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Yesterday was one of the best days of the year for hockey fans - intense NHL playoff action on national networks, spread out relatively evenly over the course of the afternoon and evening. College football fans used to get this all on New Year's Day, until the bowl system decided to spread things out. Of course, things are just getting started on the ice. We've got almost two more fabulous months to go.
After the jump we have lots of reaction to yesterday's big win by the Preds at Detroit, along with a look around at how playoff pressure is really getting to Vancouver and Pittsburgh...
Nashville Predators News
Paul McCann - What a Sunday in the NHL Playoffs!
Paul makes a point of noting Leggy's boneheaded gaffes yesterday.
Smashville 24/7 - Rookie Josi logging big minutes in first postseason
I haven't been as impressed with Josi yet, in his own end he's getting beat pretty often. Grow up quick, kid!
Rinne and the Trait of Constant Motion - The Goalie Guild
I knew goalies are strange... but this? "In Game 3, especially compared to Game 2, Rinne played almost every minute of this game at that perfect Optimal Arousal Level."
Mitch Albom: Red Wings had shots, but Pekka Rinne is a wrecka | Detroit Free Press
Detroit's celebrated (and by some, reviled) sports columnist wonders what the Red Wings can do about Peks.
KuklasKorner : The Malik Report : Red Wings-Predators Game 3 wrap-up: losing on the margins
If you want a little bit of everything - and I mean everything - from yesterday's game, check here.
Red Wings Vs. Predators, Game 3: Kevin Klein Plays Hero In Nashville's 3-2 Win - SBNation.com
Angie highlights Klein's contributions at both ends of the ice.
Nashville Predators' Kevin Klein has big goal, big block | The Tennessean
It's gotta be the Mohawk, right?
Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider
Josh Cooper gives Kleiner his props.
Ads Punch Playoff Ticket With 6-1 Win Over Charlotte | Admirals Roundtable
Give full credit to the Admirals, they needed to play well down the stretch to make the playoffs, and they did it. They'll meet the Abbotsford Heat (Calgary's farm club) in the first round starting Friday.
And check out Klein as he works the media scrum post-game:
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
ECQF Game 3: Flyers score EIGHT GOALS (again), Pens lose any remaining dignity - Broad Street Hockey
They're going to break the scoreboard if they keep this up.
Flyers vs. Penguins, ECQF Game 3 Post-Game: Respect for Pittsburgh gone, but Flyers have 3-0 series lead - Broad Street Hockey
Travis throws the words of Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux right back at him.
Flyers beat Penguins in brutal, nasty Game 3 grudge match; go up 3-0 | Puck Daddy
Here's a bunch of the thuggery in one place. Pittsburgh just looks like they've completely lost their composure.
Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s bouncing puck misplay leads to Flyers’ goal (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy
As stellar as the goaltending has been in the Nashville/Detroit most of the, it seems like the Flyers/Pens has been a sieve-fest.
Crosby centre of attention in wrong way | Hockey | CBC Sports
Was Don Cherry prescient?
Canucks At Kings Game Three ; Quick Steals One (1-0L) - Nucks Misconduct
Heads are pounded against walls in Vancouver, as the Canucks are staring at a first-round elimination.
Pass or Fail: Canuck fans give ‘Somebody I Used to Know’ the playoff parody treatment | Puck Daddy
I kinda get the idea because I saw SNL Saturday night, but...
2012 NHL Playoffs: Panthers 4, Devils 2 - Game Two Recap - Litter Box Cats
When I tuned into this the Panthers led 3-0 at the start of the third, but two quick New Jersey scores made it a nail-biter.
Florida Panthers build beer memorial for dedicated fan that died of cancer | Puck Daddy
A nice tribute to a loyal fan here.
Hagelin suspended three games for hit on Alfredsson - Silver Seven
New York's Carl Hagelin put a head shot on Daniel Alfredsson in Game 2 of their series.
Carkner suspended one game for jumping Boyle - Silver Seven
...and Carkner gets one game for delivering a beatdown to Brian Boyle, who showed no interest in fighting.
19 Reasons to be Happy with the 2011-2012 Avalanche Season - Mile High Hockey
There's definitely reason for hope in Denver.
Lowetide.ca | RYAN JONES 11-12 OVER AND OVER AGAIN
The continuing question - is Ryan Jones a legit Top 6 forward or not?
FHS Awards Show - Biggest Breakdown (Goalies) - Fantasy Hockey Scouts
Hopefully you weren't relying on any of these guys to carry your fantasy hockey team.
Anti-GM Race: The Search for the Worst Candidate - Habs Eyes On The Prize
Now this sounds like a fun exercise...
Brodeur is a Fraud: Sitting on a Lead Isn't Working in 2012
What's with all the comebacks?
Top 10 Best-Selling NHL jerseys of the 2011-2012 season | Hockey Gear HQ
The NHL released its list of Top 10 Jersey Sellers for the 2011-2012 season, a collection of hockey's greatest stars. But you'll be surprised at who DIDN'T make the cut!