all affected by the Giroux hit in the previous game. The defenseman led the Penguins with 25:40 of ice time and was active on the power play, too, assisting on the Brassard and Malkin goals. His health wasn’t in too much doubt considering he returned after the hit in Game 2. Still, it’s a good sign for the Penguins that he came back strong. Sacrificing the body: Murray’s stellar play in net was the biggest key to thwarting the Flyers’ early momentum, but his teammates at least did a nice job of preventing more pucks from getting through to him. The Penguins blocked 12 shots during the first period. They blocked four in all of Game 2. Nine of the Penguins' 18 skaters blocked at least one shot during the first period. Chad Ruhwedel had a team-high three. Ian Cole has been the Penguins’ most prolific shot blocker in recent years, so this is a good sign that they can bring the same toughness to these playoffs despite losing him in a deal at the trade deadline. Next: The teams will get two days off before meeting back at the Wells Fargo Center for Game 4 Wednesday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Post Gazette LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091789 Pittsburgh Penguins number of contests. The four points Crosby produced in this one tied his career high for a playoff game.

During the Crosby-Malkin Era, the Penguins are 19-11-2 in the regular Penguins regain lead against Flyers with key road win season in this building, 5-4 in the playoffs, and have actually won four of their last six postseason contests here. JASON MACKEY The Penguins took control early in the second period, and it started with Brassard’s man-advantage marker at 2:48. Phil Kessel gathered the APR 15, 2018 2:53 PM rebound and set up Brassard at the bottom of the left circle. Malkin made it 3-0 at 6:48 of the second period, converting a one-time blast from the right circle after Jakub Voracek was called for hooking. PHILADELPHIA – Perhaps you wondered whether the Penguins power play, so dominant during the regular season, would find its groove in A little bit of history accompanied the Penguins’ next goal, which made it enough time to make a difference in this series. 4-0 and turned this one into a rout. Maybe you thought the Penguins’ road struggles from the regular season Brian Dumoulin scored from the left circle at 6:53. Incredible pass from would continue, especially given the hostility that exists here at Wells Crosby, too, who won the faceoff, charged ahead and somehow used his Fargo Center. peripheral vision to find Dumoulin Worrying whether the Flyers found some life or momentum in this series It tied the NHL playoff record for the fastest two goals, matching what even seemed reasonable after what they did to the Penguins in Game 2. Norm Ullman did for the Detroit Red Wings against Chicago on April 11, 1965. Relax. After Sanheim wristed point shot five-hole past Murray, Schultz scored For a few days, anyway. on a blast from the point to make 5-1 at 7:08 of the third period. The Penguins answered plenty of questions with their 5-1 victory over the Malkin picked up an assist on Schultz’s goal, the 100th playoff helped of Flyers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Sunday his career. afternoon, one that gave them a two-games-to-one lead in this best-on- seven series. The Flyers out-shot the Penguins, 11-4, in the opening 20 minutes, as the Penguins struggled managing the puck. They managed just two After a pair of ho-hum games with the man advantage, the Penguins shots on goal in the first 9:28 of the game, but Murray held them in it. piled up three power-play goals Sunday and turned in a perfect effort on the penalty kill. Crosby put the Penguins in front, 1-0, with a wraparound goal at 10:25, his fourth marker of the playoffs. A terrific and smart play from Crosby, It marked the third time in three games that the team that won the special too, to take a Patric Hornqvist past, wait and beat Brian Elliott to the post. teams battle also won the hockey game. Sullivan tweaked his lines after warmup, deploying Crosby with Guentzel Sidney Crosby, Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin, Brian Dumoulin and and Hornqvist; Malkin with Carl Hagelin and Kessel; and Brassard with Justin Schultz got the Penguins goals, while Matt Murray stopped 26 of Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust. 27 shots to earn the win. Post Gazette LOADED: 04.16.2018 Game 4 is back in Philadelphia on Wednesday, although the Penguins will come home in the meantime. The Penguins’ approach at practice Saturday was hardly emblematic of a team that was worried. Crosby joked at his dressing-room stall with Jake Guentzel, Riley Sheahan and Jamie Oleksiak. On the ice, the Penguins were sharp but light-hearted. Afterward, coach Mike Sullivan gathered his team at center ice to remind everyone what they had accomplished over the past two seasons. Several of those involved spoke after practice about improving the power play, and it certainly seemed like that was a focal point coming into this game. It had been just one for eight in two games prior, with Brassard and the second unit getting the only goal. After Game 2, Sullivan emphatically said that special teams – the Penguins also allowed a pair of power-play goals – was absolutely the difference in Game 2. Well, it was again. Still, it’s tough to overlook Murray. Murray wasn’t bad in Game 2 despite allowing four goals on 19 shots. One was a fluky bounce, another the result of a terrific, between-the-legs pass from Sean Couturier. But following the rare losses that Murray has experienced in his postseason career, he’s been tremendous the next time out. Murray entered this one 8-1 with a 1.57 goals-against average after a postseason loss. The goaltending performance was especially impressive given the Penguins did not have the greatest start to this one, but Murray’s solid work kept them in it. He denied Nolan Patrick on a breakaway and Travis Sanheim on the equivalent of a soccer cross. That Crosby – who scored the first goal of the game – and Malkin had their fingerprints all over this one should not come as a surprise. They’ve traditionally had a ton of success in this building, in the regular season and playoffs. Crosby now has five goals and 15 points in nine career postseason games at Wells Fargo Center, Malkin six goals and 13 points in the same 1091790 Pittsburgh Penguins A Crosby wraparound goal staked the Penguins to a 1-0 lead. He helped turned Game 3 into a rout in the second period when he won a faceoff, charged ahead and dished a ridiculous pass to Brian Dumoulin for a Penguins regain series lead against Flyers with key road win goal. “When the stakes are high, if we’re in an away building and they’re important games, Sid tends to play his best,” Sullivan said. “He’s done JASON MACKEY that from my experience here, time and time again.” APR 15, 2018 1:03 PM Murray wasn’t bad in Game 2 despite allowing four goals on 19 shots. One was a fluky bounce, another the result of a terrific, between-the-legs pass from Sean Couturier. PHILADELPHIA — Perhaps you fretted over the Penguins power play, But after the rare losses that Murray has experienced in his postseason so dominant during the regular season but relatively quiet so far this career, he’s been tremendous the next time out — motivated and even series. irritated. Murray entered this one 8-1 with a 1.57 goals-against average after a postseason loss. Or maybe it was the team’s road struggles this season and how they’d mix with a hostile atmosphere at Wells Fargo Center. The start was an ugly one for the Penguins, and Murray made a huge save on Nolan Patrick’s breakaway early. He was their best player by a Perhaps you took time to ponder Sidney Crosby missing a pair of mile when the Penguins were outshot, 11-4, in the first period. chances in Game 2 or Matt Murray uncharacteristically allowing four goals on 19 shots. “You want to win games,” Murray said. “After a loss is important, but it’s just as important as after a win. Take it one shot at a time. Stick to our Hopefully not. But, hey, anything is possible. game plan. I thought we did a really good job [Sunday].” The Penguins answered plenty of questions with their 5-1 victory Sunday Crosby now has five goals and 15 points in nine career postseason afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3 of the Eastern games at Wells Fargo Center, Malkin six goals and 13 points in the same Conference quarterfinals, one that gave them a two-games-to-one lead in number of contests. this best-on-seven series, and how it happened was hardly surprising. During the Crosby-Malkin Era, the Penguins are 19-11-2 in the regular “It’s always intense here,” Sidney Crosby was saying after scoring a goal season in this building, 5-4 in the playoffs, and have actually won four of and matching his career-high with four points, the typically horde their past six postseason contests here. gathering around his dressing-room stall. “It’s a tough environment to come into. We played well today.” Undoubtedly there has been adversity and things that didn’t go exactly perfect. But part of this team’s identity has been moving past losses, and After a pair of ho-hum games with the man advantage, the Penguins they did it in a big way again Sunday. piled up three power-play goals Sunday and turned in a terrific effort on the penalty kill, going six for six over 12 minutes. It’s almost poetic, but definitely appropriate, that Crosby was the guy leading the charge, the guy who missed a breakaway and an open net It marked the third time in three games that special teams determined the last game. outcome. “You have to move on,” Crosby said. “When you get a couple looks and “It was good to win the special teams battle,” Crosby said. “Probably a they don’t go in, you have to be able to turn the page. That always makes big part of the success [Sunday].” a big difference.” So, too, was Murray, who stopped 26 of 27 shots to earn the win, Post Gazette LOADED: 04.16.2018 improving to 9-1 after a playoff loss. “He’s such a battle-tested guy,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Murray. “He has a real quiet confidence about him. He knows he’s good. If a game doesn’t go the way he wants it to go, he always responds the right way.” Kris Letang looks at his left hand, as he leaves Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Friday. Game 4 is Wednesday in Philadelphia, although the Penguins will come home in the meantime. Thinking back to Saturday, the Penguins’ approach at practice was hardly emblematic of a team that was worried, and it might have told the story of a team ready to answer back in a big way. Practice was crisp, the players’ mood light-hearted. Afterward, Sullivan gathered his team at center ice to remind everyone what they had accomplished over the past two seasons. “I don’t know what it is,” Schultz said. “We’re just good at moving on.” A deadly concoction of strong special teams, another terrific performance from Crosby in this building and the resilience of Murray explained this particular Penguins win. The power play had been just one for eight the previous two games, with Derick Brassard and the second unit getting the only goal. Different story Sunday. Brassard converted from the bottom of the left circle. Evgeni Malkin mashed a one-timer. Schultz scored on a blast. What was that again about the power play not producing? “It feels really good to get a couple to go in there,” Schultz said. “Get some confidence back.” Crosby’s tour de force was something else. The first “Crosby sucks!” chant occurred at 3:16 p.m., and the boos continued throughout — except, of course, when men went to the bathroom, and the urinals featured Crosby’s face. “I don’t know if they stole that idea from someone else,” Crosby said, “but that’s not the first time that’s happened." 1091791 Pittsburgh Penguins

Cross concussion off list of possible Kris Letang injuries

JASON MACKEY APR 15, 2018 10:29 AM

PHILADELPHIA – Nobody knows what exactly is ailing Kris Letang. There is, however, at least one thing we can cross off the list: a concussion. Speaking before Game 3 Sunday of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Center, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Letang did not have to pass through concussion protocol in order to return to Friday’s game, a 5-1 Penguins loss. Letang was injured in the second period after a collision with Flyers captain Claude Giroux. He missed 13 minutes of action but returned for the start of the third period. Giroux was not fined or disciplined for the hit. Eliminating a concussion from the list of possibilities means it was most likely Letang’s left hand that was injured; it was bleeding as he left the ice. Letang did not practice Saturday, receiving a maintenance day. Game-time decisions Letang — along with all Penguins players — will be a game-time decision, Sullivan said. Not among that group is Carter Rowney, who was a full participant in Saturday’s practice. Sullivan did say that Rowney is close to returning. Bouncing back The Flyers evened the series, 1-1, with a 5-1 win in Game 2 Sunday. Sam Werner The Penguins are 14-3 the past two postseasons after a loss. Matt Murray is 8-1. Both the team and its goaltender will have a chance to add to those impressive numbers Sunday. “We talk with our guys a lot about having a short memory,” Sullivan said. “We try to take each experience at this time of year. We try to learn from it and figure out what we can take away from it that may help us in the next one, then we have to put it behind us. We’ve got to move on.” Staying silent Sullivan will often offer expansive answers on hockey-related topics or even his team’s mindset in approaching a particular game. He’s considerably less chatty when discussing officiating. Sullivan has always been that way, too. Never has he been one to publicly lobby for a suspension or criticize officials. “I’m not sure it’s productive,” Sullivan said. “I’m not sure it’s effective. I think it’s a distraction from what our team is trying to accomplish. We’re going to focus on what we can control, and that’s our team, our effort, our execution. That’s where all is our focus is. It starts with me.” Post Gazette LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091792 San Jose Sharks sixth when their opponent scores first (17) and 11th when trailing after 40 minutes (5). After the Sharks put together a late rally to pull out a comeback win against the Ducks on Feb. 11, Logan Couture suggested Gackle: why Sharks fans can start planning their trip to Vegas (or L.A.) the team is too young and stupid to know better. But the biggest difference between then and now is that the Sharks finally landed a stud goalie, the most important ingredient to playoff By PAUL GACKLE | April 15, 2018 at 2:46 PM success in hockey. Martin Jones proved that he’s one of those guys who’s going to elevate his game in the playoffs during the Sharks run to the final in 2016. SAN JOSE — We’ve reached the time of year where, as a Mercury News With 28 saves in Game 2, Jones improved his career-playoff goals- hockey writer, I’m supposed to cast doubt on the Sharks chances of against average to 1.95 and his postseason save percentage to .928. closing out their first-round series with the Anaheim Ducks. Despite all of the above, the Sharks will be facing an uphill climb to return It’s in the job description: when the Sharks take commanding 2-0 leads, to the Cup final this spring. The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t going to drag every ghost from playoffs past out of the closet and remind the teal layover if the Sharks meet them in the second round and bridging the faithful why they’re among the most used and abused fan bases in the gap with the Nashville Predators or the Winnipeg Jets in the Western NHL. Conference Final will be more than a challenge. Bringing up the Sharks 2-0 collapse to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 Nevertheless, I can tell you that it’s safe to start booking rooms for Stanley Cup playoffs is mandatory. The choke job against the Detroit second-round travel even if my confidence in the Sharks ability to close Red Wings in 2007 needs to be in the first three paragraphs, along with out this series violates company policy. the 2009 heartbreak when the Sharks fell to the eighth-seeded Ducks after they won the President’s Trophy. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.16.2018 Failing to mention the reverse sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings in 2014 is a fireable offense. Now that I’ve knocked off all the prerequisites, I can tell you why it’s safe to start planning your second round trip to Las Vegas (or maybe Los Angeles), assuming the Sharks don’t suffer any major injuries when the series shifts to San Jose this week. Let’s start with the matchup. The Ducks squad that will be looking to climb back into the series Monday with a Game 3 win at SAP Center isn’t the team that stormed into the playoffs in 2009 after winning 11 of their last 14 games, just two years removed from capturing the Stanley Cup. They aren’t the 2007 Red Wings, who went on to win the Cup a year later, either, or the 2014 Kings, who snagged hockey’s top prize twice in a three-year span. The Ducks team that the Sharks will attempt to sweep this week is hanging onto the last thread of their glory years. They play a slow, antagonistic style of game when the NHL is getting exponentially faster and more skilled by the day. Most importantly, they’re struggling to fend off the Sharks forecheck with a depleted blue line after losing top defenseman Cam Fowler to a shoulder ailment, Shea Theodore to an expansion draft-related trade and Sami Vatanen in a deal with the New Jersey Devils that brought in center Adam Henrique after Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler went down with injuries in the first half. Imagine an NFL team trying to win a playoff game with three major holes on the offensive line, that’s the challenge the Ducks are facing. Regardless of what the Ducks bring, though, the Sharks are a completely-different team under head coach Pete DeBoer than they were during the dark ages from 2006 to 2015. They bucked those monkey off their backs when they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2016. “I wasn’t part of that. I know there’s some guys in our room that were, but there’s a lot more that weren’t,” DeBoer said. “It’s not something we even think about or talk about.” The Sharks are different from those teams in several key ways. The current team is much deeper. The Sharks of yesteryear depended too much on its stars, such as Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, for offense, allowing opponents to key in on one or two lines in the playoffs to defang their attack. This year’s team is more balanced, tying a franchise record set in 1993- 94 with 12 different players reaching double digits in goal scoring. Over the first two games of their series with the Ducks, 11 skaters have found the scoresheet. “That’s what we need. We’ve talked about that since day one. We’re the sum of our parts,” DeBoer said. “We have to get contributions from everybody.” Resiliency is also embedded in the DNA of the new generation of Sharks. Instead being underachievers, this group is developing a reputation for the opposite. The team found a way to absorb Marleau’s loss early in the season. Then, it went on a 19-13-3 run to reach the playoffs after Thornton went down with a major-knee injury on Jan. 23. Time and time again, the Sharks proved that they’ll fight to the final whistle, ranking second in wins when trailing after the first period (10), 1091793 San Jose Sharks

Sharks sticking to ‘whistle-to-whistle’ game plan vs. Ducks: “It’s been critical”

By CURTIS PASHELKA PUBLISHED: April 15, 2018 at 12:06 pm | UPDATED: April 15, 2018 at 12:55 PM

SAN JOSE — Sharks coach Pete DeBoer didn’t have a health update on Melker Karlsson on Sunday morning after the forward was blasted by Anaheim’s Corey Perry with an illegal hit in the late stages of Game 2 at Honda Center. Perry was given an interference penalty with 3:43 to go in the third period Saturday. Just as big for the Sharks, though, was that Perry wasn’t able to take anyone to the penalty box with him. The Sharks have been preaching playing “whistle-to-whistle” against the Ducks since the opening round playoff series began, trying to avoid costly retaliatory penalties. So far, the Sharks are mostly sticking to the game plan. The only infraction of that sort for San Jose through two games during timed play was a penalty to Evander Kane in the first period on Saturday, when he and Jakob Silfverberg each received two-minute minors for roughing. “I think it’s been critical,” DeBoer said Sunday on a conference call. “Anaheim’s got some guys over there that are very good at dragging you into that stuff and have made a career out of it. So far we’ve done a real good job of refusing to get into that type of game and sticking to what we do which is hard, physical, fast, whistle-to-whistle.” Karlsson was standing a few feet away from Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon and Silfverberg, trying to dig the puck free, as Dillon and Silfverberg were battling along the boards. Perry, perhaps trying to time the moment when Karlsson would retrieve the puck, then came in with a hard shoulder check on Karlsson’s left side, sending him to the ice and his helmet flying. Karlsson did not return to the game after the hit. The Ducks killed the penalty, but it cost them valuable time in their effort to tie the game. The Sharks survived a furious effort from the Ducks after Perry’s penalty expired and earned a 3-2 win to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. There was no indication Sunday morning that Perry would receive any further discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Perry also took a roughing penalty in Game 1, getting into it with Marcus Sorensen and Eric Fehr around the Sharks’ net after a second period shot of his was stopped by Martin Jones. So far in this series, the Sharks are 2-for-9 on the power play and the Ducks are 2-for-5. The Sharks have depth forward options in case Karlsson can’t play in Game 3 on Monday at SAP Center, with Jannik Hansen, Joel Ward and Barclay Goodrow all available. There was also no update on defenseman Justin Braun, who blocked a Hampus Lindholm shot with under a minute to go in the third period and did not play the final 44 seconds. San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091794 San Jose Sharks Briefly: Forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who played the past five seasons for a Russian team in the KHL, came off the NHL’s voluntary retirement list and became an unrestricted free agent, the Canadian website TSN Blue Jackets top Capitals in OT for 2-0 series lead reported. Kovalchuk, a three-time NHL All-Star and three-time Russian Olympian, played for New Jersey from 2010 through ’13. The Devils had maintained his NHL rights until he turned 35 on Sunday. ... New Jersey head coach John Hynes declined to identify his starting goalie for Game Chronicle News Services Updated 11:04 pm, Sunday, April 15, 2018 3. Keith Kinkaid started Games 1 and 2, both losses, and was pulled for Cory Schneider on Saturday after allowing five goals for the second

straight game. Columbus’ Sergei Bobrovsky, a goaltender with a history of playoff San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 04.16.2018 struggles, looked like his two-time Vezina Trophy-winning self in making 54 saves as the visiting Blue Jackets beat the Washington Capitals 5-4 on Sunday on Matt Calvert’s overtime winner to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. “He’s our best player, and he was our best player by a mile tonight,” said Calvert, whose goal 12:22 into overtime settled matters. “It makes us confident. When you’ve got him making up for your mistakes, it’s always good. He’s been doing it all season.” The playoff version of Bobrovsky of years past was a confounding nightmare compared with his elite play during the regular season: 3-10 with a 3.63 goals-against average and .887 save percentage. Through two games this year, the second of which head coach John Tortorella called “one of the best goaltending performances” he has seen, the reserved Russian has stopped 81 of 88 shots to send Columbus home for Game 3 Tuesday in a place it has never been before. The Blue Jackets had not led a playoff series until Thursday night. With “Bob” locked in like never before in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they’re two victories away from advancing to the second round for the first time in franchise history. “I would say your career is a journey, and you learn some things here and there,” Bobrovsky said. “It doesn’t matter what’s in the past. When we’re gonna play third game, it doesn’t matter what happens tonight. Each moment is huge right now, and you just have to be ready.” Game 3 is Tuesday in Columbus. Golden Knights 3, Kings 2: James Neal scored the tie-breaking goal with 5:37 to play as visiting Vegas took a 3-0 lead over Los Angeles in a Western Conference first-round series. The Kings led until Cody Eakin tied it with 13:50 left, and William Karlsson scored 21 seconds after Neal’s goal in a third-period flurry for the expansion Golden Knights. Alex Iafallo scored his first career playoff goal in the first period for Los Angeles, which hasn’t won a playoff game at Staples Center since the Kings last raised the Stanley Cup in June 2014. Anze Kopitar added a goal with 2:04 to play. Marc-Andre Fleury made 37 saves for Vegas, which will go for a sweep in Game 4 on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. The winner of the series will face the Sharks-Ducks series winner in the West semifinals. San Jose leads that series 2-0, with Game 3 at SAP Center on Monday night. Penguins 5, Flyers 1: Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists and Matt Murray stopped 26 shots to help visiting Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia to take a 2-1 lead in the East series. Game 4 is Wednesday in Philadelphia. “When we needed to, we made some good plays,” Crosby said. “We got some big saves, and that’s what you need this time of year.” Crosby scored his fourth goal of the series in the first period, and Derick Brassard, Evgeni Malkin and Brian Dumoulin scored in the second to make it 4-0. Malkin and Dumoulin scored five seconds apart. “After the third goal, I should’ve taken a timeout,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “That would’ve been one thing to stop that momentum.” Wild 6, Jets 2: Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise scored power-play goals in the first period, and host Minnesota added four goals in the second against Winnipeg to trim its West series deficit to 2-1. “We’re here to play,” Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk said, “and we’re fully capable of pushing hard.” Jets defenseman Tyler Myers, who scored his second goal of the series in the second period, exited with an apparent leg injury after he was checked by Mark Foligno and caught his skate at the bottom of the boards. Game 4 is Tuesday in St. Paul. 1091795 San Jose Sharks

Sharks, up 2-0 in series, say overconfidence not an issue

By Ross McKeon Updated 7:53 pm, Sunday, April 15, 2018

The optimist sees the Sharks have advanced all three times previously after winning the first two games of a playoff series on the road. The pessimist notes it was just last spring when Anaheim rallied after losing its first two at home against Edmonton to reach the West finals for the second time in three years. How does San Jose view bringing a 2-0 lead into the Shark Tank for Game 3 on Monday? “We did our job so far. We don’t want to look too far ahead,” Sharks center Eric Fehr said. “We can’t expect it to be easy. As long as we have the right mind-set coming home, that we have to work the same way and play the same game, that will be good for us.” “Overconfidence is not part of our DNA,” Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer added. The Sharks have had good goaltending, special-teams contributions and resilience in the first two games of their best-of-seven first-round series against the chippy Ducks. Goalie Martin Jones has stopped 53 of 55 shots, including all 23 in the third periods of the first two games. San Jose’s two power-play goals — Evander Kane’s 5-on-3 strike in Game 1 and Logan Couture’s first-period tiebreaker in Game 2 — both represent game-winners. DeBoer has had success rolling four lines, which prevents over-taxing top players in the event of a long overtime or an extended series. And San Jose has not succumbed to Anaheim’s tendency to goad opponents into undisciplined play. “It’s been critical,” DeBoer said. “Anaheim’s got some guys who are very good at dragging you into that kind of stuff, and who have made a career out of it. So far, we’ve done a real good job of refusing to get into that type of game and sticking to what we do, which is being hard, physical and fast whistle to whistle.” As the series moves to SAP Center for Games 3 and 4, DeBoer anticipates his team won’t play differently. Aside from assigning defensemen Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Justin Braun against Anaheim’s top forwards, DeBoer is comfortable letting the rest of the game simply unfold. “We’re not a team that’s married to matchups,” he said. “We want to come at you with four lines and use our depth, and we’re not willing to get away from establishing that game chasing matchups. “I think the bigger advantage is the crowd, the environment and being able to sleep in your own beds. We’re looking more forward to that than matchups.” DeBoer thinks that way because the Sharks have goals from five players and points from 11 skaters. He opted for speed over size — inserting Marcus Sorensen and Melker Karlsson on the fourth line — and that has paid early dividends. “That’s what we need,” DeBoer said. “We talked about that since Day 1; we’re the sum of our parts. We have to be a four-line team and we have to get contributions from everybody. “We have some very good players who are capable of coming in and helping us, too,” he added. “Playoff-proven guys like Joel Ward, Barclay Goodrow, Jannik Hansen. So it’s nice to have that type of depth.” San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091796 San Jose Sharks play into the month of May with Round 2. Or, this first round will go the distance and chew up some more time to recover. I’m not sure what we’d eventually get from No. 19 in different timeframes - but I know this early Five things that stood out as Sharks go up 2-0 on Ducks success and the time it buys certainly can’t hurt. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 By Brodie Brazil April 15, 2018 10:01 AM

In my series opening feature, I offered one piece of advice: Expect the unexpected. It’s not to say the Sharks weren’t capable of jumping out to a two-game lead, on the road. But when you consider how their regular season ended (1-4-1), how Anaheim’s schedule closed out (seven-straight home wins), and how tight all their games with the Ducks were (three of four finished via shootouts), nothing entering this matchup was a guarantee for San Jose. Statistics say teams with a 2-0 lead go on to win an NHL playoff series 82 percent of the time. Furthermore, the Sharks have taken 2-0 series leads on the road three times before in franchise history (1995, 2013, 2016) and ended up winning every time. San Jose has put themselves in an excellent position, in a round where the temperature might have just doubled from Game 1 to 2. But make no mistake, there’s still long roads ahead for this group. 1: Anaheim threw the first punches on the scoreboard, and ice, but the Sharks response was even greater As if their first goal :41 seconds into the game wasn’t enough of an eye- opener, the Ducks clearly executed on a more physical game-plan right off the opening draw. I won’t expand into the nature and/or legality of contact, but lets just say there were some “borderline” plays at best. Lindholm on Kane, Beauchemin on Labanc, Rakell on Braun, Perry on Karlsson. You get the idea. But the bottom line is how the Sharks ultimately responded: by lighting the lamp in repetition. They got the middle 3 goals in the game, and fended off Anaheim’s scoring and physical pushes. That response spoke louder than any of the Ducks’ actions. 2: Anaheim’s lack of discipline has been costly, but in two different ways In Game 1 it was the frequency of penalties: seven minors to be precise. In Game 2, it was the timing of the penalties: one example would be Perry running Karlsson and getting 2 minutes for interference - with his team down a goal, and less than 4 minutes left in the 3rd period. Not an outstanding time to be shorthanded. Similar to when Brandon Montour went in the box at 13:37 of the first for hooking. The Sharks were already making a push, and with the extra attacker scored about 1 minute into their Power Play on Couture’s first of the playoffs. It makes you wonder, do the Ducks even have the ability to get away from their penalty problems if it becomes THE prime concern of the series? 3: The Sharks depth is on full display San Jose has six goals in the first two games, from five different scorers. This was actually a weak point of the team’s Stanley Cup Final run two years ago: the reliance on a limited amount of players to get goals. Nowadays it’s more than just Burns, Pavelski, and Couture… Kane, Hertl, and Sorensen have all picked up markers, and you get the feeling a few more new names will emerge sooner than later. 4: The Ducks have been here before Specifically last season. In Round 2, Edmonton rolled into Honda Center and took Games 1 and 2 from Anaheim. Sound familiar? The Ducks responded by winning 3, 4, and 5. And ultimately beating the Oilers in 7. While the Getzlaf-led Ducks are feeling sore and sour right now, don’t think for one second they aren’t reflecting on being in this predicament before. The Sharks have faced other playoff opponents over the years who were not as post-season-savvy as these Ducks are. Experience is two-sided in this matchup, and neither team will be folding until somebody has four wins. 5: All of this buys Joe Thornton time I promise Jumbo won’t be part of all my written pieces. Although it is fun to see him in warmups. And as Logan Couture told us Saturday, Joe’s presence alone on the road trip is fun: “He’s positive, everyone looks up to him as a leader." I have no great knowledge of how that right knee is progressing. Nobody does except Joe and the doctors. And it’s not in their best tactical interest to share, so don’t hold your breath. But holding a 2-0 lead means one of two things: You're going to win this series, and 1091797 St Louis Blues Dunn will have a long offseason to get ready, and he’ll get his first chance to play at the international level for Canada when he’ll be one of five Blues on that country’s roster for the world championships starting Blues believe Dunn can avoid sophomore slump May 4 in Denmark. Yeo will be on the staff as the associate head coach. It’s the first time Dunn has represented Canada at any level. He hadn’t even made regional teams when he was younger. By Tom Timmermann St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2 hrs ago “That’s exciting,” Dunn said. “That’s obviously going to take a toll on my body. After that, I’ll see how I feel. I’ll obviously need some rest. That’s quite a grind for a tournament. This summer should be a little different and I’ll probably try to listen to my body more than anything. Next year, I If the Blues gave a rookie of the year award within the franchise, the think we all want to come in in a better way than we came in this year.” obvious winner would be defenseman Vince Dunn. A better year by Dunn is just what the Blues want. Dunn, in only his second year as a pro, had five goals and 19 assists in 75 games, more goals than any of the team’s rookie forwards, none of St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 04.16.2018 whom got in more than half of the team’s games. By the end of the season, injuries had pushed him into the team’s second defensive pairing, and he spent time on the first power-play unit, giving it a spark that had been missing. Now what the Blues want is for him to do it again. It has not been unusual in recent seasons for the Blues to see rookies make a splash and then come back to earth the following season. This isn’t unusual: Rookies often have the element of surprise on opponents and they’re often sheltered, getting favorable zone starts and matchups as they get accustomed to the NHL. In the second season, opponents have taken notice of young players while their own coaching staff starts to give them more to do, potentially exposing their game. In many cases, there is as much to be learned in the second season as in the first. Colton Parayko’s goals went down from nine to four (though his assists and points went up) in his sophomore season. Dmitrij Jaskin had 13 goals in 54 games in his first full season and hasn’t had more than six in any of the three seasons that followed. As a rookie, Ivan Barbashev had five goals in 30 games. This season, Barbashev spent six weeks in the minors and had seven goals in 53 games. “I do look at Dunner as a guy that took a real positive step this year,” Blues coach Mike Yeo said. “Now, that said, Barby was one of those guys last year. Dunner, it was a great season for him as far as, No. 1, earning the trust of the coaching staff, proving that he can play in this league, and then the confidence that he grew. You look at how his minutes went up, how his role went up, and that’s obviously a great accomplishment. “That said, for as long as we can all remember, there have been an awful lot of players in this league that have come in and had a good first season and then taken a step backwards, so I think his offseason is going to be incredibly important and how he handles it. But I have no reason to believe that this is a guy that’s going to take a step backwards. I think he’s a competitive kid, he’s a gamer, he wants to make plays when he’s out there, he has the ability. We can all see the way that he moves the puck. We’re going to continue to develop him and make sure that this isn’t the highest that we’ve seen.” Dunn’s five goals were fifth most among rookie defensemen, and his 26 points were the sixth most. After being moved into the second pairing alongside Parayko on Feb. 27, he held his own and played some of his best hockey in the next month, including a four-point game at Chicago on March 18. Like the rest of the team, he faded down the stretch and was a minus-8 over the final six games of the season. Five of his games with the most ice time came over the final two weeks of the season. “I think with the more ice time near the end of the year that makes it a lot easier,” Dunn said. “It’s a learning experience from start to finish. At the start, you’re just learning things. Every day is a new day, every day is a new learning experience. At the end, you’re kind of getting used to the routines and how guys are off the ice, how guys are on the ice, how things work off the ice and on the ice. It’s just kind of adapting to a new league and a new system. I think I found myself in good positions all year. I had a lot of resources to be successful and I was put in spots to be successful. I was pretty happy with my year.” “He ingests a lot of information, he got better all year,” said defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, who was Dunn’s partner for most of the season. “By the end he was taking more of an onus. He’s a bright talent for sure.” The biggest lesson, Dunn said, wasn’t anything physical. It was mental. “It’s more just being focused,” he said. “It’s more of a mental game than anything. We’ve all been playing the same game since we were 5 years old. Nothing really changes on the ice. I show up at the rink and put my equipment on the same way. Nothing really changes that way. It’s more staying composed in your own head. Taking everything for what it is, not getting too high, not getting too low. We’ve got to find a way to compete for all 60 minutes when maybe we weren’t doing that during the year. We’ve got to be able win games that mean the most.” 1091798 Tampa Bay Lightning The right place, the right spot for Killorn is the playoffs. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 on’t look now, but Alex Killorn is doing it again

By Roger Mooney | Published: April 15, 2018Updated: April 15, 2018 at 05:52 PM

NEWARK, N.J. — Alex Killorn is at it again, scoring big goals in big games for the Lightning. This is what happens when the regular season turns into the playoffs. The intensity ratchets up a tick or two or 10. Perfect for a big body like Killorn. "He just amps up his game," Victor Hedman said. Killorn had two goals in Saturday's 5-3 win against the Devils in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series. He has three goals in the two games, both Lightning victories. Killorn has 18 goals in 49 career playoff games. Four of them are winners. Both his goals Saturday were on the power play. Killorn had two power- play goals in 82 games during the regular season. So, what gives? "I don't know," Killorn said. "I think playoffs is more of an emotional game. It's easier to get into the games. It's just a one-game mentality. You're not too worried about the series or the next (opponent), you're just worried about the next game. I think that mind-set helps me play my best hockey." It helps that Killorn's 6-foot-1, 196-pound frame is built for playoff hockey, which is more physical than the regular season. There's a lot more banging in front of the net. Killorn scored both his goals Saturday while stationed in front of Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid. The first came when he redirected a pass from Nikita Kucherov past Kinkaid to give the Lightning a 2-1 lead. The second came off a scramble in traffic to extend the lead to 5-1. Tyler Johnson is another of the Lightning's forwards who comes to life in the postseason. He had a goal and an assist in Game 1, and a goal in Game 2. "Some guys are just good in big games," Brayden Point said. "Look at (Killorn's and Johnson's) past, and they have been very successful. Some guys can elevate their game in big games, and they are two of them." Ondrej Palat is a member of that group as well, with a goal and three assists in the first two games. Killorn etched himself into Lightning lore with his winning goal 1:54 into to the second period against the Rangers in Game 7 of the 2015 Eastern Conference final. He beat Henrik Lundqvist with a backhander from about 18 feet out for the first goal in the Lightning's 2-0 win. In the Lightning's next game that June, Game 1 of the Cup final against the Blackhawks, Killorn turned in the most memorable goal of his career. Posted up to the left of the net, he knocked the puck out of the air on a pass from Anton Stralman and bounced the puck past goalie Corey Crawford. "He's a good player," coach Jon Cooper said when pressed about the reasons for Killorn's playoff success. "He's an NHL player. He's got size and skill. He's a power forward. He plays the right way, and that line — (Tony) Cirelli, (Yanni) Gourde, Killorn line — had done really well (Saturday). Johnson talked after the Game 1 win about how much fun he has playing in the playoffs. Same goes for Killorn. "You play all season for this. Playoff hockey is great," he said. "There's a few more cameras around and a few more people watching, but I think we like that pressure. We like having eyes on us." Killorn's goals Saturday were not pretty. He said that himself. But they are what you need in tightly contested playoff games. "A lot of times Kucherov or Stamkos is scoring on those shots, but when they don't, me and (J.T.) Miller try to be at the net and cause havoc," Killorn said. "On the two that I scored (Saturday), I was just in the right place, and Kucherov put it in a good spot for me." 1091799 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning could face a different goalie when series resumes Monday

By Roger Mooney | Times Staff Writer Published: April 15, 2018Updated: April 15, 2018 at 06:33 PM

NEWARK, N.J. — Down 0-2 to the Lightning after allowing five goals each in both games of the first-round playoff series, Devils coach John Hynes is contemplating what any coach in his situation would: changes. "We'll have some lineup changes," Hynes said Sunday during a conference call. "Some guys haven't performed well enough to warrant a stay in the lineup." One of those guys is G Keith Kinkaid, who came into the series red hot but has allowed nine goals in less than five periods. He was pulled in the second period of Saturday's 5-3 Game 2 loss after allowing five goals on 15 shots. Not all of those goals where his fault. One went in off the skate of Devils D Sami Vatanen, and two were deflected past him. Cory Schneider, who was the Devils' No. 1 until he was sidelined in late January with a groin injury, replaced Kinkaid at 13:22 of the second period and stopped all 10 shots he faced. Hynes would not comment on whom he would have in net tonight when the series resumes with Game 3 at the Prudential Center. He said he had made a decision but had not informed the goalies. The Devils flew home Saturday and did not practice Sunday. Hynes said after Game 2 that he would not speculate on which goalie would play tonight but "if you're asking me about Corey Schneider's performance (Saturday), he played very well." Kinkaid was 16-2-1 after taking over for Schneider, including 7-0-1 in his final eight starts of the regular season. Schneider did not look sharp once he returned from his injury. But with the series slipping away, it seems Hynes has to do something. When asked Sunday during a conference call about the goalie situation, Devils LW Taylor Hall said, "That's the least of our worries. We have a lot of confidence in both." These are the playoffs. Doesn't matter who dominated who. Or which team out-shot the other. Only one thing matters: Who won? #TBLightning #GoBolts @TBLightning @TB_Times @TomWJones #NJDvsTBL #NJDevils https://t.co/tgEzUmp5iK — TampaBayTimesSports (@TBTimes_Sports) April 15, 2018 Callahan, Girardi updates As expected, the Lightning did not provide updates on RW Ryan Callahan (upper body) and D Dan Girardi (unknown). Callahan, top right, left Game 2 late in the second period with what appeared to be a right shoulder injury and did not return. An injured right shoulder caused Callahan to miss four games in late March. Girardi, bottom right, did not return for the third period. The Lightning has not commented on why. F Matthew Peca was recalled from AHL Syracuse, which might be a sign that Callahan is unable to play tonight. F Cory Conacher, a healthy scratch for the first two games, is another option to replace Callahan. Not over yet The Lightning has never lost a playoff series after leading 2-0 but the players said all the right things after Saturday's Game 2 victory. "We know they are going to be a desperate team. They are going to come out flying in front of their fans," D Victor Hedman said. "We just have to make sure we are staying calm and stay within our structure and play our game." "Obviously, if you get a 3-0 lead, things would be looking pretty good, and that's ideal for us," C Tyler Johnson said. "But we are not focusing too much on that. We just want to win the next game." "There's still a lot of hockey to be played," said Hall of the Devils. Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091800 Toronto Maple Leafs SAVING THE DAY Avalanche coach Jared Bednar thought goaltender Jonathan Bernier played “OK” in the first two games. Avalanche, Devils, Maple Leafs hope home cookin’ flips the momentum “If you look at the importance of goaltending this time of year, good is usually not good enough,” Bednar said. PAT GRAHAM Goaltending is on the minds of the Devils, too. Keith Kinkaid played well THE ASSOCIATED PRESS down the stretch, but has struggled in the postseason. He was lifted in the second period Sunday after giving up five goals on 15 shots. PUBLISHED APRIL 15, 2018 Cory Schneider, who was the starter most of the season until a hip and UPDATED APRIL 15, 2018 groin injury in January sidelined him for a month, finished and did not allow a goal on 10 shots.

