SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/24/2021 Colorado Avalanche 1213939 Lukas Dostal, San Diego Gulls lose to Bakersfield 1213967 Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly dubs his series “pretty pathetic,” says Condors in Game 2 Avalanche “clearly the better team” 1213968 On Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon’s mission to win , we are all his wingmen 1213940 In winning his first series as captain, Patrice Bergeron’s 1213969 Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri will appeal his eight-game leadership was on full display suspension 1213941 Credit the Bruins, smaller in size but bigger in heart, for 1213970 Blues-Avalanche Game 4 Quick Hits: Quiet in Game 3, neutralizing the Capitals MacKinnon line comes through with three goals 1213942 Bruins are moving on after eliminating Capitals in five 1213971 Avalanche’s top line all score once apiece to lead games in the first round of the playoffs Colorado past Blues for series sweep 1213943 Tuukka Rask still the clear choice in the Bruins’ net 1213972 Three keys for Avalanche in Game 4 against St. Louis 1213944 Meeting Zdeno Chara in the handshake line an emotional 1213973 Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche blow past Blues with moment for some Bruins bigger goals ahead 1213945 Bruins oust Capitals with 3-1 victory 1213974 John Kelly Q&A: Blues announcer on his days with the 1213946 Bruins Notebook: Jarred Tinordi replaces Kevan Miller Avalanche, ‘Quoteless Joe’ Sakic, the Cup runs and more 1213947 Bruins eliminate Capitals with Game 5 win, reach second 1213975 Deen’s List: Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche sweep round St. Louis Blues in four games 1213948 Pastrnak makes Capitals look silly with amazing in 1213976 Sweep: “Yeah, it did” – Landeskog on whether O’Reilly Game 5 victory guarantee motivated Avs 1213949 Projected lines, pairings for Bruins vs. Capitals Game 5 1213977 Avs Game Grades: Mis-souri loves company 1213950 Talking Points: Boston Bruins Eliminate Capitals With Strong Game Columbus Blue Jackets 1213951 Boston Bruins Pastrnak Dazzles With Game 5 Opening 1213978 Michael Arace: Jody Shelley gets another call up to the big Goal leagues, this time from NBCSN 1213952 Game 5: Boston Bruins @ Lines, 1213979 J.D. returns to his home-away-from-home and gives hope Preview to Columbus 1213953 Boston Bruins Ready To Ride Their ‘Sniper’ After 1213980 Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering: Is Jarmo Kekalainen OK Breakthrough with John Davidson’s return? 1213954 With Miller Out, Boston Bruins Turn To Jarred Tinordi 1213955 Bruins Ready For Game 5: ‘Mindset Is Do Everything It Detroit Red Wings Takes To Win’ 1213981 Why Moritz Seider's buzz is building with Detroit Red 1213956 Bruins advance: 5 reasons the season rolls on Wings ahead of 'a huge step up' 1213982 Sunday's NHL playoffs: Avalanche complete 4-game sweep of Blues with 5-2 win 1213957 How Bills and Sabres have fared under the Pegulas' 1213983 Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser slowly returns to form, ownership carries momentum into offseason 1213958 How 'drill another well' morphed into just a deep hole for Sabres Edmonton Oilers 1213959 Sabres' bad luck extends beyond just poor hiring 1213984 Catastrophic third-period collapse all but ends Edmonton 1213960 How have the Pegulas gotten things right with the Bills, Oilers' season but so, so wrong with the Sabres? 1213985 Lineup changes, Zack Kassian’s goal and other Oilers observations on an epic Game 3 collapse against the Jets Carolina Hurricanes 1213986 Lowetide: Is Oilers coach Dave Tippett overreaching in 1213961 The Hurricanes’ big advantage over the Predators in search of goal suppression? upcoming Game 5? The Caniacs. 1213962 If the Hurricanes thought this was going to be easy, it’s Florida Panthers anything but now 1213987 Knight time? Panthers’ 20-year-old goalie is ‘an option’ for 1213963 Hurricanes fall to Predators in double overtime of Game 4 must-win Game 5 vs. Tampa 1213964 Jaccob Slavin’s continuing absence is making things hard 1213988 Panthers increase BB&T Center capacity to 75 percent for on the Hurricanes must-win Game 5 vs. Lightning 1213965 Rexrode: Predators have Canes on the ropes, assuming 1213989 Could 20-year-old goalie Spencer Knight get a chance in both have the energy to continue Game 5 for Panthers? 1213990 Florida Panthers increase attendance capacity again for Chicago Blackhawks Game 5 1213966 Even an aging Patrick Kane makes the Chicago 1213991 Florida Panthers to increase capacity (again) for Game 5 Blackhawks dangerous. But how close are they to being a v. Lightning Stanley C 1213992 Steve Gorten: For this kind of money, Panthers need ‘Big Game Bobrovsky’ 1213993 Who is playing dirty: The Panthers or Lightning? How about both 1213994 A Panthers goalie switch, healing Lightning stars and ‘pride’: What to expect in Game 5 Minnesota Wild St Louis Blues 1213995 From faceoffs to finishing, Wild power play isn't connecting 1214029 Tarasenko shows his old self with two goals, but it's not 1213996 Scoring drought leaves Wild teetering on brink of playoff enough for the Blues elimination 1214030 Hochman: With another Blues playoff loss, the Stanley 1213998 Wild veteran Zach Parise: ‘The last thing I want to do is be Cup win seems so far away now a distraction’ 1214031 Avs turn the lights out on Blues season with four-game 1213999 Dane Mizutani: It’s time for Kirill Kaprizov to be the Wild’s sweep best player 1214032 No Bortuzzo, Dunn or Faulk again for Blues 1214033 Avalanche complete 4-game sweep of Blues with 5-2 win 1214034 Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri appealing 8-game 1214000 Jack Todd: It's time for Canadiens to roll dice with Cole suspension Caufield 1214035 Recent champs Capitals, St. Louis on brink of elimination 1214001 Habs 'in a good spot' as playoff series shifts to Montreal, 1214036 The Blues’ 10 biggest offseason priorities as an important Ducharme says summer begins 1214002 About Last Night: Leafs power play comes alive in series 1214037 ohn Kelly Q&A: Blues announcer on his days with the tying 5-1 win Avalanche, ‘Quoteless Joe’ Sakic, the Cup runs and more 1214003 Canadiens playoff notebook: Living and dying with the cross-check, Cole Caufield’s possible arrival and more Tampa Bay Lightning 1214038 With second round in reach, Lightning need to remain cool under fire 1214004 Luke Kunin earns spotlight in Game 4, but Juuse Saros is 1214039 A Panthers goalie switch, healing Lightning stars and the Nashville Predators' real MVP ‘pride’: What to expect in Game 5 1214005 Game 4 overtime victory was Juuse Saros' masterpiece for Nashville Predators | Estes Maple Leafs 1214006 Predators and Hurricanes are in rare overtime territory in 1214040 Leafs can be dominant, as long as they keep their focus NHL Playoff history on the ice 1214007 Titans OT Taylor Lewan leads second-period standing 1214041 ‘A little extra patience.’ The Maple Leafs show faith in ovation while chugging a beer shirtless Rasmus Sandin and reap the rewards 1214008 Luke Kunin is only the fifth Predator to score in first minute 1214042 Canadiens return home after earning split of first two of a Stanley Cup Playoff game games in Toronto 1214009 Drew and Ellie Holcomb sing national anthem before 1214043 The Maple Leafs turn to Nick Foligno with John Tavares Nashville Predators' Game 4 against the Hurricanes down. It worked in Game 2 1214010 Rexrode: Predators have Canes on the ropes, assuming 1214044 Bogosian on Matthews: 'That's huge, when he plays that both have the energy to continue intense' 1214045 SIMMONS SUNDAY: Chiarot should’ve been suspended New York Islanders for the hit before the hit 1214011 Brock Nelson’s peskiness quietly helping Islanders in 1214046 Maple Leafs Klokebook: William Nylander’s confidence, playoffs Chatham’s mayor endorses T.J. Brodie for office 1214012 Islanders have been containing ‘dangerous’ Sidney Crosby Canucks 1214013 Islanders plan to use hostile Pittsburgh crowd to their 1214067 Canucks: Quinn Hughes intent on improving defending for advantage in Game 5 next season 1214014 Brock Nelson's determined play for the Islanders is not going unnoticed Vegas Golden Knights 1214015 Ilya Sorokin a Remedy for Islanders in Pivotal Game Four 1214047 Potential Golden Knights-Avalanche series already on Win betting board 1214048 Golden Knights get chance to clinch series at T-Mobile Arena 1214016 The road to the NHL had its bumps, but has 1214049 Golden Knights’ stars outshining Wild’s top players in served notice he's arrived series 1214050 Marc-Andre Fleury leaves Wild players shaking their heads again 1214017 Penguins/Islanders notes: Brock Nelson a pest, series shifts back to Pittsburgh Washington Capitals 1214018 Barry Trotz: Sidney Crosby ‘the gold standard’ among 1214051 The Capitals bowed out early again. Now they have plenty NHL players of questions to answer. 1214019 Sidney Crosby’s Penguins, Barry Trotz’s Islanders no 1214052 Capitals drop Game 5 to Bruins, make another first-round strangers to pressure of series tied at 2 exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs 1214020 Empty Thoughts: Islanders 4, Penguins 1 1214053 Capitals bounced in first round for third straight year as 1214021 Minor league report: Nailers beaten in overtime Bruins take Game 5 1214022 Mark Madden: Penguins could benefit from changing up 1214054 Caps lose in first round yet again as offseason questions Sidney Crosby's line loom 1214023 Five things the Penguins need to change to take back 1214055 How the Capitals lost their first-round series to the Bruins control of series 1214056 As Caps reflect on series, it's Game 4 loss that haunts 1214024 We Interrupt The Chippiness For Trotz’s Latest Praise Of them Crosby 1214057 Ovechkin not ready to talk about his contract after playoff 1214025 Round One Drama: Several Penguins Must Rise to exit Challenge vs. Islanders 1214058 The best moments from a Capitals season that ended too 1214026 Dan’s Daily: Malkin Struggles, Fleury Brilliant, & ‘The soon Code’ in Hockey 1214059 The Caps' biggest offensive problem isn't the power play, it's 5-on-5 1214060 Capitals face tough questions after early playoff exit vs. 1214027 Chekhovich Injury Update, Ibragimov Impresses, Cuda Bruins Eliminated 1214028 Sheng’s Daily: All Eyes on Pointless McDavid Before Game 3 Websites 1214068 The Athletic / NHL Picks today: Expert selections for Maple Leafs-Canadiens, Jets-Oilers, Wild-Golden Knights 1214069 .ca / 'We don't give up': Seemingly down and out, Jets stage miracle Game 3 comeback 1214070 Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' promising season a fading, cruel mirage after Game 3 collapse 1214071 Sportsnet.ca / Stanley Cup Playoffs takeaways: Bruins bid Chara bittersweet adieu 1214072 MIND OVER MATTER 1214073 TSN.CA / Keefe: Habs' ultra-physical approach brings risk of penalties Winnipeg Jets 1214061 Ehlers OT hero in Jets' stunning 5-4 playoff win over Oilers 1214062 Epic victory was missing fans 1214063 FRIESEN: One more shovel of dirt and Jets will have Oilers buried 1214064 Jets pull off remarkable comeback, Ehlers scores in overtime, to beat Oilers in Game 3 1214065 Jets' fans find way to show support in very pandemic way 1214066 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Ehlers thrilled to be back in the lineup for Game 3 of Jets' series with Oilers SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1213939 Anaheim Ducks

Lukas Dostal, San Diego Gulls lose to Bakersfield Condors in Game 2

By ELLIOTT TEAFORD | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 8:54 p.m. | UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 8:54 p.m.

San Diego Gulls goaltender Lukas Dostal didn’t have a chance in the opening minute of sudden-death overtime Sunday in Bakersfield. There was a misplay at center ice, a quick pass from the right wing to the left and, suddenly, the puck was in his net and the game was over.

The Bakersfield Condors rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Gulls in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. Game 3 of the best-of-3 series is Monday in Bakersfield with the winner advancing to play the Henderson (Nevada) Silver Knights for the Pacific Division championship.

The Gulls might not have made it as far as OT in Game 2 if not for Dostal, a 20-year-old from the Czech Republic. He made 34 saves two nights after making 39 saves in a 5-3 victory in Game 1 that featured a four-point game from Trevor Zegras, a 20-year-old center.

Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale, 19, had an impact on Game 2, but not as much as they did in Game 1. Zegras and Drysdale, who had two assists Friday, were held without a point Sunday. The Condors deployed an aggressive forecheck that slowed down the Gulls.

San Diego had a chance to break open the game early, but failed to click on a 5-on-3 power play in the opening minutes. The Gulls built a 2-1 lead by the end of the first period on goals from Benoit-Olivier Grouxl and Trevor Carrick. Cooper Marody had the Condors’ goal.

After a scoreless second period, the Gulls failed to pad their lead in the third period and Luke Esposito tied it for Bakersfield with 7:20 left in regulation. Moments earlier, Dostal made a sprawling save to deny Adam Cracknell on a close-range shot 5:56 into the third period.

Dostal was shaken up on the play, after Bakersfield’s Seth Griffith fell into him during the goalmouth scramble. Dostal went back to work after a few minutes to compose himself. He couldn’t stop Esposito’s shot that tied it or Griffith’s winner 49 seconds into OT, however.

It wasn’t immediately certain whether Dostal would start the winner-take- all Game 3 or whether Olle Eriksson Ek would make his first playoff appearance. Eriksson Ek, the younger brother of Joel Eriksson Ek of the Minnesota Wild, was 8-6-1 in 15 regular-season games.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213940 Boston Bruins “He’s certainly a guy that has led this team for a lot of years, but this is his first year with the C on it, he wants to sort of put his signature on this club, regular season and now the playoffs,” Cassidy said. “I’m sure he’s digging a little bit deeper, if that’s even possible for him. He shows up In winning his first series as captain, Patrice Bergeron’s leadership was every night, and gives it all he’s got. on full display “I’m happy to see him get his first series as a captain.”

Bergeron, in typical fashion, wasn’t quite ready to make it about himself. By Tara Sullivan Globe Columnist,Updated May 23, 2021, 11:52 p.m. He’s won plenty of playoff series across his Bruins tenure — enough to hoist a Stanley Cup in 2011 — so I asked him if it felt different to do it as

a captain. Patrice Bergeron never needed a “C” stitched to his sweater to take on a “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I feel like we’re a team, it feels special to win leadership role with the Bruins. His hockey DNA long ago determined the together, everyone chipping in and contributing. I’ve said it all along. I type of player he would be, and with every passing year of his tenure in have a great leadership group and core that, we’re really close to each Boston, his capacity to model the right behavior has only grown in other and rely on each other as well to lead. I haven’t really thought strength and depth. about it. It’s a good question. I’m just happy we got the win and finished it Besides, with a certain 6-foot-9 shadow hanging around for the past 14 off and we can look forward to round two.” years, there was little Bergeron could do but sit and wait. Back when the Bruins announced Bergeron as Chara’s successor on But this is his time now, and after the performance he put in Sunday night Jan. 7, the team released a video that revealed a locker room prank, one in leading the Bruins past the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs, that initially named Marchand the captain, going as far as handing it’s clearer than ever this is his team now too. Marchand his own captain’s jersey. But even as he tried, Marchand couldn’t keep up the ruse. And if the torch hadn’t passed metaphorically enough from hulking defenseman Zdeno Chara to the sublime center who had been his “I think we all know who the real captain is,” he said. teammate for so long, there they were at game’s end Sunday, an Indeed we do. exclusive club of two along the handshake line, the former captain congratulating the current one. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.24.2021 Bergeron scored twice in the Bruins’ 3-1 win over Washington, a second- period knuckler from the middle of the ice that gave his team a 2-0 lead, and a third period unassisted beauty off a turnover that stopped Washington dead in its tracks. It was Bergeron’s line on the ice when the Capitals made it a game, a goal from Conor Sheary just 11 seconds into the third cutting the lead to 2-1. So it was only fitting that it was Bergeron’s line that made sure to get it back, too.

It was Bergeron himself who picked up the puck from TJ Oshie’s mistake, turned toward Ilya Samsonov’s goal, and fired the puck into the upper left corner for the 3-1 lead. At a time when the Capitals were getting every chance at the net, pushing and swarming and peppering and smothering Tuukka Rask, Bergeron took his one chance and made it count, just like a captain should.

“He’s been one of our many leaders for years now, now he just has the captain’s letter on his chest,” Rask said. “He hasn’t changed at all. Everyone knows what kind of player and person he is, especially in a clutch game like tonight. Nobody should be surprised that he scored a goal or two.”

Lauding a guy like Bergeron is easy. As coach Bruce Cassidy put it, “we could talk about him all night.” But here’s the thing — sometimes, when you’re as good and as consistent and as solid and as even-keeled as Bergeron is, you risk being left out of a conversation that veers so easily toward Brad Marchand’s antics or David Pastrnak’s exploits. It was Pastrnak’s opening goal that was destined for the highlight reels Sunday, his through-the-legs, through-the-crease poke past Samsonov that got the Bruins going.

But even if we’re not talking about Bergeron enough, everyone in Black and Gold is listening to him. And that’s what matters. He raises the level of everyone around him, challenging them to meet his level of commitment to details, to training, to working, and to leading. He reigns Marchand in from dumb penalties and he pushes Pastrnak out of occasional funks. He welcomes Taylor Hall with open arms and willingly shares a spotlight with Charlie McAvoy, the heir apparent to locker room leadership.

With the star of stars leading the way, just look at what the Bruins best players did this series: A quick overtime strike by Marchand to win Game 2, or the “greasy” pure effort goal by Hall that forced the extra session. Hall’s beautiful move in Game 3, a lift and flick past Samsonov, or the pure effort of that Craig Smith sprint that finally ended that long night of double OT hockey. The awakening of Pastrnak across the last two games, and of course, the four goals in total from Bergeron.

When your stars outshine their stars as they did this series — and make no mistake, the Bruins’ stars earned their paychecks and then some, rising to the occasion from Rask on out — you have to credit Bergeron, the undisputed hub of this spoked B. 1213941 Boston Bruins Some observations: Ex-Bruins captain Zdeno Chara picked his spots for exerting his strength

against his old team. Case in point: 5:09 of the first period when he Credit the Bruins, smaller in size but bigger in heart, for neutralizing the leveled Craig Smith with a stiff hit near the Boston bench. Capitals “Trying to send a message,” said Cassidy. “That’s Z.”

When Jarred Tinordi stepped in to object, Chara gave it right back to the By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated May 23, 2021, 10:08 p.m. big defenseman. Chara never played on the same Bruins team with Smith or Tinordi.

Rask grew sharper as the series played out, just as the entire Bruins Where did the Capitals go? They now have the summer to figure out the team grew stronger. He was at his best at 12:35 of the first when Sheary answer to that, sent packing by the Bruins Sunday night, 3-1, in Game 5 was fed a backdoor pass near the right post and attempted a sweep of their first-round playoff series. stuff. The alert Rask tracked the play from pass to shot and kept the score at 0-0. He stopped 40 of 41 on the night, and finished the series The Caps came out with wheels blazing in the series, racing around their with a .941 save percentage and 1.81 goals again mark. home Capital One Arena, hitting bodies and generating shots, looking like they would run the Bruins out of the building and into the offseason. “It makes it easier for everybody when you see your goalie completely under control,” said Cassidy. “It looks like they’re not going to get a pea But it lasted two games. They never came close to generating that kind by him for the most part.” of energy again for the remainder of the series. The Bruins neutralized them, especially with better puck management between the blue lines, Details. Details. Details. The Bruins, mainly because of Bergeron, held rarely allowing the Caps to impose their speed and size the way they did the edge in faceoff wins in Games 1, 2 and 4. They opened with the in Games 1 and 2. same sort of efficiency Sunday night, winning 11 of 19 drops in the first period. The Caps were able to do a much better job over the final 30 The Bruins, after withstanding the early barrages of the first two games, minutes, but they were not able to get back even on the scoreboard. The never got off task and took control of the series on home ice, particularly Bruins won 54 percent of the draws over five games. Charlie McAvoy, with the 4-1 win on Friday night at the Garden. with five power-play assists over the first four games, again manned the The Caps are one of the few teams in the NHL that employ full-time man- point on the No. 1 power-play unit, typically with forward David Krejci on-man coverage as the basis of their defense. The Bruins increasingly aiding him along the blue line – with the big line of Bergeron, Pastrnak took advantage of it as the series continued. and Brad Marchand up front. It’s a significant growth ring for McAvoy, who rarely manned the point on the first unit during the regular season. When David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron each scored in the second To be considered a true No. 1 defenseman, he’ll have to grow that role. If period, building a 2-0 lead, the Bruins had scored eight of the last nine he does, he can be among the game’s premier defensemen. goals in the series. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.24.2021 Meanwhile, season slipping away, the Caps never had the seismic pushback a serious Cup contender needs to mount. They did trim Boston’s lead to 2-1 at the start of the third, with Conor Sheary connecting on a second chance, but it ended there.

Keep in mind, the Caps went into the postseason with Vitek Vanecek, not Samsonov, figured as their No. 1 tender. He was hurt 13 minutes into Game 1 when doing the splits in an attempt to stop a Jake DeBrusk shot. Samsonov played well in stretches, but overall showed the inconsistencies expected of a goalie who had never played in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Pastrnak’s goal, for the 1-0 lead only 2:28 into the second, came with the Caps sleeping on defense. Pastrnak, with a feed from newcomer Mike Reilly, first maneuvered easily around Nic Dowd on the left side and then waltzed in on net, left unscathed as he cut left-right across the slot and made a forehand stuff at the right post on Samsonov.

The defense was far too lax for a regular-season game, never mind on a night when facing playoff elimination. It’s a good bet coach Peter Laviolette will change next season to the layered/zone defensive approach universally embraced across the league.

“Breaking down their D-zone coverage,” noted coach Bruce Cassidy. “We know it’s man to man. They’ll collapse at first, but . . . "

With Dowd dusted off on Pastrnak’s approach on the left wide, the Caps backliners were spaced too far apart and not paying attention to picking up the hard-charging Czech winger.

“A bit of a breakdown,” said Cassidy, “and all of a sudden he’s in and gets to wipe across the front of the net. That’s the drawback of playing man to man . . . if you do get beat, there’s not a lot of help, you’re relying on your goaltender.”

The Caps, said Cassidy, have some “long D” — big defenseman. As the series wore on, the Bruins summoned the speed to get in on them and make plays.

“If you get on your horse and you’re willing to attack,” he said, “you can separate, use your one-on-one skills and get a few looks.”

Bergeron’s first goal, also set up on a Reilly feed, came with the Caps again sleeping on defense. The Bruins captain skated freely into prime ice, right down the middle, and whipped in a 45-foot wrister. Not only was it clear wheeling, but it also was a shot that should have been stopped. 1213942 Boston Bruins The Capitals halved the lead 11 seconds into the third, Sheary jumping on a rare by Rask and poor slot coverage by the Bruins. The Capitals emptied the tank, but Bergeron provided the dagger.

Bruins are moving on after eliminating Capitals in five games in the first Bergeron, who was on the ice when the Caps made it 2-1, picked off T.J. round of the playoffs Oshie’s backhand clearing attempt and zipped one over Samsonov’s blocker.

“Bergy’s never happy when a puck goes in and he’s on the ice,” Cassidy By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated May 23, 2021, 9:48 p.m. said. “Certainly a guy that’s led this team for a lot of years and this is his first year with the ‘C’ on it so he wants to sort of put his signature on this

club. … I’m sure he’s going a little, digging a little bit deeper if that’s even WASHINGTON — The two most prominent Bruins of this generation, one possible for him.” wearing still-unfamiliar red, met at center ice. They gave each other The Capitals nearly made it 3-2 with 5:37 left, Lars Eller roofing one from equal space, as they did for 14 years in the Boston dressing room, a sharp angle on the power play. The only reason Rask was late to slide smacked hands emphatically, and embraced each other around the over was because Evgeny Kuznetsov needlessly and unwisely cross- neck. checked him to the ice. Officials conferred and wiped out the goal. Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara, Black and Gold captains present and The goal judge in D.C. seemed hopeful for a comeback, flicking on the past, lingered for a few seconds before moving on. They will catch up red light for a brief second on a Justin Schultz shot that hit the outside of later this summer. One of them has more business to handle. the netting. A series that felt inevitable finished quickly on Sunday. Two goals from A few minutes later, it was lights out. Bergeron and another from David Pastrnak, plus 40 saves from Tuukka Rask, vanquished the Capitals in Game 5, sending the Bruins into the Boston Globe LOADED: 05.24.2021 second round with a 3-1 win.

One of the hottest teams in hockey down the stretch, the Bruins will get a chance to cool their heels for a few days. The Penguins and Islanders (2- 2) are now a best-of-three. That series will play out Monday, Wednesday, and if necessary, Friday.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on it,” said coach Bruce Cassidy, noting his club will welcome what could be nearly a week’s rest. “I think guys have their eye on the prize, so to speak, and they’ll be fine whenever they tell us we can play again.”

They became the second team this postseason to advance, knocking out Chara and the Caps hours after Torey Krug and the Blues were broomed away by the juggernaut Avalanche.

It was their first playoff win since beating the Hurricanes in five games in last year’s Toronto bubble, a series Rask departed early for a family emergency. Boston’s ace is silencing doubters anew, stopping 159 of 169 shots this series (.941), with a 1.81 goals against average. Of the 10 goals he allowed the Caps, three beat him clean. One of those, their only strike in Game 5, was a hot rebound that Conor Sheary deposited upstairs.

“He just seemed very composed in there and sure of himself,” Cassidy said. “It makes it easier for I think everybody when you see your goalie completely under control, and you see they’re not going to get a pea by him for the most part.”

He had help from his kill, which snuffed out all four Washington power plays and finished the series 18 for 21 (85.7 percent). Alex Ovechkin had two PPGs, one of them off a Bruins skate.

“That was one of the differences,” Rask said. “We really killed that power play. We made it tough for them to enter the zone a lot, and we were pressuring a lot. ... I think we blocked close to 10 shots that were absolute bullets.”

Outshot, 41-19, in Game 5, the Bruins scored twice in a three-shot span in the second. Trade deadline acquisition Mike Reilly, playing in his first playoff series, provided assists on both Pastrnak’s and Bergeron’s strikes, at 2:28 and 14:05.

Pastrnak’s goal was a blend of his remarkable skill and poor decisions by the Capitals. Nic Dowd gave the Bruins a freebie by rimming the puck to the other side, with no teammates in that area code. Reilly pounced on it, feeding Pastrnak with a short dish. No. 88 did the rest. Attacking on his off wing, he easily danced around Dowd and Nick Jensen. Ilya Samsonov played it terribly, staying paddle-down on his near post as Pastrnak slipped around him with a forehander.

“Definitely a highlight-reel goal,” Cassidy said. “It definitely gives you a boost and I think the other team gets deflated a little bit.”

Even more so for Washington: It outshot the visitors, 11-1, in the 12-odd minutes after Pastrnak’s goal, but Samsonov allowed a backbreaker. Bergeron beat his blocker cleanly from 44 feet out. 1213943 Boston Bruins “I don’t think it’s time to get too much involved in it,” added Quenneville, “but I know [Knight] has been on big stages before.”

Not quite as big as Game 5 elimination, of course. Tuukka Rask still the clear choice in the Bruins’ net The Panthers weren’t along in trying to mend their net woes. Witness Peter Laviolette and his Caps.

By Kevin Paul Dupont Globe Staff,Updated May 23, 2021, 7:34 p.m. Preferred post-season starter Vitek Vanecek was injured only 13 minutes into Game 1 of the series. Then 39-year-old reliever Craig Anderson (now 40), took over, filched the W, and was back in two nights later when the Bruins evened the series on Brad Marchand’s OT winner. Bruce Cassidy hasn’t had to fuss much under the hood with his lineup thus far in the postseason. Injuries to Jeremy Lauzon and Kevan Miller Laviolette then went with Ilya Samsonov in Game 3, in which the rookie have led to swapping Connor Clifton and Jarred Tinordi into the backline, tender blipped out in OT and gift-wrapped the game-winner for an but otherwise, the lineup Cassidy envisioned headed into the postseason opportunistic Craig Smith. Samsonov then couldn’t handle the Bruins big again was the one that took the ice in Washington Sunday night with a late push in Game 4, surrendering three goals on 14 shots. He again chance to eliminate the Caps and move on Stanley Cup round No. 2. proved too easy to beat in Game 5.

As lineup bedrock goes, no position — or decision — is more essential Like Qunneville in Florida, Laviolette only wished he could plug the likes than the goalie. For his part, Cassidy hasn’t fretted one second over the of Rask into his net and concentrate more on, well, how his forwards net, putting to rest completely the pre-playoff talk show cacaphony that could solve Rask in the other net. rookie Jeremy Swayman, with zero playoff experience, would be the wiser choice over veteran Tuukka Rask. Not that any Bruins fan will shed a tear, but St. Louis coach Craig Berube has been living the playoff netminder nightmare, too. Two years ago, he It was Rask in Game 1, Rask in Games 2, 3 ,and 4, and Rask yet again watched Jordan Binnington, then 25 and with zero playoff experience, for Game 5 in D.C. The 34-year-old stalwart turned back 40 of 41 shots put on a 16-10 tour de force and led the Blues to the Cup. Binnington’s and picked up his 55 career playoff win in 98 starts. stellar first-period saves in Game 7 against the Bruins essentially handed the Blues their first Cup in franchise history. So, nothing to see here, folks. As sure as Patrice Bergeron is the Black- and-Gold’s No. 1 center, Rask remains the franchise tender, building on On Sunday night, Binnington was in net when the Avalanche eliminated a pedigree that includes twice leading the club’s charge to a Cup Final his Blues with a fourth consecutive win to sweep the series. He now has (2013, ’19) and falling but one win short of a Cup in the Game 7 loss to lost nine consecutive playoff starts since the night he backed the Blues to the Blues just two years ago. that Game 7 win at the Garden.

Don’t expect that to change. It’s going to be Tuukka all night long, for as There are still many miles to go in the ’21 playoffs. But headed into long as those nights last for the Bruins, who, if successful in rubbing out Game 5 Sunday night in D.C., Rask again was delivering the goods. It’s the Caps, next will face either the Penguins or Islanders (locked in a 2-2 something we all take for granted, even with the likes of Florida and series tie). Washington and St. Louis this year serving to remind us it’s a lot trickier than he makes it look. Joel Quenneville only wishes he had the same kind of 24-square-foot assurance in Florida. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.24.2021 The Panthers’ net has been nothing short of a disaster, with No. 1 Sergei Bobrovsky’s value sinking faster than bitcoin’s and longshot reliever Chris Driedger, he of zero prior playoff experience, faring slightly better, but still getting torched by Tampa Bay. With a win Monday night in Sunrise in Game 5, the Bolts can send the Panthers into the playoff sunset.

Bobrovsky, on the Panthers books for five more seasons at $10M a year, now stands 1-2 this post-season with a frightening 5.33 goals against mark and a ghastly .841 save percentage. So close to the beach, yet unable to stop a beachball. Driedger, an all-but-forgotten former Senators draft pick, has slightly better numbers. In tandem, the Panthers backstops have done nothing but feed the Bolts’ scoring ego.

All of which had Quenneville, who banked three Cups (’10, ’13, ’15) in his salad days behind the Hawks bench, musing Sunday that Spencer Knight, who just eight weeks ago was still Boston College’s franchise tender, could be in the mix to start Monday’s night’s elimination game.

“He gives you an option, something to consider, " noted Quenneville. “I think his track record has earned him that consideration.”

Knight just turned 20 last month. He has played in four NHL games (all wins), and now in the blink of an eye, he could be the Panthers’ last-ditch effort to salvage the post-season.

Now, Sunday’s “consideration” can be Monday morning’s sober default to the $10-million-a-year Bobrovsky. That’s usually how these things go. Coaches, even those backed up against the exit door, almost always reach for the best known commodity.

Knight is every bit Florida’s Swayman — even moreso, considering he was the first goalie picked in the 2019 draft. Even with their limited NHL resumes thus far, both look like they’ll be around the league for a while. One or both could be that rare goaltending prospect that morphs quickly into a legit franchise cornerstone like, say, Ken Dryden, , or Patrick Roy. It’s rare, but it happens.

Quenneville, before wrapping up his off-day zoom presser, was clearly aware of the odds at play, noting that beyond Knight there were “two other options we like as well.” 1213944 Boston Bruins field. McAvoy (game-high 25:14) blocked six shots … Jarred Tinordi grappled with Chara at 5:09 of the first, after the former Bruins captain dropped Craig Smith with a clean hit. Neither big man was penalized. Tinordi, making his series debut, laid four hits and blocked three shots in Meeting Zdeno Chara in the handshake line an emotional moment for 18:20 … In the Tinordi-Chara dustup, Hall and Garnet Hathaway some Bruins exchanged punches to the face and were whistled for roughing … Some of the Black and Gold faithful among the 5,333 in attendance started a

“Let’s Go Bruins” chant in the opening minutes. It was swiftly drowned By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated May 23, 2021, 3:25 p.m. out by boos. Later attempts were met with less resistance.

Boston Globe LOADED: 05.24.2021

WASHINGTON — They greeted him with head pats and shoulder taps, respectful nods and adoring words.

Those who knew him the best, or felt the strongest connections, wrapped their arms around him in full. Some of it was a bit awkward. Zdeno Chara went for a handshake, but Charlie McAvoy wanted a hug.

“It was obviously a lot of emotion going through,” David Pastrnak said after seeing Chara, the 44-year-old former Bruins captain, in the traditional end-of-series handshake line. “Zdeno is a guy that helped me grow up as a person and especially how to be a pro. It was a little emotional, but can’t wait to catch up and hope to see him back home at the end of this. The emotion was high and can’t thank him enough.”

Chara was not available to the media after Game 5, the end of his first season in D.C. Without a contract for next season, it is unclear if the big man will play a 24th season. Chara averaged 16:16 in the series, lowest among his club’s defensemen and 12th among all skaters. He went 0-0— 0, was plus-1, and landed five shots.

“We’ve had so many battles together,” said his successor as captain, Patrice Bergeron. “It was definitely different to play him in a playoff series. Obviously we played against each other all year. Kind of helped getting used to it for the playoffs, but that being said, it’s always different at that time of the year. Try not to think about it, try to play your game and concentrate on what we can do as a team. I definitely feel great to finish it off right away tonight.”

Coach Bruce Cassidy said he exchanged a “quick hello.” Tuukka Rask was “saying good job, and that’s it. It’s after a game, so there’s not too many words exchanged there.”

Skating away from the line, his face stoic, Chara shook the hand of every official. He gathered with his new teammates to salute the fans, and waited by the gate for Alex Ovechkin. The captain, as Chara knows, is always the last one off the ice.

What’s next for Ovechkin?

Chara isn’t the only player with the uncertain future for the Capitals, who lost their third first-round series since winning the Cup in 2018. Ovechkin, 35, is without a contract for next season.

“We just lost in a playoff series,” he said afterward. “Let’s talk about my contract and all those stuff later on.”

First-year Caps coach Peter Laviolette said he’d “like to think” Ovechkin, who signed a 13-year, $124 million deal in 2008, would return.

“This is his team,” Laviolette said. “And he feels the disappointment just like everybody else does tonight. So for me coming in here, not having that opportunity to work with him before, I thought it was a good year for him and a good year for our team and we’re disappointed with the playoffs and the way they unfolded.”

Bergeron ties Middleton

Bergeron (45 career playoff goals) tied Rick Middleton for third-most in Bruins history … Cassidy tied Don Cherry (31 wins) for third in franchise playoff history. In second place is Art Ross (32) … Over the final six periods of the series, the Bruins’ penalty kill allowed 11 shots on 11 power plays … Earning their first Round of 16 series win: Taylor Hall, Mike Reilly and Curtis Lazar. Hall, who had a power play breakaway in the second but lost the handle, was involved with two series with the Coyotes (2020, including a play-in round victory) and one with the Devils (2018, his MVP season). Lazar made the playoffs as a rookie with the Senators in 2015. Reilly (two assists on Sunday) is getting his first taste … Rask on Evgeny Kuznetsov’s goalie interference penalty: “Looking at that replay, it was pretty obvious that’s no goal” … In the first period, McAvoy stepped up on , dropping both men with a thunderclap that could be heard across the ice, in the media’s digs in the 200 level. It sounded like a running back meeting a safety in the open 1213945 Boston Bruins “They played unbelievable. That was one of the differences,” said Rask. “We killed that power play. We made it tough for them to enter the zone and then we were pressuring a lot, not giving them too much time and space. … I think we blocked close to 10 shots that were absolute bullets. Bruins oust Capitals with 3-1 victory Huge credit for our D.”

Next up is Pittsburgh or the Islanders, who are tied 2-2 in their series and meet in Pittsburgh Monday night. By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 10:00 p.m. | UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 11:21 p.m. For the third straight game, the B’s and Caps battled to a scoreless tie in the opening 20 minutes.

But the B’s grabbed the lead at 2:28 of the second on a spectacular With a chance to end the Washington Capitals’ season, the Bruins turned move by Pastrnak. to two of their longest-tenured players to get it done. Pastrnak took a short pass from Mike Reilly on his off wing, faked out Nic Patrice Bergeron scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and Dowd with a between-the-legs move and then defenseman Nick Jensen Tuukka Rask made 40 saves to lift the B’s to a 3-1 win, their fourth gave Pastrnak a clear path to the net. Without being touched, Pastrnak straight win over the Caps to capture the best-of-seven series 4-1. took the puck across the top of the crease and stuffed it past Samsonov With his health a bit iffy and forever being questioned in some circles, inside the far post. Rask, the all-time winningest goalie in Bruin history now in both the The B’s then had a great chance to grab the game by the throat when regular season and postseason, was very good during the series and Daniel Sprong held Jarred Tinordi in the offensive zone at 3:48. But the excellent in the finale. Since the B’s dropped Game 1 in overtime, Rask Caps, sensing their season was slipping away, came up with a strong kill stopped 130-of-137 shots, including 40-of-41 on Sunday night to close and gained some momentum from it. out the Caps. And he made the 40-save performance look relatively easy. At one point, the Caps were outshooting the B’s, 14-2, but Rask stayed strong in net, fighting through screens and finding the puck to make the “He’s unbelievable,” said David Pastrnak, who got the B’s on the board saves. with a highlight-reel goal early in the second period. “He’s incredible. He’s never out of position. He’s been standing on his head this series Then, at 14:05, the B’s extended their lead over the arm-weary Caps. and we’re lucky to have him behind us.” Reilly picked up a loose puck that squirted from a pileup at the blue line between Pastrnak and Oshie and dished it over to Bergeron in the middle There were some shaky moments in the third period, however. of ice. After gaining the blue line, Bergeron beat Samsonov with a hard The B’s took a 2-0 lead into the third, but the Capitals got exactly what wrister to the blocker side from the high slot. they wanted in their comeback attempt, scoring just 11 seconds into the The Caps went right back to throwing rubber at Rask. They outshot the period. After the B’s could not handle a dump-in, Conor Sheary was able B’s 20-4 in the second, but Rask turned away all 20 of them. to score off his own rebound and the battle was on. They finally got one by him early in the third, but the B’s would prove, But with 7:35 left in regulation, the captain gave the B’s their two-goal without a shadow of a doubt, that they were the better team this year. lead again. Bergeron picked off a T.J. Oshie backhand pass in the Washington zone and beat Ilya Samsonov with a snap shot to make it 3- Boston Herald LOADED: 05.24.2021 1.

After the top line was on the ice for that one goal against, they were all over the offensive zone until Bergeron got it back.

“Listen, Bergie’s never happy when a puck goes in the net and he’s on the ice. And he was probably doing the right thing. It was just a quick strike goal, a simple dump-in and we didn’t battle it out well enough,” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “He’s certainly a guy that has led this team for a lot of years and this is his first year with the C, so he wants to sort of put his signature on this club in the regular season and now obviously in the playoffs. I’m sure he’s digging a little bit deeper, if that’s possible because he’s a guy that shows up every night and gives it everything he’s got.”

The B’s also ended their former captain’s season, and possibly his career, ousting Zdeno Chara, who signed with the Caps at the start of the season after he declined a reduced role with the Bruins.

“Yeah, we’ve had some battles together,” said Bergeron. “It was definitely different to play him in a playoff series. Obviously we played against each other all year and that kind of helped to get used to it for the playoffs but that being said, it’s always different at that time of year. You try not to think about it and try to play your game and concentrate on what we can do as a team. But it definitely felt great to finish it off tonight.”

Said Pastrnak: “It was obviously a lot of emotion going through (the handshake line). Zdeno is a guy who helped me grow up as a person, especially how to be a pro. It was a little emotional, but I can’t wait to catch up and see him back home after all this. The emotion was high and I can’t thank him enough.”

For a few brief seconds it looked like the Caps appeared to have gotten back to within a goal on the power play late. But Lars Eller’s goal from down low with 5:37 left in regulation was waved off for goalie interference on Evgeny Kuznetsov, an obvious call.

The B’s killed off the rest of the penalty and victory became inevitable. The B’s PK was instrumental in the series. It was 4-for-4 on Sunday and killed 18-of-21 chances in the series. 1213946 Boston Bruins With Jeremy Lauzon (hand) and Jakub Zboril (upper body) unavailable for who knows how much longer, Cassidy revealed on Sunday morning that Steven Kampfer, who played in 22 games with the B’s (3-6—9 totals, plus-4), would be out for the playoffs. Bruins Notebook: Jarred Tinordi replaces Kevan Miller “He had an arm injury that required attention, so he’s unavailable and won’t be available going forward here,” said Cassidy.

By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 6:56 p.m. | That left Vaakanainen, who has not played a playoff game in the NHL UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 11:37 p.m. game, as the next man up.

“We’re well down the food chain now with our D, as in years past,” said Cassidy. With Kevan Miller out of the lineup after taking a high hit from Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov, Bruins’ coach Bruce Tickets for Round 2 go on sale Monday Cassidy turned to another big man to fill the void. The Bruins announced that additional individual tickets will go on sale for The 6-foot-6 Jarred Tinordi was set to make his Bruin playoff debut in Round 2 on Monday. Season ticket holders, Game Plan holders and Sunday’s Game 5 in a place he was once called home. His father Mark, Boston Garden Garden Society members will receive an email with himself a big left-shot defenseman, finished his solid NHL career playing specific sale date and time. five years for the Caps in the late 1990s. He had the second of two Cup runs with Washington in 1998. In accordance with city and state guideline, the team will be permitted to return to near capacity starting May 29. … “I was young back then, but mostly I remember being around the practice rink,” Tinordi said after the B’s morning skate. “We watched a lot of the Charlie McAvoy, whose profile was raised greatly in this series, had a games on TV. … That was exciting. That was an exciting time. The game-high six blocks on Sunday. playoffs are always great.” Boston Herald LOADED: 05.24.2021 The 29-year-old Tinordi doesn’t have a ton of playoff experience — just nine games — but four postseason games came with the Predators last season.

He also has reservoir of experience into which he can tap with his father, who played 70 Stanley Cup playoff games.

“He watches on TV a lot,” said the Bruin, claimed on waivers from Nashville on Feb. 27. “(Being) in and out of the lineup. I usually just shoot him a text when I’m in. He’ll watch that game. He’s been following along. His whole career he’s been helping me out, giving me good advice. He was a guy as a player that went to two Cup finals, and so he has the playoff experience that if I need to lean on him or something, he’s there for me. He’s been great this whole time.”

The father’s advice for Sunday was what you might expect.

“Just keep it simple,” said the younger Tinordi. “I think that’s the big thing. You can get in trouble when you’re trying to do too much out there, and my game’s a simple game. I’m out there to do my job: to keep the play simple, move the puck and it should be good from there.”

Tinordi listened to the advice well. In 19:02 of icetime, he blocked three shots and three four hits in motly solid work.

It was between Tinordi and rookie Urho Vaakanainen as to who would replace Miller. Given Tinordi’s size as well as the Caps’ size and physicality, there seemed to be little choice for Cassidy.

“He’s a big guy, so they know when he’s on the ice. It is a good matchup for him, with some big wingers. He’s mobile and he can get in people’s way, and he’s not afraid to assert himself,” said Cassidy. “It’s a faster pace, playoffs, so he’s going to get back on pucks and make quicker decisions than in the regular season. That’ll be an adjustment for him, because he hasn’t been in yet. I thought he played well here the last game of the year. He was involved, he was active, and still played solid D.”

Tinordi has also been through some battles with the Caps this year. He stepped up and fought Tom Wilson after the winger concussed Brandon Carlo in a March 5 game at the Garden, immediately endearing him to his teammates. He also suffered a broken nose and took some stitches from a Garnet Hathaway hit from behind in an April 18 game that earned Hathaway a five-minute major and the gate.

Tinordi had been wearing a full face shield since that hit, but he planned to ditch it for Game 5.

“I think it’s time for it to come off. I’ve had it on for a while now, so I’m ready to get it off. A little bit easier to breathe out there without it,” said Tinordi, who set up the B’s only goal in the final regular season game.

Bruins back end getting thin

The B’s depth on defense, which helped them keep their heads above water when injuries hit midway through the season, has taken some hits. 1213947 Boston Bruins

Bruins eliminate Capitals with Game 5 win, reach second round

BY NICK GOSS

The Boston Bruins are headed to the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs after eliminating the Washington Capitals with a 3-1 win in Game 5 of their first-round series Sunday night at Capital One Arena.

Patrice Bergeron scored twice for the Bruins and goaltender Tuukka Rask was magnificent in net, stopping 40 of the 41 Capitals shots he faced.

Boston lost the series opener in overtime and then won four straight games to reach Round 2 of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

The Bruins don't yet have an opponent for the next round. They will play the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders series, which is tied at two games apiece.

Here's a recap of Game 5.

FINAL SCORE: Bruins 3, Capitals 1

BOX SCORE

SERIES: Bruins win 4-1

HIGHLIGHTS

David Pastrnak opened the scoring for the Bruins in the second period with a phenomenal display of skill.

UP NEXT

The Bruins will get some valuable days off as they await the winner of the Penguins-Islanders first-round series. That series is tied at two games apiece entering Monday night's Game 5. The latest the series could end is Friday night in Game 7. So, the B's could have a full week of rest depending on how it all plays out.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213948 Boston Bruins

Pastrnak makes Capitals look silly with amazing goal in Game 5

BY NICK GOSS

David Pastrnak is heating up.

The Boston Bruins opened the scoring in Sunday night's Game 5 against the Washington Capitals thanks to an amazing display of skill by Pastrnak, who sidestepped Nic Dowd with an excellent move before beating Washington goalie Ilya Samsonov.

The goal was Pastrnak's second of this first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series.

Here's a replay of the Bruins star's sensational tally:

Pastrnak was held without a goal through the first three games of the series before converting on the power play during Boston's Game 4 victory at TD Garden. He entered Game 5 leading the Bruins in shot attempts, shots on net and scoring chances.

A win for the Bruins in Game 5 would eliminate the Capitals and send Boston to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213949 Boston Bruins

Projected lines, pairings for Bruins vs. Capitals Game 5

BY NICK GOSS

The Washington Capitals will host the Boston Bruins with their season on the line Sunday night at Capital One Arena.

A win for the Bruins in Game 5 of their first-round series would eliminate the Capitals from the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston has won the last three games of the series, including the last two at TD Garden in Boston. The series began with three overtime matchups before the B's dominated Game 4 in a 4-1 victory.

Superstar Charlie McAvoy is Bruins' most important player in playoffs

There is one lineup change of note for the Bruins. Veteran defenseman Jarred Tinordi is going to replace the injured Kevan Miller, B's head coach Bruce Cassidy said Sunday. Miller left Game 4 and was transported to a Boston hospital for evaluation after taking a high hit from Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov in the second period of Game 4.

Tuukka Rask will start in net for the B's. He has a .930 save percentage in the series. Ilya Samsonov was the first goalie off the ice at Sunday's morning skate, per Samantha Pell of the Washington Post. Samsonov is expected to make his third consecutive start of the series.

Here are the projected lines and pairings for Bruins vs. Capitals Game 5.

BOSTON BRUINS

FORWARDS

Brad Marchand--Patrice Bergeron--David Pastrnak

Taylor Hall--David Krejci--Craig Smith

Nick Ritchie--Charlie Coyle--Jake DeBrusk

Sean Kuraly--Curtis Lazar--Chris Wagner

DEFENSEMEN

Matt Grzelcyk--Charlie McAvoy

Mike Reilly--Brandon Carlo

Connor Clifton--Jarred Tinordi

GOALIES

Tuukka Rask (starter), Jeremy Swayman (backup)

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

FORWARDS

Alexander Ovechkin--Nicklas Backstrom--Anthony Mantha

Daniel Sprong--Evgeny Kuznetsov--Tom Wilson

Conor Sheary--Lars Eller--T.J. Oshie

Carl Hagelin--Nic Dowd--Garnet Hathaway

DEFENSEMEN

Dmitry Orlov--John Carlson

Brenden Dillon--Justin Schultz

Zdeno Chara--Nick Jensen

GOALIES

Ilya Samsonov (starter), Craig Anderson/Pheonix Copley (backup)

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Talking Points: Boston Bruins Eliminate Capitals With Strong Game

Published 5 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Joe Haggerty

Here are the Talking Points from the Boston Bruins 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 5 at Capital One Arena that clinched the series in five games for the Black and Gold.

GOLD STAR: Patrice Bergeron always brings his best at the biggest moments and he did it again in Game 5 to eliminate the Washington Capitals. Bergeron scored two goals including the game-winner against the Capitals, and it was his of a TJ Oshie backhanded pass and short-side strike against Ilya Samsonov that locked up the series for the Bruins. Bergeron finished with the two goals, a plus-1 rating, nine shot attempts, a hit, two takeaways and 15-for-25 face-off wins in 17:36 of dominant ice time. The way that Bergeron and his Perfection Line linemates went to work in the third period, after giving up that goal on the opening shift of the period, was something to watch. Bergeron is Boston’s best player and when he comes to play like he did on Sunday night against Washington, the Bruins are pretty much impossible to beat.

BLACK EYE: Nicklas Backstrom was pretty much invisible for the entire playoff series and that was the case again for Sunday night’s Game 5 against the Bruins. He finished with one in the five game series with a minus-2 rating and he really wasn’t noticeable at all in 20:25 of ice time with their playoff lives on the line in Game 5. Clearly some Capitals players were better than others and guys like Alex Ovechkin and TJ Oshie were factors early in the series, but Backstrom at no point was any kind of a factor against the Black and Gold. Top players like that having disappearing acts is a big reason why the Capitals couldn’t get past five games against a Bruins team they usually give all kinds of trouble to when they meet.

TURNING POINT: The turning point for the Boston Bruins was the dazzling second period goal from David Pastrnak that knocked the Capitals on their heels. Pastrnak pulled a toe drag between-his-legs dangle past Nic Dowd and then cut right through the front of the net while freezing Nick Jensen and hooking a shot around Ilya Samsonov’s leg pads. It was a highlight reel goal that gives the red-hot Pastrnak two goals in as many games and truly lifts the spirits of the Bruins bench in a game. Conversely it deflated the Capitals as well, who really didn’t show any kinds of true life until scoring in the first shift of the third period. Once Pastrnak really starts feeling it offensively, it really puts opponents at a big time disadvantage against a Boston Bruins team playing good hockey even before he began on his goal-scoring tear.

HONORABLE MENTION: Tuukka Rask became the winningest playoff goalie in Bruins history with his Game 4 victory but got the more important win of the series on Sunday night with 40 saves for the Black and Gold. Rask was brilliant throughout, but he was at his best in the second period stopping all 20 shots he faced while the Bruins did a good job of clearing out traffic in front of him. Rask couldn’t be blamed for the Conor Sheary goal he gave up on a rebound snipe in the first shift of the third period, and another goal for Lars Eller was wiped off the board after reviews showed that Evgeny Kuznetsov cross-checked him in the back just prior to the goal. Rask finished the five-game series with a .940 save percentage against the Capitals and was one of several dominant forces playing at a high level for the Black and Gold.

BY THE NUMBERS: 24 – the number of points for Patrice Bergeron in potential series-clinching games in the playoffs with 11 goals and 24 points that ranks him second in Boston Bruins franchise history behind David Krejci (8 goals, 28 points).

QUOTE TO NOTE: “Let’s face it, our tops guys came through tonight. And our soldiers were very good.” –Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy talking about all his best players coming to play for the Game 5 win to eliminate the Washington Capitals.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213951 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Pastrnak Dazzles With Game 5 Opening Goal

Published 7 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Joe Haggerty

Boston Bruins game-breaker David Pastrnak broke through with his first goal of the playoffs in Game 4, and now he’s officially on an offensive tear after a highlight reel goal in Game 5. The 24-year-old right winger opened the scoring for Sunday night’s Game 5 at Capital One Arena with a dazzling puck net drive where he toe-dragged Nic Dowd and then frozen Nick Jensen as he swept through the front of the Washington net.

Pastrnak’s speed, creativity and willingness to go hard to the net were all display for the right winger in one magnificent Stanley Cup playoff scoring play.

He was able to easily hook a shot around Ilya Samsonov’s leg pads and had the Washington defenders look at each other with arms raised after the play was over.

After the play, Brenden Dillon is actually shown looking at his teammates with gloved hand raised wondering exactly what kind of net-front defense that was by the Capitals.

The score gives Pastrnak goals in each of his last two games in the first round series against the Washington Capitals and officially signals to the rest of the NHL that No. 88 has found the highest levels of his game in the postseason.

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy had hoped that his winger’s score in Game 4 would touch off a goal scoring spree for Pastrnak, and that appears to be exactly what is happening.

“He’s worked hard, and he’s gotten himself in position to shoot the puck,” said Cassidy. “We design plays to get him his shot, because he can score goals. We have a number of different looks. You watch practice, you see them. At the end of the day, good for him,” said Cassidy. “He’s a sniper, and as you said, maybe this gets him feeling better about his shot. He’s still making plays, playing hard. Eventually you get those looks, he’s too good of a scorer, they’ll go in.”

Pastrnak now has two goals and six points in five playoff games this season and counting after putting together multi-point games in both Game 4 and Game 5 against the Capitals.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213952 Boston Bruins Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak Taylor Hall – David Krejci – Craig Smith

Nick Ritchie – Charlie Coyle – Jake DeBrusk Game 5: Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals Lines, Preview Sean Kuraly – Curtis Lazar – Chris Wagner

Defense: Published 10 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Jimmy Murphy Matt Grzelcyk – Charlie McAvoy

Mike Reilly – Brandon Carlo The Boston Bruins will try to eliminate the Washington Capitals with their third straight win of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series in Game Jarred Tinordi – Connor Clifton 5 tonight (7 PM ET, NESN, USA, SN1, TVAS2, NBCSWA) in Washington DC. Goalies:

The Bruins know that they need to maintain the right mindset and keep Tuukka Rask growing if they wish to send the Caps golfing with a win tonight. Jeremy Swayman

“The guys are elevating. The whole team is elevating. We’re trying to Washington Capitals build something here and grow every game. We’re doing our due diligence off the ice as far as pre-scouts and getting ready to play and Forwards our mindset is to do whatever it takes to win,” said Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy after notching three assists in Game 4. Alexander Ovechkin – Nicklas Backstrom – Anthony Mantha “Winning is all that matters, so I’m just trying to pull the rope just like Conor Sheary – Lars Eller – T.J Oshie everything else. I think that’s what the whole team is doing. Now we shift to the next game and it’s going to be the hardest one to get [in the Daniel Sprong – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Tom Wilson series].” Carl Hagelin – Nic Dowd – Garnet Hathaway Tuukka Rask, now the winningest goalie in the regular season and the Defenseman Stanley Cup Playoffs in Boston Bruins history, will get the nod again for the B’s. Rask is 31 with a 1.99 GAA and a .930 save percentage. Dmitri Orlov – John Carlson

Ilya Samsonov will start his third straight game in the series for the Brendan Dillon – Nick Schultz Capitals. Samsonov is 0-2 with a 2.96 GAA and .913 save percentage. Zdeno Chara – Nick Jensen Bruins Notes Goaltenders –Defenseman Jarred Tinordi will replace the injured Kevan Miller (concussion) in the lineup for Game 5. This will be Tinordi’s first game of Ilya Samsonov the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tinordi has been out with a broken nose since Craig Anderson the final game of the regular season on May 11. Prior to that, he had been out of the lineup since April 18. Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 –Besides Tinordi and Vaakanainen, the Boston Bruins don’t have much defensive depth left to draw on if the Capitals extend the series to Game 6. Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (right hand) will miss another game after blocking a shot in Game 1. Fellow rearguard Jacob Zboril (upper-body) is still out and Steven Kampfer (arm) and John Moore (hip) are out for the season.

–The Bruins’ powerplay is now 5-for-16 in the series after going 3-for-5 in Game 4. The Boston Bruins are scoring at a 31.3% clip on the powerplay in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

-After finishing second overall with an 86 % success rate, killing off 153 of 178 powerplay attempts against them in the regular season, and also posting a league-best nine shorthanded goals this season, the Bruins’ penalty kill is off to a solid start in the playoffs. The Bruins PK held the Caps to one goal on seven power-play attempts in Game 4 and has killed off 14 of 17 Washington power plays in the series. That’s good enough for an 82.2% success rate.

Washington Capitals Notes

-After losing the first game with a differential of more than one goal, the Washington Capitals know they need to get back to basics and execute.

“The execution I think was way off [Friday],” said Capitals head coach Peter LavioletteSaturday. “But we’ve got to move past it regardless. There’s no room for the weak in playoffs. You’ve got to respond to everything.”

– Goalie Vitek Vanecek (lower body) will miss a third straight game.

-The Capitals powerplay is 3-for-17 with a 17.6% success rate against the Boston Bruins in the series, which is down a few points from the regular season.

-The Capitals penalty kill has killed off 11 of the Bruins’ 16 powerplays in the series, giving them a 68.8 percent success rate in the series.

Boston Bruins

Forwards: 1213953 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins Ready To Ride Their ‘Sniper’ After Breakthrough

Published 11 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Joe Haggerty

The Boston Bruins already hold the upper hand in their first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals, but things are tilting even more heavily toward the Black and Gold at this point. That’s because Boston’s top game-breaker David Pastrnak has finally snapped out of his goal- scoring “doldrums” with a power play strike and two points in Boston’s 4- 1 win over the Washington Capitals in Friday night’s Game 4 at TD Garden.

It was really only a matter of time as Pastrnak had been generating higher output of shots on net (25 shots on net, including nine shot all by himself in Game 3) and scoring chances as the series has worn on. And it was most needed on a power play that had been just okay headed into Game 4, but instead exploded for three PP goals in Game 4 with Pastrnak shot attempts from the face-off circle keying two of the three special teams scores.

“I just tried to keep shooting. Last game I had lots of good opportunities to score. Sometimes the goalie makes a great save, or I rushed it a little bit,” said Pastrnak. “It’s always a good sign when you’re getting a lot of chances, but sometimes it’s frustrating when it doesn’t go in. I’m going to stay with it. Our main focus is to keep getting shots on net.”

Pastrnak was mobbed by his teammates afterward showing just popular he is in the Boston Bruins dressing room, and just how badly the B’s know they’ll need No. 88 at full scoring power for a long playoff run.

As Bruce Cassidy said following the game, “he’s a sniper” and that’s exactly the kind of weapon that could equalize any playoff series moving forward for the Black and Gold.

“He’s worked hard, and he’s gotten himself in position to shoot the puck,” said Cassidy. “We design plays to get him his shot, because he can score goals. We have a number of different looks. You watch practice, you see them. At the end of the day, good for him. He’s a sniper, and as you said, maybe this gets him feeling better about his shot. He’s still making plays, playing hard.

“Eventually you get those looks. He’s too good of a scorer. They’ll go in, and they did. He’s worked hard. He’s gotten himself in position to shoot the puck. I think he played well the other night [in Game 3]. He had 16 or 18 attempts. The puck just didn’t go in for him. There’s some doubt sometimes. When am I going to get my next one? I think that goes through scorers’ heads. But I didn’t see any frustration with Pasta. He just stuck with it and got rewarded.”

Truth be told, it did look like Pastrnak was a tad frustrated or that he’d lost a little confidence in the one-timer after not seeing one light the lamp for a little while. For a guy that’s had injuries impact his performance in each of the last two playoff runs for the Boston Bruins, a great deal is expected out of the 24-year-old after a pedestrian 2021 regular season by his lofty standards.

Pastrnak ended the regular campaign with one goals in six games during the month of May prior to not scoring a goal in the first three games of the series against the Capitals. So as Boston’s best goal scorer he was surely feeling the pressure to score.

But Pastrnak has also shown that he’s capable of scoring in bunches or taking over a playoff series if he truly starts feeling it, and that’s something Boston is counting on after watching their sniper finally go off during these playoffs in Boston’s important Game 4 win vs. Washington.

It’s a scary thought for the rest of the playoff field if Pastrnak really dials it up offensively after his Game 4 breakthrough, so that’s something to watch as the Bruins look to bounce Washington from the playoffs on Sunday night.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213954 Boston Bruins

With Miller Out, Boston Bruins Turn To Jarred Tinordi

Published 13 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Jimmy Murphy

As expected, rugged Boston Bruins defenseman Jarred Tinordi will draw in for the injured and also rugged rearguard Kevan Miller in Game 5 tonight against the Washington Capitals.

Miller was ruled out for Game 5 on Saturday after spending Friday night in the hospital with concussion compliments of Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov who launched into an unsuspecting Miller and knocked him out of the Bruins’ 4-1 win in Game 4. Following an optional practice on Saturday, Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media that thanks to injuries to rookie rearguards Jeremy Lauzon and Jacob Zboril, he was down to Tinordi or rookie Urho Vaakanainen to replace Miller.

With his team on the verge of eliminating the Capitals and advancing to the second round, Cassidy chose the more experienced and physical Tinordi over rookie Urho Vaakanainen.

“We’re well down the food chain with the D this year, much like in years past,” Cassidy said after a full pregame skate Sunday morning. “Right now, Tinordi’s getting the call. He’s played more for us than Vaak this year, so he should be more playoff-ready. I thought he played well here in the last game of the season. He’s worked hard. It’s just a matter of getting your feet under you quickly here.”

Besides maybe the Tampa Bay Lightning-Florida Panthers series, this series between the Boston Bruins and the Capitals has been arguably the most physical in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Orlov hit was one of many questionable hits from both sides in Game 4 and with the Caps facing elimination, the physicality won’t let up in Game 5. That’s why Tinordi seems like the perfect fit to replace Miller.

“He’s a big guy, so they’ll know when he’s on the ice,” Cassidy explained when asked what the 6-foot-6, 230-pound rearguard will bring to the lineup tonight. “I’m sure they’ll have their scouting report on him and where they can break him down. It’s a good matchup for him with some big wingers [on the Capitals]. He’s mobile, he can get in their way and slow them down.”

Tinordi knows that’s what the Boston Bruins picked him up off waivers for on February 27 and he doesn’t plan to try and be something he isn’t in Game 5.

“For me, personally, nothing really changes to my game,” Tinordi said after the pre-game skate. “I’ve tried to be physical and be that presence, and just carry that over from the regular season. That’s an element I can help this team in. Just do my job, be smart about it. We take care of the details, it puts us in a good position.”

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213955 Boston Bruins

Bruins Ready For Game 5: ‘Mindset Is Do Everything It Takes To Win’

Published 19 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Joe Haggerty

There is no doubt that the playoff confidence is at an all-time high for the Boston Bruins during these particular Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Bruins are coming off a one-sided 4-1 win in Game 4 over the Washington Capitals on Friday night that snapped a string of three straight overtime playoff games between the two sides and pushed the Bruins to a 3-to-1 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series. Certainly, it’s no fait accompli until all four wins against Washington have been secured by the Black and Gold, and that’s the message from B’s leadership facing their first chance to eliminate the Capitals in Game 5 at Capital One Arena on Sunday night.

“The guys are elevating. The whole team is elevating. We’re trying to build something here and grow every game. We’re doing our due diligence off the ice as far as pre-scouts and getting ready to play and our mindset is to do whatever it takes to win,” said Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy. “Winning is all that matters, so I’m just trying to pull the rope just like everything else. I think that’s what the whole team is doing. Now we shift to the next game and it’s going to be the hardest one to get [in the series].”

Clearly the messaging across the entire Boston Bruins team is the same as Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said very much the same after Saturday’s optional B’s practice prior to heading to Washington DC. Things sound like they are much more of a business trip feel rather than any excessive emotion or concern put into a chance to end the Capitals season and get an early jump on readying and resting for the next round of the playoffs.

“Nothing changes for us. We’ve said all along we’re just trying to get better in the series. We want to get four [wins] first obviously and that’s what in front of us. We’ve got three and it takes four wins to win [a series] so we’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” said Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. “As we’ve done every game, we reinforce everything we’re doing well and correct things we’re not doing right and make adjustments as need be.

“That won’t change [preparing for Game 5]. I think the leadership group will take care of any message that needs to be sent about where we are in the series. That’s how we’ve approached it.”

There’s no reason for the Bruins to change anything as they are hitting their stride in just about every area. Both special teams units dominated the Capitals in Game 4, Tuukka Rask has a .930 save percentage in the four playoff games against Washington and B’s game-breaker David Pastrnak snapped out of his scoring funk and potted his first goal of these playoffs in Friday night’s Game 4 win over Washington.

It feels on its face like the Capitals are in big trouble given the way they looked in a limp Game 4 loss to the Bruins, but the B’s aren’t changing anything about an approach that’s got them on the brink of playoff advancement.

Boston Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213956 Boston Bruins The Bruins scored all three goals between the circles. Washington’s man-to-man defense was far too slack in the most dangerous stretch of ice.

Bruins advance: 5 reasons the season rolls on “The first one is breaking down their D-zone coverage,” Cassidy said of Pastrnak’s goal. “We know it’s man-to-man. They’ll collapse at first. But if you watch that play, (Brenden) Dillon’s away from the net covering (Krejci). Once Pasta got around Jensen, there was a bit of a breakdown. By Fluto Shinzawa May 24, 2021 All of a sudden, he’s in. He gets to wipe across the front of the net. That’s the drawback of playing man-to-man. If you do get beat, there’s not a lot of help. You’re relying on your goaltender. Like every coaching staff, you The Capitals, facing the threat of summer, spent most of Game 5 in the look at other teams’ tendencies. Our video guys break stuff down. We sit Bruins’ zone. This didn’t really worry Bruce Cassidy. Even if quantity was in a room and break stuff down and feel there’s certain ways to attack. I on the Capitals’ side (41 shots), quality did not correspond. thought we did a really good job in this series of attacking from those situations and got a lot of chances because of it — around the net and “We kept them to the outside,” the Bruins coach said after his team’s 3-1 getting inside.” closeout win in Game 5. “We didn’t beat ourselves in terms of mismanaging pucks through the neutral zone and giving them odd-man 3. The Capitals thought they could lean on the power play in Round 1. rushes. They were good on the walls to keep pucks alive in the O-zone. They were 9-for-30 (30.0 percent) against the Bruins during the regular That’s where we could have been better — getting some of those pucks season. off the wall, getting out of our zone. So it was very taxing on our D. But the one thing we did well was keep it to the outside. We battled at They were wrong. keeping pucks from going into the slot.” The Bruins were short-handed 21 times, most of any team in the first Following are the five biggest factors in the Bruins’ five-game march round. But they killed 18 of the penalties (85.7 percent). They executed through the Capitals: the game plan perfectly: apply up-ice pressure, challenge zone entries, sit on Alex Ovechkin’s one-timer. 1. Tuukka Rask stopped 40 of 41 shots in Game 5. He finished the series with a .941 save percentage. According to Natural Stat Trick, he saved Ovechkin had 21 power-play attempts, according to Natural Stat Trick. 2.95 goals above average. He hit the net with only eight (38.1 percent). Brandon Carlo and Connor Clifton were excellent at stuffing Ovechkin’s shooting lane and blocking “He just seemed very composed in there and sure of himself,” Cassidy shots. said. “It makes it easier for everybody when you see your goalie completely under control and it looks like they’re not going to get a pea During the regular season, Ovechkin put 62 of his 111 man-advantage by him, for the most part.” attempts on goal (55.9 percent).

Ten pucks eluded his grasp in Round 1. Seven of them hit a stick or a “They played unbelievable,” Rask said of his killers. “That was one of the body before entering the net. Rask was at his best in Game 5: square to differences. We really killed that power play. We made it tough for them the puck, looming to shooters, sharp with his rebound control, clean with to enter the zone a lot. We were pressuring a lot, not giving them too his touches, icy in high-pressure situations. He calmly booted out Conor much time and space. They have good players, so they’re going to get Sheary’s close-range bid in the first with a controlled push to his left. that sometimes. Then you’re going to have some guys running out to Ovie, because he’s going to be looking for that one-timer. I think we “I felt good all series,” Rask said. “This game today was probably the blocked close to 10 shots that were absolute bullets. Huge credit for our most chances and shots they had all series. It was one of the reasons it D.” looked like I was in the zone. Previous games, I’ve had six shots halfway through the game. Sometimes that’s harder. It was just one of those The Bruins fixed their power play in Game 2 by moving Charlie McAvoy games today where there was a lot of shots. But I was seeing the puck and Krejci onto the first unit. They advanced it another degree in Game 4 well. They didn’t create too much traffic for deflections. That always when they shifted Pastrnak to his strong side. helps.” The Washington coaching staff, on the other hand, didn’t adjust the The Capitals couldn’t beat Rask cleanly. They thought they had scored a power play until the third period of Game 5. They moved Ovechkin to the power-play goal to make it a 3-2 game. But Lars Eller’s goal was wiped point and shifted John Carlson to the left elbow. By then, it was too late. off after Evgeny Kuznetsov’s cross-check to Rask’s back, which 4. The Capitals deployed their 1-3-1 neutral-zone coverage well in Game prevented the ace from playing the shot. 1. The Bruins had trouble getting pucks through center ice and finding Rask was too much for the Capitals the entire series. Meanwhile, their rush game. Washington had to churn through three goalies before settling on Ilya As the series progressed, the Bruins found openings in Washington’s Samsonov for games 3, 4 and 5. formation. It started up the ice. Samsonov was good. But he did not play Patrice Bergeron’s game- “It was a lot from our forecheck,” Bergeron said. “Keeping our speed, winning goal well, anticipating a dish to Brad Marchand instead. coming back together in the neutral zone with our layers. With a 2. Before the series, Cassidy and his assistants scoured Washington’s defenseman keeping his speed, us being in sync and not being too far man-to-man defense to look for weaknesses. The trouble with man-to- apart, too spread out. When we do that, I thought we had some really man is how one breakdown can trigger a chain reaction. It is one reason good looks through the neutral zone and being able to establish a good the Bruins prefer zone defense and the layers of protection it affords. forecheck and have some speed. You adapt and you adjust during a series. That was one of the things we did to try and help us.” The proof was in David Pastrnak’s goal. 5. During 56:37 of five-on-five play together, the No. 1 line held an 89-51 Not many players can make a move like Pastrnak did to shake Nic Dowd. edge in attempts (63.57 CF percentage). They held a 14-5 advantage in But even after Pastrnak got around Dowd, Nick Jensen was in position to high-danger attempts (73.68 HDCF percentage). halt the right wing’s advance. Jensen, however, was preoccupied by covering Taylor Hall, his first assignment, instead of helping Dowd on Dmitry Orlov and Carlson tried their best but could not contain the most Pastrnak. dangerous trio in the league. Pastrnak had his goal, and Bergeron added two of his own. Pastrnak expects to get hammered on advances to the net. When Jensen gave him the green light, Pastrnak was delighted to take it. “Certainly a guy that has led this team for a lot of years,” Cassidy said. “This is his first year with the ‘C’ on it. So he wants to put his signature on “I was definitely surprised,” Pastrnak said. “As soon as I had the guy on this club — regular season, and now the playoffs. I’m sure he’s digging a my back end, I was looking for (David Krejci) and Hallsy. Then I saw just little deeper, if that’s possible for him. He’s a guy who shows up every a free lane to take it to the net.” night and gives it everything he’s got, pulling Pasta along. Marsh, we know — the ultimate competitor. I thought Pasta’s details were better this series as well. He’s obviously getting a lot out of his linemates and himself. Shot the puck at the right time tonight. We can talk about him all day. Happy to see him get his first series win as a captain.”

The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213957 Buffalo Sabres

How Bills and Sabres have fared under the Pegulas' ownership

20 hrs ago

James P. McCoy

The Bills are 59-48 in the regular season with one division title and three playoff appearances under the Pegulas. That includes the portion of the 2014 season after the sale was approved in October.

Year Record Playoffs GM/Coach

2014 9-7 None Whaley/Marrone

2015 8-8 None Whaley/Ryan

2016 7-9 None Whaley/Ryan, Lynn

2017 9-7 Lost in wild card Beane/McDermott

2018 6-10 None Beane/McDermott

2019 10-6 Lost in wild card Beane/McDermott

2020 13-3 Lost AFC championship Beane/McDermott

The Sabres are 291-381-99 in the regular season with no division titles and one playoff appearance under the Pegulas. That includes the portion of the 2010-11 season after the Pegulas bought the team in February.

Year Record Playoffs GM/Coach

2010-11 16-4-4 Lost in quarterfinals Regier/Ruff

2011-12 39-32-11 None Regier/Ruff

2012-13 21-21-6 None Regier/Ruff, Rolston

2013-14 21-51-10 None Regier, Murray/Rolston, Nolan

2014-15 23-51-8 None Murray/Nolan

2015-16 35-36-11 None Murray/Bylsma

2016-17 33-37-12 None Murray/Bylsma

2017-18 25-45-12 None Botterill/Housley

2018-19 33-39-10 None Botterill/Housley

2019-20 30-31-8 None Botterill/Krueger

2020-21 15-34-7 None Adams/Krueger/Granato

Buffalo News LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213958 Buffalo Sabres at this level. The Pegulas thought Krueger could have roster-building influence like McDermott. It didn't happen, as choices such as Cody Eakin, Matt Irwin, Brandon Davidson and even Taylor Hall proved this year. With O'Reilly, Skinner and Krueger, Botterill's tenure was a dismal How 'drill another well' morphed into just a deep hole for Sabres failure.

