The St Louis Blues are down 3-0 in their series with the Colorado Avalanche after a 5-1 loss Friday night. Craig Berube wasn't happy.

via Lou Korac tweets,

Berube went off on the officials tonight. First, on the Schenn no call: Yeah, he broke his stick, should be a penalty."

Berube on officials: "Like the refereeing every game, we get one or two calls. It's usually late in the third period. They're getting four a game, five, how many did they get tonight, five? I mean, it's not that lopsided. I'm not sure why. We don't get the calls that we deserve.

More Berube: "Parayko gets tripped in the corner, they go down, score a goal on the goalie challenged goal. He gets tripped in the corner, slew-footed and they don't call it, okay, and it cost us a goal. It's terrible. It's so one-sided, it's not even funny."

Why is the officiating so one-sided? Berube: "I don't know, you'll have to ask the referees or the league. I don't have an answer for that."

Rod Brind’Amour is in the same boat.

THREE HARD LAPS

* Matt Duchene scored the double-overtime winner to cap the third-longest game in Predators history and cut their First Round series deficit to 2-1.

* The Jets are headed home with a 2-0 lead in their First Round series after Paul Stastny scored within the first five minutes of overtime in Game 2.

* The Bruins and Avalanche took series leads of 3-1 and 3-0, respectively, to move within one win of the 2021 Second Round.

Illegal check to the head.

The refs reviewed the major call, made it a double minor. Right call?

via the NHL PR department,

CAROLINA, COLORADO EYE 3-0 SERIES LEADS ON FRIDAY

Two of the top three teams from the regular season could find themselves within one victory of the Second Round after tonight’s action as the Hurricanes and Avalanche each hit the road with 2-0 series leads. It has been 15 years since the Avalanche have taken a 3-0 series lead in a best-of-seven (2006 CQF vs. DAL) – something they’ve done four times in franchise history (all since relocating) – while the Hurricanes did so just two years ago, one of two instances for the club (2019 R2 vs. NYI & 2006 CSF vs. NJD).

DOES EXTRA TIME AWAIT IN GAME 4 BETWEEN THE BRUINS AND CAPITALS?

The Bruins will also look to move within one victory of the Second Round when they host the Capitals for Game 4. They can become the third set of clubs in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to play four consecutive overtime games in a series – the only two instances to date happened to come from the start of the series (1951 Stanley Cup Final: TOR vs. MTL; 2012 Conference Quarterfinals: PHX vs. CHI).

Below find tonight's schedule.

Vancouver, BC - Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that head coach Travis Green has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension.

"We are excited to have Travis Green continue to lead the Canucks as head coach and move forward from a challenging year to focus on future seasons," said Benning. Our plan has always been to draft and develop a young core and surround them with supporting players who can help us win. We have some of the best young players in the NHL and I believe Travis is the right coach to help us achieve team success and a return to the playoffs."

"Coaching the Vancouver Canucks has been a privilege and I am excited at the opportunity to continue behind the bench with this team," said Green. "I believe this young team and organization is on the rise. They have shown character, a strong will to win and we expect big things in the years ahead. Thank you to Jim, Francesco and the Aquilini family for the opportunity to continue as the coach of the Vancouver Canucks."

RIGA, Latvia – Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon, Mich.) has been named captain of the 2021 U.S. Men’s National Team.

“We’re excited to have Justin leading this team,” said Jack Capuano, head coach of the 2021 U.S. Men's National Team. “This is a special group who’ve all made sacrifices to be here, who’ve capitalized on the opportunity to wear the USA crest, and we intend to play with that pride and effort every game. Justin, Matt and Colin will be our leaders on the ice, but we have a special brotherhood here in this locker room and we’re excited to see everyone play for each other and represent our country well.”

In addition, Matt Roy (Detroit, Mich.) and Colin Blackwell (Lawrence, Mass.) will serve as alternate captains for Team USA.

from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

Davidson’s move to a division rival also seeking a coach in the wake of John Tortorella’s departure from the organization could have an impact on the Rangers if the Jackets go hard after Gerard Gallant, who is believed at the top of New York’s wish list following his meeting last week with the Blueshirts’ president-GM Chris Drury.

Gallant spent six years with Columbus at the turn of the century, serving as an assistant coach from 2001-02 through mid-2003-04 before he was elevated to the top job that he held for 142 games.

There would not seem to be much comparison between the open jobs behind the Rangers’ and Blue Jackets’ benches, nor between the talent on the clubs’ respective rosters. But if Gallant has an affinity for life in Columbus and is unsure about New York, then Drury might have to accelerate his timetable and attempt to reel in the coach before he can be wooed away by JD.

