I’ll let the third period box score tell this story.

Three goals in 33 seconds.

It was not a fun night for Crunch goalie Mike McKenna. It was, however, a fun night for Andreas Johnsson. He scored two goals and got in a fight with appropriately size-matched Yanni Gourde. A good time was had by all Marlies, and the fans; a reported 6,351 making it out on a Tuesday night.

The Marlies next game is tonight at 7:00PM. Don’t forget to buy your tickets using our promo code “PPPMARLIES17” which you enter first at this website. You can also use that code to book tickets now for game six of the series, which, if necessary, will be at Ricoh Coliseum on Monday May 15.

Scott Wheeler was at the game, and caught up with the Swedes making their names well known in this series.

Johnsson and Grundstrom thriving in second round - Wheeler
If there’s a silver lining in the Marlies’ awful showing in the second round, it’s their Swedish imports.

LatinHeat was there too. Read his take on the game here.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Yup. The Senators won. FFS. I don’t like where this is going.

However, there is a silver lining in all this. We get to see the Rangers torn apart by recriminations and finger-pointing for this bomb of a playoff run. It’s already started here!

I mean, we could part with Brian Boyle for Chris Kreider, Rangers, if you twist our arm. Hell, we’ll even throw in Joffrey Lupul if you add Mats Zuccarello!

Anyway, here’s the handshake line, because everyone loves handshake lines where one team is all “WTF JUST HAPPENED?”

There are two HUGE game 7’s tonight.

The Capitals face the Penguins at 7:30, and the Oilers face the Ducks at 10:00. Needless to say, there are going to be some big winners and losers tonight. Make sure to join us in PPP AD.

Something’s got to give in Game 7 between the Penguins vs. the Capitals - PensBurgh
The Penguins have never lost a Game 7 in the playoffs on the road. Here’s to that streak continuing tomorrow night.

All The Marbles (So Far): Oilers @ Ducks Game 7 Preview - The Copper & Blue
Well, we're here. Game 7 is tonight.

Other News

Personal Bests as Reference Points [PDF Download]
[Species: could this apply to hockey? Jonathan Toews?]
“Examining  133  million  chess  games,  we  find that players exert effort to set new personal-best ratings and quit once they have done so.  Though specific and difficult goals have been shown to inspire greater motivation than vague pronouncements to “do your best,” doing one’s best can be a specific and difficult goal — and as we show, motivates in a manner predicted by loss aversion.”

Stars Acquire Rights To G Ben Bishop - Defending Big D
On the business side of things, if they can come to terms with Bishop, then that means at least one of Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi will be filing change of address forms in the coming months.

Should the Carolina Hurricanes make a play for Landeskog? - Canes Country
The Avalanche captain is playing well alongside two Hurricanes at the World Championships. Should Ron Francis try to replicate that chemistry in Raleigh?

Nico Hischier vs. Nolan Patrick: 7 factors of Draft Boy Goodness - Broad Street Hockey
The most important, in-depth analysis of Nico vs. Nolan you will find anywhere

Eberle could be Arizona's own Phil Kessel story. - Five For Howling
Jordan Eberle looks to be on his way out of Edmonton. Could he find a new start in Phoenix?

July 1 is the earlies Devils can sign-and-trade Kovalchuk - All About The Jersey
Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie reported important details regarding Ilya Kovalchuk and his path to returning to the NHL.

A Deeper Look At Reported Preds Signee Victor Ejdsell - On the Forecheck
News broke yesterday that Allsvenskan Forward of the Year, Victor Ejdsell, intends to sign with the Nashville Predators.

We have a lot on tap for you today.

Scott is answering letters in the mailbag at 8:00 AM
Katya has a look at the Leafs depth at center (or lack of it) at 9:00 AM
Nafio and Baseball Annie will catch you up on the latest Women’s Hockey news at 11:00 AM, including a surprise donation to the CWHL.

I’ll see you at the Marlies game tonight! Stop by the press zone at the intermission to chat. I mean, otherwise, I’d have to talk to the Leafs Hub guy or something...

Finally, if you do not value your sanity, you can check out this 1,000 word Fanpost NNU posted at 2:11AM.

Toronto MarliesFrom The Branches