Terry Pegula doesn't believe in a management structure that includes a president of hockey operations. It's his team, but that's a mistake. At Mike Harrington 22 hrs ago least rookie GM Adams finally hired an experienced assistant in Jason Karmanos as associate GM, but why not have a veteran hockey mind in the president's chair such as Jim Rutherford or John Davidson, before he This is Part 1 of a project looking at why the Bills are winning and was rehired by Columbus, to provide direction and sanity to both ascending toward championship level and why the Sabres are losing and ownership and the GM? have equaled the longest playoff drought in NHL history, even though both franchises are owned by the same people. Here, we look at the Landing on Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott wasn't just dumb luck impact of ownership, management and coaching on the Sabres' decade- For all of the heat they’ve taken for repeated missteps with the Sabres, long struggle. the Pegulas have navigated their football investment exceptionally well – Terry Pegula came here talking Stanley Cups at his first news on and off the field. conference. As in more than one. And starting within three years. Forget On his first day on the job last June, the Pegulas made Adams inform 22 about that. The Sabres can't even make the playoffs. members of the hockey department that their services were no longer It's 10 consecutive years outside the postseason and counting, tying the needed. On that day, Pegula mentioned a business approach of being NHL record. What gives? Terry and Kim Pegula have been woefully "effective, efficient and economic." Not to mention "leaner." impatient, never committing to any coach or general manager once they Adams went through much of his first season with a skeleton scouting moved on from Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff nine months apart in 2013. staff and no assistant GM. How does that set him up for success? Sabres' bad luck extends beyond just poor hiring Kim Pegula is a business president, a model many teams use. Her vision The Pegulas have made a litany of mistakes in running the Sabres, but is going to be critical in the badly needed remake of KeyBank Center. But there's no denying there's been a string of bad luck involved, too. when she intervenes in hockey, it's not a good look. Just recall last year's waffling on Botterill's job status, or her infamous comment that she noted Since then? Six coaches (it will be seven if they don't retain Don "inner workings we see some positives in" when the team initially opted Granato) and three GMs. Four last-place finishes overall and no playoff to keep the GM. appearances. The stability they've built with coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane of the Bills is a pipe dream for their hockey team. The Buffalo Bills’ coaching staff is a model of stability. Written five years ago, that sentence would have been laughable. Terry Pegula is a longtime hockey fan who's had to patiently learn the football business on the field and off. But with the Sabres, he's pushed In hockey, no playoffs means no additional revenue, and that's among hard. From Day 1, he said there would be “no financial mandates” on the the reasons the Sabres are a big money loser every year. Forbes hockey department and that if he wanted to make money, “I’ll drill reported that the Sabres had an operating loss of $10.9 million in 2019. another well.” Within a year of his arrival, the team had a gleaming Some estimates say that number is too low. multimillion dollar locker room renovation in KeyBank Center. By 2014, Those losses add to the impatience. It's a vicious cycle. LECOM Harborcenter was added to the mix for development camp and training camp, as well as some in-season practices. You cannot fix a hockey team through the draft in a year or two because it takes so long to develop most players. You can quickly turn around a The facilities are world class. The personnel and management decisions football team with deft drafting like the Bills pulled off in 2017 are not. Who could forget signing Ville Leino to a six-year, $27 million (Tre'Davious White, Dion Dawkins, Matt Milano) and 2018 (Josh Allen, contract three months after his overtime goal beat the Sabres in the 2011 Tremaine Edmunds and Taron Johnson). Impatient ownership will never playoffs? Or giving Christian Ehrhoff 10 years and $40 million that same work in hockey. summer, a signing his kids revealed the owner pushed for during a video the team shot in Finland during the 2011 NHL Global Series? No team has ever been built around Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart because there's been too many changes of direction. And now the two (Ehrhoff was a compliance buyout choice in 2014 and is not on the players drafted when ownership green-lighted the tanking of two Sabres cap – but did you know he still gets $857,143 from the Pegulas consecutive seasons both seemingly want out. For all the big talk on Day every year through 2028? How many Pegula Sports and Entertainment One of ownership, Terry and Kim Pegula have never stuck with any plan. employee salaries could that money have covered?) And the results show it. How much did the Pegulas want to get rid of Ryan O'Reilly's $7.5 million Buffalo News LOADED: 05.24.2021 annual contract after he lost his love for the game? They clearly wanted Jeff Skinner signed, but Jason Botterill overpaid at nine years and $72 million. Tim Murray hamstrung the organization with Kyle Okposo, too (seven years, $42 million). Both were clear reactions to ownership impatience.

Too many first-timers. All three of their GMs (Murray, Botterill and Kevyn Adams) were new to the position at the NHL level. So were coaches Ron Rolston and Phil Housley, a Hall of Famer and franchise great who directed a memorable 10-game winning streak in November 2018 and got nothing else accomplished in his two seasons.

Granato would be another first-timer, but at least he has a long resume of head-coaching experience at other levels. The Pegulas had a Stanley Cup coach in Dan Bylsma whom they let the players run off, to the dismay of Murray, and haven't found anyone of note since. They've had taskmasters like Bylsma and, to a lesser degree, Housley. They've had beloved "players' coaches" like Ted Nolan and Ralph Krueger. None of their choices work.

In fairness, Housley and Botterill were reasonable choices at the time – clearly the NHL's top first-time coaching and GM prospect when they were hired. Neither succeeded. Botterill sold them on Krueger, who talked a good show like Rex Ryan and had none of the coaching resume 1213959 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo News LOADED: 05.24.2021

Sabres' bad luck extends beyond just poor hiring

Mike Harrington 22 hrs ago

This is Part 2 of a project looking at why the Bills are winning and ascending toward championship level and why the Sabres are losing and have equaled the longest playoff drought in NHL history, even though both franchises are owned by the same people. Here, we look at the impact of luck – or lack thereof – on the Sabres' decade-long struggle.

The Pegulas have made a litany of mistakes in running the Sabres, but there's no denying there's been a string of bad luck involved, too.

Everything changes if they win the NHL Draft Lottery in 2015 to get the right to select Connor McDavid and the world's best player becomes a Sabre. The 1A-1B comparisons talk radio foisted upon the fan base that season regarding McDavid and Jack Eichel look absurd in the rearview mirror. And if McDavid is here, Mike Babcock almost certainly becomes the coach.

You can't blame ownership for making a $50 million deal with a Stanley Cup coach, only to see him renege and go off to Toronto. And while Babcock's time with the Leafs ended badly, he still put together a string of 100-point seasons that ended in playoff berths. What could he have done here with McDavid? We'll never know.

Still, the Sabres improved 27 points in Eichel's solid rookie season and coach Dan Bylsma thought they were a 95-point team in 2016-17. But what happened? Eichel wrecked his ankle in the final practice drill the day before the season opener, missed 20 games, the team never recovered, and Bylsma and GM Tim Murray got fired. That was a franchise-changing ankle sprain.

Murray got skewered for trading a first-round pick for Robin Lehner the morning he drafted Eichel. There was no way to anticipate the alcohol and mental health issues that Lehner had while he was with the Sabres and that were well-documented after he left in 2018.

To his great credit, Lehner has turned his life and career around and become a powerful voice in the game. And on the ice, the way he's played in New York, Chicago and Vegas shows what kind of goalie Murray thought he was getting, too.

Is it the Pegulas' fault that Jeff Skinner scores 40 goals in 2018-19, gets a big contract and suddenly can't score anymore? That's on the player. Same with Taylor Hall's two goals in 37 games this season. Is it ownership's fault that Kyle Okposo had life-altering concussion issues that landed him in a neuro ICU unit a year after signing his big free agent deal? Terrible luck.

Botterill let the 2018-19 season go to waste, rendering the Sabres the second team in history to miss the playoffs in a year they had a 10-game winning streak. He told ownership he trusted his players and they believed him. Big mistakes on both sides.

And remember how the 2019-20 pandemic season was stopped with the Sabres in Montreal. The game got canceled, the season never resumed. If it's played and the Sabres win in regulation? They go to the playoff bubble and Montreal doesn't. Amazing.

How 'drill another well' morphed into just a deep hole for Sabres

For all the big talk on Day One of ownership, Terry and Kim Pegula have never stuck with any plan. And the results show it.

It's easy to forget the Bills were in the abyss too when the Pegulas hit the jackpot by hiring a first-time coach in Sean McDermott, who was instrumental in bringing in Brandon Beane as general manager. It's obviously worked out great. It was tremendously good fortune. But ultimately, the Pegulas made the hires and they have to get credit for the right choices in football as opposed to all the stinkers they've made in hockey.

There's been no seminal McBeane hires with the hockey club. That's on ownership. But there's been lots of other things that have happened with the Sabres that were out of anyone's control. 1213960 Buffalo Sabres The hands-on management structure and leadership style are the Pegulas’ prerogatives as owners, but that opens them up to credit and, more often, criticism, depending on how each team performs.

How have the Pegulas gotten things right with the Bills, but so, so wrong “You get owners who interfere in the operation of the team,” Zimbalist with the Sabres? said. “You get owners who feel like they understand the sport better than the people who have been working in it for 20 or 30 years or who have been trained in analytics and a data science graduate program or an economic graduate program. So you do get owners who come along like Jason Wolf May 23, 2021 Updated 11 hrs ago that and simply start making decisions on their own and firing one GM after another GM. There are ways in which the ownership can interfere with the proper running of an organization.” How can Terry and Kim Pegula simultaneously preside over the worst team in the and one of the best teams in the It’s easier to change a team’s fortunes in the NFL – a cash cow thanks to National Football League? lucrative television contracts – than in the NHL because contracts in football aren’t fully guaranteed. In hockey, a couple of bad deals can The Buffalo Sabres haven’t made the playoffs in 10 years, the longest doom a franchise for years, and losing, not to mention a pandemic, can active streak in the NHL and third-longest active drought in North torpedo profits because franchises are more reliant on ticket and American professional sports, languishing under the Pegulas’ ownership merchandise sales. since 2011. The Buffalo Bills, under the Pegulas’ stewardship since 2014, snapped the nation's longest active postseason drought in 2017, This doesn’t impact what the Pegulas spend on the Sabres’ roster – have reached the NFL playoffs in three of the last four years and though there is no mandate to spend to the cap – but it might affect their advanced to within one victory of the Super Bowl last season. expenditures throughout the rest of the organization, such as on scouting and support positions. What’s led to the Sabres’ relentless struggles and the Bills’ terrific turnaround? Jed Hughes, who has been labeled by Forbes magazine as “the most connected and widely respected executive in the sports industry,” is the And is there any hope the hockey team can drag itself back to relevance vice chairman and global sector leader of sports for Korn Ferry, a with the Pegulas in charge? management consulting firm that helps teams identify and hire front- office talent. “The bottom line for me is that ownership doesn’t matter very much and successful ownership tends to be more a product of good fortune than of Hughes declined a request to speak about the Pegulas’ ownership of the some superior management style,” said Andrew Zimbalist, the renowned Bills and Sabres, but he outlined the enormity of their task in general in sports economist at Smith College in Massachusetts, in an interview with an article on his company’s website in 2018. The Buffalo News, explaining that the salary cap in both leagues ensures all teams spend similar amounts on player payroll. “Beyond that, owners “Turning a losing franchise into a championship team is like trying to turn do have some impact. They hire the team president and the general around a bankrupt company,” Hughes said. “You have to get the culture, manager, and they help to create a culture in the clubhouse. But I think strategy and leadership exactly right to make it a place where talent they tend to be more a product of chance, really, than of superior design wants to go. But that is extremely hard to do in a super competitive, or management skills.” constantly changing landscape.”

The Pegulas, billionaires who made their fortune in the natural gas Kim Pegula has served as president of the Bills and Sabres since Russ industry, have nevertheless drawn praise and condemnation from each Brandon resigned from the dual role in May 2018, following an internal fanbase, especially from frustrated and angry Sabres faithful who think investigation into an alleged inappropriate relationship with a female the owners view their hockey team as second-class citizens compared to employee. the football team. By that point, the Bills were in the capable hands of Beane and coach The buck always stops with ownership, but there is heightened attention Sean McDermott and had drafted Allen. Beane was the Bills’ first GM in Buffalo because Kim Pegula serves as president of both the Bills and hired by the Pegulas after they fired Doug Whaley. McDermott, who was Sabres, and Terry Pegula has been known to share his opinions on curiously hired before Beane, was the second head coach hired by the prospects with talent evaluators for both organizations, potentially Pegulas after Rex Ryan, and his staff has remained largely intact. influencing player personnel decisions. Retired Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who spent his entire 13-year The Pegulas, through a spokesperson, declined an interview request for career with Buffalo from 2006-18, has called Beane’s and McDermott’s this four-part series, in which reporters who cover the Bills and Sabres for leadership crucial to the franchise’s turnaround. The Buffalo News combined to scrutinize what has gone right and wrong "What Brandon and Sean shared with me right after they got the job, and under the Pegulas’ ownership of both franchises, focusing on team really motivated me and really endeared themselves to me, was, 'Hey, management, player acquisition, player development and sheer luck. this is our vision. This is the kind of football team we want. These are the “We want to win,” Kim Pegula said in June 2020 after firing 22 Sabres kind of guys we want on our football team. And that's what we're going to employees, including general manager Jason Botterill and members of pursue,'" Williams said before the start of last season. "They've got a the scouting and development staffs. “Owners want to win, they want to plan. They don't do anything just to do it or to sell tickets or to make a bring a championship to their city. And I think that’s the key thing that splash. That's not what they do. Any decision, any move they make, is drives them consistently. Now, not everyone may agree on how that part of a greater plan and a greater vision that really inspired me at 34, happens. But I will say I don’t know any owner that doesn’t have that as 35 years old, to come back and play a couple of more years. their No. 1 priority." "And more than anything, over three years, what they've done is they Culture, strategy, leadership have not deviated from their vision or from their direction. It's like, 'This is what we believe, this is the way we're going to go. We're not going to In his first offseason as owner of the Sabres, Terry Pegula pushed for the deviate for any reason. Ups and downs in the road, rocky seas, this is the team to sign Christian Ehrhoff and Ville Leino, moves that didn’t pan out, direction we're going.' And I think that's something to be commended and and more recently told former GM Botterrill to re-sign Jeff Skinner, to be excited about." though the ex-GM was responsible for contract terms. That seemed intuitive at the time, but appears to have backfired so far. The Sabres have not enjoyed similar stability.

When it comes to the Bills, Terry Pegula has developed a reputation of Kim Pegula is the fourth team president since she and her husband allowing his football professionals to call the shots, but he’s been bought the franchise, which has cycled through seven head coaches – involved in the scouting process, notably traveling to visit quarterback eight if interim coach Don Granato isn’t retained – and four GMs in a prospects before the 2018 draft. He had a stopwatch at Josh Allen’s pro decade. day and watched film of the QB with general manager Brandon Beane on "When you feel like there’s a disconnect with the people that you have in the flight to Wyoming. charge, it’s hard to sit by and just let it continue, knowing that you so desperately want to win and you so desperately want to succeed for your fans and your staff and your community," Kim Pegula said after Botterill's Allen, an MVP candidate last season, has a greater impact on his team’s firing. fortunes than anyone in a Sabres sweater. Eichel might be his closest comparison. The Sabres have finished with the fewest points in the NHL in four of the last eight seasons. Have the Sabres simply failed to surround their captain with commensurate stability and talent? In the decade of Pegula ownership, the Sabres are last in the NHL in points (not counting the expansion Vegas Golden Knights), last in points Even if they had, Eichel’s neck injury, on top of a broken rib and lingering percentage, last in goals scored and have allowed the most goals. abdominal issue, sapped his effectiveness and derailed his most recent season after just 21 games. They traded away a player in Ryan O’Reilly who went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues. One injury to a key player can sabotage even the best team’s championship aspirations. And a raft of high draft picks and free agent signings have underperformed, including top-line center Jack Eichel, who might have “There’s a lot of randomness and a lot of luck involved in all of this,” played his final game with the Sabres amid his stated “disconnect” with Zimbalist said. “It’s understandable that you or your readers would say, the organization. Eichel wants to have a herniated disk in his neck ‘What’s going on here? How come the owner’s so successful in football replaced by undergoing a relatively new surgery that’s never been and not in hockey?’ But I’m not surprised by that outcome. In five years, performed on an NHL player. this relationship might be entirely different. It might be both of the teams are poor, or both of the teams are doing well, or maybe the NHL team is Difficult to compare better than the NFL team. The list goes on and on of variables that There is only one other instance of an ownership group controlling an owners have absolutely no control over. NFL and NHL team. “I’d say to the fans of the Bills, enjoy it while it lasts. They don’t have any Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke's family also owns the NHL's secret sauce up there in Buffalo that is going to guarantee ongoing Colorado Avalanche (and the NBA's Denver Nuggets, among other success.” ventures). Buffalo News LOADED: 05.24.2021 Kroenke purchased the Avalanche and Nuggets in July 2000. The Avs have reached the playoffs 12 times in the last 20 seasons and won the Stanley Cup in 2001. The Nuggets have reached the playoffs 13 times in his tenure and twice appeared in the Western Conference Finals.

Kroenke purchased the St. Louis Rams in August 2010 and relocated the team to LA in 2016. The Rams finished with a losing record in each of his first seven seasons at the helm, but produced a winning record in each of the last four seasons under coach Sean McVay. They advanced to the playoffs in three of those years and to Super Bowl LIII in February 2019.

For what it’s worth, Kevin Demoff has served as the Rams’ chief operating officer, the team’s top front office executive, since 2009. Kroenke's son, Josh Kroenke, has been the president of the Nuggets and Avalanche since 2010 and ’13, respectively, longevity that has at least provided stability atop each organization and time for him to grow into the role.

“We learned from our mistakes of four to five years ago,” Josh Kroenke told NBA.com in 2018, “made the most of our opportunities, whether it’s draft picks or trades. We developed the culture that I dreamed we could have. It’s starting to formulate.”

The Avs and Nuggets have reached the postseason each year since.

Based on the results, is Kim Pegula a better football executive than hockey executive?

Is Terry Pegula a better judge of talent when it comes to those who play with a pigskin versus a puck?

Did the Bills just happen to luck out with hiring McDermott and Beane and drafting Allen?

Players over owners?

Boris Groysberg, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, co-authored a study on NFL franchise construction in which researchers used 38 years of data to determine the most important leadership role within a successful NFL franchise.

Quarterback topped the list, followed by the coach, general manager and owner, in that order.

“That means a quarterback accounts for more than three times the variance in performance that an owner does and appears to be the most critical factor in team success,” Groysberg wrote in the Harvard Business Review in 2019. “However, coaches and general managers are still very important: they represent more than half of our model’s explained variance.”

Groysberg, in an email exchange with The News, wrote that it’s “so much harder to identify critical jobs” in the NHL, but suggested a star goaltender such as Dominik Hasek or Ryan Miller would have an outsized impact on the fortunes of a hockey team, analogous to a quarterback in the NFL. 1213961 Carolina Hurricanes In 2019, the Canes lost the first two games to the Washington Capitals on the road to start their first-round series. They came back to PNC Arena to win twice. Most people know the rest, of how McGinn’s goal in double overtime won Game 7 in Washington to eliminate the 2018 The Hurricanes’ big advantage over the Predators in upcoming Game 5? Stanley Cup champions. Once a series take a swing .. The Caniacs. The Canes are 22-3-5 at home this season, including the two playoff wins over Nashville. The Predators have never won a playoff series after losing the first two games on the road. But do those records really mean BY CHIP ALEXANDER anything? MAY 23, 2021 08:58 PM, The Cane.s have often said that the playoff losses to the Boston Bruins the past two years have only added to their hunger to go farther in the playoffs. They believe they have the team to do it. But the Predators They flew into Nashville feeling so good about themselves, having won seemed to be the hungrier team the past two games and handed the their first two games in Stanley Cup playoffs. Canes two gut-wrenching losses.

The Carolina Hurricanes don’t have a lot of swagger, that’s not their “We’ve got to keep our heads held high here,” McGinn said. “It’s a long style. but they are a confident hockey team. They won the Central series and it’s now a best-of-three. We’ve got to go home, regroup. We Division. Before coming to Nashville, they had beaten the Predators in need to go back and get PNC rocking.” eight of 10 games. Their body language and demeanor was positive, their play outstanding. PREDATORS AT HURRICANES

But awaiting the Canes at Bridgestone Arena was a crowd of more than When: Tuesday, 8 p.m. 12,000 Predators fans, seemingly ready to will their team back into the Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh first-round series. They were loud early and they were loud late, through one overtime into a second, in Game 3 and Game 4 and the Predators, News Observer LOADED: 05.24.2021 fully engaged, fed off the energy.

When the players’ legs began to tire and the lungs burning, the crowd was there, thundering. Nashville’s Matt Duchene scored in the second overtime of Game 3 on Friday for a 5-4 victory. Luke Kunin did the same Sunday for a 4-3 win. It was a series tied 2-2 going to Game 5 at PNC Arena on Tuesday.

“A tough pill to swallow,” Canes forward Brock McGinn said Sunday.

And what now?

“It’s two really good fan bases that take a lot of pride in getting their buildings rocking,” Canes forward Jordan Martinook said Sunday. “I have no doubt the Caniacs are sitting back home biting their fingernails, getting ready to tear the roof off that place.”

As Martinook put it, the Preds “held court” by winning their two home games. It took two overtimes each time but they did it, found a way. Now, the Canes need to do the same.

“We know what PNC can do,” Martinook said of Canes fans. “Can’t wait to get back in front of them and get them juicing us up.”

WHERE DID THE CANES GO WRONG AT NASHVILLE?

With a playoff game every other day, and part of Sunday night spent traveling, the players will need to recoup quickly. Having now played the Predators 12 times, the coaches won’t look to make substantial changes.

“I thought we played great,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of Sunday’s Game 4. “I felt like we had the play most of the game. In overtime it felt like we were in their end. It’s one of those things. We couldn’t find a way to get one.”

Brind’Amour can only hope that injured defenseman Jaccob Slavin will be able to play after missing the past three games. Slavin’s absence has been felt. Dougie Hamilton, Slavin’s defensive partner, has not been the same without him and did not play well Sunday.

Hamilton’s tripping penalty early in the third period after Brock McGinn had given the Canes a 3-2 lead with his second goal, resulted in a Preds power-play goal. On Kunin’s winning goal, Hamilton was behind the net instead of in front of it and could not recover quickly enough, leaving goalie Alex Nedeljkovic exposed for Kunin’s winning shot.

No one can fault Nedeljkovic, a rookie in his first Stanley Cup playoffs, but Juuse Saros was the better goaltender the past two games. He was Sunday in stopping 58 shots, a franchise record in the playoffs.

One can fault the Canes’ power play. They were 0-4 Sunday with a man advantage -- Carolina is 2-for-14 in the series -- as the Canes’ top unit remained predictable, the puck movement too slow. Maybe Brind’Amour will consider changing things up on the two units -- Teuvo Teravainen, for example, might be best suited on the top unit.

THE PRESSURE IS ON THE FAVORITE 1213962 Carolina Hurricanes clear that set up the Predators’ opening goal Sunday despite what turned out to be the Hurricanes’ most one-sided period of the series.

Meanwhile, Alex Nedeljkovic was spectacular again to keep the If the Hurricanes thought this was going to be easy, it’s anything but now Hurricanes close in both games on the road. He gave away one goal Sunday, but quickly got it back with a diving save on a two-on-none with the Hurricanes down a goal that could have blown the game open.

BY LUKE DECOCK The Predators, at home and not missing their best defenseman, were better equipped for these marathons. The longer the games went, the MAY 23, 2021 07:56 PM better Nashville’s chances were.

For all that, the Hurricanes had more than enough chances to get the Oh, you thought this was going to be easy? puck past Saros and win either or both of these road games in regulation, let alone the parade of overtimes, which would have dramatically altered You thought because the Carolina Hurricanes walked over the Nashville the trajectory of this series. Instead, they’ll go home and start from Predators in the regular season, then won both games at home to start scratch -- hoping Slavin returns sooner rather than later -- knowing what this series, they’d glide through the rest of this to rest up before facing could easily have been the end Tuesday night is just the beginning. the survivor of the Battle of Florida? News Observer LOADED: 05.24.2021 Nope. This is not going to be easy. It never is.

A series played on a knife edge -- within a goal for all but 13 minutes of 16 periods -- is officially too close to call. Luke Kunin’s double-overtime winner made sure of that Sunday afternoon, giving the Predators their second straight double-OT win, 4-3, to tie the series as it moves back to Raleigh for Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Hurricanes may have won the division, and they may be analytically superior in this series by a wide margin, but the Predators made the big plays when it mattered. In the playoffs, that’s the trump card.

“We battled hard,” Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook said. “It can go either way when you get into that situation. Obviously, they got the two here. Overtime, you flip a coin. Whoever gets a chance and buries it.”

Friday was the second-longest game the Hurricanes have ever played; now Sunday is. A goal in any of the overtimes would have sent the Hurricanes home with a chance to clinch. Instead, it’s a best-of-three and the Hurricanes have worn valuable tread off their tires.

If the Hurricanes went to Nashville looking to close things out -- and could have, with two timely goals -- they return looking inward, perhaps wondering how much they have left in the tank. The absence of the indispensable Jaccob Slavin the past three games has been massive, especially as both games dragged into extra extra periods, demanding an extraordinary effort from both Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei.

“He’s one of the best players in the league,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Take him out of anybody’s lineup and you’re going to miss him. Especially when you play basically another game, right? And a bit? It’s going to show up. That’s part of it, though. Injuries are a big, big part of playoff hockey and I think our guys have stepped up great.”

A LOT OF SHOTS, NOT A LOT OF GOALS

The Hurricanes won the even-strength battle again but lost the special- teams battle, finally getting the power plays Brind’Amour demanded from the NHL but not doing anything with four of them while the Predators scored the game-tying goal in the third on one of only two they had.

That included one for the Hurricanes early in the first overtime, a second tremendous opportunity squandered after Brock McGinn scored at the end of the second period and the beginning of the third, 128 seconds apart, to give the Hurricanes their first lead, even if it was short-lived.

Nashville hasn’t made it easy on the Hurricanes, but the Hurricanes haven’t made it easy on themselves, either. They’ve been unable to consistently turn their utter dominance of possession into any dominance on the scoresheet against goalie Juuse Saros, unable to generate enough traffic in front of the net or second-chance opportunities, let alone finish the chances they are creating.

An insane total of 117 shots -- and 220 attempts -- led to only seven goals over the past two games.

“Guys can win you games, and that happens, but over a seven-game series, if you keep knocking on the door eventually you’ll get your goals,” Brind’Amour said.

BACK TO PNC ARENA TO START FROM SCRATCH

The Hurricanes have also made critical errors that have given the Predators openings they probably didn’t deserve, whether it was Jake Bean misplaying the game-winner in Game 3 or Dougie Hamilton’s lazy 1213963 Carolina Hurricanes “He’s a wall back there,” McGinn said. “He gives us a chance to win every night.”

The Canes again played without defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who Hurricanes fall to Predators in double overtime of Game 4 continues to be slowed by lower-body injury. Max Lajoie, who made his Hurricanes debut on Friday, got a second start.

Offense was not a problem. The Canes had a 38-8 advantage in total BY CHIP ALEXANDER shot attempts in the first period and led 80-45 after three periods. But the score was 3-3 and off to overtime they went. MAY 23, 2021 02:04 PM, (Earlier updates)

THIRD PERIOD: MCGINN SCORES AGAIN Better settle in. It could be a long playoff series. Canes forward Brock McGinn, who scored late in the second period, did For the second time in three days, the Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville it again 13 seconds into the third for a 3-2 lead, but the Predators later Predators went to double overtime at Bridgestone Arena. For the second tied it on a power play. time, the Predators won it, with Luke Kunin’s goal giving them a 4-3 victory Sunday and a 2-2 tie in the Stanley Cup playoff series. McGinn got off a rising shot as he fell on the opening shift of the third. That came after he scored with 1:55 left in the second. Brock McGinn scored twice for the Canes. But the Predators, trailing 2-0 in the series, returned home Friday and clawed out a 5-4 victory that took Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour started Jordan Staal with McGinn and two overtimes, and did it again Sunday. Jordan Martinook. Staal won the faceoff and both Martinook and Staal had assists on the goal. Kunin’s second goal of the game, at 16:10 of the second OT, ended it after a defensive breakdown by the Canes. Kunin also scored in the first But the Preds converted their first power play of the game on a Nick minute of the game. Cousins deflection 3:15 into the third.

The series shifts back to Raleigh for Game 5 on Tuesday at PNC Arena. SECOND PERIOD: MCGINN TIES IT

The Hurricanes had a power play four minutes into the overtime after a Brock McGinn’s goal late in the second period has pulled the Canes back delay-of-game penalty, but the Preds killed it off. That came after the into a 2-2 tie. Canes were 0-3 on the power play in regulation. McGinn got off a shot from the left circle, the puck hitting the far post and Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour was asked after the game if his players then in the net. With Jordan Martinook in front of the net to screen goalie were “crushed” by the loss. Juuse Saros, McGinn scored his first of the playoffs with 1:55 left in the period -- Steven Lorentz and Martinook with the assists. “Of course, they’re crushed,” he said. “You play your butts off like that, and I think we were the better team in that game, and you want better. The Canes have twice trailed and twice scored late in the period to tie it. You feel like you deserve better. It doesn’t work that way, as we know.” Their first goal, from Vincent Trocheck, came with 1:57 left in the first period for a 1-1 tie. “You play your butts off like that and I think we were the better team in that game. You want better. You feel like you deserve better. It doesn’t Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has been solid for the Canes in the playoffs, work that way, as we know. limiting his mistakes, but he made one in the second period and it was costly. The guy they call “Ned” soon made up for it. Sunday’s afternoon game was one of quick strikes, deflections, hard hits and spectacular saves. Preds goalie Juuse Saros had 58 saves. When Nedeljkovic failed to cover a loose puck in the crease, the Preds’ Ryan Johansen collected it and scored for a 2-1 lead. Johansen’s second Kunin scored 57 seconds into the game for a 1-0 lead. McGinn’s second of the playoffs came at 4:53 of the period as Matt Duchene and Mattias goal came 13 seconds into the third. Those not already in their seats at Ekholm had the assists.’ Bridgestone might have missed one or both. Nedeljkovic recovered from the gaffe for the biggest stop in the first 40 The Canes twice tied the score in the game before McGinn’s early goal in minutes. The Preds had a two-on-none rush but Nedeljkovic, with a quick the third gave Carolina a 3-2 lead. But a penalty on Canes defenseman push to his right, stoned Yakov Trenin and then stopped Trenin again on Dougie Hamilton led to a power-play score by the Preds’ Nick Cousins the rebound. for a 3-3 ti The Canes’ third power play of the game was uneventful and ineffective - Brind’Amour gave goalie Alex Nedeljkovic his fourth straight start in the - Carolina is 0-for-3. But McGinn scored at even strength as the fourth playoffs and the Preds again countered with Saros for a fourth game. line provided some offense. Both had great moments and a few they’d prefer to forget. FIRST PERIOD: TIED 1-1 Nedeljkovic gave up a goal to the Preds’ Ryan Johansen in the second period when he couldn’t smother a loose puck in front of him in the The Predators had the best possible start and the Canes probably the crease. worst, but the Canes controlled much the first period, which ended 1-1.

Saros had a shot by the Canes’ Martin Necas trickle through him to the The Preds’ Luke Kunin scored in the first minute of the game and Vincent goal line, where the Canes’ Vincent Trocheck banged it in. But the Canes Trocheck scored late for the Canes, his second in as many games. had 61 shots and he made 58 saves, helped along by teammates who blocked 31 shots. After a poor Dougie Hamilton pass out of the Carolina zone was picked off by Ryan Ellis, Kunin got behind the defense in front of the crease to “He’s playing well,” Brind’Amour said. “Obviously, you’d like to get there beat goalie Alex Nedeljkovic 57 seconds into the first. Mikael Granlund more. They’ve got big D, they do a nice job not giving us the seconds. ,who had a give-and-go with Kunin, and and Ellis had the assists. But overall, I think it was a real solid game for us. I think we’re digging in and doing what we have to do to get the opportunities, which is all we Trocheck scored with 1:57 left in the first after Martin Necas got off a shot can do, and their goalie’s playing great.” and the puck trickled through goalie Juuse Saros. Trocheck, on the backside, popped in the puck. But there were huge stops, too, for Nedeljkovic. He stoned Yakov Trenin on a two-on-none rush by the Predators, then stopped an Erik Haula shot The Canes limited Nashville to five shots in the first and had finished with off the rush in the third. 17. Total attempts favored the Canes 38-8.

Late in regulation Nedeljkovic made a hard push to his left to stop a Nashville was called for three penalties in the opening period and the Cousins shot after a deflection in front of the net. The Preds’ Haula high- Canes one, which appeared to anger Preds coach John Hynes, who let sticked the puck before the Cousins shot, but Nedeljkovic’s play was his opinion be known to the refs. Carolina’s two power plays produced sensational. four shots. GAME SETUP: FOCUS THE KEY The Hurricanes can’t get caught up with the refs, the calls, penalties, bad breaks or the Nashville crowd Sunday in Game 4 against the Predators.

The Canes’ only priority is winning the game and taking a 3-1 series lead back to Raleigh. That’s it. The short list.

“I don’t think we have to worry about any of that stuff outside of playing hockey and trying to win a game,” center Sebastian Aho said Saturday. “We’re a tight group. We’re not going to let any of that stuff get into us.

“Every game is important and you just want to do your best to help your team win. That’s about it.”

Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Sunday there would be no lineup changes for Game 4, meaning defenseman Jaccob Slavin will miss another game and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic will start another game.

Slavin will be scratched for third straight playoff game with a lower-body injury that’s now become a major concern for the Hurricanes. Brind’Amour continues to call it a “day-to-day” injury, not ruling him out of the series, but can’t say when he might play again.

Slavin’s absence has caused shuffling on the back end. Brady Skjei has moved into Slavin’s spot in the top defensive pairing with Dougie Hamilton. Jake Bean played with Brett Pesce and Max Lajoie with Jani Hakanpaa in Game 3.

Skjei and Hamilton had their problems as the Preds appeared to take advantage of the last change at home and could get some favorable matchups. Bean and Pesce held their own as did Lajoie, in his Hurricanes, debut and Hakanpaa. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, were on the ice for several of the Preds’ scoring chances at even strength.

Brind’Amour on Sunday downplayed the effect of Preds coach John Hynes having last change, saying, “I really don’t think it was much of a factor. When we’re rolling and playing well it’s never a factor. Obviously it becomes more of a factor when we’re missing Jaccob Slavin. That’s a big deal. That matchup there, obviously we don’t have anyone to replace him. So that can be an issue, certainly.”

In the second overtime Friday, the Preds’ Matt Duchene took a flip pass, got past Bean and beat Nedeljkovic for the winner in a 5-4 victory at Bridgestone Arena.

Nedeljkovic, after allowing two goals in the first two playoff games, faced 54 shots on Friday in Game 3, including 20 in the two OTs periods.

Game 5 is Tuesday at PNC Arena. The starting time has not been announced.

News Observer LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213964 Carolina Hurricanes discipline -- which the NHL imposed within three hours of Brind’Amour calling the league’s goal-review process “a joke,” carried with it the threat of another $25,000 “in the event of similar inappropriate behavior.”

Jaccob Slavin’s continuing absence is making things hard on the News Observer LOADED: 05.24.2021 Hurricanes

BY LUKE DECOCK

MAY 23, 2021 01:36 PM,

When Jaccob Slavin played more than 21 minutes in the Carolina Hurricanes’ Game 1 win over the Nashville Predators a week ago, it certainly seemed like the nagging “lower body” injury that had made their best defenseman a day-to-day concern would not be an issue going forward.

It’s been the opposite. Slavin will not play in Game 4 on Sunday, the third straight game he’ll miss, and with all the penalties the Hurricanes had to kill in games 2 and 3 and Game 3 going to double overtime before the Hurricanes lost -- the second-longest game in Hurricanes history -- circumstances have not exactly been conducive to papering over the absence of the minute-munching defenseman.

“Obviously it becomes more of a factor when we’re missing Jaccob Slavin, that’s a big deal,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said before the game Sunday. “At times, that matchup there, obviously we don’t have anybody to replace that. That can be an issue, certainly, but I thought our guys have hung in there.”

Brind’Amour has said nothing happened in Game 1 to prolong Slavin’s absence and said again Sunday he still hoped the Hurricanes would get Slavin back sooner rather than later, but he thought that before the previous two games as well.

“That’s why I was saying he was day-to-day,” Brind’Amour said. “Because I was hoping any day he’d say ‘Yeah, I have that feeling.’ It just hasn’t happened. …

“We’re pretty clear on it. We know what’s going on. He’s just got to feel good. He’s got to feel like he can play. He just doesn’t feel like that yet. We always say a player’s got to feel good about his game before he can get in there otherwise he’s just not going to be effective.”

Maxime Lajoie, who played 16 solid minutes in his Hurricanes and NHL playoff debut, remained in the lineup as Slavin’s replacement.

NED IN GOAL AGAIN SUNDAY

After stopping 103 of 110 shots in the first three games of the series, the Hurricanes went back to rookie goalie Alex Nedejkovic for the start in Game 4. There’s no question Nedeljkovic has earned the right to stay in net, but the way the Hurricanes have rotated goalies this season, it’s the first time Nedelkjovic has started four consecutive games in his NHL career. He played three straight from April 20-24 against Tampa Bay and Florida, winning twice and losing the third in overtime despite stopping 32 of 36 shots.

Brind’Amour said Saturday the Hurricanes would take a long look at how Nedeljkovic fared, mentally and physically, after Friday’s marathon loss, and wouldn’t hesitate to go to Petr Mrazek if he thought it was the right move.

“That’s kind of how we’ve looked at it all year and why we’ve always kind of rotated or didn’t overwork a guy,” Brind’Amour said earlier this week. “I would hope that because we did that all year it gives us a little bit more flexibility or freedom. If we’d have the opportunity to roll a guy, we could, because he didn’t get overworked during the regular season. But we always take it one game at a time.”

JORDAN STAAL FINED

While Jordan Staal was fined $5,000 by the NHL on Saturday for his slew foot on Luke Kunin, Brind’Amour was not fined by the NHL for his comments about the officiating after Friday’s loss, Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell confirmed.

Under normal circumstances, nothing Brind’Amour said would normally incur a fine -- there’s some latitude to complain about officiating decisions as long as the integrity of the officiating isn’t questioned -- but he was under double-secret-probation after his $25,000 fine last August. That 1213965 Carolina Hurricanes Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan had graced the video board at Bridgestone with another postseason beer-chugging performance, this time getting a majority of the suds on his shirtless torso. The fact that it was just Michelob Ultra made it less tragic. Rexrode: Predators have Canes on the ropes, assuming both have the energy to continue These teams had been within a goal of each other for all but 13 minutes of the four games, which of course adds up to more than five games of hockey.

By Joe Rexrode May 24, 2021 Kunin had gone so long between goals — he opened the scoring 57 seconds after the opening faceoff — that there was no way those two

plays took place in the same game. Kind of like there’s no way the Nothing all that surprising took place in the first three games between Nashville team that went 11-16-1 in the first half of the season and 20-7- Carolina and Nashville, from the Hurricanes looking like the superior 1 in the second half was the same team. Kind of like there’s no way the team overall to the Predators finding a way to keep this a series with Predators who were overwhelmed in the third period of Game 1 and Game 3 guttiness. outscored 8-2 in the first two games are the Predators who are now applying massive pressure to a bona fide Stanley Cup contender. No jaws dropped at the sight of Juuse Saros stepping up and continuing his regular-season surge amid difficult conditions. Nor at Carolina’s And yet here we are. The Predators gave Rogers a round of applause in special teams being better, Carolina finding good goaltending of its own, the winning locker room for his unofficial game-winning assist — not only increasing angst between teams that met for the 12th time this season in did he get Kunin that stick quickly, he got him the right stick. And both Sunday’s Game 4, mistakes from the officials, one side or the other teams hopefully got right to the rest, fluids and granola required to be complaining about the officials (Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour took ready for Game 5. those honors), injuries, overtime periods, lineup changes or emotional Carolina is the superior team here, even without top defenseman Jaccob swings. OK, it was a bit surprising to see Nashville coach John Hynes Slavin, but the consistent ability of Nashville to hang in there — starting take Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen off the power play in Game 3, with the work of Saros — and summon counterpunches has been and for both to respond with the best they’ve given this team — something to behold. This team has become something for Nashville to Johansen’s best in a long time, Duchene’s best in two seasons with the embrace. Preds. But Hynes has sat down both before, and they’ve both done some things in this league. This was all still trending toward Canes in five, as “You know, you’ve just got to be mentally tough,” Johansen said. “You’ve picked by 99.3 percent (give or take a few percentage points) of hockey got to stay ultra-focused, and your details have got to be sharp.” media types. The pressure on Carolina to do those exact things has now become And now? Now we can start talking about surprises. And legendary/epic heavy. That’s what happens when you’re so close to getting a series in games and epic/legendary performances and the magic of the Stanley position to end and instead face a brand new best-of-three. Hockey Cup playoffs and ice baths big enough to get Saros and Hurricanes history tells us there’s no telling what happens from here. Math tells us goalie Alex Nedeljkovic ready for Tuesday’s Game 5. Maybe let them there will definitely be another game in Nashville, Game 6 on Thursday, both sleep until then. Maybe everyone involved should grab an extra nap. in front of another crowd of 12,135. Hide the Michelob Ultra.

By the time Luke Kunin smashed his stick, detoured to the Preds bench The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 to grab a new one from cat-quick equipment manager Pete Rogers, got back into the play, shot in front of the net to take a Mikael Granlund feed from behind the net and popped it past Nedeljkovic to win Game 4 by a 4-3 count in double overtime and tie the series, these teams had played 191 minutes of weekend hockey at rocking Bridgestone Arena. For those unschooled in math and/or hockey, 120 minutes were scheduled to be played.

“The energy and the atmosphere, you almost feel numb out there,” said Johansen, who was great again and had a stick-back goal somewhere in that “Whoa, what a play!” tapestry. “You feel like a robot. Your legs keep turning.”

By the time Kunin ended it and went Cobra Kai on Alex Carrier in a fittingly unhinged celebration, Saros had become the second goalie in playoff history to save 50 or more shots in consecutive playoff games (he had 61 on Sunday after 56 on Friday), joining Curtis Joseph in 1993.

Nedeljkovic had stopped 97 of his own in those two games, including some doozies in the third period and beyond Sunday, when the Preds managed to gain footing in a territory battle dominated by the Canes in the first two periods.

Duchene had cut open his forehead on a vicious check, on another day of frenzied fight from him, his game-high seven shots on goal, including a spin and backhand try in the first overtime that would have rivaled his filthy Friday winner.

Eeli Tolvanen had blocked a shot, stickless, with as much of his body as he could throw in front of it, on a day that saw the Preds a whopping 31, which prompted Hynes to say later: “They want to eat the puck.”

Tolvanen had almost won it a few times. Same with Nick Cousins, to add to his tying power-play goal in the third. Same with Calle Jarnkrok. Same with Filip Forsberg. Same with Sebastian Aho. Same with Andrei Svechnikov.

Officials had taken Brind’Amour’s public complaining to heart — it was 14-6 Preds in power plays in Games 2 and 3 — or maybe just did the same job in a different kind of game, but the final result was four power plays for the Canes, two for the Preds. And, surprise, the Preds with the only power-play goal. 1213966 Chicago Blackhawks find the next Niklas Hjalmarsson, probably the best lockdown defenseman they’ve had the last decade.

My next question to you: Is there any defenseman in the organization Even an aging Patrick Kane makes the Chicago Blackhawks dangerous. who will be a core piece three to five years from now? But how close are they to being a Stanley Cup contender again? 5 offseason questions for the Blackhawks, including when to expect Jonathan Toews news and the biggest needs for next season »

By PHIL THOMPSON and CHRIS SOSA Thompson: First of all, it’s ironic that you would use “Seabrook” and “relief” in close proximity to each other. Although they’ve gotten some MAY 23, 2021 AT 7:00 AM cap relief from having Seabrook on long-term injured reserve, he still is on the books for the next three seasons and at some point President of

Hockey Operations and general manager Stan Bowman will have find a Patrick Kane isn’t getting any younger. way address Seabrook’s $6.785 million annual albatross. As the young guys come up for new contracts and the Hawks try to sign other free With the Chicago Blackhawks star set to turn 33 in November, his days agents with a cap that might not grow much over the next couple of of carrying a franchise are numbered. seasons, Seabrook’s deal just looms larger.

But as long as he remains a game-changing weapon for the Blackhawks, So, what, now you’re going to find an all-around defenseman via free an argument can be made they’re closer to winning a Stanley Cup than agency or trade — an offensive threat who’s not a liability on defense — many teams. A healthy Jonathan Toews would be a monumental piece to for a price that’s not going cripple you? Your best bet is to develop one. I that puzzle, too. don’t see how the Hawks have a choice. I don’t think they can afford to keep Calvin de Haan after next season (if he’s still around) and Connor The Tribune’s Phil Thompson and Chris Sosa discuss the strengths and Murphy’s contract runs out next year, too. They’ll probably extend Nikita weaknesses of the Hawks roster and what they might have to do to get Zadorov, but you for sure aren’t looking for offense there. Kalynuk back into Stanley Cup contention. showed a lot of promise, but it’s a small sample size. Chris Sosa: All right, Phil. Let’s start with the goaltenders. The only one The Hawks feel Boqvist made strides on defense but I still wouldn’t call it for whom the Blackhawks have a decent sample size from 2020-21 is a strength. They committed to Riley Stillman for three more years with Kevin Lankinen, and he was ... fine. That assessment is meant to the hope he’ll help give the defense some teeth, but I wouldn’t call him a communicate the fact that he was terrific in some games and forgettable lockdown defenseman. in others. Between him and Malcolm Subban, Lankinen seemed to allow soft goals less frequently and, more importantly, responded better to I’m feeling generous, so I’ll give the Hawks the benefit of the doubt that at pressure situations. He gave the Hawks a decent chance to win in high- least one of the young blue-liners — Kalynuk, Boqvist, Beaudin, Ian scoring games by shutting down the opposition for long stretches, though Mitchell or perhaps the recently signed Jakub Galvas — will pan out as at the Hawks offense didn’t always have the final say. least above average if not All-Star caliber.

I don’t know that the Hawks need to see more from Subban. As for Collin But I’ve got one for you: Do you think the Hawks have reliable scorers Delia, I’m not sure he can fill Corey Crawford’s skates, either, but if a beyond Kane, Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kubalik? backup role to Lankinen is his fate next season, I think most fans could live with that. You here to tell me I’m wrong? Sosa: Hmmm, is Artemi Panarin still around? No? OK, before Hawks fans cross-check me the next time they see me out and about, the Phil Thompson: Chris, they all had their moments, good and bad. I answer is yes. would’ve liked to have seen Lankinen stand up to more of those solo breakaways when there’s a turnover in the neutral zone or an opposing There are caveats, however. Figure Toews at full strength can be skater storms out of the penalty box and gets the puck. Subban is good penciled in for about 60 points, maybe more. Throw in a healthy and at stopping those, as he is with shootout attempts, but Lankinen seemed improving Kirby Dach and you’ve got the makings of two dangerous lines vulnerable in those situations. when combined with Kane, DeBrincat and Kubalik. Toews and Dach also make the Hawks better defensively, particularly on the penalty kill. But overall I agree that Lankinen was by far the most consistent of the three. It’s for that reason, and the contract situation, that I believe that he That to me is the best-case scenario as the Blackhawks try to rebuild will start next season. All three will be up for unrestricted free agency while Kane and Toews still are in the picture. There should be enough after next season, and I believe that the Hawks have seen enough of top-line firepower in that group — especially after DeBrincat bounced Subban and Delia throughout their careers to know who they are as back — to do some serious playoff damage. goaltenders. Lankinen had just one pretty good rookie season, and that’s Now, let’s say Toews and Dach don’t contribute as much as I project. during a shortened schedule. Where do the goals come from? That’s where it becomes dicier. If you The Hawks have a season to determine if he can be the foundation for a asked the Hawks, they likely would point to Pius Suter, Dylan Strome, contender before they have to commit to him long-term or look Philipp Kurashev and maybe Henrik Borgström. Suter probably is the elsewhere. The bigger question is whether this team has been built to best of that bunch at the moment, and he puts himself in the right place become a contender. at the right time fairly often, hence his 14 goals and 13 assists this season. That said, he’s a restricted free agent, so who knows if he Sosa: As you know, the Hawks won’t be able to answer that question returns. with a definitive “yes” without rebuilding their blue line. They don’t have to worry about fitting Brent Seabrook into the rotation anymore. That’s a The Hawks hope Borgström is similar to Kubalik in that he breaks relief on some level, though the effort to find his replacement — never through more or less out of nowhere. If Borgström is healthy, that will mind Duncan Keith’s — has been a shaky process. only help him potentially live up to the “Magician” nickname he earned in college. The Blackhawks are good at finding defensemen with strong offensive skills (Erik Gustafsson springs to mind). There are things to like about How do you see the Blackhawks’ crop of forwards shaking out next Wyatt Kalynuk — nine points in 21 games is something to build on. season? Nicolas Beaudin and Adam Boqvist might be able to hold their own in Thompson: Let me get to that, Chris. But first, allow me to throw a little bit that department as well, though the Hawks likely expect more of Boqvist of cold water on your optimism. We don’t know enough about Toews’ given his age (20) and where he was drafted (eighth overall). situation to assume he’ll be back close to 100%. Some would also argue Who is Kevin Lankinen? 5 things to know about the Blackhawks that his offensive game showed signs of decline before his absence. And goaltender, including his friend turned rival and his book club » with Dach, his development has been interrupted and he’ll be focused on rehabbing his wrist over the summer, so I wouldn’t pencil in any Now, let’s say they get sufficient offense from the blue-liners they have. expectations as far his production is concerned. Will those same defensemen be competent enough on the back end? Given the Blackhawks’ lousy penalty kill (28th in the NHL in 2020-21) and Now back to your question. If your best-case scenario pans out, here’s all the shots they allow (dead last each of the last two seasons), it’s hard how the forward lines might look, assuming no one gets picked during to say they’re trending in the right direction. What they wouldn’t give to the expansion draft. (I’m also taking some liberties, projecting that the Hawks carry 14 forwards in the belief the young defensemen are more But Bowman added: “We talk a lot about the growth and development of likely to spend time in the minors than young forwards such as Kurashev young players, and that’s true, they haven’t established themselves yet, and Brandon Hagel, and given the fact there’s likely no taxi squad next but even experienced players, they all need to keep pushing to improve season). themselves.”

First line: Alex DeBrincat-Kirby Dach-Patrick Kane So, to wrap up, do you believe the veterans push themselves? And, putting development aside, do you believe Colliton has the system that Second line: Dominik Kubalik-Jonathan Toews-Philipp Kurashev can turn the Hawks into a winner?

Third line: Brandon Hagel-Pius Suter-Dylan Strome The highs and lows of the 2020-21 Blackhawks: From Jonathan Toews’ Fourth line: Alex Nylander-David Kampf-Ryan Carpenter season-long absence to Patrick Kane’s milestone and Kirby Dach’s injury and return » The Kane-Suter-DeBrincat line was the Hawks’ most productive with 20 goals and a 60.6% goals-for percentage, according to leftwinglock.com, Sosa: What I can say is we learned in the team’s exit interviews that so expect to see that combination again, either to mix things up during Colliton wasn’t afraid to bench Strome when he saw something he didn’t games or to try out if the lines aren’t working. like. That appeared to be a rare occurrence, which likely indicates veterans mostly were on the coach’s good side. But for next season, we’ll start with the notion that the Kane-Dach- DeBrincat group will form the base for the other lines. One of Kubalik’s Kane said he played through an injury “issue” toward the end of the primary lines in 2019-20 was with Toews and now-former Hawk Drake season, and he still led the team’s forwards in ice time, so there’s no Caggiula, and Kurashev spent most of his minutes with Kubalik. doubt about his commitment (not that anyone expected otherwise). Equally unsurprising: Keith led the Hawks in ice time for what feels like Like you mentioned, the top two lines are stocked with elite scorers with the billionth consecutive year. good support in Dach and Kurashev, who in turn will have veteran playmakers to help build their games. For what it’s worth, the Blackhawks seem to have weathered the “can Colliton be an NHL coach?” phase of their rebuild, aided by their You can write any of the lines in pencil, but particularly the bottom six. qualifying-round win over Edmonton last year. Beyond that, however, the Suter and Kampf would be the obvious anchors, but Suter easily could arrows aren’t necessarily pointing up. switch with Kurashev or Dach if either struggles or gets hurt. The Hawks are worst in the NHL in shots allowed per game over the last Strome would have to accept playing the wing again next season, though three seasons, and as much as Colliton likes to downplay that, no coach he prefers center. He was scratched from five games last season, so the would call that a path to success. The Blackhawks also have the second- pressure’s on to show he can jell with what might be changing units. worst penalty kill since 2018-19. The Hawks teams that won Cups shut down the opposition better than most, and to compare these Blackhawks Nylander should be fully recovered from knee surgery by training camp, to those champions is foolhardy. but he has to show he can be consistent to solidify a role in the bottom six and perhaps even move up. Otherwise, there will be plenty of The most obvious sign the Hawks are making strides was their power candidates to take his spot. play excelled in the early part of last season before fading.

Now, let me immediately start poking holes in my own lineup. Borgström But there still is room to give Colliton a slight benefit of the doubt. The can play center or wing and could force his way onto a line with a strong roster has been tweaked dramatically since he took over, stifling camp. continuity, and trying to install a system and groom young players during a pandemic can’t be easy. Adam Gaudette, Vinnie Hinostroza, Brett Connolly or even a prospect such as Evan Barratt could make a case, depending on who’s on the On the other hand, the Hawks might be inclined to make a change if they roster by the season opener. aren’t in playoff contention deep into next year. That might be harsh treatment for a guy the organization had enough faith in to fire Joel So let’s mix things up a bit and see what another lineup would look like Quenneville, but I don’t think a short leash will surprise anyone. with Strome and Nylander as scratches. The Blackhawks were surprisingly active at the trade deadline, which First line: Alex DeBrincat-Pius Suter-Patrick Kane indicates their rebuild might be accelerating. But if they want it to put the Second line: Dominik Kubalik-Jonathan Toews-Kirby Dach Stanley Cup within reach in the short term, bold moves are a must.

Third line: Brandon Hagel-Philipp Kurashev-Adam Gaudette Chicago Tribune LOADED: 05.24.2021

Fourth line: Henrik Borgström-David Kampf-Ryan Carpenter

(Note: Not to complicate things too much, but there’s a strong chance Lukas Reichel gets a look. The Hawks want to bring him over from , and he’ll at least get time in Rockford if he doesn’t stick right away.)

This would allow Suter to continue to build chemistry with Kane and DeBrincat. It could be an interesting experiment to put Dach on the right wing (which he played for Canada during the World Junior Championship) and to maybe spark his offense and relieve some defensive pressure.

Kurashev played a good amount with Hagel, and maybe he and Gaudette would mesh well with Hagel’s hard-charging style.

Borgström would form a big line with Kampf and Carpenter, yet by putting Borgström on the wing he’d have the room to develop his natural offensive gifts (without the added defensive responsibilities) and perhaps add a scoring threat to the fourth line.

But you can mix and match lines all you want. The bigger question is: When can we stop judging the Hawks as a developing team and start judging them as a potential contender?

Bowman said he was “really impressed” with coach Jeremy Colliton’s developmental approach, and the Hawks played 10 rookies in each of the final two games. 1213967 Colorado Avalanche

Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly dubs his series “pretty pathetic,” says Avalanche “clearly the better team”

By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 8:05 p.m. | UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 8:55 p.m.

St. Louis captain Ryan O’Reilly, the former Avalanche center, said the Avs were “clearly the better team” and called his performance “pretty pathetic” after Colorado won Game 4 on Sunday to sweep the first-round series.

O’Reilly entered Game 4 with one assist in the series. He assisted on both Blues goals in Sunday’s 5-2 loss, but defensively, he and his linemates couldn’t contain the Avs’ top line of center Nathan MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. The line had three goals and six points.

“I’m very disappointed with myself. It was pretty pathetic. I didn’t really do much this series and especially against that top line,” O’Reilly said. “They’re a very good line. Obviously, they’re going to get chances and make plays. I had the opportunity early to see a lot of that line and play them harder and I didn’t do my job and if I’m not going my job you can’t expect anyone else to do theirs.”

Before the series, O’Reilly went against the hockey code and fired a shot across the Avalanche’s bow.

“We’re going to have some fun and we’re going to beat them,” he said.

O’Reilly was wrong, and he admitted it after Game 4.

“I thought we would have been able to tilt the ice a bit more and take the momentum back,” he said. “Obviously, with that team with the way they play, they’re going to have momentum at times but we sure didn’t grab it back like we needed to and sustain pressure. We were sporadic. It wasn’t consistent. You clearly see what happens. They dominated us. Simple as that.”

O’Reilly was minus-1 in Game 4 and minus-7 for the series.

Rantanen breaks through. Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen had 12 shots in Games 1-3, but no goals. In Game 4, he had three shots and one goal.

Rantanen had a team-high 30 goals in the regular season.

“It’s always nice to score,” he said. “I don’t think anybody can deny that who plays hockey. That’s what everybody loves after winning.”

Newhook injury. Avalanche rookie forward Alex Newhook crashed into the boards early in the first period and suffered a lower-body injury. He played one more shift before walking to the dressing room with a trainer for treatment.

Footnotes. The Avs outshot the Blues 34-20 in Game 4 and 145-110 for the series. … The Avs finished 6-of-12 on the power play in the series, although the last two man-advantage goals took place late in Game 4 with St. Louis’s goalie on the bench for an extra attacker….Avs’ goalie Philipp Grubauer picked up the secondary assist on winger Brandon Saad’s goal for merely stopping the puck for defenseman Cale Makar. “Honestly, I don’t really care about it too much; I stop the puck,” Grubauer said.

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213968 Colorado Avalanche with a smirk and a friendly warning against looking for trouble in the future.

“If he wants to come down, someday somebody is going to answer the On Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon’s mission to win Stanley Cup, we bell,” Grubauer said. are all his wingmen I tried to warn the Blues this is a fight they didn’t want. And to his credit, in the aftermath of a sweep, O’Reilly deemed his own efforts as pathetic.

By MARK KISZLA | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 7:57 p.m. | O’Reilly is far from pathetic. He’s the heart and soul, not to mention the UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 9:26 p.m. Conn Smythe trophy winner as playoff MVP, of a St. Louis team that won the league championship two scant years ago.

But anyone in hockey can look slow and inferior, a dud stuck in the mud, ST. LOUIS — Nathan MacKinnon is the master and commander of the next to the burgundy-and-blue blur on ice that is MacKinnon. NHL universe. It’s his league. All MacKinnon needs now as full proof of ownership is to We’re just lucky to be along for the ride. hoist the Cup.

As the Avs flew through the opening round of the NHL playoffs, leaving So buckle up. And don’t forget to pack snacks. It’s going to be a long- St. Louis slack-jawed witnesses Sunday to a 5-2 victory that swept away and-wild ride. the Blues in four games, if you weren’t buckled up, Commander MacKinnon left you in his dust. Denver Post: LOADED: 05.24.2021

He’s on a mission. There’s a Stanley Cup to win. And he won’t stop until he gets his mitts on it.

We are all MacKinnon’s wingmen. It’s a full E-ticket ride. For the pure thrills that can produce goosebump chills, nothing in hockey beats it.

“Being Nate’s wingman, as you put it, it’s definitely one of the best jobs in hockey,” Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog said Sunday.

In the series-clinching game against St. Louis, MacKinnon made one of those long, puck-carrying dashes that knocks every defenseman on ice back on his heels and all spectators back in their seats with G forces too powerful to deny. MacKinnon’s mad dash set up a goal by teammate Mikko Rantanen that put the Avalance in command 3-1 early in the third period.

In the series, MacKinnon was a beast. He scored six goals and added three assists.

“It’s a different freaking beast right there. To me, he’s the best player out there,” Avalanche veteran Pierre-Edouard Bellemare said last week.

Edmonton center Connor McDavid is going to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player for the second time in his brilliant young career. And I won’t have a quibble with the voting.

But what would you rather own: The MVP trophy? Or the league?

“Somehow, you watch (MacKinnon) every day, and you’re like: ‘He’s pretty amazing.’ And then when it comes to playoffs, there’s another gear there,” said Bellemare, a proud, card-carrying grinder. “It’s not fair for all the guys like me. But it’s pretty fun to watch when you’re on his side.”

Game knows game. MacKinnon is the most feared player on the most feared offensive team in the league.

During the Avalanche’s four-game sweep of St. Louis, Kid MacK was simply too fast, too skilled and too ornery to be denied by the Blues, who made the mistake of trying to bully Colorado.

Or have you forgotten that before the Avs took out St. Louis in four straight games, outscoring the Blues 20-7 in the series, our old friend Ryan O’Reilly predicted: “We’re going to have some fun and we’re going to beat them.”

Did those bold, fighting words by O’Reilly motivate Colorado?

“Yeah, it did,” Landeskog said concisely, but with just enough terse bite to know he was telling the unvarnished truth.

From the outset of the series, whether it was St. Louis tough guy Brayden Schenn running around, looking for trouble, or goalie Jordan Binnington skating the length of the ice to glare at Colorado counterpart Philipp Grubauer after the Avalanche’s victory in Game 1, the Blues seemed to think they could win the series through intimidation.

The Avs do play drop-dead gorgeous hockey. It’s Brazilian futbol dream poured over ice.

Beneath all that beautiful flash and dash on the surface is a don’t-think- about-starting-something strength to this team’s backbone. After the series was over, Grubauer answered Binnington’s hollow braggadocio 1213969 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri will appeal his eight-game suspension

By MIKE CHAMBERS | May 23, 2021 at 6:51 p.m.

Avalanche second-line center Nazem Kadri will appeal his eight-game suspension for a check-to-the-head on St. Louis defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.

An Avs spokesman confirmed the appeal on Sunday after Colorado’s 5-2 series-sweeping victory in Game 4 at St. Louis.

The appeal will be heard by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, and “if Kadri is unsatisfied with that ruling, he can appeal to an independent arbitrator,” according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

TSN’s Darren Dreger said the first step of Kadri’s appeal could begin “mid-week.”

Kadri, suspended six times over his 11-year career, served the first two games of his current suspension in Games 3 and 4 at St. Louis. Faulk missed both games with a likely head injury; he appeared to be unconscious immediately after Kadri’s shoulder struck his head.

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213970 Colorado Avalanche

Blues-Avalanche Game 4 Quick Hits: Quiet in Game 3, MacKinnon line comes through with three goals

By MIKE CHAMBERS | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 6:05 p.m. | UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 8:55 p.m.

Quick hitters from the Avalanche’s 5-2 Game 4 win at St. Louis on Sunday:

MacKinnon line factors in two goals

Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon was pointless in Game 3 and his wingers, Gabe Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, were also quiet with just an assist apiece. But the line was again flying in its familiar fashion in Game 4, producing three of the club’s final four goals. Landeskog, from the goalmouth, made it 2-1 with a redirection off defenseman Sam Girard’s wrist shot from the point. Rantanen fed Girard up top after taking a pass from MacKinnon. The Avs’ third goal read Rantanen from MacKinnon and Landeskog. The latter made a zone-exit pass to Rantanen, who tapped it to MacKinnon, and those two found themselves on a 2-on-1 rush. MacKinnon saucered the puck to Rantanen from circle- to-circle and Rantanen beat goalie Jordan Binnington through the legs. MacKinnon added an empty-net goal to seal the victory and series sweep.

Blues gain their first lead of series

St. Louis took its first lead of the series 4:25 into the second period when center Ryan O’Reilly delivered a long stretch pass to linemate Vladimir Tarasenko, who beat goalie Philipp Grubauer with a wrist shot glove-side for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Tarasenko’s first in the series. It was just the second point for O’Reilly, who entered Game 4 with just one assist. Tarasenko scored his second goal of the game in the third period with O’Reilly also assisting on that tally. The Blues weren’t in a position to create much offense and only had 11 shots entering the third period Sunday. They were still missing regular-season scoring leader David Perron (COVID-protocol) plus three of their top-six defensemen. and Justin Faulk, who both suffered head injuries in Game 2, were again scratched along with defenseman Vince Dunn, who has yet to play in the series.

Makar’s magic

Avs defenseman Cale Makar has strong forward traits. He can make a difference with the puck all over the ice. And his rush into the Blues’ zone midway through the second period led to the game-tying goal. On the power play, Makar carried the puck through the neutral zone and into the Blues’ end, then spotted the trailer, winger Brandon Saad, and quickly put the puck on Saad’s stick. Saad used a powerful wrister to beat Binnington and knot things up 1-1 at 11:37. Saad, who has a goal in each of the last three games, played in his 85th playoff game — the most for an Avs player. Colorado had just one power play until the final minutes of the third period and Makar and Saad made the most of it.

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213971 Colorado Avalanche An even bigger positive: If the Avs showed a hole in its game for a future opponent, good luck trying to find one.

Game 1: A combined eight points by the top line of Landeskog, Rantanen Avalanche’s top line all score once apiece to lead Colorado past Blues and Nathan MacKinnon. for series sweep Game 2: Thirty-two saves from Grubauer and only one goal allowed during a five-minute penalty kill following center Nazem Kadri’s ejection.

By RYAN O’HALLORAN | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 5:58 p.m. | Game 3: Unlikely offense from defenseman Ryan Graves (goal and two UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 7:42 p.m. assists) and winger Alex Newhook’s first NHL goal.

Game 4: Air-tight defense and two points apiece for Landeskog, MacKinnon and Rantanen. ST. LOUIS — The handshake line was quick … just like the series. “Definitely proud and (a sweep) is not easy to do,” Landeskog said. There was nothing for the overmatched St. Louis Blues left to tell the “Tough building to come in and take two in a row against a desperate Avalanche except, “Good series. Good luck.” team isn’t easy to do. Happy we got it done without giving them any sort of momentum or hope.” Short and sweet is how it usually goes when the series is similarly quick, like the one the Avalanche completed with Sunday’s 5-2 win in Game 4 St. Louis legitimately seized the momentum only once in four games — of the teams’ first-round match-up. early in Sunday’s second period. Vladimir Tarasenko got behind the Avalanche defense, received a great stretch pass from Ryan O’Reilly and Four games, four Avalanche wins. beat Grubauer to the high glove side. Colorado vs. St. Louis It was the Blues’ first lead of the series … and their last. Out of the 240 Preview: Who has the edge, five things to watch and predictions minutes of game time, they led for only 6:12.

Game 1: Avs 4, Blues 1 The Avalanche started its comeback at the 11:37 mark of the second when winger Brandon Saad (three goals in the series) received Game 2: Avs 6, Blues 3 defenseman Cale Makar’s pass in the high slot and ripped a wrist shot past goalie Jordan Binnington to the high glove side. Game 3: Avs 5, Blues 1 “Cale executes a great play and (Saad) moves to the right area and just Game 4: Avs 5, Blues 2 got the puck on and off his tape,” Bednar said. “Certainly a big goal.” Four games, 20 Avalanche goals. The Avalanche took the lead for good just 3:16 later when Rantanen won Four games, four statements by the Avalanche. a half-wall battle and fed defenseman Sam Girard at the point, whose wrist shot was deflected in by Landeskog. This team is built for a long run and skunking the Blues was only the beginning. “Landy is over in the corner and he just fights to the interior of the ice,” Bednar said. “If he doesn’t get there, it’s a can-of-corn (save) for The Avalanche scored three unanswered goals bridging the second and Binnington and we’re facing it off.” third periods, withstood a Blues charge that cut the lead to 3-2 and added two empty-net goals in the final minute. Rantanen scored on a feed from MacKinnon at 4:20 of the third period put the Avalanche up 3-1, but St. Louis answered back with a Tarasenko Bye, bye Blues. Hello to be determined. power-playmaker at 8:19 to give the Blues and their fans a last gasp of “It was our best game of the series,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. hope.

Why was it the Avs’ best? That hope was ultimately dashed, though, when MacKinnon drew a high- sticking penalty by the Blues’ Mike Hoffman with 1:48 remaining. Because the lulls that Bednar lamented in Games 1-3 didn’t pop up in the MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin added empty-net goals in the final clincher. minute.

“Happy we got it done without giving them any sort of momentum or The Avalanche may have the most skill of the playoff teams, but in the hope,” captain Gabe Landeskog said. postseason, when the games get greasy, alternative ways to win are required. That was clear in Game 4. Because the Blues were limited to a series-low 20 shots. “The last two games, we wrapped up our series really well and played “We’re finding a way to defend the right way — not just our that grinding hockey,” Rantanen said. (defenseman), but our forwards as well,” goalie Philipp Grubauer said. Said Bednar: “The details of our checking and our structure were And because the top line, held in check in Friday’s game, combined for outstanding. Just a real importance (entering the game) on playing the six points, including Rantanen’s first and only goal of the series to make it right way and checking the right way.” 3-1 with 15:40 remaining. The right way was the winning way for the Avalanche. But it is only 25% “I had a lot of chances before; I should have gotten the first goal before toward the Cup. this game,” he said. “We have a lot of the same guys that came back this year with a couple The Avalanche swept a playoff series for the third time since moving to of additions,” Grubauer said. “Everybody knows what we have to do.” Denver in 1995 (first since 2001). Denver Post: LOADED: 05.24.2021 The Avalanche now wait for the Minnesota-Vegas winner. The Golden Knights have a 3-1 series advantage entering Monday’s Game 5.

To illustrate how important the Avs’ sweep is, take a look around the league. Carolina is tied 2-2, having lost consecutive double-overtime games. Edmonton is down 2-0 to Winnipeg. Pittsburgh and the New York Islanders have bludgeoned each other for four games (two wins apiece).

While those series get finalized, the Avs can rest and recover, practice and prepare.

“There are a lot of advantages to getting done early,” Bednar said. “It’s a positive for our group.” 1213972 Colorado Avalanche

Three keys for Avalanche in Game 4 against St. Louis

By RYAN O’HALLORAN | May 23, 2021 at 5:45 a.m.

1. Finish-off mentality

The Avalanche is in position to sweep a series for the third time since moving to Denver and first time in 20 years. Sweeping a first-round opponent is tough stuff; in the 80 series from 2011-20, it has happened only 11 times (13.8%). St. Louis is on the ropes, outscored 15-5 in Games 1-3, minus leading scorer David Perron and potentially without defensemen Justin Faulk and Robert Bortuzzo. The Avs need to keep the pressure on in Game 4, scoring first (again) and generating power- play chances (again) to close out the Blues and get valuable time off while Minnesota and Vegas continue to clash heads.

2. First-line rebound

It speaks to the high standard set by the Gabe Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko Rantanen line that it’s notable when they don’t light up the score sheet. Game 1: Three goals, five assists and 16 shots. Game 2: Three goals, five assists and 10 shots. Game 3: Two assists and six shots. The Avalanche still scored five goals Friday night, including two by defenseman Ryan Graves. But with a chance for a sweep, coach Jared Bednar should lean on his top line to seize the early momentum. Does that mean shortening the bench to three lines? That makes sense early on to see if it is beneficial.

3. Power-play face-offs

A correlation to the Avalanche getting skunked on the power play in Game 3? Face-offs. In Game 1, the Avs went 7 of 8 on power-play face- offs, helping it go 1 of 3 with the advantage. In Game 2, it had only two face-off chances (1-1) while quickly scoring on both power play opportunities. On Friday, the Avs won only two of seven power-play draws and were 0 of 4. Winning those offensive draws will allow defenseman Cale Makar to set up the power play from the point instead of chasing the puck down the ice to re-set the attack.

Denver Post: LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213973 Colorado Avalanche Top-line scoring PLAYER GOALS ASSISTS

Nathan MacKinnon Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche blow past Blues with bigger goals ahead 6

3 By Peter Baugh May 24, 2021 Gabriel Landeskog

2 Moments after shaking hands with his captain counterpart and former teammate Ryan O’Reilly, Colorado winger Gabriel Landeskog said 6 adamantly that the Avalanche’s lopsided series wasn’t really that lopsided. The games were hard, he said. Blowout scores weren’t Mikko Rantanen indicative of the level of play. 1

The captain’s words said one thing. His team’s performance said 6 another. Tarasenko and St. Louis cut the deficit to one after a Tyson Jost high- The Avalanche won 5-2 on Sunday, capping a first-round sweep of a sticking call, but Mike Hoffman then earned a double-minor for high- beat-up St. Louis team that, only two years ago, won the Stanley Cup. sticking MacKinnon, and the Avalanche took advantage with two empty And the word “sweep” might be underselling it. The Avalanche net tallies. bludgeoned the Blues for four games, outscoring them (20-7), outshooting them (145-110), and out-opportunitying them (101-57 in five- “We wrapped up the series really well and found a way to play that on-five scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick). Every forward to suit up grinding hockey,” Rantanen said. “Everybody knows we have the speed for the Avalanche finished the series with at least one point. and skill, but in the playoffs, sometimes you have to grind out wins, too. That’s what we did the last two games.” “They were better than us,” Blues coach Craig Berube said simply. Their reward: some rest ahead of Round 2. The league hasn’t “Clearly,” added O’Reilly, whose “We’re going to beat them” quote before announced when the Avalanche’s next set of games will start, but a Game 1 motivated the Avalanche, Landeskog told reporters at the end of hypothetical Vegas-Minnesota Game 7 is scheduled for May 28, so the the series. (He also took time to say he learned a lot when teammates in second round wouldn’t start until after that. Colorado with the Blues captain, calling him a top player in the NHL.) A breather will do the Avalanche players some good, especially The series concluded with what Avalanche coach Jared Bednar called considering the condensed nature of the 56-game season. Excluding his team’s best effort of the four-game set. The Avalanche limited shots, their COVID-19-related pause in April when they weren’t allowed to go to much like they have all season, and again won the special-teams battle. the rink, Colorado didn’t have two off days in a row between mid- “You don’t want to give a good team a chance,” Bednar said. “When you February and the end of the regular season earlier this month. have a chance to eliminate teams, you have to be able to capitalize and The break will also give rookie Alex Newhook time to potentially recover get the job done. Our guys did that.” from a lower-body injury he suffered after a hit sent him into the boards Colorado will face the winner of the Vegas-Minnesota series in the early in Game 4. He hurt his back on the play, and it tightened up after he second round. The Golden Knights lead the series 3-1 with Game 5 tried to continue playing. Bednar did not have any further updates on the scheduled for Monday. 20-year-old, who scored his first goal Friday.

