Morning Chirps: Stars bounce back, Dickinson shines in Oilers playoff debut

Most people dread Mondays, but last night was a great way to start the week with plenty of high drama in the Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Blackhawks Chirps

• The Chicago Blackhawks' social media team knocked it out of the park this season. They provided a ton of behind-the-scenes content throughout the season that really showcased the personalities in the locker room. They put a bow on the year with these fun end-of-season awards. Find out which Blackhawk is the best at getting knocked out of sewer ball first, and who is the best eater.

• Be sure you’re signed up for the Blackhawk Up newsletter to get the latest trade rumors sent right to your inbox later today!

• The schedule for the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference Championship Series was released yesterday. Jack Pridham and the Kitchener Rangers will start their series against A.J. Spellacy and the Windsor Spitfires on Friday. Marek Vanacker, Parker Holmes, and the Brantford Bulldogs open the Easter Conference Championship Series against the Barrie Colts tomorrow night. The three teams with Blackhawks prospects are a combined 24-1 through the first two rounds of the OHL Playoffs.

• On this date in 1978, defenseman Bob Murray had three assists in the Blackhawks 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Quarterfinals.

• In 2014, after losing the first two games of the series, the Blackhawks beat the St. Louis Blues 2-0. Jonathan Toews scored four minutes into the game before Marcus Kruger iced the victory with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

• One year later, Brent Seabrook scored one minute into triple overtime to beat the Nashville Predators 3-2, and take a 3-1 lead in their first-round series. This was Seabrook’s third career playoff overtime goal.

• In 2021, Brandon Hagel became only the second rookie in team history to score multiple overtime goals in a season. His second overtime game-winner beat the Predators. The only other rookie to accomplish this feat was Seabrook during the 2005-06 season.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, April 21: Thomas Coulter, Jack Evans, Reggie Fleming, Michel Goulet, Ed Belfour, Roman Vopat, and Carl Corazzini.

NHL Chirps

• The Pittsburgh Penguins are in trouble after losing two straight home losses to the Philadelphia Flyers. Porter Martone, Granet Hathaway, and Luke Glendening did the damage in the Flyers’ 3-0 Game 2 victory. Martone became the 12th teenager in NHL history to score in his first two Stanley Cup Playoff games, and the first since Patrik Laine in 2018. The Penguins look old and slow through the first two games. And the few times they have produced quality chances, Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar has been there to make a stop. He made 27 saves last night to earn his first career postseason shutout. The series shifts to Philadelphia for the next two games.

• The game of the night was in Raleigh as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in double overtime. The Senators erased the Hurricanes' 2-0 lead in the second half of the game to force overtime. Late in the first overtime, Mark Jankowski scored on a delayed penalty. However, the play was ruled offside, but Jordan Martinhook was still awarded a penalty shot for a hooking penalty on the original play. Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark denied him to force a second overtime. But, because hockey is crazy, Martinhook got redemption by scoring the game-winner midway through the second overtime. The Hurricanes will take a 2-0 lead into Ottawa.

The Dallas Stars responded from an embarrassing Game 1 loss by beating the Minnesota Wild 4-2. Jason Robertson scored the game-winning goal, while Wyatt Johnston scored the first and last goals of the night. Brock Faber was the offensive hero for the Wild by scoring both of their goals. However, Jake Oettinger was the star of the game. He silenced his critics with 28 saves, including many worthy of the highlight reel. This series now heads to St. Paul, even at 1-1.

• Jason Dickinson had a fantastic postseason debut for the Edmonton Oilers, as he scored twice in a 4-3 Game 1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He scored the series-opening goal as the Oilers built an early 2-0 lead. The Ducks came back with three goals in the second period, including a pair from Troy Terry. Dickinson tied the game with 8:30 remaining before Kasperi Kapanen's second tally of the night won the game with less than two minutes to play. Leon Draisaitl recorded two assists in his return to the lineup. The Oilers won a playoff game without a point from Connor McDavid. You don't get to say that very often!

• According to Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs have spoken to Stars assistant general manager Scott White about their general manager job. He reported that the Maple Leafs have also talked to New York Islanders assistant general manager Ryan Bowness and Sunny Mehta, who was hired by the New Jersey Devils last week.

• White is also a candidate to replace Barry Trotz as the Nashville Predators’ general manager. Frank Seravalli reported White, Oilers assistant general manager Bill Scott, and Florida Panthers assistant general manager Brett Pederson have had in-person interviews for the gig. They are also expected to interview former Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald this week.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, April 21: Nick Beverly, Steve Vickers, Doug Soetaert, Vincent Lecavalier, Alexander Edler, and Charle-Edouard D’Astous.

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