The Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Boston Bruins in game two with a chance to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on the road. They played a pretty convincing game on Thursday in their 4-1 win, something Katya covered pretty in depth in a secondary recap.

I’m not sure if that would be more or less expected than the Columbus Blue Jackets going up 2-0 in their series vs the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road.

Some Leafs prospects are also still in their league’s playoffs. Both Mac Hollowell with Sault Ste Marie and Fedor Gordeev with the Guelph Storm were down 3-0 in their series, but have clawed back two wins to force game 6. Riley Stotts and the Calgary Hitmen were not so lucky... they were swept in 4 games.

Ian Scott and the Prince Albert Raiders went up in their series 3-2 last night, while Filip Kral with Spokane were up 3-0 in their series going into last night.

The Marlies, meanwhile, have clinched their spot in the AHL playoffs and are just waiting to see their opponent (narrator: it will be Rochester).

WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Women’s World Championships continues tomorrow with the semifinals. You can read nafio and Annie’s most recent recap here.

Canada plays Finland at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on TSN1 and USA takes on Russia at 1:00 p.m. on TSN2.

Both games will be streamed on TSN.ca for TV or online subscribers.

You can now buy single day access on TSN.ca if you want to watch that golf thing as well. If you do watch golf I promise I will only be judging you in my own head, not out loud.

ONTO THE LINKS!

This 18-year-old is finding his game, and Russian cab drivers, in St. John’s | by Garrett Barry at CBC News, in this hilarious real story about Semyon Der-Arguchintsev’s time in Newfoundland with the Growlers.

Mike Babcock: “There is going to be another level if you want to win Game 2” | transcribed quotes by MLHS staff

An inspired William Nylander can be a big deal for the Leafs in the playoffs | by Jonas Siegel

Aside from being down 2-0 to the Blue Jackets, the Lightning may be without their top scorer in Kucherov after he laid this dirty hit, and the NHL has announced they will have a hearing with him tomorrow.

Does that hit look familiar to you? It should, it was a less aggressive version of Kadri’s hit that got him suspended for three games last year. You be the judge.

Game #2 QuickCap: Blue Jackets dominate Lightning, go up 2-0 in series | Jackets Cannon

Lightning fail to match Blue Jackets intensity, drop game two 5-1 | Raw Charge

Islanders Frustrate Penguins, Take 2-0 series Lead with 3-1 Game 2 Win | Lighthouse Hockey

Penguins/Islanders Game 2 Recap: Pittsburgh gets nothing going, falls in 0-2 series hole | Pensburgh

As of writing this, the San Jose Sharks scored 3 goals in 4 minutes to tie the game 3-3 vs the Vegas Golden Knights... all in the first period.

The Winnipeg* Jets were also tied with the St Louis Blues at 3-3 after two periods.

In other NHL news, the McLellan coaching sweepstakes drama continues, with Buffalo taking a page out of the Islanders’ fans book.

Speaking of the Oilers! Last night they tried to sneak in a rather bizarre news update in the middle of the playoffs... the Bobfather with the perfect response.

From The Branches