St. Louis started the game well. The Blues, playing without leading scorer “There’s a lot of advantages to getting (Round 1) done early,” the coach David Perron (COVID-19 protocols) and defenseman Justin Faulk said. “Rest and recovery for our guys. You can get some practice time in. (upper-body injury), kept the high-powered Avalanche off the board in the You get some extra time in to prepare. … It’s a positive for our group. We first period and, in the second, took advantage of a Colorado defensive can get rested and get healthy here before we start the next round.” lapse to set up a Vladimir Tarasenko goal. “You get banged up, every guy,” said Rantanen, who has a 14-game But then the Avalanche got cooking. With their first power play of the playoff point streak. “So it’s nice to get a couple days off here, hopefully.” game winding down, Cale Makar skated past a fallen Brayden Schenn Colorado has lost in Game 7 of the second round both of the past two and up the ice. As he entered the offensive zone, the St. Louis seasons. Each of those games was a one-goal contest, including an defensemen backed away, allowing him to pass the puck to Brandon overtime defeat to the Stanley Cup-bound in the Edmonton Saad, who ripped a shot past goalie Jordan Binnington for his third goal bubble last season. in as many games. Now, the core of MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen and Makar will have Saad, who missed the last two weeks of the regular season with a lower- a chance to climb the hump again, all while keeping bigger goals in their body injury, is no stranger to big moments. He won two Stanley Cup titles sights. with Chicago before coming to Denver in a deal this past offseason. “Every season that goes on and every playoff series that you get “That certainly was a big goal,” Bednar said. “(Saad is) guy that missed eliminated, your hunger and want goes up that much higher,” Landeskog time at the end of the season and jumps in and starts producing at the said. “You realize that you only have so many chances. You’re trying to most important time of the year. He has a reputation for that. We need live in the moment and not get ahead of it, but you want to make sure that to continue.” you’re doing everything you can to take care of those opportunities.

From there, Colorado continued to bully the Blues in front of the net. “We have a really good team, and we want to make the most of it.” Landeskog set up shop there, allowing him to redirect a Samuel Girard pass in to give the Avalanche a 2-1 lead heading into the final period. The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 The goal was a continuation of a monster series for the Avalanche’s top line of Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, and the trio wasn’t done. Less than five minutes into the third period, MacKinnon found Rantanen with a pass, and the winger sent it through Binnington’s legs to make it 3-1. The three finished the series with a combined 24 points (nine for MacKinnon, eight for Landeskog, seven for Rantanen).

“It’s always nice to score; I don’t think anybody can deny that who plays hockey,” Rantanen said. “After winning, that’s probably the second-best feeling. It’s one of my responsibilities to produce offensively. That’s the only way we’re going to win if we’re going to win. 1213974 Colorado Avalanche airplane to Denver, and we got there 10 days before the regular season. It was one of the best moves I ever made.

John Kelly and his wife, Jennifer, with the Stanley Cup after the John Kelly Q&A: Blues announcer on his days with the Avalanche, Avalanche’s win in 1996. (Courtesy of John Kelly) ‘Quoteless Joe’ Sakic, the Cup runs and more What were your first impressions of the city of Denver?

I had never been there. We stayed in a hotel near Street, and I By Peter Baugh May 23, 2021 remember the second day we got there, the Avs had a preseason game in Vail. I wasn’t announcing the game, so my wife and my baby came with me, and we were driving late afternoon up to the game. We’re going up through the foothills up into the mountains on I-70, and my wife and I ST. LOUIS — Longtime hockey announcer John Kelly has been on both were just in awe. Our mouths were literally open. We were just amazed ends of the championship spectrum: He’s worked for a team that won a about how beautiful it was. Stanley Cup in its first year, then one that needed half a century to bring home a championship. If you only had 10 days before the opening game, did you have to learn the team super quickly and do a lot of studying? Kelly, 60, called Avalanche games in 1996, the team’s first season in Denver, and saw the organization endear itself to local fans by winning I had to get together with my partner, Peter McNab, and get together with the city’s first major pro championship. Then, after returning to his the coaches and talk to the players and everything. I had called the hometown of St. Louis in 2004, he was there to call Blues games in games the year before against Tampa, so it’s not like 2019, watching them hoist the first Stanley Cup in their 52-year I came in and I had never seen those players, and they had pretty much existence. the same team as they had the year before to start the season. So that wasn’t a big deal, but I wanted to get familiar with the people around the “Two entirely different emotions for me personally,” said Kelly, still the team, the off-ice people and Peter. Blues play-by-play announcer, in a Friday evening conversation with The Athletic. “(I got) to experience the Avs winning their first Cup. … And What struck you about that first Avalanche team you called games for? then, of course, my team — the Blues: the team I grew up watching and The Cup-bound 1995-96 team? my dad’s team — to win a Cup (with them) was just a lifelong dream of mine.” Going in, we knew that they were a really good team. And after about a month or two, we realized how offensively gifted this team was. You Now, his former team is taking on his current club in the NHL playoffs, could just see it every night, the firepower they had and the superstars playing their first postseason series against each other since 2001. with Joe Sakic and a young Peter Forsberg and Valeri Kamensky and Claude Lemieux. And as the season went on, they made the trade for Kelly comes from a broadcasting family. His brother, Dan, has called Patrick Roy, they got Sandis Ozolinsh, and they just kept on rolling. But Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Fire soccer games in his there was always a team by the name of the Detroit Red Wings that had career, and their late father, Dan, called Blues games for 21 years. The won 62 games that year. We all knew that we were going through Detroit elder Kelly also called Stanley Cup games, and the Enterprise Center if we were going to go to the Final. And late in the regular season we press box in St. Louis is named after him. played in Joe Louis Arena and lost 7-0. And (I was) thinking after the John Kelly’s first NHL gig was with the Blues, but he left his hometown in game, “Oh, boy, how are we going to beat this team?” But of course, they 1992 when he took a bigger play-by-play role with the Tampa Bay beat them in the third round. (Then-general manager) Pierre Lacroix Lightning, who were just joining the league. Then came the Avalanche, made a couple of great moves during the season to get Patrick, to get who moved from Quebec ahead of the 1995-96 season. He called games Ozolinsh. It just all came together, and it was magical. with former NHLer Peter McNab, who is still the team’s color If you look back on those Avs and Red Wings rosters, it’s Hall of Famer commentator. after Hall of Famer. “Really, both moves (from St. Louis to Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay to Yeah, and that 1995-96 Detroit team, in particular, everybody thought Denver) were predicated on the fact that my role wasn’t what I wanted it they were going to win. They had lost in the Final the year before to New to be,” he said. “I had a chance to be the TV play-by-play guy at the Jersey. Scotty Bowman was obviously one of the greatest coaches ever Avalanche, and I took it. And it was a fantastic move.” and, you know, has won more Cups than anybody. Looking back, I don’t Kelly, who got rings for each of his team’s championships, had an up- think there’s any question that if it weren’t for the Red Wings, the close look at the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup runs (1996 and 2001), calling Avalanche would have won more Cups, and if it weren’t for the games through the first two playoff rounds and talking on the postgame Avalanche, the Red Wings would’ve won more Cups. Because they kept show when national broadcasts took over in the later rounds. He still beating each other in the playoffs, and both teams were so good. It was, cherishes his memories from his days in Denver. to me, the best rivalry that I have ever seen in hockey since I’ve been covering the NHL. It was just intense, mean, nasty, great skill, great “Every time I go back to Ball Arena, I look up at the rafters and I see the passion, great series, great games. The rivalry had every single thing division banners and the Stanley Cup banners,” he says. “It brings back that you could want. just great memories. I’ve been so lucky to be part of these two organizations and watch teams have success and win championships.” Announcers have go-to calls. You would say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” after a big goal in Colorado. How do you develop a new Kelly chatted with The Athletic about his Avalanche memories and what repertoire of calls? he’s seen from this year’s team, which has a 3-0 series lead against the Blues. I don’t try to script calls. But that “thank you, thank you, thank you” call emanated actually from St. Louis. I used that on an overtime goal by This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Brett Hull. And I just used it once, and then I moved on to Tampa and didn’t use it there. And then I came to Colorado, and for whatever So, how did you first wind up in Denver? reason, I just started using it. I liked it, and hopefully the fans liked it, but I I was doing the games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. And as soon as the haven’t used it since I came back to St. Louis. I sort of thought that Quebec Nordiques announced that they were moving to Denver, I sent a worked in Colorado, and I decided to leave it there, and I don’t use it very tape to the Avalanche. All summer long I was hoping to get the job, and I often anymore. almost really gave up on the job, but I didn’t give up on it totally because Do you have a favorite call from the Avalanche’s Cup runs? they never hired anybody. So it was around Sept. 20, which is like two weeks before the season, and I’m laying in my bed with my wife and I would say there would be two calls. (One was) Sakic’s triple-overtime baby in the morning, and the phone rang and it was Lou Personett (the goal in Game 6 against Chicago in ’96. It was the most memorable game director of broadcasting). And out of the blue, he offered me the job. I I’ve ever broadcasted because of the drama of the game and the Avs had never been to Denver. My wife had never been to Denver. And so being down 2-1 in the series. The game goes to triple overtime. So that we worked out a contract in a day or two, and literally three days later, goal there in that game stands out to me. my house was on the market. My wife and my son and I were on an The other one would be in the first round that year. Sakic in overtime in Pierre Lacroix was nothing but great to me, to my family. Classy. He and Game 5 against Vancouver — he won the game with his hat trick goal to I, we both liked to gamble. So when we were on the road at times, we’d a give the Avs a 3-2 lead in the series. Because again, I didn’t call the third lot of times end up at the same casino and maybe play blackjack or and fourth rounds. roulette together. So we had that connection.

That triple-overtime goal against Chicago was one of the biggest in the Aside from being a great general manager, he was an extremely Cup run. competitive man. He really worked hard to make the right deal, and he worked hard to make sure that his team got treated fairly by whomever. I Looking back at the whole playoff run, that was the key goal. Without remember one night we landed in Canada somewhere, and for some question. Chicago had a really good team, and if the Avs had gone down reason the customs agent wouldn’t let us off the plane, and we were 3-1, I honestly don’t think they would have come back. That was without sitting there and sitting there for what seemed like two hours. It probably question the biggest goal of the entire playoff run. was a half-hour, and Pierre got on the phone with somebody, and within And what do you remember about calling the giant fight with the Red five minutes we were off that plane. He was a determined, smart man, Wings late in the regular season the next year? and he pretty much got his way a lot of times. It was tragic that he passed away in December. I was so sad. We landed at the Detroit airport, and we literally had a police escort to our hotel in downtown Detroit. The next day, Lemieux’s picture was on What led you back to St. Louis? the front of the sports page, and basically it said “wanted.” There were I certainly wasn’t looking to leave Colorado. I loved it there. My family police outside our hotel the entire day. We knew something was going to loved it there. But I say the stars all aligned. happen, and it certainly did. It initially started with Forsberg and Igor Larionov in a scrap. So I was calling that, and then away from that is My contract was up with Fox Sports Rocky Mountain. Fox Sports Rocky when Lemieux got jumped by Darren McCarty. So then our attention Mountain’s deal with the Avalanche was expired, and they were in the shifted to that. We watched that fight. And then Roy comes racing out of process of forming their own network, Altitude. At the same time, the the goal crease and fights Mike Vernon. So a lot was going on. Honestly, Blues did not renew the contract of their play-by-play announcer. So they you could smell blood in the air that night in Joe Louis Arena before the contacted me and asked me if I wanted to come back to St. Louis and fight started. You just knew something was going to happen. replace Ken Wilson. The other big part of it was there was a looming Unfortunately for Lemieux and the Avs, it happened the way it did, lockout, and I did get some lockout protection from Fox Sports Midwest because I really think that brawl really galvanized Detroit. I think they felt and the Blues. I had a young family, and I wasn’t against coming back to at that point that they could beat the Avalanche. It was a very memorable St. Louis, but I was really concerned that if I stayed, I didn’t know what game. No question about it. my deal would be with Altitude. I didn’t know if I would get paid anything, and we all knew that there was a really good chance of a long lockout. It When looking at those Avalanche teams, what similarities do you see turned out it was a full season. with this year’s Colorado team? John Kelly with the Stanley Cup after the Blues’ championship. (Courtesy This year’s team is more similar to the ’96 team. Just a high-powered, of John Kelly) offensive machine with superstars. To me, a guy like (Cale) Makar reminds me of Ozolinsh. He’s just a free-wheeling, great skater. A big part of it was the business side of it, and I sort of wanted to get Obviously, it’s hard to compare because Ozolinsh had played longer in some protection. I grew up here, obviously, and my father announced the league and Makar (is) only in his second (full) year. But I think it here for 21 years. My wife is from the St. Louis area. So there were a lot compares a lot to the ’96 team. To me, the ’01 team was a better of factors, but it was really hard to make that move because we love defensive team. They had Rob Blake and they had Ray Bourque, Colorado so much and we loved working calling Avalanche games. obviously, and Adam Foote. Then they lost Forsberg after the second round, and they still won the Cup. So they were still really good Are you still in touch with any Avalanche folks, like Sakic or any of them? offensively, but in 1996 with Kamensky and Mike Ricci and Lemieux and In a normal year, I would see Joe and obviously say hi. He’s one of my all the names fans know, that was a more offensive-minded team, similar favorites of all time, as a person and as a hockey player, obviously. to this Colorado team. Peter McNab and I, we chat. We’ve chatted a lot in these playoffs, and Did you get to know all the players like Sakic and Bourque? obviously whenever we play the Avs in the regular season, we get We always traveled with the team on the charters and in the hotels. We together and have fun and exchange information. Peter was always great got to know them all. Ray’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met in to me. I loved working with him. The reason that I like Peter so much is hockey. At the Christmas party that year, my wife was there with me, and that he’s a really good color analyst, but we both love the game of she walked up to the buffet line by herself, and Ray didn’t know her, of hockey. I think it came through on our broadcast. People would watch it, course. And Ray sticks out his hand and says, “Hi, who are you? I’m Ray and I think they could tell that we were both really passionate about not Bourque.” That’s kind of the guy Ray was. only our team but the game of hockey. We just always were talking hockey. We just love the game. What’s your favorite Joe Sakic story? The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 The thing about Sakic is that he and Forsberg were so similar in that they were the most unselfish (players). They don’t want the limelight. They defer any kind of praise. Sakic could get three goals and two assists and he would praise his teammates. His nickname was “Quoteless Joe.” That’s what I remember off the ice with Joe: He’s just so humble and down-to-earth, and he was a great team guy. That’s why he was such a fantastic captain. And Peter Forsberg was the exact same way. He was just so down-to-earth and didn’t want to get the praise and all that.

Over the years, people have asked me about Forsberg and Sakic and who’s a better player. And I’ve thought about it a lot, and my answer is that they’re the same. You can’t choose one.

Now, what about Patrick Roy? Any good Roy stories?

I played golf with Patrick one time and had a great time. He was so competitive. To me, Patrick’s greatest moment as an Av was Game 6 in New Jersey in the Final when the Avs were down 3-2. Without that performance, they probably lose the Cup that night. And he basically stole that game, and then they came home and, of course, they won Game 7.

Did you interact much with Pierre Lacroix? 1213975 Colorado Avalanche the gamebreakers on the blueline. Avs coach Jared Bednar gets some love too.

But the only player that truly was consistent and strong in each of the Deen’s List: Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche sweep St. Louis four games was Grubauer. He continues to be the steady presence Blues in four games between the pipes that allows the Avs to be the dominant team they are. We don’t talk about goaltending because he’s been so good.

And as Bednar said after Game 4, “Everyone in our room and our By Aarif Deen - May 23, 2021 organization values Grubi and what he’s done for us.”

So he’s getting the love from where it’s most needed. Within the locker room. Winning the Presidents’ Trophy often puts an overbearing amount of pressure on a team. Especially in that first round. But as they’ve proven Minute muncher time and time again, the Avalanche welcome pressure, lofty expectations and adversity — if it gets to that. We learned throughout the regular season that Toews was far greater than just another depth defenseman. He quickly has turned into this Colorado closed out its first-round series against the St. Louis Blues on generations Adam Foote, in the sense where he’s Colorado’s best Sunday, defeating the 2019 Stanley Cup champions in just four games shutdown defenseman. with a 5-2 victory at Enterprise Center. Showing once again that the 2021 Avs are a force to be reckoned with, just as the 2001 Stanley Cup And he does it while logging big minutes. champion Avs were. After leading the Avs in ice-time in the regular season, Toews was by far It’s been 20 years since the Presidents’ Trophy winner has won their the most utilized skater by Bednar in the four games. He played 24:54 opening series in four games. And you guessed it, the 2001 Avs were per game, which was nearly two minutes higher than Makar (22:58) and that team. much greater than Sam Girard (22:38).

Superstar center Nathan MacKinnon scored six goals and recorded nine Unlike Makar and Girard, Toews was not on the ice for a single even points. Top winger Mikko Rantanen added the series-clinching goal and strength goal against. Colorado outscored St. Louis 6-0 with Toews on six assists. And captain Gabe Landeskog provided a physical spark in the ice in 5-on-5. He was a plus-6 in the series and had two assists. the first two games on top of his two goals and eight points. Goals for Saad When the top line consists of a trio like that, you’re likely going to win a Brandon Saad missed the last portion of the regular season with an injury lot of hockey games. suffered against the Blues in April. He returned for Game 1 and finally got They’ve handled the first series well. But it’s only going to get tougher his feet back under him. from here. Unless Minnesota miraculously wins three straight, the Avs Since then: Three games, three goals. And none bigger than Sunday’s. are going to face the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2 for bragging rights in the West Division. It’s the series the entire hockey world has The Avalanche were trailing 1-0 — the only lead the Blues had the entire waited for. series — before Saad fired home a power-play goal to suck the life out of St. Louis and its fans. Colorado went on to add two more goals and did And it’s going to be epic. not relinquish the lead again. Listen to “Successful Sweep” on Spreaker. This is why they traded for him. The playoffs. The Deen’s List milehighsports.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 Gravey

What a series it was for defenseman Ryan Graves. He celebrated his 26th birthday on Friday with a three-point effort. But that wasn’t the only good game he had against St. Louis.

Graves was demoted from the top pair after last fall’s acquisition of Devon Toews. He did not have as good a regular season as he did in 2019-20 when he was playing alongside stud defenseman Cale Makar. But he was the Avs’ best defenseman in a number of categories in the first round.

Graves led Avalanche blueliners with 12 shots, or three-per-game, and had four points to lead the way. He also was a plus-9.

O’Reilly eats his words

Avs players have been asked about this all throughout the series and they’ve all responded the same way.

“What do you want him to say?”

And it makes sense. Because when former Avs center Ryan O’Reilly confidently said “we’re going to have some fun and we’re going to beat them,” he was sharing what he truly felt. But as we know in hockey, it’s very rare to see a player speak in absolutes in that manner.

As much as the Avs tried to avoid the question, the reality is, it did motivate them. They did want to win to stick to the Blues captain and Landeskog confirmed it after Game 4 with three simple words.

“Yeah, it did,” Landeskog said when asked if it motivated them.

Grubauer’s consistency

People don’t often mention goalie Philipp Grubauer from the onset when talking about what makes the Avalanche so dangerous. The conversation usually starts with MacKinnon and the offensive firepower or Makar and 1213976 Colorado Avalanche Jared Bednar said the sweep should be good for his team, to get a bit more rest over the next few days, then open the next series at home. “We can get more practice time in, and prepare more,” Bednar said.

Sweep: “Yeah, it did” – Landeskog on whether O’Reilly victory guarantee I want to thank the people of St. Louis for being cool to be around in this motivated Avs series. I like this city, even though it has some problems.

There are some good odds to check out here for hockey playoffs at sbonet. Published 6 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Adrian Dater Bednar said Alex Newhook had some “back stiffness” after sliding into the boards in the first period. He never returned. I’m hearing that this shouldn’t be a long-term thing, but clearly Newhook is going to need ST. LOUIS – Look, I’m never going to talk trash against Ryan O’Reilly. I some further evaluation. Back injuries are no joke – and I know firsthand. don’t want to make this about me, BUT… Devon Toews was sublime in the series. What a pickup by Joe Sakic. I’ve kind of hinted around about this before, but now will say more in- depth: When I had my entire life overturned nearly seven years ago from I’d like to see Cale Makar get better for the next round. The power play – a drug-induced tweet and thought I’d lost everything and didn’t know if I’d the Saad goal aside, which was set up by Makar – needs to be better be able to move on, I got a call from Ryan O’Reilly’s father, Brian. He moving forward. I’d like to see his slap shot a little more. said that Ryan had noticed what happened to me, and that maybe I’d need some help. Devan Dubnyk is now the official backup to Grubauer. He was on the bench today, supplanting Jonas Johansson in that role. Brian O’Reilly is a guy I’d talked to before, about hockey and about life, as he was/is something of a life coach and I always enjoyed talking with Nazem Kadri is appealing his eight-game suspension by the NHL. The him about things. On the day after I thought I’d lost everything and was in NHLPA formally filed the appeal. I would say “good luck with that.” Gary a crazy state of mind, Brian O’Reilly was in my living room, talking to me Bettman calls the shots on this, and I don’t see him undercutting George for about two hours. It really helped me. A LOT. I will never, ever, ever, Parros on this decision. ever be grateful enough for that time from him. I thought Ryan Graves was a top-5 player for the Avs in this series. That So, go elsewhere if you’re looking for anything bad to be said about the goal he scored in Game 3 was huge. And, he was tough physically. I’ve O’Reilly family. It’ll never happen here. said it before and I’ll say it again: the Avs would be foolish to expose him in the Expansion Draft to Seattle. But look: I had to ask the question after the game. I asked Avs captain Gabe Landeskog, after the Avs swept the Blues today, whether O’Reilly’s Colorado hockey now LOADED: 05.24.2021 “We’re going to have some fun, and we’re going to beat them” pre-series quote motivated the Avs at all?

“Yeah, it did,” Landeskog said.

Credit to the Avs captain for being honest. And, credit to the Blues captain, too, for trying to motivate his team. I really think that’s all O’Reilly was trying to do. I suspect O’Reilly knew his team needed a bit of a jolt, and he tried to do it with a Joe Namath-style guarantee of victory, to build confidence within his own room and maybe shake up the Avs’ confidence a bit. After all, Ryan O’Reilly had a right to talk like his. He is a Stanley Cup champion, a winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.

But, no, this quote didn’t work. It’ll be relegated to the “Dewey Defeats Truman” premature declarations of victory file.

THOUGHTS ON THE SERIES AND WHAT’S AHEAD

A lot to unpack here. First off, I thought Philipp Grubauer was great in the series, yet probably he won’t get much ink for his performance. He was tremendous, though. He really made some big saves at key times in games, where, if he hadn’t, this series could have been much different.

I gotta be honest: I still think Vegas might be the better, tougher team in Round 2. Fleury, Stone, maybe Pacioretty back? I worry.

That said, this Avs team has come through all year when I had some doubts. So, I’m not saying anything too negative. But, look, DON’T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELVES here, Avs fan. We all thought the road looked smooth last year, to the Cup Finals, after the first round. Then, the second round happened.

I’ve always said, though: if you want to win a Stanley Cup, you’re going to have to go through the Belly of the Beast at some point. That belly belongs to Vegas right now, I think. Might as well get this over with, sooner rather than later.

Yeah, I know Vegas has to win one more game against Minnesota, that the series isn’t over. But it will be after tomorrow night.

I thought the turning point in the game today was Brandon Saad’s PP goal right at the end of the Avs’ second-period power play. The Blues were about to kill the power play off, and would have gotten a big cheer from the crowd on hand, with their team up 1-0. Instead, Saad found the top left corner with his wrister from the slot. I thought the Blues looked deflated after that, and the results the rest of the way lend credence to that belief. 1213977 Colorado Avalanche other than that, he’s simply a warm body used to give the other three lines a few seconds of rest.

Defense Avs Game Grades: Mis-souri loves company Devon Toews (A) – As I say pretty much every game, Devon Toews is such an excellent defenseman. Every stride, pass and shot is confident. He always makes the right play, always in the right areas and, in general, Published 7 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Scott MacDonald just does all the right things night-in and night-out. Tonight was no different.

He had a team-high 25 minutes of ice time. He averaged right at 25 Gabe Landeskog (A+) – The Avs captain is having himself quite a minutes a night through all four games. postseason. Gabe Landeskog had another multi-point night on Sunday, and he has had points in every game of the series. Cale Makar (A) – Sliced and diced his way through the three or four St. Louis Blues before passing it off to Brandon Saad to get the Avs on the This is the time of year when captains need to step it up and lead by board in the second period. Makar’s creativity is key—always has been— example. And so far, Landeskog is doing everything right. and that top pairing with Toews continues to be the team’s best. Nathan MacKinnon (A+) – Following a Game 2 hat trick, MacKinnon had Ryan Graves (A) – I’ve loved Ryan Graves’ playoff so far. His tenacity, a relatively quiet Game 3. Tonight, he was his usual, lethal self. Another grit and chippiness, penalty-killing abilities, defensive prowess, etc. He’s multi-point night for the early Conn Smythe favorite. He continues to lead been great all postseason and leads the playoff pack with a +9. He’s the postseason in goals and is tied for the playoff lead in points. more than making his case for GM Joe Sakic to protect him in the Mikko Rantanen (A+) – Like Landeskog, Rantanen too extended his forthcoming Seattle expansion draft in July. point streak to four games, and finally got that elusive playoff goal, too. Once again, he led the team in blocks with three more tonight. His postseason point run is now at 14 games, dating back to last season’s playoffs. That’s tied for the longest playoff point streak in Sam Girard (A) – Sam Girard was physically beat up through the first franchise history. MacKinnon also accomplished the 14-game feat during three games the series. It seemed he had a target on his back by any the 2020 Cup run. player in a blue jersey. He had the last laugh tonight, however, with the nice point shot that was tipped by Landeskog to take the 2-1 lead. He Andre Burakovsky (B-) – The team really needs Burakovky to get going logged nearly 23 minutes of ice time tonight and his strong defensive this postseason. The Avs have been pretty darn great without his offense plays did not go unnoticed. so far, but imagine how potent Colorado’s attack would be if Burakovsky starts chipping in a few goals a series. Deadly. Patrik Nemeth (B-) – Patrik Nemeth continues to be an interesting player since his return to the Avalanche. Some nights he’s great. Other nights, He had a very nice assist on Brandon Saad’s goal in Game 3 but has not so much. He continues to bring physical play every single night, been fairly quiet through all four games. The Avs need more production which is a big for an Avs team that never really leads in the “hits” from that second line, and it starts with Burakovsky. Overall, though, department. Burakovsky has been playing a decent game. Conor Timmins (C-) – Timmins has pretty much been a non-factor Joonas Donskoi (B) – I like the attitude and tenacity Donskoi played with through all four games of the first-round series. He played just seven tonight. He was held off the scoresheet but continues to muck and grind minutes tonight and was one of just three players on the Avs to finish away night in and night out. He’s been the best player on that second line with a minus. We ran out of time in the post-game Zoom with coach all series long, in my opinion. Bednar so I wasn’t able to get to my question, which was: “With Conor J.T. Compher (B-) – Was absolutely robbed by Jordan Binnington in the Timmins playing so few minutes, what do you want to see more from third period, firing three back-to-back-to-back shots at the Blues him, and would you consider swapping in a Jacob MacDonald or Bowen netminder, who made sprawling saves on each one. Other than that, I Byram, given he’s healthy.” didn’t notice much of Compher. He logged a lot of minutes tonight (16:28) Philipp Grubauer (A) – Philipp Grubuaer continues to be a stud, as he’s and played some time on both special teams units. been all season long. He remains a perfect 4-0 on the postseason and is Brandon Saad (A+) – Brandon Saad was brought to Colorado to do second only to Marc-Andre Fleury in playoff goals-against average and everything he’s been doing so far this postseason. The experience, the save percentage (of goalies that have played three-plus games). depth scoring, the leadership, all of it. Saad has now won 11 playoff I asked Grubauer after the game if Jordan Binnington said anything to series over his 10-year career in the NHL. him in the handshake line, given the Blues goalie’s penchant for Saad’s scored goals in three straight games and is now second behind shenanigans. Grubauer said he “doesn’t really remember. Just good luck MacKinnon. or something like that.” Before adding, “Yeah that’s his game. If he wants to skate down, one day someone’s going to answer the bell. I just focus Tyson Jost (C-) – Tough penalty midway through the third period, which on making saves.” the Blues would end up capitalizing on to cut the Avs lead to 3-2. And considering he’s one of the team’s most reliable penalty killers, him BOOM, ROASTED! taking a penalty is a double whammy. The Avs get their first sweep since the 2001 playoffs, a year in Val Nichushkin (B) – Big Val played a very solid game tonight and has which…well, we all know what happened. been a steady presence on the ice all series long. He was rewarded with Colorado hockey now LOADED: 05.24.2021 an easy empty-net goal with seconds left in the game. He even earned some power-play time tonight.

Alex Newhook (N/A) – Tough break for the kid, who took a bit of a late hit and slid awkwardly into the end boards, slamming his back pretty hard. It appeared as if he just knocked the wind out of himself, and I read his lips on the bench as he told the trainer “I’m good”.

He skated another shift after the hit, but then walked down the tunnel and would not return for the rest of the game, logging just 1:28.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (C) – He played the fewest minutes of any Avs forward (sans Newhook) and was the only forward on the team to log a minus. But he won 78% of his faceoffs, had two hits and a shot block.

Carl Soderberg (C-) – I’m having a hard time seeing the value that Soderberg adds to the lineup. He’s a steady veteran presence, sure, but 1213978 Columbus Blue Jackets Heading into the weekend, there had already been seven overtime games and two double-overtime games. Matt Duchene (remember him?) ended an epic one Friday night when he scored at 14:54 of the second OT to lift Nashville to a 6-5 victory over Carolina. Michael Arace: Jody Shelley gets another call up to the big leagues, this time from NBCSN Shelley sees Tampa Bay, Carolina and Colorado as the tournament’s elite teams. He thinks Boston and maybe Pittsburgh are on the next tier. He calls Winnipeg “sneaky great.”

Michael Arace “I think Colorado is the team to beat,” he said. “(Coach) Jared Bednar has done such a good job there. When Nathan MacKinnon was out

(during the regular season) they went 6-1. They play such a selfless Jody Shelley remembers the first time he was called up to the big game. It’s so much fun to watch.” leagues. From New Jersey, Shelley followed closely the developments in “February 17, 2001,” he said Saturday morning. It’s tattooed on his brain. Columbus over the past week. He said the return of John Davidson — the announcement came Thursday that J.D. was back as president of Inaugural season. The Pittsburgh Penguins were the visitors at hockey operations — resonated across the league. Nationwide Arena. Former Blue Jackets forward Krzysztof Oliwa, a troglodyte who had slithered quickly out of Columbus on less-than- “There’s something about someone leaving and coming back,” Shelley favorable terms, was back in town as a Penguin. said. “I know J.D. had an admiration for the Blue Jackets when he left, and he comes back with a fresh outlook. It just seems like the right move On his first shift, Shelley dropped the gloves with mountainous Steve to have him back here. He’s so well-respected.” McKenna. On his second shift, Shelley had a go with Oliwa and landed two right-handed bombs on Oliwa’s two faces. Shelley finished the game The Jackets have much to do to get back to the playoffs. Of this, we are with 1 minute, 22 seconds of ice time and 10 penalty minutes. The reminded every night when we click on the NBC family of networks, and Jackets lost in overtime. see what it is all about. What thumping fun it is.

Shelley had a 12-year playing career that included seven years and Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2021 1,025 PIMS with the Blue Jackets. He met his wife, Mandy, in Columbus, they married in 2004 and central Ohio has been their home ever since.

Shelley took on the role as the Jackets’ television analyst in 2014. He was seen as a comer in the broadcast business for his knowledge of the game, quick grasp of what was happening on-ice and easy sense of humor.

For the past four years, Shelley has been working with Bally Sports producer Joe Whelan to hone his craft and expand his horizons. He has widened his audience working the NHL Network studio, where he has spent the past week parsing the playoff action.

May 24, 2021.

Shelley is getting another call-up to the TV big leagues.

Monday morning, he’ll take a drive up I-95, from the NHL studio in Secaucus, New Jersey, to the NBC Sports Network studio in Stamford, Connecticut. Monday night, he’ll make his national-network debut as a color analyst for Game 5 of the Penguins-Islanders series on NBCSN.

Shelley will work alongside play-by-play man John Walton, the radio voice of the Washington Capitals. Walton was born in Columbus, graduated from University and began his career as a public- address announcer for the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m friends with (former Flyers teammate and NBSN regular) Brian Boucher,” Shelley said. “They were a little short and heard I was in the area. That’s how it came about — and it’s great to be working with John Walton.

“My No. 1 priority is always the Blue Jackets, but it’s nice to get out and stretch the landscape. You never know what’s going to happen with ESPN and Turner (with television rights) coming next season.”

Since the Jackets are sitting out the playoffs for the first time in five years, and since there has been so much going on off the ice, it was almost easy to forget that it was the best time of the year. I almost forgot. Then I wandered into the living room early last week and the switch flipped.

The NHL playoffs begin with a first-round crescendo of intense action. The players aren’t as beat up as they will be in the coming weeks. The regular-season slog is behind. Now, the games are a completely different animal. A fierce animal, trying to survive and advance.

“It has been unbelievable,” Shelley said. “The matchups in the first round have been great, especially the 2-3 matchups. Given the regular-season format this year, these teams have seen each other at least eight times; in Canada, nine or 10 times.

“We’re seeing more of the true hatred and fierce competition that comes in the playoffs. There’s all that familiarity. Everyone knows how they have to play.” 1213979 Columbus Blue Jackets improvement at a time when its bottom line has been ravaged by the pandemic.

The situation is not unlike what the Jackets faced when they first hired J.D. returns to his home-away-from-home and gives hope to Columbus Davidson, on Oct. 24, 2012, or about a year after the city and county made a backroom deal to buy the arena. Fans were in an uproar, the Jackets were in financial straits and there were rumors that John P. McConnell might sell the team. Michael Arace Before J.D. first got here, the Jackets had a losing record in 10 of their

first 11 seasons. They had the worst record in the league in 2011-12. The In the two years since John Davidson departed Columbus to assume the Jeff Carter experiment had failed miserably, Rick Nash had been shipped presidency of the , the Blue Jackets have not trended off to New York and attendance had nose-dived to an average of 14,660. well, not in areas of clearest accountability: on the scoreboard and in the Davidson talked (probably too much) about a brick-by-brick build and standings, in wins versus losses, on the roster and in the simplest hired Kekalainen. There followed a stretch that was unfathomable then, individual statistics. and expected now: In J.D.’s seven years, the Jackets went 285-209-46 We can wonder why Josh Anderson wanted to be separated from what (.570) and made the playoffs four times. should have been a fruitful marriage, or why Pierre-Luc Dubois cheated Maybe Davidson got out at the perfect time — just after the “all-in” pulled to get his divorce. We can argue about whether there is enough talent on off the greatest first-round upset in NHL history, and just before the mass hand for a “reload,” or whether management might be overrating its exodus of free agents from the city. But the record he and Kekalainen younger talent. compiled is cast in ink. It’s on the scoreboard and in the standings, in All of this makes for wonderful bar-rail conversation, and/or tweets. Yet, victories and losses, in a roster that will not soon be forgotten. the black-and-white of the Jackets plight is this: They went from a team Fans can hope again. that swept the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning and went toe-to-toe with the Boston Bruins in the 2019 playoffs to the fourth-worst record in the Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2021 league in 2021.

In two years, the roster flipped and the Jackets sank.

We can talk about the impact of the coronavirus and the denouement of coach John Tortorella, and so forth, but the bottom line is 18-26-12, 48 points and a goal differential of minus-50 in 56 games.

Suddenly, the Jackets are back to selling the future. To that end, the re- hiring of Davidson as president of hockey operations — just two weeks after he was, shockingly, fired by the Rangers — is a smart move. Potentially, it's brilliant.

It gives Jackets fans hope, which has been in dwindling supply, like chicken, lumber and computer chips, during this awful pandemic.

Davidson left Columbus to go “home” to New York on May 17, 2019. Seven hundred and thirty-four days later, he was reintroduced to his home-away-from-home. Davidson, joined by team president Mike Priest and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, Zoomed their news conference Thursday afternoon.

Looking ahead to the offseason, Kekalainen is like a jockey trying to steer a long shot through a 20-horse field at the Kentucky Derby. If he has a good plan, avoids mis-stepping and has the tremendous luck to find a perfect path — not unlike Bill Shoemaker aboard Ferdinand in the 1986 Derby — he just might have a surprisingly competitive team by the opening of training camp.

Kekalainen has a coach to hire. He has three first-round picks in the July draft. He has to plot a future with Seth Jones, an unrestricted free agent next year, and Zach Werenski, an RFA next year. Or, without them. He has to trade a goaltender, either Joonas Korpisalo or Elvis Merzlikins.

The team is facing one of its most radical summers in franchise history. It’s fair to say that, coming off a series of off-ice dramas and a deep dive in the standings, many Jackets fans had lost confidence in Kekalainen’s ability to reload. While that is a difficult thing to say about the greatest GM who ever plied his trade on Nationwide Boulevard, it is no less untrue.

Put it this way: The expectation that Kekalainen was about to get crushed on the rail, boxed into the middle of the pack or pushed out five-wide were greater than the confidence of him finding a perfect trip.

The confidence stopped dropping and began climbing Wednesday night, from the moment our Brian Hedger tweeted that J.D. was returning to Columbus.

Daddy’s back.

Davidson is neither a genius manager nor a hockey savant. He is a deep, baritone voice, imbued with life experience, who can make Jackets fans believe everything is going to work out. That voice needs to be heard right now, to lessen the angst of fans who need a good trip through the summer, and to fortify the franchise — which faces demands for capital 1213980 Columbus Blue Jackets “We’ve known each other too long. Part of my coming back to Columbus is knowing what you know and knowing who you’ll be working with, who’s in the group. Well, all they want to do here is work hard and win, and I want to help them. We’re going to be a team. It’s that simple.” Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering: Is Jarmo Kekalainen OK with John Davidson’s return? The Blue Jackets’ inner sanctum of hockey operations is as follows: Davidson (president of hockey operations and alternate governor), Kekalainen (general manager and alternate governor), Basil McRae and Josh Flynn (assistant general manager), Rick Nash (special assistant to By Aaron Portzline May 23, 2021 the GM, team ambassador) and Chris Clark (director of player personnel).

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did- “I report to J.D. about everything,” Kekalainen said. “We talk about you-knows gathered throughout the week that was for the Blue Jackets: everything. I explain what my thought process is and then (Davidson) supports me. That’s how it’s always been and that’s how it will be.” Item #1: Meet the new boss Davidson, Kekalainen and their wives had dinner together Friday. It was With all of the excitement surrounding John Davidson’s return to the Blue like old times, Davidson said, like his two years away in New York didn’t Jackets organization last week, one could only wonder what was going even happen. through the mind of general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. “It’s like I left for two years because of COVID, and I’m back now,” Kekalainen and Davidson have been friends for at least 15 years, and Davidson said. “It hasn’t changed an ounce. It’s a great working Kekalainen is forever indebted to Davidson for hiring him as GM in relationship.” Columbus in early 2013, becoming the first — and still only — European to ascend to that title in the NHL. Item #2: About that ‘reload’ …

But there’s no getting around this fact: Kekalainen became the head of Davidson’s contract with the Blue Jackets has a five-year term, and the Blue Jackets hockey operations department when Davidson went to Kekalainen, following his two-year extension, now has four years the New York Rangers two seasons ago, giving him the strongest voice remaining on his deal. It made us wonder if “reload” is still the right word and final say on every major decision, from making trades to hiring to use for the club’s plans this summer. coaches to negotiating contracts. Kekalainen was defiant on his way out of this season, insisting that the Davidson’s return changes that. Kekalainen insists he still will have final Blue Jackets — over the course of this summer — could improve the say on the club’s hockey decisions, but Blue Jackets president Mike club from the fourth-worst record in the NHL to a club worthy of Priest didn’t bring Davidson back to Columbus to shake hands and contending for a playoff spot. attend charity functions. That’s why he kept saying “reload” instead of “rebuild.” A rebuilding Kekalainen insisted that he wasn’t humbled or angered by Davidson’s process can take several seasons, if it ever gets there. (See: Buffalo.) return, and that the two-year contract extension he received — he’s now But if you listen to comments from Davidson and Kekalainen last week, under contract as GM through 2024-25 — was not given to him to help it’s starting to sound as if the timeline is less rigid. They’ll do everything soften the blow. they can to improve this summer, but the emphasis will be on building the “To me, it’s a question I don’t even understand being asked,” Kekalainen right way … however long that takes. said. “I’m happy. J.D. is great with communication, representing the “I’ve always tried to preach an underpromise, overdeliver type of organization … he has a big presence, absolutely. He’s a larger-than-life approach,” Davidson said. “When you sit down and make decisions, you type guy. I love the guy. We have a great relationship, and I consider him have to make that call: is the window open? Is it not open? It takes a lot a really good friend, even since our St. Louis years (together). of discussion and faith, because you have to believe in what you’re “He wants me as a GM because he knows how I do my job. That’s why doing. If you build up as many assets as possible, you can do things at he hired me in the first place. That’s why he wants to have me as GM the right time and at the right price. In our situation, every move will be now that he’s here again.” calculated.

Priest told The Athletic late last month that Kekalainen was comfortable “We’re going to battle. We’re in a tough division. Fifty percent of teams with the club’s current front-office structure — even after the departure of make the playoffs in this league. It’s hard. It’s damn hard. But that’s the Davidson and Bill Zito, who became GM in Florida last summer — but goal. That’s our goal, a step at a time, and we’ll drive it.” that he was free to ask for additional hires if he felt they were necessary. It can get dicey for a GM heading into the final year(s) of his contract. Davidson, 68, was abruptly fired by the Rangers, along with GM Jeff NHL owners have to pay close attention to make sure the moves being Gorton, on May 5. The next day, Priest said he met with Kekalainen to made are for the betterment of the organization, not the short-term discuss, among the other things, the possibility of Davidson’s return. benefit of a GM trying to save his own job.

There’s no question that Blue Jackets majority owner John P. McConnell First-round picks become easier to trade, for instance. A GM with a and Priest hold Davidson in high regard, and they almost certainly tenuous future may consider trading them for “today” help, knowing they wouldn’t have moved to fill the position if Davidson didn’t fall back into may not be around long enough to enjoy the benefits of a young player their lap. two or three years down the road.

Davidson, a Hall of Fame broadcaster with the Rangers for more than 20 Kekalainen said he’s vowed since the start of his career that he would years, had job offers to return to television. He also had offers from never fall into this trap. multiple NHL clubs, though he declined to say which teams or even how “I always say this: I don’t work here to save my job,” he said. “I work here many. to win the Stanley Cup.” “I had plenty of chances to do different things,” Davidson said. “At my Item #3: Kivlenieks a national hero age, I contemplated a few things, including retirement. But I knew if I retired, come September, I’d be sitting around the house wondering, The IIHF World Championships barely move the needle in North ‘What am I doing?'” America, but they’re a big deal to every hockey-playing country in Europe. This year’s tournament is being held in Riga, Latvia, for the first Davidson said there was never any sense of hard feelings from time in 15 years, so the country is beside itself. Kekalainen when his return to Columbus started to become clear. Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, the star of the Latvia national “Not one ounce,” Davidson said. “Zero. team through the years, pulled out of the tournament because his wife is “Jarmo and I have known each other too long. I know Mike Priest talked pregnant with the couple’s first child. to Jarmo prior to getting my discussions going. I talked to Jarmo, and his arms are wide open. That turned the nets over to another Blue Jackets goaltender, Matiss Kivlenieks, who has been the No. 3 in the Columbus over the past two seasons.

This is how hockey works, right? The Latvians’ first test of the tournament was against global power Canada on Friday, and they pulled off a major upset. Kivlenieks had a 38-save shutout in a 2-0 win over Canada, sending the country into convulsions.

The Latvians had never before beaten Canada in the tournament. Canada had 11 wins and a tie in 12 games against Latvia in this tournament, including an 11-0 Canada win (ouch!) last time the tournament was held in Riga in 2006.

That Latvians suffered a severe hangover (quite literally, perhaps), losing to Kazakhstan 3-2 in a shootout Saturday. Kivlenieks stopped 29 of 31 shots.

Team USA plays Latvia on Thursday.

Snacks

Here’s Davidson on Seth Jones, who has one year remaining on his contract before unrestricted free agency arrives next summer. “Seth’s a terrific hockey player, and he’s a great person. When you deal with situations like this, they are what they are. No matter which way it goes, you have to respect the player’s wishes, what they want. If they stay, they stay. If they don’t, they go, and we try to do the best we can with what the (trade) return’s going to be … if that’s what it comes to. Hopefully, he stays and he’s a member of the Blue Jackets for life. But we just don’t know yet. We’ll see how it all goes.”

It’s pretty remarkable, given the franchise’s trials and tribulations, that the Blue Jackets have had only three general managers — Doug MacLean (2000-07), Scott Howson (2007-13) and Kekalainen, who has held the job the longest. In fact, only seven GMs have been in their chairs longer: David Poile (Nashville), Doug Wilson (San Jose), Bob Murray (Anaheim), Stan Bowman (Chicago), Doug Armstrong (St. Louis), Kevin Cheveldayoff (Winnipeg) and Marc Bergevin (Montreal).

Blue Jackets assistant equipment manager Jamie Healy is working for Team USA at the Worlds in Riga, meaning he’s working again with current Blue Jackets forward Eric Robinson and defenseman Adam Clendening. He may also be working with a future Blue Jacket: center Matty Beniers, who just completed his freshman season at Michigan, is expected to be an early pick in this year’s NHL draft.

The Blue Jackets are making upgrades to the dressing room and players’ facilities in Nationwide Arena this summer, Kekalainen confirmed. He declined to say what the project would entail, pending final blueprints.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021

1213981 Detroit Red Wings American league or the Swedish league to the NHL, but he probably exceeded our expectations last year going into the American league, he did very well.

Why Moritz Seider's buzz is building with Detroit Red Wings ahead of 'a “He’s got size. His skills are good. He’s got a lot of work to do, but I think huge step up' there’s a lot of potential for him. We’re excited to have him over here next year. Our hope is he’s ready to play for the Red Wings at the start of the season.”

HELENE ST. JAMES Potentially, the Wings’ right-side defense next season features Seider, Filip Hronek and either Troy Stecher or Gustav Lindstrom. On the left,

Danny DeKeyser is the only veteran under contract; he and Hronek have The Detroit Red Wings haven’t had a defensive prospect this exciting in a history of pairing well. Seider has been vocal about how much it helped ages. Moritz Seider checks every box: Skill, size, physicality, personality. his development in to play with veteran Eric Gelinas, and that’s There’s been so much buzz about him that even those who’ve never why Yzerman might re-sign Staal — he’s closing in on 1,000 games seen him are intrigued. played but still remembers how much it helped him to be partnered with a veteran his first years in the NHL. “I don’t know him at all,” Wings defenseman Marc Staal said last week during his exit interview with the media, “but I’ve heard a bunch of good “We had some guys that had played a long time,” Staal said. “There’s a things over this last year.” comfort level when you’re a young guy being out there with someone who has been through it and gets the ups and downs of a season. I Those "good things" include: Recording seven goals and 21 assists in 41 believe it’s very helpful, just watching and learning how you practice and games this season with Rögle in the Swedish Hockey League; adding a prepare and all that stuff. goal and four assists in 13 playoff games; advancing to the championship series; and, at the end, being named the SHL Defenseman of the Year. “I think my best fit is playing with a skilled right-hand shot defenseman, Seider, by the way, just turned 20 on April 6. where I can make them feel as comfortable as possible making plays and just being solid for them with good positioning. And communication, I This was Seider’s third consecutive season playing in a men’s league. think, is huge on the ice.” He commanded Yzerman’s attention in 2018-19 when Seider stood out as a teen playing in his native Germany’s top league, recording six points Seider projects to be a significant player in the rebuild; maybe not as in 29 games with . soon as next season, but certainly within the next few years. He already holds a piece of Wings history: He's the first Red Wings defenseman Yzerman, who was named general manager of the Wings in April 2019, since 1975 to be drafted in the top six. (Rick Lapointe was selected No. 5 held the sixth pick in that year’s draft. Seider was projected to go overall that year; he only played a season and a half for the franchise.) somewhere in the mid-teens. Yzerman explored moving back a few spots, but only if he was confident Seider would still be available. (The The last defense prospect with this much buzz was Niklas Kronwall. Wings did this in 2013, when they had their eyes on Anthony Mantha. Taken 29th overall in 2000, he spent all of 2004-05 in the AHL because They flipped their pick at No. 18 with San Jose’s at No. 20, and still of the labor dispute that wiped out that NHL season. He so dominated drafted Mantha — and an extra second-round pick that was used on with the Griffins — 13 goals and 40 assists in 76 games — to the point Tyler Bertuzzi.) When it became clear such a gamble would be too risky, he was named the AHL's top defenseman. Yzerman held onto the No. 6 pick and stunned everyone at that draft in Yzerman is right to want to keep expectations in check: It’s hard for a Vancouver, British Columbia, by selecting Seider. Seider’s surprise at young player, especially a defenseman, to make an impact right away. going so early — hands pressed in front of his mouth, a growing smile as But Seider is poised to add moxie to a team that needs it, and that’s been he turned to hug his family in the stands — became a viral hit. building since the day Yzerman drafted him. Two years later, Seider is poised to make a mark in Detroit, and his Need a Father's Day gift? future teammates can’t wait. What: “The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings.” “I saw him play live in training camp last year,” captain Dylan Larkin said. “He has that quiet confidence about him. As a young player coming into Author: Helene St. James, who has covered the Red Wings at the Detroit the league, it’s huge to have that. It's huge to believe in yourself, not in Free Press since 1996. Foreword by Chris Osgood, winner of three an arrogant way, but believe and know you can come in and help the Stanley Cups as a Wings goaltender. team. I know he believes that. We’re all hoping he can come in and do that.” Publisher: Triumph Books.

The 6-foot-4 Seider is 207 pounds and shoots right. He has an eye for Pages: 336 pages (paperback). getting shots through to the net. He also has a mean streak and doesn't Price: $16.95. shy away from confrontations. During his time with Rögle, he averaged nearly 21 minutes per game. Availability: Available in leading bookstores and online from booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. “Moritz had a very good year in Sweden,” Yzerman said. “He made the decision he wanted to go and play and we supported that decision and it About the book: “The Big 50” brings to life the men and moments that turned out well. He played a lot, he played in all situations on a very good made the Red Wings such a dynamic and iconic franchise for nearly a team in the Swedish league, which is a very good league. century. The book features never-before-told stories about the greats such as Howe, Yzerman, Lidstrom and Lindsay, the near-greats beloved “I’m not really surprised he did well in the Swedish league. He’s got a by fans and the great memories of Fight Night, the Fabulous Fifties, the great head on his shoulders. I think he’s got good hockey sense. He’s Team for the Ages, the Grind Line, The Joe and much more. very competitive.” Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.24.2021 The SHL was the best landing spot for Seider last fall, when it became clear the coronavirus pandemic would significantly delay professional hockey leagues in North America. Seider spent his first year in the Wings organization with the , producing two goals and 20 assists in 49 games. He certainly would have been auditioning for a job in Detroit last fall had it not been for COVID-19; now he comes to the Wings stronger and better for having spent a season in the SHL.

As excited as those in the locker room are for Seider’s arrival, the front office is playing it cool.

“I want to temper the enthusiasm and the excitement,” Yzerman said. “He’s a great young player. His next move is to the NHL. We’ll see how training camp, the preseason, goes. It’s a huge step up from the 1213982 Detroit Red Wings Colorado has won nine of the last 10 playoff games against St. Louis, including seven in a row.

Bruins 3, Capitals 1: Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak dazzled on Sunday's NHL playoffs: Avalanche complete 4-game sweep of Blues with offense, Tuukka Rask was rock solid in net and the Boston Bruins are 5-2 win moving on to the second round of the playoffs.

Bergeron scored twice at crucial times after Pastrnak's highlight-reel goal, Rask made 40 saves and the Bruins eliminated the Washington NOLAN BIANCHI Capitals in five games with a 3-1 victory Sunday night. Bergeron delivered the dagger with 7:35 left to set up a second-round showdown

against either the Pittsburgh Penguins or New York Islanders. St. Louis — Philipp Grubauer made 18 saves and Gabriel Landeskog Chants of “TUUKK!” emanated from a large group of black and gold-clad scored the go-ahead goal in the second period as the Colorado Boston fans who were part of the limited-capacity sellout crowd of 5,333. Avalanche completed a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues with a 5- Those were occasionally interrupted by “We want the Cup!” — the trophy 2 win Sunday in Game 4 of the West Division series. the Bruins last won a decade ago after a 39-year title drought. Brandon Saad, Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri They're 12 wins away, thanks to their best players dominating in Game 5. Nichushkin also scored for Colorado, which recorded its first series sweep since beating Vancouver in the 2001 Western Conference Predators 4, Hurricanes 3: Luke Kunin scored his second goal at 16:10 of quarterfinal round. the second overtime and Nashville beat Carolina to tie the first-round series 2-2. The Avalanche outscored the Blues 20-7 and trailed for only 7:12 over the four games. Grubauer stopped 103 of 110 shots over the four games. Kunin broke his stick and went to the bench for another. He then skated up and beat Alex Nedeljkovic from the inside edge of the left circle off a “I thought we got a little better as the series went along,” Colorado coach pass from Mikael Granlund. Jared Bednar said. “It was a full 60-minute effort. The first three games we had some lapses in our game, some things that I didn't like. Tonight, I Goalie Juuse Saros made a franchise-record 58 saves. Ryan Johansen liked a lot.” and Nick Cousins scored, and Mattias Ekholm and Mikael Granlund each had two assists for Nashville. Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for St. Louis, which was swept for the first time since losing to the Los Angeles Kings in the second round in Brock McGinn had his first two-game game in the postseason, and 2012. Vincent Trocheck had a goal for Carolina. Jordan Martinook added two assists. Nedeljkovic finished with 39 saves. We're offering a great deal on all-access subscriptions. Check it out here. Jets 5, Oilers 4 (OT): Nikolaj Ehlers scored his second goal of the game Landeskog tipped in a shot from Samuel Girard at 14:53 of the second at 9:13 in overtime, completing a massive rally for the Winnipeg Jets who period to break a 1-1 tie. erased a three-goal deficit in the third period to beat the Edmonton Oilers “To come in here in a tough building to play and take two in a row against 5-4 on Sunday night and take a 3-0 lead in their opening-round playoff a desperate team, it's not easy to do,” Landeskog said. “I'm happy that series. we got it done without giving them any sort of momentum.” Mathieu Perreault, Blake Wheeler and Josh Morrissey each scored for Saad scored on a shot from the high slot off a pass from Cale Makar just Winnipeg in a stretch of 3:03 of the third to tie it and send it to overtime. over three minutes earlier. Grubauer got an assist on the play. The Jets can sweep the series Monday night with Game 4 in Edmonton.

Landeskog finished with two goals and six assists in recording a point in Leon Draisaitl had two goals and an assist for Edmonton, Zack Kassian every game of the series. and Jujhar Khaira also scored and Connor McDavid had three assists in the game played in front of no fans at Bell MTS Place, where the Oilers “You break down each game and I think the score hasn't really been went 4-1 in the regular season. indicative of the way the series has been," Landeskog said. ”It's been really tight, it's hard checking and it hasn't been easy. Coming in here in Connor Hellebuyck made 44 saves for the Jets. Mike Smith stopped 32 a tough building to play in and take two in a row against a desperate shots for the Oilers. team, it's not easy to do." Detroit News LOADED: 05.24.2021 Landeskog said the Avalanche used a pre-series boast from St. Louis captain Ryan O'Reilly as motivation. O'Reilly claimed the Blues were going to win the series.

“Yeah, it did," Landeskog said. "It was a hard fought series."

Rantanen whipped a wrist shot past Jordan Binnington with 15:40 left in the third period to push the lead to a 3-1. Rantanen broke in on a 2-on-1 and took a pass from linemate MacKinnon.

Tarasenko converted on a breakaway off a pass from O’Reilly for a 1-0 lead at 5:07 of the second period. It was Tarasenko’s first goal since April 26. He added a power play goal with 11:21 left to trim the deficit to 3-2.

MacKinnon and Nichushkin added empty-net goals in the final minute.

Binnington made 29 saves.

Tarasenko was not pleased with the effort of his team.

“This is embarrassing always losing in the playoffs," Tarasenko said. “The answer is there are no excuses. We don't fight enough.”

St. Louis coach Craig Berube said that injuries, especially to the Blues' back line, were a factor in the series, but he would not offer that as an excuse.

“They're the better team, for sure,” Berube said. “We've got to get better, we've got to improve.” 1213983 Detroit Red Wings Coach Jeff Blashill was enthusiastic about DeKeyser’s progress through the season.

As the season went on, and DeKeyser’s minutes grew, DeKeyser Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser slowly returns to form, carries momentum provided the Wings with the defensive stability that was often lacking for into offseason over a calendar year.

“The fact he scored a couple of goals showed he did get stronger through the course of the season,” Blashill said. “He did work hard at it and TED KULFAN continued to get that strength back, and with that strength, he’s a real good player that’s been in this league for a long time.

“Danny can add offense. One of the things he’s had to get back is some Detroit — Danny DeKeyser knew this might be a rocky season — and he of his offense, because of the fact he doesn’t have the same power that was right. he did a year ago before the surgery. The veteran Red Wings’ defenseman was returning to the lineup after “(But) it’s coming.” having back surgery in December 2019. Teammate Tyler Bertuzzi had a similar back surgery this month and He played eight games early in the 2019-20 regular season, and with that could be facing similar issues when next season arrives. season called off early due to the coronavirus, and the 2020-21 season not getting underway until January, DeKeyser went a staggering 15 DeKeyser was in touch with Bertuzzi, after the forward returned home. months between games. “I checked in with him to see how things went,” DeKeyser said. “Coming out of training camp, I was definitely struggling a bit,” DeKeyser “Everything went good. I just told him if he needed anything let me know. said. It’s not an easy surgery to go through. Your downtime after that is extended, so it’s tough to just even get around the house after a surgery But toward the end of the season, DeKeyser, 31, looked more like the like that. reliable, consistent player he’s always been. “It can wear on you sometimes, so I just told him if he needed anything The entire comeback, the work and diligence DeKeyser showed, they let me know and stay positive, stay grinding.” were all reasons DeKeyser has been named the Red Wings’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who best Forward Bobby Ryan, who signed with the Wings in the offseason, won exemplifies the qualities of “perseverance, sportsmanship and the Masterton Trophy while with the Ottawa Senators last summer after dedication” to hockey. returning late that season from substance-abuse issues.

The selection is made by the Detroit chapter of the Professional Hockey Steve Yzerman won the last Red Wing to win the Masterton, in 2003 Writers Association. Voting for the Masterton among the PHWA ends after returning from serious knee surgery. Monday. The Masterton, and remainder of the NHL Awards, will be announced in July. Detroit News LOADED: 05.24.2021

How difficult did it get for DeKeyser this season?

With his play lagging and his strength not completely back, the Wings made DeKeyser a healthy scratch — although you could argue he was unhealthy — for nine games from Feb. 3-19.

At the time, it was a gut punch. But, DeKeyser realized it was needed.

“There were nine games there they sat me down and told me to work on some stuff and try to get back healthy again,” said DeKeyser, who was even put on waivers in mid-February, which was more of an ability to gain salary-cap flexibility for the team rather than an indictment of DeKeyser’s play. “It had been so long since I played.”

DeKeyser spent the time away from the lineup mainly in the weight room. The surgery had sapped him of much of his power, and the coaching staff saw in training camp and early in the regular season that DeKeyser wasn’t quite 100%.

But being away from the lineup enabled DeKeyser to recover some of that hockey strength that was so badly needed.

“I definitely felt a lot better,” DeKeyser said of his return to the lineup. “The second half of the season I definitely felt better; I was moving better and I felt stronger out there.

“That was one of my goals coming into the season, first of all, try to play, and to just get better as the weeks and months went on.

“That’s what I did”

In 47 games DeKeyser had four goals and eight assists, for 12 points, with a plus-3 rating. DeKeyser was one of only seven Wings’ regulars during the season who finished in the plus category this season.

DeKeyser also scored goals in both games in Columbus the final week of the season, showing some of the offensive element that was missing.

“For me, that (final weekend) was pretty positive going into a full offseason, where I can be healthy and train,” DeKeyser said “Because, obviously, last year I was still out of rehab and I couldn’t get to the point where I wanted to be, to play at this level.

“That will be important for me this summer. Definitely a positive feeling going into the offseason, just being healthy will be huge for me.” 1213984 Edmonton Oilers Josh Morrisey scored at 14:44 to make it 4-4. Aaaaaaaaggh!

Three goals in 3:03. Catastrophic third-period collapse all but ends Edmonton Oilers' season Any hope that they would regroup in the dressing room and make things

right in overtime were put to rest when Nik Ehlers plunged a dagger Robert Tychkowski through the heart of the entire Oilers organization with

Publishing date:May 23, 2021 • 3 hours ago with his second goal of the night at 9:13.

Unbelievable.

We all saw it. Every agonizing second. We watched the replays, listened “Lots goes wrong, I guess,” sighed McDavid. “We’re in a good spot, up 4- to the interviews and dissected the expert analysis. 1, they go on the power play, we can’t get a kill. We kind of gave them a lifeline there and they took advantage.” But anyone who witnessed the Edmonton Oilers slow motion car wreck Sunday in Winnipeg still has no idea what the hell happened. The penalty was Josh Archibald for tripping at 11:11 as he tried to upend Logan Stanley. It provided the foot in the door Winnipeg needed. It was over. They had already won Game 3. They closed the deficit to 2- 1. The message was sent. The series was back on. The Oilers looked “The Archibald penalty was a huge turning point in the game,” said great. Tippett. “It was a poor penalty to take it and gave them life.”

Then, inexplicably, out of nowhere in a game they had ruled for 50 But to put it all on Archibald’s plate is to let everyone else off the hook for minutes, the Oilers spit up all of it in a humiliating, jaw-dropping their part in this epic masterpiece. catastrophic implosion that all but ended their season. “There was eight minutes left, we were still up by two,” said Nugent- A 4-1 lead with less than 10 minutes to play in the third period blew up in Hopkins. “We had the opportunity. We didn’t get it done.” their faces like one of those dye packs the banks use to catch stupid Where do they go from here? Down 3-0 after one of the most crushing robbers. defeats we’ve seen in a long time? How do you recover from this? “Winning is hard and there are painful lessons you need to learn to win,” “It’s obviously unfortunate,” said McDavid. “We’ve dug ourselves a really said head coach Dave Tippett, after the Winnipeg Jets somehow came big hole, but we’re not going to roll over and play dead. We have to find a back to win 5-4 in overtime, taking a 3-0 death grip on the series and way to get a win Monday and take it from there.” leaving the Oilers to write another playoff tragedy to go with last year’s bubble exit. It’s hard to imagine this series isn’t over, but the show must go on. Game 4 goes Monday night. “Tonight, we learned some hard lessons on what not to do to win in the playoffs. We did enough good things in this game to win, but we gave a “The easy thing would be to roll over and say this one is done, that’s the game away. easy thing to do,” said Darnell Nurse.

“It’s disappointing because we haven’t been that team all year, we’ve “That’s not the approach we’re going to take. When your backs are done a good job of closing things out. It’s disappointing that we did some against the wall like ours are right now it doesn’t feel good, but we still of the things we did tonight. Now we’ll see how we respond.” have the ability to control our fate.”

What happened? Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 05.24.2021 “I don’t know,” said Leon Draisaitl, at a loss to put this night into words. “Mistakes. Maybe we panicked a little. Just collective and individual mistakes, I think.”

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also had the thousand-yard stare as he tired to process a stunning turn of events that started the doomsday clock ticking on Edmonton’s season.

“Not a whole lot to say. We shot ourselves in the foot a little bit. They had a push and we didn’t respond well enough. There was no lack of trying for us. We battled hard, but we didn’t get it done. It’s tough to take right now.”

It was tough to watch, too.

Trailing 2-0 in the series after two close losses, the Oilers were playing for their lives and it showed. They roared out for the first period, out- shooting Winnipeg 17-7 and jumping out to a 2-0 lead of a pair of goals from Draisaitl at 6:33 and 9:10.

They led 3-1 after 40 minutes after Zack Kassian converted a three-on- two and when Jujhar Khaira scored at 4:43 of the third period to make it 4-1, the Oilers were free and clear.

McDavid and Draisaitl had six points, Mike Smith was fantastic in net. They were cruising. Game over. Momentum was theirs.

Then, in a scene reminiscent of their 2017 Game 5 meltdown against the Anaheim Ducks, when they gave up three goals in the final 3:16 before losing in overtime, the Oilers orchestrated one of the most epic collapses in franchise history.

Mathieu Perreault scored on a power play at 11:43 to make it 4-2.

Nothing to worry about. The Oilers got this.

Blake Wheeler scored at 14:28 to make it 4-3.

Um, this is getting serious. 1213985 Edmonton Oilers Ehlers scored six times in his last eight games, but it was anyone’s guess how he’d look in his first contest back from injury. He looked fantastic. With him the Jets exit Game 3 in command of their first-round series; without him there’s a decent chance the Oilers hang on to victory. Lineup changes, Zack Kassian’s goal and other Oilers observations on an epic Game 3 collapse against the Jets Edmonton’s other NHL MVP: Draisaitl was tremendous in Game 1 but didn’t get rewarded for his strong play, took a step back in Game 2 and started Sunday’s contest with a clear determination to drive results.

By Jonathan Willis May 24, 2021 Draisaitl finished the night with two goals, three points and six shots on net. He was fantastic early, and good throughout. It remains questionable

whether the Oilers are best served by having him alongside McDavid “Maybe we panicked a little bit.” — Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers versus centering his own line. He’s proved he’s more than good enough to anchor one. Nutshell: For 54 minutes, Edmonton executed its game plan to near perfection, carving out a 4-2 lead courtesy of both its superstars and You can only hope to contain him: McDavid is now a point-per-game some timely depth contributions. Then Winnipeg scored twice in 16 player in the 2021 playoffs, courtesy of a four-shot, three-assist night. It’s seconds, forced overtime and took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. impossible to complain about that kind of production, and one failed clear doesn’t undo all the good he generated, but as with Draisaitl the question How it went down: Edmonton started the game with three lineup is whether Edmonton can win even while he’s producing like that if the changes, adding Tyler Ennis, Gaetan Haas and Devin Shore in place of top line is the team’s only real punch. James Neal, Alex Chiasson and Dominik Kahun. As tinkering goes, this was substantial, but success or failure for the Oilers would be largely I swear, No. 44 isn’t cursed: Dave Tippett raised a few eyebrows when dictated by the performance of their stars. he promoted Kassian — who for most of the year has been either injured or ineffective — into a top-six role. Kassian responded with his first goal It took just 6:33 for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to record their since March 17. first points of the series. Yet Kassian’s game was more than just the goal. He was physical The play was broken, but there was nothing wrong with Draisaitl’s finish throughout and often in the centre of the chaos, including on the 1-0 goal in the crease, a place where it was easy to find Oilers forwards in the first when he obstructed both Jets defencemen in front of the net. The Oilers period. He wasn’t finished, drawing a penalty after he was high-sticked badly need Kassian to effectively combine his size and speed in a by Nate Thompson; he did this on the resulting two-man advantage. scoring role — the belief that he could inspired the four-year contract he’s only just begun — and that’s what they got Sunday night. After taking the 2-0 lead the Oilers commendably kept their collective foot on the gas, firing 17 of the next 25 shots. Even so, the Jets got a power- He’s not a sexy defenceman: Larsson’s primary value to Edmonton this play opportunity after Darnell Nurse got a little too free with his free hand, year has been his ability to suppress offence, and the addition of Dmitri and the returning Nikolaj Ehlers took advantage of it. Kulikov was supposed to give the Oilers an ultra-reliable shutdown tandem. It hasn’t worked that way so far in the playoffs. They’ve had Despite holding a big edge in possession, shots and chances, the Oilers tough assignments, but were on the ice for two of Winnipeg’s five-on-five suddenly found themselves within a single goal. It could have been goals Sunday and four of the six the Jets have scored in this series. dispiriting, but as quick as the two-goal lead was gone, it was back, courtesy of Zack Kassian. No. 22 in your program, No. 1 in scoring among NHL defencemen: Tyson Barrie got bumped down to the third pair but appeared to take it in stride. That shot, on a three-on-two with McDavid and Draisaitl, was Kassian’s Edmonton’s “third” pair of Barrie and Slater Koekkoek was its best on the first of the playoffs. Its timing was impeccable. evening and wasn’t drawing butter-soft opposition either, matching up The emergence of Edmonton’s top unit was the most welcome of against the Paul Stastny line. possible developments, and a necessary one if the Oilers are to come They’ve got time to kill now, folks: Special teams were supposed to be an back in this series. They’ll also need depth scoring, and early in the third advantage for the Oilers in this series, and for the first time the referees period they got some from their third line. let them play a little bit. Edmonton went an unimpressive 1-for-3 on its Jujhar Khaira scored the goal on the tip of Adam Larsson’s point shot, power play, and the Jets countered with a 2-for-3 run themselves. On a Josh Archibald drew a penalty (despite the inattention of the officials, per-minute basis, Winnipeg is now the third-most effective power play in who failed to call it), and newcomer Devin Shore kept the play alive in the the NHL playoffs, behind only the already advanced Avalanche and the corner. None of those players typically figures in on the scoring; all will always potent Lightning. need to for Edmonton to have a successful postseason When a team loses three games to the same opponent there are always The Oilers looked to be in great shape, but then Winnipeg picked up going to be problems to pick at, but the failure of a penalty kill unit that some life off another power-play goal: was so good in the regular season — and that the coaching staff has carefully prioritized when making lineup decisions all year — ranks near This time there was no quick counter by the Oilers. The Jets continued to the top of the list. pile on the pressure after sitting back for more than two-thirds of the game, and the results were everything Paul Maurice could have hoped Stray observations for: • Just four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 series In the span of 16 seconds, every tiny bit of good work Edmonton had deficit, which provides a decent idea of how unlikely it is that Edmonton accomplished in this game was undone. The Khaira-centered third line manages to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. For those looking for gave back its goal, with Khaira himself losing track of the always a silver lining, it’s happened twice in the salary-cap era; the last team to dangerous Blake Wheeler. Then it was Smith, brilliant for so much of this manage it was the 2014 Los Angeles Kings. series, surrendering the tying marker after McDavid failed to clear the • Let’s try to find one optimistic argument that the Oilers can recover zone and Jesse Puljujarvi just tapped Josh Morrissey’s point shot. here: It’s a closer series than it appears. So far they’ve held a statistical The collapse was nearly complete. The camera panned to a dead-eyed edge in play in two of the three games. All of the losses were by a single Ken Holland as the goal horns on the 4-4 marker sounded. The Oilers goal (discounting empty-netters), and two of those came in overtime. pushed back, but for the final minute of regulation the Jets played almost • One doesn’t often see a shoulder-to-knee hit from a player still on his continuously in Edmonton’s zone, hungry for the game winner. Edmonton feet, but when Archibald went low on Logan Stanley that’s exactly what held them off, just. happened. It was a nasty and unnecessary hit. Edmonton paid for it. It wasn’t enough. Two brilliant periods, a commanding lead on the shot • Midway through the second period, Sportsnet showed a graphic that clock and even a decent start to overtime didn’t count enough when listed McDavid and Draisaitl as a combined minus-4 through the first two weighed against Winnipeg’s brilliant third-period comeback or a good games of the series. Both of course were minus-2 (for a combined shot off a set play following a faceoff win in overtime. minus-4) on a pair of empty net goals in Game 1. Whatever their failings through those first two games, that particular number obscured rather than revealed truth.

The Oilers play again at 7:45 MT on Monday night, meaning the Jets have a chance to close this series out in just six days. If necessary, Game 5 will be Wednesday, with the time still TBD.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213986 Edmonton Oilers Bear often with Nurse during the regular season. Bear’s 116 minutes are almost half of Barrie’s 249, that’s a mild surprise based on observing the entire season.

Lowetide: Is Oilers coach Dave Tippett overreaching in search of goal Put another way, Tippett was aware of the value in Nurse-Bear and suppression? deployed the asset often.

DFF percentage is a possession number (smart Corsi, where distance of quality of shots are factored in) and Bear’s results with Nurse tower over By Allan Mitchell May 23, 2021 Nurse-Barrie. Bear on the top pair with Nurse delivered over 60 percent possession against elites in 2020-21. That’s an outstanding number.

The final four columns are from Natural Stat Trick and show all Canada has two national sports (as of 1994) but the real sport of the competition (elites, mid-levels and fringe). Nurse-Bear are better in nation comes in second-guessing the coaches of the seven NHL teams possession and miles better in expected goals, superior in almost all north of the border. areas. This has been a watershed season for the real sport as all of the Nurse-Barrie do have a major edge in goal differential, an important stat. Canadian teams are piled into one division. It’s also fertile ground for When placed against the other numbers, however, it implies Barrie is questioning the coach because rosters are expanded due to COVID-19 running luck and no one knows when it runs out. worries. Bottom line: Fans have a point. Now that the playoffs are underway, rosters are expanded even more, with 32 names listed on the Oilers roster for the opening night playoff If Tippett moves Bear to the top pairing, how will Barrie fair? Let’s check game against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. out the two men without Nurse.

The early part of the series went badly for Edmonton, so fans have been Without Darnell Nurse vocal about changes that need to be made. Most, if not all, of the changes fans would make would potentially increase offence. PLAYER 5-ON-5 V ELITES 5-ON-5 DFF PCT 5-ON-5 TOI 5-ON-5 SHOT DIFF. 5-ON-5 GOAL DIFF. Are fans correct? Has coach Dave Tippett gone too far in efforts to win 5-ON-5 EXP GOAL games in a low-scoring fashion? Is that part of the reason why the Oilers had just one goal in the first two games of the Winnipeg series? Tyson Barrie

Let’s look at specific roster spots and see what the coach might be 64 thinking in deploying his choice versus the fan choice. 49.2 Barrie vs. Bear 216 The top pairing of Darnell Nurse with Tyson Barrie played almost 46 45.8 minutes through the first two games at five-on-five, with impressive results. Edmonton outscored Winnipeg 1-0 in that time, outstanding 22.2 considering Edmonton scored one goal in total during the first two contests. The shot differential was also positive (30-18). 48.9

There is some chaos with Barrie playing those minutes, including a Ethan Bear baffling tendency to pinch at inopportune times. 99

Should Ethan Bear play more with Nurse? First, let’s look at the 2020-21 55.2 season and compare the two men while with Nurse at five-on-five. It gives us a larger sample and a better idea about the gap between the 381 two in overall performance on the Nurse pairing. 49.7 With Darnell Nurse 36.4 PLAYER 5-ON-5 V ELITES 5-ON-5 DFF PCT 5-ON-5 TOI 5-ON-5 SHOT DIFF. 5-ON-5 GOAL DIFF. 51.4 5-ON-5 EXP. GOAL Bear posts the better numbers here, too, this time across the board Tyson Barrie including goal differential.

249 What does that mean? Tippett has deployed Nurse-Bear often during the season, specifically against elite competition. He sees what the fans see, 49.1 and is chasing that goal differential. I think it’s a justifiable risk, or has been so far, but with the Oilers in some difficulty at this point in the 731 Winnipeg series, expect more Nurse-Bear time in the coming games.

