The Boston Bruins have been eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Islanders, after a 6-2 Isles victory in Game 6. Leaf fans have had some unpleasant interactions with both teams in recent years—the Bruins knocked Toronto out of the playoffs three times in seven years, and the Islanders fanbase has had a bitter vendetta against the team who signed away John Tavares. So whether this makes you happy is really in the eye of the beholder. Or maybe this result barely penetrates the summer gloom. Good times!

Anyway, the Isles are on to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 3, while the Montreal Canadiens await the winner of the Colorado/Vegas series. The Golden Knights can punch their ticket to the semis with a win in Game 6 tonight, starting at 9:00 PM EST.

ICYMI

Hardev Lad: What’s different between the Leafs and Lightning? Aside from the obvious fact that the Bolts have won their last six playoff rounds and the Leafs have lost the same quantity over a much longer timespan, there are a few ways in which the gaps between the teams can be illuminating.

Around The League

Stanley Cup of Chowder: Bruins fall to Islanders in Game 6, exit playoffs It’s a bit early for SCOC to cover it in this recap article, but the Bruins have an interesting offseason ahead of them. Goalie Tuukka Rask, centre David Krejci and recently-acquired winger Taylor Hall are all unrestricted free agents. The Bruins could probably afford to re-sign them all if they made that a priority, but the relationship with Rask seems frayed and Krejci is 35. As for Hall, does he continue to wander the NHL, or does he finally settle in the first place he experienced a taste of playoff success?

The Athletic: ‘Vintage Mark Stone’ Mark Stone is causing trouble for Colorado’s top line, and it may be enough to knock off the favoured Avalanche. Stone is also a finalist for the Selke this year. I expect him to lose (to Alexander Barkov) but he’s the only winger to even finish in the top three for the award since 2012. This is his second time doing so: he finished second to Ryan O’Reilly in 2019. Remarkable player.

Mark Scheifele: Hey Everybody, I’m A Stupid Moron With An Ugly Face And A Big Butt And My Butt Smells And I Like To Kiss My Own Butt Okay, so I paraphrased him a little bit, but honestly, what a whiny quote. Dude, you skated the length of the ice and sent a guy off on a stretcher. You earned every game of that suspension. Also, considering that the Habs clobbered the Jets just about any way you can measure and Connor Hellebuyck was merely good as opposed to superhuman, I don’t think Mr. Scheifele would have been enough to turn the tide.

I’m Tired Of Talking About Hockey

Here’s some other random stuff that has nothing to do with it.

Look at this crazy old computer clock thing from 87 BC. See, back in the day people were using computers to chart the stars and sail the seas. Now people just make bad tweets and look at pornography. For shame.

You know what’s a great movie? Inside Man with Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, and Jodie Foster. Heartily recommend if you like mysteries and/or heist films.

There’s a post-punk revival going on in indie music again, if you’re into that sort of thing, and it led to this cover of a Gang of Four classic. It rips.

Have a wonderful day out there, folks.

From The Branches