Monday's notes: Stanley Cup Final is Shipping Up To Boston

The NHL has been beating the Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" into hockey fans' heads for a long time now (since last year's Winter Classic, at least), but it's entirely appropriate for tonight's Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Bruins have suffered two close defeats up in Vancouver and need to rally on home ice if they want to make this series competitive.

Can they do it? We'll have to wait a few hours to see, but until then, I've got your morning news and notes...

Nashville Predators News

yfrog Photo : Shared by Jtootoo22
Jordin Tootoo shared a cool snapshot yesterday on Twitter from remote Rankin Inlet...

Preds On The Glass: History Only Needs 11 Seconds (Video)
Buddy's starting to appreciate Alexandre Burrows? I guess it's an acquired taste.

Steve Sullivan's analysis: Vancouver Canucks lead Boston Bruins because they make plays - The Tennessean
Sully weighs in again.

Around the NHL

Canucks At Bruins Game 3 Preview: For Whom The Bell Tolls. Time Marches On - Nucks Misconduct
Tonight at 7:00 p.m. Central (seen on Versus), the Canucks try to put a stranglehold on this series.

The Bruins: Game Two - CanucksCorner.com
Tom points out how remarkable it is that Vancouver doesn't really have a single standout Conn Smythe favorite, they're getting contributions from up and down the lineup.

Boston, Vancouver insist cross-continent travel won't be an issue in Final - NHL.com
At least the teams don't have to worry about playing on back-to-back days during the Final, but the flights are long.

Zdeno Chara's legacy could be shaped by Game 3 of Cup finals - ESPN
There's a ton of pressure on the Bruins captain as the series shifts to Boston.

Game 2 Drops 27% From Game 1, 43% From 2010 " Puck The Media
So much for all the buzz following Game 1, eh? It looks like the ratings for Game 2 were pretty darn awful.

Armchair GM: Poaching - Anaheim Calling
Could a splashy free agent help turn things around in Anaheim? I have my doubts.

Brad Richards Might Find More Joy with Less Money - PuckUpdate
Whither the NHL's top free agent this summer? Perhaps not the team with the highest bid.

Mistake caused by 'Whiteout' - Winnipeg Free Press
Speculation abounds as to what the team will be called, but "Whiteout" apparently isn't it.

David Thomson's calculated romance with the NHL - The Globe and Mail
A look at the man who ultimately brought the NHL back to Winnipeg.

Rick Dudley not retained as Winnipeg general manager - ESPN
Despite having signed a 4-year contract extension as GM of the Thrashers in January, the True North group will not keep Rick Dudley.

Rangers Analysis: Why You Should Not Be Freaking Out Over Brandon Dubinsky - Blueshirt Banter
See, lots of teams have to worry about re-signing a key free agent.

The case against trading Jason Spezza - Silver Seven
To trade, or not to trade, that is the question...

Donald Brashear wins MMA debut with 21-second TKO - Puck Daddy
That's probably because he didn't have to face Wade Belak.

CBCSports.ca - Crucial off-season awaits Panthers
Dale Tallon is under a lot of pressure to get things right in Florida, writes Elliotte Friedman.

Fraser: Should NHL referees give post-game interviews? - TSN
Here's an idea that's long overdue.

Lowetide: Draft Profile: Adam Larsson
Can the Oilers be trusted to bring along a prize defensive prospect along slowly, when that's probably the weakest part of their team?

Robbie Russo – NHL Draft Profile | The Scouting Report
Hey, here's a defenseman who could be available early in the 2nd round. Whattaya say, Preds fans?