50.3 Tyler Ennis

58.3 In the final report cards article, I gave Tyler Ennis a “B” and wrote, “it was 48.4 a bizarre season for Ennis, who delivered in the areas a team should expect, but the Oilers preferred the two-way play of (Dominik) Kahun and Ethan Bear (Devin) Shore for almost the entire second half of the season.”

116 Among the wingers who spent much of the season on the third and fourth lines, Ennis towered over the competition at five-on-five points per game 61.5 and in goals-against per 60 five-on-five: 257 Oilers depth wingers 52.9 PLAYER GAMES 5-ON-5 PTS-60 5-ON-5 GA-60 51.9 Tyler Ennis 59.2 30 The first two columns are via Puck IQ and show the results against elite 1.54 competition. Among several takeaways, it appears Tippett was deploying 1.88

James Neal

29

1.44

2.26

Patrick Russell

8

1.41

2.12

Alex Chiasson

45

1.29

2.59

Devin Shore

38

0.99

2.82

Zack Kassian

27

0.97

2.34

Josh Archibald

52

0.85

2.65

Joakim Nygard

9

0

2.26

Ennis played in about half of the games during the regular season, the results suggest he should have played more. Shore took much of his playing time, partly due to penalty-killing ability.

Fans have a point with Ennis. He should be in the lineup.

Tippett’s tweaks

While writing this article, a tweet from TSN 1260’s Jason Gregor (via Ryan Rishaug) broke news of Tippett’s roster tweaks for Game 3.

The coach moved skill winger Kailer Yamamoto (one goal in the past 27 games, including playoffs) to the fourth line, elevating Zack Kassian.

Bear, as fans have been hoping for, moves up to the top pair with Nurse. The evidence above answers any questions about the wisdom of the move. Barrie is on the third pair with Slater Koekkoek.

Ennis is in the lineup on an intriguing fourth line with Gaetan Haas and Yamamoto.

The coach was viewed as stubborn by some in his hesitance to place Bear with Nurse, but the evidence from Puck IQ tells us Tippett was not only aware of the pairing’s value, he deployed it during important points of the game.

Final note: A big push for Ryan McLeod. His speed has resulted in rapid advancement up the Oilers depth chart.

Kahun, Neal and Chiasson come out. Tippett has a faster team for Game 3.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213987 Florida Panthers a major issue for the Panthers. Bobrovsky and Driedger have combined for an abysmal .652 save percentage against high-danger chances, while Vasilevskiy has an .897 save percentage against such chances. In all four games, Florida has had the edge in expected goals, scoring Knight time? Panthers’ 20-year-old goalie is ‘an option’ for must-win chances, high-danger chances and Fenwick, which totals all unblocked Game 5 vs. Tampa shots.

Through four games, the Panthers have a 57.2 Corsi percentage, 57.2 Fenwick percentage, 55.9 shots percentage 60.9 expected goals for BY DAVID WILSON percentage, 65.0 scoring chances percentage and 65.2 high-danger MAY 23, 2021 12:24 PM, chances percentage. It all paints the picture of a team dominating possession time and generating more chances, yet Florida is one loss away from elimination and trying to fight off frustration.

Practice — maybe the final one of the Florida Panthers’ season — began In the third period Saturday, winger Anthony Duclair injured Lightning Sunday at the BB&T Center and Spencer Knight skated out to the crease right wing Nikita Kucherov on a slashing penalty away from the play and typically occupied by the starting goaltender. right wing Patric Hornqvist injured Tampa Bay defenseman Mikhail Sergachev with a slightly late hit, eventually getting up a misconduct He’s only a little more than a month removed from his college hockey penalty after the Lightning retaliated and a fight broke out. career, his 20th birthday and his NHL debut, and he hasn’t even dressed for any of the Panthers’ first four games in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, Jon Cooper took exception to the “liberties” he felt the Panthers were the clear third option behind Sergei Bobrovsky and Chris Driedger. taking with the game out of hand.

Florida will play its biggest game in five years Monday, though, and “There’s nothing wrong with the message setting and tone setting. That’s Knight may well be the goaltender the Panthers turn to. part of the game. That’s why we love it,” the Tampa Bay coach said Saturday. “If it’s not controlled, stuff like this happens tonight and you “It gives you an option, something to consider,” Joel Quenneville said. “I have superstars lying on the ice hurt. It just can be frustrating. ... Believe think his track record earned him that consideration.” me: We’ll be bringing it two nights from now.” The coach said he’ll wait until Monday to make his final announcement A day later, Quenneville finally got a chance to respond to his for a starter, but Knight may have the most compelling case to start counterpart’s comments and he disagreed with any insinuations his team Florida’s must-win Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 8 p.m. in was playing dirty. Sunrise. “I saw some of Coop’s comments, and I couldn’t be more disagreeing of With the Panthers trailing 3-1 in the series, goaltending has been a major what he saw and what I saw,” Quenneville said. “I think that the only difference with star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy significantly outplaying problem is I thought the disagreement with me is that there were some Bobrovsky and Driedger. Knight has the talent, the poise and even a big- suspendable offenses that weren’t called and other than that it’s been a game track record to potentially help Florida stage only the 30th 3-1 very competitive four games, and I’ll leave it at that.” series comeback in NHL history. Miami Herald LOADED: 05.24.2021 “I don’t want to talk too much about an option. He’s one of two other options and we like them, as well, so I don’t think it’s time to get too much involved with him,” Quenneville said, “but I know that he’s been on big stages before.”

Knight emerged as an option Saturday after the Panthers benched Bobrovsky with 12:45 left in the second period of a 6-2 loss to the Lightning in Tampa. Two days earlier, Florida benched Driedger at the end of the second period of an overtime win at Amalie Arena. Bobrovsky now has the second worst save percentage in the Stanley Cup playoffs and Driedger has the third worst.

While Bobrovsky is the highest paid player on the team and Driedger was tied for the fourth best save percentage in the NHL this season, Knight has never lost an NHL game, won a high-profile international championship earlier this year and is one of the top prospects in hockey.

Knight, who was just playing for the Boston College Eagles in March and made his NHL debut in April, played in four games in the regular season, going 4-0 with a 2.32 goals against average and .919 save percentage. In his first two outings, Knight allowed just one goal on 43 shots, but he posted only a .875 save percentage in his final two starts, which left him behind Bobrovsky and Driedger on the depth chart for the Cup playoffs.

The rookie has an unquestioned big-game pedigree, though. In January, he was the starting goaltender for the United States and shut out Canada in the gold-medal game of the 2021 World Junior Championships. He finished the tournament with a 1.63 goals against average and .940 save percentage.

Knight was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft is the No. 27 prospect in hockey, according to ESPN.com. If he starts, he’ll be the youngest goalie to start a playoff game since 1995.

“He’s got a little bit of Carey Price vibes to him,” said MacKenzie Weegar, comparing Knight to one of the last 20-year-old goaltenders to start a playoff game. “I remember talking to [fellow defensemen Keith Yandle and Aaaron Ekblad] when he first got in here. When he first got his first game, we all looked at each other — it was almost like he was going to be almost a Hall of Famer, so he’s got a bright future ahead of him. He’s going to be kicking and I can’t wait to play in front of him, honestly.”

Although most of the goals Tampa Bay scored in its blowout win Saturday were the result of defensive breakdowns, goaltending has been 1213988 Florida Panthers

Panthers increase BB&T Center capacity to 75 percent for must-win Game 5 vs. Lightning

BY DAVID WILSON

MAY 23, 2021 11:04 AM,

The Florida Panthers may play their final game at BB&T Center in the 2020-21 NHL season Monday, but they’ll be doing so in front of the largest indoor crowd for a major sporting event in South Florida since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Panthers increased capacity for their must-win Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning to “just under” 75 percent, the team announced Sunday. With the increased capacity, the team could host close to 15,000 fans in Sunrise with its season on the line.

Florida trails the Lightning, 3-1, in its first-round series, and needs to win Monday to extend its season and force a Game 6 back in Tampa.

The Panthers’ decision to increase capacity comes after two limited- capacity sellouts for the first two games of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and two limited-capacity sellouts in the final two games of the regular season. Florida previously increased its capacity from about 25 percent in the regular season up to 50 percent for the first two games of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Panthers had 5,040 in attendance for each of the final two games of the regular season and 9,646 for each of the first two games of the Cup playoffs last week.

Fans over the age of 2 will still be required to wear masks in the building.

On Saturday, the also announced it would be increasing capacity for its upcoming playoff games against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat will welcome 17,000 fans at AmericanAirlines Arena for Game 3 of its first-round series Thursday — about 87 percent of the Miami arena’s usual capacity. The Heat was admitting about 5,700 fans at games at the end of the regular season.

Teams and leagues across the United States are increasing capacity this spring as the vaccination rollout causes cases, hospitalizations and deaths to fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance to say, “Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

MORE DEFENSIVE CHANGES COMING?

Markus Nutivaara didn’t participate in practice Sunday at the BB&T Center, but coach Joel Quenneville said the defenseman is “fine.” In Nutivaara’s place, rookie defenseman Matt Kiersted took part in practice.

While Quenneville was pleased with his defense’s performance in Florida’s Game 3 win Thursday, a series of defensive breakdowns Saturday let Tampa Bay score five goals on its first 13 shots to blow out the Panthers, 6-2, at Amalie Arena.

Ahead of Game 3, Quenneville scratched Keith Yandle for the first time since 2009 and he didn’t rule out a potential return for the defenseman for Game 5.

“A lot of things under consideration,” the coach said. “We’ll see tomorrow.”

Yandle mostly played on the third pairing next to fellow defenseman Radko Gudas before his benching. Nutivaara has almost exclusively played on the second pairing next to fellow defenseman Brandon Montour since Florida acquired Montour from the Buffalo Sabres in April.

Miami Herald LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213989 Florida Panthers Lightning coach Jon Cooper took exception with the Panthers’ chippy play late in Game 4 with the score out of reach, as well as the way it was officiated.

Could 20-year-old goalie Spencer Knight get a chance in Game 5 for “There’s nothing wrong with message sending and tone setting,” Cooper Panthers? told reporters postgame, per The Athletic. “It’s part of the game. It’s why we love it. It’s why people come and stand in line for tickets. It’s awesome. But let’s do it in the parameters of the game, and there’s guys with stripes that control that. But if it’s not controlled, stuff like this By DAVID FURONES happens and you’ve got superstars lying on the ice hurt.” MAY 23, 2021 AT 12:50 PM Quenneville responded after Sunday’s practice.

“I saw some of Coop’s comments there, and I couldn’t be more The Florida Panthers haven’t had a goaltender string together two disagreeing with what he saw and what I saw,” he said. “I thought the consecutive decent outings against the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first- disagreement with me was that there were some suspendable offenses round playoff series. that weren’t called. Other than that, it’s been a very competitive four games, and I’ll leave it at that.” Considering they need three consecutive wins, down 3-1 against the defending Stanley Cup champions following Saturday’s 6-2 defeat, the Florida’s Anthony Duclair slashed at Lightning star Nikita Kucherov’s math doesn’t bode well there. knee, causing the former Hart Trophy winner with nine points in four postseason games to exit. Late in the second period, Kucherov collided As the goalie carousel between Sergei Bobrovsky and Chris Driedger with Driedger on a breakaway, possibly aided by a shove from Florida has produced uneven results, could the solution be in a third option? defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. Both Kucherov, who was called for Why not give 20-year-old prospect Spencer Knight a shot? goalie interference, and Driedger were down on the ice following the collision. Panthers coach Joel Quenneville is yet to reveal his plan as of Sunday. He said the team will announce that decision before the 8 p.m. Monday There was also Panthers forward Patric Hornqvist’s blindside hit on start for Game 5 back at the BB&T Center, but Knight was in the starter Tampa defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in the third. A few skirmishes net at Sunday’s practice, according to Florida Hockey Now, while broke out late, which was nothing new for the two teams after their Bobrovsky and Driedger shared the other one. penultimate regular-season meeting, once the playoff pairing was already known, resulted in about a half-dozen fights and 154 penalty minutes “With Spencer, I think it gives you an option of something to consider,” combined. Quenneville said. “I think his track record there earned him that consideration.” “We got to play between the whistles,” said Panthers forward Noel Acciari on Sunday. “All that extra stuff, we know the refs are looking for Knight was 4-0 in his four regular-season appearances. He had a .919 something, and the way their power play has been playing, we don’t want saver percentage and 2.32 goals against average. Winning starts against to give them any extra chances. So, we got to be a little more disciplined the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars down in that area.” the final stretch of the regular season, he also won his April 27 appearance in relief of Bobrovsky at the Nashville Predators, shutting the Earlier in the series, Florida forward Sam Bennett was suspended for a door in the third period for a comeback Panthers victory. game after boarding the Lightning’s Blake Coleman in Game 1.

Knight, who debuted a day after his 20th birthday on April 20, was The status of Kucherov and Sergachev is uncertain for Monday’s game. playing at Boston College earlier this year before his March 31 signing with the Panthers, who took him with the 13th pick in the 2019 NHL draft. Sun Sentinel LOADED: 05.24.2021 In January, he shut out Canada to lead the United States to a gold medal at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Quenneville stopped short of speaking too much on Knight, the No. 27 prospect in hockey, according to ESPN.

“I don’t want to talk too much about an option,” he said. “He’s one of two other options that we like, as well. … I know that he’s been on big stages before.”

Bobrovsky got the Game 1 start against the Lightning. He gave up five goals on 40 Lightning shots, but considering that three of them came on the power play, Quenneville still called him “fine” even as he opted for the switch to Chris Driedger for Game 2. He described it as giving Driedger an opportunity, rather than making the move based on Bobrovsky’s performance.

Driedger was solid in Game 2, stopping 26 of 28 Tampa shots, but didn’t get the goal support from his skaters in a 3-1 defeat (one Lightning goal was on an empty net).

It was back to Driedger in Game 3, where it looked to be going well until he allowed five goals in the second period. Quenneville went back to Bobrovsky to start the third period, and he clamped down on the Lightning, saving all nine shots he faced in relief. It allowed the Panthers to come back from a 5-3 deficit for a 6-5 overtime win.

That performance granted Bobrovsky the Game 4 start, but he allowed five goals on 14 shots on goal and was pulled in the second period. Driedger then saved 11 of 12 shots.

Bobrovsky has the two Vezina trophies and the big contract after signing a seven-year, $70 million deal in 2019. Driedger, who made 23 starts to Bobrovsky’s 30 in the regular season ranked fourth in save percentage (.927) and fifth in goals against average (2.07) this year.

Series chippiness peaking 1213990 Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers increase attendance capacity again for Game 5

By DAVID FURONES

MAY 23, 2021 AT 10:26 AM

It will be even louder at BB&T Center for Monday night’s Game 5 than the first two home games for the Florida Panthers in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Panthers announced on Sunday morning that they will allow “just under” 75 percent of the arena’s attendance capacity as they look to stave off elimination in the best-of-seven series, down 3-1 entering the matchup.

The increase comes as progress continues to be made in ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Games 1 and 2, the first two playoff hockey games in South Florida in five years, the Panthers sold out their allotment of 50-percent near capacity, having an official attendance figure of 9,646 for both games.

The Panthers also sold out their regular-season capacity of 5,040 in their final two regular-season games at the BB&T Center, both also against the Lightning.

Pregame festivities outside the arena will begin at 6:30 p.m., 90 minutes prior to the 8 p.m. puck drop for Game 5.

The additional tickets for Monday’s game have been made available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213991 Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers to increase capacity (again) for Game 5 v. Lightning

Published 13 hours ago on May 23, 2021By George Richards

After playing to half capacity crowds for the first two games of their playoff series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers will have a higher capacity at BB&T Center for Game 5 on Monday.

The team announced on Sunday that the arena would be at just under 75 percent capacity for Florida’s must-win playoff game against the Lightning.

Florida announced crowds of 9,636 at both Game 1 and 2 last week; the new capacity would allow an attendance north of 14,000 on Monday.

If the Panthers reach that number, it would be the largest crowd at an NHL game since the pandemic started last year.

What are the Florida Panthers up to? Don’t miss anything with a subscription to Florida Hockey Now!

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” coach Joel Quenneville said on Sunday.

“We’re going to have more fans in the building and the crowds have been outstanding, the enthusiasm in this playoff environment is something we love. Let’s look to take advantage on home ice.”

The Miami Heat plan on increasing the capacity at AmericanAirlines Arena to 17,000 for Game 3 of its first-round series with Milwaukee.

Nashville announced a crowd of 12,135 on Friday night; Carolina had 12,000 in Raleigh for Game 2.

The Lightning announced a crowd of 9,762 for Game 4 at Amalie Arena.

With the larger crowd, social distancing will be harder to enforce but all fans over the age of 2 are “asked to wear masks.”

Tickets are on sale starting at $62 and must be purchased in groups — a minimum of two and a maximum of five per the Ticketmaster.com site.

PANTHERS ON DECK

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS, ROUND 1

GAME 5: LIGHTNING AT PANTHERS

TAMPA BAY LEADS BEST-OF-7 SERIES 3-1

When: Monday, 8 p.m.

Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise

Tickets: AVAILABLE HERE

Regular season series: Florida won 5-2-1

The series so far — Sunday Game 1: Tampa Bay 5, Florida 4; Tuesday Game 2: Tampa Bay 3, Florida 1; Thursday Game 3: Florida 6, Tampa Bay 5 (OT). Saturday Game 4: Tampa Bay 6, Florida 2.

TV: CNBC, BS-FLA

Radio: WQAM 560-AM

Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213992 Florida Panthers Vasilevskiy, who finished with 39 saves, was the reason the Panthers had no chance of making a comeback, despite Driedger stopping 11 of the 12 shots he faced.

Steve Gorten: For this kind of money, Panthers need ‘Big Game “Obviously he’s a good goalie and he played well, but we can do a better Bobrovsky’ job in front of him putting rebounds in,” Barkov said. “We know how to score on him. We just have to find a way.”

Barkov’s not wrong. Published 19 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Steve Gorten The Panthers are responsible for five of the 10 times this season that Vasilevskiy has surrendered four or more goals, including Games 1 and 3 of this series. They’ve been able to tag him like no other team. The Panthers are depositing $10 million into the bank account of Sergei Bobrovsky this season, and they’re slated to do the same for five more When he was sharp Saturday, though, the Panthers didn’t have a goalie seasons. to match him.

That’s distressing, considering he allowed 10 goals in two playoff starts For as good as Bobrovsky has been throughout his career — he’s the this past week and might be a benchwarmer wearing his favorite ski cap only active two-time Vezina winner in the NHL although Vasilevskiy may for Monday night’s do-or-die Game 5. join him in that club soon — his inability to excel in the playoffs (aside from the 2018-19 season) have led some to question his value. “We’ll talk about it,” Joel Quenneville said of who’ll start after Saturday afternoon’s 6-2 loss at Amalie Arena, which gave the Lightning a 3-1 lead Last season’s performance in the qualifying round — Bobrovsky was 1-3 in this first-round series. with a 3.07 goals-against average and .901 save percentage by the Islanders — makes it tough for some Panthers fans to overlook his “We’ll reconvene and look at the options.” struggles in this series. Perhaps Quenneville will turn again to Chris Driedger, like he did for As far as they’re concerned, “Big Game Bob” has become “Big Mistake Games 2 and 3 after Bobrovsky gave up five in the opening game. Bob,” as in the Panthers made a big mistake giving him a seven-year, Maybe Spencer Knight will get a chance. Quenneville may decide to stick $70 million contract on the heels of his success against the Lightning two with Bobrovsky. years ago.

Quenneville did the latter for Saturday’s crucial Game 4 after Bobrovsky No other team is going to take on that contract. As far as anyone can tell. stopped all nine shots he faced in relief in Tuesday’s Game 3 overtime And the Panthers almost certainly won’t be able to afford to keep win. Driedger, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. It wasn’t the wrong move. But it backfired. So, they could very well find themselves relying on Bobrovsky next The Panthers badly needed shades of “Big Game Bob,” the guy who postseason. backstopped the Blue Jackets to a stunning first-round sweep of the Right now, their only concern is finding a way Monday to extend this Lightning two years ago. season. Instead, they got the Bob plagued by postseason struggles for most of And their best option might no longer be the guy they’ve been banking his career, the version that former Jackets coach John Tortorella on. suggested should see a sports psychologist for that reason. Steve Gorten, columnist for Florida Hockey Now, has covered the Florida Bobrovsky made it clear he wasn’t fond of said suggestion. Panthers for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Columbus Blue Bobrovsky surrendered three goals on the first six shots he faced on Jackets for the Columbus Dispatch. Saturday, and five on 14 shots, prompting Quenneville to replace him Follow him @sgorten with Driedger after Alex Killorn netted his second goal 7:15 into the second period. PANTHERS ON DECK

“Just trying to do something different,” Quenneville explained. “That was STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS, ROUND 1 definitely the thought process on that. Slow their momentum down maybe and get some excitement.” GAME 5: LIGHTNING AT PANTHERS

To be fair, the Lightning’s first goal, potted by Anthony Cirelli, came on a TAMPA BAY LEADS BEST-OF-7 SERIES 3-1 clean breakaway due to a defensive mistake and a bad Florida change When: Monday, 8 p.m. when Sasha Barkov returned to the bench and no one took his place. Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise The second and third goals were scored off deflections. Really nice, skilled deflections. Tickets: AVAILABLE HERE

And on the fourth, a power-play tap in by Killorn on a beautiful pass from Regular season series: Florida won 5-2-1 Nikita Kucherov, “we’re not blaming anybody on that one there,” Quenneville said. The series so far — Sunday Game 1: Tampa Bay 5, Florida 4; Tuesday Game 2: Tampa Bay 3, Florida 1; Thursday Game 3: Florida 6, Tampa In Game 1, the Lightning capitalized on three power plays in a wide- Bay 5 (OT). open, high-scoring affair. TV: CNBC, BS-FLA So blame Bobrovsky if you want to. Plenty have and more will. Radio: WQAM 560-AM The truth remains: The Panthers aren’t paying Bobrovsky $10 million a season to make all the saves he should make. Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021

They’re paying him to also make some saves he shouldn’t, the type he had exactly one of Saturday — robbing Brayden Point on the doorstep four minutes into the second period.

On the other end in Game 4, fellow Russian and Vezina Trophy winner, Andrei Vasilevskiy, came up with one stellar save after another, assuring the Panthers trailed by two goals heading into intermission even though they dominated in offensive chances during a 15-shot first period. 1213993 Florida Panthers The Panthers, trying to prove something, were ready to jump into anything they could. They have something to prove.

Knowing that, we all knew where this game was eventually going to go. Who is playing dirty: The Panthers or Lightning? How about both Killorn said players know who to watch when a game gets out of hand and we assume he’s talking about the likes of Vatrano, Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Lomberg on the Florida side. But the Panthers know who to Published 20 hours ago on May 23, 2021By George Richards keep an eye on as well.

OLD TIME HOCKEY?

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper did not use the word ‘dirty’ when In the game two weeks ago, a total of 31 penalties and 154 minutes were talking about his team’s resounding Game 4 win against the Florida called (with five misconducts per side) and it was good for promoting this Panthers on Saturday afternoon. He did not have to. series.

The Lightning-Panthers series took a turn on Saturday although it was Players were fined and, in Maroon’s case, suspended. not a big, swooping U-turn across four lanes of traffic. The Florida and Tampa Bay postseason matchup was already set. The No, it was just a quick flick of the steering wheel. regular season battles, hits and fights were good theatre. Hopefully good for ratings. This thing has been on the verge of blowing up for weeks now. What better way to pump things up than with a little old-fashioned The Lightning coach may blame the Panthers and the officials for what hatred? happened in the second half of Saturday’s game, but his Tampa Bay team was right in the middle of it. It has sold Pittsburgh-Philadelphia for years, Edmonton-Calgary as well. Why not Florida-Tampa? And has been since this started two weeks ago. The rivalry no one wanted to admit actually did exist has brought out the You wanted a true, heated Florida-Tampa Bay rivalry? ugly side in both teams. There have been some hits that have been Done. across the line on each end of the ice.

But if the Lightning truly wonders how things got where they are (and it In the opener, Anthony Duclair was boarded by Ryan McDonagh and certainly is not), Cooper doesn’t have very far to look. nothing, save for a two-minute penalty, happened.

In his postgame media session, Cooper was asked how he thought his On Saturday, Duclair took a whack at the left leg of star Nikita Kucherov team “weathered the emotions” against the Panthers on Saturday. and Twitter almost disintegrated.

After a quick back-and-forth with a reporter, Cooper replied curtly, “how When asked what he thought of the Duclair slash after watching it on did it get ugly? Why was that?” replay, Florida coach Joel Quenneville said “not much there for me.” It was called dirty, and perhaps it was. Did not look like more than a swipe Well, Coop, how about we look at what happened midway through the as Duclair went by. We’ll see what happens here. second? ”I hope he’s alright,” Quenneville said of Kucherov. Tampa Bay took a 5-1 lead in the second when Alex Killorn got his second goal of the period. Florida pulled Sergei Bobrovsky and this game Later in the third, Florida’s Patric Hornqvist hit Mikhail Sergachev as he was just about over. On the following shift, the two teams traded some was getting rid of the puck and the defenseman, off balance at the time, hits but nothing big happened. smacked his head into the boards. Hornqvist was not penalized for that.

A minute after Tampa Bay took complete control of this game, Pat There are plenty of things Hornqvist could be called for but this was not Maroon boarded Frank Vatrano in the corner, sending Vatrano’s head it. into the dasher boards. It didn’t take long for Maroon — who taunted the Panthers bench in Two minute penalty. Game 2 after a skirmish with Vatrano at the end of the second period — to jump onto the ice and start challenging Hornqvist and the rest of the How did it get ugly? Panthers.

Well, how about right here? Both he and Hornqvist may or may not have mixed it up had the game resumed. Did not matter. Both teams scuffled as Vatrano stayed down on the ice. Luke Schenn even ripped Noel Acciari’s helmet off in the ensuing scrum. Both were tossed with a misconduct before the game restarted. The refs showed some rare preventative common sense. Cooper may have conveniently forgotten that series of events. Hard hits are a part of the game, they say, and both teams are living on Or maybe he did not recall seeing Blake Coleman spearing Jonathan the edge of what should be acceptable. Huberdau from his seat on the bench as he and Yanni Gourde jostled early in the game. OFFICIALS NOT HELPING

Coleman should have been penalized and was not. One of those “non The officials, throughout the series, have barely kept a lid on things. calls” Cooper was complaining about it appears. Don’t know how hard they have tried to, either. “We did what we had to do to get the lead,’’ Cooper said, “and the hockey game ended at some point in the second. It turned into Perhaps the NHL Player Safety department will step in. It did after Game something different.” 1 when Sam Bennett was rightfully suspended for his charge of Coleman. At least Cooper admitted his team “aren’t angels out there.” But if the league wanted to tamp things down, they had their chance after ”When your players are being told ‘don’t do anything stupid or we’ll get Game 1 and chose not to. There were many other plays in that game, you’ and the other team gets rewarded for it, I just don’t get it,” Cooper and the ones to follow, that have been left alone. said. “It’s really frustrating.” The officials have let some plays go and called others. Two weeks ago, Tampa Bay trailed Florida 4-1 after two periods and all hell broke loose. Saturday, things went south once the Panthers trailed 5- Cooper said his team battled through “embellishment and no calls after 1 but dirty stuff was going on earlier in the game as it had throughout the no calls” so he thinks that — or at least is planting a seed — his team series. should have received more calls and the Panthers got one over by faking stuff. And it wasn’t just the Lightning pulling stuff, either. Both teams were willing participants. Working the officials through the media sometimes works for the following game.

His postgame comments Saturday were meant for people aside from the reporters he was talking to.

As far as embellishment goes, perhaps he was referring to Hornqvist throwing his stick after being touched by Victor Hedman. There was no penalty called on Hedman nor should there been.

When it comes to faking stuff, maybe Vatrano didn’t have his head thrown against the dasher boards after all.

“There’s nothing wrong with message sending and tone setting. It’s part of the game and why we love it,” Cooper said. “That’s why people come in the stands and are lined up for tickets. It’s awesome. But let’s do it within the parameters of the game. There are guys with stripes on who control that. But if it’s not controlled, stuff like this happens.

”Tonight, you have superstar players lying on the ice hurt and … at times that’s tough. But you want passion on the ice, I loved it. There is so much great about it. You want passion in the game but now you’re skewed on what you’re allowed to do and not to do. It can just be frustrating.”

Players notice the lack of accountability from the officials and the league office.

Since everything, save for the Bennett hit apparently, is good to go, it has continued.

There is plenty of tape they’ll have to go through after Saturday’s game. On both sides.

Neither team were angels out there.

Can we expect more of this in Game 5?

Probably.

”We came here to win a hockey game and we did,” Cooper said as he wrapped up his comments. “We gamed it out. We’ve got better in us, we know that. We came here to win four and we’ve only won three. We still have to get another one. We have to be better with our emotions and how we don’t get caught up in the antics that are going on.

”We can be more physical, we can be a better hockey team. I like where we’re sitting in the series. Believe me, we’ll be bringing it two nights from now.”

PANTHERS ON DECK

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS, ROUND 1

GAME 5: LIGHTNING AT PANTHERS

TAMPA BAY LEADS BEST-OF-7 SERIES 3-1

When: Monday, 8 p.m.

Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise

Tickets: AVAILABLE HERE

Regular season series: Florida won 5-2-1

The series so far — Sunday Game 1: Tampa Bay 5, Florida 4; Tuesday Game 2: Tampa Bay 3, Florida 1; Thursday Game 3: Florida 6, Tampa Bay 5 (OT); Saturday Game 4: Tampa Bay 6, Florida 2.

TV: CNBC, BS-FLA

Radio: WQAM 560-AM

Florida Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213994 Florida Panthers Coach Jon Cooper said he didn’t have a status report on Kucherov and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev for Monday’s game, so we likely won’t know more until the morning skate in Sunrise.

A Panthers goalie switch, healing Lightning stars and ‘pride’: What to But considering how it looked when Kucherov went down after an expect in Game 5 Anthony Duclair slash and Sergachev crashed into the boards after a Patric Hornqvist hit, it’s at least encouraging for the Lightning that the injuries aren’t considered serious. Neither is expected to miss significant time, I’m told, and there’s a chance we could see at least one of them By Joe Smith May 23, 2021 back in the lineup Monday.

The Sergachev injury looked bad, especially after he hit his head against When Spencer Knight made his much-anticipated first NHL start April 20 the boards after the Hornqvist hit. He was down on the ice for a few against Columbus, his new teammates took notice. minutes, with head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan checking on him, before he skated off on his own. But I’m hearing things are trending in the Knight, the touted goalie prospect, had stopped 34 of 35 shots in a right direction with Sergachev heading into Monday. victory over the Blue Jackets. There was an aura and confidence about him, with the 20-year-old being the kind of difference-maker he was for With a 3-1 lead, there’s not a significant rush to get them back, though Boston College and for Team USA at the world juniors. knowing both players, they’ll want to play if they’re physically able to.

“We all looked at each other and it was almost like, ‘He’s going to be The officiating almost a Hall a Famer,’” Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said. It’ll be interesting to see how Monday’s game is called. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him. He’s got a little bit of Carey Price vibes to him. Cooper had some strong words for how Saturday’s game was handled, saying referees told his players to not “do anything stupid” or they’ll be in “I can’t wait to play in front of him.” the box, and then the Panthers were “rewarded” for it. Weegar may not have to wait very long, as there’s a chance Knight could The NHL Department of Player Safety did not give any supplemental make his Stanley Cup playoffs debut Monday night in Game 5 against discipline for anyone in Saturday’s game, including Duclair. the Lightning. With Tampa Bay up in the series 3-1, and Sergei Bobrovsky and Chris Driedger pulled in Game 4 and Game 3, And Quenneville didn’t see it the way Cooper did. respectively, it’d make sense for the Panthers to give the kid a shot. Coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday that Knight was an option and his “I saw some of Coop’s comments there and I couldn’t be more track record merited consideration. Knight was in the starter’s crease at disagreeing with what he saw and what I saw,” Quenneville said. “I Sunday’s practice, for what it’s worth. thought the only disagreement would be that suspendable offenses weren’t called. It’s been a competitive four games and I’ll leave it at that.” Let’s face it: Goaltending has been a difference in this series. Whether these comments make a difference in how Monday’s game is There are many reasons the Lightning lead the series, from their potent called remains to be seen. You’d have to think the officials will try to keep power play to stars like Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point delivering. the game from getting away from them from the start. The key for the But there’s no doubt the Panthers’ carousel in net has hurt them. Florida Lightning is to not let any extracurricular stuff after the whistle take them has been better in five-on-five situations with a 58.3 expected goals away from their game. percentage, a 108-65 advantage in scoring chances and a 37-23 edge in high danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. I’d imagine you’ll see Luke Schenn in the lineup, with the veteran defenseman the kind of player who can hold opponents accountable. The one area the Lightning are way ahead? Fans have likely been waiting all series for which Lightning player might fight Panthers agitator Ryan Lomberg, who tried to get Gourde to go late Andrei Vasilevskiy’s save percentage on high danger chances is 91.89 in Saturday’s game. percent. So what’s brewing between the two teams? The Panthers? It’s 65.22 percent. “Everything on the ice stays on the ice,” Weegar said. “After the whistle, That’s how, though the Panthers were controlling play in the first period it’s a lot of respect. They’re a great hockey team. I don’t know if it’s a Saturday, the Lightning held a 3-1 lead because of a breakaway goal by general dislike or hatred, don’t think it’s anything like that. It’s just a good Anthony Cirelli (who beat Bobrovsky five-hole) and deflections by Yanni battle of South Florida. Both teams want to win. It’s a lot of passion, a lot Gourde and Ondrej Palat. Vasilevskiy’s 3.18 goals-against average in of pride out there.” this series isn’t up to his high standards, but he’s made the kind of timely saves that propelled Tampa Bay to wins. The power play

“The way (the Panthers) play, they tend to get some odd-man rushes, The Lightning power play has been tremendous in this series, boosted of they tend to take some risks to get those,” winger Alex Killorn said. “And course by the return of Kucherov and captain Steven Stamkos. (Vasilevskiy) has been great for us. I think (Saturday), on the (Lightning penalty kill), he’s facing a lot of high-end shots. And he’s just doing a They scored twice again Saturday, giving them seven goals in their first great job.” 12 opportunities. Their 46 percent conversion rate is No. 1 in the playoffs.

It’d be a herculean task for a rookie goalie to win three straight games Clearly Tampa Bay has a ton of skill, with Kucherov, Stamkos, Point and against the Cup champions; only 29 teams in league history have Victor Hedman. But if you watch their power-play goals, make sure to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the playoffs, with the last one being the keep an eye on all the work they put on retrievals, entries and puck Sharks in 2019 against Vegas. But Knight, who went 4-0-0 with a 2.32 possession, like on this Kucherov goal. goals-against average in four games this year, can be the kind of wild Weegar said their penalty-kill unit talked a lot Sunday on adjustments card in net that perhaps give the Lightning a different look and provide they can make to be better and keep this series alive. some stability for Florida. Recently, Knight led Team USA at the world juniors, shutting out Canada in the gold medal game. “We need more grit, passion, pride, more communication,” Weegar said. “We’re giving them too much respect. They have elite players, some of “I don’t want to get too involved with it, but I know that he’s been on big the best players in the world, we just need to make it more tough on stages before,” Quenneville said. them. We’ve got to play more desperate and have a little bit more pride, The playoffs are entirely different. But Knight starting could make the and it starts with me.” series more interesting. The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 Some other things to watch in Monday’s Game 5:

Status of Lightning stars 1213995 Minnesota Wild

From faceoffs to finishing, Wild power play isn't connecting

By Randy Johnson Star Tribune MAY 23, 2021 — 10:06PM

Remember that awful Wild power play from the first half of the season, the one that scored on only three of its first 50 opportunities? It's back at the most inopportune time.

After going 0-for-2 in six minutes with the man advantage in Saturday's 4- 0 Game 4 loss to Vegas, the Wild power play is 0-for-8 in the series, and coach Dean Evason is looking for answers.

"Honestly, I don't know. We're doing the same thing, right?" said Evason, whose team faces elimination Monday night in Las Vegas. "We're getting those quality looks and obviously [Marc-Andre] Fleury's been phenomenal, but we were getting the same looks against great goaltenders all year and we were able to score. We're just not finding the net."

Things got even worse late in the second period. Trailing 2-0 but on a four-minute power play after Zach Parise was high-sticked by Zach Whitecloud, the Wild surrendered a shorthanded breakaway goal by Mark Stone after Matt Dumba lost control of the puck in his own zone.

"Those are big momentum killers or can swing a lot of momentum in your favor if it gets going," Wild forward Marcus Foligno said. "We had a chance there early. It's a rolling puck, it slides up Dums' tape, and give credit to Stone, he anticipated it."

Kevin Fiala, scoreless in the series, sees more precision needed on the power play. "We just have to move the puck quicker," he said. "They're running around and doing a great job. Especially, on our breakouts, we couldn't get in clearly and make something, so we just have to bear down on the faceoffs and help on the draws and do everything to win them back."

Winning faceoffs would be a good start in improving the power play. The Wild's 42.2 faceoff win percentage ranks last among playoff teams, and in Game 4 the Wild won only two of six power-play faceoffs and one of five in its offensive zone.

Mulling over lineup

Evason said he hasn't yet decided on his Game 5 lineup but hinted that he won't make drastic changes.

"You don't go through a regular season and have some success, as we did, without having that chemistry built up through your lines and your pairs and ultimately through your team," he said. "What we did in the regular season, you'll probably see that."

He acknowledged that the Wild has "some banged-up guys" but added, "Guys are resilient and tough and will play through it if they can."

Extra attention

Rookie winger Kirill Kaprizov, who led the Wild in scoring this season, has been limited to one assist in four playoff games. He is receiving extra attention from defenders.

"He's not backing down from anything," Evason said. "He hasn't, he won't, and I don't think he ever will. He'll just keep sticking his nose in there until he gets that opportunity."

Star Tribune LOADED: 05.24.2021 1213996 Minnesota Wild That's how the Wild has typically capitalized against Vegas, a relatively successful track record that includes a history of playing well at the Golden Knights' T-Mobile Arena.

Scoring drought leaves Wild teetering on brink of playoff elimination "It may be something that we can feel good about going down there that we have been able to win games down there in that building," Parise said.

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune MAY 23, 2021 — 4:19PM But an even better boost might come from embracing the urgency of its situation.

"We can't say to the guys, 'We're OK,' " Evason said. "We're not OK. Kevin Fiala smacked his stick over the back of the Vegas net. We're down 3-1. We're not OK. We have to have desperation in our He had darted in between the Golden Knights defense before getting off game." a backhand that narrowly missed. Seconds later, The Wild winger -went Star Tribune LOADED: 05.24.2021 to his forehand and that puck stayed out, too.

Finally, after scooping up the rebound, he shuffled it toward the crease only to have the puck skirt a vacant net and get cleared out by Vegas.

"It's frustrating," Fiala said. "It's not just shots. It's great opportunities that aren't going in."

A scoring recession has dropped the team into a 3-1 hole against the Golden Knights in this best-of-seven first-round series. And if the Wild doesn't snap out of this slump to stave off elimination in Game 5 on Monday night at Vegas, its downfall will look like the epitaphs of other early exits.

"We are getting pucks to the net," coach Dean Evason said. "We are getting people to the net. We are real close to getting that bounce. You gain some of that momentum, and it starts snowballing."

The lopsided ledger for the series isn't the only eyesore the Wild is trying to fix.

After getting shut down 4-0 by the Golden Knights on Saturday in Game 4 at Xcel Energy Center, the Wild hasn't scored in 111 minutes, 30 seconds — a skid that started in the first period of Game 3.

Oddly enough, this rut began right after the Wild had its best execution of the postseason. The team went up 2-0 and then center Joel Eriksson Ek buried a third goal, but a coach's challenge for offside reversed it. Since then, the Wild offense has stalled.

In Game 4, Eriksson Ek did get a puck by Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury but it, too, was called back because of a coach's challenge (this time for goaltender interference).

"We caught a couple of bad breaks with a couple of disallowed goals that don't help our ability to have momentum positively in the scoring end of it," Evason said. "We expect that to turn around."

An opportunistic power play could also help, but the Wild has blanked on all eight of its chances in the series — after finishing the regular season in a 2-for-20 slowdown.

"We just have to move the puck quicker," said Fiala, who has zero goals despite a series-high 18 shots. "They're running around. They're doing a great job, especially on our breakouts. We couldn't get in clearly and make something happen."

Fiala, however, isn't the only Wild goal scorer who's been bottled up.

Rookie sensation Kirill Kaprizov has just one point, an assist, and the rest of the Wild forwards have combined for only seven points. The Wild has shuffled its lineup, adding in Zach Parise and Kyle Rau for Game 4 after the wingers were healthy scratches previously in the series, and Evason juggled combinations on the fly Saturday night.

Still, the Wild is facing a familiar decline in production; the team was limited to two goals or fewer in nine of its last 14 playoff games before this postseason.

Now, the Wild is getting upstaged by the depth of the Golden Knights, who have outscored the Wild 12-4 despite missing No. 1 goal scorer Max Pacioretty because of injury.

"They do a good job at blocking shots and being in shooting lanes," said Eriksson Ek, whose two goals lead the Wild. "I think we have to find ways to get the puck through to get to those rebounds and get in behind their 'D.' " 1213997 Minnesota Wild That's how the Wild has typically capitalized against Vegas, a relatively successful track record that includes a history of playing well at the Golden Knights' T-Mobile Arena.

Scoring drought leaves Wild teetering on brink of playoff elimination "It may be something that we can feel good about going down there that we have been able to win games down there in that building," Parise said.

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune MAY 23, 2021 — 4:19PM But an even better boost might come from embracing the urgency of its situation.

"We can't say to the guys, 'We're OK,' " Evason said. "We're not OK. Kevin Fiala smacked his stick over the back of the Vegas net. We're down 3-1. We're not OK. We have to have desperation in our He had darted in between the Golden Knights defense before getting off game." a backhand that narrowly missed. Seconds later, The Wild winger -went Star Tribune LOADED: 05.24.2021 to his forehand and that puck stayed out, too.

Finally, after scooping up the rebound, he shuffled it toward the crease only to have the puck skirt a vacant net and get cleared out by Vegas.

"It's frustrating," Fiala said. "It's not just shots. It's great opportunities that aren't going in."

A scoring recession has dropped the team into a 3-1 hole against the Golden Knights in this best-of-seven first-round series. And if the Wild doesn't snap out of this slump to stave off elimination in Game 5 on Monday night at Vegas, its downfall will look like the epitaphs of other early exits.

"We are getting pucks to the net," coach Dean Evason said. "We are getting people to the net. We are real close to getting that bounce. You gain some of that momentum, and it starts snowballing."

The lopsided ledger for the series isn't the only eyesore the Wild is trying to fix.

After getting shut down 4-0 by the Golden Knights on Saturday in Game 4 at Xcel Energy Center, the Wild hasn't scored in 111 minutes, 30 seconds — a skid that started in the first period of Game 3.

Oddly enough, this rut began right after the Wild had its best execution of the postseason. The team went up 2-0 and then center Joel Eriksson Ek buried a third goal, but a coach's challenge for offside reversed it. Since then, the Wild offense has stalled.

In Game 4, Eriksson Ek did get a puck by Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury but it, too, was called back because of a coach's challenge (this time for goaltender interference).

"We caught a couple of bad breaks with a couple of disallowed goals that don't help our ability to have momentum positively in the scoring end of it," Evason said. "We expect that to turn around."

An opportunistic power play could also help, but the Wild has blanked on all eight of its chances in the series — after finishing the regular season in a 2-for-20 slowdown.

"We just have to move the puck quicker," said Fiala, who has zero goals despite a series-high 18 shots. "They're running around. They're doing a great job, especially on our breakouts. We couldn't get in clearly and make something happen."

Fiala, however, isn't the only Wild goal scorer who's been bottled up.

Rookie sensation Kirill Kaprizov has just one point, an assist, and the rest of the Wild forwards have combined for only seven points. The Wild has shuffled its lineup, adding in Zach Parise and Kyle Rau for Game 4 after the wingers were healthy scratches previously in the series, and Evason juggled combinations on the fly Saturday night.

Still, the Wild is facing a familiar decline in production; the team was limited to two goals or fewer in nine of its last 14 playoff games before this postseason.

Now, the Wild is getting upstaged by the depth of the Golden Knights, who have outscored the Wild 12-4 despite missing No. 1 goal scorer Max Pacioretty because of injury.

"They do a good job at blocking shots and being in shooting lanes," said Eriksson Ek, whose two goals lead the Wild. "I think we have to find ways to get the puck through to get to those rebounds and get in behind their 'D.' " 1213998 Minnesota Wild “The last thing I want to do is be a distraction,” Parise said. “We will do what we can do to win Game 5 and give ourselves a chance here.”

Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.24.2021 Wild veteran Zach Parise: ‘The last thing I want to do is be a distraction’

By DANE MIZUTANI | PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 5:02 p.m. | UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 6:43 p.m.

Wild veteran Zach Parise took a high stick to the face in Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights and sported a very visible fat lip postgame. Just as apparent was the frustration on his face.

Though some of that frustration stemmed from the fact the Wild are on the brink of elimination, the rest has been brewing for the past month, as the 36-year-old winger has completely fallen out of coach Dean Evason’s rotation.

Frankly, the only reason Parise was in the lineup for Game 4 was because fellow winger Marcus Johansson broke his arm.

If that never happened, there’s a very good chance Parise would’ve remained a healthy scratch for the duration of the playoffs. He watched Game 1, Game 2, and Game 3 in street clothes, unable to help the Wild as things started to go sideways.

“It’s been difficult,” Parise admitted. “But right now what’s more important, I guess, is that we’re down 3-1 in the series. That’s where all the attention should be. Just on how we can get ourselves back into this series, win a game, and then bring this thing back to Minnesota.”

It was the politically correct answer from Parise, though it was very clear he had to bite his tongue so as not to say too much. There have been conversations behind closed doors that Parise decided not to make public.

“At this point there’s not a lot of good that’s going to come out of me going into those conversations,” Parise said. “Let’s keep the focus on where it needs to be and on the team.”

This has to be the lowest point of Parise’s career. Not only was he a healthy scratch for three consecutive games in the final week of the regular season, and three consecutive games in the playoffs, when he finally got back into the lineup in Saturday’s game he played sparingly alongside Nico Sturm and opposite Nick Bonino.

Most notably, Parise drew a double minor midway through the game after taking a high stick to the face, then watched from the bench as the Wild gave up a shorthanded goal. Asked why Parise wasn’t on the power play, Evason said. “There’s things that we can all second guess obviously. But it has to be better.”

This could be the start of a messy divorce. After serving as the face of the franchise for much of the past decade — he signed a 13-year, $98 million contract on July 4, 2012 — it’s unlikely Parise will be content playing near the bottom of the lineup moving forward.

Will general manager Bill Guerin try to find a trade partner this offseason? Is that even possible with Parise still playing out his huge contract?

He’s currently under contract through the 2024-25 season, which makes a buyout unlikely due to the salary cap constraints it would create. Essentially, if the Wild opted for a buyout this offseason, they would be saddled with part of Parise’s salary cap hit through the 2028-29 season.

It has become an incredibly awkward situation to say the least. That said, Parise’s teammates have appreciated his work ethic through it all.

“It’s always tough to see a teammate frustrated and be put in a situation like that,” captain Jared Spurgeon said. “The thing with Zach is he doesn’t change. He comes in every day and works hard. He’s great around the locker room. He’s always happy. He’s always working. It’s nice to see the energy that he brings every day.”

That’s the energy Parise plans to bring in Monday’s game against the Golden Knights. He knows it’s do-or-die for the Wild in that game, and he plans to give it his all despite everything that’s happened over the past month. 1213999 Minnesota Wild

Dane Mizutani: It’s time for Kirill Kaprizov to be the Wild’s best player

By DANE MIZUTANI PUBLISHED: May 23, 2021 at 4:56 p.m. | UPDATED: May 23, 2021 at 9:40 p.m.

Kirill Kaprizov took the league by storm throughout his rookie season.

He had a way of turning the Wild into the most exciting team in the league on any given night — impressive considering that’s literally never been the case — and he hit the gas over the final month of the regular season to run away with the Calder Trophy.

That said, Kaprizov has been completely bottled up by the Vegas Golden Knights in the playoffs. Because of that, the Wild find themselves on the brink of elimination, facing a 3-1 series deficit heading into Game 5 on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena.

That would be a good place for the 24-year-old Russian to make his presence felt. It’s long overdue at this point.

After scoring 27 goals and dishing out 24 assists in the regular season, Dolla Bill Kirill has gone broke over the past week. He hasn’t scored a goal in the playoffs, with veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury proving to be a brick wall in the crease.

That’s a problem. The playoffs are when teams need their superstars to perform like superstars. It’s impossible to win a Stanley Cup without it.

Just look at the Golden Knights. They have gotten incredible play from a future hall of famer between the pipes, and superstar winger Mark Stone has been the best skater on the ice.

The only other person that has even an argument for that title is Alex Tuch, and while he used to be a former Wild prospect, he no longer plays for them.

On the other end, Kaprizov hasn’t lived up to the hype. It’s clear the Golden Knights made it a point to be extremely physical with him throughout the series.

That means getting a body on him through the neutral zone. That means consistently finishing checks along the boards. That means doling out some borderline dangerous cross-checks to the back.

All of it has worked. Though it might be nothing more than anecdotal evidence amid a small sample size, Kaprizov hasn’t been able to get into a groove.

He’s not dipsy-doodling around the offensive zone like he did seemingly every game during the regular season. He’s not setting up teammates with highlight-reel assist after highlight-reel assist. He’s not proving to be the best player on the ice like the Wild need him to be.

On the surface, it might seem unfair to put so much pressure on Kaprizov this early in his career. It’s not.

He created those lofty expectations with his incredible play this season and was the only reason this version of the Wild felt different heading into the playoffs.

In theory, Kaprizov was supposed to put the team on his back in the first round and carry the Wild to an upset of the Golden Knights. In practice, Kaprizov has been rendered nonexistent for prolonged stretches.

Not surprisingly, coach Dean Evason defended Kaprizov on Sunday afternoon before the Wild boarded their team charter.

“He’s not backing down from anything,” Evason said. “I don’t think he ever will. He will just keep sticking his nose in there until he gets that opportunity. He’s pushing hard. He’s being as physical as they’re being physical on him. From what we’ve seen from him, his desire and his will, we believe, will come through (in Game 5).”

It better. Frankly, the Wild have no chance if Kaprizov isn’t the best player on the ice.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214000 Montreal Canadiens But in the NHL, the idiotic, childish code still prevails. Sheldon Keefe, who is one of the worst proponents of the code, sent Wayne Simmonds out to beat up Alex Edler a while back, then did the same with Nick Foligno after Corey Perry’s accidental contact with Leafs captain John Jack Todd: It's time for Canadiens to roll dice with Cole Caufield Tavares on Thursday.

It was complete, unadulterated NHL nonsense and about as mature as a bunch of fifth-grade boys trying to see who can pee the farthest. It carried Jack Todd • Publishing date:May 23, 2021 • 12 hours ago the very real possibility one of the combatants, either Foligno or Perry, would fall and hit his head the way George Parros once did and we would have two concussed players rather than one. At spring training in 2005, I was standing near the dugout watching batting practice when I overheard Nationals GM Jim Yet it never changes. It won’t, until someone is paralyzed or killed and Bowden going over the lineup with one of his flunkies, deciding who this League of Idiots is hit with a lawsuit so massive it finally has to pay would play and who would sit. attention.

Fifteen feet away, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, the team’s manager, Heroes: Carey Price, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brendan Gallagher, Nathan paid no attention. Bowden and his assistant wrote out the lineup and it MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, Max Verstappen &&&& last but not least, was handed to Robinson, a fait accompli. Today, Bowden is remembered Paul Byron. mostly as the guy who left baseball after he reportedly became the target Zeros: Sheldon Keefe, Nick Foligno, Nazem Kadri, Tom Wilson, LeBron of an FBI investigation into the skimming of signing bonus money from James, Kris Versteeg, Ron MacLean, Claude Brochu, and Latin American players, but I thought of the incident Saturday night after last but not least, . Marc Bergevin apparently made the call to ask for a replay of the Leafs third goal. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.24.2021 Bergevin is a far better man than Bowden and interim head coach Dominique Ducharme is no Frank Robinson. But in the sticky grey area of who calls the shots, especially at playoff time, the call for a replay that had no chance to succeed reminded me of that strange incident with Bowden and Robinson.

With Ducharme wearing that interim tag and Bergevin plainly desperate to make his offseason and trade deadline moves work out, it would appear the GM is making some decisions that are usually left to the coach — and that without the security of a long-term contract as head coach, it’s hard for Ducharme to push back.

In the scheme of things, the silly, pointless replay challenge was little more than a minor subplot in a game that was uglier than that Auston Matthews smirk. But the lineup is not a minor subplot and that’s where it would appear Bergevin has exerted undue influence, with slow-footed veterans playing while some of the club’s talented youngsters sit.

The Canadiens do have a couple of advantages going into Game 3 at the Bell Centre on Monday evening. First, there’s nowhere to go but up. Second, there’s no reason not to go with the kids.

That means Alexander Romanov. Jake Evans, too, if he’s able to go. Above all, it’s time to roll the dice with Cole Caufield. It’s a lot to ask, but you’re not going to beat the Leafs, as someone said on Twitter, with “a power kill and a penalty play.” You need goals.

Even if the Leafs run the table from here (and they appear capable of doing just that) the youngsters will at least have picked up some experience.

And let’s be clear: neither some terrible officiating nor a bad decision from on high was responsible for Saturday night’s debacle. The Canadiens were so badly outplayed that by the end of the second period, they were down 4-1 and being outshot 2-to-1.

The worst thing the Canadiens can do is to get caught up in the officiating. Yes, the cross-checking call on Jesperi Kotkaniemi was garbage, but you get those in every NHL game. Focus on that and you’re simply giving yourself a reason to lose.

Game 1 was sufficient proof the Canadiens are capable of a titanic upset in this series, but it won’t happen if the Habs go on playing like they did Saturday night, in which case they will all, young and old, be on the golf course by next weekend.

The dumbest code in sports: Here’s the situation. The Warriors are playing the Lakers. Anthony Davis gets knocked down. Steph Curry, sprinting up the court, tries to jump over Davis to avoid contact, but accidentally hits Davis with his knee and Davis is concussed.

Once he is carried off on a stretcher, the Lakers send LeBron James out to fight Curry. Everyone knows they’re going to fight, including the referees, but they stand and watch while Curry takes a beating.

Never happen, right? Right. Wouldn’t happen in baseball, either. Wouldn’t happen in football, which is a fairly tough sport. Wouldn’t happen in rugby or soccer or field hockey or team handball or water polo. 1214001 Montreal Canadiens we’re comfortable playing at home. Having the last change is huge, especially in the playoffs. It would be nice to have the fans in the building. It would be crazy in there, but they’ll be there soon enough.”

Habs 'in a good spot' as playoff series shifts to Montreal, Ducharme says Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.24.2021

Pat Hickey Publishing date:May 23, 2021 • 13 hours ago

Tune in tomorrow.

That was coach Dominique Ducharme’s message Sunday when he was asked if there would be any lineup changes for Game 3 of the best-of- seven North Division semifinal series against the at the Bell Centre Monday (7 p.m.,CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN-690 Radio, 98.5 FM.)

The Canadiens managed a split of the first two games in Toronto but Saturday’s 5-1 loss highlighted the need for more offence — Montreal has scored only three goals in the two games — and fans are clamouring to see rookie Cole Caufield on the ice.

“That’s the reality of the Montreal market,” Ducharme said. “Things are very positive when we win and it’s more negative when we lose. We just have to stay in the moment. It’s 1-1 in the series and we’re back home. We’re in a good spot. We did our job in Toronto. We’ll analyze the first two games and look at the possibilities (and) build the best possible lineup for Game 3.”

Ducharme leaned heavily toward experienced players in the first two games but said he wouldn’t hesitate to bench a veteran or two to make room for youngsters. That could be good news for Caufield and rookie defenceman Alexander Romanov.

Caufield has shown he can score at the USHL and U.S. college levels and he has four goals, including two overtime winners, in 10 NHL games. The concern is that the 5-foot-7 winger will be pushed around in what has become a very physical series but having the last line change at home may allow Ducharme to protect him.

Ducharme also has to decide whether he can get Jake Evans back in the lineup after he missed Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury. Jesperi Kotkaniemi took Evans’ place and was one of the few bright spots in the loss.

The coach said the Canadiens lost their focus after taking a string on penalties in the second period.

“If you look at the first period, we played the right way,” said Ducharme. “In the second, there was a momentum switch and we didn’t react well, especially on the first two penalties against us. We got away from playing our game.”

The Leafs had six power plays and scored on two of them.

They were four power plays in the second period, including one following a failed challenge to a power-play goal by Rasmus Sandin, but the Canadiens got away with one

Sort of.

Midway through the second period, Shea Weber cross-checked Wayne Simmonds. There was no call on the play but, after the NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the tape, Weber was fined $5,000, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.

Defenceman Joel Edmundson said the Canadiens didn’t heed a warning to watch their sticks. He said the referees were letting players finish their checks but came down hard on cross-checking and hooking.

The teams have combined for 161 hits in two games,

“We played Toronto, it felt like 20 times already,” said Edmundson. “Sometimes you find the hate for the other team and last night was one of those nights.”

Edmundson said the split in Toronto gives the Canadiens the home- ice advantage although the Canadiens were barely above .500 at home with a 13-11-4 record and won only two of five home games against the Leafs.

“We’ve got home ice advantage now. We came home with one win, but it would’ve been nice to get two. We’re not satisfied with just the one. But, 1214002 Montreal Canadiens Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, Corey Perry, Eric Staal and Lehkonen were held shot-less. Lack of scoring is nothing new for the Habs, but they’ll need to find offence if they want to pull off the upset.

About Last Night: Leafs power play comes alive in series tying 5-1 win Here’s how the Liveblog commenters saw it:

3. “From 6:29 of the second to 19:31 of the 3rd there was 6 straight penalties called on the Habs , the other 2 leafs penalties were at 19:40 of Erik Leijon • Publishing date:May 23, 2021 • 19 hours ago • the third and a Habs player went off with them…just sayin.” -Wayne Authier

2. “Habs did what they needed to do and that was to win one in Toronto. The Maple Leafs scored two goals over five consecutive power plays to Effort & discipline were a problem, need to be much better. Leafs are still tie their first-round playoff series with a lopsided 5-1 win over the a good team even without Tavares and someone needs to remind the Canadiens on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Habs of that fact. Time to insert Cole Caufield in the lineup and go all out For all their offensive prowess, the Leafs were a middle-of-the-pack team Monday night.” -Sami Mazloum with the man-advantage this season, finishing 16th in the league. They 1. “We got our split. Learned to stay out of box. Refs I am sure will be were also held scoreless on four power plays in Game 1. But the Habs answering call from Molson vis nhl hq. Leafs full marks for must win. Refs taking four straight penalties in the second period and one early in the helped. But our top line did nothing again. Suzuki and second line has third was just what the doctor ordered for the struggling special teams done nothing. Gallagher still not in game shape. We will answer the bell unit, and they made the Canadiens pay. Needless to say, afterward in at bell centre. Book it. Longer series goes the better for us.” -Dale Risling the postgame Zoom, coach Dominique Ducharme took umbrage with how the penalties were distributed, although one of the calls was the Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.24.2021 result of his own unsuccessful challenge on the third goal.

Dominique Ducharme répond en direct aux questions des médias.

The first period was more competitive, with each team trading nine shots apiece. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, replacing the injured Jake Evans, opened scoring when the Canadiens got multiple kicks at the can with the Leafs players unable to secure the loose puck around their netminder Jack Campbell.

Less than five minutes later, following a long shift for Paul Byron and Artturi Lehkonen, Jason Spezza came off the bench and jumped at a loose puck (even jumping ahead of linemate Wayne Simmonds), roofing it past goalie Carey Price to make it 1-1. Just prior, with the Canadiens desperate for a clear, Lehkonen’s pass along the boards inadvertently hit referee Eric Furlatt and remained in the zone. At the end of the period, Spezza caught Corey Perry with a near knee-on-knee collision that had Liveblog commenters up in arms.

Things unravelled for the Canadiens in the second. Auston Matthews gave the Leafs their first lead of the series, potting the rebound from a hard-to-handle Justin Holl shot. Then the parade to the penalty box began, starting with Brendan Gallagher going off for high-sticking, even though he argued he had taken one as well. As soon as that penalty expired, Lehkonen received a minor for slashing Simmonds. Throughout the four minutes of power play time, Price kept the Habs alive, extending a pad to stop Spezza twice on the doorstep. Less than two minutes after Lehkonen’s penalty ended, Kotkaniemi went to the box after his stick shattered from a cross-check on Morgan Rielly. This time, the Leafs capitalized when Rasmus Sandin was given room at the point to fire through traffic and past Price to make it 3-1. Coach Ducharme, in concert with video coach Mario Leblanc, goaltending coach Sean Burke and team vice-president John Sedgwick, challenged the call on the ice, saying Price was interfered with by Joe Thornton’s stick. After a long wait, the officials upheld their ruling. It was a risky move by the coach that didn’t work in his favour. It was not a popular decision among Liveblog commenters, or Stu Cowan:

The Leafs didn’t score on the resulting power play, but in all they spent nearly eight minutes of the second period in Harlem Globetrotter mode against a drained Habs penalty kill. The period ended with Zach Hyman delivering a backside-first hit from behind on Kotkaniemi, which once again riled up the Liveblog commenters.

Anyone expecting the referees to even up the penalty calls in the third period was disappointed. Following six minutes of the Leafs playing conservatively with the lead, captain Shea Weber went to the box for cross-checking Pierre Engvall. William Nylander scored Toronto’s second power play goal of the game, putting the game out of reach at 4-1. Coach Ducharme pulled Price with just under seven minutes remaining in a last ditch effort to kickstart the offence, but to no avail. After several tries, Alexander Kerfoot gently glided the puck from the neutral zone into the empty net to make it 5-1. In a fitting conclusion, five players were sent to the penalty box in the final 30 seconds of the game: Paul Byron, Simmonds, Joel Edmundson, Weber and Engvall.

It was a shellacking, but the Habs still leave Toronto with a split of the series. They’ll have home ice advantage for Games 3 and 4 this Monday and Tuesday, respectively. And while the penalties did play a factor, Nick 1214003 Montreal Canadiens For a team banking on experience, this is something that should not be a problem.

The forward shuffle that hinted at a successful bubble strategy Canadiens playoff notebook: Living and dying with the cross-check, Cole The Canadiens used no less than nine different five-on-five forward Caufield’s possible arrival and more combinations in Game 2, but there was one that jumped out to us.

Early in the second period, anticipating the Auston Matthews line would By Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin May 23, 2021 be coming on the ice, Ducharme sent out Paul Byron, Phillip Danault and Lehkonen to face them.

Matthews scored the game-winning goals 40 seconds later. Cross-checking has to be one of the most subjective penalties in hockey. The shuffle meant Jesperi Kotkaniemi found himself between Tomas It is clearly allowed up to a certain point because there are dozens of Tatar and Gallagher, two players coming off injuries (as is Danault) who cross-checks in every game that go uncalled. The difficult part is haven’t produced a whole lot in the series. identifying where that line is between what is allowed and what is not, because it can change from game to game or even from period to period. It’s a very similar scenario to what we saw in the playoffs last year, when Claude Julien moved Danault off his line with Tatar and Gallagher The Canadiens have three defencemen who live on that line — Shea midway through Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, once the Weber, Ben Chiarot and Joel Edmundson — and the danger of doing so Canadiens had the last change as the home team. He used Byron, was clearly exemplified in the second and third periods of Game 2 Danault and Lehkonen primarily against Sidney Crosby in Game 3 and against the Maple Leafs. Evgeni Malkin for Game 4, the first full game the line played together. They had a clear defensive role, one Danault did not appear to like all The NHL announced Sunday that Weber had been fined $5,000 for a that much once the playoffs were over. But the line stayed together the cross-check on Wayne Simmonds midway through the second period of next round as well and played primarily against Flyers forwards Claude Game 2, and the sequence shows perfectly why that line can be so Giroux, Sean Couturier and Joel Farabee. difficult to find. First of all, this cross-check was unpenalized during the game, but it’s clearly a penalty, with Weber cross-checking Simmonds in Over the seven games the line played together in very difficult minutes, the back of the head. often starting in their own zone against top competition, the Byron- Danault-Lehkonen line controlled 58.3 percent of the shot attempts at But if you notice, Edmundson cross-checks Simmonds in the back just five-on-five and 54.6 percent of the expected goals, though it was before the Weber shot to the back of the head, and that seems fine. outscored 2-1 in nearly 43 minutes of ice time together. Edmundson even gives Simmonds a whack with his stick after the fact, also not a slashing penalty, apparently. Now that this series has shifted to Montreal and Ducharme can control the matchups, having this line face the Matthews line for the next two The Canadiens were called for the third-most cross-checking penalties in games would not come as too much of a surprise. Not only would they be the league this season with 13 in 56 games. They took three in Game 2 best able to counter that line’s offensive threat, it would allow Ducharme alone, though one of them came very late in the game, but the one on to make some other changes elsewhere in his lineup and get some Weber that was fined went uncalled as well while another on Weber on favourable matchups. Pierre Engvall in the third period led to William Nylander making it a 4-1 game. For instance, Ducharme could probably help Gallagher by getting him away from the Matthews responsibilities. The trick for the Canadiens will be using it in the acceptable way, like Edmundson’s above, and not the unacceptable way, like Weber’s. “He’s had some good flashes, some good moments,” Ducharme said of Gallagher on Sunday. “There have been others where it was a bit more “I think they’re calling a lot of stick penalties,” Edmundson said Sunday complicated, but it’s kind of normal too. When you come back to play after a brief team meeting. “So just be smart with our stick and I think after a long absence like that, even if he played a game with Laval, the they’re letting a lot of the body checks go. So just be physical with them, level of intensity, the level of play, the speed is very high right now. So finish every check but be smart with your stick. I think that’s where you’ve I’m not worried about him.” got to draw the line.” But perhaps more important is the potential arrival of Cole Caufield in the The other line the Canadiens will need to draw is to understand the series. officials will make mistakes. It happens in every game, and it’s how you react to it that matters most in the playoffs. With a good night’s sleep, Ducharme didn’t really want to go there Sunday, saying simply it is Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme was able to recognize they didn’t possible, and no one can blame him for keeping that decision to himself. do that in the second period of Game 2, and it cost them. He put that But if he wanted to get Caufield in, having a potential Byron-Danault- blame on the officials after the game, but that shifted Sunday. Lehkonen line take care of the heavy lifting against Matthews and Mitch Marner would make it easier to get Caufield some good linemates and “I think we got in trouble after we took the first couple of penalties,” he some good matchups. said. “I thought we did a good job (before that) playing our game, being fast, creating some chances in the first and being hard and physical. But “It’s not that we’re afraid to use him at five-on-five; we said it, we have then it changed in the second.” depth and we’ve prepared so that everyone is able to come in and make a contribution. Obviously, being at home, we can have better control of Here are the two penalties that set off the Canadiens. On the first one, the matchups on the other side, so if he’s in uniform, he won’t only be on Brendan Gallagher takes a shot to the face from T.J. Brodie as he is the power play because, as we saw (Saturday), you might just get one in doing the exact same thing to Brodie. It was almost simultaneous, but a game.” only one penalty was called. Tyler Toffoli could prove to be a solution in the slot for Nick Suzuki’s The second was a bit of a phantom slashing call on Artturi Lehkonen, power-play unit. (Jean-Yves Ahern / USA Today) drawn by Simmonds in front. This might technically be slashing, but again, it happens dozens of times per game. The power play needs a solution in the slot

As upset as the Canadiens might have been by the two calls, the game After being shut out five times in Game 1, the Canadiens only got one was still 2-1 for the Maple Leafs by the time the Lehkonen penalty was power-play opportunity in Game 2. But that one chance once again killed. They were not out of the game, but they took themselves out of the revealed to what extent the Canadiens struggle on zone entries. game. Hesitation and a lack of speed through the neutral zone allow the Maple Leafs to defend their blue line and prevent the Canadiens from getting “In the second period last night I think that’s what happened to us, myself set up. included,” Edmundson said. “We were kind of just going at the refs instead of going at the Leafs. I think that kind of killed us there. There’s After a practice that was focused primarily on the power play Friday, going to be situations like that throughout the series and we’ve just got to Tyler Toffoli said the Canadiens might have to be willing to dump the stay positive and focus on our job. When we get away from that, I think the Leafs thrive on that.” puck in behind the Maple Leafs and retrieve it. But this is hardly a new The two veterans were on the ice for a little more than eight minutes at problem for the Canadiens, it’s been plaguing their power play for years. five-on-five and the Leafs threw 17 shot attempts toward the Montreal net. The Canadiens only managed two attempts over that time. Another element of the power play that is a bit more subtle and does not get as much attention might also be contributing to the struggles. We “I felt like we were playing a lot of D-zone, coverage stuff, and a lot of know the Canadiens depend heavily on shots from the point and traffic in pucks were coming at us,” Kulak acknowledged Sunday. “There were a front of the net, and that they have players like Nick Suzuki, Tatar and lot of battles at the net and I felt that we spent a lot of time in the D zone. Kotkaniemi who like shooting from the flanks. But no one has emerged I don’t know if that just stems from being on the PK or what but, yeah, I as being particularly efficient in the bumper spot in the slot. agree.

Several of the best power plays in the league rely on a strong player in “Our job is to defend hard and get the puck up and make a good first the bumper spot who can be a threat. pass and get out of the zone. And we have a lot more fun and burn a lot less energy playing offence, so that’s the plan.” It’s not always a matter of shot volume or even where the player is placed, because effective bumper players are most often in motion in the Merrill and Romanov have the advantage of being able to help out the slot and, most importantly, they force the penalty killing team to account penalty kill if a defenceman winds up in the penalty box, whereas Kulak for him. does not play a role on either special teams. So it’s not necessarily guaranteed that Kulak is less likely to come out than Merrill if Ducharme “You don’t think of it as a glorious position, but if you don’t have a guy looks to bring in Romanov. that knows what he’s doing in that position, your power play usually stinks,” Eric Staal said. “And that’s the reality of it. And it’s so important to The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 relieve pressure, jump on loose pucks, be there, be in a support role at all times.

“Sometimes you feel like you’re not doing a lot out there, but if you don’t have a key, smart, good player in that position, you just don’t get the looks you want. And it’s huge, it opens up lanes for other guys. It’s a vital role to a good power play, no question.”

If the Canadiens don’t have anyone who has been all that efficient in that role, according to Ducharme it’s more a question of play selection than it is personnel.

“In general, I find our players who have played in the middle have done a good job,” he said. “On the other hand, we didn’t generate enough shots from there during the season. We did a good job supporting the puck, to be there to relieve pressure, to be an option to get away from pressure, but we want to generate more chances from between the faceoff dots.

“I don’t think it’s only the responsibility of the player in that role. It’s also how the puck moves, the players who are on the flanks who can feed him or the player on the goal line. There are several ways to use that spot, but we certainly want to be more dangerous and dynamic on the power play.”

Ducharme is right when he says his power-play units haven’t taken enough shots from the middle of the ice.

If Ducharme decides to bring Caufield into the lineup in Game 3, he could kill two birds with one stone on the power play. Not only would he have Caufield’s devastating shot, but his presence on the left flank of the Suzuki unit could also allow Toffoli to move to the bumper, something he has rarely done this season but a role he has filled ably in the past.

For Suzuki, being on the right flank would give him three right-handed shooters to feed (Toffoli, Caufield and either Jeff Petry or Weber up top), thereby increasing the chances of getting off a one-timer.

Romanov and a difficult night for Kulak and Chiarot

There is a lot of attention on the possibility of Caufield entering the lineup in Game 3, but on defence, the possible insertion of rookie Alexander Romanov is just as plausible.

Before the start of the series, Ducharme presented the case of Romanov similarly to how he presented that of Kotkaniemi, that he had a rough finish to the regular season and needed to take a step back. But Romanov’s mobility is sorely missed on the Canadiens blue line and, let’s be honest, Jon Merrill is not exactly lighting the world on fire through two games.

Whether it’s because of Weber’s health or whatever other possible factor, that the Canadiens are trying to spread the ice time more or less evenly across their three pairings makes Romanov an intriguing option. He could easily slide in on the left side of Weber (where Merrill is playing now) and not necessarily be forced to play 22 minutes a game.

Romanov has played most often this season with Brett Kulak and he spent some time toward the end of the season with Chiarot on his right. We’ll have to see if the Canadiens are willing to keep the Kulak-Chiarot pairing intact, because they were seriously caved in by the Maple Leafs in Game 2. 1214004 Nashville Predators Tennessean LOADED: 05.24.2021

Luke Kunin earns spotlight in Game 4, but Juuse Saros is the Nashville Predators' real MVP

PAUL SKRBINA

Luke Kunin started it with a goal 57 seconds into Sunday's game at Bridgestone Arena. Luke Kunin ended it, in double-overtime again, with the winning goal. Luke Kunin extended it, meaning the Nashville Predators' first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Juuse Saros was the "stud," as teammate Ryan Johansen called him after Saros made a postseason franchise-record 58 shots in the Predators' 4-3, double-overtime victory, their second straight double- overtime win, which evened the first-round series 2-2.

In the process, Saros became just the second goalie in NHL history, along with Curtis Joseph (1993), with 50-plus saves in back-to-back playoff games. He tied the franchise record and set a career high with 52 saves Friday.

"He's been our best player all year," Kunin said of Saros.

Series tied: Luke Kunin lifts Nashville Predators to 2OT victory

Still, the Predators will have to make franchise history or their 2020-21 season will be history.

Zero times in 10 attempts have the Predators come back from a 2-1 deficit in a seven-game playoff series, which they faced going into Game 4.

Such comebacks aren’t impossible, but rather improbable, considering teams in such a position were 1-12 last season and 154-362 in league history.

A 4-3, double-overtime victory in front of what appeared to be way more then the 12,165 people announced in attendance – including Carrie Underwood, her husband and former Predators captain Mike Fisher and Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan, who chugged a couple of beers while shirtless – placed the Predators one step closer to that first.

"We've had some resiliency. We've had some toughness," coach John Hynes said after Game 3. "When you get into the playoffs the way we've gotten into the playoffs ... you have to put a tough loss or a big win behind you."

The same will be true going into Game 5 Tuesday night at Carolina.

A few catfish hit the ice at Bridgestone Arena, as is tradition, before the puck dropped Sunday.

He nearly scored again a little more than a minute later, while the crowd was taunting Hurricanes goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.

