Smashville News:
The Nashville Predators have a Kyle Turris problem | AtoZ Sports
Our friend Alex with a pessimistic (if statistically justified) look at the play of Kyle Turris. I’m still going to believe that Turris will find his “heart” and return to his career form.
Predators’ Watson reinstated from suspension | ESPN
“Predators forward Austin Watson has been reinstated after being suspended in January and admitted to the league’s substance abuse and behavioral health program.” I am happy for Austin Watson and his family.
The Week That Was: Chapter 23 | On the Forecheck
“This past week in California didn’t go exactly as planned, but the end result was pretty much what was needed.” We did well enough last week to pull up our grade. If we practice hard for the final exam, we may pull the final grade out of the gutter yet.
Predators sign 3-year-old with cerebral palsy, short bowel syndrome | NHL.com
Hearts of Gold.
Doug and Dozer are taking a break this week so that I may present this overload of handsomeness….
Central Division News:
Blues struggle again vs. non-playoff team, leave Buffalo with just one point | stltoday.com
Nice of Carter Hutton to hold the St. Louis Blues to one point and put a damper on Ryan O’Reilly’s homecoming. The Buffalo Sabres really need to start/keep playing like they want their coach to come back next year.
Everyone can use a hand now and then, especially in OT | Winnipeg Free Press
I was only a casual hockey fan in 1993, so I never saw this at the time. Apparently sometimes cheaters did prosper.
Anton Khubodin’s Magic Yo-Yo Stick Stops Elias Pettersson | Deadspin.com
Speaking of cheaters, was goalie stick throwing always a thing? I hadn’t seen it in the last ten years and suddenly two in two weeks.
Other Hockey News:
Stanley Cup Playoffs primer: Western Conference | NHL.com
Man, the Wild Card race in the West is vicious.
Stanley Cup Playoffs primer: Eastern Conference | NHL.com
Now, the other side. Go Canes!
NHL Power Rankings: Highs and Lows, and Coyotes are going streaking | Fansided
These power rankings come with lots of links!
Quenneville in no hurry to return to coaching | NHL.com
“Joel Quenneville said he’ll take his time before deciding when he’ll return to NHL.” Don’t worry, Coach Q—I’m sure when you do return the Chicago fans will be waiting to thank you.
Super Slow Mo: Week 23 | NHL.com
Here we go again campers! Standard goalie humiliation. Hi Matt Irwin! Stop that guy please. Hi Juuse Saros! Sorry. Very Pittsburgh Penguins oriented this week so far. Hey! Goalie save! Hi Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson! Boom! I believe that Brandon Saad is too handsome to play for the Blackhawks. More Sidney Crosby and flightless birds. Hi Pekka Rinne! Oops. Wait, who was that? Nick Bonino! Nice shot. Hey more Penguins. Goalie save #2. Weird kid face to wrap it up. Well, that was better than last week.
Behind the scenes before an NHL game, players find their routine | NBC Sports Washington
A little look at some of the Washington Capitals’ pregame routines. Love that picture of the soccer player and the sign.
NHL’s only woman Zamboni driver is a smooth operator | ESPN
This is a cool piece (no pun intended). I never considered what a concert or activity might do to the underlying ice and how it would be cleaned/fixed.