Joe Pavelski saved the Dallas Stars for one more night, scoring the overtime winner in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Pavelski, Stars top Golden Knights in OT in Game 4, avoid elimination
Joe Pavelski scored a power-play goal at 3:18 of overtime, and the Dallas Stars extended the Western Conference Final with a 3-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 at American Airlines Center on Thursday.
NHL.com

Being an elderly gentleman nearing the doors of death, it was a remarkable feat that Pavelski even got out of bed this morning.

Full credit on this fact, though. More playoff goals than Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin. That takes talent.

It looks like Jason Robertson is finally waking up in the playoffs, as he scored twice and held the vast majority of chances in the game. Alas, it might be too little, too late as the Stars will still be facing elimination on Saturday night.

Various Leafs and Branches

The new NHLPA executive group is pushing their weight around and seeing how far they can take it. On one hand, it's important to have a strong union and one that will stand up for players in all areas. On the other hand, this is silly and there are plenty of other things – like protecting their players from managers like Bowman and Quenneville.

The story below goes into good detail on the "conflict of interest" opportunities that might have been possible, but points out there's no indication anything happened.

NHLPA investigating Kyle Dubas and his agent
The main issue surrounds a conflict that has plagued hockey for years, and has never had a satisfying solution provided by anyone.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

Being a former Canadian GM, Brad Treliving is getting lots of ink. He's a good excuse to talk up the Flames and so on. But other people exist, so here they are.

Beyond Treliving - GM candidates the Leafs may consider
Several potential GM candidates have been mentioned in passing, and unlike with Brad Treliving, who the Leafs are definitely interested in, the rest are speculative. A lot of weight got put on Brendan Shanahan’s original remarks about “experience”, but things can change.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

Catch up on Brian's comprehensive review of all the prospects in the Leafs system, region by region.

Maple Leafs Prospect Report: Europe | PPP Leafs
Recapping the seasons and development progression for some of Toronto’s European prospects, such as Roni Hirvonen, Topi Niemelä, Dennis Hildeby and more.
PPP LeafsBrian S

The Newfoundland Growlers have tied their semifinal series 2-2 against the Florida Everblades. The series is arranged as 3 road, 4 home, so the Growlers have three games at home to win two games and head into the Finals. Third round schedule can be found pinned to the Growler's Twitter.

The Champions Hockey League, an in-season tournament held between the winning/top club teams in Europe, have made some innovative changes to special teams for next season. I gotta say I like them all. To me, it looks like this will increase the desire to score shorthanded goals at the very least.

The Memorial Cup begins tonight in Kamloops (Game 1 at 9pm against Quebec). Fraser Minten and the Blazers will be wearing this commemorative jersey to honour veterans from all indigenous nations and communities.

Brian has a tournament preview on our site, but feel free to read Tony's over here at THN.

Sports are fun, they said, but it's a Friday and I'm dreading the son a pizza company who traded away the potential Conn Smythe winner and left behind an old roster with overpriced, long contracts. Can we just hire on the of the nerds or the doctor/Olympic captain/face of the nation for a generation instead?

From The Branches