I love days like this. Lazy Saturdays filled with afternoon hockey, prime time hockey, and then late-night hockey from the West Coast. In fact, the first game today (Boston-Detroit) will feature a former Leaf player - Jonas Gustavsson - in just his second-ever playoff game. I'd say that it should mean a hilarious playoff-exit for Detroit, but then, any goalie can get hot. Heck, Gustavsson stopped 37 of 40 shots in his last game against Boston.

Here is the list of games being played today via the NHL's website.

As something of an aside, this will be the second playoff game in a row that Jimmy Howard has missed with the flu. The flu? I mean, how do you let yourself get that sick during playoff time? If you're a professional, don't you go to bed early and good care of yourself around now? I guess anything can happen. Definitely a weird reason to miss two playoff games, anyway.

Here's a bit of reaction from the team from their official website.

Such an injury-riddled season has got to be disappointing for the Wings, but then, I guess that happens when most of your important players are over the age of 30. Anyway.

In other news, the Toronto Marlies beat the Milwaukee Admirals 6-2 in their opening playoff game to take a 1-0 series lead. In contrast to previous seasons under Dallas Eakins, there are actually a number of young Leaf prospects in important positions, which is always nice to see.

Here's a recap from Jeffler over at The Leafs Nation.

A few other links for your consideration today:

Tyler Dellow thinks Sid and Geno are doing just fine.

Here's a CBC highlight package of last night's playoff games.

Toews won a game against the Blues in OT with a breakaway goal. Cool.

Earlier in that same game, T. J. Oshie scored a beauty, too.

Marek vs. Wyshynski podcast with Elliotte Friedman

From The Branches