Murder In The First

22 down with 8 to go and Down Goes Brown has been rounding up the excuses.
Analysis Steve shows that just because you've moved to the 5 boroughs, it doesn't mean you escape the wrath of Cox. Also with a roundup of Leaf IIHF action and some prospect news.
Toronto Sports Media and the ex-Leafs with their involvement in the chase for the cup..
...a baton picked up by Eyebleaf and his deeper love for Paul Maurice...
...which melts beautifully into Furcifer and his paean to Raycroft...
...and collapses like the price of your holiday home in Cancun with Toronto Mike's denunciation of Pogge.
Loser Domi whips out the notepad and Dictaphone and interviews Bobby Luongo over at Barry Melrose.
Whosoever writes the Marlies Twitter messages has lost their damn mind in grief. Consider - this and this.
With the conclusion of round 1, the Semis are set. And one suspects that Bettman might have a semi of his own over this one.
Selke finalists, covered by Puck Daddy and NHL fanhouse.
Finally, to the Hockey Writers - with the shokcing news that Sean Avery might not be to blame for Swine Flu and the breakdown of Western civilization.
Final first round playoff scores: Rangers 1 - 2 Capitals (Capitals win series 4 - 3). Hurricanes 4 - 3 Devils (Hurricanes win series 4 - 3).
World Championship scores: Russia 4 - 2 Switzerland. Hungary 1 - 3 Belarus. France 2 - 1 Germany. Canada 7 - 3 Slovakia./

From The Branches

Bandwagon Open Thread: Lucky Sevens.