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Lightning announces several key absences for Game 2

NHL.com

The Tampa Bay Lightning might have won Game 1 of the first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they still lost big. On Wednesday, head coach Jon Cooper announced that Erik Cernak and Michael Eysimmont will not play Game 2. He added that Cictor Hedman is a game-time decision and Tanner Jeannot is a possibility, per insider Elliotte Friedman.

Jeannot returned to practice and took line rushes with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Corey Perry. He has been out of the lineup since April 5 when he got tangled up with New York Islanders blue liner Scott Mayfield and fell awkwardly on his right leg.

“Feeling really good. Just gotta wait and see I guess, but everything’s feeling really well and the trainers did a great job and I’m feeling good on the ice,” Jeannot commented after practice.

Cernak was injured in Game 1 by Leafs forward Michael Bunting, who was assessed a match penalty after making contact with the Lightnin’s defenseman’s head. Cernak laid down on the ice before he was assisted in leaving the game. He did not return.

The Maple Leafs host the Bolts for Game 2 on Thursday night in Toronto. Tampa Bay leads the first-round series 1-0. 

More to come as the story develops. 

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Oilers shuffle lineup due to injury announcement ahead of Game 2

NHL.com

The Edmonton Oilers cannot let another game slip through their fingers like Game 1 of their first round series against the Los Angeles Kings did on Monday. While Edmonton looks to get back on track, it sounds like changes had to be made to the lineup on Wednesday as team insider Jason Gregor reveals that forward Mattias Janmark was absent from the team’s morning skate with Devin Shore taking reps in his spot.

Per Gregor, Janmark is allegedly done for the rest of the series.

Janmark was reportedly injured after blocking a shot off his right foot in Monday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Kings. He was even seen limping after the contest.

Gregor expects the Oilers to dress seven defensemen tonight due to Janmark’s absence, which could mean youngster Philip Broberg could make his second career playoff appearance.

Janmark did collect an assist in Game 1.

More to come as this story develops.

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Maple Leafs’ playoff record under referee Wes McCauley only adds to officiating scandal

NHL

The Toronto Maple Leafs are behind 0-1 in their first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning after Tuesday’s humiliating 7-3 loss. While some blamed the performance of goalie Ilya Samsonov or the lack of discipline and energy across the Maple Leafs’ lineup, others, including captain John Tavares, have pointed at the officiating.

It’s no surprise seeing all the drama surrounding head coach Sheldon Keefe and referee Wes McCauley.

Most of us remember the David Frost and Mike Danton scandal, right? David Frost was a former junior coach turned NHL player agent who was accused of sexually assaulting a number of underage hockey players, including Danton. Frost was acquitted of the charges and Danton was subsequently arrested and convicted for conspiring to murder Frost.
Here is where McCauley comes in: he and Frost are brothers-in law and are reportedly very close. On the other side, Danton and Keefe are lifelong friends. The two grew up playing hockey together and were teammates on a junior team coached by Frost when the alleged abuse took place. Fast forward to Danton’s trial and it was Keefe who was on the stand testifying against Frost.

Scouting the Refs dug a little more and offered on Wednesday the Leafs’ playoff record under McCauley.

It does not look good:

This will only add fuel to the emerging scandal happening in Toronto with fans calling for justice in this conflict of interest.

But will they start blaming Wes McCauley too for the Maple Leafs’ lack of success in the postseason since 2004?! Come on, the Maple Leafs will need to focus on what they can control, stay disciplined and get the win in Game 2 before heading to Tampa. 

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Kirill Kaprizov 2nd fastest active player to reach postseason milestone!

Mitchell Republic

It was another highly productive season for Minnesota Wild Russian sniper Kirill Kaprizov, who lit the lamp behind opposition goaltenders 40 times while adding another 35 assists during the 2022-23 season. As Minnesota’s most gifted offensive force, he’s relied upon for timely goal scoring – and so far in his young career, he’s been able to come through in spades. 

And not just in the regular season. Thanks to his goal in Game 1 of Minnesota’s opening round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the rival Dallas Stars, he became the second fastest active player to reach 10 career postseason goals. He trails only his countryman Vladimir Tarasenko, a Stanley Cup champion in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues before his career even began.

The Wild and Stars will get back at things tonight starting at 9:30 PM EST from American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas. Minnesota will be looking to take a 2-0 series stranglehold before the series shifts back to the friendly confines of Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. 

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New update reveals more on Joe Pavelski’s condition hours before Game 2

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The Dallas Stars remain quite secretive on forward Joe Pavelski’s status. The veteran forward left Game 1 after he was taken out by a massive hit in the series-opening loss against the Minnesota Wild midway through the second period on Monday.

Finally on Wednesday morning, after recalling forward Riley Tufte from Texas, Dallas’ development affiliate in the American Hockey League, head coach Pete DeBoer revealed more on Pavelski’s condition and what it could mean for the Stars moving forward into the series.

DeBoer confirmed that Pavelski is in concussion protocol. He came in this morning and is “getting better every day.”

With Pavelski visibly out for tonight’s second contest of the series vs. Minnesota, this is what the projected lineup looks like:

While it is unfortunate that Pavelski cannot take part in this contest – and potentially many others due to the severity of his injury – it is important to remember that his health comes first.

The veteran has a bit of a concussion history, as we mostly remember when he was bloodied and shaken up after a scary fall following a 2019 collision with then-Vegas Golden Knights forward Cody Eakin. DoBoer was his coach then and we can only hope he knows how Pavelski will recover from this.

