Hola y bienvenido al día después de Cinco De Mayo. Hopefully you didn't have too much fun last night (it was a Wednesday after all) but even if you're feeling less than great this morning, take an hour off from work and read some links instead.
Sullivan: Sabres need to ship out Connolly - The Buffalo News
It's when people are down and humbled that they often become the most honest. That apparently was the case last week, when Sabres management met with the media in the wake of the team's loss to Boston in the first round of the playoffs.
Stock Up Or Stock Down? How Pending UFAs Fared Despite Being Eliminated In Round 1 - From The Rink
Here's a look at four eliminated playoff teams (including the Sabres) and their UFAs’ prospects for 2010-11.
St. Ryan - Hockey Night in Buffalo
Wow, this is one of the coolest Sabres pictures I've ever seen. Nice, Caroline, very nice.
East:
Bruins beat Flyers 4-1 to take 3-0 series lead - NHL.com
Tuukka Rask stopped 34 shots and Miroslav Satan scored the game-winning goal, as the Bruins topped the Flyers, 4-1, in Game 3 to grab a 3-0 Series lead.
Jordan Staal practices - PensBurgh
Penguins injured center Jordan Staal fully participiated in practice today, less than a week after having foot surgery to repair a tendon injury.
Pens battle depth issues - The Globe and Mail
The salary cap has left general manager Ray Shero with some tough decisions every off-season
Chatting with Evgeni Malkin: 'There is a lot more dirty play; but that's why the playoffs are so interesting' - Puck Daddy
Dmitry Chesnokov has a talk with slumping Pens star Evgeni Malkin.
The secret of Jaroslav Halak's success for Montreal Canadiens - SI.com
So, the Montreal story continues. Mostly, though, it has been the Jaroslav Halak party, as the Canadiens goaltender turns in gem after gem.
West:
Byfuglien's three goals lead Hawks past Canucks 5-2 - NHL.com
A big game from Dustin Byfuglien and a rare fast start carried the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinal series.
Sharks - and the game - have come a long way - The Globe and Mail
It used to be, back in the dark days of 2004 and earlier, that a third-period lead was money in the bank
Why a Wings comeback would benefit the NHL - THN
The latest fan conspiracy surrounds Detroit, who trails San Jose 3-0. However, it would make no sense for the NHL to push out one of their dynasties.
Burish, Eager add 'meat' to Blackhawks' lineup - NHL.com
Adam Burish and Ben Eager added plenty of pounds and punch to the Blackhawks in Game 2, a role they will reprise Wednesday in Game 3.
The Rest:
Junior Hockey on Yahoo! Canada Sports
A whole bunch of articles and info on the OHL finals and the Windsor Spitfires (and Zach Kassian's) win.
NHL Picking Up Momentum - NHL FanHouse
Wanna hear a secret?Hockey is hot? No, really. The National Hockey League is a big-time deal again.
Fun with math - The Universal Cynic
Since 1994, only eight NHL teams have failed to make it to their respective conference finals. Would you like to guess the teams?
NHL Playoff Fan Signs - SI.com
At NHL playoff time, fan passion runs high and this year is no exception. The wit and, um, wisdom has been flowing in the form of notable handmade signs such as this invitation/love note to Chicago Blackhawks pot-stirrer Adam Burish.
AAA Warriors change their name to the Generals - The Moose Jaw Times Herald
Not only am I proud to link to such a prestigious publication such as the MJTH, but as Puck Daddy astutely pointed out, their logo looks like the word "Genitals".