Top Line: Canucks' window closing, tooth fairy busy in Ottawa, more links
Antti Niemi and the Sharks have the Canucks down 0-3, but will they let them back up? (Rich Lam/Getty Images)
An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:
• Alain Vigneault is likely to take the fall when the Canucks are eliminated, but this defeat was induced by the failures of GM Mike Gillis.
• Tony Gallagher says it's time for the Sedins to stop taking the blame in Vancouver. Apparently two assists apiece through three games gets you a pass in some parts.
• The Sharks have to be feeling good about themselves with a 3-0 series lead, but coach Todd McLellan will remind them today that the last time they were in this spot they ended up playing in a Game 7.
• The Senators battled back from a disappointing loss and mugged the Canadiens in a fight-filled Game 3.
• The Canadiens embarrassed themselves in every way while losing this one. That whirring sound you hear is Toe Blake spinning in his grave.
• The Ottawa-Montreal war of words escalated after Paul MacLean's timeout call in the final minute.
• The Tooth Fairy has been busy in that Sens-Habs series.
• Here's a great story about what one Ottawa fan is willing to give up to see his team beat the Habs.
• The Wild came into Sunday's Game 3 prepared to play some do-or-die hockey. The Hawks failed to match their desperation.
• Was it one big game or the start of something bigger? With the Wild, it's tough to figure out.
• Three games into their series against Minnesota, Chicago's top line has combined for one goal and one assist. Look for Toews, Hossa and Saad to fire at will in Game 4.
• Phil Kessel scores one goal and all of a sudden he's a comedian. Funny what dumping that monkey does for a guy.
• It's only one win, George Johnson writes. Toronto needs to simmer down now.
• Jaromir Jagr was acquired to boost the productivity of Boston's third line. So far, his impact has been negligible. The pressure is squarely on him to show up in Game 3.
• Tyler Seguin is under his own kind of pressure as the series shifts to Toronto.
• The Islanders' top stars showed they won't go down quietly in a thrilling OT loss to the Penguins.
• Dejan Kovacevic writes that the Penguins need to be less stupid if they want to get past the Isles. Not to put too fine a point on it or anything.
• The Blues are generating plenty of chances against the Kings. The problem is a lack of finish. That's why Ken Hitchcock is likely to insert rookie Vladimir Tarasenko into his Game 4 lineup.
• The Rangers finally have their discipline issues under control against the Capitals. The problem now is that they can't score.
• The Capitals have to learn to deal with prosperity if they hope to get the Rangers into a stranglehold.
• Wherever the Coyotes play next season, they'll need to bring in a couple of scorers. The team could target Nathan Horton, Mike Ribeiro or Michael Ryder in free agency.