“There is still a lot of hockey to be played,” Devils forward Taylor Hall Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg tries to poke the puck away from said, “and a lot of hockey on home ice as well.” Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon during the second period in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round at Bridgestone Arena, in Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.16.2018 Nashville, Tenn., on April 14, 2018. Nathan MacKinnon is counting on 18,000 of his rowdy friends to give the Colorado Avalanche a little bit of an extra buzz. Maybe even throw Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne off his game. Trailing the top-seeded Predators 2-0 in the first-round series, the Avalanche return Monday to a building that’s certainly been something to write home about this season. Their 28 wins at the Pepsi Center in the regular season tied the franchise mark held by the 2000-01 squad that went on to capture the Stanley Cup. “We have lots of confidence here,” said MacKinnon , whose team has dropped 12 straight to the Predators. “The building has been a lot of fun this year.” Colorado isn’t the only team hoping a change of scenery provides a change in momentum — Toronto returns to friendly confines down 2-0 in the series against Boston. The New Jersey Devils are in the same boat versus Tampa Bay heading into their first playoff home game since 2012. Then there’s the San Jose Sharks, who are sitting pretty after two road wins against Anaheim. Now at home, the Sharks get last change and the opportunity to dictate matchups. “It’s a nice luxury being at home, having those matchups,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. “The bigger advantage is the crowd and the environment and being able to sleep in your own bed.” For New Jersey, climbing back in the series boils down to this — avoiding big early deficits. They trailed the Lightning 3-0 in Game 1 and 5-1 in Game 2 before staging a comeback. “We need to play as a group,” said coach John Hynes, who plans to make some lineup changes. “We can’t have passengers.” MacKinnon said the Avs need to clean up the little things against a savvy Predators team. “We’re in a tough spot right now,” MacKinnon said. “Two games at home. Hopefully, we can even up the series.” The Predators fully expect a more tenacious rush from a youthful Colorado squad. “They’re persistent,” Nashville forward Austin Watson said. “There’s no quit in them.” ENCORE Boston hopes David Pastrnak packs his Game 2 performance for the trip to Toronto. The 21-year-old had three goals and three assists to become the youngest NHL player with six or more points in a playoff game, surpassing Wayne Gretzky, according to the Bruins website. “When you’re breaking a Wayne Gretzky record, I hope he realizes at his young age how cool it is,” forward David Backes told reporters. “Hopefully he had fun last night and enjoyed that moment because it is special.” REASON FOR OPTIMISM The Ducks can latch on to some recent history for optimism in coming back from an 0-2 deficit. They lost the first two games at home in the second round last year to Edmonton before rallying to win the series in seven games. “That’s the situation we’re in. We have a good team,” Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano said. “We have a team that’s been in these situations before.” 1091801 Toronto Maple Leafs Frederik Andersen, not great in this series but not a culprit either, will start in goal. That was all the coach was willing to say.

“We’re going to play hard against them. We’ve got last change. I’ll tell To save the sinking Maple Leafs ship, Babcock needs to put some you tomorrow during warmup,” was the word on how Babcock plans to personal beliefs aside handle the Bergeron line. Presumably he will think of something by then. Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.16.2018 DAVID SHOALTS PUBLISHED APRIL 15, 2018 UPDATED APRIL 15, 2018

Mike Babcock is the master of projecting resolve and determination from every fibre of his being. A sense of doubt around him has as much chance as … as the Leafs’ defence when the Boston Bruins have the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line on the ice. But one has to wonder if the Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach is feeling as overwhelmed as his players right now. The Leafs ship has so many holes it is hard to find a place to begin with potential repairs in time for Monday night’s third game in the first-round NHL playoff series. At this point, it is not even certain the Leafs can find enough jam to avoid an embarrassment in front of their own fans, let alone making a dent in Boston’s 2-0 series lead with an actual win. Perhaps the best place Babcock can start with his list of repairs is himself. If the Leafs are to slow down the buzz saw that tore through them in the first two games of the series, the coach has to put aside at least some of his own beliefs. For example, his lack of trust in Dominic Moore and his persistent yet puzzling belief in Tomas Plekanec. All season long, Babcock looked elsewhere for a fourth-line centre while Moore played in fits and starts. It started in training camp with the Miro Aaltonen flirtation, then there was Eric Fehr for a bit, back to Moore, then Frédérik Gauthier and so on. Plekanec’s arrival at the trade deadline was supposed to end all that and give the Leafs someone who could play almost anywhere in the lineup. But the shock that the Montreal Canadiens traded him, the only NHL team he ever played for, seems to have been too much for Plekanec. Through two playoff games, the reluctant Czech was a mere spectator. He should never wear a Leafs sweater again. And now that Leo Komarov (leg) may join Nazem Kadri (suspended) on the sidelines, there are no practical reasons for Babcock to keep Moore out of the lineup. No, Moore is not going to turn this around. But youngsters Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson should at least get to have a live body at centre. Something else Babcock needs to set aside is his aversion to loading up the ice time on his younger players. With Kadri’s inability to exercise even a modicum of common sense -- taking him out of the series for three games -- and veterans Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk joining Plekanec on the missing-persons list, it is time to see what the kids can do with a heavy workload. Take Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Kapanen and Johnsson, spread them on the top nine with Connor Brown and Zach Hyman, and roll them. Maybe their speed will be enough to dislodge that big, suffocating rock known as the Bergeron line. Which brings us to the most onerous task of all. Trying to bring some sense of order to the Leafs’ game when Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak are running amok to the tune of 20 points in two games. In the first game, the Boston trio shredded Matthews’s line and the defence pair of Morgan Rielly and Ron Hainsey. In Game 2, Babcock assigned Nikita Zaitsev and Jake Gardiner to the big line and they were even worse than Rielly and Hainsey. And don’t even think about Travis Dermott and Roman Polak. The latter is so far behind the play in this series he could almost find Plekanec. Not that Polak is alone. As a group, the Leafs defencemen are giving all of the Bruins forwards great swaths of open ice in their own zone. There was a small burst of light for the Leafs when they used their speed in the first five minutes of the second game to at least keep the Bruins on the defensive. That may be the only solution given that the Bruins are so dominant physically. Maybe somehow that might fix the abysmal penalty killing and power play as well. In any case, Babcock was as dismissive as usual on Sunday when asked about his plans for Monday night. He isn’t expecting Komarov to play and 1091802 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Babcock uncertain if Komarov will be ready for Game 3

THE CANADIAN PRESS PUBLISHED APRIL 15, 2018 UPDATED APRIL 15, 2018

Toronto Maple Leafs' Leo Komarov leaves the ice during the second period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, in Boston, on April 14, 2018. Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock isn’t planning to have forward Leo Komarov in the lineup against the Boston Bruins as the team tries to dig itself out of a 0-2 series deficit. Komarov left Saturday’s 7-3 Game 2 loss with a lower-body injury and Babcock says he doesn’t know if the Finnish forward will be ready to return for Monday’s Game 3 matchup at Air Canada Centre. “What I’m planning on doing is going without him and if he shows up he shows up,” Babcock said. The 31-year-old started Game 2 on Toronto’s top unit with Auston Matthews and Kasperi Kapanen, but a 4-0 first-period deficit led to him being dropped down to the fourth to start the second. He played just 6:39 before leaving in the middle frame and not returning. Babcock has already had to shuffle his lineups in the series, which has made it more difficult for him to try and line match against the Bruins. He was forced to switch up in Game 2 because of Nazem Kadri’s three- game suspension. Kadri was punished by the NHL after boarding Tommy Wingels in the series opener — a 5-1 loss that saw emotions start to rev up. Forwards Dominic Moore, Matt Martin and Josh Leivo are all healthy and ready to go, with all three taking part in postseason practices. But Babcock wouldn’t tip his hand at who could potentially replace Komarov in the lineup if needed. “We’re going to play hard against them. We’ve got last change [at home]. I’ll tell you [Monday] during warmup.” On Sunday, Babcock chose to hold a team meeting at Air Canada Centre rather than an off-day skate. After being outscored 12-4 in the first two games of the series, he wanted his team to find a way to recentre while also going over video of what needs to be improved on ahead of Game 3. “Get re-energized here today. Basically, we brought them in here today just to clean the mechanism out and let’s get ready to go and get after it. We spent all year preparing for this opportunity, putting in a lot of work and don’t feel we’ve been as good as we’re capable of being,” Babcock said. “That part is disappointing, but the other part is we know how good we are and we want to play that well.” Globe And Mail LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091803 Toronto Maple Leafs

Monday Game 3 preview: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs

By MARK ZWOLINSKI Sun., April 15, 2018

AIR CANADA CENTRE FACEOFF: 7 p.m. TV: CBC RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN KEY PLAYERS Pastrnak/Rielly Defenceman Morgan Rielly has been on the ice for far too many Bruins goals through the first two games of this series. He watched Bruins sniper David Pastrnak score two of his three goals Saturday night in Boston. Rielly and the rest of the Leafs defence haven’t been physical enough, allowing Pastrnak and linemates Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand ample room to do damage. The line has 20 points in two games — 14 in Game 2 alone, with Pastrnak racking up six of his nine to date. That tied Phil Esposito’s record for points after two games in a playoff series. NEED TO KNOW The Leafs’ second defensive pair of Jake Gardiner and Nikita Zaitsev was on the ice for the first four goals against in Game 2 ... Leafs offensive leaders Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and James van Riemsdyk have accounted for just three points combined. Matthews is pointless and minus-2 ... Leafs goalie Freddie Andersen has allowed eight goals in less than four periods. UP NEXT Game 4, Thursday at Air Canada Centre, 7 p.m. Toronto Star LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091804 Toronto Maple Leafs group has been intact and our goaltending has been consistent all year. There’s things like our power play, our penalty kill, a lot of reasons to be confident. But we know we’re facing a good Utica team, and they’ll be Calder Cup quest begins for Marlies after record season ready for us.” The Marlies, with their 54-win seasons in 2016 and 2018, now own two of the seven best records in AHL history. By MARK ZWOLINSKI Toronto Star LOADED: 04.16.2018 Sun., April 15, 2018

Marlies goalie Ian Scott came out of the dressing room unable to suppress his smile after a 4-3 win over Belleville at Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday. Scott deserved at least a moment of enjoyment: playing in his first professional game, in the last game of the Marlies’ regular season, Scott notched his first pro win by stopping 27 of 30 shots. For the Marlies, the win was their third in three days, an effort typical of the consistency the club has shown in winning an American Hockey League-best 54 wins (54-18-2-2). But with the playoffs opening against Utica next weekend, the mindset was to “turn the page” on a record- setting regular season and focus on what the Leafs organization expects will be a deep post-season run for their AHL franchise. “I was nervous at the start, but that went away by the end of the game,” said Scott, whom the Leafs selected 110th overall in 2017 out of the Prince Albert Raiders. Scott, 19, from Calgary, was also appreciative of his teammates, who put up a solid 60 minutes in their third meeting of the season with a bigger, aggressive Senators team. For Scott, there was reason for nerves. The Marlies sat nine regulars. They often play two-and three-game weekends and often shuffle their lineup, a reflection of the fact that the team is mandated to develop future Leafs as well as chase the Calder Cup. After the game, Garret Sparks, recognized as the AHL’s top goalie after winning a Marlies record 31 games this season, skated out and gave a big hug to Scott. “He said (before the game): Just have fun with it, no pressure, go out and be yourself and you’ll be fine,” Scott said of Sparks, who also teamed with Calvin Pickard to win the Harry Holmes Memorial Award for the tandem that allowed the fewest goals over the course of the season. In a pre-game ceremony in front of a Ricoh crowd of 4,534, AHL commissioner David Andrews also presented the Marlies with the MacGregor Kilpatrick Trophy, indicative of the AHL’s regular-season champions. Andrews also recognized the team’s all-stars: Sparks, Andreas Johnsson and Ben Smith. Scott proved a solid backbone on a rest day for the regulars, and that spoke volumes about what was expected all season long from the Marlies roster, which not only fluctuates regularly, but maintains a development group under the guidance of former NHLer Scott Pellerin. For instance, the team brought in Scott after his Western Hockey League junior season ended last week, and blue-chip prospect Carl Grundstrom from Sweden, to work with the club and absorb some playoff experience. “We feel our team is in a good place, and we feel we’re ready for the playoffs,” Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We’ve accomplished a lot of good things, things to be proud of, but we’re turning the page on the season and focusing on the playoffs … and we’ll go with the deepest team that we can.” On the final day of the season, it came down to first-year player Adam Brooks, who gave Toronto a 3-2 lead late in the second period, and Jeremy Bracco, who scored the winner with just under three minutes remaining. Andrew Nielsen and Pierre Engvall also scored for the home side. Keefe and his coaching staff are now tasked with preparing a deep roster for a playoff run that starts against Utica, which took on several prospects of its own from the Vancouver Canucks — including Jonathan Dahlen, Luckas Jasek, Kole Lind, Nikolay Goldobin, Tyler Motte, and Ashton Sautner. Keefe’s 2015-16 team also won 54 games and carried high expectations into the playoffs — featuring future Leafs William Nylander, Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, Josh Leivo, Kasperi Kapanen and Nikita Soshnikov — but lost to Hershey in the conference final. “We had a deep group two years ago, and we like our group now,” Keefe said. “We’ve had changes along the way this season, but our leadership 1091805 Toronto Maple Leafs wagon from the Finn. Certainly the Leafs could use the arm-around presence of a Matt Martin. And would not Connor Carrick be a stop-gap improvement over the tangle-footed, bewildered Nikita Zaitsev? Stunned Leafs still have what it takes to rebound against Bruins Although only a handful of Leafs were made available to the media on Sunday, those up against the scrum wall did not appear crushed or panicked. Dismayed, sure. Disappointed in themselves, definitely. By ROSIE DIMANNO Stunned, likely. But not stricken. And cleaving to the strengths they know they possess and which were exhibited all year. Sun., April 15, 2018 A lead Monday, a commanding shift, a noisy power play, anything to alter the dynamics of the series in just one game. The Maple Leafs flew through an ice storm to get home late Saturday “An early save on their first goal would have been huge,” said Freddie night. Andersen, looking backwards to the first of three he surrendered Saturday before being replaced by Curtis McElhinney, a mercy yank. “A little bumpy,” reported Morgan Rielly on Sunday afternoon. “You make that save and we build off that. I know we’re capable of Not half as bad as the (fecal matter) storm they landed in. playing better, myself included. Still yammering away on sports radio and social media about all that has “One big save can change the series.” jim-jammed the Leafs over Games 1 and 2 of their lopsided first-round Too many pucks from in tight on the Leaf net, poor execution on boxing encounter with Boston — Lord knows that was a lot of ground to cover — out the Bruins, open shooting lanes, confused coverage. Basic X’s and after the players had tucked into bed. O’s hockey that can be rectified. ‘They blew it’: A history of the Maple Leafs’ Game 7 loss to the Bruins in The Leafs need to remember who they are, what they’ve been over the 2013 past seven months and especially down the stretch, rather than allowing Oh the wailing. Oh the damnation of Mike Babcock. Oh the Boston to define them. Confidence previously displayed in spades has to condemnation hurled at Toronto’s discombobulated defence and be reignited somehow. clanging power play and bungling PK. “We learned that all year,” says Rielly, of the self-assurance that had Coach’s advice when the players convened at the Air Canada Centre distinguished this club. “You work hard to put yourself into the playoffs Sunday: “Stay off social media. Right now it’s probably not a good idea and to win games, to have a good record. And you’ve got to earn that. for you.” Moving forward, we have to find it … You’ve got to chip away. It starts from the first shift and from there you build off of it.” Fifty mil Babcock gets for such sage counsel. Babcock, who hasn’t been a hockey genius in this series, tried hard to But he’s a brilliant bench boss and maybe he can figure this sucker out squeeze out some positives from Saturday’s effort and it wasn’t all hoo- before the opening faceoff Monday. hah. “I thought actually we started out pretty good. We came out, we were on top. But when they shot it, it went into the net. We’ve got to do a All the criticism is well deserved. better job in front of our goalie. Their one line is having too much fun, so A mere four out of five the Leafs must win to set aside the Bruins after we’ve got to look after that. The second thing has been, the play in front laying an egg in Beantown. But let’s not try to scale that steep rock face of our net hasn’t been good enough to have success. We’ve got to clean in one Game 3 bounding ascent. that up.’’ “It’s a seven-game series for a reason,” says Tyler Bozak. “There’s no Adding: “When the puck goes in your net as many times as it did, in a reason to get down and frustrated this early. It’s only going to hurt you. hurry, you’re left scratching your head.’’ So we’ve got to stay positive, get back to what we do and try to get back Or it could be dandruff. in this series.” Toronto Star LOADED: 04.16.2018 Er, what positives, exactly? “Not much, obviously.” It would be unconscionable if the Leafs got hoisted in a sweep although the likelihood of getting past the formidable Bruins — channeling championship hockey of yore — was never a solid bet. Except nobody expected this craps. The clubs were just about evenly matched in the regular season and Toronto had a 3-1 head-to-head edge. Which clearly doesn’t count for a hill of Boston beans. It’s not just the losing, it’s the horrific way of losing: the Bruins’ utter domination, the freewheeling of their top line (a mind-boggling 20 points racked up by Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak), the stupidity of needless penalties (twice too many men on the ice), the exposure of back-end frailty, a speedy transition game that’s gone AWOL and some suddenly suspect goaltending. So much to address in a narrow window of adjustment after the Leafs were made to study the goals they gave up Saturday on the bleary-eyed morning after. But there’s this: The Leafs have been a quick study all season, a good bounceback team, and a fearsome opponent at the Air Canada Centre. They’re not psychologically fragile. Last Thursday was the first time we’ve seen anything remotely resembling quit in them. Even down 4-0 in what felt like a heartbeat Saturday, they found — unlike in Game 1 — a measure of pushback, albeit slam-bang smothered by the relentless Bruins attack. The head-spinning downward spiral has been difficult to comprehend. On top of the world a week ago, basking in a 105-point season, with confident proclamations about a deep post-season run. Staring down the barrel of a humiliating early exit now. But they have to look toward each other for sustenance in what remains of the series and whatever alchemy Babcock can tease out of personnel decisions with Nazem Kadri still in suspension custody and Leo Komarov iffy with a lame knee. (Underwent tests Sunday, no verdict yet.) Uncle Leo’s forced injury absence, of course, would force the chronically stubborn Babcock to unhitch his 1091806 Toronto Maple Leafs But now there are so many dead spots, so many holes. Boston’s a powerhouse, but the Leafs really thought they could skate with them, play with them. And if this series doesn’t turn in Game 3, then it almost Leafs better go big or they’re going home certainly won’t turn at all, and that’s where the next set of questions comes in. Team president Brendan Shanahan puts a lot of faith in how players deliver in the playoffs and suddenly this Leafs team isn’t just losing, it’s getting embarrassed. By BRUCE ARTHUR Some answers are easy, some are not. Zaitsev’s seven-year contract Sun., April 15, 2018 was always a puzzlement — he showed he could skate, and the rest of his game was easily picked apart, if you looked. Hainsey did good work

in the playoffs for Pittsburgh last year; he looks worn. Leo Komarov, too. BOSTON—There are uncomfortable questions coming for the Toronto Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk — they are not irreplaceable. Maple Leafs, hard questions. Some of them will be asked and answered So who steps forward? Who weathers the storm? Who can hang with on the ice; that will depend which questions are asked off it. They have Boston’s real killers? Who can turn a shift, turn a period, turn a game? been shockingly inadequate through two playoff games with the Boston Who can pull this team out of its look-at-them, what-do-we-do funk. The Bruins: It’s one thing to lose. It’s another to be consumed by fires, Leafs didn’t lose a game all season by four goals until it happened in everywhere you look. Game 1 and in Game 2. Nazem Kadri is sitting somewhere watching, First, on the ice. Boston’s big line of Patrice Bergeron between Brad and Boston is making playoff hockey look both easy and fun. This series Marchand and David Pastrnak has been devastating. They wheel, they isn’t over, but it’s more than halfway there. hunt, they fly, they score. Pastrnak is the third member of the band, and So go big, before you go home. And if the Leafs don’t make this a real he delivered six points and Slam Dunk Contest goals Saturday night. series in Game 3 then that will tell a story: a team filled with young talent Two of that line were on the ice for all seven Boston goals. Bergeron, that took a step forward, but did it without seeming to move forward at all. dragging, was only on for six. Toronto Star LOADED: 04.16.2018 So what do the Leafs do? They tried Morgan Rielly and Ron Hainsey as a top defence pair in Game 1, and Boston’s big three spent all night in the Toronto zone. Toronto tried Jake Gardiner and Nikita Zaitsev in Game 2, but they got wiped out and the end minutes were split between that pair and Rielly and Hainsey. There weren’t many positives, no matter who they tried. In both games, the big line got a lot of Auston Matthews, since that’s what the Bruins wanted. He reversed the flow of play in Game 2, especially against the top Bruins pair of Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy, pushing them. But he was still on the ice for two big-line goals, and on one of them — Pastrnak’s hat-trick goal to make it 7-3 — Matthews cruised, watching. He has nine shots on goal through two games, but no points. So what now? Toronto’s penalty kill has been filleted, its goaltending has been inadequate, its level of poise and ferocity not enough. But you have to start somewhere. May as well start at the top. “I thought Matthews, in the second half of the game, kind of found his stride and had a few rushes where he was at least getting some penetration,” said Bruins forward David Backes. “He’s a top-tier player in this league that we need to neutralize, and make sure he doesn’t have as much room. You need to find ways to limit his time and space because he’s that good. “That needs to be our focus whatever matchup he has in Toronto. Because I’m guessing by the results in the first two games they’re not going to play him head-to-head against Bergy. But weirder things have happened.” Who else is there? At this point, the Leafs may as well go nuclear. Play Matthews and some fast, smart wingers against Bergeron and company, and count on him to push back. Play Rielly and Gardiner together, abandoning the black holes that consumed Zaitsev and Hainsey, especially in Game 2. Play them half the game. Play your five best players against their five best players. The Bruins are killing you. Depth isn’t working. Might as well try your best. “Usually they get the best matchup, the best team pair,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “I don’t know that there’s one thing in particular that I’ve said, wow. Look, there are certain teams that try to be physical against them. Certain teams are puck possession, try to keep the puck away, force them to defend. And certainly there’s been nights where they have been frustrated, but for the most part, like most elite players, they’ll eventually find their game, get it back and away they go.” Of course, Rielly and Gardiner were on the ice together for one Pastrnak goal at even strength, and Matthews was on the ice for two. But the way Zaitsev and Hainsey have been exposed through two games, well … Babcock said of the matchups in Game 2, “the way I look at all this, none of that matters. You’ve got to get your mind right, and you’ve got to play right, and whoever puts on our sweater is good enough.” I don’t think he believes that, because they’re not. This Leafs team was built to win this year. That’s why they signed Marleau and Hainsey to short-term deals, and why they kept their pending free agents. It was a strange year. You rarely felt like this Toronto team hit its peak, but they still had the seventh-best record in the NHL. That doesn’t happen by accident. 1091807 Toronto Maple Leafs

Can coach Mike Babcock emulate Pat Burns and '93 Leafs?

Lance Hornby Published:April 15, 2018 Updated:April 15, 2018 10:45 PM EDT

BOSTON — Hammered in its first two playoff road games, his stars stymied, fans in a flap and the media sharpening their knives, the coach of the Maple Leafs called a meeting, called out some players and they bounced back to make the conference final. What worked for Pat Burns 25 years ago this week might not apply to Mike Babcock’s younger Buds. But with dire numbers confronting the 2018 Leafs — 20 points by Boston’s big line and only an 11.3% chance of recovery based on other NHL teams in 0-2 holes, it’s worth noting the 1993 club recovered its regular season mojo just in time, the last Leaf team to rally in that circumstance. “If we believe we’re beat then we are beat,” the late Burns growled after his group schlepped home from Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, soundly beaten 6-3 and 6-2. “One thing we’ve got to do is stop listening to everything.” Much of that was repeated at the MasterCard Centre on Sunday. The night before, at TD Garden, defenceman Nikita Zaitsev expressed similar thoughts after a 7-3 loss brought the Leafs to a 12-4 goal differential. “This is serious. You’re not allowed to show the other team you’re done.” Reprising the role of criticized captain Wendel Clark in ‘93 is captain-in- waiting Auston Matthews. He had points in nine straight games at the end of the regular season and seemed ready to take another step in playoffs. So far, he’s shooting blanks, denied by a combination of Patrice Bergeron’s line and the seawall of defenceman Zdeno Chara and goalie Tuukka Rask. “We need to re-group and take a deep breath,” Matthews said Saturday. “We have to be way more disciplined. They’re getting way too many power plays, we’re not (generating) enough.” Like the ‘93 Leafs who won the next two games on home ice, beat Detroit in seven and got within a win of the Cup final, Toronto needs to maximize its Air Canada Centre advantage. It won a franchise record 29 at home, including two one-goal decisions over Boston. “That’s going to mean a lot,” Matthews said. “That starts Monday.” These Leafs don’t have Doug Gilmour, a rough n’ ready defence or the veteran presence Burns leaned on 25 years ago. But they’d better develop their own chemistry, or be cleaning out their lockers on Friday. Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091808 Toronto Maple Leafs “I think you have to chip away. When you go out there, it starts with the first shift and from there on out, you build off it.”

Babcock’s advice to the players on Sunday was to relax and stay off Leafs hope they can re-discover home success to climb back into series social media. with Bruins There’s a good hockey team in the Leafs somewhere — 105 points in the regular season were not accomplished with luck — and now it’s on Terry Koshan Babcock to find it. Published:April 15, 2018 “We’ve spent all year preparing for this opportunity and don’t feel we have been as good as we’re capable of being,” Babcock said. “We know Updated:April 15, 2018 6:10 PM EDT how good we are and we want to play that well.” ANDERSEN’S CONFIDENCE STILL HIGH Subdued as they were, the Maple Leafs were saying the right things on No need to worry about Frederik Andersen, apparently. Sunday afternoon. The Maple Leafs goaltender, sporting a save percentage of .822 The three players made available to reporters after a team meeting at the following a couple of lopsided losses against the Boston Bruins to start Air Canada Centre — centre Tyler Bozak, defenceman Morgan Rielly the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, says he is fine. and goaltender Frederik Andersen — were reading from the same page as the Leafs steeled themselves for Game 3 against the Boston Bruins “I feel good,” Andersen said on Sunday. “When I look at a game like that on Monday night. (pulled after allowing three goals on five shots in Game 2), I think some bounces here and there can change things. “It’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Bozak said. “There’s no need to get down and frustrated this early. That’s only going to hurt you. We just “One big save can change the series in a game like that (and) could be have to stay positive, get back to what we do and try to get back in the huge. It’s what we do from now on. We have to turn the page like we did series.” (at a team meeting on Sunday). I know we are capable of playing better, myself included.” Coach Mike Babcock will stick with Andersen after pulling him during the loss in Game 2 in Boston. Andersen has faced 45 shots on goal, with eight getting past him. This after he finished the regular season with a .918 save percentage. “For sure, 100%,” Babcock said. “The puck was going in and it wasn’t going our way, and so we got him out. “Those bounces early in (Game 2) did not go his way,” Leafs centre Tyler Bozak said. “I think he is going to come out strong (in Game 3) and play “We have not done a very good job in front of him. You have to give your really well for us.” goalie a chance to be good. We have not done that. Freddie is our guy and he will be back (in Game 3).” NET-FRONT PRESENCE HAS TO TIGHTEN UP The same is unlikely for forward Leo Komarov, who appeared to suffer a Morgan Rielly and his Maple Leafs teammates might have thought they left leg injury in Game 2. Komarov missed seven games with a left knee were watching Boston Bruins video on a loop on Sunday. injury suffered against Buffalo on March 15 before returning late in the Not only did the Bruins light up the Leafs for 12 goals in the first two regular season, and Babcock said he is planning to move ahead without games of the best-of-seven series, five by Boston came on 10 power his pesky veteran, at least in Game 3. plays. Of course, what’s just as troubling is the seven the Bruins scored Who would come in for Komarov? Babcock, who has Matt Martin, while the teams were playing five-on-five. Dominic Moore and Josh Leivo at his disposal, wouldn’t say. It’s not “We have to keep them off our net a little bit,” Rielly said after the Leafs difficult to wonder whether it matters a whole heck of a lot, given the way met at the Air Canada Centre. “We went over their goals here (Sunday) the Leafs have been outclassed through the first two games of the best- morning. of-seven to fall behind 2-0. “They are all from in tight, it seems like. They are getting to our net, The prevailing opinion in the days leading up to the start of the series getting pucks to our net, so we have to do a better job of boxing them out was that the line of Patrice Bergeron between Brad Marchand and David and blocking shots.” Pastrnak would give the Leafs fits. Coach Mike Babcock noted the Bruins’ top line featuring centre Patrice What transpired has been much worse. The three have combined for five Bergeron was “having too much fun.” Yet six other Bruins not on that line goals and 15 assists, single-handedly (or triple-handedly) making it close have scored a total of seven goals. to laughable that the Leafs will be able to contain them enough in the rest of the series to have a chance of winning four games. Babcock will have The Leafs have four goals, and among those who came home from last change for the next two games, but he wouldn’t reveal how he plans Boston without a point were Auston Matthews, Patrick Marleau and to keep the Bergeron trio in line (Leafs Nation turns its lonely eyes to you, William Nylander. the suspended Nazem Kadri). “We’re not worried about what happened in Game 1 or Game 2,” Rielly “I think we just try to eliminate some of their space,” Andersen said. “I said. “We’re just worried about what we can control moving forward and think they have been getting a little bit too much time and they’re too that starts (in Game 3 on Monday).” skilled to do that. Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.16.2018 “You see the nice goals, it looks pretty easy for them, but I’m sure we can fix that.” The Leafs pointed to the obvious — being a lot tighter defensively, especially in the immediate proximity of their own net — as one crucial area that needs improvement. Though there wasn’t a ton of enthusiasm oozing from any of the three players who spoke to media, they’re keeping their fingers crossed that their success at home during the regular season, when they won a franchise-high 29 games at the ACC, can be a source of swagger. Of course, there’s the knowledge that the Bruins won’t be willing to co- operate. It’s about one game at a time and all that, but you can bet the players in Boston sweaters relish the idea of winning two in Toronto to sweep and give themselves a nice break before moving on to start the second round. “You earn (confidence) all year,” Rielly said. “You work hard to put yourself in the playoffs and to win games and to have a good record. You have to earn that. We have to find it. 1091809 Toronto Maple Leafs

Explosive Bruins expect better from Maple Leafs

Lance Hornby Published:April 15, 2018 Updated:April 15, 2018 5:46 PM EDT

BOSTON — Attention Canada Customs, there’s flammable material coming through Pearson. The Boston Bruins are taking their first-line fireworks show on the road, but coach Bruce Cassidy is concerned more about defence at the Air Canada Centre, without last line change and expecting the young Leafs and the vocal crowd to change the narrative of this one-sided series. “They’re a great home team,” Cassidy said of the 29-win Leafs, two of those one-goal results versus his team. “Their younger players tend to get more excited and re-energized there. I would suspect we’ll put these two games behind us, take the good from it and focus on what we have to do. Especially our start. I expect they’ll be buzzing there. We’ll see what we can do to tilt the game our way.” Really, there is little cause to adjust the game plan for Boston. Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will find the Leafs tougher to crack at home, but say they don’t get 20 points in Games 3 and 4. Secondary scoring, team defence and keeping the Toronto gunners to minimal damage should suffice. Though Auston Mathews has yet to be on the winning side of any of the three games in which he’s faced Boston this season, the Bruins still respect him and dynamic linemate William Nylander. “A lot of that is keeping them in their defensive zone and getting pucks behind them,” said winger David Backes. “I thought Matthews in the second half of (Game 2) kind of found his stride and had a few rushes where he was at least getting some penetration. “He’s a top-tier player in this league that we need to neutralize. You need to find ways to limit his time and space because he’s that good. If he’s playing defence and doesn’t have the puck, he’s that good. I’m guessing by the results in the first two games they’re not going to play him head-to- head against Bergy. But weirder things have happened.” Cassidy reminded the media after Game 2 that Boston had 12 shooters in double figures this season. “To score five and seven in the playoffs, it’s not going to happen every night. We can’t go into Toronto thinking that. But one to 12 (forwards), our guys think they can pitch in. “We are a determined group and we have courage to go to the dirty areas. You need courage. You get people there and you need to get pucks to arrive there and it becomes a mindset. “You can have players go there all day, but if the pucks don’t arrive you get frustrated. We believe that is an area we want to force them to defend if they are willing to hang in there and battle us there.” In other aspects, Boston’s defence is playing much more smart than the mistake-prone Leafs, while goalie Tuukka Rask is not under the assault that Frederik Andersen has endured. “It’s a great start,” Rask said of taking the first two at TD Garden. “The way we wanted it, the way people in Boston wanted it. Now we got to go on the road and obviously it’s going to be a lot tougher in their home building, trying to grind some wins out of there.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091810 Toronto Maple Leafs similar fate. It sort of worked. Toronto didn’t suffer another collapse. Then again, they spent the following three years out of the playoffs.

It might not look it right now, but the Leafs are trending in the right TRAIKOS: Leafs don't look like much of a playoff team after two losses direction. Since hiring Brendan Shanahan, this has been a model franchise. Michael Traikos They’ve drafted well, shown patience in developing players, and made smart trades and signings. Last year, they went from last in the league Published:April 15, 2018 standings to winning a wild card spot. This year, they finished with as many points as the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals. Updated:April 15, 2018 4:05 PM EDT Who knows? Maybe the Leafs, who beat the Bruins three out of four times and had the second-most wins at home this season, will hold serve and send the series back to Boston tied 2-2. But even if they don’t, there It was sometime around Boston’s fourth, fifth or seventh goal in Game 2 is reason to believe that next year could be better. — who could keep track on a night like this? — when someone on Twitter reminded the hockey world that Toronto defenceman Nikita Even with Zaitsev in the lineup. Zaitsev, who was on the hook for four goals in the 7-3 loss, had six more years and 27 million remaining on his contract. Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.16.2018 It was another way of saying that if you think the Maple Leafs are in bad shape right now, just wait until next year … and the year after that. That’s sort of the way it goes in the playoffs. Whatever goodwill and optimism was created out of a record-setting season in which the Leafs set franchise benchmarks in wins and points has now been tossed out the window as the team heads into Game 3 on Monday, trailing 2-0 in a best-of-seven series. Today, Toronto no longer looks like a Stanley Cup contender. After being outscored 12-4 in back-to-back losses to Boston, it doesn’t even look much like a playoff team. In a matter of days, Zaitsev has gone from being one of Toronto’s top defencemen to not knowing how to skate backwards. Mike Babcock is not the coaching genius you thought he was. He’s now just a guy who can’t seem to figure out how to stop David Pastrnak or even challenge an offside. As for Frederik Andersen, Auston Matthews and the rest of the team: they’re apparently not as good as they seemed to be for the past five months. The Leafs, who had relied on a high-octane offence to secure the sixth- best record in the NHL, now need to play with more grit. They need Matt Martin — and maybe Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren — back in the lineup to hit, punch and intimidate the big, bad Bruins. They need better goaltending and better defence and players who won’t wilt under pressure or, in the case of Tomas Plekanec, disappear under their turtlenecks. If there’s anything to learn from a pair of lopsided losses to the Bruins, it’s that whatever had worked in the regular season certainly isn’t working right now. The Leafs are too soft, too inexperienced and too much of a pushover to have success when it matters the most. As some fans have joked, it’s time to blow it up and start over again. As for the Leafs, who appear to be halfway to getting swept out of the first round, the challenge is trying to make sense of it all. Here’s what we know: the Bruins, who might have the best forward line in the NHL, are proving to be a logistical nightmare for the Leafs. If Babcock cannot find a way to keep Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand off the scoresheet, the next game Nazem Kadri plays will be in October. But how do you judge a best-of-seven series where Toronto is without one of its top centres for three of the first four games? Does the team need to drastically upgrade its defence? Does it have to balance all that skill up front with what Brian Burke used to describe as “truculence and belligerence”? Or has this team simply been playing its worst hockey at the worst possible time? It’s the same question that the Winnipeg Jets faced a few years ago after getting swept by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2015 playoffs. Back then, fans were calling for coach Paul Maurice’s head and wanted GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to remake the roster. Instead, Cheveldayoff stayed the course and today the Jets, who had a 2-0 series lead headed into Sunday’s Game 3 against the Minnesota Wild, might be the closest thing that Canada has to a legitimate championship contender. Others have not shown the same restraint when it comes to knee-jerk solutions. After collapsing in Game 7 to the Bruins in 2013, the Leafs added David Clarkson and Dave Bolland for the expressed purpose of avoiding a 1091811 Toronto Maple Leafs It can’t be one player now. It has to be five, 10 players, 15 players. It has to be Frederik Andersen. It has to be Mitch Marner and William Nylander. It has to be Morgan Rielly, and yes, Matthews. That is the core. SIMMONS: Still time for lost Leafs to salvage some pride The core forwards of the Bruins — Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak — has combined for a ridiculous 20 points in two games. The core defencemen — Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug — have been Steve Simmons quick and marvelous. The Bruins have been better-coached, better on special teams, better at even strength, tougher on the boards, more Published:April 15, 2018 enthusiastic on loose pucks, stronger in goal, stronger around either net and by far the better passing and puck-moving team. Updated:April 15, 2018 3:27 PM EDT That’s an awful lot to overcome.