But the Predators managed just one shot on goal during the next 15-plus minutes.

Vincent Trocheck’s goal with 1:57 left in the first tied the score.

Johansen's second goal of the series turned out to be the Predators' second of the game Sunday. At 4:53 into the second, he shoveled in an errant rebound that Nedeljkovic appeared to lose track of for his second go-ahead goal in two games.

It came on the Predators' eighth shot on goal of the game. Moments later the Predators failed to capitalize on Yakov Trenin and Mathieu Olivier's two-on-none against Nedeljkovic.

The Hurricanes again waited until late in a period to score in the second, when Brock McGinn did the trick to tie it 2-2 with 1:55 remaining.

That left the Predators in a potentially precarious and positively pivotal position – 20 minutes away from being down 3-1 in the series and facing an elimination game Tuesday on the road in Raleigh and 20 minutes away from tying the series 2-2 and ensuring at least one more home game.

Kunin and Saros made sure the second scenario came to reality. 1214005 Nashville Predators After four games of this series, a difficult truth has been solidified for the Predators. They really are facing a team better than they are – smoother, more skilled, just as physical.

Game 4 overtime victory was Juuse Saros' masterpiece for Nashville Doesn’t mean the Canes are going to win every puck battle and every Predators | Estes period, and they haven’t. But they’ve overwhelmed the Predators a lot more than the other way around. Even at two games apiece, you still favor the Canes to advance with two of the next three games in Raleigh.

GENTRY ESTES But they’ve got to score, and to do that, they’ve got to get past Saros.

In that matchup – and only that matchup – do you have to like the Predators’ chances. And that could make all the difference. It sure has Juuse Saros has had other masterpieces. Game 4 wasn’t his best already this season. performance, necessarily. Tennessean LOADED: 05.24.2021 But there have been none more important – or heroic.

This was his playoff moment for the Nashville Predators.

More than any other game in this heartstopping – and now tied – first- round playoff series, Sunday’s 4-3 double overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena was about the goaltenders.

Series tied 2-2: Luke Kunin lifts Nashville Predators to 2OT victory

Both were outstanding – one of them a Canes rookie outplaying his experience, the other continuing to carry these Predators and affirm his status among the NHL’s elite.

After tying a franchise record with 52 saves in Game 3, Saros beat it with 58 in Game 4. That made him the second goalie in NHL history with back-to-back playoff games of at least 50 saves.

The Predators won both home games in overtime, evening up this series as it heads back to Raleigh for Game 5, giving Nashville a realistic chance to advance when hardly anyone believed it would.

It was difficult to find paths to victory for the plucky Predators against a fearsome Hurricanes team with 80 points in the regular season, third- best in the NHL. There were good reasons hardly anyone was picking against the Canes.

One exception to that, though, was Saros.

He had played magnificently in the past weeks. He changed an underwhelming Predators team, far more than anyone else. Without Saros’ heroics, the Predators wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near these playoffs.

"He's been our best player all year," teammate Luke Kunin said.

You had to expect at some point in this series that would matter, that Saros would be able to swipe a game largely on his own.

And that ended up being Game 4.

Nothing against the Canes’ young goalie, Alex Nedeljkovic. He has been highly impressive in this series, considering it has been his introduction to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Nedeljkovic shut out the Predators to win Game 2. On Sunday, he got the start again – a case could have been made to sit him after five goals in Friday’s loss – and played extremely well.

But Saros was a bit better – doing it against more pressure than Nedeljkovic saw.

Saros has done it throughout this series. It was one-sided traffic in Game 1, too. Saros deserved better for his performance in Game 2, holding the Canes to one goal until he was pulled for an extra attacker in the final moments. Then Game 3 was just a classic, clutch, tireless performance under immense pressure.

Game 4 had that too, though it began to take the form of a duel between goalies. Both were making magic all afternoon, one making a tough save and the other matching it.

Nedeljkovic made a huge stop against a two-on-none that could have put the Predators in front 3-1 in the second period. Then in the final minute of regulation, he somehow covered an open net to stop Nick Cousins’ potential game-winner – the save of the game at the time.

Saros wasn’t perfect Sunday, but who would have been? The Canes finished Sunday with a 61-43 edge over the Predators in shots on goal (it was 44-26 in regulation). Multiple times, Carolina swarmed the offensive zone and didn’t ease up. Saros withstood the storms. He usually does. 1214006 Nashville Predators

Predators and Hurricanes are in rare overtime territory in NHL Playoff history

Mike Organ

The Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes, who are tied 3-3 in the second overtime at Bridgestone Arena, are playing consecutive multiple overtime playoff games for the first time.

This is only the eighth time since 1948 and first time since 2016 an NHL playoff series has had multiple overtime games.

The Predators won Game 3 on Friday 5-4 in double overtime at Bridgestone Arena.

The Predators and Hurricanes also are the first teams since 2014 to play consecutive playoff games that each included three or more game-tying goals. The Kings and Blackhawks combined to do the same in Games 6 and 7 of the conference finals in 2014.

The Predators hold an all-time playoff overtime record of 9-10 (6-4 at home), while the Hurricanes are 23-16 (11-8 on the road).

Tennessean LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214007 Nashville Predators

Titans OT Taylor Lewan leads second-period standing ovation while chugging a beer shirtless

MIKE ORGAN

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan led a rousing standing ovation Sunday at Bridgestone Arena by throwing his hands in the air, chugging a beer and ripping off his Predators sweater.

Lewan was seated on the glass during the ovation, which came midway through the second period with Nashville leading the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs first round.

The Bally Sports South cameras missed the ovation, which came during a commercial break, but zoomed in on Lewan, who lifted up his daughter and waved to the crowd, when the broadcast returned.

Tennessean LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214008 Nashville Predators

Luke Kunin is only the fifth Predator to score in first minute of a Stanley Cup Playoff game

MIKE ORGAN

Luke Kunin became only the fifth Nashville Predator in Stanley Cup Playoff history to score in the first minute Sunday.

Kunin scored 57 seconds into the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena.

Mikael Granlund and Ryan Ellis assisted on the goal.

The others Predators who scored in the first minute: Adam Hall (0:16 in Game 1 of 2004), Ryan Johansen (0:27 in Game 2 of 2018, round two), James Neal (0:35 in Game 1 of 2016) and Colin Wilson (0:41 in Game 4 of 2016, round two).

Tennessean LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214009 Nashville Predators

Drew and Ellie Holcomb sing national anthem before Nashville Predators' Game 4 against the Hurricanes

MIKE ORGAN

Country music singer/song writers Drew and Ellie Holcomb sang the national anthem before Game 4 of the Predators' series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday at Bridgestone Arena.

The Holcombs wore gold Predators' sweaters while they sang.

Ellie Holcomb debuted her song "I Don't Want To Miss It," on May 7. The song will be on her new album, “Canyon,” which will be released June 25.

A catfish was thrown onto the ice soon after the Holcombs finished singing.

County music star Keith Urban sang the national anthem before Friday night's Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena.

The Hurricanes lead the series 2-1, but Nashville won Friday's game 5-4 in double overtime.

Tennessean LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214010 Nashville Predators Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan had graced the video board at Bridgestone with another postseason beer-chugging performance, this time getting a majority of the suds on his shirtless torso. The fact that it was just Michelob Ultra made it less tragic. Rexrode: Predators have Canes on the ropes, assuming both have the energy to continue These teams had been within a goal of each other for all but 13 minutes of the four games, which of course adds up to more than five games of hockey.

By Joe Rexrode May 24, 2021 Kunin had gone so long between goals — he opened the scoring 57 seconds after the opening faceoff — that there was no way those two

plays took place in the same game. Kind of like there’s no way the Nothing all that surprising took place in the first three games between Nashville team that went 11-16-1 in the first half of the season and 20-7- Carolina and Nashville, from the Hurricanes looking like the superior 1 in the second half was the same team. Kind of like there’s no way the team overall to the Predators finding a way to keep this a series with Predators who were overwhelmed in the third period of Game 1 and Game 3 guttiness. outscored 8-2 in the first two games are the Predators who are now applying massive pressure to a bona fide Stanley Cup contender. No jaws dropped at the sight of Juuse Saros stepping up and continuing his regular-season surge amid difficult conditions. Nor at Carolina’s And yet here we are. The Predators gave Rogers a round of applause in special teams being better, Carolina finding good goaltending of its own, the winning locker room for his unofficial game-winning assist — not only increasing angst between teams that met for the 12th time this season in did he get Kunin that stick quickly, he got him the right stick. And both Sunday’s Game 4, mistakes from the officials, one side or the other teams hopefully got right to the rest, fluids and granola required to be complaining about the officials (Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour took ready for Game 5. those honors), injuries, overtime periods, lineup changes or emotional Carolina is the superior team here, even without top defenseman Jaccob swings. OK, it was a bit surprising to see Nashville coach John Hynes Slavin, but the consistent ability of Nashville to hang in there — starting take Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen off the power play in Game 3, with the work of Saros — and summon counterpunches has been and for both to respond with the best they’ve given this team — something to behold. This team has become something for Nashville to Johansen’s best in a long time, Duchene’s best in two seasons with the embrace. Preds. But Hynes has sat down both before, and they’ve both done some things in this league. This was all still trending toward Canes in five, as “You know, you’ve just got to be mentally tough,” Johansen said. “You’ve picked by 99.3 percent (give or take a few percentage points) of hockey got to stay ultra-focused, and your details have got to be sharp.” media types. The pressure on Carolina to do those exact things has now become And now? Now we can start talking about surprises. And legendary/epic heavy. That’s what happens when you’re so close to getting a series in games and epic/legendary performances and the magic of the Stanley position to end and instead face a brand new best-of-three. Hockey Cup playoffs and ice baths big enough to get Saros and Hurricanes history tells us there’s no telling what happens from here. Math tells us goalie Alex Nedeljkovic ready for Tuesday’s Game 5. Maybe let them there will definitely be another game in Nashville, Game 6 on Thursday, both sleep until then. Maybe everyone involved should grab an extra nap. in front of another crowd of 12,135. Hide the Michelob Ultra.

By the time Luke Kunin smashed his stick, detoured to the Preds bench The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 to grab a new one from cat-quick equipment manager Pete Rogers, got back into the play, shot in front of the net to take a Mikael Granlund feed from behind the net and popped it past Nedeljkovic to win Game 4 by a 4-3 count in double overtime and tie the series, these teams had played 191 minutes of weekend hockey at rocking Bridgestone Arena. For those unschooled in math and/or hockey, 120 minutes were scheduled to be played.

“The energy and the atmosphere, you almost feel numb out there,” said Johansen, who was great again and had a stick-back goal somewhere in that “Whoa, what a play!” tapestry. “You feel like a robot. Your legs keep turning.”

By the time Kunin ended it and went Cobra Kai on Alex Carrier in a fittingly unhinged celebration, Saros had become the second goalie in playoff history to save 50 or more shots in consecutive playoff games (he had 61 on Sunday after 56 on Friday), joining Curtis Joseph in 1993.

Nedeljkovic had stopped 97 of his own in those two games, including some doozies in the third period and beyond Sunday, when the Preds managed to gain footing in a territory battle dominated by the Canes in the first two periods.

Duchene had cut open his forehead on a vicious check, on another day of frenzied fight from him, his game-high seven shots on goal, including a spin and backhand try in the first overtime that would have rivaled his filthy Friday winner.

Eeli Tolvanen had blocked a shot, stickless, with as much of his body as he could throw in front of it, on a day that saw the Preds block a whopping 31, which prompted Hynes to say later: “They want to eat the puck.”

Tolvanen had almost won it a few times. Same with Nick Cousins, to add to his tying power-play goal in the third. Same with Calle Jarnkrok. Same with Filip Forsberg. Same with Sebastian Aho. Same with Andrei Svechnikov.

Officials had taken Brind’Amour’s public complaining to heart — it was 14-6 Preds in power plays in Games 2 and 3 — or maybe just did the same job in a different kind of game, but the final result was four power plays for the Canes, two for the Preds. And, surprise, the Preds with the only power-play goal. 1214011 New York Islanders

Brock Nelson’s peskiness quietly helping Islanders in playoffs

By Mollie WalkerMay 23, 2021 | 9:53pm | Updated

Brock Nelson was a standout in the Islanders’ series-tying win over the Penguins in Game 4 on Saturday at the Coliseum, but the team’s No. 2 center has quietly been a driving force throughout the entire first round.

With a goal and two assists in four games this series, Nelson’s offensive contributions are obvious. What isn’t noticed as much is the pesky nature with which Nelson plays that repeatedly frustrates the opposition.

That’s just how Nelson has carried himself in the last few Islanders’ postseason appearances: under the radar and under their opponent’s skin. It comes through even more so in the important games. It’s just how Big Game Brock plays.

“When he plays at his best, like [Saturday] night, you can really tell, he makes a difference in every end of those games,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau said of Nelson on Sunday. “He’s the guy that, when the level of the game gets higher, he elevates his game.”

Josh Bailey’s second-period goal that opened up the scoring in Saturday’s 4-1 victory wouldn’t have happened without Nelson. In an offensive-zone sequence in the corner, Nelson maintained puck possession with Penguins star Sidney Crosby on his heels before finding Bailey in the left faceoff circle for the quick shot, giving the Isles a 1-0 lead.

Barry Trotz pointed out that Nelson has a quiet intensity about him and an underrated skill set to go along with his length.

“All that being said, he got it done with that combination,” the Islanders coach said. “There was determination on the puck, there was a skill set that was needed for him to execute that. But it was the competitive nature. That play could have been killed in the corner, and he kept it alive and then he was able to get it over to Bails. All those elements that he possesses, they were there on display on that one goal.”

What came after was just another dimension to Nelson’s game. Instead of changing direction to skate right over to Bailey to celebrate, Nelson went out of his way to cut into the crease right in between Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry and defenseman Kris Letang, who took notice and shoved him.

“It’s just part of the game,” Nelson said of his instigator side. “Just try to go out there and play. I want to try to give us the best chance to win, whatever that may be. You can impact the game in a lot of different ways. Whatever the game presents, try to go out there, be hard to play against, make it tough on them.”

Nelson finished second on the Islanders in points during their 2019-20 run to the conference finals in the bubble playoffs, recording nine goals and nine assists in 22 games. His nine goals and three game-winning tallies tied with Anthony Beauvillier for the team lead.

With two goals in Game 4 of the second-round series against the Flyers last season, Nelson propelled the Isles to a 3-2 series lead that was crucial in winning it in seven to reach the conference final series against the Lightning. He had the game-winner in Game 3 against Tampa Bay, which kept the Isles competitive after going down 2-0 in the series before they ultimately fell in six.

“There’s a lot of guys this time of year that will step up and make the plays,” Nelson said. “But I think it’s a combination of just owning your moment and being ready, but then also staying with the same attitude.”

That’s just how Big Game Brock plays.

New York Post LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214012 New York Islanders

Islanders have been containing ‘dangerous’ Sidney Crosby

By Mollie WalkerMay 23, 2021 | 7:01pm | Updated

Shutting down star center Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Penguins’ first line was the main topic of conversation for the Islanders prior to the start of the first-round series against Pittsburgh.

“It’s a lot of things,” defenseman Adam Pelech said of containing Crosby prior to the series. “He’s been that dominant over the course of his career. It will be the whole group, all five guys on the ice and the goaltender. It’s a challenge, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Having faced the Penguins in the postseason three times now since 2012-13, the Islanders have seen how the outcomes differ when Crosby consistently gets on the score sheet. In the last first-round series in 2019, in which the Isles swept the Penguins in four games, Crosby was held to one assist and was a minus-four.

But during the first round of the 2013 playoffs, Crosby scored three goals and dished six assists in five games as the Penguins defeated the Islanders in six.

The Penguins have scored 11 times this series, with only one coming from the 33-year-old Crosby on his one-handed deflection in the second period of the Isles’ series-opening win in overtime. Crosby hasn’t registered a point since.

“He’s had one goal but he’s dangerous,” head coach Barry Trotz said Sunday before the team traveled to Pittsburgh. “He’s an elite player who plays an elite game night in and night out. We just hope to contain him. The top players like him, I have so much respect for Sid as a player and a person. This is I think the fifth time I’ve being going against Sid in the playoffs myself and he’s an exceptional player and a great example of what an NHL player is in this league. He’s a gold standard.”

Sidney Crosby hasn’t fared all that well against the Islanders so far in the 2021 NHL playoffs.

The Islanders have successfully kept their structure together and it hasn’t given the Penguins many breakaways or wide-open opportunities. Crosby had a dangerous chance in the second period Saturday, but rookie goalie Ilya Sorokin tracked him the whole way and the Penguins’ MVP wasn’t able to lift the puck.

Not to mention, Crosby is in a four-way tie on the Penguins for the most hits taken this series with 13, according to Natural Stat Trick.

With two power play goals in Saturday’s series-tying win, which included a Penguins’ own goal during four-on-three play, the Islanders are now 3- for-12 with the man-advantage this series.

On the other side of special teams, the Isles have killed off seven of Pittsburgh’s eight power plays. The Islanders are one of four teams competing in the playoffs that have only allowed one goal, while there are only four teams that have yet to allow a man-advantage goal this postseason.

“You see it on five on five and you see it in our game, but I think special teams are all about confidence,” Trotz said. “The only way you get confidence on special teams is you got to be creating chances and you got to be scoring goals. I thought we were able to do that [Saturday].”

New York Post LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214013 New York Islanders league, with him and Ovi [Alex Ovechkin], I think, when the league really needed it.’’

Notes & quotes: Trotz said everyone who played in Game 4 practiced Islanders plan to use hostile Pittsburgh crowd to their advantage in Game Sunday and that there were no new injury concerns . . . The Islanders 5 are 5-6 in Game 5s when a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2 . . . Monday is the 41st anniversary of Bobby Nystrom’s overtime goal that delivered the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.

By Colin Stephenson Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.24.2021 Updated May 24, 2021 12:33 AM

The day after they tied their first-round playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins at two games apiece, the Islanders couldn’t say enough about the support they got from the 6,800 fans who cheered them on at Nassau Coliseum for the last two games.

Now, as the series shifts back to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Monday, the Islanders won’t have that supportive crowd behind them. Instead, they’ll have 9,000-odd fans at PPG Paints Arena cheering everything their opponents do.

So is there a way for Barry Trotz’s team to use a hostile crowd to their advantage?

"Oh, yeah, absolutely,’’ he said with a grin Sunday after the Islanders practiced on Long Island before departing for Pittsburgh. "Us against the world, man.’’

"Yeah, that’s definitely a challenge that you have to overcome,’’ Jean- Gabriel Pageau said of playing Game 5 on the road. "We’ll try to focus on what we have to do in our game and build our game.

"Going in there [for Games 1 and 2], with fans, it was the first experience for us in a playoff game with fans,’’ Pageau said. "It felt like I’d like a full house, just because we were so used to playing without any fans. So it’s pretty cool. But I think we’ve got to take that energy and almost put it on our side.’’

The Islanders won Game 1 of the series in Pittsburgh in overtime before 4,672 at PPG Paints Arena, roughly 25% of the building’s capacity. The state of Pennsylvania allowed capacity in the arena to be bumped up to 50% for Game 2, and 9,344 attended that game, which the Islanders lost, 2-1.

The Islanders are likely to start rookie goaltender Ilya Sorokin in Game 5 rather than Semyon Varlamov. Varlamov, who was held out of Game 1 of the series because of a lower-body injury, started Game 2 and gave up an awful goal to Bryan Rust to put the Islanders in a 1-0 hole 3:22 into the game. The deficit became 2-0 later in the first period, and though Varlamov made 43 saves in the game, the Islanders never could come all the way back.

In his post-practice Zoom conference on Sunday, no one asked Trotz which goalie he intended to start because he almost certainly would not have announced that decision. But Sorokin, who was in the net for Saturday’s 4-1 victory in Game 4, is 2-0 in the series and Varlamov is 0- 2.

Island Ice Ep. 89: Game 4 analysis as Isles even series with Penguins

Andrew Gross, Neil Best and Colin Stephenson discuss Game 4 of the Islanders-Penguins, a 4-1 win for the Isles that evened the first-round playoffs at 2-2.

The Penguins hope to get something out of Sidney Crosby, who has one goal in the series.

The Islanders have matched several different lines against Crosby’s and somehow have managed to hold his entire line (with Rust and Jake Guentzel) scoreless the last two games. But Trotz is wary of the possibility that Crosby and Co. could wake up at some point.

"He’s had one goal, but he’s dangerous,’’ Trotz said. "He’s an elite player who plays an elite game night in and night out. We just hope to contain him, the top players like him, I mean.

"I have so much respect for Sid as a player and a person. You know this, I think, is a fifth time we’ve been going against Sid in the playoffs for myself and he’s an exceptional player and a great example of what an NHL player is in this league. And he’s a gold standard. He’s carried this 1214014 New York Islanders "I think it’s just trying to find a combo of getting fired up but also staying levelheaded and knowing it’s the same game and not trying to force anything or change too much," Nelson said.

Brock Nelson's determined play for the Islanders is not going unnoticed The stakes will be elevated again in Game 5 on Monday. The Islanders need more of the same from Nelson.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.24.2021 Updated May 23, 2021 5:13 PM By Neil Best

Sidney Crosby and Brock Nelson headed into a corner together at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, an all-time great against an all-time, under-the-radar Islanders stalwart.

By now you know how that battle turned out. Nelson fashioned a nifty- but-subtle move to block Crosby’s stick, regained control of the puck and found Josh Bailey in the left circle for the first goal of the game.

That score jumpstarted a 4-1 victory for the Islanders in Game 4 of the teams’ first-round NHL playoff series, and it served as the latest evidence Nelson can be a pain in the neck for opponents come playoff time.

"Just tried to pick his stick a little bit to get the puck back there in retrieval and get some space," Nelson said after practice on Sunday. "There’s probably a lot of guys who can make that play and maybe it goes unnoticed."

Island Ice Ep. 89: Game 4 analysis as Isles even series with Penguins

Andrew Gross, Neil Best and Colin Stephenson discuss Game 4 of the Islanders-Penguins, a 4-1 win for the Isles that evened the first-round playoffs at 2-2.

The play did not go unnoticed by NBC’s cameras and analysts, who praised Nelson’s pluck. For coach Barry Trotz, it illustrated the completeness of Nelson’s game.

"There was determination on the puck," Trotz said. "There was a skill set that was needed for him to execute that, but it was the competitive nature.

"That play could have been killed in the corner and he kept it alive, and he was able to get it over to ‘Bails’. All those elements that he possesses, they were on display in that one goal."

The pass was one of several sweet ones by Nelson. He also nearly tipped in a puck that squirted past Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry and just wide of the post.

He also was standing alongside Teddy Blueger when the Penguins player put in a crushing own goal in the third period.

He also was captured by NBC in an isolation sequence with Crosby, trying to annoy him to distraction with a series of small blows with his stick.

Asked about his penchant for being a thorn in the side of playoff opponents, he said, "You can impact a game in a lot of different ways, but whatever the game presents, you try to out there, be hard to play against, make it tough on them."

Nelson has been an Islander since 2013-14 and turns 30 this autumn, but he often is overlooked by hockey fans who are not Islanders fans. He is a quiet northern Minnesotan who usually wears an impassive expression.

That is what makes his peskiness even more interesting to his coach.

"I didn’t know that about him when I got here (three years ago)," Trotz said. "But for whatever reason, either he gets under their skin or they go after him a little bit. So it’s funny, because Brock is a fairly quiet guy.

"He’s got a great, dry sense of humor that you have to catch as he’s giving you a fly-by, and when it comes to the playoffs, the playoffs that I’ve been here, he’s been a big part of our success. I rely on him in a lot of situations."

Nelson, the 30th overall pick in the 2010 draft, signed a six-year contract worth $36 million before last season.

"He’s the guy that when the level of the game gets higher, he elevates in those games," J-G Pageau said. "So we’re lucky to have him, and for him to play like this, it’s huge for us."

Where does that elevated level come from? 1214015 New York Islanders Sorokin is now 2-0 in the playoffs, with a 1.76 goals GAA and a .948 SV%. While his first start in Game 1 saw him come up large with key saves, we saw the whole package in Game 4.

Ilya Sorokin a Remedy for Islanders in Pivotal Game Four Win We witnessed the Ilya Sorokin that everyone had been waiting to see in the playoffs. A netminder that can be the difference-maker in the biggest of games under the largest spotlight. It felt like a coming-out party, even after his strong play during the regular season. Published 17 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Stefen Rosner The biggest question mark for the Islanders coming into Game 4 against

Pittsburgh was goaltending. After seeing Semyon Varlamov struggled in In the biggest game of his NHL career, Ilya Sorokin gave the New York Game 2 and 3, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz had to decide if it was Islanders just what the doctor ordered as he helped shut down the best to stick with the veteran or lean on his rookie netminder. Pittsburgh Penguins en route to a crucial 4-1 win in Game 4. We know what he did and how successful it was. The first-year NHLer flourished in goal as he denied 29 of 30 shots that When the puck drops for Game 5 on Monday, in what now has become a came his way, including some massive stops against Pittsburgh’s best best of three series, Trotz does not have much of a decision to make players. Sorokin was even 2:35 away from registering his first career after the performance by Sorokin. playoff shutout, but regardless he got his team the win and now the series is tied at 2-2 heading back to Pittsburgh. NYI Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 “I just enjoy the game and the moment,” said Sorokin, following his first home-ice appearance in front of a packed Nassau Coliseum crowd.

The 25-year old Russian netminder did not seem phased by the atmosphere or the moment the entire night. He was calm, compact, and, more importantly, confident right from the get-go.

What had plagued the Islanders over the last two games were bad starts, especially from Semyon Varlamov. Sorokin made those key saves early on Saturday, which allowed the Islanders to find their game rather than have to play from behind.

That made all the difference.

In the first minute, Penguins forward Kaspari Kapanen was able to get to the front of the net, but Ilya Sorokin read the play and was able to make a rather important stop. That was the save the Islanders failed to get at starts of Game 2 and Game 3 and it allowed the Islanders to play their game, instead of having to fight back against Pittsburgh’s.

“Ilya, when he was called upon, he looked really sharp in net,” said Trotz following the win. “It was a shame we gave up a goal there.”

The reason for Sorokin’s success was simple. He positioned himself correctly on seemingly every shot that came his way. When the shot came, thanks to the Islanders’ resilient effort to clear the slot, Sorokin was able to either eat the puck into his chest or direct the puck into the corners without having to fight through traffic.

There were very few highlight-reel saves needed from Sorokin today. While fans may love to see that style of goaltending, that illustrates a lack of control. Saves that other goaltenders may have to work hard to make, post to post, things of that nature, Sorokin did it with ease.

His athletic ability allowed him to be quick, and when he was anticipating at that level getting one past him is a tough task.

“The biggest characteristic with Ilya, and even shooting on him in practice, is his quickness,” Jordan Eberle said. “Laterally, side to side, some of the saves he makes are pretty amazing. To have poise and just his confidence back there, and just his calmness. He made big saves for us, and he has done that all year.”

Sorokin’s save on Sidney Crosby in the early part of the second period is exactly what Eberle had discussed.

When a netminder is able to establish his positioning the way Sorokin did, those types of saves like we see above don’t have to happen often. Some may call that boring, but that is really efficiency and effectiveness on display.

Sorokin’s confidence was contagious. the defense in front of him appeared much more confident in its own right. Most of Pittsburgh’s shots came from the outside, with very few high danger chances being allowed.

“Every playoff game you should have a high level of consideration, a high level of focus, and be ready to give one-hundred percent, ” Sorokin said when asked about the difference between the NHL playoffs and the KHL playoffs.

“It’s every league playoff. Whether I play junior, KHL, or NHL, it’s one.” 1214016 Ottawa Senators Unfortunately, Norris suffered a shoulder injury with Team USA at that tourney that would end his season. He made the tough decision to turn pro and knew he’d have to work his way up through the ranks after missing so much time but felt he could make an impact with the club’s The road to the NHL had its bumps, but Josh Norris has served notice AHL affiliate in Belleville during the 2019-20 campaign. he's arrived He finished with 31 goals and 61 points in 56 games with Belleville and was an AHL all-star.

Bruce Garrioch “It gave me all the confidence in the world, especially at the start of the season, I was coming off shoulder surgery and I had been out doing Publishing date:May 23, 2021 • 14 hours ago rehab for six or seven months,” Norris said. “I had a lot of time off from the game and I wasn’t too sure how the game was going to go. I got put in good spots, Josh Norris ofthe Senators faces off against Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele at the Canadian Tire Centre. Norris routinely drew assignments “I played with Drake (Batherson) and Rudy Balcers for the most of the to play against the top centres in the North Division this season. year and it really helped that we had a really good team. I played well in the fifth or sixth game and from there my confidence took off.” The telephone rang on a September afternoon and on the other end of the line was San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson calling to let Norris gives a lot of credit to Belleville coach Troy Mann and former Josh Norris know he’d been dealt to the Ottawa Senators. assistant Colin Chaulk to help him develop. It’s not hard to see that Norris has good hockey sense, he plays well defensively, he’s strong in “First of all, I was so caught off-guard,” the Senators’ centre recalled in the faceoff circle and if you watch many of the 17 goals he scored in his an interview with this newspaper as he wrapped up his rookie season in rookie season they’re a result of going to the net. the NHL last week. “I had no idea that I was going to get the traded.” To call Norris’ performance with 35 points in 56 games with the Senators Selected No. 19 overall by the Sharks in the 2017 draft, Norris, then 19 a surprise wouldn’t be the right description to use. He’s been a bit of a years old, hadn’t even started his pro career or pulled on a jersey and revelation because of his play on both sides of the puck. Coach D.J. already he had been moved. A key piece to the deal that sent captain Smith handed him a different challenge every night against some of the Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 13, 2018, Norris was top centres in the game and Norris just took it on. having a nap before practice at the University of Michigan when he got the news. Did Norris always succeed? Of course not, nobody is perfect. But, he didn’t back down, either. One night it was Auston Matthews and the “Doug Wilson just explained that the trade had gone down and I was Toronto Maple Leafs, or the Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele, the next going to be going to Ottawa,” Norris said. “I was kind of confused and it night it was Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the all- was kind of a lot (to get his head around) in one day.” Canadian division this season. No challenge was big or too small for Norris and he met them all. Norris’ parents, Dwayne and Traci, were only 90 minutes away at their Michigan home so the next morning his father drove up to have lunch As Smith noted during the season, the more Norris could handle, the with his son. Dwayne, a former NHLer who won a silver medal with Team more he got. Canada at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, wanted to let his son know that getting dealt to a team that wanted him was a “I’ve been put in good spots,” Norris said. “D.J.’s trusted me against the positive. other team’s top line for pretty much the majority of the season. My game has grown because of that, and so has my defensive game, I’m not easy “He told me this wasn’t going to change me,” Norris recalled. “He told me to play against and I’ve been good at faceoffs. I just try to do a lot of little that I was going to just keep moving forward and I was going to have a things that don’t make me fun to play against. great year this year. He told me we’ll just kind of see what happens and that a lot of guys get traded throughout their careers. He was really good “I definitely pride myself on that and that’s definitely the kind of player for me and I still remember that chat and it helped me a lot.” that I want to be going forward. I want to be a multi-dimensional player who plays a lot of different parts of the game and does a lot of different Dwyane, the director of hockey operations for Total Package Hockey in things. As a centre, that’s what you need and what your team needs. Detroit — a school that players attend to further their education and work That’s the person and the player that I want to be. I relish the challenge on improving their game — can recall that discussion like it was of playing against those guys. Those are the best players in the world. yesterday. “I feel I can hold my own out there and when I do have chances to take “The message was when San Jose was trying to acquire one of the the bucket to create offence I try to do that and make plays so I really league’s best defencemen there’s going to be chips that have to be enjoy the challenge.” given,” Dwayne said. “One of the things that Ottawa had said, and you don’t know this until the deal works itself out, is that Josh was a big part That’s why some in the organization feel the sky is the limit for Norris is of it and an exciting part. concerned. He has exceeded expectations in his first two seasons in pro and though there’s tough competition for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s “It’s funny how things can turn quickly, San Jose was still in the middle of rookie-of-the-year, he has put himself on the radar screen unless who being a Western Conference contenders, and if you’re looking at from cast ballots aren’t watching Ottawa games. Josh’s perspective you’re thinking they’re deep. Where does that can get kicked down the road for you when you’ve got Joe Thornton, Tomas Hertl There has been no shortage of talk that the Senators could use a No. 1 and Logan Couture? They had a lot of players. They were deep and in centre, but it’s been stated in this space several times that those answers those situations the young guys have to really wait their turn. will come from within. There’s no reason to believe that Norris can’t be that guy if his career continues to take the kind of trajectory it has so far. “My advice to him was about opportunity. I told him to go where you’re wanted and Ottawa was rebuilding and there was going to be opportunity “He’s an extremely hard worker,” Dwayne said. “When you see him, he’s unless they made a lot of big trades and pickups in free agency. At the always smiling and he loves the game. The one thing I’ve said to him, end of the day, the timing has to be good and I felt like there was a lot of and all my kids, is don’t take the game for granted. Getting there is one spots up there for grabs. If you stay on this path by making thing, but staying there is everything and he’s embraced the moment. improvements and working, then they’re going to give guys “He believes in himself and he believes he’s as good as anybody else. opportunities.” That’s a big deal.” And, Norris can look back now, two seasons into his pro career and know The day Josh Norris was dealt to the Senators, it didn’t take long for his he’s made the most of his chance. friend Brady Tkachuk to welcome him to the fold. Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion, chief scout Trent Mann and the A former teammate with the U.S. National Development Team Program, rest of the staff felt Norris had to be part of the deal if Karlsson was to Tkachuk was happy to have his buddy join the same organization that end up in San Jose. They had seen plenty of potential in Norris’ game had drafted him. Now, as the Senators prepare to try to take the next and after coming back from the world junior championship in Vancouver in 2018, Dorion raved about the level Norris played at. step next season, they’re teammates, roommates with rookie winger Tim Stuetzle and even closer friends.

“It helps a lot,” Norris said. “He keeps things light. It’s definitely nice to have someone I’m so close with here. He’s one of my best friends and it’s kind of cool how everything has worked itself out. When I first got traded here, we talked right away that day to where we are right now.

“We’re linemates, we’re teammates and we spend every day with each other (during the season). He’s been so great for myself and Timmy as well. It’s pretty cool how it’s all worked out.”

Tkachuk, Norris and Vancouver Canucks’ defenceman Quinn Hughes spent a lot of time together with the U.S. NDTP from 2015-to-2017. Tkachuk’s father, Keith, a former NHLer, got an apartment where Brady and Norris lived during those two years while the Hughes family was nearby..

“With the trade, you’ve got to look at optimism in different ways, and you’ve got to be productive to survive in that league and you’ve got to be a good player,” said Norris’ father Dwayne. “(Norris) spent a lot of time around hockey people that were in the business. He learned how to act, and work.

“It made a big difference plus he played with Brady and he knew the quality of person and he is and the player. That, in turn, gives you confidence. You’ve played with him, you’ve had success with him and I don’t think has really outdone the other before they got to the NHL. Brady was young and big and strong and he’s an incredible, high-character kid and he’s a leader.

“Does it give you confidence? Sure, but you also play with a guy who’s arguably their all-around best player.”

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214017 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins/Islanders notes: Brock Nelson a pest, series shifts back to Pittsburgh

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Sunday, May 23, 2021 5:32 p.m.

All indications are that Brock Nelson is as polite and gregarious as his Minnesota background suggest he’d be.

On the ice, though, it can be a different story — particularly when the stakes are highest during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The New York Islanders’ 6-foot-4 center, Nelson has seemingly found ways to get under the skin of Pittsburgh Penguins players throughout the course of the teams’ first-round series that is tied at two games apiece.

“It’s just part of the game,” Nelson said, matter-of-factly, of his duties as something of a pest to the Penguins. “You just try to go out there and play, and I want to try to give us the best chance of winning however that may be. You can impact a game in a lot of different ways, but whatever the game presets, you just try to out there and be hard to play against and be tough on them.”

A low-key so-called crap-disturber on a team that employs the likes of more renowned annoyances such as Matt Martin and Casey Cisekas, Nelson has drawn three penalties so far in this series.

But Nelson of course makes his impact in other ways. Second among Islanders forwards in average ice time (18 minutes, 12 seconds per game), Nelson has a goal and two assists in this series against the Penguins. He’s won 53% of his faceoffs and been credited with delivering eight hits.

According to naturalstattrick.com, among the 37 skaters who have taken part in this series, only four have been on the ice at 5-on-5 for more “high-danger” scoring chances created (18) by his team. Only eight have had a better percentage of those types of prime scoring opportunities for his team relative to the opponent (60%).

“He’s definitely on the top of his game on both sides of the puck,” teammate J-G Pageau said. “He plays hard, he’s good on (faceoffs), he’s a fast player with good vision. He does it all out there.”

Back to the Burgh

Several Islanders players and coach Barry Trotz were highly complimentary of the crowd at Nassau Coliseum for Games 3 and 4. After the bizarre 2020 postseason with no fans on hand at a neutral site, it was a welcome addition to the atmosphere.

But more than 9,000 fans of the opposition will be the ones making noise for Game 5, which is scheduled to face off just after 7 p.m. Monday at PPG Paints Arena.

“We have to take that energy and almost put it on our side,” Pageau said. “Instead of thinking we are the away team — take that energy and build off it.”

Trotz endorses a similar approach.

“Absolutely,” he said. “(Take the atmosphere and treat it like) ‘Us against the world, us against them.’”

Penguins off

For the second time this series, the Penguins called off a practice scheduled for an idle day between games. They had been scheduled for a noon workout at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

The Penguins had no media availability on Sunday, either.

The Penguins also called off their Wednesday practice between Games 2 and 3.

The Islanders did practice in New York before traveling to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214018 Pittsburgh Penguins

Barry Trotz: Sidney Crosby ‘the gold standard’ among NHL players

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Sunday, May 23, 2021 4:36 p.m.

No NHL coach is more familiar with facing Sidney Crosby than Barry Trotz.

Be it as the leader of the Washington Capitals or New York Islanders, Trotz has coached against Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins in a postseason series five times. No other coach has matched up against Crosby in more than three series since the Penguins’ run of 15 consecutive playoff series began in 2007.

The ongoing Islanders-Penguins series is just the latest chapter in the meeting of the NHL’s second-leading active coach in active wins (877) against the league’s second-leading active player in points (1,325).

“He’s an elite player who plays an elite game night in and night out,” Trotz said via video conference call with media after the Islanders practiced Sunday.

“I have so much respect for Sid as a player and person. This is my fifth time going against Sid in the playoffs myself, and he’s an exceptional player and a great example of what an NHL player is in this league. He’s a gold standard. He carried this league, him and (Capitals star Alex Ovechkin), when the league relay needed it. Sid has been a great ambassador and great example of the NHL.” https://t.co/emWgnJECyZ

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 23, 2021

Crosby’s Penguins beat Trotz’s Capitals in second-round series in 2016 and 2017, but the Trotz-led Capitals prevailed when they met again in the second round of the 2018 postseason. Upon being hired by the Islanders, Trotz’s new team swept the Penguins in the 2019 first round.

Crosby has one goal and one assist over the eight games against the Islanders with Trotz as coach. He had 17 points (five goals and 12 assists) in 17 games against the Capitals when Trotz coached that team.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214019 Pittsburgh Penguins Teams Trotz has coached have won six consecutive playoff series that were tied 2-2. That includes in 2018, while with Washington, against the Penguins.

Sidney Crosby’s Penguins, Barry Trotz’s Islanders no strangers to “It’s best-of-three. That’s it,” Trotz said. “And (Monday) we can’t worry pressure of series tied at 2 about getting two wins. We just have to worry about that first shift and then the first period. And we will go from there.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.24.2021 CHRIS ADAMSKI | Sunday, May 23, 2021 4:03 p.m

Of the more than 320 players who are taking part in this NHL postseason, only two have appeared in more postseason games than Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Only two defensemen still playing for the 2021 Stanley Cup have played in more than Kris Letang.

Not many active in the league can say they have seen as much as the core of the Pittsburgh Penguins. And that goes for specific playoff series situations.

Take, for instance, what they face at 7 p.m. Monday. Game 5 of a tied series? Been there, done that for the Crosby-era Penguins.

“We can’t wait and see and have that type of approach,” Crosby told reporters about Game 5. “We’ve got to go in there and dictate the pace.”

For the 10th time under the Crosby/Malkin/Letang regime, the Penguins split the first two games of a postseason series. They have won the series on seven of the previous nine such occasions.

“That’s a pretty veteran group over on the other side,” New York Islanders leading scorer Mathew Barzal said after his team evened this first-round series with a 4-1 win in Game 4 on Saturday. “Whatever we did (Saturday), they’ve probably already forgotten about it. They’re going to be fresh for Game 5.”

Even as three-time Stanley Cup champions since their active NHL-best playoff streak of 15 seasons began in 2007, the Penguins haven’t produced works of art in all 31 of their series in that span. They have been swept twice, meekly gone out with just one victory in a series three other times and twice blown 3-games-to-1 leads.

But when the series has been tight as it has progressed, much more often than not, the Penguins have prevailed.

“There are momentum swings throughout the course of a seven-game series,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’ve just got to make sure that we bring the resilience to our attitude and our effort and our approach here through the ebbs and flows of this series.

“We just have to make sure that we react the right way. I think that there’s no higher motivation than there is at this time of year to compete for the Stanley Cup.”

During five of the past six occasions the Penguins were in a series tied 2- 2, the winner of Game 5 won the series. In four of the six, the Game 5 winner closed it out in Game 6. The Penguins had won five consecutive series that were split after four games — dating to a 2013 first-round matchup with the Islanders — until losing Games 5 and 6 to the Washington Capitals in the 2018 second round.

Leaguewide, dating to the 2019 conference finals round, the past four series tied 2-2 wound up going to the Game 5 winner. Eight of the past 11 NHL series in which the first four games were split, the Game 5 winner took the series. In six of those eight, the winner of Game 5 closed it out in Game 6.

That recent league history mirrors the historical trend of 79% series wins for the team that takes a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven (213 of 271 such teams advance).

The past three decades of Penguins playoffs, though, generally have bucked the trend. The Game 5 loser of a previously tied series involving the Penguins has gone on to win the series almost half the time (nine of 19 such occasions).

But counting on that is playing with fire.

“By (Monday) night after the game, it’ll be someone with their backs against the wall,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said after his team practiced Sunday. 1214020 Pittsburgh Penguins • Penguins forward Jake Guentzel and Beauvillier each led the game with six shots.

• Letang led the game with 22:37 of ice time on 28 shifts. Empty Thoughts: Islanders 4, Penguins 1 • Defenseman Adam Pelech led the Islanders with 21:19 of ice time on 28 shifts.

SETH RORABAUGH | Sunday, May 23, 2021 7:56 a.m. • The Islanders dominated faceoffs, 33-17 (66%).

• Islanders forward Casey Cizikas was 12 for 17 (71%).

Observations from the Penguins’ 4-1 loss to the Islanders in Game 4: • Penguins forward Jeff Carter was 6 for 15 (40%).

For all the well-deserved criticism the Penguins received after this game, • Pulock led the game with six blocked shots. particularly from Western Pennsylvania, Islanders forward Mathew Barzal • Defenseman John Marino, Ceci and Dumoulin each led the Penguins provided a profoundly pragmatic observation of the team that he had just with three blocked shots. defeated. • Jarry made 23 saves on 27 shots. “That’s a pretty veteran group over on the other side,” Barzal said via video conference. “Whatever we did tonight, they’ve probably already • Sorokin made 29 saves on 30 shots. forgotten about it. They’re going to be fresh for Game 5.” Randomly speaking The Penguins were pretty lousy in Game 4. They took way too many penalties. Their puck management was sloppy. They just looked off all • Penalties really did in the Penguins. Only 4:07 into regulation, Penguins game. forward Evgeni Malkin got lured into a scuffle with Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck and both players got roughing minors. That kind of set the Yet, there’s little reason to believe whatever funk the Penguins were in tone for the Penguins as they took six penalties in total. on Saturday will carry over to Game 5 on Monday. The Islanders certainly don’t believe it will. The timing of the penalties was crucial too, at least in the third period. At 4:04 of the final frame, Penguins forward Sidney Crosby drew a holding And neither does Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. minor from Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield to give the visitors their first power-play chance of the day. “It’s like that every year and these guys have been through it an awful lot,” Sullivan said. “They know exactly what’s in store. We’re well Yet, only 30 seconds later, Penguins forward Jason Zucker took a prepared for it. We’ve just got to make sure we react the right way.” tripping minor to nullify that opportunity. That was followed up 41 seconds later by Letang getting nabbed for an interference minor. That What happened allowed the Islanders to cash in with two power-play scores to secure After a scoreless first period, the Islanders took the game’s first lead 8:07 victory. into the second. After a turnover by Penguins defenseman Kris Letang • The Penguins’ top line has not produced much this series. Crosby and on his own end boards, Islanders forward Brock Nelson dished a pass to Bryan Rust have each been limited to a goal. And while Jake Guentzel the left circle for linemate Josh Bailey who pumped a wrister that clunked leads the team with 19 shots this series, he has yet to find the back of the off the underside of goaltender Tristan Jarry’s glove and bounced into the net. net. The Penguins protested claiming Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier interfered with Jarry on the sequence but their objections fell This trio is getting chances but just can’t convert. It’s hard to see Sullivan on deaf ears. Bailey was credited with his second goal of the postseason breaking them up just given his general reluctance to ever do that with off assists from Nelson and Beauvillier. his top line but such a maneuver wouldn’t be unwarranted.

They made it a 2-0 game at 14:51 of the second. Gaining the offensive • A change in lines might benefit Malkin too. He was held without a shot zone on the right wing, Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom lifted a wrister in Game 4. on net. Jarry made the initial save and kicked out a rebound that slid above the left circle. Defenseman Ryan Pulock chased down the puck There was an anxious moment midway through this game when Pulock and whacked a one-timer that struck off the left skate of Penguins struck Malkin’s wonky right knee: defenseman Cody Ceci and deflected past Jarry’s left skate for Pulock’s Malkin appeared to be relatively fine after that hit. first goal. Assists went to Wahlstrom and defenseman Nick Leddy. • The ice at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum was not ideal as it was The Islanders secured victory with a four-on-three power-play goal at exceptionally humid Saturday. Given that this building is over half a 6:04 of the third period by Wahlstrom. Off a give-and-go sequence in the century old, it probably isn’t ideally suited to handle warmer weather. Penguins’ left circle with Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, Wahlstrom That said, very few of the modern buildings seem to handle humidity stroked a one-timer on net. Jarry made the initial save but the rebound either. slid to the top of the crease where Penguins forward Teddy Blueger inadvertently directed it into the open cage. Wahlstrom was credited with Regardless, the Islanders adapted to the conditions well and kept things his first goal off assists from Barzal and Pulock. simple. The Penguins did not.

The hole got deeper only 24 seconds later when Islanders forward • Through the first three games of the series, it could be argued Letang Jordan Eberle, an occasional nemesis to the Penguins, got his first goal was the Penguins’ best player. But he came back to earth in Game 4. He of the postseason during a five-on-four power-play sequence. Shielding a was just sloppy with his puck management and the interference minor he puck in the left corner of the offensive zone, Barzal was able to locate took was a killer. Eberle wide open in the right circle, hitting him with a pass. Uncontested, Barzal lifted a wrister past Jarry’s glove hand on the near side. Barzal He needs to level off his play going into Game 5. and forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau netted assists. • It’s difficult to blame Jarry for this loss. Two of the Islanders’ goals were The Penguins broke up the shutout bid at 17:25 of the third period with a directed into the net by Penguins players. Perhaps he could have made short-handed score. Off the rush, Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin routine saves on the Islanders’ first and fourth goals. But there wasn’t fired a wrister on net that goaltender Ilya Sorokin knocked down with his much Jarry was going to be able to do to win this game given how poorly glove. On the ensuing rebound, Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese his teammates played. was able to poke the puck in for his first career postseason goal. • The Islanders seemed intent in making contact with Jarry to get him off- Dumoulin had the lone assist. kilter. That tactic worked at least once on the first goal.

Statistically speaking • Sorokin stepped up big. After serving as the backup to the ineffective • The Penguins had a 30-27 edge in shots. Semyon Varlamov in Games 2 and 3, he stepped in for Game 4 and coolly led his team to victory. He established a tone pretty early on at 1:01 of the first period when “Ilya has been through a lot of stuff, everything from league Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen raced in on a great chance and put a championships in a very good league, the KHL. … He’s been under the wrister on net. Sorokin calmly booted it out and just looked in control from spotlight a lot and been in those big moments a lot. … He enjoys those that moment on. moments, just like (Varlamov) does. He’s not a guy that is a pure rookie coming into the NHL or these high-pressure situations. He’s had a lot of • It’s probably not ideal for the Penguins that Eberle has woken up. He them. As we’ve brought him along, he just feels very comfortable.” usually finds ways to collect goals against the Penguins but had been quiet through the first three games of the series. Perhaps his score in Tribune Review LOADED: 05.24.2021 Game 4 gets him going.

Historically speaking

• Aston-Reese’s score was the Penguins’ first short-handed postseason score in more than four years. Their last goal on the penalty kill was by ex-forward Matt Cullen in a 6-2 road win against the Washington Capitals in Game 2 of a second-round series April 29, 2017.

Publicly speaking

• Malkin on the penalties:

“We understand (that) we take too many penalties tonight. The next game, we need (to) focus and play disciplined. Don’t give them any chance to play power play and (do) not take bad penalties.”

• Malkin continued on the penalties and how the Islanders try to drag them into post-whistle nonsense:

“It’s hard to go away every time. After (a) whistle, you stay at the boards, in front, they come to you. It’s playoff times. … If they push your goalie or they push your (teammates), you need to be strong. We understand how they play, we understand they’re a physical team. But after (the) whistle, we need to stay together (and) not talk too much to them.

“I take like three penalties. But I’m not surprised. These guys (the Islanders) get me every game, give me penalties. I’m not surprised but it’s OK. I understand. I will be more disciplined more next game. We’re not happy now, not just me. The whole team (is) not happy. … We need to forget this game and forget this day. It’s a best-of-three now.”

• Sullivan on the penalties:

“We get (30) seconds of power-time to seven-plus minutes (for the Islanders). That’s a big discrepancy. We can’t take the amount of penalties that we took.”

• Crosby on his line:

“I thought today, we had some good looks. (The Islanders) are not going to give you a ton. So when you get an opportunity, you’ve got to capitalize, you have to execute. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do that. We had some really good looks in the second (period) before they scored. We’ve just to execute. That’s really what it comes down to.”

• Sullivan has faith in his top line:

“Jake finds ways to get chances every night. He’s had a handful of chances in this series. He hasn’t converted on them to this point. He’s had a number of pretty good looks. It’s going to take just hard work and ‘stick-to-it-ness.’ We’ve just got to stay with it. I don’t think we were quite as sharp tonight. We didn’t have as many looks tonight as we had in the first few games. We’re going to have to work for those moving forward. But these guys are good offensive players. We’ve just got to stay with it.”

• Dumoulin said his team needs to be sharper mentally:

“We need more urgency after they score. Those next shifts are huge. If they score and we establish (offensive) zone time and we start putting them on their heels. We start tipping momentum in our favor. And obviously, in playoffs, a lot of it is momentum. The shifts after goals … I think those are critical times, especially the last minute of the period. Those are critical points in the game where we need to realize that and have more awareness and get pucks deep.”

• Malkin spoke publicly for the first time since suffering his presumed right knee injury March 16. He offered something of a situation report:

“I feel great. I (skated) a lot before I started playing. I (stepped) on the ice and no pain, nothing. The last two games, I feel better every game.”

• While Sorokin is a rookie technically, at 25, he’s had a lot of professional success in ’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), having won that league’s championship, the Gagarin Cup, in 2019. So this isn’t his first rodeo. Trotz spoke to that experience: 1214021 Pittsburgh Penguins

Minor league report: Nailers beaten in overtime

SETH RORABAUGH | Sunday, May 23, 2021 6:56 a.m.

Forward Cody Sylvester had two goals for the Wheeling Nailers in a 4-3 road overtime loss to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. on Saturday.

Goaltender Louis-Philip Guindon made 33 saves on 37 shots for Wheeling (19-34-6-1) which has lost five consecutive games.

Highlights:

The Nailers’ next game is a road contest against the Swamp Rabbits on Sunday, 3:05 p.m.

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214022 Pittsburgh Penguins Sullivan has last change for Game 5 on Monday night at PPG Paints Arena. He has to get Crosby’s line away from the Cizikas line as much as possible.

Mark Madden: Penguins could benefit from changing up Sidney Crosby's Not putting Carter on Crosby’s line would be understandable. line Cavalierly letting the Cizikas line blanket Crosby’s line would be inexcusable. Then again, the Islanders’ depth and physicality provide no easy matchups. MARK MADDEN | Sunday, May 23, 2021 6:01 a.m. Tribune Review LOADED: 05.24.2021

Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Long Island was frustrating and disappointing but hardly cataclysmic.

The New York Islanders are good, too. Just like the Penguins, they want to win. That’s obvious and elementary but too often gets lost via home- team fervor.

If coach Mike Sullivan went with exactly the same lineup and gameplan for Monday’s Game 5, he couldn’t be blamed.

But here’s a change to consider:

The line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust has been too quiet. Not for lack of effort or skill set. But the way the series is being played and officiated, that trio can’t find room. All three stand less than 6 feet. None plays especially big, save Crosby.

Crosby and Rust have a goal each in this series, Guentzel one assist. It’s surprising the Islanders don’t have the series lead given that line’s meager production.

Perhaps Rust should be replaced on that line by Jeff Carter. Put the hot hand with Crosby, your best playmaker. Carter is 6-foot-3. His size might create space for Crosby and Guentzel. Carter is just as familiar with right wing as he is center.

Carter would make Crosby’s line much more threatening than it is with Rust. Carter could better compete with the physicality of the Islanders.

Crosby, Guentzel and Rust can’t navigate the heavy traffic. They had 10 shots Saturday but few threatening. They were mostly kept on the perimeter.

This switch isn’t necessarily a desperation move. Lines get juggled all the time.

Crosby’s line is a good one and established. But it’s not like Sullivan would be breaking up Mario Lemieux, Kevin Stevens and Rick Tocchet.

It’s a gamble, sure. Carter has been very productive at center and skating with Jared McCann and Frederick Gaudreau. But no forward ever went cold because he got put on Crosby’s line.

The Penguins won’t win this series if Crosby’s line doesn’t score more. If Crosby doesn’t produce more.

Leave Evgeni Malkin’s line as is.

Move McCann to center between Rust at right wing and Evan Rodrigues at left wing. Gaudreau can sit a game.

Rodrigues’ adrenaline upon entering the lineup could provide a spark. He’d be more adept at left wing than Gaudreau. Gaudreau is better at killing penalties but isn’t one of the Penguins’ primary four forwards on that unit.

Teddy Blueger’s line stays the same.

Or leave everything as it’s been. Sullivan couldn’t be blamed for that.

But if he does leave things as they are, Sullivan could be blamed for not getting Crosby’s unit away from being matched against the Islanders’ punishing fourth line of Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin.

Sullivan tries to get Blueger’s line on the ice vs. Mathew Barzal’s line. The result is Barzal being held goalless (though he has three assists in the last two games). Barzal is the Islanders’ most skilled threat.

But when it comes to Crosby’s line, Sullivan tends to let the opposing coach have whatever matchup he wants. The feeling seems to be Crosby is superior to whomever he faces, and he will find a way. That approach is doubtless fueled in no small part by Crosby.

It’s a reasonable thought process. But it’s not working. 1214023 Pittsburgh Penguins net in unison. That’s how they got three of their goals Thursday, including Cal Clutterbuck’s game-tying tally.

The Islanders have averaged 15 shots from the slot per game during 5- Five things the Penguins need to change to take back control of series on-5 play, per Sportlogiq. And about three of those per game are off of rebounds.

With the way this roster was constructed by Jim Rutherford, their lighter, MATT VENSEL mobile blue-liners will get outmuscled at times at the net front. But Brian Dumoulin said after Game 4 that tactical tweaks can be made to offer MAY 23, 2021 4:04 PM more resistance.

“[It would be beneficial] if we can box them out early and try to stop the If you told the Penguins during their flight to Long Island that they would traffic from getting there. We’ve been fronting a lot, and I think if we can earn a split at Nassau Coliseum, they probably would have been content establish the box-outs, especially out of the corner, it can help us,” he with that. said. “But we have to fight for the net front just as much as they do. We have to keep grinding.” But they returned home Saturday with a sour taste in their mouths after they lacked urgency and discipline in a 4-1 loss to the New York 3. Fire up the power play Islanders in Game 4. In a matchup of elite units, the New York penalty kill has so far kept the “We’re not happy. Not just me. The whole team is not happy with what Pittsburgh power play under wraps. The Islanders are aggressive with we did,” Evgeni Malkin said. “We need to forget this game. Best of three their pressure, and since Game 1 the Penguins have had a difficult time right now.” getting set up in the zone.

Game 5 of the first-round playoff series is Monday night at PPG Paints The Penguins are 1-for-8 on the power play in this series with just seven Arena. So the Penguins must quickly regroup, or they will lose their grip total shots. The lone goal came in Game 3, when the Penguins had all on the series. those guys in the box and sent out a mishmash unit. Jeff Carter finished off a pass from Malkin. Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin roughs up Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck Saturday May 22, 2021, at the Nassau Veterans Speaking of that Carter fella, the Penguins should consider a personnel Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale NY. switch on the top unit. With his big body and red-hot shot and playoff poise, he could replace Jake Guentzel or Bryan Rust, who have both “Both teams are trying extremely hard to win, and there are momentum been quiet in the series. swings throughout the course of a seven-game series,” coach Mike Sullivan said Saturday. “We’ve just got to make sure we bring the Anyway, the pressure is on whoever they throw out there to deliver. You resilience to our attitude and our effort and our approach here through have to figure the Penguins will get a couple of calls at home in Game 5, the ebbs and flows of this series.” especially after they publicly grumbled about the officiating in the aftermath of Saturday’s loss. A big game from their power play could Sullivan added: “We knew it was going to be a tough series going into swing the series in their favor. this.” 4. Stick with it, Sidney If the Penguins are to emerge from it victorious, they must make a few quick fixes before Monday. Here are five things to watch for heading into The top-line trio of Sidney Crosby, Guentzel and Rust did not record a Game 5. point in either game on Long Island, where Barry Trotz and the Islanders had the final change and could more easily target matchups. It was not 1. Regain the composure for a lack of opportunities.

Whether it was Malkin taking three minor penalties, Kris Letang being on Whenever No. 87 stepped onto the ice, Trotz tried to send his shutdown tilt all afternoon or Tristan Jarry chucking his broken stick into the corner, defensive pair of Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock over the boards after the Penguins lost their composure Saturday – if they even had it in the him. They are physical defenders who wall off the net front, block shots first place. and play with some snarl.

It was a carryover from that wild third period in Game 3 when they twice But the Penguins had nine high-danger scoring chances compared to coughed up the lead and at one point had five top players in the penalty just two for the Islanders when Crosby matched up against them, per box. The Penguins buckled down to get that win, but it’s not exactly a Natural Stat Trick. That was largely due to Crosby’s brilliance. Now he formula for success. needs to put the puck in the net.

As far as the Penguins skaters go, they need to heed the advice of the “It’s just going to take hard work and stick-to-itiveness. We’ve just got to head coach and simply skate away from the scrums. And when they get stay with it,” Sullivan said. “I don’t think we were quite as sharp their power plays, they need to start making the Islanders pay (more on [Saturday]. We didn’t have as many looks as we had in the first few that in a minute). games. We’re going to have to work for those moving forward. But these guys are good offensive players.” Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel battles Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock for loose puck along the boards Saturday May 5. Getting pucks deep 22, 2021, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale NY. The Penguins impressively neutralized the Islanders forecheck in Games Ron Cook: Penguins need signs of life from their top line 1 and 2, making it to the neutral zone on 78.2% of their breakouts, per Sportlogiq. The starting goalie is another story. Jarry gave up four goals in each of the two games on Long Island and was uncharacteristically rattled with Their pressure got to them on Long Island, though. The Islanders the Islanders all up in his space. He’s looked like his new general generated some offense off of it. More importantly, they short-circuited manager at times, jabbing at Islanders forecheckers or jostling with the Pittsburgh transition game, which let New York control more territory, opponents parked atop of his crease. particular in Game 4.

Jarry needs to dial back in and just worry about that puck. The Penguins, You can’t help but wonder if the pounding is taking a toll on the needing two out of the next three, can’t afford another shaky game from Penguins. Their defensemen weren’t getting back to retrieve dump-ins as him. quickly as they did in the first two games. And that split second can be the difference between a clean zone exit and a botched breakout that 2. Clear out the crease leads to a back-breaking goal. The Penguins can help out Jarry by clearing the crease – and not by Sullivan also spoke Saturday about how he would like to see the shoving someone into your goalie, guys. The Islanders like to get in on Penguins get their forecheck going again. He didn’t think they were the forecheck, send the puck back to their blue-liners and then crash the getting pucks deep often enough in order to force the Islanders to work their way up the full 200 feet. “You’ve got to simplify and put pucks below the goal line and create your offense in different ways,” he said. “We’re very much aware of the type of game that we need to play. And it boils down to just making good decisions and execution.”

Post Gazette LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214024 Pittsburgh Penguins

We Interrupt The Chippiness For Trotz’s Latest Praise Of Crosby

Published 14 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Shelly Anderson

The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders have developed some animosity during their East Division first-round playoff series. There is more than likely some underlying professional respect there, too.

But one thing is clear coming from the Islanders: Coach Barry Trotz holds Penguins center and team captain Sidney Crosby in high regard. The highest regard, actually.

That’s not something new. Trotz has complimented Crosby as a hockey player and as a person many times.

But it’s worth mentioning because Trotz, during the Islanders post- practice media availability Sunday (the Penguins had a day off), gave one of his better soliloquies on Crosby.

The context was the way the Islanders — who tied the series at 2-2 Saturday with a 4-1 win going into Game 5 Monday at PPG Paints Arena – have held Crosby and his linemates fairly well in check.

Crosby’s only point this series is a goal in Game 1.

Trotz didn’t get into much in terms of the on-ice details of Crosby’s performance in this series or, really, overall, although he did mention that this is his fifth time coaching against Crosby in the playoffs – and that would be with two different teams.

The Islanders coach also didn’t specifically mention Crosby’s two big- time defensive plays this series, once when he poked away a puck that had gotten behind goaltender Tristan Jarry and was headed for the goal line, and once when he lunged to get his stick on a shot by Brock Nelson to send it wide of a gaping net beside Jarry.

His praise of Crosby came more in generalities, and even more so crossed into the person he perceives Crosby to be. It’s not the first time Trotz has spoken about Crosby’s character. While coaching the Washington Capitals in a 2018 series against the Penguins, Trotz recounted a touching interaction between Crosby and Trotz’s son.

Sunday, among other things, Trotz touched on Crosby’s time as the face of the NHL and even hockey, noting that he and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, early in their careers, helped the NHL regain its footing after a season lost to a work stoppage and teams adjusting to what then was a new salary cap.

Here is Trotz’s full take on Crosby from Sunday:

“He’s had one goal, but he’s dangerous. He’s an elite player who plays an elite game night in and night out. We just hope to contain him.

“The top players like him … I have so much respect for Sid as a player and a person. I think this is the fifth time we’ve been going against Sid in a playoffs, for myself, and he’s an exceptional, exceptional player and a great example of what an NHL player is in this league.

“He’s a gold standard. He’s carried this league – him and Ovi. When the league really needed it, him and Ovi carried it. He’s been a great example and a great example for the NHL.”

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214025 Pittsburgh Penguins 1. Jared McCann At first blush, McCann’s game should flourish in the playoffs. He’s got a

wicked wrist shot. He’s fast, tenacious, and knows how to turn defense Round One Drama: Several Penguins Must Rise to Challenge vs. into offense. Islanders However, in 10 career playoff games, he has three assists. That’s it. McCann has been a part of the last two Pittsburgh Penguins playoff flameouts and was a healthy scratch in Game 3 against the Montreal Published 19 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Dan Kingerski Canadiens last August.

For a shooter, three assists over three years isn’t good enough, especially when center Jeff Carter has been on his game. Perhaps The New York Islanders brought the extra levels of playoff physicality in McCann gave little hint to his struggles last week. the second period of Game 2 and the third period of Game 3. They discombobulated the Pittsburgh Penguins for those periods. The McCann was asked about the difference in playoff experience between Penguins were able to regroup and claim those games for a 2-1 series him and Carter. lead. “I think it’s just probably just a bit more nerves. You know, I feel like once But Game 4 was a much different story. you get that experience and kind of get that mindset of what you’ve got to do every night, it settles you down,” McCann said. “I’ve talked to Jeff The Islanders didn’t bring the extra-legal and extra-curricular activity. about it, and I’m going to continue to talk to him about it, just kind of pick They patiently played a tight game, and it was the Penguins who had a his brain about what he does and what I can kind of take from him.” beef. The Islanders were disciplined. The Penguins were not. McCann has not yet conquered those nerves if that is indeed the issue. “I think this is just playoff hockey. You know, the emotions are high. It’s physical hockey. It’s like that every year,” Penguins head coach Mike With Evgeni Malkin on a gimpy leg, Jason Zucker’s hot and cold offense, Sullivan said. “And and these guys have been through it an awful lot. So and the top Penguins line being bottled up, the Penguins desperately they know exactly what we’re what’s in store. And we’re well prepared for need McCann to put one past the goalie. And then another one, too. it. We’ve just got to make sure we react the right way.” Long-range shots for all of the above Penguins wingers just won’t cut it. The Islanders won Game 4, but the heavy physicality in the series The Penguins have shown the resilience they lacked in 2019 and 2020, appears to be taking a toll on a couple of players, and there’s one more but only two, or even three wins in Round One will not be viewed who needs to step forward for the Penguins to break their two-year favorably. The Penguins need a series win. running opening-round exit streak. Thus far, not everyone is reacting the right way. And they need shots inside the dots, from closer range. Guentzel, Rust, and McCann are the players who need to do more to make it happen. Pittsburgh Penguins Who Must Elevate Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 3. Jake Guentzel

The Penguins top-line winger made a name for himself as a rookie in 2017 with a hat trick and by filling the net on the Penguins’ march to their second-consecutive Stanley Cup. He knows how to score in the postseason.

In 49 playoff games, Guentzel has 25 goals and 47 points.

But he has just two goals in the last three years.

On Saturday, Guentzel had a team-high six shots. That sounds good, but just one shot was within 25 feet. Guentzel had one shot from 26 feet away (outside the dots) and Guentzel had four shots from 48 feet and beyond, including one from the other end of the rink.

He had a single shot from the scoring zone, a wrap-around attempt.

In other words, Guentzel had shots on goal, but only one of them was meaningful. The Penguins winger was kept to the perimeter and didn’t do enough to break the New York dominance of the areas needed to score goals. Scoring goals is Guentzel’s primary job.

In four games, Guentzel has only one assist. The Penguins need goals. The Penguins need Guentzel.

2. Bryan Rust

Early in the season, head coach Mike Sullivan loaded up his top line with Bryan Rust. The Pittsburgh Penguins gritty, speedy forward has developed his offensive game. For the second straight season he crossed the 20-goal mark and scored 22 markers in this shortened season.

He, too, made a mark early in his career during the Penguins Stanley Cup runs by scoring big goals.

In the first four games of the series, Rust has one point (1-0-1). Saturday, he had only two shots on goal but did catch the outside of the post on another attempt. However, Rust’s closest shot was from 19 feet away.

Kingerski, why does it matter how many feet away? The point I’m driving home is the Penguins allowed New York to control the scoring area between the dots. Rust’s shots from 19 feet are better than the long- range Guentzel shots, but he needs more than one or two.

The Penguins top line is their driver. If the top liner has only one point in the series, the Penguins are in trouble. 1214026 Pittsburgh Penguins

Dan’s Daily: Malkin Struggles, Fleury Brilliant, & ‘The Code’ in Hockey

Published 20 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Dan Kingerski

You can admit it because I thought it, too. The Pittsburgh Penguins seemed to solve the New York Islanders in Games 2 and 3, and despite the over-the-top physicality and adversity, the Penguins still managed to win Game 3 for a series lead. It would be just a matter of time before breaking the New York Islanders, right? Oops. Also, in the Daily, Marc- Andre Fleury was again brilliant in his 16th career playoff shutout. Patric Hornqvist and the Florida Panthers lost but got rough with Tampa Bay, and the Boston Bruins could put the Washington Capitals season to bed.

It was tough sledding for the Penguins on Saturday afternoon, but they compounded their uphill battle with a lack of urgency, bad penalties, and a lack of shots between the dots. Evgeni Malkin not only took three penalties, but he had zero shots.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Malkin faced the media after the bad game and took responsibility.

PHN+: We broke down what went wrong for the Penguins in Game 4. Kris Letang had a rough go but was one of several players and several factors in the Penguins’ loss.

If you need a respite from screaming blame games, cannibalizing players or each other, but want smart content that shoots straight, please consider PHN+ We cost more than a dollar per month because we’re the local David taking on a Goliath which is burning through tens of millions of dollars (And we’re on the most solid ground that we’ve ever been! Thanks!)

From the NYI Side–if you dare:

The Islanders Dominating effort in Game 4 was too much for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL & National Hockey Now:

Vegas: Marc-Andre Fleury got a little help from Toronto, and Minnesota’s lone “goal” was overturned. He was otherwise brilliant in his Game 4 shutout win.

Fleury’s 16th career playoff shutout tied him with Curtis Joseph (CuJo!) for third all-time behind two guys named Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur.

Montreal Gazette: One of my favorite stories of the week–After Corey Perry had to fight following John Tavares’ scary injury, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette just took hockey’s “Code” about fighting to the woodshed.

Sportsnet: Tampa Bay beat Florida 6-2, so Florida gooned it up midway through the second period, including Patric Hornqvist, who got a good clean-ish hit on Mikhail Sergachev. Other Panthers weren’t so clean. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper lit into officials for the nonsense.

Boston: The Bruins have a chance to end the suddenly dysfunctional Washington Capitals season. “Mindset” is what it takes.

Philly: Speaking of “The Code,” the Philadelphia Flyers Sam Morin wants to be the Flyers enforcer and one of the league’s tough guys.

Colorado: Momma Newhook was over the moon after her son, Alex Newhook, scored his first NHL goal. Here’s a cool human story, and exclusive, from Colorado.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214027 San Jose Sharks San Jose actually had more shots than Henderson 32-28, but Thompson was equal to the task.

On the other side, Josef Korenar could not continue his hot streak, giving Chekhovich Injury Update, Ibragimov Impresses, Cuda Eliminated up as many goals this afternoon as he had in his previous three playoff starts. Regardless, the Czech netminder had his moments:

Even after a 24-for-28 performance, Korenar finished the post-season Published 3 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Sheng Peng with a .926 Save %.

Roy Sommer summed up a Barracuda campaign with unprecedented challenges: “[40] days on the road at the start. We went through the Timur Ibragimov is projected to return to North America next year. Texas scene, got the one game in, then we got iced out there for a week. The San Jose Sharks’ 2019 sixth-round pick, who played most of the We had some COVID, where we had to quarantine. season with TPS Turku in Liiga, made his North American pro debut last “The guys stuck with it. We ended up in a playoff spot at the end of the Wednesday in Irvine. Ibragimov had scored eight goals and 14 points in year, which was a positive. Finland, helping TPS to the Liiga championship round. “Then we went down to play in the tournament in Irvine, and give the The 20-year-old Russian winger is slated to join the San Jose Barracuda guys credit, five of our top scorers are out and all the guys that played full-time next season. that weren’t playing a lot buckled down.” And while Ibragimov didn’t manage to notch a point in his three AHL San Jose Hockey NowLOADED: 05.24.2021 post-season contests, he flashed a promising combination of size, skill, and speed in teal.

Off the draw on Friday, Ibragimov (67) blows by Brayden Pachdal (94). One on one against recent KHL signing Daniil Miromanov (42), Ibragimov gets around the 6-foot-4 defender, then looks up. The winger holds the puck a beat, absorbing the Henderson backchecker, before uncorking a perfect pass to an unmarked Scott Reedy (54) charging down the slot.

The extra moment that Ibragimov takes with the puck is all-important: This draws a Silver Knight to him, and also, allows Reedy to gain the zone in stride and onside.

While the 6-foot-1 winger is raw, the tools are there. A scout compared Ibragimov favorably to San Jose’s 2019 second-round pick Dillon Hamaliuk, insofar as both blend the skill, pace, and power that should complement skill forwards well.

Ibragimov is in the first season of his three-year entry-level contract.

CUDA DONE

Score another one for the Vegas Golden Knights over the San Jose Sharks.

The Golden Knights swept the Sharks in their eight-game season series. The Silver Knights completed a 6-1-1 regular season showing and a best-of-three playoff sweep over the Barracuda with a 4-2 Game Two victory this afternoon.

Overall, the San Jose Sharks organization went 1-14-3 versus their most bitter rival this season.

It was a promising enough start for the Barracuda this afternoon — 40 seconds in, Jake McGrew snapped a shot – albeit deflected – over Logan Thompson.

The lead, however, was short-lived, as Gage Quinney responded with a short-handed goal a little more than 11 minutes later.

This was off a blindside Pachdal hit on Ivan Chekhovich. Pachdal was assessed a major. Chekhovich did not return.

San Jose Hockey Now is hearing that Chekhovich is in concussion protocol. We’ll get another update on him soon.

The middle frame would not prove to be a respite for San Jose. Five minutes in, Tomas Jurco beat Josef Korenar on a two-on-one, then Danny O’Regan potted another shortie for Henderson.

Tomas Jurco goal

The Barracuda and Maxim Letunov would get a quick one back on the power play.

But again, ex-San Jose Sharks prospect O’Regan would get his revenge, this time on the PP:

Danny O'Regan power play goal

Less than halfway into the game, there were already six goals scored, Silver Knights 4-2. That would prove to be it.

It’s not that the Barracuda didn’t have their chances: 1214028 San Jose Sharks

Sheng’s Daily: All Eyes on Pointless McDavid Before Game 3

Published 15 hours ago on May 23, 2021By Sheng Peng

The Henderson Silver Knights topped the Barracuda 4-1 in Game One of their three-game semifinal series. Regardless, San Jose Sharks prospects Josef Korenar, Scott Reedy, and Brandon Coe have impressed, which Roy Sommer, Doug Wilson Jr., and Tim Burke spoke to:

Tim Burke on Reedy, Coe’s Quick Adjustment to AHL; Cuda Drop Game 1

The San Jose Sharks, by and large, have been a hugely successful NHL franchise, on and off the ice. But this stat underscores the gaping hole in their trophy case:

Sheng’s Daily: Depressing Sharks’ Playoff Stat?

