1. Remember when the Blueshirts could have nabbed Jake Guentzel and didn’t? All he’s doing now is powering the Lightning offense. (Oh, by the way, Sir Drury, thanks for the oversight.)
2. Islanders fans who remember a young Travis Green – and loved him as The Maven did – are rooting for his Ottawa Senators over the smug Maple Leafs. (Big overtime win over Toronto last night at Ottawa.)
3. Toronto Sun’s famed columnist Steve Simmons was among many who were stunned by the Chris Drury contract extension.
4. “Just because you’re rich,” Simmons wrote, “it doesn’t mean you’re smart. Drury was reupted despite a disastrous season.Yet the veteran coach got canned. Go figure! (We already did. Dumb and dumber.)
5. Nikita Kucherov awakened with three assists last night for the Bolts. That could turn out to be the series-changer in favor of Tampa Bay.
6. One of the beauty parts of covering the Lightning-Panthers series is that respective coaches Jon Cooper and Paul Maurice deliver the best quotes in the league whether they win or lose. (Funny, too.)
7. The Islanders GM opening has attracted a lot of applicants. Pal Steve Simmons recommends either Kevin Weekes or Chris Pronger.
8. There are three compelling games starting this afternoon with the Canes at New Jersey. A few hours later the Capitals visit the raucous Bell Centre after which the Kings will be at Edmonton.
9. The Oilers will need better goaltending – again – to survive the LA attack. It looks like both injured No. 1. starting goalies in the Habs-Caps series will be out tonight.
What The Stanley Cup Playoffs Mean To Rangers FansApril is what every red-blooded hockey fan awaits, wants and loves. That’s because it’s the most important time of the year – the playoffs are on!
10. The Maven’s favorite player quote so far was delivered by Jake Guentzel: “If you can’t get up for these games, something is wrong with you.”
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