So, you have to start somewhere. You have to start with a lead in Game Nikita Zaitsev is in that cloudy uncomfortable place professional athletes 3, which would be the Leafs’ first of the series. You have to score first. find themselves in during unexplainable times. You have to bring the nervous and probably disappointed crowd into the He can’t make a putt. He can’t make a throw from second base to first. game. You have to show that you care and that you’re not intimidated He can’t catch the football when he’s wide open downfield. He has the and that you’re damned embarrassed by what happened in the first two hockey yips. games. Every decision he makes on the ice is wrong. And if it isn’t wrong, it If there is not time to win the series, there is time to salvage some seems to work out that way for the Maple Leafs. reputation. The time begins Monday night. Zaitsev is just one Toronto hockey player. He isn’t the reason the Leafs Toronto Sun LOADED: 04.16.2018 have been clobbered through two games of the first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins. He just hasn’t helped a bit. He was on the ice for all four first-period Boston goals Saturday night. One went off his skate. One happened because he failed to properly tie up a player on the penalty-kill. He’s off right now, the way so many of his teammates are off. Roman Polak seems perpetually out of position. Ron Hainsey looks like he’s played too much hockey. Jake Gardiner is avoiding contact and corners, which is not what NHL defencemen of quality are supposed to do. You can go through the Leafs lineup, player by player, line by line, pairing by pairing, and it’s almost impossible to find someone who is performing to expectations. It has been that imposing through two games against the Bruins and, in fairness, the Bruins, with their game plan, their style, their approach to playing the Leafs, have made this a one-sided series through two games. And the options for coach Mike Babcock aren’t overly apparent, just as the matchups, even at home, without Nazem Kadri and his shutdown line, have a relatively deep Leafs team appearing pencil thin against the Bruins. Whatever was supposed to happen through two playoff games has been basically a stripping down of what the Leafs cannot do — a kind of hockey autopsy before the body is even cold. But it’s only two games. And the Leafs haven’t played at home yet. And there’s still an opportunity to salvage their reputations. Not necessarily win the series, but not appear like a hockey doormat. It starts Monday night and hopefully Babcock will be bold with his lineup choices, which isn’t necessarily his way. He needs to be a strength, something that hasn’t necessarily been evident through two defeats and two too many men on the ice penalties and a special teams mismatch. If you’re Babcock, and you’re objective and you don’t believe in a player right now, bench him. If you have to go to the Marlies for players, bring them in. Leo Komarov is probably out by injury. Tomas Plekanec has done nothing for the Leafs in more than 20 games, so why continue with that failed experiment? Dominic Moore is a pro who will provide energy and intelligence. Babcock will have to look seriously at continuing with Zaitsev and Polak, who have been part of the weak penalty-kill and have done nothing at even strength, and see whether Connor Carrick, who may be too small to play against the Bruins, is an upgrade. Or find out whomever Sheldon Keefe believes is most ready to help the Leafs from his Marlies defence. This can’t just be a coaching determination now. There had to be heartfelt meetings Sunday between Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamoriello, and his front-office voices, tense meetings, looking at where the Maple Leafs go from here in this series and beyond. The two games in Boston have been so horrendous that, at this point, they represent an absolute indictment of the organization, top to bottom. The emperor, in this case the hockey club, has been shown to have no clothes. The team without a captain has no apparent leader to grab this group and drag it along with him. Maybe Auston Matthews will be that player when he gets older, more experienced, although on the list of Leafs problems in this series, he’s about as far down the list as any Leafs player. 1091812 Toronto Maple Leafs these playoff games mean anything more than summer shinny. We talk a lot about the Leafs' young players and how they drive the bus for the

team's success, but this is a big stage, and you'd like your veterans to be Thoughts from the Bruins' two-game demolition of the Maple Leafs in able to handle that stage and show the kids how it's done. That hasn't Beantown happened so far. I can't help but feel that, when those two and Leo Komorov depart in free agency, this Leafs team won't just not suffer, they may benefit.

By Justin Bourne 6h ago The Leafs need some saves

Pretty black and white. Freddy Andersen is one of the most streaky goalies I can recall, and boy, do they not need to hit the playoffs with him I know, I know, the in-depth analysis is a lot, but we here at The Athletic going the wrong way. I do think he was probably pulled prematurely in really want to appeal to the hardcore fan. Game 2, but I understand why Mike Babcock felt he needed to do All jokes aside though, there's some real truth to the sentiment. As a something. coach, you spend a lot of time evaluating why things happen, what went If there's anything we know about an underdog beating a favourite in the wrong, what adjustments you can make and so on. But for those things hockey playoffs, it's that the one common thread between those teams is to even be relevant, you need your team to at least play at a remotely “the goalie played great.” I didn't think the Leafs were a huge underdog decent level, or you can't even gauge if your game plan is any good. And going into this series, but when you're kind of an underdog and your frankly, so far, I don't think the Leafs know if their game plan is any good, goalie poops the bed, it's going to be an awfully short series. because the players have played that poorly. The Leafs probably made a good call shuffling the lines after four periods I don't know why this one particular moment stands out to me, but on the Bruins first goal — where David Pastrnak made an exceptional, One of the hardest things to know as a coach in playoffs is how long to awesome play to give his team the lead — James Van Riemsdyk failing let things go at status quo when they aren't going right. We know over 82 to simply corral the puck shot right at his stick represents exactly what I'm game seasons that hot and cold streaks regress to what's normal, and talking about. nothing good or bad is too big a deal. But over a four-to-seven game series, you don't have the luxury of going, “ah, they'll snap out of this That could very well just be bad luck, and it probably is. It was a slump sooner or later.” bouncing, rolling puck. But it's the exact type of basic little thing that has seemed to go wrong for the Leafs thus far. He could have given it a When Babcock shuffled his lines after just four periods, starting the smack out of the middle, he could have reached farther to get more blade second period of Game 2 with Patrick Marleau-Matthews-Kapanen, he on it … this could have ended 100 other ways. But it's just how things sent a few clear messages. One, Kapanen was playing great and have gone so far. deserved more minutes. But, two, Babcock's not the type to sit idly by while certain guys waste the big minutes they are getting. Nylander, like As great as the Patrice Bergeron line has been, as much as the Leafs Andersen, is a pretty streaky guy, so if he's not going, I understand Babs have seemed outmatched, I'd be hesitant to overreact and make any trying to cut his minutes down, or at least get him away from the sweeping changes. I think the Leafs have just sucked — and that does opposition's best players. I wouldn't be shocked if these types of games happen to players sometimes. In the early going, they've had some bad come up in contract negotiations for Nylander given that another guy luck and, as we know in hockey, adjusting your game plan based on taken in his draft class — Pastrnak — has been so special in this series results and not process is never a great idea. (and this year, in general), and he only makes $6.66 million. “I'm sorry, The Leafs have lacked emotion you'd like more than him? Yeah, that's not happening.”

One thing that is concerning is that at no point in the process of getting The Leafs will probably sink from it, but Kadri's suspension was bang on entirely filled in by the Bruins through two games did the Leafs show I thought one of the most tell-tale signs that Kadri was getting more than much emotion. They just seemed to kinda … let it happen. It's almost like a game was that everyone you talked to — including Leafs fans — was they were so entirely overwhelmed — by the opposing team, the building, asking each other, “how many games?” and not “is that suspendable?” the concept of the PLAYOFFS — they didn't even believe that they were When you have honest-to-goodness Leafs fans debating duration as step supposed to win those games, like the outcome was pre-determined. If one, you know it's worth more than a game. you're a group that truly believes you're the better team, you get angry when things go wrong. You push back, you get upset. To my eye, they What's really unfortunate is that, for Leafs fans, you invest so much time just seemed to accept these beatings, save for Nazem Kadri going on tilt in your team throughout the season, you ask yourself questions about in Game 1, which was the worst way to harness that energy. I'm not just how good the team really is … then you don't really get an answer. saying they should've fought anyone or run around like goons or So much of what makes the Leafs good is rolling out Kadri, an additional anything, but I'd have liked to see some fire instead of what I perceived high-end center who can play D and cash in on weaker lines when the as “ho-hum, is the game over yet.” Matthews line has to face the big boys. He's a huge cog for that team. Now that he's not able to play, they don't get to be the team they are. That's one thing with this Leafs team that scares me not just in this series, but going forward in general. Their best players — William By the way, Kadri deserves a lot of heat for that hit. Not just because it Nylander, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Kasperi Kapanen was violent and dumb, but because it came after a previous boarding — to varying extents, they aren't outwardly passionate players. Some are penalty and what probably should have been a kneeing penalty. He's certainly competitive, and that's good, but they don't really have any guys supposed to be a veteran guy, which usually means being a little more who wear their heart on their sleeve, the type of guys that you can see emotionally mature. He came unglued like a teenager, and it just might that when things aren't coming easy, they'll do anything to change the bury his team. game's direction. If you were able to watch the Wild-Jets game Sunday night, you saw a Wild team play like they weren't going to just roll over The Leafs' D isn't good enough and take a beating. I'm curious to see if the Leafs have that somewhere Whatever comes of this series, it's been painfully obvious for a while now within them. The vibe I've gotten so far hasn't made me overly confident that the Leafs can't go into next season with a D-corps that looks like this that they do. one. Roman Polak is slow and can't handle the puck, Ron Hainsey isn't The Leafs' veteran UFAs simply don't have another gear built to be leaned on like he's Marc-Edouard Vlasic or something, and Nikita Zaitsev is making people very nervous about that contract. The Speaking of players without a lot of push-back to their games: JVR and latter two names there are fine enough bottom pair guys, but any team Tyler Bozak both scored Saturday night (one a power play goal after the that leans on those three guys for 18 minutes a night each probably isn't game was out of reach). Both had nice shot attempt numbers. But they're the toughest team to face in their D-zone. Hopefully they're able to patch playing the absolute bottom of the Bruins' lineup, and they're simply not those holes this offseason. doing enough damage to counterbalance the Auston Matthews line being fed to the beast that is Bergeron's group. Conclusion

There's a lot of opinion and eye test going into this post, I realize, but Monday is Game 7 for the Leafs. If they don't win, they don't win the these guys just don't seem to have a pulse. You never get the sense that series. But no line can sustain what Bergeron's has done so far. The Leafs top line can still wake up, and they'll finally get to have last change. If I'm a Leafs fan, it's not even that I'd want to see them win to have a hope in this series; it's that I'd like to see them play well and push back to believe that, going forward, this isn't a team that just rolls over when things get hard. The playoffs are a massive learning experience, and the Leafs have a young core; the more they play, the more they learn. Here's to hoping they stick around long enough to get a decent education.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091813 Toronto Maple Leafs Can the Leafs keep the Bruins away from their net?

Babcock didn't mince words when discussing one of the biggest problems plaguing the Leafs in the series. What changes can the Maple Leafs make ahead of Game 3 against Boston? “Their one line is having too much fun,” Babcock said of Boston's top line.

A focus of Sunday's meeting was on how to limit the scoring opportunities which that line is getting in front of the Leafs' net. By Joshua Kloke Apr 15, 2018 Pastrnak's first goal on Saturday night came off of a deflected shot, sure.

But that the Leafs allowed a 35-goal scorer to get in front of their net On Sunday, the message the Leafs and head coach Mike Babcock essentially unchallenged is cause for concern. delivered to the media was the same. Each member took turns echoing a Andersen agreed, noting how the Leafs must eliminate the time and similar sentiment: The team hasn't been playing close to their space his team is providing some of Boston's top players. capabilities. “They’re too skilled to do that,” Andersen said of the Bruins. “I think “There’s so many things we can do better,” said Babcock. you’ve seen their nice goals, it looks pretty easy for them. But I’m sure While it sounds obvious, it was the focus of the team's meeting on we can fix that.” Sunday. The Leafs did not practice after returning from Boston, down 2-0 That the Leafs have identified their poor play in front of their own goalie in their first round series after falling 7-3 to the Bruins in Game 2. means it's likely defenceman Roman Polak stays in the lineup instead of In their two games against the Bruins, the Leafs look nothing like the Connor Carrick. Babcock likes the physical presence that Polak brings team that earned 105 points and won three of four games against Boston over Carrick. Seeing more of Polak in front of the net could be a likely in the regular season. The Bruins' top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad change heading into game three. Marchand and David Pastrnak have combined for 20 points through two “The play in front of our net hasn’t been good enough for us to have games so far. success,” said Babcock. “We’ve got to clean that up.” Still, the Leafs remained optimistic about the first round series, which Will Babcock return to Andersen in Game 3? returns to Toronto on Monday night. Only Keith Kinkaid of the New Jersey Devils has posted a worse “We’re not worried about what happened in Game 1 and 2,” said postseason save percentage than Andersen. His .822 save percentage defenceman Morgan Rielly. “We’re worried about what we can control in part led to Babcock being questioned on Sunday if he would return to moving forward. And that starts tomorrow.” Andersen in Game or go with Curtis McElhinney. McElhinney replaced Here are four questions the Leafs addressed on Sunday: Andersen midway through the first period of Game 2 after Andersen allowed three goals on five shots. If Komarov is out, who comes in? Nevertheless, Babcock remains committed to Andersen. The holes in Toronto's lineup expanded in Game 2 when Leo Komarov left the game with a lower body injury. “For sure, 100 per cent. He's our guy,” said Babcock.

“He’s going to get checked out here later today,” said Babcock on The coach noted, in part, that Andersen's struggles have also been Sunday. “We’ll have a better read on him. What I’m planning on doing is caused by the play of his teammates around him. going without him and then if he shows up, then he shows up.” “You’ve got to give your goalie a chance to be good,” said Babcock. “We If Komarov is out, that means either Matt Martin or Josh Leivo could haven’t done that.” replace him. At this point, despite McElhinney's success in the regular season, Leivo in the lineup gives Babcock the opportunity to replace Komarov in replacing Andersen seems unlikely. Andersen's play in the second half of the lineup without disrupting an of the lines he used in Game 2. He could the season was a big reason the Leafs finished with their highest point also provide an offensive boost since both Auston Matthews and William total in franchise history. So, don't expect the Leafs to deviate from Nylander have been pointless against the Bruins. Andersen anytime soon.

Putting Martin in could be a way to add a physical element to the lineup, The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 though this would mean Babcock would have to shuffle his lines. Martin could very well slot in on the fourth line and break up Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, both of whom looked promising in Game 2.

Babcock said any lineup changes would be revealed on Monday morning.

How can the Leafs fix their special teams problems?

The Leafs owned the second-best power play in the league throughout the regular season but through two playoff games, they've scored just once in seven opportunities.

Centre Tyler Bozak stressed on Sunday the Leafs need to win faceoffs with the man advantage as a means to generate offence.

“We kind of got behind the eight ball,” said Bozak. “It’s tough to crawl back against a team like that who plays very well defensively.”

The more pressing issue for the Leafs is their penalty kill. The Bruins have scored on half of their power-play chances so far this series. Defenceman Morgan Rielly said the team has reviewed all of the goals- against and identified changes they can make close to goalie Frederik Andersen on the penalty kill: “We’ve got to do a better job of boxing them out and blocking shots.”

“In order to get back to where we want to be, we have to find our confidence,” said Rielly. “It’s important that we recognize the mistakes we made in Game 1 and 2 and we build a game plan that will make us successful.” 1091814 Toronto Maple Leafs 5. Babcock has to adopt a safe is death mentality. No more Marleau at centre, Komarov on the top line, Polak in nearly 20 minutes, Plekanec in

the D zone etc. Shorten the bench. Play the absolutely stink out of your Mirtle: Maple Leafs' implosion will bring tough questions if they can't skilled players who are playing well. Give Travis Dermott — one of the extend series few defencemen who hasn't made a brutal blunder in this series — more of a chance.

I tweeted this stat during the game, but the reality is that most teams that By James Mirtle Apr 15, 2018 go up 2-0 in a series win out. Clubs that win both of those games at home have advanced 89 per cent of the time. So those are the historical

odds facing Toronto. BOSTON — What a bitter, ugly pill this series is turning out to be for the They might be worse given they won't have Kadri, their hard match-up Maple Leafs and their fans. centre, for either of their first two home games. The thing you can't help but thinking, watching it unfold the way it has, is This series going Boston's way isn't just about missing Kadri, though. It's if many of us were wrong about this team. (I include myself here because also partly about the season-long issues that have plagued the Leafs and I came around to believing they were one of the seven or eight best how those are absolutely killing them against one of the best teams in the teams in the league after some initial skepticism.) league. There was plenty of evidence the Bruins were the better team coming Toronto has no answers for a lot of what's going on. The Bruins' into this, no question, but no one foresaw a blowout. No one predicted a aggressive forecheck and backcheck have been especially suffocating. 12-4 combined score in Games 1 and 2 — 5-1 and 7-3 losses — with They also always seem to have open players in and around the crease, Boston's top line completely dominating and Toronto's completely silent. something the Leafs were good at during the season but abysmal at Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak are 1-2-3 in NHL here. scoring right now with a combined 20 points. Zach Hyman, Auston During the regular season, the Leafs averaged 13 high-danger chances Matthews and William Nylander have just two — both of them from per 60 minutes in all situations. Hyman. Through two games here in Boston, they're down to 9.5 — and the And they're not even a line anymore anyway. Bruins are at 12. Boston overwhelming the Leafs all over the ice combined with Nazem Nullifying the Leafs' offence was a key priority for coach Bruce Cassidy Kadri's three-game suspension has left Mike Babcock scrambling his coming in, and he has so far won the coaching battle in that department. lines repeatedly, largely to no avail. While there were periods of pressure in the second period on Saturday night, the Bruins' counterattack was “We talked about Toronto — to play them well you have to check,” always better. Cassidy said after the game, in another lengthy, detailed press conference. “You have to check well with your legs, your stick position on They were better up front, on the blueline and in goal. Plus behind the the ice and body position. I think we’ve done that for the most part. bench, which has become a clear factor. “We’ve always been a team I thought we can play both ways. We’ve won Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports 2-1 games — we’re comfortable in those. We’ve won 6-4 games. If we The areas of concern are essentially everywhere. have to. We know the formula. Monday we’ll try to stick to that again. As a coach, you like to see both sides. Our identity is to be hard to play “Their power play is playing well and our penalty kill not so much,” a very against, but we want to be hard to play against because we have the frustrated Morgan Rielly said postgame. “Their penalty kill is playing well puck and we can score as well.” and our power play not so much. Beyond that, our defensive zone can be better and we can get through the neutral zone better. There's a lot of Let's face it: That was not the Leafs' identity during the season. They things that we've got to work on.” were an extremely gifted offensive team that relied on its power play and goaltending to win them games. Heck, they were fourth last in the league “They're scoring a lot is the biggest issue,” Ron Hainsey said when asked in shots against and 14th in possession, stats that the analytics types to pinpoint what was wrong with the penalty kill. “I'm not trying to be pointed out again and again as areas of concern. (Boston, by the way, funny. A bounce here, too much zone time, too many penalties. It would was first in both those categories among teams that made the playoffs.) be tough to pick one.” What saved Toronto was the team's young stars delivered timely goals You can't because the issues are myriad — and not just on the PK. again and again, covering their defensive warts on a lot of nights.

In order, here's what the Leafs need to fix to get back in this series: The Bruins are proving so much more more well-rounded in this series 1. The blueline must be better under pressure, with and without the puck. because they have been able to be more dangerous offensively and Hainsey, Nikita Zaitsev and Roman Polak are the obvious culprits given defensively — especially with their best players on the ice. They're out they're getting victimized shorthanded so often, but everyone can be there at even strength controlling play, on the power play scoring goals better. (The problem here is that this is personnel related.) and crashing the crease, on the penalty kill clogging up the neutral zone.

2. Frederik Andersen has to be better. The Leafs were porous all season It's shocking that Marchand and Bergeron have averaged less than 18 in terms of shots against, and one of the biggest reasons they still minutes a game because their impact has been so total. finished with 105 points was their goaltending. But Andersen has allowed “They play both ways,” Jake Gardiner said. “You're not going to get a free eight goals on 45 shots for an .822 save percentage in this series. He pass in the offensive zone — they're going to play hard on you. They play has also looked far “busier” in the crease than he did when he was calm all 200 (feet).” and on top of his game during the season. You can't write the Leafs off entirely here, not before they get to play a 3. They have to take fewer penalties. The Bruins have been on the man game at home with last change. But to win this series, they'll have to beat advantage 10 times — tops in the NHL playoffs — and up a man for 17 this Bruins team four times in the next five games, which feels downright minutes in these two games. They have five power-play goals. The Leafs impossible right now. are not good enough shorthanded to continue to gift them those opportunities. It has to start, obviously, with a win in Game 3. Toronto will have to stay out of the box, capitalize on their man advantages and limit Boston's best 4. Matthews and Nylander have to create offence. Especially Matthews. players as best they can. They were far better in terms of controlling play and not getting stuck in the D zone in Game 2, but they have to penetrate the slot better and put At this point, a 2-1 nail-biter might be welcome, as it would mean the up the kind of Grade A chances they did during the season. They also Leafs goaltending and blueline hold up better than they have so far in the have to be much better on the power play. They're not going to get pretty series. They don't even have to be the better team — they just need to goals there the way they did against Buffalo and Montreal. gut out an ugly win to get back in this thing. If they lose Monday, however, this is over. And there are going to be some really pointed questions asked about what this season actually meant.

When the Leafs went out in six games last spring against the Capitals, the stakes were entirely different. They were massive underdogs — a team with seven rookies in the lineup against the Presidents' Trophy winners — and they offered terrific push back in forcing five of the six games to overtime.

It was a wholly impressive showing from their youngest players, a year after the franchise bottomed out to a last-place finish. It seemed to foreshadow big things to come, the fact they elevated in their biggest games of the year after getting better all season.

Falling apart here, in a series that should have been competitive, isn't going to be that. It's going to cast a 49-win, 105-point season as a failure. And the tough questions aren't going to be just reserved for the players.

Management has made some key mistakes. And the team's $50-million coach has, too.

But those are columns for another day. Perhaps one much sooner than we expected.

Perhaps as early as Thursday.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091815 Toronto Maple Leafs Even after a rookie season that saw him pile up 36 points while playing on the team's top pair, it wasn't at all clear why the Leafs felt the need to

make him the longest contracted player in the organization — with a deal Nikita Zaitsev has yet to be the defenceman the Leafs need him to be that won't expire until the summer of 2024 — but the decision has become only more perplexing this season, and again in these playoffs.

Though his year was interrupted by a broken right foot and mysterious flu By Jonas Siegel Apr 15, 2018 bug that sidelined him for almost two weeks, Zaitsev still struggled to justify the Leafs faith in him when he was healthy.

The Leafs mustered only 45 per cent of shots when he was on the ice BOSTON — Nikita Zaitsev remembers waking up in the middle of the and just under 48 per cent of shot attempts — both the worst numbers for night, at home in his native Russia, to watch the Anaheim Ducks win the any regular Toronto defenceman this season (score chance numbers Stanley Cup in 2007. were a little closer to even). His possession score relative to teammates Even as a teenager, he studied those Ducks closely, he said, learning was minus-3.74 — the 18th worst of the 133 defencemen league-wide to how a team worked to achieve success in the playoffs, observing how play at least 1,000 minutes during the regular season. hard they they had to compete to win the NHL's biggest prize. In other words, the Leafs performed less effectively when he was on the Zaitsev also has a tape back home in Moscow — an actual ice with five a side. And while his minutes weren't exactly easy — he videocassette, he insisted — detailing the story of the the 1997 Detroit started about 45 per cent of his shifts in the defensive zone — Zaitsev Red Wings, a squad led in the regular season by Brendan Shanahan, the wasn't primarily tasked with combating top lines as he was as a rookie. team's top scorer, and featured a number of talented Russian players like When he was healthy, Zaitsev played mostly in second-pairing duty with Igor Larionov, Vyacheslav Kozlov and Sergei Federov. That team won Gardiner, generally tussling with second and third lines. the Cup for the first of two straight seasons. Possession numbers from the regular season suggest that Gardiner was Zaitsev said he must have watched the video 55 times. “I know propping up his second-year partner: everybody on this team.” Gardiner and Zaitsev together (872 minutes): 48.9 per cent The playoffs, in other words, take on a special significance for the 26- Gardiner without Zaitsev (223 minutes): 48.9 per cent year-old Maple Leafs defenceman. Zaitsev without Gardiner (207 minutes): 41.8 per cent “I love it. I love it. I always love it,” Zaitsev said during a seven-and-a- half-minute conversation on the eve of Game 2. “I played my best games Shot suppression numbers on the penalty kill, meanwhile, point to in (the) KHL in playoffs.” Zaitsev as the weakest link of the five Toronto defenders to log at least 30 minutes shorthanded this season: Which is why, Saturday's result in Boston, a 7-3 thrashing of the Leafs by the Bruins, surely stung just a little bit more than usual for Zaitsev. Zaitsev finished his rookie season with 36 points — third-most for any rookie defenceman league-wide — but with no power-play time to speak It was a bad night all around for the Leafs, now down 0-2 in the best-of- of as a sophomore, he dropped to just 13 points in 60 games, or the seven series, but Zaitsev, in particular, may have had the roughest go of equivalent of about 18 points in a full season. it (outside of goaltender Frederik Andersen, who was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots). Zaitsev was on the ice for each of It's production that just doesn't align with the $4.5-million annual cap hit Boston's four goals, which peppered the scoreboard one by one in the the Leafs gave him last spring. Zaitsev, to that point, ranks just inside the first 15 minutes of the opening period. top-60 most expensive defencemen in the NHL — tied with Anton Stralman, Jason Demers and Shayne Gostisbehere. In other words, he's Zaitsev wasn't just on the ice, though. He was involved to some degree in being paid to be a top-pairing defender, or something close to it, and all four of the plays that led to goals. performing — so far — like one who might be better suited to a bottom Mind you, this was on a night when head coach Mike Babcock handed pair. off Boston's fearsome top line onto Zaitsev and his defensive partner, All of which speaks to why the decision to extend him for so long in the Jake Gardiner, following a troubling Game 1 showing from Morgan Rielly first place was (and is) so confusing. It's one thing to lock up a young and Ron Hainsey. Babcock also had Zaitsev, in particular, replace forward with apparent skill, someone who should have no trouble offering Roman Polak on the Leafs' top penalty killing unit. value in a cap world — like William Nylander, for instance, later this Both moves backfired. David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad summer. But signing a then-25-year-old defenceman with (perhaps) Marchand pitched in on all four of the first-period goals — a pair at even- inflated offensive numbers after only one season of NHL experience strength and another two coming against the hurting Leafs penalty kill. seemed to defy clear logic — even more so with Zaitsev still a restricted free agent and options otherwise only in the KHL. On the first goal, Zaitsev was chasing Marchand behind the Toronto net when Pastrnak popped the first of his three goals and record-breaking six Perhaps the Leafs looked at a position of internal weakness — right points. Zaitsev failed to get inside positioning on Jake DeBrusk in front of defence — and pounced on the first option who looked like he might be a the net on the scorching hot Boston power play about four minutes later, fit. Regardless, seven years was a mighty big gamble on that possibility which allowed the Bruins to take a quick 2-0 lead. and could prove troublesome in future seasons when prices increase for players like Nylander and Auston Matthews, while players like Gardiner “I will just leave it for myself,” Zaitsev said of what went wrong on that become too costly to keep. play in particular. “I know what to do. But those things are just — we can't allow (them) to do that, especially against that team.” Zaitsev still has six years left on his deal after this season, so there's plenty of time for him to grow into the kind of stable and highly valuable Less than three minutes after that, Kevan Miller threw a puck off Zaitsev's right-shooting force the Leafs think he can be (though it's hard to skate to chase Andersen from the net. The Bruins crowd went wild: determine how much growth is possible for a player who turns 27 in “Andersen! Andersen! Andersen!” they chanted. October).

Finally, despite his best efforts on another man advantage for Boston, The trouble is they need him to be that guy right now, especially with Ron Zaitsev just missed getting a left leg in front of Pastrnak's point shot, Hainsey looking like a 37-year-old ill-fit for top pairing duty so far against which led to Rick Nash giving the Bruins a 4-0 lead — and subsequently the Bruins and Polak proving ill-equipped to deal with the Bruins a choke-hold on Game 2 and the series. combination of skill and quickness. The Leafs would be in a much more “They score four quick goals, the game was over,” Zaitsev said glumly enviable position in these playoffs, and beyond, if they had in Zaitsev a afterward. force capable of combating high-end talents like Bergeron, Pastrnak and Marchand at even-strength and on the penalty kill. Two seasons into his tenure in Toronto, Zaitsev has yet to really show that he can be the player the Leafs need him to be — namely a secure An easy skater with good size, strength and some fire in his belly, Zaitsev option in their top four worthy of the seven-year, $31.5 million contract looks like he should be a capable fit for the role. He just hasn't shown yet doled out to him last May. in his NHL career that he can handle it. Zaitsev said he'd quickly try to erase Game 2 from his memory and hope for more nights like the ones he had in the KHL playoffs just before he came over to North America to join the Leafs in the summer of 2016.

Zaitsev hit the net in three straight games for CSKA Moscow in the 2016 Gagarin Cup final. He had this bright yellow stick made for him and spit fire from it.

He conceded before Game 2 that he'd just gotten hot in that series.

“Real hot!” Travis Dermott said upon hearing what Zaitsev had accomplished. “What else do you want?!”

Well, there was one thing.

“We lost,” Zaitsev said. “I didn't win anything. That's the one problem.”

The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018

1091816 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore off to fast start in playoffs

By Steve Carp / Las Vegas Review-Journal

LOS ANGELES — It’s early in the series, but Shea Theodore is showing signs of being a money player in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Golden Knights defenseman already made history when he scored the team’s first playoff goal in a 1-0 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. He has also logged big minutes. In the Knights’ 2-1 double-overtime victory Friday, Theodore had 33:08 of ice time. He has been skating well, making smart plays and playing responsibly in his end. “That’s kind of my job when I’m up there,” Theodore said prior to Game 3 of being an offensive threat. “I’m trying to find that lane and just get it through. Sometimes the puck just tends to find a way in the back of the net.” Last year with the Anaheim Ducks, Theodore had four goals and eight assists in 12 playoff games as the Ducks made it to the Western Conference finals, only to fall to Nashville. Knights coach Gerard Gallant couldn’t be happier with Theodore’s play. “He’s a natural skater and some of those guys … they can really skate,” Gallant said of Theodore. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now.” Kings’ Jake Muzzin returns Knights forward David Perron wasn’t the only new face on the ice Sunday. The Kings welcomed back defenseman Jake Muzzin for Game 3 after Muzzin missed the last five games of the regular season and the first two playoff games with an upper-body injury. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.16.2018

1091817 Vegas Golden Knights I’m not sure whether he meant in a Round Table sort of way, as if parties include some sort of chivalric order and everyone ends up jousting, but his message was clear: They love the Knights and all pageantry that Golden Knights fans who travel to LA get their money’s worth comes with them. It was like that for Las Vegas mail carriers Angel Thompson and Lora Shipman on Sunday, for their friends Rich and Tracy Griffin, for musician By Ed Graney / Las Vegas Review-Journal Jim Day, for buddies Robert Saputo and Giovani Balistreri, for a guy named Vegas Ralph and his name on a hat to prove it.

All made the trip. LOS ANGELES — A video screen high above the Staples Center ice welcomed fans with a familiar motto Sunday night, reminding them what All said it was more than a bargain. happened in Las Vegas the last several days stayed in Las Vegas, that their beloved Kings were home and things would be different. This was Naimi before the game, before all the crazy sorts who might actually sit around a Round Table back in Las Vegas began partying the Not so much. night away: “If the Knights win and go up 3-0 in the series, this is over. It’s done.” Not at all. It’s not yet. The amazing season that is continues for the Golden Knights, who after a 3-2 victory before an announced gathering of 18,484 now lead this But, man, it’s close. best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series 3-0 with Game 4 here Tuesday. At this point, even a few swings with Excalibur might not save the Kings. A win then would propel Vegas into the next round against the winner of After all, they’ve tried hitting Vegas with everything else and haven’t a San Jose-Anaheim series. made a dent. “When you’re on the road, it becomes about the room and playing for the LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.16.2018 guy next to you,” said Knights forward James Neal, whose first goal of these playoffs gave the Knights a 2-1 lead at 14:23 of the third period. “Sometimes, it’s the best environment to play in if you can score early and just take the home crowd out of it … when it gets real quiet.” That didn’t happen Sunday, when the Kings from the outset hit anyone wearing white. It got chippy fast and the intensity never decreased all that much. But eventually, the Knights gave those Vegas fans in attendance much to cheer and, until a late goal drew the Kings within one, turned Staples Center into a morgue of sorts. What changed for many who made the four-hour trek from Las Vegas was how affordable these playoffs suddenly became to witness firsthand, as secondary market ticket prices fell far below what they were for Games 1 and 2 at T-Mobile Arena. It makes sense. The whole supply-and-demand theory was definitely going to inflate numbers for a first-year team in a town that has so fanatically adopted it. History tends to cost more. A lower-level seat for game 5 on Thursday in Las Vegas can be found right now for $300 before fees. There were similar areas going for $180 here Sunday. An hour before the puck dropped at Staples, you could have walked in for $128. “I paid $80 each for all three (upper level) tickets,” said Mike Hortin, a Henderson-based chiropractor who brought his son and daughter. “We saved enough money to go to Knott’s Berry Farm before the game. It was important to be here to support the Knights. The whole season has been a bonding experience for our family, for what the team has done for our city.” There were enough souls wearing Vegas sweaters Sunday and screaming “Knight!” at the appropriate time during the national anthem to believe a substantial number of such faithful were here. Where’s King Arthur? One such group brought enough folks to fill two suites that sat 40 each at $135 per ticket, a collection of Knights fans who met through a Facebook page dedicated to the team. Jason Naimi was part of the ensemble, a 44-year old Las Vegas-based attorney who was born and raised in Montreal and played hockey at La Salle. “If we had all driven instead of flew here, it definitely would have been cheaper than what it costs to attend a game in Las Vegas,” Naimi said. “I’ve been to numerous (NHL) arenas and nothing has come close to the atmosphere at (T-Mobile Arena). It is unequivocally the best. I’ve never seen anything like those games in my life. But we needed to be here also.” Naimi then mentioned the fellow who dresses as a Golden Knight and pulls a sword from a rock in pregame ceremonies at T-Mobile. “He’s our leader,” Naimi said. 1091818 Vegas Golden Knights

Anze Kopitar’s hot start not enough for LA Kings

By Adam Hill / Las Vegas Review-Journal

LOS ANGELES — It was no secret the Los Angeles Kings needed to jump-start their offense in the Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Golden Knights. Coach John Stevens believed he got what he wanted from his team at times in Game 3 on Sunday night. It just wasn’t enough as the Kings fell behind 3-0 in the series with a 3-2 loss at Staples Center. “I thought (Anze Kopitar) was really good for us despite having guys draped all over him all night,” Stevens said. “I thought we created a lot more offensive looks, zone time and quality looks around the net and that’s going to have to continue for us. “I thought we played a really solid hockey game. All three of their goals came from plays off the wall. The first one was on a stolen puck on the forecheck where we got beat off the wall. The second play we got beat along the wall and the third one was off the faceoff. “Those are critical errors at critical times that cost you a hockey game. It’s unfortunate. I thought we made a good push to create more zone time tonight and made (Knights goaltender Marc-Andre) Fleury work a little harder than he had earlier in the series, but some critical errors along the wall cost us a chance to win.” His offensive star staked the Kings off to a promising start. Kopitar created a turnover in the defensive zone in the first period and pushed forward to get the puck deep in the Knights’ zone, before finding Alex Iafallo on the far post to give the Kings their first lead of the series. “I think we took our foot off the pedal there for a bit,” Iafallo said. “We can’t do that. We have to keep battling. “They have a good team. We’re aware of that. We had a good two periods, but we have to play three full periods against them.” The Kings have talked throughout the series about utilizing their defense to generate offense, and it was no coincidence the opening goal occurred with the Kings’ top defensive pairing on the ice. Drew Doughty had missed Game 2 because of a suspension and Jake Muzzin had been out since March 26 due to injury. “It’s been a long time,” Muzzin said Sunday afternoon of his return to action. “I’m excited. It’s tough to watch, but I’m excited to do whatever I can to help the team win.” Muzzin said it was difficult to sit in the press box and watch, but it did gave him a chance to analyze what could be done to forge a path back into the series. The road just got longer. Stevens upset with Haula hit Stevens was unhappy with a play by Erik Haula in front of the Kings’ net late in the second period when he appeared to strike Kopitar. Haula lays a cheap shot on Kopitar. No call. pic.twitter.com/wIbzJMvpMn — Ryan Quigley (@RP_Quigs) April 16, 2018 “We got (Doughty) suspended for making a hockey play and (Haula hits) one of the best players in the world with the butt-end of his stick,” Stevens said. “If I was confused before, I’m bewildered now. That’s an intent to injure play. I don’t like hard hockey, I love hard hockey. I love good, honest, hard hockey. Kopitar is about as tough a guy as you can find. You guys make the judgment because it’s a bunch of ‘BS’ to be honest with you.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091819 Vegas Golden Knights

David Perron returns, Tatar sits for Golden Knights in Game 3

By Steve Carp / Las Vegas Review-Journal

LOS ANGELES — David Perron was tired of sitting and watching from the press box. On Sunday, it was Tomas Tatar’s turn to watch. Perron, the Golden Knights’ veteran forward who had not played since March 26 because of an upper-body injury, returned to the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. “It was pretty fast but it got better as the game went along,” said Perron, who had an assist on Cody Eakin’s game-tying, third-period goal in the Knights’ 3-2 win. “I just wanted to make sure I played a smart game. “I saw during a couple of shifts in the second (period) my game starting to come along. I was making plays in the corner and at the point.” Perron took Tatar’s place on the line of Cody Eakin and Ryan Carpenter while Alex Tuch remained in what would normally be Perron’s spot on Erik Haula’s line with James Neal. Knights coach Gerard Gallant was glad to have Perron back on the ice. “He’s a veteran guy and he’s made plays like the one on Eakin’s goal for us all year,” Gallant said of Perron, who played 17:12 in 19 shifts, had one shot on goal and took a third-period penalty for tripping that the Kings were unable to capitalize on. “I thought he did fine.” The move to sit Tatar was interesting given the Knights had traded a No. 1 draft pick along with a second- and a third-round pick to get him from Detroit at the Feb. 26 trade deadline. But Tatar has not delivered offensively as hoped, scoring just four goals with the Knights, and has been kept off the scoresheet in the first two games against the Kings while taking just three shots. And given the way Carpenter has played at both ends of the ice — and the recent return of Will Carrier to the fourth line with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Tomas Nosek — Tatar found himself the odd man out. “He handled it like a pro,” Gallant said of Tatar. “We were able to bring one of our top players back into the lineup. He understands. But he’s going to be a big part of what we do.” Perron had no trouble fitting in with Eakin and Carpenter. “I didn’t really know him before this year, but he’s come in and done a really good job for us,” Perron said of his new linemate. “He’s the type of player who grows on you. The more you see him play, the more you see some of the stuff he does out on the ice. He’s not flashy, but he’s scored some big goals for us this year.” Eakin, who skated with Perron early this season, said it wouldn’t be a problem reuniting with him. Turned out he was right as his goal tied the game 6:10 into the third period and gave the Knights a huge spark.

