Top Line: Matt Cooke hit puts NHL discipline czar to test; more links
By Allan Muir
An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:
• Mikael Granlund's spectacular OT game-winner gave the Wild the result they deserved against the Avalanche.
• Colorado is irate after defenseman Tyson Barrie was injured by a reckless hit from Matt Cooke. The league isn't too happy, either. It scheduled an in-person meeting with Cooke for later on Tuesday, which suggests that he will be suspended for at least five games. It's the latest incident in what's been a trial by fire for new NHL disciplinarian Stephane Quintal.
• One thing to keep in mind when Quintal's ruling comes down: Under the terms of the CBA, Cooke is not a repeat offender. Doesn't quite seem right, does it?
• Barrie's injury was brutal, but the fractured leg suffered by Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas was heartbreaking. You can't help but feel for the hard-working veteran, who battled back from an injury to the same leg earlier this season. Here's hoping he's able to make a complete recovery during the summer.
• If the Bruins are going to get past the Red Wings in their opening round series, Boston will have to do something it hasn't done since 2007.
• Reinforcements could be on the way for the Bruins.
• Detroit earned a split in Boston, but scored only two goals in the process. This is what needs to change for the Red Wings if they're to get their offense on track.
• Good thing that Ray Emery is coming off a strong performance in Game 2 against the Rangers because the Flyers are stuck with him for Game 3.
• The Rangers? Diving? No ...
• Matt Larkin and Ronnie Shuker compiled an oral history of New York's 1994 Stanley Cup run. It's terrific and way too short.
• The Kings dug themselves a deep hole against the Sharks. Seems fitting that L.A. is counting on its depth players to dig the team out.
• His team may be down 3-0 to the Canadiens, but that doesn't mean that Lightning coach Jon Cooper can't have a bit of fun.
• He slept his way through the regular season. Now he's the hottest scorer of the playoffs. Does that make Rene Bourque the new Dustin Penner?
• Poor Bruce Boudreau. The Ducks' coach tried to warn the officials about Dallas' dirty play. But would they listen? Nooooo ...
• Gary Bettman was in Dallas last night to take in the game and take part in a quick press conference. It was classic Bettman.
• The Blues played the best road game that Ken Hitchcock could remember, but another mistake by Ryan Miller cost them the W.
• The Hawks choked away late leads in games 1 and 2. Corey Crawford wouldn't let it happen again in Game 3.
• How loud is the cannon that the Blue Jackets fire off after every goal? Loud enough to wake the dead, which the Penguins were after coughing up an early 2-0 lead in Columbus.
• It's immature and cruel, but chirping is part of the game no matter what level of hockey you play.
• Terry Frei says that the NBA could learn something about handling college players from the NHL's sensible draft system.