NEWSLETTER
What did we learn on Thursday night? The Avalanche aren’t going to sweep their way through the Western Conference and the Florida Panthers are in a world of trouble. But there were a few other noteworthy items from the hockey world yesterday. So let’s dig in.
Here’s tonight’s playoff schedule:
Rangers @ Hurricanes — 7 PM CT — ESPN
Oilers @ Flames — 9:30 PM CT — ESPN
• We’re thinking about the family of the late Stan Mikita today on what would have been his 82nd birthday. Stosh is, in my estimation, the greatest Blackhawk ever — Patrick Kane and Co. are still chasing his records and may never catch them. He wore only one sweater during his entire Hall of Fame career.
• Lukas Reichel has joined Germany’s team at the World Championship tournament in Finland. He was a scratch on Thursday. Reichel was in action on Friday morning and picked up a secondary assist for his first point for Germany. Then he scored his first goal of the tournament. Reichel added a primary assist for a three-point game.
Lukas Reichel just had his first goal of the tournament, 5-0 Germany. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/idjdvWejTs
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) May 20, 2022
• The Blackhawks reportedly made a couple minor changes to their front office staff. Pierre Gauthier, who was a senior advisor of player personnel, and Russian scout Andre Nikolishin are no longer with the organization. Neither is listed on the team’s website any longer. Gauthier was previously the general manager of the Canadiens. The departure of Gauthier isn’t a shock, but Nikolishin’s departure does raise some questions about the future of Hawks prospects in Russia.
• Ross Colton was the hero for Tampa last night, scoring the game-winning goal with 3.8 seconds remaining in regulation.
Absolutely VIBING pic.twitter.com/y1bNRKoKZZ
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 20, 2022
• The Nashville Predators announced their coaching staff has received two-year extensions on Thursday. So cross John Hynes off your coaching bingo card.
General Manager David Poile announces the #Preds have signed Head Coach John Hynes to a two-year extension. pic.twitter.com/EptMRfMyE6
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 19, 2022
• Now we know when the NHL Award winners will be announced. As we previously noted, the Central Division is loaded with finalists.
The NHL has announced when we'll learn the winners of the individual awards this year. Here's the schedule: pic.twitter.com/xyqvT9xSqT
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) May 19, 2022
• Apparently LL Cool J is influencing the Cubs’ offense this year. Don’t call it a comeback… because there haven’t been many this season.
Stroman’s Return, No Comebacks, Effross, Suzuki, and Other Cubs Bullets – https://t.co/J6YpspRlAW pic.twitter.com/RY0mW4skDq
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) May 20, 2022
