from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- He is only 76 years old, doesn’t talk much anymore, can’t really, but somehow I can still hear his voice, especially now.

Loud with a twang, in English, with great enthusiasm and energy, some of his words not necessarily connected to the others.

That was Jacques Demers at his very best, so full of life and vivacity. Often shouting into the telephone or in an arena hallway because that was how he communicated, those were our conversations....

- arey Price vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy. The first time in 20 years that the two best goaltenders in all of hockey are playing against each other for the Stanley Cup. The previous time there was a matchup like this, Roy beat Martin Brodeur, Colorado beating New Jersey, in seven games in 2001 … Price’s playoff save percentage in the past three playoff seasons: .934, .936 and .933. His regular-season save percentages those years: .901, .909 and .918.

- Montreal has had big breaks along the way. They beat the Leafs without John Tavares. They beat the Jets, essentially, without Mark Scheifele. And they beat the Golden Knights, who were missing first-line centre Chandler Stephenson.

- Word around the broadcast world: This may be Ron MacLean’s last season hosting Hockey Night In Canada and the decision apparently will be mutual. Why? Because apparently he has had enough of the job and they’ve probably had enough of him … David Amber would be the obvious choice to take over Hockey Night if that happens.

- ... This was the championship model Yzerman was building and you wonder now what he thinks or feels, having put this semi-dynasty together, but getting none of the rewards after choosing to go home and take over the Detroit Red Wings.

Who knows when the Red Wings will be competitive again? We do know this: The team Yzerman left behind for Julian BriseBois had the best goalie in hockey, the best defenceman in the game and three of the best forwards....

more on the first and last topics...