The regular season is over and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are finally here. After that long slog of games that came after the Leafs had already clinched it will be refreshing to have the games come fast and furoius.

ICYMI
Here’s what we wrote about yesterday.

Maple Leafs to face Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs - Katya
We finally know our fate.

Leafs the only NHL team to finish the year with zero cap space - Katya
They also will carry bonus overages into next year.

Other News

Touted prospect Quinton Byfield drafted first overall by OHL’s Sudbury Wolves | TheColorOfHockey
The 15-year-old center from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, was chosen by the Sudbury Wolves after he put up monster numbers for the York Simco Express, a minor midget AAA team, in the 2017-18 season: 48 goals and 44 assists in 34 games.

Minnesota Duluth Wins National Title - SB Nation College Hockey
Minnesota-Duluth built a two-goal first-period lead and played tremendous defense to keep Notre Dame off balance all night, and the Bulldogs beat the Fighting Irish 2-1 on Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center to win their second national championship.

Bruins honor Rene Rancourt before his final regular season game - Stanley Cup of Chowder
Fist pumps for everyone as Rene rides into the sunset.

Connor Hellebuyck: Winningest American Goalie in NHL History - Arctic Ice Hockey
He was thought of as the back up and then he played over 60 games.

Alain Vigneault Never Blamed Himself And It Got Him Fired - Blueshirt Banter
Alain Vigneault had to have felt the heat. After the Rangers were embarrassed in their regular season finale in Philadelphia, Vigneault went on an alleged unsolicited post-game speech about how good of a job the coaching staff had done for the team, and how it was one of the organization’s strongest assets moving forward.

Swift Current survivors determined to give help they were denied - Sportsnet.ca
“When Sheldon stood up and finally outed Graham (in 1996) it all became clear why we weren’t able to get help after the bus crash.”
“We weren’t allowed to talk about it for fear his dirty secret would come out. My mom wondered for years why we were never given any of the resources we needed to cope with it properly. Those who wanted help were told ‘no’ by Graham. Now we know why."

From The Branches