1-1! pic.twitter.com/eWlafXSGZT — Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 16, 2018 “He’s a guy who likes to have the puck on his stick and you want to get open because he’ll get it to you,” Eakin said of Perron, who had a career- best 50 assists this year. “He made a great play to get the puck to (Carpenter) who was able to set me up for the goal.” LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091820 Vegas Golden Knights “We knew L.A. was going to make a strong push at us,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “They’re down 2-0 in the series. We expected a hard, physical game from them. I thought our guys handled it well. After the Golden Knights rally to beat Kings, 3-2, and take 3-0 series lead second period we talked about keeping our composure, and I thought our veteran guys — Fleury, (Deryk) Engelland, Neal — did a good job of settling us down.” By David Schoen / Las Vegas Review-Journal LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 04.16.2018

LOS ANGELES — A desperate Los Angeles Kings team did everything it could to frustrate the Golden Knights on Sunday. And for the better part of two periods, it seemed to work. But the Knights settled down when it mattered most, and they own a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference quarterfinals as a result. James Neal and William Karlsson scored 21 seconds apart in the third period, and the Knights rallied for a 3-2 victory on Sunday at Staples Center to take complete control of the best-of-seven series. Cody Eakin also scored in the third for the Knights, who won their third straight one-goal game in the series and will go for the sweep when Game 4 takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Staples Center. “We knew what they were going to come out and do,” Neal said. “They were hard on us. They were physical, a heavy team that you’d expect. Kind of weathered the storm a bit at the start, and I thought we continued to get to our game until the third.” The Kings welcomed back defenseman Drew Doughty after he was suspended for Game 2 and were content to throw their weight around for two periods. By the end of the second, Los Angeles appeared to get under the Knights’ skin. Jonathan Marchessault took a high-sticking penalty on Doughty with 1.1 seconds left in the period, and Doughty mocked Marchessault afterward, clapping in his face. “We’re not going to get the calls if we’re kind of retaliating, so the best way to do it is push through it, skate through it, skate through their checks, skate through the adversity, and we did a good job of that in the third,” Eakin said. “Just the shovel-and-pail kind of mentality. It’s been working, so we’re going to continue with that.” But the Knights answered in the third period despite being outshot 17-9. Neal, who dished out a team-high eight hits, danced around Kings defenseman Oscar Fantenberg and whipped a shot between the legs of Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick to put the Knights ahead 2-1 with 5:37 remaining. “You want to score big goals, for sure,” Neal said. “I think when you do the right things — if you’re finishing your checks, you’re playing well defensively — the goals will come. I’ve been in enough of those games that I feel like if you stick with it, you’ll get your chance.” Karlsson put the Knights up 3-1 soon after when he was left unchecked after a faceoff and one-timed a pass from Reilly Smith with 5:16 left. Anze Kopitar scored for Los Angeles with 2:04 remaining, but the Knights were able to hold on. Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 37 saves. “When there’s not too many goals let in, it’s always a good thing,” Fleury said. “Again, it was so close, right till the end. I feel like every shot matters. But it’s fun when you come out on top.” After the teams combined for 263 hits in the opening two games, the Kings set a physical tone in the first period, crashing into everyone in a white jersey. Jon Merrill absorbed a big hit from Adrian Kempe, which knocked the Knights defenseman’s helmet to the side of his head, and Los Angeles finished the period with a 28-13 advantage in hits. But unlike the opening two games of the series when the Knights grabbed the lead in the opening 20 minutes, the Kings used a strong forecheck to strike for the first goal with 6:46 remaining. Dustin Brown fought off a check from defenseman Nate Schmidt behind the Knights net and moved the puck to Kopitar, who then found rookie Alex Iafallo alone at the back post. Iafallo, a healthy scratch in Game 2, lifted a shot over Fleury into the top of the net that quickly bounced out. The on-ice officials waved off the goal as the Kings celebrated, but it was confirmed by video replay. 1091821 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights knew Kings couldn't sustain early push, finish strong for 3-0 series lead

By Jesse Granger (contact)

Los Angeles — The Golden Knights didn’t just take a stranglehold on their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series with their 3-2 win over the Kings on the road, they showed maturity well beyond their years. Vegas took every punch the Kings could throw at them Sunday night, realizing Los Angeles would come out motivated to erase a two-game series deficit in front of its home crowd at Staples Center and biding their time to pull out the win. With their sell-out crowd behind them, the Kings took an early 1-0 lead and out hit the Golden Knights, 28-13. Goaltender Jonathan Quick seemed unbeatable through 40 minutes, stopping all 17 of Vegas’ shots, and a Kings win to tighten the series seemed inevitable. But ... “No one started panicking,” Golden Knights forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare said. “There are three or four guys that talk in between the periods and they were saying ‘boys we’re fine.’ Coach came in and told us ‘I hope you guys knew they were going to come hard,” and we knew that. We are in their building and we knew they’d come hard but it’s tough to do 60 minutes of that.” With seconds left in the first period Jonathan Marchessault hit Kings’ star defenseman Drew Doughty with an illegal high stick that sent Doughty’s helmet crashing to the ice. Doughty leaned in with a toothless smile and clapped his hands in Marchessault’s face and the Kings’ crowd roared. Still, the Golden Knights kept their composure. The expansion franchise may lack the playoff pedigree and overflowing trophy case that the Kings have, but they were the team with enough awareness to let the Kings punch themselves out and wait for a moment to strike. “When they were coming hard we kept it steady, then at one point we realized alright let’s try to get another step, and another step,” Bellemare said. “Then suddenly our game started to flow a little bit better and we started creating more turnovers.” Vegas came out in the third period and scored three straight goals to stun the Kings, and the 18,000 in attendance. Cody Eakin struck first with his first goal of the playoffs, rifling a wrist shot past Quick to tie the game 1-1. Moments later James Neal danced around a defender and slotted the puck underneath the goalies pads to give Vegas its first lead. With the Kings reeling, Reilly Smith fed William Karlsson in the slot to give the Golden Knights a comfortable 3-1 lead with 5:16 left in the game. “It was two games to none so we knew they’d come out and bring everything they had in the first period, and they definitely did,” Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. Vegas came out of it with a 3-0 lead in the series, on the verge of eliminating their Pacific Division rivals and better off for the experience. From the double-overtime thriller on Friday night to a come-from-behind win in Los Angeles, the Golden Knights have proven they have what it takes to win in the playoffs. “You need that adversity and that’s one of the things we talked about in the locker room between the second and third periods is that you’re going to face adversity in the playoffs,” defenseman Nate Schmidt said. “There’s no way to get around it. You just have to make sure that you get yourself mentally prepared.” LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 04.16.2018

1091822 Vegas Golden Knights Los Angeles will be getting star defenseman Drew Doughty back after he was suspended for game two following an illegal hit on Vegas forward William Carrier in game one. Doughty is third on the Kings with 60 points Golden Knights rally to beat Kings, take commanding 3-0 series lead this season, and will be joined by fellow defenseman Jake Muzzin who hasn’t played since March 27 with an upper-body injury.

The Kings welcome the return of both after struggling mightily to move By Jesse Granger (contact) the puck through the neutral zone in Las Vegas. In 155 minutes of hockey they have only beaten Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury once. LOS ANGELES - The Golden Knights scored three straight goals in the The Golden Knights may also get a welcome addition to the lineup third period to come from behind and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the tonight, as David Perron will make his return after missing the last eight first round series over the Kings. games with an undisclosed injury. Vegas entered the third period trailing 1-0 and stunned the Kings with a Perron is third on the team in points with 16 goals and 50 assists, and flurry of late goals Sunday night at Staples Center to win 3-2. could inject offense into the struggling third line alongside Cody Eakin and Ryan Carpenter tonight. Tomas Tatar is a healthy scratch for the first Cody Eakin scored his first goal of the playoffs to tie the game 6:10 into time this postseason. the final period after receiving a great pass from Ryan Carpenter. Carpenter corralled a loose puck in the slot and calmly dished it to Eakin, Vegas will need to play well to escape with a third-straight win. Los who fired it over a lunging Jonathan Quick. Angeles is playing with its back against the wall, in its playoff home opener, with a motivated Doughty returning. James Neal gave Vegas its first lead of the game with a dazzling spin move around a defender before flicking the puck underneath Quick’s Using historical data from every series in NHL playoff history, the Golden pads. Knights would have a 98.1 percent chance to win the series if they take a 3-0 lead tonight. Of the 208 teams to fall behind 3-0 in a series only four William Karlsson made it 3-1 with a one-timer from right in front of the net have come back to win, so expect a desperate Kings squad tonight. on a great pass by Reilly Smith from under the goal line. Prediction: Kings 3, Golden Knights 2 The Kings would make it close with a deflection by Anze Kopitar that alluded Marc-Andre Fleury but the Golden Knights hang on for the win. Playoffs record for predictions: 2-0 With the win Vegas takes a 3-0 lead in the series with a chance to Season record for predictions: 38-26 complete the sweep Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Puck drops: 7:30 p.m. Kings lead 1-0 after two periods Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles For the third time in as many games, Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick has been superb. Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM and 98.9 FM Quick has stopped all 17 shots by the Golden Knights and has the Kings TV: AT&T SportsNet (DirecTV 684, Cox 1313, CenturyLink Prism 1760) ahead 1-0 after two periods at Staples Center. Betting line: Golden Knights plus-125, Total 5 minus-115 to the under Los Angeles has outshot Vegas 22-17 and nearly increased its lead to 2- 0 if not for a spectacular pad save by Marc-Andre Fleury. Drew Doughty Golden Knights playoff record (2-0) (0-0 away) set up Tyler Toffoli in the slot with Fleury already down on the other side Coach: Gerard Gallant of the net, but Fleury was able to slide over at the last second to keep the puck out of the net. Playoffs goal leader: Three tied (1) Late in the period the Kings’ No. 1 ranked penalty kill came up big Playoffs assist leader: Four tied (1) stopping a power play attempt for Vegas, and seconds later Jonathan Marchessault took a hi-sticking penalty with only one minute left in the Expected goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (2-0, 0.39 goals against average) period. Los Angeles Kings playoff record(0-2) (0-0 home) The mistake was out of pure frustration for Marchessault, as he whipped Coach: John Stevens his stick around after receiving punishment from Doughty, who clapped in his face afterwards as he made his way to the penalty box. Playoffs goal leader: Paul Ladue (1) For the second time tonight the Kings will start the period with a power Playoffs assist leader: Michael Amadio and (1) play. Expected goalie: Jonathan Quick (0-2, 1.17 goals against average) Kings lead 1-0 after one period Golden Knights expected game day roster The Kings lead the Golden Knights 1-0 after the first period in Los Angeles. Forwards (12): Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Ryan Carpenter, William Carrier, Cody Eakin, William Karlsson, Oscar Lindberg, Jonathan Alex Iafallo opened the scoring by roofing the puck over a sprawling Marchessault, James Neal, Tomas Nosek, David Perron, Reilly Smith, Marc-Andre Fleury after a great pass by Anze Kopitar. and Alex Tuch. Golden Knights’ defensemen Nate Schmidt and Brayden McNabb Defensemen (6): Deryk Engelland, Brayden McNabb, Jon Merrill, Colin chased Dustin Brown behind the net, leaving Kopitar all alone. The Miller, Nate Schmidt and Shea Theodore. veteran forward slid a pass across the crease to Iafallo, who hit it off the back bar so fast it was originally ruled no goal. Goalies (2): Marc-Andre Fleury and Malcolm Subban Los Angeles took it to the Golden Knights physically in the first 20 LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 04.16.2018 minutes, more than doubling them in hits (28-13) and scoring chances were at a premium. Both teams finished the period with only eight shots on goal, and the best Vegas chance came on a rebound attempt right in front of the net by Alex Tuch by goaltender Jonathan Quick made the save. Pre game The Golden Knights are looking to tighten their grip on the first round playoff series against the Kings tonight in Los Angeles. Already leading the series 2-0 after back-to-back wins in Las Vegas, the Golden Knights and Kings face off at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Staples Center. 1091823 Washington Capitals edge. Finish your checks but don’t get called for boarding. Cause a scrum but don’t grab someone’s stick. Annoy within parameters.

In this series, all of two games, Wilson can’t find that edge. In Game 1, If the Capitals don’t get smarter, it soon will be too late for them to learn with the Capitals holding a 2-1 lead just more than a minute into the third their lesson period, Wilson was called for charging. Thirteen seconds later, with Columbus just cranking up the resulting power play, Thomas Vanek tied the score. And Wilson’s gaffe wasn’t the most egregious of that night, By Barry Svrluga Sports columnist April 16 at 12:42 AM Email the author because even after the Caps regained the lead, Andre Burakovsky managed to trip Columbus defenseman Seth Jones — 200 feet from the Capitals’ goal. Jones scored on that power play, which forced overtime, which ended with Panarin’s goal. If this Washington Capitals season comes to a close in the coming days — and, man, doesn’t it feel like it will end the first chance it gets? — the The Caps had two off days to clean it up. And in some ways, it got dirtier. image that sums it up won’t be Matt Calvert celebrating his overtime goal in Game 2 or Artemi Panarin celebrating his overtime goal in Game 1. “Penalties, obviously, have really cost us the past two games,” Those are pertinent, and in Ohio, Calvert and Panarin are springtime defenseman John Carlson said. heroes. But they are merely byproducts of the Capitals’ own ineptness, Columbus opportunity born of Washington stupidity. We’ll get to the rest of those, sure. But there were other small things, too. With the Caps up 2-0 in the first Sunday, they couldn’t — or wouldn’t — Around here, the image we need to remember is the door to the penalty go for the kill. Instead, they got sloppy on a line change, and defenseman box swinging open, and some Capital — Tom Wilson springs to mind — Dmitry Orlov couldn’t get his stick on a vertical pass or his body on a skating sheepishly, all alone, back to his own bench, perhaps in search free-skating Cam Atkinson, who skated in alone on Grubauer. He barely of a dunce cap. The Columbus Blue Jackets are down the ice, beat him, with the puck sliding between Grubauer’s left skate and the celebrating. And the Capitals are wondering how and when and why they post. But it counted, the momentum was gone, and the Caps again had became so daft. picked up their own Voodoo doll, grabbed a pin from the cushion and stuck it in an eye. The key to this first-round Stanley Cup playoff series, which now looks as if it could be over before it really gets started, isn’t some nuance about “We’ve got to learn from some of those mistakes,” Coach Barry Trotz disrupting play in the neutral zone or generating more quality chances. It said. “Obviously, a couple guys haven’t learned that lesson yet.” has to do with the vast expanse of darkness between the Caps’ collective ears. Yell in there, and hear the echoes. Are they waiting for offseason study sessions? Go down the list. There was Wilson, again, in the second period. By that point, there had been Nicklas Backstrom, your assessment? some chippiness after the whistle blew. To Wilson, that must look like red meat to a rabid pit bull. He can’t help himself. So he tussled a bit with “We need to be a little smarter,” the veteran center said without Jones — and drew a roughing penalty. After the play was long over. hesitation after Sunday night’s 5-4 overtime loss at Capital One Arena. You already know what happened next. The specifics: Atkinson scored on the power play. Columbus tied it at 3. Maybe six minutes later, Replace “a little” with “a lot &%$#@*!,” and Backstrom’s dead on. To Washington’s Devante Smith-Pelly held a stick. The whistle blew again. review . . . Smith-Pelly was sent off. Zach Werenski buried one from just inside the blue line. Even in overtime, veteran Washington defenseman Matt In Game 1, the Capitals led 2-0 in the first period and 3-2 with five Niskanen so blatantly tripped Columbus’s Josh Anderson that the Caps minutes left — and lost. In Game 2, the Capitals led 2-0 and 3-1 — and had to kill off a penalty when the equation read: Goal = Loss. lost. In light of all this abhorrent, irresponsible behavior, I asked Backstrom, Put away all the playoff tripe you hear this time of year, the stuff about the levelest of Washington heads, whether he found it surprising that a how “we have to play our game” and “we have to bury our chances,” etc. team with this much experience would commit these kinds of errors at Throw out the ridiculous shots-on-goal numbers from Sunday these important moments. (Washington 58, Columbus 30). It’s all some version of garbage. “Uh, yeah, maybe,” Backstrom said in a manner that indicated he found it The Capitals could be — and probably should be — leading this series not surprising at all. So he clarified: “I mean, we’re actually an emotional two games to none. Instead, they are down by that margin — perhaps an team, and I feel like we like to get involved in stuff. But I don’t know. insurmountable margin — not because they have been unlucky or even Maybe we should just focus on the game.” outworked. They trail because they have played dunderheaded hockey. That, folks, amounts to Nicklas Backstrom dropping the hammer. “We need to play with better discipline,” Backstrom said, “especially when we have the lead — twice,” and he put some punch on that final In the time before the puck drops Tuesday in Columbus, we will hear word to drive it home a bit. about how the Caps trailed Pittsburgh in last year’s second round — dropping Games 1 and 2 at home — before pushing the series to seven In all the Capitals’ before-they-were-ready exits from the postseason in games. We will consider what a potential switch to Holtby in net might years past, there have been all sorts of discussions about what they mean. lacked. For years, it was the absence of a legitimate No. 2 center behind Backstrom. Or it was Washington’s inability to land or develop honest, But even with all that, we are left only with the evidence that this series stay-at-home defensemen. Two years ago, Pittsburgh exposed them as has provided thus far. That is: Unless and until the Capitals grow a a tad too slow in a league that is increasingly reliant on youth and speed. collective brain, they can plan for an early offseason rather than a The breakdown of what was missing would carry into the offseason as second-round matchup with anybody. someone else carried the Stanley Cup. Washington Post LOADED: 04.16.2018 But in discussing the current Columbus debacle, shove all that stuff into a cabinet, grab a padlock and lose the combination. This isn’t the best version of the Capitals, not in depth or momentum or explosiveness. But after two overtime losses, none of that matters. The Capitals are losing this eminently winnable series not because of some sort of — pick a buzzword — “resilience” or “grit” inherent deep in the bellies of the Blue Jackets. They are losing this series because of their athletic IQ, which at times seems unable to be measured using standard tests. (There is the matter, too, that Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been waaaaaaay better than Washington’s Philipp Grubauer, who was yanked after two periods Sunday in favor of Braden Holtby, who would figure to start Game 3 on Tuesday night in Columbus. But Bobrovsky hasn’t been impenetrable, and the Caps have scored seven goals against him in regulation, and anyhow neither Grubauer nor Holtby can stop his teammates from taking ridiculous penalties. (Oh, yeah. Back to that . . .) Wilson is a prime culprit. His job is to be an agitator and an enforcer, an occupation that requires living on — and thriving on — a hard-to-define 1091824 Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Andre Burakovsky to be reevaluated for upper body injury Monday

By Roman Stubbs April 16 at 12:16 AM Email the author

Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky will be reevaluated Monday after suffering an upper body injury that knocked him out of the 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 2 on Sunday night at Capital One Arena. Burakovsky, who was injured late in the first period on a check by Columbus’s Boone Jenner, did not return to the bench for the second period and was eventually ruled out as Washington lost in overtime for the second consecutive game to fall into a 2-0 series deficit. Washington Coach Barry Trotz did not specify whether Burakovsky would be ready for Game 3 in Columbus on Tuesday night, but his absence would put the Capitals down a top-six forward as they stare down yet another potential disappointing playoff exit. [Blue Jackets-Capitals Game 2: Capitals blow two two-goal leads again. Lose in OT again.] It was the second consecutive game that Washington not only surrendered a 2-0 lead in the first period and eventually lost in overtime, but also the second straight performance in which it lost a player prematurely due to injury; defenseman Michal Kempny left Thursday’s Game 1 early after being checked into the boards by Columbus’s Josh Anderson. Kempny was back in the lineup Sunday night. With Burakovsky out, rookie Chandler Stephenson was promoted to Nicklas Backstrom’s line. Should Burakovsky not be able to play in Game 3, Stephenson would likely have an expanded role; that scenario could also re-open the door for Jakub Vrana, who was a healthy scratch for Game 2, replaced by Jay Beagle. Nonetheless, Burakovsky’s early exit Sunday dampens what had been a strong month for the 23-year-old. Burakovsky had three goals and three assists in his final eight games of the regular season. Washington Post LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091825 Washington Capitals The unraveling began five minutes later. Brett Connolly fell down in the offensive zone and lost the puck, which swiftly led to a Columbus 5-on-2 breakaway and a Josh Anderson goal. Soon after, Tom Wilson was sent Capitals lose in overtime again, trail Blue Jackets 2-0 in series off for roughing when he pushed Seth Jones to the ice, and the Jackets’ power play took advantage with Atkinson’s second goal.

Columbus’s power play struck again with Devante Smith-Pelly in the box. By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Sunday, April 15, 2018 Werenski scored from the blue line to give the Jackets their first lead. The Capitals‘ shots-on-goal tally kept ballooning in the third, along with the Blue Jackets’ penalty total. Ovechkin tried to convert several looks, The Washington Capitals are halfway to elimination. The possibility of both even-strength and power-play. Orlov fired a shot that Alex Chiasson another second-round disappointment has been upgraded to the first redirected into the post, and it stopped in the crease behind Bobrovsky, round. but nobody could get to the puck before the goalie finally landed on it. For the second straight game, the Capitals blew a lead after the first With less than four minutes to go, Backstrom set up Oshie in the slot for period, this time by giving up three straight goals in the second. Even T.J. the equalizer, again on a power play. Oshie’s clutch goal late in the third to force overtime wasn’t enough to reverse fate. Matt Calvert scored in the 13th minute of extra time to Andre Burakovsky sustained an upper-body injury in the first period and deliver the Blue Jackets their second straight win at Capital One Arena, did not return. Linesman Steve Barton left the game late in the second 5-4. after hurting his knee in a fall. Braden Holtby replaced Philipp Grubauer in net after two periods and did The Blue Jackets were without second-line center Alexander Wennberg, not allow a goal until the Blue Jackets’ game-winner. Alex Ovechkin who left Game 1 injured. scored two power-play goals, John Carlson had three assists and Jay Beagle, back from injury, added an early goal. Washington Times LOADED: 04.16.2018 Columbus won despite committing eight penalties — four in the third period alone — and being outshot by Washington 58-30. Sergei Bobrovsky made 54 saves to lead the Blue Jackets. Calvert’s game-winner was a simple clean-up of Zach Werenski’s initial shot. The goal was reviewed because he appeared to be offside by a step when Josh Anderson carried the puck into the zone, but the call stood. The Capitals‘ penalty kill went 2-for-4, identical to Game 1. Both power- play goals they allowed came in the Blue Jackets’ second-period comeback. Leading up to Sunday, Capitals coach Barry Trotz had talked about needing players to learn from mistakes, including needless penalties. “We’ve got to learn from some of those mistakes. Obviously a couple guys haven’t learned that lesson yet,” Trotz said. “At the same time, I take a lot of positives out of this game. I thought in the first period, we were really good. We were playing the right way. They got some good saves. Bob was good today.” The series shifts to Columbus for Game 3 Tuesday night. Being down 2- 0 is a familiar spot for the Capitals — they lost the first two games of their second-round series against Pittsburgh last year and fought back to force a Game 7, which they lost. Trotz said he believes in the character of his team to come back once again. “I think this experience allows us to grow. Right now we’re sitting here two in a hole, but at the same time, the group has an opportunity to grow, fight their way back,” Trotz said. “There’s a lot of character in our room. That’s one of the things where I think our team gets underappreciated sometimes.” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella also feels his team has grown, and they have two wins to show for it. “I think both teams are growing up, even though (the Capitals) are more veteran,” Tortorella said. “To go through these games here and playing those minutes, those are key, pressure minutes that both teams are playing. So you can’t help but grow as a player.” A minute after winning his first faceoff in the defensive zone to get his evening going, Beagle redirected a long Brooks Orpik shot past Bobrovsky 2:12 into the game. The Columbus goalie stopped more good chances over the next several minutes from Dmitry Orlov, John Carlson and T.J. Oshie. Grubauer did not have to stop much in the early going. He lost the puck after making a save in traffic, and Cam Atkinson nearly stuffed it back for a goal, but the forward was called for goaltender interference. On the ensuing power play, Carlson got to a loose puck from an offensive zone faceoff and sent it to Ovechkin for a shot from his office at the left circle. But Columbus answered with about 90 seconds left in the first when Nick Foligno sent a long pass up the ice to Atkinson, past a full Capitals line change unprepared to defend it. With red jerseys trailing him, Atkinson found a puck-sized gap between Grubauer’s left skate and the post to score. Ovechkin soon made the Washington power play 2-for-2 just eight seconds after a penalty on Brandon Dubinsky. Backstrom set the Russian up for a one-timer 4:09 into the second. 1091826 Washington Capitals

Tarik's 3 Stars: Bobrovsky denies Capitals even series with outstanding Game 2 performance

By Tarik El-Bashir April 15, 2018 11:16 PM

For the second straight game, the Caps took a two-goal lead on home ice vs. the Blue Jackets. For the second straight game, the Caps committed a couple of unnecessary penalties, coughed up that lead and eventually fell in overtime. Philipp Grubauer, the starter for both Game 1 and Game 2, was pulled before the start of the third period. And now — following a dispiriting 5-4 defeat Sunday night — the three- time Metro Division champs find themselves down two-games-to-none, with the first round series shifting to Columbus for a pivotal Game 3 on Tuesday night. Ugh. Tarik's Three Stars of Capitals vs. Blue Jackets Game 2 1. Cam Atkinson, Blue Jackets Atkinson scored on a breakaway late in the first period to trim Washington’s lead to 2-1. Then the 5-foot-8, first line winger sniped one on the power play in the second period to even things 3-3. 2. Sergei Bobrovsky, Blue Jackets Bobrovsky did exactly what Vezina Trophy winning goalies do: when his team needed him most, he was their best player. The 29-year-old Russian stopped a total of 54 shots, including 20 of 21 in the third period as a desperate Caps team threw everything at him… including an Alex Ovechkin mini-breakaway. Bob got that one, too. 3. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals After the morning skate, the Caps’ captain acknowledged that he needed to be better than he was in Game 1. And boy was he ever. Ovechkin scored from his office on the power play in the first period to stretch the Caps’ lead to 2-0. He struck again on the power play early in the second period to put Washington up 3-1. Alas, his pair of goals and 10 shots on net weren’t enough. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091827 Washington Capitals

Tiny Capitals fan has all the emotions during Brett Connolly interaction

By Troy Machir April 15, 2018 7:26 PM

The emotional rush of playoff hockey was on full display Sunday Night. Even before the the puck dropped in Game 2 of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round matchup between the Capitals and Blue Jackets, one very cute, very tiny Capitals fan was put through the emotional ringer watching the Capitals warm up. As Capitals forward Brett Connolly warmed up for the game, he noticed a small fan banging against the glass, a customary sign that said fan would like a souvenir puck. So Connolly did what any pro athlete would do. He picked up a puck and flipped it over the boards for the littler girl. The tiny Capitals fan was over the moon. But before she could grab the puck, another tiny Capitals fan snagged the souvenir out of the sky. TALE OF THE TAPE: WASHINGTON, D.C. vs. COLUMBUS Some one point us in the direction of the dude in the Carlson jersey.. We just wanna talk. pic.twitter.com/cI5473FGBs — NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) April 15, 2018 The tiny Caps fan was no longer over the moon. So Connolly got another puck and flipped it over the boards to her again. New puck, same result. Yet another tiny Capitals fan snagged the puck from her. So Connolly, now thoroughly invested in making the situation right, decides to make it crystal clear who the puck is for, by banging his stick and forearm against the glass. Connolly's first attempt to get the puck over the board came up short. His second attempt yielded the same result. Finally, on the third attempt, did the puck finally get over the glass, landing in the hands of an adult, who was finally able to get the tiny girl the puck she had been yearning for. Her smile returned, her emotional rollercoaster over, and Connolly now ready for Game 2. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091828 Washington Capitals

Taylor Chorney knew his team would have to face the Caps in the playoffs

By J.J. Regan April 15, 2018 3:58 PM

Taylor Chorney knew this was going to happen. Heading into the final day of the regular season, there were still three possible opponents for the Caps for the first round of the playoffs. There were so many scenarios for which team would finish where in the standings, it was hard to keep track of them all. But Chorney knew his Columbus Blue Jackets were ultimately going to end up playing the Caps. “I started seeing the way things were going to shake up and I just kind of figured it was going to happen,” Chorney said after practice on Saturday. “I knew that the way it was working out and we were playing well, there was only a couple teams we could face and I figured, why not play these guys just the way it's been going so far? It's just sort of the way it worked out.” Less than two months ago, Chorney was a member of the Washington Capitals. The trade for Michal Kempny forced the team to place Chorney on waivers, however, where he was claimed by Columbus. Now as the Blue Jackets face Washington in the first round, Chorney finds himself representing the visitors against the team he signed with back in 2015. “It's a little bit weird coming into the rink for that last game,” Chorney said. “The time of the year, it's springtime. You've experienced that before coming up to the rink where it's nice outside, everyone's got the jersey on.” “The hard part, you've got some good buddies over there that it's tough,” he added. “Maybe you see yourself playing with them a little bit longer, but there's a great group of guys here too. They've been super welcoming.” Considering he was with Washington just a few weeks ago, however, Chorney’s new teammates have been probing him to see if there is any inside info he can give them to help them in this series. “Guys have wanted to know and even some of the coaches, just some little tendencies and stuff,” he said. “But everybody watches so much video nowadays and it's not like I've got any secrets that are going to swing the series one way or the other.” Chorney has a similar role in Columbus as he did in Washington as a depth defenseman. He has only played in one game for the Jackets and it seems unlikely he will suit up against the Caps unless there are injuries on the blue line. Playing against his former teammates would be about the only thing that could make this series weirder for Chorney. If called upon, though, he would be ready. “You hate to be too cliche, but it really is kind of just part of the business. You've got to be able to take your time or you kind of process it and try to turn the page as quick as you can.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091829 Washington Capitals

Jakub Vrana a surprise scratch for Game 2 By J.J. Regan April 15, 2018 11:55 AM

Tarik's 3 Stars: 52 saves for Bobrovsky just too much for Capitals in Game 2 By Tarik El-Bashir April 15, 2018 11:16 PM

For the second straight game, the Caps took a two-goal lead on home ice vs. the Blue Jackets. For the second straight game, the Caps committed a couple of unnecessary penalties, coughed up that lead and eventually fell in overtime. Philipp Grubauer, the starter for both Game 1 and Game 2, was pulled before the start of the third period. And now — following a dispiriting 5-4 defeat Sunday night — the three- time Metro Division champs find themselves down two-games-to-none, with the first round series shifting to Columbus for a pivotal Game 3 on Tuesday night. Ugh.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091830 Winnipeg Jets Nashville Predators. He had given up just three goals in the first two games of this series.

Mikael Granlund, Zach Parise and Matt Dumba also scored for Muddled in Minneapolis: Jets thumped 6-2 after a Wild show of strength Minnesota. After two games of fruitless frustration, the Wild finally penetrated the Jason Bell Jets zone with some consistency and effectiveness. The trio of Staal, Granlund and Jason Zucker, silenced in games 1 and 2, buzzed the Posted: 04/15/2018 10:47 PM | Comments: 13 visitors' end, while Mikko Koivu and Parise — easily Minnesota's best forwards in back-to-back defeats last week in Winnipeg, ramped up their intensity. ST. PAUL, Minn. — Here's when all those times during a remarkable The Jets had trouble finding any room to move in the slot, testing Devan regular season when the Winnipeg Jets rallied from adversity and Dubnyk mostly from the outside and a couple of times from in tight while bounced back from sub-par performances must now come in handy. on the power play. Dubnyk finished with 29 saves. The Minnesota Wild stormed back Sunday night to regain relevance in His club's collective lack of playoff experience continues to be a non- their Western Conference opening-round series with Winnipeg — most of factor, said Maurice. it earned but some gift-wrapped by a far less speedy and physical Jets squad. "It’s got nothing to do with playoff experience. (Going) 4-0 (in the series) isn’t the standard that any team should be held to. You just go out and Six different scorers hit the sheet for the hosts, who posted a resounding play your game," he said. "We were good in the first two, (the Wild) didn’t 6-2 victory in their own roaring, rambunctious barn over the Jets, who like their game. They were good tonight and we didn’t like our game. Play leads the best-of-seven series 2-1. out the string." To a man, the Jets blamed the loss not on effort but a shortage of Lowry said the Jets have shown resiliency all season long, and expects a quickness in all aspects of their game against a desperate Wild team that similar response in the post-season. simply couldn't afford another defeat. "It's only one game. We weren't going to go 16-0 in the playoffs. It's all "We just kind of lacked our speed. The first two games we seemed to be about how you respond. We've done a good job of responding and on pucks and causing turnovers. For whatever reason we didn't have it," finding our game for the next one. So that's what we're going to do," he said centre Adam Lowry. "You have to give them some credit. They said. "We're going to watch some tape and see what we can do better played a good game. They're a good team at home. We'll put this one and try and improve that for Game 4." behind us and move on to Game 4." There's playing on the edge and there's playing with negligence — and That pivotal fourth game, also scheduled for Xcel Energy Center, goes the Jets were guilty of the latter early in the game as referees Wes Tuesday at 7 p.m. McCauley and Tim Peel implemented a far different standard of officiating, treating the rulebook as gospel. Jets captain Blake Wheeler, who opened the scoring with an early power-play goal, his first tally of the playoffs, echoed Lowry's sentiments. Tagged for a couple of foolish infractions in the first period, the Jets' over- aggressiveness led to a pair of power-play goals by Granlund and Parise. "It’s one game in a seven-game series. We didn’t play anywhere near our level (Sunday), and it’s a fine line for us. We need to play with team Ben Chiarot cross-checked Staal in the crease and then Lowry roughed speed, like we were able to accomplish the second half of both games 1 up Jason Zucker after the whistle — one of several post-whistle scrums and 2," he said. in front of Hellebuyck in the opening period — leading to the Granlund goal at 9:47. Later, Chiarot applied some heavy lumber on Charlie Coyle Trailing 3-1 early in the second period, the Jets closed the gap on in the corner, resulting in a trip to the box and Parise's tally at 17:50. defenceman Tyler Myers' second goal in as many games. But Eric Staal, Koivu set up both goals. Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno beat goalie Connor Hellebuyck before the middle frame was over for a hungry Wild team that did its Wheeler had given the visitors an early 1-0 lead. Parked in the corner, finest work during the regular season on home ice (27-6-8). Wheeler fired the puck from a bad angle and it skipped off the stick of Jonas Brodin, skidded toward Dubnyk and bounced in for a power-play "(Trailing 2-1 after 20 minutes) is not a death sentence by any means in goal of his own, with Minnesota's Matt Cullen serving a slashing penalty. this building. But when that second period started, we weren’t able to get faster. And that’s when the game changed. They stuck with it, and we "It was called a bit tighter. There wasn't a whole lot of penalties the first just weren’t able to get to our speed we needed to get to," Wheeler said. two games. They let a lot more go. It took us after that first period to kind of figure it out, what we could get away with. It was totally different," said Myers was hurt with 4:19 left in the second period and did not return after Jets centre Bryan Little. "Hopefully, there's a bit more consistency in the getting pushed to the boards by a falling Foligno, likely injuring his leg or next one." foot. The towering blue-liner lay motionless and had to be helped off the ice, but walked down the tunnel on his own steam. Winnipeg had five man-advantage opportunities but succeeded just once, while Minnesota finished 2-for-3 on the power play. He was later seen in the bowels of the arena walking gingerly to the team bus. Head coach Paul Maurice had no update on his condition, however, Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.16.2018 losing Myers for any length of time would be a huge blow to a squad already down defencemen Dmitry Kulikov and Toby Enstrom. Maurice offered a hint of frustration on the play by Foligno. "I didn’t love it," he said. Hellebuyck had a rare off-night, allowing four goals on just nine shots in the second. Staal's first of the playoffs, in particular, looked entirely stoppable as the veteran centre's bad-angle shot found a gap between the post and the netminder's shoulder. Winnipeg's 44-game winner and Vezina Trophy candidate was asked if he demands much more from himself than he displayed in Game 3. "I don't really like that question. We're in a series here. We're going to lose one once in a while. It's how we respond to the next one," said Hellebuyck, who stopped just 16 of 22 through 40 minutes. He was replaced by Steve Mason, who blocked all seven drives he faced. "We don't expect to sweep a team and they don't expect to get swept. I like our position right now and I think we have to look forward here," added Hellebuyck, who offered no opinion on getting the hook. Only once before had Hellebuyck yielded six goals in a game this season, that coming in late February at home in a 6-5 loss to the 1091831 Winnipeg Jets the boards as Ben Chiarot did to Charlie Coyle in the first period, leading to Minnesota’s second power-play goal.

