A collection of the latest news from around the world of hockey:
First things first. Condolences to the friends and family of Philadelphia Flyers chairman Ed Snider. [Courier Post], [The Hockey News]
What is the schedule like for the first round of the playoffs? Find out here: [NHL]
And thus begins the playoff prediction season. [Beer League Heroes – East], [BLH- West]
Who are the favorites to take home NHL awards? [Yahoo Sports]
Mike Sullivan is still on my short list for coach of the year candidates, but he made the dumbest decision in life by starting Matt Murray in an absolutely meaningless game against the Flyers. You can try and justify it any way you want, and say it was bad luck, but it was a risk that didn’t need to be taken. Unless he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Marc-Andre Fleury is ready to go, and he wanted Murray to get as much action as possible just in case, it was flat out the wrong decision. He may have cost the Penguins a deep playoff run. Let’s hope one or both of Fleury/Murray is healthy in round one. [Sports Talk], [Pensburgh]
The Red Wings don’t seem to like Anthony Mantha, do they. [Detroit News]
This is likely Paval Datsyuk’s last playoff run in the NHL. [Detroit Free Press]
What went wrong with the Habs season? Pretty good summary here. [Montreal Gazette]
Will the Oilers keep their core together? [Edmonton Journal]
Bryan Murray will no longer be the GM of the Senators. [Metro News]
The Maple Leafs accomplished their goal of finishing last. Watch them still not win the draft lottery. [TSN]
Will the Bruins let Claude Julien go after missing the playoffs for a second straight season? [CSN]
And finally, Justin Williams is a 1000-game man. [Todays Slapshot]
