From the Branches: Phil Kessel is angry and it makes Chris Kunitz laugh

Last night during game two of the Eastern Conference Final, Phil Kessel sat at one end of the Penguins bench and Evgeni Malkin sat at the other. They yelled at each other from across the bench and poor Chris Kunitz was caught in the middle.

Wait, did I say poor Kunitz? I meant amused, he was amused:

Anyway, Phil was barking. Was it, “We’ve got to move the effing puck?” It looked like it might have been that. “It could be,” said Kunitz, grinning. That might make sense, right? The Penguins dominated all night. They erased Ottawa’s 1-3-1 trap; they owned the puck, rather than rent. But they couldn’t score, and Phil had a burr in his saddle. At one point, Kunitz seemed to be laughing about it. Did Phil amuse him?

“Lots of things amuse me out there,” said Kunitz, still grinning.

Man, was Phil ever mad. But he always is.

Buck up Phil, you won! Only seven more wins to go until you’re “Back to Back Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel”

Here are your links.

The Marlies forced a game seven AND Jake Dotchin wasn’t his usual asshole self and didn’t injure anyone! Crazy!

Toronto Marlies sneak out third home win, force Game 7 against Syracuse Crunch - Pension Plan Puppets
The Marlies survive a tight game to earn the chance to fight it out for the division final in a Game 7 in Syracuse

Marlies take advantage of Crunch’s lack of discipline, force game 7 - Raw Charge
For the third time this series, the Crunch couldn’t get the job done at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.

Going Seven: Andrew Nielsen's third-period goal lifts Toronto Marlies to Game 6 victory over Syracuse Crunch | Maple Leafs Hotstove

ECF Stuff

Ottawa Is a Different Type of Hockey Town - Silver Seven
There’s much more to the city the Senators call home than empty seats at a playoff game.

Game 2 Recap: Phil Kessel's goal pushes Pens past Sens - PensBurgh
The Penguins win 1-0 on the strength of a 3rd period goal from Phil Kessel. Series is now tied at 1 game a piece.

Other stuff

South Philadelphia street to be named after Ed Snider - Broad Street Hockey
It’s right next to the Wells Fargo Center and it will be named "Ed Snider Way".

NHL mock draft 2017: Top two still remains toss-up between Nico Hischier, Nolan Patrick - Broad Street Hockey
We’re going to be having this conversation until late June, aren’t we?

Winnipeg Jets Sign Sami Niku - Arctic Ice Hockey
The Jets sign the Finnish defensive prospect to an entry level contract.

Free Agent Spotlight: T.J. Oshie would fill a need for the Hurricanes, but would not come cheap - Canes Country
Should the Canes swing for the fences and try to pick up the top free-agent forward on the market?

Pump The Brakes On Kris Russell - The Copper & Blue
Calm down already.

Seen & Heard – Weekend Edition – Toronto Sports Media Blog
Taking down Dave Feschuk

Asia rising in hockey ahead of Winter Olympics in South Korea and China - Colour of Hockey

It’s Not Dion Phaneuf’s Fault You Had High Expectations - TLN

ICYMI

Toronto Maple Leafs prospects: Adam Brooks’ season ends without a cup - ElSeldo
The Regina Pats fall to Seattle in overtime, two games short of a championship.

Why the Leafs should draft Nicolas Hague - Fulemin
A supersize defender who should get serious consideration.

What’s all the fuss about Stéphane Da Costa? - Katya
"DION SMASH!"

SBN News

We’re looking for a new site manager here at Die By The Blade - Die By The Blade
Maybe it’s you?

We’re looking for the next site manager here at Arctic Ice Hockey - Arctic Ice Hockey
Maybe it’s you?

Wow, the two sites of the teams I respect the most. Which one should I lend my love and passion to?

Seldo would be best at running