AROUND THE NHL…

The AHL is considering expanding their regular playoff format to include play-in games. (Sportsnet)

All eyes are on Connor McDavid, who’s gone pointless in the first two games of the playoffs. Game Three of Edmonton-Winnipeg is tonight. (The Globe and Mail)

Nikita Kucherov notched four points in Tampa Bay’s Game Four victory, but then exited the game with an injury. (NHL)

FHN Daily: Will The Florida Panthers Turn To Spencer Knight?

Steve Gorten: For this kind of money, Panthers need ‘Big Game Bobrovsky’

BHN Daily: Is Boston Bruins D McAvoy Early Conn Smythe Candidate?

Exit Interview: How can Travis Sanheim make sure he doesn’t plateau again next season?

Welcome to your new home for San Jose Sharks breaking news, analysis and opinion. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and don't forget to subscribe to SJHN+ for all of our members-only content from Sheng Peng and the National Hockey Now network plus an ad-free browsing experience.

San Jose Hockey Now LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214029 St Louis Blues Defense in tatters When the Blues played Colorado on opening night on Jan. 13, a 4-1 win

for the Blues, their defense consisted of Torey Krug and Colton Parayko, Tarasenko shows his old self with two goals, but it's not enough for the Marco Scandella and Justin Faulk, and Vince Dunn and Robert Bortuzzo. Blues Carl Gunnarsson, the seventh defenseman, was a healthy scratch.

When the Blues closed the season, Faulk, Dunn and Bortuzzo were out injured, along with Gunnarsson, who suffered a season-ending injury on Tom Timmermann 8 hrs ago Feb. 23. In their places were Niko Mikkola, Jake Walman and Steven Santini, with Mitch Reinke ready to go in case.

Walman had been on the COVID list since May 10 and had missed six At the end of a disappointing season and a disappointing playoffs, Blues games. He skated in warmups on Friday but didn’t play and Blues coach forward Vladimir Tarasenko showed Sunday what he can do when he is Craig Berube said Sunday he would be a game-time decision. Reinke on his game. The question remains how much Tarasenko, who has been was on the ice for warmups in case, but Walman was ready to go and plagued with injuries his past two seasons, will be on his game going played 15:24, with one shot on goal and one hit. forward. Faulk and Bortuzzo were both injured in Game 2. Dunn last played on Tarasenko had the two Blues goals in their 5-2 loss to Colorado that April 26 and missed the final 16 games of the season. It’s possible all closed their four-game sweep by the Avalanche, his first multi-goal game three have concussions. since he scored two in Game 1 of the Dallas series in the run to the Stanley Cup in 2019. In one game on Sunday, Tarasenko scored half of St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2021 the goals he had in the regular season, and the two were classic Tarasenko goals, quick, precisely focused shots that beat Colorado goalie Philipp Grubauer.

“That’s Vladi,” said Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly. “An elite shooter. Changed the game for us. It would have been nice to help him out … but it’s definitely good to see how deadly he is.”

Tarasenko missed the first 24 games of the season as he recovered from shoulder surgery, his third overall and his second in a year. It was predictably slow going in the season as he returned to action and then missed eight of the final nine games of the season, including the last seven, with a lower-body injury that he identified on Sunday as being a groin injury. He was good enough to play by Game 1 of the Avalanche series, though he clearly wasn’t at the top of his game. Even in Game 4, his all-around game was lacking, as his Corsi percentage was 41.7.

“I have some groin problems,” he said. “Basically, it needs just time to heal. While the playoffs go on I feel more confident, but our season is done now so I have a lot of time to figure it out. But our medical staff did a great job. There is credit to them. They help me be on the same page too, help me get ready to play.”

In 24 regular-season games, he had four goals and 10 assists, which projects to 13 goals over an 82-game season. In the first three games of the series, he had no points and was minus-7 in plus-minus. He had only three shots on goal. In Game 4, he had four shots on goal.

Tarasenko was almost defiant in insisting that his shoulder is fine, which is important for the Blues going forward since he’s played only 34 games over the past two seasons, about one-fourth of the total number of games possible.

“There’s a lot of experts,” Tarasenko said. “Honestly, nobody knows what my injuries were. Everybody think it’s the same thing for three (surgeries), but this is not true. There is three different things that happen. Now the shoulder is 100 percent, I have no concerns about it. There’s a lot of predictions, a lot of stuff, but you know, the time will show who is right and who is wrong.”

Tarasenko has in the past expressed embarrassment about the team’s poor play in St. Louis, both in the regular season and the playoffs, and he was thankful Sunday to have fans, the crowd was announced as 9,000, in Enterprise Center.

“It was nice to have fans again,” he said. “Fans in the building. It’s been a while since I play with the fans personally (all of his games in the 2019- 20 season came in the fan-less Edmonton bubble) and I think guys were really excited for all the support we have. Thanks everybody who believe in us, who don’t believe in us. It was good times playing in Enterprise to the fans for the home crowds again, but we can’t make it happen. Thank you for everybody for support. We can feel it. Again, it sucks, but it is what it is.”

And that was the bottom line for Tarasenko: This was a bad ending for the season.

“There’s no excuses,” he said. “I can tell whatever I want to say, and say like we don’t fight enough, but it is what it is. This is embarrassing; it’s always hard to lose in the playoffs, especially like this. There is no words, that much you can see.” 1214030 St Louis Blues about the Avalanche offense, the Avalanche defense plays fearless and ferocious hockey.

“It really boils down to some certain situations in all the games,” Blues Hochman: With another Blues playoff loss, the Stanley Cup win seems coach Craig Berube said. “You know, the games are pretty close, but we so far away now let it slip away at some point. And that’s what’s upsetting, that we couldn’t stay with it, just stay with it and do a good job against that top line. Do a good job against everybody defensively, and then go get that next goal — we just couldn’t find a way to do that.” 8 hrs ago Before the series began — and before the devastating Perron news — Benjamin Hochman an upbeat O’Reilly said “we’re going to have fun and we’re going to beat them.”

The handshakes are the hardest part. After the sweep, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog was asked if O’Reilly’s statement motivated his team. After a series of intense impact, the weakest contact, a quick grip of a hand, is the most painful. “Yeah, it did.”

And it was painful to watch, as the St. Louis Blues endured the traditional Some might say all the little things added up to bury the Blues. But that’s handshake line at 6:46 PM on Sunday, which signified the end of their unfair to the Avalanche. They were clearly the better hockey team. It season. wasn’t even close.

Avalanche 5, Blues 2. And what we saw were contrasting trajectories of two franchises — Colorado trending up, St. Louis trending down. As the two teams passed Swept. in the night in the handshake line, the visual of that was striking. And painful. It was a sad end to a season, but also to a dream. There was, understandably so, a belief around town that the Blues were building St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2021 something legendary. They of course won the Stanley Cup in 2019, and when the 2020 season paused due to the pandemic, the Blues had 94 points, the most in the entire Western Conference. But they blew it in the bubble. And Sunday at Enterprise Center, Colorado completed its first- round evisceration of St. Louis — and with it, the evaporation of the dream. The Cup title wasn’t the start of something — it was the something.

The Blues have lost back-to-back first-round series. The reality is that the Blues are regular.

“It’s two series now where we’ve lost and we didn’t really represent the culture here, that we’ve built here,” said Ryan O’Reilly, the Blues captain and Stanley Cup hero, who was minus-seven in the four games this postseason, all losses. “We didn’t defend like we know we have and what’s been seen in the past. I feel myself, being the captain, I have to find a way to maintain that is what made this team and this organization so tough for so many years — that culture of playing hard and playing as a team. A lot of times you’d be out-skilled, like with a matchup, but still the work ethic and way we’d compete as a team, we’d give ourselves a chance. So that I think is missing with myself and some others.”

It’s an incomplete assessment of the Blues if one doesn’t point out how COVID and injuries affected the chemistry. In the 2020 bubble in Edmonton, a few Blues were recovering from COVID and not themselves out there. And in 2021, the Blues played the series without their leader in points, David Perron, due to COVID. And the Avs knocked out Justin Faulk and Robert Bortuzzo with shots to the skull. Oh, and even to get to the playoffs, the Blues had to scrap, due to the second-most man games lost in the league.

But what was particularly depressing was the disparity of the two teams in this series. What happened? On both April 24 and 26, the Blues beat the Avs. And prior to that, the four regular-season games were all one- goal or two-goal games. But in the playoffs against Colorado, the Blues were out-everything’d.

“I thought we would have been able to kind of tilt the ice a bit more,” O’Reilly said. “With that team, with the way they play, they’re going to have momentum at times — but we sure didn’t grab it back like we needed to and sustain pressure. We were sporadic, it wasn’t consistent, and clearly you see what happens — they dominated us.”

This was a buzzsaw. This was the Cardinals against the 2004 Red Sox. The Blues tried, finally, in Games 3 and 4 to return to their style of play. For stretches they had more structure. Chip it in, forecheck, forecheck, forecheck, possess the puck, wear down the “D.” But there were two problems with this. One, of course, was it was too little to late — Games 1 and 2 had already happened. And two was that the Blues didn’t actually score goals when they possessed said puck. Name a Blues player — he probably finished with a terrible plus-minus in this series. And some would suggest that Jaden Schwartz and Mike Hoffman didn’t even play in the series. One point between the pair. For all that’s made 1214031 St Louis Blues But the goal didn’t exactly give the Blues a spark. They were outshot 11- 3 over the rest of the second period — and two of those 11 went in the net for Colorado.

Avs turn the lights out on Blues season with four-game sweep With just two seconds left on a power play, Brandon Saad beat Binnington with a floater stick side to tie the game 1-1. The Blues’ lead had lasted all of 7 minutes 12 seconds.

Jim Thomas 6 hrs ago A little over three minutes later, Colorado had the lead on — stop if you’ve heard this before — a net-front deflection. Colorado’s forwards

made themselves at home throughout the series in front of the St. Louis It was fun while it lasted. But not that much fun. The Blues went quietly net, and this time it was Gabriel Landeskog’s deflection that made it a 2-1 into the night Sunday, losing 5-2 in Game 4 of their opening-round playoff Avs with 5:07 left in the second. series against the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado kept the momentum going at the start of the third period with Swept in four games. Mikko Rantanen scoring off a rush. Somehow, nobody bothered to pick up Rantanen on the play, even though Colton Parayko was pointing in Forget about the talk of cheap shots, less-than-stellar officiating, bad his direction. (For someone to pick up Rantanen.) It typified a season of bounces. Yes, the Blues were missing some players: leading scorer coverage breakdowns and defensive lapses. David Perron for the entire series, and three of their top six defensemen for two-plus games. And it typified a series dominated by the Avs’ top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Rantanen and Landeskog. But no mistake, the Blues were outclassed — by a composite score of 20-7. The better team won. “Pretty much all series we didn’t check that line good enough,” Berube said. “And again tonight, they found a way to produce — that top line of “Clearly,” said captain Ryan O’Reilly. “As you can see, we didn’t even the Avalanche — and we didn’t do a good enough job defensively give ourselves a chance. I feel bad for Binner, too, he played outstanding against them.” for us. (Colorado was) clearly the better team. We couldn’t even get one of them, which is tough.” The MacKinnon line had nine goals and 16 assists in the series. Granted three of the goals were empty-netters by MacKinnon. The Blues were swept in a best-of-seven series for the first time since the 2011-12 season, against the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Tarasenko made it a 3-2 game with 11:21 to play on a power-play goal, Conference semifinals. giving him his first multi-goal playoff game since Game 1 of the 2019 Western Conference semifinals against Dallas. Jordan Binnington, the darling of the Blues’ Stanley Cup run in 2019, played well Sunday — certainly better than he did in Saturday’s 5-1 loss. “You can’t say that scoring two goals (when) the season’s done is a But he’s now lost nine consecutive postseason games, with his last relief,” Tarasenko said. “It’s not a comparable thing. It was not enough to playoff triumph coming in Game 7 of the Cup Final against Boston. win the game. I don’t see the reason to talk about goals right now, honestly.” In the bigger picture, the Blues haven’t been the same team since they entered the Edmonton bubble last July for the 2019-20 playoffs. In fact, There was no miracle rally on this night. Mike Hoffman’s season — and they’re a sub-.500 team overall — 29-30-10 — starting with the bubble, most likely, his time in St. Louis — ended when he received a four- which boggles the mind. minute high-sticking penalty with 1:48 to play. Colorado added a couple of empty-net goals, giving the Avs six empty-netters for the series, or just Getting dominated by the Avalanche only puts an exclamation point on one shy of the Blues’ overall total. that rapid decline. “We’re all disappointed with just the effort and the details tonight,” So there will be plenty to analyze and discuss in the days and weeks to O’Reilly said. “We didn’t have the desperation that we should have.” come. All sorts of ashes to stir. But coach Craig Berube wasn’t ready to do that 10 minutes after Sunday’s loss. “Desperation’s a good word,” Berube said. “I don’t think it was there by enough guys.” “I don’t want to sit here and just dissect everything right now,” Berube said. “I don’t think it’s the right time. Listen, they were better than us. Which is one of the reasons why the hockey season is over here in St. They beat us four straight. They’re a great team. We weren’t good Louis. enough. That’s the bottom line.” “This is embarrassing ...” Tarasenko said. “There’s no words. Not much Once again, the Blues didn’t generate much offense Sunday at you can say.” Enterprise Center. Only a bit of a third-period push even got them to 20 St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2021 shots on goal by game’s end.

“I thought tonight we didn’t take care of the puck well enough,” said O’Reilly, who had two assists Sunday but finished without a goal in the series. “We kind of turned it over a lot, tried for the easy game again.

“We’ve had bad stretches like that all year. And we can’t generate. We didn’t set each other up. It’s tough because that’s our structure. We gotta put it in and forecheck and build our game from there. And we really didn’t have enough of that tonight.”

Or all series, and all season for that matter.

Even so, there was a glimmer of hope Sunday for the Blues after a scoreless first period. Something strange and wonderful happened at the 4:25 mark of the second period. Vladimir Tarasenko scored a goal. And the Blues took the lead.

It was the first goal of these playoffs for Tarasenko and his first postseason goal since Game 4 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final against Boston.

So after 204 minutes 25 seconds in this series, the Blues had their first lead. 1214032 St Louis Blues

No Bortuzzo, Dunn or Faulk again for Blues

Jim Thomas 13 hrs ago

The Blues will be short on defensemen again today as they face a make- or-break Game 4 against Colorado at Enterprise Center.

In his pre-game media session, coach Craig Berube said D-men Justin Faulk, Robert Bortuzzo and Vince Dunn all will be out of the lineup for the 4 p.m. contest with the Avalanche. All have upper-body injuries — and all three were hurt playing against Colorado.

It will be the 15th game missed for Dunn. Faulk and Bortuzzo were injured in Game 2 of the series in Denver.

So for the second game in a row in this series, the Blues will be minus four of their top seven defensemen from the start of this season. (The fourth, Carl Gunnarsson, has been out since Feb. 22 with a season- ending knee injury.)

Berube said Jake Walman, another defenseman, is a game-time decision. Walman came off the NHL’s COVID list on Friday, and has taken part in two practices, but did not play in Game 3 Friday.

If Walman is out, the Blues once again will go with the Steven Santini and Mitch ReinkeIfto fill out their D-corps. If Walman is available, he would replace Reinke against Colorado, which is up 3-0 in the best-of- seven series.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214033 St Louis Blues FREEBIES The Avalanche scored six empty-net goals in the series, including two in

a 6-3 win in Game 2 and two on Sunday. Avalanche complete 4-game sweep of Blues with 5-2 win OUT AGAIN

Colorado C Nazem Kadri served the second game of an eight-game BY STEVE OVERBEY ASSOCIATED PRESS suspension after hit to Justin Faulk in Game 2. It is the sixth suspension of his career. He is appealing the suspension, with the NHL Players’ MAY 24, 2021 03:11 AM Association filing it Sunday night on Kadri’s behalf.

INJURY UPDATE

Philipp Grubauer made 18 saves and Gabriel Landeskog scored the go- Avalanche: C Alex Newhook left in the first period and did not return after ahead goal in the second period as the Colorado Avalanche completed a a hit from Steven Santini. four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues with a 5-2 win Sunday in Game 4 of the West Division series. Blues: D Justin Faulk, Robert Bortuzzo and Vince Dunn did not play. Dunn missed the last 15 games with an upper-body injury. Faulk and Brandon Saad, Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Bortuzzo each suffered head injuries in Game 2. Nichushkin also scored for Colorado, which recorded its first series sweep since beating Vancouver in the 2001 Western Conference Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 05.24.2021 quarterfinal round.

The Avalanche outscored the Blues 20-7 and trailed for only 7:12 over the four games. Grubauer stopped 103 of 110 shots over the four games.

“I thought we got a little better as the series went along,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “It was a full 60-minute effort. The first three games we had some lapses in our game, some things that I didn't like. Tonight, I liked a lot.”

Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for St. Louis, which was swept for the first time since losing to the Los Angeles Kings in the second round in 2012.

Landeskog tipped in a shot from Samuel Girard at 14:53 of the second period to break a 1-1 tie.

“To come in here in a tough building to play and take two in a row against a desperate team, it's not easy to do,” Landeskog said. “I'm happy that we got it done without giving them any sort of momentum.”

Saad scored on a shot from the high slot off a pass from Cale Makar just over three minutes earlier. Grubauer got an assist on the play.

Landeskog finished with two goals and six assists in recording a point in every game of the series.

“You break down each game and I think the score hasn't really been indicative of the way the series has been," Landeskog said. ”It's been really tight, it's hard checking and it hasn't been easy. Coming in here in a tough building to play in and take two in a row against a desperate team, it's not easy to do."

Landeskog said the Avalanche used a pre-series boast from St. Louis captain Ryan O'Reilly as motivation. O'Reilly claimed the Blues were going to win the series.

“Yeah, it did," Landeskog said. "It was a hard fought series."

Rantanen whipped a wrist shot past Jordan Binnington with 15:40 left in the third period to push the lead to a 3-1. Rantanen broke in on a 2-on-1 and took a pass from linemate MacKinnon.

Tarasenko converted on a breakaway off a pass from O’Reilly for a 1-0 lead at 5:07 of the second period. It was Tarasenko’s first goal since April 26. He added a power play goal with 11:21 left to trim the deficit to 3-2.

MacKinnon and Nichushkin added empty-net goals in the final minute.

Binnington made 29 saves.

Tarasenko was not pleased with the effort of his team.

“This is embarrassing always losing in the playoffs," Tarasenko said. “The answer is there are no excuses. We don't fight enough.”

St. Louis coach Craig Berube said that injuries, especially to the Blues' back line, were a factor in the series, but he would not offer that as an excuse.

“They're the better team, for sure,” Berube said. “We've got to get better, we've got to improve.”

Colorado has won nine of the last 10 playoff games against St. Louis, including seven in a row. 1214034 St Louis Blues

Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri appealing 8-game suspension

BY STEPHEN WHYNO AP SPORTS WRITER

MAY 24, 2021 03:10 AM

Colorado forward Nazem Kadri is appealing his eight-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis defenseman Justin Faulk, looking to get it reduced with the Avalanche moving on to the second round.

The NHL Players’ Association filed the appeal Sunday night on Kadri’s behalf. The first appeal goes to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and Kadri could then take his case to a neutral arbitrator if he so chooses.

After the Avalanche finished off a sweep of the Blues, Kadri has six games left to serve on the initial suspension, pending the appeals process. Colorado will face the winner of the Vegas-Minnesota series in the second round.

Kadri was suspended indefinitely after injuring Faulk in Game 2 of the Avalanche-Blues series pending a video hearing with the league’s department of player safety. That department handed down an eight- game suspension Friday night.

“I’m a little surprised, to be honest with you,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “I looked through all the head shot suspensions for the last year, a lot of two-gamers getting handed out for significant hits to the head. We’ve had some guys put out with hits to the head that are still out with no suspension. So, I thought, generally the rule of thumb is playoffs you get a little less, and he got significantly worse.”

Kadri's history played a part in that, as did Faulk's injury.

It's Kadri's third playoff suspension over the past six postseasons. He was suspended for the remainder of the first round in 2019 for cross- checking, which turned out to be five games, and was suspended three games for boarding in 2018.

Each of those incidents happened with Toronto, which traded him to Colorado in the summer of 2019. Kadri had 18 points in 15 games for the Avalanche in the 2020 bubble playoffs when he was able to stay out of trouble.

Kadri had 32 points in 56 games this season as Colorado won the Presidents' Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214035 St Louis Blues “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again," Hynes said.

OILERS at JETS, Jets leads 2-0, 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBCSN) Recent champs Capitals, St. Louis on brink of elimination Edmonton captain Connor McDavid led the NHL scoring 105 points with Edmonton teammate Leon Draisaitl ranked second with 84 points. Yet both have been kept off the scoreboard and have a minus-2 rating as the BY TERESA M. WALKER AP SPORTS WRITER second-seeded Oilers now have to go on the road looking for their first win this postseason. MAY 23, 2021 03:07 PM “Obviously dug ourselves a bit of a hole,” McDavid said. “It’s not the

position we want to be in. We’ve been a good road team all year long Three years since winning the Stanley Cup, the Washington Capitals find and had success in that building, as well, and we’ve been good on back- themselves on the brink of their third consecutive first-round playoff loss. to-backs. We have some things that we can be positive about.”

The Boston Bruins will eliminate the Capitals on Sunday night with a win The Oilers won four of five in Winnipeg this season. in Game 5 (7 p.m. EDT, USA Network). The series winner will face either But goalie Connor Hellebuyck has stopped 70 of 71 shots for the Jets the Pittsburgh Penguins or New York Islanders in the second round in including a 1-0 overtime shutout Friday night. He has a league-best 0.48 the East Division. goals-against average and .986 save percentage so far this postseason. Capitals coach Peter Laviolette was behind the bench for Philadelphia in Pandemic restrictions means no white-out crowd back in Winnipeg, 2010 when the Flyers erased a 3-0 series deficit to beat, yep, you which Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey called a huge advantage usually. guessed it, the Bruins. Another challenge? Playing on back-to-back nights starting with Game 3. “It’s got to be a real short-term plan -- shift by shift, period by period and “Those two games are going to happen fast, and they're going to go by in just one game,” Laviolette said. “That’s all you really talk about, all you a hurry so we need to be ready in a hurry,” Morrissey said. really think about: making sure the guys are prepared, making sure they’re ready and then you go out and fight for it one at a time.” Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 05.24.2021 The 2019 champion St. Louis Blues also are on the verge of a second consecutive first-round exit, down 3-0 to the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche going into Game 4 (5 p.m., NBC Sports Network). Blues coach Craig Berube was on Laviolette’s staff in 2010 and talked to his team about that series Saturday morning.

“We won a game, you get some confidence,” Berube said. “You win another one, and then it’s a series.”

While Laviolette said he could make a lineup change or two, the Blues will likely again be without defenseman Justin Faulk, who was injured by Nazem Kadri’s illegal check to the head in Game 2 that drew an eight- game suspension.

Boston will be without defenseman Kevan Miller, who was injured by a high hit from Washington’s Dmitry Orlov in Game 4 Friday night. Coach Bruce Cassidy said Miller spent the night in the hospital and is feeling better but did not travel with the team, which has a few players still left from 2010 and who won the Cup in 2011.

“Nothing changes for us,” Cassidy said. “We’re trying to get better every game this series. We want to get to four first, obviously, and that’s what’s in front of us. We’ve got three. It takes four to win. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves here.”

HURRICANES at PREDATORS, Hurricanes lead series 2-1 (2:30 p.m. EDT NBCSN)

Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour has an issue with how the Hurricanes' first-round series is being officiated, saying they were fighting the refs “plain and simple” after losing Game 3 in double overtime.

The Hurricanes have 14 penalties for 32 penalty minutes in the past two games while Nashville has six penalties for 16 minutes. That's a big switch from the regular season where Nashville ranked seventh in the NHL with 514 penalty minutes compared to the Hurricanes who were ranked 19th with 414 penalty minutes.

Carolina forward Jordan Staal was fined $5,000 by the NHL on Saturday for tripping Luke Kunin, which put Nashville on a 5-on-3. Brind'Amour detailed his frustration Saturday, noting referees can't review pucks over the glass. Carolina already was killing a penalty for delay when Staal tripped Kunin.

“No problem on the penalties,” Brind'Amour said. "You want to call them here? They better be called the other way. And that’s where you get this frustration on my part and the players part. So it’s done. We move on, you know, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Nashville coach John Hynes is just trying to spark his power play unit to take advantage of those chances. The Predators are 1-of-17 in this series after he essentially benched Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen on the power play. 1214036 St Louis Blues 2. Finalize the expansion draft protected list I’ve done several versions of the Blues’ mock protected list for the Seattle

expansion draft this summer, but to use a analogy in football, The Blues’ 10 biggest offseason priorities as an important summer the uprights continue to move, so we’ll continue to adjust our thinking. begins Here’s who I had protected last December: forwards Tarasenko, O’Reilly, Schenn, Schwartz, Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Oskar Sundqvist; defensemen Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk and Torey Krug; and goalie By Jeremy Rutherford 4h ago Jordan Binnington.

Much to the chagrin of Blues fans, I’ve mentioned Perron in the past as a possibility to be left unprotected. My rationale was always that Perron So the Blues didn’t beat them, as captain Ryan O’Reilly said they would would be 33 years old at the time and have just one season remaining on before the series started. his contract. But with Perron getting even better as he ages — more on The Colorado Avalanche wrapped up a four-game sweep Sunday, that in a moment — the Blues must consider other options. advancing to the second round of the West Division playoffs after If they still want to keep Sundqvist on the list, could they expose outscoring the Blues 20-7 in the series. Yeah, six of those 20 goals were Tarasenko? It’s worth paying attention to, and again, we’ll be exploring empty-netters, but the Avs put themselves in a position where the Blues that soon. were always chasing them. In fact, of the 240 minutes played between the teams, the Blues led for a total of 7:12. 3. Keep Perron in the fold

“Clearly the better team,” O’Reilly said. Not only do the Blues have to protect Perron, but they also probably need to re-sign him. He led the team in points this season with 58, To be fair, O’Reilly was simply showing confidence in his club when becoming the first Blue since Pavol Demitra (2002) to be a point-per- asked about the first-round matchup, and it came before the Blues game player. And if that’s not enough evidence, how did they look learned they would be without leading scorer David Perron. without him in the first round? But even so, Colorado showed in this series why it won the Presidents’ Perron will be entering the last of a four-year, $16 million deal in the Trophy this season. And if you were wondering whether O’Reilly’s words 2021-22 season. He and the club will be able to begin negotiations on an motivated the Avs, they did. extension this summer, and there seems to be no reason they wouldn’t. “Uh, yeah, it did,” fellow captain Gabriel Landeskog said. 4. Bring Tyler Bozak back In the end, the Avs probably didn’t need it. At the start of the season, few would’ve guessed that re-signing Bozak “I don’t want to sit here and just dissect everything right now,” Blues would be one of the Blues’ top priorities this summer. But after returning coach Craig Berube said. “Listen, they were better than us. They beat us from a concussion, the 35-year-old veteran center was one of the team’s in four straight. They’re a great team. We weren’t good enough — that’s best and most versatile players. the bottom line.” He plays center or wing, logs ice time on the power play and penalty kill Thus, after winning the Stanley Cup in 2019, the Blues have bowed out and is good at nurturing younger players. A one-year deal worth $3-4 in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. million, perhaps even incentive-based because he’s 35-plus, would be worthwhile for Bozak and the Blues. One could chalk up this season to a massive amount of injuries to key players. Even those playing in the postseason were not all healthy. Tyler Bozak has been one of the Blues’ best and most versatile players. Vladimir Tarasenko, who had two goals Sunday, acknowledged that he (Jeff Le / USA Today) was slowed by a sore groin down the stretch. 5. Address the health of injured players But while Berube said he wouldn’t use the injuries as an excuse, he did Even though they were on the ice Sunday, it doesn’t mean they were allow that consistency was hard to come by on the ice this season. healthy. Tarasenko acknowledged afterward that a groin injury is what “We were always fighting for that a little bit, trying to find that identity,” he sidelined him for the final six games of the regular season, and he’s said. “With so many guys in and out of the lineup, the chemistry wasn’t going to need time to heal. Parayko is another one, battling a back injury quite there. But again, I thought our guys fought hard. We made the most of the season. Will he need further medical attention, and could that playoffs; they played really well down the stretch, and then obviously alter the team’s plans this summer? some things happened before the playoffs that are unfortunate. We’re Meanwhile, there’s Sundqvist. His season ended early with a torn ACL, better than losing four straight to them.” and sources have told The Athletic that he had (or will have) a hip injury This was only the opening round. Colorado still has to get by the winner addressed as well. You would expect him to be OK by the time next of the Vegas-Minnesota series, which the Golden Knights lead 3-1. If the season gets underway, but you don’t know. Blues are going to challenge in the Western Conference again next year, 6. Add size on defense they’ve got to get a whole lot better quickly. The Blues can’t sugarcoat it: They were pushed around in their own end So without wasting any time after Sunday’s season-ending loss, let’s look this season. It’s a fine idea on paper to have a roster with Faulk and Krug at the Blues’ 10 biggest offseason priorities. We’ll dig deeper into each of and Vince Dunn, etc., but only if they’re doing a good job of moving the these in the coming weeks, but we wanted to scratch the surface puck up the ice quickly and putting up points and the beefier defensemen immediately. are cleaning out the crease area. But they didn’t put up many points, and 1. Re-sign Jaden Schwartz — or not? the others weren’t doing their job either.

This will be the biggest question heading into the offseason. Back in After suiting up an intimidating and stingy defense two years ago when April, we projected what Schwartz’s next contract might look like. But they won the Cup, the Blues became pushovers on the blue line. Niko then he wrapped up the regular season with just eight goals in 40 games Mikkola looks like he could be part of the improvement in that area, but and had an extremely disappointing postseason with zero points. Zero. the Blues are going to have to make a trade or find a free-agent fit this summer. But here’s the thing: The Blues are short on left wingers as it is. They need Brayden Schenn at center, where he plays better. From Sunday’s 7. Any trades to be had? game, that leaves Ivan Barbashev (who could be taken in the Seattle Dunn, who missed the end of the season with what was believed to be a expansion draft), Mike Hoffman (who is a free agent) and Kyle Clifford. concussion, was on the trade block earlier in the season. He’ll be a The Blues are almost in a situation where they need Schwartz and restricted free agent with arbitration rights, so it’s likely the Blues will be someone else. But what if he wants too much to return? Lots of intrigue re-exploring the option of moving him this season. here. What about Thomas? It was not the breakout season he had in mind, in part because of injuries. But is there space for him in the top six if they’re playing Schenn in the middle? If not, does Thomas want to be here? The Blues might want to find out what’s available while the 21-year-old’s potential is still high.

8. Assess restricted free agents

Thomas will be a restricted free agent this summer, and the Blues will have six other RFAs: Dunn, Barbashev, Kyrou, Zach Sanford, Dakota Joshua and Jacob de la Rose. It’s likely all of those players will be back, assuming they’re not taken in the expansion draft.

Some may argue that Sanford needs a change of scenery, but the Blues probably don’t have that same opinion. Joshua is a player whom the Blues will have to give more ice time to next season.

9. Is Ville Husso the backup plan?

Say what you want about Husso’s save percentage (.893) this season, but he won games. He won nine of his 16 starts, and you probably would’ve taken that at the start of the season.

Husso has one more season on his two-year, $1.5 million contract, and to have him at a $750,000 annual average value (AAV) benefits a team that might be up against the salary cap next season. But with Binnington locked up for the next six years, limiting Husso’s ceiling, do they explore Husso’s trade value and then sign a veteran backup? Maybe, but it’s worth discussing.

10. Doug Armstrong and Craig Berube

It’s a little early to be looking at the future of Berube and general manager Doug Armstrong. Armstrong has another year and an option left on his contract, while Berube will be entering the final year of his deal.

Even with another first-round exit, the question isn’t whether any changes will be made on those fronts in the near future. The question is: Will Armstrong be able to continue constructing a roster that fits with what the NHL looks like these days (speed and skill) and Berube’s preferences (hard-nosed, defensive-minded)? Don’t get me wrong — Berube wants players who can get involved in the rush and score goals, but he really likes players who are responsible in the 200-foot game. Can those two stay on the same page and make the needed changes this club will require this offseason?

The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214037 St Louis Blues airplane to Denver, and we got there 10 days before the regular season. It was one of the best moves I ever made.

John Kelly and his wife, Jennifer, with the Stanley Cup after the ohn Kelly Q&A: Blues announcer on his days with the Avalanche, Avalanche’s win in 1996. (Courtesy of John Kelly) ‘Quoteless Joe’ Sakic, the Cup runs and more What were your first impressions of the city of Denver?

I had never been there. We stayed in a hotel near Quebec Street, and I By Peter Baugh May 23, 2021 remember the second day we got there, the Avs had a preseason game in Vail. I wasn’t announcing the game, so my wife and my baby came with me, and we were driving late afternoon up to the game. We’re going up through the foothills up into the mountains on I-70, and my wife and I ST. LOUIS — Longtime hockey announcer John Kelly has been on both were just in awe. Our mouths were literally open. We were just amazed ends of the championship spectrum: He’s worked for a team that won a about how beautiful it was. Stanley Cup in its first year, then one that needed half a century to bring home a championship. If you only had 10 days before the opening game, did you have to learn the team super quickly and do a lot of studying? Kelly, 60, called Avalanche games in 1996, the team’s first season in Denver, and saw the organization endear itself to local fans by winning I had to get together with my partner, Peter McNab, and get together with the city’s first major pro championship. Then, after returning to his the coaches and talk to the players and everything. I had called the hometown of St. Louis in 2004, he was there to call Blues games in Quebec Nordiques games the year before against Tampa, so it’s not like 2019, watching them hoist the first Stanley Cup in their 52-year I came in and I had never seen those players, and they had pretty much existence. the same team as they had the year before to start the season. So that wasn’t a big deal, but I wanted to get familiar with the people around the “Two entirely different emotions for me personally,” said Kelly, still the team, the off-ice people and Peter. Blues play-by-play announcer, in a Friday evening conversation with The Athletic. “(I got) to experience the Avs winning their first Cup. … And What struck you about that first Avalanche team you called games for? then, of course, my team — the Blues: the team I grew up watching and The Cup-bound 1995-96 team? my dad’s team — to win a Cup (with them) was just a lifelong dream of mine.” Going in, we knew that they were a really good team. And after about a month or two, we realized how offensively gifted this team was. You Now, his former team is taking on his current club in the NHL playoffs, could just see it every night, the firepower they had and the superstars playing their first postseason series against each other since 2001. with Joe Sakic and a young Peter Forsberg and Valeri Kamensky and Claude Lemieux. And as the season went on, they made the trade for Kelly comes from a broadcasting family. His brother, Dan, has called Patrick Roy, they got Sandis Ozolinsh, and they just kept on rolling. But Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Fire soccer games in his there was always a team by the name of the Detroit Red Wings that had career, and their late father, Dan, called Blues games for 21 years. The won 62 games that year. We all knew that we were going through Detroit elder Kelly also called Stanley Cup games, and the Enterprise Center if we were going to go to the Final. And late in the regular season we press box in St. Louis is named after him. played in Joe Louis Arena and lost 7-0. And (I was) thinking after the John Kelly’s first NHL gig was with the Blues, but he left his hometown in game, “Oh, boy, how are we going to beat this team?” But of course, they 1992 when he took a bigger play-by-play role with the Tampa Bay beat them in the third round. (Then-general manager) Pierre Lacroix Lightning, who were just joining the league. Then came the Avalanche, made a couple of great moves during the season to get Patrick, to get who moved from Quebec ahead of the 1995-96 season. He called games Ozolinsh. It just all came together, and it was magical. with former NHLer Peter McNab, who is still the team’s color If you look back on those Avs and Red Wings rosters, it’s Hall of Famer commentator. after Hall of Famer. “Really, both moves (from St. Louis to Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay to Yeah, and that 1995-96 Detroit team, in particular, everybody thought Denver) were predicated on the fact that my role wasn’t what I wanted it they were going to win. They had lost in the Final the year before to New to be,” he said. “I had a chance to be the TV play-by-play guy at the Jersey. Scotty Bowman was obviously one of the greatest coaches ever Avalanche, and I took it. And it was a fantastic move.” and, you know, has won more Cups than anybody. Looking back, I don’t Kelly, who got rings for each of his team’s championships, had an up- think there’s any question that if it weren’t for the Red Wings, the close look at the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup runs (1996 and 2001), calling Avalanche would have won more Cups, and if it weren’t for the games through the first two playoff rounds and talking on the postgame Avalanche, the Red Wings would’ve won more Cups. Because they kept show when national broadcasts took over in the later rounds. He still beating each other in the playoffs, and both teams were so good. It was, cherishes his memories from his days in Denver. to me, the best rivalry that I have ever seen in hockey since I’ve been covering the NHL. It was just intense, mean, nasty, great skill, great “Every time I go back to Ball Arena, I look up at the rafters and I see the passion, great series, great games. The rivalry had every single thing division banners and the Stanley Cup banners,” he says. “It brings back that you could want. just great memories. I’ve been so lucky to be part of these two organizations and watch teams have success and win championships.” Announcers have go-to calls. You would say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” after a big goal in Colorado. How do you develop a new Kelly chatted with The Athletic about his Avalanche memories and what repertoire of calls? he’s seen from this year’s team, which has a 3-0 series lead against the Blues. I don’t try to script calls. But that “thank you, thank you, thank you” call emanated actually from St. Louis. I used that on an overtime goal by This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Brett Hull. And I just used it once, and then I moved on to Tampa and didn’t use it there. And then I came to Colorado, and for whatever So, how did you first wind up in Denver? reason, I just started using it. I liked it, and hopefully the fans liked it, but I I was doing the games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. And as soon as the haven’t used it since I came back to St. Louis. I sort of thought that Quebec Nordiques announced that they were moving to Denver, I sent a worked in Colorado, and I decided to leave it there, and I don’t use it very tape to the Avalanche. All summer long I was hoping to get the job, and I often anymore. almost really gave up on the job, but I didn’t give up on it totally because Do you have a favorite call from the Avalanche’s Cup runs? they never hired anybody. So it was around Sept. 20, which is like two weeks before the season, and I’m laying in my bed with my wife and I would say there would be two calls. (One was) Sakic’s triple-overtime baby in the morning, and the phone rang and it was Lou Personett (the goal in Game 6 against Chicago in ’96. It was the most memorable game director of broadcasting). And out of the blue, he offered me the job. I I’ve ever broadcasted because of the drama of the game and the Avs had never been to Denver. My wife had never been to Denver. And so being down 2-1 in the series. The game goes to triple overtime. So that we worked out a contract in a day or two, and literally three days later, goal there in that game stands out to me. my house was on the market. My wife and my son and I were on an The other one would be in the first round that year. Sakic in overtime in Pierre Lacroix was nothing but great to me, to my family. Classy. He and Game 5 against Vancouver — he won the game with his hat trick goal to I, we both liked to gamble. So when we were on the road at times, we’d a give the Avs a 3-2 lead in the series. Because again, I didn’t call the third lot of times end up at the same casino and maybe play blackjack or and fourth rounds. roulette together. So we had that connection.

That triple-overtime goal against Chicago was one of the biggest in the Aside from being a great general manager, he was an extremely Cup run. competitive man. He really worked hard to make the right deal, and he worked hard to make sure that his team got treated fairly by whomever. I Looking back at the whole playoff run, that was the key goal. Without remember one night we landed in Canada somewhere, and for some question. Chicago had a really good team, and if the Avs had gone down reason the customs agent wouldn’t let us off the plane, and we were 3-1, I honestly don’t think they would have come back. That was without sitting there and sitting there for what seemed like two hours. It probably question the biggest goal of the entire playoff run. was a half-hour, and Pierre got on the phone with somebody, and within And what do you remember about calling the giant fight with the Red five minutes we were off that plane. He was a determined, smart man, Wings late in the regular season the next year? and he pretty much got his way a lot of times. It was tragic that he passed away in December. I was so sad. We landed at the Detroit airport, and we literally had a police escort to our hotel in downtown Detroit. The next day, Lemieux’s picture was on What led you back to St. Louis? the front of the sports page, and basically it said “wanted.” There were I certainly wasn’t looking to leave Colorado. I loved it there. My family police outside our hotel the entire day. We knew something was going to loved it there. But I say the stars all aligned. happen, and it certainly did. It initially started with Forsberg and Igor Larionov in a scrap. So I was calling that, and then away from that is My contract was up with Fox Sports Rocky Mountain. Fox Sports Rocky when Lemieux got jumped by Darren McCarty. So then our attention Mountain’s deal with the Avalanche was expired, and they were in the shifted to that. We watched that fight. And then Roy comes racing out of process of forming their own network, Altitude. At the same time, the the goal crease and fights Mike Vernon. So a lot was going on. Honestly, Blues did not renew the contract of their play-by-play announcer. So they you could smell blood in the air that night in Joe Louis Arena before the contacted me and asked me if I wanted to come back to St. Louis and fight started. You just knew something was going to happen. replace Ken Wilson. The other big part of it was there was a looming Unfortunately for Lemieux and the Avs, it happened the way it did, lockout, and I did get some lockout protection from Fox Sports Midwest because I really think that brawl really galvanized Detroit. I think they felt and the Blues. I had a young family, and I wasn’t against coming back to at that point that they could beat the Avalanche. It was a very memorable St. Louis, but I was really concerned that if I stayed, I didn’t know what game. No question about it. my deal would be with Altitude. I didn’t know if I would get paid anything, and we all knew that there was a really good chance of a long lockout. It When looking at those Avalanche teams, what similarities do you see turned out it was a full season. with this year’s Colorado team? John Kelly with the Stanley Cup after the Blues’ championship. (Courtesy This year’s team is more similar to the ’96 team. Just a high-powered, of John Kelly) offensive machine with superstars. To me, a guy like (Cale) Makar reminds me of Ozolinsh. He’s just a free-wheeling, great skater. A big part of it was the business side of it, and I sort of wanted to get Obviously, it’s hard to compare because Ozolinsh had played longer in some protection. I grew up here, obviously, and my father announced the league and Makar (is) only in his second (full) year. But I think it here for 21 years. My wife is from the St. Louis area. So there were a lot compares a lot to the ’96 team. To me, the ’01 team was a better of factors, but it was really hard to make that move because we love defensive team. They had Rob Blake and they had Ray Bourque, Colorado so much and we loved working calling Avalanche games. obviously, and Adam Foote. Then they lost Forsberg after the second round, and they still won the Cup. So they were still really good Are you still in touch with any Avalanche folks, like Sakic or any of them? offensively, but in 1996 with Kamensky and Mike Ricci and Lemieux and In a normal year, I would see Joe and obviously say hi. He’s one of my all the names fans know, that was a more offensive-minded team, similar favorites of all time, as a person and as a hockey player, obviously. to this Colorado team. Peter McNab and I, we chat. We’ve chatted a lot in these playoffs, and Did you get to know all the players like Sakic and Bourque? obviously whenever we play the Avs in the regular season, we get We always traveled with the team on the charters and in the hotels. We together and have fun and exchange information. Peter was always great got to know them all. Ray’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met in to me. I loved working with him. The reason that I like Peter so much is hockey. At the Christmas party that year, my wife was there with me, and that he’s a really good color analyst, but we both love the game of she walked up to the buffet line by herself, and Ray didn’t know her, of hockey. I think it came through on our broadcast. People would watch it, course. And Ray sticks out his hand and says, “Hi, who are you? I’m Ray and I think they could tell that we were both really passionate about not Bourque.” That’s kind of the guy Ray was. only our team but the game of hockey. We just always were talking hockey. We just love the game. What’s your favorite Joe Sakic story? The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 The thing about Sakic is that he and Forsberg were so similar in that they were the most unselfish (players). They don’t want the limelight. They defer any kind of praise. Sakic could get three goals and two assists and he would praise his teammates. His nickname was “Quoteless Joe.” That’s what I remember off the ice with Joe: He’s just so humble and down-to-earth, and he was a great team guy. That’s why he was such a fantastic captain. And Peter Forsberg was the exact same way. He was just so down-to-earth and didn’t want to get the praise and all that.

Over the years, people have asked me about Forsberg and Sakic and who’s a better player. And I’ve thought about it a lot, and my answer is that they’re the same. You can’t choose one.

Now, what about Patrick Roy? Any good Roy stories?

I played golf with Patrick one time and had a great time. He was so competitive. To me, Patrick’s greatest moment as an Av was Game 6 in New Jersey in the Final when the Avs were down 3-2. Without that performance, they probably lose the Cup that night. And he basically stole that game, and then they came home and, of course, they won Game 7.

Did you interact much with Pierre Lacroix? 1214038 Tampa Bay Lightning

With second round in reach, Lightning need to remain cool under fire

By Mari Faiello

Published Yesterday

Updated 5 hours ago

TAMPA — With a series-clinching win in reach, the Lightning can’t afford to focus on potential bad blood with the Panthers.

Sure, coach Jon Cooper had pointed comments about officiating after game-ending injuries to right wing Nikita Kucherov and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in Saturday’s 6-2 win in Game 4 for a 3-1 series lead. But it’s all eyes on Game 5 on Monday night in Sunrise.

“We’ve come here to win four (games). We’ve only won three,” Cooper said. “We still have to get another one.”

Cooper did not have an update on the conditions of Kucherov or Sergachev on Sunday.

Kucherov was slashed on the back of the left knee by Panthers forward Anthony Duclair midway through the third period Saturday. He went down to the ice writhing in pain, then got up and skated off, hunched over and unable to put weight on the leg. He didn’t return.

Later in the third, Sergachev left the game after taking a blindsided hit into the boards from Florida forward Patric Hornqvist.

The Lightning have to be better on the emotional side of things, Cooper said. Mind games have been a consistent storyline throughout the first- round series in addition to physicality.

“We have to be better with our emotions and not getting caught up in the antics that are going on in the game,” Cooper said. “We can be more physical. We can be a better hockey team. But I like where we’re sitting in this series, and we’ll be bringing it (Monday night).”

The Lightning aren’t going to step on the ice and immediately look for a fight with the Panthers on Monday night.

“They’re a smart group,” color analyst and former player Brian Engblom said. “They’re not going to go out and try to drop the gloves right off the bat and start running guys and make threats.

“As far as the physical or intimidation or score settling or whatever you want to call it, (the Lightning are) not going to go out there and say, ‘Hey, you,’ right off the faceoff. I don’t see that happening, certainly not a whole lot.”

Staying out of the box will play a key role, too.

At the end of the second period Saturday, defenseman Victor Hedman emphatically waved his teammates off the ice to get them into the locker room before things escalated.

“Especially in the playoffs, you play by the clock and the score,” Engblom said. “What score is it? How much time? What’s going on? And that’s why when you get a three-, four-goal lead, that’s why all hell breaks loose because it’s out of control.

“And there’s nothing you can do in that game. You know darn well your chances coming from four down, that’s when guys start taking things in their own hands. And you get the craziness and then the response.

“Now everything (elevates). The tension, the blood pressure of the game goes up 50 notches. That’s it. Now it’s really on.”

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214039 Tampa Bay Lightning Coach Jon Cooper said he didn’t have a status report on Kucherov and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev for Monday’s game, so we likely won’t know more until the morning skate in Sunrise.

A Panthers goalie switch, healing Lightning stars and ‘pride’: What to But considering how it looked when Kucherov went down after an expect in Game 5 Anthony Duclair slash and Sergachev crashed into the boards after a Patric Hornqvist hit, it’s at least encouraging for the Lightning that the injuries aren’t considered serious. Neither is expected to miss significant time, I’m told, and there’s a chance we could see at least one of them By Joe Smith May 23, 2021 back in the lineup Monday.

The Sergachev injury looked bad, especially after he hit his head against When Spencer Knight made his much-anticipated first NHL start April 20 the boards after the Hornqvist hit. He was down on the ice for a few against Columbus, his new teammates took notice. minutes, with head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan checking on him, before he skated off on his own. But I’m hearing things are trending in the Knight, the touted goalie prospect, had stopped 34 of 35 shots in a right direction with Sergachev heading into Monday. victory over the Blue Jackets. There was an aura and confidence about him, with the 20-year-old being the kind of difference-maker he was for With a 3-1 lead, there’s not a significant rush to get them back, though Boston College and for Team USA at the world juniors. knowing both players, they’ll want to play if they’re physically able to.

“We all looked at each other and it was almost like, ‘He’s going to be The officiating almost a Hall a Famer,’” Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said. It’ll be interesting to see how Monday’s game is called. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him. He’s got a little bit of Carey Price vibes to him. Cooper had some strong words for how Saturday’s game was handled, saying referees told his players to not “do anything stupid” or they’ll be in “I can’t wait to play in front of him.” the box, and then the Panthers were “rewarded” for it. Weegar may not have to wait very long, as there’s a chance Knight could The NHL Department of Player Safety did not give any supplemental make his Stanley Cup playoffs debut Monday night in Game 5 against discipline for anyone in Saturday’s game, including Duclair. the Lightning. With Tampa Bay up in the series 3-1, and Sergei Bobrovsky and Chris Driedger pulled in Game 4 and Game 3, And Quenneville didn’t see it the way Cooper did. respectively, it’d make sense for the Panthers to give the kid a shot. Coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday that Knight was an option and his “I saw some of Coop’s comments there and I couldn’t be more track record merited consideration. Knight was in the starter’s crease at disagreeing with what he saw and what I saw,” Quenneville said. “I Sunday’s practice, for what it’s worth. thought the only disagreement would be that suspendable offenses weren’t called. It’s been a competitive four games and I’ll leave it at that.” Let’s face it: Goaltending has been a difference in this series. Whether these comments make a difference in how Monday’s game is There are many reasons the Lightning lead the series, from their potent called remains to be seen. You’d have to think the officials will try to keep power play to stars like Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point delivering. the game from getting away from them from the start. The key for the But there’s no doubt the Panthers’ carousel in net has hurt them. Florida Lightning is to not let any extracurricular stuff after the whistle take them has been better in five-on-five situations with a 58.3 expected goals away from their game. percentage, a 108-65 advantage in scoring chances and a 37-23 edge in high danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. I’d imagine you’ll see Luke Schenn in the lineup, with the veteran defenseman the kind of player who can hold opponents accountable. The one area the Lightning are way ahead? Fans have likely been waiting all series for which Lightning player might fight Panthers agitator Ryan Lomberg, who tried to get Gourde to go late Andrei Vasilevskiy’s save percentage on high danger chances is 91.89 in Saturday’s game. percent. So what’s brewing between the two teams? The Panthers? It’s 65.22 percent. “Everything on the ice stays on the ice,” Weegar said. “After the whistle, That’s how, though the Panthers were controlling play in the first period it’s a lot of respect. They’re a great hockey team. I don’t know if it’s a Saturday, the Lightning held a 3-1 lead because of a breakaway goal by general dislike or hatred, don’t think it’s anything like that. It’s just a good Anthony Cirelli (who beat Bobrovsky five-hole) and deflections by Yanni battle of South Florida. Both teams want to win. It’s a lot of passion, a lot Gourde and Ondrej Palat. Vasilevskiy’s 3.18 goals-against average in of pride out there.” this series isn’t up to his high standards, but he’s made the kind of timely saves that propelled Tampa Bay to wins. The power play

“The way (the Panthers) play, they tend to get some odd-man rushes, The Lightning power play has been tremendous in this series, boosted of they tend to take some risks to get those,” winger Alex Killorn said. “And course by the return of Kucherov and captain Steven Stamkos. (Vasilevskiy) has been great for us. I think (Saturday), on the (Lightning penalty kill), he’s facing a lot of high-end shots. And he’s just doing a They scored twice again Saturday, giving them seven goals in their first great job.” 12 opportunities. Their 46 percent conversion rate is No. 1 in the playoffs.

It’d be a herculean task for a rookie goalie to win three straight games Clearly Tampa Bay has a ton of skill, with Kucherov, Stamkos, Point and against the Cup champions; only 29 teams in league history have Victor Hedman. But if you watch their power-play goals, make sure to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the playoffs, with the last one being the keep an eye on all the work they put on retrievals, entries and puck Sharks in 2019 against Vegas. But Knight, who went 4-0-0 with a 2.32 possession, like on this Kucherov goal. goals-against average in four games this year, can be the kind of wild Weegar said their penalty-kill unit talked a lot Sunday on adjustments card in net that perhaps give the Lightning a different look and provide they can make to be better and keep this series alive. some stability for Florida. Recently, Knight led Team USA at the world juniors, shutting out Canada in the gold medal game. “We need more grit, passion, pride, more communication,” Weegar said. “We’re giving them too much respect. They have elite players, some of “I don’t want to get too involved with it, but I know that he’s been on big the best players in the world, we just need to make it more tough on stages before,” Quenneville said. them. We’ve got to play more desperate and have a little bit more pride, The playoffs are entirely different. But Knight starting could make the and it starts with me.” series more interesting. The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 Some other things to watch in Monday’s Game 5:

Status of Lightning stars 1214040 Toronto Maple Leafs the time to argue over who wears which fancy hat on the poop deck. But the Leafs did that. Only the Leafs would.

Tavares getting knocked out for a minimum of two weeks (i.e. five Leafs can be dominant, as long as they keep their focus on the ice months) has given that guttering discussion renewed heat. Like the sideline guys ask them over and over again, who spoke up in the room when Tavares was hurt? When the boys were down? When UberEats said they can’t bring the party platter of sushi straight to the trainers’ CATHAL KELLY room, but have to drop it with security at Gate 2? Who spoke then? PUBLISHED MAY 23, 2021 The Leafs are expected to step on the feet of any guy over 28 years old UPDATED MAY 23, 2021 and let him dance them to relevance. Whenever one of these ersatz father figures shows up, he is expected to invite every younger guy on the team to come live with him in his house. I mean, it’s a nice house, but it’s still only got five bedrooms. What is this? The Brady Bunch? Of all the maxims misattributed to Napoleon, the best may be, “God is on the side with the heaviest artillery.” No player has (inadvertently) done a greater disservice to the Leafs than Patrick Marleau, with his cute Christmas pics of his kids and Auston With that in mind, the Toronto Maple Leafs began their bombardment Matthews, all in their PJs. Now every player with a wife and a set of bunk several hours before Saturday night’s puck drop. beds is expected to do the same thing. It began with a rare mid-series availability with management. GM Kyle You can see the effort at capital-’L’ leadership straining around the eyes Dubas appeared via Zoom in the morning, ostensibly to update everyone of poor Sheldon Keefe whenever he’s talking. on the condition of injured captain John Tavares. But that segued quickly into a broadside on the Toronto Sun. On the one hand, he would like to sound like Lord Nelson. But on the other, nobody taught him how to do that. He’s a guy with a greaseboard, After Tavares was knocked unconscious in Game 1, the Sun ran a front- a non-permanent marker and a few deep thoughts about the breakout. page photo showing him dazed and bloodied under the headline “Captain No one told him there would be a speechwriting component to this job. Crunched.” This team doesn’t need more leadership. At least, not the leadership “We found the cover to be disgusting,” Dubas said. “Just a complete lack Leafs fans think of when they envision some perfected idea of the word. of compassion and respect on behalf of the Sun towards John and his Like, say, Jean Beliveau floating onto the ice on a cloud, lightly touching family.” the forehead of each teammate, imbuing him with the strength of ten My God, is that … I haven’t seen one of these in a long while so it’s hard Maple Leafs. to be sure but, yes, yes, I think it is – a principled stand. What this team needs more of is gamesmanship. That’s their real As stands go, it was more like balancing on one foot. Dubas didn’t have toughness deficit. Until they find their playoff sea legs, they could use a anything to say about Sportsnet, which ran about 4,000 slo-mo replays of few more dirty tricks to tilt things in their favour. the hit in its immediate aftermath. Who knows what fresh crimes against human decency will be committed (The trick these days isn’t declining to show straight-to-the-ICU injuries in by the scurrilous wretches in the press between now and Monday night? grisly detail. It’s remembering to have announcers, hosts and analysts One can only hope. lower their voices to a mournful whisper and chant the word “trauma” as Because as long as this team is not getting its head turned by opponents, they do so. Then you’re in the clear.) by the media, by passing squirrels, they are an objectively superlative He didn’t rip Le Journal de Montreal, which was positively gleeful in its hockey outfit. It’s a function of artillery. Theirs is heavier. presentation of Tavares’ face meeting a knee below the header, “Victoire Don’t trust pep talks. Trust that. Dramatique”. Globe And Mail LOADED: 05.24.2021 We can debate what is and isn’t newsworthy in the sports context, which was the point. As long as people were talking about journalistic ethics, they weren’t talking about the Leafs.

Three years into the job, Dubas has figured out that managing the hockey team is just one part of a Leafs GM’s job. Managing the city is nearly as important. At this time of year, that requires some asymmetrical warfare.

When the team has been bad, rather than answer a bunch of questions about the power play, you shout, “Look! Over there! It’s the yellow press!” The online mob shuffles off in that direction like a gaggle of zombies. You go off in the other, in the direction of your pre-game nap.

This cunning stroke bought the Leafs a few hours breathing room, which is a lot when they are losing a first-round playoff series they should be winning. Again.

The results showed later, when the real fusillade began. After convincing themselves that Carey Price is no longer (/celestial harps) Carey Price, the Leafs popped the Canadiens open like a tear-top can of tuna. The game ended 5-1. It could have been twice that.

If Toronto finds a way to lose this series – always a strong possibility given the psychological hurdles and the Leafs’ short legs – it will be a miracle of incompetence. They should win every game by four goals.

This brings us back to one of the evergreen, incredibly tedious debates in Leafs fandom – leadership.

No club in hockey, and maybe the world, spends as much time winding itself into knots over this topic. It took them years to decide who would be captain of what was at the time the most cursed franchise in the sport. When the ship is repeatedly smashing against the rocks, it’s probably not 1214041 Toronto Maple Leafs game to the underdogs and conjuring memories of playoff failures past. But Sandin truly has zero connection to Toronto’s previous shortcomings in big playoff moments. And certainly his steely-eyed swagger — not to mention his recognition that playing alongside Auston Matthews and ‘A little extra patience.’ The Maple Leafs show faith in Rasmus Sandin Mitch Marner is a pretty good gig — suggests as much. and reap the rewards You can get the idea Morgan Rielly, who Sandin has usurped as quarterback of the top power-play unit, could take a version of Sandin’s power-play slapper a thousand times and somehow never score. Dave Feschuk Sandin’s goal on Saturday equalled Rielly’s output on the power play in Sun., May 23, 2021 the past two regular seasons combined.

“He’s so poised and he’s deceptive, extremely skilled, and for how young he is, it doesn’t seem like these big moments really shake him at all,” If Sheldon Keefe only focused on Rasmus Sandin’s mistakes in Game 1, Matthews told reporters. “He’s extremely confident out there, and he there’s a decent chance the Maple Leafs head coach would have yanked usually makes plays and sees the ice well.” the rookie defenceman from the lineup for Game 2. Which is not to say Sandin is going to suddenly morph into a scoring Toronto, as a hockey city, has a tendency to evaluate defencemen based machine. That’s only to say that Sandin, in Game 2, seemed like an on the gotcha moments. Errors in judgment that tend to find their way awfully potent sparkplug. The Leafs hadn’t scored two power-play goals onto widely circulated social-media clips can get magnified into in a game in most of three months. And now Keefe seems intrigued by unforgivable grounds for banishment to the press box. Sandin’s willingness to let it fly, to be a much-needed threat.

So a blueliner having an otherwise decent game can throw one “With Rasmus, the payoff could be really big for us in terms of his skill set proverbial pizza up the middle — or, in Sandin’s case, allow a breakaway and what he can bring,” Keefe said. “And that requires a little extra on a Toronto power play that led to Paul Byron’s game-winning goal — patience on our side.” and the conversation around his performance goes from neutral to super- negative. Enough with the rookie. These are the playoffs. Bring on the It’s easy to see the stark contrast in philosophy in this series. The Leafs, veteran, pronto. as much as this season has been defined by Kyle Dubas’s new-found appreciation for veteran grit, haven’t been afraid to use the 21-year-old “Focusing on one mistake — we tend to do that a lot. Certainly media Sandin to fill an obvious need. The Canadiens, meanwhile, are so does that, but even coaches tend to do that,” Keefe said. “That (mistake) overcommitted to their hope of turning the series into what forward Josh stood out in my mind as well.” Anderson has called “a war” that they’ve been averse to using the likes of 20-year-old Cole Caufield. So give Keefe credit for doing what he gets paid to do: Set aside his frustration around that particular brain cramp and go back and watch Speaking of obvious needs, Caufield, while he’s all of five-foot-seven and Sandin’s Game 1 in full. Sure, there was an egregious error — an error 162 pounds, scored four goals in Montreal’s final seven games of the Keefe chalked up to fatigue on a shift that dragged on too long. And yes, season. Without him, Montreal has scored three goals combined in the Sandin was on the ice for both goals against in Montreal’s series-opening first two games of the series. win. But Keefe was of the mind that, taken in full, Sandin’s performance boded well for an improved Game 2. And as much as Montreal’s physicality was key to its Game 1 win, its lack of restraint with the stick fouls gave Toronto six power-play opportunities “You go down and you watch the game, you break down the game, you in Game 2. Toronto, it ought to be said, managed to draw more than five study the game, and you really pick out a lot of really positive things,” power-play opportunities precisely once in the 56-game regular season. Keefe said. “I just had belief he was going to be better (in Game 2) than While Montreal interim coach Dominique Ducharme blamed the referees he was in the first game.” — and while there were clearly some questionable calls — the visitors’ lack of scoring spoke to Montreal’s lack of belief in its youth. The coach’s hunch proved prescient. Then again, if extra patience can bring a payoff, maybe the fresh-legged Never mind that Sandin is all of 21 years old, or that he played all of nine Caufield’s seemingly inevitable insertion into the Game 3 lineup will regular-season games for the Leafs this season. Never mind that Travis provide Montreal a Sandin-esque jolt. Dermott, the 24-year-old who never missed a game in Toronto’s three post-season series before this one, is a perfectly capable replacement Toronto Star LOADED: 05.24.2021 waiting in the wings. Or that, for a lot of this season, Sandin couldn’t crack the lineup because Keefe favoured the likes of Dermott and even the since-departed failed experiment known as Mikko Lehtonen.

Sandin is a work in progress, sure. But for all he lacks in experience, he attempts to make up for it in outsized confidence.

Asked from where Sandin gets his self-assuredness, his Swedish countryman and teammate William Nylander was matter-of-fact.

Leafs defenceman Rasmus Sandin, with a pat from Morgan Rielly, watches the replay of his goal in Saturday’s Game 2 win over the Canadiens.

“Me. I taught him,” Nylander said. “No, I mean, he’s living with me so I guess he learns a little bit. He watches and he sees and learns.”

He’s certainly still learning. But Sandin brings an offensive upside, particularly with the man advantage, that’s sorely lacking on Toronto’s blue line. Witness his bullet of a one-timer from the point — Toronto’s first of two long-awaited goals from a struggling power play in Saturday’s 5-1 victory in Game 2.

“I got it right in my wheelhouse, I took a step into it, and I hit the right spot this time,” Sandin said. “Sometimes it’s not that hard to play out there when you have those great players around you. So I’m thankful to have the chance to play on the power play.”

How’s that for an antidote to Toronto’s longer-tenured players overthinking things in the post-season? Maybe there are some Leafs who might have been prone to tensing up in a moment like Saturday, down a 1214042 Toronto Maple Leafs

Canadiens return home after earning split of first two games in Toronto

By The Canadian Press

Sun., May 23, 2021

MONTREAL - Canadiens defenceman Brett Kulak feels his team lost focus “a little bit” in a Game 2 loss to Toronto when the calls weren’t going Montreal’s way.

He’s hoping a return to Bell Centre for Monday’s Game 3 will see the momentum swing back in his team’s direction.

“When we’re at our best, we’re hanging on to the puck and we’re making plays,” Kulak said Sunday. “We’re using each other and we’re wearing the other team down over the course of the game and then they start to crack. So that’s what we want to get back to.”

Auston Matthews had a three-point night for the Maple Leafs in their 5-1 victory on Saturday night.

Toronto scored on two of six power-play opportunities. Montreal did not score on its lone chance with the man advantage.

“If we can work hard and play with the puck, we’re going to draw more penalties than we take,” Kulak said. “That’s kind of our goal. It keeps the flow of our game and keeps us at our best.”

The Canadiens, who opened the series Thursday with a 2-1 victory at Scotiabank Arena, will also host Game 4 on Tuesday night.

It’s the first Montreal-Toronto NHL playoff series since 1979.

“We’re happy to be back home,” Kulak said. “We’re happy to get one on the road there. It’s not easy. It’s tough hockey in the playoffs. Toronto (is) a good team too. We played them well, we thought, and we’re excited to get back at it here at home.”

The Maple Leafs lost captain John Tavares in Game 1 after a frightening collision with Montreal’s Corey Perry. Tavares suffered a concussion and a knee injury and is expected to be out for at least two weeks.

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Mitchell Marner (16) watches his goal bounce around inside the net as Montreal Canadiens defenceman Ben Chiarot (8) and teammates Tomas Tatar (90) and Brett Kulak (77) scramble during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto, Thursday, May 6, 2021. Kulak feels his team lost focus "a little bit" in a Game 2 loss to Toronto when the calls weren't going Montreal's way.

“I think any time your leader goes down, it’s a reality check,” said Toronto defenceman Zach Bogosian. “Everyone has to step up and everyone has to do their job. You can’t replace John from a leadership standpoint but also a player standpoint.

“But you can have guys step up and take on bigger roles.”

Also Sunday, Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber was fined US$5,000 for cross-checking Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds midway through the second period of Game 2.

Toronto’s victory ended a nine-game losing streak against Montreal in the post-season.

The last Maple Leafs’ playoff win over the Canadiens came in 1967 when Toronto won Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2021.

Toronto Star LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214043 Toronto Maple Leafs If the results continue, the trade-deadline acquisition of Foligno should pay dividends.

The Leafs didn’t practice Sunday, as the series shifts to Montreal’s Bell The Maple Leafs turn to Nick Foligno with John Tavares down. It worked Centre for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday. Unless there’s a in Game 2 nagging injury or two, it’s difficult to see Keefe making any lineup changes.

Their best players, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, had terrific Kevin McGran games and support players — even Pierre Engvall, who replaced Riley Nash for Game 2 — provided speed that Montreal couldn’t match. Sun., May 23, 2021 “I thought (Galchenyuk and Engvall) gave us what we thought we were

going to get: a little extra speed, a little extra skill, competitiveness on the When Maple Leafs captain John Tavares got hurt in Game 1 against the puck ... the speed is a big part of that, to be able to get to those spots,” Canadiens, coach Sheldon Keefe knew he had a new puzzle to solve: said Keefe. “I just thought we had a really engaged hockey team all the finding a new No. 2 centre and some offence without sacrificing defence way through our lineup.” or upsetting the balance of each of his lines. The power play finally got rolling with a 2-for-6 night that could make As Keefe said, the Leafs don’t have a lot of options when it comes to Montreal think twice about risking penalties with physical play. On replacing a player who does pretty much everything right at an elite level. Sunday, Canadiens captain Shea Weber was assessed a $5,000 fine for a late-game cross-check on Leafs winger Wayne Simmonds. Most of the speculation fell on Alex Kerfoot. He has played centre for most of his career, but was at left wing on the third line to start the If there’s pressure for a lineup change or two, it’s in Montreal’s dressing playoffs. He’s not that big at five-foot-10, though he is defensively sound. room where coach Dominique Ducharme is reminded that he hasn’t But the second line is just as much about offence, about creating a threat played rookie Cole Caufield, a gifted scorer, while his team has managed the other team can’t contain — since most of their efforts would be three goals in two games. directed at the Leafs’ top unit. “It’s not sometimes a question of one guy. It’s how guys can fit together,” William Nylander was another possibility. He was drafted as a centre and said Ducharme. “We have many options. We have depth. We’ll see played there for Keefe in the minors, and a little bit under Mike Babcock (Monday) the way we’re going to go.” with the Leafs. Toronto Star LOADED: 05.24.2021 But the job ended up going to Nick Foligno — who, it turns out, immediately lobbied for it.

“He was telling me he was more than comfortable to play centre, and would fill in for John if I needed him to,” said Keefe.

When Foligno broke into the NHL, after the Ottawa Senators drafted him 28th overall in 2006, he found a path to the bigs on left wing. The Senators were loaded at centre with Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher, Antoine Vermette and Chris Kelly. But after a 2012 trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Foligno got some time down the middle here and there. Under John Tortorella, the old-school coach liked Foligno’s defensive ability enough to play him at centre about 25 per cent of the time.

“With Nick, it doesn’t matter. He can play all of the positions,” Tortorella told the Columbus Dispatch in 2019.

Keefe was drawn to the idea.

“Nick, even when he plays left wing, he ends up spending a lot of time playing low in the defensive zone,” said Keefe. “He’s usually high in the offensive zone and usually the first guy back, and he’s very comfortable playing down low in our own end, so it’s a pretty natural fit there.”

Nick Foligno got it done in the faceoff circle in Game 2, giving the Maple Leafs a distinct advantage against the Canadiens on Saturday night.

It turns out Foligno can take faceoffs, too. He won 13 of 16 (81 per cent) in the Leafs’ 5-1 win on Saturday night, evening their best-of-seven series at a game apiece. The Leafs won 66 per cent of faceoffs overall on Saturday, after the Canadiens prevailed (56 per cent) in Thursday’s opener.

While Foligno is not necessarily as offensively gifted as Tavares — out indefinitely with a concussion and knee injury — switching him to centre opened up a spot for Alex Galchenyuk, who in some ways is ideally suited as a No. 2 left winger.

The new second line, with Nylander remaining at right wing, didn’t start off too great and was on the ice for Montreal’s only goal. But they settled down as the game went on. They had never played as a unit before.

“I thought we created a few chances,” said Galchenyuk. “There were a few times we misunderstood each other because we haven’t played together. But as the games go on, I think we’ll get comfortable playing together and we’ll adjust and help each other out.”

Nylander scored on the power play, and assisted on Kerfoot’s empty- netter.

“It’s tough not having (Tavares) there, with how big he is to our line, but I just try to play the same way, create scoring chances and keep going.” 1214044 Toronto Maple Leafs “But you can have guys take on bigger roles. It gives guys opportunities to be in a situation that they wouldn’t have been.

“You never want to see a guy go down, but we’re trying to turn this into a Bogosian on Matthews: 'That's huge, when he plays that intense' positive and John’s a huge part of our team. He is still very active. I know he hasn’t been into the rink, but he has been on our team chat giving us words of encouragement and he’s a huge part of it.”

Terry Koshan Who stepped up for the Leafs in Game 2?

Publishing date:May 23, 2021 • 13 hours ago • “I think everyone did,” Bogosian said. “We were more engaged in the first period.

“With John’s injury to start Game 1, that shook us quite a bit. They More of that, please. scored first (Saturday) night, we responded right away and that’s not Maple Leafs defenceman Zach Bogosian might have said as much in something that I thought we did in Game 1. passing to Auston Matthews during the team’s flight to Montreal on “Everyone played well, all four lines, all six D. Soupy (goalie Jack Sunday. Campbell) played great for us. As a group, we were more engaged.” The Leafs’ best player was in beast mode in Game 2 on Saturday, a GALCHENYUK ADJUSTS convincing 5-1 victory for the Leafs to tie the best-of-seven series 1-1, and not just because he recorded three points. After playing in 26 consecutive games to end the regular season, Leafs winger Alex Galchenyuk was scratched for Game 1 but returned to the Against the Canadiens, Matthews dominated in the faceoff circle, winning lineup in Game 2, playing on a line with Nick Foligno at centre and 16 of 20 draws, threw four hits, had three takeaways and led Toronto William Nylander on the right side. with 10 shot attempts. The line was disjointed at times, though Galchenyuk expects better in The physical nature of Matthews’ effort caught the eye of Bogosian and Game 3. everyone watching. “It’s more of a comfort level,” Galchenyuk said. “We haven’t played with “That’s huge,” Bogosian said on Sunday. “Any time you have a superstar each other, we just had one quick practice. like that who is playing a full 200-foot game, who’s playing physical … he has proven that he is a pure goal-scorer and he’s going to score huge “The more reps we get, the more we’ll be out there on the ice, that’s goals for us. where the comfort level will come in. We’ll make sure we work hard and compete.” “But to see him physically engaged, he’s a big dude and when he plays that intense, it bleeds into the group. Galchenyuk said sitting out in Game 1 was “challenging.”

“You can see how hard he’s competing and it’s a trickle-down effect. It’s “It was pretty difficult,” Galchenyuk said. “There’s so much excitement awesome to see.” heading into playoffs, but at the same time, it’s part of the job. I had to make sure I stayed ready and when the opportunity presents itself, I was Overall, the physicality in the series has become a talking point. ready and it was great to be out there competing.” We’re not sure if the official numbers are correct — the Canadiens have LOOSE LEAFS been credited with 99 hits and the Leafs 63 — but there’s no denying the intense nature that has unfolded between the Original Six rivals. The Canadiens took another stick penalty on Sunday, this one of the financial variety. Defenceman and captain Shea Weber was fined $5,000 “They’re trying to establish a physical game and I thought we’ve matched US by the NHL for cross-checking the Leafs’ Wayne Simmonds in Game that well,” Bogosian said. “But when you have a power play like ours that 2. There was no penalty called on the play at 10:07 of the second period. maybe was hurting us a little bit later on this season, it seems like they’re In the third, Weber was penalized for another cross-check on Pierre starting to find their groove and that’s good for us.” Engvall … Neither team practised on Sunday. In Toronto, before the Two power-play goals on six opportunities on Saturday helped the Leafs’ Leafs headed to Montreal, head coach Sheldon Keefe was not made cause. available. We’re curious to know what his goaltending plans are for Games 3 and 4, considering the games are back-to- back. Might we see With the action shifting to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Frederik Andersen in goal in Game 4, and perhaps Jake Allen in net for Tuesday respectively, the Canadiens realize that walking a line between Montreal the same night? … Bogosian on his forecheck that led to Jason being physical and taking penalties will be key. Having said that, of their Spezza’s goal on Saturday: “That’s kind of an O-zone sequence for us, seven minors in Game 2, five were stick penalties. any time we can make our defenceman a threat to go downhill. It just happened to be my momentum carried me down there. Not many times “We have played Toronto, it felt like 20 times this year already (it’s I’m behind the goal making a play,” he said with a chuckle. “But it was actually 12),” Montreal defenceman Joel Edmundson said on Sunday. nice to get that.” “Some games in a playoff series you will find you hate the other team, and (Saturday) night was one of those games. Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.24.2021 “It didn’t go our way, but we’re excited for the next game. It’s going to be that way for the rest of the series. We just have to be smart. We took too many penalties and it cost us, but those battles, they’re fun.