Davidson said his dismissal was “disappointing” but that he did not wallow in despair after the deed had been done and dove into what might be next, whether retirement, a move back to television or to another team’s executive suite. The fit in Columbus, a city of which Davidson has always spoken fondly, was too perfect to ignore.

more

All this in 2 minutes.

via Sportsnet's YouTube page,

What You Need To Know from Day 6 of the playoffs, as Leafs & Habs renew rivalry hostilities, Tavares leaves on a stretcher after a very scary collision, and Price stands on his head; Plus Malkin has 2 points in his return to the Penguins lineup, Panthers win a slugfest to keep their hopes alive vs. Tampa, and Knights score 5 unanswered goals to take a 2-1 series lead over Minny.

Below, another video...

Morning Glory from Day 6 of the NHL playoffs, as Habs and Leafs renew rivalries, and Byron scores the goal of the playoffs, bad blood spills over between Pens & Isles, Knights score 5 unanswered goals, and Panthers' Lomberg emerges an unlikely hero.

from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

With his eyes clearly glassy, John Tavares attempted to get up and almost collapsed backwards into the arms of the Maple Leafs training staff.

The hockey building, already silent without fans, was suddenly even more silent. Quiet and afraid.

There were nine minutes and 31 seconds remaining in the first period of the first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Leafs when the captain was hit by Ben Chiarot, fell somewhat awkwardly, and then his head somehow collided violently and accidentally with the knee of Corey Perry.

It was the kind of frightening sporting moment that no one ever wants to witness. The kind of play that turns the stomach of those watching from home on television and those playing the game at precisely the same time....

“He’s conscious and communicating well,” coach Sheldon Keefe said after the 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. “The tests that he’s had came back clear.”

“We all believe in each other and we’ll be ready to go next game.”

Tavares was expected to remain in hospital overnight and probably through Friday. There are more tests to be done.

“In terms of losing John, that’s a big loss for us,” said Keefe. “But we have a lot of depth. It’s a big loss, it’s our captain. Good teams overcome these kind of things.”

In an odd night of hockey, with an injury and an incident becoming the unfortunate story, the Leafs lost Game 1 for a variety of reasons. They only scored one goal. Too often, they were beaten by the speed of the Canadiens. Montreal chose to bench kids in favour of veterans, the Leafs chose to play rookie Rasmus Sandin. Sandin was victimized on both Montreal goals.

read on

Below, watch Corey Perry post-game on his collisiion with Tavares.

added 10:18am, below, Nick Foligno talks after the game.

THREE HARD LAPS

* Paul Byron scored a highlight-reel shorthanded goal in the third period to power the Canadiens past the Maple Leafs in their first head-to-head playoff game in over 42 years.

* Florida rallied past Tampa Bay in the 10th postseason contest in NHL history where both teams overcame a multi-goal deficit. The Golden Knights and Islanders also erased a two-goal deficit to at least tie their respective game.

* Two of Thursday’s four contests featured either a tying or go-ahead goal scored in the final four minutes of regulation. There were eight game-tying goals overall.

If you missed any action tonight, check out the highlights.

Toronto/Montreal first, Habs lead series 1-0.

Below find Tampa/Florida, TBL up 2-1 in the series and Pittsburgh/NYI, Pens lead 2-1. added 4:07am, Wild/VGK below now too.

All great games, enjoy.

Tavares did give a thumbs up while on the stretcher.

Watch below. added 8:54pm, video has been removed.

added 9:04pm, HNIC panel on Tavares and the fight that followed. Watch below.

Hoping for a good series.

via Sportsnet,

Four Stanley Cup Playoff games are on the schedule tonight, starting with Florida/Tampa at 6:30pm ET.

The full schedule is below and this post is yours, feel free to comment on the games or anything related to our game.

from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Jonathan Bernier experienced a lot of losing the past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Now he sees the team potentially turning a corner, and he wants to be here for better days.

“My family and I really like it here,” Bernier said. “I feel comfortable at the rink, on the ice, so it would be my No. 1 choice. I definitely would like to stay here.”

There is no reason why the Red Wings wouldn’t want to retain Bernier, an unrestricted free agent, if they can agree on a contract figure and term.

continued

Bernier, along with Glendening and Bertuzzi spoke with the media today. If you missed it earlier, you can watch their videos here.

added 4:47pm, Ted Kulfan on Bertuzzi...

added 5:33pm, added a video below of NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski talking Wings.

from the Columbus Blue Jackets,

The Columbus Blue Jackets have named John Davidson president of hockey operations and alternate governor and signed General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen to a contract extension through the 2024-25 National Hockey League season, club President and Alternate Governor Mike Priest announced today. Davidson agreed to a five-year contract and returns to the role he held with the club from 2012-19.

