NEWSLETTER
After watching the track meet in Denver on Tuesday night, the assumption from many — including me — was that the first game of the Eastern Conference Final between the Lightning and Rangers would be lower scoring. It was… but the Rangers still put six on the board! Tonight we get the second round of the heavyweight fight between the Avs and Oilers. The game begins at 7 PM CT on TNT.
• We’ll start with the first NHL Award of the year being announced during the first intermission last night. Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar was named the winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
The Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award is given to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season.@AnzeKopitar sat down with Mark Messier to give thanks and to discuss his impact on the hockey community. #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/P66s7XukOw
— NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2022
• On the ice last night, we expected great goaltending from both teams. Igor Shesterkin showed up for the Rangers, but Andre Vasilevskiy left a lot to be desired. Shesterkin tied a number of goaltenders — including former Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford — with his seventh straight postseason victory on home ice.
Make that 7⃣ straight wins for Igor Shesterkin and the @NYRangers at Madison Square Garden. 🗽#NHLStats: https://t.co/CQrDKGSXru pic.twitter.com/SCgfvgCVTI
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 2, 2022
• Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, who won the Norris Trophy last year, continues making history this postseason. While we’ve all (rightfully) been focused on the astronomical numbers being put up by Connor McDavid and Co. in Edmonton, Fox has been terrific on the blue line for the Blue Shirts.
6⃣ goals for the @NYRangers tonight.
2⃣ assists for @foxyclean and 2⃣0⃣ career points in the #StanleyCup Playoffs. #NHLStats: https://t.co/CQrDKGSXru pic.twitter.com/17R1dviD4o— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 2, 2022
Adam Fox extended his home point streak to eight playoff games and surpassed Mark Messier (7 GP) to establish the longest such run in @NYRangers history. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/CQrDKGSXru pic.twitter.com/H0hYbJvqoL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 2, 2022
• This morning Scott Powers at The Athletic discussed what the next contract could look like for center Kirby Dach. Is he a center? And, if so, what could he cost the Blackhawks this coming season? It’s a fascinating conversation because the organization hasn’t done the player any favors in his development, but they’re clearly — heavily — invested in the former No. 3 overall pick.
Analyzing what Kirby Dach’s next contract will look like for the Blackhawks https://t.co/ILB1YhE38e
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) June 2, 2022
• Today we profiled a second potential head coach candidate for the Blackhawks, Maple Leafs assistant Spencer Carbery. What do you think of him as a candidate?
How About Spencer Carbery as a Blackhawks Head Coach Candidate?https://t.co/Vw0VhfE1xo pic.twitter.com/7pUXsPKMx1
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) June 2, 2022
• Stick tap to the Buffalo Sabres, Bandits and Bills for making an impact in a community that has continued to struggle to understand the awful violence that took place a couple weeks ago. Buffalo fans have a history of rallying around their teams, and the Sabres announced a great investment from their fans on Wednesday.
$ 1️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ & COUNTING.
We can’t thank you all enough.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 1, 2022
• If Blackhawks fans are worried about which star players won’t be around next year, it’s been a rough few weeks for the blood pressure of Bulls fans. Will Zach stay or will he go?
The Bulls Are Reportedly Split on Giving Zach LaVine the Maxhttps://t.co/4oAqKvyZgg pic.twitter.com/LtXWGOMVLW
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) June 1, 2022