If this is a rivalry — and it sure looks like one now — it is only benefitting Wild's bitter win over Winnipeg Jets makes for a better rivalry Minnesota at the moment. This is all new ground for Jets 2.0, who have never really had a rivalry By: Paul Wiecek until now because they’ve never been in a hard-fought playoff series until now.

Anaheim had their way with the Jets in the only other playoff appearance ST. PAUL, MINN. — Minnesota Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau was for Winnipeg a couple years ago. That one was over so quickly — the musing the other day about the ingredients that go into a good playoff Jets got swept in four straight — hard feelings never had a chance to rivalry. develop. "It’s not a series until you get a hate on for each other and I think that Since then, whatever rivalries the Jets have developed have been mostly was created near the end of the game," Boudreau said Friday night after amicable. The fans, more than the team, hate the Leafs. It’s always fun a late game melee capped off a 4-1 Jets win in Game 2 in Winnipeg. beating the Oilers, if only because they were such a bitter rival of Jets 1.0. And to the degree the Blackhawks were the measuring stick by "It’s a rivalry now." which this franchise measured itself until this season, there was always something special on the line when the Jets played Chicago. Yeah, it is. And after a bitter 6-2 Wild victory here Sunday night that saw Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck run out of the game to chants of But it’s only been over the past week with Minnesota that what was ‘Sieve! Sieve! Sieve!’ it is also now a series. always a geographic rivalry has suddenly seemed to take on a more visceral quality. Looking every bit like a team that had wasted the previous day taking an unscheduled aerial tour of blizzard-bound Minnesota, an undisciplined The teams don’t like each other. That’s obvious to anyone who’s Jets team opened the door to this series with some dopey first period watching. penalties and the Wild were only too happy to barge inside, clean out the refrigerator and soil the carpet. And once two teams get a hate on, it’s usually not long before the fans don’t like each other either, which was in evidence all night on Sunday as You could maybe blame this debacle on the weather-related travel the hundreds of Winnipeg fans who braved blizzard conditions on difficulties that forced the Jets to fly in a day late Sunday, except the Jets Saturday to get down here were rewarded for their trouble with mockery went out of their way prior to Game 3 to insist that it had absolutely no and derision from a Minnesota crowd only too happy to finally stick it to impact and they were just as ready for this game as any other. these Canadian nuisances who come down here a couple times a year yelling about ‘True North.’ Or you could maybe blame this one on tighter officiating than the previous two games that caught the Jets by surprise, except by night’s Now, this isn’t Habs-Bruins. It’s not Yankees-Red Sox. It doesn’t even end, the Jets had more power plays than the Wild. remotely resemble Packers-Vikings. There are no excuses, in other words. At least no good ones. But it’s the start of something. And I’m not sure it’s anything good, at least for Winnipeg. And so with that, a series that the Jets looked to have well in hand after a dominating performances in Games 1 and 2 in Winnipeg is suddenly up The Jets let the Wild — and their fans — back in this one. And now a for grabs again at 2-1 and increasingly looking like it’s going to exact a Minnesota team that has been beaten just six times in regulation at Xcel toll on whatever team emerges as the last one standing, with Energy Center all season long has a chance in Game 4 Tuesday night to defenceman Tyler Myers now joining the ranks of the Jets walking tie this series and turn it back into a best-of-three. wounded after an awkward second period collision with the Wild’s Marcus Foligno forced him to leave the game and not return. That’d be a crapshoot if that happens. And turning this whole season over to the whims of the hockey gods was not the plan for a Jets team If the team still standing at the end this series turns out to be the Wild, that finished with the second best record in the NHL this season. the Jets will have had only themselves to blame. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.16.2018 ’s Don Cherry says many, many stupid things but he was bang-on after Game 2 when he scolded the Jets for the late game melee that seemed to awaken the Wild, who to that point had otherwise looked every bit like a condemned man making the final walk resigned to his fate. The last thing the Jets needed to do at that point, up 2-0 in games and halfway home in this best-of-seven series, was to turn what has always been a mostly friendly and good-natured rivalry with a hockey neighbor into a bitterly fought battle to the death. But here we are after a Game 3 in which all the gentilities of two northern neighbours known for their insufferable friendliness were buried over the course of 60 minutes in favour of one of those brass knuckle battles where everyone was fighting dirty all night long, or at least as long as the final result was still in doubt, which turned out to be two periods. It is not a good look for the Jets, who are the more talented and the more skilled of the two teams and have nothing to gain and everything to lose by turning this thing into a parade to the penalty box. But maybe we should have seen this coming. If there was a rap on this Jets team coming into these playoffs it was their lack of playoff experience: just five Jets players have more than 20 games of playoff experience; Minnesota has 15 players like that. One of the most important things that only comes with playoff experience is learning to keep your composure even when things hit the boiling point, as it inevitably does in the playoffs at some point. Keeping your composure means that while it is okay to defend your goalie when he gets pitchforked, it’s not okay to throw an opponent to the ice, throw off a glove and drive the guy’s face into the ice as Adam Lowry did to Wild forward Jason Zucker in the first period, leading to Minnesota’s first power-play goal. And it’s also not okay to plant a cross-check squarely into the numbers of a particularly irritating opponent’s jersey and drive his head forward into 1091832 Winnipeg Jets

Wild coach says travel delay a non-issue for visiting Jets

By: Jason Bell

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Winnipeg Jets had a goofy travel day Saturday but landed in Minneapolis about 10:15 a.m. today, well in advance of tonight's pivotal NHL playoff game. The Jets lead the Minnesota Wild 2-0 in their best-of-seven opening- round playoff series. Game 3 is set for Xcel Energy Center — the home of the Wild — tonight at 6 p.m. On Saturday, a record-setting spring snowstorm in Minnesota meant the Jets were unable to land in Minneapolis, forcing the team's charter flight to be diverted to Duluth, 250 kilometres northeast. After sitting on the tarmac for a couple of hours to see if an opportunity to get into the Twin Cities might open up, a decision was made to head back to Winnipeg by late afternoon. The team left Winnipeg this morning at 9 a.m., arriving about 75 minutes later. The regularly scheduled morning skate was scrapped, although head coach Paul Maurice and a few players will speak with reporters later today. A fierce April blizzard that the National Weather Service called "historic" dumped 30 to 40 centimetres of snow on the Twin Cities. Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau had a comical take Sunday morning on the rolling slap shot unleashed by Mother Nature. "This is real playoff weather... if you’re playing in Antarctica," he told reporters. The 63-year-old Toronto product, who had a 16-year pro career, including 134 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, called Winnipeg's travel problems a "non-issue." "It's overblown. It’s playoff hockey and they’re going to be ready," he said, after an optional skate for the Wild, many of whom have opted to stay in hotels near Xcel Energy Center because of poor driving conditions. "We had a time in Washington, one time we had a noon game, Pittsburgh couldn’t get in, they bussed in 10 hours before the game and outplayed us." Boudreau coached the Capitals and Anaheim Ducks before taking over the Wild bench before the start of the 2016-17 season. "It’s all about the will and Winnipeg has will right now, so this travel thing is a non-issue as far as I’m concerned," he said. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.16.2018 1091833 Winnipeg Jets we’re still trying to make it tough on the other team’s top lines to generate some offence. It just looks a little bit different."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 04.16.2018 Myers feeds highlight-reel goal past Dubnyk

By: Mike McIntyre

Tyler Myers likely has some bragging rights this summer over Devan Dubnyk. The pair, who are often part of the same off-season skating sessions, were part of a memorable play in Friday’s Game 2. Myers pulled the ol’ razzle-dazzle, faking out Jason Zucker and then driving to the Minnesota net, where he beat Dubnyk high from a tough angle. The opening goal sent the Jets on their way to another big victory. "I’ve shot on him a lot this past summer, and he’s always a very good goalie. I was lucky to put one by him," Myers said Saturday with a laugh. Myers has been showing more offensive flair lately, and was happy to add a highlight-reel goal to his resumé. "I know a lot of the guys were a little nervous when I first made the move, but luckily it worked out well," Myers said. "You look at the last 10, 15 games, I’ve tried that a lot. Just finally was able to finish one. It’s good to get us on the board." ● ● ● Dustin Byfuglien’s presence has certainly been felt this series. And the big defenceman’s impact was still the talk of the locker room Saturday. Byfuglien blew up Joel Eriksson Ek with a monster hit in Game 1, then dished out an even more dizzying check to Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu. "He’s so big. When he’s throwing hits like that, it changes the game for sure. You can see how aware players on the other team become when he’s on the ice," Myers said. "Everybody gets pretty jacked up for a big hit, and the crowd gets going pretty crazy and Buff has the ability to do that, and we have a few other guys who have that ability to sort of change the tempo of the game with a big hit like that. That was definitely big," defenceman Josh Morrissey said. ● ● ● It definitely didn’t hurt them in Game 2, but pretty much the only area the Jets came up short to the Wild was in the faceoff circle. Winnipeg only won 20 of 53 draws Friday night, which was a surprising result for a team that usually enjoys great success in that department. (The Jets won 31 of 57 in Game 1). Bryan Little and Paul Stastny both went 4-for-12, while Adam Lowry was 3-for-9. Andrew Copp was 1-for 5, while Mark Scheifele had the best night, going 6-for-13. Minnesota’s Eric Staal was unbeatable Friday night, winning all nine of his draws. Matt Cullen (6-for-8) and Daniel Winnik (8-for-12) also were tough to beat. Of course, the fact the Wild often started with the puck had no bearing on the final result. Winnipeg still outshot them by a whopping 44-17 margin in beating them 4-1. ● ● ● Paul Maurice made an interesting tweak to his lines for Game 2, taking Copp off the effective checking line with Lowry and Brandon Tanev and putting Joel Armia in his place. Copp moved to a line with Little and Jack Roslovic. "Top, top secret. That kind of stuff, man… sinks ships," Maurice said when quizzed about the moves. Lowry said Saturday he’s comfortable with either winger at his side. "I’ve played with Joel a lot in the past, and so has Rusty (Tanev). Copper seems to always be able to move up and down the lineups. He kinda gels with everyone. He was able to slide in there, and their line had a great game as well," Lowry said. "I think playing with Joel, it’s a bit different style than what Andrew brings to our line. But he’s a big body, and likes to hold on to the puck. He’s got a lot of skill and he can make some plays. I think our job stays the same, 1091834 Winnipeg Jets One thing they figured out was how to screen their own goalie, which brings us to Connor Hellebuyck.

Despite the fact he couldn’t see through his teammates on a couple of Sluggish Jets look like different team in Game 3 loss goals, it wasn’t Hellebuyck’s night, either, and after he had let in six on 22 shots through 40 minutes, Maurice gave him the third period off. Paul Friesen Hellebuyck handled a question about his own play the same way he handled some Minnesota shots. He whiffed on it.

“I don’t really like that question,” he said. “We’re in a series here. We’re ST. PAUL — With a chance to take a stranglehold on their first-round going to lose one once in a while. It’s how we respond to the next one.” playoff series with Minnesota, the Winnipeg Jets instead coughed up a clunker. Ain’t that the truth. It was as if the two teams changed uniforms, the Wild playing the One last observation: In the dying seconds, the Jets had the puck and rambunctious, no-holds-barred game the Jets played in Games 1 and 2. simply skated the last several ticks off the clock in their own zone. The hosts were quicker to the puck, crisper with it and more eager to lay They went out meekly, you could say. on the body than they were in downtown Winnipeg, and earned every Perhaps they were just saving it for Game 4. inch of a 6-2 thumping. HELLEBUYCK SHRUGS OFF THE HOOK Any thoughts of a quick, painless series for the Jets were buried in the blizzard that hit the Twin Cities the past two days. ST. PAUL — Connor Hellebucyk only gave up six goals once as the workhorse starter in goal for the Winnipeg Jets this season. “Their last game was a bit of a statement game,” Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk said. “And this is a bit of a statement game for us.” It was Feb. 27, at home against Nashville, in 59 minutes of work. A wise, old man told me long ago that you don’t make judgements on a In Game 3 of their first-round playoff series with Minnesota on Sunday, playoff series until it’s seen both buildings. Hellebuyck was shelled for six goals in two periods. OK, so maybe it was Pierre LeBrun who said it. And maybe the veteran That earned him the hook from Jets coach Paul Maurice. broadcaster just said it on Sunday while we were waiting at the Winnipeg airport for a flight to Minneapolis. “That was enough,” Maurice said. “He had seen enough.” He was bang-on. We needed to see Game 3 before making any Hellebuyck appeared to be screened on at least two Minnesota goals, proclamations. but he wasn’t in the mood to analyze his play. We saw it — and this series has only just begun. “I don’t really want to get into details because I’m putting this one behind me,” he said. “We’ve got a long series ahead of us and I really want to I don’t know how a venue change can make that big a difference, but the look forward to the next one because this is a fun time of year. Jets were out-played in every aspect. “This is just one of those games. Bad luck happens.” Was it home ice? Desperation? A little anger in the Wild about their first two games? Arguably the Jets’ most valuable player this season, Hellebuyck is experiencing his first playoff series, and was solid in allowing just three “It could be a combination of all of them,” Dubnyk said. goals in the first two games, both Jets win. So that explains their effort. But he allowed at least one softie, Sunday, Eric Staal beating him on the short side to make it 4-2, Minnesota, in the second period. It doesn’t explain the Jets’. “I like our home crowd a bit better,” he said. “We’re a bit louder.” “You try,” Winnipeg centre Bryan Little said. “You don’t come out, up 2-0, saying let’s relax and see what happens. We had every intention of The Wild also got more traffic to the net than they did in the first two coming out hard and putting the pressure on them and keeping it simple, games. like our first two. But we got into some special teams battles early in the game and kind of lost momentum a bit.” “It was a bit hard,” Hellebuyck said. “They did play a good game but … we know where our game’s at and we have more to give and I think The officiating, like the Jets’ play, was also night-and-day from Games 1 we’re going to.” and 2, where the decision apparently had been to just let the boys play. As for being pulled, he said he didn’t have an opinion on it. “There wasn’t a whole lot of penalties the first two games,” Little said. “They let a lot more go. It took us after that first period to kind of figure it Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.16.2018 out, what we could get away with. It was totally different. Hopefully there’s a bit more consistency in the next one.” The Wild were quick and crisp, while the Jets seemed sluggish and sloppy, squandering two early power plays of their own. But trailing 2-1 after one was a perfectly doable scenario for the Jets. It was the second period in which they looked like they were skating through the snowdrifts piled up outside. Out of sync and out of sorts, fumbling with the puck, passing it to strange places and getting caught standing around in their own zone — what could have caused it? “Lots of ideas,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “But you can’t pinpoint anything for a fact. You usually don’t run the table.” Nobody does. But losing a game isn’t the issue. It’s how the Jets lost. Someone asked Maurice about their travel snafu: Flying in Sunday morning after getting turned back to Duluth, then to Winnipeg, by the storm on Saturday. “I don’t know if it made us worse,” Maurice said. “But I can say for a fact that it certainly didn’t make us better.” Others wanted no part of that theory. “No. That’s reaching,” Little said. 1091835 Winnipeg Jets period and gave him a chance to get a little extra mental and physical rest for Game 3, while Steve Mason mopped up. Hellebuyck’s save percentage in the playoffs is .847 and that is simply not close to good Jets just didn’t look the same in Game 3 after travel chaos on Saturday enough. HAVE A SHORT MEMORY Ted Wyman Josh Morrissey has repeated it several times already in this series: You need to have a short memory in the playoffs. The momentum doesn’t necessarily carry over from game to game. The Jets found that out first hand in Game 3 and need to remember it going into Game 4. That will be Maybe they should have stayed in Duluth. a new game and the Jets are still ahead in the series. They absolutely didn’t have it on Sunday night but they still have a great opportunity to go All the trouble the Winnipeg Jets went to in order to get to the Twin Cities ahead 3-1 by playing their usual game on Tuesday … Credit the Wild for for Game 3 of their first-round NHL playoff series against the Minnesota figuring out the Jets plan for zone entries on the power play and adjusting Wild hardly seemed worth it. accordingly. The Jets could barely get the puck into the Minnesota zone. They weren’t close to having their best game, their star goaltender was Meanwhile, the Wild scored a pair of power-play goals and generated not himself and they may have lost workhorse defenceman Tyler Myers plenty of offence. A lot of that had to do with adjustments they made for to injury. moving the puck through the neutral zone … Did anyone really think the Jets were going to sweep this series? Minnesota did have 101 points this The humbling 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild was a stark reminder to season and was great on home ice. They’re no pushovers. Winnipeg fans that this series if far from over and now it’s going to be up to the Jets to make adjustments to get their two-game lead back on VIOLIN COPY-CAT? Tuesday night. I haven’t had a chance to ask Patrik Laine about the sad violin he played To a man, the Jets said before the game that Saturday’s ordeal — they with his stick after scoring a goal and later again on the bench in Game tried to fly to the Twin Cities, got diverted to Duluth due to horrible 2. However, I’m not sure it is the “epic troll” of the Wild that many people weather, sat on the tarmac for two hours and then flew back home before are perceiving it to be. You see, Laine isn’t the first Finnish hockey player finally landing in Minneapolis-St. Paul on Sunday morning — would not to imitate playing the violin with his stick. In fact, it was a traditional goal affect them in Sunday’s game. celebration by Timo Nummelin, a Finnish sports hero who represented the country internationally in both hockey and soccer. Nummelin was It sure looked like it did. named player of the year in both sports in 1981. Perhaps this was just Laine’s way of paying homage. … So, if Nashville, Winnipeg, Tampa Bay Hockey players are creatures of routine and that routine was completely and Boston — all ahead in their respective best-of-sevens — all win in disrupted on Saturday. the first round, the teams with the two best records in the West and the The Jets were simply not the same. East will meet in the second round. That is just wrong. YOUR TURN, MR. MAURICE Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.16.2018 Nobody would or should try to use the travel woes as an excuse. But the general feeling was if the Jets kept playing the way they did in Games 1 and 2, they would cruise to winning the series. They didn’t play that way. They were sloppy and loose, nowhere near as physical and they didn’t get playoff goaltending. The Wild made adjustments and were much better and the Jets simply didn’t respond. Great response by coach Bruce Boudreau and the Wild players. Paul Maurice, it’s your turn. REFS CHANGE THE TONE It was apparent in the first minute of the game that the referees were going to call this game very differently from Games 1 and 2. Wes McCauley and Tim Peel called two slashing penalties, two cross- checking penalties and two roughing penalties in the first period, obviously looking to settle things down after the way Game 2 ended with fisticuffs in Winnipeg. Particularly the roughing calls coming out of goal- mouth scrums, against Adam Lowry of the Jets and Matt Dumba of the Wild, seemed like message penalties. The Jets better have received them, especially with the way they have killed penalties — not well — in this series … Marcus Nick Foligno of the Wild was a big difference-maker in the early part of the game, throwing out several big hits and stirring up his team. His back-to-back hits on Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey immediately put the Jets on notice that it wasn’t going to be a comfortable night for the D-men. For good measure, Foligno scored his first NHL playoff goal in the second period … It looked bad right off the bat for the Jets. They didn’t have a good first period, getting outshot 13-7 and scoring what Sportsnet play-by-play man Paul Romanuk called a “greasy dog of a goal.” The Jets were lucky to even be on the board as Blake Wheeler’s pass attempt deflected off Jonas Brodin’s stick and snuck past Dubnyk on the short side for a really ugly one … Dubnyk gave up one more questionable goal, on a long-range shot by Myers in the second period, but was his usual self the rest of the way. He has been one of the best players in the series, for either team. HELLEBUYCK SHAKY The second period was far worse, as the Jets fumbled away three power plays and the Wild scored four goals on nine shots. The Jets power play didn’t look at all sharp, despite Wheeler’s fluke goal, and the best scoring chance was on a shorthanded two-on-one for the Wild. Nate Prosser put the puck off the post and it sat just off the goal-line where Connor Hellebuyck somehow spun it out of danger on a play that was either brilliant or really lucky. Or both … He was neither brilliant, not lucky the rest of the period. He was down on his knees and everything was going in up high. Mercifully, Jets coach Paul Maurice pulled him for the third 1091836 Winnipeg Jets “We weren’t going to go 16-0 in the playoffs,” said Jets centre Adam Lowry, who was in the box serving a roughing minor when the Wild tied the game 1-1. “It’s all about how you respond. We’ve done a good job of Jets suffer blowout loss to Wild in Game 3, but still lead series responding and finding our game for the next one. So that’s what we’re going to do.”

There’s little doubt the Jets had plenty of things to clean up. Ken Wiebe Outside of not having their best skating legs, the Jets lost the special- teams battle (2-1) and simply didn’t match the desperation level of a Wild team that was determined to keep the good times rolling on home ice ST. PAUL — The Winnipeg Jets knew a big push was coming. What they (where they suffered the fewest regulation losses in the NHL this season didn’t expect was for things to spiral out of control the way they did. with six). Nobody expected it would come easy, but the Jets were soundly “It’s got nothing to do with playoff experience, 4-0 (in the series) isn’t the outplayed in Game 3 and allowed the Minnesota Wild to claw their way standard that any team should be held to,” said Jets head coach Paul back into this series after falling 6-2 on Sunday night at Xcel Energy Maurice. “This is a playoff series. You need seven games to decide who Center. is going to win. We were good in the first two, (the Wild) didn’t like their game. They were good (Sunday) and we didn’t like our game. Play out The Jets still hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven opening-round match- the string.” up between Central Division rivals, with Game 4 set for Tuesday night. MAURICE ‘DIDN’T LOVE’ HIT ON MYERS “You’ve kind of have to have a short memory. It’s not going to be perfect every night,” said Jets veteran centre Bryan Little. “We weren’t at our Paul Maurice didn’t come right out and say it. best, and they were ready to play from the start. It was just one of those games you put behind you and get ready for the next one.” The head coach of the Winnipeg Jets didn’t provide an expansive answer or go into detail about what he didn’t like specifically about the play itself, The Jets know precisely what was missing and they’re not going to but Maurice made it abundantly clear that he had an issue with the way spend much time beating themselves up over a missed opportunity to defenceman Tyler Myers was knocked out of Sunday’s game. take a 3-0 series stranglehold. “I didn’t love it,” said Maurice, who avoided the question when asked if he “Something we’ve focused a lot on from past years is just keeping the felt there was intent to injure on behalf of Wild forward Marcus Foligno. “I same mentality,” said Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba. don’t have the answer to that.” “We’ve kind of been on a roller coaster the past few years. We think With 4:19 left in the second period, Myers had the puck at the right point we’re great when we win and we’re the worst when we lost. I don’t think and his shot attempt was blocked by Foligno. that’s crept into our game at all this year. We know what kind of team we are, we know how we can play and when we play that game we like our Foligno, who has been a physical force in this series, got back up to his chances most nights. feet and while he and Myers were falling to the ice, the Wild winger appears to extend his right arm and punch Myers in the back of the right “It’s a long series. I don’t think anybody was thinking it was over. So we knee. know what we have to do ahead of us.” Is that the type of play Maurice would like the NHL department of player Although the Jets scored first on a power-play goal from captain Blake safety pay some additional attention to? Wheeler, the Wild responded with a pair of goals on the man-advantage to take a lead they wouldn’t surrender. “Everything gets looked at,” said Maurice. The big guns for the Wild led the offensive charge before the supporting Foligno wasn’t penalized on the play, nor did the Jets target him for any cast supplied a little insurance. retribution during the third period. Wild captain Mikko Koivu was in the middle of the action, setting up both “Actually I went out to block the shot and then I thought he was jumping goals. behind me and I just got tangled up and then he button hooked away from me,” said Foligno. “I don’t know what happened. He kind of fell after. Zach Parise scored for the third time in as many games, Mikael Granlund I didn’t really like hit him or do anything other than I just might have had a goal and an assist and top-line centre Eric Staal also checked in caught his leg or something with my shin pad or something, so I don’t with his first goal of the series. know what happened to him, but I hope he’s okay.” Matt Dumba scored early in the second period and after Jets Myers was seen walking down the hallway following the game and he defenceman Tyler Myers answered just over three minutes later to make was only limping slightly. it a one-goal game, the Wild pulled away by scoring three times to make it 6-2. Given the time of year and that injury updates aren’t exactly forthcoming, it’s safe to say Myers’ status for Game 4 is questionable. That brought an early end to the evening for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who surrendered six goals on 22 shots. If Myers can’t play, look for either Tucker Poolman or Toby Enstrom (who has been sidelined with an ankle injury) to replace him. “We don’t expect to sweep a team and they don’t expect to get swept,” said Hellebuyck. “I like our position right now.” Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.16.2018 Steve Mason turned aside all seven shots he faced in the third period. “It’s one game in a seven-game series,” said Wheeler. “We didn’t play anywhere near our level and it’s a fine line for us. We need to play with team speed, like we were able to accomplish the second half of both Games 1 and 2. Down 2-1, it’s not a death sentence by any means in this building. But when that second period started, we weren’t able to get faster. And that’s when the game changed. They stuck with it, and we just weren’t able to get to our speed we needed to get to.” Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno also scored for the Wild, who got 29 saves from Devan Dubnyk. “We needed it. That’s the way playoffs go, you go from losing two up there thinking it’s the end of the world and all of a sudden we’ve got some life,” said Parise. “We want to tie this series up in the next game, but it was a good start for us.” The Jets power play managed to score once but couldn’t score again, despite several opportunities with the man-advantage when it was still a one-goal game. 1091837 Winnipeg Jets The Wild gave its players the opportunity to stay in a hotel around the rink on Sunday afternoon rather than driving home and risking any issues with travel. Jets not concerned with travel issues “The option is there. Most of them have taken the option,” said Boudreau. “The other ones probably live close enough that they don’t need it.” Ken Wiebe VESALAINEN KEEPS PRODUCING Jets prospect Kristian Vesalainen helped propel Karpat Oulu to the SM- championship final in Finland by scoring the overtime winner in ST. PAUL – Blake Wheeler surely would have enjoyed an evening in his Game 7 of a 2-1 triumph over IFK Helsinki. hometown and having an opportunity to get a visit in with a few members of his family. Karpat Oulu faces Tappara Tampere in the best-of-seven final, which gets underway on Tuesday. But this is a business trip for the Winnipeg Jets captain and the one benefit of flying in on the morning of Game 3 in this opening-round series Vesalainen, chosen 24th overall by the Jets in the 2017 NHL Draft, has with the Minnesota Wild is that he didn’t have to shovel the driveway at four goals and seven points in 12 games during the playoffs after putting his parents’ place. up 22 goals and 43 points in 49 games during the regular season. The Jets were unable to get to the Twin Cities on Saturday because of The expectation is that Vesalainen will sign his entry-level contract with the snow storm that caused all kinds of travel issues and ended up the Jets following the playoffs and that he’ll play in North America next spending some unplanned time in Duluth, Minn., before getting back in season. the air and heading back home. MOOSE SET FOR PLAYOFFS “We got a little tour of northern Minnesota, got to touch down in Duluth, The Manitoba Moose closed out the American Hockey League regular Hermantown area, spent a couple hours there. It was a long day but season on Sunday with a game against the Chicago Wolves. ultimately we can’t control everything,” said Wheeler. “You try to control as much as you can. We’re pretty spoiled the way we travel, so got to The primary affiliate of the Jets opens up the Calder Cup playoffs on Apr. spend a little bit of extra quality time with the guys and slept in our own 21 against the Grand Rapids Griffins. bed last night, so not all bad. The best-of-five series will see the first two games played at Bell MTS “It’s status quo. Luckily it was a close flight, a quick one, so you know, no Place (Game 2 is on Apr. 22) before shifting to Van Andel Arena for the different, our routine stayed the same (Sunday).” final three contests, if necessary. The only difference was that the Jets didn’t hold a morning skate, which The Griffins are the primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings and are the is more of an optional thing come playoff-time anyway. reigning Calder Cup champions. “The older guys love it,” said Wheeler. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.16.2018 The Jets understood there was a storm coming and that they might not be able to land in Minnesota, but it was worth a shot – even if the journey ended up with a lot of spare time on the tarmac. “It wasn’t bad. The nice thing is it’s a short flight Winnipeg to Minnesota, so that was the reason we tried to get in,” said Jets centre Paul Stastny. “If we didn’t get in, by the time we got home, it was still 6 o’clock. It was kind of a long afternoon, but you get home in time early enough for dinner and get a good sleep and then just get back on. We have a short flight. We got here early, got good prep in, got a good nap. Could have been way worse, right? Rather be safe than sorry. Conditions like this, you don’t want to risk it. “You’ve got to expect the unexpected all the time, and nothing comes easy around here or anywhere. When stuff like that happens, I think you just got to go with it. It’s something you’ll never forget, especially come middle of April. You see a big snowstorm coming all over the U.S. and parts of Canada. But it’s a unique experience.” How did the players pass the time? “The Wifi wasn’t working because we landed, so a lot of guys were using their hot spots,” said Stastny. “Guys were playing cards and watching hockey, afternoon games, and watching the basketball games. A few different guys used their hot spots to turn the games on. Guys were kind of hungry so once we ran out of food, everyone was roaming around, just hang out with each other.” Jets head coach Paul Maurice insisted the travel woes were a non-issue for his team. “We’re here. We’ve got all our gear. We’re fine,” Maurice said on Sunday afternoon. “The whole point of having a routine is so when an aberration comes up, you’ve got a good place to go. So we’re in our routine now. We got to the hotel, did our meetings, we’ll have our normal routine tonight. So that part’s fine. You play in the Western Conference, we’ve got a one-hour flight to our first playoff game, that’s about two-and-a-half hours shorter than what we did four years ago. So there’s your time in Duluth. This is easy travel.” The Wild certainly weren’t expecting to gain any sort of competitive advantage after the Jets had a long day on Saturday. “It’s overblown. It’s playoff hockey and they’re going to be ready,” said Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau. “It’s all about the will and Winnipeg has will right now. This travel thing is a non-issue as far as I’m concerned.” 1091838 Winnipeg Jets and we’re excited to feed off some energy from some fans and go out there and work for it. Like I said it’s a place we feel good in so we’re going to use that to our advantage.” Wild not expecting weather advantage due to Jets travel woes For the Wild, things have unravelled in the third period in each of the first two games, so it’s not like Boudreau had to draw up a new game plan to try and get back into this series. Ken Wiebe “A lot of it is execution,” said Boudreau. “When we talk tweaks, there’s tweaks, and then there’s changes. I mean, I think what we’re doing is the right thing. We have to execute it better. We aren’t talking like, ‘OK. We ST. PAUL – Bruce Boudreau is hoping the tables are about to turn in this are going to send four guys and do something really off the wall.’ I think opening-round series between the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets. people forget, whether than outshot us, or whatever, they’ve scored two goals in the first two periods of the combined games. “It’s the third period But if they do, Boudreau is adamant it won’t have anything to do with the where we’ve lost the games. It’s not like it’s been a 4-0 lead to jump out travel woes the Jets experienced in trying to make it to Minnesota and we’re playing catch-up right from the get go. It’s 1-0 after two periods because of the snowy conditions that forced their plane to be re-routed in the first game and 1-0 after two periods in the second game. So I back home after a pit stop in Duluth, Minn., on Saturday afternoon. mean we’re right there. We just have to play a little bit better and “It’s overblown. It’s playoff hockey and they’re going to be ready,” said hopefully tonight is the night we do that.” Boudreau, noting Wild players have been given the option to stay at a Jets head coach Paul Maurice wouldn’t say if he was considering any hotel near the rink during the day to avoid any driving issues. “It’s all lineup changes for Game 3, so here’s how both teams are expected to about the will and Winnipeg has will right now. This travel thing is a non- start on Sunday: issue as far as I’m concerned.” Winnipeg Jets The Jets, who hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, left Winnipeg on Sunday morning just after 9 a.m. and arrived in Minneapolis around Forwards 10:15 a.m. Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler Because they had to travel on game day, the Jets skipped their morning skate and will hold an afternoon availability at Xcel Energy Center. Nikolaj Ehlers-Paul Stastny-Patrik Laine “I’m sure it’s not the first option of travel that they’d like to take but at the Andrew Copp-Bryan Little-Jack Roslovic end of the day, as soon as you land and get to the hotel, you forget about that pretty fast,” said Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk. “I can’t see it being Brandon Tanev-Adam Lowry- Joel Armia anything more than something to talk about.” Defence While it’s true players are creatures of habit, Jets centre Paul Stastny Josh Morrissey-Jacob Trouba said that the travel issues won’t be a factor come puck drop. Joe Morrow-Dustin Byfuglien “It wasn’t bad. The nice thing is it’s a short flight Winnipeg to Minnesota, so that was the reason we tried to get in yesterday. If we didn’t get in, by Ben Chiarot-Tyler Myers the time we got home, it was still 6 o’clock,” said Stastny. “It was kind of a long afternoon, but you get home in time early enough for dinner and get Goalies a good sleep and then just get back on. We have a short flight. We got Connor Hellebuyck here early, got good prep in, got a good nap. Could have been way worse, right? Rather be safe than sorry. Conditions like this, you don’t Steve Mason want to risk it.” Minnesota Wild The Jets are expecting the Wild will raise their level, knowing that another loss would put them in an 0-3 hole. Forwards “Obviously, they’re in a little bit of a hole, but this is a game-by-game Jason Zucker-Eric Staal-Mikael Granlund thing,” said Jets captain Blake Wheeler. “The first two went our way, but Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Nino Niederreiter this is a new challenge, a new opportunity for our group tonight against a team with their backs against the wall, playing in front of their home Jordan Greenway-Matt Cullen-Charlie Coyle crowd in a building that they’ve had a lot of success in is going to be a big challenge. Marcus Foligno-Joel Eriksson Ek-Daniel Winnik “We’re excited for it. We’re excited to get into a hostile environment and Defence sink our teeth into it. We’re worried about ourselves, about how fast we Jonas Brodin-Matt Dumba can play this game and just try to get up to that speed we got to the last two periods of last game.” Nick Seeler-Jared Spurgeon Wheeler was asked if he’s noticed anything different about the style of Carson Soucy-Nate Prosser play for the Wild at home compared to on the road. Goalies “They have a lot of confidence in this building. It’s similar to what we’ve done in our building,” said Wheeler. “You go in there and it just works. Devan Dubnyk You expect it to work. Teams come in here and it’s a tough environment. We know we’ve got our work cut out for us. It’s going to be a tough night. Alex Stalock They are going to try to play with a lot of speed here tonight. Our goal is Winnipeg Sun LOADED 04.16.2018 to try to match that and continue to build off what we’ve been able to do in the first two games.” Boudreau isn’t planning any lineup changes, but he has promoted Mikael Granlund to the top line with Eric Staal and Jason Zucker and moved Nino Niederreiter onto a unit with Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise, who has scored two of the three goals for the Wild in the series. Since 2013, the Wild have won just one of 16 games in the first two games of a playoff series, but they’re feeling confident about returning home – especially since they had the fewest regulation losses in the NHL this season at Xcel Energy Center. “It’s just the place we feel good at. We certainly understand and we need to understand it’s not just because we’re home, it’s not going to magically happen out there,” said Dubnyk, who has allowed seven goals on 84 shots on goal and been the best player for the Wild in Games 1 and 2. “But I think we’ve played some very good hockey this year in this building 1091839 Winnipeg Jets “It makes everyone want to go out there and do the same,” Greenway said. “It's good to feed off a guy like that. He was a big impact for us.”

So was Greenway, the 6-foot-6 power forward who seems built for Unsung players step into the spotlight in Wild's Game 3 romp over Jets games like these.

It was his tally that really allowed the Wild to separate themselves. By Chad Graff 2h ago Twenty seconds after Staal put the Wild up 4-2, Greenway collected a loose puck in the slot after a Matt Cullen faceoff and fired a wrist shot over Connor Hellebuyck’s glove without even looking at the net.

As the cheers from the home crowd grew louder with the Wild’s QUICK TURN AND AN EVER QUICKER SHOT. dominating Game 3 win finally complete, Marcus Foligno skated to the home bench, the first player there, and looked around at more than THAT'S @JGREENWAY12'S FIRST CAREER GOAL. #NHLFIRSTS 19,000 fans that fought a foot of snow to watch the Wild notch a 6-2 over #STANLEYCUP PIC.TWITTER.COM/CCJ4J8PE6I the Winnipeg Jets. — NHL (@NHL) APRIL 16, 2018

His first career playoff win over, Foligno high-fived each teammate as “Just tell everyone that I picked that spot, alright?” Greenway joked after they left the ice, making sure to stay until there were none left, the last the game. Wild player to exit Sunday after a lopsided win, to which Foligno contributed a goal and a tone that carried throughout. Seeler was the player at the point on that play, earning his first postseason assist, which was followed up his very next shift with another In the two games prior, the Wild “got pretty bullied in Winnipeg with their helper. On that one, he pinched down and sent a shot that went wide of physical play,” Foligno said, leading to a pair of losses to begin this best- the net, but landed on Jared Spurgeon’s stick in time for a quick shot that of-seven series. But in returning the favor, Foligno was one of several smacked off Foligno’s stomach and into the back of the net, a second unheralded players that came through with the team’s backs against the point for the Eden Prairie native who is still getting accustomed to life in wall, setting up now a hugely important Game 4 Tuesday night. the NHL.

