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While the Western Conference worked through the first round in short order, over in the East they're dragging out the drama. An overtime winner by Travis Zajac clinched Game 6 for the New Jersey Devils, who will face the Florida Panthers in a Game 7 on Thursday.
Follow on for your morning hockey notes, which include more on this game, lots of Preds/Coyotes discussion, as well as rumination over what went wrong for teams which have recently been knocked out of the playoffs...
Nashville Predators News
Growin’ Up | Predators AJenda
AJ builds off a locker-room encounter with Tom Cigarran to discuss the long journey the Preds have taken to get to this point, where the possibilities ahead are wide open.
104-5 The Zone: Podcasts
Check here, as there are three different Preds-related segments from yesterday. David Poile talked with the 3HL, Grantland's Katie Baker talked her recent trip to Smashville, and Josh Cooper talked about the upcoming playoff series on the Wake Up Zone.
Phoenix-Nashville: Bettman vindicated? - CBC Sports
Especially in Canada, they can't help noting how the Commish saved both these teams from Jim Balsillie.
Preds On The Glass: Pre-series primer for the Predators and Coyotes
Buddy provides a handy reference.
Nashville VS Phoenix – A Battle Between Two Identical Teams | The Predatorial
Kristopher sees a major advantage for the Preds on the blueline.
How to Beat the Goalie: Mike Smith - Fang Fiction
The skinny here says... go blocker.
Predators expect more physicality in series with Phoenix - Nashville Predators Examiner
Choppy waters ahead.
Poile sees similarities between Predators and next playoff opponent | Nashville City Paper
What 2007 was to the Preds, that's been the last three years for Phoenix.
Nashville Predators stack up well vs. Phoenix Coyotes | The Tennessean
Josh feels very confident in the Preds' chances.
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
Travis Zajac OT Winner Gives New Jersey Devils a Game 7 Against Florida Panthers - In Lou We Trust
This makes three different Eastern Conference series which are headed to a Game Seven, which should be good news for the TV ratings.
NJ Devils fan gets suite revenge after Panthers COO Michael Yormark’s Twitter ridicule | Puck Daddy
The Devils took up for a fan who called out the Florida exec on Twitter.
Concept designs of Edmonton’s new arena: "This is what it could look like" Pt. 1 | Edmonton Journal
Where #1 overall draft picks will play for decades to come.
Investigative Report: Cosmo's 30 Hottest NHL Players - Anaheim Calling
Ladies...
The Masterton Trophy is Bullcrap - Battle of California
An eloquent endorsement of Tommy Wingels.
Mikhail Grabovski on Maple Leafs: ‘We slumped physically and psychologically’ | Puck Daddy
Grabo says nice things about the Brostitsyns.
Gillis, Hodgson and Advanced Stats | CanucksArmy
Did the Canucks put Cody Hodgson in favorable situations in order to prop up his trade value? It's a compelling story, but perhaps not really true.
Luongo's the answer to Leafs' net woes - Toronto Sun
Yeah, this would be about the worst thing Toronto could do. They need to go out and get 2-3 penalty killing specialists and make that unit priority #1 over the summer. A decent PK could make just about any goalie look better.
Left-wing options remain open " LA Kings Insider
The Kings may do some line shuffling before facing St. Louis in Game One.
The Czech Republic Hockey Program | Bobby Holik - Holik on Hockey
Once upon a time, the Czechs were a world power.
So, about those goalies: The importance of goalie coaching - Raw Charge
It's only the most important position on the ice, right?
The NHL's Most Interesting Name Final Bracket: (1) Reto Von Arx vs. (4) Zarley Zalapski - Arctic Ice Hockey
ZZ's gotta be the favorite, right?
Buffalo Sabres Season Recap: The Ugly - Die By The Blade
Remember those heady days last summer, when Buffalo fans welcomed their new owner and his free-spending ways?
Wilson takes responsibility for plan not working, Marleau on waiving no-trade clause, list of injuries | Working the Corners
The Sharks have plenty to muse over this summer.
Shero staying sensible after Pens' loss - The Globe and Mail
Pittsburgh will be back, don't worry about that.
Will Lidstrom retire or return? He won't say - NHL.com
Why can't people just wait for an answer on this?
FHS Awards Show - Biggest Breakout - Fantasy Hockey Scouts
Celebrating the biggest surprise contributors to your fantasy hockey team.
KuklasKorner : The Malik Report : Good CBA news from…Pittsburgh?
Well, this is nice...
Don't expect a scoring frenzy in Western Conference - The Globe and Mail
Wouldn't it be hilarious to see one of the Western series start off with a Philly/Pittsburgh-style blowout?