“We’re playing physical and they’re giving it back to us. That’s why we all love playoffs. It’s just going to ramp up.”

ALL FOR ONE

The loss of captain John Tavares to a concussion and knee injury isn’t something the Leafs can solve with one player.

Bogosian went through a similar situation last year, when the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup without captain Steven Stamkos for all but three minutes of the post-season.

“Any time your leader goes down, it’s a reality check,” Bogosian said. “Everyone has to step up. You can’t replace John from a leadership standpoint or a player standpoint. 1214045 Toronto Maple Leafs OK?” Dear Masai. This is Toronto. We’re still talking about Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar. That was 1992 and 1993. We’re still talking about Doug Gilmour’s wraparound goal. We’re still talking about 1967. We’re still talking about Leon McQuay’s fumble. This is a city of elephants, we SIMMONS SUNDAY: Chiarot should’ve been suspended for the hit don’t forget anything. And we never stop caring. The Raptors won in before the hit 2019. We’ll be carrying that one around for most of the rest of our lives … The friendly end-of-season Kyle Lowry is nice, almost too nice. I like the

caustic, sarcastic, edgy Lowry better … The play-in games are perfect for Steve Simmons the NBA. It’s their version of the NCAA basketball tournament come to life for a few days … Carey Price and Marc-Andre Fleury will likely be Publishing date:May 23, 2021 • 21 hours ago Team Canada’s goalies for the coming Winter Olympics, assuming the tournament with NHL players does come to fruition. Expect Andrei

Vasilevskiy in goal for Russia, Connor Hellebuyck for the USA, Tuukka Alex Edler was suspended for two games after his knee-on-knee hit on Rask for Finland and Jacob Markstrom starting or splitting time with Zach Hyman last month. Robin Lehner for Sweden … Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads all of baseball in fWar. If you can explain this to your friends in 10 words or less, you’re So why not Ben Chiarot now? better than I am … Charlie Montoyo likes to bunt with two strikes on a Why not the 20-minute Montreal defenceman, who somehow wasn’t batter. And he did it again Friday night with Reese McGuire on deck. penalized for the hit that first injured John Tavares before the knee of That’s like giving up two outs on one unnecessary attempt … He hasn’t Corey Perry knocked the Leafs captain out of the game and likely out of made anyone forget George Springer, who will eventually play some the Stanley Cup playoffs? games for the Blue Jays, but boy has Marcus Semien been a sound free- agent signing. What has been lost somehow in the many discussions about the play on Tavares, the coverage of it and the disturbing nature of the SCENE AND HEARD circumstances is that Tavares was out of the series before Perry ever What a cheap shot, behind-the-leg slash, Florida’s Anthony Duclair put touched him. on Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov on Saturday afternoon. Kucherov was The left knee injury Tavares suffered on the hit came from the original having a four-point game. Hell, if Nick Foligno was anywhere close, he collision with Chiarot. Breaking down the play in slow motion after the would have jumped Duclair … How did the Raptors miss on local guy fact, though, it’s reasonably clear the hit was knee-on-knee. Just like Oshae Brissett? Someone made a bad decision here. Brissett ended the Edler’s was. That’s a minimum two-week injury for Tavares. season starting for the … Batting averages aren’t supposed to mean anything, my baseball friends tell me. But the three And that should be a suspendable offence — except the National Hockey worst-hitting teams in the American League are the three worst teams in League hasn’t viewed it that way. the AL. And the three best-hitting teams are the three best teams … In between sentences, somebody threw a no-hitter, and no one seemed to Time was, general managers would present the NHL with evidence of care … Love this on Twitter from Trevor Bauer: “Dear hitters. If you hit a illegal activities for the league’s perusal and judgment. The NHL doesn’t 3-0 home run off me, I will not consider it a crime. Dear People, who are operate that way anymore. It reviews everything from every game and still mad about a home run being hit, kindly get out of the game.” … This former Leafs employee and former referee Bill McCreary is the league year in baseball: Tony LaRussa doesn’t know the rules of the game, but supervisor in the series. he does know the unwritten rules of the game … Dick Duff was at a card The Tavares knee to the head was hard to watch and harder to stomach, show not long ago when he told one of the customers that Bobby Hull and even more difficult to watch a second or third time. But it began with was one aisle away and that he should go tell him that Dick Duff says he Chiarot trying to hit Tavares and catching him with his knee instead. was the best player in the ’60s. The fan went to see Hull before returning to see Duff. “Did you see Bobby?” he asked the fan. The fan answered: That injury, no matter what else happened on the play, knocked Tavares “Yeah, Bobby said to tell you that you were one of my dad’s favourite from the series and probably from the next round — if he is able to come players.” Old hockey player humour. back at all. AND ANOTHER THING Chiarot should have been suspended, just as Edler was earlier last month. What do the dates February 14, March 16, and April 9 have in common? Habs’ Paul Byron was waived on all three of those dates, unclaimed in THIS AND THAT the salary-tight NHL … When Washington won the Stanley Cup, their top three centres, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nick Backstrom, and Lars Eller The poor Leafs can’t seem to get a playoff break. Last year, Jake Muzzin combined for 73 playoff points. Thus far, about to be eliminated by went down vs. Columbus. For two years consecutive years before that, Boston, the same three have combined for two points … Amazing that Nazem Kadri was suspended for a significant time. I’d sure like to see the late Red Fisher wrote hockey so brilliantly for so many decades and what a complete and healthy Leafs team might look like in a playoff never mentioned offensive zone time, zone entries, or possession series … So 10 periods into the Stanley Cup playoffs, who had Connor numbers or shot attempts. And I miss reading him, especially every McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, four of the Saturday … Is there any way soon that fully vaccinated Canadians will be NHL’s top five scorers, with no points heading into Saturday night in allowed to cross the border to watch Blue Jays games, and not have to Toronto … Tough opening night for Joe Thornton. Two bad giveaways. quarantine upon returning home? Just wondering. Is that possible this Two goals against. If he can’t play at the speed of the Montreal series, summer? … Interesting man, Kyle Dubas. But I don’t know if I’ll ever coach Sheldon Keefe may have a difficult decision to make. He adores completely understand him. He promotes Hayley Wickenheiser to head Thornton. The Leafs adore Thornton. All that is nice. He still has to be up player development with the Leafs and she adds Danielle Goyette to able to contribute … In 76 career games against the Canadiens, Jason her staff. That’s a historic hiring, an amazingly progressive day for any Spezza has 75 points … Morgan Rielly was the best Leaf in Game 1. hockey club. But Dubas didn’t make himself available to be interviewed. When he plays the way he did against the Habs, he’s a force … If I was a Didn’t even have quotes in the news release. Strange … Nepotism is kid and needed a career, I’d like to come back as Kevin Bieksa’s agent. It alive and well with the Seattle Kraken. They have hired pro scout Troy would make both of us rich. The two American networks doing NHL Bodie from the Maple Leafs to run their minor league team in Palm games next season should be bidding on Bieksa. He’s that good and that Springs. He’s the son-in-law of Tim Leiweke, the former MLSE boss who original. And it’s hockey, so there’s not a lot of original out there … Is was involved with the construction of the new Seattle arena. Brother Tod there any way Rogers Sportsnet can clone Chris Cuthbert or get Jim Leiweke is CEO of the Kraken … The eight-game Nazem Kadri playoff Hughson on a plane to call some playoff games? It’s the playoffs. You suspension is the longest in the post-season since Kadri lost five games need your best players to be your best players. with the Leafs in 2019 … The former Calgary Stampeder and wrestling HEAR AND THERE star, Brian Pillman, who died so young, would have turned 59 this weekend … And a happy birthday to Novak Djokovic (34), Tommy John Sometimes, Masai Ujiri completely understands Toronto and sometimes (78), Aaron Donald (30), Gary Roberts (55), Brian Campbell (42), Julian he doesn’t understand the city at all. “Let me tell you something guys, Edelman (35), Daniel Bryan (40), Rod Thorn (80) and Tracy McGrady everybody has forgotten what happened two years ago,” Ujiri said in his (42) … And hey, whatever became of Dave Manson? season-end availability. “OK, yes we won, but nobody cares anymore, OHTANI IS WORTH STAYING UP FOR they had Kawhi Leonard. Is there another deal like that out there — and for whom? More than 100 years ago, the legendary Babe Ruth won 20 games twice while pitching for the Boston Red Sox. He was barely 20 years old at the Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.24.2021 time.

That was before he led all of baseball in home runs on 12 different occasions and long before his historical 60 home run season in 1927.

What he did back then remains unfathomable. Impossible to comprehend by any kind of standards today. That he could pitch and hit with some presence.

Just as what Shohei Ohtani is accomplishing now, in very different times, with the Los Angeles Angels is truly beyond belief.

He is doing right now what Ruth never did: He leads the American League in home runs with 14 and is among the better starting pitchers with an earned run average of 2.37.

In simpler Toronto terms, he is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Hyun-jin Ryu all in one person.

And in a baseball season with too many strikeouts, too many no-hitters, not enough balls in play, no home games in Toronto, and something that Donny Baseball — better known as Don Mattingly — has called unwatchable, Ohtani is more than a show.

He’s a reason to stay up late at night and tune in.

KREJCI AN UNDERAPPRECIATED HERO

Of course, Taylor Hall has come to life. We all should have known that. He’s playing with one of the great underappreciated players of this generation, David Krejci.

When you can skate the way Hall can, and cut the way he does, and pass the puck and see the ice in the way in which Krejci does, offence comes together. It’s like a smooth quarterback throwing to a bursting wide receiver. Chemistry just happens.

Krejci doesn’t get a lot of consideration throughout most NHL regular seasons. He has never scored more than 30 goals and never accumulated more than 73 points in any season and yet he fits perfectly with the Boston Bruins as their second-line centre behind Patrice Bergeron.

But he’s one of those rare gems of a player who has found a way to elevate his game come playoff time. Most players can’t. Most see their offensive numbers drop when the bright lights come on and the game becomes harder and tougher and with less space to play in.

Not Krejci though. He finds a way.

He has never finished higher than 28th in league scoring in any of his 14 NHL seasons. Twice, though, he has led the playoffs in scoring. I don’t know if anybody has ever done that before.

Usually, the leading playoff scorers, like Nikita Kucherov last year or Nathan MacKinnon now, come from the list of the league’s elite.

Krejci just keeps on going, year after year, playoff run after playoff run, producing without much notice.

WHAT, OR WHO, DOES UJIRI WANT?

Masai Ujiri wants something from Larry Tanenbaum, but he isn’t saying what.

It’s not money. There will be enough of that. It’s not term. That shouldn’t be a factor. It’s this unspoken commitment he is looking for — exploring ideas that will somehow keep the Raptors competitive in the NBA for next season and the seasons after that one.

What those ideas exactly are he’s not sharing. But clearly, there are financial commitments involved not with the paying of Ujiri, but with finding better ways and exploring new ways to build teams.

The Raptors have some pieces you can build around — Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, maybe the elder statesman, Kyle Lowry, maybe the restricted free agent, Gary Trent Jr. — that’s enough to be a low-end playoff team with an addition or two. It’s not close to being a contender.

You don’t win championships in the NBA without special players, genuine superstars, and the Raptors don’t have one of those. When they won, 1214046 Toronto Maple Leafs Brodie is one of the more reserved Leafs players, with one exception: according to defence partner Morgan Rielly, Brodie loves talking about his hometown of Chatham-Kent, Ont.

Maple Leafs Klokebook: William Nylander’s confidence, Chatham’s “He wants to be the mayor,” Rielly said on May 7. mayor endorses T.J. Brodie for office As far as Leafs nicknames go, “The mayor of Chatham” is a far more creative one than “Mr. Consistent.”

By Joshua Kloke May 23, 2021 The nickname has even worked its way back to Chatham-Kent, where the current mayor, Darrin Canniff, said he would gladly support an eventual electoral run from Brodie.

“The Klokebook” is an every-so-often collection of anecdotes, “The next election is in 2022, so he won’t be ready yet. But by the time observations and interviews pertaining to the Toronto Maple Leafs and we have the 2026 election, maybe I’ll be his campaign manager,” said the personalities that shape them. Canniff. “Because he’s the type of person we support here in Chatham- Kent.” Nylander becoming an influential teammate For Canniff, he can completely understand why Brodie is always eager to Through two playoff games, William Nylander might be the Leafs’ most chat about his hometown. consistent player. He’s the only player to have scored in both games and is tied for the team lead in scoring with three points. “He truly is the type of person that comes from Chatham-Kent. He’s humble and he works hard. You know how reliable and steady he is on What’s stuck out is how, without John Tavares on his line, he’s the blue line? That’s just symbolic of the people of Chatham-Kent,” said establishing himself as less of a complementary piece and more of a Canniff. player who can change the course of a game on his own. If Brodie continues his strong play and the Leafs succeed in winning the I’ll allow that it’s a cliche, but what you hear often from coaches about Stanley Cup, there won’t just be a party in Chatham-Kent. Canniff is what makes players successful is a player’s ability to play with ready to go one step further. confidence. “If (the Leafs) win the Stanley Cup, I will make this promise: I will make And Nylander is oozing confidence right now. Take his answer to a sure we erect a statue of T.J. Brodie in Chatham-Kent,” said Canniff. question in Saturday night’s media availability about the Leafs’ struggling power play. No pressure, Mr. Mayor-in-waiting.

“You know it’s going to go in eventually, so we weren’t too worried about Mullet buddies for life it,” said Nylander. You didn’t think we’d get through another Klokebook without an update Playing with that aforementioned confidence increases the odds of on the Leafs’ hairstyles, did you? consistent results, as it has for Nylander. Heading into the playoffs, he had a point in 12 of his final 14 regular season games. You could argue I had to ask Bogosian about his mullet, which the media got an up-close that so much of that production was tied to the equally strong play of look at during Sunday’s availability. Tavares, with whom he developed serious synergy. My assessment? It’s real and it’s spectacular. “It’s tough not having him there, how big he is for our line,” Nylander said Bogosian’s mullet has become so popular around his house that his son of missing Tavares, “but I just try to play the same way, create scoring also has one. chances and keep going like that.” “My wife cut it into a mullet the same day I got mine,” Bogosian said Yet without Tavares, is there any Leafs forward, besides Auston Sunday. “So I guess we’re mullet buddies.” Matthews, who has shown the kind of confidence with the puck to influence games on his own and create chances that Nylander has? Here’s a snapshot from one of Bogosian’s recent Instagram stories:

Nylander has eight shots in two games, second among all Leafs players, “It’s been fun to rock it the last few weeks,” he said. and his individual expected goals through two games is 0.99, which is third. He’s looking like more of an influential teammate than ever before. You have to dig the team spirit from a guy in his first playoff run with the Leafs. “He’s competing on both sides of the ice,” Alex Galchenyuk said Sunday. “His offence is finding him and he’s shooting the puck really well. What Kerfoot the killer he creates off the puck, how hard he’s working, battling and competing is Another strong performer, in an admittedly unglamorous way, through encouraging. It’s great to watch and it rubs off on the guys.” two games against Montreal is Alex Kerfoot.

The consistency we’ve seen from Nylander through two games is, in a What’s been most notable about his play is his work on the penalty kill. way, what Sheldon Keefe saw on Feb. 24, which led to one of his more No Leafs forward has logged more time down a man than Kerfoot (4:55) memorable quotes of the season after Nylander scored both goals in a 2- and the Canadiens have not scored a power-play goal. 1 overtime win over the Calgary Flames: “Why is he misunderstood? I think Willy has to own some of that. He’s got to find more consistency in Kerfoot is at his best when he’s playing with tenacity. On the penalty kill, his game. He and I have talked a lot about those kind of things. He’s got that approach has been evident: he was second among Leafs players to be engaged and good without the puck. Part of it, perhaps, is being with four hits on Saturday, he played with an aggressive stick on the misunderstood, but part of it is just he’s still got to grow as a player.” penalty kill and showed a willingness to block shots. Not bad for a player who averaged just 16 seconds of penalty kill time per game in the 2019- He’s growing — and influencing others. How can you not love his answer 20 regular season. after The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel asked Nylander postgame where he thinks Rasmus Sandin gets his confidence from? “You always want to embrace more ice time, more responsibility,” Kerfoot said Friday. “Me, I taught him,” said Nylander, laughing. “He’s living with me so I guess he’s learned a little bit. He watches and he sees and he learns.” So what’s made Kerfoot so effective on the penalty kill?

Could Brodie be the next mayor of Chatham-Kent? “He’s an extremely smart player,” said fellow penalty killer Bogosian. “Anytime, you’re out there a man down you have to make certain reads It’s been a good start to the playoffs for T.J. Brodie: he’s logged heavy and he does that very well. He adjusts very well to speed coming at him minutes, made positive differences in many underlying metrics (56 and as a defenceman reading off him and his decisions in the neutral percent 5-on-5 expected goals) and has made smart plays with the puck. zone, he makes it easy on us. So, an extremely smart player. He’s a “Mr. Consistent,” as Keefe called him earlier in May. good skater. For maybe a lack of size, he battles and competes very, very hard. And that’s encouraging.” Throughout his two seasons in Toronto, it’s been worth wondering what exactly Kerfoot’s potential could be and where he fits in the lineup. If he continues to be as reliable on the penalty kill as he has been, those questions might decrease.

Engvall is back

I should not have been surprised by how effective Pierre Engvall was in Game 2 after not being in the lineup for Game 1. He logged four shots and threw three hits in a team-low 11:08.

Because those who know Engvall believe he is at his best when he has to fight back against adversity. After last summer’s qualification round loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Engvall returned to Sweden and met up with his former coach with Frolunda in Sweden’s youth leagues, Bjorn Liljander. Liljander asked Engvall to speak to his son’s youth team, the Halmstad Hammers.

Liljander gave Engvall an open floor to share any insight he wanted about his time in the NHL and had no idea what he would say. Engvall wasn’t always quick to speak when he played under Liljander, but his former coach saw him speak with a newfound sense of passion and gave the teenagers one short piece of advice.

“You have to push yourself to work harder if you want to make it to the NHL,” Liljander recalled Engvall saying.

Once a player who solely wanted to be a point producer, Engvall’s play continues to evolve under Keefe. His improved two-way game was evident Saturday night in the way he used his stick in his own zone to try and create turnovers. It was a matter of practising what he preached last summer.

“He realized what is important in hockey is playing both offence and defence and it’s all about winning games,” said Liljander. “He developed a sense of determination over the years.”

Leafs ready for “war”

To me, two of the highlights from Keefe’s postgame news conference Saturday were his laudatory remarks about Matthews (“There wasn’t really anything that he didn’t do extremely well here today”) and Sandin (“I just think that with Rasmus, the payoff can be really big for us in terms of his skill set and what he can bring”).

But what might have slipped under the radar was his direct answer to the final question about whether he’d ever seen six unanswered penalties called against a team like the Canadiens had called against them Saturday night.

“Montreal has made it very clear that they want to be very physical,” said Keefe. “I think the term they used was they want to make it a war. If you’re going to do that you’re at risk of getting penalties called against you. That’s our job as a power play to make them pay for that. That’s part of it.”

And in a way, it was a little bit prophetic. Sunday, Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber was fined $5,000 for cross-checking Wayne Simmonds in Game 2.

Now, Simmonds was no saint Saturday, as some on Twitter have pointed out.

He played with an edge and effectively got under the skin of the Canadiens players.

The frustration in the calls against the Canadiens was evident postgame in forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

It all points to Game 3 looking like it could be the most physical affair yet.

Still, for their part, Leafs players spent Sunday shrugging off what could come next.

“With the physical play, it’s the playoffs,” said Galchenyuk. “You look around the league, every game you watch the level of hits and physicality rises up to a different level. It’s nothing new come playoff time.”

“When you have a power play like ours that maybe was hurting us a little bit later in the season, and it seems like they’re starting to find their groove, obviously, it’s good for us,” said Bogosian. “So we’re not going to change anything.”

All stats via Natural Stat Trick

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Potential Golden Knights-Avalanche series already on betting board

By Adam Hill

May 23, 2021 - 8:52 PM

Betting is open at the Westgate sportsbook for a potential second-round NHL playoff series between the Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche are a -160 favorite for the potential series, with bets on the Knights paying out at +140.

“We have them as the No. 1 power-rated team in the league,” Westgate vice president of risk Jeff Sherman said Sunday night of the Avalanche, shortly after they completed a sweep of the St. Louis Blues.

The Knights are favored to close out the Minnesota Wild on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena.

A series with the Avalanche then could start this week in Denver.

“It’s too bad the Knights lost that (May 10 regular-season) game to not have home ice,” Sherman said. “But we have them right up there with Tampa Bay in the power ratings, and they were the second choice on the futures board at the end of the season. Colorado is just a clear No. 1 and then there’s a group of teams behind them.”

The Westgate took a $1,000 bet on the Knights within an hour of posting the number on the board Sunday.

The current odds reflect an assumption that forward Max Pacioretty might not play for the Knights. It could be adjusted slightly if a decision on his status is announced.

“I could see if he’s going to be cleared, then we’d knock it down a little and have a more competitive line,” Sherman said. “But every time it sounds like he’s getting close, he’s nowhere to be found.”

Pacioretty last played May 1.

Sherman expects the number for Game 1 to be similar to the series number, though Pacioretty’s status will be a factor.

Bettors will get a refund on the hypothetical matchup if the Knights don’t advance.

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Golden Knights get chance to clinch series at T-Mobile Arena

By Ben Gotz

May 23, 2021 - 4:48 PM

Updated May 23, 2021 - 7:36 PM

The Golden Knights have had unprecedented playoff success in their first four NHL seasons.

They’ve won five playoff series. They’ve compiled the highest postseason winning percentage in the league. They’ve made two conference finals and one Stanley Cup Final.

But there is a gaping hole on their resume. The Knights, for all their playoff prowess, have never won a series in front of their home fans.

Their three series wins in their inaugural season came on the road. They advanced two rounds last postseason in the NHL’s bubble in Edmonton, Alberta.

So Monday represents a rare opportunity for the Knights. With more than 11,000 fans expected to congregate inside T-Mobile Arena, they can check off another franchise first and advance to the second round with a victory over the Minnesota Wild.

The Knights lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. The winner will meet the Colorado Avalanche, who completed a sweep of the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, in the West Division final.

“The fourth one’s always the toughest one to win,” Knights coach Pete DeBoer said. “They’re a proud group with a great record. They’re a great team, so I expect that they’re going to show up with a great game. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a chance to close out a real good team at home in front of our fans.”

The Knights have had one other opportunity to finish a series at home.

They led the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in their second season, but lost Game 6 2-1 in double overtime. The Sharks, who were coached by DeBoer at the time, won Game 7 after an infamous and controversial major-penalty call on center Cody Eakin.

That series was one of three in which the Knights led 3-1. They defeated the Winnipeg Jets in five games in their inaugural season, lost to the Sharks in seven and defeated the Vancouver Canucks last postseason in seven.

The Sharks remain the most recent team to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. Twenty-nine teams have done it in NHL history. The Wild have done it twice, in the first and second rounds of the 2003 playoffs.

“We’re going to have to go home and expect their best effort,” Knights captain Mark Stone said. “They’re going to come with a push. They’re going to want to try to bring this series back (to Minnesota).”

The Knights’ playoff history suggests that won’t be easy. They have the highest playoff winning percentage in the NHL at .608 (31-20), ahead of the five-time Stanley Cup-winning Edmonton Oilers .595 (160-109) entering Sunday’s games. They are 10-5 at T-Mobile.

The Wild are 13-28 all time on the road in the playoffs, including 1-1 in this series. They’re 6-3-1 all time at T-Mobile, including the playoffs.

But they’ve lost three straight to the Knights as the series shifts back to Las Vegas.

“Of course we’re really excited to come back to our building,” center Nicolas Roy said. “It’s been amazing, and it’s going to be even better next game.”

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Golden Knights’ stars outshining Wild’s top players in series

By David Schoen

May 23, 2021 - 2:54 PM

Updated May 23, 2021 - 3:27 PM

The Golden Knights’ depth has been evident during their West Division first-round playoff series, with 15 of the 20 skaters to appear recording at least one point. And that doesn’t include Marc-Andre Fleury’s assist in Game 3.

But it’s been the Knights’ front-line players who have carried the load against the Minnesota Wild en route to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“The right guys are scoring,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “Your big guys have to pitch in nightly. We’ve been getting that from those guys.”

Right wing Mark Stone leads the Knights with four points and shares the team lead in goals (three) with Alex Tuch, who has filled in capably on the top line in place of injured Max Pacioretty.

Stone jump-started the Game 3 comeback with his second-period goal and crushed the Wild’s spirit in the second period Saturday when he scored short-handed to put the Knights up 3-0.

The Misfit Line of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith has combined for three goals and seven points. That includes Marchessault’s momentum-turning goal in Game 2 along with key tallies from Smith and Karlsson in Game 3.

In net, Fleury has stopped 112 of 116 shots he’s seen in the series and has a 0.99 goals-against average while outplaying Wild counterpart Cam Talbot.

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s stars haven’t produced offensively.

Rookie of the year favorite Kirill Kaprizov has one assist. Kevin Fiala, the team’s second-leading scorer in the regular season with 20 goals and 40 points, doesn’t have a point and smashed his stick over the crossbar in frustration at one point during Game 4.

Mats Zuccarello also has a zero in the points column, as Minnesota has gone 111:30 without scoring.

The line of Joel Eriksson Ek, Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno has been the only consistent performers for coach Dean Evason. Eriksson Ek has half of the team’s four goals in the series and also had two goals wiped out after successful challenges.

”We knew coming into the series with the whole (Pacioretty) being out … that goal a game was going to be difficult to fill,” DeBoer said. “We’ve gotten it from both our key guys and our depth guys, which has been critical.”

Goalie union

After the Knights’ self-inflicted goalie controversy erupted in the postseason bubble last year, DeBoer said they were intent on making sure it was “handled properly” this time.

So far, so good.

While Fleury has shouldered the load in net, goalie partner Robin Lehner has been his biggest fan. After the Game 4 shutout, Lehner sent a tweet with the emojis of three flowers, a heart and crossed swords, the latter of which represents the Knights on the social media platform.

DeBoer praised Lehner for how he’s handled the situation and intimated he’s sticking with Fleury as long as he stays hot.

“It’s a genuine happiness for him for having success that is real. The guys feed off that,” DeBoer said. “Both guys are going to be important, and we’ve got hopefully a long trail here. I’m sure they’re both going to play a role at different points, but right now, Flower’s rolling.”

1214050 Vegas Golden Knights scoresheet, 16 of the 21 players the Knights have used in the series have scored at least a point.

“I really liked that line,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “You need depth Marc-Andre Fleury leaves Wild players shaking their heads again scoring in the playoffs, and I thought those guys have been spinning their tires a little bit for a couple games. We really needed them.”

2. PK dominance By Ben Gotz The Knights’ penalty-kill unit has been perfect in the series. May 23, 2021 - 7:00 am It held the Wild’s power play scoreless again Saturday to improve to 8- Updated May 23, 2021 - 12:54 PM for-8 in the four games. That included killing a four-minute double minor when defenseman Zach Whitecloud was whistled for high-sticking

forward Zach Parise. ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala smacked his Stone responded by scoring the Knights’ third short-handed goal of the stick on the back of the Golden Knights’ net Saturday after a shift during playoffs. He’s the third player in team history to score on the penalty kill which his two shots and one centering pass didn’t lead to a goal. in the postseason, joining William Karlsson and Colin Miller. He was frustrated. No one could blame him. “As a whole, we did a great job,” Stone said. “We were limiting them off Fiala and many of the Wild’s other forwards have been thwarted, foiled the rush. We did a great job with some blocks.” and stymied at every turn throughout the team’s first-round series against 3. Tuch scores again the Knights. The Wild probably are sick of seeing Knights left wing Alex Tuch and Their primary antagonist? Marc-Andre Fleury. being reminded that they gave him up in a 2017 expansion-draft trade. The Knights goaltender has been nigh impregnable, and that continued Tuch has three goals in the series, tied for the second-most of the Saturday when he posted his first shutout of the series in a 4-0 win in playoffs. He has the most postseason goals in Knights history with 18. Game 4 at Xcel Energy Center. He made 35 saves as the Knights took a 3-1 series lead. On Saturday, he simply used his speed to blow past Wild defensemen Jared Spurgeon and Matt Dumba after they were forced to stay out after “Marc-Andre Fleury (is) playing unreal,” Wild forward Marcus Foligno an icing. said. “We’ve done a lot of good things in front of him. He’s made some great saves.” “The way he moves, the strength he’s got, the skill he has, those kind of goals happen,” Stone said. “Not many guys can skate at that speed and Fleury indeed added several impressive stops to his collection. make those kind of plays. It looked very simple, but I can’t say I’ve ever Along with his saves on Fiala, he denied center Joel Eriksson Ek on a been at that speed to make that play, so I think it was probably a pretty breakaway late in the second period. That save was one of five he made tough play.” on the penalty kill to help the Knights finish 3-for-3.

“That could’ve changed the game,” Knights captain Mark Stone said. LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 05.24.2021 “Pretty key for us. They get that goal, four minutes left in the second period, game looks a lot different 3-1 than going into the third 3-0. Our penalty kill’s been good, but our goalie’s also been really good.”

Fleury did more than just makes saves. He was an important part of the Knights’ breakouts. The Wild kept trying to play dump-and-chase hockey by sending the puck behind his net, and Fleury made a lot of sharp passes to send his team the other way.

It took a lot of the bite out of Minnesota’s forecheck and helped the Knights create offense.

“They were trying to get a lot of pucks deep, and he was making it easier on our defensemen and on our forwards to help us with the breakouts,” left wing Alex Tuch said. “It stops their forecheck a lot, and it stops their momentum.”

It added up to another complete performance for Fleury, who continues to post incredible numbers. He has a 0.99 goals-against average and .966 save percentage in the series. He hasn’t allowed more than two goals in 13 straight starts.

He also tied Grant Fuhr on Saturday with his 150th playoff appearance, tied for the fourth-most all time among goaltenders. Fleury’s 16th playoff shutout tied him for the third-most all time with Curtis Joseph.

“I just try to go out, try to make the saves,” Fleury said. “My team’s been great for me. They’ve been helping a lot with rebounds and blocking shots and all that stuff. I’ve been getting some goal support the last few games, too. I just try to keep the game close, try to make that first save and not think too far ahead.”

Here are three takeaways from the win:

1. Roy steps up

Center Nicolas Roy had the first two-goal game of his career, providing key secondary scoring for the Knights.

Roy and his linemates — left wing Mattias Janmark and right wing Keegan Kolesar — all finished with two points. Roy also tied his season high with four shots on goal. With Roy and Kolesar getting on the 1214051 Washington Capitals No one expects a new contract to be a real issue. A deal is almost certain to get done, and Ovechkin should be pulling on the red sweater with the “C” on it come fall. When he does, he will be 36.

The Capitals bowed out early again. Now they have plenty of questions Given the conditioning and health habits of modern athletes, there’s to answer. nothing wrong with being a little, um, seasoned. Patrice Bergeron is 35, and he scored twice for the Bruins on Sunday night. Indeed, Boston has some gray in its core — David Krejci is 35, Brad Marchand 33, goalie Tuukka Rask 34. Plus, Ovechkin has shown that predicting his demise is Barry Svrluga foolish, and he probably has more good hockey — and many more goals May 24, 2021 at 3:16 a.m. — left in him.

But ask a different question: What player age 25 or younger contributed significantly for Washington in this series? In between the second and third periods of Sunday night’s season- ending gut punch of a hockey game for the Washington Capitals, the The only answers: goalie Ilya Samsonov and third-line winger Daniel video screen that hangs above the ice played the first portion of a team- Sprong, both 24, the only young-legged players given sweaters Sunday produced documentary on Nicklas Backstrom. The Images flipped from night. The Bruins can counter with budding star David Pastrnak, who Backstrom raising the Stanley Cup above his head, then to the sea of red dazzlingly slipped a puck between his 24-year-old legs — spinning on Constitution Avenue — a perfect day for a parade. That was three around a helpless Nic Dowd — to open the scoring. But Pastrnak’s not years back. alone.

Then came Backstrom, remembering. Charlie McAvoy, who plays on the Bruins’ top defensive pairing, is 23. Forward Nick Ritchie is 25. Linemate Jake DeBrusk and defenseman “I want that feeling again,” he said, and quietly. Brandon Carlo are both 24. Even Jeremy Swayman, the backup goalie, is 22. Boston has a sprightly presence to offset the old heads. That feeling, it seems so long ago. And after the Boston Bruins dumped the Caps from these playoffs with their fourth straight victory in this first- Looked at another way: The Caps dressed 12 players 30 and older round series — 3-1 in Game 5 at dejected Capital One Arena — it’s Sunday night. The Bruins dressed five. worth wondering whether that feeling will be back with this group. The Capitals’ last series win in the Stanley Cup playoffs came against the But this can’t be simply as “younger team beats older team,” because it’s Vegas Golden Knights in 2018, a spring when they won four straight not that simple. Every time you think it’s the year when the Caps will look series for the only time in franchise history. Since then, they’re 0-3 — creaky and slow, they either win or very nearly win their division. And in each one a bit more dejecting than the last. this series, the only game in which the Caps looked significantly slower than the Bruins was Game 4. T.J. Oshie is 34, Backstrom is 33, Eller is Lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in double overtime of a Game 7 in 2019? 32, John Carlson is 31 — and they basically continue to get it done over Eh, whatever. Look at the Cup! the haul of a regular season.

Lose to the New York Islanders — and that Cup-winning coach, Barry Can they get it done again over a two-month spring? Trotz — in five quick games of the covid-delayed first round last summer? Well, Backstrom was hurt for most of that series, and who “Those are questions that I think you gotta think about with regard to knows how the NHL’s Toronto bubble affected anyone? Move on. where your team’s at,” Laviolette said. “I can tell you this: the guys that were here, the core guys that you’re talking about, are a big reason why But this loss would seem to bring larger questions about what’s possible we had the success in the regular season that we did. They’re terrific for these Caps a year from now, three years from now, for the rest of the players. … There’s frustration. I think everything gets looked at and careers of Backstrom and forever running mate Alex Ovechkin. It had evaluated, but those guys have been the cornerstone of this team for a some of that old Caps energy — the pre-Cup variety, when dread settled long time, and they were of this team for the regular season.” over the building and the crowd started to fold in on itself. Still, we’re back at where we have been for the majority of the Ovechkin- Boston posted eight of the game’s first 10 shots. The Caps outshot the Backstrom era: regular season juggernaut produces a winter of joy and Bruins the rest of the way 39-11. At one point, the Caps had 14 second- hope. As much as the pre-Cup Caps were known for their playoff failures, period shots and zero goals, and the Bruins had three second-period they won at least one series four straight springs — from 2015 to 2018, shots — and two goals. when they broke through. Then the Hurricanes. Then the Islanders.

“It’s tough,” Coach Peter Laviolette said. And now … this.

It’s lazy to say that kind of thing seems so Caps — so, so Caps — even “It sucks,” Ovechkin said. when it feels exactly like that. In the third, trailing by two, Lars Eller looked as if he scored a momentum-changing goal on the power play. When the final horn blew and the Bruins began their hugs, Ovechkin Instead, it was waved off because the officials deemed that Evgeny tipped his helmet back on his head. Backstrom skated by himself into Kuznetsov had interfered with goalie Tuukka Rask — ensuring that one corner of the rink, bent at the waist. Every season but 2018 has Kuznetsov’s name would be called at least once in this series. (Whether ended this way. The Cup still matters because it produced the memories he made a greater impact missing the first two games while on the covid- and cemented legacies. But each year it’s further away, and none of us 19 restricted list or when he played the last three — that’s debatable.) are getting any younger.

Before the first playoff puck dropped, the two missing Capitals already had dropped the ball Washington Post LOADED: 05.24.2021 But this wasn’t just about Sunday night. When seasons end with thuds like this — repeatedly — there’s a need to take in the long view and wonder why it keeps happening. It’s both obvious and important to say that the core is getting older, and …

Wait, before breaking that down, here’s a sentence that’s weird to read:

Alex Ovechkin could be a free agent this summer.

“We just lost in a playoff series,” Ovechkin said. Such talk, he said, is best for “later on.”

“This is his team,” Laviolette said. “That’s business that gets taken care of on a different day.” 1214052 Washington Capitals Ovechkin had two goals and two assists in the five-game series but didn’t produce at his normal pace. He suffered a lower-body injury late in the regular season and missed seven of eight games before playing in the regular season finale. He finished with 24 goals in the regular season Capitals drop Game 5 to Bruins, make another first-round exit from the and has 730 for his career, one behind Marcel Dionne for fifth in NHL Stanley Cup playoffs history.

Beyond Ovechkin’s two, the Capitals’ core forwards combined for only two more goals in the series: one by T.J. Oshie and one by Tom Wilson. Samantha Pell Fourth-liners Dowd and Garnet Hathaway matched Ovechkin for the May 24, 2021 at 2:29 a.m. team lead with two.

“There has got to be responsibility on our end to press more and push more, and at the end of the day it wasn’t good enough,” Laviolette said. The scene was all too familiar Sunday night at Capital One Arena. The “There is a lot of things you need to be able to move on and continue to Washington Capitals left the ice one-by-one for the last time this season, move on, and offense is one of them, and we weren’t able to get that their Stanley Cup chances abruptly halted in the first round of the playoffs done.” for the third straight year. Center Nicklas Backstrom, who led the Capitals in the early stages of the The Capitals were eliminated after a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in season with his offensive output, appeared a step slower come playoff Game 5, during which Washington’s stars were unable to make a dent in time and was largely a non-factor. Oshie and Eller appeared to be the scoresheet despite the Capitals outshooting the Bruins 41-19. The playing hurt. Eller was injured in Game 2 but came back for Games 4 and loss means the Capitals still have not won a postseason series since 5, failing to record a point. Oshie never looked fully healthy after suffering they hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2018 for the first time. a lower-body injury in the team’s penultimate regular season game, finishing the series with a goal and three assists. “We play all season long for it, playing for a Stanley Cup,” captain Alex Ovechkin said. “It’s hard to lose. Nobody wants to lose, right? We try do Anthony Mantha, the Capitals’ splashy trade deadline acquisition, best what we can. Obviously, we can do better. It sucks. It’s a bad feeling produced two assists but no goals in the first five postseason games of when you know you have a pretty good team.” his career. Kuznetsov was unavailable for two weeks after he tested positive for the coronavirus for the second time this season in early May. Svrluga: The Capitals bowed out early once again. Now they have plenty He also failed to make an impact after returning to the lineup for Game 3, of questions to answer. finishing the series without a point. Samsonov, who joined Kuznetsov on After Boston took a 2-0 lead to the second intermission, Capitals forward the covid-19 list both times, is now a restricted free agent; he made 16 Conor Sheary scored the lone Washington goal by going top shelf on a saves Sunday. rebound only 11 seconds into the third period, briefly giving the Capitals “I feel like at this time of the year, everyone on every team have players life and finally generating some energy in the arena. But Boston captain that’s banged up,” Backstrom said. “No excuses there.” Patrice Bergeron scored his second goal of the night with 7:35 to play, and it proved to be the ultimate dagger in the Capitals’ once-promising Sunday’s first period was largely an uninspired effort from the Capitals. season. They were outshot 8-2 in the first 11 minutes, and their power play looked disconnected during three opportunities as they struggled to Lars Eller briefly appeared to score his first goal of the series to pull the execute their offensive zone entries. Capitals back within one with 5:37 left, but it was disallowed because Evgeny Kuznetsov had made contact with Boston’s Tuukka Rask in the The Capitals controlled play in the second period, outshooting the Bruins crease and was dinged for goalie interference. 20-4, but were unable to capitalize. The Bruins scored two goals on their first three shots of the period to take a two-goal lead, and the Capitals Washington, which lost four consecutive games only once in the regular never found an answer. season as it surged to a second-place finish in the reconfigured East Division in Coach Peter Laviolette’s first year, dropped its fourth straight “They’re a good hockey team, but as for this game, I think we just had to the Bruins to lose the best-of-seven series four games to one. trouble scoring,” Backstrom said. “That’s pretty much it.”

“I thought our guys pressed hard tonight, and I thought we played hard,” Laviolette said. “They capitalized on the chances that they got. ... That is kind of the way the series went. There were times when I thought we Washington Post LOADED: 05.24.2021 were good and we weren’t able to capitalize and weren’t able to produce, and at the end of the day you need to be able to produce and you have to put goals on the board.”

Boston’s David Pastrnak opened the scoring 2:28 into the second. The star forward skated through the left side of the Capitals’ zone untouched — blowing past center Nic Dowd and then avoiding defenseman Nick Jensen, who was slow to react — before cutting across the crease to beat goalie Ilya Samsonov. Bergeron then scored his first goal at 14:05, skating down the middle of the zone and putting an easy wrist shot past Samsonov from between the faceoff circles.

Once that goal stood up as the game-winner, the Bruins advanced to face the winner of the series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders, and the Capitals headed into an offseason full of questions.

At the forefront is the future of Ovechkin, who went last in the handshake line for the Capitals and saluted the fans before leaving the ice after playing his last game under his current contract.

The 35-year-old enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, with the 13-year, $124 million deal he signed in 2008 finally up. Capitals management has said multiple times that the team wants Ovechkin back, and owner Ted Leonsis said he was “not concerned” about Ovechkin ending the season without a new contract worked out. Ovechkin did not want to discuss his contract status after the game.

“I’d like to think he’s going to be back,” Laviolette said. “This is his team.” 1214053 Washington Capitals “We had a tough time just getting into the zone,” Backstrom said. “But I think if you look at tonight, we were trying to get the puck to the net a little bit more and create secondary chances.”

Capitals bounced in first round for third straight year as Bruins take And shortly after those opportunities came and went, Boston’s David Game 5 Pastrnak created for himself and finished off a highlight-reel goal. He deked past center Nic Dowd with a behind-the-back, between-the-legs move. Then Pastrnak skated for the crease and beat Ilya Samsonov far side. By Andy Kostka Later in the second, Samsonov allowed a soft goal to Patrice Bergeron, Sunday, May 23, 2021 who flicked a wrist shot from the high slot past Samsonov’s right blocker. The 24-year-old finished with 16 saves and an .842 save percentage, playing three straight games for the first time in his NHL career. Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson, bent double, allowed their momentum to carry them down the ice. The final horn had sounded “I don’t think it was goaltending the reason why we’re not playing Sunday, ending a mad scramble to find two goals that time didn’t allow tomorrow or moving on,” Laviolette said. “I think it lurks more to the lack for. of production and being able to score.”

In a way, the Washington Capitals followed a similar path as Carlson and Even with a barrage on net — Washington peppered Rask with 30 shots Backstrom’s final skates at Capital One Arena, gliding to a halt. The team on goal in the first and second periods compared to 13 from Boston — had roared for much of the regular season, overcoming injuries and the Capitals didn’t truly threaten. According to Natural Stat Trick, eight of suspensions to earn the second seed in the East Division. But when their those 30 attempts were considered high-danger scoring chances, and momentum gave out, there was little force to spur them onwards again. Rask turned those aside.

The Boston Bruins beat the Capitals 3-1 on Sunday. With the 4-1 series That is, until the third period. Eleven seconds into the frame, Conor defeat to Boston, Washington lost its third straight first-round playoff Sheary launched a low shot on net that deflected off Rask right back to matchup since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. the Capitals winger, who directed the rebound home. That gave Washington life, a path back into the contest. “You finish the regular season, you finish in the top five, top six — wherever we landed — there’s always those expectations to move on,” But that life was snuffed out with under eight minutes to play, when Laviolette said. “That’s the whole reason why you do it, that’s the reason Bergeron sniped a shot past Samsonov. As Bergeron, Marchand and why you grind through the regular season, do the best you can to get the Pastrnak hugged to celebrate their captain’s second tally of the night, opportunity in the playoffs. So with regard to that, it’s a disappointment. Samsonov stared at the jumbotron, watching the replay of a dagger. There’s no question. There’s not a person in the room that’s not The Capitals will have plenty of time this offseason for that — watching disappointed.” and wondering what went wrong, how a win in Game 1 eroded so quickly The Capitals fired coach Todd Reirden last summer after his poor to four straight losses, how they got bounced from the first round of the postseason performances and brought in Laviolette, an experienced playoffs for the third straight year. coach who won a Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. “It’s hard to lose. Nobody wants to lose, right?” Ovechkin said. “We try do But despite finishing second in the East Division — navigating the best what we can. Obviously, we can do better. It sucks. It’s a bad feeling difficulties brought on by the 56-game schedule with games against when you know you have a pretty good team.” divisional foes only — Washington crashed out of the playoffs once more. And the Capitals will enter the offseason with plenty of roster considerations, chief among them the future of Alex Ovechkin, who’s set Washington Times LOADED: 05.24.2021 to become a free agent.

“We just lost in a playoff series,” Ovechkin said. “Let’s talk about my contract and all those stuff later on.”

The Capitals spent the better part of two days preaching the need for a short-term plan. They’d focus on Game 5 — nothing beyond — because their playoff lives depended on one game. Win Sunday night and they could plan for one more game — that’s the life of a team facing elimination.

“Shift by shift, period by period and just one game,” Laviolette said Saturday.

Washington got here after winning Game 1, overcoming an early injury to goaltender Vitek Vanecek to win in overtime. But Boston rattled off three straight wins after that, taking Game 2 and Game 3 in overtime before blowing past the Capitals in Game 4. The Bruins won 4-1, taking a commanding lead in the series.

That loss also highlighted Washington’s issues on the power play, going 1-for-7 in those situations. The Capitals struggled to enter the offensive zone, then had difficulty maintaining possession or getting shots on netminder Tuukka Rask.

After Friday’s game, Backstrom said he felt “we have to come up with something new” on the power play. Laviolette said there would be tweaks on special teams, but didn’t delve into details.

Whatever those tweaks were, though, they were minute enough not to be visible in the first period Sunday. Boston again made Washington’s zone entry a challenge, and the Capitals managed one shot on goal during their first two power plays.

A power play to begin the second period proved more fruitful in terms of chances, but the lamp never lit. Ovechkin had a shot blocked, and Evgeny Kuznetsov missed the cage entirely on an open look from the slot. Washington finished 0-for-4 on the man-advantage Sunday. 1214054 Washington Capitals Ovechkin will be 36 at the beginning of next season. Backstrom turns 34 two days before Thanksgiving. T.J. Oshie will be 35 two days before Christmas. Even Evgeny Kuznetsov, once viewed as the next wave of young talent to join the Capitals, is now 29. Caps lose in first round yet again as offseason questions loom Father Time hasn’t beaten down any of those players just yet, despite what the series would indicate. In fact, Backstrom shot the highest percentage of his career in the 2020-21 season. Ovechkin, battling BY ANDREW GILLIS through a COVID-19 absence and injuries, was on an 82-game pace for just shy of 44 goals. Oshie posted the second-best goals-per-game mark in his time in Washington. As the seconds faded off the clock in Game 5 at Capital One Arena, it was hard not to think of those seconds ticking down as a missed But as the summer emerges on the Capitals, it’s certainly fair to wonder opportunity — and not just for the prior 60 minutes. how long this group has left in D.C., a question not made easier by their quick exit. In a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Capitals were defeated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third-straight season as their “Those are questions that I think you gotta think about with regard to offense went ice cold at the worst possible time. Now, as will be the case where your team’s at,” Laviolette said. “I can tell you this: The guys that for as long as this particular core group stays together, questions will were here, the core guys that you’re talking about, are a big reason we mount about when the finish line will come. Each time they're eliminated had success in the regular season that we did. They’re terrific players, from the playoffs with Alex Ovechkin on the roster that is a lock. they’ve been terrific players here...But those guys they’ve been the cornerstone of this team for a long time, and they were of this team for Ovechkin’s massive 13-year, $124 million contract has now expired. For the regular season.” a long time it seemed like it never would. But the years have passed now. There’s an expansion draft coming and, with a flat NHL salary cap Still, the success the Capitals had in the 2020-21 regular season makes at around $81.5 million, the Capitals may have some tough decisions to it hard for them not to view the Bruins series as a missed opportunity at make. getting this group another Stanley Cup. They nearly won the East Division and were the third-best offensive team in the sport. They just The team’s top four point leaders this season are all at least 31 years old came up short in that department when they needed it most. and, as difficult as it may be for a myriad of reasons to think about the future and what’s next, those questions were already prevalent after the “The first three games were tight games, could have went either way and game. I don’t, in hindsight, we are not going to like how we played the fourth game,” Laviolette said. “Tonight our guys, they tried, they competed. We With a Stanley Cup under their belt, the questions aren’t as pointed and worked to play tight defensively, we worked to create and the effort was the urgency isn’t as dire as it otherwise would be. No matter what there. Game 4 was one that we will look back on and be disappointed happens, that championship banner will always hang at Capital One about. Thought the first three games were a flip of a coin and tonight we Arena and for a long, long time it was hard to imagine that. But 2018 is couldn’t get it done.” three years ago now and for an aging team with title aspirations, another year came and went with a first-round exit. Each year, the Capitals make it clear in their words and in their actions on the ice that they’re fully committed to competing for a Stanley Cup. “I mean, every year you have a chance of winning and it’s just a matter of But as the clock ticked down on the season on the scoreboard high how we play out there,” center Nicklas Backstrom said. “That’s pretty above the ice, it was fair to wonder what else it ticked down on, too. much the answer to that. Every time you’re lacing up the skates when the season starts, you’ve got a chance of it. That’s what we believe.”

It didn’t take long after the series concluded, naturally, for Ovechkin’s Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 contract status to be brought up — a question he did not want to comment on after the game. But even putting the captain's status aside, it’s hard not to see the 2021 playoffs as another missed opportunity for this group to contend for a championship.

The Capitals were dominated in Game 4 and, despite owning a majority of the shot share in Game 5, couldn’t create enough high-danger chances to threaten Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask for the majority of the series. They struggled to create offensive opportunities on both the man- advantage and at even strength. The Bruins had an answer for everything they did.

“Obviously, we play all season long for it, playing for a Stanley Cup,” Ovechkin said. “It's hard to lose. Nobody wants to lose, right? We try do best what we can. Obviously, we can do better. It sucks. It's a bad feeling when you know you have a pretty good team. It was two good teams play against each other, you can see all the games was tight games, obviously.”

It took until Conor Sheary’s third-period goal for the Capitals to strike at five-on-five, which ended a streak of nearly 150 minutes where they didn’t score an even strength goal. In Games 3, 4 and 5, the Capitals combined for just two five-on-five goals and four in total.

“For a team that scored pretty consistently the entire year, we get in the playoffs, there is always a spot in the year where you go through a touch of you can’t score,” Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. “We didn’t really have that and we get into this round and I think you have to give some credit to the way Boston played, you got to give some credit to the goaltender.”

That shooting dry spell cast doom on the Capitals, who now have a massive and wildly interesting offseason upcoming. And, for the rest of the time that Ovechkin, Backstrom, John Carlson and the like remain in Washington, these postseason defeats won’t get any less interesting or less painful. 1214055 Washington Capitals Over the course of five games, that only translated to a 5-3 advantage for the Bruins in terms of power-play goals, but the larger issue is that Boston's power play delivered at critical moments while the Caps did not.

How the Capitals lost their first-round series to the Bruins Nick Ritchie tied Game 1 at 2, Marchand forced overtime in Game 3 and Marchand and David Pastrnak built a 2-0 lead in Game 4 all on the power play. Meanwhile, the Caps were staring down the barrel of a 3-1 series deficit in Game 4 and the power play let them down going just 1- BY J.J. REGAN for-7 in that game.

The third period of Game 4 For the third season in a row, the Capitals season has ended in the first Game 4 was easily Washington's worst of the series, but the third period round of the playoffs. The Caps fell 3-1 in Game 5 to the Boston Bruins was really when the series fell apart. on Sunday, giving the Bruins a 4-1 series win and bringing a close to Peter Laviolette's first season behind the bench in Washington. Down 1-0 and staring at a 3-1 series deficit, the Caps faced the most important period of the season. Just 63 seconds into that period, Here is how the Caps lost the series. Washington's deficit increased to 3-0 as David Pastrnak scored on the 5-on-5 offense power play and Charlie Coyle tallied 34 seconds later.

Tuukka Rask was very good in goal for Boston, but the Caps simply did That was the series knockout punch. Washington never recovered and not do enough to make life uncomfortable for the Bruins netminder. now will have a long summer to figure out how to get back to the Stanley Washington struggled to carry the puck through the neutral zone, did not Cup playoffs again given the upcoming expansion draft, Alex Ovechkin's get enough traffic in front of Rask and, most critically, the Caps' star contract needs and inevitable roster turnover. players simply did not deliver the way we have come to expect.

In five playoff games, Washington scored only seven 5-on-5 goals and Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 four of them came from the fourth line. Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway each scored twice.

Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and Anthony Mantha were all held without a single 5-on-5 goal while Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson all failed to record a single 5-on-5 point.

When Conor Sheary scored in Game 5, it snapped a 5-on-5 goal drought of 147 minutes, 44 seconds for Washington. That just was never going to be good enough.

Brad Marchand

Several Bruins players had a very good series, but Marchand makes this list specifically because he delivered at crucial moments.

Marchand scored the overtime winner in Game 2, he scored the game- tying third-period goal to force overtime in Game 3, and he broke the scoreless tie in Game 4 with his second-period tally.

As much as Caps fans may cringe at the thought, no one was as clutch for his team in this series as Marchand.

Third-period leads

It may have been a short series, but in the first three games it looked like we were looking at a barnburner. The Caps had a chance to win each of those games, but only won Game 1 and that now looms large after the dropping the series, especially considering Washington had a third- period lead in both Games 2 and 3.

In Game 2, Garnet Hathaway scored on a 2-on-1 midway through the third to make it 3-2. Taylor Hall, however, would tie the game with less than three minutes left to go in regulation. In Game 3, Washington entered the third with a 2-1 lead, but Marchand would score on the power play to tie it up with less than nine minutes remaining. This is a very different series if the Caps could have protected a third-period lead in either of those games.

Samsonov's double-overtime mistake

When Samsonov finally got into the net in Game 3, he was fantastic. He played fairly well in each of his three starts and showed flashes of being the No. 1 goalie he was expected to be coming into the season. Unfortunately, the only thing most will remember of Samsonov in this series is his double-overtime gaffe in Game 3.

Samsonov retrieved the puck behind the net, with defenseman Justin Schultz coming back to assist. The two were not on the same page, however, as Samsonov left the puck behind the net while Schultz peeled off looking for the puck to be sent along the boards. That allowed Craig Smith to sneak in, grab the puck and tuck it into the net on the wraparound for the Bruins win.

Special teams

For the series, Boston's power play scored at 26.3%. The Caps power play, meanwhile, was 14.3%. That's not good. 1214056 Washington Capitals

As Caps reflect on series, it's Game 4 loss that haunts them

BY J.J. REGAN

As the Capitals searched for answers in the wake of their playoff series loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday, there was one game that seemed to be on their minds, one game that continued to come up unprompted: Game 4.

"In hindsight, we are not going to like how we played the fourth game," Laviolette said after Boston closed out the series in Game 5 on Sunday.

For the first three games, the Caps and Bruins were locked in a tight, competitive series in which all three games went to overtime. Boston won two of those three games, but clearly it was anybody's series at that point.

And then Game 4 happened.

"It was tight series, interesting series," Alex Ovechkin said. "Obviously, we play three games in overtime. Bad luck, tough bounce, but they get two out of three. And the fourth game, they was fresher than us and obviously we knew we have to play better. We didn't play our way fourth game."

In Game 4, Washington was outshot 37-20, managed only 11 shots on goal at 5-on-5, registered only one high-danger scoring chance and went 1-for-7 on the power play. Boston, meanwhile, converted on three of its five power plays.

"If you just look at Game 4, they scored two power-play goals there or actually three power-play goals," Nicklas Backstrom said. "So that’s a game-changer."

After a tight series in which neither team had ever led by more than one goal, Boston dominated, took a 3-0 lead early in the third period and won 4-1.

Prior to Game 4, the series was up for grabs. After Game 4, it looked like Washington was hanging by a thread.

So what happened? Washington seemed to be getting healthier as the series went on. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov returned for Game 3. Lars Eller got back in the lineup for Game 4 and it looked like all systems go for the Caps. At least on paper. In execution, obviously, that was not the case.

Perhaps fatigue or injuries caught up with Washington or maybe Boston was able to take greater advantage of matchups with the second line change on home ice. Whatever the reason, clearly this is a game that is going to remain on the team's mind for quite some time.

"Game 4 was one that we will look back on and be disappointed about," Laviolette said. "Thought the first three games were a flip of a coin and tonight we couldn’t get it done.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214057 Washington Capitals

Ovechkin not ready to talk about his contract after playoff exit

BY J.J. REGAN

The Capitals' season is over and so too is Alex Ovechkin's contract.

Ovechkin's 13-year contract that he signed in 2008 is set to expire at the end of the league year and he is not yet under contract for next season.

In the wake of Washington's playoff loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday, Ovechkin was not yet ready to talk about where things stand with his next contract.

"We just lost in a playoff series," Ovechkin said. "Let's talk about my contract and all those stuff later on."

When asked about his contract over the season, there were few updates from either Ovechkin or general manager Brian MacLellan. Neither side has hinted at any concern and there is no indication Ovechkin wants to play somewhere else. His focus throughout the year was clearly on the season at hand.

But now the season is over and, once Ovechkin and the team are ready to turn the page, a new contract for Ovechkin will have to sit at the top of the offseason to-do list.

"Well, I’d like to think he’s going to be back," Washington head coach Peter Laviolette said of Ovechkin. "This is his team. That’s business that gets taken care of on a different day."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214058 Washington Capitals Washington made a monumental move at the trade deadline to send Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik and two draft picks to Detroit in exchange for 6-foot-5 forward Anthony Mantha. Many in D.C. were surprised by the win-now move, so Mantha had to be on his best behavior to win over The best moments from a Capitals season that ended too soon Capitals’ fans. Boy did he.

Mantha was able to pierce the net in his first four games in red. Although Vrana was a fan-favorite in the nation’s capital as a home-grown draft BY BIJAN TODD pick, Mantha seems to be on the same track. He struggled in the playoffs. But Vrana hadn't done much the past two springs, either, and Mantha is under contract for three more years at a $5.7 million cap hit High hopes were plentiful for the Capitals heading into the 2020-21 NHL while Vrana is a restricted free agent and set for a pay day of his own. season. In a year in which sports were totally turned upside-down by a global pandemic, the return of a 56-game NHL season was a welcome Fans finally return sight. The moment when Capitals fans were allowed back inside Capital One In a season unlike any other - thanks for sticking with us all year. Arena transcended sports. The year 2020 was marred by a global pandemic that paused all sports, so seeing fans in the stands ‘rocking the We love you and hope to see you in a full building soon, Caps red’ was a sight that could bring tears. fans.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/JaApICQMhf— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 24, 2021 The Capitals took on the New York Islanders on Apr. 27 in front of a raucous crowd. Sadly for those in attendance, Washington would lose 1- Although the Capitals’ ended with a disappointing five-game loss to the 0, but the mere fact that a few thousand faithful were there to witness it Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, this year’s was a victory for the sports world and something locals had been waiting campaign did have some incredible moments. Here are some of the best 14 months to experience again. takeaways from Washington’s year that ended much too soon: It’s no secret that the Capitals wanted more out of their 2020-21 The Great 8 climbs the ladder campaign. Losing to the Boston Bruins in five games in the first round was an ending nobody wanted. The team will look forward to the start of Ovechkin and Gretzky. Those names have seemed to be mentioned in next year after a long and restful offseason and hopefully in front of a full the same breath for close to a decade now as the Capitals’ star forward house at Capital One Arena. continues to climb the NHL’s all-time goals list.

While the native started the season a bit cold, he picked it up with a tear of goals mid-year. Ovechkin started the season ninth all-time Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 in goals with 706. His quickly passed Hall-of-Famer and former Capitals forward Mike Gartner and then his power-play goal in March against the New York Islanders ultimately put him ahead of the great Phil Esposito for sixth on the ladder. At age 35, Ovechkin sits just one goal behind Marcel Dionne for the fifth spot and 164 behind ‘The Great One.’

It shouldn't take long next year to pass Dionne for fifth with Brett Hull up next in fourth with 741. Ovechkin could reach Hull by November. Another former Capitals player, Jaromir Jagr, will take some more work at 766 for third all time.

Backstrom hits the millennium mark

Nicklas Backstrom arrived in D.C. in 2007 a fresh-faced, shy yet immensely talented youngster. If you’ve watched the Capitals over the last 14 years, you know what kind of contribution No. 19 has made on the team and the city. He’s Ovechkin’s partner in crime, and perhaps the most consistent and low-profile member of the squad. They couldn't have won a Stanley Cup in 2018 without him.

Backstrom played his 1,000th career NHL game in mid-April against the Buffalo Sabres. It came with all the bells and whistles, as he was presented a commemorative stick and a tribute video ahead of puck drop. Take a look:

You are the absolute best, Nicky!

Here's to many more games.#ALLCAPS | #N1KY pic.twitter.com/sSsITpzIoe— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2021

Craig Anderson’s playoff heroics

When the Capitals needed a goalie, a veteran stepped up. Vitek Vanecek went down with an injury during the first period of Game 1 of the first round, Ilya Samsonov hadn't played since May 1 because he was on the COVID-19 protocols list and Craig Anderson was thrust into the spotlight for just the fifth time all season. He faced a Boston Bruins squad eager to nab an away win in the playoffs.

Anderson was spectacular -- he saved 21 of 22 shots faced en route to a 3-2 overtime win. Washington would lose the series in five games, but Anderson’s performance was a silver lining in a tough situation. He played the role Henrik Lundquvist was expected to when he signed as a free agent in October before heart surgery ended his season with the Capitals before it began.

Mantha sets the city on fire 1214059 Washington Capitals

The Caps' biggest offensive problem isn't the power play, it's 5-on-5

BY J.J. REGAN

One of the stories of Game 4 for the Capitals was the lack of results from the power play. With two early chances to take control of the game, Washington never seemed to really threaten goalie Tuukka Rask. The Caps had seven power plays in the game with only one goal and six shots on net.

The power play is absolutely one of the reasons Washington lost Game 4, but as bad as 1 for 7 looks on the scoresheet that one goal proved to be the team's lone goal for the game. In the remaining 35:26 the game was played at 5-on-5, the Caps scored no goals.

Prior to Game 4, each game of the series was decided by only one goal with all three going to overtime. It doesn't get closer than that, so how could the Caps be getting dominated at 5-on-5 play? Because goals are not the only way to measure a team's offensive play.

In terms of Corsi -- a stat that measures all shot attempts -- the Caps have been getting dominated. With a 5-on-5 Corsi For percentage of 45.8%, that ranks 11th among the 16 playoff teams. The only game in which the Caps have won in this series was the only one in which their Corsi For percentage was above 50% (it was 51.4%). In Game 2, Washington managed only 41.2% and then it was 46.6% in both Games 3 and 4.

In the last three games, the Caps were outshot at 5-on-5 in each of the last three games 95-68, gave up more 5-on-5 scoring chances 87-59 and more 5-on-5 high-danger chances 35-16. Game 4 was a particularly low point for not just the series, but the season. Washington's 11 5-on-5 shots on goal and one single high-danger scoring chance were both season lows. With just 11 5-on-5 scoring chances, that also ranks as the third-lowest of the season.

Not into the "fancy stats?" Fair enough. Here are some plain numbers. Washington ranks 98th among 16 playoff teams with 6 5-on-5 goals. That ranking is misleading because of where those goals are coming from. The team's leading scorers at 5-on-5 in this series are Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway, each with two goals. Hathaway also leads the team in 5-on-5 points with three.

Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha, Nicklas Backstrom, and John Carlson have all been held without a 5-on-5 goal now four games into the series. Kuznetsov, Backstrom and Carlson do not have a single 5-on-5 point.

Four of the six 5-on-5 goals they do have come from the fourth line. It's not a bad thing that the fourth line is scoring, but it is bad when they account for 66% of the team's 5-on-5 production.

These numbers do not mean that the series is over, it only helps explain how we got to this point. The question now is how to change these trends?

Maybe the Caps will get seven power plays again, but that seems doubtful and even if they do, presumably, the majority of each game is going to be played at 5-on-5. That's where the Caps' offense must improve.

First, and most obviously, the best players need to be Washington's best players on Sunday. You cannot ask Hathaway and Dowd to carry the team's offense. Backstrom, Kuznetsov and Carlson all have to get involved. Second, adding Daniel Sprong back into the lineup is a necessary move. He ranked second on the team in even strength goals this season with 13. He is not the team's strongest defensive player, but when you go down 3-1 in a series you have to acknowledge that what you're doing is not working.

This series is not being won or lost on special teams, but at 5-on-5. That's where the Caps need the help on Sunday in order to stay alive in the series.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214060 Washington Capitals goals against of 2.69, which was the same as Samsonov’s. Vanecek did an admirable job after being put in a tough spot; pegged as Washington’s No. 3 entering the season, he was thrust into the starting job due to Henrik Lundqvist’s heart ailment and Samsonov’s Covid diagnosis in Capitals face tough questions after early playoff exit vs. Bruins January.

Two more things to consider: The Capitals can protect only one of the youngsters in the Seattle expansion this summer, and Samsonov is a By Tarik El-Bashir restricted free agent with arbitration rights. May 24, 2021 As the season comes to an abrupt conclusion, it’s hard not to wonder if MacLellan finds himself essentially in the same spot he was in December. He’s got to figure out — and execute — a plan at the game’s The Capitals lost 3-1 to the Bruins in Game 5 on Sunday night. most important position.

It was their fourth consecutive loss in the series and it means for the third 3. What to do about Evgeny Kuznetsov? year in a row, Alex Ovechkin and Co. are going home in the first round. On May 4, a day after Kuznetsov was scratched by coach Peter There was a sense around the Capitals all season that the postseason’s Laviolette for disciplinary reasons, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported outcome would go a long way toward determining the team’s direction that Capitals management had become so irritated by Kuznetsov that the this summer. team might be open to dealing the top-line center this offseason.

Well, here we are, sooner than some expected. In addition to being benched for a game, Kuznetsov wound up on the COVID-19 protocol-related absences list twice, costing him 13 games. Now the tough questions begin. The first time he landed on it, the Capitals were fined $100,000 by the Here are five of the biggest ones general manager Brian MacLellan will league for running afoul of the league’s stringent pandemic protocols as need to answer between now and October: he and three of his teammates were in violation of NHL safety protocols for grouping together in a hotel room. The second time, he left his team 1. To tweak or to retool? without its first-line center to start the playoffs.

MacLellan’s M.O. in recent offseasons has been to surround the Caps’ Then there’s his sometimes maddening inconsistency on the ice, not to core — Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, Evgeny mention the odd head-scratching moment, like his shove of Rask in Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson and Dmitry Orlov — with Game 5 that wiped out a power-play goal by Lars Eller late in the third complementary pieces while simultaneously navigating a tight salary-cap period. Had the goal counted, it would have cut the Caps’ deficit to 3-2. situation. “It looked to me like the contact came from us and that caused the What MacLellan must figure out in the coming weeks — after huddling up disruption in the crease so at that point, we still had some power-play with his coaches and ownership — is to what extent age, injury, the time left and we couldn’t afford to take a penalty,” Laviolette said. “For COVID-19 absences and the grind of a compressed season played in the me, it was a call we would have lost and we would have been in the first round flameout. penalty box.”

At times, the league’s oldest team (average age of 29.2, per the NHL’s During the Caps’ run to the Stanley Cup in 2018, Kuznetsov was roster report) looked it. There was also speculation that several key arguably the team’s best player for nearly two months, recording 32 players were playing through injuries, though Backstrom, who produced points in 24 games. But it’s been a while since we’ve seen that player. one assist and just nine shots in five games, refused to use it as a crutch. During this postseason, he missed the first two games while recovering “We all played,” Backstrom said. “I feel like, at this time of the year, from COVID-19 and finished with no points and eight shots on goal in everyone on every team have players that’s banged up. No excuses Games 3-5. there.” If the Capitals decide to move on from Kuznetsov, his contract might not Once the reasons for the failure have been determined, then MacLellan be easy to move. He’s owed $7.8 million for each of the next four must decide whether it makes sense to continue to augment the aging seasons and also has a 15-team no-trade list, per Cap Friendly. Then core (Ovechkin will turn 36 before next season) or whether the time for again, how many times does a 29-year-old center with his talent become more substantive changes has finally arrived. available? As such, there’s a good chance someone will be interested.

MacLellan is expected to meet with reporters this week after taking some It’s a storyline that will be fascinating to follow in the coming months. time to decompress. He’s typically pretty transparent — for a GM, 4. What about Alex Ovechkin’s extension? anyway — about the direction his team needs to go. The Capitals’ longtime captain has been eligible to sign an extension for 2. Who’ll be the starting goalie next season? nearly a year.

The Capitals need a No. 1 netminder, a stalwart who can handle the It hasn’t happened. lion’s share of the workload, starts the big games and gets the playoff opener without any drama or doubt. The lack of one was never more Some around the league have speculated that’s all about the expansion apparent than over the past nine days. At one end of the rink, Tuukka draft. Why’s that? As long as Ovechkin remains unsigned, the Caps don’t Rask reliably locked down the Bruins’ net. At the other, the Capitals were have to protect him, allowing the team to shield another forward. There’s forced to use three goalies and, at times, were hurt by uneven play. precedent for such a strategy. In 2017, the Capitals exposed Oshie, then a pending unrestricted free agent, ahead of the Vegas expansion draft. What Washington has right now is a pair of inexperienced goalies in Ilya After weighing the risk of selecting Oshie and losing him in free agency, Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek, who, due to injury, illness and the Golden Knights picked Nate Schmidt instead. Oshie re-signed in D.C. inconsistency, failed to lay claim to the Caps’ starting role. a few days later.

Samsonov is believed to have a higher ceiling than Vanecek, but over Ovechkin is negotiating his extension directly with management and the past year, the 24-year-old has been undependable. There was the ownership without the assistance of an agent. Little about the talks is ATV wreck in Russia that resulted in serious injury, the two lengthy stints known publicly because Ovechkin has demanded that the details remain on the COVID-19 protocol-related absences list, a one-game benching confidential, though Ovechkin and the Capitals’ decision-makers have for showing up late to a team function and, of course, the costly been steadfast in saying the player wants to finish his career in miscommunication in double overtime of Game 3. Washington, and the team intends to keep him.

His numbers in the regular season weren’t great, either. Although he Asked by The Athletic for an update following Game 5, Ovechkin went 13-4-1, his .902 save percentage was tied for 36th among goalies declined. who made at least 18 starts. “We just lost in a playoff series,” he said. “Let’s talk about my contract Vanecek, meanwhile, led all rookies with 21 wins. The 25-year-old and all that stuff later on.” posted a .908 save percentage (15th among goalies with 30 starts) and a Added Laviolette: “Well, I’d like to think he’s going to be back. This is his team. That’s business that gets taken care of on a different day.”

Even if it’s simply a question of’ when and not if, there’s the not-so- insignificant matter of the term and cap hit of Ovechkin’s next contract, which, of course, will impact what MacLellan is able to do this summer.

(For an in-depth look at what Ovechkin’s next contract could look like, here’s a recent piece The Athletic published with the insight from negotiation/cap expert Idriss Bouhmouch of The Hockey Code.)

5. How will Washington handle the expansion draft?

It’s expected that the Caps will opt for the 7-3-1 protection formula and, per The Athletic’s most recent projection, will protect Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha, Tom Wilson, Lars Eller, Conor Sheary, John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov, Justin Schultz and Samsonov. (If Ovechkin remains unsigned, his spot will go to another forward, as explained above.)

That projection was made while the Capitals were challenging for the top seed in the East Division. After the first-round failure, things are going to be viewed through a different lens now.

Will it change management’s protection plans? If so, whom might it impact?

That’s unclear at the moment, but we do know this much: The deadline for teams to submit their protected lists is July 17 at 5 p.m. and The Athletic will have plenty on the possibilities in the coming weeks.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214061 Winnipeg Jets Morrissey’s point drive appeared to change trajectory on the way in, fooling Smith with just 5:16 left in regulation. Oilers star centre Connor McDavid coughed up the puck to Adam Lowry along the wall, and the big centre immediately found Morrissey who sidestepped Jesse Puljujarvi Ehlers OT hero in Jets' stunning 5-4 playoff win over Oilers before firing.

"Obviously, we got a little momentum and scored a couple goals. I think we won the draw, got the puck in deep and I got a great pass from Lows Jason Bell first of all – great vision – and I just tried to get a shot through from the Posted: 11:38 PM CDT Sunday, May. 23, 2021 point. Thankfully it went in and it was just an exciting moment," said Morrissey. "Obviously, as (captain Blake Wheeler) said, I couldn’t even imagine what the arena would have been like with fans."

Welcome back, Nikolaj Ehlers. Don’t be shy about getting involved. Pierre-Luc Dubois helped set up two goals, including Ehlers’ power-play marker at 17:13 of the second period when Smith was without his goal Conspicuously absent for a long stretch due to health, the dynamic Dane stick. made a remarkable return to the Winnipeg lineup, scoring twice — including the game winner at 9:13 of overtime — as the Jets earned a Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 44 shots, while sharing no blame stunning 5-4 playoff victory Sunday night over the visiting Edmonton on the four pucks that got past him. Oilers. He denied Kailer Yamamoto from in tight just two minutes into the extra Winnipeg has a sturdy 3-0 grip on the best-of-seven North Division session and then made a brilliant stop on a Ryan McLeod deflection. series, after beginning with a pair of wins at Rogers Place last week. Smith, meanwhile, made quality stops on Andrew Copp and Mark Scheifele in overtime — finishing with 32 saves — but failed to react in Neither club has time to muse about the outcome. Winnipeg has an time to the Ehlers bullet. opportunity to sweep the series tonight with an 8:45 p.m. start at spectator-free Bell MTS Place. The Adam Lowry line, with wingers Andrew Copp and Mason Appleton, had a handful of effective shifts in overtime against the Oilers’ lethal trio With none of the usual ‘Whiteout’ mayhem surrounding them, the Jets of McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Puljujarvi, maintaining possession and generated their own post-game frenzy after rallying to score three times nearly ending the contest. in a span of three minutes and three seconds to knot the game 4-4 in the third period. Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice was asked if he believes the positive vibes will automatically carry over to Monday's matchup. That’s our team. I mean, we don’t give up. That’s what’s so fun playing on this team and after the OT winner you can see the joy," said Ehlers. "I "I don’t know the answer to that because I’ve never done the back to mean, it’s a wonder no one got injured at the end there during the back in the NHL in the playoffs, so this is going to be a new event," he celebration. But it’s awesome. And it’s, like I said, the boys don’t give up. said. "We’ll see. We’re going to do our best to recover now to get ready We showed a battle at the end and it paid off." to understand that it will be (the Oilers’) backs against the wall, the best they have, a really, really hard push from that team." Taking a draw to the right of goalie Mike Smith, veteran centre Paul Stastny pulled the puck back to Ehlers, who unleashed a laser beam past A McDavid-Draisaitl drought was never going to last. The German-born the veteran netminder. all-star pumped in a pair of goals to pace the Oilers to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes and then set up Zack Kassian’s second-period tally. McDavid, The speedy 25-year-old winger actually called his shot earlier in the day, the league’s leading point-getter (105), had three assists. quipping after the morning skate that a key to his game would be to "skate, play simple and shoot the puck like Stas. It’s pretty easy." Staring a must-win situation in the face in Game 3, Edmonton head coach Dave Tippett made significant alterations to his personnel up front, Stastny’s seeing-eye shot in overtime was the difference Friday night in a swapping out 25 per cent of the group. He chose to go with a trio of fleet- 1-0 win in Game 2. footed forwards — Gaetan Haas, Tyler Ennis and Devin Shore — over "I mean, you always dream of scoring these kinds of goals. But, for me it the experienced but markedly slower James Neal, Alex Chiasson and was a matter of getting out there, play simple and use my speed as much Dominik Kahun. as possible," said Ehlers, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury for the final nine games of the regular season and two post-season contests. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 05.24.2021 He netted 21 goals in 47 games before getting hurt April 24 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"I expect that of myself. I put enough pressure on myself to perform and that doesn’t mean just scoring goals, means playing well; even if you have a bad game you go out and work hard and maybe play a little bit more simple," Ehlers said.