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Bruins announce discouraging update on Patrice Bergeron

NESN

The Boston Bruins took care of business in Game 1 of their first round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Florida Panthers thanks to goals from usual suspects David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Jake DeBrusk. The best regular season team in the League is now only 15 victories away from their first championship since 2011.

However, absent from the lineup in Game 1 was captain and longtime Bruins veteran Patrice Bergeron, who left Boston’s regular season finale against the Montreal Canadiens with an upper body injury. And now, his status for tonight’s Game 2 has been determined.

According to the Bruins, Bergeron will not be suiting up tonight. What’s more, it’s because of an injury, not due to an illness.

“He’s progressing well; he’s day-by-day, but he’s a no for tonight,” head coach Jim Montgomery said.

The good news is that Bergeron did skate on his own this morning at the Bruins practice facility: 

What are the chances that Bergeron isn’t able to suit up for the entire series? 

“I think you are always looking at the situation, and everything goes into the situation,” Montgomery replied. “Where he’s at is No. 1; No. 2 it would be – just like the regular season – rest versus play. Where is the series at? All those factors.”

“He’s hard to keep. …he’s such a competitor; obviously, everybody knows he wants to be in, but the great thing about him is his ability to put his own personal feelings and still lead our group like he does,” Montgomery continued. “That speaks volumes about his leadership qualities.”

The Bruins and Panthers get back underway in their series with Game 2 tonight from TD Garden starting at 7:30 PM EST. 

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William Nylander calls out media following humiliating Game 1 loss

NHL

Game 1 of the first-round series versus the Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t go as planned for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll faltered, allowing seven goals on 34 shots, with Samsonov getting replaced for the third frame.

The Lightning were simply the better team on Tuesday night and reporters were quick to point that out to the Maple Leafs’ dressing room, with the same speech lingering on Wednesday following the morning practice.

While all Maple Leafs players are focused on getting back on track for Game 2 on Thursday, forward William Nylander didn’t stop there.

He went straight to media members, confident about his teammates and the remainder of the series, with a shot at the reporters, per Luke Fox of Sportsnet. 

“Everybody trusts everybody in this room, so we’re not too worried about what you guys say.”

Reporters have pretty much been stating facts about Game 1. The Maple Leafs came out flat, they were boo’ed off the ice after the first period, and managed to lose the first contest at home in the series.

They simply cannot head to Tampa with a 0-2 deficit in the series.

And so, media members are out, looking for answers, and maybe Nylander’s attitude proves that Toronto is willing to fight and will have the extra motivation to prove them wrong on Thursday night.

If not Willie, you better believe the reporters will hit you right back in the face with your own comments!

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Maple Leafs anticipate Michael Bunting suspension!

Mark Masters

The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting ready for Game 2 of their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning without forward Michael Bunting.

During Wednesday’s morning practice, Maple Leafs’ rookie Matthew Knies skating in a regular jersey, while Bunting wore the extra grey, anticipating a suspension.

On Tuesday, Bunting was assessed a match penalty after making contact with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak’s head. Cernak laid down on the ice before he was assisted in leaving the game. He did not return.

Toronto lost 7-3 to Tampa Bay in Game 1. Calle Jarnkrok took over in Bunting’s place on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and scored a goal.

Knies remains on the ice for practice with some experienced veterans for extra work. He may have a gut feeling that he will draw into the Maple Leafs’ lineup following Bunting’s afternoon hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety.

More to come as the story develops.

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Patrick Kane under fire despite Rangers’ Game 1 win

NHL.com

Veteran experience was the difference maker for the New York Rangers in the first game of the playoffs series against the young New Jersey Devils. The Blue Shirts got the 5-1 and took the lead in the Round 1 series.

Though veterans like Chris Kreider scored two power-play goals and trade deadline acquisition Vladimir Tarasenko tallied one as well, the focus has shifted to another acquisition that failed to impress last night. On social media, fans are calling out Patrick Kane, who was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks to get a chance at another championship, and the veteran forward has been trending on Twitter since last night.


Though Kane recorded an assist in the victory, fans have started to argue with one another on his performance and the expectation linked to the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

What did you make of Kane’s performance in Game 1 of the first round series against the Devils?

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Stars make emergency move hours before Game 2

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Dallas Stars veteran forward Joe Pavelski’s status for Game 2 remains uncertain after he sustained a massive hit that took him out of the series-opening loss against the Minnesota Wild midway through the second period on Monday.

Hours before Game 2 later today, the Stars recalled forward Riley Tufte from Texas, Dallas’ development affiliate in the American Hockey League.

“We’re going to look at all those options and line combinations and things,” Stars coach Peter DeBoer said after a team meeting here Tuesday.

“Seems OK, but we left him at home,” DeBoer added. 

And maybe this move to get Tufte close by has to do with the fact that Pavelski will remain away for Game 2.

Tufte appeared in three games during the 2022-23 campaign with Dallas. Originally from Minnesota, Tufte made his NHL debut on Nov. 13, 2021 vs. Philadelphia and scored his first career NHL goal on March 6, 2022 at Minnesota. Tufte has one goal in 13 career games with the Stars.

This could be a great motivation for him to crack the roster, play well and be the guy they need during Pavelski’s absence, especially if it goes beyond Game 2.

The Stars hope Pavelski is back soon but will be motivated to win for him in his absence.

“You want to rally around it. It leaves a pit in your stomach when things like that happen,” teammate Tyler Seguin said, per NHL.com. “So yeah, it’s emotional, it’s a hard guy to lose and we have to respond for him.”

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