For all the talk this postseason about the Wild’s plethora of playoff EVEN MARCUS FOLIGNO GETS IN ON THE #MNWILD GOAL experience, it was an unsung group that helped make this first round SCORING PARADE TONIGHT. PIC.TWITTER.COM/5APVIIBODM series interesting. That group included: — GILES FERRELL (@GILESFERRELL) APRIL 16, 2018 — A 21-year-old in Jordan Greenway who was a college student enrolled in psychology courses at Boston University just weeks ago, now a relied- “It feels a little more normal now, but I think going on the ice when they upon member of the third line and the producer of the team’s fifth goal, introduce the Minnesota Wild and the fans are going with their towels it the first he’s ever scored in the NHL. just brings me back to all those games watching as a kid,” Seeler said. “It’s pretty cool. So sometimes you have to pinch yourself but at the end — A 24-year-old in Nick Seeler who managed only 10 assists in the of the day, you just have to do your job and play as a team.” minor leagues this season, where he spent most of the year, yet somehow developed into a steady player who notched two assists and The Wild were able to build on those three second-period goals within a finished with the best 5-on-5 Corsi percentage of all the team’s three-minute, 43-second span because of the way their penalty kill defensemen in Game 3. played against a Jets power play that was better than any in the Western Conference in the regular season. — A 21-year-old in Joel Eriksson Ek who has become such an important part of Bruce Boudreau’s penalty kill that the coach only regularly uses The Wild gave Winnipeg two power plays when the Jets were within a three other forwards when down a man, helping the Wild kill off four of goal, down 3-2, but killed them off because of the work from forwards the Jets’ five power plays Sunday, including an important stretch in the Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, Daniel Winnik and Eriksson Ek. second period where they successfully killed off three power plays in the first 12 minutes. “Any time you can kill a penalty against this team, it’s a great get, a great do or whatever the word is,” Boudreau said. “There were some guys STAAL, SEELER, GREENWAY, DUMBA AND FOLIGNO ON anxious to play, and when you take back-to-back penalties or you take a #WPGVSMIN GAME 3, THE EFFORT, THE UNSUNG HEROES & lot of penalties, there’s a lot of guys sitting on the bench because we use MORE. PIC.TWITTER.COM/ETFFGTWSOA the same guys killing penalties. … It was good to see that we killed them and it got the crowd more into it again, and then the third and fourth line — MINNESOTA WILD (@MNWILD) APRIL 16, 2018 all really working hard for keeping the puck in after that to get the rest of — And, of course, Foligno, the veteran of six previous NHL seasons the group going.” without a playoff appearance, who took it upon himself to set an The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 energetic, physical tone in front of the home fans, which Boudreau credited for turning “it all around” before Foligno completed the scoring frenzy with a goal that snapped a 10-game point-less streak.

“That's playoff hockey, you need everybody,” said Eric Staal. “You don't win unless you have four lines and all your defense core going. Those guys have been engaged right from Game 1 and have been real physical. And tonight, they were on the attack in the offensive zone, spending some time and they were rewarded with some big goals. We need a lot more out of everybody, and that's what you need to win.”

There were plenty of positive storylines for the Wild after scoring their most home postseason goals in franchise history — Staal’s goal, Parise’s third tally in three games, and Devan Dubnyk’s response from two subpar goals allowed among them. But for a team that has already lost Ryan Suter for the rest of the playoffs and has seen top lines slowed when faced with tough matchups on the road, the emergence of the team’s role players was a welcome one Sunday. With a chance to even the series now, a boost of bravado throughout the lineup is important.

“This win, this gives us a lot of confidence,” Foligno said. “We can beat this team.”

Their contributions started early. Foligno delivered several big hits that shed any concerns that the Jets’ bullying, in Foligno’s words, would carry into Game 3. 1091840 Winnipeg Jets whistle scrums, veteran refs Wes McCauley and Tim Peel set an early standard by calling Dumba and Matt Cullen on slashes across the hands. On a couple goalmouth scrums, the refs also chose to take only one In need of a major statement, Wild pour in six goals in Game 3 rout of player rather than multiple and perhaps even it up. Jets Maybe it was an instructed response to things getting out of hand in the waning seconds of Game 2.

By Michael Russo 2h ago 8 Regardless, Wheeler, the former Gopher who has points in nine of his last 10 regular-season or playoff games in St. Paul, scored an early power-play goal when his shot from basically the goal line at the bottom of the right circle kissed defenseman Jonas Brodin’s stick and hovered For one night at least, the Wild let the Winnipeg Jets know that they inside a post that Dubnyk didn’t have his leg pressed against. shouldn’t reserve their second-round flights and hotel rooms just yet. BLAKE WHEELER SNEAKS ONE PAST DUBNYK TO GIVE THE The Jets may still be in a good spot with a 2-1 quarterfinals lead, but #NHLJETS THE EARLY LEAD. #MNWILD during a 6-2 pounding on Sunday night, the Wild alerted their bitter rival PIC.TWITTER.COM/LE3DBUA3A8 — and frankly, their own disenchanted fans following two discouraging losses in Winnipeg — that they don’t plan to go down quietly. — GILES FERRELL (@GILESFERRELL) APRIL 15, 2018

The Wild showed they won’t be intimidated physically and can actually Fluky, bad goal, but Dubnyk didn’t let it destroy the rest of his game. dole out some punishment as well. “He straightened it out and made some key, key saves,” coach Bruce They demonstrated that they can get through the neutral zone and skate Boudreau said. “Goalies are amazing people that they can let those with and past the Jets. And they actually exhibited for the first time in the things go and come back and play great. I guess it’s a lot like a golfer series an ability to get to the middle of the ice, create traffic and, get this, making a bad shot. The good ones can let that shot go and look forward real-life shots on net that would actually test — and in Sunday’s case, to the next shot, and I think Duby’s in that category.” end — goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s night after 40 minutes. Defenseman Ben Chiarot, who frankly was the gift that kept on giving In a Game 3 victory, the Wild responded to an early Winnipeg power-play during a nightmarish 60 minutes, opened the Wild’s door by cross- goal with two power-play goals of their own and four second-period goals checking Staal. The Wild peppered Hellebuyck with shots until Jason to score the most goals they have ever scored at home in a playoff Zucker drew a minor from Adam Lowry. game. They got goals from six different players and points from 13 and used a total team effort to put at least a little doubt in the mind of the That gave the Wild a 1:21 5-on-3. After the first penalty expired, NHL’s second-best regular-season team. Granlund, who had just juked Chiarot out of his skates, scored on Koivu’s rebound. Of the six times in franchise history that the Wild lost the first two games of a series on the road, the Wild have returned home to win Game 3 in YEP, HERE'S GRANLUND MAKING A NICE MOVE ALONG THE WALL. five of them. PIC.TWITTER.COM/BLIOKESUNA

“Their last game was a bit of a statement game, and this is a bit of a — CRISTIANO SIMONETTA (@CMS_74_) APRIL 15, 2018 statement game for us,” goalie Devan Dubnyk said. “We’re here to play, Later in the period after Chiarot cross-checked Charlie Coyle into the and we’re fully capable of pushing hard, and we showed that tonight by boards, Koivu sent a seeing-eye, cross-slot pass onto the stick of Parise getting pucks to the net, bodies to the net and good things happen. We’ll for a tap-in. It was Parise’s third goal of the playoffs. feel good about it for a night and reset and understand that Game 4 (Tuesday) is just as big as this one.” #MNWILD PIC.TWITTER.COM/XEKTILK4PO

On a night where go-to guys Zach Parise, Eric Staal, Mikael Granlund — GILES FERRELL (@GILESFERRELL) APRIL 15, 2018 and Matt Dumba scored goals and captain Mikko Koivu had one of his best playoff games out of the franchise-record 53 he has played, the Wild Dumba took a penalty near the end of the first. The Jets’ power play also got a boatload of strong efforts from the unsung supporting cast. carried over into the second. The Wild killed it off.

Rookie Jordan Greenway scored his first goal as a pro. Rookie Defenseman Tyler Myers made it 3-2 with a slapper that blew by Dubnyk defenseman Nick Seeler, the Eden Prairie native who said he was at the 6:42 mark. pinching himself during starting lineups because it reminded him of when NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED, BUT DUBNYK MISSES THIS SHOT BY he rooted for the Wild as a kid, was an absolute beast with persistent, TYLER MYERS AND THE WILD LEAD IS CUT IN HALF. #MNWILD hard-nosed shifts. He also had two assists and four blocked shots. And #NHLJETS PIC.TWITTER.COM/OYKRBEZVPU glass-rattling checker Marcus Foligno set an early tone by erupting much of the crowd of 19,175 with body checks on consecutive shifts. He was — GILES FERRELL (@GILESFERRELL) APRIL 16, 2018 ultimately rewarded with his first career playoff goal — the team’s sixth of Then, Parise took a tripping minor 41 seconds later. the night. The dread in the crowd was palpable. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon fired a shot that hit Foligno in what he said what his “lower abdomen.” The Wild killed the penalty off, nonetheless, blocking four shots, including two by Seeler 12 seconds apart on Bryan Little. “Yeah, it was good,” Foligno said. “I’ll massage that one out later.” “He plays so hard,” Dubnyk said of Seeler. “You see the intensity on his It probably didn’t help matters that the Jets didn’t arrive in Minnesota until face when he plays. He blocks shots. I’m sure nobody wants to go in the Sunday morning. Their chartered flight was first diverted to Duluth corner with him. I know no one wants to drop the gloves with him. So because of Saturday’s blizzard, then returned to Winnipeg. They you’ve got to have mean guys like that on your team, and he’s been rescheduled their flight for 9 a.m. Sunday. Nobody used it as an excuse, great.” but the Jets certainly played like they were low on fuel. Then Coyle took a holding minor 61 seconds later. “It’s one game in a seven-game series,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. “We didn’t play anywhere near our level tonight, and it’s a fine line for us. The groan in the crowd was audible. We need to play with team speed, like we were able to accomplish the second half of both Games 1 and 2. They came out extremely hard, it’s But the Wild killed that one off, too, to also preserve the 3-2 lead. not a death sentence by any means in this building. But when that What’s amazing is Boudreau has continued a pattern where he basically second period started, we weren’t able to get faster. And that’s when the uses two sets of penalty-killing forwards — Koivu-Granlund and Joel game changed. They stuck with it, and we just weren’t able to get to our Eriksson Ek-Daniel Winnik. Sometimes he’ll throw Coyle or Parise out speed we needed to get to.” there, but he has stopped using guys like Staal, Cullen and Zucker. After an opening two games where it felt like the referees were letting anything go, even egregious things like slashes, cross-checks and post- The Wild’s penalty kill entered the playoffs on fire, and Boudreau has Still, Boudreau knows that Tuesday night, when the Wild try to even the continued the tactic despite the potential of tiring out the same four series and make it a best-of-three, will be a lot harder than Sunday. The forwards and defensemen like Dumba, Brodin, Seeler and Spurgeon. Jets will be intent on responding with a much better game.

The result in this particular case? “I still think we can play better. We built today,” he said. “There were building blocks of getting better. But there were times when I thought the “There were some guys anxious to play,” Boudreau said. “So, they had a whole team concept of the game, we didn't play as well as we could.” lot of not only emotion and passion, but a lot of energy when they got on the ice.” Now we have a playoff series.

There may be something to that. “You usually don’t run the table,” Maurice said.

Starting 2:16 after Coyle’s minor was killed, Staal and Greenway scored Myers injured on weird play 20 seconds apart. Myers, the 6-foot-8 Jets defenseman who has two goals in the series, left The Staal goal — his first in the playoffs since 2009 — came after a the game with a lower body injury in the second period after Foligno sensational spin-o-rama pass by Granlund after he forechecked Dustin stumbled into him. Byfuglien into a mishap. He left the arena with a slight limp after the game. THAT GRANLUND PASS THOUGH…? PIC.TWITTER.COM/XG6NUYUYLN “I went out to block the shot and then I thought he was jumping behind me and I don’t know, I just got tangled up and then he button-hooked — NHL GIFS (@NHLGIFS) APRIL 16, 2018 away from me,” Foligno said. “I don’t know what happened. He kind of fell after. I didn’t really, like, hit him or do anything other than I just might Asked when he has pulled off such a move before, Granlund said, have caught his leg or something with my shin pad or something, so I “Probably in a practice. The puck doesn’t stay on your blade like that don’t know what happened to him, but I hope he’s OK.” every time. A little lucky and a pretty nice shot by Staalzy.” Maurice said he didn’t like the play, an inference that he felt there was On the Greenway scenario, Cullen won a faceoff, Coyle lifted, guess some intent. It’s unclear on replay if their left legs collided or if he was who, Chiarot’s stick, Greenway found the puck, turned and let her rip. He hurt when Foligno sort of punched his right leg while bracing himself. joked that it should be reported that he aimed and picked his spot. “That's just an awkward play,” Jets center Adam Lowry said. “Foligno just JORDAN GREENWAY GETS HIS FIRST GOAL falls into him. It's unfortunate. I don't think there was any intent to injure PIC.TWITTER.COM/X5URIFECX6 or anything like that there.”

— PETE BLACKBURN (@PETEBLACKBURN) APRIL 16, 2018 The NHL indicated Foligno is not at risk of facing any supplemental “I just took the shot,” said the 21-year-old who a month ago was playing discipline. hockey for Boston University. “I didn’t know it went in honestly. I just The Athletic’s 3 Stars waited until everyone else reacted and then I reacted. You only get that moment once and it couldn’t have been at a better time.” 1. Mikko Koivu, Wild: Registered the primary assists on both of the Wild’s first two goals of the game. Quite easily said, this no doubt could have That goal led into Foligno’s call when he got inside position on, guess been the best playoff game of Mikko’s career. who, Chiarot after, guess who, Chiarot didn’t clear the zone earlier in the shift. 2. Nick Seeler, Wild: Notched his first two-career playoff points by assisting on goals from Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno. Chiarot’s the defenseman, incidentally, who got a two-year contract worth Absolutely tremendous on the penalty kill as well with big blocks for his $1.4 million annually last June. It was that contract that caused the Wild team. to cut loose Christian Folin because it would have been used as a comparable in a potential arbitration case had Folin filed. 3. Mikael Granlund, Wild: Tied the game at 1-1 with his power-play tally in the first period. He would later follow that up with an even better spin- So, maybe it was some kind of weird karma. o-rama assist to Eric Staal during the second period. Granlund was also Action died down in the third period after an emotional first period that great on the penalty kill. was spurred by gigantic checks as the intensity and hate rises in this Turning point series. Foligno nailed Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey on one shift and Andrew Copp later. It was a good response after earlier in the period The back-to-back penalty kills on the Parise and Coyle penalties in the Byfuglien was again throwing his weight around against players like Staal middle frame of the second period. After killing off both penalties, Eric and Nino Niederreiter. Staal scored his first goal of the playoffs 2:16 minutes later and the rout was on for the Wild. “Things might have stemmed from last game, just the physicality at the end of it,” Foligno said. “It was just more tonight of being clean and hitting The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 and being aggressive out there and trying to get the puck back.”

Added Dumba, “The hits, they definitely add up, the bangs and bruises that you get. They don’t just go away in a couple days. It’s just accumulating those and from the three games I think both teams are trying to do that. We got a couple good licks tonight.”

A good sign if the Wild, after not being able to generate much of anything in Winnipeg, spent a lot of time threatening the Jets and Hellebuyck. Coach Paul Maurice eventually gave him a mercy pull after two periods for Steve Mason.

“That was enough. He had seen enough,” Maurice said.

Parise said, “There was a lot of good things we did, and we did what we had to do to get this series to 2-1. Power play got some big goals for us, penalty kill was good, so it was good all-around, a lot of good stuff. I think just better plays, better passes and putting each other in better spots in the neutral zone where we could gain entry and that just made the game a little easier for us, a little more puck possession and we capitalized when we had some chances.” 1091841 Winnipeg Jets And what they might lack in playoff experience, they can make up for in some manner by pointing to a season-long habit of not letting losses ever pile up. They’ve rebounded well all season long.

LeBrun: Jets' first test of postseason is proving they can brush off Game “Yes, I think that’s something we’ve focused a lot on from past years,” 3 loss said Trouba. “Just keeping the same mentality. We kind of went on a roller-coaster the past years with thinking we’re great when we win and we’re the worst when we lose. I don’t think that’s crept into our game at By Pierre LeBrun 3h ago 28 all this year. We know what kind of team we are, we know how we can play. When we play that game, we like our chances most nights.”

They didn’t play “their game” a whole lot on Sunday night. ST. PAUL, Minn. — Game 4 on Tuesday night will be a meaningful barometer of how far this Winnipeg Jets team has come in its ascent to “Our game is based on some speed and some quickness and that was becoming one of the league’s elite teams. pretty much lacking in our game,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “We didn’t move the puck well. Didn’t skate as well as we need to, to Championship calibre squads have the ability to shrug their collective defend and we also didn’t generate.” shoulders after a stinker, develop 48-hour amnesia and get right back on track. Echoed Jets centre Adam Lowry: “We just kind of lacked our speed. The first two games we seemed to be on pucks and causing turnovers. For Because one thing’s for sure, they’re in a series now. whatever reason, we didn't have it. You have to give them some credit. What was a lopsided matchup through two games in Winnipeg got real They played a good game. They're a good team at home. We'll put this after Sunday night’s deserved, 6-2 win by the hometown Minnesota Wild. one behind us and move on to Game 4.”

The team with more playoff experience served notice it wasn’t rolling The Jets had a built-in excuse this weekend, their travel day on Saturday over. was a day-long odyssey to Duluth, Minnesota, and back to Winnipeg before finally flying into the Twin Cities on Sunday morning and forgoing But if you’re one for body language and demeanour, and at this time of the normal morning skate. year I pay particular attention to how the bearded men comport themselves after a playoff loss, I’ve got a message for Jets fans: put your Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau himself pointed to that in assuming mind at ease. that the Jets were likely affected to some degree by it and expected them to bounce back stronger Tuesday. One by one, every player in that visitors’ dressing room Sunday night didn’t just say the words but you could tell actually believed them through None of the Jets players would use the Planes, Trains and Automobiles and through. The eyes never lie. adventure as any kind of excuse.

“We lost a game, life goes on,” shrugged Jets defenceman Jacob Though Maurice, because I think the man is incapable of not telling the Trouba. “It’s a long series. I don’t think anybody in here is making it more truth, didn’t completely dismiss it. than it is.” “I don’t know if it made us worse, but I can say for a fact that it certainly Nor should they. didn’t make us better,” said the coach.

They’re still in great shape, up 2-1 in their first-round series with a chance What Maurice also didn’t like was seeing defenceman Tyler Myers go to go home and wrap things up Friday night in Winnipeg if they prevail in down to injury after a collision at the Wild's blueline with Nick Foligno. Game 4. “Didn’t love it,” said the Jets coach, inferring that he didn’t like what the The math in this series should still add up to more puck touches and shot Minnesota player did there. attempts, and ultimately, more goals and wins for the more talented Jets. No word yet Sunday night on the severity of Myers’ injury, but quite But what we’ll find out after Winnipeg fell into the trap of taking a few obviously that will be a big one to monitor. You don’t replace his top-four dumb penalties Sunday, losing its composure at times and, ultimately, minutes and role very easily. As the Wild are living now without Ryan coming out of its game plan, is the mettle of a team long on talent but Suter. short on true playoff experience. Injury to Myers aside, the only other question left pondering with the Jets Just how much this intangible truly matters in today’s youth-filled NHL I is how Connor Hellebuyck responds after getting pulled two periods and suppose one can debate, but this is the one area that the Wild win six goals into the game. His teammates weren’t great in front of him, but hands-down, and there’s absolutely nothing the Jets can do to change it. he wasn’t swell, either. The core of this Minnesota team has been in the playoffs year after year. He was the convenient narrative before the playoffs when wondering Winnipeg, in its second playoff series in seven years, is truly green here about Winnipeg’s playoff chances for no other reason than, despite an and that can’t change until living out this spring to its fullest. outstanding, 44-win regular season, he had never played an NHL playoff “You can't really talk about experience when a lot of guys don't have it,” game before. said Jets centre Bryan Little. “We're going through this together, leaning Again, I see no reason for concern here, he will be better in Game 4, on some of the older guys, like Buff (Dustin Byfuglien), who've been there even if he wasn’t overly enthused taking questions about his own game before and been on that journey. We're a group that learns day-to-day, on this night. and we talk to each other about it. We're forgetting about this one and getting ready for the next one.” “I don't really want to get into details because I'm putting this one behind me,” he said. “We've got a long series ahead of us and I really want to I’ve been in dressing rooms after a playoff loss over the years where the look forward to the next one because this is a fun time of year.” words just don’t match the eyes or the overall body language. Where you’re just not buying what’s being sold. Because you see a young man The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 staring in the head lights, deep down shaken by what’s suddenly happened in a series, and you wonder how they’re going to truly respond.

This is not Winnipeg. Not right now.

This is a team that scorched through March/April to wrap up the regular season, winning 11 of 12 to end things, before crushing Minnesota in each and every way in the opening two games at home.

The Jets got hammered on this night, but it absolutely feels like a momentary speed bump to what still feels like a very likely outcome. 1091842 Winnipeg Jets Goalie Devan Dubnyk concurred: “I’m sure it’s not he first option of travel that they’d like to take, but at the end of the day, as soon as you land and get to the hotel, you forget about that pretty fast. I can’t see it being Wild-Jets notes: Tyler Ennis being a pro about not playing; Jets late in to anything more than something to talk about.” St. Paul Earlier this season, Wild players had problems getting to a home game against Ottawa because of a snowstorm. Some players had to abandon their cars, some players barely made it in time for warmups. Defenseman By Michael Russo Apr 15, 2018 36 Matt Dumba even slammed into the back of Ennis’ car.

Because of this, many Wild players are staying in day rooms Sunday at a local St. Paul hotel. Trailing 0-2 in a playoff series usually triggers lineup changes, but Sunday night when the Wild host the Winnipeg Jets, Tyler Ennis will be “This is real playoff weather … if you’re playing in Antarctica,” cracked scratched for a third consecutive game. Boudreau.

Ennis admits to, obviously and understandably, being frustrated, but he’s Etc. also being professional about it. Dumba didn’t practice Saturday or skate Sunday morning due to an “You have to have a fire. You have to be competitive. I'm determined to undisclosed injury, sources say. The Wild even took it easy on stay ready and be ready,” Ennis, 28, said. “If the opportunity comes. I'll defenseman Ryan Murphy on Sunday morning in case Murphy has to be in shape and I'll be ready to go. I think I can help the team. If I'm not play Sunday night. in, I'm here to support my team.” But Boudreau said Dumba will be in the lineup against the Jets. Coach Bruce Boudreau said he’d love to play Ennis, but right now, “it’s really difficult.” The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018

He said rookies Jordan Greenway and Joel Eriksson Ek don’t deserve to come out.

“I like the way both of those young men have played, and we’re not going to start a controversy where one of the top six forwards are not playing good, take him out and put Tyler in at this stage anyway,” Boudreau said. “I think that’d be counterproductive.”

The one player who could probably come out is Ennis’ former Buffalo Sabres teammate, Marcus Foligno, but he too is playing well and bringing size and physicality to the fourth line with Eriksson Ek and Daniel Winnik. Boudreau’s not about to scratch the latter two, particularly because they’re solid penalty killers.

As for Greenway, Boudreau said, “He’s gotten better every game. I thought he was our best forward, quite frankly, in Winnipeg the last game. He’s a big, strong kid, but he’s also got pretty good hands. He’s got really good hockey sense. He’s very responsible without the puck, and you’re learning this more and more. Even though it’s only his eighth game. We’re seeing a lot of really good things out of him.”

While Ennis can bring speed and skill, Boudreau was not happy with his season. He felt Ennis turned too many pucks over and was pushed off the puck easily, so it’s likely Boudreau feels his size would be an issue against the Jets. He scored eight goals and 14 assists in 73 games during the regular season.

Most saddening for Ennis is he’s hoping to play in his first postseason since 2011.

“That just adds to the frustration,” Ennis said. “Like I said, I'm going to support everyone in the room and be a good teammate and be ready to help the team when I get in.”

Most interesting, Iowa’s season has come to an end, so the Wild recalled forwards Kurtis Gabriel, Kyle Rau and Justin Kloos and goalie Niklas Svedberg as initial Black Aces on Sunday. It’s likely that Rau or Gabriel now would get in even before Ennis.

Wild hope Winnipeg has Jet Lag

The Jets, whose flight was diverted to Duluth on Saturday because of the blizzard that hit the Twin Cities, ended up flying back to Winnipeg, spending the night there and flying to Minnesota on Sunday morning. They landed at 10:15.

Boudreau said the Wild can’t expect anything but the Jets’ best Sunday night just because their normal routine was thrown off.

“It’s overblown. It’s playoff hockey and they’re going to be ready,” said Boudreau, the former Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks coach. “We had a time in Washington, one time we had a noon game, Pittsburgh couldn’t get in, they bussed in 10 hours before the game and outplayed us really badly. It’s all about the will and Winnipeg has will right now, so this travel thing is a non-issue as far as I’m concerned.” 1091843 Winnipeg Jets aren't, Winnipeg's top end is better, and the Wild have some key players nicked up. Unless you think that Suter is one of the best players in the world, the gulf between the Wild and Jets looks vast. I'm not sure that the Dellow: Through two games, Jets on cusp of historic 5-on-5 pounding of series returning to Minnesota will help the Wild all that much — there just Wild seem to be too many holes to fill.

It's not all on the players, though. Coming in to the series, I was wondering how the Wild would generate power-play goals against the By Tyler Dellow Apr 15, 2018 21 Jets. Colleague Murat Ates was on the same page, foreseeing that Minnesota would end up blasting away from the outside, unable to

generate anything from in close. There's a cliche in hockey that a playoff series doesn't really start until In Game 1, the Wild had but a single power play. Everything they the home team loses a game. By that standard, the Jets-Wild series generated was from the outside. Gord Miller thought there was a hasn't started yet. Having watched the games though, it doesn't feel like deflection in there but I'm skeptical. At the very least, it wasn't really a the Wild are all that close to the Jets and, barring some sort of a miracle, shot intended to be tipped — those tend not be fired in three feet off the it looks like they're going to be polished off handily by the Jets, who are ice, some of the guys I've played beer league with notwithstanding. up 2-0 in the best-of-seven first-round series. As I pointed out before the series, when the Wild have scored power-play Some of these failings are hard to pin on the coaching staff. Through two goals with their 3F2D this year, the goals have tended to be scored by games, the Wild have been getting run over at 5-on-5. As I discussed the forwards from in tight. prior to the series, the loss of Ryan Suter put the Wild into a really bad position because they don't really have anyone who you'd remotely want So running a power play that's bombing away from the outside with no to push into a top-four role. It's not just that though — there isn't a Wild realistic chance of generating deflections is kind of a waste of time, both defenceman with a Corsi% that's topped 40 per cent through two games. generally and in the specific case of how the Wild have scored goals. Only two forwards — Marcus Foligno and Joel Eriksson Ek — are over Game 2 saw some improvement on this front, in that the Wild started 40 per cent. It's been rough. generating some things from the side of the ice and where there was a realistic possibility of a deflection. More than half of it was still just Even if you accept that Winnipeg's a deeper team than the Wild and that aimless shots from the outside. this is exacerbated by Suter's absence, getting outshot 75-28 with a 33.9 per cent Corsi% is a pretty remarkable achievement over two games for (In fairness – I still don't like these shots from the outside particularly, but a playoff team. Looking a little more closely, there's something bizarre I liked the job that Mikko Koivu did setting a few screens for the shooter, going on. Through two games, Minnesota's had 43 defensive zone which you'll notice in the video.) faceoffs at 5-on-5, going 26-17. Not bad. Winnipeg's only had 15 defensive zone faceoffs, going 8-7. That said, there were some better looks for the Wild in Game 2, including a goal. There's a little bit of an icing effect here but not a huge one — at 5-on-5, the Wild have iced the puck seven times to four for the Jets. The Wild You have to keep the power play stuff in perspective — the Wild scored just seem to be struggling to slow down the Jets at all, even in situations 6.9 GF/60 in the two games in Winnipeg, which is about what an average where they should be able to do so. For example, the winning goal in power play does, which seems to be about what they are. That said, if Game 1 came on a Minnesota shift that began with a defensive zone they want to get past the Jets, particularly with the way in which faceoff win. The Wild were unable to clear and it ended up in the back of Winnipeg has been running over them at 5-on-5, they're going to need to the net. find a way to squeeze some extra goals out.

These things happen. Unfortunately, it's part of a broader trend. On their Game 2 was probably a write-off either way, but a Game 1 power-play 26 shifts that have begun with defensive zone faceoff wins to this point in goal would have been huge for Minnesota. If they're going to find a way the series, they've allowed shot attempts on 50 per cent of them. In the past Winnipeg, consistently finding a way to get inside and avoiding regular season, they allowed shot attempts on just 37 per cent of those wasted shots from the outside would be big. shifts. (Obviously, we're in the land of small samples but that's the So through two games, the Jets look imperious and as if they're cruising playoffs.) That goal is representative of a larger problem over the course toward the second round. Minnesota's probably down to hoping that a of the first two games for Minnesota. combination of bounces and Devan Dubnyk can steal the series. That's It's showing up elsewhere, too. Minnesota's struggled to produce not a fun place to be. anything after winning neutral zone faceoffs. Their forecheck hasn't The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 slowed up the Jets after Minnesota loses an offensive zone faceoff. The Jets have just gone through them over and over. It's hard to nail it down to “The Wild need to do this and this better” because they've been getting hammered at basically everything 5-on-5 related. Which is why I kind of look at the players rather than the coaching.

History is always helpful when it comes to understanding how total a beatdown has been. Hockey started with the better data era in 2007-08. Since then, 86 teams have gone down 2-0 in a series. The only other team with a worse Corsi% through two games than Minnesota's against Winnipeg was the Colorado Avalanche in a 2007-08 series against Detroit, a possession powerhouse. Colorado lost the first two games with a 33.83 per cent Corsi%. Why take it to a second digit after the decimal? Well, the Wild are at a 33.85 per cent Corsi% through two games. It really is about as bad as it can get.

Generally speaking, it's more difficult to get terribly outshot while losing. The other team sits back, your team is pressing…poof! Score effects. When you look at the teams that have won the first two games of a series with a 60 per cent or better Corsi% since 2007-08, you've got the 2007- 08 Red Wings (against Colorado, Nashville and Pittsburgh), the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks (against Minnesota) and the 2008-09 Chicago Blackhawks (against Calgary). The 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings just miss this list, at 40.3 per cent. And this year's Winnipeg Jets. That's some impressive company.

As I said above, this seems like a talent issue from Minnesota's perspective more than anything. Winnipeg's incredibly deep, the Wild 1091844 Winnipeg Jets In Evan Sporer’s Game 2 walkthrough for The Athletic, he broke down the Jets single biggest area of success – the way Winnipeg shut down the Wild in transition.

Winnipeg's 2-0 lead is built on neutral zone pressure that won't stop in Minnesota did protect the middle of the ice, largely as advertised. But Minnesota Winnipeg came at the Wild in waves, with speed, as soon as Minnesota’s first breakout pass. The Jets dominance of shot attempts and zone time was built off of overwhelming up ice pressure. By Murat Ates Apr 15, 2018 15 I won’t steal all of Sporer’s excellent work but I will borrow his first example:

Through its opening two wins of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, This is a set breakout off of a faceoff win and it goes to Mikael Granlund, Winnipeg has played nearly twice as much hockey in Minnesota’s end as one of the Wild’s fastest and most intelligent transition players. Typically, it has in its own. Granlund with the puck in the neutral zone is a zone entry waiting to happen but, in this case, Morrow instantaneously closes him down. It’s safe to say the Wild are noticing. It’s a pattern that repeated itself throughout the game. Granlund and “We had nothing,” lamented Charlie Coyle. other Wild players can’t fly through the neutral zone if they can't get “Just not a lot of puck possession for us,” echoed Zach Parise. across their blue line.

“We couldn’t answer their momentum,” explained Mikko Koivu. “I think our puck movement has gotta be a lot better,” Parise explained. “When we do gain possession of it, we're not coming up the ice together, “Couldn’t get into the (offensive) zone,” said Jason Zucker. too many broken plays through the neutral zone, it's just not a lot of puck possession for us. We're making it hard.” Still, no one said it better than Wild coach Bruce Boudreau, when asked if the advantage of last change in Minnesota would lead to a change in I’d argue that Winnipeg’s speed and commitment to up-ice pressure is series fortunes. the source of Minnesota’s problems.

“I think all the matchups were hurting tonight,” Boudreau declared. “We And, if you go through history and pick through the 12.7 per cent of didn’t have a shot on goal until five minutes left in the third period.” teams who have come back from being down, 2-0, I suspect you’ll find a lot of them controlled the game better than Minnesota has thus far. Indeed, it is hard to like a counterpuncher’s chances when the counter never comes. And the way Winnipeg is playing right now, it’s hard to Parise put it this way. imagine this series turning on its head any time soon. “We've gotta play a lot better than we have in the first two. We got to Through 102 minutes and 27 seconds of 5-on-5 play, Winnipeg has 66 figure out a way to get some offensive zone time and I feel like we've per cent of the shot attempts and 63 per cent of high danger scoring been playing on three quarters of the rink for two games now. You're not chances. Even against the Wild’s collapsing, slot-protecting defensive going to win like that.” posture, the Jets have found ways to break through for a 6-2 lead in 5- on-5 goals. Winnipeg’s lead isn’t built off of bounces. It is the product of territorial play so consistently dominant, offence often feels inevitable – even if it’s “Listen, we’re trying,” Boudreau said after Friday night’s game. “You guys coming from further away. are trying to make it sound like we’re not trying. They played really good and they beat us tonight. We’ll be ready on Sunday.” At the onset of the series, I asked Paul Maurice point blank: given that the Wild protect the middle of the ice so well, how do you get to prime He certainly didn’t sound defeated – and, the last time I checked it takes real estate? four wins to win a playoff series – but the odds are wildly stacked in Winnipeg’s favour right now. “Maybe you don’t, right? If they’re all in the middle of the ice, you don’t need to be.” One year ago against St. Louis, when Minnesota faced the same 2-0 deficit it does today, Dane Mizutani looked up the odds: teams down 0-2 As I processed my surprise, Maurice continued. “They protect the middle in the NHL playoffs came back to win the series only 12.7 per cent of the of the ice pretty well. You’re just not getting there easily. You certainly time. Those odds weren’t inspiring then and, given that St. Louis closed don’t want to force things in that aren’t there because they have so many out the Wild in five games, it’s not inspiring now. bodies there. We skate well – we’ll have to use the ice around them.”

Today, Dom Luszczyszyn gives Winnipeg a 90 per cent chance of Winnipeg’s offensive depth means most lines can attack the middle of winning round one. the ice so honestly and with such legitimate threat that Minnesota’s defensive posture is a necessity as much as a habit. As they have done all season long, the Jets are saying all of the right things. After Saturday morning’s practice as the Bell MTS Iceplex, Tyler This opens up offence in other areas of the zone. Myers promised Winnipeg won’t let up. With thanks once again to Shayna Goldman for the .GIF, here is Myers “We make comments every day about it for sure,” said Myers, who with proof: opened Friday night’s scoring with a highlight reel goal. “We’ve created I have said it many times: attacking from the blue line in is Myers’ biggest that habit of that’s just the level we know we have to play at to win. It’s strength. That deke – from a standstill, no less – looks like a high risk, become a part of our room, a part of our game.” high reward play that simply shouldn’t work. But Myers pulls it off Paul Maurice was quick to caution against overconfidence, citing regularly. Minnesota’s sterling 27-6-8 record at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint When I asked him how it felt to watch such a high-risk move from the Paul. bench, Maurice wryly raised an eyebrow before responding. “It’s a loud building,” Maurice said. “What we need to do is handle it. Our “Yeah,” Maurice began, then smiled as he collected his thoughts. “I’m game won’t change, the things that we want to accomplish on the ice, but pretty sure I can’t be drowned. I can hold my breath for a long time.” it’s going to feel different on the bench.” On Saturday, Maurice was more confident. “In that building, the puck crosses the blue-line and the crowd is expecting the chance… It just needs to get near the net and they get “We encourage them,” he said. “And we do have a five-man offensive pretty excited. It’s all part of the learning process for the new guys and zone game that we like to play. But there’s a responsibility there. I the veteran guys who’ve had that experience before can help out.” thought we were on the right side of some of those decisions.”

The biggest key to Winnipeg closing the Wild out will be maintaining the To me, what all of this adds up to is the fact that this series will be won or speed and intensity of its puck pressure. lost at Minnesota’s blue line. Spectacular plays like Myers made might yet be part of it but smart decisions, aggressive up ice pressure, and a thorough commitment to taking away Minnesota’s time and space will play a bigger role.

It’s hard to bet on a counterpuncher who doesn’t have time to take a swing.

And if you ask me, Winnipeg is too good to let the Wild take theirs.

