Morning Chirps: Vlasic takes to the pitching mound, Oilers vent frustration

The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs kicked off last night, while we have the final game of the first round later tonight. Meanwhile, back home, one of the Chicago Blackhawks blueliners showed off his skills on the pitching mound.

Blackhawks Chirps

• The Athletic’s Scott Powers spoke to Connor Bedard about his decision not to play for Team Canada at the World Championships. He echoed what Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday about his desire to make sure his injured shoulder is 100% for the start of next season.

• Blackhawks fans have one of the best traditions in all of hockey, as I took a look at the origins of some of the game’s most unique traditions.

• Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic threw out the first pitch before the Chicago Cubs game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.

• The Brantford Bulldogs just can’t close out the Barrie Colts in the Eastern Conference Championship Series. The Colts won their second straight, a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 6, to force a seventh and final game back in Brantford on Monday. The Bulldogs had a 3-1 lead with under seven minutes to play in the second period, but couldn’t hold on. Marek Vanacker and Parker Holmes didn’t factor in any of the scoring, but each contributed with three shots on goal. Barrie goaltender Ben Hrebik was the hero by making 54 saves.

• On this date in 1983, the Edmonton Oilers completed their four-game sweep of the Blackhawks in the Campbell Conference Finals with a 6-3 victory. Darryl Sutter, Steve Larmer, and Curt Fraser scored, while Wayne Gretzky had a goal and two assists. The Oilers outscored the Blackhawks 22-12 over the four games, but were swept themselves in the Stanley Cup Final by the New York Islanders.

• In 2001, Brian Sutter was named the 34th head coach in Blackhawks history. He went 91-103-37 in his three seasons behind the bench in Chicago.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, May 3: Reg Bentley, Jack Johnson, and Brad Mills.

NHL Chirps

• Trading Mikko Rantanen for Logan Stankoven last spring is looking like a genius move for the Carolina Hurricanes. While Rantanen and the Dallas Stars are sitting at home, Stankoven scored a pair of goals in the Hurricanes' 3-0 Game 1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. His first goal came just 1:31 into the game, and it was the only one they would need as Freddie Andersen stopped all 19 shots he faced. Stankoven has six goals and an assist through five postseason games.

• The Oilers held their exit interviews on Saturday, and their two best players did not hold back. Leon Draisaitl knows the clock is ticking, and he laid it out there.

• Connor McDavid, who called his team average after their elimination, agreed with his teammate that the organization has taken a step back. Stan Bowman’s seat has to be scorching hot right now, and he may not survive this offseason.

• It was also revealed that McDavid and Jason Dickinson both played with significant injuries. McDavid had a fracture to his foot and ankle area, while Dickinson dealt with his own ankle fracture.

• The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild begin their series later tonight. Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson and forward Joel Kriviranta have been upgraded to day-to-day and could play in Game 1. The Athletic’s Michael Russo is reporting that Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin is out with a lower-body injury, while forward Joel Eriksson Ek is questionable for the start of the series.

• Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has an in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety to discuss his dangerous slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson. The in-person hearing means a possible suspension could exceed five games.

• It looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make more than one hire to fill their front-office vacancies. Steve Simmons is reporting that they will announce on Monday that Mats Sundin and John Chayka will both lead the team’s front office. There have been no details on their specific roles, but it is believed Chayka will take over as general manager. This already sounds like too many cooks in the kitchen.

• Former Blackhawks defenseman Lucas Carlsson has signed with Anton Frondell’s old team, Djurgarden, in the SHL. The team announced a new four-year deal with the 28-year-old blueliner, who spent the last two seasons with the San Jose Sharks organization.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, May 3: Billy Taylor, Bob Dailey, Rod Langway, Peter Ihnacak, Alain Cote, Paul Boutilier, Ron Hextall, Jeff Chychrun, Vyacheslav Kozlov, Jeff Halpern, R.J. Umberger, Nico Sturm, and Colton White.

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