Down 3-1 and in desperate need of an early goal in the final frame, the Jets surrendered one, instead, as Jujhar Khaira tipped in a point shot from Adam Larsson at 4:43.

But Edmonton forward Josh Archibald felled 6-7 defenceman Logan Stanley with a dangerously low hit, leading to a Jets power play and a major swing in momentum.

Mathieu Perreault netted a power-play goal at 11:41 to trim the lead to 4- 2, and then Blake Wheeler and Josh Morrissey beat Smith within 16 seconds of each other.

"Absolutely, I think this is the best way to make him pay for what he did. We don’t like what he did, we don’t really like to see it. It wasn’t a very good play on his part. And we’re pissed about it and we go out and score a goal and there’s no better way to pay back, so obviously the goal we scored, was huge," said Perreault.

Archibald, who lowered his shoulder into Stanley’s knee, will have a hearing with the NHL’s department of player of safety. 1214062 Winnipeg Jets scored in double-overtime to give the Jets a win over the Oilers in Game 4 of their 1990 Smythe Division semi-final series.

The Jets lost that series in seven games, just as they lost the five other Epic victory was missing fans playoff series against the Oilers. Now, in their seventh all-time meeting, a chance to vanquish some ghosts of the past. In that sense, you had all the ingredients heading into Sunday for something really special Except, of course, for the grim real-world situation, especially here in Manitoba Mike McIntyre which was basically under a stay-at-home order due to rising COVID-19 Posted: 12:05 AM CDT case counts and a hospital crunch that is seeing patients being sent to Ontario. Monday, May. 24, 2021 And as much as sports can a distraction from all that ails us, the look and sound and feel of Sunday’s game served as a vivid reminder of what’s going on around us. As Maurice said, flip the dial these days and you’ll It will go down as one of the most improbable yet memorable victories in see crowds everywhere south of the border. On Saturday night, for franchise history, the kind folks around here will be telling their children example, they welcome 9,762 in Tampa Bay, 6,800 in Uniondale and and grandchildren about. But it also had a real bittersweet element, with 4,500 just a few miles south of here in St. Paul,. On Friday, there were player after player on the Winnipeg Jets talking about the only thing 12,125 in Nashville, 9,000 in St. Louis and 4,565 in Boston. missing ingredient from Sunday’s epic 5-4 overtime triumph over the Edmonton Oilers. Heck, even Montreal is set to become the first of the seven Canadian NHL markets to reopen to the public when they’ll allow up to 2,500 into You. the Bell Centre as early as Game 6 against Toronto later this week. "Honestly, I wish there were fans in this building. For a game like this, A pipe dream here in Winnipeg at this point, with much more pressing this would have been absolutely insane. I can’t even imagine, if this public health matters taking priority. building was full, how crazy that would have been," said Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. "In a game like this tonight when you’re down by three "It’s very white, which makes it very bright out there. Obviously, we wish goals and you come back to win in overtime, the roof would have come there were fans in the stands wearing their jerseys and ingraining that off this building, it would have been absolutely insane." whiteout, so the atmosphere isn’t really going to change. It’s not like there is going to be extra noise because there are a bunch of white Chants of "Go Jets Go" could be heard on the streets outside the barn towels," Jets centre Mark Scheifele told me following the morning skate, prior to puck drop. But only from a few dozen hardy fans who, bless their when I asked for his thoughts on what they’d done with the place. loyal hearts, organized a pre-game vehicle parade, and not from the masses who would normally have flocked downtown for the usual street He said it made it feel like home, but it’s a low-bar for the 2021 parties. Those, of course, are completely forbidden right now, a May long campaign. Truth is, the atmosphere was nothing like the memorable run weekend that most Manitobans spent in virtual lockdown. to the Western Conference final in 2018, or even the 2019 first-round series against St. Louis. The best hope for the Jets, and their fans, is to Sure, the seats were dressed in their traditional playoff white. But there keep winning. The longer they stretch out this season, the greater the was nobody inside Bell MTS Place to pick up the towels or T-shirts that chances are society can begin returning to normal. would typically be handed out to wave them in unison, which they would have been doing in an absolute frenzy as the Jets defied the odds and "I don’t know what to say other than it would be great to have the fans. erased a 4-1 deficit with little more than eight minutes left in regulation. You see all those other games on TV and I just hope that at some point we have the fans back," said Perreault. And yes, the noise inside the rink was deafening at times. But only because the production crew had the canned sound cranked to That, folks, will be something to truly celebrate. maximum, and not from the 15,000-plus jacked-up supporters who would have probably blown the roof off the place as the home team hit the ice to welcome them back from Alberta, where they’d taken the first two Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 05.24.2021 games, and come completely unglued when Nikolaj Ehlers, back from an 11-game injury absence, scored the winner to make it a commanding 3-0 series lead.

"You know what, we’re jealous here now. We turn on the TV and watch the other playoff series and they’ve got fans and it seems to drive the intensity but we can only say it’s been fair. They’ve got pompoms in their seats (in Edmonton) and we’ve got coverings in ours and we’ll have to make our own enthusiasm," Jets coach Paul Maurice said earlier in the day.

Give his club credit: They found a hell of a way to do that, even if Winnipeg’s first-ever playoff game in the middle of a global pandemic was lacking the pomp and circumstance you’d expect under normal circumstances.

Home-ice advantage? I’m not sure there’s such a thing in Canada this season, other the ability to make the last line change or sleep in your own bed at night. The Jets were a much better team on the road during the 56-game regular-season, and took the first two games of this series in Edmonton by scores of 4-1 and 1-0. The Oilers, too, were better away from Rogers Place, and looked like they were going to continue the road warrior trend until about the 52-minute mark of Sunday night.

Then it all came undone, and it’s a shame such a joyous, cathartic event — the kind people around here sure could use a lot more of these days — was played in an otherwise empty rink.

"It’s just too damn bad our fans weren’t in the building because that would have been something," said Jets captain Blake Wheeler.

Normally, stories about games like this get better over time, with everyone and their dog claiming to have bore witness to such history. For example, approximately 100,000 Winnipeggers, give or take, will now tell you they were present at the old Winnipeg Arena when Dave Ellett 1214063 Winnipeg Jets As for the Jets’ big guns, Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, neither had a single shot on goal through 40 minutes, their team down, 3-1. No, that’s not a typo.

FRIESEN: One more shovel of dirt and Jets will have Oilers buried So when the Oilers’ Jujhar Khaira made it 4-1 less than five minutes into the third, it was safe to conclude the Jets’ jig was up.

Then stuff started happening. Paul Friesen Mathieu Perreault whacked one that fluttered past Smith on a power Publishing date:May 23, 2021 play, at 11:41.

At 14:28, the Oilers let Wheeler go to the net to put home a rebound.

Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers (left) celebrates his overtime goal “We make them pay for taking a penalty and not too long after we get against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of a Stanley Cup playoff series in Blake’s line going out there and scoring a big goal,” Perreault said. “And Winnipeg on Sunday. all of a sudden it snowballs and you get this excitement going on the bench. Guys are going crazy.” Article content Just 16 seconds after Wheeler’s goal, Josh Morrissey pump-faked, It was midway through the third period of Game 3 between the Jets and reloaded and beat a partially screened and fully rattled Smith with a Oilers on Sunday when I came up with the theme for this column. knee-high wrister from near the blue line. Well, what I thought would be the theme. “Playoff hockey is the best hockey,” Morrissey said. “And overtime playoff Eight paragraphs later, that theme was nicely taking shape. hockey, you can’t really get any better than that.”

The ninth paragraph never got written. The miracle became complete 10:47 into overtime, Ehlers firing his second of the game off a faceoff win by Paul Stastny, and how’s that for Because in a span of 3:03, the whole thing got crumpled up and tossed a return from an 11-game injury absence? into the virtual wastebasket. Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey celebrates his goal against The Jets scored three times to climb out of a 4-1 hole to force overtime, the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of a Stanley Cup playoff series in then turned around and shoved the Oilers into the hole and started Winnipeg on Sunday. throwing dirt on them with a 5-4 win. “You always dream of scoring these kinds of goals,” Ehlers said. “But for The series underdog has a chance to finish the burial in Game 4, me it was a matter of getting out there, play simple and use my speed as Monday. much as possible. This was a team effort.

Hands up if you had a Jets sweep in your pool. “A full, I don’t know how many minutes we played, but a full, 70-plus good effort.” The turnaround was as complete as it was unexpected. It was hard to predict the impact Ehlers would have in his first game “(Down) 4-1 with that time on the clock, I think that’s the biggest one I’ve back. It figured the speed would be there, but the hands? been behind the bench for,” Jets boss Paul Maurice said. “You get to carry that.” “A hell of a shot,” is how Perreault put it. “We don’t often talk about it but Nikky’s got a wicked wrister and we saw it twice. So it’s good to have him Through two periods the Jets had been outshot, 30-18, dominated by the back, right?” two superstars they’d shut out in Games 1 and 2. The coach agreed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW “Almost symbolic of the year that he had for us,” Maurice said. “Nikolaj This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. had a brilliant year here and he’s kept it going.” Article content Now it’s up to the Jets to keep the momentum going into Monday. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl came into this game like they’d been Killer instinct comes in handy at this time of year, and it’s hard to imagine shot from a cannon, probably because their team was staring down the the Oilers not being vulnerable to it after the blow their confidence just barrel of one after dropping two games on home ice. took. Two Draisaitl goals before the first period was half over, one on the “We won’t change a thing,” Perreault said. “We take their time and space power play and both assisted by McDavid, was only the scoresheet away and we get in Leon and McDavid’s way as much as we can and damage. capitalize on our chances.” Matched against the Jets’ No. 1 line to start, the Holy Duo was a force. Seems fitting to give Ehlers the last word. Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault against the Edmonton Oilers in “You’ve got to enjoy a game like this, but… we want to finish this series Game 3 of a Stanley Cup playoff series in Winnipeg on Sunday. off.” The Oilers were clearly fed up with being out-hustled and out-hit, jumping That’s the theme, now. out of the gate with a truckload of both and dumping it mainly in the Winnipeg zone. The one that got tossed into the trash?

The Jets couldn’t skate throught it or make a pass through it in a first That it was now up to Wheeler, Scheifele and Connor to match McDavid period that saw the Oilers fire 17 rounds at Connor Hellebuyck. and Draisaitl.

The two by Draisaitl beat him – and it could have been worse. Turns out instead of matching them on Monday, they can eliminate them.

At the other end, Mike Smith looked lonelier than Dancing Gabe. At least Gabe had someone dressed up as a can of Bud Light Seltzer wandering the lower bowl with him. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.24.2021

Nik Ehlers finally broke the ice on a second-period power play, but what did the Jets do next? Allowed the Oilers to snatch the momentum back barely a minute later, Draisaitl and McDavid setting up Zack Kassian to restore the two-goal lead. 1214064 Winnipeg Jets 1990, when Dave Ellett tallied in double overtime to give the Jets a win over the Oilers and a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven.

Of course, the Jets went on to lose that series, but they’ve got Connor Jets pull off remarkable comeback, Ehlers scores in overtime, to beat McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers in an even deeper hole this time Oilers in Game 3 around.

Those two superstars sure came to play on this night, after getting shut out in Games 1 and 2 in Edmonton. Ted Wyman Draisaitl had two goals and McDavid two assists before the game was Publishing date:May 23, 2021 even 10 minutes old. They also combined to set up Zack Kassian for a late third-period beauty that made the score 3-1 for Edmonton.

Jujhar Khaira scored early in the third to make it 4-1 and it looked like the Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers is mobbed after scoring an overtime Oilers were well on their way to their first win of the series. goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of a Stanley Cup playoff series in Winnipeg on Sunday, May 23, 2021. The Jets only goal before the comeback came off the stick of Ehlers on a power play. Article content His performance on the night was doubly impressive considering how There have been few greater moments in Winnipeg Jets’ history than much time he had missed. what unfolded at Bell MTS Place on Sunday night and members of the team only wish there had been fans in the building to share in the magic. “I hate to say it, but it’s expected,” Wheeler said. “I don’t take for granted how great of a player he is and what he means to our team. It is very “The roof would have come off this building, it would have been difficult to do what he did tonight — to miss the amount of time he did absolutely insane,” Jets winger Mathieu Perreault said. and to come into a game of that magnitude and that speed — and not The Jets pulled off a comeback for the ages, scoring three goals in the just get by but to make a huge impact. latter half of the third period to tie the game and then getting an overtime “I mean, we were counting down the days to get him back and we were winner from Nikolaj Ehlers to beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 and take a 3- itching to get him back into our lineup. He just means so much to our 0 lead in the best-of-seven NHL North Division semifinal. team. Especially this time of year, he’s the type of guy that can flip a The Jets can clinch their first ever Stanley Cup playoff series win over game on its head and make a big play for you when you need it and he’s Edmonton with a win Monday night in Game 4 at Bell MTS Place. The the guy tonight, so great job by Nikky.” building will once again be empty because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s not much question the turning point was the Archibald hit on “It’s just too damn bad our fans weren’t in the building because that Stanley and the subsequent power play goal. would have been something,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. “Absolutely, I think this is the best way to make him pay for what he did,” “It was obviously an exciting win. Coming back from three goals, it was Perreault said. “We don’t like what he did, we don’t really like to see it. It exciting for our group, no doubt. But I think the biggest takeaway is you wasn’t a very good play on his part. And we’re pissed about it and we go need to win another game. Definitely a thrilling game, definitely an out and score a goal and there’s no better way to pay back so obviously exciting game but we’ve got to start focusing on (Monday night) pretty the goal we scored, was huge.” quick here.” Almost overlooked in this game was a 44-save performance from Jets The comeback was the stuff of legend. goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who was beaten a few times but never lost his composure. After falling behind 4-1, the Jets looked to be dead in the water with less than 10 minutes to go in the third period. Then there was the effort of Morrissey, who was brilliant in his own zone while logging a team high 28:16 of ice time and had a goal and an assist. But that’s when Oilers forward Josh Archibald laid a low-bridge hit on Jets towering rookie defenceman Logan Stanley and was called for “I mean, really, playoff hockey is the best hockey and overtime playoff tripping. Archibald will have a hearing with NHL Player Safety on hockey … you can’t really get any better than that,” Morrissey said. “I Monday. think, obviously, in the fashion of this game, it’s an exciting comeback, but as soon as you get to overtime and the intermission in between it’s The Jets didn’t like the hit and they made the Oilers pay, with Perreault time to refocus and I thought we did a good job of that.” scoring on the power play at 11:41 to bring Winnipeg to within two goals. They’ve done a pretty fine job of lighting a fire under the fans of the city Just 2:47 later, Wheeler got in on the act, banging home a Josh as well, even if they can’t be in the building. Morrissey rebound to make it 4-3 and only 16 seconds after that, Morrissey’s knuckle-puck got past Oilers goalie Mike Smith to tie it.

It was three goals in three minutes and three seconds and just like that Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.24.2021 the Jets were hunting for a win in a game they looked like they were out of for two and a half periods.

Capping it all off were the heroics of Ehlers, who was playing his first game since April 24 after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the lineup for 11 games.

He scored his second of the game, ripping a wrist shot over the glove of Smith at 9:13 of overtime, after Game 2 OT hero Paul Stastny won a faceoff in the Oilers zone.

It set off a wild celebration that ended up at the other end of the ice as the Jets somehow pulled off the epic comeback.

“It’s a wonder no one got injured at the end there during the celebration,” Ehlers said.

“That’s our team. I mean, we don’t give up. That’s what’s so fun playing on this team and after the OT winner you can see the joy.”

Jets fans have been dreaming about a goal like that for the last 31 years. The last time a goal of this magnitude was scored in Winnipeg was in 1214065 Winnipeg Jets

Jets' fans find way to show support in very pandemic way

Scott Billeck

Publishing date:May 23, 2021

A masked-up Winnipeg Jets mascot Benny and others took part in a honk parade outside Bell MTS Place before the Jets faced the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of its Stanley Cup playoff series in Winnipeg on Sunday.

Article content

Every seat in the building was clad in white, each donning a symbolic white towel fitting of a decades-old tradition. The only thing missing was 15,000-plus to swing them wildly in the air.

The interior confines of Bell MTS Place were as barren as they’ve been all season on Sunday evening in downtown Winnipeg.

Sure, the music was a bit louder and those white linens added a nice touch in an attempt to recreate the impossible. But anyone who’s been inside this building during the playoffs would know something was missing.

The pandemic has taken a lot from many, and the Whiteout tradition was no different.

The streets adjacent to Winnipeg’s downtown rink weren’t lined with people packed like sardines, screaming at the top of their lungs as cameras from the national broadcast feed panned the pandemonium below.

Winnipeg Jets mascot Mick E. Moose and others took part in a honk parade outside Bell MTS Place before the Jets faced the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of its Stanley Cup playoff series in Winnipeg on Sunday.

No matter.

Winnipeggers, ever the pristine examples of perseverance, made sure their voices — and horns — were felt.

Replacing a raucous crowd were cars of all shapes and sizes, a couple of motorcycles and even a few cyclists making the rounds.

Horns played in unison, mimicking a “Go Jets Go” chant. Some hung out of the side windows or their sunroofs, chanting the iconic three words.

Most vehicles had something: a flag, a sign, a hockey stick or two. One had all of that and more, A teal, Ford Pinto station wagon with beefy back tires had quite the attire.

Winnipeg Jets mascots Benny, Mick E. Moose and Dancing Gabe Langlois took part in a honk parade outside Bell MTS Place before the Jets faced the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of its Stanley Cup playoff series in Winnipeg on Sunday.

A Stanley Cup atop its roof was the crown jewel with what appeared to be a plush Connor Hellebuyck toy was guarding it. Even the driver was pimped out, wearing a Jets suit, helmet and, of course, a mask.

It’s not the same. Far from it.

But in a time of high case counts, rising test positivity rates and an on- the-brink health-care system, Winnipeg made do with what it had.

It was heartwarming, happy and hopeful.

And in a season where there hasn’t been much to smile about, there were quite of few grins on the faces of those who drove by.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.24.2021 1214066 Winnipeg Jets Ehlers was eager to get back in the line-up earlier in the series, but Jets coach Paul Maurice wanted to play it safe.

“You want to play,” Ehlers said. “There’s not one player in this league JETS SNAPSHOTS: Ehlers thrilled to be back in the lineup for Game 3 of that doesn’t want to be out there for these playoff games. So yes, I Jets' series with Oilers definitely wanted to play the first two games. But I’m also happy that I did get some extra time and the boys got two wins. My time has come. I’m ready to go.”

Ted Wyman Maurice didn’t want to bring both Dubois and Ehlers back in for the same game, so he held the winger out an extra couple days. Publishing date:May 23, 2021 “I don’t have any concerns about him being right,” Maurice said. “The

challenge for him is coming into a playoff series. But he’s been watching Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers (second from left) celebrates his it and all I want him to do is play the same game that everybody else is goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of a Stanley Cup playoff playing. Make smart plays with the puck, play as hard as you possibly series in Winnipeg with Neal Pionk, Mathieu Perreault, Andrew Copp and can and if you’ ve got a chance to shoot it, shoot it. That’s his game, so if Pierre-Luc Dubois (from left) on Sunday. he plays the same game everybody else is, we’ll be fine.”

Article content PLAYOFF BACK-TO-BACK

The Winnipeg Jets won the first two games of the NHL’s North Division The Jets and Oilers were in the rare position of having to play games on final and then got one of their most dynamic players back for Game 3. back-to-back nights in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who had 21 goals and 46 points in 47 games in It doesn’t happen often, but things are obviously different this year with the regular season, suited up for his first game of the North Division the playoffs so delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. semifinal, against the Edmonton Oilers, Sunday night at Bell MTS Place. The Jets did play on back-to-back days during their play-in series against Ehlers was out of the lineup for a month with a shoulder injury. He the Calgary Flames in the bubble last summer, winning the first game missed the last nine games of the regular season and the first two playoff and losing the second, but they were both afternoon games and there games. was 24 hours between the end of the first game and the start of the second. Still, the Jets led the best-of-seven 2-0 before Ehlers even made his playoff debut. That must be why Maurice didn’t remember that back-to-back, or maybe it’s that he didn’t consider the play-in round an actual part of the playoffs. “I’m very much looking forward to it,” Ehlers said after Sunday’s morning skate. “It just means that the game (Monday) night might look differently than the game (Sunday) because it’ll be the first back-to-back that I’ve ever “It’s been a while so it’s gonna be good. It’s playoffs and they’re always seen in the NHL,” said Maurice, who has coached more than 20 seasons fun games to play in. I’m extremely excited to get back out there.” in the league.

While Ehlers brings tremendous speed and skill to the Jets lineup, the “The players are going to play just as hard (Monday). Both teams will team fared just fine without him, winning Game 1 of the series 4-1 and probably have a little less jump in their legs, so it’ll be a little bit slower. Game 2 1-0 in overtime. But I don’t think that our mindset of looking past (Sunday night) is there. We’ve got to play the first game first.” They held Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl without points in both games, a very rare feat. Maurice and centre Mark Scheifele both said the teams have to ignore the fact that they’re playing again Monday. Paul Stasnty scored the winning goal at 4:06 of overtime in Game 2. “You just give it your all and get your rest when you can and then give it Asked what the keys were to coming into this series after two games, your all again,” Scheifele said. “It’s not as much focusing on the next Ehlers gave a straightforward answer. game, it’s focusing on the game that we have in front of us and then once “Skate, play simple and shoot the puck like Stas. It’s pretty easy.” that one is over then you start to focus towards the other one.”

Ehlers said he just wanted to try to do what all of the other Jets players “I think that you never play the next game on the night you’re playing,” were doing. Their success — along with goalie Connor Hellebuyck Maurice added. “You don’t sacrifice something that you want so that you stopping 70 of 71 shots — has come from tight checking, active sticks, have a better chance to win the next game. You’ve got to focus good anticipation, fearless shot-blocking and timely scoring. completely and solely on the game that you’re in.”

“It was not fun (watching), but it was fun at the same time,” Ehlers said. WHITEOUT, OF SORTS “You want to be out there, you want to be playing, you want to be battling A whiteout of sorts was planned for Bell MTS Place on Sunday night, but with the guys. But it was also fun to watch those games. They battled not one involving fans. extremely hard, they played for each other and they got two important wins. I’m excited to get back out there. I’ve watched what we need to do The Jets placed white towels on all of the seats in the arena and to win games. I’m gonna go in and play the exact same way as the 20 changed all of the signage covering lower down seats to white canvas. other guys on the team.” There were not fans allowed into the building because of the pandemic. With Ehlers coming in, Game 1 hero Dominic Toninato was out of the lineup on Sunday. “It’s very white, which makes it very bright out there,” Scheifele said. “Obviously, we wish there were fans in the stands, wearing their jerseys The Jets also host the Oilers in Game 4 on Monday night at Bell MTS and creating that whiteout, but the atmosphere isn’t really going to Place. change. It’s not like there is going to be extra noise because there are a bunch of white towels. It makes it bright, it makes it feel like it is home The addition of Ehlers meant the Jets had their optimal line-up for the and a whiteout playoff game. So that’ll be nice.” first time in a while. Centre Pierre-Luc Dubois also returned from injury for Game 2. The Jets know the home crowd would have given them an advantage in these home games, especially after they won Games 1 and 2 in Ehlers was expected to skate on right wing with Dubois and Stastny, Edmonton. while Andrew Copp was to move from that spot to left wing on a line with Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton. But even though fans are allowed in NHL buildings throughout the United States, there’s been no indication such a thing will happen in Manitoba That bumped Mathieu Perreault down to the fourth line, where he was any time soon. likely to skate alongside Nate Thompson and Trevor Lewis. “Yeah, you know what, we’re jealous here now,” Maurice said. “We turn on the TV and watch the other playoff series and they’ve got fans and it seems to drive the intensity … but we can only say it’s been fair (in Canada). They’ve got pompoms in their seats (in Edmonton) and we’ve got coverings in ours and we’ll have to make our own enthusiasm.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.24.2021 1214067 Vancouver Canucks “He does a lot of things right and competes hard,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “When he closes on guys, he closes for keeps.”

Said Hamonic: “When we decided on Vancouver, we looked at it as a Canucks: Quinn Hughes intent on improving defending for next season long-term situation of where we wanted to be for my career and family. I’ve loved every second of it and it’s been a good fit. Hopefully, something can transpire and make it work.”

Ben Kuzma On Friday, general manager Jim Benning confirmed there’s interest in retaining Hamonic, if a palatable deal can be reached. Publishing date:May 23, 2021 Alex Edler, 35, is another UFA. And unless he’s willing to take a big pay

cut in remain in a support role, he may have to play elsewhere if he Quinn Hughes had it all figured out. wants to prolong his career.

With his fine five-game cameo at the end of the 2018-19 NHL season, “We haven’t talked yet and we’ll see what happens,” said Edler. “I’ve followed by a full and fulfilling rookie campaign to place second in Calder been very fortunate to play my whole career here and it’s a great place to Trophy voting, the fleet-footed, fast-thinking Vancouver Canucks live and play. I still love the game and feel I can play, so I definitely want defenceman was approaching 2020-21 as a third season. to keep playing.”

In his mind, it felt like he already had two seasons under his belt. So that Meanwhile, an obviously frustrated Nate Schmidt needs to find his game. sophomore jinx thing didn’t really apply to him, right? Well, yes and no. However, Jack Rathbone, 22, made a favourable impression in his first eight NHL games and the rookie blueliner looks to have a leg up on Five games don’t make a season, but the 68 he logged as a true rookie cracking the roster. He scored in his second game and his puck-moving in 2019-20 was a warning to the opposition. Figure out how to contain the skills, combined with a heavy shot and a presence on the first power play whirling dervish. Play him hard. Take away his options and those laser- unit didn’t go unnoticed. He also added two assists. like pinpoint passes. “I really enjoyed playing with Bones (Rathbone),” said Myers. “As soon Hughes still put up the points this season with 41 (3-38) in 56 games, but as he stepped in, he showed that he’s an excellent puck-mover. And defending was harder. He was either caught on aggressive offensive- breaking the puck out with him, I felt like we developed a lot of chemistry zone pinches and trapped, or too late in retreat to angle off the opposition pretty quickly. His skating ability helps a lot and he took the most of his with smart positioning before they could establish a down-low physical opportunities. presence that he couldn’t match. “I’m sure he’ll carry that into next year’s camp.” It became even more difficult in a compacted schedule and COVID-19 strain that affected Hughes as much as his teammates.

“I thought we really competed,” said Hughes. “For whatever it’s worth, we Vancouver Province: LOADED: 05.24.2021 tried our best and I know that for a fact. Last year for me, everything was so smooth and we were having a good year and everything was so easy. This year, it was more of a learning experience for everyone.

“I go into the summers to work on every part of my game and this is more of a specific idea. I’ve always been working on the skill set and hands, but I think this year is more on stuff that might help me as a defenceman.”

Going up against brother, Jack, an emerging centre with the comes to mind for off-season pickup games and some down-low tests of skill and will in a competitive household.

Quinn Hughes checks Oilers forward Josh Archibald during May 4 meeting at Rogers Arena.

None of the rite-of-passage stuff surprises Tyler Myers.

The Canucks defenceman captured the Calder Trophy in the 2009-10 season by compiling 48 points (11-37) with the Buffalo Sabres. He never reached that total again, but has exceeded the 30-point plateau on three occasions. He expects Hughes to adjust to the added attention he will continue to be afforded.

“He’s such a gifted player and does a lot of things on the ice that don’t even get the recognition that they should,” said Myers. “But players on other teams aren’t going to be as surprised by Hughes anymore. They’re going to be watching more video on him and a lot of things that he does that players in the league can’t do and how to better defend it.

“He definitely didn’t surprise as many guys and that in itself is an adjustment, but I thought he played well and will only get better for us — you can see it.”

Last season, Hughes meshed well with Jordie Benn. This season, a transition to a healthy and improving Travis Hamonic may make management think of an extension for the unrestricted free agent. Hamonic has expressed an interest in returning and Myers thinks that would be a boon to a back end that requires a physical and veteran presence because it could sport a different look next fall.

Hamonic, 30, accepted a professional tryout here in January and then signed a salary cap friendly one-year, US$1.25 million contract. He was injured Jan.20 and missed 18 games, and on top of being hurt last season and opting out of post-season play in the Edmonton bubble, there was rust and his game needed time to come around. 1214068 Websites Eric Duhatschek Pittsburgh Penguins

Sean Gentille The Athletic / NHL Picks today: Expert selections for Maple Leafs- Canadiens, Jets-Oilers, Wild-Golden Knights and more Pittsburgh Penguins

Dom Luszczyszyn

By The Athletic Pittsburgh Penguins

May 24, 2021 Scott Burnside

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue Monday with five games. And our Sean McIndoe experts are making picks for all five games. The Lightning, Jets and Golden Knights all can advance to the second round with a win Monday. New York Islanders The Islanders and Penguins play a critical game 5 for control of the Game 4: Islanders 4, Penguins 1 (Series tied 2-2) series. The Maple Leafs dominated Montreal in game 2 on Saturday to even the series up. Of our five writers making expert picks, only Sean Islanders coach Barry Trotz made what seemed like an obvious pivot McIndoe thinks the Habs will beat the Maple Leafs on Monday. back to Ilya Sorokin for Saturday’s Game 4. After Semyon Varlamov gave up a soft goal in Game 2 and five on 27 shots in Game 3, Sorokin The Edmonton Oilers continue to struggle as they blew a 4-1 lead made sense. He made more sense after backstopping the Game 4 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night and lost 5-4 in overtime. Will that tied the series. The 25-year-old NHL rookie didn’t have to stand on there be any hope left for the Oilers now that they are down 3-0 in the his head, just make the key saves when needed – he stopped Kasperi series? A short turnaround may be good for Connor McDavid and his Kapanen off the rush a minute in and that seemed to remind his team. teammates that Sorokin would do what was necessary to let them get to All lines via BetMGM. If you’d like a free year of The Athletic (or an work. “We saw that he’s dialed in so we had to be dialed in too,” Trotz extension!), BetMGM is running a special offer, which also includes $100 said. “It was nice to play with a lead in this series for once.” This was a in bonus bets. commanding performance by the Islanders, who gave up little and generated plenty. And now it’s Sorokin’s net until the next twist or turn in Game 3 –Toronto Maple Leafs (-150) at Montreal Canadiens (+125) this series. -Arthur Staple

Total: 5.5 Game 5 – Tampa Bay Lightning (-115) at Florida Panthers (-105)

PICK Total: 5.5

Eric Duhatschek PICK

Toronto Maple Leafs Eric Duhatschek

Sean Gentille Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs Sean Gentille

Dom Luszczyszyn Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs Dom Luszczyszyn

Scott Burnside Florida Panhters

Toronto Maple Leafs Scott Burnside

Sean McIndoe Florida Panhters

Montreal Canadiens Sean McIndoe

Game 2: Maple Leafs 5, Canadiens 1 (Series tied 1-1) Tampa Bay Lightning

In Game 1, the loss of John Tavares to a scary injury loomed large for Game 4: Lightning 6, Panthers 2 (Tampa Bay leads 3-1) the Maple Leafs as they struggled to play their confident and dynamic brand of hockey. In Game 2, Tavares was again at the forefront, but this Remember Game 1 when people were calling this series a beautiful time in a far more motivating sense. “This one’s for (Tavares), obviously. blend of speed and skill? On Saturday, you wondered how many stars He’s our guy, he’s our captain,” Auston Matthews told Sportsnet after the would be left standing. There was Nikita Kucherov lying on the ice Leafs’ dominant win. “We care deeply about Johnny and we want to do holding his left leg after a dirty slash by Anthony Duclair, and Mikhail well for him, so we’re going to try to win as many games as we can so we Sergachev down for a few minutes after getting blindsided by Patric can get him back in the lineup,” said Jason Spezza. Hornqvist. Asked what the Lightning could do to keep their composure in the third, Alex Killorn quipped, “Keep your stars on the bench.” While If everything went wrong for the Leafs in Game 1, everything went very coach Jon Cooper didn’t offer an update on Kucherov and Sergachev, much according to plan in Game 2. They got an all-world performance early indications are both injuries aren’t serious. from Matthews, excellent play from some depth players, including Pierre Engvall, composed work in goal from Jack Campbell and a narrative- The Lightning’s dynamic power play continued to shine, scoring twice, defying two power-play goals. But perhaps most importantly, there was a with Kucherov and Killorn picking up four points. Andrei Vasilevskiy shut joy in the way the Leafs played that was evident at their best moments in the door with 39 saves. The penalty kill went 5-for-6 in a wild first period. the regular season. The kind of joy that manifests in the massive hug Joe That should be the story. Instead, the focus surrounded the 26 penalties, Thornton laid on Rasmus Sandin after his first playoff goal. To get back five misconducts and a few line brawls. All of this could have been to that approach so soon after the loss of Tavares isn’t just impressive, it avoided. makes you wonder if #WinforJT is a hashtag the Leafs can really get Game 5– Minnesota Wild (+150) at Vegas Golden Knights (-185) behind. -Joshua Kloke Total: 5.5 Game 5– New York Islanders (+115) at Pittsburgh Penguins (-140) PICK Total: 5.5 Eric Duhatschek PICK Vegas Golden Knights Sean Gentille

Vegas Golden Knights

Dom Luszczyszyn

Minnesota Wild

Scott Burnside

Minnesota Wild

Sean McIndoe

Vegas Golden Knights

Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 0 (Vegas leads 3-1)

Over their history, the Xcel Energy Center had already become a bit of a house of horrors for the Golden Knights. Prior to this series, in six tries – dating back to 2017 – Vegas had yet to win in regulation in Minnesota. Now the Golden Knights came away with pivotal back-to-back wins. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 35 shots he faced for the 16th postseason shutout of his career, tying him with Curtis Joseph for third all-time. He foiled chance after chance for the Wild, and has allowed only four total goals in four games this series. “Marc-Andre Fleury (is) playing unreal,” Minnesota forward Marcus Foligno said. “We’ve done a lot of good things in front of him. He’s made some great saves. You can’t quit. Just have to hope for the next game that we can get a couple by him.”

Mark Stone scored a brilliant shorthanded breakaway goal, Nic Roy scored twice, and Alex Tuch added the exclamation point against his former team. Now they head home, where 11,000-plus fans await Game 5, still hoping for a healthy Max Pacioretty at some point. -Jesse Granger

Game 4 – Edmonton Oilers (-105) at Winnipeg Jets (-115)

Total: 5.5

PICK

Eric Duhatschek

Edmonton Oilers

Sean Gentille

Edmonton Oilers

Dom Luszczyszyn

Edmonton Oilers

Scott Burnside

Edmonton Oilers

Sean McIndoe

Winnipeg Jets

Game 3: Jets 5, Oilers 4, OT (Winnipeg leads 3-0)

The Winnipeg Jets used a frantic charge to erase a three-goal, third- period deficit on Sunday before beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Nikolaj Ehlers’ overtime winner to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round North Division series.

Mathieu Perrault’s power-play goal with 8:19 remaining in regulation was the first of three Jets tallies just over three minutes apart, including two 16 seconds apart that tied the game 4-4 with 5:16 to play. Ehlers, in his first game since he was injured April 24, won it on his second goal of the game with 10:47 left in overtime.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214069 Websites Ultimately, the Oilers opened the door by taking a needless penalty and that bad decision by Josh Archibald completely changed the complexion of the contest — and quite possibly, the series.

Sportsnet.ca / 'We don't give up': Seemingly down and out, Jets stage Archibald went for a low-bridge hit and seemed to target the left knee of miracle Game 3 comeback Jets defenceman Logan Stanley, who was lucky to avoid injury on the play.

Following the game, the NHL department of player safety announced that Ken Wiebe Archibald would have a phone hearing, which means the Oilers winger could be facing a fine or a suspension. May 24, 2021, 1:40 AM With Archibald in the box for tripping, the Jets cued the comeback on a

power-play marker from Mathieu Perreault. WINNIPEG — They were down and seemingly out. “This is the best way to make him pay for what he did,” said Perreault. Sent to the canvas after landing the first two big punches in this Smythe “We don’t like what he did, we don’t really like to see it. It wasn’t a very Division reunion. good play on his part. And we’re pissed about it and we go out and score a goal and there’s no better way to (make him) pay.” But a funny thing happened on the road to this defeat, the Winnipeg Jets dusted themselves off and were able to rise up off the mat with a rally of Maurice wasn’t interested in making any public declarations about what epic proportions. he thought about the Archibald hit.

Instead of watching the Edmonton Oilers trim the series deficit to two What he was happy to discuss was the composure his team showed, first games to one, it was the Jets who took a commanding 3-0 lead in the after falling behind and then not retaliating against Archibald. best-of-seven series after Nikolaj Ehlers supplied the overtime winner at “The result of it is the turning point. The key is we scored on it. That 9:13 of the fourth period on Sunday night. changes everything and there's time on the clock,” said Maurice. “I'll “You always dream of scoring these kinds of goals,” said Ehlers, who leave that to the referees and the league to see how they view it. But I'm missed the previous 11 games with a suspected shoulder injury he glad there was a call on the play. Clearly it was a call, a rightful call. And sustained on April 24. “I expect that of myself. I put enough pressure on it gave us a chance. You need the door opened somehow sometimes. myself to perform and that doesn't mean just scoring goals, it means “How we finished the game was important. And then we had something playing well. Even if you have a bad game, you go out and work hard and good happen. And then just build on it, and find a way to keep going. maybe play a little bit more simple. But I put a lot of pressure on myself to Resilience will be tested over and over and over again in the playoffs. It play well. Everyone in this league does it. That's a part of it. You want to happens in periods, it happens shift after shift. So having success by stay in this league and you’ve got to perform. being resilient, by staying in the fight, even if you don’t know the outcome “That's our team. I mean, we don't give up. That's what's so fun playing of the game, will become part of what you believe is true and become on this team and after the OT winner you can see the joy. I mean, it's a who you are.” wonder no one got injured at the end there during the celebration.” The Jets then struck for two goals in 16 seconds to even the score, Earlier in the day, Jets head coach Paul Maurice was quick to temper leaving Smith with a look of bewilderment all over his face after Josh expectations, saying he wasn’t looking for Ehlers to do anything but play Morrissey's rolling puck beat him at 14:44 of the third period. the same way his teammates had been playing without him. About the only thing missing was the pandemonium that would have Maurice wasn’t asking Ehlers to ignite the offence, but his skill set was on flowing through the arena had it been a full house and not just filled with display throughout. white towels to try and replicate a White-Out during this pandemic.

There were the usual bursts of speed, the battles for the puck and the “Honestly, I wish there were fans in this building. For a game like this, creativity to find linemates and open point men. this would have been absolutely insane,” said Perreault. “I can’t even imagine. If this building was full, how crazy that would have been? We And then, there was that sneaky wrist shot that beat Mike Smith on two felt it on the ice and it was great. It was an awesome game.” occasions, once on the power play and then after a clean faceoff win by Paul Stastny in overtime. The Jets were thrilled with the result, but were taking a business-as-usual approach rather than taking the first steps on a victory lap. Jets captain Blake Wheeler admitted afterward he wasn’t all that surprised with what Ehlers was able to accomplish. This job isn’t complete and the Jets won’t let up until they secure one more victory. “I hate to say it, but it's expected. I don't take for granted how great of a player he is and what he means to our team,” said Wheeler, who scored “It means we’re up 3-0 in the series. We were able to find a way to win the Jets third goal at 14:28 of the third period. “It is very difficult to do three games and now we’ve got to win one more,” said Perreault. “We what he did tonight -- to miss the amount of time he did and to come into won’t change a thing.” a game of that magnitude and that speed -- and not just get by but to make a huge impact. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.24.2021 “I mean, we were counting down the days to get him back and we were itching to get him back into our lineup. He just means so much to our team. Especially this time of year, he's the type of guy that can flip a game on its head and make a big play for you when you need it.”

*I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time.

There is little time for celebration or licking the wounds, as Game 4 is on tap for Monday night at 8:45 p.m. CT.

It would have been easy for the Jets to say it simply wasn’t going to be their night, that the Oilers' dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were due to break out offensively (combining for six points after being held off the score sheet in the first two games) and that they would simply try again another day.

Instead, the Jets didn’t abandon their structure or add to the risk profile of their game after falling behind 4-1. 1214070 Websites It was a dumb, inexperienced play from a veteran player. An individual who knows better made a selfish, rookie mistake that cost his team dearly.

Sportsnet.ca / Oilers' promising season a fading, cruel mirage after He choked. Now, Archibald will have a hearing with the NHL’s Game 3 collapse Department of Player Safety.

“Momentum is a huge factor in a playoff game,” said Tippett, “and the Archibald penalty was a huge turning point in the game.” Mark Spector Nobody thinks that this Oilers roster is complete, that they are ready to May 24, 2021, 12:44 AM challenge for a Stanley Cup. If GM Ken Holland has a strong summer, we can have that conversation a year from now. Maybe then they’ll be

legit contenders, or so we thought. What a choke job. Remaining Time -2:57 Up 4-1 with eight minutes to play in the most crucial game of their Gotta See It: Jets score three unanswered goals in third period to tie season, the Edmonton Oilers folded up like a cheap tent Sunday night, Game 3 vs. Oilers losing 5-4 in overtime. Now, after watching this series, there are further questions to be Roll over? That doesn’t begin to describe the sheer panic that gripped answered. How does a game of this magnitude get away? this roster late in Game 3, as it became clear success might be theirs. The Oilers shifted nervously from control to submission so fast Sunday In that fashion? night, it left you wondering if everything we saw from this team this season was some kind of a cruel mirage. Tippett was asked if he is worried about what this performance says about his team. “It’s disappointing. Disappointing, because we haven’t been that team all year,” said beleaguered head coach Dave Tippett, whose promising “I’ll be worried if we don’t take the lessons that we learned tonight and season has ended in embarrassing disaster. “Disappointing that we did use them accordingly,” he replied. “We did enough good things in this some of the things we did tonight.” game to win. We gave a game away. Now, we see how we respond.”

This was the Miracle on Manchester, all packed into eight minutes. It was Game 4 goes Monday. Anaheim, circa 2017. “We can’t roll over here,” said Nugent-Hopkins. An Oilers team that had finally figured out the troublesome Winnipeg Jets Ryan. You already did. — finding space for their superstars, and solving Connor Hellebuyck four times in Game 3 where they’d scored just once in Games 1 and 2 — simply gave it all away with a lack of will, courage and gamesmanship. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.24.2021 “There’s not a whole lot to say. We shot ourselves in the foot a little bit,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is pointless in this series.

Said Leon Draisaitl, who was marvellous for 52 minutes: “Maybe we panicked a little bit.”

This was, as Philadelphia coach Terry Murray once said so famously, “A choking situation.” Edmonton took full advantage, limping into overtime where Nikolai Ehlers effectively ended their season.

McDavid describes Oilers collapse: 'Lots goes wrong I guess'

Game 4 goes Monday, with the Jets already thinking ahead to Round 2. It would be a miracle if an Oilers team that suffered this level of gut punch competed for victory on Monday.

Edmonton is cooked, a promising season boiled down to something Oilers fans have had more than enough of in the past 25 years:

Another lesson.

“Winning is hard,” began Tippett, “and there are painful lessons that you need to learn to win. We were pretty good at it all year, but tonight we learned some hard lessons on what not to do to win in the playoffs.

“The two power-play goals were both critical mistakes by us. The (Josh) Archibald penalty was just a poor penalty to take. Those are hard lessons to learn,” said the coach.

Rather than call a timeout after the Jets made it 4-3 with their second goal in less than three minutes, Tippett trusted his top line to play one more shift that would get them to a TV timeout and a three-minute break.

“Next whistle was a TV timeout,” he said. “We went to that line. They’re reliable guys.”

He trusted his best guys. His big guys.

And they choked.

How difficult will it be for Oilers to refocus after Game 3 collapse?

He played the heck out of Archibald, the trusty, fourth-line penalty killer who has stirred the pot nicely for this team. But Archibald low-bridged Logan Stanley with a needless, selfish hit that kicked the hornet nest and set the table for the Jets power-play goal that started the landslide. 1214071 Websites attempts were an astounding 38-8 in favour of the Hurricanes after one period but Saros only allowed one goal and it was tied after the first.

Saros became the just second goalie in NHL history to make 50 or more Sportsnet.ca / Stanley Cup Playoffs takeaways: Bruins bid Chara saves in back-to-back playoff games, joining Curtis Joseph who bittersweet adieu accomplished the feat in 1993 when he was with the Blues.

Saros now leads the playoffs with 171 saves (42.75 saves per game) as the series shifts back to Raleigh for a pivotal Game 5. MikeyJ_MMA No Kadri, no problem for Avs May 24, 2021, 1:07 AM Nazem Kadri gives the Colorado Avalanche envious depth down the middle, but for reasons the hockey world is well aware of the centre wasn’t available in his usual spot between Joonas Donskoi and Andre The Boston Bruins eliminated the Washington Capitals on Sunday and, Burakovsky on Sunday. like every Stanley Cup Playoffs series, it ended with a handshake line. Kadri was serving the second of his eight-game suspension for an illegal Only this particular handshake line pulled on the heart strings more than headshot on St. Louis Blues defenceman Justin Faulk. In the short-term usual, with Zdeno Chara embracing his former teammates after what was at least, Kadri's teammates have been able to overcome his absence. potentially his final NHL game. Colorado’s top line was simply too much for the Blues. The trio of Nathan Chara hasn’t said one way or another if he plans on attempting a return Mackinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen each had a goal for the 2021-22 campaign but at age 44 there isn’t much else the future and an assist in a 5-2 win that completed the sweep and they combined Hall of Famer can accomplish. for nine goals and 24 total points in the four-game series. Sunday marked Chara’s 200th career playoff game, 150 of which were The Avalanche will face the winner of Vegas-Minnesota (the Golden spent in a Bruins uniform. Only 20 other skaters in NHL history have Knights have a chance to end that series Monday) and that’s where played 200 post-season games. Kadri’s style could be sorely missed. “We’ve had so many battles together it was definitely different to play him As it stands currently, Kadri could miss the entire second round. He in a playoff series,” Patrice Bergeron told reporters after the game. “We would be eligible to return for a Game 7 if one is required – that is unless played against each other all year which kinda helped getting used to it Kadri’s appeal is successful. for the playoffs but that being said it’s always different at that time of the year.” Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Kadri, a repeat offender by league standards, is appealing the latest supplemental discipline he was The Bruins decided to move on from Chara last off-season after 14 years handed. Gary Bettman will hear the appeal and if Kadri is unsatisfied with and the blueliner mulled retirement before ultimately inking a one-year the NHL commissioner’s ruling he can appeal the decision again to an deal with the Caps. independent arbitrator. Chara and the city of Boston will always be connected after he won a

Norris Trophy, a Mark Messier Leadership Award and led the team to a Stanley Cup one decade ago. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.24.2021 His influence on the younger Bruins cannot be understated either.

“Emotions were high,” David Pastrnak added. “I can't think him enough for what he's done for me. … He’s been a big part of me growing up as a pro and a person.”

Sudden-death OT? More like sudden-life OT for Preds

That’s two straight games extra time was needed and two straight dramatic home wins for the Nashville Predators over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Preds heating up after 60 minutes is entirely in line with how they’ve performed at Bridgestone Arena this season, too.

Nashville actually won every home game in the regular season that required overtime. Now, is five-on-five playoff OT a completely different animal than the five-minute, three-on-three frame we see in the regular season before games are ultimately settled with a shootout? Big time. Still, the Preds are now 2-0 in playoff home games that require extra time so the results are speaking for themselves.

Game 4 it was Matt Duchene who ended it on a beauty individual effort. Luke Kunin was the Game 5 double-OT hero when he was left wide open in the slot sneaking back into the play after getting a new twig at his team’s bench.

This series being knotted at two games apiece isn’t how most expected it to unfold.

The Hurricanes were roughly three-to-one favourites after all, but it’s not like the underdog Preds were completely written off by prognosticators.

Uh, whoops…

Saros breaks longstanding franchise record…that he set two days prior

Juuse Saros was once again a major reason the Predators got the W, setting a new franchise record for most saves in a playoff game with 58. The previous record was set by, well, Saros in Game 4 when he stopped 52 shots.

The Predators were lucky to still be in the game after the opening 20 minutes with Carolina controlling the puck and the pace of play. The shot 1214072 Websites accepting anything less than yours. “You see the way that those kids were raised, they’re competitors,” says veteran strength and conditioning coach Matt Nichol, who first began training Darnell as the defenceman made the transition to the NHL, and now trains Kia, too. “They’re used to MIND OVER MATTER tough love. They’re used to constructive criticism. They’re used to someone being honest with them, someone holding them accountable.

That’s how they came up. By Sonny Sachdeva “You can just tell they were raised with that work ethic, that discipline and that character that coaches like me are supposed to instill. If they didn’t get a good hefty dose of that as kids coming up, it’s a bit of an uphill How Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse turned one of the most battle. But, you know, he came in with all that.” demanding and chaotic years of his career into his most prolific “He burns with purpose. He steps onto the ice with a plan to get better.” Don’t get it twisted, Darnell Nurse always had an eye for the net. Even as a 12-year-old, when his chest was adorned not with Edmonton Oilers In Edmonton, as he took his first steps onto NHL ice, Nurse found himself copper-and-blue but with the feathered wheel of his triple-A Toronto Red right back where he’d been before — an outsider fighting to prove he Wings, the young Nurse had in him that cold calculus necessary for life belonged. “I saw somebody with just a burning desire to be the best that as a big-league goal-scorer. Cyril Bollers has the scar to prove it. he could be,” says Jay Woodcroft, an assistant coach on the Oilers’ bench for Nurse’s first three seasons with the club. “You put that together The veteran coach remembers well the day the young defender painted it with all the raw tools that he had, he was an impressive young player.” It on him — a routine Wednesday practice back in 2008, a wiry, fresh-faced was more than talent and potential. Nurse was what Woodcroft calls a Nurse flying around the sheet at the Rinx facility in North York. Bollers, “foxhole player,” the type of guy you want with you when you’re heading an assistant coach for that Red Wings squad, was running through a drill into battle. “He burns with purpose,” Woodcroft says. “He steps onto the with his young skaters, challenging them as they approached from the ice with a plan to get better, he doesn’t just step on because it’s practice point, pressuring them to swing wide or try to navigate past him. time or game time … and he works at different parts of his game.”

A physical specimen now at six-foot-four and 221 pounds, it’s no surprise It was during 2018–19, his fourth full NHL season, that the rearguard Nurse was dominant back then, though his game has always been affectionally dubbed ‘Doc’ first showed his elite potential, turning in a grounded in far more than the advantage of extra inches and pounds. career-high 41 points from the back end as a 23-year-old. He was “The way he’s playing now, he played that way when he was younger,” building towards something, but his game was still rough around the Bollers remembers. “Darnell was one of those players that, sort of, time edges. The next season, he got the best tailors he could’ve asked for in stood still for him when he had the puck, you know?” He had a veteran’s the arrival of head coach Dave Tippett — a tried-and-true defence-first poise — that innate ability to read all the action on the ice as if from bench boss — and Jim Playfair, the associate coach Tippett entrusted above, to see things play out before they did. “These are things that you with his blue line. Playfair took the same approach he had each time he’d can’t teach,” Bollers says, thinking back. arrived at a new club — he binged film of his players’ shifts, getting a sense of who they were to try to craft a vision of who they could become. But running that drill in North York, Bollers saw something else, too, as In Nurse he saw someone who’d created a reputation around the league Nurse corralled the puck at the point and prepared to let it fly. Stepping for being tough to play against, but one with the mindset and skill-set to into the shot, the young blue-liner unleashed a clapper with eyes for the grow into so much more. “He was a little bit of a wild horse,” Playfair cage. Bollers, challenging, stuck his stick out to deflect it. “It was like in remembers with a chuckle. “The big issue that we paid attention to was slow motion — the puck rode all the way up my stick, and I see it coming, probably just ice management, where he was on the ice at all times. … and it hits me right in the forehead, right in the middle of the forehead,” He’s such a great skater and he’s got such a big body and such good he says, chuckling as he remembers the momentary chaos. “All of a range that he takes up a lot of ice, and his skating covers up so much of sudden, it just started bleeding.” his game for him. So we just tried to encompass the awareness of where Nurse, the gentle giant with the thousand-watt smile you could spot from he was with the puck and without the puck, and started to put the details across the rink, didn’t flinch. “Typical Darnell — the puck dropped, he in place.” came and picked up the puck, scored and then he asked me how I was What enabled Nurse to turn potential into progress was his clarity of doing,” Bollers says. “He did care about me afterwards — but he wanted purpose. “He knew what his motivation was, and he could get back to to score first.” that very quickly,” says Playfair. “I think he recognizes when he’s playing “The way he's playing now, he played that way when he was younger. really well, the details that go into that, and if he’s not up to the game he Time stood still for him when he had the puck, you know?” expects of himself, he also recognizes what it takes to get back there.” It’s more than just a vague desire to be better, more than simply closing A decade-and-a-half later, Nurse hasn’t lost that shooter’s mentality, your eyes and hoping harder than your opponent that you’ll become the fresh off a 2020–21 season that saw him amass the second-most goals best. Nurse’s insatiable need to understand where he’s at and where he of any blue-liner in the NHL, and the most without help from the power needs to go is meticulous, even obsessive. “He’s a unique player in that play. But the Oilers defender’s immense growth over the past year is in the summertime he watches every one of his games, and every one of about far more than the number of times he’s made the twine flutter. After his shifts, and he catalogs those shifts,” says Playfair. “He has a the searing disappointment that ended his club’s 2020 post-season, the complete understanding of what his game is.” big man came back and turned in the best overall campaign of his career, one that’s catapulted him into any conversation about the game’s It all converged for Nurse after the Oilers’ collapse in the 2020 playoff best rearguards. And No. 25’s ascent, along with his ability to somehow bubble. His frustration with his own performance and with his team’s turn one of the most uncomfortable years of his life into his most prolific, added fuel to a machine already unrelenting in its push forward. But has given the Oilers something they’ve long lacked as they push to turn circumstance added another factor to the mix — the loss of Oscar potential into greatness. Klefbom, who had led the Oilers’ blue line in minutes every season for the half-decade prior. Dealing with the ramifications of a shoulder injury In the beginning, Nurse just wanted to belong. That’s how Bollers that eventually required surgery, Klefbom was ruled out for the 2020–21 remembers him back when the young Hamiltonian was first trying to season before it even arrived, leaving a gaping hole atop the Oilers’ make a name for himself in Toronto’s minor hockey scene. It was that defence corps. It was a massive blow to a group already reeling from a yearning that drove him. “He worked harder than anybody else to prove post-season a few rounds shorter than expected, and it was clear who others wrong, to prove that he belonged,” Bollers says. would be required to step up. “We knew we were going to have to ask “He wanted to be a leader,” the coach continues, and he worked more from him,” says head coach Dave Tippett of Nurse. “And talking to relentlessly to become one, to show those around him he was worthy. him last summer, he was fully engaged in preparing himself to take The source of his all-in mentality is clear, the athletic lineage of the Nurse another step in his process of becoming a top player. … As a leader, he family well-established at this point: father Richard, a former CFLer; took the responsibility to make sure he was ready.” mother Cathy and sisters Tamika and Kia, all accomplished basketball It was the kind of chance Nurse knew doesn’t come around often. “I knew players, the latter a bona fide WNBA star; uncle Donovan McNabb, of there was a little added responsibility and added opportunity to come out NFL fame; cousin Sarah, a Canadian Olympian. It’s always been true of and play,” he says. “Play more minutes, play big minutes every night. So, the Nurses that you aren’t getting less than their best, and they’re not I tried to prepare myself as best as possible to make the most of the There’s no question where Nurse belongs anymore. After a dominant opportunity.” regular season in which he piled up the second-most goals among all big-league defenders, skated more minutes a night than all but three To become a bona fide No. 1, he knew he’d have to lean more into the NHLers, and helped his club control play for the majority of those offensive side of his position, recover the shoot-first mentality he had in minutes, Nurse has proven he deserves mention among the game’s best. those early days. “In our zone, without the puck, he was a warrior. He For Tippett, it’s less about the statistics than the all-encompassing nature was hard to play against, and he recognized the damage he could do in of his new No. 1’s game. “Young defencemen, it takes a while,” he says. the corners and around the front of the net to be a real strong, firm “But when a player like that plays as big of minutes as he does, plays in player,” says Playfair. “What we talked about was, from the offensive all situations — plays power play, penalty kill, you’ve got him on the ice blue line, creating more offence. And then in the neutral zone, whether it late in a game to protect the lead and he’s on the ice when you’re trying was a good first pass or skating the puck, just some details on where he to get yourself back in a game — he’s rounded into a top all-around wanted to improve his game.” defenceman in the NHL right now. And his skill-set is not just geared one Nurse zeroed in on his skating, a good bet when you spend the majority way or another, it impacts a lot of the game.” of your time on the ice alongside one of the best skaters the game has The arrival of a new high-flying blue-line partner in Tyson Barrie helped ever seen. It’s not as if he was starting out at ‘plodding’ though. Nurse buoy Nurse’s offensive numbers, but not because the latter racked up could always move. But studying shift after shift after shift, he could see free points as Barrie led the league in scoring from the back end — the flaws. So he went back to the building where he’d first learned how to former Maple Leaf did the majority of his damage while quarterbacking carve a sheet, The Burlington Pond — it was there that Nurse fine-tuned Edmonton’s star-studded power play, while nearly all of Nurse’s points his footwork under the guidance of Michele Moore Davison, a former were ground out at even strength. It was, instead, what they taught each world champion figure skater and the daughter of the skating coach other about the game. “Darnell helped Tyson recognize the importance of who’d taught Nurse since he was seven years old. After a half-decade in defending and details in our own zone, and I think Tyson has encouraged the big leagues, Nurse knew he could hang with the frenetic pace of Doc to explore the offensive side of the game at the offensive blue line,” today’s game. He just wanted to do slightly better than that. “He said, says Playfair, who challenged Nurse to lead the defence corps in shots ‘You know, I can keep up with the guys, I can keep up when I’m in the on goal this season, and saw Nurse rise to the occasion after taking a corner with someone, I can catch them,’” Moore Davison recalls, “‘but I page out of the newcomer’s book. “I think it’s become a really good want to stay with them.’” balance. I think they’ve found some qualities in each other that they were So, they drilled into every aspect of Nurse’s movement on the ice, able to bring out of each other.” tweaking and adjusting, manipulating how he used his edges to find “Your body's capable of way more than what your mind will tell you it's speed and power he’d been leaving on the table. “We really focused on capable of.” his quickness, his explosiveness, his efficiency in his stops and starts, change of direction, all of that kind of stuff, which all involves weight Joining the upper echelon was no luxurious feat for Nurse, though. It transfer and where his weight is on his blades,” Moore Davison says. came at a cost, particularly in the massive amount of ice time he logged, the physical burden of which isn’t slight. “The 25 minutes that Darnell Nurse also needed to build up his conditioning to withstand the minutes plays, it’s not an easy 25 minutes,” says Nichol. “He doesn’t just play a that were going to be tacked onto his workload, an effort that was aided lot of minutes, he plays a lot of tough minutes. He plays a physical game, by longtime friend Jorge Blanco, a former kickboxing champion and and I think it takes a tremendous toll on the body. But I think that, again, Olympic boxer who’s been training Nurse since his early NHL days. “It’s his commitment to the things that he does off the ice has set him up to be like mindfulness,” Blanco explains. “We do a lot of work on the breathing, able to handle that, and not just handle it but excel in those situations.” learning how to relax in difficult situations, stressful situations.” In Nurse, he saw an ideal fighter’s in-ring mentality, a willingness to keep stepping The bridge between ‘handle’ and ‘excel’ is all in the mental approach towards that pressure. “He just won’t stop until he gets a little bit of an that’s allowed Nurse to withstand everything the game’s thrown at him edge, a little bit better,” Blanco says. “It’s just chipping away every time this season. “I think mindset plays a lot into it, to be honest,” the he’s got the chance.” defenceman says. “Just with the added responsibility and playing a lot, it’s not as much thinking about the beating it could put on your body or There was another key catalyst that spurred Nurse’s off-season the mental wear, it’s just embracing how much fun this game is. I think evolution: a request from his captain, Connor McDavid. Devastated at just going out every day, whether it’s practice, a game, even if it’s an off- seeing one of the best regular seasons of their time together end in a day, just finding some way to get some work in. … Your body’s capable four-game exit at the hands of a Chicago team who’d barely scraped of way more than what your mind will tell you it’s capable of.” their way to the Qualifying Round, McDavid asked Nurse to switch up his usual routine so they could train together leading up to the new season. Looking back on it now, it all seems so simple. But all those who toiled So the two of them worked side-by-side, building for their redemption through the past season-and-a-half will tell you it was a stretch of their campaign, talking through their vision for a better 2021 in Oilers colours. careers like no other. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily Ask anyone who’s seen how hard either of them pushes behind the NHL life went far beyond a delayed season or divisional realignment. On scenes and the value of that work together becomes clear. “They both one hand, there was the slew of logistical changes: daily testing, the are elite at training — they train as well as they play,” Tippett says with a ever-present and wide-reaching health and safety protocols, the day-of laugh. plot twists — “It’s those unexpected changes when you’re on the road in Montreal and get a few games cancelled,” Nurse says, “and you’re stuck The impact of Nurse’s relationship with McDavid goes back further than a in a hotel room for five, six days.” But it was also, more importantly, the lone off-season by his side. It’s been a key piece of Nurse’s success fact of dealing with the pandemic away from the rink like everyone else since the two debuted together as big-league rookies for the simple has, and finding ways to play a game amid the heaviness. “I’m sure reason that he’s had to go up against No. 97, one of the most dominant everyone’s had a personal COVID scare or been affected by COVID. I’ve offensive forces the sport has ever witnessed, day in and day out in had that in my family,” says Nurse. “You have to compartmentalize and practice. “I think that’s a very understated benefit of playing with the best kind of put that all to the side. You put that all to the side and just worry players in the world,” says Woodcroft. “They force you to be at your best about playing, especially in those 60 minutes that you’re playing. So on a daily basis. And you get better through osmosis, in terms of having yeah, it’s been a test.” to defend against those types of people… a sort of ‘rising tide floats everyone’s boat’ [situation].” The pandemic was only part of what tested Nurse over the past year. There was also the hockey world’s hesitant entrance into conversations Playfair’s seen what that benefit looks like, every practice for the past two about systemic racism and its impact on the sport, the weight of which years. “They’ll go out of their way to make sure they go head-to-head as Nurse, as one of the NHL’s few players of colour, carried on his often as they can throughout the course of our practice,” he says. “And shoulders — while also carrying the emotional burden of everything that everybody watches that, because they recognize what’s at stake — spurred those conversations in the first place. While those sensitive you’ve got two of the best players going head-to-head and they challenge discussions might’ve all but faded into the background for most of the and push each other. … They’re not people that take time off because players and personnel around him, for Nurse they’re ever present — they’re not feeling it. They find a way to push through, they find a way to visible at post-game press conferences, where questions are asked of prepare, and they leave it out there on the ice every day. And I think the him every time international news is made concerning those with more connection of those two guys, off the ice and on the ice, it’s the melanin. “Those were conversations that were kind of out of my comfort foundation of us having a chance to be successful.” zone,” he says. “But, you know, you see what’s going on in the world, you see the call for change throughout the world, and being an athlete, being a person of colour, being someone who has a platform, I felt it was important to obviously, whenever you’re being asked about it, be honest. And be transparent on things that need to change, and things that we’ve all been through.”

“I look at it now as a challenge — now you've got to do this year in and year out, and game after game.”

It’s all part of the same process, Nurse says. “For me, as a player, to be able to perform at a high level, you’ve got to be true to yourself. And that’s kind of just part of it, you know? When those questions come, you don’t want to tip-toe around it, you want to be head-on and true, not only about your own experiences but about what you want to do to help make change. For me, it’s been no different — it’s just trying to stay true to myself, stay true to what I believe in.”

As positive and important as he feels those conversations and their impact may be, figuring out how to navigate it all hasn’t been easy. It’s been the defining mission of his season, Nurse says. “This year’s been, in my mind, a pretty cool challenge of, you know, how you have to balance and juggle so many different things but show up and play every day, show up and compete, work, and perform. And I think if you look at it that way, as a challenge, and try to kind of take it head on, I think we’ll all look back on this season as our careers go on and say ‘We played through this, so we can pretty much handle whatever else is going to come.’”

And yet, he’s done far more than simply weather the storm. Like the growth that came on the ice despite the uptick in pressure, Nurse has found just as much growth off of it. He used the downtime to work through a Harvard Business School program geared towards pro athletes, he put together a scholarship program at his high school in Hamilton, and he and his partner Mikayla are expecting their first child in June. “It’s been a fun year to kind of grow everything, not just the hockey game but grow the mind, grow a little community involvement, and obviously my family’s going to grow, too.”

It’s a long way to have come from that skinny kid who just wanted to prove he belonged. Even though he’s removed all doubt, Nurse hasn’t forgotten the feeling. “It’s been eye-opening. Because for me, I know the amount of work that I’ve put in to get to this point,” he says. “There’s a lot of ups and downs, especially when you’re a young player in this league, a young defenceman in this league, and you play in a market that cares a lot about hockey. I mean, there’s a lot of ups and downs. There’s those great days where you feel great about yourself, there’s those down days where you don’t feel so great about yourself, and everyone’s piling on you.”

But even as far as he’s come, even now that he’s turning in far more great days than not, Nurse finds himself wanting more.

“For me, I kind of look at it now as a challenge — now you’ve got to do this year in and year out, and game after game. You know, as a competitor, I think that really just brings out the best in you,” Nurse says. “It’s been a good year, but throughout the good year you always find ways you can develop, ways you can get better. … That’s always been my mindset, to challenge myself, and I’ve always been my hardest critic. So, I’ll never be content with where I’m at.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.24.2021 1214073 Websites into the group. You can see how hard he's competing and it's a trickle- down effect. It's awesome to see."

Matthews scored a goal, the game winner, and added two assists on TSN.CA / Keefe: Habs' ultra-physical approach brings risk of penalties Saturday.

"Going down 0-1, this was a do-or-die game for us so I think everybody stepped up," Matthews said. By Mark Masters "Auston was our best player," said veteran forward Jason Spezza. "We know his play rises in the bigger moments."

The Maple Leafs held a limited media availability before travelling to Matthews was also dominant at the dot winning 16 of 20 face-offs. Montreal on Sunday. "I guess the best way to describe it is just very complete," said Keefe. The Leafs struggled to draw penalties during the regular season finishing "Extremely competitive, physical on the puck, made plays, scored a huge tied for 20th in power-play opportunities (2.8 per game). But Toronto has goal for us, played with all sorts of authority, strong at the face-off dot. already been on the man advantage 10 times through two playoff games. There wasn't really anything that he didn't do extremely well."

"Montreal has made it very clear that they want to be very physical," 'Big dude' Matthews set the tone for Leafs in 'do-or-die game' noted coach Sheldon Keefe following Saturday's win. "I think the term they used was they want to make it a 'war.'" After Auston Matthews' dominant performance against Montreal in Game 2, it was clear that his physicality during the game made a huge impact. "It's going to be a war out there," Canadiens winger Josh Anderson had Despite praise from the team Matthews says 'I try to play hard every promised before the series opened. night and obviously going down 0-1 this was a do-or-die game for us so I think everybody stepped up.' "If you're going to do that you're at risk of getting penalties called against you," Keefe continued. "Our job, as a power play, is to make them pay for It was an up-and-down start for Toronto's new second line, which was on that." the ice for Montreal's lone goal on Saturday night. With John Tavares out, Nick Foligno has shifted to centre skating between Alex Galchenyuk The previously snakebitten Leafs power play connected twice on six and William Nylander. attempts in the 5-1 win in Game 2. "It felt pretty good," said Galchenyuk, who was a healthy scratch in Game The takeaway for Montreal? 1. "I thought we created a few chances. There was a few times, you "They're calling a lot of stick penalties," said Canadiens defenceman Joel know, we misunderstood each other. We just haven't played together [a Edmundson. "They're letting the bodychecks go so just be physical and lot], but as the games go on we'll feel comfortable and adjust and help finish every check, but be smart with your stick. I think that's where you each other out." have to draw the line." Per NaturalStatTrick.com, the Canadiens outshot the Leafs 9-4 during The Habs repeatedly crossed the line in the second period on Saturday. the eight minutes and 43 seconds Toronto's second line was on the ice in First, Brendan Gallagher was whistled for high sticking T.J. Brodie. A five-on-five play. couple minutes later Artturi Lehkonen was sent to the box for slashing The Leafs opted not to practise on Sunday before heading to Montreal. Wayne Simmonds. Shortly after that penalty expired, Jesperi Kotkaniemi The schedule is condensed with Game 3 and Game 4 on consecutive was called for cross-checking Morgan Rielly. nights so it's tricky to build chemistry right now. The Canadiens didn't like the calls and lost focus. "We just had one quick (15-minute) practice so the more reps we get, the "We were just kind of going at the referees instead of the Leafs," more we're out there on the ice, that's where the comfort level will come Edmundson admitted. "I think that kind of killed us there." in," Galchenyuk said.

"We had the puck the entire second period," Keefe pointed out, "and that Nylander played almost the entire season with Tavares, but insists his really, I think, caused some fatigue on the other side." mindset doesn't change with his longtime linemate sidelined.

Keefe, for the record, "hated" the holding call on Zach Hyman in the first "I just try to play the same way," the 25-year-old said. "It's tough to lose a period, but acknowledged the officials "have the toughest job of anybody guy like that who's meant a lot to myself and I've been learning a lot from out there." him. We want to get together here and win a couple games for John and hopefully he can get back and play later on." The Canadiens led the NHL in hits in the regular season so physicality is a big part of their identity. Interim coach Dominique Ducharme was asked Nylander has scored in both games of the series with Saturday's goal to assess the effectiveness of his team's physicality in Game 2. coming on the power play.

"There's some good, some bad," he said. "If you look at the first period, I Leafs Ice Chips: Nylander maintains mindset as new-look line builds felt we did it the right way." chemistry

Habs Ice Chips: Physicality will continue to be part of Montreal's game With John Tavares out for an unforeseen amount of time, Alex plan Galchenyuk joins William Nylander and Nick Foligno on the second line. TSN's Mark Masters has more on the line's chemistry and Nylander's Now that Toronto’s vaunted power play has checked into the series, the mindset going forward. Canadiens can’t afford a repeat performance of the six shorthanded situations they faced in Game 2. Because after outhitting the Leafs 99-63 Nylander was asked where defenceman Rasmus Sandin, who scored his through Games 1 and 2, physicality will continue to be part of Montreal’s first Stanley Cup playoff goal on Saturday, gets his confidence. game plan. John Lu has more. "Me. I taught him," Nylander said with a laugh. "He's living with me so I Montreal outhit Toronto 55 to 27 in Game 1, but that advantage was guess he learns a little bit. He watches and he sees and he learns." down to 44 to 36 in Game 2. On Thursday, Sandin got beat on the Paul Byron game-winning goal, "I just thought we had a really engaged hockey team all the way through which came during a Leafs power play. our lineup," Keefe said. "He makes a mistake there," acknowledged Keefe. "I think his mistake is It certainly helps when the team's top player does his part and Auston probably that he didn't go off the ice on his way back for that puck so that Matthews was throwing his weight around all over the ice. He's tied with he wasn't tired in that instance. That was the mistake and, of course, that Hyman for the team lead with nine hits in the series. stood out in my mind."

"He's proven that he's a pure goal scorer and he's going to score huge But after reviewing the video of Game 1, the coach liked a lot of what goals for us," said defenceman Zach Bogosian, "but to see him physically Sandin showed in his first Stanley Cup playoff appearance. So, he kept engaged, he's a big dude and when he plays that intense it kind of bleeds him in the lineup instead of going to the more experienced Travis Dermott. And he kept the 21-year-old on the top power play unit instead of going back to Rielly, the longest-serving Leaf.

"I just think that with Rasmus, the payoff can be really big for us in terms of his skill-set and what he can bring," Keefe explained. "That requires a little extra patience on our side. I just had belief that he was going to be better than he was in the first game."

Sandin rewarded that faith by scoring his first NHL goal since Jan. 29, 2020. He had to wait through a coach's challenge by Montreal before being able to really enjoy it.

"I didn't know what the challenge was, to be honest," Sandin said. "I was a little nervous, to be honest, because we were just talking about how I haven't scored in a year-and-a-half or something like that. I really wanted that to be a goal and I was super happy when they called it."

The Leafs power play has lacked a legitimate shot threat from the point with only three man-advantage goals coming off the stick of defencemen in the last two regular seasons. On Saturday night, Sandin beat Carey Price with a blast.

"When you play with those players that you have on the power play, it’s not too hard for me," Sandin said. "I got it right in my wheelhouse and took a step into it and I hit the right spot this time."

Sandin's late-season rise has been among the more compelling stories around the Leafs. He was buried on the depth chart early in the season behind Dermott and Mikko Lehtonen. Then, after getting sent to the minors, Sandin sustained a foot fracture in his first game with the Marlies. Add it all up and Saturday was only his 12th game since the pandemic began.

You wouldn't know it from watching him play.

"He's so poised and he's deceptive," said Matthews. "He's extremely skilled. For how young he is, it doesn't seem like these big moments really shake him at all. He's extremely confident and makes really nice plays and sees the ice well."

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