The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091845 Vancouver Canucks Owen Sound Attack ✔ Canucks prospects tracker: Week of April 16 @AttackOHL Tonight's Hatten Home Building Centre Hardest Working Player: Mike Raptis #21, Jonah Gadjovich!#RedRising 6:36 PM - Apr 15, 2018 It’s the latest edition of the weekly tracker, where we tally up the efforts of 25 the Canucks’ highest-profile prospects: See Owen Sound Attack's other Tweets Olli Juolevi Twitter Ads info and privacy His TPS team was just swept out of the SM-Liiga semi-finals, but Juolevi was one of the lone bright spots for the squad. Gadjovich’s season has been marred with injuries, including a late- season fall into the boards that was thought to have affected his back. Juolevi had his strongest game of the playoffs in Game 4, a 6-5 overtime After scoring 25 goals and assisting on 23 others in 42 games this win for Poleaxe in which the Canucks’ 5th-overall selection in 2016 had season, he has one goal and two assists in seven playoff games thus far. two assists, was a +3 and had a whopping ten shots on net in 26:53 of ice time. Game 7 is set for Tuesday in the Soo. Ryan Biech Jonathan Dahlen ✔ To the victor go the spoils. @ryanbiech Dahlen’s dream season in Sweden may be over, but the young hotshot has continued to light it up for the Utica Comets. The first of Olli Juolevi's assists from today#Canucks Dahlen scored his first AHL goal on Sunday, a 4-3 overtime win in the 11:15 AM - Apr 9, 2018 Comets’ final game of the regular season. He also added an assist in what was his second game with the team. 24 x - Utica Comets See Ryan Biech's other Tweets ✔ Twitter Ads info and privacy @UticaComets Perhaps the most maligned of the Canucks’ prized prospects this season, Juolevi finished the season playing his best hockey. His up-and- .@JonathanDahlen nets his first AHL goal! Carter Bancks and down campaign actually looks good on paper, with seven goals, twelve @cherny22 get the assists! #BNGvsUTI assists and a +7 rating in 38 games played. 12:23 PM - Apr 15, 2018 But the playoffs were where Juolevi excelled. In ten playoff games, he had two goals, five assists and was a +5 while averaging a healthy 23:17 525 on the ice, up from his season average of 17:52. 139 people are talking about this He recently told News1130’s Rick Dhaliwal he feels more ready for pro Twitter Ads info and privacy hockey now. It took a while for him to transition from playing against boys in junior to men in Finland, but it’s helped his defensive game and was a It appears he’s feeling right at home wearing the green and blue. We’ll good decision overall on his part. see if he can he keep the good vibes going in the playoffs as the Comets take on the AHL’s best team, the , in a best-of-seven Juolevi’s next move is still unclear. He will either join the Utica Comets series that begins on Saturday. for their upcoming playoff run or Team Finland for the World Championships. View image on Twitter Jonah Gadjovich View image on Twitter It was long-thought that Gadjovich’s underwhelming playoff performance Comets Talk thus far for Owen Sound was a result of a nagging injury. @cometstalk The fact he sat out of Games 4 and 5 against the top team in the OHL confirmed it. Green and Blue looks good @JonathanDahlen Gadjovich suited up in the Attack’s 6-2 win in Monday’s Game 3 against 5:48 PM - Apr 15, 2018 the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, but did not register a point and had 3 only one shot on goal. That was enough for the coaching staff, who did not dress him in Games 4 and 5, both losses for the Attack. See Comets Talk's other Tweets But the “man-child” was back for Game 6 — with a vengeance. Twitter Ads info and privacy Gadjovich scored a goal and assisted on another in an emphatic 7-1 win Thatcher Demko for the Attack. In Sunday’s regular season finale win, Demko did something no other /Cam Robinson/ Comets goalie has done before. @CrazyJoeDavola3 Demko is now the Comets all-time leader in regular season wins with 25. He finishes a stellar season with a 25-13-7 record, a 2.44 goals-against- Jonah Gadjovich returned to the lineup today and produced a goal, average and a .922 save percentage. He now goes head-to-head against assist and 5 SOG to help Owen Sound force a game 7. the best goalie in the AHL, the Marlies’ Garret Sparks. He’s up to 3 points (1+2) in 8 OHL playoff games. #Canucks Kole Lind 7:10 PM - Apr 15, 2018 And he’s on the board. 25 Lind had a slow start with the Comets after getting called up from the See /Cam Robinson/'s other Tweets juniors, but has now notched his first point in the pros. Twitter Ads info and privacy The second-round pick from the 2017 draft had a secondary assist in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Bellevue Senators. By all accounts, he’s He was also named the game’s hardest working player. getting more comfortable six games into his professional career. Cory @CoryHergott Kole Lind has dished a few nifty passes today...he is looking a little more comfortable with each game 5:08 PM - Apr 14, 2018 25 See Cory's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy He’s also getting more and more ice time in crucial moments of games: something that can build his confidence ahead of the playoffs. Cory @CoryHergott Was nice to see Kole Lind out in the final minute of a 1-1 game. 6:21 PM - Apr 13, 2018 13 See Cory's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Elias Pettersson The Swedish Hockey League final (or the SM-Slutspel in Swedish) is now set with Pettersson’s top-ranked Vaxjo Lakers to take on Skelleftea on Tuesday. Skelleftea is the fifth-seeded team in the playoffs, and defeated the second-ranked Djurgardens to reach the final. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091846 Vancouver Canucks a point, Jasek scored the OT winner against Binghamton in Sunday's season finale:

Not exactly a Mona Lisa, but hey. Goal's a goal. And that one saw him Five Canucks prospects to watch as Utica readies for the Calder Cup finish the year with seven points in six games. playoffs Jasek's been something of an enigma over the last two seasons, partly because it was difficult to know where the hell he was playing. Since By Mike Halford 1h ago getting drafted, he skated for eight different teams throughout the Czech hockey system, with mixed results. CanucksArmy has a deeper dive into the circumstances but the gist is that Jasek was loaned around a lot, landed in a few spots where opportunities were limited, and wasn't After a year's hiatus, the Utica Comets are back in the dance. always playing with the highest calibre of teammates. There's a style-of- play issue in the Czech Republic — notably in the Extraliga — and clubs The Comets wrapped their regular season on Sunday to finish with 88 are often laden with vets. Like Jasek's Liberec team, where four of the points and fourth in the North Division — putting them on a Calder Cup top five scorers were 32 or older. collision course with the first-place Toronto Marlies. As such, Comets GM Ryan Johnson admitted he knew a little about The opening round series, a best-of-five, will begin on Saturday, April 21 Jasek's game prior to the 20-year-old arriving in Utica, but didn't know 1) at Ricoh. Game 2 will go the following day before the series shifts to just how good he could be, and 2) how quickly he would adapt to the Utica for Game 3 on April 25. North American game and rigors of the AHL (Utica ended the year on a From a Vancouver perspective, it promises to be one of the most tripleheader, to wit). intriguing and anticipated Calder Cup playoff series in quite a while. With “Knowing what we knew of him from development camps and from when the local squadron having wrapped its season over a week ago and the we drafted him, we knew he could fly,” Johnson said. “We knew he could Comets dressing a number of the club's ballyhooed prospects, this is a skate, we knew he was smart and he was very well conditioned. Coming chance to see the “next generation” take on a formidable foe in a highly in, I wasn't sure — smaller ice, less time and space — but he has shown competitive atmosphere. willingness, a very good hockey IQ, thinks the game well and skates And with that, let's take a look at five prospects that will undoubtedly be himself into really good position. He's also shown an offensive side to his under the microscope. game that has been very welcomed.” Thatcher Demko Which begs the question: What Jasek's ceiling? Well, small sample sizes and all that, but he's looked extremely promising for the Comets thus far, Just days after Canucks GM Jim Benning said he'd be in an open and Johnson suggested this upcoming post-season experience could go competition for NHL minutes next year, Demko will now undertake the a long way in helping Jasek fulfil his NHL dream. biggest challenge of his professional hockey career. Toronto has been an absolute buzzsaw this year, finishing atop the AHL with 54 wins and 112 “This is a hard jump to make, and he's done it very confidently,” Johnson points (with a ridiculous plus-84 goal differential). said. “He's made good steps every game and has played some important minutes for us. This is a huge time for us to get a look at him. The kid This, simply put, is a major test. wanted to be over to North America and show he could play here. The kid is hungry and wants to be an NHL player, and I love that. The Marlies have a ton of good, young talent throughout the lineup and could be even more loaded by Saturday's series opener. If the Leafs “He's jumped in, fit into our lineup and had some success doing things continue their implosion and bow out early to Boston, the likes of Kasperi the right way. We're just continuing to build with him. I think he'll play a Kapanen, Travis Dermott and Andreas Johnsson could soon be back on good role with our team as we head into the playoffs which, again, the active roster. development-wise is a huge step.” Toronto's depth and collective firepower aren't the only things at play. Jonathan Dahlen Demko will also face off against Marlies goalie Garrett Sparks who, on Wednesday, captured the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the Dahlen's been with Utica for an even shorter period of time than Jasek, AHL’s most outstanding goaltender. Sparks did it on the strength of a 30- yet he too has impressed. 9-1-1 record, six shutouts and a .936 save percentage. It would be a nice After helping his Swedish league team, Timra, earn promotion to the top feather in Demko's cap if he's able to outduel the league's top netminder, division, Dahlen was shipped to Utica midweek and made his AHL debut and most suspect he'll have to if the Comets stand any chance of in Saturday's loss to Belleville. Though it was a relatively modest start — advancing. no points, minus-1 and just two shots on goal — he played very well in Utica won't be a massive underdog, but an underdog nonetheless. The Sunday's win over Binghamton, finishing with a goal and two points. Comets only beat the Marlies in three of eight head-to-head matchups “I thought it was good for (Dahlen) to get in there on the scoresheet,” this year. Comets head coach Trent Cull said in the aftermath, per the Post- There's no question the entire Vancouver organization is eagerly Dispatch. “I thought he had a good day.” anticipating how its prospects will fare against a league power. But it's Dahlen's in a unique situation, to put it mildly. His experience playing in fair to suggest there'll be extra attention paid to Demko, given he's the North America is so minimal — the last two games of the regular season, goalie of the future and could be wearing a Canucks sweater next and a few exhibition contests with the Comets prior to leaving for Swede season. — but he's probably better equipped than most to jump into the Calder Count his goalie coach, Curtis Sanford, among those keen to see how Cup playoffs. Dahlen been playing high-stakes post-season games for the 22-year-old does. basically the last month. He led the Allsvenskan in playoff scoring, with 14 points in 10 games, and was a huge catalyst in Timra coming back “It's going to be really interesting to see his approach, to see if he can from 3-1 down to win its promotion series against Karlskrona. stay grounded,” Sanford told The Athletic last month. “I think the biggest thing will be if he can rise to the occasion of professional playoff hockey. Developmentally, this season has turned out very well for the 20-year- He's ready to take that step, and obviously you have to take that step if old, especially given the way it started. Dahlen was sidelined with mono you're looking to become an NHL goalie not too far down the road.” and was slow upon returning to play, yet still managed to finish a point- per-game player (44 in 44 during the regular season) before lighting up It's worth noting that Demko was excellent for the Comets over the final the playoffs. four weeks of the regular season. He made 257 saves on 273 shots over his final eight games, good for a .941 save percentage. All told he's could end up playing 60 games this year, which would bode very well for his progression. Lukas Jasek Kole Lind Jasek's been a Comet for all of two weeks. But what a two weeks they've been. Like fellow prospects Jasek and Dahlen, Lind joined the Comets late in the regular season. Jasek, the 20-year-old taken in the sixth round of the 2015 draft, has been piling up the points since coming over from Czech League outfit Unlike Jasek and Dahlen, success hasn't come as quickly. Liberec. He scored a goal and three points in his debut on March 31, Lind has just one point in six games for the Comets and only one shot on registered two assists in his second game, found the back of the net goal through his first three. Of course, none of that should be alarming or again in his third. After a two-game “slump” in which he failed to register very surprising. Whereas Jasek and Dahlen were playing professionally prior to coming to Utica, Lind was squaring off against similarly-aged peers for Kelowna in the WHL. Lind is also a year younger than his aforementioned counterparts — he won't turn 20 until October — and as Johnson explained, the jump from junior to the American League can be an extremely difficult one. “The big thing for Kole — and I say this a lot — when I talk about skating and pace about players, people automatically say 'Oh, well, Ryan thinks they're not fast enough,' but that's not it,” Johnson explained. “Skating, to me, almost 60 per cent of it is mental. It's forcing yourself to get up and go. Forcing yourself to understand that time and space now is minimal. You have to make split decisions right on the spot, and you don't have the time you had in junior to plant and look for your play, or pull up and look for seams. “Everything happens so, so fast. When I talk about the pace for Kole, right from game one even to where he was [against Syracuse in his third game], has made a huge difference. He's learning the pace, learning the time and space, and by the end of that weekend you saw him able to use his skill set, because he's making decisions quicker. He's getting off the wall and getting his feet moving, looking for the play as opposed to getting his head up and planting his feet, and saying 'Now, where's my play?' The first game, I think there was a little bit of humbling. But he also did some very good things. He's a smart player with a special skill set. Every game he's taken another step.” While I've toyed with the idea of Lind possibly pushing for a spot in Vancouver next season — especially given the organization mandate to be “really young” — the reality is he needs more seasoning, and will likely be back in Utica next season. As such, he'll be a curious one to watch in this playoff series against Toronto. It's unclear how big an opportunity he'll receive, especially since Cull made note of the fact that with his team getting healthy and all the reinforcements from Vancouver (Nikolay Goldobin and Tyler Motte specifically), there's a real battle for minutes at forward. Zack MacEwen Big picture, this has been a really successful year for MacEwen. The undrafted product out of the Quebec League finished as Utica's leading rookie scorer, with 33 points in 66 games, which put him top-30 in the league among first-year players. Lately, though, it's fair to suggest MacEwen might've hit a wall. He missed some time with an upper-body injury and his production dried up down the stretch, scoring just one goal over his final 18 games of the regular season. This shouldn't deter from what's otherwise been a solid campaign for a guy with some intriguing attributes. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he's one of the biggest prospects in the organization. More on that, from our very own Ryan Biech: MacEwen plays a power-forward game that suits the new NHL. He's not afraid to get into the corners or go in front of the net and get his hands dirty and isn't a slow, lumbering liability. He can play with skilled players or be a net-front presence. There is value in players who can complement skill and MacEwen has done that and more this season. A noteworthy training camp and pre- season will go a long way in getting himself into the conversation as an injury call-up for the Canucks next year. I asked MacEwen last month what he needs to work on the most, and he replied, “Stay physical as much as possible.” Well, he's got an excellent opportunity to do just that. Trot out all the cliches about hard, physical battles of playoff hockey and apply them to MacEwen, who has shown some feistiness of late. That included a late-season scrap with noted Binghamton tough guy Michael Latta, a fight that saw MacEwen eat a few big punches while hanging in with a pretty experienced pugilist. The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091847 Vancouver Canucks come down for another year — and he has the qualities to carry that mantle and follow the twins’ sterling example.

“Their play speaks for itself but I think it’s what they did off the ice and The Sedins may have retired, but their example should still inspire next how they approached the game and how they treated other people. generation of Canucks They’re always the first to greet you when you’re a new guy or a rookie,” said Horvat. “They’re always putting other people ahead of themselves and I think that’s what makes them special people. By Israel Fehr Apr 15, 2018 1 “I’ve got to raise my game. I’ve got to find ways to get better and lead by example and try to fill the void that’s going to be left by them.” In their last official act as active, playing members of the Vancouver We have an idea what the lineup could look like on opening night next Canucks, Henrik and Daniel Sedin sat together in the media centre at season, but beyond that it’s hard to say how that void will be filled. Rogers Arena at the team’s locker room cleanout on Monday. They Because for all the culture-setting the Sedins may have administered, the reflected on their final week, the entirety of their 17-year careers and Canucks didn’t win much the last three years while the two were still looked forward to their lives after hockey. productive players. Then 20 minutes later, with the obligation done, they left the rink and the The reality is, regardless of the lessons the Sedins passed on in words or new era of Canucks hockey that’s coming started to feel real. by example, the Canucks will return to prominence when their roster has more high-end players and difference makers than it has now. That much The Sedins were deservedly celebrated after they announced their plan is simple, and the hope is that a few of the organization’s top prospects to retire. Their on-ice highlights and accomplishments will live on forever pan out. For better or worse, the Canucks’ future is here. in the hearts and minds of Canucks fans. There will be a ceremony next season when the twins’ numbers are lifted to the rafters that will The Sedins won’t be taking on a role with the organization any time soon undoubtedly be wonderful, if their Vancouver finale was any indication. — spending time with family is their priority — but they did indicate they’d like to informally drop in on occasion. But beyond the memories, is there anything they’re leaving behind that will have tangible significance going forward? “(With) new guys coming in, it’s their team. I’m sure we’ll come down and see the guys and go out for lunch but we won’t be around that much I League-wide, their influence is indisputable. They helped redefine how don’t think,” said Daniel. “We’ll watch the games for sure and be cheering many view hockey toughness. Their playmaking creativity, especially on hard for them. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching on TV or even coming the power play, was the stuff of legends. Connor McDavid even said that down here and watching a few games.” the Oilers call the slap pass, “the Sedin tip.” With young Swedes Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen possibly joining the Canucks as early as next season, having the Sedins around some surely wouldn’t hurt. The number of true sports greats is low, and there are even fewer that affect how the game is played, even when they’re no longer playing. The Sedins were quick to credit Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund and Derek Jeter inspired a generation of aspiring shortstops to jump-throw Mattias Ohlund — key players from the Canucks teams of the early from deep in the hole. Kobe Bryant, who modelled his game after another 2000s — for showing them the way when they were young players. Brian great, Michael Jordan, had the next wave of basketball stars emulating Burke, the architect behind the draft-day dealings in 1999 to land both him all the way to the NBA. twins, echoed those sentiments. It’s one thing to have kids imitating moves and mannerisms in the The thought here is that the Sedins benefited from being in a strong backyard or the sandlot; it’s another to leave that kind of imprint at the culture, and when it was their turn to lead, they were ready to do so. highest level of the sport. And now, with their years at the helm having led to the best period in How the Sedins will impact the Canucks in the coming years, however, is franchise history, they’re gone. much more difficult to quantify. The league certainly has them to thank for their ingenuity. The Canucks NHL locker cleanout availabilities like Monday’s in Vancouver tend to hope their work ethic will spur the next generation to follow suit, and that flow along the same lines in every city. The coach, general manager, perhaps the enormity of what they accomplished in Vancouver — and president and players are disappointed in their season. Buzzwords like how it was celebrated — will inspire them, too. culture are thrown around, as organizations try to present a cogent vision for why their future is bright. In typical Sedin fashion, they’ll keep quiet about their contributions. If there’s appreciation for them down the line, that means the Canucks are For the last time as players, the Sedins stepped up and did their part to winning again. And Vancouver is absolutely ready to celebrate that. propagate the positives. They said they’re impressed with Travis Green’s coaching staff and encouraged by how they want the Canucks to play. The Athletic LOADED: 04.16.2018 But as Henrik pointed out, coaches in the NHL have evolved since he entered the league. Coaches still push players (see: Green with Ben Hutton) but the accountability for professionalism and preparation mostly falls on the players. The information for physical improvement is readily available. The expectation for what it takes to be successful is widely understood. And unfailingly, the Sedins have set the standard in Vancouver. “These two guys have worn letters in our room for a long, long time. And they’ve been leaders of the franchise for years. It’s going to look a lot different. The inside of the room is going to feel different with them not being there,” said Green. “Right from day 1, they’ve led the team in physical testing, right from the first day of training camp every year.” Imagine if the Sedins hadn’t already been incredibly fit, given how fast the NHL game now is and their lack of speed. They still managed to put up points, and over the course of their careers they stayed remarkably healthy. Staying at that level requires increasingly more work year over year as players age. The Sedins always delivered. “I’ve always believed that the work you put in during the summertime is what keeps you going during the season,” said Daniel. “It’s tough to do a lot during the season because you’re practising and playing so much. I think all the work you put in during the summertime, that’s always been important to us and carried (us) into seasons.” Bo Horvat has seen the Sedins work up close since his rookie season in 2014-15 and his respect for them is immense. The 23-year-old centre is the heavy favourite to take over Henrik’s captaincy — though it may not 1091848 Websites journey. We’re a group that learns day-to-day, and we talk to each other about it.

“We’re forgetting about this one and getting ready for the next one.” Sportsnet.ca / Wild desperation an inevitable obstacle on Jets’ path to second round That’s another post-season lesson: The playoffs are no place for an elephant. Win and forget, lose and forget.

It’s a race to four, so don’t worry, Jets fans. Your team is just fine. Mark Spector | @sportsnetspec April 16, 2018, 12:08 AM Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018

ST. PAUL — Here is what having a few playoff series under your belt teaches you, because, my goodness, have we watched this movie a few times over the years: It is impossible for the team with a 2-0 series lead to match the desperation of the club that is trailing 2-0. Players on both teams can say they’re desperate, but only one roster is looking at a 3-0 series deficit. Throw in the fact that, most often, the team that’s trailing is playing at home in front of their own fans, and the 6-2 spanking that befell the Winnipeg Jets Sunday evening in St. Paul was, well, sort of predictable. Right, Bryan Little? “You try,” he said when asked about matching desperation levels. “You don’t come out, up 2-0, saying, ‘Let’s relax and see what happens.’ We had every intention of coming out hard and putting the pressure on them and keeping it simple, like our first two.” But then the Wild came out and made things complicated. Suddenly, the Jets’ zone entries weren’t so smooth. And that squeaky clean area in front of goalie Connor Hellebuyck, a virtual no-fly zone through the first two games? Yeah, not so much in Game 3. It was packed with green jerseys. Minnesota wired 29 shots on the Winnipeg goal, just eight fewer than they had in Games 1 and 2 combined, to chase Hellebuyck after 40 minutes. Eric Staal, the 42-goal man who had been quiet as a mouse, sniped one. Mikko Koivu, quietly one of the true leaders in hockey today, was fabulous in Game 3. “Well I think everybody knows, if we lose Game 3, how difficult it is,” said Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau. “I think desperation is the best word. When we’re down 0-2 it’s still a big hurdle. They will be a lot better next game.” Suddenly there are two teams in this series, not just one, with a Game 4 on tap for Tuesday that will likely define everything we love about playoff hockey. “This win, this gives us a lot of confidence. We can beat this team,” declared Wild winger Marcus Foligno. “That team’s skilled. And they’re big. They’re fast and strong. They’re a heck of a team. Now it moves to Game 4 where we have an opportunity to tie the series.” The opponent is off the mat, Jets fans, but don’t fret. It was inevitable. Your team wasn’t going to go 16-0, and they’ll likely still win this series. It just won’t happen before Wednesday. The Wild lost just six games in this building this season. Did we really think the Jets would walk in here and win Games 3 and 4? “It’s one game in a seven-game series,” said captain Blake Wheeler. “We didn’t play anywhere near our level tonight, and it’s a fine line for us. We need to play with team speed, like we were able to accomplish the second half of both Games 1 and 2. It’s not a death sentence by any means in this building.” The Jets had spent Saturday trying to fly into the snowbound Twin Cities, only to spend four hours on a tarmac in Duluth before turning around and sleeping in their own beds back in Winnipeg Saturday night. They took another run at it Sunday morning, and touched down here around 10 a.m. It’s not an excuse, but a day like that can’t help the cause either. “I don’t know if it made us worse,” said head coach Paul Maurice. “But I can say for a fact that it certainly didn’t make us better.” Alas, it was an experience, and that alone can help these Jets. There are some players here who have played a few playoff games, but as a group everything beyond the first week of April is brand new, right down to the travel dysfunction. “You can’t really talk about experience when a lot of guys don’t have it,” Little admitted. “We’re going through this together, leaning on some of the older guys, like Buff, who’ve been there before and been on that 1091849 Websites in the first five minutes. But between all those early hits, the game was still in the Kings’ zone more than it was the Knights’ half of the ice.

Quick, who was easily the best King in Las Vegas – sorry fat Elvis – for Sportsnet.ca / Kings turn up physicality but Golden Knights still prevail the series’ first two games, made a backdoor save against Colin Miller and bumped Erik Haula’s shot straight up in the air, finding the puck just in time to keep it from tumbling in behind him. Iain MacIntyre | @imacSportsnet April 16, 2018, 2:14 AM Ironically, amid all the human missiles the Kings were launching, it was overly-aggressive play by the Knights’ Schmidt that led to Los Angeles’ opening goal at 13:14. LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings demonstrated Sunday how tough they are. All the Vegas Golden Knights did was prove again how The Vegas defenceman drifted behind the net to try to land a check on good they are. Brown, who was already engaged with Brayden McNabb, Schmidt’s partner. When the puck squirted to Kopitar, there was no defenceman in Battered by the Kings all game, the Knights absorbed all the physical front to cover Alex Iafallo, who tucked the puck under the bar for a 1-0 punishment and then scored three times in the third period to beat Los lead that had to be confirmed by a video review. Angeles 3-2 and move within a game of winning their first ever National Hockey League playoff series. The official scorer’s pen must have run out of ink in the second period because the Kings were credited with only nine hits, which is akin to In 2018, speed beats physicality. At least it does when you combine it pacifism. But L.A. maintained its lead until the Eakin line turned the game with the skill, cohesiveness, lineup depth and self-belief the Knights have on one superb, third-period shift. engineered in their improbable, impossible inaugural season. “It was for sure the toughest one,” Karlsson said. “They came in hard, Those 51 wins in the regular campaign were not lucky. Vegas is that they were physical.” good. Now the Knights are 3-0 in the Stanley Cup playoffs, too, and can make the final eight with a win in Game 4 here Tuesday. And still the Knights won. That should tell you something. “We’re going to be in all different situations throughout the playoffs here if Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018 we want to make a run,” veteran James Neal said after scoring the 26th playoff goal of his career during the Knights’ late surge. “We knew they weren’t going to go away, knew the (physical) push they were going to have. We just believe in ourselves, believe in our team and we continue to play the right way.” If people were expecting a market correction or reality check for the Knights in the playoffs, it isn’t happening against the Kings, who played their best game of the series and still lost. “I think people have been waiting since Game 1 and it hasn’t happened yet,” Vegas centre Cody Eakin said. “We don’t plan on slowing down.” With Vegas trailing for the first time in the playoffs, Eakin tied it 1-1 at 6:10 of the third period when, after his first shot was blocked by defenceman Dion Phaneuf, the Knight got a second chance and buried Ryan Carpenter’s pass behind goalie Jonathan Quick. Neal then spun away from Kings’ defenceman Oscar Fantenberg and fooled Quick with a quick shot through his pads to make it 2-1 at 14:23. And 21 seconds later, William Karlsson converted Reilly Smith’s centring pass after the Vegas forward beat two Kings to puck on the end boards following a lost faceoff. Anze Kopitar deflected in Fantenberg’s shot to bring the Kings within a goal with 2:04 remaining. But Los Angeles still fell to 0-3 in this series and 1-7 since the Kings won their second of two Stanley Cups four years ago. “They were relentless on their forecheck, turning it up ice and playing the way we like to play,” Eakin said. “We did a good job weathering it and continuing to move our feet and in the third period we capitalized at the right time.” Unable through two games to join ’em, the Kings tried to beat ’em on Sunday. They tried to slow down the Knights the old-fashioned way. Well, the old- fashioned way in playoff hockey. The Kings hammered the Knights physically every chance they could. Off-ice officials in this series have showered the scoresheet with hits as if they were throwing rice at newlyweds. Los Angeles coach John Stevens noted after Game 1 (127 official hits in 60 minutes) that if the stats were accurate there’d be nobody left to play Game 2. On Sunday, the Kings were credited with 28 hits in the first 20 minutes. That may have included dirty looks and bad breath. But what was indisputable was the physical intensity with which the Kings attacked the Knights. On one indicative sequence, Los Angeles winger Dustin Brown tripped Marc-Andre Fleury as the Vegas goalie tried to get across his crease, then steadied himself by chopping down with his stick on the back of defenceman Nate Schmidt’s leg. Had there been a folding metal chair nearby, as there is in wrestling, Brown would have smashed it over someone’s head when the refs weren’t looking. In more conventional hits, Jake Muzzin knocked down Karlsson, Adrian Kempe threw to the ice Jon Merrill, and Drew Doughty blasted Smith. All 1091850 Websites Until about six minutes into the second, the fans were really loud and the Flyers were right in this one. But Philadelphia got into penalty trouble against the NHL’s top power-play unit, and it was basically game over. Sportsnet.ca / Crosby, unfazed by Flyers' hostile environment, takes over Derick Brassard made it 2-0 Penguins with the man-advantage early in in Game 3 the second, thanks to a patient pass from Phil Kessel, who earned his first point of these playoffs.

And then, in the space of five seconds, beginning at the 6:48 mark, the Kristina Rutherford | @KrRutherford April 15, 2018, 9:52 PM Penguins struck two more times to make it 4-0. Never in their history have the Flyers given up back-to-back goals so quickly.

First, it was Evgeni Malkin on a one-timer, again with the man- PHILADELPHIA — There’s a black Penguins ball cap on Sidney advantage, where Crosby recorded his first of three assists. Crosby’s head, and he’s still wearing half his equipment, sitting in his stall in the visitor’s dressing room at Wells Fargo Center, his skates resting on Seconds later, Crosby authored his prettiest helper of the afternoon. He a little black Penguins carpet. won the faceoff back and immediately charged up ice, got the puck right back, carried it into the Flyers’ zone on the right-wing, and then Based on facial expression alone, you’d never guess the captain of the backhanded a saucer-pass cross-ice to defenceman Brian Dumoulin, two-time defending Stanley Cup champions just had a four-point who joined the rush and made it 4-0. afternoon, that he’d led his team to a 5-1 drubbing of the Philadelphia Flyers. “We were just trying to play quick, and however it worked out, it worked out,” Crosby explained. “Dumo made a great read to jump in the play No, it’s only when some news is presented to Crosby that his previously there and give us some numbers on the rush. I think we were just trying straight face breaks into a bit of a smile, or some sort of smirk. And this to play fast and it ended up that we were able to get a good one.” news is really quite something: A group of fans here in Philadelphia spent part of their Sunday putting pictures of Crosby’s face at the bottom of all A good one, indeed—The Flyers weren’t coming back from a 4-0 deficit. the public urinals in their team’s home arena. This in-state battle is just three games old and the Penguins captain has, Yes, that’s right—the Flyers faithful in this Battle of Pennsylvania went to nobody’s surprise, figured big: A natural hat-trick in the first game, a there. And just how many urinals are in this arena? One security guard stick broken in frustration in the second and a four-point effort in the third. shrugged and said: “I gotta think there’s more than a hundred.” The teams now have two days off, and then they’ll be back at the Wells That’s a lot of Crosby faces in a lot of urinals. Fargo Center for Game 4 on Wednesday night. Crosby’s expecting more of the same from these hostile fans. As he said, “It’s a tough environment And while the news that fans are relieving themselves on your likeness to come into.” might disturb some, Crosby is not among them, or at least he’s good at pretending he’s not. No, the Penguins captain didn’t have much of a And hey, that might be just the way the Penguins captain likes it—though reaction. he could probably do without the urinal humour. “It’s not the first building that’s happened in, so…” No. 87 said with a grin Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018 and a shrug. “I don’t know if they stole that idea from somewhere else. But yeah, it’s not the first time that’s happened.” Ah, the life of a superstar. Pictured in urinals, booed the moment you set foot on enemy ice, booed as you’re announced as the game’s first star. Yes, it was quite the Sunday afternoon for Sidney Crosby. One game after he broke his stick on the Flyers’ cross bar after missing a wide-open net on the power play, Crosby and his Penguins entered a hostile environment—the “Crosby Sucks!” chants began even before fans broke out in “Let’s go Fly-ers!”—the captain had a goal and three assists to lead the Penguins to a 2-1 series lead in this heated state battle. And so Game 2, which saw Crosby not only miss on an open net but also fail to convert on a breakaway attempt, obviously didn’t rattle him much. “I mean, you have to move on,” he said. “You gotta turn the page, so it was good to get one early. I think that always makes a big difference as far as being able to forget about it.” Crosby’s goal on Wednesday, the first of this game, was a big one. It briefly sucked the air out of this raucous arena, and it had to be discouraging for a Flyers team that had the balance of chances in the first period. Rookie Nolan Patrick had his team’s best, fewer than two minutes in, when he ripped down the right wing and manufactured a breakaway, only to see Matt Murray—who was stellar early on—come up with the glove save. Pittsburgh didn’t generate a shot until near the half-way mark of the first, but it wasn’t long after that when Patric Hornqvist forced a turnover in the Flyers end, then poked the puck toward Crosby. In one seemingly fluid motion, Crosby kicked it to his stick and skated around the net—his skates positioned at 10 and two—and snuck home the wrap-around. It’s the type of goal that looks easy, until you see the replay. The crowd went silent for a bit, and then came the boos and “Crosby Sucks!” chants. As Penguins coach Mike Sullivan pointed out, that animosity from Flyers fans might actually be good for his captain, winner of back-to-back Conn Smythe trophies. “I just think it’s an indication of how competitive he is—I think he thrives in that environment,” Sullivan said. “He has a comfort level in that environment and so, when stakes are high, in an away building, in important games, Sid tends to play his best. He’s done that certainly from my experience, time and time again.” 1091851 Websites Crosby’s resume, you look at Jonathan Toews’s resume, it’s loaded with winning.

“When you become a serial winner, you get a ton of respect.” Sportsnet.ca / Matthews must rise above chaos, find next level to keep Leafs afloat Somewhat surprisingly, Matthews has seen more even-strength minutes away from Bergeron (14:43) than with him (12:49) in this series. That speaks partly to the disjointed nature of the first two games, which saw Chris Johnston | @reporterchris April 15, 2018, 8:00 PM tons of special-teams play and lopsided leads for Boston, but also to the fact that Babcock found his top pivot some softer spots to take control.

He darted out from behind the net and created a chance for Patrick When the roof started to cave in, the cameras cut to a shot of Auston Marleau during a shift against Sean Kuraly’s fourth line. The steam was Matthews on the Toronto Maple Leafs bench. He kept a stoic expression released from a couple Matthews rush attempts by the strong defensive that belied any of the understandable frustration bubbling up inside. sticks of Chara and Kevan Miller. Fooling goaltenders and defenders with a deceptive release in traffic is one of his greatest weapons—it accounts All the face of the Leafs franchise could really do was watch while for his 15.9 per cent shooting percentage across 152 career NHL Saturday’s game slipped from grasp. games—but the Bruins have yet to blink at the sleight of hand. He had his own opportunities on the ice, of course, playing more minutes Bruins defender Kevan Miller gets his stick in the way of a shot from than any other Toronto forward. A review of his 25 shifts from Game 2 Auston Matthews. showed that he handled them quite well. Matthews had the puck on his stick a lot. He came out on the winning end of an early battle with Patrice “I thought we had plenty of chances, plenty of opportunities,” said Bergeron and intercepted a David Pastrnak cross-seam pass in the Matthews. “At times we really had momentum on our side and really defensive zone. grinded them down low in their zone and controlled the play. It was a lot better than the first game.” The Leafs rolled around in the Boston end for most of his first six trips over the boards. And they were still trailing 3-0 after 12 minutes. Things Even if a couple of his nine shots on goal have come from longer didn’t go so well when Matthews needed a breather. distances than usual, the high-danger chances have been there. The Leafs generated 13.87 of those per 60 minutes with him on the ice this Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs watch from the bench as the season and sit at 13.07 in the playoffs. Boston Bruins score their third goal of Game 2. (As an aside, Pastrnak, Bergeron and Brad Marchand are absolutely That’s why he said “S––– happens, I guess, so … it’s hockey” when shredding Toronto inside the home-plate area with league-best per-60 asked about the 20 points put up by Bergeron’s line through two games, rates of 29.71, 29.65 and 25.78.) compared with the bagel for his own. Despite failing to smash through the Chara–McAvoy wall and put a puck behind Tuukka Rask, he was a It was upon returning home for Game 3 when Matthews broke through disruptive force in Game 2 while spending time working between six with his first goal in last year’s playoff series against Washington. He different wingers. followed that up by scoring in Games Nos. 4, 5 and 6 as well. He wasn’t a focal point in the Caps’ gameplan to the same degree he is now for the His pointed post-game response was a sign of process-driven thinking. Bruins—drawing No. 2 centre Evgeny Kuznetsov and, after a mid-series adjustment, the top defence pairing of Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen— “Got to rebound for Game 3,” Matthews added. and that’s just another reminder of how life has changed. It has been a difficult season for the 20-year-old centre—perhaps never What hasn’t changed is his game-breaking ability and knack for rising to more difficult than right now at this moment. The three injury absences meet a challenge. The bar has been set by the Bruins’ difference-makers tested his patience and taxed his body. A completely unsheltered and Matthews needs to find a way to turn his good shifts into even better workload saw him challenged with higher-stress situations more results. frequently than in his rookie year. Otherwise a long, hard year might suddenly become shorter than he ever That made for some tough nights to push through, like the Dec. 19 visit to could have expected. Pittsburgh where Sidney Crosby kept his line to zero even-strength shot attempts. Or the elaborate game of keep-away Jonathan Toews Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018 orchestrated inside the United Center on Jan. 24. “Jonathan Toews had the puck the whole time in the first 30 minutes,” Babcock said then. “Obviously, he’s a veteran player, and Matthews is a good player, but Toews knows how to play. It takes you a while to learn how to play in this league—to play right and face the puck and get used to playing against good players.” The pot of gold at the end of those lessons and time spent on the trainer’s table was supposed to be the playoffs. And it may yet be, although you’d have to think Matthews and the Maple Leafs absolutely need a victory at the Air Canada Centre on Monday to slow this Bruins freight train. Fantasy Hockey Pool Play the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool for your chance to score big with over $22,000 worth of prizes to be awarded! Much of the hope for a potential Game 3 turnaround falls on his shoulders, especially with No. 2 centre Nazem Kadri having removed himself from the series with a suspension. It remains so even though Matthews will only play one-third of the game. He may make good decisions during his minutes and see things unravel elsewhere. But that is true of all the stars in our sport, each of whom carries the same burden of expectation: that they should be able to bend the outcome of a chaotic game built around team play with their superlative individual talent and will. “You’ve got to do it. If you want to be considered a good, good player, you’ve got to do it at this time of the year,” Babcock was saying earlier this week, before his team dug an 0-2 hole. “You want to be a winner, that’s what the good players are, they’re winners. They find a way to win. You’ve got to do it when it matters—it matters now. To me, that’s how you separate yourself from the group. If you want to be—you look at 1091852 Websites “It’s good for him, good for our team for him to get on the scoresheet,” Zach Parise said. “For us to get all the lines going, get everyone involved in the offence [is important]. There wasn’t much to feel good about after Sportsnet.ca / Wild's Eric Staal finally produces in meaningful game game 1 and 2. You’re not gripping the stick as tight anymore, and again hopefully next game we can get contributions up and down again.” A measure of frustration has been replaced with a tablespoon of conviction. A springboard. A monkey bucked. Luke Fox | @lukefoxjukebox April 16, 2018, 12:05 AM “Our emotional level was high, the building was energetic, we got to the gritty areas and we got the job done,” Staal says. “I wanted to get on the board. I’ve been one of those guys all year for us, and I don’t want that to ST. PAUL, MN – The pressure on the Minnesota Wild’s most dangerous stop now just because it’s playoffs. Hopefully I can build on that. offensive weapon was mounting from around, above and within Staal. “Now, the best part is, you gotta reset, recharge and do the same thing in Sure, the rejuvenated Staal had enjoyed a renaissance regular season, Game 4.” pouring in 42 goals for a club not exactly known for its offensive prowess and making a surprise trip to the outskirts of the Hart Trophy debate. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018 But get this: Over his past 17 playoff games, Staal had scored just one lonely goal — and that was nine years ago. When the playoff-bound New York Rangers rescued Staal from floundering Carolina in the spring of 2016, Staal didn’t so much as register a playoff point. And the big free agent centre was held to one measly assist in Minnesota last April during its swift five-game ouster by the St. Louis Blues. Oh, and the last time Staal suited up for Team Canada, at the 2013 worlds, he went 0 for the tournament. He wasn’t picked for Sochi. The belaboured point is, it had been a minute since he’d lit the lamp in a meaningful game. “Thanks for the reminder,” Staal said Sunday, smirking after his most productive playoff effort since The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was in theatres. We wouldn’t blame you if you’d thought Staal’s Triple Gold Club skills got diverted to Duluth for games 1 and 2 in Winnipeg. Wild coach Bruce Boudreau first called out his top line, then juggled it, flipping Nino Niederreiter to Mikko Koivu’s shutdown unit and promoting Mikael Granlund to Staal’s right. “They have to become more of a factor,” Boudreau said. “Your most offensive line has got to be as good as their best offensive line. There’s room for improvement.” Staal heard but says the drive was boiling from inside anyway. “When you’re expected to perform, it should elevate you,” he explained. “I’ve always been that way. I expect a lot of myself coming to the rink every day. It’s disappointing, those first two games. This was a huge game and opportunity for all of us. I wanted to make sure I was engaged and got to the inside to the net.” That he did. Checked to the fringes of the rink and relevancy in Manitoba, Staal parked himself in Connor Hellebuyck’s crease early and often in the Wild’s 6-2 Game 3 rout. He drew a Ben Chiarot cross-checking penalty early; helped set up the Wild’s first goal, a power-play marker by Granlund; then sniped a beauty of his own after patiently waiting for his big winger to deliver a spin-o-rama pass you might as well watch right now: Kudos to Boudreau. “It was big. Granny, he’s a playmaker. He can draw people to him and make plays. A lot of skill. You saw him on the pass to me there—not a lot of guys make that play. I was ready but it took longer. That’s the type of stuff he can do. He’s a fun guy to play with, he’s competitive. I thought it was going to be a quick pass, then once he held it, held it, held it, I knew it was coming eventually, and I was ready.” “You start feeling good about pucks hitting the back of the net. Confidence goes.” Huge goal, and an emotional celebration from a usually straight-faced guy who’s been there but hasn’t done that in a while. Winning goalie Devan Dubnyk chuckles when he learns that was Staal’s first postseason goal in nearly a decade. “I didn’t know that, but what a shot,” Dubnyk says. “That’s a guy who knows how to score goals. Granny makes a great pass to him, and with zero hesitation, [Staal] puts it the size of a puck short-side. That’s a goal- scorer’s goal right there. Hopefully it gets him feeling good. We need him.” That’s the key. If the Wild have any hope of climbing back into this series, its offence needs to act as deep as the Jets’, and that means Staal & Co. must build on the momentum. 1091853 Websites were inherited from the old regime, the Brian Burke days, and, as such they were survivors of the last disastrous time the Leafs faced Boston in the post-season. Through their time they have been the Leafs’ most often Sportsnet.ca / Tyler Bozak appears to already be preparing for his Maple rumoured to be sent away in trade, rumours that were probably more Leafs exit wishful than substantiated. Additionally, their contracts wind down in tandem and face futures that are similar in their uncertainty if nothing else. Gare Joyce | @garejoycenhl April 15, 2018, 3:15 PM In Game 2 against Boston, van Riemsdyk actually tried to level a body- check, against Zdeno Chara of all people. Talk about picking your spots. The timing wasn’t great either – the game was in its death throes, the Leafs hopelessly out of it. It seemed more petulant than anything else. (It TORONTO – Standing in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ dressing room might have spurred you to actually look at the hits level by JVR this year: Sunday brunch-time, fielding questions from reporters, Tyler Bozak didn’t 40 in the regular season. Fact is, Bozak and JVR combined for fewer hits look shaken particularly. Not humbled. Not enraged. In his time with the than Kadri did by himself.) Leafs he has always stepped up and answered the questions. Bozak suggested that there wasn’t much of a point rehashing or breaking About twelve hours after another humiliating loss in Boston, the down Game 2, not with just a sleet-filled day between games. questions were, roughly: What the hell happened? What the hell can you do to get back into this opening-round series starting with Game 3 “You just flush it away,” he said. Monday night? There’s no looking back on what happened this weekend for the Leafs At age 32, in his ninth NHL season, Bozak is practiced in offering players, just as there’ll be no looking back for management when this answers that illuminate not much more than a flickering birthday candle. season winds down. Standing across from Bozak in the dressing room Sunday, you felt like you were at a dress rehearsal for his exit interview, To the theme of the first query, he said: “The first two games didn’t go as which might come as soon as the end of business Friday. planned. You want to go in there and get a split. A few bounces early didn’t go our way and got behind the eight ball and it’s tough to come Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018 back against a team that plays that well defensively like Boston.” And for the second: “[We’ll] get fresh again and ready to go. Obviously you have to win your home games. We have to play our game. We got away from a couple of things that we do. It was good to get a power-play goal against them [in Game 2]. Hopefully we can stay out of the box and win the special-teams game.” Livestream every single game of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs— blackout free—plus the Toronto Blue Jays, key Raptors & NBA Playoffs matchups and the 100th Mastercard , all in one subscription. All of what Bozak said was true as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go very far. When Bozak was talking about the upcoming games in Toronto, you had to wonder if, in the back of his mind at the very least, he was thinking about them as potentially the last two games he’ll play for the Leafs, the team that he signed with as a college free agent in 2009 and, but for a brief stint with the Marlies, the only professional team he has ever played for. So far it has been 594 regular-season games and 13 more in the playoffs. He’s an unrestricted free agent in the off-season and, if you try to project the future, who gets paid how much for how long, it just doesn’t feel like there’s a place for him at all going forward. Not short term, not at a hometown discount. This season and, particularly, this post-season it was incumbent on Bozak to change perceptions and force management to re-evaluate him. He has, after all, scored as many as 20 goals in one season and just once made it to 50 points. When the team was passing the 100-point mark, attention was diverted from Bozak but he can’t be happy with 11 goals and 32 assists nor can those who sign his paycheque. Through two games in this series, all he has managed to do is validate those who are most sharply critical of him. Curiously enough, adversity for the Leafs provided an opportunity for Bozak. When centre Nazem Kadri was suspended after the opener and suspended for three games, Bozak was presented a chance to step up and fill a void. It didn’t play out that way in Game 2 – really it only served to remind you just how vital Kadri is to this team. When you look at it, Bozak’s not exactly set up for success going forward. If any team in the Eastern Conference exposes the shortcomings in his game it’s Boston – the Bruins live under the skin of opponents and physically take the game to them. Pushback is not Bozak’s game. He has skill. He can make plays. He can win face-offs, no doubt. Useful as far as it goes in the regular season, not particularly helpful against Boston. He looks like a replacement-level player and that’s the thing about replacement-level players – they wind up getting replaced. Sportsnet's newest podcast is a weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey news in the world. New episodes every Thursday. Bozak and James van Riemsdyk have been mentioned in the same breath for most of their professional lives, for better or worse. It’s not just that they’ve skated together on the same line so often. In the remaking and remodelling of the Leafs they seemed like anomalies. They 1091854 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs need to address struggling penalty kill if they want to rebound

