The Stanley Cup final has been exciting so far, but it could be halfway over, after the Panthers took a 2-0 series lead last night. It’s probably a long way from being over — and there are two-day gaps for each travel period — but Oil Country has got to be feeling uneasy.
First, some Islanders Reading…
- I freaking love Aleksandar Barkov and have since he scared the bejeesus out of me during that 2016 series that Thomas Griess stole. Wayne Gretzky is on that wavelength, calling Barkov the best defensive forward he’s seen since Bryan Trottier. [THN]
- Yesterday in Isles history: Al Arbour named coach. [Isles]
- Why did the Blackhawks trade an extra second in order to move up a few spots in the first and second round? Their GM says it just sounded better. [THN]
- Noah Dobson and Alex Romanov each took steps forward this past season. [Isles]
Elsewhere
Draisaitl leaves his feet (just after contact, but contact didn’t cause him to), targets the head with his elbow, principal contact is clearly Barkov’s head.
Players are going to pull this crap until the NHL cracks down on it.
EDM have a great chance to win if Barkov is done. https://t.co/bjpf93fmz1
— Travis Flynn (@NDRedEagle) June 11, 2024
- Paul Maurice was understandably pissed about the hit. [Sportsnet]
- The asshole Capitals bought CapFriendly. (Can the league not just make its own resource so this stops happening? They can even have it sponsored by SAP or Wal-mart or whatever.) [Sportsnet]
- Eric Tulsky, former of Broad Street Hockey and awesome insightful blogging, is going to be the non-interim GM in Carolina. [Sportsnet]
- Matt Duchene wants to stay with the Stars, even for cheap. [TSN]
