The New York Islanders held off the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, winning 3-2 in overtime to force a Game 7 on Friday night. This brings ever closer the specter of an Islanders vs Habs final, or in other words, a series designed to make Maple Leafs fans seriously consider moving to rural Vermont and taking up a life of animal husbandry and running a home preserving blog.

Or, maybe that’s just me.

Anyway, no matter how poorly the game ended, there were fun things. I know this is a controversial statement, but Brayden Point is good at hockey, and watching him play is an enjoyable experience. I’m sure you’re all shocked.

ICYMI

You Realize We’re The Bad Guys, Right? - Pension Plan Puppets
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs lose.

Shopping for bargains: Reclamation projects - Pension Plan Puppets
The success of Alex Galchenyuk in Toronto and Anthony Duclair in Florida show how rewarding giving a player a second or third or even fourth chance can be.

Stuff We Didn’t Write

Alleged assaults of Chicago Blackhawks players ‘an open secret’: source - TSN.ca

Moving into management next step in Sedin twins’ hockey development | The Star
VANCOUVER - Stepping into a management role with the team they spent 17 NHL seasons is another step in the hockey development of Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

Down Goes Brown: Puck Soup: What's the Point?

Dermott could be moved before the expansion draft, and other trade insights from Frank Seravalli
In his new feature column, right here on the Nation Network over on Daily Faceoff (not so humblebrag) Frank Seravalli assembled a list of 20 players who are very much the topic of trade conversation this summer.

What Montreal has taught us about the North Division, playoff success - Sportsnet.ca
The Montreal Canadiens are one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final, which has us questioning how the North Division should be viewed and what, exactly, can translate to playoff success. Justin Bourne with a look at the Canadiens.

Toronto Six announce they've signed Saroya Tinker
Toronto's NWHL team announce the signing of Saroya Tinker, right handed defender, from the Metropolitan Riveters

Bergeron wins Messier Award for Leadership! - Stanley Cup of Chowder
It’s no 5th Selke, but it’ll do!

Carl Gunnarsson announces retirement - St. Louis Game Time
The Blues’ defenseman was a key part of their 2019 Cup run.

Luke Richardson is making headlines for all the right reasons - Eyes On The Prize
The interim-interim coach is providing a calming influence in rough waters.

Do the Winnipeg Jets have a plan? - Arctic Ice Hockey
The Winnipeg Jets claim to draft and develop, but it seems like they have forgotten the second part. The Jets claim to have a young team, but they are getting longer in the tooth by the day.

From The Branches