LeBrun: Leafs holding their breath on Marner - Video - TSN
Mitch Marner will have an MRI to determine the extent of his upper-body injury. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun has more on how the loss of one of the Leafs' young stars will impact their push for the playoffs.

There should be an update after practice today. We'll keep you posted.


ICYMI

The Leafs’ Centre Depth Next Season - Arvind
How will it change?

The kick-out, the third back checker, and unnecessary division in an increasingly analytical hockey world - Scott Wheeler
On playing the game, understanding the game, using stats to even better understand the game, and civilized debate.

Marlies at 50: In a playoff spot and battling injuries - KatyaKnappe
With 50 games played, the Marlies have bounced back into playoff contention while facing the loss of their two best players.


A Thing That Happened 1

The Marie-Philip Poulin of the NHL scores his 1000th point.

Sidney Crosby hits 1,000 points! - PensBurgh

Penguins vs. Winnipeg Jets Recap: Sidney Crosby does it all! Pens win in OT - PensBurgh
Penguins fans are smug. I suppose today I'll allow it


Around the League

How to do a trade with the Avalanche - Mile High Hockey
They don't want Bozak and a second for Landeskog for some reason

Flames Sign Matt Bartkowski to Two-Year, Two-Way Deal - Matchsticks and Gasoline
"Quite a few fans expect Bartkowski to step in for the Flames stating that he cannot be worse than what the team already has. Sadly, that is not the case."

By the Numbers: So, the Playoffs... Plausible or Pipe Dream? - Canes Country
The Carolina Hurricanes probably won’t make the playoffs this year, but they might. Find out more mathematical specificities behind those two #HotTakes here

Devils at the Deadline - All About The Jersey
"I think Ray Shero needs to continue attempting to make savvy moves to improve the team in the long run." Disagree

5 Thoughts on the Canucks - Nucks Misconduct
If a Canucks blogger references /r/canucks are they asking to not be included in the FTB or just asking Arvind to stop by for a minute?


Games

Islanders 4,* Rangers 2 (*EN): How sweet it is - Lighthouse Hockey
Welcome to New York: Where the Islanders reign supreme (worth it for the moment the author remembers Claude Loiselle works for the Islanders)

Ottawa Senators shut out New Jersey Devils 3-0 - Silver Seven
Phaneuf scored!

Dallas Stars Continue Slide in 3-1 Loss to Minnesota Wild - Defending Big D
#TheMinnesotaWildareActuallyGood

Flyers at Oilers recap: Can we not? - Broad Street Hockey
BSH falls apart. Connor McDavid has 47 assists this season. He might make it in the NHL

Avalanche sink to new depths, blanked 2-0 by the Sabres. - Mile High Hockey
Lotta scouts at this game. What did they see?


A Thing That Happened 2

Devon Skeats of the Buffalo Beauts earned her third strike this season and a one-game suspension (or 1/17th of her season: 5 games in the NHL) for this hit on Riveters' Alexa Gruschow. Skeats is a little shit - BaseballAnnie


CWHL

Final regular season weekend action in the CWHL. Brampton takes on Boston and barring a miracle we all know how that's going to go. Montréal are at Calgary in a fight for the #1 spot. Calgary needs just one win this weekend but if Montréal sweeps... drama! The Furies will take on the winner in a best of three playoff series next weekend. Caroline Ouellette is still one goal away from sole possession of the all-time CWHL record. You can catch Saturday's game live on Youtube at 8:15 pm EST.

From The Branches