It’s game five tonight. Are you nervous? I am. It’s one of the most pivotal games the Leafs have faced since ‘that game’. We’ll have a preview and updates on lines later this morning.

There was some good new for Leafs fans yesterday.

2017 Calder Trophy finalists: Auston Matthews and some other guys - ElSeldo
Matthews, Werenski, and Laine.

Last night’s results

Marlies 0 @ Devils 3

Toronto Marlies shut out by Devils in Game 1 in Albany - MLHS

Everblades 5 @ Solar Bears 4

O’Donnell OT score lifts Everblades over Solar Bears - Don Money

Rangers 3 @ Canadiens 2 (OT)

Blue Jackets 2 @ Penguins 5

Blackhawks 1 @ Predators 4

Sharks 3 @ Oilers 4 (OT)

The Blackhawks were eliminated last night in a complete sweep by Nashville. This is a huge failure for their team and, is, in fact, a historic failure in sport.

Blackhawks suffer 1st sweep by a No. 1 seed to a No. 8 seed in NHL or NBA history - Second City Hockey
Well, if you ignore the 1992-93 Blackhawks, at least.

The Predators beat the Blackhawks with more speed than they could handle - Second City Hockey
Speed kills in the modern NHL.

Meanwhile the Blue Jackets were eliminated in a not at all historic moment in sport.

Other News

Here’s your Sabres reporter driven insane rant of the day.
As the “savior" of the franchise who undercut his coach, threw teammates under the bus and pouted before the media after missing a $2 million  bonus by the smallest of percentage points for not finishing in the Top  10 of points-per-game scoring in the NHL, Eichel has only one way to live this down: deliver a Stanley Cup to the starving hockey masses of  western New York.

NHL linesman seeks damages for hit by Wideman - The Globe and Mail
Injuries sustained after being ‘violently’ struck by Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman forced Don Henderson to stop working

With Calgary’s playoff flameout, would team consider trading for Fleury? - PensBurgh
After getting swept by Anaheim and exhibiting poor goaltending, the Flames could make a case for wanting Marc-Andre Fleury next season.

Can an Alberta oil town save its junior hockey team from dying off? - National Post
The Beaverlodge Blades struggled in the standings for years. They struggled financially after the collapse in oil prices. But their struggle isn't over.

Flyers fan disguises himself as Penguins fan, sucker punches Columbus fan, runs away - Broad Street Hockey
Can you believe it? Philadelphia fans at it again!!!!

FFH Round Table: How did John Chayka Do? - Five For Howling
Time to look at our young GM. How did he do in his first season?

From The Branches