Ryan Dixon | @dixononsports April 15, 2018, 3:35 PM

Awful April weather has wreaked havoc on travel plans far and wide, from flights across time zones to everyday commutes into work. “I almost blew a tire myself,” joked Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock. You might expect Babcock’s spirits to be just as low as those grounded in airports by sideways sleet, but the difference between the two is Babcock — who was upbeat and direct on Sunday afternoon — clearly believes there are answers to the problems facing his club, which dropped two games each by four goals to the Boston Bruins to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “We’re down 0-2 and we haven’t been as good as we’re capable of being,” Babcock said. “The way I look at it, there are so many things we can do better.” One area you can expect the Leafs to zoom in on is the penalty kill. Boston went three-for-six on the power play in Game 1 and two-for-four with the man advantage in Game 2, meaning the Bruins are smoking along at a 50-per cent conversation rate. A number of those tallies — including David Backes’s game-winner in the opener and Jake DeBrusk’s first-period tally on Saturday night that put the Leafs down 2-0 before the halfway mark of the first period — have come from the lip of the crease, where Black and Gold bodies have had their way. Livestream every single game of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs— blackout free—plus the Toronto Blue Jays, key Raptors & NBA Playoffs matchups and the 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup, all in one subscription. “We’ve got to keep them off our net,” said defenceman Morgan Rielly. “We went over their goals this morning, they’re all from in tight, so they’re getting to our net. We’ve got to do a better job of boxing them out and blocking shots.” That’s actually been true for longer than the past few days. While the Leafs’ PK killed 81.4 per cent of the power plays it faced in the regular season — good for a respectable top-half ranking of 11th in the NHL — that number dropped significantly over the course of the final six weeks of the year. From March 1 through the end of the regular season calendar, Toronto managed to succeed short-handed just 71.4 per cent of the time. That’s a worse mark than all but seven clubs during that stretch and indicates there was trouble in the water long before David Pastrnak and Co. came along. “We’ve left our goalies alone,” said Babcock, who confirmed Frederik Andersen would start Game 3 on Monday night in Toronto. “You have to give your goalie a chance to be good. We haven’t done that.” Among the number of ways the Leafs found to shoot themselves in the foot in Boston, Toronto took one penalty for having an extra skater on the ice in each of the first two contests — and there have only been a total of three called since the playoffs began on Wednesday. Eliminating bumbling errors of that nature would go a long way toward evening out the always-critical special teams battle. “We [have to make sure] we don’t allow them too many opportunities,” said Andersen. “That always helps.” Babcock said left winger Leo Komarov, who sustained a lower-body injury in Game 2, would be evaluated again later on Sunday and a decision would be made on Monday about his availability. Regardless of whether or not the rugged Finn suits up, the coach expects his club to make a clean break with the recent past and start fresh in friendly territory. “This is our first game at home in front of our crowd; we’re going to be great,” he said. “You spend all year preparing for this opportunity, put in a lot of work and we don’t feel we’ve been as good as we’re capable of being. That part is disappointing, but the other part is, we know how good we are.” Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091855 Websites Eric Stalled Staal’s 42 goals this season tied a Wild franchise record (Marian Gaborik) and elevated the top-line centre to the fringes of the Hart Sportsnet.ca / Jets-Wild Notebook: Winnipeg is owning puck possession conversation. He was but a rumour in Games 1 and 2, so Boudreau is reuniting Staal with Mikael Granlund in hopes to wake him up. Mark Spector and Luke Fox “Granny’s a great playmaker. He’s on the pucks, he makes plays in traffic,” Staal said. “It’s tight out there, so you gotta be able to make plays quickly and he can do that. Hopefully we play well.” ST. PAUL, MN – Hours after what the National Weather Service dubbed Neutral(izing) zone a “historic” mid-April snowstorm that dumped a foot of snow on the Twin Cities, caused hundreds of accidents and pushed the Jets team charter The Wild devoted most of Saturday to working on a plan to bust through back to Winnipeg, we’re playing hockey. the Jets’ suffocating middle-ice scheme instead of just dumping it out. They’re timing is off, and they failed to provide enough puck support “This is real playoff weather – if you’re playing in Antarctica,” quipped during their zone exits. Minnesota Wild coach Bruce Boudreau, noting that his wife was at home shovelling the driveway a second time while he ran the game-day “They’re staying pretty patient. They’re aggressive, but they sit back,” meeting. Zucker explained of the Jets. “They let our D-man have control and one guy kind of forcing, and then once you start coming up, they have two Here is a flurry of notes ahead of Game 3 of the series, which will guys kind of waiting weeds and then they have their other two D-men mercifully be played indoors Sunday night. really waiting back in the weeds coming forward also. Jets can’t catch a direct flight “If you come with speed, they’re in trouble. The Jets tried to fly to Minneapolis Saturday, got re-routed to Duluth, Winnipeg owns the puck Minn., and ultimately returned for a good night’s rest back at home. The Jets’ possession has been off the charts in this series, a large part of The club hopped back on the plane early Sunday morning and landed the reason they’ve outshot the Wild 84 -37 in two games. They’ve got a roughly eight hours before puck drop. 66 per cent 5-on-5 Corsi through two games (source: naturalstattrick.com), tops in the NHL in Round 1. “It’s overblown,” Boudreau said of his opponents’ travel issues. “It’s playoff hockey, and they’re going to be ready. We had a time in The Jets have posted back-to-back 40-shot nights, while Minny doesn’t Washington, one time we had a noon game, Pittsburgh couldn’t get in, have 40 shots in total, falling behind 2-0 as the series now shifts to St. they bussed in 10 hours before the game and outplayed us really badly. Paul. It’s all about the will, and Winnipeg has will right now, so this travel thing is a non-issue.” “We’ve played a very fast game,” observed Jets defenceman Joshua Morrissey. “Our forwards have been extremely hard in not giving them Wild bank on home ice to turn emotional tide any clean ice to make passes on breakouts. We’ve played two solid games and sort of have limited their time and space with the puck. As the series jumps towns, from Whiteout to whiteout, the Wild look to lean on the crowd support that boosted them to the second-best home “That’s the style we want to play.” record in 2017-18 (27-6-8). Sportsnet's newest podcast is a weekly deep dive into the biggest hockey “It’s gonna be big,” Eric Staal said. “This is a great place to play. We’ve news in the world. New episodes every Thursday. had success here all year. Great chance for us in Game 3 in front of our fans to get the job done and get the win.” Big Buff The Wild have now lost five straight road games in Winnipeg, getting Dustin Byfuglien can go in and out a bit during the regular season, but he outscored 23-12 in the process. is absolutely dialled in through two games in this series. In order to claw back into this series, they must clean up their game and “He’s been amazing,” said teammate Adam Lowry. “I think he’s had a increase their speed. couple hits that have almost seemed to single-handedly change the game. You look at the hit on Joel Eriksson Ek in the first game, and the “We have to play our absolute best,” Boudreau said. “The guys care a lot, one on Koivu in the second game.” and they’re a resilient group, but, most of all, they’re competitive and they care. So, I mean, when things don’t go well, they’re not happy.” With the puck on his stick, Byfuglien still has one of the heaviest shots in the league, and made a deft pass from behind the Wild net on Paul Livestream every single game of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs— Stastny’s Game 2 goal. blackout free—plus the Toronto Blue Jays, key Raptors & NBA Playoffs matchups and the 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup, all in one “He’s doing it all,” marveled Lowry. “That was a great play on Stastny’s subscription. goal. He’s using his size effectively. He’s been a force for us back there.” Dumba deserves a day off Jets like those odds Swallowing a huge chunk of injured workhorse Ryan Suter’s minutes, 23- Teams that go up 2-0 in a playoff round by winning both games at home year-old defenceman Mathew Dumba took Saturday’s practice off and is go on to win the series 89.3 per cent of the time. Teams that take a 3-0 reportedly playing banged up. lead win 98 per cent of the time. If the Wild don’t salvage a W Sunday night, you can safely bet they’ll become first-round fodder the third “When you play 30 minutes a game, and you’re really not used to it, I just straight year. told him to stay home,” Boudreau said. “He is OK. He should be well- rested for [Sunday night].” “We’ve had moments all year where we’ve needed to respond at certain points in the regular season, so it’s no different [now],” Stall said. “We Boudreau denied a report that Dumba would be a game-time decision. have to have everybody on board to execute and respond. He better be ready go. “We gotta play the biggest game of the year.” Myers made ’em nervous Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 04.16.2018 Towering Jets defenceman Tyler Myers had just six goals in 82 games this season, but he opened the scoring in Game 2 with his fourth goal in 19 career playoff games. He walked by Minnesota winger Jason Zucker and then whipped a shot past Devan Dubnyk. “I know a lot of the guys were a little nervous when I first made the move, but luckily it worked out well,” laughed Myers. He knows Dubnyk well, but won’t claim to have the big goalie’s number. “I was just shooting,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve shot on him a lot this past summer and he’s always a very good goalie. I was lucky to put one by him.” 1091856 Websites Penguins C Evgeni Malkin recorded a goal and an assist in a 5-1 Game Three win at Philadelphia, giving him three points (2 G, 1 A) in the series…Penguins D Kris Letang chipped in a couple of assists and has TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Crosby leads Penguins back to series three assists in three playoff games…Wild C Eric Staal, RW Mikael lead Granlund and D Matt Dumba each had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 Game Three victory against Winnipeg. Granlund has three points (1 G, 2 A) in three games, while those were Staal and Dumba’s first points of the postseason…Wild C Mikko Koivu and rookie D Nick Seeler both had a Scott Cullen pair of assists. Those were Seeler’s first career playoff points, while Koivu has four assists in three games against Winnipeg…Blue Jackets

RW Josh Anderson put up a goal and two assists in a 5-4 overtime Crosby paces the Penguins to victory; Werenski, Fleury, and more in Game Two win at Washington. He had two goals in his previous 10 Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking. games…Blue Jackets RW Cam Atkinson scored a pair of goals; he has 21 points (13 G, 8 A) in his past 15 games…Blue Jackets D Seth Jones HEROES and LW Artemi Panarin both added a couple of assists in Game Three. Jones has 19 points (7 G, 12 A) in his past 13 games and Panarin has 34 Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh’s superstar centre put up a goal and three points (10 G, 24 A) in his past 18 games…Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin helpers in a 5-1 Game Three victory at Philadelphia. He has eight points scored two goals, on 17 shot attempts (10 SOG), in Washington’s 5-4 OT (4 G, 4 A) in the series. loss in Game Two against Columbus. He has six goals in his past five Zach Werenski – The Columbus blueliner contributed a goal and two games…Capitals D John Carlson earned three assists in Game Two assists in a 5-4 Game Two overtime win at Washington. He has seven against Columbus, the second consecutive game in which he’s had three points (3 G, 4 A) in his past seven games. helpers…Capitals RW T.J. Oshie contributed a goal and an assist and C Nicklas Backstrom had a pair of assists in a 5-4 overtime loss in Game Marc-Andre Fleury – Vegas’ veteran netminder stopped 37 of 39 shots in Two against Columbus. Oshie has 13 points (7 G, 6 A) in his past 13 a 3-2 Game Three win at Los Angeles. He has a .970 save percentage games, while Backstrom has 26 points (5 G, 21 A) in the past 17 through the first three games of the postseason. games…Kings C Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist, his first points of the series, in a 3-2 Game Three loss to Vegas…Penguins G Matt Murray ZEROES turned away 26 of 27 shots in a 5-1 Game Three win at Philadelphia, Tobias Rieder, Adrian Kempe and Trevor Lewis – The Kings trio had a giving him a .929 save percentage in the series. tough game (10 for, 14 against, 41.7 CF%, 4-7 scoring chances) and TSN.CA LOADED: 04.16.2018 were on the ice for two goals against in a 3-2 Game Three loss to Vegas. Ben Chiarot – The Jets defenceman struggled (9 for, 18 against, 33.3 CF%, 2-7 scoring chances) and was on the ice for one goal for and three against in a 6-2 Game Three loss at Minnesota. Connor Hellebucyk – Winnipeg’s netminder lasted only two periods after giving up six goals on 22 shots in a 6-2 Game Three loss at Minnesota. This was Hellebuyck’s 70th game of the season and only the second time that he had surrendered six goals. Philipp Grubauer – The Washington goaltender was pulled after allowing four goals on 22 shots in a 5-4 overtime loss in Game Two against Columbus. He got the opportunity to start this series, but responded by stopping 41 of 49 shots (.837 SV%). Brian Elliott – After a tough first game and a strong second game, the Flyers netminder allowed five goals on 26 shots in a 5-1 Game Three loss to Pittsburgh. He has a .863 save percentage in the series. STANLEY CUP HALF FULL/HALF EMPTY Sergei Bobrovsky – The Blue Jackets goaltender may have allowed four goals, which isn’t typically an indicator of leading one’s team to victory, but it’s a little different when Bobrovsky stops 54 of 58 shots for an OT win in Game Two at Washington. VITAL SIGNS Jake Muzzin – The Kings’ defence was bolstered by the return of Muzzin, from injury, and Drew Doughty, from suspension, and they partnered together on the top pairing. David Perron – Vegas’ playmaking winger made his first appearance in the postseason, after recovering from a late-season injury. Tomas Tatar – Perron’s return to the lineup resulted in Tatar being a healthy scratch. He has just six points (4 G, 2 A) in 22 (regular season plus playoff) games since he was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline. Tyler Myers – Winnipeg’s defence suffered a big loss in Game Three at Minnesota when Myers suffered a lower-body injury after getting tangled up with Wild winger Marcus Foligno. Jakub Vrana – Checking centre Jay Beagle returned to the Washington lineup which resulted in Vrana, the rookie winger, being a healthy scratch in Game Two against Columbus. Vrana had one assist in just 6:58 of ice time in Game One. Andre Burakovsky – Washington’s forward group was thinned out early when Burakovsky suffered an upper-body injury in the first period and was forced to leave the game. SHORT SHIFTS Embedded Image Mikko Koivu has four assists in three playoff games against the Jets. 1091857 Websites Colorado. He had gone five games without a point…Predators defencemen P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm both added a pair of assists against the Avalanche. Subban has seven points (1 G, 6 A) in the TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Bruins' top line punishes the Leafs past eight games and Ekholm had two assists in his previous eight games…Avalanche LW Gabriel Landeskog and C Nathan MacKinnon both had a goal and an assist in a 5-4 Game Two loss at Nashville. Landeskog has seven points (2 G, 5 A) in the past seven games and Scott Cullen MacKinnon has eight points (2 G, 6 A) in the past seven games…Avalanche D Tyson Barrie added a couple of assists; he has

seven points (2 G, 5 A) in the past seven games. Boston’s top line punishes the Maple Leafs; Kucherov, Couture and more Lightning RW Ryan Callahan put up solid possession stats (12 for, 2 in Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking. against, 85.7 CF%, 7-1 scoring chances) in a 5-3 Game Two win vs. New HEROES Jersey…He didn’t play a ton, but Predators C Kyle Turris dominated played (11 for, 1 against, 91.7 CF%) in a 5-4 win against David Pastrnak – Boston’s 21-year-old winger enjoyed a sensational Colorado…Sharks G Martin Jones turned away 28 of 30 shots in Game night, putting up six points (3 G, 3 A) and tying a Bruins playoff record Two, and has stopped 53 of 55 shots through the first two games of the held by Rick Middleton and Phil Esposito. That gives Pastrnak 13 points series. (6 G, 7 A) in eight career playoff games and he’s the early leader this year with nine points (4 G, 5 A) in two games. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.16.2018 Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand – Pastrnak’s linemates on the best line in hockey both had four assists in Game Two. Bergeron has five assists through two games and Marchand has six points (1 G, 5 A). Through two games, when Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak are on the ice, the Bruins are getting 73% of the shots, and 81% of the scoring chances. Oh, and 100% of the goals. Nikita Kucherov – The Lightning sniper scored a goal and added two assists in a 5-3 Game Two win against New Jersey. He has four points (2 G, 2 A) in the series. Logan Couture – San Jose’s scoring centre had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 Game Two victory at Anaheim; he had four points (3 G, 1 A) in his previous eight games. ZEROES Nikita Zaitsev – The Toronto blueliner was on the ice for four goals against (two at evens, two shorthanded) in a 7-3 Game Two loss at Boston. Matt Nieto – The Avalanche winger was on the wrong side of the puck (3 for, 13 against, 18.8 CF%, 1-5 scoring chances) in a 5-4 loss at Nashville. Frederik Andersen – Toronto’s netminder was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots in a 7-3 Game Two loss at Boston. Since the beginning on March, he has a .888 save percentage in 14 games. Keith Kinkaid – The Devils goaltender allowed five goals on 15 shots before getting pulled in a 5-3 Game Two loss at Tampa Bay. Cory Schneider stopped all 10 shots that he faced in relief, and could get a chance to start as the series returns to New Jersey for Game Three. STANLEY CUP HALF FULL/HALF EMPTY Hampus Lindholm – It came in a losing effort, but the Ducks blueliner had a strong showing in a 3-2 Game Two loss to San Jose. He had a goal and an assist to go with team-best possession stats (18 for, 8 against, 69.2 CF%). VITAL SIGNS Samuel Girard – Colorado’s rookie blueliner didn’t play in Game Two due to an upper-body injury, opening the door for Duncan Siemens to get into the lineup. Ryan Donato - With Tommy Wingels still hurting, the Bruins inserted rookie winger Donato into the lineup for Game Two. Leo Komarov - The veteran Leafs winger suffered a lower-body injury and was forced to leave Game Two at Boston early. SHORT SHIFTS Embedded Image Alex Killorn has three goals through two games against New Jersey. Bruins D Torey Krug produced three assists in a 7-3 Game Two win against Toronto. He has 26 points (4 G, 22 A) in his past 22 games…Lightning LW Alex Killorn scored two goals in a 5-3 Game Two win over New Jersey, giving him eight points (4 G, 4 A) in the past seven games…Lightning C Brayden Point added a goal and an assist, and has 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in the past 11 games…Lightning D Ryan McDonagh had a pair of assists against the Devils. He had three assists in two playoff games, after producing three points (1 G, 2 A) in 14 games with the Lightning after he was acquired from the Rangers…Predators LW Kevin Fiala contributed a goal and an assist in a 5-4 Game Two win vs. 1091858 Websites

TSN.CA / Statistically Speaking: Flyers bounce back in Game Two

Scott Cullen

Couturier picks up the Flyers in Game Two; Laine, Myers, Haula, Elliott and more in Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking. HEROES Sean Couturier – Philadelphia’s top centre put up a goal and two assists in a 5-1 Game Two win at Pittsburgh. He has 16 points (3 G, 13 A) in the past 15 games and had managed four points (3 G, 1 A) in his 20 previous playoff games. Patrik Laine – Winnipeg’s sophomore sniper notched a goal and an assist in a 4-1 Game Two victory against Minnesota. He has three points (2 G, 1 A) and 10 shots on goal through the first two games of the series. Tyler Myers – The towering Jets blueliner produced a goal and an assist in Game Two against Minnesota; he had just two assists in his previous 19 games. Erik Haula – The Golden Knights centre scored the double-overtime winner in a 2-1 Game Two victory against Los Angeles, giving Vegas a 2- 0 series lead. Going back to the regular-season, he had gone four consecutive games without a point, matching his longest scoring drought of the year, before scoring that huge goal. Brian Elliott – After getting pulled from Game One of the series, the Flyers goaltender bounced back and stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 5-1 Game Two win at Pittsburgh. ZEROES Charlie Coyle – The Wild winger was on the wrong side of the puck (2 for, 12 against, 14.3 CF%, 0-6 scoring chances in a 4-1 loss at Winnipeg. Nick Seeler – Same goes for the rookie Wild defenceman (4 for, 22 against, 15.4 CF%, 0-11 scoring chances). Trevor Lewis - The Kings veteran spent most of the five periods at Vegas in his own end (8 for, 34 against, 19.1 CF%) in a 2-1 overtime loss in Game Two at Vegas. Matt Murray – After posting a shutout in Game One, the Penguins netminder gave up four goals on 19 shots in a 5-1 Game Two loss to Philadelphia. STANLEY CUP HALF FULL/HALF EMPTY Nolan Patrick – The Flyers rookie recorded his first career playoff goal, on a nifty power-play setup from Couturier, but was otherwise buried in his own end (2 for, 13 against, 13.3 CF%, 1-6 scoring chances) in a 5-1 Game Two win at Pittsburgh. VITAL SIGNS Jack Roslovic – Inserted into the Jets’ Game Two lineup to replace an injured Mathieu Perreault, the Winnipeg rookie contributed a pair of assists in a 4-1 win over Minnesota. Oscar Fantenberg – On a Kings blueline missing Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin and Derek Forbort, the rookie blueliner logged 41:03 of ice time in Game Two at Vegas, second-highest on the team behind Alec Martinez (44:51). SHORT SHIFTS Flyers D Ivan Provorov picked up a pair of assists in Game Two at Pittsburgh, and has nine points (3 G, 6 A) in the past eight games…Fresh off scoring the game-winning goal in Game One, Jets D Joe Morrow had a stellar possession game (20 for, 3 against, 87.0 CF%, 10-0 scoring chances) in a 4-1 Game Two victory...Kings G Jonathan Quick stopped 54 of 56 shots in a 2-1 double-overtime loss in Game Two at Vegas. He has stopped 81 of 84 shots in two games and the Kings are still down 2-0 in the series…Golden Knights G Marc-Andre Fleury turned away 29 of 30 shots for the win in Game Two; he’s stopped 59 of 60 shots to take the 2-0 series lead. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091859 Websites There was no doubt in Babcock’s mind he would go back to Andersen, despite his shaky play over the series’ first two games. The results haven’t deserved to hang solely on Toronto's goaltending, and that’s the TSN.CA / Leafs return home with single goal in mind message Babcock tried to get across in Sunday’s team meeting. “He’s our guy,” Babcock confirmed of Andersen. “The puck was going in and it wasn’t going our way, so we got him out. But we haven’t done a Kristen Shilton very good job in front of him. You have to give your goalie a chance to be good, we haven’t done that. Freddie is our guy and he’ll be back tomorrow.” TORONTO – The playoffs are a marathon, not a sprint. Or at least, that’s ---- what the Maple Leafs are hoping for. It was no secret the key to victory for Toronto in this series would be how After dropping the first two games of their opening round Stanley Cup well they contained the Bruins’ top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad playoff series to the Boston Bruins on the road, Toronto has returned Marchand and Pastrnak. Given that trio has already combined for 20 home with a single goal in mind – just win. points in two games, it’s safe to say keeping them in check hasn’t been easy. “It’s a seven game series for a reason, so there is no reason to get down and frustrated this early in the series,” said Tyler Bozak. “It’s only going While in Boston the Leafs have been without last change, allowing Bruce to hurt you. So we’ve just got to stay positive, get back to what we do and Cassidy to roll out the Bergeron line against Auston Matthews’ line to try to get back in this series.” good success. Suspended centre Nazem Kadri won’t be available for either of the Leafs’ home games this week, but at least Babcock will be Taking advantage of home ice the way Boston did will be chief among able to dictate matchups. He wouldn’t say much about his plan, simply the Leafs’ concerns as they prepare for Game 3 on Monday. Since Jan. stating, “we’re going to play hard against them, we’ve got last change.” 22, Toronto has lost only two games at Air Canada Centre, and set a But suffice it to say, the Bergeron line is a top priority. franchise record for longest home winning streak (13 games) in the process. It’s those types of accomplishments from the regular season – To this point in the series Matthews has been held off the scoresheet, including the franchise wins record (49) and home wins record (29) – that and despite dominating possession against the Bergeron group on the Leafs are drawing from to bolster their sagging swagger now. Saturday, the Leafs need production from Matthews (and the rest of their forwards) in the form of goals and assists. “You earn [confidence] all year, you work hard to put yourself in the playoffs and win games and to have a good record,” said Morgan Rielly. "Any way you look at it, their one line is having too much fun, so we have “You have to earn that, and moving forward we have to find it, we have to to look after that," said Babcock. "And the second thing is the play in front do the things that we have to do today to get ready for tomorrow. You of our net hasn’t been good enough for us to have success, so we have have to chip away, and when you go out there, it starts with the first shift to clean that up." and from there on out, you build off of it.” To that end, it’s not about any one player neutralizing a line that hot. It While acknowledging “that’s not the way we planned for our first two takes the combined effort of all six players on the ice to slow them down. games to go,” Rielly was also optimistic that learning from their mistakes – and a few small victories – would be crucial to finding success against “We have to eliminate some of their space,” said Andersen. “They’ve Boston. been getting a little too much time maybe and they’re too skilled to let them do that. I think you see the nice goals, it looks pretty easy for them, “There were points in the game [on Saturday] where we were able to but I’m sure we can fix that.” control the puck more than we were in Game 1,” he said. “And it’s important we look at that and look at what created those opportunities Indeed, when Pasternak scored his first of three goals on Saturday he and try to replicate that in Game 3 but do it more consistently.” had the entire front of the net clear to work the puck on his stick - and eventually over top of Andersen. Blown assignments defensively and Mike Babcock agreed the Leafs’ start in Game 2 showed good punch, disorganization among forwards has led to too many small breakdowns and was impressed with the way his team tried to push back after the that elite forwards like the Bergeron crew can capitalize on. Game 1 loss. But everything Boston put on net went in, and whatever pressure the Leafs established didn’t result in points. It comes down to It’s been the same issue on special teams, where breakdowns and lack superior play in their own end and elevating their goaltender that will turn of execution have led to the Leafs going 1-for-7 on the power play the tide for Toronto in front of its fans. through two games, while the Bruins are 5-for-10. It’s a matter not only of confidence that the Leafs get both those units going, but that the disparity “This is our first game at home in front of our crowd; we’re going to be is killing them in the long game of the series against an opponent that great, get re-energized today,” said Babcock. “We basically brought [the gives them so little to work with as it is. players] in to clean the mechanism out and let’s get ready to go, and get after it. We spent all year preparing for this opportunity and don’t feel “We have to keep them off our net a little bit on the kill,” said Rielly. “We we’ve been as good as we’re capable of being. That part is went over their goals here this morning; they’re all from in tight it seems disappointing, but the other part is we know how good we are and want like. So they’re getting pucks to our net, they’re getting pucks to our net, to play that well.” so we have to do a better job of boxing them out and blocking shots.” ---- “Their power play unit is very good, they have a lot of firepower on that unit,” added Bozak. “They make good plays, they win faceoffs and they It was a brutal night in Beantown for Frederik Andersen on Saturday, have guys who can score. Our power play has been good all year; we’ve when he was pulled from the Leafs’ net after allowing three goals on five got guys who can score. It was nice to finally get one later in [Game 2 shots in just over 12 minutes of action. He was not made available to the from James van Riemsdyk], hopefully that gives us a little boost on our media following the loss, but on Sunday reflected over what went wrong power play and hopefully we can stay out of the box and win the special and how the Leafs can go about fixing it before Monday. teams game.” “There’s a few things, some bounces too that came at their end,” he said. ---- “An early save on that first goal [by David Pastrnak] would have been huge, and that’s playoff hockey for you. Sometimes you make that save Leo Komarov already missed seven regular season games with a knee and we build off that. I know we’re capable of playing better and myself injury, and now another lower-body injury is expected to cost him at least included so we can look forward to that and turn the page for tomorrow.” one playoff game. After Andersen exited, Curtis McElhinney inherited the 3-0 deficit and Komarov was slow to get up off the ice after being flattened by Kevan didn’t fare much better against the high-flying Bruins, turning aside 19 of Miller in the second period of Game 2, appearing to re-injure the same 23 shots for an .826 save percentage. The blip hasn’t shaken Andersen’s knee that held him out for half of March. The veteranwinger did try and confidence in himself though, or in his ability to lead Toronto to their first return to the game with another shift, but left the bench again in a hurry victory of the series when he re-takes the starter’s net in Game 3. afterwards and was officially ruled out for the rest of the game at the start of the third period. “I feel good,” he said. “When I look at a game like that, I think some bounces here and there could have changed things, but I know one big Babcock didn’t have much of an update to offer on Komarov’s condition, save could change the series in a game like that and be huge, so it’s saying Sunday he was still being evaluated and as such Babcock would what we do from now on and we’ve been feeling really good at home so go ahead with a plan that didn’t include Komarov in Game 3. Who might we want to come out flying tomorrow.” replace him in the lineup, Babcock didn’t say, leaving the door open to multiple possibilities. The Leafs currently have three extra forwards in the fold – Matt Martin, Dominic Moore and Josh Leivo. TSN.CA LOADED: 04.16.2018 1091860 Websites The argument is that Karlsson was defenseless and Perry knew it when he hit him hard enough to send Karlsson's helmet airborne.

USA TODAY LOADED: 04.16.2018 USA TODAY / NHL playoffs loading up early with questionable hits

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports Published 7:56 p.m. ET April 15, 2018 | Updated 8:11 p.m. ET April 15, 2018

Could this be the David Pastrnak NHL playoffs? How about the Marc- Andre Fleury playoffs? Sidney Crosby? Maybe Artemi Panarin? Or is this going to be the George Parros playoffs? Way too early to reach any conclusions, but the NHL’s director of Player Safety has been forced to be more involved than he wants to be. Only two games into the opening playoff series, Parros already has had to review a handful of on-ice incidents. Parros has handed out a couple of suspensions, and a couple of his decisions were probably difficult. Are these incidents outliers? Or is this going to be a nastier playoff year than usual? Is the league-wide parity or some other factor creating more hostility? We will know more once we see games in all of the playoff cities. What we do know is hatred is building in most series, particularly the Winnipeg- Minnesota, Toronto-Boston and Columbus-Washington series. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, because of their long rivalry, started with animosity built in. Here is sampling of hits that fans have been talking about so far: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (on William Carrier): Doughty was suspended one game because Carrier’s head was the principal point of contact. Doughty strongly resented the suspension, saying it was unwarranted. His defenders said it was a hockey play that went awry because Carrier was cutting in and Doughty’s hit struck Carrier’s arm and continued up to his head. Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (on Tommy Wingels): Kadri slammed into Wingels after Wingels had struck Kadri’s teammate, Mitch Marner, with a high hit. Kadri was suspended three games because Wingels was facing the boards, falling down and was defenseless when Kadri hit him. Kadri also left skates to add force to the blow. Scary moment in Flyers vs. Penguins as Giroux and Letang collide. pic.twitter.com/iCyhmnJtCH — NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 14, 2018 Philadelphia left wing Claude Giroux (on Kris Letang): This was the oddest hit in the group because Giroux was going backward when he upended Letang, who was moving forward. Most people seem to believe replays support that it was an accidental hit, but some knowledgeable NHL people believe Giroux knew what he was doing. Giroux didn’t have a hearing. #CBJ Josh Anderson has been assessed a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Michal Kempny. #StanleyCuppic.twitter.com/2KslGZ9IoG — NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 13, 2018 Columbus forward Josh Anderson (on Michal Kempny): Anderson received a five-minute major and was ejected for boarding Kempny in Game 1. Kempny was injured when he was crunched from behind. No hearing on this one, either. Tom Wilson’s hit on Alexander Wennberg last night who left the game with an upper-body injury.... #StanleyCuppic.twitter.com/8SANKrVEuB — Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) April 13, 2018 Washington right wing Tom Wilson (on Alex Wennberg): Wilson left his feet to wallop Wennberg, and he received no hearing. But the Capitals did pay a price. The Blue Jackets scored on the power play created by Wilson’s penalty. That tied the score 2-2 and they won the game on Panarin's goal. Corey Perry's hit on Melker Karlsson last night. #StanleyCuppic.twitter.com/qP4ezfFe1C — Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) April 15, 2018 Anaheim right wing Corey Perry (on Melker Karlsson): Some social media outcry for Perry to have a hearing for his blindside hit on Karlsson.