"John Davidson and Jarmo Kekalainen worked tirelessly and effectively together to transform our hockey club from a team with one Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance in 12 seasons to one that reached the postseason five times in seven years from 2013-20," said Priest. "This is an important time for our organization and having stability and proven leadership at the top of our hockey operations department is critical for us to do what we want to do, which is bring a Stanley Cup championship to Columbus. Signing Jarmo to an extension and then bringing J.D. back gives us the right people to address the opportunities and challenges before us and we couldn't be more excited."

continued

First round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs edition.

I'm not sure the exact day, or even year, Steve Yzerman took over as Tampa's GM. I do know, however, that it coincided with the first day I predicted, and began to publicly beg, that he take over the same position in Detroit. I have a sneaking suspicion that, grammatically, the previous sentence was not effective. I apologize.

The chatter here has increased in volume the last two days, regarding The Captain's decision to extend one Jeffrey Blashill. I will tell you with zero shame that I was hoping he'd go. I wanted (and still want) Gerard Gallant behind that bench. I'd sell some not so immediate family members for, oh, Barry Trotz.

But, Yzerman made his choice and I--as I may have stated--stand behind any decision he makes 100 percent. I literally cannot imagine a scenario that would change my stance on that.

via Barry Rubinstein @barryrubinstein tweet,

Goosebump alert: Thought this appropriate on day of first #stanleycupplayoffs game between @CanadiensMTL and @MapleLeafs since 1979. This is from 2013, but still powerful. Count the Hall of Famers.

from Matt Larkin of The Hockey News,

Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is collecting chess pieces. We know there’s an intriguing long-term plan forming in his brilliant hockey mind. But he’s not placing his pieces on the board yet. Most of what came out Tuesday in the Wings’ season-ending media availability sent the message that Yzerman wants to stay the course with a long, long, long-term rebuild.

The final years of the franchise’s 25-year playoff streak, which ended in 2016-17, brought with them an air of denial. The streak became a curse. Detroit limped along in mediocrity to make the post-season at all costs, Everything Yzerman has done since taking over from Ken Holland in 2019 suggests charting an opposite path. Slow and steady. Go backward to go forward. Tank? No one in Hockeytown will use the word, but there are indirect ways to go about it. The morsels we there in Yzerman’s comments Tuesday....

The coach coming back to keep patiently guiding a team in transition? Check. Staying committed to slow-cooking the prospect pool? Check. Refusing quick-fix trades for veterans? Check. It’s easy to read between the lines here. Detroit is in no hurry. This is the same franchise that was vocal about changing the draft lottery rules to give the bottom teams better odds and, as a result, only two lottery slots will be awarded for 2021, with more changes coming in 2022. Maybe it wasn’t just about the Red Wings feeling they were jobbed last season. Perhaps they expected they’d be in the hunt for more lotteries in the ensuing seasons.

In 2021, they own just the sixth-best lottery odds after finishing 19-27-10. But they possess two first-round picks, five picks in the first two rounds and 12 picks overall. It’s all welcome news for a franchise that is improving its youth crop but hasn’t reached the critical mass of young talent required to contend just yet. In Future Watch 2021, our panel of active NHL scouts and team executives graded Detroit’s prospect pool No. 7 in the NHL. In Raymond and Seider, Detroit owns our fourth- and fifth-overall NHL-affiliated prospects, but there’s a dropoff after them to 48th with Veleno. The 2021 draft will yield a couple more useful pieces – but Yzerman’s open reticence to throttle up may also indicate he’s watching the 2022 draft class carefully. It’s considered a group with much bigger star power than 2021’s class. The 2022 draft is the Shane Wright draft, the Brad Lambert draft and the Matthew Savoie draft.

So while every NHL GM wants to improve his team incrementally, and Yzerman will surely seek out more Vrana-style trades to add young impact players, don’t be surprised if Detroit’s 2021-22 feels similar to 2020-21. Next season isn’t the year to start pushing. It’s likely 2022-23.

more

Appearing today are Luke Glendening, Tyler Bertuzzi and Jonathan Bernier.

Watch it below and the stream is scheduled to begin at 10:55am ET.

added 12:18pm, Below, find the players interviewed today. All three had interesting things to say.